Water outage on Sunday

(CUC) — The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will fix a leak in a water system in the Kagman area on Saturday.
While repairs are ongoing, water will not be pumped up hill into the Superblue water reservoir that serves customers in San Vicente.
With less water in the reservoir all day Saturday, there will be little to no water available for release to some San Vicente customers on Sunday, May 13.
Customers who live on the mountain side of San Vicente, in the Standford Hotel vicinity, will likely have no water delivery on Sunday.
Water is normally released each morning from 4 to 7. Customers in lower San Vicente, from the Roundhouse toward Dandan will have water; however, they will experience reduced water pressure.

Free rock concert

ON May 13, Sunday, Mother’s Day, a group of artists, musicians, singer-performers, and individuals will hold a free benefit rock concert at the Minachom Atdao Pavillion near Kilili Beach starting at 12 noon.
The whole day celebration will feature the live performances of the Big Beats Band, NuGroove, Retro Jam, Jerry & Eli soulful acoustic, Symbiote, Roy Gonzales, Jeremy Navarro, Glen Messina and more.
This event will highlight the value of friendship, unity and cooperation of the various people of this community, and is for the benefit of the Gualo Rai children’s park and youth center.
For more information call Jerry or Glen Messina at 286-1859 or youth center coordinator Darlene Castro at 235-1299.

Friends of Hiroko fundraiser

FRIENDS of Hiroko is a non-profit organization created to help fund the medical expenses of Juhn Tenorio who was taken ill at the age of two years old.
Kidney failure combined with other challenges sent the family to Hawaii for medical assistance thanks to the use of a military plane.
Juhn has recently undergone surgery but still remains in the hospital and has a long road ahead for recovery. His sickness is found to be very rare and has been diagnosed once in every 32 years.
Cash donations are being accepted and the money is being used specifically for the medical care of Juhn.
To make a cash donation, drop it at the PDI office inside the Hafadai Beach Hotel in Garapan or call Yoichi Matsumura at 322-8785.

Open house on draft plan for Garapan, Beach Rd.

(ZONING BOARD) — The public is invited to comment on preliminary ideas for a master plan for Garapan and for Beach Road from Garapan to Chalan Monsignor Guerrero.
To jump-start the process, the Zoning Board convened a representative group of Saipan residents, businesspeople, planning experts, and government agencies.
The results of the group’s work will be presented to the public for review and comment at an informal open house.
It will be held at the multi-purpose Center in Susupe on Friday, May 11, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial asked the Zoning Board to undertake this project to improve the area as a tourist attraction and as a place to work and play for Saipan residents.
While several recent infrastructure projects have improved Garapan, more needs to be done.
Residents and tourists have complained about a lack of interesting shopping, parking, drainage, walkways, building design, signage, quality of construction, lighting and security, and other issues.
Additionally, there are several opportunities for economic development that can benefit Garapan and all of Saipan.
The master plan will propose measures to address these and other issues, as well as provide initial assistance to the Zoning Board in considering amendments to the Saipan Zoning Law.
The preliminary concepts and approaches to be presented at the open house will be open for discussion and improvement.
“This is an important opportunity for the public to get involved at the very beginning of this project and help us shape our thinking.” said Zoning Board Chairman Henry Hofschneider.
After the open house, the Zoning Board will prepare a more polished draft and circulate it for public review.

13-year-old gets computer wish

(MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION) —When she was first asked what she wanted, 13-year-old Jamila Anne Cruz said she wanted a room makeover with all new furniture and accessories featuring her favorite television character, SpongeBob SquarePants.
But as time went on, she changed her mind and wished for something that all teenagers want, a computer.
Jamila recently returned back to school after missing many months due to her medical condition.
Diagnosed with dermatomyositis, Jamila has overcome extreme medical challenges.
When first interviewed, she was wheelchair bound and very frail.
Today, Jamila is walking now and attends school.
Like most young girls her age, Jamila likes to surf on the Internet and is committed to doing well in school.
In order to grant her wish, with the assistance of PC Outlet at the Guam Premier Outlets, Make-A-Wish was able to get a computer that would best serve Jamila’s needs: from doing homework to playing games.
Of course, the foundation didn’t forget SpongeBob.
As a wish enhancement, Make-A-Wish provided Jamila with a SpongeBob pillow and blanket so that she could be comfortable while sitting at her computer desk.
Make-A-Wish Board members Vicky Benavente, Kathryn Barry and volunteer Joe Taijeron flew to Tinian to grant Jamila her wish.
PTI donated one-year of high speed DSL service and modem to Jamila.
Skip Hall from PTI’s Tinian Office also assisted in setting up her computer and desk in her home.
Ace Hardware in Saipan assisted with special pricing for the desk.
To make Jamila’s Wish Day extra special, she was picked up in a limousine service provided by the Tinian Dynasty where she and her friends were taken to the Dynasty for a wonderful lunch organized by Tom Liu, general manager of the Dynasty and Tinian Make-A-Wish volunteers Frances Diaz and Maria Aguon.
After lunch she was then taken home to her surprise — a brand new computer was waiting for her.
The celebration continued with a beautiful cake donated by Herman’s Modern Bakery and flown to Tinian just for her wish.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrates its 20th year of granting wishes to children throughout Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands between the ages of 2 and 18 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.
To make a donation or become a volunteer call the foundation office at 671-649-9474 or e-mail to mawfguam@ite.net.

Tataga Carnival on May 26

THE 2007 Tataga Carnival at Tanapag Elementary School wll be held on Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be entertainment, fun and games, food and drinks, exhibits and display and many more.
The community is invited to support this Tanapag school fundraising event.
There will be no alcohol, cigarette and betel-nut chewing during the carnival.

Tourism poster contest winners

(MTEC) — The Marianas Tourism Education Council in conjunction with Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically Club announced the winners in the poster contest with the theme, “Tourism Is Everybody’s Business”:
The Computer Package (including a desk top computer, printer and battery back-up unit)
• Marjorie Ann M. Cuerdo
Garapan Elementary School, 6th Grade
• Patrick B. Diaz
Tinian Jr./Sr. High School
Cash prize of $150
• Tom Carlos
William S. Reyes Elementary School, 5th Grade
• Ann Mariel M. Flores
Hopwood Jr. High
Cash prize of $100
• Chelsea Fama
GTC Elementary School, 4th Grade
• Jamie Omengkar
Tinian Jr./Sr. High
Cash prize of $ 50
• Magdiel Corpuz
Tinian Elementary School, H-3, 5-13
• Julian Sakisat
Tinian High School, 12th Grade
The award ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 12, at the Taste of Marianas at 6 p.m.

MHS calendar

(MHS) — Marianas High School has scheduled the following events:
• May 7-18 – Advanced Placement Exams
• May 14-18 – PSS Standards-Based Assessment (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors)
• May 24 – 3rd and 4th Period Exams for Seniors
• May 25 – 1st and 2ns Period Exams for Seniors/Last Day for Seniors
• May 28 – Memorial Day (no classes)
• May 29-31 – Graduation practice
• June 1 – Awards ceremony 9:30 a.m. MHS gym; 3rd and 4th Period Exams for Underclassmen (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors)
• June 2 – Graduation Day, 4 p.m. MHS gym
• June 4 – 1st and 2nd period exams for underclassmen (freshmen, sophomores, juniors)
• June 5 – Make-up Day/Last Day for Underclassmen (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors); 4th quarter ends
• June 6 – School Level Professional Development; last day for teachers
• Aug. 3 – SY 2007-2008 begins — students return to school

Marianas March proclamation signing today

(MMAC) — The Marianas March Against Cancer Week proclamation will be signed today, May 11, at10 a.m. in the governor’s office on Capital Hill.
The Marianas March Against Cancer is inviting all cancer survivors, MMAC committee chairpersons and members, MMAC team captains, MMAC 2007 title sponsors, and sponsors as well as interested members of the community to witness the proclamation signing.
MMAC is the signature fundraising event for the Commonwealth Cancer Association, which is the primary advocacy program for cancer awareness, prevention, education, and outreach programs in the CNMI.
Cancer is one of the two leading causes of death in the commonwealth every year. Cancer does not discriminate when it comes to race, gender or age and so it is vital that the community be aware of the risks of cancer. People are urged to live healthier lifestyles, eat better and increase physical activity so that the risk of cancer is diminished if not completely eliminated.

Live fire, aerial survey on FDM

(EMO) — The U.S. military will conduct live fire and aerial survey on Farallon De Mendenilla:
• May 14, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• May 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The general location of these activities will be on Farallon de Mendenilla training area (R7201) on a 10-nautical mile radius on all quadrants.
Due to the danger imposed by these activities, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is advising the general public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to stay away from this area during the time and dates indicated.
Should you have any questions, contact the Emergency Management Office at 322-9528 or 322-9529.

Liberation Day Committee advisory

THE Liberation Day Committee has started preparation for the upcoming Liberation Day festivities from June 1 through July 8.
As the carnival grounds are being prepared for this event, the public an boat owners are advised that the main entrance road to the Garapan Fishing Base will be closed starting Saturday, May 12, through Tuesday, July 10 so that rides for the activities can be installed.
As the main entrance road will be closed during these dates, access to the boat launching ramp at the Garapan Fishing Base will be relocated to the southern portion of the grounds — the road leading to the former Ship-A-Shore Restaurant.
Trailer parking for these dates will also be relocated to the grassy area behind the old fishing complex at the grounds.
The committee apologizes for this inconvenience this may create..
If you have any questions, you may contact Manny Tenorio at 483-6228.