The May 20 issue of The Signature

Vol. 28 No. 20

may 20, 2011

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Documenting Navy life through the paintbrush

By Tracie Barnthouse The Signature Editor

“I’m living the dream I didn’t know I had.”

So says Cmdr. Monica Allen, a Navy combat artist specializing in watercolor who is currently deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella. Her mission, as tasked by Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, is to create painted watercolor images that depict everyday support between NATO coalition members as a part of the NATO-led Operation Unified Protector.

Allen, a reservist, is one of only three in the Navy Combat Art program and is the only one currently serving in the military.

Most people don’t know who you are, said Allen of being a combat artist. “A Navy artist? That exists?” she says with a laugh. “The problem is that there is no subspecialty in the Navy. There is no promotion path, there is no rate. Getting to where the action is happening and trying to embed is the most difficult. You need some credibility and that’s hard if people don’t know who you are.” Because of that, Allen says that she’s challenged often and feels a need to prove herself.

PAINT, continued on page 12 Cmdr. Monica Allen, a Navy combat artist, works on a painting that depicts an everyday scene as a part of Operation Unified Protector.

Weather

toP StorieS

May 20 H: 79 uPdate L: 57 Did you miss your question being answered on Feedback Live? Check out Capt. Butler’s Direct Line for the answers to the remaining questions. Don’t forget - Feedback Live airs at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month on AFN Prime Atlantic.

iNSide

PAGE 2 Direct Line 2

May 21 H: 77 L: 57

May 22 H: 77 L: 61

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he had doubts about intelligence leading up to the U.S. Navy SEAL raid that killed 9/11-attack mastermind and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and called President Barack Obama’s decision to move forward “gutsy.”

PAGE 3 Navy News 3

May 23 H: 75 L: 63

Clashing swords and ringing bells are featured during a spectacular dance that is staged for the annual Tataratà Festival running in Casteltermini (Trapani province) from May 20 through 22.

PAGE 6 Community Calendar 4

May 24 H: 78 L: 61

NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler gets dunked by a Sigonella Elementary School student during the annual PTO carnival on May 6.

Send in the clowns!

Sigonella PTO throws annual carnival

By MCSN Cameron Bramham The Signature Staff Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt.

Scott Butler joined teachers, parents, and children of the Sigonella community for the annual Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Stephen Decatur Elementary School Carnival at NAS I on May 6.

“It’s a great way just to support the school as well as getting the kids involved,” Stephen Decatur Elementary School First Grade Teacher Carrie Parish said. “It really takes the whole community though to make it happen. We had help from high school students, spouses and even some active duty members who took time out their Friday to come out and support the kids. Fortunately the weather was nice this year and all the kids were out running around all over the place so it looked like everyone was enjoying themselves. The atmosphere was a great chance to let out some energy that sometimes maybe gets bottled up inside the classroom.”

PTO President Christy Cooper said this was her first year planning the event and added that she couldn’t do it alone.

May 25 H:79 L: 62

Did your command participate in MWR’s Command Fitness Challenge?

Check out a photo montage of the day’s events and see if you recognize anyone.

PAGE 8 MWR Corner 11

May 26 H: 79 L: 63

Are you a friend of MWR Sigonella on Facebook?

Get the latest news of events and activities going on in the Sigonella community by liking their page today.

PAGE 11 Il Mercato 14

“I worked at the school last year, but this is my first year as PTO President so I didn’t want to disappoint when I was thinking about organizing this event,” Cooper said. “It took a couple of months of working really closely with our School Liaison Officer, Chris McKibbin who helped coordinate with MWR, getting the mini-games together, the bounce houses set up and put the dunk tank together. All the planning and coordination that went into it was well worth it as the carnival turned out to be a big hit with all the kids. We also had help from Rick Paylor from NMC built us a new game this year called Plinko which really seemed to grab the kids attention.”

That this year also included a chance for the adults to get involved with the event.

“This year we had a silent auction for baskets which had different themes for people to bid on such as a beach basket and there was another devoted to a quiet romantic night at home which included a bottle of wine,” Parish said. “If you have small children of course everything here will be interesting but if not, the gift CARNIVAL, continued on page 12

Traffic Numbers Jan. 11 April 11

Jan. 10 April 10

Accidents

133

104

Injuries

21

15

DUIs

5

2

Traffic Deaths

0

0

Please, don’t become a statistic!

pAge 2

mAy 20, 2011

Direct Line We received so many questions for May’s Feedback Live that we couldn’t cover them all during the show, so we devoted last week’s and this week’s Direct Lines to answering the remaining questions. 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. An 80 meter section of the running track behind the High School keeps on getting submerged in what seems to be sewage water. This is a health concern and has been this way for a few months now. Is this going to be addressed?

A1. The underground storm drainage line is partially blocked with sediment that has hardened and can not be cleared.

NAS SigoNellA CommANdiNg offiCer, CApt. SCott Butler

PWD is currently preparing a contract package to replace the blocked line and clear all surrounding lines that tie into it.

This project is planned to occur this summer. Until then PWD has recently cut drainage channel to connect them to another drain line. This will allow for the majority of the water to drain off the track at a slow rate but should relieve some of the issue until the permanent correction can be done after school has let out for the summer. The water is only storm runoff and not sewage. Our environmental personnel have verified that this is not a health problem.

Q2. I work in midtown and since the contract changed with the cleaners I have noticed the bathroom upstairs is not as clean and toilet paper runs out, additionally, my trash can fills up in a day due its size and I have to empty it myself to make it through the week. The carpet in the office is vacuumed maybe

once a week. Is there any chance the cleaners will resume their old cleaning routine?

A2. Cleaning is managed to a specified service level developed

by CNIC. The base reviewed its service contract to comply with a review and budget review and a number of facilities services were adjusted to what is allowed. The current cleaning is all that is allowed under the CNIC service level and will stay this way for the foreseeable future.

Q3. Why is the preschool made a priority for E-4s and below.

My kids are not preschool age yet, but will be before the end of my tour. I am an E-6 and would like to be able to register for this when the time comes. I don't see why the availability of this service based on rank.

A3. Sure Start is modeled after the federally funded Head Start program, but designed to serve the children of the military stationed overseas where the Head Start program is not available.

NASSIG N6 ITD Sicily Submitted by NAS Sigonella N6 Department

During the last few years, the IT world has drastically changed, making it a challenge for those who rely on IT to stay up to date. The NASSIG Information Technology Department (N6) Training and Test Center is here to help.

We want to give the entire Sigonella community the opportunity to have access to both the training and exams necessary to become certified or just more knowledgeable in IT. As an accredited Pearson VUE Test Center we can deliver a variety of IT exams, from Vendors such as Cisco, CompTIA and others.

We can provide a full suite of services from test development to IT training to data management. Our Test Center is certified and ready to offer a comfortable and qualified classroom environment. Our goal is your success.

Since the DOD Directive 8570.01-M mandates all government personnel, civilians and contractors working on networks are required to receive industry IT certifications, Pearson VUE delivers several exams from both Cisco and CompTIA that comply with the Directive 8570.01-M. For more info please contact sebastiano.cavall.it@eu.navy.mil 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 GM2 Kris Carmody MCSN 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

We are also a Certified Prometric Test Center to get Microsoft Certifications.

Achieving a Microsoft Certification helps provide you with relevant skills that can lead you to an IT career accessing the global network technology opportunities. As most of you know, the Microsoft career structure has been modified due to the new computer and technology innovations so our site offers a complete range of Microsoft Certifications for IT professionals and developers of all skill levels from entry level positions to solution architects.

For more info please contact Giuseppe.pagano.it@eu.navy.mil We should remind everyone that our site has also been certified as EExam authorized test center, an e-platform owned by AIR UNIVERSITY Air Force Institute for Advanced Distributed Learning (AFIADL) where we can offer more than two thousands tests for Navy and AIRFORCE personnel working on the flight line from Fire Dept. to Air force personnel.

For more info please contact sebastiano.cavall.it@eu.navy.mil Our training and test center room has 12 full net-working and internet N6, 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.

DoDDS receives funding for the Sure Start preschool program from the Department of Defense to specifically target preschoolers who may be at risk for school success based on a variety of factors.

By regulation, DODDS must give priority to E1-E4 families, but other enlisted ranks may apply. While all children would benefit from a quality preschool program, the Department of Defense only currently funds the Sure Start Program and DoDEA must follow all regulations and serve the identified targeted population in order to be able to continue to offer the program. Parents who have further questions are welcome to contact the school.

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) Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 1130 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 1300 Bible Study (NAS I Chapel) Worship Service 1300 Call 624-5128 or 338-736-3061

OTHER SERVICES/ACTIVITIES POINTS OF CONTACT Muslim Prayer Room, open for daily prayers, NAS II Chapel, x9049.

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

National “Electrical Safety” Month May 2011

By NASSIG FES, Assistant Chief - Brent Blasco

The Problem Electricity is a powerful energy source that must be treated with care & respect. When we think about electricity, we think about electrical current. Electric current is the power running along wires in our home/workplace and generates heat as it travels.

The electrical current is like water running through a hose. The size of a cord can carry only so much electricity before it starts to overheat. The insulation on wiring, fuses and other parts of the electrical system are designed to The Signature is published weekly 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.

carry a certain amount of electricity safely. The more electricity you draw along a cord, the more quickly it heats up.

Electrical fires in our homes and workplaces claim the lives of 310 Americans each year and injure 1,100 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures, but many more are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

During a typical year, electrical problems account for 28,600 fires and $1.1 billion in property losses. 53% of

residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring.

The Cause Most electrical distribution fires result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords (such as extension and appliance cords), plugs, receptacles, and switches also cause many home electrical fires.

Light fixtures and lamps/light bulbs are also leading causes of electrical fires.

SAFETY, 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: 081-568-2983 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.

May 20, 2011

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Mwr

Midtown Movie theaterS Schedule & deScriptionS

FAST FIVE- Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris

Friday, May 20 5:00pm Fast Five PG-13 8:00pm The Lincoln Lawyer R PREMIERE Saturday, May 21 2:00pm Thor PG-13 4:30pm Sucker Punch PG-13 PREMIERE 7:00pm The Lincoln Lawyer R Sunday, May 22 2:00pm Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules PG 4:00pm Sucker Punch PG-13 6:30pm Limitless PG-13 Tuesday, May 24 5:00pm Fast Five PG-13 7:30pm The Lincoln Lawyer R Wednesday, May 25 5:00pm Sucker Punch PG-13 7:30pm Thor PG-13 Thursday, May 26 5:00pm Limitless PG-13 7:30pm Paul R Friday, May 27 5:00pm Sucker Punch PG-13 8:00pm The Lincoln Lawyer R

Movie schedule is subject to change.

Please call to confirm.

Movie Hotline: 624-4248

Since Brian O'Conner and Mia Toretto broke Dom Toretto out of custody, they've blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom. As they assemble their elite team of top racers, the unlikely allies know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the corrupt businessman who wants them dead. But he's not the only one on their tail. Hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs never misses his target. When he is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault to capture them. But as his men tear through Brazil, Hobbs learns he can't separate the good guys from the bad. Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey... before someone else runs them down first. (130 min.)

THE LINCOLN LAWYER- Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, Josh Lucas Mickey Haller is a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln sedan. Haller has spent most of his career defending garden-variety criminals, until he lands the case of his career: defending Louis Roulet, a Beverly Hills playboy accused of rape and attempted murder. But the seemingly straightforward case suddenly develops into a deadly game of survival for Haller. (119 min.)

THOR- Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior, is sent down to Earth as punishment for reigniting a reckless war. But after a dangerous villain from his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth, the hammer-wielding Thor will learn what it takes to be a true hero in order to save mankind. (115 min.)

RANGO- Johnny Depp, Alanna Ubach, Abigal Breslin, Isla Fisher, Alfred Molina Rango is a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet facing a major identity crisis.

After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in? When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt, a lawless outpost populated by the desert's most wily and whimsical creatures the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt until he starts to become the hero he once only pretended to be. (107 min.)

LIMITLESS- Bradley Cooper, Robert Di Niro, Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth Aspiring author Eddie Morra is suffering from chronic writer's block, but his life changes instantly when an old friend introduces him to NZT, a revolutionary new pharmaceutical that allows him to tap his full potential. With every synapse crackling, Eddie can recall everything he has ever read, seen or heard, learn any language in a day, comprehend complex equations and beguile anyone he meets - as long as he keeps taking the untested drug. Soon Eddie takes Wall Street by storm, parlaying a small stake into millions. His accomplishments catch the eye of mega-mogul Carl Van Loon, who invites him to help broker the largest merger in corporate history. But they also bring Eddie to the attention of people willing to do anything to get their hands on his stash of NZT. With his life in jeopardy and the drug's brutal side effects taking their toll, Eddie dodges mysterious stalkers, a vicious gangster and an intense police investigation as he attempts to hang on to his dwindling supply long enough to outwit his enemies. (105 min.)

Be a part of the ever growing social network. MWR has joined the many other companies that use Facebook as a means to communicate. MWRsigonella is looking for more Sigonella “friends” in order to spread the word on facility events and information. By being “friends” with MWR Sigonella you get a sneak peek at what is going on in the community. You

get to see the preview before it hits the stands, it also allows you to ask questions, feedback, and suggestions to improve your time here in Sig. Facebook allows us to provide our soldiers and families access to current movie schedules, bus schedules, driving directions, and so much more. Facebook has opened doors for us to ready you!

Join us today!