Jack Helps Fight the Open-Door Policy

Having just moved, Joy Bancroft of Los Angeles remembers having seen advertisements for a device similar to a jack that you can prop against a closed door to keep intruders out. But where to buy one? Can you help Joy guard against that open-door policy, or will she have to steel herself to the fact that, no matter how hard she tries, she may end up in a jamb?

For some years, Louise Snow, who lives in the South Bay area, has had a grotto, molded of brown wax, for a Christmas creche. The wax has now deteriorated and needs to be repaired. Can you help with a source before Santa Claus mounts his sleigh, or will Snow wax despondent because the grotto looks as if it’s been hit by a rain tier?

Reader-to-Reader Help Line: Doug at (213) 820-7740 is lamenting the theft of a T-shirt that featured the old RKO logo (“Radio Pictures” and a broadcast tower atop a globe) and is looking for a replacement, preferably large or extra large, in navy blue. Please see to it as quickly possible that the shirt fits to a T; in the meantime, Doug will just have to keep his shirt on. . . . For a lady who will be 75 on Christmas Day, Beverly at (213) 429-7189 needs the old type of artificial Christmas tree that has straight branches with several inches of space between them , so that it can accommodate many ornaments.

Note: The Reader-to-Reader Help Line is only for one-time items and for products no longer available in stores. And you must give us written permission to publish your telephone number, so that others may contact you directly.

More Argo starch substitutes: N. Campbell got some liquid Itoya Glue at a Payless store for stiffening crocheted snowflakes. Another glue user is Mrs. Henry Walton, who combines equal parts of water and white glue. Leah Shiozake says that Kingsford Corn Starch works as well as Argo. And D. Petrie offers this recipe: Mix one part water with three parts sugar, stir and cook over low heat (don’t let it come to a boil). Wet piece to be starched in warm water, squeeze in a towel and dip in sugar starch. Stretch to desired shape and place on flat surface to dry.

For Julie Light of Sherman Oaks, who was looking for the plastic rings that hold pairs of socks together in the washer and dryer, we have a stocking full of nearby sources. Norma Wishingrad of Van Nuys says the rings are available at the City of Hope Thrift Shop, 6252 Vantage Ave., North Hollywood. Renee Barger of Costa Mesa and Arline Miller of Thousand Oaks saw the rings at K mart, and Melody Nicoll of La Crescenta and Patricia Murphy of Lawndale spotted them at Pic ‘n Save.

There’s more: Mrs. Ralph M. Guember of West Covina says the catalogue of Walter Drake, Drake Building, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80940, lists Pair-o-Socks (H-3292) at $1.49 for a set of 12. Six readers have these rings in various numbers and are willing to wring out the old year with them; a stamped, self-addressed envelope will get you the names. And for a socko finale, Selma Kitzman and Alice Kohler say why bother? They have been using safety pins and diaper pins for years.

Good news for Betty Kephart of Woodland Hills, who was seeking rules for the original Anagram game. Janice Zolnekoff of Whittier sent them to us. Anyone else interested? As in Anagrams, all it takes to get started is a (self-addressed, stamped) letter.

Herb Hain cannot answer mail personally but will, space permitting, respond in this column to readers who need--or have--helpful information. Write (do not telephone) to You Can Help!, You section, the Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.