The annual “PumpkinFest,” a month-long fall harvest celebration, is back in Union this month. Visitors come from far and wide to join in the activities, with a featured event designed specifically to celebrate the pumpkin — the Annual Catapult Contest — on Saturday, … read more

After the severe decline in this year’s snowpack, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide drought in May. By July, runoff from snowpack had disappeared and 83 percent of the state’s streams and rivers were reported running at below normal or record low flows. … read more

I stumbled across a marathon recently of a TV show called “First Time Flippers” on the DIY Network. I was mesmerized, and not in a good way. Fred and Mary (names have been changed to protect the “innocent”) have day jobs and buy … read more

As the seasons shift from summer to fall, you can begin looking forward to warm flavors and fresh inspiration. Below are two recipes from the Wilton Test Kitchen, which created new takes on favorite comfort foods inspired by the 2015 Baking and Decorating … read more

Slow down. Feel the sun on your face. Feel the softness of the earth between your fingers. Bury your hand in the soil — perhaps you will find a spud, ready for supper tonight. Perhaps you’ll find a tunnel and follow it along … read more

As many people have noticed over the last few years, there aren’t anywhere near as many sea stars around as there used to be. Beaches that were home to hundreds of stars now maybe have a dozen or perhaps none at all. This … read more

In my 25 years of public life, I have come to believe that community leadership is the key to a good community. Leaders create positive change. This was proven true again in 2002, when a very small group of civic leaders decided to … read more

The Greater Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour celebrates its 23rd season by consolidating studios so that visitors can see more artists’ work with fewer stops and less driving. Twenty-six artists, including five who are new to the tour, will participate at 15 locations. … read more

Long before American ports became a major part of a burgeoning transportation industry — and before roads became as common as Northwest rain — Puget Sound was a bustling maritime throughway. The gateway to Puget Sound for all the ships too large to … read more