Okinawa Spotlight

November 22, 2017 | Subscribe to win at mccsokinawa.com/spotlight

Celebrate the Season

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CCS will be spreading some extra holiday cheer this year at the 24th Annual Courtney Christmas & Holiday Festival. This FREE event is geared to all ages and will provide plenty of merriment for everyone this holiday season. This year’s festival is scheduled for December 9 and 10 from 1 to 9 p.m. both days on Camp Courtney near the Commissary/Exchange complex.

This year’s fest will offer many favorite attractions—including Fun Land, FREE live entertainment and game booths. Also, there will be delicious cultural foods and American favorites, such as Bulldogs Burgers, pizza and Hickory House All-American BBQ. In Santa’s House, kids can meet with the jolly one, have their picture taken, share their gift wishes and receive a present.

This year’s entertainment will include a FREE live performance by American alternative rock sensation Third Eye Blind on Saturday, December 9 at 7 p.m. DJ Manifesto will be performing on both December 9 (5 p.m.) and December 10 (7 p.m.). Additionally, there will

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be a holiday-themed light show taking place December 10 at 8:10 p.m.

Many lucky festival-goers will leave the fest with an early Christmas gift! There will be many prizes available for lucky winners—including toys and more from event sponsors Mattel, Red Lobster, Nago Pineapple Park, BAE Systems, GEICO and Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort.

Make your holidays holly and jolly this year at the Courtney Christmas & Holiday Festival. Admission to the festival is FREE and open to all SOFA ID card holders and Japanese. Please be prepared to show a photo ID at the gate. No one will be admitted with pets, bottles, outside alcohol or coolers. Please be responsible; don’t drink and drive. Both taxi and daiko services will be available. All patrons must park in the designated parking area and walk to the festival grounds via the main Exchange/Commissary gate (Gate 12). For more information, call 645-5828 or visit MCCS Festivals & Special Events online at mccsokinawa.com/festivals or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.diningandentertainment.

Third Eye Blind | 3 Grand Sumo Exhibition Match | 5 Youth Sports Spring Soccer | 7 Holiday Gift Giving Guide | 8-9

he winter holidays, as merry as they can be, can also mean busy schedules, party planning (and execution), shopping, tension, financial uncertainty and a fair amount of stress. In addition, unfamiliar surroundings only compound it.

Traditionally, the holidays are about sharing good times and festive meals with loved ones. However, for someone living a thousand miles away from family and friends, as well as familiar sights and sounds of home, the holidays can seem to be tinged a very different shade. Holiday blues, the feelings of loss or sadness that some experience during the holiday season, most often strike when people are away from those that they love. Finances can be another source of stress.

Overspending during the holidays can increase tensions as people try to make

Pancit Making Class | 11 Kinoshita Circus | 13 MCCS Tours+ | 15 Semper Fit Events | 15

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livingatlarge

Your Home for the Holidays

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ends meet while ensuring that everyone on their gift list is “happy.”

Physical demands, such as the strain of actual shopping and wrapping, attending social gatherings and preparing holiday meals can wipe people out. Feeling exhausted increases stress, creating a vicious cycle.

To help ease the pressure of the holidays and chase away those blues,

MCCS Okinawa will once again be offering many activities to make Okinawa “Your Home for the Holidays.”

Events include activities promoting healthy stress-free living, FREE athletic tournaments for Marines and Sailors, FREE events and food at SMP centers throughout the holiday season and much, much more.

Many family-friendly events will

also be featured, such as Christmasthemed Family Fun Nights with Santa and the 24th Annual Courtney Christmas & Holiday Festival at Camp Courtney’s Commissary/Exchange Complex.

For a full listing of events, visit mccsokinawa.com/holidays.

Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

events&happenings

From top to bottom: ingimage, Image provided by client

Third Eye Blind

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ince 1997, San Francisco’s Third Eye Blind has recorded four best-selling albums and assembled one career retrospective. They recently released the 20th anniversary edition of their 7 million selling selftitled debut, which produced five singles: “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Graduate,” “How’s It Going to Be,” “Losing a Whole Year” and “Jumper.”

Led by Stephan Jenkins, “3EB” won wide success during a tumultuous group of years when the major-

label recording industry was losing its grip on an enterprise that for decades it had dominated with steely efficiency. Nothing could have made 3EB happier! During this period, they gained artistic clarification and a fan base that’s larger, younger and more dedicated than ever.

After a stunning festival run in 2016 with appearances at Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Bumbershoot, Bonnaroo and many others, they finished off a fantastic 20th anniver-

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

To advertise in Okinawa Spotlight, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975 or e-mail 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.

sary celebration in 2017 with their Summer Gods Tour. This fall, they’re completing a tour in Europe. A new record is expected in 2018.

See Third Eye Blind perform LIVE at Courtney Christmas & Holiday Festival Saturday, December 9 at 7 p.m. For more information on this FREE concert, visit mccsokinawa.com/entertainment or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.diningandentertainment.

This publication printed with

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japanese phrase of the week

Ganbare!

Do your best!

ingimage.com, image provided by client

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

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Grand Sumo Exhibition Match

ou don’t have to be a local to know what sumo wrestling is.

Most have heard of Japan’s national sport. However, if you ask a nonlocal about it, he or she probably thinks that it’s just two big men wearing nothing but a loincloth pushing each other. Some will note that they’ve caught a match on TV once or twice, others have simply heard about it, but most are unaware of the foundation of what has become a unique form of entertainment.

Sumo wrestling is more than a highly competitive Japanese style of wrestling. It’s one of the world’s oldest organized sports, and so is rich in both history and tradition. Also, it’s a complex combination of religion, honor and skill—making it an exhilarating event, as well as a fascinating cultural experience. It’s definitely a must-see while you’re in Japan.

On December 16 and 17, experience sumo wrestling live at the

Grand Sumo Exhibition Match. It will be held in the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The main tournament exhibition (match between all ranks) will begin at 1:30 p.m. Even so, there will be various entertaining events, such as kids practicing with sumo wrestlers and

a demonstration of sumo grooming/ styling, beforehand. The champion will be named and awarded at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $73 and are being sold at the Tours+ office on Camp Foster. For more information, call Camp Foster’s Tours+ at 646-3502 (098-971-3502).

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Extra

didyou know?

Youth Sports Spring Soccer

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Bigandt_Photography/bigstock.com, monkeybusinessimages/bigstock.com

According to the United States Youth Soccer Association, four of the greatest benefits of youth sports participation are fitness, friendships, wisdom and focus.

articipating in a sport is very important for a child. This is because it plays a significant role in the emotional, physical, social and mental development of children. It also directs a child’s energy to something productive and fun. Help your child learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship by signing him or her up to play the most popular

sport in the world!

MCCS Youth Sports is conducting their annual Spring Soccer registration period for 2018. They’re accepting both players and coaches.

Those interested can register online at mccsokinawa.com/youthsports or at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center from now until November 30. To sign up a player, a payment of $60

(per child) must be paid at a manned MCCS Fitness Center by November 30. Registration for coaches is FREE. The season runs from January 29 through May 5. For more information, call Youth Sports at 645-3533 or e-mail youthsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

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UNIQUELY OKINAWAN BOOKS

The Best of Okinawa Living—a substantial and comprehensive compilation of everything Okinawa covering the island’s history, picturesque locales, cuisine, art and artists, festivals and much more— now has a new companion. MCCS Okinawa’s newest publication Omoide: Memories of Okinawa is a collection of images that will elicit fond “omoide” or memories of the island for years to come. Alongside The Best of Okinawa Living for $37.95, Omoide: Memories of Okinawa is available for $28 at select Exchange Retail Facilities selling books. The Best of Okinawa Living is available at Exchanges, as well as the Fleet Gift Shop, Marine Gift Shop, Taiyo GC Pro Shop and the Westpac Lodge on Camp Foster. Meet photographer Roderica Mathis and Lisa Miyagi, art director of Omoide: Memories of Okinawa, and get your copy personalized with their autographs December 15 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Foster Exchange and December 17 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Kadena AB Exchange. A special drawing will be held at both events for an overnight stay for two at Kafuu Resort Fuchaku CONDO/ HOTEL. Must be present to win. For more information on Omoide: Memories of Okinawa and The Best of Okinawa Living visit mccsokinawa.com.

GIVE THE GIFT OF TRAVEL

The Christmas Disneyland and Disney Sea Tour (December 22–26) is the perfect gift for every child (or child-at-heart). The tour includes airfare, four nights at the New Sanno Hotel, tickets to both parks and a free day to experience different Christmas illumination events in Tokyo. For more information, contact your nearest MCCS Tours+ office or visit mccsokinawa.com/tours. Registration closes the end of November.

FOR A DIVER OR SNORKELER

Save big on underwater toys at Tsunami Scuba island-wide during their Holiday Extravaganza December 1–4, 8–11 and 15–18. For more details, call 645-4206 or visit mccsokinawa.com/tsunamiscuba.

TIDINGS OF JOY…FROM TAIYO G.C.

Everything in the store will be at least 10% off (with selected items up to 40% off) November 24– December 25 during the Taiyo Golf Club Holiday Sale! For more information, call 622-2004 or visit mccsokinawa.com/golf.

A GIFT…FOR THEIR RIDE

December 1–16, Typhoon Motors’ island-wide will be cutting their prices on Kenwood automotive audio equipment with savings of up to 20% off on select products. Typhoon Motors will also be offering FREE stall rentals for active duty Marines and Sailors December 26–31. For more information, call your nearest Typhoon Motors or visit mccokinawa.com/typhoonmotors.

Gift Ideas 2017 In the Final Stretch of Your 2017 Christmas Shopping?

This is the lowdown on special sales coming up at MCCS facilities.

Happy Gift Hunting!

FOR THE CRAFTY

Enjoy 25% off all materials featuring the color black at Foster Framing & Fine Arts, as well as the Foster Custom Shop, during their Black Friday Sale on November 24. Both will also be having a Holiday Sale November 28–December 2 featuring 15% off all materials. For more information, contact Foster Framing & Fine Arts at 645-3674 or visit mccsokinawa.com/framingandfinearts.

FOR THE BOWLERS

All items in the Bowling Center Pro Shop on Camp Foster will be 10% off, and select items will be marked down to as much as 30% off! For more information, call 645-9225 or visit mcccsokinawa.com/bowling.

A GIFT…FOR THEIR TUMMY

Purchase a Taiyo Steakhouse Gift Card (available in increments of $50 and $100) and pair it with dinner reservations at one of the premier onbase dining establishments on island. For more information, call 622-2020 or visit mccsokinawa. com/taiyosteakhouse.

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pickoftheweek

didyou know?

Pancit Making Class

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Ingimage, Thomas Alan Smilie

The word “pancit” is derived from the word “pian i sit,” which in Chinese means “convenient food.”

he comfort food of the Philippines is pancit, which refers to a wide variety of noodles made from rice flour. The noodles, which are usually layered with sliced meat and chopped vegetables, are a favorite for any occasion. The cuisine is also enjoyed for any meal of the day. Yes, even breakfast!

As a part of their cultural series, the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is giving you the opportunity to learn how to make this versatile and delicious dish. The program will be hosting a Pancit Making Class on December 22 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the EFMP office building on Camp Foster (Bldg. 495). Come

out, add this famous Filipino dish to your recipe book and learn about the EFMP program in the process.

Due to supplies, registration is required to participate. To register, please call 645-9237 or e-mail efmp@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/efmp.

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more

indepth

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Images courtesy of Kinoshita Circus

For more information on these tours, call 646-3502. For a complete listing of December tours, visit mccsokinawa.com/tours.

Kinoshita Circus

he Kinoshita “Dai” (which means “great”) Circus, one of only two troupes left of its kind and scale, has been wowing crowds throughout Japan for 114 years. The Kinoshita Dai Circus is one of the oldest in the world, second only to the Ringling Brothers. They’re the only circus in Japan to incorporate wild animals in their performance (there’s only one other remaining circus in Japan, Pop Circus, which employs dogs). Kinoshita Dai Circus travels exclusively in Japan with nine-meter-tall containers for transporting their wildlife—which includes a giraffe, white tigers and Asian elephants.

Beginning December 16, join Tours+ to experience Japan’s oldest and most famous circus! Marvel over the “Miracle Wild White Lions,” “Artistic Spectacle of the Double Flying Trapeze,” the “Sliding Tight-

rope,” the “Russian Aerial Acrobatic Trapeze,” the “Death Defying Motorcycle Globe,” wacky clowns and much, much more. Tour dates are December 16 (9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.),

December 23 (8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) and December 29 (1:30–7 p.m.). Tour prices are $45 for adults, $28 for children (3–14) and FREE for kids under 2 (no seat).

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tours+

adventure begins here Polynesian Dinner Show December 2, 4:30–8:30 p.m.

Adults $73, Children (6–11) $40; (3–5) $28; (0–2) FREE Enjoy flavorful Pan Pacific foods and World Dinner Buffet at the opulent Renaissance Okinawa Resort’s Sailfish Café while watching the dancers showcase unique Polynesian cultural dances. Bring yen for spending.

Itoman Peaceful Illumination December 16, 4:30–10 p.m.

Adults $25, Children (3–11) $14; (0–2) FREE Journey to Itoman City and enjoy a memorable night with the most beautiful Christmas lights and decorations you’ve ever seen.

They’ll be hosting a laser light show along with lots of entertainment, food and games.

Bring yen for spending.

Ryujin no Utage December 9, 4–9 p.m.

Adults $40, Children (3–14) $30; (0–2) FREE (No Seat) Experience “The Feast of the Dragon God”—a mystical show about the god (Ryujin) believed to have been reincarnated as a dragon. The show incorporates traditional Ryukyu performing arts, taiko drums and exciting music.

Bring yen for spending and a cushion if you are not comfortable sitting on hard surfaces.

Okinawa Zoo Light Show December 28, 4–8 p.m.

Adults $39, Children (4–15) $14, (0–3) FREE Join Tours+ at the Okinawa Children’s Zoo for an evening of fun. Watch an exciting holidaythemed laser light show and even play in some snow. Bring yen for snacks and purchases.

*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

Southern CC Cup Basketball Tournament December 1–3 Gunners Fitness Center Register by November 27 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for FREE. This event is open to all units aboard Camps Kinser, Foster and MCAS Futenma. A group trophy will be given to first and second place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 27. For more information, call 6454866 or e-mail adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Open Wrestling Tournament December 9–10 Gunners Fitness Center Register by December 4 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for $20. Late registration is available December 9 (8–9 a.m.) at Gunners Fitness Center for $25.

This event is open to all participants island-wide. Individual awards will be given to the top three finishers in each weight class. By-laws will be provided upon request. All participants must weigh in between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. and attend a mandatory brief at 9:45 a.m. December 9. For more information, call 6454866 or e-mail adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Open Powerlifting Competition December 17 Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium Register by December 11 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for $20. Late registration is available December 17 (8–9 a.m.) at Gunners Fitness Center for $25. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Individual awards will be given to the top three finishers in each weight class.

By-laws will be provided upon request. All participants must weigh in between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. and attend a mandatory lifting brief at 9:45 a.m. December 17. For more information, call 645-4866 or e-mail adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Open Softball Tournament December 8–10 Kinser BK Softball Field & Softball Field #4 Register by December 4 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS athletic facility for $120. This event is open to all participants island-wide. A group trophy, as well as individual awards, will be given to first, second and third place. By-laws and a tournament bracket for this event will be e-mailed December 4. For more information, call 637-1869 or e-mail adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

classof theweek

Muscle Madness This class is designed to build strength, increase endurance and burn body fat. Each class will focus on strength training major muscle groups using weights. Appropriate for ALL Fitness levels.

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