Community Briefs

IMPORTANT DATES FOR FRG MEMBERS

The Family Readiness Group of the Echo Company 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry would like to inform all Reservists and families of the following important dates:

* Aug. 11, 6pm @ Mt. Carmel Cathedral—Special Mass for our reservists. Families and friends are welcome to attend this special Mass.

* Aug. 17-20 @ Reserve Center, Puerto Rico—New issue and/or renewal of military ID card. Families of active, Reserve or veteran soldier(s) should get a new or renew their military ID cards at the Reserve Center.

For more information, call Cil Blas/FRG Leader at 323-4675 (evenings). Show your support for our troops by turning on your headlights on Aug. 11.

ATTENTION TO ALL VETERANS ON TINIAN

A representative from the CNMI Office of Military and Veterans Affairs will visit Tinian on Aug. 11, 12, and 13. All veterans and family of veterans who are interested in applying for Veterans Administration benefits are encouraged to meet with Ruth Coleman, veteran representative from Saipan at the Retirement Office on Tinian from 9am to 4pm. Coleman will also give an overview of Veterans Administration programs and services, as well as conduct/assist disabled veterans open or follow up on their VA cases.

For more information, contact the Office of the Military and Veterans Affairs on Saipan at 664-2650 or Annie at the Tinian Retirement Office, 433-3863.

NMPASI PUBLIC FORUM SET

The Northern Mariana Islands Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., which administers the Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness, Protection & Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities, Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology, Protection & Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury, Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights, Client Assistance Program, and Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries for Social Security, wishes to invite all CNMI residents to a public forum for comments on its fiscal year 2005 Statement of Objectives and Priorities.

The public hearings are scheduled for the following dates:

Tinian—Aug. 11, Mayor’s Office Conference Room, 6pm
Rota—Aug. 12, Roundhouse Songsong Village, 6pm
Saipan—Aug. 13, NMPASI Conference Room, 6pm

JOETEN-KIYU ACQUIRES AUDIO CD COLLECTION

The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library has received a large collection of audio CDs, which are now available to the public.

The CDs may be borrowed for up to seven days with a Joeten-Kiyu Library card. They cover a diverse range of musical genres including classical, country, pop, rock, jazz, and others. There is something for everyone. This new audio collection was acquired through the efforts of the Attorney General’s Office in a lawsuit against the music distribution industry. The public is encouraged to take advantage of the new collection.

UPAA MOVES RAFFLE DRAW DATE

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association CNMI Chapter has moved the June 12 fundraising raffle draw to Aug. 14, Saturday.

Those who have not yet purchased tickets are encouraged to do so. Proceeds will go to the UPAA’s “Donate a Classroom Project” in the Philippines, and will help recognize and support deserving CNMI students.

The Aug. 14 raffle drawing will be held at the POLO office, 1st Floor of Nauru Building in Susupe, 6pm.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR ANGER MANAGEMENT

The Community Guidance Center will begin the next session for its Anger Management Program on Aug. 18 from 1pm to 2:30pm in the N-5 Building in Navy Hill.

The program is an ongoing eight-week session, conducted every Wednesday of the week.

Several clients are referred to the program through the court; others are volunteer participants from the community.

For more information on the program or to register call the Community Guidance Center at 323-6567. Identities of participants will be kept confidential.

TORRES OFFERS FREE NOTARIAL SERVICES

Former congressman Stanley T. Torres, who is also a notary public, is offering free notarial services to all U.S. Army Reservists and their dependents.

Torres can be contacted through the offices of:
Rep. Heinz Hofschneider 664-6969
Rep. Jesus Attao 664-8822
Rep. David Apatang 664-8980
Or in an emergency 287-9255

RESIDENTIAL, BIZ INSPECTIONS IN KAGMAN II VILLAGE

The Division of Environmental Quality and the Bureau of Environmental Health would like to inform the residents of Kagman II village that on-site disposal system and premise compliance inspections would be conducted on residential and business facilities. The inspections has been ongoing since April 21, 2004 and will continue to be conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kagman II residents are requested to cooperate with inspectors in keeping their dog(s) on a leash, for the safety of the inspectors. Both BEH and DEQ inspectors are required to wear their respective uniforms and photo identification during all inspections.

For additional information on the OSDS inspections, contact the BEH office at 664-4870/2 or the DEQ office at 664-8500/1.

PAG-IBIG REFUNDS AVAILABLE

Pag-IBIG overseas program members from 1996 to January 1998 can now apply for a refund of their total contributions plus the 3-percent dollar interest tax-free.

“Just fill out a refund application form and you will receive your refund in U.S. dollars. After getting your refund, you can be a member again by submitting a new pop membership form and contribute a minimum of $5.00 per month,” according to a Pag-IBIG statement.

For a minimum contribution of $5 a month, former members can also activate their Pag-IBIG membership also in the Philippines using the same Pag-IBIG ID number.
“Your contribution will be converted into Philippine pesos using the current conversion rate and it will earn a 7.5-percent peso interest. After 25 to 30 years from your initial contribution, you are entitled to a refund in Philippine peso of all your contribution including interest tax-free,” the agency said.

For more information, call the Pop Saipan Office at 235-4749 or visit the Pop Office at the ground floor of the Nauru Building in Susupe and look for information officer Lynell F. Fulgencio.