Heard over the back fence: Toys for Tots time again

CLOCKS HAVE APPETITES:
 Carlyn White forwarded the following “Your Laugh for Today” pun: “What does a clock do when it’s hungry? It goes back for seconds.”

TOYS FOR TOTS TIME: 
Sometime in the next few weeks, the Toys for Tots barrels will be appearing at several locations. Bring an unwrapped new toy to your nearest barrel and make a needy child very happy. The El Dorado Hills Fire Dept. and the Marine Corp. members are moving into third gear. Chris Landry and Sue Henderson need a whole bunch of volunteers for the Toys for Tots effort. If you would like to help, call Sue Henderson at 530-344-9384 or visit edct4t@gmail.com.

DEMOCRATS GET TOGETHER:
 On Thursday, Oct. 25, the United Democrats of El Dorado County will meet at Denny’s restaurant, 99 Fair Lane, Placerville, for lunch and a discussion of the propositions and measures on the Nov. 6 ballot. For more information, call 530-295-1922.

BEING KIND IS SMART:
 The “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar presents the following observation: “Offering sincere compliments is a gesture of loving kindness. It means that your thoughts are geared toward what’s right with someone. And when your thoughts are geared in a positive direction, your feelings are peaceful.”

ROTARY REACHES OUT:
I noticed that Cameron Park Rotary is again distributing dictionaries to third grade students. The feedback I have is that the kids appreciate the dictionaries; and they used them immediately. Thank you, Rotarians.

HUGE CRAFT SHOW:
 The 19th annual “Golden Goose” craft show will take place on Friday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Placerville Shakespeare Club, 2940 Bedord Ave., Placerville. Sorry, they will not be able to accept debit or credit cards.

LET’S HELP HOSPICE:
 Snowline Hospice thrift stores need some volunteers to work weekly, as well as temporary volunteers to help with the upcoming “Holiday Spectacular.” If you would like to volunteer, stop by one of the thrift stores or call 530-344-4416.

PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES:
 Vivian Figueira, founder of the SPEAR program (Suicide Prevention Education Action Resources), informs us that a new trainer, who has a background in acting and modeling school, will be conducting performing art classes for SPEAR. The classes are free and will begin Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the Cameron Park Village community room, 3433 Palmer Dr., Cameron Park. New students, ages 10 to 17, are currently being recruited. For more information, call 530-676-2119 or 510-793-8602. 

GENEROUS CHURCH MEMBERS:
 Recently, 10 volunteers from the Bayside Church visited the Pleasant Valley Grange with their work tools. They refloored the Grange stage and painted the Grange walls. Thank you, volunteers!

WHO WOULDN’T?  Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “Medical-Speak:” “The patient refused an autopsy.”

FOOD BANK NEEDS VOLUNTEERS:
 Volunteers are needed at the Food Bank of El Dorado County. Volunteers are needed to assist Food Bank drivers, one day a week in the Food Rescue Program, 6 to 10 a.m. You must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Volunteers are also needed to work in the office for receiving phone calls, data entry, research, filing or preparing holiday mailings. If you would like to help, call 530-621-9950 or visit staceyn@foodbankedc.org.

LOCAL HISTORY BOOKS:
 The Fountain & Tallman Museum, 524 Main St., Placerville, and the El Dorado County Museum, 104 Placerville Dr., have the following books for sale: “Placerville Reflections” by Elizabeth Fairchild and Jon McCabe, and “A Glittering Pot of Gold” by Lisa Butler, with sketches by Carol Sexton. Sales proceeds will benefit the El Dorado County Historical Society.

CHRISTMAS PARADE CHANGES:
 The 35th annual Hangtown Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2. Check-in time for parade entries is 11 a.m. There are a couple of changes this year for parade entries. The entry fee is an unwrapped new gift for “Toys for Tots” plus a $10 entry fee, payable to the “City of Placerville.” Also, the entry deadline is Nov. 15 or first 100 applicants, whichever comes first. No late entries will be accepted. Entry forms are available at the Parks and Recreation Department, 549 Main St., Placerville. For more information, call 530-642-5232 or 530-626-3849.

TOPS SUPPORT GROUP: 
The “Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) group is now taking new members for their support group. Call 530-306-9021 for more information.

NEW ROCK HOUND ENERGY:
The El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society is very pleased to welcome new members Michael Graham and Warren Harrell. Go, Rock Hounds!

A DALAI DILLY: 
If you review the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, you will discover the following thought: “Wise people serve others sincerely, putting the needs of others above their own.”

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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