Carroll Community College

The Carroll County Manufacturing Consortium held its first organizational meeting last month at Carroll Community College. Members discussed apprenticeship training, regional wage data overview, work force recruitment and retention, the Governor's Workforce Investment Board's skill standards project and collaborative marketing. Twelve companies attended the gathering: IntelliTech Inc., Evapco Inc., Shelter Systems Limited, Universal Forest Products Inc., GT Brothers Inc., Maple Grove Machining, General Dynamics Robotics Systems Inc., Black and Decker Inc., MasterWorks Machining Inc., Western Industrial Machining Inc., Fairlawn Tool and Die Company Inc., and Flowserve Pump Division.

Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson said he never imagined he would find himself welcoming to town the author of a play as candid and jarring as The Vagina Monologues. But feminist playwright Eve Ensler, who promotes her work around the world, is coming to Carroll Community College for a local rendition of her play Friday. It's the county's fifth performance of The Vagina Monologues. Activist and organizer Sylviea Tejeda said she has wanted to bring Ensler to Westminster since she watched a captivating performance of the play at Gettysburg College seven years ago. Tejeda said she met Ensler last fall at the opening of an eating disorders clinic at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Towson.

Twelve students from Carroll Community College have been selected for inclusion in the 1999 edition of "Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges."Students are chosen based on their academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities and potential for continued success.The students are: Diane Christine Flint, Kathryn Ann Hogan, Donna Jo Holt, Jamie Leigh Jackson, Tina Eva Joyce, Sara Joan Levin, Adria Christine Mason, Minta Ninette Mason, Marisa Freitas Myers, Shelby William Sawyers, Sara Beth Sykes and Ralph Elwood Vaughn.

These businesses and community leaders have joined the board of directors of the Community Foundation of Carroll County, a philanthropic organization that uses donations to establish grants, memorials and endowment funds.Gerald Alsentzer, senior vice president/director of human relations for Carroll County Bank and Trust Co. He is a member of the board of Human Services Programs of Carroll County Inc.Patricia Amass, retired after 30 years with the Carroll County Board of Education, where she administered federal programs for preschool and elementary education.

Carroll Community College will graduate 247 students during commencement exercises at 7: 30 p.m. Wednesday in the physical education learning center at Western Maryland College.Robert R. Furman, a civil engineer and owner of Furman Builders Inc., will be the keynote speaker. He has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Princeton University.Furman was his company's president from 1946 to 1986. He was executive officer for the construction of the Pentagon and staff officer for the Manhattan District, the organization in charge of developing the atomic bomb in World War II.Ralph Vaughn, president of the Student Government Organization, will give the student greeting.

OSHA program to focus on preserving hearingCarroll Occupational Health Services will sponsor a hearing conservation program on federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards regarding exposure to noise.The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 14 at Francis Scott Key Mall, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick.Cost is $30.Participants will learn about the requirements of an occupational noise exposure control plan, hearing testing, compliance with employee notification guidelines, how to complete the OSHA log and employee training.

Women's Business Institute offers several classesThe Women's Business Institute is offering educational programs and classes this winter.* Intro to the Internet will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 11 in the institute's computer lab at the Taneytown office. Cost is $35 and must be paid in advance.* Conflict Resolution workshop will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 13 at the instutute with Diane Wirth ot "The Solution Works." Participants can increase communication skills and resolve conflicts.

Free seminar to focus on `Managing Through Y2K'The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Women's Business Institute are sponsoring a free seminar on "Managing Through Y2K" from 6 p.m. to 8: 30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Westminster Comfort Inn.Participants will learn how to deal with Year 20002 computer problems.The seminar is being held in conjunction with the Maryland Y2K Coalition.Registration is required. Information: 410-628-0380.County seminar to cover employer health programsThe Carroll County Job Service Employer Committee will present a seminar on occupational health programs at 8 a.m. Sept.

Vacant buildings at Springfield Hospital Center in Sykesville could soon get a new lease as college campuses.The town, which hopes to annex the property known as the Warfield Complex and renovate the buildings, has interested Carroll Community College and Touro College, a multinational school based in New York, in the century-old buildings along Route 32.The state found no use for the 131-acre property and offered it to the town a year ago. Sykesville organized...

Carroll Community College and the Maryland National Guard entered into an agreement last night to cut tuition in half for guardsmen who attend the school.College and Guard officials said it was the beginning of a partnership that will combine the resources of the two institutions."By developing these partnerships with colleges, there's a lot of things we can do besides the tuition waiver," said Lt. Col. Milton P. Davis, an education officer with the Maryland National Guard."We can develop our armories as community centers and use them for classrooms for colleges to have off-campus locations," Davis said.

Gilchrest supports Obama, Biden on WYPR Maryland Republican Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest strongly supported the Democratic presidential ticket in a radio interview aired yesterday, calling Barack Obama and Joe Biden "prudent" and "knowledgeable." "We just can't use four more years of policy that's somewhat haphazard, which leads to recklessness," said Gilchrest, who lost a 1st District primary to state Sen. Andy Harris this year, in a report on Baltimore's WYPR. In a subsequent interview with The Baltimore Sun, Gilchrest said he did not intend the remarks to be an endorsement, but information for voters.

Noting "slim margins" and "little flexibility" in an uncertain economy, the Carroll County commissioners unveiled yesterday a lean budget plan for the coming fiscal year intended to address cuts in state and federal funding, as well as rising fuel and utility costs. The proposed operating budget for 2009 totals $353 million, a 1.6 percent increase in spending compared with the budget for the current year. Almost half -- $171.7 million -- would go to the public school system. "This is the tightest budget plan we've adopted" in recent years, said Ted Zaleski, director of management and budget.

The South Carroll High School Media Center is holding its annual food drive starting tomorrow through Nov. 9. The school is joining the Kids Helping Kids campaign of the Maryland State Department of Education. All food collected will go to Carroll County Food Sunday to help the needy. The media center will reward the homeroom collecting the most food with doughnuts and juice during a homeroom period. Information: 410-751-3575. School board to meet Wednesday The Carroll County Board of Education will hold an administrative meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Room 007 of the board offices at 125 N. Court St., Westminster.

Carroll Community College will hold an open house from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow at 1601 Washington Road, Westminster. Information tables and faculty members will be available to answer questions about the college's programs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tours of the campus will be available. Information sessions will be held from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on admissions and financial aid, choosing a major, student life and transfer options. Registration is requested. Information: 410-386-8430, or e-mail openhouse@carroll cc.edu.

As a result of an academic reorganization, two new dean positions have been created at Carroll Community College. The new dean of arts, letters and social sciences is Steven Geppi. He was previously chair of the Division of Social Sciences and Legal Studies. The new dean of business, mathematics and sciences is Judith Coen. Previously, she was dean of mathematics, sciences, health and wellness. Other academic promotions include: Craig Swanson, Michael Stovall, promoted from instructor to assistant professor; Robert Brown, Donald Hoepfer, promoted from assistant professor to associate professor; Kate Demarest, promoted from associate professor to professor.

The Carroll County Board of Education will hold an administrative meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Room 007 of the board offices at 125 N. Court St., Westminster. A work session will be held at 2 p.m. Meetings will be broadcast live on CETV, Channel 21 on Comcast cable TV, and repeated at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sunday and the following Thursday, and at 9 a.m. Saturday. Information: 410-751-3020. Parent-education group to hold event The Carroll County Local Management Board will hold a Parents As Teachers kickoff event from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Scott Center at Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster.

For some, continuing education classes represent the chance to take that watercolor class, explore interior decorating or get to know Microsoft Excel. But among the traditional offerings, Carroll Community College - and other Maryland schools - is providing lifelong learners with additional skills, using the advantages of the Internet. How to be funny. Assertive. A better communicator. Under the broad umbrella of "personal development," the courses have cropped up at colleges across the country - and their niche nature seems to make them perfect for the online classroom format.

Carroll Community College is offering five classes this fall in Italian language, traveling in Italy and Italian cooking. Seasons of Italy will offer travel tips for all seasons from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays Sept. 12 to Oct. 3. The cost is $95. Italian Basic I will be offered from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays Sept. 11 to Oct. 30, cost $159; and Basic II Nov. 6 to Dec. 11, cost $118. Italian for Conversation & Review will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 10 to Nov. 14. The class integrates music, photos, travel tips and conversation to provide language skills for a vacation in Italy.

Book fair set for Nov. 10 The 11th annual Random House Book Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at Carroll Community College. Local authors are invited to participate in the event. Applications can be downloaded from www.carrollcc.edu. Forms and a registration fee of $25 must be returned by Wednesday to the Carroll Community College Foundation Office at 1601 Washington Road, Westminster, Md. 21157. Local artisans and non-profit organizations also can participate as exhibitors.

Board of Education meeting Wednesday The Carroll County Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Room 007 of the board offices, 125 N. Court St., Westminster. The regular meeting agenda will be posted on the school system's Web site at www.carrollk12.org. Meetings will be broadcast live on CETV, Channel 21 on Comcast cable TV, and repeated at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sunday and the next Thursday, and 9 a.m. Saturday. Information: 410-751-3020. Back-to-school program registration The Shepherd's Staff is holding registration for its annual Back-to-School program through July 27 at its office, 30 Carroll St., Westminster.