Dear Sun Spots: I regret this very late reply for the lady from Jay who was looking for a hand-held hair dryer. If she will call me at 897-3036 I will gladly give her a dryer likely to suit her needs. – M.B., Livermore Falls.

Dear Sun Spots: Recently, I heard that Heartland Restaurant in Lewiston closed. I was wondering what happens to customers who have gift certificates? Do you know if we can get our money back and who we would contact? – Colette Martin, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke with William Lund, superintendent for the state’s Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. He notes that if the business filed for bankruptcy, people who have gift certificates may file a claim as an unsecured creditor. However, the secured creditors will receive payment first.

A spokesperson from the Attorney General’s Office noted that if the restaurant’s owners did not file bankruptcy, it’s up to the owner of the restaurant to reimburse gift certificate holders on their own.

Unfortunately, we are unaware of the reasons the restaurant closed. At this time, Sun Spots does not have any contact information for the owners of Heartland Restaurant.

Lund advises consumers to use their gift certificates fairly soon after you receive them. Don’t risk misplacing them; if you get a gift card for Christmas, treat yourself in January!

Dear Sun Spots: My husband and I bought a home a year ago near the Lewiston-Auburn airport. During the first few months, we noticed a sewage smell when we would sit outside on our deck from time to time. Over the past year, it has gotten even worse and more frequent. We smell it sometimes in our basement, especially when it rains, and even in our bathroom at times. After ruling out any obvious problem within our home, we called the Auburn Water and Sewerage District to report the problem. We were told that there is a substation in this area and that this is a common complaint. I was wondering if any of your readers live in this area and have also experienced this. Maybe someone could share more information about this with us. Thanks. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to thank everyone who helped with this year’s Franklin County Chamber of Commerce food basket project. Through the generosity of a number of area businesses and individuals we were able to assist 73 families throughout Franklin County. It is great to live and work in a community full of kind-hearted and caring people. Happy holidays to all! – Matt Wotton, president, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

Dear Sun Spots: When is Natalie Morales coming back to the Today Show? Why didn’t Kiley Bennett show a picture of her baby when she came back to Channel 13? Does Kim Block work eight or 12 hours? It seems she is always on with the news. When does she ever see her children? – Nosey, No Town.

Answer: You may have noticed that Natalie Morales returned to the Today Show part time on Dec. 9 and will return full time Dec. 26. In her blog at allday.msnbc.msn.com Morales says that she was “warmly welcomed ‘home’ repeatedly by the gang, the crew, the folks out on the plaza and viewers.”

Sun Spots corresponded with Kiley Bennett who wished to thank all of the WGME 13 viewers who sent such kind e-mails, cards and gifts for her son, Jack. She said it was so nice to know that viewers shared in her joy. She noted that WGME showed pictures of Jack when he was born in July.

Kim Block told Sun Spots that sometimes she wonders when she’ll ever see her children as well! Block’s work week varies. She works an eight-hour shift at the station, but also does a lot of public appearances and special programming. She anchors three shows: the noon, 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts. Her basic hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., so Block says she gets home in time to finish up homework and hang out for awhile.

She often brings her children with her to events, especially the younger one. Block hopes she’s teaching them the value of public service and what it means to have a career you love.

Block also notes that while the news shows are live, many of the teases and promotional spots are taped.

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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