Heard over the back fence: Try a blind date with a book

BLUE BIRD ADVICE:
 Thanks to John Chapman, we present the following “Advice from a Blue Bird” T-shirt statement: “Rise early * Spread a little happiness * Keep a song in your heart * Think spring * Be colorful * Feather your nest with friendships * The sky’s the limit!”

HOW ABOUT A BLIND DATE?
 The Placerville Library, 345 Fair Lane, is hosting “blind dates” during Feb. The “Blind Date with a Book Program” is offering patrons a chance to branch out from their normal reading habits and enjoy books they would not normally check out. Adults and teenagers pick from potential “blind dates” books. Report back on their “date” by filling out a review form, which will be entered in a raffle prize drawing. For more information, visit the Library Programs and Events calendar on the library’s website eldoradolibrary.org or contact the Library at 530-621-5540.

VERY LOGICAL CHILD:
 Carlyn White sent me the following “Children Are Quick” statement: “TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell ‘crocodile?’ GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L. TEACHER: No, that’s wrong. GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it. (I Love this child).”

GUARDIAN WORKSHOP:
A workshop to provide help and answers regarding guardianship paperwork is scheduled for the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on the 4th Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both workshops will be at Lilliput Children’s Services, 1190 Suncast Lane, Ste. 2, El Dorado Hills. These workshops are free. Please do not bring children. Childcare is not provided. Please RSVP by calling Colleen Cadaret at 916-939-1340 or 916-941-8799.

REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILL:
 The “Kill-A-Watt” program is an opportunity to conserve energy, cut costs and go “green.” An informational meeting regarding this program is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9, at 1 p.m., at the El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway. Also, on Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m., there will be a meeting at the Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Dr. For more information on these free public presentations, visit the Library Programs and Events calendar on the library’s website eldoradolibrary.org or contact the Library at 530-621-5540.

EXECUTIVE CHEF PROMOTION:
A little bird told me that E.J. Hodgkinson has been promoted to executive chef at the Woodfire Grill in Atlanta, Ga.. E.J. formerly worked at our local Tomei’s Restaurant. Congratulations, E.J.!

COFFEE BREAK QUESTION:
I consider doughnuts to be a wonder drug. How do I obtain certification of this belief?

COFFEE, TEA AND GAMES: 
Senior Games Day occurs on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Dr. Games, such as Mexican Train, Hand and Foot, Bingo, Yahtzee, Pinochle, and Rummy Kube are played. All senior drop-ins are welcome.

LET’S SUPPORT OUR VETERANS:
 On Friday, Feb. 22, VFW Ladies Auxiliary 2680 is hosting a fundraiser spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. The price for dinner is $8 per person and includes soft drinks and dessert. Drive on out to the Veterans Memorial Building, 130 Placerville Drive, and socialize with our veterans. 

CAMERA PRINT COMPETITION: 
The El Dorado Camera Club offers two types of print competitions, and one is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. For more details and the rules for these competitions can be found on the Website eldoradocameraclub.com and the email for the club is EDCC.newsletter@gmail.com.

LOGIC FROM A CHILD:
 Carlyn White sent the following “Children Are Quick” computer entry: “Teacher: Why are you late? Student: Class started before I got here.”

DRIVER SAFETY COURSE:
AARP Driver Safety Courses are being offered. Participants must attend both days of the course to receive a certificate of completion. The class fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Improve your driving skills and possibly save money on your vehicle insurance rates. The next session will be on Saturdays, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — both days — at the Placerville Senior Center. To reserve your spot, call Star Walker at 530-621-6255.

SOBER NIGHT FUNDRAISER:
 If you have dinner at Thai Basil Restaurant, located in Burke’s Junction at 3300 Coach Lane, Cameron Park, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, between 4:30 and 8 p.m., a portion of the proceeds goes directly to support the Ponderosa High School Sober Grad Night. Tell your server you are there to support this fundraiser. Both dine-in and take-out apply. Thank you for supporting this important fundraiser.

A DALAI DILLY: 
After glancing at the new “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar, I discovered the following “food for thought:” “Nowadays the world is becoming increasingly materialistic, and mankind is reaching toward the very zenith of eternal progress, driven by an insatiable desire for power and vast possessions;. Yet by this vain striving for perfection in a world where everything is relative, they wander even further away from inward peace and happiness of the mind.”

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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