Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for someone to fix my Time Out doll.

I would also like to work from home and am wondering what information is available out there for someone starting a home-based business? I can be reached at 782-6833. – Linda, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots is not sure who could assist you in fixing your Time Out doll but wonders if you’ve checked with the makers of this doll to see if they can help.

In the meantime, if you have access to a computer, you might see what you can find for home-based businesses, or by checking your local newspapers and community papers. They’re all a wonderful resource.

Among some possibilities that should get you started are:

Avon, Mary Kay, Fuller Brush, Tupperware, at home editing/data entry/typing/medical transcriptions (after training) and more. A good place to check out would be www.jobsinME.com; www.craigslist.org and www.Work-at-Home.Org.

Sun Spots would also strongly recommend you check in with Women, Work & Community, www.womenworkandcommunity.org, which may be able to help you explore your career-goal options. Upcoming events include:

Financing Your Future, where you will learn new money-management tools and budgeting ideas to help you meet your personal financial goals. Four sessions: June 11, 25, July 9 and 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Augusta. FMI or registration call Jean Dempster at 621-3434 or 1-800-442-2092. Note, this class is also being held in Lewiston-Auburn and Farmington. See more details on the Web site.

Basics of Starting a Business, a three-session workshop, developed in partnership with the Women’s Business Center at CEI, will answer questions, discuss pros and cons of being an entrepreneur, and help you take the first steps. The class covers the basics of a business plan, marketing, cash planning and is suitable for those thinking about or in the early startup phase of a new business. Pre-registration is required and attendance at all three sessions is highly encouraged. Classes are June 13 to 27 from 9 a.m. to noon in Augusta.

Career Exploration. A workshop to help plan for a career that will match who you are while meeting your financial needs. It will identify interests, skills and experiences and match them to viable career fields. Explore career-related education and training options. Develop a personal career action plan to achieve your goals. Four sessions taking place from July 24 to Aug. 2 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. FMI call Jean Dempster at 621-3434 or 1-800-442-2092.

New Ventures is a 12-week business planning course that covers topics such as your customer, your competition, marketing, financial record-keeping, taxes, legal aspects, financing, and much more. At the end of 12 weeks, you will have a written business plan. The course qualifies for 3 UMA credits, with a small processing fee. Class size limited to 15. Applications due Sept. 21. Orientation will be held Sept. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Interviews by appointment are Sept. 26, 27, 28 and classes will be held Oct. 2 to Dec. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To request an application, call Wendy Rose at 1-800-442-2092 or e-mail at [email protected].

You might also consider contacting the Lewiston-Auburn Center, UMA at Lewiston-Auburn College, 51-55 Westminster St., Lewiston, ME 04240, 1-800-442-2092 or 753-6612. You will also see class listings for the Lewiston-Auburn area on the site.

Dear Sun Spots: I know you have helped a lot in the past and hope you can do the same for me. I have my father’s WWII honorable discharge papers. They are a miniature copy and have a silver coin with a cross in the center, along with it. Is there any expert in our area that could look at it for me? Thank you. – Jean Delamater, Oxford.

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). 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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].