Heard over the back fence: Parade, pancakes and a movie this weekend

DON’T BE A PAIN: 
Clara Neilsen provided the following quote from the book “Live and Learn and Pass It On”: “I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be a pain.” – Age 82.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST TIME!
 Tomorrow, Dec. 1, the Cameron Park Fire Department’s pancake breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park CSD, 2502 Country Club Dr., Cameron Park. Tickets are $5 per person. Breakfast includes pancakes, bacon, eggs, orange juice and coffee. For more information, call 530-677-2231.

BRAVE OBSERVATION:
 Tomorrow, at 2 p.m., you can enjoy a free showing of the Disney Pixar animated film “Brave,” at the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane. For more information, call 530-621-5540.

UNIQUE PARADE FLOAT:
 The Placerville Christmas Parade is scheduled for Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. El Dorado County Donate Life Ambassadors will have a float in the parade. They are inviting individuals and families who have a personal connection to organ and tissue donations to join them in the parade. If you would like to be a part of this float, call Deanna Santana at 916-678-6016 or visit dsantanna@dcids.org.

SAVE ON PARKING EXPENSE: 
The “Who Knew?” calendar offers the following recommendation: “Traveling for the upcoming holiday? Find out where the cheapest place to park is at your nearby airport by visiting BestParking.com. Find out about lots close to the airport that aren’t run by the airport itself — and are often half the price.”

BREAKFAST WITH THE BOSS:
A group called “Emerging Professions — Breakfast with the Boss” meets monthly for Breakfast with the Boss. The next meeting is Dec. 4, from 8 to 9 a.m., at Denny’s Restaurant, 3446 Coach Lane, Cameron Park. The guest speaker will be Richard Esposito, publisher of the Mountain Democrat. Admission is free for the meeting. However, members are encouraged to order their own breakfast. To register for this session, call Courtney Jackson at 530-621-5885.

BE NICE DAILY: 
The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar suggests the following good advice: “Every day, tell at least one person something you like, admire, or appreciate about them.”

SONGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: 
On Tuesday, Dec. 4, the Sensational Singing Seniors will present “A Holiday Happening!” to celebrate winter and the true gifts of the season. The fun starts at 1 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. These seniors know how to sing! For more information, call 916-358-3575. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served.

GIFTS FOR THE KIDS: 
Community gift trees are available through Dec. 10 at the following locations: El Dorado Hills Library, El Dorado Hills Raley’s, Cameron Park Library, Cameron Park Bel Air, Placerville Library, Placerville Missouri Flat Save-Mart, Placerville Main St. Court House, and Placerville K-Mart. Your gift will provide children from low-income families with gifts for the holidays. At the tree sites, you can choose a child or children’s names. Gift drop-off options are available by calling 530-676-0707, or 530-626-5164, ext. 10, or 530-295-2305.

MOSTLY MENTALLY ALERT: 
Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “Medical Speak:” “Healthy-appearing, decrepit 69-year-old white female, mentally alert but forgetful.”

TOYS FOR TOTS TIME! 
”Toy Dude” Hollis and “Princess Toy Lady” Sue Henderson and Chris (short for Christmas) Landy are looking for needy children to receive toys for Christmas. If you know of a needy family, call 530-344-9384.

RAIN CANCELS NATIVITY SCENE: The Road to Bethlehem drive-through at the Pollock Pines Community Church scheduled for this weekend has been canceled due to rain, snow and stormy weather. 

WRITERS UNITE: 
Are you looking for a writers’ group where you can share your writing, hone your skills and encourage each other? The “Writers Bloc” group meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane, from 1 to 3 p.m. Adults and teenagers are welcome. Bring your own writing paraphernalia.

“AGELESS JOY” CLASS:
I will present a class titled, “Ageless Joy Is Possible,” on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. I will offer advice to help you create a more optimistic daily life for yourself. Refreshments will be served. Space is limited. Call 916-358-3575 to reserve your spot.

SEARCH AND RESCUED FUNDRAISER: 
For those who enjoy planning ahead, the 28th annual crab feed for the Search and Rescue Council is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at the Main Hall, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Placerville. Tickets are $40 through Dec. 31 or $45 after Dec. 31. Tickets are available at the following locations: Raley’s, Placerville, and Bel Air, Cameron Park; or call Neldine at 530-677-6383 (7 a.m. – 8 p.m.) or Shirley at 530-622-3794.

OLDER THAN THE HILLS:
 Mitzi Stockel of Placerville forwarded the following observation: “I was taught to respect my elders. It’s just getting harder to find them.”

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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