ANSWER: On March 29, the city of Auburn released an announcement that it will not be hosting a Spring Clean-Up Program this year. According to the press release, residents of Auburn have the option of dropping-off — free of charge after signing in — TV’s, monitors, computers and printers at the public services facility located at 296 Gracelawn Road in Auburn.

In addition, residents can also drop off brush and fluorescent bulbs at the facility. Bulky waste can be disposed of at the Mid-Maine Waste Action Corp. (MMWAC) located at 110 Goldthwaite Road in Auburn. The cost for disposal is approximately 5 cents per pound. Auburn residents can drop off regular trash and recycling for free at MMWAC.

Auburn also participates in the Household Hazardous Waste Program which provides for drop-off of up to 10 gallons of waste at the Lewiston Solid Waste Facility on 424 River Road in Lewiston. This program runs on the first and third Saturdays of the month from May 7 through Oct. 15. Please review the list of acceptable materials on the city’s website. Latex and oil based paints are not accepted at this location and can now be recycled at some hardware stores (visit paintcare.org for locations).

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m sorry, but I must disagree about washing meat. Do it in a clean sink with the water flowing gently so as to avoid splashing, pat it dry with paper towels, then clean the sink when you are done. Easy peasy. And those temperatures are ridiculous. The USDA recommendations, if followed, will result in dry meat that hurts the jaw muscles to chew. Yeah the product will be free of bacteria, but it will also be devoid of any joy. Follow government suggestions and you will have public school lunch for dinner.  No sane person wants that. — John, No town.

ANSWER: As a responsible source of information, Sun Spots must defer to the professionals when it comes to matters of food safety. That being said, there are probably many readers who will agree with you. Sun Spots knows several people, for instance, who enjoy their steaks practically still mooing, and they’re all fine despite eating this way for years. The world is a dangerous place, however, and tiny organisms that have powers to make us ill are everywhere. Sun Spots’ best advice? Balance your level of caution with your level of confidence in the food which you are preparing, armed with the knowledge of how to do so safely should you decide you need that information.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For anyone who has DISH Network Hopper with the Center Ice Package, I would love to hear from you concerning the recording of games. My number is 784-6597. Thank you so much, and thank you Sun Spots for what you do for us. — Rene, Auburn.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In regard to summer employment for teens, you will find that the smaller local farms often hire teens to help pick fresh vegetables and fruit. — Sharon Goss, Goss Berry Farm.

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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