Shopping small could be a good call for Christmas. You’ll find wonderful stores across West Sound — Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard and Gig Harbor. We feature 20 small businesses. We hope this gift guide will help you find the right … read more

Denise Harris and Margot Amestoy live on Bainbridge Island and collect Christmas treasures to decorate their homes. In addition to both of them being Christmas collectors, Harris and Amestoy are cousins and best friends. “She [Amestoy] was my best friend from birth,” says … read more

As fluctuating temperatures become the new seasonal norm, homeowners begin to seek optimal HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) performance. Many may be surprised to learn their HVAC system should be inspected yearly, as HVAC maintenance is a crucial to-do in order to … read more

Chances are you know a caregiver. It could be the teacher at your child’s school, balancing classroom duties and caring for an aging parent after the bell rings. Maybe it’s your coworker who also takes care of a chronically ill spouse at home. … read more

When people think of the holiday season, Christmas or New Year may come to mind. Many overlook the glorious holiday of Hanukkah — but this holiday is “not a substitute for Christmas,” says a local resident who has researched Hanukkah. “It’s a joyous … read more

Firescaping involves designing a landscape to fireproof a property while maintaining aesthetic appeal. By thoughtfully choosing and arranging plants and construction materials, the likelihood of igniting a fire, along with its potential severity and the speed at which it spreads, can be significantly … read more

Plastics is not a subject that most of us go to sleep obsessing over or wake up consumed by. But when you are writing a report for EARTHDAY.ORG titled “Babies vs. Plastics,” plastics literally become your life. Plastic is an omnipresent material in … read more

Every holiday season, folks seeking one-of-a-kind vintage items line Bay Street in Port Orchard, waiting to explore the countless antiques ready for discovery inside Josephine’s Mercantile. This year, the shop is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with its 9th Annual Holiday Gala Nov. 9-12, … read more

Cooking up a successful holiday gathering calls for everyone’s favorite recipes. From the centerpiece main dish to fresh salads and appetizers, roasted sides and baked sweets, you can take seasonal get-togethers up a notch by mixing traditional classics with newfound favorites. A decadent … read more