Community Briefs – December 6, 2018

No tsunami alert
At 2:20pm yesterday, Dec. 5, 2018, a report of a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred 72 miles east-south-east of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. Currently, there were no reports of personnel injuries or damages to infrastructure and no tsunami warnings or advisories were issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. For more information, contact the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point at 237-8000. (PR)

SHRM meeting today
The CNMI Society for Human Resource Management’s general membership meeting will feature Labor Secretary Vicky Benanvente, who will discuss the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program and other disaster-related issues relevant to labor.

The SHRM-NMI Chapter invites its members, associated HR and management staff, and interested members of the public to attend the meeting today, Dec. 6, 2018, at Hyatt Regency Saipan’s ballroom beginning at 11:30am.

This meeting is open to the public. The presentation includes the Hyatt lunch buffet at the cost of $20 for SHRM members and $30 for non-members. Seats are limited, so reserve your seat by contacting Penny Jones by e-mail at penelope.jones@hyatt.com or Denise Montenegro at denise.montenegro@hyatt.com or by telephone at 323-5867/68. 

The SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. For more information about the NMI Chapter, you can visit their website, nmichapter.shrm.org. (PR)

Guam CHamoru commission meeting set
The Kumisión i Fino’ CHamoru yan i Fina’nå’guen i Historia yan i Lina’la’ i Taotao Tåno’ (Commission on CHamoru Language and the Teaching of the History and Culture of the Indigenous People of Guam) will hold its December monthly meeting on Dec. 13, Thursday, from 12:30pm to 3pm. The meeting will take place at the Garden House (former Guam Museum) in the Plaza de Espana, Hagåtña.  For more information, contact Kumisión chair/Gé’helo’ Hope Alvarez Cristobal at 483-0097 or secretary/Sikritåria Rosa Salas Palomo at 727-5522. (PR)

Military training at Warning Area 517, FDM
ASAN, Guam—The U.S. military will conduct training at Warning Area 517 and at the island of Farallon de Medinilla up to tomorrow, Dec. 7, from 10am to 3pm. Training will also be conducted at W-517 today, Dec. 6, from 3pm to 7pm. 

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

W-517 is activated south of latitude 12° 40’ 00”N. Santa Rosa Reef and Galvez Banks are open for public use. W-517 begins south of Guam and extends south-southwest in international waters.

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

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. (PR)

MVA meeting on Dec. 14
The Marianas Visitors Authority’s semi- annual general membership meeting will be on Dec. 14, at 10am at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. Guest speakers from the MVA’s offshore offices will provide a recap of fiscal year 2018 projects and the MVA’s marketing plans for fiscal year 2019, including post-typhoon recovery plans. Admission is $20 for MVA members and $25 for non-members. RSVP by emailing MVA Community Projects Division at communityprojects@mymarianas.com or calling 664-3210. (PR)

Year-end celebration on Dec. 29
On Dec. 29, the Marianas Visitors Authority and its tourism partners will host the Marianas Strong Year-end Celebration at Paseo de Marianas in Garapan, from 5pm to 10pm. The celebration will also be highlighted by the Mochitsuki Festival, featuring the Japan tradition of rice pounding in preparation for the new year. The Christmas in the Marianas celebration, previously scheduled for Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2018, is cancelled. For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com or contact the MVA at info@mymarianas.com or 664-3200/1. (PR)