Mood enhancement: Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, as Long Island finally catches a meteorological break and the sun shines again.
Yes, after days of nor’easters and stubborn post-tropical cyclones, skies are brightening – and, hopefully, moods along with them. Here’s a snappy innovation review to keep the good times going.
Traveling show: Might need one of these on World Tourism Day.
In the family: We start our sunny Sept. 27 with the uplifting Ancestor Appreciation Day, which is supposed to be all about remembering great-great-grandma and life in the old country, though the U.S. Census Bureau does it by the numbers.
See the world: Speaking of old countries, it’s World Tourism Day, an annual plug from the UN’s travel bureau.
Staying home? Well, you’re in for a yummy treat – today is also National Corned Beef Hash Day and National Chocolate Milk Day, both encouraging breakfast for dinner every Sept. 27.
Slow, but steady: Also enjoying a treat were the 450 travelers riding the world’s first passenger train, which rumbled between Stockton and Darlington in northeast England on this date in 1825 (at the breakneck speed of 15 miles per hour).
Stretch run: Even with an adjoining casino, Aqueduct doesn’t pack them in like it used to.
The Big A: Speeding things up a bit was Aqueduct Racetrack – officially, New York City’s only professional racetrack – which opened in beautiful South Ozone Park 129 years ago today. (For the record, your average thoroughbred eclipses 40 mph at full throttle.)
Popping off: Other starter pistols fired on this date include the cap gun, patented in 1954 by California-based inventor Kenneth Frye.
Heeeeere’s … Steve?: Also starting with a bang was the “Tonight” show, which debuted on NBC (with host Steve Allen) on that same day – Sept. 27, 1954.
Hybrid vehicles in spaaaaace: And it was Sept. 27, 2003, when SMART-1 – the first European Moon mission – blasted off from the European Space Agency’s French Guiana launch center.
The slow-boat probe completed its 15-month journey to lunar orbit on just 13 gallons of fuel, propelled by daily burns of its revolutionary “ion drive.”
For the love of beer country: American statesman, political philosopher and Founding Father Samuel Adams (1722-1803) – who failed in business, shaped the U.S. political culture and achieved true immortality as a beer brand – would be 301 years old today.
Peanut sauce: Little Mamie Johnson could bring it.
Also born on Sept. 27 were French naturalist Guillaume Rondelet (1507-1566), who dove deep into marine life; American politician, minister and college administrator Hiram Revels (1827-1901), the first Black U.S. Senator; Russian neurologist, physiologist and Nobel laureate Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936), a dog person; American professional baseball player Mamie “Peanut” Johnson (1935-2017), the only woman to pitch in the Negro Leagues; and American professional golfer Kathrynne Ann Whitworth (1939-2022), whose 88 career tournament wins is the most in LPGA history (and PGA history, for that matter).
Schmitty attitude: And take a bow, Michael Jack Schmidt! The retired American baseball player – arguably the greatest third baseman of all time, and there’s very little argument – turns 74 today.
Wish the pride of the Philadelphia Phillies well at editor@innovateli.com, where your news tips heat up our hot corner and your calendar events always get the all-star treatment.
About our sponsor: Arthur Germain, founder of sponsor Brandtelling, has written a new book, “The Art of Brandtelling: Brand Storytelling for Business Success,” a how-to guide for strengthening customer relationships and increasing business profitability. Get your copy today and start building your unique brand story. Use code ILIR20 and get a 20 percent discount on the eBook bundle when you order from the Brandtelling website.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Forward thinking: The Long Island Minority Small Business Survey will provide valuable data on current challenges, according to Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce President Phil Andrews.
Minority report: A full-scale survey of the region’s minority-owned businesses is underway.
The Long Island Association, the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have joined forces (once again) for the Long Island Minority Small Business Survey, designed to help regional rainmakers better understand the unique challenges facing the Island’s minority-owned enterprises and better equip them to succeed. Building on previous initiatives uniting the LIA, the LIAACC and the LIHCC, the online survey – conducted pro-bono by Long Island University’s Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis – is scheduled to accept responses through Oct. 13 (in English and en español).
The more feedback the better, according to Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce President Phil Andrews, who predicted the eventual evolution of new business-assistance programing tailored to the unique requirements of Island-based minority business owners. “This data will help our organizations … assess how we can design our programs to meet their specific needs and ensure their success in our communities,” Andrews added.
Ladies and gentlemen … The Beatles! (Screaming): The Fab Four will thrill again in a Saturday matinee spanning screen, stage and page.
Stony Brook’s Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame has scheduled a free-with-admission meet-and-greet featuring Smithtown-based author Steve Matteo – a veteran of The New York Times, Rolling Stone magazine and other top-tier periodicals – and his new book, “Act Naturally: The Beatles on Film” (2023, Backbeat Books). Following “Let It Be” (2004, Bloomsbury Publishing, chronicling the famous ballad’s recording sessions) and “Dylan” (2000, Metro Books, biographing the icon), “Act Naturally” packs in rare insights to explore the social relevancies and creative influences behind five Beatles feature films.
Determined to “give music fans a deeper understanding of artists and their times,” Matteo – also a contributing editor at The Vinyl District and one of several voices raising “The Beatles in Context” (2020, Cambridge University Press) – praised the LIMEHOF as the perfect venue to share his new book. “The hall is all about honoring and celebrating the legacy of great music,” he said. “Long Island has a rich history of popular music and music fans on Long Island are some of the most knowledgeable and passionate in the world.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Nothing nice to say: Stony Brook University researchers have determined that “negativity bias” – the greater likelihood that negative social-media posts will be shared – has fueled the spread of voter-fraud conspiracy theories.
We missed you: The Bill of Rights, the discovery of electromagnetism, Luke Skywalker’s birthday … plus Long Island’s ultimate business-networking breakdown … you missed a lot in Monday’s subscriber-only Calendar Newsletter. But why miss anything at all? (Always easy, always free).
VOICES
The latest media technologies have always been front-and-center in national politics, notes ZE Creative Communications Executive Vice President and Voices Media Anchor David Chauvin, who wonders about information gaps and political consequences if Elon Musk’s proposed paywall kills the former Twitter once and for all.
STUFF WE’RE READING
That’s weird: The national economy is kinda sorta unusually not so bad. Vox un-weirds the numbers.
That’s odd: Automaker Audi’s new numbering scheme distinguishes electric (even) and combustion (odd) models. Autocar cracks the code.
That’s strange: Rabble-rousing presidential dark horse Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is still poking holes in official 9/11 explanations. Rolling Stone coddles his conspiracies.
RECENT FUNDINGS
+ Peregrine Hydrogen, a California-based climate-tech innovator, raised $7.8 million in seed funding led by Bidra, Builders, Gates Frontier, Presidio Ventures, RiSC Capital and Schox.
+ Mona Lee, a Massachusetts-based solar-installation company, raised $3.25 million in seed funding led by Ludlow Ventures, Shrug VC, Palm Tree Crew, Coalition Operators, Plug and Play Ventures and The Pags Group.
+ Diligent Robotics, a Texas-based, woman-owned, healthcare-focused robotics manufacturer, raised $25 million in financing led by Canaan, True Ventures, DNX Ventures and Next Coast Ventures.
+ HealNow, a New York City-based healthcare technology company, raised $5.5 million in seed funding led by Bonfire Ventures, Walkabout Ventures and Remarkable Ventures.
+ Paxton, an Oregon-based generative AI legal assistant, raised $6 million in seed funding led by WVV Capital, Kyber Knight, 25Madison and Gaingels.
+ Virtual Incision, a Nebraska-based robotics-assisted surgery pioneer, raised $30 million in Series C financing led by Bluestem Capital, Endeavour Vision and cultivate(MD) Capital Funds.
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 Brandtelling). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (Balanced Nutrition Edition)
Double trouble: Clever app users bludgeoned McDonald’s on National Cheeseburger Day, one 50-cent deal at a time.
Dairy: The oat/almond/soy alliance wins a big battle against the lactic empire.
Protein: Why National Cheeseburger Day was a disaster for McDonald’s.
Fruits and veggies: Long Island’s best apple-picking destinations.
Brain food: Please continue supporting the amazing agencies that support Innovate Long Island, including Brandtelling, our beloved podcasting partner and the best creative collaborator to shape and share your brand story. Check them out.
