(BPT) - Al fresco dining is one of the great pleasures of warm weather. Whether you’re hosting a neighborhood barbecue or an intimate dinner party on your deck, outdoor dining is a great way to savor good food, company and the great outdoors. To ensure your meals are safe and enjoyable, it’s important to know how to prepare, transport and store food for outdoor eating.

With all the disasters — natural and otherwise — wreaking havoc across the country as of late, as well as the ongoing state of the economy, two presentations at this month’s Community Board 13 meeting on Monday night took on added significance.

Representing the city’s Department of the Aging, Darnley Jones said areas around the borough are still trying to recuperate from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, particularly in the Rockaways, where he estimated it will take another five years to fully recover.

Warmer summer weather in the city means more and more people will be using the city’s streets and parks to go running.

With that in mind, the Community Affairs Bureau and the Crime Prevention Section of the NYPD are offering the following tips to encourage people to run more safely:

(StatePoint) Now that warmer weather and summer are upon us, grilling season is here again and families are taking meals outside to enjoy the sunshine. While a traditional barbeque is always great, Americans are increasingly adding unique twists to their summer grilling routines.

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) - The weather is warming up and summer is right around the corner. From holiday celebrations to road trips, family vacations to block parties, it’s the time of year for cookouts. Make all of your summer cuisine extraordinary no matter what the occasion with these five simple tips:

(BPT) - In warmer weather, patios transform into the ultimate gathering space for backyard barbecues, reading, relaxing or even exercising. These outdoor rooms become an extension of the house, seamlessly merging the outdoors inside and vice versa.

(NewsUSA) - What do you treasure most under your roof?

(BPT) - The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and pollen counts are soaring ... and that means millions of Americans are dealing with the sneezing and wheezing that comes with seasonal allergies. While allergies are sometimes considered an uncomfortable nuisance, for the 25 million Americans with asthma, seasonal allergies can trigger serious attacks that if not managed properly could lead to a visit to the ER. In fact, asthma is responsible for half a million hospitalizations each year – 60 percent of which are caused by patients not taking their medication as prescribed.

(BPT) - New jobs, first jobs, relationships and looking for a change in weather – these are just a few reasons people have for moving. Most families move during the warmer months, and many choose to move to warmer locations.

(BPT) - Warm weather is here, bringing barbecues, picnics and more time spent outdoors. Everyone should be able to enjoy these popular pastimes, including the up to six million Americans at risk for a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. For these people, a bee sting, shrimp on the barbecue or a latex balloon may lead to a life-threatening emergency. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place to help avoid allergens and be prepared if accidental contact occurs.

An inactive construction site that has been stalled for years is frustrating the residents of Briarwood.

The lot located at 84-03 Lander St. was supposed to be developed into a six-story apartment house. But years later, the building remains unfinished, with metal columns that have since rusted over and a plywood fence that has become weather-worn and covered in graffiti.

The new executive officer of the 103rd Precinct said crime statistics — particularly those involving guns — are headed in the right direction on Tuesday at the monthly meeting of the precinct’s Community Council.

“Year to date we have had five shootings; last year at this time the precinct had 16,” Capt. James Fey said. “In those incidents there have been six shooting victims. We had 19 in the same period last year.

September 2014 will mark the end of an era as CBS, the network that has broadcast the championship matches of the US Open as far back as anyone can remember, will not renew its contract with the United States Tennis Association when it expires next year, the Queens Chronicle has exclusively learned.

(BPT) - Are you killing your pet with kindness? We’re not talking about the compassion that motivates us to vaccinate our pets, or keep them warm in cold weather. Kindness that can be harmful to pets comes in the form of an overabundance of food and treats. The all-too-common result is a pet that becomes overweight or even obese.

(NAPSI)If youre among the nearly 75 percent of menopausal women who suffer from hot flashes,¹ it can be tough to enjoy the sunny weather worrying about a sudden hot flash in summertime. And since hot weather tends to be a common hot flash trigger,² these sudden feelings of warmth can be exacerbated. But, with just a little planning and preparation you can get on the right track to an enjoyable summer.

(BPT) - Grapes from California are in abundant supply throughout the summer, which is welcome news for those seeking a healthy, refreshing snack. They’re also a boon to the home cook: grapes provide bright color, a sweet-tart flavor and a refreshing burst of juice to warm-weather dishes.

(BPT) - While children long for the lazy carefree days of summer, many adults view the season as a reason to be active and get healthy. Whether it's to look good for an upcoming beach vacation or simply to have the energy to enjoy the season to the fullest, setting health goals is a great first step.

On 60th Place near the 62nd Avenue intersection in Maspeth, there is a cliff where nothing but a dead-end sign stands in the way of a 50-foot fall down the rocky slope to the railroad tracks.

“With the warmer weather coming and school ending soon there will be more kids out and one of them could fall off this cliff,” civic activist and parent Charlene Stubbs, who brought attention to the issue, said.

(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.

(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:

(NAPSI)—Superfruits—fruits that are exceptionally rich in vitamins and antioxidants—are popular ingredients in a variety of healthy foods.

(NAPSI)--America's farmers feed the world: According to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), each U.S. farmer grows enough for 155 people. Now, thanks to technology and their own hard work, they should be able to continue to do so, despite what Mother Nature has been throwing at them lately.