The group decided at its meeting on April 28 to have a regular monthly meeting.
Ignacio V. Cabrera, the current chairman explained, “During the campaign to create the monument we were meeting almost every other day. We don’t need to meet as often anymore and we went people to be able to schedule the meeting into their other activities. We also have a number of areas where we intend to work over the next few years, so we are going to elect directors to lead us. For example, we are going to elect a federal relations director who will lead our work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.”
The group will also elect congressional affairs, public relations, and outreach and education directors.
Additionally, the organization will elect a chairman, a vice chairman, and a secretary.
The meeting will take place at Angelo Villagomez’s residence at 6 p.m.
The Friends of the Monument will also distribute booklets detailing the global media coverage the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument received during the first half of January.
When the monument was declared, the story was on the front page of the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and USA Today.
It was on the evening news of all three national networks as well as on CNN and FOX News.
It played on the radio and was seen on a number of popular magazines and blogs.
According to the group’s secretary, Angelo Villagomez, “For a few weeks in January the spotlight was shining on our islands and this booklet chronicles all that media exposure in great detail.”
The articles in the booklets were compiled and printed by the Pew Environment Group.
A copy can be obtained by emailing the Friends of the Monument at [email protected].
For directions to Villagomez’s residence, contact him at 285-6462 or 233-6462.
More information on the Friends of the Monument and the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument can be found at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.
Townhall meetings in Kagman
TOWNHALL meetings at the Kagman Community Center are as follows:
• Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m.: Juan Babauta and Galvin Deleon Guerrero
• Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 p.m.: Juan Pan and Joe Camacho
• Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m., Rosemond Santos
The meeting for Heinz and Arnold will be announced later.
Other interested candidates can e-mail kagmankomuni [email protected].
The Kagman Komunidat Association, which organizes these meetings, does not endorse any candidate.
Come and be informed. Listen to the candidates and have them address your concerns.
$25,000 donation to landscape Paseo
THE Tournament of Champions has donated $25,000 to assist with landscaping the Paseo de Marianas in Garapan, a media release stated.
The donation was made through funds raised by its annual golf tournament that benefits the Saipan Beautification Fund.
The project will add approximately 3,200 plants to the Paseo.
The project is expected to be complete by May 30, which will be a great way to wrap up Tourism Month.
This year’s tournament will be played on Aug. 1 and 2 at Laolao Bay Golf Resort.
To learn more about TOC and to download player entry forms for this year’s tournament, visit www.tocsaipan.com.
Best of Worst Dog Show
THE Beautify CNMI Animal Welfare Committee and PAWS have set a date for the third annual Best of Worst Dog Show.
PAWS WARS Episode 3: Revenge of the Boonie is set to take place on June 13.
This year’s dog show will have a Star Wars theme in celebration of veteran dog show host George Hasselback’s 40th birthday.
People interested in volunteering to help with PAWS WARS are encouraged to attend a meeting next Friday, May 15, at 12 noon at the Oleai Bar & Grille.
Contact Angelo Villagomez at [email protected] or 285-6462 for more information.
PSS Rocks!
PSS Rocks! will be held on May 8, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Hard Rock Café.
There will be games, music, dance and raffle prize.
Part of proceeds will be donated to the PSS Youth Advisory Panel.
(SSHS) — Saturday’s outdoor concert featuring the award-winning SSHS Manta Band is a family event.
Admission costs $1 per person.
All proceeds will go to the Saipan Southern High School student store development project.
This event is sponsored by SSHS PTA and students.
For more information, call 664-4000.
MHS Class ’99 reunion meeting
THE Marianas High School Class of 1999 reunion meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7, 5 p.m., at the MHS gym.
The agenda is fundraising hot lunch.
For more information, contact Francis Mendiola at 287-6700 or e-mail [email protected].
CRMO notice
(CRMO) — The Coastal Resources Management Office is informing the general public that any and all signs posted in an area of particular concern, political campaign and otherwise, must have a CRM0 permit prior to such posting.
For more information, call 664-8300 or visit CRMO in San Jose, 2nd Floor Morgen’s Bldg.
Military ID cards
(Military/Veterans Affairs) – The ninth mission support command ID card personnel will be on Saipan to issue new or renew military ID cards.
They will be at the Army Reserve Center on Saipan from May 18 to 22, 8a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, call Ruth Coleman at 664-2650 or Maj. Greg Sablan at 322-6671.
