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| Summer - when the water gets warmer, drinks get colder, music gets louder, and life just gets better in Gig Harbor. | August 2014 |
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Gig Harbor Lodging
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The dog days of summer are upon us folks! Now is the time to take in a concert at Summer Sounds at Skansie and a movie at Cinema Gig (before they are gone!) Ride the Trolley one last time - and visit the new home of Harbor WildWatch at the historic Skansie House. While you are there, sign up to volunteer at the Visitor Center also located in the beautiful house. But most importantly, please enjoy the beautiful scenery we are so blessed with here. Enjoy! www.gigharborguide.com
Sincerely,
Karen Scott, Director Maria Tobin, Assistant
Tourism & Communications Office City of Gig Harbor
FEATURED LODGING SPECIAL
The INN at Gig Harbor loves their four-legged friends!
Come stay at The INN at Gig Harbor in the month of August, and we will waive the pet fee. In fact, we will welcome your pet with gourmet treats, toys, and food & water bowls in your room. Your best friend will even have an orthopedic bed to sleep on!
The staff will provide you with a map of local off-leash dog parks and local walking trails. You can even hop on the trolley (conveniently located near the front of the hotel - and only 50 cents per person!) and take your (leashed) pet with you. New to our neighborhood is JoJo's Grooming Salon, specializing in grooming for almost all sizes of dogs. (JoJo's: 253-432-4273 or jojosgroomingsalon@gmail.com)
Your feline friends are also welcome!
Pet Package available for Deluxe Double Queen or Single King rooms including continental breakfast; $145.00 a night + tax (subject to availability). Call direct for reservations: 253-858-1111
www.innatgigharbor.com
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Get on the Trolley Before its Gone - Now through Labor Day!
 As you may already know by now, Gig Harbor only has the $.50 cent PT Trolley service for the summer season. Pierce Transit, in partnership with the City of Gig Harbor, Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Merchants of Uptown and the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance sponsor this service in Gig Harbor throughout the summer and until Labor Day. The PT Trolley's route provides convenient service between the historic downtown Gig Harbor Waterfront District and the Uptown Shopping District. Trolleys run daily and every 30 minutes connecting riders with downtown and uptown for just $.50! Visit www.piercetransit.org for maps and a schedule of trolley stops. Don't forget that your bikes as well as four-legged companions are always welcome. Take advantage of the PT Trolley from now until Labor Day!
Ridership this year will indicate whether this a needed service for Gig Harbor for next year, so get out and ride the trolley so that we can continue this great feature service!
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Uptown Presents Cruise the Narrows Car Show August 3rd
Classic and unique cars return for Gig Harbor's much-loved "Cruise the Narrows Car Show" Sunday, August 3rd from 9 am to 3 pm. The feature vehicle is the Marque Chevrolet Corvette. Entry donation is $15 per vehicle entered and visitors are free. All years, makes and models welcome to enter!  Proceeds from the show go to the Gig Harbor Cruisers High School Scholarship fund. Organized annually by Gig Harbor's own Gig Harbor Cruiser Car Club, the event is enjoyed by hundreds each year. For 2014, Gig Harbor Cruisers are looking for the Best of the Best car show winners. For the second year, Cruise the Narrows Car Show will also feature Best in Show winners. This was wildly successful last year and this years event will only get better! Find out more about this event at www.gigharborcruisers.com |
National Night Out is Back August 5th!
On Tuesday, August 5th, the community of Gig Harbor is invited to join forces simultaneously with thousands of communities nationwide and gather together for National Night Out at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street. This fun, community-wide event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. will include a delicious free BBQ, live music on the Pepsi Main Stage, the Home Depot Root Beer Garden and many other activities for the whole family.
National Night Out is a "community-wide" block party designed to heighten crime prevention awareness and an enjoyable means to promote neighborhood spirit, build police-community partnerships and send a message to potential criminals letting them know we will not tolerate crime in our community.
Find out more about National Night Out through their press release here.
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Meet Obliteride: Volunteer to Beat Cancer August 9th
It's not just a bike ride, it's a mission. It lives, breathes, and grows. It gathers
 strength as they recruit riders, volunteers, and financial support from people who believe that research is the path to ending cancer and that together we can accelerate discovery and save lives faster. Grab a bike and join them August 8-10, when they come together to ride and celebrate. If you can't hop on a bike, volunteer and be there at the finish line cheering on riders as they celebrate their accomplishments. It's an event, a force, that you don't want to miss! Find out what you can do to ride or participate in this fund raising event where 100% of every dollar raised benefits lifesaving cancer research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Learn more about Obliteride on their website: www.obliteride.org
Join the Fun - A call to volunteers! Volunteers are still being sought to assist with this ride. Volunteers are needed at a rest area along Crescent Valley Drive and a cheer squad is also needed in downtown Gig Harbor. Help cheer on the riders and motivate them to finish the event as they ride from Seattle through Gig Harbor and back to Seattle! If interested, please contact Ellen at (907) 209.4929
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 Next Thursday Night Out Set for August 14th
 August's Thursday Night Out
is featuring the Gig Harbor Art Walk and live music, where over forty downtown waterfront businesses will be open featuring special offers, activities, demonstrations, refreshments and fun.  Live music along with entertainment is being planned at various locations throughout the waterfront. Ride the trolley during Thursday Night Out in order to visit all the participating businesses throughout the downtown waterfront. For more information on Thursday Night Out, visit their Facebook page
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Olalla Bluegrass Festival Returns August 16th
Get ready for the sweet sounds of the 23rd annual Olalla Bluegrass (& beyond) Festival Saturday, Aug. 16th at the South Kitsap Southern Little League field on Olalla Valley Road. Gates open at 10 am and the music starts at 11 am. This festival is a non-profit event dedicated to entertaining and enriching our local community. Featuring local and national bluegrass, folk and jam bands, great food, handmade arts and crafts, old time craft demonstrations, a wide variety of activities for children and the legendary Berry Pie Contest. For more information on the Olalla Bluegrass Festival, visit their website at www.olallabluegrass.com |
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Puget Sound Honor Flight Provides "One Last Mission" for Veterans
Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. Western Washington's hub, Puget Sound Honor Flight, was established in March of 2013 with one goal: to recognize the local veteran population living in Washington.
 Their mission: To transport our heroes on "One Last Mission" - a trip to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials built in their honor. This trip is provided free of charge to the veteran, and made possible solely through individual donations and corporate support. With the hard work and dedication of Honor Flight hubs throughout the U.S., and their communities, over 100,000 veterans have made this cathartic journey.
Puget Sound Honor Flight believes that since America felt it was important to erect a memorial to honor the ultimate service of her veterans, that it is just as important for veterans to actually get to visit the memorial.
For more information on this wonderful organization as well as to apply for an honor flight, volunteer with, fundraise or to provide a donation towards an honor flight, please visit their website: http://pugetsoundhonorflight.org/. You may also visit their Facebook page here.
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Poisoned Waters Movie Night at the Skansie Netshed August 2nd
On August 2nd at 7:30 pm, Skansie Netshed's Coastal Heritage Alliance (CHA) and Maryland's Washington College - Center for Environment and Society presents POISONED WATERS, a documentary by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hedrick Smith that examines the health of America s Great Waterways with a focus on Chesapeake Bay and the Puget Sound. The movie will be shown inside the shed and space is limited (about 50) so sign up on their Facebook page
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Summer Sounds Finishes the Concert Series with a Seahawks Themed Concert So far, we have had an amazing summer filled with great music from Summer Sounds at Skansie. We have experienced a better-than-ever turnout for our free concerts on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 8 pm (just check out the crowd pictured below for the Beatniks this year). Thanks again to our sponsors CenturyLink and St. Anthony Hospital. Here is what remains for 2014:
August 5th - Blue Rocket Music
August 12th - Stick Shift Annie with Kimball & the Fugitives
August 19th - Funaddicts
For the final concert, please attend in your favorite Seahawks apparel to celebrate the upcoming 2014-2015 football season and pose for our photo! Don't miss out on the fun!
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Four More Free Movies to see at CinemaGig! Outdoors This Summer
 We can't think of a better way to spend a summer evening with your sweetie on Friday and your family on Saturday nights than with CinemaGig! Outdoors where, thanks to our sponsors, Taylor-Thomason Insurance and Multicare Gig Harbor Medical Park, everything is free. Even Kitsap Bank and Gig Harbor Kiwanis work together to provide free soda and popcorn.
Here is the remaining movie schedule for the summer:
Environmental Weekend
August 8th - Big Miracle at 8:30 pm at Donkey Creek Park
August 9th - Wall E at 8:30 pm at Skansie Brothers Park
Classics Weekend
August 22nd - Jaws at 8:15 pm at Donkey Creek Park
August 23rd - The Jungle Book at 8:15 pm at Skansie Brothers Park
Don't miss out on this great Gig Harbor summer tradition! As always details about the movies and concerts can be found at www.gigharborguide.com
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New Skansie Visitor Information Center and Home of Harbor Wild Watch is Open!
 On July 30th, the new Skansie Visitor Information Center, a partnership between the City of Gig Harbor and Harbor WildWatch, held its grand opening. If you didn't get a chance to make it out to the house yet, please stop in on Wednesday through Sunday from 10-4 pm.
In helping with getting the Skansie House to come alive, we have much appreciation to hand out. Rosedale Gardens, Harbor Greens and a team of Harbor gardeners donated the flowers and plants for the house. A local gardening team that is a satellite group of the Northwest Perennial Alliance consisting of Barbara Rodgers, Pam Mullinax and Nancy Davenport have so graciously assisted in landscaping around the house and will be maintaining the flower pots throughout the year. Also, we would like to thank Mandy Silver, Jersey Mikes, and Bill and Aidan Fogarty with Waters Edge Gallery, and Heritage Distilling for their contributions. Finally, a thank you to all the volunteers who have agreed to man the Visitor Information Center and greet visitors with a smile and great enthusiasm about all Gig Harbor has to offer. A tremendous thank you to all of you and your support in seeing a dream come to life.
A call to volunteers - The Visitor Information Center at Skansie is still in need of volunteers for August and September. A Saturday afternoon shift and various other shifts are still open. Interested parties should email Nancy Davenport at skansievisitorcenter@harborwildwatch.org.
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 Tourism News
T he Gig Harbor BoatShop invites you to enjoy a FREE skippered boat ride! Come enjoy an exhilarating skippered sail on the refurbished Pirouette, a Thunderbird #2. Sail out of the harbor and into the open waters of the Puget Sound. Feel the wind through your hair, the sun on your face and the spray of the ocean's mist. Trip lasts 1-1.5 hours and is available for groups of one to four people. Trips are also available on the recently refurbished 706 or the Longboat Porpoise. No experience is necessary for these trips, only a desire to experience an on-the-water adventure. Reserve your spot today as they are limited and won't last long. The trip is free with a $10 per person donation appreciated. Call the Gig Harbor BoatShop at (253) 857-9344 or email info@gigharborboatshop.org. The Gig Harbor BoatShop is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 3805 Harborview Drive. Visit today! www.gigharborboatshop.org
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 The Continuing Education Department at TCC welcome Harbor Institute, where learning never stops!
Tacoma Community College's Harbor Institute is a category of courses for active, engaged, and non-degree seeking adults who don't want to stop learning! The courses are designed for the curious, the inquisitive, and the academically inclined - individuals seeking ongoing intellectual challenges. Fall quarter classes are located at TCC's Gig Harbor Campus, 3993 Hunt Street. You will find topics such a 'What is All This Talk About Global Warming?', "Croatians, Norwegians, Indians & Pioneers: Exploring the Crossroads that Created Gig Harbor' and 'Feasting with the Eyes: Food in Art and Food as Art'. To learn more contact Tracy Clark at tclark@tacomacc.edu or (253) 460-2424.
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Over the Narrows Race is Back and Longer Than Ever August 30th!
Dust off your running shoes because the 5th Annual Over the Narrows Run is gearing up for August 30th. If you're like many of us and have come to make this event an annual tradition, make sure that you plan a few more miles into your training schedule for this run because new in 2014 is the addition of 3.1 miles to the course making it a full half-marathon! This race is a fundraiser benefiting children as well as offering spectacular views across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and back. Come out and join the fun for a kids dash, 5k run/walk, or the grand daddy, half-marathon! Register at www.overthenarrows.com and support the following charities: Communities in Schools, Children's Home Society, Food Backpacks 4 Kids, and YMCA Strong Kids. Brought to you by Franciscan Health System and hosted by Rotary Club of Gig Harbor North, this race is sure to bring quite a crowd. Register by August 22nd to guarantee you get a commemorative t-shirt!
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Chew on This!
Restaurant news for the Harbor
MORSO
 Morso is continuing to dish up the sweet summer taste of BBQ from around the nation. Every Tuesday in August get a different style of BBQ depending on the area that it comes from. On August 5th, Morso will create a dish of Southwestern Ribs with Chipotle Honey Glaze. On August 12th, get some BBQ Fish with Yellow Pepper Pesto, and on August 19th, feast your taste buds on Kentucky Inspired Bourbon Brined Chicken. Be sure to make your reservations at 253-530-3463. You can also order to go for the Skansie Summer concerts. www.morsowinebar.com
 ANTHONY'S RESTAURANT
Summer is in full swing and we're celebrating with fresh peaches at Anthony's! Locally grown from peach farmers, including Douglas Fruit Company located in Pasco Washington, these tree-ripened peaches are considered to be some of the sweetest and juiciest in the world. Our culinary team has worked to showcase these in our seasonal recipes for you to enjoy as long as Mother Nature allows! Stop by for a fresh peach cocktail and don't miss out on our Fresh Northwest Peach Slump! www.anthonys.com
JW RESTAURANT
Thursday, August 21st at 6pm JW presents an evening with winemakers Tim & Kelly Hightower. Enjoy different wine pairings with each course.
1st course-2013 Murray Rose served with Dungeness Crab Mango Salad 2nd course- 2010 Merlot served with Spring Lamb Meatball
Prosciutto Wrapped, Pan-Fried, Tomato Rosemary Demi-Glaze, Carrot Puree
3rd course- 2010 Cabernet served with Filet Mignon with
 Sun-Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Compound Butter, Bleu Cheese Mashers, and asparagus spears
4th course- 2009 HighTower Red Chocolate Mousse Cake
www.jwgigharbor.com
THE HUB
The Hub invites you to enjoy Summer Saturdays out on the flight deck for brews, bites and tunes. Every Saturday experience something new at the Hub!
Click on the photo to see their line up. www.thehubrestaurants.com
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Coming Soon to a Harbor Near You
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City News
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WELCOME ABOARD!
We are pleased to welcome aboard Denis Hinkey as our new Public Works Clerk! Denise has been with us since June 30th and settling in nicely to her new position.
Please be aware that roadway re-striping will be taking place through the month of August throughout various roadways in Gig Harbor. Drive with caution.
City Construction Projects
EDDON BOAT PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
As part of the 2008 Eddon Boat Park Clean-Up, work to restore the natural beach was completed in the Fall of 2012. Work continued through 2013, which included two ADA accessible viewing areas and pathways, improvements to the existing kayak launch area next to the pier, and public art. The new lawn areas are open for public use.
JERISICH PARK FLOAT EXTENSION & PUMPOUT
Jerisich Park floats currently provide over 400-feet of transient moorage and an aging seasonal vessel pump-out facility. Replacement of the antiquated pump-out equipment will include a wrap-around float at the end of the existing dock. It will provide added flexibility for water-side transportation including pick-up / drop-off space for commercial and event-driven use. In addition to the replacement of the undersized pump-out equipment, a new 8 x 30-ft wrap-around float at the end of the
existing Jerisich facility will be constructed. The project is funded (in part) through a grant from the Washington State Parks Department. The work is completed and available for use.
2014 PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROJECT
The contractor began work on July 28th on Vernhardson, From North Harborview to County/City Limits (West of Crescent Valley). The work is to be completed by August 29th. There will be traffic control on this roadway section for the duration of each work day. This is a condensed work zone and as such traffic delays may extend onto Crescent Valley, North Harborview, and side streets. This project will entail a full grind of the roadway and a complete overlay as well as repair of pavement sections and some pedestrian improvements and sidewalk work.
2014 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT
The City of Gig Harbor annually replaces old, fragile asbestos cement (AC) pipe at various locations throughout the system. This work generally provides for replacing the AC pipe with modern, more durable pipe including valves, fittings, hydrants, metered services, and appurtenances as well as street restoration as needed. This year the work is scheduled to occur on the short section of Milton Avenue just north of North Harborview Drive and at the east end of Vernhardson Street between the street end and the existing water tank. This work will progress through late summer of this year.
CUSHMAN TRAIL PHASE 3 & 4 Cushman Trail Phase 3 - Contract was awarded by City Council on Monday 7/28/14 to Nordland Construction NW. Construction is anticipated to start by the end of August. This project will extend the Cushman Trail from 96th St NW to Burnham Dr. Cushman Trail Phase 4 -Contract was awarded by City Council on Monday 7/28/14 to RV Associates, Inc. Construction is anticipated to start by the end of August. This project will continue the extension of the Cushman Trail from Burnham Dr to Borgen Blvd. WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT The WWTP Phase 2 construction had begun with the first noticeable work consisting of the demolition of the "Chalet" and adjacent storage garage, followed by clearing and grubbing. For more on City construction projects read more. |
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Fab Photo of the Month
The Beatniks and their fans enjoying the best venue in the state - Gig Harbor and Summer Sounds at Skansie!  |
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