BP, local artists to present "Musical March," music for the dark evenings of winter

Beginning February 25, Borough President James Oddo will present a virtual concert series on Thursday nights, through March 25. These concerts, performed by Staten Island artists, will give residents a musical respite during the winter, and offer an entertainment option for people who continue to look for things to do while staying home. 

"The long, dark days of winter are always a drag, but this year, more so with the challenges of COVID-19," noted Borough President Oddo. "As a music lover, I thought it would be uplifting for local musicians to have an opportunity to entertain and lighten our spirits - even if it does need to happen virtually."

Each Thursday - beginning Feb. 25 - tune into the Staten Island USA Facebook page for a virtual concert. Music will be performed mostly by solo acts from their homes or other safe spaces. Folk, rock, country and other genres will be covered during the series. All shows, which will be approximately 45 minutes, will begin at 7:00 PM. 

Here’s the schedule: 
2/25 Hughie Lynch
3/04 Mighty String Demons
3/11 Vinnie Medugno 
3/18 Karlus Trapp  
3/25 Joan Caddell & the Midnight Choir

Borough President James Oddo will host his annual Menorah Lighting ceremony via a virtual celebration on Wednesday, December 16 at 7pm. The ceremony can be viewed on Borough Hall’s webpage, here: www.statenislandusa.com/hanukkah2020.  
 
"While the holidays are different this year, we are grateful to still offer a way for all of us to come together and celebrate the spirit of the season in a safe way. We invite all Staten Islanders to join us this year for our virtual Menorah Lighting,” stated Borough President Oddo. 
 
Following a message from the Borough President, the ceremony will feature photos from past Borough Hall Menorah lightings and musical performances from songs from the Young Israel Day school students. The event, which celebrates the Festival of Lights, is sponsored by the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island.

​Borough President James Oddo will host his annual Christmas Tree Lighting via a virtual ceremony on Thursday, December 10th at 7pm. The ceremony can be viewed on Borough Hall’s webpage, here: www.statenislandusa.com/Christmas2020.  
 
"Obviously, the holidays are one more thing that will look very different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is unfortunate, I'm happy to be able to present a virtual Christmas Tree Lighting and spread a little joy from the steps of Borough Hall,” noted Borough President Oddo.
 
Following a welcome message from Borough President Oddo, the ceremony will feature Borough Hall’s Christmas Tree as it was put up and lit as well as a glimpse of holiday lights from around the island – including those at local BIDs and Merchants Associations. Be sure to stick around for musical numbers from the St. George Theatre’s Christmas Show and a special message from Santa himself.
 
We invite all to our virtual Menorah Lighting next week – details to come shortly.

Chapter 2 New York to accept award for community service in virtual ceremony on 
November 30th
 
Borough President James S. Oddo will award Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 New York with the 2019 Maniscalco Award via a virtual ceremony on Monday, November 30th. Those wishing to join in the virtual ceremony can do so on Borough Hall’s website here: www.statenislandusa.com/Maniscalco2020.  
 
The Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award was established in 1986 in honor of the ninth borough president. Maniscalco's tenure from 1955 to 1965 saw the creation of the Greenbelt and the construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The award celebrates the civic-mindedness and tireless energy of individuals or organizations that work to help community members in need and to make Staten Island a better place. 
 
“Lots of folks talk a good game. Sadly, too few of them actually follow up the rhetoric with action. Rolling Thunder walks the walk. Rolling Thunder advocates on behalf of Veterans every day. They are good people. We don’t want to compliment you, we want to honor you and we want Staten Island to know what you do,” said Borough President Oddo. 
 
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a class 501(c)(4) non-profit organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. While many members of Rolling Thunder are veterans and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite. Rolling Thunder members are old and young, men and women, veterans and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for Prisoners Of War (POW) and Missing In Action (MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by their watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”
 
Rolling Thunder, Inc.'s major function is to publicize the POW-MIA issue by educating the public of the fact that many American Prisoners Of War were left behind after all past wars. They are dedicated to helping correct the past and to protect the future Veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners Of War/Missing In Action. The group is committed to helping American Veterans from all wars.  
 
On Monday, November 4, 2019, Borough President Oddo joined with Rolling Thunder and Congressman Max Rose to unveil a POW/MIA Chair of Honor at Staten Island Borough Hall. The chair, provided by Rolling Thunder, will remain perpetually empty to symbolize there will always be a place at its location awaiting the POW/MIA soldiers’ return.
 
“We are tremendously grateful to the Borough President to be recognized with this award. We want to thank our community because we couldn’t be successful without the community and Veterans,” said Vinny Perno, President, Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 New York.
 
Here are the past winners of the Maniscalco Award:
 
Richard E. Diamond, John L.F. Sipp, Norma D’Arrigo, Allan Weissglass, Martin Stallone, Roger E. Acker, Reverend Robert I. Gannon, Michael F. Manzulli, Michael J. Petrides, Marie G. Martino, Francis H. Powers, Susie-Hyun Sook Beidel, Brian Laline, Reverend Hattie Smith-Davis, Joseph V. Madory, Lou Caravone, Joe Valentin, Nancy Passeri, retired Borough Commander Anthony Marra, Reverend Terry Troia, Senator John J. Marchi, Wendy Pellegrino, Fred Ariemma, Joanne E. Gerenser, Ph.D., Dr. Chitoor S. Govindaraj, Kathryn Krause Rooney, the Siller Family, George and Maria Esposito, the Mannix Family, the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation, William A. Morris Jr., Lois and Richard Nicotra, Dee Vandenburg and Monsignor Peter G. Finn.

​Borough President Oddo announced today the resurgence of “Own the 18,” an anti-litter program. “Own the 18” encourages home and business owners to remove litter from their property, as well as 18 inches into the street, as required by NYC Administrative Code: Section 16-118(2)(a).
 
During the weekend of July 18 (July 17-18), Borough President Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties.
 
“We have tried everything under the sun that a local government office can, yet Staten Island seems to as filthy with litter as it ever has been. We fully understand there is a pandemic, an economic and budgetary crisis that has resulted from it, as well as a whole host of street and mental and physical implications from them. None of this justifies the litter we see or prevents us from each doing our small role in addressing the litter we see. So while I would hope Staten Islanders would do their part every day, we are designating one weekend when each of us pledge to remove litter near our homes and begin to reclaim part of our quality of life. Meanwhile, our team is back 'in the lab' crafting new initiates, including a couple designed for children in hopes they grow up to be less inclined to act selfishly and demonstrate a greater appreciation for their neighbors and our Island,” noted Borough President Oddo. “Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders. While the majority of Staten Islanders are not engaging in it, we need the majority to help us with the solution.”
 
Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #ownthe18 to be reposted by the office’s social media accounts.

RSVP on our Facebook Event Page to tell your Staten Island friends and neighbors you will #OwnThe18 the weekend of July 18th! 

​Due to anticipated inclement weather, Saturday’s Drive-In Movie at Pouch Camp has been rescheduled to take place on Sunday, June 27th.  Gates will open at 7:30 p.m. for "Star Wars IV: A New Hope." The movie starts at 9 p.m.
 
Anyone who purchased tickets will get an email with the change.
 
The cost of admission is $40 per car, which includes a choice of four snack and four drinks. To purchase tickets, please visit www.camppouch.org/driveinmovie. Tickets are limited, and movie goers must prepay online for entry.

​Borough President Oddo is pleased to announce his office has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to sponsor the first drive-in movie in a summer-long series to be held at William H Pouch Boy Scout Camp (1285 Manor Rd), adjacent to the entrance to the Staten Island JCC. The first drive-in movie will take place on June 27th, featuring Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
 
“I am happy to partner with the Boy Scouts to provide Staten Islanders of all ages this opportunity to get out for a night of fun and entertainment, but while remaining safe in your cars,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
The summer long series schedule is as follows:
June 27 – Star Wars IV: A New Hope
July 4 – Jaws
July 11 – Raiders of the Lost Arc
July 18 – The Fly
July 25 – Jurassic Park
August 1 – Young Frankenstein
August 8 – E.T.
August 15 – Coco
August 22 – The Princess Bride
August 29 – Up
 
"We’re excited to share our amazing facilities with our Staten Island community and provide a venue for families,” notes Matt Gaor, Pouch Scout Camp Chair.
 
The cost of admission is $40 per car, which includes a choice of four snack and four drinks. To purchase tickets, please visit www.camppouch.org/driveinmovie. Tickets are limited, and movie goers must prepay online for entry.
 
Movie goers will be instructed no smoking will be permitted at the site, including inside cars. Additionally, attendees will be instructed to stay within their own car, no idling of cars will be allowed, and to take all garbage with them when they leave. 

On Tuesday, February 4th, Borough President James S. Oddo presented the 2019 Patrick F. Daly award to two exemplary teachers in his honor: John DiMartino, coach and administrator at Port Richmond High School, and Renee Mazza, Assistant Principal at PS 23 The Richmondtown School.

The Patrick F. Daly Award was established shortly after Mr. Daly’s death to honor his legacy of service to the community, a steadfast commitment to his students, and his leadership. This award goes to two educators who exemplify the values of the fallen principal, who was gunned down 27 years ago in Red Hook, Brooklyn while searching for a student who had left the school building. The award was revived in 2017 by BP Oddo in honor of the 25th anniversary of Mr. Patrick Daly’s death.

“Every problem that exists in society, every challenge that we have, is made better and can be fixed through education when good people step forward and say ‘this is where I’m supposed to be and I’m going to do everything in my power to help these young people,'” noted Borough President Oddo at the ceremony. “Our real top priority at Borough Hall, and what we are known, for is education, because we know educators like these two, and like Patrick Daly, can change lives.”

The evening included an invocation from Father Squire, Pastor at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Churhc, as well as a reflection from David Pascarella, Patrick Daly’s nephew, and Pat Daly, Patrick Daly’s son, who spoke on this award and the importance of appreciating people while they are still with us. Before the presentation of the awards, Port Richmond High School Principal Andrew Greenfield spoke on John DiMartino’s dedications to his students and PS 23 Principal Paul Proscia spoke on Renee Mazza’s friendly approach to caring for the PS 23 community.

Former honorees, Wilson Mohr, John Fodera, and Ingrid Ebanks, were in attendance to celebrate the honorees John DiMartino and Renee Mazza.

The award ceremony was followed by a reception with light fare in the main hall of the building provided by the Port Richmond High School Culinary Arts program as well as music performed by Port Richmond High School musicians.

Congratulations to two very deserving educators and thank you for the work you do!

John DiMartino
After graduating Long Island University on a full baseball scholarship with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, John DiMartino played two years of Minor League Baseball for the Ohio Valley Redcoats before beginning his teaching career in 1996 in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, at Dewey Middle School, MS 136. John spent a year at MS 136 before accepting a teaching and coaching position at New Dorp High School. Mr. DiMartino served as the Junior Varsity Baseball Coach and Girls’ Junior Varsity Basketball Coach for two and a half years until the spring of 1999 when he began working at Port Richmond High School, his home for the last 20 years. During his tenure at PRHS, John has coached various sports, including the Boys’ Varsity Bowling Team, taught as a Health and Physical Education Teacher, in addition to being a vital member of the Deans’ Office, overseeing Morning Entry where he looks forward to greeting each Raider every day. Throughout his 24-year career, John has dedicated his time to helping at-risk teens and their families to improve their lives. He has made it his life’s mission to provide resources, opportunities and support to a diverse body of adolescents and young adults. John has received numerous awards from principals, administrators, staff, students and parents at Port Richmond for his outstanding dedication and willingness to go above and beyond in any situation. John and his wife, Christine, have three children: John Jr., Lauren and Nicky. John loves nothing more than cheering for John Jr. while he pitches at Pace University, Lauren while on the basketball court for St. Joseph Hill, and Nicky while he’s on the baseball field for Farrell High School.

Renee Mazza
Renee Mazza, referred to as a “selfless and trusted friend to the entire PS 23 School Community,” has served as Assistant Principal to The Richmondtown School for the last 16 years. A graduate of the College of Staten Island with an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and Supervisory Certification, Renee began her teaching career in Brooklyn at PS 192, where she taught as an elementary school teacher for eight years, then as a Literary Coach for two years before her move to PS 23. Each morning at PS 23, Ms. Mazza can be seen opening breakfast items for students, talking to them, and getting to know each and every student. Parents often come to her for advice on how they can help their child learn better. As a result of Renee Mazza’s servant style of leadership, PS 23 has earned many prestigious honors, which include becoming and being recertified as a nationally recognized Leader In Me Lighthouse School with Academic Distinction, being honored as a NYS Reward School, and being recognized as a NYC DOE Respect For All School. In 2019, Renee pioneered PS 23’s Philanthropic Classroom project, where each Pre K-5 class partnered with charitable organizations to help those in need. This project has helped students learn empathy, compassion, kindness, and has enabled students to build relationships with neighboring organizations. She is the proud mother of two children, Gianluca and Maggee Mazza.