COMMUNITY BRIEFS – Oct. 26, 2017

Today is Wear Red Day

Today is Wear Red Day and the Red Ribbon Committee and its partners will be holding a roadside waving at the Garapan Fishing Base from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to join the anti-drug campaign. This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme is “Your future is key, so stay drug-free.” Some schools are participating in the gate/wall decorating contest depicting this theme. (PR)

Free ‘Personal Finance 101’ seminar today

The CNMI Small Business Development Center will be offering a free business seminar on Saipan, “Personal Finance 101,” at the Commonwealth Development Authority boardroom today, Oct. 26, 2017, from 8:30am to 10am. It will be presented by Marvin Deleon Guerrero, BankPacific’s assistant vice president and Saipan branch manager. To register, contact the Small Business Development Center at 664-3018 or register online at http://pisbdcn.ecenterdirect.com/events. (PR)

Free training on taxes for small businesses

The CNMI Small Business Development Center is teaming up with accounting firm Ernst & Young to bring you “Understanding Taxes for Small Business,” a free training this Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, from 9am to 10am. It will be presented by Shamika Ratwatte and Andrea Hofschneider at the Commonwealth Development Authority boardroom in San Jose. (PR)

CNMI Next Top Chef competition

The CNMI Next Top Chef 2017 invites interested chefs to register for the competition on Nov. 9, 2017, at 6pm at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. Tickets are now on sale for $50/person including the live cooking competition, full buffet dinner, and raffle. For a chef entry form or tickets, contact Empty Vessel Ministry Foundation at 235-2340 or emptyvesselministry@gmail.com. Jointly organized with the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, the event will benefit the Empty Vessel Ministry. (PR)

Free workshop on oral history

Rlene Santos Steffy, an ethnographer and oral history practitioner, will be holding an oral history workshop at Kagman High School today, Oct. 26, beginning at 8:45am. This is free and open to the public. (PR)

Military training at Warning Area 517

ASAN, Guam—The U.S. military will conduct training at Warning Area 517 today, Oct. 27, from 10:30am to 10pm. It is recommended the public, fishermen, and marine tour operators monitor the U.S. Coast Guard broadcast notice to mariners for advisories. W-517 is activated south of latitude 12° 40’ 00″N. Santa Rosa Reef and Galvez Bank are open for public use. (PR)

CNMI-OSHA outreach training on Saipan

The CNMI-OSHA Consultation Program will be conducting a free outreach training on Saipan today, Oct. 26, starting at 9am, at the CNMI-OSHA Consultation Office training room. Private sector employers interested in learning about OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting requirements are invited to participate. Seats are limited, so call Elaine Pangelinan at 664-3156 or email to Elaine.pangelinan@gmail.com to reserve your seats. Outreach training for Rota and Tinian will be announced later. This program is voluntary, is not required by OSHA, and does not meet the training requirements of OSHA standards. (PR)

Halloween Fun at AMP

On Oct. 31, from 3:30pm to 6pm, the American Memorial Park will host trick-or-treating along with a special World War II-theme related costume contest. Prizes will be given for the top three costumes. To participate in the contest, be sure to check-in with staff or volunteers before 6pm.  For more information or if you would like to be a part of the event and give out treats, register with Jovannalyn Mafnas by Oct. 27, 2017 at jmafnas@pacifichistoricparks.org or call 234-7207 Ext. 2020. (NPS)

Limited tickets for ‘Ultimate Drag Queen’ on Nov. 4

In celebration of their 25th year anniversary in the CNMI, the Saipan Fil-American Lions Club will a host a fundraiser called “The Ultimate Drag Queen 2017” on Nov. 4, at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort. VIP tickets cost $25 and general admission is $15. Proceeds from the event will be used for the club’s community projects. For more details, call club president Annamae Adaza at 285-4388, vice president Lourdes Ortiz at 785-2306, VP Leony Mendoza at 287-7563, secretary Mario Mayuga at 285-1021, or Ernie Molina at 789-8212. (PR)

Marriage Encounter Weekend set

The next CNMI Marriage Encounter Weekend will take place at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan on Nov. 17-19 2017. It is open to husband and wife couples of all denominations and mixed faiths. There is a non-refundable application fee of $100. If couples are unable to fund the $100, M.E. will find sponsors to pay the fee. To participate, email cnmime@gmail.com or call Joe and Linda Muña at 287-2102. Space is limited to the first 15 couples only. (PR)