(BPT) - A tale as old as time, true as it can be ... insects, weeds and poor fertilization are the beasts that take away from the beauty of plants and flowers in our lawns, gardens and even homes. To maintain a home and landscape your neighbors envy, interiors and exteriors should remain pest-free, and plants should be fed with the proper nutrients to stay healthy all-season-long.

(NewsUSA) - As the ritual of spring cleaning nears with every slightly warmer and longer day, many homeowners will look to home organizational trends to kick start their list of projects. No matter which trends homeowners choose to take charge of their houses, it's important to ensure that any home care initiatives include pest prevention practices. Spring is a particularly crucial time to take proactive measures to pest-proof as the season's warmer weather serves as a wake-up call to a myriad of home-invading pests.

Earth has no naturally frozen carbon dioxide, though pieces of manufactured carbon-dioxide ice, called "dry ice," sublime directly from solid to gas on Earth, just as the vast blankets of dry ice do on Mars.

(NewsUSA) - Spring doesn't officially begin until March 20, but the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) advises homeowners that it's not too early to take stock of the damage their homes may have sustained during the winter months. Typically, the winter weather trio of ice, snow and wind leave houses full of new cracks and openings, rolling out the red carpet for invading springtime pests.

The Oscar season is customarily kicked off by the Academy president and a random star solemnly announcing the nominees in a drab ceremony. The Academy decided to shake up tradition this year, however, in one of the most cheerful Oscar mornings we’ve ever had. Seth MacFarlane, director of “Ted” and this year’s Oscar host, announced the nominees Thursday morning alongside the invaluable Emma Stone, who had the funniest bit at last year’s Oscar ceremony. MacFarlane and Stone made for an outstanding duo, engaging in playful banter about each of the categories. Even when one of their jokes didn’t quite hit the mark, MacFarlane and Stone still looked like they were having a genuine ball on stage. That’s more than can be said about Anne Hathaway and James Franco when they hosted the Oscars two years ago.

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(NAPSI)Many families this holiday season will stay home to avoid the stress by shopping online and have time left over to relax at home with their favorite TV shows and movies. In fact, eMarketer says online spending this holiday season will account for 24 percent of all U.S. retail spending during the period.

(NewsUSA) - Humans aren't the only creatures seeking warmth and shelter during winter's harsh temperatures and snow. Many pests make their way indoors and invade our sacred space in search of food and hiding and nesting spots, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

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There are plenty of things I don’t like about being a desert dweller. Namely: rattlesnakes, scorpions, lizards, and spiders (especially the hairy beast of a tarantula I had to sweep off my front porch last week). While those creepy, crawly, slithery critters keep me constantly on my toes, there are other parts of life in Southern Arizona that leave me happy as can be. Believe it or not, I love the heat. No really, I do. I know that our Tucson temperatures are a little on the extreme side, but overall, the climbing mercury warms my heart. Both literally and figuratively. I’m sure that sounds delusional to someone from, oh, say Michigan. Truly, though, the soaring temperatures of the summer months sit well with me.

Warm weather and shorts season are well underway, and unless you’re a teenager, your legs may sport some of the telltale signs of aging; namely, varicose veins. Varicose veins can range from small spider veins to swollen, bulging and rope-like veins. Aside from their unattractive appearance, varicose veins can also cause discomfort and, in severe cases, health problems ranging from skin ulcers to blood clots.

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Although it was a decade ago, it seems like just yesterday when little seven-year-old Shane Weinstein walked out of Sam Raimi’s “Spiderman.”

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With temperatures hitting 107 degrees last week, it’s no surprise that residents in Southern Arizona are seeking cover, and one of those summertime favorites is going to the movies.

As 2011 winds down to an end, activities are cranked up to their fullest. The holidays are here, and with them comes a wealth of concerts, classes, plays and other events, most aimed at bringing smiles to people of all ages.