Okinawa Living Magazine October 2022

On the cover

Join us as we find out which staff member can build the best shīsā— the emblematic symbol of Okinawa.

out + about

8

Miyako Islands

With high temperatures in the 80s all the way until November and isles easily accessible via beautiful bridges, the Miyako Islands are the perfect locale for your next escape.

restaurant review

42

New Menu Items at TERRA

Debuting October 1, TERRA will have some brand-new delicious offerings on their menu.

So, whether you’re craving the comforts of a big, juicy burger or looking for something with an innovative twist like their Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli TERRA has you covered.

features

16

Staff Favorites: Sweets & Desserts

We’ve done some incredibly sweet, tasty and thoroughly enjoyable research to bring you our staffs’ favorite sweets and desserts, so grab your spoons, forks and straws (yes, straws!) and get ready for these taste-good treats.

56

Mission: Build a Shīsā

Mixing Okinawan culture, craft and centuries-worth of stories with competitive fun—watch as our staff members vie for some serious office bragging rights as they construct their own lion-dog masterpieces at one of Ikutoen’s shīsā-making classes.

fitness + fun

27

HITT Installation Challenge

Are you the island’s ultimate tactical athlete? Find out how you stack up next to other warrior-athletes by participating in Camp Hansen’s HITT Installation Challenge.

29

Motivation to Move

Everyone has days when motivation to work out is not only lacking but practically nonexistent. The cure? How about Fit Camp—a progressive fitness program led by a certified personal trainer in a small-group environment that’ll help with accountability!

31

2022 Semper Fit Bike Race Series

Stage 6: Camp Kinser

The 2022 Semper Fit Bike Race Series is pedaling into the final straightway, but there’s still time to earn those Bike Race Series points and compete for some great prizes, though!

marines + families

33

Learn. To. Drive.

Beginning in December, MCCS will launch a brand-new program tailored towards Marines, Sailors and their family members—the Driver Education Program.

35 Murder Mystery Party

There’s been a murder in Dreary Hollow. Are you the prime suspect or the missing link to solving the case? Self-pronounced sleuths can exercise their detective skills at the Foster Library’s Murder Mystery Party.

37

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Raise awareness and make a concerted effort to stop domestic violence by participating in the Behavioral Health Family Advocacy Program’s Break the Cycle Cyclethon.

dining + entertainment

39

Comic Con Okinawa is Approaching

Comic Con Okinawa—the time where people of all walks of life can rejoice in their unifying love of shared interests of comic books, manga, anime, all things sci-fi and fantasy, video games, pop culture and much more. So, start planning your cosplay and keep your eyes peeled for sign-ups, as it’s right around the corner.

41 Courtney Festival

This two-day festival will provide fall fun for the whole family. And while the weather is finally cooling down, the headlining performances at Courtney Festival will be heating the air back up to summertime levels!

kids + parents

45

Spooky Storytime

Get some extra milage out of those elf ears, bed sheets (with eye holes) and gory zombie sores by wearing them to Spooky Storytime—a spooktacular event with candy, spine-tingling tales and more at MCCS Libraries.

47

Fall Swim Lessons and Swim Meet

If learning to swim was one item on your priority list that you missed this summer, fret not—there’s still time. Learn to swim by signing up for a fall lesson with MCCS Learn to Swim (LTS), and once you master swimming, showcase your skills at a swim meet.

services 49

Typhoon Motors Halloween and Columbus Day Sales

Typhoon Motors has some super sales this October that will trick out your ride, treat your wallet and have you sailing into a brave new world of savings.

51

Join the MCCS Team

Are you a motivated team player looking or a challenging, career-building opportunity? If so, we want you to join our team.

COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC

Major General Stephen E. Liszewski

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS, MCIPAC Edward S. Hutsell

DEPUTY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS DIRECTOR, MCCS, MCB CAMP BUTLER Michael S. Gieseck

DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR MARINE & FAMILY PROGRAMS

Carlos J. Saldaña

DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR BUSINESS & SUPPORT

Hyun Woo Chang

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Jim Kassebaum

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mike Daley

MCCS ART DIRECTOR

Henry C. Ortega

OKINAWA LIVING ART DIRECTOR

Margie Shimabukuro

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Tiffany Kim

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie

PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS

Kathlene Millette, Mia Cox, Kirstin Spanu

EDITORIAL

Kiara Klein

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA

Roxine Ami, Jaci Mullally

CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST Ayako Kawamitsu

ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Julia Gregory-Bovender

ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Terumi Nagai, Ronshanda Perkins, Tsutomu McCoy

MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Andrew Menges

MARKETING ACCOUNTS

Bethany Ramirez Latoya Cardona, Deanna Berg

mensôre

“Welcome” to Okinawa Living

Hearts are heavy throughout MCCS with the unexpected death last month of our long-time colleague and golf professional, Lawrence “Sonny” Gibbs. Sonny was the driving force behind instructional golf programming for almost two decades, especially so with individual lessons where he established a unique and special rapport with his students.

After graduation from Citrus High School in his hometown of Inverness, Florida, Sonny enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1974 and subsequently received orders to Okinawa in 1982. Pursuing his ambition of a career in golf, during the next two decades Sonny successfully transitioned from serving as an Okinawa-based Marine to taking on a series of increasingly responsible roles throughout the golf industry stateside, culminating in the start of his MCCS career in 2003.

Several generations of golfers are eternally grateful for Sonny’s deft touch as a teacher. His impact runs the gamut from the most highly accomplished tour professionals such as Okinawan-born JLPGA and LPGA member Mika Miyazato to countless other amateur golf ers trying to break 100 or card an occasional birdie while getting in 18 holes on the weekend.

Sonny was a big part of the MCCS golf team that successfully led the transition from closing the historic Awase Meadows Golf Course in October 2009 to relocating the entire operation and opening the brand-new Taiyo Golf Club in March 2010. Sonny’s hole-by-hole instructional insights to help local golfers take on the newest (and, we believe, the finest) Marine Corps golf course were featured in an in-depth series of photo-essays published in the February and March 2010 issues of Okinawa Living Magazine. Equally popular in the magazine for many years was Sonny’s “Tips from the Pro” column published each month on the golf page.

Sonny was a gentleman, a true professional and a profoundly valued colleague whose many contributions during a nearly 30-year federal career—10 years in the Marine Corps and almost 20 with MCCS—will be deeply missed. All of us at MCCS and Okinawa Living Magazine offer our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of Sonny’s family, both immediate and extended. Semper Fi. 

sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org

Jim Kassebaum

Chief Marketing Officer Marine Corps Community Services, Okinawa

Take us on the road

Enjoy Okinawa Living Magazine on your favorite mobile device!

Visit mccsokinawa.com/ol for the latest issue. Also, visit issuu.com/mccsokinawa to see back issues of the magazine.

feedback from the ICE Program and Facebook

We held a birthday party at the Courtney Bowling Center last weekend, and everything was great! The kids had a blast bowling, and the parents were able to visit with each other. There were a good number of kids, but the staff never made us feel like they were too loud or having too much fun. Thank you for a successful party! From what I heard, you may have a couple more requests for future parties from the crowd in attendance!

—via ICE

The staff of the Chimugukuru CDC [on Camp Foster] is amazing! We have been so happy with our children’s care. The Chimugukuru staff members do everything possible to ensure children are able to play, learn and explore while being kept safe and comfortable. I understand this is often a thankless job; it’s impossible to accommodate for all the varying parent preferences. But from our experience, the childcare standards set by experts are followed perfectly in the CDCs, and I trust that they are doing everything within guidelines to nurture our children’s development and education. Please keep up the great work! The peace of mind that comes with knowing that our children are in good, capable hands is priceless. We so appreciate your dedication to our families’ wellbeing. Thank you so much for all that you do.

—via ICE

First play at Taiyo [Golf Club] after being gone for six years. Awesome! The course is looking superb—plush fairways and those greens are beautiful carpets. Kudos to the groundskeepers, as the sides and fairway edges are neatly trimmed with great attention to the minor details. I also appreciate the excellent running condition of the carts, a bone of contention that I have with Kadena. Good show on getting us on the course as a walk-in today, VERY much appreciated. Having a six-year time warp and seeing Taiyo now, you folks are nailing it. We purchased the Kadena annual golf pass that allows us to play a lot of very affordable golf. If Taiyo ever offers anything similar, we are in. Thanks again, looking forward to many more rounds. Oh, and the Halfway House had great service and delicious food. Feels great to be back home!

—via ICE

Hello! I was wondering if you have résumé writing classes for active-duty personnel? I know that several templates are available, but I was looking for something with more hands-on help. Thanks for your time!

—via Facebook

Hi! Résumé-writing workshops are offered through the MCCS Family Member Employment Assistance Program (FMEAP). For upcoming dates and more info about the workshop and other offerings (including their “Ace the Interview” workshop), visit them online at mccsokinawa. com/fmeap. You can also reach out to them by phone at DSN 645-2104/2106 (098-970-2104/2106 from off base or a cellphone) or visit them on Camp Foster in Bldg. 445.

—MCCS Digital Marketing Team

@okilivingmag

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Give MCCS Feedback—ICE Program & Facebook

Let us know how we can better serve you or thank us for a job well-done. Go to mccsokinawa.com and click on the ICE link at the bottom of the homepage or find us on Facebook to share feedback. Comments on this page may be edited for clarity or length.

@ okinawa_pursuits

@lifewithmags_

everyday we get to

beautiful place home for a few

MIYAKO

I SLANDs

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE DALEY DESIGN BY MARGIE SHIMABUKURO

MIYAKO

Okinawa isn’t a metropolis by any standard. While the island does feature worldclass resorts with every imagin able comfort and convenience, its reputation in Japan is as a getaway—a place where people go to unplug and recharge while enjoying picturesque coastlines and surrounding deep cobalt seas filled with life.

The Miyako Islands, which are located south of Okinawa between the main island of the Ryukyu Archipelago and the Yaeyama Islands farther south, fit the description of unplugged to a “T.” These tiny idyllic isles— many of which are interconnected via some of the most beautiful bridges in the country—are not exactly cutting edge when it comes to modern conveniences, but make up for that with countless nooks and cran nies of pure unadulterated paradise. And, if you’re saying to yourself “it’s too cold to go island-hopping in October,” no worries as the average high temperature in Miyako is still in the 80s this month and it doesn’t start to cool down until November, making beach activities possible.

Speaking of beaches, the Miyako Island chain is well-known for many scenic sandy examples with breathtakingly crystal-clear waters including Yonaha Maehama Beach —a 7-kilometer stretch of sandy shoreline that was included in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice list of 25 Top Beaches in the World for 2022. Yonaha Maehama is one of only two beaches in Asia that made the list and is the only one in Japan.

Bridges over Beautiful Waters

Miyako is the primary (and largest) isle of the chain and is home to several tourist destinations such as the aforementioned beaches. However, some usually visit the island chain just to take photographs of the beautiful bridges. While there are many to see and cross, three—Ikema, Irabu and Kurima—stand out head and shoulders above the rest.

Irabu Bridge, which connects Irabu and Miyako Islands, is the longest of the three major bridges at 3,450 meters in length. It has a double-arch design and curves gently throughout the length of its span, making it seem like a natural feature of the landscape.

Kurima Bridge, which connects Kurima Island and Miyako, is 1,690 meters long. The strait this bridge spans is almost chameleon-like in that the various shades of emerald ranging to cobalt seem to change every time you cross it because the colors do change depending on the time of day and year, weather conditions and tides. Kurima Bridge, which can also be traversed on foot or via bicycle, is a great place to spot sea turtles surfacing for a breath of air in the beautiful waters below.

Ikema Bridge, which opened in 1992 as the longest bridge in Okinawa Prefecture, is now the shortest of the three at 1,425 me ters. Ikema Island, which is designated as a wildlife sanctuary due to its lush marshland and vast coral reefs off the coast.

Located northeast of Ikema Island, Yabiji offers some of the best snorkeling in the prefecture with over 100 coral reef formations that famously rise to the surface for a few days a year during extreme springtime tides. The 38-square-kilometer Ikema Marshland is a birdwatcher’s paradise with buzzards, os prey, ducks and herons making appearances depending on the time of the year.

MIYAKO

While You’re There…

After a morning of either birdwatching, snorkeling or bridge-hopping, don’t forget to grab a bowl of Miyako soba for lunch! Before you say that all Okinawa soba is the same, and it can wait until you get back to the mainland, nothing could be further from the truth.

Like Italian pasta, Okinawa soba noodles vary from area to area. For example, a traditional noodle from Awase (on Okinawa) is flat, extremely thick, and bears a definite resemblance to a fettuccine noodle. Soba noodles from the southern islands, on the other hand, are thinner, spherical in shape and have a more robust consistency.

Dashi-jiru, the broth that noodles swim in, also varies from area to area. Miyako soba dashi-jiru is made mostly from dried bonito flakes or katsuodashi as opposed to the tonkotsu (pork-based) and katsuodashi combinations found elsewhere. Miyako soba broth is delicate, yet rich enough to comple ment the noodles, but never strong enough to overpower the taste of the toppings.

Ready to book your trip? Give Tours+ a call at 646-3502 (DSN) or 098-971-3502 from off base and they can assist with airfare, reservations and more. In addition, they can also provide customized itineraries for you and your guests for your next adventure!

Kiara Klein • Latoya Cardona Bethany Ramirez • Kirstin Spanu

Mia Cox

Roxine Ami

The best things in life are simple, straightforward and uncomplicated; they aren’t overly embellished, but they are, nonetheless, elegant and inviting.

This is how I would describe Patisserie Joie Joie 326 in Yomitan, both in terms of its perfectly executed, downright beautiful desserts and relaxing, serene ambiance.

Once I stepped foot through the door, I noticed the dichotomy between the pastry shop’s interior and the chaotic street outside. It was as if every last ounce of stress melted away as I glanced from cakes and crème brûlées to the tranquil sea view through the patisserie’s back window.

I decided to try a slice of heaven—the Fresh Cream Strawberry Cake—suggested by the owner, Chef Miyaguni. Three layers of moist, sweet cake, freshly beaten cream, and organic strawberries grown in Ogimi Village were topped with a crown of sliced strawberries to make up this heavenly dessert. It was perfectly balanced.

The patisserie’s choice ingredients are simple, natural and unrefined. Chef Miyaguni prides himself on using these types of ingredients—natural sugars, organic flours, eggs from healthy, free-range chickens—because, as he told me, they are what he feeds his own family.

So, if you’re looking to add a little “joie” to your life (“joy” in English), indulge in a slice of Fresh Cream Strawberry Cake at Patisserie Joie Joie 326.

If you are looking for the perfect treat to start your fall obsessions, look no further than Taiyo Steakhouse. I had the greatest pleasure of being able to taste this scrumptious dessert that put me in my fall ‘feelings.’ Before diving fork-first into the pumpkin perfection, I admired the elegant plating.

The Pumpkin Crème Brûlée is plated with a dreamy orangegrapefruit drizzle, paper-thin candied oranges on top, whip cream, a strawberry slice as well as a churro-like cinnamon stick made in-house. The first bite of rich custard paired with the orange-grapefruit drizzle melts in your mouth, and the nuttiness from the caramelized top-layer of sugar complements the cinnamon and citrus notes.

If you are like me and crave the fall season, this dessert will help to put you in that mindset. Taiyo Steakhouse is located a short drive away from Camps Courtney & McTureous and highly recommends reservations.

For those with fall flavor aversions, Taiyo has many more options for dessert like their highly sought-after Molten Lava Cake and their newest dessert on the menu, the Banana Split. Their Banana Split is accompanied by chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream and is the perfect treat for a date night or family night.

If you have already read this month’s restaurant review (p. 42), one could easily assume that TERRA’s Chocolate Pot de Crème would make it on this list. Well, of course, it’s too fabulous to leave off. For the uninitiated, a pot de crème is a classic French dessert from the 17th century that’s traditionally made with a chocolate or vanilla custard and cooked via water bath until set (TERRA uses chocolate and a sous vide).

While the dessert’s texture is somewhere between a mousse and a pudding, one thing is certain, each spoonful of TERRA’s Chocolate Pot de Crème is even more luxurious and silky smooth than the last. The fine-dining-quality-pudding-like perfection is topped with a dollop of fresh whip cream and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings.

The uniqueness of being served in an individual container satisfies the self-proponent desire to keep the dessert all for yourself while the rich chocolatey flavor satiates the strongest of chocolate cravings. With all seriousness, any chocolate lover’s affair should end in a rendezvous to TERRA for this cup of decadence.

If you haven’t gotten a taste of Okinawa’s famous beniimo (purple sweet potato), can you really say you live here? The iconic purple starch is used in a variety of recipes; however, it is most commonly used in sweets. One example being daifuku, a Japanese confection made up of a mochi exterior and a sweet filling.

Sunroom Sweets’ delightful take on a Beni Imo Daifuku “takes the cake” for my favorite dessert on island. The surprisingly soft beniimo mochi shell encapsulates a generous layer of freshly whipped and lightly flavored beniimo cream. Then, just when you think it couldn’t get any more delicious, a flaky pie crust-like wafer resides in the center. The unexpected combination of textures…it’s love at first bite!

You can find this tasty treat at one of Sunroom Sweets’ two locations on island. The flagship store is in Ginowan, just a short drive from Camp Foster’s Hospital Gate (Gate 7). This location even has a convenient dessert vending machine, perfect for those days you need something sweet on the go. The second store is located further south on Senagajima’s Umikaji Terrace. And who wouldn’t want to enjoy a yummy treat accompanied by a stunning ocean view?

Have you ever had a froothie? If not, you need to head to Juicy & Juicy Okinawa, a smoothie and shaved ice shop right above Jaagaru Park in Chatan. Froothies are the fruitiest and juiciest smoothies on Okinawa, made with 100% natural or organic fruits that are found right here on the island.

Ms. Chihiro Kamiya, the owner, opened the shop because she wanted people to experience incredible flavors of Okinawan fruits. Unlike other smoothie and shaved ice shops, Juicy & Juicy Okinawa avoids adding sugars, juices or other unnatural ingredients. Chihiro-san prefers to let the fresh mango, dragon fruit and pineapple do the talking, and in her words, “produce something magical.”

These sweet treats are guaranteed to cool you down in the summer but can be enjoyed perfectly fine in the winter as well. After all, we are on a subtropical island.

Speaking of tropical, you’re going to want to try the Tropical Storm Froothie. The natural sweetness of mango, passionfruit and guava takes center stage. I recommend enjoying this treat across the street at the Jaagaru Park overlook where you will have an incredible view of the coastline below. There is also a decent sized play structure below that children can enjoy.

For even more Okinawan fruit flavor, try the delightful Juicy & Juicy Special #5. This is a fruit lover’s dream. Fresh mango, passionfruit, pineapple, dragon fruit and guava are the crown jewels on a bed of fluffy shaved ice, with a little drizzle of sweetened condensed milk to top it off.

Because of the natural ingredients, amazing location and passionate owner, I will be returning to Juicy & Juicy Okinawa again and again.

This quaint little shop in Uruma is here to make your donut wishes come true! Donut Shop (どーなつ屋) has all sorts of flavors available to keep you coming back for more. Out of their most popular flavors, I decided to try the Mango Crème Donut.

This sumptuous cake donut is sliced in half and stuffed with the most delicious mango crème. Although the texture of the donut is reminiscent of a slice of cake; it has a delightful crispy exterior with an incredibly soft and airy interior. The mango crème is lush, sweet and mixed with mango morsels. And as if all of that wasn’t enough to convince you to give it a try, the top is also generously dusted with powdered sugar!

It’s the perfect treat to enjoy with an iced or hot coffee, and will only run you ¥150. If you are looking to dive into more of their other options, they also offer a peanut butter crème, tiramisu crème, cornflakes, coffee & chocolate, rum and tons more.

Donut Shop is located just down the street from the McDonald’s in Ishikawa.

If you were interested just based on the name of the drink, wait until I tell you how it tastes! MILK BOMB by trade is a “food” truck that travels and serves up delicious boba drinks, and I visited their main location in Uruma city.

The owner Ms. Miyako Fujikawa is amazing at what she does and makes sure she leaves you wanting to try more. I tried their signature Black Sugar MILK BOMB which she skillfully curated in less than 2 minutes with black sugar, milk, ice and, of course, boba.

This drink immediately cooled me down while also giving me the sweet, mouthwatering taste of chewy tapioca. But the boba found in MILK BOMB’s Black Sugar drink is unique as it’s coated in a syrup made from kokuto (Okinawan black sugar). Kokuto is made by boiling sugarcane juice for many hours and once naturally dry, it’s broken into cubes that are ready for use. Comparing it to regular granulated sugar, kokuto is not only darker, saltier and more malt flavored, but it also has additional health properties. Sugar and health? Yes, kokuto is said to have 500 times the amount of potassium and even 200 times the amount of calcium as its refined white sugar counterpart.

MILK BOMB has several different flavors to try on their main menu above but can also whip up delicious frappes, iced espressos, and colorful sodas if boba isn’t your thing.

If you are like me and after one try can’t live without MILK BOMB, make sure you follow them @milk_bomb_okinawa on Instagram and get a stamp card so you can know where their truck will be next!

HITT Installation Challenge

Push Your Limits

Warriors are called upon to be combat fit in order to always be combat ready—but are you the fittest of the fit? If you’re a service member who wants to find out how you stack up against your peers, look no further than the HITT Installation Challenge. This competition will not only test your physical resiliency and mental toughness but your overall combat athleticism as you compete head-to-head with other warrior-athletes.

If you think you have what it takes to become the island’s ulti mate tactical athlete, come on out to the Camp Hansen Track on October 22 at 8 a.m. and prove it (competitors should wear boots and utilities to the event).

The top-scoring athletes in both male and female categories will receive 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies. Those bragging rights are

hefty; after all, “ultimate” has some powerful synonyms—supreme, maximum, unmatched, unrivaled and unequalled—all descriptors you’d love to add to your résumé.

The HITT Installation Challenge is FREE and open to activeduty service members island wide. Registration via Eventbrite is required and will be available until October 15. For more information, please visit mccsokinawa.com/healthpromotion. For any questions, email mccshealthpromotions@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. You can also keep tabs on other upcoming fitness events by following facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The World Health Organization reports that breast cancer is now the most common form of cancer diagnosed throughout the world. While random events may lead to the development of cancer, genetic and environmental factors can impact a person’s risk. Factors which increase one’s risk of developing breast cancer include lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking and alcohol consumption. While both men and women can develop breast cancer, women are at a much higher risk of being affected (about 100 times more likely).

Even though the thought of cancer is worrisome, talking to your doctor and learning about resources available within your community can help alleviate some of that concern.

Another great wealth of information is MCCS Health Promotion. October is both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (read more about domestic violence on

p. 37), and to raise awareness for both, Health Promotion is hosting Dance for a Cause—an evening combining exercise and education.

Stop by the Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium on Friday, October 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. to take part in FREE Zumba and Mixxed Fit classes. There will be plenty of informational pamphlets and handouts available in addition to staff members ready to help you dis cover health resources here on Okinawa. Registration is not required, and this event is open to authorized ID card holders island wide. Partic ipants ages 12 to 17 may attend with a parent or legal guardian.

To learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month events, visit mccsokinawa.com/healthpromotion. If you have any questions about Dance for a Cause, please call 645-3910 (DSN) or 098-9703910 from off base. 

FITNESS + FUN OCTOBER 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 27 Dance for a Cause

Fall Fit Camp

Motivation to Move

Everyone has days when, for one reason or another, their motivation to work out is lack ing. When you have too many of those days in a row, the struggle to get back into a healthy lifestyle can become increasingly difficult.

One of the best ways to keep from slack ing off is to find some accountability outside of yourself. Simply put, you’re more likely to show up and put the work in when other people expect you to. If you’re looking for your own motivational group to help you get and stay active, Fit Camp is for you.

Designed to help you build strength and confidence, Fit Camp is a progressive, feebased fitness program led by certified person al trainers. Emphasizing circuit-style work outs, each session is full of multiple exercises you can add to your fitness routines. As your trainer guides you through proper technique, you’ll learn how to get your best performance while guarding against workout-related inju ries. You’ll also find a core group of workout buddies full of encouragement within Fit Camp’s small-group environment.

The first empowering boost? You can join now! Autumn/Winter Fit Camps run from October 31 through December 16. Registra tion is open to authorized ID card holders (ages 18 and older) and is open until October 28. To register, head to the front desk of the MCCS Fitness Center where you intend to participate. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/healthpromotion. For any questions, call 645-3910 (DSN) or 098-9703910 from off base. 

Courtney Open Flag Football Tournament

Flag

It’s going down once again, as flag football warriors from all over the island will gather to battle for the flag football crown at the Courtney Open Flag Football Tournament. Rosters will assemble, and team huddles will commence to secretively discuss game-playing tactics as kickoff is Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23, at the Camp Courtney Bowl.

Team rosters are filled with 20 players plus a coach, unless the coach plans on playing, then he or she counts towards roster numbers. Eight players from the team will be allowed on the field at any given time and games will consist of two 20-minute halves. To qualify to compete, teams must show up 30 minutes prior to their game start time in approved attire—shorts without pockets and tucked in

T-shirts (which must remain tucked in for the duration of the game). As for footwear, the only cleats prohibited are metal ones (if you don’t own a pair of cleats, a good pair of running shoes should suffice). And make sure to bring your ‘A’ game, as prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.

This tournament is open to SOFA ID card holders ages 16 and older. Those interested can register their team by October 17 (1 p.m.) on Eventbrite for $150. For more information, head to mccsokinawa. com/adultsports, or follow Semper Fit on Facebook for event updates and future happenings, at facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. For questions and a list of the bylaws, email Adult Sports at adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org

2022

Semper Fit Bike Race Series

Stage 6: Camp Kinser

The 2022 Semper Fit Bike Race Series is heading into the final straightaway with Stage 6 taking place on Sunday, October 16 starting at 8:05 a.m. on Camp Kinser. Check-ins are from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. with a mandatory brief following. Participants ages 15 and older may register for $95 before October 12 (11:30 p.m.) via mccsokinawa.com/ adultsports to participate.

Earn Bike Race Series points and compete for great prizes such as bike-related gear and apparel, a road bike valued at over $1,000 cour tesy of Vincent’s Bike Shop and more. ALL participants will receive race-specific T-shirts, a special interlock ing completion medal and a food voucher. Meal tickets for spectators will also be available for purchase.

For more information on this race, as well as more upcoming Semper Fit athletic events, visit mccsokinawa. com/adultsports or facebook. com/mccsokinawa.semperfit Questions regarding the Kinser leg of the Semper Fit Bike Race Series can be directed to 645-3521 or adultsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org via email. 

Foster Open Grappling Tournament

Conquer the Competition

What is your favorite finishing move? Is it the infa mous guillotine? Do you prefer the more orthodox shoulder lock or the more exotic pace choke? Or perhaps you prefer to shoot for the holy grail of submission moves—the Marcelo Garcia Back Crucifix Choke! Whichever method you choose, you better hurry before they turn the tables on you!

Go for the tap-out and prove that you’re the number one grappler around at the Foster Open

Grappling Tournament on October 29 at the Camp Foster Fieldhouse. Register by October 26 (1:30 p.m.) via mccsokinawa.com/adultsports for $40.

This event is open to participants 18 and older island wide and medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each respective division. For more information, call 645-3521 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org

Gooooooooooooooal!

Foster Open 6v6 Soccer Tournament

Lace up those cleats and gird thy shins with your trusty shin guards because the Foster Open 6v6 Soccer Tournament is coming to town! On Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, join Semper Fit at the Camp Foster athletic fields for a festival of goals, super-saves, off-side traps and banana kicks.

Fútbol aficionados ages 16 and older island wide may participate and must register via mccsokinawa. com/adultsports by October 3 (1 p.m.) for $150 per team. You may have between 6 and 12 players on your team plus a coach, with six players allowed on the field at any given moment (you are allowed unlimited substitutions). If your coach is also playing, that counts towards your 12-player limit. At the conclusion of the tournament, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams will receive awards.

For more information, please visit mccsokinawa. com/adultsports or facebook.com/mccsokinawa. semperfit If you have any questions, please email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 645-3521. 

Learn. To. Drive.

The New MCCS Driver Education Program

Beginning in December of this year, MCCS will be launching a brand-new program tailored towards Marines, Sailors and their family members stationed on Okinawa—the Driver Education Pro gram. This program will feature American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)/AAA certified courses that include 39 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behindthe-wheel instruction.

Classes for first-time drivers, active-duty personnel and refresh er courses will all be held on Camp Foster. Classes for first-time drivers (both adult and teens) will be held at Marine & Family Programs-Resources (Bldg. 445). And, refresher courses as well as

Red Ribbon Week

Promoting Drug-Free Youth

The Red Ribbon campaign is the largest drug-abuse prevention movement in the US. And, for one week each year in October, Red Ribbon Week is held to ramp up drug abuse awareness among youth and the community. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free!” Created by Emily King, Chelsea Abbott and Celise Wicker—7th graders at Wayland-Cohocton Middle School in Wayland, New York—the theme is a “…reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live Drug-Free!”

To help educate the local community on drug prevention and promote drug-free youth on Okinawa, Kubasaki High School and Lester Middle School will hold several Red Ribbon Week events the week of October 23–31. Join the cause, and see what you can do to keep our children, families and military members safe, healthy and drug free. For more information, head to redribbon.org and mccsokinawa.com/sac. For questions, call 645-3009 from a DSN or 098-970-3009 from off base.

classes for active-duty personnel will be held at the MCCS Edu cation Center (Bldg. 5679). First-time driver courses for teens and adults will run Monday–Friday, 6–9 p.m. and Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon or 6–9 p.m. for adults. Courses for active-duty personnel will run Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and refresher courses will require an appointment.

For more information about the MCCS Driver Education Program, call 645-3531 (098-970-3531 from off base or a cellphone), send an email to driver.education@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or visit mccsokinawa.com/drivereducation

Murder Mystery Party

Murder in Dreary Hollow

Everyone knows Leota Xavier, the sharp-tonged, scowling spinster and former headmistress of Dark Harbor Preparatory School. In her retirement, Leota spent most of her time alone in her mansion, save for her nine feline friends.

The fivefold widowed woman, with more money than decency, would terrorize townsfolk on the rare occurrences her butler drove her into town—leading to many more enemies than friends. So, it came to no one’s surprise when Leota’s body was found on the front steps of her stately home one morning. And now you’ve been summoned by the Dreary Hollow police, as you either have the missing information to solve the case or are the prime suspect.

Self-pronounced sleuths can join in the Murder Mystery Party at the Camp Foster Library on October 27 at 6 p.m. Registration is open to both teens (ages 13 or older) and adults and is required, as characters for the event will be assigned. Participating patrons are highly encouraged to dress as their assigned character and maybe even try out the accompanied persona.

To register, you can stop by in person or call the Foster Library at 645-7178 from a DSN or 098-970-7178 from a cell phone. Questions about the event can be emailed to fosterlibrary@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org and for more information, head to mccsokinawa.com/libraries. 

Book Clubs

Find Your Tribe of Book Lovers

Are you an avid reader looking for your tribe of other book lovers? Are some of your go-to page-turners in the fiction genre? If you answered either of these with a “yes,” devour highly rated reads, meet like-minded individuals and engage in thought-provoking discussions at book clubs held at Camp Foster or Kinser Libraries.

This month’s reads are Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel (at Foster Library)—a debut novel featuring unforgettable heroine, Kaikeyi, who discovers and utilizes magic to transform herself from an overlooked princess to a highly favored queen. Or set your sights on The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (at Kinser Library)—a fantasy novel that follows protagonist, Addie, a young French woman that is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. In celebration of spooky season, both novels feature magical elements.

Book club meetings happen every third Thursday of the month at the Foster Library, with this month’s meeting taking place October 20 at 6 p.m., and meetings at Kinser Library happen every third Saturday, with this month’s meeting on October 15 at 11 a.m. Registration is not required; however, interested readers should reserve a copy of the titles since copies are limited.

Stop by your library of choice to reserve a copy of this month’s book club picks; to contact them about their book clubs, a directory can be found at mccsokinawa.com/libraryhours. And to keep up with their latest happenings, find them on Facebook at MCCS

Hey Coach!

Volunteer as a Coach and Shape a Child’s Future

Participating in sports at a young age can have a healthy developmental influence on children; not only do sports promote cooperative play, teamwork and sportsmanship, the physical activity also improves motor skills and boosts self-esteem. And, with the right coach, kids feel more confident, well prepared and inspired, both when participating in their chosen sport as well as in everyday life. So, in a sense, a good coach will leave a positive and lasting impression on a kid that could last a lifetime!

If you are ready to make a positive impact in both the community as well as in a child’s life, MCCS Semper Fit Youth Sports has the op portunity for you. Semper Fit is looking for fun, dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in a child’s life and teach life lessons that they’ll carry on into adulthood. To coach is to play an active role in a child’s future. You are not just a coach; you are a mentor, a hero and a friend. In addition, coaching a team is a great way to meet new people and share your skills with children who share a passion for sports and an active lifestyle. Volunteer opportunities are available all year round, but currently Youth Sports is seeking dedicated head and assistant coaches for this year’s winter cheerleading and basketball season.

For more information about becoming a volunteer coach, please stop by Semper Fit Youth Sports on Camp Foster, call 645-3533/3534 or email youthsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org 

Harry Potter

Trivia Night

Is it “Wingardium Leviosa” or “Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa?” True Potterheads already have their answers ready, they know which house they belong to and have surfed through Pottermore at least a dozen times, taking every quiz that caught the eye.

Their main reasoning for going to Universal Studios is to drink a liter’s worth of Butterbeer and spend the afternoon on the cobblestoned Diagon Alley appreciating the replica’s meticulous attention to detail and corridors of witchcraft. They even know Tom Riddle’s name in each translation of the movies, a minute detail only a real Harry-Potter-fiction-fanatic would know.

If this sounds like you, you can put your fantasy knowledge to the test. Gather your spell books and wands and head to the Kinser Library on October 29 at 5 p.m. for Harry Potter Trivia Night. This event is open to Wizarding World fans of all ages, and there will even be prizes!

You can register for this event as an individual or team (up to four people). To register, call the Kinser Library at 098-970-5555, then dial their DSN 637-1039 or send an email to kinserlibrary@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org

4th Annual Break the Cycle Cyclethon

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of and make a concerted effort to stop domestic violence. Domestic violence is an umbrella term that covers four different forms of abuse—physical, emotional, sexual and neglect—none of which the military community tolerates. Furthermore, the military community is here to help all months of the year.

Behavioral Health Family Advocacy Program provide boundless resources to service members and their families to help break the cycle of domestic violence and have planned a variety of awareness events throughout the month of October.

Included in the list of events is the 4th Annual Break the Cycle Cyclethon. Join Behavioral Health in walking, running and cycling all October long to help shine a light on the resources available to victims of domestic abuse. Any time during October, head to mccsokinawa.com/behavioralhealth and submit your registration information. Then, every day up to and including October 31, log how many minutes you walked, ran or cycled. After the competition wraps up, participants with the most minutes will receive prizes. If you have any questions, please call 645-2915 or email FAPPrevention@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org

Time to Rejoice

Comic Con Okinawa is Approaching

Comic Con Okinawa—where people of all walks of life rejoice in their unifying love of shared interests of comic books, manga, anime, all things sci-fi and fantasy, video games, pop culture and much, much more—is approaching faster than a speeding bullet!

Yes, friends, the marvelous time of the year where intricate cosplay costumes are constructed or come out of closets, and long-time fans get the opportunity to show off their admiration for favorite characters—be it an oldie but a goodie like Korra from Avatar, Shoto Todoroki from My Hero Academia or, perhaps, Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer—is right on the horizon.

Comic Con attendees can participate in two separate events, creating a cohesive, immersive con experience. First up, is the Gold Pass Exclusive event which takes place on December 3 at the Globe & Anchor inside Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster from 2 to 5 p.m. This event offers the perfect opportunity to enhance your Comic Con Okinawa experience with exclusive benefits such as a pre-con social (with a talent meet and greet), a swag bag and chances to win many great prizes as well as, other exclusive benefits at the main event. Gold Pass Exclusive tickets are limited, so don’t miss out! Tickets will be available for purchase starting November 1, and pric es are $40 for adults and $20 for children 5 to 12 years of age (FREE for children under 5).

The main event takes place Sunday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be happening on Camp Foster at the Fieldhouse, the Community Center Auditorium, Ocean Breeze and the surrounding

area. Comic Con Okinawa’s main event is a FREE to attend; however, to provide the best experience for everyone, registration (which also opens November 1) is required to attend.

Now, a little about the cosplay competition(s). This year’s competition is broken into two categories: the Cosplay Showcase and the Cosplay Championship. The Showcase is open to all ages, skill levels and group costumes/family costumes—meaning you do not have to be a “professional” cosplayer (or craft your own outfit) to enter and participate. Sign-ups for the Cosplay Showcase will be day of and onsite. The second category, the Cosplay Championship, is for competitors who have constructed their own cosplay (where at least 60% of the costume has been constructed by the competitor). The Cosplay Championship is a judged competition, where competitors will be scored based on quality and craftmanship of their costumes.

Not interested in the cosplay competitions, but still want to be as involved as possible while still having a great time? Consider volunteering! Volunteer opportunities will range from Fun Land attendants and organizers for different programs/sections to much more. Comic Con Okinawa is open to SOFA ID card holders and their families as well as American and Japanese citizens. For more information about Comic Con Okinawa or to register for specific contests/tournaments, visit mccsokinawa.com/comiccon or facebook. com/comicconokinawa. For questions, contact MCCS Special Events at specialevents@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Courtney Festival

Fall Fun for the Whole Family

A new school year well underway, cooler weather and aisles full of candy and costumes at the Exchange are all signaling autumn’s arrival—the perfect time to have a festival! On October 29 and 30 from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Flea Market parking lot, Courtney Festival will be bringing amusement aplenty to celebrate the season with a weekend of fall fun for the whole family! Don’t forget to grab the kids (and yourself) a wristband for MCCS Fun Land which can be purchased for all-day access.

In addition to Fun Land, enjoy the military static displays, live music, street performances, dance groups and more. Explore the game and retail vendor booths, and of course, come hungry! La Cocina and Chef Shack food trucks, along with Hickory House BBQ, 305 Latin Grill, Bulldogs Burgers and a pizza trailer plus Kanpai Lounge will all be serving up your favorite festival food and beverages.

Hot headline entertainment will heat up the cool evening air with country music artist Kaitline Walker and guitarist/singer/

songwriter Ayron Jones (who has shared the stage with legends such as B.B. King, Jeff Beck, the Rolling Stones, Public Enemy, Rakim and others) performing on Saturday. Sunday’s headliner will be 2x platinum-selling rapper/singer/songwriter Bryce Vine—best known for his 2017 single “Drew Barrymore” which peaked at #46 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Bryce Vine will appear courtesy of Armed Forces Entertainment. Mark your calendars, as Courtney Festival is sure to be a blast!

Courtney Festival is open to SOFA ID card holders, Japanese and American citizens. Please also note that glass bottles, pets, outside food and alcohol will not be permitted. For more information and the latest updates, visit mccsokinawa.com/festivals. If you have any questions, call MCCS Special Events at 645-5828 (DSN) or 098-9705828 from off base. 

Hours

Brunch

Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

Breakfast

Monday–Friday, 6–10 a.m.

Lunch

Monday–Friday, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Dinner

Monday–Sunday, 5–9 p.m.

Contact Information 098-970-1249

mccsokinawa.com/terra

All About the Options

New Menu Items at TERRA

Text by Kiara Klein | Photography by Mia Cox

The best part about dining out is options. Of course, there’s still the comfortable seats, lovely lighting, but it’s the glorious menu—containing a wonderful balance of both unique dishes and old favorites—that makes the occasion momentous. TERRA is one of the perfect places to go when you’re looking for variety—which ranges from a classic juicy burger and side of fries to something a little more innovative like a Seared Ahi Salad. The only thing better than options is…new ones. So, when I found out TERRA updated their menu, I had to check it out.

I was graciously greeted by Mr. Yuji Perez, Assistant Club Manager, and Sous Chef, Mr. Dominic Avalos. I started with an appetizer, Garden Hummus, which was buttery smooth and delightful to look at, as it was topped with fresh pico de gallo and a vibrant gremolata. To make the hummus, the chefs at TERRA blend chickpeas, fresh garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil and a splash of water. Once blended to a creamy paste, they run the mixture through a mesh sieve to get it extra silky smooth.

The gremolata had a piquant and fresh taste; I spied the telling bright green of a leafy herb, but it eluded me, since I could not quite decipher if it was the peppery taste of parsley or tang of cilantro. “The gremolata is a sauce made of parsley and lemon zest,” Mr. Avalos explained.

Ah, that answered that, so I eagerly dug into the next dish, TERRA’s Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli. These tender morsels were stuffed with a savory smoked cheese, which turned out to be the perfect complement to their velvety orange sauce, or carrot coulis. Mr. Avalos informed me that they made the dreamy sauce by combining the carrot coulis with roux, some dairy and a little bit of sugar.

Prior to digging into the perfectly executed pasta dish, if one told me that carrots and ravioli could exist on a plate together in harmony, it would be the

same as trying to convince Gordon Ramsey that the Turkey & American Cheese Cracker Stackers

Lunchables are a fine substitute to an artfully prepared charcuterie board. I digress. It was an easy A+ for taste, but I was also taken by the presentation, as it was delicately topped with carrot and zucchini ribbons as well as a finely grated Parmesan cheese; a filling and scrumptious, vegetarian option (if you’re okay with dairy).

Still thinking about the smokey, sweet com bination, I bit into the next offering, the TERRA R euben. Blown away by the contents, I immediate ly asked Mr. Avalos how the succulent corned beef was prepared. “The beef is brined in a mixture of water, sugar, pink salt, and pickling spices for seven days before it is dry rubbed with a mixture of cori ander, dill, pickling spices, yellow mustard powder and pepper and cooked in the sous vide for two days.” The beef was flavorful, tender, well-seasoned and the characteristically pink color one would expect corned beef to be (thanks to the pink salt). The rye bread that sandwiches the corned beef and sauerkraut together was golden, toasted and smeared with a creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing.

My dining experience concluded with the Chocolate Pot de Crème for dessert. This restaurant-grade pudding is everything a chocolate lover is looking for, rich and decadent through the use of high-quality milk chocolate, yet buoyant from the continuous whisking of ingredients and the lowand-slow cook time (90 minutes) sous vide.

While each of these new menu items were fabulous, I cannot wait to go back and try others such as the Smoked Brisket Tacos, the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich and the Southwest Fajita Salad. TERRA will debut all the aforementioned options and many more beginning October 1. 

Spooky Storytime

A Spooktacular Event

If Okinawa had a pumpkin king, MCCS Libraries would be Jack Skellington because with scary season upon us, the libraries have Halloween-themed fun in droves. And they’re kicking off the fun with Spooky Storytime.

At Spooky Storytime, readers of all ages can expect to enjoy spine-tingling tales perfect for the season (don’t worry, nothing too scary though), a variety of eerie sing-alongs and many more themed activities. Spooky Storytime is happening on Thursday, October 13 at Foster, Courtney, Hansen and Kinser Libraries at 5:30 p.m. Feeling extra brave? Come in your Halloween costumes! You’ll be able to get some candy and some extra milage out of those goblin masks, Legolas (or Spock) ears, oozing zombie sores and ghost sheets!

Additionally, if you’re looking for some more “grownup-themed” yet still spooky fun, try your sleuthing skills at a Murder Mystery

Party. Or connect with others in the community by attending a monthly book club—this month’s reads contain magical elements in celebration of Halloween. To read more about October’s Book Clubs and the Murder Mystery Party, turn to p. 35.

And while you’re at a library, find out what else they have to offer! There are books of every genre, and a gripping thriller would definitely fit this month’s bill. Or alternatively, upgrade your Halloween with a creepy movie or video game.

Trust us, you’ll have a hauntingly good time checking out library events and resources this month. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries. For the latest updates, follow MCCS Libraries on Facebook at MCCS Okinawa – Education and Libraries

There’s Still Time

Fall Swim Lessons and Swim Meet

If you or your kids still want to learn to swim this year, it’s not too late. MCCS Learn to Swim (LTS) is hosting their fall lessons, and there are two classes slotted for October. Registration for the first class opens on October 3 at 5 p.m. and closes October 6 at 11 p.m., with the two-week class running from October 11 to October 20.

Registration for the second set of swim lessons happening this month opens on October 15 and closes by October 20 with class dates running from October 24 through November 3. For more informa-

tion on the LTS program and future fall class dates, visit mccsokinawa. com/learntoswim

Or if you’re already an avid swimmer, you can showcase your skills at this month’s swim meet. The competition is on Saturday, October 15 from 7 to 11 a.m. Interested swimmers must register by October 12 via email at mccsaquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. For more information about Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) or subsequent swim meet dates, visit mccsokinawa.com/swimteam

Typhoon Motors

Halloween and Columbus Day Sales

This month, Typhoon Motors is ready to help you trick out your ride, treat your wallet and sail into a brave new world of savings. Stop by your nearest Typhoon Motors location for sales sweeter than your kids’ Halloween loot.

First up, knock out some routine maintenance. Remove and reduce unwanted gunk from your engine to keep it running as smooth as Count Dracula’s silk cape when you get 10 percent OFF a complete oil change during this month-long sale. Then, spiff up your well-oiled machine (pun intended!) with even more deals and discounts.

From October 9 to 11 (on Camp Foster) and October 11 at other locations, DIY enthusiasts can save five bucks an hour with the $1 Lifts and Stalls Columbus Day Sale. Need to work on your brakes or

change out a muffler? Lifts and stalls can come in handy, so now’s the time!

Want everyone in the neighborhood to hear “Monster Mash” emanating from your ride? Then, you’ll want to check out one more sale. Happening only on Camp Foster October 28–31, the Halloween Car Audio Sale will offer 15 percent OFF subwoofers and amplifiers to dress up your car’s existing audio system. You’ll love the improved bass range and newfound sound quality as you cruise around making sounds that go BUMP in the night.

In addition to these sales, Typhoon Motors offers regular services for all of your car-care needs. For more information about locations, service prices, phone numbers and hours, please visit mccsokinawa.com/typhoonmotors. 

Right at Your Fingertips

The MCCS Okinawa Liberty App

Have you ever browsed the travel section of a bookstore? Just peeking at these books can cause you to start imagining all of the adventures you’ll have. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was somewhere to find the same type of info about military duty stations? Well, wish no more! The MCCS Okinawa Liberty App is like having a whole shelf of informational books about being stationed on Okinawa and right at your fingertips no less.

You’ll have access to command information (including PCS details and base policies), liberty tools (including important phone numbers), transportation options and much more to keep you in the know.

There are also icons to help you find events galore. Multiple program calendars are included under “Events,” and, in addition, you can

find where to shop, eat, visit and stay—both on and off base—if you tap the “Things to Do” icon.

The app even includes a yen rate calculator, heat flag and sea conditions, typhoon readiness information (TCCOR) and English to Japanese translations of some common phrases. And, last but not least, a total fitness tool is included to help you find wellness resources and track your health when it comes to four fitness factors: mind, body, spirit and social.

Best of all? The MCCS Okinawa Liberty App is FREE! Visit mccsokinawa.com/liberty for details, or download yours from either the App Store or Google Play. 

Managing your prescriptions while away from the U.S. may feel overwhelming. With the Foreign Service Benefit Plan, you can receive a one-year supply of certain medications. Making it simpler to refill once a year, instead of once a month.

MCCS Gift Card

The Most Versatile Gift!

Show them how much you care with an MCCS Gift Card for that special occasion! What can they use it for? We’re so glad you asked!

How about a relaxing massage from Semper Fit followed by an evening of fine dining at Taiyo Steakhouse? Or, how about immortalizing a child’s prized 3rd grade drawing with a frame from Foster Arts and Crafts? The MCCS Gift Card is the most versatile gift, made for everyone—good for logoed merchandise and performance apparel for golfers from the Taiyo Golf Club Pro Shop, a customized ball from the Camp Foster Bowling Pro Shop, an oil change for their ride from Typhoon Motors, snorkeling and diving gear from Tsunami Scuba for ocean fanatics or even branded gymnastics apparel from Excellence Gymnastic Academy for budding Olympians—the list is endless.

MCCS Gift Cards are available for purchase and redemption at all MCCS Clubs, Restaurants and retail operations including Taiyo Steakhouse and Taiyo Café, all fast-casual dining facilities (Bonsai Coffee Company, Bulldogs Burgers, Shisa Pizza, Sumo Burrito and Red Barn), Taiyo Golf Club (including the Pro Shop) all Bowling Centers (including the Camp Foster Pro Shop) and all Tours+, Tsunami Scuba, Typhoon Motors locations.

In addition, the MCCS Gift Card is usable at just about every MCCS facility—including Special Events bouncer and Semper Fit Outdoor Recreation rentals, at all staffed Semper Fit Fitness Cen ters (including retail and LifeJuice purchases, martial arts and other classes as well as event and athletic tournament fees) and much, much more! For more information about MCCS Gift Cards, call (DSN) 645-5809 or 098-970-5809 from off base or a cellphone.

We Want YOU!

Join the MCCS Team

MCCS offers a variety of challenging, careerbuilding opportunities with the priority on hiring qualified family members of active-duty military and civilian employees stationed on Okinawa. Jobs are available in entertainment, food & hospitality, sports, accounting, marketing, wellness, child development, maintenance, IT, counseling and much, much more.

In addition to career building, MCCS also provides many benefits for employees. On top of medical and dental insurance, options such as a NAF Pension Plan, 401(k) with employer matching, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Tuition Assistance Program (which pro

vides up to $10,000 per year for certifications and college degrees up to a graduate level) are also available to advance your career while sta tioned on island. And, that’s not all—a Leave Donation Program, the Family Friendly Leave Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Employee Assistance Program and many more policies are in place for qualified MCCS employees, as well. Becoming a member of the MCCS Child and Youth Programs (CYP) team comes with additional benefits such as earning the highest salary on island for CYP Program Assistants, work-related training with a set increase in salary upon completion, a 50 percent discount on childcare and more.

To start your job search, head to mccsokinawa.com/jobs or keep up with the weekly “hot jobs” announcements sent directly to your inbox when you subscribe to our newsletter (mccsokinawa.com/newsletter). For those without internet access, visit one of your local MCCS Libraries or the MCCS Human Resources Office (HRO), located on the second floor of Building 5966 on Camp Foster. For more information on becoming a member of the MCCS team, call 645-3052 (DSN) or 098-970-3052 from off base or a cellphone. 

MISSION: BUILD A

CONNECTING WITH CULTURE THROUGH CRAFT

TEXT BY: KIARA KLEIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND TRANSLATION BY: KATHY MILLETTE DESIGN BY: JACLYNN MULLALLY

hīsā, seen all over the island, are traditional and cultural artifacts of Okinawa, and for hundreds of centuries they have been believed to be protectors of properties by repelling evil spirits. Many pairs of these protectors can be seen flanking gates or standing guard on rooftops or in front of homes and businesses. Whether large, ancient and constructed of stone, fearsome-looking and ceramic or souvenir/trinket sized, shīsā still to this day play an ever-important role in the hearts and homes of the Okinawan people.

Our staff here at the Okinawa Living Magazine agree with their importance, which is why we traveled to Tsuboya Yachimun Street (in Naha) to create our own…but with a competitive twist—who would create the “best” shisa? So, to level the playing field, we headed to Ikutouen’s Tsuboya-yaki Yachimun Dojo to partake in one of their shīsā-making classes, where Bethany, Ronshanda and Roxine (a.k.a Rox) followed the step-by-step directions of Natsuko Tsuha-sensei to build their very own.

THE -

It is believed Okinawa’s shīsā were inspired by China’s version of guardian lions, shishi, which were brought over by Chinese emissaries and traders during the 14th century. And while there are a variety of folklore that recount the manner in which they arrived in the Ryukyu Archipelago, one of the main stories originates from Madanbashi (a village south of Naha).

According to legend, the bayside village was regularly attacked by a monstrous sea dragon that wreaked havoc on the village and its inhabitants—causing the townspeople to lose loved ones, family members, and most of all, hope for their safety.

The solution came to a local Noro (priestess) in a dream, the king of Shuri—gifted an amulet adorned with a small lion dog figurine by a Chinese diplomat—would use the talisman to fend off the beast. The Noro instructed the king to wait on the shore for the monster’s return.

So, on the king’s next visit to Madanbashi, he heeded the instructions from the Noro and waited for the beast to return. And upon its inevitable arrival, the king removed his necklace pointing the tiny talisman towards the monster. Suddenly, a deafening roar ripped through the village, shaking the ground and the sea monster. The heavens released a thunderous crack followed by a giant boulder that crushed the sea dragon’s tail.

Unable to move, the sea dragon eventually died and was reclaimed by the earth; plants and trees sprouted from the dragon’s remains, transforming the area into what is now scenic Ganna-mui Island.

While some of the modern versions of shisa may look more like a cute mascot than a fierce dragon-fighting lion, Ikutouen offers classes to make either version.

Before starting with one of the three 250-gram balls of clay, Bethany removed her rings and watch to avoid getting them dirty. Tsuha-sensei instructed everyone to grab the first ball and pound it flat—this flat circular slab becomes the base on which the shīsā sits.

With the base created, the second chunk of clay is used to create the body of the shīsā. Bethany, Rox and Ronshanda carefully tossed the ball back and forth between their hands to smooth the clay and create an oblong potatoesque shape.

—

Once everyone was happy with the shape of their torsos, the next step is creating a hole in the bottom of the body to hollow out the project. This allows the project to dry faster and keeps the clay from cracking or bursting inside the kama, or kiln.

Bethany used the calligraphy brush to apply slip—a clay slurry used as glue—along the outer edge of the bottom of her shīsā body and on the circular base. Once seated in a position Bethany seemed to be pleased with, she began attaching the torso to the base. “You’re blending the base of the body into the base of the project,” she happily noted as she continued to carefully run her index finger around the perimeter of the project, to blend the two together.

“THE CLAY REQUIRES A LIGHT TOUCH, AND EVERY ONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLAY SHAPE.”

“DON’T GET OVERWHELMED IF YOU SEE ONE LITTLE THING WRONG BECAUSE IT’S ALL GOING TO COME TOGETHER IN THE END.”

“JUST TRUST THE PROCESS.”

Considering herself more of a ‘math girl,’ Ronshanda was hesitant at first to join Rox and Bethany for the shīsā -making class. But soon she was fully absorbed in the process, as she carefully rolled small chunks of the clay into a suitable size to create the ashi (legs) for the shīsā.

Preparing the two small nickel-sized balls of clay, Ronshanda delicately formed the pieces into teardrop shapes. And although there were a few remarks about it being tricky to get the legs the same size, Ronshanda eventually settled on a shape and placement she was pleased with and attached the two pieces to create the hind legs by applying some slip to the tapered end of the clay and used her fingers to smooth away the seam.

With the hind legs complete, she moved on to the front legs using the same techniques. During this process, Tsuhasensei (pictured left) instructed the three shīsā-building competitors “to make sure there was no space between the legs and the torso.” “There’s a chance it’ll break if there’s a space there,” she explained.

Now it was on to the hana (nose), and Tsuha-sensei showed everyone how to take a piece of clay and shape it. After concentrating pretty intensely on her work, Ronshanda looked up and stated, “I don’t know why, but I like how that turned out a little bit; I like the way the nose turned out.”

Everyone was off to a great start, and there was no clear champion at this point.

Taking notice of the different colored samples, Ronshanda asked about the difference in clay. Tsuha-sensei explained that the two samples were made from the same type of clay; however, the high-ironed content Okinawan clay produces a red color when fired in the kiln at a lower temperature.

“I want a slightly bigger nose,” Rox announced while shaping the next small lump of clay. Once all noses were attached, it was time to determine where they wanted to place the eyes. Rox pulled two small chunks from the last 250-gram ball of clay, gingerly rolled them into spheres, applied the clay slurry that works as glue and plopped them above the prominent nose.

Tsuha-sensei instructed everyone to create the mouth (or kuchi) by rolling another small piece into a cylinder shape. She stressed the importance of working somewhat fast during this step as overworking the clay can cause it to lose moisture and dry out quite quickly causing cracking.

The mouth can either be formed to be open or closed; the opened-mouth male shīsā is said to scare evil spirits away, while the closed-mouth female is said to keep in good spirits. Rox opted for an opened-mouth version and draped the cylindrical clay in a shape she was pleased with before moving on to the ears.

While the girls shaped the ears, Tsuhasensei shared some of her lion dog knowledge. “In China, most of the shishi mouths are open and there’s not really a left or right,

or male/female, it’s just two figures, however, Okinawans thought that it would be more interesting to have two different ones, so that’s when they started doing male/female and open-mouthed/closed-mouthed versions,” Tsuha-sensei said. “There’s so many different stories too, based off of people hearing different reasons on why shīsā have open and closed mouths.”

Tsuha-sensei told us one of her favorite stories, “a long time ago when people would make Okinawan homes, the builders would put shīsā on the rooftops as a way to say thanks for letting them work on the home and as a way to protect the home and its residents. People loved them so much, they wanted more of them, and they felt one was lonely, so they had to make them a pair.”

To finish their projects, everyone at tached the tategami (mane), tail and the eyebrows, then took their time to use bam boo skewers and other wood sculpting tools to carve out the details—such as adding names, swirling patterns on the mane and tail, lines and more.

The finished shīsā were all downright adorable, each with their own personality.

Everyone had a wonderful time connecting with the Okinawan culture through craft and sculpting their own unique protector from bad luck. So, we ask you, dear reader, to vote for your favorite. Who do you think made the “best” shīsā? Find @okilivingmag on Instagram and let us know your thoughts!

Shīsā-making classes are roughly 60–90 minutes and start at ¥3,300, and they offer the option to either build a standing version

(like the ones we created) or a mask version for hanging on the wall. One note, the projects must be left at the facility to dry (which takes about a month-and-a-half before they’re fired). The timeline for receiving your fired creation is about three months, and in which case you can either pick it up once it’s finished or have it shipped right to your door. For more information or to view other class options, visit ikutouen.com.

“TRY TO WORK FAST, THE CLAY DRIES OUT QUICKLY IF YOU OVERWORK IT.”

TERM II 2022

OCT. 17 - DEC. 18, 2022

REGISTRATION BEGINS: 09/26/22

TERM III 2023

JAN. 9 - MARCH 12, 2023

REGISTRATION BEGINS: 11/28/22

TERM IV 2023

MARCH 20 - MAY 21, 2023

REGISTRATION BEGINS: 02/27/23

TERM V 2023

MAY 30 - JULY 30, 2023

REGISTRATION BEGINS: 05/08/23

Kabocha-no-Nimono

Japanese-Style Seasoned Pumpkin

Serves four Ingredients

1/2 kabocha (a small Japanese pumpkin, usually green)

3 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 1/2 cup dashi soup (made from dried bonito flakes)

Method of Preparation

1. Scoop seeds out of the pumpkin and peel off the thickest part of the skin.

2. Cut the pumpkin into slices approximately two inches thick, soak in water for 2–3 minutes and drain well.

3. Place pumpkin pieces into a deep pan, skin-side down. Add dashi soup, and bring to a rolling boil for 2–3 minutes.

4. Lower heat and add sugar until completely dissolved (be care ful not to damage pumpkin slices). Cook for 7–8 minutes with low heat.

5. Add soy sauce, and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes.

6. Lower heat, cover the pan and simmer until pumpkin is tender (pieces should be easily pierced with a toothpick).

7. Serve and enjoy!

Okinawa Soba Day

After Okinawa was returned to mainland Japanese control in 1972, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in Japan claimed that calling the Okinawa soba noodle “soba” (known locally as “suba”) was incorrect. According to FTC standards, more than 30 percent of the noodle must be made of buckwheat flour, and Okinawa soba noodles were made of wheat flour like Japanese kishimen and udon noodles.

The FTC ordered that manufacturers of Okinawa soba change its name to kishimen or udon to comply with national standards, but the people of Okinawa strongly disagreed. The director of the Okinawa Noodle Association fought for many years to keep the name until finally, on October 17, 1978, Okinawa soba received the approval of the FTC. To commemorate this day, many soba restaurants offer specials to celebrate Okinawa Soba-no-Hi or “Okinawa Soba Day.”

This year, when October 17 rolls around, be sure to celebrate with a steaming bowl of Okinawa soba—although for many islanders, slurping up a bowlful of soba noodles is pretty much an everyday occurrence, so technically any day of the year qualifies. 

Uchinâguchi Corner

English

That startled (scared) me!

Japanese Bikkuri shita!

Uchinâguchi Shikanda!

Commercial Ad Directory

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