COMMUNITY BRIEFS – June 8, 2017

2017 Pistang Pinoy this Sunday

In celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day, the United Filipino Organization, in collaboration with the office of Philippine honorary consul to the CNMI, will be hosting the Independence Day festival, Pistang Pinoy, on Sunday, June 11, starting from 7pm to 10pm, at the Marianas Business Plaza. The festivities will include live entertainment, game contests, a Pinoy photo gallery, a bounce house for the children, a boodle fight-eating area, and more. There will be a raffle drawing on the night of the festival, with the grand prize winner getting a roundtrip ticket to the Philippines Food vendors will also be present at the festival. There will also be vendors for novelty items. The highlight of the night will be the awarding of “Batang Pinoy, Batang Saipan.” During this segment of the festival, 14 young achievers will be recognized and awarded.

Comments sought on marine monument

The U.S. Department of the Interior secretary has been tasked by President Donald Trump under Executive Order 13792, issued on April 25, 2017, to conduct a review of national monuments. Public comments are being sought regarding the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. Deadline for comments is due July 10, 2017. To submit online comments, go to https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/11/2017-09490/review-of-certain-national-monuments-established-since-1996-notice-of-opportunity-for-public-comment. Click on the “Submit a Formal Comment” green box on the right column. (PR)

Free business seminar

The Small Business Development Center will be offering a free business seminar about business structures at the Commonwealth Development Authority boardroom on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at from 8:30am to 9:30am. It will be presented by Gregory J. Koebel, a partner of the O’Connor Berman Dotts & Banes law firm. This seminar is supported by the CNMI Department of Commerce and CDA. To register, contact the SBDC office at (670) 664-3018 or visit http://pisbdcn.ecenterdirect.com/events. (PR)

Cancer survivors, caregivers support meeting

All people facing cancer, their family members, and caregivers are invited to the next Commonwealth Cancer Association, Inc. support meeting today, June 8, starting at 5:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Saipan Giovanni’s Room. To RSVP or for more information, call the CCA at 682-0050 or email at ccamarianas@gmail.com. (PR)

Air Force training at FDM

The U.S. Air Force will conduct training at the island of Farallon de Medinilla during the following dates and times:

-June 8, from 7:30am to noon

-June 9, from 9:30am to 1:30pm

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