Award-winning authors from across the country converge on Pima Community College later this month to inspire and encourage local writers at the 25^thannual Pima Writers’ Workshop.

(BPT) - Often, we don’t think about heroism until we see it in action - when disaster strikes and ordinary people exhibit extraordinary courage and compassion to help victims in their time of need. The truth is, however, that the best of human nature is on display every day in the lives of millions of Americans who work in public service jobs across the country. Sometimes all it takes to tap that inner hero is an opportunity – and the education – to serve others.

(BPT) - The bath serves a variety of uses, from a functional room to a serene sanctuary, a storage facility to a salon. And, whether you enjoy it yourself or share with the family, every bathroom is in need of one major thing – organization. To help keep your bath feeling more serene and less insane, follow these eight ideas to help improve your organization, maximize space and even add a bit of style.

(BPT) - Home cooks are spending more time in their own kitchens and less time dining out, according to the January Monthly Measuring Cup Trend Report. Nearly half of surveyed consumers said they’re dining out less this year than they did in 2012 and are relying more on their cooking skills at home. Fortunately, technology makes it easier than ever for home chefs to prep and cook meals at home and clean up conveniently and efficiently afterward.

(NAPSI)—If you or someone you care about is among the one in five people affected by dyslexia-a disability that makes reading difficult-there may be good news for you.

When Oro Valley Town Council gave initial approval for the Aquatic Center in December 2011, it was with the vision that the facility would be both an economic driver for the town and an improvement to quality of life for our residents. It has been just two short months since our grand opening, and I am proud to announce that the facility has been an overwhelming success on both accounts.

Several months back, I wrote an editorial on bad customer service, and the trials and tribulations we go through with automated services, a lack of caring from certain businesses, and the trouble we sometimes go through to get quality service.

Hawkeye Richardson begins telling a story about a prehistoric shark from 20 million years ago. He explains that this shark, when it was alive, was the size of a semi tractor-trailer measuring in around 50 feet long and weighing 50,000 pounds. From a felt pouch, he slid out a palm-sized fossilized tooth belonging to one of those sharks, which was available to be held and touched.

(StatePoint) There may be some credence to the old saying that “beauty comes from within.” Scientific research shows that the appearance of your largest, most visible organ -- your skin -- can be directly affected by the vitamins, nutrients and minerals you feed your body.

With reports coming out of the Obama Administration tapping phones of reporters with the Associated Press, to the Benghazi controversy that will not die, to now having the Internal Revenue Service admit they targeted conservatives during the 2010 elections, President Barak Obama has his plate full.

The Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Chemical Society recently honored Pollyanna Wikrent, a PCC full-time chemistry faculty member, with its College Educator Excellence in Teaching Award.

Nurses are often the first health care provider a patient meets. Whether they’re helping someone during a health crisis, involving the family in a patient’s care, or assisting with a medical treatment, nurses bring a wealth of medical knowledge, compassion and dedication to their jobs every day. The importance of nurses cannot be overstated, yet there is a shortage of nursing professionals in this country.

(BPT) - Let’s face it – moving is hard. Along with the stress of leaving a familiar place and adapting to new surroundings, moving means packing, loading, transporting, unloading and unpacking everything you own – as well as everything you forgot you owned.

Staff at Pima Animal Care Center would love to never have to euthanize another animal again, except to end severe or terminal suffering. 

(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.

(BPT) - American women spend more time taking care of their families, homes and jobs than themselves. With so much time invested in caring for others, women can overlook the importance of their own health. Yet, neglecting their own health needs can make it much harder for women to also take care of those they love.

According to a USA Report, investigations are likely after an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official dropped a bombshell on Friday, saying they singled out the Tea Party and other political organizations during the 2012 election.

A distinctive spectacle exists within the music realm that recently graced the Rialto Theater stage here in Tucson. It is one that is unmatched in its ability to unify the youthful and the aged alike, bringing the Rialto’s varied occupants together by the collective power of rhythm, lyric, syncopation, and harmony. This artistic force has captivated listeners across generations and created an intersecting line between adolescents and geriatrics. It is a force that goes by the whimsical name of Yo La Tengo.

(NAPSI)How much do you know about the honey bear bottle in your pantry? With recent confusion over pollen and filtration, the National Honey Board (NHB) wants to clarify any misconceptions surrounding this natural ingredient with harvesting, filtration and nutrition facts about honey. With more than 300 varietals of honey in the United States, honey adds its own unique profile to every recipe. Plus, honey has many benefits before and after it gets to the pantry.

(NAPSI)—Did you know there are 525,000 minutes in a year? The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children wants you to take 25 of them to talk to your child about safety—the same amount of time it takes to watch a favorite TV show. It could save a child’s life.

(NAPSI)—Nina Smith is one of the approximately 25 to 30 million Americans with a rare disease. She lives with hereditary angioedema (HAE), which causes painful, unpredictable and potentially life-threatening swelling attacks throughout her body, including her arms, legs, face, abdomen and upper airway. People like Nina often struggle for years to obtain an accurate diagnosis because conditions like HAE are so rare and often thought to be other, more common conditions.

(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.