guam family 08/09

August 2009www.guamfamily.net

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With many developmental disorders to which children are vulnerable, it’s important to be on top of early signs.

Developmental Challenges

A Family Comes TogetherReunion strengthens existing relationships and establishes new bonds between family members.

Parents’ Night Out

After-School Programs

Kids Cooking Tips

Dessert Recipes

and MORE!

INSIDE FRONT COVER

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3

FeaturesFamily Comes Together 10Family reunions strengthen existing relationships and establish new bonds between family members.

Developmental Challenges 16With so many different diseases and developmental dis-orders to which children are vulnerable, it’s important to be on top of early signs.

DepartmentsFamilia: Guam Family Message Board 8Got birthday greetings or special events to announce? Highlight special events in the Familia photo pages.

Parenting: Protect Your Child 20Project Kid Care provides safety IDs for children.

Parenting: Stay Active After School 24Instead of becoming a couch potato, some students join extra-curricular activities to continue learning beyond the classroom.

Family Finance: Teach Your Child to Save 28Money is an important tool in the world. Helping your children learn to manage it is an excellent habit to practice.

Family Table: Kid Cooks 30Giving your kids a few simple tasks in the kitchen is a fun way to teach them about cooking and nutrition.

Time Out for Mommy and Daddy: The Importance of Date Night 34Night Plan for an adult night out for you and for your sanity.

Calendar: August Events 38Check out the schedule of events to attend this month.

Center Stage: Davilynn Perez 40Hula dancer takes the glass slipper and wins Cinderella pag-eant, representing Guam in Texas.

Kidsville 42Turn to these pages for fun and games for kids and the young at heart.

Kusina: Stuffed Spinach Manicotti & Cappuccino Delight 46Denise Santos dishes out an entree with follow-up dessert.

On the Cover:The Quintanilla family gets together to plan their family reunion.Photo by David Castro.

August 2009 guamfamily.net

PublisherStephani Ferrara

EditorFaye Varias

Assistant EditorBryan Sualog

ContributorsJackie HansonFaith V. Realica

Janiece A. SablanDenise Rita Santos

Art DirectionTaliea Designworks

ProductionDavid Castro

Advertising SalesStephani FerraraDarrell Pereda

AdministrationTia Camacho

Blesilda Durousseau

PrintingT&T Printing, Hong Kong

ADVERTISING [email protected]@guamfamily.net

Opinions expressed in Guam Family are not necessarily those of the publisher or our advertisers.

SEND COMMENTS TOEditor

GUAM FAMILYP.O. Box 27290

Barrigada, GU 96921E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 671.635.7501 Fax: 671.635.7520

Web site: guamfamily.net

©2009 GUAM FAMILYAll rights reserved.

Owned by Promo Infomedia, Inc.Jerry Roberts, President

4

Publisher’s Note

I recently saw a magnet that read, “PUSH — Pray Until Something Happens.” It stayed with me. When I wake up in the morning, thousands of thoughts swim in my head — meetings with clients, putting out fires, doing things that should have been done the day before. All of these are an everyday occurrence. But as stressful as some of these daily duties can be, I pray to God and remind myself of why I’m doing them and why I continue to push through — for my family.

As exciting as the launch of Guam Family has been, we have, in essence, doubled our work load at Promo Infomedia since its addition and continue to publish Directions, our business magazine. Many of you entre-preneurs understand what I’m talking about when I say running a business is tough, and these economic times aren’t helping much. Add to that raising young children, and there are days when you don’t know right from left. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a wonderful partner that is going through the experience with me: my husband, Allen. He and I just celebrated 15 years of marriage, and though our life together has been great and full of countless blessings, we’ve learned that all relationships require work and extra attention in order to make them successful. Together, we’ve had three beautiful children, two of whom were able to travel off island during the summer to represent Guam in their respective activities. While this opportunity was definitely a blessing, I take my hat off to every parent who has ever had to raise funds for their child’s off-island trip. It sure was not easy. I take comfort in knowing that I’m not alone in these challenges and prayer has helped me get through these challenges. As you read through the pages of Guam Family, I hope that you, too, will take comfort in these stories as they are about you — families going through similar challenges. In hindsight, I’ve come to a greater appreciation for my parents and all they provided for me as a child. I just hope and pray that my kids will appreciate all that we’ve gone through and done for them and that they too will continue to PUSH.

Be Blessed,

S t e p h a n i F e r r a r aP u b l i s h e r

publisher’s note


Whenever my parents get into one of those conversations about our extended family, I never fail to be intrigued by the new things I learn about my own relatives.

I listened to stories about about how my great-grandfather lost his life during the first World War, leaving behind two young children. His brother, also a widower with two children, then married my great-grandmother, Brady Bunch style.

They then had a son, who became a successful investment banker in New York City, schmoozing with movie stars.

I recall meeting my paternal great-great grandmother, whom I shared smoothies with when we visited her in our province in the Philippines. She always asked that I leave my dog with her. Of course, I said no. She passed away on my 5th birthday.

I have an uncle who’s a chef in Las Vegas. Another in Saudi Arabia. And last October, I met one of my baby cousins for the first time.

As the oldest grandchild on my dad’s side, most of my cousins are much younger, and with family spread across the globe, reunions are a chance for me to get to know relatives whom I otherwise wouldn’t have met.

Family reunions established the ties I have with relatives with whom I seldom speak. It also gives me the opportunity to learn about what everyone else is doing.

It makes me sad when I hear of people who don’t talk to their families and don’t make them part of special events in their lives. When I lived in Hawaii for seven years, I missed out on many of these gatherings. And moving back, I had to re-establish my relationship with my brother, who grew from a second-grader to a high-schooler in the time I was gone. You never get those moments back. So put aside all the differences. After all, they’re family.

In line with family reunions, I am very excited about this month’s cover feature about the Quintanilla family reunion. Targeting a guest list of 800, I’m sure this is an event to look forward to. See more about the family’s plans on Page 10.

As much as family can sometimes drive you crazy, it’s important to know your ties and know that there is a familial bond that will always keep you in tact.

Best wishes to the Quintanilla family on their plans, and we hope you send us photos to share in future issues.

P. S . A n y o n e w h o w i s h e s t o s h a r e p h o t o s o f t h e i r s p e c i a l e v e n t s , b i r t h d a y a n n o u n c e m e n t s , f a m i l y r e u n i o n s o r a n y -t h i n g w o r t h s h a r i n g i s w e l c o m e t o s e n d y o u r p h o t o s a n d m e s s a g e s t o e d i t o r @ g u a m f a m i l y. n e t . T h e r e i s n o c h a r g e t o p r i n t y o u r a n n o u n c e m e n t s .

F a y e Va r i a sE d i t o r

6 August 2009 guamfamily.net

Editor’s Noteeditor’s note

C!ngr"#$l"#i!%s t& t'(

Acad)my * O$r Lady * Gu"+

Cl, * 1999 -& c.l./r"te0

1ts 10-2e"r 3)$%i!4 !4 J$ly 18.

familiafamilia

Happy 16th birthday to

and

happy 8th birthday to

!

We love you! From your

family and friends

Happy belated birthday to our niece and nephew, Isabel (July 15) and Jayden Sahagon (June 4)! We love you both so much! Love Auntie Amber, Angie and Bug

Cal Ripken 11-60 Pacific So

uthwest Regional

2009 Third Place Winners

We are so proud of your a

ccomplishment.!

Guam

Family

Message

Board

Talent Box Pulse 2009 scholarship winners, Joe Cruz and Champain Aguon.


Congratulations to the 2009 Guam Cinderella delegation, who competed in Texas and brought home awards for

International Talent Winner, a $1,000 college scholarship, and special talent awards.

Wish that special someone a Happy Birthday or

congratulations by e-mailing his or her photo and a message

to [email protected].

familiafamilia

Congratulations to the John F. Kennedy Class of 1989 who celebrated its 30-year reunion.

John F. Kennedy Class of 1979

Kara

Happy 3rd Birthday to Tamiah Marie, Happy 7th Birthday to Isaiah Nosh and Happy 2nd Birthday to Amya Marie! Love, Daddy

9August 2009 guamfamily.net

Reunion strengthens existing relationships and establishes new bonds between family members.

More than 800 members of the Quintanilla family are expected to attend a family reunion at Nimitz Beach

in Agat this November — the third one this decade. Francisca Quintanilla Franquez said the Quintanilla families from Agat and Santa Rita first started the tradition to keep in touch with their relatives and meet the new members who join their family. Her son, Roland, is one of the event’s organizers.

The Importance of FamilyAs time passes and families get bigger, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of extended relatives. “It’s a time for the younger generation to get to know their roots and meet relatives they never have before,” Francisca said. “When we get together, it’s usually just my immediate family ... there’s a lot. That’s exactly the reason why we need reunions,” said Larry Franquez, another one of Francisca’s sons. Francisca has 12 brothers and sisters. She herself has seven children, 47 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. Francisca’s sister, Olympia Q. Camacho, said she had some difficulty trying to figure out the numbers. Olympia has 10 children, about 30 grandchildren, and about 17 great grandchildren. But she added, even with the number of children she has, “They still get in contact with each other.” Roland said, “Guam is about family. When the family grows and spreads, family connections are disrupted, especially in the changing landscape of our different lifestyles. A family reunion, such as this, provides a venue for connecting and reconnecting with the various branches of the family tree. For the elders, it is an opportunity to reminisce; for the younger generation, it is an opportunity to meet relatives and create new relationships.” The activities planned for this year’s Quintanilla reunion include a tour of the old Sumay cemetery and Naval Station (formerly the village of Sumay) and a reunion mass at the San Juan Bautista Church in Ordot followed by a potluck dinner. The finale is the picnic at Nimitz Beach.

A FamilyBy Bryan C. Sualog

Comes Together


Members of the Quintanilla family play volleyball at a family reunion held in 1983 at Rizal Beach in Agat.

Larry Franquez

Francisca Q. Franquez

Jacia Shimizu

Olympia Q. Camacho


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The Quintanilla family reunion planning committee pose for a photo at one of their meetings at Linda’s Cafe in Hagåtña.


Quintanilla family members mingle at a family reunion held in 1983 at Rizal beach in Agat.

Roland Franquez and his mother, Francisca Q.

Franquez, hold up one of the shirts made for the

Quintanilla family reunion.

Members of the Quintanilla family enjoy some

fiesta-style food at one of the first family reunions

held in 1983.

The planning committee for the Quintanilla family reunion gathers for one of their regular meetings at Linda’s Cafe in Hagatna.

“There will be a huge fiesta-style meal setting,” Roland said. “On stage, we will have entertainment that will include some of the island’s popular bands — each with a member of the Quintanilla clan playing ... one big party to meet and greet family members.”

Home Away From HomeQuintanilla family members living in the states have been invited to the reunion, but not everyone will be able to make it. That, however, doesn’t stop them from having their own mini reunion in the states. Olympia said when her nephew Larry used to live in California, he would visit her daughter Barbara. “They share the same love for music,” she said. “They visit each other and play together and enjoy it. They even call me to share what they have done together.” She added, “Even though my children are thousands of miles away in the good old United States, they realize the closeness they have and share their talents and creativity together.” The Next GenerationWhile the adults are planning this year’s reunion, the next generation is already being prepped to take on the duties in the future. Jacia Shimizu, the granddaughter of one of Francisca and Olympia’s brothers, has been attending family reunion meetings with her mother. She hopes to continue future reunions so the younger generations can learn from the man’amko and know their relatives. “It’s a fresh start every time we have a reunion because there’s always a new baby. There are always people being added to the family,” Jacia said. “Maybe they might make me do the next reunion, so it’s a good start.” The 19-year-old University of Guam student attended two of the previous reunions. “It was really nice, because even though Guam is so small, sometimes I don’t get to see who I’m related to. There may even be people that live next to me, who I didn’t know were my relatives. It’s a good feeling getting to know [my family],” she said.


If you would like to plan your own family

reunion, here are some tips to follow from

www.ehow.com:1. Make a list of family members, including

spouses, partners and children. Get

contact information for all of the people

on your list.2. Choose a date when most people can

attend. Summer months are often ideal

since children are out of school.

3. Decide how long you want the reunion

to last and where to have it. Hold it near

most family members if you’re clustered in

one area. Pick a central location if you’re

scattered.4. Develop a budget and decide how much

each family will need to contribute. Avoid

making costs prohibitively high.

Tips On Planning

A Family Reunion 5. Visit reunion sites and reserve one early.

6. Determine the menu, perhaps one that

celebrates your family’s heritage. Find a

caterer or restaurant that can supply food

for the event.7. Appoint someone to take photographs or

videos during the event.

8. Plan social activities for the reunion —

icebreaker games, sports, contests and

talent shows. Include activities that will

appeal to all ages. Buy prizes for your

games or for distinctions, such as oldest

family member or longest distance traveled

to attend.9. Send an initial mailing to gauge interest

and preferences and to ask for help with

planning. Send invitations later, with

relevant information, directions and a

map. Ask for a check from each family for

its part of the reunion expenses and ask for

an RSVP.


“Educate yourself and don’t

be afraid to ask questions

and know that there are

communities to support you.

There are many outlets on

Guam that provide services

to assist in the needs of parent

and children.”

– Erin Fleming, Teacher,

Tamuning Elementary


Health Spothealth spot

With so many different diseases and developmental disorders to which children are vulnerable, it’s

important to be on top of early signs.

As if there aren’t enough worries that come along with parenthood, diseases and developmental disorders are an important matter about which

parents need to be well-informed. But parents aren’t alone. The good news is day care centers and schools are trained to spot problems and concerns. Then parents may consult their primary care physicians.

Developmental DelaysOne of the biggest concerns parents have is the delay in a child’s targeted developmental stage, such as emotional, physical, speech-related, or hearing-related progress. According to Leah Kahele, program coordinator for Reach For the Stars Learning Center in Agana Heights, children should be able to sit up by themselves by the time they are 9 months old, and by the time they are 12 months old, they should be able to feed themselves and begin talking. “We look for those types of things, and if we notice something wrong with the child, then we recommend that their parents take them to their primary physicians,” she said. Kahele also said the center checks to see if the child makes eye contact with them, especially because infants communicate using non-verbal methods. “We always talk to them or call their names,” she said. “If they do not respond by gesturing toward us, that’s one of the early signs that we look for.”

Emotional SignsErin Fleming, a teacher at Tamuning Elementary School, said some of the signs she looks for in determining emotional development include: • How well does the child interact with his or her peers

and with adults? • Does the child find assignments extremely challenging

or frustrating? • Does the child act out in physical violence, and what

are the triggers? “Some of the signs are very obvious, and others may be difficult to read,” Fleming said. “As a teacher, it is a struggle to constantly be aware of what is going on with our students.” But she said she reviews a student’s cumulative folder, which contains the student’s educational and health history. “This information can be extremely useful in applying previous strategies that worked with the student,” she said. Fleming added that while she was a student at the University of Guam, she didn’t take many courses that focused on developmental disabilities or health issues in a child, but she took it upon herself to learn about the matter. “I thought it was extremely important and necessary to acquire as much information on students with disabilities, especially after my first year of teaching. It should be mandatory that all classes necessary to graduate with a special education major be integrated into any education major.” Fleming said. “Most of my knowledge and background is attributed through my

By Bryan C. Sualog





own personal research, colleague communication and training through professional development.” Kahele said parents should know their child the best and should be the first ones to notice any changes in their child’s behavior. “They should notice if all of a sudden they’re not as active as they usually are or they don’t have their usual personality,” she said.

What to DoIf you believe your child may not be on target with his or her development, don’t be afraid or ashamed to consult your child’s doctor, Kahele said. She added that many parents are ashamed or afraid that the doctor will think they are hypochondriacs if they go to the doctor for every little thing. “You are the parent. You should know, no matter what, that you are trying to do the best for your child,” she said. Kahele also said to bring it to the attention of the child’s day care center or teacher. If he or she notices the same type of behavior, bring it to the doctor’s attention. This ensures there is more than one person who can testify to the situation, Kahele said. The best thing a parent can do is be involved with his or her child, Fleming said. “Educate yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions and know that there are communities to support you,” she said. “There are many outlets on Guam that provide services to assist in the needs of parent and children.” Once a child has been diagnosed with a developmental problem, Fleming said the actions she takes are different with each individual. “It could range from a minor adjustment, such as my instructional strategy for the kinesthetic or visual learner, to an extreme case where I would make a referral to the guidance counselor,” she said. “Teachers would document events and actions taken in a child study team meeting. Recommended and appropriate tests would then be given to the child to determine any disabilities. A behavior management plan is devised to further assist the student’s educational development.” For assistance, parents can consult with organizations, such as the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service, also known as CEDDERS. There are also support groups for parents with children with disabilities. Medical clinics have informational pamphlets, and the Internet can provide further knowledge — if it is from a credible source. “The resources are out there. Parents just have to be involved,” Fleming said.

“If we notice something wrong with the child, then we recommend that their parents take them to their

primary physicians.”– Leah Kahele

Program Coordinator, Reach for the Stars


According to the U.S. Department of Justice, over one million children are reported missing each year. With the help of programs such as Project Kid Care, one of every seven missing children is found as a result of photographs distributed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

parentingparenting

Project Kid Care provides safety IDs for children.

By Faye Varias

20

ProtectYour Child


parentingparenting

Project Kid Care, started in 1995 and approved by the NCMEC, provides registrants with a free identification booklet that includes their child’s photograph and physical description, such as eye and hair color, height and weight. Twice a year, the Agana Shopping Center hosts a community event designed to better protect the island’s children. It is a program used nationwide to combat cases of missing and exploited children. The project provides vital information in the event a child goes missing or is abducted and helps law enforcement officials with easy and rapid access to critical information that will help them better perform their duties in such a situation. According to Lawrence Borja, staff member for the Agana Shopping Center, the program is usually scheduled around June, the beginning of summer, and December, the beginning of holiday vacation. Over the years, a number of other organizations have become part of the event, providing information helpful for families with small children. Among them, officers from the Guam Police Department’s Forensic Science Division come to fingerprint registered children. To obtain more information about Project KidCare, please contact the Agana Shopping Center corporate office at 472-5027/8.

Your Child


What To Do If Your Child Is Missing

a ACT IMMEDIATELYa Search the house checking closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside large appliances, and inside vehicles, including trunks, wherever a child may crawl or hide.a If you still cannot find your child, immediately call the Guam Police Department.a If your child disappears in a store, notify the store

manager or security office. Then immediately call the police. Many stores have a Code Adam plan of action in which employees immediately mobilize to look for the missing child.

a When you call law enforcement, provide your child’s name, date of birth, height, weight,

and any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces. Tell them when you noticed your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing.a Request that your child’s name and identifying information be immediately entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing

Person File.a After you have reported your

child missing to law enforcement, call the National Center for

Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) on our toll-free telephone number: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Or you can use our

Live Hotline to talk to NCMEC through its Web site, http://

www.missingkids.com.

Source: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

parentingparenting

August 2009 guamfamily.net22

The school bell rings signaling the end of another day for students. After receiving their homework assignments and gathering their things, they head out the door — to do what? Instead of having them plop on the couch in front of the tube, enroll them into a program that can enhance their knowledge, skills and character when they step off campus.

Swimming LessonsIf you want to keep your child active, the Agana Swimming Pool offers swimming lessons year round. The lessons are open to children ages 5 and older, and interested individuals can come down to the pool and register. Students meet twice a week with a swimming instructor for four-week sessions. The lessons cover the basics, such as floating, and advance to the point when participants should learn a variety of swimming techniques. Students can bring their own swimming goggles, hair cap, rash guard shirt and sunscreen. The center provides

parentingparenting


A swimming instructor watches over a student as he makes

his way across the Agana Swimming Pool.

Stay Active After School

Instead of becoming a couch potato, some students join extracurricular activities to continue learning beyond the classroom.

By Faith V. Realica

kickboards, life jackets and other necessary equipment. Ring donuts and large beach balls are not allowed into the pool for safety reasons. Allan Ignacio, head lifeguard at the Agana Swimming Pool, said students should take advantage of Guam’s sunny tropical climate while learning a valuable skill. “For starters, it will help them be more aware of their surroundings, especially if they go to the beach,” he said. “It teaches them a little bit about water safety and what to do to help others. We want our kids to at least be aware of what they can or cannot do around water.”

Educational CentersFor students who want some tutoring with classes, Sylvan Learning Center aims to help children succeed with one-to-one instruction and a customized learning plan. “Sylvan is very unique where it is based on a model of tutoring that is a proven research methodology that includes highly qualified teachers,” said Marie Nelson, director of Sylvan Learning Center. She said the program is an excellent way to enhance a student’s knowledge in an environment where he or she receives positive reinforcement. To enroll, prospective students must first take a skills-assessment that starts at $95. There are a variety of courses offered and the monthly tuition starts at $216, with discounts available. Aside from academic assistance, Sylvan also promotes sociability by giving students a few minutes at the end of each class to talk with fellow students.

parentingparenting


Students at the Danzjazz Dance Studio hold their pose after a dance rehearsal.

Reading instructor

Velma Cruz jots down

notes at the Sylvan Learning

Center in Hagatna.

Stay Active After School

Students practice a dance move at

the Danzjazz Dance Studio in Dededo.

parenting


parenting

Dance ClassesFor those who love to dance, Danzjazz Dance Studio caters to both public and private school schedules to prioritize academics. “School is the priority, and dancing and other activities are just an enhancement in order for them to do better in school,” said C’zer Medina, owner of Danzjazz Dance Studio. Students are taught discipline, which is a core factor in dancing. They also learn teamwork by being in groups and are encouraged to be more outgoing. With this, students can build their confidence and boost their self-esteem, Medina said. Lessons are open to children ages 3 years and older and the studio offers jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap, lyrical and ballroom. Participants usually start off with a movement class, which introduces the basics of dance and its technique. In the program, students are categorized into different age groups and levels. However, if students excel, they are moved up. The rates start at $11 per session. There are also a variety of package plans.

Music InstructionIf your would rather play an instrument, American Music Academy offers a professional environment with well-versed instructors ready to teach students in ukulele, piano, drums, flute, brass instruments or vocal instruction. American Music Academy has two studios to conduct their lessons and offers individual and group lessons. For individual lessons, students are instructed for 30 minutes per week at $95 per month. For groups, consisting of 2 to 8 people, students are instructed for 60 minutes at $85 per month per student.

A student wades in the water with his goggles on as a swimming instructor stays by his side.

Swimming students wait at the ledge of the Agana Swimming Pool for instruction.American Music AcademyPhone: 647-6895 or 727-7782Fax: 647-6896E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]: 128A N. Marine Corps Drive, Tamuning

Agana Swimming PoolPhone: 472-8718Location: East O’ Brien Drive (across The Agana Shopping Center)

Danzjazz Dance StudioPhone: 632-3263E-mail: [email protected] site: www.danzjazz.comLocation: ABC Children’s Center, Dededo

Sylvan Learning CenterPhone: 477-0700Fax: 477-5500Location: 866 Rte. 7 Nelson Bldg. #105 Maina Hagatna Web site: www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/guam

For More Informationparentingparenting

The Talent BoxPhone: 475-8269Open Monday-SundayLocated in Maite across Plumeria Garden Hotele-mail: [email protected]


Teaching your children to save can be one of the most important lessons you teach them. “As early as possible, we need to instill the importance of saving money at the earliest stage of one’s life,” said Erwin Perez, director of operations and technology at Citibank. “Children, during their formative years, should already be informed about the value of saving money, [from the use of] words, visuals and activities that they can easily relate to.” These activities will help them pick up on good spending habits that they can carry with them into adulthood, he added.

Storage SavingsA piggy bank isn’t just a cute storage system. It’s a great way to start teaching children how to save. Purchase or make one that your child will enjoy coming

back to. Eleven-year-old Ginelle Pobre said she had an old sewing container since she was 7 years old. From then, she has upgraded to a bigger box to store her savings but still has the money from her old jar. Some department stores sell containers with spiraling chutes and others that light up. Make deposits a fun activity, and the amount will soon add up. Stepping up to using a bank is a jumpstart for kids to familiarize themselves with how a bank works and is a good way to save up for larger expenses in the future. Search for a savings account that suits you and your child. For example, Citibank’s Junior Savings Account is designed to help parents start saving for their child’s future. It also assists children in understanding why the habit of saving is important and how money can grow.

Setting GoalsWith the allowance your children receive, urge them to save a certain percent. Start small and come up with a savings plan, even as little as 25 cents per week. Then create a chart and place it on a wall where they can see it. In no time, they’ll see the savings. When you see your child making an effort to save, regardless of the amount, provide him or her with praise. A few words of encouragement will let your child know that he or she is doing something good.

Want Vs. NeedSeven-year-old Ella Pobre knows the secret to avoid spending at the store. “You just got to ignore the stuff,” she said. With commercials glamorizing new

Teach Your Child to Save

finance

By Faith V. Realica

finance

Money is an important

tool in the world.

Helping your children

learn to manage it is

an excellent habit

to practice.


financefinance

products targeted at children, it’s hard for them not to want what they see on the television screen. Help your child distinguish between want versus need. It’s not uncommon for a child to pick up an item while browsing through the store. If they’re ready to head to the cashier, have them ask themselves questions, such as, “Do I already have one?” “Will I still use it a few years from now?” “Is it in my budget?” If they think twice before handing in their hard-earned money, they can become wiser spenders.

Parents Play A RoleParents are role models to their children in every aspect of their lives — including how they handle their money. If your children see that you are making an effort to save, then they will be more entitled to follow by example. Parents Ramon and Trini Pobre practice saving themselves. They made it a point to teach their three daughters to save at a young age. “Because children emulate their parents and generally follow in their footsteps, the role of parents is very important. They should constantly reinforce the value of saving money not only by verbalizing it to their children, but by practicing it as well,” Perez said.



family tablefamily table

31

In the mad rush to get meals on the table, parents sometimes forget what a joyous activity cooking can be. Its pleasures are not lost on children, who immediately appreciate the process of transforming ingredients. They enjoy the assembling, measuring and chopping tasks that require their deepest concentration, and they like projects that have a beginning (preparation), a middle (messy fun) and an end (happy dinners around the table). If a first attempt at a recipe is a flop, it can be hilarious, but it’s never a disaster. When the kids succeed, it’s an occasion for feeling very good about themselves.Getting your child to feel competent at cooking pays off for everyone. Begin by inviting him or her into the kitchen during an unrushed moment, when there is time to instruct and share responsibilities. Determine your child’s ability, choose a recipe you will both enjoy, then start off with lots of supervision and fun.

THE FLEDGLING CHEFThe Fledgling Chef, usually under age 5 or 6, has never cooked or spent learning time in the kitchen. He still wants to be anywhere his parents are and loves to play at doing “work.” He requires little equipment, other than a sturdy stool and an apron. Bring him into the kitchen even before you have removed the childproof contraptions from the cupboards.

SKILLS TO LEARN: Sifting, washing fresh produce, basic mixing and using a timer

SAFETY RULES•No touching knives or the stove•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.•Always wash your hands before handling food.

SAMPLE KITCHEN PROJECTS: Making peanut butter and jelly

sandwiches, toasted bagels with cream cheese, chocolate milk, root beer floats; mixing and freezing fruit juice popsicles; mashing potatoes; wiping off the counter; and rinsing jars in the sink

Kid CooksBy Janiece A. Sablan


THE CHEF’S APPRENTICEThe Chef’s Apprentice is accustomed to being in the kitchen and is beginning to read. The best way for her to gain cooking knowledge is by helping out and observing. If she can read, she can assist you by reading recipes aloud as you whisk from cupboard to sink. This will help her learn cooking terms. She also can set out the correct amounts for all the recipe ingredients. For the most part, the apprentice can use the same equipment you do, but some tools are best when child-size.

SKILLS TO LEARN: Measuring ingredients, stirring, mixing, beating and folding

SAFETY RULES• No handling knives or using the stove or appliances without

adult supervision• Wash your hands before handling food.

SAMPLE KITCHEN PROJECTS: Beating eggs for French toast or scrambled eggs; measuring and mixing cake, cookie and muffin batters; rolling, cutting out and decorating cookies; mixing dips; blending yogurt and fruit smoothies

THE SOUS CHEFIn a professional kitchen, the sous chef is the person just under the master chef. At home, your young cook can work independently, but will need you nearby to answer questions. Now that he is familiar with basic cooking, he is ready to take on the scary stuff — knives and fire. Caution is a good thing for parents here, but fear is no use at all. Your peace of mind and your child’s success are ensured when you work together and follow serious safety guidelines.

SKILLS TO LEARN: Chopping, dicing and mincing; working at the stove top

SAFETY RULES• No using knives, the stove, or appliances without adult

supervision• When working at the stove, roll up your sleeves and tie back

your hair.• Use a potholder and turn pot handles away from you.• Stir heating ingredients with a wooden spoon and never rest

a utensil in the pot.• Before removing a pot from the heat, clear a spot on the

counter and turn off the stove.• Never work at a stove or with appliances if your hands

are wet.

SAMPLE KITCHEN PROJECTS: Making quesadillas, scrambling eggs, pan-frying hamburgers and hot dogs, chopping vegetables, heating soups, making Jell-O and fruit salad, helping chop, cut and mince ingredients for quiches, sauces and soups

THE MASTER CHEFThe Master Chef knows most cooking terms and probably knows more things that can be done with a microwave than you do. Is there anything the Master Chef can’t do? Well, yes, but she loves to work in the kitchen and does not leave a mess behind. She is ready to master multi-task recipes and nifty cooking tricks.

SKILLS TO LEARN: Using an electric mixer, separating eggs, baking

SAFETY RULES• Review the rules learned in the Sous Chef stage.• Decide (and then discuss) what kitchen techniques, if any,

can be done without a parent present. • Review your family’s procedure in the event of fire, as well

as proper first aid for cuts and burns.

SAMPLE KITCHEN PROJECTS: Making a cake, icing and almost anything an adult can make

www.familyfun.com



Safe & Easy Kitchen Tasks

for Little Fingersn Planning the Meal.

Dinnertime doesn’t have to be a battle over broccoli.

Planning a meal with your kids is a great way to introduce

some healthy ingredients into their favorite foods.

n Washing Fruits and Vegetables

Start your kids’ culinary education with this simple but

important step.n Shredding LettuceKids love working with their hands, so

they might have

so much fun tearing the lettuce that the

y actually eat

the salad!n AssemblingLet your kids stac

k their burgers and sandwiches just

how they like ‘em.n MeasuringTeach your kids how

to measure, and they’ll have mastered

one of the fundamentals of baking.

n Stirring Dry Ingredients

Just make sure their aprons are firmly tied on — you want

your kids to stir the dry ingredients, not wear them.

n Separating EggsWhat child doesn’t r

elish the opportunity to get their

hands gooey?n WhiskingThis job can be toug

h on little arms, but it’s a great way

to teach older kids one of the trickie

r techniques of the

kitchen.n Frosting a CakeEncourage your kid

s to come up with their own frosting

designs.n TastingThe best part! See what your kids think

of their culinary

creations and get some insight into their personal

tastes.


Date Night

By Janiece A. Sablan

f you’re like me, you have a love-hate relationship with the concept of “parents’

night out,” also known as “date night.” I love the idea of spending time with my hus-band without the minute-to-minute interrup-tions that occur with five young children. But I don’t look forward to all the work re-quired to make this date actually happen. Is all the angst worth the few golden nuggets of time with your spouse? You bet! But it takes some real planning to make it happen.

I


time out for mommy and daddytime out for mommy and daddy

“We make time to be alone together when Sadie is

at school. We’ll have breakfast or lunch together or

even skip out from work to catch a movie.”

If you break down the plan, there are actually three things that need to be considered: child care, finances and logistics. If you are fortunate enough to have a family member who is willing to sit for you, great! If not, you will have to find a trustworthy sitter. I am fortunate that my son’s pre-school offers a “Parents’ Night Out” once or twice a week. But for some people, finding a sitter is a huge stop sign in the process. Don’t give up though. Just get creative. A responsi-ble teenager who lives in your neigh-borhood, other parents who may con-sider swapping a favor, or your child’s daytime caregiver are all options for an occasional evening out. This leads to the next item: financ-es. You may have to pay someone to care for your little dumplings while you are out. When I break down and get a sitter, I pay $6 an hour, and she usually stays for three to four hours. If I use the service at my son’s preschool, I pay $10 for each child for up to five



hours of care. At home, my kids usually end up watching television and leaving a huge mess for me to deal with when I get home. At the preschool, the kids enjoy several planned activities, including crafts and games. With child care costs nearing $50 added to the cost of dinner, a movie or whatever we plan to do on our date, this ends up being a nice chunk of change — yet another reason we don’t indulge in this opportu-nity more often. Finally, logistics for each of us is unique. For a nurs-ing mom, getting out for an hour is a luxury. For working parents, the guilt of not spending time with the kids is an issue. For me, I am just a perpetual excuse maker. With my first child, it was, “No one can care for my baby like I do!” After a few more children, I was just too darn tired and wanted someone to tuck me into bed. When little number five came along, I laughed at the prospect of having to hire more than one person to babysit. I am one of those moms who accepts my four-nights-out-a-year destiny with a yawn and a smile.

For some, it just seems natural, almost ritu-alistic to leave little Tara or Thomas with grandma once a week and head out for a fun-filled evening for two. Susan and Rich-ard Gutierrez of Dededo hit their post-parenting date night stride easily after they had their daughter Sadie who is now 6 years old. “It’s important to have date night because it’s like rekindling the ro-mance we had before we had Sadie. It’s great to be reminded of what brought us together in the first place,” Susan said. Ironically, date night doesn’t actually have to occur at night. Susan explained that she and Richard get creative about alone time. “We make time to be alone together when Sadie is at school. We’ll have breakfast or lunch together or even skip out from work to catch a movie.” (Dis-claimer: Richard owns his own company, so skipping out is okay. Susan’s bosses, please disregard that statement). She added, “Grandma is always an option if we want to go have some drinks during

happy hour.” The Gutierrezes have built into their weekly schedules at least one date a week and have stuck to the plan for six years. Inspiring! Another logistical item that must be addressed is, “Where will we go?” Parenting magazines and mommy blogs are filled with economical ideas for cool dates. My favorites include: dinner and a movie at home while the kids are out, taking a drive and talking, going out to an actual movie after eating at home, and my “big family” all-time favorite, strolling through the isles of K-Mart hold-ing hands — without two kids in the cart, two hanging off the sides of the cart and one insisting on pushing the cart, usually into the heels of an elderly lady up ahead. I used to joke with my husband that we should re-introduce ourselves when the kids are all grown. That was funny until I realized that I will be heading into my senior citizen years when my youngest child turns 18. So why wait? I’m taking advantage of my day care’s next “Parents’ Night Out.”

I am fortunate that my

son’s preschool offers a “Parents’ Night Out”

once or twice a week.

But for some people,

finding a sitter is a huge stop sign in the process.



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calendar of eventscalendar of events

11th Annual Fisherman’s Festival


Agat Santa Rosa Fiesta Celebration

August 2009 1

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fri sat


Calendar of Events in August

39

calendar of eventscalendar of events

Tamuning St. Victor Fiesta Celebration

Mount Tenjo Boonie Stomp

Port of Mocha Coffee House 5K Run/Walk

August 1 and 2:• Tamuning St. Victor Fiesta Celebration

August 1• Mount Tenjo Boonie Stomp with the Guam Boonie Stompers. 9 a.m.

Chamorro Village Center Court. For information, call 653-2897.

• Port of Mocha Coffee House 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation & Soroptimist International of the Marianas. For

more information, call 647-2430.

August 8 and 9• Piti Assumption of Our Lady Fiesta Celebration

August 8• Guam Animals In Need I Love Boonies 5K for people and pets. Visit

Hornet Sporting Goods to register.

• Pagat Special Boonie Stomp with the Guam Boonie Stompers. 9 a.m.

Chamorro Village Center Court. For information, call 653-2897.

• 5th Annual Marianas Spear Fishing Challenge

August 9• 11th Annual Fisherman’s Festival

August 15• Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross High Heel-a-Thon in

partnership with Macy’s Guam. For more information, call 472-6217.

• 37th Tumon Beach Run 5.5m

• Geus River & Mount Finansanta Boonie Stomp with the Guam Boonie Stompers. 9 a.m. Chamorro Village Center Court. For more

information, call 653-2897. August 15 and 16• Barrigada San Roke Fiesta Celebration

• 14th Annual Guam Marianas International Fishing Derby

August 21• Guam Animals In Need 20th Anniversary Whiskerade Party at the

Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. Call 929-2839 for information.

August 22• Waterfall Valley Boonie Stomp with the Guam Boonie Stompers.

9 a.m. Chamorro Village Center Court. For more information, call

653-2897.

August 22 and 23• Agat Santa Rosa Fiesta Celebration

August 29• Mangilao Golf Club 5K Fun Run

• Tarzan Falls or Tarzan Falls to Lower Sigua Falls Boonie Stomp with the Guam Boonie Stompers. 9 a.m. Chamorro Village Center Court.

For more information, call 653-2897.

August 29 and 30• Canada Barrigada San Ramon Fiesta Celebration

If you’d like to place your special event or sports activity on our calendar, e-mail us at [email protected].

Don’t miss out on the fun this month!

Piti Assumption of Our Lady Fiesta

Guam Animals In Need I Love Boonies 5K

Pagat Special Boonie Stomp

5th Annual Marianas Spear Fishing Chal-lenge

Barrigada San Roke Fiesta Celebration

American Red Cross High Heel-a-Thon

37th Tumon Beach Run 5.5m

Geus River & Mount Fi-nansanta Boonie Stomp

14th Annual Guam Marianas International Fishing Derby

Guam Animals In Need 20th Anniver-sary Whiskerade Party

Waterfall Valley Boonie Stomp

Agat Santa Rosa Fiesta Celebration

Tarzan Falls or Tarzan Falls to Lower Sigua Falls Boonie Stomp

Canada Barrigada San Ramon Fiesta Celebration


centerstage

did you know...

The idea of joining a pageant had not even entered Davilynn Perez’s mind before it was suggested by her sister, Gloriana. But the 17-year-old Academy of Our Lady of Guam student did — and won. “[My sister] thought it would be a great opportunity,” Perez said. “I was shocked [when I won]. I joined the pageant to have fun, make new friends and build my self-confidence. ... It felt good to know that I won just for being myself and using the resources I already had.”

By Faye Varias

Hula dancer takes the

glass slipper and wins

Cinderella pageant,

representing Guam

in Texas.

Davi lynn ’s fu l l name is Davi lynn Atanasha Salas Perez , and she just turned 17 on June 23. She is the daughter of David T. Perez Jr . and Teresi ta S . Perez and has four s isters: Glor iana Guerrero , Yvonne Mansapi t , Yvet te Guzman and Veronica Reyes .

centerstage

Davilynn Perez


The soon-to-be high school senior said one of the challenges she faced during the local pageant was managing her busy schedule. “During the time of the pageant, I was also preparing for confirmation and taking dance classes,” she said. “I found myself sacrificing one thing for the other or showing up late on occasion. The experience of the pageant was worth the challenge.” On top of juggling her extracurricular activities, she also battled nerves, unsure of what to expect with the pageant. “But with each event that passed, the nerves kind of subsided, and I found myself feeling more comfortable on stage,” Perez said. She credits the support of her family and friends and number one fan, her niece Phoebe, for helping her through the process. “Their advice and encouragement were truly what got me through the competition.” Though Perez won in her age group, she said there is always room for improvement and is always open to advice, especially from pageant coordinator Karina Dolorin. Perez represented Guam in the 2009

Cinderella International Pageant in Texas in July and felt that, being from Guam, she had something unique to offer. “I think what is the most interesting thing about me is that ... I truly live by the morals and values that my parents have instilled in me. I also stand up for what I believe is right.” She said her advice for other people who plan to compete is just to go out there and be yourself. “Have fun and don’t worry about your competition,” she said. In the coming years she said she’s open to joining more pageants in the future, possibly Miss Guam Universe in 2010. For now, she enjoys simpler hobbies, such as hula dancing and reading and spending time with her friends and family. Perez added, “I would like to thank all those who truly supported me throughout the pageant. I would especially like to thank my parents, David and Terry Perez, for their constant support and guidance. I would also like to thank my sister Gloriana and her husband, Pete, for their encouragement and assistance in preparing for and during the pageant. My many thanks also go out to my siblings,

Yvonne, Yvette, and Veronica and also to my grandmother, Glorina Perez. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my close friends, Gabe, Keani, Jess and Herb, for always being there for me.”

If you’d like to recommend a student who is making a difference, e-mail:

[email protected].

centerstagecenterstage

For Children:Acting/ModelingHula/TahitianTippy toes BalletHip-Hop/Creative DanceJiu jitsu/Little DragonsYour Baby can READKindermusik/Sign LanguageJump Rope/TheatreAfter School Tutoring

For Teenagers and Adults:ASVAB/GED PrepWomen’s HulaWomen’s TahitianWomen’s Belly DancingSalsa, Meringue, Cha-ChaHip-HopWomen’s Self Defense

Expand your Talents Today!Studio Hours: 7:30am-6:30pmOffice Hours: 2pm-6pmPhone: 475-8269Open Monday-SundayLocated in Maite across Plumeria Garden Hotele-mail: [email protected]

“I joined the pageant to have fun, make new friends

and build my self-confidence. It felt good to know that I

won just for being myself and using the resources

I already had.”— Davilynn Perez

Find your way through the maze.


L! the fun begin!

Find the Twins


Arabic Shoukran

Cambodian Orkun

Chamorro Si Yu’us Ma’ase

Chinese (Cantonese) Doh je

Chinese (Mandarin) Xie-xie

Czech Dekuju

Danish Tak

Dutch Dank je wel

Farsi Motshakayram

Finnish Kiitos paljo

French Merci beaucoups

Gaelic Go raibh maith agat

German Danke schön

Greek Evkaristo

Gujarati Abhar

Hawaiian Mahalo

Hebrew Toda raba

Hindi Shoukriah

Icelandic Takk

Italian Grazie

Japanese Domo arigato

Korean Kamsu hamnida

Laotian Kob chie

Latvian Paldies

Lithuanian Attyu

Malay Terima kasih

Mongolian Vayarla

Norwegian Tak

Filipino (Tagalog) Salamat

Polish Dziekuje bardzo

Portuguese Obrigado

Romanian Multimesk

Russian Spasibo

Somali Mahadsanid

Spanish Muchas gracias

Swahili Asante sana

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Back to SchoolSearch through the letters

for the words below.


Pet of the Month

Jilly is a Rottweiler mix that has been given a second chance through GAIN’s 2nd Chance Boonie Rescue program. She was found as a malnourished and sickly puppy at Marbo Cave and was brought to superb health by one of our GAIN volunteers and is ready for a new home.

Her ideal family would have older children and no other dogs, for she loves attention all to herself.

If you know anyone who would like to adopt Jilly, please contact GAIN at 653-GAIN (4246) or e-mail [email protected].

Meet Jilly

August 2009 guamfamily.net 45

Have a recipe you’d like to

share? E-mail high-resolution

photos, ingredients and

instructions to editor@

guamfamily.net, and you

may be published in the next

edition of Kusina in Guam

Family!

Cappuccino Delight

by Denise Rita Santos

1 box chocolate cake mix1 cup hot cappuccino coffee 2 tsp. instant coffee_ cup sugar2 - 8 oz. packages of cream cheese 1 box vanilla instant pudding 1 cup sour cream1 - 16 oz. Cool Whip2 cups chocolate chip morsels (chopped)Optional: 2 cups of pecans

Directions:1. Mix hot cappuccino together with instant coffee and sugar. Set aside.2. Prepare cake mix for baking as directed. Add _ cup cappuccino mixture with cake mix before baking and stir well. Bake as directed and let cool before cutting into one-inch squares.3. As you wait for cake to be ready, prepare filling by beating cream cheese until smooth then add remaining _ cup cappuccino mixture and blend well.4. Prepare vanilla pudding as directed, using skim milk. 5. Fold in sour cream, Cool Whip, and pud-ding. Add chopped chocolate chips.6. Prepare clear bowl for layering and alter-nate layers with cake squares and filling.7. Refrigerate for at least two hours and serve.

From Our Kitchen

to Yours

8 manicotti shell noodles3 cups ricotta cheese3 egg yolks1 cup chopped cilantro _ cup rosemary_ cup minced garlicSea salt to flavor2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated2 cups parmesan cheese, grated2 cups frozen spinach 1 - 8 oz. mushroom spaghetti sauce

Directions:1. Boil a pot of water and cook manicotti noodles with salt for flavor. Let cool and set aside.2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.3. Squeeze excess water from spinach and mix together with ricotta, egg yolks, cilantro, rosemary, garlic and salt.4. Glaze baking pan with olive oil.5. Stuff manicotti shells with mixture and align on baking pan. 6. Spoon spaghetti sauce over stuffed manicotti and top with grated mozzarella and parmesan cheese.7. Bake for 30 minutes and serve.

KusinaKusina

Stuffed Spinach Manicotti


sneak peeksneak peek

Telecom - Keeping in touch with yourfamily is easier now, but why is there a communication breakdown?

Big Families - Jon and Kate, 17 and Counting, what is the fascination with big families?

In Our Regular Departments:Dealing with AllergiesDoes Your Child Know How to Be a Good Friend?Balancing School and Teen LifeFun Party Favorsand MORE!

Coming Next Month!

ANSWERS The twins are 2 & 6


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