With Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday, a weekend away is the perfect recipe for a romantic getaway. Or connect with your gal pals with a fun Galantine’s Day away celebration. A few of these options have spa services and are close to many outdoor activities to soak in all that West Sound has to […]
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Posted inGarden
Rhododendrons, Here We Come
The new year is an exciting time for Northwest rhododendron fans — it marks the beginning of the flowering season for these popular, well-loved shrubs. Even non-gardeners can recognize rhododendrons. What comes to mind when thinking about a rhododendron? For many people, it’s a large truss comprised of many blossoms. The evergreen leaves will be […]
Posted inGarden
A Garden of Exceptional Skill and Imagination
The mystical, magical garden created by Arlene and Bill West inspires awe and an explosion of ideas in the minds of all who visit. Solutions for gardening in “next-to-impossible” places, intermingled with expressive, original and imaginative garden art could fill a book. Here is their story. When Arlene married Bill about 20 years ago, the […]
Posted inAt Home
‘Backyarding’ Trends to Watch in 2022
“Backyarding,” the trend to move indoor activities outdoors that was made popular during the pandemic, is here to stay and will continue to expand this year, according to the TurfMutt Foundation, an environmental education and stewardship program that encourages outdoor living and caring for green spaces. “Backyarding is a way of life now,” says Kris […]
Posted inGarden
Plants Deer Don’t Eat (The World’s Shortest List)
She tiptoed across my yard on slender legs. Pausing demurely, she batted her big, doe eyes at me. Such a pretty thing. Such grace. I wanted to be her friend. “Have an apple,” I said, and shook the tree until apples rained down. She chose the nearest fruit and as I walked away, I heard […]
Posted inAuto Talk
The Short-Lived Success of the Dodge Brothers
This story begins as John and Horace Dodge establish a small machine shop, in Detroit. The year was 1900. The brothers, born four years apart, were noted for their engineering prowess. In the beginning, the Dodges were known for creating a bicycle that featured sealed ball bearings and was marketed under the name of Evans […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Volunteers Needed to Plant 5,000 Trees at Belfair Wildlife Preserve
The Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) is seeking 200 volunteers to plant 5,000 native trees in Belfair through the end of January. GPC, the nonprofit land trust operating in Kitsap, north Mason and west Pierce counties, is restoring a native, climate-resilient plant community in vital salmon habitat by planting native shrubs and trees at the end […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Western Red Brewing
It was honestly something I had never considered before. A clean glass is a clean glass, right? Wrong. Things like detergent residue and lingering oils are common on glassware, and they can alter the aroma and flavor of your beer — and their presence means that glass isn’t really clean. A glass is considered a […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
10 Gardening Gaffes to Avoid
What’s the difference between a new gardener and an experienced one? The experienced gardener has killed way more plants, the saying goes. That truism speaks to the fact that gardening is a highly trial-and-error venture — and one where some plants are just going to struggle and die no matter what you do. The good […]