COMMUNITY BRIEFS March 17, 2009

The USS Hampton, a 362-foot Los Angeles-class submarine with approximately 110 officers and crew, will arrive this morning, March 17, 2009. This will be the Hampton’s first visit to Saipan. The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will be represented at the onboard arrival briefing. Please help us continue to build our reputation as the preferred MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) destination in the Asia-Pacific Region by warmly welcoming these sailors to our islands. The Hampton is scheduled to depart next Monday. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Kagman High PTSA meeting[/B]

Attention parents and guardians of Kagman High School students: There will be a PTSA meeting today, Tuesday, March 17, 2009, from 6pm to 7pm. All parents, guardians, staff, and students from the north side of the island such as Marpi, As Matuis, San Roque, Tanapag, and Sadog Tasi are asked to go to Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School Library to attend the meeting through VTC. For more information, call 237-3840 or 237-3832, Fax 664-3788.[B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Red Cross Walkathon set[/B]

The 23rd Annual American Red Cross Walkathon will be held on March 28, at 6am, starting at the 4H Building on Beach Road in Susupe.

Register for $15 and receive a free t-shirt. Walkers start at the designated starting point, then walk north toward the Garapan Fishing Base, then back to Susupe.

Drinks and sandwiches will be available at the start and finish points, and along the routes. Protect yourselves, the young and the old by following the directions of the safety officers. Prizes are available and have been generously donated by the business community. For more information contact the Red Cross Chapter at 234-3459.[B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]Next Marriage Encounter Weekend set[/B]

Help turn a good marriage into a great marriage through a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend! The CNMI’s next Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held on March 27-29, 2009 at the Saipan Grand Hotel. Cost is $50 per couple.

For further information or a registration form, contact any of the following individuals:

-Jun and Linda Pangelinan, 483-4111, linpangelinan@gmail.com;

-Tony and Lynne Yarobwemal, 234-5053, tonyy822@gmail.com;

-Mark and Jenni Aguon, 287-9742, markaguon@gmail.com and apakaaguon@yahoo.com;

-John and Vicky Mafnas, 285-8454, vbmafnas@yahoo.com;

You may also contact the ecclesiastical team/executive board members

-Fr. Ike Ayuyu, 285-9324, ike@ayuyu.us;

-Charles and Cathy Cepeda, 483-6435, charlesvcepeda@gmail.com or nannakit@hotmail.com. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]The Lions of Iwo Jima book signing in Guam[/B]

War in the Pacific National Historical Park announced that the Arizona Memorial Museum Association will host a book signing event. The Lions of Iwo Jima, written by authors Maj. Gen. Fred Hayes, USMC (retired) and James A. Warren, captures the untold stories of the battle of Iwo Jima and sheds new light on the Marine Corps’ finest hour.

“This riveting and memorable account of the horrors and heroics of Iwo Jima is much more than another war story. It is about courage, grief, sacrifice, and most of all, about honor,” said NBC News’ Tom Brokaw.

Hayes, who helped plan and coordinate Combat Team 28’s battle for Iwo Jima, will be in Guam today, March 17, to autograph personal copies of this book at the mezzanine of the Outrigger Hotel in Tumon, Guam, from 9 am to 2 pm.[B][I](PR)[/I][/B] [B]SIS announces new full day K4 program[/B]

Saipan International School announced that a new Early Childhood Education program for 4-year-old children. Beginning in August 2009, the school’s K4 program will be a full day program from 7:45am to 2:45pm.

Thematic units are used to integrate the curriculum and provide students with an opportunity to explore and build foundations in all curricular subject areas. Emphasis is placed on language arts, math, science and social studies. Children develop positive attitudes toward themselves, other children, their environment, and the learning process while learning basic educational skills needed for the following school years.

If you have any questions about this new program, contact Dr. Dale Jenkins, Headmaster, at 288 9660. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]