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March 5, 2015 • mccsokinawa.com
okinawalivingweekly Nakijin Castle
St. Patrick’s Day at the Clubs
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Clockwise from the top right: Milleflore Images/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie.
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efore the Ryukyu Kingdom was united, Okinawa was divided into three principalities: Hokuzan in the north, Chuzan in the center and Nanzan in the south. The seat of power for Hokuzan was Nakijin Castle. The castle is now in ruins, but remnants of the original foundations and features are still present and can be enjoyed year round by visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Nakijin Castle ruins are located strategically on the top of a hill, where it is naturally protected
inside
by valleys, rivers and cliffs. It was one of the largest castle estates on the island, comprised of several wards that stretch up the hill. The grounds include several utaki, sacred groves used for the veneration of ancestors and gods. The ruins are known for being one of the best places to enjoy hanami, the viewing of cherry blossoms, between mid-January and early February each year. It also provides one of the most spectacular views of the East China Sea on Okinawa.
Living at Large: 4 Person Spring Scramble | 3 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5 Culture Corner: Earthquake | 5 Off Base Events: Pop Circus | 7
ach year, people worldwide gather to celebrate the life of St. Patrick. No matter what you’re looking for, check out an MCCS Club for a St. Patrick’s Day party that is sure to knock your green socks off. The festivities will start on March 13 and end on March 20 with parties, social hours and more on camps across the island. On March 13, stop by the Ocean Breeze or Chesty’s SNCO Lounge on Camp Foster, Hashmarks SNCO Lounge and Legends Officers’ Lounge on Camp Courtney, or make your way to the Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma. On March 14, the Bayview on Camp Courtney and Thirsty’s E Club on MCAS Futenma will host their parties. On March 17 the Enlisted Lounge on Camp Schwab will have their party, and on March 18 The Palms on Camp Hansen will host theirs. Finally, on March 20, The Butler Officers’ Club Lounge will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to finish out the festivities. For event details and hours, please visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs.
Photo of the Week | 7 Spotlight: Imagination Station | 9 Movie Schedule | 11 Health Tip of the Week | 11
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livingatlarge
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4 Person Spring Scramble
olfers are a mindful bunch. If you want to hear a discourse on the mental and emotional aspects of 18 holes, ask any serious golfer about their philosophy of golf. And while these philosophers do have something right—that golf can be complex—avid players may agree that the best thing about golf is simply playing the game with friends. So, grab your best buds and hit the greens at the Taiyo Golf Club 4 Person Spring Scramble on March 14. In a scramble, each player tees off at each hole. The best of the tee shots is selected and golfers play their second shot from that spot. This continues for each shot until the ball is holed. This scramble is a tee time event con-
sisting of four-person teams utilizing 10% of the combined team handicap. Teams may register for $30 by March 11 at Taiyo Golf Club. In addition to a total payout of $3,600, all participants will be entered to
win an overnight stay for two with breakfast at Moon Ocean Ginowan Hotel & Residence. For details, call 622-2004/2006 and visit us online at mccsokinawa.com/golf or facebook.com/taiyogc.
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus ART DIRECTOR | Corrinne McKenna GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Kelli Davis, Hector Nieves EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley EDITOR | Courtney Rick PHOTOGRAPHER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Aya Chilcote, Yoshihiro Shinzato, Yoriko Yamashiro, Lola Cardenas, Carina Fils-Julien DISTRIBUTION | Gideon Juko MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Kelly Longo, Amanda Bakun, Megan Milovich, Phylicia Callahan, Lindsay Roegge, Katherine Melrose CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALISTS | Ayako Kawamitsu 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. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
mccsevents&happenings Survival Japanese Language Class March 9, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Education Center MCAS Futenma 645-2104 FREE
Money Management Workshop March 9, 8–11 a.m. MFP-R, Camp Hansen 645-2104 FREE
Uruma Grocery Store Tour March 12, 12–2 p.m. MFP-R, Camp Courtney 645-2104 FREE
Career Assessment March 9, 1–4 p.m. MFP-R, Camp Schwab 645-2104 FREE
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Story Time March 7, 10–11 a.m. Library, Camp Foster & Camp Courtney 645-7178/622-9280 FREE
Sponsorship Training March 10, 9–11 a.m. MFP-R, Camp Courtney 645-2104 FREE
Passport to Volunteering March 12, 9–11:30 p.m. MCFTB, Camp Foster 645-3689 FREE
Family Care Plan March 10, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. MCFTB, Camp Foster 645-3689 FREE
Other FREE Media:
Channel 15 & 118
This publication printed with
Camp Foster
Camp Foster
March 7, 12:30–5:30 p.m. Camp Kinser Youth Center Come bowling with us, members and non-members are welcome (age 10–12). Camp Kinser Youth Center 637-2248
March 19 & 20, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Bldg. 5677 Join fellow Marine Corps spouses to learn about island fun, Marine Corps traditions, moving tips and more. MCFTB 645-3689
Camp Foster
Camps Foster & Courtney
March 11, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Typhoon Motors Learn repair techniques and tips to prepare your vehicle for Government of Japan vehicle inspections. Typhoon Motors 645-7169/9362
April 1 & 2, 5–9 p.m. Ocean Breeze (April 1), Tengan Castle (April 2) Celebrate Easter with an egg hunt, games and a photo with the Easter Bunny. mccsokinawa.com/clubs
Field Trip: Foster Bowling Center
Clockwise from the top right: Nyul/bigstock.com
Resume Writing Workshop March 12, 8:30–11:30 a.m. MFP-R, Camp Courtney 645-2104 FREE
We Make Okinawa Home
Car Repair Tips and JCI Preparation
L.I.N.K.S. For Spouses
Easter Family Fun Nights
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japanese phrase
culturecorner
of the week
Earthquake!
T Onaka ga suki mashita. I’m hungry.
Clockwise from the top right: flik47/bigstock.com, Sebastian RADU/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs– Resources at 645-2104/2106.
he Japanese Archipelago is born of the massive forces that move the Earth’s crust, erupting from the Pacific at the joining of three tectonic plates. From the indented coastlines to the snowcapped mountains, the rugged landscape is accented with hot springs (onsen), jagged cliffs, and the volcanic Fuji-san. While 108 of Japan’s 186 volcanoes are still active, the more immediate concern is the shifting of the Earth’s
surface—earthquakes—of which Japan is responsible for at least 10 percent of the worldwide total. The worst earthquake, or jishin, in Japan’s history was the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, which also triggered a deadly 133ft tsunami. The quake left 15,889 dead, 6,152 injured and 2,601 missing. Japan uses the shindo scale instead of the Richter scale of the west. It gives the magnitude of the quake’s effects at a given location while the Richter scale measures
the intensity of energy released at the quake’s epicenter. A shindo one quake is minor—it can be felt only by a person sitting still. These minor shakes are recorded on seismological instruments almost daily. Shindo two through four are still minor. Stronger quakes, the level that rattle dishes and knock objects off shelves, occur several times a year. It is estimated that a severe earthquake, as high as shindo seven, will hit every 60 to 100 years.
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off-base events get out and explore.
Pop Circus March 5–April 4 Tickets on sale at Tours+ Adults: $21, Children (3–15) $10, (under 3) FREE Haisai Market March 7, 3–9 p.m. Saion Square, Naha City FREE Yomitan Bull Fight March 8, 1 p.m. Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome Tickets: ¥3,000
tours+
adventure begins here. Fish & Farmer’s Market March 11, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Adults $20, Children (3–11) $13 (under 3) FREE Explore and shop the freshest foods available on Okinawa at the JA Farmers Market and the Vege Vege store. Next, stop at the Mini Mini Zoo where the eggs are so fresh, they might still be warm. The last stop will be Payao Fish Market where you can buy a delicious lunch.*
Neo Park Chrysanthemum Doll Exhibition & Pineapple Park March 14, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $26, Children (3–11) $13 (under 3) FREE Visit Neo Park where you can feed birds, monkeys and other animals, as well as a special chrysanthemum exhibit that recreates scenes from a Japanese television drama. After lunch, enjoy the rest of the tour at Pineapple Park.*
Pop Circus March 15, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Adults $36, Children (3–15) $25 (under 3) FREE no seat Come see the world’s greatest circus at Naha Onoyama Park. Thrilling and amazing performances will bring joy to the audiences of all ages.*
Urashima Dinner Theater March 13, 5:30–9:30 p.m. Adults $68 with lobster, $52 without, Children (6–12) $38, (3–5) $34 (under 3) FREE no meal Savor the varied flavors of Okinawan cuisine while being entertained by traditional music and dancers. Choose from American or Okinawan menu.*
Sweet and Salty Tour March 14, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Adults $20, Children (3–11) $13 (under 3) FREE See the process behind two of Okinawa’s traditional trades. First, visit a sugar cane factory where Okinawa’s healthy brown sugar is made. Then stop by a sea salt refinery to find out what goes into processing salt.*
Whale Watching Tour March 15, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $54, Children (4–11) $35 Watch these mammoth‐sized creatures surface around the Kerama Islands. After a morning at sea we will head to Kokusai St. 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 temporarily closed | U.S. Naval Hospital 646-7013
Clockwise from the top right: inarik/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Enjoy this sweet, golden fruit in its seemingly infinite variations at the Nago Pineapple Park. An upcoming tour is scheduled for March 14 (see above).
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spotlight
Imagination Station
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Gennadiy Poznyakov/thinkstock.com
eading together, telling tales and listening as a group is a great way to develop imagination and strengthen your relationships. Taking the time to share stories with your children gives them a sense of belonging and is a great way to educate them. Communication is the key to building strong bonds, and reading together is a fantastic way to create this positive pathway. Gather your children and head to Imagination Station to share this pastime with other families on the
second Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon at the Camp Foster Library. This hour-long storytime geared for children ages 3-9 years old will have kids stretching their imaginations through reading books, playing games, and songs. Each monthly event will include a themed craft activity. Please call 645-6453 for more information or visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries and facebook.com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries.
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upcoming semperfitevents movieschedule Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports Athletics/Adult Sports 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
Open Basketball March 13–15 Camp Kinser, Bldg. 618 Register by 1 p.m. on March 9 at any MCCS fitness center for $95 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place winners in each division. Tournament brackets and bylaws will be emailed to each player. Details: 645-1869. Open Powerlifting Competition March 14 Camp Schwab Power Dome Register by 1 p.m. on March 14 at any MCCS fitness center for $10 (Camp Schwab Power Dome only from March 9) or on-site for $15. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place finishers in each weight class. Details: 625-2654. Open Basketball March 20–22 Kinser Gym Register by 1 p.m. on March 9 at any MCCS fitness center for $95 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. Tournament brackets and bylaws will be emailed to each player. Details: 637-1869. Open 5K Lord of the Tengan Run Run March 22 Courtney Semper Fit Gym Register by 1 p.m. on March 10 at any MCCS fitness center $20 or on-site between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. for $25. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place winners. An on-site, mandatory participant’s brief will be at 7:45 a.m. Details: 622-7297.
CAMP KINSER | 637-2177
CAMP COURTNEY | 622-6101
Thursday, March 5 Mortdecai (R) 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 5 CLOSED Friday, March 6 Chappie (R) 6 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 9 p.m.
Friday, March 6 Unfinished Business (R) 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7 Chappie (R) 3 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8 Strange Magic (PG) 1 p.m. Chappie (R) 3:30 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 6:30 p.m.
Body Sculpt This is a total muscular conditioning class mixing of standing and mat work. The class uses a variety of equipment from bar, dumbbells, bands and stability balls.
weeklyhealthtip The best way to lose weight and keep it off is the combination of decreased caloric intake and exercise, not one or the other. Astrup, Astrup A. “Macronutrient Balances and Obesity: The Role of Diet and Physical Activity.” Public Health Nutrition 2, no. 3, 341–7. Accessed March 2, 2015. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10610071.
Sunday, March 8 Chappie (R) 3 p.m. Taken 3 (PG 13) 6 p.m.
Monday, March 9 CLOSED
Monday, March 9 Selma (PG) 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10 CLOSED
Tuesday, March 10 CLOSED
Wednesday, March 11 Unfinished Business (R) 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11 Unfinished Business (R) 7 p.m.
MCAS FUTENMA | *
CAMP HANSEN | 623-4564
Thursday, March 5 CLOSED
Thursday, March 5 Focus (R) 7 p.m.
Friday, March 6 Chappie (R) 6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 6 Chappie (R) 6:30 p.m. Chappie (R) 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 Fifty Shades of Grey (R) 4 p.m. Chappie (R) 7 p.m. Sunday, March 8 Fifty Shades of Grey (R) 4 p.m. Chappie (R) 7 p.m. Monday, March 9 Unfinished Business (R) 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 CLOSED
classoftheweek
Saturday, March 7 Paddington (PG) 3 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11 CLOSED
Saturday, March 7 Chappie (R) 6 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8 Mortdecai (R) 3:30 p.m. Chappie (R) 7 p.m. Monday, March 9 Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (R) 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 Unfinished Business (R) 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 Focus (R) 7 p.m.
CAMP FOSTER | 645-3465
CAMP SCHWAB | 625-2333
Thursday, March 5 Focus (R) 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 5 CLOSED
Friday, March 6 Chappie (R) 6 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 9 p.m. Saturday, March 7 Strange Magic (PG) Noon Chappie (R) 3 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 6 p.m. Mortdecai (R) 9 p.m. Sunday, March 8 Strange Magic (PG) 1 p.m. Chappie (R) 4 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 7 p.m.
Friday, March 6 Chappie 3D (R) 6 p.m. Chappie (R) 9 p.m. Saturday, March 7 Chappie (R) 6 p.m. Unfinished Business (R) 9 p.m. Sunday, March 8 Unfinished Business (R) 4 p.m. Chappie (R) 7 p.m. Monday, March 9 Unfinished Business (R) 7 p.m.
Monday, March 9 Chappie (R) 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10 Chappie (R) 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10 Unfinished Business (R) 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11 CLOSED
Wednesday, March 11 American Sniper (R) 7 p.m.
Movie schedule is subject to change. For the latest updates visit shopmyexchange.com/reeltimetheatres/reeltime-landing.htm.