Hoping to Map Out Odd Place Names

Andrew Craig of Claremont is looking for information on unusual place names in states other than California; he’s interested in items like guide books, histories and magazine articles. Can you help put Craig in his place, or will he have to settle for something halfway between Azusa and Cucamonga? Sara McKinney of Eagle Rock would like the name of the Santa Monica store that sells the “earthquake-proof” steel-canopy bed invented by John Khadivi. Can you help shake things up for McKinney, or will this be another way to test her rock ‘n’ roll mettle?

Marcia Weiss of Rancho Palos Verdes wants to note some sheet music for English music hall songs , the type sung by Gracie Fields, George Gormby and others. Can you help keep Weiss in tune with the times?

Reader-to Reader-Help Line: Christine at (213) 825-6505 is desperate for the record or tape of the play “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Please help, if only to show Chris that you’re really trying instead of giving her the business. . . . Marjorie at (213) 471-2464 needs mugs and cereal bowls (and other pieces) in the Blue Anemone pattern of Arabia stoneware dishes, made in Finland, and no longer available in stores. Please help by writing a happy finish to a story that is more than just food for thought. . . . For a relative suffering from macular degeneration, Ruth at (213) 583-9635 needs a special no-glare, no-squint lamp that provides five times the normal light and was made by Light-Crafters of Greenwich, Conn. Without making light of the situation, please brighten up the day for Ruth.

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.

Priscilla Bonasoro, who wants to make Christmas trees out of Christmas cards for people in convalescent homes, can believe in Santa Claus again. Jean Stratton of Toluca Lake sent us a pattern and other details, and we have forwarded it all to Bonasoro. If anyone else is interested, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

More on mink-stole jackets: Lillian Schmidt of San Gabriel and Margaret Carlson of Sequim, Wash., write that Steven Zaslow of Bond Furs, 202 N. 1st Ave., Arcadia, (818) 446-6363, does a wonderful job of making mink jackets with knitted sleeves.

Mrs. G. O. Erickson of Ventura, who was looking for a retractable outdoor clothesline, will no longer be left out to dry. Kathy Parnell of Alta Loma says she bought one at Sears, in the Housewares department. Mrs. Alvin Noel of Lancaster says the Sears catalogue has such an item on Page 632 (four lines for $19.99). Here are other mail-order sources: Hanover Village, Hanover, Pa. 17333-0030--four 12-foot lines for $5.88 (from Mishelle Sellers, Cerritos); Carol Wright Gifts, 3601 N.W. 15th St., Lincoln, Neb. 68544--four 12-foot lines for $4.95 (from Arline Jeffs, Los Angeles), and Fuller Brush, P.O. Box 1020, Rural Hall, N.C. 27098-1020--an outdoor one of five 12-foot lines (screws included) for $18, and an indoor one of five 13-foot, 9-inch lines for $12; this came from Stephanie Sabar, Los Angeles; Caroline Bales, Alhambra; Audrey Thalimer, Long Beach, and Florence McCormick, Hemet.