THE GAZETTE
Page A-6
Thursday, June 19, 2014 bo
MGM brings ‘career showcase’ to Bowie School programs safe Job opportunities forum will be shared at Bowie State University n
BY IMAN
SMITH
SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE
Prince George’s residents are invited to attend the MGM National Harbor “Career Showcase” today, a free event for residents to learn about career opportunities with the upcoming destination resort. The showcase, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., will be held at Bowie State University and more than 2,000 have already RSVP’d for the showcase, said Gordon Absher, vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International. MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort project contains diverse employment opportu-
nities in more than 100 categories, Absher said. Examples of MGM positions include a spa manager, sous chef and front desk clerk, Absher said. “There’s so much more to what we do than just the casino,” Absher said. “It’s a facility that’s going to employ people of almost every possible skill set, whether you are far along or just getting started. There will be a position you will qualitify for.” Absher said the gaming resort, with an anticipated opening of summer 2016, will feature attractions including 3,600 slot machines, more than 100 table games, a rooftop pool, numerous restaurants and a 1,200-seat theater. The resort is looking to hire and train 4,000 applicants, he said. “We want people who
come to the showcase to leave with a better understanding and to leave with where their career may fit into an MGM resort,” he said. MGM is partnered with the American Red Cross and has implemented the “Boots to Business” program, a plan that helps military veterans transition into the workforce, said Robin Arnold, veteran employment coordinator for the American Red Cross. The veteran program, now in its second year, is beneficial for those returning from service, Arnold said. “Our veterans are retiring and they’ve got so many soft skills like leadership and integrity— so many skills that transfer into corporate America.” The showcase will also present opportunities for recent college graduates through
the Management Associate Program, Absher said. The 12-month program allows trainees to gain experience while working in different MGM departments and upon commencement, graduates are placed in entry-level positions with the company. Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said the casino will highlight the talent of local businesses. “For companies that are local, there are going to be opportunities for you to show your talent for a wider audience,” Baker said. “The wider audience is going to be international and will look at National Harbor as the place to go. It’s going to be such a beautiful facility.” ismith@gazette.net
from budget shortfall n
Final approval set for June 26
BY JAMIE ANFENSON-COMEAU STAFF WRITER
While the Prince George’s County school system will absorb a small budget shortfall, it won’t affect CEO Kevin Maxwell’s plans including staff additions, class size reductions and creating three English-Spanish immersion schools. During the June 12 school board meeting, Maxwell said the $6 million difference between his $1.8 requested budget and the budget approved by the Prince George’s County Council can be reconciled through internal adjustments. “We’ll be able to do all of the things next year that we wanted to do. We’ll be able to accomplish bringing up the new programs we want in place, to accelerate learning, to reduce paperwork, to add staff [and] lower class size,” Maxwell said. The school system’s legal expenses are less than anticipated, and the system has found $3.2 million in energy efficiency savings, said Thomas Sheeran, acting chief financial officer for the school system. “Throughout the budget process, we’re always trying to reevaluate our numbers, making sure we’re not missing anything,” Sheeran said. The Board of Education is expected to approve the final changes to the budget during its June 26 meeting. Maxwell’s $1.8 billion budget is 6.7 percent higher than the previous year’s budget, and includes $44 million for new programs and program expansions, including the creation of
three new Spanish language and dual English-Spanish immersion schools, with a total of 300 available kindergarten seats, 250 additional seats for Montessori and French language immersion, 295 additional Talented and Gifted center seats, and 300 seats for International Baccalaureate programs. The budget also includes funding for arts and environmental studies education and for the addition of 61 parent liaison positions. The Prince George’s County Council approved the CEO’s requested budget, one of the largest in the school system’s history, with little change. “This was the easiest budget reconciliation I’ve seen in years,” said Kenneth Haines, president of the county teacher’s union. School board chair Segun Eubanks agreed, attributing it to the close cooperation between the county and school system. “This is the first time in a while with absolutely no changes, and with a tremendous amount of support, both public and private,” Eubanks said. “The school board, the school leadership, the County Council and the county executive are all on the same page, making the kind of investments that we need to make to really move our schools forward. David Cahn, co-chair of the education watchdog group “Citizens for an Elected Board,” said increased funds need to be accompanied by improved openness and engagement with the community in order to improve educational outcomes. janfenson-comeau@ gazette.net
Horse show to benefit breast cancer research More than 200 riders expected to trot in Upper Marlboro event
n
BY
KIRSTEN PETERSEN STAFF WRITER
Riders will be saddling up to help trot out cancer in Upper Marlboro as part of a fundraiser to benefit breast cancer research. The Potomac Valley Dressage Association will host the 11th annual Ride for Life show Saturday and Sunday at the Showplace Arena and Prince George’s Equestrian Center, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave. in Upper Marlboro. The competitive equestrian sport event is free and open to the public, said Jeannette Bair of Woodbine, the co-chair of the show. PVDA member Pat Artimovich of Columbia said she came up with the idea in 2003. When she was being treated for breast cancer in the early 2000s, she made it her mission to start riding horses again. When she got back in the saddle as a survivor, she recognized the opportunity to support breast cancer research through her sport.
“I wanted to essentially combine my passion with a purpose, and the purpose here was to help others become survivors,” Artimovich said. All donations will fund a surgical oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Breast Center, where Artimovich was treated for her cancer, said Lillie Shockney, the administrative director of the center. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, attendees can see 160 horses and 200 riders saddle up and show off their gaits, paces and movements in a standard dressage show. There will also be a freestyle event Saturday at 5 p.m. Artimovich said breast cancer survivors have participated in the show as riders, judges and volunteers. Artimovich said she rented a horse so she could participate in last year’s anniversary show. “For me, it was coming down center line and returning to your sport and saying I survived, I lived, I rode. And that is a victory,” she said. For more information about the show or to donate to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, visit the PVDA website, http:// www.pvdarideforlife.org/. kpetersen@gazette.net
Bowie senior center set to host classic country n
Showcase event marks first of its kind BY
EMILIE EASTMAN STAFF WRITER
1909178
The Bowie Senior Center will host a classic country music night on June 12 with Baltimore artist Chuck Fisher who will play selections from musicians like Jim Reeves, Eddie Arnold, Ray Price and Bobby Vinton. The event will mark the first country music night at the center, said Laurel Raymond, senior services assistant manager. “We want to encourage peo-
ple to come out in the evenings and do something special at the center,” she said. “I think it’s a nice opportunity to bring your neighbors and friends and show them the senior center. It’s just a nice, easy summertime event.” The program will begin at 6 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. Community members are invited to attend and there will be a registration fee of $5 for residents and $6 for nonresidents, Raymond said. The Bowie Senior Center is located at 14900 Health Center Drive in Bowie. eeastman@gazette.net