Flight simulator: Welcome to Friday, intrepid travelers, as the first full workweek of July flies by the boards and we make our final approach to another well-earned weekend.
Before we touch down and roll to the gate, let’s lower our gear and throttle back with this relaxing (yet high-flying) week-in-innovation review. Please make sure your tray tables are locked in their upright positions.
Oh, thank heaven: It’s a matter of convenience on National 7-Eleven Day.
People of Earth: Today is July 11 and we begin with a big hug for World Population Day, the UN’s annual homage to the entirety of humanity – embracing its size (8.2 billion people and counting), its evolving needs and its inviolable connection as one single species, with a special focus this year on declining global fertility rates.
People of America: Here in the States, we click the nobility scale down a few notches with National 7-Eleven Day, a convenience-store carnival always celebrated on (you guessed it) 7/11.
If candy bars, nuked nuggets and Slurpees (yes, you can get a freebie today) aren’t your thing, class up your daily menu with World Kebab Day (a second-Friday-of-July feast of seasoned meat-and-veggie skewers) and/or National Blueberry Muffin Day (always baked fresh on July 11).
Senior, obviously: We don’t imagine there will be many bridges named after chucklehead health czar Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but the one named for his father – known originally as the Triborough Bridge – opened to vehicular traffic crossing between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx on this date in 1936.
“Mocking” tone: Kennedy Sr.’s vision for a more just and equitable society was mirrored in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee’s unflinching takedown of American racial injustice, which was first published on July 11, 1960.
That’s no moon: The first U.S. space station held its ground for more than six years.
Blaze of glory: “Mockingbird” helped light the fires of the 1960s civil rights crusade – also flaring up was U.S. space station Skylab, which burned to a crisp upon atmospheric reentry 46 years ago today, spectacularly ending its six-year orbit.
Zip it: Enjoying a longer run are temporary surgical zippers, which have gained popularity through the years but were rife with controversy when American surgeon Harry Stone announced on this date in 1985 that he’d used them to open and close surgical incisions on dozens of patients.
Operational: And speaking of surgical breakthroughs, it was July 11, 2000, when California-based Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci robot surgical system was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The da Vinci system – initially greenlighted by the FDA for use in gallbladder, gastroesophageal reflux and gynecologic procedures – was the first robotic surgical system sanctioned in the United States.
White pages: American author, essayist and literary stylist Elwyn Brooks “E.B.” White (1899-1985) – the masterful creator of children’s literature who gave us “Stuart Little” and “Charlotte’s Web,” the unrivaled linguist who refined William Strunk Jr.’s “The Elements of Style” and a really funny guy remembered for his humorous New Yorker essays – would be 126 years old today.
Didn’t see that coming: Spinks (right) stunned Ali (and the world) in 1978.
Also born on July 11 were legendary King of Scots Robert I (1274-1329), the national hero remembered best as Robert the Bruce; sixth U.S. President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), who lived a life of service; American engineer and physicist Theodore Maiman (1927-2007), credited with building the first functional laser; Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani (born 1934), who expanded his billion-dollar clothing empire into restaurants and hotels; and American pugilist Leon Spinks (1953-2021), who boxed his way to Olympic gold in 1976 and later upset Muhammed Ali for the WBA and WBC world heavyweight titles.
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da…: And take a bow, Suzanne Nadine Vega! The Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter – a folk-music standout who introduced us to “Luca” and took us to “Tom’s Diner,” among other genre favorites – turns 66 today.
Send well wishes to the multitalented musician – who recently released her 10th studio album and has also published a volume of poems, lyrics, essays and journalistic pieces – at editor@innovateli.com, where we’re sitting in the morning at the diner on the corner and we’re waiting at the counter for the man to pour the coffee (and for you to share your news tips and calendar events).
About our sponsor: St. Joseph’s University-New York has provided a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the university provides a strong academic and values-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual rigor, social responsibility, spiritual depth and service. Through its Long Island, Brooklyn and online campuses, the university offers degrees in 100 majors, special course offerings and certificates and affiliated and pre-professional programs. Learn more here.
BUT FIRST, THIS
Great minds think alike: St. Joseph’s University and the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences share similar student-development ideals, according to St. Joseph’s President Donald Boomgaaarden.
Pharm hand: A new agreement between St. Joseph’s University-New York and the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will speed science-minded students toward Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.
The deal, announced earlier this year, guarantees admission to ACPHS’s Doctor of Pharmacy program for all students who successfully complete the biology program at Patchogue-based St. Joe’s. Beginning with the Fall 2025 semester, students who enroll in the high-speed program – and meet all necessarily academic criteria – will earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and a PharmD in only seven years.
A PharmD qualifies students for a variety of pharmaceutical careers – as community, clinical and hospital-based pharmacists, as pharmaceutical industry researchers, as veterinary pharmacists and more. “St. Joseph’s is an institution committed to helping students meet their goals and achieve degrees, much like the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,” noted St. Joseph’s University-New York President Donald Boomgaarden. “We are proud to begin this partnership and continue to provide expanded opportunities for students and future leaders.”
Just like they drew it up: A Long Island-based architectural cornerstone with four decades of professional experience has joined forces with an ambitious Florida firm.
Tampa-based BDG Architects has acquired JRS Architect, an expert in workplace, banking, retail, education, healthcare and hospitality design with offices in Mineola and Princeton, NJ. The merger was announced July 1 and terms were not disclosed – but JRS is expected to continue operating in the Northeast as a BDG subsidiary, giving the parent firm a new regional foothold and strengthening BDG’s expertise, market depth and professional resources, now exceeding 150 design professionals.
JRS Architect President John Sorrenti trumpeted “enhanced technology platforms” and “expanded opportunities” for clients of both firms, while BDG Architects President Chris Kirschner touted a “natural evolution” for the new allies. “Our partnership with JRS will allow us to offer new services and expertise with advanced solutions,” Kirschner added. “The collaboration … builds on BDG’s efforts to expand and develop talent.”
TOP OF THE SITE
That’s entertainment: Featuring two-dozen movies and nearly as many special guests, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s first-ever Music Documentary Film Festival will tap toes – and open eyes – for three days in August.
To wit: Innovate Long Island’s subscriber-only Monday Calendar Newsletters are not archived on our website – meaning nonsubscribers miss out on one-third of our weekly wit and wisdom. Fortunately, subscriptions are always easy, always free.
ICYMI
St. Joseph’s University scientists have studied the feeding habits of dozens of marine-invertebrate species, with an eye on creating an ingenious system for monitoring microplastics contamination in oceans and coastal waters.
Something to say? Welcome to The Entrepreneur’s Edge, Innovate Long Island’s new promoted-content news feature platform – a direct link from you to our innovation-focused audience. Progressive product to promote? Singular service to sell? Sociopolitical position to push? Shine a bright light on the big picture, the little details and everything in between with The Entrepreneur’s Edge. Living on the edge.
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 California: Los Angeles-based wellness wunderkind Mindless Labs battles burnout by combining a mental health app with gender-inclusive streetwear.
From Washington: District of Columbia-based nonprofits Building Hope and Stand Together Trust unite to support early-stage microschools with an innovative loan program.
From Delaware: Lewes-based software studio MicroSports combines politics, tactical gameplay and arcade excitement in a mobile competition that puts you in the Oval Office.
ON THE MOVE
Thomas McNally
+ Thomas McNally has been re-elected chairman of the Huntington Town Republican Committee. The partner at Harris Beach in Uniondale has chaired the HTRC since 2020.
+ Farmingdale-based Public Relations Professionals of Long Island has announced a new slate of elected officers and Board of Directors members:
- Janine Logan, vice president of communications and population health at the Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York State, is president.
- Mark Grossman, principal/Owner of Mark Grossman Public Relations, is executive vice president.
- Diana Bassett, president of Diana Bassett Public Relations, is first vice president.
- Theresa Jacobellis, director of communications solutions at IPRO, is treasurer.
- Sarah Logan, communications coordinator at IPRO, is secretary.
- Deanna Ambrosio, marketing director at Lorraine Gregory Communications, is a director.
- Gail Deutchman, president of Distinctive Promotions, is a director.
- Marilyn Velez, marketing coordinator at CBIZ, is a director.
- Alexandra Zendrian, founder of AtoZ Communications, is a director.
+ Michael Berger has been appointed first vice president of the Nassau Lawyers’ Association of Long Island. He is an associate in the Employment & Labor and Veterinary practice groups at Uniondale-based Forchelli Deegan Terrana.
+ Three partners at Uniondale-based Forchelli Deegan Terrana have been appointed to Nassau County Bar Association committees:
- Lisa Casa, a partner in the firm’s Employment & Labor Practice Group, was appointed chairwoman of the Labor and Employment Law Committee.
- Cheryl Katz, a partner in the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group, was appointed co-chairwoman of the Surrogate’s Court Estates and Trusts Committee.
- Robert Renda, a partner in the firm’s Tax Certiorari Practice Group, is serving the second year of his two-year term as chairman of the Condemnation Law and Tax Certiorari Committee.
+ Mary McPhail has been hired as chief marketing officer at Smithtown-based Arrow Security. She was regional marketing manager and sales support for New American Funding.
+ Michael Amato has been hired as a partner in the Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring and Litigation practice groups at Uniondale-based Forchelli Deegan Terrana. He was a partner in the Litigation and Blockchain Technology and Digital Asset practice groups at Uniondale-based Ruskin Moscou Faltischek.
+ Gail Saul has been appointed president of the Garden City-based Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She is a partner at The Saul Law Firm in Garden City.
+ Abigail Allen has been hired as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at HSS Long Island in Uniondale. She was chief of pediatric orthopedic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.
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 St. Joe’s). Gregory Zeller can tell you more.
BELOW THE FOLD (Extreme Sports Edition)
No bull: Pamplona’s infamous Running of the Bulls is not for the faint-hearted (or slow-footed).
Holding court: Tracking tennis, from 12th Century pastime to major-league moneymaker.
Dodging death: Behold, Pamplona’s gory, storied Running of the Bulls.
Going down up: How cliff diving inspired an epic sporting evolution.
Good sports: Please continue supporting the innovative institutions that support Innovate Long Island, including St. Joseph’s University, where the high quality of education is matched only by outstanding quality of character. Check them out.
