In a rehearsal room at the Sarasota Opera House, dozens of young artists raise their voices together in support of a young boy who is forced to work as a chimney sweep to support his injured father and is treated cruelly by his employer.

The cast of Sarasota Youth Opera's new production of Benjamin Britten's “The Little Sweep” sings with verve, encouraged by music director Jesse Martins, who conducts from a chair and observes the action among the young singers, ages 8 to 18.

Director Martha Collins, who is bringing the show to its fourth year since 2005, occasionally jumps into the scene to replace a missing cast member and makes sure everyone has a partner to play and sing with. During a run-through of a wordless prologue in which the cast builds a child's room with building blocks, a rocking chair, a bed and toy horses, she encourages the performers to remember who they are and why they are on stage.

Anjou Burkmier plays Sammy, the title character in Benjamin Britten’s “The Little Sweep” at the Sarasota Youth Opera.

“It's a wonderful story, and the prologue we created gives the children a lot of opportunities,” said Collins, a former opera singer who stages at least one main production for the Sarasota Opera each season.

Years ago, the company received permission from Britten's estate to move the action from 19th-century England to Boston. “We rewrote some of the Britishisms,” Collins said. “We thought the kids might not understand them.” The original production began with a lengthy “Let's Put on an Opera” designed to teach audience members music, and Sarasota Opera wrote its own prologue.

“We have created a pantomime that is magical for non-theatregoers. It is amazing to see the children see the set come together,” Collins said.

Collins and Martens are working with 67 young singers and four adult performers, which marks a return to some kind of normality for the youth opera. The last production in 2018 featured 70 singers.

From left: Gabriel Magowan, Anjou Burkmier, Ara Martinez and Isabella Maltese star in the Sarasota Youth Opera production of “The Little Sweep.”

COVID “decimated our program,” but “we're really growing again. We missed a few years of continuity to have Maestro Jesse help develop their voices, but we have a wonderful new group of singers. This is a wonderful piece to grow that,” Collins said.

Among the cast is Sofia Scheck, a student at the Manatee School for the Arts, who sings the role of nanny Rowan, who is persuaded by her charges to help the little cleaner named Sammy.

Scheck, who has performed in youth opera productions since “Rootabaga Country” in 2017, said that in “The Little Sweep,” “the music is much more challenging to play.”

Singing a role normally played by adults was an educational experience, Scheck said.

“They treat me like an equal,” she said. “It's so nice to be treated like that and to feel respected by them. Usually I'm the one who has to respect my elders.”

Martens said Scheck took on a role that “requires a much more demanding vocal range, and the dramatic requirement requires a more mature voice. Her voice has those qualities.”

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Sarasota’s 2023-24 season: For the 65th season of well-known and rare works, the Sarasota Opera shortens its fall production

From left: Ara Martinez, Anjou Burkmier and Isabella Maltese are among the stars of the Sarasota Youth Opera production of “The Little Sweep” by Benjamin Britten.

Collins said it helps that Scheck is also physically larger than some of the other children. “It makes it a little more believable that she could be a governess.”

Scheck said she has made many friends in the Sarasota Youth Opera over the years. “I like the atmosphere and the opportunity to bring something to the stage. I love giving a character personality and emotion and understanding what they are saying and what it means to be that character.”

Two different casts will perform the opera over the weekend. The adult singers include Paul Hill, Jake Stamatis, Sarahann Duffy and Virginia Mims.

Collins said the show lasts just over an hour. “Because it's short and action-packed, it's a great opera to see with the family. Young children are fascinated by the colorful lighting and music.”

“The little sweeper”

By Benjamin Britten. Jesse Martens, music director; Martha Collins, stage director. Nov. 4, 5 p.m. and Nov. 5, 12:30 p.m., Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. 941-328-1322; sarasotaopera.org

Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Youth Opera sings inspiring story “The Little Sweep”

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Jeff Schmittinger, owner and founder of Wisconsin Chimney Technicians in Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been cleaning the White House chimneys for 19 years and three consecutive administrations and still hasn't been paid for it.

Frankly, he never charged a dime for it. Schmittinger first volunteered for the job in 1993 after hearing President Bill Clinton's speech to Congress about the dire state of the federal deficit. Wanting to do his part, he called the White House and offered to clean the 35 chimneys at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for free. “I didn't think they would accept my offer,” he admits. “I was shocked.” The job got easier over the years; when he first showed up, the chimneys were caked with the soot of countless presidencies. He used two vacuum cleaners on that first clean, he says, “because we didn't want to leave the White House and not let it be a White House anymore.”

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All good things come at a price, and when they're as meticulous, wonderful and small as the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, they should. The astonishing vision, meticulous preparation and incredible items (over 10,000) of the 29-room, 800-pound dollhouse justify the hefty $8.5 million price tag. The seven-level masterpiece was created by artist Elaine Diehl around 1980 and unveiled in 2015. It took no less than 13 years to complete and was estimated at the time to be worth over $2,000 per square inch.

Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
That makes this 9-foot-tall dollhouse castle more expensive than a fully furnished 4-bedroom, 6-bathroom, 4,000-square-foot home in San Francisco, and that's just how much money you'd have left over to buy a Tesla even after buying the house, according to the Zillow listing.

Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
It may not be a livable space, but it's definitely a stunning one. The tiny objects and rooms of the world's most expensive dollhouse will make you feel like you're Alice in Wonderland. What first catches the eye is the historic exterior of a property that takes its name from the castle in “The Lady of Shalott,” a 19th-century ballad by Alfred Lord Tennyson, according to Bloomberg.

The rooms are illuminated by working chandeliers. Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
One can't help but marvel at details like fountains, topiary, and a grand arched entrance with ornate columns. And that's just the outside facade. What lies beneath is truly amazing. Details such as armor, a $5,000 silverware set, artwork, paintings and gemstone collections in the extravagant rooms showcase the talent of the carpenters, goldsmiths, glassblowers and silversmiths.

Experienced carpenters and artists have crafted the incredible miniatures. Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
Although all rooms are luxuriously appointed with features such as real parquet floors, hand-stitched tapestries, marble bathrooms and gold trim, it is the library that captured my heart.

Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
This outstanding area contains tiny books with real printed pages that can be read under a magnifying glass. In the library, one can (if one really tries) find a Bible that is said to be one of the smallest in the world. Notable items kept here include a $2,500 fold-out secretary bookcase and a miniature Hebrew Torah valued at up to $2,500.

Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
Expensive items include a miniature grand piano valued at $7,000, a midget Jeep 949 station wagon valued at over $3,300, and a miniature portrait valued at nearly $2,000. It was apparently so small that it had to be painted with a single bristle brush.

Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
Of the seven floors containing regular rooms like the main parlor, dining room, bedrooms and butler's quarters etc, the sixth floor was the most exciting with the grand ballroom, musician's alcove, bar area and living rooms. At the very top of the multi-million dollar miniature house was a wizard's tower with fascinating details like astronomical displays and zodiac signs, a telescope and an observatory.

Image – Astolat Dollhouse Castle
These are just a few examples of the dedication and excellence of the 29-room home, which was unveiled to the public in 2015 to benefit the nonprofit organization Autism Speaks and a selection of other children's charities. The exhibition was hosted by the Nassau County Museum of Art. “The castle is so valuable because of its structure,” said Paula Gilhooley, the museum's curator. She added, “Astolat is one of the most beautiful miniature structures in the world and exhibits a rare combination of sculpture, artistry, engineering and detail that sets it apart from anything that has existed before. Astolat is a tremendous feat of construction and when you see it you will be absolutely speechless.” The museum-quality dollhouse was acquired by collector L. Freeman in 1996 and moved to the Nassau County Museum of Art.

The living area of ​​the house for sale in Francisco. Image – Zillow.

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Yesterday, with temperatures dropping and winter approaching, a house fire in Revere brought attention to the need for home heating safety. Fire officials in Massachusetts urged residents to take proper heating precautions after a house fire in Revere caused by a furnace failure, according to the fire department.

Firefighter Jon M. Davine states that space heaters are the leading cause of carbon monoxide and the second leading cause of house fires in Massachusetts homes. According to the Department of Fire Services, there have been over 6,000 heating-related fires in the past five years, resulting in eight deaths, over 140 residents and firefighters injured, and over $39 million in damages.

To prevent further tragedies, firefighters emphasize the need for operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all floors of the home. Another important aspect is annual professional inspection and maintenance of heating devices such as furnaces, water heaters and oil burners. Additionally, Massachusetts residents struggling with heating costs could benefit from the state's Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides assistance with winter heating costs and maintenance.

For households that use natural gas and oil as heating media, it is important to maintain a 90 cm wide “safety circle” around the heating devices and to clear them of flammable objects. Additional safety measures recommend not storing painting materials, aerosol cans and other flammable items near heating devices. In addition, gas smells should be reported immediately to the emergency services, as the fire department reports.

Those who rely on fireplaces or stoves for heat should use a fireplace screen or a closed stove door to contain sparks and embers. Regular inspections and cleaning of chimneys and flues are necessary to prevent chimney fires because it eliminates burning creosote, a harmful substance that builds up naturally. Professional chimney cleaning services from the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild or the Chimney Safety Institute of America can be helpful in this regard.

When using space heaters, ensure they are at least three feet away from flammable items such as curtains and bedding. It is recommended that you plug it directly into the wall outlet and not into an extension cord or power strip. Space heaters that have been tested and labeled by reputable companies such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL) are likely to have better safety features, including automatic shut-off mechanisms. Firefighter Davine similarly cautioned against the use of unvented kerosene space heaters and portable propane space heaters due to the high risk of fire and carbon monoxide.

Creating a comprehensive emergency escape plan is another important aspect of home security. Each plan should provide for two exits from each room, as well as alternate exits for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities who may require assistance in emergencies. 1. Resources such as the Fire Department's Keep Warm, Keep Safe toolkit providing important information and guidance on maintaining home heating safety and emergency planning as mentioned by the Fire Department.

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TV's “Supernanny” may correct bad behavior, but only a nanny adds magical powers and flying with an umbrella to her repertoire.

The musical “Mary Poppins” opened yesterday at the Detroit Opera House and promises to delight children and adults alike through January 2nd.

Directed by producer Cameron Mackintosh, the Disney musical is based on the fantasy book series by PL Travers and the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

The popular childhood story follows a magical nanny who works for the hapless family of a cold banker and features popular songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Step in Time” and “Supercalifraglisticexpialidocious.”

New songs by Olivier Award winners George Stiles and Anthony Drewe also grace the stage production.

The show premiered in London's West End in 2004, with a Broadway counterpart premiering two years later.

It received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Set Design.

A national tour began in Chicago in March 2009.

Nicolas Dromard takes on the role of chimney sweep Bert after spending the last 1 1/2 years as Fiyero in the San Francisco production of “Wicked.”

His enthusiasm for the plum part was evident during a recent telephone interview at a tour stop in Des Moines, Iowa.

“It’s such an incredible show,” Dromard said. “Of all the shows I have done, this is my favorite. I love performing it every night.”

He believes the timeless message speaks to everyone and still resonates today.

“Kids connect with the Disney magic and adults connect because they remember the movie,” he said.

“The story about the father trying to reconnect with his children and the mother feeling like she's lost her purpose – that's very timely, even though it's set in the early 20th century.”

The national tour is not Dromard's first foray into the role.

He was part of the original Broadway cast and understudy Bert before taking over the role of Gavin Lee.

While he realizes his performance will inevitably draw comparisons to Van Dyke's iconic performance, he's not worried about whether he can keep up.

“How great to have such a role model,” he said of the star. “I don’t try to copy anything he does, but rather put my own spin on it while staying true to the character.”

Born in Ottawa, Dromard began dancing at the age of six after being inspired by a film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

He studied music at De La Salle High School, a performing arts school in Ottawa, and participated in community theater and dance competitions in Canada and the United States.

After high school, he planned to study music in college, but while in New York City to compete in a dance competition finals, he auditioned for and booked “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular” in Branson, Missouri.

From there, his theater opportunities grew – “West Side Story” at the Stratford Festival in Canada, the North American premiere of “Mamma Mia,” “Oklahoma!” and “The Boy From Oz” on Broadway, “Hairspray” in Toronto, the first national Tour of “Wicked” and “Mary Poppins” on Broadway.

Dromard puts his talents to work in the role of the lovable Cockney Bert, taking the lead role in several songs, acting as narrator and dancing up a storm in the peppy number “Step in Time.”

“That’s my favorite number,” he said. “I get to knock upside down – how could you not like that?”

According to Dromard, new melodies, including Mary's introductory piece “Practically Perfect”, fit perfectly with the original numbers and flesh out the stories of the main characters.

“It's a perfect mix of favorite songs from the film and Travers' book and new songs that fit together so perfectly you'd think the entire score was written at the same time,” he said.

Bob Crowley's bizarre stage design provides a much-vaunted backdrop for the stage action.

“The tour set is incredible,” Dromard said. “We have a house that is more like a dollhouse or a pop-up book.

“It starts closed, then at the end of the show I come out and do a little intro and it comes to life.

“It is visually beautiful and amazes the mind.”

The magical world of “Mary Poppins” unfolds at the Detroit Opera House through January 2nd.

Tickets, starting at $25, are available at the Fisher Box Office, Ticketmaster locations, www.broadwayindetroit.com and by calling 1-800-982-2787.

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CNN
—

Als John Flores und Michael Leitz nach einem Zuhause für den nächsten Lebensabschnitt suchten, stellten sie fest, dass ihr Wohnort in San Francisco zu teuer war.

Stattdessen begannen sie, weiter in die Ferne zu schauen – und kauften schließlich ein wunderschönes, 120 Jahre altes, dreistöckiges Haus im ländlichen Spanien für weniger als 50.000 US-Dollar.

Sowohl Flores als auch Leitz arbeiteten vor ihrer Pensionierung im Bildungswesen in den USA – Leitz war Geschichtslehrer an einer High School, während Flores Verwaltungsangestellter an der UCLA war.

Obwohl sie sagten, dass sie beide ihren Lebensstil in San Francisco genossen, erkannten sie, dass es unbezahlbar wäre, in einer Mietwohnung zu leben und deren Renten weit unter ihrem Gehalt lägen.

„Europa war für uns eine naheliegende Wahl“, sagte Leitz. „Ich bin teils Deutscher, teils Ire, daher hatte die Familie europäische Wurzeln. John ist zum Teil Mexikaner, was für eine spanische Verbindung sorgt, und er spricht auch fließend Spanisch.

„Der kalifornischen Lebensart kommt man in Europa am nächsten, man kann sie in Spanien finden, daher fiel uns die Wahl leicht.“

Gonzalo Azumendi/Stone RF/Getty Images

Das Paar begann seine Wohnungssuche in der spanischen Stadt Valencia, fand es aber zu teuer.

Leitz und Flores sind nicht allein. In den letzten Jahren sind immer mehr Amerikaner aus geschäftlichen Gründen und im Ruhestand nach Europa gezogen – wobei sich Spanien laut einem Bericht des Migrationsberatungsunternehmens Global Citizen Solutions zu einem Top-Reiseziel entwickelt hat.

Ein Teil der Attraktivität ist wahrscheinlich auf Spaniens ganzjährig mildes Klima und einen entspannten Lebensstil gepaart mit relativ günstigen Grundnahrungsmitteln, einschließlich hochwertiger Speisen und Weine, zurückzuführen.

Auch Visa- und Aufenthaltsbestimmungen wurden in den letzten Jahren deutlich erleichtert. Spanien möchte ausländische Staatsangehörige zum Leben und Arbeiten anlocken, um einem enormen Entvölkerungsproblem, insbesondere in ländlichen Gebieten, entgegenzuwirken, und heißt digitale Nomaden ebenso willkommen wie wohlhabende Privatpersonen, Rentner und Ferienhausbesitzer.

Den richtigen Ort zu finden und in ein anderes Land zu ziehen, war für Flores und Leitz keineswegs einfach.

„Wir waren uns bewusst, dass der Umzug nicht ohne Hindernisse verlief“, sagt Leitz. „Ich hatte noch nie ein solches Unterfangen unternommen, aber viele Jahre bevor ich ihn traf, hatte John etwas Ähnliches in Phoenix gemacht, deshalb hatte er mehr Ideen als ich.“

Bei dem Umzug musste das Paar zwangsläufig zahlreiche Herausforderungen meistern. Der Kauf und Verkauf von Immobilien in Europa unterscheidet sich stark von den USA. Der gesamte Prozess ist viel formeller und umfasst Notare, Grundbuchämter und Beamte wie vereidigte Übersetzer.

Und dann sind da noch die Sprachbarrieren und Kulturschocks. Als Rentner mussten sich Flores und Leitz keine Sorgen um Schulen und Bildung machen – ein wichtiger Aspekt für angehende Expats, die mit Kindern nach Europa ziehen.

Siestas und verschlafene Sonntage

Stefano Politi Markovina/Alamy Stock Foto

Schließlich ließen sie sich in der charmanten Marktstadt Xatavia nieder.

Da beide als Lehrer tätig waren, hatten sie reichlich Urlaub und nutzten diesen, um im Vorfeld ihres Umzugs Spanien und Europa zu erkunden.

Spanien ist ein riesiges Land mit vielen verschiedenen Regionen, von schneebedeckten Bergen im Norden bis zu den Stränden und Inseln des Mittelmeers. Es gibt ländliche Täler, kleine, romantische Dörfer und große Städte wie Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Sevilla und Malaga.

Flores und Leitz nahmen sich Zeit und reisten über mehrere Jahre hinweg überall hin, um kulturelle Veränderungen wie die langen Siestas in Spanien, zahlreiche Feiertage und die Tatsache, dass Geschäfte sonntags nicht geöffnet sind, einzuschätzen.

Nachdem sie sich für Spanien entschieden hatten und der Ruhestand noch einige Zeit entfernt war, begannen sie mit den Vorbereitungen, indem sie die Landessprache auffrischten – etwas, das sie bereits aus ihrem Leben in Kalifornien kannten.

„Mein Spanisch zu perfektionieren ist jetzt eigentlich meine Priorität, da alles andere geklärt ist“, sagt Leitz. „Für den Alltag ist es einfach so wichtig, mit den Arbeitern und den Einheimischen kommunizieren zu können.“

Als es um die Wohnungssuche ging, war ihre erste Station Valencia, eine wunderschöne Stadt und Hafenstadt am Mittelmeer im Südosten Spaniens.

Valencia – berühmt für Orangen, das Nationalgericht Paella, Architektur, Keramik und Kultur – wurde für drei Jahre ihre Heimat, da sie in Mietwohnungen lebten.

Michael Leitz

Das Paar beschloss, das Erdgeschoss seines neuen Zuhauses zu öffnen, um einen offenen und luftigen Raum zu schaffen.

Allerdings lag die Stadt außerhalb ihrer Preisspanne, wenn es um den Kauf einer Wohnung für ihre Renten ging. Sie waren auch auf der Suche nach einem ländlicheren Ort – am liebsten nach einem besseren Ort, den sie nach ihren Wünschen restaurieren konnten.

„Unsere Hobbys sind Geschichte und Kunst und wir wollten einen Ort, an dem beides sowie Natur und Wald vorhanden sind“, sagt Flores. „Eine weitere Überlegung waren öffentliche Verkehrsmittel und gute Zug- oder Busverbindungen in andere Teile Spaniens.“

Als sie die ländlichen Dörfer rund um Valencia erkundeten, entschieden sie sich schließlich für eine historische Kleinstadt namens Xativa, die über eine beeindruckende Burg und einen Wachturm sowie Museen, Kunstgalerien, Bars und Restaurants verfügt.

Entscheidend ist, dass es auch eine Schnellzugverbindung nach Valencia und darüber hinaus gibt.

Was das Paar wirklich anzog, waren die engen Gassen mit vielen älteren Gebäuden, die dringend renoviert werden mussten – einige ziemlich heruntergekommen, andere in einem vernünftigen Zustand.

Auch die freundlichen Bewohner – Einheimische wie auch andere Expats, die sich dort bereits glücklich niedergelassen hatten – überzeugten sie. Sie sagten, sie hätten ein Gemeinschaftsgefühl gespürt, das sehr ansprechend sei.

Nachdem sie sich für einen Wohnort entschieden hatten, galt es nun, eine passende – und bezahlbare – Immobilie zu finden.

Anstatt zu einem Immobilienmakler zu gehen, wandten sie sich an Idealista, eine der beliebtesten Immobilienverkaufs-Websites in Spanien, und fanden fast sofort einen Ort, der ihnen zusagte.

Händeschütteln und Hürden

Michael Leitz

Sie haben auch eine überdachte Terrasse voller Pflanzen angelegt.

Es war ein dreistöckiges Steingebäude, groß genug für ihre Bedürfnisse und zu einem vernünftigen Preis angeboten. Sie sagten, sie seien überrascht, wie niedrig die Preise im Vergleich zu Valencia und anderen Orten in Spanien seien, die sie sich angesehen hatten – und natürlich im Vergleich zu den USA.

Es bestand aus mehreren kleinen Räumen im Erdgeschoss, nur einem Badezimmer und zwei Schlafzimmern. Sie konnten das Potenzial erkennen.

Der nächste Schritt waren Inspektionen, um sicherzustellen, dass das Haus baulich einwandfrei und wetterfest war.

Dann war da noch die rechtliche Seite des Kaufs – etwas kompliziert durch das Alter des Gebäudes – es ist etwa 120 Jahre alt. Wie so oft im ländlichen Spanien gingen im Laufe der Jahre viele Aufzeichnungen verloren. In früheren Zeiten wechselte Eigentum häufig per Handschlag den Besitzer.

Schließlich handelten sie mit dem Verkäufer einen Preis von 45.000 Euro inklusive Steuern aus. Es gelang ihnen, eine Hypothek aufzunehmen, was bedeutete, dass die Bank einen Teil des Papierkrams erledigte.

Nachdem der Kauf abgeschlossen war, begannen sie, Pläne zu schmieden. Sie beschlossen, die Innenwände im Erdgeschoss herauszureißen, um einen großen, hellen Raum zu schaffen. Das Obergeschoss würde ebenfalls umgestaltet, um ein weiteres Schlafzimmer und ein Badezimmer zu schaffen. Sie wollten auch eine Klimaanlage installieren, was angesichts der hohen Sommerhitze in Südspanien eine Notwendigkeit war.

Nachdem ein lokaler Architekt und Bauunternehmer gefunden wurde, der bereit war, die Arbeiten für 40.000 Euro (ca. 44.000 US-Dollar) zu übernehmen, begannen die Arbeiten im Erdgeschoss.

„Hier fanden wir die meisten Probleme“, sagt Flores.

Sehen Sie sich diesen interaktiven Inhalt auf CNN.com an

„Es gab vier kleine Zimmer und der Raum fühlte sich ziemlich eng an. Außerdem war die Decke ziemlich niedrig, also haben wir den Architekten gebeten, nachzusehen, ob darüber feste Balken vorhanden sind. Es gab welche, und keine davon erwies sich als faul. Dennoch sprühten die Arbeiter alles mit einer speziellen Lösung ein, um zu verhindern, dass Holzwürmer in die Balken gelangen.

„Nachdem die Trennwände entfernt worden waren, hatten wir einen großen, luftigen und sonnigen Raum und die Decke wurde um 3 bis 4 Fuß angehoben. Das machte den Unterschied.“

Darüber hinaus entfernte das Paar das eine Schlafzimmer im Erdgeschoss und erweiterte das Hauptschlafzimmer im zweiten Stock um einen begehbaren Kleiderschrank, ein Gästezimmer und ein weiteres Badezimmer mit Badewanne und Dusche.

Dann folgten die letzten Handgriffe. Es gab keinen Garten, sondern eine überdachte, geflieste Terrasse.

„Wir haben darüber nachgedacht, die Terrasse zum Himmel hin zu öffnen“, sagte Leitz. „Aber man muss den Einheimischen zuhören, die Bescheid wissen. Sie rieten uns dringend, die Terrasse geschlossen zu halten, da es manchmal zu starken Regenfällen kommt und das Haus überflutet werden könnte. Deshalb ist es jetzt mit einem transparenten Dach bedeckt, das viel Sonnenschein hereinlässt.“

Michael Leitz

Das Treppenhaus vor der Renovierung.

Sie verfügen nicht nur über eine Terrasse, sondern auch über eine Terrasse mit vielen Topfpflanzen. Um ihren künstlerischen Interessen nachzugehen, richteten sie im Dachgeschoss ein Atelier ein. Leitz sagt, dass er gerne malt, während Flores farbenfrohe Keramik herstellt. Ihre Werke sind im gesamten Anwesen ausgestellt.

Die Einrichtungsgegenstände sind eine Mischung aus aus den USA gelieferten Artikeln und lokalen Akquisitionen.

„Einige Dinge haben wir aus Kalifornien mitgebracht, darunter einen Perserteppich, der schon lange in Familienbesitz war, andere haben wir bei Ikea gekauft, aber unser bester Fund war ein Möbelgeschäft, das auf Immobilienverkäufe spezialisiert ist“, schwärmt Leitz. „Wir haben dort die schönsten antiken ländlichen spanischen Möbel gekauft.“

Die Renovierungsarbeiten am Haus dauerten etwa sechs Monate, doch es dauerte noch lange, bis die örtlichen Behörden eine Baugenehmigung erhielten.

Michael Leitz

Das neue, offene Treppenhaus.

Nachdem der Architekt Pläne, Anträge und andere Unterlagen eingereicht hatte, wurde das Paar bald mit dem Konzept von „mañana“ vertraut – ein Wort, das wörtlich „morgen“ bedeutet, in Spanien aber eigentlich jede Zeitspanne bedeuten kann.

„Das Schwierigste war das lange Warten auf die Genehmigung und der bürokratische Aufwand“, sagt Flores „Aber die Bauarbeiten selbst dauerten nur etwa sechs Monate und verliefen ohne größere Probleme, außer der Suche nach dem besten Platz für die Klimaanlagen.“

Nachdem die Arbeiten im Sommer 2022 abgeschlossen waren, konnten sie einziehen und sagen, dass sie nun vollständig in die Gemeinschaft integriert sind.

Sie haben viele Freunde gefunden, darunter Einheimische und andere Ausländer, und sagen, dass sie es lieben, wie sich alle auf der Straße begrüßen.

„Sogar unsere Katze, die mit uns aus Kalifornien kam, ist glücklich“ sagt Flores.

Sie haben sich auch an das Leben in einer kleinen, verschlafenen Stadt gewöhnt, in der zwischen 14 und 17 Uhr alles geschlossen ist

„Je älter wir werden“, sagt Leitz, „das ruhigere Leben passt zu uns.“ Wir brauchen keine Nachtclubs und Bars, obwohl wir manchmal Konzerte und Theater vermissen. Aber dann ist Valencia nicht mehr weit.“

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Listing of the Day

Location: Noe Valley, San Francisco

Price: $4.38 million

Built in 1900, this house for sale in San Francisco’s upscale Noe Valley neighborhood had a total  renovation completed this year. It has a new foundation, plumbing and solar-ready electrical.

There are as many patios and balconies as could conceivably fit, including both east- and west-facing balconies, and one on the recently added single-room top floor. From there, one can see St. Paul’s Catholic Church to the west, Bernal Heights homes to the east and even a glimpse of downtown San Francisco. The patios are finished with ipe hardwood.

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“It’s not cookie-cutter. It’s more of a custom home,” listing agent Ron Abta said. “The kitchen is stupendous. It has a nice open-floor plan, and it’s great for entertaining. It’s a well-built home. No corners were cut.”

The kitchen features Thermador appliances, two sinks and a large Mystic White marble island.

Local firm Noz Design took the lead on the house’s interior design.

Stats

The house spans 4,087 square feet across four levels and has four bedrooms. It has four full bathrooms and one half bathroom. There’s one modern, low-profile fireplace in the living room.

More:Click to View a Silicon Valley Mansion Listed for $20 Million

Amenities

In true Bay Area fashion, the house has a car charger and is equipped with Sonos. A hot water recirculation pump makes hot water instantaneously ready on all levels of the house.

Oak hardwood floors are featured throughout.

The master suite has dual, walk-in closets and large glass doors open to another deck. The master bathroom features dual Brizo shower heads, and sinks and a six-foot tub by Kohler.

From Penta:James Beard-Nominated Chefs Dish on Dining Trends

Neighborhood Notes

The house is in direct proximity to many shuttles to and from Silicon Valley. One of Twitter’s co-founders lives not too far away, Mr. Abta said. The area regularly sees record-breaking real estate sales, and most neighboring homes are in the $4 million to $10 million range. Michelin-starred restaurants Al’s Place, Aster and Californios are nearby, as well as neighborhood favorite Mitchell’s Ice Cream.

Agent: Ron Abta, Paragon RE Group

View the original listing.

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Nicolas Dromard has some high-flying fun as Bert the chimney sweep in “Mary Poppins” the musical on stage through Jan. 2 at the Detroit Opera House. Photo by Joan Marcus

TV’s “Supernanny” may reform bad behavior, but only one nanny adds magical powers and flying via umbrella to her repertoire.

“Mary Poppins” the musical descended yesterday at the Detroit Opera House and promises to thrill children and adults alike through Jan. 2.

The Disney musical helmed by producer Cameron Mackintosh is based on P.L. Travers’s fantasy book series and the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

The beloved childhood tale follows a magical nanny who comes to work for a cold banker’s unhappy family and features beloved songs including, “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Step in Time” and “Supercalifraglisticexpialidocious.”

New songs from Olivier Award winners George Stiles and Anthony Drewe also grace the stage production.

The show opened in London’s West End in 2004, with a Broadway counterpart debuting two years later.

It received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, winning for Best Scenic Design.

A national tour launched in Chicago in March 2009.

Nicolas Dromard takes on the toe-tapping role of Bert, the chimney sweep, after spending the last 1 1/2 years as Fiyero in the San Francisco production of “Wicked.”

His excitement about the plum part was evident during a recent phone interview from a tour stop in Des Moines, Iowa.

“It’s such an incredible show,” Dromard said. “Of all the shows I’ve done, this is my favorite. I adore performing it every night.”

The timeless message appeals to everyone, he believes, and resonates even today.

“Kids connect with the Disney magic and adults because they remember the movie,” he said.

“The story about the father trying to reconnect with his children and the mother feeling she’s lost her purpose – that’s very current even though it’s set in the early 1900s.”

The national tour isn’t Dromard’s first foray into the role.

He was part of the original Broadway ensemble cast and understudied Bert before taking over for Gavin Lee.

While he realizes his performance inevitably draws comparisons to Van Dyke’s iconic turn, he isn’t worried about measuring up.

“How great to have a role model like that,” he said of the star. “I don’t try to copy anything he does, but put my little spin on it while being true to the character.”

Born in Ottawa, Dromard began dancing at age 6 after being inspired by a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie.

He studied music at De La Salle High School, a performing arts school in Ottawa, and did community theater as well as dance competitions across Canada and the United States.

After high school, he planned to study music in college, but while in New York City for a dance competition final, auditioned and booked “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular” in Branson, Mo.

His theater opportunities grew from there – “West Side Story” at the Stratford Festival in Canada, the North American premiere cast of “Mamma Mia,” “Oklahoma!” and “The Boy From Oz” on Broadway, “Hairspray” in Toronto, the first national tour of “Wicked,” and “Mary Poppins” on Broadway.

Dromard puts his talents to good use as the lovable cockney Bert, taking lead on several songs, acting as narrator and dancing up a storm in the tap-heavy number, “Step in Time.”

“That’s my favorite number,” he said. “I get to tap upside down – how could you not love that?”

New tunes, including Mary’s introduction piece, “Practically Perfect,” fit in flawlessly with the original numbers, according to Dromard, and flesh out the main characters’ stories.

“It’s a perfect blend of favorite songs from the movie and Travers’s book and new songs that fit in so perfectly you’d think the whole score was written at the same time,” he said.

Bob Crowley’s whimsical set provides a much-ballyhooed backdrop for the onstage action.

“The tour set is incredible,” Dromard said. “We have a house that’s more like a dollhouse or a pop-up book.

“It starts off closed, then at the top of the show, I come out and do a little intro and it pops into life.

“It’s visually beautiful and boggles the mind.”

The magical world of “Mary Poppins” unfolds at the Detroit Opera House through Jan. 2.

Tickets starting at $25 are on sale at the Fisher box office, Ticketmaster locations, www.broadwayindetroit.com and by phone at 1-800-982-2787.

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Eventually they settled on the charming market town of Xatavia.
(Stefano Politi Markovina/Alamy Stock Photo via CNN)

By Inka Piegsa-Quischotte | CNN

John Flores and Michael Leitz. (Michael Leitz via CNN) 

When John Flores and Michael Leitz were looking for a home in which to spend the next stage of their lives, they realized that where they lived in San Francisco was too expensive.

Instead, they began looking further afield – eventually buying a beautiful 120-year-old, three-story home in rural Spain for less than $50,000.

Both Flores and Leitz worked in education in the US before retiring – Leitz was a high school history teacher while Flores was an administrator at UCLA.

While they said they both enjoyed their San Francisco lifestyle, they realized that it would be unaffordable to live in rented property on pensions much lower than their salaries.

“Europe was an obvious choice for us,” said Leitz. “I am part German and part Irish, so there were European roots from the family.  John is part Mexican, which makes for the Spanish connection, and he is fluent in Spanish too.

“The closest you can come to the Californian way of life in Europe is in Spain, so the choice was an easy one for us.”

Finding the right place

The couple began their home hunt in the Spanish city of Valencia, but found it too expensive.(Gonzalo Azumendi/Stone RF/Getty Images) 

Leitz and Flores aren’t alone. In recent years an increasing number of Americans have moved to Europe for business and retirement – with Spain emerging as a top destination according to a report by migration consultancy Global Citizen Solutions.

Part of the appeal is likely down to Spain’s year-round mild climate and a laid-back lifestyle paired with relatively cheap essentials, including high-quality food and wine.

RELATED: What’s the Bay Area’s most competitive rental market?

Visa and residency requirements have also been made much easier in recent years. Spain wants to attract foreign nationals to live and work to help counter a huge depopulation problem, especially in rural areas, and welcomes digital nomads as well as wealthy individuals, retirees and vacation homeowners.

Finding the right place and relocating to another country was by no means easy for Flores and Leitz.

“We were well aware that the move was not without obstacles,” says Leitz. “I had never undertaken an enterprise like this but, many years before I met him, John had done something similar in Phoenix, therefore he had more ideas than I had.”

Inevitably, the couple needed to navigate numerous challenges in making the move. Buying and selling property in Europe is very different to in the US. The entire process is much more formal, involving notaries, land registries and officials like sworn-in translators.

And then there are the language barriers and culture shocks. As retirees, Flores and Leitz didn’t have to worry about schools and education – a major consideration for would-be expats moving to Europe with kids.

Siestas and sleepy Sundays

Eventually they settled on the charming market town of Xatavia.(Stefano Politi Markovina/Alamy Stock Photo via CNN) 

Since they both worked in the teaching profession, they had plenty of vacations and used them to go exploring Spain and Europe in anticipation of their move.

Spain is a huge country with many different regions, from snow-covered mountains in the north, to the beaches and islands of the Mediterranean. There are rural valleys, tiny, romantic villages and big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Malaga.

Flores and Leitz took their time and traveled everywhere over several years, sizing up cultural changes like Spain’s long siestas, numerous public holidays and the fact that shops don’t open on Sundays.

Having decided on Spain and with retirement still some time away, they started preparations by brushing up on the local language – something they were already familiar with from living in California.

“Perfecting my Spanish is actually my priority now, that everything else has been resolved, “says Leitz. “It is just so important for everyday life to be able to communicate with workers and the locals.”

RELATED: California Exodus: Once growing rapidly, state population projected to remain the same through 2060

When it came to house hunting, their first stop was Valencia, a beautiful city and port on the Mediterranean in southeast Spain.

Valencia – famous for oranges, the national dish paella, architecture, ceramics and culture – became their home for three years as they lived in rented accommodation.

Fixer-upper

The couple decided to open up their new home’s ground floor to create an open and airy space.(Michael Leitz via CNN) 

The city was, however, out of their price range when it came to buying a place on their pensions. They were also looking for somewhere more rural – preferably a fixer-upper that they could restore to their liking.

“Our hobbies are history and art and we wanted a place where both were present, as well as nature and woods,” says Flores. “Another consideration was public transport and good train or bus connections to other parts of Spain.”

Exploring the rural villages around Valencia, they finally decided on an historic small town called Xativa, which has an impressive castle and watchtower as well as museums, art galleries, bars and restaurants.

Crucially, it also has a fast train connection to Valencia and beyond.

The couple says what really appealed was the narrow streets filled with plenty of older properties crying out for restoration – some quite rundown, others in reasonable shape.

They were also won over by friendly residents – locals as well as other expats who had already happily settled there. They said they sensed a feeling of community that was very appealing.

Having decided on a place to live, they now had to find a suitable – and affordable – property.

Instead of going to a realtor, they turned to Idealista, one of the most popular property vending websites in Spain, finding somewhere that appealed to them almost immediately.

Handshakes and hurdles

They also created a covered terrace filled with plants.(Michael Leitz via CNN) 

It was a three-story stone building, big enough for their needs and offered at a reasonable price. They said they were surprised how low prices were compared to Valencia and other places in Spain they’d looked at – and of course as compared to the US.

It consisted of several small rooms on the ground floor, just one bathroom and two bedrooms. They could see the potential.

The next step was inspections to confirm the house was structurally sound and weatherproof.

Then there was the legal side of the purchase – complicated slightly by the building’s age – approximately 120 years old. As is often the case in rural Spain, many records had been lost over the years. In times gone by, property frequently changed hands with a handshake.

Eventually, they negotiated with the vendor a price of 45,000 euros (about $48,000) including taxes. They managed to secure a mortgage, which meant that the bank took care of some of the paperwork.

After finalizing the purchase, they began to make plans. They decided to rip out internal walls on the ground floor to create one large, light space. Upstairs would also be reconfigured to produce another bedroom and bathroom. They also wanted to install AC, a necessity given southern Spain’s high summer heat.

RELATED: 841,065 left California. Where will you find them?

After finding a local architect and builder willing to take on the work for 40,000 euros (about $44,000), work began on the ground floor.

“This is where we found the most problems,” Flores says.

“There were four small rooms and the space felt rather cramped. Also the ceiling was quite low, so we had the architect look and see if there were any solid beams above. There were, and none of them turned out to be rotten. Nevertheless, the workers sprayed everything with a special solution to prevent woodworm getting into the beams.

“After the dividing walls were removed, we got one big, airy and sunny room and the ceiling was lifted by 3-4 feet. This made all the difference.”

In addition, the couple removed the one bedroom on the ground floor and extended the master bedroom on the second floor, adding a walk-in wardrobe, a guest bedroom and another bathroom with tub and shower.

Then came the final touches. There was no garden, but a covered tiled patio.

“We considered opening the patio up to the sky,” Leitz said. “But you have to listen to the locals in the know. They strongly advised us to keep the patio closed because there are sometimes strong rainfalls and the house could be flooded. So, it is now covered with a transparent roof which allows lots of sunshine.”

The quiet life

The staircase before the renovation.(Michael Leitz via CNN) 

Not only do they have a patio but also a terrace with plenty of potted plants. To indulge their artistic interests, they installed a studio in the attic. Leitz says he loves to paint while Flores makes some colorful ceramics. Their works are displayed throughout the property.

Furnishings are a mix of items shipped from the US and local acquisitions.

“Some things we brought back from California, among them a Persian rug that had been in the family for a long time, some we bought in Ikea, but our best find was a furniture shop that specializes in estate sales,” Leitz says enthusiastically. “We bought the most beautiful antique rural Spanish furniture there.”

Work to renovate the house took about six months, but that followed the considerable time taken to get building permission from local authorities.

The new, open plan staircase.(Michael Leitz via CNN) 

After the architect submitted plans, applications and other paperwork, the couple soon became familiar with the concept of “mañana” – a word that literally means “tomorrow,” but in Spain can actually mean any length of time.

“The most difficult part was the long wait for the permit and the red tape,” says Flores  “ But the building work as such took only about six months and went without major problems except to find the best place for the AC units.”

With work completed in summer 2022, they’ve been able to  move in and say they are now fully integrated in the community.

They have made many friends, including locals and other foreigners, and say they love how everyone greets each other in the street.

“Even our cat that came from California with us is happy,” says Flores.

They’ve also gotten used to life in a small, sleepy town where everything shuts between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“As we get older, “ Leitz says, “the quieter life suits us. We don’t need nightclubs and bars although we sometimes miss concerts and theaters. But then, Valencia is not far away.”

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A handyman turned the tables on suspected squatters who took over his mother’s Northern California home.

“If they could take a house, then I could take a house,” Flash Shelton of the United Handyman Association said in a YouTube video. “They’re the squatter, and they have rights. Well, then, if I become the squatter on the squatter, then I should have rights, right?”

NORTH CAROLINA HOMEOWNER SAYS HER NEW HOME WAS LISTED ON AIRBNB BY EVICTED TENANT

Shelton’s video detailing his quest to reclaim the California home has garnered more than two million views on YouTube.

Shelton said his father recently passed away, and his mother couldn’t live in the house on her own. So they put it up for rent.

A woman who identified herself as a prison guard asked to rent the house, according to Shelton, but she didn’t have any money or credit, so he said no. Then he learned a truckload of furniture and other belongings had been delivered to the home.

“She said that it was delivered by accident and she was getting rid of it,” Shelton said.

Flash Shelton of the United Handyman Association said he didn’t want to wait for the court system to force squatters off his mother’s property. (United Handyman Association “Handyman Answers”/YouTube)

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Instead, the handyman started hearing from realtors that the house was full of furniture and people. Neighbors said the lights were on at night. Shelton called the police, but like many Americans facing squatters, the answer he got was unhelpful.

“They basically said, ‘You know, I’m sorry, but we can’t enter the house, and it looks like they’re living there. So you need to go through the courts,'” Shelton recalled law enforcement telling him.

Homeowners across the nation have been embroiled in costly legal battles to try to remove squatters, with no resolution in sight.

“Even though you’re at your house, and you’re paying the mortgage … at some point, squatters feel like they have more rights than you, so they don’t have incentive to leave until a judge tells them to,” he said. “And that could take months, six months, it could take years. I don’t know. I didn’t want to take that chance.”

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So he hatched a plan. Shelton wrote up a lease agreement between himself and his mother designating Shelton as the legal resident of the home. 

He loaded some guns and his dog into his Jeep and set off for California, arriving at 4 a.m. to find cars in the driveway. Shelton said he parked down the street and waited until everyone left the house several hours later.

Shelton let himself in using the keys to the house. Video shows a bed and other furniture sitting inside the home as well as boxes of belongings and what appears to be a California Department of Corrections uniform.

Shelton said he started installing security cameras when two women pulled up to the house.

“I’m really sorry about all this,” one of the women can be heard saying in a video Shelton recorded. “It’s a nightmare and beyond.”

Shelton told the woman that if she didn’t have everything out by midnight, he’d have it hauled away. The alleged squatters missed the deadline, but were gone by three, Shelton said.

Alleged squatters removed the furniture and belongings from the house. Shelton said that he and his mother were ultimately able to sell it. (United Handyman Association “Handyman Answers”/YouTube)

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“I think just the fact that I was there was enough,” he said. “It was actually fun to do it. I won’t lie about that. I’m glad it was successful.”

But Shelton cautioned against following his lead in a second video.

“Not everyone should walk through that door not knowing what you’re gonna find,” he said. “It’s not always going to be peaceful like that.”

Hannah Ray Lambert is an associate producer/writer with Fox News Digital Originals.

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