Wednesday, October 28, 2009

FMI Schedule for November 2009

We would like to inform the public that our group Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) will be at the Lao-Lao Beach (South) to do the monthly beach cleanup.

Date: November 8, 2009
Time: 8:00am to 10:00am

Our group would like to invite everyone who are willing to give there time for the community services. Please come, joint us and give your heart for the ENVIRONMENT! Our contact Person no other than Ms. Marites Castillo FMI President/Chairwomen; Contact #: 285-8980.

We would like to thanks MOBIL Oil Mariana, Islands Inc., DEQ and Beautify CNMI! for there untiring support.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Beautify CNMI announces slogan and bumper sticker contest

Beautify CNMI is looking for a new slogan following the successful “What we do on the land can affect our marine environment” campaign started in 2006.

In order to find a new slogan, Beautify CNMI is looking to the community for help.

Artists are being asked to come up with a slogan and to design a bumper sticker that goes along with their slogan. The winner will receive $150 cash and fifty of their winning bumper stickers to give out to friends and family.

The contest is open to all residents of all ages of the Commonwealth. Guidelines for the slogan contest are:

• must be original
• must be relevant to the actions and mission of Beautify CNMI.
• The bumper sticker can be square or horizontally rectangular.
• Artists and participants can submit more than one design and more than one artist can work together on a single submission.
• Designs may be by free-hand sketch, drawing or computer generated, but must be in electronic format to be considered.
• Entries must be submitted by noon on October 24, 2009 and must include the artist's full name, mailing address, telephone number and email address if available.

A brief statement explaining the design and slogan may accompany entries.

All entries will become the property of Beautify CNMI and can be used freely by Beautify CNMI and must be received on or before Thursday, October 24, 2009 at noon. Entries are to be submitted via email to angelovillagomez@gmail.com.

Beautify CNMI reserves the right to modify the winning logo at any time but when possible, Beautify CNMI will work with the original artists to make these changes.

Beautify CNMI reserves the right to correct any information that appears in this contest in error and is not responsible for omissions.

For inquiries contact Angelo Villagomez at 670 285 6462

Monday, August 24, 2009

FMI Members South Lao-Lao Beach Cleanup

Our group picture

FMI new members, Earth Team Volunteer and Beautify CNMI!



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Lau-Lau Beach Cleanup

Friends of the Mariana Islands will be doing a Lau-Lau Beach Cleanup at "August 19, 2009" starting from "8:00-10:00 a.m." Anybody interested will have to show up in the "Lau-Lau beach Pavilion." Water ( is provided by the FMI group), Gloves, and Trash bags have been provided from Beautify CNMI & DEQ, (Snacks are not provided.)


Thank You

NOTE TO HACKER

WHo ever you are stop doing this to our blog!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Thursday, July 9, 2009

FMI July Cleanup Schedules

The last week in July will have final cleanup activities on July25-26. On the 25th we once again will be cleaning up at Lau Lau Beach starting at 8:00. For the 26th we will be cleaning up Isa Drive from the Mobil Station at San Vicente to Airport Road once again at 8:00. We thank Beautify CNMI for the provision of trash bags and T shirts as well as Mr. Joe Kaipat of DEQ for the disposal of the trash we collect.

Friday, June 26, 2009

FMI are conducting their Lau-Lau Beach and ISA Drive Cleanups

Friends of the Mariana Islands are conducting their monthly Lau-Lau Beach Cleanup today, Saturday the 27th. Tomorrow the FMI will cleanup along ISA Drive Road in the San Vicente area from the Mobil Station by SVE up to the Botanical Garden.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Fathers Day


It was a surprise Father's Day clebration to all the FMI members. We really thank Our spiritual advisor, Mrs. Rose Adams, for making us all feel loved on this special day for the fathers in our environmental volunteer group. It was an unusual Sunday for the FMI as normally the group can be found on Sundays cleaning up roadsides, drainage areas or beaches rather than cleaning their plates. With all the time and effort Mrs. Adams put into this event it was a day that will be remembered by the FMI fathers and all those who love them. Thank you Mrs. Adams!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Weekend Cleanups Canceled

Friends of the Mariana Islands had canceled the two event of cleanup on the weekend due to the weather (it was heavy rain).

 

Friday, June 12, 2009

Tan Holdings, Friends of the Monument recognized with Beautify CNMI awards

Beautify CNMI announced today the winners of their annual Environmental Champion and Environmental Steward Awards. The awards are given out to recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses that have proven to be environmental leaders in the Commonwealth.

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.

This year Beautify CNMI will recognize Tan Holdings, Laurie Peterka, and Ken Kramer as the 2009 Environmental Champions.

Tan Holdings is being recognized as a model of corporate environmental responsibility. Under the leadership of President Jerry Tan, Tan Holdings employees and friends have been part of several environmental projects over the past year. All Tan Holdings offices on Saipan participate in a Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle program and the company participates in a reusable shopping bag campaign with Joeten. Employees, often with the participation of management, regularly participate in cleanups, including the recent island wide cleanup.

Laurie Peterka and Ken Kramer are being recognized for their roles in the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

Kramer was so inspired by the concept of the monument that he quit his job so that he would have more time to collect signatures. Kramer was the largest signature collector for a petition being circulated in support of the monument, collecting over 1000 signatures at the street market, in front of stores, at the Sabalu market, and door to door. Kramer also penned nearly two-dozen letters to the editor educating newspaper readers about the benefits of a monument.

Peterka is being recognized for the role she played as staff with the Pew Environment Group. According to one of her nominations for the award, “Laurie has been the backbone of the Friends of the Monument’'s efforts: always there, always supportive, keeping things moving, doing much of the organizing, writing, scheduling, as well as a lot of the scut work.”

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.

This year Beautify CNMI will recognize Friends of the Monument as the 2009 Environmental Stewards.

Friends of the Monument was formed to help promote the idea of creating a national marine monument in the waters around the three northernmost islands of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Friends of the Monument engaged in activities to help educate the community --distributing leaflets, conducting meetings, and coordinating with teachers for classroom presentations. The organization gathered more than 6,000 signatures on petitions in support of the designation of a Monument. The Friends sent representatives to Washington, D.C. to meet with White House officials, and participated in television and radio public service announcements and advertising. Ultimately, they were instrumental in the process that resulted in former President George W. Bush designating the Marianas Trench Marine Monument, along with three larger national marine monuments.

The awards were handed out at the Beautify CNMI/PAWS Boonie Dog Show on Saturday, June 13 at the CPA Airport Field.

Beautify CNMI recognizes Steward and Champion Awards winner each year in Spring. Nominations are taken from the community at-large and the Beautify CNMI Committee Chairs select winners. Past winners include Aqua Resort Club, Friends of the Mariana Islands, Marites Castillo, Kathy Yuknavage, Captain Carl Brachear, Adam Sablan, Katie Busenkell, Rose Callier, Mike Tripp, Marianas Dive, Nava Khorram, Max Aguon, Paseo de Marianas Promoters, and Bree Reynolds.

Beautify CNMI! is a coalition of concerned citizens, private groups, and government entities united to enhance the CNMI's natural beauty and foster community pride in its residents and visitors. The coalition was a recipient of a 2007 EPA Environmental Award and received a Certificate of Commendation from the United States Congress in 2009. For more information visit them online at http://www.beautifycnmi.org.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

FMI members




Rena and Teddy is back to FMI and Beautify CNMI!






Shocking! During the cleanup the RAV4 got a lot of scratch from the cleanup yesterday morning. I can't really imagine how did this happen? but I think who ever did it, this person really out of his or her brain! We are there to help and clean other people trash but this is what i got? It's not fair for me. I'll be very watchful next time.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Dandan/Airport




The FMI, lead by thier President Marites Castillo, assisted DEQ with a cleanup on Sunday in DanDan along the Airport fence. In just three hours the volunteers collected an entire trailer full of trash. Unfortunately some people on Saipan had been using DanDan and the Airport as an area to dispose of their personal trash. The FMI and DEQ turned this trash dump back into an area that the DanDan villagers and CPA can be proud to call their own (and that CPA and MVA don't have to be concerned that our arriving tourist might see).

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Beautify CNMI Meeting Next Week

The first Beautify CNMI monthly meeting in about a year is scheduled for next Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 3:30 PM. This will be a reorganization meeting. We're not going to change too much, just bring everyone back to the table to see how we can continue to work together.

I will start the meeting off with a short synopsis of our different programs over the last 3 years.

Friday, May 22, 2009

The Boonie Strikes Back

PAWS WARS LogoIt is that time of year again – when Beautify CNMI! and PAWS team up to celebrate Saipan’s boonie dogs. This year, the dog show, PAWS WARS, Episode III, Revenge of the Boonie, will be held on June 13, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at CPA Airport Field. Categories include:

Star Wars Character
Booniest
Fattest
Most Disobedient
Most Talented; and
Best in Show.

Come down and bring your dog in their best storm trooper or Darth Vader mask. There will be great prizes and loads of fun for the entire family. Registration forms are available here. As we have done in the past, we hope to use the dog show as a method of educating people about the benefits of responsible pet ownership and promote the human-animal bond.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Mga larawan ng mga basura na aming pinulot kahapon








Mahirap man paniwalaan na may mga taong nananadya para magtapon nang kanilang basura sa ganitong lugar malapit mismo sa dagat. Sana matutu na ang mga tao na pangalagahan ang inang kalikasan. Kami po sa Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) nanawagan sa publico na tulungan po ninyo kaming bantayan at pangalagaan ang Inang kalikasan, sapagkat tayo rin pong lahat ang siyang makikinabang sa kalinisan at kagandahang lugar kung saan tayo ngayon nakatira pansamantala.
Minsahe po namin sa mga taong mahilig gumamit sa gawaing maganda nang Iba.
Matutu po sana tayong rumispito sa iba at huwag gamitin ang gawaing magaganda nang kapwa para po hinde mapulaan nang mga taong nakakakita sa kung sino ang mga taong tunay na gumagawa. Tama na pong ipaglaban ninyo kung saan ang pinapaniwalaan ninyo sa buhay pero huwag na huwag po ninyong gagamitin ang aming mga magagandang ginagawa dito sa Islang ito, kami po ay kinikilala at nirerespito ng mga tao na naniniwala sa aming mga ginagawa.
PAALALA lang po namin sa lahat nang mga tao na kailamanman hinde kami kinikilala at hinde rin po kami renirespito sana pagpalain kayong lahat nang ating panginoon diyos. Maraming salamat po.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

FMI Cleanup at Lau-Lau Bay Road

FMI Sent over two hours on Sunday cleaning up Lau Lau Road from the Cross-Island intersection down towards the beach. These pictures were taken along the Road down below the where the old restaurant road joins Lau Lau Road. The drainage areas had been used by some people as a dump site. They had dumped their personal or business trash along side the road and then covered the trash with branches and other green items as an attempt to hide the trash. Our Trash warriors could smell (as could anyone using the Road) the trash and found the illegal dump. Anyone with information on the dump please let DPS know as it is illegal.

We will make sure to really wacth this area and to make sure also that no one can get away with this illegal dump!











Friday, May 15, 2009

FMI Weekend Cleanups

Tomorrow (Saturday) the FMI will start the weekend of cleanup activities at 07:30 around the San Vicente School campus. We will be working inside and outside the campus on various cleanup and drainage clearing projects. We will have everything a parent or volunteer may need to help us clean up both the Island and SVES!

This coming Sunday the Friends of the Mariana Islands will be undertaking our monthly cleanup of the Lau-Lua road from the Cross-Island road intersection down towards the beach. The FMI will provide the trash bags and gloves to any volunteers who find the time in their day and the room in their heart to help cleanup our Island.

See you on the 16th at San Vicente School and on the 17th at about 7:30 at the intersection!

Monday, May 11, 2009

May 9, 2009 ISA Drive FMI monthly cleanup











2009 FMI Mother's of the Year

OUR 2009 FMI MOTHER'S OF THE YEAR!
From Left; Mrs. Rose Adams, Middle; Mrs. Sitsit Abe, From rigth; Melecia Marquez


Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Island Wide Cleanup Award Winners

Saipan, (CNMI) – Two elementary schools and a government agency that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers are one hundred dollars richer today as Beautify CNMI! handed out prizes to groups participating in last month’s island-wide cleanup.

Garapan Elementary School received $100 for the photo they submitted of their entire student body right before cleaning up their campus and the surrounding neighborhood. They won the contest for the photo with the most volunteers.

“I told some of the staff that we won and they were really proud,” remarked Dale Roberts, Vice Principal of Garapan Elementary.

In the contest to take a photo of the biggest pile of collected garbage, San Vicente was declared the victors. ACT President Betty Miller was on hand to accept the $100 on behalf of the students.

“We had a lot of support from the parents on our cleanup day and they deserve a lot of the credit,” said Miller about winning the contest category.

Each of this year’s 61 participating groups also had their names put into a random drawing to win $100. William S. Reyes 5th grader Shizuka Takayama pulled the name of the Children’s Developmental Assistance Center during a press event at the Marianas Visitors Authority office on Wednesday.

“Everyone who participated in this year’s island-wide cleanup deserves a hearty thank you,” said Angelo Villagomez of Beautify CNMI. He added, “the Kramis family also deserves a big thank for their generous donation making these prizes possible.”

Award winners: Roberts and Miller with the $100 checks for their schools. Saipanda is also pictured.
The 2009 island-wide cleanup had the participation of 4,140 volunteers from 61 groups and over 13.5 tons of litter was removed from the streets and beaches of Saipan. The Rotary Club of Saipan, Division of Environmental Quality, Marianas Visitors Authority, and Marianas Tourism Education Council coordinated the event.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Beautify CNMI award nominations deadline on Friday

The deadline to submit nominations for the annual Beautify CNMI Steward and Beautify CNMI Champion awards is this Friday, May 8.

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.

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 2007 Environmental Champion winners were Bree Reynolds, Kathy Yuknavage, and Carl Brachear. The winners of the 2007 Environmental Steward award were Adam Sablan and Friends of the Mariana Islands.

The 2008 Environmental Champion winners were Nava Khorram, Marites Castillo, Katie Busenkell and Rose Callier of PAWS, Mike Tripp of Marianas Dive, and Aqua Resort Club. The winners of the 2008 Environmental Steward award were Friends of the Marianas Islands, Marianas Dive, Paseo de Marianas Promoters and Max Aguon and the Pantalon Boys.

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 or mail them to PMB 360 BOX 10001; Saipan, MP 96950 or call 285-6462 for more information.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Airport Road Cleanup


This coming Sunday Friends of the Mariana Islands will be on the road again picking up trash along the Airport Road up to MOBIL Station at San Vicente Elem. School (ISA Drive Rd).


We would like to welcome our new FMI member Ms. Inocencia Lausin. She is now a very active on our Environmental activities. Thank you Ms. Lausin for joining our group!

Lau-Lau Beach Cleanup for the month of April 2009






Friends of the mariana Islands had successfuly done another cleanup at Lau-Lau Beach yesterday morning. Thanks to Mike, Ising, Melly, Precy, Camilo, bro. Ruben, and Betty.
We also would like to thank DEQ and Mr. Joe Kaipat for supporting us by picking up our trash and giving us the trash bags including gloves.

Students of San Vicente Elem. School







Saturday, April 18, 2009

Cleanup at San Vicente Elem. School











It's another busy day for the Friends of the Mariana islands group for we had to help the San Vicente Elem. School for thier Schedule Island Wide Cleanup this morning. Thank you so much to all the parents, students and my hardworking FMI member volunteers Camilo, Jun, Melly and Betty Matson.
Maraming-maraming slamat po sainyong lahat!
Ang aming grupo na Friends of the Mariana Islands ay may Beach Cleanup bukas nang umaga sa Lau-Lau Beach, Ito ay magsisimula nang alas otso nang umaga (8:00 am, tomorrow morning). Kung nais ninyong sumama sa aming Beach Cleanup, tumawag lamang sa numerong ito 285-8980. Maraming salamat po.

Friday, April 17, 2009

New volunteers

Sharmin

Rupert



Joel


From the bottom of our heart we thank you all for your support!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

FMI had a very successful Island Wide Cleanup this morning













THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO SHARMIN, JOEL, JEFFRY AND RUPERT FOR THE SUPPORT.