A not-to-be-missed holiday-season outing is the Kingston Lights on the green spaces surrounding the Port of Kingston building near the ferry terminal. It all begins on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m. when Santa arrives on a North Kitsap Fire and Rescue truck. … read more

Chances are good that at some point during the holiday season, you’ll welcome guests into your home. Whether you lease or own your home, creating a cozy, festive setting for holiday gatherings can actually be quite simple, especially if you take on the … read more

A favorite holiday movie is “Christmas Vacation.” One of the most memorable scenes is the squirrel flying out of the Christmas tree. While funny on the movies, the threat of Christmas tree mishaps can actually be quite serious. Unsecured Christmas trees can topple … read more

All too often, we don’t take the time to secure our homes or address safety concerns until it’s too late. While it’s nice to focus on family, friends and gatherings during the holiday season, it’s a good idea to take steps to protect … read more

Show your host or hostess how much you appreciate the invitation with a unique gift — use your imagination to provide a thoughtful and creative gift from a local shop. Tell your host “thank you” with a flourish. … read more

So, you’ve done the research and bought the perfect gift, but now you want to add that extra-special touch? I’ve got the answer: wrapping paper! Getting creative with your gift wrapping game is a fun way to take a thoughtful gift from “wow” … read more

For many West Sound families, the holiday season officially begins with Magical Strings’ annual Celtic Yuletide concert. Magical Strings is an internationally known musical family centered on the Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer of Olalla residents Philip and Pam Boulding. During the holidays … read more

The fun, festive activities during the holiday season make it a favorite time of year for many people. At the risk of sounding like a Grinch, though, all that festivity can lead to unintentional safety hazards. For example, some 30 percent of all … read more

Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, Trudy Northover recalls her parents always hosting get-togethers for friends and family. Christmas was a massive celebration at their home. “Tech has taken so much away (web, email, etc.),” Northover says. “It’s such a gloomy time … read more