Heard over the back fence: Show and shine in Diamond Springs

TAKE LIFE IN STRIDE:
 The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar offers the following sage advice: “Life is a journey. There are going to be ongoing issues to deal with and solve. So many things will occur that are beyond your control and that you disapprove of. This being the case, why not step back for a minute and see the wisdom of taking life in stride? If you do, your life is going to get a whole lot easier.”

JAMMIN’ IN DIAMOND SPRINGS: 
On Sunday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a “Jammin’ Jamboree” featuring cars, motorcycles, trucks and 4-wheelers. Activities will include “Show N’ Shine Event,” parts swap meet, vehicles for sale by owners, a corral, vendors, live music and food and beverage area. This event will be held at the Diamond Center, Diamond Springs, which is locate behind the local Post Office, on the corner of Pleasant Valley Rd. and Fowler Lane. There is a $5 admission charge, which benefits local charities. For more information, call 530-344-7885.

STUBBORN KETCHUP ADVICE:
 The “Who Knew?” calendar offers the following household hint: “Can’t get the ketchup out of a stubborn bottle? Just stick a straw inside. Now when you turn it upside-down, the airflow through the straw will make the ketchup flow right out.”

REPUBLICAN GET-TOGETHER: 
On Monday, Oct. 8, the El Dorado West Republican Women Federated will hold their annual membership meeting and luncheon at 11 a.m. at the Light of the Hills Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., Cameron Park. To reserve your spot, call 530-676-8380.

PREPARING FOR A CAMPAIGN:
 An educational luncheon titled “Is Your Organization Ready for a Capital Campaign?” is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 11, at 11:30 a.m., at the Sequoia, 643 Bee St., Placerville. Ruth Burgess will be the presenter. She has been a professional fundraiser for three decades. Reservations with payment are required by Tuesday, Oct. 9. The cost for this luncheon is $35. For more information, call 530-642-9984.

CONFUSING DIRECTIONS:
 Take a peek at Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar, and you will discover the following “Misdirected Directions:” “This product contains small granules under 3 millimeters. Not suitable for children under that of 14 years in Europe or 8 years in the USA.”

PREVENTING POVERTY AND HUNGER:
 The El Dorado County Crop (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) walk is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 14. Registration starts at 1:30 p.m., and the 3-mile walk is from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants are asked to sign up as a walker and to get sponsors to donate money to support this walk to support Homeless Haven, Inc., and the El Dorado County Food Bank. Also, walk-up registrations on Oct. 14, with a minimum donation of $20, will be accepted. Visit crophungerwalks.org/eldorado/ Click on “donate” or “walk as an individual”. For more information, contact Chuck or JoAnn LePere at 530-676-7181.

HUGE HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE: 
The St. Patrick’s Ladies Society is holding their holiday boutique on Oct. 12, 13 and 14 at the St. Patrick’s Church, Sacramento and Fiske Streets, Placerville. Over 1200 handcrafted items will be for sale. On Friday, Oct. 12, open hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open hours for Saturday, Oct. 13, will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday open hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call chairperson Marilyn Taylor at 530-677-8687.

A VERY BUSY YOUNG LADY:
 Teryn Caruso of El Dorado Hills has been awarded a California Grocers Association Educational Foundation Nugget Markets’ $1,000 scholarship. Teryn will attend Azusa Pacific University this fall and major in biology (pre-dental). Her accomplishments include: 4 years on honor roll, 3.96 GPA; recipient of President Obama’s Volunteer Award; recipient of Prudential’s Top California Volunteer Award; “Bag-Off” Winner – Nugget Market; recipient of the Golden Hammer Award; Mexico Home-Building trip; Kid’s Kamp leader; Organized Charity Teen; Dodgeball tournament to benefit victims of human trafficking.Congratulations, Teryn! We look forward to your bright future. Thank you for your community service.

HEALTHY PREGNANCY: 
Marshall Medical Center will sponsor a class titled “Healthy Pregnancy” on Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m., in Placerville. This is a free class, thanks to a generous grant from the Marshall Foundation. This class is designed for women in their first trimester of pregnancy or planning a pregnancy. Class topics include nutrition, exercise, fetal development, prenatal tests and pre-maturity prevention. For exact location information and to register for this class, call 530-626-2990.

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL:
 On Saturday, Oct. 20, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., there will be a Halloween carnival and pumpkin patch at Cameron Park Lake, 2989 Cambridge Rd., Cameron Park. Put on your costume and enjoy old fashion carnival games with prizes, a pumpkin patch maze, crafts, a costume parade and food; admission is free! For more information, please contact Cameron Park Community Services District at 530-677-2231, or via email at cpcsd@cameronpark.org.

A DALAI DILLY: 
The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar offers the following statement regarding desires: “Desire cannot be fulfilled. Moreover, when you are desiring, desiring, desiring, you face many obstacles, disappointments, unhappiness, and difficulties. Great desire not only knows no end but also itself creates trouble.”

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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