MC Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 29, Rockville
Holiday Gift Bazaar, Nov. 30, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Careers in Focus: Art Therapy, Nov. 30, School of Art and Design
Corporate Citizenship and Business Ethics: A Conversation with Matt Gobush, Dec. 1, Rockville
Exhibit of Underwater Photographs, Nov. 30 through Jan. 31, Germantown
Black and White Perspectives photography exhibition, through Dec. 17, Rockville
Step Afrika!, Dec. 3, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Interactive forum: Finding Balance in an Age of Spin, Dec. 5, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Faculty Works, Dec. 5 to January 28, Takoma Park/Siver Spring
MC Jazz Ensemble, Dec. 6, Rockville
Jefferson Cafe, Dec. 7, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
MC Wind and Flute Ensembles, Dec. 8, Rockville
MC Chamber Singers, Dec. 9, Rockville
Youth Program presents Art Explosion! Dec. 10, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Tips on Re-directing Professional Life: A Seminar for Adult Re-Entry Students, Dec. 10, Rockville
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone and Chad & Jeremy, Dec. 10, Rockville
Yalla! A Celebration of Women's Dance, Dec. 10, Rockville
Auditions for the MC Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 12, Rockville
The Day of the Sun's Return, The Winter Solstice, Dec. 21, Takoma Park//Silver Spring
New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring the Joe Bryd Quintet, Dec. 31, Rockville
Athletic events in Dec. include College and Maryland Nighthawks basketball games
Forthcoming College events in early 2006
Alumni Association notices and announcements
MC Foundation publishes Year-End Giving Guide
Mentoring opportunities available through International Buddy Program and Lifelong Learning
Alumni Association benefits include insurance, car rental discounts, and preferred hotel rates

Click on any of the links below for additional information.

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Rockville Music Department presents MC Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Molly Donnelly and Dr. Wen Kurkul, conductors, 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, at the Performing Arts Center, Rockville Campus. Admission free.  For information, contact the Music Department, 240-567-5209, e-mail mary.bentley@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/musicrv/consched.htm.

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Nursing Alumni chapter and the student Nursing Club present a Holiday Gift Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, in the third floor lounge, Health Sciences Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Holiday shopping opportunities include Avon products, candles, Lucinda Pins, Mary Kay Cosmetics, scarves, ceramics, books, and more. Holiday fair fees benefit Nursing scholarships. For information, contact the Nursing Office, 240-567-5530, or e-mail alumni@montgomerycollege.edu.

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School of Art and Design presents Careers in Focus: Art Therapy, with Art Therapist Leslie Milofsky,  6:30 p.m. November 30 at the School of Art and Design at Montgomery College, 10500 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring. Ms. Milofsky will discuss balancing personal artistic endeavors with work in the field. She will present several works created by her clients and discuss the process of facilitating the creation of individual art work with clients. Admission free.  For information, contact Nicole Evans, 301-649-4454, or e-mail nicole.evans@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Institutional Advancement Office and the Macklin Business Institute present Corporate Citizenship and Business Ethics: A Conversation with Matt Gobush, 11 a.m. Thursday, December 1, in the Board of Trustees Room, Mannakee Building, Rockville. Mr. Gobush is Exxon Mobil Corporation’s manager of executive communications and is the former director of communications for Senator Joseph Lieberman.  Admission free.  For information, contact Marcia Sirulnik, 240-567-7490, or e-mail marcia.sirulnik@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Germantown Art Department presents An Exhibit of Underwater Photographs by College faculty members Zeki Findikoglu and Esat Atikkan, November 30 through January 31, in the High Technology Building Galleria, second floor, Germantown Campus. The exhibit showcases Professor Findikoglu’s photographs of the marine life found in the Caymans and at the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean.  Dr. Atikkan’s photographs feature the organisms found underwater at local quarries and the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts of the United States.  Opening reception Wednesday, November 30, 6 p.m. in the Galleria.  At 6 p.m., Dr. Atikkan will also give a talk on “Underwater Photography as a Natural Extension of Scuba Diving,” in Globe Hall, which is located next to the Galleria, inside the High Technology and Science Center. Admission free.  For information, contact Zeki Findikoglu, 240-567-7762, or e-mail zeki.findikoglu@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Communications Arts Technology Program presents Black and White Perspectives: Images from the Three Campuses of Montgomery College, a photography exhibition, now through December 17 at the CAT Gallery, Technical Center, Rockville Campus. This exhibition represents individual, idiosyncratic views of the three campuses of Montgomery College. While not intended to be a literal documentation of the College, the exhibition is an exploration in photographic vision and artist's personal response to this environment. Admission free.  For information, contact Martha Vaughan, 240-567-7521, or e-mail martha.vaughan@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Arts Alive Concert Series presents Step Afrika!, one-hour performances at 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, December 3, at the Black Box Theatre, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Step Afrika! celebrates stepping, a unique art form created by African American college students and based in African traditions. Step Afrika’s intricate kicks, stomps and rhythms, mixed with spoken word, pound the floor and fill the air. Admission $15. For information, contact Perry Schwartz, 240-567-1387, or e-mail perry.schwartz@montgomerycollege.edu.

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The Paul Peck Institute for American Culture and Civic Engagement and the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County present The News We Want, The News We Need:  Finding Balance in an Age of Spin, 1 p.m. Monday, December 5, in the second floor auditorium of the Health Sciences Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. The interactive forum will encourage dialogue between journalists and their audience on the current state of news reporting and news consumption in the United States. It will raise such issues as the sources from which people get their news and how these have changed; the convergence of news reporting and entertainment coverage; the rise of partisan news; new technologies and how they affect news reporting; and ways in which news “consumers” can be sensitive to spin and achieve balance in their reading, listening, and viewing. Panelists include Henry Allen, formerly of the Washington Post; Eric Bond, editor of the Takoma Park and Silver Spring Voice newspapers; Elizabeth Homan, news writer and TV show host in the Montgomery College public relations office; and Jan Schaffer, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, formerly an investigative reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and currently director of J-Lab: An Institute for Interactive Journalism at the University of Maryland in College Park. Admission free.  For information, contact Francine Jamin, 240-567-1385 or e-mail francine.jamin@montgomerycollege.edu. 

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Takoma Park/Silver Spring Art Department presents Faculty Works, an exhibit by 11 members of the Visual Arts faculty, December 5 to January 28 in the Pavilion of Fine Arts, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Opening reception 1 p.m. Monday, December 5. Admission free. For information, contact the Art Department, 240-567-1368.

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Music Department presents the Montgomery College Jazz Ensemble, Alvin Trask, conductor, 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, in the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center. Admission free.  For information, contact the Music Department, 240-567-5209, e-mail mary.bentley@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/musicrv/consched.htm.

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Paul Peck Institute for American Culture and Civic Engagement presents a Jefferson Cafe(TM) 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, in the Provost’s Conference Room, Commons Building, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Jefferson Cafes feature coffee, dessert, and engaging conversation based on a brief reading, done in advance, on a topic in American life and culture. Attendance limited, pre-registration required.

Topic: The complex inter-relationship of Culture and Capitalism in American life. Reading from Joseph Ellis, “After the Revolution: Profiles of Early American Culture.” Coffee and dessert 2:30 p.m., discussion 3 to 4:30 p.m. Facilitator: Fran Jordan, MC Honors student, published poet, winner of academic achievement awards.

Please sign up early, because the Cafes fill quickly. To reserve a seat and obtain a copy of the advance readings, contact Francine Jamin, 240-567-1385, or e-mail francine.jamin@montgomerycollege.edu. For more information about the Jefferson Cafes, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/americanculture.

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Music Department presents the Montgomery College Wind and Flute Ensembles, Paul Noble and Vanita Jones, conductors, 8 p.m. Thursday, December 8, in the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center. Admission free.  For information, contact the Music Department, 240-567-5209, e-mail mary.bentley@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/musicrv/consched.htm.

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Music Department presents the Montgomery College Chamber Singers, Dr. Molly Donnelly, conductor, 8 p.m. Friday, December 9, in the Music Recital Hall, Rockville Campus. Admission free.  For information, contact the Music Department, 240-567-5209, e-mail mary.bentley@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/musicrv/consched.htm.

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WDCE Youth Program presents Art Explosion! - an enrichment program for students in grades 2-4, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, December 10, at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. This one-day, all-arts program offers workshops that explore topics outside of the regular school curriculum and provides opportunities for students to meet other students with similar interests. For information, contact Sharon Wolfgang, 240-567-7264, or e-mail sharon.wolfgang@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Rockville Campus presents Tips on Re-directing Professional Life: A Seminar for Adult Re-Entry Students, 9 a.m. Saturday, December 10, Room 129 Humanities, Rockville Campus. Admission free.  For information, contact Barbara Gleason, 240-567-5135, or e-mail barbara.gleason@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center presents Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone and Chad & Jeremy, 8 p.m. Saturday, December 10, at the Performing Arts Center, Rockville Campus. If you missed it the first time, don’t worry - the second British Invasion is here! Herman’s Hermits had 23 Top-20 hits, with songs like “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” and “Listen People.” Pop duo Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde are best known for hit songs such as “Willow Weep for Me,” “Yesterday’s Gone,” and “A Summer Song.” Tickets are $40 regular, $38 with your Alumni Association membership card. For information, contact the Box Office, 240-567-5301, or e-mail boffice@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Women's Studies Program presents Yalla! A Celebration of Women's Dance, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10, in the Theatre Arts Arena, Rockville Campus. If you missed last year's performance, be sure to come and see what caused all the excitement. If you came to the show last year, you'll be interested in this festive show for the holiday season, featuring performances by acclaimed Middle Eastern dancers. Tickets $14. All proceeds benefit the Women’s Studies Program Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to worthy Montgomery College students who have taken Women's Studies courses. For information or reservations, contact Genevieve Carminati, 240-567-5355 or e-mail womensst@montgomerycollege.edu. To request accommodations for a disability, call 240-567-1781.

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Rockville Music Department announces auditions for the Montgomery College Symphony Orchestra, 6 p.m. Monday, December 12, in the Music Recital Hall, Rockville Campus. All musicians, both new and returning, must audition each semester. Community members, including high school students looking for college-level playing experience, are invited. Each participant will perform a solo musical selection of his/her choice (without an accompanist), play scales, and sight-read another selection chosen by the conductor. Participants desiring college credit must enroll in MU171, College Orchestra, offered 7 p.m. Mondays. Montgomery County Public Schools students can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for appropriate volunteer activities associated with their participation in the orchestra through the Empowered to Excel Partnership program. For more information about the orchestra, or to schedule a required audition time, contact the Music Department at 240-567-5209.

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Planetarium presents The Day of the Sun's Return, The Winter Solstice, 9 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, in Room130, Science South, Takoma Park//Silver Spring Campus. On the winter solstice, the dreariest day with the shortest day light and longest night of the year, our ancestors celebrated the beginning of the return of the Sun to the higher heavens. The patch of the sky in which the modern solstice occurs contains the galactic center and the delightfully beautiful Trifid nebulae. The planetarium celebration of the winter solstice will include the presentation of spectacular slides of the region. Admission free.  For information, contact Dr. Harold Williams, 240-567-1463, or e-mail harold.williams@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center presents a New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring the Joe Bryd Quintet, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, December 31, at the Performing Arts Center, Rockville Campus. Ring in the new year with our official countdown to midnight, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and the smooth jazz of the Joe Byrd Quintet (with MC’s own Chuck Redd ’79 on vibes). Tickets $50; $48 with your Alumni Association membership card. For information, contact the Box Office, 240-567-5301, or e-mail boffice@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Athletic events in December include the following:

Men’s Basketball

Fri./Sat., Dec. 2–3         Rockville at Gloucester C.C. Tournament             TBA
Sat., Dec. 3                   Baltimore at TP/SS                                            2 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 3                   Harford at Germantown                                       3 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 7                 Garrett at Germantown                                       7 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 7                 Rockville at Cecil C.C.                                        7 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 7                 Prince George’s at TP/SS                                   7 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 9                    Germantown at Cecil                                          7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 10                 Allegany College at Rockville                              7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 11                Redding Area C.C. at Germantown                      3 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Fri., Dec. 2                    TP/SS at Prince George’s                                   5 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 2                    CCBC – Dundalk C.C. at Rockville                       7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 3                   Gloucester C.C. (NJ) at Rockville                         3 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 5                 Harford at TP/SS                                                5 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 5                 Rockville at Chesapeake College                         7 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 7                 Clarke C.C. (OH) at Rockville                              7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 10                 Rockville at TP/SS                                             2 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 12                NOVA at TP/SS                                                 6 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 16                  TP/SS at Anne Arundel Tournament                    TBA
Sat., Dec. 17                 TP/SS at Anne Arundel Tournament                    TBA
Tue./Wed., Dec. 27–28   Rockville at Salem Tournament                           TBA

For more information, contact the Athletics Department at each campus, or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/athletics/.

ABA Basketball

Good news: The ABA Maryland Nighthawks are now playing at MC’s Rockville Campus! Even better news: Nighthawks home game tickets are discounted for the Montgomery College community - $7 adults, $4 children! For information regarding Nighthawks ticket sales at the College, contact the Office of Special Events, 240-567-7489. For the entire game schedule, visit www.marylandnighthawks.com.

Sat., Dec. 3                  Harlem Strong Dogs vs. Nighthawks at Rockville              7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 10                 Nighthawks vs. Rochester Razorshark at Rochester                7:35 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 11               Niagara Daredevils vs. Nighthawks at Rockville                6 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 16                  Nighthawks vs. Boston Frenzy at Boston                               7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 17                Buffalo Rapids vs. Nighthawks at Rockville                       7 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 18               Boston Frenzy vs. Nighthawks at Rockville                        6 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 23                  Nighthawks vs. NE Penn Breakers at NE Penn                       7 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 28               Nighthawks vs. Buffalo Rapids at Buffalo                                7 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 30                  Nighthawks vs. Newark Express at Newark                            7 p.m.
 

***** And Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Events in 2006 *****

Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center presents Color Me Dark: A Story of the Great Migration North, 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7, at the Performing Arts Center. Based on “The Diary of Nellie Lee Love,” written by Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack, this vibrant stage adaptation for young people illustrates the lives of two sisters during a time of great social uprising. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Tickets $7 regular, $6 with your Alumni Association membership card. For information, contact the Box Office, 240-567-5301, or e-mail boffice@montgomerycollege.edu.

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WDCE Youth Program presents Saturday Discoveries, a one-day enrichment program for students in grades 6 to 8, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Saturday, January 14, at the Germantown Campus. Workshops explore topics outside of the regular school curriculum and provide opportunities for students to meet other students with similar interests. For information, contact Sharon Wolfgang, 240-567-7264, e-mail sharon.wolfgang@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/youth.

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Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center presents The Pipes, Drums, and Highland Dancers of 1st Battalion The Black Watch and the Band of the Welsh Guards, 8 p.m. Friday, January 20, at the Performing Arts Center, Rockville Campus. The Black Watch blends the sound of Scotland, traditional dance, and detailed costumes to create an awe-inspiring event of splendor and majesty. The Pipes and Drums and Highland Dancers have existed since the founding of The Black Watch in the early 18th century and often accompanied their troops into battle. Formed in 1915, The Band of the Welsh Guard has toured extensively, bringing the pomp and pageantry of British life to many countries all over the world. This 44-person band is often seen at the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and at many other ceremonial occasions. Tickets are $40 Regular, $38 with your Alumni Association membership card. For information, contact the Box Office, 240-567-5301, or e-mail boffice@montgomerycollege.edu.

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Workforce Development & Continuing Education announces OneUp Infant and Toddler Training, a comprehensive program to prepare caregivers to work effectively with infants and toddlers and their families, beginning in January. The classes satisfy the Maryland Department of Human Resources’ child care licensing 45-hour requirement for training caregivers to deliver high-quality, nurturing care in out-of-home settings. In January the College will offer four sections of the training: two in Spanish and two in English. Classes will meet for six hours on Saturdays for a total of nine sessions.  Students will receive subsidized tuition, educational texts and materials, and a “Beginning with Babies” resource bag containing the essential tools and toys for stimulating infants and toddlers. For information, e-mail tracy.singleton@montgomerycollege.edu (English), or claudia.salas@montgomerycollege.edu (Spanish).

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Weather happens! Always call ahead to confirm events.

To request accommodations for a disability, please notify the sponsoring office or contact person two weeks before the event.

ALUMNI NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alumni Association welcomes new chapters. Alumni from the Nursing and Engineering programs have formed steering committees to activate Alumni Association Chapters for those majors.

- Nursing alumni wishing to suggest activities or services for the Nursing Chapter are invited to contact Karen Bashir, chapter president, via the Alumni Office, 240-567-5378, or e-mail alumni@montgomerycollege.edu.

- Engineering alumni wishing to suggest activities or projects for an Engineering Chapter are invited to contact Don Day, faculty liaison, 240-567-5235, or e-mail the Alumni Office at alumni@montogmerycollege.edu.

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The Alumni Association’s Board of Governors holds its regular meeting 6 p.m. Thursday, January 19, in Room 009 Humanities, Rockville Campus. For information, contact Bernice Grossman, 240-567-5378, or e-mail alumni@montgomerycollege.edu.

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WANTED: Full-time and Part-time Faculty. Montgomery College is seeking applications for full-time faculty for Spring and Fall 2006.  The vacancies will be posted on https://jobs.montgomerycollege.edu. Part-time faculty postings will be posted during October.  Montgomery College has earned the 2004-05 Maryland "Workplace Excellence" Seal of Approval from the Maryland Work-Life Alliance, a public, private, non-profit coalition founded by Montgomery County and Discovery Communications, Inc. The "Excellent Place to Work" designation is a seal of quality that recognizes employers that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to their workforce by supporting employees' integration of professional, personal, and community roles. Complete information and descriptions are posted at https://jobs.montgomerycollege.edu.

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Now you can give distinctive holiday gift while showing your support for Montgomery College's future growth! A special selection of custom-labeled, specially named Montgomery College Alumni Association Wines is available from Elk Run Vineyards, which donates a portion of the proceeds from each sale of Alumni Association Wines to the Association's programs and scholarships. Featured varieties include Knight's Cheer Merlot, Shepherd's Blush, Germantown Riesling, Sonny Clogg Chardonnay, Sweet Charlene red dessert wine, and Sarilla white vin de glace. Currently, you may purchase these brands at the vineyard in Mt. Airy, MD, or order by phone at 800-414‑2513.

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They’re back!  Theater J presents BETTY RULES Returns! featuring Alyson Palmer ’80, Amy Ziff and Elizabeth Ziff, performing December 20 to January 29. BETTY RULES is back to ring in the New Year with the same energizing celebration of girl power that rocked Washington this past spring!  With rave reviews and a string of 15 sold-out performances in a row, BETTY's homecoming brought cheers from grandmothers, granddaughters, and renegade audiences alike. Now, by popular demand, BETTY RULES is back in a run that features a rocking New Year’s Eve special concert! That’s right: If you can’t get back to Rockville, you can usher in 2006 downtown, with your favorite home-grown national act in a concert spanning 20 years of great music-making and brand-new hits. Then join the band for a blow-out bash with dancing, free-flowing champagne, chocolate fondue, and tons of great food! Tickets $75; to order, call 800-494-TIXS or visit www.boxofficetickets.com. For information, contact Theater J, 202-777-3214, or e-mail Hannah@dcjcc.org.

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ALUMNI VOLUNTEER AND GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

As we approach the holiday season and the New Year, many of us begin to focus on giving to our family and favorite charities.  Gift giving can bring joy to the giver, as well as to the recipient.  It can help our loved ones, our favorite causes, and society.  Gift giving can also serve as a very powerful income tax, estate tax, and gift tax planning tool.

Special new tax law changes for 2005 allow unique planning opportunities.  Some of these changes, enacted under the “Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act” (KETRA), are limited to hurricane relief efforts, while others apply to donations made to most types of public charities, such as the Montgomery College Foundation.  However, these special opportunities are available only for a short time—some expire at the end of 2005—so it’s wise to study your options soon.

The special planning opportunities include deduction of certain charitable donations up to 100 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI). If you happen to be a high-income individual who loses the benefit of itemized deductions, you should know that the new law exempts qualified charitable donations from the phase-out of itemized deductions when AGI reaches $145,950. Cash donations made to public charities after August 28 and before December 31, 2005 may qualify. Donations to supporting types of charitable organizations, donor-advised funds, and certain private foundations are not eligible for this special treatment, but a donation to the Montgomery College Foundation does qualify under KETRA. 

The Planned Gifts Committee of the Montgomery College Foundation has prepared a helpful guide for year-end planning.  The guide includes a 2005 update of the committee’s “Top Nine” year-end charitable giving techniques, along with more information about the special tax planning provisions in KETRA.  It’s available online at www.montgomerycollege.edu/alumni/yearendgiving.doc. You may wish to review it with your own tax and legal advisors.  We hope you will find it useful.

Please contact the Foundation if you have any questions or need further assistance.  For more information about this or any other matter, call Kayran C. Moore, Director of Development, at 240-567-7493, or e-mail kayran.moore@montgomerycollege.edu.  

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Hurricane-displaced Gulf Coast college students who have relocated to Montgomery County receive tuition-free access to Montgomery College, as part of a broader effort by Montgomery County to assist those impacted by the crisis. The Montgomery College Foundation seeks to assist students with the cost of books, supplies, and other critical needs, through scholarships and other donated funds. Persons wishing to make a gift to support this effort are asked to contact the Montgomery College Foundation at 240-567-7491. Gifts can also be made online by visiting www.montgomerycollege.edu/giving.

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There are several opportunities for you to help students who depend on scholarship support to pursue their education. Your gift can make an extraordinary difference in the lives of Montgomery College students. Here are a few of the ways you can help the College in its mission of changing lives:

The College relies on alumni and friends to show their support by donating to the Annual Fund – designed to raise critically needed funding for immediate use. We're counting on you: Only with the help of our alumni will we be able to raise the funding needed for scholarships, programs, new technology and equipment for our classrooms. Visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/giving to find out more, then make your tax-deductible donation to the Annual Fund today at https://ssb.montgomerycollege.edu/pls/eagle/hzskpldg.p_vt_giving.

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Mentoring Opportunities: Do you want to make a difference in the lives and future of young people? Do you want to help students tackle the challenges and reap the rewards of achieving success in college? Do you want to promote the benefits of learning? If your answer to the above questions is an enthusiastic "yes," then you could be a Montgomery College student mentor. You can have a significant effect on a student's academic and personal development. You can help improve their grades, be a role model, and help set goals and targets. You can help students explore their interests and make informed educational and career decisions. Being a mentor is a way to contribute to the education and training of the next generation. It's a wonderful opportunity to engage directly with current students, become more involved with Montgomery College, and improve your own mentoring skills in the process. To learn more or to volunteer, please call the Lifelong Learning Institute at 240-567-7879. 

Takoma Park/Silver Spring Student Development seeks both international and American alumni to participate as mentors in the International Buddy Program. The program provides a working relationship between current international students and past students who have either graduated or transferred from Montgomery College. Adjustment to a new community may be difficult, especially if there is a difference in language and culture. The International Buddy Program can help ease the transitional phase and help students adjust to the social, academic and cultural environment at Montgomery College. The primary mode of communication will be e-mail. For more information or to volunteer, contact Dr. Harold Barber or Eniola Olowofoyeku at 240-567-1480, or e-mail harold.barber@montgomerycollege.edu or eniola.olowofoyeku.@montgomerycollege.edu

If you have a country or major of study mentor/mentee preference, please indicate that in your e‑mail.

RESOURCES

Membership in the Alumni Association is FREE to graduates, former students and College retirees. Association members are eligible for reduced rates on various car rentals and hotel stays, as well as insurance! For a full list of membership benefits, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/alumni/benefits.html. For general information about the Alumni Association, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/alumni.

We'd like your feedback about our electronic newsletter! This month’s question: Is the chronological listing of events helpful to you, or would you rather see everything classified by topic area: arts, travel, etc.? To make your opinion known, e-mail alumni@montgomerycollege.edu.

For a listing of Alumni Office staff, go to: www.montgomerycollege.edu/alumni/alumnistaff.html

For more information on Montgomery College, check out MC's website, http://www.montgomerycollege.edu

For facts about Montgomery College, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/legislative/facts.html 

To view past issues of Happenings at Montgomery College, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/alumni/newsletter/index.html

To view past issues of the award-winning Insights magazine, go to www.montgomerycollege.edu/alumni/insights

The Montgomery College Alumni Association
900 Hungerford Drive, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850

Please forward this info to anyone who you think may be interested in supporting Montgomery College.

 Thanks for your help!