April’s showers (or snow) have given way to May’s spring blossoms. The beautiful weather also means it’s time to do something truly out of the ordinary for Mom, and therefore deserving of the woman who not only brought you into this world, but fed you, clothed you and never forgot to kiss the countless bumps and bruises.

(BPT) - The weather’s heating up and that means one thing: road trips.

(BPT) - Warm weather is “special occasion” season. Whatever your event – a wedding, graduation party, family reunion or July 4th fete – summer celebrations have one important thing in common. Everyone wants to get the most bang for their buck.

(BPT) - It’s easy to understand why we all love flip-flops: They’re cute and comfy, keep your feet cool in warm weather, and are great for showing off that fab pedicure you just got. But no matter how much you adore your flip-flops, they shouldn’t be all-occasion footwear. Sometimes, they can lead to sore feet or even severe injury.

Mother Nature isn’t always kind to your leather goods. Dirt, salt, dry air and other harsh winter elements can damage leather if they’re left to set in for months on end. Summer days mean more exposure to damaging UV rays, so it’s important to protect all leather, including car seats, from the harsh rays of the summer sun. Leather items are assumed to be durable and thus overlooked during spring cleaning, but without proper care, leather can become faded, cracked or dried out and even too stiff to wear.

(BPT) - Losing power leads to instant anxiety: when will it return? Aside from the absence of everyday luxuries like turning on the TV or connecting to the Internet, you may worry about the food in the fridge spoiling, and wonder when you’ll be able to take a hot shower. While these types of events present real problems for the average homeowner, business owners worry about when the cash register will start ringing again.

(BPT) - From intense heat to extreme snow, your roof protects your house from the elements all year long. When is the last time you checked to make sure your roof was in good shape? No matter what the seasons are like in your area, now is the time to begin preparation for extreme weather by giving your roof a second look. 

(BPT) - As existing home sales continue to climb and housing prices increase, remodeling is also on the rise, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Owners of older homes are investing more in home improvement projects that add beauty and value, especially with environmentally friendly products.

Technology has permeated all aspects of the economy, helping companies conduct business with partners, attract customers and earn revenue faster and more conveniently. Nonprofits, such as charities, universities and government entities, also have embarked on the bandwagon of electronic business practices. Philanthropic institutions of all sizes have implemented procedures to accept, process and track donations online and via mobile. Gone are the days when these institutions would only rely on cash and check donations to fill their operating coffers.

(NAPSI)--It’s a bright idea to save your skin from the damage that can come from too much sun. Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can put you at risk for skin cancer, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the most common form of cancer in the United States.

Who went: Robert and Pauline Litfin.

Deep green and ruffled, kale leaves should be enjoyed now before the mild winter turns to spring. After years of being left off the menu, other than its familiar appearance as garnish, kale has become the darling of many foodies. Its nutritional value and versatility certainly warrant the spotlight.

The Galt Warriors varsity softball team scored in the top of the first inning Friday against their crosstown rivals, the Liberty Ranch Hawks, but it was all Hawks after that in an 11-1 win in five innings.

The Liberty Ranch Hawks varsity softball team lost 9-3 to the Inderkum Tigers of Sacramento in a non-conference game at Galt.

Any home or building that is built at ground level or contains floors below ground level is a good candidate for basement waterproofing, although there are superficial, cosmetic solutions for waterproofing a basement that really won’t solve the true problem.

(StatePoint) With wild weather patterns impacting the country in recent years, homeowners nationwide are constantly on the lookout for better ways to prepare their homes to handle tough weather conditions.

(BPT) - With winter forgotten and spring in the air, many homeowners are packing away their snow boots and rolling up their sleeves to get started on long-awaited home improvement projects. Across the country, homeowners and professionals alike will plan landscaping and home-improvement projects that require digging this season.

It's official, and it's not good news for thirsty Californians: January and February have been the driest on record.

Now let's see if I have this straight: If it's colder, it's global warming. If it's hotter, it's global warming. If there's more snow, it's the same answer. If there's less snow? Well, you guessed it.

The following is a list of public meetings in the Lodi and Galt areas this week:

The snow is still lingering and the crisp cold air has not vanished, but it’s OK since spring is still insisting on making its reemergence soon. To prove it, look around you. As the days get warmer, you will experience the gray shades of winter transform into the pastel shades of pink and white of spring — shades of good fortune, health and luck for those who believe the almond embodies all three.

Jeremy Brown had 22 points and six boards for the Lodi Academy Titans varsity boys basketball team, but that wasn’t enough to overcome the Turlock Christian Eagles who beat the Titans 70-53 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoffs in Turlock on Wednesday.