There’s no denying that Richard Donner set the bar for the Superman franchise with his 1978 film. The icy landscapes of Planet Krypton, John Williams’ vigorous musical score, Christopher Reeve’s iconic performance - every aspect of Donner’s movie remains definitive.

(NewsUSA) - Tick-borne illnesses are found throughout the United States. Though Lyme disease, transmitted by blacklegged ticks, is the most pervasive and publicly discussed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists a wide range of diseases spread by ticks. With tens of thousands of people impacted each year from such illnesses, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) advises summer enthusiasts about the danger of disease transmission from ticks and encourages them to take proper precautions to protect against exposure to these blood-sucking pests.

(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.

(BPT) - Ah, the hot days of summer when a neighborhood lemonade stand is the perfect place to buy – or sell – a cold, refreshing drink. While a lemonade stand is a classic summer activity for kids and their parents, it’s also a great way to help teach children about earning money, building community and expressing creativity.

(BPT) - The seasons affect everything we wear, eat and feel – including the scents we choose. When weather warms, Americans turn to lighter scents in everything from body lotions and perfumes to clothing fabric softeners.

Summer is finally here, which means peak vacation season and employees out of the office. For those who own their own companies, however, taking vacations and disconnecting is never easy, as business continues as usual while owners are away. In fact, according to the 2013 ADT Safety Data Index, more than one-third of small-business owners polled agree that running a business keeps them up at night, and the same number feel that running a business does not allow them to have work/life balance.

(BPT) - Looking to throw an all-out summer soiree that is bound to be the talk of the neighborhood? Or maybe just an intimate barbecue with some of your friends? Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas for hosting your summer party, showing off your hosting skills to all your friends.

Q: What causes a laptop’s screen to suddenly have a tiny black spot in the middle of it and is there anything I can do about it? — Thomas

The latest cinematic satirical look at the apocalypse, This is the End, comes from the narcissistic angle of Hollywood stars playing themselves, or at least caricatures of themselves, as they deal with the end of the world by getting high and exuding childish humor as if it were just another day on the playground. Some of this is funny, but it’s mostly just pretentious and inane.

(BPT) - Indoors or outdoors, your home decor needs some TLC to look its best. Replacing worn or dated furniture or flooring inside your home is considered fairly easy. But when outdoor spaces start to appear shabby, do you decide to live with the tired look because you think freshening the space will be too time-consuming or costly?

Now you see it – now you don't. This, in a nutshell, describes how Adam Block, renowned astrophotographer and astronomy educator with the University of Arizona's Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, discovered a supernova in a galaxy far, far away.

(NAPSI)—For many motorists, the battery is a case of under hood, out of mind until they’re stranded by a dead battery, which can be inconvenient and even dangerous—but this doesn’t have to happen to you. Look for such signs that the battery is failing as the headlamps look dim at idle and brighten when you rev the engine or the starter groans and turns slowly, barely starting the car.

(NAPSI)Ribs are a grilling favorite; however, according to the 24th annual Weber GrillWatch Survey, 17 percent of grill owners consider ribs to be the most challenging food to grill.

(NAPSI)—Tubular skylights are a sleek new way to easily transfer the beauty of natural sunlight into your home. These innovative light sources can brighten spaces that lack natural sunlight, beautifully illuminating closets, hallways, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

(NAPSI)—The opulence of Art Deco and period-inspired home furnishings are trending more than ever.

(NAPSI)—Even though I spend my days in front of the camera, I am still a busy mom of two, always on the lookout for the same things most moms are—new, smart resources to help my family thrive and simplify our everyday routine.

(BPT) - When warm weather arrives, does your family head outdoors to enjoy your patio or deck? Do they then turn around and head right back into the air-conditioned comfort when summer sun and temperatures make outdoor living spaces too hot to handle?

The Arizona Department of Transportation has a message for motorists who think they can recklessly drive head-on into a dust storm: “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”

By now, most folks have heard the term “xeriscape.” Xeriscape doesn’t mean a dry, barren landscape, it refers to a landscape that requires minimal additional water, and is the best way to landscape in our dry climate. 

Northwest Tucson Spotlight Youth Productions is continuing its tradition of having nearly 50 actors put on a summer play. This year’s performance is Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”.

The sporting world, in its very nature, harbors an inherent athletic Darwinism. The strong continually trump the weaker opponents, until only two competitors remain. However, this inborn trait of competition becomes complicated, and is often compromised in the sport of boxing. It is a sport in which weight classes and multiple league promotions become barriers that rob fans of dream matchups. Given this complicated boxing climate, it often becomes difficult for polarizing figures of the sport to cement their legacy as all time greats unless they take enormous risks by fighting out of their normal weight class. And amongst current pugilists, there are none more polarizing than the eccentric Floyd “Money” Mayweather. 

(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.

Pima Community College’s Center for Training and Development on June 13 will honor 16 students who have earned certificates in the high-demand profession of Practical Nursing.