Heard over the back fence: Figuring out teenagers

ADVICE FROM THE GREEKS:
 Editor Mike Raffety loaned me the “Springs of Greek Wisdom” book, which contained the following: “If man is moderate and contented, then even age is no burden; if he is not, then even youth is full of cares.” — Plato

COMMUNICATING WITH TEENAGERS:
 The “Parent Project” program is a 10-week program to provide parents with techniques designed to improve communications and to help teenagers become responsible, successful adults. The sessions will be held on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at White Rock Village Apartments, 2200 Valley View, El Dorado Hills. Space is limited. To register, call 916-941-8482. 

POETS AT THE PODIUM:
 The “Poetry off the Shelves” group meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane. During the meeting you can read your original poetry, read your favorite poet’s offerings, or just relax and simply listen.

HEATING AND COOLING FUNDS:
 The Home Energy Assistance Program has emergency heating and cooling funds available to assist eligible El Dorado County residents with emergency repair, replacement and funding for new installation for certain heating and cooling appliances and water heating appliances. To qualify, households must meet program eligibility guidelines and meet program income criteria. For more information, call 530-621-6333.

MEDITATION TAKES TIME:
 The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar says the following regarding meditation: “Meditation isn’t easy. You will notice that your mind will fill with thoughts the moment you attempt to keep it still. It’s rare for a beginner to be able to focus attention for more than a few seconds. The trick to becoming an effective meditator is to be gentle on yourself and to be consistent. Don’t be discouraged. A few minutes each day will reap tremendous benefits over time.”

GET FIT WHILE YOU SIT:
 On Sept. 4 four new “Forever Fit” classes are beginning at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. A class titled “Sit and Get Fit” will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The class will include 20 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes of strength, and 20 minutes of core/flexibility. Bring a mat, weights and water. The class fee is $50 for a 10-class punch-card or $80 for a 20-class punch-card. Punch-cards may be shared by husband and wife teams. Call 916-358-3575 to reserve your spot.

RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER:
 The Relay for Life fundraiser is scheduled for Sept. 8, Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. Admission is free. Come on out to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Placerville. There will be raffles, a silent auction, great food, games and contests, face painting, live entertainment; and you can relax with a chair massage. Everyone is invited to join in the spirit laps and luminaria.

HOW TO STORE CANDLES: 
Check out the “Who Knew?” calendar, and you will find the following household hint: “Here’s a great way to store tapered candles: Use paper-towel tubes to protect them. Just wrap two candles at a time in tissue paper, then slip them into the cardboard tube. Keep tubes together with rubber bands if necessary.”

OVER EASY, PLEASE:
 Our veterans continue to offer a tasty breakfast, including biscuits and gravy, on the first, second and third Sunday of each month, from 7 to 11 a.m., at the Veterans Memorial Building, off Placerville Drive next to the El Dorado County fairgrounds.

SUPPORT YOUR LIBRARY:
 Currently, the Pollock Pines Friends of the Library are having their annual membership drive. Dues are $10/individuals, $25/businesses. Lifetime membership is $250. To join or renew, please send a check to PPFOL, PO Box 757, Pollock Pines 95726, or drop by the library Tuesday from 12-7 or Wednesda or Thursday from 10-5, or go to eldoradolibrary.org/friends.htm to use Paypal. For more information, please e-mail lajunta51@yhoo.com.

HELPING CHILDREN MASTER MATH:
 Cameron Park CSD is offering a multiplication class on Thursdays, beginning Sept. 13 through Nov. 8, from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m., at the Cameron Park CSD. The instructor is Chris La Deaux. The class fee is $171 for Cameron Park residents or $176 for non-residents. Also, there is a $45 material fee, payable at first class. The class will be held at the Cameron Park CSD, 2502 Country Club Dr. You may register at the Cameron Park CSD or on-line at www.cameronpark.org or call 530-677-2231.

MEDICAL LANGUAGE CONFUSION:
 Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar registered the following “Medical-Speak:” “Died suddenly, nothing serious.”

BRAINPOWER GET TOGETHER:
 “Trivia Night” takes place at the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane, from 6 to 7 p.m. You can create a team (up to four people) or play alone and pit your trivia knowledge against others in a family-friendly battle of brainpower. All ages are welcome, but questions are designed to be difficult. No outside sources allowed!

GRANTS TO BENEFIT CHILDREN:
 The Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary Club is seeking applications for “mini grants” that will be used for any project or program designed to benefit local children or residents in the Pollock Pines-Camino communities. Applications are available at pollockpines-camninorotary.org and must be submitted to carolabbanat@yahoo.com. Applications will not be accepted by mail or in person. Application deadline: Sept. 7. 

CHECKING ON THE OLD FOLKS: 
On Wednesday, Sept. 19, the El Dorado Hills Genealogical Society will meet at 6:15 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway. The guest speaker will be Glenca Lloyd, who will discuss “City Directories, a Problem Solving Approach.” The public is invited.

VETERANS REUNION: 
Navy and Marine Corps shipmates who served on the USS Columbus CA-74/CG from 1944 through 1976 and the USS Columbus (SSN-762) , past and present, are invited to a reunion scheduled for Sept. 12 through Sept. 16, 2012, at the Holiday Inn at Portland, Ore.. For details, call Allen R. Hope at 260-486-2221 or e-mail him at Hope4391@frontier.com.

A DALAI DILLY: 
Cruising through the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, I found the following information: “Every day the media reports incidents of terrorism, crime, and aggression. I have never been to a country where tragic stories of death and bloodshed did not fill the newspapers and airwaves. But the overwhelming majority of the human race does not behave destructively; very few of the 5 billion people on this planet actually commit acts of violence. Most of us prefer to be as peaceful as possible.”

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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