March 3, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
FREE CONCERT
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outh Carolina native Chase Rice has been called the Christian Grey of country and one of the top ten most attractive male contestants in Survivor history (he appeared on season 21, Surviror: Nicaragua). His newest single, “Whisper,” makes it apparent that he’s certainly self-aware when it comes to his sex appeal, but rest assured, his forthcoming album, much like 2014’s Ignite the Night promises to delve deeper into who Chase Rice really is beyond the bullish swagger. Known for top-ten ragers “Ready Set Roll” and “Cruise,” which he co-wrote for Florida Georgia
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Line, the singer is known for transforming each performance into a party. The country star says, “I’m looking for people who are looking to have the best night of their entire life. If you aren’t here to party, I’m gonna make you party!” Rice’s music has a wide appeal. Country, rock and pop fans alike—wanting to have a good time makes you a Chase Rice fan. “I don’t care if people call me ‘bro-country’ or they call me hip-hop or rock. All I care about is if I walk onstage and people are screaming every word back to me.” The ACM vocalist of the year nominee is hot off
Top 3 Reasons to do the Mud Run | 3 March Mango Madness | 3 The Brief History of Onigiri | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
his Back to College Tour before hitting the rounds at Atsugi Naval Station, Yokota Air Base, Yokosuka Naval Station and finally, Camp Hansen. Chase Rice will be performing on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at the Camp Hansen Exchange Parking Lot. This FREE show is open to all ranks and services. There is a free shuttle bus service departing the Camp Hansen Post Office to Camps Kinser, Courtney, Schwab, Foster and MCAS Futenma at 9 p.m. For more details, contact MCCS Entertainment at 645-5821 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ entertainment.
Pick of the Week: Kyoko Art Gallery | 7 Ages & Stages Open House | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge
Top 3 Reasons to do the Mud Run
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he muddiest challenge of the year is approaching—the 2016 Camp Hansen World Famous Mud Run. If you still need to be convinced of why you should sign up now, here are the top three reasons (and one of them you’re really going to want to hear about). 1. Camaraderie. This event is open to participants island wide. Unlike other races, the mud run is a group effort. No person is left alone sinking in a brown-orange pit. After the race, the fun continues with entertainment and vendors hawking post-race food and drinks. 2. Family Time. The mud run is an event for the whole family. Kids 5–8 can splash through the 1K Kids’ Challenge, and children 9–14 can compete in the muddy trails of the 3K Kids’ Fun Run. 3. Prizes. Of course there are prizes. That’s why we do these
things; it’s not really about promoting fitness or camaraderie or family time—it’s about the prize. And this prize you can be entered to win before the mud run even begins. Register for the Mud Run before March 31 and have a chance at a FREE overnight stay for two with breakfast at Hotel Moon Beach in Onna Village. If relaxing on a private
beach isn’t enough, how about two round-trip tickets from Narita to any gateway city courtesy of United Airlines? These prizes and more are available to win at the Mud Run. Register online at mudrun.jp or at any staffed MCCS fitness center by 4:30 p.m. on April 18. The mud run is on Sunday, April 24.
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
events&happenings
Top: Thomas Alan Smilie, Bottom: bigstock.com/Volff
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March Mango Madness
he mango. The glossy, darkgreen skin gives way to yellows, oranges and even blush reddishpinks as it ripens. The air is sweetened, almost sticky with its scent as the mango hangs heavier on its branch. It’s summer manifested in tropical fruit form. This jewel of nature isn’t just naturally delicious— it’s also naturally nutrient dense. Mangos are known to fight cancer, cholesterol, diabetes and acne while boosting the immune system, iron (through its high volumes of Vitamin A) and digestion. So, it’s no wonder customers find LifeJuice’s Mango Smoothie so irresistible. LifeJuice decided to have some fun with this fan-favorite and celebrate the mango with March Mango Madness. Throughout March, at all three LifeJuice locations, Mango Smoothies are only $3. With the introduction of its new branch at Camp Courtney opening this month, LifeJuice is introducing
three new versions of the Mango Smoothie, available for a limited time: Mango Tango, Mango Mashup and Mucho Mango. All three smoothies incorporate a mangobase sprinkled with a few other fruit cocktails. And as always, LifeJuice uses only fresh ingredients—no additives or preservatives. Mango Tango combines mango
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, Kelli Davis, Catherine Newquist EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley EDITOR | Caylee Reid PHOTOGRAPHER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Carina Fils-Julien, Lisa Hicks DISTRIBUTION | Gideon Juko MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Amanda Bakun, Katherine Melrose, Kayla Christen, Jenessa Reutov, Jennifer Dowd, Marissa DeSmet BROADCAST | Victor Mercado, Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer CAREER PRACTICUM INTERN | Skylor Stevens
with grape and honey for the ultimate sweet and tart kick. The Mango Mashup is a fruity concoction of mangos, peaches and honey. For something with a little more musclebuilding potential, the Mucho Mango is the best choice—mangos, honey and whey protein. Any of these are ideal for a delicious snack—whether you hit the gym or not.
To advertise in Okinawa LivingWeekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
This publication printed with
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japanese phrase
culturecorner
of the week
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Onaka ga suki mashita. I’m hungry. For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs–Resources at 645-2104/2106.
The Brief History of Onigiri
hough they come in many shapes and sizes, the classic rice ball, or onigiri, is a plain white sphere with a light garnish of salt. It’s the iconic Japanese fast food. Though onigiri today is mass produced and eaten by people on trains, the essence of the food hasn’t changed since its beginnings. But where did these handheld meals originate? In her 11th century diary, Lady Murasaki wrote of onigiri being a popular picnic food. Around the 17th century, samurai carried onigiri wrapped in bamboo for a quick bite between battles. Some say onigiri were eaten even earlier than that. In the Nara period (710–794), rice was rolled into balls for easier handling—this was before chopsticks were widespread. In 1987, a fossil onigiri was found, believed to be from the Yayoi period (300 BC– 300 AD).
For a long time onigiri was a homemade food, as evidenced by the occasions where it was eaten. All this changed in the 1980s, with the invention of the onigiri machine, leading to the first mass-production of onigiri. Many were skeptical, since the technique of forming an onigiri was considered too difficult for a machine to replicate. But the machine devised a new way to “roll” onigiri—
by making them triangular. In addition to this innovation, the plastic wrapping separates the nori from the rice and acts as a moisture barrier. When the package is opened, the nori and rice come together, creating the final product. This changed the face of food in Japan. Not just from circular to triangular, but by making the onigiri an ever-present national icon. —Ryan Anastoplus
Clockwise from the top left: Sebastian Studi/bigstock.com, oysy/bigstock.com
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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getting there
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The KYOKOART Gallery is open by appointment only. Contact her via Facebook at facebook.com/KYOKOARTGallery or call 098-943-9815 for more information. Coordinates 26.234201, 127.694914
Kyoko Art Gallery
yoko Nakamoto has used the same plastic A&W coffee cup to rinse her brushes since 1986. Over the past 12 years, Nakamoto created over 400 works under her Paradise series of paintings, ten of which adorn the walls of the Child Development Center Ashibina on Camp Foster. The Paradise series is visually inspired by Okinawan culture and everyday life. Each work is populated by the same characters—identical androgynous figures, all in a white dress with the same skin tone and haircut. The idea, according to Nakamoto, is that when we strip ourselves down to the basics, so far as to even eschew physical features and even perhaps, our physical form, we will learn to discover the “paradise” from within. “Each person has their own life, situations, struggles and dreams, but none of them are meant to stand out,” Nakamoto says about the Paradise works. Some of her
characters get along, some don’t, but in the end, neither one of them are very different. Besides the Paradise series, Nakamoto has collections of lithographs, pen & ink and sumi art. The KYOKOART Gallery located near Shuri Castle in Naha displays all of Nakamoto’s works and is also
All photos this page by Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Sailboats docked at Kadena Marina.
where they are created. Limited edition giclee prints, post cards, mugs, plates and fine art prints are sold in the gallery. Her works can also be found for sale at the Navy Fleet Gift Shop and the Marine Corps Gift Shop. See more at kyokoart.com. —Ryan Anastoplus
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more details
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When & Where:
Clockwise from the top left: Thomas Alan Smilie, monkeybusinessimages/bigstock.com
March 26, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium
Ages & Stages Open House
bove all, parenting is a collection of moments—both good and bad. There are times that try every new parent’s soul, like the tenth night in a row with no sleep. Then, there are the terrible twos (a codename for a child’s very natural selfish phase) when everything the little one touches suddenly becomes their property—and everything you touch is suddenly their property, too. But for every heart break, there is joy just around the corner. Parents celebrate their children’s developmental milestones every step of the way. The MCCS New Parent Support Program (NPSP) 7th Annual Ages & Stages Open House is designed to provide parents with whatever assistance and education they need as they look forward to those milestones. Learn about nutrition, developmental milestones, community resources and more at this infor-
mational and interactive event. Expectant parents and families with children up to five years of age are welcome to attend. In addition, you will be able to share ideas (and frustrations) with NPSP staff and other parents. Few tasks are as daunting as parenting, and the proper development of a
newborn or young child is often an area of particular concern. Ages & Stages is here to provide you with whatever assistance you need—one stage at a time. For more information, please call 645-0396 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ npsp. Pre-register for your chance to win a special prize.
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tours+
adventure begins here Tea Ceremony with Kimono Dressing March 4, 3:30–8:30 p.m. Adults $48, Children (3–11) $38 Take part in a traditional tea ceremony that includes the preparation of the matcha, the customary powdered green tea served around Japan. Afterwards, travel to Naha Main Place for dinner and shopping. Expo Park & Aquarium March 5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $37, Children (16–17) $32, (12–15) $26, (6–11) $22, (under 6) FREE Head to Expo Park where you can visit Okinawa’s four-story Churaumi Aquarium, one of the largest in Japan. Watch a free dolphin show or visit an Okinawan Village.
Whale Watching Tour March 5 & 6, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $50, Children (4–11) $35 An experience of a lifetime, watch the mammoth-sized creatures surface around the stunning Kerama Islands on their journey to warmer waters. After a refreshing morning on the East China Sea, head to Kokusai St. for lunch and shopping. Shuri Castle & Naha March 6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $23, Children (3–11) $16, (under 3) FREE Tour the ancient 15th century castle, once home of the Ryukyu kings. Shuri is the only standing castle remaining on Okinawa. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the beautiful Fukushu Garden and Naminoue Shinto Shrine.
*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
bj League Basketball Tournament March 5, 7 p.m. & March 6, 6 p.m. Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Takamatsu Five Arrows Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City Call Tours+ at 646-3502 for tickets.
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
All photos: 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
Azalea Festival March 4, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Azalea Park, Higashi Village Adults ¥300, Children (under 15) FREE
Piece of Peace World Heritage Exhibit built with Lego Bricks March 3–April 10, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Urasoe City Museum, Urasoe City Adults ¥800, Children (3–16) ¥600, (under 3) FREE
upcoming semperfitevents Southern Commanders’ Cup Softball Tournament March 11–13 MCAS Futenma Softball Field Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on March 7. This FREE event is open to all units on Camps Kinser, Foster and MCAS Futenma. Awards will be given to first- and second-place teams and individuals. Tournament brackets and rules will be emailed to each participant. Details: 636-2672.
Open Gladiator Games March 13 Camp Hansen House of Pain Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on March 7 for $20. This event is open to participants island wide. Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place finishers in male and female categories. Details: 623-5569.
classof theweek Hot Hula Fitness® Inspired by the dances of the Pacific Islands, Hot Hula Fitness incorporates easy to perform dance movements set to the sounds of traditional Polynesian drum beats fused with Reggae music. Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.