COMMUNITY BRIEFS April 23, 2009

This is to invite all Purple Heart recipients and their dependents for an information/ briefing by Jack Shimuzu, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Pacific Areas. The briefing will be held today, April 23, 2009, starting 8am, at the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, building 1364 Capital Hill. He will be available all day until 3pm. For any questions or for further information, call Ruth Coleman at the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at 664-2650. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]OPA to visit Rota today, Tinian tomorrow[/B]

Staff of the Office of the Public Auditor will be on Rota today, April 23, 2009, and on Tinian tomorrow, April 24, 2009, to notarize and accept last-minute filings of financial disclosure statements from government officials. Filers on Rota may visit the Rota Mayor’s Office today from 11am to 3:30pm. Filers on Tinian may visit the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission conference room tomorrow from 9am to 4:30pm. All filers are reminded to bring with them some form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license or a passport. Failure to do so may result in the denial of notary services. For any inquiries or comments, contact OPA at 322-6481 or 6482. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Santa Soledad Annual Fiesta[/B]

The public is invited to join the Annual Fiesta celebration of Santa Soledad on April 26, 2009, 9am, at the Kagman Church. There will be foods, entertainment and other activities.[B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Prior Service Benefit Program notice[/B]

The Prior Service Trust Fund board has declared that effective May 1, 2009, adopted children will be prohibited in the determination of survivor benefits. Only the surviving spouse and natural children will be considered as dependents under the program. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]NMC Charter Day competitions briefing, preliminary dates set[/B]

In anticipation of NMC’s Charter Day on May 8, the Charter Day Entertainment Committee will be conducting briefings and auditions/rehearsals for various competitions and events, which include Marianas Idol, Battle of the Bands and CNMI’s Best Dance Crew. Individuals interested in competing in the upcoming Charter Day competitions are strongly encouraged to attend the pre-competition briefings on the following dates:

-April 23, 2009 for Marianas Idol (5pm at the Student Center in Bldg. J)

-April 24, 2009 for Battle of the Bands (5pm at the Student Center in Bldg. J)

-April 25, 2009 for CNMI’s Best Dance Crew (10am at the Student Center in Bldg. J)

The scoring rubric and other regulations will be discussed. The NMC Charter Day Entertainment Committee will also be holding auditions/rehearsals on the following days:

-May 4, 2009 for Marianas Idol (5pm – 8pm in Room D-1)

-May 5, 2009 for CNMI’s Best Dance Crew (5pm – 8pm in Room D-1)

-May 6, 2009 for Battle of the Bands (5pm – 8pm in Room D-1)

For more information, contact Ivan Mereb at 234-5498 ext 1251, e-mail ivanm@nmcnet.edu, or log on to www.nmcnet.edu. Applications are available the NMC Student Center in Building J of the College’s As Terlaje campus.[B][I] (NMC)[/I][/B] [B]Military ID card personnel to visit Saipan[/B]

This is to let all military identification cardholders and all concerned that the 9th Mission Support Command ID Card personnel will be on Saipan to issue new or renewal of military ID cards. They will be at the Army Reserve Center on Saipan from May 18 to 22, 2009. Their hours are from 8am-6pm. For any questions or for further information, call Ruth Coleman at the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at 664-2650 or Maj. Greg Sablan at the Army Reserve Center at 322-6671. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Football group to hold referee course[/B]

The Northern Marianas Island Football Association will conduct a EAFF Referee 3 Certification Course on May 1-3 and May 8-9, 2009, for all interested individuals ages 16 and older (trained, experienced referees ages 14-15 also welcome). To register, call NMIFA at 235-0173.[B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]An invitation to candidates[/B]

The Kagman Komunidat Association would like to invite political candidates for Governor, Senator, and Precinct 5 Representative to meet with Precinct 5 voters. Village meetings will take place at the Kagman Community Center and voters will get the chance to meet with candidates and ask questions. Interested candidates can email kagmankomunidatassociation@gmail.com. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]John Gonzales Live schedule in April [/B]

April 22, 2009 LIVE @ 7-8 pm – Replays 4/26 and 4/27 @ 7-8 pm

-Parents and service providers discuss living with autism in the CNMI

April 29, 2009 LIVE – Replays 5/3 and 5/4 @ 7-8 pm

-Current Issues with the Family Court

-Guest: Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo, CNMI Superior Court

Shows air on KSPN Channel 2; LIVE Text: 285-META; LIVE Call: 287-4230; E-mail: johngonzales@pticom.com. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Marianas High School schedule[/B]

April 27-May 1 SAT10 test (grade 9 and 11)

May 4-15 Advanced Placement Exams

May 18-22 PSS SBA Tests

May 25 No classes (Memorial Day)

June 11 Graduation Ceremony

June 15 End of 4th Quarter

For questions and concerns, contact 237-3206. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]PAWS sets public meeting[/B]

PAWS is having a no-host meeting at Coffee Care on April 30. The meeting is open to the public. All those interested in volunteering for PAWS and saving the non-profit organization are encouraged to attend the meeting. RSVP to Bobbi Grizzard no later than April 29 at bgrizzard@saipan.com or call 483-9464. Alternatively, you may contact 285-PAWS. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Student applicants sought for Korean trip[/B]

Applications are being accepted from students between the age of 9 to 12 who are interested to participate in the upcoming JCI Student Exchange Program to be held in Seoul, Korea, from May 11 to 16, 2009. Anyone interested may come to the Saipan Mayor’s Office and pick up an application form, Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 11:30am and from 12:30pm to 4pm. For more information, call Jemalyn Tenorio at 234-6208 or 6280. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Financial aid for power bill payments[/B]

Funds under the Mayor’s Utility Assistance Program are now available to help qualified residents pay for one month of their power bill. This is a federally funded program available to residents of the Saipan who are unable to pay for their power bills with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. All residents whose power bill is under their name are eligible to apply. Application forms can be picked up at the Saipan Mayor’s Office in Afetnas Square in San Antonio during regular working hours, Monday to Friday, between 7:30am to 11am and 12:30pm to 4pm. For more information, call Carmen C. Maratita or Katherine P. Terry at 234-6280 or 6208. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]