Dear Sun Spots: The YWCA of Central Maine, located near Lewiston High School, is opening a new infant/toddler room for 1- to 2½-years-olds and is looking for some items to help the project be successful. They include: a table and chairs for toddlers, two highchairs, a small dorm-size refrigerator, five toddler sleeping cots, soft blocks, toddler bookcase, crib sheets, changing table with steps or changing table with storage and doors underneath, and car seats, especially for infants.

Other needs we have include: picnic tables, an indoor soccer net and an indoor volleyball net with upright poles.

If you would like to donate one or more of the above items or want to know about our more extensive needs, please contact Wendy Russell at (207) 795-4054, ext. 101. We thank you in advance for your support! – Wendy Russell,

Dear Sun Spots: My Hannaford store tells me that the old-fashioned All Bran produced by Kellogg’s has been discontinued. I always found that was an essential ingredient in making all-bran muffins.

I am wondering if you could please confirm that Kellogg’s has indeed discontinued this product and, if so, what might you be able to recommend that would produce a similar baking result

I have looked at a number of alternatives, but they are nothing like the old-fashioned, both in taste and consistency. Any help you could provide in this matter would be greatly appreciated. – Stanley Howe, Bethel.

Answer: Sun Spots talked with a spokeswoman at the customer service department at Kellogg’s who said this product has not been discontinued. You should be able to locate it at any Wal-Mart Supercenter or online grocery stores such as www.netgrocer.com or www.amazon.com.

Kellogg Company is located at: One Kellogg Square, P.O. Box 3599, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3599. You might like to also check out the Kellogg Web site for recipes at http://www.kelloggcompany.com/kelloggco/index.html.

In addition you might enjoy the following recipe for date raisin bars made with Kellogg’s all-bran cereal: Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt (optional), 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, 1 cup Kellogg’s all-bran cereal, 1 cup low-fat buttermilk, 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 cup chopped dates, ¾ cup golden raisins.

Method: Stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. In large mixing bowl, combine Kellogg’s all-bran cereal and buttermilk. Let stand 3 minutes or until cereal softens. Add eggs and oil to cereal mixture. Beat well. Add dates and raisins. Stir in flour mixture, mixing only until combined. Spread batter evenly in 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees about 25 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool. Cut into 12 bars. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to store the bars.

Dear Sun Spots: For the lady looking for a cleaner to remove stains from a bathtub: Vermont Country Store has a tub and tile cleaner that sells for $11.95 for a 32-ounce bottle. I like it very much and it does a good job. The only thing you can’t use it on is marble. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I heard that someone was looking for a Fuller-brush dealer. I recently started selling. I may be contacted at (207) 562-7135 or via e-mail at littledeer302@yahoo.com. – Barbara Greenwood, Dixfield.

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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