Community Briefs – March 4, 2020

Kagman schools set PTSA meeting
This is to inform all parents, guardians, and the community that the Kagman Unified Schools will be having a Parents Teachers Students Association meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 5:30pm in the Kagman Elementary School cafeteria. We are encouraging all parents, and guardians to attend this meeting. Child care will be provided. Call any of the three schools at 237.3150 (KAGE), 237.3165 (COVMS), or 237.3196 (KHS) if you have any questions or concerns. (PR)

Rip currents until Friday
The high risk of rip currents is extended through Friday evening.

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 trade-wind swell will continue to produce surf large enough along east facing reefs to maintain strong and frequent rip currents.

Along east facing reefs, surf of 7 to 10 feet will maintain a high risk of rip currents through at least Friday night. Decreasing surf later in the week may allow the risk of rip currents to fall to moderate by the weekend.

The public is advised that strong rip currents will be life threatening along east facing reefs. If you become caught in a rip current remain calm. Swim out of a rip current by swimming parallel to shore then back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly. (PR)

Ukulele class at JKPL
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library registration for Beginner and Intermediate Ukulele Class is ongoing. This is open to children ages 8 years or older and adults. The total cost for eight class sessions is $50. Ukulele classes are held at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library in partnership with ukulele instructor Larry Lee and children. Session is set to begin on March 6, 2020. Ukulele class is every Friday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

The JKPL ukulele class is based on “first come, first paid.” Students must provide their own ukuleles and a folder to hold music sheets (plastic sheet protectors and a three-ring binder are recommended). Parents/guardians must sign a liability waiver form on behalf of their participating children and must adhere to public library policies and procedures. For questions regarding ukulele class, call Celina Foreman or Caitlyn Crisostomo at 235-7315/7322 during regular library hours. Class dates are subject to change, unless otherwise specified. (PR)

Guam issues more tax refunds
HAGATNA, Guam—The Department of Revenue & Taxation has processed and the Department of Administration will mail 138 tax refund checks this week. The checks total approximately $541,820.05, including refunds garnished to repay government debts for error-free returns filed on or before September 07, 2019. For inquiries, contact the Income Tax Branch of the Department of Revenue & Taxation at (671) 635-1809 or Edward Birn, Department of Administration, at (671) 475-1250. (PR)

Free Guam workshop on federal contracting
The Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center is offering free workshops to the public for March 2020. The workshops run from 9am to 10am at the University of Guam in the Jesus and Eugenia Leon GuerreroBusiness and Public Admin Building, Room 149 (unless otherwise specified):

• March 5: Marketing to the federal government – Are you ready to sell to the government? The government buys products and services differently than the private sector. The Guam PTAC will discuss marketing strategies, essential documents, and how to get your company on “the list.”

• March 12: Responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs)–The Guam PTAC will walk participants through the common sections and clauses of an RFP as well as provide tips on developing a proposal in response to an RFP.

• March 19: Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment – Do you have a DOD contract and need to get paid? The Guam PTAC will explain DOD invoicing procedures using the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment system.

• March 26: – Cybersecurity: Federal Contractor Responsibilities – Cybersecurity is a national security issue. We will discuss what Federal contractors can do to make sure they are complying with DOD requirements to protect Controlled Unclassified Information as well as provide updates on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

For project management professionals, Guam PTAC workshops may count toward your annual Professional Development Unit goals!

Register at http://guamptac.com/news-and-events.php, or call/email Therese at 735-2552/admin@guamptac.com. Walk-ins are welcome. (PR)

Lane closure for Triple J Color Run
Triple J announced yesterday that the southbound lane along Beach Road will be closed on Saturday, March 7, from 4am to 8am for the Triple J 5K Saipan Bubble Color Run. The closure is necessary for the runners’ safety. The start point of the lane closure is Garapan Farmer’s Market proceeding south 2.5 kilometers past the Quartermaster intersection to the Blue Beach House Hotel. (PR)

NMHC offers loan deferment assistance
Due to the impending austerity measures and the anticipated economic hardships as a result of the decline in the tourism industry as affected by the suspension of visitor arrivals from China and reduced flights from Korea, most, if not all Northern Marianas Housing Corp. clients will somehow be affected.
Therefore, NMHC will place a blanket deferment assistance of all of its loans for a period of three months, which will begin March 1, 2020, and will end on May 31, 2020. Interest shall not accrue during the three-month period. Beginning June 1, 2020, all loans will be reinstated to their regular monthly payments and an additional three months will be added on to the loan maturity.

If you do not wish to avail of this assistance, you must provide NMHC an official cancelation notice of the deferment assistance being offered.

Should you have any further questions, contact the Mortgage & Credit Division at telephone numbers 234-6866/9447/7689/7670. (PR)