Dear Sun Spots: I would like to know if there is a Web site that can be accessed to find out if a Doctor, PA or NP is qualified to practice. I am looking for a new doctor and want to know if there have been any complaints against the practice that might have resulted in discipline. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: The State of Maine Board of Licensing in Medicine offers physician license verification services on the Web at http://www.docboard.org/me/me_home.htm. To find information on a physician click “Docfinder-Find a Licensee.” According to the Web site, any person wishing to see the status of a physician’s license, or see if a physician has been disciplined, may use the board’s free “Docfinder” service. However, if an official verification with the Board Seal is needed, a written request must be made to the board and a $15 fee will be charged for each request. For more information contact the board at 287-3601.

To help you find a doctor, the following physician referral services may be helpful to you in your search: Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, 1-888-832-4057, www.cmmc.org/docsearch.taf; St. Mary’s Medical Center, Campus Avenue, Lewiston, 777-8899, www.stmarysmaine.com, click “Find a Doctor”; MaineGeneral Medical Center, 6 Chestnut St., Augusta, 626-1236, www.mainegeneral.org/doctors; and Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Road, Portland, 662-2950, www.mmc.org/mmc_frontpage/physicians.htm. Also, the American Medical Association offers a national physician search of more than 690,000 doctors at http://dbapps.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm, click “search for a physician.”

Dear Sun Spots: For Michael Giasson in Auburn who is looking for used railroad ties, Pineland Lumber in Lewiston has them for sale and will deliver upon request. You can reach them at 784-4524. – No Name, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: For readers who are looking for help in selling items on eBay, eMaineConsignment.com also supports area customers and lists items for sale on eBay. – Stephen Reina, Windham.

Dear Sun Spots: I read your write-up in the paper every day and have learned a lot from it. I’ve enjoyed the column very much. I would like to know if you could provide the address for Dr. Phil and Ellen DeGeneres. Thank you. – Madeline Brown, Rumford.

Answer: Write to Dr. Phil at “Dr. Phil Show” at P.O. Box 1902, 5482 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, or contact him online at www.drphil.com. And, write to Ellen DeGeneres at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” at 3000 West Alameda Ave., Studio 11, Burbank, CA 91523, or contact her online at http://ellen.warnerbros.com.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you possibly find out if there is anyone around the Lewiston area who could fix a record player, radio and 8 track console. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture and I have lots of big bands eight-tracks and records but cannot play them. I am retired and still enjoy the old band music and would like to be able to play them again. Thank you. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: Electronic repair service for older stereo consoles and equipment is becoming harder and harder to find due to the parts needed for the repair becoming out of stock and obsolete. Sun Spots welcomes responses from readers. In addition to responses, try contacting Maurice’s Electronics, 153 Ferry Road, Lewiston, 784-2731. Hopefully you can soon enjoy your music again.



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].