Dear Sun Spots: The Sexual Assault Crisis Center will be publishing the spring edition of Stone Soup for the Survivors’ Spirit, our newsletter created by survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including childhood sexual abuse. This publication is a forum for the voices of survivors to share their feelings, thoughts, memories and insights. The next edition will be published in April.

Let the voice of survivors be heard! Submit short essays and stories, poetry, black-and-white photographs and any other original works for inclusion in this publication. Submissions from supporters and allies of survivors are also welcome.

Submissions must be received by March 25, 2005, and must include the name and contact information for the author/creator. We reserve the right to edit submissions as deemed necessary for space and content reasons. While acknowledging possible confidentiality and safety concerns, every effort will be made to contact authors/creators whose work is edited. Please include information regarding the safest way to leave a message should we need to contact you with editing concerns. Submissions without name and contact information cannot be considered for the newsletter. However, you may specify that you wish to identify yourself with first name or initials in the publication.

Please send mail to the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, PO Box 6, Auburn, ME 04212. You can also e-mail your submissions to [email protected]. Please remember to include your contact information. To find out more information about this newsletter or to add your name to our mailing list, please contact Sarah at SACC, (207) 784-5272 ext: 104. – Sarah in Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: On January 20, 2002, I purchased the Ultrex Cool Touch Deep Fryer from the Home Shopping Network. The fryer had a three-year warranty and Nov. 30, 2004, the fryer would not heat so I called HSN, and they referred me to the company Innova for repair or replacement.

I called the company and on Dec. 10 I mailed the fryer back to them. Several weeks later, I received a box with the old fryer, minus the heating part. I called the company several times, and each time they say that the part is on back order. On March 10 it will be three months since I sent them the fryer. I believe three months is a ridiculous amount of time for the replacement part for my fryer. What can I do next? The number for Innova is 1-800-767-5160 M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. HSN’s number is 1-800-284-3900, customer service. – Jeanne Martin, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke with Innova’s customer service department, which noted from your file that a receipt was not provided with the unit when you returned it. Without the receipt, your unit is not considered under warranty, and you would have to purchase a new heating element or purchase a new unit. Purchasing a new unit would be the cheaper way to go.

* To No Name in Mechanic Falls who mailed in an item regarding music and a scanner: Please contact the column. Your letter was damaged in the mail, and most of your request was missing. Sun Spots would like to assist you but has no information on how to contact you.

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].