Dear Sun Spots: Western Maine Transportation Services needs volunteer drivers in the Tri-County area. Training in defensive driving, passenger assistance and child safety seats is provided. Volunteers are reimbursed for their mileage. If you are interested in helping to meet the transportation needs of your community, please contact us at (800) 393-9335. WMTS provides transportation services for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. In addition to our green buses and staff drivers, we utilize the services of a dedicated staff of volunteers. Won’t you please help? Elderly, low-income families and children rely on transportation services to access health care. – Glenn Gordon, Mexico.

Dear Sun Spots: I am so grateful for all the helpful information that you provide. Where may we find assistance (in our approximate area) in repairing an Oriental rug?

We are most grateful for your help. – R. Arsenault, Rumford.

Answer: Unfortunately, Sun Spots was unable to locate a company near to you and perhaps readers may be able to assist you here. In the meantime, thanks to a tip from the people in our Rumford bureau who say you should try contacting A.E. Runge Jr. Oriental Rugs in Yarmouth. They restore and repair Oriental rugs. You can reach them at (207) 846-9000, 108 Main St. You can also find them online at www.rungerugs.com.

Dear Sun Spots: Thanks for the great information you are providing to customers. I am looking for a baby sweater pattern that was in the Paton Baby Book No. 17341. I misplaced the pattern of the fisherman sweater and would like to finish one I started awhile ago. I can be reached at (207) 364-3938. – H. Brown, Rumford.

Dear Sun Spots: I have some old stuffed animals in good condition. Where do we give them — is it the local police station or fire department? Please respond to me by e-mail at [email protected]. I might miss the letter you answer to me in the paper. – Debra Gunn, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like an e-mail address or snail address for Mel Gibson in regard to future movie releases. – William Ferentz, Lewiston.

Answer: Contact Mel Gibson, via mail, at 400 Warner Blvd #P3-17, Burbank, CA 91522-0001.

Dear Sun Spots: We are looking to start our own business, and we are looking to buy a building at a cheap price. We are also looking for help with grants or anything that could be donated.

Our business would help needy families and also fire victims get what they need. Our program would help with food, clothing, diapers, formula, furniture, shelter, health and beauty supplies, pay for glasses and help pay bills. The program would be free to all those who need help, and recipients would receive help once a month. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, try contacting the following Web site – http://www.maine.gov/portal/business/starting.html – for information on starting a business. Information is provided by the Department of Economic & Community Development and is Maine’s online Business Answers service, which provides free information about doing business in Maine.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Inform Us section under Press Release.