Life

Dresden detour: Spend a day strolling this vibrant, historic German city

While its streets paint a portrait of its highest highs and lowest lows, Dresden today is in an era of cultural rebirth.

  • Jul 13, 2024

My Apple Vacations voucher doesn’t work! Can I get a refund?

A travel advisor offers Cathy Balsewich an expried $200 credit at a hotel in the Turks and Caicos. Who is responsible?

  • Jul 13, 2024

Show, don’t tell: Mindful parents set kids up to learn through experiences

How might the decisions I make for my children today set the stage for their skills, knowledge and attitudes as adults?

Homeowner Ryan Anderson sits on the bunk beds in the ferry quarters at Ferry Cove, the latest feature in the 5-bedroom waterfront vacation rental in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

This Whidbey rental is like walking onto a state ferry

This 5-bedroom beachfront Airbnb has rooms patterned after “The Parent Trap,” “The African Queen” and the ferry Tokitae.

Homeowner Ryan Anderson sits on the bunk beds in the ferry quarters at Ferry Cove, the latest feature in the 5-bedroom waterfront vacation rental in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Photo Credit: Erik Kabik Photography/ erikkabik.com

Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Everett’s Music at the Marina kicks off with Nite Wave tonight, and Harry Connick Jr. comes to Chateau Ste. Michelle this weekend.

  • Jul 11, 2024
Photo Credit: Erik Kabik Photography/ erikkabik.com

A real moose would gobble up your garden. Not this life-sized replica.

This zinc figure, which sold for $3,328 at auction, might even spook other wild creatures keen on eating your plants.

Great Plant Pick: Smooth hydrangea

known as smooth hydrangea or hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ — is an exceptional selection of an Eastern U.S. species. It is one… Continue reading

  • Jul 10, 2024

Snohomish County PUD takes risk of wildfires seriously. You should, too.

Already this summer, wildfires have burned acres of timber in Spokane, Yakima, Chelan and British Columbia.

  • Jul 10, 2024
Beautiful Pink and Blue Hydrangea Flowers in the Garden on Sunny Summer Day

Take your summer garden to new heights with long-blooming hydrangeas

Old-fashioned mopheads and lacecaps abound, but newer cultivars bloom more and longer. Here’s how to shop for these shrubs.

  • Jul 10, 2024
Beautiful Pink and Blue Hydrangea Flowers in the Garden on Sunny Summer Day
Fallen soldiers are remembered during the Fourth of July parade in downtown Everett, Washington, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Take in the Fourth of July in all it’s star-spangled glory, then catch country artists in Monroe and a boys chorus in Edmonds.

  • Jul 4, 2024
Fallen soldiers are remembered during the Fourth of July parade in downtown Everett, Washington, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Left to right, the McCaffery family including Ruby, Chellce, Tyler and Jay pose for a photo at Ruby's Espresso in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

New owners, dress code for ex-Hillbilly Hotties coffee stands

Longtime patrons of a Snohomish County bikini barista chain have been asking: “Why are you wearing clothes?” New management wants to be family-friendly.

Left to right, the McCaffery family including Ruby, Chellce, Tyler and Jay pose for a photo at Ruby's Espresso in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A rider falls off a bull during the Timberbowl Rodeo in Darrington, Washington on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mud, sweat and steers: Cowboys cling for dear life at Darrington rodeo

Check out a photo gallery from the finale of the two-day Timberbowl Rodeo over the weekend, in the valley near Whitehorse Mountain.

A rider falls off a bull during the Timberbowl Rodeo in Darrington, Washington on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ hybrid powertrain produces 304 horsepower. (Photo provided by Lexus)

2024 Lexus RX 450h+ has a 37-mile electric drive range

The latest RX hybrid is a plug-in available only in the Luxury trim.

The 2024 Lexus RX 450h+ hybrid powertrain produces 304 horsepower. (Photo provided by Lexus)
A close up macro portrait of a honey bee sitting on a helenium moerheim or mariachi flower collecting pollen to bring back to its hive. The useful insect is searching the entire red flower.

‘Episode 3 — Revenge of the Gardener’: Let’s put this perennial saga to bed

And by bed I mean a flower bed with plenty of sun, because these pollinator-friendly perennials have some bloomin’ to do.

A close up macro portrait of a honey bee sitting on a helenium moerheim or mariachi flower collecting pollen to bring back to its hive. The useful insect is searching the entire red flower.
2024 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Peak Edition

2024 VW Atlas SEL Peak Edition

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Peak Edition felt familiar and cozy, no small feat for a mid-size SUV that underwent significant change for the current… Continue reading

  • Jul 1, 2024
  • By Larry Lark
  • Cars
2024 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Peak Edition

Attributed to famous 19th-century design firm, table sees its value soar

This Aesthetic Movement table — with its ebonized finish, incised gilt decoration and flower panels — sold for $6,144.

Great Plant Pick: Japanese cedar

with plants ranging from very dwarf rounded shrubs, trees with golden… Continue reading

  • Jul 1, 2024

Amboise offers delights, Leonardo da Vinci sights in France’s Loire Valley

What makes Amboise so attractive to ancient nobles and modern commuters makes it appealing to tourists, too.

  • Jun 29, 2024

American Airlines downgraded me to economy class. Can I get a refund?

The airline promised Margarethe Hoenig a partial refund on her flight from Dallas to Auckland, New Zealand. Then it reneged.

  • Jun 29, 2024

Take a child’s-eye view when planning any long trip with youngsters

Take it from me, traveling with kids requires looking at the world through their eyes. Here’s how to plan a smooth(er) ride.