Heard over the back fence: Hear about the Johnson Cut Off Trail

KITCHEN WISDOM:
 My friend John Chapman dropped off the following T-shirt statement: “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”

KNOW YOUR STATE HISTORY: 
The Clarksville Region Historical Society will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway. Guest speakers will be John Winner and Dee Owens from the California Nevada Chapter of the Oregon Trail Association. They will discuss the Johnson Cut Off Trail and present a video. The public is invited to this free event.

RESUMES THAT FAIL: 
The “365 Stupidest Things Ever Said” calendar notes the following resume screw ups: 
- “I have nervous of steel. 
- Demonstrated ability in multi-tasting. 
- Directed $25 million anal shipping and receiving operations.”

BIG BAG BOOK SALE:
A “Big Bag Book Sale” will take place in the Pollock Pines Library foyer on Jan. 22, 23, and 24. All books and videos in the foyer will sell for $5 a bag. The library will be open on Jan. 22 from noon to 7 p.m. On Jan 23 and 24, the library will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 530-644-2498. 

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS:
 To support our overseas troops with monthly packages, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Pleasant Valley Grange, 4765 Pleasant Valley Grange Rd., Placerville. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the door. Entertainment will be provided by the Whiskey Beggars Band. For more information, call 530-644-1912 or visit pvgrange.org. The entrance to the Grange is 100 yards west of Newtown and Pleasant Valley roads.

BOOKS FOR 2nd-4th GRADE STUDENTS:
A pamphlet titled “Fiction for Grades 2 to 4″ is available at our local libraries. This pamphlet lists books available at the libraries. A couple of interesting book titles include “The Dog that Stole Home” and “The Girl Who Could Fly.”

TEACHERS GET TOGETHER:
 On Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m., the El Dorado County Division of the California Retired Teachers will have a “Soup’s On” event at the El Dorado County Office of Education, Bldg. D-1. You can enjoy delicious home-made soups while Michael Dotson from the American River Conservancy does a presentation titled the “Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Farm.” A $5 donation at the event will help cover costs. For more information, call Bonnie Flint at 530-644-3500.

JEANIE’S SOUL SOUP GROUP:
 Jeanie Redmond’s “Souper Group” will meet on Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. This free monthly luncheon is for caregivers of family members that are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. During these luncheons, information, compassion and lots of hugs are shared. Laughter is also on the menu. Getting to know Jeanie is worth the trip. Call Jeanie at 530-622-3806 for directions to the meeting place.

TOWN HALL MEETING TIME: 
The Pollock Pines Town Hall community meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m., at the Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center, 2675 Sanders St., Pollock Pines. The Community Development Agency will be discussed, and this workshop format will be facilitated by Supervisor Norma Santiago.

NO BOOKS ON 1/19:
Tomorrow, Jan. 19, all our local libraries will be closed for the holiday.

PJ STORYTIME AND SINGING:
 On the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., “P.J. Storytime” takes place at the Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane. This program is designed for children, ages 3 to 5. They can enjoy listening to stories, songs and craft activities. Bring your child on Jan. 23. Don’t forget their PJs!

UNINTENDED? Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “Accidents Happen” statement: “The other car collided with mine without giving evidence of its intentions.”

BIPOLAR SUPPORT GROUPS:
 Bipolar support groups for individuals and their families are available at the following locations: Sunday at 7 p.m. – Marshall Medical Conference Room, 681 Main St., No, 207 & 208 (upstairs), Placerville; Monday at 7 p.m. – Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Rd., Rm. 304, Placerville. A $5 donation for each session is appreciated. For more information, call 530-642-0859.

SELECTING BOOKS HOURS:
 The Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane, is open during the following hours: Tuesday noon-7 p.m., Wednesday noon-7 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

DIAL-A-RIDE SCHEDULE: 
On Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, El Dorado Transit will not have their buses running. Also, their business office and dispatch center will be closed. Normal service will resume on Jan. 22. For more information, call 530-642-5383.

A DALAI DILLY:
 Check out the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, and you will locate the following advice: “When we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions done in one’s past, we strengthen ourselves and can solve the problems of the present constructively.”

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.

View all my stories Email Me