Shop Local, Invest in Your Community

Information provided by Barbara Wold, Barbara Wold International - Author and Business Strategist

Give your community a reason to shop local!  Let's transform your community into a retail destination, draw traffic and encourage sales.  Buying local is the right choice for your schools, your families and for your community.  Keep your community strong. Invest in your locally owned businesses and keep your money in town!

Let's aim to improve the economic health of your neighborhoods, your localities and your shopping corridors.

1. Shopping local creates jobs. Shops in your town create local employment and self-employment.  These people in turn spend in the local economy.
2. Local independent shops invest more in your communities.  Local businesses are proportionally more generous in their support of local charities, schools, and community events.  So supporting local shops means a financial contribution to your community.
3. Local shops sell great products at affordable prices.  Some people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products available.
4. Shopping locally saves you time and money.  You travel less, saving on time and fuel.
5. Shopping locally retains your communities.  People don't like losing shops and services in small towns but don't equate this with how they spend their own money.
6. Shopping locally retains your distinctiveness.  Independent shops carry distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products.  Local businesses respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet changing population needs.
7. Shopping locally saves the environment.  Local shops often stock a high percentage of locally sources goods that do not require long-distance transportation, helping to reduct our global footprint.
8. Local shops are for everyone.  Most people can get to their local shops easily.  This is especially important for the elderly, young people and others who rely on public transportation.
9. Local shops value you more. Evidence from numerous surveys show people receive better customer care and service locally.  these businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business, which means you get a higher standard of service.
10. Shopping local saves services.  Private and public sector services cluster around shops.  As shops disappear so do hairdressers, banks, restaurants and other businesses.

Consumers can pledge to Think, Shop, Buy, Local and commit to patronizing businesses near where thy live and work.  Local stores employ your neighbors, pay taxes that support your schools and improve roads, and contribute to local non-profit groups.

Together we can strengthen relationships that improve our quality of life.  So next time before you make a purchase, Think, Shop, Buy, Local.

Barbara Wold International

www.barbarawold.com

Tips for Parents Who Aim to Stay Fit, While Raising Kids

Guest Bloggers, Claire Kjeld and Taryn West - MultiCare

After spending so much time and energy on their kids, many parents feel there is little time leftover to take care of themselves.

A study published online April 11 in the journal Pediatrics found that mothers of young children were heavier and ate more calories, sugary drinks and fatty foods than childless women. Dads and moms in the study were also less active than their peers without kids. (Read the full story at TheNewsTribune.com.)

For some quick and easy tips, we sought the advice of two MultiCare experts who are also familiar with the challenges of staying fit while chasing children.

Claire Kjeld is a registered dietitian with the MultiCare Center for Healthy Living and the mother of a 15-month-old girl. Taryn West is wellness coordinator for MultiCare’s Healthy@Work program and the proud aunt of five kids.

They offered these seven tips for eating right and staying active:

Soltura - A Hidden Gem

A few weeks ago I was visited in my office by Angela Frasier who was recently transplanted to Gig Harbor to begin a new job as Program Coordinator at Soltura.  Like many people in the community, Angela contacted me, looking for help connecting with others in Gig Harbor.

I had to admit to Angela that I did not know what Soltura was.  Admitting that, for me, is hard.  I pride myself in knowing as much as possible about everything possible in Gig Harbor.  I figure it’s my job to know.  But Soltura had been completely under my radar until Angela came knocking.

The folks at Soltura seemed to figure out that their own community didn’t know about them, thus they hired Angela to help change that.  We met for an hour and talked about many people in the community she should get connected to, and then we arranged for me to drive out the Key Peninsula the following week and see Soltura for myself.

Soltura is a place (a gorgeous place I might add) but it’s really more about a state of mind.  Using a private waterfront and very secluded home on the Key Peninsula, Soltura has, for the past four years, hosted people ages 16 – 60 who are searching for “what’s next”? It’s a life journey, honesty facing, truth searching and mind opening kind of experience all wrapped up in one. 

Let's Get Gardening

Guest Blogger Christina Frutiger

Greetings Fellow Gig Harbor Gardeners,

I am a long time, organic, gardener here in Gig Harbor and although it still doesn't seem like spring has arrived yet, other than fall, it's probably the best time of the year to start planting. Other than your warm weather crops and some annuals, it is still cool enough for transplanting most everything else and with this still, abundant rainfall, you can let nature water for you, after you initially water in what you have planted.

I am currently teaching gardening classes at our Gig Harbor T.C.C. and have a huge, perennial, flower border from which I supply local businesses, restaurants and friends with fresh, organic bouquets from May till December!

I have years of organic, gardening experience and would be glad to answer any of your gardening questions and or learn some of your gardening tips too! Please feel free to e-mail me at christinalfrutiger@comcast.net or call me at 253-851-8747.

 Happy Spring and Let's Get Growing!

Chris Frutiger 

Top Chef Contestant Kevin Gillespie to Headline Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival

August 6th in Gig Harbor!

ANNOUNCING!!  So exciting to announce that the Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival has secured Top Chef Fan Favorite Kevin Gillespie for this year’s event, scheduled for August 6^th!!  The event, in its second year was sold out last year, and organizers are expecting the same this year.

Gillespie, the Executive Chef/Partner at Woodfire Grill in Atlanta was on the 2009 Emmy winning Bravo series Top Chef.  His roll at the 2011 Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival will include a Celebrity Cook Off with an as yet to be named regional chef.

The festival is held at the beautiful new Harbor History Museum and is by advance ticket.  The event includes wine tastings, classes, author book signings, vendors and food, and much more.  To learn more and to buy your tickets before they are all gone go to www.harborwineandfoodfest.com

May is Bike Month in Pierce County

So you don’t ride a bike? Please read on! This is as much for non-cyclists as it is for cyclist.

I guess you can call me a cyclist…a recent convert. I have owned a bike for a long time, rarely actually rode it until two years ago when I began training for a triathlon. Then I decided I needed a better bike, and received a road bike for Christmas. I am now training to do the Courage Classic ride in August.

Gig Harbor is fast becoming a bike town. The addition of the Cushman Trail is a regional draw and brings visitors from out of town who stay and spend money in Gig Harbor. The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association is currently working with the Gig Harbor Rotary on a “spur” that will access the waterfront to the Cushman Trail.

As I have worked my way into riding around the Gig Harbor area and have ventured out on my bike to other communities I am beginning to see one clear pattern – cyclists and drivers need to put themselves in each other’s shoes. With gas prices soaring more people are pulling their bikes out of the garage rafters and hitting the road. Drivers are not used to a lot of bikes on the road. So as Lance Armstrong once said, “Ride as if you are invisible”.

Earth Heritage Day is Friday in Gig Harbor

As a fellow contestant during the Vote Skansie Netshed campaign last year, the 133-ft sailing ship Adventuress does extraordinary work around the Puget Sound promoting the benefits of preserving our environment and the 1913 vessel.  Our shared commitment to maritime history prompted their decision to sponsor Friday’s event here in Gig Harbor.  The vessel is owned and operated by the non-profit organization Sound Experience and is well-known through the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands.  

• Skansie Netshed will host Harbor WildWatch and their touch-tanks of "Ocean Soup" from noon to 1pm and "Critters" from 1pm to 5pm,. Pierce Conservation District will feature hands-on "Fish Painting" from noon to 4pm.
• The Gig Harbor BoatShop at Eddon Boat will offer Friday tours that kick-off early with "Morning Coffee" and a warm fire from 8am to 10am.
• The Harbor History Museum will be open and offer special programming for the day.  Museum entrance fees $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children 7-17 and 6 an under free. 

All participating landmark facilities will promote the benefits of environmental and historic preservation to Restore – Renew and Reuse.  Join the day of celebration and an enthusiastic crew of volunteers ready to educate and inspire stewardship of the Puget Sound.

Downtown Merchants will promote the day with the environment in mind.  JAX Hair Salon will be on-site selling stainless steel water bottles (to reduce the use of plastic) and Java & Clay Cafe will promote going paperless with reusable mugs for coffee or "make-your-own" in their family-friendly pottery painting studio located across the street from Skansie Netshed.

An innovative new service will be introduced to visitors with the appearance of an Information Podium or "Concierge" post near the entrance to Jerisich Dock.  Local community advocates will be on hand to meet-and-greet visitors and provide input on the day's activities, dining and shopping, local hot-spots and lodging information.  This casual welcome sets the tone for the day and the spirit of our community.  For more details, contact Tom Drohan at Destiny Harbor Tours.

If you have questions or would like to participate, call Lita Dawn Stanton at (253) 853-7609

Maritime Gig is Coming

Want to have fun? Volunteers are Needed!

It’s that time again to Yo Ho Ho in the Harbor!  June 4^th and 5^th is the annual Maritime Gig Festival.  Saturday’s parade is looking to be one of the best ever.  The popular Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, despite the changes at the downtown QFC, will still be held in the parking lot, and “To Hill and Back”, the 2.5mi or 8K race on June 5^th will once again run on the new portion of the Cushman Trail (with hills!!).

Registration for “To Hill and Back” is now open with early bird discounts through May 27^th. 

Maritime Gig organizers are looking for volunteers for this years event. Join the fun filled days as a volunteer!  You can help with your choice of events; Grande Parade, Columbia Bank Main Stage, Children’s Fair, Fun Run, Information Booth, assist food vendors, be a gatekeeper or a go-fer!

Interested?  Contact the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce at (253) 851-6865 or officemanager@gigharborchamber.com.  Learn more about the Maritime Gig Festival at www.maritimegig.com

Look What's Fresh at the Gig Harbor Target!

I’ve never heard anyone say a bad thing about Target – well unless it’s that you always find so many things you want while you are there, things that weren’t on your list yet somehow make it in to your cart!  How can you resist?  Target has an awesome business model; bright and engaging stores and displays, nice product, super prices and exceptional customer service.  Sure they have a corporate advertising campaign as well that helps build their brand – but even if they didn’t advertise, customers would flock there because they know how to do it right.

As you know, I am all about shopping local, and also I support locally owned as often as I can.  But Target offers things that I need at prices I can afford, and I shop there frequently.  I suspect they will get some of my grocery dollars in the near future too, as they are embarking on a new Target model called PFresh.

This week I had the pleasure to meet with Travis Hensch, Store Manager of the Gig Harbor Target, and talk about everything going on at his store.  He guided me through the changes, which I’m sure you have noticed in the last few weeks.  He took particular care to thank the community for their patience and support during the remodel.  He says the customers seem excited about the changes and are looking forward to the completion in June.  In the meantime, Target has an awesome Guest Services Ambassador program.  If you feel turned around in the store and can’t find where something has been moved to, find a Guest Service Ambassador (if they don’t find you first) who will guide you direct to the item you need.

So why the changes?  Target has three kinds of stores; Target, Super Target and PFresh Target.  PFresh is a model that has been a prototype in the Midwest for the past few years.  In 2011 more than 300 PFresh Targets will open and another 400 plus will open in 2012.  Gig Harbor’s Target is now ten years old (Wow, can you believe that?) and the remodel fits perfectly into a fresh new approach for its second decade.

So, what is PFresh?  In keeping with customer’s desire to have one-stop shopping service, PFresh brings expanded grocery selection to your Target store.  Everything a regular grocery store has except full service deli, bakery or butcher.  Pre-packaged deli, meat and bakery items will be available as will fresh produce.  To accommodate these additional items, the store is undergoing a major “re-arrange”.  But don’t worry!  Nothing is going away.  How is that possible?  That was my question too….the store is the same size so how is everything going to fit?  Travis explained to me that no product will be eliminated, rather they are shrinking the amount of product on the shelves and going to a new system of “truck to shelf” replenishing daily.  This requires much less shelf space and backroom storage space.  The new look includes new shelving that is lower with cleaner lines, brighter displays, more upscale fixtures – overall your new Target will feel more like a department store (with groceries) and less like a discount store.  You’ll notice some big changes in the health and beauty area as well, with new interactive fixtures and design.

Our local Target is one of our biggest employers, with several hundred full and part-time team members.  They also are well known for giving back to the community.  Travis hopes to be involved in the Maritime Gig parade, which falls on the same weekend that the “new” Target will be unveiled, June 5^th 2011. 

It’s great to see positive growth and it’s great to have a business like Target in our community. I’m looking forward to our new PFresh Target store, providing more shopping options for our community.

Check it out.

Good Health, Straight Answers

www.gigharborguide.com

We women have a lot of questions about our health.  I save up a list to ask my doctor when I see him for my annual check-up.  But sometimes you really need an answer now!  And finding time to go to the doctor is difficult with our busy schedules.  Self diagnosing or “girl-friend” diagnosing is probably not the best thing – but we all do it don’t we?

Well how about this?  Gig Harbor’s MutliCare Medical Park(4545 Pt. Fosdick Drive NW) is putting on a special FREE event for women – “Good Health, Straight Answers – A Wellness Event for Women” Thursday April 28, 2011 from 5:30-8:30PM.  To reserve your spot call (800) 342-9919 or visit www.multicare.org