Marking its 20th year, the Greater Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour is an opportunity to get a rare peek into a professional artist’s creative space — as well as meet other artists and purchase locally made art directly from them. This year’s tour, … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Volvo XC90 AWD R-Design Engine: 2-liter, supercharged, turbocharged, inline 4-cylinder Transmission: 8-speed Geartronic automatic EPA Ratings: 20/city, 28/highway, 23/combined Base Price: $49,800 As Tested: $67,155 Overview: The 2016 Volvo XC90 is the first redesign of the Chinese-owned Swedish automaker’s flagship … read more

Blue is a monster — arrogant and selfish, a color that wants to call the shots and pull the trigger. It can suck the air from a room one moment and bring in the light the next. The ever-present hue can confidently stand … read more

Watermelon Flip-Flop Carving Ingredients/Materials: 1 oblong to round seedless watermelon Vanilla cake frosting or thick yogurt Cupcake icing tubes in various colors Small cookie cutters of your choosing Paper and pencil for outline Scissors Knife Spreader or small knife Toothpicks Optional: Brown sugar … read more

Dotted by net sheds and home to a small commercial fishing fleet, Gig Harbor’s downtown has preserved its designation as a working waterfront. This is where third- and fourth-generation Croatian families still continue their ancestors’ fishing trade that was once a booming part … read more

Model Tested: 2017 Sportage SX AWD Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas turbo, 237 horsepower 260 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 20-mpg city, 23-mpg highway, 21-mpg combined Base Price: $34,000 As Tested: $34,895 Performance: Regular, Sport, and Eco driving modes Brisk acceleration … read more

After an epic drought this year, many West Sound gardeners are thinking about water usage, as the wise use of water is a big concern in the region. Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide drought last spring, even before the rest of the … read more

It’s easy to get distracted when first encountering Susan Hyde’s work. The Bremerton artist — who’s quick to say she’s really just a designer — has a signature way of creating an explosion of color in three dimensions. Your eyes may dart from … read more

Just when the summer drought begins and the early garden is being harvested, it is time to begin thinking about continuing the planting for harvest into fall and winter. If you wait too late in the year, new seedlings will not germinate but … read more