http://www.gigharborguide.com/ghg-blog/ Latest blog entries from the GIg Harbor Guide en-us Wed, 16 May 2012 22:27:57 PDT Wed, 16 May 2012 22:27:57 PDT SiteCrafting, Inc. CMS http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/5210-easy/ 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 ... Tue, 15 May 2012 11:04:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/queen-day-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). ... Mon, 14 May 2012 14:35:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/lets-move-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. ... Mon, 07 May 2012 14:26:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/community-celebration-thunderbird/ 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. ... Mon, 07 May 2012 11:01:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/new-craft-distillery-coming-to/ 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. ... Tue, 01 May 2012 13:30:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/gig-harbor-moms-world-go-1/ 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 ... Tue, 01 May 2012 13:03:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/gig-harbor-beer-festival/ “Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.” – Dave Barry Hooray for beer. Hooray for all of us who live in the cradle of craft beers and microbrews. And must of all, hooray for all of us in Gig Harbor, where May 12th we can enjoy the first annual Gig Harbor Beer Festival at Uptown. Hooray for May! I’ve never been a foo-foo drink kind of girl. Sure I’ll have a tropical drink when I’m on a beach…but give me a beer most of the time. I’ve been living with a beer lover for 30 years…one who slurps and sniffs and uses words like “hoppy” and “roasted” and “amber”. My husband has taught be to be a beer drinker in a connoisseur kind of way. We grow hops in our yard and we have homebrew bubbling in our utility room. You will never find Budweiser (heaven forbid) anywhere near our house. Yes, you can say, we are beer snobs at the Lund house. There are worse things we could be. ... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:25:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/splash-returns/ For the past three years the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor has presented “Splash! Art at the Museum” in live and silent auctions featuring art by northwest and international artists. This year’s Splash event is on April 28, 2012. In addition to art there will be bidding on an “Art and Architecture Tour”, viewing local art collectors’ homes, and a “Boat Cruise” to tour the Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass. An array of diversified art will highlight sculpture, painting, hand-blown and fused glass, jewelry, wood, wearable art, and mixed media textile. Among shown art is a signed lithograph by Dale Chihuly, a Barbara Noonan pastel, a Barry Connolly painting, a Lisa Stirrett glass cairn, Lellah Hamilton jewelry, fused, stitched textile by Barbara Lee Smith … in all 57 works of art. Hilltop artists will feature hand-blown glass in the historical one-room Midway Schoolhouse, along with area high school art. Dale Chihuly founded the Hilltop program to provide artistic training for talented young artists and proceeds from the sale of their art will go back into funding their program. ... Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:13:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/gig-harbor-garden-tour-coming/ Jan and Jeff have created a masterpiece garden. A river of blue "Rozanne" geraniums welcomes the visitor. Two pond are home to a dozen fish. The focal point, a long arbor extending across the front of the house and garage, laden with wisteria and under-planted with shade-loving plants including lush and healthy heucheras and hostas. Not to be outdown by the luscious front of the house, the back garden opens up to a spectacular view of Puget Sound and Point Defiance. Here you can stroll amongst the sea-breeze tolerant perennials and find relaxing places to sit and enjoy the view, both marine and botanical. Closer to the house are raised beds of vegetables and raspberries, interesting garden art and small, unique water features. On the deck is a wonderful collection of bonsai. Natural elements have been used through out the garden: look for the driftwood framing the succulents and the arbor of corkscrew willow covered in fragrant jasmine on the shady side of the house. The Gig Harbor Garden Tour is a not to be missed event in our gorgeous community. This year's tour is June 30th and July 1st. Learn more at www.gigharborgardentour.org ... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:26:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/developers-ask-do-want-gig/ Rarely a day goes by that I don’t hear someone say “I wish Gig Harbor had a (blank) store”. Although our community is not so little anymore it does still seem to be missing a few retail and dining options which would fill in the blanks. Given that our tax rate is lower in Gig Harbor than in Tacoma, and that our wish is to keep our residents shopping local, pinpointing the missing links might help local developers. Kohl’s Department Store has broken ground in the new Safeway Shopping Center, and this is an exciting development for Gig Harbor. The new Kohl’s, officially a department store, is unlike anything else Gig Harbor has yet seen. It is a game-changer. I have recently had conversations with local developers and leasing agents who are working towards getting that perfect fit for Gig Harbor with additional new retail and restaurants. As a city employee, I’m often aware of what new stores are coming to the harbor, but rarely in a position to announce that information until developers say “go”. But this time, developers are looking to me to help ask the question of you our residents “what do you want?” ... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:29:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/gig-harbor-charmed/ Gig Harbor’s newest sensation “Charmed” is everything its name suggests. Little girls who dream of being a princess, a fairy or a dancing diva will find “Charmed” their dream come true. And not to be outdone, little boys are welcome too with dress up options as well. “Charmed” is the brain child of lifelong Gig Harbor resident, local make-up artist, mom and sometimes Tides server, Tracie Parker. Tracie wanted to use a family owned space in the harbor to create a unique and fun space. Parties at “Charmed” include dress up options from the closet full of colorful and charming choices. Party participants work with their party consultant to choose an outfit and accessorize before moving on to the “make-over” department. Make-up as well as manicures are available with all the cool new seasonal colors. Next, how about a little dance time, photography and a special “queen for a day” thrown for that perfect princess. Food and beverages can be brought in to round out the party celebration. ... Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:35:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/healthy-community-happens-bottom-up/ There are a handful of communities in the United States that exude fit and healthy; Boulder Colorado, Darian Connecticut, Marin County CA, San Diego. Gig Harbor? I hope we are on our way. For several years now we have promoted Healthy Harbor to our residents and Gig Harbor as natures health club. Despite the weather, we have some many opportunities in Gig Harbor to lead healthy lives. And Healthy Harbor as a goal is part of the upcoming "6 Weeks to a Healthier You" program being presented by Joe Piscatella and Franciscan Medical. The unique thing about the 6 weeks program is how it covers all aspects of good health. Not just working out and eating right, but also family health, stress relief, and lifestyle. Are you ready to make a commitment and be instrumental in encouraging others in our community to be healthy? A healthy community is personal and its local. It starts with individual's not government agencies. It starts with you. "6 Weeks to a Healthier You" is a unique opportunity to spend 6 weeks with one of the nations best known health advocates, Joe Piscatella, for only a fraction of the normal cost. The $75 fee not only give you the 6 week course, guest speakers and experts but it also includes the biometrics screenings which would cost at least $75 on their own. Wanna join me? Classes begin April 19th. Sign up today at www.FHShealth.org/6weeks ... Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:20:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/in-search-jerry/ Do you know Jerry Tomlinson? If you do, Mandy Eppig wants to talk to you. Mandy, a 25 year old from Trunstadt Germany (in the Bayern region, about 400 miles from Munich) and Jerry Tomlinson is the Grandfather she has never met. Mandy’s only piece of her Grandfather on her Mother’s side is an empty envelope with a return address from 1968 that reads; Jerry Tomlinson, Route 5 Box 5602, Gig Harbor Washington 98335. Mandy’s Mom, Alexandra was born August 2, 1968 to a single mother Renate (who by coincidence was also born on August 2 in 1948) and endured the wrath of being born to an unwed mother during her early years. Renate had met Jerry Tomlinson in 1967. She was a waitress and she and Jerry fell in love. When she learned she was pregnant, Jerry proposed, but Renate could not leave her family and move to the United States. She would have never left her mother. After Jerry left they exchanged a few letters, but he never returned to Germany to see his daughter. Mandy believes Renate was worried that Jerry would try to take Alexandra away, so she stopped corresponding with him and burned all his letters, except for the one envelope. Renate died suddenly when Alexandra was only six, drowning in a local lake. ... Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:12:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/gig-harbor-gymnasts-off-to-1/ Gig Harbor is home to so many awesome athletes from gold medal soccer players, and award winning kayakers. From Olympic hopeful swimmers to college football players. Did you know at least 6 locals are running in next month's Boston Marathon? Well it's true. And though you might not know it, we are also have state champion gymnasts from NASA Gymnastics. Two of NASA's champion gymnasts, 14 year old Chloe Nixon and 10 year old Savannah Mueller are headed off to Scottland and Ireland for two weeks in April. Along with Coach John Smith and Assistant Coach Ernie McPeak, Chloe and Savannah will represent Gig Harbor in an exchange program at Geary Gymnastics in Aberdeen Scottland and then on to souther Ireland. The exchange is a result of NASA hosting a coach from Scottland last year. Scottland is working to improve their gymnastics programs and this Gig Harbor group will serve as ambassadors and help coach and teach the athletes there. We have asked Coach John Smith to send us some photos from their trip and to update us along the way so we can share it with all of you. If you are interested in learning more, or helping contact Coach John at nasagym@hotmail.com ... Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:12:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/fresh-new-spring-dining-in/ Tired of the same ole lunch menu? Looking for something new for dinner tonight? Have you been to the Heritage Restaurant at the Inn at Gig Harbor lately? New Spring Menu starts next Wednesday March 21st! Check out what's coming below! Yankee Pot Roast slow braised tender beef, mashed potatoes, and brown gravy, served with a side of green beans Turkey Croissant tender turkey on a flaky croissant with lettuce, tomato, and cranberry cream cheese Bloody Mary Tuna Salad flaked albacore with a zesty celery and sweet onion ceviche, served over spring greens, and garnished with grilled asparagus Smoked Salmon BLT a traditional favorite with a Northwest flair, on your choice of bread BBQ Chicken Salad grilled chicken with BBQ sauce, cheese, coleslaw, crispy onion strings on a bed of spring greens Black and Bleu Salad spring greens topped with blackened Alaskan sockeye, crumbled bleu cheese, bacon, onion, avocado, and creamy ranch dressing The Heritage Restaurant www.innatgigharbor.com (253) 858-1111 ... Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:35:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/stumperies-latest-trend-in-northwest/ What the heck is a Stumpery??  A Stumpery is a garden feature similar to a rockery but made from uprooted trees!  Something our region has an abundance of! The top part of the tree is removed and the root ball is turned on its side so that the exposed pockets between the roots can be filled with soil and planted.  Typically ferns, mosses, lichens and other woodland plants are encouraged to grow in or around stumps, creating what nature does in the wild with fallen trees.  Stumperies provide not only a feature for the garden but a habitat for wildlife.  the idea of stumperies began in mid-nineteenth century England and the trend remained popular throughout the Victorian period. Though most of us in the Northwest are familiar with "nurse trees", there has been renewed interst lately in stumperies, especially here in the Puget Sound area. The use of storm-damaged or diseased trees is not uncomm9on and can save on the cost of their removal.  This year's Gig Harbor Garden Tour offers a chance to see a local stumpery first hand at the garden of Roger and Karen Moore. The Moores decided to use the many huge stumps that were left when theyt cleared some space in their new garden.  They became interested in stumperies after seeing one on the Vashon Garden Tour.  They have laid their Stumpery out with meandering paths for maximum viewing pleasure. ... Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:06:00 PDT http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/whats-an-awob/ Alliance of Women Owned Businesses “Women taking their business to the next level” is the mantra of Gig Harbor’s quickly growing group known as Alliance of Women Owned Businesses. This group is open to women in the Kitsap, Pierce and Mason County areas with a desire learn, grow and network with other women in business. The mission of Alliance of Women Owned Businesses (AWOB) is “to empower women entrepreneurs to achieve higher levels of business success. We provide our members with opportunities to hear excellent speakers discuss and learn about business strategies, meet other outstanding business owners while gaining insight and inspiration to grow their business.” And how do they accomplish this? Lots of fun and informative events such as; ... Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:17:00 PST http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/book-donations-needed/ The Friends of the Gig Harbor Library, a group that has been raising money for the local library for over 30 years is in need of donations. The "friends" on-going book sale at the library relies on generous patrons who donate gently used books. The money raised helps buy "extras" not provided for in the general budget of the library. Things like supplies, landscaping, furniture and even reupholsted existing furniture are some of the ways the money has been used to help. In addition you may have benefited in the past from speakers, authors or other programs and classes that Friends of the Library have organized and provided. Do you want to help make sure this continues? At certain times of the year (like right now) donations to the cause often dry up. Donations of books, magazines, DVD's, CD's and VHS Tapes can be delivered to the library. If you have a large donation, back right up to the service entrance and ring the bell! This is a wonderful group that brings a great deal of value to our community. Let's all take a look around the house and find something we no longer use, but someone else might. ... Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:10:00 PST http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/gig-harbor-set-to-kayaking/ It’s been quiet at times. But the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak team has come into its own. And it’s time for our community to get engaged in this world-class program, happening right under your nose. 2012 is the year and here’s why; Gig Harbor’s coaches were recognized last month by the U.S. Sprint Coaches Association. Our own coach Alan Anderson won Head Coach of the Year, and his assistant coach John Sousley won Development Coach of the Year. These awards were given out at the annual USA Canoe & Kayak Coaches Conference in Oklahoma City. It’s been ten years since Coach Anderson first started coaching our youth in Gig Harbor – he always knew it was a perfect location for what has become a model program for other communities. Anderson and Sousley have produced seven athletes who competed in the 2011 Junior World Championships, bringing the total number of athelets the program has sent to Junior Worlds since 2007 to 14. Two Gig Harbor team athletes are on scholarship at the premier college program in the United States at Oklahoma City University. ... Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:55:00 PST http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/6-weeks-to-healthier/ Do you have six weeks to devote to a healthier you? Are you a local small business looking for a wellness program for your staff? Then check this out – “6 Weeks to a Healthier You” is coming to Gig Harbor and you just can’t beat the price. Gig Harbor’s own nationally recognized wellness author Joe Piscatella is bringing “6 Weeks to a Healthier You” to Gig Harbor starting this month. Thanks to generous support from St. Anthony Hospital and Metagenics, this program is available to you for only $75 per person or $125 per couple. At this price I expect this program to fill up! Joe Piscatella will be conducting the community wellness program with one goal in mind: to improve community health by educating and motivating attendees to commit to healthy lifestyle habits. Gig Harbor’s size and demographics, its already recreation-oriented residents, along with the participation of our own St. Anthony Hospital, and Joe Piscatella himself enhance the potential for the success of this six-week program. Joe is well known nationally for his best-selling books, PBS television program, WebMD column and numerous media appearances. An opportunity to work directly with Joe is a good one. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:42:00 PST http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/blog/loving-eye-photographs-jini-dellaccio/ Gig Harbor, a hidden treasure on its own, is home to a varity of other hidden treasures. From Jim Valley to Tom Torrens Gig Harbor is home to some amazingly creative people. There are many we all know about, and there are many more we do not. Jini Dellaccio is a hidden treasure you probably don't know about. Although she no longer lives in Gig Harbor, her years as a resident here are forever chronicled through her amazing photographs. Jini Dellaccio is coming home to Gig Harbor with a selection of her masterworks of fine art photography. This exhibit will be on display at the Harbor History Museum March 31-July 29, 2012. Well known for giving Northwest rock and roll its mystique in the 1960’s, her mastery of craft combined with her genuine love of her subjects created a legendary body of work over more than six decades. Still working at age 95 in digital photography, her loving eye sees beauty in everything from Neil Young to the common seagull perched on her balcony railing. She documented the lives of many people and families over the 30 years she lived in Gig Harbor on a bluff overlooking the Tacoma Narrows, now treasured pieces of family histories. Dellaccio has a profound impact on people with her gracious spirit and genuine love of the art of photography. Learn more about this remarkable exhibit and the events surrounding it at www.harborhistorymuseum.org. To learn more about the Jini Dellaccio Collection, visit www.jinidellaccio.com. ... Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:01:00 PST