Sunny disposition: Welcome to a very special Friday, friends and innovators, and the precipice of something we haven’t seen on Long Island since before the flood.
Our 100-percent-jinx-free Innovate Long Island Climatalogical Intuition Tracker (ILICIT) is predicting a bright and totally-rain-free Saturday – something Islanders have not seen since Sept. 2 (go ahead and think about that for a moment).
All hail: The king of beers shines on National American Beer Day.
They’ll drink to that: That’s great news for regional businesses that make their nut on sunny fall weekends but have been kicked in the … well, you know … this entire season. Hope it warms your cockles, too.
This should: It’s Oct. 27 out there (National American Beer Day, hold the Heineken) and the fourth Friday of October (Global Champagne Day, celebrating the geographically specific bubbly).
Do what I do: Meanwhile, back in the office, today is National Mentoring Day, when professionals are encouraged to pass on what they’ve learned.
And straight from your nightmares, it’s also National Black Cat Day, a season-of-the-witch staple crossing your path every Oct. 27.
Nothing to fear: Fearing no black cat (or reprisals from England), Founding Fathers Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay bravely adopted the pseudonym “Publius” to publish the first of the Federalist Papers – 85 essays urging ratification of the U.S. Constitution – on this date in 1787.
History lesson: In this country, even the highest-ranking public officials must follow the law, as Boss Tweed learned.
Justice served: Speaking of American principles, the notion that nobody is above the law was cemented on Oct. 27, 1871, when New York City Commissioner of Public Works William Magear “Boss” Tweed – head grifter of corrupt statewide political machine Tammany Hall – was arrested and charged with 55 embezzlement-related offenses. (Tweed died in prison).
Track meet: Speeding things up a bit was the New York City subway system, the world’s third subterranean railroad but first “rapid-transit system,” which opened for business on this date in 1904.
Pulling for him: Also zipping by was Long Island neighbor Fred Waller of Huntington, the American inventor who patented water skis 98 years ago today.
Ralph ices: And it was Oct. 27, 1969, when attorney, political activist, author, lecturer and perennial presidential candidate Ralph Nader officially launched the consumer-protection syndicate Nader’s Raiders.
The Raiders – which unofficially formed when Nader recruited a team of law students to probe the Federal Trade Commission several months earlier – monitored nuclear safety, domestic finance, international trade, food regulations, land use and other critical socioeconomic issues.
Death is for suckers: Welsh poet and writer Dylan Marlais Thomas (1914-1953) – the lyrical, emotional genius who eloquently counseled us to “rage against the dying of the light” – would be 109 years old today.
Trump cards: Marla (left) and Tiffany have largely avoided the scrum.
Also born on Oct. 27 were English painter Mary Moser (1744-1819), a celebrated 18th Century artist and co-founder of the Royal Academy; 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (1858-1919), also the 33rd New York governor; French biologist, physician and politician Alain Bombard (1924-2005), who survived on the open Atlantic Ocean for 65 days aboard an underequipped inflatable raft; macabre American poet and novelist Sylvia Plath (1932-1963), who mastered the art of confessional poetry; and English actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer and director John Cleese (born 1939), still dominating British comedy.
While the gettin’ is good: And take a bow, Marla Maples! The American actress, model, television personality and former Mrs. Trump – who is not E. Jean Carroll, though it can be really confusing keeping them all apart – turns 60 today.
Wish Tiffany’s mom well at editor@innovateli.com, where we’re married – and forever loyal – to your news tips and calendar events.
About our sponsor: Northwell Health is New York’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, 750 outpatient facilities and 70,000-plus employees. We’re making research breakthroughs at the Feinstein Institutes and training the next generation of medical professionals at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra/Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. Visit Northwell.edu.
BUT FIRST, THIS
There be whales here: Spotting a baby sperm whale in the wild is rare, and a very good sign.
Whale Watch 2: The Spermining: The latest update from our Save the Whales File puts New England Aquarium scientists in deep water for a startling sighting east of Montauk Point.
About 200 miles east-southeast, actually, where we find the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument – and where aquarium researchers recently recorded two sperm whales (one adult, one calf), the first spotting of the endangered species around Northeast/Seamounts since monitoring began six years ago. The whales were among 324 marine animals cataloged during a five-hour flyover of the 5,000-square-mile formation of seamounts and canyons, designated an oceanic national monument in 2016 by President Barack Obama.
Coming one week after activists implored Long Island boaters to slow down for the sake of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, the rare sperm whale sighting is more good news for Cetacea-lovers – and “a reminder of the rich biodiversity of animals that use the monument,” according to New England Aquarium Research Technician Sharon Hsu. “As scientists who have flown aerial surveys for years, we never take for granted how exciting it is to see whales, sharks and dolphins in the wild, particularly an endangered sperm whale calf.”
For rent: The Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency has renewed its rental-housing commitment with tax breaks for a Valley Stream development and preliminary approvals for future rental-related deals.
Full reviews and final votes are pending, but the IDA this week kickstarted an incentives package assisting Hewlett-based developer Friedman Group LLC, which is planning a $10.9 million demolition/construction project in Floral Park, replacing a 3,668-square-foot former Masonic Lodge with a transit-oriented, 30,512-square-foot apartment building containing 24 market-rate units. The IDA also gave an opening nod to potential tax breaks assisting Friedman Group’s plans in Woodmere, where the developer is sinking $10.5 million into the new construction of 16 transit-oriented, market-rate apartments.
At the same Oct. 24 meeting, the IDA gave final approvals to an incentives package benefitting West Jamaica Holdings LLC, which has proposed a $30.57 million transit-oriented apartment project – 63 units total – in Valley Stream. “Our town is in dire need of quality rental housing,” noted Hempstead Industrial Development Agency CEO Frederick Parola. “These projects … will contribute to the availability of rental housing for those who cannot afford to buy homes in the town.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Data driven: Millions of dollars in federal funding will supercharge three Hofstra University computer-science efforts with wide-ranging socioeconomic implications.
It’ll be there … will you? We love it when you read these educational and entertaining newsletters in our online archive – but remember, our Monday Calendar Newsletters are for subscribers only. Don’t miss a thing.
ICYMI
The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research’s foremost bipolar-disorders expert will help run a national research coalition streamlining diagnoses, treatments and clinical trials.
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 Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh-based GNC subdivision Beyond Raw supercharges power-food portfolio with “mental focus and energy in a can.”
From California: San Francisco-based augmented-reality ace XREAL eyes leading gaming/entertainment streaming services with sleek AR glasses.
From New York City: Intelligent-automation platform DataSnipper customizes audit and financial-industry data in new Financial Statement Suite.
ON THE MOVE
Sharon Kohler
+ Sharon Kohler has been hired as an associate lab director for environment, safety and health at Upton-based Brookhaven National Laboratory. She was director for safety and operations services at Tennessee-based Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
+ Julie Robinson-Tingue has been hired as vice president and chief of staff at the Garden City-based Family & Children’s Association. She was senior director of corporate communications at Optum Health.
+ Ryan Johnson has been hired as an associate in the design professional group at Melville-based L’Abbate, Balkan, Colavita & Contini. He was assistant general counsel at Citnalta Construction Corp. in Bohemia.
+ Keith Lawlor has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross in Mineola. He is regional vice president at TD Bank in Melville.
+ Penny Mendelsohn has been appointed to the Glen Cove-based Tiegerman Schools’ Board of Directors. She is the owner/president of McFar Contracting Corp. in Westbury.
+ Lindsey Zager has been hired as an associate in the Insurance Fraud Group at Uniondale-based Rivkin Radler. She was a legal assistant/associate at Melville-based Bruno, Gerbino, Soriano & Aitken.
+ Kim Como has been hired as marketing and communications director at the Garden City-based Family & Children’s Association. She was communications director at Newsday in Melville.
+ Len Weiser has been hired as chief executive at Life’s WORC in Garden City. He was president and chief executive officer at White Horse Village in Pennsylvania.
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 Northwell Health). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (I Got A Rock Edition)
You booze, you lose: Candy corn martini? Thank you, no … but matching candy and wine isn’t so scary.
Candy corn: Seasonal treat or cruel joke? The debate rages.
Reese’s: The classic edges M&M’s for favorite Halloween candy.
Snickers, and a nice Chianti: How to pair your Halloween haul with the right wine.
Sweet rewards: Please continue supporting the amazing institutions that support Innovate Long Island, including Northwell Health, a candyland of cutting-edge technologies, relentless innovation and new medical marvels. Check them out.
