The keynote speaker will be Perry Tenorio, executive director of the Marianas Visitor’s Authority.
Tenorio will brief the chamber about the current status of the CNMI tourism industry, including Tinian’s gaming industry, as well as the marketing campaign and MVA’s strategy regarding new tourism markets should Russia and China not be included in the U.S. visa waiver program.
Tinian’s gaming industry is reliant upon visa-free access of Chinese tourists who comprise about 80 percent of its current visitors.
Should China no longer be allowed visa-free access to Tinian’s gaming market, the industry may collapse.
“We would like to thank MVA and Mr. Tenorio for sharing their future marketing plans with the Tinian Chamber of Commerce,” said its president, Phillip Mendiola-Long.
He added, “The entire business community on Tinian is extremely concerned regarding the negative ramifications of the possible loss of visa-waiver access to the China and Russian markets. The blatant lack of attention by the federal government to the impact of federalization on Tinian’s economy could spell doom for many small businesses on Tinian, so the chamber must take a proactive role and begin to prepare our membership for alternative tourism markets. It is going to be a long and very painful road for the Tinian business community, however the people of Tinian are resilient and are born of perseverance and dedication, so I am confident that with preparation and support by the local and federal governments, we will get through these troubled times.”
Entrance is free for paid members of the Tinian Chamber of Commerce and $10 for non-members.
The Tinian Chamber of Commerce has been a chartered organization for over 15 years and has over 50 members.
Membership is only $10 per month. To join, e-mail Allen Perez at [email protected]
(NMC) — The Tan Siu Lin Foundation is providing scholarships to 10 deserving students of Northern Marianas College.
The foundation’s scholarship program will provide $1,000 per scholarship recipient that can be applied for the Fall 2009 or Spring 2010 semester.
“We realize the central role that Northern Marianas College plays in the personal development of individual CNMI students — and, on a larger scale — the CNMI’s workforce,” said Dr. Tan Siu Lin. “We want to support that role by providing financial assistance to students who can excel academically and professionally.”
The scholarships are based on merit and will be awarded to the recipient on the basis of the candidate’s community involvement, academic background, and letters of recommendation.
The applicant’s written essay, where the applicant will write about why he or she is the most deserving of the scholarship, will play a key role in the final selection of scholarship recipients.
The deadline for submitting applications is Sept. 30, 2009.
Applications and additional information can be downloaded from www.nmcnet.edu or www.tanholdings.com. You may also call NMC’s Financial Aid Office at 234-5498 ext. 1527 or Ed Arriola Jr. at 233-8080.
Wallet and driver’s license found
THE wallet and driver’s license of Zoilo H. Galvez have been found.
Contact Rudy P. Agpoon at 233-0133 for more information.
Christine Sakaziro, left, and Rose Smith, right, LISS class instructors, together with the Humanitarian Class, display the school supplies donated by PIC Saipan. Seated is Vicky Benavente of PIC Saipan. Contributed photo PIC donates school supplies
(LISS) — The Ladera International School of Saipan’s Humanitarian Class is working toward giving away 500 sets of school supplies.
The Pacific Islands Club assisted the school with a donation of supplies such as pencils, pens, and writing tablets.
Rose Smith, LISS teacher, said: “We are grateful for the school supplies which we will donate to Koblerville Elementary School. Our goal is to put together 500 sets of school supplies for the kids in several schools.”
The president of the Humanitarian Class Project, Michael Park, said: “We know there are some kids who cannot afford to buy things like pencils, or glue and rulers. So, we decided to work towards putting together supplies to help these kids.”
Beautify CNMI meeting
(Beautify CNMI) — Beautify CNMI will meet on Thursday, Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Division of Environmental Quality.
The group meets on the first Thursday of every month.
If you are interested in getting involved in Beautify CNMI, you should come to these meetings.
FDM marine survey
(EMO) — The U.S. military will condut an environmental marine survey on Farallon De Mendenilla from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. , and from Sept. 3 to 5, from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is reminding the public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to take precautionary measures around this area during the time and dates indicated.
For more information, call the Emergency Management Office at 322-9528, 322-9529, VHF marine channel 16, or through HF single sideband radio on 5.205.0.
International Coastal Cleanup
(DEQ) — The DEQ regular monthly cleanup brigade is deviating from its regular first Saturday of each month beach cleanup.
This year, the brigade is teaming up with the Beautify CNMI coalition and is inviting other government agencies and community organizations to join other international groups celebrating the 24th annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The public is invited and encouraged to participate in this event.
To request a signup sheet, contact Lisa Huynh Eller or Joe Kaipat at 664-8500/1 or e-mail [email protected]
SCUBA DIVING. Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry Tenorio, second left, receives a copy of the scuba diving DVD “Underwater Treasures of the Northern Mariana Islands” from Takahiro Naguchi of Underwater Adventures LLC, left, and Toshi Yamaguchi of Marine Sports Club, second left. Noguchi donated the rights of the DVD to MVA for promotion of the islands. Also pictured is MVA marketing manager Bruce Bateman, right. Contributed photo
(Saipan Mayor’s Office) — As a collaborative effort of the Office of the Mayor of Saipan and the Department of Public Health, Mayor Juan B. Tudela is informing the public that he will sign a mayoral proclamation today, Sept. 1, to designate September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month on Saipan.
The proclamation signing ceremony will be held at Bldg. D of Northern Marianas College at 10 a.m.
All prostate cancer victims, survivors, families and friends are invited to attend the brief ceremony.
