DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you find out if there will be a cost-of-living increase for Social Security this year? Thanks. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: It does not look likely. A story in the Christian Science Monitor on Sept. 20 said that although the official announcement will not be made until Oct. 15 that the lack of inflation in the economy means no raise for Social Security recipients for another year.

The story said: “The inflation rate used to calculate the COLA was negative from 2008 to 2009. The cold logic of cost-of-living adjustments would thus have implied a reduction in Social Security benefits in 2010. For understandable reasons, however, Social Security doesn’t allow negative COLAs. So benefits remained flat, and 2010 went into the record books as the year without a COLA.”

September would have to be a miracle of rising prices to avoid another year with no increase. The only other option would be Congress legislating a bonus or other benefit for those receiving Social Security, such as the $250 that went out in 2009 as part of the stimulus program.

Those who would like to read more about the math behind the decision can visit http://tinyurl.com/368dz3e.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: You have helped a lot of people with things. I want to find out of I.B.S. medicated ointment is still available. I have an empty can; it is two-tone blue, 1 1/2 ounces. It is made by Blair, a division of Chapstick Co., Lynchburg, VA 24505. Thank you.

ANSWER: The only posting Sun Spots found on this product said that Blair is no longer and the ointment is unavailable, but she was unable to verify that. According to www.chapstick.com, Chapstick does sell a medicated balm in a light blue container.

The Chapstick site also said that the company, Wyeth, was purchased by by Pfizer. Other sites reported that founder Wyeth once worked for or was partnered with a man named Henry Blair, but Sun Spots doesn’t know if that was the source of the name for that division.

Sun Spots has found the gel from vitamin E to be very healing. She read years ago that if you apply vitamin E to your lips as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on that it will go away. And it works for her! But it must go on the minute the tingling starts. If the application is not immediate but still soon, the cold sore still shows but won’t be as severe.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a pattern for a baby sweater size 9 to 12 months. The sweater has a hood and zips up the back. I will return to the sender the cost of the postage. — Barbara MacGregor, 1094 Route 2, Rumford, ME 04276, mtranger@roadrunner.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to see if any of your readers who knit and/or crochet have a pink ribbon pattern. I am willing to pay for a copy and postage. Please call 782-2802. — May, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To Kathy of Auburn who was looking for cross-stitch supplies. I have tons of books, floss, frames, etc., which I would sell. Please call me at 782-4247 if interested. — Joan, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: If Kathy of Auburn will phone me at 783-8016, I am sure I can help her with her requests concerning counted cross stitch. — No Name, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the inquiry from Kathy in Auburn for counted-cross-stitch supplies and charts, please be advised there is the Log Cabin shop in Dixfield, a shop that carries all and more of what she is looking for. Thank you for your great column. — Marguerite Elliot, Rumford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the reader who wanted cross-stitch supplies, there is a catalog called “The Stitchery.” It has all kinds of pattern and supplies. The phone number is 1-800-388-9662 24/7 or online at www.stitchery.com. The address is The Stitchery, P.O. Box 3332, Chelmsford, MA 01824-0932. — No Name via e-mail

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). Please include your phone number. 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 e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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