110 Flights

After a successful run of its inaugural play in June, the Fabulous Invalid Theatre Company is at it again with a new work, 110 Flights, to mark the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center.

FITC president, actor and director Nahal Navidar said that FITC is producing the play as a “staged reading” at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center auditorium on Sept. 29, Saturday, at 7pm.

Navidar said she chose the piece because it is something that everyone needs to hear. “It offers a perspective after September 11th that maybe people have not considered before,” she said.

Although it tackles a sensitive subject matter, Navidar said people should watch it because theatre is not for entertainment purposes only.

She said FITC is producing this play as a staged reading because the group needs audience feedback so that she could rewrite the play and submit a new draft. “It’s been a few years since I’ve touched the script and I still feel there are some improvements which can be made,” she said.

There are two cast members: Patrick played by Brad Ruszala and Shahla played by Navidar. “However, because this is a staged reading, stage directions and offstage voices will have to be played as well. These roles will be read by Bree Reynolds,” she said.

The play was originally produced at the University at Albany in 2005. It is scheduled to be produced at Proctor’s Theatre in Alban, NY in April 2008.

The 9/11tragedy is the backdrop for this emotional drama about the marriage between a NYC police officer and his Iranian-American wife. It premiered as the work of Navidar as a senior theater major.

Navidar began the script in 2003 and developed it further in a playwriting class taught by UAlbany's assistant professor James Farrell, who served as the production’s Dramaturge. The script went through subsequent multiple drafts, some of which resulted from Navidar’s experiences at a Kennedy Center playwriting workshop for which she was selected to participate by the American College Theatre Festival.

Along with playwriting, Navidar has also trained in UAlbany’s theatre department as an actor, most recently appearing in the fall production of Tartuffe. Navidar will reprise her role, along with Ruszala.

Tickets are now being sold for only $5 each. For more information, contact Navidar through email at fabulousinavlidtc@hotmail.com or visit the FITC weblog at fabulousinvalidtheatreco.blogspot.com (Saipan Tribune)

The Buzz: Organic or Inorganic

LA Times had a headline yesterday that rattled some of islanders here. It's about "Congress quietly returns to immigration: A broad overhaul failed this summer, but an array of smaller measures is under discussion, including ways to legalize certain workers."

Yes, you're right, the article was talking about the national immigration issue. Oh well...speaking of this immigration or federalization issue, we received some text messages (for the Nth time) about federal takeover and even clerics here are spreading rumors that the takeover would be an "organic" takeover, meaning, anyone on the island that is not a permanent resident would be affected by the takeover. According to the text messages, "federal officials told them this."

I guess, this is tiring and going to be an endless issue. I pity those that rely and cling on such rumors.

F&B 911: Himawari

I'm sure most of you have all ready discovered the little grocery store in the heart of Garapan, in a location where people wouldn't notice at all. Himawari is actually not a new supermarket but it's just that it's just now that people have been talking about it. It surprised me to gather great reviews about the Japanese food and other stuff sold at the store.

The store sells very reasonable Japanese bentos, sushi, tempura, croquets and so many more. They even sell soup. One good thing about this shop is that you get to pick these by yourself. You can create your own bento. Very Japanese. They have breads too. You have a choice whether to take them out or eat your food inside the shop since they have tables and chairs as well installed inside the shop. You can ask them to heat your food as well if you want.

To top it all, the bentos, sushis and a lot more is 50-percent off from 6pm tp 9pm. Oh, that you have to verify, if it's really from 6pm. I bought mine after 9pm.

Photo shows what we bought today, spicy tuna sushi, onigiri, salad, cinnamon bread, cake, bacon epi bread, karage all for $14.50 only.

The Reveler

The Buzz: Don't Drink and Drive. No. Seriously.

It's becoming more of a cliche on the island when the local police department has been actively campaigning for a "Don't Drink and Drive" in the CNMI.

Yes. You should take this seriously now.
Why? Because, the buzz around town is that physicians at the Commonwealth Health Center have been telling people that they should avoid driving when they are intoxicated from now on.
Again, why? Because there are no doctors left on the island to treat victims of road mishaps or tragic accidents.

T'all boils down to lacking of staff due to several reasons that concerned healthcare professional "John Livingston" wrote and sent to the papers recently, entitled "What ails our CHC?"
So, the doctors say if you can prevent and at least not to drink way too much, that'd be good for you. If you're too drunk, let somebody drive for you.

The Reveler

Finally for Josie

Just learned from an anonymous source (not you Noni) that the CNMI's first lady just recently got her US citizenship. This source then asked why only now when she and our dear governor have been married for over 20 years.

He said could it be:

1. That she chose to be on an IR (immediate relative) status all these years?
2. That finally her husband came to his senses to give her that status?
3. That she chose not to renounce her Filipino citizenship (mind you that in the Philippines there is dual citizenship option for Filipino-Americans and others)

The Reveler

Two Steps Behind

For those of you who are nostalgic of the 90s, yes my title is a Def Leppard song; however, this post is not about the 90s band. It's about again an observation when I was at the presentation of the National Weather Service Pacific Region of the StormReady and TsunamiReady certificates to the CNMI.

The recuperating governor was an hour late due to a simultaneous proclamation signing also held at the same time with the NOAA/NWS presentation.

People waited and when the governor arrived finally, he was led toward the stage, but when he saw there were two steps up to the stage where he was supposed to sit with NWS officials, he asked the Hyatt staff if there was another way. The staff kindly ushered him to the side of the stage. Still, he had to climb two steps up the stage. Then one Hyatt staff and EMO acting director had to hold the governor's hands to help him up.

The governor then walked to his seat. I wouldn't even talk about how he walked to his seat. I hope his health improves. He has two more years to go before he relinquishes his post.

Just a thought.

The Reveler

Harry Bla-Block

While I was driving on the road this afternoon, I heard a segment from prominent radio commentator Harry Blalock about his corrections on what he had ranted before about MCV not having a generator whatsoever. Then, he mentioned something about his blog now restricted for his friends only and those who request for access.

He said something about a dive incident that he had conflict with a diving company, and he also mentioned about not implicating the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.

I guess that's what happens when you win the best blog in the CNMI.

Shall we have another poll excluding Harry's? ;-)

The Reveler

Political Porky

I had the chance to talk to political candidates lately and asked them if they were gracing Porky's Bar Friday's debate and discussions, mostly said they are not going to, "Not over a bottle of beer or any alcohol."

One posed a question that how would you get a sane, intelligent and "safe" discussion when you are inebriated? "You don't discuss politics nor religion with alcohol."

Only one way to find out, attend Porky's Bar discussion tonight then, Friday....

The Reveler

Poll: CNMI should concede to federalization

Our poll has ended with 80 people voting for this poll about whether the CNMI should concede to the impending feral, i mean federal takeover on the CNMI immigration system. Well do your math on this:

41.3% said Yes and ASAP while 22.5 said No and that's it.

Oh well, on to our next poll...

<----- Cast your votes now!

So much has been said about Tina Sablan's filing for candidacy to run on the next election this November. Tina all ready told the community why she is up to it. Now, she is calling for an open forum again.

The community's questions:

1. Does the forum intend to be a campaign?
2. Were previous forums part of the plan?
3. Why is Tina so slim? (oh, a letter to the editor blew the answer to this)

The Reveler

Movin' All Up, Movin' All Down

Gomenesai, los siento, dispensa, paumanhin and sorry (move over madonna) for not posting lately, due to hectic and tiring moving out and into a new "safer" place here in Garapan. Yey, I'm in Garapan now.

Thank you Jim Arenovski for featuring our burglary on crimestoppers (by the way Jim, I was able to retrieve online the serial numbers of the macbooks we lost. will email it to you soon.)

Wassup? Our poll ended and yes watch for our new poll soon!

The Reveler

P.S. here's a good laugh, CUC says it's not overcharging us. Woot! Woot!