Heard over the back fence: Super pups on show Friday

ALIBI FOR CHAOS:
 John Chapman provided the following T-shirt statement: “Organized people are just too lazy to look for things.”

EXCEPTIONAL DOGS APPEARANCE:
 On Friday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m., Canine Companions for Independence representative Kathy Zastrow will be at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. She will provide information regarding the Canine Companions for Independence program. You will also have an opportunity to meet some local pups! Call 916-358-3575 to reserve your spot.

TOYS FOR TOTS MOTORCYCLE RUN:
A “Toys for Tots” motorcycle run is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 9 a.m. at the El Dorado County Veterans Memorial Building, next to the fairgrounds, Placerville Drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy per person, or a $10 cash donation; and we thank you.

UTILIZING STUFFED ANIMALS:
 Open the “Who Knew?” calendar, and you will see the following household hint: “Do your kids have lots of stuffed animals? This winter, put those they play with less to good use: Line them up in front of their bedroom windows to prevent drafts from coming in underneath.”

NEW ENERGY HAS ARRIVED!
 Placerville Elks Lodge is very pleased to welcome the following new members: Brad Williams, John Quarema, Gary Brockett, Raymond Lopez, and Kent Meacham. Welcome aboard to this very busy club!

WAKAMATSU TOUR SCHEDULED:
 The Wakamatsu historic tour is scheduled for Nov. 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. Adults pay $10. Children, ages 12 to 18, pay $5. Contact ARC at 530-621-1224 to sign up and for meeting place information, or visit julie@arcconservancy.org.

ALWAYS BE LOGICAL: 
Clara Neilsen provided the following thought from the book “Live and Learn and Pass It On.” Life lessons are listed in this book by people ages 5 to 95, including the following lesson: “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t have a $1,000 meeting for a $100 problem.”

HOME SCHOOL SUCCESS STORY: 
Former home school student Matthew Swift of Pollock Pines recently graduated summa cum laude from the Honors Program at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He was recognized as the “Outstanding Student” in a program for high-achieving business students. Currently, Matthew is a full-time student at the University of Chicago Law School. Congratulations, Matthew! Your future looks very bright. We wish you continued success.

FREE BINGO: 
On Sunday, Nov. 18, the doors open at 2 p.m. to play bingo at the Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center, 2675 Sanders Dr., Pollock Pines. Stop by and create some new friendships.

FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER:
 Once again, a free community Thanksgiving dinner will be available on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, from 1 to 3 p.,m., at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sacramento and Fiske St., Placerville. Everyone is welcome. If you are homebound, call 530-642-8183 for a free meal delivery.

GRAB THE BULL: 
Check out Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar, and you will find the following “Mixed-up Metaphor:” “Let’s bite the bull by the horns.”

COMPUTER COURSE FOR SENIORS:
A computer course titled “Selling on E bay” is available on Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. The class fee is $5. In this class you will be taught how to sell items on E bay. You must pre-register in person by contacting Amanda at the front desk of the Placerville Senior Center.

CHURCH HOLLY FAIR:
A Holly Fair will be offered at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 2979 Coloma St., Placerville, on Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baked goods, jams, jellies, and hand-crafted items will be for sale. You may also purchase a lunch, which includes lasagna, tossed green salad, french bread, dessert and beverage. Lunch cost is $7.50. Children under 12 years old pay $1.50. Tickets are available at the door. For more information, call 530-622-2191.

MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING: 
Clara Neilsen gave me the book “Live and Learn and Pass It On.” People, ages 5 to 95, offer life lessons, such as the following: “I’ve learned that money is a lousy means of keeping score.” — Age 71.

DEFINITIONS FOR THE KIDS:
 The Rotary Club of Cameron Park recently distributed free dictionaries to 427 third graders. Rotarians Steve Long, Tom Keating ad PDG Bob Clarke were singled out for kudos related to this project. Thank you, Rotarians!

CLASS CANCELED:
 The class titled “Diabetes Education: Healthy Living Class No. 2, Carbohydrates, Food and You,” scheduled for Dec. 13, has been canceled.

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar has the following recommendation: “‘End the day with love’ means that you take a moment at the close of your day to reflect and be grateful. Perhaps you say a prayer or do a quiet meditation. You might look back on your day and review how closely your goal of living with love matched up with your actions and choices. You do this not to keep score, or to be hard on yourself, but simply to experience the peace associated with loving intent and to see areas where you might act even more loving tomorrow.”

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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