Community Briefs-January 21, 2009

[B]Veterans’ briefing[/B]

On Jan. 28, 2009, Gregory Reed, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Honolulu Hawaii, and David Larson, veteran service representative for Guam and the CNMI, will be on Saipan to give a briefing and survey of veterans’ benefit needs. They will also be entertaining questions. The input of CNMI veterans is crucial for the establishment of a local Federal Veterans Benefit Office.

The briefing will be held Jan. 28, 2009, 9am-12 noon, at the Office of Military/ Veterans Affairs on Capital Hill, Building 1364. Any questions or further information, call Ruth Coleman at the Office of Military/ Veterans Affairs at 664-2650. (PR)

[B]Nepalese passport found[/B]

A community resident has found a Nepalese passport. Anyone who lost a Nepalese passport may contact 287-4536. (PR)

[B]Attention to families of Echo Company soldiers[/B]

The 9th MSC Family Programs Office is inviting dependents of deployed soldiers of Echo Company 100th BN 442nd and 368th MP Det. 1 for a free one-day Family Deployment Workshop and Youth Mini Camp on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at the Pacific Islands Club from 9am to 5pm. You must register no later than Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. For more information or to register, contact Marcela Moody, Family Program Assistance at (671) 344-5012, Saipan RDO Maj. Gregorio Sablan at 322-6671 or FRG leader Rita L. Chargualaf at 322-7814. (PR)

[B]Tobacco vendors’ workshop set[/B]

The Department of Commerce, Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control Division and the Community Guidance Center, of the Department of Public Health, wishes to inform all Class-2 Retail Dealer license holders that there will be a Tobacco Merchant Education Workshop on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, from 8:30am to 11:30am at the Pacific Islands Club, Napu Room.

The workshop aims to educate the participants on the importance of reducing, if not eliminating, the use of tobacco products by youths in the CNMI. The program also targets updates of laws, and the critical issues of retail stores selling tobacco products and the emphasis in combating and preventing the use of tobacco products by minors under 18 years of age.

The workshop is limited to only 80 participants. To confirm one’s participation or for more information, call the ABTC Division, David R. Maratita, at 664-3065, or the Community Guidance Center, Ed Camacho, at 323-6586. (PR)

[B]Attention to families with disabilities on Rota[/B]

The Family Hope Center under the CNMI Council for Developmental Disabilities and Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. would like to inform the community that the System Navigators would be traveling to Rota to conduct interviews and follow up(s) with families with disabilities on Jan. 22-23, 2009.

We are encouraging families with disabilities on Rota to contact NMPASI at 234-7273/4 for Frances Torres or Dorian Camacho or CNMI DD Council for Lillian Ada at 664-7005/7000 or cell phone no. 287-5643 for an appointment. (PR)

[B]DEQ brigade sets COP cleanup[/B]

The Division of Environmental Quality cleanup brigade will be picking up trash at Coral Ocean Point (Unai Dangkulo) on Feb. 7.

Thos who would like to volunteer may join the group on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 8am. Volunteers will clean until 10am and break for drinks and then continue, if needed.

This month, outstanding brigade volunteers who participated in at least 10 monthly cleanups will receive a brigade cap and those who participated in at least three cleanups will receive a green brigade t-shirt.

The DEQ cleanup brigade began in 1996 and continues to maintain clean, healthy beaches.

For more information about volunteering, contact the DEQ office at 664-8500. (DEQ)

[B]Marianas High School schedule[/B]

Jan. 29 3rd-4th Period Exams

Jan. 30 1st-2nd Period Exams

Feb. 2 No classes (PSS Professional Development)

Feb. 11 2nd Quarter Report Card Day/Open House, 4pm-6pm (student released at 1pm, parents pick up report cards from Homeroom teachers)

Feb. 16 No classes (President’s Day)

Feb. 17 No classes (PSS Professional Development)

Feb. 27 Cultural Day, 9am-3pm MHS Campus, Open to the public

For questions and concerns, contact 237-3206. (PR)