COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Read-A-Thon underscores importance of reading

The CNMI International Reading Association will host the second annual Read-A-Thon for the Northern Marianas. Many of the public and private schools throughout Saipan, Tinian and Rota are encouraging their students to record the amount of time they spend reading during the week.

This can be reading for many different reasons, including recreation and information. To participate, students in grades 3-12 pledge to read for at least six hours. Pre-kindergarten to grade two should read, or be read to, at least three hours. Parents are asked to encourage their children to get involved and read throughout the week.

Karidat holds reading lessons

The Karidat, House of Manhoben in Chalan Kanoa offers boys and girls reading lessons for the month of April. Reading lessons will be offered for children between the ages of 10 and 14. The reading class will begin on April 3 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Classes for reading are to be held Tuesdays and Thursdays and classes will conclude on May 3. The instructor for these classes is Mrs. Bal Perez. Karidat is encouraging the youths to register as soon as possible since enrollment is limited. There is no registration fee for these classes. For more information and details call Cynthia Castro or Steve Lizama at 234-9026.

April Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month

The Division of Youth Services invites the public to witness Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio sign a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. The ceremony will be held on Friday at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe at 9am. Call the DYS Office at 664-2550 for more information.

2001 Lib Day head named

Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan yesterday announced the appointment of former Retirement Fund Administrator Edward Manglona as chairman of the 2001 Liberation Day Committee festivities.

Mr. Manglona succeeds Mrs. Agnes McPhetres who was the 2000 Liberation Day Committee chairperson. He was the vice chairman for last year’s committee. The 2001 body will bring continuity in the previous committees’ organizational goals and objectives. Mr. Manglona was elated of his appointment by Mayor Sablan and has accepted his appointment without reservation.

Road repairs completed

Contractors have completed clearing and repair of the Andresina Villagomez Road in As Perdido, according to Saipan Mayor Jose C. Sablan.

At least 10-foot of oil had been successfully removed to make the existing As Perdido Road become a reality, after nearly 30 days of the secondary road repairs of what comprised of 2,704 sq. meters of road cut-offs in the village.

The work involved the cut down of ground elevation and the compaction of coral and the removal of vegetation in the site.