Community Briefs – June 26, 2019

Time management training today

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce and Jim Arenovski of Island Training Solutions will be hosting a training on time management at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce conference room (Marianas Business Plaza, third floor, Suite 315) today, June 26, from 9am to 12pm. Registration fee is $50 per person for Chamber members and $55 per person for non-members. Light refreshments are included. Reservations and advance payment are required as seating is limited. To register, call 670-234-7150 or email coordinator2@saipanchamber.com. (PR)

Liberation Day festivities kick off tomorrow

The CNMI Liberation Day festivities will kick off tomorrow, June 27, at 6pm, at the Garapan Fishing Base’s Liberation carnival grounds. This year’s theme is “Marianas Strong.” The festivities will run from Thursday through July 6, 2019. This year’s festivities feature sweet and savory food vendors, new carnival games, and a great lineup of entertainment.

The carnival is open every night at 6pm beginning Thursday.

For more information, visit saipanmayor.net or the 2019 CNMI Liberation Day Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CNMILiberationDay. (PR)

Bank of Guam Saipan branches closed on July 6

Bank of Guam’s Saipan branches will be closed for one day on Saturday, July 6, 2019. The bank’s ATMS, online banking and customer support centers remain available. (PR)

COTA hours during austerity Fridays

The hours of operations for the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority’s One-Call/One-Click transportation information resource center, demand response shared ride service, and the fixed route service will remain the same on Friday, July 5, 2019, until further notice.

Hours of operations are as follows: One-Call/One-Click Transportation Information Resource Center Reservation Line (670) 664-2690

Monday – Friday: 6:30am to 7pm.
Sat: 6:30am to 4pm.
Demand Response Shared Ride Service: Call-A-Ride Saipan (CARS)
Monday – Friday: 6:30am to 7pm.
Sat: 6:30am to 4pm.
Fixed Route Service: Flame Tree Line 1A
Monday – Friday: 6:30am to 7pm.
Sat: 6:30am to 4pm.

Public invited to Liberation Day Color Run in Guam

SANTA RITA, Guam—The public is invited to the MWR Guam Liberation Day Color Run on Sunday, July 14, at U.S. Naval Base Guam-Radio Barrigada.

The 5K is being held in celebration of Guam’s 75th liberation anniversary. 

There is no registration fee and a military ID or visitor pass is not required to participate in this event.

The color run show time is 6am, with the race to begin at 7am.

Pre-registration is ongoing at Charles King Fitness Center for military ID card holders. Registration for the public will be accepted the morning of race day.

T-shirts will be distributed to the first 400 finishers. Light refreshments and drinks will be served courtesy of Orote Commissary. NEX will provide Gatorade. The event will also feature a Zumba warm-up and static displays of Navy equipment throughout the race path.

The following is a list of prohibited items: drones, weapons, backpacks, glass containers, coolers, large bags, recording devices (audio or video), outside alcohol, pets, rollerblades, skateboards, and roller-skates. Marijuana and other drugs are also prohibited on military installations. (PR)

Reunion meeting for MHS Class of 1981

Attention to all Class of 1981 Marianas High School: There will be a Class Reunion 6pm meeting tomorrow, June 27, 2019, at Tech-Nic Gaming Center above Sherwin Williams on Middle Road, across Bank of Hawaii. See you there. (PR)

Comments sought on COTA policy update

The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority is updating its Limited English Proficiency Policy Plan and Public Participation Plan. A copy of the LEP and the Public Participation Plan can be obtained at COTA. Written comments must be submitted directly to COTA, Suite 216, Marianas Business Plaza, Susupe, Saipan or via email to: alfreda.camacho@gov.mp no later than July 1, 2019, 2pm. For any questions, contact Diego Songsong, COTA community planner, at (670) 664-2682. (PR)

US Naval Base Guam to conduct Citadel Pacific 2019

SANTA RITA, Guam—U.S. Naval Base Guam will participate in an annual anti-terrorism force protection exercise until June 28. Exercise Citadel Pacific 2019 is designed to enhance the training, readiness and capability of Navy security forces in order to effectively respond to threats to installations, commands and units.
This annual exercise, which is conducted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, Navy Installations Command, is not in response to any specific threat.
Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions within communities and to normal base operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders. (PR)

Weightlifting contest on July 27

The 2019 CNMI Weightlifting Championship will be held on July 27, a Saturday, at the Minachom Attao pavilion in Susupe, starting at 10am. Registration deadline is noon of June 25, 2019, to be delivered to Greg Borja or Jeanne Rayphand at the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc. office in Gualo Rai. Entry fee is $10, while the admission fee is $5.

For more information, contact Borja at 787 6642 or Rayphand at 287-9807. (PR)

Precinct 2 reps call for tree planting volunteers

Precinct 2 Reps. Christina Sablan and John Paul Sablan invite members of the community to help plant trees along the coast this Saturday, June 29, at Sugar Dock Beach, from 9am to 11am.  

The representatives are teaming up in support of the “Bring Back Our Trees” project led by Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance in collaboration with CNMI Division of Forestry, Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Educational Services, Bureau of Coastal and Environmental Quality, the Saipan Mayor’s Office, and other community partners.

Native trees will be planted along the shoreline to replace trees lost in Super Typhoon Yutu and to promote a more resilient coastal environment and healthier coral reefs. Water, gloves, and tools will be provided, though volunteers are welcome to bring their own.

For more information, contact MINA at 233-7333 (REEF) or email minaoutreach@gmail.com. Or call the Office of Rep. Tina Sablan at 664-8829 or the Office of Rep. John Paul Sablan at 664-8965. (PR)