DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’ve heard that the state of Maine is thinking of making the Labrador retriever our state dog. What can I do to help? They are great family dogs and many people in Maine have them as pets. — L.R., Auburn.

ANSWER: A bill, LD 107, has been sent to the Maine Legislature to recognize the Labrador Retriever as the offical state dog in Maine. The bill includes all three colors of Labrador Retrievers: black, chocolate, and yellow. The bill was presented by Senator Dutremble of York. To show support, you can attend a public hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the Cross Building, Room 214 in Augusta. You can call the Office of Legislative Information at 207-287-1692 for updates or 207-287-1408 for a paper copy of the bill.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a Baldwin organ in great condition that I would like to give away to a good home. My only request is that the person who takes it must come get it. Call 207-345-3426 for more information. — S.S. in Lewiston.

RESPONSE: This information can also be published in the Sun Journal’s classified ads either under Musical Instruments or Stuff–Free. You can do that several ways: Local calls by phone at 207-783-2281 or toll free at 1-800-482-0935.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there a way of finding available child care near my home/work? — S.W., Lewiston.

ANSWER: Sun Spots knows from research that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services lists a program called Child Care Choices that may help you find available child care near your home or work. Currently,  there are 62 child care providers listed for Lewiston. To talk to someone about child care referrals, call 1-877-680-5866. Sun Spots called this number and the person who answered was very helpful.

If you go to www.childcarechoices.me you can do some preliminary research by zip code. A PDF of the results can be downloaded and printed. A few of the child care providers in the Lewiston list include the YMCA Lewiston/Auburn, 96 Campus Ave., 207-753-4832; Androscoggin Head Start, 269 Bates St., 207-795-4040; and Sandcastle Preschool, 72 Strawberry Ave., 207-782-2150.Each one of the providers listed is rated by DHHS.

DHHS created the Quality for ME rating system “as a way to provide parents a way to easily identify high-quality early childhood and education programs. The rating system is based on four steps, each step leading to higher quality. Step four is the highest step a program/provider can achieve.” All this information and much more is available by calling Child Care Choices or visiting their website.

Child care referral services were previously also offered through Community Concepts but that service is now offered through DHHS at the phone number listed above.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read Sun Spots everyday. I enjoy it very much. I wrote to you before and had good results. Now I’m hoping I’ll get lucky again. If one of your readers has a 1976 paperback Better Homes & Garden cookbook by Meredith Corporation, I would like to buy it at a reasonable price. The cover of the cookbook is the classic red-and-white checkered. My phone number is 207-783-8698. Please leave a message if you get the answering machine. — No Name, Sabattus.

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 or tweeted @SJ_SunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots.

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