Finding Fake Fireplace for Santa’s Visit

Marjorie E. of Canoga Park would like to find a fake (cardboard) fireplace , so she can put her Christmas decorations on it. She says these fireplaces were available some years ago, but now she can’t find one. Can you help surprise--really surprise--Santa Claus, or will Holy Night at Marjorie’s house turn out to be a holey night, since Santa won’t have a way in?

In his kitchen, David S. Grant of San Gabriel has an alcove built for a Kelvinator refrigerator that is 41 inches wide and 62 1/2 inches high ; now he either needs a replacement Kelvinator or another refrigerator of that size. Can you help fill a huge void in Grant’s kitchen, or will he have to leave no stone unturned to cover that opening?

For a smoother look, Pat Martin and a friend need hair curlers (rollers) at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter; she prefers the wire rollers with soft plastic mesh, but will settle for the hard plastic type. Can you help Martin hair and now, or will she stand out head and shoulders above everybody else, whether she likes it or not?

Allen E. Voigt of Rancho Mirage needs to have a brass chafing dish re-tinned ; acid food left overnight caused the damage. Can you help Voigt pass the acid test, or will he always have to chafe under the stain of one night’s mistake?

Reader-to Reader-Help Line: The recent earthquake shattered the toilet tank cover at Bob’s house (213) 696-3090; it fits a 7-year-old American Standard Bone Carlisle toilet No. 2610-553 , but Bob says that model is no longer made. Please see to it that this is one cover-up that holds water. . . . Dawn at (213) 275-7522 needs dinner and bread-and-butter plates and soup and serving bowls, all in the Stonehenge-Moon pattern by Eve Midwinter ; she will also take Stonehenge-Creation as a second choice. Please see to it that a nice dinner is served before Dawn.

Note: The Reader-to-Reader Help Line is only for one-time items or 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.

For Carol Chew of Northridge and Anita Crane of Anaheim, both of whom were looking for 90-inch, round tablecloths in solid colors and vinyl backed, we have a source. Pamela Fisher of Strouds Linen Warehouse says Chew should contact Darcy Twyman, manager of Strouds’ Northridge store, 8762 Corbin Ave., (818) 701-5026, for Decor color samples. (Crane might want to go to a Strouds near her.)

George Morrison of Monrovia, who was looking for steel nail files, can stop chewing his nails. V. B. Eddas of Alhambra says that Sargeants makes a steel nail file for pet claws that also works on humans and is available in pet-supply stores and in pet sections of supermarkets. But if Morrison prefers to scratch a little further, Jean Stanley of North Hollywood and Marjorie Friel of Mission Viejo both suggest a “nail-order” firm, the Vermont Country Store, P.O. Box 3000, Manchester Center, Vt. 05255.

For Mrs. J. W. Underhill and Mary Wallach, who were looking for a product that mends burn or moth holes in fabric, we have (hopefully) sources to burn. Elsie De Santis of Glendale, Joseph Daley of Harbor City and George W. Trippon of Redondo Beach all recommend Texativ Fabric Adhesive, distributed by Product Specialties Inc., P.O. Box 230, Chicago, Ill. 60645. Trippon obtained his supply some years ago at a Thrifty drug store.

We also have some good ideas for Ken Cook of Burbank, who wants to get rid of soot stains from around forced-air furnace vents. Elizabeth Marsh of Santa Ana uses Simple Green, sold in grocery stores, Sears and other places. Marsh says to use it full-strength with a Turkish towel. Another reader says that bicarbonate of soda on a wet cloth might do the trick.

More on making bathtubs and showers slip resistant. Sure-Step of Los Angeles County, (213) 534-3500, which specializes in industrial and commercial work, also has a residential division that will treat one unit for $49.50 ($24.50 for additional units), with a three-year guarantee, according to general manager John K. Townsend.

Good news for Lynn Mooney of Hollywood and others who have asked for Post-It stickers on rolls. They are now available in gift and greeting card stores and come in various colors and designs, according to Cliff Dektar.

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.