Anne Arundel Community College

The Anne Arundel County Council's "slashing" of funding to Anne Arundel Community College is hardly an example of local leaders responsibly dealing with difficult times ("Arundel takes a balanced approach," May 26). The council decided in private and quickly voted for an unprecedented $5.2 million cut in funding for fiscal 2012. They held a public hearing only after approving it. During the present economic crisis, enrollment at AACC has continued to increase because students want affordable programs that prepare them for higher paying, more professional jobs.

Internship program Anne Arundel Community College is seeking employers to participate in its internship program. Students get real-world experience and mentoring from leaders in business, industry, government and nonprofit agencies and organizations. For information, go to aacc.edu/foundation or aacc.edu/internships . Nursing scholarships Through 2014, three Anne Arundel Community College nursing students will receive $3,000 scholarships through a program set up by Johns Hopkins HealthCare.

Anne Arundel Community College students Marcelle Lee of Severna Park and Dustin Shirley of Odenton had never taken a digital forensics course at the school until this past summer, but they are fast learners. The duo recently won the community college division of the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) Digital Forensic Challenge, a competition that challenges students to analyze digital clues related to cybersecurity and counterterrorism. The win marked the second consecutive academic year that a team from Anne Arundel Community College has won the international competition.

Spring show The Muddy Creek Artists Guild's fifth annual spring show, "Artists on the Half Shell," concludes, Sunday, May 5, at Galesville Memorial Hall, 925 Main St. Works by members include more than 250 paintings, pastels, photographs, prints, sculpture, pottery, textiles, jewelry and mixed media. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission. Information: muddycreekartistsguild.org. 'Evolution' Collage and paintings by C.L. Bigelow will be on view through June 25 at Gallery 333, 333 Dubois Road in Annapolis.

Anne Arundel Community College's Kauffman Theater at the Pascal Center for Performing Arts is proving to be fertile ground for people searching for entertainment bargains. The center offers such options as dance troupes, jazz ensembles, world-class guitar concerts and performances by the AACC Concert Band. The major spring concert season kicked off last weekend with classical concerts by the college's Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. If these opening classical concerts signal the caliber of what lies ahead, music fans are in for a treat.

Anne Arundel Community College has hired Maryland native Dawn Lindsay, who now heads Glendale Community College in California and has an extensive background in local academia, as its next president. Lindsay, 52, will be the sixth president in the school's 50-year history, replacing Martha A. Smith, who will retire from the position after 18 years on Aug. 1. AACC officials said that Lindsay has signed a three-year contract worth $234,500 annually, with required annual evaluations.

Thomas E. Florestano, a long-serving president of Anne Arundel Community College, died March 31 of Parkinson's disease complications at Ginger Cove Health Center. He was 79 and had lived in Annapolis. "Tom did a great deal to bring our community college into national prominence," said former Anne Arundel County Executive Robert Neall. "He was local. He knew the county and he knew our needs. He was a mentor and a friend. " Born in Annapolis and raised on Monticello Avenue, he was the son of Ernest Florestano and Lena Lorea.

Many in the area know that Anne Arundel Community College has an exceptional women's lacrosse team, but not everyone keeps up with its success. And if ever there's been a season to follow the team, this is it. "Sometimes teachers or my friends' parents will ask, 'Hey, what's your record?'" said AACC goaltender Brittany Kincer of Glen Burnie, who adds that she prefers not to boast about the team's prowess. "I'll say, 'We're doing pretty well.' And they'll say, 'Well, what's your record?

Spring show The Muddy Creek Artists Guild's fifth annual spring show, "Artists on the Half Shell," concludes, Sunday, May 5, at Galesville Memorial Hall, 925 Main St. Works by members include more than 250 paintings, pastels, photographs, prints, sculpture, pottery, textiles, jewelry and mixed media. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission. Information: muddycreekartistsguild.org. 'Evolution' Collage and paintings by C.L. Bigelow will be on view through June 25 at Gallery 333, 333 Dubois Road in Annapolis.

Nursing scholarships Beginning this fall and continuing through 2014, three Anne Arundel Community College nursing students will receive a $3,000 scholarship through a program set up by Johns Hopkins HealthCare. The scholarship will benefit students who demonstrate financial need as established by the AACC Financial Aid Office, are Anne Arundel County residents and enrolled in the college's Registered Nursing Associate of Science Degree program. Information: 410-777-2515 or aacc.

Sunday, May 5 Mother's Day Tea The Chesapeake Life Center invites women and girls of all ages who are grieving the death of a mother or grandmother to a special Mother's Day Tea at Moulin de Paris, 35 Magothy Beach Road in Pasadena. Event begins at noon and cost is $20 per person. For more information, call 410-987-2129 or go to chesapeakelifecenter.org. Monday, May 6 Photo club The Digital Photography Club of Annapolis meets at 7 p.m. at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St. in Annapolis.

Anne Arundel Community College's Kauffman Theater at the Pascal Center for Performing Arts is proving to be fertile ground for people searching for entertainment bargains. The center offers such options as dance troupes, jazz ensembles, world-class guitar concerts and performances by the AACC Concert Band. The major spring concert season kicked off last weekend with classical concerts by the college's Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. If these opening classical concerts signal the caliber of what lies ahead, music fans are in for a treat.