(BPT) - Filing taxes online has become more popular than ever. In fact, the rate of individual tax returns filed online hit an all-time high of 80 percent last year, according to the IRS. But filing isn't the only step in the process that can now be accomplished with the help of online tools. Use digital technology to your advantage to make the complete process - from organizing receipts to claiming your refund - quick and simple.

"No longer do consumers have to sort through stacks of paperwork or wait in long lines at the post office during the dreaded tax season to successfully complete the filing process," says Rebecca Smith, vice president of marketing for Master Lock. "There are now a number of digital tools that not only make the tax process faster and easier, but also offer increased security as they eliminate the risks associated with hard-copy files of important or confidential documents, such as checks or W-2 forms."

 Follow these tips for a secure and successful digital tax filing process:

 1. Request electronic copies of your tax forms. Many employers offer workers the option to receive their W-2 forms electronically, instead of by mail. Eliminating the risk of postal delays or missed deliveries ensures that your W-2 will be delivered securely as soon as it is available. Plus, faster W-2s can mean faster tax returns.

 2. Securely store documents online. Avoid the mess of a mound of paperwork by storing - and organizing - all your tax-related documents online. A secure service such as the Master Lock Vault (www.masterlockvault.com) ensures you'll have easy access to all your files wherever you are and that none of your paper documents will ever be lost, misplaced, stolen or damaged.

 3. Think taxes year-round. Don't wait until you're ready to file your taxes to start collecting and organizing the supporting documents you'll need to complete your return. Avoid the scramble by capturing and uploading a digital image of your receipt each time you pay the babysitter or have a tax-deductible transaction, fill a prescription at the pharmacy or make a charitable contribution such as dropping off a clothing donation to your local thrift store.

 4. Opt for direct deposit. If you've done everything else online, why request a hard-copy check when it comes time to claim your refund? When combined with electronic filing, direct deposit is the fastest way to get your refund. If you're on the other side of the spectrum and find that you owe taxes, opt to pay online and you can avoid the long tax-season lines at the post office.

 5. Call for help. Sometimes, outside advice is necessary, and you can now get the help you need without leaving home. Based on the complexity of your question, there are a variety of resources to turn to. For example, the IRS offers a toll-free hotline for tax questions during weekdays. Several tax-prep software providers also offer guidance via online forums or on their social media feeds.

(BPT) - From grilling and dining to simply relaxing, your home's deck is frequently the center of family life during warm weather months. That's why there's no better time to give your outdoor living space the upgrade it deserves.

 No. 1 - Discover your inspiration

 Your deck is a natural extension of your home and your style. Think about the type of design elements that will best fit your family's activities and complement both outdoor views and the layout of your yard. Flip through favorite magazines to find photos that jumpstart your inner designer, go online to experiment with virtual planners that allow you to try out different colors and configurations or use mobile apps to create outdoor living space designs anywhere at any time.

No. 2 - Choose materials manufactured to last

If you're investing in a brand new deck, select materials that will stand up to years of wear and tear from kids, pets, dropped grilling tools, heavy outdoor furniture - and even the harshest of weather. New high-performance wood-alternative decking like Trex Enhance combines superior durability and long-lasting good looks. With Trex's protective shell technology, it's also resistant to fading, staining, scratching and mold - while offering hassle-free maintenance. –

 "Food and drink spills wash off easily with just soap and water, which is ideal if you're planning a summer of backyard barbecues and deck parties," says Adam Zambanini, vice president of marketing for Trex. "Unlike the upkeep required of wood decking, you'll never need to sand, stain or paint - and you won't have to worry about rotting, warping, cracking or splintering."

 Combining enduring beauty and performance - but priced at a value that appeals to do-it-yourselfers - Trex Enhance decking offers the additional peace of mind of a 25-year limited fade and stain warranty. It's also available in stock at The Home Depot stores, making it even easier to begin building your outdoor oasis this weekend.

No. 3 - Look for easy-to-install solutions

Installing a new deck may seem daunting at first, but with the proper tools and resources, you'll not only save money on labor costs - but you'll also take pride in knowing you successfully completed a home improvement project with your own two hands. As you create a list of essential materials for your project, think about incorporating a hidden fastener system - rather than traditional nails or screws. Hidden fasteners can make the installation of decking boards easier and faster and create a more professional look. Your deck's surface will be smooth, seamless and more comfortable underfoot.

 No. 4 - Consider a deck makeover

If your budget doesn't allow for a complete deck rebuild this year, you can resurface an old wooden deck that's starting to wear, warp and rot with new higher-performance materials. Simply remove the existing boards and check that the sub-structure remains sturdy before installing wood-alternative decking like Trex Enhance. Giving your wood deck a facelift with durable, beautiful composite materials will increase curb appeal, lengthen its lifespan and cut down on maintenance requirements for years to come.

   No. 5 - Add finishing touches

Even if you're already the proud owner of a gorgeous outdoor living space, take style and comfort to the next level with weekend warrior-worthy projects. Add new modular railing in contrasting or complementary colors to create a perfect frame for your deck, or establish cozy conversation nooks with weather-resistant furniture. Construct an elegant pergola to lend shade from the harsh summer sun and install energy-efficient deck lighting to create ambience for twilight cocktail parties.    For more outdoor living do-it-yourself inspiration and advice, visit www.homedepot.trex.com.

Note: Payday lenders regularly mislead their customers by advertising their fees as a dollar amount rather than an APR, or annual percentage rate. Paying a $50 fee for a loan of $500 over a period of two weeks may not seem that bad at first glance, but that fee overlooks the fact that borrowers take an average of five to eight months to pay back their loans. If you calculate the loan's APR, or what that loan would cost over the course of a year, the true interest rate balloons to a level far beyond that of most credit cards and bank loans -- a whopping 260 percent. Doing the math is essential to avoid ruinous setups offered by lenders such as Western Sky, which offers a $5,075 loan that can lead to an appalling $40,872 in repayment.

Many Americans are increasingly turning to high interest, short term loans to try to make ends meet, but a brief overview of payday lending's problematic setup shows that it's often a false solution to a false problem.

Payday lenders claim to be a convenient source of credit for low- to moderate-income families in a budget crisis. Yet a revealing study from Pew Research shows that contrary to common assumptions, borrowers typically use payday loans to pay for day-to-day expenses, not emergencies.

Payday loan centers tend to concentrate in minority neighborhoods underserved by mainstream banks, capitalizing on economic vulnerabilities brought on by decades of discriminatory legislation, financial deregulation and a decline in savings. Lower-income workers use payday loans to try to reconcile their stagnant wages with the rising cost of living, only to find that they've added another bill to their budget. With little or no savings, borrowers struggle to pay off the loan balance on time amid sky-high predatory interest rates, leading them into what consumer advocates call the debt trap.

Payday lenders regularly mislead their customers by advertising their fees as a dollar amount rather than an APR, or annual percentage rate. Paying a $50 fee for a loan of $500 over a period of two weeks may not seem that bad at first glance, but that fee overlooks the fact that borrowers take an average of five to eight months to pay back their loans. If you calculate the loan's APR, or what that loan would cost over the course of a year, the true interest rate balloons to a level far beyond that of most credit cards and bank loans -- a whopping 260 percent. Doing the math is essential to avoid ruinous setups offered by lenders such as Western Sky, which offers a $5,075 loan that can lead to an appalling $40,872 in repayment.

A payday loan may seem like a short-term fix, but it's ultimately just another expense. In today's economy there are no easy answers for low- to moderate-income Americans struggling to pay the bills, but what will clearly never work is adding another high-cost loan. However difficult, the only path forward is to reconcile your cost of living with your income by evaluating areas where you can cut costs and make the most of your income. This means scaling back on extras and creating a long-term, sustainable budget that enables you to invest in your future.

When faced with a real emergency, don't discount relying on your friends and family. Many borrowers go to payday lenders to avoid borrowing from family and friends, only to end up asking for assistance later to get out of the debt trap. You may also investigate viable loan options at mainstream banks and financial institutions by assessing their APR and fees. And as you continue to trim your day-to-day costs to fit your income, your goal should be to build up a savings cushion for emergencies -- that's money you can loan to yourself, interest free.

Throw open those doors and windows — there is no better cure for months of winter than some fresh spring air.

But with spring, comes spring cleaning. And if the thought of pulling out mops, buckets and brooms brings on more stress than serenity, remember that a few tricks and some great tunes can make cleaning easier and perhaps even fun.

Set the Mood

There are work playlists, workout playlists — why not a cleaning playlist? Put together some of your favorite, preferably upbeat tunes to motivate you while you’re working and keep that music playing when you’re moving from room to room.

Give your nose some sensory motivation too. Spray a fresh clean scent to remind you of what’s to come when the work is done.

Simplify

The soups, stews and heavy cooking of winter earn kitchen appliances everywhere a little tender loving care. While the task of cleaning accumulated splatters and stuck-on food residue from of heavy winter cooking can sound overwhelming, there are cleansers that can make the sprucing process a lot less labor-intensive.

You can clear the cutter of your cabinet by opting for a cleanser that works on a variety of surfaces and appliances. For example, affresh Kitchen & appliance cleaner and Stainless steel cleaner can be used on refrigerators, microwaves and countertops, and won’t be too abrasive on finishes. And unlike ammonia or bleach-based cleaners, you can simply spray and wipe down without rinsing.

Renew the Refrigerator

It’s easier to clean the fridge with less in it, so prior to starting, throw out what’s old, pull out what stays and roll up your sleeves.

Clean door gaskets, racks and drawers with warm water and mild dish detergent. Don’t forget to clean underneath the refrigerator and the vent of the appliance. Proper air flow provides better performance and optimum efficiency.

Once it’s all sparkly clean, admire your handiwork. Then put your food back inside before it spoils.

Maintain

The dishwasher cleans dishes. What cleans the dishwasher? Don’t stress! Cleaning the dishwasher may be one of the easiest tasks on your checklist. Just run a normal wash cycle and add an easy-to-use tablet, such as affresh Dishwasher cleaner, to the bottom of the tub to help clean and remove residue.

Likewise, you can clean your washing machine by running a normal cycle with hot water and a washer cleaner tablet. A formulated tablet designed to penetrate, dissolve and help remove odor-causing residue from the inside of the machine will give your washer and your clothes a fresh scent.

Don’t forget to check washer and dryer drains and pipes for blockages — such as lint or the infamous missing sock — to improve optimum water and air flow. Clean the dryer’s outside exhaust to help shorten drying time and decrease energy use.

For more helpful cleaning tips, visit www.affresh.com. You’ll be out enjoying the spring weather in no time.

Brighten up spring gatherings with a simple dessert inspired by the flavors of the season. Lemon, almond, vanilla and raspberry extracts give baked treats a fresh flair that matches the lively essence of spring.

To simplify preparation when making dessert for a gathering, take advantage of these ideas from the McCormick Kitchens:

Make Ahead and Batch Bake: Double-batch the dessert recipe and vary the extracts to make two unique treats in one effort. For even more variety, try  a simple substitution like using chocolate sandwich cookies in place of the vanilla wafers for the “crust.” Make day-of prep a spring breeze by preparing the recipe in advance and refrigerating it overnight.

Bright Fruit Topping: Fresh fruits and berries make a simple, yet colorful topping for cake, ice cream and other desserts. Stir in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar to 2 1/2 cups fruit for a sweet seasonal treat.  

These luscious cheesecakes flavored with vanilla and almond extract are sized just right. Garnish with fresh fruit, lemon curd or melted chocolate swirls.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 24 minutes

Refrigerate Time: 4 hours

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons MCormick(r) Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon McCormick(r) Pure Almond Extract

12 vanilla wafers

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and extracts; beat well. Place a wafer in bottom of 12 paper-lined muffin cups. Spoon batter into each cup, filling 2/3 full.

2. Bake in preheated 325∞F oven 22 to 24 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool in pan on wire rack. (Mini cheesecakes will deflate in center upon cooling.)

3. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with desired toppings.

Makes 12 servings

It has been a while since I have attended a dinner theater. The times I did the shows were fun and the food was pretty good.  So, I was in for quite a few pleasant surprises when I went with a friend to Toby's Dinner Theater located in the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center at 5625 O'Donnell Street right off  Exit 57.

The first surprise was free and plentiful parking. The second was how graciously we were greeted by the hostess and immediately taken to our table. Within moments our waiter who introduced himself as Tobias, who is also a lead character , the lion,  in the production, took our drink orders and invited us to help ourselves to the salad bar. 

For those of you who have not attended a dinner theater, it is important to know that the waiters and waitresses depend on tips.  They do an extraordinary amount of work in the dining room and on stage so be generous.  They more than deserve it.

The theater was sold out but the tables were nicely spaced.  The layout made walking to the different stations or the restrooms easily accessible.

As soon as we finished our salads the table was cleared and our coffee was refilled. Tables are then called to the buffet by number to alleviate lines.  Everything works on a precise timetable but one never feels rushed.

Another surprise was how beautifully the buffet was displayed and how diverse and well prepared the food was. Especially good was the old bay fried chicken, mashed potatoes with bits of bacon, the steamed shrimp and the barbequed ribs. So many options, so small our stomachs.

After a leisurely meal, our drink orders taken for intermission, the theater lights dim, the stage lights shine softly and the play begins.

The “WIZ” is loosely based on the original Wizard of Oz, but offers a more vibrant, colorful uplifting version.

The music runs the gamut from soul to gospel, ballads to upbeat songs that had some of the audience up on their feet.

Standouts among the cast includes Dorothy played by Ashley Johnson, the Tin Man played by Marquise White, Scarecrow played by Bryan Daniels, and the Lion played by Tobias Young.

The scenic and lighting designer, David A. Hopkins shows us a whole new yellow brick road. The entire production is awash with his creativity.  Laurence B. Munsey, as costume designer, lent an aura of magic with the stunning array of costumes that adds so much to the telling of the “WIZ.”

This is a wonderful way to spend an evening with friends and  your entire family. For information on tickets. call 410-649-1660. The “WIZ” runs through April 28th.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —    Brittany Whidbee  was crowned Miss Elizabeth City State University on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the CIAA Tournament, McDonald’s Super Saturday event.  

Whidbee is a native of Elizabeth City, N.C., and is the daughter of Lionel and Venita Whidbee. She attends Elizabeth City State University where she is a senior majoring in criminal justice with a minor in pre-law. Brittany has been a member of several university organizations since her freshman year. Currently, she is the President of the Criminal Justice Club and a member of the Student Government Association.

The Food Lion Miss CIAA competition winners are given scholarships based on their GPA, community and school involvement, biography, video essay and online popular vote.

As winner of the 2013 Food Lion’s scholarship contest, Whidbee will receive a $1,500 scholarship. The first runner up, Karmesha Tuck of Virginia State University, will receive a $700 scholarship and the second runner up, Barbara Henry of Fayetteville State University will receive a $300 scholarship.

Food Lion has sponsored the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament for more than 19 years and is the title sponsor for the ever-popular Miss CIAA scholarship competition. Food Lion also sponsors the 2013 Women’s Tournament.

The CIAA is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II athletic conference consisting mostly of historically African-American institutions of higher education.

Often the fulfillment we seek is within us, waiting to blossom. From the age of two, Dina Nayeri told stories, but dire circumstances squelched her self-exploration. Fleeing Iran with her family as a 10-year-old during the middle of the revolution profoundly shifted her sense of the world. “I arrived in Oklahoma with a sort of immigrant panic. It was a very scary time. I realized that you could lose everything, your entire identity, community,” she says. As a young woman, she embraced the practicality of security and achievement, learning degrees from Harvard and Princeton, eventually working in the worlds of business and high fashion.

Fulfillment, for years, remained elusive. While at Harvard Business School, she began considering who she wanted to become. “I started to realize that just because you are good at something, and it seems like a sensible choice, doesn’t mean you were born to do it.” Nayeri credits her twin loves of storytelling – a fixture within Iranian culture – and reading as the impetus for becoming a fiction writer. She aptly draws readers inside of a quaint rice-farming village in post-revolutionary Iran where we meet Saba Hafezi, a bright and sensitive girl, wrestling with the loss of her twin sister, Mahtab, and her mother. America, the land of wealth and fast food, music and freedom, Saba imagines, is where they will lead full lives. The voices of surrogate mothers parallel Saba’s words, whose youth Nayeri says needed to be balanced with the perspective of others. “I thought it was important to show everything that the community around her knows, so that we can not only feel for her,” Nayeri says, “but see the depths of this community, the extent to which they are involved in each other’s lives.”

Early on we hear Khanom Basir who pities Saba remark: “I cannot give my son [Reza] to a broken dreamer with scars in her heart. What a fate that would be!” It’s hard to believe A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea is Nayeri’s first novel as colorful phrases dance throughout this epic tale of grief and love, memory and myth. Inspired to write the book after a trip to Greece in 2007, Nayeri researched her native land for years. She calls it the “most delightful part” of the process. She talked with Iranian scholars, combed through literature, interviewed other Iranians and looked through their personal photo albums. Nayeri took another vital step. “I put the whole thing through a gauntlet of readers who were the exact age, in the exact region of Iran where Saba lived at the time.” During her final draft, she found the foremost scholar for that region of Iran living in France. He picked the book apart, looking for the smallest inaccuracies, such as what dishes her characters would eat, and insisted turmeric remain in all recipes. “He would say so in exclamation marks,” Nayeri laughs.

These steps were necessary to present an authentic and richly layered portrayal of a country seen either as radical Islamists, or status obsessed reality stars on Bravo’s “Shahs of Sunset.” After all, Nayeri candidly admits, she has not traveled to Iran in 20 years. Presenting her country with its complexity and beauty is immensely important. “What western audiences hear about Iran tends to be just about this horrible regime that is holding up our country, but there are thousands of years of beautiful history, literature and culture. My parents read so much literature. My father has memorized pages and pages, volumes of poetry. It’s a culture that’s very old and rich.” Art is powerful to Nayeri – particularly stories as they open us up to new ways of seeing the world. “You don’t win people over through arguments. When you bring a story, and present it as art, people open their hearts; you might have an opinion about something that can actually move someone and tilt [their perceptions] a little bit.”

The young girl we meet as the book opens, Saba, has much to teach us – especially about grief and myth. “You really can lift yourself out of grief,” Nayeri says. She sees parallels between her strength and Saba’s. “During some of my worst times, I have been very tempted to give in to despair. [Yet] ultimately that power and strength you feel by lifting yourself out of something through the power of your own mind is wonderful.” Storytelling also helps transform Saba’s grief. “It’s about remaking a world for herself that she wants, even if it only exists within her mind.” Readers, she hopes, leave with a range of messages from grasping their own power to viewing Iran in another light. “One thing I am most proud of is I have written a book about a woman who ultimately finds salvation within herself. She creates everything for herself that she wants. She doesn’t get it from a man, even though she is tempted to twice.” Nayeri understands the importance of creativity, and counts among her sources of inspiration travel, music, and cooking. 

During the last several years, she’s connected immensely to Iranian music. Right now works from the 1970s are enthralling, records produced before the revolution, a time ripe with the influence of other cultures. Nayeri enjoys the work of several other writers including Sadegh Hedayat, Junot Díaz, Charles Baxter. She especially enjoys authors who speak about the experience of being an outsider in various forms. Inspiration, for her, it appears is boundless. “Pretty much anything where you learn from the senses,” she says.Regretfully, as we come to the end of our chat on a chilly March day, I find myself inspired by this warm and prolific writer who cares deeply about humanity.

What a tremendous gift she offers us throughout the book, an opportunity to connect with the richness of Iran, while simultaneously enlarging our understanding of the human experience. Dina Nayeri appears at The International Women’s Literary Festival presented in partnership with the Antigua & Barbuda International Literary Festival. Media sponsor: The Baltimore Times Saturday, March 9, 1 p.m., Enoch Pratt Free Library (400 Cathedral Street) - Wheeler Auditorium (3rd Floor) Reception and book signing following on the 2nd Floor. Visit: www.dinanayeri.com and www.facebook.com/DinaNayeri