Heard over the back fence: Get your blood pressure checked free

ACCEPTING CONTRADICTIONS OF LIFE:
 Check out the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar, and you will discover the following thought: “Inner peace is accomplished by understanding and accepting the inevitable contradictions of life — the pain and pleasure, success and failure, joy and sorrow, births and deaths. Problems can teach us to be gracious, humble, and patient.”

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKUP:
 On Aug. 1 and Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, free blood pressure checkups will be available at the Community Resource Center, 1864 Broadway, Placerville. For more information, call 530-344-1864.

BABY SITTING INSTRUCTIONS:
A class titled “Super Sitters Class” is being offered for young people, ages 11 to 15 years old. The class will be on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Placerville. This class is designed to help young people become competent, responsible baby sitters. Class topics will include child development, first aid and safety techniques, problem solving, marketing baby sitting services, role-playing and age-appropriate play/care activities (CPR NOT included). Bring your lunch. Snacks will be provided. The class fee is $50 per child. Preregistration is required. Call Marshall Medical at 530-626-2990 to register and to receive exact location information.

TIGHT LID SOLUTION: 
Review the “Who Knew?” calendar, and you will find the following household hint: “Is the lid on your jar stuck? We have the solution. Turn the jar upside-down and place it in a bowl. Fill the bowl with warm water until the water reaches a quarter of the way up the jar, then let sit for 15 minutes. The water will loosen the vacuum seal as well as soften any leaking syrup, jam, or whatever else is inside.”

SKYDIVING SUCCESS STORY: 
To celebrate her 18th birthday, Ponderosa graduate Breanne Bartok took a skydiving jump on July 13. Breanne reports it was a great experience, and she would do it again. Skydiving on Friday the 13th takes a little courage. Happy birthday, Breanne!

DEMOCRATS FUNDRAISER:
 The El Dorado County Democrats have scheduled their fundraiser dinner for Saturday, Aug. 4, at 5:30 p.m., at the Forni Building, El Dorado County Fairgrounds. The Democrats will honor Nancy Campbell and Don Vanderkar. The evening will also include a silent and live auction and a special “Dessert Dash.” The public is invited. For tickets or more information, visit Website edcdems.org/krd or call 530-877-797-DEMS, Ext. 4.

SPEAR FUNDRAISER:
SPEAR (Suicide Prevention Education Action Resources) is presenting a “Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Event” fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 4360 Town Center Dr., El Dorado Hills. In addition to the wine and olive oil tasting, your ticket includes appetizers, desserts, fancy chocolates, and live music. Tickets are $20 in advance ($35 per couple) or $25 at the door per person. Proceeds to help kids in our community who may be at risk. Contact person is Vivian Figuera at 530-676-2119. The following locations have tickets for sale: The Mountain Democrat, Placerville – We Olive Oil, 1000 White Rock Rd., El Dorado Hills 916-933-1650 in the Montano Shopping Center – Mechanics Bank, Town Center Dr., El Dorado Hills – 3 Brothers Restaurant, Coach Lane, Cameron Park.

WINE FOR WORDS FUNDRAISER:
 “An Evening of Mark Twain” is being presented by world-renowned expert on Mark Twain. Robert H. Hirst will discuss “Tales from Mark Twain papers, new-found stories and anecdotes by Twain.” This fun-filled event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the El Dorado County Main Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville. Your ticket privileges also include wine tasting, dinner by Diane Wilkinson, a book signing, raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $50 for Friends of the Library or $60 for non-members. For ticket purchase and book sale information, call the Main Library at 530-621-5540 or visit the library Website: eldoradolibrary.org.

A SCIENTIFIC DEFINITION? 
Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “School Daze:” “Scientists are hypothetical people.”

DINING AND DANCING: Mother Lode Lions are sponsoring a “Hot August Nights Fabulous 50′s Dinner and Dance” on Saturday, Aug. 11. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and you can dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $12. Come on out to the Mother Lode Lions Clara Scheiber building at Pleasant Valley and Missouri Flat roads, Diamond Springs. For tickets or more information, call Shirley Slater at 530-677-4218. There will also be a dance and costume contest.

BREAKFAST FOR YOUR BRAIN:
 A new class titled “Successful Aging Breakfast Series” is available on the third Friday of the month, at 10 a.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The facilitator is Judy Bakke. The drop-in fee is $5. While you enjoy breakfast, Judy will identify practical ways to increase memory and stay mentally alert while having fun. Call 916-358-3575 to reserve your spot.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar noted the following thought: “Between childhood and old age we falsely believe we are independent, but this is not so.”

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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