Pity the fools: Welcome to Friday, fools – and no, that’s not an insult or a bad Mr. T impression.
Just fooling: Ike did NOT surrender to the queen.
It’s not just any Friday but Friday, April 1, a devious date that needs no introduction. April Fools’ Day, of course, dates back to 1954, when President Dwight Eisenhower famously “surrendered” the United States back to Queen Elizabeth II during a Buckingham Palace visit, then laughed and laughed.
Fooled you once: OK, sorry … but the (sorta) real history of April Fools’ Day? Glad you asked. (We promise to play it straight from here.)
Crossing a U and an S? Absolutely playing it straight – though maybe writing kinda crooked – was Louisiana businessman Oliver Pollock, who created the U.S. dollar sign on this date in 1778.
For the record, some attribute the now-famous “$” symbol (the original had two vertical lines) to Pollock’s crappy handwriting.
Motorman: Also starting things up on April 1 was American inventor Samuel Morey, who patented the internal-combustion engine on this date in 1826.
Still currents: Weather maps have evolved considerably over a century-and-a-half.
Let’s go to the map: Newspaper weather maps became a thing 147 years ago today, when The Times of London published the very first one.
Chew on this: The William Wrigley Jr. Company – which started off making soaps and scouring powders before gumming up the works – was founded in Chicago on April 1, 1891.
Playing you: And it was April 1, 1985, when Sports Illustrated magazine published one of professional sports’ all-time greatest pranks – “The Curious Case of Sidd Finch,” a George Plimpton masterwork detailing a unique New York Mets prospect who played the French horn, eschewed shoes and could throw a 150 mph fastball.
Not to be outdone was the TV show “This Week in Baseball,” which swung for the fences on this date in 1989 with a classic hoax about MLB’s controversial decision to legalize aluminum bats.
Man of a thousand faces: American actor, director, screenwriter and makeup artist Leonidas Frank “Lon” Chaney (1883-1930) – one of cinema’s most versatile actors, remembered for his groundbreaking artistry across a wide range of grotesque and tortured characters – would be 139 years old today.
All Hale: Clara, forever caring.
Also born on April 1 were English physician William Harvey (1578-1657), who divined the nature of blood circulation; French mathematician Sophie Germain (1776-1831), who overcame family and societal pressures to create elasticity theory; American humanitarian Clara McBride “Mother” Hale (1905-1992), who founded Hale House for drug-addicted and AIDS-infected children; American Irish writer Anne McCaffrey (1926-2011), a sci-fi giant who invented Pern and was the first woman to win both the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award; and American computer scientist Norman Abramson (1932-2020), the wireless-networking pioneer who created ALOHANET.
Maddow about you: And take a bow, Rachel Anne Maddow! The American television newscaster, author and liberal political commentator – a relentless Donald Trump cross-examiner, favorite target of Conservatives and safety blanket for U.S. progressives – turns 49 today.
Wish the lefty well at editor@innovateli.com, where your political inclinations are irrelevant to us – as long as you’re polite, your news tips are sound and your calendar events are open to all.
About our sponsor: The Long Island Business Development Council has helped build the regional economy for 53 years by bringing together government-economic development officials, developers, financial experts and others for education, debate and networking.
BUT FIRST, THIS
By popular demand: Nixon Peabody’s new DEI Practice Group formed to address a growing need, according to co-leader Stacie Collier.
Equitable solutions: A leading international law firm with a thriving Jericho hub is doubling down on diversity.
Boston-based Nixon Peabody has christened a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Services Practice Group, chock full of legal, strategic and practical advice “to build more inclusive organizations and create positive impact.” While the multinational firm has long provided such services, it pulled together the new practice group over the last 18 months “in response to a significant increase in the attention and focus companies of all sizes have placed on DEI issues,” with racial inequities, rising antisemitism and loads of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation crowding the stage.
The firm – which employs more than 600 attorneys across the United States and in London, Hong Kong and Singapore, among other places – is smartly responding to an important demand, according to Chief Talent Officer and Labor & Employment Partner Stacie Collier, who co-leads the new practice group. “This group came about … as a direct response to needs we see with clients and in the marketplace,” Collier noted. “Even clients with well-established internal DEI teams are looking for advisors who understand best practices, trends and larger-scale issues.”
Weighing anchor: Another anchor tenant has joined Samanea New York, with leading Asian grocery chain 99 Ranch Market coming to Westbury.
The third anchor tenant of the rising retail, entertainment and dining destination (following Dave & Buster’s and a Bloomingdale’s Furniture Outlet) offers Asian dry goods, fresh meat and produce and an assortment of premium groceries from around the globe, along with an Asian-themed food court and other amenities. It will occupy a 45,602-square-foot space formerly filled by Circuit City, back when the Old Country Road property was known as the Mall at the Source.
An integral part of Samanea New York’s $30 million facelift, the new store – which signed a 15-year lease in 2020 but was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic – is scheduled to open to the public April 9. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that this nationally recognized authentic food market chose us as its first location [in] New York,” noted Samanea New York Chief Leasing and Development Officer Dominic Coluccio. “[This] would not be possible without our talented team and our focus to transform this iconic site into a unique lifestyle destination.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Better late than never: Years after earning its post-graduate stripes, Rockville Centre’s Molloy College will officially become Molloy University later this spring.
It’s who you know: New York Tech is counting on one of the region’s most plugged-in innovators to network its “cooperative education” programs for IT undergrads.
Don’s 58: Former President Donald Trump’s plan to purchase and “really build up beautiful” the Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia has divided local communities.
ICYMI
Smartening up on gas leaks, dumbing down American politics.
BEST OF THE WEST (AND SOMETIMES NORTH/SOUTH)
Innovate LI’s inbox overrunneth with inspirational innovations from all North American corners. This week’s brightest out-of-towners:
From California: Los Angeles-based production studio Faith Media Distribution gives underrepresented writers, directors and performers their big shot.
From New York City: Instant grocery-delivery peddler JOKR reinvents hyper-local retail with customizable, AI-driven mobile app.
From California: San Francisco-based interactive operating system originator Intercom reinvents customer engagement with two new platforms.
ON THE MOVE
Andrew Flescher
+ Andrew Flescher has been selected to serve on the New York State Transplant Council. He is a core faculty member in the Program in Public Health, a professor in Family, Population and Preventive Medicine and a professor of English at Stony Brook University.
+ Joseph Barry has joined Melville-based Island Harvest Food Bank as chief development officer. He was previously vice president of donor relations and engagement at Centereach-based Community Development Corp of Long Island.
+ Barney Reilly has been promoted to vice president of construction at Ronkonkoma-based Aurora Contractors. He previously served as a project executive.
+ Lisa Fenech has joined Mineola-based Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein and Breitstone as an attorney in the Trusts and Estates, Trust and Estate Litigation and Elder Law Litigation practice groups. She was previously an associate at Uniondale-based Ruskin Moscou Faltischek.
+ Daniel Root has been promoted to associate engineer at Woodbury-based D&B Engineers and Architects.
+ Christine Castellanos has been promoted to assistant vice president at Woodbury-based HUB International Northeast. She previously served as a senior account executive.
+ The Financial Planning Association of Long Island has added two new members to its Board of Directors: Peter Craig, an investment advisor representative with A&M Financial Services in Westbury, and Matthew Kweller, a senior private client advisor at People’s United Advisors (formerly Gerstein Fisher) in New York City.
+ The Montauk Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center has named Jennifer Casper Fowkes executive director. She was previously development and events manager at i-tri, a sports-themed nonprofit empowerment organization.
Like this newsletter? Innovate Long Island newsletter, website and podcast sponsorships are a prime opportunity to reach the inventors, investors, entrepreneurs and executives you need to know (just ask LIBDC). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (Fool’s Gold Edition)
What’s wrong with this donut?: Wouldn’t YOU like to know.
Fooling around: Humans of the Internet share their best April Fool’s pranks.
Won’t be fooled: Rating the year’s top identity-theft protection services.
Won’t be fooled, again: These four zodiac signs should take April 1 very seriously.
No fooling: Please continue supporting the amazing organizations that support Innovate Long Island, including the Long Island Business Development Council, which doesn’t screw around with regional socioeconomics. Check them out.
