Cutz & Colours grand opening today

MEMBERS of the community are invited to attend the grand opening of Cutz & Colours His & Hers Salon, formerly Mercy’s Salon, at 10 a.m. today at the RJ Plaza Building in Dandan.

Marcia Ayuyu

Cuts & Colours owner Marcia E. Ayuyu, wife of businessman Joe Ayuyu, yesterday said she is very excited about the chance to pamper the community in her new venture.

“We are very excited to start serving our customers in our new and more spacious location,” Mrs. Ayuyu said.

Cutz & Colours moved to another unit right next to RJ and ReMax offices which are also owned by the Ayuyu’s.

The new unit has a reception area with comfortable benches. The main salon area is big and comfortable and has the latest equipment, a private room for the facial treatments, and a cozy massage room with two beds. A small gurgling water fountain adorning the wall and dim lights add to the blissful ambiance of the place.

“We really would like to make our customers feel at home, relaxed and pampered,” Mrs. Ayuyu said.

Cutz & Colours has three experienced beauticians and one masseuse to cater to customers’ needs. The beauticians have been with Mercy’s Salon which opened in 1986.

Promos and discounts

As a special promotion for the grand opening of Cutz and Colours, a 30 percent discount will be offered for all services today from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Mrs. Ayuyu said those who cannot spare time for services like hair trimming, manicure and pedicure, facial treatments and other services today can come in and pay upfront to get the 30 percent discount and set up a later appointment.

Beginning today and until Dec. 31, each customer who comes in for any service will get a raffle coupon. The raffle drawing will be at 1 p.m. Attractive prizes are at stake. The raffle ticket holders need not be present to win.

Services

Cutz & Colours offers haircut for men and women, hair styling, coloring, rebonding, make-up, facial, manicure and pedicure, foot spa, and massage therapy —your choice of sports massage or Swedish massage.

Cutz & Colours offers special group discounts for weddings, anniversaries, graduation and all other occasions.

“Just come in and we will tailor a package to suit your needs,” Mrs. Ayuyu said.

Cutz & Colours is offering a promotion of $45 for a three-session massage at one hour per session. A customer can opt to buy a coupon and have the massage at two sessions for an hour and a half each session or $20 for a one-hour massage.

Gift certificates are also available. Companies can buy gift certificates as corporate giveaways especially for the Christmas season.

Cutz & Colours is located beside Remax Office at the RJ Plaza Building in Dandan. It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. For reservations or inquiries, call 235-1990.

Tourism from the students’ viewpoint

THE images of blue skies and white sand beaches flashed on the huge white screen mounted on the wall. Lively music filled the room as over 250 students from different schools have their eyes riveted on the screen watching familiar scenes come to life.

Jinky Kintaro of Saipan Southern High school shares her experiences of traveling to Japan as a My WAVE Club member.

In a few minutes, the screen was filled with life and laughter as students and other people were caught on video enjoying the beautiful scenery that a lot of people from here just take for granted.

Seen from the eyes of these high school students, ordinary scenes from everyday life became more interesting and colorful, and that’s how the members of the Marianas Tourism Education Council’s MY WAVE club from Saipan Southern High School want to promote Saipan to the rest of the world.  

The video which was shown during the annual MTEC Summit held at the Pacific Islands Club last month was produced in a DVD called “I Love Saipan” by members of the SSHS MY WAVE Club. Aside from entertaining the other MY WAVE Club members from elementary, junior high and high schools in the island, it also inspired them to think of ways to promote tourism.

MTEC president Vicky Benavente earlier commended the SSHS MY WAVE Club for the DVD production and appreciated their understanding of the importance of tourism as the island’s prime industry.

SSHS MY WAVE Club is led by its energetic president Bertran Palacios who encouraged the students to keep their ears and eyes open to see what they can contribute to bring more tourists to the island.

Officers of MY WAVE Clubs from other schools also did their presentations on how they plan to promote tourism.

Here are some of the plans and projects of the MY WAVE Club members:

·  Beach and roadside clean ups

Saipan Southern High School My WAVE Club president Bertran Palacios answers questions. Photos by Raquel C. Bagnol

·  Reaching out to the visitors

·  Having a sunny disposition toward the island and its visitors

·  Advertise Saipan to a greater level through the internet, TV, radio and print

·  Preserve the beautiful sites and attractions throughout the islands

·  Improve health services and accommodations

·  Improve the attitudes of hotel staff and those in the tourism industry toward everybody, not just tourists

·  Make it easier for tourists to move around like having more manageable hotel bookings, bus schedules, etc.

·  Work toward a cleaner environment.

MY WAVE, which stands for Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically is one of MTEC’s way of promoting tourism among students and get active involvement.

MTEC is a non-profit organization which aims to educate the public on the importance of the tourism industry. MTEC and the Marianas Visitors Authority began its annual outreach to the different private and public schools last month.

New Ferrari car models introduced for Shell V-Power customers

IP&E and Shell V-Power introduced five new Ferrari model cars customers can avail themselves of for every purchase of Shell V-Power products.

In a press conference at the Hard Rock Café in Garapan yesterday, IP&E CNMI area manager Jeff Boyer said a cash purchase of seven gallons or more of Shell V-Power fuel entitles a customer to get a Ferrari model car for only $0.99 cents.

Customers can also get double points for purchases of Shell V Power gas for their Lucky 7 Rewards program, and get the Ferrari model cars free for redemption of Lucky 7.

The Lucky 7 Rewards Program has been in existence since April 2002 to reward loyal customers for gassing up at Shell.

Loyal customers enjoy the benefit of one point for every gallon of fuel purchased at Shell Stations. Boyer said they will be releasing one new model every six weeks or so.

“This promo is good only while supplies for the Ferrari model cars last so we are inviting you all to come and fuel up with Shell V-Power and avail of this promo,” Boyer said.

Background

In his Power Point presentation, Boyer showed Shell, a global company partnered with Ferrari with a commitment and passion for motorsport and fuels technology. Together, Shell and Ferrari have won over 100 F-1 races, over 15 constructor’s championships, impressive record, and zero tolerance for margin error.

IP&E CNMI area manager Jeff Boyer discusses the advantages of using Shell V-Power during a press conference at the Hard Rock Café yesterday morning. Photo by Raquel C. Bagnol

“This means that in F-1 racing, it is all about quality and perfection,” Boyer said. He said through Shell’s relationship with Ferrari, the technological development of Shell’s unique formulation came about — the Shell V-Power.

He said Shell V-Power was initially developed as a race fuel for F-1 Grand Prix racing, refined for use on the road.

Boyer said the difference between Shell V-Power race fuel and Shell V-Power motor gasoline is one percent, which means that Shell V-Power users today enjoy the benefit of 99 percent of the technology developed in F-1 racing which is a high-quality fuel refined for use on the road.

Boyer cited the qualities of Shell V-Power which include five times more cleaning power than required by the U.S government standard, qualifies as a top tier fuel, and exceeds top tier standards by two times more cleaning power. He a said Toyota, GM, Ford, Honda, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen all endorse the use of top tier fuel.

He said Shell V-Power is the best premium gasoline available on Saipan today.

“Shell V-Power cleans intake valves and fuel injectors for enhanced engine responsiveness, and helps to prevent rust on all surfaces of your engine that Shell V-Power comes into contact with,” Boyer said.  

IP&E acquired the marketing assets of Shell and secured a license agreement to carry the Shell branded fuels at the gas pumps in August 15, 2010.

ExploreCNMI: Tribal Theory draws over 500 to ‘Home Coming 2’ concert

ExploreCNMI: Tribal Theory draws over 500 to ‘Home Coming 2’ concert
First published at the Marianas Variety

Tribal Theory draws over 500 to ‘Home Coming 2’ concert

TRIBAL Theory, the reggae band based in San Diego, California, left the island yesterday after performing for a crowd of 500 during the “Home Coming 2” concert at the Fiesta Resort & Spa beachfront on Saturday night.

Rob Travilla, founder/creative director of Salbahe Brand, said the concert was a huge success.

On Saturday, the concert started at 7 p.m. with Guam’s ukulele player extraordinaire Ryan Imamura, and his father, Troy Imamura.

Saipan’s Tom Basa Jr. performed next, followed by one man band Marvin Deleon Guerrero, 15 Rootz, Ben the Human Beatbox and then Tribal Theory which brought everyone to their feet until 11:30 p.m.

Travilla said the group had a good time here.

“They did some water sports on Sunday then took a little tour of the northern part of the island, sight seeing and viditing historical landmarks and also swam at the Grotto,” Travilla said.

Tribal Theory did an “encore performance” at Poseidon Bar in Garapan on Sunday night.

“Tribal Theory commends the island and the people for the awesome hospitality and great food,” Travilla said.

Over 400 concert tickets were sold at Boarderline Surf & Skate and Docomo Pacific as well at Fiesta Resort & Spa on the night of the event.

Last year, Salbahe Brand and Betelnut Radio brought Tacoma, WA’s Island Trybe.

“Please stay tuned as we bring more bands from the mainland to entertain the people of the CNMI,” Travilla said.

The Tribal Theory concert tour was organized by Salbahe’ & the disFUNKshunal LaFamilia, Betelnut Radio, Budweiser/Marpac, and United Nesia.

“We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported our event. We will work hard to continue to bring the islands top-notch entertainment,” Travilla said.

Event sponsors included Docomo Pacific, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Power99, KMMNWLTH Stars & Stones, Mestisu Visuals, Fiesta Resort & Spa, KKMP 92.1FM, Boarderline Surf & Skate Shop, Budget Car Rental and Poseidon Bar.

Tinian Blow Hole

VA official touts progress in providing benefits to veterans

DESPITE the challenges that the CNMI and the rest of the Pacific Islands are facing in availing themselves of health care benefits for  veterans, progress has been noted, according to Dr. James E. Hastings, director of the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System.

Tracey Betts, director of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Honolulu Regional Office, updates veterans about the benefits they’re entitled to. Photo by Raquel C. Bagnol

He flew in yesterday from Hawaii for the first veterans appreciation and outreach program on island.

He said he is very pleased with the progress in providing benefits to the veterans in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the CNMI.

Hastings has been serving  veterans for over 50 years and visiting the CNMI for the past six years to ensure the delivery of healthcare to the veterans here.

“We are on the right track to develop significant standards on how veterans should be taken care of,” he said.

Veterans Affairs, he added, was able to address two new concerns — the special needs of women veterans and the homeless.

Hastings noted that 15 percent of the armed forces are women.

Homelessness is another issue that the VA office is addressing, he said.

“Our goal is to end homelessness of veterans in the next three years — one tough assignment but we are making progress,” Hastings said.

In Hawaii, Hastings said about 40 percent of the homeless veterans have been housed and resources have been made available to give shelter to veterans on the streets and help them get back on track with their lives.

Hastings said the VA outreach has changed and evolved in many ways for the past 20 years.

“We have developed VA clinics in and gone out to smaller areas with lesser populations,” he added.

U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, in his message, said the VA clinic on Saipan is just  the first step to increase the base level of medical care for the veterans in the CNMI.

Acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos said the government recognizes the efforts of the VA clinic and the benefits provided to local veterans.

Tracey Betts, director of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Honolulu regional office, said services have been improving for the veterans in the CNMI.

The veterans appreciation and outreach event was held yesterday at the MH2 Building in Puerto Rico.

(Published at the Marianas Variety)