Heard over the back fence: Flea market, Oktoberfest, holiday sale — What a month!

FLOWER POWER: 
John Chapman provided the following “Advice from a Sunflower” T-shirt statement: “Be outstanding in your fieLd – Hold your head high – Spread seeds of happiness – Feed the birds – Think solar – Keep on the sunny side – Grow up!”

FLEA MARKET IN POLLOCK PINES:
 The Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary Club is presenting the “Community Flea Market” on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the El Dorado Savings parking lot, Pollock Pines.

OKTOBERFEST AND DANCE:
 The Knights of Columbus group is presenting an Oktoberfest and dance on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Gurnell Hall, St. Patrick’s Church, Sacramento and Fiske St., Placerville. Social hour is from 5 to 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and includes pork, red cabbage, potatoes, gravy, salad and bread. You can dance to the music of DJ Sonny Wells from 7:30 p.m. until ? Tickets are $15 each. Tickets can be purchased at Gurnell Hall office or at the door. Also, you may call 530-647-1344 to purchase or reserve tickets.

AS RICKY NELSON SAID, “IT’S UP TO YOU”:
 The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar offers the following thought: “Seeing your choices as forks in the road is very empowering and reassuring. Doing so enables you to take charge of your life and helps you realize that it’s never too late to change direction.”

CANDY SHACK IS BACK:
 Mother Lode Lions Club opened their See’s candy shack on Sunday, Oct. 14, and will remain open, daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special orders are also filled upon request. Do not stand in the way when chocolate addicts start arriving at 9:03 a.m.!

IMPROVE YOUR BRIDGE GAME: 
A class titled “Sharpen Your Bridge Game” is offered on Wednesdays, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The instructor is Bill Taggart. The class fee is a daily drop-in fee of $3. If you want to brush up on your skills or want to meet bridge players, this is a good opportunity for you. Drop by and enjoy the sessions.

SAVE THE DINNER!
 The “Who Knew?” calendar notes the following dinner hint: “Overspiced your dinner? Just add a bit of sugar, honey, or maple syrup. The sweetness allows your taste buds to handle more hot, saving your meal.”

HOLIDAY COLLECTIBLES SALE:
 A holiday sale to benefit foster children is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be lots of holiday items, collectibles and crafts for sale at the Placerville Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court (off Durock Rd.), Shingle Springs.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE: 
Clara Neilsen of Placerville provided the following quote from the book “Live and Learn and Pass It On:” “I’ve learned that deciding whom you marry is the most important decision you’ll ever make.” — Age 95.

SAY THAT AGAIN:
 Browsing through Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar, I located the following “Sportspeak:” “Our strength is that we don’t have any weaknesses. Our weakness is that we don’t have any real strengths.”— Frank Broyles

IMPROVE YOUR CAMERA SKILLS: 
Bring your digital camera to this class titled “Getting to Know Your Digital Camera.” Don’t forget to bring extra batteries! No experience is necessary to join this class. The class will be presented on Friday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The class fee is $29. Call 916-358-3575 to reserve your spot.

MANAGING YOUR DIABETES:
 Marshall Medical Center is offering a class titled “Diabetes Education: Healthy Living Class No. 1, Diabetes Essentials.” This class is designed for recently diagnosed people and for those needing a review of understanding diabetes and controlling blood glucose and eating habits. The class fee is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare with MD referral. This class is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. For location information and to register, call 530-672-7021.

DIABETES CLASS CANCELED:
 The “Diabetes Education Healthy Living Class, No. 2, Carbohydrates, Food and You”, scheduled for Oct. 23 has been canceled.

DIABETES EDUCATION CLASS:
 Marshall Medical Center is sponsoring a class titled “Diabetes Education: Healthy Living Class No. 4, Your Plan for Success.” This class takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., in Placerville. Class topics will include reducing risk of complications, making exercise work for you, staying motivated, and diabetes and emotions. The class fee is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare with MD referral. For exact location information and to register for class, call 530-672-7021.

A DALAI DILLY: 
The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar noted the following insight: “Now through scientific findings and also common sense, we know warm-heartedness is the key factor for a happy family and happy community.”

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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