Latest news with #Gulliver
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Huge impact': Project starting Friday could delay Mass. Pike traffic for hours, official warns
A major construction project that kicks off Friday and lasts through the weekend could back up traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike for hours, a state transportation official warned drivers. Lane closures will be deployed on Interstate 90 in Newton and Weston starting at 9 p.m. on Friday to allow for the demolition of a bridge that runs over the MBTA railroad, according to MassDOT. 'What they'll be doing is demolishing the roof of that existing tunnel and replacing it with pre-fabricated bridge units. This will happen all over the next couple of days,' Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver told Boston 25 News. 'This is an approach we've used really successfully over the last few years, several of them on the Turnpike.' The impacted stretch of the Pike between Exits 123 and 125 will be reduced to just one lane of traffic in each direction through 5 a.m. on Monday. A zipper lane, similar to MassDOT's HOV lane, will be in place to move all traffic over to the eastbound side of the highway, according to Gulliver. Major traffic delays are anticipated during work hours. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the impacted areas and to seek alternate routes. 'If 100 percent of the traffic shows up, we've modeled that this would end up being two to three hours worth of delays getting through here,' Gulliver said. 'That's a huge, huge impact. So, we don't want to see come through here if you don't have to.' Drivers who need to access the Turnpike are urged to plan ahead using Mass511, MassDOT social media platforms, and navigational apps like Apple Maps, Waze, and Google Maps. 'We know it's going to impact a lot of people. We're asking people if they don't have to travel through the Newton/Weston area on the Turnpike to please avoid it,' Gulliver said. 'We know it's going to be congested.' Gulliver also warned drivers that residual traffic is expected to spill over onto secondary roads in and around the area. 'This is going to be a tough project to get through, regardless of where you're coming from,' Gulliver said. 'You're going to be seeing some congestion on any of those connected roadways.' Appropriate signage and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. MassDOT said that this work will additionally require a shutdown of MBTA Commuter Rail service on the Framingham/Worcester line between South Station and Framingham, and Amtrak service between Boston and Albany. Alternate busing will be provided. A second weekend of lane closures will later commence at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 20, through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23, Gulliver reminded drivers. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Mater Lakes' De La Puente and Gulliver's Beltran are Dade Water Polo Players of the Year
Both Gulliver's Sofia Beltran and Mater Lakes' Noslen De La Puente know what it's like to be part of a tight-knit water polo team that grew up playing together in youth ball and middle school. Winning together is even sweeter on such teams. Beltran experienced that this season as she and her Raiders' teammates finally won their first state championship together and the school's first since 2013. De La Puente is confident a day like that is coming at Mater Lakes, although the Bears had their own memorable season, reaching the state finals for the first time. Both were key to their respective teams' success and, as such, Beltran and De La Puente are the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade Water Polo Players of the Year. Beltran, a freshman goalie, is the Girls' winner after establishing herself as one of the best players at her position in the state. Beltran finished the season with 228 blocks, 40 steals and 19 assists, and was the anchor of her team's defensive efforts during some of the Raiders' most crucial matches. Beltran, who has been with the varsity team since sixth grade, came up huge in the state final against Seminole as Gulliver held its opposition scoreless for the final two and a half quarters after falling behind 4-1 early. The result was the Raiders rallying for an 8-5 victory. 'It was a mental game. At the beginning we were getting in our heads and losing hope,' Beltran said. 'But we just changed our mentality in the second half and took over.' Beltran stopped several penalty shots throughout the season and has developed the skill and confidence rarely seen in players her age. She is one of several key players who are set to return for Gulliver as it seeks a championship repeat. 'My blocking got better and I had more confidence in myself,' Beltran said. 'I just improved a lot on that. I'm happy and sad that this season is over, but excited for what's to come.' De La Puente became the centerpiece on a team, which broke through to the state championship match for the first time this season before losing a 10-9 heartbreaker to Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy. De La Puente and most of Mater Lakes' core grew up playing club ball together in the Hialeah area and have helped a young Bears program carve its own place among the sport's elite in Dade County. 'All of us grew up together and have been playing for seven years or more,' De La Puente said. 'It brought up our chemistry. They mean everything to me.' This season, De La Puente was a scoring force for Mater Lakes, but also learned more of what it took to be a leader in the pool. 'The ending isn't what we wanted but I'm so proud of my boys and we created so many memories this season,' De La Puente said. 'We got farther than ever and couldn't ask for more. We'll be back next year and get the job finished.'
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Mater Lakes' Dominguez, Gulliver's Vaughan are Dade Water Polo Coaches of the Year
Gulliver coach Carroll Vaughan had seen her girls' water polo squads endure heartbreak for several years at the state tournament. That finally changed this season. Meanwhile, Nelson Dominguez has helped turn the Mater Lakes boys' team into a powerhouse. The Bears experienced the pain of coming up short of a state title albeit in a breakthrough season for the program. For their efforts, Vaughan and Dominguez are this year's Miami Herald Miami-Dade Water Polo Coaches of the Year. Vaughan led the Raiders to the state final four times since the prior time Gulliver won a state title in 2013. This season, Gulliver cleared the final hurdle with an impressive comeback win over Seminole in the state championship game. It was Vaughan's second state title as the Raiders coach. And with most of their players returning including freshman goalie Sofia Beltran, the Dade Girls' Player of the Year, it may be the first in a sustained run for the Raiders. We had been preparing for this for years,' Vaughan said after Gulliver's championship victory. 'We had some great practices this week. We talked about falling behind and staying in our game.' Mater Lakes hopes next season will bring such a breakthrough as Dominguez, the Boys' Coach of the Year, also returns a loaded squad led by Boys' Player of the Year, Noslen De La Puente. The Bears advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history as the state's No. 1-ranked team, and did so by navigating through the state's toughest region after wins over Cutler Bay, Gulliver and Ransom Everglades. Mater Lakes came up on the short end of a 10-9 loss in the state final to first-time state champ Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy. But the Bears figure to have the core they need to make it back next season. 'We feel like we didn't lose. We only learned and we keep moving forward,' Dominguez said after the state final.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Damian Lewis makes rare appearance with kids at Baftas after late wife's death
Damian Lewis was joined by his two children, Manon and Gulliver at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards. Damian Lewis made a touching appearance at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday, 11 May, accompanied by his two children, Manon, 18, and Gulliver, 17. This family outing comes just four years after the death of his wife, Helen McCrory. The star of Wolf Hall, aged 54, was up for Best Supporting Actor for his role as King Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, the eagerly awaited sequel to the award-winning original. Despite not winning the award, his heartwarming presence with his children captured everyone's attention. Looking dapper in a classic black suit and skinny tie, the actor was a sight to behold on the red carpet. His daughter Manon exuded effortless elegance in a black halter-neck gown, complemented with black suede heels and a hint of glitz from a gold bag. Meanwhile, Gulliver, who strikingly resembles his father, matched him in a tailored suit and white shirt. This event is one of the few public appearances the trio have made together since Helen's sad death in April 2021, after a private battle with breast cancer. She was just 52 years old when she died, reports the Express. Damian, who was married to the Peaky Blinders actress for 14 years, has openly discussed the pain of losing her and the resilience she instilled in their children. In a heartfelt tribute published in The Times, he revealed that his wife had wished for him to find love again. He wrote poignantly: "She's left our beautiful children, Manon and Gully, too early, but they have been prepared for life. They have in them the fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty of their mother. She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid." The actor added: "As she said repeatedly to the children, 'Don't be sad, because even though I'm about to snuff it, I've lived the life I wanted to'." The family's last public outing was at a Burberry event during London Fashion Week earlier this year, but their appearance on the red carpet at Sunday's BAFTA ceremony was even more touching as it celebrated British TV—a realm both Damian and Helen have greatly influenced. In Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, we see Damian portrayal of Henry VIII following Anne Boleyn's execution. Mark Rylance returns as Thomas Cromwell, skilfully manoeuvring through treacherous court politics to maintain his grip on power. Away from the cameras, he has been dedicating himself to his family. He revealed an intimate glimpse into his home life during an interview on the Dish podcast last autumn where he discussed raising teenagers and kitchen blunders. "I do cook. I like it," he shared, with a touch of humour revealing that his vegetarian daughter is now head chef thanks to a new air fryer, effectively banning him from cooking duties. The Bafta TV Awards aired on BBC One Sunday 11 May at 7pm and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Irish Post
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Why Gulliver's world reflects our own
ACCORDING to Dublin writer Jonathan Swift, on May 4th, 1699 Lemuel Gulliver, a ship's surgeon sets sail on The Antelope from Bristol harbour on his first journey. May the Fourth is today widely known as Star Wars Day. But of course no one said to Lemuel as the ship sailed out of port that spring morning headed initially for the South Seas, 'May the Force be with you.' Instead his adventures and meetings 'Into Several Remote Nations of the World' saw him involved in various intrigues, fights and disputes. His misadventures become more calamitous and grim as time goes on. He is shipwrecked, abandoned, then attacked by strangers, then attacked by his own crew. Plot: Lemuel Gulliver travels to strange places such as Brobdingnag and Lilliput to meditate on their ghastliness. But the self-important Gulliver fails to see that the terrible worlds he visits are entirely like his own. He embarks on four voyages in total, each darker and more misanthropic than the last. In the voyages Swift presents a complex understanding of how lying and honesty fit into human nature. Message: We are all condemned to vanity, misanthropy, or at best indifference. (At best, Swift offers indifference as a form of salvation. (And yes, this was published 299 years ago, in 1726) Is the message usually adhered to by film makers? Rarely. Most feature wacky high jinks in Lilliput. You'd hardly know that Gulliver ends up preferring the company of horses to people. Inspiration of main protagonist: It's claimed that the idea of Gulliver came to Swift as he passed the profile of 'Napoleon's Nose' on Cavehill in Belfast. (Jonathan Swift, served as vicar in Kilroot, near Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim so would have known Belfast well). But it would have to be stated this is only speculative, and no contemporaneous evidence that Swift got his giant idea from a hill in Belfast. Influence: There is a Tyrone connection as well, probably equally speculative. All the same, see what you make of this . . . On BBC Radio 4, Dr Ben Garrod explored the phenomenon in his programme Bone Stories, The Irish Giant. Dr Garrod spoke first to a Tyrone man called Brendan Holland who at the age of 14 was already 6ft 7ins. In 1972 Brendan journeyed to London looking for work, but inexorably his health deteriorated. He was eventually diagnosed with gigantism at St Bart's in London. Gigantism, or acromegaly, is a disease caused by over-production of growth hormone in the pituitary gland. Dr Garrod then went on to talk about 18th century Irish 'giant' Charles Byrne who grew to a height of 7ft 7ins. He was also from Tyrone — from a village close to Cookstown. It seems there may have been a cluster of acromegaly in Tyrone. Ben Garrod finished this fascinating programme with an observation: 'In 1776 Gulliver's Travels was published,' he said. 'It was written by Jonathan Swift on a journey to Co. Tyrone [indeed while he was staying in Cookstown]. Surely not a coincidence.' And the name 'Gulliver' — it's not a common Belfast name, or even a Dublin one? No indeed. To investigate more we need to make our own journey — to St Mary's Church in Banbury, Oxfordshire. In the preface to the 1726 edition of his novel, Swift mentions observing "several tombs and monuments of the Gullivers" in the churchyard at Banbury, suggesting that the name of his protagonist, Lemuel Gulliver, was inspired by these gravestones . Although the original tombstones no longer exist, a later one bearing the Gulliver name remains near a commemorative plaque in the churchyard. The Gulliver family had a longstanding presence in the Banbury area, with records tracing their lineage back to the 16th century. Places visited by Gulliver: Lilliput is the one that has entered popular imagination. Gulliver doesn't seem to like it one bit: 'I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth," he announces. Brobdingnag fares little better: "The learning of this people is very defective; consisting only in morality, history, poetry, and mathematics, wherein they must be allowed to excel,' he says of the inhabitants. Example of Swift's true political satire: The war between the Big-Endians and the Little-Endians in Lilliput. The war is based on a reading from the holy book of Lilliput the Brundecral which states in no uncertain terms: That all true believers shall break their eggs at the convenient end. This is Swift at his best satirising the religious schism created by Henry VIII's break with Rome, leading eventually to the English Civil War. It's also a prototype for all wars driven by minor dogmas. Words invented by Swift, now part of the language: The first name Vanessa, and the word 'yahooo' - the vicious disgusting creatures which Gulliver encounters in his fourth voyage. Yahoo is now a Silicon Valley company. Parts often left out of children's books: The Academy of Lagado's attempts to 'reduce human Excrement to its original Food.' The Academy's plans to extract sunbeams from cucumbers is usually preferred. What they thought then: The novelist Thackeray thought the Travels were brilliant, but qualified this by saying it was 'filthy in word, filthy in thought, furious, raging, obscene.' Voltaire hailed Swift as the 'English' Rabelais. Michael Foot (former leader of the Labour party) declared: 'Everyone standing for political office in Dublin, the United States or London should have a compulsory examination in Gulliver's Travels.' George Orwell and Aldous Huxley were both influenced by the book. What we think now: A classic, a satire, a proto- Black Mirror , a proto-science fiction and a forerunner of the modern novel. What Swift would have made of the fact's that Gulliver's Travels is usually mistaken for a children's book: He would have appreciated the bitter irony that the book, which he wrote as a biting satire aimed at a depraved and miserable universe, has become a children's story of Disneyland proportions. Swift's Spiritual Descendant: Henry Hazlitt? Hazlitt, in Economics in One Lesson, described an island where everyone is employed doing everyone else's laundry, thus boosting GDP — but accomplishing nothing. It's a Swiftian parable of economic absurdity. Gulliver's Lagado and Hazlitt's laundry island are two sides of the same satirical coin. See More: Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift
