The Nov. 26 issue of The Signature by NAS Sigonella Signature

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Vol. 27 No. 45

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November 26, 2010

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Global Hawk names Honorary Commander

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Commander, Allied Joint Force Command, Naples Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III holds an all hands call, and questions and answer session on the flight line at Naval Air Station Sigonella Operating Base. This was Locklear's first visit to Sigonella since he took command on Oct. 6, 2010. As Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe he is responsible for providing overall command, operational control, and coordination.

By Tracie Barnthouse The Signature Editor In the summer of 2009, Antonio Calvagno was lying on the beach, enjoying the weather and water with his wife and two boys when he got a phone call. The caller was Lt. Col. Bryan Coon, Commander, U.S. Air Force Detachment 4 (Global Hawk). During the conversation, Lt. Col. Coon talked to Antonio, a lawyer who works in Catania, about the Air Force’s Honorary Commander program, and at the end of the call, said, “Can I ask you a favor? Would you like to be our first Honorary Commander?” Recalling the conversation, Antonio says, “I had to have him repeat the question. I said, ‘Are you asking me a favor? You are doing COMMANDER, continued on page 12

Lt. Col. Bryan Coon (middle), along with Belpasso mayor Alfio Papale (left), present Global Hawk’s new Honorary Commander, Antonio Calvagno (right) with a plaque recognizing his new position. The Honorary Commander program is an Air Force program designed to bridge the gap between the unit and the local community.

NAVEUR-NAVAF Commander Sigonella Swordfish compete in Lignano visits Sigonella By Sigonella Swordfish

By MC2 Gary Prill

NPASE East Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella to conduct an all-hands call and take a tour of the base, Nov. 17 During his speech, Locklear spoke of future plans for NAS Sigonella, and its attached troops. "The role this place plays in the world today has been, and will continue to be, quite significant," said Locklear. "Sigonella has been described before as our 12th aircraft carrier, able to influence things that have happened not only in Europe, but in Africa and in the Middle East in ways that each of you are contributing to every day." Locklear also answered questions relating to Individual Augmentee billets, Navy College

Programs and the possible downsizing of NAS Sigonella. "Today we have about 10,000 Individual Augmentees around the world, the numbers are coming down, we will see the numbers continue to decrease over the next five or six years," said Locklear. "As long as we have an interest and a requirement in the Mediterranean in Europe and the north of Africa, the outlook of this place remains pretty good." Upon completion of the all hands call, Locklear met with members of one of NAS Sigonella's newest tenant commands, Global Hawk, and received a tour of the 41st Stormo, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Fleet Mail Center, along with the support base. Locklear concluded his tour of LOCKLEAR, continued on page 12

Captain’s Mast Results E4: Art. 107 (False Official Statement) Awarded: Reduction in rate (suspended 6 mos), 45 days restriction, 45 days extra duty E5: Art. 92 (Failure to Obey), Art. 134 (Adultery) Awarded: Reduction in rate (suspended 6 mos), forfeiture of 1/2 mos pay x 2 mos, 60 days restriction E5: Art. 91 (Insubordinate conduct to a petty officer) Art. 134 (Communicating a threat) Awarded: Reduction in rate (suspended 6 mos), forfeiture of 1/2 mos pay x 2 mos, 30 days restriction, 30 days extra duty

Top Stories

Weather update

Nov. 26 H: 67 L: 38

Nov. 27 H: 65 L: 45

Nov. 28 H: 66 L: 53

Public Affairs The Sigonella Swordfish traveled to Lignano, Italy for the European Forces Swim League Long Distance Championship meet Nov. 13 and 14. This is the first of two league championships each season. The long distance events in competitive swimming are the 800 meter freestyle, the 400 meter individual medley (fly, back, breast, free) and the 1500 freestyle. Swordfish swimmers, Joe Beadles, Nick Beadles, Bailey Berryhill, Chase Berryhill, Brian Burke, Greta Kinsey, Halladay Kinsey and Ariana Lewis travelled to the meet in Lignano and their hard work paid off! They have been training for the long distance events since the seven-month competitive season began in September. Despite having only eight swimmers (compared to over 30 for

In this life we are going to encounter problems and times of difficulty. What is important to consider is not what we can do to prevent these times; but what can we do to bounce back from them?

According to Navy leaders, more commands conducted career development boards (CDB) in fiscal year 2010 than in previous years.

Sigonella chocolate lovers will be happy to hear that the Choco Barocco Festival will return to Modica from Dec. 3 through Dec. 8.

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Inside

Direct Line 2

Navy News 3

To date total: Total Donors: 570 Total Donations: $107,201 Overall Participation: 31%

Week 7 Total Donors: 60 Total Donations: $13,481 Unit of the week: Hospial $3,354 donated Leading Units Total donations: Hospital $17,268

Nov. 29 H: 72 L: 51

Community Calendar 4

the top teams) Sigonella placed an impressive 5th out of 13 teams, scoring the most points per swimmer for the second year in a row. Out of 17 races, Sigonella was awarded a whopping 13 medals (gold, silver or bronze).

This year’s strong Swordfish long distance team was lead by 12year old Greta Kinsey. Greta won gold in both the 800 meter and 1500 meter freestyle and won silver in the SWORDFISH, continued on page 12

Traffic Numbers

Participation: NMC, 75% Donation per capita: Safety, $243

Nov. 30 H: 72 L: 53

Dec. 1 H: 76 L: 58

Head out to the hills of Nicolosi and enjoy a hike on Monti Rossi, a beautiful nature park that’s perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon.

PAGE 8 MWR Corner 11

Dec. 2 H: 68 L: 43 The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Sigonella! Get all of the details and find out when they’ll be here!

PAGE 11 Il Mercato 14

Jan. 10-

Jan. 09-

Nov. 10

Nov. 09

Accidents Injuries

317 52

251 43

DUIs

Traffic Deaths

Please, don’t become a statistic!

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November 26, 2010

Direct Line I want to thank all the personnel who were involved in coordinating and putting on this year’s Holiday Safety Stand down and GMT’s. The presenters spent a lot of time preparing important and useful information to help you make our holiday season a safe one. We do these safety stand downs twice a year and they are extremely beneficial for the entire community. This year’s emphasis was on encouraging awareness on health issues and the signs of stress and depression which can go a long way in helping people make the right choices. In addition to the material that was presented at the stand down I want to emphasize a few safety points which are vitally important to ensure that you all have a safe and fun Holiday Season: As someone who doesn’t do

NASSIG Command Master Chief, Leland Moore

a lot of cooking I still recognize that grilling and frying food is part of most holiday celebrations but it must be done in a safe and responsible manner keeping these things in mind: • Whether you are cooking indoors, grilling or using a turkey fryer always watch what you are cooking and never leave them unattended. Even turning your back to it could lead to fire damage in the home. • When grilling, place your grill in a well-ventilated area and away from the children’s play area. Also stand upwind from the grill when lighting the fire and wear tight fitting clothing because loose clothing could easily catch on fire. • If using a turkey fryer for your Thanksgiving feast, ensure that you read the instruction manual in its entirety. Ensure that your turkey is completely

FLC introduces medical home port By Lt. Thomas Matella Clinic Nurse Manager Navy Medicine has unveiled the Patient Centered Medical Home concept which has now made its way to U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella. This model of care was introduced last year in Military Treatment Facilities and mirrors the civilian medical community’s shift to a more personalized, coordinated, and teamb a s e d approach to health care. Beginning December 1st, all active duty personnel seen at the Flight Line Clinic will be enrolled to a dedicated primary care manager (PCM) who will be their personal health care provider. Additionally, the patient will be assigned a team of support personnel, including a registered nurse, and designated hospital corpsmen. Each PCM team aims to establish a dynamic partnership with their patients to provide medical services, education, and fulfill administrative requests. Research shows that improving the patient’s continuity of care greatly enhances their wellness, increases patient and staff satisfaction, and results in more efficient

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 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 6245440 This civilian enterprise (CE) newspaper is an authorized publication for

health care delivery. According to civilian Internal Medicine physician, Dr. Larson, “rather than uncoordinated, episodic care, we need to offer care that is well organized, coordinated, integrated, characterized by effective communication, and based on continuous healing relationships.” T h e Medical Home Port Team will be proactive in assisting you to ensure that you have your preventive and monitored health care needs met. This will result in increased Individual Medical Readiness throughout Naval Air Station Sigonella. By increasing your access to care it will be even easier for active duty personnel to schedule periodic and preventive health screenings and obtain referral services, as necessary. Our long-term goal is to improve the health of our personnel. Specific health issues to be focused on include: high cholesterol and blood pressure, tobacco cessation, healthy lifestyle habits, and maintaining Full Medical Readiness. Contact us today at 624-5455!

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 nonmerit 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 by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support

defrosted and dry. Operate the fryer at the end of your driveway to ensure that no one gets burned and have either CO2 or dry fire extinguishing agent on hand. Driving safely in Sicily can be more of a challenge than in the states and is best accomplished following these tips: • Maintain a safe speed as posted on traffic signs. GO SLOW SIGONELLA. • Don’t pass other cars illegally and use caution when a legal pass is possible. • Get enough rest before long drives and force yourself to stop and rest if you become tired on the road. • Ensure you use caution and reduce your speed in wet weather conditions. The roads can become very slick and you could easily lose control of your car if you are driving too fast. • Never drink and drive. When

going out for drinks have a plan that includes a designated driver or taxi which covers you for that night and the next morning to ensure enough time to sober up. Finally off the safety soapbox for a moment I’d like to congratulate all our folks who were advanced on the last advancement cycle. Bravo Zulu Shipmates! I think that’s Navy talk for well done… Lastly, keep your head on a swivel and have a happy holiday season Sigonella.

NASSIG WORSHIP SERVICES Chapel Offices: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049 ROMAN CATHOLIC Sunday 0830 Catholic Mass (NAS I Chapel) 1200 Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 1130 Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel)

PROTESTANT Sunday 1045 Protestant Worship (NAS I)

JEWISH LAY SERVICES First Friday 1800 Shabbat Service (NAS I Chapel) sigshalom@yahoo.com

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

Emergency Management Office Be prepared to be on your own for at least three days. Seven is better! The BASIC FIVE: Water, Food, Heat, Cash, Radio; Family Communications Plan: Phone Numbers & Rally Points; Public Protection Strategies: Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place; Web info: Ready.gov; Emergency info: AFN 106.0 FM; Questions? Call the EM Office at 624-2630, 8265 or 2621. 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 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.

Bouncing Back In this life we are going to encounter problems and times of difficulty. What is important to consider is not what we can do to prevent these times; but what can we do to bounce back from them? Personal resilience is the ability to withstand and bounce back from crisis or persistent challenges. Just as the body can be strengthened through physical training, personal resilience can be strengthened through an examination of self-motivations, actions, and attitudes. Enhancing resiliency means increasing one’s ability to withstand increasingly powerful or persistent stressors. If you yourself are dealing with crisis or stress, or you just want to be prepared for the next time crisis and stress impacts you or someone you know; your chaplains are here to help and

we would like to invite you to attend our up-coming Personal Resiliency Weekend at the Emmaus Resort on the side of Mt. Etna this Dec. 3-5; 12:00 p.m. Fri- 12:00 p.m. Sun. Transportation will be provided, and all meals from lunch on Friday through breakfast on Sunday will also be provided. This is a unique, highquality opportunity to promote personal, relational, and professional growth. Would you like to: Become calm and steady under stress? Become more confident in your abilities? Become more competent in your job performance? Become more able to maintain your sense of humor? Become more at peace with yourself? Then this retreat could be for you. Members of the U.S. Department of Defense owe it to their country and to themselves, to be in peak condition both physically and mentally. This all-expense paid weekend is open to all individual (married personnel may attend as individuals, but may not attend the same retreat) U.S. military personnel and DOD civilians. If this weekend seminar sounds interesting to you, please contact the chapel on NAS I (624-3975) and reserve your spot today!

November 26, 2010

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Career development board compliance rate improves By MC1 (AW) LaTunya Howard Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -According to Navy leaders, more commands conducted career development boards (CDB) in fiscal year 2010 than in previous years. The total number of CDBs at the end of fiscal year 2010 was 139,699. This is an increase of more than 300 percent since 2005, when the first complete year of CDBs were documented in the Career Information Management System (CIMS). "Command master chiefs and command career counselors, along with the career development team, are being more proactive," said

Anticipated Vacancy GS-1740-09: EDUCATION SERVICES SPECIALIST NAVY COLLEGE OFFICE SIGONELLA, SICILY. • Local hire from eligible personnel in the Sigonella Commuting area. • Full-time, permanent position • U.S. Vacancy position Primary duty as Education Counselor at the Navy College Office. Interested applicants should frequently check both the Department Of the Navy Civilian Human Resources Website (https://chart.donhr.navy.mil/) or USAJOBS Website (www.usajobs.opm.gov/) for a published announcement specifically for the Sigonella position and apply. **NOTE** There are specific education requirements for this position which must be listed in the applicant’s resume. For more information concerning this anticipated position, contact the Navy College Office’s Northeastern US/Europe Regional Director, Ms. Cynthia Pica at cynthia.pica@eu.navy.mil or the Regional Senior Education Technician, Ms. Rebecca Maschmeier at rebecca.maschmeier@eu.navy.m il .

New Hope

Senior Chief Navy Counselor vals thereafter. By conducting these and become part of a permanent (SW/AW) Mark Rush, Navy coun- boards on schedule, the Sailor's record that can follow the Sailor selor rating technical advisor, Bureau career desires are recorded in CIMS throughout their career. "We previously used of Naval Personnel. local databases. CIMS is allow"There is now a ing command leadership, up to system in place that the bureau level, to track who tells commands the is doing the job of conducting different types of CDBs and who is not," said CDBs to conduct and Rush. "This ensures Sailors are when to have them. It informed and commands mainmakes the process tain accountability." constant rather than Typical topics covered sporadic," said Rush, during a board include watchattributing the standing qualifications, continincrease to command ued education goals, advanceengagement. ment, short and long-term In accordance career objectives, Perform-towith the enlisted Photo by MC3 Kathleen Gorby Serve and Armed Services retention and career Vocational Aptitude Battery development instruction, OPNAVINST Master Chief Navy Counselor Laura Paquian and scores. Leadership can use 1040.11C, CDBs are Navy Counselor 1st Class Staci Bradly listen to a CDBs to learn the priorities of required for all Sailors Sailor talk about his Navy career goals during a the Sailor. CIMS is available to all upon reporting to a career development session aboard the Nimitz-class command, after six aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald shore commands with Internet months on board, at Reagan Carrier Strike Group is conducting compos- access and on board 150 ships 12 months on bboard ite training unit exercise preparing for an upcoming using CIMS Afloat on the and at 12-month inter- deployment.

Glasser: This will be another Boise State BLOWOUT!! For two simple reasons, they are the Broncos and their colors are blue and orange. This automatically makes them winners! Diem: I do believe that the Nevada Wolf Pack is gonna take the win. First off, does anyone remember this now famous quote: “You guys might night know this, but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack. But when my sister brought Doug home, I knew he was one of Boise St. vs. Nevada my own. And my wolf LSU vs. Arkansas pack... it Michigan vs. Ohio State grew by one. Packers vs. Falcons So there... there were Eagles vs. Bears the two of us Dolphins vs. Raiders in the wolf pack... I was alone first in

the pack, and then Doug joined in later. And six months ago, when Doug introduced me to you guys, I thought, “Wait a second, could it be?” And now I know for sure, I just added two more guys to my wolf pack. Four of us wolves, running around the desert together, in Las Vegas, looking for women and drugs. So tonight, I make a toast!” So clearly the Wolf Pack is going to cause some havoc and take the win at the end of the night! Also, I will be in Las Vegas while that game is going on,

and I’ll be feeling pretty lucky to say that my pick will be correct! If I’m wrong, then I shall never speak of luck again.” Clifton: Diem, after reading your post, I have only one thing to say... “Please report to bldg. 606 for urinalysis.” :) Boise State is on a mission to prove that they deserve a shot at the National Title. No matter how many wolves they have in their pack, Nevada will not win this game. Nevada should stick to the only things they are good at,

Capt. Joe Beadles, LSSA Ashley Diem, AC3 Michael NASSIG Vazana, NASSIG FISC Nevada

Nevada

LSU Ohio State

Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System server. The primary function of CIMS is to assist career counselors with tracking, conducting and documenting CDBs. The command master chief, chief of the boat, senior enlisted leader and the command career counselor team are the focal points for career development initiatives within the command. "CDBs are the right thing to do," said Rush. "It keeps the Sailor on track with their career long and short term goals ,and it's a leadership tool for retaining our best and brightest." For more information on CDBs, you can read the instruction available a t www.npc.navy.mil/CareerInfo/CMC _CCC/. For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

which include showgirls and overpriced buffets. Beadles: Ciao tuttin. I’ll go with what Diem said. Seriously, all of my picks are the same. Back to enjoying my Czech vacation.

Jeremy MWR

Ezekial Glasser, ABH1 Clifton, Emergency Management

Boise State

LSU

Arkansas

LSU

Ohio State

Falcons Eagles

Ohio State Falcons

Packers

Ohio State Falcons

Falcons

Eagles

Dolphins

Raiders

Eagles Raiders

Record: W-L Overall Record: 37-22 Last week: 3-3

Record: W-L Overall Record: 32-27 Last week: 3-3

Record: W-L Overall Record: 36-23 Last week: 5-1

Record: W-L Overall Record: 35-23 Last week: 5-1

Spaghetti House

Record: W-L Overall Record: 33-26 Last week: 3-3

Muscle

Ohio State

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November 26, 2010

No School

Positive Parenting 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. x4291 Tobacco Cesssation 9 a.m. x4950

FCPOA Gift Wrapping at NEX All day x2528

Tobacco Cessation 9 a.m. x4950

Does your command or organization have an event youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see on the Community Calendar? Email us at thesig@eu.navy.mil and let us know!

Chiechio

Oxidiana

Palermo

Magnolia

Do you have a passion for writing or are you looking for a little experience in journalism? The Signature is seeking volunteers to help cover base wide events as well as feature stories. If this sounds like an opportunity for you please call the Public Affairs Office at 624-5440

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response SAPR offers a Sexual Assault Hotline staffed with trained advocates who man the SAPR Hotlines 24/7. The number is 335-642-8312 or 335-606-6146.

November 26, 2010

Fleet and Family Support Center Administration Building Bldg. 319 (NAS I) Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. DSN 624-4291 Commercial 09556-4291

Days Inn

Marchi

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Empower. Enrich. EDUCATE. Troops to Teachers Program

Alphio

Article provided by FFSC www.turbotap.org (http://turbotap.org/portal/transition/lifestyles/Employment/Troop s_to_Teachers_Program) Troops to Teachers (TTT) was established in 1994 as a Department of Defense program. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2000 transferred the responsibility for program oversight and funding to the U.S. Department of Education but continued operation by the Department of Defense. The No Child Left Behind Act provides for the continuation of TTT as a teacher recruitment program. Defense Activity for NonTraditional Education Support (DANTES) manages the TTT program. You can access the TTT website at: http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dant es_Web/troopstoteachers/index.as p. Reflecting the focus of the No Child Left Behind Act, the primary objective of TTT is to help recruit quality teachers for schools that serve students from lowincome families throughout America. TTT helps relieve teacher shortages, especially in

math, science, special education and other critical subject areas, and assists military personnel in making successful transitions to second careers in teaching. TTT assists eligible military personnel to transition to a new career as public school teachers in targeted schools. A network of State TTT Offices has been established to provide participants with counseling and assistance regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads. Pending annual appropriation of funds, financial assistance is available to eligible individuals as stipends up to $5,000 to help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of $10,000 to teach in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families. Participants who accept the Stipend or Bonus must agree to teach for three years in targeted schools in accordance with the authorizing legislation. The TTT link (http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/ ) leads to the home page, which provides information, and resource links, including links to state Departments of Education, state certification offices, model resumes, programs leading to teacher certification and

Kartodromo

job listing sites in public education. An Internet Referral System has been established to enable participants to search for job vacancies online and post resumes for view by school districts searching for teachers. A “Mentor Connection” site provides access to TTT participants who have made the transition to teaching and are available to respond to questions from prospective teachers. Troops to Teachers Hire in Advance Program The Troops to Teachers' Hire in Advance Program, which in Las Vegas, Denver, and Newark, N.J., guarantees teaching jobs for eligible military up to three years before they retire or separate from active duty. Troops who qualify for the Hire in Advance program can send in applications and interview with school officials, who can officially hire them up to three years before they leave active duty. The Troops to Teachers and the Hire in Advance Program are both open to military spouses as well. For more information, visit http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/ Eligibility Military personnel within several years of retirement are encouraged to register with Troops to Teachers. Counseling and guidance is available to help individuals assess academic background, identify programs that will lead to state teacher certification and identify potential employment opportunities. Financial Assistance: Individuals eligible for immediate financial assistance are: Retired military personnel, active and reserve Personnel within one year of TEACHERS, continued on page 12

Pentagon

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November 26, 2010 Alberto Lunetta The Signature Staff

Chocolate Festival to sweeten Modica Sigonella chocolate lovers will be happy to hear that the Choco Barocco Festival will return to Modica from Dec. 3 through 8. This premiere food event, which attracted about 75,000 visitors last year, will once again tempt your taste buds with the mouthwatering "Food of the Gods." That’s how Ancient Greeks called this scrumptious treat produced by the cacao seeds, which were already very popular, some 3,500 years ago, among several societies of Mesoamerica. Maya were the first ones credited with growing cacao, a tradition that was handed down to the Aztecs. But, instead of eating chocolate bars, those Mesoamerican populations would drink it. Chocolate beans were turned into a powder using a stone grinding surface, known as a “Metate,” and then mixed with water, chili peppers, vanilla and other ingredients, to form a bitter drink named “Xocoatl.” Several legends surround the origin of the cacao plant. One of the saddest ones tells the story of a beautiful Aztec princess who was left at home to guard a treasure by her husband who was at war. When enemies arrived, she was executed for her refusal to give up the location of the treasure. Legend has it that from her shed blood a cacao plant was born. According to this tradition, on one hand, the bitter taste of the seeds remember the pain underwent by the princess, but on the other hand, the strong cacao beans’ aromat-

ic and stimulant qualities symbolize her virtues. In ancient times, cacao was not only a delicious food but it was also used as a medicine and even as currency. So how did the Aztec chocolate end up in Modica? It was actually brought by the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century. The secret and ancient Aztec recipe was then handed down through generations of patient nuns to today’s Modica chocolate-makers. But that is not all. This festival is different from the others that are typically held across the country. The reason for it is that it promotes “healthy” chocolate. Yes, you might be surprised, but there is a big difference between the popular sugary chocolate bars and Modica chocolate tablets. The secret lies in the percentage of cacao. The higher is the “good” cacao quantity, the lower are the unhealthy ingredients such as sugars, milk fat and artificial flavorings. Raw cacao beans are rich in antioxidants, catechins, flavonoids and other elements that, according to researchers, can grant protection from heart diseases and cancer. Cioccolata Modicana (Modica chocolate) is grainy, crumbly and bitter. It has a thick texture which comes for the “cold production process.” Those chocolate bars can be natural or typically flavored with cinnamon, chili pepper or vanilla but also with

lemon, oranges, coffee, pistachio, carob etc. Modica is also famous for another special tasty confection: “Mpanatigghie.” They are raviolishaped sweets, similar to mince pies, which were originally prepared by convent nuns to feed pilgrims and priests. They are filled with cinnamon, almonds, honey, chocolate, cloves and beef. Yes, I’m not joking! This salty ingredient used to be added to enrich the pastry, but at the same time was also kept secret because of Lent restrictions. This year’s highlights include a plethora of chocolate-based food events, tasting, competitions, exhibits, workshops and seminars,

pastry shops walking tours, chocolate art and chocolate making demonstrations, al folklore shows that will be held in several breathtaking Baroque venues scattered across the town historic center. For more information, detailed event schedules and guided tours visit http://www.chocobarocco.it Modica has a couple of nicknames such as “Città del Merletto,” (City of Lace) and “Perla del Barocco” (Baroque Pearl) because of its breathtaking Baroque-styled buildings and churches featuring elaborate motifs which were officially acknowledged as being of international importance and inscribed on the United Nation World Heritage

Montessori Wine Tasting

List. The town sits atop a 1,000-foot hill nestled among the Iblei Mountains. Walk around town and you will discover how Sicilian craftsmen keep alive Cavagne-making (Cavagne are cane containers used to storage ricotta cheese) and old laceweaving traditions. A picturesque Baroque village located just a few miles from Ragusa, Modica is fairly easy to reach. Take State Road 514 south from Catania, drive until you reach Ragusa (approximately 60 miles) and then follow directions to Modica. For general information about Modica call the Ragusa Tourist Office at 0932221511.

November 26, 2010 Page 7

Piazza Armerina Roman Villa closed for renovation

Mammuth

Dott. Stella

Motta

As reported by Sicilian media, Villa del Casale, the enchanting Roman Villa located in Piazza Armerina closed Sunday, November 15 for renovations that will add new roofing and complete restoration works on the breathtaking mosaics. Despite the temporary winter closure, the Villa might be reopened for Christmas or New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, the restoration director said. The Villa is expected to open in late March 2011. Villa Romana del Casale is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As reported by UNESCO, the Villa was the center of the large estate upon which the rural economy of the Western Empire was based. It is one of the most luxurious of its kind. It is especially noteworthy for the richness and quality of the mosaics which decorate almost every room; they are the finest mosaics in situ anywhere in the Roman world. For more information on the villa visit http://www.villaromanadelcasale.it

Mediterranean diet makes World Heritage List, American doctor first to highlight its benefits in the 1940's By ANSA/New York Times Rome - Italy's famously healthy Mediterranean diet on Tuesday gained world heritage status, going onto UNESCO's list of 'intangible' treasures along with almost 50 other successful candidates like French and Mexican cuisine and carpets from Azerbaijan. "This is a historic coup for our food traditions and the entire culture of Italy," said Agriculture Minister Giancarlo Galan. The minister dedicated the award to Angelo Vassallo, a southern Italian mayor killed by the mafia in September after years of campaigning for heritage issues and against Mob-linked coastline construction. The head of Italian farmers' organization Coldiretti, Sergio Marini, said at a mass spaghetti party he helped organise in Rome's Campidoglio (Capitol) square: "Food traditions are a cultural heritage of this country, we don't just have monuments and history".

Old Wild West

Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno, digging into a plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce and basil, said the celebrations "feature a

UNESCO heritage gem inside another one," referring to the Michelangelo-designed piazza. "It's a perfect pairing," he said. Coldiretti added that exports of Med-diet staples like pasta, olive oil, fruit, vegetables and fish were 9% up so far this year, confirming the attraction of the low-fat, high-fiber menu touted as warding off heart disease and adding to life spans. Two other farming bodies, Confagri and CIA, also hailed the news as "a victory" for Italian agriculture and the national food industry. As reported by the New York Times, Dr. Ancel Keys, the Minnesota physiologist who put saturated fat on the map as a major cause of heart disease, was the first scientist

to champion the health value of a Mediterranean-style diet. Dr. Keys was 100 when he died in Minnesota in 2004. During World War II, he and a group of talented co-workers at the University of Minnesota conducted a large-scale study of experimentally-induced human starvation. The data generated by this study - which was immediately recognized to be a classic - continue to be of inestimable value to nutrition scientists. In his later years, Keys spent more time at his home in Naples, Italy, where he had the opportunity to continue his personal study of the beneficial effects on health and longevity of a Mediterranean diet. Alongside the better-known tangible list of sites like Stonehenge, Pompeii, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the pyramids, Angkor Wat and the Galapagos Islands, the new intangible category was opened by the UN body two years ago and now includes the Argentinean tango, age-old crafts, religious rituals and endangered languages, songs and traditions. The Med diet, over which Spain and Greece also have historic claims, became Italy's third entry after a unanimous vote by a UNESCO panel in Nairobi, Kenya, joining Sicilian puppet theatre and Sardinian shepherd songs. Venetians are pushing for the gondola to be next up.

New Place

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By Tracie Barnthouse The Signature Editor I recently got the comment that hiking isn’t truly hiking unless you have a tent, sleeping bag, and at least three days’ worth of food. I replied that so long as it’s a walk in the woods, and there’s at least a slight incline, I consider it a hike. With that, here goes my article on hiking Pineta Monti Rossi (pine tree forest/mountain), a beautiful park in Nicolosi. My husband, 13-month old daughter, and I set out on a brisk Sunday morning to explore Monti Rossi. You can see Monti Rossi from base… it’s a set of two hills that are affectionately referred to as the “Sophia Loren’s” by the Italians because of their, ahem… shape.

Monti Rossi is the hill on the right if you’re looking up toward Etna. There is an entrance fee of one euro per person, and a small fee for parking, depending on if you’re driving a bus, automobile, or motorcycle. Down at the base of the hill, there are a number of grills and picnic tables, and there were plenty of people while were there, but still enough room to not feel like we were being overcrowded. My husband and I both made the comment that the grounds would be perfect for a command party, or team-building exercise. As you walk into the grounds and head to the left, there is a set of stairs (267 to be exact) that take you up to the trails. We had our baby in a baby carrier, and if you have a wee one, that’s the way to go, unless you

Tamoil

feel adventurous and want to lug a stroller up 267 steps, but I don’t recommend it. There are trails everywhere, and it’s up to you to decide which one you are going to tackle. There are plenty of guides and maps, too, so your chances of getting lost are slim. You can even find exercise stations along the trails, and even if you don’t decide to do a little cardiovascular activity, at least take a minute to laugh at the illustrations (see photo for evidence on their awesomeness). As you continue walking, you’ll eventually get to the fire watch tower, which also has an amazing view. On a clear day, you can see all the way down to Siracusa! If you decide to go, know that this is not an advanced hike, and I

Milici

was able to easily conquer the mountain in tennis shoes and while carrying a baby on my chest. There are definitely spots that are harder than others, and it’s definitely a workout, but young kids should be able to enjoy the woods and hike as much as adults do. As mentioned, there are plenty of grills and picnic tables at the base of the mountain, but if you aren’t feeling like roughing it for lunch, head into the town of Nicolosi. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. It’s as close to a ski town as you’re going to get in Sicily. It’s quaint, adorable, has amazing restaurants and beautiful views. To get there from base, the easiest directions I can give you are: Take the A18 north and take the

Gravina exit. Go through Gravina, skirt along the edge of Mascalucia, and keep going north. Just follow the brown “Etna Sud” and Nicolosi signs and go in the direction they are pointed. As you get to Nicolosi, you’ll end up on the main street, which is Via Etna. When you get to the end of that street, there will be a fountain in front of you in the middle of a roundabout. Go straight through the roundabout and continue heading up. The Pineta Monti Rossi park will be on the left hand side of the road about a mile after the fountain. There is plenty of parking both outside the fence as well as in a parking lot across the street from the entrance gate. It takes about 35 minutes to get there from base. Have fun and get out and explore Sicily!

Morob

boshi

November 26, 2010

Pelton

Pietro

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November 26, 2010

Go Green Sigonella! Energy Conservation Written by Roger Wakefield, a staff writer for a high efficiency products manufacturing company. Energy conservation is an important topic in today's world. It is perfectly clear that energy conservation is a global concern. Also, it is a salient point that conserving energy is perfectly possible practice on a small scale. Before we discuss a few simple techniques to make energy conservation a little easier, lets look at just a few of the inspirational ways that energy conservation has been defined: * Energy conservation is faithful stewardship of creation. * Energy conservation is our duty to our children. * Energy Conservation is often the quickest and most cost effective method of reducing your energy bill. * Energy conservation is doing something that result in the use of less energy. * Energy conservation is generally about changing habits and awareness. * Energy conservation is the practice of optimizing the efficiency of use of energy so that we achieve higher usable output for the same energy consumption. * Energy Conservation is important for a good many reasons; environmental, social, and economic. * Energy conservation is an important topic where ordinary citizens of almost any age can have an immediate, dramatic impact on the earth. * Energy conservation isn’t something that should only be practiced in the workplace. * Energy conservation is one of the most practical ways of both lowering the problem of greenhouse emissions and reducing cost to the consumer. * Energy conservation is beneficial to the overall economy If conserving energy is so important, why aren't more people doing it? National bodies are keen to improve our national energy efficien-

cy, and one way they may decide to make sure we achieve significant improvements in our energy conservation is to raise the cost of electricity or gas. At the present time, energy conservation is sufficiently cost efficient with a quick payback period and limited investment. As national bodies increase energy costs, the short payback period gets even more short and the cost advantages even higher. Consumer awareness today concerning energy conservation is a hundred times higher than it was years ago, but it still isn't sufficient. Indeed, improving awareness of energy conservation is becoming increasingly important because our gas and electric consumption is growing far faster than our power generating capacity. How can we help? Clearly, there are a lot of the populations worried about the cost of heating their homes this winter. Remember that heating and pumping water might be a big section of your power bill. The price of gas is at an all time high and heating oil isn’t reducing in price either. So, what steps can you take to help save money and help the environment? The most important tip is to switch things off when you aren't using them, (Televisions, entertaining centers, lights etc). Don't even leave things in standby mode; it still uses power without cause. Most fuel is used by keeping your house warm, so adjusting the thermostat temperature is the biggest energy conservation measure you must take. It is also worth checking the air filters on your heating and cooling system every month. Fancy a cup of coffee? Use microwave ovens instead of hotplates or kettles for heating water. In conclusion, energy conservation is the sum total of a lot of small things that produce a significant impact. If you make enough of those small changes, energy efficiency and energy conservation are a win-win combination.

Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Sausage Links, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Cinnamon Rolls. Lunch: Cream of Mushroom Soup, Beef Stir Fry, Tempura Fish, Baked Fish, Steamed Rice, Calico Cabbage, Herbed Broccoli, Strawberry Cake, Lemon Meringue Pie, Fruit Gelatin. Speed line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes, RIKPAK. Dinner: Egg Drop Soup, Chicken Cacciatore, Roast Beef, Rice Pilaf, Southern Green Beans, Savory Squash, Strawberry Cake, Lemon Meringue Pie, Fruit Gelatin, RIKPAK. Breakfast: Farina, Grilled Ham Slices, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Buttermilk Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Crumb Cake. Brunch: Breakfast Items, Chicken Gumbo Soup, Roast Pork, Cottage Fried Potatoes, Tossed Green Rice, Peas w/ Carrots, Cauliflower Au Gratin, Brown Gravy, Velvet Pound Cake, Vanilla Cream Pie. Dinner: Zesty Bean Soup, Baked Italian Sausage, Veal Steak, Steamed Rice, Home Fried Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Savory Style Beans, Chicken Gravy, Velvet Pound Cake, Vanilla Cream Pie.

Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Minute Steak, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast Puff, Asstd Doughnuts, Italian Croissant. Brunch: Breakfast Items, Knickerbockers Soup, Macaroni and cheese, Islander Rice, Creole Pork Chops, Corn O’Brien, Green Beans, Marble Cake, Sugar Cookies. Dinner: Nutty Split Pea Soup, Roast Beef, Baked Fish, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Rice, Mixed Vegetables, Steamed Asparagus, Natural Pan Gravy, Marble Cake, Sugar Cookies.

Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Sausage Links, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Cinnamon Rolls. Lunch: Chicken Gumbo Soup, Beef Yakisoba, Veal Parmesan, Steamed Rice, Oven Browned Potatoes, Green Peas, Seasoned Summer Squash, Spice Cake w/ Frosting, Vanilla Cookies, Fruit Gelatin.. Speed line: Assorted Pizza, RIKPAK. Dinner: Minestrone Soup, Cantonese Spareribs, Cranberry Glazed Chicken, Pork Fried Rice, Lima Beans, Broccoli Parmesan, Spice Sake w/ Frosting, Vanilla Cookies, Fruit Gelatin, RIKPAK.

Breakfast: Farina, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Asstd Doughnuts, Blueberry Muffins. Lunch: Egg Drop Soup, Sweet & Sour Pork, Chicken Chop suey , Egg Foo Young, Chinese Fried Rice, Chow Mein Noodles, Oriental Fried Cabbage, Corn Kernel, Fruit Cocktail Upside Down Cake, Blueberry Pie. Speed line: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Onion Rings, Macaroni & Cheese, RIKPAK. Dinner: Cream of Broccoli Soup, Braised Beef Cubes, Shrimp Scampi, Seasoned Boiled Pasta, Spanish Style Beans, Carrots Slices, Fruit Cocktail Upside Down Cake, Blueberry Pie, RIKPAK.

Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Creamed Ground Beef, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Blueberry Pancakes, Biscuits, Asstd Doughnuts, Bear Claw. Lunch: Beef Noodle Soup, Pepper Steak, Fish w/ Cherry Tomato Sauce, Bruschetta, Steamed Rice, Franconia Potatoes, Cream Style Corn, Eggplant Parmesan, Almond Cookies, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Pudding. Speed line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes, RIKPAK Dinner: French Onion Soup, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Baked Chicken, Steamed Rice, Potatoes Au Gratin, Club Spinach, Steamed Peas & Carrots, Almond Cookies, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Pudding, RIKPAK.

Breakfast: Hominy Grits, Corned Beef Hash, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Raisin Muffin. Lunch: Vegetable Supreme Soup, Roast Pork loin, Honey Glazed Chicken, Steamed Rice, Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Seasoned Mix Vegetables, Club Spinach, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Cherry Cobbler. Speedline: Assorted Pizza, RIKPAK. Dinner: Tomato Bouillon Soup, Roast Turkey, Swedish Meatballs, Red Beans w/ Rice, Mashed Potatoes, Natural Pan Gravy, Creole Green Beans, Corn Kernel, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Cherry Cobbler, RIKPAK.

Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Sausage Patties, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Cinnamon Rolls. Lunch: Chicken Corn Chowder, Tempura Fish, Beef & Broccoli, Paprika Buttered Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Fried Okra, Spiced Cake w/ Frosting, Crisp Drop Cookies. Speed line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes, RIKPAK. Dinner: Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Fish, Grilled Steaks, Tossed Green Rice, Corn O’Brien, Lima Beans, Spiced Cake w/ Frosting, Crisp Drop Cookies, RIKPAK.

Pizzarotti

November 26, 2010

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On the Go with MWR Harlem Globetrotters hooping it up in Sigonella Yes, that's right you heard it here first, the Harlem Globetrotters will be performing live in Sigonella for your viewing pleasure. Brought to you by your dedicated staff at MWR Sigonella partnered with Navy and Armed Forces Entertainment. They are an Internationally known basketball team that combines athleticism with comedy and family fun. The team was found in 1926 by Abe Saperstein in Chicago, Illinois. The team’s original name was “Globe Trotters” he later adopted the name “Harlem Globetrotters”. Mr. Saperstein decided to pick Harlem as the home city since Harlem was considered to be the center of

African-American culture at the time. The Globetrotters a one of a kind entertainment that has been around for 85 years showcasing their

continents. Their 2010 military tour will feature exhibitions in five different countries Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom marking the Globetrotters ninth military tour in seven years to entertain troops worldwide. Sigonella is excited to host this free event that will take place, Tuesday, November 30 at Knights Hall (high school gymnasium) on NAS I. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. show starts at 6:00 p.m. be there early for your front row seats. For more information on this event call x4941.

iconic talents in 120 countries on six

Midtown Movie Theaters Schedule & Descriptions

Friday, November 26 2:00pm Despicable Me PG FREE 2:30pm Astro Boy PG FREE 5:00pm You Again PG 5:30pm Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps PG13 7:30pm Due Date R 8:00pm My Soul to Take R Saturday, November 27 2:00pm Harry Potter: Deathy Hallows PG-13 FREE Premiere 2:30pm Legend of the Guardians PG 5:30pm Megamind PG 6:00pm Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows PG-13 FREE 7:30pm My Soul to Take R Sunday, November 28 2:00pm Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows PG-13 2:30pm You Again PG 5:00pm Wall Street Money Never Sleeps PG13 5:30pm Unstoppable PG-13 7:30pm The Town R Tuesday, November 30 5:00pm Alpha and Omega PG 5:30pm Unstoppable PG-13 7:30pm My Soul to Take R 8:00pm The Town R Wednesday, December 1 5:00pm Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows PG-13 5:30pm Megamind PG 7:30pm Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps PG13 8:00pm The American R Thursday, December 2 5:00pm Megamind PG 5:30pm Legend of the Guardians PG 7:30pm Due Date R Friday, December 3 5:00pm You Again PG 5:30pm Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps PG13 7:30 pm Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows PG-13 8:00pm My Soul to Take R

Movie schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm. Movie Hotline: 624-4248

RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE- Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Sergio Peris Mencheta In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice, continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead - and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap. (96 min.) DUE DATE: Zach Galifianakis, Robert Downey Jr., Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Joel William Peter Highman is an expectant first-time father whose wife’s due date is a mere five days away. As Peter hurries to catch a flight home from Atlanta to be at her side for the birth, his best intentions go completely awry when a chance encounter with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay forces Peter to hitch a ride with Ethan on what turns out to be a cross-country trip that will destroy several cars and numerous friendships (95 min.) RED- Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary Louise Parker, Helen Mirren Frank, Joe, Marvin, and Victoria used to be the CIA's top agents -- but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history. (111 min.) HEREAFTER- Matt Damon, Cecile De France, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jay Mohr, George McLaren Three people are touched by death in different ways. George is a blue-collar American who has a special connection to the afterlife. On the other side of the world, Marie, a French journalist, has a near-death experience that shakes her reality. And when Marcus, a London schoolboy, loses the person closest to him, he desperately needs answers. Each on a path in search of the truth, their lives will intersect, forever changed by what they believe might--or must--exist in the hereafter. (120 min.) EASY A- Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Hayden Church After a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne's in "The Scarlet Letter," which she is currently studying in school -- until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing. (92 min.) THE TOWN - Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively Doug MacRay is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But that all changed on the gang’s latest job, when they briefly took a hostage - bank manager, Claire Keesey. Though they let her go unharmed, Claire is nervously aware that the robbers know her name and where she lives. But she lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man named Doug not realizing that he is the same man who only days earlier had terrorized her. The instant attraction between them gradually turns into a passionate romance that threatens to take them both down a dangerous and potentially deadly path. (125 min.)

Where’s SANTA Sigonella? Whether you are living overseas or in the States, Santa is sure to find you, but how good are you at finding him? MWR is kicking off the winter holiday season by releasing 12 clues to find a unique Santa hiding in the Sigonella community. The clues will be announced starting Monday, November 29 on AFN Radio, and will run through Tuesday, December 14. If you miss the clues stop by any MWR facility or go online to MWR sigonella facebook. If you find Santa bring him by MWR's

administrative office and claim your prize!

Teen Beat

“It’s the hap-happiest season of all.” The excitement is there, sitting underneath the surface of everyone’s skin and waiting to come forward. Winter holidays are waiting around the corner and, more so than usual, students are forcing themselves to pay attention in class, and struggling to get their assignments done. Students have started the countdown for Winter Break and plans are already in the works. Thanksgiving starts the holiday season with a bang, with students getting out of school to help their parents get ready for whatever celebration they’re attending. Or, in reality, they’re taking advantage of not having school and sleeping in. After Thanksgiving Break, the poor students are forced back to school for a few weeks and then, finally, are released into the reprieve of the Winter Holiday Break. It’s a twoand-a-half week time out from school that the students get to spend with families, friends, hot chocolate, and cameras. Some students—occasion-

ally deemed “the lucky ones” by their peers—get to go back to the states for the holidays, getting to eat at fast food joints, shop at American malls, and see their families. Other students—also on the lucky strain—go on other adventures with their families or on trips with their friends, aiming to make a million Kodak moments. All of the other students—the self-appointed “unlucky ones”— have to stay home and laze around their houses, trying to fill the time with anything besides homework; eventually, it will have to be done but high-schoolers are amazing procrastinators! Everyone’s Winter Holiday Break is their own and compiled of the things that they like the best: movies with friends, going to parties with their families, sleep, trees and music, or whatever other crazy things they can dream up. But everything that happens makes for some amazing stories once they’re all thrown back into school at the start of January.

Take 5 and Jox Pub Take 5 was created with the single sailors in mind but it’s an all hands lounge on NAS II. It’s the ideal spot to relax, enjoy snacks, play video games, watch your favorite movie or just check your email. Come to meet new friends or bring them along. Each month there are a variety of activities and special events. Some of the holiday events that Take 5 will be hosting are; Holiday movie marathon, gift wrapping bonanza, Santa scavenger hunt, holiday recipe contest and candy cane handout. Take 5 is also home to the Liberty program. This program offers a wide variety of adventures for single or unaccompanied military, E-5 and below. Trips throughout Europe, weekend wine country getaways, Friday night dinners to unique places around Sicily, are several of the trips that are offered. For more information, stop by Take 5 or pick up a Preview. Let your hair down at Jox Pub and dance the night away with karaoke, live music, DJ night, theme parties and much, much more. Just

step inside we have five pool tables eleven plasma TV’s, juke box, free Wi-Fi, arcades, and dart center. Come watch your favorite sport events on AFN with your friends. Enjoy your favorite beverages at our bar. Dance or just listen to the music with live DJ every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. There are a number of weekly events designed to fit everyone’s taste. Looking for a delicious, healthy dinner idea? Come by on Thursday, December 16 from 5 – 9 p.m. for a Mongolian BBQ Buffet Extravaganza. This Asian inspired dish can be customized to fit your taste buds. You will be able to choose from a variety of meats, vegetables, toppings, and sauces. There is a fee associated, and a kiddie menu will also be available to include hotdogs, hamburgers, and pasta. Please call Big Al’s for reservations 624-5245 as they will be catering the event. Searching for that perfect place to host your holiday event can be difficult, between shopping and wrapping presents. Let Jox take the stress off of you. For more information call 6245604.

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November 26, 2010

SWORDFISH, continued from page 1 400 meter individual medley. Greta set a new European record in the 1500 meter freestyle with a time of 20:43.09 beating the old mark by 24 seconds. Greta’s sister Halladay Kinsey set a new European record in the 800 meter freestyle with a time of 11:01.42. Brian Burke won gold (800 meter freestyle), silver (1500 meter freestyle) and bronze (400 meter individual medley) in the 13-14 boys age group. 11-year old Joey Beadles won gold in an exciting 1500 meter freestyle race. Joey improved his previous best time by nearly three minutes to edge out a competitor from SHAPE (Brussels, Belgum) by two seconds with a time of 22:45.33. Additionally he won bronze medals in the 400 IM and 800 Free. Ariana Lewis improved her time from last year by over one minute and won the Silver medal in the 800 Free. Bailey Berryhill returned from two year injury hiatus to compete in her first EFSL Champs and had a strong showing with bronze in two races – 800 meter freestyle and 1500 meter freestyle. Chase Berryhill and Nick Beadles both swam strong, racing in 800 and 1500 freestyle events and scoring points in the competitive 1516 boys and 13-14 boys age groups. The Swordfish team will now shift focus to training for league team divisional and European individual championships. The team's next meet is against Aviano and Vicenza Dec. 11 and 12. The Swordfish round out the regular season with, Southern Divisonials in Lignano, Italy Jan. 22. Following Southern Divisionals in January, Sigonella will send a group of swimmers who have qualified to Eindhoven for the League’s showcase event: individual event Championships. The Swordfish who have qualified for Champs in Eindhoven in the first three months of competition are: Joe Beadles, Breann Barnes, Bailey Berryhill, Chase Berryhill, Brian Burke, Francesca Clark, Madelyn Coon, Calvin Farris, Zach Farris,

Leslie Giles, Annika Kinsey, Greta Kinsey, Halladay Kinsey, Ariana Lewis, Caitlyn Marley, Ronald Mendez, Christian Meza, Sierra Meza, Emmie Muschek and Katherine Stiegler. These swimmers hope to be joined by even more Swordfish championship qualifiers as they compete in the remaining meets this season. More information can be found at www.sigonellaswordfish.com. Head coach Kathleen Kinsey, along with assistants Lindsay Vaughn and Hilton Smith are all volunteer coaches of the Sigonella Swordfish youth swim team. COMMANDER, continued from page 1 me a favor!’ I was there, giggling on the beach and everyone thought I was crazy. It’s an amazing honor and I’m very happy.” The Honorary Commander Program is an Air Force program that is designed to bridge the gap between the local community and the unit, to create what will hopefully be lifelong friendships and understanding about the culture and way of life of the Italian community. Antonio Calvagno will hold the title of Honorary Commander for a little over a year. “If you think that I’m excited about being the Honorary Commander, you are wrong. I am terrified about it,” Antonio said. “I hope I will be able to accomplish all of my duties and that you won’t have to be sorry for having me be your Honorary Commander. I will try to do my best.” Antonio is already taking his new job title very seriously, by studying the program and the responsibilities that come along with it. He says that he wants to accomplish everything that is in the guidelines and strive to achieve everything the program aims for. So how did Antonio, who has never been employed or affiliated with the base, receive this important title? It all started with the Fleet and Family Support Center’s Amici Program, a program designed to match American service members

with their Italian counterparts in an attempt to understand each other’s culture and learn from one another. Antonio’s family was matched with Master Sgt. Eric Holland’s family, and a great friendship blossomed. Master Sgt. Holland approached Lt. Col. Coon about possibly making Antonio the first Honorary Commander, and the wheels started turning. “We each have a responsibility to bond with each other, and introduce each other to our customs and courtesies and local traditions, and I feel that Antonio has certainly led the way in that area long before tonight,” said Lt. Col. Coon. “He’s really taken the squadron under his wing, and his family has really bonded with the unit so far. It’s just been a wonderful experience.” Lt. Col. Coon approached Naval Air Station Sigonella’s leadership to ask permission as well as from their home wing in California, and everyone came together to celebrate Antonio as the wing’s first Honorary Commander on No. 19 at a banquet in Antonio’s hometown of Belpasso. “I haven’t slept in the last two weeks,” said Antonio. “I wake up in the middle of the night and think, ‘What’s going on? Is this true? Is this a dream? Am I dreaming?’ It’s a big honor for me, because I really believe that this is the result of a lot of work that I’ve done. I could never imagine that I’d be named the Honorary Commander.”

TEACHERS, continued from page 5 retirement Active duty personnel separating with six years active duty and join a Selected Reserve component unit Current reserve component members with 10+ years of active and/or Selected Reserve service creditable toward retirement Veterans separated due to service-connected disability Educational Requirements Those interested in elementary or secondary-teaching positions must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. Individuals who do not have a baccalaureate degree, but have experience in a vocational/technical field may also submit an application. There is also a growing need for teachers with backgrounds in areas such as electronics, construction trades, computer technology, health services, food services and other vocational/technical fields. Self-Determination Eligibility Guide: A guide to determining eligibility is available at: http://proudtoserveagain.com/. Registration: Registration forms may be downloaded from the Troops to Teachers link at: http://proudtoserveagain.com/. Current Information: The Troops to Teachers website is updated as new or revised information

becomes available. The website also provides a standard Power Point briefing and other promotional materials. LOCKLEAR, continued from page 1 the operational base with a lunch at "Ristorante Bella Etna," with command and tenant command Sailors and conducted an office call with Capt. Scott Butler, NAS Sigonella's commanding officer, and Rear Adm. Alton Stocks, commander of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and Navy Medicine East. This was Locklear's first visit to meet with the area service members and tour the installation's facilities since taking command on Oct. 6, 2010.

Stampa

Navy Lodge Gelso Bianco

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D o D E A C u s t o m e r If you can dodge a Satisfaction Survey The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will administer its biennial Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) from November 1, 2010 through December 15, 2010. The CSS provides valuable feedback to DoDEA from its most important customers – students and parents - about the quality of education it provides and areas needing improvement. The 2010 DoDEA Customer Satisfaction Survey will be administered to students in grades 4-12 and sponsors for children enrolled in DoD schools from Pre-kindergarten/SureStart through 12th grade. All sponsors with students enrolled in DoD schools from Pre-kindergarten or SureStart through grade 12 may participate by completing a survey for each school in which they have a child enrolled. All students in grades 4-12 may also participate. As with prior Customer Satisfaction Surveys, participation remains voluntary and maximum participation is encouraged in order to obtain reliable and valid data. The surveys were developed through a review process of various groups to include Area offices, Education Directorate staff members at the DoDEA headquarters, and external sources. Some questions were adapted from the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward Schools with additional DoDEA-specific questions. The 2010 CSS contains more parent/student specific questions, particularly with regard to guidance

and counseling. The surveys take approximately 20 minutes to complete and are available online at www.dodea.edu (click on the CSS graphic link). Parents who do not have access to the Internet should contact their child’s school to determine other alternatives – such as using the school’s computers. Information derived from the surveys will be used to improve planning efforts at all levels throughout DoDEA. Schools, districts, and areas will use the survey results to gain insight into the satisfaction levels of sponsors and students, which is one of many measures used for future planning of programs and services DoDEA offers. The survey results will also be used to monitor the DoDEA Community Strategic Plan (CSP), which contains the strategic direction for DoDEA for the years 2006-2011. For more information on the CSS, please call the elementary school office at 624-3001, middle/high school office at 6244281 or the School Liaison Officer 624-3242 or visit the DoDEA website at http://www.dodea.edu/.

wrench, you can dodge a ball By MCSA Cameron Bramham The Signature Staff Naval Air Station Sigonella community came together Nov. 19 for intense action and competition at Sigonella Middle/High School gymnasium for the third annual NAS Sigonella High School Booster Club dodgeball tournament.

Sigonella Booster Club Vice President Gabe Gasporra said the event was double elimination tournament and was put together by The Sigonella High School Booster Club along with members from the Sigonella High School senior class. Gasporra added that the tournament happens once in the fall and spring and that anybody a part of the NAS Sigonella community could have been on a team. "Anybody can put a team together, it can be your neighbors, your friends, your command," Gasporra said. "We got teachers and freshmen here, so anybody can get a team together." Before the event began, Gasporra said each team was given a two minute practice round to get used to the rules and get a feel for how the games would be played. After the

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practice rounds were over, the officials moved the time for each game up to five minutes. Some rules for the tournament included pieces of clothing counting as a part of the body, headshots not being counted towards the person struck by the ball, and catching a ball brings result in an automatic out from the person who threw the ball and brings a member from the person's team who caught the ball, back in. Other rules included automatic outs from stepping out of bounds and arguing with officials. Once all was said and done, team "Allbidness" which was made up of members from NAS Sigonella Security Department stood alone as winners of the competition. They were awarded their entry fee back and won a trophy as well.