Heard over the back fence: Help build a fence Saturday

WISHES CAN BE TRICKY:
 Thanks to Mike Raffety, the following thought is offered from the book “Springs of Greek Wisdom:” “It is not good for all your wishes to be fulfilled: Through sickness you recognize the value of health, through evil the value of good, through hunger satisfaction, through exertion the value of rest.” — Heraclitus

NEED FENCE BUILDERS: 
Tomorrow, the fence for the Homeless Village will start construction at 8 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help build the 700-foot-long fence. Volunteers will meet at the site, next to the Hangtown Motel, 1700 Broadway, Placerville. For more information, call 530-344-1864.

FREE HEALTH CHECKS: 
Marshall Medical Center is offering freed health screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar and body composition checks. Also, refreshments will be served, and there will be raffle prizes at the following locations: Tuesday, July 24 – 1095 Marshall Way, Quartz Room, Placerville – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1 – New Marshall Sierra/Peds., Conference Room, Placerville – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For more information, call Lisa Hartley at 530-672-7021.

CRUISING THE NIGHT AWAY:
 The Burke Junction Cruise Car Show is scheduled for July 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free, and you can enter your car for no charge. Music and a cowboy show will also be available. For more information, call 530-677-5282.

GIVING IS ITS OWN REWARD: 
Check out the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar and you will find the following observation: “So often, either consciously or unconsciously, we want something from others, especially when we have done something for them — ‘I cleaned the bathroom, she should clean the kitchen.’ Or ‘I took the meeting last week, she should offer this week.’ It’s almost as though we keep score of our own good deeds rather than remembering that giving is its own reward.”

SUPERVISOR CANDIDATE SPEAKING:
 On Thursday, July 26, the United Democrats will meet at Denny’s restaurant, 99 Fair Lane, Placerville, at noon. The speaker will be Brian Veerkamp, candidate for Supervisor, District 3. The Kennedy Roosevelt Dinner and the “Homeless Haven” will also be discussed. The public is invited.

FUNDRAISER ART SHOW AND CONCERT:
 On Aug. 4, you have the opportunity to enjoy a concert and art show that will benefit the New Morning Youth and Family Services Emergency Youth Shelter. This fun event begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. at the Lakehills Covenant Church, 7000 Rossmore Lane, El Dorado Hills. This concert will feature the band “Late for Dinner.” Food and refreshments will be available. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. You can pick up tickets at the New Morning office, 6765 Green Valley Rd., Suite F, Placerville, or at the Welcome Center, located in the Town Center, El Dorado Hills, or call 530-622-5551, Ext. 110.

ELIMINATE PUFFY EYES:
 Review the “Who Knew?” calendar, and you discover the following advice: “If you often wake up with puffy eyes, there’s an easy remedy. Drink a glass of water before you go to bed, and make sure your head is elevated while you sleep. This will make sure you’re not retaining fluid in the area.”

FABULOUS 50′s FUN:
 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.

OBVIOUS EVEN TO THE CASUAL OBSERVER: Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “News Flash:” “With the exception of victimless crimes (which need not concern us here), every single crime committed in this nation of ours involves a victim.”

EDHS CLASS OF “87″ REUNION:
 The El Dorado High School Class of 1987 reunion committee has scheduled a reunion party for Friday, Aug. 24. All alumni from EDHS Class of 1987 are invited to attend. Please contact the Reunion Committee at edhs87@gmail.com or facebook.com/#!/groups/eldorado1987/ for immediate information re: tickets and times.

NEW NEEDLE ENERGY:
 The Placerville Gold Country Chapter of the American Sewing Guild is very pleased to welcome new member Judy Reiser. Welcome aboard!

HELP FOR OUR TROOPS:
It’s time to make neck and helmet coolers for our troops in war zones. A workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Building, 130 Placerville Dr. Bring your sewing machine, scissors and other sewing items you may need. Also, volunteers are needed to press, turn, and mark the finished product. Lunch will be available for a $5 donation. Please RSVP to Darlene Chambers at 530-622-0375.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar offers the following conclusion: “At the beginning of (the 20th) century, people never questioned the effectiveness of war; never thought there could be real peace. Now, people are tired of war and see it as ineffective in solving anything.”

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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