I visited Saudi Arabia last November on a working and research trip and was pleasantly surprised. Saudi Arabia has been one of the greatest unknown territories in the world… forever.
My friends and family thought I was crazy because it’s so dangerous and so many unknowns. Not to mention how difficult it would be traveling and surviving in such a 3rd world country.
Wow, did my acquaintances and family get it wrong?
Saudi Arabia is a beautiful country of very respectful, polite, religious people. I saw nothing but courtesy. Of course, I didn’t make it around that much either.
As far as safety, my hometown of Chicago is WAY MORE dangerous. Sure, there’s the potential for serious trouble near the borders that touch Yemen, and the Houthi Rebels territory, but I was nowhere near them and don’t recommend touring the areas.
Saudi Arabia has announced it will open its doors to international tourists for the first time ever, pledging to provide e-visas and visas on arrival to visitors from 49 countries.
Travel to the Kingdom has until now been almost entirely restricted to expatriate workers or those with business visas, and to religious pilgrims visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
That’s about to change, according to a press release issued ahead of a new visa regime expected to be implemented in the near future. Under a new program, Saudi Arabia will welcome overseas visitors outside of the auspices of the Hajj visa. The Kingdom will also relax its strict dress requirement for female visitors, exempting them from wearing the otherwise obligatory head-to-toe robe, or Abaya, in public places and permitting them to travel without a male companion. Tourists will still be required to dress modestly and Mecca remains off-limits for non-Muslims.
The announcement is the latest in a series of measures undertaken by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman aimed at liberalizing the Saudi economy and reducing its dependence on hydrocarbons. But the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi one year ago and crackdowns on women’s rights campaigners in the country have undermined the Crown Prince’s attempt to cast himself as a modernizing reformer.
Saudi Arabia says it expects to attract 100 million foreign and domestic visitors by 2030 and create 1 million new jobs in the tourism sector. The Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage invited investors to be part of what he billed as “the fastest-growing tourism sector on earth” in another press release that announced $27-billion worth of new agreements in the tourism sector.
The expected visitor numbers are “very ambitious”, says John Sfakianakis, the chief economist at the Gulf Research Center and probably more “guidance” than cast in stone figures. Saudi Arabia’s ability to deliver on its aims will depend on the competitiveness of its tourist offering with those of regional rivals such as Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, its global connectivity, and the ease of its visa provisioning system, he says. Regional security will also be paramount. “Geopolitical risks will have to stay low as we know all too well from Egypt’s and Turkey’s recent tumultuous past,” Sfakianakis tells TIME.
Among the destinations Saudi Arabia hopes tourists will visit are five UNESCO listed heritage sites including the ancient city of Mada’in, home to the Nabateans before Roman annexation in 106 CE; Riyadh’s Masmak Fortress—which Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al Saud seized in 1902 before conquering the regions’ disparate tribes and uniting them to form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the world’s largest oasis, which has 2.5 million date palms.
Jim O’Brien, director of the U.K.-based boutique travel company Native Eye, says he hopes the introduction of tourist visas will boost business for his company—which until now has offered tours of Saudi Arabia to foreigners who already have business visas—but he doesn’t expect the Kingdom to experience the sort of overnight boom that happened in Myanmar. “First of all it needs to raise its profile as a possible holiday destination,” says O’Brien. “For years it has been very closed to visitors, so this may take some time.”
As far as I’m concerned, I can’t wait to get back to Saudi Arabia. There’s so much to see and all of it is new to me and the world.
I do recommend Saudi Arabia as a vacation or even a business destination. The cities are beautiful modern paradises. The rural country is an exotic desert site to be seen. Just stay away from the Yemen border.
A documentary is often called “Cinema Verte,” filming the truth. The thing is, especially in today’s culture, whose truth are you filming? News stations are supposed to report the facts, the truth or reality. Well, how come Fox News and CNN are so diverse on the same subjects?
The reality is people have agendas and their own beliefs; which are often tainted. There’s no question that Leaving Neverland is a one-sided documentary that does not question its two subjects’ claims. It presents their claims simply as the truth. The problem with that is, it’s their truth or their version of the truth or it could be (dare I say it), a pack of lies.
Directed by British documentarian Dan Reed, the project unpacks in explicit detail the allegations of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who say they suffered years of sexual abuse at Jackson’s hands when they were boys.
Robson claims the abuse began at age 7. Safechuck says he became sexually active with Jackson at age 10. Both men testified on the pop star’s behalf in a 1993 sexual-abuse case brought by a different boy and claimed at the time that Jackson never did anything inappropriate.
The “documentary” Leaving Neverland is an entirely one-sided account by two alleged victims who had spent the decades before denying that they had been molested. It doesn’t deal with the fact that Jackson was actually tried on child abuse charges and acquitted, investigated by child protective services and cleared and the target of a 13-year FBI investigation into the allegations which turned up nothing.
Against all these non-results of inquiries by highly competent and professional institutions, we are supposed to accept the inconsistent testimony of two people who had their cases against Jackson’s estate tossed out and were assessed hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. They now hope to recover the fees by repeating stories that they used to deny and which are not supported by any independent evidence.
They now say they were lying, motivated by love and loyalty for Jackson, and were only able to face the truth after they each had young children of their own.
HBO showed the docu-series in March and the result is that it split the nation, the world on how they view Michael Jackson and it’s affected his music sales and MJ promotions. MJ backers, fans, and family are hoping that this stigma and backlash will pass.
Only a couple of protesters turned up at Sundance. But online, a storm was brewing. Hardcore fans were at the ready on Twitter, directing an onslaught of messages at any of the festival-goers who walked out of the Egyptian and posted about what they had seen.
“Basically, to believe Wade Robson’s allegations, you have to believe that he is a liar to a great degree,” said Sara Richards, a 26-year-old student who lives in the United Kingdom and is the co-owner of MJ Legion, one of the many Twitter fan pages that has dedicated its feed to discrediting the accusers.
“To believe him now, you have to believe that he was lying for the last 20 years, including under oath,” she continued. “I hear people saying you must believe the victims, which I strongly agree with. But when you’ve been faced with a situation where someone has been lying for 20 years straight, you can’t take it at face value. This is obviously bringing a lot of attention and fame, and eventually, down the road, I’m sure they’ll be able to make money somehow.”
Richards, like most ardent Jackson fans who have been rallying online, is echoing the position of the Jackson estate, which has dismissed the “so-called ‘documentary’” as a rehash of “dated and discredited allegations.”
In part, because Robson and Safechuck defended Jackson years ago, the film has come under intense scrutiny by the estate, which has accused the film’s subjects of being motivated by money.
The estate and Jackson’s fans are encouraging the public to see the film as nothing more than a smear campaign against a singer who was vilified his entire life and innocent of all allegations against him (Jackson was acquitted on charges of child molestation and of administering an intoxicating agent to a minor in 2005; he paid $22 million to settle a civil case with another accuser in 1994). MJ always regretted taking that advice and doing it.
From left, Director Dan Reed, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, pose to promote the Michael Jackson documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’ during the Sundance Film Festival. (Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)
“The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact,” Jackson’s estate said in a lengthy statement issued after Leaving Neverland premiered.
“These claims were the basis of lawsuits filed by these two admitted liars which were ultimately dismissed by a judge. The two accusers testified under oath that these events never occurred. They have provided no independent evidence and absolutely no proof in support of their accusations … despite all the disingenuous denials made that this is not about money, it has always been about money — millions of dollars.”
The idea for the documentary began with Reed, who had been looking back in 2016 for his next nonfiction project: something big and investigative, an iconic American story that had the power to engage audiences on a global scale. During lunch with an executive at England’s Channel 4, he suggested Michael Jackson: Was he or wasn’t he guilty of sexual abuse?
Upon learning of Robson and Safechuck’s complaints, Reed reached out to the legal teams for the two men and expressed his interest in interviewing them. Though the filmmaker felt “it was a real long shot,” the accusers agreed to participate.
Once Robson explained that he’d loved Jackson as a boy, “everything suddenly crystallized” for Reed — and he understood why Robson had come to the singer’s defense for so long.
Online, the Jackson fan response has been swift and aggressive, with hundreds of individuals who have yet to see the docu-series jumping to the late star’s defense. “It’s [a] modern-day lynching,” one fan tweeted in response to The Times’ coverage. “It’s a biased & obviously fabricated film! You can talk about what you’ve seen but we’re asking rightfully so, to be critical & research the accusers.”
Here are some truths from Esmeralda Rokaj, MJ fan:
It’s a fact that Wade Robson has given 4 drastically different versions of his alleged abuse. He was caught lying so much in the lawsuit that when it was dismissed, the judge said: “No reasonable juror could believe his case”. It’s on the document.
It’s a fact that Wade initially said he did not remember the abuse until 2013 and was having mental breakdowns between 2011 and 2012 that made him remember. The problem? The timeline of his breakdowns is the same as that of him praising MJ in interviews. Why was he praising someone whom he was remembering to have had molested him?
It’s a fact that after that error from his part, Wade changed his story completely to “always remembered the abuse but never recognized it as abuse” until 2013 when he sued the Estate. The problem? In his lawsuit, it was discovered that in 2012 he was writing and trying to sell a book about MJ allegedly molesting him. How was he writing a book about being abused in 2012 if he only recognized he was abused in 2013? And what victim starts writing a book before even telling anyone what happened? Also, he presented 2 drafts of the book in his lawsuit, and the story changed significantly from one draft to the other.
It’s a fact that Wade was caught exchanging emails with his mother where they plot a story and discuss having several versions. In the emails, they also denied the veracity of some eyewitness accounts which Wade included in his lawsuit anyway, knowing they were untrue.
It’s a fact that Wade claims he is speaking up about sexual abuse victims. However, when he sued the Estate, the initial lawsuit was filed UNDER SEAL which means it would not be publicized in the media. Only when the Estate refused to settle, he went public with his claims.
It’s a fact that in the documentary, Wade’s wife says she didn’t know how to help Wade cope with his trauma because she knows nothing about sexual abuse. However, on the donation page that Wade has set up for himself, he says his own wife is a survivor of sexual abuse. That line has now been removed but there are images of the original saved by researchers.
It’s a fact that Safechuck’s stories about him and MJ are identical to a fictional book written about MJ and Jordan Chandler in the mid-90s by a suspected pedophile and NAMBLA member, whom MJ sued for defamation and won. They also contradict real timelines. If we are to believe him, we should also believe that Michael Jackson, except for a great singer, songwriter and dancer, was also a freaking teleporter and time traveler.
“If anything, these two guys are showing they don’t care about real victims. They are just using the title for themselves because it benefits them,” says Esmeralda Rokaj, MJ fan.
“MJ was eccentric in his way, no denying that. I also think he put himself in a difficult position many times by raising speculation and did things we might deem unusual, but he never had sinister intentions. He was actually too naive for his own good,” says Esmeralda Rokaj, MJ fan.
There are still a number of men who spent time with Jackson as boys who insist they were never abused by the musician. Brett Barnes and actor Macaulay Culkin are featured in the film, with archival footage showing them spending time with the singer in their youth; they both also testified on Jackson’s behalf in his 2005 trial.
Culkin, now 38, said in an interview on the podcast “Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum” that Jackson befriended him because they both understood how isolating child fame could be.
“It’s almost easy to try to say it was like weird or whatever, but it wasn’t, because it made sense,” Culkin said. “At the end of the day, we were friends.”
As fans and the estate continue to push back, Jackson’s nephew, Taj Jackson, is raising funds to release a counter-documentary series that he says will expose “media and showbiz corruption” and reveal how his uncle was “betrayed, entrapped, and extorted” because of his “unique” relationships with children.
“After having their abuse allegations dismissed by the court, the two men who are subjects in this film have turned to HBO, the UK’s Channel 4 and the Sundance Film Festival to tell their stories. I’m extremely disappointed in Sundance. Enough is enough. Michael Jackson died an innocent, vindicated man. It’s time to take a stand, and I’m fighting hard for the truth,” Taj said in a statement. He’s raised more than $30,000 of his $777,000 goal.
Whatever comes next, Reed said that Robson and Safechuck are ready for the next step. And he remains optimistic that by sharing their stories, the film could spur a larger conversation.
In a statement, Jackson’s estate blasted the documentary as another money-grabbing attempt. “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson,” the statement said. “This so-called ‘documentary’ is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations.” On Feb. 21, Jackson’sestate filed a lawsuit against the film, claiming the documentary violates a disparagement clause in an old contract with HBO.
The Jackson family also slammed the documentary in a statement released on Jan. 28. “Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made,” the statement from the Jackson family read. “The creators of this film were not interested in the truth.”
Jackson’s estate said it was “baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.”
So, where’s the documentary answer to, Leaving Neverland? I think Taj Jackson and the MJ fan base may have something to say. Cinema Verte, where does the exact truth lie? Who’s asking and who’s sayin’.
Saudi Arabia granted women the right to driveone year ago, a historic move that cracked open a window to new freedoms for women who have long lived under repressive laws. The measure was enacted by the country’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also eased other restrictions on women, leading some to hail him as a feminist reformer.
The lifting of the ban has improved life for some Saudi women so they can get themselves to work or even take a job that involves lots of driving — while others say they are ambivalent about it or would rather women stay off the roads. The change has also come at great cost for activists who began fighting for this cause back in the 1990s.
Until last summer, Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world where women weren’t allowed to drive, a policy that had been in place since 1957. The ban’s origins are murky, but the country follows Wahhabism, a strict form of Sunni Islam, which, among other things, forbids the sexes to mix. Saudi clerics argued thatallowing women to drive would lead to promiscuity.
But in September 2017, Saudi Arabia’s ruler, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, issued a decree announcing that the nation’s women could drive starting on June 24, 2018. This was an extraordinary moment for women in the kingdom. Many had long fought for that right.
Some analystsview this change as a direct result of the crown prince’s vision to revamp the economy. In 2016, only 1 in 5 Saudis employed in the kingdom were women — extremely low compared to other parts of the world.
The ban has been widely condemned as a major barrier against women’s empowerment in the kingdom and a symbol of oppression. Some rights organizations hoped the ban’s removal would lead to more action on gender equality in Saudi Arabia.
But last May, in the lead-up to the lifting of the ban, more than a dozen female activists who had pushed for the right to drive were rounded up and put in jail. At least nine of them remain in prison. Families of the activists say they have been tortured and put in solitary confinement for long periods. No formal charges have been brought against the women, only a seriesofallegations that accused them of having been involved in a foreign plot against the government.
The World reached out to one activist’s family, who declined to comment at this time.
“It’s quite ironic that these arrests happened one month before the driving ban was lifted because these women are not only human rights defenders but [they] were the leading campaigners in the campaign for the right to drive,” Ahmed said. “It sends the message that reform and critique will only come from the government.”
The World tried contacting Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, but his office declined to comment. During his recent visit to Washington, DC, he publicly said the detained women’s rights activists will be put on trial and that their case is about “national security, not activism.“
Historically, Saudi women relied on male relatives to get from place to place or hiring chauffeurs. Public transport was not an option for many since it remains underdeveloped.
In 2017, Saudi media reported that families spent as much as $540 million each month on drivers.
While women can drive, they still have to follow guardianship rules that require them to get the permission of a male relative for tasks such as travel, marriage and some health procedures.
“The idea of women equality has to be mainstream, not limited to driving,” Sharia Walker. “If we want to see the real change it has to continue. This is the first step in the right direction.”
Additionally, Saudi women drivers are still few and far between. According to Saudi media, more than 40,000 driver licenses have been issued to women since last June, while around 10 million adult women live in the country. The driving age is 18.
Some Saudi women still have plenty of questions: “There was a decree that women are allowed to drive and that was it. From my experience, I haven’t seen any platform where people can engage and discuss what to expect, what are the fears, does it make sense?”
Meanwhile, some Saudi women say they are ambivalent about women driving.
It looks like it may be a slow process because there are so many hearts and minds to change of a well-entrenched national behavior. But young people now devour the internet and anything foreign. Or anything different or progressive.
The old school of thought is going to disappear a lot quicker than the hardliners think.
Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy but quick ride.
Nikolai Gogol published his great novel, “Dead Souls”, in 1842. The plot concerns a man named Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, who buys dead serfs from various landowners; not the cadavers of these serfs, rest assured; only their names.
The background of this peculiar enterprise is long and involving: serfdom in Russia, and the taxation system and census reports of those times. Any decent translation of Gogol’s novel will supply a detailed historical overview. And while such information is helpful and interesting, it is not absolutely necessary. All the reader needs to know is that the “hero”, Chichikov, is engaged in a fraudulent scheme calculated to gain him prestige.
He approaches a number of landowners from whom he hopes to gain so many “souls”. Among them we meet Manilov, with whom Chichikov forms a gushingly polite friendship reminiscent of the classic cartoon characters named the Goofy Gophers. Or there is the fretful yet stubborn Mother Korobochka, the outlandishly irresponsible Nozdrev, the tight-fisted Sobakevich, and the dour hoarder named Plewshkin. The latter figure treats discarded rags or nails or scraps of paper as treasured items. It is these encounters—plus Gogol’s eccentric descriptions and digressions—that make “Dead Souls” such an enjoyable read.
The author’s style combines vivid detail with a playful disregard for literary convention. His eye is for the typical, not the unique: thus everything in his novel is ‘familiar’, the ‘well known’, ‘the usual sights’. But the way that Gogol sees the typical, and describes it, is funny indeed; funny in every sense of the word. For example, everything is ‘as it should be’ when Chichikov visits a governor’s residence. His eyes are ‘dazzled by the candles, the lights, and the ladies’ dresses. Everything was flooded with light, and black frockcoats kept flashing by, singly and in clusters, like flies on a gleaming white sugar loaf on a sultry July day…’ The simile continues for another sixteen lines, but it transports the reader to a very different setting; a place where an elderly housekeeper is breaking apart the aforementioned sugar loaf, the shards of which are attacked by swarms of flies. The focus closes in on the flies themselves as they ‘rub their front and back legs together’ or ‘turn and take off, only to return again in new harassing squadrons’. It would be a mistake to force some symbolic meaning onto this glorious, hilarious passage. It does not really mean anything; it is simply Gogol being Gogol.
The author’s genius belonged to the in-spite-of-himself variety; and the eyes he had were not the eyes he wanted. He wanted “Dead Souls” to be something it could not be: a Russian variation of Dante’s “Divine Comedy”. He attempted a sequel along such lines but ended up burning the manuscript shortly before dying. That is probably fortunate because what we are left with is an inimitable, oddball masterpiece.
Started only in August, First Friday in downtown San Diego has quickly caught on. Oct 4th, they will be featuring nine downtown venues. San Diego East Village is divided into four quadrants so no matter which month you go, it will always be a rotating event. Tailored Hair for Men is the main sponsor this month, along with the Bean Bar Coffee shop, Make pizza+salad, along with Rize Yoga Studio, and Original Grain high-end watches. Wild Dove Boutique featuring women’s clothes; Quartyard, a new Beer Garden; and WhipHand, a new 24-hour tap beer bank will be in this month’s roster.
A tour guide will move you from place to place, but you can linger as long as you wish. East Village has exploded in the years since I lived in San Diego, it is thriving with restaurants, taverns, breweries, coffee shops, art galleries, and all manner of unique places to visit.
Headlining again this time is Tavern and Bowl East Village which is actually a bowling alley, restaurant and bar. I’ve eaten there in San Diego, Scottsdale, and North County, and the greatest hostess that runs group sales is Robin Spencer. She can book a party for you anytime. They are only three blocks from the Padres Stadium. The First Friday group moves from venue to venue, or you can catch up anytime you wish. Please make reservations through Eventbrite.
If you can’t come out in October, jump on board for the November event.
Years ago, I awakened from a dream knowing that my pursuit of happiness would in part be wrapped within writing. Who knew that this pathway would give me so much in the creation of a family who wanted nothing more than to love me. To this day my life is fueled with words that leap off the page for my children and those I hold near and dear to my heart. It is through writing that I have been given the privilege to elevate those who take the time to read my work. From subtle to direct, the underlying premise is to follow your dreams because you can make them your reality. And in doing so, you realize that this is God’s plan too.
So here it goes, let me take you on a ride to parts unknown. It starts with a place called Relics Retreats. A 30-acre paradise nestled within the wooded forest and along the babbling banks of Grave Creek and outside of Eureka, Montana, this unique find offers a piece of paradise for the discerning type. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a silence that comes over you where you can feel the presence of minds and spirits through the air. It’s a place where you can touch the untouchable and dance the “cerebral tango” with a special someone even if they physically aren’t with you. Relics Retreats offers a place of contemplation in the magnificence of true raw beauty in an undeniably well-engineered creation like no other. It is a place where time and space are insignificant distractions against the dramatic backdrop of intense peace and awareness. Imagine the possibilities if you truly let yourself embrace it. Here is where dreams become reality.
I met Danny of Baja Moto Tours through happy coincidence when we were both on a path to live out our dreams. Who knew that our shared dreams would live on so many years later with friendship and respect? It all started with a project in Baja, Mexico, and from there, Danny’s dream has successfully grown. For the past 20 years, I have been living out my passion for writing while thousands of miles away Danny was on the same path pursuing his dream to offer guided motorcycle tours in Baja, Mexico, and Montana, USA. Add another being to the story, and I introduce Willow, who’s an early start in alternative medicine, years of charitable work, and the love of motorcycles, created the platform to manifest two dreams, Relics Retreats, and The Mount Marston Biker Rally. If that wasn’t enough, let’s introduce someone else to the mix. German entrepreneur, certified motorcycle tour guide, BMW instructor and trainer, Arndt started living his dream more than ten years ago to create a motorcycle resort. So, what’s the connection you ask? Read on but what I can say is it’s a beautiful collision of circumstances.
My editorial “Baja. Life. Death.” was published in HOG Magazine and in several other publications in 2013. Around the same time, Danny and Arndt met sharing their passion for motorcycle touring. Willow met Danny and Arndt later and the three conspired to reach out and ask me to review Relics Retreats. Do you see how life has effortlessly orchestrated us all to meet by the sheer force of the pursuit of dreams? It’s like a domino effect with the multiplicity of powerful connections. There is another very important dimension to this story underpinned by the annual Mount Marston Biker Rally i.e. MMBR (#83-4142578) which raises funds for veterans. The profits go to Braach Shepherds 4 Veterans Inc 501c3 (#83-2446928) led by Pamela. The organization honors veterans who suffer from PTSD. They train dogs as emotional support and suicide prevention companions for qualified veterans who participate in the training. Imagine that this phenomenal venture is fully supported by donations and Jerry’s Saloon is where the rally begins and ends. It is the meeting place for minds and hearts that ride their bikes in appreciation of heroes who have supported our community and country without being asked.
After riding across the vast landscape, we returned to the retreat center to enjoy a catered dinner before meditation in the “Maa” Sauna. The sauna is built in-ground, reminiscent of Finnish tradition and heated by a wood fire. With temperatures reaching 230+ degrees, Willow ceremonially laid scented ice on the rocks as I readied for the “heatwave”. It is a ritual where a towel is wrapped and then forcefully “fanned” emitting massive ambient hot air in your direction from about two feet away. The air is so incredibly hot and intensely humid it feels ice cold for a few seconds. Most can handle only about three blows but I was left asking for much more. Ten strikes later I was filled with complete existential awareness. Right after, you submit your body to an ice-cold shower using water from 200’+ in the ground. The experience was a breakthrough in spiritual healing and awareness I will never forget.
The next day we rode about ~140 miles in the surrounding mountains near Glacier Park through Yak, Trego, Wolfe Prairie, Libby etc… Serpentine roads with breathtaking landscape offered a feast for the eyes. This is land where it is not uncommon to see bison, moose, bears, coyotes, wolves, and wild cats. The wildlife offered haunting sound effects at nighttime against a full moon on that Friday the 13th. Frankly, it was hypnotic, and I couldn’t help but look up into the sky and blow a kiss or two saying a prayer for my children and my soulmate.
On the journey back we stopped at the legendary haunted Jerry’s Saloon in Fortine (~300 population) owned by Craig and lovely Travis. I saw surveillance video footage proving spiritual manifestations which I will post on my Night Train fan page. Turns out original owner Jerry died, accidentally shot by local law enforcement, after he called for help suspecting a burglary. The bullet holes are still displayed on the wall. Imagine that!
Relics Retreats is equipped with authentic Finnish Valo, Rusuu and Maa Saunas, a seasonal outdoor pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, Pedi-tubs, hydro-room and plenty of “RELICSation” stations for rest between sauna sessions. The timeless, healing energy of authentic stones and fossils leave you in awe as you take in the unique ambiance. Add on a yoga class, full body massage, hair masque or meditative sound bath to customize your experience. Relics Retreats is that all-inclusive oasis that offers more than you could ever hope for. So, if you want the experience, it’s there for the taking.
Where does the road go from here you may ask? Jerry’s Saloon and Relics Retreats are gearing up for 2020 fundraising for Braach Shepherds 4 Veterans Inc through MMBR. Arndt is in discussions with bike manufacturers to bring their fleet of bikes for the savvy motorcycling adventure seeker. I can’t wait to see which manufacturer will successfully convince Arndt and Baja Moto Tours and Relics Retreats that they are the best long-term option to partner with. I continue to ride the open air and dream of days gone by and all that is before me.
Los Angeles, CA – Over the weekend, Greenlight premiered at Shriekfest to three sold-out theaters and took home two awards – Best Thriller Feature Film, and Best Male Performance in a feature film for main lead Chase Williamson.
“We are proud that the team of Greenlight had their world premiere at Shriekfest!” Says festival director, Denise Gossett, who was voted Most Influential Women In Genre by Syfy Wire in 2016.
Chase Williamson as Jack
A director’s dream job quickly descends into a nightmare when he is forced to film a real-life murder.
Greenlight is the directorial debut of Graham Denman, written by Patrick R Young (Bastard, My Teacher, My Obsession) and produced by Rudy Scalese (Going To Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, Casa De Mi Padre, Ceremony). Financed by Talk Story Pictures and executive produced by Greg Blunden, Pamela Blunden and Phil Malasapina.
The movie stars Chase Williamson (Beyond the Gates, John Dies at the End), Shane Coffey (Pretty Little Liars, Starry Eyes), Caroline Williams (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, Tales of Halloween) and Chris Browning (Bright, Angel Has Fallen, Only Mine, Bosch). The film also stars Craig Stark (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Django Unchained), Victor Turpin (Murder Mystery, Shades of Blue), Nicole Shipley (Buddy Hutchins, All Saints Eve), & Evanne Friedmann (Awkward).
Greenlight’s producer Rudy Scalese (left) and director Graham Denman (right)
Full list of winners of the 19thedition of Shierkfest:
Best Horror Feature Film: “Making Monsters”
Best Sci-Fi Feature Film: “Volition”
Best Thriller Feature Film: “Greenlight”
Best Horror Short Film: “OverKill”
Best Thriller Short Film: “We Die Alone”
Best Super Short Horror Film: “Peep”
Best Horror Feature Screenplay: “The Blood-Red Night of Hatchet Valley”
Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Feature Screenplay: “Dark Noise”
Best Thriller Feature Screenplay: “Agriturismo”
Best Short Screenplay: “Ganglers”
Best Music Video: “Withorwithout”
Best 2019 Shriekfest Commercial: “Blood Bath”
Best Performance in a short film: Baker Chase Powell
Best Female Performance in a feature film: Jamie Tisdale in “Portal”
Best Male Performance in a feature film: Chase Williamson in “Greenlight”
So, you’ve bought a home, and you’re protecting it with a great insurance policy. But hold up — that doesn’t mean you’re finished.
Your home is probably your biggest investment. That’s why you have homeowner’s insurance in the first place, right?
But let’s face it: A lot can happen while you live there. So how can you be sure your insurance still matches your changing needs?
If you’ve done any of the following, check to make sure your policy is still protecting you and your property.
You installed a new security system.
An alarm system doesn’t just give you peace of mind. It makes your insurance carrier rest a little easier, too. Today’s home monitoring systems can quickly detect a fire, water leak or break-in.
Because of that, you could earn a discount on your premium if you install one.
You renovated your home.
Have you upgraded your home recently? Creating that kitchen or master suite of your dreams almost definitely increases your home’s value, which is excellent news. Just remember to alert your insurance agent so your coverage limits match the new value.
You bought or sold an expensive item.
Don’t forget about your possessions. If you’ve bought or sold a valuable item (like artwork or jewelry) make sure to let your insurance company know.
Taking a valuable item off your policy could lower your premium, but you also want to make sure new valuables are adequately insured.
You brought home a new pet.
Congratulations! Just be sure to tell your carrier about the new addition to your household. It would be even better if you check in with them before you bring a pet home. You don’t want to be fully liable if any accidents happen.
Your premium might not even be affected. It’s just better to keep your insurance agent in the loop.
Still renting? Now that you know how to protect your property the right way, reach out to start searching for a home.
Nicole Kasten Licensed Broker Associate COLFAX REALTY GROUP
Success does not come overnight nor does it come easy. So many times you hear people talking about overnight successes and people just having luck.
Success is a journey and it is filled with obstacles. It takes determination, a positive attitude, and a lot of effort. In order to be successful, you have to be the best you can possibly be.
Here are some tips that will help you.
1) Know exactly what you want
Each of us are gifted with talents. It is important to use our God-gifted talents and nurture them so we can constantly improve.
Knowing exactly what we want is much deeper and stronger than wishful thinking or hoping. It is a conviction that is solid.
Break out a notebook and pen and write down exactly what you would like to accomplish in your life. Make sure that you are specific about your goals in all areas.
2) Visualize your success
Nurture your vision daily. Visualize how you will be experiencing the fulfillment of the life you would like to have. Use your imagination.
3) Take action
Nothing will work unless you do. Success takes hard work. You are going to make mistakes, that is part of success. Keep applying yourself. Keep improving and do your very best.
4) Be enthusiastic
Love yourself and always be grateful for everything in your life. Focus on your blessings and don’t take things too seriously. Each day, feel the enthusiasm for your vision as if it has already happened.
5) Surround yourself with positive people
Spend time with people that are supportive and encouraging, find those that want the best for you. Look for people that are super successful and just start hanging out with them. Success breeds success. You are who you hang with.
6) Use your time wisely
Every second in the day counts. Time is your capital, it’s very important to invest it wisely. Find ways of dealing with life‘s necessities so that you are not distracted by them. Do what’s important and never waste time.
7) Believe in yourself
You are amazing and you are awesome, there is a purpose for your life. You are designed to have the very best. It is absolutely imperative for you believe that, but most importantly, you have to believe in yourself. It all starts with belief.
8) Take care of yourself
Do the things that show you love yourself. Eat the proper foods, drink plenty of water, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, exercise regularly. Make sure you are setting aside some time to have fun also. Taking care of your health is a wise investment of your time and attention.
I’ve learned over the years that life is short, life is valuable, and life is precious. Never take a day for granted. Make the decision that you are going to be the very best that you can be in every phase of your life.
BOULDER CITY, only 20 minutes from the Strip. No gambling here! They offer a 35-mile trails system, Milos, a fantastic wine bar in the heart of downtown, plenty of resale and vintage shops, a monthly wine walk, and a giant Art in The Park festival in the summer.
The oldest hotel in Nevada is in Boulder City, and there is a new meeting venue, the Forge Social House, which is outstanding. This is a unique meeting space which also offers, by invitation only, “one-of-a-kind” dining experiences”, usually monthly or quarterly. All you need to do to receive an invite is to visit their website and sign up or by contacting the manager and get invited to their guest list. Great for even an afternoon getaway. See the dam and look out over the lake from the city. Stroll at your leisure, and maybe have homemade ice cream.
Whiskey Pete’s is in PRIMM on the state line and has 200 newly renovated rooms. There is also outlet shopping and a roller coaster here.
JEAN is 10 miles closer to Las Vegas and they have renovated their rooms and added the auto museum near Goodsprings and the Seven Magic Mountain art display.
GOODSPRINGS, halfway from Jean to Las Vegas has a bar that has withstood the test of time. Built in 1913, it was a tin shack ordered from Sears & Roebuck. It has been expanded and has music and great summer barbeques. This is where Clark Gable waited to hear if his beloved Carole Lombard had died in a plane crash into a mountain.
MESQUITE, heading out the other direction to Utah. With 3 casinos, 3 hotels, and 7 golf courses, leisure is the name of the game here. The new Rising Star Resort has 210 rooms, built to house plenty of sports teams. With pickleball, volleyball, baseball diamonds, horseshoe pits, and rooms that can accommodate up to 12 youngsters, they have new automated robots serving in certain areas. There is also a new Camel Safari just before you hit town. Stunning vistas from many areas. Want to try skydiving? They have that too. Don’t forget to use this as the jumping-off place for the Lost City Museum, and the Valley of Fire. There is a welcome center if you have questions on any adventurous trips you might want to take.
LAUGHLIN–Within an hour drive, sitting on the river featuring 9000 plus rooms and now with its own event center that seats 9300 people, it has already hosted Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and plenty of others, KISS is coming this April. There are 9 hotels in Laughlin with 8 on the river, and 11 miles of heritage trails to explore. Take a leisurely water taxi from hotel to hotel or cross to the other side. Plenty of fabulous restaurants. The famous Chef’s Food Fest event every year in late spring is well worth the drive. Soon there will be American Airline service flying into Laughlin from 79 cities with only one stop.
A few miles past is the frontier town of OATMAN, where wild burros will try to steal any food you have out of your hand. Lots of bikers come down every Sunday just for breakfast; really an experience! Don’t miss the new vodka and rum distillery and the two wineries. The Animal Wildlife Sanctuary features plenty of jungle cats which the facility has helped over many years. The children will be amazed so don’t pass them by.
