DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a question about senior housing. There is a building at Lisbon Street and East Avenue. I think it was a school and I heard it was going to be senior housing. Has it been approved and where does it stand? Are there going to be one- and two-bedroom apartments? If someone is interested where do they go to put their name on a list?

We are so lucky to have Sun Spots. If we need answers we know where to go. Thank you for all your help. No name, no town

ANSWER: There was an informative story regarding the Martel Elementary School senior housing development with proposed 44 units written by Andrew Rice published on Jan. 10, 2022: https://www.sunjournal.com/2022/01/10/martel-school-redevelopment-inches-closer-to-reality/ .

For more information, contact the Avesta Housing office in Portland at 553-7777 or email them at info@AvestaHousing.com .

Lewiston Housing Authority may also be able to update you, although there may not be a list to put your name on yet as these projects take time. To reach them, email info@lewistonhousing.org or call 783-1423.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been taking an online Spanish course and would like to join any kind of Spanish-speaking group in the Lewiston/Auburn area to improve my listening and communication skills. Does anyone know of any such group? Thank you for whatever help you can offer in this matter. —Patrick, Lewiston

ANSWER: Here is a MeetUp groups in the greater Portland area, The Southern Maine Spanish Conversation Group (https://www.meetup.com/portland-maine-spanish/?_cookie-check=LBN16WB9S9Uvtnqq) if you are up to joining something like that.

Another option is South Portland Library’s Conversational Spanish Group. They meet in person at the beginning of every month then on Zoom for subsequent weekly meetings on Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. You can sign up online: (https://southportlandlibrary.com/conversational-spanish-group/).

Perhaps contacting Bates College’s Hispanic Studies Department would glean some information for a closer opportunity for you.

Would you consider starting your own group? If so, I’ll help you get the word out! Perhaps you could meet at one of the local libraries or at a café.

If any readers are interested in starting a group, or know of one already in the works, please share the details!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding learning Portuguese (Jan. 17 Sun Spots), any Lewiston or Auburn resident wanting to learn a foreign language can do so for free with a library card. Simply go to your library website, look under Services, and click on Language Learning.

If you have any trouble setting up the Mango language learning program, call the reference desk at your library for help. After that, it’s easy. Many languages are available. Currently they only offer Brazilian Portuguese, but I’m sure that it would work in Portugal as well. These programs are fun, easy, and you can repeat any information as often as necessary. All of this is free and available whenever you need it. Mango also offers cultural information and movies in whatever language you wish to learn. — Barbara, Lewiston

ANSWER: Of course! I had forgotten about that service so thank you for reminding us. You did a great job explaining it!

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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