Ever had a friend call you, really excited to tell you about the placemats they just bought in a local thrift shop? Of course not. Let me take you down that road, since no one else will. Entering the Goodwill store in East … read more

“World’s Oldest European Hedgehog Found by Citizen Scientists,” trumpeted a recent Smithsonian Magazine headline. A 16-year-old male hedgehog dubbed Thorvald had outlived the lifespan of his species by 14 years, surviving habitat loss, pesticides and the No. 1 cause of hedgehog deaths — … read more

You take a walk through the garden and find branches trimmed, flowers missing or bark damaged. Of course, the culprit is nowhere to be seen. You may have suspects in mind but a close look at the damage and surroundings can help you … read more

Backyarding is the practice of taking everyday activities — think entertaining, eating, working and working out, to name a few — into the green space around us. Even those living in an urban setting with a smaller yard or no yard at all … read more

WestSound Magazine presents the annual Best of West Sound results for 2023! Entries have been submitted from Bainbridge Island all the way to Gig Harbor. On this page we’ve listed the businesses and places you love the most. Enjoy! Best Restaurant Boat Shed … read more

The Fireside Restaurant is located in the beautiful Port Ludlow Resort across the Hood Canal Bridge in bucolic Port Ludlow — a mere 45 minutes from Bremerton. Fireside chef Daniel Ratigan offers the bounty of local farms, along with artisan meats and cheeses, … read more

The colorful posters with a collection of common herbs are a popular social media share. Save the bees, they say; plant these. I’ve been known to peek at those lists and note to myself — I could use a few more hyssop plants … read more

Get ready for spring. We’re crushing on these super-sippable white wines from around the Sound. Rolling Bay Winery is tucked into the heart of Bainbridge Island in the Rolling Bay community. Grab a bottle of its 2020 Pinot Grigio to enjoy on a … read more

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things. One person becomes an unexpected hero. An overlooked individual suddenly has an incredible idea. A seemingly insignificant person has unknowingly touched countless lives. The possibilities are endless. It is the same with birds. Migratory shorebirds fly thousands … read more