Yolani S. Camacho
Surrealist artist draws inspiration from nature
Eco-friendly sports
Get fit while staying eco-friendly
Saipan's superfruit
Learn the benefits of the noni fruit
APRIL 2019
Get fit while staying eco-friendly. — Page 18 ABOUT THE COVER Garapan Street Market Photo by D&R Visuals
3 Calendar April Events
4-5 Cover Feature
Why and where to buy local
8-9 Artist
Surrealist artist draws inspiration from nature
12-13 Feature
How to help beautify the NMI
16-17 Beauty
Get a beauty boost with Saipan’s superfruit
18-19 Listicle
Eco-friendly sports you can enjoy on Saipan
20 Recipe
Quick and easy lemon and butter fish
22-23 On the Road
Event photos and special messages
We’re Online! www.brmsaipan.com
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Glimpses Media include: Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, Guam Business Magazine, Real Estate Journal, Buenas, Beach Road Magazine, Drive Guam, Pocket Deals
PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita BUSINESS EDITOR Meghan Hickey ASSISTANT EDITOR Jackie Cahill REPORTER Wayne Chargualaf CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Jr. Luisa Joy Castro Sean Davis Angelica Eleno MEDIA SALES Marlon Regaton DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong Beach Road Magazine, April 2019. Entire contents copyrighted 2019 by Glimpses of Saipan Inc. Beach Road Magazine is published monthly by Glimpses of Saipan Inc. P.O. Box 502080, Saipan, MP 96950 • 2/F Transpac Business Center Gualo Rai, Saipan • Tel: (670) 235-7645 • Fax: (670) 234-1801 • E-mail: saipan@ glimpsesofguam.com. All rights reserved. No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.
Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.
APRIL EVENTS April 11 to April 14 Flame Tree Arts Festival Time: Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Location: The Civic Center in Susupe Fee: Free Arts and cultural festival featuring traditional and contemporary dance, music and visual arts, traditional canoe exhibits, and local food and drink. Presented by the Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture. Contact: Email parkeryobei@gmail.com or call 322-9982. April 27 K10 “Survive” The KONQER Apocalypse Tour Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan Fee: Registration starts as low as $25; early bird special for first 200 registrants. Ages 17 and under are free. Survive the Zombie Apocalypse in this role-playing, zombie-inspired obstacle course race. Contact: Register online at www.konqersports.com
April 29 to April 30 American Memorial Park Coin Forum and Launch Time: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 29; 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on April 30 Location: American Memorial Park, Garapan Fee: Free Celebrate the April release of Saipan’s American Memorial Park quarter. Contact: Call 234-7207 ext.2020 or see the Facebook event hosted by United States Mint. May 4 21st Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Location: American Memorial Park, Garapan Fee: Food and drink tokens available for $1, $2 and $5 Try various local and international cuisine and enjoy live entertainment, nightly competitions and more. Contact: Email info@mymarianas.com or call 664-3200.
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COVER FEATURE
To market, to market Why and where to buy local By Meghan Hickey Eating local not only benefits the economy by providing jobs and income for farmers in the Northern Mariana Islands, but also helps the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the carbon footprint of longdistance shipping. One of the most noticeable benefits of eating local is the freshness and nutritional value that food from local markets has. “Our produce here is healthier [in freshness] than what the [other] stores sell because in those stores almost everything is imported,” Paula Deregeyo, cashier at the Garapan Public Market says. “It’s cheaper. There’s no pesticides.” Purchasing food that is grown or made on island typically means that it was harvested or cooked within days or even hours of arriving to the stand — assuring that crisp freshness and tasty aroma your meal deserves. “I have customers that come here and they would say our produce is fresh almost every day,” Deregeyo says. Saipan offers many opportunities to take advantage of fresh grown, baked and sourced food at markets comprised of vendors with unique and local products.
Garapan Public Market The Garapan Public Market is a farmers’ cooperative dedicated to promoting fresh local produce and valueadded products. It is located on Beach Road across from the U.S. District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands. The sheltered market is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Garapan Street Market The Garapan Street Market, which resumed operations as of March 7 according to the Marianas Visitors Authority, is a weekly market that features international cuisine, souvenirs and live entertainment. The street market takes place at the Garapan Fishing Base on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Garapan Public Market Photos courtesy of the Garapan Public Market Facebook page
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APRIL 2019
COVER FEATURE
Sabalu Market The Sabalu Market offers weekend early birds with numerous booths selling fresh produce from local farmers. Stock up for the week while enjoying a snack of fresh local dishes or international cuisine. The Saturday morning market is located at Kilili Beach Park from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday Morning Market Looking for more than just food? The Marianas Business Plaza parking lot in Susupe houses a Saturday morning market that might fit your tastes. Snack on street vendor food, purchase fresh tropical fish or browse new and used items such as electronics. Vendors open at approximately 5:30 a.m. and are available until 12 p.m.
Garapan Street Market Photos by D&R Visuals
APRIL 2019
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JOIN OUR Partners Program Dear Saipan Businesses,
LBS vironment LED BU r the en t only good fo
no LED Bulbs are Unlike incandescent or 2018 was International Year of the o! to u, yo r fo t bu hours of use. er 1,000-8,000 Reef. To continue our efforts in 2019, replacement aft 50,000 hours making it an They last up to -friendly and wallet-friendly lly me. environmenta we would like to invite businesses to your entire ho investment for join the consumer side of our Ocean Friendly Partners Program. The Division of Coastal Resources Management has ow ? D id you kn prepared Eco-cards to be posted in WATER your business. An Eco-Card is a 4”x6” REUSABLE S card that you place next to ocean BOTTLrE the e a hazard for ttl wate bo es ar almost a thousand years One-time use es tak c sti ce pla keeps friendly products and promote their environment sin ing a reusable water bottle nt and . Us to break down bottles out of the environme tures. c ea disposable plasti a safer place for our sea cr ttle purchases. DCRM would like to post bo ns keeps the ocea e house, bring your reusable th vironment, en e Before leaving th ve sa d ney an around 10 cards in each store, shop, or to save you mo a time. Did you bring your one bottle at today? reusable bottle business for the whole year and promote sales of products already found in your store. DCRM will supply ow ? D id you kn all materials, post the cards, and replace any that are lost or damaged, and will remove them at your request. Your participation will be mentioned on the DCRM website and Facebook page.
For more information, contact: Jihan Younis | outreach@dcrm.gov.mp | 664-8300
ARTIST
Surrealist artist draws inspiration from nature By Jackie Cahill In her book "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear", author Elizabeth Gilbert asks: “Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?” Saipan’s Yolani S. Camacho does. “There is just a need for me to get [my ideas] out of my head, my brain, my body and onto the canvas,” she says. Camacho is a self-described newcomer to the Saipan art scene, whose work combines natural elements with human faces. Her surrealist paintings express a peaceful harmony between man and nature. She draws much of her inspiration from Saipan’s natural beauty. All elements of nature — the ocean, land and sky — are abundant on the island, she says. “It’s everywhere here. There’s a coconut tree here, a bamboo tree there, there are banana trees at my house. I’ll pass by something and not even be thinking about art, but I’ll stop and look at it and think, ‘How would I make this work in a painting?’ … I don’t go looking for inspiration, it’s just here.” Camacho is largely self-taught, apart from an intro to art course she took while attending Northern Marianas College. It was that class that reignited her passion. “I always loved art as a child, but I fell out of it because of studies and working,” she says. “When I took that course, I found it very relieving of my stress. All my stress just went away when I was sitting in that class.” What started out as an escape has turned into something more for Camacho. She grew her skills by watching YouTube tutorials, following artists like Audrey Kawasaki and Elena Pancorbo on social media, and experimenting on her own. “I’ve only just begun painting,” she says. “Before that I worked with graphite, charcoal and colored pencils.” Camacho has been shy about bringing her work into the public eye, but with the support of family and friends she is starting to promote her work. “I’m really going out of my comfort zone, but I think it’s time,” she says. Her first public display was in April 2018 at a live painting and happy hour event put on by Aqua Resort in conjunction with Roil Soil Clothing. Shayne Villanueva, owner of Roil Soil, encouraged Camacho to display her art. “He printed my piece on this huge banner and it was Paintings by Yolani S. Camacho 8
APRIL 2019
ARTIST
one of the first things you saw when you walked in,” she says. At the event Camacho’s work was featured alongside fellow artists Pete Alden of Roil Soil and Sois of Opake, Guam. In January, Camacho collaborated with Alden again, along with local artists Kim Mendiola and Meena Benavente. The team painted murals to brighten up the walls of MyPros’ Typhoon Recovery Center — a project aimed at giving children a sense of hope after Typhoon Yutu. Camacho drew inspiration from nature once more, painting a mural of a tree. She left the leaves white so the kids could fill them in “like a coloring book.” Connecting with other local artists and seeing what they have done to promote their art has inspired Camacho to continue putting herself out there, she says. She has been posting her art on her Instagram page (@champeian) and will be selling her paintings at Saipan’s upcoming Flame Tree Arts Festival. She thinks the show will be a good first step in growing her art professionally and hopes to do even more in the future.
Camacho working on her latest painting
Camacho’s mural for MyPros’ Typhoon Recovery Center
Island Girl on display at Aqua Resort’s live painting and happy hour event, April 2018
Mural for Mypros’ Typhoon Recovery Center
APRIL 2019
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FEATURE
CLEANING UP: HOW YOU CAN HELP BEAUTIFY THE NMI
By Wayne Chargualaf
Volunteers remove tin debris left after Typhoon Yutu. Photos by D&R Visuals
Are you concerned about the trash and debris that’s ruining the natural beauty of the Northern Mariana Islands? The beauty of the islands is a major selling point for the NMI’s most important industry. On top of that, the islands’ ecosystem has served its indigenous people for generations and it just seems right that the present generation preserve it for those to come. Fortunately, concerned citizens have a number of ways to help clean up and restore the islands’ natural environment. It’s also a great way to get outside, get some fresh air and do something helpful for the community while meeting other people who care as much about the islands and the environment as you do.
INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP The Northern Mariana Islands Department of Coastal Resource Management hosts the annual International Coastal Cleanup — a worldwide event coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy. For the past 30 years communities around the globe have participated in the world’s largest simultaneous cleanup, which occurs one Saturday every September. Coordinators on Saipan, Tinian and Rota organize island-wide cleanups, attracting participants from the public and private sector, to include government and non-government agencies, schools, clubs and businesses, as well as individual volunteers from the community. Along with collecting trash and debris, volunteers are
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asked to record each item they collect so the information can be entered into Clean Swell. Clean Swell is an Ocean Conservancy ocean trash database that is used by researchers and policy makers to help address the ocean trash issue and is the largest database of its kind in the world. In 2018, the International Coastal Cleanup welcomed more than 700 participants who cleaned up and collected data from 32 sites around Saipan and recovered more than 5,500 pounds of trash. The next International Coastal Cleanup will be held Sept. 21.
FEATURE
MICRONESIA ISLANDS NATURE ALLIANCE The Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the protection and restoration of the natural resources of the NMI. Among a number of education and outreach programs, MINA participates in many cleanup events, often in partnership with other organizations from the public and private sector. Every year in mid-September MINA holds the Green Gala — a fundraiser that often raises more than half of the organization's annual operating budget.
BEAUTIFY MY MARIANAS Marianas Visitors Authority combines beautification and fundraising with its “Beautify My Marianas” program. Under the program, clubs and organizations can raise money by cleaning up designated sites on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. MVA donates $100 for each cleanup in an assigned area.
BEAUTIFY OUR VILLAGES On March 16 the office of Rep. Tina Sablan and Rep. John Paul Sablan held the first in a series of beautification efforts for Precinct 2, which includes the villages of Chalan Kanoa and Susupe. They will also be holding a community tree planting event and another village cleanup during the week of Earth Day, April 22. Last year, more than 150 volunteers from the public and private sector joined the event and removed more than 2,600 pounds of garbage and typhoon debris from coastal and residential areas in the precinct. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to volunteer. So why not spend a weekend helping make the Marianas a cleaner, healthier, more beautiful and better place? The islands’ environment — and future generations — will thank you!
Volunteers assist with the Beautify Our Villages program in Precinct 2, which includes the villages of Chalan Kanoa and Susupe. Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Tina Sablan
HOW TO VOLUNTEER You can volunteer for the programs above by contacting the respective organizations using the information below. International Coastal Cleanup (Northern Mariana Islands) Website: dcrm.gov.mp Email: Mallory Muña at mmuna@dcrm.gov.mp Colleen Flores at cflores@dcrm.gov.mp Phone: 664-8300 Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance Website: minapacific.org Phone: 233-REEF (7333) Beautify My Marianas Website: mymarianas.com Phone: 664-3200 Applications are also available at the Marianas Visitors Authority main office at Oelai, the Tinian field office in San Jose and the Rota field office in Songsong. "Beautify Our Villages" Precinct 2 cleanup program Phone: Office of Rep. Tina Sablan: 664-8829 Office of Rep. John Paul Sablan: 664-8965
Crewmembers of the USS Okane help clean up at Garapan Fishing Base. Photo courtesy of the Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance APRIL 2019 13
BEAUTY
GET A BEAUTY BOOST WITH SAIPAN’S SUPERFRUIT By Jackie Cahill Incorporating natural and local products into your beauty regimen is a great way to enhance beauty while protecting Mother Earth. Using products produced in the Northern Mariana Islands supports local business and reduces your carbon footprint.
The noni fruit is native to the Northern Mariana Islands.
The mild climate on Saipan means ideal growing conditions for many plant species that have beauty benefits. Calamansi lemons, papayas, coconuts and ylang ylang (or alangilang) flowers are just some of the local species experts have cited as having beautifying properties — but perhaps the most notable Saipan beauty plant is the noni. Mi Hwa Kim, owner of Kingfisher's Noni — a beauty line that uses noni in its products — raves about the health and beauty perks of the plant, which she calls a miracle tree. Kim was familiar with the benefits of noni juice and tea when she moved to Saipan 25 years ago, but it wasn’t until she developed dark freckles that she started using noni on her skin. She began putting leftover noni tea leaves on her face, curious to see if it would help. “The results were spectacular,” she says. “I had never anticipated [it] would bring such noticeable benefits to the skin.” Kim then began researching the plant and discovered it had an array of beautifying properties. “The Saipan noni has been used for years to help soften, cleanse and rejuvenate skin, improve digestion and [promote] good overall health,” Kim says. She also says it has irritant reduction capabilities which makes it perfect for those with sensitive skin. 16 APRIL 2019
Kingfisher’s noni products are sold around Saipan.
In 2008 Kim began Kingfisher’s Noni — named after the local bird whose diet includes the fruit — to help others enjoy the beauty benefits of the noni plant. Kim is passionate about producing natural and local products. “Our products are of the highest quality and support local growers and producers,” she says. Noni is also starting to get global recognition for its beauty boosting properties. In 2017, supermodel Miranda Kerr told Well + Good she swears by noni. “It’s honestly been the key to my health and the reason my skin looks the way it does,” Kerr said. “When I was younger, I’d put the juice on my skin if I had acne or if I had a sunburn, and it really helped to sooth it.”
BEAUTY
Noni juice and tea helps improve digestion and is good for overall health.
Here's how you can incorporate noni into your own beauty regimen:
SKINCARE Kingfisher’s noni products are sold around Saipan. Photos by Jackie Cahill
Using noni products on your face can help reduce wrinkles, redness, irritation and blemishes. Since noni oil doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, it is even suitable for sensitive skin.
HAIR Noni can help protect against hair loss and keep hair shiny. “I have used the noni shampoo for three years and my hair is so healthy,” says Bridget O’Brien, who visited Saipan three years ago and discovered Kingfisher’s Noni Shampoo at the night market. O’Brien was so impressed by the product she started www.saipannoni.com to promote Kingfisher’s Noni sales on the mainland.
LIPS Supermodel Miranda Kerr says noni fruit is the secret to her glowing skin. Photo from Miranda Kerr’s Facebook page
Kingfisher’s Noni products are available for purchase at I Love Saipan, ABC stores, Joeten, Superstore World Resort Hotel gift shop, Mama Store, Made in Saipan gift shop and at the Street Market every Thursday.
The moisturizing properties in noni oil are excellent for lip care. Noni lip balms can help repair and moisturize cracked lips.
BODY Nourish your entire body by adding noni to body creams or baths. Noni’s natural components help sooth irritated, atopic and dry, itchy skin. APRIL 2019 17
LISTICLE
Ecofriendly sports you can enjoy on Saipan Photo courtesy of Gary Reckelhoff
By Wayne Chargualaf Sports are almost universally considered positive activities. But as we seek to find a more environmentally friendly way of life, virtually every aspect of society’s relationship with the natural environment is being reexamined, and sports are no exception. Are some sports more environmentally friendly than others? The answer is a resounding yes. So what makes a sport green? Any sport that has a low carbon footprint and leaves the natural environment relatively untouched, for starters. Below are five examples of sports that allow you to get out into nature and get fit while still being eco-friendly.
1. Running Perhaps the most obvious first choice, all you need to enjoy this sport is a pair of shoes — although with the proper conditioning and technique, you won’t even need that. Forget a carbon footprint, the only footprints you’ll be leaving will be on the road as you stride your way to better health. Joining a running club is also a great way to meet people and socialize while getting exercise. A number of foot races are held throughout the Northern Mariana Islands, with the most prominent being the Saipan Marathon which is hosted annually by the Marianas Visitors Authority.
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2. swimming Competitive swimming is often thought of in the context of concrete swimming pools with chlorinated water, but there are plenty of opportunities to test yourself against other swimmers in the ocean during open water competitions. Also, it’s a great way to get out into the natural beauty of the beach and ocean. Perhaps the largest open water swim competition is the Saipan Ocean Swim, which is hosted by the Saipan Swim Club and features race lengths from 600 meters up to 5.2 kilometers.
3. surfing .... kind of Like open-water swimming, surfing is a great way to connect with nature and revel in the beauty of the ocean. So why only “kind of?” From surfboards to surf wax, most affiliated products can leach toxic chemicals into the water. However, the surf community has not only recognized this but has moved forward to find more sustainable ways to ride the waves. An example is the ECOBOARD project, which has established a standard for sustainable board construction that has been endorsed by the Surfing Industries Manufacturers Association. More eco-friendly brands of surf wax such as Matunas and Sticky Bumps boast organic ingredients such
LISTICLE
Photo courtesy of Saipan Swim Club
Photo courtesy of Marianas Outrigger Club
as beeswax and soy. You can learn more about the ECOBOARD project and order boards from manufacturers such as Channel Islands, Firewire and Maurice Cole Surf Boards that meet ECOBOARD standards at sustainablesurf.org. You can buy Matunas and Sticky Bumps surf wax online at matunasco. com and stickybumps.com, respectively. Popular surf spots on Saipan are Sugar Dock and Bird Island.
off-island, usually from Hawaii, Fiji or Guam. Paddling is ecofriendly because it has minimal impact. No fossil fuels are used and there's no evidence that the boats, whether wood or fiberglass, leach harmful chemicals into the water. Paddling gets you out onto the water and into great shape. Also, there’s a highly active competitive paddling scene on Saipan. If you want to jump into a canoe and give paddling a try, you can try contacting a number of organizations such as the Northern Marianas Paddle Sports Federation, Marianas Outrigger Club and the Saipan Paddling Club.
4. Orienteering Orienteering is a form of competitive land navigation. Individuals or teams — depending on the type of event — use a map and compass to navigate their way to various points in the proper order; the goal being to find your points in the least amount of time. As with running in the wilderness, orienteering is generally eco-friendly (as long as you use sustainable products and clean up your own trash, of course). You can get close to nature, develop team work and also learn a useful skill. Anyone can start an orienteering club with the help of the national organization Orienteering USA, which can be found online at orienteeringusa.org. Just check the drop down menu under “Club Info,” click on “Starting a Club” and you’ll be on your way (without getting lost, presumably)!
Don’t forget, being environmentally conscious isn’t just about not doing harm, but also about taking active, positive steps to improve the environment. It’s become an increasingly common practice to pick up trash during hikes or when out in the water. There’s no reason an orienteering or snorkeling expedition can’t turn into a trash pick-up as well. You may even want to set up competitions where prizes go to the people who pick up the most trash. However you want to go about it, eco-friendly sports are a great way to ensure a healthier you and a healthier environment.
5. paddling Yet another water sport, outrigger paddle racing has not only grown in popularity on the islands during the past decade, but has come to be closely identified with Pacific islander cultures because of its heritage. Traditionally made of wood, modern racing canoes are made of fiberglass and, if properly maintained, can last up to 20 years. In the NMI, canoes are typically ordered from Photo courtesy of Marianas Visitors Authority
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RECIPE
QUICK AND EASY LEMON BUTTER FISH In Saipan and our other islands, it’s unthinkable to imagine life without fish. There isn’t a home that does not have the basics to fry a freshly-caught and filleted fish and savor the aromas that herald a meal in the making. Fish is also easily available from our markets and stores. Here’s a healthy recipe for fried fish that can be used any time and relies on typical everyday ingredients. Prep time: About 5 minutes Total time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS 4 good-sized firm white fish fillets (such as mahi-mahi) 3 tablespoons of melted butter 1 teaspoon of kosher salt 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder and paprika ¼ teaspoon of black pepper 3 tablespoons of olive oil Parsley leaves for garnish and taste Lemon juice and zest from a medium lemon or calamansi Extra lemon or calamansi slices for serving
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Pat fish fillets dry with paper towel, set aside. 2. In a bowl, combine melted butter, lemon juice and zest and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Stir to combine well. 3. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Press spice mixture onto all sides of fish fillets. 4. In a medium sized heavy pan, heat oil over medium heat until hot. 5. Cook 2 fillets at a time to avoid overcrowding and for even browning. Cook each side until fish becomes opaque, feels firm in the center and is lightly browned. 6. Drizzle some of the lemon butter sauce over the fish as it cooks, reserving the rest for serving. 7. Serve fish with remaining lemon butter sauce, parsley and lemon or calimansi wedges or slices. Serve with rice and vegetables or salad. Adapted from www.chewoutloud.com
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Photos by Jonathan Perez
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Guam and CNMI held its Saipan Black Tie and Zories Wish Night on March 1 at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
Photos courtesy of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce hosted a Women Making Moves networking mixer on March 6 to celebrate Women’s Month in the Northern Mariana Islands at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.
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ON THE ROAD
The 14th Annual Saipan Marathon was held on March 9 at Micro Beach, American Memorial Park in Garapan.
Photos courtesy of the Marianas Visitors Authority
For more On The Road photos, visit BRM's Facebook page. Submit your photos, with a caption, to assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com. APRIL 2019 23