Phil is just a liberal psyop: Welcome to Friday, dear readers, and not just any Friday but the first Friday of February and the second day of the new month – a big one for our many readers in and around Gobbler’s Knob, Pa.
If he had it to do all over again: Murray didn’t like the premise of “Groundhog Day,” which ultimately ended his long friendship with director Harold Ramis.
Yes, it’s Groundhog Day, when “the eyes of the nation turn to this tiny hamlet in Western Pennsylvania to watch a master at work.” It’s one of the last unifying celebrations in a severely divided land, though even this wholesome holiday causes strife – turns out star Bill Murray hated the cult-classic movie, while some would like the tradition canceled altogether (see below.)
“They used to pull the hog out, and they used to eat it!”: Thankfully, that part of the tradition (true story) has faded away – but there’s still plenty of goodies on the Feb. 2 menu.
Today is National Crepe Day, celebrating the thin pancake that dates all the way back to 13th Century France; National Tater Tot Day, munching on the crispy, childhood-favorite potato nuggies; and National Heavenly Hash Day, topping things off with ice cream, cookies and/or fudge made from chocolate, marshmallows and nuts (we’ll take the ice cream, thank you).
Here’s the scoop: Speaking of ice cream, African American inventor Alfred Cralle of Pennsylvania patented the ice cream scoop – officially, the “Ice Cream Mold and Disher” – on Feb. 2, 1897.
Bloomsday, sorta: There’s ice cream in “Ulysses” (though it’s more akin to modern ice pops). Either way, Irish author James Joyce’s landmark modernist masterpiece – which is actually set on June 16, 1904 – was first published on this date in 1922. (More Joyce below.)
To tell the truth: “Lie detector” test results were first used as criminal-trial evidence on Feb. 2, 1935, with co-inventor Leonarde Keeler testifying about polygraph results in an assault case. (The two defendants were eventually convicted, for those keeping score.)
Yo, Joe: An original 1964 G.I. Joe “action soldier” is now worth hundreds of dollars to serious collectors.
Boys will be boys: Carefully avoiding the word “doll” – because boys don’t play with dolls – the first G.I. Joe “action soldier” was released 60 years ago today by the Hasbro toy company.
Groundhog Day, again: And of course, in addition to being Groundhog Day itself, today’s the anniversary of the beloved film, which premiered on Feb. 2, 1993.
A few more interesting facts about the fan-favorite flick: Murray did not think it should be a comedy (he envisioned a serious study on the meaning of life), the comedian was not the first choice to play Phil Connors (but director Harold Ramis ultimately decided Tom Hanks was “too nice”), the film was not shot in Punxsutawney, Pa. (Woodstock, Ill., stood in), and production did not take place in the winter (it filmed from March to June, with fake snow and sweaty performers under all that winter gear).
Joyce’s wake: Irish novelist, poet and literary critic James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (1882-1941) – whose experimental style overcame critics and censors and eventually cemented him as one of the 20th Century’s most influential and important writers – would be 142 years old today.
Angelic: Fairly demure by today’s standards, this poster made Farrah Fawcett a star.
Also born on Feb. 2 were Swiss scientist François-Alphonse Forel (1841-1912), who founded the science of limnology (the study of lakes); English French physician, eugenicist, writer and social reformer Havelock Ellis (1859-1939), who talked about sex, baby; American businessman and art collector Solomon Guggenheim (1861-1949), an importer and mining magnate who established a lasting art foundation; American actress and artist Farrah Fawcett (born Ferrah Leni Fawcett, 1947-2009), a pin-up superstar; and American actor Brent Spiner (born 1949), known best as “Star Trek” android Data, though he’s done a lot more.
Cooking class: And take a bow, Ina Rosenberg Garten! The American television chef, columnist and best-selling cookbook author – a former White House nuclear-budget analyst and grocery store owner who developed a love for cooking in her mid-20s – turns 76 today.
Wish the Barefoot Contessa well at editor@innovateli.com, where our recipe for success always incorporates two pounds of your news tips and a dash of your calendar events.
About our sponsor: The Long Island Business Development Council has helped build the regional economy for 54 years by bringing together government economic-development officials, developers, financial experts and others for education, debate and networking.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Bring us some food, you’re the piano man: One of Long Island’s busiest food banks is invoking the Island’s No. 1 music man in its latest charity drive.
Through the end of February (including the extra leap-day), the Stony Brook-based Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame will trade half-price admission tickets to Billy Joel: My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey for bags of nonperishable food items (tickets must be bought at the door). In addition to the half-off admission, visitors will receive a neato Billy Joel poster, with the food ultimately ticketed for redistribution via Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Joel “has been a supporter of Long Island Cares for more than a decade,” according to the Bethpage-based food bank, which is “thrilled to partner with the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame on a food drive for food-insecure Long Islanders,” noted Katherine Fritz, Long Island Cares’ vice president for development and communications. “And with the event tied to the Billy Joel exhibit, we know that those donating a bag of food will have a great experience learning about the Island’s all-time greatest performer.”
Successful operation: North Shore University Hospital’s impressive Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion is ready to roll.
Towering achievement: Seventy years since the hospital opened and four years since construction of its Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion began, North Shore University Hospital is almost ready to open the doors of its ambitious new wing.
The $560 million, 288,000-square-foot tower – funded by New Hyde Park-based healthcare titan Northwell Health, a “significant gift” from benefactors Attilio and Beverly Petrocelli and several other private donations – will begin accepting patients Feb. 10, Northwell announced this week. Rising through the teeth of the COVID pandemic, it will be the new home of the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital, with 18 state-of-the-art operating rooms (including three hybrid ORs with advanced imaging capabilities, ideal for neurosurgeries) and 132 cutting-edge intensive-care suites.
Completion of the lengthy construction phase is a major deal for the 90,000-plus patients NSUH serves each year and “a proud moment for healthcare in the region,” according to Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling. “It took guile and determination to see this massive project through to completion,” Dowling said Thursday. “I want to personally thank everyone who made this investment in the health and longevity of New Yorkers possible.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Defense mechanism: With major cyberattacks spreading around the globe, the Long Island Association and SVAM International teamed up this week to help regional small businesses protect their digital assets.
Simple math: The more subscribers we get, the more sponsors we get, and the easier it is to keep cranking out these engaging thrice-weekly newsletters. Subscriptions are always easy, always free – tell your friends.
ICYMI
Pressure from Albany has spurred the Army Corps of Engineers to hasten the pace of damage assessments and repair work on storm-ravaged Fire 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 Texas: Dallas-based network-security leader BackBox enhances defenses for NetOp teams with Zero Trust Network Operations automation platform.
From California: Pasadena-based sustainability startup Print & Pack brings eco-friendly packaging solutions to small businesses and eco-conscious brands.
From Florida: Miami-based luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduces Immersive Overnights packages featuring sleepovers in exotic locales.
ON THE MOVE
Damian Ross
+ Damian Ross has joined Huntington-based Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty as an associate real estate broker. He was an associate broker at Signature Premier Properties.
+ Kathleen Deegan Dickson has been appointed Land Use & Zoning Practice Group co-chairwoman at Uniondale-based Forchelli Deegan Terrana. She is a partner in the firm and also co-chairs its Cannabis Practice Group.
+ Kevin Clyne has been hired as a partner at Uniondale-based Cullen and Dykman. He was a partner at Herman Katz Cangemi Wilkes & Clyne in Manhattan.
+ Deer Park-based United Way of Long Island has elected three new Board of Directors members:
- Jerome Bost, director of government affairs and communications for IBEW 1049 in Holtsville
- Kerry Thomas, program manager at Thursday’s Child in Patchogue
- Rosalie Drago, community, economic and workforce development manager at the Haugland Group in Melville
+ Hailey Metro has been promoted to account executive at the Melville-based EGC Group. She was a marketing coordinator.
+ Hauppauge-based Intelligent Product Solutions has announced three promotions:
- Jan Niewiadomski has been promoted to chief technology officer; he was a fellow of electrical engineering.
- James Wightman has been promoted to vice president of engineering; he was senior director of electrical engineering.
- Ralph Cassara has been promoted to IPS fellow and digital health leader; he was senior director of technology.
+ Wayne Seppala has been promoted to chief information officer at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson. He was senior director of product services and management.
+ Erik Snipas has been hired as a partner in the Real Estate and Land Use Practice Group at Garden City-based Greenberg Traurig. He was a partner at Uniondale-based Forchelli Deegan Terrana.
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 the LIBDC). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (See Here Edition)
Vision quest: Mixed reality … or just mixed up?
Seeing gulls: Seagulls aren’t sticking to the seashore anymore.
Seeing things: The human brain isn’t ready for Apple Vision Pro.
Seeing improvement: The steaming U.S. economy is exceeding forecasts.
Seeing the future: Please continue supporting the amazing organizations that support Innovate Long Island, including the Long Island Business Development Council, which has focused its crystal ball on regional socioeconomics for more than five decades. Check them out.
