Heard over the back fence: Breakfast in the pines Saturday

ADVICE FROM A HUMMINGBIRD:
 John Chapman provided the following “Advice from a Hummingbird” T-shirt statement: “Sip the sweet moments * Let your true colors glow * Don’t get your feathers ruffled over little things * Just wing it * Take yourself lightly * Keep your visits short and sweet!

BREAKFAST IN THE PINES:
 The Interact Club community breakfasts will be held on the second Saturday of each month at the Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center, 2675 Sanders Rd., Pollock Pines. The cost is $3 per person or $7 for a family. The breakfast includes sausage, pancakes, orange juice, coffee or hot chocolate. Stop by tomorrow, Feb. 9, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and meet some of your neighbors. Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for youngsters. Proceeds will benefit local community service projects.

LOCAL WILDLIFE HISTORY LESSON: 
Sierra Wildlife Rescue is presenting a class titled “Introduction to Local Wildlife” on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. Information on the natural histories of most species found in our county and surrounding areas will be discussed. The class will be at SWR’s Wildlife Center, 3030 Newtown Rd., Placerville. To reserve your spot, call Barbara Barker at 530-621-2650. Classes are free to SWR members. A $5 donation is requested from the public.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER?
 Lauralee Green informs us that we have the following three live streaming webcams to check out weather conditions: PlacervilleWeatherCam.com and CaminoWeatherCam.com and PollockPinesWeatherCam.com.

DANCING IN SHINGLE SPRINGS! 
The Shingle Springs Community Center is presenting its annual “Spaghetti Feed and Fundraiser” on Saturday, Feb. 23. Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Shingle Springs Community Center, 4440 South Shingle Rd. Dancing and listening music will be provided by DJ Jamie Faw from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10. Children 5 to 12 years old pay $6. Children under 5 years old are admitted free. For tickets or other information, call Ken or Heidi Brown at 530-677-2462.

SHOW ME THE MONEY: 
Clara Neilsen gave me the book “Live and Learn and Pass It On.” In this book, people ages 5 to 95 offer life lessons, such as the following;: “I’ve learned that, when someone tells you it’s the principle of the thing and not the money, it’s usually the money.” – Age 65

LUCK DEFINED:
 Frank Cunha of Diamond Springs sent the following definition of good luck: “Luck is when Clara Nielsen’s jam sandwich falls on the floor jam side up.”

GREAT SUPPORT FOR TROOPS:
 The El Dorado County Association of Realtors sponsored the “Honor Our Troops” breakfast on Jan. 26. All proceeds go to sending care packages to El Dorado County soldiers in the war zones. When I left the breakfast, they had already served over 200 breakfasts! Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help, and thank you also to all of you biscuits and gravy supporters.

GONE FISHING STORIES: 
On Wednesday, Feb. 20, the El Dorado Chapter of Trouts Unlimited will have their meeting at the El Dorado National Forest conference room, 100 Forni Rd., Placerville, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Grady Garlough, a local fishing guide, who will discuss fishing on the three forks of the American River. Meetings are open to members and the general public. Get there a little early and have a cup of coffee and cookies with club members. For more information, visit eldoradotu.org.

BE A SALAD WATCHER: 
Look at the “365 Stupidest Things Ever Said” calendar, and you will discover the following statement: “Don’t judge someone until they have tossed your salad.” — actor John Travolta

MEDICARE QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
 If you have Medicare questions or need to know more about programs available, you can arrange a HICAP appointment by calling 530-621-6369.

ACRYLICS CLASS FOR EVERY LEVEL:
 “Springtime for Acrylics” is scheduled for March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Placerville Shakespeare Club, 2940 Bedford Ave. The cost for the class is $90, which includes all needed, high-quality art supplies. Artists Mary Ann Broddrick and Dee Little will be the teachers. Space is limited. For more information and to reserve your spot, call 916-933-6515 or 530-626-1168. Registration deadline is Feb. 20. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS SMART: 
Carlyn White sent the following “Children are Quick” statement: “TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn’t punish him? LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand . . . ”

LET’S CUT A RUG: 
The El Dorado Hills Senior “Fun Time Band” plays on the last Friday of each month at 1 p.m., following lunch, at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. Al Kolthoff is the band director. Grab a dance partner or just sit and enjoy your musical favorites.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar has the following thought to offer: “If you shift your focus from oneself to others, and think more about others’ well-being and welfare, it has an immediate liberating effect.”

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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