Heard over the back fence: Sierra Wildlife wingding Saturday

AVOID THE 90-10 TRAP:
 The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar presents the following advice: “Avoid the “90-10″ trap. The 90-10 trap is that most of us tend to focus our attention, thinking, and conversations on the worst 10 percent of our lives. The 90 stand for 90 percent of what happens during our day, which is usually pretty good, and the 10 stands for the remaining 10 percent, which is usually problematic and filled with hassle.”

SIERRA WILDLIFE RESCUE FUNDRAISER:
 Sierra Wildlife Rescue group has scheduled their fundraiser “Wild About Nature” for Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marshall Gold Discovery Park, North Beach area, in Coloma. There will be featured attractions for all ages, especially young people. There will be basic wildlife drawing and photography (bring your camera), planting and making treats to attract birds and butterflies to your yard. Also, wildlife crafts and Native American wildlife legend storytelling will be available. The grand raffle prize is four tickets to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, plus $200 spending money. Event tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults. Contact 530-333-1692 for event and raffle tickets, and go to sierrawildliferescue.org.

PARTNERS IN CARE FUNDRAISER: 
The Partners in Care group is presenting “A Night at the Theater” and benefit auction on Friday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m., at the Placerville Shakespeare Club, 2940 Bedord Ave., Placerville. There will be a “Memorable Musical” by Partners in Song, complimentary appetizers and a glass of wine, a no-host wine bar, and a silent auction. Tickets in advance are $35. At-the-door tickets are $40. For advance tickets, mail a check to Partners in Care, PO Box 845, Placerville 95667. For more information, call 530-344-0700.

PERFECT EGGS:
 The “Who Knew?” calendar offers the following household hint: “For perfectly peeled hard-boiled eggs, crack the eggs slightly on your counter, then place them in a bowl of cool water. The water will seep in and loosen the egg from its shell, making sure you don’t accidentally take out half the white when you’re trying to peel it.”

PREPARING FOR THE LITTLE ONE: 
Marshall Medical Center is sponsoring a class titled “Childbirth Education: Six-Week Series.” The class starts on Tuesday, Oct. 2 and ends after five weeks, on Nov. 6. The class meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in Placerville. The class fee is $70. First 5 El Dorado offers scholarships to help pay class tuition. This class provides information on labor, delivery and postpartum. Class topics include relaxation and breathing techniques, cesarean birth, medical interventions, pain relief options and the role of the birth partner. For exact location information and to register, call 530-626-2990.

UKULELE FUN:
A beginners class titled “Let’s Uke” is scheduled on Mondays, Oct. 8 through Oct. 29, from 1 to 1:45 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The class fee is $36. Lew Johnson is the instructor. No ukulele experience is necessary. Bring your “uke” if you have one. You can pick up an information sheet on purchasing a uke (about $30) and the book for the class (about $10) at the Senior Center. To register for this class, call 916-358-3575.

COOK LIKE A CUBAN: 
”Cocina Cubana! A Cuban Cooking Experience” is a new class. This class is offered on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. Registration deadline is Oct. 5. To register, call 916-358-3575. Foods from the western areas of Cuba are not spicy hot and are flavor-filled and savory. Participants will enjoy a complete meal at the end of the class. Nora Kothoff is the instructor. A $15 supply fee is required to hold your spot.

COURT CONFUSION:
 If you scrutinize Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar, you will find the following “Disorder in the Court” statement: “Q. Are you qualified to give a urine sample? A. Yes. I have been since early childhood.”

“RAZZLE DAZZLE FASHION SHOW:” 
It’s time for the Newcomers’ Club’s annual fashion show and luncheon. This fun event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Cold Springs Country Club, 6500 Clubhouse Drive, Placerville. Social hour and silent auction starts at 11 a.m., followed by a delicious lunch and fashions modeled by club members. There will also be comedy entertainment by Rudy Chablis. Tickets for this delightful benefit are $25 and are available by calling Mary Lou Rock at 530-642-8412 or Shirley Riley at 530-626-1872. I have the distinct privilege of being the escort for these lovely models.

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.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar offers the following advice: “Some Westerners follow Tibetan Buddhism and adopt the dress. This is too extreme. The important thing is to take the spiritual aspects and not the cultural side.”

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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