DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please help! We live in a neighborhood where people take care of their yards, except one who hasn’t mowed all year. We were wondering if there is a city code or ordinance that requires people to mow their yards at least once in a while. Thank you for your help. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots checked with Gildace Arsenault, the director of Lewiston Planning and Code Enforcement, who said that Lewiston has “a weeds provision in the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code; however, its applicability is limited to the following districts: Riverfront, Neighborhood Conservation B, Downtown Residential and Centreville. People can go online (www.lewistonmaine.gov) to check their zoning to see if they are in any of these districts.”

Sun Spots tried to look up the address on your envelope on those maps, but couldn’t tell from the results if the above applies to you. You can try the website yourself or call Code Enforcement at 513-3125.

If zoning won’t help you out, you and your neighbors might try talking to the offender in a friendly, helpful tone. Perhaps the owners are having financial difficulties and can’t afford to fix their lawn mower. Maybe they would be grateful if you helped them out and mowed it for them?

Or maybe a bank owns it? Sun Spots has heard many stories about banks neglecting foreclosed properties.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you please reprint the name of the group that was asking for donations of shampoo, conditioner and other similar products? I threw my paper out, then today I remembered reading it.

If you could tell me the information again, that would be great. Thank you for your help. — Ceneretta Ward, Jay

ANSWER: That plea for women’s toiletry items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) was from Klara Tammany, executive director of the Center for Wisdom’s Women,www.wisdomswomen.org, 513-3922. The center is off Bates Street between Pine and Ash streets, behind the Healy Terrace building. Enter the parking lot and look for the large sign with a big sunflower on it. This drop-in center for women opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday, closes at 3 p.m., except on Wednesday when it closes at noon.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please advise the elderly, especially ladies, not to pay a high price for extended warranties on their automobiles.

Should they have any trouble with their cars they will find that very little is covered after all. They will cover if the engine blows up.

They take advantage of elderly ladies, which is elder abuse. Thank you. — No Name, Auburn

ANSWER: Extended warranties are rarely a good idea. And not just for cars. If you are thinking about buying something, research the warranties for that product before you go to the store, so you will be prepared when the salesperson tries to sell you that extra warranty.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am in a dilemma. I have misplaced my PennyTalk card and cannot make any calls on it. I need the phone number, on the back, to be able to activate my account.

I have tried every phone number I can find, including the ones I get when contacting customer support. But it’s all automated support. I cannot get a live customer support.

I am hoping you or one of your readers would give me the number from the back of their card. I greatly appreciate your time and effort.

I read and enjoy your column every morning. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots went to the support page for PennyTalk and found the following information listed under “what should I do if I forget my account number or PIN?” (http://tinyurl.com/p8smgev).

“Your account number is usually your 10-digit phone number. If you forget your account number or PIN, click here or click the small question mark at the top of this page at the right of the sign in boxes. We will email your account information to the email address we have on file.

“You can also contact customer service at 1-888-311-8360 for assistance.”

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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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