DEAR SUN SPOTS: I just read on the Dr. Oz website that a giveaway he is doing does not allow Maine residents to be eligible. It is the only state not eligible. Why are we not allowed to participate? — No Name via email

ANSWER: You did not say what contest in particular and Sun Spots found a plethora of giveaways on Dr. Oz’s website, but one that excluded Maine was a weight-loss contest. One posting offered the following (Sun Spots corrected her spelling and grammar):

“I really want to join Transformation Nation, but for some reason Maine is excluded from participating. I went Wednesday night to the local Weight Watchers to ask why, and (a) lady read from a piece of paper that the Maine Weight Watchers is owned by a private individual and that they did not want their meetings clogged up with people.”

According to doctoroz.com, the writer is correct that this contest is a joint effort between Dr. Oz and Weight Watchers, but Sun Spots cannot be sure if the reason for exclusion is accurate.

Another writer wanted to know if she could go to Boston for the weigh-ins, but there was no response to that query.

DEAR SUN SPOTS, In response to the Feb. 9 letter regarding needle disposal: The Department of Health and Human Services operates several needle-exchange programs in Maine, which are primarily designed to reduce the spread of AIDS and other diseases.

Even if your reader isn’t looking to exchange their needles, I’m sure the programs would accept “donations” to be recycled. Unfortunately, the Lewiston branch closed through lack of funding, so the nearest offices might be Augusta or Portland. — James Myall,/ Bath

ANSWER: Finding out if James’ suggestion was viable proved to be much more difficult than Sun Spots had thought. James provided a website, which had phone numbers, but it took dozens of tries before someone finally answered the phone.

It turns out that the Augusta office had all their funding pulled (which is why no one ever answered the phone) and that the Portland office has had their funding cut. Zoe at the Portland needle exchange said they used to take needles other than those for the exchange, but with all of their funding cuts they, too, have had to stop accepting them.

It is actually very expensive to send sharps for biohazard handling. When Sun Spots spoke to Scott Austin at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, he said individuals were exempted because of the great expense, which entails buying special boxes and sending the needles out of state.

Zoe recommends the same procedure for needle disposal that Scott outlined. Place your needles in a heavy plastic jug, such as a detergent bottle, and tape the lid closed. You can then throw them in the trash.

Zoe said that Lewiston is trying to re-establish its needle-exchange program, but without any funding it’s tough going. Until then, those with HIV, hepatitis or other blood-borne diseases who need that service can find it at 103 India St. in Portland, 874-8446.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Edward Little Music Association is seeking pizza vendors to participate in the second annual Lewiston-Auburn Pizza Challenge on Saturday, April 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Auburn Middle School.

ELMA has sent out registration packets to area pizza vendors, but if your Lewiston-Auburn restaurant or pizza shop has not been contacted and you wish to participate you may register online at www.lapizzachallenge.org or contact me.

Restaurants and pizza vendors must be from Lewiston or Auburn. — Dan Philbrick, [email protected], 783-8570

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