(BPT) - Bill Cosby once said, “Fatherhood is pretending the present you love the most is soap-on-a-rope.” As children all over the country prepare to honor their dads for Father’s Day or a special birthday, it might be time to say “no” to the soap and ties and give him what he really loves – a home-cooked meal.

I am trying to find a way to legally copy DVDs we own to an external hard drive for storage connected to my laptop. When we take long road trips it would be nice to not have to haul all our movies along. — Bill

(NAPSI)—You may have more in common with a race car driver than you realize. Consider this: When he’s not busy at the racetrack, NASCAR star Greg Biffle likes to slow down and unwind at home. Like other homeowners, Biffle and his wife Nicole are eager to create a warm, welcoming environment for guests while protecting their investment.

After 14-year-old Austin Thacker, of Legacy Traditional School , was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Diffused Mature B Cell Lymphoma, fellow students and the community have come together to make things a little easier on the family. 

Making the most of your home’s outdoor spaces can do wonders for a property’s overall value. What’s more, some updates can also potentially lower your home’s energy bills while increasing its efficiency.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a rather humorous conversation that I recently had with a long-distance friend via text (with her permission). I hope you find it as entertaining as I do. While the names have been changed to protect anonymity, the story is completely true.

Tucson Water will host the final two town halls to present three options for proposed fiscal year 2014 water rates and fees. The options have been recommended by the Citizens Water Advisory Committee (CWAC).

(StatePoint) Transitioning from high school to the next life stage can be a time of excitement for young people, but it can also be a time filled with uncertainty.

(BPT) - From January 2010 to February 2013, the average unemployment rate was 8.8 percent, a stark contrast to the average of 5.3 percent from January 2003 to December 2006. Though the unemployment rate - currently at its lowest point since 2009 - has begun to improve, it is a slow recovery; the percentage of unemployed Americans out of work for more than one year has skyrocketed from 10 percent in 2007 to more than 30 percent today, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Arizona Sen. John McCain introduced a new bill, the Television Consumer Freedom Act, that let the customers choose the channels in their subscription. 

(NAPSI)—Before summer kicks into high gear, consider converting your home into an eco-friendly and energy-saving one. An excellent place to start is with your window coverings. Cooling your house with cellular shades, solar screens or window film provides a multitude of benefits that can not only save you money, but create a more enjoyable home environment as well.

(NAPSI)--Many people might get and keep their hands on more money if they had a better grasp of finances. Consider these statistics from Indiana State University:

(StatePoint) Whether you are motivated to help the planet or simply want to slash home energy and water bills, there are easy steps to reduce your home’s carbon footprint.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R – Ariz., visited BASIS Oro Valley on Thursday to discuss issues affecting Arizonans and the nation.

In his usual fashion, Oro Valley Mayor Satish Hiremath allowed each member of council to speak first when it came to last Wednesday’s discussion over the town’s tentative budget adoption.

On Sunday, LeBron James was crowned with his fourth MVP (Most Valuable Player) award in a near unanimous decision. He earned 120 of the 121 first-place votes, leaving the lone vote to Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks. Behind James, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder finished second for the second consecutive year; followed by Anthony, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant. 

Senator McCain visited Oro Valley this past week. During his initial remarks on a host of topics, he twice mentioned foreign visitors over-extending their visas, and we are not able to track them. 

During a visit in Oro Valley last week, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Congressional District 1, talked about the first 100 days in Congress, and the continued struggles for Democrats and Republicans to agree on many of the important issues facing the nation.

(BPT) - As summer approaches, many parents are worried about the summer learning slide, and with good reason. Students who do not participate in enrichment and learning activities during the summer break can lose roughly 22 percent of the knowledge and skills they gained during the previous school year, according to the National Summer Learning Association.

(BPT) - With many states facing drought this summer, homeowners across the country will be looking for ways to save their landscaping while conserving water at the same time. Even if you’re not in a drought-affected area, it pays to keep conservation in mind when it comes to watering outdoors. Using less water is good for the environment and your wallet.

(BPT) - From figuring out where to open up a new shop so that it gets great foot traffic to choosing the right employees, all a small-business owner’s decisions are important for the health of their business.

(BPT) - It’s a widely known “secret” that family vacations aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. Traveling can be a costly hassle with too many negatives that overshadow the fun. That's why a growing number of Americans are rediscovering the fun that can be had at home, and taking steps to make their backyards as inviting and enjoyable as any far-off vacation destination.

(BPT) - Sunny days and clear skies are perfect for making exterior home improvements. Homeowners want to use their time and money wisely, so it’s important to choose projects that are low-maintenance and have a good return on investment.