DEAR SUN SPOTS: Blood donors are needed. A Red Cross / Raysup Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26, Gray. The American Red Cross plays a critical role in our nation’s health care system, processing about 40 percent of the blood supply. They encourage people to reveal their inner hero and donate life-saving blood at our annual Park blood drive. Donors who register for this event receive free admission to the Maine Wildlife Park and a discount for immediate family members on this day. You can pre-register at www.redcrossblood.org/. — Thank you.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: When is the annual Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast that is held in June every year? — Likes a good breakfast, Auburn.

ANSWER: Sun Spots has learned that the 57th annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast will take place at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, June 7, at Saint Dominic Academy, 121 Gracelawn Road in Auburn. The Kiwanis group has posted that they are looking for volunteers to work two-hour shifts the day before the event between 8 a.m. to noon to set up and day of the event between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those interested are asked to email Sarah Glynn at sarah@oxfordhillslaw.com with the word “KIWANIS” in the subject line. Tickets for the breakfast are $5 in advance at Shaw’s in Auburn and Lewiston, club members, and L/A Harley in Lewiston, or $6 at the door. Proceeds go to support youth programs. For more information, call 207-333-8881 or email ahannon@bgcmaine.org.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a new author and am wondering how to go about publicizing my book. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you. — New author, No Town.

ANSWER: A Publicity and Marketing Conference for Independent Authors will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at Sebasco Harbor Resort in Phippsburg. The conference is open to the public and will focus on teaching authors how to market their books successfully. Keynote speaker, Crystal King will talk about the best social media practices, and panelists Bob Newman and Emily LaBeaume will discuss what exactly a publicist does and how to work with one. Breakout sessions throughout the day will give authors the opportunity to learn about everything from social media to having a successful book signing to how to write an effective grant. Registration was by May 15, but perhaps there are still openings available. Email coop@maineauthorspublishing.com or call 207-594-0091 to learn more. There is a fee to attend.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I heard that the candidates for office in Paris will have a question-and-answer forum. When and where is that? Thank you. — No Name, Paris.

ANSWER: A candidates night for those running for office in Paris will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, June 1, at the Town Office, 33 Market Square. Candidates will be allowed a few minutes to introduce themselves and answer questions from the moderator, Sarah Glynn, and the audience.

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.

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