One flu over, cuckoo: It’s Friday, dear readers, and we are absolutely thrilled to be coming at you with this regularly scheduled week-in-review edition of your favorite innovation newsletter.
Sincerest apologies again for missing you on Wednesday, but like they say, into each life a gut-churning, hallucination-inducing gastrointestinal parasite must sometimes fall. Fortunately, that little bugger is behind us – and there’s nothing ahead but socioeconomic greatness (and a well-earned weekend). Let’s catch up.
Tool for love: Hug a plumber, painter, auto mechanic or other skilled tradesperson today.
Capturing hearts: Today is Sept. 19, and we’re opening with eternal gratitude on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a somber third-Friday-of-September salute to the more than 80,000 American armed forces heroes who were captured and recovered during our nation’s many international conflicts (or are still missing).
Also earning our appreciation today are carpenters, electricians, technicians and other professional doers who get jobs done – the everyday heroes of National Tradesman Tradesperson Day, also honored on the third Friday of September.
Aaarrrggghhh! Shivering our timbers, hanging the jibs and otherwise finding its sea legs is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which should run out of steam in most office settings by about 9:10 a.m.
And you’d think a day dedicated to buccaneers would serve up loads of fish stew and grog, but alas, mateys – you’ll have to settle for National Butterscotch Pudding Day, which has nothing to do with marauding freebooters but is always creamy and sweet on Sept. 19.
A sheep, a duck and a rooster enter a wicker basket: It’s not the start of a joke, but the dawn of modern flight – the three animals were the passengers during the first-ever public demonstration of a hot-air balloon, conducted on this date in 1783 in (and above) Versailles, France.
Give him a brake: Back at ground level, innovation came to a screeching halt – literally – when New Jersey-based inventor Ephraim Morris patented the first railroad brake on Sept. 19, 1838.
Ladies’ first: Lurching forward 132 years ago today was New Zealand, where Governor David Boyle, the 7th Earl of Glasgow, signed a groundbreaking electoral law giving women the right to vote – making the Oceanic nation the world’s first self-governing country to break the glass ballot box.
The one that started it all: They actually invented the Rookie of the Year award to honor the brave Robinson — and in 1987, finally named it after him.
Rookie blue: Also breaking boundaries – once again – was Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, who became Major League Baseball’s first-ever rookie of the year on this date in 1947.
Look, up in the sky! And it was Sept. 19, 1952, when “The Adventures of Superman” – the first television series featuring the Man of Steel – premiered in syndicated release.
The show featured George Reeves as the titular superhero – but Reeves was not the first actor to portray a live-action Man of Steel. That honor goes to Kirk Alyn, who starred as Clark Kent/Superman in a 15-part 1948 movie serial and 1950 sequel serial. (And for those keeping score, even Alyn wasn’t the very first Son of Krypton … that honor goes to veteran actor Bud Collyer, who voiced the hero on “The Adventures of Superman” radio show, which first aired in 1940.)
Cave man: Speaking of television superheroes, American actor William West Anderson (1928-2017) – known best by the stage name Adam West, star of the campy 1960s version of “Batman” and the cheekiest of all Caped Crusaders – would have been 97 years old today.
Jewels of the Nile: Rodgers is one of the most prolific performers in the history of Disco, R&B, Soul and numerous other genres.
Also born on Sept. 19 were British businessman and social reformer George Cadbury (1839-1922), who teamed up with his brother, Richard, to transform their father’s failing cocoa business into the super-successful Cadbury Brothers chocolate company; British novelist, playwright and poet Sir William Golding (1911-1993), a 1983 Nobel Prize winner (but not for “Lord of the Flies,” his most famous work); Canadian pathologist Elizabeth Stern (1915-1980), whose groundbreaking research paved the way for modern cancer treatments; American singer Bill Medley (born 1940), forever Righteous, brother; and American musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer Nile Rodgers (born 1952), a seven-time Grammy Award-winner who has written, produced and/or performed songs that have helped sell more than 750 million albums worldwide.
It’s getting late: And take a bow (while you still can), James Thomas “Jimmy” Fallon! The American actor, comedian, producer, singer, writer and television host – an Emmy and Grammy award-winner who, as fascist censorship tightens its grip, is suddenly one of the last surviving late-night talk-show hosts – turns 51 today.
Share your thoughts on the longtime “The Tonight Show” star – and freedom of thought and speech, eternal keys to innovation – at editor@innovateli.com, where we always encourage you to speak your mind (especially if it involves sharing news tips and calendar events).
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BUT FIRST, THIS
(Another) quantum leap: A $300 million New York State investment will help Stony Brook University establish a groundbreaking Quantum Research and Innovation Hub.
The university – already home to the nation’s largest quantum network, making it a well-established nucleus for pioneering research in quantum-level communications, computing and education – will now construct a first-of-its-kind hub dedicated to leading-edge quantum-science research. Planning and construction of the projected 150,000-square-foot facility will take approximately three years, according to SBU, with officials eyeing a 2029 grand opening.
Stony Brook – already tabbed by the National Science Foundation as a leader in quantum-information sciences and stocked with scientists well-versed in quantum field theories – was the natural choice to house the project, particularly “at a time when national investment in research and innovation is at risk,” according to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who announced the massive investment Wednesday. “We know that to provide our state and nation with a brighter future, we need to invest today,” the governor added. “The State University of New York at Stony Brook is a research powerhouse and will now be able to reach new heights in quantum.”
Back in Black: Beautiful Bethpage Black will host at least three major golf tournaments over the next decade.
Four Fore! Add three more professional golf championships to New York State’s coming-soon scorecard – with most scheduled to swing away on Long Island.
With the 45th Ryder Cup tournament coming next week to the famed Black Course at Farmingdale’s Bethpage State Park, the Professional Golfers’ Association of America announced this week that three additional major championships will tee off across New York over the next decade. The PGA plans to return to Bethpage Black in 2028 for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and in 2033 for the PGA Championship, while Oak Hill Country Club – located in the Town of Pittsford in upstate Monroe County – is now scheduled host the 2035 PGA Championship.
The 2033 PGA Championship marks a return engagement for Bethpage Black, which first hosted the men’s major in 2019, while the 2028 women’s tournament is projected as the first time the Ladies Professional Golf Association championship will be played at a public course. “The PGA of America is incredibly proud to be returning to … two world-class venues in Bethpage Black and Oak Hill Country Club,” noted PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. “These three championships will add to our association’s extensive history in the State of New York.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Vital signs decreasing: With research funding slashed, insurance costs spiraling and hard science in the crosshairs, public confidence in the national healthcare infrastructure is plummeting, according to the latest Truth in Medicine Poll.
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LIVIN’ ON THE EDGE
The founders of financial services technology company Lantern Finance explore the rising importance of cryptocurrency-backed loans and their enormous potential to level the financing field for minority-owned, women-owned and other traditionally “underbanked” enterprises.
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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 Alabama: Birmingham-based residential cleaning queen Two Maids helps franchisees clean up – personally and professionally – with new digital development program.
From Texas: Fort Worth-based international airline alliance Oneworld partners with Breakthrough Energy Ventures on new Sustainable Aviation Fuel investment fund.
From New York City: Neural-interface innovator Wearable Devices Ltd. leads emerging market with new wave of gesture-controlled devices.
ON THE MOVE
Onika Shepherd
+ Onika Shepherd has been hired as vice president of partnership and institutional strategy at Babylon-based McBride Consulting and Business Development Group. She was political director at 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East in Hicksville.
+ Farmingdale State College has announced the inaugural members of its new Corporate Advisory Board:
- Stuart Almer, president and CEO at the Gurwin Healthcare System
- Kara Cannon, CEO at Enzo Biochem
- Anthony Ceglio, director at Republic Airport
- Richard Feinbloom, president and CEO at Designs for Vision
- Stephen Hicks, president at Hicks Nurseries
- Joseph Lamantia, executive vice president and chief strategy and growth officer at Catholic Health
- Lisa Napolione, senior vice president of global research and development at The Estee Lauder Companies
- Michael Voltz, director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables at PSEG Long Island
+ Ira Slavit has been installed as secretary of the Nassau County Bar Association. The two-time former member of the association’s Board of Directors is a partner at Mineola-based Levine & Slavit.
+ Darren Claphan has been promoted to chief security officer at Smithtown-based Arrow Security. He was chief strategy officer.
+ Farmingdale State College has announced the inaugural members of its new Community Advisory Board:
- Vanessa Baird-Streeter, president and CEO at the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island
- Karen Boorshtein, president and CEO at the Family Service League
- Paul Defendini, superintendent at the Farmingdale School District
- Ralph Ekstrand, mayor of the Village of Farmingdale
- George “Chip” Gorman Jr., Long Island regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Serena Martin-Liguori, executive director at New Hour for Women and Children-Long Island
- Christa Lucarelli, director at the Farmingdale Public Library
- Errol Toulon Jr., Suffolk County sheriff
- Madeline Quintyne-McConney, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the Town of Babylon
+ Craig Handler has joined Uniondale-based Ruskin Moscou Faltischek as a partner and chairman of the firm’s Construction Law Group. He was a partner at Riverhead-based Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin & Quartararo and is the owner of Dix Hills-based Full Spectrum Simulations.
+ Christine Smith has been hired as an account manager at Smithtown-based SMM Advertising. She was a brand ambassador at Daikin Comfort Technologies in Lynbrook.
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BELOW THE FOLD (Robert Redford Edition)
Coming up roses: They weren’t all huge hits, but Redford had more than his share.
Independent thought: How the Hollywood icon created the leading platform for independent filmmakers.
Off-screen: Redford’s charm, poise and strength were tested by numerous personal tragedies.
The natural: From “The Sting” to his Marvel cameos, ranking the legend’s body of work.
Starring role: Please continue supporting the innovative institutions that support Innovate Long Island, including the New York Institute of Technology, where each student’s best personal and professional performance is always centerstage. Check them out.
