COMMUNITY BRIEFS – January 23, 2009

Puengin Inetnon will begin on Jan. 30, 2009, at the Kagman Community Center’s parking lot. Puengin Inetnon is Kagman’s Friday Night Market that will take place every government payday. It will begin at 4pm and end at 10pm. There will vendors selling food, drinks, snacks, clothing, and crafts. Puengin Inetnon is a family oriented event. Alcohol will be prohibited from the event. All are welcome. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B] Friends of the Arts audition call [/B]

Auditions for “My Fair Lady” the musical stage production and the final FOA production of the current year will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, from 3pm to 5pm at Marianas High School, Room 101-D.

This is a large cast production and singers and actors from teen years to mature adults are needed. Principle roles as well as group/chorus scenes are a big part of this musical. Backstage help is also needed, so even if you don’t sing or act, you can still be a part of this production. Auditions for acting roles will be held on the above dates if time allows. Showtime for the play will be in late April. Rehearsals will be held evenings and weekends. Those auditioning should be prepared to sing a selection of their own choosing or one of the production numbers. Anyone interested in being a part of the production, but unable to attend either of the auditions dates, call Susan Fishman-Tudor at 233-2225, leave a message with a contact number. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [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 trip to Rota has been rescheduled from Jan. 22 and 23, to Jan. 27 and 28, 2009, to conduct interviews and follow up(s) for families with disabilities.

We encourage families with disabilities on Rota to contact our offices at NMPASI, 234-7273/4 for Frances Torres or Dorain Camacho or CNMI DD Council for Lillian Ada at 664-7005/7000 or cell phone no. 287-5643 for appointment. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]March Against Cancer set May 22-23[/B]

The Marianas March Against Cancer Committee have had their first meeting and is announcing that this year’s “March Against Cancer” event will be held on May 22-23, 2009. With only a few months away, the first “Team Captain’s Meeting” is set for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at 5:30pm. This meeting will take place at the Department of Public Health Deputy Secretary’s Conference room (across from the gift shop at CHC). For more information regarding this event, email Catherine Attao (attao20@yahoo.com), Chris Concepcion (chrisaconcepcion@gmail.com) or visit www.ccamarianas.org. You may also call 682-0050. The committee is encouraging all who are interested in participating to attend next week’s meeting. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]SVES 3rd Annual Canary Walkathon[/B]

The Parent, Teacher, Students Association (PTSA) of San Vicente Elementary School will be hosting the 3rd Annual Canary Walk-a-thon this Saturday, Jan. 24, at the SVES baseball field, from 7am until noon.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the expansion of the walkways from the main highway and the covering of stairway going to the school cafeteria.

Members of the PTSA have been soliciting support for the event and welcome all donations both monetary and in-kind. For more information, call the school at (670) 237-3791/3 or 237-3761. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]New CPA telephone numbers[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has changed its phones to a new system, which resulted in having to change its telephone numbers for the CPA offices at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. The new system is part of efforts to streamline operations and at the same time enhance efficiency. The new number sare:

Main Telephone numbers:

(670) 237-6500

(670) 237-6501

Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) DISPATCH: (670) 237-6551

Ports Police DISPATCH: (670) 237-6529

All other CPA numbers remain the same:

Port of Saipan: (670) 664-3550

CPA Tinian: (670) 433-9294

CPA Rota: (670) 532-9497

Veterans’ briefing

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. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Guam Vet Center to hold session on Saipan[/B]

The Guam Vet Center will be hosting an information and counseling session for all combat veterans and their dependents on Jan. 28 and 29, at the Office of Military and Veterans Affair on Capital Hill, Building 1364. Catherine Illarmo, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Team Leaders/LCSW from the Guam Vet Center, will be available on Jan. 28, 2009, from 9am to 4pm and on Jan. 29, 2009, from 9am to 12 noon.

There will also be a limited number of individual counseling appointments available. For those interested in counseling, call Illarmo at 1-671-472-7160/1 or Office of Military and Veteran Affairs executive officer Ruth Coleman at 664-2650. Any questions or for further information, call Coleman at 664-2650. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [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. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Deadline set for filing quarterly tax returns[/B]

The Division of Revenue and Taxation is reminding all CNMI residents that the 2008 4th Quarter deadline for filing the quarterly tax returns is Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. The Division of Revenue and Taxation will be open from 7:30am to 6:30pm on Monday Feb. 2, 2009. The office of the Division of Revenue and Taxation is located at the Joeten DanDan Commercial Center. For more information call 664-1000, 664-1034 Compliance Branch, or 664-1065 Collection Branch. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [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. For more information about volunteering, contact the DEQ office at 664-8500. [B][I](DEQ)[/I][/B]