Online Features
Lawn & Garden
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Expanding outdoor living space adds value to your home
(BPT) - Even during a challenging economy, the outdoor living trend remains popular as homeowners seek to add lasting value and functional living space under the sky and stars. Whether it’s a do-it-yourself patio or a professionally installed outdoor kitchen, the beauty, usefulness, value and ease of maintenance in outd...
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Well-built decks marry personality and functionality
(BPT) - As temperatures increase, your thoughts may wander to spending time outside sharing conversation, drinks and meals with friends and family. For many homeowners, that can mean renovating an existing gathering spot or replacing it with a new deck. A well-planned deck can increase a home’s value and usable space. ...
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A simple 12-month lawn-care plan for 2013
(BPT) - You may think having golf-course green grass requires hours of work each day, but if you want the best lawn on the block, it’s as easy as coming up with a plan. The secret? When it comes to lawn maintenance, it’s never too early to prepare your course of action. Starting now and focusing on specific to-do’s each...
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How to truly make your patio an extension of your home
(BPT) - If you’re like many homeowners, you consider the patio an extension of your home. So it’s fair to ask: Would you be just as comfortable nestled in with your favorite book or preparing a meal in your outdoor space as you would in your living room or your kitchen? As you contemplate ways to improve your outdoor ar...
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Holiday gifting guide for the bird enthusiast
With the birding hobby’s growing audience of 60 million Americans and counting, you’re sure to have someone on your holiday list looking to attract more feathered friends to his or her yard. Online shopping has made checking people off your list easier than ever, and with flash deals and various holiday promotions ava...
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Lawn mower care - it's time to winterize
Winter is here in many parts of the country, and even if your region is still experiencing relatively warm temperatures, you know Old Man Winter is on his way. Your thoughts may already be on preparing the snow blower for a long, hard winter, but before you break out the ice melt, don't overlook the importance of winteri...
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What you need to know about composite decking
Although composite decking is not new, lack of familiarity with the product may lead you to be confused when making a decision about the type of product you should choose for your deck. To make this decision-making process easier, it often helps to go back to the basics.
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Year-round backyard safety tips for families
Your backyard is a space where you enjoy quality time with your family - from running around with your kids in the fall leaves to playing catch with your furry friend in the snow. It's a place to escape, but remember accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and just like you childproof your house, you need to ensure y...
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Winterize your home in a weekend
Preparing for Jack Frost's arrival can send a shiver down any homeowner's spine. A long to-do list for getting your home ready can feel overwhelming, leaving you wondering where you'll find the time and resources. But, with some optimism, easy tips and access to a few rental tools, you can winterize your home in just one...
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Why a little fall outdoor maintenance can go a long way
After spending the summer enjoying the outdoors, it can be a little bittersweet to get the deck and yard ready for the cooler days ahead. The good news is getting outdoor areas ready for winter doesn't have to be a time-consuming process.
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Got deer? Freeze them out this winter
Deer are beautiful, graceful animals, we cannot deny it. But when it comes to where deer decide to dine, most of us just don't want them outside our windows foraging through our foliage. Their beauty and grace comes with the destruction - even devastation - of our well-cared-for and often expensive landscaped yards and g...
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Birding - It's as close as your backyard
Unlike most hobbies, backyard birding doesn't cost a lot, doesn't take tons of equipment, and doesn't require that you decipher complicated instructions just to get started. All you need is a backyard or a balcony.
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national news
Amid heckling, Obama defends drone use

U.S. President Barack Obama makes a point at the National Defense University in WashingtonIt's time "to fight terrorists without...perpetual war-time footing," he says.


Thu May 23 14:20:22 UTC 2013
IRS ousts Lerner, who oversaw targeting

IRS official Lois Lerner is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 22, 2013, before the House Oversight Committee hearing to investigate the extra scrutiny IRS gave to Tea Party and other conservative groups that applied for tax-exempt status. Lerner told the committee she did nothing wrong and then invoked her constitutional right to not answer lawmakers' questions. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)She was director of division that oversaw agents who targeted tea party groups.


Thu May 23 15:45:22 UTC 2013
Cleveland hero gets hamburgers for life reward

FILE - This May 6, 2013 file photo shows neighbor Charles Ramsey speaking to media near the home where missing women Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight were rescued in Cleveland. Ramsey, the man who famously put down his Big Mac to help rescue three women held captive for a decade in an Ohio house will never have to pay for another burger in his hometown. Ramsey has been promised free burgers for life at more than a dozen Cleveland-area restaurants. (AP Photo/The Plain Dealer, Scott Shaw, File)The man became famous for putting down his Big Mac to help free three women.


Thu May 23 12:43:29 UTC 2013