Heard over the back fence: El Dorado feast planned

YOU BECOME WHAT YOU THINK:
 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 people allow themselves to be only as successful as they think they deserve to be.” — Age 50.

HOLIDAY DINNER AND MUSIC: 
On Dec. 8, the El Dorado Community Hall Christmas dinner will be held at the hall, 6139 Pleasant Valley Rd., El Dorado. Social hour starts at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Live music is provided by Majesty’s. Advance tickets are $15 per person or $25 a couple. At the door ticket prices are $18 per person or $30 a couple. Please bring an unwrapped toy for any age to be donated to Toys for Tots. Tickets are available at the Irish Pub, Spanky’s or by calling Ann Lee at 530-626-0549.

SEEKING GOLD IN SOUTH AFRICA:
 Richard Mason, aka Uncle Fuzzy, and his charming wife, Joyce, recently returned form the World Gold-panning Competition in South Africa. Their five-person team made the finals, but no medals were won this year. While there, Richard made a presentation to the World Gold-panning Association to hold the world competition in Placerville in 2016. His recommendation was approved with overwhelming enthusiasm! Great job, Richard!

SENSATIONAL HOLIDAY SINGING:
 Tomorrow, Dec. 4, the Sensational Singing Seniors will be singing at the El Dorado Hills Moni Gilmore Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane, at 1 p.m. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served. This “Holiday Happening” is a great way to start the holiday season.

REMEMBERING LOVED ONES:
 A “Light of Life” event is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Hospice In-Home Services Building at 6520 Pleasant Valley Rd., Diamond Springs, at 5 p.m. There will be a memorial tree lighting, a brief remembrance service, and a hot cider reception. For more information, call 530-621-7820.

LOOSE SCREW ADVICE:
 If you review the “Who Knew?” calendar, you will discover the following household hint: “Screw fall out of your eyeglasses? A stud earring is the perfect just-for-now replacement that will keep you from having to tape your glasses together for the trip to the optometrist. Just poke it through the hole and fasten its back.”

TOYS FOR TOTS BENEFIT:
 Live Raggae music by Xsample, “The Raggie General,” will be offered on Friday, Dec. 7, at 9 p.m., at P.J.’s Roadhouse, 5641 Mother Lode Dr., Placerville. Admission is free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for the “Toys for Tots” program. This presentation if for those 21 years old or older.

SANTA PARADE TIMES: 
On Dec. 14, 15, and 16, the Cameron Park Fire Department is taking Santa for a ride through Cameron Park. Contact the Cameron Park Community Services District at 530-677-2231 or 530-677-2201 for parade routes and times.

LIBRARY’S DONATION TREE:
 There is a “Giving Tree” at the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane. If you want to donate to the library’s new book fund, you fill out the donation card and give it to the front desk staff. You will receive a tree paper leaf (with your name on it) to place on the Giving Tree.

CANDIDATES IN LOVE? 
Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar contains the following “Lost in Translation:” “Headline in an Ethiopian newspaper: Ford, Reagan Neck in Presidential Primary.”

SCULPTURES ON MAIN STREET:
A little bird told me there is a group show of stone and clay sculptures at the El Dorado Arts Council Gallery, 459 Main St., Placerville. It’s time for me to pay a visit to the gallery.

WIDOWED PERSONS MEETINGS:
 The Widowed Persons Association meets on the fourth Friday of each month at the Cold Springs Country Club, Placerville, for lunch. For more information, call 530-391-4154.

PROM NIGHT GENEROSITY:
 Soroptimist International of Placerville sponsors an annual “Prom Boutique” to help young high school women who cannot afford to attend prom night. If you have new or gently used gowns and accessories, you can drop them off at River City Bank, 348 Main St., Placerville. To have dresses picked up or for more information, call 530-919-4612.

PLAYTIME FOR KIDS AND PARENTS:
 A program titled “Play to Grow” is designed for parents and their children, ages 1 to 3 years old. They can play together and create art together at the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane. The classes will be on Wednesdays, Jan. 9, 16, 23, and 30. There will be 2 four-week sessions, all together. For starting time of classes, call 530-621-5547. Space is limited. You may register at the children’s desk in the library.

HUGE TURNOUT: 
The grand opening for the Food Bank of El Dorado County’s new administrative office was huge! The place was packed! This invaluable program has tremendous support in our community. The new location is 3291 B Coach Lane, Cameron Park (across from Applebee’s restaurant).

EMOTIONAL FLU REMEDY:
 The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar notes the following suggestion: “The trick to treat low moods is to see them as a temporary case of the ‘emotional flu.’ Generally, it is better to wait it out and confront people when you are feeling better — rather than when you are at your worst.”

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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