Winter is the best time to think about birdhouses. The birds are starting to think about where they will nest once spring arrives. Where houses are already in place, it isn’t unusual to see chickadees exploring them in January and February. They may decide to nest in one or they may be checking on what […]
northwest
Posted inGarden
Community Gardens and P-Patches in West Sound
Washington state is an amazing place, and not simply because of its immeasurable beauty. The Master Gardener program saw its birth here, training volunteers who are passionate about gardening to offer science-based answers to community members’ gardening questions. This program has spread throughout the country and into Canada since its inception in 1973, and has […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
The Battle of the Colonies in Real Life: Slow-Motion Science on the Beach
Where would you go to find a clonal colony of creatures armed with thousands of neurotoxin-filled harpoons engaged in deadly combat? To find the front line of an intergenerational clone-colony war, you need go no farther than your local beach. The humble sea anemone’s colorful arms may make them look peaceful as flowers in a […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Nightshade Manette
Can’t everyone just get along? At Nightshade Manette in East Bremerton, vegetarians and omnivores can. Nightshade is the most recent delicious result of the partnership between married couple Kimberley Campbell and Erik Kleiva. Campbell and Kleiva have owned and operated the popular Port Gamble General Store & Café for the past six years. They have […]
Posted inHome
Home at Last — A Colvos Passage Home Set Apart
Driving through the sculptural gate and down the winding drive through the verdant green lawn dotted with carefully chosen trees and shrubs, there is a noticeable transition from the noise of the street to the sanctuary of private space. A pair of Chinese foo dogs flanking the offset, floating-block concrete walk hints at the Asian […]
Posted inAt Home
Greener by Nature: The Sustainable Advantages of Redwood
Homeowners today embrace sustainable choices for their homes as a matter of fact. What was pigeonholed as a privileged choice even a decade ago has grown more accessible, both in terms of price and availability. What many people may not realize is that some of the most sustainable products available have been out there for […]
Posted inGarden
A Garden that Defies Limits
Western Washington excels as a gardener’s playground. Abundant rains, mild winters and not-too-hot summers let gardeners grow a wide selection of plant species and varieties. But even with the botanical diversity at the gardeners’ disposal, the “tropical” garden does its best to stay out of their reach. The winter temperatures are not quite mild enough […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Unsung Heroes — Phil and Kathy Bauer
Phil and Kathy Bauer are well-known around the Key Peninsula for their extensive contributions to several organizations. Phil has contributed countless hours to the Key Peninsula Civic Center, among others. Kathy is the co-founder of Two Waters Arts Alliance, a local organization that is now 15 years strong. A former Army pilot who served seven […]
Posted inHome
Outdoor Remodeling — More than Just a Barbecue
For many Pacific Northwest residents, cooking and entertaining outdoors is comfortable and feasible for much of the year. Sitting around a fire-pit in late October with friends is one of the greatest pleasures of fall — and who doesn’t love a barbecue turkey at Thanksgiving or Christmas? Homeowners looking to enhance the enjoyment or resale […]