End run: ’Twas the day before the night before Christmas, intrepid innovators – not just the kickoff of the big holiday weekend, not merely the last day of this workweek, but for many, the last workday of the year.
On that note, one last reminder that Innovate Long Island is taking a well-earned holiday break next week. Back with all-new stuff Jan. 3.
Our bad: Also, this quick correction to Wednesday’s newsletter, which included a very handsome picture of Family and Children’s Association President and Voices nonprofits/social services anchor Jeffrey Reynolds, but the wrong Voices copy – Jeffrey’s sharp rebuke of New York City’s epic homelessness problem (and Mayor Eric Adams’ shortsighted response) awaits here.
All we could ask for: You, dear readers, truly are the gift that keeps on giving.
From the desks of Marlene and Gregory: And before we put a bow on 2022, we’d be completely remiss if we didn’t show some love to you, dear readers, and to our generous sponsors.
Researching, writing and sharing these engaging newsletters (and our jam-packed website) is a total blast and a humbling honor. And none of it would be possible without the people who support us with their eyes, checkbooks and pure curiosity – with hungry, open minds that understand progressive and useful content when they see it.
We’re already excited to get cracking on all the socioeconomic awesomeness coming our way in 2023. Until then, be safe, be warm, be joyous and be grateful – and of course, be innovative!
For the rest of us: Today is Dec. 23, and with an interfaith assortment of high holy days and nondenominational celebrations swirling, the pickings are slim – though it is the adopted anniversary of Festivus, the fictional “Seinfeld” holiday that’s become all too real.
It’s also National Pfeffernusse Day. News to us, too.
I knew that: Yes, “Clueless” is based on “Emma.”
The one that started it all: We begin the year’s final innovation review with Jane Austen’s timeless novel “Emma,” first published on Dec. 23, 1815 (and regularly remade for television and the silver screen).
Long winter’s nap: Speaking of lasting literature, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (a.k.a. “The Night Before Christmas”) was first published (anonymously) by the Troy Sentinel newspaper 99 years ago today, decades before Clement Moore claimed credit.
Point-contact: Other time-tested Dec. 23 innovations include the transistor, arguably the most important invention of the 20th Century and undeniably demonstrated by Bell Lab engineers on this date in 1947.
Sea worthy: French biologist (and future politician) Alain Bombard landed in Barbados on Dec. 23, 1952, completing an improbable 65-day ocean journey – one-man raft, no provisions – that confounded critics and almost killed him.
Win-win: And the first human kidney transplant was performed on this date in 1954 by Boston surgeon Joseph Murray, who swapped an organ between identical twins.
The recipient lived for an impressive eight years. Murray, who later performed the first successful kidney transplant from an unrelated donor, earned a Nobel Prize.
Book of Smith: American religious leader Joseph Smith Jr. (1805-1844) – who founded Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement before being assassinated at age 38 – would be 217 years old today.
Self-assured: Cosmetics entrepreneur Walker did it her way.
Also born on Dec. 23 were Swedish mineralogist and chemist Axel Cronstedt (1722-1765), who discovered and isolated nickel; British industrialist and inventor Sir Richard Arkwright (1732-1792), a major Industrial Revolution influencer; French philologist Jean-François Champollion (1790-1832), the hieroglyph-deciphering “father of Egyptology”; American entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919), the first African American woman to become a self-made millionaire; and Canadian actor/musician Finn Wolfhard (born 2002), known best for doing “Stranger Things.”
Web-spinner: And take a bow, Robert Elliot “Bob” Kahn! The American electrical engineer – an A.M. Turing Award-winner recognized as a principal architect of the Internet – turns 84 today.
Wish the computer-science pioneer well at editor@innovateli.com, where all we want for Christmas is peace and innovation (and maybe a few news tips and calendar events stuffed in our stockings).
About our sponsor: ZE Creative Communications is a full-service integrated marketing communications agency specializing in public relations, creative marketing, crisis communication and social media. Founded in Great Neck, ZE Creative Communications has been helping clients create compelling and successful messaging campaigns for more than three decades. Learn more here.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Humbug: Not to rain on your holiday parade, but a “tripledemic” is afoot – and everything from masks to social distancing is back in play.
That’s the word from Northwell Health Labs, which notes seasonal spikes in COVID-19 and influenza cases and a hospital-packing outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus – a three-headed threat exacerbated by overlapping holiday celebrations. Those RSV cases are finally trending down, but reported COVID cases are rising fast (up 30 percent since Thanksgiving, according to Northwell) and more than 9,000 positive influenza cases have already been logged by Northwell this season.
That’s more than three times the volume of a pre-pandemic flu season, according to Northwell Health Labs, which processes specimens from Long Island, New York City and Westchester County and is encouraging folks to mask up, get vaccinated and avoid crowds, especially when feeling sick. “Primary vaccination – both against influenza and with the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine – really remains the mainstay,” noted Matthew Harris, Northwell’s medical director of crisis management and emergency preparedness.
Park view: Coming soon to 875 Merrick Ave.
Giftwrapped: Christmas came early for a Lloyd Harbor developer planning a major Westbury commercial redevelopment project.
The Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency has issued preliminary approval for a tax-incentives package benefitting a project-specific LLC owned by developer Charles Piluso, who’s planning to remake the 43,657-square-foot building at 875 Merrick Ave. The currently vacant three-story building facing Eisenhower Park is slated for a Class-A upgrade, with a new roof, new façade and new interior systems on the drawing board.
The $3 million facelift is projected to create 50 construction-phase jobs and 110 permanent full-time positions – a healthy return for an IDA investment that still must earn final IDA board approvals, but seems to have the inside track, according to Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency CEO Fred Parola. “This project has the potential to create more than a hundred new jobs as the building is upgraded and tenanted and bring in new revenues for all the taxing jurisdictions,” Parola said this week.
TOP OF THE SITE
Hub spot: With climate justice in the balance, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County will lead Long Island’s well-connected Regional Clean Energy Hub.
Act now: The New Year will bring a new slate of innovative cyberthreats – and it’s never too late to batten the IT hatches, according to this IT insider.
Who you know: Long Island Music and Entertainment Chairman Ernie Canadeo has rubbed elbows with everyone from Elton John and Freddy Mercury to Sylvester Stallone and the chicks from “The Magic Garden.” Name-dropping galore on the latest episode of Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast!
ICYMI
Neuroscience research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; downtown redevelopment all over Long Island.
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 Virginia: McLean-based voice-and-data network Iridium Communications optimizes connections between satellites and new IoT solutions.
From California: Santa Barbara-based cybersecurity specialist OffGrid halts hackers with electronic-stealth Switch Faraday Wallet.
From Texas: Richardson-based coffee producer/co-packer NuZee expands Coffee Blenders brand with new Coldpresso lattes.
ON THE MOVE
William Hanes
+ William Hanes has been named CEO of Stony Brook-based Somnial. He was previously senior technology commercialization fellow at Stony Brook University’s Center for Biotechnology.
+ Angela Wambugu Cobb has been promoted to vice president for institutional advancement at SUNY Old Westbury. She served previously as senior associate vice president for institutional advancement.
+ Patricia Bruckenthal has been named dean of the Stony Brook University School of Nursing. She most recently served as the associate dean for research and innovation.
+ Louis D’Souza has been hired as chief financial officer at Garden City-based EAC Network. He was controller and chief financial officer at the Children’s Health Fund in Manhattan.
+ Rahquel Purcell has been elected to Melville-based MSC Industrial Supply Co.’s Board of Directors. She is the chief transformation officer for L’Oreal North America, based in Manhattan.
+ Randolph Howard Jr. has been hired as chief operating officer at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown. He was senior vice president of corporate facilities services at Northwell Health in Manhasset.
+ Thomas McNally has been hired as a partner in the Uniondale office of Harris Beach PLLC. He previously served as senior litigation counsel and national operations attorney for Chubb Limited.
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 ZE Creative). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (See You Next Year Edition)
Clowns for Congress: Congratulations, supporters, you must be very proud.
And to all, a good night: The pathetic lies of sad George Santos perfectly summarize Politics 2022.
Nightmare before Christmas: A historic blizzard is crippling U.S. holiday travel.
Last meal: Hosting New Year’s Eve? Put out a world-class spread.
Year after year: Please continue supporting the incredible agencies that support Innovate Long Island, including ZE Creative Communications, where decades of PR success are based on clarity, transparency and truth. Check them out.
