Community Briefs – January 5, 2018

NMPASI closed today
The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. will be closed for Professional Development on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. It will be resuming regular business hours again on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (PR)

Military training at Warning Area 517, FDM
ASAN, Guam—The U.S. military will conduct training at Warning Area 517 (W-517) during the following dates and times:

• Jan. 5, from 7:30am to 5pm 

• Jan. 6, from 10am to 6pm 


The military will also conduct training at the island of Farallon de Medinilla today, Jan. 5, from 7:30am to 5pm 

It is recommended the public, fishermen and marine tour operators monitor the Coast Guard broadcast notice to mariners for advisories. 
W-517 is activated south of latitude 12° 40’ 00″N. Santa Rosa Reef and Galvez Banks are open for public use. The general location of the training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla will be in a 12-nautical mile radius of the island. (PR)

High surf seen until Saturday
Based on the information received from the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, a large north swell will produce hazardous surf and a high risk of rip currents along north facing reefs the next couple of days.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 6am Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Tiyan has issued a high surf advisory, which Surf will be hazardous at 7 to 9 feet along north facing reefs until today, Thursday, and may rise to 10 feet at times Thursday night. Surf will remain hazardous at least into Friday night.

The public is advised to avoid venturing near reef lines and exposed beaches, especially those facing north, as rip currents will be life threatening. (EOC)

BECQ beach cleanup on Saturday
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality Cleanup Brigade will be picking up trash at San Antonio Beach (behind the middle school) on Jan. 6, 2018.

If you would like to volunteer, meet the BECQ representatives on Saturday at the San Antonio Beach entrance at 8am. Volunteers will split into groups and 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 brigade T-shirt.

For more information about volunteering, contact the BECQ office at 664-8500/1. (PR)

NMC offices closed today
All Academic Programs and Services offices at the Northern Marianas College will be closed today, Jan. 5, to allow faculty and staff to participate in faculty-focused training activities. Other offices, including student service offices, will be open. For any campus emergency, contact NMC Security at 237-6800. For more information about upcoming events, visit www.marianas.edu. (PR)

JKPL offers ukulele classes
Registration for Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Beginner and Advance Ukulele Class is now open. The minimum age requirement is ages 8 years or older and adults. The total cost for eight class
sessions is $50. Ukulele classes are held at Joeten-Kiyu Public Library in partnership with ukulele instructor Larry Lee and son, Kui Lee. The deadline to register is Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. For questions, call Celina Foreman or Victoria Cabrera at 235-7315/7322 during regular library hours. (PR)