DEAR SUN SPOTS: Safe Voices, a resource center that provides services to victims of domestic violence, will be hosting a helpline training in Lewiston starting on Sept. 6. We are still seeking volunteers to sign up for the training. 

Many times our 24-hour helpline is the first point of contact for those seeking our services. Helpline volunteers take calls from those in crisis as well as those looking for more information or support.

If you are interested in participating in our upcoming training or want more information on volunteering, please contact me. — Kim Preble, 207-795-6744, kpreble@safevoices.org

HI LADY SUN SPOTS. A friend and I were having a conversation about a word we had come across recently — “hottie.” What does it mean exactly and where did it come from. — Mystified via email 

ANSWER: According to www.urbandictionary.com, hottie is a:

“Slang term used originally to describe a sexually attractive woman. Originally coined by rapper Kool Moe Dee in his 1987 track ‘Go See the Doctor’ (source: Oxford Historical Dictionary of American Slang). In the hip-hop community, the term originally was only applied to females and still does to this day, but the term was later adopted by white American teens to describe both attractive young males and females.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Sunday afternoon traveling up Route 202 toward Augusta, it rained a little, then very hard. Along with the heavy rain, the spray from the car ahead of me made it hard to see.

Most cars had their lights on. This helped a lot. However, some did not have lights on coming the other way. Is there not a law that says when it’s raining day or night and your windshield wipers are working, you must also have your lights on?

Reporter Mark LaFlamme wrote about using directional lights. That was good. Hopefully both of these things are law and will be obeyed. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Yes, you are supposed to use your headlights when your wipers are on, and most newer car models make that easy by turning on lights automatically. But those driving older cars have to remember to turn them on and, just like with turn signals, not everyone remembers.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you please tell me if there is anyone in the Lewiston-Auburn region who helps people with felonies on their record find employment? Thank you. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: ANSWER: Sun Spots only knows of one group that helps released prisoners:

Cell to Street community re-entry program, Calvin E. Dube, community inmate advocate, P.O. Box 631, Lewiston, ME 04243, 207-402-4430.

Considering the dearth of good jobs, you might consider starting your own business. Sun Spots gets lots of requests from older residents looking for someone to snowblow their driveways, haul heavy items, do yard work, cut firewood, etc.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: From the Androscoggin Historical Society, we thank you for running our item regarding our search for new members of our Board of Directors so prominently. As a result, we have several excellent candidates. We shall announce their names once they have been formally elected.

Moreover, additional contacts came from persons who were interested in becoming volunteers. Obviously the Sun spots column gets results. Thanks again to you and to the Sun Journal for providing this community service. — Doug Hodgkin, dhodgkin@bates.edu

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I love to read magazines. If you have any readers that don’t want their leftover mags. I would love to have them. I love all women’s and health as well as cooking and Field & Stream. I am able to pick them up as well. Please call 786-7058. Thank you. — Anne Boisvert, anne_boisvert@yahoo.com

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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