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The club has raised more than $1.1 million so far and expects the project to cost roughly $2 million more. The hope is to start construction by the end of the year or the beginning of 2008.

‘‘We have been very fortunate to enjoy the support of the Montgomery business community in helping local kids to stay on track, learn from positive role models and enjoy safe and productive after school activities,” said Mark Avallone, chairman of the Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Montgomery Branches.

The Germantown facility, located at 19910 S. Frederick Road, has been fundraising to add a gymnasium since 2002.

For more information, call 301-353-9600.

Learn about Boyds and local history on Sunday

The Boyds Historical Society will host an ‘‘Evening With Arthur Virts and Friends” at 4 p.m. Sunday. At Boyds Presbyterian Church, in Kerr Hall, 19901 White Ground Road, Boyds.

Virts and several of his friends will answer questions and tell stories about local history. Virts has lived in Boyds all his life, where he was a rural mail carrier for many years.

Send questions for Virts before Sunday to info@boydshistory.org.

Light refreshments will be served.

Oktoberfest seeksvolunteers for fall event

Volunteers are already preparing for the 25th Annual Germantown Oktoberfest, planned for 11 a.m. to dusk Oct. 6 at Ridge Road Park in Germantown.

Volunteers are needed to help with sponsorship, advertising, publicity, distributing flyers and recruiting and organizing volunteers for the day of the event.

They are also sought to screen charities to determine who will be the recipient of proceeds from this year’s event.

To volunteer, e-mail Hans@germantownoktoberfest.org or attend meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.

The next meeting is April 11.

For more, visit www.GermantownOktoberfest.org.

Honoring commitment,caring at career’s emd

After more than 16 years of service, Elaine Shire, executive director of nonprofit The Dwelling Place in Gaithersburg, is retiring.

The organization provides transitional housing for homeless families, and Shire helped hundreds of them during her tenure, said Sean DeFrehn, president of the group’s board of directors.

Currently 17 families are involved in the program, he said.

‘‘The No. 1 most important thing about her is that she’s caring,” he said. ‘‘She will take time to comfort families and time ... to really get to know what it is that’s important and how she can help them.”

Shire said it’s unfortunate the world doesn’t always provide a level playing field for everyone.

‘‘We’ve been able to do that and I think that’s part of what The Dwelling Place is all about. It’s not just me,” Shire said.

Shire plans to attend Baltimore City Community College in the fall, where she will study fashion apparel technology.

Chabad cookbook offers tasty recipes

The Chabad of Upper Montgomery County collected 350 prized recipes from synagogue members, family and friends and compiled them into ‘‘Meals and Memories: A Collection of Recipes Old and New.” The $18 cookbooks filled with traditional Jewish recipes as well as dishes ranging from Italy to Mexico can be ordered by calling 301-926-3632. All proceeds go to synagogue programs.

Learn computer skills at Special Needs Library

People with disabilities wanting to learn about computers can receive tutoring at the Special Needs Library, part of the Davis Library at 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda.

Volunteers work with each customer to determine how the computer lab can meet his or her needs. The lab offers software designed for individuals who have disabilities in vision, motor skills, perception or learning.

Tutors are available the first, third and fifth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. through June. For more, call 240-777-0960 or TTY 301-897-2217.

Submissions for People and Places must be received by 9 a.m. Friday. Write to Melissa Chadwick via e-mail at mchadwick@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Germantown, Boyds, Poolesville Gazette, 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878.