It’s a packed Friday to start off a busy weekend and a long one at that.
Today there’s the Lions Park Block Party from 11am to 3 pm and it’s an ASG payday for those getting paper checks due to Monday being a holiday.
Direct deposits for employees with that service went into bank accounts yesterday. These are the first ASG paychecks to reflect the higher percentage rate that employees who are members have to pay to the Retirement Fund.
The combined contributions of ASG and employees increased from 11% to 14% effective October 1. ASG is now contributing 10%, of the employee’s salary, up from 8% and members will contribute 4%, up from 3%.
There will be incremental increases each year thereafter up to 2024.
The program for the opening ceremony of the new Lions Park is scheduled for 11:00 am. But school children, teachers and parents will begin arriving at the park before 8am. There will be games, bouncing houses, slides and food.
Sunday is Lotu Tamaiti or White Sunday, the special day for children. 
Parents will be out getting any unfinished shopping done for clothes and food today and tomorrow. Then on Monday with the Columbus Day holiday, everyone gets a breather , including the children, from the White Sunday performances in church and all the eating from toanai, before another school and work week begins next Tuesday.
Happy White Sunday to all the children!
