NOT TO BE MISSED AT THIS YEAR'S MARITIME GIG

Coastal Heritage Alliance at the Skansie Netshed

Coastal Heritage Alliance is proud to announce the beginning of its long term occupancy of the historic net shed located on the water at the Skansie Brothers Park in the Gig Harbor, WA. Traditionally used by Croatian fisherman to hang, repair and dry their fishing nets, this unique structure has sat idle for several years awaiting restoration and the development of educational programming accessible to the visitors and residents of Gig Harbor. Beginning at the upcoming annual Maritime Gig Festival on the weekend of June 2 & 3, this special space will be opened to the public from 9AM to 5PM. An added attraction will be the dock side viewing of the rehabilitated purse seine vessel Commencement (see photo Capt. Mike onboard Commencement) that was built in Gig Harbor by the Skansie Shipbuilding and Transportation Company in 1926.

Activities during the Maritime Gig event will range from maritime skill demonstrations to examples of Croatian fish boat cooking and cuisine; from a photo display depicting several of the net shed`s original fishing objects to an assortment of nautical games designed to engage the visitor. A special segment on Sunday morning will be a narrative stage presentation in the net shed where members of commercial fishing families will share memories and stories of the past, as well as hopes for the future. CHA Founding Director, A. Michael Vlahovich will be present to explain the organization`s charitable mission and its future plans to develop a fishing family cultural center at the Skansie net shed and aboard its historic flagship Commencement. In the near future information about activities will be available at www.skansienetshed.com

GET YOUR FARMERS MARKET FIX THREE TIMES A WEEK

Starting in June, Farmers Market now available three times a week

The popular Gig Harbor Farmers Market is expanding, yet once again. The Saturday Farmers Market is wildly successful at Uptown, now enjoying its second year at that location. Check it out each Saturday from 8:30-2:00 and enjoy Uptown while you are there.

Beginning June 6th, the Wednesday Farmers Market at Skansie Brothers Park returns. This mid-week market, though slow to take root a few years ago, has grown in both popularity and vendors. So, in addition to Wednesday at the Park, a Sunday market is being added.

Sunday market at Skansie Brothers Park begins on June 10th.

Vendors for the Wednesday and Sunday markets include a representation of all the vendors at the larger Saturday market. Tentatively scheduled are; Hogan Glass, Blackwater Metals, Purdy Pickles, Bartlett's Birds, Marlow Farms, Morningside Bakery, Sanzalone Greenhouse, Gig Harbor Flower Farm, Aspirations by Paula, Morgan Creek Farm, Talia Soaps, Sweet Ties, Kaleidoscope Candles, Sunshine Quilt Co., Hot Diggity Dog and Mary Jane's Gourmet Caesar Dressing.

Harbor WildWatch will have touch tanks for kids at many of the market dates. The downtown Farmers Market is a great reason to come to the beautiful historic downtown this summer. I look forward to seeing you there!!

Lovrovich Family Business Keeps It Close to Home

Shopping and supporting local is a continual theme in the work we do. So here is an amazing local company from a lifelong Gig Harbor resident who uses his history, hands and talent to bring beauty to Gig Harbor. I’d like to introduce you to a local craftsman in Gig Harbor who recently launched a custom furniture business, as an off-shoot of an existing construction company.

Gary Lovrovich and wife Laurie are no strangers to woodworking. Gary’s father George was a talented local craftsman and commercial fisherman. Gary and Laurie have run GNL Construction for 22 years. Their custom interior finish work, which includes millwork, cabinetry, stair systems and custom woodworking, can be found in many of Gig Harbor’s most beautiful homes. Perhaps even your home, or a home you have been too here in the Harbor.

5210 - How Easy Is That???

New YMCA Program to Fight Childhood Obesity

Leave it to the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties to partner up with MultiCare and other community leaders to bring a fun new community-wide initiative to our schools. The new 5210 program is a great opportunity to commit to daily health goals for young and old alike!

Gig Harbor residents Ken and Nancy Keiter are supporting this outreach by offering a challenge grant to expand the Y's work and encourage others to join this new movement. Every new or increased donation to the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign directed to prevent youth obesity will be matched by the Keiters, up to $10,000.

5210 is based on a curriculum from "Let's Go! Maine" and is designed to help youth learn everything from appropriate food portions, and family exercise ideas, to the importance of water, and activities to reduce time spent in front of a screen. Material is presented in a fun and nurturing environment that promotes strenghthening the spirit, mind and body. Here's how you remember it:

5 servings of fruits/vegetables

2 hours or less of recreational screen time

1 hour or more of physical activity

0 sugar-sweetened drinks

Queen For A Day - the Gig Harbor Way

Queen for a Day!

Okay you can admit it – are you a closet Royal Watcher? I don’t understand our infatuation with “the Royals”, but I admit I was up at 1:30a.m. a year ago watching the wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William.

So if you are openly a Royal Watcher, or closet Royal Watcher or a Beatles Fan…no matter what, you might want to consider this fun sounding event coming up in Gig Harbor on June 2nd.

Celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s remarkable six decades on the British throne, the Diamond Jubilee celebration will not only take over all of England, it will also take over the INN at Gig Harbor with a great event being planned by Gig Harbor’s own resident Brit Neil Bennett of the British Connection (www.thebritconnection.com).

Let's Move Together Gig Harbor!!

I’ve enjoyed seeing so many Gig Harborites at the 6 Weeks to a Healthier You event over the past several weeks. I feel better and have learned a lot attending this wonderful series by Joe Piscatella and presented by Franciscan Health Systems.

With better weather, getting outside to enjoy some physical activity is a perfect way to get into shape. A couple of annual fun and easy activities are coming up to help you get into shape.

May 26th is the annual Gig Harbor Street Scramble presented by the Gig Harbor YMCA. This free event provides a casual or competitive opportunity to explore your community on foot or bike; walking, running or riding; individually or a team. The Gig Harbor Street Scramble is the only free Street Scramble in the region and is the largest Street Scramble in the United States. The first 200 who register also receive a t-shirt, so register now !

This free, family event marks the official kick-off summer and outdoor fun in Gig Harbor. The Gig Harbor Street Scramble is the largest Street Scramble in North America and the only free Street Scramble in the greater Puget Sound region.com.

Community Celebration for Thunderbird

Mark your calendar for May 19th

Celebrate!

It’s time to celebrate together as a community on a milestone accomplishment. Join the Gig Harbor BoatShop at Eddon Boat on Saturday May 19th for the historic “re-launch” of Pirouette – the restored Thunderbird sailboat hull #2.

The beautiful boat, which has been restored by volunteers at the Gig Harbor BoatShop, will float off its cradle mid to late afternoon on Saturday May 19th as part of a day-long celebration at the historic Eddon Boatyard, 3805 Harborview Drive.

The community celebration begins at 10am and includes a day full of maritime skill demonstrations, children’s activities, food and fun. Want to be one of the first to sail on the Pirouette? Raffle tickets for the chance will be available for $5.

New Craft Distillery Is Coming to Gig Harbor

More great news for our community

Gig Harbor has not had a distillery since Prohibition. But that's about to change with the opening of Heritage Distilling Company, Inc. Justin Stiefel, a most enthusiastic and knowledgeable craft distiller sent me the following information today. I am sharing it with you just as he shared it, full of excitement and enthusiasm for this new Gig Harbor business. Watch for more news on Heritage Distilling in the weeks and months ahead!

Heritage Distilling Company is majority owned by Gig Harbor residents under the leadership of Jennifer Stiefel (Founder and President) and Justin Stiefel (Founder, CEO and Head Distiller). HDC is scheduled to be fully licensed and operational by August 2012. The Federal TTB permit has been granted and we are in the middle of review with the Washington Liquor Control Board for our state license. It will be licensed as a “Craft Distillery” under Washington State law.

We are moving into the building next to the Inn at Gig Harbor that currently houses 7 Seas Brewing Company.

We will initially be making Whiskey (both unaged and aged), Gin and Vodka, then branching out into other spirits as the operation grows and based on customer demand.

Gig Harbor Moms Make the World Go 'Round

Best Mom Contest

There are all kinds of Moms; young moms, old moms, soccer moms, grand-moms, stage moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms, step-moms. No matter what kind of mom you have, Mother’s Day is a time to give a shout out to Mom everyone’s biggest fan.

Few would disagree that Mom’s make the world go around. Keeping the family moving, while working, cooking, shopping, and hitting Zumba, Gig Harbor mom’s are on the go. In honor of Mother’s Day we’d like to give a shout out to Gig Harbor Mom’s. Local businesses have donated a wonderful variety of gifts Mom will love and we are giving away a gift basket this month to one lucky Gig Harbor area Mom.

Here’s how it will work. Send us an email telling us in two paragraphs or less why your nominated Gig Harbor area Mom (she does not need to be your own mother) should win this prize. You must include your name, address and phone number in the email as well as the full name, address and phone number of your nominee.

We will randomly draw a winner from the entries, and we will post some of the best written entries on our Facebook page. Deadline to enter is Thursday May 10th at noon.

Email your entry by May 10th to lundl@cityofgigharbor.net