What does the First Amendment mean to you?

Not since 1971 have we seen the government so blatantly attack the freedom of the press. Working for local news organizations most of my life, I have a strong affiliation to the principles that should guide the news. I also hold in equal regard the freedoms that must be upheld for our democracy to flourish.

(NAPSI)—Whether it’s a vacation road trip or your daily commute to work, when the temperatures climb higher on the outside, things are also heating up under the hood of your car.

The parents at CEC 24 meeting in Middle Village last Tuesday were furious.

(BPT) - You need to come up with the perfect Father’s Day gift this year. But combing through the vast array of items on his wish list can be a challenge. Here are some great ideas to make your selection easier - and make any dad feel like the king he truly is.

(BPT) - Do the words “aging in place” and “home improvement” conjure images of institutional-looking grab bars in bathrooms and overhead kitchen lights that could illuminate an airport runway? Many people eschew certain types of home improvements for the same reason others refuse to wear hearing aids – the negative connotations of age.

(NAPSI)—Basic car care is the key to a long-lasting vehicle, and to improving its safety and dependability.

Dear Editor:

It was with some interest that I read your “Autism rates rising ... but why?” article in the April 11 Health & Fitness section.

I’ve wondered about that myself, because when I was a kid (I’m now called a senior citizen), autism was very rare.

There may be one villain that may not have been checked out to any degree for economic reasons. To find it toxic would cause upheaval in many industries. It’s plastic.

A small item I read stated that plastic containers leak deadly chemicals no matter what’s stored in them. Glass has been passé for a long time now. Regular foods and, worst of all, baby food, have been sold in plastic containers that have stood nobody knows how long on grocery store shelves. Baby bottles are now made of plastic, which means that from the time a baby has been born, it has been ingesting toxic chemicals with its milk and vegetable juices.

I don’t know how much research has been done along these lines, but I do believe whatever is done would be worth the effort. Since the Environmental Protection Agency is always so concerned about Americans’ health, this should be right up its alley.

(NAPSI)—Spring may have sprung, but is your sprinkler ready? Before you ramp up your watering this season, it might be time to spruce up your sprinklers to stop wasting water, save money, and promote a healthy lawn or garden.

(BPT) - From intense heat to extreme snow, your roof protects your house from the elements all year long. When is the last time you checked to make sure your roof was in good shape? No matter what the seasons are like in your area, now is the time to begin preparation for extreme weather by giving your roof a second look. 

(BPT) - When you’re done with spring cleaning, you may assume you’ve eliminated any allergy triggers that were lurking in your home. But the truth is, if you don’t clean the right way, you might be making the problem worse.

(BPT) - Forget wondering who’s the fairest; when it comes to choosing home improvements that make your home look good – from the curb and to potential buyers – it may make more sense to ask “Who’s the greenest of them all.” Sustainable home improvements not only help reduce utility costs and boost owner satisfaction with their homes, they also make a house more appealing to potential buyers.

(BPT) - With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get your car in tip-top shape to withstand hot days and long road trips. Summer driving requires your car to run differently; some adjustments and inspections are important to ensure your vehicle lasts season to season. Follow these five fast fixes and inspections to cruise through the summer and avoid roadside headaches.

(BPT) - Summer is the time for road trips, whether they cover thousands of miles across the country, or are “staycation” day trips. As we head into the summer months, gasoline prices continue to fluctuate and are expected to average $3.56 per gallon for regular-grade gasoline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Whether you’re driving for hours or sitting in traffic, you will want to make sure your vehicle is ready for the road.

(NAPSI)—From smaller fixes around the house to grand-scale projects, everyone has a little “do it yourself” inspiration in them.

(BPT) - There are a number of ways to save water and they all start with you.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American uses about 50 gallons of water per day at home. That means a family of four uses approximately 6,000 gallons a month. The following tips can help you save water, money and the environment. 

(BPT) - When U.S. lawmakers made a deal to keep the country from going off the “fiscal cliff” at the end of 2012, they reinstated a tax break of up to $500 to help homeowners earn money back for energy efficient home improvements. The tax credit included in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 is the first home improvement incentive since 2011, making this remodeling season an opportune time to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency and curb appeal before time runs out on Dec. 31, 2013.