Heard over the back fence: Try meatball putting

QUESTIONABLE DONOR: John Chapman gave me the following T-shirt statement: “Opinion Donor.” I would have to determine if this person had a “doomsday” or positive outlook on life before I asked for his opinion. Doomsday people are not my cup of tea.

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CIAO AND CHOW: The 2011 El Dorado Italian Festival is scheduled for July 23 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Placerville, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. This festival will feature beer, wine, live music, bocce ball, family fun, meatball putting, spaghetti eating contest, kids’ rides, Italian cars, and grape stomping. Tickets are $7 for anyone over the age of 12. Children
7 years old to 12 years old pay $5. Kids 6 and under are admitted free. There will be a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin tribute by the Dean-O-holics.

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CENTURY CLUB’S YARD SALE: We just received information that the Century Club of Placerville will hold its annual neighborhood yard sale on Saturday, July 9, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the historical Nick Fox House, 2780 Coloma St., Placerville. For more information, call Sharlene McCaslin at 530-622-1043 or call 916-804-4435.

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SPEAK FROM YOUR HEART: An eight-week series of workshops, titled “Communicating from Your Heart” is being presented on Mondays, from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning July 18, at the Center for Violence Free Relationships, 344 Placerville Dr., Suite 11, Placerville. Workshop topics include breaking patterns of thinking that lead to arguments and depression, defusing anger and frustration, peacefully dealing with difficult people, and much more. To sign up for workshops or for more information, call Eddie Zacapa at 530-295-4210 or 916-939-4464 or visit EddieZ@thecenternow.org.

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ELECTRIFYING SPEECH: Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar included the following “Wrong Word:” “In the United States, people are put to death by elocution.”

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CREATE A COTTAGE GARDEN: UCCE/El Dorado County Master Gardeners are conducting a free class titled “Cottage Gardening” on Saturday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 130 Placerville Drive, Placerville. Master Gardener Eve Keeneer will discuss the art of mixing fruit, vegetables, herbs and perennial and annual flowers in this informal garden style. Occasionally locations are changed. To verify location, call 530-621-5512, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon

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DON’T WORRY; BE HAPPY: The Zen calendar offers the following quote from Christopher Isherwood: “There is no security in your mansions or your fortresses, your family vaults or your banks or your double beds. Understand this fact, and you will be free. Accept it and you will be happy.”

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SUMMER STORY TIME: The El Dorado County Storytellers Guild is presenting a program titled, “Scandinavian Tales and Dances” on Saturday, July 9, at 10:30 a.m., at the Main Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville. This program is designed for children ages 8 to 12. Enjoy the stories and the dancing.

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ARE YOU READY TO QUIT SMOKING? The Community Health Education Program at Marshall Medical is considering presenting a “Smoking Cessation Series” of seven classes to help you give up smoking. If you are interested in this class series, call 530-626-2990.

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DIABETES INSTRUCTION: A class titled “Diabetes Essentials” is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Midtown Mall, 681 Main St., Placerville. This class will help you understand diabetes and will discuss how to control blood glucose. The fee for this class is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare with MD referral. To register for this class, call 530-672-7021.

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ARE YOU A FROG OR PRINCE? The 2011 Summer Reading Club is designed for children, ages 12 and under. They can read books and earn prizes on Friday, July 15. The Summer Reading show will be “Fratello Marionettes” and starts at 10:30 a.m. This story is about the Frog Prince, a classic Grimm Brothers fairytale. Drive down to the Main Library at 345 Fair Lane, Placerville, and enjoy the fun.

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EDHS 1966 CLASS REUNION: The El Dorado High School Class of 1966 invites the classes of 1965 and 1967 to attend their 45th class reunion on August 13 at the Cold Springs Country Club, Placerville. For more information and to make your reservation, contact the following people: Patty Gregor Carver at 530-622-1007; Jackie Borree Speir at 530-409-3419 or 530-622-0564; or Roger Stutts at 530-622-1024.

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A DALAI DILLY: A review of the “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar designates the following thought: “Admire from the depths of the heart your own virtues and those of others. Take joy in the good things you have done in this and previous lives, thinking, ‘I really did something good.’”

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 in Placerville. You may call Bob Monday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or Wednesday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 530-344-5036. Please submit all requests three weeks in advance to ensure there will be space available for your important announcement.

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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