Okinawa Spotlight

March 22, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com

Easter Brunches at the Clubs

Unleash Your Inner Warrior!

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Ingimage.com, Dean Drobot/bigstock.com

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n Sunday, April 1, after the kids have hunted down every last dip-dyed egg and eaten their weight in marshmallow Peeps and chocolate bunnies, load up your family and head on over to your nearest MCCS Club for a delightful Easter Sunday brunch!

Taiyo Steakhouse will be offering an a la carte brunch menu from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Springtime is upon us, so seating will be available on the balcony where you can enjoy your meal in the beautiful Okinawa outdoors (weather permitting, of course).

Butler Officers’ Club will be hosting a scrumptious Easter brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the bunny.

Adults can enjoy a delicious meal for $19, children 5–11 for $9.50 and children under 5 eat FREE. At The Veranda at Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster, pile your plate high at their Easter Sunday buffet. Surfside on Camp Kinser and Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney will also

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be serving up an Easter feast. These buffets are all open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and cost $17 for adults, $8.50 for children 5–11 and FREE for children under 5.

Last but not least, the Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma will be hosting their breakfast buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults are $9.95, children 5–11 are $4.95 and children under 5 are FREE. The Easter scene is guaranteed to be hoppin’ this year, so don’t miss out! Even the Easter bunny himself will be dropping in on the party with a meet and greet for the children (and young-at-heart) at Butler Officers’ Club and Tengan Castle. Gather your family and friends, and start your Easter Sunday on a joyous note with brunch at an MCCS Club!

Reservations are highly recommended. To make one, contact a participating club by visiting mccsokinawa.com/clubs.

Unleash Your Inner Warrior! | 1 & 3 5K Color Me Fun Run | 3 Okinawa World & Habu Museum | 5 Hansen Bench Press Competition | 7

his is NOT just another 5K fun run. Schwab Warrior Challenge Road & Trail 5K, which will take place March 24, is not a flat and forgiving jaunt on pavement or a track.

Although the distance covered is still five kilometers, this event will require participants to go into full “warrior mode” to even finish the race. The Warrior Challenge Road & Trail course, as the name implies, will include numerous arduous hills, trails and even a punishing portion through sand.

The starting line will be at the Camp Schwab Aquatics Center and the race begins at 10 a.m. Prospective road warriors can register at the Camp Schwab Power Dome Fitness

Asking Alexandria LIVE | 9 MCCS Tours+ | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11

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livingatlarge

Unleash your Inner Warrior!

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Center until March 23 at 4 p.m. or on-site the day of from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The sign-up fee for individuals is $30 and $75 for a team of up to three people. Check-in times for runners will also occur from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. There will be a mandatory safety brief at 9:45 a.m. Participants

must be 15 or older (teens aged 15 to 17 must produce a signed waver).

After the race, participants can relax and unwind at the Camp Schwab Festival running from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday (and on Sunday, March 24). Saturday evening will feature a FREE performance by metal band

Asking Alexandria beginning at 7 p.m.—the perfect way to end your warrior challenge day!

For more information on the Schwab Warrior Challenge Road & Trail 5K, call 645-3521 or visit mccsokinawa.com/semperfit.

events&happenings

soupstock/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie

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5K Color Me Fun Run

istance running… endless stretches of gray pavement or even worse—the muttering drone of the treadmill under flickering florescent lights. Although running can get a bad rap as a stale and even boring fitness activity from non-enthusiasts, those naysayers have obviously never participated in a color run!

The EFMP 5K Color Me Fun Run can add some excitement to an otherwise drab workout. Runners will be blasted with colorful powder every kilometer, including one big color explosion at the start of the race. Unlike a regular run where you look soggy and defeated afterwards, a color run is the only occasion you will finish a run looking more glamorous than when you started.

First time doing a color run? First time running? No problem. This is a fun run, open to anyone regardless of skill or fitness level. Here are some tips on how to get ready and what to expect: Zip it: Habitual runners consume

three times more bugs than the average person. While mid-run bug snacks are always a treat during a run, a mouth full of colored powder isn’t. Though the colorful powder used is not harmful, it’s uncomfortable to inhale and will stain your teeth (and unlike bugs, powder has no nutritional value).

Eye protection: A pair of shades will go a long way in keeping the rainbow fog out of your eyes.

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To advertise in Okinawa Spotlight, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975 or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads.

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Relax: This is not a race or a competitive event. If anything, perhaps the person with the most colors on their body at the end may be considered the “winner.”

The 2018 Color Me Fun Run is on Saturday, April 7 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center. Visit mccsokinawa.com/colormefunrun for more information and to register for FREE. This publication printed with

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japanese phrase of the week

Habu Ni Chui Caution, Habu

Thomas Alan Smilie

For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.

islandadventure

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Okinawa World & Habu Museum

elve into Okinawa’s underground and engage in a staredown with the venomous pit viper known as the habu. Sound exciting?

Join Tours+ to visit Okinawa World and the Habu Museum on March 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gyokusendo, located underneath Okinawa World, is Japan’s secondlongest grotto complete with an underground stream, a golden waterfall and over 900,000 stalactites and stalagmites—reputedly the largest collection of any cave in Asia.

When Gyokusendo was initially discovered, no one could imagine just how long the cave actually was.

When it was finally surveyed in 1967, the cave was found to be over 5,000 meters in length, making it the second longest cave yet discovered in Japan. Approximately 890 meters of the cave was opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1972—followed with the establish-

ment of a small theme park above featuring Okinawan culture.

This park, now known as “Okinawa World,” also features a crafts village, traditional dance and artisans blowing glass, creating pottery and weaving colorful textiles. But some just come to the park for the snakes! Okinawa World is one of the few places on Okinawa where you can safely (because you’re separated by thick Plexiglas) meet a live, fully-grown habu. The Habu

Museum features a large exhibit of snakes—both venomous and nonvenomous. Outside of the museum, you can even have your picture taken with an albino python draped on your shoulders.

What are you waiting for? This tour is $36 for adults, $23 for children 4–14 and FREE for kids 0–3.

Park and museum entrance fees are included in the tour price. Bring yen for lunch and spending. For more information, call 646-3502.

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didyou know?

pickoftheweek Hansen Bench Press Competition

American powerlifter Ryan Kennelly currently holds the all-time world record in the assisted bench press at an impressive 1,075 lbs—roughly the weight of a polar bear!

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o you even lift, bro? Then prove it at the Camp Hansen Bench Press Competition hosted by MCCS Adult Sports! This islandwide event is set to take place on May 5 at the Hansen House of Pain.

Now's your chance to show off your gains, meet fellow lifters and finally put to the test all those grueling hours spent at the gym.

If you’re interested, registration will be taken at any manned MCCS Fitness Center until 1 p.m. on April 30. After that, registration will be accepted at Hansen House of Pain only. The fee for early registration is $20. Participants may also register on the day of the event for $25.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. Mandatory weigh-

Ingimage, Roderica Mathis, Thomas Alan Smilie

photooftheweek

Build your mind, body and spirit through yoga with MCCS Group Fitness!

ins will then follow from 8 to 9 a.m.

A competitor brief will also be held just before the event at 9:45 a.m. All registrants must attend the brief if they wish to compete. Finally, the competition itself begins at 10 a.m.

For more information, call Hansen House of Pain Fitness Center at 623-4831 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

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didyou know?

ingimage, Photo courtesy of Asking Alexandria

Metalcore is a mix of heavy metal and hardcore punk, and is known for aggressive verses, melodic choruses and intense breakdowns. The origins of the genre date back to the mid1980s, but it didn’t really get popular until the early 2000s.

indepth

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Asking Alexandria LIVE

et ready to ROCK with Asking Alexandria at the Camp Schwab Festival! Originally from England, Asking Alexandria is heavily influenced by American rock, such as Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Skid Row and Avenged Sevenfold. The band first began as a standard screamo/metalcore act in 2006, but metamorphosed into a metal band that has earned a place among the most streamed, downloaded, watched and altogether listened to bands in the rock scene.

Although they’ve smoothed some of their rough edges and matured their sound, many credit Asking Alexandria for introducing them to screamo. Songs such as “The Final Episode (Let’s Change the Channel),” “A Prophecy” and “The Death of Me” remain favorites for many fans. Their first mainstream success occurred in 2011, with the release of

the album Stepped Up and Scratched, which featured EDM remixes of songs from their first two albums.

In 2016, after a change in vocalists, they went for a softer sound with The Black, which reached number one on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums.

Now, with the return of the original vocalist and release of a new self-titled album, Asking Alexandria

has stepped back into some of their roots and is ready to take the world by storm with chugging guitars, guttural screams and melodic vocals.

Catch Asking Alexandria LIVE on Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m. For more information, such as the entertainment schedule, visit mcccsokinawa.com/festivals.

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tours+

adventure begins here Expo Park & Churaumi Aquarium March 24, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Adults $39; Children (16–17) $34, (6–15) $21, (3–5) $16, (Under 3) FREE Head to Expo Park, where you can visit Japan’s largest aquarium. Watch a FREE dolphin show, explore an Okinawan village and much more! Admission for both the park and aquarium are included in the tour price.

Lunch is not included.

Battle Sites Tour March 25, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Adults $28; Children (3–11) $18 (Under 3) FREE Visit Hacksaw Ridge and the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum on Camp Kinser. Afterwards, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Memorial Park. Bring dollars for lunch and yen for admissions.

Daisekirinzan, Hedo Point & Okuma Tour March 31, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

Adults $30; Children (4–15) $20 (Under 4) FREE Enjoy hiking at Daisekirinzan and visit the northernmost point on the island. Afterwards, enjoy a late lunch at Okuma Resort. Bring dollars for lunch and yen for spending; admission fees are included in tour price. Hiking can be strenuous and is not recommended for individuals with health problems.

Ryukyu Ninja Show & Dinner April 1, 4–9 p.m.

Adults $48; Children (7–12) $27, (3–6) $24, (Under 3) FREE (meal not included) Enjoy a Ryukyu cuisine buffet and an exciting performance by Ryukyu ninjas. After the show, try throwing ninja shuriken and try on samurai armor or a ninja costume and pose for photos (reservations required).

*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

upcoming semperfitevents Schwab Warrior Challenge 5K March 24, 8:30 a.m.

Register from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the day of the event at the Camp Schwab 50M Pool for $35 (individual) and $90 (team). Awards will be given to first, second and third place male and female finishers, as well as the top three teams. For more information, call 625-2654 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Mike Daley, Roderica Mathis

Flag Football Tournament March 30, 6 p.m.

March 31–April 1, 9 a.m.

Camp Courtney Bowl Register by March 26 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for $120. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. By-laws and the tournament bracket will be emailed on March 26. For more information, call 622-7297 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Doubles Tennis Tournament March 30, 6 p.m.

March 31–April 1, 9 a.m.

Camp Foster Tennis Courts #1 & #2 Register by March 26 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for $15. Late registration is available on March 30 at Gunners Fitness Center for $20. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place pairs.

A tournament bracket will be emailed on March 26. For more information, call 645-4866 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Open Softball Tournament March 30, 6 p.m.

March 31–April 1, 9 a.m.

MCAS Futenma Softball Field Register by March 26 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for $120. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams and individuals. By-laws and the tournament bracket will be emailed on March 26. For more information, call 636-2672 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

classof theweek

Strong

by Zumba® Strong by Zumba® combines body weight, muscle conditioning, cardio and plyometric training moves synced to original music that has been specifically designed to match every single movement.

For a full group fitness schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.