By Bruce Caldwell Model Tested: 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI-SE 4-door sedan Engine: 2.0-liter Turbodiesel DOHC I4, 140 hp, 236 lb/ft Transmission: 6-speed automatic, front wheel drive EPA Ratings: 30-mpg city/40-mpg highway Base Price: $19,995 As Tested: $25,995 Performance: Excellent ride and handling Lots … read more

  Model Tested: 2013 KIA SPORTAGE SX AWD Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 260 hp, 269 lb/ft Transmission:  6-speed automatic, All Wheel Drive, Locking Center Differential EPA Ratings: 20-mpg city/25-mpg highway Base Price: $28,400 As Tested: $32,400 Performance Peppy turbocharged engine combined with athletic … read more

From the beginning, it was a mismatch that invited the question: Why would you take one of the most jaw-dropping views on Earth and design a house that didn’t take advantage of it? Yet that’s exactly what Elizabeth and Bob lived with for … read more

A garden can be a magical place after dark. As the sun wanes in the sky, subtle evening light begins to illuminate the garden in a completely new way. Flowers and foliage add a new dimension to a garden when caught by the … read more

Kingston is an enticing destination on a warm weekend for anyone looking to “get away” without driving far. Shopping and dining are among the main attractions but the gorgeous views and the proximity to various parks and other recreational opportunities make Kingston a … read more

Fall migration of most Pacific Northwest birds has completed — from the huge shorebird population, to the area warblers and many other migrants from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia to Alaska. They have raised successful broods and are now heading south to winter over … read more

Terry Logan (formerly Terry Nokell) was only 5 years old when she first used a needle to sew. With scraps of burgundy corduroy and flowery-indigo cotton left from her outfit for a kindergarten photo, Logan decided to make herself a vest. Of course, … read more

When a couple of empty-nesters trade the urban asphalt of Southern California for a leafy-green piece of Bainbridge Island, culture shock is guaranteed. Their first job, therefore, is to buy an umbrella, a pair of Birkenstocks and learn the meaning of “frog rock.” … read more

The uniformed Transportation Security Administration officer at SeaTac airport stared at the thin, bald man standing in front of him and held up the passport he’d just been given, his eyes darting back and forth between the tiny photo and the man. After … read more