Heard over the back fence: Publisher to converse with Republican women

THE WRONG KIND OF MOTIVATION:
 Check out the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar, and you will discover the following thought: “Think of stress and frustration as distractions to your success. Many people assume that stress and success are linked in the same way that glue sticks to paper. People think of their stress as a source of motivation. Thus, they begin to look and behave in very stressful ways. They become short-tempered and poor listeners. They don’t allow adequate time between appointments, therefore assuring the need to scramble and feel rushed. They lose their perspective and wisdom. In short, they sweat the small stuff — big time!”

REPUBLICAN WOMEN UNITE:
 On Oct. 1, Monday, the El Dorado County Republican Women, Placerville, will meet at the Waffle Shop, 1449 Broadway, Placerville. The business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. The speakers of the month will be Richard Esposito, publisher of the Mountain Democrat, and Allison, CFRW advocate, who will discuss all the upcoming propositions on the ballot. Please call 530-676-3788 for reservations.

CANDIDATE MEETING: 
Jack Uppal, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 4th District, will speak on Monday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m., at the Board of Education meeting rooms B1 – B3, 6767 Green Valley Rd., Placerville. Uppal is from Lincoln.

FUNDRAISER DATE CHANGED: The Zach Pickett’s fundraiser scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Cameron Park Community Center has been canceled. Zach’s fundraiser will be continued to March 2013. More details to follow.

GET RID OF WASTE:
A free electronic waste drop-off fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the El Dorado Hills Town Center, 4560 Post St. (in the parking lot). Proceeds will benefit the Back Country Horsemen. This is a free event. For information regarding electronic items they will or will not accept, call 916-358-6179. The Back Country Horsemen build and maintain trails and campgrounds, all on their own time and expense. Funding is needed for tools, safety equipment, training and supplies.

FUNDRAISER FOR PRESCHOOLERS:
A huge rummage sale to benefit Placerville Preschoolers/Kids Kampus is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Mother Lode Lions Clara Scheiber Hall, corner of Missouri Flat Rd. and Pleasant Valley Rd., Diamond Springs. If you would like to donate items, please call 530-626-2570.

SOME NEW ENERGY: 
The Placerville Gold Country Chapter of the American Sewing Guild rolls out the red carpet for new member Kay Muraoka. Welcome aboard!

FINDING THE BEST DEAL:
 The “Who Knew?” calendar notes the following advice: “When considering prices of pre-packaged produce at the supermarket, weigh them first to make sure you’re getting the best deal. We’ve found that bags of things like carrots, apples, and potatoes are often heavier than their package specifies.”

BABY SITTERS CLASS: 
The Marshall Medical Center is presenting a class titled “Super Sitters,” on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The class fee is $50. This class teaches young people, ages 11 to 15, how to be competent and responsible babysitters. For location information and to register, call 530-626-2990.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS INFORMATION:
 Are you ready to deal with a drinking problem? Call 530-622-3500.

CAREGIVING LEGAL ISSUES:
A new, free class titled “Legal and Financial Issues in Caregiving for Older Adults” is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. Learn how to provide the best care for your loved one and how to avoid potential financial and legal problems for yourself. The speaker will be Diana Steel, senior citizen’s attorney. Call 916-358-3575 to reserve your spot.

READY TO QUIT SMOKING?
 The Marshall Medical Center is providing classes titled “Smoking Cessation — Seven-Week Series.” Pre-registration is required. For dates, locale, and to register for this class, call 530-626-2990.

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN: 
Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar presents the following “Disorder in the Court:” “Q. Just what did you do to prevent the accident? A. I closed my eyes and screamed as loud as I could.”

GET OUT YOUR PAINT BRUSH:
A class titled “Watercolors” will be presented on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The class fee is $30. Annie Adams is the instructor. Preregistration is required. Call 916-358-3575 to register. Supply list available upon registration. The class emphasis will be on fine art painting with the freedom and spontaneity of flowing pigments.

DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER?
 If you enjoy singing, you may want to join the Men’s Barbershop Harmony group. Every Tuesday, 7 p.m., at the Placerville First Christian Church, 2687 Andler Rd. (off Cold Springs Rd.). If you like to sing, or if you need entertainment, call 530-622-5888 or 530-647-0727.

AARP MATURE DRIVER CLASS II:
 The AARP Mature Driver Class for seniors is scheduled for Tuesdays, Oct. 16 and 23, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. The instructor is Ralph Hern. No testing is required. A certificate of completion is issued to students who attend all 8 hours (both days). To register or for more information, call 916-358-3575.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar has the following message for young people: “Young people, you are the people who belong to the 21st century. You should think how to bring this century into a more peaceful century, a more compassionate century.”

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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