DECEMBER 2008
December 17, 2008 -- Northwest Shoals to Hold Open Spring Registration January 6th
Muscle Shoals & Phil Campbell, AL - For students planning to attend Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) for the 2009 spring semester and have not registered, there is still time to do so. NW-SCC will be holding its annual open spring registration Tuesday, January 6, 2009, according to Admissions Director, Tom Carter.
Registration on the Shoals campus will be hel in the NW-SCC Workforce Development (Building 127) while registration on the Phil Campbell campus will be held in the Wallace Administration Building (Building 301). Open registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. break for lunch at 12:30 p.m. and resume for the afternoon session at 4:30 p.m. and conclude at 7:00 p.m.
Spring classes will begin Thursday, Januray 8th. For more information or to obtain a copy of the spring semester schedule, call (256) 331-5200 or visit the Northwest-Shoals Community College website at www.nwscc.edu.
*** NW-SCC will be closed for the holidays December 19th - January 4th.

December 9, 2008 -- Northwest-Shoals Offers Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification
Muscle Shoals, AL - Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) is sponsoring a hands-on Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course from March 21-29, 2009. Offered by the Outdoor Leadership Program and the Division of Health Studies, the WFR is designed to train individuals to respond to first aid emergencies when they are miles from help and dialing 911 is not an option.
Wilderness Medicine differs from traditional first aid in three respects:
First, transport times are measured according to days and weeks rather than minutes and hours, so many phases of patient care must be carried out on the field. Second, severe environments dramatically increase the complexity of any emergency and heighten risks to patients as well as their rescuers. Thirdly, limited equipment makes resourcefulness essential in the field.
The course leads to national certification and is taught by instructors with the Wilderness Association of Maine. The program is particularly useful for

• volunteer firemen in rural districts
• fishing guides
• physicians, nurses, and paramedics
• outdoor teachers and guides
• leaders of school field trips
• timber company personnel
• railroad workers
• summer camp personnel
• foreign mission trip leaders and participants

The WFR course will be held at Camp Westmoreland near Florence, AL. The cost is $675.00 per person and includes all texts and related materials. Special rates will be provided for groups of five or more. Contact Bob England, Ph.D., W. F. R. at 256-331-5309 for further information.

Injury simulation

Actual wilderness rescue

December 9, 2008 -- Northwest-Shoals Offers Nursing Assistant Course for Spring
Muscle Shoals & Phil Campbell, AL - Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) is offering a Nursing Assistant 10 week course that includes instruction in theory, nursing skills, lab and a clinical rotation in a health care facility. A basic introduction to the health field and home health care is also provided. The class will meet January 13th through March 19th on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
After successful completion of the 80-hour nursing assistant course (NAS100), which include 24-hours of clinical, students will receive a certification of completion that will allow them to take the State Nurse's Aide Certification Test. The test includes both written and clinical skills certification. This certificate enables the nursing assistant to obtain employment in nursing homes, hospitals or home health care agencies. This program does require a high school diploma or GED certificate for admission. Students must be at least 18 years of age in order to take the State Nurse's Aide Certification Test which is now given on the NW-SCC Shoals campus.
Registration for the course is currently in progress. The approximate cost for the course is $525.00 and includes tuition, books, liability insurance, background check and drug screen. Contact Cindy Tidwell at 256-331-5305 for more information.

December 2, 2008 -- NW-SCC Carpentry Instructor Named ACCS Technical Faculty Member of the Year
Muscle Shoals, AL - Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Carpentry Instructor, Charles Hardy recently received the 2008 Chancellor's Award as the was named the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Technical Faculty Member of the Year.
Hardy and three other NW-SCC employees were recognized for their achievements at the annual ACCS Chancellor's Awards Ceremony, November 23, 2008, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile, AL.
Hardy, a resident of Rogersville, AL, became the first NW-SCC employee to win the award since 2002. He began teaching Carpentry/Cabinetmaking at Muscle Shoals High School in 1983 and began teaching adjunct at NW-SCC in 1998. Hardy was hired as a full-time Carpentry instructor in 2004. Aside from his teaching duties, Hardy is a SkillsUSA sponsor for the college and volunteered his time building cabinets and houses for Habitat for Humanity and cabinets for ARC of the Shoals houses, etc.
Chancellor's Awards are given annually in four categories: Administrator of the Year, Academic Faculty Member of the Year, Technical Faculty Member of the Year and Support Staff Member of the Year. Each community college within the state nominates one employee for each of the previously mentioned categories. Award winners received $1,000 professional development stipend. The 2008 nominees for NW-SCC were:

Charles Hardy	Administrator of the Year	Wanda Lewis
	Academic Faculty Member of the Year	Claude Eubanks
	Technical Faculty Member of the Year	Charles Hardy
	Support Staff Member of the Year	Kemalie Grissom

Wanda Lewis is a resident of Muscle Shoals, AL, and serves as the Director of Advising and Testing on the Muscle Shoals campus. Claude Eubanks is a resident of Muscle Shoals, AL, and serves as a Mathematics and Science Instructor on the Muscle Shoals campus. Charles Hardy is a resident of Rogersville, AL and serves as a Carpentry/Cabinetmaking Instructor on the Shoals Campus. Kemalie Grissom is a resident of Tuscumbia, AL and serves as the secretary for the NW-SCC Workforce Development Center on the Muscle Shoals campus.
NOVEMBER 2008
November 5, 2008 -- NW-SCC to Celebrate 27 years of "The Legend of Toyland"
Phil Campbell, AL -- The Legend of Toyland, a holiday theatrical performance that traditionally opens the holiday season of music, dance and fun commemorates its 27th year with the public performances beginning Friday, December 5, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium on the Phil Campbell Campus of Northwest-Shoals. This enchanting production has attracted audiences of all ages from all over the state and is expected to be viewed by over 10,000 people.
According to Lanny McAlister, director and creator of "Toyland", the area has truly embraced the annual production over the years making it the most successful and longest running Christmas production in the state.
"Over the last 26 years, more than 300,000 people have made the journey to 'Toyland'," stated McAlister. "I get questions year round about what new section we are going to add this year. We are so thankful for the continued support from the community! It is this support that has truly made "The Legend of Toyland" what it is today."
Four public performances are scheduled December 5th through December 7th.
Friday, December 5th - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 6th - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 6th - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7th - 2:30 p.m.
Tickets for public performances are $8.00 and are available at the Northwest-Shoals Community College Phil Campbell campus bookstore and Shoals campus cashier's office or can be reserved with credit card by calling (256) 331-6382.
McAlister encourages individuals to purchase tickets in advance. Any remaining tickets may be purchased at the door prior to each performance.
For more Toyland information, please call (256) 331-6201.

November 4, 2008 -- NW-SCC Child Development Conference to Focus on Building Child Pre-Literacy Comprehension Skills
Muscle Shoals, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College's (NW-SCC) Child Development Program will present its fall conference, "Touching the Lives of Children Together and Forever", on Saturday, November 8, 2008, on the Shoals Campus, in the Workforce Development Center from 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
The fall conference will feature Cathy Puett Miller, President of TLA, Inc., an independent literacy consulting firm. Miller will present the keynote presentation: :Thinking, Wondering and Pondering Innovative, Integrated Ways to Encourage Higher Level Thinking and Build Pre-Literacy Comprehension Skills". MIller, better known as the Literacy Ambassador, spends her time spreading the news that reading can be fun, powerful and practical. She is a national trainer to educators and parents in the area of literacy and she also is a monthly columnist at EducationWorld.com and InspiringTeachers.com.
Morning break-out sessions will follow the keynote presentation:

• "Picture Walking to Improve Oral Language" - Cathy P. Miller, Presenter - This session explores multiple ways to enjoy children's books without reading a word (great to share with parents and English Language Learners as well).
• "One Big Happy Family: Cultivating Positive Provider-Family Relationships" - Jessica Hancock, Presenter - This session will introduce participants on ways to work with families and "how to" incorporate them inot daily programs.
• "Tell Me, Show Me, Let Me Do" - Gloria Williams, Presenter - This session will provide interactive hands-on training as well as demonstrate developmentally appropriate activities to use with this early childhood age group.
• "Childcare Professionalism: Colleagues, Families and Communities" - Shana Millgan, Presenter - This session will provide valuable and current information on professional ethics in the field of early childhood and the important characteristics of professional behaviors, attitudes and perceptions.
  

For more information, contact: Sue Gibbs, NW-SCC Child Development (256) 331-5351 or sgibbs@nwscc.edu.

OCTOBER 2008
October 30, 2008 -- NW-SCC Phil Campbell Campus Presents its Annual Fall Concert
Phil Campbell, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College's Music Department will hold its annual Fall Concert, Thursday, November 18, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.in the Lou B. Bevill Fine Arts Center on the Phil Campbell Campus.
The Fall Concert will feature two of the college's musical groups: The Northwest-Shoals Chorale directed by Jeff McAlister and the Northwest-Shoals Jazz Ensemble directed by George Crummie.
Admission is $8.00. Tickets are available at bookstores on both campuses and at the door. For more information, please call Jeff McAlister at (256) 331-6299.

Chorale Member	Hometown
Tashia Anglin	Hackleburg
Drew Benefield	Haleyville
Kristin Bozeman	Winfield
Josh Cash	Phil Campbell
Jessica Childers	Moulton
Clay Collins	Red Bay	Jeff McAlister directs the Northwest-Shoals Chorale as they perform during the 2007 Fall Concert.
Elizabeth Foster	Russellville
Chance Hall	Russellville
Tanner Hall	Russellville
Jennifer Hamilton	Russellville
Patrick Hellums	Red Bay
Willie Holcomb	Hackleburg

October 29, 2008 -- NW-SCC Set to Defend Championship at ACCC Conference Tournament
Muscle Shoals, AL -- The state's top two-year college volleyball teams will compete for the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) championship. Friday and Saturday, October 31st and Novemnber 1st, in the ACCC Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament on the Shoals Campus of Northwest-Shoals Community College.
Not only does the double elimination tournament feature the ACCC's top teams, it is a showcase for the state's top two-year college student athletes. (Click here to download the tournament bracket). Only the top seven teams in the conference (four teams from the North division and three teams from the South division) qualified for the tournament. The teams participating in the 2008 ACCC tournament are seeded as:
1) Wallace State-Hanceville
2) Northwest-Shoals
3) Gadsden State
4) Central Alabama
5) Faulkner State
6) Southern Union
7) Bevill State-Fayette
The Patriots are currently second in the conference with a 34-6 overall record and 12-3 in the conference.
The winning team will represent Alabama in the Division I national tournament to be held November 20-22, 2008, at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.
Admission is $5 per day for adults and $3 per day for students. All NW-SCC employees and students will be admitted free with proof of their college ID.

October 28, 2008 -- Senior Citizens Learn to Prepare of Natural Disasters
Muscle Shoals, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College's Academy of Lifelong Learning held an Emergency Preparedness Seminar today to teach participants how to prepare for a natural disaster.
The hour-long seminar, hosted by Julia Brock and Tina Howell of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, allowed 50 participants to go through the process of developing a plan to prepare them in case of a natural disaster.
Topics discussed included having a "Go Bag" ready with a one day amount of needed supplies in the event of an evacuation; having a "Ready Kit" prepared within the home for each member of the household which contains a three-day amount of needed supplies in the event of a mass power outage; caring for pets; and evacuation plans.
All participants received their own starter "Go Bag", but were encouraged to customize it to better accommodate them.
The seminar is the result of a $15,000 grant issued to the state of Alabama by the National Organization of Disability. According to Brock, the grant is sponsored by the Bush-Clinton Katrina fund to educate senior citizens and groups with disabilities on how to prepare for a natural disaster. "This grant has been great, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services." stated Brock. "It has allowed us to train approximately 2,000 citizens since March on how to prepare for a natural disaster.
The Academy of Lifelong Learning is offered through the NW-SCC Continuing Education Program to senior citizens (age 55 and up) to continue expanding their minds through educational opportunities and engaging social activities.


(L to R) Julia Brock and Tina Howell present Academy of Lifelong Living participant with her own starter "Go-Bag".

October 24, 2008 -- NW-SCC to offer Emergency Medical Dispach Course
Muscle Shoals, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Program announces an upcoming Priority Dispatch Corporation "Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch Course" on the Muscle Shoals campus on November 4th - 6th, 2008. The course times are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day in EMS classroom #160 in the Bevill Center.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be certified by the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch (NAED). Pre-requisite for this course is Healthcare Provider (BCLS) CPR.
Course cost is $295.00 and includes all books, course materials and the NAED certification fee.
Being certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch is a desirable skill set for persons wishing to pursue a career in the public safety (911) telecommunication field.
For more information, contact Shelia Barnes at 331-5336 or 5436.

October 17, 2008 -- NW-SCC Hosts Student Transfer Awareness Workshops
Muscle Shoals & Phil Campbell, AL - Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) will host Transfer Awareness Workshops on both campuses featuring two universities per week October 20th through December 10th from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. for students seeking to transfer to four-year universities. Topics to be covered include Programs of Study, On-line applications, Distance Education, Scholarships, and Housing for Transfer Students.
The workshop schedule will be as follows:
University of South Alabama & University of North Alabama
Shoals Campus -- Mon., Oct. 20; Building 110, Room 113, SSS tutoring lab
Phil Campbell Campus -- Wed., Oct 22; Building 306, L-13, in the Library
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) & Athens State
Shoals Campus -- Mon., Oct 27; Building 110, Room 113, SSS tutoring lab
Phil Campbell Campus -- Wed., Oct 29; Building 306, L-13, in the Library
Miles College & University of Montevallo
Shoals Campus -- Mon., Nov 3; Building 110, Room 113, SSS tutoring lab
Phil Campbell Campus -- Wed., Nov 5; Building 306, L-13, in the Library
Jacksonville State & University of West Alabama
Shoals Campus -- Mon., Nov 10; Building 110, Room 113, SSS turoring lab
Phil Campbell Campus -- Wed., Nov 12; Building 306, L-13, in the Library
University of Alabama & Auburn University
Shoals Campus -- Mon., Nov 17; Hospitality House
Phil Campbell -- Wed., Nov 19; Building 306, L-13, in the Library
Alabama A&M & University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH)
Shoals Campus -- Mon., Dec. 1; Building 110, Room 113, SSS tutoring lab
Phil Campbell -- Wed., Dec. 3; Building 306, L-13, in the Library
Out of State Colleges
Shoals Campus -- Mon., Dec 8; Building 110, Room 113, SSS tutoring lab
Phil Campbell Campus -- Wed., Dec 10; Building 306, L-13, in the Library

October 17, 2008 -- NW-SCC Set to Defend Championship at ACCC Conference Tournament
Muscle Shoals, AL - The state's top two-year college volleyball teams will compete for the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) championship Friday and Saturday, October 31st and November 1st, in the ACCC Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament at the Shoals Campus of the Northwest-Shoals Community College.
Not only does the double elimination tournament feature the ACCC's top teams, it is a showcase for the state's top two-year college student-athletes (brackets will be available at www.acccsports.org as the regular season is completed). Only the top seven teams in the conference (four teams from the North division and three teams from the South division) will qualify for the tournament. The teams eligible to participate in teh 2008 tournament are yet to be decided. The Patriots are currently second in the conference with a 27-6 overall record and 9-3 in the conference.
The winning team will represent Alabama in the Division I national tournament to be held November 20-22, 2008. Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.
"These athletes represent more than 105,000 currently enrolled students in the Alabama Community College System." said ACCC Commissioner Al Cox. "I hope everyone will come out to support this event and take the opprotunity to see some great women's volleyball."
"It's really exciting to have the opportunity of hosting this prestigious tournament." said NW-SCC Athletic Administrator, Charles Taylor.
Admission is $5 per day for adults and $3 per day for students. For ticket sales or other information, contact Shelia Williams, at (256) 331-4566 or s.williams@nwscc.edu.

October 17, 2008 -- NW-SCC Observes National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week
Muscle Shoals, AL - Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Shoals Campus Student Government Association (SGA) will observe National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, October 20-24, 2008.
According to Student Life Coordinator and SGA Sponsor Marchia Oates, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is a very important time to focus attention on the harm that comes from the abuse of durgs and alcohol. "We should always be aware of the dangers that are caused by drug and alcohol abuse. This week we place special emphasis on the after effects and harm caused by these abuses. We want our students to be provided with information that will help them make the right decisions," stated Oates.
On Monday, October 20th, a drug and alcohol awareness presentation will be held on the Shoals Campus in the Hospitality Center beginning at 12:15 p.m. This seminar will feature an inspirational student speaker along with mocktails and refreshments.
The SGA and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department will hold a "Mock Crash Demonstration" on Thursday, Oct 23rd at noon. The mock drunk driving accident will be staged in the parking lot across the street from the Workforce Development Center, bu 127 (Shoals Campus).