4 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

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Guam’s history is shaped by more than three cen-turies under Spanish, U.S. and Japanese control.The Spanish laid claim to the island, but the is-

land was ceded to the United States in 1898. In 1941 theJapanese invaded and occupied the island until U.S. forcesretook it three years later toward the end of World War II.All these influences have contributed to the diverse andcolorful culture found here.

l Geographic coordinates: 13°28’ N, 144°47’ E.l Capital: Hagåtñal Territorial bird: Ko’ko — Guam Rail, a native flight-

less bird.l Territorial tree: Ifit, a dense, reddish hardwood.l Climate: Tropical marine; generally warm and

humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry seasonfrom January to June, rainy season from July to Decem-ber; little seasonal temperature variation.

l Coolest months: January to February.lWettest months: July to October.l Humidity: Averages between 72 and 86 percent.l Terrain: Volcanic in origin, surrounded by coral

reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (sourceof most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and nar-row coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center;mountains in south.

l Time: One hour behind UTC plus 11 hours; Twohours behind UTC plus 12 hours. Guam lies west of theInternational Dateline and is one day ahead of Hawaiiand the continental United States. It is the westernmostU.S. territory. “Where America’s day begins” is a popularsaying.

l Indigenous population: Chamorrol Currency: U.S. dollar

War historySpain ceded Guam to the United States as part of the

Treaty of Paris following the Spanish-American War in1898. Guam was placed under the administration of theDepartment of the Navy and was used primarily as a coal-ing and communication station. That ended in 1941, whenthe island was invaded and conquered by Japan shortlyafter Pearl Harbor was bombed.The island was officially surrendered to the Japanese on

Dec. 10, 1941. The occupation ofGuam lasted for 31 months, until theUnited States liberated the island onJuly 21, 1944.

Liberation DayOn July 21, 1944 — celebrated on

Guam as Liberation Day — Ameri-can forces landed on the beaches ofGuam, beginning the battle to retakethe island and restore freedom andreturn democracy to the island andit’s people. Every year the people ofthe Island take great pride in cele-brating Liberation. There is a car-nival, packed with games and all sorts offood. It’s the perfect outing for a night with the family.The parade is also an amazing spectacle. All villages,many government agencies, private businesses and otherorganizations take great pride in constructing floats thatshowcase what is important to them.

5Maila Halom | A guide to living on GuamOur island

Real EstateMaila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

Now that you’ve moved to a newplace, you’ll want to find ahome that’s right for you. Here

are some key tips when you’re lookingfor a home on Guam:

PrioritizeIdentify and prioritize what you are

looking for. For example, let your realtorknow what you value most: a central-lo-cation, proximity to work, a reasonableprice, comfort, safety, family, friendly,etc. Your realtor will narrow down yourlist for you and select the top choices ac-cording to your interests so you won’thave to look at more than five to 10places.

Drive AroundExplore neighborhoods to discover

“for rent” signs besides what’s listed withrealtors. Driving around also helps youspot issues before you move in - such aspacks of stray dogs, heaps of uncollectedtrash and whether the area becomes apool during heavy rains.

Ask AroundChances are a co-worker, someone

working at a village mayor’s office orpeople yo meet at church or a barbecuemight know a friend or a relative who hasa home for rent.

Air conditioningBecause most Guam homes are made

of concrete, having air conditioning is amust if you want to be comfortable. If arental has older zircon units, be preparedfor high power bills. The newer, splitunits are quieter and can save you someelectricity costs.

StormIf at all possible, choose a home with

windows that are equipped with stormshutters. Guam storms can shake con-crete homes, so when one of those supertyphoons come this way, you’ll be thank-ful your windows have sturdy shutters.

Watch out for scamsWhen looking for rental units online,

be careful of scams. If a potential land-lord asks for a deposit before you get achance to see the unit or home in person,be aware that this is a hoax. The best wayto find a place to live is through a real es-tate agent or word of mouth.

Learnmore

l Guam Associ-ation of Real-tors: 477-4271

l The GuamAssociation ofRealtors Website:www.guamreal-tors.com

l The PacificDaily News on-line:www.guampdn.com; the paper’sclassifieds are agreat takeoffpoint for yoursearch

6

Employment7Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

Finding a job on Guam can make you feellost if you’re new to the island and don’thave personal connections.

Without friends and family who may be able torefer you to a possible job lead, start with the In-ternet. There are at least four reputable sites thatyou can start with that will help you connect withan employer.

The Pacific Daily News jobs finder service on-line, http://www.guampdn.com/guampublish-ing/jobfinder/index.html; the Guam Departmentof Labor’s job finder service, http://guam.us.jobs/;the U.S. government’s www.usajobs.gov; andguamjobsonline.com can be your starting point.

Before you send your resume to an employer,however, check what’s being said on the Internetabout you through social networking sites and on-line in general. Human resource managers advisethat you need to be prepared for questions thatmay come up if unflattering images or posts aboutyou come up.

Also make the time to go to theGuam Department of Labor’s One-Stop Career Center so your name canbe placed on a list of jobseekers andso your resume can be available to apotential employer match.

The One-Stop Center can matchyou with a potential employer, andany employer seeking to hire a foreignworker is required to ensure, throughthe local labor department, that therearen’t local workers qualified for thejob.

One important thing to keep inmind when trying to get a job onGuam: With the jobless rate at 13 per-

cent when surveyed in March 2013, employers arelikely to have the upper hand.

So if you find a job that may suit your qualifi-cations, act quickly.

If your applications aren’t yielding success, vol-unteer with the various nonprofits that can helpyou make friends, connections and earn referrals.

And while waiting for job leads to materialize,invest if you can in enhancing your skills, either byattending classes or gaining job-specific trades orattending workshops and seminars.

Some of the training and education programs onGuam might even pay for your school or trainingif you’re on welfare, if you’re a senior citizen, orif you’re open to an apprenticeship program.

Pick up the phone, pound the pavement, makefriends and be involved in the community.

The more you show you’re willing to be an ac-tive part of the local community, the betterchances you’ll get to land your first Guam job.

l Guam Department ofLabor jobs site:http://guam.us.jobs/

l Federal governmentjobs site: https://www.usajobs.gov/

l Pacific Daily Newsjobs finder:http://www.guampdn.com/guampublishing/jobfinder/index.html

l http://www.guamjob-sonline.com/

Tips to get ahead

l Gain experience andtraining for more typesof jobs.

l Use more job searchtechniques, includingnetworking, print andonline job ads and ap-plications.

l Be flexible on thetypes of jobs, locationsand hours of work. Anot-so-dream job mayopen other career pathsnot previously consid-ered.

l Dress professionally,even if you’re only stop-ping by at a human re-sources office to pick upan application.

l Be truthful when an-swering questions onemployment applica-tions.

l Look up what infor-mation is out there on-line about you, includingon social media. Embar-rassing posts can costyou your chance at ajob.

l Volunteer with com-munity organizations.You may get to knowsomeone who can rec-ommend you for a jobas you volunteer.

Sources: Chief Econo-mist Gary Hiles, GuamDepartment of Labor; Pacific Daily News files

Get training,Educationl GCA Trades Acad-emy: http://gcatrade-sacademy.org/

l Guam CommunityCollege:www.guamcc.edu/ University of Guam:www.uog.edu

Job hunting online

8 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

E xp lore Gu a m !

Tel: 6 4 6 -1710 • F a x: 6 4 9-3 25 3 P.O. Box 6 098, Ta m u n in g, Gu a m 96 93 1

LIMTIACO AUTO LUBE

FULL SERVICE OIL CHANGE Tel: 472-8705

OPEN 8am-5pm Monday - Saturday

Quick & Complete Service While You Wait

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

OPEN 8am-5pm Mon-Sat 201 Dulce Nombre de Maria Dr., Hagatna

• In-depth reporting on issues affecting the island’s economy

• Profiles of local executives and business owners, celebrating their successes as well as lessons they’ve learned

• Analysis by experts on real estate, tourism, banking, construction and other sectors of the economy

• A wealth of data, including business license applications, building permits, bankruptcies, visitor arrivals, and federal contracting opportunities

Don ’t m iss this valu able busin ess publica tion each m on th.

To subscribe to the Pacific M arketplace Electron ic Edition ,

go to PacificM arketPlace.n et

9Maila Halom | A guide to living on GuamTelecommunications

Advances in technology forphone, online and TV serviceshave led to more and better

choices for consumers on Guam.One of the most attractive features of-

fered by some of the island’s communi-cation companies are bundled packages.Residents can choose to have multiple

services such as television, cellular phoneservice, Internet and landline phones allon one bill.With Guam’s media and telecom com-

panies embracing faster and multi-faceted platforms, consumers have plentyof options for services and pricing.

GUAM TELECOMCOMPANIES

DOCOMO PACIFICPhone: 688-2273 Online: www.docomopacific.com/

GTAPhone: 644-4482Online:

iConnect Phone: 888-8888Online: http://iconnectguam.com/

IT&E GuamPhone: 922-4483 Online: http://www2.ite.net

TO LEARN MOREl The Federal Communications Commis-

sion offers a guide on how to read yourphone bill. If you have a complaint relatedto your phone bill, you can file a complaintusing an FCC , by logging on towww.fcc.gov/complaints. You can also fileyour complaint with the FCC’s ConsumerCenter by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322).

10 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

OnGuam, getting around isn’t aseasy or practical as hopping on

to the next available public bus, or taxi.And walking to and around the business

and commercial districts can be a safetyrisk without sidewalks in some areas andwith crosswalks miles apart in someplaces. Guam also has limited bike lanes,and sudden rain might make biking to worka challenging daily routine.With Guam’s mass transit system need-

ing improvements on routes, frequency andreliability, chances are you’ll be late for ajob interview if you rely on it. So to go on a job hunt, and to keep your

job when you do get one, you’ll need a caror find someone who’s willing to car-pool.Some employers require that you have

your own car as a condition to accepting ajob offer.If you’re on a budget and don’t have es-

tablished job and credit history to qualifyfor a car loan, your best bet is to scour clas-sified ads, such as on www.guampdn.com.In addition, you’ll see, along Marine CorpsDrive, some of the used-car car lots. Onless-traveled but still busy roads, such asRoutes 8, 10 and 16, you may also findparked cars being sold by individual vehi-cle owners.

Driving your first Guam car meansyou’ll need to know how to get a Guam dri-ver’s license, get your car insured and reg-ister the vehicle.

Getting a Guam driver’s license

Stop by the Guam Department of Rev-enue and Taxation along Route 16 in Bar-rigada, which is open weekdays, exceptduring holidays. Also check out the department online if

you qualify to schedule an appointment.Go to https://realid.drt.guam.gov/Sched-uleApplication/ScheduleApplication.aspx.Make sure you have a working printer soyou’ll have a printout to show to the de-partment’s driver’s license application deskon your appointment date. You might need to take a written driver’s

test, a road test, or both – depending onwhether you’ve had a previous driver’s li-cense and whether it was issued in theUnited States or from a foreign land. It’sbest to call the department at 635-7699 orstop by the department’s office.Getting a driver’s license for the first

time can take weeks to months. It will bemuch quicker if you have a U.S.-issued dri-

ver’s license.

Getting your car registered

Getting a driver’s license is a pre-requi-site to getting your car insured before it canbe registered. The department lists accred-ited vehicle insurance companies on thissite, •https://www.myguamtax.com/help/par-

ticipating_insurance.html.In addition to having your vehicle is in-

sured, the vehicle must pass a safety in-spection before you go to the department’sMotor Vehicle Division. Go tohttps://www.myguamtax.com/help/partici-pating_inspection.html for a list of autoshops that are authorized to conduct vehi-cle safety inspections.

Speed limit: 15 to 35 mph

After clearing the driver’s license andvehicle registration process, know that themaximum speed limit for cars and trucksare 35 mph on Guam’s main roads,15 mphin residential areas; and 15 to 25 mph inschool zones, according to the GovernorsHighway Safety Administration.

Driver’s license, vehicle registration

lWhere to go: Guam Depart-ment of Revenue and Taxation,Route 16 in Barrigada, near theAirport Road overpass/underpassintersection

l Hours: Monday through Fri-day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except localand some federal holidays

l Phone: 635-1761/1762

l Online: myguamtax.com

Transportation

Utilities11Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

Residents will need to register in per-son at their mayor’s office or at the officesof the Solid Waste Management Divisionduring working hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. onweekdays. Registered customers will receive a

new 96-gallon covered rolling trash cart,delivered to their homes. This cart shouldbe large enough for a week’s worth ofhousehold trash for most families, espe-cially if they recycle. Trash is collectedweekly.With the new recycling program, resi-

dents also receive a 96-gallon cart at nocost. Pick-up for the recycling cart is onthe same day as your trash pick-up, eitherthe first and third week of the month orthe second and fourth week of the month.If you move to your new home before

the registration period begins in your vil-lage or after it has occurred, please visitthe SWMD offices to register for collec-tion services. Please bring a valid driver’slicense or photo identification.There is no registration fee – only the

monthly fee of $30.38.

When moving into a new home, hooking up utilities is something at the top of your to do list. But be-fore traveling to each of the necessary offices, make sure you have everything you need so you don’thave to make multiple trips. One thing you need to sign up for any Guam utility or municipal water

service is proof of your new residence. This can come in the form of a property deed or mortgage agreement. Ifrenting, bring along a proof of lease arrangement accompanied by a current landlord’s authorization for utilityservices. It is also a good idea to have photo identification with you when applying for any new utility service.

As with other utilities, homeownerswill need proof of ownership; and renters,proof of lease with current landlord au-thorization.Applicants can download applications

at www.guampowerauthority.com, butmust visit the Harmon offices from 7 a.m.to 5 p.m. or Hagåtña offices from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. to submit necessary paperwork.New GPA applicants can contact the

Authority’s Customer Services Call Cen-ter: 647-5787/8/9.

Same day service is available for an ad-ditional $9. GPA also offers Billpay, which allows

you to pay your electrical utility accountsonline. Billpay requires online registra-tion.GPA customers can also pay by phone

without any registration needed.Customers will also be able to track

their usage on GPA’s new e-Portal thepower agency is rolling out this year atwww.myenergyguam.com.

If you want to get water hooked up andyou are renting, you need to provide leaseagreement, written landlord authoriza-tion, ID, a service map location and a $52deposit. For homeowners that need newwater hookup a proof of ownership willsuffice.New customers should come to the

Tumon office to hook up water or the Ju-lale Center in Agana. The documents canalso be e-mailed to customer service at

customer@guamwaterworks.orgNew hookups take three to five busi-

ness days.If you bill says “Due Now” please pay

immediately at the Tumon office.GWA customer service can be reached

at 647-7800/03 or visit www.guamwater-works.org To report water leaks please call

GWA’s 24-hour hotline at 646-4211

Guam Power Authority

Guam Waterworks Authority

Trash pickup

12 Maila Halom | A guide to living on GuamEducation

Public Schools

Guam Department of Education Website: http://www.gdoe.net

Elementary Schools

Adacao Elementary SchoolPhone: 300-6500/1035Mascot: The HilitaiWebsite: http://adacaoelemen-taryschool.weebly.com/

Agana Heights Elementary SchoolPhone: 477-5798/8040/8340Mascot: Bumble BeesWebsite: http://aganaheightselemen-taryschool.weebly.com/

Astumbo Elementary SchoolPhone: 635-4363Mascot: ButterfliesWebsite: http://astumboelementary.wee-bly.com/

B.P. Carbullido Elementary SchoolPhone: 734-4341Mascot: Ko’ko’ BirdWebsite: https://sites.google.com/site/car-bullidoelementary/

Capt. H.B. Price Elementary SchoolPhone: 734-2159Mascot: LancherosWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/schools/home/price

Chief Brodie Elementary SchoolPhone: 647-4536/4554/4444Mascot: Busy BeesWebsite:http://cbmesbusybees.weebly.com/

C.L. Taitano Elementary SchoolPhone: 472-4245/300-4643/44/45Mascot: DeerlingWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/cltai-tano/

D.L. Perez Elementary SchoolPhone: 653-2646/0404Mascot: Friendly FanihiWebsite: http://mrfanihi.com/

Finegayan Elementary SchoolPhone: 632-9361Mascot: GuihanWebsite: http://finelementary.weebly.com/

H.S. Truman Elementary SchoolPhone: 565-5195Mascot: Golden Eagles

Inarajan Elementary SchoolPhone: 828-8641/2Mascot: ChiefsWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/inara-jan-elementary/

J.M. Guerrero Elementary SchoolPhone: 632-1540Mascot: DolphinsWebsite: http://juanmguerrero12-13.wix.com/school-website

J.Q. San Miguel Elementary SchoolPhone: 477-9368/70/1Mascot: EaglesWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/jqsm/

L.B. Johnston Elementary SchoolPhone: 646-5046/49Mascot: AngelsWebsite: http://lbjelementary.weebly.com/

Liguan Elementary SchoolPhone: 300-1680Mascot: SiheksWebsite:http://www.liguanelemschool.hostoi.com

M.A. Sablan Elementary SchoolPhone: 565-2238/2946Mascot: StarsWebsite: masesguam.weebly.com

M.A. Ulloa Elementary SchoolPhone: 632-5176/8090Mascot: CarabaosWebsite:http://mauelementaryschool.weebly.com/

M.U. Lujan Elementary SchoolPhone: 789-1535Mascot: DragonsWebsite: http://mulujanelemen-taryschool.weebly.com/

Machananao Elementary SchoolPhone: 635-4381/2Mascot: MarlinsWebsite: http://machananaoelemen-taryschool.weebly.com/

Merizo Martyrs Memorial SchoolPhone: 828-8779/8680Mascot: DolphinsWebsite: http://mmmsguam.weebly.com/

Ordot-chalan Pago Elementary SchoolPhone: 477-9645, 472-4687Mascot: AntsWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/ordot-chalan-pago-elementary/

P.C. Lujan Elementary SchoolPhone: 734-3971Mascot: SatellitesWebsite:http://www.pclujanelementary.com/

Talofofo Elementary SchoolPhone: 789-1171Mascot: TigersWebsite: http://talofofoelem.wix.com/talo-fofo-elem-school

n continued on next page

13Maila Halom | A guide to living on GuamEducation

Tamuning Elementary SchoolPhone: 646-8058Mascot: WhalesWebsite: http://www.tamesguam.com/

Upi Elementary SchoolPhone: 633-1382/74, 653-1371/2Mascot: Tot TotWebsite: http://upielementaryschool.weebly.com/

Wettengel Elementary SchoolPhone: 632-7770Mascot: BinaduWebsite: http://wettengelelemen-taryschool.weebly.com/

Middle Schools

Agueda I. Johnston Middle SchoolPhone: 472-6785Mascot: PiratesWebsite: http://www.aijms.net/

Astumbo Middle SchoolPhone: 300-2610Mascot: Dragons

F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle SchoolPhone: 653-2080Mascot: HawksWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/fb-leon-guerrero-middle-school/

Inarajan Middle SchoolPhone: 475-0673/4/475-0668/0462Mascot: WarriorsWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/fb-leon-guerrero-middle-school/

Jose Rios Middle SchoolPhone: 475-2426Mascot: VoyagersWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/jrms/

Luis P. Untalan Middle SchoolPhone: 735-1300/300-2726Mascot: WildcatsWebsite: http://www.gdoe.net/ums/

Oceanview Middle SchoolPhone: 565-2961Mascot: Knights

V.S.A. Benavente Middle SchoolPhone: 632-5647Mascot: RoadrunnersWebsite: http://vsabms.weebly.com/

High Schools

George Washington High SchoolPhone: 734-29112Mascot: GeckosWebsite: http://gwhs-guam.weebly.com/

J.P. Torres Alternative SchoolPhone: 565-5291Website:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/jptas/

John F. Kennedy High SchoolPhone: 642-2100Mascot: IslandersWebsite: http://www.jfkislanders.com/

Okkodo High SchoolPhone: 300-1870, 635-1176Mascot: BulldogsWebsite:http://www.okkodohighschool.com/

Simon Sanchez High SchoolPhone: 653-2313/3625Mascot: SharksWebsite: http://simonsanchez.org/

Southern High SchoolPhone: 479-2103/300-4945Mascot: DolphinsWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/southern-high-school/

Tiyan High SchoolPhone: 300-2721Mascot: TitansWebsite:https://sites.google.com/a/gdoe.net/tiyan-high-school/

Private Schools

Academy Of Our Lady Of GuamPhone: 477-8203Mascot: CougarsWebsite: http://www.aolg.edu.gu/

Asmuyao Community SchoolPhone: 475-9276, 482-1847Website: http://asmuyaoschool.com/

Bishop Baumgartner Memorial SchoolPhone: 472-6670/477-1026Mascot: ObisposWebsite: http://www.bbmcs.org/

Dominican Catholic SchoolPhone: 653-3021/3140Mascot: VeritasWebsite: http://dcsguam.com/wp/

Evangelical Christian AcademyPhone: 734-3241Mascot: Doves

Father Duenas Memorial SchoolPhone: 734-2261/3Mascot: FriarsWebsite: http://www.fatherduenas.com/

Guam Adventist AcademyPhone: 789-1515/2020Mascot: AngelsWebsite: http://www.gaasda.org/

Harvest Christian AcademyPhone: 477-6341Mascot: EaglesWebsite: http://www.hbcguam.net/harvest-christian-academy.html

Mount Carmel Catholic SchoolPhone: 565-3822/5128Mascot: PhoenixWebsite: http://mcs57.com/

Notre Dame High SchoolPhone: 789-1676/7/1745/17Mascot: RoyalsWebsite: http://www.ndhsguam.com/

Saint Anthony Catholic SchoolPhone: 647-1140Mascot: RaidersWebsite: http://www.sacsguam.com/

Saint Francis Catholic SchoolPhone: 789-1270Mascot: St. Francis CrusadersWebsite: http://sfsguam.com/

San Vicente Catholic SchoolPhone: 735-4240Mascot: BravesWebsite: svcsguam.com

Santa Barbara Catholic SchoolPhone: 632-5578Mascot: SpartansWebsite: http://sbcs.edu.gu/

Southern Christian AcademyPhone: 565-7020/5Mascot: DolphinsWebsite: http://scaguam.com/

St. John’s SchoolPhone: 646-8080Mascot: KnightsWebsite: http://www.stjohnsguam.com/v2/

St. Paul Christian SchoolPhone: 637-9855Mascot: WarriorsWebsite: http://www.spcsguam.com/

St. Thomas AquinasPhone: 473-7821Mascot: LionWebsite: http://www.staguam.com/

Temple Christian SchoolPhone: 477-9507Mascot: Eagle

DODEA

Department of Defense Education ActivityWebsite:http://www.dodea.edu/Pacific/Guam/

Commander William C. McCool Elementary / Middle SchoolPhone: 339-8676/8Mascot: Seahawks

Andersen Elementary SchoolPhone: 366-1511/2Mascot: Dolphins

Andersen Middle SchoolPhone Number: 366-3880/5973Mascot: Dragons

Guam High SchoolPhone Number: 344-7410/11Mascot: Panthers

14 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

MY CHILD FEELS SICK.

WHAT WAS THAT CLINIC’S

PHONE NUMBER?

Search “Call Guam” in your mobile

device’s app market

Download the Call Guam App

Begin looking for business and

residential listings

Call Guam

GUAM’S COMPLETE SERVICES

DIRECTORY iPhone and Android Access

at your fingertips

Day care15Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

There are several things parentsshould consider when choosing aday care for their children.

One of the most pressing concerns iscost. Many day care centers have a varietyof options to accommodate parents’schedules and budgets, including part-time rates and payment plans. Another thing to consider is licensing.

Parents should ensure the day care theychoose meets legal requirements: daycare centers should be licensed with theirstaff certified.As of 2011, staff at the island’s day

care centers are required to undergo aphysical exam every year to ensurethey’re in good health.Day care centers also are required to

post the following documents in a promi-nent and visible location to be viewed bythe public at all times:

l License to operate a child care facil-ity

l Sanitary permitl Copy of health certificatesl Daily schedulel Fire evacuation plan

l Fire extinguisher planl Earthquake preparedness proceduresl Exit signsl Emergency phone numbers and pro-

ceduresl Inspection reports from government

agencies, including the Department ofPublic Health and Social Services and theGuam Fire Department

A current listing of licensed child carecenters can be found at the Department ofPublic Health and Social Services.For a listing of day care facilities on is-

land, see CallGuam.com, the PacificDaily News’ digital telephone directory.

Recreation16 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

BEACHES

Some of the beaches have pavilions thatcan be reserved for gatherings. Call theDepartment of Parks and Recreation’sPark Reservations division at 475-6288.There is a minimal deposit to reserve yourspace, as well as a refundable mandatorycleaning deposit fee.

Be advised that all beaches under thepurview of the local government are alco-hol-free zones. Public parks are also se-cured daily.

lAsan Beach Park offers an enormousgrassy field perfect for holding large-scalefunctions or simply exercising. It is also aWar in the Pacific National HistoricalPark, as it provides valuable history as akey location in the World War II.

l Gov. Joseph Flores Beach Park, bet-ter known as Ypao Beach, has sand vol-leyball courts, pavilions with barbecuepits, and walkways for walkers, runnersand joggers.

l East Hagåtña Bay is a popular site forcommercial and private personal water-craft operators. Fishermen also can beseen here casting lines and nets, known astalayas, during certain fishing seasons.

l Family Beach is at Cabras, off theGlass Breakwater in Apra Harbor. There’sa picnic area, and it’s a good place fromwhich to see the harbor’s activities.

l Gabgab Beach is located on NavyBase Guam. Easy access to great snorkel-ing and diving.

l Gun Beach and Fafa’i Beach can bereached by a rough, unpaved road at theend of San Vitores Road, after the entranceto the Nikko Hotel Guam. At the end ofthe road is Gun Beach, walk around thepoint to reach the more secluded Fafa’iBeach. Snorkelers and divers should exer-cise caution as the current here can be de-ceptive.

lMatapang Beach Park can be reachedby turning left in the Holiday Inn ResortGuam parking lot. Calm waters make thisbeach popular.

l Nimitz Beach is in Agat; there arepavilions and a park-like experience.

l Ritidian Point, home to the GuamNational Wildlife Refuge. No barbecuepits or fires allowed and you must take outyour own trash. Although the beach is

beautiful, the currents are dangerous. l Tagachang Beach is in Yona. It’s

rocky and secluded, so take precautionsand watch out around you. Lock your carand wear shoes.

l Tepungan Beach in Piti, near the PitiBomb Holes, is a popular snorkeling anddive site.

USE SUNSCREEN

l Sunscreen is a product you apply toyour skin for protection against the sun’sUV rays. However, it’s important to knowthat sunscreen does not provide total pro-tection against all UV rays.

l Sunscreens are available in manyforms — lotions, creams, ointments, gels,wipes and lip balms, to name a few.

lWhen choosing a sunscreen product,be sure to read the label before you buy it.Many groups, including the AmericanAcademy of Dermatology, recommendproducts with a sun protection factor, orSPF, of at least 30. The SPF number rep-resents the level of protection againstUVB rays provided by the sunscreen — ahigher number means more protection.

lWhen using an SPF 30 sunscreen andapplying it thickly, you get the equivalentof a minute of UVB rays for each 30 min-utes you spend in the sun. So, one hour inthe sun wearing SPF 30 sunscreen is thesame as spending 2 minutes unprotected.

l People often do not apply a thickenough layer of sunscreen, so the actualprotection they get is less.

l Be sure to apply the sunscreen prop-erly. Always follow the label directions.Most recommend applying sunscreen gen-erously. When putting it on, pay close at-tention to your face, ears, hands, arms andany other areas not covered by clothing. Ifyou’re going to wear insect repellent ormakeup, apply the sunscreen first.

l Be generous. Ideally, about oneounce of sunscreen (about a palm-full)should be used to cover the arms, legs,neck and face of the average adult. Forbest results, most sunscreens must bereapplied at least every two hours andeven more often if you are swimming orsweating.

l Products labeled “waterproof” mayprovide protection for at least 80 minuteseven when you are swimming or sweat-ing. Products that are “water resistant”

may protect for only 40 minutes.Source: American Cancer Society

WATER SAFETY TIPS

l Stay within the reef line.l Never enter the water unless you

know about hazards, water depth, rocksand currents.

l If you’re caught in a current, don’twaste energy fighting the current. Swimwith it diagonally until you no longer feelthe current pull, then swim to shore.

l Swim parallel to the reef, and if yousee a spot that looks safe, try to swim backin. If the water is rough or you don’t see agood spot, wait for rescuers.

lWhen surf is 6 feet or higher, inexpe-rienced swimmers should stay out of thewater, and experienced swimmers shouldexercise extreme caution.

l Never swim, dive or surf alone.l Wear gloves before putting your

hands on anything. There are a few dan-gerous creatures such as stone fish, lionfish, crown of thorns and eels that youmight want to watch out for.

l If you are an inexperienced snorkeler,it is best recommended that you use a lifevest in the water at all times.

l Make sure you have some type ofprotection on your hands and feet if you

l Check warning signs or flags indi-cating hazardous conditions. Don’t go outjust before or after a typhoon, which usu-ally brings along hazardous surf condi-tions.

l Never go out after someone who isswept over the reef.

l If unexpected situations occur, do notpanic.

l Never leave a child unobservedaround water.

l Keep a phone nearby so that you cancall 911 in an emergency.

lKnow if a trained lifeguard is on duty.l Recognize and follow posted rules.l Learn basic water safety, first aid and

cardiopulmonary resuscitation.l Don’t go in the water under the in-

fluence of alcohol or drugs.

ETIQUETTE

Respect for people and the environmentis the best way to keep the beach a greatplace to go.Guam’s beachgoers are allowed to bring

dogs, picnic lunches, balls and other out-door toys. Dogs should be kept on a leashand any droppings should be picked up —not buried. The balate’ and other sea ani-mals are protected in marine preserves.Clean up all trash after your beach visit.

Whether you’re living here temporarily or making it your home,Guam’s the perfect place to lie on the sand and soak up somesun. Guam’s coastlines are covered with beaches worthy of bar-

becuing, diving, snorkeling and more. Here are some tips and things to con-sider when enjoying the beach.

17Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

Party Time 6:30pm - 2:00am Daily

4pm-8pm

Happy Hour

4pm to 1 1pm

Open Daily

Local Cuisine18 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

Eating on Guam canbe an exciting anddelightful, especially

for those with an adventurouspalate and a love for hot andspicy, or “pika,” foods.

Here, food ranges fromvaguely familiar to dishesunique to this part of theworld, providing atruly uniquedining expe-rience.

Fiestasare a greatway to geta glimpseof the fla-vors ofGuam. Heldeach month in the dif-ferent island villages, you’reguaranteed to see a seeminglyendless buffet table lined withlocal foods including ke-laguen, pancit, red rice,tamales gisu and more.

Because there’s an abun-dance of food prepared for

guests, there’s often plenty ofleftovers, leaving for the localtradition of “balutan,” or take-home leftovers.

Someone at the fiesta maypile a plate full of food foryou, or they may encourageyou to make a plate of your

own. Either way, packingfood to-go won’t

happen untilother guestshave hadthe chanceto eat.

T h eChamorro

Village isanother great

way to enjoyGuam’s tastes. Open

every day of the week, theChamorro Village is bestknown for its Wednesdaynight market. Filled with thedelectable smell of barbecueand a variety of food vendors,the night market will satisfyany craving.

Village Fiestas19Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

The fiesta is a popular way people onGuam share their culture. An eventtypically tied to the celebration of avillage’s patron saint, Mass and a

procession are followed by a fiesta, which isa great way for newcomers to Guam to enjoylocal tastes shared with warm hospitality.

Here is a list of each village’s patron saintsand the time the fiesta is celebrated.

Agana HeightsMayor’s Office: 472-8285/6/6393Saint: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament- always follows Thanksgiving weekend

AgatMayor’s Office: 565-4338/2524/4330/4336Saints: Our Lady of Mount Carmel - July;Our Lady of Santa Ana - July; Santa Rosa -August

AsanMayor’s Office: 472-6581/479-2726Saint: Niño Perdido y Sagrada Familia -last Saturday in December

MainaMayor’s Office: 472-6581/479-2726Saint: Our Lady of Purification - first week-end in February

BarrigadaMayor’s Office: 734-3725/37/3859Saints: San Vicente - early April; San Roke- August; San Ramon - September

Chalan PagoMayor’s Office: 477-1333, 472-8302Saints: Our Lady of Peace - January; Sacred Heart of Jesus - June

OrdotMayor’s Office: 477-1333, 472-8302Saint: San Juan Bautista - late June

DededoMayor’s Office: 632-5203/5019, 637-9014Saint: Santa Barbara - early December

HagåtñaMayor’s Office: 477-8045/47Saint: Our Lady of Camarin - December 8

InarajanMayor’s Office: 475-2509/10/11Saint: St. Joseph, Husband of Mary -March 19

MalojlojMayor’s Office: 475-2509/10/11Saint: San Isidro - weekend after Mother’sDay

MangilaoMayor’s Office: 734-2163/5731Saint: Santa Teresita - last weekend ofSeptember

MerizoMayor’s Office: 828-8312/2941/8772Saint: San Dimas - April

MongmongMayor’s Office: 477-6758/9090Saint: Nuestra Señora de las Aguas - lastweekend of January

TotoMayor’s Office: 477-6758/9090Saint: Immaculate Heart of Mary - June

PitiMayor’s Office: 472-1232/3Saint: Assumption of Our Lady - last week-end of August

Santa RitaMayor’s Office: 565-2514/4337Saint: Santa Rita - third weekend of May

SinajanaMayor’s Office: 472-6707, 477-3323Saint: St. Jude Thaddeus - end of October

TamuningMayor’s Office: 646-5211/8646, 647-9816/9820Saint: St. Anthony - June

TalofofoMayor’s Office: 789-1421Saint: San Miguet - September

TumonMayor’s Office: 646-5211/8646, 647-9816/9820Saint: Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores -second weekend of January

UmatacMayor’s Office: 828-8258/2940Saint: San Dionisio - October

YigoMayor’s Office: 653-9446/5248Saint: Santa Lourdes - second weekend ofFebruary

YonaMayor’s Office: 78-1525/26Saint: St. Francis of Assisi - first weekendof October

20 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

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Typhoon Readiness21Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

The Pacific Ocean can generate some of themost intense storms in the world, and Guam’slocation makes it a target for typhoons. Hereare some ways you can make yourself ty-phoon-ready.

TYPHOON TERMSTropical disturbance: A moving area of

thunderstorms in the tropics that maintains it-self for at least 24 hours.Tropical depression: A tropical cyclone

with rotating wind circulation and maximumsustained surface winds of no more than 38mph.Tropical storm: A tropical cyclone with

winds from 39 to 73 mph.Typhoon: A tropical cyclone with strong,

pronounced winds in excess of 74 mph.Supertyphoon: A tropical cyclone with

winds exceeding 149 mph.

BEFORE a stormSecuring YOUR HOMESeepage: Cover beds and other items with

plastic sheeting to protect from water seepingin around windows and doors.Surge: Use surge protectors on major ap-

pliances and phone lines to avoid powerspikes.Kit: Stock up on supplies such as candles,

batteries, fuel for stoves and lanterns, toi-letries and disposable plates and flatware.Organize: Arrange flashlights, lanterns,

candles and lighters in places where adultscan easily find them.Water: Have several gallons of purified

water on hand.Debris: Secure all loose items such as

garbage can lids, potted plants, gardeningtools and other materials that could becomeairborne during high winds.Tin: Tie down tin-covered roof extensions

with cables.Flood: Do not put valuable items and ap-

pliances on ground level to protect them fromany flooding.Power: Have the main breaker or fuse box

and the utility meters raised above the floodlevel for your area. This way, if your homefloods, water will not damage your utilities.Buy typhoon insurance: If you have one,

make sure it is current.

Securing YOUR CARFuel: Fill your vehicles’ tanks with gas.

Cover: If you do not have a covered garage,move your vehicle away from trees or struc-tures that may topple or collapse.Insurance: Check with your insurance

provider if typhoon damage is covered. If youpaid for a premium that covers only liability,it is likely you do not have typhoon insurancecoverage.

DURING A TYPHOONl Stay inside and away from windows.

Watch television or listen to radio bulletins. Ifyou are in a low-lying area or do not have aconcrete home or storm shutters, consider

seeking shelter elsewhere.l Stay inside, even when the eye of the ty-

phoon is passing and all appears to be calm,as heavy winds will soon follow from the op-posite direction.

l Fill in holes around doors with old tow-els or blankets; if these gaps are left open, itmay lead to flooding.

l Turn off and unplug all appliances. Shutoff the main gas valve and power switch. Usesurge protectors on major appliances andphone lines to avoid power spikes.

AFTER a stormBe mindful of the following safety tips

when returning home after a flood or severestorm:

l Check your home before you go in. Care-fully check outside your home for loosepower lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks orother damage. If you see damage, a buildinginspector or contractor should check thebuilding before you enter.

l Turn off the electricity. Even if the powercompany has turned off electricity to the area,make certain your house’s power supply isdisconnected.

l If you suspect a gas leak or smell gas,leave your home immediately and call the gascompany from a neighbor’s house.

l Enter carefully. If the door sticks at thetop, it could mean your ceiling is ready to fall.If you force the door open, wait outside thedoorway in case of falling debris.

l Check the ceiling for signs of sagging.Wind, rain, or deep flooding may wet plasteror wallboard. It is very heavy and dangerousif it falls.l Make sure the electricity is off and hose

down the house to remove health hazards leftbehind by floodwater mud. Remove waterquickly using a mop or squeegee.

STAY INFORMEDIf power and Internet connection is avail-

able, get weather updates by logging on to:l Pacific Daily News: www.guampdn.coml National Weather Service Forecast Of-

fice, Guam: www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/lGuam Homeland Security/Office of Civil

Defense: www.guamhs.org/main

NOAA Weather RadioNOAA Weather Radio broadcasts National

Weather Service warnings, watches, forecastsand other hazard information 24 hours a day.The radio program broadcasts on frequencies162.550 and 162.400 in the Mariana Islands.Weather radios can be purchased at local elec-tronics stores, mail order catalogs and variousother locations.

l NWR TRANSMITTER CALL FREQ(MHZ)

l Guam (Nimitz Hill) WXM-85 162.400l Saipan (Mount Tapochau) WXM-86

162.550

CONDITIONS OF READINESSWhen a storm is headed Guam’s way, the

Guam Homeland Security Office of Civil De-fense issues conditions of readiness to alertresidents. The conditions of readiness arebased on the onset of damaging winds of 39mph.Under Condition of Readiness 4, or COR

4:Damaging winds may arrive on island

within 72 hours.Normal day-to-day activities are expected.Under Condition of Readiness 3, or COR

3:Damaging winds may arrive within 48

hours.Review or update your family disaster plan.Buy and replenish supplies for your disas-

ter supply kit.Fill your cars’ gas tanks.Secure outdoor objects.Prepare household for long-term power and

water loss. (Do the laundry, outdoor cooking,etc.)Tune in to radio and/or television.Under Condition of Readiness 2, or COR

2:Damaging winds may arrive within 24

hours.Close and secure shutters.Fill containers with water.Move vehicles to a secure and protected

area.Review family disaster plan with entire

family.Seek emergency shelter if your home is not

fully concrete or prepared to withstand dam-aging winds.Tune in to radio and/or television.Under Condition of Readiness 1, or COR

1:Damaging winds are occurring or expected

within 12 hours.Only mission-essential personnel and vehi-

cles are allowed outdoors.Tune in to radio and/or television.

GENERATOR SAFETYTurn off the main breaker or breakers to all

houses or buildings connected to your gener-ator. This prevents a backfeed of power fromthe generator into the islandwide power sys-tem, which could injure or kill power work-ers.Keep generators in a well-ventilated area,

away from air-conditioning units and ducts.Protect generators from exposure to water.Never refuel generators while they are run-

ning. Allow generators to cool off before re-fueling.Never obstruct the generator’s exhaust muf-

fler.Do not overload circuits.Do not let the generator run out of fuel

while running or air will get into the hoses.Keep the fuel system clean.Look for generators with an oil shut-down

switch.Change the oil after every 200 hours of use.

Some generators also have oil filters thatshould be changed periodically.Check the fan belt.Check for leaks in the filters and make sure

the air filter is clean.

Military22 Maila Halom | A guide to living on Guam

As the “tip of the spear” in theAsia-Pacific region, Guam ishome to Army, Navy, Marine,

Coast Guard, and Air Force personnel sta-tioned on-island.

The United Service Organizations haslong supported military personnel sta-tioned at home and abroad, and the GuamUSO at the Royal Orchid Hotel in Tumonis no exception.

The Guam USO is open everyday andcaters exclusively to service members andtheir families, providing a “home awayfrom home for armed forces personnel andtheir dependents,” said Center Manager

Vic Tano.Daily meals and refreshments are avail-

able for free. For breakfast, choose from aselection of pancakes and donuts, providedby Winchells. Coffee, tea, and a variety ofpastries and snacks are provided by Infu-sion Coffee and Tea.

In addition to the hot chili and rice, hotdogs, soup, and pizza provided by GuamUSO, Churrasco Brazilian BBQ and SaladBar provides barbecue ribs for lunch.

The 5,000-square foot lounge offers freelong distance calls to the U.S. mainlandand high speed internet and Wi-Fi courtesyof GTA Teleguam. With 12 computers

available for use, patrons can make Skypeinternational calls for free and play com-puter and console games online. If pool ismore your game, the USO also has a pooltable.

The Guam USO has a variety of mediafor consumption like books, magazines,and movies.

If being pampered is more your style,the center has full body aqua massage ma-chines and electric massage chairs.

Homecoming, deployment, andWounded Warrior care packages are alsoavailable.

IF YOU GOl The Guam

USO is located inthe Royal OrchidHotel in Tumon.Hours of operationare 8 a.m. to 10p.m. Sundaythrough Thursdayand 8 to 12 a.m. Fri-day and Saturday.

LEARN MOREl For more infor-

mation, visit theGuam USO Face-book page atwww.facebook.com/GuamUSO or call647-4876.