COMMUNITY BRIEFS – Aug. 12, 2014

New Election Commission phone numbers
This is to inform all department and agencies of the CNMI government that the telephone numbers for the Commonwealth Election Commission has changed, effective Monday, August 11, 2014. The new numbers are 235-8683, 235-8680 and 664-8682. The fax number is 664-8689 remain the same. (PR)

Nominations sought for Governor’s Humanities Awards
The Northern Marianas Humanities Council is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Governor’s Humanities Awards. This event, held annually in October as a part of CNMI Humanities Month, recognizes outstanding contributions to the humanities by individuals and organizations in the community. Nomination forms and instructions are available at the Council’s office in the Springs Plaza Building, Gualo Rai, or on the council website at www.nmihumanities.org. Nominations may be made by any member of the general public and are due no later than 4:30pm on Friday, Oct. 10. For more information, contact council staff at 235-4785. (NMI Humanities)

Weatherization Assistance Program suspended
The CNMI Energy Division of the Department of Public Works announced that it is suspending services under the Weatherization Assistance Program effective July 28, 2014, until further notice. For additional information, residents may contact the Energy office at 664-4480/1 or fax 664-4483. Funding opportunity for this program is made possible through a grant by the US Department of Energy. (PR)

Waters around FDM declared open for fishermen
ASAN, Guam—Waters surrounding the island of Farallon de Medinilla are deemed safe for local fishermen from Aug. 19 at 3pm to Aug. 27 at 11:59pm. The general public is advised to remain off the island of Farallon de Medinilla due to safety and security concerns. (PR)

CCA board meeting on Aug. 19
The Commonwealth Cancer Association’s board of directors will be holding its regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, at 3pm at the CCA conference room. Agenda includes reports from the president and program updates. All board meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact the CCA at 682-0050 or email at cca@ccamarianas.org. (CCA)

Survivors and caregivers support meeting
All people facing cancer, their family members, and caregivers are invited to the next Commonwealth Cancer Association monthly support meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, starting at 5:30pm at Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Chamolinian Room. To RSVP or for more information, call the CCA at 682-0050 or email at ccamarianas@gmail.com or cca@ccamarianas.org. (CCA)

Marpi to be blocked off on Aug. 29
The Department of Public Safety will be blocking off the northern part of the island, from Marpi north, on Aug. 29, 2014, from about 12pm to 3pm. The purpose of this blockage is to dispose of a large collection of unexploded ordnance that has been collected by the Department of Public Safety Explosive Response Team. We are requesting all visitors to these popular areas of the island make arrangements to visit either in the morning before the 12pm deadline or after the operation has completed at 3pm. (DPS)