February 23, 2017 · mccsokinawa.com
Sarah Head
T
he Ryukyu Islands have plentiful greenery and expansive beaches, though a vertical climb can be hard to come by. Ishigaki Island’s Mount Omoto rises to a modest 528 meters above sea level, and despite its relatively low peak, it remains the highest on Okinawa. Adventurers who miss the challenging workout of a vertical climb can get their fix at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster. The gym has a rock climbing wall complete with three hookups—so you can climb with two friends! Gunners even provides climbing gear for you: harnesses and a
inside
helmet are required for each climber. In order to participate, you just need to show up to the front desk in tennis shoes and appropriate fitness attire. No reservations required. You’ll fill out a couple of forms, select your harness size, and provide emergency contact information. No climbing experience or special climbing shoes are needed, and the staff is happy to help you learn the ropes if you haven’t climbed before. The climbing wall is equipped with automatic belay devices to help you safely reach the ground. Rock climbing is available at Gunners 24 hours
Semper First Friday | 3 5K Color Me Fun Run | 3 Culture Corner: Spring Training | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
Learn new skills and challenges while rock climbing at Gunners. a day, 7 days a week. Have fun challenging yourself mentally and physically with the different routes up the wall. Don’t forget to bring your friends! For more information about gym offerings, visit the front desk of your local MCCS Fitness Center or visit mccsokinawa.com/fitness.
Pick of the Week: Field Trip! | 7 Taiyo Pro Shop Spring Sale | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge
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Semper First Friday
riday. The most wonderful day of the workweek. Friday is when we reflect on the week’s accomplishments and it’s also the gateway to the weekend. Regardless of how amazing or abysmal the week was, Fridays offer a sense of renewal for the next week; a chance to continue the good times, or set goals for the next week to be better. Every first Friday, grab your fellow E-6 through E-9 and head over to Chesty’s SNCO Club at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. From 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Chesty’s is hosting Semper First Friday for senior enlisted to celebrate surviving another week in the Corps. Come early to snatch up some FREE finger foods while supplies last, and stay for the DJ playing music from 7 p.m. to midnight. After the music stops, don’t forget to set a good example and call a cab or daiko service to get home safely and protect what you’ve earned. For more information, go to mccsokinawa.com/oceanbreeze, or call 645-3666.
Chief Marketing Officer | Jim Kassebaum Managing Editor | Ryan Anastoplus Art Director | Hector Nieves Cultural Research Specialist | Ayako Kawamitsu Graphic Arts Manager | Henry Ortega Graphic Designers | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Catherine Newquist, Jongeun Spencer Editor-in-Chief | Mike Daley WRITER/EDITORS | Ashley Snipes, Shelbie Thilmony Digital marketing manager | Thomas Alan Smilie Photographer | Sarah Head Ad/Sponsorship Manager | Roy Forster Ad Sales | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Carina Fils-Julien Distribution | Kelli Kreider Marketing Accounts Manager | Andrew Menges Accounts & Research | Marissa DeSmet, Ashley Herring, Kristen Wong, Katherine Melrose, Allison Dixon Broadcast | Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer, Emi Komiya Volunteer | Jessie McKean INTERNS | Chloé Stevens, Valeria Solorzano
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. To advertise in Okinawa Living Weekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads.
events&happenings
No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
5K Color Me Fun Run
Thomas Alan Smilie
R
unning can be bland. Endless stretches of gray pavement or even worse, the droning whir of the treadmill under fluorescent lights. Perhaps this is what turns people off from running or cardiovascular activities in general—for the average non-believer, it’s boring. The Family Care Branch 5K
Color Me Fun Run will add some excitement to an otherwise tedious and drab workout. Runners are blasted with colorful powder every kilometer starting with one big explosion of rainbow dust at the beginning of the race. Unlike most 5K events where runners look soggy and defeated afterwards, runners
who finish the Color Me Fun Run look more glamorous than when they started. The Color Me Fun Run is on April 1 at the Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center. Register by March 31 at mccsokinawa.com/ colormefunrun. For details, visit mccsokinawa.com/efmp.
This publication printed with
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japanese phrase
culturecorner
of the week
W
DÔten desu! It's a tie! For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Spring Training
ith hay fever comes baseball fever. Spring training is in full swing for Japanese professional baseball teams who will be calling Okinawa home through February. This year, nine teams from the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) will migrate to Okinawa, as the tropical spring weather conditions are perfect for prepping for the upcoming season. Thousands of people flock to the training camps to get an early glimpse at some new prospects and lineup changes for their favorite teams. Teams will be stationed all across the island as their annual spring training comes to full bloom. The “New York Yankees of Japan,” the Yomiuri Giants, will be settling into a stadium in Naha and the 2016 champion Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters will be on the opposite end of the island in Nago. The Hanshin Tigers
will be warming up in Ginoza, and Chatan will be home to the Chunichi Dragons. The Yokohama DeNa Bay Stars are in Ginowan, Okinawa City hosts the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Yakult Swallows will sink their cleats into Urasoe. On the outer islands will be the Chiba Lotte Marines on Ishigaki Island, and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles will find themselves on Kume Island. So before the regular season be-
gins and the teams leave the island, swing by to catch a preseason game with MCCS Tours+. See the Yomiuri Giants take on the Yokohama DeNa Bay Stars at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha. The tour will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will cost $46 for adults, $39 for children 5 to 15, and FREE for children under 4. Visit mccsokinawa.com/tours for more details.
Clockwise from left: yuran-78/bigstock.com, VinceReilly/bigstock.com
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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more info
pickoftheweek
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Register for the field trip online at mccsokinawa.com/ culturalawareness, or call the Camp Kinser Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 637-2815.
ne of the many awesome things we can enjoy on Okinawa is shopping in the local community. Back home, you may have frequented a local grocer or gift shop to support local businesses. But here, it can seem a little daunting because of the language barrier. Camp Kinser Marine and Family Programs-Resources is here to help you step outside the gates and embrace local shopping! On Friday, February 24 from noon to 2 p.m., venture out to visit the local fish market, and if time permits, a local craft store. This event is FREE to attend, but make sure to bring yen for purchases so you can adjust to using the Japanese currency as well. The trip starts at Kinser Marine & Family Programs-Resources in building 1220. Participants are asked to bring their own vehicle for transportation, but of course, carpooling is encouraged. An interpreter will be
Field Trip!
your guide, so you can learn some basic customs and courtesies while shopping. The trip is also a great way to engage those who are brand new to the island and are waiting to get a license and vehicle. Camp Foster Marine & Family Programs-Resources also offers a field trip at various times to local
Clockwise from left: Infomages/bigstock.com, ironstuff/bigstock.com, Sarah Head
photooftheweek
Challenge yourself and try out rock climbing for FREE at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster.
farmer’s markets. You may reach them at 645-2104/2106 for more information on their next trip. For more fun ways to embrace our gracious host nation, go to the events calendar on mccsokinawa.com. Many MCCS organizations offer opportunities to experience the fun of Okinawa and beyond.
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make
spotlight
today
Taiyo Pro Shop Spring Sale
reservations
Make a day of it! Hit up the sale at Taiyo Pro Shop, try to come in under par on the Taiyo Golf Club, and then enjoy a tasty meal at Taiyo Steakhouse.
Clockwise: Thomas Alan Smilie
Request a Tee Time at mccsokinawa.com/request_a_teetime For more information about Taiyo Golf Club and their events, go to mccsokinawa.com/taiyo.
G
olfing year round is one of the many distinct privileges of living on Okinawa. Among the many relaxing pastimes on island, golf allows you to be physical without over exertion and is a great way to hang out with friends while also satisfying your need for competition. However, in order to do your best on the greens, you definitely need the right gear. Haven’t you noticed that hole in one of your golf socks? Did your grip dry out? The Taiyo Pro Shop is a one-stop shop for all your golfing needs, and on April 15 and 16, they are having a jaw-dropping sale. Every retail item in the store will be 10% off, with many items up to 40% off. In addition, any custom or special order placed during the sale weekend will receive 10% off. On Saturday, Taiyo Pro Shop will also have FREE hot dogs, chips and drinks for shoppers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store opens each day
at 6:30 a.m. so you can come early to shop and still make an early teetime. On the other hand, you can set a later tee-time and shop in the afternoon. The Pro Shop will be open until 6 p.m. However, with a sale this hot, you might want to sacrifice your
Saturday or Sunday morning for the chance to score a great discount on some golf equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. For more information, call the Taiyo Pro Shop at 622-2004/2006.
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tours+
adventure begins here Japanese Tea Ceremony Tour* February 24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $35, Children (3–11) $28 (under 3) FREE Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. After tea, have lunch and shop at Kokusai Street. Whale Watching Tour* February 25, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $51, Children (4–11) $35 Watch these mammoth‐sized creatures surface around the Kerama Islands as you enjoy the beautiful scenery and ocean breeze. After a morning on the seas we will head to Kokusai Street for lunch and shopping.
Okinawa West Coast Tour* February 26, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $44, Children (6–12) $25, (3–5) $14 (under 3) FREE Visit one of the most beautiful spots on Okinawa, Cape Manzamo. Afterwards, visit Okinawa Marriott Resort for a delicious lunch buffet and Okinawa Sweets Factory for dessert. Tea Ceremony with Kimono Dressing* February 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $49, Children (3–11) $38 Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and dress in a yukata, the traditional Japanese summer kimono. Afterwards, travel to Naha Main Place for lunch and shopping.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
off-baseevents get out and explore
Yomitan Pottery Market February 25–26, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Yomitan JA Farmers Market Yunta, Yomitan Village FREE
Athletics/Adult Sports
Thomas Alan Smilie
645-3521/3522
Aquatics 645-3180 Courtney Ironworks 622-9261/7297 Futenma Semper Fit 636-2672 Gunners Fitness Center 645-3985/2235 Hansen House of Pain 623-5558/4831 Health Promotion 645-3484/3910 Kinser Fitness Center 637-1869/1114 Schwab Power Dome 625-2654/2442 Taiyo Golf Club 622-2004 Tsunami SCUBA 645-9500 Youth Sports 645-3533/3534
B League Basketball Tournament Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Chiba Jets February 25, 6 p.m. February 26, 1 p.m. Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City Call Tours+ at 646-3502 for tickets.
Hand Craft and Art Festa February 23–26, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Futenma Ryubo, Ginowan City FREE
upcoming semperfitevents Bike Race March 5 Camp Kinser Athletics Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by February 27 at 1 p.m. for $30. This event is open to participants island-wide. The top three teams and individuals will receive awards. Details: 637-1869.
Flag Football Tournament March 10–12 Camp Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by March 6 at 1 p.m. for $120. This event is open to participants island-wide. The top three teams and individuals will receive awards. Details: 625-2654.
classof theweek BOKWA® Punch & Strike™ This intense class is a serious power, strength and cardio workout for men and women. Bokwa® Punch & Strike combines Bokwa® rhythms with structured steps that will take you on a muscle-burning journey. Camp Kinser For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness