Community Briefs – July 22, 2015

Notice to WIC participants
This is to advise all WIC participants who were scheduled for an appointment on July 9, 10, 11, and 13, 2015, for a mid-certification and/or nutrition discussion that they can contact the WIC office at 664-4084 regarding their food benefits. For those that were scheduled for a certification appointment, you can come in on Tuesdays or Wednesday, as they are our walk-in days. As we are still unable to access our system, we continue to provide services but we are unable to print food benefits. (WIC)

Marriage Encounter to host Talaricos’ visit
CNMI Marriage Encounter is hosting Section 12 Ecclesial Couple Joe and Sue Talarico’s visit to Saipan on July 21-24, 2015. We are inviting all Encountered couples, priests, and religious to join our two evening events:

M.E. Community Mass on Wednesday, July 22, 6pm at Santa Soledad Parish and CNMI Area Leadership Selection Process right after Mass.

Section 12 Community Enrichment on Thursday, July 23, 6:30pm at Joeten DaiDai Social Hall. Joe and Sue Talarico will be facilitating this enrichment.

Please bring a dish to share for each event. Call CNMI Ecclesial Team Cathy Cepeda at 483-7000 or Pali Ike Ayuyu at 483-4543 if you have any questions. (PR)

Statewide Independent Living Council meeting rescheduled
The Statewide Independent Living Council’s Third General Membership Meeting scheduled for July 9, from 1pm to 3pm, at the Rota Bay View Hotel has been rescheduled for July 23, 2015, same time and place. Agenda remains unchanged. For more information, contact the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, P.O. Box 501521, Saipan, MP 96950; Navy Hill, Buildings N2 & N4; voice: 322-6537/8; TTY: 322-6449; fax: 322-6536; email: nmidir@ovrgov.net; website: www.ovrgov.net. (SILC)

Agricultural emergency loans now available 
Commercial agricultural producers in Guam who were negatively impacted by Typhoon Dolphin may be eligible for Emergency Loans through the United State Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Eligible producers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses to a maximum amount of $500,000 at a low interest rate. Farm Service Agency will consider each loan application on its own merits. Deadline to apply is Feb. 5, 2016. For more information about Emergency Loans, contact the FSA Guam County Office at 472-7568 for an appointment or visit the FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov/hi. (USDA)