Heard over the back fence: Heroes Night Saturday

DON’T QUESTION THE CHICKENS:
 My friend John Chapman provided the following T-shirt statement: “I dream of a better world where chickens can cross the road without their motives questioned.”

HEROES NIGHT OUT: 
The 15th annual “Heroes Night” is being presented by Boys and Girls Club, El Dorado County, on Jan. 12, at 5 p.m., in the Forni Building, El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door. There will be dinner prepared by the Benevolent Italians and an auction. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, call Barbara Dugger at 530-295-8019. 

“NO KIDDING” STATEMENT: 
The “365 Stupidest Things Ever Said” offers the following statement: “To me, it’s a completely different year once you get to New Year’s Day.”

NEW SIRS LEADERSHIP:
 Sons in Retirement (SIR), branch 113, has installed the following new officers: Russ Salazar, big sir; Don Uelmen, little sir; Bill Reed, secretary; Joe Young, treasurer. The next luncheon/business meeting will be Jan. 10. Social hour is at 11:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon. For more information, call 530-644-1405 or 530-644-3809.

APPRECIATE AGING: 
Mitzi Stockel of Somerset provided the following quotation, author unknown: “Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” 

AVOID THE NURSING HOME: 
The Tuesday, “Coffee, Tea and Friends Series” group continues to meet on the second Tuesday of each month at Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Dr. The Feb. 12 topic will be “Stay Out of the Nursing Home.” Martin Lowe from Cameron Park Physical Therapy will discuss easy exercises that you can do at home to maintain your strength and balance. For more information, call 530-677-2231.

CREATE NEWNESS IN YOUR LIFE:
 Clara Neilsen gave me the book “Live and Learn and Pass It On,” which presents life lessons from people, ages 5 to 95, such as the following observation: “I’ve learned that the secret of growing old gracefully is never to lose your enthusiasm for meeting new people and seeing new places.” Age 75.

BARBARA INGLE APPRECIATED:
 The “Featured Volunteer” for the Georgetown Library is Barbara Ingle, former Georgetown Library manager from 1997 to 2000. Barbara has also been the treasurer at the library and continued to serve as a volunteer until recently when she moved to New West Haven in Cameron Park. Barbara, thank you for your volunteer efforts, and congratulations on being selected as the “Featured Volunteer!”

JUDGE SPEAKS FRANKLY:
 Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar notes the following “Disorder in the Court” statement: “JUDGE: I rarely do so, but for whatever purpose it may serve, I will indicate for the record that I approached this case with a completely open mind.”

CHEROKEE LIFE LESSONS:
 Tomorrow, Jan. 8, I will be speaking about “Cherokee Life Lessons” at the Community Center social room, 2502 Country Club Dr., Cameron Park, at 10 a.m. Stop by and introduce yourself.

RESCUE THE CREATURES:
 The Sierra Wildlife overview class is scheduled for Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon, at SWR’s Wildlife Center, 3030 Newtown Rd., Placerville. Participants will learn how to rehabilitate orphaned or injured wildlife, including rabbits, squirrels, foxes, skunk babies, fawns, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, hawks, owls, and numerous species of songbirds and other birds. Please reserve your spot by calling Barbara Barker at 530-621-2650 or visit bsb@web.com. Classes are free to SWR members. A $5 donation is requested from non-members.

BIPOLAR SUPPORT GROUPS:
 The “Bipolar Insights” support groups continue to meet to help those diagnosed with the bipolar disorder and to help their families understand the issues and adverse effects of the disorder. One group meets on Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Rd., Room 304, Placerville. Another group meets on Sundays at 7 p.m. at 681 Main St., Rooms 207 and 208, Placerville. For more information, call 530-642-0859. A $5 donation for each class is appreciated. Drop-ins are welcome.

KEEP IT QUIET, PLEASE: 
If you check out the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar, you will find the following observation: “A quiet mind is the foundation of inner peace. And inner peace translates into outer peace.”

PLACERVILLE MEMORIES: 
Michael D. Jackson grew up in Placerville during the 1970s and 1980s. He has started a blog that features personal essays about his Placerville experiences and living in a small town. For information, contact Michael D. Jackson, phone: 917-825-4513; email: michaeldj68@gmail.com; http://mainstreetstories.blogspot.com.

A DALAI DILLY:
Reviewing the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, I found the following insight statement: “We are all on this planet together. We are all brothers and sisters with the same physical and mental faculties, the same problems, and the same needs. We must all contribute to the fulfillment of the human potential and the improvement of the quality of life as much as we are able. Mankind is crying out for help. Ours is a desperate time. Those who have something to offer should come forward. Now is the time.”

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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