June 22, 2017 ¡ mccsokinawa.com
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elebrate the Fourth of July all weekend with MCCS. Marine Corps camps island-wide will be holding a special tribute to U.S. service members and their families. There's no better way to celebrate American independence than with FREE stuff ! From scuba gear, to bowling to activities at the libraries, there is something for the whole family this holiday. Read on for a few of the ways we are celebrating this year! Tsunami Scuba on Camps Hansen, Courtney, Foster and Kinser are offering FREE air fills on July 1. Or you can rent up to two tanks for FREE at the Camp Schwab Tsunami Scuba. July 1 through 4, MCCS Libraries islandwide have FREE crafts, refreshments and other activities for patrons. Activities vary by loca-
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tion so call your local library. Stop by the BeachHead on Camp Schwab on July 3, or the Globe & Anchor at Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster on July 4 for FREE BBQ buffets. Kinser Surfside will also be hosting a FREE BBQ lunch on July 4. Spend some time on the green at Taiyo Golf Club and snag yourself FREE hot dogs at the Halfway House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4. Taiyo Steakhouse is offering FREE Social Hour Snacks from 2 to 4 p.m. If you have more time to spare, MCCS Bowling Centers on all camps are offering FREE bowling and shoe rentals from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thirsty’s E-Club on MCAS Futenma will have FREE prizes and giveaways from 7 to 10 p.m. on July 4.
Summer Pool Bash | 3 Bikes Bands and BBQ | 3 Island Adventure: Spelunking | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 7
Check out the fireworks at 8:10 p.m. on Camp Courtney For more information on these events and a full listing of all events, head to mccsokinawa. com/allamerican or the Events section in the Liberty App.
Pick of the Week: Independence Day Scuba Sale | 7 Courtney 4th of July Celebration | 9 MCCS Hot Jobs | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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Summer Pool Bash
ith incessant sledgehammer rays emanating from the sun, it’s hot to say the least. Fiery hot…burning, sunny and swelteringly hot. What’s one to do for relief from the heat? While some may stay inside during this season, only braving the high temperatures during mad dashes from the blessed ecstasy of climate-controlled rooms to their super-heated vehicles, spraying expletives until their car A/C finally provides gusts of cooling relief, there actually is a plus side to Okinawa’s heat. Number two, of course, is ice cream. Nothing makes a triple scoop taste better (or get eaten faster due to the melt factor) than summer temperatures. So, what’s number one? How about something that is wet, cool, FREE and fun to boot? That’s right; we’re talking about a summer pool bash! So, where’s the nearest—and more
importantly best— pool bash? MCCS Aquatics has got you covered. On July 1 from noon to 3 p.m., Camp Schwab will host a Summer Pool Bash featuring FREE food and music by the pool. July 4 from noon to 3 p.m., the McTureous 25M Pool,
the Plaza Housing 25M Pool and the Camp Kinser 50M Pool will also host a Summer Pool Bash with all the same features, but markedly more patriotic spirit. For details, please visit mccsokinawa.com/aquatics.
events&happenings
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CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus ART DIRECTOR | Catherine Newquist CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Hector Nieves, Jongeun Spencer EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley WRITER/EDITORS | Ashley Snipes, Shelbie Thilmony DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Yoriko Yamashiro, DISTRIBUTION | Kelli Kreider, Desiree Adams MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Marissa DeSmet, Ashley Herring, Kristen Wong, Allison Dixon BROADCAST | Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer, Emi Komiya
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.
Bikes, Bands and BBQ
ho wants BBQ? Who wants FREE entertainment? Who loves motorcycles? If you answered “I DO” to any of the questions then get ready for Bikes, Bands & BBQ on July 2 at The Palms on Camp Hansen. Starting at 11 a.m. come grab a plate of BBQ as you peruse and talk shop with other bike owners from around island. Have a bike? Make sure to bring extra microfiber cloths to show off your chrome pipes and high gloss paint job. This is an open gate event, so service members and local Japanese citizens can park side -by-side to compare and contrast each other’s attention to detail. From 6 p.m. to midnight, The Enlisted Lounge inside The Palms will have live music provided by local bands. Come check out the stylings of Barret Esophagus, Contra, Bodysonic, Nov. 13, P-Fam, The 4 Flags and Hatecrown. The evenings headliner will be Sister Soul, a Fili-
pino band you won’t want to miss! As with any event, make sure you “Protect What You’ve Earned” and have a plan in place for a sober driver to get you home that evening.
Taxi cabs are plentiful on Camp Hansen and in the Kin Town area. For more information about the event, call 623-4375 or go to mccsokinawa.com/thepalms.
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Spelunking Tour Adults $55 Children (6-11) $43
Photos by Thomas Alan Smilie
Hansen Tours+ 623-6344 | OFF BASE 098-969-6344 Foster Tours+ 646-3502 | OFF BASE 098-971-3502 Kinser Tours+ DSN 637-2744 | OFF BASE 098-911-5111, then 637-2744
he bulk of the island of Okinawa is composed of coral fossilized into limestone. Over thousands of years, acidic ground water slowly dissolved the limestone below ground to form caverns. The composition of rock, coupled with rainfall created numerous caves throughout the Ryukyu Prefecture ranging from minor crevasses, to five kilometer long caves with hundreds of thousands of stalagmites, stalagmites, and multicolored pillars. Spelunking, or caving, is the exploration of natural caverns and cave systems. Cave exploration can be a great way to test your agility and fitness, or a fun discovery trip for the whole the family. The Gyokusendo Caves are located at the popular attraction site of Okinawa World and are a great place to learn about spelunking in a well-travelled area. MCCS Tours+ is offering a trip on July 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The water
Spelunking
in the caves can come as high as your chest, so wear appropriate clothing. Also, there will be tight and narrow areas along the caves, so tour attendees must be able to fit through narrow spaces that require agility and flexibility. Wear or bring a longsleeved shirt, pants, sneakers or wa-
ter shoes and cotton gloves. Please bring a packed lunch or yen for lunch at Okinawa World. This tour is not recommended for people with knee problems. Children must be at least 6 to participate. Go to mccsokinawa.com/tours for more information.
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japanese phrase of the week
pickoftheweek Independence Day Scuba Sale
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Soba ni ite kudasai. Please stay by my side For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
xploring the underwater wonderland is a definite perk to enjoying the island life. With its rich underwater landscapes, diversity of sea life and relatively pleasant temperatures year-round, Okinawa attracts scuba divers from around the world. It is difficult to grow bored in the waters around Okinawa. There are a number of dive sites to discover ranging from beginner to expert level. Whether you prefer colorful reefs teeming with life or adventurous shipwreck dives, the island waters have it all. Plus, with all the classes and certifications you can earn through Tsunami Scuba, you’re in a position to always advance your skills as a diver. However, like any hobby, diving can get expensive—especially if you consider all the cool gadgets you can buy for it. People say Okinawa
is a great place to dive because of the beautiful sea life, but also because it’s cheap to be a diver here. With discount certifications at every level and great deals on gear, Tsunami Scuba will help you explore the ocean without breaking the bank. For great deals on the latest gear,
Top photos by Ingimage.com, bottom photo by Sarah Head
photooftheweek
The ocean can be just as beautiful above the water as below it.
come for the Independence Day sale from July 1 to 4 and save 10 percent off select items at all Tsunami Scuba locations. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/tsunamiscuba or facebook.com/scuba.
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Left to right: Thomas Alan Smilie, olesiabilkei/bigstock.com
For more information about the Courtney 4th of July Celebration, contact MCCS Special Events at 645-5828 or go to mccsokinawa.com/entertainment.
Courtney 4th of July Celebration
ummertime on Okinawa is festival time! Every year, MCCS helps make Okinawa home with a plethora of festivals to give service members and their families a place to celebrate American traditions. Join MCCS on Camp Courtney this year at the 4th of July Celebration. The festival starts at 4 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. Fireworks will start to fill the night sky at 8:10 p.m. This festival will feature a variety of activities, including bounce houses for children and FREE LIVE entertainment all evening. Sister Soul, also known as “The New Soul Republiq,� is an energetic and electrifying group from the Philippines that will be providing exciting musical accompaniment to the festivities. Like any traditional July 4th gathering, good food is paramount. FREE food will be provided for the festival, and
Kanpai Lounge will also be available to provide revitalizing liquid refreshments for adults for a small charge per beverage. As you gather your friends and family to head over to the festival, please remember no pets, outside alcohol, bottles, backpacks or coolers
will be allowed at the festival site. The festival will take place on Camp Courtney at Bayview Field located near Hashmarks SNCO Club. This event is open to all DoD ID cardholders island wide, and is sponsored in part by United Airlines.
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mccshotjobs Admin Assistant NF-02
Assistant Youth Sports Director NF-03
Club Manager NF-04
Location: Camp Foster
Location: Camp Foster
Location: Camp Kinser
Provides administrative and clerical support. Operates a personal computer and peripheral equipment to produce a variety of correspondence and screens all incoming telephone calls.
Supervise the planning, organizing and coordinating of a comprehensive youth fitness/sports program. Assist in the oversight of Youth Sports events, team sports, equipment and program operations for a large overseas area.
Responsible for full-service club which includes bar service, catering, entertainment and dining. Implements directives, procedures and programs to ensure high standards of food and beverages. Reviews and evaluates menus, catering, supplies, and materials.
Requirements: Must have at least one-year experience with advanced knowledge of a PC with peripheral equipment and ability in Microsoft Programs such as Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Requirements: Experience in youth sports or other related recreation programs. Knowledge of business management, property control, cash handling, inventory and retail management.
Apply by: June 30
Apply By: June 23
Requirements: Four years of experience managing, multi-unit food and beverage operations. Certifications as an Executive Chef is highly desired. Apply By: July 6
For more information go to mccsokinawa.com/jobs
tours+ Kerama Islands Snorkeling Tour July 24, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $73, Children (4–11) $41 Grab your fins and get ready for some fun! Tour includes a boat ride to two snorkeling spots in the Kerama Islands.
Ocean Expo Park and Churaumi Aquarium July 25, 9 p.m.–5 p.m. Adults $40, Children (16–17) $34, (6–15) $22 (3–5) $16, (under 3) FREE Visit Ocean Expo Park and world-famous Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Watch a FREE dolphin show and visit an Okinawa Village.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
Athletics/Adult Sports
Thomas Alan Smilie
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
upcoming semperfitevents Far East Bodybuilding August 6 Camp Foster Theater Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by July 17 at 1 p.m. for $75 (non-SOFA participants, call 645-3521 for registration details). This event is open to participants island-wide. Top five individuals will receive awards. Details: 645-3521/3522.
Dive-In Movie June 29 Camp Foster 50M Pool Dive in and unwind from 7 to 9 p.m. for a FREE family friendly cartoon with friends.
classof theweek Yoga A series of balance, strength and flexibility poses and movements that will connect your body, mind and spirit. All Camps
For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.