Community Briefs – July 8, 2015

Attorney general warns against price gouging
As Tropical Storm Nangka approaches the Northern Mariana Islands following the heels of Tropical Storm Chan-Hom which has moved away from the Commonwealth, consumers should be aware that unscrupulous retailers and businesses may try to profit illegally from the storms.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan sternly warns retailers that the Consumer Protection Act makes it unlawful for any business to engage in price gouging. The Attorney General explains, “price gouging occurs when a business increases prices based on the shortage of goods caused by a natural disaster or any other emergency.” He added, “the Office of the Attorney General will prosecute, both criminally and civilly, any business that engages in price gouging.”

Contact Carla Torres, PIO of the Office of the Attorney General at 237-7500, or email Assistant Attorney General James Zarones at jzarones@dps.gov.mp for more information on price gouging.

2nd Annual International Festival of Cultures set
The 2nd Annual International Festival of Cultures will be held Aug. 22 and 29 and Sept. 5, 12, 19, and 26 at Paseo de Marianas in Garapan and will celebrate the cultural diversity of the Northern Mariana Islands, with special emphasis on the indigenous cultures of Micronesia. Cultural groups are encouraged to contact Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects Specialist Ryan Calvo at rcalvo@mymarianas.com or 664-3210 to participate.

Survivors, caregivers support meeting this Thursday
All people facing cancer, their family members, and caregivers are invited to the next Commonwealth Cancer Association monthly support meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 5:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Chamolinian Room.

The guest speaker will be Ronald Sablan, Medical Referral director, Office of the Governor and the topic is “Medical Referral Program Update.”

To RSVP or for more information, please call CCA at 682-0050 or email at ccamarianas@gmail.com or cca@ccamarianas.org.

Air Force to conduct training at FDM, WA-517
ASAN, Guam—The U.S. Air Force will conduct training at the island of Farallon de Medinilla during the following dates and times:
• July 8 from 10am to 5pm
• July 9 from 7pm to 11:55pm

The Air Force will also conduct training at Warning Area 517 July 9 from 7pm to 11:55pm.

The general public—especially fishermen, commercial pilots, and marine tour operators—are advised to stay clear from the areas during the dates and times indicated.

The general location of the training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla will be on a 10-nautical mile radius on all quadrants. Farallon de Medinilla plays a special and unique role in national defense because its location provides frequent access that supports established training requirements. In addition, the air and sea space in the Farallon provides sufficient room for the many different attack profiles necessary to replicate training opportunities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

W-517 is activated south of latitude 12° 40’ 00”N. All vessels are advised to remain clear of W-517 south of latitude 12° 40’ 00”N. Santa Rosa Reef and Galvez Bank are open for public use.

W-517 is an irregular shaped polygon comprising of 14,000 nautical square miles of airspace that begins south of Guam and extends south-southwest in international waters. W-517 supports surface and aerial gunnery, missiles, and laser exercises.

BSI artist registration open until July 12
Summer is here and in the spirit of the 70th Liberation Festivities, Best Sunshine International, Ltd. is welcoming CNMI citizens of all ages to submit artistic interpretations of the future of Saipan for the Discover the Future of Saipan Art Competition. As the focus of the artwork is the future, young artists’ submissions are welcome and encouraged. Registration will be open until July 12. Artwork must depict the future of Saipan and must contain local elements of native hospitality and/or elements of the CNMI tourism industry.

The top 3 entries that receive the most votes by the end of business on July 17, 2015 (5pm) will be considered the winning entries and will receive cash prizes for back to school expenses or art supplies. The top 10 to 20 entries will also have the opportunity to be featured in a high visibility campaign. All entries and registration forms with must be emailed to bsiartcompetition@gmail.com. You can also pick up artist registration forms at the Mariana Business Plaza, Room 204.