Daily Archives: November 21, 2021

By Rachel Bergren

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 | 2 a.m.

Among our favorite things to do at Get Outdoors Nevada is bringing outdoor education and access to meaningful outdoor experiences to youths in Nevada. We are particularly proud of our Native Habitat Program, where we restore urban wildlife habitats at schools and other community locations. These livable spaces support local and migratory wildlife including threatened or endangered species, like the desert tortoise and the monarch butterfly.

Through the Native Habitat Program, students have the opportunity to create protective corridors for wildlife traveling to larger habitats like a national wildlife refuge, or urban habitats like our neighborhood parks and backyards. Since breaking ground in 2018, the program has created 695,725 square feet of habitat pockets at eight sites throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

This program engages students in learning about the importance of cultivating native plants for wildlife, while also providing hands-on experience in the rehabilitation of an area from start to finish, all at no cost to the school and students involved. However, the process of bringing this program to Clark County schools has not been easy.

With almost one quarter of school grounds managed by the Bureau of Land Management, creating something as simple as a pollinator garden at a school can be a complicated order, often taking months to become a reality. In fact, since the inception of the program, we have started and subsequently abandoned a number of proposed projects due to insurmountable administrative hurdles.

The Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., offers a solution to these obstacles by transferring school sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management to local jurisdictions.

This change will be a win-win for all involved. The Bureau of Land Management will no longer be tasked with reviewing plans for projects like school gardens. School improvements will be more efficient and effective. And ultimately, our kids will benefit because it will be easier to bring enriching, hands-on experiences like the Native Habitat Program to students in Southern Nevada.

Sometimes its hard to see how a certain piece of legislation will affect our day-to-day lives. By eliminating administrative barriers, this bill will help create more native habitats in our community. These restored areas will enhance the quality of life for wildlife and people alike. We are grateful for the opportunity this legislation provides and we look forward to expanding the Native Habitat Program to more schools and students in Clark County.

Rachel Bergren is the executive director of Get Outdoors Nevada.

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Local control of school land is a win for everyone - Las Vegas Sun

By Associated Press

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 | 3:21 p.m.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Two of 17 members of a missionary group who were kidnapped more than a month ago have been freed in Haiti and are safe, in good spirits and being cared for, their Ohio-based church organization announced Sunday.

Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement saying it could not give the names of those released, why they were freed or other information.

While we rejoice at this release, our hearts are with the 15 people who are still being held," the group said.

The spokesman for Haiti's National Police, Gary Desrosiers, confirmed to The Associated Press that two hostages were released on Sunday.

The missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16. There are five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian, including an 8-month-old. Their Haitian driver also was abducted, according to a local human rights organization.

The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang has threatened to kill the hostages unless his demands are met. Authorities have said the gang was demanding $1 million per person, although it wasnt immediately clear that included the children in the group.

The release comes as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, with the U.S. government recently urging U.S. citizens to leave Haiti amid deepening insecurity and a severe lack of fuel blamed on gangs blocking gas distribution terminals. On Friday, Canada announced it was pulling all but essential personnel from its embassy.

The fuel shortage has forced hospitals to turn away patients and paralyzed public transportation, with some schools closing and businesses shortening their work hours.

Haiti also is trying to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck in mid-August, killing more than 2,200 people and destroying tens of thousands of homes.

Original post:

US missionaries say 2 of 17 abductees freed in Haiti - Las Vegas Sun

Myron's is a great place for solo travelers to Las Vegas Photo courtesy of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Las Vegas is a vibrant, dynamic city that you can visit a hundred times without having duplicate experiences. It's the perfect spot for solo travel with its 24-hour entertainment options, fun restaurants and luxurious spots to stay.

While you'll probably want to stop by at least one casino while you're in town, explore the city a little deeper. Try these fun and festive things to do for a trip you won't forget.

Ghost Donkey is a stellar speakeasy Photo courtesy of Ghost Donkey

Located on the famous Las Vegas Strip, the Ghost Donkey is a vibrant lounge in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Since it's a speakeasy, you wont see advertisements or signage for it. Instead, go to the second floor of the Cosmopolitans Block 16 food court. Head to the back and find a door with a white donkey on it. Open the door, and youll find yourself transported to a bar with a festive vibe.

Ghost Donkey has a large selection of mezcal and tequila, and you can indulge in a tasting flight if you dont want to try just one. The specialty cocktail menu is unique and extensive, too, and you can choose from authentic, traditional Mexican spirits and artisanal brands. Cocktails range from the frozen Stealth Margarita to the mezcal Negroni.

Immersive Van Gogh offers a lot of opportunities for solo reflection Photo courtesy of Immersive Van Gogh

Prepare to see art in a whole new way at the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Las Vegas. Located at the Lighthouse Immersive at the Shops at Crystals, its a great place to get lost in the beauty of Van Gogh. In fact, there are things you can appreciate here that you might miss if you go with others who might distract you.

The exhibit lets you step into some of Van Goghs most beloved paintings and some lesser-known ones. It helps increase your understanding of the artists work, too. Theres an AI experience where you can write Van Gogh a letter and receive a personalized one in return, thanks to their technology that has analyzed the many letters Van Gogh wrote in his lifetime.

Also be sure to stop by the pocket gallery where you can utilize your smartphone to help bring colors and paintings to life.

Enjoy the views at Mt. Charleston Photo courtesy of Go Mt Charleston/Southern Nevada Conservancy

Mount Charleston, which is formally considered the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, provides an easy escape into awe-inspiring nature with waterfalls and a sky island. Its only a 45-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip, so you can come here for a few hours during the day and return to your Vegas hotel at night.

Find 60 miles of maintained trails throughout Mount Charleston. Some of the more ambitious hikes culminate with the 11,916-foot Charleston Peak. Keep in mind that you'll be hiking in high elevation here, so bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration. And, if youd prefer not to hike, you can take scenic drives where the views are still spectacular, and you never have to leave the air-conditioned comfort of your car.

The Neon Museum tells the story of the city's history Photo courtesy of The Neon Museum

If youve ever seen an old movie or television show thats set in Las Vegas, you probably identified the city by its bold, eye-catching neon signs. The Neon Museum is a special place thats dedicated to preserving those historical signs. You can take a tour to learn all about them or explore the place on your own time.

Dont miss seeing the now-defunct signs in the Neon Boneyard, a fascinating outdoor exhibition space that is part of the museums 2.27-acre campus. Also watch the innovative show "Brilliant!" for an immersive experience that takes you into Las Vegas history as 40 monumental signs are reanimated before your eyes.

Bellagio Spa & Salon offers wonderful ways to treat your whole body Photo courtesy of Bellagio Spa & Salon

Some of the best parts of a solo getaway include the chance to pamper yourself and indulge your every whim without worrying about someone elses schedule and preferences. The Bellagio Spa & Salon is the ultimate Las Vegas spa destination where you can get lost for a day in deep relaxation and restorative treatments. Beauty treatments like nail, hair and makeup services are also available if you want to come here to prepare for an exciting night on the town.

The Bellagio Spa & Salon offers nature-inspired holistic treatments that are focused on harmony and regeneration. Choose from facials, massages and body treatments. Poolside spa services allow you to get a massage or other restorative treatment in the relaxing environment of the pool area. The spa has a steam room, a sauna, a pool and four whirlpools.

Rail Explorers gives you a unique way to explore the gorgeous nature around Las Vegas Photo courtesy of Rail Explorers USA

Rail Explorers is a high-energy ride that lets you see the beauty of the Las Vegas area in a whole new way. You climb aboard a pedal-powered vehicle that rides on railroad tracks for the first part of the journey. Then get ready to pedal your way through a four-mile downhill ride where you'll see amazing sights that are part of the Nevada desert, the Eldorado Valley and the River Mountains.

Once you get to the end of the initial ride, you're invited aboard a historic train that takes you back uphill to where you began at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. A free pass to the museum is also included in every Rail Explorers adventure.

Wynn Golf Club is great for experienced and first-time golfers Photo courtesy of Wynn Golf Club

Located on the Las Vegas Strip, the Wynn Golf Club is a picturesque golf course thats a great option whether you're an experienced player or a first-time golfer. The club was designed to welcome and challenge all levels of play. It has rushing streams and lush greenery that will transport you to another world, and you just may forget youre in Sin City.

The Wynn Golf Club is a 6,722-yard, par-70 championship golf course with dramatic elevation changes. Over 8,000 trees line the gorgeous grounds, and many of them are over 60 feet tall because theyve been flourishing for over 70 years. The course also has three scenic lakes, meandering streams and two marshland areas, too.

Myron's brings extra sophistication to Vegas nightlife Photo courtesy of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Myrons at the The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a show like no other in Las Vegas. You can relax with a meal and a drink while taking in world-class jazz music. Choose a table on the floor or mezzanine balcony seating.

The shows at Myrons are designed to provide an intimate experience where musicians, singers and the audience connect over timeless jazz music. Performers have included Sammy Miller and the Congregation, Vonda Shepard, Duncan Sheik, Pasquale Esposito and Cheyenne Jackson.

AREA15 is a fun place for gamers and the young at heart Photo courtesy of AREA15

AREA15 is a uniquely Las Vegas attraction thats a whole district of fun, immersive experiences all in one place. It offers shops, bars, restaurants, groundbreaking art installations, live events and other immersive experiences. You can spend the day here as you explore all the attractions that look like fun to you.

AREA15s Emporium Arcade Bar has pinball games, video games and arcade games that guests can enjoy while dining and imbibing. "Wink World: Portals into the Infinite" is a mix between a carnival funhouse and a psychedelic art house. Museum Fiasco is a sound and light spectacle that brings you into the experience.

FlyOver Las Vegas lets you see the splendor of Las Vegas all at once Photo courtesy of FlyOver Las Vegas

FlyOver Las Vegas is a fun flying ride thats picture-perfect for a solo excursion. Its designed to help you feel as though you're flying passenger-side in a helicopter. The ride is called The Real Wild West, and it takes you over 22 awe-inspiring destinations. Its presented in 8K resolution on a 52-foot screen.

You start by relaxing into the flight-motion seats that are designed to dip, turn and swoop as needed throughout the ride to give you the most exciting, authentic experience. The ride also uses mists, incredible scents and wind to bring the outdoors into the ride. The entire ride experience lasts under half an hour, so you can fit it into any day in Las Vegas.

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Solo travel to Las Vegas? Here are 10 fun things to do - USA Today 10Best

By Laura Pritchett

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 | 2 a.m.

One of my graduate students lives in a fire lookout in Oregon, and since I hold my classes on Zoom, my entire class and I have seen snippets of her life. Among them are the dizzying moments when she leaps up to scan for fires while holding her tablet.

At these moments, were treated to a rollercoaster tumble of trees and sky before she settles back down, unless, of course, her tablet overheats, in which case we are put into her fridge, and we get the view from there. Boring classes, these are not.

Since this is a masters program in Nature Writing, there are people Zooming in from the backs of vans and mountainsides, though plenty Zoom from homes in suburbs or cities too, and they hail from everywhere from California to Texas to Nebraska to Idaho.

They have one thing in common, though: Given their self-identification as nature writers, on day one there is a shared emotional foundation, since theyre more aware than most about the devastating change they are encountering megafires, decimated butterfly numbers, aquifers depleted for bottled water, extreme heat, drought and flooding, to name just a few of the topics theyve covered this past semester.

Climate chaos is no stranger to anyone who signs up for such a program, and so they arrive with the grief, anger, moral injury and vulnerability appropriate to our times. Sometimes referred to as GenDread, many are also at the age when theyre faced with climate-related decisions that have long-term consequences too whether or not to have children, for example. Others worry about this for their children or grandchildren.

In this way, Evonne my student in Oregon, whose last name Im withholding has come to embody the cohort in my mind, perhaps because she is literally looking for evidence of environmental disaster as we discuss environmental disaster and how best to respond to it via writing. Not all fires are bad, of course, but megafires could be, and when her lookout was evacuated this past summer, Evonne called to talk.

Thats when I felt the problem more deeply than ever: How do I teach through such startling climate disruption? How do we focus not on loss though bearing witness is important too but on kindling energy and options to envision a better world-to-come? How do prospective survivors get made, those who are honest enough to imagine and face the worst, and, more importantly, follow up with action and oomph?

That is, in the end, what they bring me. Their very energy. And my only hope is that I am able to teach some specifics, such as the importance of solutions-based journalism, the evolution of nature writing, advocacy writing and lyrical writing, the techniques of fiction and nonfiction and poetry. And above all else, the power of a well-told story.

The truest thing I can say, though, is this: Weve been told some bad stories.

Untruths and bald-faced lies about how to live on Planet Earth, perhaps even by nature writers. Were in a mess and the answer is telling new stories. Brave stories. Complex stories that embrace our problematic history of unlocking fossil fuels, or in silencing voices, or in our communication with and about land. We need stories that fashion new narratives about ecological wisdom for our future.

These students are capable of telling them. We all are. Likely, it starts with being better listeners. In the case of fire, for example, we need to deep-listen to scientists, not just for the sound bites, but for the nuance; also, we need to critically consider which stories about our relationship to fire arent working.

Writing is an act of co-creation we write; that story leaps back and creates some new awareness; we write again. We imagine what we have to lose, so we know what we can save. This is how cultures evolve. How humans grow up. We dont need to capitulate to a doomsday future; we can try to write our way toward climate justice and wisdom.

That is what teaching Evonne and everyone she stands for has taught me. We need to examine our old stories, listen well and deeply, and then begin to write new narratives. We need to help our new storytellers, even if it means being put in the fridge.

Laura Pritchett is a contributor to Writers on the Range, a nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is a novelist about the contemporary West and directs the MFA in Nature Writing program at Western Colorado University.

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Telling the truth about the way we live now - Las Vegas Sun

Published Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 | 7:05 a.m.

Updated 12 hours ago

PARIS (AP) France's minister of the sea vowed Sunday to continue the fight in the country's dispute with Britain over fishing rights.

Minister Annick Girardin met with fishermen in northern France on Sunday.

We fight every day for these ships, for these licenses, and we will not give up, she told reporters, criticizing the British interpretation of post-Brexit rules over fishing rights as inadmissible.

Fishing is a tiny industry economically, but one that looms large symbolically for both Britain and France, which have long and cherished maritime traditions.

The U.K. licenses are at the center of the dispute following Britains split with the European Union earlier this year. Before Brexit, French fishermen could fish deep inside British waters. Now they need to be granted a special license from the British government or the self-governing British Crown dependencies of Jersey and Guernsey to fish in certain areas.

Those authorities have already granted 961 fishing licenses to French boats, according to French authorities, but France wants about 150 more licenses. Girardin said France set a deadline for the fishing talks, led by the European Union, to end in December.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that France will not yield. The British are playing with our nerves, he said.

Sunday's comments came three days after Girardin said the French government is considering providing financial compensation to French fishermen who can't get licenses. The move had prompted harsh criticism from local fishermen who feared France would give up the fight.

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Follow all AP stories on post-Brexit developments at https://apnews.com/hub/Brexit.

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France vows to keep battling in fishing dispute with UK - Las Vegas Sun