(BPT) - Outdoor living spaces cry out for an eco-friendly touch. Whether you’re adding a patio, updating a deck or livening up your landscaping, the last thing you want to do is harm the environment. Greener decorating and building practices can help you protect and pay homage to Mother Nature while creating a space where you’ll enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

The National Weather Service forecasts moderate to heavy rain and high winds up to 40 mph for the New York City area today, Thursday, June 13 through tomorrow, Friday, June 14.  

In preparation for the weather, the Department of Buildings is reminding all property owners and contractors to secure their construction sites and buildings.

(BPT) - Whether you own a cozy cottage or mega mansion, as a homeowner, you likely embrace the outdoor living trend. But when you look at your deck or patio, does it leave something to be desired? By taking a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach, you can affordably create outdoor spaces that enhance the style and functionality of your home, plus add to the overall value of the property.

(BPT) - The backyard is more than just a lawn to mow or a place for the pooch to run around. Many homeowners are turning their backyards into an extension of their homes, bringing the indoors outside for additional living space.

AThe Auburndale branch of the Queens Library will be closed after this week while its roof is reconstructed.

The building at 25-55 Francis Lewis Blvd. will shut down at the end of business on Friday. During the closure, limited library service will be provided by a mobile library every Monday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m., starting June 17.

The Parks Department has repainted areas of Doughboy Park in Woodside shortly after a group of volunteers painted many of the appointments in the park a lime green color.

In early May, Edgar Cartegena, the superintendent of a local apartment building along with Edward Bergendahl, a Korean War veteran and president of the Woodside Civic Association, led a group of volunteer veterans and children in painting the park.

(BPT) - Summer means deck time for many Americans. A deck is an ideal spot for relaxation and entertaining. Imagine a cook-out with friends, snoozing in the sun on a hot day, snuggling with your sweetheart watching shooting stars, or having a backyard camp-out with the kids.

(StatePoint) There is something about the way dads think that allow them to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. If you’re the kind of handy dad that can be counted on to fix and build things around the house, consider translating those skills to getting creative with your kids.

(BPT) - When it comes to home improvement, homeowners aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty; 64 percent who plan to make improvements this year say they will do it themselves, according to an American Express Consumer Spending and Saving Report. But not all home decorating or renovating projects are suitable for the average DIYer. So how do you know when to DIY or when to call in a professional?

Spring brings a new season of fruits, vegetables and herbs to the Glendale Community Garden.

Founded in 2009 through an effort led by Glendale resident and Community Board 5 member Dorie Figliola and sponsored by the Glendale Kiwanis, the garden is home to everything from tomatoes to eggplant to, starting this year, herbs. It is located on a piece of land at 88th Street and 74th Avenue “borrowed” from the Yeshiva Gedolah Seminary, which owns the land.

Our lawns and gardens seem to be all about the “green.” We spend a lot of green on our lawns and gardens – nearly $30 billion a year. We grow a lot of greens – nearly a third of us grow food in our gardens. And many companies now make outdoor gardening products with recycled materials, such as plastics – which contribute to sustainability and make our lawns and gardens a bit greener.

(BPT) - As the seasons change, turn over a new leaf and give your home an energy makeover. You can improve your home’s comfort while helping the environment by making your home more energy efficient, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, a variety of compatible technologies are available to help manage your home’s comfort systems more efficiently and economically. Here are some tips to get you started.

A lot can change in five days.

Community Board 7 voted on Monday to approve the proposed Phase One redevelopment of Willets Point, including a controversial 1.4 million-square-foot shopping mall adjacent to Citi Field, after its Land Use Committee initially failed to approve the project.

(StatePoint) For families, summertime is all about active fun -- from vacations to ballgames, and fireworks to poolside picnics. But being on-the-go can mean lots of downtime in transit and waiting for activities to start.

Turning onto Sapphire Street from Linden Boulevard, it almost seems like a roller coaster.

Make the turn fast enough and the dip causes a sensation in your stomach akin to the first drop on Great Adventure’s Nitro.

(NAPSI)—Deciding to re-side your home isn’t a small undertaking but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. You need a keen eye, some research and a game plan. Here are hints that can help:

(BPT) - The arrival of milder temperatures means dining al fresco, hosting neighborhood cookouts and enjoying intimate cocktail parties under the stars. When creating a backyard oasis to entertain family and friends this summer, it’s important that it be both inviting and able to withstand the wear and tear that goes hand-in-hand with warm weather fun.

(BPT) - One in five Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). As the 2013 allergy season begins, experts warn that it may be one of the worst in recent years, with people experiencing an unusually strong reaction due to increased tree pollen.

A development group seeking neighborhood approval of construction plans on a Whitestone brownfield site continues to face scrutiny over possible health concerns and dangers from toxic chemicals at the location.

Members of Community Board 7 are pressing the current owner of the Waterpointe site, Edgestone Group LLC, to investigate water contamination, toxic vapor intrusion and the need for remediation of contaminated soil before it can move forward with the construction of 52 single-family homes on the property. They want the developers to go above and beyond state requirements, while Edgestone is adamant it will follow all necessary protocols for remediation.

(NAPSI)—Five percent may not sound like a lot of anything, but when it comes to building new homes, it can make a big contribution toward putting Americans to work.

(NAPSI)—A remodeled basement can add comfort and value to a home. In fact, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2013 Cost vs. Value Report, basement remodels are still one of the top remodeling projects and typically consist of about a third of the entire home’s available space.

The Queens Museum of Art, the exhibit and education center located in what had been the New York City Building during the 1939-40 and 1964-65 World’s Fairs, is in the midst of an expansion that, upon completion, will double its size to 105,000 square feet.