The role takes just the right person: females who are good listeners and not fixers, who understand and can keep good boundaries, are a non-anxious and non-judgmental presence and have a professional background in social work, counseling, chaplaincy, teaching, nursing or a similar field.

The commitment is a half-day a week, the same day and time each week, for one year. Companions will experience a uniquely supportive environment, a diverse group of women and a wonderful team of volunteers.

Interested candidates should come visit the Center and then speak with Director Klara Tammany. We are located at 97 Blake St. in Lewiston. Look for the sign with the big sunflower on it. –Center for Wisdom’s Women.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Sun Spots article on pedestrian rights versus vehicles should be required reading in our schools. Education may enlighten people and save someone’s life, and save the driver a lot of grief and tragedy. — Dan in Lewiston.

ANSWER: Sun Spots agrees that this is important to know. Here is that information again, from the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A: Motor Vehicles and Traffic.

1. Pedestrian traffic. When using a sidewalk next to a public way is practicable, a pedestrian may not walk on that public way.

2. Pedestrian on a public way. Where sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian shall walk facing approaching traffic on the left side of the public way or the way’s shoulder when practicable. An operator of a motor vehicle who is passing a pedestrian on a public way or the way’s shoulder shall exercise due care by leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the pedestrian of not less than 3 feet while the motor vehicle is passing the pedestrian. A motor vehicle operator may pass a pedestrian in a no-passing zone only when it is safe to do so.

3. Pedestrians on sidewalks. An operator shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk. (If you are turning into a driveway that cuts across a sidewalk, you must wait for the pedestrian to cross that driveway.)

4. Pedestrians in marked crosswalks. When traffic-control devices are not in operation, an operator must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian who is crossing within a marked crosswalk or to a pedestrian who has shown visible intent to enter the marked crosswalk.

5. Pedestrian crossing. A pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle when crossing a public way:

A. Other than within a marked crosswalk; or

B. With an available pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing.

6. Pedestrian prohibitions. A pedestrian may not:

A. Cross between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control devices operate, except in a marked crosswalk;

B. Cross an intersection diagonally, unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; or

C. Suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the operator to yield.

You can read the entire statute at www.mainelegislature.org/.

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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