The nomination period continues through Aug. 3, 2009. Elections take place this fall.
To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.
Producers may also nominate themselves, and organizations representing minority and women may also nominate candidates.
The form and other valuable information about FSA county committee elections are available online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=newsroom &subject=landing&topic=cce.
DEQ consumer confidence reports
(DEQ) — The Division of Environmental Quality is reminding public water systems that the consumer confidence reports must be distributed to clients by July 1.
In addition to providing the consumer confidence reports, or CCR, for year 2008 to your customers, public water systems must also deliver a copy of the CCR to DEQ by July 1.
Call Julie De la Rosa at 664-8500 prior to June 26 if you want help with preparing your CCR.
NMI to host ‘action clinic’
THE commonwealth will host its U.S. Department of Labor- registered apprenticeship action clinic on June 17 at the Fiesta Resort & Spa in Garapan, a media release stated.
Key workforce partners, government and industry leaders have been invited to this event.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 recognizes the importance and integration of USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Program and highly encourages ARRA recipients to integrate in their workforce talent development system the registered apprenticeship program which provides industry recognized standards and credentials.
The action clinic will be facilitated and moderated by Terry Benewich of Coffey & Associates.
Benewich, a graduate of Lewis University, worked for 33 years in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
Volunteers remove 3,700 lbs of trash
(DEQ) — Three volunteer groups removed a total of 3,700 pounds of trash last weekend.
Volunteers of the Division of Environmental Quality cleanup brigade on June 6 collected a total of 400 pounds of trash.
Starting at Sugar Dock, south to Laly 4 beach, volunteers from the Pacific Islands Club, the Mt. Carmel Class of 1999 and others removed picnic debris, plastics and a lot of cigarette butts.
The Paseo de Marianas Promoters held its regular cleanup of the Garapan tourist district on Sunday, June 7, and removed a total of 1,200 pounds of garbage.
Friends of the Mariana Islands group collected a total of 2,100 pounds of trash behind the Saipan international airport.
On Saturday, June 13, FMI volunteers will clean Isa Drive, starting from Botanical Garden to Airport Road. The cleanup will start at 8 a.m.
The PDM and FMI groups are part of the Beautify CNMI coalition.
For more information about the cleanups or volunteering, contact 285-6462 or visit http://www.beautifycnmi.org.
You can also call DEQ at 664-8500 or visit www.deq.gov.mp.
Lizama, Ada earn top MVA employee awards
(MVA) — Acting chief accountant/accountant IV (supervisor) Joaquin Lizama and statistical specialist I David Ada have earned top employee awards from Marianas Visitors Authority for their exceptional service at the tourism bureau over the last year.
At MVA’s annual employee recognition ceremony during May Tourism Month, Lizama was awarded the 2009 Leadership Award and was recognized for 20 years service. This is the third time in his career at MVA to receive the Leadership Award.
“I feel great — and proud — to be a part of the MVA team!” Lizama said of his two awards.
Other managerial nominees for the Leadership Award were community program manager Martin Duenas, roads grounds maintenance branch manager Tom Calvo of Rota, acting roads and grounds maintenance branch manager/administrative specialist II Vida Borja of Tinian, Deputy Managing Director Judy Torres, and Managing Director Perry Tenorio.
MVA named Ada as 2009 Employee of the Year from a pool of four quarterly nominees, including marketing specialist III Hiroko Tenorio, marketing specialist Larry John Deleon Guerrero, and tradesman Anthony Reyes of Tinian.
“I believe that the other nominees work just as hard as I did, and they too should be honored,” said Ada. “It feels great that management acknowledges my commitment and dedication to the agency.”
“I’m very proud of our entire team,” said MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio after the May 22 ceremony. “I wish more people could see the dedication these guys have. Our recognition ceremony is just one small way to celebrate them and show appreciation for their hard work.”
The two awardees also encouraged the community to make a personal effort to help visitors feel welcomed and enjoy their visit to the Northern Marianas.
“If you see a tourist, give them a warm hafa adai and tirow!” said Ada.
“Let’s work together and promote our local culture, because ‘tourism is everybody’s business,’ ” Lizama said.
The awardees were selected based on job knowledge, quality of work, cooperation, problem solving skills, dependability, initiative, planning and organizing, judgment, and oral and written communication skills.
‘PAWS WARS: Episode III, Revenge of the Boonies’
(PAWS) — PAWS would like to invite everyone to attend this year’s dog show titled — PAWS WARS: Episode III, Revenge of the Boonies.
All dogs, big and small, mutts and pure-breeds, are invited to participate in the free event, which will be held on Saturday, June 13 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the CPA Airport Field, near the Red Cross. Donations for participation are appreciated.
Registration starts at 3:30 p.m., and due to an expected large turn out, pre-registration is highly suggested. Applicants can download registration forms at www.paws-saipan.org.
Participating dogs must have a leash and collar and be free of mange, a communicable disease. If a dog has been treated for mange, and has been deemed not contagious by an island veterinarian, the dog may participate in the show. If participants have questions about the health of their animal, they are encouraged to call Dr. Tudor at 234-9669 or Dr. Dela Cruz at 234-6169.
Categories for this year’s event include: (1) The Booniest; (2) The Most Disobedient; (3) The Fattest; (4) The Most Talented; (5) The Best Star Wars Character; and (6) The Best in Show.
Prizes include: First Place — a three month supply of Frontline, Second Place — a large bag of dog food, and Third Place — Adams Flea and Tick Shampoo plus a toy or leash.
Trench Tech, PAWS Members, and Beautify CNMI have teamed up to host the event.
Beautify CNMI will be announcing its volunteers of the year during the show and handing out trophies to those individuals and organizations that donated a great deal of time to the betterment of Saipan.
In addition to showing dogs that belong to members of the community, PAWS will be showing dogs and puppies that are up for adoption.
Among those being shown are Rosy, a beautiful female dog that enjoys long walks and hiking; Yoda, a six-week-old male puppy that is looking for a good family to love him; and a yet-to-be-named female pup, about 12 weeks old, that has been socialized by PIAH for the last month.
For more information, call 285-PAWS or e-mail Katie Busenkell at [email protected].
Local student inducted into honor society
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi announces that Jonathan Aguon of Saipan has been initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi Chapter at San Diego State University, where he is studying accounting, a media release stated.
Aguon is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society.
Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership.
MHS class of ‘89 to hold Mass, banquet
(MHS) — The MHS Class of ‘89 held its family fun picnic last Saturday at the Minachom Atdao, but the reunion isn’t over just yet.
The MHS Class of 89 will be holding a special Mass today at the Kristo Rai Church at 6 p.m., and all classmates are asked to attend with their families and friends. The public is also invited.
Saturday night, June 13, the MHS Class of ‘89 will hold a formal banquet at the Pacific Islands Club from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Call Ed Propst at 483-7361 for tickets or for more information.
Eco camp starts Monday
ECO Camp at the Mariana Resort and Spa is back with sessions beginning on Monday, June 15, a media release said.
“This is our tenth year, and we are looking forward to another great summer,” says camp director Vincene Asanuma. “This is the perfect place to play, we have a big area, clean ocean water, and a good mix of both outdoor and indoor activities, and a great mix of staff and counselors. We have a multi-lingual staff and we have added two top notch soccer players that will help kids develop their soccer skills this summer.”
Camp facilities include three swimming pools, a golf course, soccer fields, snorkel and kayak beach, go kart track, stables, tennis court, a theatre, and an arts and crafts room.
Registration is online at marianastrekking.com
Eco Camp costs $25 per day, $100 per week, or $175 for two weeks.
Eco Camp is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 13. Pick up service is available from Garapan.
For more information, Call Vince Asanuma at 323-8735 or log on to marianastrekking.com.
Youth employment, training work readiness schedule
THE following is the WIA 2009 youth employment and training work readiness schedule for qualified Rota and Tinian summer youth participants
Rota High School Cafeteria
• June 29, Monday — 8 a.m. to 12 noon
8 to 8:30 a.m. — Participant Orientation (Presenter: WIA Case Manager)
8:30 to 9 a.m. — Job Safety (Presenter: Richard Hamilton, USDOL)
9 to 12 noon — Work readiness (NMC CDI)
12 to 1 p.m. — lunch
• June 29, Monday — 1 to 5 p.m.
1 to 1:30 p.m. — Employer Orientation (Presenter: WIA Case Manager)
1:30 to 2 p.m. — For Employers-Job Safety (Presenter: Richard Hamilton, USDOL)
2 to 4 p.m. — Meet Your Employer (for Employers and Participants)
Tinian Elementary School Cafeteria
• June 30, Tuesday — 8 a.m. to 12 noon
8 to 8:30 a.m. — Participant Orientation (Presenter: WIA Case Manager)
8:30 to 9 a.m. — Job Safety (Presenter: Richard Hamilton, USDOL)
9 to 12 noon — Work readiness (NMC CDI)
12 to 1 p.m. — lunch
• June 30, Tuesday — 1 to 4 p.m.
1 to 1:30 p.m. — Employer Orientation (Presenter: WIA Case Manager)
1:30 to 2 p.m. — For Employers Job Safety (Presenter: Richard Hamilton, USDOL)
2 to 4 p.m. — Meet your employer (for employers and participants)
