November 15, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com
Courtney Holiday Festival
Thanksgiving at the Clubs
Image Courtesy of Randy Houser, bhofack22/bigstock.com
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CCS will be spreading some extra holiday cheer again this year at the annual Courtney Holiday Festival. This event is for all ages and will provide plenty of merriment this holiday season. This year’s festival is scheduled for December 8 and 9 from 1 to 9 p.m. (both days) on Camp Courtney near the Commissary/Exchange complex and will offer all your favorite attractions, including food, drinks, Fun Land, FREE live entertainment, game booths and Santa’s House. Kids can meet with the jolly one, have their picture taken, share their gift wishes and receive a present while supplies last! Headlining this year’s festival is country music singer and songwriter Randy Houser. Signed to Universal South Records in 2008, his single “Anything Goes” became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Country Singles chart. In 2013, his singles “How Country Feels” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” off the album How Country Feels peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s U.S.
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Country Airplay and Country (Canada) charts. Catch Randy Houser onstage Saturday, December 8 at 7 p.m. As if that’s not enough, festival-goers might even leave with an early Christmas gift. There will be tons of prizes and giveaways going out to lucky winners— including an overnight stay for two with breakfast at the Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort. Admission is FREE and open to all SOFA personnel, and U.S. and Japanese citizens. Please be prepared to show a photo ID at the gate. No one will be admitted with pets, bottles, outside alcohol or coolers. As always, we encourage everyone to drink responsibly. 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 Exchange/Commissary gate (Gate 12). For more information, call 645-5828 or visit MCCS Festivals & Special Events online at mccsokinawa.com/festivals or fb.com/mccsokinawa.diningandentertainment.
Thanksgiving at the Clubs | 1 & 3 Black Friday Aerobathon | 3 Grand Sumo Exhibition Match | 5
n Thursday, November 22, celebrate Thanksgiving in maximum style with minimum toil by dining with MCCS. Looking for an early meal? Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney, Butler Officers’ Club in Plaza Housing and Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma all will be hosting a sumptuous Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended for these buffets. Prices are $19.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for kids under 5. Up north, a Thanksgiving spread will be available from noon to 4 p.m. at The Palms on Camp Hansen. This buffet will cost $17.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 5–11 and is FREE for kids under 5. (cont. on page 3)
Youth Sports Soccer | 7 Okinawa’s Strongest—NEW DATE | 9 MCCS Tours+ | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge Thanksgiving at the Clubs (cont. from page 1)
Looking for something a little later in the day? A Thanksgiving buffet will be served from 4 to 8 p.m. at Camp Schwab’s BeachHead. Prices are $17.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for kids under 5. The Veranda inside Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster (4–8 p.m.) and Surfside on Camp Kinser (5–9 p.m.) will be serving Thanksgiving dinner buffets for $19.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for kids under 5. Finally, those wishing to accentuate their holiday with a few rounds of golf at Taiyo Golf Club can enjoy an á la carte brunch or dinner at Taiyo Steakhouse from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. or from 5 to 9 p.m. For more details or to make reservations, contact a participating facility or visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs.
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, Becky Stalcup DISTRIBUTION | Desiree Adams, Joan Webb MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Kristen Wong, Ashley Snipes, Tiffany Moore
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.
events&happenings
alexraths/bigstock.com, luckybusiness/bigstock.com
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Black Friday Aerobathon
n Friday, November 23, right after you’ve had your 10-pound fill of luscious Thanksgiving turkey, loaded mashed potatoes, succulent gravy and pumpkin pie, burn it all off at the Black Friday Aerobathon with MCCS Health Promotion. Join us for four back-to-back 50-minute fitness classes from 8 a.m. to noon at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster. Instead of working your way through hordes of shoppers, get your body moving in a positive environment with a range of cardio dance, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), cycling and yoga workouts. The event will kick off with fun cardio dance workouts that’ll combine the explosive movements and boot camp toning found in MixxedFit with the sculpting movements and routine rhythmic interval training of Zumba. It’ll then move on to HIIT exercises specially designed to improve your cardiovascular health as well as your
muscle strength and endurance; an indoor cycling course featuring challenging hill climbs, downhill, rolling hill, flat, head wind/tail wind and more; and to help you cool down, a yoga block appropriate for all skill levels, packed with balance, strength and flexibility movements.
There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of self-indulgence— especially during the holidays—but how about following it up with some equally deserved self-care? For more information, visit mccsokinawa. com/healthpromotion.
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japanese phrase
islandadventure
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Kansha shite imasu. I am grateful.
Rawpixel.com/bigstock.com, KUCO/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Grand Sumo Exhibition Match
n December 15 and 16, experience sumo wrestling live at the Grand Sumo Exhibition Match. The competition will be held at the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the Tours+ office on Camp Foster. Prices vary depending on seating. Sumo wrestling is more than a highly competitive Japanese style of wrestling—it’s one of the world’s oldest organized sports, rich in both history and tradition. This unique form of entertainment also contains a complex combination of religion, honor and skill, making it a fascinating cultural experience and a must-see during your time here in Japan. For ticket prices and purchases, or more information, call Foster Tours+ at 646-3502 or visit your nearest Tours+ office.
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didyou know?
It’s believed that the word “soccer” originated in Britain some 200 years ago. The word came from a slang abbreviation of the official name of the sport, association football.
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Youth Sports Soccer
ost parents know that participating in team sports at a young age has lasting positive impacts—both physical and emotional. Sports promote cooperative play, teamwork and sportsmanship, and help improve motor skills and selfesteem. Sports are also a fun way to make new friends! Soccer, which is played by 250 million people in 200 countries throughout the world, requires intelligence, fitness and agility, and builds stamina and overall cardiovascular health. And, as with many other sports, soccer teaches kids valuable lessons about struggling and triumphing in the face of adversity. Above all, soccer is a team sport that teaches that working together toward a common goal with teammates supersedes perceived differences between individuals. Register now for youth soccer at mccsokinawa.com/youthsports or any staffed MCCS Fitness Center through November 30. You can grow
as a parent, your child can grow as a person and you can all have a blast while doing so! MCCS Youth Sports is also looking for volunteer coaches for youth sports teams. Coaching is a great way to meet new people and share your skills with children who
share a passion for sports and an active lifestyle. For details about becoming a volunteer coach, please stop by a staffed MCCS Fitness Center, call 6453533 or email youthsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org.
Roderica Mathis, matimix/bigstock.com
photooftheweek
Volunteer to coach! Download an application at mccsokinawa.com/coachescorner or register at the Semper Fit Youth Sports office on Camp Foster.
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didyou know?
Lester120/bigstock.com, Roderica Mathis
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, best-known for his role as The Mountain on the hit TV series Game of Thrones, currently holds the title as World’s Strongest Man.
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Okinawa’s Strongest—NEW DATE
ou know you’re stronger, no… the strongest by far. You had heard the talk about the upcoming strength competition and had seen some of the competitors warming up, and you know you could lift far heavier than them any day. But because of duty or some other obligation, you missed the deadline. If there was only a way to quiet all naysayers and show them that you’re the rightful king or queen of the weight room. Well, it’s time to rejoice! The event that features the strongest men and women on island will now be held Saturday, December 1, starting at 8:30 a.m. on Camp Foster’s Field #6. 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 reign supreme…at least until next near. Prospective participants can register for $30 per person by November 26 at
any staffed MCCS Fitness Center or by 1 p.m. November 30 at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster. Sameday registration will be accepted from 7 to 8 a.m. at the event site. Weight classes include up to 150lbs, 150–200lbs and
201+lbs for men and up to 140lbs and 141+lbs for women. Check-in will be accepted 7–8 a.m. and a competitors’ brief will be held at 8:05 a.m. For more information about the first Okinawa’s Strongest, call 645-4866.
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tours+
adventure begins here Japanese Tea Ceremony & Kimono Dressing November 16, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $51; Children (3–11) $34 Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and dress in a traditional Japanese kimono. After, travel to Naha Main Place for lunch and shopping. Wear (or bring) white socks, a t-shirt and leggings for women or white shorts for men. Bring extra yen for dinner and additional expenses. Children under 2 are not permitted on the tour. Battle Sites Tour November 18, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28; Children (3–11) $18, (0–2) FREE Visit Hacksaw Ridge and the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum on Camp Kinser. Then, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Memorial Park. Bring dollars for lunch and yen for admission.
Okinawa Soba-Making Tour November 18, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Adults $42; Children (3–12) $36, (0–2) FREE Have fun making soba noodles from scratch and enjoy them for lunch. Relax for the rest of the afternoon in Murasaki Mura park where you can try shisa painting, shell lamp making or even go pony back riding. Soba-making is included in the tour price. Bring an apron, hand towel and yen for additional expenses. Shrines and Gardens Tour November 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $21; Children (3–11) $14, (0–2) FREE Explore Shikina-en, the royal summer home and garden for the Okinawan kings. Then, break for lunch and shopping on Kokusai Street. After, we will travel to Fukushu-en, a garden built by Naha’s sister city in China. Finally, explore Futenma Shrine. Bring yen for entrance fees, lunch and additional expenses.
*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
Thomas Alan Smilie, Rawf8/bigstock.com
upcoming semperfitevents Turkey Bowl Flag Football Tournament November 23, 6 p.m. November 24 & 25, 9 a.m. Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center Field #6 Register by November 19 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $120 per team. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. By-laws and the tournament bracket will be emailed on November 19. For more information, call 645-4866 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
CG Cup Softball Tournament November 23, 6 p.m. November 24 & 25, 9 a.m. Camp Foster Softball Field Register by November 19 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS Fitness Center for FREE. This event is open to all eligible units and sections. Team awards will be given to first and second place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 20. For more information, call 645-4866 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
6-on-6 Soccer Tournament December 7, 6 p.m. December 8 & 9, 9 a.m. Camp Courtney Bowl Field Register by December 3 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $120 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed on December 3. For more information, call 622-7297 or email adultsports@okinawa.umsc-mccs.org.
Southern CC Cup Basketball Tournament November 30, 6 p.m. December 1 & 2, 9 a.m. MCAS Futenma Semper Fit Fitness Center Register by November 26 (1 p.m.) at any MCCS Fitness Center for FREE. This event is open to all units and sections. Team awards will be given to first and second place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 26. For more information, call 636-2672 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
classof theweek
Pilates This hour-long class is great for conditioning, toning and strengthening your entire body, targeting your core.
For a full group fitness schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.