FEDERAL HEALTH BENEFITS
OPEN SEASON
November 12 to December 10, 2018
October 18, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com
Mark Your Calendars
Camp Kinser Half Marathon
FOREIGN SERVICE BENEFIT PLAN Enroll in the Health Plan that Covers You and Your Family Worldwide.
www.afspa.org/fsbp
Okinawa's Strongest
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t’s the day of the half marathon. Adrenaline races through your body as you approach the crowded starting line. You shake your legs to keep them ready, but it feels as though your entire body is shaking with nerves. You remind yourself of all the training you’ve done just to be where you are that very moment. Struggle lies ahead, but you won’t let that get in your way. You’re there for the most triumphant feeling in the world—crossing the finish line—and you won’t leave without it. Completing a half marathon takes great vision and incentive, and those who finish one often leave feeling as though they can conquer anything. It’s a great achievement, and whether you participate to win, reach a new personal best or simply have fun, it’s an altogether rewarding experience that simply cannot be duplicated.
inside
Inspired to run? Good. Put on your running shoes and accomplish something many wouldn’t even dare consider. Run in Camp Kinser’s annual Half Marathon on Sunday, November 18, so you can humblebrag to everyone who just opted to sit on the couch instead. Register by November 13 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $30. Same-day registration will also be available during check-in from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. for $40. A mandatory competitor’s brief will then take place at 7:35 a.m. and the race will commence at 8:05 a.m. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers in each category. For more information on the Camp Kinser Half Marathon, call 637-1869 or visit mccsokinwa.com/adultsports.
Okinawa's Strongest | 1 & 3 Kinser Bench Press Competition | 3 Spooky Sites Tour | 5 Halloween Family Fun Nights | 7
here are those who go to the gym for conditioning, to improve their overall flexibility, endurance and strength. And then, there are those who go for one reason and one reason alone—to become the strongest human on the premises. They’re a different breed. Although some may picture hulking behemoths, this is not always the case as they come in all shapes and sizes. The traits that do unify them are the dedication and the insatiable need to push themselves beyond what they previously thought they were capable of…hour upon hour of lifting astonishingly-heavy objects set after set. Finally, there's a place to exhibit the fruits of their arduous labor and prove to all that they are, indeed, Okinawa’s Strongest. The Okinawa’s Strongest strength competition will be held Saturday, November 3 starting at 8:30 a.m. (cont. on page 3)
Futenma Haunted House | 9 MCCS Tours+ | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge Okinawa’s Strongest
(cont. from page 1)
on Camp Foster’s Field #6, and will pit the strongest men and women on island against one another to prove who really is strongest. Participants will compete in a variety of events—the log clean and press, atlas stone, deadlift, sled pull, wheelbarrow, farmers carry and tire
flip, and the winners will be crowned the king and the queen of strength. Register for this event for $30 at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center. Hurry, as the deadline is October 29! Check-in will take place the day of the event from 7 to 8 a.m., a mandatory competitor’s brief will take place at
8:05 a.m. and finally, the action will begin at 8:30 a.m. For more information about the first annual Okinawa’s Strongest strength competition, and other upcoming athletic events, call 6454866 or email adultsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org.
events&happenings
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CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ashley Sablan ART DIRECTOR | Catherine Newquist CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Jongeun Spencer, Emeline Toole WRITERS/EDITORS | Amanda Carrasquillo, Mike Daley DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER | Thomas Alan Smilie DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA | Kathlene Millette, Emi Hays AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa, Athena Garcia, Kathrine Rebecca Cemino-Stalcup DISTRIBUTION | Desiree Adams, Joan Webb MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Kristen Wong, Kim Guillermo, Ashley Snipes
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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Kinser Bench Press Competition
o you even lift, bro? Then prove it at the Kinser Bench Press Competition hosted by MCCS Adult Sports. This island-wide event is set to take place on October 27 at the Camp Kinser Fitness Center. Now is 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 interested, registration will be taken at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center until October 22 and at the Kinser Fitness Center from October 23 to 26 for $20. Participants may also register on the day of the event from 7 to 8 a.m. for $25. Mandatory weigh-ins will take place on the day of the event from 7 to 8:30 a.m. From there, participants are asked to check-in before 8 a.m. A competitor’s brief will then be held at 8:35 a.m. (all registrants must attend the brief if they wish to compete) and finally, the competition will commence at 9 a.m. For more information, call 637-1869 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmcmccs.org.
This publication printed with
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The Health Plan that Covers You and your Family Worldwide
Foreign Service BeneFit Plan > Generous massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic benefits > Wellness Incentives with a generous reward program
www.afspa.org/fsbp
> International coverage/convenience and emergency translation line > Low calendar year deductible for in-network and overseas providers > 24/7 Nurse Advice Line & Health Coaching > Dietary and Nutritional Counseling > Secure online claim submission & Electronic Funds Transmission (EFT) of claim reimbursement > Health Plan offered to U.S. Federal Civilian employees This is a brief description of the features of the Foreign Service BeneFit Plan (FSBP). Before making a final decision, please read the Plan’s Federal brochure (RI 72-001). All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the Federal brochure. 9.32hx 6.5h.indd 1
8/29/18 12:28 PM
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japanese phrase
islandadventure
of the week
Spooky Sites Tour
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Yoi harowīn o! Happy Halloween!
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For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
s the end of October aapproaches, many in the US begin to think chilling thoughts of ghosts, apparitions, and possibly even some faceless, impossibly tall and gruesomely slim gentleman garbed in a black suit. Although Halloween wasn’t really celebrated in most of Japan until recent years, trick-or-treating and costume parties have become “a thing” among Japanese children and the young-at-heart. And, almost everybody loves a scary story no
matter the time of year, right? Summertime is the traditional season for ghosts and ghost stories in Japan due to Obon or the “Festival of the Dead”. During Halloween, witches, vampires, werewolves and more share the twilight hours with many things that “go bump in the night” on Okinawa and in Japan. Get ready to get spooked out of your socks on the Tours+ Spooky Sites Tour running October 20, 26, 27, 29, 30 & 31. All tours are at night from 6 to 10 p.m. and are $20 for
adults, $13 for children 3–11 and FREE for kids under 3. Tours+ will be bravely exploring local haunts and ghost sightings around Okinawa. Many of the well-known local ghost stories will deliver a frightening experience and some spooky insight about island superstitions and history. For more information, call 646-3502 or visit Tours+ online at mccsokinawa. com/tours.
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didyou know?
Halloween has been around for about 6,000 years and is believed to have originated around 4,000 B.C. in Ireland.
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Spooktacular Family Fun
here’s more to Halloween than dressing up to go door-to-door asking for candy. Halloween can be one of the best holidays to celebrate with your family—getting candy, giving candy, decorating and so much more can be turned into an exciting family event. This year, MCCS Clubs are giving you the opportunity to turn this spooktacular holiday into something more with their Halloween Family Fun Nights. On Wednesday, October 24 from 5 to 9 p.m., stop by The Veranda inside Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster for arts, crafts, kid-friendly Halloween movies and a costume contest, starting at 7 p.m., that will include individual and family categories. The Super Family Night Costume Party will be held at Camp Kinser’s Surfside dining room on Thursday, October 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. Families are welcome to dress up and join the party, for a chance to win prizes for the best costumes.
Camp Courtney will host a Ghoulish Family Night event on Thursday, October 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Tengan Castle. All guests are encouraged to attend dressed in their scariest costume possible for the contest, which will be judged by a special guest panel beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come on out for an evening of
ghoulish family fun! Sign-ups for all costume contests start at 6 p.m. and all events include a monstrous all-you-can-eat buffet for $7.95 for adults, $3.95 for children ages 5 to 11 and FREE for kids under 5. For more information on these events, visit mccsokinawa.com/ clubs or facebook.com/mccsokinawa. diningandentertainment.
Sergey Novikov/bigstock.com, ori-artiste/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Located in the southeast region of Okinawa, Cape Chinen—surrounded by the sea on three sides—is a famed spot for watching the sunrise.
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indepth
didyou know?
Futenma Haunted House
Do you believe in the paranormal?
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There are more haunted houses in America than Target stores. According to a report by NBC, there are roughly 2,700 haunted attractions operating in the U.S. while, the department store only has about 1,800 locations nationwide.
hether or not you truly believe in ghouls and goblins, if you at least like a good scare then pay a visit to the MCAS Futenma Haunted House. This month, in conjunction with SMP, MCAS Futenma invites you and your family to experience that unique type of joy which can only come from an old-fashioned fear-induced adrenaline rush. Haunted houses aren’t for the faint-of-heart, or those prone to fainting. So if you’re feeling extra bold or just want to get into the true spirit of Halloween this year, bring your friends and family down to the old, abandoned Building 424 located on MCAS Futenma on October 19, 20, 26 or 27 from 5:30 to 11 p.m. and get ready to be fantastically frightened. Entrance is $5 per person.
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tours+
adventure begins here Uruma City Bullfighting Tour October 20, 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $20; Children (3–11) $13, (0–2) FREE Join us for the exhilarating Uruma City Bullfighting festival and watch this age-old Okinawan tradition. Bring yen for lunch and additional spending. Ryukyu Ninja Show and Dinner October 26, 4–9 p.m. Adults $48; Children (7–12) $27, (3–6) $24, (0–2) FREE Live like a ninja for a night at the Ryukyu Ninja Show. Try on samurai armor and ninja costumes, and learn to throw ninja shuriken (star-shaped blades) for a fun experience. Afterwards, enjoy a Ryukyu dinner buffet, which is included in the tour price. No meal included for children under 3. Bring yen for drinks and additional spending.
Valley of Gangala & Okinawa World October 27, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $53; Children (4–15) $21, (Age 3) $11 Enjoy beautiful scenery and a spectacular hike through the valley. The hike will be approximately 80 minutes, so please wear comfortable clothing and bring lots of water. Afterwards, we will have lunch at Okinawa World where you can eat while watching an eisa drum performance. Bring yen for lunch and additional spending. Children under 3 are not allowed on the tour. Shishi-mai Festival October 28, 4:30–9:30 p.m. Adults $21; Children (3–11) $14, (0–2) FREE The Shishi-mai, or “Lion Dance” is believed to have the power to repel evil spirits. Join us for the annual Shishi-mai Festival at the Agena Bull Ring by Camp McTureous and enjoy traditional Shishi-mai performances and other fun festivities. Bring yen for food and additional spending.
*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
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Open Wrestling Tournament October 27 & 28, 10 a.m. Camp Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center Register by October 22 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $20, or at the event site the day of from 8 to 9 a.m. for $25. Weigh-ins will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. followed by a mandatory brief at 9:30 a.m. This event is open to participants islandwide. Individual awards will be given to first, second and third place finishers in each weight class. For more information, call 623-5558 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Open Tennis Tournament November 2–4, 6 p.m. MCAS Futenma McCutcheon Gym Tennis Courts Register by October 29 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $120. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place winners in each division. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed October 29. For more information, call 636-2672 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Northern CC Cup Softball November 2, 6 p.m. November 3 & 4, 9 a.m. Camp Hansen Softball Field Register by October 29 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS Fitness Center for FREE. This event is open to all units aboard Camps Courtney, Hansen and Schwab. Team awards will be given to first and second place finishers. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed October 29. For more information, call 623-5569 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Open Basketball Tournament November 9, 6 p.m. November 10 & 11, 9 a.m. Camp Hansen House of Pain Fitness Center Register by November 5 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS Fitness Center for $120 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Team and individual awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 5. For more information, call 623-5558 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.