Haunted House
(NMC) — The Associated Students of Northern Marianas College will be sponsoring a Haunted House tonight from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at NMC’s Building V.
Admission price for those 10 years old and younger is 50 cents, and a dollar for anyone older than 10 years old. Free candy will be distributed.
MAFEA meeting
(MAFEA) — The Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects will hold a general membership meeting on Nov. 1, at 5 p.m., at Bong de Guzman residence at the Aglipay Apartments, Ruler Street, Chinatown.
For more information, call Bong de Guzman at 233-5938, Lito Marquez at 286-6337 or Jun Liberato 234-1373.
GTC Halloween
(GTC) — Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School is hosting its first ever Halloween Haunted House on campus in San Roque today. Admission for students is $1 and $2 for adults. The Haunted House will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the general public is invited.
ACT advisory
(ACT) — The Association of Commonwealth Teachers will host a public information session on its recent research project on the highly qualified teacher requirements in the No Child Left Behind Act, as they pertain to the CNMI.
ACT will also share its recent recommendations to the Board of Education regarding proposed amendments to the current PSS plan for highly qualified teachers.
All teachers and interested members of the community are welcome to join ACT. The meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in the San Vicente Elementary cafeteria. A brief general membership meeting will follow.
Halloween bash
KZMI-FM 103.9 and Godfather’s Bar are sponsoring “The Petron and Miller Lite Halloween Bash” at Godfather’s Bar in Garapan tonight, starting at 8 p.m.
(PAWS) — Pet Assistance and Welfare Service is asking for your help in locating two missing dogs:
1. NT (short for “No Tail”):
NT “No Tail” was last seen in San Vicente, by the Stanford Hotel three weeks ago. He is a five-year-old Doberman and Rottweiler mix.
He was wearing a studded leather collar and has an injured front paw.
Please call 235-4541 if you have any information. A $200 reward will be given for information leading to his return.
2. Paddle:
Paddle is a Maltese with white and brown eyes.
The last place he was seen was around the residence in San Jose, Beach Side.
He has been a family dog for many years, and the kids really miss him. A reward is offered for his return. No questions asked. The family just wants him returned safely.
If you have seen Paddle, or know of his whereabouts, please contact 483-5041 or 234-8489.
If you do not want to be identified, please drop the dog off at the Seman Residence across the street from the Mobile Station in San Jose.
Local families needed for exchange program
(MVA) — Edures Inc. and the Marianas Visitors Authority are inviting interested families on the Saipan to sponsor 58 young male Japanese students from the Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School.
The students will be arriving on Saturday, Nov. 15, and will depart on Monday, Nov. 17.
The students will also have schedules in the morning that will occupy their time. You may house up to three students in your home. If you can provide meals and transportation for the students to their meeting areas that would be beneficial but not a necessary requirement.
“For quite some time, we have been assisting with annual exchange programs to and from Japan,” said MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio. “The exchange programs continue the friendship between the Japan and the CNMI. We would like to set up families who are willing to sponsor and open up their homes for these children who are more than anxious to learn about our unique culture and what our islands have to offer.”
For more information, contact Frank Tudela at 664-3200/01, e-mail ftudela@mymarianas.com or drop by the MVA office in San Jose.
Red flag at 11 sites, 1 on Rota
(DEQ) — The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag on 11 sites on Saipan and one on Rota and advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
Samples collected from Tanapag Meeting Hall, Central Repair Shop, DPW Channel Bridge, S. Puerto Rico Dump, Garapan Fishing Dock, Garapan Beach Drainage, Jeffries Beach, Marine Beach, Hidden Beach, North Laulau Beach, S. Laulau Beach on Saipan and West Harbor on Rota contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria — enterococci — that exceeded the CNMI’s marine water quality standards.
These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. However, studies have shown that storm water runoff in tropical environments may also contain these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
DEQ analyzes samples of marine recreational and storm drainage water from 50 locations on Saipan, 10 on Tinian, 12 on Rota and a total of 11 samples from the shore surrounding Managaha.
The agency welcomes all inquiries as to the quality of the beach water. The public is encouraged to contact DEQ at 664-8500 with any questions concerning this matter.
PTI donates phones to Guma Esperansa
(PTI) — Fourteen years ago, the CNMI government declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year, PTI continued its history of community involvement by donating 25 telephones to Guma Esperansa.
Guma Esperansa, or House of Hope, extends assistance to victims of domestic violence in the CNMI and the wireless devices donated by PTI will provide the victims with free communication to and from the house in case of emergency from wherever they are.
Lauri Ogumoro, manager of Guma Esperansa, recently expressed her thanks to PTI after taking delivery of the phones from PTI’s business sales and marketing office on Middle Road in Chalan Laulau.
“We thank PTI for this generous donation of 25 phones. It’s through the generosity of the local community that allows us to provide the level of service to the people of the CNMI,” she said.
PTI regional marketing manager Kathryn Barry said that donating to an institution like Guma Esperansa falls in line with PTI’s dedication to the local community, and it was a something she was all too happy to do.
“We’re always proud to give back to the community and this donation gives PTI the opportunity to put the freedom of communication directly into the hands of some of the people who need it most,” she said.
Aside from donating the phones themselves, PTI also provided Guma Esperansa with complimentary airtime on the CNMI’s largest and most dependable wireless network. PTI bills itself as “Your connection to the world,” and donations like this show that the connection starts right here in the CNMI.
NMC Honor Society tackles graffiti
(NMC) — Drivers and pedestrians who pass near the Chalan Kiya fork near the Saipan Health Clinic may be taken aback by freshly painted, attractive bus stop that was once covered in graffiti.
The bus stop beautification was the product of the Northern Marianas College Beta Lambda Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s commitment to stamp out graffiti in the Northern Mariana Islands.
PTK members, assisted by volunteers Tanny Cabrera, Hannah Hofschneider, and Maisha Santos, took on the community service project as part of the international honor society’s worldwide anti-graffiti campaign. Not only was this event fun for all of the participants, but it also gave the students a sense of pride in being able to serve and beautify the community.
The project was NMC PTK’s second anti-graffiti project, and several more bus stops and buildings have been targeted for future paintings.
Founded in 1918, PTK has become the largest and most prestigious honor society recognizing academic excellence in two-year colleges around the world. The organization’s membership has a sincere obligation to continually seek new service opportunities that will enhance the local community and benefit its members in their quest for academic and leadership excellence at Northern Marianas College and beyond.
The minimum requirements to join PTK are a 3.5 cumulative GPA with a minimum of 15 credit hours of college-level courses and a letter of recommendation from an NMC faculty member. Benefits of PTK membership include the opportunity to serve your college and community, leadership development and scholarship opportunities, and the fun and camaraderie of interacting with fellow PTK and community members.
The current leaders of PTK are Roxanne Ferrer, president; Lorna Manahane, vice president; Glenda P. Cabrera, treasurer; Frances Santos-Hofschneider, recording secretary; Laurence Cambe, membership secretary; and Nerine Villagomez, acting public relations secretary.
For more information about the PTK or its projects, please contact the following advisors at Northern Marianas College at 234-5498: Dr. Debra Cabrera, dean of academic programs and services; Larry Lee, business instructor; and Frank Sobolewski, social sciences and fine arts department chairman
DYS employees complete training sessions
(DYS) — On Oct. 21 and 22, twenty-two employees of the Division of Youth Services, including those from Rota and Tinian, completed an eight-hour training on the fundamentals of communication.
Dr. Peter Eche, a training consultant from the Office of Personnel Management, conducted the training.
On Oct. 23 and 24, the staff completed 14 hours of casework and case management training sessions.
Trainers/presentors included DYS staff Laura T. Ogumoro, Julian R. Camacho and Bill Limes, Department of Public Safety’s Andrea Ozawa and George David, and DYS legal counsel, Tom Schweiger.
These training sessions were designed to help increase caseworker knowledge and skills in the areas of child abuse and neglect, standard operating procedures, domestic violence and human trafficking.
DYS continues to prioritize training to help develop employee skills and expertise to better serve children, youth, and families in the CNMI.
DYS, which is an agency of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, has 62 employees and is headed by newly appointed Director Calvani P. Deleon Guerrero.
First Hawaiian Bank posts increased 3rd quarter earnings
HONOLULU, Hawaii (First Hawaiian Bank) — First Hawaiian Bank reported 2008 third quarter net income of $55.4 million, an increase of 6 percent over the third quarter of 2007.
For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2008, the bank earned a record net income of $166.6 million, 7.1 percent over 2007, according to an announcement today by Don Horner, president and chief executive officer.
“Despite the challenges facing our economy and the financial services industry, First Hawaiian’s consistent credit policies have continued to serve us well,” he said. “Last year was the most profitable in our 150 year history and for the first nine months we are on pace to exceed 2007’s earnings performance. Our solid balance sheet, earnings, credit quality and ample liquidity allowed us to support our local communities by posting strong loan growth for the quarter while maintaining a prudent loan to deposit ratio. Capital ratios were also strengthened. Overall, the bank continues to perform well.”
For the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2008, First Hawaiian achieved the following:
• Total Revenues: increased by 11.8 percent to $516.7 million.
• Total Assets: were $12.8 billion, a 2.4 percent increase.
• Loans and Leases: were $7.7 billion, a 23.9 percent increase.
• Deposits: unchanged at $8.9 billion.
• Loan to Deposit Ratio: 79.1 percent.
• Non-Performing Assets: as a percentage of total assets remained one of the lowest in the U.S. at 9 basis points.
Schools urged to prepare for Build a Castle Save a Reef
(Light in the Eve Foundation) — For one day, public and private junior high and high school students will meet once again to see who will reign supreme in the islands’ only sandcastle building competition coming this Nov. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Saipan Beach Park.
Light in the Eve Foundation, a non-profit organization, is organizing the 5th Annual Build a Castle Save a Reef and schools are encouraged to register and prepare their representatives for this worthwhile community endeavor.
All proceeds will go to purchasing recycling bins for a pilot school program to help preserve the health of these precious marine resources.
“We have sent the registration forms out to all the schools and we urge all team captains to please organize your teams and start preparing your designs now,” said Light in the Eve president Teresa Kim-Tenorio.
Saipan Southern High School is the defending champion with their Manta Ray masterpiece for the high school division and Saipan Community School topped their category for the junior high division.
The theme for this year is “Fantasea 2008.”
“We would like to challenge the imagination and creativity of the school teams and allow them to indulge in a fantasy under water world with their sand sculptures. It should be very fun and exciting,” said Kim-Tenorio.
The other winners in the junior competition last year were Whispering Palms School’s Teams A and B which won second and third prizes. The Starfish Award was given to Chacha Oceanview Junior High.
In the high school division, Tinian High School placed second while Marianas High School and Saipan International School shared third prize. The Starfish Award recipient was Rota Jr. High School.
The Division of Environmental Quality is once again, partnering with the foundation this year in celebration of the International Year of the Reef.
The first team captains meeting is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the Marianas Visitors Authority conference room.
For more information, call Teresa Kim-Tenorio at 483-8546.
Lizama tops Rota High School poll
ROTA — A poll conducted by American Government students from Rota High School revealed that former Judge Juan T. Lizama is favored by Rota voters, according to a media release from their teacher, former Sen. Eusebio A. Hocog.
Eighty-six registered voters were polled on who they would vote for congressional delegate.
The survey was conducted on Wednesday, Oct. 29, and focused on four highly trafficked locations.
The project allowed the students an opportunity to gauge public sentiment on Rota.
In addition, the students were able to have hands-on experience in conducting poll, Hocog said.
As the first-ever election survey conducted in the community by Rota High School students, there were reservations.
“At first, we were hesitant, but as we progressed further into the survey, we became more eager,” said Viony Hocog, a senior student.
Sixteen students participated in the two-hour survey and found the experience rewarding.
“I believe that this survey we conducted helped us both educationally and socially. We were able to open up to the community and learn how to conduct polls,” said Denn Manglona, a junior student.
“It was unbelievable that Lizama garnered the highest percentage — 37 percent,” said Antonio Barcinas Castro, a senior student, when the tally was completed.
“I was surprised that Luis Crisostimo didn’t place as high as I expected,” said Jayville Manglona, a senior student.
The sample size is 6 percent of the 1,365 registered voters on Rota.
In the 2005 election, 1,140 voters came out to vote for the resident representative to the United States.
Cancer survivors meet; promote screening, early detection
(Commonwealth Cancer Assocition) — Breast cancer survivors met last Saturday to touch on a few issues considered important and significant.
Maggie Camacho, four-year survivor, said issues regarding advanced health care directive, such as the health care power of attorney; regular support group meeting, doctors’ care and compassion, as well as to be more attentive to the signs of cancer were the main topics of discussion.
Participants said they want to promote awareness of screening and early detection as a result of the increase in the breast cancer diagnoses of younger people.
Survivors wish more of the younger generation can take a proactive step in annual mammograms or ultra sound testing to safeguard their health.
“Everyone that participated really enjoyed themselves and were somewhat pondering on the priorities of life, said Camacho. “We sincerely invite and welcome those who are not on our list join us in future activities of the survivors. “
A beautiful floral arrangement, donated by First Floral, was raffled out among the attendees. Other giveaways included scarves, hat, pens, and pins.
The next breast cancer retreat will take place in Jan. 2009.
For more information about future breast cancer survivor support groups meetings, contact Maggie Camacho at 287-6222, Donna White at 322-9443, or Nora Sablan at 235-0998.
NMA Halloween dance tonight
(NMA) — Northern Marianas Academy’s student council is having its Halloween dance tonight, Oct. 31, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Garapan Central Park.
Music by DJ Niana and fee is $5 in advance, $7 at the door.
Veterans Week proclamation on Nov. 5
(Military/Veterans Affairs) — On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, we will give thanks to those who have served freedom’s cause as we salute the members of our armed forces who are confronting our adversaries abroad. We will also honor the men and women who left America’s shores but did not live to be thanked as veterans. Our country will always remember them.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial will be signing the Veterans Week proclamation in conference room of his office on Nov. 5, at 10 a.m.
We will be celebrating Veterans Day at American Memorial Park’s Court of Honor at 11 a.m.
The keynote speaker will be Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Tom, chief of staff for U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii.
All veterans, active and reserve military members, their families, family members of those departed veterans, the local marine scouts and the general public are invited to come and join us for the signing of the proclamation and the commemoration of Veterans Day.
