Search Begins for Special Reddish Stones

Maria Guma of Simi Valley is looking for leca (light expanded clay aggregate) , which is the material in certain small, rounded, porous reddish stones used in hydroculture (not hydroponics). Hydroculture is a way to grow plants in special containers with only water, food and these stones. Can you help, even if it means leaving no stone unturned?

Reader-to-Reader Help Line: A few weeks ago, when we reported that Norm at (818) 705-4277 needed a video unit (preferably a Sony) that records and plays Beta, we made a slight mistake. We neglected to stipulate that he was talking about a Beta 1 unit , which is no longer in production. So please make this your No. 1 priority and assure Norm that he’s no longer off the record. . . . In order to combat a mild stomach disorder, Hal at (818) 573-2102 needs Okra tablets, which were made by Pet Foods and have been discontinued. Please come up with some ideas, so that Hal can stop bellyaching. . . . Beverly at (818) 781-3092 needs a Proctor ironing table with pad and cover , something that hasn’t been made for years. Can you pull the iron out of the fire for Beverly and make sure things go smoothly in her home?

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.

Bud Rivkin of Del Mar, who needed someone to repair a Woog Ora dental-care system, no longer will have to grit his teeth. Elaine Fried of Alhambra gave us the name of a man who will repair just about any electrical appliance or gadget. He is Henry M. Yanoff, c/o Charlie’s Restaurant Supplies, 2094 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, Calif. 91107, telephone (818) 793-6184 or (213) 681-8882.

Here’s another source for a sundial globe. Lorraine Hammerlund of Sepulveda sent us a catalogue that features the item, with the arrow indicating the time; the cost is $125 for the small size, $145 for the large. Order from Anderson Butik, P.O. Box 151, Lindsborg, Kan. 67456, phone (913) 227-3864.

For armchair shoppers looking for a product that removes carpet stains permanently, we have a mail-order source. Martha Zuska of Los Alamitos writes that she ordered White Wizard from the Pottery Barn, 4300 Concord Road, Memphis, Tenn. 38118, telephone (415) 421-6600. And Mrs. S. M. Griffith of Pasadena says White Wizard is available from Ambassador, One Ambassador Plaza, Box 52146, Phoenix, Ariz. 85072-2146.

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.