DIGEST

(l–r) Lina Raffone, Grace Lee, Kenneth and Cheryl Maynor, Tomomi Fujita and Donna Beeman

NIHONBASHI

YUUKI IDE

After more than two years of planning, Tokyo American Club Nihonbashi opened its doors to Members on March 31. Located in the heart of the Nihonbashi district, the Club’s first-ever satellite hub features dining and fitness facilities in a contemporary, stylish setting.

While all adult Azabudai Club Members have access to the weekday retreat in Nihonbashi Muromachi Mitsui Tower, the work of growing the Nihonbashi Club’s own community is just getting started.

Ginger Griggs, who headed the TAC Nihonbashi Task Force, encourages Members to spread the word “about how great the facility is and the exciting opportunity to become a part of our thriving, international community.”

Visit nihonbashi.tokyoamericanclub.org to learn more. NJ

EDITOR

In 1980, a writer from Science Digest visited the southern California home of Charles K Johnson. The first launch of NASA’s space shuttle was less than a year away. But Johnson was having none of it.

“You can’t orbit a flat earth. The space shuttle is a joke, and a very ludicrous joke,” he told the reporter.

As president of the International Flat Earth Society, Johnson was defiant in his belief that the Earth was a flat disc, with the North Pole at the center and an ice wall at the disc’s outer boundary.

It’s easy to dismiss such ideas as those of a fringe element, but the theory has gained traction in recent years, largely due to the Internet and, more specifically, YouTube. In fact, a 2018 flat-Earth conference in Denver drew more than 600 people.

Asheley Landrum, a psychologist from Texas Tech University, points out that this stance is really about “distrusting authorities and institutions.” Yesterday’s moon landing conspiracy theorists are today’s climate change and vaccine skeptics.

In a celebration of science and mainstream beliefs, this issue of INTOUCH features interviews with astrophysicist and science communicator Elizabeth Tasker (page 20), who will speak at this month’s TAC Talk, and 15-year-old Member Sage Humphrey (page 16) about his motivations to help the Club become greener and more sustainable.

And that’s the truth.

CHARITY

After a year of uncertainty and strain for so many, members of the Connections charities committee had the opportunity to experience a glimmer of hope last month.

During a visit to the Salvation Army’s sprawling facilities in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward, Members could see how the Club group’s ¥1 million donation last year is helping vulnerable children separated from their families. The funds were used to furnish a house to provide a more home-like environment for the children, supported by professional staff.

Connections will donate another ¥1 million to the project this year. NJ

LIBRARY

Tracy Kao

KAYO YAMAWAKI

Over the years, studies have shown that the benefits of reading run from expanded vocabularies to increased brain connectivity and even reduced stress. And as Library regular Tracy Kao will attest, books can lead to tighter family bonds, too.

I have always loved reading mysteries and detective stories, and my favorite series in elementary school were Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew. I enjoyed following the adventures of these two clever detectives as they pieced together clues, and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of trying to solve the cases before the end.

My fifth-grade teacher assigned a number of thought-provoking books to my reading group. Among the titles were Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Anne Frank’s diary and Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, which remains one of my all-time favorites. These captivating titles were a huge departure from my usual whodunit books, and I never would have read them had they not been assigned. They opened up my mind to new ideas and prompted me to explore different genres.

Whether it’s mystery, fantasy, historical fiction or nonfiction, I simply enjoy books that are thought-provoking, inspiring or moving.

Book 8 of Shannon Messenger’s Keeper of the Lost Cities series. Recently, I have been reading some young adult fiction books alongside my daughters. They are easy reads, which work well given my time constraints. The stories are fun and engaging and touch upon many social issues, and they are a great way for me to have meaningful conversations with my children.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a science-fiction story about a young boy sent to battle school who manages to maintain his humanity in the face of bullying, obstacles and moral dilemmas. I read this book years ago, but recently picked it up again and found it just as riveting as the first time.

SPA

As Mother Nature shakes off the last vestiges of winter, The Spa has an April offer to help you do the same. Take 20 percent off two hours of revitalizing treatments designed to get you back in shape for spring.

Book an hour of any Dermalogica facial treatment, specially engineered to refresh and revive sensitive skin, and combine it with a 60-minute, fullbody rejuvenating therapy that melts away tension and boosts circulation through combinations of deep-tissue stimulation and soothing heat, minerals and aromas. OZ

DINING

KAYO YAMAWAKI

Tokyo is chockful of Michelin-starred restaurants, but good luck requesting their notoriously stubborn chefs to adapt their menus to your tastes. You won’t find such a challenge having your cravings fulfilled at Rainbow Café’s brand-new build-your-own sandwich and salad bars.

Featuring a mouthwatering assortment of options for half (¥880) and regular (¥1,550) sandwiches, plus small (¥980) and large (¥1,400) salad bowls, these customizable meals make it easier to stick to a niche diet or treat yourself to something special.

A toasted BLT with honey mustard on ciabatta? You got it. A Caesar salad with walnuts and shrimp? Done. Anything in between? Rainbow Café can make it happen. OZ

SKY POOL

JOHNNIE COLLINS (l–r) Hiromitsu Miyamoto, Agnes Ouellette, Dominic Henderson and Thomas Whitson

The opening ceremony of the rescheduled Summer Games may still be a few months off, but the Club has already seen its first gold-medal feats of the year.

In February’s Tokyo Bay Swim Challenge, which saw Members select and swim set distances in the Sky Pool, five swimmers claimed the top spots in their divisions.

Out of 22 competitors, Hiromitsu Miyamoto and Thomas Whitson (20 kilometers), Ryo Noda (42 kilometers) and Dominic Henderson and Agnes Ouellette (73 kilometers) swam away with bragging rights and dining vouchers for their triumphant efforts. OZ

WINE

WORDS MICHAEL VAN ZANDT IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

Everyone loves a good deal, particularly when it’s as well-balanced as my first Cellar recommendation. McManis’ 2018 Cabernet isn’t your typical, super-powerful, fruit-forward California red. It is bold, but has middle-of-theroad tannins and acidity, with a little pepper. If I hadn’t known, I would have guessed a Bordeaux blend. Available for ¥1,800.

Philippe Pacalet’s 2017 Aux Argillas Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru (¥13,450) is a quintessential Pinot Noir from Burgundy. With its gentle aromas, nice red fruit balance and earthy tones, it’s a wine whose power turns to elegance as it opens up. Pairs well with smoked duck, glazed pork or game.

My third Cellar selection is another American red, this time from Washington State’s Columbia Valley. You first notice the dark fruit nose of Hedges Family Estate’s 2013 Red Mountain (¥3,900), but not in an overpowering way. Its flavors are less fruity, with tones of chocolate and mocha.

This Bordeaux-style “meritage” blend’s complexity is likely a combination of the Pacific Northwest environment and the magic of bringing together several Bordeaux varietals (primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, plus a bit of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec).

Michael Van Zandt is chair of the Club’s Wine & Beverage Committee.

For the month of April, receive a 10 percent discount on purchases of at least three bottles of any of these recommended Cellar wines.