Community Briefs

FREE CONFERENCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Domestic Violence Conference Steering Committee will be hosting a Domestic Violence Conference on Dec. 2 and 3, 2004 (Thursday and Friday) at the Hyatt Regency SandCastle. Admission is free.

Some of the topics are Dynamics of Domestic Violence, Temporary Restraining Order Process, the new Domestic Violence Law, and the Criminal Justice System’s Response to Domestic Violence.

Seating is limited so call as soon as possible to register.

For more information contact Patrick Diaz at 236-9783, Ursula Aldan at 236-9868, or Esther Milne at 323-1954.

CALL FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION VENDORS

The Residential Energy Assistance Challenge of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs is seeking vendors of energy conservation products to demonstrate their products at the REACh Energy Fair on Nov. 20, 2004. REACH invites the participation of vendors in the areas of lighting; refrigeration and air-conditioning; energy star label products; alternative power sources; energy-saving technology; glass windows; landscaping; and construction.

The goal of the Fair is to increase public awareness on ways to save energy and money. Food and entertainment vendors are also welcome. Interested vendors must register by Nov. 15, 2004. Registration forms are available at the DCCA Office, 1341 Ascension Drive, Capitol Hill. For more information contact REACh project voordinator Linda Concepcion-Torres at 670- 664-2576 or reachlctorres@yahoo.com.

CCLPC COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTICE

The Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission will conduct its regular meeting on Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at 1pm, at the Office on Aging Conference Room. The public is invited to attend this meeting.

For more information, contact the Language Commission Office at 288-5321/26/27.

DEADLINE SET FOR EAP SCHOLARSHIP

The Educational Assistance Program Winter/Spring 2005 deadline is Dec. 15, 2004.

EAP is for those who have completed their high school requirement and desires to pursue a postsecondary education (certificate to bachelor’s degree).

EAP provides funding to assist defray educational cost for eligible individuals for the following program:

* on-island/offisland enrolled at an accredited institution as a fulltime status;

* on-island fulltime employee who desires to pursue a postsecondary education on a part-time status;

* on-island students taking courses online which are not offered at Northern Marianas College.

Upon availability of funds, EAP offers financial assistance for the following programs: Graduate, Juris Doctor or Doctor of Medicine.

Application must be received or postmarked no later than Dec. 15, 2004. If you have submitted an application for Fall 2004, the application is still valid. Supporting documents (may be submitted at a later date) are U.S. passport and/or birth certificate issued by the court, an acceptance letter into the school you plan to attend, the most recent official sealed transcript and proof of 2002 & 2003 CNMI residency.

Additionally, other scholarship application for the 2004/2005 is now available. Log on to www.cnmischolarship.com for more details.

STUDENTS TO SEND LETTERS TO NMI SOLDIERS

Public and private school students in the Commonwealth are writing holiday letters to CNMI military personnel who won’t be home in the CNMI for the holidays.

The letters are part of Project Holiday Cheer, which is being sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Public School System, the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, VFW Post 3457, the Pacific STAR Center for Young Writers, and the Pacific STAR Young Writers Foundation.

Packets will include letters and a t-shirt designed by one of the student illustrators.

“If you have a family member or know someone in the military who won’t be home for the holidays, please provide us with an address so a packet can be mailed from the CNMI community,” project organizers said in a statement.

There will be a Pacific STAR table at the Veteran’s Day ceremonies this Thursday, Nov. 11, 10:30am-12:30pm at the American Memorial Park. Individuals can also page Katharyn Tuten-Puckett at 236-READ and she will return the call to get the address.

CRAFT, SEASHELL SALE AT LIBRARY

The group Library Friends is holding a Christmas Craft and Seashell sale this Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10am to 4pm in the Library Conference Room.

The crafts and shells are donated by Elisa Berkey.

“You can use these beautiful decorations in your own home or give them as gifts. There are Christmas flower arrangements, wreaths, stuffed animals decorations, snowmen and much more,” the group said in a statement.

Some of the larger shells have flower or shell arrangements in them. A wide variety of single shells will also be for sale. “These make wonderful island gifts for friends and family far and near.”

Check it all out at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Conference Room this Saturday.

HOURS CHANGE FOR FEMA-CNMI HELPLINE

The hours of operation for the Supertyphoon Chaba disaster helpline have changed.

The new hours will be from 7am to 3pm, Northern Marianas time, Monday through Friday, until further notice.

Those who sustained damage as a result of Chaba, and have already registered for assistance, can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and TTY 1-800-462-7585 to discuss their application and update information. The FEMA registration line will no longer accept any new applications for assistance.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

MAYOR’S OFFICE OFFERS UTILITY SUBSIDY

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela announced last week the availability of funds under the Mayor’s Utility Assistance Program to help qualified residents pay for one month of their overdue power bill.

This is a federally funded program available to residents of the Municipality of Saipan who are unable to bring their power account current with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Applications can be picked up at the Saipan Mayor’s Office at Afetnas Square in San Antonio during regular working hours, Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 11:30am and from 12:30pm to 4pm.

For more information call the Saipan Mayor’s Office at 234-6208 or 234-6280 and ask for Florence Camacho-Stephens or Regina Torres.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND SET

The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Organization has announced the upcoming ME Weekend scheduled from Nov. 19 though 21 for married couples who want to improve communication and strengthen their marriage.

The weekend is open to all married couples regardless of age. The special weekend will be held at the Hotel Rivera Saipan in Fina Sisu. The registration fee is only $50 per couple and includes room for the weekend, all meals and drinks.

The organization explained that the weekend is intended to focus “on your relationship between you and your spouse and on your relationship with God.

For registration or more information, contact Ben & Lovey Salas at 235-2250; Russ & Kanae Quinn at 256-1058 or Sean & Ericka Frink at 322-9990.

WANTED: DESIGNATED DRIVERS

The Department of Public Safety Traffic Section will again implement its Designated Driver program this December to promote road safety during the holiday season.

The program provides transportation for intoxicated individuals. Instead of driving while intoxicated, individuals may contact the Traffic Section and a driver will be provided for transportation home.

Those interested in taking part in the program are encouraged to contact Rose Ada-Hocog or Sgt. Sylvan Rangamar at 664-9084/5/6.

TAX FORMS FOR AMNESTY PROGRAM AVAILABLE

The Division of Customs Service is informing all consignees that special return forms are now available for delinquent taxpayers who would like to avail of the amnesty period.

“We would like to encourage you to take advantage of this program before it expires on Jan. 19, 2005,” the agency said in a statement.

Taxpayers who need help on delinquent excise tax payments or assistance to file a special tax return should contact Inspector Robert Reyes, acting OIC for the SCIT (Compliance) Branch at 664-1606 or 664-1617.

The Division of Customs Service CSIT Branch Office is located in the Saipan Stevedore Warehouse A, across the Mobil main office in Lower Base.

For those on Rota, they may contact Inspector Davian Manglona at 532-9448 or 532-3666; on Tinian, contact Lt. Elias Borja or Lt. Benedicto (Sonny) Decena, at 433-1610.