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.

​As part of his office’s effort to acknowledge and thank Veterans for their service and sacrifice, Borough President James S. Oddo is pleased to announce his office will be recognizing local Veterans with a ‘Thank A Veteran’ live-streamed video on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.
 
BP Oddo is inviting Veterans and family members of Veterans to participate in this initiative where their submissions will be recognized in a live-streamed video on Veterans Day 2020, as well as on Staten Island USA’s webpage. Those who wish to participate can send the following information to the Borough President’s office: a photo of the Veteran in uniform, their name, rank, branch of service and/or any other info relevant to awards and wars they may have served in.
 
This initiative builds on the successful ‘Thank A Veteran’ social media campaign, which called on Staten Islanders in previous years to make submissions that were posted on Borough Hall’s social media throughout the month of November to acknowledge and thank local Veterans. Any submissions provided to Borough Hall in previous years for this initiative will be included in this years’ project. Family members can check for their submissions at www.statenislandusa.com/thankaveteran.
 
“I want to encourage the community to participate to ensure the service and memories of those who served are not forgotten. I am extremely thankful to all those who have dedicated their lives in service to protecting this country,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
Entries may include both living and deceased Veterans.
 
Any information that the public wishes to share can be sent to Renee Sarno at RSarno@statenislandusa.com. Submissions will be accepted through October 23rd.

Project Renewal’s Scan Van Mobile Mammography Unit available for FREE screenings 
​
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Borough President James Oddo is encouraging women over 40 to get a mammography and assess their risk for breast cancer. Project Renewal’s FREE Scan Van Mobile Mammography Unit is available throughout the month at several locations for women who wish to be screened. Additionally, during the month of October, Borough President Oddo will use his social media pages to encourage Staten Island women to get their annual mammography and to remind their friends and loved ones that an annual mammography could save their life.
 
“Mammograms are important preventative measures for women, which is why we encourage Staten Island women to take charge of their health and make sure they get their annual mammogram. The earlier cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. Women should speak to their doctors to determine whether their risk factors require such screening,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
In 2016, BP Oddo unveiled a series of public service announcements (PSAs) that tell the story of four Staten Island women’s journey with breast cancer. Each of the four PSAs emphasizes the importance of routine mammography screenings as a necessary tool in the detection of breast cancer. These videos will be shared each week throughout the month of October on Borough Hall’s social media pages. The PSAs, along with other information about breast cancer and mammography screenings, can be found here: www.statenislandusa.com/breastcancer.
 
The Project Renewal Scan Van screenings will be available to eligible women ages 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year. All insurance plans will be accepted, and co-pays and deductibles will be waived. The mammograms will be free to uninsured women 40 and older. An appointment MUST be made to get screened. To make an appointment, call Project Renewal at (646) 415-7932. Project Renewal’s Scan Van will be located at the following:

• Saturday, October 10th at Staten Island Mall (2655 Richmond Ave., 10314) starting at 9am
• Wednesday, October 14th at Brightpoint Health Staten Island (57 Bay St., 10301) starting at 10am
• Tuesday, October 27th at Community Health Center of Richmond (235 Port Richmond Ave., 10302) starting at 9am
• Monday, November 23rd at Senator Lanza’s Office (3845 Richmond Ave., 10312) from 9am-12pm
• Monday, November 23rd at Community Health Center of Richmond (235 Port Richmond Ave., 10302) starting at 1:30pm
• Friday, December 18th at Community Health Center of Richmond (235 Port Richmond Ave., 10302) starting at 1:30pm

 
The screenings are funded by Cancer Services Program of Staten Island. 

Virtual ceremony to honor those lost 19 years ago as well as the First Responders who perished subsequently due to their work at Ground Zero
 
In order to ensure the safety of all, Borough President James Oddo will host a virtual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony to remember the Staten Islanders we lost 19 years ago and to pay tribute to those First Responders who have subsequently died from their service at Ground Zero on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 at 6:30 PM.
 
This live-streamed virtual ceremony will reflect the performances of previous years’ ceremonies, reading of the names of the Staten Islanders who were lost on 9/11, as well as a reading of the names of the First Responders who have perished since that day by family and friends, recorded last week. A new video tribute will honor those we lost.
 
This ceremony can be viewed at 6:30 PM on our website statenislandusa.com/Sept11, on our Facebook Page @StatenIslandUSA, or on our YouTube Channel youtube.com/SIUSABP. It can also be viewed on Staten Island CTV.
 
As always, the Postcards Memorial site and the Staten Island First Responders Memorial is open to the public and will be so on Friday, September 11th. While at the site, masks must be worn and social distancing must be practiced. We will have designated times for both quiet reflection and socially distanced gathering on that day for those who wish to visit:
 

• 9am to 12pm: Site open for quiet reflection
• 12pm to 6:30pm: Site open; roses available from Borough Hall staff to be laid on the monument; musical selections playing nearby from past memorial ceremonies, designed to bring comfort
• 6:30pm: The names of those lost will be read by family members and friends via broadcast on television screens at the memorial site; following the Tribute Readings, the Memorial Tribute Video will also play
• 7pm: Quiet reflection, monument lit in red, white and blue

 
We want to extend a special thank you to those who have read the names of those we lost, which will be a very special part of this year’s virtual ceremony. 
 
“As you know, it will be my great honor to host the Staten Island 9/11 Memorial Ceremony again this year, although we will do so virtually, as that is the only way to ensure the safety of all,” noted Borough President Oddo. “Although the event will be in a different format for this year, we will still join together to honor those we lost on that terrible day 19 years ago, and the First Responders who have passed since then as a result of their bravery on that day and in the days that followed. COVID-19 has presented us with an extraordinary challenge this year. We want to thank you for your understanding and cooperation and look forward to a time when we can be together again. Right now, I truly hope you find solace in the arrangements we have made.”
 
Please note that virtual ceremony will not be played at the site. The virtual ceremony, in its entirety, is available via the Internet and CTV.

​Borough President Oddo announced today a litter PSA video featuring local kids (Borough Hall staff families) expressing their disgust for litter.
 
The PSA video shows that “even the kids know” litter is bad for where we live, but “they know what to do”: pick it up and throw it in the trash can.
 
“Staten Island listen up. Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders, one that Staten Islanders are doing to kids who are calling on you to help them keep their home clean. We hope these Staten Islanders grow up to be less inclined to act selfishly and demonstrate a greater appreciation for their neighbors and our Island,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
This first video features the children and grandchildren of Borough Hall staffers sharing the message to keep Staten Island clean. This is meant to kick off the new campaign and the Borough President is asking Staten Island parents to share videos of their kids sharing their messages to properly dispose of garbage and keep our borough clean. If interested in your child taking part in our anti-litter campaign, please contact Renee Sarno at RSarno@statenislandusa.com for details.
 
Borough President Oddo last week announced the resurgence of “Own the 18,” an anti-litter program, which 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. Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #OwnThe18 to be re-posted by the office’s social media accounts.