Heard over the back fence: Picnic speaker for history buffs

BE OK WITH BAD HAIR DAY:
 Check out the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar, and you will discover the following hair advice: “Be OK with your bad hair day. Obviously, a bad hair day isn’t usually just about hair, but about the way we look and feel in general. However, having a sense of humor about it has the effect of calming you down and helping you to relax. If you can lighten up a little, usually that will take the edge off your frustration. This, in turn, will make your bad hair day a little easier to tolerate.”

HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S ANNUAL PICNIC:
 The El Dorado County Historical Society will have its annual picnic on July 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the El Dorado County Fairground’s Wine Garden, 100 Placerville Dr. Mike Lynch, state parks superintendent, will speak about the history of the Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge, aka the “No Hands” Bridge. Please RSVP to Mary Cory at 530-621-5828 or visit mary.cory@edcgov.us by July 9. Members and the public are invited. Please bring a dish (4 to 8 servings) to share.

“AFTER 5″ CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 
The “After Five Club” is a free support group for those providing care to individuals with Alzheimer’s, a related dementia or other chronic health condition. This group will meet on Wednesday, July 11, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Senior Day Care Center, 935A Spring St., Placerville. For more information, call 530-621-6180.

COFFEE GROUNDS FOR PLANTS:
 Breeze through the “Who Knew?” calendar, and the following garden advice will appear: “Coffee grounds are a great fertilizer for plants that need a lot of nitrogen, like carrots and tomatoes. But even if you’re not a coffee drinker, you can get them for free! Many Starbucks give away used grounds as part of their “Grounds for You Garden” program. Just ask at your local Starbucks.”

FREE VACCINES:
 Our El Dorado County Health Department is offering free (donations are accepted) vaccines for babies, children and teens. Walk-ins are welcome, and clinics begin on July 12 at the following locations:
 Georgetown Community Center, 6329 Lower Main St., Georgetown: third Wednesday of each month, noon-2 p.m.
Grizzly Flat Community Church, 5061 Sciaroni Rd., Grizzly Flat: fourth Wednesday of each month, 2-4 p.m.
You must bring shot record with you. Some adult vaccines are available. For information, call 530-621-6100 or visit edcgov.us/PublicHealth.

HEALTHY COOKING WORKSHOP:
A “Weeknight Gourmet Cooking Workshop” will include dill spinach dip, stuffed baby bliss potatoes, arugula, micro greens and berry salad, crispy chicken scallopini with herb sauce, and roasted citrus-asparagus. This unique class is scheduled for Sunday, July 22, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The class fee is $35, plus a $10 supply fee. The instructor is Suzanne Griffin, certified natural chef. You must register by July 13. Call 916-358-3575 to register. 

PONDEROSA HIGH SCHOOL 40TH REUNION:
 The Ponderosa High School Class of 1972 (40 year) reunion will be held on Saturday, July 28, at 4 p.m., at the Shingle Springs Community Center, 4440 South Shingle Rd., Shingle Springs. Beverages are BYOB. Tri-Tip or chicken dinner begins at 4 p.m. Admission price is $25 per person until July 27. At the door tickets are $30. For more information, call Colleen Fitzpatrick at 916-333-4547. To purchase tickets, make check payable to “PHS 72 Reunion” and mail to Aimee Vukovich, PO Box 632, Placerville 95667. Also, let Aimee know your name used in high school and your phone number.

TURN YOUR TUMMY SPEAKER:
 Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “Wholly Holy Blooper:” “Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.”

HONOR STUDENT GRADUATES:
 Kathryn Mulligan of El Dorado Hills recently graduated from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Kathryn, we salute your excellent grades and your graduation! We wish good fortune for your bright future.

COLLEGE DRAWBACKS: 
John Chapman provided the following T-shirt statement: “College prepared me for life, but ruined my liver, credit and reputation.”

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING:
 The Breast Cancer Support Group (AKA Hooters) will meet on Monday, July 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Health Library, 681 Main St., Ste. 103, Placerville. This group is designed for newly diagnosed ladies to ladies that are years post op. Experiences, information, emotional support and laughter are shared at the meetings. For more information, call “Charlie” Hall at 530-644-3963 or Fay Alexander at 530-620-3436.

GARDEN ITEMS NEEDED:
 The Mother Teresa Maternity Home is creating a garden at its facility. Briana Farrell, who is working on her Silver Award for Girl Scouts has been a big help. The following garden wish list notes items needed to be donated: Plants for their additional boxes (eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, melons and herbs), fertilizer, tomato cages, Home Depot gift card, flowers, lettuce seeds, hand shovel, and lattice for climbing plants. All donations will be very much appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the home, 3122 Sacramento St., Placerville.

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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