Above average: Well done, intrepid innovators – another productive workweek in the books, another winter weekend on the doorstep, and yes, it really is winter out there.
Hey, we love a good snowstorm, too, but we’ll never complain about cozy temperatures – or a red-hot innovation economy. And with that, this smart review to help end your week all warm and fuzzy.
You gotta love it: And today, you can show it.
Willing and able: It’s Jan. 20 out there, known best as the International Day of Acceptance, encouraging social tolerance of – and equal opportunity for – people with disabilities.
What’s not to love: Not to be confused with June 4’s National Cheese Day, today is also National Cheese Lover’s Day, which takes the coagulation of the milk protein casein a little more personally.
And two days after National Gourmet Coffee Day, we throttle back with National Coffee Break Day, less about quality java than quality time – and the importance of slowing down during fast-paced workdays.
Ups and downs: Also speeding and slowing was the first modern roller coaster, patented on this date in 1885 by New York inventor LaMarcus Thompson (and soon to be the first roller coaster at Coney Island).
One night only: Speaking of unique amusements, “The Super Fight” – a data-driven, tightly edited, super-innovative fictional film/computer simulation depicting a boxing match between heavyweight champions Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali (who sparred extensively during filming) – played to 1,500 packed theaters across North America and Europe on Jan. 20, 1970.
Deep thoughts: Exactly what they had in mind back in ’86.
Everyone into the Chunnel! It would be almost eight years until it opened to the public, but English and French engineers announced comprehensive plans for a long-anticipated English Channel passenger tunnel on this date in 1986.
Copy that: Responding to a mad scientist’s half-baked plans to clone a human being, the FDA announced its intentions to block human cloning projects 25 years ago today.
Send in the clones: And on that exact same day – Jan. 20, 1998 – University of Massachusetts scientists announced the births of genetically identical Holstein calves Charlie and George.
The world’s first cloned cows were created using cow DNA spliced with human genes – first step on a long road toward genetically engineered herds pumping out special milks genetically altered to treat human diseases.
Feel the Burns: Legendary American comedian, actor, writer and singer George Burns (1896-1996) – whose cigar-chomping, eyebrow-arching career spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television – would be 127 years old today.
Happy birthday, your highness: The big 5-0 for Belgium’s Queen Mathilde.
Also born on Jan. 20 were German astronomer Simon Marius (1573-1624), who named Jupiter moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto; Russian neurologist Vladimir Bekhterev (1857-1927), who researched reflexes, hyped the hippocampus and emerged as the “father of objective psychology”; Austrian naturalist Joy Adamson (1910-1980), known best for nonfiction sensation “Born Free”; American actor, screenwriter, poet and singer Jackson DeForest Kelley (1920-1999), forever Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy of the Starship Enterprise; and real-life space man Edwin Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. (born 1930), the veteran American astronaut who had a bumpy re-entry after the moon.
Queen of hearts: And take a bow, Queen Mathilde of Belgium! Born Mathilde Marie Christine Ghislaine d’Udekem d’Aco, the wife of King Philippe and first native-born Belgian queen – known for compassionate poverty-reduction work across her homeland – turns 50 today.
Wish the queen consort of the Belgians well at editor@innovateli.com, where your news tips rule and your calendar events always receive the royal treatment.
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BUT FIRST, THIS
All debts are off: Albany’s new $672 million debt-relief program is good news for New York homeowners and small-business owners buried under past-due utility bills.
As many as 478,000 residential customers and 56,000 small businesses – roughly 75 percent of statewide customers in those categories – will receive one-time credits to offset demonstrably unaffordable past-due utility bills. Approved Thursday by the New York State Public Service Commission, the program will avert thousands of service cancellations and parallels Gov. Kathy Hochul’s comprehensive plan to address statewide energy affordability, detailed in last week’s State of the State address.
Billed by her office as “the largest utility customer financial-assistance program in state history,” the relief program is a clear expression of the state’s energy intentions, according to Hochul. “Too many New Yorkers are at risk of having their lights turned off due to financial problems caused by the pandemic,” the governor said. “With this historic electric- and gas-utility relief, we’re achieving another major milestone to help New Yorkers stay warm during the cold winter months.”
Carpe diem: Photographer Daniel Hopper is slated to keynote tonight’s “Spark of Creativity” event at the Zucker School of medicine.
Creative spark: Hofstra University’s medical school will host a special art showcase this evening highlighting how creativity can offset the debilitating effects of epilepsy.
Running 5-8 p.m. inside the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (and livestreamed on Zoom), “Spark of Creativity” will feature 20 pieces of artwork created by epilepsy patients – a broad perspective on the illness and the role art can play in managing it. Sponsored by the Zucker School of Medicine Neurology Interest Group and the Epilepsy Foundation Long Island, the event includes presentations by medical specialists and a keynote by epileptic photographer Daniel Hopper.
The showcase is all about “the bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and art,” according to Patrick Tierney, a Zucker School MD candidate hosting the event with fellow fourth-year Justin Esposito. “Growing up with a brother who suffered a neonatal ischemic stroke and subsequently developed epilepsy, I’m proud to be able to work with this very special patient population … and become an advocate for people like my brother,” Tierney said.
TOP OF THE SITE
Cautionary tale: With global warming heating coastal waters, SBU scientists warn the devastating die-off of the Peconic Bay scallop population is only the beginning.
Mixing it up: Introducing racial diversity in STEM fields strengthens future workforces, according to SUNY Old Westbury, which is doing something about it.
Honest answers: With conman Congressman George Santos in his sights, ZE Creative Communications Co-founder and Co-president Robert Zimmerman pulls no punches on this week’s explosive episode of Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast.
ICYMI
Welcoming 100 Black Men’s new Long Island chapter; greeting Northwell Health’s AI-powered pregnancy chatbots.
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: Mountain View-based consumer-insights platform Spot Trender helps professional marketers keep tabs on brand performance.
From Oklahoma: Stillwater-based Oklahoma State University joins with other schools and laboratories to accelerate health-innovation commercialization.
From New York City: Revolutionary infant-swaddle pioneer The Ollie World releases neuro-development-promoting Alphie Sleep Pouch.
ON THE MOVE
Sonia Hood
+ Sonia Hood has been hired as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Elwood School District. She was K-12 central director of curriculum and instruction in the Rockville Centre School District.
+ Ronkonkoma-based Campolo, Middleton & McCormick has announced two promotions: Lauren Kanter-Lawrence, former director of talent, is now vice president, and Kathleen DiLieto, former assistant controller, is now controller.
+ Nancy Conte has been promoted to vice president at Ronkonkoma-based Strata Alliance. She served previously as director of operations.
+ Carla DeFrancisco has been hired as vice president and chief financial officer at Garden City-based Family & Children’s Services. She was the CFO of Syosset based child-welfare agency MercyFirst.
+ Craig O’Neill has been named to the Board of Directors at Wading River-based Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York. He is CEO of Hilton Capital Management in Garden City.
+ Natalie Donaldson has been hired as a general litigation associate at Smithtown-based Lieb at Law. She was an associate at Islandia-based Rubin & Rothman.
+ Anthony Szema has been promoted to clinical professor of occupational medicine, epidemiology, prevention and medicine at the Hofstra/Northwell Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine in Hempstead. He served previously as a clinical associate professor.
+ Todd Griffin has been promoted to vice president for clinical services and vice dean for clinical affairs at Stony Brook Medicine. He served previously as interim vice president for clinical services and vice dean for clinical affairs.
+ Chris Ottesen has been hired as vice president of risk and corporate strategy at Melville-based PrestigePEO. He was vice president of risk management at Georgia-based Employbridge.
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 SUNY Old Westbury). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD
Tea time: Or is it?
Coffee: Eight out of 10 Americans drink more than two cups of joe per day.
Tea: Turns out black tea is even healthier than they thought.
Or me? Why you should never drink coffee or tea.
Cups run over: Please continue supporting the amazing institutions that support Innovate Long Island, including SUNY Old Westbury, where opportunities abound for academic, personal and professional growth. Check them out.
