THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
VOL. 29 NO. 47
DECEMBER 14, 2012
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Ristorante Bella Etna chefs prepare fresh Sicilian pasta at the new pasta bar, an addition to the menu options at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s galley. (U.S. Navy photo by MR1 Gary Spence/Released)
NASSIG galley adds Sicilian pastas to menu BY MC3 CAMERON BRAMHAM NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
A
fresh pasta bar has been added to the speed-line at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s galley, Ristorante Bella Etna, providing Sailors yet another delicious dining option. The pasta bar is offered every other Tuesday and features popular Sicilian recipes. “We want to create more fresh and healthy meals,” Food Supervisor Mimmo Strano said. “This pasta bar was put in to give people an alternative meal. We have four different types of pastas to go with four different types of sauces. We've also added cheese and beef ravioli along with beef tortellini.” The pasta bar is the first of Ristorante Bella Etna's Sicilian style food additions. In the future, the galley hopes to add a panini bar and kebob stand as well. In 2010, Ristorante Bella Etna won the Capt. Edward F. Ney Memorial Award for the best galley at a shore command
outside of the continental U.S. and galley staff and officials are continually looking for ways to keep improving their food offerings, ambience and service. In addition to the pasta bar, a new grill was added to further enhance the speed line and cook bigger and better burgers. To compliment the burgers, a new and improved condiments and toppings bar including bacon, sautéed mushrooms and sautéed onions was also added. “Our ideal goal is to have something different on the speed line every day for lunch,” Strano said. “Right now, we’re testing it out to see how the community reacts. So far, everyone seems to like it.” Ristorante Bella Etna Food Service Leading Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief Culinary Specialist Juancho Lucero said he hopes the additions of the new equipment for new cuisines
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will entice the E-4 and below living on NAS II who automatically have meal deductions withdrawn every pay check. “Every time you don’t eat here, you are robbing yourself,” Lucero said. “With this I hope we can get them to eat here once again.” According to Lucero, on average, about 30-40 percent of the E-4 and below living in the NAS II barracks eat at the galley on weekdays. The number drops immensely on the weekends and sometimes doesn’t even reach ten percent. Lucero said he has been working to improve the galley since being put in charge and hopes the new equipment can be a big step in the process. “One of my goals when I started working here was to bring a Sicilian atmosphere to the galley,” said Lucero, “We’ve redecorated and now it’s only proper that we serve Sicilian style food.”
OF THE WEEK
“In 20 years time you will regret the things you didn't do much more than the things you did wrong.” - Mark Twain
Italian Christmas sweets
Sicilian Crispelle
Giving back
Tempt your taste buds.
Learn how to make this delicious treat.
Find out how NCTS Sailors helped preserve historic site.
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Scan for direct links to NAS Sigonella
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THE SIGNATURE U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella Capt. Scott Butler, Commanding Officer Cmdr. Eric Vosler, Executive Officer CMDCM David Graham, Command Master Chief
EDITORIAL Lt. Tim Page, Public Affairs Officer timothy.page@eu.navy.mil
Dott. Alberto Lunetta, Community Relations Officer alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil
Jackie Trembath, Editor jackie.trembath@eu.navy.mil
STAFF Writer/Photographer MR1 Gary Spence gary.spence@eu.navy.mil GM2 Meghan Schnurr meghan.schnurr@eu.navy.mil MC3 Cameron Bramham cameron.bramham@eu.navy.mil
CONTRIBUTING Writers/Photographers HM2 Matthew Clutter Coco Faber MCC Philip A. McDaniel MacKenzie Smith
CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 3020, FPO, AE 09627
PUBLISHER Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity Capodichino (Naples), Italy stampagenerale@tin.it Tel. 081-568-7884 – Fax 081-568-7887
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 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.
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
DECEMBER 14, 2012
NAS Sigonella Executive Officer, Cmdr. Eric Vosler If you had a chance to tune in to Feedback Live last week, you may have heard the CO and CMC talking about the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) and their adoption of the NAS II parking garage near the NEX Mini-mart. These Sailors provide their peers multiple resources and positive alternatives needed to help avoid destructive decisions. In this case, the Sigonella chapter of CSADD has taken ownership of the garage by ensuring its cleanliness. I am grateful for their initiative and I ask that the community help them by picking up any trash that you may see as you use this facility. CSADD has set the example and raises the bar in community support. What will you do to make Sigonella better? Speaking of setting the bar, I want to thank everyone involved with the organization of the first-ever NASSIG Christmas party last week. It was a huge success and I hope everyone had a great time. It was good to see more than 350 community members enjoying the holiday festivities. I want to also thank the 8th grade students from the Middle School for waiting tables and cleanup the following day. These students will be traveling to Washington, DC next month. They will get a personal look at our country’s historic landmarks and will participate in some of the events of the 2013 presidential inauguration. The official theme for the event is “Faith in America’s Future,” commemorating the United States’ perseverance and unity and marking the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. When you see them around base, offer them words of encouragement and show them your support as they prepare for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
The holiday leave periods are here and many of you will be travelling for the holidays. Regardless of where your travels may take you, keep safety as your number one priority. Slow down when driving, give yourself plenty of time while traveling and NEVER drink and drive. We received so many questions for December’s Feedback Live that we couldn’t cover them all during the show, so we’ll use the next couple Direct Line columns to answer them. Your questions are very important to us, and I encourage you to keep sending them via email. Remember that Feedback Live is a LIVE call in show – if time permits, you can get your question answered on the spot. The show is held on the first Thursday of each month, from 6:30 – 7 p.m. To call in live on the show, please dial 6244265 or 095-56-4265. Due to the holiday leave periods the next edition of Feedback Live will be February 7. I've noticed there are no trash receptacles along the Admin promenade on NAS II. Can these be ordered to prevent people from littering? Yes, they can and good suggestion. Unfortunately, due to the CRA we currently do not have the funds available to purchase the additional receptacles now. We will look to buy more of these as the funds become available early next year. I have a question regarding the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) Website for Sigonella. There are only three service providers listed for Sigonella: Administration, Education and Training, and Health. The sub categories for these Service
Providers do not cover all aspects of the providers listed (Ex: Administration link only has one sub-service provider, Legal). I like using the ICE site to place positive and negative feedback from my experiences knowing it is a 'high vis' format and the feedback is quick and constructive. My question: Is there a plan to get ICE up and running for all commands/service providers at NAVSTA Sigonella? Thank you for your question. We want to make sure you have the available resources and avenues to give good constructive feedback. The Installation N5 Office is in the process of re-starting the ICE Program for NAS Sigonella. You should start seeing the program running across the installation in the next 6 months. 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.
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Hotlines Sigonella SAPR VA Hotline: 335-642-8312. DoD Safe Helpline: 001-877-995-5247 (From cell phones and off-base telephones) Or: 19020 (toll-free access code) 1-877-995-5247 (From DSN lines)
DRIVE SAFELY
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DECEMBER 14, 2012
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Around NAS Sigonella ...
Sounds of the Holidays Concert A special "Sounds of the Holidays" concert was held for the Sigonella community at the NAS I Base Chapel on Thursday, December 6 featuring performances from the Sigonella Middle and High School Department of Music and the Sigonella Singers. (Photo by MacKenzie Smith)
Lt. Cmdr. Tor Berg receives Letter of Appreciation from the President of the United States Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Butler (right), presents Lt. Cmdr. Tor Berg with a Letter of Appreciation from the President of the United States at his retirement ceremony on NAS II December 7. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Tim Page)
During a ribbon cutting ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella on December 6, members of the Sigonella Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) unveil a sign reminding Sailors to "pitch in" and keep the parking garage on NAS II clean. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Tim Page)
CSADD adopts parking garage BY LT. TIM PAGE NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
The Sigonella Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) adopted a parking garage during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella on December 6. CSADD is an organization for Sailors E-1 to E-5 that is focused on promoting a good decision making process, enabling development and influence among peers at the most junior levels. The decision to adopt this area of the base was part of CSADD's contribution to the command and part of their local community service initiatives. At the ceremony, member's from the organization revealed the sign asking personnel to maintain the cleanliness of the area. "We hope this sends a positive message to the community to take care of what we own," said Senior Chief Paul Ancho, CSADD sponsor. "We hope other organizations will follow." This project has received the attention of the community and leadership throughout the installation. "My motto has been; What are you doing to make Sigonella better?" said Cmdr. Eric Vosler, executive officer. "CSADD has stepped up, answered this call, and taken this initiative and set the standard. Now what will you do?"
Sigonella “Hoplites” rugby club hosts NATO team from Naples A member of the "Hoplites" Sigonella Rugby club moves the ball up the pitch during the December 8 game against the NATO team based out of Naples. This was the second game between the two teams. Sigonella won the first match and NATO took this last match. The two teams look forward to playing each other again. (Photo by MCC Philip A. McDaniel)
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DECEMBER 14, 2012
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR FRIDAY
December
14
ITT Cooking Class Sicilian Christmas Menu
2012
MONDAY
TUESDAY 18
17
WEDNESDAY 19
Take 5 Where’s Frosty? 11 a.m.
Library Story Time 11 a.m. Commissary
Tobacco Cessation Class 2-3 p.m. Midtown Classroom
NAS I Gym Street Hockey tryouts 5:30 p.m.
Youth Complex Digital Arts Club 4 - 4:30 p.m.
Connections Bingo 6 p.m.
AA Meeting NAS I Chapel 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Take 5 Pool Tournament 6 p.m.
Connections Cookie Decorating 5 p.m.
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25 Take 5 Holiday Treats
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CHRISTMAS Have a Safe & Happy Holiday! Connections Christmas Day Ham Sandwiches 5 p.m. Take 5 Holiday Treats
THURSDAY 20 Take 5 Winter Word Find Challenge
SATURDAY 15 Jingle Bell Rock 5 Mile Run/Walk NAS II Gym
Connections Holiday Movie Marathon
ITT Taormina Day Spa
Outdoor Rec Go-Kart Racing & Dinner
Take 5 Holiday Shopping Trips
Walleyball Tournament: NAS I Gym 5:30 p.m.
Outdoor REC Family Hike of the Month Monti Sartorius
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22
Bowling Flashback to the 80’s
ITT Enna, Piazza Armerina Imperial Villa & Agriturismo
ITT Agrigento: Valley of the Temples & Bagliesi Winery
Youth Complex Image Makers 2-3 p.m.
Take 5 Holiday Treats
Take 5 Pictionary Game Night 6 p.m.
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28
30
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ITT Live Nativity Scene in Ragusa Province
Take 5/Liberty Christmas Dinner 11 a.m.
ITT Giarre Nativities & Puppet Show
Connections Bingo 6 p.m.
Library Story Time 10 a.m. Library
Youth Complex Image Makers 2-3 p.m.
Jox Pub Texas Hold’em 6 p.m.
NO PAPER
Liberty/Connections/Take 5: x4246, x5602 Outdoor Rec: x4777, x4396
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23 ITT Naro Tour & Wine Tasting
Library Story Time 10 a.m. Library
SUNDAY
Fitness: x4483, x5243 Midtown 2 Theaters: x4248
ITT Taormina & Gambino Winery
FFSC: x4291 American Red Cross: 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!
Need an appointment at the hospital? Call DSN 624CARE (2273) or commercial 095-56-2273, M-F: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. For non-emergent medical questions that arise over the weekend, a holiday or after office hours, please call 335578-8077 if you are normally seen at the hospital or 335578-8150 if you are normally seen at the Flight Line Clinic.
DECEMBER 14, 2012
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U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella joins (clean) hands for awareness week BY HM2 MATTHEW CLUTTER U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella
You can do a lot of things in 20 seconds. Tie your shoes. Send an email. Update your Facebook status. You could even sing Happy Birthday… twice. Twenty seconds is also the amount of time the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest for washing your hands. It’s a recommendation that’s part of a greater effort to keep a healthy community and something U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella was highlighting last week during National Hand Washing Awareness Week. “Our goal is to increase the awareness that hand washing is important,” said Lt. Joel Albright, the hospital’s infection control officer. “It’s the number one thing you can do to prevent the spread of germs and stay healthy.” With flu season upon us, maintaining health is becoming more and more important, and hand washing is the first and most important step in doing that. The CDC suggests washing hands before, during and after food preparation; before and after caring for someone who is sick; after using the toilet; after changing diapers; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; after touching an animal or animal waste; and after touching garbage. And these practices are even more important for those in the medical field. “Everybody in the medical field plays a role,” Lt. Albright said. “Everyday we’re seeing sick patients and the last thing we want to do is spread germs to others.” To help get the word out, Lt. Albright has inundated the community with information in the form of posters and flyers and even visited the DoDDs school, where he spoke to more than 200 students about the importance of hand washing. Make no mistake, though, this isn’t a one-week-ayear thing. Hand washing is vital to overall health and something that should be practiced daily to prevent the spread of germs.
Photo by HM2 Matthew Clutter
“It’s an everyday thing we do throughout the hospital,” Lt. Albright said, pointing to multiple hand sanitizing stations in the hospital lobby. “We try to educate the staff and patients to make sure they’re practicing proper hand washing procedures.” For the hospital, that means random, monthly hand washing surveillances done in the different departments by infection control representatives. These representatives anonymously observe everyone from corpsmen to nurses to physicians to make sure proper hand washing is done. Because after all, as Lt. Albright reiterated, “Hand washing is the number one thing you can do to make a difference in your health.” Come to think of it, that’s not a bad Facebook status.
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DECEMBER 14, 2012
English: winter
JU
IT! Italian: invèrno Y A S ST ian
ce y Practi
our Ita
l
Have fun practicing your Italian! Buona Fortuna
Satisfy your sweet tooth with the tempting and mouthwatering Italian and Sicilian Christmas desserts. Panettone is among the most popular cakes that can be found during Natale (Christmas) at supermarkets, pastry and bakery shops across the island. (Photo by www.gilardengo.it)
Italian Christmas sweets to tempt your taste buds “Buccellato” (from the Latin word Buccellatum that means bread in morsels) or “Cucciddatu” (as it is called in Sicilian), is among the most popular cakes that are prepared during this holiday season. It is a short crust ring shaped cake filled with dried fruits, orange peels, plain chocolate, honey and spices and sprinkled with pistachio. Buccellato also includes a mignon version called “Buccellatino” that is sprinkled with sugar and covered with a white frosting. Other traditional cakes include “Mustazzoli” (sweets made from majorca flour and filled with cooked wine mixed with almonds, pine-seeds and nuts), “ravioli” (fritters filled with sweetened ricotta) and crispelle (rice fritters covered with honey). Other traditional Sicilian sweets include “Cedrata” and “Aranciata,” two mouthwatering specialties made with orange or cedar peel cooked with honey, vanilla and cinnamon. Besides the traditional Buccellato, the classic Italian Christmas cakes such as “Panettone,” “Pandoro” and “Torrone” are also very popular in Sicily. As many stories say, the “Panettone” was first prepared in Milan in the 15th century at the bakery of Tony, a grumpy man who used to boss both his workers and his beautiful daughter Adalgisa. Since Tony had such a bad temper, Ughetto, one of his assistants, was afraid to ask him the permission to marry his daughter with whom he was in love. Thus, he decided to impress Tony by baking a special cake. Ughetto worked round the clock until he created special bread containing flour, sugar, candied fruits and raisins. Soon this cake became very popular and Tony made a lot of good bargains as everybody in Milan asked for “Pan di Tony” (in Italian, Tony’s bread) which was later named as “Panettone.” In the wake of this popularity, Tony decided to reward his employee by giving him permission to marry Adalgisa. Another tradition says that Panettone was served for the first time at the table of Ludovico Sforza, called “The Moor,” the Duke of Milan (1494–99) during a lavish ban-
quet as a replacement of a cake baked by the Leading Chef. Since that cake unfortunately wilted, Tony, a bold scullery boy, prepared another one by hastily mixing flour, eggs, butter, sugar and candied fruits to save the chef ’s reputation. As the fellow guests tasted this new cake, they found it delicious. Thus, the duke of Milan decided to name it after Tony. Today, in addition to the traditional candied fruits and raisin fillings, Panettone is enriched with chocolate drops, frosting, almonds and fruit creams. According to legend, “Pandoro,” (in Italian, “bread of gold”) was named so because of the delicate yellow color of the dough as eggs are also mixed with the other ingredients. It seems to be originated in Verona, an elegant Renaissance city located in the north of Italy that was also chosen as a setting by Shakespeare for his masterpiece “Romeo and Juliet.” Yet another tale says Pandoro was first prepared in Venice in the 16th century, when this maritime republic was wealthy and powerful. Chronicles of the time tell that Pandoro was presented at the tables of the Venetian aristocrats all covered with gold leaves. Today, Pandoro is enriched with fruit cream filling and frosting such as lemon or orange and chocolate. “Torrone” or nougat is made with sugar, honey, egg whites, almonds and hazelnuts. It was first prepared for the wedding banquet of Bianca Maria Visconti and the duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza that took place in Cremona in 1441. The chefs shaped the Torrone as the 13th century tower, which still flanks Cremona’s cathedral, because it was included in bride’s dowry. The tower was named “Torrione” (in Italian, big tower), so the dessert was given the name “Torrone.” Historic sources say the guests of the wedding banquet, who came from every part of Italy and Europe, were so impressed by the savory taste of Torrone that they praised its delicacy as they went back home earning the Torrone a worldwide reputation.
Learn how to make crispelle on Page 8.
English: spring Italian: primavèra English: summer Italian: estàte English: fall Italian: autùnno
DECEMBER 14, 2012
Vandals Destroy Prized Brunello di Montalcino Wine (NYT)
In an apparent act of large-scale vandalism, much of the last six vintages of Case Basse di Soldera, perhaps the greatest producer of Brunello di Montalcino, was destroyed Sunday night, the Italian winery said in a statement Tuesday. The winery’s former American importer, Paolo Domeneghetti of Domaine Select Wine Estates, said intruders had entered the wine cellar, near the town of Tavernelle, south of Montalcino, and opened up large vats holding wine dating from the 2007 vintage up through 2012, draining the wine onto the floor. Gianfranco Soldera, the proprietor of the estate who resides above the cellar, discovered the damage the next morning, Mr. Domeneghetti said. “Some wine is left, but the majority of the stuff is gone,’’ said Mr. Domeneghetti, who had spoken by phone with Mr. Soldera. “We still don’t understand what happened.’’ In its statement, the winery estimated the loss at 62,600 liters, the equivalent of almost 84,000 bottles. Bottles of the 2006 Soldera, the last vintage released, sell for $250 to $350. The winery also said that no bottles had been stolen. Regulations require Brunello to be aged in wood for two years and in bottles for another two, but Mr. Soldera takes an extreme appro-
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ach, keeping his wine in huge barrels of old oak for five or six years, and sometimes more. Mr. Domeneghetti said that the damage was covered by insurance, and that nobody was hurt. But insurance doesn’t cover a life’s work. “He’s freaking out, of course,’’ he said of Mr. Soldera. News reports had suggested that the destruction might have been linked to organized crime, but Mr. Domeneghetti dismissed the notion. Other speculation centers on Mr. Soldera’s role in the scandal that racked Brunello di Montalcino in 2008, when a number of leading producers were indicted on charges of blending unauthorized grapes into their Brunello di Montalcinos, which by law is supposed to be made only of the sangiovese grape. The scandal was only the most outward symptom of a deeper identity crisis, as producers have spent years debating how Brunello should be made and how it should taste. Mr. Soldera is among the staunchest defenders of traditional Brunello, and he rarely restrains himself from questioning the practices of his neighbors. He has not been diplomatic in criticizing their wines, or modest in assessing his own, which he regards as one of the few great wines in the world. While wine-lovers around the world admire the gorgeous purity and grace of his wines, he is not beloved among his peers. Among the contentious issues in Montalcino is whether the wine should be aged in small barrels of new French oak, known as barriques. Proponents suggest that traditional Brunello is too austere, and that barriques can soften the wine, making it more accessible while adding vanilla and chocolate flavors that are popular with some consumers. Mr. Soldera scoffs at such thinking. “If a producer puts wines in barriques, it’s because he has bad wine, without tannins,’’ Mr. Soldera told me in 2006. “He must replace the tannins and aromas with what is gained from the barriques.” Indeed, Mr. Soldera is obsessive in his farming and his winemaking, sometimes to the point where others regarded him as eccentric. His cellar was built with walls of crushed rock encased in wire mesh rather than of cement, which he believes destroys wine. He does not permit visitors to his cellar to spit the wine after they have tasted it. The wine is so beautiful that few visitors mind. “Our thoughts and actions, at the moment, are directed solely to the future,” the statement said, “because no intimidation can stop our work and passion for this land and the products it yields.”
Spot where Julius Caesar wasbystabbed is discovered (Story www.msnbc.msn.com) Archaeologists believe they have found the first physical evidence of the spot where Julius Caesar died, according to a new Spanish National Research Council report.
PAGE 7 Caesar, the head of the Roman Republic, was stabbed to death by a group of rival Roman senators on March 15, 44 B.C., the Ides of March. The assassination is well-covered in classical texts, but until now, researchers had no archaeological evidence of the place where it happened. Now, archaeologists have unearthed a concrete structure nearly 10 feet wide and 6.5 feet tall that may have been erected by Augustus, Julius Caesar's successor, to condemn the assassination. The structure is at the base of the Curia, or Theater, of Pompey, the spot where classical writers reported the stabbing took place. "We always knew that Julius Caesar was killed in the Curia of Pompey on March 15th 44 B.C. because the classical texts pass on so, but so far no material evidence of this fact, so often depicted in historical painting and cinema, had been recovered," Antonio Monterroso, a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council, said in a statement. Classical texts also say that years after the assassination, the Curia was closed and turned into a memorial chapel for Caesar. The researchers are studying this building along with another monument in the same complex, the Portico of the Hundred Columns, or Hecatostylon. They are looking for links between the archaeology of the assassination and what has been portrayed in art.
Mickey Mouse Celebrates 80th Birthday In Italy With Exhibition (Italy magazine)
The world’s favorite cartoon mouse is being honored with an exhibition to mark the 80 years since his Italian debut. From 15 November to 20 January 2013 there will be a celebratory exhibit at the WOW Spazio Fumetti comics museum in Milan called ‘Storie di una storia’ (History of a Story) that traces Mickey Mouse’s journey from the early days to the iPad. Florentine editor Mario Nerbini printed the first number of the Italian Mickey Mouse comic book in December 1932, four years after Walt Disney conceived the character. However, Nerbini did not obtain the publication rights and the Italian representative for the creator complained. Nerbini changed the look of the cartoon character, as well as its name and that of the weekly comic, to ‘Topo Lino’ – a pun on ‘topolino’ (little mouse). When Nerbini did secure the rights to Mickey Mouse from Disney, he changed the name to ‘Topolino’. Now the series is published by The Walt Disney Company Italia. To commemorate the anniversary, The Walt Disney Company Italia has also released a €20 book ‘Topolino: 80 anni insieme’ (Topolino: 80 Years Together), which examines the history of the mouse over the decades. On 26 December, number 2979 of the comic book features the cartoon character as the hero in a tale about the history of comic books. The Walt Disney Company Italia is releasing a ‘Topolino Anniversary’ 2013 calendar showing comic-book covers illustrating the evolution of the character.
Italian agriturismo run by homeless shut down (ANSA)
Serravalle Pistoiese - A Tuscan holiday farm estate run by homeless people has been shut down for failing to comply with basic regulations, Florence-based newspaper La Nazione reported Thursday. "None of the essential requirements have been met in so far as the only paperwork filed concerns the administration of food and drink to members of the association, not the offer of hospitality to other people," city council sources said. Other alleged irregularities included the structure's ability to receive guests, the sewage system and drinking-water supplies. The structure opened in June in an old farmhouse in the countryside between Serravalle and Montecatini in the province of Pistoia on the initiative of Wainer Molteni, president of the Milan-based association Clochard to the Rescue that runs the site.
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DECEMBER 14, 2012
(Photos by Jackie Trembath)
BY JACKIE TREMBATH NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
At
the fairs in America, food vendors offer a variety of fried concoctions to satisfy your sweet tooth including fried Oreos, Twinkies, Snickers and even Trix cereal. In Sicily, you can get fried rice pudding called crispelle. With all the Christmas markets in city centers all over Sicily, you cannot miss crispelle. These rice pudding fritters are super simple to make, as I discovered at a recent cooking class offered through Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC). Covered in local honey, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar, crispelle are guaranteed to delight.
Ingredients: ∙ 300 Grams of Rice ∙ 1 Liter of Milk ∙ 20 Grams of Yeast ∙ 60 Grams of Granulated Sugar ∙ 150 Grams of Cinnamon ∙ Grated Rind of 1 Orange and 1 Lemon ∙ 1 Teaspoon of Salt ∙ Peanut Oil (for frying) ∙ 200 Grams Orange Blossom Honey ∙ Powdered Sugar
Directions: 1. Prepare rice: Cook the rice with milk on low heat and season with salt. Cook until the milk is completely absorbed. Continue cooking a while longer, adding a little hot water if necessary. The rice must be like risotto - a little overcooked. Remove from heat. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Add flour, sugar, cinnamon, grated rind of orange and lemon and yeast (dissolved in moderately hot water). Mix well so that ingredients are well absorbed. Cover with plastic wrap and place the mixture in a warm place for about 2 hours.
2. Shape: Once the rice is leavened, you can began shaping it into cylinders. 3. Fry: Cook the cylinder crispelle in hot oil until they are golden brown. Drain them and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Transfer to a serving dish.
4. Garnish: Heat honey in a double boiler (or microwave for a few seconds). When it is softened, drizzle abundantly over crispelle. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
5. Enjoy!
DECEMBER 14, 2012
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DECEMBER 14, 2012
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors from Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) and local Italian elementary school students clean the aqueduct below the Fontana Del Cherubino. (U.S. Navy photo by GM2 Meghan Schnurr)
Sigonella Sailors team up with local elementary students to help preserve historical fountain BY GM2 MEGHAN SCHNURR NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors from Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) participated in a community relations (COMREL) project in the town of Santa Maria Di Licodia on December 6. (U.S. Navy photo by GM2 Meghan Schnurr)
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors from Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) participated in a community relations (COMREL) project in the town of Santa Maria Di Licodia on December 6. Joined by more than 60 local Italian elementary students from the Institute "Don Bosco," the Sailors cleaned the Fontana Del Cherubino, the town's famous fountain which dates back the 18th century. "This fountain has a special meaning for us as it represents our historic heritage," said Gabriele Gurgone, president of the town council. "We are very proud to host this group of Navy volunteers who are helping us send a message to respect the environment and historical sites."
Friday, 14 DEC 12 *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, Spaghetti Yakisoba, Baked Fish Pollok, 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, Roast Beef, Steamed Rice, Ham Sandwich, Spinach, Cauliflower Polonaise, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Pudding. Saturday, 15 DEC 12 *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 Noodle Soup, Veal Breaded w/Mushroom Gravy, Buttered Pasta, Brown Gravy, Carrots, Fried Cabbage w/ Bacon, Snickerdoodle Cookies, Apple Crisp. *Dinner: Pepper Pot Soup, Spaghetti w/meat sauce, Fish Portion, O’Brien Potatoes, Peas w/ Celery, Squash, Snickerdoodle Cookies, Apple Crisp.
The Baroque style Fontana Del Cherubino was established in 1757. Below the fountain lies an aqueduct constructed by the Romans, which carries fresh spring water to the town. The water used to run down to a public lavatory, which enabled the local women to wash clothes. Cleaning the historic site was a meaningful project for the Sailors involved. "Personally, when I grew up we didn't have a lot, so we had to keep it clean, that way it would be around for a long time," said Information Systems Technician First Class Shaun Stanley. "If we teach children to take pride in their heritage and continue to preserve their historical sites and monuments, they will be around for centuries to come."
Tuesday, 18 DEC 12 *Breakfast: Farina, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Grilled Sausage Patties, Asstd Doughnuts, Bran Muffins. *Lunch: Spanish Soup, Beef Tacos, Burritos, Chicken Fajita, Mexican Rice, Refried Beans, Calico Corn, Carrots, Jalapeno Cornbread, Raspberry Filled Cake, Pecan Pie. *Speed line: Chicken Patties Sandwiches, F. Fries Potatoes . *Dinner: Navy Bean Soup, Roast Beef, Fishwich, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Gravy, Seasoned Asparagus, Cauliflowers, Raspberry Filled Cake, Pecan Pie. Wednesday, 19 DEC 12 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Creamed Ground Beef, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Danish Diamonds. *Lunch: Puree Mongole Soup, Baked Fish, Brown Gravy, Potatoes Oven Brown, Spaghetti Meat Sauce, Spinach, Peas w/Carrots, Vanilla Cookies, Strawberry Shortcake, Tapioca Pudding. *Speed line: Grilled Hamburger/Cheeseburger, French Fries, Baked Beans. *Dinner: Beef Rice Soup, Baked Chicken, Steamed Rice, Farfalle w/ Tomato Sauce, Savory Squash, Steamed Broccoli, Vanilla Cookies, Strawberry Shortcake, Tapioca Pudding.
Sunday, 16 DEC 12 *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, Sauerbraten, Mix Vegetable, Asparagus, Peach Cobbler, White Cake w/ Frosting. *Dinner: Manhattan Clam Chowder Soup, Baked Chicken, Spaghetti Carbonara, Paprika Buttered Potatoes, Pork Fried Rice, Carrots, Whole kernel Corn, Peach Cobbler, White Cake w/ Frosting.
Thursday, 20 DEC 12 *Breakfast: Hominy Grits, Oven Fried Bacon, Creamed Beef, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Danish Diamonds. *Lunch: Velvet Corn Soup, Roast Pork Tenderloin, Brown Gravy, Lasagna, Oriental Rice, Oven Brown Potatoes, Spinach, Cauliflower Au Gratin, Easy Chocolate Cake, Crisp Drop Cookies. *Speed line: Sloppy Joe, Onion Rings. *Dinner: Cream of Asparagus Soup, Chicken Tetrazzini, Veal Steak, Corn on the Cob, Lyonnaise Rice, Collard Greens, Easy Chocolate, Crisp Drop Cookies.
Monday, 17 DEC 12 *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 Roast, Veal Steak Parmesan, Steamed Rice, Peas, Cauliflower, Crisp Drop Cookies, Cherry Crumble Pie, Strawberry Gelatin. *Speed line: Pizza. *Dinner: Tomato Bouillon Soup, Roast Pork , Penne Alfredo, Steamed Rice, Brown Gravy, Green Beans Nicoise, Carrot Slices, Crisp Drop Cookies, Cherry Crumble Pie, Strawberry Gelatin.
Friday, 21 DEC 12 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Sausage Patties, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Apple Fritters. *Lunch: New England Clam Chowder, Lemon Baked Fish, Steamed Rice, Spaghetti Carbonara, Asparagus, Carrots , Sugar Cookies, Cheese Cake, Vanilla Cream Pudding. *Speed line: Grilled Hamburger/Cheeseburger, French Fries, Baked Beans. *Dinner: Vegetable Supreme Soup, Italian Sausage, Spaghetti w/meat sauce, Oven Browned Potatoes, Spinach, Oriental Stir Fry, Sugar Cookies, Cheesecake, Vanilla Cream Pudding.
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ON THE GO WITH MWR Italian Nativity Scenes with ITT Italy is known for its Christmas Nativity Scenes, and ITT is visiting some of Sicily’s best in December! The nativities, or Presepe in Italian, depict the night Jesus was born. Traditionally, the baby Jesus is at the center lying in a manger, where he is surrounded and adored by his parents, shepherds, wise men, angels, a donkey and an ox. In Sicily, the scenes add different elements, often taking place in a miniature version of the village where it’s displayed. Sometimes there are celebrity cameo appearances in them such as Mother Theresa, Gandhi and the Pope, to name a few. Some have moving parts and others have living creatures. Some are enormous and can take up an entire room. Setting out to see some of these magnificent displays could be a fun holiday adventure for the whole family. The Nativity Scene is a Christmas tradition that started in Italy and dates back to the 13th century. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first Presepio. He travelled to the nearby village of Greccio in 1223 to lead the Christmas midnight mass. When he discovered that the local church was not big enough for the crowd he expected, St. Francis found a large cave near the town square and set up a pulpit inside. Behind it, he placed a manger and filled it with hay. He then tied a donkey and ox beside it and used that as a backdrop to his service. There were no shepherds, angels or wise men, not even a baby, but it set the mood and served its purpose. The holy family and other characters didn’t appear in the scene until the 1300s, when Italians began forming them out of marble, wood or terracotta. In Sicily, they began sculpting the figures out of materials like coral, ivory, bone, mother-of-pearl and alabaster. Today, these scenes are found in churches and city squares all over Italy. ITT is visiting three cities this month where you can see some of Sicily’s most well known nativity scenes. Call ITT at 624-4777 for more information on these trips: Wednesday, December 26 Live Nativity Scene in Ragusa Province See the town of Monterosso Almo with live nativity scenes. This is a famous live nativity scene that uses real people and animals.
Saturday, December 29 Giarre Nativities & Puppet Show Continue the Christmas traditions of Europe with a visit to Giarre to see different nativities in the museum. As an added bonus you will see a Sicilian puppet show, famous for themes that resemble medieval knights. Lunch and wine tasting will follow.
Cork & Fork is December 14, from 4 - 7 p.m. in the Midtown Atrium. Don’t miss this opportunity to taste wine from Principi de Spadafora and local Sicilian treats at no cost to you!
Midtown Movie theaters SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS Wednesday, December 19 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM
Lincoln PG-13 Here Comes The Boom PG Paranormal Activity 4 R Sinister R
FLIGHT……………………….……R STARRING:Nadine Velazquez, Denzel Washington An airline pilot saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling. (138 m.)
Thursday, December 20 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM
Friday, December 14 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM
The Hobbit 3D PG-13 Here Comes The Boom PG Cloud Atlas R Flight R
Saturday, December 15 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM
The Hobbit 3D Rise of the Guardians Flight Fun Size Lincoln
PG-13 PG R PG-13 PG-13
Sunday, December 16 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM
Wreck-It Ralph 3D Fun Size Lincoln Cloud Atlas Silent Hill 2 3D
PG PG-13 PG-13 R R
Tuesday, December 18 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM
Flight Fun Size Argo Silent Hill 2 3D
R PG-13 R R
Wreck-It Ralph 3D Alex Cross The Hobbit 3D Flight
PG PG-13 PG-13 R
A homicide investigator digs deeper into a case involving a trained military sniper who shot five random victims. (130 m.)
Friday, December 21 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM
Jack Reacher Silent Hill 2 The Hobbit Man with the Iron Fists
PG-13 R PG-13 R
Saturday, December 22 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM
Rise of Guardians 3D Wreck-It Ralph Jack Reacher Lincoln The Hobbit 3D
PG PG PG-13 PG-13 PG-13
Sunday, December 23 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 5:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM
The Hobbit 3D Skyfall Man with the Iron Fists Cloud Atlas Flight
GREEN RED BLUE
JACK REACHER……...................…PG-13 STARRING:Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike and Richard Jenkins
PG-13 PG-13 R R R
PREMIER LAST SHOW FREE MOVIE
Coming soon ... Chasing Mavericks, Life of Pi, Red Dawn, Silver Linings Playbook, Killing Them Softly, Playing for Keeps
MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS……………R STARRING: Russell Crowe, Cung Le and Lucy Liu On the hunt for a fabled treasure of gold, a band of warriors, assassins, and a rogue British soldier descend upon a village in feudal China, where a humble blacksmith looks to defend himself and his fellow villagers. (95 m.)
SILENT HILL: REVELATION 2D & 3D…………….….……..….R STARRING: Adelaide Clemens, Kit Harington and Sean Bean When her father disappears, Heather Mason is drawn into a strange and terrifying alternate reality that holds answers to the horrific nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. (94 m.)
Movie schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm. Movie Hotline: 624-4248
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GAME Find the words! The words listed below are from a familiar Christmas Carol. What is it? Find and circle all of the words hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell the name of the Christmas Carol. ALL AND ASK ASLEEP AWAY BABY BED BLESS BRIGHT BUT CARE CATTLE CHILDREN CLOSE CRIB CRYING DEAR DOWN
FOREVER FROM HAY HEAD HEAVEN HIS JESUS LAID LAY LITTLE LIVE LOOK LOOKED LORD LOVE LOWING MAKES MANGER
MORNING NEAR NIGH POOR PRAY SIDE SKY STARS STAY SWEET TAKE TENDER THEE THERE THY WAKES WHERE WITH
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DECEMBER 14, 2012
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Sudoku!
Did you know? Dolphins sleep with one eye open. You’ll eat about 35,000 cookies in a lifetime. A person uses about 57 sheets of toilet paper each day. Cats sleep for 70% of their lives. There are more telephones than people in Washington D.C.
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AUTOMOBILES
2002 VW Passat S.W 1.9 tdi 130hp. Cruise control, A/C full tronic, abs, air bags, rims, stereo, and removable towbar. Very good condition. $4,000 OBO. Call 3923769817 or email carmelo.fiscella@gmail.com. 2006 Pontiac G6, AUTOMATIC, around 70K miles, sold as is, stereo added. Asking $4,000 OBO. Available in January. Call Chrissy at 328227-0785. 1998 Alfa Romeo 156 1.6L gas engine; 4 door sedan, very clean. Has 141K kilometers; passed recent safety inspection; new tires, new brakes and new battery in 2012 and replaced heater core, head gasket and clutch in NOTICE
Are you interested in becoming
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your Command Financial Specialist? Next training will be offered by the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) on March 18-22, 2013. Call 624-4291 for more details on the requirements you need to sign up. Broadway Tonight! Auditions: Attention actors, singers, dancers and musicians! Sigonella SchoolCommunity Theatre’s March musical BROADWAY TONIGHT! will feature scenes from six world-famous musicals: The Wizard of Oz, Tom Sawyer, Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera. The revue will showcase performers of all ages from elementary school through adult. Audition workshops and auditions are scheduled for December 17 – 19 in Knights Hall. Monday, December 17: 2:15 – 4 p.m. ES Audition Workshop* ES Music Room; 4 – 5 p.m. MS/HS Audition Wor-
kshop ES Music Room; 5 – 7 p.m. Adult Audition Workshop ES Music Room. Tuesday, December 18: 3– 5 p.m. ES Audition* Knights Hall; 5 – 7 p.m. MS/HS/Adult Audition Knights Hall; Wednesday, December 19: 5 – 7 p.m. MS/HS/Adult Callback Knights Hall. *Elementary Students: by audition invitation only, based on preliminary auditions. Contact lynn.soeby@ eu.dodea.edu for more information. SAWS ANIMALS
Mario & Luigi, 6 months, medium, male, brown, dog, current on shots, microchipped, may due better with older children.
DECEMBER 14, 2012
Fideo, 7 months, medium, male, brown, dog, loves everyone and is a typical active puppy, current on shots, microchpped. Phillipo, 7 months, medium, male, black and white, dog, a very active and playful puppy, current on shots, microchipped.
very smart and loving dog, loves cats, dogs, and children, current on shots, microchipped. To volunteer, adopt or foster, visit facebook.com/Sigonella. Animals or http://sigonellaanimalwelfaresociety.webs.com/
Jenna, 3 years, medium, female, tan and black, dog, very mild mannered and loving, great with dogs, children, and people, current on shots, microchipped, and spayed. She has a few 3 month old puppies left. Diesel, 8 months, medium to large, male, black and brown, rottweiler,
PA I D A D S
You can adopt while posted overseas. International & fostercare adoptions, homestudies. www.adopt-abroad.com
The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts of supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Navy (or Marine Corps), (name of command) or (name of publisher) of the products and services advertised. "Everything advertised in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Published by Stampa, a private firm in no way connected with DoD, the U.S. Navy (or Marine Corps), under exclusive contract with the U.S. Navy (or Marine Corps).
DECEMBER 14, 2012
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DECEMBER 14, 2012