Heard over the back fence: Be a CASA volunteer

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE:
 Thanks to John Chapman, we offer the following T-shirt statement: “Who says nothing is impossible? I’ve been doing nothing all day!”

CASA ADVOCATES NEEDED:
 Would you like to be a CASA volunteer advocate who helps abused and neglected children who have been placed in foster care homes? The following informational meetings have been scheduled to explain this very special volunteer opportunity: Zia’s on Main St., Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.; Starbucks in Cameron Park, Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m.; Starbucks on Broadway, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.; CASA Office on Main St., Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.. For more information on this wonderful volunteer opportunity, please call 530-622-9882.

FREE MOVIE OF THE MONTH:
 On Monday, Feb. 4, the movie “The Words” will be shown at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. Popcorn will be available! The movie is rated PG-13 and stars Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons and Dennis Quaid.

NEW BUMPER STICKER PROPOSED:
I recommend the following new bumper sticker be created: “Let’s drop the phrase ‘Fiscal Cliff’.”

NEED HIGH SPEED INTERNET?
 Sierra Economic Development Corporation, SED Corp., is a non-profit studying expansion of broadband in our county. If you need reliable, affordable high speed Internet, the following local community meeting has been scheduled: Feb. 5, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Greenwood Community Center, 4401 Highway 193. For more information, call 530-823-4703 or visit sedcorp.biz. 

OUT LOUD POETRY:
 Local students desiring to win the title of “Poetry Out Loud County Champion” will be at the county finals on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Imagination Theatre, 100 Placerville Dr. This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP, call Deb Jensen at 530-295-3496.

SAVING ENERGY DAILY:
 Beginning in February, the Placerville Library will introduce the “Kill-a-Watt” loan program. Its goal is to help residents measure both their energy consumption and the efficiency of the electric appliances in their homes. Citizens will be able to check out a “Kill-a-Watt” Energy Detector Toolkit at any local library. The “Kill-a-Watt” can estimate the electrical consumption and costs associated with each appliance by the hour, day, week, month or even an entire year. There will be a program to introduce the “Kill-a-Watt” program at the Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane, on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. Citizens can watch a presentation and ask questions. For more information, call the library at 530-621-5553.

VALENTINE PJ STORYTIME:
 “Valentine PJ Storytime” is scheduled for Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Drive. This program of stories, songs and craft activities is for children ages 3 to 5 and their adults. For this session, there will be love stories, Valentines and a free book for the first 30 families. For more information, call 530-621-5500.

VALENTINE LUNCHEON:
 The annual Senior Valentine’s Day Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. There will be live entertainment provided by the El Dorado Hills Senior Fun Time Band, and there also will be prizes! Lunch cost is $3 for seniors age 60 and up. ($5 for others). The fun will take place at the El Dorado Hills CSD gym, 1021 Harvard Way. To reserve your spot, call 916-358-3575. 

VERY LOW-COST ENTERTAINMENT:
 The Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Drive, is hosting a used books sale on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everything on sale for $5 a bag. Children books are 10 cents each. Also, the library will be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MARSHALL HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
 Would you enjoy being a volunteer at Marshall Hospital? The Auxiliary is offering a class for new volunteers starting Feb. 13. Prospective members receive an orientation of the services provided. To be an Auxiliary member, you must be 21 years old or older. For more information, call Linda Militello at 530-622-4823 or leave a message at 530-626-2643.

IMPORTANT DIABETES INFORMATION: 
Marshall Medical is presenting a class titled “Carbohydrates, Food and You” on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 681 Main St., second floor, Placerville. Class topics will include carbohydrates and diet, meal planning, managing your weight and tips for dining out. Scholarships are available to help pay class fee. For more information or to register for this class, call 530-672-7021.

JOIN THE GREAT’S:
 The “Grand’s and Great’s Gazette” group shares grand-parenting stories, jokes and trials and then produces a bimonthly newsletter. They meet on the third Friday of each month at
1 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. Articles for submission to the newsletter are welcome at any time. For more information, call 916-358-3575.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar notes the following thought regarding compassion: “Great compassion is the root of altruistic action, the object of amazement to the world; there is no greater source of help and happiness.”

Send your jokes and event items for Heard Over the Back Fence column to Bob Billingsley at the Mountain Democrat, PO Box 1088, Placerville 95667, or drop them off at 1360 Broadway. First and last name of contact person are required. Phone 530-344-5036. Follow @BBillingsleyMtDemo on Twitter.

Bob Billingsley

Bob Billingsley writes Heard Over the Back Fence three times a week, keeping his pen on the pulse of the community. He also writes a biweekly column called Billingsley's Bullets, in which he uses “sideways” thinking to make your day a little easier to handle.

View all my stories Email Me