Community Briefs

NMBPA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING TODAY

The Northern Marianas Beauty Pageant Association will hold its general membership meeting today, Jan. 18, at 7pm, in room P1D of the Aquarius Beach Tower. Main topic to be discussed is election of the Board of Directors. The NMBPA is seeking energetic, enthusiastic, and committed professionals willing to volunteer their time for a worthy organization. All interested parties are welcome to attend. For any questions or concerns, call Jennifer W. Aguon, at 664-4000 (day), 235-9742 (evenings) or via email at nmbpaqueens@yahoo.com

CHILD SUPPORT SESSION TODAY

The Office of the Attorney General’s URESA section will be conducting a Child Support Initiating Session to assist custodial parents with children in the CNMI in seeking child support from non-custodial parents residing outside of the CNMI.

The session will be held today, Jan. 18, at the Multi-Purpose Center, from 5pm to 8pm.

All interested individuals should bring a copy of the child(ren)’s birth certificate and any court order or document regarding child support and/or custody.

CANCER SURVIVORS’ MEETING TODAY

Cancer survivors in the CNMI will have a meeting today, Jan. 18, at 6pm, at the Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Chinese Restaurant. Activities will include presentation of 2004 Survivor Medallions.

GES JANUARY ACTIVITIES

January 19, 2005 1/2 classes (7:30-11:30) school in service
January 21, 2005 2nd quarter report card distribution
January 27, 2005 PTA meeting at 6pm, cafeteria

For more information, call the Garapan Elementary School at 664-3955.

SINAPALO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA MEETING TOMORROW

Sinapalo Elementary School’s monthly PTA meeting will be held tomorrow, Jan. 19, 2005 at the school cafeteria at 5:30pm. Parents and guardians of SES students are invited to attend.

Parents/guardians of Sinapalo Elementary School students are also being informed that there will be no classes on Friday, Jan. 21, 2005. SES teachers and staff will be attending Professional Development trainings at the school site.

Appreciation to the following businesses for their monetary and in-kind donations:
* Sun Palace Hotel
* DK Brothers

DEADLINE TOMORROW FOR TAX AMNESTY

The Department of Finance is reminding delinquent taxpayers that the deadline to apply for tax amnesty under Public Law 14-28 is on Jan. 19, 2005.

The department’s Division of Revenue and Taxation and the Division of Customs Services said in a statement that they will use their full authority after the amnesty filing deadline to enforce collection on all outstanding tax obligations from taxpayers.

“The Department of Finance encourages all delinquent taxpayers with outstanding tax obligations to visit the respective division to clear their obligations before the tax amnesty program expires on [Jan. 19],” said Finance Secretary Fermin M. Atalig in the statement.

2004 W-2CM FORMS DISTRIBUTION ONGOING

The Division of Revenue and Taxation wishes to inform all CNMI employers that the distribution of the 2004 W-2CM forms and Instructions is ongoing.

All businesses and employers are asked, to pick up forms during the regular business hours, from 8am to 4pm at the office of the Division of Revenue and Taxation located at the Dandan Commercial Center. The deadline for filing 2004 W-2CM form is Feb. 28, 2005 at 4:30pm.

CHAMORRO/CAROLINIAN LANGUAGES SURVEY ON

The Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission is now conducting a community language survey on the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian languages used at home and in the community.

The survey will be conducted on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands.

The commission is asking the community’s cooperation in the survey. They are requested to accommodate the persons tasked to conduct the study as well as answer their questions as honestly as possible.

The Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission is under the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

For more information, call the language commission’s office at 288-5321/26/27.

PUBLIC NOTICE TO FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS

The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. said that it is extending the deadline for first-time homeowners to submit housing loan applications for the Plumeria Estates.

NMHC encourages all interested applicants to pick up an application at its central office in Garapan, Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm, except holidays, and to have the applications submitted as soon as they can. For any inquiries on the matter, call one of NMHC’s loan officers at 234-9447/7689/7670.