Community Briefs – March 14, 2018

PTSA meeting for Kagman cluster schools
This is to inform all parents, guardians, and the community that the Kagman cluster of schools will be having a Parents Teachers Students Association meeting on Thursday, March 15, at 5:30pm in the Kagman High School cafeteria. Call the school at 237-3921, 664-4100, or 664-3911 if you have any questions or concerns. (PR)

JKPL hours of operation
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library will be closed on Saturday, March 24, for Commonwealth Covenant Day and on Friday, March 30, for Good Friday. For more information, visit the www.cnmilib.org and like and/or follow JKPL’s Facebook page. The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s hours of operation are as follows: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday, 9am-4pm; and closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. (PR)

Liberation Day Committee meeting
The 2018 Liberation Day Committee invites all interested individuals to join its organizational meeting on Wednesday, March 14, at 10am at the Saipan Mayor’s Office. For more information, call the Saipan Mayor’s Office at 234-5997. (PR)

Saipan Community Church turns 70 on Easter Sunday
The CNMI’s oldest Christian church is celebrating its 70th year in April 1 and Saipan Community Church senior pastor Josh Slater said a special guest will be on island to mark the milestone.

David Stephens, the son of Rev. Ed Stephens who founded the church in 1947, will attend the church’s Easter Sunday celebration. Slater said the younger Stephens hasn’t been on island since he was 4.

The Easter Sunday celebration starts at 6am with a sunrise service, followed by breakfast, and at 10am the church will celebrate its 70th year with Stephens, who is expected to also preach.

Saipan Community Church is in Susupe across the Mobil gas station and beside the Susupe Beach Park. (PR)

ASL lessons at public library
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library will be hosting a Basic American Sign Language class on Friday, March 16, from 4pm to 5pm in the JKPL Children’s Room. This class, will teach basic American Sign Language through interactive and engaging activities. In addition, because the class is practical, participants are guaranteed to use their new knowledge in everyday life. (PR)

Water interruption on Tinian on March 17
There will be a scheduled water service interruption on the entire island of Tinian on Saturday, March 17, from 8am to 5pm.

The purpose of the interruption is to complete the installations of two 8-inch gate valves in the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s main distribution water line and to make the necessary system upgrade at the Maui II Pump Station.

As a result of the installations and system upgrade, CUC will be able to supply extra volume of water to the island of Tinian.

For more information, contact the CUC Customer Call Center (664-4282) or monitor our Facebook page for the latest updates. (CUC)

Power interruption on March 17 and 18
There will be a scheduled power interruption on Saturday, March 17, and Sunday March 18, from 6am to 11am, on Saipan.

The purpose of the power interruption is to de-energize primary lines and allow the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. line crew to safely replace eight 45-foot wooden poles with eight concrete poles along Chalan Pale Arnold Road on Lower Navy Hill. The pole replacement task is a sub-project of the CUC Hazard Mitigation Project aimed at strengthening and hardening the power grid through the replacement of 787 wooden poles with concrete ones.

Since the start of the project in September 2015, 345 of 787 wooden poles have been replaced.

No water wells or wastewater lifts station will be affected.

Travelers commuting northbound and southbound on Chalan Pale Arnold Road in the area of Lower Navy Hill are asked to exercise caution when traveling through the working areas.
For more information, contact the CUC Customer Call Center (664-4282) or monitor our Facebook page for the latest updates (https://www.facebook.com/Commonwealth UtilitiesCorporation/). (CUC)

Philippine consular outreach
The Philippine Consulate General in Guam will be holding a mobile consular outreach on Saipan on March 13-15, at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. Note that all e-passport applications require the personal appearance of the applicant. Please wear proper attire (i.e., shirt with collar). For more information and confirmation, call (670)233-6293 and ask for Mel Santos. (PR)

Free business seminar for veterans & spouses
The CNMI Military/Veteran’s Affairs Office and the Small Business Development Center will be offering a free business seminar called “Reboot to Business” at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s Azucena Room on March 26, from 9am to 4pm, presented by Dennis Kwak, director, Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Pacific. To register, contact Velma Del Rosario at 664-2650 or visit https://sbavets.force.com/s/. (PR)

Military training in Guam and CNMI
ASAN, Guam—The U.S. military will conduct training at the island of Farallon de Medinilla during the following dates and times:
• March 14 from 9am to 9pm 

• March 15 from 9am to 11:55pm 

• March 16 from 9am to 6pm 


These types of trainings are designed to enhance the readiness of military personnel. Residents in surrounding areas should not be alarmed if they see or hear increased activity associated with the training. 


It is recommended the public, fishermen and marine tour operators monitor the Coast Guard broadcast notice to mariners for advisories. 


The location of the training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla will be in a 12-nautical mile radius of the island. (PR)

Junior high mock trial on April 7
The 13th Annual Junior High Mock Trial will take place on Saturday, April 7, from 8am to 12pm, at the CNMI courthouse, where middle school students of the CNMI will be arguing a fictitious case of a shoot out between agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency and a farmer. This year there will be 10 schools participating. Schools will be paired in rounds, which will be presided by a judge. The CNMI Junior High Mock Trial is a signature program of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council where students learn about the law and standard courtroom procedures in a non-competitive format. The program is free and open to the public. The CNMI Junior High Mock Trial is made possible through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the CNMI Public School System and the CNMI Judiciary. For more information, call Council staff at 235-4785. (PR)

UOG to mark 50th Charter Day on March 13
The University of Guam will celebrate its 50th Charter Day on Tuesday, March 13. Opening ceremonies begin at 9am in the center courtyard, and activities run throughout the day until 5pm. The event is open to the public. The theme is “Green is the New Gold” which recognizes the official color of UOG. Each year, Charter Day is the largest public event at the university with nearly 5,000 people visiting the campus. For a list of activities and downloads, visit www.uog.edu/charterday. (PR)

Art-in-the-Park at the AMP
In March and April, the American Memorial Park is partnering with artists and organizations to provide free art classes to the community under the 2nd annual Art-in-the-Park series. All ages are welcome. The Carolinian Affairs Office will teach beading on March 24, from 9am to 12pm. Kimberly Mendiola will teach watercolor painting on April 7, from 9am to 12pm. At the end of the art sessions, on April 21, artwork will be displayed at the Visitor Center for the National Park Week. Space is limited so register soon! To register for a class, visit the American Memorial Park Visitor Center. The center is open daily from 9am to 5pm. For questions contact ranger Brooke Nevitt or education specialist Jovanna Mafnas at 234-7207×2020 or email brooke_nevitt@nps.gov. (NPS)

SCC now accepting scholarship applications
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for its Educational Scholarship Fund. Hard copies of the Chamber scholarship applications are available at the Chamber office and can also be delivered to schools upon request. Applicants are encouraged to complete the application which are due on or before 5pm on Friday, April 20, 2018, at its office in the Marianas Business Plaza, third floor, Suite 315. The scholarships will be awarded at the Chamber’s monthly general membership meeting on June 6, 2018. Chamber scholarship applications are also available on the website, www.saipanchamber.com. For more information call the Chamber office at (670) 234-7150 or email administrator@saipanchamber.com. (PR)