Carmen Safeway on its Way to the Door....

Another business closing down. The Middle Roaders found out from the community that Carmen Safeway is shutting its doors for good on Nov. 15. Isn't this another sad note from Saipan? Carmen Safeway provides the best Angus beef on the island and on very reasonable prices too.

Carmen Safeway used to be Meitetsu Shopping Center. It was acquired in 2005 and was named Carmen Safeway. The supermarket with its warehouse and offices, stands on a 3,000-sqm land on Beach Road, Chalan Kanoa. It started operations as early as 1976 as Carmen Safeway Meitetsu as a joint venture between the two companies until 1992.

Carmen Safeway sold its interests over the supermarket to the Japanese firm and focused on handling the Carmen's Baby News store next to the supermarket. In 2005 Meitetsu sold its interests over the supermarket to Carmen Safeway.

If it's true or not, we're certain that other businesses will follow this trend. They can't wait anymore for that promise of the Guam Military Buildup.

Block Busted, the Mayor et. al.

Yeah. As I was amused by today's news about the Saipan Mayor "Shocked" to have seen his name published as one of the supporters of the Marine Monument, I couldn't agree more with Bradinthesand's post about the shutdown of Blockbuster.

I have known the mayor and whenever he says something to people, he says it either as a friend or it's a spur of the moment remark. However, I guess he mentioned it to a media person, consequently it gets printed. It amused me to have read that the mayor couldn't help but say "yes" or "no" to people because he doesn't want to offend them. Cute. Very cute.

With regard to Blockbuster, luck came to members as they get to keep what they recently rented and congratulations to the people that mobbed the store to get hold of DVDs for a buck or two.

I wonder what establishment is next. Music And?

Club Chicago maybe? Nah, I believe despite the economic crunch some men still manage to spend in such bars on Saipan. Well, tourists most of the time flock these bars anyway.

Seriously, some establishments have been suffering from the high utility rates as building owners or corporations are relentless for not lowering rental rates. I've heard some even raised the rental fees. Of course, they must have their own reasons.

It's just sad to find out that there are more businesses shutting down; pre-owned (used) cars for sale on both sides of the road; and, seeing friends leave and work in the mainland or go back home.

However we keep our optimism high, these sad news stop us from our strolls to wonder what lies ahead in the future.

China Lacks Variety

Quick note from the Saipan Middle Road Shanghai Bureau: It appears that the Marianas Variety website is one of the "objectional" websites that cannot be accessed from China. The Saipan Tribune website, however, is fully accessible from China. Conspiracy theories are welcome.

Hear 'Em Roar....

As the US Presidential elections draws closer, so as the CNMI's very own election for the delegate seat. Forums have been held left and right with the aspirants and people have been asked if such events had firmed up or changed their votes. Based on these debates Kilili and Gonzales have been eloquent on delivering their visions for the CNMI as a non-voting delegate to Washington.

Saipan Tribune today released a column where Washington Rep. Pete A. and Won forwarded their respective replies to the paper's question - why do they deserve your vote?

Read on....

Know Your Delegate Wannabes: Won on Winning

Just an excerpt from the news today focusing on CNMI Delegate candidate Chong Man Won. This candidate sort of surprised the community when he announced his intention to run for the Delegate seat couple of months ago.

“I’M a businessman, a family man and just a regular average person who, like most of the people here, is fed up with the way things are,” says Independent congressional delegate candidate Chong Man Won.

He does not have political experience but he “threw his hat” into the election ring because he knows he has the drive and the will to accomplish what needs to be done.

Won holds a bachelor of science degree in electronic engineerin from DeVry Institute of Technology in Columbus, Ohio.

More news on Marianas Variety. He reportedly said he's an underdog and is not investing on advertisement as he has not held any fundraising activities.

Hosting International Basketball...Are We Ready Yet?

Two officials from the Oceania Basketball Confederation, which headquarters is based on Australia, visited Saipan for a four-day ocular inspection of the CNMI's sports facilities especially the public gymnasium in Susupe.

The Oceania Basketball organization is looking at holding the Oceania Basketball Games in 2009 here on Saipan. The Australians said that this event would gather professional basketball players and teams from Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, and many other Pacific Nations. The visit is to look at what improvements are needed to make this happen and how much the local government should be spending for these improvements.

However, sources said the officials were disappointed with what they'd seen so far especially the locker rooms and the restrooms.

Have you been to the public gym lately? As the CNMI is financially challenged right now, is it ready to host another international competition and spend to improve its sports facilities?

Block Blalock?

With reports from Marianas Variety, the Legislature expressed disappointments about radio commentator Harry Blalock's weekly commentary that focused on the Legislature. Blalock, who's prominent with his unabashed and no holds barred observations about the CNMI, reportedly criticized the lawmakers.

Reports also said that the lawmakers said Blalock show should be censored. A lawmaker was said to be reminded how "Chamorros were insulted by Spaniards during the colonial era."

Another lawmaker reportedly said if Blalock doesn't get what he wants, "he'll destroy you."

Should Blalock be censored at all by the Legislature? Should Blalock give in to the reactions of the lawmakers?

What do you think?

CUC Now On Sale!

The House according to reports today has all ready won to veto the Gov's oppostion on privatizing the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Reps. Tina Sablan, Salas and Dela Cruz voted against the veto saying that the government should solve the problems first.

CNMI Family Ties in Politics...Leukemic?

Marianas Variety reports today that "Blood Ties No Longer Work in NMI" according to a speech given by former PSS Commissioner of Education Rita Inos during the recently held Chamorro Conference.

Could this be true? Does this mean "Chong Won" (not sure with the real name) the Korean, will have a chance on the US Delegate seat? How about Sen. Crisosistimo? Is he in trouble this coming election? Who has a bigger clan here, Pete A., Gonzales, Sablan or Crisostimo?

Now, that makes an exciting election in Nov.

They all want to go to Guam

More people showed up at the Saturday job fair for foreign workers in the CNMI who want to work in construction jobs on Guam than those who joined the Sept. 17 CUC rally. People continued to come and go as early as 12 noon even though the registration was set to start at 1 pm.

Engineers, architects, masons, carpenters, technicians, electricians -- you name it...they all went there to register.

There's no guarantee they will land a job on Guam, but they're trying their luck.

Organizers of the job fair -- the United Workers Movement NMI -- will turn over their database and workers' biodata to the Guam Contractors Association.

They said the big crowd only shows times are hard here that skilled and highly qualified guest workers opt to go to Guam where wages are higher and more opportunities abound. Can't blame them.

While many of the workers who lined up are paid minimum wage here, there are those who have high salaries here but still wanted to try going to Guam.

We won't know the number of job seekers until the organizers complete registration until the end of this month.