Category: News
Millones de personas se quedan sin electricidad tras apagón en el oeste de Cuba
Por MILEXSY DURÁN y DÁNICA COTO
LA HABANA (AP) — Un apagón afectó a la mitad occidental de Cuba el miércoles, dejando a millones de personas en La Habana y más allá sin electricidad en el más reciente corte que golpea a una isla que lucha con reservas de petróleo menguantes y una red eléctrica en ruinas.
La Unión Eléctrica del gobierno confirmó el apagón en la plataforma social X y señaló que afectó a personas desde la ciudad oriental de Pinar del Río hasta la ciudad central de Camagüey.
La entidad indicó que las cuadrillas trabajaban para restablecer el servicio y publicó una foto del primer ministro Manuel Marrero Cruz reunido con el ministro de Energía y Minas, Vicente de la O Levy para precisar los detalles de la desconexión y los próximos pasos a seguir para su restablecimiento.
Marrero escribió en X que el gobierno confía en la experiencia y el esfuerzo de los trabajadores eléctricos para superar esta situación en el menor tiempo posible.
Medios estatales informaron que el apagón fue causado por la salida de servicio de la central termoeléctrica Antonio Guiteras, al este de La Habana, tras una fuga en su caldera.
El apagón sorprendió en la calle a Odalis Sánchez, de 63 años, junto con su nieto.
Como no podía caminar debido a una operación reciente, llamó a alguien para que la llevara a casa.
Unas 200 personas esperaban en una parada de autobús cerca de ella, pero los autobuses no circulaban por falta de combustible, así que intentaron conseguir transporte por cualquier medio disponible, incluido pidiendo que otros les lleven.
“Necesito poder llegar a mi casa a ver qué puedo hacer”, declaró Sánchez. “Sin luz ya no se puede hacer nada. Tengo a mi nieto que está estudiando también y tengo que hacerle la comida. El transporte no ayuda”.
Es el segundo apagón de este tipo que afecta a la región occidental de Cuba en los últimos tres meses.
No queda claro qué causó el apagón del miércoles.
A inicios de diciembre, un apagón que afectó la región occidental de la isla duró casi 12 horas. Funcionarios dijeron que una falla en una línea de transmisión que enlaza dos plantas eléctricas provocó una sobrecarga y llevó al colapso del sector occidental del sistema energético.
Cuba enfrenta dificultades por la disminución de sus reservas de petróleo después de que Estados Unidos atacó a Venezuela a inicios de enero, una medida que detuvo los envíos de crudo desde el país sudamericano. Más tarde ese mes, el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump amenazó con imponer aranceles a cualquier país que vendiera o suministrara petróleo a Cuba.
Ernesto Couto Martínez, de 76 años, intentaba encontrar cómo regresar a casa y dijo que afrontaría el más reciente apagón “con el espíritu que tienen todos los cubanos”.
“Hay que seguir luchando. No hay otra”, indicó. “Tenemos que ir para adelante, con bloqueo o sin bloqueo”.
El mes pasado, el gobierno de Cuba implementó medidas austeras de ahorro de combustible y advirtió que no habría combustible para aviones en nueve aeropuertos de toda la isla hasta mediados de marzo.
Antes del ataque a Venezuela, la isla ya enfrentaba una red eléctrica en ruinas, déficits de generación e interrupciones en el suministro de combustible.
___________________________________
Coto reportó desde San José, Costa Rica.
___________________________________
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Gary council approves financing agreement for convention center
The Lake County Convention Center is another step closer to being built after the Gary Common Council unanimously approved an ordinance outlining the city’s involvement in the project’s financing.
The ordinance previously passed council’s finance committee on Feb. 24 as well. The council had no discussion on the ordinance Tuesday night, but at the Feb. 24 committee meeting, they asked questions of Brandon Comer, who’s a financial advisor for the convention center project.
The net commitment for the city will be $3.5 million, Comer told council members. Gary has pledged $5 million to the convention center, but $1.5 million will be reimbursed by Hard Rock Northern Indiana.
“The project is approximately $140 million,” Comer said. “It’ll obviously have a large economic impact on the city as a catalytic driver along that corridor.”
With the council’s approval, Gary can now create multiple agreements before the convention center’s construction begins, including a governance agreement with the Indiana Finance Authority, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and the city; a revenue deposit agreement with those agencies; a master lease agreement with the RDA; and an underlying lease agreement with the RDA.
Through the ordinance, the city will also “approve and execute” a land lease agreement with Hard Rock and an operating agreement with the “relevant parties.”
Comer previously told the finance committee that Gary receives about $12 million from wagering taxes, which the city will use to pay for the convention center. The RDA will issue bonds to finance the convention center, which will then be paid back by Gary and other entities.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, City Clerk Suzette Raggs and council members will be authorized to approve and execute certificates, documents, security agreements and transaction documents for the convention center, according to the ordinance.
Councilman Myles Tolliver, D-at large, previously asked who would be responsible for any additional costs if construction goes over budget. The convention center fund has a cushion in case that happens.
“We’d have to scale it down,” Comer said. “We’re not expecting costs beyond the cushion that we’re putting in place.”
Tolliver also asked what oversight the council would have on the convention center once the financing agreement is finalized. Comer told him that the city of Gary will direct the construction phase with help from other agencies, but once the project is complete, the Lake County Convention Center Authority will partner with the city to operate the convention center.
“At all phases, the city is either in control or in partnership with the authority,” Comer said. “After the bonds are paid off, we’re finalizing what that looks like, but the authority should go away, and the property should revert to the city.”
In May, the county commissioners selected Gary and Hard Rock Northern Indiana as the winning bidder for the convention center, according to Post-Tribune archives. In 2023, as an Indiana state senator, Melton drafted Senate Bill 434, which established the Lake County Convention Center fund, the blighted property demolition fund and new train station funding in downtown Gary.
The city of Hobart, partnered with Garfield Public/Private LLC, also submitted a convention center proposal, and commissioners could have chosen not to accept either proposal.
As the selected bid, Gary and Hard Rock plan to build a 145,000-square-foot convention center and Hard Rock hotel near the casino, and the property will have space for two additional hotels, including one REVERB by Hard Rock Hotel, and two restaurants and retail spaces.
In addition to the city’s money from gaming taxes, Hard Rock plans to give $1.5 million per year for 20 years, according to Post-Tribune archives. State matching grants will be made as well, which Indiana will pay over the course of 20 years.
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the RDA approved a resolution to allow the issuing of up to $150 million in bonds for the project, according to Post-Tribune archives.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
Gary council approves financing agreement for convention center
The Lake County Convention Center is another step closer to being built after the Gary Common Council unanimously approved an ordinance outlining the city’s involvement in the project’s financing.
The ordinance previously passed council’s finance committee on Feb. 24 as well. The council had no discussion on the ordinance Tuesday night, but at the Feb. 24 committee meeting, they asked questions of Brandon Comer, who’s a financial advisor for the convention center project.
The net commitment for the city will be $3.5 million, Comer told council members. Gary has pledged $5 million to the convention center, but $1.5 million will be reimbursed by Hard Rock Northern Indiana.
“The project is approximately $140 million,” Comer said. “It’ll obviously have a large economic impact on the city as a catalytic driver along that corridor.”
With the council’s approval, Gary can now create multiple agreements before the convention center’s construction begins, including a governance agreement with the Indiana Finance Authority, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and the city; a revenue deposit agreement with those agencies; a master lease agreement with the RDA; and an underlying lease agreement with the RDA.
Through the ordinance, the city will also “approve and execute” a land lease agreement with Hard Rock and an operating agreement with the “relevant parties.”
Comer previously told the finance committee that Gary receives about $12 million from wagering taxes, which the city will use to pay for the convention center. The RDA will issue bonds to finance the convention center, which will then be paid back by Gary and other entities.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, City Clerk Suzette Raggs and council members will be authorized to approve and execute certificates, documents, security agreements and transaction documents for the convention center, according to the ordinance.
Councilman Myles Tolliver, D-at large, previously asked who would be responsible for any additional costs if construction goes over budget. The convention center fund has a cushion in case that happens.
“We’d have to scale it down,” Comer said. “We’re not expecting costs beyond the cushion that we’re putting in place.”
Tolliver also asked what oversight the council would have on the convention center once the financing agreement is finalized. Comer told him that the city of Gary will direct the construction phase with help from other agencies, but once the project is complete, the Lake County Convention Center Authority will partner with the city to operate the convention center.
“At all phases, the city is either in control or in partnership with the authority,” Comer said. “After the bonds are paid off, we’re finalizing what that looks like, but the authority should go away, and the property should revert to the city.”
In May, the county commissioners selected Gary and Hard Rock Northern Indiana as the winning bidder for the convention center, according to Post-Tribune archives. In 2023, as an Indiana state senator, Melton drafted Senate Bill 434, which established the Lake County Convention Center fund, the blighted property demolition fund and new train station funding in downtown Gary.
The city of Hobart, partnered with Garfield Public/Private LLC, also submitted a convention center proposal, and commissioners could have chosen not to accept either proposal.
As the selected bid, Gary and Hard Rock plan to build a 145,000-square-foot convention center and Hard Rock hotel near the casino, and the property will have space for two additional hotels, including one REVERB by Hard Rock Hotel, and two restaurants and retail spaces.
In addition to the city’s money from gaming taxes, Hard Rock plans to give $1.5 million per year for 20 years, according to Post-Tribune archives. State matching grants will be made as well, which Indiana will pay over the course of 20 years.
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the RDA approved a resolution to allow the issuing of up to $150 million in bonds for the project, according to Post-Tribune archives.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
Portage CNG fueling station moves closer to reality
After years of planning, Portage could finally get a CNG fueling station.
The Redevelopment Commission voted Feb. 26 to issue a request for proposals to build one.
Portage’s garbage trucks fueled by compressed natural gas now have to travel to Gary to fill up, Mayor Austin Bonta said. The new station would have an address on U.S. 12 but would be accessed by Ind. 249.
Redevelopment Director Dan Botich asked if there are any other CNG stations in Portage. “I don’t believe so, because quite frankly, our garbage trucks would be filling up at them,” Bonta said.
Whether it would be available for public use hasn’t been decided, but Bonta said he wouldn’t be opposed to it. “I know there are other cities that make that work.”
The request for proposals includes designing, building, owning and operating the station, Planning and Community Development director Tom Cherry said.
The city has been working for years to get a CNG fueling station built.
In other business, the RDC granted $100,000 to Portage Economic Development Corp. to assist with marketing property on the city’s north side to developers and other interested parties. That includes the big pitch the agency made to attempt to lure the Chicago Bears to choose Portage for a new stadium.
That Halas Harbor pitch increased interest in the property exponentially, Botich said.
Once the bonding is completed for the bridge over Burns Waterway to be extended, the interest will increase even more, he said.
The north side property includes more than 100 acres.
The RDC also voted to prune six parcels from the Kayak Point tax increment financing district, a move that will need to be ratified by the City Council.
“This project has been discussed for about the last 12 to 14 months,” Botich said.
764 Holdings is building a new Glass Solutions Inc. factory for making glass façades for commercial buildings at the site. The parcels being carved off are intended for use as a future kayak launch on Salt Creek.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/portage-cng-fueling-station-moves-closer-to-reality/
Portage CNG fueling station moves closer to reality
After years of planning, Portage could finally get a CNG fueling station.
The Redevelopment Commission voted Feb. 26 to issue a request for proposals to build one.
Portage’s garbage trucks fueled by compressed natural gas now have to travel to Gary to fill up, Mayor Austin Bonta said. The new station would have an address on U.S. 12 but would be accessed by Ind. 249.
Redevelopment Director Dan Botich asked if there are any other CNG stations in Portage. “I don’t believe so, because quite frankly, our garbage trucks would be filling up at them,” Bonta said.
Whether it would be available for public use hasn’t been decided, but Bonta said he wouldn’t be opposed to it. “I know there are other cities that make that work.”
The request for proposals includes designing, building, owning and operating the station, Planning and Community Development director Tom Cherry said.
The city has been working for years to get a CNG fueling station built.
In other business, the RDC granted $100,000 to Portage Economic Development Corp. to assist with marketing property on the city’s north side to developers and other interested parties. That includes the big pitch the agency made to attempt to lure the Chicago Bears to choose Portage for a new stadium.
That Halas Harbor pitch increased interest in the property exponentially, Botich said.
Once the bonding is completed for the bridge over Burns Waterway to be extended, the interest will increase even more, he said.
The north side property includes more than 100 acres.
The RDC also voted to prune six parcels from the Kayak Point tax increment financing district, a move that will need to be ratified by the City Council.
“This project has been discussed for about the last 12 to 14 months,” Botich said.
764 Holdings is building a new Glass Solutions Inc. factory for making glass façades for commercial buildings at the site. The parcels being carved off are intended for use as a future kayak launch on Salt Creek.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/portage-cng-fueling-station-moves-closer-to-reality/
Typical US Homeowners Stay 12 Years In Their Homes – 20 Years In Los Angeles
Typical US Homeowners Stay 12 Years In Their Homes – 20 Years In Los Angeles
Authored by Mary Prenon via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
U.S. homeowners stayed in their houses for about 12 years as of 2025—the longest median time since 2022.
In a March 4 report, Redfin noted that the “stay put” trend peaked at 13.4 years in 2020, then gradually declined every year until 2024, when it hit 11.8 years. Last year’s rising home costs and interest rates led to an uptick to 12 years.
“High mortgage rates and home prices perpetuate a cycle that locks up housing inventory,” Redfin’s head of economics research, Chen Zhao, said in the report.
“It can keep existing homeowners in place and financially discourage them from moving to a different home or a different neighborhood, which drives prices up even higher for first-timers trying to break into the market.”
However, Zhao noted that there has been a slight improvement in housing affordability as interest rates recently dipped below 6 percent for the first time in more than three years. Freddie Mac reported the average rate as of Feb. 26 at 5.98 percent for a 30-year, fixed mortgage and 5.44 percent for a 15-year fixed rate loan.
Still, homeowners are holding onto their houses for almost twice as long as they were in the early 2000s. In 2005, for example, the typical homeowner stayed for just 6.5 years before selling.
Over the next two decades, Americans began to stay longer as the population grew older. Now, the report indicates, baby boomers and Gen Xers may be more likely to want to age in place because of financial incentives such as being mortgage-free or having much lower mortgage payments than new homeowners starting out today. Older generations are also less likely to relocate for a new job or to grow their families.
A 2024 Redfin analysis found that empty-nest baby boomers owned 28 percent of America’s three-bedroom-plus homes—twice as many as millennials with children.
In ultra high-priced regions such as Los Angeles, homeowners stayed in their houses even longer, with an average of 20 years—the longest in the nation. This represents an increase from 19.4 years in 2024. Redfin put the median home price in Los Angeles at $975,000 as of January.
Redfin’s analysis of other major California metro areas shows similar results. In San Jose, homeowners stayed an average of 18.7 years, and in San Francisco, 16.5 years. Median home prices for January in these metros stood at $1.62 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
In San Diego, where the median home price was $970,000, residents spent an average of 14.5 years in their homes. Riverside homeowners stay for about 12.4 years. Median home prices there were reported at $600,000 as of January.
“California’s tax laws incentivize homeowners to stay in their homes for a long time,” the report states.
“Proposition 13, which was adopted in 1978, locks owners into low property taxes, discouraging them from moving and taking on a higher tax rate.”
As a result, the supply of homes is limited and tends to push prices higher.
The report showed that homeowner tenure increased from 2024 to 2025 in 28 of the 41 metros analyzed. Raleigh, North Carolina, and Denver experienced the biggest hikes in tenure during the same period.
Additional metros with home stays surpassing 15 years include Cleveland, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York City; Memphis, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; and Providence, Rhode Island.
At the opposite end, Louisville, Kentucky, had the shortest home tenure of the 41 metros at 8.3 years, followed by Las Vegas at 8.8 years. Charlotte, North Carolina; Tampa and Orlando in Florida, and Nashville all recorded home stays of a little over nine years.
“When home prices are lower, it’s typically easier for homeowners to sell and move on because they’re not taking on an ultra-high mortgage payment on their next house,” the report states.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 14:55
Typical US Homeowners Stay 12 Years In Their Homes – 20 Years In Los Angeles
Typical US Homeowners Stay 12 Years In Their Homes – 20 Years In Los Angeles
Authored by Mary Prenon via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
U.S. homeowners stayed in their houses for about 12 years as of 2025—the longest median time since 2022.
In a March 4 report, Redfin noted that the “stay put” trend peaked at 13.4 years in 2020, then gradually declined every year until 2024, when it hit 11.8 years. Last year’s rising home costs and interest rates led to an uptick to 12 years.
“High mortgage rates and home prices perpetuate a cycle that locks up housing inventory,” Redfin’s head of economics research, Chen Zhao, said in the report.
“It can keep existing homeowners in place and financially discourage them from moving to a different home or a different neighborhood, which drives prices up even higher for first-timers trying to break into the market.”
However, Zhao noted that there has been a slight improvement in housing affordability as interest rates recently dipped below 6 percent for the first time in more than three years. Freddie Mac reported the average rate as of Feb. 26 at 5.98 percent for a 30-year, fixed mortgage and 5.44 percent for a 15-year fixed rate loan.
Still, homeowners are holding onto their houses for almost twice as long as they were in the early 2000s. In 2005, for example, the typical homeowner stayed for just 6.5 years before selling.
Over the next two decades, Americans began to stay longer as the population grew older. Now, the report indicates, baby boomers and Gen Xers may be more likely to want to age in place because of financial incentives such as being mortgage-free or having much lower mortgage payments than new homeowners starting out today. Older generations are also less likely to relocate for a new job or to grow their families.
A 2024 Redfin analysis found that empty-nest baby boomers owned 28 percent of America’s three-bedroom-plus homes—twice as many as millennials with children.
In ultra high-priced regions such as Los Angeles, homeowners stayed in their houses even longer, with an average of 20 years—the longest in the nation. This represents an increase from 19.4 years in 2024. Redfin put the median home price in Los Angeles at $975,000 as of January.
Redfin’s analysis of other major California metro areas shows similar results. In San Jose, homeowners stayed an average of 18.7 years, and in San Francisco, 16.5 years. Median home prices for January in these metros stood at $1.62 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
In San Diego, where the median home price was $970,000, residents spent an average of 14.5 years in their homes. Riverside homeowners stay for about 12.4 years. Median home prices there were reported at $600,000 as of January.
“California’s tax laws incentivize homeowners to stay in their homes for a long time,” the report states.
“Proposition 13, which was adopted in 1978, locks owners into low property taxes, discouraging them from moving and taking on a higher tax rate.”
As a result, the supply of homes is limited and tends to push prices higher.
The report showed that homeowner tenure increased from 2024 to 2025 in 28 of the 41 metros analyzed. Raleigh, North Carolina, and Denver experienced the biggest hikes in tenure during the same period.
Additional metros with home stays surpassing 15 years include Cleveland, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York City; Memphis, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; and Providence, Rhode Island.
At the opposite end, Louisville, Kentucky, had the shortest home tenure of the 41 metros at 8.3 years, followed by Las Vegas at 8.8 years. Charlotte, North Carolina; Tampa and Orlando in Florida, and Nashville all recorded home stays of a little over nine years.
“When home prices are lower, it’s typically easier for homeowners to sell and move on because they’re not taking on an ultra-high mortgage payment on their next house,” the report states.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 14:55
Secretario de Interior de EEUU se reúne con presidenta de Venezuela para tratar minería y recursos
Associated Press
CARACAS (AP) — El secretario del Interior de Estados Unidos, Doug Burgum, se reunió el miércoles con la presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, como parte de los planes del presidente Donald Trump de ejercer un control sobre los recursos energéticos y minerales del país sudamericano.
El también presidente del Consejo Nacional de Energía fue recibido por Rodríguez en el palacio presidencial de Miraflores, en Caracas, poco después de su arribo.
En febrero la administración Trump anunció su intención de crear un bloque comercial de minerales estratégicos con sus aliados y socios para defenderse del control de China en la cadena de suministro de estos minerales y tierras raras, esenciales en la fabricación de automóviles eléctricos, aviones militares, aparatos electrónicos y teléfonos móviles.
Además del petróleo, Venezuela es rica en oro, cobre, diamantes, coltán y otros metales preciosos, pero su explotación es insegura porque se trata de una industria poco regulada.
La Oficina Externa de Estados Unidos para Venezuela dio la bienvenida a Burgum y escribió en la red social X que además de reunirse con las autoridades venezolanas “establecerá contactos con empresas estadounidenses y venezolanas y trabajará por un sector minero legítimo y cadenas de suministro de minerales críticos seguras”.
Laura Dogu, la principal diplomática estadounidense en Venezuela, acompañó a Burgum en la reunión con Rodríguez.
Burgum, designado por Trump para liderar las ambiciones de su administración de impulsar la producción de combustibles fósiles, es el más reciente alto funcionario estadounidense en viajar a Venezuela luego de la captura y traslado del depuesto presidente Nicolás Maduro y su esposa a Nueva York para enfrentar cargos federales de tráfico de drogas.
El encuentro además se produjo 34 días después de que la presidenta encargada firmase la reforma parcial de la ley de hidrocarburos que suavizó el rígido control estatal sobre las operaciones petroleras vigente en las últimas dos décadas de gobiernos autoproclamados socialistas y que abrió ampliamente el sector a la inversión extranjera.
Ese día, el Departamento del Tesoro comenzó oficialmente a levantar las sanciones a los hidrocarburos venezolanos que en su momento debilitaeon la industria y amplió la capacidad de las compañías energéticas estadounidenses para operar en Venezuela.
Secretario de Interior de EEUU se reúne con presidenta de Venezuela para tratar minería y recursos
Associated Press
CARACAS (AP) — El secretario del Interior de Estados Unidos, Doug Burgum, se reunió el miércoles con la presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, como parte de los planes del presidente Donald Trump de ejercer un control sobre los recursos energéticos y minerales del país sudamericano.
El también presidente del Consejo Nacional de Energía fue recibido por Rodríguez en el palacio presidencial de Miraflores, en Caracas, poco después de su arribo.
En febrero la administración Trump anunció su intención de crear un bloque comercial de minerales estratégicos con sus aliados y socios para defenderse del control de China en la cadena de suministro de estos minerales y tierras raras, esenciales en la fabricación de automóviles eléctricos, aviones militares, aparatos electrónicos y teléfonos móviles.
Además del petróleo, Venezuela es rica en oro, cobre, diamantes, coltán y otros metales preciosos, pero su explotación es insegura porque se trata de una industria poco regulada.
La Oficina Externa de Estados Unidos para Venezuela dio la bienvenida a Burgum y escribió en la red social X que además de reunirse con las autoridades venezolanas “establecerá contactos con empresas estadounidenses y venezolanas y trabajará por un sector minero legítimo y cadenas de suministro de minerales críticos seguras”.
Laura Dogu, la principal diplomática estadounidense en Venezuela, acompañó a Burgum en la reunión con Rodríguez.
Burgum, designado por Trump para liderar las ambiciones de su administración de impulsar la producción de combustibles fósiles, es el más reciente alto funcionario estadounidense en viajar a Venezuela luego de la captura y traslado del depuesto presidente Nicolás Maduro y su esposa a Nueva York para enfrentar cargos federales de tráfico de drogas.
El encuentro además se produjo 34 días después de que la presidenta encargada firmase la reforma parcial de la ley de hidrocarburos que suavizó el rígido control estatal sobre las operaciones petroleras vigente en las últimas dos décadas de gobiernos autoproclamados socialistas y que abrió ampliamente el sector a la inversión extranjera.
Ese día, el Departamento del Tesoro comenzó oficialmente a levantar las sanciones a los hidrocarburos venezolanos que en su momento debilitaeon la industria y amplió la capacidad de las compañías energéticas estadounidenses para operar en Venezuela.
Of Notoriety: Join me for a fairy tale Friday with NWI Symphony concert in Merrillville
No matter age or gender, we’ve all had those lifetime moments when it feels like an unfair workload or preferential treatment for a peer, be it a co-worker, siblings or others.
Especially when growing up and assigned chores and household duties, who hasn’t felt at least momentarily cast as the fairy tale role of “Cinderella”?
Varied versions of “Cinderella” and her “rags to riches” tale date back centuries.
Walt Disney gave the glass slipper gal the animated treatment with his 1950 animated feature film classic.
Today, readers still write to me about the spin from the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein telling of the tale as an annual television special, first with Julie Andrews starring in the title role for the 1957 black and white version, opposite the late greats Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostley as her mean stepsisters and Edie Adams as the fairy godmother.
Then, in 1965, splashed with a full color TV airing, it was recast with Lesley Ann Warren (who turns 80 this year) as the glass slipper princess and funny, frumpy Pat Carroll and lanky Barbara Ruick as her nasty stepsisters under the watchful eye of icy Jo Van Fleet as Stepmother, contrasted by sweet Celeste Holm as the wand-waving fairy godmother. Iconic Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon were cast as the queen and king.
By 1997, there was another TV remake with Brandy starring as Cinderella for a new generation, with Bernadette Peters as her mean stepmother and Whitney Houston as the fairy godmother.
When I met and interviewed classic character actress Pat Carroll in Los Angeles in 2007, she told me the two career highlights she would ever be associated with were playing the wicked stepsister in the Rodgers & Hammerstein TV special and later, her vocals cast to play the raspy voice if villainess sea witch Ursula for the Walt Disney animated 1989 feature film “The Little Mermaid.”
When I told her I’d never seen her in “Cinderella,” she autographed a color photo of herself in her character guise and told me it was my homework to go home and watch her in it.
“The kiddies love to hate me,” said Carroll, who died at age 95 in 2022.
“It’s always more fun to boo the bad guys than cheer for the good folks in these stories.”
The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra has been rehearsing all week to invite guests to step into the famed fairy tales of yesteryear and today for their new concert with Maestro Kirk Muspratt, “Spellbound!” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Living Hope Church, 9000 West Taft St. in Merrillville.
The two-part fun concert starts with Stravinsky’s “Firebird” to ignite the stage with fiery rhythms, with a thrilling battle between light and darkness, all swirling around the mysterious powers of a single feather plucked from the mythical firebird.
After intermission, it is a lost glass slipper and two mean stepsisters as interpreted by composer Prokofiev with his famed ballet suite from “Cinderella.”
I’ll be sharing the stage with Maestro and these 80-plus talented musicians during the second act on Friday, perched on a stool on stage with a music stand front and center in the role of “narrator” for “Cinderella.”
I’ll also join Maestro before the concert for the 6:15 p.m. “pre-concert discussion.”
Friday morning, I’ll be with Maestro and the musicians for the two shortened versions of Friday evening’s program for two generously sponsored educational concerts that will pack in more than 1,800 students from more than 15 various elementary schools and educational outlets from throughout the area.
I’m honored to share the stage with Maestro Muspratt as this marks his 25th season in his conductor role with the Northwest Indiana Symphony, which is now in the midst of its 84th season.
Tickets for Friday night’s “Spellbound!” concert range from $49 to $89, and a $10 student price, with the option of group sales discounts also available for 10 or more people. Call the Symphony office at 219- 836-0525 or visit the website at www.NISOrchestra.org for more information.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
