Seen worse: Batten the hatches, innovators! There’s talk of a “bomb cyclone” for Long Island this weekend – or what we used to call, like, “snow” …you know, a foot or so.
Even the weather is dramatic! Either way, it’s gonna snow. Take it slow.
Piece offering: Snap to it.
Encouraging data: The good news is it’s Friday and there’s another well-earned weekend in sight, whatever it may bring weatherwise.
It’s Jan. 28 out there, known best as Data Privacy Day, an annual international observation that grows more important the deeper we dive into the Digital Age.
Something to build on: Today is also National Lego Day, for no other reason than the colorful joy of getting nuts with a bag of bricks.
Prefer stacking to building? You’re still in luck – Jan. 28 is National Blueberry Pancake Day.
Big blue marble: Galileo didn’t enjoy this much definition, though he did spot distant Neptune.
That’s no blueberry – it’s a planet! Or is it? Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei may have accidentally discovered distant blue Neptune on this date in 1613, though even he wasn’t sure what he was looking at.
Great thinking: Speaking of big brains, the Russian Academy of Science was formed by Senate decree on Jan. 28, 1724, following through on Peter the Great’s plans for an academy to “learn languages, as well as other sciences and noble arts and to translate books.”
Gaslighted: It’s actually a good thing, in this case – London’s Pall Mall became the first street in the world illuminated by gaslight lamps 215 years ago today.
Well read: Other bright lights associated with this date include Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” which was first printed in 1813 by U.K. publisher Thomas Egerton.
The novel of manners, which has sold 20 million copies and counting, has been adapted for the screen at least 17 times (not including sequels, but definitely including the one with zombies).
Full of hot air: And it was Jan. 28, 1998, when European balloonists Andy Nelson and Bertrand Piccard lifted off from the Swiss Alps on a flight that would set a world record for ballooning endurance – nine days and 17 hours aboard the Breitling Orbiter 2.
Unfortunately, the duo’s attempt to fly around was thwarted by China, which refused to allow a fly-over. And the endurance record was later shattered by millionaire American balloonist Steve Fosett, who flew his Spirit of Freedom around the world (solo) in 2002, a 13-day journey.
Action Jackson: Pollock’s “drip technique” gave him all-angle access to his creations.
Kind of a drip: American painter Paul Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) – a major figure of abstract expressionism (and adopted Long Islander) whose “drip technique” drew accolades – would be 110 years old today.
Also born on Jan. 28 were Congo-conquering African explorer Henry Morton Stanley (1841-1904), who presumed he’d met Dr. Livingston; Irish pacifist, prison reformer and crystallographer Dame Kathleen Lonsdale (1903-1971), who significantly advanced X-ray techniques; Armenian-American master innovator Luther Simjian (1905-1997), who invented the ATM, the teleprompter and much more; and American actor Alan Alda (born 1936), an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner turned Stony Brook University booster (and visiting professor).
Chances are Slim: And take a bow, Carlos Slim Helú! The Mexican telecoms magnate, investor and philanthropist – once the world’s richest man, merely 14th now – turns 82 today.
Wish the Mexican mogul feliz cumpleaños at editor@innovateli.com, where we gratefully accept news tips and calendar events from south of the border and everywhere else.
About our sponsor: The Long Island Business Development Council has helped build the regional economy for 53 years by bringing together government-economic development officials, developers, financial experts and others for education, debate and networking.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Returning the favor: Kahane keeps on giving.
Life after death: The Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health has received a $1 million bequeathment from a 1949 alumna.
Mildred Loughlin Kahane, who passed away in September 2020, was the first member of her humble family to attend college, according to Adelphi, and only because she earned an academic scholarship that paid the way. Two years after her death, her seven-digit gift will support scholarships for three current nursing programs: the Peggy Ann Burleigh Memorial Scholarship, which supported Kahane when she was a student, and two programs previously founded by the benefactor herself – the Mildred Loughlin Kahane ’49 Scholarship and the Kahane Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Scholarship.
Kahane put her Adelphi education to good use, serving as the first executive director of the Alaska Board of Nursing and developing a nurse-practitioner program as a member of the University of California-Davis faculty, among other milestone nursing jobs. “She often attributed her commitment to nursing … to the education she received at Adelphi,” noted Elaine Smith, recently retired dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. “Millie’s generous gift makes the same opportunities possible for generations of future Adelphi nurses.”
Accreditation situation: The SUNY Old Westbury School of Education has added the accreditation of a prestigious watchdog group to its impressive credentials.
The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, a membership association providing accreditation services and formative support to teaching programs in 28 states, has fully accredited the School of Education, which will enjoy AAQEP national accreditation through 2028. The School of Education, which maintains nine bachelor’s degree programs and 10 master’s degree programs, already owns professional-certification approvals issued separately by the New York State Department of Education, but the new accreditation is a big-time endorsement, according to SUNY Old Westbury President Timothy Sams.
“AAQEP accreditation validates the standard of the substantive educator preparation that touches every corner of our campus,” Sams said Wednesday. “The accreditation commission’s affirmation stands as a testament to our values and commitment to preparing teacher-leaders … to educate learners in diverse and socially just classrooms.”
TOP OF THE SITE
Big finish: The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation issued $140 million in grants – including $8.8 million for Long Island organizations – during an end-of-year gifting spree.
Validation celebration: Suffolk County Community College’s Cybersecurity Program has been approved by the National Security Agency.
Straight dope: Learn directly from the best with Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast, the only talk show that goes one-on-one with the leaders of the Long Island innovation economy.
ICYMI
Island innovators unite for an ambitious rebrand; prodigious programmers unite for Hack@CEWIT 2022.
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 Massachusetts: Boston-based cloud-storage pioneer Wasabi Technologies partners with Axis Communications to revolutionize video-surveillance storage.
From Wisconsin: Milton-based home-entertainment trailblazer Carl’s Place comes out swinging with expanded line of golf-simulator accessories.
From Vermont: Burlington-based ice cream king Ben & Jerry’s goes nostalgic with new “Topped” flavors, including Chocolate Milk & Cookies.
ON THE MOVE
Josh Greenbaum
+ Josh Greenbaum has been named chief executive officer of Hempstead-based Community Care Rx. He is the owner of Woodmere-based Senior Living Realty and Health Care Consulting Group.
+ The Southampton-based Tortorella Group has announced two executive appointments: Jackie Kopcho, formerly a managing partner at White Plains-based Big Branch Capital, is now CEO; and Kirk Newcombe, founder and managing partner of Timberwind Capital Partners, is now chief operating officer.
+ Woodbury-based SterlingRisk Insurance has hired Sean Flaherty as vice president. He was previously managing advisor in the Construction and Surety Practice of New York City-based AHT Insurance.
+ Katherine O’Brien has been hired as director of fundraising and development for Hicksville-based CN Guidance and Consulting Services. She was previously vice president/loan accounting at Dime Community Bank in Hauppauge.
+ Greg Demetriou has been elected president of the Board of Directors for Schenectady-based Irish Angel. He is the CEO of Edgewood-based Lorraine Gregory Communications.
+ Sandra Fochi has been elected president of the Board of Directors at New Hyde Park-based Harbor Child Care. She is vice president and market manager at Valley Bank in Port Washington.
BELOW THE FOLD (For Sale By Owner Edition)
Pixels are in this season: Who are you wearing?
Going fast: With 45 million Millennials in the “homebuyer sweet spot,” national home sales are projected to soar in 2022.
Unique fixer-upper opportunity: The very best DIY home-improvement projects for 2022.
Virtually unlimited closet space: Digital fashion, the metaverse and you.
The home of Long Island business: Please continue supporting the amazing organizations that support Innovate Long Island, including the Long Island Business Development Council, which has spent five decades making LI a great place to work and live. Check them out.
