Although there are hundreds of options for organizing your home, the pieces you make yourself are the ones that truly reflect your personality. Adding your own flair to standard organizing materials adds instant character and functionality to any room. Making the most of … read more

“The Chief,” which stands outside of the Lisa Stirrett Glass Art Studio in Silverdale, greets Silverdale Way passers-by. Gallery owner and artist Lisa Stirrett designed the piece and hired Bainbridge Island metalworker Dick Strom of Bapatom’s Metalworks to weld it. At about 11 … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Kia Optima SX Turbo Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas turbocharged, 247 horsepower, 260 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 22/city, 32 highway, 25 combined Base Price: $29,690 As Tested: $33,215 Performance: Strong power and acceleration Pleasant driving dynamics … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited and Hybrid Plug-In Limited Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas, 193-hp (Hybrid), 2.0-L 202-hp gas & electric (Plug-In) Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: Hybrid Limited: 39/City—43/Highway—41/Combined Hybrid Limited Plug-In: 40 gas—99 electric & gas—27-mile range electric … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Honda CR-V 5-door AWD Touring Engine: 2.4-liter I-4 gas, 185 horsepower, 181 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 25/City—31/Highway—27/Combined Base Price: $33,245 As Tested: $34,145 Performance: Highly competent Real Time All-Wheel-Drive Good fuel economy; our best was … read more

Jan Bahr at Roadhouse Nursery on Central Valley Road in Poulsbo is the go-to person for advice on how to construct and maintain water features in home gardens and landscapes. She believes that the most important thing is to do your homework. Start … read more

     Model Tested: 2016 BMW X1 xDrive 28i Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 gas, 228 horsepower, 258 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 22/City—32/Highway—26/Combined Base Price: $34,800 As Tested: $45,370 Performance: Powerful, turbocharged engine Gobs of torque Good acceleration Sport … read more

Model Tested: 2016 Toyota Corolla Special Edition Engine: 1.8-liter I-4 gas, 140 horsepower, 126 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 29/City—37/Highway—32/Combined Base Price: $20,635 As Tested: $22,320 Performance: Pleasant ride Fun to drive if not quite “sporty” Sport Drive mode … read more

When you need a few things done around the house, a handyman, handywoman or handyperson sounds like a great idea. Small jobs, done fairly quickly, don’t really require a general contractor, you may think. Or do they? The handyman field is largely unregulated, … read more