Dear Sun Spots: Good morning! I love your column. It’s one of the first things I read in the morning. You provide a lot of information and help.

I have a question. Since the rules on what you can take on an airplane when traveling, I’ve seen discarded barrels of items such as shampoos, lotions, perfumes and more. Do you know if those items are given to shelters or homes for abused women? I hope those items are being put to good use and not just thrown away. Thank you. – Carol Proteau, Lewiston.

Answer: Both Portland International Jetport and Bangor International Airport personnel directed Sun Spots to the Transportation Security Administration.

Sun Spots spoke with Ann Davis, spokeswoman for the TSA in Massachusetts, who says these items are discarded because of sanitary reasons. She notes that the European Union allows a 100 ml limit because of their metric system, which is actually 3.4 fluid ounces. She notes that screeners typically allow those additional .4 ounces here in the U.S., however, anything above that is seized.

To play it safe, Sun Spots would encourage you to place what liquids you can, whether they meet the size limitations or not, in your suitcases and other items not going with you in the cabin. Any liquids etc. you do carry onto the cabin should be 3 fluid ounces or less and you should follow the guidelines listed on the Transportation Security Administration’s Web site at www.tsa.gov.

Dear Sun Spots: I desperately need your help. I am a deaf, elderly diabetic shut-in on a low salt diet. I would very much like to know where I could buy an air popper for salt free popcorn to use in the microwave. Thanking you in advance for any assistance. – Paul Cavanaugh, Hartford.

Answer: Sun Spots located three online at www.target.com. They range in price from $24.99 to $39.99. You might also consider contacting the Target store in South Portland to see if they carry this item in their store. You can reach them at 200 Running Hill Road, South Portland, ME 04106, 871-1156. Sun Spots also located two types of pop corn poppers on www.amazon.com and the Aubuchon Hardware’s Web site at www.hardwarestore.com. Sun Spots wonders if you might also have checked your local Wal-Mart, JC Penney or Sears, which are highly likely to carry this item. You might also contact Kmart, which also carries this item.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for an old-fashioned yellow rose bush if I can find one. I read Sun Spots every day. Anyone who might have one can reach me at Rosalie Wells, 602 East Oxford Road, South Paris, ME 04281, or via phone at 743-7147. – Rosalie Wells, South Paris.

• Thanks to a tip from a reader, answering Stanley Howe’s inquiry in the May 31 column who was trying to locate fountain pen ink: Staples at 855 Lisbon St., Lewiston, 753-0779 also carries fountain pen ink bottles and cartridges. They are open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They carry blue and black inks only.

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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