Heard over the back fence: Rotary shindig at Rainbow Orchards Wednesday

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF:
 If you read the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar, you will find the following advice: “Scheduling a little time each day as if it were an actual appointment is the only way to ensure that you will take some time to work on yourself. How you choose to use the time — reading, praying, meditation, yoga, exercise — is up to you. The important thing is that you do schedule the time and that you stick to it.”

FUN IN THE WOODS:
 The sixth annual “Evening in the Orchards” is scheduled for Sept. 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Rainbow Orchards, 2569 Larsen Dr., Camino. Tickets are $40 per person and include dinner, music, prizes and raffles. Proceeds will benefit Rotary projects, such as third grade dictionaries and mini-grants. Tickets available at: Rainbow Orchards, Pollock Pines-Camino Rotarians, Pollock Pines Umpqua Bank & Tax Related Services, ShipShapeUSA-gift boutique, pollockpines-caminorotary.org.

FUNDRAISER FOR ZACHARY:
 A Zachary Pickett fundraiser is scheduled for Sept. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Dr. You can “Like” Zach’s fundraising page at facebook.com/Zach-PickettFundraiser. Zach recently suffered a serious spinal injury when he dove into Cameron Park Lake and struck an unseen sandbar.

REMOVING GUM ADVICE:
 The Nov. 1st advice in the “Who Knew?” calendar reads as follows: “Need to get gum out of fabric or upholstery? We’ve got a solution for you. Beat an egg white, rub or brush into the gum and let sit for up to a half an hour, then wipe off. The egg white breaks down the gum and makes it easy to remove.”

ART CLUB FOR SENIORS: 
Seniors 55 and older meet, to enjoy painting, on the fourth Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center at Mother Lode Lions Club, Missouri Flat Rd., Diamond Springs. Also, painting classes are offered there every Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PROM NIGHT GENEROSITY:
 Soroptimist International of Placerville sponsors an annual “Prom Boutique” to help young high school women who cannot afford to attend prom night. If you have new or gently used gowns and accessories, you can drop them off at River City Bank, 348 Main St., Placerville. To have dresses picked up or for more information, call 530-919-4612. How about recycling earrings, hand bags, wraps and shoes to match? Gift certificates from local salons, nail salons and shoe stores are gladly accepted.

ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST:
 Elks Lodge 1712, Placerville, is sponsoring a fundraiser breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 8 to 11 a.m., at the Elks Lodge, 3821 Quest Court, Shingle Springs. Breakfast includes pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, and eggs, plus coffee and juice. Adults pay $7.50. Children (over 3 years) pay 1/2 price. Children 3 and under are admitted free. Sweet potato pancakes will be featured.

ART AND WINE TASTING EVENT:
A local art and wine tasting event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Lakehills Covenant Church, 7000 Rossmore Lane, El Dorado Hills. Tickets are $20 per person. There will be a raffle, wine tasting, desserts, live music, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the homeless and homeless programs in our county. You can use PayPal and purchase tickets on line or through Facebook at facebook.com/pages/Community-Resource-Center/10971871574935.

HERE COMES THE STORK:
 Thanks to the Marshall Medical Center, a class titled “Baby Basics” will be offered on Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. The class fee is $25. This class will review basic newborn care for the first few weeks of life. Class topics will include newborn characteristics, physical and emotional needs of the baby, plus health and safety skills. For location information and to register, call 530-626-2990.

CONFUSING ADVERTISEMENT: 
Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “advertisement:” “Semi-Annual After Christmas Sale.”

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
 In October, there will be interviews for the last class of 2012 Auxiliary volunteers. Many volunteers are needed for the new wing of the hospital. For more information, call 530-622-4422.

SAVE THE DATE!
 For those of us who like to plan ahead, the 10th annual “Celebration of Life” dinner for the Mother Teresa Maternity Home is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2013. The fundraiser committee is seeking vacation homes, condos, time shares and other items to include in the live auction. If you are able to assist the committee in obtaining items for both the silent and live auctions, please contact Norm Rogoway, event chair, at normr7432@sbcglobal.net.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar notes the following idea: “No amount of wealth can buy an extension on life, and no matter how much money we have accumulated and have in the bank, even if we are millionaires, on the day of our death none of it can help; we have to leave it all. In this respect, the death of a millionaire and the death of a wild animal are alike.”

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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