Reader Likes Shredder Better Than Processor

Mrs. S. Alvis of Lancaster is looking for a Daisy Shredder for her vegetables; she likes these better than a food processor. Can you help her pick up the pieces, or will there never be a shred of evidence that she made mincemeat out of her carrots?

For a wheelchair patient in a convalescent hospital, Fay Reese of Canoga Park needs an abbreviated sweater that covers only the arms and shoulders; she says these are called shrugs or shoulderettes. The item must be washable and should be made of acrylic. Can you help with this cover-up, or will Reese have to shrug off the entire matter because she’ll be convinced somebody is giving her friend the cold shoulder?

For her antique chain-pull toilet (with wall-mounted tank), Julia Rider of Los Angeles needs either an old-fashioned ball cock or someone who can modify the tank so that it will accept modern flush equipment. Can you help before she considers this a waste of time, or will Rider never be flushed with success and will be stuck with an expectation that just won’t hold water?

In Marin County, Sue Guilford of Orange saw a lightweight, soft plastic sun visor with a translucent plastic string ; the visor is less than 1/8th-inch thick. Locally, the item does not seem to be available. Can you help brighten Guilford’s day, or will she soon see the light and recognize that the whole matter is a shady business?

Reader-to-Reader Help Line: Melody at (818) 248-7088 needs the blade for a 25-year-old (or older) Sears Roebuck coping saw. Please help, especially if you saw one recently, and make sure that Melody will soon be able to cope again. . . . Helen at (619) 429-0858 is looking for an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice crusher ; she has been told these are no longer made. Please help break the ice in Helen’s home, else she’ll be crushed. . . . Marian at (619) 941-4417 needs pieces for a discontinued 18/8-gauge stainless-steel tableware set ; the pattern is Astron, by Lauffer. Please help, so Marian’s future dinner guests will be “setting” pretty.

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.

Dan Karmartz of West Los Angeles, who was looking for skin-colored Mennen’s Shave Talc, need not jump out of his skin. A reader says the product is available at Consumers Drug on Hudson Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. J. B. Osnower of El Segundo says Better Drugs, 319 Main St., El Segundo, carries Mennen’s Neutral Tint Shave talc for $2.07. Norma B. Bodey of Los Angeles saw the talc at Fedco on La Cienega Boulevard and Rodeo Road, Los Angeles. And Howard Miller of Studio City says it is available at Maxson’s Drugs, 13303 Riverside Drive in Sherman Oaks.

Dean Terlingen of Long Beach, who was looking for the glass birds that move back and forth when filled with liquid, need not fly off the handle. Brad Tarr of Huntington Beach says the birds are in gift shops at Magic Mountain. And George Armstrong of Garden Grove says these “Happy Birds” are available for $3.50 (plus shipping) from Edmund Scientific Co., Department 2102, Edscorp Building, Barrington, N.J. 08007.

After Jane Turner of Hermosa Beach asked for thin-metal, tightly sprung bobby pins in brown color for fine hair, we heard from several other readers who were looking for the same product, but in different colors. So far, only one Burbank reader has come forth--with the brown bobby pins. Because there seems to be such a demand, can you try and help these other readers--and at the same time get them out of our hair?

For Barbara Kerney of Huntington Beach, who was looking for a double-handled glass or cup to be used at her daughter’s wedding, the cup may soon run over. A reader states that the Mar Vista Market at Venice Boulevard and Grand View in Mar Vista has cream-colored cups with two handles. We also heard from an Ojai reader who has such a cup (of Bavarian china) and is willing to sell it--or lease it for the occasion. That information has been forwarded to Kerney, and we hope it’s her cup of tea.

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.