Serving the U.S. Army Japan community July 15, 2010 VOL. 38, NO. 27 www.torii.army.mil Photo by Dustin Perry Training wheels SAGAMIHARA FAMILY HOUSING AREA – Jared Snell, 8, rides a bicycle simulator during the Children’s Accident Prevention Day event held June 24 at Arnn Elemen- tary School. Instructing Jared are Chieko Kajigaya, center, the Safety Inspection Program administrator for Camp Zama, and Miwa Ogino, right, the assistant police inspector at Sagamihara South Police Station. The event featured a class on bicycle safety, a kidnapping-prevention demonstration, and a police car exhibit. Obama announces return of SAVE Award By Jim Garamone can do its job better or do the same job Nancy Fichtner, a fiscal program sup- asking federal employees to help rate the American Forces Press Service for less money, I want to know about it,” port clerk at the Colorado Veterans Affairs submissions from their fellow workers,” he said. Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., received Orszag said. “This new feature will allow WASHINGTON – President Barack The program – Securing Americans’ the 2009 SAVE award for her proposal that employees to apply their insight to the evalu- Obama wants federal employees to submit Value and Efficiency – began last year and saved about $2 million. She suggested that ation process, making sure the best ideas their ideas for eliminating government was an instant success. the Veterans Affairs Department find a way make it into the fiscal 2012 budget.” waste and saving American taxpayers’ “In just three weeks, federal employees to reuse medicines that are prescribed by Some of the most innovative ideas come money as part of the 2010 SAVE Award submitted more than 38,000 ideas iden- physicians, but not used by patients. from those federal employees on the front program. tifying opportunities to save money and The deadline for submissions is July lines, Obama said. Obama made the announcement in a improve performance,” said Peter Orszag, 22, with the winners being announced in Civil servants interested in submitting video on the White House website July 8. director of the Office of Management and September. their ideas should go to http://SAVEAward. “If you see a way that the government Budget. “In a change from last year, we also are gov. INSIDE the TORII 2 News 5 Community 7 Sports 4 Calendar 6 Classifieds 8 Travel NEWS 2 July 15, 2010 TORII www.torii.army.mil Zama Briefs Shoplifting at Zama PX down in 2009 AAFES Pacific Region Public Affairs Family Matters Blog CAMP ZAMA, Japan – A focus on A former editor and writer for the American Electronic Article Surveillance systems, Forces Press Service has launched the closed-circuit TV cameras and an aggressive Family Matters Blog to provide resources youth shoplifting awareness campaign has and support to military families as well as resulted in a decrease in shoplifting at Army encourage a dialogue on topics ranging and Air Force Exchange Service facilities from deployments to the challenges of on Camp Zama as incidents decreased by everyday life. The blog features current, 5 percent last year, from 19 in 2008 to 18 up-to-date postings that matter to military in 2009. families. To view the blog, go to http://afps. The recently released statistics reveal dodlive.mil/. that the value of merchandise involved in these incidents also dropped, from $863.95 Lodging Information in 2008 to $674.99 in 2009. Lodging renovations are complete. As of “We have aggressively targeted juvenile May 14, the front desk and offices have shoplifting through training sessions with relocated back to Bldg. 552. The temporary children 5 to 17 years of age,” said Edward bus stop located on Sand Road, between Devlin, AAFES general manager for Camp Bldgs. 552 and 780 were removed and Zama. “Additionally, we have increased relocated to Bldg. 552 as of May 17. All EAS and stepped up tagging of high-demand lodging phone numbers will remain the merchandise.” same, with the front desk reachable at With a dual mission to provide quality 263-3830. goods and services at competitively low Photo by Cierra Baldwin prices and generate earnings to support A customer walks past the security sensors at the entrance of the Camp Zama Post Exchange. It was reported that shoplifting incidents at the store decreased by 5 Mail Disposition Morale, Welfare and Recreation or Services percent from 2008 to 2009, and the value of stolen merchandise dropped by $188. Due to space limitations at the Camp Zama programs, AAFES, which has contributed Consolidated Mailroom (Bldg. S-383), any more than $2.4 billion to military quality-of- ings to quality-of-life programs, shoplifting possible disciplinary action and criminal customer planning on taking leave or going life programs in the past 10 years, continues impacts the bottom line and, in essence, prosecution, the Federal Claims Collection on temporary duty for more than 30 days to focus its efforts on reducing theft. takes money directly from the pockets of Act allows AAFES to enact a flat, adminis- must make arrangements for disposition of “Shoplifting from the exchange af- military families.” trative cost of $200. There may be further their mail during their absence. Customers fects the entire military community,” said If shoplifting is suspected, AAFES loss- fees, in addition to the Civil Recovery may fill out a DD Form 2258 (Temporary Devlin. “Because AAFES is a military prevention associates turn the issue over Program, depending on the condition of Mail Disposition Instructions) to forward command with a mission to return earn- to local law enforcement. In addition to the recovered merchandise. mail to a temporary address or utilize PS Form 3801 (Standing Delivery Order) to authorize someone to pick up their mail. Festivals, holiday celebrations ensure For more information, call 263-8587. Victim Advocacy busy summer season at Torii Beach Victim advocacy is a free service for all By Lauren Hall personnel in the military community and is Torii Station Public Affairs located in Bldg. 402 at Army Community Service. Victims are allowed to come TORII STATION, Okinawa – Torii Beach has been a busy and talk to a trained victim advocate and spot so far this summer with a variety of fun in the sun family- inquire about available services. To contact oriented events taking place including the fourth annual Jazz and a victim advocate, call 263-4853 or 080- 6772-6735. Salsa Festivale June 25 and 26 and an All-American Beach Party on July 3. Voter Assistance Music filled the air on Torii Station when nearly 10,000 service The Federal Voting Assistance Program members, family members, civilians and local citizens came out has launched an online voter registration to Torii Beach for the Jazz and Salsa Festivale. assistant to help more than 6 million The festival was an open-base event, one of only two events military, their voting age dependents, held on Torii Station each year when the installation is open to the and overseas voters better navigate the public, the other event being Rocktoberfest in October. registration process. The new online FVAP “This was our largest turnout in the four years we’ve held the Voter Registration Assistant helps automate Jazz and Salsa Festivale out here on Torii Beach, with almost 10,000 a once cumbersome, manual process in people attending the event this year,” said Justin Evers, Torii Sta- advance of the mid-term elections. Go to Photo by Lauren Hall www.fvap.gov to register and request your tion’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation business director. absentee ballot. Salsa was the theme on Friday night, with local band Kachimba raise money for our program to help defer the cost of T-shirts and 1552 performing salsa, Latin jazz and conga music, and even of- some upcoming trips we have planned for the single Soldiers,” Bon Dance Lessons fering free dance lessons on the spot. said Bromley. Come learn the graceful steps of the The Okinawa Jazz Association highlighted the Saturday night The Army Substance Abuse Program was also on-site with help- Japanese Bon Dance. Free Bon Dance performance with a variety of jazz styles including Dixieland, a ful information on how not to be “That Guy” or “That Girl.” lessons will start July 20 to help members swing quartet and an orchestra. Torii Station celebrated Independence Day a day early on July of the community prepare for the annual Several vendors were on site to ensure there was enough food 3 with an All-American Beach Party complete with fun and games Camp Zama Bon Odori Festival. Lessons and beverages for the weekend, including AAFES, the USO, Oki- for kids of all ages. will be offered July 20, 22, 27, 29, and nawa Vendors Association, U.S. Land and Better Opportunities for A motorcycle ride of made-in-America Harley Davidsons started Aug. 3 and 5 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Single Soldiers, or BOSS, who enticed customers to their booth off the beach party with a road trip out to Zanpa Point and Maeda Community Activity Center (formerly by frequently announcing their unique treat: fried Oreos. Point, then back to the beach where the bikes were displayed and known as the Community Cultural Center). “The fried Oreos were definitely a huge hit. We only made them judged for best paint job, best chrome and coolest bike. No preregistration is required, just show up Saturday night and they were completely sold out before the night There was a remote control car demonstration, kite flying, a and learn the moves. For more information, was over,” said Cpl. Chadwick Bromley, BOSS president. train ride, water slide and even paddle boats for younger children call the USAG-J Community Relations The BOSS booth generated more than $1,300 over the week- to enjoy.