Community Briefs

EMO WEBSITE NOW ONLINE

This is to inform the general public that the Emergency Management Office website is back in service as of Aug. 17, at 9:30am.

If you have any questions or concerns, call 322-8001/2/3.

DVAM MEETING TODAY

The Domestic Violence Awareness Month meeting will be held today, Aug. 20, 3pm, at the Supreme Court, 1st floor conference room, in Susupe. Should you have questions or need further information, call Esther Milne at 323-1954 or Clarisa Tudela at 664-4583.

The agenda for discussion includes sub-committees, reports, theme, and other matters.

SBA DISASTER APPLICATIONS’ DEADLINE TOMORROW

The U.S. Small Business Administration will officially close its disaster office on Saipan at 1pm tomorrow, Aug. 21, so all disaster victims who have received an SBA application are urged to return it before that deadline.

The SBA disaster office, located in Susupe at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center on Beach Road, has been open since July 30 to provide one-on-one assistance to island residents and businesses that suffered losses from Typhoon Tingting.

SBA disaster area director Alfred E. Judd said the center will be open until today, Aug. 20, from 8am to 12 noon, and 1pm to 5:30pm and tomorrow, Aug. 21, from 9am to 1pm.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit SBA’s disaster center may obtain information and loan applications by writing to SBA at P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841-9004, or by calling toll-free (800) 488-5323. Hearing impaired individuals may call (916) 735-1683.

Applications for property damage must be returned to be returned by April 20, 2005.

For more information visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster.

MY WAVE BEACH CLEANUP TOMORROW

The Marianas Tourism Education Council said the MY WAVE Clubs will continue their beach cleanup drive tomorrow, Aug. 21, from Kilili Beach across Ada Gym to the World Resort Hotel. Assembly time is 7: 30am.

The school-based tourism clubs had scheduled a cleanup last Saturday, Aug. 14, but it did not push through as planned because of intermittent rain.

MY WAVE Club members from the grade schools were sent home. Only the Marianas High School MY WAVE Club went ahead with the activity.

MY WAVE Clubs were formed by MTEC in coordination with the Public School System to help promote tourism from the grassroots. Supporters include the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and other members of the private sector, among them DFS-Saipan, Tan Holdings Corp. and Ernst & Young.

Everyone is invited to join the event and support the MY WAVE Clubs.

CHAMBER’S CORPORATE CHALLENGE ON SUNDAY

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2004 Corporate Challenge at American Memorial Park this Sunday, Aug. 22. This annual event raises funds for the Chamber of Commerce’s scholarship fund, which each year helps local deserving CNMI students further their education. All businesses and government offices on the island are invited to sign up.

Prizes will be awarded to teams that have the best times in each game, and a special prize will be given to the team that has the best-decorated tent, following the day’s theme of “Patriotism.”

Last year the Saipan Chamber of Commerce raised over $4,000 that was used to help local students with their education.

HOUSE OF MANHOBEN OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

The House of Manhoben is open for registration in the following sports: Girls’ Volleyball, Girls’ Basketball and Girls’ Canoeing, for ages 14-17 years old.

Registration dates and time are from Monday to Friday, 2:30pm-5:30pm, at the House of Manhoben Center in Chalan Kanoa. Registration will start on Aug. 23 and end on Aug. 31.

Parents are encouraged to come and register their children. Space is limited; registration will be on a “first come- first served bases.”

PSS TO BUY LOCAL FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Are you a farmer who would like to sell vegetables or fruit to the Public School System? The Nutrition experts at PSS want to buy more local produce for the school cafeterias.

Farmers, here is your chance to meet face to face with the people who decide what foods the school cafeterias will buy.

Please meet the schools’ nutritionists and food caterers on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 3pm. The location is Northern Marianas College CREES in Building F. Call 287-0561 or 234-5498 Ext. 1709.

RENEWAL, ISSUANCE OF MILITARY ID CARDS

The Family Readiness Group of the Echo Company 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry would like to inform all Reservists and families of the following about the issuance and/or renewal of military ID cards on Aug. 17-20 at the Reserve Center in Puerto Rico .

Families of active, Reserve or veteran soldier(s) should get a new or renew their military ID cards at the Reserve Center.

For more information, call Cil Blas/FRG Leader at 323-4675 (evenings).

LIBERATION DAY RAFFLE WINNERS

The Liberation Day Committee has announced the names and numbers of winning tickets. To claim your prizes, call or visit Margaret Palacios at the Supreme Court (236-9700). To claim your prizes, you must show your ticket stubs.

1st prize 016705 RP Construction $4000
2nd prize 021510 Cathy Tebit $2000
3rd prize 025971 No Name $1000
4th prize 015301 Jim Whitt $900
5th prize 022933 P Seman $800
6th prize 025817 No Name $700
7th prize 019721 Ladore $600
8th prize 022713 No Name $500
9th prize 002014 J Sablan $400
10th prize 020348 No Name $300
11th prize 025058 M R Ayuyu $200
12th prize 017984 Jerrika $100

TORRES OFFERS FREE NOTARIAL SERVICES

Former congressman Stanley T. Torres, who is also a notary public, is offering free notarial services to all U.S. Army Reservists and their dependents.

Torres can be contacted through the offices of:

Rep. Heinz Hofschneider 664-6969
Rep. Jesus Attao 664-8822
Rep. David Apatang 664-8980
Or in an emergency 287-9255

RESIDENTIAL, BIZ INSPECTIONS IN KAGMAN II VILLAGE

The Division of Environmental Quality and the Bureau of Environmental Health would like to inform the residents of Kagman II village that on-site disposal system and premise compliance inspections would be conducted on residential and business facilities. The inspections has been ongoing since April 21, 2004 and will continue to be conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kagman II residents are requested to cooperate with inspectors in keeping their dog(s) on a leash, for the safety of the inspectors. Both BEH and DEQ inspectors are required to wear their respective uniforms and photo identification during all inspections.

For additional information on the OSDS inspections, contact the BEH office at 664-4870/2 or the DEQ office at 664-8500/1.

PAG-IBIG REFUNDS AVAILABLE

Pag-IBIG overseas program members from 1996 to January 1998 can now apply for a refund of their total contributions plus the 3-percent dollar interest tax-free.
“Just fill out a refund application form and you will receive your refund in U.S. dollars. After getting your refund, you can be a member again by submitting a new pop membership form and contribute a minimum of $5.00 per month,” according to a Pag-IBIG statement.
For a minimum contribution of $5 a month, former members can also activate their Pag-IBIG membership also in the Philippines using the same Pag-IBIG ID number.
“Your contribution will be converted into Philippine pesos using the current conversion rate and it will earn a 7.5-percent peso interest. After 25 to 30 years from your initial contribution, you are entitled to a refund in Philippine peso of all your contribution including interest tax-free,” the agency said.
For more information, call the Pop Saipan Office at 235-4749 or visit the Pop Office at the ground floor of the Nauru Building in Susupe and look for information officer Lynell F. Fulgencio.