Dear Sun Spots: We are seeking volunteers and donations to help celebrate our combined independence days as both Africans and Americans come together to commemorate our diversity.

This year marks our fourth annual independence celebration to be held from 7 to 11 p.m. July 1 at the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center. It’s a time to celebrate our cultural diversity and a chance for us African immigrants to thank our local communities and state of Maine for their support while honoring both our cultures. It’s also a chance to create awareness in the Twin Cities.

Before 1960, Somalia was two separate colonies, the north governed by the English, the south by Italy. Northern Somalia was granted its independence on June 26. The southern portion gained its independence days later, on July 1, and they joined together.

In Somalia, the celebrations are similar to Independence Day here in the United States.

Entertainment will include Somali music, dancing, singing, art displays, ethnic clothing and more. The list of events and participants continues to grow.

A grateful thank-you to the city of Lewiston, which kindly waived our $800 rental fee at our 2006 event. We greatly appreciate their support and those of our surrounding Lewiston/Auburn communities. We hope your assistance this year will help continue to provide a warm welcome to all those who attend our 2007 July celebration. Come and join in the fun and celebrate our joint independence. FMI please call Ahmed at 713-9002 or myself, Said Mohamud, at 777-7757. – Said Mohamud, chairman, African Immigrants Association, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: You’ve been a great help to me before, and I was wondering if you would please help me again.

I am a disabled senior person and I try to volunteer for senior citizens as much as I can. We are now in need of some 30-gallon drums for putting under our dock. It would make it so much easier for us older people to go fishing, or if we went for a boat ride. It would truly make it much easier for us to get in and out of the boat from a dock. Your help would be greatly appreciated. I have someone that can go pick them up. Please call us at 240-0139. Thank you in advance. God bless. – No Name, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I am sad to see a beautiful pond being overwhelmed with cat-tails. Would you or any of the readers know the answer to get rid of these? Also, I am looking for a used, low, flat-bed, dual-axle bulldozer trailer. Could you kindly tell me where I could call for this? Thank you for your help, I may be reached at 375-9901. – No Name, Sabattus.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, as noted in previous columns, you might consider trying to cut them off below the water line. It appears the tails drown, this way, and are controlled without herbicides that are toxic to aquatic life. You might also contact the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants for more information about cattails and other invasives. You may reach them at 783-7733, or through e-mail at mciap@mainevlmp.org. This organization works with volunteers statewide to protect Maine lakes and ponds.

Regarding your second question you might check the classified section of local publications.

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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