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PHOTO BY KEVIN HANSON A wood bridge over Ravensdale Creek provides tranquil scenery, a partial view of a beaver dam and (if one is lucky) a heron in flight.

Life

A serene adventure at Lake Sawyer | Hiking the Northwest

Looking for a calmer nature hike? Or maybe a less crowded place to fish? This Black Diamond park…

Marianne Binetti, “The Compleat Home Gardener”

Life

Tips and tricks for draught-resistant gardens | The Compleat Home Gardener

Want to save on your water bill? Try some of these perennials and groundcovers.

Guests got to hold fins and jaws of thresher and sixgill sharks. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Life

Shark in the Park celebrates local sixgills

The 2nd annual Shark in the Park community festival took place over the weekend in Des Moines, complete…

STATE PARKS AND RECREATION PHOTOs 
Alexander’s Castle, the oldest building on the Fort Warden grounds, is now available for rent. It was built in 1883 by a local minister for a prospective bride.

Life

March on down to Fort Worden for great camping | Hiking the Evergreen State

The 434-acre park offers the best of forest and beach.

Marianne Binetti, “The Compleat Home Gardn

Life

July is all about red, white, and bloom – so don’t forget to fertilize | The Complete Home Gardener

But don’t fertilize your lawn before leaving on vacation.

The Paradise Inn and Mount Rainier viewed from the Paradise Valley Road on June 12. Photo courtesy NPS

Life

Planning an Independence Day trip to Rainier? Here are some tips

The National Park is fee-free July 3 - 5.

Marianne Binetti, “The Compleat Home Gardener”

Life

Discounts and a deciduous disaster | The Compleat Home Gardener

Also, tips on gravel gardens for a lower water bill.

Marianne Binetti, “The Compleat Home Gardener”

Life

Fertilize fast or fertilize slow? The pros and cons | The Compleat Home Gardener

Also, some tips for keeping pesky voles and crows away from your seeds.

Photos by Mindy Stern

Life

Wow weekend guests with these waterfront activities | Meanderings by Mindy Stern

Sooner or later, you’ll get the call. “I’m coming to Seattle, would love to see you.” Whether it’s…

Photos by Mindy Stern 
Durian fruit, ready to be weighed.

Life

Asian markets – from strip malls to mega stores | Meanderings by Mindy Stern

When husband and wife Taiwanese immigrants, Cindy and Jack Lee opened a supermarket in Vancouver, B.C. in 1993,…

A still from “Under A Million Stars,” directed by Chezik Tsunoda, who is based in Mercer Island. Photo courtesy of SIFF.

Life

SIFF reviews: “Under A Million Stars,” directed by Mercer Island’s Chezik Tsunoda

Directed by Chezik Tsunoda, who was one of the recipients of the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival Grant…

Perfect day for a picnic at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Photo by Mindy Stern

Life

Wine, whiskey and walks in Woodinville | Meanderings by Mindy Stern

Travel column by local writer Mindy Stern.

Photo by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror
Wayne Hussey in his garage with his first Smith Tower Lego model.

Life

Federal Way man’s Lego legacy includes model of Space Needle

With a garage full to the brim with Lego, Wayne Hussey’s mind is just as full of Lego-building…

Dalia Ziada speaks while StandWithUs Northwest Executive Director Randy Kessler, a Mercer Island resident, sits next to her during Ziada’s March 26 lecture at the Island Synagogue. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Adut

Life

Author/activist Dalia Ziada shares message of peace at Island Synagogue

Dalia Ziada has been amplifying her voice while fighting against antisemitism and hoping that peace comes to the…

Trains at the Downtown Redmond Station. Photo by Mindy Stern

Life

Eastside explorations on the Crosslake Connection | Meanderings by Mindy Stern

Travel column by local writer Mindy Stern.

Judy Kusakabe discusses “Behind the Barbed Wire: The Incarceration of Japanese Americans” on Jan. 24 at the Mercer Island Library. Courtesy photo

Life

Mercer Island’s Kusakabe featured in ‘Origins: Our Thousand Days’ Cascade PBS docuseries

Special to the Reporter

Grace Gorenflo / Valley Record
A then versus now comparison of the location of the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign from the show’s opening credits. Left: A snapshot of “Twin Peaks” season 1, episode 1. Right: Mount Si from SE Reinig Road, Feb. 15, 2025.

Life

A self-guided ‘Twin Peaks’ tour around the Snoqualmie Valley

These 12 filming spots will immerse you in the world of “Twin Peaks.”

Photo by Allyson Meyer/Whidbey Island Center for the Arts

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Murder mystery tees off at WICA

The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is bringing a classic murder mystery to audiences.

The Bob Rivers Memorial Bench at Poo Poo Point. Photo courtesy of Tami Asars

Life

Poo Poo Point bench dedicated to radio host Bob Rivers

The Seattle radio legend lived in North Bend for many years.

The Bellevue Ice Rink in downtown Bellevue. Photo courtesy of Bellevue Downtown Association.

Life

Where to go ice skating in King County

Gliding around the ice is one of the joys of the holiday season — but not one you…