COMMUNITY BRIEFS – March 9, 2017

St. Patrick’s Day theme parties

Kagman Community Church on Kagman Road will be holding a free St. Patrick’s Day party for pre-school and elementary age children on Saturday, March 11, from 10am to noon. We will explore the meaning behind St. Patrick’s Day and have themed games, crafts, and a snack. Church 360 on the fourth floor of the Marianas Business Plaza will also be holding a St. Patrick’s Day party for school-age children on Monday, March 13, from 6pm to 7:30pm. Call 256-8171 for more information. (PR)

Veterans invited to town hall meeting today

The Veterans Affairs Honolulu Regional Office and VA Pacific Island Healthcare System will be hosting a town hall meeting for veterans, service-members, their families, and survivors to discuss VA benefits. The town hall meeting will take place today, March 9, 2017, from 1pm to 2:30pm at the Kanoa Resort, Seaside Hall.

The town hall is one of many VA is holding around the country. The meetings are intended to provide veterans, their families and survivors a wide-open forum and for VA officials to hear directly from beneficiaries as a step toward improvement and to rebuild trust among veterans. (PR)

Survivors, caregivers support meeting today

All people facing cancer, their family members, and caregivers are invited to the next Commonwealth Cancer Association, Inc. support meeting today, March 9, 2017, starting at 5:30pm at Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Chamolinian Room. Guest speaker Dr. Ji Kim, a gastroenterologist at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., will speak on colorectal cancer prevention and early detection. To RSVP or for more information, call the CCA at 682-0050 or email at ccamarianas@gmail.com. (PR)

NMTI’s culinary arts class to begin

The Northern Marianas Trades Institute’s 2017 spring culinary arts class will officially kick off on March 21, 2017, from 4pm to 8pm. Courses are twice weekly (Tuesdays and Wednesdays for four months). There is also a mandatory orientation on March 14, 2017, at 4pm at NMTI’s Lower Base campus.

NMTI’s registration process is year-round. Once the minimum enrollment threshold is met for a class to be considered, NMTI opens up a class so that students may be afforded the opportunity upon showing their interest for a certain trade. For more information regarding this course or other courses, contact Norisa SN Camacho, registrar, at (670) 235-6684 or email nmti@pticom.com. (NMTI)

Ironman 70.3 Saipan

The first-ever Ironman 70.3 Saipan organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Drivers are advised to exercise caution and follow all traffic officer directions, and dog owners are reminded to secure their pets along the race route from Pau Pau Beach north to Marpi and south along Beach Road to San Antonio. The start and finish line at Pau Pau Beach will be closed to vehicle traffic on race day from 5am to 3pm. For more information, contact the Marianas Visitors Authority. (PR)