Latest news with #FieldofDreams
Axios
4 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
See inside The Pearl, home to Charlotte's first medical school
The Pearl, a massive new development in midtown housing Charlotte's first four-year medical school, opened its doors Monday. Why it matters: The Pearl promises to be a transformational development for Charlotte, drawing in medical students, creating new jobs in science and research, and fostering cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurialism. By the numbers: Phase 1 A cost more than $1 billion. Wexford Science + Technology is the developer for the project. The city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County approved incentives worth $75 million total for the project that will unfold over the next decade. What to expect: The Pearl will serve as: Wake Forest University School of Medicine's Charlotte campus. Forty-eight students will start medical school there this fall. Class size is expected to increase to 100 students per class over the next five years. IRCAD's North American headquarters, which will open in September. The France-based surgical training institute's local surgical training curriculum will focus on cardiovascular, neuro and orthopedic surgeries. A hub housing STEM activities for students as young as fifth grade, starting this fall. A space for community events, from outdoor movies and live music to yoga in nearby Peal Street Park. Between the lines: The Pearl sits in what was formerly Brooklyn — once Charlotte's largest Black neighborhood. The neighborhood was razed in the name of urban renewal in the 1960s and '70s. There are nods to Brooklyn throughout The Pearl, from the name itself to "The Purposeful Walk," a self-guided walk through Brooklyn's history, outside the main building. The section in front of The Pearl's is known as Jacob's Ladder, a reference to the fire escape at Myers Street School, which educated Black children and was known as the Jacob's Ladder school. During the opening celebration Monday, attendees participated in paint by numbers, filling in a section of the Savoy Theatre mural, which was once a theater in Brooklyn. What's next: The existing portion of The Pearl is Phase 1 A. Phase 1 B will include the construction of a hotel, which will break ground this fall. There will also be a multi-family residential and an additional road. This will be privately funded. A restaurant that will be open to the public is expected to debut in the next 12-14 months with an announcement on the restaurant tenant coming this summer. The innovation district currently has roughly 700,000 square feet built and space for up to 4 million square feet. The bottom line:"If you build it they will come," Advocate Health CEO Gene Woods said, quoting the film "Field of Dreams." "Well we built it, and they're coming." Take a look around.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Budget 2025: Justice reforms spark concerns over civil liberties
The prison population is expected to reach nearly 11,000 by mid-2026. THREE KEY FACTS This time last year, I misquoted Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams: 'If you build prisons, they will come'. And come they have – with the prison population expected to reach nearly 11,000 by mid-2026, up from 7500 in late 2021. Crime rates have recently dropped,
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Best Hollywood Duos Fans Adore in Films: Dwayne Johnson-Kevin Hart to Matt Damon-Ben Affleck
To make a memorable film, a director needs a good script and a suitable cast. And some actors are just so comfortable working together that their offscreen camaraderie translates perfectly to onscreen magic. Some pairings are just made in heaven, be it because of their perfectly timed comedic routine or polar opposite personalities. Their interactions, banter, and sometimes even fights grab fans' attention. Reminding us that every hero needs a sidekick and every great story needs a duo that balances, complements, and elevates each other. Two is better than one, and these iconic duos have shown us that they can make audiences return to the theatres to watch them again and again. With their back-to-back hits, they have proven that when the right actors come together, the result is pure cinematic gold. Check out the 7 best Hollywood duos of all time. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon First Movie Together: Field of Dreams (1989) Iconic Movies They Starred In: Good Will Hunting (1997), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), The Last Duel (2021), Air (2023), and The Instigators (2024) On-Screen Chemistry: These two childhood friends have portrayed both comedic and dramatic roles in films together. Their genuine connection translates to the screen, and fans love to see the two share screen space. Their breakout moment came with Good Will Hunting, which they co-wrote. The two won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the 1997 film. Why They're Iconic: Whether it's writing a gripping screenplay or showcasing their camaraderie on screen, the two always bring the best out of each other. They have frequently collaborated throughout their careers and have even co-founded production companies to ensure they have creative control over their projects. Their polar opposite personalities make them the best fit for any script. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart First Movie Together: Central Intelligence (2016) Iconic Movies They Starred In: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), and DC League of Super-Pets (2022) On-Screen Chemistry: The unlikely pair has given us some of the most memorable films in the last decade. Their offscreen friendship has led to several successful onscreen partnerships and box office hits. They love to roast each other on the screen, and fans are all in for their banter. Why They're Iconic: Johnson and Hart are one of Hollywood's most beloved comedic duos in recent times. Johnson's physical comedy blends well with Hart's quick wit and funny antics. Their infectious energy can make any film a hit. Their connection is also seen on social media posts and interviews, making them a standout Hollywood pair. James Franco and Seth Rogen First Movie Together: Pineapple Express (2008) Iconic Movies They Starred In: The Green Hornet (2011), This Is the End (2013), The Interview (2014), The Sound and the Fury (2014, Rogen is cameo only), The Night Before (2015), Sausage Party (2016), The Disaster Artist (2017), and Zeroville (2019) On-Screen Chemistry: The pair has starred in nine films together. Their first outing together was in the 1999 TV series Freaks and Geeks, and as the title suggests, one makes for a great freak and another a great geek. Over the years, they have become famous for their stoner comedies and outlandish films. Why They're Iconic: Just like Hart and Johnson, Rogen and Franco are considered one of the most iconic comedic duos in Hollywood. Together, they have acted in several cult-favourite films. Their onscreen connection has always resonated with the audience. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler First Movie Together: Martin & Orloff (2002) Iconic Movies They Starred In: Mean Girls (2004, Man of the Year (2006, cameos only), Baby Mama (2008), Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013, cameos), Sisters (2015), and Wine Country (2019) On-Screen Chemistry: Fey and Poehler's friendship goes back almost three decades. They created history when they became the first female co-anchors of Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live in 2004. They were later hired to cohost several award shows because of their amazing chemistry and comedic timing. Why They're Iconic: Fey and Poehler have opened doors for countless women in comedy. Their punchlines and smart humor have struck the perfect blend of funny and fearless. The way they play off each other makes them fan favorites. Together, they have created iconic characters and moments that continue to shape pop culture. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson First Movie Together: The Cable Guy (1996) Iconic Movies They Starred In: Permanent Midnight (1998), Meet the Parents (2000), Zoolander (2001), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Meet the Fockers (2004), Starsky and Hutch (2004), Night at the Museum (2006), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Little Fockers (2010), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), and Zoolander 2 (2016) On-Screen Chemistry: Stiller and Wilson have an amazing comedic chemistry. Their effortless rapport and personalities make them a dynamic duo in Tinseltown. Together, they have acted in 12 films between 1996 to 2016. They are experts at blending absurd humor with genuine moments of connection. Why They're Iconic: Whether as frenemies or unlikely partners, they bring out the best in each other. They deliver laughs with every scene, and audiences love to see them together. Robert De Niro And Al Pacino First Movie Together: Raging Bull (1980) Iconic Movies They Starred In: Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Goodfellas (1990), A Bronx Tale (1993), Casino (1995), The Good Shepherd (2006), and The Irishman (2019) On-Screen Chemistry: De Niro and Pesci have shared screen space in over seven films in their decades-long collaboration. The two always elevate each other's performances, leaving the audience glued to the screen. Their synergy has left an indelible mark on cinema, and fans love to see them together in different roles. Why They're Iconic: The two have delivered some of the most powerful performances in film history. While De Niro has a brooding and restrained presence on the screen, Pesci exudes a fiery presence and sharp energy. Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis First Movie Together: Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) Iconic Movies They Starred In: Pulp Fiction (1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Unbreakable (2000), and Glass (2019) On-Screen Chemistry: Willis played a cameo role in Jackson's action spoof film Loaded Weapon 1. Fans loved them together, and within two years, they collaborated again on a Die Hard Sequel. They have also acted in three cult films. They're one of the best action-thriller duos in Hollywood. While Jackson rules the screen with his intellectual gravitas, Willis brings his rugged and cool vibes to the fore. Why They're Iconic: Willis and Jackson are nothing alike, and they bring different traits to the films they work on. The push-and-pull between their styles elevates every scene they share. If you are planning a movie night with your best friend and you are looking for films that have Hollywood's best duos, add these films to your binge list and enjoy your weekend. Whether you are looking for laughs or action-packed sequences, these films will entertain you.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Glasgow Tech Week sets template for future success
Standing room only for the 'Scaling in Sync – C-suite strategies for Unified Growth' event during Glasgow Tech Week Founders need more opportunities to learn from peers and share playbooks, writes Nick Freer Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Glasgow Tech Week took place this week in the metropolis once known as the Second City of the Empire. At the stunning Barclays campus with incredible views over the Clyde, the river that runs through the story of Glasgow's industrial revolution, today's business leaders gathered to discuss taking Scotland's tech and entrepreneurial scene to the next level. The 'Scaling in Sync – C-suite strategies for Unified Growth' event featured scaleup leaders from Deliveroo, ENOUGH, Firstbase, and Malted AI, and thanks to the Innovation Banking team at Barclays, Cooper Parry, and Burness Paull for inviting me along to chair the panel on the night. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Andy Robinson was the commercial director at software development firm Cultivate when Deliveroo made the company its first ever UK acquisition in 2019, with Robinson joining a tech juggernaut which was hiring up to 100 people every week – which sounded like scaling on steroids. Nick Freer is the founding director of corporate PR agency Freer Consultancy (Picture: Stewart Attwood) As chief financial officer at ENOUGH, Elaine Ferguson has overseen funding rounds totalling over €100 million from global investors as the food tech company innovates towards its mission around sustainable food transition. Headquartered in Glasgow, ENOUGH recently opened the world's largest non-animal protein facility, based in the Netherlands. After leaving the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, Chris Herd built IT asset management platform Firstbase that was acquired by San Francisco-headquartered AppDirect last year. So the maxim, 'If you build it, they will come', from the Eighties movie Field of Dreams rings true – you don't have to be in Silicon Valley to scale amazing tech startups. Having said that, in spite of a catalogue of individual company success stories like Cultivate, ENOUGH, and Firstbase, as a nation we are still seeing relatively few scaleups going on to achieve truly global success. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In this column only a few weeks ago, prominent tech C-suite Richard Lennox put it like this: 'We haven't yet cracked the code of creating global-scale businesses' in an op-ed headlined, 'How Can We Fix Scotland's Big Scaleup Problem?'. Artificial intelligence is enabling some tech startups to gain traction much quicker than ever before, so for example a small AI-enabled tech team can be ten times more productive. So, it was interesting to hear from Laura Bernal Vergara, chief of staff at Edinburgh-based Malted AI, about the work they are doing around small language models (SLMs). We covered so much at Barclays the other night that it would be hard to faithfully digest that here, but I hope that each of the panelists will take the opportunity to write for this column in the weeks and months ahead. What is clear is that we need more of the kind of interaction that took place at Glasgow Tech Week, and very probably on a more regular basis, so that founders can continually learn from other peers, and share playbooks on how we can succeed together – faster and stronger. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lastly, a shout out to Alisdair Gunn, the director of the Glasgow City Innovation District and the chief architect of Glasgow Tech Week. Bravo!
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Strathroy Inaugurates Revitalized Baseball Diamond
STRATHROY – Despite a chilly afternoon that felt more like late autumn than spring, spirits were high on Saturday, May 24, as the community gathered at Yorkview Community Park to celebrate the grand opening of a brand-new baseball diamond. The event, which included a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial first pitches, marked the completion of a year-long revitalization project made possible through a $125,000 grant from the Jays Care Foundation's Field of Dreams program, with support from TD Bank. Hosted by the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, the opening was both a celebration of sport and a tribute to the power of local collaboration. Paul Lattimore, Supervisor of Recreation, Programs and Community Liaison for the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the community's enthusiasm and involvement. 'We are here to share an exciting milestone for the Jays Care Foundation Field of Dreams program,' he said, referencing the initiative that helped make the new diamond possible. He also noted the significance of the project in strengthening local recreation opportunities. The improvements at Yorkview Park are the result of a successful grant application submitted by the municipality in 2024. The funding enabled the complete renovation of diamond #3, enhancing both the playability and accessibility of the space for local youth and families. Strathroy-Caradoc Mayor Colin Grantham kept his remarks brief but heartfelt. 'This is a great facility. This is commendable to Strathroy, and it just adds to the compliment of recreation that we have,' he said. He also took a moment to thank Jays Care, TD Bank, and the many municipal staff who brought the project to life. Jason Turnbull, President of the Strathroy Royals Minor Baseball Association, underscored the importance of the project for local youth. 'Fields like this one are more than just diamonds, they are safe spaces where kids learn confidence, resilience and teamwork,' he said. Turnbull noted that the association chose to hold its inaugural 'Baseball Day in Strathroy' alongside the ribbon-cutting. TD Bank, the title sponsor of the Field of Dreams program, was represented by Rocco Di Cicco, District Vice President of Three Lakes Counties. 'At TD, we are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,' he said. 'Congratulations to the municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, its residents and all other baseball and community associations that will benefit from this incredible space.' Although representatives from Jays Care Foundation were unable to attend, their presence was felt through Blue Jays-themed hats handed out to children at the event. The ceremony concluded with three ceremonial first pitches, symbolizing the start of a new chapter for baseball in Strathroy. As players took the field, the message was clear: this diamond is more than a playing surface—it's a home for future memories, teamwork, and community connection.
