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

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

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

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

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

Model Tested: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado 4WD Z71 Crew Short Box Engine: 3.6-liter V-6, 305 horsepower 269 lb-ft torque  Transmission: 6-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 17/City—24/Highway—20 Combined Base Price: $34,115 As Tested: $36,710 Performance: Solid performance; strong, but not a sports car Pleasant highway … read more

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

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

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