Okinawa Living Weekly by MCCS Okinawa

March 30, 2017 · mccsokinawa.com

Javier Brosch/bigstock.com

t’s that time of year again—the one where you feel like you’ve finally found a money tree. Tax refund season gives military families a financial boost, but that boost is often short-lived. More often than not, hefty tax returns are used for unnecessary splurges. I mean, do you really need a hot tub for your barracks room? There are many ways to make the most of your refund: you can invest your tax refund to get an even bigger return down the road, put it into various retirement funds to secure a financial future, or apply it to outstanding debt from loans and credit

inside

cards. It’s also possible to save that refund for future expenses, like trips to the veterinarian, JCI and road tax, childcare costs and more. Resisting the temptation to spend your return all at once and meeting with a personal financial management consultant can prepare you for a year of financial readiness. Consider attending the Money Management workshop hosted by Marine & Family ProgramsResources. This hands-on financial literacy workshop teaches attendees how to prepare a financial statement, develop a budget and establish a savings plan. The workshop also highlights how to build

Taiyo Pro Shop Sale | 3 Bowling Spring Cleaning Sale | 3 Culture Corner: Salt | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5

Creating a strategic plan for your refund can pave the road to financial readiness. or rebuild a good credit record. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be a pro at managing your money to achieve financial success. To view dates and times for the workshop, and additional financial planning resources, visit mccsokinawa.com/finance.

Pick of the Week: Bouncer Rentals | 7 Learn to Swim | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11

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livingatlarge Taiyo Pro Shop Sale

mong the many relaxing pas‌times on island, golf allows you to be physically active without over-exertion and is a great way to engage in some friendly competition. However, in order to do your best on the course, you need the right gear. Have you noticed that hole in 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 item in the store will be 10% off, with many items up to 40% off. In addition, any custom or special orders placed during the sale will receive 10% off.

On April 15, Taiyo Pro Shop will also have FREE hotdogs, 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 a morning teetime. For more information, call the Taiyo Pro Shop at 622-2004/2006, or go to mccsokinawa.com/taiyo.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ashley Snipes ART DIRECTOR | Jongeun Spencer CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Catherine Newquist, Hector Nieves EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley WRITER/EDITORS | Ryan Anastoplus, 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.

events&happenings

Bowling Spring Cleaning Sale

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.

From top to bottom: Thomas Alan Smilie

elp the Foster Pro Shop at the Camp Foster Bowling Center clear out some clutter! On April 22 and 23, the Pro Shop is offering 5-15% discounts on all in-stock merchandise at their Spring Cleaning Sale. Is it time to upgrade your ball, or get your significant other some snazzy new bowling shoes? Maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of joining the professional bowling circuit after your military service. This is your chance to score some great deals at the Pro Shop as we move into the summer bowling season. Stop by the Pro Shop inside the Camp Foster Bowling Center, open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or call them at 645-9225. For more information about MCCS Bowling Centers, go to mccsokinawa.com/bowling.

This publication printed with

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japanese phrase

culturecorner Salt

of the week

Shiokarai Too Salty

KateSmirnova/bigstock.com, Kerdkanno/bigstock.com

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

here is something in your pantry, on your table, or in a little packet in your desk drawer responsible for the sustainment of human life for thousands of years. It has helped humans develop new technologies, and may one day be a source of power for your home. Figure it out? It’s salt! In ancient times, salt was a highly sought after commodity and is one of the reasons roads and transportation systems were developed for trade. Hippocrates even prescribed salt water baths for ailments, and today, we soak our tootsies in Epsom salt after a hard day at work to alleviate swelling in our feet. Salt is now being used in solar energy, where it is heated to a liquid state, then stored in huge holding tanks to be released for steam generation during bad weather and night.

Interested in learning more about salt? MCCS Tours+ is offering a Sweet & Salty Tour to Gala Sea Salt Factory where you can learn about the process of making and refining sea salt. The facility includes a salt gallery with salts from around the world, a look at the Condensation Tower where sea salt is made and more. After you’ve satiated your salty side, MCCS will then take you

to an Okinawan sugar cane factory where you can see the process of making sugar. Contact your local MCCS Tours+ office to reserve your spot for this fun tour on April 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to see the cultivation of two of Okinawa’s traditional trades. Go to mccsokinawa.com/tours for more information.

If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

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didyou know?

pickoftheweek

According to NASA, 10 minutes of jumping is a better cardiovascular workout than 30 minutes of running.

Bouncer Rentals

ow do you take any party to the next level? You can hire a DJ, offer free drinks and food, or invite a clown. Those things will certainly make for a great party your friends will be talking about for weeks afterwards. But what if you’re not okay with just throwing a “pretty good” party? What can a host do to create a party that has potential to be trending on Twitter? Two words: Bounce. House. MCCS offers a wide variety of bounce houses in different themes including one that looks like a dog, one that looks like a cake and one that has dinosaurs on it. To round out your incredible event, rent yard games like lawn bowling, bocce ball, croquet, horse shoes or a giant Jenga set. After bouncing inside a giant inflatable dog or cake and playing giant Jenga, your guests might be saying to each other, “Great party, no way Jerry can do any better.” But that’s

when you bring out the sumo suits, joust ring, inflatable boxing ring and shark dunk tank. Incredible—thanks to MCCS bouncer rentals and more, you have gone from being the Derrick Williams of your neighborhood to becoming the LeBron James.

Do you want to take your party to the next level? Then visit mccsokinawa.com/bouncers to rent and reserve your bouncer or party games now. Delivery and pick-up are provided to your on-base residence. For more details, call 645-5828.

Clockwise: Dean Drobot/bigstock.com, olesiabilkei/bigstock.com, Sarah Head

photooftheweek

Col. William L. DePue, Camp Commander, Camps Foster & Lester cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the Innovation Lab at Camp Foster Library with Supervisory Librarian Mr. Devin Farmer. Call the Camp Foster Library at 645-7178 for more information.

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spotlight

Go to mccsokinawa.com/learntoswim or the Camp Foster 25M Pool for upcoming sessions: April 10 to 20 and April 24 to May 4.

f9photos/bigstock.com, Sarah Head

For more information, call 645-3180.

Learn To Swim

nowing how to swim is a great skill to have, especially when you live on a tropical island surrounded by water. MCCS Semper Fit Aquatics’ Learn to Swim program will get your feet wet. Whether you’d like to splash around the pool or venture out into the ocean, learning the fundamentals of swimming is a must. In addition to keeping you cool, swimming is a lifetime sport that offers numerous benefits. Swimming works practically every muscle in your body, building strength and increasing endurance. It also offers a low-impact cardiovascular workout to keep your heart and joints happy and healthy. Perhaps one of the best perks of swimming on Okinawa is the recreational fun it provides. From pool parties to snorkeling trips, water activities abound on island.

To make sure you or your children aren’t left out of the watery fun, sign up for swimming lessons today. Sessions meet every weekday for two weeks. The registration fee ($50 for parent/child lessons and

$75 for regular lessons) includes eight classes. Classes are between the times of 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 4 to 7:30 p.m. MCCS Aquatics tailors these group lessons to a variety of skill levels.

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tours+

adventure begins here Neo Park and Pineapple Park* April 1, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adult $26, Children (3–12) $16, Children (under 3) FREE Visit Neo Park where you can feed birds of all sizes, monkeys, llamas and other animals. After lunch enjoy the rest of the tour at Pineapple Park. Ocean Expo Park and Churaumi Aquarium* April 1, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $40, Children (16–17) $34, Children (6–15) $22, Children (3–5) $16, Children (under 3) FREE Visit Ocean Expo Park and world-famous Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Watch a FREE dolphin show, visit an Okinawa Village, or relax on Emerald Beach.

Yanbaru Mangrove Kayaking Tour* April 2, 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Adults $55, Children (6–12) $34 Get your muscles moving while enjoying the beautiful nature and scenery, kayaking for approximately 2.5 hours. Northern Highlights April 2, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $39, Children (3–11) $24, Children (under 3) FREE Visit Nago Pineapple Winery, Nago Glass Factory and the Orion Brewery. Enjoy a buffet lunch at Yanbaru Ikoi No Mura. Lunch is included in the tour price.

*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

B League Basketball Tournament Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Nagoya DIAMOND Dolphins April 1, 6 p.m. & April 2, 1 p.m. Okinawa City Gym Call Tours+ at 646-3502 for tickets.

Athletics/Adult Sports

5 second/bigstock.com, landio/bigstock.com

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

Handmade Market March 30–April 3, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. San A Nishihara City Nishihara Town FREE

Bougainvillea Fair March 30–April 2 Southeast Botanical Gardens Okinawa City Adults ¥1,500, Children (16–18) ¥1,000, (6–15) ¥500, (under 6) FREE

upcoming semperfitevents Northern Camp Commanders Cup Softball Tournament April 14-16 Camp Courtney Softball Field Open to eligible units on Camps Courtney, Hansen and Schwab. Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by April 10 at 1 p.m. By-laws and tournament bracket schedule for this event will be emailed. Top two teams will receive awards. Details: 622-7297.

Bench Press Competition April 15 Camp Schwab Power Dome Open to participants island-wide. Register at any MCCS Fitness Center for $20 by April 10 at 1 p.m. Late registration is $25. Weigh-ins will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Individual awards will be awarded to top three in each weight class, as well as overall female and male winners. Details: 625-2654.

classof theweek Cycle This indoor cycling class is an effective cardio and strength workout with various imaginary course settings by the instructor including hill climb, downhill, rolling hill, flat, headwind/ tailwind and more. All Camps For a full group fitness schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.