COMMUNITY BRIEFS

VETERANS REP ON ROTA TODAY

A representative from the CNMI Office of Military and Veterans Affairs will be on Rota today, Sept. 23. All veterans and families of veterans who are interested in applying for Veterans Administration benefits are encouraged to meet with Ruth Coleman, veterans representative from Saipan at the Paris Café on Rota from 8am to 4pm. Coleman will also give an overview of Veterans Administration programs and services, as well as conduct/assist current disabled veterans open or follow up on their VA cases.

For more information, call the Office of the Military/Veterans Affairs on Saipan directly at 664-2650/51.

LOCAL ARTISTS SOUGHT FOR CNMI DIRECTORY

The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs-Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture will be creating a publication of CNMI visual and performing (folks and contemporary) artists.

The publication will provide one page per artist for a photo of the artist(s), and up to two photos of artwork or performance. Additionally, each page will include a short biography of the artist(s) and their work and contact information.

“If you would like to be included in this publication, you will need to submit a clear photo of yourself or your group, two photos of your artwork or performance, short biography and contact information to Sinforosa Pinaula at the Arts Council Office no later than Oct. 8, 2004,” DCCA said in a statement.

One copy of the publication will be provided to every artist included in the publication. The publication will be disseminated to the public and private sectors, and will be made available to individuals and entities seeking artwork or arts services.

For more information, contact Pinaula at the Arts Council at 322-9982/3.

KARIDAT TO ISSUE FOOD ASSISTANCE ON FRIDAY

This is to inform victims of Typhoon Chaba who were not recipient of food assistance issued on Aug. 26-30, 2004 that Karidat will be issuing food assistance beginning Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 from 9am-12noon and 1pm-4pm, until supplies last.

SOCIAL SECURITY REP TO VISIT ROTA

Social Security representative Alfredo Quiroz will visit Rota this Friday, Sept. 24, 2004. He will be available to receive applications for Social Security numbers, to discuss Social Security benefits and SSI payments and to provide information about programs administered by Social Security.

Quiroz will be available from 8am to noon at the Aging Office in Sinapalo Village.

For more information, Rota residents can call toll free at 532-9421. The local number on Saipan is 234-6203.

SNISWCD MEETING IN OCTOBER

The Saipan & Northern Islands Soil and Water Conservation District would like to inform the public of their monthly meeting on Oct. 6, 2004 at 1:30pm at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Office. For more information, contact 234-6170.

ASVAB test
this Friday, Saturday

The U.S. Army Reserve will be administering the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery examinations, or ASVAB, this week.

Individuals 17-34 years of age, a citizen of the United States, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau or have an I-551 (permanent resident) are urged to take the exam.

The ASVAB test will be administered on Sept. 24, Friday, 4pm, at the U.S. Army Reserve Center; and on Sept. 25, Saturday, 8am, also at the U.S. Army Reserve Center

Interested people must bring a picture I.D. to process. If there are any question call collect (671) 477-7666 and ask for SFC Carnate (cell 671-687-3640) or SSG Fernandez (cell 671-687-3940)

FEMA ADVISES PATIENCE WHEN TELEREGISTERING

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Commonwealth government advise those who sustained damage as a result of Supertyphoon Chaba to be patient when attempting to register for assistance.

The agency said that teleregistration is still the best and quickest way to register but due to the many disasters in the U.S. mainland, “the wait may be longer than normal, but we will get to you.”

FEMA recommended that those affected by the typhoon should call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and TTY 1-800-462-7585 between 5pm and 8pm local time to register for assistance.

Attempting to register at the Disaster Recovery Centers will result in a longer waiting period and less efficient service. Registrants may still call between 7am and 8pm, seven days a week.