In recent years, Gig Harbor has become a sought-after destination for retirees, lured by the beautiful views; friendly, small town atmosphere; quality of life; and an ever-growing choice of amenities. And a new ranking confirms the city as a hot location — SmartAsset, a financial technology company, has ranked Gig Harbor as the best place […]
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Posted inFeatured, Garden
Nature’s Bounty in the Fall — The Table is Set for the Birds
From late summer into early fall, the wild bird population reaches its highest numbers for the year. This year’s young account for the increase. The population boom coincides with nature’s fall abundance. Many birds, including this year’s young, won’t survive the winter. Their survival depends on the natural food supply. During the fall migration, hundreds […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Bookstores Still Treasured in West Sound
Everywhere we go these days, we see people looking at their phones, their tablets, their laptops, their e-readers. Electronically generated information and entertainment are part of our daily lives. We love the convenience of it and the portability. And yet, in the West Sound, there is a sincere, continued appreciation for a good, old-fashioned book. […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Best Friends Build Wherry for Good Cause
This beautiful wineglass wherry was built by Vaughn resident Frank Garratt and his friend, Buzz Bowman, of Annapolis, MD. The two high school friends decided to do a project together when they retired. The 14-foot, two-station, classic rowing skiff was designed by Pygmy Boats of Port Townsend. Many Key Peninsula residents helped out with the […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog
Recycle Fluorescent, CFL and HID Lights for Free
West Sound residents and businesses can now recycle fluorescent lights and other mercury-containing lights at no charge as part of a state product-stewardship program called LightRecycle Washington. Throwing away mercury-containing lights in the garbage is illegal, as the mercury accumulates in the environment and can be harmful to human health. LightRecycle Washington collection sites will […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Buck Lake Native Plant Garden — A Place to Learn Abundantly
In 2005, Hansville Master Gardeners Roland Malan, Susan Harrington and Sheri Kiley, along with landscape architects Mary Booth and Patrick Leuner, met with county parks staff and presented a plan to steward and beautify a very neglected, weed-infested, abandoned motocross dirt bike track into a native plant garden for all visitors to enjoy. The plan […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
NOAA’s West Sound buoys help us learn about winds, weathers and general Sound health
NOAA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the U. S. Department of Commerce, has deployed many distinctive, yellow data-gathering buoys globally. Six of them, all technically owned and managed by the University of Washington for NOAA, are located in Puget Sound. Five of those are in our West Sound region. Here’s a list […]
Posted inFeatured, Food & Entertainment
The Wine Cabinet — Sparkling Wines
There are a wide variety of sparkling wines made throughout the world. Lets first establish the idea of champagne vs. sparkling wine. Sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it comes from the region of Champagne, which is just outside of Paris. Further, champagne can only be made using chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
Stranded or Sleeping? What to Do if You Find a Harbor Seal on the Beach
From late June to early September, harbor seals all over the Puget Sound are giving birth to their young. While these fuzzy, Bambi-eyed babies are drop-dead adorable, it is extremely important that beach visitors give these little friends a lot of space. If you happen upon any seals while strolling down your local beach, do […]