COMMUNITY BRIEFS – June 9, 2017

Troop store hosts town hall meeting today

The Army & Air Force Exchange (troop store) is scheduled to conduct a town hall meeting today, June 9, at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center, Susupe, at 5pm. All AAFES patrons (active-duty, reserve, and National Guard service members and retirees, along with their eligible dependents) are invited to hear of upcoming plans for the new facility. For further questions, call AAFES at 322-6681. (PR)

Air Force training at FDM today

The U.S. Air Force will conduct training at the island of Farallon de Medinilla today, 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)

VA benefits counselor to visit Saipan

The U.S. Department of Veterans Benefits Administration will be visiting Saipan. A VA benefits counselor will be at the Saipan VA outreach clinic on June 28, 2017, from 9:30am to 3:30pm, to answer benefits questions, and assist with the claim process. The Saipan VA outreach clinic is located at the MH II Building, Suite 206, Marina Heights Business Park in Garapan. To request an appointment, contact Ruth Coleman at 322-0035. (PR)

29th Annual Environment Conference set for June 13

The 29th Annual Pacific Islands Environment Conference on Saipan will focus on sustainable living and how to battle different climate challenges. This will be a three-day conference. Registration for all three days will cost $50 online. Onsite registration will cost $75. Northern Marianas College students may register for free. For additional information, visit the Division of Environmental Quality’s website at deq.gov.mp or call BECQ at 664-8500. (Saipan Tribune)

Public schools to offer summer food service

The Public School System and the Summer Food Service Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have launched a Summer Food Service that is going to run from June 5 to July 14, 2017. The Summer Food Service is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by PSS. It will provide free lunches to children and teens (18 years old and younger) in public schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The Saipan locations are Tanapag Middle School, Garapan Elementary School, Oleai Elementary School, Kagman High School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, and Koblerville Elementary School. The Tinian location will be at the Tinian Junior Senior High School. The Rota locations will be at the Sinapalo Elementary School and Rita H. Inos Junior Senior High School. No registration is required. Each child is entitled one lunch per day. Lunch is served at the locations from 11:30am to 12pm. For details call 664-3901 or 664-3902. (Saipan Tribune)

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, from 7am 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. 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. (PR)

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)