February 15 The Signature

SIGNATURE THE

SIGONELLA, SICILY

February 15, 2013

Vol. 30. No. 6

cnic.navy.mil/sigonella

Students from Naval Air Station Sigonella elementary school participate in the seventh annual Math Knight February 8 at Knight's Hall. The event provided students with a wide variety of interactive math challenges including a hands-on equation table (above) to help them improve their math skills in a fun and entertaining environment. (U.S. Navy photo by MR1 Gary Spence/Released)

Students sharpen learning skills with Math Knight by jackie trembath NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

P

romoting math with activities for students from preschool to fifth grade, Naval Air Station (NAS)Sigonella Elementary School held its seventh annual Math Knight at Knight’s Hall, February 8. Teachers collaborated to plan activities based on the Math Standards helping students improve their ability to solve math problems.

Various activity tables were set up throughout Knight’s Hall, including multiplication bingo, where participants listened as a multiplication problem was read aloud and they had to come up with the correct answer to see if it was on their bingo card.

One of the more popular activities for the younger crowd was a table featuring Tessellations, the process of creating a two-dimensional plane using the repetition of a geometric shape with no overlaps and

no gaps. In this instance, the kids were creating their designs using gumdrops and toothpicks.

“Math Knight provided a whole range of activities for students,” said Mary Perkins, math and reading specialist. “For the younger students, there was a Star Lab, different sorting and counting games, measurement, estimation, and geometry activities.

For the older students there was algebra, graphing, long division, measurement, and multiplication activities.”

Once again, Math Knight was a great success for parents and students alike.

“We are so happy that the kids were so enthusiastic about Math,” added Perkins. “They were very intent as they sat down at the various workstations to tackle the Math Knight was filled with parents and students focused on learning ways to make math more fun. (U.S. Navy photo by MR1 Gary Spence/Released) different mathematical scenarios.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."

- Helen Keller

Around Sigonella

Sweets for your sweet

Get fit

Find out what's happening in Sigonella.

Learn how to make delicious treats.

Discover how MWR can help.

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Scan for direct links to NAS Sigonella

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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Butler Executive Officer Cmdr. Eric Vosler Command Master Chief CMDCM David Graham

EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tim Page

timothy.page@eu.navy.mil Communtiy Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor Jackie Trembath jackie.trembath@eu.navy.mil Staff Writers/Photographers MR1 Gary Spence gary.spence@eu.navy.mil MC3 Cameron Bramham cameron.bramham@eu.navy.mil CONTRIBUTING Writers/Photographers Lt. Cmdr. Kathi Buss Coco Faber Lynne Gantt Nick Lewarne Erin Work CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 3020, FPO, AE 09627

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

Direct Line I want to take advantage of this column to make sure everyone is aware of the current fiscal environment to help you make sense of what this means to us as a Navy and a community. As some of you may know, we are operating under Continuing Resolution (CR) that went into effect October 1, 2012 when a fiscal year 2013 budget was not passed. The CR limits spending to an amount equal to the previous year's budget amount (fiscal year 2012).

On January 2, the President signed the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is the budget for the Defense Department; however, Congress has yet to pass an appropriation bill to fund it, so the Navy, and our sister services, must continue to operate under the CR which will expire on March 27.

The other pressure on our budget is sequestration. If Congress has not passed a deficit reduction bill by March 1, the Navy will face an additional $4-$5 billion cut for this year alone, further reducing training and readiness.

What this likely means for our community is that significant cuts will be made across the entire installation: fewer missions; a significant decrease in travel and training; and the very real possibility that some of the facilities that you use will have reduced hours of operation and will have to decrease the amount of services they are able to provide. I cannot predict how long this will go on, but it will certainly affect everything that is not clearly mission essential. I continue to believe that the entire military family -- service members, civilians, and our families -- here in Sigonella is what makes this installation so successful as the “Hub of the Med.” We will continue to provide world class support to US and NATO forces in the Mediterranean, and we will work together to take care of our Sigonella Community to the best of our ability. We have a responsibility to keep ourselves mission ready and we must maintain the ability to do the job that we will be called upon to do.

It is important that you understand that neither the Continuing Resolution,

nor sequestration, will affect active duty pay, retirement, medical benefits, tuition assistance and family programs.

Although these benefits are off the table, reduced funds for maintenance, training, infrastructure repairs, and civilian pay all come at a price that will, in part, be borne by all of us. I will continue to pass on information to you as it becomes available.

NAS Sigonella has excelled under difficult, high op-tempo times in the past couple of years and I am confident that you will all continue to succeed, no matter the challenges we face. I couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and focus that you all display on a daily basis. Thank you for all that you do -- it remains my great honor to serve alongside each and every one of you!

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)

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 anyanonymous 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

DRIVE SAFELY

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.

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What’s Happening Around NAS Sigonella

NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler

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 advertisingin this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD orStampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publications hall 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 factorof the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policyby an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violationis corrected.

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

NASSIG WORSHIP SERVICES ROMAN CATHOLIC

OTHER SERVICES/ACTIVITIES

■ 8:30 a.m. Catholic Mass (NAS I Chapel) ■ 11:30 a.m. Catholic Mass (NAS II Chapel) Sacraments of Reconciliation/Penance precede each Mass

LATTER-DAY SAINTS

PROTESTANT

CHURCH OF CHRIST LAY SERVICE

Sunday

Sunday at 3 p.m. (NAS I Chapel) Contact: sigonellalds@gmail.com or 624-9049

■ 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Worship Services

Noon Bible Study (NAS 1) 12:30 p.m. Worship Service Contact Virgil Strobridge at 624-4779 or Reginald McNeil at 335-578-8519

■ 10 a.m. Traditional Worship

■ AA Meetings: Monday, NAS I at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, NAS II at 11:30 a.m. Contact: 346-840-7745

NAS I Chapel

Saturday Sunday

Chapel Offices: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, DSN: 624-3975, CHAPLAIN DUTY: 335-831-4493 RP DUTY: 335-786-1950

Mentorship Co-Chair Mike Matheny speaks about In Gear Career's mentorship program to military spouses and civilians who attended the kick-off event for the Sigonella chapter of IGC on January 31 in the Midtown Compass Room on NAS I. (Photo by Nick Lewarne)

Career-minded military spouses and civilians connect during special event Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler joined NAS Sigonella Personnel Support Director Jim Veazey (far left) and the NAS Sigonella Housing Department staff on February 7 for the grand opening of the Combined Unaccompanied Housing and Family Housing Reception Center. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Cameron Bramham/Released)

Improved Combined Unaccompanied Housing and Family Housing Reception Center by mc3 cameron bramham NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler joined NAS Sigonella Personnel Support Director Jim Veazey and the NAS Sigonella Housing Department staff on February 7 for the grand opening of the Combined Unaccompanied Housing and Family Housing Reception Center.

“What this does is that it creates a onestop-shop for our service members,” Veazy said. “Whether it’s accompanied, geographical bachelors, or bachelors, they can come into our new office and get provided all of the services in one area.”

This project for an upgraded facility has been

in the works since Veazey arrived to the island more than two years ago.

“We made the reception area more secure so that we can protect our service members personally identifiable information,” Veazey said.

“This new facility also creates a better flow for our office because we now have divided areas for utilities, assignments, and economy housing. “ Veazey also said the opening of the new office doesn’t mean the Housing Department is done renovating some of the other housing facilities on base.

“In the future look for a lot of good changes, particularly in the Marinai area.” Veazey said.

Military spouses and civilians attended the kick-off event for the Sigonella chapter of In Gear Career (IGC) on January 31 in the Midtown Compass Room on NAS I. IGC in a non-profit organization that provides a free forum for professional development, community support, information sharing, and networking to address the unique challenges faced by the career-minded military spouses.

Keeping with the theme of the evening “Choose Your Own Career Adventure,” spouses shared their personal stories of overcoming the professionally challenging forces of a transitional military life. Time was also dedicated to dispelling myths about the relationship between military and civilian spouses and the prospect of a professional career track.

The Sigonella chapter is rolling out a mentoring partnership program to connect experienced professionals with spouses who are in search of career guidance. Look for monthly special events and programs in the coming months.

To contact the IGC local chapter with questions about membership, mentorship and events information, email igc.sigonella@gmail.com. To learn more about IGC, visit www.ingearcareer.org which offers resources including blogs from peers, networking tools and strategic advice on the job search process – from resume writing to salary negotiation. Or, find them on Facebook.

“THIS IS A NON-FEDERAL ENTITY. IT IS NOT A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS AND IT HAS NO GOVERNMENTAL STATUS.”

Medusa's Minions Roller Derby team USS Mount Whitney rolls into Sigonella

visits Augusta Bay

Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Darryl Fuentes (center), attached to Navy Munitions Command Sigonella, aids amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) Sailors during a port visit to Augusta Bay, February 11. Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and MSC civil service mariners.

The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck; engineering and supply service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Class Cameron Bramham/Released)

Mark your calendars! Broadway Tonight! is coming March 1 & 2!

Join the cast of nearly 100 Sigonellans ranging in age from 6 to 60 who are currently hard at work

learning lines, singing songs, building sets, sewing costumes and preparing for next month’s big event. The revue-style show will feature memorable scenes and songs from six Broadway musicals: Les Miserables, Tom Sawyer, Mary Poppins, Wizard of Oz, Wicked and Phantom of the Opera. You won't want to miss it!

Members of Sigonella roller derby team, Medusa’s Minions, held a barbeque in front of the NEX mini mart on NAS II, February 6 to help raise funds for team uniforms and travel to future away games. The 18 member team is currently searching for volunteers to coach and referee. Check out facebook.com/sigonella.rollerderby for more information.

(U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Cameron Bramham/Released)

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FEBRUARY 15, 2013

C O M M UNI T Y C A LEND A R Friday

February

15

Family Night Out* 5 - 8 p.m.

Sparetime bowling

2013 Monday 18

HOLIDAY

$1 bowling and shoe rental* Sparetime bowling

Tuesday 19

Average Joe's Bowling* 6 - 9 p.m.

Sparetime bowling *EVERY TUESDAY

*EVERY MONDAY

25

Wednesday 20

Youth Boot Camp* 3 - 5 p.m.

NAS I Fit District

Weekend Dance Party* 10 p.m. at Jox

Sunday

16

17

Weekend Dance Party* 10 p.m. at Jox

Agrigento: Valley of the Temples & Bagliesi Winery ITT

*EVERY SATURDAY

*EVERY FRIDAY

Thursday 21

Saturday

22 Catania Shopping Day ITT

Bible Study* 7 p.m.

NAS II Chapel

23

24

Extreme Bowling* 8 p.m. - Midnight Sparetime bowling

*EVERY SATURDAY

*EVERY WEDNESDAY

26

27

Story Time* 10 - 11 a.m.

NAS I Library

28

MARCH 1

2

3

Bingo* 6 p.m. NAS I Compass Room *EVERY WEDNESDAY

IMPORTANT EXTENSIONS:

Liberty/Connections/Take 5: x4246, x5602 Outdoor Rec: x4777, x4396 Fitness: x4483, x5243 Midtown 2 Theaters: x4248 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 624-CARE (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, holidays, or after office hours, please call 335-578-8077 if you are normally seen at the hospital or 335-578-8150 if you are normally seen at the Flight Line Clinic.

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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Fleet and Family Support Center Administration Bldg.

Bldg. 319 (NAS I)

Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

DSN: 624-4291 and Commercial: 095-56-4291

Save the date! Military Saves Week on the way On February 25, the Department of Defense will kick-off Military Saves Week, part of its larger Military Saves campaign, created to meet the unique financial challenges facing service members. Military Saves Week encourages service members and their families to commit or recommit to securing financial stability by planning for the future and making responsible financial decisions on a daily basis.

This week-long focus on creating financial security within military households encourages service members to take the Saver Pledge and formally commit themselves to “saving money, reducing debt and building wealth over time.” Since the first Military Saves Week, more than 128,000 individuals have taken the pledge and committed to focusing on financial readiness within their families.

Military Saves Week will feature a financial

fair in the Pentagon hosted by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy. The fair will bring representatives from financial institutions and organizations together to aid service members in implementing personal financial plans with goals of spending less and saving more.

Installations around the world will host events promoting the same mission and encouraging service members and their families to take the Saver Pledge. These events will offer further information on tools and resources available to help them meet debt reduction and savings goals.

For more information, and to take the Saver Pledge, visit Military Saves.org Please check out the Ffsc Sigonella facebook page and/or call the FFSC at 624-4291 for the schedule of events.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2013

BY Dott. ALBERTO LUNETTA Community Relations Officer

Researcher Dario Piombino-Mascali examines a mummy in the Piraino’s crypt, where about 30 clerical members rest in peace. Piraino is a picturesque village located in northwestern Sicily whose excellent climate conditions contributed to the mummification process. (Photo by http://gianlucacolla.eu/stories/ancient-mummies-of-sicily)

Sicilian mummies bring centuries to life: Scientists are using radiology and chemistry to determine what Sicilians once ate-and how they died.

by National Geographic News Arrayed in crypts and churches, with leering skulls and parchment skin, the desiccated dead of Sicily have long kept mute vigil. But now, centuries later, these creepy cadavers have plenty to say.

Five years into the Sicily Mummy Project, six macabre collections are offering scientists a fresh look at life and death on the Mediterranean island from the late 16th century to the mid-20th.

Led by anthropologist Dario Piombino-Mascali of the Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity in Palermo, the ongoing investigation is revealing how religious men and their wealthy supporters ate, interacted, dealt with disease, and disposed of their dead. "These mummies are a unique treasure in terms of both biology and history," says Piombino-Mascali, who is also a National Geographic Expeditions Council grantee. (National Geographic News is part of the National Geographic Society.) "They can tell us a lot if they are studied appropriately."

Show and Tell: In the case of the Sicilian mummies, that means x-ray exams and CT scans rather than invasive sampling and autopsy.

Radiographic techniques preserve the specimens-the oldest of which dates to 1599, when Capuchin friars began mummifying clergy, then nobles and bourgeoisie who hoped to secure blessed afterlives. And what lies within?

For one thing, evidence of a good diet, says Piombino-Mascali, whose international team includes scientists from Germany, Brazil, and the United States. Since most of the mummies were well off in life, they ate a balanced mix of meat, fish, grains, vegetables, and dairy products.

But that gastronomic affluence came with a price. Radiographs of the bones also show signs of maladies like gout and skeletal disease, which Piombino-Mascali says "tended to afflict the middle and upper classes in preindustrial societies."

And of course wealth couldn't protect them from aging. More than two-thirds of these bodies show signs of degenerative disorders. Says Piombino-Mascali, "probably because most were old adults when they died."

(From National Geographic magazine: Sicily's mummies offer lessons about life.)

Spilling His Guts: As work continues in Sicily, which operates as an autonomous region of Italy, discoveries are coming from unlikely places. Consider the studies performed by Karl Reinhard, a forensic scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

He and his graduate students recently conducted a pilot program to see what they could glean just by examining intestines. Their subject: "Piraino 1," a male in his 40s who lived at the turn of the 19th century, one of 26 mummies in the Piraino Mother Church's Sepulcher of the Priests in northeastern Sicily, which dates to the 16th century.

Radiology revealed that he had multiple myeloma, a form of cancer. But the real surprise came when

Reinhard's student Melissa Lein found evidence of milkwort, a pollen plant with antitumor agents used in China and Turkey but thought to be uncommon in Sicily.

"That indicates that people here had an esoteric knowledge of medicinal plants," says Reinhard, whose team also found traces of grape pulp, a purgative with compounds effective in cancer treatment and cardiovascular disease. Based on the type of pulp, adds Reinhard, Piraino 1 likely died in the winter.

What's more, Reinhard's student Kelsey Kumm found an enormous whipworm infection, involving more than 600 worms, in the mummy's intestinal tract.

Kumm concluded that because the man had been

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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Sicilian mummies continued sick with other diseases, his immune system was vulnerable to whipworm, a fecal-borne parasitic disease usually associated with poverty.

"From all these intestinal findings we can put together a pretty interesting picture," says Reinhard. "Though this individual was well-todo in life, one can speculate that his activities brought him into contact with the lower classes. This shows how we can create a thumbnail sketchhis disease, his diet, his time of death-from the inside of a mummy."

Mor(t)al Quandaries: Mummification in Sicily usually meant stowing a body in a ventilated chamber, draining it of bodily fluids, and stuffing it with straw or bay leaves, to preserve its shape and combat the stink of death. Months later it would be washed with vinegar, dressed in its Sunday best, and laid in a coffin or hung on a wall.

The more recently mummified, like two-year-old Rosalia "Sleeping Beauty" Lombardo, who died of pneumonia in 1920 and lies with 1,251 others in the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, were embalmed with chemicals, and thus better preserved. But for how much longer?

Piombino-Mascali is eager to perform DNA investigations on the mummies, including those at newly studied collections in the towns of Caccamo and Gangi, where wax was "peculiarly" used to create partial and complete death masks, to understand how they might be related. But with moisture, humidity, and dust preying on some of the collections, particularly those at Palermo and Piraino, time may be running out.

Piombino-Mascali says climate-control systems such as air conditioning are desperately needed, though it's unclear if the money or political will exist to put them in place.

"We need to act fast to save these mummies," he says. "It was the wish of these people to be mummified. So we have a moral [imperative] to preserve them."

Whatever comes next, Piombino-Mascali says his team's work has had an unexpectedly existential effect on the local populace.

"For many years the subject of death was taboo [in Sicily]," he says. "In the 20th century, things like the two world wars somehow influenced the approach Sicilians had toward death. They just didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"Now, given the scientific importance of what's emerging with these mummies, people are understanding that in Sicily, death has always been part of life. And for centuries many Sicilians were using mummification to make sure there was a constant relationship between life and death."

(Photo by Bellini Opera Press Office)

Russian State Ballet to perform in Catania February 19 The Catania Bellini Opera House will host "Diaghilev e Nijinsky /Schéhérazade," a must-see dance show of the world-renowned Russian State Ballet whose performance will grace the audiences of the Catania Bellini Opera from Tuesday, February 19 through Sunday, February 24. The show, which celebrates Russian ballet impresario Serge de Diaghilev, the 19th century founder of Russian ballet, and the legendary Russian dancer/choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky ("ballet's first international male superstar") will feature one ballet in two acts with music by Carl Maria von Weber, Frédéric Chopin, Igor Stravinsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Camille Saint-Saёns. Maestro Alevtina Ioffe will conduct the Bellini Opera Orchestra.

Lead by acclaimed former "Bolshoi" star-soloist and choreographer Viatcheslav Gordeev’s, the Russian State Ballet Theater has been for more than 20 years one of the leading Russian ballet companies. Its repertoire includes both modern and classic ballet's masterpieces. The Russian State Ballet is dedicated to preserve the heritage of the Russian and West-European choreography's tradition as well as to experiment with new forms of dance.

The Russian State Ballet has received several international awards including "The Golden Ticket," the "Most Grandioso Performance of the Year."

The Association of West-European Impresarios has called the Russian State Ballet "The Best Ballet Company of the Year."

Last year's tour repertoire included "Swan Lake", "Don Quixote", "Giselle", "The Nutcracker", "Cinderella", "Scheherazade", and "Sleeping Beauty."

Main dancers who will be performing include Andrey Evdokimov, former first principal dancer of the Bolshoy Theatre in Moscow, Maya Ivanova, Igor Subbotin, Dmitry Protsenko and Konstantin Telyatnikov.

The ballet will be performed on the following days: • OPENING NIGHT: • Tuesday, February 19, 8:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, February 20, 5:30 p.m.

• Thursday, February 21, 5:30 p.m.

• Friday, February 22, 4 p.m. / 9 p.m.

• Saturday, February 23, 5:30 p.m.

• Sunday, February, 24 5:30 p.m.

For more information and tickets visit http:// www.teatromassimobellini.it

!

T I Y A lian!

S T S Ita JU r ce you i t c a r P

Learn how to say these names in Italian!

English: Julia Italian: Giulia English: Mary Italian: Maria

English: Sophia Italian: Sofia

English: Alexandra Italian: Alessandra

English: Frances Italian: Francesca

English: Victoria Italian: Vittoria

English: Jane Italian: Giovànna

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Special Valentine's Day edition: Sweets for your sweet

BY ALESSANDRA LUNETTA Food writer and blogger, volevofarelochef.it

Alessandra Lunetta has a bachelor's degree in Italian literature and a master’s in food journalism and is a free-lance journalist and food writer for local Sicilian newspapers, foodguides and magazines. She has a passion for all that involves food; from kitchenware to cookbooks to foods from all over the world. Inspired by fresh, natural and seasonal ingredients, Alessandra shares some of her favorite recipes from around Sicily with the Sigonella community. Try one of these recipes and share it with family and friends.

Photos by Alessandra Lunetta

Torta al caramello, crema di marroni, glassa al cioccolato e caffè

Tiramisù alla nocciola e vaniglia

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

• • • • • • •

4 ounces (100g) dark chocolate (chopped) 1/4 cup (50g) canola oil 1/4 cup (50g) cream 2 free range eggs 4 ounces (115g) vanilla chestnut spread (crème de Marrons) 1/2 cup all purpose flour (italian 00 flour; 50g) 5 tbsp sugar (75g)

Chocolate frosting: • • • •

1/3 cup (80ml) sweet condensed milk 3,5 ounces dark chocolate (chopped) 1 tbsp milk 1 tsp butter

• •

1/4 cup (25g) icing sugar Freshly brewed espresso coffee

Coffee icing:

Directions:

■ Preheat the oven to 180°C. ■ Melt the chocolate in a small saucepan – over low heat – with the cream and oil. Keep warm. ■ Pour the sugar in a saucepan, add 2 tablespoons of water, make a golden brown caramel. ■ Pour the hot caramel into the chocolate mixture and mix well (the two must be hot, otherwise the caramel will solidify!). ■ Let it cool. ■ Meanwhile whisk eggs until pale, then add the flour and chestnut spread. ■ Finally add the chocolate-caramel.

■ Pour the batter into a cake tin (8 inches – 20 cm) lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 to 25 min. (the cake must be moist in the middle). ■ Let cool in pan, then cover with the chocolate frosting. ■ When the cake is completely cold, decorate with the coffee icing. ■ When the icing is firm, cut the cake into cubes or slices.

Chocolate frosting: melt over low heat condensed milk, chocolate, butter and milk.

Coffee icing: mix icing sugar with few teaspoons of espresso, until you get a soft consistency.

• • • • •

2 egg yolks, Mascarpone cheese 6,5 oz (200g) 1/4 cup (60 ml) cream 1/2 cup (100ml) milk 1/4 cup (50g) sugar

• • • • •

2/3 cup (160 ml) espresso coffee, cooled, 8 oz (230g) savoiardi biscuits, (lady fingers) 2/3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup (75g) chopped, roasted hazelnuts 2 tsp natural vanilla extract

Directions:

■ Beat the yolks with the sugar until pale. ■ Bring the milk to a boil with 1 teaspoon of vanilla and pour a little at a time onto the egg yolks. ■ Pour everything in a saucepan and cook the custard over low heat until thick (if you have a thermometer the temperature must be 80°C). ■ Allow to cool (at 25°C), then mix the crema inglese with the mascarpone. ■ Whip the cream with 1 teaspoon vanilla, add it gently to the egg-mascarpone mixture. ■ Dip some savoiardi in the coffee and arrange them on a single layer on the bottom of 4 glasses. ■ Cover with mascarpone cream, sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts, dust with a hint of sifted cocoa. ■ Continue with other savoiardi soaked in coffee, then cream, nuts and cocoa. ■ Finish with a layer of cream.

■ Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. ■ When ready to serve sprinkle the top of tiramisù with chopped hazelnuts and dust with cocoa (pushing it through a strainer for lighter coverage). ■ Serve with extra savoiardi biscuits. Serves 4.

For food safety reasons, I don’t eat raw eggs so I added some crema inglese* (crème anglaise) to the mascarpone. Crema inglese is a classic egg custard that thickens without flour. For a stronger tiramisù you can add some hazelnut flavoured liqueur to the coffee.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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ON THE GO WITH MWR

Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella service, community and family members attended a basic U.S. immigration and citizenship class at NAS Sigonella’s Legal Office on NAS II, February 6. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Cameron Bramham/Released)

Learning about U.S. immigration and citizenship by mc3 cameron bramham NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella service, community and family members attended a class at NAS Sigonella’s Legal Office on NAS II dedicated to providing basic information to service members and contractors on base for an outreach class about U.S. immigration and citizenship, February 6.

“There’s a lot of information about immigration and how to petition for family members, and how to naturalize,” Susan Curda, director of the Rome field office for U.S. citizenship and immigration services (USCIS) said. “It’s a very complex system and what we want is for people to understand it.”

Curda and her staff also visited NAS Sigonella to attend and administer the NAS Sigonella Citizenship Ceremony which took place earlier in the day.

Since Curda took over her position at Rome Field Office for USCIS, she has made every attempt to provide as much information as she could to military members and their families.

“I wanted to create an outreach program particularly with military bases,” Curda said. “Ideally, we try to bundle some activities such as this class so that it could be cost effective for the government. I also wanted to give our service members the help possible, so when we have the opportunity to naturalize active duty military or military spouses, we also ask the folks of the base if they would be interested in an outreach event.”

More than 50 service, family, and community members from NAS Sigonella attended the class.

Two active duty service members and two spouses of active duty service members take the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony, February 6, at Naval Air Station Sigonella’s Legal Office on NAS II. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Cameron Bramham/Released)

Sigonella welcomes new United States citizens by mc3 cameron bramham NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Two active duty service members and two spouses of active duty service members took the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony, February 6, at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s Legal Office on NAS II. The NAS Sigonella community members all hailed from different parts [Ethiopia, Spain, Jamaica, and Philippians] of the world and have looked forward to this day for a while. One member was able to welcome her friends to witness her become an American citizen.

"Today was amazing," Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Maggie Riduca said. "I have served my country for over two years and to have my friends here to share this moment, I could not have asked for a better way to swear in!"

NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt.

A Sailor uses the brand new squat rack with an Olympic lifting platform at the NAS I Fit District. (Photo by MWR)

Scott Butler was on hand to give opening remarks and congratulate the members before the ceremony.

“This is something that is deeply personal to me,” Butler said. “My own wife is from the Czech Republic and was naturalized in 2001.”

Butler said that even though his past experiences with the naturalization process had been particularly great for him and his family, he was excited to see the expressions on four more NAS Sigonella community members while they were being sworn in.

“Hopefully today will be special for you all,” Butler said. “It certainly is special for your friends and family here today. We all as Americans for the most part come from somewhere else. I think that is a very active part of our culture and our heritage.”

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Get fit this spring! by erin work MWR Sigonella

Get fit this spring! Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Fitness is diving into the new season with exciting events on the agenda. Keep an eye out in March for the updated Group Exercise class schedule and play Fitness Class Bingo to win prizes while checking out all the great new classes.

Also coming up next month - March 16 brings the muchanticipated Base 2 Base 7.6 mile run/walk and ½ marathon run.

Are you ready to traverse from NAS2 to NAS1, powered only by your own two feet?

This year, for the first time, runners will be professionally timed by our new chip timing system. With a spaghetti dinner the Friday before, a live Irish band along with food and beverage vendors at the finish line, and enthusiastic cheer stations all along the way, you will not want to miss out on this year’s Base 2 Base event! ALL participants must be pre-registered by March 12, so stop by the NAS I or NAS II gyms today to sign up.

After rocking the Base 2 Base, you’ll be primed and ready to round out the spring season with MWR Fitness’s additional running events.

April 20 is the annual Motta Extreme Trail run.

The distance covered at this event is only 1.8 miles, but don’t let that number fool you. This extreme event takes runners up a brutal 900 feet climb on rough, rocky, unforgiving terrain. We’ll be out there rain or shine, and runners from past years can tell you that whether there’s torrential rain or scorching sun, the Motta Extreme Trail run offers both a real challenge and extreme fun.

In May, we’ll tone down the extremeness for our Mother of “All” Mothers Day 5k run on Saturday the 11th. Then on May 16, the younger kids get their own event with the Armed Forces America’s Kids Run, tailored specifically for children of all ages.

But what if running isn’t for you? MWR Fitness is sprucing up every aspect of it’s program, and we’re excited to unveil some hot new equipment at the NAS I Fit District. A brand new squat rack with an Olympic lifting platform is already in place, and keep an eye open for our Functional Fitness area, decked out with medicine balls, ropes, kettlebells, pull-up bars, a heavy bag, and more – coming soon!

Have your cake, and eat it, too!

Cake

Decorating Class March 29 by lynne gantt MWR Sigonella

Cake by Cakes Amore. (Photo by Patrizia Greco)

Don't miss the cake decorating class, Friday, March 29 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the MWR classroom. Work on a real cake! Learn how to make the perfect crumb coating with buttercream. Discover how to work with fondant and make an Easter-themed cake. Many additional tips and techniques will be taught, so be sure to sign up today!

The class will be taught by Patrizia Greco of Cakes Amore and graduate of from the Naples Academy of Art. Patrizia has been designing and decorating cakes since 2009 and has studied under some of the best in the cake business. She learned how to make sugar roses at the Seattle Artisan Guild, under the tutelage of Tobey DeChristopher and stays current on the latest techniques by continuing to study and participate in workshops and festivals.

For upcoming events and more visit MWR online today!

Midtown Movie Theaters Schedule & Descriptions

Friday, 15 FEB 13 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Sausage Patties, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Asstd Doughnuts, Cinnamon Rolls. *Lunch: Chicken Corn Chowder, Baked Fish, Meat Loaf, Paprika Buttered Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Fried Okra, Spiced Cake w/ Frosting, Crisp Drop Cookies. *Speed Line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes. *Dinner: Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Chicken, Spaghetti Alfredo, Tossed Green Rice, Corn O’Brien, Lima Beans, Spiced Cake w/ Frosting, Crisp Drop Cookies.

Tuesday, 19 FEB 13 *Breakfast: Hot Farina, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Grilled Sausage Patties, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Waffles, Biscuits and Gravy, Asstd Doughnuts, Blueberry Muffins. * Lunch: Chicken Vegetable Soup, Roast Turkey, Fish w/Tomato Sauce, Steamed Rice, Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy, Carrots and Orange Amandine, Club Spinach, Fruit Cocktail Upside Down Cake, Oatmeal Cookies. *Speed Line: Chili Dog, Onion Rings.

Dinner: Zesty Bean Soup, Pasta al Forno, Roast Pork Tenderloin, Orange Rice, Baked Potatoes, Southern Greens, Seasoned Mixed Vegetables, Fruit Cocktail Upside Down Cake, Oatmeal Cookies.

Saturday, 16 FEB 13 *Breakfast: Farina, Grilled Ham Slices, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Buttermilk Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Crumb Cake. *Brunch: Breakfast Items, Creole Soup, Chicken Nuggets, Fried Rice, Asparagus, Calico Corn, Cherry Pie, Abracadabra Bars. *Dinner: Vegetable Soup, Baked Lasagna, Steamed Rice, Deep Fried Fish Portion, Seasoned Asparagus, Steamed Cauliflower, Garlic Bread, Cherry Pie, and Abracadabra Bars.

Wednesday, 20 FEB 13 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Creamed Ground Beef, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Blueberry Pancakes, Asstd Doughnuts, Bear Claws. *Lunch: Beef Rice Soup, Lasagna, Baked Chicken, Garlic Cheese Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts Polonaise, Cheese Cake, Chocolate Pudding. *Speed Line: Grilled Cheese/Hamburger, Baked Beans, French Fried Potatoes. *Dinner: Cream of Chicken Soup, St. Louis BBQ Pork Ribs, Fish Portion, Steamed Rice, Greens Beans Nicoise, Steamed Peas, Cheese Cake, Chocolate Pudding.

Sunday, 17 FEB 13 *Breakfast: Rolled Oats, Grilled Minute Steak, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast Puff, Asstd Doughnuts, Italian Croissant. *Brunch: Breakfast Items, Broccoli Soup, Pork Roast , Carrots, Steam Rice, Club Spinach, Almond Cake, Crisp Toffee Bars. *Dinner: Chicken Vegetable Soup, Sauerbraten, Spring Garden Rice, Spaghetti Garlic & Oil, Mashed Potatoes, Natural Pan Gravy, Steamed Cut Green Beans, Seasoned Carrots, Almond Cake, Crisp Toffee Bars.

Thursday, 21 FEB 13 Black History Month Meal *Breakfast: Hominy Grits, Corned Beef Hash, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, French Toast, Asstd Doughnuts, Raisin Muffins. *Lunch: Chicken Gumbo Soup, BBQ Spare Ribs, Fried Chicken, Creamy Macaroni & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy, Collard Greens, Black Eyes Peas, Old Fashioned Cole Slaw, Corn Bread, Peanut Butter Cookies, Cherry Pie. *Speed Line: Baked Italian Sausage w/pepper & Onions. *Dinner: Minestrone Soup, Turkey Pot Pie, Grilled Cheese Burger, Ginger Rice, Mexican Corn, Steamed Broccoli, Cherry Pie, Peanut Butter Cookies.

Monday, 18 FEB 13 *Breakfast: Hot Hominy Grits, Minced Beef on Toast, Oven Fried Bacon, Asstd Omelets, Eggs to Order, Roasted Potatoes, Pancake, Asstd Doughnuts, Streusel Coffee Cake. *Lunch: Creamed of Broccoli Soup, Veal Parmesan, Steamed Rice, Mixed Vegetables, Chicken Adobo, Squash, Brownies, Yellow Cake w/ Icing, Fruit Ambrosia. *Speed Line: Sloppy Joe, Onion Rings. *Dinner: Vegetable Supreme Soup, Salisbury Steak, Rice Pilaf, Brown Gravy, Linguine Carbonara, Peas & Onions, Corn on the Cob, Brownies, Yellow Cake w/ Icing, Fruit Ambrosia.

Friday, 22 FEB 13 *Breakfast: Hot Oatmeal, Grilled Sausage Patties, 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.

Tuesday, February 19

5:00 PM Parental Guidance 5:30 PM *Moonrise Kingdom 7:30 PM This is 40 8:00 PM Guilt Trip

PG PG-13 R PG-13

Wednesday, February 20

5:00 PM ✴Silver Linings Playbook R 5:30 PM ✴ParaNorman PG 7:30 PM ✴Les Misérables PG-13 8:00 PM ✴Snow W. & Huntsman PG-13

Friday, February 15

2:00 PM Escape From Earth 3D 5:00 PM A Good Day to Die 5:30 PM Texas Chainsaw 7:30 PM Django Unchained 8:00 PM ✴Zero Dark Thirty

Saturday, February 16

2:00 PM Escape From Earth 3D 2:30 PM Gangster Squad 4:30 PM Identity Thief 5:00 PM A Good Day to Die 7:30 PM A Haunted House

Sunday, February 17

2:00 PM Identity Thief 2:30 PM Escape From Earth 4:30 PM Texas Chainsaw 3D 5:00 PM A Haunted House 7:30 PM ✴Zero Dark Thirty

PG R R R R

5:00 PM Texas Chainsaw 3D 5:30 PM ✴Pirates! Band of Misfits 7:30 PM ✴Zero Dark Thirty 8:00 PM ✴The Avengers

PG R R R R R PG R R R PG R R R

5:00 PM Mama PG-13 5:30 PM ✴Ted R 7:30 PM The Last Stand R 8:00 PM ✴Prometheus R

Saturday, Febraury

2:00 PM Escape From Earth 3D PG 2:30 PM ✴Brave PG 4:30 PM A Haunted House R 5:00 PM The Last Stand R 7:00 PM ✴Zero Dark Thirty R 7:30 PM A Broken City R

Movie Premiere Same Day Release Free Movie

✴Oscar nominated

R PG R PG-13

Friday, February 22

Monday, February 18 – President’s Day 3:00 PM Escape From Earth 3D 3:30 PM A Good Day to Die 5:30 PM ✴Zero Dark Thirty 6:00 PM Identity Thief

Thursday, February 21

Last Show

ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH 2D & 3D ... RATED PG STARRING: Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba

Scorch Supernova finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an SOS from a notoriously dangerous alien planet. (95 m.)

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD ... RATED R STARRING: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch

John McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist. (97 m.)

MAMA ... PG-13 STARRING: Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

A couple are faced with the challenge of raising young girls that were left alone in the forest for 5 years. (100 m.)

IDENTITY THIEF ... RATED R STARRING: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, John Cho

When a mild-mannered businessman learns his identity has been stolen, he hits the road in an attempt to foil the thief. (111 m.)

ZERO DARK THIRTY ... RATED R STARRING: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt

A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May 2011. (157 m.)

Movie schedule is subject to change.

Please call to confirm.

Movie Hotline: 624-4248

Valentine's Day

Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a popular Valentine's Day item.

ADMIRER ADORE AFFECTION ATTRACTION BEAU BELOVED BOYFRIEND CANDLES CANDY CHOCOLATES COUPLE CRUSH CUPID DARLING DATE DEAR DEVOTION FANCY FEBRUARY FLAME

FLOWERS FONDNESS FOREVER FRIENDSHIP GIFT GIRLFRIEND HEARTS JEWELRY LIKE LOVEBIRDS LOVERS PARTNER PROPOSAL RELATIONSHIP RESTAURANT ROMANCE ROSES SENTIMENT SUITOR SWEETHEART

DID YOU KNOW? • The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia on February 14th in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.

• Many believe the 'X' symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn't write their names signed in front of a witness with an 'X.' The 'X' was then kissed to show their sincerity.

• Girls of medieval times ate bizarre foods on St. Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future spouse.

• In 1537, England's King Henry VII officially declared February 14th the holiday of St. Valentine's Day.

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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SUDOKU EASY

GAME ZONE

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

DIFFICULT

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DID YOU KNOW? • In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, and Italy.

• Physicians of the 1800's commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love.

• Every Valentine's Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet.

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IL

M ERCATO

AUTOMOBILES 1998 Silver BMW Z3 Roadster 140 CV 1.9cc. Manual transmission, M Series Sport leather seats, 17” carbon and steel wheels, Blue Angel LED lights, excellent condition and engine runs great-only 100,000 km. Asking 6900 Euro. Call Michael at +39392791-4634 or +39348-911-4482.

1966 Fiat 600d. 767 c.i. engine.

Electrical system converted from dynamo to alternator. Regularly serviced, garage kept. Original match beige paint. New tires, battery, carburetor, and water pump.

Rebuilt transmission and radiator.

All fluids drained and replaced.

Beautiful inside and out! $5,500 OBO. Amanda 624-1357 or email at carolynclennon@hotmail.com.

2008 Jeep Wrangler X Sport 2 door hard top(3pc freedom top), excellent condition. Asking $19,500. New custom wheels and tires. 46k miles, 3.8 v-6, 6 speed M/T, AC, CD player, KC light package wd, 4 wheel anti-

lock brakes, skid control. Call Ron at 335-30-5033.

‘99 BMW 520i ,172K km, AC/Heat,CD player,radio,ABS,airbags,manual trans in good condition. Asking $4,500, OBO. Call 342-182-7027.

2000 Opel Vectra 1.8; 5-speed; 4-door; silver; good condition, clean, runs great; new tires, brakes, timing belt; tune up in September. $1500.

Available second week of Feb. Call Mike 3357124697 or 624-2116.

2001 BMW 320Td; 2-door; 5-speed manual; metallic blue; new brakes; new tires; CD player; great fuel mileage; runs great. 3,800 euro. Call Adam at 340-822-1991.

AUTOMATIC 2000 Audi A6 4-door Diesel. NEW engine: turbo, fuel pump, timing belt, A/C, radiator, fan, water pump, hoses, brakes, CV boots. Good tires. New oil/filters.

Runs strong. 120K miles. Great on gas!! $5,500 OBO. Call Bryan 335702-3265. Or email h60swmr@ yahoo.com.

FEBRUARY 15, 2013 All classified ads are free to the community for advertising personal property for sale, trade or giveaway. Ads must be sent to thesig@eu.navy.mil no later than 5 p.m. of the Friday before the week of publication and must include POC name and phone number. For more information, call 624-5440, 624-2798 or 095-86-5440/2798.

SAWS ANIMALS Malibu, 8-month-old white and black female cat, petite, shy at first but warms up. Does best with another friendly cat. Current on shots and microchipped.

Luigi, 7-month-old, tan, male, medium-sized dog. Very friendly and loves other dogs, people, and children. Current on shots.

Microchipped and neutered.

Mini, 3-year-old, tan, female, medium-sized dog. Very caring and loyal. Prefers older and larger dogs.

Current on shots and microchipped.

Eliot and Owl, 6-month-old, black, female and male small dogs. Very sweet. Prefer to stay together.

Current on shots, microchipped, and Owl is neutered.

Elections for board positions are Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Midtown classroom.

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).

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February is children’s dental health month

By LCDR Kathi Buss U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella

Did you know dental decay is five times more common than asthma? Or that oral disease disproportionately affects children, low-income families, and minorities? Or that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental related illnesses?

Did you know that 25 million work hours are lost by parents, due to dealing with their children’s dental disease? Or that poor oral health impacts a child’s ability to learn, develop self esteem, and speak properly?

These are all good questions, and now is the perfect time to ask them. February is Children’s Dental Health Month, and the Children’s Oral Health Campaign (now in its 63rd year) has made it a goal to improve the overall oral health of children.

Dental decay is the single most common chronic disease of childhood, with millions of children suffering from untreated tooth decay. The mouth is the gateway to a person’s overall health, and an unhealthy mouth can be associated with obesity, diabetes and even heart disease. The Children’s Oral Health Campaign’s goal is to motivate parents

and caregivers to take control and modify their children’s behaviors.

It’s important to make sure kids are brushing their teeth for two minutes, two times a day. For more information on brushing habits for children, visit www.2min2x.org. There you will find activities in which children can participate, such as watching a funny online video and playing video games, all in an effort to communicate the importance of taking the time to brush twice a day for two minutes.

There are also fun two-minute videos that children can watch while brushing.

Dentists from U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella will be visiting your child’s school during this month to educate them about the importance of good oral hygiene habits. It is essential for parents to be involved in caring for their children’s teeth until they are about 8 years old, an age at which they have the ability and dexterity to care for their teeth themselves.

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Find your way!

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FEBRUARY 15, 2013