Latest Lighthouse Cleanup

If you missed the latest lighthouse cleanup, this is what you missed -- the dancing ladies of FMI. On any given cleanup, you can be sure to see these three ladies shake it while they're cleaning. They hear music and off they go. They are what makes volunteering with Beautify CNMI! FUN!

Thank you to ISA-CNMI for leading the cleanup effort. Also present were FMI, Rep. Cinta Kaipat and staff, Beautify CNMI!'s ever-reliable super volunteers Juanita Fajardo, Adam and Zach Sablan, Gus Kaipat and Leilugh Kaipat. Once, again, the crew proved you can make a big difference and have fun, too!

Pala Potu Group Plantings At Tun Kioshi Road

Okay, I bet many of you have travelled to and fro the airport on Tun Kioshi Road and may have noticed the beautiful new plants planted by Pala Potu Group a couple weeks ago, right? When we did the inaugural cleanup with this Group two months ago, we picked up trash and they did some bushcutting, tree trimming, and painting of the drainages and curbs. Everyone noticed that, all of a sudden, the spruced up Road had drainages that sported a fresh coat of yellow paint. The following day, the curbs were painted also.

You may have noticed Pala Potu's latest beautification efforts -- the plantings of some trees along their adopted road. Despite the recent thefts reported in the newspaper (shame on whomever was responsible for this!), Bernard Cabrera, the awesome leader of this Group, told me that they remain committed to replanting and continuing their care of their adopted road. That's the Beautify CNMI! spirit!! Thank you. Si Yu'us Ma'ase yan Olomwaay for your excellent work, Pala Potu Group!

One Year Anniversary Fundraiser

We're pink for Easter!

It is April and do you know what that means? The Beautify CNMI! movement is almost one year old! To commemorate this milestone, we are planning a Beautify CNMI! one year anniversary fundraiser on Friday, April 20th. Please mark your calendars!

The fundraiser will be at the Aqua Resort on April 20th at 7:30 PM. The price is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children (very affordable!). Admission includes the Seafood Night Buffet with draft beer and champagne, a raffle ticket, and other surprises. There will also be a presentation of several Beautify CNMI Environmental Stewardship awards and a presentation of all the work we have accomplished (and the fun we had) together in the last year.

I will have information on where to buy tickets soon. Please RSVP with me via email so that we have an idea of how many people to expect.

Please plan on coming! If you are reading this, you are invited.

Here is a taste of the amazing extravaganza you will be treated to:



Come see the rest of the video at the fundraiser!

April Garapan Tourist District Clean up

Yet another successful cleanup this past Sunday at Garapan Tourist District. Here are some pictures of how much fun we had especially with the Garapan Elementary Students! Thank you everyone for coming out and supporting Beautify CNMI!

The groups of Beautify CNMI and partners who participated in the Garapan cleanup were: SDA Church, Garapan Elementary School (GES) 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders led by faculty members Ms. Mary Grace Mendoza, Ms. MA. Snodgrass, Ms. Jonabel Rumley and Mr. Randy Maderal and some parents; Hopwood Jr. High, CNMI Power, Kinpachi Restaurant staff, FMI, Rep. Cinta Kaipat and Staff, Gus Kaipat and Leilugh.

I hope that is everyone. If I have forgotten you let me know =)

Beautify CNMI!'s Animal Welfare Committee Meeting

Beautify CNMI!'s Animal Welfare Committee met at the Cafe at the Park last March 28, 2007. Katie Busenkell, chair of the Committee, will be posting the minutes later. Anyone is welcomed to join this Committee. Let's work together to promote responsible pet ownership and eradicate our islands of stray animals that are affecting the quality of life of our people of the CNMI! Come on, CNMI! We can do it!!!

Rep. Manny Tenorio & Tenorio Family Adopt Tun Doi Road

Rep. Manny Tenorio, his staff Eddie Tenorio, and other family members adopted Tun Joaquin "Doi" Tenorio Road from the As Lito intersection on down to the Chalan Kanoa entrance. Welcome and Congratulations!Joining this group are Rep. Cinta Kaipat and her staff and Kaipat and Cabrera Families; the ever-reliable and hardworking Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) volunteers, led by Ms. Marites Castillo, their president; Mrs. Bree Reynolds, ace science teacher for Hopwood and NMC; and Steve Hiney of Steve Hiney Consultants and his daughter Katie (who just arrived on island. Thanks for joining us, Katie!). I especially enjoyed meeting BJ Tenorio, a young leader, who was my partner in sweeping up and clearing the gutters. I look forward to seeing this young man on many more Beautify CNMI! activities!

On this cleanup, we managed to bushcut, sweep the gutters, clean out the dirt clogging the drainages, shovel the dirt that had piled up, and picked up trash. Kyle, of Rep. Kaipat's Office, made three trips to the transfer station to unload the pick-up loads of trash.

Thanks to Rep. Tenorio for supplying the snacks and drinks and to Beautify CNMI! for donating the trash bags and gloves (courtesy of donation by MVA!). A great job was done by everyone!

More Fina Sisu Cleanup Pictures