Okinawa Spotlight

December 6, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com

Holiday Parties at the Clubs

Brunch with Santa

Milkos/bigstock.com, Liang Zhang/bigstock.com

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t’s the most wonderful time of the year—a time for delicious food, ugly sweater contests, prize giveaways, the best of jingles and so much more.

This holiday season, get merry with MCCS at one (or more) of our many holiday parties.

The Landing Zone Enlisted Lounge inside BeachHead on Camp Schwab and The Palms Enlisted Lounge on Camp Hansen will both be having a holiday celebration on December 24. Both will feature prize giveaways and FREE themed food (while supplies last). The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. at The Landing Zone Enlisted Lounge and 7 p.m. at The Palms Enlisted Lounge.

Camp Courtney will host three holiday parties this year. Bayview will feature FREE “Meximas” hor d’oeuvres, salsa music, a taco bar and an ugly sweater contest. The merrymaking will kick off at 6 p.m. on December 14. Legends Officers’ Club will start the party at 4:30 p.m. on December 21 with complimentary Polynesian hors d’oeuvres and giveaways. Hashmarks SNCO Club and Chapultepec NCO Club will also be hosting celebrations on

inside

December 21. Beginning at 5 p.m., guests can enjoy delicious food from a complimentary Festivus menu, Air Your Grievances and cornhole games, an ugly sweater contest and karaoke.

On December 22, Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster will have two parties. Starting at 8 p.m., get festive with your favorite holiday jams, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and prize giveaways at Chesty’s SNCO Lounge. Or, head to Globe & Anchor Enlisted Lounge at 9 p.m. to compete in the Christmas Eve Ugly Sweater Contest.

On MCAS Futenma, there will be prize giveaways, FREE themed food and snacks (while supplies last) at Habu Pit starting at 5 p.m. on December 22.

Kinser Surfside will be getting festive in both the Harbor and Enlisted Lounges. On December 24, head to the Harbor Lounge for FREE holiday appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m. On December 25, check out the Enlisted Lounge for a FREE holiday buffet from 5 to 7 p.m.

For more information on any of these events, call your local participating club or visit mccsokinawa. com/clubs.

Brunch with Santa | 1 & 3 Kids on the Move: Holiday Edition | 3 Christmas Fantasy Tour | 5 MLK Basketball Tournament | 7

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ountless people have precious ‌memories of seeing Santa Claus embedded in their hearts. As Christmas draws closer, adults often reminisce about the restlessness that would intertwine with their holiday spirit as they approached the jolly old man with the white beard and red suit. For many, it was the most nerve-racking moment of the year. However, despite having to fight with anxiousness during the wait, it was always worth it.

Sitting on Santa’s lap and hearing his hearty laugh while sharing your gift wishlist are often some of the happiest times of one’s life.

Holiday Meals-to-Go | 9 MCCS Tours+ | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11

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livingatlarge Brunch with Santa

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Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney and Butler Officers’ Club in the Plaza Housing Area are providing the opportunity to not only meet with Santa and take pictures, but have brunch! That’s right, good ol’ Saint Nick will be taking time out of his busy schedule to invite you and your family to a magical meal.

The jolly one will be at Butler Officers’ Club December 16 and

23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices are $19 for adults, $9.50 for children 5–11 and FREE for children under 5. Reservations are highly recommended, and bringing a camera to shoot a keepsake picture of Santa with the kids is even more recommended. To make a reservation, call 645-7530. For more information, visit mccsokinawa. com/boc.

Santa will also be at Tengan Castle on December 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.—don’t forget your camera! Adults can enjoy the buffet for $17, children 5–11 for $8.50 and children under 5 for FREE. Reservations are highly recommended; to make one, call 6229413. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/tengancastle.

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events&happenings

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Kids on the Move: Holiday Edition

hese days, left to their own (handheld) devices, kids aren’t getting nearly as much outdoor play and exercise as they used to during holiday vacation. Instead, daily walks to school and P.E. classes are replaced by lazy days spent inside hunched over a gadget; and while children do deserve time to relax, even just a couple of weeks of inactivity has the potential to completely undo any improvements made during the school year to your children’s physical health.

That's why MCCS Health Promotion is holding Kids on the Move: Holiday Edition—a creative, interactive and game-centered fitness program for children to participate in during the holidays.

The fun is all FREE and takes place from December 17 to 19 (9 to 10:30 a.m. all three days) at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster. Children must be ages 7 to 12 to enroll. To register, pick up a registration packet

at the Naval Hospital Gym or Health Promotion office (open Monday– Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) located in Bldg. 970 on Camp Foster. All packets must be completed and turned in to the

Health Promotion office by 1 p.m. on December 12. For more information, call 645-3910 or visit mccsokinawa. com/healthpromotion.

This publication printed with

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japanese phrase

islandadventure

of the week

Christmas Fantasy Tour

E Santa san e...

Dear Santa...

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

very year, the Christmas ‌spirit is ‌brought to life through countless twinkling lights, decorations, live entertainment and snow at the Okinawa Zoo and Children’s Museum located in Okinawa City.

The event, called “Christmas Fantasy,” features the largest laser beam show in Japan. And for the first time, it will also have one of the

largest illuminated Christmas trees on Okinawa.

The park will be divided into several themed areas, such as Heart Land (a heart-shaped tunnel of lights) and Niagara (an illuminated section of approximately 50 meters). But perhaps the best part of this wonderland is the chance to enjoy a white Christmas during the Snow Show, produced by a

giant snow machine.

Grab the kids and join Tours+ as they visit one of the most anticipated festivities of the holiday season.

Tour dates are Saturday, December 22 and Friday, December 28. Adults are $39, children 4–15 are $14 and children under 4 are FREE. For more information, visit mccsokinawa. com/tours.

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didyou know?

The MLK Basketball Tournament has been hosted by Camp Foster for over 20 years.

pickoftheweek I

MLK Basketball Tournament

t’s time for the largest and fiercest basketball tournament in the Pacific—the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament!

This competition will run January 17–21 at the Camp Foster Fieldhouse. Games begin at 6 p.m. January 17 & 18 and 9 a.m. January 19–21.

The tournament format will be a single round-robin followed by double elimination with awards for first, second and third place teams in both male and female divisions.

Awards will also be given to the AllTournament Team, All-Tournament Coaches and MVPs. A 3-point shootout, skills challenge and dunk contest will showcase individual talents.

The tournament is open to participants Pacific-wide. Register by January 9 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $275 per team.

For more information on the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament, call 6453521 or email adultsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org.

Thomas Alan Smilie, yuran-78/bigstock.com, Andrey Burmakin/bigstock.com

photooftheweek

Every holiday season, Okinawa is veiled in twinkling lights. This street scene is at American Village.

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indepth

more

information

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Roderica Mathis, Rawpixel.com/bigstock.com

Participating clubs include Kinser Surfside (637-3137), Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster (645-3666), Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney (622-9413) and The Palms on Camp Hansen (623-4375).

Holiday Meals-To-Go

long with brand new toys and the carpet under the tree strewn with torn and shredded wrapping paper, gathering the family for a holiday meal is a timeworn tradition for many.

Make your holiday easier (and spend less time in the kitchen) by ordering your yuletide feast in the form of a Holiday Meals-To-Go from an MCCS Club or Restaurant.

Patrons can order complete meal packages, just a main dish or sides.

Traditional Holiday Packages include the Classic Turkey Package ($125), Deluxe Glazed Hickory Package ($100) and Holiday Feast Combination Package ($215). The turkey and ham packages come with 4 pounds each of traditional herb seasoned bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and green beans as well as 2 quarts of turkey gravy and your choice of a pumpkin, pecan or apple pie. The

Holiday Feast Package comes with a DOUBLE order of sides.

The Hickory Holiday Package ($150) comes with smoked beef brisket, 4 pounds of coleslaw and baked macaroni cheese au gratin, 1 quart of BBQ sauce and your choice of a pumpkin, pecan or apple pie.

All items and sides from both Traditional and Hickory Packages are available à la carte.

Holiday Meals-To-Go orders must be placed five days before the desired pick-up date and paid in full two business days prior to pick-up.

Order times are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and all arrangements must be made with the club where the packages will be picked up.

Please call a participating club or visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs for more details.

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tours+

adventure begins here Bios on the Hill December 9, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Adults $36; Children (4–12) $23, (0–3) FREE Take a boat ride to see the exotic flora and fauna native to Okinawa. Then, see the majestic water buffalo up close and take a ride in a water buffalo cart. Admission and boat ride included in the tour price. Lunch not included. Bring yen for food, fees and other purchases.

Northern Highlights December 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Adults $39; Children (4–12) $24, (0–3) FREE Visit the Nago Pineapple Winery, Nago Glass Factory and Orion Brewery, then enjoy lunch at Yanbaru Ikoino Mori. Bring yen for the Pineapple Cart Ride (¥400), glassblowing (optional) and extra spending. Lunch is included in the tour price.

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

Adults $25; Children (3–11) $14, (0–2) FREE Journey to Itoman City and enjoy a memorable night with the most beautiful Christmas lights and decorations you’ve ever seen. They’ll be hosting a laser light show along with lots of entertainment, food and games. Bring yen for food and spending.

Ryukyu Lantern Festival December 23, 5–9 p.m.

Adults $23; Teens (13–17) $22; Children (3–5) $14, (0–2) FREE Travel back in time to the Ryukyu Kingdom and spend a romantic night walking among 5,000 Chinese lanterns. There will be concession stands for local festive snacks such as yakitori (grilled chicken) and pork buns. Bring yen for food and spending.

*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744

Mike Daley, Satyrenko/bigstock.com

upcoming semperfitevents Volleyball Tournament December 14, 6 p.m.

December 15 & 16, 9 a.m.

Kinser Fitness Center Register by December 10 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $100 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams and individuals.

By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed December 10. For more information, call 637-1869 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Basketball Tournament December 21, 6 p.m.

December 22 & 23, 9 a.m.

Kinser Fitness Center Register by December 17 (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 and individuals.

By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed December 17. For more information, call 637-1869 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Powerlifting Competition December 15, 9 a.m.

Foster Community Center Auditorium Register by December 10 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $20. Late registration will be available for $25 on December 15 (8 a.m.) at Gunners Fitness Center. This event is open to participants island-wide. All competitors must weigh in between 7 and 8:15 a.m., and attend a mandatory brief at 8:45 a.m. on the day of the event. Individual awards will be given to the top three finishers in each weight class, as well as overall male and female. For more information, call 645-4866 or email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

6-on-6 Soccer Tournament December 28, 6 p.m.

December 29 & 30, 9 a.m.

Futenma Football/Soccer Field Register by December 24 (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 winners. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed December 24. For more information, call 636-2672 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

classof theweek

Barre This is a high-intensity, low-impact class that uses a combination of postures inspired by ballet and other disciplines like yoga and Pilates.

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