DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Feb. 8, there was a story in the Sun Journal about students at McMahon Elementary School sampling Bariis Iskukaris rice, a Somali dish including rice cooked in stock with multiple spices and raisins. It sounds delicious and I would love to have that recipe.

Over 20 years ago, new Somali residents put on a meal of their native foods at the Franco Center. It was most delicious. Are there places to get this food in the Twin Cities? — No name, no town

ANSWER: There are lots of opportunities for you to taste delicious Somali food in the area. Isuken Co-op (https://isukencoop.com/) has a food truck that appears at farmers’ markets, events and festivals. All the organic food is grown locally. More information can be found here: https://isukencoop.com/news/ and on Facebook.

You may also be interested in Liberation Farms. These farmers organize into Iskashito groups. Iskashito is a traditional Somali method of cooperative growing where farmers work together on one piece of land and equitably share the profits of their combined labor and efforts. You can learn more about how to purchase from these Iskashito farmers  (https://somalibantumaine.org/liberation-farm-products/). This is such a wonderful thing.

There are a few Somali restaurants in the downtown area of Lewiston on Lisbon Street, as well as a market or two for buying the ingredients you need to make the food at home.

If you reach out to the Somali-Bantu Association https://somalibantumaine.org/) at info@somalibantummaine.org or call 784-5556, you can find out more information about the community, and perhaps even get some recipes for authentic Somali dishes.

I read that Bariis Iskukaris is considered to be the national dish and therefore, one of the most popular, so I certainly understand why you would want to try it. It’s also wonderfully healthy!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was told I could find out ahead of time when my $450 energy relief payment will be mailed out. How do I do that? — Kris, no town

ANSWER: Go to https://portal.maine.gov/refundstatus/payment and scroll down to answer the three questions. You’ll need to fill in your Social Security number, state of Maine filing status, and your 2021 Federal Adjusted Gross Income. The information is updated Tuesday and Friday nights.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My 15-year-old grandson wants to go to Quebec City. Is there is a special passport for just Canada for young people without driving licenses? — Cheryl, Lewiston

ANSWER: There isn’t a special passport. If your grandson is traveling with his parents, and not turning 16 while in Canada, his original birth certificate needs to be shown for entry into Canada and back to the states if traveling by land or sea only.

If his parents are with him, that’s all you need. If he is traveling with you, or someone other than his parents, he also needs a notarized consent affidavit with signatures of both his custodial parents saying you have their permission to take him out of the U.S. into Canada.

If he’s traveling with just one of his parents, besides his birth certificate, he needs a notarized consent affidavit signed by the parent who is staying home, stating the above.

If he is going through an airline, he must have a valid U.S. passport.

For more information, go to: https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/does-a-minor-need-a-passport-to-enter-canada-and-return-to-the-us.html#:~:text=Entering%20Canada%3A%20U.S.%20citizens%20are,certificate%2C%20or%20expired%20U.S.%20passport.

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