Okinawa Spotlight

April 5, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com

Ragin’ Cajun Shrimp Boil

Get Fit NOW

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Thomas Alan Smilie

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utside is pleasantly warm, and thankfully there’s still some time before the humidity storms in and hits us all like a brick. So you better take advantage of the nice weather while you can and spend some time outdoors. Use it as an opportunity to find good company with friends, watch the sunset or simply chill on your own for some quiet peace of mind.

But however you choose to leisure, and whether you do so by yourself or with a party, there has to be good food to make it the best experience. After all, who can relax and have a good time on an empty stomach?

You're probably trying to think of where you can go to loosen up, stuff your face and savor a little bit of the spring season. Meet us on the patio of Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney and we'll show you how to pass on

inside

a good time and enjoy the best food there is—Cajun food—in the best possible way.

Come on by on April 21 for Tengan Castle's Ragin' Cajun Shrimp Boil! The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature seasoned shrimp boiled in a large pot to perfection. Of course, the delicious shrimp will be accompanied by plenty of tasty fixins.

Just roll up your sleeves and dig in to all-you-can-eat shrimp-peeling, mess-making and finger-licking fun.

There will also be a DJ spinning some tunes!

To attend this ragin' event of Louisiana favorites, you must purchase a ticket. Adults are $35, children 5–11 are $17.50 and children under 4 are $8.75. For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit mccsokinawa.com/tengancastle.

Get Fit NOW | 1 & 3 Home & Home Challange | 3 Kerama Snorkeling Tour | 5 Family Fun Game Night | 7

ummer is right around the corner and it’s time to shed the winter coat (and spare tire) and get ready to hit the beach! MCCS Health Promotion is ready to help you achieve your fitness goals with Fit Camp. This 6-week progressive physical fitness program will tear you down and rebuild you into a newer, better you.

For those who have started a fitness program and procrastinated it away, Fit Camp is the perfect solution. Designed with your goals in mind, Fit Camp trainers will help motivate you to stick to your plan and reach your goals. Not to mention, working out in a group with similar goals, can also help you adhere to a routine and form supportive friendships to keep you on target.

The Spirit of Okinawa | 9 MCCS Tours+ | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11

(cont. on page 3)

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Please call 645-8888 or 098-970-8888 and tell us the number of your “zone”.

Camps Lester, Foster, and Plaza Housing Camp Kinser and Naha Port Camp Schwab Camp Hansen Kitanakagusuku Village

AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom

Camps Courtney, McTureous and White Beach MCAS Futenma Torii Station Kadena Air Base and Camp Shields

Call Okito Taxi directly at 637-5900 or 0120-23-5477, if you are currently located near Camps Lester, Foster, or Plaza Housing.

Call Awase Kotsu at 098-921-3366, if you are currently located near Kadena A.B.

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livingatlarge Get Fit NOW (cont. from page 1)

Plus, most people rarely push themselves as hard as a trainer will, but doing so can lead to stronger muscles faster, increased endurance and reaching your fitness goals that much sooner!

Put yourself in control with this high-intensity, fun and inspiring experience. Trainers will hold Fit Camps on Camp Foster from April 16 to May 25 and on Camp Courtney from April 9 to May 18 (Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays for both camps). On Camp Foster, sessions will run from 5 to 6 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. On Camp Courtney, sessions will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Register by April 9 at the fitness center where you will be attending Fit Camp. Fit Camp is $199 per participant. For details, call 6453910 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ healthpromotion.

events&happenings

Thomas Alan Smilie, Roserica Mathis

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Home & Home Challenge

n April 21 and 22, it’s Taiyo Golf Club vs. Banyan Tree Golf Course at the Home & Home Challenge! This tournament will consist of 200 players (100 golfers from each course) and will be contested using individual stroke play (full handicap).

There will be a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. at each course both days. Golfers will rotate to the opposite course on the second day. All foursomes will consist of two players from Banyan Tree Golf Course and two players from Taiyo Golf Club (pairings will be done by the committee). The winner will receive a traveling trophy and will be determined using the aggregate total of the low 80 gross scores from each side. There will also be various other prizes awarded for individual gross and net scores, as well as closest to the pin. Registration is $100 and the deadline is April 18.

For more information, call 622-2004 (098-954-2004) or visit mccsokinawa. com/golf.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Mike Daley ART DIRECTOR | Catherine Newquist CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Jongeun Spencer WRITERS/EDITORS | Amanda Carrasquillo, Ashley Sablan DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER | Thomas Alan Smilie SOCIAL MEDIA | Shelbie Thilmony PHOTOGRAPHER | Roderica Mathis AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Yoriko Yamashiro, Hiromitsu Horikawa, Angela Neal, Athena Garcia DISTRIBUTION | Kelli Kreider, Desiree Adams MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Kristen Wong, Secoya Holmes, Ashley Snipes, Erin Hotson BROADCAST | Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer, Emi Komiya INTERNS | Koby Karl, Bailey McLauren

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.

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 of the week

Umi no naka Under the sea

Mike Daley

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

islandadventure

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Kerama Snorkeling Tour

xperience Okinawa like never before! On Sunday, April 22, grab your fins and snorkeling gear and join Tours+ as we take you on a boat ride to the Kerama Islands. Located 50 kilometers off the coast of Naha, this is one of Okinawa’s premier snorkeling and dive locations.

Take a plunge into the islands’ crystal clear waters and feast your eyes on tons of technicolor marine life and otherworldly coral species.

The Kerama Islands Snorkeling Tour will run from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, lunch and hydration. Tourgoers must also provide their own snorkeling sets. Prices are $74 for adults and $41 for children ages 4–11. Children under 3 and expectant mothers are not allowed on the tour. For more information on this tour or others, contact Tours+ at 646-3502 or visit mccsokinawa.com/tours.

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didyou know?

Studies show that weekly family game nights can help make kids better students by exercising their memory, attention, concentration, planning, processing speed and impulse control.

pickoftheweek

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Family Fun Game Night

egend has it that long, long ago, families across the country would gather together in the living room about once a week—with the TV off—while someone pulled a box from the shelf… Sometimes, it was a deck of cards instead. Other nights, they simply threw strips of paper into an old hat and began to play.

This weekly tradition was known as family game night… and it was glorious. It taught kids sportsmanship; taught fathers communication and mothers, negotiation; it refined vocabulary, strategy and even realestate knowledge; but best of all, it ensured quality time.

This month, we’re bringing family game night back! From 5 to 9 p.m., you and your loved ones can delight in a delicious buffet, popcorn bar, various game stations, bingo and prize giveaways at your nearest MCCS Club. All you have to do is head on over to the Ocean Breeze on April 11, Butler Officers’

Club on April 12, Tengan Castle on April 19 or Kinser Surfside on April 26. Prices are $7.95 for adults, $3.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for chil-

dren under 5. For more information, contact a participating club by visiting mccsokinawa.com/clubs.

Ingimage (2), Roderica Mathis

photooftheweek

Work on speed, power, strength endurance and overall combat readiness with the High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) program.

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didyou know?

Mike Daley

Tsunami Scuba is having their annual Underwater Photo Contest. Give it your best shot for a chance to win a prize!

For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/scuba.

indepth

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The Spirit of Okinawa

fter working for many years in Osaka as a photographer in the public relations department of a large company, Shokyu Otsuka finally moved to Okinawa, the land of his dreams. “I am often asked by friends, relatives and acquaintances, why? But rather than answer with words, I would quietly take out one of my many Okinawan photo collections and let them speak for me.”

Otsuka-san first came to Okinawa in the summer of 1972, the year of Okinawa’s reversion to mainland Japanese control. Okinawa’s characteristics—the brilliant summertime sun, oceans filled with colorful coral and sealife, towering cumulonimbus clouds so tall that they seemed to stretch into outer space and the look of the streets around U.S. military bases—made it feel like a different country. “As a photographer, I found myself captivated more and more by

these picturesque scenes.”

First printed in 2003, The Spirit of Okinawa—the beautiful and timeless pictorial shot by Shokyu Otsuka—is in its final printing. This may

be your last chance to get your copy!

The Spirit of Okinawa is available at select Exchange and Express locations island-wide for $28. For more information, call 645-3970.

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tours+

adventure begins here Battle Sites Tour April 8, 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.

Valley of Gangala & Okinawa World Tour April 14, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Adults $47; Children (5–12) $20, (3–4) $11 Hike through the Valley of Gangala and enjoy the beautiful scenery and spectacular caves. The hike will be approximately 80 minutes, so be prepared by wearing comfortable clothing and drinking water. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at Okinawa World while watching eisa dancing. Bring yen for lunch and additional purchases. Children under the age of 3 are not allowed on tour.

Expo Park & Churaumi Aquarium April 15, 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.

Japanese Tea Ceremony & Kimono Dressing April 20, 3:30–9:30 p.m.

Adults $51; Children (3–11) $34 Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and kimono dressing. Afterwards, we will travel to Naha Main Place for dinner and shopping.

Bring a white t-shirt and socks, and white leggings (women) or shorts (men). Bring extra yen for dinner and purchases. Children under the age of 3 are not allowed on tour.

*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

Mike Daley, Ingimage.com

Deadlift Competition April 7, 10 a.m.

Camp Courtney Ironworks Fitness Center Basketball Courts Register from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Courtney Ironworks Fitness Center for $25 on the day of the event. Checkins will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. A mandatory participant’s brief will follow at 9:45 a.m. This event is open to all island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place finishers in each division, as well as to the overall male and female. For more information, call 622-7297 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Bench Press Competition April 14, 10 a.m.

Camp Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center Register by April 9 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS athletic facility or by April 13 (1 p.m.) at the Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center for $20. Same-day registration will be accepted from 8 to 9 a.m. at the event site for $25. This event is open to all island-wide. Individual awards will be given to first, second and third place competitors in each weight class, as well as to overall female and male winners. For more information, call 625-2654 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Flag Football Tournament April 20, 6 p.m.

April 21–22, 9 a.m.

Camp Schwab Soccer Field Register by April 16 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS athletic facility for $120. This event is open to all 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 April 16. For more information, call 625-2654 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

6-on-6 Soccer Tournament April 20, 6 p.m.

April 21–22, 9 a.m.

Camp Hansen House of Pain Fitness Center Register by April 16 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS athletic facility for $100. This event is open to 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 April 16. For more information, call 623-5569 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

classof theweek

Cycle Indoor cycling is an effective cardio and strength workout with a variety of courses including hill climb, downhill, rolling hill, flat, head/tailwind and more.

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