Community Briefs

BARWARS AT GIG

It’s all systems go for the most talked about showdown of bartenders in the CNMI next month at the premier discotheque on the island, GIG.

The competition, dubbed “BarWars” and slated on Aug. 10, would gather top “mixologists” from different bars, clubs and hotels to shake things up as they vie for supremacy by showing off their agility, speed and panache in mixing cocktails.

GIG will be giving away $200 for the first place, $150 for the second place and $100 for the third place winner. A special prize will go to the Best in Taste winner.

For more details, contact GIG Discotheque office at 234-5050 during office hours or 234-3131 during night time. The deadline for registration is on Aug. 6.

RENEW WELL OPERATION PERMITS BY AUG. 31

The Division of Environmental Quality would like to remind all Well Operators that applications for Well Operation Permit renewal is due on Aug. 31, 2005. Please refer to section 12.2(c) of the Well Drilling and Well Operators Regulations for clarification.

DEQ would also like to remind well operators to perform routine water quality analysis. Well permit numbers 0051-0100 are due by July; permit numbers 0101-0150 are due by August; and permit numbers 0151-0200 are due by September.

Routine analysis should also include the following parameters: Chloride, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Hardness, Nitrate, ph, and Total Coliform.

Contact Joe Kaipat, Safe Drinking Water program manager, at 664-8500 for questions or concerns.

3RD KANTAN ISLA SET TO TAKE OFF

The Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission said that the 3rd Annual Kantan Isla Concert would take place on the island of Rota from Sept. 30 to Oct 2, 2005.

“We would like to inform the local artist(s) that registration is now open and we are extending an invitation for your participation in this important event,” the commission said.

Deadline for submission is Aug. 30, 2005, no later than 4:30pm.

For more information, call 670-664-5321 on Saipan; 670-532-9350 for Balbina Taisacan on Rota; and 670-433-1603/1605 for Arsene Borja on Tinian.

TINIAN FERRY TIGHTENS SECURITY CHECKS

The operator of the Saipan-Tinian ferry will begin checking identification cards and all the luggage of its passengers, in compliance with federal security regulations.

Tinian Shipping and Transportation Inc. said in a statement that, as required by the Department of Homeland Security for Maritime Security—33 Code of Federal Regulations section 105.255 (e) (3), “we will be requesting a valid identification card with photo for verification prior to entering the facility at Saipan Terminal and Tinian Terminal.”

“Passengers, baggage, and carry on items are subject to screening and inspection in accordance with the most current MARSEC Directive,” it added.

Passengers are being asked to be at the dock an hour before the scheduled departure to avoid delays.

NMPASI PUBLIC HEARING ON SAIPAN

The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., or NMPASI, will be holding a public hearing on Aug. 5, 2005 at the NMPASI Conference Room on Saipan to inform the community of its 2006 Statements of Objectives and Priorities. The hearing will take place from 6pm to 8:30pm.

HOTLINE VOLUNTEERS WANTED

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to help out your community? Are you interested in helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault?

If you answer yes to any of the above questions, then you may qualify to become a victim hotline volunteer. The hotline is a 24-hour telecommunication crisis intervention, which provides access to information, referral, and a listening ear to victims of crimes here in the CNMI.

The hotline will train the right people to answer the crisis phone in the comfort of their homes in the evenings and weekends.

There will be a volunteer training on Saturday, July 30, 2005 at the Pacific Islands Club from 8:30am to 1:30pm. The training is free but those interested must pick up the registration form at the Karidat Social Service main office in Chalan Kanoa (near Mt. Carmel Cemetery). Registration deadline is July 27, 2005.