By Bruce Caldwell The Mazda CX-5 was new for the model year 2013, so the early arriving 2014 CX-5 is more of an engine and technology update than a whole new vehicle. What Mazda has done is take an already excellent crossover SUV … read more

It’s the kind of place you’d book for your next vacation, if it took reservations. Steps from Bainbridge Island’s sandy Agate Pass shore is a grand and graceful realm that bridges the gap between Northwest resort and Bel Air backyard. Pool, hot tub, … read more

By Bruce Caldwell Mazda has really been on a hot streak. The CX-5 crossover SUV and the Mazda6 sedan have both fared very well in magazine comparison tests. Consumers have supported those wins at the showroom. The all-new Mazda3 compact sedan is another … read more

When Kevin and Adele LaCombe first saw their Burley home on the market, they couldn’t help but feel sad. Just a few years prior to that, thousands of people rallied to have it built, in a nearly impossible feat — in five days, … read more

Model Tested: 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV Engine: 1.6-liter DOHC I-4, 109-horsepower 107 lb-ft torque Transmission: CVT, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 31-mpg city/ 40-mpg highway Base Price: $15,990 As Tested: $17,320 Performance: Reasonable acceleration for small displacement engine Smooth transmission Acceptable braking Compact outer … read more

It was time to revisit Brix 25. A fine-dining staple of the Gig Harbor community since it opened in 2004, the restaurant has changed hands three times in its short history. In 2008, after being named Restaurant of the Year by the Washington … read more

It’s possible to drive right past the office of WRK Construction, Inc., even with directions in hand. Owner Wayne Keffer operates out of a white, metal-sided barn across from the family home in the Central Valley area of Silverdale, and the single-lane, unmarked … read more

By Bruce Caldwell The Jeep brand is one of the most iconic in the history of American automobiles. The parent company, Chrysler, has done everything possible to maximize the brand’s value. They have expanded beyond the marquee models Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee … read more

Model Tested: 2014 Buick LaCrosse Premium Engine: 3.6-liter V-6, 304-horsepower 264 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 18-mpg city/ 28-mpg highway Base Price: $38,810 As Tested: $45,595 Performance: Powerful V-6 engine, good acceleration Smooth automatic transmission Very good highway fuel economy … read more