Heard over the back fence: Stanley Kubrick’s Space Odyssey returns

WHAT WOULD LOVE DO? The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar notes the following “love” advice: “Live the day with love” means that your choices and actions stem from your decision to be loving, patient, kind, and gentle. It means you keep things in perspective and try not to take things personally or blow things out of proportion. It means you make allowances for the imperfections of others and of yourself, and that you make an effort to keep your criticisms and judgments from rising to the surface.”

MOVIES ON HE GRASS: The “Filmfare” outdoor movies program is offering the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey,” on Sept. 1 at 7:45 p.m., plus “Bambi Meets Godzilla.” The movies are free, but donations are gladly accepted. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Placerville Main Library, 345 Fair Lane. If it rains, movies will be moved indoors.

CRIBBAGE PLAYERS UNITE: Gold Country Cribbers of El Dorado Hills will begin their cribbage league play in September. If you are interested in joining the league play, contact Carl Backers at 916-947-0190.

SAFE TIME COOKING: The “Who Knew?” calendar offers the following recommendation: “Making cookies? Spritz the beaters with a little vegetable oil or non-stick cooking spray and you won’t have to stop every few seconds to scrape the batter off the beaters and back into the bowl.”

NEW FITNESS CLASS: Beginning Sept. 4, new fitness classes are being offered at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. A “Fit for Life” class is scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. This is a low-impact workout that combines cardio, strength, balance, and some core work. Bring a mat and water. The fee is $50 for a 10-class punch card or $80 for a 20-class punch card. Punch cards may be shared by husband and wife teams. To enroll in class, call 916-358-3575.

BE ON TIME! The El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway, is open during the following hours: Monday 1-5; Tuesday and Wednesday 12 – 7; Thursday and Friday 10 – 5; Saturday 1 – 5; Closed on Sunday.

FUNNY AND WEIRD, TOO: If you are looking for something different to read, our libraries have a pamphlet titled “Funny and Weird.” This pamphlet lists several funny and weird books available, including the following titles: “Letters from a Nut” and “The Stupidest Angel.”

THANK YOU, FRIENDS: Monika and I were honored to be selected as the featured volunteers for the Placerville Main Library in the summer/fall edition of the “Between Friends” newsletter. The article correctly points out that Monika does all the real work while I set out the book-sale signs, make coffee, greet people, and hug our customers. In the newsletter picture of us, Monika looks 30 years younger than I. The picture is accurate.

LUBRICATED LOGIC: Mitzi Stockel of Somerset sent me the following thoughtful message: “Inside myself is a place where I live, and that’s where I renew my springs that never dry up.” — Pearl Buck

NEW NEEDLE ENERGY:  Pine Needles, Gold Country Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, rolls out the red carpet for new member Kay Muraoka. Welcome aboard!

REAL OLD BABY: Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “News Flash:” “Obituary: Verla Diaz died in the home she was born in at the age of 78.”

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC: Family Connections El Dorado is presenting the 14th annual Teddy Bear Picnic on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Rainbow Orchards, 2569 Larsen Dr., Camino. There will be games, entertainment, food, face painting, a bounce house, and a gift basket raffle. The Teddy Bears Parade starts at 1 p.m. All parade participants are encouraged to decorate their bear, wagon or stroller. All access wristbands are $5 for kids only, 2 years and over. There will be meal deals for $5, and parking is free. For more information, call 530-626-5164, Ext. 10.

NEW ELKS ENERGY: Placerville Elks Lodge No. 1712 is very pleased to announce that Bill Dinette, Elaine Wright and Ron Zoghbi are new members. Welcome aboard!

BUD IS THE MAN: Placerville Elks Lodge No. 1712′s RV Club recently sponsored a great dinner honoring Bud Sweet. Bud was honored for his devotion to the Lodge Hoop Shoot program for the past 37 years. Thank you, Bud!

COTTON DOES THE TRICK: The “Who Knew?” calendar offers the following home remedy: “If you’ve ever used a Band-Aid to cover a blister, you know that it isn’t quite enough protection when it gets touched or bumped. Our preferred way to keep a blister safe is with a cotton ball. Just tape it on with a bit of medical tape”

BREAKFAST IMPROVES YOUR MEMORY: The successful Aging Breakfast series continues on the 3rd Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The drop-in fee is $5. While enjoying breakfast, you will learn practical ways to increase memory and how to stay mentally sharp while having fun. Call 916-358-3575 to reserve your breakfast.

A DALAI DILLY: The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar contains the following upbeat thought: “If we lose hope and remain with pessimism, that is the greatest failure. So, in spite of difficulties, remain with optimism.”

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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