The X-Pat Files -  October 2006

 (Brought to you by H&R Consultants)

  The X-Pat Files Community E-Newsletter provides a forum for the spread of information useful for English speakers living in Aichi.  You can use the newsletter as an informational resource, and of course you can send in information you would like to share.
  This newsletter is a community service from The Japan Real Estate and Relocation company, H&R Consultants (www.japanhomesearch.com), and is edited by counselor and life coach Sue Conolly (www.sueconolly.net).

  Contents for This Edition

  1.  Hot Stone Spa (Gambanyoku)
  2.  Japanese Food for Health
  3.  Karate/Fitness Classes
  4.  Taiko Drumming
  5.  Joining a Gym
  6.  Tennis in Toyota
  7.  Doctors in Nagoya
  8.  Champagne Ball
  9.  Meet & Greet Lunch
 10. Hope International - Upcoming Events
 11. Street Hockey
 12. Here's to your Health!

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  1. Hot Stone Spa (Gambanyoku)

Do you long for some peace, quiet and meditation?  How about if you could detox your body at the same time?  What if you could also lose weight and get great skin?  What if all this was as easy as... checking in to your local Ganbanyoku, or hot stone spa? 

The process of Ganbanyoku (translated as "Bedrock Bath") involves lying on a mat, on top of hot stone, heated to about 40 to 45 degrees centigrade.  It works with a combination of far-infrared radiation and minus ions, with health benefits including (but not limited to) improvement in circulation, regulation of blood pressure, detoxification of vital organs, improvement of skin tone, weight loss, relief from muscle tension/back/neck pain and relief from rheumatic symptoms.  All this, and it is really, really relaxing too!

I am hooked on Ganbanyoku, and try to make a point to go a couple of times a week.  I am lucky enough to live walking distance from a great salon that offers half-price entry before 9am, so I find it a wonderful way to start my day.

The Gambanyoku craze is taking over Japan, so salons can be found all over Nagoya.  The list below is by no means extensive, but if you print out one of the websites and take to the streets with it, you'll soon find that you are hooked too!

Points to remember:

* Do not go for Gambanyoku if you are suffering from infectious disease, including infectious skin disease such as athlete's foot.
* Do not go for Gambanyoku if you are pregnant, or suffer from extremely high or extremely low blood pressure.
* If in doubt whether you should go for Ganbayoku, consult your doctor.
* Always use the mat and clothing provided when you lie down.  Bare skin directly on the hot rock can burn.
* Do not drink alcohol or eat a big meal before going for Gambanyoku.
* Do not take anything inside the hot area, that should not get wet, including jewelry.
* You will do a lot of sweating - this is natural.  The sweat is not smelly, it is good sweat!
* Do not talk inside the hot area - the space is to be used for quiet relaxation.
* Most Ganbanyoku do not allow smoking in any area.
* Some Ganbanyoku are "women only".  Make sure before you set out!
* You will be given a bottle of water, but it is best to take another one as well.  Make sure you keep yourself well hydrated.
* Before you go in, you may be given a hot ginger or yuzu drink to increase the effect.
* Start by lying on your stomach for 5 to 10 minutes, then on your back for 5 to 10 minutes.  Then rest in the cooling off area, before starting the whole process again. 
* Do not lie for too long in the same position.  If you feel bad at any time, do not push yourself.

Recommended Process for Gambanyoku (90 minutes):

1. Change into clothes provided (no underwear, no accessories) and take of makeup - 10 minutes
2. Go into bathing area and choose a space that has no mat - lay your own mat down, and lie on top of it, face down - 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Turn over on to your back for 5 - 10 minutes  (Remember to keep yourself hydrated during this process)
4. Take a break in the "cooling off room" - 5 minutes
5. Return to the bathing area and repeat steps 2 and 3 - about 15 minutes
6. Return to cooling room.  If this is your first time you might like to stop there.  Rest about 5 minutes.
7. If you are feeling fine, return to the bathing area and repeat steps 2 and 3 - about 15 minutes.
8. Return to the resting area, then when you are ready, get changed and ready to leave - about 20 minutes

The Gambanyoku I go to:

Yamagata Ishi no Yu  - 1 minute from Kozoji Station on the JR Chuo Line

Opening hours 6am to 11:30pm (10pm final intake).
Prices: 6am - 9am 750 yen for 90 minutes
Other times 1500 yen for 90 minutes
Multiple tickets also available (approx. price 1250 yen per ticket)
Parking Available, about ten minutes drive from NIS.

Other Ganbanyoku in Aichi Prefecture:

Stone Grace (Sakae Area) Hisaya Odori Station
Fun (Sakae Area) Shin-Sakae Station
Yumin (Sakae Area) Sakae or Fushimi Station
Shelter (Sakae Area) Hisaya Odori Station Exit 2A
Suisho-no-Yu (Chikusa Ward) Access by car
Apaiser (Chikusa Ward - Imaike) next to exit 8 of Imaike Station
Angel (Chikusa Ward - Motoyama) 3 mins walk from Exit 5 of Motoyama Station
Salon de Espase (Chikusa Ward) Kakuozan Station
Purlapis (Higashi Ward - Nagoya Dome) inside Nagoya Dome Aeon, Nagoya Dome Mae Station
Mother (Higashi Ward) Morishita Station - Meitetsu Seto Line
Hearty Heart (Nishi Ward) Access by Sengen-cho or Joshin Stations
Orange Peco (Nishi Ward) Sako Station
Yuraku (Nishi Ward) Access by car (near Wonder City)
Kokochi (Nishi Ward) 10 min walk from Shonai Dori Station
Yama-no-Yu (Meito Ward) Access by car
Stone Spa AIR (Meito Ward) No website, Bunkyodai 1-512, along route 302
Stone Spa Oasis (Moriyama Ward - Shikenya) Access by Car
Yutanpo (Showa Ward) 10 min walk from Gokiso Station
Iyashi-no-Sato (Showa Ward) Access by car or bus
Yama-no-Yu (Showa Ward - Ishikawabashi) Access by car
Yama-no-Yu (Tempaku Ward - Shimada) Access by car
Metsa (Kita Ward) Access by car
Dankichi (Nakamura Ward) Iwatsuka Station
Bloom (Minato Ward) Arakogawa Koen Station
Yuzuki (Minato Ward) Access by Car
Mother (Minami Ward) Access by Car
Raku-no-Yu (Midori Ward) Access by car
Raku-no-Yu (Komaki) Access by car
Kenbi-no-yu (Komaki) Access by car
Yama-no-Yu (Ichinomiya) Access by car
Beau Soleil (Kasugai) 1 min from Kachigawa Station
Yasuragi (Toyota) Access by car
Yama-no-Yu (Toyota) Access by car
Suisho-no-Yu (Nisshin) Access by car
Iwa-no-Yu (Handa) Access by car
Smile Stone Spa (Kanie) Access by Car
Ishi-Monogatari (Bisai) Near Bisai Station
Chiryu Tensho-no-Iyashi (Chiryu) Access by car
Yama-no-Yu (Kariya) Hitotsugi Station - Meitetsu Line
Popura (Toyohashi) Access by car


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  2.  Japanese Food for Health

I found an amazing website while researching for this issue.  It is japanese-food-for-health.com and it is a good overview of how the ingredients you find in a Japanese supermarket can help you live longer.  It as inspired me to share what little knowledge I also have gained over the years, living here and feeding my family.

Rice

While it is true that brown rice (genmai), the healthier option is not so popular in Japan, rice is still a great food.  For those of you who worry about GI (Glycemic Index) content, stick to genmai (brown rice), or if you can get it, basmati rice which may be available at places that stock rice for ethnic restaurants.  Check out the japanese-food-for-health.com website for the way to cook Japanese rice if you don't have a rice cooker.  Regular Japanese rice will have to be washed several times (this is called "polishing"), but if you don't want to take the trouble you can buy wash-free rice or "musenmai".

Fish

Japan is certainly the land of the Omega-3 fatty acids, and the health benefits don't stop there.  The tiny little fish that you can find sprinkled on rice (furikake) are a great source of calcium, and the pure health benefits of sushi are well known.  By the way, in the west it is common for pregnant women to refrain from eating sushi however in Japan it is common for pregnant women to eat sushi as a healthy, low-fat option. 

Seaweed

Seaweed is one of the magic foods in Japan, with numerous health benefits owing to high levels of fibre and minerals.  Seaweed can be eaten in many different forms - in small sheets with rice, shredded, or powdered, in furikake or in miso soup.  One lovely alternative to potato chips I have found in the supermarket is this form of baked seaweed which comes in pickled plum or wasabi flavours.  At 15 calories per packet, they don't even compare with potato chips but are just as delicious.

Miso Paste

Made from soy beans, miso paste is the key ingredient in miso soup.  On a TV show I watched recently, weight loss in people who ate miso soup every day was researched.  It was found that miso is the perfect weight loss ingredient.  If you want to eat miso soup every morning, make your soup with red miso, as this has the best effects in jump starting your metabolism.  These effects can also be enhanced by including freeze dried tofu or koyadofu and mekabu in the soup.  If however you prefer to eat your miso soup every night, then you should make it with white miso as it contains something that will make you feel fuller, sooner.  To enhance this effect, include satoimo and green beans in the soup.  If you're into stir-fry, miso can also be used as a magic ingredient to make anything taste great, with this product, Kondate-Iroiro-Miso.

Tofu

Tofu has become trendy in other countries as well, but here in Japan there are far more varieties, and a bigger range of quality to choose from.  Go to the supermarket, buy the most expensive tofu that you can find, something like this, and simply take it home, chop some spring onions, or perhaps some shaved bonito or "katsuo bushi", or some grated ginger, then top it with a little soy sauce for a perfect taste!  For more information on tofu and other soy products, take a look at this page, or this one from eat-japan.com.

Satoimo (Magic Potatoes)

Satoimo is the magic ingredient in the white miso soup (above), but it is also a great however you use it.  If you buy them in their natural state, they look like this and you will have to wash and peel them, but if you're after a time-saving option you can buy them in the supermarket, pre-washed and looking like this. Click here for a nice recipe using satoimo.

Green Tea

Yet another weight loss marvel, it is no wonder at all that Japanese women are so much slimmer!  You may notice that lining the shelves of the refrigerator of the convenience store, there are as many if not more types of bottled tea, than there are of sugar-loaded soft drink.  Don't be put off by the fact that you can't read the label - just keep trying until you find the tea that you like best.  For those who like the real thing, invest in one of these little pots you can find around the place.  Inside you will find a tea strainer, into which you can pour the tea leaves directly, for the perfect cup. 

Gobo (Burdock Root)

Japan is the only country to use gobo in cuisine, but other countries actually use this root medicinally.  Gobo is generally cut into thin strips or shavings and soaked in vinegar to remove bitterness before cooking. It is an excellent source of dietary fibre and nutrients, and therefore aids digestion and detoxification.  The most popular recipe for this vegetable is kinpira gobo.

Konnyaku

Konnyaku is a high dietary, non fat, fiber low calorie diet food which shows several unique functions for maintaining well-being.
When eaten with foods, it reduces speed of sugar intake which makes it an instant low GI success story. Studies also indicate Konnyaku lowers Cholesterol. Konnyaku is ideal for weight reduction since Konnyaku forms jelly like material and expands about 30-50 times in the digestive system and gives the feeling that the stomach is full. Konnyaku cleans the digestive tract of toxins.  The taste-free version is used in hot pot dishes, or as a sashimi, while there are also sweet jelly versions which are an ideal children's snack.  One popular form of these konnyaku jelly cups are Konnyaku Batake which come in several flavours such as peach, apple and mango.

Kanten

Kanten is a type of seaweed that’s rich in fiber but has zero calories, is rumored to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and has no off-flavor (unlike konnyaku, which is also calorie free, but smells and tastes unpleasant to some).  It can look like a jelly (often in the form of the dessert tokoroten), or used as a powder to make jelly (just pour it in fruit juice and set for a healthy jelly).
 
Natto

The Japanese food that foreigners love to hate, natto is that sticky bean goop that has a strong odor.  When I first came to Japan and was fed natto, when I asked what it was, I was told "rotten soy beans".  As if that isn't enough to recommend it, natto is the ultimate health food with any number of great benefits.  Natto is an acquired taste, but let me tell you from experience that it can be acquired, as you might see on any day when you can open my refrigerator and find it.  The first time I liked natto, it was fed to me secretly in an omelette, and this is one good way to start.  Part of me came to like natto because "all foreigners hate natto" and I made it my mission to acquire the taste - I'm glad I took the trouble as I now love it!  It is the easiest healthy food to prepare, so it is the ultimate healthy "fast food".

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  3.  Karate/Fitness Classes in English

Getting enough exercise can be a drag, so joining a class can be a fun and sustainable way of keeping fit. 

Pat Taniguchi has a karate dojo in Seto and Owariasahi city. The dojo offers Karate, Kinder Movement/Karate, Cardiokick (aerobic Karate), Pilates, self defense, ultra fat burner and much more. These classes are offered to adults and children.
Contact Pat Taniguchi directly 090-1622-4420.

(Thank you to Geri White for this submission)
  
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  4. Taiko Drumming

I am a huge fan of Taiko Drumming, both as an audience member and a performer.  Some years ago I was in an amateur Taiko group, and can really recommend it!  The Taiko world is incdredibly tight, and once you get into it you will find a world of drumming concerts, workshops and festivals opening up to you.

One excellent concert I went to last year featured a Japanese group sharing a stage with a Korean drumming group.  The whole stadium was alive with pulsating rhythm - there were no words to describe it.  This is the website of that Japanese group, which originates in Toei-cho far in the east of Aichi Prefecture, and you can click on some of their links to hear their sound.

http://shidara.co.jp/

If you are interested in giving Taiko drumming a go, check out this link too:

http://www.wadaikoworld.net/japantaikocourse.html

You will find once you have attended a workshop such as this, if you want to continue you will always be able to find a group to join in Nagoya.  Joining a Taiko group is not only good for your sense of rhythm, it is good for your body, good for your Japanese, and great for your soul!

When you're really into the world of Taiko, there will be no missing the event of the year, held every August on Sado Island, sponsored by world famous taiko group Kodo.  It takes about 6 hours to get there, so it's good that it lasts for three days!  It is a fantastically popular festival, so book your tickets and accommodation as early as possible to avoid disappointment.  The 2007 festival is the 20th anniversary and likely to be extra special, so keep checking back with the homepage to get tickets as soon as they are available!

http://www.kodo.or.jp/ec/en/index.html
  
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  5. Joining  a Gymnasium

The following procedures for joining a private sports gym were copied from the English information page of the Pacific Sports Club 24 Hour Gym near Sakae (Hisaya-Odori Station).  These rules and procedures are pretty standard for other gyms as well, so are good to use as guidelines when you go to sign up.

<Necessary items for admission procedure>

◆A photograph (not necessary for all sports clubs)
◆A bank account or a postal savings
◆A seal impression (inkan) for bank account or a postal savings
◆A passport or ID card
◆First 3 months fee and yearly fee.

<Rules>

◆At the start of all club memberships, we require the first 3 months be prepaid in cash.
　 Afterwards, membership fees will be automatically deducted from the member's bank
　 account.
◆The monthly fee is taken effect from 1st to the end of month. We don't divide the monthly
　 fees as a daily fee.
◆Outside shoes must not be worn in this club.
◆All tattoos are forbidden. (Any member found with a tattoo will result in immediate termination
　 of club membership)

For those of you who have children at Nagoya International School, there is a sports club down the road from there that has competitive membership rates and great discounts for those who have children in their swimming school.  Longwood Sports Club (webpage in Japanese only) offers a great deal called "Parents", whereby mothers or fathers with children in the swimming school can also use gym facilities (workout room, pool, sauna) while their children are having an hour long lesson every week, for only about 2000 yen per month!  It's certainly a more healthy option than just sitting there watching your kids swim!

If you prefer to do your working out sporadically, then a cheaper option is the public gymnasium system.  Featuring a training room and an indoor pool, the Meito Sports Center is open from 10am to 8:30pm on weekdays (closed Mondays), and 10am to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays. It is 500 yen to use the pool, 300 yen to use the training room, and discounts are offered when buying multiple use tickets.  It is on the road from Hongo Station to Hirabari, and it is easiest to go there by car, but also possible by bus.  Click here for a map. The Chikusa Sports Center is also open from 10am to 8:30pm on weekdays (closed Fridays), and 10am to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays.  The costs are the same as for the Meito Sports Center.  The Chikusa Sports Center is conveniently located five minutes walk from either Higashiyama Koen or Hoshigaoka Stations, along the main road.  Click here for a map.  All the public sports centers in Nagoya keep similar hours and charge similar prices to these two sports centers (although each of them close for one week day such as Monday).  Click on the links below to take you to a map for each of them.

Naka Sports Center - 10 minutes walk from Fushimi Station or 8 minutes walk from Osu Kannon Station
Higashi Sports Center - 1 minute walk from Nagoya Dome Mae Yada Station on the Meijo Line
Midori Sports Center - transport by bus or car, 10 minute taxi ride from Narumi Station on Meitetsu Line
Tempaku Sports Center - 3 minute walk from Ueda Station on the Tsurumai Line
Mizuho Undojo (Athletics Center) - 3-10 minutes walk from either Mizuho Undojo Higashi (Meijo Line) or Mizuho Undojo Nishi (Sakuradori Line)
Biwajima Sports Center - 5 minutes walk from Higashi Biwajima Station on the Meitetsu Line.
Tsuyuhashi Sports Center - 7 minutes walk from Sanno Station on the Meitetsu Line or 8 minutes walk from Kitobashi Station on the JR Line
Inae Sports Center - 7 minutes walk from Noseki Station on the Aonami Line

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  6. Tennis in Toyota
 - Jenny Elsby

Interested in playing Tennis?
There is an international tennis club in Toyota city who meet at weekends and play on public courts.
 
Place: Toyota City Public Courts
Time:  Saturday and Sunday  (2hrs)
Cost: JPY500 approx
Requirements: Experience at playing tennis
 
For further information please email: hironori_tennis@yahoo.co.jp
http://www.geocities.jp/hironori_tennis/


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  7. Doctors in Nagoya

With Dr. Joe Kurosu leaving Nagoya shortly we have some information on other English speaking doctors in various parts of Nagoya:

For those who live near Yagoto, where Dr. Joe Kurosu had his practice:

Ohmori Clinic
Treats: Adults and children
Internal medicine, Gastrointestinal division, Pediatric service, rehabilitation

 1-4 Hassyoutoori, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi
 TEL 052-834-5656
 URL (Japanese Only) http://ohmori-clinic.biz-web.jp/index.html

Clinic Hours:
Monday to Friday -     9am-12pm Clinic
                                    1pm-3pm Large bowl endoscopy and house visit
                                    4pm-7pm Clinic
Saturday - Morning Hours Only (9am-12pm) Clinic

* NOTE: We have no feedback on this clinic at present, but it is new and they do provide consultations in English.

For those who live in or near Meito Ward:

Asako Clinic

Treats:  Children and adults
No appointment required
 
Clinic Hours:
Mon: 9am -12pm 4:30pm - 6-30pm
Tues: 9am -12pm 4:30pm - 6-30pm
Wednesday: closed
Thursday：9am -12pm 4:30pm - 6-30pm
Friday: 9am -12pm 4:30pm - 6-30pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 12:30pm
 
Address: Meito ku, Gokuraku 1-1
Tel: 052-705-0550
URL (Japanese Only) http://asako-clinic.webmedipr.jp/

* NOTE: This is highly recommended but access is only by car or bus.
This female doctor spent three years living in New York.

Sasaki Kodomo Clinic

Treats:  Children
No appointment required
 
Clinic Hours:
Mon: 9am -12pm / 3pm - 6pm
Tues: 9am -12pm / 3pm - 6pm
Wednesday: 9am -12pm / 4pm - 6pm
Thursday：9am -12pm only
Friday: 9am -12pm / 3pm - 6pm
Saturday: 9am -12pm only
 
Address: Meito ku, Asahigaoka 99
Tel: 052-776-0110
URL (Japanese Only) http://sasakiclinic.org/

* NOTE: This pediatrician has a wealth of experience with foreign children and parents, and is recommended on the Nagoya Foreign Mothers Group website.  It is also possible to make an appointment with this doctor (although none is necessary), for Japanese there is a special telephone number connected to an automated system (052-776-0115), or for those who cannot understand the Japanese system it is possible to make an appointment using the regular phone number.

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8. Champagne Ball

Friday November 17th 2006 is the date for the first annual joint American Chamber of Commerce and Tokai Japan Canada Society Champagne Ball.

The venue is the Nagoya Hilton in Fushimi, and various musical acts will ensure that everyone has a great time!  Whether you are new to Nagoya or just want to catch up with old friends, this is a great chance for a memorable evening.

Tickets to the event can be purchased from the Tokai Japan Canada Society or the Chubu Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact Noriko Kato at (052) 229-1525 or by e-mail at nkato@accj.or.jp

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  9. Meet & Greet Lunch

 Are you new to town?  Do you want to get out and meet new people?  Or do you just want a nice lunch in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere where you can chat with new friends and old friends?  The Meet & Greet lunch is held on the second Tuesday of the month at Shooters Sports Bar and Grill in Fushimi. 

 Date:  Tuesday, 10th of October
 Time: 11:30am -
 Place: http://www.shooters-nagoya.com/
 Price: 1500 yen for buffet lunch and a drink
 RSVP:  Please RSVP by Saturday the 7th of October.  RSVP to Sue Conolly at conolly@p-cafe.net or by phone 090-4186-9459 during office hours.

Shooters has a relaxed atmosphere and is closed during the day except for our event, so we have the run of the place.  This means that it is a VERY easy event for mothers with  babies or small children.  It also means, however, that I must ask for an RSVP so that Shooters can cater for the correct number of people.  Since they are opening the restaurant especially for us, I want to keep these Meet & Greet lunches well attended as they are a valuable resource for newcomers to the area.  Please mark it on your calendar - every month on the second Tuesday, and let me know if you can come.
 
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  10.  Hope International - Upcoming Events

Kids Halloween Party & Halloween Party at Shooters (Sunday, October 29th)
Portion of proceeds will be donated to HOPE Japan

Kids Halloween Party
Clown, face painting, Halloween parade
Time:   11:00am - 3:00pm
Admission Fee:
2,000yen (adults)
1,200yen (kids)

Halloween Party
Live music, laybacks, great food
8pm - 1am
Admission Fee: 3,500yen
for a food buffet & all-you-can-drink

Venue:   Shooters Sports Bar
Access:    Map to Shooters
(Pola Building 2F near Exit 5 Fushimi Subway Station)
Reservations Required
Please contact Shooters at 052-202-7077 (TEL&FAX)

HOPE Booth at World Collaboration Festa on October 28-29th (Sat. & Sun.)

Time    10am to 4pm for both days
Cost    Free
Venue    Mominoki Hiroba in Sakae (near Oasis21)
There will be interactive and fun activities to know more about HOPE works in developing countreis.  Please drop by if you happen to be in Sakae !!

Honolulu Charity Marathon in aid of the Philippine Bridge Project

OPEN TO 5 PARTICIPANTS ONLY

Date: Dec. 8th - 13th (Fri. - Wed.)
Application Deadline: November 15th (Wed.)
Courses:  
Full Marathon: 42.195km  OR
Race Day Walk: 10km
Participation Fees   
263,000yen if signed by 10/28, 5000yen plus after 10/29
More info:    www.hopeglobalchallenge.com/honolulu.asp

Tsumago-Magome Autumn Leaves Charity Walk in aid of Global Education

OPEN TO 15 PARTICIPANTS ONLY

Date: November 3rd (Friday; national holiday)
Application Deadline: Novemeber 1st (Wednesday)
Course
Tsumago-Magome, Nakatsugawa (Gifu Prefecture)
15km from Magome Walk Path to Nagiso Station
Participation Fees:
10,000 yen for Adults & Students
This includes 4,000yen donation
More info: www.hopeglobalchallenge.com/TsumagoMagome.asp
 
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  11.  Street Hockey Fall 2006

Kariya City and Tokai Japan Canada Society present
Street Hockey Fall 2006
 
Come and join us for a fun and enjoyable yet semi-competitive event for the foreign community to re-live nostalgic times, and for Japanese to enjoy a piece of Canadian cultural life.
 
There will be two playing areas - one for tournament play and one for fun play. A BBQ lunch will be provided for participants (included in your entry fee). Food and drink will also be available for purchase for non-participants and the really hungry.
 
Date:    Sunday, November 5, 2006 (Rain or shine !!)
Time:    11:00 - 16:00 (Reception starts @ 10 AM)
Location:    Mississauga Park, Kariya City, Aichi-Ken
Fee: (includes lunch)    10,000 per team (up to 6 players)
1,000 per additional player
1,000 for kids
Equipment:    Running shoes and sport clothing.
Sticks are provided.
Helmets and gloves are allowed, however PLAY IS NOT ROUGH so they are not required.
Applications are due by October 27, 2006
This is a team-entry event however individual entrants are welcome. All participants will placed on a team on game day.

This is a family event and children are encouraged to participate. There will be skills clinics and special games for children.

Take a look at some pictures from our pilot Street Hockey Event in June.

For more details, including rules, please  download the infomation/application package from the TJCS page.

What is Street Hockey ??

A great tradition in Canadian suburbs or small towns is to play street hockey, a variation of ice hockey played on pavement by players wearing shoes instead of skates and often using a ball instead of a puck.

Play continues until a car approaches, at which point the players will yell out "CAR!" and the goals must be moved so that the car may pass. Once the car has driven through the playing area, the nets are replaced and play continues.

Needless to say, street hockey is played only on streets with very little traffic.

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  12. Here's to your Health!

In the past month I have suffered from various physical ailments after coming back from Australia.  First there was a couple of crippling migraines and a sore throat, then I had a period of about three days I could not move off the sofa because of a bad back.  However, I'm not complaining.  I'm more interested in noticing how my physical well-being is invariably related to what's going on in my life.

The migraines came just shortly after I came back from Australia - a time where I was trying to "catch up" with everything.  The migraines were as if to say "To hell with catching up!  Slow down!".  Right after this came the sore throat, which was as if to say "Yes, you have a lot of phone calls to make, a lot of people to talk to, but you're not going to talk to them right now - just take it easy!".  Then as a final stroke, my back went out completely as if to say "Are you not listening?  Do I have to make you a permanent cripple to get you to make time for yourself?".

That time I spent on the sofa, and time since, I have "caught up" in the very real sense.  I now regularly attend a ganbanyoku (hot stone spa) which gives me the quiet time to work on my priorities for the week.  I take the time to exercise, I take the time to cook good food.  By putting myself as number one priority, I am doing a favour to my family and my clients.

What kind of message is your body sending you these days?  If your health was your number one priority client, what would you do for it?  This edition of the newsletter has a lot of ideas for you and your healthy life, but only you can really know what it is that your body and soul needs right now.

http://www.sueconolly.net/

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  That`s it for this edition of the newsletter. We hope you found it informative - please let us know what you would like to see in future editions, and we will attempt to address your issues.

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