Serving the U.S. Army Japan community

www.torii.army.milVOL. 39, NO. 16April 21, 2011

2 News 6 Community 11 Calendar 4 Community 8 Sports 12 Culture

INSIDE the TORII

Photo by Dustin Perry

Eager for EasterChildren hurry to gather candy- and prize-filled eggs during Camp Zama’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, held Saturday at Dewey Park here. Approximately 5,000 eggs for four age groups were scattered at the park for the event, which was sponsored by the Child, Youth and School Services and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs here. The event also included prize drawings and giveaways, and an appearance from the Easter Bunny, an MWR representative said.

DoD ends voluntary departure authorization from JapanBy Lisa DanielAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – The Defense Depart-ment’s voluntary authorized departures for servicemembers’ eligible family members to leave Japan in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake effectively ended Friday.

“The Defense Department concurs with the State Department’s determination that the situation in Japan does not pose sig-nificant risk to U.S. citizens,” a Pentagon spokeswoman said. “We will continue to ensure the safety of our families is at the

forefront of every decision we make.”The DoD termination follows the State

Department’s lifting of the voluntary depar-ture order for DoD eligible family members to depart from Honshu, Japan.

More than 7,800 family members sta-tioned at U.S. military bases throughout Japan were flown to various U.S. locations following the 9.0-magnitude earthquake, the tsunami it caused, and subsequent problems with several of Japan’s nuclear reactors.

Family members who left Japan under the voluntary authorized departures or who were prevented from returning during the

crisis may now return, except those whose military sponsor will have a permanent-change-of-station move out of Japan within 60 days – unless they have service secre-tary approval. This also applies to families of civilian employees who are within 30 days of reassignment, Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde said.

Pay allowances related to the departures will continue for families who fall under those exceptions, officials said. Departure-related allowances for others will end on Monday.

Family members who departed under

the authorized departures, or whose travel was interrupted to Japan, and who decide not to return to their sponsor’s primary duty station, may be authorized movement to a designated place under early return author-ity or may use the sponsor’s PCS orders to travel to the next permanent duty station, Hull-Ryde said.

Family members who used the authoriza-tions with a command-sponsored, school-aged dependent may remain with the child at their temporary location until the end

See DEPARTURE, Page 3

2 April 21, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.milNEWS

Zama Briefs

2011 Road Tax ProgramIf vehicle registration, title changes or

insurance have not been updated or com-pleted, a decal will not be issued.Camp ZamaTimes: 9 to 11 a.m. / 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.Location: Camp Zama Community ClubApril 19: Last names A through EApril 20: Last names F through KApril 21: Last names L through RApril 22: Last names S through Z; mini-cars and motorcyclesInfo: 263-4337 / 3732 / 4810Yokohama North DockDate: April 26 Times: 9 to 11 a.m. / 1 to 2 p.m.Location: PMO Bldg. S-331 Info: 269-6528CostMotorcycles: 500 - 1,000 yenMini-cars (yellow plates): 3,000 yenSagami 500 Y plates: 7,500 yenSagami 300 Y plates: 19,000 - 22,000 yen Sagami 100 Y/E plates: 32,000 yen

AOSA scholarshipsThe Atsugi Officers’ Spouses Associa-

tion will be making scholarships available for seniors attending Zama American High School and spouses of servicemembers assigned to Naval Air Facility Atsugi. Ap-plications are available at www.atsugiosa.org. The deadline to apply for AOSA schol-arships is April 29. For questions, contact the AOSA scholarship chair at AOSASchol-arshipChair@yahoo.com.

‘You Made the Grade’Now in its 10th consecutive year, the

“You Made the Grade” program recog-nizes Camp Zama students who achieve a “B” average or better with a benefits-filled booklet. Exclusive offers include a free Burger King kids meal or a Subway six-inch combo, video rental and $2 off any new release DVD at the Power Zone, to name a few.

Students who make the grade also can register for a drawing to win a savings bond worth up to $5,000.

To receive the “You Made the Grade” booklet, students simply present a valid military ID card and proof of an overall “B” or better average to the Camp Zama Exchange. Students may receive one coupon package for every qualifying report card, but may enter the savings bond drawing only once per calendar year.

Camp Zama families can contact the Exchange at 263-5585 for more information about “You Made the Grade.”

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response ProgramThose aware of a sexual assault should report it immediately. It is punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and other federal and local civilian laws. USAG-J Camp Zama Sexual Assault Hotline: 882# or 090-9395-8909 (24/7 response). USAG-J Torii Station: 090-6861-8042 (24/7 response). Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program website: http://www.sexualassault.army.mil.

708th MI volunteers lend helping hand to Japanese neighbors

THE DRIVE TO REBUILDBy Pfcs. Ian Kenner and Colin Cron708th Military Intelligence Detachment

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – Soldiers assigned to the 708th Military Intelligence Detachment, 441st MI Battalion, here were among the first to support the recovery and relief efforts following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck north-eastern Japan.

Soldiers and volunteers in the unit made daily trips to the devastated areas, even amid freezing temperatures and snow. Several Soldiers said they were not prepared for the level of destruction they witnessed.

“I was in awe of the sheer power and devastation of the tsunami,” said Sgt. Chad Morphis, assigned to 708th MI. “I [saw] large ships turned on their sides in the middle of the road near the port.”

The volunteers, along with others from the Misawa community, first provided support to workers at a fisherman’s co-op. Comparable to a truck stop, co-ops offer shower areas and bunks for fishermen in port. The co-op the volunteers visited is located less than a block from the affected coastline.

Upon their arrival, the volunteers saw that the first floor of the building was covered in four inches of mud and littered with debris. They initially focused their efforts on removing broken chairs, glass and furniture from the building, and then turned their attention to the task of clearing the mud from the floors.

Sgt. Mark Dombkowski, also assigned to the 708th, recalled the friendships that were formed on the first day of cleaning.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Jason McDonaldVolunteers assigned to the 708th Military Intelligence Battalion at Misawa Air Base use shovels to clear away mud and debris at an area near the installation that was affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan.

“During lunch, we talked with the co-op workers about the strenuous work we had just completed, and what work we still had before us,” said Dombkowski. “We would joke back and forth, and it was a great sense of bonding for all of us.”

After three days of work, the Soldiers and volunteers had successfully removed mud and debris and installed new windows. By the fourth day, they had repaired and repainted the building’s exterior and cleared the leftover mud in the parking lot.

“The co-op workers, even during this period of devastation and loss, maintained their traditional Japanese hospitality by providing hot miso soup to the Soldiers and Airmen volunteers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason McDonald, a 708th volunteer. “The workers shook our hands and bowed while thanking us for our help.”

Dombkowski said he was also touched by the Japanese people’s spirit.

“It was incredible to see how the Japanese kept their composure even with everything going on around them,” he said. “Many houses laid in ruin, crops destroyed and farms damaged, but the drive to rebuild was stronger than ever.”

Once the work on the co-op was fin-ished, the Soldiers moved to help a local pig farmer. The farm was in a massive state of disarray, with two of the three pig hous-ing units destroyed. Of the 2,000 pigs that once roamed the farm, only 400 survived the tsunami. The dead pigs littered the farm along with the rest of the debris.

Sgt. 1st Class Brent Brell recalled how emotional the pig farmer was when he received help from the Soldiers.

“[It] brought tears to [his] eyes,” said Brell. “He bowed and shook our hands over and over. It was really touching.”

Brell added that the “eagerness of the Soldiers, and their willingness to assist in this time of need, helped bridge our con-nection with the Japanese people.”

The Soldiers of the 708th were not the only ones volunteering to help. Their family members also supported the relief efforts.

“I was upset knowing my energy was being spent on cleaning my living room rather than helping an area affected by the earthquake and tsunami,” said Samantha Ellis, wife of Spc. Robinson Ellis. “Even after a long night at work, I volunteered to go to Hachinohe with my husband and a few Soldiers from his unit.”

Samantha said she did everything from filling sandbags to sifting through the mud, glass and debris. Supporting the relief effort was worth it to help a people and culture she has come to admire since arriving here, she said.

“I am extremely proud of the support the 708th Detachment has provided to help relieve the suffering of the Japanese people following the unprecedented disaster,” said Lt. Col. Robert A. Culp II, commander of the 441st MI Bn. “The detachment leader-ship exercised great initiative to provide immediate response, and the Soldiers that volunteered did an outstanding job.”

“At the end of the day, Japan is our home; we are just thankful to be able to help,” said Sgt. 1st Class Dajuan M. Groves Sr., the 708th MI first sergeant. “We look forward to the day where life can return to normal for the Japanese people.”

INSIGHTwww.torii.army.mil

This Army-funded newspaper is an authorized publication for the members of the Army community in Japan in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. Contents of the TORII are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsement by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the U.S. Army Garrison Japan command. It is published weekly by the TORII staff of the USAG-J HNR/Public Affairs office, APO, AP 96343-0054, phone 315-263-5978.

This publication, with a weekly circulation of 2,000, is printed by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo. All photos are U.S. Army photographs unless otherwise indicated. The newspaper uses military news services including American Forces Press Service and Army News Service.

Story and photo submissions not pertaining to commercial advertising may be sent to the USAG-J HNR/PAO TORII Office at least two weeks prior to the desired publication date. The TORII is distributed every Thursday. Submissions may be e-mailed to the editor at dustin.perry@us.army.mil. The editor reserves the right not to publish submissions not in accordance with Army Public Affairs regulations and standard operating procedures. Editorial offices are located in room A-208, Bldg. 102, South Camp Zama, Japan.

T RII Newspaper Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr.Garrison Commander: Col. Perry HeltonGarrison Public Affairs Officer: Edward H. RoperEditor: Dustin PerryStaff Writer: Tetsuo NakaharaOkinawa Bureau Chief: Anastasia MorenoOkinawa Bureau Staff: Lauren Hall

TORII April 21, 2011 3

Sound Off!

Do you have a concern or an issue on your mind? Are you seeking a channel for your voice to be heard? Look no further. The Torii welcomes all letters regarding issues or concerns involving the Camp Zama community as a whole. Critical letters should offer suggestions for resolutions as applicable. Letters or e-mails must be signed, but names will be withheld in publication upon request. The Torii will protect the names of its sources if they so desire.

Letters may be edited for content and length according to the Associated Press Stylebook and the Torii Style Guide.If you would like to have your voice heard in the Torii, e-mail your letters to the editor at dustin.perry@us.army.mil, or send by regular mail to:

HNR / Public AffairsU.S. Army Garrison JapanATTN: TORII EditorUnit 45005, IMPC-JA-HNR/PAAPO AP 96338

IMCOM messageLt. Gen. Rick LynchCommander, Installation Management Command

The Army first observed the Month of the Military Child in 1986 to honor the youngest members of the Army community. As we celebrate it again this month, 25 years later and in the 10th year of ongoing conflict, recognition of the sacrifices and strength of our military children is more vital than ever.

The life of military children has always had its challenges, foremost among them be-ing frequent relocations. Every time families move, children have to make new friends, get used to new schools, and find new clubs and teams to join. A lot of military children take these changes in stride and some even thrive on them, but it is hard – they have to rebuild their world every time and find their place in it.

Now, in this time of persistent conflict, the challenges are compounded – they are more serious and affect more families. About 1.8 million children have a parent currently serving in the military. Since 2001, an estimated 900,000 children have had one or both parents deploy multiple times. Our children are dealing with long and repeated separations from their parents. They are dealing with the happy but disruptive time when their parents come home and the fam-ily has to regain normalcy. Sometimes they have to deal with the worst thing children can imagine: the death of a parent. In the face of all this, for all of their contributions and sacrifices, our children need and deserve our best efforts.

From the highest levels of leadership on down, the Army has committed to providing families with a quality of life that is com-mensurate with their service and sacrifice. For our children, that includes a commit-ment to ensure excellence in schools, child care and youth services, and that they have

the support and care they need to develop into strong, resilient, well-rounded young adults.

The Army’s Child, Youth and School Services is central to delivering on these promises. CYSS currently serves almost 300,000 children ages 6 weeks to 18 years in on- and off-post programs around the world. Through its Child Development Centers, School Age Care, and Middle School and Teen Centers, CYSS provides healthy and enriching environments that help children grow mentally, physically, socially and emotionally. For the school-age children and teens in particular, the CYSS programs provide a whole world of topics to explore, including fitness, health, arts, science and technology, leadership, citizenship, life skills and careers. In addition, CYSS runs a robust sports program, with more than 112,000 children participating in team and individual sports and sports clinics.

To meet the greater need for services, CYSS has made tremendous efforts to in-crease access and offerings, both on and off post. On installations in the U.S. and over-seas, CYSS has constructed 150 new child care centers and 24 new youth centers since 2007. They have also introduced innovative programs such as Neighborhood Activity Homes, which provides places for older children outside of traditional facilities. Off post, CYSS has partnered with a number of local providers and national organiza-tions to serve families who live in areas far from an installation or in high-impact areas where the need exceeds the capacity on the installation. CYSS extends 16 hours of free care per month to the families of deployed, wounded and fallen Soldiers, a total of more than 1 million hours in fiscal 2010.

The focus on increasing access does

two things for our families. When parents can take advantage of CYSS, it decreases stress on the family. Parents know that when they are deployed, working or at medical appointments, their children are in a safe place. They can focus on what they need to do, knowing that their children are well cared for. Also, these programs provide our children with much needed support.

In addition to providing quality out-of-school programs, CYSS is also focusing on supporting military children in school. Military children attend an average of nine different schools before they graduate high school. The transition from one school to another can be rough when there are incompatible requirements to enroll, join extracurricular activities, or graduate.

Schools liaison officers are located at every garrison to help families with these and other school-related issues. They play an important role in helping students make a smooth transition and succeed at their new school by working with families and school districts to meet needs and requirements on both sides.

In a new two-year pilot program, school liaison officers at seven garrisons will be joined by military student transition con-

sultants. The consultants will be located in school district offices and work closely with the school liaison officers to build understanding between school districts, garrisons and families about the needs of military students and to support efforts, such as mentoring programs that help students plug into their new school. The consultants will be in place this May to support families through the summer.

The Month of the Military Child is an important observance, and a lot of fun. In-stallations worldwide are holding hundreds of fairs, parades, carnivals and other events throughout the month. I encourage you to get out in your community and join in honoring and celebrating our children.

The Army does not confine its commit-ment to children to one month a year – we owe our children more than that. They do not sign up for the challenges military life brings, and yet they are right there with us, making sacrifices every day and showing a lot of bravery. It is our job to do the best by them that we can, providing the care, sup-port and opportunities they need to thrive in the face of challenges. Our children are our future: When they are strong, we are strong.

of the current school semester. Departure-related allowances for these families will end the day after the last day of the school semester, she said.

Servicemembers whose families departed Japan under the authorization are al-lowed return transportation at government expense and quarantine of two household pets to the evacuated duty station in Japan. Civilian employee dependents must return pets at their own expense, she said.

Hardship duty pay in effect throughout Japan will end May 1, Pentagon officials said. For civilians, the 10 percent post-hardship differential pay will end at the beginning of the next pay period, Hull-Ryde said.

Termination of family separation allowances will vary, but generally will end when dependents are no longer authorized to receive departure-related allowances, they said.

The U.S. military responded to the disaster with some 20,000 troops, 140 air-craft and at least 20 ships in support of Operation Tomodachi. While no ships are directly supporting the operation today, U.S. forces remain ready to help, Pentagon officials have said. Several ships are forward deployed to Japan as part of regular operations, and some 50,000 U.S. troops are based there.

DEPARTURE, from Page 1

COMMUNITY4 April 21, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil

SCHOOL NEWSZama Child Development Center: 263-4992

SHA Child Development Center: 267-6348� SAS Open Recreation Program: Parents: Are you looking for programs that your school-aged children can participate in? Children: Are you looking for things that will keep you active and busy outside of the house? If so, then the Open Recreation Program events are for you. School Age Services is offering open recreation opportunities in the weekday and Saturday afternoons for youth currently enrolled in grades one to six.

� Registration: To register your child or for more information please stop by the CYS Central Enrollment Registry Office in Bldg. 533 on Camp Zama, or call 263-4125 or SAS at 267-6013.

John O. Arnn Elementary: 267-6602� Science Fair: Arnn Elementary School’s “Science Fair and Invention Convention” is scheduled to be held April 27 and 28, with a special session from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. on April 28, for interested parents to view student projects.All students in grades kindergarten through sixth will receive assistance and guidance from their classroom teachers, with students from grades fourth through sixth also having specific directions from their teachers to work as individuals or in pairs on their science experiment or invention. Students in grades kindergarten through third will work on their projects in large group settings. All projects will be seen by USAG-J military judges on April 28. For more information, call Beth Hauck at 267-6602.

� PSCD Screening: Your child or someone else’s may qualify for Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities. Screenings for children ages 3 to 5 are held twice a month at AES to locate and identify children who may have developmental delays. Call Arnn Elementary School at 267-6602 to make an appointment if you suspect your child has a delay in language, physical, cognitive, social or adaptive behavior development. For

children under 3 years of age, call EDIS at 267-6545 to schedule an appointment.

� GradeSpeed: DoDEA has implemented GradeSpeed in all fourth- through 12th-grade classrooms worldwide. GradeSpeed is a web-based program that enables parents to log in and view grade and attendance data for their students. GradeSpeed will be the only authorized and supported grade book used by DoDEA employees in these grades.All teachers have secure access to GradeSpeed through the use of an Internet web browser. Teachers use the grade book portion of GradeSpeed to enter assignments, grades and to maintain grade calculations. Teachers are also able to e-mail progress reports to parents through GradeSpeed. For more information, go to http://www.dodea.edu/back_to_school/gradespeed.cfm or contact Brandy Bell, educational technologist, at brandy.bell@pac.dodea.edu.

Zama American Middle School: 263-4040� Visit the Web at www.zama-ms.pac.dodea.edu/ for information pertaining to Zama American Middle School.

Zama American High School: 263-3181� Visit the Web at www.zama-hs.pac.dodea.edu/ for information pertaining to Zama American High School.

Child, Youth and School Services: 263-4500�U-Turn Program: This program is designed for youths to turn themselves around and get the help they need to graduate from high school and move on to higher education. It’s up to U to turn yourself around. The teen center staff is here for U! Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays nights form study groups; work together with your classmates; get help from staff and other volunteers; tutor classmates; get S.A.T. tutoring / practice tests; use this time to work on scholarships and other financial aid applications. There will be a return bus to SHA for those youth who participate in the U-Turn Program.

‘Strike Out Autism’ boosts community awareness By Tetsuo NakaharaTorii Staff

More than 70 Camp Zama community members came together to raise awareness for autism during the second annual “Strike Out Autism” event coordinated by Army Community Service and held Thursday at the Camp Zama Bowling Center here.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and the event gave the community here an opportunity learn more about the

Photos by Tetsuo NakaharaCol. Perry Helton, left, commander of U.S. Army Garrison – Japan, and his wife Wanda cut a cake along with children from the Camp Zama community during the “Strike Out Autism” event held Thursday at the Camp Zama Bowling Center here.

John Millington, 7, bowls during the “Strike Out Autism” event Thursday at the Camp Zama Bowling Center.

disorder and show their support, an ACS coordinator said. The event was also held in conjunction with the Month of the Military Child, which includes a number of events for children and families at Camp Zama.

“The number of children being born with autism is getting higher in general, so in order to show support to the community, this is important,” said Cheryl Rendon. “Having an autism awareness event every April is important to highlight that it is no longer something to be ashamed of. There is a lot

of support worldwide, so especially being in a small community and knowing that there are support systems here is huge.”

Free bowling, food and prize drawings sponsored by the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command were offered to attendees at the bowling center, which provided families and friends a fun atmo-sphere in which to come together with other community members, said Rendon.

Currently, various support assets for au-tism are available at Camp Zama, such as the Exceptional Fam-ily Member Program provided by ACS, and Educational and De-velopmental Interven-tion Services located at John O. Arnn Elemen-tary School.

“It is good to see this kind of event and community support,” said Kumiko Sasaki, a family member. “My son had a hard time making eye contact at the age of 2 and we also noticed some language learning problems. He was di-agnosed with a ‘pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified,’ and is currently in a preschool class for children with disabilities.

“I have a friend whose child also has the same symptoms as my son,” added Sasaki. “It was so helpful to get some good advice

from her. There are also good back-up ser-vices available on the military base, such as well-baby checkups at the clinic and EDIS. I think community support is key for the parents.”

Col. Perry Helton, commander of U.S. Army Garrison – Japan, his wife Wanda, and children representing the community cut a cake made especially for the event.

“It’s all about providing opportunities for our kids regardless of what challenging circumstances they may face,” said Helton. “What we’re trying to do is make sure that we cooperate [with these opportunities]. We provide a venue for all of our kids to come together to interact and play with each other and share experiences.

“The Month of the Military Child is prob-ably the most impor-tant month of the year because the kids are truly our future,” added Helton. “There are no

greater responsibilities than for USAG-J for ACS to make sure that we’re taking care of our families and children, and making sure that they’ve got good places to play, learn to develop. This is just another de-velopment process, and we are just glad to be able to put this event on for them and support them.”

COMMUNITYTORII April 21, 2011 5www.torii.army.mil

Anglers at Zama compete in Catfish DerbyBy Tetsuo NakaharaTorii Staff

Photos by Tetsuo NakaharaCamp Zama community members wait for fish to take the bait during the Catfish Derby held Saturday at Dewey Park pond here. More than 25 people attended the event, which was coordinated by Outdoor Recreation.

Catfish Derby Winners

Ages 9 and Under: Ella Johns (Largest fish by weight)Ages 16 and Above: Chris Cockroft (Largest fish: 1.74 pounds)James Hong (Quickest catch: 1 minute, 34 seconds)

The weather was gorgeous – sunny and warm – which made for a perfect day on which Camp Zama community members could catch some fish at the Dewey Park pond during Saturday’s Catfish Derby.

More than 25 angler enthusiasts in the community, both children and adults, cast their lines in the pond with hopes of hooking “the Big One.” The event was held in conjunction with the Month of Military Child and was coordinated by the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command’s Outdoor Recreation division here.

As special supporters of the event, Camp Zama Boy Scout Troop 34 members played a big role in helping clean up the pond area earlier in the week. Recently, Outdoor Rec created a partnership with the Boy Scouts to keep the pond safe and clean for the community. This was the first joint event between the two cooperative organizations.

“This partnership will benefit the whole community,” said John Senatore, manager at Outdoor Rec, FMWR. “The kids learn something from it. They learn a little bit about the environment, and it helps community. This park hasn’t looked nice like this for long time, and it’s because of the Boy Scouts.”

The participants spent the beautiful morning with families and friends trying catching the biggest fish of the day. Outdoor Rec obliged by stocking the pond with 60 kilograms of trout – about 120 fish – three days prior to the event, along with an equal number of catfish about a

month and half ago. No catfish were caught at Saturday’s event because recent cold weather kept them inactive, said Senatore.

The pond has a diverse selection of fish, and the Boy Scouts will continue to manage the area and keep it clean for the community, said Kevin Heiker, 15, a member of Troop 34.

“We’ll keep cleaning and maintaining the pond for people to enjoy,” said Kevin. “It will help to reduce the pollution and create balance. We must make sure that people are not polluting the environment.”

To fish legally at the Dewey Park pond, a $5 daily license is required and can be purchased at Outdoor Recreation. For more information, call 263-4671.

In the gardenMichael Carter, a member of Camp Zama’s Boy Scout Troop 34, gives a hand to Timothy Armstrong, a preschool child at the Zama Child Development Center, planting flowers in the CDC garden Tuesday as part of an Earth Day event. Flower planting will be held at John O. Arnn Elementary School, Zama American High School, the Sagamihara Housing Area Child Development Services and School Age Services throughout the week to celebrate Earth Day. (Photo by Tetsuo Nakahara)

6 April 21, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil TORII April 21, 2011 7

COMMUNITY

Now They’re Cooking!families team up for 4-H club’s inaugural ‘iron chef’ competition

Maria Cabral and her mother Yuri work together at their kitchen station to create breakfast-themed dishes for the Camp Zama 4-H Club’s inaugural “Iron Chef” cooking competition, held Friday at the Youth Center here. Teams were required to use ingredients from each major food group and could incorporate the mystery ingredient: sweet potatoes.

Ethen Siglock mixes bananas, blueberries and strawber-ries that were used to make smoothies to go along with his family’s main entry – “Siglock Hearty Casserole” – in the Camp Zama 4-H Club’s inaugural “Iron Chef” cooking competition.(From left) Samuel Mahoney, 13, Maria Cabral and her mother Yuri decide which ingredients they will use in their dishes.

Story and photos by Dustin PerryTorii Editor

“Land of the Rising Sun Breakfast Burritos,” created by Samuel Mahoney and his mother Christine Hancock, were the team’s main dish in the “Iron Chef” competition held Friday.

they collaborated on what to make, she said.“This was fun,” said Maria. “I think from

now on, we’ll work together even more.”The Siglock family – mother Kristin; daugh-

ter Aly, 14; and son Ethen, 7 – originally planned to make breakfast burritos, but decided on a new main course once they saw Samuel making his preparations. Their “Siglock Hearty Casserole” contained sausage, bacon, eggs, bread, cheese, chopped onions and sweet potatoes.

“I think we worked really well together,” said Kristin. “Once we made the decision to go with the casserole and what ingredients we were going to use, it was all hands on deck.”

Once the teams’ dishes were complete, a panel of three judges sat down to sample each one and grade them on three criteria: taste, creativity and presentation.

“They were all very good; it was hard to make a decision on which one [I liked the most],” said Wanda Helton, wife of Col. Perry Helton, commander of U.S. Army Garrison – Japan. “I was very impressed. One thing I added that wasn’t on the [judge’s] list was the interaction and communication. The teams were back and forth with each other, making sure they had everything in sync.”

In the end, the Siglock family’s casserole was determined to be the top dish. Wilds awarded prizes to each team and praised them for facing the Iron Chef challenge.

“The food was awesome,” said Wilds. “I was impressed with the amount of creativity. That’s exactly what we were looking for.”

Yuri Cabral turns over sizzling spring rolls filled with bacon and onions that were topped with ketchup by her daughter Maria, 11, and served to a panel of judges.

(From left): Members of the Siglock family – Ethen, 7, his mother Kristin, and his sister Aly, 14 – work together at their kitchen station to create a breakfast-themed meal as part a cooking competition held Friday at the Youth Center here.

The adage goes that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” which certainly held true for three families here whose respec-tive creations in the culinary theme were to be evaluated by a panel of hungry judges.

Several cupboards’ worth of fresh ingre-dients, a collection of essential utensils, and individual kitchen stations were available to the parent-child teams who participated in the Camp Zama 4-H Club’s inaugural “Iron Chef” cooking competition, held Friday at the Youth Center here.

Similar competitions are hosted at the na-tional level by 4-H Clubs in the U.S., but the installation event was also meant to coincide with the Month of the Military Child, said a Youth Services coordinator here.

“I just thought it would be good to involve the parents as well as the children and have them do something together” said Kelly Wilds, a 4-H Club representative who also hosted the competition.

Shortly after Wilds explained the competi-tion’s one major rule – the dishes had to include something from each of the major food groups – and unveiled the secret ingredient, Okinawan sweet potatoes, the contestants went to work gathering everything they needed.

Even before his gas-powered portable stovetop was turned on, 13-year-old Samuel Mahoney had already begun listing and catego-

rizing the available items and quickly decided he would make breakfast burritos.

“It was completely different than working in our kitchen at home,” said Samuel.

Samuel has been cooking together with his mother, Christine Hancock, for about three years and he already “makes a mean spaghetti,” she said. It was also her son’s idea to place toothpicks through the burritos and top them with two banana slices and a strawberry slice in the middle to symbolize the flag of Japan, said Hancock.

“I was just there for moral support,” said Hancock. “[Samuel] came up with the idea, and I just helped him with some of the cooking.”

Yuri Cabral, more familiar with Japanese-style cooking, said she hoped rice and soy sauce would be available. They weren’t, however, so she and her daughter Maria, 12, made the most use out of the secret ingredient.

“I just started cutting and boiling the sweet potatoes and then I started to think what we were going to make,” said Cabral.

Cabral and her daughter worked at a quick but deliberate pace to make mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, grilled-cheese sandwiches, fruit smoothies with strawberry and blueberry gar-nish, and bacon-and-onion-filled spring rolls.

Maria often cooks with her mother in their home kitchen, but this was one of the first times

SPORTS & FITNESS8 April 21, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil

New aqua therapy program makes waves at ZamaLIQUIDATED ASSET:By Dustin PerryTorii Editor

Photos by Dustin PerryMichael Toole, a patient taking part in Camp Zama’s new “deep-water cadence” physical therapy program, performs a paddling exercise Friday at the Yano Fitness Center swimming pool here. The program allows participants to weightlessly exercise their joints and muscles without the added stress that occurs when performing the same movements on land.

Spc. Donald Caison has just finished a grueling physical therapy session, and he is soaking wet. A small percentage of his dampness can be attributed to sweat, but most of it is from his having spent the last hour in a swimming pool.

The Soldier, who injured the anterior cruciate ligament of his knee several months ago, is part of an inaugural group of recover-ing patients who have been taking part in a new “deep-water cadence” training program that began April 8 and is held here every Friday at Yano Fitness Center.

The program utilizes unique equipment in the pool that allows participants to weight-lessly exercise their joints and muscles without the added stress that occurs when performing the same movements on land.

“[This therapy] is for patients who need cardiovascular training but are limited by weight-bearing status,” said Daryl Yerkes, the chief of physical therapy for Medical Department Activity – Japan here. “It’s also good for any patient who has a movement restriction.”

Throughout the span of three consecu-tive weekly sessions, the patients are first taught how to properly perform a series of exercises at differing intensities designed to increase their heart rate anywhere from 50 percent to 80 percent. The therapy is casu-ally known as “aqua jogging,” named for the specialized flotation devices that allow users to “run” through the water.

“The water is so buoyant that it allows patients to move their joints and muscles and get a good physiological response from the joint itself,” said Yerkes. “They can work all the way through the full range of motion on that joint without putting stress on it.”

After three sessions, the patients should

have sufficient knowledge to continue the therapy on an individual basis, said Yerkes.

Caison had never before taken part in such a unique form of therapy and said he had no idea what to expect. He will complete his final session Friday and said the program has helped build strength in his knee and increased his cardiovascular strength.

“The biggest difference is the difference in gravity,” said Caison. “If you’re on the treadmill or you’re walking or running, you have more impact [on your body]. If you’re in the water, you’re putting less pressure on your joints while still being able to maintain the exercise itself.”

Despite the new setting, Caison said he has had an easy time understanding and grasping the various exercises being taught during the sessions. The experience of learning this new method of therapy has been constructive, he said.

“I think it makes for a positive setting, having other people who have the same [physical therapy] issues,” said Caison. “It’s good to work with other people because it gives you motivation. I think it’s a good change of pace.”

The program was made available here for the first time thanks to a partnership between MEDDAC-J and Camp Zama’s American Red Cross branch, the latter of which provided a grant to purchase the equipment through the organization’s Mili-

Daryl Yerkes, right, chief of physical therapy for Medical Department Activity – Japan, instructs Haywood McBroom on how to don specialized flotation devices that allow him to “jog” through water.

tary Hospital Outreach Program.“One of our volunteers who works in the

physical therapy department was aware of our MHOP program, and she knew there was a need [for the equipment],” said Ken-

neth Romero, ARC station manager. “She came to the Red Cross and asked how we could put MHOP funds to use for this great program. I think it’s going to be a great asset for the community.”

Haywood McBroom checks his heart rate with an electronic monitor after completing an aquatic exercise meant to increase it by anywhere from 50 percent to 80 percent. McBroom is currently taking part in a new physical therapy program at Camp Zama that allows him and other participants a new way to recover from their injuries.

Your Weekly Dose

Sports Briefs

� Access to care at BG Sams U.S. Army Health Clinic is available 24/7. The clinic is not open 24/7 but our triage line is available 24/7. When calling the clinic at 263-4127, our staff will notify a provider who will call you back. The provider will advise you if you can wait until the clinic opens, or if you need to seek medical care elsewhere.

� Host-nation hospitals do not operate in the same manner as in the U.S. Local hospitals do not have to see you when you present at their ER. That is why we want you to call us first. If our provider thinks this is a medical emergency, that provider will engage our EMS staff including a translator. Please carry an emergency wallet card with information on who to call for medi-cal assistance. These cards are available at the clinic and at various community events such as CIE and Medical Morning.

Ultimate Frisbee TournamentAn Ultimate Frisbee Tournament is sched-uled to be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Mess Hall Field. This is a team event, and units may enter one seven-person team. The event is open to all military personnel from Camp Zama, Sagami General Depot, and Sagamihara Housing Area, DoD civilians, family members (18 years of age or older and not in high school), JGSDF members, and MLC employees directly assigned to a unit. Register at the Yano Fitness Center issue counter by 9 p.m. today. There is no fee for this tournament. Commander’s Cup points will be awarded. For more informa-tion, call 263-4664 or 263-7980.

Singles Tennis TournamentThere will be a Singles Tennis Tournament on Saturday, 7 May, 0900 at the Zama Tennis Courts. The event is open to all Military personnel in the Camp Zama, Sagami Depot, and Sagamihara Housing Area, retirees, DOD/DAC, AAFES, family members (18 years of age or older & not in high school), JGSDF, and MLC employees. Please register at the Yano Fitness Center Issue Counter by Friday, 6 May, 2100. Awards will be presented to the First and Second Place finishers per division. There will be a men and women division. Commanders Cups points will be awarded for this event. For more information call 263-4664/7980.

Youth baseball kickoffOpening day for Camp Zama’s youth baseball, softball and tee-ball seasons is scheduled to be held beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Rambler Field here. Special guests will be there to speak to the players and throw out the first pitches of the season.

Water aerobicsWater Aerobics classes are from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Yano Fitness Center. For more information, call 263-3348.

SPORTS & FITNESSTORII April 21, 2011 9 www.torii.army.mil

Army upholds U.S. ban on ‘Spice’By Christina GauvinArmy Substance Abuse Program

“Spice” – or “K2” or “Kind,” as it is sometimes called – is the newest trendy drug that is capturing the attention of many teenagers and young adults. So what is Spice? First and foremost, it is illegal for those who serve in the Armed Forces, including the Army and anyone covered under the Status of Forces Agreement.

Spice is a mixture of herbs and spices that are typically sprayed

vomiting. There have also been some cases of hallucinations, seizures, paralysis, unconsciousness, and suicide.

Because of these alarming reports, the DEA took emergency action last month and temporarily banned the substance for a year. This action makes it illegal to possess or sell Spice in the United States.

“People are being harmed when they smoke these dangerous ‘fake-pot’ products and wrongly equate the product’s ‘legal’ re-

with a synthetic compound chemi-cally similar to THC, the psy-choactive ingredient in marijuana, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Spice is unregu-lated and unlicensed, and the strength of the ingredients in the drug varies. Users are therefore taking a risk when they choose to consume it because they often have no idea what they are taking.

Spice is commonly found in and can be purchased from head shops, tobacco shops, various retail outlets, and via the Internet. It is often marketed as incense or “fake/legal weed.” Although Spice is marketed as incense and not meant for consumption, those who buy it do so with the intent of smoking the ingredients. Spice has a reputation of possessing effects similar to those of marijuana.

Many speculate that Spice has been around since the 1990s, but usage of the drug began rising to an all-time high around 2008 and only seems to continue growing. However, in 2009, the DEA began receiving many reports from emergency rooms reporting severe effects caused by Spice, such as severe anxiety, a danger-ously elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, nausea, and

tail availability with being ‘safe,’” said Michele Leonhart of the DEA.

New rules in the Army were established in February to ensure Soldiers are completely

aware that Spice usage will not be toler-ated. There is no more “wiggle room”

for Soldiers who want to attempt back-door usage of marijuana or

other similar products. Secretary of the Army

John McHugh issued a memorandum that

establishes an Army-wide policy prohibit-

ing the use, possession or selling of synthetic

cannabis and other substitutes for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabi-

nol, commonly referred to as THC, the primary psychoactive constituent of

marijuana. Buddy Horne of the Army Substance Abuse

Program has said that although the DEA has a temporary ban on Spice, the Army’s policy is permanent

until further notice. And the U.S. is not the only country to ban the drug – Japan has done so, as well.

If you have any questions about Spice, contact the Army Sub-stance Abuse Program here at 263-8047.

CLASSIFIEDS & MOVIES 10 April 21, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil

MOVIE SCHEDULE ATSUGI Cinema 77

https://www.atsugi.navy.mil/ATSUGI/Mwr/index.html264-3789

SAGAMIHARA

For your TV schedule, visit www.myafn.net

Classified ads not pertaining to commercial profit are free to military personnel, DA Civilians, Family members and MLC/IHA employees. Ads should be 20 words or less with non-workplace E-mail or phone numbers listed. To submit a classified ad, E-mail tetsuo.nakahara4@us.army.mil. However, the Torii Newspaper reserves the right not to publish inappropriate advertisements. Deadline is no later than noon Mondays. Military community classified ads can also be placed for free on a commercial Web site at www.mymilitaryclassifieds.com/xzclf/162_Camp_Zama_ARMY_/.

Appropriated Fund (APF) and Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) job announcements and application instructions are available at http://cpol.army.mil. For questions regarding APF vacancies, please call 263-3608. NAF MWR job announcements and required forms are also available at http://www.usarj.army.mil/information/zama/employ.htm. For questions regarding NAF vacancies, please call 263-5800.

Non-appropriated fund Pacific Stars & Stripes job announcements are available online at http://cpol.army.mil. For more information, call the Job Information Center at 229-3163.

Japanese national position vacancies are posted on the Internet at http://www.usagj.jp.pac.army.mil/ima/sites/jeso/rp_jjobs_list_j.asp. Application forms are available on the same site. Selection status can also be checked. For more information, call 263-3325.

Jobs

Others

Wanted

Other local positions

Pets

http://www.aafes.com/ems/pac/zama.htm267-6111

Friday6:30 p.m............................Arthur (PG-13) 110 minutes9 p.m.............I Am Number Four (PG-13) 110 minutes

Saturday6:30 p.m............................Arthur (PG-13) 110 minutes9 p.m.............I Am Number Four (PG-13) 110 minutes

Sunday3:30 p.m..................Gnomeo and Juliet (G) 84 minutes6:30 p.m............................Arthur (PG-13) 110 minutes

Friday7 p.m......The Adjustment Bureau (PG-13) 106 minutes9:30 p.m..........Take Me Home Tonight (R) 97 minutes

Saturday4:30 p.m............................Beastly (PG-13) 86 minutes7 p.m......The Adjustment Bureau (PG-13) 106 minutes9:30 p.m..........Take Me Home Tonight (R) 97 minutes

Sunday3 p.m.......Big Momma’s House 3 (PG-13) 108 minutes5:30 p.m............................Beastly (PG-13) 86 minutes8 p.m......The Adjustment Bureau (PG-13) 106 minutes

ATTENTION

Animal adoption: Dogs and cats are available for adoption at the Camp Zama Veterinary Clinic. For more information, call 263-3875.

ZaCSA’s East Meets West Shop: located behind the dry cleaners on Camp Zama, carries vintage Japanese items and collectibles. Store hours are every Tuesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s of the month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Profits from the shop go back to the community in scholarships and welfare grants. For additional information please call 263-5533. Stop on by and check it out.

JAPANESE SPOUSE CLUB: Would you like to socialize with other Japanese spouses, learn more about being a military spouse, share your experiences and support with others? If so, please call Meg at 263-8327 or e-mail jsczama@gmail.com for more information.

Rising Sun Lodge 151, F&AM. Stated Meeting 1st Thursday of every month at the Masonic Bldg, Sagami Depot. For more information contact: rsl151@gmail.com; website: risingsunlodge151.com; or call Dave 080-3467-7881.

FUREAI, Japanese Personnel Newsletter is issued and distributed electronically. This

Football Coaching: Volunteer Assistant Football Coaches are being sought for Zama High School. Interested individuals should consider their availability for daily after-school practices (1500-1730) as well as spring and preseason practices and games. Coaches meetings begin soon. For more information please contact Coach Merrell at 263-3181 or steven.merrell@pac.dodea.edu.

Taekwondo instructor: Child Youth & School Services SkiesUnlimited program is looking for a certified ATA Taekwondo instructor. If Interested please Contacted Nicholas Andrews, instructional program specialist, at 263-4125

Volunteer at U.S. Army Garrison Japan Postal Service Center : Volunteer opportunities are available in the USAGJ Postal Service Center, we will provide you with valuable training in Post Office and Unit Mailroom operations. Please contact Army Community Services at 263-8087 for details and assistance on volunteering your services.

English teachers: A small off-post home school(about 200 students) near Sagami Depot. First time teachers welcome! Classes available Mon. – Thu. 1pm to 9pm (No weekends or Fridays!) Call for details. Derek Partington

Child and Youth Program Assistant (Level 2-4), (CYS, Zama & SHA), CY-1/2, RFT/RPT, $9.59 - $17.09, Open Continuous

Child and Youth Program Assistant (Level 2-4), (CYS, Zama & SHA), CY-1/2, Flex, $9.59 - $17.09, NTE: 9/30/2011, Closes: July 27, 2011

Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard), RD, NF-02, Flex, $9.29, Close: April 27, 2011

CYS Program Associate Homework Lab, CYS, NF-03, RPT/RFT, $24,000 - $25,000, Close: April 29, 2011

CYS Assistant Director, CYS, NF-03, RFT, $28,000 - $34,000, Close: April 29, 2011

CYS Sports and Fitness Assistant (Equipment & Facilities), CYS, NF-03, NTE 30SEP2011, $23,000, $25,000, Close: June 15, 2011

Business Manager (Food Service), BD, NF-03, RFT, $29,000 - $40,000, Close: June 15, 2011

Recreation Assistant (Lifeguard/Pool Operator), RD, NF-02, $9.29, Close: May 6, 2011

Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection instructors wanted. Positions are available with Firearms Academy of Hawaii, Inc. Duties include instruction of marksmanship, watch standing and tactical team movements. Position location is Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. Marksmanship instructor experience is a must. Tactical team movement experience is desired. Qualified candidates may call Christopher at 243-6171 or send resume to yeagleycj@yahoo.com.

Substitute teachers: Zama American High/Middle School are currently accepting applications for substitute teachers. U.S.

citizenship and a high school diploma or GED are required. For more information or any questions, please call 263-4005.

Physical Therapist, Intermittent (240 hours): Provides physical therapy service in the areas of physical disabilities, neuromuscular and psychosocial dysfunctions in patients ranging from adolescence to the very elderly. Must have license to practice physical therapy in the U.S. This is a contract positions open to SOFA status applicants. Resumes may be sent to Yoshiyasu.Aoki@us.army.mil. ALL applicants shall register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

Physical Therapist, Intermittent (240 hours): Provides physical therapy service in the areas of physical disabilities, neuromuscular and psychosocial dysfunctions in patients ranging from adolescence to the very elderly. Must have license to practice physical therapy in the U.S. This is a contract positions open to SOFA status applicants. Resumes may be sent to Yoshiyasu.Aoki@us.army.mil. ALL applicants shall register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov.

English School, home 042-756-4483; cell 090-3082-4439 or E-mail: partngtn@jcom.home.ne.jp

Part-time English teacher: Pay is ¥16,000 to work four times per month. Two Mondays from 4 – 6:10 p.m., one Tuesday from 9 – 10 p.m. and one Friday from 7 – 8 p.m. Located 15 minutes driving distance from SHA in Minami-Rinkan area. For more information, E-mail Kaz at superkids-csc1190@nifty.com.

ESL teacher: Seeking ESL teachers for two conversational group classes. One requires travel to Tama and is very accessible by car. Meeting times are the 1st and 3rd Sat. from 10:30 a.m. – noon for one class and Sat. from 3 to 4 p.m. for the second. Pay is ¥7,500 and ¥3,000 per hour respectively. Call 090-549-6725 or e-mail shantee12@yahoo.com.

Instructor: Arts and Crafts Center seeks instructors to teach sewing, water color painting, washi paper craft and/or acrylic paint arts. Also looking for contracted framer who has at least three years experience in framing production.For more information, call Nodera-san at 263-4412.

Instructor: If you interested to teach Hula, Jazz, Piano, Drum classes please contact Community Activity Center at 263-8892 or 3939

Due to the recent contract with Allied Telesis, residential phone numbers with 263- and 267- prefixes have changed. If you are currently running a classified ad in the Torii that lists an out-of-date residential number as a point of contact and would like to change it to your new extension, send an e-mail to tetsuo.nakahara4@us.army.mil with the updated phone number. The Torii staff will work to ensure these changes are reflected in future issues of the publication.

newsletter is for MLC/MC/IHA personnel and US personnel who have Japanese subordinate employees. It is available at https://intranet.zama.army.mil/?linkid=fureai.

Table Top Miniatures: Do you play Warhammer 40K or Fantasy? Other miniature games? Well contact me and let’s roll some dice! Please email James @ ngolmo@gmail.com

Sports Photos Wanted: The Torii Newspaper wants to publish your action sports photos for sports of all ages, all seasons. To showcase your team or your child’s team, e-mail your digital action sports photos less than two weeks old (with captions) in .jpg format of 3mb or more to tetsuo.nakahara4@us.army.mil.

Catering Services: The Catering Office is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., plus it is open on Wednesdays by appointment only. For additional information and assistance, please call at 263-4204.

PWOC Bible Study Thursday morning Watch Care from 9:30 – 11:30am.: Needs to be CPR-certified and first aid-certified. Paid position. Call Camp Zama Chapel at 263-3955.

COMMUNITY CALENDARwww.torii.army.mil TORII April 21, 2011 11

UpcomingOngoing Events

Energy-saving noticeDue to the current state of emergency and the limited electri-cal power generation capability across Japan, the following measures will be implemented immediately: 1. Turn off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused office spaces, classrooms and conference rooms, and turn down all remaining individual lighting levels where possible.2. Turn off Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems. If shutdown is not possible during this heating season, turn thermostats down to 68 degrees or below. Reduce settings to 55 degrees at the end of the day.3. Turn off all office/home appliances when not in use.4. Maximize use of natural ventilation where feasible and dress appropriately to maximize individual comfort.5. Clean or replace your air-conditioner filters.6. Maximize use of day-lighting in work areas an classrooms (use of sunlight in lieu of conventional power).7. Set computers, monitors, printers, copiers, and other business equipment to their energy-saving modes, and turn them off if not in use and at the end of the day or as instructed by the 78th Signal Battalion.8. Minimize energy usage during peak demand hours from 5 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. The major peaks occur from noon to 6 p.m. during normal work and school hours. The energy use during this period can be reduced by “load shedding,” thereby reducing the demand at the time the Garrison needs it the most.9. Use laptop computers (preferably on battery power when possible). They consume 90 percent less energy than standard computers.10. If possible, do not make photocopies or print docu-ments, and conduct all business electronically. Use e-mail instead of sending memorandums and faxing documents.11. Limit the use of your vehicle. If vehicles will be used, implement carpooling and plan your trips accordingly. Use the public mass transportation system when available.12. Conserve water.

Training DVDs availableShoulder to Shoulder: I Will Never Quit on Life is a 16-minute documentary video that features Soldiers who received help for personal distress or who assisted a fellow Soldier. These stories help reduce the stigma associated with personal distress, and inspire individuals to get the help they need. For Department of the Army civilians, the video is followed by a five-minute video module designed specifically for them. It features individuals who are committed to the well-being of the entire Army family or who found assistance and support within the Army.The Home Front is a unique tool for education in the areas of suicide-risk awareness, suicide prevention and the promotion of a positive behavioral health lifestyle. Also available are suicide awareness pamphlet guides.For copies of these materials, visit the Training Support Center located at Bldg. 102, Room 207.

Post-Combat Stress SupportA support group to assist those experiencing symptoms of post-combat stress is offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Army Community Service.

CLEP and DANTES TestingCollege-Level Examination Program and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support testing sessions are held at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays. To schedule an appointment, call 263-5379 or e-mail dspivey@asia.umuc.edu. To study for the CLEP tests, visit www. petersons.com. To study for the DANTES exams, visit www.getcollegecredit.com.

Foreign Born Spouse Support Group Whether your question concerns immigration and natural-ization, learning the English language, or how to take local transportation, the Army Community Service Relocation Program provides assistance, weekly classes and referrals. The support group is held on the third Wednesday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the ACS Outreach Room. Call 263-HELP (4357) for pre-registration.

Hisano Yamazakihisano.yamazaki.jp@yokota.af.mil

What’s Happening Outside the Gate?

Eagle 810, AFN Tokyo

Earth Day Tokyo @ Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, April 23-24

Japan Hobby Show @ Tokyo Big Sight, April 27-29 www.hobby.or.jp/hobbyshow/2011/about/english

Baby Crying Sumo Wrestling @ Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo, April 30Two college-age sumo wrestlers hold and rock babies in their arms to make them cry. The baby who cries first or screams the loudest is the winner. This event is held to wish a healthy childhood for babies. It is reputed that crying is beneficial for babies and signifies a surplus of energy when babies cry hard. Some believe babies drive evil spirits away with powerful crying.

Japanese Anime “One Piece” Dome Tour @ Tokyo Dome, April 27-May 1

“Sharaku,” one of the greatest masters of traditional Japanese woodblock printing @ Tokyo National Museum, May 1-June 12 *Some events may be cancelled or postponed at thelast moment.

TRAVEL & CULTURE12 April 21, 2011 TORII www.torii.army.mil

Takes Music Purists to Their ‘Vinyl Destination’

RECORD STORE DAY 2011By Dustin PerryTorii Editor

Ever since the emergence of MP3s in the early 2000s and the subsequent ubiquity of digital music players, many predicted the “death of the album” was on the near horizon. For the past 11 years, the daunting task of keeping CDs, vinyl records and cas-settes on life support has fallen on a small but devoted faction of people.

These purists still cling to physical me-dia and the ritual of completely immersing oneself in new music – removing the shrink wrap, placing the [insert preferred format here] into the turntable/tape deck/Discman for the first time, poring over album artwork and liner notes while headphones flood their ears with heretofore unknown sounds.

For some, finding an out-of-print single or a rare import album with bonus tracks is infinitely more exciting than having a sleek iPod Touch filled with 50,000 soulless digi-tal files. And since 2008, one day has been set aside to embrace the artists and fans who maintain this traditionalist spirit.

Record Store Day – the third Saturday in April – was conceived by Chris Brown, a record store employee, to “celebrate the art of music.” More than 700 independently owned records stores in the U.S., as well as hundreds of others from across the globe, currently participate in the observance.

Common occurrences on Record Store Day have come to include special in-store performances from the likes of Wilco and the Eagles of Death Metal, and even legend-ary singer-songwriters such as Tom Waits and Bob Dylan.

For hardcore collectors, one of the most enticing aspects of Record Store Day is the annual lineup of new and exclusive releases – in ultra-limited quantities – from their favorite bands and artists. Seven- and 12-inch vinyl singles, never-before-heard live albums, split EPs – some of which are produced in numbers as few as 500 – are announced months in advance, encouraging fans to scour their local shops in hopes of securing one or more of these treasures.

This year’s releases included Panda Bear’s new solo album Tomboy, a box-set collection of the Flaming Lips’ Warner Brothers albums, the Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar” single on seven-inch vinyl, a limited-edition version of the Gorrilaz album The Fall, and two new songs from Radiohead – “Supercollider” and “The Butcher” – recorded during the production of their latest album, The King of Limbs.

True, the majority of these items are of-fered exclusively in the U.S. However, if participating record stores in countries such as Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom do not happen to receive a few copies, they often offer discounts or special deals in lieu of the promotion. Besides, searching the racks often yields a

Photos by Dustin PerryRacks of new, used and rare vinyl albums in every genre imaginable can still be found in record stores around the world.

A customer browses a selection of new and used CDs at RECOfan, a record store located in a Machida shopping center.

far more exciting and coveted find than even the rarest Record Store Day release.

Japan also observes Record Store Day, and a list of participating shops in Fukuoka, Sapporo and just about every major city between them can be found by visiting www.recordstoreday.com and clicking the “International Search” link at the top of the page.

Tokyo alone boasts seven participating locations: Disc Shop Zero, Disk Union, Escalator, RECOfan, Ganban, Pet Sounds, and Record Shop Disco. The RECOfan outlet in nearby Machida offers thousands of new, used and rare albums and singles on both vinyl and CD for prices as low as 100 yen.

Although there is no denying that digital

music has quickly muscled its way to the top and will likely stay there, the album is far from dead. New releases continue to be produced on CD, and the vinyl format in particular has seen a huge resurgence in the last few years. Some people still like to hold music in their hands, and Record Store Day is just one way to recognize and reward their dedication.

Rare finds, such as these two singles from popular singer-songwriter Beck, can be found for less than $5. The 12-inch vinyl version of his breakout 1994 hit “Loser,” seen on the right, was limited to 500 copies worldwide upon its initial release.