Community Briefs – April 24, 2009

[B]Santa Soledad Annual Fiesta[/B]

The public is invited to join the Annual Fiesta celebration of Santa Soledad on April 26, 2009, 9am, at the Kagman Church. There will be foods, entertainment and other activities. (PR)

[B]Live fire releases on Farallon set[/B]

The U.S. military will be conducting live fire releases on the island of Farallon de Mendenilla on April 28 and 30, 2009, from 08:30am to 12pm.

The general location of this activity will be on the island of Farallon de Mendenilla Training Area (R7201) on a 10 nautical mile radius on all quadrants.

Due to the danger imposed by this activity, the Emergency Management Office is strongly advising the public—especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators—to stay away from this area during the time and date indicated.

For more information, contact the EMO Operations Section at telephone numbers 322-9528 and 322-9529, VHF MARINE CHNL 16, and HF Single Side Band Radio on 5.205.0. (EMO)

[B]Townhall meetings in Kagman for Republican bets[/B]

The Kagman Komunidat Association is inviting the public to its first of many townhall meetings. Voters can get to know the Republican candidates who will face off in the Republican primary in June. Juan N. Babauta and Galvin Deleon Guerrero will be having their townhall meeting on Wednesday, April 29. Heinz Hofschneider and Arnold Palacios will be having their townhall meeting on Thursday, April 30. Both townhall meetings will be held at the Kagman Community Center at 7pm. The purpose of the townhall meetings is for voters to stay informed and gather information from the candidates by asking the candidates questions and listening to the candidates’ platforms on the economy, Article 12, tourism, military buildup, crime, gambling, etc. Come and get to know the candidates before voting. (PR)

[B]NMC 2009 graduation candidates meeting [/B]

Spring 2009 Graduation Candidates of the Northern Marianas College are invited to attend the Graduation Committee Meeting scheduled for April 25, 2009, (Saturday), at the Student Support Services office located in Building J on the NMC campus at 2pm.

The meeting will feature updates on graduation, a discussion on the plans for the commencement banquet, and other aspects of graduation. For more information, contact Jack Kiyoshi, Jr., at 234-5498 Ext. 1021 or e-mail jackk@nmcnet.edu. All students preparing to graduate in May 2009 are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. (NMC)

[B]DPS to re-route traffic tomorrow[/B]

The Department of Public Safety will re-route traffic tomorrow, April 25, to ensure the safety of participants and motorists during the Flame Tree Arts Festival Parade and the Tagaman Triathlon. DPS will close and divert traffic along Beach Road between 6am and 10am Saturday. The Flame Tree Arts Festival and Tagaman Triathlon will take place simultaneously during these hours.

David said affected areas will be from the Susupe Mobil Gas Station to the San Jose Mobil Gas Station. David said the road between the Garapan Fire Substation and the Navy Hill/Commonwealth Health Center Traffic Light will be closed between 6am and 12pm.

Areas from Middle Road Puerto Rico to Marpi will be utilized by the Tagaman athletes as well.

[B]NMPASI sets Family Fun Fair and Awareness Day[/B]

The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc. will be hosting a Family Fun Fair and Awareness Day on May 2, 2009, from 8am to 12pm, at the Minatchom Atdao in Susupe, Saipan.

As part of the event, NMPASI is holding an essay contest on the topic: “My story: What good mental health means to me and three things I do for myself to feel better when I feel unhappy.”

The essay contest is open to everyone in the Commonwealth. Entries must be less than two pages long and must be submitted to the NMPASI office on Middle Road, Gualo Rai, Saipan, on or before 4pm on April 30, 2009.

Entries may be delivered to the NMPASI office or faxed to 235-7275 or emailed to jeanneesq@yahoo.com.

Winners will be announced on May 2, 2009, at the Family Fun Fair and Awareness Day.

Prizes will be awarded to winners in the following categories:

– Category 1: Ages 6-12

– Category 2: Ages 13-15

– Category 3: Ages 16-18

– Category 4: Adults over 18 years

For more information, contact Kaye Christian at 288-5293 or Jeanne Rayphand at 235-7273. (NMPASI)

[B]OPA to visit Tinian today[/B]

Staff of the Office of the Public Auditor will be on Tinian today, April 24, 2009, to notarize and accept last-minute filings of financial disclosure statements from government officials. Filers may visit the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission conference room today from 9am to 4:30pm. All filers are reminded to bring with them some form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license or a passport. Failure to do so may result in the denial of notary services. For any inquiries or comments, contact OPA at 322-6481 or 6482. (PR)

[B]Prior Service Benefit Program notice[/B]

The Prior Service Trust Fund board has declared that effective May 1, 2009, adopted children will be prohibited in the determination of survivor benefits. Only the surviving spouse and natural children will be considered as dependents under the program. (PR)

[B]NMC Charter Day competitions briefing, preliminary dates set[/B]

In anticipation of NMC’s Charter Day on May 8, the Charter Day Entertainment Committee will be conducting briefings and auditions/rehearsals for various competitions and events, which include Marianas Idol, Battle of the Bands and CNMI’s Best Dance Crew. Individuals interested in competing in the upcoming Charter Day competitions are strongly encouraged to attend the pre-competition briefings on the following dates:

– April 23, 2009 for Marianas Idol (5pm at the Student Center in Bldg. J)

– April 24, 2009 for Battle of the Bands (5pm at the Student Center in Bldg. J)

– April 25, 2009 for CNMI’s Best Dance Crew (10am at the Student Center in Bldg. J)

The scoring rubric and other regulations will be discussed. The NMC Charter Day Entertainment Committee will also be holding auditions/rehearsals on the following days:

– May 4, 2009 for Marianas Idol (5pm – 8pm in Room D-1)

– May 5, 2009 for CNMI’s Best Dance Crew (5pm – 8pm in Room D-1)

– May 6, 2009 for Battle of the Bands (5pm – 8pm in Room D-1)

For more information, contact Ivan Mereb at 234-5498 ext 1251, e-mail ivanm@nmcnet.edu, or log on to www.nmcnet.edu. Applications are available the NMC Student Center in Building J of the College’s As Terlaje campus. (NMC)

[B]Military ID card personnel to visit Saipan[/B]

This is to let all military identification cardholders and all concerned that the 9th Mission Support Command ID Card personnel will be on Saipan to issue new or renewal of military ID cards. They will be at the Army Reserve Center on Saipan from May 18 to 22, 2009. Their hours are from 8am-6pm. For any questions or for further information, call Ruth Coleman at the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at 664-2650 or Maj. Greg Sablan at the Army Reserve Center at 322-6671. (PR)

[B]Football group to hold referee course[/B]

The Northern Marianas Island Football Association will conduct an EAFF Referee 3 Certification Course on May 1-3 and May 8-9, 2009, for all interested individuals ages 16 and older (trained, experienced referees ages 14-15 also welcome). To register, call NMIFA at 235-0173.(PR)

[B]KagES April calendar of events[/B]

April 27-May 1 SAT 10 Assessment for 3rd and 5th grade students

[B]Quarterly tax return deadline[/B]

The Division of Revenue and Taxation wishes to remind all CNMI residents that the 2009 1st Quarter deadline for filing the quarterly tax returns is Thursday, April 30, 2009. The Division of Revenue and Taxation will be open from 7:30am to 4:30pm on Thursday, April 30, 2009. The office of the Division of Revenue and Taxation is located at the Joeten Dandan Commercial Center. For more information, call 664-1000, 664-1043 Compliance Branch, or 664-1066 Collection Branch. (PR)

[B]Attention to MHS 9th grader[/B]

A reminder to all Marianas High School incoming freshmen (9th grader): Make sure to verify with the MHS Registrar (237-3205) that you are registered for classes for school year 2008-2009. You have to provide a new blue health card to MHS for new school year. Deadline for submission of new blue health card from Department of Public Health is Tuesday, Sept. 2. For questions and concerns, contact 237-3206. (PR)

[B]Marianas High School schedule[/B]

April 27- May 1 SAT10 Tests (Grade 9-11)
May 4-15 Advanced Placement Exams
May 18-22 PSS SBA Tests
May 25 No classes (Memorial Day)
June 11 Graduation Ceremony
June 15 End of 4th Quarter

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

[B]SVES registration schedule[/B]

San Vicente Elementary School Registration for School Year 2009-2010 is scheduled to begin on April 27, 2009 from 9am-12pm, and 1-4pm in the school registrar’s office.

Kindergarten- April 27-May 01, 2009
First through Third Grade- May 4-8, 2009
Fourth through Six Grade- May 11-15, 2009

Registration requirements: Birth certificate or passport, health certificate, health/ accidental insurance, map of residential location, power of attorney/ legal guardianship (if applicable), copy of report card, unofficial transcript with the address and phone number of the last school attended. (PR)

[B]Sr. Remedios registration ongoing[/B]

Registration is now ongoing at the Sister Remedios Early Childhood Development Center for School Year 2009-2010. For more information, call 234-6247. (PR)

[B]John Gonzales Live schedule in April [/B]

April 22, 2009 LIVE @ 7-8 pm – Replays 4/26 and 4/27 @ 7-8 pm

– Parents and service providers discuss living with autism in the CNMI

April 29, 2009 LIVE – Replays 5/3 and 5/4 @ 7-8 pm

– Current Issues with the Family Court

– Guest: Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo, CNMI Superior Court

Shows air on KSPN Channel 2; LIVE Text: 285-META; LIVE Call: 287-4230; E-mail: johngonzales@pticom.com. (PR)

[B]Marianas High School schedule[/B]

April 27-May 1 SAT10 test (grade 9 and 11)
May 4-15 Advanced Placement Exams
May 18-22 PSS SBA Tests
May 25 No classes (Memorial Day)
June 11 Graduation Ceremony
June 15 End of 4th Quarter

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

[B]PAWS sets public meeting[/B]

PAWS is having a no-host meeting at Coffee Care on April 30. The meeting is open to the public. All those interested in volunteering for PAWS and saving the non-profit organization are encouraged to attend the meeting. RSVP to Bobbi Grizzard no later than April 29 at bgrizzard@saipan.com or call 483-9464. Alternatively, you may contact 285-PAWS. (PR)

[B]Student applicants sought for Korean trip[/B]

Applications are being accepted from students between the age of 9 to 12 who are interested to participate in the upcoming JCI Student Exchange Program to be held in Seoul, Korea, from May 11 to 16, 2009. Anyone interested may come to the Saipan Mayor’s Office and pick up an application form, Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 11:30am and from 12:30pm to 4pm. For more information, call Jemalyn Tenorio at 234-6208 or 6280. (PR)

[B]Financial aid for power bill payments[/B]

Funds under the Mayor’s Utility Assistance Program are now available to help qualified residents pay for one month of their power bill. This is a federally funded program available to residents of the Saipan who are unable to pay for their power bills with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. All residents whose power bill is under their name are eligible to apply. Application forms can be picked up at the Saipan Mayor’s Office in Afetnas Square in San Antonio during regular working hours, Monday to Friday, between 7:30am to 11am and 12:30pm to 4pm. For more information, call Carmen C. Maratita or Katherine P. Terry at 234-6280 or 6208. (PR)