Jan Coen

Unsung Hero — Jan Coen

Coordinator, Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank

Jan Coen has been involved with Gig Harbor’s FISH Community Services since its inception in 1976. When she and her husband moved to Gig Harbor in 1975, she was surprised not to find a coalition of churches working together to provide services to … read more

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Cistus, inside and outside of a fence

Gardening Happily with Hungry Wildlife

I expect you’ve heard that the only way to protect your plants from hungry deer is a good fence. The deer in my neighborhood illustrate this point perfectly. Before I built my current fence, I kept my treasured deer “candy” covered in black … read more

Mourning Doves

The Secret Love Life of Birds

Birds have almost as many strategies as people do for getting together. Avian mating styles have been a topic of recent research and ornithologists now recognize how subtle and diverse bird partnerships really are. Monogamy: The most typical type of partnership is monogamy, … read more

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spring Surprises — Shorebirds on West Sound’s Beaches

Every spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds moving up the West Coast make coastal birdwatching exciting. Some of these migrants will spill onto shorelines throughout the West Sound region. The headline-making numbers flood coastal beaches and estuaries, but there will also be interesting … read more

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& VIDEO

Tips for Successful Plant Pruning
Gardening With Peg

Tips for Successful Plant Pruning

Woody plants — shrubs and trees — by their nature may require pruning. Gardeners may feel apprehensive about this task. Never fear, here are a few tips to assist you and a segment of Gardening with Peg for building confidence. The main reasons … read more

Sexy Rexy floribunda
Care for Roses, Part 1

Modern Roses as Part of a Mixed Sunny Border

Roses can be a delightful part of a sunny border and this is a good time of year to add new ones to your garden. Modern roses, which are readily available locally, are classified into several groups and the hybrid tea is the … read more

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Choosing Exterior Paint Colors

Choosing Exterior Paint Colors for Your Home

In any building or remodeling project, choosing finishes and colors are always the hardest. For many people, the paint colors can be the most overwhelming. I usually have clients break it down a little to help make the process easier. With exterior colors, … read more

The bee’s body gets dusted with pollen as it searches for nectar.
West Sound Beekeepers Association

Learn About Bees, Beekeeping

West Sound Beekeepers Association is a longstanding group of people interested in learning about bees. The members maintain an apiary as well as educational facilities, and meet monthly at Stedman’s Bee Supplies in Silverdale. Local beekeeper Frank Wilson’s story is very similar to … read more

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Madeleines

A Dainty Distinctive Treat for Your Next Brunch or Bash

Forget cronuts, cake pops and cupcakes. Whether you’re planning an elegant afternoon tea or seeking an unexpected addition to your next brunch or cocktail party, there’s another chic pastry that deserves its day — the madeleine. These classic, seashell-shaped cakes were named after … read more

Pony Up Rescue for Equines
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