Heard over the back fence: Low-cost flu shots available

EXPERIENCE DOES MATTER: 
Delightful Clara Neilsen provided the following statement from the book “Live and Learn and Pass It On:” “I’ve learned that couples without children always know just how you should raise yours. — Age 29.

LOW COST FLU SHOTS:
A low cost flu clinic will be held at the Mother Lode Lions Clara Scheiber Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Rd., Diamonds Springs, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The flu shot cost is $10. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay. Parents should bring their child’s shot record. For more information call 530-621-6100. 

A DAY OF DOING GOOD: 
The Gold Country Chapter of the American Sewing Guild invites you to join in “Make a Difference Day” on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when participants will be sewing Christmas stockings and fleece hats. Help is also needed from non-sewers. The event will be at the Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Rd., Jackson. If you plan to sew, bring your sewing machine and supplies. All fabrics will be provided. For more information, call 530-621-0310.

WALK (DANCE) THE LINE:
 Weekly line dancing instruction is available on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. No partner and no experience are necessary. A $2 optional donation to the instructor is appreciated. Smooth-moving Pat Nathan is the instructor. Drop-ins are welcome.

FAIR LANE CONSTRUCTION:
 El Dorado County Transit Authority sent the following press release: “Due to the planned construction closure of Fair Lane in Placerville, morning and evening Reverse Commute Routes 6 and 7 will not serve the Library/Government Center beginning Wednesday, Nov. 7. In addition, the Big Lots bus stop on Fair Lane will be served by request only on the Placerville Route for the duration of the construction.”

DON’T CROSS YOUR EYES: 
Carlyn White provided the following “Your Laugh for Today” pun: “Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?”

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS:
 On Nov. 8, at 5 p.m., the “Best Customer Service Award” will be announced at the annual “Stars Come Out” community awards night at Apple Mountain Golf Resort, 3455 Carson Rd., Camino. This event will raise money for the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Reservations are required. Tickets may be purchased online by PayPal or by sending a check for $15 per person to CEDAPP, PO Box 424, Pollock Pines 95726. For more information, please call Jeanne Harper at 530-613-1332.

CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER:
 The Placerville Rotary Club Casino Night is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the new American Legion Hall, 4561 Greenstone Rd., Placerville. Tickets are $50 each and include first $50 of gaming chips and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are available at Thompson’s Toyota, Sierra Gold Graphics, Steve Stymeist Auto Body and Paint, Mountain Democrat, Terri Prod’hon, CPA, and California Overhead Dolor.

BUSY MINISTER: 
Thumbing through Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar, I located the following “Wholly Holy Blooper:” “Thursday at 5 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers will please meet with the minister in the study.”

FREE COMPUTER LESSONS:
 How about three free lessons on the basics of using a computer? These are one-on-one lessons. Students must have a computer (PC or MAC) for practice. Weekly “homework” is required. Sorry, due to schedule constraints, only one three-week session per senior is allowed. To arrange an appointment, call 916-358-3575.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN’ SPEAKER:
 On Nov. 12 at 11:15 a.m., the El Dorado West Republican Women Federated will meet at Denny’s restaurant, Coach Lane, Cameron Park. The speaker will be Alan Amaro, commander for the Disabled American Veterans of El Dorado County. For more information or to reserve your spot, call 530-676-8380.

MAH JONGG MANIA: 
Mah Jongg, “The Game of Sparrows,” is played on Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The group leader is Margie Yowell. This is a rummy-like tile game. Beginners and drop-ins are always welcome.

NATURE’S HEALING POWERS:
 Mitzi Stockel of Somerset forwarded the following John Muir quote: “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”

GRAND OPENING PARTY!
 Thanks to a very generous donation by Wells Fargo Bank, the Food Bank of El Dorado County has moved its administrative offices to 3291 B Coach Lane, Cameron Park. On Thursday, Nov. 15, there will be a grand opening party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the new location. I plan on being there!

A DALAI DILLY:
 If you examine the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, you will discover the following thought: “To care for our old people — these who have given us our body, our life, and our culture — is a sacred duty of humanity.”

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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