Vol. 36 No. 20
October 4, 2019
NEW MARINE CORPS UNIT IN TOWN Story on page 6
OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH NEW CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF TAKES SEAT
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Direct Line Fleet and Family Support Center Director, Regina Fivella
S
aluti Sigonella! Domestic violence affects millions, both women and men of every race, religion, culture and status. In just the three minutes it takes to brush your teeth, five incidents of domestic violence have occurred. In the seven minutes it takes to order coffee, 12. And during your 30-minute commute to work, 54. Nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. This often silent issue is a pervasive one, and one that deserves our attention. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This annual observance generates awareness of community responsibility and educates individuals, couples and families on where to find resources to help prevent and address this silent epidemic. Abuse in relationships thrives in a culture of shame and silence, and there are significant costs associated with remaining silent. Communities with an ongoing coordinated community response see a significantly reduced rate of re-abuse. Prevention takes courage to act when we see or suspect something, and everyone in Sigonella has a responsibility to prevent domestic violence and build a healthy, safe community. Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate partnership. It can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship. Abusive partners may use a combination
of physical, sexual, psychological, and financial abuse to intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, scare, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt or injure their partners. Many people do not realize they are in abusive relationships, especially in the beginning. From within the relationship, signs of domestic violence can take the appearance of other things such as stress, love, passion or jealousy. The abused partner may see the behavior as normal or may think he or she caused it. In the age of smartphones, using technology to harass and abuse has become increasingly common. Like other types of abuse, digital abuse is about control. Abuse through technology is still abuse. Signs of digital abuse may include bullying and harassment,
“Many people do not realize they are in abusive relationships, especially in the beginning.� monitoring and stalking, sexual coercion, possessiveness, and control. The important thing to remember is if you feel your partner may be using technology to control you, something is wrong. As part of maintaining a healthy relationship, it is good for partners to check in with each other to develop ground rules for what behavior is acceptable, what actions cross the line, and what behaviors violate
trust, mutual respect, and each partner’s independence. Define what it means to feel safe both on- and offline, how to set healthy boundaries and expectations for online communication in your relationship, and how to exercise your rights through technology. If you have concerns about your relationship or think you know someone who is being abused, contact the Fleet and Family Support Center at 095-56-4291 and ask to speak with a family advocacy counselor. They provide prevention and education, victim advocacy, rehabilitation for domestic violence, and counseling services to help develop heathy relationship skills and address stressful situations. Other Sigonella resources include military healthcare providers, base chaplains, and base security. Conflicts happen, even in a healthy relationship. What matters is that they are resolved in a healthy way. Only through collaboration will it be possible to end domestic violence.
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Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment Regarding Food Vendors: Several recent ICE comments have identified problems with food vendors closing earlier than their advertised closing time.
Response:
Thank you for voicing your concerns about customer service and hours of operation at our food vendors. There have been several recent complaints about them closing earlier than advertised, delivering poor customer service, and other issues. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We are working with the NEX to ensure that food vendors are meeting expectations for customer service. As part of the solution, the NEX has scheduled refresher customer service training with its vendor partners. Thank you again for your feedback. For future concerns or suggestions, please contact the NEX Manager, Teresa Goley at Teresa.Goley@nexweb.org or DSN 624-4278 / COMM 095-56-4278.
Comment Regarding MWR Trips:
I have taken two MWR trips and both have been disappointing. For the most recent Vulcano trip, the fees were not cheap ($110/per person). The bus was over half an hour late picking me up and the driver did not understand his route. When we finally arrived at NAS I to pick up the last group, the guides decided to push back the time of the hydrofoil tickets by an hour and ten minutes so that they could have coffee beforehand at the port. For all of the money we pay for these trips and the time we are requested to be ready for departure, MWR should at least be organized. The first trip I went on also had issues with timeliness. This is not acceptable, and this will be the last trip I waste my time and money on.
Response:
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Please accept our apologies for the negative experiences you had
on recent MWR trips. After conducting a review, MWR determined that the contracted bus company gave inaccurate details to the driver regarding pick up times and the order of pick up locations, which is what caused the initial delay. Because of this, the guides realized that the group would not make the original ferry departure time and worked to reserve spots for the next ferry, creating a longer than anticipated waiting period. We sincerely hope to earn back your trust. MWR is committed to improving communication with its contracted transportation vendors so that these experiences do not happen in the future. Again, thank you for providing your valuable feedback so that we can improve our services. For any future comments, please feel free to reach out to the MWR Director, Courtney Silvestre, at DSN 624-0503 / COMM 095-56-0503 or courtney.silvestre@eu.navy.mil.
Comment Regarding Commissary:
For the past couple of weeks, I have been trying to use my issued WIC checks for baby formula, but I’ve been having trouble doing so since the formula my baby needs is never in stock. I spoke with employees on two separate occasions who informed me that the shipment was coming soon, only to come back when it was supposed to arrive and be told that it wasn’t in the shipment. I was then told that I should check back in two weeks and maybe the formula will be there. In total, the commissary has been out of this specific formula for almost a full month, which makes things very difficult since my baby can only take this certain type. I’d like to know what can be done to ensure that important items like baby formula as being adequately stocked. Being overseas, I have limited access to find this specific formula elsewhere.
Response:
Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns about this issue. When "ICE" cont’d on Page 11
THE SIGNATURE
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA
Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran Command Master Chief CMDCM Nancy Estrada EDITORIAL
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karl Schonberg karl.schonberg@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Janine Scianna janine.scianna@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers
MC2 Joshua Coté joshua.m.cote@eu.navy.mil GMSN Rashond Grant rashond.grant@navy.mil CONTACT US
Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001
This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy. Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.
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Name: LSSA Phillip Jaurequi Department: Housing Hometown: Silver City, N.M. Securing housing is one of the very first tasks that incoming personnel think about. When moving overseas, tackling the housing logistics is an important step in feeling comfortable in a foreign country. And for many service members, Sigonella is their very first tour of duty. It takes Sailors like Logistics Specialist Seaman Apprentice Phillip Jaurequi to keep the unaccompanied housing program a well-oiled machine. Unaccompanied housing is responsible for assigning and maintaining rooms for single E-4 and below Sailors. Jaurequi’s day consists of walking around the barracks making sure everything is clean and well-maintained. If anything is in need of repair, he will place trouble call tickets for action. On top of that, he also conducts room inspections to make sure the residents are
keeping up with their cleanliness. As an LS, Jaurequi is normally responsible for ordering supplies and parts for the commands they work for or handling the command’s mail. So while a bit out of his rate, Jaurequi is learning new skills here at Sigonella. Like many other Sailors, on top of his normal work duties Jaurequi has also been temporarily assigned to the Auxiliary Security Force. Along with other ASF personnel, he helps augment the base’s security forces. When he is standing ASF, he works from 0500 to 1800. ASF members are activated for a few months at a time, during which their sole focus is standing security watches. When Jaurequi joined the Navy, his primary goal was to get the education benefits, travel, and meet new people. “I was really unsure on what I wanted to focus on for a career,” said Jaurequi.
“I didn’t want to throw away my money on something I am unsure about. The one thing I knew for a fact was I wanted to travel and meet new people, so I figured why not join the Navy and get that and the college benefits.” With the summer weather lasting well into fall, frequenting the Sicilian beaches seem to be a big part of people’s lives here. “My favorite part of Sicily is definitely the beaches and the food,” said Jaurequi. “Especially coming from the southwestern part of the States where there is no beaches, it is nice to be able to drive 30 minutes away and be on a beach.” Another perk of being stationed in Sicily is the ability to travel around Europe inexpensively. Jaurequi himself has already traveled to most of mainland Italy as well as Amsterdam and London.
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month SIGNS OF A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP Respecting each other’s individuality Having activities apart from one another Allowing and encouraging other relationships with friends and family Openly expressing yourselves without fear of consequences Taking interest in one another’s activities Having the option of privacy
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
SIGNS OF AN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP Putting one person before the other Feeling pressure to change who you are for the other person Feeling worried when you disagree with the other person Feeling pressure to quit activities you enjoy Having to justify your actions Feeling obligated or forced to have sex Noticing that arguments are not settled fairly Yelling or physical violence during an argument Controling or manipulating behavior Having no common friends Having a lack of respect for each others’ friends and family
From UW-Seattle Hall Health Center
Relationships are a necessary part of healthy living, but there is no such thing as a perfect relationship. Relationships, from acquaintances to romances, have the potential to enrich our lives and add to our enjoyment of life. However, these same relationships can cause discomfort and even harm. A healthy relationship is when two people develop a connection based on mutual respect, trust, honesty, equality, and fondness. A solid one also means each person maintains their own separate identities. And of course, maintaining communication is critical. A healthy relationship should bring more
happiness than stress into your life. All of these things take work and in reality, each relationship is most likely a combination of both healthy and unhealthy characteristics. Relationships need to be maintained and healthy relationships take work. Work to foster these healthy behaviors within your relationship, and actively work to identify and reduce the unhealthy ones. It is also paramount to know what the signs are that you should be seeking professional help. The most extreme is if a partner ever tries to harm you physically or force you to do something sexually. Professional
help can also help you decide if you should accept, improve, or end the relationship. If you have a history of staying in unhealthy relationships, you should also seek help. Remember that you are never alone. There are many resources right here at Sigonella available to support you. Contact The Fleet and Family Support Center at 095-56-4291 and request to speak to a counselor, or sign up for one of our many classes that promote healthy families and relationships. The chaplains are also available for fully confidential counseling. And if you are in fear for your safety, immediately call dispatch at 095-86-1911.
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NEW MARINE CORPS U
ARRIVES IN SIGONEL
By 2nd Lt. Grace Jenkins
SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 COMMSTRAT OIC
A new Marine Air-Ground Task Force has begun its six-month rotational deployment, ready to respond to crises, protect U.S. citizens, and carry out security assistance activities on the African continent. Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa 20.1 (“20” for the fiscal year, “1” for the 1st rotation of the year) is a contingent of over 800 Marines and Sailors. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is positioned to quickly respond to a broad spectrum of missions that range from humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief to providing military support to U.S. embassies and partner and allied nations. As part of the Department of Defense’s continuing effort to improve its crisis response capability around the world, the United States Marine Corps created a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response in Africa. The official request for forces for a SPMAGTFCR-AF was made in February 2013. The Marine Corps established their initial force in March 2013 and has since maintained a rotational unit at both Morón Air Base, Spain and Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.
Marines with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 extract a simulated casualty during quick-reaction force training at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Sept. 30, 2019. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kenny Gomez
The unit is a self-deploying and highly mobile crisis response force allocated to U.S. Africa Command ready to respond to missions in both permissive and uncertain environments. SPMAGTF-CR-AF conducts crisis response, contingency operations, theater security cooperation, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, enabling operations and other missions as directed. Missions include the protection of U.S. personnel, property, and interests within Europe and Africa. The United States is grateful to the governments and citizens of Spain and Italy for allowing us to station this important crisis reaction force at Morón
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Air Base and Naval Air Station Sigonella. Both of these bases are strategically positioned and have the critical infrastructure necessary to host our task force. We are very thankful to be able to leverage it in support of our mission. As a way to give back to our hosts, SPMAGTF-CF-AF Marines and Sailors will continue to volunteer their free time to service the local communities in both MorĂłn and Sigonella through community relations events. These events include repair and refurbishment projects at churches and schools as well as food drives and blood drives to support the health and well-being of the regional community.
Sailors with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 set up a shock trauma platoon in preparation for the unit’s arrival at NAS Sigonella, Sept. 26, 2019. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nello Miele
A Marine with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 dissasembles a forward resuscitative surgical system at NAS Sigonella Oct. 1, 2019. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nello Miele.
A Marine with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1participates in an explosive ordnance disposal exercise on Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Sept. 24, 2019. U.S. Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Grace Jenkins.
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Fall Festival Kicks Off This Weekend in Zafferana By Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
Even if the weather is still warm and Sicilians continue to go to the beach, in the Etna area it’s already fall festival time! Every year, October is filled with a plethora of autumn food festivals. In the Catania province, the 41st edition of the traditional Ottobrata Fall Festival will begin in Zafferana on Sunday and will repeat every Sunday in October in the town’s historic center. With over 150,000 visitors attending annually, this festival is one of the main autumn events in the Etna area. Unlike the famous German Oktoberfest, Ottobrata is not about beer but about food and produce of the local volcano area. This year’s festival has a special meaning as the mayor has decided to hold it despite damages caused by last December’s earthquake, which were repaired after months of hard work. During a recent press conference, the mayor indicated that this year’s festival would be eco-friendly and food vendors will use disposable dishes. Every Sunday will have a different theme. October 6 will celebrate the grape (Sagra dell’Uva); October 13 will be dedicated to local honey (Sagra del Miele); October 20 will be an exciting experience for anyone who loves “Mele dell’Etna” or “Cassone,” one of the several varieties of delicious apples grown in the Etna area (Sagra delle Mele dell’Etna); and on October 27, the Ottobrata last’s day will promote the area’s production of mushrooms and chestnuts (Sagra dei Funghi e delle Castagne). Every Sunday will also feature local food specialties such prickly-pear, olives, and honey. Festival activities will include entertainment, folklore
Bring your entire family at the annual Ottobrata Fall Festival that is held every Sunday in October in the town of Zafferana. With thousands of people attending every year, this festival is one of the main autumn events in the Etna area. Each Sunday has a different theme and features arts and crafts and entertainment. (Photo by City of Zafferana Press Office)
shows, guided tours of local attractions, and arts and crafts booths. Booths will showcase art such as textiles, wearable art, exhibition of decorated Sicilian carts, Nativity Scenes, hand-crafted ceramics, embroidery products, decorative and functional wood, pottery, jewelry, leather, paintings, drawings, prints, and metal work. Music shows will be held every night in piazza Umberto. Visitors can also enjoy a visit to the Museo degli Antichi Mestieri e del Giocattolo di Latta , a museum showcasing tools from the old crafts and tin toys which is located in the Palazzina Liberty in the town’s park. Festival booths will be open all day throughout Zafferana’s historic center. Before you leave the festival, don’t forget to try the delicious “Siciliana,” a fried calzone filled with tuma cheese and either anchovies or ham that are prepared by local bars and pizzerias.
As for transportation, there will be shuttle buses provided by the city to the festival area. Car-pooling is highly recommended, as traffic congestion is very likely to affect the area during the festival, which attracts tourists from all over Sicily. Zafferana is an enchanting town, located in the eastern slopes of Etna, whose name derives from the Arabic word Za’faran (yellow) for its proximity to woods rich in yellowish saffron and brooms. Zafferana Etnea is a town in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 12 miles) north of Catania. The town spread around the Priory of San Giacomo, founded in 1387 in the upper part of the Valle del Bove, the point of confluence of the lava streams from Etna’s Eastern craters which frequently have destroyed the town, which has always been rebuilt. "ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 11
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Milley Takes Oath as 20th Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff By Jim Garamone Defense.gov
President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and other officials watched as Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford swore in his successor. Milley is the 20th chairman since the position was established in 1947. “You can rest assured that I will always provide informed, candid, impartial military advice to you, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and to the Congress,” Milley said. Milley takes over as the military’s highest-ranking officer, guiding a force of the 3 million service members. He noted that U.S. service members serve “on freedom’s frontier” — many in harm’s way — in more than 160 countries. Milley thanked Dunford and Dunford’s wife, Ellyn, for the examples they set. “I know that I have big shoes to fill,” Milley said. “I have known Joe Dunford throughout my career, served with him in combat, and I consider him a close personal friend — a friendship forged with the unbreakable bonds of combat that only shared sacrifice can produce. It is truly an honor to follow Gen. Dunford and become the next in a long line of distinguished chairmen.” Milley said he will work with his fellow joint chiefs, combatant commanders and senior leaders across the government to address national security issues. “I see in the audience today also many chiefs of defense from around the world,” he said. “Your presence here
today demonstrates the importance of our shared security interest and common values. As chairman, I look forward to working with all of you to ensure our collective security.” Milley said the the U.S. military faces complex challenges in the international environment, but said our service members are up to those challenges. “We are the best-equipped, besttrained, best-led military in human history, and our adversaries should know never to underestimate our skill, our capability and our combat power,” he said. “We will remain the world’s premier fighting force — respected by our friends and feared by our adversaries. We will do this by emphasizing readiness and the modernization of the joint force, all while providing unwavering support, and care, and leadership to our troops and their families.” Esper thanked Dunford for more than 40 years of service. Former President Barack Obama appointed Dunford as chairman in 2015, and President Trump renominated Dunford for the job in 2017. Esper said he observed Milley’s talent and dedication while the general was Army chief of staff and Esper the service secretary. “During his time as chief of staff, he was instrumental in helping to rebuild the Army’s readiness, which suffered from years of insufficient defense budgets,” Esper said. “At the same time, he advanced the Army’s ability to prepare for future warfare by standing up Army Futures Command, the largest organizational change
within the service in 45 years. The president could not have selected a more competent advisor or a more capable soldier to help prepare our military for the challenges of the future.” President Trump congratulated Dunford on a job well done and thanked Milley for accepting the position. “In his new role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Milley will serve as my top military advisor,” Trump said. “I have absolute confidence that he will fulfill his duty with the same brilliance and fortitude he has shown throughout his long and very distinguished career. “From the great General Omar Bradley to the famed Joe Dunford,” he continued, “our nation has been blessed by the advice, counsel and wisdom of 19 chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Today, we pass the baton to the 20th.”
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By Antonino Piluso Installation Energy Manager
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on base is not as obvious, but just as important. Think of our installation’s capacity to delivery energy like a oneOctober is Energy Action Month! liter vessel filled to the brim. Some of One of my biggest challenges as Energy the contents we use for base facilities; Manager is communicating how very important it is for each one of us to do all the rest is available to our supported commands to use for missions. The we can to conserve energy on the base. Often we associate energy conservation less we use for facilities, the more is available for operations. This can mean with a clean, green world and crystal the difference between being able to clear waterfalls and trees all around. support one more critical mission. Certainly, reducing energy usage makes As U.S. Navy employees, we all have our world greener. And in the longthe opportunity to make a difference term, saving energy now means more for future generations’ use, as well as making every day. Think about your daily routine – the energy and water you the U.S. more independent and less use, and ways to reduce those amounts. susceptible to unstable energy markets. Here are a few easy energy-saving tips. But there are other, more immediate • Lights: This is an easy one – turn benefits related to the U.S. military’s them off when not needed. mission here in Sigonella. First, • Refrigerators: For refrigerators to saving energy means saving money, operate most efficiently, they must and that means more can go to be defrosted at least once a year. support missions that are so critical to • Windows and Doors: During maintaining stability in our region. heating and cooling seasons, keep Another aspect of conserving energy windows and doors closed.
• Air Conditioning: This is probably the most important thing to do; turn off the A/C at the end of the work day. • Water faucets and toilets. Be sure to turn off the water faucet completely and report running toilets. These leaks might seem insignificant, but add up quickly. Leaks waste not only water but the energy it takes to treat and pump it. • Appliances: Coffee makers, computers, monitors, modem, TVs, chargers, and other “plug loads” use energy. Even in stand-by mode, they consume energy. And the end of the day and whenever not needed, unplug it or turn it off. Together, we have reduced NAS Sigonella’s energy intensity (energy consumption per square foot) by more than 35% in the last thirteen years through energy efficiency projects and conservation. And together, we can continue saving!
October 4, 2019 "ICE" cont’d from Page 3
it comes to meeting basic nutritional needs, we want to make sure we are stocking the right items and the right quantities on the shelves, especially when items aren’t as common in the local economy. We will continue to look for ways to improve our ordering logistics to minimize any product shortages, especially for critical items like formula. Since becoming aware of your concern, commissary management reached out to you and resolved the issue. However, we want everyone to know that special ordering for any items we normally stock is always an option. You should allow a minimum of one week to receive your shipment from Germany. With some exceptions, special ordering generally requires the purchase of a case of a product. The quantity in the case varies depending on the product. Please contact the manager on duty to start the process. Again, thank you for bringing this important issue to our attention. For any future questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the commissary manager, Edwin Rodriguez, at DSN 624-4385 / COMM 095-56-4385.
Comment Regarding Fitness Center: One of the best things about NAS I is
"ITALIAN NEWS" cont’d from Page 8
Zafferana Etnea was threatened by the 1992 volcanic eruption of Mt. Etna. Zafferana is now a summer resort with views of landscapes toward both the mountain and the sea. The second Sunday in August is the Festa of Madonna della Provvidenza. Zafferana, along with Nicolosi, is now regarded as one of the major tourist stopping points for summer and winter expeditions to the summit of Mt. Etna.
Small Harvest in Sicily Promises High-Quality Wine
By Harper’s Wine and Spirit Trade News
The 2019 grape harvest in Sicily is down by as much as 30% on average when measured against typical recent
the gym at Midtown. They are open early so I can get a workout in before work, and I love the staff that works there. What has been disappointing is that the female locker room has had no hot water in the shower and no working toilets for over 30 days. The staff has been great in letting me know it’s going to be fixed but they have no timeline as to when this will happen. In the Navy, it is our job to be in the best physical shape at all times and to be presentable at work. Having a frigid cold shower after a workout is discouraging as well as having no working restrooms. For the past two years I have seen this be a reoccurring problem. When will these facility issues be resolved?
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With regard to the showers, we believe that the intermittent hot water is being caused by a solar water heater that was recently installed to conserve energy. We are inspecting the new system and will make any necessary repairs or adjustments to ensure it is functioning properly going forward. Thanks again for your valuable feedback. We appreciate your continued patience as we work to resolve the problems you identified. For any future questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the MWR Fitness Director, Elizabeth Leonard, at DSN 624-0504 / COMM 095-56-0504.
Bravo Zulu!
Response:
Thank you for your comment and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. The toilets in the women’s locker room have been prone to clogging and as a result, the sewer line will need to be assessed and unclogged. In the meantime, toilets have been secured until the repairs can be completed. Public Works anticipates awarding a contract soon for that work, and the contractor will assess the sewer line and clear any obstructions. The duration of the project will depend on the extent of the clogged sewer line.
volumes, according to an initial report from the Consortium for the Protection of Sicilia DOC Wines. Production is expected to be in the region of 4.3 to 4.6 million hectoliters, comparable to the 2018 harvest, which produced 4.4 million hectoliters. The average for recent years is around 5 million hectoliters. However, after six weeks of harvesting, the growers are confident of an excellent vintage. The first vines to be picked have been white varieties, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Grillo and Lucido. All are reported to bear high-quality fragrant grapes. The harvest was delayed this year until August 5, ten days later than 2018, thanks to a cold wet spring. It is expected to end in October. Filippo Paladino, vice-president of the Consortium, said that the harvesting of
MWR:
My daughter had her birthday party at the swimming pool on NAS I in August and I wanted to thank the MWR staff that helped. Jessica and Elizabeth both greeted us while we were setting up and offered their assistance. Also, thank you to the lifeguards on duty. Little kid parties can easily get stressful, but everything with my daughter’s birthday party went so smoothly. She had an amazing birthday with her friends. BZ, MWR! Well done!
Pinot Grigio showed a trend of 40% less quantity than in 2018. The other grape varieties harvested, Viognier and Merlot, saw an average reduction of 30%-to-35%. “We can already say that the ten-day delay with which the harvest began was positive in some respects: the plants were able to accumulate aromatic substances and we expect very fragrant wines. Everything makes us think that the final balance will be in line with what we are currently seeing.” The wine sector in Sicily is worth some €550 million and is growing rapidly. Sales were up 6% in 2018. Established in 2011, the Sicilian DOC is an umbrella organization for the 24 DOC on the island. It represents some 7,500 winegrowers with over 20,000 hectares of land under vine.
Oktoberfest
for more info call
624-4777
ZOMBIERUN October 30
Beer Garden • Live Music • German Food
NAS I Midtown • 5:00 PM
in Sigonella
RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW AT COMM REC! LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
$15/person Table reservation available for $120/table
(includes reserved seat, souvenir mug, & 1 drink ticket)
October 18 • 6-10 pm NAS I GYM Ages: 18+
October 19
n Autum
pm 0:30 1 4 NAS I
S I G O N E L L A
2019 1.5 mile course that starts and ends outside of NAS I Midtown Fitness Center. This event combines running with a flag-tag game. Runners will be survivors and try to stay alive till the end in this zombie apocalypse world. Survivors must register in advance at https://sigonellazombierun.eventbrite.com For more info call 624-3785 or email Cassondra.milbourne@eu.navy.mil
Compete in 6 FITSERIES events and earn a t-shirt
STRONGMAN & STRONGWOMAN CHALLENGE HAUNTED NERF BATTLE Trunk or Treat Lane FOOD VENDORS LOCAL VENDORS BEER & WINE TENTS CORN HOLE KIDS ZONE CRAFTS DJ SET LIVE MUSIC LINE DANCING Haunted House MINUTE TO WIN IT CHALLENGES FACE PAINTING
For All MWR Event Info
For MWR Event info @ your fingertips
download the app!! NAVYMWR SIGONELLA
the sun soaking of ocean Spend the day iful Mediterranean in the beaut
and playing
the sun soaking of ocean Spend the day tiful Mediterranean in the beau
and playing
June 1 st &June 15 th
the sun soaking of ocean Spend the day l Mediterranean in the beautifu
and playing
June 1 st &June 15 th
June 1 st LA CUCARACHA BEACH &June 15 th Sign-up at Take 5 by May 29th $5 for transportation
For more info call 624-5602 LA CUCARACHA BEACH
visit our website www.navymwrsigonella.com Sign-up at Take 5 by May 29th $5 for transportation
For more info call 624-5602
LA CUCARACHA BEACH
Sign-up at Take 5 by May 29th $5 for transportation
For more info call 624-5602
