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Two Bethesda middle school students have taken up the cause to help a homeless baby llama named Jean-Claude. The North Bethesda Middle School eighth-graders, Cameron Ishee and Katie Dix, have pledged to raise $3,500 to build a winter shelter for the llama, which was taken in last month at Star Gazing Farm, an animal sanctuary in Boyds.

Star Gazing Farm accepted the six-month-old llama, but its barn is already filled with unwanted and abused farm animals including two horses, seven sheep, three goats, a boar and a donkey. The farm is also home to two steer, barn cats, guard dogs and chickens, ducks and geese. With such a full house, there is no room in the barn for the llama.

"We are absolutely at capacity," said Anne Schroeder, farmer at Star Gazing Farm. "People call us every week to take in animals. We have to really pick and choose what we can take."

Schroeder said that she often tries to place animals at other small farms, but she agreed to take in Jean-Claude with a job for him already in mind. Llamas can be great companions for sheep, she said, and are good at protecting them from stray dogs and coyotes.

But after Jean-Claude arrived at the farm, Schroeder realized that he eventually could grow to be 6 feet tall and that there really wasn't space for him.

Ishee and Dix learned about the llama's plight while doing farm chores at Star Gazing Farm as volunteers. The girls regularly volunteer there each Saturday.

"We had heard he wasn't wanted and we took him in, but there's definitely not enough room for another large animal," Cameron said.

They are soliciting donations for to build an addition to the barn, nicknamed the "Llama Lodge" through the farm's Web site, www.stargazingfarm.org, and asking for help from their friends and family. They are also spreading the word on Facebook.

The addition could cost from $12,000 to $15,000, and the farm has already raised $4,000 in pledges, Schroeder said.

"We love working there and we love the animals," Cameron said. "When the llama came, he was really shy with people, so we did some training with him and we just kind of bonded with the llama."

Their next fundraiser will be at the Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Alternative Gift Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5, at the school 6311 Wilson Lane, Bethesda. Those interested will be able to donate to the llama lodge, sponsor farm animals and purchase gifts made from the farm's wool. All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, e-mail farmer Anne Schroeder at

farmeranne@stargazingfarm.org.

It's true, Santa

is coming to town

Enjoy traditional Santa Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Saturday at the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department, 19801 Beallsville Road, Beallsville.

Check out the electric toy train and enjoy an all-you-can-eat, breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, juice, fruit salad and coffee. Cost is $12 for ages 12 and older, $4 for ages 3-11 and free for children younger than 3.

The movie "Santa is Coming to Town" will be shown on video and the jolly man himself will be there to hear the wishes of all the good little boys and girls.

Two poets, a pianist

and a painter

Bernie Jankowski of Poolesville and poet Anne Sheldon of Silver Spring will read from Jankowski's new book of poetry, "The Shamokin Monologues" 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Quill & Brush, 1137 Sugarloaf Mountain Road, Dickerson.

Jazz pianist Bruce Bears of New England's Duke Robillard Band will accompany the reading. Work by abstract artist Calvin Edward Ramsburg of Frederick will be on display, including drawings featured throughout "The Shamokin Monologues."

RSVPs are appreciated. Contact Kathy Jankowski at 301-349-0747 or kjankowski@xecu.net. For directions, visit www.qbbooks.com.

Help your gardens and theirs

The Friends of Brookside Gardens will hold its annual Wreath and Centerpiece Sale on Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the Visitors Center at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton.

Two types and sizes of wreaths will be sold: 18-inch Boxwood wreaths made exclusively by Friends members and 24-inch Balsam Fir wreaths shipped in fresh from Maine. Boxwood centerpieces will also be sold. To obtain a pre-order form, visit the Brookside Gardens website www.brooksidegardens.org or pick one up one at the Gardens. For questions, call 301-962-1435. Wreaths may also be purchased the nights of Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12.

Clarksburg announces

tree lighting

Bundle up and ring in the holidays at the Clarksburg Historical Society's annual tree lighting Dec. 4.

The program will also feature singing, light refreshments and a visit from Santa.

The hour-long celebration will start at 7 p.m. on the grassy lot at the corner of Frederick and Clarksburg roads.

For more information, call Eloise Woodfield at 301-253-3807 or Joann Woodson at 301-916-3899.

Spread some cheer

The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department in Beallsville is collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps. The toys are distributed locally.

There are Toys for Tots collection boxes located at Shear Elegance Hair Salon, Selby's Market, Poolesville Hardware, Healthworks Fitness Center, Cugini's Pizza, Kristophers Pizza, Harris Teeter, and the fire station.

The U.S. Marine Corps will pick up the toys to prepare for distribution. For details, call volunteer firefighter/EMT Jeffery Eck at 240-529-3438.

Get a glimpse of Santa

Santa has happily agreed to return Dec. 20 to greet the children of Poolesville.

He will ride atop the fire engine of the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Dept starting at 5:30 p.m. Santa and volunteer firefighters will distribute candy canes to the children of Poolesville.

Santa will be glad to receive cookies, brownies or other goodies, according to a statement from volunteer firefighter/EMT Jeffery Eck.

For more information, call Eck at 240-529-3438.

Fundraiser to help

Montgomery Village girl

Help Nicole Miller, 11, of Montgomery Village, a "little angel" who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was a toddler.

Pick up some gifts at the Little Angel Holiday Benefit Shop 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec 5 at Seneca Valley High School, 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown.

The shop features crafts, raffles, silent auction and more. There is no admission fee.

Proceeds from the silent auction and raffles help pay for Nicole's therapy.

For more information, call Nicole's mother, Joy Miller at 240-683-1435 or visit www.4ourlittleangel.com.

Help for the holidays

Cindy Majane, executive director of Germantown Help, is looking for gift card and toy donations for the Holiday Giving Project. All donations must be made by Dec. 16, Majane said.

Majane said more than 900 families in Germantown have been referred to the program by school guidance counselors and county case workers.

New toys can be dropped off at the Parcel Plus Center at 20940-C Frederick Road in Germantown. Store owner Rich Tucker said he would ship one package, up to five pounds, for free for each person who donates a $10 toy. Gift cards can be dropped off at the information desk at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown.

For more information, e-mail Majane at info@germantownhelp.org or call 301-482-1320, ext. 8.

Ring a bell

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command is seeking volunteer bell ringers to help in the upcoming Red Kettle campaign.

Volunteers are needed Saturdays through Dec. 19.

Visit www.SalArmyDC.org or call Lamont Thompson at 202-756-2644.

Share your good news! Send submissions to Melissa A. Chadwick via e-mail at mchadwick@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Germantown-Boyds-Poolesville Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Photos will be considered.

-Federal, state and county offices are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day.

-Banks, libraries and courts are closed.

-Montgomery County Public Schools administrative offices are closed.

-No refuse or recycling collection. For remainder of week, collections will be provided one day later. County's waste transfer station is closed.

-Ride On, Metrobus and Metrorail will operate on a Sunday schedule.

-MARC trains will not run Nov. 26-27.

-County liquor stores are closed.

-Parking is free at county lots, meters and garages.