57th year, No. 26 Truck strike scheduled for July 8 to July 13 As of press time, a truck strike was scheduled for Sunday, July 8 through Friday, July 13. Before Sunday, personnel are reminded to fill up gas tanks, top off bombola gas, and stock up on necessary items like prescription drugs and diapers. For more information, see the Base Notes section on page 2.
Serving the Nato, Naples and Gaeta military communities in italy
Friday, July 6, 2012
Festa Americana celebrates U.S. independence
W hAt ’ S I NSIde
Distract yourself from the heat with local events Pages 4-5
Earth, glaze and fire: Making ceramic works of art in Gaeta Page 6
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band performs the Italian and American national anthems during the opening ceremonies at the Festa Americana June 30. The event at Carney Park celebrated America's Independence Day. (U.S. Navy photos by MC3 Josh Bennett)
Despite heat, 4th of July festival at Carney Park draws a sizeable crowd By Melissa Kabukuru, Panorama editor
Petty officers form bond during chief training
Thousands of members of the Naples military community and their guests gathered at Carney Park Saturday and Sunday for the Festa Americana, a twoday event celebrating the United States’ Independence Day. The festival, sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), featured a softball tournament, food vendors, carnival rides, dancing and musical performances. Stage acts during the two-day festival included the American Idols Armed Forces Entertainment Tour, Cartel, the Kelly Bell Band, the Willy Pete Band and other favorite local entertainers. see FESTA AMERICANA Page 13
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Weekly crime statistics Review what happened between June 25 and July 1. Page 12
FRIDAY High 88 / Low 68 Partly cloudy
SATURDAY High 91 / Low 68 Partly cloudy
SUNDAY High 93 / Low 70 Partly cloudy
Fireworks lit up the sky Sunday at the Festa Americana. (Photo by Enzo Buono)
Register now to vote November 6 From the Voting Assistance Office
With the Nov. 6 general election around the corner, time is running out to register to vote. Voting is a fundamental principle upon which our nation was founded, and sailors can play a direct role in their government by casting a vote. June 28 through July 7 has been designated as Armed Forces Voters Week and Overseas Voters Week. As part of Armed Forces Voters Week, the Naval Support Activity Naples Voting Assistance Office will have information booths set up from 9 a.m. to noon today and again from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7 outside the Navy Exchange at the Support Site. Sailors, their eligible dependents, and cit-
izens overseas who want to register to vote should complete their Federal Post Card Application (SF-76). You can complete your Federal Post Card Application by visiting http://www.fvap.gov, printing the completed form and then mailing it to your local election office, postage paid. The Federal Post Card Application should be received by election officials at least forty-five days before Election Day. This allows ample time to process the request and mail the ballot to the voter. Be sure to notify your election official of any change of address by submitting the Federal Post Card Application. Under normal circumstances, most states and territories begin mailing ballots to citizens 30 to 45 days before an election. If
you have not received your ballot two weeks before the election, you should contact your local election office and submit the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (also known as the “Emergency Ballot”). Always execute and return your absentee ballot regardless of when you receive it. Court decisions sometimes require the counting of ballots that were received late. For more information, e-mail VOTINGNSANAPLES@eu.navy.mil or stop by the Voting Assistance Office, located in room 254 of the Admin I building at Capodichino. Office hours are Tuesdays between 9 and 11 a.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. The Voting Assistance Office serves all U.S. citizens who have normal access to the installation.