Feb. 18 issue of The Signature

Vol. 28 No. 6

february 18, 2011

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Naval Hospital Sigonella’s pharmacy re-opens Photo by GM2 Kris Carmody, The Signature Staff

Sailors gathered together at Restorante Bella Etna for a special cake-cutting celebration honoring Black History Month Feb. 11. Sailors (from left to right) are LS1 Alejandro Ozornio, ABH2 Elgin Sanders, Cmdr. Steven Jaeger, AE2 Amanda Marron, LS2 Fatimatou Kouyate and BM2 Kinami Cluse.

By MCSA Cameron Bramham The Signature Staff

Sailors and staff along with senior members of the command, gathered on the first floor of Naval Hospital Sigonella to celebrate the grand opening of their newly remodeled pharmacy Feb. 10. The remodeling of the pharmacy took place in order to create a more workable and safer environment for pharmacy staff, and patients.

By MC2 Gary Prill NPASE East

Naval Hospital Sigonella celebrated the grand opening of their newly remodeled pharmacy Feb. 10.

Sailors and staff were welcomed with words of gratitude from Naval Hospital

Weather

top StorieS

Feb. 18 H: 63 update L: 46 Meet Sigonella’s newest Chaplain! Father Ulysses L. Ubalde recently moved to Sicily. Read his bio in this week’s Chaplain’s Corner

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iNSide

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Sigonella’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Cindy Feller. “During this challenging transition, our pharmacy staff went above and beyond to provide our patients with continuous, high-quality care,” she said.

The remodeling of the pharmacy took place in order to Feb. 19 H: 68 L: 42

Feb. 20 H: 66 L: 45

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget, Rear Adm. Joe Mulloy, briefed the Fiscal Year 2012 Department of the Navy budget roll-out at the Pentagon, Feb. 14.

PAGE 3 Navy News 3

create a more workable and safer environment for pharmacy staff, and patients. During the remodeling the pharmacy staff faced many difficulties like have to relocate to a temporary workspace in the hospital’s ambulance PHARMACY, continued on page 12

Feb. 21 H: 57 L: 41

Despite you may have heard that the Venice Carnival (which is obviously a wonderful event) is the best Carnival in Italy, you should know that Sicily also boasts an incredible array of “Carnevale” celebrations.

PAGE 6 Community Calendar 4

Feb. 22 H: 65 L: 46

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors and members of the Heritage Committee joined together Feb. 11 to honor African American History Month with a special cake cutting ceremony at Restorante Bella Etna.

“First off, I’d like to thank Petty Officer Sanders and the members of the Heritage Committee and the galley for setting everything up and having such a wonderful cake ready to go,” Cmdr. Steven Jaeger said. “The reason we’re here is because we all came from somewhere and we need to recognize that one of the strengths of America is the diversity that it has. African Americans have had a long Feb. 23 H: 66 L: 41

In this month’s FFSC Cooking Class, we learned how to make some traditional Carnival treats, including cipollata and crispelle di riso. Make it at home this weekend!

PAGE 8 MWR Corner 11

rich history of serving in the armed forces dating back to the Revolutionary War.” Organizer for the event and member of the Heritage Comity ABH2 Elgin Sanders said he was proud when he was put in charge of putting the event together.

“I would like to thank LS1 Rios for giving me this opportunity, he’s been doing this for a long time and I’m grateful and humble for the opportunity to put together something as good as this celebration,” Sanders said. “It was a tough process bringing this thing together,” Sanders said. “It was a lot of hard work and a lot of off duty time was spent bringing this celebration together. It’s a lot CAKE, continued on page 12

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Feb. 24 H: 62 L: 41 Are you interested in learning the art of clowning? MWR is offering a class that will teach you the tools of the trade.

PAGE 11 Il Mercato 14

Jan. 11 Feb. 11

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Accidents

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please, don’t become a statistic!

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february 18, 2011

DirecT LiNe

We received so many questions for February’s Feedback Live that we couldn’t cover them all during the show, so we are devoting the next two Direct Line columns to answer them. Please keep sending your questions via email, but remember that Feedback Live is a LIVE call in show -- you can get your question answered on the spot. The show is held on the first Thursday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. To call in live on the show, please dial 624-4265 or 095-56-4265.

Q1. I am not sure if this question has been asked, but with the increase of movies being released in 3D, is the base going to have a 3D theater? I know that it might not happen soon but in the future. I think NASSIG will be willing to pay more to see movies in 3D. A1. Navy Motion Pictures is currently testing 3D in Stateside base theaters and if that testing is successful, they'll look at a long range plan for bringing it out to the rest of the Navy Theaters. As we receive information about 3D projection coming to Sigonella, we'll keep everyone informed, as this would be an exciting movie feature.

Q2. Why are LNs, Italian military, and the Carabinieri, of all people, permitted to speed

NaS SigoNella CommaNd maSter Chief, lelaNd moore

all over base, talk on their cell phones while driving, and run stop signs? I understand that we can report their license plates to Security if we see such violations, but that doesn't seem to be stopping them. I have heard many stories from people who have nearly been hit in crosswalks and elsewhere because of this. It would be horrible for someone to get hit, injured, or worse before things change.

A3. Security knows that speeding on NAS II is an ongoing problem. The options for enforcement on this segment of the population is limited to reporting to our Italian Air Force hosts. In light of this complaint, Security will engage the Italian Security Officer again and request additional enforcement/awareness among their staff/workforce.

Q4. In the news letter housing sent out they had said that a power outage was not an emergency. How is not an emergency when 95 percent of us have children who need either the heat/Ac along with the light and the gas to cook food. In the states not having power is considered child neglect. I would like to know how this is not considered an emergency?

A4. When the power goes out in more than one unit (for example a street), the Les-

Motor Vehicle Registration Office

By EN1 Braun MVRO Leading Petty Officer

Motor Vehicle Registration Office (MVRO) is located on NAS II, Northeast corner of BLDG. 724. Customer service hours are 0800-1545 Monday thru Friday. MVRO is closed on Wednesday 1300-1600 for training. If you have any questions you can contact MVRO at DSN 624-5275.

To have your vehicle AFI (Allied Forces Italy) registered you must meet the following criteria: * Military personnel must be on PCS orders; Civilian must be designated as sponsors on orders or authorized members of the Component Force to own and register AFI vehicles.

Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Butler Public Affairs Officer Lt. Matt Knight Deputy Public Affairs Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta Editor Tracie Barnthouse Staff Writers/ Photographers MC1 Christopher Delano MC2 Gary Prill MC2 Kris Carmody MCSA Cameron Bramham The Signature editorial office is located at: Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily PSC 812 Box 3020, FPO, AE 09627 Telephone: 095-86-5440: DSN 624-5440

* Primary AFI registered vehicle is imported on temporary basis, free of: Customs duty, IVA taxes, and road tax for the duration of the tour in Italy.

This POV is for the personal use of the member and his/her bona fide family members. * Secondary AFI registered vehicles (maximum of two) also temporarily imported, free of duty and IVA tax, but subject to road taxes payment.

Taxes will be paid annually and will vary with vehicle size and year.

Below are the requirements for your vehicle to be AFI Registered: • Must have been ship-

sor will respond to the issue, even during nights and weekends. If the power issue involves 110V only in this case, the work to bring the power back online is extensive, and this occurs at night or on a weekend, power may not be restored immediately; however, 220V power would remain to the unit (powering major appliances).

If the power goes off in one unit, even if it is 110V AND 220V, this is not classified as an emergency per the lease. The Lessor is not required to respond to the issue outside of normal working hours (Monday through Friday, 0730-1600). However, if the Lessor has someone working in the complex at the time or someone available to try to remedy the situation for the resident (very often involving resetting an outside breaker), he does authorize this work, even though not required. Therefore, please do continue to contact the Housing On-Call representative for power outages, but also understand that the Lessor is not obligated to respond to after hours or weekend calls involving single unit power outages.

In the event that your unit has a 220V power outage over a weekend that cannot be repaired, Housing will authorize emergency

gion, all bases restrict pool usage to those with a depth of 24” or less. For this reason, the Housing Department is recommending, in our new Housing instruction and resident handbook, that the current policy be altered to ensure the well-being of our residents and community.

The questions, comments and concerns stated in this column do not constitute the official position of the U.S. Navy and are submitted by members of the community.

NASSIG WORSHIP SERVICES Chapel Offices: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049 ROMAN CATHOLIC Sunday 0900 Catholic Mass (NAS I Chapel) 1200 Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) Monday-Thursday 1200 Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) JEWISH LAY SERVICES First Friday 1800 Shabbat Service (NAS I Chapel) sigshalom@yahoo.com

PROTESTANT Sunday 1045 Protestant Worship (NAS I) Wednesday 1700 Fellowship Meal 1800 Adult Bible Study Youth Group Children’s Class CHURCH OF CHRIST LAY SERVICE Sunday 1530 NAS I Chapel Call 624-5128 or 338-736-3061

OTHER SERVICES/ACTIVITIES POINTS OF CONTACT Latter-day Saints: Sunday 1300 Catania Chapel, shefchik@hotmail.com; 624-1393 AA Meetings: Monday,Wednesday, Friday – 1900, NAS II Chapel, 346-840-7745

New in town

Father Ulysses L. Ubalde Sicily, Italy is an exciting place to be. New culture to learn, people to meet, and most especially food is delec-

MVRO, continued on page 12 This civilian enterprise (CE) 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. The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Signature is published weekly

TLA for your family. If you utilize the Navy Lodge, Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, or other hotel in the event government lodging is unavailable during this emergency, you will be reimbursed through PSD for the dates authorized by Housing.

Q5. I’m curious as to why starting this summer we aren’t allowed 4ft deep pools in our locked fenced backyards?

A5. Last summer, residents within the Marinai community voiced concerns over swimming safety. The Housing staff started performing checks to ensure that fences were enclosed/locked to protect small children and others from wandering into a yard and climbing into one of these pools. What our staff found was that many pools did, indeed, present a safety hazard. Several gates were unlocked and/or could easily be opened, and ladders were left inside the pools – leaving them easily accessible. After recognizing this safety concern, the Housing Department went out to other bases, both within the region and worldwide, to inquire about pool policies. We did not find another military family housing complex that allows pools other than wading/kiddie pools. Within the EURAFSAW re-

by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy - Tel. 081-568-7884, Fax 081-568-7887.

E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it. 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, guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no later than the close of business on the Friday proceeding the expected publication date. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers. The Signature will not publish any anonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l. Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is unauthorized without the written consent of the publisher.

table. I have been in Sigonella for two months and I am having a great impression. People are warm and friendly and it really helps me as I adjust to my new milieu. Father Rino La Delfa was so thoughtful for inviting me to spend Christmas dinner with his family.

Dario Emanuele Arico is generous and munificent for teaching me to play piano which I dreamed when I was a child and he is making it to happen.

Housing department personnel were such a great help to me especially to Pierro Mascali who guided and made me feel “home”. He introduced me to his family and friends, joined New Year’s Day with the Italian New Catechumenal Way Community, and celebrated Mass with them and obviously a sum-

ptuous meal after that.

One of the joy that I have had when I was invited to concelebrate at the Pontifical Mass of the Feast of St. Agatha at the Cathedral in Catania on February 5, 2011.

Meeting dignitaries, priests, bishops, and the cardinal from the Vatican City was such a wonderful experience and the Mass was spectacular.

Filipino American (FILAM) community’s warm welcome, MABUHAY!, to me was heartwarming. They reach out and I was invited to so many social gatherings.

They love to party!

Since I am “new in town” let me introduce myself to Sigonella community. I was born in Ligao City, Philippines. Attended Universitas NEW, continued on page 12

CNE-CNA-C6F/CNREURAFSEA IG Hotline It’s everyone’s responsibility to report fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in Navy activities to: Office of the Inspector General, Naples, Italy Leave a recorded message 24/7: DSN 626-2983, Comm: 081-5682983 Speak to the Investigator: DSN 626-2964, Comm: 081-568-2964 Email: ighotline@eu.navy.mil Website: www.cnic.navy.mil/europe/index.htm You can choose to remain anonymous or confidential.

february 18, 2011

Department of Navy Announces FY12 Budget

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephen Murphy Defense Media Activity-Anacostia

WASHINGTON (NNS) -Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget, Rear Adm. Joe Mulloy, briefed the Fiscal Year 2012 Department of the Navy budget roll-out at the Pentagon, Feb. 14.

"The FY12 budget request reflects the Navy's continued commitment to Sailors, Marines, civilians, and their families," said Mulloy. "It reaffirms the valuable contribution our assets make across the full spectrum of warfare and increases the capability of our fleet. While military pay will increase 1.6 percent, additionally, reenlistment bonuses for key rates are being maintained, and selective reenlistment bonuses are being offered.

President Barack Obama's budget for Fiscal Year 2012 was submitted to Congress Feb. 14, with an overall request for the DoN of $161.4 billion, which is an increase of $1.0 billion over last year's baseline appropriations.

FY12 budget also includes an additional request for

overseas contingency operations in the amount of $15 billion. The Department of the Navy has been fully engaged across all facets of ongoing contingency operations while transforming itself to provide the nation with rapid, flexible and agile options to deal with new security challenges.

The proposed budget focuses on improving capabilities to fight today's wars and investing in capabilities to counter future threats while continuing to care for Navy and Marine Corps service members, civilians, and their families.

"The FY12 budget reaffirms the need for procurement while reforming how we buy and operate," said Mulloy. "The Navy and Marine Corps continue to sustain levels of readiness to deliver exactly the right combat capabilities - access, speed, agility, adaptability, persistence, awareness and lethality - for exactly the right cost."

Mulloy also pointed out that even with the streamlining of the DoN budget and through captured efficiencies, the Navy will still be

page 3

Bravo Zulu to the following Commands leading in Individual Medical Readiness:

able to purchase five more ships than planned, extra F/A-18 fighter jets to help modernize the aviation warfare, and more P-8 aircraft.

The total DoN efficiencies will save $35 billion over five years.

Themes consistent throughout the DoN budget are: Taking care of people Rebalancing and enhancing military capabilities Addressing efficiencies and reforms While supporting our troops Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Jan. 6, a series of efficiencies decisions designed to save the Department of Defense more than $178 billion during the next five years, primarily by reducing overhead costs, improving business practices and culling excess or troubled programs.

For more information on the FY12 budget, visit http://www.finance.hq.navy. mil/fmb/12pres/BOOKS.h tm.> For more news, visit www.navy.mil.>

Executive Transport: 100% Navy Munitions: 97.4% Naval Hospital: 92.2% CNE DET MAST: 92% CTF-67: 91.8% Percent of Staff Fully Medically Ready (Commands >10 personnel) Brought to you by your Flight Line Clinic, Medical Home Port

What are your plans for Presidents’ Day weekend?

LSSN Dominic Baker

Karina Hivalgo

LS1 Eric Hoffman

“I might be going to Taormina.”

“We’re thinking about going snowboarding so probably going to the mountain.”

“I don’t have any plans except for duty on Friday.”

MA2 Robert Calabro “I think I might go out to dinner with my wife and daughter and study for my First Class exam.”

ABH1 Ezekial Clifton “I don’t really have any specific plans, just my normal weekend. Probably moving into my new apartment and if I drink I’m not driving and if I’m driving I’m not drinking.”

New Hope Picciolo

Spaghetti House

page 4

february 18, 2011

Ricotta Cheese Workshop 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Military Saves Week Begins

Home Buying Strategies 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Heart Healthy Cooking class 7:30 a.m. x4710

Great American Spit-Out x4710

Arriverci class 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Cruise into shape sign-up deadline x4710

FFSC can be reached at x4291 American Red Cross at x4900 Does your command or organization have an event you’d like to see on the Community Calendar?

Email us at thesig@eu.navy.mil and let us know!

Pantellaro

Chiechio

Oxidiana

Ristorante Angela

february 18, 2011

page 5

Fleet and Family Support Center Administration Building Bldg. 319 (NAS I) Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

DSN 624-4291 Commercial 095-56-4291

Motta

Empower. Enrich. EDUCATE. The deployment cycle Excerpts: Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Injury and the Deployment Program Handbook

Kartodromo

Dr, Riccardo Milici

It’s official, your husband is going to Afghanistan.

Again. You’re dreading the next few weeks. As much as you love your husband and don’t want to see him leave, part of you knows that the sooner he does leave, the sooner you can start counting down the days until he comes home. You also know from experience that setting some goals to accomplish during this deployment, as well as focusing on yourself and your family will help you work through the separation from your loved one.

Regardless if this is the first or fifth deployment, as a spouse you will have to make some adjustments Welcome to the emotional rollercoaster called the deployment cycle.

While most service members spend their entire

Pentagon

careers training for combat deployments, their families and friends usually do not.

Typically, family and friends are not trained to handle the emotional challenges of the deployment experience.

When the emotional cycle was originally proposed, there was a clearly defined cycle of deployment and operational tempo. Navy ships were deployed for six months, then home for six months, spent time training, on work-ups, or in the shipyard. But Sailors families felt that they could plan their lives around the sixmonths of deployment followed by 6-18 months at home.

Now with the increased number of sailors being selected to go on IA (Individual Augumentee’s) to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait it is even more important for the family and Sailor to be aware of the emotional cycle that many Navy spouses cope with while their spouses are deployed.

These are the emotional

stages of deploymentStage 1- Anticipation of Departure- Spouses may alternatively feel denial and anticipation of loss. As reality sinks in, tempers may flare as couples attempt to take care of all of the items on a family pre-deployment checklist, while striving to make time for each other.

Stage 2- Detachment and Withdrawal- Service members become more and more psychologically prepared for deployment, focusing on the mission and their command.

Sadness and anger occur as couples attempt to protect themselves from the hurt of separation.

Stage 3- Emotional disorganization- Adjusting to new responsibilities and being alone.

Stage 4- Recovery and stabilization- Spouses realize they are fundamentally resilient and able to cope with the deployment. They DEPLOYMENT, continued on page 12

page 6

february 18, 2011 Alberto Lunetta The Signature Staff

Merrymaking returns to Acireale through carnival celebrations Despite you may have heard that the Venice Carnival (which is obviously a wonderful event) is the best Carnival in Italy, you should know that Sicily also boasts an incredible array of “Carnevale” celebrations.

As the popular Italian saying goes: “A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale,” (Any prank is accepted at Carnival), Carnevale is a week of revelry, cheer, good food and most of all crazy fun. Thousands of Italians throng the streets attending colorful carri (floats) parades, wearing costumes, playing pranks on friends and having a blast.

Historians believe that the word Carnevale (Carnival) derives from the Latin word “Carne Levare” (Put meat away). It refers to the period preceding the beginning of Lent, the austere 40 days during which Roman Catholics abstain from eating meat.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Throughout the centuries, despite its religious origin, Carnival has become a pagan celebration.

In ancient times, many Carnivallike festivals were held in different cultures.

Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia to honor God Saturn and in the hope of procuring plentiful harvests.

Celebrations included feasting, gift giving, drunkenness, big meals and pranks. Masked parades of merrymaking featuring young boys and girls dancing on allegorical floats were also held through the streets of the cities. It

was a time when masters and slaves exchanged roles. During the festival, Romans used to burn the effigy of the “King of ancient Saturnalia.” It was a grotesque puppet embodying the feast that was publicly burnt at the end of the celebrations. Today, this practice is still performed in many countries. A straw puppet named the “King of Carnival” is burnt on the evening of Mardi Gras.

In ancient Greece, floats were used for the yearly celebration in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine in order to guarantee fertility and a successful breeding among the animal stock.

Ancient Egyptians celebrated the renewal of life brought about by the yearly flooding of the Nile through a joyful festival held in the springtime.

The first written record of Carnival celebrations held in Sicily date back to the 17th century. Sicilians used to celebrate “Carnalivari” (in Sicilian Carnival) through dance festivals named “Slave Dances.” Dancers, who were disguised as slaves, performed shows throughout the streets. Drums and trumpets accompanied performers.

Masked revelers from different social classes used Carnival as an excuse to mingle. The “Jardinara,” (Gardeners), “Briganti”(Bandits), “Baruni”(Barons) and “Abbati” (Abbots) were among the most popular masks. During the festivals, aristocrats and politicians were publicly mocked.

Revelers also staged “battles” throwing rotten eggs and vegetables at one another. This practice was popular in 17th century Acireale, a city that boasts one among the best Carnivals in Italy. In 1612, local authorities forbade it because it caused damages to property and injured people.

By the 18th century, celebrations became less “violent” and turned into comedy plays that were performed by jokers named “Abbatazzi.” Under the authorization of the Bishop, they used to make fun of nobles or priests pretending to read jokes from a big book and taking part in prank competitions.

In 19th century, celebrations included the “Casariata,” a parade of flower-decorated carriages, named “landò,” that toured the historic center. Local nobles, paraded on the carriages wearing masks and threw colored sugar coated almonds and coins at the crowd.

Today, people throw the “lighter” confetti. Foam spraying is also a popular “sport” during carnival. Don’t get mad if you become a victim, it’s just a prank!

In the 1930s, Acireale artisans started to create huge allegorical floats with papier-mâché depicting animated figures of politicians, animals and other fantastic subjects that are mounted on a mobile platform and driven in parades. Since then, Carnival carri have become much more elaborate and spectacular.

Photo by carnevaleacireale.com

The spectacular floats’ parades and magnificent costumes are the highlights of the annual Acireale Carnival which will run from Feb. 19 through March 8.

Dazzling float parades are also held in Adrano and Misterbianco.

Float Parade Schedules In Acireale, carnival will run from Feb. 9 through March 8. Highlights will include magnificent papier-mâché allegorical floats’ parades that will be held in piazza Duomo (main square) on the following days: Saturday, Feb. 19 (5 p.m.), Sunday, Feb. 20 (noon and 4 p.m.), Saturday, Feb. 26 (schools’ carnival parades, 5 p.m.), Sunday, Feb. 27 (noon and 4 p.m.), Thursday, March 2 (4 p.m.), Friday, March 4 (4 p.m. children’s carnival parades), Saturday, March 5 (4 p.m.), Sunday, March 6 ( 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.),

Monday, March 7 (4 p.m.) and Tuesday, March 8 (noon, 4 p.m.) .

Music shows will also be performed in piazza Duomo every night at 9 p.m.

This year, there will not be any flowerdecorated floats’ parades.

On “Fat Tuesday” March 8, celebrations will end with a fireworks show and the traditional “King Carnival Stake” at 11:30 p.m. Please note these schedules are subject to change. For more information and detailed updated schedules visit http://www.carnevaleacireale.it

Be tempted with carnival foods Don’t forget to taste the scrumptious Carnival food that is sure to please your palate! The “maccarruni setti puttusa co' ragù ri sasizza” (tubular pasta with seven holes dressed with a savory pork ragù) is a specialty that everyone loves to sample.

If you want to indulge in some typical Sicilian treats, Carnival is the best time for doing so.

Sicilian ethnographer, Giuseppe Pitrè, an expert in Sicilian popular traditions wrote that cannolo (fried pastry filled with creamy fillings) is the “crown of the carnival lunch.” The “frittelle,” the delicious Carnival fritters are also sure to whet your appetite.

Tempt your taste buds with the chiacchere (gossip) (see photo above) also known as nastrini (ribbons) or bugie (lies) and cenci (rags).

They are a delicious stripe-shaped, deep-fried in lard fritters and covered with powdered

sugar whose origin dates back to the Roman times when they were called frictilia, These sweets are named lies or gossip to remember what the carnival motto says i.e. during carnival every prank or joke is accepted.

Pignolata or Pignoccata is another traditional must-eat carnival dessert from Messina that you should try.

It is light egg dough fried and half covered in a chocolate glaze and half in a lemon glaze that is served in mounds.

Magnolia

february 18, 2011

Catania Opera presents Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci

Catania Bellini Opera's production of Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and Pagliacci by Ruggiero opened last night with success at Teatro Massimo Bellini. More performances will be held through Feb.27.

'Cavalleria Rusticana' is a one-act opera. On account of its brevity, it is usually performed in a long-standing double bill with 'Pagliacci'. The theme of both operas is death arising out of the

jealousy of lovers. 'Cavalleria Rusticana' is a rural drama set in a Sicilian village where passions run high and feelings are primary and violent. While 'Pagliacci' is based on a true story, takes place in a village in Calabria where a troupe of roving players have come to perform.

(Oedon.co.uk). For more information, performance schedules and tickets visit http://www.teatromassimobellini.it

Cultural shi behind Italian women's thinning

By AFP ROME — Gone are the "Big Mamma" stereotypes and the full figures of yesteryear -- a new study on Friday has found Italian women are the only ones getting thinner despite an obesity epidemic in the Western world.

And experts told AFP it's all thanks to major cultural changes in Italy, a healthy Mediterranean diet and simply paying more attention to waistlines.

The ideal of beauty is "very different from the post-war period if you look at photos of actresses from the 1950s" like Sofia Loren or Gina Lollobrigida, said Maria Rosaria D'Isanto, a nutritional expert in Treviso in northern Italy.

A global study published in British medical journal The Lancet backs her up, finding that the Body Mass Index (BMI) for Italian women has fallen from 25.2 in 1980 to 24.9 in 1990 and 24.8 in 2008, bucking the trend seen elsewhere.

In Britain, the average BMI for women has risen from 24.2 in 1980, to 25.2 in 1990, 26.2 in 2000 and 26.9 in 2008. For US women the increase in BMI has been even starker -- from 25.0 in 1980 to 28.3 in 2008.

D'Isanto said Italian women are just more informed about weight issues.

"The level of education has risen and with that so has the consciousness of the correlation between excessive weight and health. We have a new generation that is not the 'fat is beautiful' one," she said.

Another important factor was "the reevaluation during the 1980s of the Mediterranean diet" based on olive oil and

rich in fibers, she added.

In France "the cuisine is rich in fats with cheese or butter but in Italy it's olive oil. We are more conscious of what constitutes fat," she said.

Public health campaigns in schools over the past 30 years have given a helping hand and Italian women are now doing more exercise than ever before.

And last but not least parents are becoming "very careful about food" compared to grandparents, who think of "plentiful eating as a sign of wealth."

Pietro Migliaccio, head of the Italian Society of Food Sciences, says he now can't tell the difference between a 30year-old and a 45-year-old or between a 40-year-old and a 65-year-old in the streets of Rome or Milan.

"If you look at Scandinavian, German or Ukrainian women, they're magnificent when they're 18-20 years old but after that they let themselves go and by the time they're 35 they're already flabby," Migliaccio said.

"It's not just that they're going to the hairdresser more. Italian women are among the most elegant in Europe and they care more about their waistlines than other women," he said -- "even when they are overweight or obese."

Last but not least, Migliaccio said the BMI is going down because Italians as a whole are getting taller "and can now have basketball or volleyball teams" -with average heights rising some 10 centimeters in the past 100 years.

Why?: "A better diet, a healthier lifestyle and more happiness."

Stella

Rome Colosseum repair to be funded by Tods shoe firm

By AKI The founder of the Tod's luxury shoe brand has said he will cover the cost of restoring the Colosseum.

Officials have accepted Diego Della Valle's offer to sponsor the restoration of the ancient Roma arena.

Rome's mayor described news the city finally had the funds to undertake the project as "the end of a nightmare".

Restoration work, which will cost some 25m euros (£21m; left Mr. Della Valle, right Rome’s Mayor Gianni Alemanno du- $34m), is expected to begin at the end ring press conference to announce the restoration project of the year and will take two and a half years to complete.

"A monument that represents Italy in the world must be restored, and a company that represents Made in Italy stepped forward to say, 'If you need us, we are here'," Mr Della Valle, who founded the shoe company Tod's, told a press conference.

He added that he hoped other entrepreneurs would also get involved in raising the funds needed. The sponsorship campaign is the biggest to rescue Italy's crumbling archaeological treasures with private money.

The ancient Roman arena, which attracts some six million visitors a year, is blackened by pollution and shaken by the vibrations of an underground metro line that runs nearby.

The monument is expected to stay open to visitors during the period of restoration and Mr Della Valle promised he would not use the structure as a vast advertising space.

"I won't put Tod's shoes on the Colosseum," he said.

The Colosseum has undergone several restoration projects in recent years, including works on the ground level, which has allowed the amphitheatre to host concerts by popular performers from Simon and Garfunkel to Paul McCartney.

An underground area used by gladiators for training before shows, which also housed large boats that were used at Roman emperor Titus' inauguration of the monument around 79 AD, were restored an opened to the public in 2010.

The Colosseum is the third most visited cultural site in Europe, after the British museum in London and the Louvre in Paris. It attracts approximately six million visitors annually.

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Wild West

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february 18, 2011

By Tracie Barnthouse The Signature Editor

This month’s FFSC cooking class was all about appetizers. If you’re throwing a party in the future and need some authentic Sicilian dishes, you should give these a try!

First up, it’s the cipollata, which is a green onion that’s wrapped in bacon and cheese. It’s so easy. Here are the steps: Take a green onion, slice of bacon and strip of soft cheese (tuma or Swiss). With the bacon on bottom, wrap the bacon and cheese diagonally around the onion.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill or fry it for 5-6 minutes, until

the bacon is crispy. That’s it. For real.

The next recipe is a little more complex; an appetizer-sized arancini. To speed up the process, the rice was already made for us, but since you’ll be doing this from scratch, here are those steps. The rice needs to cook and cool for an hour, so it’s important to plan ahead if you want to make these for a party. I recommend making the rice the day before your event.

Also, you need to have specific rice. Hard boiled rice will not work for this recipe. The rice we used was called Riso Carnaroli, which is super fine, sticky rice. To make, you need ½ gallon of water per 1 kilo of rice. To the mixture,

New Place

add salt, carrot, celery and onion.

Once the rice has absorbed the water, take out the vegetables.

After that, add a pinch of saffron for a bit of color.

After your rice is ready, it’s time to fill it. You can seriously put anything in your arancini, but for this class, we did a ragu arancini and a butter and ham arancini. Try some cheese, or pistachio… the sky’s the limit!

Take your rice and flatten it. In the middle, put your filling and roll into a ball, making sure the filling is covered completely with the rice. Next, you need to make the batter, which is all-purpose flour mixed with water. You’ll know it’s done when it’s not as runny as water, but looks like a glaze. Drop your rice balls in the batter and then immediately into a bowl of breadcrumbs. You need to press the breadcrumbs into the

rice to make sure it’s really coated.

The arancini balls need to be fried for around five minutes. They need to have a deep brown color, but not so brown that they are burnt.

Variations: Al burro. For this, mix the rice with butter. The butter will start to melt. Flatten the rice like above and fill with ham and cheese and close.

Random sidenote: You may have noticed that there are two different versions of arancini: coneshaped and round. Typically, the cone-shaped arancini is filled with ragu (meat) sauce, and the round one is filled with butter, peas, and ham. Also, we learned that the proper way to eat a cone-shaped arancini is from the top down.

Just so you know…

The final recipe we made was crispelle di riso, which is a popular sweet snack that you find at festivals. For this, you need to take a

Pietro

ball of rice (sticky rice) and add cinnamon, orange peel (just the peel – no white part), and a pinch of salt. Mix it all together with the rice. Using a little bit of water and some semolina flour, mix together with your hands. Mix that into your rice and put the whole thing in a pastry bag. At festivals, you’ll see bakers piping the dough straight into vats of oil, but if you’re doing this at home, I’d recommend you pipe it into a frying basket and then lower it into the oil. You only need to fry them for a minute or so. After they come out of the oil, drizzle with honey that’s been mixed with water and sprinkle with powdered sugar. If you don’t have a fryer, you can make these in a frying pan, but you need to make sure you’re continuously turning the sticks so that they don’t burn.

Buon appetito!!

Ange

ela

february 18, 2011

Days Inn

Gelso Bianco

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february 18, 2011

Go Green Sigonella!

Are You D o i n g Your Part?

10 Easy Tips To Go Green

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*Breakfast: Farina, Grilled Ham Slices, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Buttermilk Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Crumb Cake. *Brunch: Breakfast Items, Beef Barley Soup, Swedish meat balls, Buttered Pasta, Brown Gravy, Sprouts Superba, Fried Cabbage w/ Bacon, Snickerdoodle Cookies, Apple Crisp. *Dinner: Pepper Pot Soup, Spaghetti w/meat sauce, Rice Pilaf, O’Brien Potatoes, Peas w/ Celery, Okra Melange, Snickerdoodle Cookies, Apple Crisp.

Choice hamburger or hotdog by order.

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*Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Minute Steak, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Italian Croissant. *Brunch: Breakfast items, Chicken Gumbo Soup, Chili Macaroni, Oriental Stir Fry, Lima Beans, Peach Cobbler, White Cake w/ Frosting. *Dinner: Manhattan Clam Chowder Soup, Teriyaki Chicken, Paprika Buttered Potatoes, Pork Fried Rice, Carrots, Whole kernel Corn, Peach Cobbler, White Cake w/ Frosting.

Choice hamburger or hotdog by order.

1. Don't get bottled water - Instead of bottled water get a reusable container to carry water. Also you can get a filter to make your home tap taste more like bottled water. It is definitely more cost efficient.

2. Hang Outside to Dry - Get a cloths line or rack to dry your cloths. Your cloths will last longer and you will save money.

3. Use Both Sides of Paper - If you have a printer with a double sided print option use it. You will save half of the amount of paper you would have normally used.

4. Turn the water off when you brush - Your parents have said this before, now I say it. You will save 4 gallons of water doing this alone.

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5. Turn off your lights - An easy one. Turn off your lights when you are not using them. The benefits are obvious.

6. Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Even though it will take a good investment to buy these you will find yourself gaining it back in no time.

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7. Get a reusable bag - You can't recycle plastic bags, instead get yourself a reusable bag so that you won't have to worry about carrying your necessities.

8.Do Errands in Bulk - Make a list of the things you have to do, and see if you can fit a couple of those things together in one ride.

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9. Wrap Presents Creatively - Without going out to get wrapping paper you can use newspaper, an old map, or anything else. It would look a whole lot more creative.

10. Maintain your automobile(s) - Check your tire pressure and keep pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended level. Low tire pressure uses more fuel. Maintain a clean air filter. Clean air filters use less fuel. Remove unnecessary items from your truck. Heavier vehicles use more fuel.

*Breakfast: Hot Oatmeal, Grilled Sausage Links, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Cinnamon Rolls. *Lunch: Cream of Potato Soup, Breaded Pork Chop, Baked Fish, Tempura Fish, Oven Glo Potatoes, Tossed Green Rice, Seasoned Mix Vegetables, Summer Squash, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Pudding.

Speed Line: Grilled Hamburger/ Cheeseburger, French Fried Potatoes, Baked Beans. *Dinner: French Onion Soup, Chicken Cacciatore, Steamed Rice, Spinach, Cauliflower Polonaise, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Pudding.

Choice hamburger or hotdog by order.

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*Breakfast: Hot Grits, Minced Beef on Toast, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Butterfly Rolls. *Lunch: Creole Soup, Turkey Curry, Baked Fish Fillet, Steamed Rice, Savory Style Beans, Cauliflower, Crisp Drop Cookies, Cherry Crumble Pie, Strawberry Gelatin. *Speed line: Hotdog, macaroni cheese. *Dinner: Tomato Bouillon Soup, Baked Stuffed Pork Chops, Steamed Rice, Brown Gravy, Green Beans Nicoise, Carrot Slices, Crisp Drop Cookies, Cherry Crumble Pie, Strawberry Gelatin.

Choice hamburger or hotdog by order. *Breakfast: Farina, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Asstd Doughnuts, Bran Muffins. *Lunch: Spanish Soup, Beef Tacos, Burritos, Chicken Fajita, Mexican Rice, Refried Beans, Calico Corn, Herbed Broccoli, Jalapeno Cornbread, Raspberry Filled Cake, Pecan Pie. *Speed line: Chicken Drum, F. Fries Potatoes . *Dinner: Navy Bean Soup, Roast Turkey, Steamed Rice, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Gravy, Seasoned Asparagus, Honey Dijon Vegetables, Raspberry Filled Cake, Pecan Pie. Choice hamburger or hotdog by order.

*Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Creamed Ground Beef, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Blueberry Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Danish Diamonds. *Lunch: Puree Mongole Soup, Fish Amandine, Country Style Steak, Brown Gravy, Potatoes Au Gratin, Steamed Rice, Turnips & Bacon, Peas w/Carrots, Vanilla Cookies, Strawberry Shortcake, Tapioca Pudding. *Speed line: Grilled Hamburger/Cheeseburger, French Fries, Baked Beans. *Dinner: Beef Barley Soup, Baked Chicken, Steamed Rice, Savory Squash, Steamed Broccoli, Vanilla Cookies, Strawberry Shortcake, Tapioca Pudding.

Choice hamburger or hotdog by order.

*Breakfast: Hominy Grits, Corned Beef Hash, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Danish Diamonds. *Lunch: Velvet Corn Soup, Baked Chicken, Beef Stew & Onions, Oriental Rice, Oven Brown Potatoes, Steamed Cabbage, Cauliflower Au Gratin, Easy Chocolate Cake, Crisp Drop Cookies. *Speed line: Pizza. *Dinner: Cream of Asparagus Soup, Chicken Tetrazzini, Ratatouille Eggplant, Lyonnaise Rice, Mustard Greens, Easy Chocolate, Crisp Drop Cookies.

Choice hamburger or hotdog by order.

Pizzaroti

february 18, 2011

page 11

oN the go With mWr Titina’s Smiles Clown Class GeoCaching hike 26 Join Liberty for GeoCaching on February 26th at 8 am.

What is GeoCaching you might wonder? GeoCaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.

The basic idea is to locate hidden containers outdoors, called GeoCaches, and then share you experience online. Register at Take 5, registration ends February 24 at 2300. For more information call 624-5602.

March is the month to get ready for the Military Child Parade. So join us for an exciting time to learn the different arts of clowning. Clowning is more than meets the eye, come and learn the special skills of clowning. You will

learn the art of laughing, crying, whining, acting funny, and being foolish. Sign up for the entire clown class package or choose the areas you are interested in. Classes range from learning how to put on clown make up to the art of

performing. Classes start March 7, to sign up to ITT or call 624-4941 for more information.

midtoWN moVie theaterS SChedule & deSCriptioNS

GULLIVER’S TRAVELS- Jack Black, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet, Chris O’Dowd

Friday, February 18 5:00pm Gulliver’s Travels PG 7:30pm The Fighter R PREMIERE Saturday, February 19 2:00pm Yogi Bear PG 5:00pm Season of the Witch PG-13 7:30pm The Fighter R

Lemuel Gulliver is a mailroom clerk at a New York newspaper. After Gulliver bluffs his way into an assignment writing about the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle, he is hurtled to an undiscovered land, Lilliput. In this fantastical new world, Gulliver is a bigger-than-life figure -- in size and ego -- especially after he starts telling tall tales, taking credit for his world's greatest inventions, and placing himself at the center of its most historic events. Gulliver's position is enhanced even further when he leads his new friends in a daring battle against their longtime enemies. But when Gulliver loses it all and puts the Lilliputians in peril, he must find a way to undo the damage. Gulliver only becomes a true giant among men when he learns that it’s how big you are on the inside that counts. (87 min.)

HOW DO YOU KNOW- Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, Jack Nicholson, Kathryn Hahn

Sunday, February 20 2:00pm How Do You Know PG-13 4:30pm Season of the Witch PG-13 6:30pm The Fighter R Monday, February 21 2:00pm Toy Story 3 G FREE 2:30pm Alpha and Omega PG FREE 5:00pm Gulliver’s Travels PG 5:30pm Season of the Witch PG-13 7:30pm The Tourist PG-13 8:00pm The Fighter R Tuesday, February 22 5:00pm Season of the Witch PG-13

Lisa is a woman whose athletic ability is the defining passion of her life, having been her focus since early childhood. When she is cut from her team, everything she has ever known is suddenly taken from her. Not knowing what to do, she stumbles toward regular life. In this mode, she begins a fling with Matty, a major league baseball pitcher, a self-centered ladies man -- a narcissist with a code of honor. George is a straightarrow businessman whose complicated relationship with his father, Charles, takes a turn when George is accused of a financial crime, even though he's done nothing wrong. Though he may be headed to jail, George's honesty, integrity, and unceasing optimism may be his only path to keeping his sanity. Before Lisa's relationship with Matty takes root, she meets George or a first date on the worst evening of each of their lives: she has just been cut, and he has just been served. When everything else seems to be falling apart, they will discover what it means to have something wonderful. (121 min.)

THE FIGHTER- Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melisa Leo, Amy Adams, Jack McGee

5:30pm The Tourist PG-13 7:30pm Little Fockers PG-13 8:00pm The Fighter R Wednesday, February 23

Life story of boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward and his trainer brother Dick Eklund, chronicling the brothers' early days on the rough streets of Lowell, Massachusetts through Eklund's battle with drugs and Ward's eventual world championship in London. (116 min.)

5:00pm Yogi Bear PG 5:30pm Tron Legacy PG 7:30pm How Do You Know PG-13 8:00pm Season of the Witch PG-13 Thursday, February 24 5:00pm Chronicles of Narnia: Dawn Treader PG 5:30pm Gulliver’s Travels PG 7:30pm Season of the Witch PG-13 8:00pm The Tourist PG-13 LAST SHOWING

UNKNOWN- Liam Neeson, January Jones, Diane Kruger, Aidan Quinn, Frank Langella

Dr. Martin Harris awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious assassins, he finds himself alone, tired and on the run. Aided by an unlikely ally, Martin plunges headlong into a deadly mystery that will force him to question his sanity, his identity, and just how far he's willing to go to uncover the truth. (109 min.)

Friday, February 25 5:00pm Megamind PG 5:30pm The Social Network PG-13 7:30pm Unknown PG-13 PREMIERE 8:00pm The Fighter R

Movie schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm.

Movie Hotline: 624-4248

Spaghetti Meat Cooking Class Come to Connections to learn how to cook Spaghetti Meat Sauce with Nino. Learn how to make authentic Sicilian “Ragu” and afterward you can enjoy it! The class is on Wednesday, February 23 at 5:30 pm. For more information or to sign up call 624-4264. Minimum of 15 people to sign up. Deadline to sign up is Monday, February 21 at 2300.

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february 18, 2011

MVRO, continued from page 2

ped from your last duty station or • Must be a new vehicle that has never been titled or licensed in Italy or • Must be already AFI registered vehicle or • Must be used Italian registered vehicle, which is bought and denationalized at Italian Customs in Catania • Must have Navy safety course and motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license to own and register two or three wheeled vehicles Gas coupons are only authorized for Primary AFI vehicle. The maximum amount of coupons is 400 liters of gas and 8 liters of oil per month, depending on engine size.

Coupons expire annually. On expiration of coupons you may sell back unused coupons for cash. All gas coupons must be used at authorized dealers.

To transfer vehicle ownership you must schedule an appointment with MVRO. NOTE: The sale of AFI registered vehicles to Italian nationals is prohibited The below documents are required for AFI registration: • Copy of AE 302 or Customs/Import Document • Car Registration (from US or other country) • Certificate of Origin & Bill of sale (New vehicles) • Military shipping document DD-788 (incoming POV) • Copy of PCS orders / Employment or DOD orders for civilian • AFI Drivers License • Fees • Safety Inspection initially • Italian Insurance Document & window sticker TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP SELLER: BUYER: * Car registration (min, 3 months old) * AFI drivers license * Free Title or Release of Lien * Copy of PCS orders * Safety inspection (within 60 days) * Mandatory Insurance * Both plates attached to vehicle * Fees REGISTRATION RENEWAL • Car Registration (within one week of expiration) • Safety Inspection (if required) • Updated Insurance documents • Fees for road tax (se-

condary vehicles only) FEES: Exact amounts are required.

DEPLOYMENT, continued from page 5

develop increased confidence and a positive outlook.

Stage 5- Anticipation of Return- Generally a happy and hectic time spent preparing for the return of the service member Stage 6- Return Adjustment and Renegotiation.

Couples and families must reset their expectations and renegotiate their roles during this stage.

Stage 7- Reintegration and Stabilization. Can take up to 6 months as the couple and family stabilize their relationships anew.

For family and friends, it’s important to understand and prepare for the emotional challenges of the deployment cycle so that you now only can take care of yourself but also be as supportive as possible to the deploying service member.

Getting the word out about a loved one’s deployment is just the beginning of an emotional journey that you’ll travel over the many months ahead. You may experience anxiety, sadness, frustration, resentment, exhilaration, fear, and perhaps even periods of relief.

Now is the time to focus on keeping yourself healthy, your family stable and your relationship with the service member secure. Understand that there are steps that families, spouses, and friends can take prior, during, and after deployment to help alleviate stress, build resiliency, and come out of the deployment experience stronger—as a person, as a family, and as a community. Above all, awareness about the challenges of deployment enables you to be as supportive as possible to your service member when he or she heads into battle and after he or she comes home.

The Fleet and Family Support Center has the IA Social/Discussion Group which is held monthly at the FFSC Conference Room. The IA social for this month is scheduled for 28 February from 1130-1300. For additional information about IA’s and Deployment Readiness please contact Sonya Bey at 6244291.

CAKE, continued from page 1

of hard work but we have fun with every event we do and we’re hoping we can get more volunteers to help us with events like this one.”

During his speech, Sanders said how honored and grateful he was for the opportunity to not only take part in an event that means a lot to him, but to coordinate it as well.

“African American History Month really represents me, I’m very proud to be an African American and I’m extremely proud to serve in the United States Navy,” Sanders said. “I just want to shed a lot of light to African History Month and just try to bring awareness to it.”

Americans have been celebrating February as African American History Month since 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson selected the month in honor Abraham Lincoln (born Feb. 12) who issued the Emancipation Proclamation and Fredrick Douglas (born Feb. 14) who was one of the nation’s leading abolitionists.

NEW, continued from page 2

Aquinas In Urbe Legazpienzi Philippinarum and earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Baccalaureatus in Scientia), Minor in Mathematics.

After graduating from Aquinas University, I decided to go to the United States to pursue my studies to the priesthood.

I attended the Dominican House of Studies in Washington DC to finish my required Philosophy courses. At the same time I went to Washington Theological Union of Maryland to begin my theological studies.

Upon finishing required Philosophy courses, I went to Seton Hall University / Immaculate Conception Seminary, School of Theology in South Orange, New Jersey to begin my graduate studies.

While I was at theological school I was sent to attend Universidad APEC in Sto. Domingo, Dominicana Republica to study Spanish culture and the Language. In 1992 I was ordained to the Transitional Deaconate in Holy Trinity Church, Hackensack, New Jersey.

Upon graduation with the degree of Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry (M.Div.) I was ordained to the Priesthood by Theodore Cardinal E. McCarrick, Ph.D., D.D. at the Cathedral / Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, New

Jersey.

Since my Ordination to the Priesthood, I have been assigned to three parishes as parochial vicar: Our Lady of the Visitation in Paramus, Madonna Church in Fort Lee, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Bloomfield all in New Jersey.

I served ten years in civilian parishes before I became a military chaplain. I have been a Roman Catholic Priest for eighteen years.

My first duty station was in Okinawa, Japan with the 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group (3MEDBN / 3FSSG) as a battalion chaplain. Then I was assigned to Marine Corps Base Butler in Camp Kinser Chapel as a Command Chaplain.

Coming back to the United States I was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and was assigned to USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) as a Division Officer. When the ship was decommissioned I was reassigned to USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65). After I did my time with the carrier I was transferred to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina with the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Battalion 10th Marines.

While I was with the United States Marines I was attached to II Marine Expeditionary Force - Command Element (II MEF–CE) for the deployment in Iraq.

While I was there I served Regimental Combat Team–8 (RCT-8) and was sent to Camp Korean Village as the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Command Chaplain.

After serving in Iraq, II MEFCE sent me straight to Afghanistan. I served with the Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan (2MEB-A) as a Deputy Chaplain at Camp Leatherneck.

To be with the troops during the deployment was rewarding especially taking care of their spiritual well being. I had a great experience. Sigonella will be a new chapter for me and I know it will be wonderful. IT’S GOOD TO BE HERE! Omnia vincit amor PHARMACY, continued from page 1

bay for two months.

Over the course of two months, the staff continued to serve the entire base population and their beneficiaries. They delivered over 6400 prescriptions without any errors or down time.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our patients for their cooperation and loyal support during any inconveniences they may have experienced,” Feller added.

Pharmacy department head Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Hardin also shared his gratitude for all the assistance they received during the transition.

“This wasn’t just a pharmacy project, we worked closely with facilities, information technology, and all the hospital staff in order to accomplish this mission,” said Hardin. “Everyone was on board with making this a rousing success. The patients, in particular, were very underPHARMACY, continued on page 13

Palermo Mobili

Mojito

february 18, 2011

PHARMACY, continued from page 12

standing during our relocation.”

The pharmacy renovation was modeled around safety and security for the patients.

It received all new cabinetry, flooring and shelving. A new workflow was instituted to incorporate the best practices for safe and accurate medication filling and verification.

Also, improved medication storage and security measures were added in to contribute to an all-around safer pharmacy.

“We wanted to give the pharmacy a face-lift,” said Pharmacy Division Officer Lt. Shannon Thor. “Our main objective was to make it a safer place for our technicians to work and our patients to receive care.”

“We have decidedly achieved our goal,” Thor added.

The pharmacy is located on the first deck of the Hospital, or the can be reached between the hours of 7:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m. Mon.-Sun. at 624-4685.

Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholic Anonymous meeting will be held on Monday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the NASII Chapel.

If additional meetings are needed or for more information please call x3267

Eno

Agricola Gambino

Nero Cenere

page 13

at Guy Campaign

By MCSA Cameron Bramham The Signature Staff

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella community members have come together and helped spread the word of the “That Guy” Campaign on base. Take 5 Assistant Manager Ann Marie Sands said she heard about the “That Guy” campaign designed

by Department of Defense and thought it would be perfect at NAS Sigonella.

Sands said the idea behind the “That Guy” campaign is to promote the liberty program and responsible drinking while building stronger relationships with tenant commands and its service members.

“The liberty program’s goal is to provide a non-alcoholic and tobacco free environment, whether it’s in-house and for activities that we do outside,” Sands said. “When I came up with the idea, I wanted to present it to my manager as a competition between commands. When my manager heard my ideas, he told me to roll with it.”

Sands said she started coming up with the idea after talking to a lot of single sailors (E5 and below) living on base about how they spend their free time away from work and the base.

“After talking with a lot of the people who hang out here in and around Take 5, I found out how much money they spend at the bars on the weekends, so I thought their money could go to better activities on the weekends,” Sands said.

Sands said the competition is between each command (including tenant commands) and has been running since Jan. 17, and will continue until July 17. The challenge itself is for the command (single Sailors E5 and

below) to go the entire time period without having a DUI or ARI. Each command that is able to complete the challenge will receive either a pool party or bowling party on NAS I. “We have a bunch of different activities building up to the July 17 announcement of the winning commands,” Sands said. “We’re currently implementing a new promotion on March 7 called “Operation That Guy Casting Call,” where we’re going to set-up the camera and invite people to come in and give their very own “That Guy” stories. Once we have the stories together, we’re going to send it off to AFN in hopes they will make a new promotion to help the cause.”

When the weaher is warmer, Sands plans on having a mini tricycle obstacle course race where the competitors have to wear beer goggles. Also planned in the near future is a special barbecue

cook-out planned for single Sailors E5 and below and a “That Guy” Volleyball Challenge with the competitors playing while wearing beer goggles.

Sands said she’s very excited to see people continuously show interest in the campaign.

“We had a lot of positive response about it when it was first revealed,” Sands said.

“The phone was ringing off the hook with people trying to find more information about the “That Guy” campaign and it was a great and positive reaction.”

“This is our first time around with the something like this so we’re hoping people remain energized and encouraged about being careful while drinking," Sands said. “If anyone would like to know more info about the campaign, please contact us at Take 5 (624-5602), our partners at Connections on NAS I (6244264) or you can search the website at www.thatguy.com.”

Sands said she hopes a campaign like this will help reduce DUIs and ARIs associated with NAS Sigonella.

“The ultimate goal is to build relationships with our commands and ultimately lower our DUI and ARI rates on the base,” Sands said. “We want to get the word out that there’s a lot more to do around this base than just drink and waste money at the bars.”