Heard over the back fence: Bowl-a-thon fundraiser Saturday

LIVING YOUR JOURNEY:
 John Chapman gave me the following T-shirt statement: “Faith is a journey not a destination.”

BOWL-A-THON FOR HIGHTOWERS:
 Mark and Amanda Hightower were recently in a very serious car accident on Highway 50 in Camino. Because of multiple surgeries and other medical expenses, their medical bills are out of sight. The Knotty Pines Bowling Lanes family is hosting a Bowl-A-Thon tomorrow, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m., to raise funds for the family. There will also be raffle prizes. For more information, call 530-644-5414.

CASA INFORMATION MEETINGS: 
Information meetings are scheduled for anyone who would like to be a CASA child advocate at the following locations: “CENTRO on Main St., Jan. 29 at noon; CASA Office on Main St., Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.; Bella Bru in EDH, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m.; Zia’s on Main St., Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.; Starbucks in Cameron Park, Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m.; and Starbucks on Broadway, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.; CASA Office on Main St., Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. For more information, please call 530-622-9882.”

ARE YOU A HUMAN BEING?
 The “365 Stupidest Things Ever Said” calendar notes the following “self-identification problem:” “Defense attorney: You are a human being, correct? Detective: I don’t know.”

WALK-INS ARE WELCOME:
A blood donor drive is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Placerville Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Ct. (off Durock Rd.), Shingle Springs. Donors will earn My Blood Source Rewards, and you can redeem your rewards online or by calling Blood Source. Donors must bring a photo I.D. and should drink plenty of fluids before donating. For more information, call 1-800-995-4420, Ext. 60039. There is no upper age limit for donors.

IMPROVE YOUR BRIDGE GAME: 
On Wednesdays, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., bridge card players practice and receive informal lessons at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Way. The daily drop-in fee is $3. Bill Taggart is the instructor. For more information, call 916-358-3575.

READ AND RELAX:
 Used books are for sale on the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane (in the back parking lot), Placerville. Please note that books are now priced by the bag or individually.

YOU GET ANOTHER CHANCE: 
Clara Neilsen gave me the book, “Live and Learn and Pass It On.” This book offers life lessons from people, ages 5 to 95, such as the following thought: “I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.” — Age 62.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN GATHERING: 
On Feb. 4, at 10:30 a.m., the El Dorado County Republican Women, Placerville, will meet at the Golden Waffle Cafe, 1449 Broadway, Placerville. Joe Harn, El Dorado County Auditor, will be the guest speaker. To reserve your spot, call 530-676-3788.

ATTEND THE BIG GAME!
On Sunday, Feb. 3, admission is free to the “Big Game” festival at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Dr., Cameron Park. You can enjoy football games, side bets, table games (such as bunco), Mexican Train dominoes, 5-card poker, and more. Shopping, food and a full bar will be available. Proceeds from food purchases will benefit local, no-profit programs. For more information, call 530-677-8000. 

EXPAND YOUR COOKING SKILLS:
 The Cameron Park Community Services District is offering the following cooking classes for 2013 at the Community Center Kitchen: Chocolate Truffles and Thai Cooking classes, Cooking on Your Own, Reading Food Labels, Cooking for 1 or 2, Gluten Free Label Reading, or Cooking with Kids. For dates and times of classes, call 530-677-2231.

GED AND ADULT CLASSES:
 The El Dorado County Office of Adult Education offers the following GED and Adult High School Diploma classes:
El Dorado County Office of Education, 6767 Green Valley Rd., Placerville – Class time: Wednesday evenings 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
White Rock Village Apartments Community Room, 2200 Valley View Parkway, El Dorado Hills – Class time: Mondays 4 to 5 p.m
Shingle Springs Rancheria, 5281 Honpi Rd., Placerville – Class time: Tuesdays 4 to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 530-295-2434.

A SHOW FOR BRIDES:
 A very special free wedding show is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive. This show is designed for brides. You will meet the area’s most experienced wedding professionals. This “Wedding Affair” includes bridal gowns, florists, party rentals, photographers and caterers. For more information, call 530-677-8000.

ARE CHAINS REQUIRED? 
Before you head up the hill, call 1-800-427-7623.

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH:
 Review the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, and you will discover the following “Dalai Dilly:” “It is because of the intimate relationship between mind and body, and the existence of special physiological centers within our body, that physical yoga exercises and the application of special meditative techniques aimed at training the mind can have positive effects on health.”

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