Community Briefs

Red Cross meeting

The annual membership meeting of the Northern Mariana Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross is scheduled for May 28, where, among others, the election of several new board members will be held.

The general public is invited to nominate candidates for new board members. For inquiries call the NMI Chapter’s office at 234-3459, fax: 234-3457. The nomination closes at 4pm, Friday, May 8.

Lower RP passport fee

The Philippine Consulate General announced that effective June 1, 2002, it will collect reduced passport fee (new or renewal). The consular office will be collecting $50 for a new 32-page passport and $60 for a new 64-page passport, which is $10 cheaper than the present rate. The fee for passport amendment, however, remains pegged at $20.

The revised passport fee was recently approved by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, following clamor to have the fees reduced in a bid to help Filipino contract workers abroad.

DEQ monthly cleanup

The Division of Environmental Quality’s Cleanup Brigade will pick up trash from the Chalan Kanoa Sugar Dock to the Chalan Kanoa District 4 Lally Beach on May 4. Those who would like to volunteer are urged to meet the DEQ representative at 8am at the Chalan Kanoa Sugar Dock. The brigade cleans until 10am. For more information, call the DEQ at 664-8500.

CPR training

The American Red Cross announced the following health and safety training this month: Adult CPR will be on Saturday, May 18, 8-12pm; First Aid Basics will be on Thursday, May 23, 6-10pm; Infant and Child CPR will be on Saturday, May 25, 8-1:30pm.

The training fee is $30 per person/per course only. The registration deadline for the May 18 training is on Friday, May 10. Registration deadline for the May 23 and 25 sessions is on Friday, May 17. For more information, call Carmelita Reyes at the Chapter Office at 234-3459.

MHS home care

The Marianas High School Home Care announced that the receipt of official Medicare certification from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Service Region IX. The MHS Home Care also said that it is now accepting patients. To obtain information regarding care criteria, call 233-4646/7, or send e-mail to: mhsinc@gtepacifica.net

DLNR meting

The Saipan and Northern Islands Soil and Water Conservation District would like to inform the public of the following meetings: The District meeting on May 7 at 2pm at the Department of Lands and Natural Resources conference room, and the Watershed Meeting on May 8 at 9:30am at the NRCS Office. For more information, contact the SNISWCD office at 322-9830 or 322-9834.