Heard over the back fence: Big shindig at MBZ in EDH

GRANDPA WISDOM: 
John Chapman provided the following T-shirt statement: “Dads know a lot, but grandpas know everything.”

YOU MAKE THE CHOICES: 
Clara Neilsen provided the following “Follow Your Path” statement: “You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.” — Abraham Lincoln.

PREVENT LOCAL SEX TRAFFICKING: 
On Saturday, Feb. 2, the Hattori Hanzo Shears Co. will host a benefit concert, featuring local musician Melissa Lingo at the Mercedes-Benz Dealership, El Dorado Hills, from 7 to 11 p.m. Proceeds will benefit “The Trade,” a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing sex trafficking by training at-risk women in the art of cosmetology. The event will feature acoustic performances by Melissa Lingo, Stephan Hogan and Brandon Neal, a silent auction, heavy appetizers courtesy of Kenko Sushi, cocktails and dancing. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes food and entertainment. For ticket information or other information, call 530-313-8941.

PAY ATTENTION!
 Tim McFadden provided the following advice from his Tai Chi instructor: “Keep your attention on your intention.”

TAX AIDE AVAILABLE:
 The AARP Tax-Aide Program will be available, by appointment, at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, on Thursdays, Feb. 7 through April 11. An aide will help you prepare your tax returns. Special attention is given to those 60 and older. To schedule your appointment, call 916-740-7746. 

CRIBBAGE CAMARADERIE:
 The Gold Country Cribbers meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. Instruction for beginners is available upon request. For more information, call Ross Walter at 916-601-8230 or Carl Backers at 916-947-0190.

ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES: 
The El Dorado County Office of Education offers the following “English as a Second Language” classes: Green Valley School, 2380 Bass Lake Rd., Rescue, Room E5 – Class Time: Wednesday Evenings 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. AND Schnell School, 2871 Schnell School Rd., Placerville, Computer Lab – Class Time: Tuesdays 3:30 to 5 p.m.

ADD AN “I”, PLEASE: 
The “365 Stupidest Things Ever Said” calendar notes the following quote form a Pennsylvania newspaper: “The principal . . . was given two choices, resign or be fred.”

CRISPY BACON, PLEASE: 
Our veterans continue to offer a tasty breakfast for a very reasonable price. Breakfast includes juice, coffee, eggs, bacon and biscuits and gravy, too! Breakfast is available on the first, second and third Sunday of the month from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, off Placerville Drive, adjacent to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. All proceeds go toward veterans’ charities.

SENIOR FITNESS CLASS:
A “Functional Fitness for Seniors” class is scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays, Feb. 4 through Feb. 28, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive. This class will focus on flexibility, balance, and strength. All levels of fitness are welcome. The class fee is $59 for Cameron Park residents or $64 for non-residents. Deborah Parker is the instructor. To register and pay your fee, call 530-677-2231.

NEW ROTARIANS WELCOMED: 
Ken Reid of Sign, Banner and Paint Express and Ken Thurman of Wealth Dynamics were inducted into the Rotary Club of Cameron Park. Both inductees have already helped with club projects. Welcome aboard, Kens!

BABIES ARE NOT THE ANSWER:
 Thanks to Clara Neilsen, we present the following quote from the book, “Live and Learn and Pass It On:” “I’ve learned that having a baby doesn’t solve marital problems.” — Age 24.

TOUR TRIPS PREVIEW:
 On Friday, Feb. 8, at 1:30 p.m., All West Tours will be at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. Fliers regarding 2013 trips for seniors will be handed out and questions regarding upcoming trips will be answered. A slide show will also be presented.

AFFAIR OF THE HEART:
 The “Affair of the Heart” free public health event is being presented by Marshall Medical Center and Cameron Park CSD on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Dr. There will be guest speakers, health club vendors, health screenings, health food sampling, wine tasting, and a shoppers’ expo. For more information, call 530-677-2231.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER: 
For those who enjoy planning ahead, the Somerset Pioneer Lions Club has scheduled their annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dancing fundraiser for Saturday, March 16, at the Pleasant Valley Grange, 4765 Pleasant Valley Grange Rd., Placerville. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. Dinner to follow. Tickets are $20. Children under 10 years of age are admitted free. Proceeds will benefit the Somerset Pioneer Lions Club in their efforts to help those in need. For tickets and information contact: Keith Hunderfund at 530-620-6705 or Leedy D’Agustini at 530-263-0796.

A DALAI DILLY: 
Examine the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, and you will see the following notion: “There’s no shop that sells kindness; you must build it within. You can transplant hearts, but you cannot transplant a warm heart.”

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.

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