Aug 13, 2009www.torii.army.mil

Serving the U.S. Army Japan community

September 23, 2010VOL. 38, NO. 37

Serving the U.S. Army Japan community

www.torii.army.mil

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

INSIDE the TORII

See AWARENESS, Page 2

Photo by Dustin Perry(From left): Staff Sgt. Shaun Clark and Sgt. Ed Hunting, both members of the U.S. Army Japan Combatives Team, demonstrate how to subdue a suspect – played by Spc. Robert Rogers – during a combatives presentation Sunday inside Yano Fitness Center held as part of Camp Zama’s annual Military Awareness Day event.

Annual event fosters military awarenessBy Dustin PerryTorii Editor

An up-close look at the capabilities of both the U.S. Army and Japan Self-Defense Forces was provided to visitors Sunday during Camp Zama’s Military Awareness Day event.

The annual daylong event is meant to give members of the surrounding Japanese communities a clearer picture of the types of tasks Army and JSDF personnel conduct on a daily basis. It also provides a better understanding of the organizations’ roles in

the Pacific, a representative from U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward) said.

“It’s [about] openness; showing exactly what we have and what we’re about,” said Lt. Col. Tim Snyder, chief of operations for USARJ and I Corps (Forward)’s G-3. “There are no secrets here.”

For the second year in a row at Military Awareness Day, Snyder’s unit had a display set up inside a deployable rapid-assembly shelter, which showed their battle command systems, he said. Large screens linked to computers displayed maps and statistics that showed USARJ’s capabilities in regard

to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. This year’s event marked the first time the Army’s display was shown simultaneously and in conjunction with the JSDF’s capabilities, added Snyder.

“[The community members are] very happy to see this, and they’re extremely happy about the humanitarian assistance we provide,” said Snyder. “They’re happy to see the cooperation between us and the JSDF. They’re generally surprised that this is what we do and that we have these capabilities; it dispels a lot of preconceived notions.”

There were several other demonstrations and static displays available for viewing throughout the event. Inside Yano Fitness Center, attendees saw a demonstration in which members of the USARJ combatives team went through a series of scenarios and explained the practical uses of each maneu-ver. Visitors to various booths saw military weaponry, and even tried on fully loaded protective vests and rucksacks.

Members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s 4th Engineer Group,

2 September 23, 2010 TORII www.torii.army.milNEWS

Zama Briefs

Housing RemindersTrash – Burnable Items: The commander and command sergeant major of U.S. Army Garrison – Japan would like to remind hous-ing residents that burnable items are to be placed in the green trash container for pick-up, and include items such as food and other kitchen waste, plastic wrap, plastic yogurt containers, cereal boxes, milk containers, paper sacks, facial tissue/paper towels, wet cardboard boxes, yard waste, paper enve-lopes, gift wrapping paper, leather bags, shoes, and towels.• Pick-updaysfortheseitemsareMondaysand Thursdays for Camp Zama (except for Chapel Hill) and Sagami General Depot.• Pick-updaysfortheseitemsareTuesdaysand Fridays for Chapel Hill and SFHA.Recyclables: Recyclable items are to be placed in the blue recyclable container for pick-up, and include items such as aluminum cans, other metal cans (not including aerosol cans), glass bottles and plastic bottles.• Pick-up days for these items areWednesdays for Camp Zama, SFHA, and Sagami General Depot.Bulky Items: Non-burnable and bulky items include items such as glassware, umbrellas, clothes hangers, fans, clocks, aerosol cans, lamps, computers and monitors, radios, microwave ovens, toasters, televisions, toys, coffee makers, furniture, beds/mattresses, carpets, pianos, kitchen utensils, ashtrays, mirror, vases, car jacks, paint cans, etc.• Pick-upfortheseitemsisbyscheduledpick-uponly.Pleasecall263-4920or263-4035toscheduleaMondaythroughFridayafternoon pick-up.

Christmas Mailing Deadline Dates From JapanSpace-Available Mail: Nov. 29; PriorityMail:Dec.6;Letter/First-ClassMail:Dec.6;ExpressMail:Dec.13

EFMP Respite CareExceptional Family Member ProgramRespite Care is a program that provides a temporary rest period for those who are responsible for the regular care of someone with disabilities. Eligibility is based onEFMPenrollmentandthefamilymember’smedical and educational conditions. If you areinterestedinbeinganEFMPrespitecareprovider, youmust be 18 years or olderand posses a Social Security card. Training will be provided by Army Community Service.CallACSat263-4572 formoreinformation.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response ProgramSexual assault is a criminal offence that has no place in the Army. It degrades mission readinessbydevastatingtheArmy’sabilityto work effectively as a team. EverySoldier who is aware of a sexual assault should immediately (within 24 hours)report incidents of sexual assault. It is incompatible with the Army Values and is punishable under the Uniform Code of MilitaryJusticeandotherfederalandlocalcivilian laws. USAG-J Camp Zama Sexual AssaultHotline: 882# or 090-9395-8909(24/7 response). USAG-J Torii Station:090-6861-8042 (24/7 response). ArmySexualAssault Prevention andResponseProgramwebsite:http://www.sexualassault.army.mil.

Photo by Dustin PerrySoldiers assigned to the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from Sagami General Depot rappel from a UH-60 Black Hawk Sunday at Rambler Field during a demonstration held as part of Camp Zama’s annual Military Awareness Day event.

AWARENESS, From page 1

Food for thoughtRepresentatives from the Army,

Marine Corps, Navy, Marine Corps Studies System and Air Force partici-pated in the second Okinawa-based food service symposium Sept. 7 through 15. Those who passed all the required tests earned their Master Certified Food and Beverage Director certification.

Organized by Chief Warrant Of-ficer 2 Abduel Sanford (pictured), the nine-day class provided students with knowledge in the areas of food safety, nutrition, beverage management, customer service, serving alcohol responsibly and restaurant manage-ment. (Photo by Chip Steitz, 10th Support Group Public Affairs)

located on Camp Zama, twice held a rap-pelling demonstration from the roof of their headquarters building. Harnessed to a rope, several JGSDF members hung over the top ledge before sliding down the sideofthefive-storybuildingtoasafetymattress below.

ParticipatinginMilitaryAwarenessDayallows the JGSDF the rare opportunity to showcase itsmembers’ capabilities tomembersofthecommunity,saidSgt.Maj.MasayoshiKusakabeofthe4thEngineerGroup, who took part in the rappelling demonstration.

“We are the only unit within the JGSDF that is stationed with the U.S. Army, on a U.S.Army installation,” said Kusakabe.“Co-hosting an event like this and becoming one team with the U.S. Army deepens our relationship,sowefeelthisisasignificantevent.”

The culminating demonstrations during MilitaryAwarenessDaywere conductedbySoldiersassigned to the35thCombatSustainment Support Battalion at Sagami GeneralDepot.ThreeUH-60BlackHawkhelicopters that had been in the middle of Rambler Field for viewing throughout the day took off simultaneously in the late afternoon.

After passing over and outside the installation, one helicopter returned and hoveredoverthesoftballfield.Suddenly,four ropes were slung from the belly of the aircraft. Several Soldiers then rappelled from the ropes and landed safely on the ground below.

Another demonstration involved a Black Hawk coming in even lower and having a palette of supplies latched to its underside to be transported to another location – a technique known as sling-loading. Finally, athirdhelicopterlandedonthefield,afterwhich medical supplies were offloadedfrom the aircraft.

“The best thing the community can gain from these demonstrations is what we can do and how fast we can react to any kind of humanitarian-relief situation or disaster,” saidSgt.1stClassBrianReeder,assignedtothe35thCSSB.

NEWSwww.torii.army.mil

This Army-funded newspaper is an authorized publication for the members oftheArmycommunityinJapaninaccordancewithArmyRegulation360-1.ContentsoftheTORIIarenotnecessarilytheofficialviewof,orendorsementby, 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 staffoftheUSAG-JHNR/PublicAffairsoffice,APO,AP96343-0054,phone315-263-5978.

Thispublication,withaweeklycirculationof2,000,isprintedbyPacificStarsand 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 besenttotheUSAG-JHNR/PAOTORIIOfficeat 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 therightnottopublishsubmissionsnotinaccordancewithArmyPublicAffairsregulationsandstandardoperatingprocedures.EditorialofficesarelocatedinroomA-208,Bldg.102,SouthCampZama,Japan.

T RII Newspaper Commanding General: Maj.Gen.FrancisJ.WiercinskiGarrison Commander:Col.PerryHeltonGarrison Public Affairs Officer: EdwardH.RoperEditor:DustinPerryStaff: Tetsuo NakaharaOkinawa Bureau Chief: AnastasiaMorenoOkinawa Bureau Staff: LaurenHall

TORII September 23, 2010 3

Sound Off!Doyouhaveaconcernoranissueonyourmind?Areyouseekingachannelforyourvoicetobeheard?Looknofurther.TheTorii welcomes all letters regarding

issuesorconcernsinvolvingtheCampZamacommunityasawhole.Criticallettersshouldoffersuggestionsforresolutionsasapplicable.Lettersore-mailsmustbe signed, but names will be withheld in publication upon request. The Torii will protect the names of its sources if they so desire.

LettersmaybeeditedforcontentandlengthaccordingtotheAssociatedPressStylebookandtheToriiStyleGuide.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,orsendbyregularmailto:

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

Torii Talk Welcome to Zama

AgroupofnewcomersassignedtoCampZamaattendedanorientationbriefingThursdayduringwhichtheyreceivedinformationandresourcesfromvariousdirectoratesand organizations on the installation. Upon their arrival, the Torii welcomed them and asked a few of them what they are looking forward to seeing, doing and experiencing during their stay in Japan.

By Tetsuo NakaharaTorii Staff

“I’m looking forward toclimbingMountFujiallthewaytothetop,”saysSpc.RayMaillo,previouslyfromFortPolk,La.,andassignedtothe88thMilitaryPoliceDetachment.“Theseasonisoverthisyear,soI’llclimbitnext year. There are so many places I want to go in Japan.”

“I’m prettymuch just expe-riencing the new culture,” says Spc. Nickolas Jones, previously from Fort Carson, Colo., and as-signedtothe78thSignalBattalionofU.S.ArmyJapan. “I’m justgoing to try [Japanese food] as it comes. The impression of Japan I had before I came here was that there are a lot people here.”

“I’mlookingforwardtoseeingmore of the country, looking at its cultural offerings, and seeing some of the spectacular nature in Japan,”saysCol.MichaelBrum-age,commanderofPublicHealthCommandRegion–Pacific,andhiswifeNatasafromSchofieldBarracks, Hawaii. “We want to go skiing in ShigaKogen, andsee the winter festival in Sap-poro or go further south, maybe toKyushu.We’reexcitedtobehere. This is a great experience for our family.”

“I’mlookingforwardtoshop-pingforfurniture;thedecorationstuff they have for houses [in Japan] is different,” says Sgt. Shawkia Harris, previously from Fort Carson, Colo., and assigned tothe623rdMovementControlTeam. “I love everything, from pictures to fans.”

“I want to go to Tokyo and see what the city is like,” says Spc. Analisha Rosa, previously from Fort Hood, Texas, and assigned to U.S. Army Dental Activity Japan. “I really want to go to Okinawa because I have a friend from [there].”

COMMUNITY4 September 23, 2010 TORII www.torii.army.mil

SCHOOL NEWSOnline tutoringRound-the-clock professional tutors who can assist with homework, studying, test preparation, résumé writing and more are available at tutor.com for children of ser-vicemembers and eligible Department of Defense civilians assigned here. Active-duty servicemembers, National Guard and reserve personnel on active-duty deployed status, and DoD civilians on a deployed status are eligible to participate in this program. The site is open to students of any age, from kindergarten to high school, for one-on-one help in math, science, social studies and English. To use the site, students simply choose the subject for which they need help and type in their question. To learn more, visit the Web site and click on “Tutor.com for the Military.”

Zama Child Development Center: 263-8081 Friday: National Day of Play Celebration Friday: Field Trip to Youth Center Gym (9:30 to 10:30 a.m.) Monday: Johnny Appleseed’s Birthday Tuesday: Library Time (10 to 11 a.m.)

SHA Child Development Center: 267-6153 Today: Autumn “Equinox Day” Monday: Parent's Japanese Cooking Class (9 to 10 a.m.)

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

Friday: Staff Development Day (No school for students) Wednesday: Parent newsletter e-mailed Oct. 1: Mid-term of 1st Quarter (Progress reports available) Oct. 4: PTO Executive Board Meeting at 2:45 p.m.

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.

Visit the Web at www.arnn-es.pac.dodea.edu for information pertaining to John O. Arnn Elementary.

Zama American Middle School: 263-4040 Zama American Middle School Parent Teacher Organization is scheduled to hold a board meeting Oct. 12 at 3:15 p.m. in the Zama Middle School Information Center. The meeting is open to all parents and any community members who are interested. The November and December meetings are scheduled to be held the second Monday of the month at the same time and location. To join the PTO or for an update of current events, visit https://sites.google.com/site/zmspto/ or e-mail zmspto@gmail.com.

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

American High School.

Photo by Tetsuo Nakahara

Look what I made!(From left): Hazeline Ailolo, 3, and Dasha Kuzubov, 3, make necklaces for their teachers Friday at the Camp Zama Child Development Center in conjunction with Caregiver Appreciation Day.

COMMUNITYTORII September 23, 2010 5www.torii.army.mil

Ready Army instructs how to react in case of earthquakeReady Army CampaignSpecial to the Torii

The sudden and violent shaking experi-enced during an earthquake is caused by the shifting and breaking of subterranean rocks. Earthquakes can happen almost anywhere and anytime without warning, so you and your family should be prepared.

How to Prepare• Minimize home hazards by bolting

shelves, bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture and strapping the water heater to structural elements in the walls.

• Identify a safe place in every room of your home where nothing can fall on you, such as under a table, against a wall or in a doorway.

• Practice earthquake drills as a family so everyone knows what to do, especially “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

• Get an emergency supply kit and store it where it can be accessed by all family members.

• Develop an evacuation procedure as a family.

• Develop an emergency communica-tion procedure in case family members are separated during an earthquake.

If There is an EarthquakeIf you are indoors:• Do not run outside. There may be

falling debris.• If possible, drop to the floor, take cover

under a table or sturdy piece of furniture and hold on until the shaking stops.

• If you are not near any sturdy furniture, crouch in a corner or in a stable doorway

where there is less chance of things falling on you.

• Stay away from windows, light fix-tures, unstable furniture or anything that could fall.

• Stay inside until the shaking stops and you are absolutely sure it is safe to go outside.

• The electricity may go out, so don’t use elevators.

If you are outdoors:• Statistics show that the most injuries in

earthquakes are caused by falling debris.• Move into an open area away from

buildings, street lights, utility wires and anything else that could fall.

• Once in an open area, drop to the ground.

If you are in a moving vehicle:• Stop as soon as you can, away from

buildings or anything that could fall.• Stay in the vehicle.• Proceed very slowly once the shaking

stops.• Once you are in a safe place, report to

your command if you are military or gov-ernment civilian personnel or a member of the selective reserves.

When the Shaking Stops• Check yourself and others for inju-

ries.• Turn off any building gas supply if you

suspect a leak.• Stay tuned to the radio for further

information and instructions.• Expect aftershocks, which can come

minutes, hours or days after an earth-quake.

• Be very careful of falling debris in homes or outdoors. This is how most in-juries occur.

If you are trapped beneath debris:• Do not light a match for light. There

may be gas leaks in the area.• Do not move around or kick up dust.• Cover your mouth with a handker-

chief or piece of clothing to reduce dust inhalation.

• Tap on a pipe – preferably with some-

thing that won’t cause a spark – or use a whistle to help rescuers find you. Shout only as a last resort as it will increase dust inhalation.

• If you live near the ocean, be aware of possible tsunamis, which are caused by earthquakes off the coast.

Get an emergency supply kit with enough supplies for at least three days, make an emergency plan with your family and be informed about what might happen.

Groundbreaking held for TSC in OkinawaBy Lauren HallTorii Station Public Affairs

TORII STATION, Okinawa – Members of the Army on Okinawa celebrated the beginning of construction for a new Training Support Center on Torii Station during a traditional groundbreaking ceremony performed by a Shinto priest, or kannushi, on Sept. 15.

It is a Japanese tradition that before construction begins on a new house or building, the land must be properly prepared and cleansed in order to provide safety for the builders during construction.

The event, performed by the Shinto Priest of Futenma-guu, included a purification ceremony, descension of the deity, a congratulatory address, purification of the site, a sacred sprig offering, removal of the offerings, ascension of the deity, and the partaking of sake.

“This $6 million project for a 13,000-square-foot facility more than triples the size of the current training center,” said Brian Peckins, deputy to the commander of U.S. Army Gar-rison – Japan. “It will contain all the mission requirements of a training center to include various shooting ranges, a Humvee simulator and other training tools.”

The new facility will house a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle trainer. The MRAV is an armored fighting vehicle designed for the purpose of survival in case of an encounter with an improvised explosive device attack or ambush.

The project is a Leadership in Engineering and Envi-ronmental Design-certified silver project. LEED is a cer-tification system used throughout the world that provides unbiased verification that a building is built with environ-

mentally friendly features, such as being energy- and water-efficient, and having reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

“The new training cen-ter will contain an energy monitoring system, intru-sion detection system, state-of-the-art fire suppression, as well as being [Ameri-cans with Disabilities Act] compliant,” said Peckins. “This great facility will be comparable to some of the best state-of-the-art train-ing facilities in the United States.”

The current Training Support Center houses the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000, a small-arms train-ing simulator that provides initial and sustainment marksmanship training, col-lective gunnery and tactical training, and judgmental training.

It also contains the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, which trains Soldiers on how to safely get out of the vehicle in the event of a rollover.

“The EST 2000 will be moved to the new facility, but

Photo by Lauren Hall(From left): Takumi Koike from contractor Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.; Takashi Gushiken (not seen) from design company Gushiken Architectural Engineering Co.; Erick Fino of the Army Corps of Engineers; and Brian Peckins, deputy to the commander of U.S. Army Garrison – Japan, break ground on Torii Station’s new Training Support Center during a Sept. 15 ceremony. The 13,000-square-foot facility will include state-of-the-art equipment and is scheduled to open in October 2011.

the HEAT will stay in its current location,” said Yoshihito Higa, training instructor.

Construction of the new Training Support Center is expected to be completed by October 2011 and will be available for use by all of the mission units here.

6 September 23, 2010 TORII

COMMUNITYTORII September 23, 2010 7www.torii.army.mil

(From left): Hotaru, Kuroki and Haruka – members of Japanese pop trio Sherry – perform Sunday on the final night of Camp Zama’s fifth annual Music Fest.

Jon B., the Grammy-nominated R&B singer and multi-instrumentalist who was the headlining act for the second day of Music Fest, performs the first song of his 45-minute set on stage Sunday night.

Crowd members at Camp Zama’s Music Fest cheer for Jon B., who headlined the event Sunday.

Dave McAnuff, lead singer of reggae band the Island Boyz, plays guitar on stage Sunday.

Story and Photos by Dustin PerryTorii Editor

Japanese hop-hop trio Fis Block.

Hideori Ito, guitarist for Islands of da Hearts. Staff Sgt. Carlos Salas raps with Army band IED.

This year’s Music Fest was brought to you in part by the letter “B.”

In addition to 10 local and international bands specializing in a variety of genres, the fifth annual presentation of Camp Zama’s sprawling two-day event featured co-headliners B. Howard and Jon B., who each brought their own flavor of soul and R&B to a crowd of thousands.

Both Saturday and Sunday, the stage set up on the field behind Yano Fitness Center showcased a never-ending stream of bands, solo artists and DJs who all contributed to a collective performance that lasted well into the night.

The first day included the sounds of M2K, rock band Six Sense, and a rousing performance from Flash Point, a jazz group made up of U.S. Army Japan Soldiers. Combining a sexy sense of style with their brand of glossy dance music was Sherry, a Japanese pop trio that performed on both nights of Music Fest.

“This was our first time to visit Camp Zama, so we were very nervous, but as soon as we saw the big crowd, we started to relax and enjoy ourselves,” said one member of the group. “We sing a variety of songs, and each song has a different meaning to us. We hope the Camp Zama audience felt the message from our music.”

A sort of companion group that also performed with Sherry on both Saturday and Sunday was the Japanese hip-hop and dance trio Fis Block. The group had a clas-sic boy-band sensibility, with flashy dance

moves to match.“Our ini-tial impres-

sion of the Soldiers was

that we felt a bit nervous,” said one member of Fis

Block. “But as we spent time together, they talked to us very friendly and even asked to take pictures, so I’m glad we could perform for them.”

B. Howard was the culminating act Saturday night and finished the first day of the event in style. The musician, recording artist and producer counts collaborations with Ne-Yo, Lupe Fiasco and Missy El-liott among his credits. He performed several lively songs from Genesis, his debut album.

“This way my very first public perfor-mance in Japan and I was really excited, especially performing for the troops – I didn’t know they could dance like that,”

s a i d Howard.

Howard described his sound as a hybrid of live and

electronic music, which he says he tries to put together to make a “classic sound.” Of his performance, Howard said it was his intent for the audience to experience “[something like] a movie” when they’re listening to his music.

“It was a great experience for me, and I was so glad to see all of my fans who came out and supported me,” said Howard. “I came away [from my performance] learning the connection between the audience and the artist. That connection supersedes anything that goes on in your performance.

“As far as the crowd, I felt they came away with a better sense of me and what I plan to deliver [during a performance],” added Howard.

Sunday’s lineup began with perfor-mances from the Route 66 Band, Music Fest regulars Cesco and the Boys, the Hawaiian stylings of Islands of da Hearts, and the Island Boyz – a reggae group that performed both original works from their new album, as well as cover versions of

several classics from the genre.Jon B., a Grammy-nominated per-

former with a slew of hit songs and albums to his name, is a regular performer for military audiences, having played mul-tiple shows aboard the USS George Washington. He called it “an honor”

to serve as the headlining act on the final night of Music Fest, which ended with a fireworks show.

“The military crowd is an amaz-ing crowd, because you can imagine

what these people have had to go through and endure,” said Jon. “It’s one thing to have fans that have an appreciation for you and your music, and it’s another thing to appreciate the audience for something they’ve done.”

SPORTS & FITNESS8 September 23, 2010 TORII www.torii.army.mil

The Angels on his ShoulderPhoto illustration by Dustin Perry

Spc. Tomas Contreras, center, poses with his Angels, a group of women he helps train. From left, they are Tracy Fields, Rachel Weaver, Kate Wilk and Merry Lefevre.

Spc. Tomas Contreras calls them his “An-gels,” but at the moment he is putting four visibly exhausted women through hell.

O

Story and Photos by Dustin PerryTorii Editor

(Clockwise from top): Merry Lefevre, Kate Wilk, Rachel Weaver and Tracy Fields com-plete a workout circuit Sept. 15 at the Sagamihara Family Housing Area gym under the instruction of Spc. Tomas Contreras, their trainer for the past two months.

It is near 8 p.m. on a drizzly Wednesday night, and Contreras is overseeing the quar-tet as they complete a particularly vigorous workout cycle inside the 24-hour gym at Sagamihara Family Housing Area. He urges one girl to continue doing crunches while another knocks out reps on a chest press machine and the other two take turns doing sit-ups.

“Don’t stop moving!” he yells at them, combining the encouraging tone of a per-sonal trainer with the intimidation of a drill sergeant, “If you stop moving, I’ll make you do more!”

This elicits groans of anguish from within the group, but none of them verbally protest because at this point they have all learned that Contreras will not hesitate to make good on the threat of additional exercise.

Tomas meets his AngelsMerry Lefevre and Rachel Weaver,

both spouses of Soldiers assigned to Camp Zama, had been “trying to do the gym thing together for about three months,” Lefevre says, but soon noticed they weren’t seeing any results.

“We didn’t have a clue what we were doing,” says Lefevre, a native of Rineyville, Ky. “We’d go to the gym and run for 30 minutes and think we had done something special.”

“We talked more than we worked out,” adds Weaver, who grew up in San Diego.

The two were later joined by their friends and fellow military spouses Tracy Fields of Long Island, N.Y., and Kate Wilk, originally from Sao Paolo, Brazil. The workouts con-tinued, but without a structured program to follow or someone to help lead them in the right direction, the girls’ efforts remained fruitless. Then about two months ago, they met Contreras.

Contreras, assigned to the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Sagami

General Depot, had recently resumed a regular fitness regimen after having injured his ankle a few months prior. While working out one day, he was approached by Fields. She asked Contreras if he would teach her a few helpful exercises and how to do them properly.

“After two workout sessions, the other girls started to join and it went from there,” says Contreras. “At first it was pretty unor-ganized. As we went along – really, within days – I’d see that they were motivating each other.”

Contreras had two prerequisites for the girls before he would agree to continue with a formal fitness program. The first was that they each had to come up with two goals they wanted to accomplish. The second was that they didn’t give up.

“I told them that I was going to push them to their limits and then break their limits, but they’re the ones who keep me going,”

says Contreras. “That’s why I call them my Angels, because it’s actually them who push me. I get more out of being with them than they get out of being with me.”

Making progressWhat began as 30-minute workouts on

a sporadic schedule has quickly evolved to Contreras and his Angels meeting up to six nights per week for one to two hours of intense circuit training and running. In just a few weeks, each of them admits they have seen noticeable improvements in their personal fitness.

“When we first started, we were all dy-ing – we didn’t want to get going,” says Fields. “And then when we kept going, we said, ‘Oh, wow. This is a lot better,’ and we kept pushing to do more.”

“Rachel can do 200 sit-ups,” Lefevre boasts of her friend’s abdominal prowess.

Rachel Weaver exercises with a medicine ball Thursday at Yano Fitness Center.

See ANGELS, Page 9

O O O

SPORTS & FITNESSTORII September 23, 2010 9www.torii.army.mil

Your Weekly Dose

Free seasonal flu vaccine available for ages 6 months and up: DoD ID card required. Vaccines are limited until all shipments are received. For more information, contact the Immunization staff at 263-4838.Hours: Monday through Wednesday and Friday: 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday: 1 to 3 p.m. Patients must be signed in 15 minutes prior to closing time to receive their vaccination.

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.

Recently we have noticed an increase of calls to the “911” number. This is the emer-gency number which activates the MPs, our ambulance, EMTs and translators. If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, call “911” on post or “119” off post. If you are feeling sick or have an injury that does not meet the criteria for life, limb or eyesight, call the clinic at 263-4127 and push option 1 for triage nurse or 24/7 medical advice. Our provider on call will advise you on what options are available.

Sports Briefs

Inner Tube Water PoloCamp Zama’s annual intramural inner tube water polo tournament is scheduled to be held Saturday at the Yano Fitness Center swimming pool. The deadline for registration is today. For more information, call 263-4664.

Learn-to-Swim ProgramRegistration for the October session of the Learn-to-Swim program at Yano Fitness Center will be held through Oct. 6. Weekend sessions (Saturday and Sunday) will be held Oct. 9 through Nov. 6, and weekday sessions (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) will be held Oct. 13 through Nov. 1. For more information, call 263-4664.

Water Aerobics ProgramWater aerobics classes are held every weekday at the Yano Fitness Center swimming pool. Classes are from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, call 263-4664.

Free Fitness ClassesA variety of free fitness classes are offered at Yano Fitness Center:Super Circuit Class: Monday and Wednesday, noon to 12:30 p.m. Friday, 5:30 to 6 p.m.Unit PT Training: Tuesday, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. (Call fitness coordinator at 263-5656 four weeks in advance to reserve time slot and program request.)Pilates: Tuesday, beginning at 9 a.m.High Intensity and Core Training: Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.TBC Yoga: Friday, beginning at noon.Personal Training/Consultations: Limited days and times, by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, call 263-4664 or 263-5656.

Sports photos wantedThe 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 3 mb or more to Tetsuo.Nakahara4@us.army.mil.

“When she started, she couldn’t do 20.”“We’ve come a long way in a very short

time,” says Weaver. “Now we like to work out. It’s not like we’re tired of being out of shape so we have to do it; it’s more that we want to do it.”

Coming to the gym has become “ad-dicting,” says Lefevre, who adds that if she misses a night working out with Con-treras and the other Angels, she doesn’t feel right.

“You feel like you’ve cheated yourself out of something,” says Lefevre. “The sec-ond we get back in the gym the next day, we feel like ourselves again.”

As the group gets further along in a given workout, their enthusiasm only seems to increase. The five of them are adamant about not staying still for too long, with each taking the role of motivator if any of the others begin to lose steam.

Contreras can be a sometimes strict and unforgiving taskmaster, arbitrarily making the girls do extra reps of inclined crunches or push-ups if they are not to his satisfaction. However, as Wilk says, Contreras “cares about our goals and what we’re doing. We feel committed. He’s taking his own time to be with us, and if we don’t progress, we’ll be failing him.”

“He always knows when we have that 5 percent left that we haven’t given him,” adds Lefevre, “and he’s always surprised when we give him that extra 10 percent that he didn’t know we had.”

Reaching their goalsLefevre wants to have a skinny belly

ANGELS, From page 8

Spc. Tomas Contreras, helps Kate Wilk perform elevated crunches while Merry Lefevre, upper left, does dumbbell curls and Rachel Weaver, right, takes a break.

and climb Mount Fuji. Fields wants to lose weight and tone her body. Weaver wants to lose five pounds and regain her pre-pregnancy body. Wilk wants toned legs and flat abs. These are the goals the Angels set for themselves when they started working out with Contreras, but they have already begun to look beyond them.

Earlier this month, three of the Angels participated in the Labor Day 5K Fun Run at Camp Zama – including Lefevre, who had never in her life completed an event of that distance. Contreras ran alongside all three, doubling back twice so he could cross the finish line with each of them.

“We wanted to show him we could do it, because he was working hard with us,” says Weaver. “We wanted to show him that he’s not wasting his time.”

The amount of effort and dedication being put forth by his Angels is “incred-ible,” says Contreras. Their workouts have evolved to “something that none of us thought we could ever do,” he adds.

“I see these girls not only completing, but surpassing the goals they have,” says Contreras. “All of them are capable of it. It’s all about pushing each other. With this program, they’re finding out that they have no limit to what they can do.”

PUNT KICK TOSS&35th CSSB Soldier earns ‘3-peat’ in all-around eventStory and photo illustration by Dustin PerryTorii Editor

Angel Cendejas won the Punt, Pass and Kick competition the previous two years and once again defended his title Monday night, so the phrase “Third time’s the charm” doesn’t really apply.

Cendejas, a Soldier assigned to the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, sent footballs sailing across Rambler Field for a combined distance of 466 feet in three events, outpacing second-place finisher Stephen Palmer of U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward) by a slim but sufficient 15-foot margin.

Each participant in the competition was given three opportunities per event to – as the event’s name implies – punt, pass and kick a ball as far as they could. Their best recorded completions for each event were tallied for their total score. Being a well-rounded athlete is the key to winning such a unique event, said Cendejas.

“When you play football it’s the whole team, not an individual,” said Cendejas, who is also the coach and quarterback for 35th CSSB’s intramural flag football team. “When you’re doing an

individual competition, it’s more about seeing who is better at each specific skill.”

Cendejas dominated the punt event with a 157-foot blast that outpaced Palmer by 17 feet. However, Palmer managed to take a one-foot lead after the second event with a 164-foot kick that surpasses his closest competitor by 18 feet.

Cendejas was a kicker when he played football in college, but he proved to be just as proficient at throwing in the final event. His farthest pass arced well past the halfway mark of the field, landing 163 feet in front of him. Palmer’s best attempt, a respectable 147 feet, was nonetheless not enough to overcome Cendejas’ lead.

“You see some of these guys who can kick the ball really far, but they can’t throw,” said Cendejas. “One person could throw the ball 80 yards and only kick maybe 20. I’m lucky enough to have a strong enough arm to where I could throw the ball well in the final event and win it.”

Sarah Sutphin, assigned to the 78th Signal Battalion, won the women’s division of the competition with a combined distance of 178 feet.

Classifieds & Movies 10 September 23, 2010 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.

JobsOthers

Wanted

Other local positionsPets

Vehicles for sale

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

friday6:30 p.m................................Salt (PG-13) 100 minutes9 p.m...............Resident Evil: Afterlife (R) 96 minutes

saturday6:30 p.m................................Salt (PG-13) 100 minutes9 p.m..........................................Cyrus (R) 91 minutes

sunday3:30 p.m..............Ramona and Beezus (G) 103 minutes6:30 p.m...........Resident Evil: Afterlife (R) 96 minutes

friday7 p.m............................Step Up 3 (PG-13) 97 minutes9:30 p.m.............The Other Guys (PG-13) 107 minutes

saturday4:30 p.m..........Charlie St. Cloud (PG-13) 109 minutes7 p.m.................The Other Guys (PG-13) 107 minutes9:30 p.m.......................Step Up 3 (PG-13) 97 minutes

sunday3 p.m...Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore (PG) 100 minutes5:30 p.m.......................Step Up 3 (PG-13) 97 minutes8 p.m.................The Other Guys (PG-13) 107 minutes

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

adoption seminar at Kadena air Base: Adoption Seminar, Sept 11th, 2010, Kadena Air Base, Shilling Community Center, Time: 11-1:30pm

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.

PCSing? I recently arrived and would love to have your flowers (potted or planted) for my quarters. Email me tsinjapan@gmail.com.

Keyboardist, drummer wanted: (B3 organ/piano). Zama-based rock band looking for mature musicians to play rock, blues, and country. Equipment and gig availability required. For more information, call Ron at 263-8277.

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.

Musician Program director for Handel’s Messiah : The USAG-J Garrison Chaplain’s office is looking for a qualified individual to contract for the conducting of the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. Qualified individuals must have conducted orchestras and choirs in a semi-professional to professional level and are in the possession of a BA or high education in the field of Music or Music Conducting. The non-personal service contract consists of 11-12 rehearsals which include amateur as well as professional choir and professional orchestra members for a one time performance of Handel’s Messiah. The contractor is to provide:A professional orchestra with 10 – 20 players, Professional choir members to aid amateur choir members, Professional soloists, A pianist for all rehearsals and the performance. POC is SSG Thompson at 263-8068. Please apply by 1600, 10 September 2010

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

english teachers: Sagami Home English School is looking for Native English speakers to teach English in their homes on the weekends. Please contact Tammy DeYoung at: tad3571@aol.com

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

Child and Youth Program assistant (level 2-4), (CYS, Zama & SHA), CY-1/2, RFT/RPT, $9.58 - $17.09, Closes: Open Continuous

Recreation assistant (lifeguard), RD, Flex, NF-02, $9.29, Closes: Open Continuous

lead Child and Youth Program assistant (sHa) (CYs), RFT, CY-02, $13.14 - $17.09, Closes: November 17, 2010, Open until filled

food service Worker (Bowling), BD, Flex, NA-02, $8.77, Closes: September 23, 2010

allied Telesis Customer service Representative @ Camp Zama: Requirements are: Must be 20 years old. Must have a High School Diploma. Must be a US Citizen or Resident Alien w/ Green Card for US. Must have knowledge of Basic Computer Systems and know how to use the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel & Access). Forward Resumes to shaun_bullman@alliedtelesis.com. Position to begin first week of August for training with the store Grand Opening on 16 August 2010.

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.

Bookkeeper/ internal accountant: The West Pacific Girl Scouts is looking for a bookkeeper to maintain all financial records, produce monthly financial statements, perform other functions necessary to the position. Must be familiar with accounting procedures and principles, MS Excel and other accounting software. Full time, competitive pay with great benefits for someone with SOFA status. Please apply with a resume to westpacificceo@gmail.com or by calling Pam at 263-3597; resume may also be dropped off at the Girl Scout office in Bldng 533.

05 Nissan fairlady Z/350Z: Dark Metallic Grey with auburn leather seats, Nismo Body, Immaculate Condition, Custom Design, 20/19” VIP Luxury Wheels, HKS exhaust system, Drill/Slot Rotors, Power everything, New JCI, TV, NAV, Mini Disc, Keyless, 6CD, Awesome sound: $14.800 OBO, PCSing. Call 090-8517-9568 (2)

04 Yamaha, YZf R1: Immaculate Condition, Like New, Met Silver/Drk Grey, Limited color, 16,400km, Carbon Fiber parts, Garage kept, TOCE Extreme exhaust, Vortex racing sprocket/gold chain, Double wind screen, Pilot Power 2CT Tires, New JCI, Everything included $8,500 OBO, PCSing. Call, 090-8517-9568 (2)

04 dRZ400: JCI to June 2012, great tires, shiny paint, 25K KM, no rust or dents, very clean. Jet kit and after market exhaust are the only mods. All original parts come with it. $1995. Call 090-3451-0524 or 267-6525 or drubekrb@hotmail.com (3)

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

CoMMUNiTY CaleNdaRwww.torii.army.mil TORII September 23, 2010 11

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

What’s Happening Outside the Gate?

Eagle 810, AFN Tokyo

UpcomingOngoing EventsHispanic American Heritage Month ObservanceHispanic American Heritage Month Observance Date: FridayTime: 4 to 5 p.m.Place: Outdoor Stage behind Yano Fitness Center(Inclement weather location: CAC)

Retiree Appreciation Day LuncheonDate: FridayTime: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Place: Camp Zama Community Club BallroomOpen to all military personnel, spouses and annuitants. Free buffet luncheon for all eligible personnel.

ZAHS Homecoming Parade, Oct. 29Zama American High School’s homecoming parade is scheduled to be held Oct. 29 beginning at 3 p.m.

Post-Combat Stress SupportA special support group to assist those experiencing symptoms of post-combat stress is offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the community room at Army Community Services. For more information, call Gary Woods at 263-8091.

CLEP and DANTES TestingCollege-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) testing sessions are held at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays. To schedule an appointment, call 263-5379 / 4691 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.

Reminder: Portable Basketball GoalsThe commander and command sergeant major of U.S. Army Garrison – Japan would like to remind all housing residents that portable basketball goals are to be erected for immediate use only, and are to be removed and stored immediately after use. Basketball goals are not permitted to be erected in parking lots or on streets. They should also not be set up in a manner where players will be running and shooting from the street. For identification purposes, all basketball goals are to be labeled with the sponsor’s name and dwelling unit number. Unlabeled basketball goals left in common areas may be confiscated and disposed of. Residents are also reminded to always be courteous of their neighbors and that quiet hours from 10:30 p.m. to 9 a.m. are to be observed. Parents are also reminded to appropriately supervise their children and that any damages to vehicles or other property will be their responsibility.

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.

Organic Expo “BioFach Japan 2010” @ Tokyo Big Sight, Sept. 21-23 http://www.biofach-japan.com/en/

Indian Festival “Namaste India” @ Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Sept. 25-26

China’s National Foundation Day, or Kokkei-setsu @ Yokohama China Town, Oct. 12 to 3 p.m.: Parade; 4 to 8 p.m.: Lion Dance performance

Awa Odori Dance Performance Festi-val in JR Kawasaki Station East Exit area, Oct. 2 Awa Odori is one of the famous traditional folk dance performances in Japan. It originally comes from the Tokushima Prefecture on the Shikoku Island and has been performed for 400 years. People dance in the street, with up-beat music played by Japanese instruments. Women wear summer cotton kimonos, or yukata, and dance in formation. Men wear happi coats and tabi socks, and dance with more freedom. All the dancers keep their arms above their shoulders.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Oc-tober Fest in Yokohama, Oct. 1-17

Travel & CulTurewww.torii.army.mil12 September 23, 2010 TORII

B-1 Grand Prix offers Best gourmet in Japan

Truly tasty dishes can be found not only in fancy three-star restaurants downtown, but also at corner-stand restaurants in small country villages when traveling on the road.

Home-style dishes that may not meet “gourmet” standards but are beloved by people in particular regions of Japan are known as “B-grade” local spe-cialties, and they have a longstanding history in Japan. B-grade dishes are commonly tasty, filling and reasonably priced. The trends of these dishes help to revitalize local communities, as the respective cities and regions throughout Japan have various campaigns and events to promote them.

On Saturday and Sunday, 46 B-grade dishes from all over Japan were prepared and served at special event places in Atsugi City, Kanagawa, in an effort to be named champion of fifth annual B-1 Grand Prix.

This year’s event included the most entries in the history of the Grand Prix. The number of attendees has been steadily increasing since 2006, and this year more than 430,000 people flocked to Atsugi for the two-day event. Visitors sampled dishes throughout the day – at a price range of 300 to 500 yen – and voted for their favorite.

Tasters were asked to place their used chopsticks from each dish they sampled in its respective ballot box, perhaps the most appropriate voting method for a food competition. The entry with the heaviest ballot box was then named as champion of the contest.

The winner of 2010 B-1 Grand Prix was the torimotsuni from Yamanashi Prefecture. Torimotsuni is chicken liver, hearts and various organs stewed and marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce. It is a common dish in soba res-taurants in the Yamanashi area, and its booth at the Grand Prix yielded the longest line of customers during the event.

Three special dishes from previous years were selected for inclusion in the B-1 Grand Prix’s Hall of Fame: Yokote yakisoba from Akita, Fujinomiya yakisoba from Shizuoka, and Atsugi shirokoro from Kanagawa.

Atsugi City is located next to Zama City and neighbors Camp Zama. The city is known for having one of the biggest meat processing plants in Japan, and pork meat and entrails are in plentiful supply there. Shirokoro is grilled, tubular-shaped intestines that are dipped in garlic and miso-style sauces. It has a unique texture, a sweet flavor, and is beloved by people across Japan.

For those who have the opportunity, it is worth taking the time to sample some of the local food while in Japan. It may look a bit different from normal culinary fare, but as the old adage goes, “You never know until you try it.”

By Tetsuo NakaharaTorii Staff

Photos by Tetsuo NakaharaForty-six “B-grade” local specialty dishes from all over Japan were prepared as part of the fifth annual B-1 Grand Prix in Atsugi City, Kanagawa, Saturday and Sunday.

More than 430,000 people attended the event.

The torimotsuni from Yamanashi Prefecture was the winner of the 2010 B-1 Grand Prix.

The Atsugi shirokoro from Kanagawa was inducted into the B-1 Grand Prix’s Hall of Fame.

Barbecue grills were a common sight at the B-1 Grand Prix.

Yakisoba, or fried noodles, is one of the popular dishes in Japan.