Heard over the back fence: History days in Coloma

UNCLE FUZZY’S SLOGAN:
 Uncle Fuzzy’s (Richard Mason) mantra is, “I am here to comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comforted.”

RETURN TO THE 1850s: 
”Coloma Gold Rush Live” will take place at Marshall Gold Discovery Historic Park in Coloma from Friday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 14. For three days you can relive the 1850s. Visitors will be treated to authentic tent encampments, live music, trade demonstrations, and a merchant market. There will be gold panning contests for kids and adults and historic reenactments. For more information call 530-622-3470. 

A SPECIAL EVENING OF MUSIC: 
On Saturday, Oct. 13, the Sacramento Valley Sweet Adelines Chorus and the Placerville Gold Rush Chorus will team up for an “Evening of Music” at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive. Tickets are $15. Children 6 and under do not pay. Tickets are available for purchase online at svcandgoldrush.eventbrite.com or by calling 916-420-1662.

AVOID SAND AT THE BEACH:
 Examine the “Who Knew?” calendar, and you will find the following beach advice: “When you’re headed to the beach, make sure to keep your cell phone and other gadgets in plastic freezer bags. Sand can easily get inside electronics and damage them, so the plastic makes the perfect see-through barrier.”

MOVIE ON THE LAWN:
 On Saturday, Oct. 13, the movie “Blithe Spirit” will be shown at 7 p.m. on the lawn of the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane. This movie stars Rex Harrison and Constance Cummings. For more information about the movie, call 530-621-3012. Donations are welcome. Popcorn for sale is 75 cents. This is a rain or shine event. If it rains, we move inside. Bring a lawn chair and blanket.

A LEO WILL WASH YOUR CAR:
 Mother Lode Lions Youth Club “Diamond Back Leos Club” have scheduled a car wash for Sunday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Mother Lode Lions Club parking lot, corner of Pleasant Valley and Missouri Flat roads, Diamond Springs. Proceeds will benefit El Dorado County Animal Shelter.

LIVING WELL SEMINAR: A seminar titled “Living Well, from 18 to 90+” is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Placerville Church of the Nazarene, 6040 Mother Lode Drive. A $5 donation is requested to cover expenses for materials. The seminar pamphlet has the following program description: Presenters will be Ruth E. O’Shea, RN, MN, and John Gaffney, attorney. For more information call 530-622-3217.

COURTROOM DRAMA: 
Our local libraries have a pamphlet available for readers titled, “Legal Thrillers and Courtroom Drama.” This lists books available regarding courtroom drama, including the following titles: “Absolute Power,” “Presumed Innocent,” “The Undertaker’s Widow,” and “In the Shadow of the Law.”

CHECK OUT YOUR ROOTS:
 Brad Schall will be the guest speaker at the Oct. 16 meeting of the Roots and Gold Dust Genealogical Society. The meeting will be at the Family History Center building, 3275 Cedar Ravine, Placerville, at 1 p.m. Brad will provide genealogical information on locating families in the Civil War. Guests are welcome. Refreshments will be served. For more information call Carlyn White at 530-663-0017.

CHRISTMAS PARADE CHANGES:
The 35th annual Hangtown Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2. Check-in time for parade entries is 11 a.m. There are a couple of changes this year for parade entries. The entry fee is an unwrapped new gift for “Toys for Tots” plus a $10 entry fee, payable to the “City of Placerville.” Also, the entry deadline is Nov. 15 or the first 100 applicants, whichever comes first. No late entries will be accepted. Entry forms are available at the Parks and Recreation Department, 549 Main St., Placerville. For more information call 530-642-5232 or 530-626-3849.

ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION DISCUSSION:
 Snowline Hospice is presenting a program titled “Artificial Nutrition and Hydration — at the End of Life.” This program takes place on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m., at the Snowline Hospice Building, 6520 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs. Light refreshments will be served. For more information and to register, call 530-344-4408 or visit jeells@snowlinehospice.org.

CACTUS AND SUCCULENT ADVICE:
 A class titled “Cactus and Succulent Gardening” is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Cameron Park CSD Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive, Cameron Park. The class fee is $36 for Cameron Park residents or $41 for non-residents. Pre-registration is required by calling 530-677-2231.

TEA WITH HISTORY LESSON: 
On Sunday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m., the Placerville Shakespeare Club will present the California State Historical Governor’s Mansion docents in “character” and dressed in period costumes. They will present a “Mansion Memories Program of Vignettes,” introducing 15 families that resided in the mansion. A light tea will be served. There will be door prizes and a silent auction. Doors open at noon. This event will be at the Shakespeare Clubhouse, 2940 Bedord Ave., Placerville. Tickets are $20. To purchase a ticket, call 530-626-8327 or 530-677-8962.

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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