Beach Road Magazine - March 2018

Locally roasted Saipan's own coffee

Aim and throw

SEDA 2018 season begins

Black Widow

1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport

MARCH 2018

Cruise Control See page 9.

Locally roasted Saipan's own coffee

Aim and throw

SEDA 2018 season begins

Black Widow

1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport

3 Calendar

ABOUT THE COVER Derek Cutting sits on his Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 Sport. He is a member of 4x4holics, a community of individuals with the passion for off-roading, mudding and rock crawling.

March events

4-5 Sports Barroom heroes take aim

Photo by Frank Dalusung

7 Artist Art with a purpose

9 Cruise Control Derek Cutting's "Black Widow"

15 Featured Event Saipan Marathon 2018

17-32 McDonald's Special Feature McDonald's Saipan celebrate 25th anniversary

34-35 Community Marianas Coffee Co.: locally grown and roasted

37 Recipe Slow cooker corned beef and cabbage

39 Health Don't kid your kidneys

40-42 On The Road Event photos and special messages

43 Coupons Special offers and discounts

We’re Online!

www.brmsaipan.com

beachroadmagazine

Glimpses Publications include Guam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, Beach Road Magazine and Buenas

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita BUSINESS EDITOR Meghan Hickey LIFESTYLE EDITOR Lara O. Neuman REPORTERS Nicole B. Benevente John I. Borja Wayne Chargualaf CREATIVE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma Jr. Keisha Marie Gozum Josiah Almosara Louisa Joy Castro GENERAL SALES MANAGER Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong Beach Road Magazine, March 2018. Entire contents copyrighted 2018 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.

MARCH EVENTS March 10 Saipan Marathon Start times: 4:30 a.m. Ultra Marathon; 5 a.m. Half Marathon; 5:30 a.m. Marathon; 6 a.m. 10K Location: American Memorial Park Banquet and award ceremony: 4 p.m. at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Participants will receive a finishers t-shirt, medal, certificate of completion and an entry to the awards banquet. For more information, contact Ed Diaz at 664-3200 or ediaz@mymarianas.com.

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day March 23 Commonwealth Covenant Day March 24 4th Marianas Muscle Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Pedro P. Tenorio Multipurpose Center in Susupe

Entry fee: $10 for Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation members; $15 for non-members.

Admission fee: $10 The competition will feature men’s and women’s bodybuilding and physique for the junior, senior and masters categories. Entry forms and fees must be submitted and paid by March 17.

March 24 2018 Tagaman 70.3 and 51.50 Triathlon Location: Kanoa Resort Saipan Registration: www.webscorer.com under Race ID 116992 Fees: $150 per person for 70.3; $120 per person and $240 per team for 51.50 between Feb. 28 and March 17.

The Tagaman Triathlon is an annual signature event of the Marianas Visitors Authority, aimed at attracting visiting athletes and media coverage for the Northern Mariana Islands. This year’s event is co-hosted and in cooperation with the Triathlon Association of the CNMI. March 30 Good Friday

SPORTS

BARROOM HEROES TAKE AIM

By Wayne Chargualaf Boasting more than 300 players and 53 teams, the very existence of the Saipan Electronic Darts Association demonstrates the game’s popularity on Saipan. However, this wasn’t always the case.

In 1993, the first electronic dart machine was brought into Saipan by Pacific Amusement Inc. and installed in a bar that was then called Mom’s Round Two. Initially viewed with skepticism, the soft-tipped electronic dart game’s popularity grew quickly.

Although the bar industry was in a slump at the time, Pacific Amusement Inc. President Paul Trombetta saw an opportunity to both help the ailing bar industry and sell more machines. Wanting to start a dart league similar to that found in Guam, Trombetta created the Saipan Electronic Dart Association within a year of introducing his first machine.

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MARCH 2018

SEDA began with just four teams that competed on one board. Other establishments began ordering machines from Pacific Amusement Inc. and inter-bar competitions followed soon after, the first being held between Rudolpho’s, Mom’s Round Two and Mogambo.

Other early bars to join the league were Dart Haus Beer Pub, Songbird Bar, Oleai Beach Bar and Aqua Resort Club Saipan.

Over the course of more than two decades, more than 3,000 players have competed in SEDA, which has grown so popular that it had to be split into two divisions — the Fanihi division and the Flame Tree division — in order to accommodate the number of players, with each division having its own championship.

Players are also ranked into divisions based on ability, with C division being for novice players, ascending up to the B and A divisions as skill increases with the Masters Division being where the best on island compete.

SPORTS

To this day, SEDA is managed by Pacific Amusement Inc., with Marianas Pacific Distributors Inc. as its primary sponsor. SEDA also has a sister organization, the Saipan Billiards Association, which is managed and sponsored by the same companies.

SEDA play is active year-around at eleven locations in Saipan: Jonny’s Bar & Grill, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3457, 6JMS Sports Bar, Sands Café & Bar, Tasha’s Chicken & Beer, Oleai Beach Bar, Naked Fish Cafe, 9 Eleven Restobar, The Nipa Hut, River Billiards Club and Amari’s Tavern.

At the end of every year, SEDA holds a banquet and dart tournament, most recently on Nov. 26 at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan, which was attended by more than 350 people.

League play for 2018 began on Feb. 12 and will end in September.

MARCH 2018

5

ARTIST

ART WITH A PURPOSE

By John I. Borja Photos courtesy of Nhorleen M. Bitco A stroke of a pen or brush is Nhorleen M. Bitco’s way of bringing awareness to environmental protection and encouraging fellow artists to put themselves out into the community.

As a self-proclaimed frustrated environmentalist, the 36-year-old Garapan resident advocates for nature’s beauty the best way she knows — oil paints, pen and paper. She plays a role in protecting the environment by showcasing it in her work.

A prime example is her piece titled The Sanctuary — a pen-and-ink depiction of a turtle with an ecosystem of marine wildlife perched on its back.

“It is a reflection of the reality that other species have a major impact on the survival of the human race. If we protect nature, it will reciprocate,” Bitco says.

Her piece won first place in the open category of last year’s Bridge Capital LLC’s annual arts competition.

She also placed in Bridge Capital’s 2015 and 2016 competitions.

Bitco’s drive to protect the environment came later in life, though she has been an artist for as long as she can remember.

“My mom said whenever she saw me, I was never without a pencil and paper,” Bitco says. “My parents were very supportive of the arts, and it was during a time where it wasn’t something that was common.”

Now that she’s older, Bitco is surrounded by lovers of the fine arts. It’s a vibrant community of painters, carvers and other visual artists who deserve recognition for their work, she says. She encourages other artists to take part in as many opportunities to gain that exposure.

“There’s a lot of very talented artists here who don’t have the platform to show their work. I wish there would be more events, because when more people join, it’s more fun,” she says.

Aside from competing, Bitco’s art has been featured in a local coloring book called “I Care,” as well as a Chamorro dictionary for kids authored by first lady Diann T. Torres.

It can be tough to maintain her passion as she works as a graphic designer while raising two sons, but Bitco says she always makes time to sketch out a new idea.

“The inspiration strikes you. It could be when I’m in the middle of things. I feel something or see something, and it just touches me all of a sudden,” she says.

Nhorleen M. Bitco with four of her artworks. The top-right piece, titled The Sanctuary, won first place in the seventh annual Bridge Capital Arts Competition in April 2017.

Nhorleen M. Bitco’s piece titled Tindera Ng Suman

Nhorleen M. Bitco’s piece titled Workshop

MARCH 2018

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CRUISE CONTROL

Sponsored by

1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 Sport “Black Widow” Owner: Derek Cutting Engine and specs: 4.0L — inline 6 Aftermarket modifications: 7" Rough Country Lift; 35" Dunlop Mud Terrain tires; full 360 body armor with front bumper stinger; Smittybilt 8500 winch; sounds; and other bolt-on additions.

Shout-outs: “Steve Llagas, my buddy who is well known in the car, truck and bike community for custom fabrication and mechanical work.”

Proud of: “All the drive train and Armour I upgraded and installed myself. I didn't grow up knowing much about mechanics but with a little YouTube you can figure out most anything nowadays.”

“I love that I can go anywhere. I am part of the 4x4holics off-road club here on Saipan and we organize 4x4 adventures often. It's a rush when you approach a very technical rough terrain obstacle and are able to conquer it. Especially without breaking anything.”

FEATURED EVENT

SAIPAN MARATHON 2018

ATTRACTS RUNNERS FROM ON AND OFF ISLAND Runners from the Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Poland have registered for Saipan Marathon 2018 to be held on March 10. As of Feb. 7, 366 runners had registered — 78 from the NMI and 285 from off island — according to the Marianas Visitors Authority. There were nearly 500 participants in 2017, and MVA foresees more registrants closer to the event date.

More than $22,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, including $4,000 each for the first male and female finishers in the 50K course, $3,000 each for the first male and female finishers in the full marathon course, $1,000 each for the first male and female finishers in the half-marathon course and $500 each for the first male and female finishers in the 10K course.

Major sponsors for the event this year include Delta Air Lines, Northern Mariana Athletics, T Galleria by DFS and the Hotel Association of the Northern Marianas.

Other sponsors include Hyatt Regency Saipan, Hana Tours, Rainbow Wing Taiwan, Serenti Hotel, JC Tenorio Enterprises, Pacifica Insurance Inc., Kanoa Resort, Ideal Signs, Barrel and Saipan Beach Hotel.

“Saipan Marathon just keeps getting bigger and better every year, and it is the partnership of our sponsors, supporters, aid station groups and other volunteers that make it possible,” says Edward D. Diaz, lead event coordinator and community projects specialist for the Marianas Visitors Authority.

Registration by March 8 for the 50K and marathon is $95 for U.S. and NMI participants and $85 for half-marathon and 10K participants. Fees for high school and junior high school students are $55. Registration fees include the awards banquet, a finishers t-shirt and a certificate of completion. All competitors are required to pick up race packets in person on March 9 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the American Memorial Park.

The 50K Ultra Marathon will start at 4:30 a.m., the Full Marathon at 5 a.m., the Half Marathon at 5:30 a.m. and the 10K at 6 a.m., all from Micro Beach at American Memorial Park. For more information, contact Ed Diaz at 664-3210 or ediaz@mymarianas.com.

Photos courtesy of the Marianas Visitors Authority MARCH 2018 15

MCDONALD'S CELEBRATES 25 YEARS ON SAIPAN

Congratulations McDonald’s of Saipan ®

25h Anniversary 1993– 2018 Wishing you many more years of success, giving, charity, growth and prosperity.

We’re proud to be a part of the Team.

McDonald’s of Guam

MCDONALD'S STORY

MCDONALD'S CELEBRATES 25 YEARS ON SAIPAN The McDonald’s restaurants on Saipan have been loved by many on the island for decades, offering employment opportunities, affordable dining and partnerships in business and in the community. This year, McDonald’s celebrates 25 years on Saipan, with two locations operating with around 100 staff members.

“It’s a good time to celebrate. We’ve achieved a milestone in our business and that is reaching 25 years of being under the McDonald’s arches,” says Jose C. “Joe” Ayuyu, president and owner of JCA Inc., which does business as McDonald’s.

How it all began On March 18, 1993, the 62,384-square-foot McDonald’s on Middle Road opened its doors to 3,000 customers, just a small taste of the successes to come.

Close to four years later, in December of 1996, the second location opened in Garapan.

It’s hard to believe that all of this started with a simple dream.

Before the opening of McDonald’s in Saipan, the corporation had been visiting the island for years to assess whether a McDonald’s restaurant could be established on the island. When the corporation publicized through the Chamber of Commerce that they were looking for franchisees, many people applied.

“I was very fortunate to be selected. A lot of it has to do with my background because I have experience in government, banking, retail — a combination of that — and maybe because I’m friendly and known in the community,” Ayuyu says.

Since it opened its doors, McDonald’s has earned a loyal customer base. Additionally, McDonald’s has had excellent relationships with its vendors, including its main vendor, Herman’s Modern Bakery.

“They’ve been really up to the challenge and accommodating to our needs. I look forward to continuing to work with them. They and many of our vendors have been reliable partners over the years,” Ayuyu says.

From day one, employees have been crucial to the restaurant’s business.

“I’m very proud of each and every one of my employees because without them, we would not be as 20 MARCH 2018

successful as we are now,” Ayuyu says. “We need to continue to train them so that they can deliver the best possible service to our customers and also to deliver the best possible food.”

What’s new McDonald’s introduced its Signature Crafted Recipes in 2017. The new recipes allow customers to choose their own sandwich bun and meat/chicken. The restaurant has also shifted to serving 100% white meat chicken with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Customers can try it in the new Buttermilk Crispy Tenders or Chicken McNuggets.

The All Day Breakfast also launched in 2017, giving breakfast-lovers the option to order breakfast items any time of day at any location.

New specialty pies have been very popular in recent years, with crème fillings, such as Strawberry & Crème Pie and Pumpkin & Crème Pie. These have been instant

MCDONALD'S STORY

(From left) Jose C. "Joe" Ayuyu, president and owner, and Marcia E. "Ruri" Ayuyu, owner operator, both with JCA Inc. and JCA Guam LLC.

hits with customers especially on Saipan. Customers may look forward to more creamy creations.

Eco-friendly clients can now be confident in ordering in or for take-out as all McDonald’s packaging now comes from renewable, recycled or certified materials.

In June 2017, McDonald’s of Saipan started partaking in the Voiced Opinions and Insights of the Customer Experience, or VOICE program. Customers can now visit McDonald’s, get a receipt and visit www.mcdvoice. com. By entering a code and feedback about their visits, customers can help McDonald’s see how it is doing and how it can meet customer needs better.

Team training is also modernizing. Last year, the company launched online-based training and technology that is designed to be easier to understand, more interactive and fun.

The payment system has been upgraded to accommodate mobile payment like Apple Pay and Android Pay.

Expansion into acquiring Guam restaurants In May 2016, the McDonald’s restaurants of Guam came under the same ownership as JCA Inc. acquired and assumed operation of the Guam McDonald’s from the corporation. The Ayuyus have had a rollercoaster ride of an experience managing the restaurants on both islands.

“There’s a lot of challenges but I’m up to that challenge. We’ve been running the business now for about a year and a half and things are settling down,” Ayuyu says. The restaurants are beginning to improve, not only physically but in the quality of employees, getting better and better in taking care of the customers.

JCA employs 354 employees on Guam, and has put a lot of resources into training, with many technological changes.

“The biggest milestone for my 1.5 year running the stores on Guam is the opening of a brand-new McDonald’s Yigo store by May or June 2018. This store will feature the latest technology like the self-ordering kiosks and digital menu boards,” Ayuyu says.

MARCH 2018 21

MCDONALD'S STORY

Looking forward McDonald’s of Saipan has cemented its “Vision 2020,” looking forward to the modernization of its restaurants by late next year. Saipan will also soon see digital menu boards and self-order kiosks in its restaurants by end of 2019.

“Hopefully we won’t experience any delays in our schedule to have these items installed for the coming year,” Ayuyu says. The digital menu boards are planned to be installed both inside the restaurants and in the drive-thru area. There will be several self-order kiosks for both stores on Saipan.

“A lot of exciting things are coming and we’re looking forward to introducing something new to the islands,” Ayuyu says.

Aside from the digital menu boards and self-ordering kiosks, the biggest attraction for McDonald’s customers on Saipan is the continued offering of new value menus like the Dollar $1, $2, $3, which is a great deal with exceptional value for customers. The new value platform was introduced in January 2018, streamlining the extra value meal lineup to provide more value to customers.

“Now, you can rest assured that you can visit McDonald’s and not have to worry about breaking your wallet. And just like previous years, McDonald’s will continue to introduce newer products, especially new sandwiches, which we’re excited about,” Ayuyu says.

JCA looks forward to more improvement in the way it does business and the way it looks.

Giving back to the community McDonald’s Saipan has shared its success by giving back to the community in many ways. It supports the McTeacher’s Night Program where teachers assist McDonald’s stores in efforts to fundraise for the public school they represent. The Ayuyus and the McDonald’s team have proven themselves dedicated to making sure that McDonald’s is a major financial contributor to educational institutions on Saipan.

In addition, McDonald’s helps organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Saipan Little League Organizaition, Karidat Social Services, Rotary Club of Saipan and many others.

McDonald’s took on the challenge to feed the community during the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor in 2015 when many residents were out of power and water.

“It was very difficult for people to cook food for the families. McDonald’s was able to be up and running 22 MARCH 2018

immediately after the typhoon, ready to serve the community during that time,” Ayuyu says.

Another notable way it gives back to the community is providing employment during the ups and downs the varying economy. McDonald’s is always a stable and reliable source of employment for residents of Saipan.

Staff credit McDonald’s for successfully providing better living situations and education for their families.

“We’re beginning to see our company growing, especially in the last couple of years. The economy of Saipan is turning around, which is good for McDonald’s and everyone on the island. There’s more economic development,” Ayuyu says.

The company will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a vendor appreciation dinner on March 26 at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

“I’m very grateful to the community for supporting our business for the last 25 years and we look forward to continuing to serve the community,” Ayuyu says.

(From left) Jocelyn Asistores, general manager; Justice Andon, guest service department manager; Jamie Rose Bartolome, manager; Jason Salazar, kitchen department manager; Jennelyn Dick, manager; Ruthzel Perez, people department manager, all with McDonald's Garapan; and Marcia E. Ayuyu, owner/operator, McDonald's of Saipan.

(From left) Rowena Ulu, manager; Manolito Corpuz, manager; Mikel Morales, manager; Odesamery Sansy, manager; Angelica Darlucio, people department manager; Christine Vecina, manager; Julieta Jones, manager; Kisina F. Hossain, kitchen department manager; Gisel D. Achas, guest service department manager; Joe E. Ayuyu Jr., general manager, all with McDonald's Middle Road.

MCDONALD'S MILESTONES

24 MARCH 2018

MCDONALD'S MILESTONES

MARCH 2018 25

EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHTS

MY MCDONALD'S

Some of the McDonald’s Saipan team share thoughts about their work experience.

Gisel D. Achas

Guest Service Department Manager Years working at McDonald's: 16 years and 7 months Starting position: Crew Member Favorite menu item: “French Fries — I love the unique taste of McDonalds French Fries and my kids love French Fries too.”

Rewards of working for the company: “The opportunity of learning and enhancing my knowledge in management.”

Challenges: “As a guest service department manager, I am responsible of customer care. One of the challenging parts is dealing with upset or unsatisfied customers and taking their concerns as opportunities for improvement.”

28 MARCH 2018

Shannie Krishin Camacho Crew Trainer

Years working at McDonald's: 1 year and 2 months Starting position: Crew Member Favorite menu item: “Frappes! They’re great because it keeps me cool, especially during the hot weather.”

Rewards of working for the company: “Our employee meal discount and reward programs like ‘Employee of the Quarter.’”

Challenges: “As a crew trainer, a challenge for me is working with new employees especially those that are starting for the first time. Also, a big challenge is the pressure of having to train a new trainee.”

EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHTS

Jocelyn R. Asistores

Carihna Solomon

Years working at McDonald's: 23 years and 2 months

Years working at McDonald's: 4 years and 4 months

Starting position: Crew Member

Starting position: Crew Member

Favorite menu item: “My favorite McDonald’s menu

Favorite menu item: “For as long as I can remember,

item is the world’s best French Fries.”

McDonalds has always been my go-to restaurant and

General Manager, McDonald’s Garapan

Crew Trainer

my main order has always been our McChicken. Nothing Rewards of working for the company: “McDonald’s

says a good meal like a crispy chicken sandwich with a

of Saipan is committed to developing their employees

side of our famous golden crispy fries.”

to the highest level in providing them the proper training that they need to continuously elevate their knowledge

Rewards of working for the company: “Working at

in customer service and restaurant operations.

McDonalds for as long as I have, I have been put in

Employees are also acknowledged and rewarded,

many different situations and it has helped me grow as

especially those who are committed, dedicated and

a person. I have gained so much confidence in myself to

motivated.”

talk to so many different people. Also, I’ve learned how to work well with different types of people.”

Challenges: “One of the challenges of a General Manager is staffing — making sure that each shift is fully

Challenges: “I have faced many challenges working at

staffed to meet customer demand. There are times that

McDonalds and most people would say that having to

some employees will not show up to work because of

deal with customers’ problems and attitudes would be

different reasons and that causes delay in our service.

a challenge. For me, I would have say it would be my team. Dealing with a diverse age group and having to

Another challenge is keeping all the equipment working

break that trend of a young leader in the workplace is

and running. The equipment that we work with are all

difficult. Being able to earn their trust and to delegate

essential to the operations and it can be frustrating if an

others to what needs to be done is a bit scary and

equipment breaks down, especially if the replacement

overcoming that challenge is still a work in progress but I

parts are not available on island.”

enjoy the ride.”

MARCH 2018 29

COMMUNITY

Photo courtesy of the Marianas Visitors Authority

LOCALLY GROWN AND ROASTED

By Nicole B. Benevente | Photos by Frank Dalusung Marianas Coffee Co. — a family-owned business supplying major hotels, stores and cafés with more than 35,000 pounds of locally-roasted coffee every year — began with a small roaster, green coffee beans and a family’s passion for great coffee.

Chuck and Ann Jordan, founders of Marianas Coffee, took a tour of a coffee plantation in Hawaii in 2001. When they returned to Saipan, the Jordans decided to bring their hobby of coffee roasting to the next level.

They bought more than 2,000 Costa Rican seedlings and planted 800 coffee trees in the slopes surrounding their Saipan home.

“The trees started producing coffee, and so we figured we should do something with it,” Chuck Jordan says.

34 MARCH 2018

He upgraded to an industrial-style roaster and began learning how to roast coffee on a larger scale.

Coffee sales began when Jordan took his roasts to the Hyatt Regency Saipan in 2003. With the approval of the chefs and general manager, Marianas Coffee launched its Hyatt roast in May 2004 and began supplying the hotel with 100 to 150 pounds of coffee every month.

Marianas Coffee expanded into Guam stores and cafés in 2006 and launched an online store in September 2007. With the help of business partners David and Pauline Burger, Jordan established Marianas Coffee Guam LLC in 2012.

“We get coffee in wholesale from all over — from Brazil to Rwanda to Columbia. We’re still growing coffee here, and we produce 150 to 200 pounds of estate coffee — coffee that has been grown and roasted on the

COMMUNITY

same property. We are the first to grow coffee on Saipan following Japanese occupation in the region,” Jordan says.

Marianas Coffee sells its beans to many retailers — from major Saipan hotels to small shops. Customers can also find whole beans of Marianas Coffee at Joeten Superstore in one- and two-pound bags, including a Saipan blend and an Italian espresso blend.

“The Italian espresso is a blend of four different types of beans. We have a Vienna roast, French roast and Columbian roast. The darker the roast, the less caffeine, because you burn it out more,” he says.

On Feb. 16, the coffee company provided free samples of its brew in the Delta Air Lines Sky Club lounge at Tokyo-Narita International Airport as part of a monthlong promotion with the Marianas Visitors Authority.

To find out how you can buy a fresh batch of locallyroasted coffee, visit www.marianascoffee.com or the Marianas Coffee Co. Facebook page.

MARCH 2018 35

RECIPE

SLOW COOKER CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart Forget canned corned beef, make tasty corned beef in your slow cooker easily to enjoy at your St. Patrick’s Day festivities or all year round.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

3 pounds corned beef, with spice packet 1 cup water 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 3 small carrots, cut into 3-inch pieces 2 small onions, cut into 1-inch wedges with root end left intact 3 medium potatoes 2 stalks celery, cut into 3-inch pieces 1 small head savoy cabbage, cut into 1½ -inch wedges Grainy mustard, for serving

Instructions: 1. Place celery, carrots, onion, potatoes and corned beef in the slow cooker, fat side up.

2. Add the minced garlic, spice packet, sugar and pepper and rub on the meat.

3. Add the vinegar and bay leaf on the side of the corned beef in the slow cooker and add enough water to cover the ¾ of the meat.

4. Cook on high for 4.25 hours or 8.5 hours on low.

5. Place cabbage on top of corned beef. Cover and continue cooking until cabbage is tender, around 45 minutes on high or 1.5 hours on low.

6. Thinly slice corned beef against the grain and serve with vegetables, cooking liquid and grainy mustard.

Submit your recipes with photos to lifestyleeditor@glimpsesofguam.com.

MARCH 2018 37

DON'T KID

YOUR KIDNEYS

By Lara O. Neuman When is the last time you gave much thought to your kidneys? March is National Kidney Month and the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to give their kidneys a well-deserved checkup.

The kidneys are two, fist-sized organs in your lower back that maintains overall health through removing waste products and extra water from your body, releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, control the production of red blood cells and produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones. The kidneys filter and return to the bloodstream about 200 quarts of fluid every 24 hours.

About two quarts are removed from the body in the form of urine, and about 198 quarts are recovered.

Chronic kidney disease is defined as having a form of kidney abnormality such as protein in the urine and having decreased kidney function for three months or longer.

Some kidney conditions are inherited or can be affected by diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Some individuals may be born with an abnormality that can affect their kidneys.

Did you know that one in three American adults is at risk for kidney disease? Black Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives are at the highest risk for kidney disease and kidney failure, according to the National Kidney Association. Minorities have much higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease, all of which increase the risk for kidney disease.

Not everyone will get kidney disease. And not everyone who has diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, older age, or a family history of kidney disease will get it. But if you have any of these risk factors you should: • Get tested for kidney disease.

• Get tested for diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It’s important to find out if you don’t know whether you have these conditions.

• Live a healthy lifestyle. Be sure to exercise, eat

a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking and limit alcohol. A healthy lifestyle can keep you from getting kidney disease, and it can also help slow or stop kidney disease from getting worse.

Most people with early kidney disease do not have symptoms. That’s why it’s important to be tested because early detection and treatment can slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease. There are two important tests to check your kidney function: • A urine test called ACR, or albumin to creatine ratio. The urine is tested for albumin, a type of protein. Having protein in the urine may mean that the kidneys are not filtering blood well enough. This can be a sign of early kidney disease. Three positive results over three months or more is a sign of kidney disease.

• A blood test to estimate the glomerular filtration rate. The blood is tested for a waste product called creatinine, which comes from muscle tissue. The creatinine result is used with your age, race and sex in a formula to calculate the GFR. When the kidneys are damaged, they have trouble removing creatinine from the blood, so the GFR test is a way to check how well your kidneys are working.

For more information on kidney health, visit the National Kidney Foundation website at www.kidney.org.

MARCH 2018 39

40 MARCH 2018

The Feast of the Santo NiĂąo was celebrated on January 20.

Photos by BRM

The Statewide Parent Summit was held on Jan. 17 at Saipan World Resort.

Photos by BRM

ON THE ROAD

A proclamation was signed on Jan. 30 for the month of February as Parent Leadership Month.

2018 Miss Marianas contestants hosted a mini fashion show celebrating the pageant theme “Enchantment� with fashion created from nature on Jan. 21 at DFS by T Galleria.

Photos by BRM

Contributed Photos

MARCH 2018 41

ON THE ROAD

Julie Muña, Pete Muña, Rose Mafnas and Cece Borja enjoyed a birthday dinner at the Fiesta Resort Saipan.

Contributed photo

Happy 13th birthday Brent on Feb. 10. Much love from the Ortizo family.

Contributed photo

Rose Mafnas and Cece Borja took in the beautiful Saipan sunset atop 360 Revolving Restaurant inside the Marianas Business Plaza.

Contributed photo

Happy 50th Birthday Charry de Guzman. Amy Alano, Imelda Mendiola Catalina Benedicto, Maryann Lizama, Lucy Pangelinan, Ellen Panagsagan, Loida Pak, Rebecca Flores and Natalie Thomas.

Contributed photos

For more On The Road photos, visit BRM’s Facebook page. Submit your photos, with a caption, to lifestyleeditor@glimpsesofguam.com.

42 MARCH 2018

MARCH 2018 43