Dear Sun Spots: I’m 13 years old, and one of my best friends, Carolyne, and I both love the 1980s! We love the music, the fashions, everything! We want to go to a store and buy some clothes from the ’80s, but we don’t know where to look. Do you have any ideas where we could get some ’80s clothes in the Lewiston-Auburn area? Thank you. – Janice Hebert, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots loves the ’80s too, except the big hair. In addition to ideas that you may receive from Sun Spots readers, you should be able to find the type of clothing your looking for in a secondhand or thrift store. You’ll have to look through lots of clothes to find the pieces but there are some great finds in retro garb available if you don’t mind looking. Try the Goodwill retail stores at 125 Center St., Auburn, or 1035 Lisbon St., Lewiston, or the Salvation Army retail store at 720 Main St., Lewiston. Good luck!

Dear Sun Spots: I have two organs that I would like to donate to a church, nursing home, elderly housing or some other organization. I can be reached at (207) 346-3092. – Trena, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I am a member of the Chesterville Heritage Society and am asking your readers for help. The society is currently gathering materials and information for a book. If people have any Chesterville, Maine, memorabilia that they would like to donate to or that they would be willing to share with the Historical Society, it would be greatly appreciated. We are also collecting items for the society’s museum. I can be reached at (207) 778-3078. – Cindy Whittier, Chesterville.

Dear Sun Spots: I love your column very much. It gives us all information that we otherwise couldn’t find. Keep up the good work, it’s very much appreciated. My sister has designed something, and she would like to have it patented but does not know who to get in touch with or where to go. She asked if I could find how to do this for her. Could you respond with this information again. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, free basic information on the patent and trademark system, forms, fees, products and services of the U.S. Patent Trademark Office is available by calling toll-free (800) 786-9199 or calling the Virginia office at (703) 308-4357.

Getting a patent is a complex process that starts with filing an application with the commissioner of Patents and Trademarks. The details are too lengthy to include here. However, that application should be filed as soon as possible after the completion date of the invention. An application must be filed within one year of the date that the invention is known of, or used by others, or offered for sale. A patent allows the inventor to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale or selling the invention. More information about patents can be found online at www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/data.htm.

Additional assistance is available through the Maine Patent Program run by the Technology Law Center of the University of Maine School of Law. The center is funded by the state Legislature “to support the commercialization and manufacturing of innovations in the state by providing education and assistance with the patent process of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to companies, inventors and entrepreneurs in the state.” The program offers free “Patent Basics” seminars and workshops. Their next Maine Inventors Forum will be Tuesday, Jan. 11. This forum is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Maine Patent Program, 44 Oak St., 3rd floor, Portland, Maine 04101, (207) 874-6521, e-mail [email protected] or visit their Web site at www.mainepatent.org.

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 Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].