Will You Be My Valentine Gig Harbor?

Valentine's Day comes each year at a time we all need a little boost to color our lives and get us through to spring. And Gig Harbor is just the place to do it. This year more than ever, there are so many wonderful choices of romantic and family friendly activities to enjoy for this "love"ly holiday.

Romantic Weekend? Check this out -

• The INN at Gig Harbor has a special Valentine package with dinner and Jacuzzi or Fireplace suite, includes bottle of wine and a long stemmed rose and full breakfast for $299 per night plus tax and gratuity. http://www.innatgigharbor.com/


• The Best Western Wesley Inn offer their Rekindle the Romance package in a cozy fireplace room, late check out, continental breakfast for two, wine or chocolate truffles or roses for $149 per night plus tax. Upgrade to suite and receive a bottle of Champagne and fresh strawberries. www.wesleyinn@wesleyinn.com


• Celebrate love at the Maritime Inn, enjoy time together just the two of you in a luxurious room, with champagne and chocolate, continental breakfast and movie tickets for two, all for $139 per night plus tax.


• Romance package at the Gig Harbor Beach Bay Bed & Breakfast, select one of their packages or create your own with choices including dinner, massage and more. Learn more at http://www.gigharborbeachbay.com/

Romantic Meal? Check this out -

• The Heritage Restaurant at the INN at Gig Harbor is offering its Valentine Sweetheart Dinner, a complete four course dinner for two including a glass of "bubbly" for $85 per couple plus tax and gratuity (253) 858-1111. This special is good Friday Feb 12th - Sunday Feb 14th.


• Kelly's Restaurant in historic downtown Gig Harbor will have their annual Valentines Dinner. The popular event requires reservations, (253) 851-8679


• Sip at the wine bar and restaurant invites you to a romantic dinner for two any time now through Valentines and enter to win the Sip on Romance Valentine Extravaganza. http://www.siprestaurant.com/


• The Harvester will celebrate with their two for one Surf and Turf


• Il Lucano will have a special menu with champagne and roses


• Anthony's will serve breakfast and lunch on Valentines Day until 3pm and a special dinner with all you can eat Dungeness Crab for $27.95 as well as Steak Oscar and Steak and Lobster specials. (253) 853-6353


• Check out the tasting room with your Valentine at Seven Seas Brewery http://www.sevenseas.com/


• Brix 25 invites you to a memorable Valentine's weekend with special menu items created by Chef Thad, and special cocktails including a rose petal martini and a pomegranate chocolate martini. http://www.harborbrix.com/

Performing Arts? We got that too -

• Encore! Theater production of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" runs through Sunday February 14th. http://www.encoretheater.org/


• Great Love Duets, 2pm Feb 14th at the Key Center Pierce County Library featuring opera lecturer Norm Hollingshead (253) 884-2242

Family Time? Try this -

• 1968 in America, is open at the Harbor History Museum


• You Knock My Socks Off race on the beautiful new Cushman Trail, 8am


• Encore Youth Theater presents "The Magical Land of Oz", four 2pm matinee performances on Feb 6, 7,13th & 14th

So many great ideas, why wouldn't you take your Valentine to Gig Harbor??

http://www.gigharborguide.com/

Bridge Tolls: Let YOur Voice Be Heard

A Message from Rob Karlinsey, City of Gig Harbor City Administrator

Who would have thought King County would be the cause of higher-than-needed tolls on the Narrows Bridge? Whether it was in your wildest dreams or not, upcoming King County transportation projects may soon have an adverse, albeit indirect, impact on our Narrows Bridge tolls and therefore the Gig Harbor economy. How so?

Tolls for King County projects such as the 520 Bridge and Alaskan Way are on the horizon, and the State Treasurer wants to position the State in order to obtain the lowest interest rates it can get on the bonds for those King County projects. That's where we (Gig Harbor residents) come in, whether we like or or not. To put the King County projects in the best light for bond rating agencies and future underwriters, the State Treasurer wants to show that the State has a recent history of healthy financial reserves (aka savings accounts) for toll-financed projects. Because there aren't a lot of toll bridges in the State, the Narrows Bridge is the only poster child that can be held as a shining example of robust tolls and resulting large debt fund reserves.

But there's a gaping hole in this logic. Unlike the upcoming toll projects in King County, the Narrows Bridge was financed under a different debt agreement that is "triple backed" by the State and doesn't require a certain amount of annual revenue as a percentage of annual debt payments. Future King County toll projects like the 520 bridge on the other hand, will probably require revenue to debt payment ratios. Even though some officials at the State know they are comparing apples with oranges, they still want to show bond raters that the State has the political will to impose higher tolls to ensure greater reserves and thereby garner better interest rates for the King County toll payers. We're not King County -we struck our own, separate deal with the State on the Narrows Bridge years ago. (Side note: The deal we struck with the State required tolls to pay for the entire cost of the Narrows Bridge; toll-funded projects in King County will be heavily subsidized by other State funds.)

Especially in this economy, we can't afford to let King County be the cause of higher-than-needed tolls in Pierce County. The Narrows Bridge citizen advisory committee (CAC) has carefully studied this issue and is recommending a financially sound toll rate adjustment that is sufficient for the type of bond and leaves an adequate cushion. Being required to pay higher-than-needed tolls to build a higher-than-needed reserve cushion is unfair and will hurt our local economy.

Many would-be shoppers and visitors already see the Narrows Bridge as a psychological impediment. We should be willing to pay our fair share, but we can't let the State add another economic impediment by imposing tolls that are higher than necessary - Gig Harbor has a relatively small and more vulnerable economy that can't afford to take this kind of hit. Our local state legislators (Senator Kilmer and Representatives Seaquist and Angel) agree and have been working aggressively on our behalf.

If you also agree, let your voice be heard. The State Transportation Commission's preliminary recommendation to increase tolls will be sent back to the CAC in the near future, and the Transportation Commission's final recommendation to the State Legislature will be voted on soon thereafter. Send letters to the State Transportation Commission (PO Box 47308, Olympia WA 98504-7308) and attend and speak at their meetings. If you want to know when the meetings will take place, contact one of our state legislators or contact me directly at karlinseyr@cityofgigharbor.net

Sips & Tips - Celebrate Beauty and Wellness

Start February with Sips & Tips - a new year and a new you!

Gig Harbor's wonderful restaurant and wine bar, "Sip" in Uptown outdoor mall, is launching a new event for women! "Sips & Tips" begins February 2nd and will be offered the first Tuesday of every month.

Ladies enjoy food, fun, wine and health and beauty tips as well as networking and girlfriend time at the monthly event. "Sips & Tips" helps you start the new year in style while satisfying your soul and discovering products and services that will both rejuvenate and relax you from head to toe.

Join the owners of Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar for a great new event and enjoy business networking opportunity with style and sophistication. Bring your friends, co-workers and colleagues in the spirit of friendship, empowerment, community and charity.

The first "Sips & Tips" begins February 2nd and will run the first Tuesday of each month from 5-6pm. Each month a different business will be featured. During the event, all ladies receive half off all glass pours. Stay for dinner (with the girls or have your significant other meet you at 6pm) and enjoy Chef Robert Green's specially designed three course meal for only $30. "3 for $30" includes salad, entree and dessert.

What a great way to network, learn and have fun, all while enjoying the gorgeous surroundings of Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar in Gig Harbor.

Sip is located at 4793 Point Fosdick Drive NW in Gig Harbor Uptown. (253) 853-3020 http://www.siprestaurant.com/

LINDQUIST DENTAL IN GIG HARBOR, NO CHILD TURNED AWAY

Gig Harbor is now home to a wonderful dental office that provides accessible, compassionate and effective dental care to our area's children in need. If families are uninsured, dental fees at Lindquist Dental are based on your total family's income, on a "sliding scale", and no child in need of dental care is turned away due to inability to pay.

Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children is located as a joint collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pierce County and is now located in Gig Harbor at the new Jim & Carolyn Milgard Family Hope Center at 8502 Skansie Ave. This beautiful new facility has state-of-the-art equipment and a friendly helpful staff ready to assist parents or guardians of children in need of dental care.

Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children is a great new addition to the Gig Harbor/Peninsula region and is dedicated to providing the highest quality dental care to children of our community. To schedule an appointment or to talk to a staff member regarding your individual situation please contact Lindquist Dental at (253) 853-2002 or visit http://www.lindquistdental.org/.

GIG HARBOR BOATSHOP LAUNCHES FIRST MARITIME PROGRAM

Setting a course that serves the community with traditional and contemporary maritime programming, the Gig Harbor BoatShop is launching The Shipwright's Toolbox workshop designed to familiarize the participant with boat builder's tools. Using the 26" Pirouette (#2 Thunderbird sailboat) as a demonstration and teaching tool, this two-day, eight hour course is scheduled for January 23rd and 24th, 10am-3pm at the Gig Harbor BoatShop, 3805 Harborview Drive. Space is limited at eight participants per workshop. For more information about fees and registering for this unique course, call (253) 241-7432.

This first of many educational workshops and programs scheduled for 2010 introduces participants to the care and use of hand tools commonly employed by shipwrights. Under the guidance of Steve Helgeson, Program Director and Guy Hoppen, BoatShop President, course participants will practice basic construction layout as well as the cutting and shaping of wood. Using lectures, demonstrations and hand-on activities, participants will gain competency in the use of tools, measuring tools, layout and marking tools. Participants will take home an assembled small project of their own design and construction. Tools for this unique program are provided by the Gig Harbor BoatShop.

For more information about the Gig Harbor BoatShop, visit www.gigharborboatshop.org

"1968 in America" Comes to Gig Harbor

OPENING SATURDAY JANUARY 30TH, GIG HARBOR'S HARBOR HISTORY MUSEUM

Social turmoil...Political assassinations...The Beatles...Flower Power. On display at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor, the exhibit 1968 in America

1968 in America is coming to the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor, Washington beginning January 30, 2010. This exhibition traces the tumultuous events of 1968: a single year in history that rocked the foundations of American society. From the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the Vietnam War, the extraordinary events of 1968 witnessed profound change in social and political systems and confirmed to citizens of all ages that fundamental change was both possible and necessary. The Harbor History Museum is the only scheduled venue on the entire west coast for this exhibit.

1968 in America features four major themes: the Power of Idealism, the Power of Music, the Power of the Bullet, and the Power of the Press. Visitors to the Harbor History Museum will experience a variety of artifacts including photographs, magazine covers, political memorabilia, textiles, record albums, and other sights and sounds that explore this transforming moment in American history.

"This exhibition documents a pivotal year in American history," says Dee Harris, director of visual arts and humanities at Mid-American Arts Alliance. "It's much more than a history lesson. It's a message about how the power of idealism, music, press and the bullet made fundamental changes in our nation in 1968, setting the stage for current events that affect America today." The exhibit will also highlight Gig Harbor's transition and growth during the 1960s.

1968 in America provides a "sneak peek" of what is in store for visitors when the museum opens later this year. Professional traveling exhibits like 1968 in America will be featured in the Special Exhibitions Gallery.

The exhibit will be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, from January 30 through March 16, 2010 from 10am-4pm. Admission is by donation. The museum is located at 4121 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor Washington. Call 253-858-6722 for more information, or visit http://www.harborhistorymuseum.org/.

The Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society, dba Harbor History Museum, was founded in 1963, and opened a museum in 1973. The mission of the Harbor History Museum is to create opportunities to experience the heritage of the greater Gig Harbor communities. This is done by collecting, preserving and sharing the area's history. The museum provides a variety of public programs, exhibits, and educational outreach programs.

The exhibition is organized and toured by Exhibit USA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance and funded in part by National Endowment for the Arts. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 20 exhibitions on tour to more than 100 small and mid sized communities every year. Mid-America is the oldest nonprofit regional arts organization in the United States. More information is available at http://www.maaa.org/.

To learn more about Gig Harbor visit http://www.gigharborguide.com/

Shoreline Master Program Update Open House

The City of Gig Harbor has scheduled an open house for the public to learn about the update of its Shoreline Master Program on Thursday January 21, 2010 from 6:00-8:00p.m. at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street, Gig Harbor.
The Shoreline Master Program is an element of the city's Comprehensive Plan and regulates all development and use activity within 200 feet of the shoreline. Staff consultants working on the master program update will be available to describe the update process from the public concerning how the program will affect property owners.
For addtional information contact Peter Katich, City of Gig Harbor at (253) 853-7616 or katichp@cityofgigharbor.net

GET MOVING GIG HARBOR

It's finally here! The long awaited map that is the companion to the walk markers laid last summer in Gig Harbor city sidewalks has arrived!. This beautiful new map lays out five separate walking/running routes within the harbor.

The brainchild of Dr. Pat Hogan, this project was a labor of love of Dr. Hogan, his wife Joan and the group "Healthy Communities of Pierce County". Dr. Hogan marked and laid out all the routes, researched and purchased the weather resistant product to use for the markers, and then worked with crews from the City of Gig Harbor to lay-down the markers around the harbor last summer.

In addition, the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department came on board to help produce the companion map. A lot of effort went in to recruiting sponsors to help pay for the map. Stepping forward to help were MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park, Route 16 Running, Puget Sound Neurology, Achieve and the City of Gig Harbor.

The map provides information about the following;

RED ROUTE (3.0 miles) Starts and ends at the bus stop across from the Best Western Wesley Inn. It includes several hills.

GREEN ROUTE (4.0 miles) Starts and ends at the Old Ferry Landing and goes all along the historic waterfront

BLUE ROUTE (5.0 miles) "Uptown" this route starts at the Library on Point Fosdick and goes all the way downtown via Soundview and back up.

ORANGE ROUTE This route covers the trail in Grandview Forest Park which total 2.0 miles

PURPLE ROUTE (5.1) This loop is the new Cushman Trail route from Hunt Street (Park and Ride) to 96th NW and includes beautiful views of the harbor and several hills.

The Orange and Purple Routes do not have mile markers in the sidewalks.

Maps are available at the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center located at 3125 Judson Street, Donkey Creek Park Visitor Kiosk, the City of Gig Harbor, Route 16 Running and several other locations around Gig Harbor. Pick yours up today and GET MOVING GIG HARBOR!

Making the environment a priority in 2010

http://www.gigharborguide.com/


Gig Harbor has, over the past few years, made a commitment to the local environment through local programs, projects and events. Both at the grassroots citizen level and the city/county government level. Some of the recent developments include;

• Completion of the Cushman Trail Extension in partnership with Pierce County
  
• A $1500 Lu Winsor Grant award for the 2010 Donkey Creek Chum Festival


• A $1.4M Federal Transportation Enhancement Project grant for the Donkey Creek Day-lighting Project.


• Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group chosen to begin work on the Donkey Creek Day Lighting Project (awaiting Council Approval).


• Release of a new book published by Harbor WildWatch called "Puget Sound Wildside" featuring original illustrations and education on our Puget Sound marine environment (no available at the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center, Gig Harbor's Mostly Books and the Seattle Aquarium as well as other locations.
  
• 
  Ongoing environmental and recreation partnerships between PenMet Parks, Key Pen Parks, Envirocorp and other working to develop and/or restore such places as the Sehmel Homestead and the Wollochet Estuary Parks
  

Gig Harbor recently caught the attention of Dr. Usha Varanasi, Acting SW Fisheries Science Center Science & Research Director at NOAA and NW Fisheries Science Center Science & Research Director who wrote, "Science is an integral part of our daily lives, from the safety of foods we eat to the health of our ecosystems that provide clean water for drinking and recreation. The (Donkey Creek) Chum Festival is an excellent venue for bringing people together to exchange information on the science that informs society on important environmental issues such as recovery of salmon and health of the habitats that supports them."

Gig Harbor and the greater peninsula region are committed to the environment and preserving our local eco-systems for future generations. There are lots of ways you can get involved. Below is an article written by Erin Ewald of the Pierce Conservation District about last year's Donkey Creek Chum Festival. She does a wonderful job describing the range of organizations, activities and interests that come together. I have taken the liberty of running her article in its entirety.

DONKEY CREEK CHUM FESTIVAL 2009 - by Erin Ewald

Every once in a while a plan comes together. After two years of struggling to time the tides, coordinate partner organizations, address advertising logistics, and cross our fingers for a break in the weather, the third annual Donkey Creek Chum Festival went off without a hitch.

A beautiful October day greeted the canoe and kayak racers at the Austin Creek Estuary in Gig Harbor as they prepared to paddle around fishing vessels and each other in a mad dash to the finish line. Back on land, the Gig Harbor Fisherman and local Kiwanis club grilled up tasty salmon burgers and hot dogs. Lined up in front of the new Harbor History Museum, local organizations celebrated this year's accomplishment to improve water quality, protect habitat, and increase stewardship of Puget Sound. Throughout the day, event participants enjoyed opportunities to make their own salmon art, time themselves donning boating survival gear, learn how to fly fish, and investigate interpretive touch tanks displaying urchins, anemones, and sea cucumber. Additional booths provided event guests with energy saving tools like compact fluorescent light bulbs, as well as information on project underway that are designed to improve local habitat and open waterways. Residents were informed of park locations in order to encourage them to gt outside and view wildlife and enjoy the facilities. Opportunities were also provided for residents to get involved in next year's activities.

Near the end of the day, after the race, participants were awarded their ribbons and the booths were packed up, the event sponsors gathered together to note the only thing missing at the party. Across the street at Donkey Creek Park, the stream was empty of returning chum salmon. While the celebration was held a little too early in the season to witness the salmon's winter arrival, the success of the event remained clear. Each group that participated in the Donkey Creek Chum Festival is dedicated to ensuring the health of local waters and the resources of Puget Sound. Without clean water, the associated fishing, recreation, economy and intrinsic value is lost. As Paul Ancich, a local fisherman and event sponsor noted (editors note - Paul is the founder of the Donkey Creek Chum Festival), the ripple effect that one person's actions can spark is incredible. The willingness of a community to rally around a fish is undeniable.

Winning Numbers: 3/50 Project Boosts Support for Locally Owned Businesses

A Message from the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association -
For independent local business owners, the best formula for surviving a holiday season recession bay be a simple number - 3/50.
The 3/50 Project is a consumer driven movement that is being embraced in Gig Harbor just as it is catching on in many small communities across the U.S. The project, voluntarily backed by independent small business enterprises, encourages shoppers to pick three locally owned businesses and spend $50 a month at them.
It's that simple - no member contracts, no promotional costs, no rebate points. Merchants register on a website to raise attention for the project, and consumers decide to direct their spending power into their local communities where it makes a difference.
The project's website spells it out with some clear statistics:

• Of $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the community in the form of taxes payroll, and other expenditures. Shop at a chain store and that return could drop to $43.
• If half the employed population spent $50 per month in locally owned businesses, it could generate $42 billion in revenue, according to US Labor Department statistics.

"Sometimes the simplest solutions can solve the most complex challenges we face, " said Mary DesMarais, executive director of the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association (GHHWA). She and others in the GHHWA are encouraging businesses in the historic waterfront district to learn about and participate in the project if they want to create a local economic stimulus program of their own.

"This is something we can do for our own businesses and community, without any delay or complexity. It makes sense that if we want our local businesses to thrive, we must act accordingly. that's what this project does for us."

In Gig Harbor's retail community, some local store owners already know about and support the 3/50 project. Cherie Earnhart, owner of Vanilla Bean cooking and kitchen store, and her storefront neighbor Randi Kokonaski, owner of SeaGlass Interiors, are enthusiastic about the project and are hoping it will gain an increased local following. While busy at their counters wrapping merchandise for customers, they both said the idea makes sense as a way to encourage the benefits of shopping locally.

The 3/50 Project was created in Minneapolis last spring and has generated a grassroots consumer movement in local shops from New Jersey to Arizona. Some small enterprises claim that the posters and fliers promoting the 3/50 approach have saved their businesses, or at least boosted business with double-digit increases in revenue and strong local following among customers.

The backbone of the project is an informational website http://www.the350project.net/, where local retailers and independent shop owners can register and obtain information and promotional fliers, website badges and other self marketing materials.

The 3/50 Project is gaining media spotlight, with recent stories having appeared in The Wall Street Journal, on CNN and in Consumer Reports magazine.