Worker union: Welcome to Wednesday, friends, as we muscle through November’s first full week and deeper into the holiday season.
Speaking of holidays, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says only 11 percent of private-industry workers (along with 70 percent of government workers) receive a paid holiday for Veterans Day (and that’s when it doesn’t fall on a Saturday, like it does this week). We stand with you, intrepid innovators – expect your regularly scheduled newsletter this Friday.
Smarter than you think: The namesake of the “Dunce cap” has been done dirty.
Capper: Today’s regularly scheduled Wednesday newsletter kicks off with National Dunce Day, a Nov. 8 celebration of the dunderheads among us (that ironically traces its origins to one of history’s great thinkers, at least in his day).
Steam power: While pondering that, sip on a tall nonfat steamed-hot regular foam with a roasted-espresso shot – par for the course on National Cappuccino Day.
And maybe sit back with that coffee and soak up some Martha Argerich, Grigory Sokolov or Billy Joel (an intriguing option awaits below) – all excellent choices on World Pianist Day, tickling the ivories every Nov. 8.
Mountain high: Tickled pink were the residents of the great State of Montana, which was admitted as the 41st state of the Union on this date in 1889.
X man: Also fairly excited was German physicist Wilhelm Röentgen, who accidentally discovered X-rays on Nov. 8, 1895.
Electrocution evolution: More intentionally directing energy beams was Washington State-based inventor William Frost, who patented the Electric Insect Destroyer – unofficially, the first bug zapper – on this date in 1910.
Air superiority: Lockheed’s cutting-edge F-80C scored the first jet-vs.-jet aerial victory in the early days of the Korean War.
Jet age (of destruction): Efficiently zapped was the Soviet-made Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 shot down over Sinuiju, North Korea, by a U.S. F-80C Shooting Star 73 years ago today, in what’s recorded as history’s first all-jet dogfight.
Cue the Hammond organ: And it was Nov. 8. 1964, when “Days of Our Lives” – still chronicling topsy-turvy life in the fictional town of Salem, Ill. – premiered on the NBC Television Network.
Somehow, little Julie Olson’s ill-fated decision to steal a fur coat from a department store (a desperate bid for her parents’ attention) has led us to Li Shin’s stabbing, the ongoing drama with Nicole’s baby and the whole Everett-Chad thing. Tune in tomorrow!
Hot streak: English scientist Edmund Halley (1656-1742) – an astronomer, mathematician, geophysicist and meteorologist who served as Britain’s second-ever Astronomer Royal and is known best for computing comet orbits – would be 367 years old today.
Ángel on his shoulder: Cordero made headlines with his second Kentucky Derby win.
Also born on Nov. 8 were Irish theater critic and author Abraham “Bram” Stoker (1847-1912), who sunk his teeth into gothic-horror history; Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922), who put his inkblot on psychological history; American novelist and journalist Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949), whose only novel unflinchingly chronicled U.S. history; South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard (1922-2001), who made heart-transplant history; and bombastic Scottish chef, restaurateur, writer and television personality Gordon Ramsay (born 1966), who’s bullied his way into kitchen history.
Jockeying for position: And take a bow, Ángel Tomás Cordero Jr.! The Puerto Rican thoroughbred horseracing jockey – a regular visitor to the winner’s circle and the first Puerto Rican inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame – turns 81 today.
Give the winner of six Triple Crown races (including three Kentucky Derbies) your best at editor@innovateli.com, where our morning line relies on your news tips and your calendar events always carry us down the stretch.
About our sponsor: Presberg Law P.C. is Long Island’s premier IDA and business law firm for businesses locating, relocating and expanding on Long Island. Founded in 1984, this multigenerational practice focuses on the purchase, sale, leasing and financing of commercial and industrial real estate, SBA and other loan transactions, construction projects and business sales and acquisitions.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Meet the Mets (and place your bets): Las Vegas Sands’ proposed hotel-casino in Uniondale might not be the only game in town.
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Florida-based hotelier Hard Rock International have proposed an $8 billion redevelopment plan for 50 acres of cement eyesores straddling Citi Field in Flushing – including new restaurants, a modern live-music venue, a 20-acre public park and, prominently, a new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Cohen’s desire to construct a Queens casino is well-known, but details were hazy until Tuesday, when the hedge-fund manager and friends unveiled ambitious Metropolitan Park, promising a world-class destination, 10,000 permanent jobs and a three-decade economic impact eclipsing $130 billion.
Despite the full-throated support of Queens Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Tom Grech, Metropolitan Park is no slam dunk. Casino licenses must be earned, Albany must redesignate dozens of acres as state parkland and local residents, less-than-thrilled by the prospect of a world-class casino next door, are already gathering forces – all of which will be addressed by a comprehensive plan that “delivers on the promise of a shared space that people … can be truly proud of,” Cohen said in a statement. Stay tuned.
Loved these days: Fifty years of photos and rare memorabilia will jazz up LIMEHOF’s salute to the life and times of William Martin Joel.
Billy the kid exhibit: The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is going straight to the top with its latest exhibit.
“Billy Joel, My Life: A Piano Man’s Journey,” chronicling the saga of Long Island’s favorite son (a 2006 LIMEHOF inductee), is set to open Nov. 24 inside the Stony Brook museum. Covering a half-century of recordings and performances, the limited-time exhibition – curated by renowned designer and LIMEHOF Creative Director Kevin O’Callaghan – will feature vintage memorabilia, behind-the-scenes videos, rare audio recordings, a trophy case’s worth of awards and dozens of historic photos, many donated to the museum by the Grammy-winner himself and never before seen in public.
Creating the exhibit – which is co-sponsored by Catholic Health, The Billy Joel Foundation, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, The Haugland Group, M&T Bank, The EGC Group and Lessing’s Hospitality – was a singular challenge and unique distinction, according to O’Callaghan. “It has been a thrill and an honor to work with Billy in creating this extraordinary testament to his life and music,” the designer noted. “It is one of the highlights of my long career and I’m sure visitors will be thrilled with the result.”
TOP OF THE SITE
On a roll: From our Innovate Ohio Desk, a transplanted Long Islander confronts aliens, true crime and mindboggling breakfast challenges en route to the next great story.
Region legion: Yep, they make some great podcasts in Ohio – and we make some pretty good ones right here on Long Island, including Spark: The Innovate Long Island Podcast, featuring intimate one-on-ones with regional leaders. Island socioeconomics, explained.
VOICES
One in five Americans will be over the age of 65 by 2030, and the ranks of trained eldercare specialists are dwindling fast – a big problem for America’s rapidly aging population. Fortunately, Voices Healthcare Anchor and former Northwell Health VP Terry Lynam has some solid solutions.
STUFF WE’RE READING
(Black and) blue: The Democratic congressman forcing President Biden into a primary takes a beating. The Guardian covers up.
Red alert: Nationwide right-on-red laws are on the ropes as pedestrian deaths soar. USA Today drives carefully.
Green, with envy: Treelined “green cities” are only part of humanity’s ecological solution. Vox digs deeper.
RECENT FUNDINGS
+ Airloom Energy, a Wyoming-based wind-energy innovator, raised $4 million in seed in funding led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital and MCJ Collective.
+ Princeton NuEnergy, a New Jersey-based clean- tech innovator specializing in lithium-ion battery materials, raised $16 million in Series A funding led by Wistron Corporation, Honda Motor Co. and Traxys North America.
+ Ambercycle, a California-based molecular-regeneration platform for the fashion industry, raised $5 million in funding led by Drive Catalyst.
+ Wraithwatch, a Montana-based cyber-defense platform, raised $8 million in seed funding led by Founders Fund, XYZ Capital and Human Capital.
+ Aclarity, a Massachusetts-based PFAS destruction leader, closed its $15.9 million Series A funding round led by Aqualateral, Nor’easter Ventures and Burnt Island Ventures.
+ Zephr, a Colorado-based GPS technology developer, raised $3.5 million in seed funding led by Space Capital and First Spark Ventures.
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 Presberg Law). Marlene McDonnell can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (Don’t Even Get Us Started On Generation Alpha Edition)
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful: Reality bites for teary “Gen Z Girl,” and she’s not alone.
Use it or lose it: Why Boomers are spending more, while other generations cut back.
And my boss is mean, too: According to Gen Z, 9-to-5 is just too hard.
Dry humor: Wry Gen X doesn’t care if you don’t get the joke.
Multigenerational: Please continue supporting the amazing firms that support Innovate Long Island, including Presberg Law, a family business that gives every case the respect it deserves – and treats every client like kin. Check them out.
