March 31, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
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ossibly the most decadent of fruits, the striking red, fragrant, heart-shaped and juicy strawberry is the fruit of choice for gods and lovers. Dunked in chocolate, whipped cream or chomped straight off the plant, there can be no wrong way to enjoy that which is divine by definition. The ubiquitous sweet is not a berry at all but in the same family as roses, apples and almonds. The versatile fruit can be used in juices, pies, ice creams, milkshakes, chocolates and is known as an aphrodisiac. Strawberries as we know them today were first bred in France during the 18th century. Prior to then, strawberry plants were used for medicinal purposes. It wasn’t until a French spy smuggled a sub-species of the strawberry plant and the two plants were bred—the fragaria chiloensis and the
inside
fragaria virginiana—that the strawberry was born Today, you don’t need the assistance of a spy to get fresh, ripe strawberries, but you may think you need the paycheck of one. It’s no secret that fruit in Japan is expensive. This is because fruit is a labor of love—carefully cultivated by farmers at their small family-owned farms. They strip excess fruit from the plants, closely monitor soil beds for optimum moisture levels and even hand-pollinate some fruit to perfection. Some farmers call their plants “their babies,” and after all this nurturing, it’s easy to see why. The best time to get your strawberries on Okinawa is now, and MCCS Tours+ can take you on a strawberry spree to a local farm on April 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Now is your chance to try the cultivated perfection and eat as many as you
Month of the Military Child | 3 Far East Bodybuilding | 3 Culture Corner: Pizza Toppings | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
"...strawberry is the fruit of choice for gods and lovers." want during your visit. Take a pack home for ¥450 each. The price for adults is $30, $20 for children 7–12, $16 for children 2–6 and FREE for children under 2. For more details, call MCCS Tours+ at 646-3502 or visit mccsokinawa.com/tours. —Ryan Anastoplus
Pick of the Week: The Shack | 7 Strike Out Child Abuse | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge
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Month of the Military Child
hildren in military families learn to deal with change from a young age. Between deployments and temporary duty assignments, PCS moves, changing schools and making new friends, it can be tough for military children to adjust. Despite these circumstances, they always manage to settle into their new routine with resilience and determination and find a way to feel at home in a new place. In 1986, in honor of military children, Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger designated April as the Month of the Military Child. This month recognizes the role that military children play in the community while their parent serves in the military. Perhaps this is why the term “military brat” connotes spunkiness and adaptability. Described as the “modern nomads,” the subculture is one of America’s oldest, yet still largely invisible. The lifestyle of mobile
upbringing is difficult for many regardless of age or circumstance. To raise awareness and support for our military brats, MCCS promotes special programs, public education and support activities throughout the community during the month of the military child. On Camp Courtney, the Youth & Teen Centers celebrate military children with parties on April 13. The youth party will be from noon
to 4 p.m., and the teen party will be from 4 to 7 p.m. At the Kishaba Youth Center, come for a Mardi Gras/military child festival on April 15 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. The Teen Center on Camp Foster will have a similar celebration on April 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information on these and more events celebrating the Month of the Military Child, visit mccsokinawa.com.
events&happenings
Top to bottom: monkeybusinessimages/bigstock.com, Aya Chilcote
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Far East Bodybuilding
n 1893, Eugen Sandow started working as a strong-man performer at the Chicago World’s Fair and ended up inventing modern bodybuilding. In the beginning it was called “muscle display performances,” and the spectacle was created when carnival audiences were more impressed by Eugen Sandow’s muscular physique than by what he could actually do with the muscles. Sandow represented the “Grecian Ideal”—a “perfect physique” modeled after classical Greek and Roman sculptures. He was the first person to build his body to an aesthetic standard and profit from it. Bodybuilding today has grown beyond a carnival trick, though the end goal of muscular aesthetics remains intact. The MCCS Far East Bodybuilding Competition is known as one of MCCS Semper Fit’s biggest events of the year. The best bodybuilders as well as physique and figure competitors in
the Pacific will compete on August 7 at the Camp Foster Theater for the fitness event of the year. Beginning your contest preparation any later than now will be too late. Categories for this year’s show include female figure and physique and men’s bodybuilding. The event is open to
participants Pacific-wide. SOFA competitors must register by 1 p.m. on July 18 at any MCCS fitness center for $75 (non-SOFA participants must contact Semper Fit Athletics at 645-3521 for registration details).
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Caylee Reid 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 | Ryan Anastoplus 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, Kelli Kreider 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
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 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.
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japanese phrase
culturecorner
of the week
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Pizza daisuki! I love pizza! For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Pizza Toppings
ayonnaise, foie gras, hot dogs, seaweed, squid ink, corn, Korean barbecue and tartar sauce: Ingredients for a gross smoothie competition? No, just some popular Japanese pizza toppings. What happened to pizza when it came to Japan? Love it or hate it, something strange happened when the cheese pizza landed on the shores of the Far East and someone said, “Let’s put clams on it.” The idea of seafood on pizza remains a staple in Japanese pies, and always prominent on the menu at Pizza Hut, Domino's and Japan’s number one pizza chain, Pizza-La. Going through the menu at any Japanese pizzeria, you’ll find toppings like shrimp with sakura shrimp sauce or crab gratin with a mayo sauce from Domino's, bulgogi pizza and a hot dog pizza from Pizza-La, or mochi-mentaiko, sweet & sour chicken with tartar sauce and
teriyaki chicken, mayo and corn from Pizza Hut. Of course, you can get Mayo-Jaga with extra corn nibs (mayonnaise and potato), the Japanese version of pepperoni with extra cheese, nearly anywhere. Japanese pizza doesn’t have a deep history. It started when Domino's arrived in 1985. Pizza is still
trying to find its footing in the culture. Right now, pizza is a special occasion food, with the average Japanese citizen going for a slice only four times a year. And with toppings as creative as Japan’s, it’s doubtful any of those occasions included a single pepperoni. —Ryan Anastoplus
Clockwise from the top left: delwynn/bigstock.com, geargodz/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
Mon–Fri: 5 p.m.–midnight Sat–Sun: 1 p.m.–1 a.m. Tel: 098-926-0773 Coordinates 26.327404, 127.745413
pickoftheweek
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new concept has been popping up on newsfeeds and social media. While it may not be healthy, it is undoubtedly good. They’re called “freak shakes,” and the name says it all. These monstrous shakes are offered at The Shack, near the Sunabe Seawall. It’s a brilliant idea—who wouldn’t enjoy all that sugary goodness while basking in the Okinawan sun with an ocean view? The Shack offers seven different flavors of “freak shakes” with an occasional seasonal flavor. You don’t need an excuse to try one, but if you do: Birthday celebration? Yep. Date night? Yep. Sunny day? Yep. That’s just the start of a list of great reasons. The flavors range from Peanut Butter Dream to Bacon Meets
The Shack
Chocolate, Oreo Party to Strawberry Lover. If you dare try the Peanut
Butter Dream (pictured above), you will come face to face with a peanut butter milkshake, the rim
of a glass drizzled with chocolate and peanuts, a scoop of delicious whipped cream topped with a waffle drizzled in more peanut butter, and to top it all off—peanut butter cups. Maybe you’re in the mood for some salty-sweet goodness. Bacon Meets Chocolate (pictured far left) is the shake for you. In this rich chocolate shake, chocolate and pretzels cover the rim of the glass. On top of that is a sugar-covered donut, piled with creamy whipped topping. As if that’s not enough, a dollop of chocolate and crispy bacon strips complete this shake. As for the rest of the flavors, you will have to go check them out for yourself. Trust me, you will not be disappointed (and neither will your stomach). —Jenessa Reutov
Clockwise from the top left: Caylee Reid, Thomas Alan Smilie (2)
photooftheweek
Sometimes nicknamed "bull sumo," bullfighting is a popular sport on Okinawa, and matches are held year-round. Outside of the ring, the fighting bulls live pampered lives—you may see owners taking their bulls out for a walk.
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more details
spotlight
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This year’s theme of “Building Community, Building Hope,” acknowledges the power of community in preventing child abuse and neglect.
Clockwise from the top left: rawpixel.com/bigstock.com, Kzenon/bigstock.com
Learn more at childwelfare.gov.
Strike Out Child Abuse
pril is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this month we pay extra attention to make sure the world is a better place for children and their families. We want to prevent the mistreatment of children by equipping parents with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children. Our children are our future and our responsibility. Join us in supporting the efforts of the MCCS Behavioral Health and Family Advocacy Program on Okinawa to prevent child abuse and protect our children. Everyone can help prevent this serious issue by learning the risk factors, protecting children in danger and supporting families who need assistance. Regardless of whether you are a parent or not, it is important to realize that you can have an effective role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
On April 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Camp Courtney Bowling Center, come out to bowl for FREE with your family while learning ways to maintain a safe and healthy home. The Strike Out Child Abuse bowling event is a family friendly leisure activity and an opportunity to learn
ways you can help prevent child abuse and ensure all of our children are safe and sound. For more information on this event, call the MCCS Behavioral Health Family Advocacy Program at 645-2915 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ supportgroups.
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tours+
adventure begins here Okinawa West Coast Tour* April 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $43, Children (6–12) $26 (3–5) $11, (under 3) FREE Visit Cape Manzamo then head to the Okinawa Marriott Resort for a lunch buffet. Finally, have dessert at the Okinawa Sweets Factory while overlooking the East China Sea. Itoman Farm & Fish Tour* April 2, 9 a.m.–2 p.m Adults $20, Children (4–11) $13 (under 3) FREE Explore and shop the freshest seafood and vegetables available.
Battle Sites Tour* April 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28, Children (3–11) $18 (under 3) FREE Explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and Peace Prayer Park. Northern Highlights* April 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $39, Children (3–12) $24 (under 3) FREE Visit Nago Pineapple Winery, Nago Glass Factory and the Orion Beer Factory. Then enjoy a buffet lunch at Yanbaru Ikoi no Mori.
*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
Okinawa Asian Market April 2–3, noon–7 p.m. Chatan Uminchu Wharf Chatan Town FREE
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
Clockwise from the top left: Thomas Alan Smilie, scyther5/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
Tsuboya Shîsâ Potters’ Exhibition April 2–3, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Tsuboya Pottery Museum Naha City FREE (on April 3, the Day of Shisa)
Piece of Peace World Heritage Exhibit built with Lego Bricks March 24–April 10, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Urasoe City Museum, Urasoe City Tickets: Adults ¥800, Children (3–16) ¥600, (under 3) FREE
upcoming semperfitevents Southern Camps Commanders’ Cup Basketball Tournament April 8–10 MCAS Futenma Semper Fit Gym Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. by April 4. This FREE event is open to participants on Camps Kinser, Foster and MCAS Futenma. Tournament brackets and rules will be emailed to each participant. Awards will be given to the top two finishers. Details: 636-2672.
Open Racquetball Tournament April 2–3 Camp Kinser Fitness Center Register onsite by 9 a.m. on April 2 for $15. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to the top three finishers. Details: 637-1869.
classof theweek Xtreme Fitness Hi/Low, Step, interval training, circuit training and yoga all in one class. Camp Courtney
For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.