Heard over the back fence: Bowling for scholarships

YOU WILL SURVIVE:
A glance at the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” calendar reveals the following thought: “The best and most effective way to maintain a grateful spirit and to keep yourself from being overwhelmed is to remember that all things — even the hard things — will pass.”

• • •

BOWLING FOR A GOOD CAUSE :
The Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary Club is presenting “Strikes for Scholarships” on Saturday, March 31. The bowling, fun, food and prizes will take place at Knotty Pines Lanes, 2667 Sander Drive, Pollock Pines. The a.m. session starts at 9:30 a.m. The p.m. session starts at 1 p.m. Proceeds will create local academic, vocational and special programs scholarships. For more information and to register, go to PollockPines-CaminoRotaryClub.org or call 530-903-8039.

• • •

FLUID FOR THE FLOWERS:
 The “Who Knew?” calendar offers the following recommendation: “Are you giving Mom flowers for Mother’s Day? Add a pinch of clear liquor like vodka or gin to the vase and it will keep bacteria away from the flowers’ stems, and they’ll last longer!”

• • •

LEARN TO LINE DANCE:
 Line dance lessons are available on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 pm. at the El Dorado Hills Senior Center, 990 Lassen Lane. The class fee is $2 per class. The instructor is Pat Nathan. No partner or previous line dancing experience is required. Drop-ins are always welcome.

• • •

OBAMA ORGANIZER: Sierra Foothills Democratic Club invites everyone interested in politics to hear Michael Dugan speak 7 p.m. March 21 meeting at Raley’s El Dorado Hills Event Center in the store.  Michael Dugan is the area organizer for the 2012 Obama for President campaign.  He has been active in politics for many years and brings knowledge and knowhow to this effort. Contact Pat Kriz 916-933-0850 or Staven Noble 916-933-0071 or check the group’s Website at www.sierrafoothillsdemocraticclub.org.

• • •

BIPOLAR INSIGHTS: 
Support groups are available for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder and for their families. One support group meets on Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Green Valley Community Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Rd., Room 303, Placerville. Another support group meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Marshall Medical Health Library, 681 Main St., Suite 103, Placerville. For more information, call 530-642-0859. A $5 donation for each class is requested. Everyone is welcome.

• • •

WAS THAT A GHOST? Richard Lederer’s “Anguished English” calendar noted the following “Accidental Explanation:” “An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car, and vanished.”

• • •

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER FUN:
 The Mother and Daughter Book Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at the El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway. All fifth to eighth graders are welcome to participate in lively book discussions, crafts activities and snacks. This is a good opportunity to strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. For more information, call 916-358-3500.

• • •

MATURE DRIVER CLASS: 
An AARP Mature Driving Class is scheduled for April 7 and April 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., both days, at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. You must attend both sessions in order to receive a certificate of completion, which may qualify you for a discount on your auto insurance (check with your insurance company). Pre-registration is required, and registration forms must be received 10 days before the class starts. The fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. For more information or to receive a registration form, call 530-621-6255.

• • •

FREE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST-AID:
 A course titled “Mental Health First-Aid” is scheduled for Tuesday evenings on April 10, 17, and 24 from 4 to 8 p.m., at Mother Lode Church, 870 Beach Ct., Lotus. This course of three classes is designed for pastors, office staff, elders, deacons, Stephen ministers, and anyone with present or potential ministry with people who are mentally stressed. Mental health first aid training teaches the skill needed when a mental crisis occurs. For more information, call Cindy Gaffney at 530-906-7872.

• • •

SPRING PLANTING TIME: 
The Front Yard Nursery newsletter offers the following garden tips for March:
”- Put yellow jacket traps out early to trap the Queen.
- Plant cool season vegetables. Sow warm season veggies indoors See us for planting guide.
- Rototill gardens and add organic matter. Do a soil test to see what nutrients you need to add. We have soil test kits available.
- Fertilize roses, evergreens, fruit trees, and berries.
- Prepare new lawn beds 6″ deep. Stop by for a handout on lawn preparation.
- Shop for summer blooming bulbs and spring blooming shrubs.
- Spray roses with fungicide to prevent black spot and powdery mildew Try kelp spray and see us for care guides.
- Hoe or pick spring weeds. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds.

• • •

A DALAI DILLY:
 The “Insight from the Dalai Lama” calendar expressed the following suggestion: “Peace does not mean no problems. You should develop this strong conviction that any problem’s solution can be found through dialogue.”

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. First and last name of contact person are required.

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.

View all my stories Email Me