On Friday, BP Oddo joined with Broadway Stages to announce the filming of a new Netflix series and major motion picture at the former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility. Ocean's 8, a sequel and all-female spinoff of the Ocean's trilogy, and the Netflix series Seven Seconds filmed at the former prison over the weekend. The Ocean's 8 cast features several A-list celebrities, including Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter and more.

Broadway Stages, the largest full-service TV and film production company on the East Coast, is currently working with the State to purchase the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility. The facility has already been used by hit shows, including Blindspot, Quantico, Blacklist, Blacklist Redemption, The Americans and more.

On Wednesday, BP Oddo presented awards to this year's "Readers Are Leaders" Exceptional Readers at the Bernikow JCC. "Readers are Leaders" challenged 4th grade classes in Staten Island's public, parochial and private schools to read a minimum of six books at grade level or above during the five-week period of February 12th - March 18th. Students then submitted a report on their favorite book that they read during the period. Each school picked one Exceptional Reader, who received an award from the Borough President. Since the program began in 1996, 4th graders have read more than 630,000 books for the annual challenge.

BP Oddo was joined by author and magician Mike Lane, who performed a magic show and give out awards to students who read books from his Magic Shop series. "Readers Are Leaders" is sponsored by Barnes and Noble, CTV, Macmillan Publishers and the Staten Island Yankees.

On Monday, BP Oddo joined with Anthony Ferreri, former President and CEO of Staten Island University Hospital, in addition to other executive-level positions with Northwell Health Systems, to announce that Mr. Ferreri has accepted a position at Borough Hall as Special Advisor for Strategic Initiatives. As part of his new position, Mr. Ferreri will oversee major health and wellness initiatives for our office, including the Seaview Health and Wellness Campus and the opioid crisis. He will also draw on his administrative background to advise the BP on economic development issues. Mr. Ferreri will receive $1 a year, essentially donating his time to help Staten Island.

BP Oddo, Council Member Steven Matteo and NYC Parks Department have announced a schedule of litter cleanups along major thoroughfares for the month of May. The cleanups, which will involve the deployment of heavy equipment and require full road closures, are as follows: