COMMUNITY BRIEFS – Oct. 27, 2017

Free training on taxes today 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 today, 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)

VA benefits counselor visiting 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 Dec. 15, 2017, from 9:30am to 3:30pm. The benefits counselor will be available to answer benefits questions, and assist with the claim process.
The Saipan VA Outreach Clinic is located at the MH II Bldg. Suite 206, Marina Heights Business Park in Garapan. To request an appointment, contact Ruth Coleman at 322-0035. (PR)

Scheduled power outage on Saturday

There will be a scheduled power interruption on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, from 5:30am to 10:30am to allow Commonwealth Utilities Corp. line crew to safely replace deteriorated power pole hardware along Isa Drive on Capitol Hill.

Water services to Garapan, CHCC Hospital, Lower Navy Hill, Sadog Tasi and Lower Base areas will be interrupted. Areas to be affected include Isa Drive, Capital Hill (Sagua Dr., Hafno St., Mate Dr., and Haat P1.), Sadog Tasi (Coastal Dr., Laguna Dr., Trenchera Ln., Nonak Dr., Rubentasion Ln., Woosch Dr., Tide Lp., Leeset Ln., Acho Tasi Pl., Sadog Tasi Dr., and Pila Dr.), Lower Base Drive, and Lower Base (Orhopay P1., Pagu Av., Ufa St., Manglen Way, and Mangrove P1.) Water wells to be affected include SQ-4, SQ-7, SQ-148, SQ-149, and SQ-150. (CUC)

Kagman church to serve free breakfast

The Kagman Community Church will serve free breakfast to the community on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 9am. All are welcome to join. KCC will also have a potluck for the community on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 5pm, followed by the weekly service at 6pm. Rides are provided free of charge to any church event. Contact Zack at 789-8071 for a ride. (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)

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)

PH consulate to hold NMI outreach

The Philippine Consulate General in Guam, in coordination with the Office of Honorary Consul Eli Arago, will conduct a mobile consular outreach in the CNMI from Nov. 13 to 17, 2017 (Monday to Friday) at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, from 9am to 6pm. Those who wish to renew their passport, submit your application at the Finasisu Terraces, Apartment Building D, second floor (top of the Mini-Mart Store), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (12pm to 1pm, break time). For any inquiry about passport renewal. call Mel Santos at 233-6293. (PR)

Renewed PH passports now being released

The Philippine Consulate General in Guam, in coordination with the Office of Honorary Consul Eli Arago, is releasing passports to those who renewed their passports last Sept. 8, 9, 10, and 11, 2017. You can pick up your new passports at Finasisu Terraces, Apartment Building D, second floor, at the top of the Mini-Mart Store, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm (12pm to 1pm is break time). Please bring your old passport and receipt. For more details, call Mel Santos at 233-6293. (PR)

JIL Church Saipan to mark 20th anniversary

The CNMI community is invited to attend the Jesus is Lord Church Saipan’s 20th anniversary celebration on Nov. 5, 3pm at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort. The JIL Church Saipan congregation hosts its members at their sanctuary in San Vicente.  There are three services available every Sunday: 7:30am, 9:30am, and 6pm. For more information, call 670-235-8053 or 670-989-8053. (PR)