R&R Pacific - April/May 2017

calendar of events • travel • restaurants & food • trends • recreation • sports • culture & arts • special features • nightlife • coupons & much more

APRIL/MAY 2017

Swimmers prepare for the Guam Cocos Crossing

BEAUTY AND HISTORY

Dive into the Solomon Islands

MOTHER’S DAY FETES

Treat mom to the best

The escargot at Rotten Apple is one of the many unique dishes on the menu. See story on page 18.

contents TRAVEL

Solomon Islands

ARTIST

Pete Santos

CALENDAR

Events in April and May

ESSENCE OF GUAM

Korean community of Guam

COMMUNITY

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A memorable Mother’s Day

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Life with autism

SPECIAL FEATURE

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OUT & ABOUT

Readers’ and event photos

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RESTAURANTS

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Q&A - Dove ambassador Jessica Weiner Rotten Apple

COVER FEATURE

Cocos Crossing

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HEALTH

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R&R Pacific is a lifestyle magazine that features the people, culture and activities that collectively make up Guam. We provide our readers a window into the different facets of Guam’s diverse community through vibrant photography and engaging articles.

www.facebook.com/rrpacificguam

@rrpacificguam

About the cover: Tanner Poppe trains for the Guam Cocos Crossing at the Agana Pool. See story on page 20. Photo by Joe Cruz.

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R&R Pacific April/May

PUBLISHER

SALES MANAGER

Maureen N. Maratita

Annie San Nicolas

MANAGING EDITOR

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Jackie Hanson

2017

Matthew Arevalo

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ADMINISTRATION

Janice Castro

REPORTER

Carmelita McClellan

Vincent Leon Guerrero

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Jenalyn Aguon

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Joy White Lara Ozaki Rosanna Dacanay

SENIOR DESIGNER

Marcos W. Fong

Vikki Fong

Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.

Glimpses Publications include: Marianas Business Journal • MBJ Life • Guam Business Magazine • R&R Pacific • Beach Road Magazine

R&R Pacific • April/May 2017 • Entire contents copyrighted 2017 by Glimpses of Guam, Inc. R&R Pacific is published bi-monthly by Glimpses of Guam, Inc., 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, GU 96913.

Telephone: (671) 649-0883, Fax: (671) 649-8883, Email: assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com • All rights reserved.

No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

WE ARE THE LOCAL EXPERTS ANYWHERE YOU GO

Travel///Solomon Islands

Historical Intrigue:

The Solomon Islands STORY AND PHOTOS BY JULIAN RYALL

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The historical intrigue of the Solomon Islands is set against a backdrop of tropical beauty, tranquility and culture.

This summer, 75 years after the start of a campaign credited with halting the Japanese advance in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, the people of the Solomon Islands will remember the U.S. servicemen who fought on Guadalcanal and the more than 1,000 islands that make up this sprawling archipelago.

A handful of veterans are expected to make the journey and there are hopes that Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of John F. Kennedy, will also be present for the unveiling of a bust of her father on an island in Western Province, where he came ashore with the 10 surviving members of PT-109 in August 1943, after their motor torpedo

boat had been run down by a Japanese destroyer.

In August, the government will dedicate a new national park on the site of Bloody Ridge, just a few hundred yards to the south of Henderson Field, where U.S. Marines held off a series of suicidal assaults by the Japanese in September 1942.

The narrow ribbon of sand where Kennedy came ashore has changed little in the intervening seven decades; schools of brightly colored reef fish mill about in the shallows and a coconut bobs in the surf.

Around the capital city of Honiara, much of what was jungle or mangrove swamp 75 years ago has today been developed, so the best way to get an overview of the fighting for Guadalcanal is to join a personalized tour.

The U.S. war memorial dominates a low hill overlooking the capital that was a Japanese position until the defenders were dislodged by Marines. John Kerry, the former secretary of state, paid his respects here in 2014, just yards from a brass plaque in the ground that marks the spot where the remains of a U.S. soldier were discovered before the memorial was built.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Travel///Rapa Nui

A historian-guide, can point out locations that were critical in the land battle — Galloping Horse Ridge, which was featured in the movie “The Thin Red Line,” and Mount Austen, the last Japanese stronghold overlooking Henderson Airfield — as well as approximate positions out to sea where similarly fiercely contested naval encounters took place.

The waters immediately off Guadalcanal are known as Iron Bottom Sound due to the vast number of warships and aircraft from both sides that rest in its depths.

For anyone with scuba diving experience, some wrecks are readily accessible.

Diving off of the island of Ghizo, one can emerge through a bomb hole in the bow of the sunken freighter Toa Maru and marvel at the marine life that has made the ship its home, from delicate coral and their resident fish to starfish, lionfish and the occasional shark and dolphin.

Another short boat ride away, kids from the village of Sagheraghi play football in the shallows and jump into the lagoon from an overhanging tree.

Today, the Solomons are utterly tranquil.

SOLOMON ISLANDS How to get there: Getting from Guam to the Solomon Islands is tricky because of the limited number of airlines flying to Honiara. One option is to fly to Tokyo and take the Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby before flying on to Honiara. Alternatively, fly to Singapore before catching the connecting flight to Port Moresby.

Travel time: Due to the complicated connections, allow 24 hours of travel time.

Best time to go: The islands are less prone to cyclones or squalls between November and April.

Currency and conversion rate: 100 Solomon dollars = US $12.83 Must do: Guided battlefield tours, which can be found at https://destinationsolomons.com/.

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DOING IT HIS WAY Local crooner Pete Santos PHOTOS AND STORY BY JOY WHITE

By day, 23-year-old Pete Santos is a car salesman at Guam Auto Spot.

By night he dons a suit and croons into a chrome, Elvis-style microphone, his deep voice reminiscent of the jazz vocals of Frank Sinatra.

He fell in love with Sinatra’s music in high school.

“It takes you to a different time and place. It’s really classy and not the norm for the most part. There’s something about the way the music is arranged that really speaks to me,” Santos says.

While Sinatra is his inspiration, Santos says he also likes Ray Charles, including his songs “That’s Life” and “You Don’t Know Me.” “With every song [I perform], I really try to relate to it on some level.

So for example, ‘My Way’ [by Sinatra], that’s a song that at the end of my life, when all is said and done, I want to be able to sit down and listen to this song and say, ‘That’s the end’ and feel that everything that I did, I did my way,” Santos says.

Santos began performing solo in late 2011. However, he has a long relationship with music of different genres. He was a member of his school band at Saint Paul Christian School.

“I’ve always been musically inclined. A lot of my family does music.

My mom [Rosalind Reyes] really loves music. I had the opportunity to get an appreciation of various types of music growing up,” Santos says.

Santos also performs with the Cheers Band at Cheers Bar & Lounge in Tamuning in his spare time, where he explores other genres.

“I’m open to all different types of music. [I do] a lot of the ‘70s soft rock and R&B from the ‘80s, ‘70s and ‘90s. I’m just open. That’s the kind of thing that resonates to me,” he says.

Producing original material is a next step for Santos. He writes a lot of rap and hip-hop songs, as well as poetry and other prose.

“It’s a matter of taking something that’s happening in my life or that I feel strongly about and trying to express myself in the truest fashion,” he says.

His long-term goal is to develop his craft in different musical genres.

“I really want to be able to progress in the best way that I can and be versatile and sing what I feel like singing, as opposed to being stuck to just one genre,” he says.

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About Pete Santos Village: Dededo Interests outside of music: Comics, DC in particular Gigs: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Saturday at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort and on occasion at Cheers Bar & Lounge in Tamuning

To schedule Santos for events, email petesantos.gu@live. com or onemusicguam@gmail.com or call 688-5265.

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APRIL & MAY April 7

April 15

From the Nursery to the Graveyard: The Life of a Star

Boonie Stomp: Lajuna

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: T. Stell Newman Visitor Center Admission is free.

For more information, visit nps.gov.

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Center Court of Chamorro Village Level: Difficult Duration: Five hours Length: Four miles Bring: Four quarts of water, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, lunch, snacks and camera Special conditions: Hiking over rough rocks, thick vegetation, a long hike and a long ascent Fee: $2 for hikers over 12 years old.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc or call 787-4238.

April 7 to 9

35th Annual Smokin’ Wheels Racing Weekend Time: 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday; and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday Entrance fee: $10 for adults and children over 12 years old; free for children 11 years old and younger; $20 for weekend pass For a full schedule of events, visit guamraceway.com.

April 8

Keep Guam Beautiful Beach Cleanup Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Asan Beach April 8

Night Under the Stars Astronomy Night Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Asan Beach Admission is free.

For more information, visit nps.gov.

April 8 to 9

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Presented by the Guam Symphony Society Time: 7 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday Location: Hyatt Regency Guam Admission: $20 for adults; $15 for students and military; $10 for children; and free for children under 5 years old.

For more information, visit www.guamsymphony.com.

April 9

United Airlines Guam Marathon Start time: 3 a.m. for marathon; 4 a.m. for half marathon; 5 a.m. for 10k; and 6 a.m. for 5k Start location: Gov. Joseph F. Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach) For more information, visit www.unitedguammarathon.com.

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April 22

Boonie Stomp: Umatac to Toguan Bay Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Center Court of Chamorro Village Level: Easy

Duration: Three hours Length: One and a half miles Bring: Two quarts of water, hiking boots, swimsuit, snorkel gear, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch and camera Fee: $2 for hikers over 12 years old.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc or call 787-4238.

April 23

Science Sunday Presentation Time: 2 p.m.

Location: T. Stell Newman Visitor Center Admission is free.

For more information, visit nps.gov.

May 3 to 7

Guam Micronesia Islands Fair Location: Chamorro Village, Hagåtña Admission is free.

May 26 to 28

Agat Mango Festival Location: Agat Community Center Admission is free.

For more information, contact the Agat Mayor’s Office at 565-4335.

EVENTSCALENDAR

april sun

mon

tue

wed

thu

fri

sat 1

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• A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented by the Guam Symphony Society

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• 35th Annual Smokin’ Wheels Racing Weekend

Smurfs: The Last Village Going in Style Colossal Their Finest

• Keep Guam Beautiful Beach Cleanup

• 35th Annual Smokin’ Wheels Racing Weekend (through April 9)

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented by the Guam Symphony Society

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MOVIES

The Fate of the Furious Spark: A Space Tail The Lost City of Z

• 35th Annual Smokin’ Wheels Racing Weekend

• Night Under the Stars Astronomy Night

15 • Boonie Stomp: Lajuna

Good Friday

• United Airlines Guam Marathon

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Easter Sunday

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MOVIES

Unforgettable Free Fire The Promise

23 • Science Sunday Presentation

7MOVIES

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30

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28 MOVIES

The Circle How to be a Latin Lover

22 • Boonie Stomp: Umatac to Toguan Bay

29 • Boonie Stomp: Atillong Acho to Sella Bay

FEATURED MOVIE April 14

The Fate of the Furious Directed by F. Gary Gary Starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Dame Helen Mirren and Nathalie Emmanuel

Now that Dom and Letty are on their honeymoon, Brian and Mia have retired from the game, and the rest of the crew has been exonerated, the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman seduces Dom back into a world of crime that he can’t seem to escape, the crew will face trials that will test them as never before.

(Official plot from fastandfurious.com.)

*Event times and dates may change without notice.

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may sun

mon 1

tue 2

wed

thu

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• Guam Micronesia Islands Fair

• Guam Micronesia Islands Fair

fri 5

MOVIES

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 The Dinner

sat 6 • Guam Micronesia Islands Fair

• Guam Micronesia Islands Fair

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• Guam Micronesia Islands Fair

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MOVIES

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19 Alien: Covenant Dairy of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul

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MOVIES

• Agat Mango Festival

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Memorial Day

FEATURED MOVIE May 25

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg Starring Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, Kevin R. McNally, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and David Wenham

The rip-roaring adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazar escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea—notably Jack. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth, a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry, a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has ever faced. (Official plot from Disney.)

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MOVIES

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Baywatch

• Agat Mango Festival

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King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Snatched Lowriders

Mother’s Day

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27 • Agat Mango Festival

Essence of Guam///Cultures

Essence of Guam:

The Korean Community of Guam The Korean community of Guam offers many opportunities to partake in its culture, from the arts to food. Organizations and individuals contribute to the community and create an appreciation for the similarities and uniqueness of the Guam and Korean cultures.

The Korean Women’s Association of Guam contributes to the local community.

SUPPORTING THE ARTS Artist Yeon Sook Park’s vibrant paintings of seascapes and tropical beauty are her way of giving back to the local community and culture. “I hope to help heal hearts and minds with my colorful artwork; I hope to provide a community service for seniors and the public,” Park says. In March, Park’s works were on display in a dual art exhibit at the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency gallery in Hagåtña. The exhibit included two and three dimensional displays by Park and artist Chul Wan Kim.

SHARING THE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE The Korean Community School teaches Korean language, culture and history, including drawing, paper folding and Korean fan dance lessons. The school has about 114 students, but more are welcome to join if they are interested in learning. Lessons are held every Sunday at Chief Brodie Elementary School.

BRINGING THE FLAVORS OF KOREA TO GUAM

Korean population of Guam: 3,547 Official organizations and associations: • Korean Association of Guam • Korean Women’s Association of Guam • Korean Athletic Association • Korean Community School • National Unification Advisory Council • Korean Tour Association.

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Several restaurants on island feature traditional and contemporary Korean dishes. One such restaurant is Mom’s Bop Burger, which features a food item popular among Korean college and school kids: the rice burger, which are patties of meat and vegetables seasoned with authentic Korean sauces sandwiched between two servings of seasoned rice resembling a burger’s buns.

The name was derived from the friendly and warm word everyone is familiar with, “Mom,” says Kim Yuni, who owns the restaurant with spouse Kim Moon-soo.

Other popular Korean restaurants include Mi Dham Korean Cuisine, Chowon, Sejong Korean Restaurant and Uri Jip.

Essence of Guam///Cultures

The fan dance is one of many traditional Korean practices taught at the Korean Community School.

Students of the Korean Community School participate in crafts.

Artist Yeon Sook Park launched her March exhibit at the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency gallery with entertainment by John Robert Powers students.

Students of the Korean Community School perform the traditional fan dance.

“I was born and raised in South Korea and the one thing that I remember is the aroma of fish. Fish are also a central part of Guam’s culture […] In some ways, Guam reminds me of my home as a girl. I think the fusion of South Korea and Guam culture reveals itself in my paintings.”

— Yeon Sook Park, resident of Guam for 29 years

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Promoting self-esteem foR

Section///Spotlight

women and girls

PHOTOS AND STORY BY JOY WHITE

One afternoon after school, young girls in Guam got together to learn about the positive messages they want to send their peers and how media can impact their self-esteem. Mothers and some men come along too.

The workshop was led by Jessica Weiner, CEO of Talk to Jess, a consulting firm that advises global brands and organizations on the issues facing today’s women, girls and families. She is Dove’s global self-esteem ambassador and participated in the brand’s Real Beauty Campaign.

She hosted a self-esteem workshop for school- and collegeaged women on Feb. 16 at the Guam Community College and was a speaker at the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce Hightide Women’s Summit on Feb. 17.

After her workshop, she took a moment to talk to R&R Pacific about self-esteem issues facing women and girls around the world.

R&R: Is there an age group for which cultivating self-esteem is of particular importance?

Weiner: Every age. I think the issues and challenges around it get younger and younger, especially with more and more media because kids are exposed to things at a younger age. But I think confidence is important at many ages and I think it changes. At the age of most of the young women in the audience today — middle school, high school and maybe college — those are very turbulent times for self-esteem when young women are struggling.

Then when you enter the workforce there’s a whole other

Jessica Weiner, Dove’s global self-esteem ambassador, discusses the impact of media on young women’s self-esteem on Feb. 16 at the Guam Community College.

set of problems. When you become a mother, there’s a whole other set of challenges. So I think having this conversation is important across multiple generations.

R&R: The Dove Real Beauty curriculums are taught globally.

How does the message translate across cultures?

Weiner: I think what translates universally around the world is the impact of media. I think that even in underdeveloped countries, they still have television. They still have programs that they see every day and messaging and in advertising, especially. … It doesn’t matter what culture. If they’re heavier, they want to be thinner. If they’re thinner, they want to be curvier. And so it’s really about helping women and girls feel better where they are by showing them people that look like them and sound like them and reminding them that they’re not alone.

R&R: Was there anything about the Guam audience that stood out to you?

Young women participate in self-esteem exercises at a workshop hosted at the Guam Community College.

Weiner: Maybe the most incredible piece of today was that I was looking at this really beautiful, diverse audience of faces that I don’t see in the media as much as I would like to. So I was reminded of that, that there’s such beauty everywhere and it’s important for young women who are from all different kinds of places in the world to see them reflected, so I think that was really beautiful today.

But as far as the subject matter, the answers [from the girls I speak to] are always the same no matter what community I’m in, and I think that speaks to the universality of the issue.

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Special Feature///Rotten Apple

Rotten Apple A revolutionary dining experience

BY JOY WHITE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROTTEN APPLE

Rotten Apple is a restaurant where patrons can expect to be charmed by tasty food prepared and presented in ways that are new and exciting.

Restaurateurs Ace Alisasis and Eddie Chien opened the restaurant in 2015 to deliver a unique dining experience and offer dishes that reflect their creative and fun natures.

“It’s what we like to do and we want to provide a memorable experience for our customers,” Chien says.

The restaurant’s menu includes its signature baos, which are steamed buns with meat or vegetable filling; steaks; and beer blends.

The restaurant has about seven different signature boas on the menu, including pork, brisket, soft shell crab and braised mushroom. One of the signature baos contains a pork belly filling with peanut powder.

Most of the dishes are prepared using the sous-vide technique, in which food is cooked in a sealed pouch placed in a water bath or in a temperature-controlled steam environment.

The lamb shank is cooked for eight hours and the fried chicken and the Porker-house pork chop are cooked for six hours. The technique takes time but preserves the flavor, Alisasis says.

Another specialty of Rotten Apple is steak and one of several combination items, such the rib-eye steak with parrot fish or lobster and the New York steak with chicken or shrimp.

The restaurant also creates its own beer blends from different craft beers. Among the 10 different types, the most popular is the spicy apple, which is an apple beer mixed with a stout and topped with apples. Another popular blend is the Nutty Orange, which is a Belgian white beer with hazelnut.

Rotten Apple’s signature dessert is the Smoked Apple, which is a smoked chocolate shell with a salted ice cream filling and a surprise when it’s cracked open.

The Rotten Apple also has a lunch menu of donburi bowls, which is meat served over rice, and other items for quick and efficient meals.

In addition, the team hosts tasting events four or five times a year, during which the restaurant is closed for a themed course dinner. The latest was a fundraising dinner in March for Guam Ani-

mals in Need, which was a Monopoly-themed dinner called “Petopoly.”

The themed events are by reservation only and are announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“We like to have fun and go outside of the box,” Alisasis says.

To complement the unique menu is a setting and interior design that is a first for Guam and will entertain. The décor is steampunk inspired.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by Victorian-era industrial steam-powered machinery.

The design of the restaurant began with a rustic, industrial design and evolved into a steam-punk design theme, Chien says. The décor, from the copper pipes and gears mounted on the walls to the fake bookcase doorway, was designed and built in-house by Chien, Alisasis and the staff.

“We could have gotten a contractor but thought we would have more fun designing it ourselves,” Alisasis says.

The restaurant also features a blueprint of the Nautilus, the vessel from Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” on the wall as an ode to the vessel’s commander, Captain Nemo, and the Victorian era from which steampunk is inspired.

The menu of Rotten Apple does not adhere to menus commonly found in steampunk themed restaurants elsewhere, which focus on molecular gastronomy, a type of food science that experiments with the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients that occur in cooking.

Instead, the team goes for what tastes good. Chien favors rich and hardy flavors, and Alisasis describes the items as international comfort foods one might have at home, with a twist. We feature our version of the flavors of traditional dishes,” he says. The focus of the restaurant is on providing good food without adhering strictly to a certain cuisine or category, Chien says.

The kitchen is also open to reasonable special requests and feedback, Chien says. “We have an eagerness to see what people think,” he says.

Rotten Apple is located on Route 1 in Upper Tumon and is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m Monday to Friday and for dinner 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

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Steampunk

Section///Spotlight

[steem-puhngk] is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by Victorian-era industrial steampowered machinery.

Captain Nemo’s Steak Adventure Follow the Nautilus as Captain Nemo travels the world to sample each country’s cuisine. Every week is a new country and each day Rotten Apple features a different special, and on Saturday, the team will feature the most popular dishes from the week. Check out the route of the Nautilus on the restaurant’s Facebook page for updates on where Capt. Nemo is visiting.

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Cover feature///Cocos Crossing

Swimming toward victory

Guam Cocos Crossing STORY BY JOY WHITE

Members of the Manukai Athletic Club and Manhoben Swim Team participate in the Guam Cocos Crossing every year.

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Cover feature///Cocos Crossing

Guam swimmers will be flexing their muscles at the Guam Cocos Crossing on May 28.

The open-water swim event, now in its 25th year, is one of the many events for swimmers and swim teams in the region.

The Guam Cocos Crossing has three divisions – the 5K swim from Cocos Island to Merizo Pier, the 10K race from Merizo Pier to Cocos Island and back and the Neptune, in which participants can swim the 5K with fins. The hope is that someday the 10K portion of the swim will be approved as a qualifying race for the Olympics, says Tim Fedenko, coach of Manukai Athletic Club, one of the organizers of the event.

Last year, more than 300 people participated in the event, Fedenko says.

The race is hosted by the Manukai Athletic Club and the Manhoben Swim Team. The various teams within the club swim competitively in the region, and the Guam Cocos Crossing is another opportunity to hone their athletic abilities. Various local organizations also volunteer and assist, including the Guam Fire Department, the water safety division of the Guam Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as the Merizo Mayors Office.

Fedenko and the coaches of the Manhoben Swim Team, Ed Ching and Don San Agustin, have been with the teams for decades.

The teams train two hours a day at the Hagåtña public pool.

The swim teams have members of all ages, and some have been swimming in the Guam Cocos Crossing since they were children.

Ella Fedenko competed for the first time at 10 years old.

She has since placed first in her age category twice.

Jenina Cruz has been swimming since she was 5 years old, and has participated in the Guam Cocos Crossing twice. She now coaches the Manukai Athletic Club.

Ella Fedenko says that one of the things that keeps her swimming is the friendship she has with her teammates. “I wouldn’t practice if I didn’t have friends,” she says.

“We have become a family,” Cruz adds. “Since this is Guam, we bring that cultural aspect to the team. We do have a tight knit bond.”

Miguel Jugo swam the Guam Cocos Crossing for the first time at 14 years old. “It’s a fun thing to do. It’s challenging. But if you know how to swim, it’s a good thing to do and it’s another thing to do on island,” he says.

Other regulars at the race are Amanda Poppe, who won first place in the 15- and 16-year-old category in the five mile race, which is now the 10k race, last year and will be competing in her fifth Guam Cocos Crossing. Santiago Poppe participated in the race six times, starting when he was 9 years old. Other members of the Poppe family that will participate are Tanner and Israel Poppe.

The event also includes other water activities, such as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, and a fiesta in Merizo.

The great thing about swimming, Fedenko says, is that it can encompass all ages and shapes. “[People] that are bigboned can be some of the best swimmers,” Fedenko says.

If one can swim for about an hour, one can finish the race, he says.

May 28 — Guam Cocos Crossing

Check-in: 5 a.m.

Fiesta and entertainment: 8:30 a.m.

Location: Merizo Pier Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m. on May 24.

Registration and payment only accepted online on the Eventbrite website.

Races: 5k swim (formerly the 2.5 mile swim); 10K (formerly the 2.5 mile swim); and the Neptune, which is the 5k swim with fins, mask and snorkel Age divisions: 9-10; 11-14; 15-17; 18-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-65; and 66 years old and over.

Registration fees: • Adult: $65 • Youth, 17 years old and under: $45 • Guam Swimming Federation members: $35 An Eventbrite service fee will be added to the registration fee For more information, to register and for the link to the Eventbrite registration website, visit www.guamcocoscrossing.com.

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Restaurants & Food///Mother’s Day Section///Spotlight

A MEMORABLE

Mother’s Day PHOTOS AND STORY BY JOY WHITE

While the important part of a Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or dinner is expressing the sincere appreciation for mom and making memories, the choice of restaurant is also an important detail for the day. Demonstrate love and appreciation for your mom with a meal at one of these restaurants that will leave a lasting impression.

THE BUFFET

World Café

Location: Fiesta Resort Guam Hours of operation: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily Contact: 646-5880 ext. 1811

A lunch or brunch buffet is the traditional mother’s day fete.

World Café features a selection of international dishes that will suit all tastes, including seafood, barbecue, salads and pastas.

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OUT OF THE WAY

Marina Grill

Location: Route 2, Agat Marina Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Contact: 564-0215

Marina Grill in Agat offers a quiet atmosphere where mom can contemplate the ocean and watch the docked boats bob in the waves.

The menu includes dishes ranging from burgers and sandwiches to steak and seafood. The Pika Pork Chops are particularly memorable for their kick.

Restaurants & Food//Mother’s Day Section///Spotlight

LOCAL

Three Squares

Location: 416 Chalan San Antonio, Tamuning Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday Contact: 646-26520 Facebook: @threesquaresguam

Local dishes at Three Squares will make mom feel right at home, with tinaktak, dried beef and kelaguen. The menu also offers a variety of other dishes to mix, match and share.

SOMEPLACE NEW

Rootz, The Hill’s Grillhouse Location: Guam Plaza Resort & Spa lobby, Tumon Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. buffet and à la carte, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. buffet and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. à la carte Contact: 649-7760 Rootz, The Hill’s Grillhouse opened its breakfast and lunch buffet services on Feb. 1 and launched its dinner services, offering an à la carte menu featuring porter house steak, rack of lamb and other grilled options, on Feb. 12. The renovated open-kitchen concept includes a copper pizza grill, teppenyaki grill and robata grill.

UPSCALE

Kitchen Lingo

Location: 153 Martyr Street, Hagåtña Hours of operation: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday Contact: 472-5550

Kitchen Lingo in Hagåtña reopened in March after renovations and expansion. The larger restaurant boasts new menu items from Chef Lingo Quichocho along with some customer favorites from before in an upscale atmosphere for the most sophisticated moms.

Photos by Jackie Hanson

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OUT&ABOUT

OUT & ABOUT

Photo by Joy White

Atkins Kroll Inc. held an award ceremony on March 18 for the finalists of the 11th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.

Photos by Jackie Hanson

Photos submitted by Resa Saddo

The True Grit Rugby Tournament was held on March 4 at the Guam Rugby Field at Wettengel Elementary School.

Family fun: Resa, Arielle and Bella at Underwater World; Marv and Resa having some quality time in Tumon; Bella and Arielle at Cold Stone.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS FOR OUT & ABOUT, EMAIL HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOS TO: RRPACIFICGUAM@GMAIL.COM

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PLEASE INCLUDE: - CAPTIONS (NAMES, DATE, EVENT NAME AND LOCATION) - YOUR NAME AND VILLAGE

OUT&ABOUT

Photos by Joy White

The Golden Sounds of the Platters performed a Valentine’s Day concert on Feb. 18 at the Hyatt Regency Guam.

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Health///Autism Awareness

Life with autism

Guam families share the struggles and rewards

BY JOY WHITE

Autism spectrum disorder, also known as autism, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, according to Autism Speaks. Each individual with autism has a wide variation, or spectrum, of challenges and strengths unique to them.

Guam families and members of Autism Community Together, a local support group for families with children or adult members with autism, share their experiences.

“Each child is different,” says Denise Raphael, the mother of a 2-year-old with autism spectrum disorder.

Raphael’s daughter, Sadie, was diagnosed with autism in May 2016. At 15 months, Sadie was not sharing any baby talk. Today, eye contact and kisses on the cheek are difficult, but Sadie loves music and water play.

Kristal and Isaac Flores’ 4-year-old son, Jacob is a playful and energetic child. He’s affectionate, loves receiving hugs and kisses, even if he does not give them.

Clifford Bascon Wooten graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2014. He is now 25 years old.

“When he was a small boy, he was not hyperactive and was just like a typical child,” says Lourdes Bascon Mendiola, Clifford’s mother. However, he was nonverbal and only communicated through frustration with crying.

A couple of years before Clifford graduated, he was put on medication to prevent seizures, which came with aggression as a side effect. He has physical outbursts, which sometimes require Mendiola to seek outside help.

“We have to live with that. He’s a lovable child. He still laughs hard. Now it’s not like before … but he still gives me some smiles and I’m so grateful,” she says.

Kristal Flores often hears, “But he looks normal.” But a child with autism looks like any other child, she says.

“Others don’t understand the meltdown over things outside of the routine when their environment crashes down,” she says.

Others believe children with the disorder will grow out of it, Raphael says.

Mendiola struggles with finding knowledgeable professional services, work and other training for her adult son, as well as the ultimate concern of who will care for Clifford when she is no longer able to do so.

“It takes a community to raise a child. I believe that,” Mendiola says. “[…] I know the agencies are working hard, but there is a lot of room for improvement.”

Parents of individuals with autism, like all parents, hope to have their children be productive members of society, go to school and have jobs.

“Kids with ASD can do wonderful things, but in different ways,” Kristal Flores says.

Clifford Bascon Wooten at four years old.

Sadie Raphael second birthday.

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Lourdes Bascon Mendiola and her son, Clifford Bascon Wooten.

Kristal and Isaac Flores and their son, Jacob.

Autism Awareness Month April 2 Light it up blue Wear blue or equip homes, offices and other buildings with blue light bulbs. Proceeds from exclusive blue light bulbs bearing the Autism Speaks logo purchased at Home Depot will be donated to autism research.

April 8 Autism Community Together 10th Annual Awareness Fair Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Agana Shopping Center Free Admission

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Puzzle///Learn Chamorro

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Down 1. star 3. sun 4. door 6. room 8. donuts Across 2. soup 5. floor 7. barbeque 8. window 9. post

Answers 1: pution; 2: kådu; 3: atdao; 4: petta; 5: satge; 6: kuåtto; 7: tininu; 8: bentåna; 9: haligi; 10: boñelos

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