Community Briefs – January 14, 2009

Today’s John Gonzales Live! will feature Sen. Maria Frica Pangelinan, chairwoman of the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee, and Rep. Ray N. Yumul, chairman of House Ways & Means Committee, to discuss the ongoing CNMI budget crisis. Tune in to KSPN Channel 2 during primetime from 7pm to 8pm, Wednesday, Jan. 14, with your comment and/or question via LIVE text-in (285-6382), call-in (287-4230), or email-in (johngonzales@pticom.com). [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]MLK Day schedule[/B]

Jan. 10 Student essay (“What Would Martin Say?”) finalist selection; Memorial Park Auditorium; 9am; email mlkcontest@welovesaipan.com;

Jan. 12 AACPC Members discuss MLK event/significance/movement on Harry Blalock’s radio show;

Jan. 13 MarshaRose Joyner arrives on Saipan, 8:50pm

Jan. 14 Workshops at schools on Rota;

Jan. 15 MarshaRose Joyner calls on Harry Blalock show; 7am;

Workshops at schools on Tinian;

Jan. 16 Workshops at schools on Saipan;

Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Day

Forum: 1pm – 2pm;

Mini-March: 3pm – 4pm;

Program includes essay/speech finalists and keynote: 4pm – 6pm

Jan. 20 Workshops at schools on Saipan

Jan. 21 “Fulfilling the Dream” Inaugural Celebration Dinner; $15; Bud’s Bar; 6pm until 8pm (proceeds to benefit AACPC educational and youth program activities.)

During off days, Ms. Joyner may be available to attend tours, gatherings and other events offered by the community. Contact blacksonsaipan@gmail.com to schedule. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Attention to families with disabilities on Tinian, Rota[/B]

The Family Hope Center under the CNMI Council for Developmental Disabilities and Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. would like to inform the community that the System Navigators would be traveling to Tinian and Rota to conduct interviews and follow up(s) with families with disabilities on the following dates:

Tinian Jan. 15-16, 2009

Rota Jan. 22-23, 2009

We are encouraging families with disabilities on Tinian and Rota to contact our offices at NMPASI, 234-7273/4 for Frances Torres or Dorian Camacho or CNMI DD Council for Lillian Ada at 664-7005/7000 or cell phone no. 287-5643 for an appointment. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]JGPO sets Guam village meetings[/B]

The Joint Guam Program Office will hold a second round of informational meetings in the villages of Mangilao, Yigo, Dededo and Agat to discuss the current status of the military realignment.

During each meeting, JGPO staff will provide attendees with an overview of the realignment planning efforts, including topics such as land use and the development of the Environmental Impact Statement. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions to the panel, or to DoD representatives one-on-one after the meeting. The meetings, which will each run from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, will be held on the following dates:

Jan. 15 – Mangilao – Mangilao Senior Center

Jan. 20 – Yigo – Yigo Gymnasium

Jan. 21 – Dededo – Dededo Senior Center

Jan. 22 – Agat – Agat Community Center

For more information contact Capt. Neil Ruggiero at 333-2306.[B][I] (PR)[/I][/B] [B] Kagman community meeting set[/B]

The Kagman Komunidat Association is inviting the public to meet at the Kagman Community Center on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at 6:30pm. Issues to be discussed include the Kagman sidewalk construction, Puengin Inetnon (Kagman Friday Night Market), future and current CIP projects for Kagman (CIP coordinator Vicky Villagomez will be present), and other current community issues. Reps. Rosemond Santos and Ed Salas will also be present to discuss issues. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]