Native plants are the perfect complements for West Sound gardens. They are easy care, once established, and many of our “domesticated” or “cultivated” plants once had native roots. Also look for native plants that survive well in British Columbia, Oregon and perhaps Northern … read more

Model Tested: 2017 Chevrolet Volt Premier Hatchback Engine: 1.5-liter I-4 gas plus twin electric motors, 149 horsepower (combined) 294 lb-ft torque (combined) Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 42-mpg gas, 106-mpg electric Base Price: $37,570 As Tested: $39,930 Performance: Strong acceleration Smooth, quiet … read more

Opposites attract: Night owls marry early birds, party people partner with homebodies and we, neat freaks, just can’t live without some messies in our life. We love them: They are our partners, our children, our aging parents. They are spontaneous, funny, out-of-the-box thinkers … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium Engine: 2.5-liter flat four gas, 170 horsepower 174 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 24-mpg city, 32-mpg highway, 27-mpg combined Base Price: $25,795 As Tested: $28,540 Performance: Excellent bad weather traction Quite nimble off-road … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4×4 Engine: 6.4-liter V-8 gas, 410 horsepower 429 lb-ft torque EPA fuel economy: not rated; our best was 15.2-mpg highway Transmission: 6-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive Base Price: $51,160 As Tested: $58,645 Performance: A mountain goat … read more

Model Tested: 2016 VW Beetle Dune Convertible Engine: 1.8-liter I-4 gas turbo, 170 horsepower 184 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive EPA Rating: 25-mpg city, 34-mpg highway, 28-mpg combined Base Price: $25,995 As Tested: $26,815 Performance: Decent power, but nothing spectacular OK automatic … read more

Tires crunching a tidy, graveled driveway announce one’s arrival to Roy and Barbara Wilson’s Skunk Bay home. It lies just beyond the waterside hamlet of Hansville and is nestled on about 5 acres just above the bay. Apples lay at the feet of … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Chevy Malibu 2LZ Engine: 2-liter, turbocharged, DOHC 4-cylinder Transmission: 8-speed automatic EPA Ratings: 22/city, 33/highway, 26/combined Base Price: $30,920 As Tested: $34,285 Overview: The 2016 Chevy Malibu, with its attractive new design and entirely new body structure, was a finalist … read more

A reader recently asked, “What is the proper way to store wine that you intend to hold for some time?” Right after moving from Bremerton to Silverdale in 1998, another reader emailed me and asked if I knew anyone who was interested in … read more