DEAR SUN SPOTS: I wanted to say thank you for your great column and all the help that you give folks. I’ve written in more than a couple of times, and you have done great answering my questions. I was hoping you could help me with another.

I am trying to find out where in the area I could find and purchase some small, powerful magnets, maybe the size of a Lifesaver or a bottle top. I checked the phone book and some stores, but no luck, and I don’t have Internet capability at the moment.

Your help would be greatly appreciated by this loyal subscriber to the Sun Journal. — Mark, Sabattus

ANSWER: There are places online to buy them, such as www.magnet4less.com (800-379-6818) and http://unitednuclear.com (517-651-5635), with the latter offering photos of magnets that looked like they were the size you want. Maybe they can send you a catalog.

Both sites say their magnets are neodymium, which Wikipedia describes as a “chemical element with the symbol Nd and atomic number 60. It is a soft silvery metal which tarnishes in air. Neodymium was discovered in 1885. It is present in significant quantities in the ore minerals monazite and bastnasite.

“Neodymium is not found naturally in metallic form or unaccompanied by other lanthanides, and it is usually refined for general use. Although classed as a ‘rare earth,’ it is not rare as compared with many metals, and is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust. The bulk of the world’s neodymium, however, is presently mined in China.”

Sun Spots does not know of any local source, but perhaps another reader will be able to help.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: When Channel 10’s fundraising they often have musical events like the “The Doo Wop Songs,” or, most recently, “The Magic Moments — The Best of the 1950s.”

I love those great songs. Could you please find out where those shows are filmed? And how could a person be a member of the audience? Are they done in different areas of the country so a person could go see one?

I would love to go see one of those wonderful shows of great singers and great songs before these music makers of the best music ever all pass away. Thank you for whatever you can find out. — Sheila Richardson, Turner

ANSWER: The fundraising specials you admire are too expensive for a single station to put together. They are filmed for the national public television audience, then released for the local stations to air during fundraising drives.

Since they are usually compilations of old shows interposed with interviews and film clips, there is really no way to go see the whole special as a show. And, as you noted, many of the performers you see on these shows have passed away.

However, included along with the older material are videos from artists who are still currently performing. Sun Spots spoke to Charles Beck of MPBN, and he said that whenever a group is still touring and singing, the station makes every effort to announce those tours and provide the information needed to buy tickets to those shows.

You might want to regularly visit www.mpbn.net and check for updates on upcoming specials.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a dear friend who is looking for approximately two dozen old-fashioned, pint-size canning jars, the ones with the metal closures, for a special project. Please call 615-2056. Thank you for such a helpful and informative column! — Cindy, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I use a lot of nuts for my chocolate business and would like to start recycling the cans rather than throwing them away. I have about 15 saved right now in various sizes.

If anyone could use them for storing small items such as nails, beads, craft items, etc., they can be picked up at the business on 5 Park St., Lewiston, after Dec. 4. By then I will have around 30 empty cans.

They will need to be washed. Thank you. — Stephanie Bernatchez, Maine Gourmet Chocolates & Specialty Popcorns, 783-8472, [email protected]

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 [email protected].