Community Briefs – November 7, 2017

Free seminar on creating a business plan
The CNMI Small Business Development Center will be offering a free business seminar called “How to Write a Business Plan” at the Commonwealth Development Authority boardroom today, Nov. 7, 2017, from 8:30am to l0am. It will be presented by Nicole Babauta, director/business adviser at CNMI SBDC. To register, contact the CNMI SBDC office at 664-3018 or visit http://pisbden.ecenterdirect.cornievents. (PR)

Free seminar on marketing
The CNMI Small Business Development Center will be offering a free business seminar called “How to Write a Marketing Plan” at the Commonwealth Development Authority boardroom on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, from 8:30am to 10am. It will be presented by Nicole Babauta, director/business adviser at CNMI SBDC. To register, contact the CNMI SBDC office at 664-3018 or visit http://pisbden.ecenterdirect.comievents. (PR)

Military training at Warning Area 517
ASAN, Guam—The U.S. military will conduct training at Warning Area 517 on Nov. 8, from 2pm to 9pm, and on Nov. 9, from 10am to 3pm. It is recommended the public, fishermen, and marine tour operators monitor the Coast Guard broadcast notice to mariners for advisories. (PR)

Demolition training at AFB
The 554th Redhorse Squadron Demolition Team will be conducting explosive training from 7:30am to approximately 5pm on Nov. 15, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The training may produce loud noises, but will be localized to the munitions range of the base with no anticipated affect outside of the training area. (PR)

APASEEM conference at AMP
The Asia Pacific Academy of Science, Education and Environmental Management is holding its annual conference on Nov. 7, 8, and 9 at the American Memorial Park each night, from 5:30pm until 8:30pm. Speakers will be present and there would be topics ranging from fisheries and butterflies to public perceptions of environmental issues and more. The conference is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend. Time is reserved at the end of each talk to answer question from the audience. (PR)

Veterans Day observed Friday
This year, Veterans Day, which falls on Nov. 11, 2017, will be observed on Nov. 10, 2017. Schools and government offices will be closed. Under the law, if a legal holiday falls on a Saturday, it shall be celebrated on the preceding Friday. (PR)

Revived Kantan Isla is rescheduled
The Kantan Isla Music Festival will be held on Nov. 17 at the Garapan Fishing Base, from 5pm to 11pm. For additional information, call CCA at 322-9982. There would be a raffle drawing and incentives for participating individuals. Artists will also be given space to sell their CDs and promote their music. Ten vendor slots are open for non-profit organizations, families, and churches that want to raise funds. The council will be providing tents but a $25 park and recreation fee is required. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Las Vegas Night on Nov. 18
The 2017 Rotary Club of Saipan’s Las Vegas Night is on Nov. 18, at the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall, from 6pm to 12pm. This year the Rotary Club of Saipan will make a donation to the Rotary Club of Las Vegas Nevada to help those in this year’s mass shootings. Each ticket is $5 or get five tickets for $20. You can call the Rotary Club of Saipan at 783-6378 for tickets, or visit any of the distribution points at Megabyte, NMPASI, or Paradise Dental. (PR)

Chamber hosts sales training for holidays
The “Customer Service & Suggestive Selling for the Holidays” training seminar will be conducted on Nov. 16, from 9am to 12pm at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce conference room (Marianas Business Plaza, third floor, Suite 315). Registration fee is $50 per person for Saipan Chamber of Commerce members and $55 per person for non-members. Light refreshments are included. To register, call 670-234-7150 or email coordinator@saipanchamber.com. (PR)

MVA membership meeting on Nov. 9
The Marianas Visitors Authority will hold its semi-annual general membership meeting on Nov. 9, 2017, at the Royal Taga Ballroom of the Saipan World Resort at 10am. Registration will begin at 9:30am.

Guest speakers will be from the MVA’s offshore offices and will provide a recap of fiscal year 2017 projects and the MVA’s marketing plans for fiscal year 2018.

Speakers will be the respective in-country managers: Irene Lee, Korea market; Shirley Zhang, China market; and Takashi Ichikura, Japan market.

The meeting cost is $16/person for MVA members and $20/person for non-members. The cost includes light refreshments and lunch. RSVP should be made by Nov. 3, 2017.

The MVA also welcomes new businesses, agencies and individuals who want to actively participate in the Marianas’ top industry as MVA members. Membership is $100 annually. To RSVP, to request a membership application, or for more information, contact MVA Community Projects administrative assistant Demalynn Pagarao at dpagarao@mymarianas.com or call 664-3200. (MVA)

VA benefits counselor visiting Saipan
A U.S. Department of Veterans Benefits Administration benefits counselor will be at the Saipan VA Outreach Clinic on Dec. 15, 2017, from 9:30am to 3:30pm. The benefits counselor will be available to answer benefits questions, and assist with the claim process. The Saipan VA Outreach Clinic is located at the MH II Bldg. Suite 206, Marina Heights Business Park in Garapan. To request an appointment, contact Ruth Coleman at 322-0035. (PR)

CNMI Next Top Chef competition
The CNMI Next Top Chef 2017 invites interested chefs to register for the competition on Nov. 9, 2017, at 6pm at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. Tickets are now on sale for $50/person including the live cooking competition, full buffet dinner, and raffle. For a chef entry form or tickets, contact Empty Vessel Ministry Foundation at 235-2340 or emptyvesselministry@gmail.com. Jointly organized with the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, the event will benefit the Empty Vessel Ministry. (PR)

Marriage Encounter Weekend set
The next CNMI Marriage Encounter Weekend will take place at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan on Nov. 17-19 2017. It is open to husband and wife couples of all denominations and mixed faiths. There is a non-refundable application fee of $100. If couples are unable to fund the $100, M.E. will find sponsors to pay the fee. To participate, email cnmime@gmail.com or call Joe and Linda Muña at 287-2102. Space is limited to the first 15 couples only. (PR)

PH consulate to hold NMI outreach
The Philippine Consulate General in Guam, in coordination with the Office of Honorary Consul Eli Arago, will conduct a mobile consular outreach in the CNMI from Nov. 13 to 17, 2017 (Monday to Friday) at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, from 9am to 6pm.

Those who wish to renew their passport may submit their application at the Finasisu Terraces, Apartment Building D, second floor (top of the Mini-Mart Store), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (12pm to 1pm, break time).

For any inquiry about passport renewal, call Mel Santos at 233-6293. (PR)