Community Briefs – January 17, 2018

High surf advisory cancelled
Based on the information received from the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, the high surf advisory declared for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota is cancelled. The high rip current risk warning is also cancelled.
Buoy data and observations have indicated that the surf has decreased below hazardous levels. Computer models also indicate that surf should remain below hazardous the next few days. However, the public is being advised to continue to be cautious near reeflines as strong rip currents may still occur. (EOC)

MHS PTA meeting set
The Parent Teacher Association of Marianas High School invites all parents, teachers, and guardians to the PTA meeting today, Jan. 17, 6pm, at the MHS cafeteria. (PR)

Guam lawmakers to host legislative prayer breakfast
HAGATNA, Guam—The Office of Sen. Dennis Rodriguez, Speaker Benjamin J. Cruz and members of the 34th Guam Legislature will be hosting a legislative prayer breakfast at the Guam Congress Building tomorrow, Jan. 18, from 8:30am to 10:30am.

“The purpose of the breakfast is to bring civil- and faith-based leaders together to discuss issues and concerns of the island and how we can all work collaboratively,” Rodriguez said.

The breakfast, which Rodriguez hopes to make an annual event, will be an opportunity for all to pray for strength and guidance when it comes to policymaking and making decisions that will affect the island community, especially in the new year. (PR)

Learn how to set up an LLC or partnership
The CNMI Small Business Development Center will be offering a free business seminar on how to set up an LLC or partnership. The seminar will be held at the Commonwealth Development Authority boardroom on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 8:30am to 9:30am. It will be presented by lawyer Michael Dotts. This seminar is supported by the CNMI Department of Commerce and CDA. To register, contact the SBDC office at (670) 664-3018 or go online at http://pisbdcn.ecenterdirect.com/events. (PR)

Military training
at Warning Area 517, FDM
ASAN, Guam—The U.S. military will conduct training at Warning Area 517 today, Jan. 17, from 2pm to 6pm, and at the island of Farallon de Medinilla on:

• Jan. 17, from 10am to 9pm 

• Jan. 18, from 12:30pm to 9pm 

• Jan. 19, from 11am to 3pm


It is recommended the public, fishermen and marine tour operators, monitor the Coast Guard broadcast notice to mariners for advisories. 


W-517 is activated south of latitude 12° 40’ 00″N. Santa Rosa Reef and Galvez Banks are open for public use. W-517 begins south of Guam and extends south-southwest in international waters.

The general location of the training on the island of Farallon de Medinilla will be in a 12-nautical mile radius of the island. (PR)

Kagman schools’ PTSA meeting tomorrow
The Kagman cluster of schools will be having a Parents Teachers Students Association meeting tomorrow, Jan. 18, 2018, at 5:30pm in the Kagman Elementary School cafeteria. Call the school at 237-3921, 664-4100, or 664-3911 if you have any questions or concerns. (PR)

Kagman High School open house today
Kagman High School will be hosting an open House today, Jan. 17, 2018, from 5pm to 7pm. We invite parents to check-in at 5pm in the KHS cafe. They will be escorted to their choice of presentations given by KHS teachers and staff about the programs and initiatives happening at the school. Parents will earn raffle tickets after each presentation they attend. Afterwards, we will be showcasing student talent in the cafe for a closing presentation and raffle with light refreshments. Parents who attend will be entered into the end-of-the-year raffle. Call 664-3780 for inquiries. (PR)

Volunteers sought for homeless survey
The CNMI Homeless Coalition will be conducting its 2nd Annual “Point In Time Count” on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, from 5am to 5pm. The purpose of the PIT Count is to continue data collection to allow the CNMI Homeless Coalition to identify program and service need areas to assist those who are at risk of being homeless and those who are literally homeless.

The coalition is seeking community volunteers to assist in the administration of the PIT Count surveys. The orientation for the PIT Count is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2018, from 1pm to 4:30pm at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. Volunteers will need to register no later than Jan. 17, 2018.

For more information, or to register to be a volunteer, contact:

Jacob Muna at 234-7689/483-9447 or through email at jjmuna@nmhc.gov.mp

Vivian Sablan at 664-2550/664-2592 or through email at vsablan@dys.gov.mp

Jennifer Tanaka at 664-2554 or through email at jtanaka@dys.gov.mp

Gennie Bliss at 664-2550 or through email at glbliss@dys.gov.mp (PR)

UOG to unveil ultra-high-speed network on Jan. 18
On Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, University of Guam president Robert Underwood, University of Hawaii System president David Lassner, and Network Startup Resource Center director Steven Huter will hold an online teleconference to commemorate the completion of the Guam Open Research & Education eXchange, or GOREX.

The University of Hawaii, working with the University of Guam and GTA, completed the installation of the GOREX network last Jan. 8, 2018.

GOREX is an ultra-high-speed 100-gigabit-per-second network that connects Guam to Hawaii and California via the new SEA-U.S. fiber-optic submarine cable. When GOREX lit up and went live, Guam finally connected to the global Research and Education Network fabric and became capable of supporting high-speed exchanges of very large scientific datasets between Guam and other research institutions. (PR)

CNMI/Japanese Descent Association reaches out
The CNMI/Japanese Descent Association is reaching out to all local families who are lineal descendants of Japan. The mission of the association is to organize and reinvigorate Japanese cultural heritage in the Northern Mariana Islands. For all members who are interested in joining the association, contact Dave Sablan Sr. at dmsab@aol.com or Norman Tenorio at norten@pacificains.com /cell: 287-0751. (PR)