Military Officer - April 2006 - (Page 62)

T R AV E L I N S T Y L E Get Movin’! To Your DREAM Retirement Home in Sunny-Warm California AIR FORCE VILLAGE WEST A M I L I TA R Y O F F I C E R ’ S R E T I R E M E N T R E S O R T C O M M U N I T Y AFVW is one of the most popular retirement communities on the west coast because of its services, amenities and on-campus health care facilities. That is why, with the opening of our NEW PHASE in summer 06, you have a greater opportunity to finally START LIVING THE GOOD LIFE. For more details contact Beverly McCarthy 1-800-729-2999 www.afvw.com E-mail: info@afvw.com AIR FORCE VILLAGE WEST, INC. A non-profit organization street, I discovered Pizzeria Brandi, in operation since 1780. This is where the mozzarella-tomato Pizza Margherita (named after the queen of Italy) was invented. Judging by the noisy Italian-speaking diners crowding the small outside tables, it is still one of the most popular places in town. In Tuscany, I joined a group headed to San Gimignano, a 12th-century fortiﬁed village perched high in the hills. Its 13 towers create a distinctive, fairy-tale skyline, and most everything within the city walls remains unchanged since pilgrims and traders walked these roads. Wine stores, art galleries, and ceramic shops line narrow streets. I purchased a bottle of the traditional white wine of the area and stopped in Tinacci Tito’s store for a hand-painted wine jug. We later convened at the Poggio Alloro farm in Siena, where the Fioroni brothers cultivate grapes, olives, wheat, honey, and saffron. One member of our group couldn’t resist plucking an olive from the tree and popping it into his mouth. Our Italian guide suddenly remembered to warn us that fresh olives taste extremely bitter. We looked at our poor friend, his face contorted in disgust. For the rest of the cruise, the hapless fellow was known as “olive guy.” The farm’s staff invited us to a hearty, family-style lunch of pasta, salad, and wine. “Wine is not only a drink for us, but a way of life,” our guide explained. “It is part of every meal and always served with food — never on its own.” I could not resist buying several bottles of the farm’s own ruby-red Chianti, produced in much the same way as it has been since the Middle Ages. It was an unbelievable bargain at only 4 euros. Salud to sangria After bidding Italy a fond arrivederci, we sailed to the French Riviera. There’s no better place to sample Pro- 17050 Arnold Drive, Riverside, CA 92518 Certificate No. 165 • CA RCFE License #330907913 • License #25-0000-347 62 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2006 http://www.afvw.com http://www.afvw.com

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Military Officer - April 2006 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Lap of Luxury Magic Carpet of the Rails Blue Ridge Wonderland Salud, Santé, Cin Cin! Cover Story: Wounded Warriors On Duty MOAA Scholarship Donors MOAA Member Services Pages of History Information Exchange Member Books MOAA Calendar Advertising Index Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - April 2006

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