Walter Kamau Bell, April 2019

W Kamau Bell has made a career of embracing uncomfortable conversations. The kind others might choose to sidestep. Or run from entirely. When asked how hes doing these days, the comedian, television host and now first-time director responds, Im holding on to my mental health by my fingernails.

With his new Showtime docuseriesWe Need To Talk About Cosby, debuting January 30, Bell again dives deep, and wide, into his preferred kind of topicthe messy kind. Informed by Ezra EdelmansOJ: Made In Americaand Dream HamptonsSurviving R Kelly, Bells lens is on grappling with another fallen Black heroone of his own personal and professional heroes for decadesin the context of whats widely believed to be glaring misconduct.

As Bell puts it, How do I reckon with the fact that I still feel the presence of the good of Bill Cosby in me, while I reckon with the awfulness of the truth I believe from these women. Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in 2018; he has denied all accusations.

People of all races are dealing with this, and a lot of Black people dealt with it in a very different way because we dont have as many role models as white folks do. Some Black people felt like hes too valuable to throw away, and some people felt like, What are we saying if we dont throw him away?

So there are all these different conversations but oftentimes they are silod, he says. Either you have the assault and rape conversation or the heres the good work he did conversation. In my work its always about having the biggest, messiest, most inclusive conversation you can have because thats the only way to get to a new place.

Aside from sparking conversation, Bell hopes his work will move some needles. This is a film about, how do we create a situation where if you are a victim of sexual assault you know you can tell somebody and they will help you instead of, I dont believe you, why would you make this up? Or, I believe you but dont tell anybody. That is certainly not a mentally healthy society that does that. But that is the society we currently live in.

In fact, the society we currently live in isnt giving Bell much to smile about.

Riffing off his signature signoff, Were doomed, the multiple Emmy winner for his CNN showUnited Shades of Americagrimaces as he reflects on the past 20 months since George Floyd was murdered and a whole lot of white people pledged to be better anti-racists.

Ive grown more cynical in the past year and a half than I ever have been, and I dont know if I started out too optimistic to begin with, Bell says. Then, after a pause, Cynical is not the right word. But really clear. And maybe this is what happens to everybody whos engaged in trying to look at racism in America. We are so far away from solutions. Its just really clear this American experiment really might not work out.

If I was to give a letter grade judging white peoples intentions of what they said they were going to do in the summer of 2020 until now, its very much an incomplete grade. But class is ending soon, so get your homework in. You could get an F. I feel like we have to understand that racism is an active and an always growing concern.

Befuddled the term woke has been demonized in some circles, Bell says, All woke means is pay attention and be aware, specifically through a lens of Black folks. I talk to people, and you can look at that critical race theory thats taught in schools and say, Oh thats just some school board, blah blah blah and Im like, No, that is a key thing thats working its way through all levels of society. Its just starting there.

Noting police interactions with Black people remains a dangerous proposition, he says, Thre are still Black people being killed by the police for no good reason. If I saw a Black person having a mental health crisis theres no way Im calling the police. We are still in the same place. Even though weve talked about it, even though in some cases families have sued the city and gotten some money, its not structural change. Were always looking for a band aid or putting a black box on Instagram. But we need structural change in society to create the America many history books in Texas want to tell us we already have.

There are a few rays of light.

One thing Ive seen happen more is that those of is who have therapists, like me, feel more free to claim it out loud, Bell notes. But theres also a caveat.

We also know the people who probably need the most therapy are the people who are dealing with the brunt end of racism and Americas oppression of women. They arent getting access to therapy the same way I have access to it. So I think we have to not judge it by those of us who have privilege, we have to judge it by the people who have the least privilege.

He finds other glimmers in his own backyard, the entertainment industry: I look at Issa Rae. She has completely transformed and rebranded HBO as a network for Black women, which is not what it was known for before she got there.

And he remains determined to use his own station to create pockets of hope. Case in point, while he was filming forUnited Shadesseveral years ago he noticed a field producer, a Latina woman, getting the run-around from a co-worker.

Shes really good, and I saw the way she was being treated by another producer, a white man. The way she was having to fight for things other people wouldnt have to fight for, Bell recounts. So it became part of my job to make sure she doesnt get stuck in this job. That woman, Geraldine Porus, is a co-executive producer onWe Need To Talk About Cosby.

And so for me the hope I see is when I take the privilege I have and the opportunities I have to really pull people in who would not be looked at, and really tell those stories. It doesnt mean anything if Im not keeping that door open for people who that door would not normally be open for. That makes me feel hopeful.

Hollywood & Mind lives at the intersection of entertainment and wellbeing, and features interviews with musicians, actors, sports figures and other culture influencers who are elevating the conversation around mental health.

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Hollywood & Mind: W Kamau Bell On His New Cosby Doc, And Racisms Ongoing Toll - Forbes

Marilyn Foster is pictured with Collette Vacations sales representative Jay Fehan at one of the colorful fishing villages in Norway

I recently experienced that it is not all that daunting to travel in this strange time of Covid. Yes, there was certainly the need to wear a mask almost everywhere but in your hotel room; however, after two years of mask wearing, its become rather a habit.

I traveled with a group of 12 from our area to enjoy New York City in mid-December to experience the city during the holiday, and yes, while it is annoying to always have to show your identification and proof of vaccination status before entering any restaurant or attraction, you just have to set your mind that this precaution is for the good of all.

And, yes, the airlines are very strict about their mask policy allowing removal only to eat or drink. Since there are no longer domestic flights with food service, that meant eating a cookie was not enough time even to take a deep breath if you even wanted to. Pretzels give you time for an additional breath or two.

I did not see one unmasked person on the airplane or in the terminal when transferring between gates to catch another flight. While we hear the news stories about the one or two dissenters, the general traveling public follow the safety protocols.

New York City was not any less exciting because of all the strict Covid policies, and I wouldnt have missed it for the world. I enjoyed the famous holiday performance by the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall and a Broadway show. When in the sightseeing bus, we all masked up respecting each other. Cleaning policies were in place with sanitation supplies always at the ready.

If you want to travel, currently, the major cities require we all comply with their policies, so they need not shut down the hospitality industry again. In many ways, our own state has been rather liberal and has mandated only wearing masks indoors.

Traveling during this era of Covid is not for everyone. And, for those unvaccinated, you dont even have the choice of traveling on public transportation or checking into a hotel or even enjoying what a destination has to offer. Your vaccination card has become your passport to the world. Ill admit, I dont want to get Covid after having been so careful and doing the right thing these past two years, so I am extra careful.

My mask has become like the handkerchief of yore always at the ready!

Ill be going to Colorado this summer and thinking now about another trip in the fall. Its good to get away and experience more than your backyard so you can better appreciate your backyard.

If you feel comfortable enough to travel and have been triple vaxed, dont let the press stories dissuade you.

The Carson City Chamber is focusing on some amazing domestic sites that may never have crossed your mind. Everyone who has experienced South Dakota tell the stories about the fascinating scenery and wonderful national parks. The tour of the Midwest to include Chicago and a 2-night stay at the historic Mackinac Island Hotel is a winner for those who love Americana history. In the fall, theres a great tour featuring New Orleans, Nashville, and Memphis the most incredible music cities in the world! The annual holiday tour in December 2022 will be to Santa Fe, New Mexico and were making plans for April of 2023 to discover the Bluegrass Country and Smoky Mountains.

As more tours are planned, I will feature them. Right now, I still have New York on my mind and in a few more months, I will be Rocky Mountain High riding the famous trains in this beautiful state. I love everything about traveling and hope you will join me on a future tour.

Marilyn turns 93 today and still is planning trips. You may email her to wish her a Happy Birthday or to ask a question at MarilynFoster@carsoncitychamber.com.

Read more from the original source:
Travels with Marilyn: Traveling is a bit different in the Covid era - Nevada Appeal

Watch the full story on the fight to preserve sacred salmon on KING 5 News at 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.

DARRINGTON, Wash. In its quest to relicense its hydroelectric dams on the Skagit River, Seattle City Lighthas spent approximately $30 million, records show.

The vast majority has gone toward paying scientific specialists, but other expenses include paying consultants to facilitate virtual meetings, craft strategic communications and provide legal advice. Seven law firms, as well as inside counsel, have been involved in the dam relicensing and associated lawsuits filed in response to the process.

City Light pays some attorneys as much as $700 per hour, legal contracts show.

The rural tribes of the Skagit Valley, who have depended on the river and the salmon in it since time immemorial, say the amount the city has spent is "astonishing." Theyve beenat odds with Seattle City Light throughout the relicensing process over how best to operate the dams under conditions of a new license.

Tribal members say theyre fighting to bring back salmon that are on the brink of extinction and Seattles dams are part of the problem. One tribal elder called the amount of money "mind-boggling" and said the process is "bleeding every resource" from the tribes as they try to keep up with meetings, legal input and deadlines.

Seattle City Light CEO and General Manager Debra Smith said she understands the frustration of tribes that have limited resources.

Thats challenging, Smith said.

To offset expenses, City Light offered the three participating treaty tribes $25,000 each to participate in the process more easily. One tribe, the La Conner-based Swinomish Tribe, accepted the offer. The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe and theSauk-Suiattle Tribe declined. Tribal representatives said the amount was too small to be of consequence and could give the appearance of a conflict of interest.

It was kind of offensive to the tribe, Sauk-Suiattleattorney Jack Fiander said. It looks like youve been bought off for $25,000. The tribe wasnt willing to accept that because it would look like a conflict of interest when youre taking the money.

Smith said the offer was made in good faith.

Im sorry that (the tribes) feel that way. Certainly, the intent was never to insult, Smith said.

The Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, located in Darrington, is one of the smallest and poorest of all tribes in the state.

Wow, [$30 million is] a lot of money, said Robert Howard, general manager of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe. Just to avoid doing the right thing? They could have taken that [money] and applied it to something equitable, something fair, something that sustains the environment and sustains the salmon. Thats hard to understand.

For nearly 100 years, Seattle City Light has operatedthree dams on the Skagit River to provide roughly 20% of the citys electricity. When the dams were built, no one consulted the Native Americans. According to the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, construction desecrated ancestral burial grounds and important cultural sites. The dams create reservoirs that now cover up sacred lands that are no longer accessible to tribal members.

The dams also block off nearly 40% of the river to salmon species in dire need of additional habitat to spawn, grow and recover.

Seattles dams - Gorge, Diablo, and Ross - are some of the few in the region that do not include infrastructure to allow fish to get above and below the project. The tribes and government natural resource agencies say the dams harm salmon and starving orcas that depend on Chinook salmon from the Skagit for food.

[Seattles paying] hired guns. Im sure thats their job, but were a small tribe. Our total tribal budget is a fraction of that, and yet were standing up. And yet, were trying to do something from our standpoint for the great good of everybody, Howard said.

Relicensing dams through thefederal government is a highly regulated process that requires years of negotiations, scientific study and legal filings. Seattle began working on initial steps in 2018. The city has budgeted nearly $70 million for the entire relicensing through 2026. Much of the money will fund scientific studies that stakeholders asked City Light to undertake.

Smith of City Light said the utility is being a good steward of taxpayer money and is spending what is necessary to ensure a high-quality license that will last between 30 and 50 years.

The most important thing is for us is to come through this process with constructive relationships with the partners that weve been working with for years and we will be working with for many years to come. [We want] to come through with a license that supports the ecosystem, supports the fish, supports people, air, birds, water, you name it, Smith said.

Seattle City Light: No evil intent

Smith conceded the first two years of negotiations were laden with conflict and there was little progress as utility representatives made strategic mistakes by not listening well enough to stakeholder concerns and viewpoints. Those groups include the three treaty tribes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the National Park Service, NOAA Fisheries, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Skagit County government.

Clearly, things were not going the way they needed to. Were those dollars that were being spent at the time being spent in the most productive way? No. Thats why we made the change that we made, Smith said. We have no evil intent. We are just as capable as anyone else of misstepping. But the thing I want people to know about me more than anything is that if I misstep, Ill step back and fix what I broke and apologize and move on.

Seattle receives millions in salmon project funding

Since the city began the dam relicensing process in 2018, the utility has been spending and asking for money. Between 2018 and 2020, the state has funded six grant requests from Seattle City Light, according to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The grants total approximately $4 million and, according to state documents, are to be used for acquiring land to protect high-quality Chinook habitat in the Skagit River system.

Critics say when Seattle accepts state money, other groups suffer the consequences.

Unfortunately, what happens in Seattle doesnt stay in Seattle it impacts the whole state, costing taxpayers and salmon on projects that dont get done elsewhere, said Todd Myers, director of the Center for the Environment at the Washington Policy Center. Myers is also a member of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council.

Between 2018 and 2020, dozens of smaller groups had their salmon recovery grant proposals rejected, state records show. Those include proposals from the Lummi Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Quileute Tribe of the Quileute, the Asotin County Conservation District, the Nooksack Tribe, the city of Bellingham, the Chehalis Basin Land Trust and the Nisqually Land Trust.

Other parts of the state, rural areas, where salmon recovery and salmon projects are very important, they dont have those deep pockets. So, when you take money away from the state that could go to those places you are really doubly harming areas that desperately need that money and where salmon need habitat.

Smith said the city does not have unlimited resources, and the utility will not apologize for accepting state funding it's entitled to.

A lot of times we have projects that are really important, and they meet the [grant] criteria, Smith said. So, I dont feel bad for applying for those types of grants. We dont always get them. There are far more instances where we didnt get them and where weve wondered the same thing: 'Wow, how come we werent successful?' But when we are, I feel like thats a good thing and well continue to [apply].

Tribal members said theres no price you can put on the Skagit River and the salmon who call it home.

You can spend a billion dollars on this issue and were still going to fight as long as its going to take to ensure that the world knows whats happening here. To ensure that the local stakeholders and just common folks understand whats right, said Howard of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe. Doing the right thing doesnt have to have that big of a price tag. Just do whats right.

Smith said City Light is now on a positive, cost-efficient path with tribes and agencies dedicated to the Skagit Project relicensing.

I feel like were in a very good place. Were being frugal, were being careful, Smith said. We wouldnt be where we are today with our partners had we not [reset our approach].

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Tribes fighting for salmon on Skagit River say $30M spent by Seattle on dam relicensing is 'mind-boggling' - KING5.com

If you are looking for the tallest ride at Disney World Resort, you may start to guess that Tower or Terror of Expedition Everest would take the cake. That being said, both rides are in very close range of being the tallest ride at Disney, so to settle the debate, the majority of people would Google the answer.

Well, get ready to have your mind blown because Google will have you looking a little outside the Disney bubble to find the tallest ride at Disney World! When you Google tallest ride at Disney World, Googles top suggested, answer is actually Iron Gwazi, the newly refurbished Busch Gardens Tampa coaster that is set to debut on March 11. The coaster hits a height of 207 feet, which actually clears both Tower of Terror and Expedition Everest in terms of height, which is quite hilarious!

Interestingly enough, from this answer, we can see that the new Busch Gardens coaster will actually have a higher top hat than Universal Orlando Resorts VelociCoaster, sending thrill junkies to Tampa Bay and away from some of the Orlando theme park action!

But what IS the tallest ride at Walt Disney World? Well, as you may imagine, it is not Iron Gwazi. Tower of Terror at Disneys Hollywood Studios was measured as the tallest attraction at 199 feet, but when Joe Rohde was building Expedition Everest and had his ride sitting at 199 feet, he wanted to do something to make it taller. So, the Imagineer added some extra material to the top of the mountain to give it a height of 199.5 feet, leaving it to be the tallest Disney World attraction.

Any attraction that measures at 200 feet or higher would need to have a light on top for aircrafts, which is why Disney has always been forced to keep the rides under a certain height so that Guests will not be distracted by a safety light and pulled from the immersive nature of the attraction.

Disney World describes Expedition Everest as:

Yeti or Not, Here He Comes!

Wander into a Tibetan village at the base of Mount Everest and board a train to the top of the world. Beware: Some say a legendary snow monster lives deep in the mountain.

After a steep ascent, your train picks up speed and races into the darkness. Without warning, a broken and twisted track appears in front of you. Brace yourself as you plummet backward into total darkness. Inside the cavern, the mythical tale comes true as you see the shadow of a massive, growling beast!

Race to escape the cursed mountainbefore the Yeti claims another expedition.

A Word of Warning

Some parts of Expedition Everest Legend of the Forbidden Mountain may be scary for children. This attraction features loud noises, fast drops, high speeds, dark places and frightening creature effects.

Expedition Everest is currently under refurbishment through to April 2022.

Disney World describes Tower of Terror as:

Step uneasily inside the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel and find a dusty lobby frozen in time. Even the subdued hotel staff seems strangely out of another era.

Suddenly a television set springs to life and Rod Serling welcomes you on a journey into the Twilight Zone. He reveals that on a gloomy Halloween night in 1939, some hotel patrons were riding the elevator when a violent storm struck the building and they were never seen again. The hotel closed down and has stood empty ever since.

Going Up?

Enter the rickety, elevator-style lift, strap yourself in and prepare to discover what lies beyond the darkest corner of your imagination.

Shriek in terror as youre suddenly propelled up and down the abandoned shaftunexpectedly dropping and risingas you hear the sound of cables snapping and metal clanging overhead.

Will you make it back to the real world or will you become a permanent resident of the Twilight Zone?

Based on the Television Series

This attraction is based on the popular television series which originally aired from 1959 to 1964. Created, hosted and written by Rod Serling, the award-winning showwith its imaginative storylines and unexpected twist endingswas wildly successful.

The Twilight Zone is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and used with permission pursuant to a license with CBS, Inc.

Too Terrifying for Kids?

This attraction includes sudden, fast drops in a dark, enclosed space which may be frightening to some Guests.

Which Disney attraction do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you planyour next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resorts four theme parks Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disneys Animal Kingdom, and Disneys Hollywood Studios and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!

While you are at Disneys Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith on Sunset Boulevard. By the Chinese Theater, Guests prepare to ride Mickey & Minnies Runaway Railway. In Toy Story Land, Slinky Dog Dash always boasts a long line with others shooting their shot on Midway Mania or spinning their brains out on Alien Swirling Saucers. Of course, you have to visit Star Wars: Galaxys Edge for some blue milk, or green milk, and ride Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run!

If you want to visit Disneys Animal Kingdom, there is a ton to see and do! You can head over to Expedition Everest in Asia (when it is not under refurbishment) to visit the terrifying Yeti. Pandora will bring your Avatar dreams to life with Flight of Passage bringing Guests into the world of the Navi. DINOSAUR is still filled with giant dinos at every turn, and over at Kilimanjaro Safaris, you can take a ride on a real safari, and if you are lucky, a giraffe might even step in your way! A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King is now running, and the show is not one you should miss.

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According to Google, Disney's Tallest Ride is at a Competitors Theme Park - Inside the Magic

Botox treatments if done right can reduce the signs of aging giving a more youthful look. In recent times with many untrained injectors showing up at spas and salons at every nook and corner, who have been marketing cheaper Botox brands, we have been seeing a lot of complications due to lack of training and expertise. It is extremely important to seek a board-certified physician in your area, that understands your facial anatomy and tailor your treatment to your specific needs. Eventually, this helps to limit complications if any and to correct them as soon as possible. Choose your injector wisely!5 reasons your patient wants the Botox effects to vanish!1. Droopy eyebrows - This happens when a Botox eyelift has gone wrong, because the Botox has been injected in the wrong muscle and too deep.

2. Frozen look - This is due to over injecting Botox units especially in Beauty Clinics who are focussed on marketing and inexperienced Injectors.

3. Puckered lips - Especially after injecting upper lips to remove Smokers lines.

4. Lip drop - This happens when excessive Botox is injected around the eyes and trickles down to lower facial muscles. A patients smile is often deviated to one side of the face.

Don't apply any Heat or pads as this increases the blood supply to facial muscles thereby prolonging the effects of botox.

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Things to keep in mind before going for botox treatment - Times of India