It's good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.
~Mark Twain
US Open coming to Pierce County in June
March 2015
GIG HARBOR DINING
GIG HARBOR LODGING
WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
  
It appears that spring has come to Gig Harbor. Beautiful buds will soon be popping everywhere. Not only are the flowers ready to bloom, but the streets are a buzz with activity. Gig Harbor is a nice place to walk no matter the season, but we always see an up tick in pedestrians this time of year, and especially with the mild weather we have been having. New businesses are opening their doors and welcoming folks in this month. Read this month's Gigabyte to learn about these exciting developments and about construction projects that may impact you. You will also find upcoming events to participate in as we get ready to kick off spring. Happy March! www.gigharborguide.com
  
Sincerely,
Karen Scott, Director        Maria Tobin, Assistant
City of Gig Harbor, Tourism & Communications

FEATURED LODGING SPECIAL
Looking for the perfect venue for your wedding, a retirement party, or big event?

Gig Harbor's Best Western PLUS Wesley Inn and Suites has one of the area's largest indoor event spaces as well as two smaller conference rooms to accommodate your needs. Our sales team can help you plan your event down to every detail.

[email protected] 

253.858.9690

www.wesleyinn.com  

 

 
Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup adds Dragon Boat Races to its event 

The 4th Annual Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is scheduled for April 11 & 12th at Skansie Brothers Park, in Downtown Gig Harbor. It is the premiere event for Pacific Northwest canoe, kayak, paddleboard and outrigger athletes and enthusiasts alike. This year, the new Gig Harbor Heritage Classic is part of the NORTHWEST PADDLING SERIES. Be sure you register soon as all events look to be extremely popular. 

Click on the link above to register for the Harbor Challenge and the Gig Harbor Heritage Classic (formerly known as Heritage Row.) Also, this year, another new event has been added to this already exciting tournament: 

Unleash the "Harbor Dragon"!


The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is excited to announce the addition of Corporate Dragon Boat Races to the event this year! The Corporate Dragon Boat Races (200m course) are open to corporations, public service groups, and clubs sponsored by small businesses and high schools. Participants of any level of fitness can quickly adapt to and develop a passion for this sport. Boats will be provided by the event organizers.   
  • Registration deadline: March 31, 2015
  • $750 per team (20 seats)
  • Event T-shirt, medals and a Grand Champion Traveling Trophy will be awarded.
  • More information and registration here 
 
Waterfront Farmers Market Coming In June     
 

The Alliance is excited to announce a new Farmers Market for the downtown waterfront. It will be a community-based, open-air market located at Skansie Brothers Park. The mission is to create a vibrant forum that connects community residents and food producers. Our vision is to return the "farm" to the farmers market in support of local agriculture and provide fresh food access to everyone. The market is scheduled to open in June and will operate in conjunction with Thursday Night Out throughout the summer months from 3-7 pm. If you would like to inquire about becoming a vendor, contact the Market Manager, Kathleen Rose or read more here. Follow along on Facebook!   

Harbor History Museum Happenings   
 
YOU could be in their next exhibit!
 On loan from HHM's next exhbit 'Instant Replay' HHM is looking for photographs, objects, and other artifacts that highlight sports and recreation here in Gig Harbor. Their newest exhibit, Instant Replay, takes a look at sports and recreation in the Gig Harbor Peninsula both in the past and present and they want YOU to be a part of it!

Participating is easy and the items you showcase in the exhibit are on loan, which means you will have them returned to you at the close of the exhibit. If you are interested in being part of this history project, contact Casey Demory at 253-858-6722 Ext. 5.  The displayed photograph is an example on loan for our next exhibit, Instant Replay.

March 15 Outside The Lines exhibit closes

March 19 Concert with The Beatniks, their first acoustic performance
Experience the Beatniks like you never have before! A long-time Gig Harbor favorite, the Beatniks will play using only acoustic instruments. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the performance starting at 7:00 pm. Beverages will be available for purchase throughout the night, with a special signature beverage provided by Heritage Distillery. Tickets are $45 for museum members, $60 for non-members with a maximum of four tickets per purchase. The museum encourages interested parties to purchase tickets online, for the best chance to acquire tickets. For tickets and more click here.

April 16 Concert with Gary Stroutsos
With influences spanning rock, jazz, Latin, West African, Indian, Zen, and American Indian Cultures throughout the West, Gary Stroutsos continues to push musical boundaries. Gary is known throughout the world as one of the leading flautists of present day. Tickets are $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members. Doors open at 6:30 and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the night with a specialty cocktail crafted by Heritage Distillery. Music begins at 7 pm. To purchase tickets, please click here.

Fisherman's Cup Golf Tournament April 25 at the Gig Harbor Golf Club
The Harbor History Museum is pleased to announce the inaugural launch of The Fisherman's Cup Golf Tournament. This casual 9-hole golf tournament will be a throw back to the Gig Harbor of yesteryear. It will feature musical entertainment and a seafood cookout immediately following the tournament. This tournament is currently seeking sponsors for each of the 9 holes and have other sponsorship opportunities available as well. If you would like your business to be represented, please contact Jason Stanley at 253-858-6722 Ext 3.   

For more information about events taking place at the museum, please visit www.harborhistorymuseum.org
 
Galactic Wisdom Conference Coming to Gig Harbor March 6-8  

Imagine a full weekend devoted to psychic phenomena, spiritual healing, ufology and much more, with some of the best psychics and spiritual healers in the world!

For three days and two nights, March 6-8th, at the INN of Gig Harbor, 'Out of this World Radio' is sponsoring an inspirational retreat with workshops and seminars on psychic phenomena, spiritual healing, and ufology. On FRIDAY the 6th, from 2 pm to 4 pm, conference host will be broadcasting "Out of this World" Radio show at the Inn at Gig Harbor. People are welcome to come and be part of a live audience for the radio show (no cost). From 4 pm to 7 pm, join in for free food, followed by free psychic readings with some of the world's best and most famous psychics from 7 pm to 10 pm. 

Included in the 2-day conference admission are workshops, one-on-one psychic consultations and breakfast for both Saturday and Sunday. Admission for this event is $197 per person through March 5th, and $247 day of. One day admission is $97 per person. If you are a student, financial aid may be available. Please call Ted at 1.888.879.8339 or 509.750.9793 for special pricing. To register and for more information, please visit galacticwisdomconference.com or email: [email protected] 
  
Still have questions or interested in volunteering to help? Please call Ted at 1.888.879.8339 or 509.750.9793.
  
2nd Annual St. Paddy's Day GO GREEN Run and Festival     

On March 15, the St. Paddy's Day GO GREEN 8K & 2 mile Race/Walk and Festival will take place at Donkey Creek Park and Harbor History Museum. 

This is an official 8K sanction race through USA Track and Field. Starts at Donkey Creek Park Salmon Observatory Bridge in Gig Harbor and goes to the road's end, near the light house, and back. The proceeds will go toward much needed improvements within PHS.  It will be a fun day for all ages:  food, vendor booths, music, raffles & more. Your entry fee includes a race packet/swag bag with your race number, awesome t-shirt, and lots of goodies & deals from our sponsors.  ALL proceeds benefit Peninsula High School Students!  Click here to register. Cut off for t-shirt giveaway with registration is March 9th.  Find out more about this event here.

Music At The Gig Harbor BoatShop      

On Saturday, March 21st at 5 pm, The Gig Harbor BoatShop is proud to present the Jack Dwyer and Sam Weiss Duo at the next Music at the BoatShop Concert. They display an extraordinary collection of music with everything a listener can ask for. Fun, lively, entertainingly quirky and oh-so highly skilled. They have honed their musical chemistry into a lively duo act, adding original songs and tunes, creating dynamic arrangements of their favorite bluegrass, classic country and old-time traditional tunes.

Tickets can be purchased at the Gig Harbor BoatShop or by calling 253-857-9344. Tickets are $20 or $15 for BoatShop Members (become a member today!). Doors open at 4:30 pm. Open Seating. The last thee concerts have sold out and there is limited seating for this intimate, fireside event, so book early! Sparkling and hot cider along with dessert treats will be served before and during intermission. Visit the GHB website: www.gigharborboatshop.org for other great programs, workshops and events. 
Are You A Rock Hound?     

Have you ever gone beach combing and found that perfectly spherical rock? Over the years, many have had such good fortune and entered their rocks in Gig Harbor's Annual Round Rock Contest.

The concept for the contest is simple. Participants search for the roundest natural rock they can find and submit it to the Harbor History Museum prior to the contest deadline on Friday, April 17th. Cash prizes will be awarded to the five rocks or stones judged the most perfectly rounded rocks. First prize = $100, second prize = $50, third prize = $25, fourth prize = $15, fifth prize = $10. Read more about this contest from the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce press release
Dining Gig Harbor Style

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the Harbor  

 

At Morso, everyone is a bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day and Morso will be celebrating it with roasted corned beef dishes, from the famous Market House in Seattle, the best in the area!  Also, check out their website for fabulous dinner themes all throughout the month! 

 

Tides Tavern

The Tides will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17th with green beer along with food and drink specials.  

 

Kelly's Cafe and Espresso

Kelly's Cafe & Espresso will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a traditional Irish Dinner including Corned Beef & Cabbage. (253) 851-8697

Anthony's
Join Anthony's on the Gig Harbor waterfront for their Annual Oyster Festival! During the month of March, enjoy some of the Northwest's freshest and finest oysters. Indulge in Oyster Happy Hour all day in the lounge including $6 oyster appetizers and oyster pairing wines, along with our Friday Night Oyster Slurp at 6 pm! (253) 853-6353.

Lunchbox Laboratory
Pick up a frequent diner card on your next visit! Buy 7 burgers and get 1 free!
What's New in Gig Harbor

Cougarwear offers a wide range of gear and some great discounts too! Get 10% off their Seahawks Gear and Gig Harbor Gear (excludes sale items). Display your Gig Harbor pride with their great variety of hats, tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, and tank tops. New stuff is being added weekly, so stop in to see what's new! 7700 Pioneer Way#202, Gig Harbor www.cougarwear.com  

 

   

The Harbor General Store has its grand opening celebration scheduled for April 11th with a traditional ribbon cutting, fun games, wine tasting, food sampling, etc. The store may even be open before that, so keep checking their Facebook page for more details!  The Harbor General Store  brings back the nostalgic general store of yesteryear. A place where the community can come to get supplies, find out the town gossip and feel connected. This petite store is a grocery store, a deli, a coffee shop and gift store all rolled into one. Definitely check it out!

 

Imagine Great Things moves to 7807 Pioneer Way  

If you've gone by one of your favorite Gig Harbor boutiques and saw that it was closed, do not fear because Imagine Great Things has just moved right around the corner to 7807 Pioneer Way in Neptune's Court and will reopen March 11th.  Stop by to see their new and bright location!

 

Safeway to close on Sunday, March 8th for 36 hours during its transition to

Haggen Food and Pharmacy Re-opening will be March 10th.
  
Blackwater Trading Company
has a beautiful new gallery at 7706 Pioneer Way. The remodeled location offers an up-close-and-personal look at Luke Filmer's fish replica sculptures of salmon, steelhead and trout, plus unique gifts, local artists, and local food from the region. Learn more 
Tourism News      
  
Look Who Gets Noticed by Travel Age West!
Provided by Travel Age West
Check out this amazing feature article about all that there is to do in this great town! Titled 'What to do in Gig Harbor' this article misses no opportunity to share with others about the fabulous place that we live.  

Tourism Matters

On March 26th, Travel Tacoma + Pierce County Partners present its Annual Tourism Matters Meeting at the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood at 11 am.  Pre-registration for this meeting is required here

Front Line Hospitality Workers for the U.S. Open
If you are, or you staff, front line hospitality workers, we suggest you join our mailing list for sporadic e-blasts for front line workers who will engage directly with the public during this time. We will be sending updated information frequently throughout (and prior to) the Open. We've learned that other communities that have hosted Opens in previous years, have found great value in hospitality workers knowledgeable in the world of golf. This has been a great asset and welcoming to the golf fans. To join our interest list, email [email protected] with US Open front-line in the subject line. For all information regarding the US Open Championship visit www.OpenInGigHarbor.com



Next month is PARKS APPRECIATION DAY 
Come one, come all!
We are currently seeking volunteers for Parks Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 25th. If you are interested and available, sign up with Terri Reed at the City of Gig Harbor by calling
(253) 851-6170. With the US Open coming to Pierce County in June and an added influx of visitors undoubtedly visiting Gig Harbor, this is a perfect opportunity to help our community shine. Sign up today - and watch for more details coming next month!
Gig Harbor Celebrates Law Day 2015
Poster & Easy Essay Contest featuring Surface2 Tablet Prizes

 

The Gig Harbor Municipal Court, the Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound, and the YMCA Tom Taylor Family Branch are joining the American Bar Association in the celebration of Law Day 2015 with two special events. Friday, April 24th at 4 pm, the Gig Harbor Civic Center is hosting the YMCA Youth & Government Interactive Mock Legislature Session. The public is invited to attend and participate in the audience.

 

On Friday, May 1st, the Gig Harbor Civic Center is hosting the Poster & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony at 6 pm. Students are invited to participate by submitting an essay of 300 words maximum OR a poster no larger than 8 1/2" x 11" between March 1st and April 10th reflecting this year's Law Day theme, "Magna Carta: What Does Freedom Mean to You?". The winning selections will be announced at the Law Day Ceremony. Students, parents, families, and the public are invited to attend. read more 

Walk for Water 

In Africa alone, women and children spend over 40 billion hours walking for water. Their water, collected in a bulky 40 lb Jerry can, isn't even clean. The simple lack of clean water robs them of their health, livelihood, and hope. Gig Harbor Gives, in partnership with charity: water [sic], is a movement to inspire our community to impact the 748 million people who live without access to clean, life-giving water.

 

Join us on World Water Day, Sunday, March 22nd at 1 pm at Skansie Brothers Park to be part of the solution. Link arms with those across the globe as we pick up Jerry cans and Walk for Water. Learn the facts about the water crisis as we trek through the historic Gig Harbor waterfront to Donkey Creek Park. You'll see why having clean, safe drinking water changes everything.  

 

If you have any questions or want to learn more, visit gigharborgives.org, or email Tony Walters at [email protected] and find out more about Gig Harbor Gives at their website, www.gigharborgives.org 
   
Gallery Row presents the ITTY BITTY Show - a Juried Art Competition

Sometimes it's the small things that are best. Come view this show between March 13th to April 15th, at Gallery Row, 3102 Harborview Drive. Hours are Monday - Saturday, 10-5 pm and Sunday, noon-5 pm. The Opening Night & Artists Reception is March 12th from 6-8 pm with awards presented at 7 pm. This event is free and open to the public. The show will feature artists from Kitsap and Pierce Counties showing 32 original pieces of art no longer than a perimeter of 24 inches. For more information on Gallery Row visit www.gigharborgalleryrow.com
 
   
More Gigs

Key Center Pierce County Library presents Silver Cinema Series, The Art of Aging in Film and Community

Documentaries shown on Sundays at 2 pm with discussion afterward. Free admission and refreshments. Transportation available.
Free events sponsored by The Mustard Seed Project and Friends of the Key Center Library.

March 8 "The Elders" Individual vignettes of elders sharing their personal coming of age stories help us all to consider, and understand, universal lessons of life.

March 15 "Mending the Line" Legendary fly fisherman Frank Moore, now in his 90s, returns to the streams of Normandy he discovered as a soldier in WWII, invoking many memories.

March 22 "Her Aim is True" The legacy of Northwest rock band photographer Jini Dellaccio is captured in this film made in her 90s, complete with a memorable soundtrack.

For more information contact The Mustard Seed Project at 253-884-9814.

Every Tuesday, attend a no-cost Freedom From Tobacco Weekly Support Group
from 5:30-6:30 pm at St. Anthony Hospital. Drop-ins welcome.  For more info call (253) 223 7538.  

March 17th- Gig Harbor BoatShop to host "Sea Safety and Survival" Instruction Course. Read more.

March 28th - Gig Harbor BoatShop hosts "
Painting & Varnishing Plywood Boats Workshop" Read more.

For all of the other events going on in the City, please view our online calendar at www.gigharborguide.com

 

 

Leave your old flame behind - Get paid to scrap your old wood stove

 

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has received limited grant funding and is offering up to $350 to Pierce County residents to recycle their old, but working wood stove. This opportunity applies to Pierce County residents living outside of the Tacoma-Pierce County Smoke Reduction Zone. Previously, this incentive had only been available to residents living within the designated smoke reduction zone in the Tacoma area. This opportunity is for a very limited time and on a first come, first serve basis, so don't wait to sign up if you have an old, functional stove in your home.

 

To see if you qualify and for more information visit their site.

 

Enhanced burn ban enforcement continues for all of Pierce County when air quality burn bans are in effect during colder winter months.
 







City News
Congratulations are in order!
Congratulations to Gig Harbor PD's SGT Gary Dahm who was recently promoted and  sworn in February 23rd!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Gig Harbor BoatShop Sidewalk 
The sidewalk directly in front of the Gig Harbor Boat Shop, 3805 Harborview Drive, will be under construction for a month beginning in mid-March. Construction will include replacement of the concrete sidewalk and repair of the wood decking along the front of the building. The city asks pedestrians and drivers to watch for, and obey all traffic signals and signs during this time as traffic and sidewalk area will be impacted and possibly re-routed. Thank you for your patience during this project.   
Grandview Forest Park Tree Removal

A significant number of trees in Grandview Forest Park have laminated root rot. Laminated root rot is a very aggressive fungus that occurs naturally in many coniferous forests in the Northwest.  It primarily affects Douglas firs, grand firs and hemlocks.  It is a naturally occurring pathogen that attacks trees at their base and compromises the root system causing the infected tree to become a 'danger tree'.    

The City hired a certified arborist firm, Thundering Oak, to inspect and inventory the evergreen trees in the park, evaluate the extent of the suspected infection and make recommendations for a management strategy of the diseased trees.  This work will effect less than 5% of the trees in the park.  A contractor has been selected, and award of a construction contract is anticipated to be approved by Council on March 9th.  The park will be closed to public access during this work, which is anticipated to last one month.

 

City Park at Crescent Creek

In 2013, when artist Jeff Samudosky, of JWS Wood Sculpture, carved the wood sculpture at Crescent Creek Park it was known that the tree stump would continue to decompose from the roots up.  The decay has now advanced so much that crew and Jeff Samudosky have had to to remove (cut) the sculpture from the root system so that the roots can be removed and a concrete pad with steel support system can be installed in the current location of the stump.  This process has begun.  While the pad and support system are being constructed, the sculpture will be removed from the park and stored off-site.


Cushman Trail Phase 3 & 4

Cushman Trail Phase 3 - Construction is in progress between 96th St NW and Burnham Dr.  Bridge abutment at Burnham Dr is in process at this time, and construction of the timber bridge structure

will be completed by the end of February.
Project completion is anticipated by early April 2015.  

 

Cushman Trail Phase 4 - Construction

Phase 4 is substantially complete.  The trail will not be opened to the public until Phase 3 is completed.  

 

Wastewater Treatment Plant
Work continues on the interior of the new laboratory operations with completion of the sheet rock along with the mechanical HVAC work.  

 

For more City construction updates, visit the Public Works Construction Project Page. 



Fab Photo
A sunny memory from Summer Sounds at Skansie. Watch for exciting announcements next month! Submit your favorites on our Facebook page today!