.jpg)
Local
Saturday, April 18, 2009
By Anthony Pellegrino
Special to the Saipan Tribune
Terry Camacho, 62, of the Office of Personnel Management, picks up trash at the Garapan Fishing Base yesterday afternoon as part of the islandwide cleanup, in observance of Environmental Awareness Month in the CNMI. Inset, Department of Public Health employees pick up trash from the Bureau of Environmental Health office on Navy Hill to Horiguchi Building in Garapan and back. (Haidee V. Eugenio)
Close to 4,000 young and adults picked up tons of trash along Saipan's major roads, beaches, parks, dive sites and other tourist spots yesterday as part of the islandwide cleanup highlighting the observance of Environmental Awareness Month.
“I hope this day will make a difference for the environment and our children,” said 62-year-old Terry Camacho of the Office of Personnel Management. “I hope that next time somebody throws trash anywhere, he would think twice and think about those who are cleaning up the environment.”
Camacho was among the OPM employees and their families who picked up trash at the Garapan Fishing Base starting at 2:30pm yesterday.
Just a few meters from her was 4-year-old Ila Seman, the youngest of the OPM employees' family members to take part in the activity.
“Please do not throw your trash anywhere,” Joannie Laniyo, 7, said as she tagged along with her mother, OPM employee Benita Seman, for the cleanup.
From 7am to 4:30pm, thousands of volunteers from the private sector and the local and federal government cleaned Saipan of litter-from cigarette butts, plastic bottles, soda and beer cans, plastic bags to soiled baby diapers.
Michael Lizama, 12, a seventh grader at Hopwood Junior High School, said most of what they picked up on campus and at the beach were cigarette butts and plastic bottles. His classmate, Alicia Lloren, 12, said she and her classmates are proud to be part of making their campus cleaner.
Hopwood Junior High School had the most number of cleanup participants at 1,113.
TJ Litulumar of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration joined eight other TSA employees in picking up trash at the beach side fronting the Quarter Master Road intersection all the way to the 13 Fishermen Monument and back.
“We're supposed to clean up only from 9am to 11am but it's now around 12,” said Litulumar, adding that this is part of TSA's community outreach programs.
Mariana Coats and Jeremy T. Sasamoto of the Department of Public Health said they didn't mind the heat and dust to be able to help clean up Saipan. DPH employees picked up trash from Navy Hill to Horiguchi Building and back, starting at 2:30pm.
“Many of what we picked up were beer cans and plastic bottles. I hope people will stop littering,” said Sasamoto.
Aya Matsumoto, vice president of Pacific Eagle Enterprises, said they started cleaning up the area around the 13 Fishermen's Monument on Beach Road at 9:30am.
“We also planted a flame tree. We'd like to show tourists that Saipan is clean and beautiful. We'd like tourists to come back to the island again,” she said.
The cleanup will continue today. Joleen Torres, from the Committee to Elect Juan “Pan” Guerrero and Joe Camacho, said they expect 45 volunteers to clean up Beach Road this morning.
Joe Kaipat of the Division of Environmental Quality and co-chair of the islandwide cleanup, said 55 volunteer groups including public and private schools, government agencies and private businesses took part in the cleanup of 48 sites around Saipan.
The islandwide cleanup is cosponsored by Beautify CNMI, the Division of Environmental Quality, Rotary Club of Saipan, Marianas Visitors Authority and the Marianas Tourism Education Council.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Beautify CNMI looking for award nominations
Friday, 10 April 2009 00:00
E-mail Print PDF
(Beautify CNMI) — The Committee chairs of Beautify CNMI are seeking nominations for their annual Beautify CNMI Steward and Beautify CNMI Champion awards. The two awards will be given out at the end of April.
The awards are given out to recognize the individuals or groups who have been environmental leaders during the past 12 months.
There are two award categories, the Environmental Steward and the Environmental Champion.
The Environmental Steward award recognizes a person or group that leads the community in activities that help protect our environment in a variety of ways. This individual or group has demonstrated the need to take pride in our islands and to take care of the place we all call home. They serve as an example for others, especially the next generation, to follow.
According to Beautify CNMI volunteer Angelo Villagomez, “The Steward Award winners are the back of Beautify CNMI. These are the people that volunteer their time every single weekend to improve our environment and our islands.”
The Environmental Champion award recognizes a person or group that exemplifies the Beautify CNMI spirit. Those qualities include volunteerism, cooperation, innovation, creativity and the ability to infect others with the Beauty Virus. The Environmental Champion is a role model for others to follow. They bring environmental issues to the forefront of public consciousness. They make things happen and effect change.
“The Champion Award winners are the environmental leaders on Saipan,” explained Beautify CNMI founder Cinta M. Kaipat.
To nominate an individual or group, submit a written nomination explaining why that person or group deserves recognition.
You can make as many nominations as you like, but individuals and groups can only be nominated for one award category.
Nominations must include the award category the nominee is being considered for, a well written argument detailing the reasons why this nominee should be considered, and contact information for the nominee and for the person making the nomination.
Send nominations to Angelo Villagomez at angelovillagomez@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or mail them to PMB 360 BOX 10001; Saipan, MP 96950 or call 285-6462 for more information
E-mail Print PDF
(Beautify CNMI) — The Committee chairs of Beautify CNMI are seeking nominations for their annual Beautify CNMI Steward and Beautify CNMI Champion awards. The two awards will be given out at the end of April.
The awards are given out to recognize the individuals or groups who have been environmental leaders during the past 12 months.
There are two award categories, the Environmental Steward and the Environmental Champion.
The Environmental Steward award recognizes a person or group that leads the community in activities that help protect our environment in a variety of ways. This individual or group has demonstrated the need to take pride in our islands and to take care of the place we all call home. They serve as an example for others, especially the next generation, to follow.
According to Beautify CNMI volunteer Angelo Villagomez, “The Steward Award winners are the back of Beautify CNMI. These are the people that volunteer their time every single weekend to improve our environment and our islands.”
The Environmental Champion award recognizes a person or group that exemplifies the Beautify CNMI spirit. Those qualities include volunteerism, cooperation, innovation, creativity and the ability to infect others with the Beauty Virus. The Environmental Champion is a role model for others to follow. They bring environmental issues to the forefront of public consciousness. They make things happen and effect change.
“The Champion Award winners are the environmental leaders on Saipan,” explained Beautify CNMI founder Cinta M. Kaipat.
To nominate an individual or group, submit a written nomination explaining why that person or group deserves recognition.
You can make as many nominations as you like, but individuals and groups can only be nominated for one award category.
Nominations must include the award category the nominee is being considered for, a well written argument detailing the reasons why this nominee should be considered, and contact information for the nominee and for the person making the nomination.
Send nominations to Angelo Villagomez at angelovillagomez@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or mail them to PMB 360 BOX 10001; Saipan, MP 96950 or call 285-6462 for more information
Friday, March 27, 2009
Former First Lady Laura Bush
Former first lady thanks Friends of the Monument
Friday, 27 March 2009 00:00
E-mail Print PDF
(Friends of the Monument) —Former First Lady Laura Bush recently wrote to the Friends of the Monument thanking them for their role in supporting the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.
Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres with then-first lady Laura Bush and then-Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne pose for a photo after the monument declaration signing in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2009. Mrs. Bush holds the two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts presented by McPhetres. Contributed photo
Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres with then-first lady Laura Bush and then-Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne pose for a photo after the monument declaration signing in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2009. Mrs. Bush holds the two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts presented by McPhetres. Contributed photo
The letter, embossed with the official White House seal reads, “We are pleased that you joined us at the White House for the signing of the proclamation to create the Pacific Marine National Monuments. Your gifts will always remind us of your support throughout the process that led this special occasion.”
Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres presented Mrs. Bush with two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts after the monument declaration signing in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2009.
The former first lady added, “Conservation and protection of our ocean resources is vitally important to our nation and the world. I am proud of the accomplishments of my husband’s administration to protect America’s oceans. He joins me in sending best wishes to your organization for future success in advancing marine conservation.”
The letter from the former first lady included an autographed photo of her and former President George W. Bush.
Friends of the Monument’s Angelo O. Villagomez said of the letter, “I am really proud of our people. We are showing the world how local actions can have global consequences. Even the former president of the United States and his first lady know about our work here.”
The Friends of the Monument were the main proponents for a marine monument in the Marianas.
When local elected leaders were not receptive to the idea of a marine monument, the Friends started a petition drive and collected over 6,000 signatures.
They also gained endorsements from the business community and prominent community leaders.
The islands’ political establishment ultimately supported the monument.
According to a statement issued by Gov. Benigno R Fitial on the day of the designation, “I welcome President Bush’s historic announcement establishing the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument…. Over the past few months, I have been actively engaged in discussions with the White House Council on Environmental Quality regarding the objectives and scope of the proposed monument. I have been joined in these discussions by President Pete Reyes of the Commonwealth Senate and Speaker Arnold Palacios of the Commonwealth House of Representatives.”
When asked about what he was going to do with the letter, Friends of the Monument’s Ignacio V. Cabrera said, “I’m going to hang it on my wall at home so that I can remember all we have accomplished.”
Friends of the Monument officers Agnes M. McPhetres, Ignacio V. Cabrera, and Angelo O. Villagomez were on hand to witness the historic monument declaration this past January.
More information on the Friends of the Monument and the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument can be found at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.
Friday, 27 March 2009 00:00
E-mail Print PDF
(Friends of the Monument) —Former First Lady Laura Bush recently wrote to the Friends of the Monument thanking them for their role in supporting the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.
Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres with then-first lady Laura Bush and then-Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne pose for a photo after the monument declaration signing in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2009. Mrs. Bush holds the two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts presented by McPhetres. Contributed photo
Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres with then-first lady Laura Bush and then-Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne pose for a photo after the monument declaration signing in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2009. Mrs. Bush holds the two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts presented by McPhetres. Contributed photo
The letter, embossed with the official White House seal reads, “We are pleased that you joined us at the White House for the signing of the proclamation to create the Pacific Marine National Monuments. Your gifts will always remind us of your support throughout the process that led this special occasion.”
Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres presented Mrs. Bush with two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts after the monument declaration signing in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2009.
The former first lady added, “Conservation and protection of our ocean resources is vitally important to our nation and the world. I am proud of the accomplishments of my husband’s administration to protect America’s oceans. He joins me in sending best wishes to your organization for future success in advancing marine conservation.”
The letter from the former first lady included an autographed photo of her and former President George W. Bush.
Friends of the Monument’s Angelo O. Villagomez said of the letter, “I am really proud of our people. We are showing the world how local actions can have global consequences. Even the former president of the United States and his first lady know about our work here.”
The Friends of the Monument were the main proponents for a marine monument in the Marianas.
When local elected leaders were not receptive to the idea of a marine monument, the Friends started a petition drive and collected over 6,000 signatures.
They also gained endorsements from the business community and prominent community leaders.
The islands’ political establishment ultimately supported the monument.
According to a statement issued by Gov. Benigno R Fitial on the day of the designation, “I welcome President Bush’s historic announcement establishing the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument…. Over the past few months, I have been actively engaged in discussions with the White House Council on Environmental Quality regarding the objectives and scope of the proposed monument. I have been joined in these discussions by President Pete Reyes of the Commonwealth Senate and Speaker Arnold Palacios of the Commonwealth House of Representatives.”
When asked about what he was going to do with the letter, Friends of the Monument’s Ignacio V. Cabrera said, “I’m going to hang it on my wall at home so that I can remember all we have accomplished.”
Friends of the Monument officers Agnes M. McPhetres, Ignacio V. Cabrera, and Angelo O. Villagomez were on hand to witness the historic monument declaration this past January.
More information on the Friends of the Monument and the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument can be found at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
This is a great thing for Saipan Southern High School and the CNMI.
Officials consider alternative energy for schools
Thursday, 19 February 2009 00:00 By Junhan B. Todeno - Variety News Staff
E-mail Print PDF
STUDENTS, school and government officials witnessed yesterday how the wind turbine operates at Saipan Southern High School and expressed confidence that this alternative energy will reduce the school’s monthly power bills.
The wind turbine stands tall on the campus of Southern Saipan High School yesterday. Photo by Junhan B. Todeno
The wind turbine stands tall on the campus of Southern Saipan High School yesterday. Photo by Junhan B. Todeno
Calling the project as a CNMI milestone, both Education Commissioner Rita Sablan and Board of Education Chairwoman Lucy Blanco-Maratita are hoping that all schools will soon have renewable energy sources.
“This is one of the ways we can conserve energy,” Sablan said.
The wind turbine will not only minimize the need for Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s power, it will also show that the school cares for the environment, Blanco-Mararita said.
She said BOE members have discussed adapting alternative energy sources to reduce the schools’ power bills.
SSHS vice principal Craig Garrison acknowledged the efforts of the Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant for installing the wind turbine on campus.
Robert Jordan, Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant program manager, said the wind turbine is still in the system test stage.
“This is a first in the Pacific and first time the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a supplemental environmental project that utilizes renewable energy as a pilot project,” he said.
Jordan said the project was proposed to the school by the now defunct Concorde Garment Manufacturing Co. of Tan Holdings as an alternative means of settling the fines it owed to EPA for violations of its rules.
Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said the project is highly recommended.
He attended yesterday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $90,000 Skystream 3.7 wind turbine and nine Kyocera 18V solar panels.
SSHS administrators, he said, should start thinking now where to install another wind turbine on their campus.
Reyes said he is hoping to see SSHS to have nine more wind turbines so it can entirely operate on renewable energy.
Tom Polevich, Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting president, said the project in CNMI a major step forward toward the future of alternative energy use in the commonwealth.
SSHS student government president Janina Maratita said the students are looking forward to seeing similar projects on campus.
Officials consider alternative energy for schools
Thursday, 19 February 2009 00:00 By Junhan B. Todeno - Variety News Staff
E-mail Print PDF
STUDENTS, school and government officials witnessed yesterday how the wind turbine operates at Saipan Southern High School and expressed confidence that this alternative energy will reduce the school’s monthly power bills.
The wind turbine stands tall on the campus of Southern Saipan High School yesterday. Photo by Junhan B. Todeno
The wind turbine stands tall on the campus of Southern Saipan High School yesterday. Photo by Junhan B. Todeno
Calling the project as a CNMI milestone, both Education Commissioner Rita Sablan and Board of Education Chairwoman Lucy Blanco-Maratita are hoping that all schools will soon have renewable energy sources.
“This is one of the ways we can conserve energy,” Sablan said.
The wind turbine will not only minimize the need for Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s power, it will also show that the school cares for the environment, Blanco-Mararita said.
She said BOE members have discussed adapting alternative energy sources to reduce the schools’ power bills.
SSHS vice principal Craig Garrison acknowledged the efforts of the Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant for installing the wind turbine on campus.
Robert Jordan, Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant program manager, said the wind turbine is still in the system test stage.
“This is a first in the Pacific and first time the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a supplemental environmental project that utilizes renewable energy as a pilot project,” he said.
Jordan said the project was proposed to the school by the now defunct Concorde Garment Manufacturing Co. of Tan Holdings as an alternative means of settling the fines it owed to EPA for violations of its rules.
Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said the project is highly recommended.
He attended yesterday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $90,000 Skystream 3.7 wind turbine and nine Kyocera 18V solar panels.
SSHS administrators, he said, should start thinking now where to install another wind turbine on their campus.
Reyes said he is hoping to see SSHS to have nine more wind turbines so it can entirely operate on renewable energy.
Tom Polevich, Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting president, said the project in CNMI a major step forward toward the future of alternative energy use in the commonwealth.
SSHS student government president Janina Maratita said the students are looking forward to seeing similar projects on campus.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Golden Rays
A friend of mine shared this with me and I think this is so incredibly amazing I just had to share it with you.
...in the sea, thousands of Golden Rays are seen here gathering off the coast of Mexico. The spectacular scene was captured as the magnificent creatures made one of their biannual mass migrations to more agreeable waters. Gliding silently beneath the waves, they turned vast areas of blue water to gold off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Sandra Critelli, an amateur photographer, stumbled across the phenomenon while looking for whale sharks.
She said: 'It was an unreal image, very difficult to describe. The surface of the water was covered by warm and different shades of gold and looked like a bed of autumn leaves gently moved by the wind.
'It's hard to say exactly how many there were, but in the range of a few thousand'
'We were surrounded by them without seeing the edge of the school and we could see many under the water surface too. I feel very fortunate I was there in the right place at the right time to experience nature at its best' Measuring up to 7ft (2.1 meters) from wing-tip to wing-tip, Golden rays are also more prosaically known as cow nose rays.
They have long, pointed pectoral fins that separate into two lobes in front of their high-domed heads and give them a cow-like appearance. Despite having poisonous stingers, they are known to be shy and non-threatening when in large schools.
The population in the Gulf of Mexico migrates, in schools of as many as 10,000, clockwise from western Florida to the Yucatan.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
