Vol. 28 No. 33
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Sigonella youth took the stage for a performance of King Arthur’s Quest on Aug. 26 after a week-long theater camp provided by the staff of the Missoula Children’s Theatre. By MCSN Cameron Bramham NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
The world renowned Missoula Children’s Theatre is currently on a European Tour and made a stop at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella from Aug. 21 – 26 to put on a special play with NAS Sigonella children called King Arthur’s Quest. “The play is about all the bad things that happen in Camelot such as a ghost that haunts the castle and we have a giant and dragon attack the kingdom as well,” Shauna Smith, a Tour Actor Director with Missoula Children’s Theatre said. “The point of the play is how to learn and solve problems.” The Missoula Children’s Theatre was started in the early 1970s when Jim Caron auditioned for a play after is car broke down near the tiny town of Missoula, Montana. Caron won the part and struck a friendship with co-actor Don Collins. Together, they organized a company of adults who performed plays for children at a local theatre. After a few years, they began to cast children in plays. Today, they
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Sept. 2 H: 98 uPdate L: 73 The Nearly New Shop, located on the support base of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, provides opportunities for service members and their families stationed here to spend less on previously owned merchandise they may need.
youtube.com/sigonellavids
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Missoula Children’s eatre comes to Sigonella
iNSide
sepTember 2, 2011
Check us out online!
NAS Sigonella students head back to the classroom Students at Sigonella elementary, middle, and high schools came back to the classroom on Monday, Aug. 29, after a long summer break. 2011/2012 The school year kicked off with the elementary school students gathering in the courtyard with their teachers, while the middle/high students met in the Jag to discuss new policies and procedures. Good luck this year, everyone!
By Tracie Barnthouse/ NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
have branched out to international tours, performing arts camps, and a community theatre which opened in 1998. “It’s a good experience for the kids to be involved in theatre as a lot of art classes are being cut out of schools right now,” Smith said. “It’s also a good outlet for them to be creative and outgoing, but the biggest thing it does for them is it gives them confidence.” This wasn’t a normal ‘audition, cast, rehearse then ‘ format for a play. Smith and co-Tour Actor Director Melissa Deutsch had only a few days to prepare the kids for the performance. “We have been on the tour for eight weeks now and every place is a challenge,” Deutsch said. “We show up Sunday night, audition Monday then the rest of the week is rehearsals for four hours a day with the performance either on Friday or Saturday. Then after the show we pack up and move on to the next place.” Both Tour Actor Directors agreed it is very important and fulfilling to MISSOULA, continued on page 12 Sept. 3 H: 96 L: 71
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As the Defense Department seeks innovation made possible by smartphones and other mobile computing platforms, it’s also working to ensure DOD users of those devices employ them securely, a defense official said.
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Direct Line 2
Navy News 3
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Sigonella wine lovers will be happy to hear that the 31st edition of “Vinimilo”, the Etna region wine industry will continue through Sept. 11th in the town’s historic center.
PAGE 6 Community Calendar 4
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Going to a new place for the first time in a foreign country can be a little intimidating, and that’s especially true when it comes to the market. Learn some tips for navigating the market.
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Women all over the world are mad about vampires. They flock to the stores and movie theaters, desperate for the handsome bloodsuckers that are portrayed. Take a trip to Transylvania with MWR!
PAGE 11 Il Mercato 14
Traffic Numbers Jan. 11 Aug 11
Jan. 10 Aug 10
Accidents
221
204
Injuries
35
39
DUIs
9
7
Traffic Deaths
0
0
Please, don’t become a statistic!
pAge 2
SeptemBer 2, 2011
Direct Line The Labor Day weekend is here, marking the traditional end of summer and return to school for our children. It has been a fantastic summer here in Sicily, filled with sunshine and many of the great events that ensure NAS Sigonella keeps its reputation as a duty station with a great quality of life; however, I’m always working with Sigonellans from every department on ways to improve things for the entire Community. In this article, I would like to tell you about a few changes that I’ve decided to put into place after a few months of working with MWR. I’m convinced that these changes will ultimately benefit everyone – I hope you will agree! The first change will come in the spaces which adjoin Connections on NAS I. The overall plan is to consolidate the entire facility into a single operation known as The Commons. The Commons will provide endless possibilities for group functions and will offer the entire Community a variety of options: the Chart Room will
NAS SigoNellA CommANdiNg offiCer, CApt. SCott Butler
have the capacity to host medium to large events; Crater Corner will be for smaller functions like birthday parties; and the Compass Room, located upstairs, will be available in the evenings for extra-large events, although it will still be used by Base Education Training and for meetings during the day. In addition, any of the rooms could be used by private organizations for fundraising events. MWR plans to use the space for some of their popular activities like Bingo, AFE shows, wine tasting, cultural exhibitions and more. Though it will take some time, and several phases, to fully-realize the redevelopment of The Commons, many of the basic services are available now. For more information, contact a Commons Coordinator at Connections 624-4264. Another exciting transition coming in October is the Teen Center relocation to the Marinai Youth Complex, currently the Community Center. After a series of meetings
Sigonella training team conducts Flight Line drills By MCSA Brian Glunt NPASE
Sailors in the Installation Training Team stationed on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella were evaluated through different situations and drills by the Regional Training Team on Aug.18. The purpose of the drill was for the Regional Training Team to evaluate Sigonella’s team on their ability to respond to emergency situations on the flight line. “We are trying to standardize how everybody runs drills, especially in this region,” said Chief Gunner’s Mate (SW/SS) Jeremy Elmore, training officer for NAS Sigonella. “We have to think about local nationals and how that affects how we do business over here.” Along with assessing the base’s training team on emergency scenarios, the regional team’s responsibilities are to certify that NAS Sigonella’s training team is keeping proper documentation, training the personnel properly, releasing the correct information, completing the drill packages and achieving proper operational risk management (ORM). “Everybody takes advantage of some training, but usually it relies on fire and emergency services, Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Butler Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tim Page 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 MCSA Brian Glunt 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
medical, fleet and family services and the emergency management shop,” said Lt. Ken Frauenthal, deputy for training and readiness, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA). “If there were an air-crash on the base, which is a real risk for Sigonella, they need to be able to respond efficiently and to be able to solve the problem quickly and effectively.” The installation team began the drills around 9 a.m. with a mock aircraft making a distress call to the control tower. The drills continued with staged security, fire and medical responses, which involved treating personnel simulating having crash related injuries. “The closer we can bring that drill to being like the real thing, the better training our team gets out of it,” said Elmore. “It’s very important to what’s going on here right now because we have so many aircraft flying.” “It was very clear that Sigonella’s Sailors are doing a lot of effective training,” said Frauenthal. “It was great. The training team down here has definitely been a model for the rest of the region.” For more information on NAS Sigonella, visit the base’s website at www.cnic.navy.mil/sigonella. 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 Sig-
with teen focus groups last year, we decided to support their desire to move the Teen Center closer to where they live and thereby encourage them to participate in Teen programs easily and more frequently. But the move isn’t the only change as the new facility will be state of the art, with computers, a mini-theater, video games and a snack bar on the inside. Outside plans include a multi-sport court for basketball, volleyball, tennis and soccer. There are also plans to expand programming for both the Teen & Tween Center to include more dances, classes, games, clubs and field trips. I am aware of the concerns by some, including Scouts, about being displaced, and assure you that we will ensure that suitable alternative sites are secured. The last significant improvement I’d like to present in this article is that a “Family Fitness Center” will be established in Midtown where the Teen Center is currently located. This Center will go a long way in addres-
sing the concern of many parents who want to be able to stay fit, but are unable to secure supervision for their younger children. It will feature special, youth-sized exercise equipment for children 8 and up, and will provide an expanded soft play area for younger children, with cardio equipment placed close by so parents can supervise and workout at the same time. There will also be an area for family fitness classes with fitness coaching available for the whole family. The final, and most unique, part of the Family Fitness Center will be the ‘EXER-TAINMENT” room. This area will offer great workout opportunities using the latest in technology with favorites like Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Fit and Kinect. I am sure that this Center will be become a favorite of Sigonellans as a great place to come together and have fun while staying fit!
I hope you are as excited as I am about all the big changes coming to Sigonella, and I would welcome your comments and suggestions. Enjoy the long weekend as we close out the summer and look forward to all the challenges and rewards of the rest of 2011.
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 Shabbat Service (NAS I Chapel) 1800 sigshalom@yahoo.com
PROTESTANT Sunday Protestant Worship (NAS I) 1045
CHURCH OF CHRIST LAY SERVICE Sunday 1300 Bible Study (NAS I Chapel) 1330 Worship Service 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 AA Meetings: Monday,Wednesday, Friday – 1900, NAS II Chapel, 346-840-7745
Sigonella’s Nearly New Shop gives back to the community By MCSA Brian Glunt NPASE
The Nearly New Shop, located on the support base of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, provides opportunities for service members and their families stationed here to spend less on previously owned merchandise they may need. Operated by the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the shop’s primary mission is to provide NAS Sigonella’s service members and their dependents with an inexpensive source for clothing, toys, small appliances and other household items. nature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy - Tel. 081568-7884, 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.
“It’s just a great way for people who have extra things to donate them to the store,” said Joy Hardin, Chairman of Volunteers. “It offers us an opportunity to generate money to help support service members.” The Nearly New Shop is also able to share much needed clothing, shoes and toys with local national organizations in our community. Due to the abundance of generous donations made by Sigonellans, the Nearly New Shop donates hundreds of articles of clothing each month to local Sicilian orphanages, halfway houses and child welfare organizations. “The Thrift Store sponsors our budget for baby program. We help parents when they are having a new baby plan for the baby,” said Esther De La Rosa Scott, director of NavyMarine Corps Relief Society. “Any-
thing we give to the baby is brand new so we sponsor items through the thrift store contribution and 100 percent of all donations that come in, whether it is monetary or clothing, is invested back into the community.” The shop also conducts a Santa Helper Sale every year in December, which allows the children of Sigonella to shop alone for gifts for their family members. The store also puts on an annual Active Duty Fund Drive Fashion Show in March, which consists of a runway show of clothing items found in the store. “It’s a great way to show what we have in the store,” said Hardin. “There are some nice things in the store and there are some brand-name items.” For more information on NAS Sigonella, visit the base’s website at www.cnic.navy.mil/sigonella.
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.
SepteMber 2, 2011
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Take a trip to Transylvania Women all over the world are mad about vampires. They flock to the stores and movie theaters, desperate for the handsome bloodsuckers that are portrayed. Recent vampires in the media are romanticized versions of what they once were. Believe it or not, there was a time when vampires weren’t vegetarians who fell in love. They weren’t the lovely and alluring killers “True Blood” and “Interview with a Vampire” would have you believe, and they absolutely did not sparkle in the sunlight. Before the pretty vampires entered the picture there was Vlad Tepes, the man from Transylvania who is often credited as the inspira-
tion of Bram Stoker’s story of Dracula. The cruel, 15th century Romanian Prince was the son of Vlad Dracul (the dragon) and was called Dracula, which means son of the dragon. He was known as Vlad the Impaler, and for good reason. He carried out death sentences to his subjects for minor offenses such as theft and dishonesty, and no one was exempt from his torture. Vlad Tepes’ reign of terror ended in 1463 when the Turks forced him to flee Transylvania. Still, the legend of Dracula lives on in movies and literature. As years pass by, the vampire stories become more and more romanticized. Let’s face
it, it’s much more fun that way. And in the tranquil setting of Transylvania, with its medieval towns set on a backdrop of rolling hills, vineyards and rivers, it’s hard to imagine the atrocities that occurred and much easier to imagine a sparkly young man, ready to sweep you off your feet. In the heart of Romania sits the picturesque Bran Village, filled with rows of Eastern European-style houses with pointed rooftops. And casting a shadow over these homes is the infamous Dracula Castle. Surely these cruelties didn’t take place here! It must only be legend, or is it? It’s much too beautiful. Let’s just pretend the Cullens lived here.
Midtown Movie theaterS Schedule & deScriptionS
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS - Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenburg
Friday, September 2 5:00pm Larry Crowne PG-13 8:00pm Harry Potter 7 pt. 2 PG-13 Saturday, September 3 2:00pm Winnie the Pooh G PREMIERE 4:30pm Bridesmaids R 7:30pm Bad Teacher R Sunday, September 4 2:00pm Mr. Popper’s Penguins PG 4:30pm Monte Carlo PG 7:30pm Horrible Bosses R Monday, September 5 2:00pm Winnie the Pooh G 4:30pm Harry Potter 7 pt. 2 PG-13 7:30pm Bad Teacher R Tuesday, September 6 5:00pm Monte Carlo PG 8:00pm Larry Crowne PG-13 Wednesday, September 7 5:00pm Monte Carlo PG 8:00pm Bridesmaids Thursday, September 8 5:00pm Green Lantern PG-13 8:00pm Bad Teacher R Friday, September 9 5:00pm Captain America PG-13 8:00pm Friends with Benefits R
Dylan and Hamie think it’s going to be easy to add the simple act of sex to their relationship, despite what Hollywood romantic comedies would have them believe. They soon discover however, that getting physical really does lead to complications (110 min.)
ITT is taking an extended trip to Transylvania Columbus Day weekend, October 7th – 10th. See Bran Village and Dracula’s Castle for yourself! Call x4777 to reserve your spot.
BAD TEACHER – Cameron Diaz, Lucy Punch, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, John Higgins
New pool hours
Some teachers just don’t give an F. For example, there’s Elizabeth. She’s foulmouthed, ruthless, and inappropriate. She drinks, gets high, and can’t wait to marry her meal ticket and get out of her bogus day job. A wild set of relationship circumstances including being dumped by her fiancé and fighting off the unwanted advances of a co-worker set into motion an education like no other for her, her co-workers and her students (89 min). WINNIE THE POOH - John Cleese, James Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Travis Oates, Bud Luckey
Walt Disney Animated Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh. Owl sends the whole gang on a wild request to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply set out to find some hunny. (70 min.) LARRY CROWNE– Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Gugu-Raw, Jon Seda
Until he was downsized, Larry Crowne was a superstar team leader at the big-box company where he’s worked since he was in the Navy. Underwater on his mortgage and unclear on what to do with his suddenly free days, he heads to a local college to start over. There he becomes a part of a colorful community of outcasts who are all trying to find a better future for themselves. Larry develops an unexpected crush on his public-speaking teacher, Mercedes Tainot, who’s lost passion for teaching and her marriage. A simple guy who’s life has stalled will come to discover his reason to live (99 min.) HORRIBLE BOSSES – Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudekis, Colin Farrell
For Nick, Kurt and Dale, the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con, the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly fool-proof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers… permanently (93 min.)
Movie schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm. Movie Hotline: 624-4248
Monday through Friday: Lap Swim Only 0530 - 0830 1100 - 1300 1500 - 1800 Weekends through Sept. 18 (excluding Sept. 11 - pool closed): 1200 - 1800