APR 2016
LIVING LOCAL
the
home&garden issue
INTERIOR
DESIGN Affordable Backyard
Makeovers GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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SERVING GIG HARBOR
Pharmacy . Full Service Repair . Home Delivery . Exceptional Patient Care
Olympic Pharmacy and Healthcare Services has grown into a leading provider of medical supplies and equipment to the Puget Sound area. Our mission is to provide our customers with the highest quality products, exceptional customer service and to be an active participant in our patients’ healthcare and well being. We believe that offering exceptional patient care is a collaborative effort. Our trained and knowledgeable staff understand that every patient is unique and strives to promote a warm and caring environment where our patients feel comfortable.
4700 Pt. Fosdick Drive Northwest Gig Harbor, Washington 98335 (253) 858-9941 . Fax: (253) 851-9942
Because We Care. GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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Beautiful Living FOR EVERY
STEP IN LIFE
Bellesara - Harbor Crossing - Blackstone GIG HARBOR
GIG HARBOR
MANCHESTER
Now is the time to live with the ease, innovation and quality of a new construction home, and there is only one local Gig Harbor team to help realize your dream: RUSH RESIDENTIAL | ED ARO | THE JAMES GROUP AT ON Q FINANCIAL, INC.
{
WWW.RUSHRESIDENTIAL.COM
Address & Directions Model Home Hours Features & Upgrades
To pre-qualify for home financing, call Dawn James (NMLS# 487467) at On Q at 253-313-1586. On Q Gig Harbor Office Location: 2727 Hollycroft St NW #360 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
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On Q Financial, Inc. is an equal housing lender. NMLS #5645. 068i0000001v8ET
Trust us with your child’s smile. A pediatric dentist is the BIG authority on little teeth! Call for an B C appointment today (253) 858-8581 GigHarborLivingLocal.com 5 OARD
ERTIFIED
PEDIATRIC DENTIST
3519 56TH STREET NW, SUITE 140 GIG HARBOR, WA 98335 WWW.HARBORKIDSTEETH.COM
“Home is an invention on which no one has yet improved.” - Ann Douglas
I’ll help you make the move that’s right for your lifestyle.
Give me a call to see how I can help you buy or sell yours! 5801 Soundview Drive, Suite 101 253.732.0534 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
sue@suerand.com 253.732.0534 www.suerand.com sue@suerand.com • www.suerand.com f “Why Gig Harbor is a great place to live, work and play”
SERVING GIG HARBOR 253.381.8743 Alpine Ductless is a locally owned heating and cooling system company. Ductless heat pumps are all we do. Why? Because we believe in the technology. We believe ductless heat pumps can help YOUR family be more comfortable in YOUR home and do it more efficiently. They’re less expensive to install and less disruptive to our customers.
GET COMFORTABLE
5801 Soundview Drive, Suite 101 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253.732.0534
sue@suerand.com • www.suerand.com
SAVE MONEY
www.AlpineDuctless.com
Save up to 50% on your heating bill! *6 months same as cash and low interest financing available.
BREATHE EASIER
5801 Soundview Drive, Suite 101 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Rebates & financing not guaranteed by Alpine Ductless. 6 months same as cash & financing O.A.C.
253.732.0534
sue@suerand.com • www.suerand.com
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THE BIGGER YOUR DREAMS, THE MORE YOU HAVE TO PROTECT IT.
WHAT IS A PERSONAL LIABILITY UMBRELLA POLICY? Call Tim Lopez to make sure you have what you need. TIM LOPEZ, AGENT AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE 7512 Stanich Lane Unit 2 Gig Harbor, WA 98335 Office: 253.858.7200 Fax: 253.858.7700 f / TimothyLopezAgency www.trlopez.com GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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WWW.GIGHARBORLIVINGLOCAL.COM
MARKETING
Washington Sales & Marketing Director | Julie Reed 253.273.8524 | julie@livinglocal360.com
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor | Patty Hutchens patty@livinglocal360.com Editor | Jani Gonzalez jani@livinglocal360.com
DESIGN
Creative Director | Whitney Lebsock Senior Designer | Jessica Herbig
Grab quick, gourmet meals when you are busy with after-school sports, activities and events! Walk in, drive thru, Grab & Go!
SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENTS
Media Manager/Events | Kelly Williams kelly@livinglocal360.com Media Intern | Maddie Russo maddie@livinglocal360.com
ACCOUNTING/OPERATIONS
Managing Partner | Kim Russo Executive Director | Steve Russo
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Photo courtesy of Brett Marlo Desantis 253.376.7935 www.brettmarlo.com
GIG HARBOR LIVING LOCAL MAGAZINE
is brought to you by www.livinglocal360.com. If you would like to advertise with us please call 253.273.8524 or email info@livinglocal360.com. To submit articles, photos, nominations and events, email us at events@livinglocal360.com.
Grocery, Deli, coffee & Gifts
N 47º
19’
W122º
32’
Mon-Sat 7am-7pm, Sun 8am-4pm Drive Thru Opens 7am - 6pm Mon-Sat, 8am-4pm Sun 7804 Pioneer Way | Gig Harbor, WA 98335 253.358.3241 | www.theharborgeneralstore.com
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Living Local Magazine is published monthly and distributed freely throughout the Pacific Northwest and Inland Northwest; Gig Harbor, Edmonds, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Dover Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum and the Spokane Valley. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Living Local Magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Living Local Magazine is produced and published by Like-Media and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the publisher.
Discover New Worlds
Together
253-649-4292
Call Team DeMarco today for a complimentary quote on your next family vacation! Individual and Group Travel • Family and High School Reunions All-Inclusive Resorts • Clubs and Specialty Tours • Weddings and Honeymoons Business
f TeamDeMarco
www.bellalunatravels.com | esperanza.demarco@cruiseplanners.com
CALL US TODAY AND MAKE YOUR DENTAL HEALTH APPOINTMENT Sedation Dentistry • Most Insurance Accepted Flexible Payment Options • Emergencies • Children Welcome Sapphire Whitening System • Cristal Veneers Friendly, Gentle, Quality Care
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MAKING HAPPY, HEALTHY SMILES NEW PATIENT EXAMS ARE ALWAYS
Michelle Green Family Dental
FREE
WITH BILLED CLEANING AND X-RAYS
5122 Olympic Drive NW, Ste #B-201, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 |
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253.851.8151
| michellegreenfamilydental.com
PUBLISHER
We Are PRODUCT Driven! YOU WILL NOTICE something new this month as you go through this incredible April issue. We at Living Local 360 are excited to introduce our new theme-based publications complete with vibrant photos and great tips. Each month many of our stories will revolve around a particular theme that relates to the season and events taking place in and around our community. This month’s theme, Home & Garden, will inspire you and show ways to decorate indoors and out, even on a small budget. Our stories will provide insight on everything from home decorating ideas to adventurous vacations to music festivals and a guide to shopping local. Staying true to our mission, we will continue to bring more stories about the great things that are happening in and around our community, including inspiring stories of local people and organizations, students who are making a difference in the lives of others and events taking place that will get you out of the house and connecting with your friends and neighbors. After all, the local community is the heart and soul of what Living Local is all about! We hope you enjoy our new look and the stories we bring you each and every month. We love what we do and appreciate the support you have shown us!
“WHERE FA M I LY I S A LWAY S F I RST. ” “We are committed to providing professional, compassionate assistance in a safe and nurturing environment, ensuring a life of dignity and independence for seniors in our community.”
Creating. Connecting. Living Local.
Steve Russo
Steve Russo | steve@livinglocal360.com
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ABOUT THE COVER APR
2016
LIVING
office
253.853.2033
web
familyfirstafh.com
LOCAL
rden
hissoueme&ga the
address 4700 Pt. Fosdick Dr. #312 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
ckyard
Ba Affordable
Makeovers ocal.com
rLivingL
GigHarbo
GigHarborLivingLocal.com
INTERIOR
DESIGN
THIS BEAUTIFUL PHOTO is by a local Gig Harbor business, Brett Marlo Design + Buildimproving your quality of life by designing + creating functional, beautiful and healthy spaces. In this issue, we provide tips and inspiration for your home and garden. With spring upon us, it is time to start our spring cleaning in anticipation of the beautiful weather that is ahead!
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We are the #1 distributed magazine in our target markets.
Preparing your home
? t e k r a for M
Call The Jones Team for a free Market Analysis.
BETTER GYM better. because quality of life is earned
Buying or selling a home? Call us today!
Gary & Sandy Jones Your Gig Harbor Real Estate Team
Training to move well, increase strength, sharpen focus, and gain the mental toughness that are essential for optimal quality of life.
(253) 514-1988 Experience • Efficiency • Passion
For all your mortgage needs...
Call me today!
NMLS #1850
Debbie Mishko
Loan officer, MLO 10968
5201 Olympic DR NW Suite 110 (360) 239-1942 debbie.mishko@apmortgage.com
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253.225.4037
susan@bebettergym.com 6659 Kimball Drive Gig Harbor, WA 98335 www.bebettergym.com
f/betterperiod t/bebettergym
/be_better_gym #bebettergym
#GIGHARBORLIVING GET SOCIAL & LIVE LOCAL! Use the tag #GigHarborLiving when you post your photos on Instagram and Facebook. Your photos will show up on our Get Social page at
edsun via sparrow ams. your dre f o n o ti the direc ed. dently in you have imagin tate fi n o c o G as fe li w # e nw Live th oreau #p harborliving h T id v a -Henry D #gigharbor #gig gton ock #washin ound #d #pugets
WWW.GIGHARBORLIVINGLOCAL.COM
and you’ll have the chance to see your photos in print right here!
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n via “Where th ere -Mahatm is love there is li fe.” a Gandh #gigha i #tr #pnwlivin rborphotograph uelove er g #simple moderns #gigharbor assypho #gigharb tography orliving
dams via rain and bouts of n e e 2016 tw e A-B ! March d W n r, e o k e rb e a w tiful Gig H s out this ing #pnwisbeau a w n u s hail the arborliv or #gigh #gigharb kristiejla
S E E M O R E AT W W W. G I G H A R B O R L I V I N G L O C A L . C O M CONNECT WITH GIG HARBOR LIVING LOCAL MAGAZINE! facebook.com/gogigharbor
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Contributors
Dan Aznoff • Brett Marlo DeSantis • Jon Johansen • Karen Robbins Megan Olson • Raniel Diaz • Deborah Olive
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Julie Reed Washington Sales & Marketing Director 253.273.8524 julie@livinglocal360.com
Green Cottage Pets See what a difference a good diet will do for your pet.
A Health Food Store for Dogs & Cats
3028 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, Washington 253.851.8806
greencottagepets@earthlink.net www.greencottagepets.com
Painting Parties
Art by Tami
Manuka, Golden Retriever Puppy... loves fly fishing!
“I didn’t lose my independence, I gained it along with parts of my life I thought were gone forever. My caregiver is incredible, thanks again for bringing her to me.” —Ms. Jean V.
Tap into your creative side with local artist Tami Figliola. A happy and unique experience! • Girls, Family & Couples Nights • Corporate Parties and Team Building
• One-on-One Private • Birthday Parties and Fun for ALL Ages • Art Parties & Classes
All materials provided with hands on step-by-step instructions by Tami at your location or her Studio. Everyone leaves with a masterpiece!
WWW.ARTBYTAMI.COM
Toll Free 844.530.4455 • slawson@homecarepioneers.com
TEXT OR CALL 253.227.1565 • LIPPY2B@AOL.COM
www.homecarepioneers.com
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64
APRIL 2016
VOLUME 3 NUMBER 4
Affordable Backyard Makeovers With spring in the air, get inspired to glam out your own backyard with these cool ideas that anyone can do without breaking the budget.
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56
Good News Jon Johansen shares the story of how a Gig Harbor resident who was fighting in Iraq was moved by the stories of Iraqi children with whom he crossed paths. What he witnessed propelled him into action. He established the Iraqi Children Foundation which, over the past several years, has brought hope to those most vulnerable in a war torn country.
Feature Story This inspiring article by Megan Olson is a story of how the Montana Highway Patrol has been providing hope to children with serious medical issues for over three decades. It is heartwarming to learn how these peacekeepers are changing the lives of hundreds of children by granting them their one special wish.
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If You’re Thinking About Buying or Selling Real Estate in 2016, We Should Talk!
F I NH O L M’ S
- A Great Deal Depends on Your Broker -
GROCE RY
“Crooked Tree” Farm $595,000 Pastoral equestrian bliss just minutes north of Gig Harbor. Beautifully crafted 4 bedroom home with large barn, plus huge additional shop and room to roam on nearly 5 acres. Call today to schedule an appointment to see this magnificent home!
&
DELI
Rainy Daze Brewery Night
April 22 5-7pm
8812 N Harborview DR Gig Harbor, Washington (253) 851-2229
Serving Gig Harbor and the entire West Sound
Bryan Bosveld, Broker 5775 Soundview Dr., Ste. B 202 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Main 253.514.7348 Office 253.693.4940 Bryan@infinityrewa.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 27
18 Essentials
The latest tips and trends.
27 Life & Community Great local events and stories.
28 Business Spotlight Bring the outdoors inside.
34 Business Spotlight Unique and mobile.
36 Gig Harbor in Focus Making a difference.
36 40 Athletes of the Month Josh Keough and Michael Togua.
42 Living Local Cherish and preserve.
48 Hometown Experts The best local businesses.
50 Health & Lifestyle
Tips and informational articles about living a healthy, active lifestyle.
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80
80 Travel & Leisure An exquisite taste of Europe.
86 Food & Drink
Discover Gig Harbor’s tastiest destinations.
92 Arts & Entertainment
Calendar of great local events, music and shows.
50
GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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April
is
Child Abuse AwAreness Month Find out how you can change the life of a child living in foster care Thursday, May 12th from 5pm-7pm at the Best Western Wesley Inn. Wine and appetizers will be served.
There are over 880 children living in foster care in Pierce County that need you as their CASA.
PROUD SPONSOR
I am for the child
™
6575 Kimball Drive • Gig Harbor, WA 253.858.9690 • www.wesleyinn.com
Visit www.GigHarborLivingLocal.com for more!
The oldest artist’s co-op in Gig Harbor, Washington
Let us help you develop your marketplace presence!
Call Julie today!
253.273.8524 GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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7809 Pioneer Way | Gig Harbor, WA 253.851.5293 f/TheEbbTideArtGallery www.ebbtidegalleryofgifts.com
Practical Living
ESSENTIALS by Brett Marlo DeSantis
MAKING OVER MANUFACTURING FROM MECHANIZATION TO MAKERSPACES, A MODERN DAY RENAISSANCE IS THE MAKER MOVEMENT the versatile response to the Industrial Revolution we are in search of? Is there innovation in our backyards? Yes! Maker culture is a diverse, equitable and accessible culture. Generations thrive by working together. Resourcefulness and sharing are encouraged. Individuality is cherished. Where the Industrial Revolution allowed for, if not created, unskilled machine operators, the Makers Movement embraces our ability to create and gives us the tools to hone our skill sets. Watch out brand-name products and big box stores! You can now find makerspaces popping up in our cities via collaboratives, public libraries and schools. You can create, become self-sufficient and make your own products with little or no technology all the way to mastering 3-D printing and 3-D carving techniques. According to pioneer Mark Hatch, the maker movement manifesto goes something like this:
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Hot Diggity Dogs (and sausages)
We cater events, parties and more!
Find us on Facebook! www.hotdiggitydogsandsausages.com info@hotdiggitydogsandsausages.com 360.509.9016
“From possibility, to actuality� Derouin Concrete 253.677.1776
joe@derouinconcrete.com www.derouinconcrete.com
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Reserve YOUR ice cream truck TODAY! info@kcfreeze.com
www.kcfreeze.com
360.509.9016
Birthdays, Weddings, Company Parties, Schools, Fundraisers and More!
MAKE AND SHARE YOUR IDEAS
MAKE - Fundamental to what it means to be human. SHARE - Method by which wholeness is achieved. GIVE - Selfless and satisfying sharing of oneself through making. LEARN - You must learn to make. TOOL UP - Access to the right tools locally. PLAY - Be playful! PARTICIPATE - Engage with other makers in your community. SUPPORT - The best hope for improving the world is us. CHANGE - Enjoy the journey; embrace change in yourself.
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Through makers’ innovations we are changing the way we work, learn and consume. How does the Maker Movement prove to be revolutionary? Will it spur small business and local commerce? Will traditional forms of employment adapt to a project-based culture? Will new forms of funding support this emerging marketplace and evolving consumer expectations?
ADU* *accessory dwelling unit
Yes! There are definitive impacts of the Maker Movement already taking place. According to the Deloitte Center, we are now racing with the machine, “harnessing the power of the machine to unleash and amplify our creative energies.” Over the past decade and a half, we’ve embraced the digital frontier via social media, new business and institutional models evolving to fit this new digital world. This new frontier of physical “making” is “enabled and enhanced by the technology that allows individuals everywhere to connect to the same resources and use the same tools.” The Maker Movement adheres to practice versus theory forms of learning. It is evident in STEAM-based schooling (science, technology, engineering, art and math). This movement provides for holistic learning rather than rigid theory with enrichment as a secondary method. Collaboration, mentoring and reverse mentoring are the cornerstones of this movement.
You name it. tiny house, granny suite, backyard cottage, sidekick-in-law, attached or detached, basement apartment, compact design, small footprint housing, love shack, on-grid-off-grid
We build it.
Here are some of the themes of the products that emerge from these maker communities: personalization, diversity, local culture, sustainable food and building, engaging all and encouraging local commerce through regionalism, entrepreneurial activity and resourcefulness. Want a glimpse of the future? Check out, hang out and chat with our local enthusiasts, creators and professionals. At the heart of this movement is helping locals connect to develop deeper and more meaningful relationships with each other through the process of creation together. Perhaps you’ll even find the maker in you!
253 376 7935 - brettmarlo.com GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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LICENSE # BRETTMD892QP
70% Reserved
ESSENTIALS
CHOOSING A REALTOR TIPS FOR SENIORS PREPARING TO SELL THEIR HOUSE BY SARAH FRIESEN, HERON’S KEY GIG HARBOR SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
SELLING YOUR HOME THERE ARE SO MANY BENEFITS of moving to a senior living community – no more yard work, home maintenance and property taxes, fewer meals to cook, new friendships, health care security and peace of mind. For many retirees, though, the most difficult aspect of moving is the sale of their house and subsequent downsizing projects.
30% Open
100% Your key to a fulfilling retirement. Construction is now underway on our 18-acre campus and we’re over 70% reserved, but there’s still time to unlock a more fulfilling and exciting retirement, all backed by the unique security of true Life Care.
Call 1.866.642.0556 or visit HeronsKey.org to learn more and see construction updates.
If you are considering a move to a retirement community, begin planning for the sale of your house far in advance. Even months before you begin cleaning, de-cluttering and preparing a house for listing, it is advantageous to interview at least two Realtors® so that you can gather crucial information on your local market. You’ll also get the benefit of receiving feedback on necessary home improvements and have an opportunity to assess the agent’s sensitivity to your unique situation and timeline. Here are suggested questions to ask during your interviews: • Are you a full-time agent with experience in my area? • Will you provide a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) with the average listing price and number of days on the market for homes similar to mine? • How will you help me plan my timeline for preparing to sell? • What do you offer as part of your listing package? • What is your digital and conventional
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strategy for marketing my home? • What sets you apart from other agents? After selecting your preferred agent, begin these steps: • Make plans to get your home in good condition for listing, and make sure your home is prepared for professional photography. • Sort/clean cupboards and closets to provide the best impression to a buyer. • Speak to family about handing down items, then consider if an estate sale would be a viable option for selling household items you will not need in your new home. • Make an inventory of furniture you plan to take; measure items and draw your floor plan. You don’t always have to do this on your own. Some Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) will provide future residents with the personalized services of a Move-In Coordinator to provide expertise and guidance, offer referrals and resources and help future residents create a customized moving plan. If you know that a move is around the corner, start your research early so that you have a well thought out plan for your future wellbeing. Begin with the end in mind, and select your Realtor® early on in the process so that you can benefit from his or her expertise and guidance.
FINANCIAL FOCUS
SPRING CLEAN
GIVE YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO A “SPRING CLEANING”
Make Your Financial Future a Priority.
ARTICLE PROVIDED BY EDWARD JONES FOR USE BY FINANCIAL ADVISOR ERIN ABRIGO OF GIG HARBOR
NOW THAT SPRING has officially sprung, you might look around your home and decide it’s time for some sprucing up. But you don’t have to confine your efforts to your house and yard – you can also engage in a little “spring cleaning” in your investment portfolio. Here are a few suggestions for doing just that: • “Dust off ” your investment strategy. Dusting is a big part of spring cleaning. Light fixtures, shelves, windowsills – they can all acquire layers of dust and grime that need to be whisked away. And if you’ve left your investment strategy unexamined for a long period, it too may need to be “dusted off ” and re-evaluated. Over time, your financial goals, family situation and even risk tolerance can change, so it’s a good idea to review your overall strategy to make sure it’s still appropriate for your needs. • Get rid of “clutter.” Once you start tidying up your house, you might be surprised at all the “duplicates” you find – a broom in a bedroom, another broom in the laundry room, a third in the garage, and so on. Just as you probably don’t need multiple brooms, so you may find that you have many versions of the same type of investment in your portfolio. If you own too many of the same investment, and a market downturn affects that particular asset, your portfolio could take a big hit. You may be better off by selling some of the too-similar investments and using the proceeds to diversify your holdings. (However, while diversification can reduce the impact of volatility on your portfolio, it can’t guarantee profits or protect against loss). • Remove “stains” on your portfolio. As you clean your carpets and furniture,
you might notice some stains that should be removed. And when you look through your portfolio, you might find some “stains” in the form of chronically underperforming investments. Instead of holding on to these vehicles with the hope that they will eventually turn around, you might consider selling them and using the proceeds to purchase new investments, which can help fill any gaps you may have in your holdings. • Consolidate your accounts. Have you ever discovered a stapler in one drawer, a roll of tape in the linen closet and a bunch of marking pens on your desk? All these items may be useful, but for the sake of efficiency (and to cut down on frustrating searches), you might want to consolidate them in one place. And you could do something similar with your investments. Specifically, if you have some stocks here, a couple of certificates of deposits there, and some IRAs at still another place, you might consider consolidating them with one financial services provider. With all your investments in one place, you could possibly reduce the fees and paperwork associated with maintaining your accounts. And when you eventually start taking withdrawals from your IRA and 401(k), you may find it easier to calculate these required distributions if they’re coming from just one place. But just as importantly, when you consolidate your investments with one provider, you may find it easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy. So, there you have them – some springcleaning ideas to help you update and energize your investment portfolio. And you won’t even need a dustpan.
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Please call for a FREE review! Individual Retirement Accounts 401k Plans/Rollovers Mutual Funds | Stocks | Bonds Insurance | Annuities
At Edward Jones, our business is helping people find solutions for their long-term financial goals. Let’s work together to design and implement an investment strategy that suits your needs.
Erin R. Abrigo Financial Advisor 5727 Baker Way NW, Suite 205 Gig Harbor, WA 98332
253.858.0052 edwardjones.com/erinabrigo f / edwardjoneserinabrigo l / in/erinabrigo
ESSENTIALS
THOUGHT SEEDS YOU KNOW THIS, BUT DO YOU KNOW THEIR POWER? BY DEBORAH OLIVE
GROWING GARDENERS USE SEEDS, soil, water, a few basic tools and weed and pest management to grow vegetable, flower and ornamental gardens. As the gardener’s interest grows, the tools become more sophisticated. They add nutrients, plant support and various terrains. They learn when to prune, harvest, transplant and manage various plants. They learn which plants grow well when planted next to each other. The gardener may experiment with grafting two plants or alter conditions to grow nonnative plants. Hydroponics allows for growing plants without soil. There’s always more to learn.
it. A pattern was created to cut fabric into a particular shape, and it was assembled to become a shirt (or blouse). The timer on your stove was first a thought. The key you put in your car’s ignition was a thought before it was a key. The seed thought of a shirt and the seed thought of a key, when followed through with appropriate actions, becomes a shirt and a key. Almost everyone immediately understands this. Let’s turn our attention to the workplace. One business owner might say, “We just don’t have the market for good employees,” and they’ll offer proof. “I hired three different employees, but not one really engaged. It was a disaster.” It’s easy to go to outer conditions to explain why something didn’t work. Yet in the same town and in the same industry, there’s a business owner who successfully hires and trains employees. Why is that? Could it be that the thought seeds of one business owner are different than the other?
As gardening becomes more complex, one thing remains constant. The plant that grows is a result of the seed that’s sown – always. When you plant a corn seed, you get corn. When you plant radish seeds, you get radishes. Yet, when it comes to the results we get in our business and in our life, there’s a tendency to forget that it all started with a thought seed. Let’s step back for a moment to consider a premise. Everything is created twice. First it’s a thought, then it becomes form. You know this, but do you know the power of this? Before you say, “yes,” let’s take a look.
Uncovering the thought seeds facilitates changes at the source – where a new thought is formed. When applied and followed by right actions, that new thought generates a new outcome. It’s as predictable as a gardener harvesting the plant of a seed they sowed. Rarely are we trained to uncover our thought seeds and alter them to create our desired outcome.
The shirt or blouse you’re wearing was first a thought. Someone designed
GARDENING
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Often we apply our efforts to the causes and not the source. This leads to unnecessary effort and often, unwanted results. A beginning gardener and a master gardener both understand the importance of selecting the seed of the plant they wish to harvest. So it is with the thought seeds we use to create our business and our life. You and I often use habitual thought without thinking. Through study, applied action and reflection, we gain greater understanding and the ability to tap deeper resources in our minds. This leads to growth. Selecting the seed and the soil are first steps. As in growing a garden, there’s always
Through study, applied action and reflection, we gain greater
Unleash Your Potential Tired of the same old results? OUT OF YOUR BOX AND INTO YOUR GENIUS
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Gain a greater understanding of the thought seeds you use and how to nurture them to more easily create the results you want in your business and in your life.
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WE TEACH. WE INSPIRE. WE ENCOURAGE. WE LOVE.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.popstarkidsusa.com or call/text 253.973.STAR GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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LIFE & COMMUNITY HEART AND SOUL
FROM FLAPPERS TO FEDORAS
PHOTO COURTESY ALPHILD DICK
How women fashioned alterations in the social fabric from 1890 to 1940. By Dan Aznoff
A RARE GLIMPSE into the role that women in America played in establishing businesses and reinforcing families in the first half of the 20th Century will be on display during a three-month exhibit scheduled to open April 15 at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor.
she said, looks at history through the eyes of the fashion industry. More information is available at harborhistorymuseum.org or by calling 253.858.6722. The Harbor History Museum was established as a “history club” in 1964 by members of the American Association of University Women to share photographs and stories of the early days of Gig Harbor. The museum’s collection of artifacts were housed in five different locations until 1997 when the board of directors voted to establish a permanent waterfront location.
“50 Years of Fitting In: Fashion, History and Women from 1890-1940” will explore the lives of individual women who played influential, and often unexpected, roles from founding family enterprises to leading social change. The exhibit is scheduled to conclude on July 17. “Women have always been an integral part of public life in Gig Harbor,” said exhibit curator Joanne Hale. “This exhibit will give us a truly unique perspective by showcasing women’s lives, activities and their accomplishments by looking at fashion and history.”
The Harbor History Museum is located at 4121 Harborview Drive. The glass and corrugated steel facility is closed on Mondays and most major holidays, but open until 5pm every other day of the week. Dan Aznoff was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the toxic waste crisis. He is now a freelance writer living in Mukilteo dedicated to capturing the cherished stories of our lifetime so they can be preserved for future generations. He can be contacted directly at da@dajournalist.com.
The contributions of local residents Theresa Sweeny, Lucy Goodman and Rose Tarabochia will be showcased with historical artifacts and images that date back more than 125 years. “The clothing the women wore tells stories that are often as complex and intriguing as the women that wore them,” Hale explained. The exhibit,
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BusinessSpotlight
BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE
Plantscapers provide beauty to your surroundings BY PATTY HUTCHENS
THERE IS NOTHING that adds a welcoming and warm atmosphere to an interior than fresh greenery. But for many people, it is an ongoing struggle to keep plants alive, much less looking healthy. That is just one reason The Plantery is a blessing to so many homes and businesses throughout our community.
to add indoor plants to your décor– whether it is to provide a natural solution to cleaner indoor air, to inspire creativity, or to create a “green wall” to cool your interior in the summer and provide humidity in the winter – the end result is a more welcoming, relaxing atmosphere. The people of Gig Harbor are fortunate to have such expertise right here in our town. Pat’s extensive experience is hard to match. Her success, she said, is in part due to the fact she started when the industry was in its infancy, taking classes specifically aimed at interior landscape at the agricultural college of University of California, Riverside.
Pat Irving began her career as a “plantscaper” in the 1970s while living in California. She sold her business there in 1990 and moved to Gig Harbor. “I took two years off to raise my daughters and had our wonderful surprise son,” shares Pat. But she missed working in the plant industry and so she reopened The Plantery in Gig Harbor in 1997.
“My Brother, Scott Gary, had just opened a very popular restaurant in town and gave me my first opportunity to install and maintain the plants in his restaurant,” said Pat. “That was the beginning of my journey in the industry. The rest is history.”
With 40 years in the plant industry, Pat and her daughter Kelly Irving Burris who recently joined her mom as a business partner, pride themselves on their expertise and knowledge servicing interior plants and helping their clients design an interior space that allows the plants to thrive.
Her passion for not only her work but also her community is obvious. “Gig Harbor is the most wonderful town in the world!” exclaimed Pat. “I have lived here for 26 years and fall in love with it every time I cross the bridge.”
“We have a passion for design,” said Pat who adds that she and Kelly both continue to learn new things and stay on top of the most current trends and products. “We are certified trainers for the Green Plants for Green Buildings program which includes living walls, green roofs, authentically green interiors, and the economics of Biophilia. This certification allows us to present to architectural and design firms (who are seeking) to fulfill continuing education credits,” said Pat.
While some people may think it is out of their budget to enlist the services of The Plantery, Pat said they have services that fit everyone’s budget and customize their service to fit your needs. The Plantery services Pierce, Kitsap, King, Mason and Thurston counties. Both Pat and Kelly are more than happy to provide free estimates and design consultations. “We are passionate about getting green plants in the indoors,” said Pat.
As interior plantscapers, The Plantery provides, maintains and guarantees beautiful living plants for homes and offices. “We also do exterior container plantings,” adds Pat.
The Plantery 4919 Ray Nash Drive NW • Gig Harbor, WA 98335 253.265.8404 • theplantery.net • Follow us on Facebook for tips on plants and gardening ideas
With environmental issues a concern for many, Pat said her family owned and operated business also prides itself on using eco-friendly, organic products and pesticides. And besides, there are many reasons
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GOOD NEWS
FROM FIGHTING TO PHILANTHROPY An American soldier’s heart to save the children of Iraq By Jon Johansen. Photos courtesy of Jonathan Webb and the Iraqi Children Foundation.
FROM BEHIND THE DOOR gun emplacement on a Blackhawk helicopter, Sargent Jonathan Webb’s eyes scanned for enemy Iraqis. Webb concentrated. Though AK-47 muzzle flashes were the most common harbingers of danger, the biggest threat to his crew lie in the form of Soviet-made, DShK heavy machine guns. While the craft’s metal flooring vibrated under his combat boots, Sgt. Webb noted a peculiar gathering of people – folks who carried no weapons. His brown eyes narrowed to peer through his visor. Through swirling dust, scores of rag-clad orphans swarmed atop refuse at the largest dump in Baghdad. Their prize? Some food. Any food. Though the smell of hot garbage filled the air, compassion flooded the young warrior’s chest.
And so it was that Sgt. Webb’s destiny was forever changed by a moment of fatherly awareness. This flicker of tenderness became a life mission that took him from soldier, to servant. On a recent day, the Gig Harbor father of four, clad in a black, microfiber jacket and Ray-Ban sunglasses, offered details via straightforward bursts. “My time in Iraq began in April, 2003. It lasted for 15 months. I went back in ’07 for twoand-a-half more years. I worked for the State Department,” he said. Jonathan’s sentences slowed, with growing tenderness, when I inquired about his efforts to reach kids. That season in-country, began when Webb met an Anglican pastor who volunteered with indigenous inhabitants. Canon Andrew White
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– “The Vicar of Baghdad” – served tribes from within a mortar-pocked, Christian church. Webb leaned forward, eyes soft, and offered, “I joined White in providing for the needs of widows and orphans. In time, I told Andrew that we should build a clinic where the poor could come for free. And we did. We offered locals dental and medical, and they’d leave with a full compliment of medicines. To this day it is still one of the very best private clinics in Baghdad.” Memories of one young lady impacted Webb the most. “I met a very poor, little girl with deformed arms. Miriam’s parents did not have money to pay for doctors. She had recently stopped attending school because other children there bullied her and said God was punishing her and her parents. She was eventually diagnosed with a very rare condition of the limbs that
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required a team of experts to plan out painful surgeries. The military doctors were reluctant to help her because they knew it would take substantial resources. I brought her to them, so that they could see how beautiful she was,” he shared. Sweet Miriam was healed. As increasing numbers of destitute locals came forward, Webb humbly reached out to Imams and Sheiks, saying to them, “Let me help you to help your people. I’m not here to take credit. I’m happy to have your people give you all the credit. You’re already showing me love me by inviting me into your home to have a meal. I want you to know that I love you and that I have gifts for your people.” At first they accused Webb of being a spy. But as time went by, trust took root. Webb’s influence rose exponentially. During this portion of our interview, Webb pulled up a picture on his smartphone. On it, he says he speaks face-to-face with the Ayatollah Hussein Al Sadr who, according to the Berkley Center at Georgetown University, “is the most senior Shi’a cleric in Baghdad,
Iraq.” I glanced up from Webb’s small screen and implored, “Weren’t you scared?”
of over “900,000 displaced boys and girls” who are “vulnerable to despair, poverty, and recruitment by terrorists, criminals, and human traffickers.” (www.iraqichildren.org)
A slight grin appeared when he replied, “My first few months there as a soldier? Yes. But at some point I got used to the danger,” he replied.
As my time with Webb drew to a close, I asked him, “What would you say to the Iraqi children, today?”
I subsequently put the same question to his wife, Ann.
He paused before earnestly uttering: “I love you, and you should be encouraged because I am not a wealthy person. All of the resources that I am bringing to help you are evidence that there is a whole nation full of Americans that are thinking about you.”
She said, “He never gives off any sense of fear or anxiety so I don’t really worry about it. But one time [when we were on the satellite phone] a bomb went off in the background, killing four people. Jonathan just said, ‘I gotta go!’” After relaying this story she admitted that, when her husband is overseas, she “goes to bed praying and wakes up praying.” During visits back, Jonathan was invited to Iraqi government gatherings. This is evident in another photo in which he sits two chairs away from the former Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki. By 2009, Webb’s Iraqi Children Foundation was officially born to better meet the needs
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Since that day in ‘03, the man whose heart cried at the sight of dirt-smeared children, from the cabin of a war machine, has returned to the Middle East at least a dozen more times. On each life-risking trip he delivers some combination of food, clothing, medicine and hope. Always Hope. Interested in giving? Please visit iraqichildren.org.
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BusinessSpotlight
UNIQUE & MOBILE Clothing boutique offers new dimension to retail BY PATTY HUTCHENS IN A TIME when competition among businesses is booming, it is refreshing to see a new business step up and partner with other locally owned businesses to maximize the benefit for everyone. That is just one of the concepts behind LuLaRoe Pop-Up Fashion Boutique owned by Amanda Babich.
LuLaRoe Fashion Boutique has seen great success since opening, something Babich attributes to her family and clientele. “This is solely a family owned and operated business,” said Babich. “I am the principal, but I would not be successful without the support of my husband. In addition to that, I truly have the best customers that love what I am doing and have had an amazing response to our designs.”
A fashion retail, mobile clothing boutique, LuLaRoe Fashion Boutique opened in September of 2015. As a mobile boutique owner, Babich describes her business with enthusiasm. “I bring the shop to you rather than the other way around,” she explained. I plan pop-up shops around town and collaborate with local businesses to bring my customers out and introduced to new businesses, and I get the benefit of foot traffic.”
The LuLaRoe line of clothing has something for all shapes and sizes. Unique, bright and flowing, the clothing emphasizes not only style, but comfort as well – something many women have had to sacrifice in the past to achieve the look they wanted. Babich works with all of her clients to help them put together clothing that is appropriate for their budget and lifestyle. Whether it is bright prints or monochromatic styles you prefer, she will outfit you for every occasion. Her clothing includes, leggings, dresses, tops, skirts, kimonos, cardigans, athletic wear and even kids wear!
The customers also benefit with the opportunity to purchase from the exclusive line of LuLaRoe. It is a unique, fun and feminine line that creates only 1,000 items in a particular print and style, ensuring that the customer’s purchase is nearly one-of-a-kind. The LuLaRoe clothing line was founded by DeAnne Stidham, a single mother of seven trying to balance time at work and at home, and trying to find way to also provide for her family. The words, “I believe in you and you can do it,” was all she needed to hear. Those words remain the guiding principles of LuLaRoe today.
With a deep love of the place she now calls home, Babich enjoys giving back to the community. One way in which she does this is through her service on the Board of Commissioners for PenMet Parks. “Gig Harbor has such a unique quality with deep traditional roots and family-centered lifestyles,” said Babich. “I love that my kids are able to be a part of a community that is so connected to their heritage, but also embraces newcomers and supports small businesses like my LuLaRoe boutique.”
It is a company that provides people like Babich the opportunity to sell comfortable, affordable, stylish clothing and at the same time provide her an opportunity to be flexible so she can spend time with family. It is a business about which Babich is passionate. And besides, it is fun!
Find out where LuLaRoe will be next by logging onto Babich’s Facebook page, LuLaRoe Amanda Babich.
Babich has lived in Gig Harbor for the past seven years. She moved here when she and her husband, a lifelong Gig Harbor resident, began to date. “His family has been in Gig Harbor for over a century,” said Babich.
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Reiki for pets is a form of spiritual healing that helps harmonize the mind, body and soul of your pet.
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Gig Harbor
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Pictured are Chris Boynton, President of the Board, and Dr. Frank Senecal, Founder.
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— ARTICLE BY
Dan Aznoff —
Making a Difference Foundation brings hope, results to cancer patients in the South Sound
D
espite their best intentions, one-and one-half paid professionals and a dozen dedicated volunteers knew they did not have the resources or the expertise to find a cure for cancer. So they did the next best thing.
of Lisa’s diagnosis, the determined mother elected to take part in a study that examined the genetic links of her cancer to determine the cause and any possible treatments. “I was on board for whatever I could do to help find a cure,” she said. Lisa chose her trial from three offered through CARE to, “help the next patient have a better chance of beating cancer.”
South Sound Cancer Awareness and Research Expansion Foundation (South Sound CARE) was created to give patients access to medical studies that are normally limited to research hospitals in large metropolitan areas.
Senecal said proudly that the investigational drug Veliparib put Lisa’s cancer into almost total remission.
“CARE was established specifically to fund and support clinical research in our community,” said oncologist Dr. Frank Senecal, who spearheaded the formation of the South Sound CARE Foundation in 2008. “The research that has been done here is something that all members of our community can be proud of.”
The trial drug was designed to kill cancer cells by blocking the PARP protein to enhance the success of other anticancer treatments. Veliparib was also the drug prescribed for a man with Stage IV prostate cancer. Senecal said the patient was grateful for another treatment option.
The doctor explained that the research over the past 20 years has brought new hope to cancer patients across the country. However, it was clear that limited funding for trials and pioneering treatments would make it difficult for providers in the South Sound to be part of the solution.
Another local resident was given access to the drug AZD9291 in his battle with Stage IV lung cancer. The drug has been developed to inhibit the growth of small cell tumors. Senecal said the patient has been on the drug and stable for more than six months. “These drugs are not available to patients outside of a clinical trial, but South Sound CARE’s experience in this process enabled access to the drug at no cost to the patient,” said Senecal. “The patient continues to get stronger every day.”
South Sound CARE offered hope and healing to more than 500 local residents in 2015 who were either cancer patients or the friends and family who provide support to patients during treatment. “CARE allows us to bring some of the more innovative, creative trials to our community so we can effectively treat cancer at really no cost to them (the patients),” Senecal said proudly. “CARE has funded research for studies that would normally be limited to major hospitals in New York, Dallas or at the Mayo Clinic (in Rochester, MN).
Three women in the area diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer were given the opportunity to take the drug Neratinib through the efforts of CARE. Neratinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor being studied for the treatment of early- and late-stage HER2-positive breast cancer.
Senecal is affiliated with the Franciscan Health System with practices in both Tacoma and Gig Harbor.
The oncologist who founded the organization added that in addition to the medical therapies the foundation provides follow-up care for patients to help deal with the unpleasant side effects from the medications prescribed to fight their cancer.
Success Stories One shining example of the work of the foundation is Lisa. She was first diagnosed with triple negative, Stage III breast cancer at the age of 33. Because her mother had died of the same disease and her older sister had been told she the same type of cancer within months
The non-profit foundation has also been able to underwrite clinical trials in conjunction with the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma that focused on how the spiritual beliefs of a patient can impact the results of treatment. Other studies have tracked the intellectual fatigue that comes along with treatment for cancer and
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how drinking water can be a vital element in the body’s ability to fight the disease.
construction company based in Gig Harbor. The Rush Companies, said Bunker, have been one of the foundation’s strongest benefactors since CARE was established eight years ago.
Funding research and clinical trials are not inexpensive propositions, said Claire Bunker, who works half-time as development coordinator and is one of only two paid members of the CARE staff. The only full-time employee of the foundation is Stephanie Parker, who serves as the foundation’s research coordinator.
More than $5,000 was raised last fall when Innovative Fitness in Tacoma staged an All In For The Fight event in cooperation with the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at the University of Puget Sound (UPS). One month later the cutting-edge fitness facility hosted highenergy workouts that included an inspirational welcome message from breast cancer survivor Susan McConnell at its facilities in Gig Harbor and Fircrest.
Trendy Studies “There are some studies that are more trendy than others and probably attract more attention from the media,” said Bunker. “CARE is more concerned with helping the patients receive the medication that can help them, and then work with individuals to cope with the side effects so they can maintain some semblance of a normal life.”
The series of fundraisers not only raised money for the foundation, said Bunker. The public workouts involved residents from throughout the region in a healthy activity. Bunker was quick to add that Montezuma’s Mexican Restaurant in Gig Harbor has provided ongoing support for the foundation.
The local trials, according to Bunker, have made it possible for patients to remain at home with their loved ones where they can continue to “work, play and just be parents.”
“Relying solely on donations, corporate gifts, and grants, South Sound CARE Foundation is the only organization with the mission of funding cutting-edge cancer research throughout the South Sound region,” Senecal concluded. “I am so appreciative of the support which allows us to continue this valuable work while playing a role in finding a cure.”
Parker added that she enjoys the relationship she establishes with patients. “The patients are really why I really love my job,” said Parker. “The relationships that I have with them and the knowledge that I can help them through a difficult time in their lives. My goal is to make their journey a little bit easier.”
For more information about the CARE foundation or how you can donate time or money to the cause, log onto southsoundcarefoundation.org.
Four members of CARE board and many of its largest corporate sponsors are from Gig Harbor, according to Bunker. The Beer & Bites fundraiser in October hosted by Gordon and Traci Rush at the Narrows Brewery in Tacoma raised almost $300,000 for the nonprofit organization.
Dan Aznoff was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the toxic waste crisis. He is now a freelance writer living in Mukilteo dedicated to capturing the cherished stories of our lifetime so they can be preserved for future generations. He can be contacted directly at da@dajournalist.com.
“South Sound CARE is local and efficient. And that is a very big deal to me,” said Gordon Rush, founder of the residential and commercial
Gig Harbor By the Numbers 20.6%
The percentage the population of Gig Harbor has grown since the year 2000.
52.7%
The percentage of the population in Gig Harbor that is female.
1888
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The year that the town of Gig Harbor was platted.
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SENIOR JOSH KEOUGH has experienced some challenges in his young life, but with determination and perseverance he has been able to overcome them. “My freshman year I got a concussion playing football and was forced to miss two months of my first three classes of the day in order to rest my brain,” explained Josh. The result was his lowest GPA in all his years of public education. “This had a major adverse effect on my education and my GPA showed that. Since then I have only managed to receive a GPA lower than a 3.0 one time.” That hard work has been recognized both in sports and academics. Over the course of the last three years, Josh has received the Scholar Athlete award twice and has also received honors in basketball such as Most Inspirational and being named team captain. Josh plans to attend a four-year university in the fall and hopes to play basketball at the collegiate level. “My dream career is to be a business owner,” said Josh. “I also have interests in becoming a personal trainer, simply for the satisfaction of knowing
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that I would be able to help people better themselves and achieve their goals.” Josh credits his coach, Jake Jackson, with teaching him an important lesson he will carry with him for the rest of his life. “If you attack everything you do in life with 100 percent effort, you cannot lose,” said Josh. “Things won’t always go your way, but adaptability and consistency are key to being successful in whatever trade you are in.”
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MICHAEL TOGLIA: HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. Those characteristics are what senior Michael Toglia said has helped him be successful in both sports and academics. “One lesson that I have learned from sports is that only the best will move on, and that the best can only become the best through hard work and dedication,” said Michael. Michael is an all-state baseball player and is a three-time high school baseball Most Valuable Player and Cy Young winner. Among his other honors are being named an all-league basketball player, voted Gig Harbor High School’s Most Athletic and an athletic student of distinction. He has a 3.98 GPA and takes AP classes in math, science and English. With a scholarship to play baseball at UCLA, Michael has a bright future ahead of him. “I am interested in math and science-based careers and plan on majoring in either chemical or mechanical engineering,” said Michael who credits his dad, who is a mechanical engineer, with having a significant influence on him. “I wish to follow in his footsteps.”
Michael’s success is in large part due to the fact he strives to be sure he balances sports with academics. “I highly value academics so balancing my rigorous schedule with my multiple sports has proven to be very challenging,” he said. He looks forward to pursuing his dream at UCLA and making even more friendships along the way. “The thing I love most about baseball is I am able to be a part of a team that works toward a common goal and develop bonds with people that will last a lifetime.”
Left to Right
1 - Josh said basketball has shown him what it is like to be around a group of people who truly love what they do. Photo by Steve Vandegrift. 2 - “The passion behind the game of basketball is what has inspired me to keep playing and enjoy the sport so much,” shared Josh. Photo by Veronica Foley Photography. 3 - Micahel said he is grateful for the lifelong friendships he has made through baseball. Photo by Jerry Chunn Photography. 4 - In addition to his baseball accomplishments, Micheal was also an all-league basketball player for Gig Harbor High School. Photo by Jerry Chunn Photography.
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CHERISH & PRESERVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 2016
SENATOR GAYLORD NELSON from Wisconsin led the movement to launch Earth Day in the United States forty-six years ago (April 22, 1970) with 20 million Americans participating. Twenty years later, Sen. Nelson and Denis Hayes organized the first Earth Day worldwide endorsed by the United Nations. Two hundred million people in 140 nations participated. The message then and now is still the same. What you think and do matters. We must all learn to respect nature, and follow the laws that protect our planet. Everything we have comes from it, and we need to conserve and care for it. On Earth Day 2016, we can all join in to make a difference in preserving our planet’s health. These are some ways you can participate. If you have children, include them and help them learn the importance of caring for their world. • Clean house. Start spring house cleaning the first of April, and sell items in a garage sale or donate to a local charity. Give books to the local library or have a book swap at school. You might suggest having a toy swap too. Donate outgrown clothing and unneeded household goods to a local charity. Do not put them in garbage.
BY KAREN S. ROBBINS GigHarborLivingLocal.com
• Take a day off from driving. On April 22nd, do NOT use your car. Either take public transportation, ride a bike or walk the entire
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Celebrate Earth Day, protect the Harbor AND help raise money for just by washing your car! On Earth Day, Friday, April 22nd - 25% of every dollar spent at the Great Car Care tunnel car wash on Kimball Drive will be contributed directly to the Harbor Wild Watch. The environmentally friendly car wash’s water reclaim system saves water and keeps soap and other contaminants out of the storm water system.
Please, stop by and help us support this great, local organization! www.harborwildwatch.org Washing your car in the driveway can cause this CAR WASH Mon-Sat 8am-6pm DETAIL Mon-Sat 8am-6pm Sun 9am-5pm
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day. Public transportation was created to reduce the use of automobiles on our highways and roads. Try NOT to use your car on April 22. You might enjoy the experience and continue using public transportation throughout the year. • Participate in an Earth Day celebration. Contact your local park and recreation facilities and see how they’re going to celebrate Earth Day. Offer to help and/or attend the events. • Clean up the neighborhood. Get some bags and go on a litter walk in your neighborhood. Or better yet, adopt a street and keep it clean of litter all year long. • Talk a walk on the beach. If you happen to live close to a beach, river or lake, take your bags and do a beach walk.
recycle paper, cans, plastic and glass. If not, arrange bins in your garage to collect these items and deliver to your local recycling center. • Save on energy. Share your utility bills with everyone in your home, including children. Decide to turn off lights, televisions, computers, etc. when finished or leaving the room. Stop wasting water when bathing and brushing teeth. Make an energy chart and graph showing usage for each month. Reward yourself for lowering the cost of utilities. • Plant a tree. Purchase and plant a tree in your yard. Take a photo of the tree and mark the year. If you don’t have a yard, buy a house plant for your home. Or plant a vegetable and flower garden. • Do an energy audit at your home. Check
for leaky faucets, toxic waste items in your garage, windows, lights, insulation, etc. Make needed improvements. • Build a birdhouse. Collect hair from pets and brushes, along with string, and place in bushes for the birds to use for nests. • Take a field trip to the local landfill. Consider the many ways can you reduce waste. • Research. Visit the library and check out books on Earth Day, the environment, conservation, nature and wildlife. If you have young children, I hope you will read my picture book, “Care For Our World.” It teaches kindness and caring of all living things and includes all seven continents. • Have a picnic. Pack a picnic basket with reusable plates, cups, utensils, cloth
• Make your home energy-efficient. Replace incandescent light bulbs throughout your home for energy-efficient light bulbs. • Go to the recycling center. If your city has a home recycle pick up, make sure you
LEARNING TO RESPECT NATURE
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napkins and tablecloth. Have it ready to grab and go. • Visit the zoo and aquarium. Play at a local park or beach. Explore nature and the beautiful environment that we call our home. Enjoy the spring flowers, blossoms, clean streams, tall trees and trails. • Make a promise. Pledge to continue these healthy Earth habits throughout the entire year. The Earth is our home. It belongs to each of us and will only remain healthy if we all follow good habits. Working together, we can make a difference.
WE MUST ALL LEARN TO RESPECT NATURE, AND FOLLOW THE LAWS THAT PROTECT OUR PLANET.
Karen S. Robbins, a Gig Harbor resident, is the author of the children’s book, “Care For Our World,” Illustrated by Alexandra Ball (U.K. “Care For Our World,” Compendium Inc., is a picture book in rhyme published in 2012 and has sold over 23,687 combined kit/book. It was the runner-up in Green Book Festival, Children’s division, S.F., California 2012. Gold Medal Mom’s Choice Award for Excellence. “Care For Our World” picture book & Play set 2012. Care For Our World (Best Play Set and Best Toy of the Year Awards) Creative Child Magazine 2012. Silver Moonbeam Medal Award for picture book with merchandising item, 2012. www.KarenSRobbins.com.
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With four service centers, they provide a range of high-quality professional services. Tunnel car wash with hand prep and dry, oil change and other maintenance services, detail center, interior & exterior detailing and do-it-yourself-service, 24 HOURS – six wash bays & vacuum facility. Get a free wash with every oil change! Gig Harbor—6750 Kimball Drive 253.858.1888 www.greatcarcarecenter.com
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Get a great new style created just for you. Owner and stylist Babette McGilvrey enhances your best features with styles personalized to facial structure, hair type and creative placement of color. Visit Amadora Salon’s friendly, relaxing salon in the heart of downtown Gig Harbor below Timberland Bank. Gig Harbor — 3105 Judson Street, Suite D 253.514.6430 | www.amadorasalongh.com f Amadora Salon
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Health & Lifestyle TRAIN BETTER
Spring Cleaning
Get a jump on your health this spring. By Susan Moore, Better Gym, Gig Harbor EVERY YEAR AROUND this time we get a primal urge to have some sort of spring cleaning in our lives. The birds start singing, the daylight lingers and buds begin to bloom. I’m not necessarily talking about your house, closet or office. What if our bodies yearn for a more intrinsic cleaning. This year why not spring clean yourself? We can take part in a sort of rebirth that can be done every spring. Take stock in where your health is and where you’d like it to be.
you see? Is it crammed with BPA lined cans of food, boxes of cookies and crackers, and jars of old condiments? Or do you see foods that can nourish your body? Here’s a hint – if you have a jar of basic ranch dressing, it’s a sign that this process may take a while. Pull everything out and check the labels of not just the ingredients but the expiration dates. Make sure you know what food is in your house and start to plan what you want to replace everything you purge with. I understand that eating healthy can be expensive and time consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. Bad health is much more expensive than healthy food ever was.
When beginning the ritual of tidying your being, I believe we should start at the center. Go look in your pantry and refrigerator. What do
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Affecting Your Daily Life? The leading cause of headaches is not what you think, and it’s not all in your head. TruDenta is a drug-free, needle-free, and painfree system to provide long-lasting pain relief. The life-changing, therapeutic treatments have been effective in patients suffering from painful symptoms of bite imbalance, chronic headaches, migraines and TMJ/TMD. RHONDA SAVAGE, DDS
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I understand that eating healthy can be expensive and time consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. Bad health is much more expensive than healthy food ever was.
After you finish, it’s time to make some lists. One list of things in your life you aren’t happy with and would like to change, and one list of things in your life you’d like to accomplish. You can think big or small. Next to each item notate what daily habits are helping you accomplish your goals and what habits are impeding your success. I should have warned you this might take a lot of paper. Now, number the goals from easiest to hardest or most time consuming to conquer. If you start simple, it’s easy to keep your momentum going to accomplish more and more. If you know what you are doing to help or hinder your process, you now have a basic outline for success. And in my experience, once a goal is outlined on paper, it becomes much easier to put a plan in action and the obstacles seem surmountable. These lists can help you work through mental and emotional roadblocks that you never realized you had. It can be quite cathartic of you take some time with this. I’m assuming that one of your goals that you discover is in reference to exercise. If you read any of my articles you knew it was bound to get to this subject at some point. It’s paragraph four so this is probably a personal record for me. Yes, exercise, or better yet train. I’m hoping
that your primary goal in this arena is strength. I have found that with just a basic improvement in full body, multi-planar strength, a myriad of ailments seem to disappear. It’s been proven by countless studies to be beneficial in countless ways that you don’t need me to list off but are none the less indisputable. I once had a gentleman salesperson at an unnamed homewares store tell me (even though I didn’t ask) that he didn’t exercise because it was his belief that we only have so many heart beats and he didn’t want to use them all at one time. I can’t help someone like that. No one can. The only defining moment we have a definitive amount of heart beats is the second after your last one. Until then, it’s not too late to begin a program to get stronger. Learn to plank, pull, push, rotate, squat and carry. If you practice what I consider the six foundational movement patterns, your life will get better. You can start to clear the cobwebs of immobility. No one ever wants to be limited by poor health and almost everyone has the power to do better. Train better. Feel better. Be better.
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Did You Know? You’re probably not drinking enough water every day! Health experts commonly suggest you consumer 64 ounces of water a day. That’s two full Nalgene bottles.
Spice It Up! Find it hard to drink that much water throughout the day? Add lemons, strawberries or oranges to your water and throw in some cucumber slices to speed up your metabolism! Mint leaves never hurt either.
CHRONIC HEAD, FACE, JAW AND NECK PAIN IS YOUR BITE PART OF THE PROBLEM? BY RHONDA SAVAGE, DDS THE LAST STRAW for Susan was when she was forced to stay in bed all day with an ice pack on her head, unable to go to work or play with her daughter. She took over-the-counter medications and a prescription medication when the pain got really bad. She had tried everything – massage, chiropractic treatment and physical therapy. These treatments were somewhat effective, but the headaches continued. Dealing with the headaches was a constant struggle; she was starting to get depressed. According to the National Headache Foundation, more than 45 million Americans endure recurring headaches; from this group, 23 million suffer from migraines. Research suggests that up to 80 percent of headaches result from dental force related problems. A staggering number of people don’t know why they’re in pain. Many are unaware that dental force related issues, either related to their mouth or as a result of trauma (like a fall, sports injury or whiplash) can be the root of their pain. Using a computerized bite analysis, dentists can evaluate your range of motion and bite imbalances. Specialized tools and techniques, such as ultrasound, micro-current technology, cold-laser therapy and manual muscle massage, reduce pain and inflammation. The treatment promotes healing of the muscles and nerves; then the bite is balanced after inflammation is reduced.
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condition. They give up, thinking, “I guess this is how it’s going to be.” With a 92 to 93 percent success rate, some dentists can help cure the pain of migraine and other headaches, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), and vertigo. Many headaches are triggered by stress, or are hormone-induced, or alcohol-induced. Nighttime headaches can also be triggered by a bite imbalance, as well as lack of oxygen at nighttime. Sleep issues and headaches are often tied together for many patients.
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Chris suffered from headaches since he was involved in a serious car accident. Broadsided by another vehicle, he had major medical care, but still had headaches. After beginning treatment, he was amazed that he was headache free. Chris said, “It’s such a simple, easy, painless process.”
Karen Smith, ARNP
Dull, nagging, constant headaches. Do you wake up with these daily? Headache and migraine pain has to do with the muscles of the head, neck and jaw, and the way that teeth come together. Forces imbalanced by the way the teeth come together send a biofeedback loop to the brain that causes pain through the brain stem.
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Drug-free, needle-free and painless, the treatment is aimed at the underlying causes of chronic headaches – the pain and discomfort caused by improper muscle forces in the mouth, head and neck area.
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MODIFY FORM, MINIMIZE IMPACT
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BY RYANNE LEMON, PTA
S H TE O AP L TTHHYE TPI A PIN
WITH THE NICE WEATHER upon us, many folks in the Pacific Northwest are most likely lacing up their shoes and getting outside to enjoy this nice weather in preparation for the many running events that will take place this year. Most runners can agree that running is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities in which to participate. But unfortunately, it is also an activity that comes with a high chance of injury. Some studies show that as many as 79 percent of runners suffer from a running related injury each year. There are many ways in which a runner can minimize chance of injury, one of which is modifying running form to minimize the impact on the body.
The impact phase begins with initial contact of the foot and takes the runner through midstance ending at toe-off. Some runners land with a heel strike, but a more efficient running gait is to land on the mid foot or forefoot and then roll onto the toe. One way to minimize impact is to shorten stride length which promotes midfoot and forefoot contact and helps decrease overall ground reaction force. Another way to decrease this impact is to be mindful of landing softly. This can be reinforced by plyometric exercises where the runner completes a series of jumping movements focusing continuously on light landings.
There are basically three phases in running gait, each of which can be broken down into several different segments. There are differing views among therapists how to define and label the phases of gait, but in general, it is agreed that there is pre-landing phase, followed by an impact stage, and finally, a toe-off phase. During each of these phases of gait, there are considerations runners can make to get the most out of stride and to minimize impact for injury prevention. In pre-landing, the brain sends a signal to muscles to prepare for impact, which causes the muscles to contract to stabilize the joints. In this phase, good posture is key. This means keeping your upper torso straight with lower back not arched and head directly over shoulders. Arms are bent at 90 degrees, relaxed at your side to aid in trunk stability. Having poor posture can cause a runner to lean back, which leads to over striding and increased impact upon foot strike. To aid in good posture, it is important to keep a strong core by doing core strength and stability exercises.
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In toe-off, the hip goes into maximal extension. If hip flexors are tight, runners are more apt to excessive strain and arch in the back. Having flexible hip flexors and strong gluteal and hamstring (hip extensor) muscles can help maximize extension to get the most out of the stride during this phase. Getting a professional gait analysis can be very beneficial for any runner to help determine where weakness lie within their stride and what exercises or stretches can be done to help correct any problems. Enjoy the many opportunities to get out and participate in the many running competitions this season!
THE INS AND OUTS OF WEIGHT DISCOVER THE ELEMENTS TO THE WEIGHT LOSS EQUATION
EHNEEARLGTYH B Y ATL IAPN C E
BY DARCI BARMAN, REGISTERED DIETICIAN NUTRITIONIST FOREVER WE’VE HEARD doctors, nurses, dietitians and personal trainers tell us to “eat less, move more” and weight loss will ensue. But how come for some, it doesn’t? All too often I find myself across the desk from a patient who claims to eat the right foods, in the right portions, at the right time of day and exercises daily, to boot! If this is all true, shouldn’t weight just be melting off? Energy balance, the delicate relationship between calories consumed versus energy expended, is not as simple as “calories in, calories out.” There are so many factors that contribute to how much energy (calories) our body uses at rest and during activity. Depending on those factors and what is coming “in,” we can either be conservative or quite liberal with our energy stores. Listed below are seven major elements to the weight-loss equation to help those struggling with weight to gain a better understanding of their energy balance. 1. BMR, or basal metabolic rate, is the energy required to maintain the body’s basic metabolic functioning such as respiration, body temperature regulation and digestion. This number is based on your height, weight, sex and age. Knowing this number gives you a baseline to work off of. 2. Activity Factor – Based on how active you are in your daily life and what your exercise regimen is, multiplying your BMR times an activity factor is what gives you a resting metabolic rate — the amount of calories you need to sustain your lifestyle. The best way to figure this out is go to morekale.com and enter your information. 3. Body Composition – We all know
muscle weighs more than fat, but we don’t realize it burns triple the calories! Women with 30 percent or less and men with 20 percent or less body fat need more energy. 4. Sleep – This may seem somewhat irrelevant to weight, but our bodies do a LOT while we’re counting sheep. Fat cells turn into muscle, we repair tissues and hormones return to a balanced set point. Make it a top priority to get at least seven hours of sound sleep per night. 5. Hormones – Speaking of hormones… Whether it’s sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone or testosterone, the stress hormone cortisol or hunger and satiety hormones like leptin and ghrelin, if any are out of balance, weight is likely an issue. This is one that is commonly overlooked but can be the biggest game changer. 6. Stress – A wrecking ball all it’s own! Stress contributes to imbalances in hormones, poor quality of sleep, cravings for sugar, fat and salt, and clouds our judgment to make healthy lifestyle decisions. Eliminating stress from your life is nearly impossible, so be armed with at least two (healthy) stresscoping strategies. 7. History of Dieting – If you have been on every diet since the invention of spandex, your metabolism is likely smoldering. Your body believes there is only feast or famine and treats every morsel of food like the last (ie: storing it for later use as fat). This is a more complicated hurdle to leap – it involves analyzing your liver function, detoxification pathways and micronutrient capacity. Seeking a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner is highly recommended.
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It’s not the good life, it’s the best life!
Welcome home to Harbor Place! From morning to night, you’ve got friends to meet up with, activities to share and a beautiful environment around you. From fine dining, to sunny courtyard lunches, our chef prepares meals meant to be savored. Choose from a range of active living options that complement your personal requirements and lifestyle.
Independent Retirement & Assisted Living Community 1016 29th Street NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335 253.853.3354 HarborPlaceRetirement.com
T H E M O N TA N A HOPE PROJECT
Officers are saving and changing lives of the most vulnerable
By Megan Olson Photos courtesy The Montana Hope Project and the Gregg family.
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fun
“I
’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.” —John Steinbeck With the dawn of each day and new breath of life, hope begins. But the world has this quirky and unwelcomed way of seeping through the cracks to taint what was once lovely. Things break down. Babies get sick. People die. Hearts are broken. Sometimes it seems that the hardships are incessant; reprieve appears as a glimpse of sun melding into an unattainable horizon. We’re left standing amidst a suffering world where it feels impossible to know where to turn. There seems to be no way to fully avert the gaze of despair as it casts its ominous shadow into each life. Despite the adversities of the world, hope is restored because heroes still exist. State troopers from the Montana Hope Project serve as confirmation that no matter how insurmountable the mountain, goodness will prevail. Nowhere conjures the image of a hero like the state of Montana. With the utterance of its name, we dream of cowboys riding on horses across a mountainous backdrop. It’s the code of the West; the cowboy way is that of strong moral and noble character. The Montana Highway Patrol upholds that same reputation of goodness and valor by their efforts as officers and as grantors of wishes. The peacekeepers of our country face imminent danger and serve tirelessly to protect their
fellow citizens. Few professions, such as law enforcement, necessitate a noble willingness to lay down one’s life to serve humanity, but there remains to be an untold story of hope. There are multiple accounts of how law enforcement officials go above and beyond the requirements of the job to serve those that are the most vulnerable. The Montana Hope Project was established by the Association of Montana Troopers to serve quite possible the most vulnerable; the critically ill children of Montana. In 1984, a small group of Montana Highway Patrol officers formed the Montana Hope Project as a way to bring cheerfulness to children with serious medical issues. Officers were able to bestow three wishes that year and have been able to grant an average of 20 annual wishes thereafter. For the last 32 years, this compassionate organization has given nearly 500 children their one special wish. Of those wishes, the leading contender has undoubtedly been an expense paid trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Over half of the recipients choose Disney World, but they are not limited to this destination as their only option. The Montana Hope Project has been able to grant wishes as obscure as a hot tub, a pop-up camper, a restored truck, a trip to the pro bowl, Italy, Hawaii, and one recipient was even able to meet country music star Toby Keith. The former president of the Hope Project writes “the word ‘no’ had always been an unacceptable answer for me.” A culture of granting every wish, no matter how seemingly outlandish, has been established within the Montana Hope
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Project. No matter the expense or the obstacle, these Montana heroes bring the dream to reality. With every true hero, there is always humility. The focus of the Montana Hope Project is undoubtedly on the children. One does not fully realize the impact of these great deeds until the accounts are offered firsthand from a family. I had the great pleasure of interviewing a family from Belgrade whose daughter Charley was a 2015 wish recipient. As writers, we love to tell a great story; we thrive on painting an image with our words so that we may bring the reader into the emotion of the moment. Never before had I experienced a quivering jaw in effort to “keep it together” to conduct an interview. I felt so deeply moved to hear the great accounts of this organization and what they really do for families. The extent of their good deeds far surpasses the realm of what one could ever imagine. As I typed and listened to the story, Kim gave her depictions of her daughter Charley’s journey with cancer. It’s difficult for the heart not to break as one hears the encounters of someone that has braved a storm. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom of a little girl that the story brought such a lump to rise in my throat and the tears to well up in my eyes. The thought of a sick child certainly hovers near the top of a parent’s greatest fears. When your child is born, your existence will never be the same. All hopes and dreams rest in the breath of this new life. They grow, they learn, they laugh and cry and their parents do so with them. One never imagines that they will one day have to face
such a battle. After talking with this mom for a few moments, I had a sense that this family is quite incredible. There were no complaints about the mountains of life, just a narrative of strength and bravery. Kim gave her description of traveling to Denver and later to Billings to see specialists for Charley’s illness. It was Charley’s oncologist that brought the Montana Hope Project to light for the Gregg family. With collaboration between the oncologist and Charley’s parents, Charley’s one special wish was submitted to the Montana Hope Project. Her dream was to go to none other than the “Happiest Place on Earth” – Disney World. When a child has been selected by the Montana
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREGG FAMILY
heroes
Hope Project to receive a wish, state troopers share the news by coming to the home and visiting with the parents. It’s not an informal call or a letter, but a genuine and personalized visit where officers take time from their day to meet with families. There was a slight sense of urgency for the Gregg family to be able to go to Disney World sooner than later due to the arrival of a new baby in the spring. It would be just about one year after Charley’s cancer diagnosis that the Montana Hope Project would make her biggest dream come true. Prior to departure, the Hope Project hosts a “send-off ” party for each family where state troopers visit again. For Charley, they delivered their signature “hope” bear as well as additional funding to cover any
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potential extra expenses for the family. In November of 2015, little Charley was able to celebrate her fifth birthday with her family on a week long, all-expense paid trip to Disney World provided by the Montana Hope Project. As I spoke to her mother on the phone for the interview, I could hear the inflections of Charley’s tiny voice in the background uttering words of pure delight. As Kim spoke of Charley having her birthday breakfast in a castle just for a princess, Charley wanted to make sure I knew that she had eaten pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse. It’s unquestionable that the Montana Hope Project makes every attempt to give these kids and their families the world. If the send-
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREGG FAMILY
wishes off party and an all-expense paid trip aren’t enough, the families are given a rental car and a pass to almost every venue imaginable for that area. In Orlando, wish recipients and their families stay at a nonprofit, 79-acre resort that is appropriately called “Give Kids the World.” The 144-villa resort serves ice cream for breakfast and a cookie truck drives through the village in the afternoon. In the last year, the Hope Project has undergone some major administrative transformations. Not only did they say goodbye to the Project’s president due to retirement, but to a variety
of integral coordinators as well. Despite the alterations of key players, the Hope Project was still able to grant 28 wishes in 2015. When the average cost of each wish is $7,500, the combined annual fundraising total is well over $200,000. The Montana Hope Project is a nonprofit organization and does not receive any grants or government funding. All fundraising is generated through the Association of Montana Troopers, and the Hope Project is not associated with any other national wish organization. The troopers raise money for the requests through
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fundraising, corporate sponsors and individual donations. Opportunities to donate to the Montana Hope Project are abundant. Individuals can buy from their online store as well as participate in an event. The Hope Project currently hosts and relies on nearly a dozen annual benefits of varying categories. Businesses throughout the state offer creative fundraising opportunities to support the Montana state troopers with this massive financial endeavor. “Wear Jeans To Work Day” at American Bank, wing eating at Buffalo Wild Wings, a golf tournament, and a
Sleep Better | Feel Better | Think Better | Perform Better
Feeling Good is Good to Feel
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREGG FAMILY
hope fly fishing benefit only represent the surface of the effort to bring a child’s wish to reality. The Ride for Hope is the Project’s greatest fundraiser for the year. The ride consists of, but is not exclusive to, motorcycles. It starts in six different locations throughout the state of Montana where participants meet in a predetermined city for a celebration banquet. For this year, riders will meet in Polson at the KwaTaqNuk Resort at Flathead Lake. The 27th Annual Ride for Hope will be on July 9, 2016. Interested participants and volunteers are asked to contact Dave Evans at devans@montanahope.org or call 406.949.7433. Once a child has been selected for a wish, they are considered to be forever a part of
the Montana Hope Project family. The Hope Project offers two annual, all-expense paid reunions for families. It’s an opportunity for wish recipients to connect and an opportunity to meet the new families. In winter, families gather at Fairmont Hot Springs for a themed event. Last year, over 400 people came for the Polar Express event which even included a visit from Santa Claus. Each summer, families gather near Glacier National Park where children are treated to helicopter rides, boat tours and ice cream. The Project and their sponsors give every ounce of what they have to bring hope and goodness to these children. Charley’s story has a happy ending. Her mother was pleased to report that the cancer is in remission. There is truth in that a positive sense of hope can change every
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facet of life. We hold on to the anticipation that tomorrow will be better. Life certainly poses its challenges for each of us. Everyone struggles with hardship at some point, but isn’t it better with someone by your side? Officers of the Montana Highway Patrol are heroes that bring hope to hurting hearts. They deserve respect and acknowledgement for their kind deeds. If you would like to be involved by donating or sponsoring an event, please visit: montanahope.org.
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Dollhouses, Miniatures, Gifts & More
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Use Coupon Code 430KP for 1 Extra Free Play!
E L B A D R AFFO D R A Y K C BA
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[OUTDOOR ASPIRATIONS]
NORTHWEST BACKYARDS
With spring in the air, get inspired to glam out your own backyard with these COOL IDEAS that anyone can do without breaking the budget.
BY PATTY HUTCHENS
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[AMBIENCE]
FIREPITS The outdoor season is something we try to extend as long as possible. But chilly nights don’t mean they have to end. You can cozy up around an outdoor fire pit. There are many affordable and portable types available, including ones with an open flame or those covered with mesh to keep the sparks from flying and keep the kids safe. There are also gas powered or wood burning ones depending upon what you desire. So grab some marshmallows, a warm blanket and start the season early and extend it as long as possible!
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[SETTING THE MOOD]
LIGHTING It can make a world of difference in your outdoor living space. Whether it is deck lighting to add ambiance or lighting along a path to make it safer, lighting can add much to your outdoor living space. Low-voltage LED light fixtures run on 12-volt current that’s much safer than regular 120-volt household current, making installation DIY-friendly. You can also use string lights, which offer both versatility and style. They can be found in many styles and sizes, and you can even change up the colors with the season! It’s a great way to add some festivity to your outdoor lighting!
There are several factors to consider when choosing your outdoor patio furniture. You will want to be sure to choose weather resistant furniture. If you have a small area, you may want to think about incorporating benches on your deck to provide more seating space. If you are one who likes to change things up for different occasions, consider choosing a monochromatic theme so you can accessorize and change things up with different pillows and other accessories.
[REPURPOSING]
PATIO FURNITURE GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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[RELAXATION]
HOT TUBBIN’ IT What better way to relax after a long day than in your own backyard hot tub? There are many options available when it comes to hot tubs and, depending on your needs, you will want to plan before making a quick decision. The first thing to decide is how many people you would like your hot tub to seat. Will you use it for entertaining guests or just for you and your family? Secondly, when deciding where to place your spa, get a perspective of the space, accessibility for the users and proximity to the electrical source. You will also want to consider the privacy and view desired.
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Come celebrate life on the water. Board the only authentic Venetian gondola in the Pacific Northwest and let the stress melt away.
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Let Gig Harbor’s beauty be the backdrop of your celebration. Visit GigHarborGondola.com for more information. John Synco
Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard
3117 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, Washington 253.432.0052
gigharborgondola@gmail.com f Gig Harbor Gondola
[GRILLING]
OUTDOOR DINING
[WATER FEATURE]
FOUNTAINS The sound of water can be very soothing. Outdoor fountains are becoming increasingly popular and not just to add a sense of peace and serenity to your outdoor living, but to also block out the noise of neighbors, traffic and more. There are many options available for all budgets ranging from plug-in units to custom designs that become the focal point of your outdoor experience. You will want to keep in mind that the further the flowing water travels, the louder the sound becomes. The good news is that all fountains have a recirculating pump, so be sure to get an adjustable one so you can find the level that is right for you!
Dining alfresco. It’s a time of gathering together family and friends and escaping from your daily routine. There are some things to consider when setting up your outdoor dining area. Will you need shelter from the late afternoon and early evening sun? There are ways to achieve this without spending a lot of money. Take a piece of fabric to create your own canopy, changing it up as the seasons change. To provide ambiance to your outdoor dining experience, utilize tabletop lanterns and even provide some fresh cut flowers from the garden.
[LANDSCAPING]
CREATE A PATH While many may think of a garden path as a functional piece of a landscape design, the truth is they can completely transform the aesthetic value of your garden or outdoor passage. Be creative in your design and have fun with it! There are a multitude of materials from which to choose including giant rocks, bricks and wood planks. If your path winds its way through your garden, consider complementing the colors of the flower arrangements in those gardens. There are many DIY options out there so research what will best fit your budget and taste!
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Distinctive Senior Living since 1989. Where it’s home and you’re family.
Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Day & Respite Care
6016 North Highlands Parkway • Tacoma, Washington 98406 253.752.8550 • www.WeatherlyInn.com
Designing memorable homes in the harbor for 30 years.
www.sfaarchitechture.com
Snodgrass Freeman Associates, Architects
modern or classical
7195 Wagner Way, Suite 201 • Gig Harbor, WA 98335 253.851.8383 • www.sfaarchitechture.com
David Freeman & Kenn Snodgrass
davesfa@comcast.net • kennsfa@comcast.net
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Your New Home Keys to a successful real estate purchase Article by Raniel Diaz
I WILL NEVER FORGET when my wife and I bought our very first home in the hills of Irvine, California. The year was 2003 and most of you reading this know exactly what was happening. Pure, uninhibited euphoria. We stood on a half-built parking lot outside the model home, surrounded by empty fields and at least 500 other people, staying focused on the builder representative with the megaphone who was announcing the “lucky lottery” winners of phase 1A, out of only eight sparkly yet-to-bebuilt homes. Looking back on that day - it was crazy. I remember writing the deposit check adding “Praise the Lord!” in the memo section. Then, it was off to the races: floor plan layouts, lists of standard features, upgrades, visits to the design center followed by a myriad of trips to the build site for a visual progress update. To say some things have changed since then would appear to be the real estate understatement of the decade, but then again, have they? Even with tighter lending requirements, bank oversight, and progress in consumer protection and disclosures, today’s perfect cocktail of tight existing supply, continued historically low interest rates and migratory patterns of the American workforce, we’re continuing to see near recordsetting supply of new homes. Regionally and nationally, new housing starts are hitting eightyear highs, and it seems like we’ve come full circle - at least that’s what the charts are saying. If you’re thinking about buying a new home, there really has never been a better time than the present. So, consider some helpful tips if you’re looking to break ground with a new build to ensure the experience is everything you hope it would be. Make a financial plan off-site. Work with a knowledgeable lender on a pre-approval. Before soaking in the smell of a new model home and letting the professional lighting and cozy staging close the deal, remember that you
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should be prepared to know what you qualify for first. A lender, especially a local one familiar with your particular market, will help you chart out a course for success. So, when you’re looking at base pricing and all the options that you can’t live without - you can have a plan to stay inside your comfort range. Just like eating and shopping local, try your regional and community banks and credit unions for good personal service and flexible products. In addition, a number of lenders have programs to lock your low interest rate in for an extended
period of time. This can be a big help as interest rates will likely edge higher in the months ahead. Plan to buy what you can afford today. Try to avoid making assumptions about your financial future. Think you’re about to get that promotion at work? Or convinced that home prices will have double-digit annual appreciation rates for the next three to five years? Check the optimism at the door. A good rule of thumb: practice as much common sense in this area as possible.
Anyone who has been in the housing market for the past decade knows what could happen when we expect unabated linear growth. Prepare to borrow what you can afford now, not what you think you can afford later. Just because the meeting with that lender went really well, and they’re prepared to approve you “up to” a certain amount doesn’t mean you need to spend it all. Common sense isn’t as “common” as you would think in the emotionally-charged world of real estate. Partner with a Realtor® to represent and protect you.
Artwork featured is Wellbrock Art, Craig Wellbrock Gig Harbor resident. Feature home is Annie Anderson, Pacific Northwest, also pictured on previous page.
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There are some who would expect to get a better deal if they work directly with a builder. In a majority of instances this is largely incorrect. In fact, most new construction sites have a realtor on site tasked with representing the builder as a selling agent. In most instances, it is beneficial to utilize a buying agent who represents and protects your specific interests. After all, the selling agent is primarily tasked with representing the interests of their employer and their strategic financial agendas. When working with a team of professionals, a relational investment goes a long way. Home shoppers should consider interpersonal tactics at all times when navigating a home purchase - knowing that one is working with a group of professional real estate agents, lenders, contractors, interior designers and builders. If building from the ground up, this relationship will last nearly six months and beyond - so one should be respectful of both
each individual’s time and potential influence in your personal success. Those who forget to be courteous during conversations with people involved in the process may find themselves at the bottom of many priority lists. In 2016, builders are operating from a position of strength, minimal anxiety - expect it to continue in the foreseeable future. At this point in time, builders are comfortable with letting the droves of eager buyers come to them and are not concerned with finding someone else if a deal doesn’t go through. That said, there is very little “wiggle room” in price negotiations in the new home arena. In fact, outside of some small buyer incentives, don’t bank on your ability to negotiate a lower-thanasking price unless you’re getting in late to the appreciation party or riding the first wave of market correction and possible downturn. As a leading indicator of the housing economy, new construction inventory levels will often tell the
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story before it is written. With spring right around the corner, those watching the real estate market closely are seeing a set-up for some early fireworks. The amount of potential inventory that could hit the market in the next few months could be staggering. In the third quarter of last year, over 1 million homeowners nationwide emerged from underwater mortgages and the trend has continued as we have seen regional appreciation across the board since. With a likely increase in existing home inventory levels, it will be interesting to see how new home builders respond to it. Either way, most would agree, real estate will always remain crazy no matter the direction. Raniel Diaz is a Real Estate Agent at Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty in Coeur d’Alene Idaho.
Wellbrock ART Compliment Your Space with Complimentary Art Art can be viewed at: Sea Hags, Frankie Boutique, Mood, Brett Marlow Designs, & McKinnon Furniture Seattle & Bellevue.
Where children can explore, create & learn!
NOW ENROLLING SUMMER CAMPS & PRESCHOOL 2016-17 Stop in and see us, we are located in Gig Harbor North by Albertson’s! BY GIG HARBOR ARTIST Craig Wellbrock 253.509.2576 www.instagram.com/wellbrock_art www.facebook.com/craig.wellbrock GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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Design
INTERIOR By Patty Hutchens
Refresh your home with a few of these tips that add INSTANT STYLE with little effort and even less money.
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ALONA
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Reverse
**This does not mortgage borrowers are financial required to obtain an **This doesconstitute not constitute financialplanning planning Copyright©2016 Fairway Independent eligibility certificate by receiving counseling advice. Please consultconsult aCorporation financial planner Mortgage (“Fairway”) advice. Please a financial planner sessions with a HUD-approved agency. Must NMLS#2289. 4801retirement S. Biltmore regarding your specific plan. Lane, regarding your specific retirement plan. be at least 62 years old. Loan proceeds are not
Madison, WI 53718, 1-877-699-0353. All rights considered income and will not affect Social Copyright©2016 Independent Mortgage reserved. Fairway is Fairway not is not affiliated with Copyright©2016 Fairway Independent Security or Medicare benefits. Your monthly Corporation (“Fairway”) NMLS#2289. 4801 S. Biltmore any government These materials are Mortgage agencies. Corporation reverse advances may (“Fairway”) affect your Lane,mortgage Madison, WI 53718, 1-877-699-0353. All rights not from HUD or FHA andS. were not approved NMLS#2289. 4801 Biltmore Lane, eligibility for Fairway some other Consult reserved. is not programs. is not affiliated with any Madison, WI 1-877-699-0353. All rights bya HUD or53718, a These government agency. Reverse localagencies. program office or are your to FHA government materials not attorney from HUD or reserved. is if, not is required affiliated withReverse mortgage borrowers are tomortgage obtain an determine how, or monthly reverse and were not Fairway approved by HUD or anot government agency. any government agencies. materials are payments might affect specific situation. eligibility certificate byyour receiving counseling mortgage borrowers are required toThese obtain an eligibility certificate from HUD ora FHA and with were approved bynot receiving counseling sessions a not HUD-approved agency. Owners are still responsible for property taxes, sessions with HUD-approved agency. Must Must be least years old. Loan proceeds not considered by HUD or 62 a62 government agency. Reverse and maintenance. This is are not anare offer beinsurance, at atleast years old. Loan proceeds not income and will not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits. mortgage borrowers are required to obtain an to enter into an agreement. customers considered income and willNot notallaffect Social Your monthly reverse mortgage may counseling affect your eligibility eligibility certificate by advances receiving will qualify. Information, rates and programs are Security or Medicare benefits. Your office monthly for some other Consult a local agency. program sessions a HUD-approved Mustor your subjectwith toprograms. change without notice. Allaffect products reverse mortgage maymortgage your attorney to determine how, old. oradvances if, monthly reverse payments beare at least 62 years Loan not subject to credit and proceeds property are approval. might affect your specific situation. Owners are still responsible eligibility for some other Consultfor considered income and will programs. not affect Social Other restrictions and limitations may apply. property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. This is not an offer a local or program or your attorney toto Security Medicareoffice benefits. Your monthly enter into an agreement. customersreverse will qualify. Information, determine how, orNot if,allmonthly mortgage reverse mortgage advances may affect your rates and programs are subject to change without notice. All products payments might affect specificrestrictions situation. eligibility some other your programs. are subject tofor credit and property approval. OtherConsult and are still responsible for attorney property to taxes, aOwners local may program office or your limitations apply. insurance,how, andor maintenance. This ismortgage not an offer determine if, monthly reverse payments mightanaffect your specific to enter into agreement. Not allsituation. customers Owners are still responsiblerates for property taxes, are will qualify. Information, and programs insurance, maintenance. is notAll anproducts offer subject toand change withoutThis notice. to enter into an agreement. Not all customers are subject to credit and property approval. will qualify. Information, rates and programs are Other restrictions and limitations may apply. subject to change without notice. All products
COLORS
PICK YOUR PALETTE Experts advise that to make a space look good without much risk, it is wise to use darker colors for the floor, medium colors for the walls and lighter ones for the ceiling – basically replicating the outdoor environment. When choosing colors from a color wheel, those next to one another on the color wheel such as blue and green, are more casual and relaxing and work best in private spaces, such as your bedroom. Another word of advice is to divide the colors in your interior space into components of 60/30/10. The wall color representing the dominant color, the furniture upholstery the 30 percent and the accessories the 10 percent.
THEME
CHOOSE YOUR THEME Choosing Your Interior Theme – You want your home to be a reflection of who you are. Are you traditional? Do you like the “cottage” look of distressed finishes and vintage accessories? Or are you more modern and drawn to sleek lines and cool colors? If you are decorating a beach house or a lake front cabin, you may choose to decorate in a nautical theme. After choosing your “style,” decide if you would like to incorporate certain influences from around the world. French country? Tuscan? There are many possibilities. Finally choose your favorite colors. And remember, it is your living space and it should reflect you.
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FURNITURE
REUSE & REPURPOSE
Don’t throw it away! Find a way to put that older furniture to use! If you have old benches that are taking up space in the garage, sand them down, paint them and stack them on top of one another to make a fun and unique bookcase. Take that old chest that used to hold your blankets and turn it into a filing cabinet for your home office. That old door you were ready to take to the dump, paint it and turn it sideways for a unique headboard. Wondering what to do with those old window shutters? Hang them on the wall for the perfect organizer! The possibilities are endless. Before you throw out those things that you think are no longer useful, search the Internet for ideas on how to repurpose your old belongings into treasures!
WA L L A RT CLORS
HANG IT UP
That which you choose to hang on your walls, is an expression of who you are and allows you to be surrounded by your favorite pieces. According to interior designers, the following tips will help you achieve this while making sure the piece fits the space. When choosing art to hang, mirror the size of the wall. A long horizontal wall should have a piece that is long and horizontal as well. And don’t be afraid to fill the wall either. Vary the texture of your pieces, whether it’s a photograph or canvas art, variety is good! Frames should also reflect the architecture of the room and complement the furniture. Lastly, consider lighting and glare when hanging that favorite piece of art.
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TRAVEL & LEISURE
AN EXQUISITE
...AND IT’S JUST ACROSS THE BORDER
TASTE OF EUROPE BY DAN AZNOFF
T
he Canadian city of Vancouver has always held a special place in my heart. First of all, it’s the only municipality that requires a last name (B.C.). More importantly, it was the place where I spent the first three days of married life with my bride 36 years ago. That’s why we try to cross the border every summer to celebrate. There are literally thousands of ways to enjoy the urban setting and world-class offerings of this truly international city. Here are a few of the attractions that make our visits to Vancouver memorable every year. Coincidently, our anniversary coincides with the monthlong Celebration of Light international fireworks competition over Vancouver Harbour. Competing countries take turns turning the summer night skies into a rainbow of colors and heart-pounding thunder. We typically get to see the show produced by the pyromaniacs from Spain during the first weekend of August. The fireworks spectacular runs every weekend in July and concludes the first week of August. The celebration attracts crowds of up to 400,000 along the shores of the inner bay. Lodging Galore Vancouver offers a variety of options for lodging, from modest motels on the outskirts of downtown to one of the two dozen bed and breakfasts nestled in residential
neighborhoods. If budget is not an issue, there’s always the iconic Hotel Vancouver with its afternoon tea. Our home away from home for jaunts across the 49th parallel is the Executive Hotel Le Soleil on Hornby Street discreetly tucked in the heart of the financial district between office towers, mega banks and government buildings. The four-star boutique hotel offers the definition of casual elegance. The rooms are well appointed, the staff is considerate, but not overly zealous. And the beds are simply amazing. My wife and I were so enamored with the sheets and comforter one year that we asked the concierge for the brand so we could continue to pamper ourselves at home. Check out their website at hotellesoleil.com/vancouver. The central location of our hotel provides easy access to some of the city’s best restaurants and top attractions. The downtown core in summer is always vibrant with street vendors and festivities. Just down the street and around the corner from Le Soleil is the Vancouver Art Gallery with its distinctive exhibits by local artists. The gallery’s European collection includes paintings by Dutch masters that date back to the 17th century. The former courthouse on West Georgia Street is 41,400 square feet of galleries and exhibits that houses more than 10,000 permanent artifacts as well as plays host to traveling collections from galleries in Europe, Asia and America.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VANCOUVER AQUARIUM MARINE SCIENCE CENTRE
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PHOTO COURTESY OF VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
A stroll through the wooded park takes visitors past lush gardens, a forest of totem poles, monuments and sculptures that trace the history of the city of Vancouver and the province of British Columbia.
THERE ARE TOO MANY RESTAURANTS, TOO MANY TASTY SAMPLES AND NOT ENOUGH HOLES LEFT IN MY BELT TO MAKE A DENT IN THE CHOICES OF EDIBLE OPTIONS. The museum’s crown jewel is a permanent exhibit of works and writings by Canadian artist Emily Carr inspired by the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. vanartgallery.bc.ca Top Attraction According to TripAdvisor.com, the number one attraction in Vancouver is Stanley Park. I will not disagree. The 1,001-acre public park adjacent to downtown is almost entirely surrounded by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay. A stroll through the wooded park takes visitors past lush gardens, a forest of totem poles, monuments and sculptures that trace the history of the city of Vancouver and the
province of British Columbia. There are boggy wetlands and century-old Western red cedar, big leaf maple and Douglas fir trees. For those not interested in exploring by foot, there is a classic steam locomotive that takes visitors on a scenic tour around the perimeter of the park. vancouver.ca/parks-recreationculture/stanley-park.aspx The highlight of the park for us is the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. The Aquarium currently houses around 300 species of fish, almost 30,000 invertebrates and 56 species of amphibians and reptiles, as well as 60 mammals and dozens of birds. We were lucky enough to be at the aquarium when the beluga whale Aurora give birth to her calf Nala and witnessed the baby take its first
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nourishment. vanaqua.org For the more adventurous spirits, there is the Capilano Suspension Bridge located just 10 minutes north of the city. The bridge is 460 feet long and 130 feet above the river. The suspension bridge, which has an admission fee, is part of a private facility that draw more than 800,000 visitors a year. capbridge.com In addition to the bridge, the park offers miles of easy to moderate trails that offer close-up experiences with nature and some breathtaking views back toward the city and west to the Pacific Ocean. Artists’ Colony For those who prefer to shop, make sure to
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PHOTO COURTESY OF VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
PHOTO COURTESY OF EXECUTIVE HOTEL LE SOLEIL.
save a few hours to walk through the Granville Island Public Market. The island in the middle of the city is a colorful artists’ community that offers a living, breathing urban oasis filled with fine waterfront restaurants, theaters, galleries, studios, unique shops, cafes and the second most spectacular fresh food market you’ve ever seen. There are too many restaurants, too many tasty samples and not enough holes left in my belt to make a dent in the choices of edible options. Our dilemma is always whether to go back to a tried-and-true favorite or explore other culinary opportunities. Personally, I am drawn to the Granville Sports Center where they have an impressive collection of Jackie Robinson memorabilia. granvilleisland.com/discover-island/visitorsguide International Flare Of course, no reflection of a city is worth its salt unless it includes a review of its top
dining establishments. The restaurant scene in Vancouver is bursting with an outstanding collection of seafood restaurants. Because the city was a popular destination for people who fled Hong Kong before the island reverted to Chinese control, the Asian influence is dramatic. Many of the best steakhouses in town have added sushi, sashimi and other Asian delicacies to the menu. Traditional diners will enjoy the charm of the Gastown. The area was designated as a Historic District in 2009. Instead of recommending one restaurant over another, for the purpose of this article, I will direct readers to the Yaletown District bordered by False Creek, Robson and Homer Streets. The area that was dominated by heavy industry and railroad tracks was given a facelift in 1986 for the World Expo and is now one of the most densely populated areas of the city. Yaletown is home to trendy sidewalk cafes, breweries and popular eateries. Most of the establishments require advanced reservations, even on weeknights during the off season.
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But I would be selfish if I did not mention the ONLY restaurant we’ve gone back to on multiple occasions, the Blue Water Café on Hamilton Street (about a mile walk from Le Soleil.) According to a review written by a tourist from San Diego, the Blue Water Café has “mind-blowing sushi.” We normally stick to some of the chef ’s exclusive presentations of shell fish, his cioppino or a simple piece of grilled halibut. Why fool with perfection? One thing is certain. Do not ask for an extra fork if you order the chocolate cake because you will not want to share it. The city offers something for virtually every taste and every budget. Don’t forget your passport or enhanced driver’s license and bring a large dose of patience for the time you’ll spend waiting to cross back into Washington at the border. For those with limited amounts of patience, I recommend AmTrak.
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Food & Drink YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL EATS
AMAZING GOURMET LUNCH & DINNER SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE WATER!
Morso 9014 Peacock Hill Ave at N. Harborview Dr. morsowinebar.com 253.530.3463 $$
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food, wine & beer
waterfront resta u ra nt with a rt ga llery
enjoy lunch, happy hour & dinner
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amazing salads · filet mignon fresh fish · great wines · happy hour rotating craft beers · patio seating live entertainment · 21+ tuesday - thursday · 4pm to 10pm friday & saturday · noon to midnight sunday · 2pm to 9pm 9014 Peacock Hill Ave. at N. Harborview Dr. at the head of the bay
253.530.DINE (3463)
online reservations at
& Tequila Bar AWA R D-W I N N I N G
Mexican Restaurant
The Place To Go For Mexican! 4628 PT FOSDICK DRIVE NW GIG HARBOR, WA 98335 253.851.8464
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morsowinebar.com
YOURLOCALDININGGUIDE
Restaurants with this symbol have public wifi access.
Jimmy John’s
Morso
Satisfy your palate with their amazing gourmet lunch and dinner overlooking spectacular views of the water. Gig Harbor’s best kept secret! Wine list offers a worldwide scope, craft beers on tap, fun food & wine events. Their Morso Gallery provides private dining & a unique experience seeing local & national artists. Live music events feature amazing artists from around the country. Hours: Tue-Thurs 4-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 2-9pm. 9014 Peacock Hill Ave at N. Harborview Dr. morsowinebar.com | 253.530.3463
Freaky fast! Freaky good!™ Jimmy John’s is your go-to spot for freaky fast sandwiches made with real, fresh ingredients. JJ’s tasty French bread is always served freshly baked, and quality meats and locally-grown veggies are sliced in-store daily. Hours: Sun-Sat 11am10pm. 5114 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Ste. B Gig Harbor, WA 98335 253.858.8960 jimmyjohns.com
Taste Green.House Restaurant
Come and try their delicious new additions and nightly specials! Offering lunch, twilight, dinner & happy hour. Also serving a 3 course twilight dinner for $19 all night. Their small and bigger bites menu offers fun, deliciously sharable plates. Open Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sun 11am-8pm. 4793 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, Ste. 400 253.514.6482 | greenhousegigharbor.com
Harbor General Store
The Harbor General Store is a gourmet market, cafe and gift boutique, where the community comes to get supplies & gifts and feel connected. They sell goods that are quality and made in America and are passionate about the environment, creating jobs and supporting artisans. Open Mon 7am-3pm, Tues-Sat 7am-7pm, Sun 8am-4pm. Drive thru opens 6am Mon-Fri. Free WiFi! 7804 Pioneer Way 253.358.3241 www.theharborgeneralstore.com
Yo! G’s Frozen Yogurt
Gig Harbor’s family owned and operated self-serve frozen yogurt store offers ten varieties of yogurt that rotate on a regular basis and over 60 toppings! Included are dairy free, gluten free, and sugar free options. Try one of their delicious flavors today. You’ll be sure to come back for more! 4784 Borgen Blvd. NW, Suite E 253.858.9647
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of
Peru
Taste of Peru offers traditional Peruvian dishes as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Two year running Bite of Seattle winner for their quinoa salads. They prepare their meals from scratch and use fresh ingredients in order to offer a lighter and healthier option without compromising flavor. Hours are Tue-Fri 11:30am-3pm and 4:308pm. Sat 11:30am-9pm. Sun 12-8pm. 5500 Olympic Drive NW, Ste D -101 253.313.5198 tasteofperuonline.com
Harbor Farms Seafood
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and
NW natural meat products. All wild caught fish and homemade marinated meats - go pick up dinner! Freezer case with exotic hard to find products, specialty items, soups. The best pork you can buy from the Midwest! Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 9am-8pm and Sun 9am6pm. 6820A Kimball Drive, Suite 7 253.313.5640 harborfarmsmeatsandseafood.com
Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant
Voted best Mexican Restaurant in South Sound Magazine for 2015! Since 1978, Moctezuma’s has been the favorite of those seeking authentic Mexican food and award winning Margaritas. Go visit their Gig Harbor location and enjoy their Tequila Bar for daily happy hour specials and an array of delicious appetizers. They have WiFi! 4628 Pt. Fosdick Drive NW 253.851.8464 moctezumas.com
QUALITY MEATS
• NW Natural Meat Products • All Wild Caught Fish • Homemade Marinated Meats Come Pick Up Dinner! • Freezer Case With Exotic Hard To Find Products • Specialty Items And Soups
FRESH SEAFOODS
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WWW.HARBORFARMSMEATSANDSEAFOOD.COM 253-313-5640 | 6820A Kimball Drive Suite 7 Gig Harbor, WA 98335 Open 7 days a week Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm Sunday 9am-6pm
Marketplace Grille
American cuisine with a Caribbean flair. The best Fish and Chips and Clam Chowder in Gig Harbor! Located next to Anthony’s Restaurant and offers an expansive view of the harbor. Family owned and operated. Beer and Wine, Take Out Menu available. Hours MonThurs, 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat, 11am-9pm, Sun, 11am-8pm. 8825 North Harborview Drive, Unit C 253.858.3487 themarketplacegrille.com
Come Taste Summer! Ten varieties of yogurt that rotate on a regular basis and over 60 toppings!
Green Turtle Restaruant
Fine dining with endless views of Mt. Rainier and the Gig Harbor lighthouse. Outdoor deck dining on the water at its finest! Cocktails, premium beers and extended wine list. Open for lunch Mon-Sat, with dinner 7 nights a week. Happy hour 3:30-5:30pm & 9-10pm. 2905 Harborview Drive NW 253.851.3167 | thegreenturtle.com
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4784 Borgen Blvd. NW, Suite E 253.858.9647 89
Occasions
Coffee and Crepes Est. 2000
CREPES Paninis & Sandwiches Build Your Own Crepes Salads & Soups Forza Coffee All Recyclable Packaging & Utensils Local Artisan Gifts Ray and Jan Wainright, owners of Occasions Coffee & Crepes since 2000 and Gig Harbor residents.
ROASTED RHUBARB & MARZIPAN TART SERVE WITH SWEET SYRUP Serves 6-8
The First SPRING Treat
Gather Ingredients
Ray Wainright
• 1lb fresh rhubarb, trimmed • 1 large orange, finely grated rind and juice • 9 oz caster sugar • 1¾ oz white marzipan, diced • 2 Tbsp heavy cream • 13 oz ready-rolled puff pastry • 1¾ oz shelled pistachio nuts, chopped • Dusting of icing sugar
Owner
TRY OUR NEW MUSHROOM LEEK & BRIE CREPE!
Put it Together 1.
See us at the Gig Harbor Farmer's Market on Saturdays! 4700 Pt Fosdick Dr NW, Ste 109 Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253.851.2576
2.
3.
Preheat the oven to 230°F. Spread the rhubarb in a single layer in a large roasting tin. Sprinkle over the orange rind and juice and caster sugar. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1½ hours. Pour the juices into a saucepan and boil until thickened and reduced by half. Leave to cool. Increase the oven to 400°F. Mash the marzipan and double cream
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4.
5.
6.
together to a smooth paste. Unroll the pastry and cut into 8 equalsized squares. Place on a baking sheet. Using a sharp knife score a line ½ inch in from the sides, making sure you do not cut all the way through the pastry. Spread the marzipan mixture over the pastry, not covering the rim. Dust with icing sugar and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cut the rhubarb into strips and arrange on the tarts. Scatter with pistachios and dust with icing sugar. Serve with the syrup.
The best news about this delicious recipe is you don’t have to wait all summer to prepare it! Rhubarb comes into season in early spring. Enjoy!
Fine Dining with Endless Views of Mt. Rainier and the Gig Harbor Lighthouse.
253.851.3167
Lunch & Dinner Cocktails ~ Premium Beers ~ Extended Wine List
Happy Hour Starts at 3:00-5:30pm and 9:00-10:00pm OPEN Lunch Mon~Sat 11am to 2pm Dinner 7 nights a week
2905 Harborview Drive NW Gig Harbor www.thegreenturtle.com
Surf & Turf 6oz filet mignon grilled and topped with sauteed onions, button mushrooms and a creamy gorgonzola sauce along with seared scampi in a lemon beurre blanc.
Jazzy Chop Porterhouse pork chop marinated in extra virgin olive oil, rosemary and garlic, oven baked and finished with our creamy goat cheese, spinach, mushroom, Thai chili sauce.
Muscovy Duck Oven baked and topped with our plum and toasted almond sauce.
Ahi Tuna Lightly coated with black peppercorns, seared rare and topped with our roasted garlic / ginger glaze.
5TH GENERATION WHEAT FARMER.
1ST GENERATION INNOVATOR.
WALLA WALLA WINEMAKER. Rick Small | Woodward Canyon Winery It takes more than terroir and climate to make great wine. Walla Walla is home to dozens of family-run wineries dedicated to creating some of the world’s finest, earning our place in Wine Enthusiast’s “2014 Ten Best Wine Travel Destinations”.
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Fly Alaska Airlines from Walla Walla and check your first case of wine free! TasteAndTote.com 16VWW029 Visit Walla Walla, “Rick Small” ad Coeur d’Alene Living Local April 2016 Insertion Order #51600 1/2 pg horizontal: 7.375” x 4.688” GigHarborLivingLocal.com 91 DVA Advertising 541.389.2411 dan@dvaadv.com
Arts & Entertainment LOCAL EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION Help keep your community green this Earth Day! By Colin Anderson
WHILE SPRING AROUND THESE PARTS can be gray and filled with drizzle, the advantage to all the moisture is the amazing green scenery all around the Peninsula. We are blessed with beautiful parks and forests, and you can help keep them that way by volunteering some of your time at Parks Appreciation Day. More than 2,000 friends and neighbors helped out across Pierce County last year and organizers are hoping for an even better turnout this year. This local event coincides with Earth Day celebrations all across the globe. Starting at 9am on Saturday, April 23, a mass cleanup will begin at some of our area’s most treasured parks. Volunteers should bring work gloves and tools such as rakes and clippers to help pull weeds, prune, plant, trim back overgrowth and discard invasive species. No need to register, just show up and get ready to get a little dirty! Tools also needed are loppers, shears, shovels and a few good wheelbarrows for hauling. You are encouraged to label your tools to avoid any confusion at the end of the day. If you don’t have tools, don’t worry, just stop by one of the cleanup locations and organizers will get you everything you need. The cleanup will wrap up around noon time and a hotdog lunch will be provided for all volunteers. There are organized events at the following locations or you can always stop by your favorite park or school and help keep it beautiful. • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Crescent Creek Park Kenneth Leo Marvin Veterans Memorial Park Wilkinson Farm Park Donkey Creek Park McCormick Forest Park Harbor Family Park Sehmel Homestead Park Narrows Park Rotary Bark Park Kopachuck State Park 360 Trails Home Park Rocky Creek Conservation Area KP Civic Center
For more information on how you can help out visit www.keypenparks.com/parksappreciation-day.html or contact the Ken Pen Parks Department - Christina Hallock 253.884.9240 ext 22.
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EXCEPTIONAL COLLECTION OF ESTATE & CONSIGNMENT FINE JEWELRY AND RARE GEMS JEWELRY REPAIR CUSTOM ONE OF A KIND PIECES BY MASTER JEWELER SINCE 1978
Maritime Jewelers
• Custom Designs Available • Buyer on Premises • Most Jewelry Repaired Same Day
Voted in the Top 25 out of 100 of the Best Designer Jewelers in Western Washington! Free Verbal Appraisal by GIA Graduate Gemologist
3116 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm
253.853.4579 • 866.346.GEMS • www.maritimejewelers.com
BOUTIQUE
4102 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, WA | 253.858.3008 f The Beach Basket Gift Shops / Beach Basket Christmas Shop
3200 Tarabochia Street • Gig Harbor 253.514.6890 • www.rainydayyarns.com
Offering Group & Private Classes!
Fabulous Apparel
Accessories Gifts
Gig Harbor T-Shirts
Sweatshirts
Souvenirs
Women’s Sportswear Beach Decor
Christmas Decor
And More!
Jewelry Open Monday 11-5 Tuesday–Saturday 10-5 7700 Pioneer Way Ste. 103 Gig Harbor, WA • 253.851.5113
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Wide Range of Beautiful Yarns Large Selection of Needles, Hooks, Books & Accessories Knitwear, Jewelry & Gifs by Local Artists Custom Orders Always Welcome
CALENDAR OF EVENTS APR
02
First Saturday Art Walk Come take part in the First Saturday Art Walk! Gallery Row, Maritime Jewelers, Ebb Tide Gallery, Blackwater Trading Co, Waters Edge Gallery and Sea Hags are all participating in this month’s art walk. Swing by all six of these location to get a stamp and enter to win a $50 gift certificate! 10 to 5pm.
Star Search Auditions 2, 9, 14
APR
02
APR
03
Gig Harbor Kiwanis is searching for local talent! Come showcase your talent to the Kiwanis board and earn your chance at winning $500. The top 10 finalists will perform at the Gig Harbor Yacht Club on April 30. Call Jeni Mallory at 253.691.7085 to schedule your audition. Must be 16 or older.
72-Hour Premiere Film Competition
Our Town: Japan
APR
Celebrate the beauty of springtime with traditional Japanese crafts! The Harbor History Museum is hosting this event from 1 to 3pm. Enjoy creating a tissue paper cherry blossom tree led by an origami instructor. You’ll learn a variety of paper folding techniques and it’s all for free!
09
APR
It’s time for the premiere showing of the 72-Hour Film Competition! Directors had 72 hours to write, film, edit and score a short 5-minute film. Come enjoy the viewing of these films created by locals at the Galaxy Theater in Gig Harbor. There will be award presented!
09
Mouths of Babes Mouths of Babes is Ty Greenstein (Girlyman) and Ingrid Elizabeth (Coyote Grace). This duo is playing at Morso in Gig Harbor at 8pm. Mouths of Babes’ sound is a mix of celebration and blues, folk and soul, salve and anthem. Come enjoy drinks as they sing! Tickets are $20.
Upcoming Events - May 01
TACOMA CITY MARATHON
01
07
NEXT TO NORMAL
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OUR TOWN: NORWAY FAMILY PROGRAM
07
FIRST SATURDAY ART WALK
APR
02
April 2-3 Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup This is the premiere event for Pacific Northwest canoe, kayak, paddleboard, dragonboat and outrigger athletes and enthusiasts alike! Join the competitive 5k, 10k or relay boat races inside the harbor at Skansie Brothers Park. This event is great for beginners to experts! There’s a race for everyone. To register or receive more information visit gigharborpaddlerscup.com.
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APR
10
FAMILY FEATURE: 360 Trails Poker Pedal This is a unique, family-friendly bike riding event where riders visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each point. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the ride! This event raises funds for further hiking, biking and trail development. Check-in at 8:30am. Register today! www.keypenparks.com.
APR
APR
APR
Concerts at the Museum Presents: Hook Me Up
Washington State Spring Fair
50 Years of Fitting In 15-17
The Harbor History Museum is hosting the energetic quartet, Hook Me Up! From 7 to 8:30pm this group of boisterous and foot-tapping jazz pop group will perform upbeat tracks for you to get up and dance along to! Light snacks will be served. Come join the fun!
Shake off the winter blues at Washington’s Spring Fair! Enjoy your favorite rides, food booths and adorable baby animals. There will be tons of free entertainment from leaping DockDogs to the new TimberWorks Lumberjack Show, garden workshops, the action-packed Motorsport Mayhem shows. www.thefair.com
Join Harbor History Museum in the launch of their new exhibition “50 Years of Fitting In: Fashion, History & Women from 18901940.” The exhibit will explore the lives of these determined, stylish women and the challenges and roles they faced through the always-changing lens of fashion. Opens at 11am. harborhistorymuseum.org
APR
APR
APR
Free National Park Week
Star Search Fundraiser
Our Town: Japan for Adults
Grab your kids, friends, or self and head out to enjoy Free National Park Week! In celebration of National Park Services turning 100, entry is free to any National Park. Spend the day or week at Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park enjoying the peace, serenity and natural beauty of the outdoors!
Gig Harbor Kiwanis is hosting the 7th Annual Star Search Fundraiser! Local talent has auditioned and it is down to the top 10 finalists. Come to the Gig Harbor Yacht Club to watch locals perform for a chance to win $500 and raise money for a great cause! For more information visit www.gigharborkiwanis.org.
Discover the art of a Japanese Tea Ceremony at the Harbor History Museum! Masaye Nakagawa of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center will narrate from 1 to 2pm and perform this ancient ritual while guests enjoy tea and sweets. This program is $12 for museum members and $15 for non-museum members.
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Upcoming Events - May 07
15TH LIVABLE COMMUNITY FAIR
13
BLUEGRASS FROM THE FOREST FESTIVAL GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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GIG HARBOR BEER FESTIVAL
14
LOVE IS THE FINAL FIGHT
service pricing.
Maintaining quality with affordable
No Job Too Small
253-851-7077 Call us for your commercial and residential electric needs.
We’ve got fruit We’ve got fruit for every Spring occasion! for every Spring occasion! Stop in this Summer to try our NEW Blueberry Fresh Smoothies & More! Graduations
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Contact Our Local On Q Financial Offices Today! WWW.ONQGIGHARBOR.COM | GIG HARBOR: 253.313.1635 OLYMPIA: 360.347.8000 2727 Hollycroft St. NW #360 • Gig Harbor, WA 98335 | 2627 Parkmont Ln. SW #101 Olympia, WA 98502
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On Q Financial, Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender NMLS #5645. 068i0000001v35v
m’lassiC GaraGe iC OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW OPEN AND AVAILABLE FOR ALL TYPES OF SERVICE FROM FULL RESTORATION • BODY WORK • TUNE UPS • ELECTRICAL WORK ALL PRE-WAR AND POST-WAR CLASSICS
ALWAYS ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS OVERSEAS BUYERS HAVE MONEY TO SPEND AND ARE BUYING CLASSICS. DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL YOUR CLASSIC IN THE DEAD OF WINTER!
Don’t beaut let that ifu sit an l classic yl Let Ji onger. restor m help e it i for su n time mmer .
1968 MERCURY COUGAR $12,500
1965 FORD MUSTANG COUPE 289 V8 ENGINE
$17,500
1970 MACH ONE MUSTANG $48,000
Always looking for collector cars to buy. JIMSCLASSICGARAGE.COM
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a m i J l l a C
206.406.1313
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We are located in Gig Harbor at 3522 57th St. Ct. NW in the Westside Business Park
(253) 530-7300
Fax (253) 530-7301 (253) 530-7300GigHarborLivingLocal.com
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