July 2020 Gig Harbor Living Local

JULY 2020

LIVING LOCAL

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History of the harbor TOWN'S NAMING & SETTLEMENT 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.

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Listed by Carolyn Westmoreland Pending in 1 day!

19th Ave. Nw, grande bank | MLS# 1609855

Westmoreland Properties is following all Health and Safety Guidelines during COVID-19. We are all in this together, and we are still here to serve you!

CAROLYN WESTMORELAND Broker/Owner JENSEN WESTMORELAND Broker 253-961-5596 carolyn@westmorelandproperties.net

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Exceptional Service, Exceptional Company.

Mark Wambold NMLS ID 248580 State Lic. MLO-248580 Direct 253.225.3352 | mwambold@fairwaymc.com www.wamboldhomeloans.com

This information is not intended to be an indication of loan qualification, loan approval or a commitment to lend.

Other limitations may apply. ©2014 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation FIMC NMLS ID#2289 (www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org) EQUAL HOUSING LENDER WA. License Number MLO-248580.

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Caring for a loved one with dementia can

you’re not alone.

We understand. We’re caregivers too.

Our compassionate team is uniquely trained to care for those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments. Call today for support, resources or other information (253) 830-5107.

• • • • •

24-hour compassionate caregivers Short-term respite stays available Service plans designed to meet individual needs Outstanding memory programming and activities Enclosed outdoor courtyard with walking path & seating

7083 Wagner Way Gig Harbor, WA 98335 www.thelodge-gigharbor.com

• Assisted Living apartments

Call today to schedule a tour!

(253)GigHarborLivingLocal.com 830-5107 | www.thelodge-gigharbor.com 4

Live Life Smiling

Accepting New Patients!

Dr. Brian Dansie Pediatric Dental Specialist

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. BRIAN DANSIE AND HIS STAFF. 3316 56th ST. NW, STE 100 | Gig Harbor, WA 98335 | 253.329.KIDS (5437) frontdesk@thekidsdentistgh.com | thekidsdentistgigharbor.com

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Independent Mortgage Broker with lower rates and costs.

Not the high interest rates of retail institutions.

“GREAT PEOPLE AND GREAT SERVICE! I BOUGHT MY HOUSE WITH THEM AND THEN REFINANCED A FEW YEARS LATER! THEY SAVED ME HUNDREDS MONTHLY AND GUIDED ME THROUGH THE PROCESS, LISTENING TO MY CONCERNS AND DESIRES.” - MARK GIG HARBOR

LOCAL VETERAN-OWNED I N D E P E N D E N T M O RT G A G E S E RV I C E S Jeff Carr

Abel Hernandez

MLO#102392 President jeff@northwestmortgageservices.com

MLO # 1718944 Loan Officer abel@northwestmortgageservices.com

info@northwestmortgageservices.com • NorthwestMortgageServices.com 2 5 3 . 8 5 1 . 1 6 8 7 • 7 1 1 6 St i n s o n A v e . S u i t e A 2 0 5 , G i g H a r b o r, W A 9 8 3 3 5 NorthwestMortgageSer vices •

Abel_NWMortgage •

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Northwest-Mortgage-Ser vices

JULY 2020 VOLUME 7 NUMBER 7

Inside

Making a Difference In the Community

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The Importance of Local

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How Can You Positively Impact Your Community?

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People making a difference in our hometown

How locally owned businesses contribute to a thriving community

Tips for making a difference right where you’re at

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Virtual chat with our design team, on the house. 253-376-7935

GIGHARBORLIVINGLOCAL.COM

MARKETING WASHINGTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Julie Reed | 253.273.8524 julie@like-media.com WASHINGTON DIRECTOR Cassie Riendeau | 360.798.3061 cassie@like-media.com

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Jillian Chandler | jillian@like-media.com STAFF WRITERS Colin Anderson | colin@like-media.com Abigail Thorpe | abigail@like-media.com

DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Maddie Horton LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Darbey Russo GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Kennedy Pew DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR Whitney Lebsock

OPERATIONS MANAGING PARTNER | Kim Russo EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Steve Russo DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | Rachel Figgins

CONTRIBUTORS Felicia Soleil, Trish Buzzone, Dan Aznoff, Bri Williams, Mariel Kraus, Jeff Pufnock, Jessica Youngs, Robina Gaines, Taylor Shillam, Marguerite Cleveland, Tina VanDenHeuvel

Let’s talk while you show us your space.

GIG HARBOR LIVING LOCAL MAGAZINE

is brought to you by Like-Media.com. If you would like to advertise with us please call 253.273.8524 or email julie@like-media.com. To submit articles, photos, nominations and events, email us at events@like-media.com.

We specialize in small spaces & big dreams. compact design, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), small footprint, cottage houses, aging in place, on-grid-off-grid, new build & remodel First consultation is complimentary.

BRETT MARLO DESIGN BUILD

b r e t t m a r l o. c o m / v i r t u a l -

LICENSE # BRETTMD892QP

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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.

Green Cottage Pets See what a difference a good diet will do for your pet.

A Health Food Store for Dogs & Cats Doing Business Since 2002!

Featuring Human Quality Foods, Treats and Supplements 3028 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, Washington 253.851.8806

Whiskey, a new addition to the family, is just the cutest Mini-Aussie ever. We love him!

greencottagepets1@gmail.com www.greencottagepets.com

for generations, haven of rest has been helping families achieve peace of mind through pre-planning their funeral and cemetery needs. call today to plan for yourself or your loved one.

We now offer Aquamation, a new and eco-friendly alternative to cremation!

253.851.9991

www.HavenRest.com 8503 State Route 16 NW., Gig Harbor, WA

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PUBLISHER’S

Note

CELEBRATING OUR FREEDOMS

L

ife has been unpredictable, and at times frightening, frustrating and heartbreaking, during recent weeks—for us all. With new “normals” put in place to battle COVID-19 and keep our communities safe, and the addition of protests that began in late May, our world has been turned upside down. But at the end of the day, as we ponder the lives we’ve been able to build here in the United States, we can’t take for granted all of the freedoms that come with our great country. Through all the hardships, we are able to raise our voices and demand to be heard. Through our voices, we are able to lift others up while they may be silenced.

We live in a country like no other and are proud of the communities in which we live.

Despite the difficulties, we always come out stronger, and more united, than before.

On July 4, friends and families will once again gather to commemorate America’s independence. Though celebrations may be a bit different this year, and smaller, people will still come together to celebrate our great country—the place we all call

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History of

the harbor

Take this time to reflect on all the blessings you and your loved ones have been bestowed, and focus on what we, as individuals and whole communities, can do to support each other. Our strong, hardworking families and communities are the backbone of this great nation.

I ask you to take a moment to recognize the great privilege we have as Americans, and the great work we have done and will continue to do, in building this place we call home.

Happy Independence Day!

Steve Russo Executive Director | steve@like-media.com

ABOUT THE COVER

JULY 2020

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home. If we continue to love our fellow man and want for them the same freedoms and opportunities we desire for ourselves and our own children, our communities, states and nation will only become that much more united.

WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE THIS MONTH’S COVER OF GIG HARBOR LIVING LOCAL WITH YOU, our readers!

We hope you love it as much as we do!

Taken by local photographer Samantha Elise Tillmann, this Totem Pole can be found at Fox Island History Museum, where you are invited to explore and learn about a variety of things, including Pacific Northwest Indian artifacts. Photo by Samantha Elise Tillman

LEMENT ING & SETT

TOWNS NAM

ocal.com

GigHarborLivingL

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Proud To Partner

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Would you like to receive this issue and future issues in your inbox? Visit GigHarborLivingLocal.com and sign up for our FREE Digital Edition.

EXPERIENCE FIRST-CLASS SERVICE T HE JONE S TE A M Y O U R R E L O CAT I O N E X P E RT S CALL US TODAY: 253.514.1988

GARY & SANDY JONES CONNECT WITH US

Debbie Mishko

NMLS #109688 American Pacific Mortgage 5151 Borgen Blvd, Suite 101C, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 Branch NMLS #1370632 Cell: 360-239-1942

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GET CONNECTED WITH GIG HARBOR LIVING LOCAL! wsuchristy via

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stanley_meets_world via

#GIGHARBORLIVING Your photos will show up on our Get Social page at

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and you’ll have the chance to see your photos in print right here!

2.

facebook.com/gigharborliving instagram.com/gigharborliving pinterest.com/LikeMedia_

LIFT OFF YOUR DIGITAL MARKETING WITH Social Media Management | SEO | Branding and Creative | Content Development | Website Building Reputation Management | Google Optimization | Podcast Production | And More

JULIE REED Washington Executive Director | 253.273.8524 | julie@like-media.com

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EVENT VENU E• S•

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PA RT I E S | W E D D I N G S | C O R P O R AT E E V E N T S

10924 Bliss Cochrane Road NW | Gig Harbor, WA 98329 253.313.8522 | info@blissmanorfarm.com blissmanorfarm.com

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Con t e n t s 28

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58 GET FEATURED

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IN FOCUS

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LIVING LOCAL

Join us on Instagram @GigHarborLiving for a chance to get your photos, recipes, ideas and much more featured

ESSENTIALS

The latest tips and trends in home, garden, finances and life

LIFE & COMMUNITY

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Celebrating Independence Day: Times call for the simple traditions

GOOD NEWS

The Mustard Seed Project: Creating a better place to live for our seniors

BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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Coast Movers: Time for a move? We have you covered

History of the Harbor: Museum details town’s naming and early settlement

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Gig Harbor’s Lasagna Lady: Providing trays of comfort food to friends, neighbors and essential workers

BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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Waters Edge Gallery and Framery, LLC: Enhancing Your Artwork with the Art of Custom Framing

FEATURE STORY Pyrotechnics: Fourth of July’s Bright Moment: Behind the scenes of America’s favorite Independence Day event

TRAVEL & LEISURE FOOD & DRINK

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Your local guide to the tastiest hot spots around town and local recipes

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Tips and informational articles about living a healthy, active lifestyle

All the events and summer fun that you don't want to miss out on!

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Mountain, City, Sea: Can you really enjoy all three in one staycation?

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE 52

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SHOP SHOP SHOP

Enjoy your Uptown Life!

Take a break from the ordinary, the expected.

Treat yourself to the easygoing Uptown style.

AT&T • Ben & Jerry’s • Blazing Onion Burger Co. • Frankie Boutique

SIP SIP

Blue Agave Mexican Grill • Brittain & Co. • Chico’s • J. Jill Cutters Point Coffee • Eye Candy Optical • Bloom Denim Galaxy Theatres & IMAX • Green.House Restaurant Gertie and the Giant Octopus Bistro & Wine Bar • Loft

SIP

HomeGoods • Jasmine’s Spa & Nails • Jos. A Bank • Talbots Kitsap Credit Union • Lele Thai Vietnamese Cuisine • Massage Envy Marshalls • Panera Bread • Pearl Tea • Pizzeria Fondi Silver Soleil Tan Studio • Soma • Sports Clips Haircuts Teaching Toys, Too • Studio Six: The Salon & Spa • The Garden Room

STROLL STROLL

DINE

van der Veen Jewelers • Sugaring NYC • 9Round

Check out UptownGigHarbor.com for upcoming events!

DINE DINE DINE Open 7 Days A Week!

Monday Saturday 10am Drive to 8pm, Sunday to Drive 6pm Hwy 16,toExit 10 - Olympic to 4701 Pt, 11am Fosdick

Hwy 16, Exit 10 - Olympic Drive to 4701 Pt, Fosdick Drive www.uptowngigharbor.com More than 35CARDS Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Options UPTOWN GIFT NOW AVAILABLE

DISCOVER DISCOVER www.uptowngigharbor.com DISCOVER Over1930 stores GigHarborLivingLocal.com

From Victory Gardens to Garage Greatness 5 BIG JOBS TO TACKLE FOR SUMMER

(BPT) - SUMMER IS HERE, AND THAT MEANS IT'S TIME TO TACKLE THE BIG OUTDOOR TASKS.

Ready to get started on your summer to-­do list? Consider adding these big but worthwhile tasks to your roster.

The importance of getting work done is especially true in this season of social isolation, when Americans are enjoying their homes' outdoor spaces more than ever. Outdoor work may require some extra sweat and elbow grease, but these big jobs are a welcome break right now, keeping people busy and outside—and helping them truly appreciate their well­-tended green spaces.

Start a "victory garden" Given all the questions brought about by COVID-19, many Americans are re­igniting the WWII practice of growing their own fruits, vegetables and herbs to give themselves more control over their food supplies.

Many produce varieties are easy to grow, and cultivating them at home can ward off unnecessary shopping excursions. "Americans are turning to gardens for food access, food security, food safety and food affordability," confirms gardening exec Jim Feinson on GardenResearch. com.

For many, outdoor work is a satisfying endeavor, allowing homeowners to take pride in their home and yard, along with the work they put into it, which shows in what people are searching for, posting and sharing online. For example, Pinterest Insights saw an increase of 89 percent in backyard renovation ideas on their website, along with a whopping jump of 658 percent in DIY small patio ideas on a budget, and an impressive 528 percent increase in budget garden inspiration ideas.

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Beef up your landscaping Look over your landscaping layout and determine which parts need trimming, filling in, fertilizing or replacing. If you're in doubt, many

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A Boutique with a Heart!

Love Life, Love Fashion.

Inspiring women to create a fabulous home & wardrobe with ease & joy!

Come visit us!

Sunday & Monday 11am - 5pm & Saturday - Tuesday 10am - 6pm D o l l yM a m a B o u t i q u e . c o m | 7 7 0 0 P i o n e e r Wa y # 1 0 3 | G i g H a r b o r, Wa s h i n g t o n 9 8 3 3 5

NEW & REVOLUTIONARY ROOFING SHINGLES AUTHENTIC LOOK OF TILE & REAL WOOD SHAKE Finally, a metal roof designed to beautify your home

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL Affordable | High Quality | Durable Low Maintenance | Fire Resistant Lifetime Warranty

Call for free estimates and specials!

253.208.7151

w w w. A M P RO R o o f i n g . c o m | r o b @ g a f s . c o m L I C # A M P RO B L 9 1 0 L Z

Roofing | Windows | Siding |Sunrooms

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Summer is here, and that to-do list won't take care of itself. garden centers can draw up plans demonstrating changes or additions that might look more eye­-catching. Before getting started, invest in easy-­to-use equipment that will make the heavy-duty labor less grueling.

Northern Tool + Equipment's Strongway Steel Jumbo Garden Wagon can handle tough jobs like hauling rocks, pavers or bags of cement; in fact, it can capably pull up to 1,400 pounds of supplies.

you regularly use. New cabinets, bins, racks, shelves or pegboard panels can go a long way toward keeping everything handy and easy to find.

You may even want to create a mancave vibe by installing a TV, mini fridge and casual seating.

Revamp your deck

It can be a hefty job, but built-up debris must be cleaned out at least twice annually to avoid wet basements, interior leaks, mold growth, rodent infestations and/or displacement of the gutters themselves. Use a sturdy ladder to safely access the edges of your roof, then use a trowel or gutter scoop to remove refuse. Flush out the system using a power washer or a garden hose with a spray attachment. Check for cracks, rust or paint damage and missing attachments, ensure all sections are sloped enough to drain stormwater and replace any sections that can't be repaired.

Tackle your gutters

Does it just need a good power washing, or is it screaming for a repainting or re-staining too? Either way, your work will go faster with Northern Tool's Powerhorse Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer, which has the 2.5 GPM and 3100 PSI you need to effortlessly blast through mud, dirt and debris on your deck, siding, fence, patio or driveway.

Get your garage in gear

Summer is here, and that to-do list won't take care of itself. Plan now to take on the tasks that will help you and your family make the best possible use of your outdoor spaces in the warm weather.

Reclaim your space by getting rid of junk you don't need, power washing your floors and establishing dedicated space for the tools and equipment

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EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS Gig Harbor Cabinets is focused on providing high-quality products and customer satisfaction. We will do everything we can to exceed your expectations. » All plywood boxes » Soft-close doors and drawers with dovetail drawer boxes on all styles » Wide variety of styles » DeWils » J&K Cabinetry

253.858.3005 gigharborcabinets@gmail.com www.gigharborcabinets.com 8803 State Route 16 Gig Harbor, WA 98332

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Your Comfort Zone FRIEND OR FOE?

“A

By Felicia Soleil, Divorce Mediator and Attorney

comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” Anonymous

This quote popped up on my TV screensaver in the midst of our Stay Home, Stay Safe orders this past spring. My first reaction pertained to my immediate circumstances of trying to work from home while fighting daily enticements to just do nothing and relax into complacency. “It’s too hard,” I whined. “It will all be over soon anyway,” I hoped.

I immediately recognized that this type of thinking would leave me, as well as my clients, in a non-productive limbo. I also recalled that one of my frequently used motivators with my divorce clients is, “Get comfortable with your discomfort.” For it is in that place of unfamiliar circumstances and doing the hard work to navigate them that we can master the skills to move forward and expand our opportunities.

The temptation to lounge on the couch and “do nothing” feels good and has its place, certainly in times of stress and rest. However, this is not a long-term solution if we need to address significant change in our lives, whether that change is thrust upon us when we don’t want it or we are voluntarily seeking change. In either circumstance, avoidance through embracing our comfort zones equals stagnation.

So what did I do? I implemented a plan to “get comfortable with my discomfort” in the same manner I ask of my clients going through their marital transitions. First, I identified the issues. For me, those included technology, financing and mastering the art of virtual communication in a profession where attention to inperson nuances is key. Highest on my priority list for my clients has always been confidentiality, ease of use and a sense of personal connection.

Second, I identified and obtained the information necessary to address those issues. For example, learning how to relocate office equipment and connections to my home, subscribing to electronic payment and electronic signature applications, and watching endless tutorials about how to conduct virtual meetings.

Once I had acquired enough information to help me make good decisions, it was time to explore options. Which platforms gave me

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the most efficient service at the best cost and provided the best support when I needed assistance? Which platforms had the best document-sharing features? Most importantly, which platforms would allow me to interact with my divorce clients, through both individual consultations and multi-party mediations, in ways that would allow me to maximize personal service while also allowing for ease of use for all of us?

After weighing all the options, I made my choices of providers, received all the training I could and began implementation with a request for feedback from my clients.

I also went even further and ultimately obtained certification as an Online Family and Divorce Mediator. As a professional who highly values my personal relationships with clients I, like many in the family mediation field, have long resisted the idea of serving clients through online portals. The mere idea of losing that inperson interaction was almost unthinkable. Let’s just say I am now an enthusiastic convert to this newly valuable service for clients during a time when an office visit might not be a convenient option.

Was this easy? Not in the least. Did I have some sleepless nights thinking to myself I could never pull this off? Most definitely. But, just like my work with divorcing couples, I broke the situation down into manageable steps following the tried and true path to problem-solving: identifying the issues, determining and collecting the information needed to address those issues, analyzing the information and weighing all options, implementation, and feedback on whether those choices meet expectations and determining whether adjustments should be made.

My greatest wish in all this is that if you ever become my client, you will receive the same care, compassion and competence from the other side of your computer screen as you would have from the other side of my conference table.

Felicia Soleil is a divorce mediator and family law attorney located in Gig Harbor. She helps her clients in achieving resolutions that foster both a compassionate ending to their union and a healthy new beginning for them and their families so they can focus on moving on, rather than simply moving out. Felicia can be reached at 253.853.6940. All consultations are strictly confidential. Video conferencing is welcome.

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Changing the Face of Family Law For almost 30 years, Felicia Soleil has helped families in Gig Harbor and Pierce County transition through divorce with an emphasis on reducing and

alternative to dissolving a marriage. Considering divorce or separation? Felicia focuses on helping people move on, not simply move out.

Divorce Mediation & Collaborative Law Legal support, education & case management, from simple to complex:

Legal •• Legal separation separation and anddivorce divorce •• Parenting Parentingplans plans •• Child Child support support •• Prenuptial Prenuptial agreements Agreements

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PLANTING SEEDS OF TRANSFORMATION To experience real, powerful change, I have to begin with myself

By Trish Buzzone, Thinking Partner, Executive Director, The John Maxwell Team

I

n the song “Revolution,” John Lennon pushes back against the idea that important changes only happen after people join larger movements. Revolution begins, Lennon suggests, with a shift in our own thinking. I agree. Transformation will not happen around us until it happens inside us.

When we choose to be intentional about personal growth, we plant a seed of transformation within ourselves. That’s the first step. True transformation comes when we invest in that process every day. Shifting our thinking, doing new things, is hard. It feels easier to look at the world and expect it to change around us. Even if the world does change, if we don’t invest in ourselves, we experience the world with the same limits to our thinking and awareness we had before.

Continuing transformational work inside ourselves takes courage to embrace the unknown and faith in the future we are creating for ourselves. When we put action behind our vision, cultivating that seed, we are more aware of the potential within us and within others.

This kind of transformative vision is magnetic.

Other leaders will be drawn to that energy, and those leaders will begin to experience transformation in their own lives. This is the key difference between knowing how to lead and being a transformative leader. When we choose to be transformative leaders, no matter what context we’re in, we bring life and energy with us to invest in every conversation, every idea, every enterprise and every solution.

When we make it a point, every day, to take in knowledge, wisdom and inspiration, this will work in us to create shifts in our thinking, our mindsets and our actions, transforming

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who we are and also what we do. This is why cultivating a seed of transformation in one leader causes that transformation to begin in other leaders. We may teach what we know, we reproduce who we are.

Planting that contagious, transformational seed begins with who we’re inviting to invest in our own lives. Are we choosing thinking partners who are transformative in their mindset and actions? Do they know what they’re doing and why they’re doing it? Do they have a contagious vision? Do they get buy-in from other leaders who are excited to be part of what they’re doing?

These are the people who help us cultivate the seeds of transformational leadership in our own lives. They lead because they love people as much as they enjoy leading them. These leaders challenge us to continue to invest in personal growth, to never believe we have “arrived,” so, together, we continue connecting with the transformative energy that inspires real, positive change.

When we make these choices, act on these intentions and connect with thinking partners who inspire us to continue growing, no matter what stream of influence in which we work, we will inspire other leaders around us to step up, invest and be transformational. When we develop seeds of transformation within ourselves, leaders around us will catch that vision and share it with others. As John C. Maxwell says, “If we want to bring change, we have to be changed.”

You can connect with Trish Buzzone at TrishBuzzone.com, Linkedin.com/in/ trishbuzzone or Facebook.com/trishbuzzone.

VIRTUAL HARBOR WILDWATCH PROGRAMS GO ONLINE

By Colin Anderson | Photo Courtesy of Harbor WildWatch

Grads!

GRADUATION SPECIALS!

A

s Harbor WildWatch is classified as a museum, it unfortunately cannot open up its doors to guests until the county enters Phase 3 of the Washington phased re-opening plan. According to Harbor WildWatch Communications Specialist Carly Vester, the organization is creating a plan for a safe opening in the future that minimizes risk to both guests and the volunteers they depend on in order to operate.

Despite the closure, there is a great amount of fun and informative programs that you can take part in from your computer, tablet or phone. Since the closure, volunteers and staff have continued to produce weekly STEM workshops, educating kids and adults alike about the environment around the harbor both above and below the surface.

The sessions are broadcast on Facebook Live and typically run for about 30 minutes to an hour. In many cases, kids can participate in hands-on learning using common items found around the house. Lists of needed lesson materials are available in the event calendar, and instructors will help kids with their experiments via video.

DESPITE

THE

If you miss the live interaction or would like to go back to other lessons you might have missed, all STEM programs are posted to the Harbor WildWatch YouTube channel as well.

Also coming up in July is another Cocktails and Fishtails event. This BYOB monthly online discussion will happen at 6pm on Wednesday, July 15. The Pierce Conservation District will present live on Facebook about Puget Sound nearshore processes, including beach formation and erosion, and how human development influences the complex processes that build and erode beaches, impacting habitats and ecosystems. This emerging science on bulkheads can better help assess their impact on salmon and orcas.

15% OFF

1 item if you mention this ad.

Excluding cougar cheese.

Despite the restrictions, Harbor WildWatch hopes to continue to spread knowledge to the community while providing a sense of community to those who enjoy frequenting the interpretive center.

Follow Harbor WildWatch on Facebook or visit the online calendar at HarborWildWatch. org for the latest updates on re-opening, and events both in-person and virtual.

RESTRICTIONS,

HARBOR

WILDWATCH HOPES TO CONTINUE TO SPREAD KNOWLED GE TO THE COMMUNITY.

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7700 Pioneer Way #202 Gig Harbor, WA 98335 www.cougarwear.com • 253.224.1408 Open 7 Days a Week!

LIF

E & COMMUNIT

Y

CE LEBR ATING I NDEP E NDENC E DAY TIMES CALL FOR THE SIMPLE TRADITIONS

By J illian Chandler

I

t continues to be a common theme not only in Gig Harbor but across the state and country; large community events and gatherings continue to be halted as a result of the continued safety concerns amid COVID-19. Though there won’t be any parades making their way down the streets as adults and children alike line the roadways wearing their red, white and blue and waving their American flags proudly, and the bright sights and booming sounds of fireworks won’t be taking over the night skies in honor of our independence, there is still much to rejoice in—even if this means a smaller, more intimate celebration.

Add in some fun backyard games, like three-ring toss or horseshoes, cornhole and table tennis, and everyone, no matter their age, is bound to take part in some good old-fashioned friendly competition.

There’s nothing like a good ol’ Fourth of July backyard barbecue.

Whether it’s with your spouse and kids or a gathering among friends, spending a warm summer day outdoors—especially on Independence Day—calls for some grilling and cool beverages. Make it a potluck, and have everyone bring one of their favorite dishes. This is a fun time to share those traditional family recipes that you grew up enjoying to help celebrate the holiday.

With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday, you can always opt for a quiet holiday and take a mini road trip, and be sure to pack a patriotic picnic for the road!

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Spending a day out on the water is the norm here in the harbor, but it’s always that much more meaningful to get out on your boat, paddleboard or kayak, feeling the breeze across your face as you freely glide across the open waters—that feeling of freedom is truly indescribable. And while on the water, you’re sure to meet up with old friends while making new friends as well!

However you choose to celebrate this Independence Day, it’s up to you to make it one to remember. And the most important way is by celebrating with the ones you hold most dear. Happy Independence Day, Gig Harbor!

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PHOTO BY FRANK OWEN SHAW

CREATING A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND THE BEST PLACE TO GROW OLD T H E M U S T A R D S E E D P R O J E C T … H E L P I N G S E N I O R S T O A G E S A F E LY I N P L A C E

“I

wish there was one in every community,” affirms Eric Blegen, executive director of The Mustard Seed Project of Key Peninsula.

By Jillian Chandler Courtesy photos

Founded in 2006 by Edie Morgan, The Mustard Seed Project has been devoted to serving seniors in the Key Peninsula and Western Washington, providing a variety of services and programs to best allow them to age safely in place in their own homes, in a healthy and happy way.

“OUR ADAPTATIONS HAVE ALLOWED US TO SERVE SENIORS CONTINUOUSLY AND TO ADAPT TO CURRENT NEEDS WHILE KEEPING CLIENTS AND VOLUNTEERS SAFE.”

“When Edie Morgan founded the Mustard Seed, the focus was almost exclusively on programs to support people to age in place,” says Eric, who has been the executive director for just shy of two years. “Those programs grew and developed, and in 2016 we were able to move into our current building, the Crandall Center.

After much investment in the building, we now have a quality senior center that has spaces for our classes like yoga and SAIL, both of which aim to keep seniors fit and socially connected to others, as well as art and monthly informational forums ranging topics from Medicare enrollment to estate planning.”

The Mustard Seed Project does this through their wonderful staff and many volunteers; from their transportation program, providing seniors a safe ride

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to doctor’s visits or the grocery store, to a volunteer network who are ready and able to assist with yard work, minor home repairs and light chores; and even friendly visits to check in on local seniors and simply engage in conversation. The information and referral program ensures that seniors can easily access resources and enrichment programs that keep them engaged with each other and their community.

As the coronavirus has affected everyone, especially the elderly, The Mustard Seed quickly adapted in order to keep them connected and active during this difficult, and sometimes lonely, time. Their enrichment programming can now be found online on YouTube, allowing seniors to stay active through yoga and SAIL, dancing, gardening videos, painting classes, story time and more! They even provided DVDs of the classes for those seniors who do not have access to the internet.

They implemented a bagged lunch meal delivery, which began in late March. As of the end of June, the organization had delivered nearly 700 meals to seniors throughout the community and hope to continue this service even after the pandemic has passed.

“That’s really been something that’s remarkable, the meal numbers, service, the video views. There have

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“I HAVE PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS. WE ALL GET OLD, AND WE ALL BENEFIT WHEN SENIORS ARE TREATED WELL AND LIVING IN A HEALTHY WAY. IT GIVES ME A LOT OF JOY.”

Michael Stevenson, Subsurface Media been hundreds of views; we’re actually maybe touching more people than when people were coming to the center,” says Eric. “Our adaptations have allowed us to serve seniors continuously and to adapt to current needs while keeping clients and volunteers safe.”

Eric stated that the needs of seniors continue, regardless of the pandemic, which include financial, assistance with meals and in-home care, home safety, accessing resources and staying connected to community to avoid isolation.

For those seeking support or who know of someone who could benefit from the services provided by The Mustard Seed, there are several ways to reach out: Call 253.884.9814, email info@themustardseedproject. org, message them directly through their contact form on their website at TheMustardSeedProject.org/contact or via Facebook.com/ TheMustardSeedProject. “Staff and volunteers are always here ready to help,” says Heather Anthony, program manager. “We go above and beyond … and if it’s beyond us, we make sure to provide them with the proper resources.”

In the last five years alone, The Mustard Seed Project has served 2,231 seniors, with 8,056 instances of service. Volunteers have given more than 14,095 hours of their time and have logged 161,000 miles through their transportation program.

For Eric, he finds his ability to make a difference in the lives of others the most fulfilling. “I have a spot in my heart for seniors,” he smiles. “I have parents, grandparents. We all get old, and we all benefit when seniors are treated well and living in a healthy way. It gives me a lot of joy.”

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

“I feel the same way,” adds Heather. “I feel drawn to help these seniors who live in our community, for them to be seen, heard and taken care of. Seeing them smile or receiving a hug is the best reward —I’ve gotten some amazing hugs over the last couple of years.”

There is exciting news for not only The Mustard Seed Project but for seniors of the Key Peninsula, as Eric says they are close to securing construction loan financing for their new 30-bed assisted living facility in Key Center. “We’ve raised and secured over $3.4 million toward our project and hope to break ground (permits are secured) either this late summer or next spring.” Once they break ground, Eric estimates the project will take about a year to complete.

The facility will be built just across the street from the Crandall Center in Key Center and will “become a hub of activity when in operation.”

Currently, there is no assisted living on the Key Peninsula. This results in seniors having no other option but to leave their community when the time comes for supportive care (and they are no longer able to remain in their homes safely). “We will provide an alternative,” says Eric.

Each day, the team has a goal: to make the Key Peninsula an even better place to live; to make it the best place to grow old. “That’s really the vision,” says Eric. “We have an opportunity here to create a really good example of how to take care of our seniors and respect them and make it a wonderful place to grow old.”

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Time for a Move?

Coast Movers has you covered

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER

COAST MOVERS 888.546.6820 CoastMovers.com Facebook.com/CoastMovers

"A competitive price was the key driver ... but the decision-making element was the service that I received as I was inquiring on the move.

I felt being in contact and supported by the service team throughout the move and the actual experience with the movers ... was very good. Everyone was extremely professional.

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D

espite the ups and downs many business owners have experienced over the past few months, one local moving company continued to stay busy. No matter what is going on around us, there will always be people on the move. And Coast Movers is there to help!

“Fortunately for me and my crew, COVID didn’t affect business,” says Coast Movers owner Jonathon Sheridan. “People still need to move, and we’re there to make the process as seamless and stress free as possible.”

Averaging 30 to 55 jobs per month, sometimes three to four in one day, Jonathon and his crew continue doing what they love. “Everything is up, never down,” affirms Jonathon. “Our numbers are still on track, and we are still growing. We really want to do 100 jobs per month; that’s the goal.”

Jonathon has been in the moving industry for the past 15 years and started his own business a decade ago at the age of 26. Coast Movers is a privately owned company,

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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and Jonathon employs only dedicated professionals to transport your belongings with the utmost care and compassion. The Coast crew is made up of hardworking, honest, reliable people who will provide you a service unlike any other.

He, along with his current crew of nine (Jonathon employs anywhere from six to 10 employees at a time), take pride in what they do, valuing the important role Coast Movers plays in ensuring a smooth move for all of their clients. “I’ve always just loved the fact that we’re helping people relocate. It’s a stressful time for that person, and we try to make it as joyful and peaceful as possible; our goal is helping the process rather than hindering it or creating added stress. I’m glad I can be a part of that.”

Gig Harbor is where Jonathon and his wife have planted their roots and are raising their three young children. They feel blessed to call this place

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home and to be a part of this special community. “I’ve made a lot of great friends, new friends, through my business and by networking around the community,” says Jonathon. He finds it imperative to support your local community businessmen and women, working together, supporting each other, recommending each other and using each other’s services. “It’s all about community and networking; we’re all here to contribute and be a part of it.”

If a move is in your future, look no further. The professional and caring team at Coast Movers will ensure you are provided a positive—and memorable—moving experience. Call them today to get a free estimate and to schedule your move. It’s time to get moving with Coast Movers.

“We love contributing to the community and doing our little part,” smiles Jonathon.

T

he Harbor History Museum is filled with artifacts, photos and items covering Gig Harbor’s earliest settlers up through modern times.

It celebrates the Puyallup and Nisqually tribes who originally inhabited the area as well as the many Croatians, Swedes, Norwegians and others who helped to shape the community early on.

A quick search of Gig Harbor’s history might land you on the town’s Wikipedia page. Here you find a story of famed explorer Captain Charles Wilkes, who, supposedly on his own in 1840 and during a heavy storm, rowed his Captain’s Gig (small vessel) into the harbor for protection. The site states that when Wilkes was

completing the map of the Oregon Territory, he named the bay that he sheltered in Gig Harbor. While quite the unique tale, Harbor History Museum Director Stephanie Lile says it isn’t entirely accurate and has evidence of the real story around the naming of Gig Harbor.

While Wilkes gets credit for the discovery, Lile states that it was actually a group of his sailors completing a survey who should be credited with discovering the area.

“While we might wish for a more elaborate and romantic story, these men were surveyors with thousands of miles to chart. They set out in long boats from their ships because the smaller boats allowed more agility and accessibility (much like zodiacs off cruise boats these days).

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Having rowed the shoreline myself, it’s much easier to see how a gig would find the harbor opening than a large ship under sail,” said Lile.

Lile references author Murray Morgan’s Puget's Sound: A Narrative of Early Tacoma and the Southern Sound as one of the best records when it comes to the naming of Gig Harbor: “On pages 51-52, where it notes that the harbor was spotted by midshipman Sanford and named by Lieutenant Sinclair, who did the actual surveying of the area. These notes are based on accounts of the expedition held at the National Archives and referenced by Morgan in the back matter,” she said.

An amazing number of documents are stored

GIG HARBOR IN FOCUS

HISTORY OF THE HARBOR MUSEUM DETAILS TOWN’S NAMING AND EARLY SETTLEMENT

By Colin Anderson Photos Courtesy of Harbor History Museum

within the National Archives, and a look further into Wilkes’ expedition produced further proof. The following is documentation found in the Journal of the United States Exploring Expedition, which was led by Wilkes.

In Chapter XII, Wilkes writes that he’d sent Lieutenant Case to survey Hood’s Canal and Lieutenant Ringgold to survey Admiralty Inlet. Case completed Hood’s Canal and was headed off to survey Puget Sound when an "eye piece" was reported missing. This object (probably a telescope) was of sufficient value to the expedition that Wilkes sent a replacement for Case while Case backtracked to find the eyepiece. Long story and voyage short, it was never recovered.

“So, despite the tongue-in-cheek cartoon by Don Snowden (in our collection) that shows Captain Wilkes in a gig headed into Gig Harbor (rowed by his crew—ship’s gigs were not at all a one-man rowing boat), Wilkes was actually anchored at Nisqually on the USS Vincennes writing up orders and probably wining and dining with the Chief Factor at Fort Nisqually,” said Lile.

In Appendix XI of that same journal, Wilkes writes orders for Lieutenant Commander Ringgold and Lieutenant Case, stating: Surveying Operations, 11 May 1841 Survey of Admiralty Inlet, below the Narrows,

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passing into the channel on the east side of Vashon’s Island; thence north, examining and surveying all inlets, and the shores of both sides of the straits, particularly all those bays etc. that afford shelter for vessels, not only as harbours, but for temporary anchorage.

From those orders, Ringgold sets off in the USS Porpoise from Nisqually Harbor on May 15, 1841. Wilkes makes note that the findings of Ringgold and Case are reported in the Hydrographical Atlas (Hydrography Volume XXIII). But the citation is short and sweet, and Gig Harbor is noted only in the short section on The Narrows: “Opposite Point Defiance is Gig Harbor, which has a sufficient depth of water for small vessels." They note its latitude

and longitude in the back matter appendix, but that’s it. The chart (map #155) shows depth soundings and a strange double spit (redrawn on later maps). This chart is on display at the Harbor History Museum. Gig Harbor is named for the first time as such on the Wilkes' Expedition’s Navigation Chart #155.

The replica long boat Porpoise, built for the Washington Centennial in 1989, is currently on view at the Harbor History Museum.

Also at the museum is a collection of information on some of the town’s earliest families. It was in 1867 a rowboat containing three fishermen— Samuel Jerisich, Peter Goldsmith and John Farrague—ended up in the area.

Stories vary whether they found the harbor or were blown in by weather, but ultimately decided to set up residence. Samuel and Anna Jerisich were joined by others who included: Peter Skansie (who married Melissa Jerisich), Burnham (who charted the town), Babich (Spiro married Julia Skansie, the daughter of Melissa and Peter), the Goodmans (Lucy was a longtime school teacher), Uddenbergs (grocers) and the Novaks.

The museum is home to nearly 30,000 artifacts that include everything from meeting minutes, letters and scrapbooks to maritime tools and

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photographs, which help tell the story of the people, places and events along the Peninsula. When the museum is open to the public, the permanent exhibit is a great introduction to the region’s history. Those wanting to dig even deeper into the roots of their town or family can ask for research access to documents held at the museum as well.

Stories can find themselves lost or reshaped over time, just as the story of Captain Wilkes sheltering from a storm by himself in Gig Harbor when properly researched can be proven untrue. With the museum hoping to open in July, why not make time to discover a little bit more about the community you call home. While the European discovery and settling of the area can be traced back to just a few individuals, countless others have made an impact in growing Gig Harbor into what it is today. You’ll find their stories and many more at the Harbor History Museum.

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RECREATE RESPONSIBLY Park gatherings expanded under Phase 3

BY COLIN ANDERSON | PHOTOS COURTESY OF PEN MET PARKS

P

enMet Parks will continue to see more visitors as restrictions continue to loosen. Under Phase 3, playgrounds are open with a capacity of 50 percent. Organized group practices and pickup games can move from groups of five to groups of up to 50. Restrooms will also open up at PenMet facilities and will be regularly disinfected, according to Executive Director Doug Nelson.

“We are making sure our staff is safe. They take a lot of ownership, and we want to keep those who clean the restrooms safe as well,” he said.

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When visiting a park, you will find signage in regard to current regulations as well as protocols the Parks Department hopes all visitors adhere to. Nelson expects large crowds at many of the popular parks and recommends bringing alternate activities in case places are filled up. “If you planned on playing basketball, bring a frisbee or soccer ball in case the courts are full,” said Nelson.

The Parks Department also wants people to know that if the parking lot is at capacity, it’s probably best to find another park, which is pretty easy to do. “It’s a great time to go to a park you haven’t been to before and to get out of our normal habits.”

Parents will be relieved to hear that youth camps will begin on July 6 and are scheduled to run through the remainder of the summer. This was delayed slightly but Nelson says the department wanted to be sure they had everything in order so they could provide both a safe and fun time for kids.

Sports teams and leagues can continue to practice in larger groups, but games and tournaments are most likely still a ways off. “At this time we are looking at late August or early September as far as that goes,” said Nelson.

With conditions continually changing and new rules coming out of the governor’s office and Department of Health, it’s always best to check with PenMet Parks for the latest information before your visit. Staff members are answering phones and emails, and the park website and social media channels are updated frequently. You can contact PenMet Parks at 253.858.3400, email at info@ penmetparks.org, or go directly to the website PenMetParks.org. “The community has been very successful so far, and we hope everyone will continue to recreate responsibly,” said Nelson.

Parents will be relieved to hear that youth camps will begin on July 6 and are scheduled to run through the remainder of the summer.

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GIG HARBOR’S LASAGNA LADY PROVIDING TRAYS OF COMFORT FOOD TO FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS

BY DAN AZNOFF

W

hile most members of her community used their federal stimulus checks to pay rent and buy a few necessities, one Gig Harbor woman turned her payment from the government into trays of homemade lasagna as her own delicious message of hope during a difficult time.

“As an Italian and somebody who loves to cook, I knew there had to be a better way by simply doing something that I love to do.”

Her first order of business was to post an offer on the local Facebook page to bake lasagnas for any of her neighbors. She started her endeavor with the $1,200 she had received as part of the first relief program approved

by Congress.

Michelle Brenner was inspired to cook dozens of her thick, rich and gooey homemade goodness in her own kitchen when she returned home from a shopping trip to the local grocery store.

“I did not charge anything for the lasagnas, and donations were not required,” she said with a smile. “But that did not stop people from dropping off cards, balloons, flowers and even bottles of wine as their way of saying thank you.”

“After being furloughed from my job (as a retail manager) in March, I offered to pick up some essential items for a few of my neighbors,” she recalled. “I was shocked to learn that many of my neighbors had had frozen lasagnas listed as part of their regular diet.

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One grateful person even left her a T-shirt that identifies her as the Lasagna Lady. It is a moniker that she wears proudly.

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"I knew there had to be a better way."

After dipping into her own savings to continue baking dozens of lasagnas and leaving them on the porch of her home each day, friends encouraged her to initiate a fund she could use to provide the cash she would need to continue to prepare six- to eight-pound trays of her nowfamous comfort food.

Her initial request on social media raised more than $5,000.

Brenner’s original goal was to bake 1,000 lasagnas. As of mid-June, she had received more than $20,000 in donations and blew past her original target.

“These are not simple dishes or diet food,” she explained. “These are big, full, rich lasagnas.”

She told a reporter from a local television station that she cautions people not to get on the scale the day after they sample one of her creations.

Harbor resident said she plans to continue making her lasagnas as long as there are people in her community in need.

“This is my very small way of spreading some positive energy … and extra calories,” she said, noting that she has received orders from hungry people in every county in the state as well as from people who have driven from as far away as Oregon and Idaho to pick up their dinners.

After the number of requests outpaced the capacity of the kitchen in her home, one generous business owner arranged for Brenner to have access to a commercial kitchen.

According to the chef, her lasagnas have been dropped off for essential workers at police departments, fire stations and health-care facilities as far away as Edmonds in Snohomish County, a delivery of more than 60 miles.

Her positive attitude is as bubbly as one of her signature dishes. The Gig

So far, Brenner has resisted suggestions that she open her own restaurant.

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She has also declined suggestions that she is a hero or that she should run for mayor of Gig Harbor.

“After working long hours and weekends (in retail), I have never felt as satisfied as I am right now,” she said.

“Working full time has left me very little time to get involved in any way with my community or be part of any local clubs. Baking lasagnas has given me the chance to make a difference in my own community and have more of an impact on people’s lives.”

The mother of one grown daughter hopes her efforts will ease the financial burden that the statewide shutdown has created for many of her neighbors. She is especially concerned about the welfare of the elderly members of her community.

“What started out as just the offer to pick up a few groceries for my neighbors has grown into something fulfilling that I truly never expected,” she concluded.

“My lasagna is one way that I can give back and make a difference.”

Dan Aznoff is a freelance writer based in Mukilteo, Washington. He was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the toxic waste crisis in California and has received acclaim for his work in the areas of sustainable energy and the insurance industry. He is the author of three books that document colorful periods of history in the history of Washington.

"Baking lasagnas has given me the chance to make a difference in my own community and have more of an impact on people’s lives."

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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Enhancing Your Artwork with the Art of Custom Framing Gig Harbor’s custom framing expert

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA ELISE TILLMAN

WATERS EDGE GALLERY AND FRAMERY, LLC 7808 Pioneer Way Gig Harbor, Washington 98335 253.858.7449 WatersEdgeGallery.com

“A client will bring in a piece of artwork they want framed, and we will sit down together and come up with the best solution for the piece, making sure the frame doesn’t overwhelm the art."

L

ast month, after much anticipation, Dennis Arneson was officially able to open the doors of Water Edge Gallery and Framery on June 9. Though the business has been a staple in Gig Harbor for the past 27 years, Dennis purchased the space back in February, dedicating his time to renovating and polishing up the interior before reintroducing it to the public as his own.

Then the coronavirus pandemic hit, and Dennis’ excitement in his new business venture turned to dismay, as his doors would remain shuttered and he unable to provide his services to the community.

Fortunately, life is slowly beginning to return to normalcy, and Dennis is thrilled to finally be able to welcome eager customers inside, share his expertise and assist them with their custom framing needs. He is ready to carry the torch and continue the success Water’s Edge has achieved for nearly three decades.

need some part-time help framing.” The owner was not interested in hiring Dennis, but he was in fact looking to sell his shop!

“I told my wife about it, and we put our heads together, and she said, ‘Buy it! Jump outside the box and go for it!’ I surf, and I know that when I have been in the water and I see a pretty large, scary wave coming at me in a clean-up set, I have a choice: either paddle around it, duck dive out of the way, or turn around and go for it. I guess I considered the opportunity a clean-up set of sorts, so I thought about it and decided to turn around and take off.”

Today, Dennis is the proud owner of Waters Edge Gallery and Framery, centrally located on Pioneer Way and Harborview Drive. In addition to being a custom framing craftsman, he is also a published commercial illustrator and painter (you can view his work online at ArnesonIllustration.com). Being an artist himself, he says, “I have a feel for art and what it means to a client.”

One day last winter, while he and his wife were walking through Downtown Gig Harbor, Dennis had been pondering the idea of working part time. They passed by Waters Edge, and as Dennis recalls, “I thought, ‘What the heck?’ and went in to see if the owner may

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Before moving to the Pacific Northwest, Dennis lived in Southern

48

California and at one time worked managing the high-end frame shop Gallerie in Westwood. “I sat with clients, many of them celebrities (Raquel Welch, Stephen Stills, Shawn Cassidy, Bobby Darin, to name a few), who were very particular about how their art was framed and how it looked, and high profile athletes such as Kareem AbdulJabbar,” he says. “I learned my framing chops at this gallery.”

At Water Edge Gallery and Framery, Customers will find a beautiful selection of artwork highlighting local, regional and national artists in the gallery. Small gift items are available, such as magnets, funny metal characters built around wine bottles, greeting cards and little 4x4 tiles with characters on them; perfect souvenirs for both visitors and locals who make their way into the shop. And then there is the beautiful custom framing work that Dennis is most proud and passionate to provide his clients.

“A client will bring in a piece of artwork they want framed, and we will sit down together and come up with the best solution for the piece, making sure the frame doesn’t overwhelm the art,” says Dennis. “The

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frame is there to enhance and show off the art, not detract from it or make the art ponderous.”

He finds fulfillment in the path he has chosen, witnessing the smile on people’s faces when they see what they’ve created together.

Dennis is grateful for the life he continues to build here in Gig Harbor with his wife since moving here in 2016. “I thank Creator every day for the gift of my life and the family we have,” Dennis smiles.

He’s witnessed over and over again the Gig Harbor community coming together and supporting one another, and shares that “The community and business community seems to have the same heartbeat and works together.”

Dennis looks forward to working with you, whether it’s that treasured painting or old family photo that deserves a frame worthy of their value, he will guide you in the process of choosing the perfect frame, and enhance your artwork with the art of custom framing.

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Gig Harbor’s premier shop for screen printing, embroidery, signs and promotional items.

Call or email for a free design consultation today, by appointment only. When you need orders on time and looking great, contact Custom Prints NW! Gig Harbor | 2801 Hollycroft St. 253.225.7725 Jessica@CustomPrintsNW.com CustomPrintsNW.com

Our approach is to discover a design that reflects you and your way of living. We are a full service design company that can satisfy your architectural and building needs for residential and commercial products from concept through turnkey delivery.

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At New Leaf Hypnosis Center, they help people reduce anxiety and stress, conquer fears and phobias, heal past painful experiences, quit unhealthy habits, stop unwanted behaviors, improve sleep and low mood—faster than you ever imagined! Book a free consultation to take the first step to feel better today!

Gig Harbor | 253.617.4818 NewLeafHypnosis.com 2801 Hollycroft St, Suite B

Locally and family owned, Classy Chassis Car Washes has been serving Pierce County for 35 years! Now offering 10 convenient locations including Gig Harbor. Here you will find their soft-cloth automatic car wash, self-serve vacuums and Xpress Lube oil change, and just across the street is their 24-hour self-serve car wash with a self-serve dog wash! For additional information and to find all Classy Chassis locations, visit their website.

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Julie knows the Gig Harbor community and how business in the harbor operates. Please contact Julie Reed for all of your advertising and marketing needs.

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COMMON BEAUTY MYTHS True or false? We solve your most common questions

By Bri Williams, RN, BSN

W

e all want to look our best, and the beauty industry is full of information, products, tips and tricks to help us do just that.

But what information out there is true, and what is a myth?

Below we break down some common misconceptions and set your beauty record straight.

ensure that you are on the same page. When done well, “work” should be undetectable. You should still look like you, only refreshed.

Junk food can cause breakouts.

True. High sugar and high fat (particularly hydrogenated fat) diets can increase the body’s sebum production, which then creates inflammatory responses in the body—sometimes in the form of acne. Further, overindulging in junk food can increase your chances of becoming deficient in skin-healthy nutrients found in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. It is best to keep junk food to a minimum and stick with nutrient-dense foods to help ward off breakouts.

Botox and filler will make me look unnatural and “done.”

False. Botox and filler are wonderful tools for helping you to age gracefully and continue looking like you! But you need to find an aesthetic provider who shares the same vision and approach. The technique used to place the product, the type of product used and the amount of product all plays a role in your outcome. Do your research before choosing a provider. Look at their before and after photos and schedule a consult before treatment to

I do not need to wear sunscreen because there is SPF in my foundation.

H E A LT H Y T I P

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR HAIR!

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

We all remember to use that SPF to protect our skin and to drink plenty of water to hydrate our bodies, but one thing we tend to forget about during the summer months is our hair! The heat and sun, along with chlorine, can take a toll on your hair, so be sure to use clarifying shampoo to wash out that chlorine, product and sunblock, followed by a conditioning treatment to add that moisture back in.

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A DEDICATED SUNSCREEN UNDER YOUR MAKEUP. False. The amount of protection provided in your makeup is not enough to protect you from UV damage. According to Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, “You need seven times the normal amount of foundation and 14 times the normal amount of powder to get the sun protection factor on the label.” It is important that you wear a dedicated sunscreen under your makeup. Look for one that is labeled “broad spectrum,” meaning it protects from UVA and UVB damage.

Department store skin care is good because it is expensive.

False. The high price tag on department store beauty counter goods can fool you into thinking it is high quality. Big price tag must mean high quality, right? Wrong. While some may be better than drugstore brands, they still do not have to meet criteria set forth by the FDA to prove efficacy. They fall under the category

in Healthcare

Located in the Gig Harbor Corporate Center Across the street from the Gig Harbor Library

of “cosmetics,” meaning that they are only “considered to make people more attractive.”

Medical-grade skin care, on the other hand, falls under the category of “drugs,” meaning that the product has been proven to change the structure or function of the skin. So, when a medicalgrade product claims to diminish fine lines for instance, it has been scientifically proven to do just that.

So why the higher price tag with department store brands? Advertising and packaging, whereas medical grade is more expensive because of research, blind clinical trials and FDA approval. Which would you rather pay for?

It is important to do your research when it comes to your health and beauty routine. It is easy to get caught up in mainstream hype, celebrity/ influencer advice and big marketing, but look to your professionals for the facts.

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Scot Fleshman, ARNP, FNP - BC 4423 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Suite 306 (253) 432-4437 www.rainierfamilymedicine.com

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live streams about the • seaStars & Beyond youth local environment.

naturalist training program Donations are appreciated; • Harbor Hands-on exhibits WildWatch is ain Downtown Gig Harbor 501c3 nonprofit.

YOU Therapy

By Mariel C. Kraus, OTR/L

A

t some point in our lives, we have experienced services that made us feel like we were given the same answers, treatments and products as everyone else. It is common sense that no two patients are the same, and it would be wonderful if treatment plans were uniquely designed for each patient at every clinic.

Unfortunately, the current health-care model has become more interested in the bottom line (referred to as “productivity”), and this forces therapists to look for the fastest, easiest treatment plan so they can either hand over their patient to a number of assistants or get to the finish line having met simple goals for a “successful” discharge.

When the first scenario happens, the patient will not have continuity of care because they won’t always have the same therapist, so it’s like starting over again each time, having to explain why they are in therapy. When the latter happens, patients may believe there was nothing more that could be done to achieve full rehabilitation, and that can lead to hopelessness, dependency and depression over the loss of quality of life.

I often get calls from people who have completed more than one round of post-acuity rehabilitation, inquiring if there is a possibility for more recovery of a lost function. These phone calls turn into mini consultations that many therapists would either not take or charge as a telehealth service. But answering these inquiry calls have great value. They help the potential patient feel heard and validated.

It determines if my practice skills are a good fit for the caller and starts the process of building trust and rapport. People will often tell me, “This is the first time I feel I’m being heard.”

(253) 514-0187 HarborWildWatch.org HarborWildWatch.org

(253) 514-0187

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54

Occupational therapists (OTs) build their treatments on the unique story that each patient brings. We glean gems that create a personalized therapy plan with client-centered goals that are met by engagement in purposeful activities that have meaning to them. The OT profession started during the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century and changed the mental illness asylum culture to one of mental health and wholeness.

OTs with a well-rounded education are required to take classes in the arts and in fabrication of adaptive equipment so we can facilitate therapeutic crafts that help the patient find a part of their lost selves after a stroke, injury or even clinical depression. OTs must justify the therapeutic activity (art/craft) by a clinical activity analysis.

OTs have the most incredibly diversified profession, but it often goes unnoticed because rehab organizations like to compartmentalize interdisciplinary teams and, too often, new OT grads will fall in line with what their employer demands of them without any thought of advocating for our profession or the patients they are serving. People are not made from cookie-cutter templates and neither should their therapy plans. It is not what health care or rehabilitation was meant to be, but as consumers, we need to know we have a choice in where we go for our health care and rehabilitation.

For more information, IntegrativeBody.net.

please

visit

Gig Harbor Chiropractic & Massage www.GigHarborWellness.com

Dr. Greg Messer Dr. Keri Messer

253.857.6500

11430 51st Ave NW Ste 101A Gig Harbor, WA 98332

f gigharborchiropractic&massage

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* TRY YOUR FIRST CLASS FREE 253.358.2232 | 4935 Point Fosdick F500, Gig Harbor, WA | www.orangetheoryfitness.com

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55

Visit our website to take advantage of our New Patient Special!

LIVING FROM THE HEART FINDING BALANCE IN SUMMER’S ACTIVITY

BY JEFF PUFNOCK L.AC. PH.D. AND JESSICA YOUNGS L.AC.

W Independent Family Practice Clinics in Gig Harbor Michael Wingren MD, MPH Julia Cathcart-Chang

Physician Assistant-Certified Comprehensive Physicals Treatment of Acute Conditions Management of Chronic Diseases Prevention and Wellness Geriatric Care Women’s and Men’s Health Care

e find ourselves in the midst of summer, the time of full expansion and expression resulting from winter’s deep rest and spring’s active growth. Summer is the manifestation and luxurious abundance of all that has been growing this year. As we see nature clearly expressing this process through the radiance of the flowers and the abundance of the farmers’ market, there is also an opportunity to recognize this process occurring within our own physiology and behavior. We are constantly being invited to find more active participation with the world around us: to rise earlier, to smell the flowers, to play in the sunshine and to take in the starry nights. In summer we are called to shine forth all of which is most beautiful within ourselves; all that was hidden by winter and growing in spring.

In Chinese medicine, health is the expression of a harmonious balance between activity and rest, and this balance should be tailored to agree with the energy of each season. Summer is the most difficult season in which to find balance between activity and rest and between the expansion and containment of our energy. It is common to try to fit in as many exuberant summer activities as possible, while many of us are supposed to be on vacation.

Finding this balance is critical for our health because if our activities are too outwardly focused in summer, our energy stores are not replenished and we quickly become depleted internally, allowing for illness and disease in the upcoming colder seasons.

Summer also corresponds to the heart in Chinese medicine, which invokes a time of sharing ourselves from our hearts with our communities. The summer holds plentiful

Immunizations Weight Loss Dermatology (Skin) Commercial Driver License Exams Motor Vehicle Accidents Labor & Industries Claims

6718 144th Street NW Gig Harbor, WA 98332

253.857.6166 soundclinicalmedicine.com

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invitations to connect with our communities and to share in the abundance surrounding us all. Especially after this time of isolation and quarantine, there may be a tendency to respond with exuberant togetherness.

However, it is also necessary to find balance in our social interactions, as too much outgoing energy can make us feel scattered, tired and anxious. Balance is also suggested because we still may be vulnerable in many ways after COVID-19, and we must integrate our enthusiasm to connect with others with attentiveness to our own resilience and the immune systems of others.

Summer Dietary Recommendations: • Quickly and lightly prepare a wide assortment of local fresh produce: steam, blanch, saute, simmer.

• Avoid greasy, creamy or fatty foods that are counter to the freshness of the season, as these promote sluggishness.

• Avoid foods that are overly drying, such as baked goods, chips and crackers.

• If you have any digestive issues, avoid raw foods and iced beverages, which require excessive energy from the stomach to digest and therefore weaken the stomach’s digestive process.

• When feeling hot, focus on eating cooling, fresh foods such as salads, sprouts, cucumbers, apples, watermelon, lemons and limes. Also try eating calming bitter greens such as endive, escarole, romaine lettuce, radicchio, asparagus and dandelion.

Jeff Pufnock and Jessica Youngs are the owners of Embodied Virtue Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Sandpoint, Idaho. To find out more, visit EmbodiedVirtue.com.

FINDING THE PERFECT HOME HOW TO CHOOSE A MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY

BY ROBINA GAINES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OLYMPIC ALZHEIMER’S RESIDENCE

C

hoosing a memory care community for yourself or a loved one is one of the most important decisions you will make. With no shortage of options, you’ll need to ensure that you are asking the right questions and prioritizing your loved one’s needs throughout the entire process. While we understand that the process of searching for and choosing a memory care community may be overwhelming, we are here to help.

These few tips will hopefully ease your worries during the process and help you find the perfect community for your loved one.

Start the process early. When searching for a memory care community, it is very important to focus on your loved one’s input. If able, talk to them about the type of environment they would prefer, the location of their preferred community and the types of activities they would enjoy participating in. As their condition worsens, these inputs may later become your guide when making decisions on their behalf.

Understand their needs. It is very important to understand the level of care your loved one will need. With most cognitive impairments like memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s being progressive, meaning that they will unfortunately get worse over time, it is important to find a community that can meet the needs of your loved one both now and in the future.

Before touring any communities, we suggest sitting down with your loved one or family members to make a list and prioritize the type or level of care your loved one will need.

Take a tour. Touring a memory care community will not only give you an idea of their atmosphere but will also give you a chance to see or interact with staff and residents. Be sure to pay close attention to the community’s engagement levels with residents as well as the types of activities and therapy they offer. Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence (OAR) is currently offering virtual tours.

so it is important to understand each one individually. For example, OAR offers our award-winning memory care program, Expressions. This program is designed to make our residents feel accepted, important and comfortable while focusing on the wellbeing and enrichment of those we care for.

Ask questions. In addition to a tour, you’ll want to speak with the staff. Just as we suggest creating a list of care needs before your tour, we also suggest creating a list of questions.

Questions related to staff certifications and training, security and safety measures, on-site transportation, communication methods, and additional fees/services are all helpful.

Narrow down your choices. Before making a final decision, narrow down your options to the top two or three communities to review with your loved one. If you still have questions or concerns, always feel free to reach back out to the staff. There is nothing wrong with requesting a second tour or following up with additional questions after narrowing down your options. Also be sure to check out reviews of the communities you are considering online.

At OAR, we believe that our residents’ wellbeing is directly related to how they feel and interact with the world around them, which is why our Expressions memory care program is designed to nurture mind, body, heart and soul. Throughout everything we do, we strive to foster a sense of independence and belonging.

Call our community at 253.851.5306 or visit PrestigeCare.com to learn more about our memory care program or to schedule a virtual tour today.

IN GIG HARBOR!

Kitsap Audiology

NOW OPEN IN GIG H

About Kitsa Welcome to

At Kitsap Audio Peninsula comm pride in caring and offer a warm

By combining th the highest leve our patients wit designing custo century, and tre

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We proudly ser Pictured left to right : Dr. Rachael Dr. Amy| Tina Becken, Tina |Koths, Eva Gagnon Dr. Rachael Shannon | Dr.Shannon, Amy Becken Koths Eva Gagnon, B.A.B.A.

Come your Comein in for for your Complimentary Complimentary Consultation Consultation designed for your personal hearing TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! 5775 Soundview Drive, Suite C-206, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 • (253) 514-8224 health-care needs.

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57

We welcome yo

October is Audiology Awareness Month

253.514.8224 5775 SOUNDVIEW DR., STE. C-206 GIG HARBOR, WA 98335

Compare activities and programs. You’ll want to make sure the community you choose offers all the activities and programs your loved one will need to stay engaged.

Every community offers different programs,

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

NOW OPEN

www.k

2601 Cherry Ave,

PYROTECHNICS:

Fourth of July’s Bright Moment

BEHIND THE SCENES OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENT

BY ABIGAIL THORPE

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

58

E

very year as Independence Day approaches, we anxiously await the festivities: parades, barbeques, three-legged races and an abundance of watermelon. But the moment that has always captured American’s focus are the fireworks. Every year we wait for the moment the first explosion hits the night sky. It’s become synonymous with freedom, and the main attraction of every Fourth of July event.

Part of the magic is perhaps that we can’t see the process taking place—the brightly lit sky and colorful patterns feel almost magical. But behind the scenes there is a whole lot of work and planning that makes the show possible, and decades of science that date back to ancient China.

Historians believe fireworks’ precursors date back to the second century B.C., when the Chinese would throw bamboo stalks into the fire to produce a loud pop and explosion, thought to ward off evil spirits. Somewhere around 600 to 900 A.D., Chinese alchemists mixed potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal to produce the original “gunpowder.” They would then pack this powder into hollowed out bamboo stalks—which would later become stiff paper tubes—and light them on fire, forming the very first man-made fireworks.

It wasn’t until the 13th century that gunpowder started making its way into Europe and Arabia. It was quickly adopted for military purposes, but also gained a popular use in fireworks used to celebrate military victories and mark celebrations and ceremonies. In medieval England, the first skilled fireworks professionals were known as “firemasters,” and their assistants were “green men,” aptly named because of their caps made of leaves to protect their heads from the sparks.

Italians in the 1830s were the first to incorporate trace amounts of metals and other additives to the powder to produce the colorful, vibrant modern

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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fireworks that we know today. Fireworks came with the first colonists to the Americas and were a popular part of colonial life.

The day before the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress, John Adams memorably predicted in a letter to his wife the significant role fireworks would hold in celebrating the independence of the United States.

“The day will be most memorable in the history of America,” he wrote. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade … bonfires and illuminations [fireworks] … from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

And so it would be—since its inception, the United States has used fireworks to mark its independence, with shows taking place in large cities and small towns alike throughout the country.

But our beloved fireworks displays don’t just happen every year.

In fact, planning for them often starts the previous year, says Heather Gobet, president of Western Display Fireworks out of Oregon. “There's so much that goes into one of these,” adds Gobet. Fireworks for the shows need to be ordered over a year in advance, and there are a lot of permits, paperwork and state and national laws that have to be taken into consideration.

The process of planning a fireworks show begins with a preliminary evaluation of the site through Google Earth.

There has to be adequate room for a display, and the space will determine the size and types of fireworks that can be used. “If you're using smaller caliber multi-shot boxes, you may only need 100, 150 feet,” says Gobet. But the large shells require 1,000 feet in every direction.

“There's kind of two major components of designing a fireworks show,” explains Gobet. “The first one is safety. There are state and federal laws that dictate how much area you have to have open around the launch site.” After evaluating the site on Google Earth, Gobet’s team will talk to the sponsors about their goals for the show, their budget, and the context of the event the fireworks are being used for.

This initial conversation sets the stage for early planning of the show, and at this point, the pyrotechnics company will go out to the site in person to understand the logistics of the launch area.

Once the show is designed and a contract put together, it gets sent off to the customer for approval. “There may be some back and forth,” says Rich Vaughan, district manager and show designer in Spokane, Washington, for Pyro Spectaculars.

Once it is approved, permits are filed and the process begins.

“I take the show design itself, and depending on the size of the show, I do the choreography and how the show will be laid out,

since its inception, the United States has used fireworks to mark its independence, with shows taking place in large cities and small towns alike throughout the country.

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how it will be fired. We make sure we have a good crew that is experienced,” adds Vaughan.The majority of Western Display Fireworks’ crews for the Fourth of July shows are between six and 12 people, says Gobet, and shows start out at $15,000 to $20,000 at a minimum and go up from there. The process of getting permits and approval is fairly laborious, and there are different laws in each state pyrotechnics companies have to know and work with. “We have so many entities that we have to answer to,” says Vaughan.

Once the permit is received from the fire department, the physical planning for the event starts. “On Lake Coeur d’Alene [in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho] we have to sign up barges and tug boots, file a marine permit to be on the lake,” explains Vaughan. “When I design the show, all the paperwork goes to California, they pack the shows and then they ship them up, and we have a storage facility where everything goes.” Setup for the show usually starts the day before, but often the fireworks arrive the day of the show, since you have to have 24-hour security and house the fireworks a certain distance from any inhabited building, says Gobet.

Equipment like forklifts and cranes will often be used to move the fireworks and mortars around on site. “For every single firework that goes up in the air you need a tube to launch it,” she adds.

If you have an electric or computer firing system that actually launches the fireworks, then you need a preprogrammed script.

While small shows can still be hand fired, the majority are fired electrically. Anything on the water is electrically fired. “We can shoot in just about any weather,” says Vaughan. “What will shut us down is wind. The wind is really bad.” In addition to wind, dangerous fire conditions can also halt a fireworks show. But the rain—and even snow or below zero temps—isn’t enough to stop the show.

The second component of designing a fireworks show is presentation, says Gobet. Multiple zones, water features, themes, color combinations and the type of event all play a part in determining the design of the show. “One of the things we pride ourselves on is the artistic value of what we do,” says Vaughan.

There are 2,500 different types of effects you can use to put a program together in conjunction with or without music, says Gobet. A lot of times there are scripted shows that don’t have music, so the fireworks are the show. If there is music involved, fireworks can be planned and timed in conjunction with the music. “In virtually every case that we're involved in, when somebody's purchasing a show, they're not just purchasing a show,” says Gobet. They’re purchasing everything involved—the design, the planning, the presentation, the equipment and the day of show.

“I take a look at what I have available to me, and then I try and do color scenarios,” explains Vaughan. “When you get into really big production shows you do what they call scenes. What you don't want to do is shoot the same stuff over and over again, it gets repetitive. If they have the same budget, I don't just pull up last year's show and repeat it. Everything I do is custom designed.”

When it comes to pyrotechnics companies, the majority are family companies that have been in the business a long time.

“The crazy thing is, virtually every major fireworks company in the U.S. is a family business. I'm the fourth generation, my kids work here, they're the fifth,” says Gobet.

“Almost, without exception, the fireworks production companies are people who are born into it,” she says. The pyrotechnicians come from all walks of life, but a large number are people who

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were born into it or who have loved fireworks since they were kids.

It’s what makes the pyrotechnics industry special. “The family nature of this business and the fact that some of the customers we're dealing with go back to doing business with my parents and grandparents,” says Gobet. Despite—or perhaps because of— its smaller size and family roots, Western Display Fireworks brings professionalism and excellence to every show they put on.

“We would go up against the biggest shows that anyone in the country could do,” she adds. “We made a conscious effort to not change the geographic area where we operate or that small-company feel. We've traveled the world and seen the best of the best, and then we try to apply that to what we do.”

Vaughan’s story with fireworks began in 1984 when he was a young adult. A friend of his father’s worked in the fireworks

industry. Vaughan got roped into helping with a show, and he was instantly hooked. “I did that show and I told George this is the coolest thing ever; I want to do this for a living. I was banging on his door every time I heard there

“Almost, without exception, the fireworks production companies are people who are born into it.”

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was a fireworks show,” he laughs. He worked for free in the evenings after he got off from his regular day-time job, and when George retired in 1989, Vaughan took over the business.

Last year alone, they worked on 180 firework shows. “You stay busy all the time,” he says.

This year fireworks companies have been hit hard by the virus. “Everyone’s sales are down tremendously,” says Vaughan. As many cities and towns across the U.S. cancel or postpone their Fourth of July and other fireworks events, it’s been a tough time for the companies that rely on the business. But they’re hopeful when COVID lifts, things will rebound and be even busier than before.

It’s not an industry for the faint of heart, but it is one that holds a lot of passion. People are in it for the long haul. So this time, when those bursts of magic reign down this Fourth of July, we can all appreciate just how much time— and work—went into our favorite display of independence.

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IMPACTF UL PEOPLE

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MAKING AN IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITY

INDIVIDUALS

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People making a difference in our hometown

BY ABIGAIL THORPE

g

ig Harbor is a unique place. Anyone stopping through can sense the difference, and there’s a reason for that. It’s a warm, open, proud and caring community.

Generations of families have lived here, and those who moved from other places came because they love what the Puget Sound has to offer: the beauty, the outdoors, the opportunity, and most importantly, the community.

Despite the lovely beauty that surrounds us, and the outdoor opportunities that beckon, it’s the people in our community who make it truly amazing to live here. Walk into your local library, visit a local store or restaurant, or join a community meeting, and odds are you’ve run into them. The kinds of people who give so much to benefit their community and ask for nothing in return. Their reward is to see a thriving, closeknit community that cares for its people.

James and Elsie Turner started providing delicious barbeque meals to their neighborhood in Gig Harbor, and the next thing they knew were opening a restaurant on North Harborview Drive. “We built so many customer friendships that still exist today,” says Elsie. “The restaurant was a springboard

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for joining the Chamber of Commerce and the local restaurant association.”

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, the couple moved to California in 1975, and then to Seattle 10 years later, needing a change from the fast pace and wanting a better community to raise their family. After 10 years in Kent, where James served as a firefighter for the Port of Seattle and Elsie was a coordinator for several Japanese homestay organizations, it was time for another change. They visited Gig Harbor—and were hooked.

After 25 years in the town, the Turners have become known for their amazing barbecue, and their incredible kindness and giving. Their restaurant, JT’s, came about as a result of encouragement from the community, who saw the need in Gig Harbor for some good “que.” It also provided an opportunity for James’ brother, a struggling Vietnam veteran, to have a promising career.

“We volunteer whenever possible including catering events with substantial discounts for service organizations,” says James. “One of our first events was a big spaghetti feed for our son's GH High School football team in 2003. Seventeen years later we are still supporting the high school through fundraising with their sports booster club.”

The couple also participates in local food and wine festivals and Sip and Stroll events. “We love the fact that we have made lifelong business constituents and casual friendships here,” says James. “Everyone is exceptional in their willingness to help. In spite of the growth, Gig Harbor has maintained its quaint persona and small-town charm.”

When the restaurants were open—and now as owners of JT’s Original Louisiana Bar-B-Que Sauce which sells exclusively online and in retail stores— the Turners make a point of hiring local residents, particularly Peninsula and Gig Harbor high school students.

“Ever yone is exceptional in their willingness to help. In spite of the growth, Gig Harbor has maintained its quaint persona and small-town charm.”

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“We were restaurateurs in the harbor for five years, and five years on 6th Avenue in Tacoma, but our presence is still felt as we remain active in the community,” shares Elsie. The couple and their impact on the local community remains felt to this day, both in the amazing food they share with the community and their strong desire to give back.

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“Being a part of the community is at the very foundation of Texas barbecue, so it's just a part of who we are,” says Gary Parker, who moved to Gig Harbor 23 years ago. Growing up in Central Texas, barbecue was a way of life for him. He grew up making fires and cooking with his dad from a young age.

After retiring from Intel in 2018, Gary opened BBQ2U in Gig Harbor.

“As a business, we get many requests to support fundraisers and youth organizations,” he says. “We make it a policy to do as many as we can.”

In addition, they support the Tacoma Rescue Mission by supplying fresh ground hamburger made from the brisket trimmings, sponsor a Little League baseball team, and partner with the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation to provide meals to homebound seniors.

“During COVID quarantine we were among the first to deliver meals to the medical workers at the local hospital,” Gary adds. As BBQ2U starts to reopen, they’ve started a program to spotlight

other local businesses in the lobby of the restaurant. “We have chosen to do this as we believe the value of helping others get going again is more important than anything a lobby full of tables would achieve.”

Just one example of the way Gary centers his life—and business—around supporting others and the community.

“Gig Harbor is a beautiful, quiet, highly diverse community,” he reflects.

“In general, the rule here is still to know and help your neighbor. It's a great place to raise kids and grandkids.

I think when you look at Gig Harbor and compare it to other places, you can really see that it's a place that everyone wants to be a part of.”

A town is only as strong as the people in it, and we have some incredible locals who make a lasting impact on Gig Harbor. Take a moment to meet the people behind the scenes who make this town what it is—like James and Elsie Turner and Gary Parker, among many others.

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A TOWN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS THE PEOPLE IN IT, AND WE HAVE SOME INCREDIBLE LOCALS WHO MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON GIG HARBOR.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF

local

How locally owned businesses contribute to a thriving community

BY TAYLOR SHILLAM

may be “small” by definition, but when it comes to small businesses, the word only applies to the technicalities. The profound impact of small businesses is multi-dimensional and often underestimated. Now more than ever, it’s time to rally in support of shopping small.

They

small businesses on both local and national levels is critical, and only expected to grow.

Can you imagine what your neighborhood or town would look and feel like without any of its locally owned businesses?

Each small business adds a bit of value, culture and diversity to their surrounding community in a way that larger chains simply don’t have the ability to. Economically, the impact of

The federal government sets the definition by trade; for example, having less than 100 employees as a wholesale company, less than 500 employees in manufacturing, and generating less than $6 million in the retail and service industries.

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The exact definition of “small business” can be difficult to articulate. Most often, small businesses are defined within a specific range of assets, revenues and employees.

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free,

LAND OF THE HOME OF THE SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS Each small business adds a bit of value, culture and diversity to their surrounding community in a way that larger chains simply don’t have the ability to.

Economically, the impact of small businesses on both local and national levels is critical, and only expected to grow.

On a national level, the United States Small Business Administration found that small businesses generated 44 percent of the country’s economic activity from 1998 to 2014, an impressive feat when up against the immensely larger chain establishments and Fortune 500 companies. Today, over 50 percent of sales made in the U.S. come from small businesses.

Consumers may define “small business” as their favorite local boutique, the corner restaurant or bar they frequent, or the locally owned fitness studio where their mornings begin. With some reflection, it isn’t difficult to identify the small businesses that have become a major part of your daily life.

It’s largely because of this, small businesses becoming so ingrained into the daily lives of many, that they have also become a major lifeblood of their local economy. Of their revenue, a significantly larger portion is recycled back into the community compared to chain stores. According to G1VE, one Chicago study found that $68 from every $100 spent at a local business will stay within that community, compared to $43 from $100 spent at a chain.

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Sales provide the need for increased staffing and job opportunities.

More than half of the United States’ jobs in the last 25 years have been created by small businesses. There are over 30 million small businesses in the country, and as that total continues to rise, so does the potential for more people to be hired.

Beyond their economic impact, many small business owners cultivate an experience within their establishment that transcends outward into the community. Passionate business owners who pursue their ideas and share their talents while achieving financial independence are often, deservedly, a source of inspiration. Times that are difficult and uncertain call for leaders like these; consumers often look to them for comfort, certainty and motivation, just as owners look to consumers for the continued support to stay operational.

The relationships between small-business owners and their customers is truly something special. The care an owner puts into the business

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OVER 50 PERCENT OF SALES MADE IN THE U.S COME

from small businesses. they’ve poured their heart and soul into will be the level of care they take with their customers, and that can be felt throughout the “shop small” experience.

Being locals themselves provides small-business owners a greater ability to foster deep connections with shoppers, community members and fellow owners, promoting an environment of collaboration and support. Knowing exactly who is behind a business provides a level of personal relationship and investment to both sides.

Small businesses impact their local community and economy in ways that are unmatched. They stimulate economic growth, diversity and innovation within their communities, both locally and nationally, all while touching the lives of the patrons who walk through their doors.

Right now, the importance of supporting small businesses has become more critical than ever.

With uncertainty being a constant presence throughout the last several months, businesses and consumers alike have drawn on creative solutions to stay afloat during trying times. Making cuts and adjustments to everything from operational procedures to the presence of staff, business owners face difficult decisions every day while navigating an unprecedented period of crisis.

Although supporting your favorite small businesses may look different today than it has in the past, there are still ample ways to show your support in 2020.

Some of the most simple ways include ordering takeout and delivery, shopping online and buying gift cards. A supportive gesture doesn’t have to cost anything; it’s also as easy as pausing (rather than canceling) a membership or subscription, and promoting your favorite establishments through word-of-mouth and social media.

Every purchase and each demonstration of support makes an impact. For the business, it contributes to keeping their doors open and their people employed.

For the community, it contributes to keeping diversity and innovation thriving, and the spirit of entrepreneurship alive.

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HOW CAN YOU

t’s easy to feel like you need to do something big and important in order to make a difference, but often the opportunities to make an impact on your community are right in front of you; all it takes is the first step. It’s the small things that often make the most difference. Here are some great ways to positively impact your community today.

POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR LOCAL

community?

Tips for making a difference right where you’re at

BY ABIGAIL THORPE

1. Use your skills to fill a gap in your community.

You don’t have to go through extensive training to find a way you can make a difference. The best way to give back to your community is to use skill sets and talents you already have. Take something you do well and enjoy, and find a gap in your community you can help fill—even if it’s something that’s not readily apparent. Whether it’s a talent for numbers and accounting, a love for cooking and baking, or the ability to unite and lead a group, there’s a perfect opportunity where you can do what you do best.

2. Mentor someone.

We are the people we are today because along the way individuals took the time to take us under their wing, teach us something new, guide us and share their wisdom or advice. It’s our turn to give back. Find an opportunity to help someone younger than yourself, or to teach someone a skill or ability that will help them achieve their goals. We’re not all on this road alone; every mentor and teacher we have along the way is the secret to our success. You can be that person who made a difference in someone’s life.

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3. Focus on local.

When it comes to giving back, start right in your own community.

Focus on how you can make a difference locally. This starts with your daily habits—choose to shop locally and support local businesses. When was the last time you went to a community meeting? Part of giving back to the community is knowing what’s going on in your town, finding ways you can contribute and using your voice to make sure change is for the better.

4. Start a club, team or group.

Have you ever thought, “It would be nice if there was a group or club for that”? Be the one who starts that book club, cooking group or event fundraising team. Sometimes the lack of something is simply an opportunity to step forward and take up the helm. You’ll contribute something to the community, provide a space and outlet for people who share a common interest, and grow as a leader in the process. And who knows, you may just make some new friends and learn something new along the way.

5. Volunteer.

There are so many organizations that depend on volunteers for their survival. From helping animals to feeding the hungry, cleaning up streets, building trails or working with kids, there are a ton of opportunities to give back to a local volunteer organization or event. Choose an area that you feel passionate about, and make a commitment to volunteer once a month to start. It won’t take that much time out of your schedule and will make a big difference in the lives of others. Nonprofit organizations are the backbone of serving a community, and it just takes your commitment to lend a helping hand.

6. Random acts of kindness.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day bustle of life, but you can completely change a person’s day through one random act of kindness. Take a moment out of your day to take your neighbor’s trash out, buy a coffee for a stranger or leave a generous tip for your server. Maybe someone needs a helping hand to cross the street or help carrying bags to her car. It won’t throw your day off track, will brighten someone else's day (you never know what someone else is going through), and just the process of doing something nice for someone else will boost your mood and give your day purpose.

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MOUNTAIN, CITY, SEA

Can You Really Enjoy All Three in One Staycation?

YOU CAN IF YOU LIVE IN PIERCE COUNTY

By Marguerite Cleveland Photos Courtesy of Travel Tacoma

H

ave you ever been challenged while planning a vacation? Some in the group want outdoor fun while others want the cultural experiences only found in a city. Tacoma and Pierce County is a destination sure to appeal to everyone in your group. It’s only 42 miles from a saltwater shoreline to the peak of a glacial volcano with an art-focused downtown in between. Discover exhilarating outdoor activities at Mount Rainier National Park. Learn about art glass in Downtown Tacoma and see why the art form really shows off the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Then throw in a bonus by visiting Gig Harbor, the Maritime City, because who doesn’t love time spent by or on the water. For this staycation you can visit each area on a day trip or spend the night so you can immerse yourself in your hometown.

Mountain Every now and then you stumble upon a unique lodging that is incredibly special. The Paradise Village Lodge is just such a place. Lovingly renovated to look like a Ukrainian village, owner Anatoliy Zaika has created a cozy inn with comfortable touches from the old country. He and his family run the lodging, restaurant and coffee shop in the town of Ashford, the gateway to Mt. Rainier. Make sure to try the galushki, Ukrainian gnocchi which is a rich and hearty dish. What really brings people to stay here is the Instagram-worthy Cannibal Hot Tub. A giant cauldron is heated over a wood fire to create the most unusual soak you will ever have.

To get the most out of your time at Mt. Rainier, book a Discover Nature Tour with Diann Sheldon. She has degrees in ecology and evolutionary biology and is truly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna in the park. With many years of experience exploring Mt. Rainier, she knows the ins and outs of the crowds and how to plan a day which will have you experiencing the best the park has to offer.

Before each tour she speaks with you to plan a day based on your interests. A tour is only as good as the guide, and Sheldon is engaging and never boring. In July, wildflowers will start peeking out in lower elevations and will peak at higher elevations in August. Well worth seeing.

After a day in the park, stop at the Wildberry Restaurant. You can’t miss it with Buddhist prayer flags adorning the building and courtyard.

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EXPLORE MOUNTAIN, CITY AND SEA ALL IN ONE DESTINATION.

It is owned by Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who holds the world speed record by summiting Mt. Everest from base camp to the top in 10 hours, 56 minutes and 46 seconds. He has climbed to the summit of Mount Everest 15 times and Mount Rainier 95 times. The restaurant is decorated with memorabilia of his exploits. Now his wife, Fulamu, shines as the chef of the restaurant serving up Nepalese favorites from home as well as American pub fare.

City Tacoma has all the big-city amenities with a small-town charm. The Silver Cloud Tacoma Waterfront has one of the best locations in town.

Every room has a waterfront view and it is just 2 miles from the Museum District and 3 miles from Point Defiance. You can easily walk from the hotel to numerous restaurants along Ruston Way on the waterfront urban trail that connects to Point Ruston, where you can find restaurants, shops and a movie theater.

You can’t go to Tacoma without seeing artwork from the most renowned glass artist in the world, Dale Chihuly. You can see his work at two

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museums, the Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Art Museum by crossing over the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a public art installation. Purchase a three- or seven-day attractions pass at Travel Tacoma to save on city museums.

To really appreciate what Tacoma has to offer, take a tour offered by Pretty Gritty. “Tacoma is a beautiful and honest city. It's a city of entrepreneurs and innovators. From craft breweries, to restaurants, to experiences, most businesses here are owned by passionate and local owners, so you get an experience or flavor that is wholly unique to the area,” said Chris Staudinger, owner of Pretty Gritty Tours. “Our ‘Get to Know Tacoma’ tour is a crash course in the art, food and history of the area and prepares you to launch into the city proper.”

African American business owner Terry Waller has created a Victorian wonderland at her Olive Branch Café and Tea Room located at Freighthouse Square. A master of upcycling, she has transformed this warehouse space into an oasis. From the time you walk in the door, are greeted with a hug and hear Brian playing the grand piano, you know you are in for a treat. Reservations are a must, and order one of the specialty

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The Specifics WHERE TO STAY Paradise Village Lodge - ParadiseVillageLodge.com Silver Cloud Tacoma Waterfront SilverCloud.com/Tacoma Maritime Inn Gig Harbor - MaritimeInn.com WHERE TO EAT Wildberry - RainierWildberry.com The Olive Branch Café and Tea Room OliveBranch-Cafe.com Brix 25 - HarborBrix.com WHAT TO DO Tacoma Visitors Information - TravelTacoma.com Discover Nature with Diann Sheldon TourMtRainier.com Pretty Gritty Tours - PrettyGrittyTours.com Tacoma Attraction Pass Explore.TravelTacoma.com Gig Harbor Gondola - GigHarborGondola.com Heritage Distilling - HeritageDistilling.com Gig Harbor Boat Shop – GigHarborBoatShop.org

Photo By Marguerite Cleveland

teas so you can try all the deliciousness the Olive Branch Café has to offer. Make sure to check out the hat room for a jazzy hat or fascinator to wear while you enjoy your tea.

Sea For a more intimate “sea” experience, head across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor, a maritime city. You will want to head to the waterfront, which is known as downtown. Plan to stay at the Maritime Inn Gig Harbor. This cute boutique inn is located across the street from the harbor and centrally located so you can walk everywhere.

Rather than your typical harbor cruise, book a trip on the Gig Harbor Gondola. Owner John "Cinque" Synco will serenade you as you float through Gig Harbor. Reservations are a must, and you can order appetizers or just stop by the Harbor General Store to pick up your own and a bottle of prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine.

Gig Harbor is well known for its many great restaurants, but Brix 25˚ really stands out. This is one of the pricier places to eat but well worth it.

The food is outstanding, but they really shine with the craft cocktails. All the ingredients are fresh or made in house. Classic cocktails are updated and reimagined with a Brix twist. Each season a new cocktail list is created so there is always something new to try.

The Gig Harbor BoatShop has classic boats you can rent to take out on the harbor. If you have more time, book a family boat building workshop

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over a weekend. Over two days you will build your own rowboat which you can take home with you.

No visit to Gig Harbor is complete without a visit to Heritage Distilling.

What started as a small, local business now has multiple locations throughout Washington and Oregon. Their signature Brown Sugar Bourbon has won “World’s Best Flavored Whiskey” by Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards in both 2018 and 2019. It really is that good and put this company on the map. There is a tasting room in Downtown Gig Harbor and in Uptown Gig Harbor is the distillery.

There is so much to see and do in Tacoma and Pierce County—even if you live here! Visit Travel Tacoma for more ideas and itineraries so you can explore mountain, city and sea all in one destination.

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YUM

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FOURTH OF JULY PARFAITS Recipe & Photo Courtesy of Tina VanDenHeuvel, NTP NHC INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries Lemon cookies (see recipe below) Coconut cream (see recipe below) FOR THE LEMON COOKIE 3/4 cup salted butter, softened 1 cup Erythritol sweetener Zest of 1 lemon 1 large egg 1 egg yolk Juice from one lemon 1 tsp. pure lemon extract 1 3/4 cups almond flour 1/4 cup coconut flour 2 tsp. baking powder METHOD: • In a medium bowl using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add lemon zest, egg, yolk, lemon juice and extract and mix thoroughly. Add almond flour, coconut flour and baking powder and mix until all ingredients are combined.

• Refrigerate dough for 15 minutes.

• Scoop 1 tablespoon-sized cookie dough into your palm and roll into balls. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet at least 2 inches apart.

• Bake at 350˚F for 9 to 10 minutes. Let cool entirely before serving.

FOR THE COCONUT CREAM 1 (13.5 oz.) full fat canned coconut milk 1 tsp. vanilla METHOD: • Place the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for up to at least 4 hours. Chill a medium glass bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

• Open your can of coconut milk and scoop out all of the cream into the bowl. Reserve liquid for another recipe like a soup or smoothie.

• Using a hand mixer, fluff up the coconut cream for one minute. Add vanilla and mix for another minute until creamy.

• Use the coconut cream right away or store in a glass jar with a fitted lid for up to one week.

L AY E R I N G T H E PA R FA I T • Using a pint-sized mason jar, layer parfaits in this order: lemon cookie, cream, blueberries, lemon cookie, raspberries and then cream. Repeat each layer. Each jar should hold 4 total layers. On the top layer use both raspberries and blueberries.

• Serve immediately or keep chilled in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

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Occasions Coffee and Crepes Serving Paninis, Crepes, Forza Coffee & More!

JULY CREPE SPECIAL Fresh Strawberry & Whipped Cream

Be sure to check out Clay & Cloth Designs!

4700 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Ste. 109, Gig Harbor, WA 253.851.2576 | f @OccasionsCoffeeandCrepes

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BBQ2U There’s nothing like a plate of pure Southern comfort.

BBQ2U brings all the smoky flavors of Texas-style barbecue right here to our backyard. Patrons are treated just like family and will enjoy the unique dining atmosphere. Open seven days a week from 11am to 8pm.

4814 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW | Gig Harbor 253.313.5656 | TexasBBQ2U.com

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, they offer an expansive view of the harbor. Family owned and operated. Beer and wine, take-out menu available. Monday through Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm.

8825 N. Harborview Dr., Unit C | Gig Harbor 253.858.3487

MOCTEZUMA’S Voted best Mexican Restaurant in South Sound Magazine for 2019! 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.

4628 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW | Gig Harbor 253.851.8464 | Moctezumas.com

GERTIE AND THE GIANT OCTOPUS At Gertie and the Giant Octopus, located in the Uptown Mall next to the Galaxy Theater, patrons will be treated to a warm and inviting staff complemented by a delicious yet affordable dinner menu, taking its inspiration from French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared and meant to share. They invite you to dine with them Tuesday through Saturday 4 to 9pm.

Celebrate life every day.

4747 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Ste. 600 Gig Harbor 253.649.0921 Facebook.com/GertieAndTheGiantOctopus

info@ladybughouse.org www.ladybughouse.org 1215 4th Ave. Suite 1200 Seattle, WA 98161

PHO EVER WOK Whether it's a hot lunch or dinner you're looking for, look no further than Pho Ever Wok, where their traditional Vietnamese pho is always sure to satisfy. Whether you like your soup mild or spicy, they'll prepare it just the way you like it, and vegan and vegetarian options are available as well. Even better, the prices can't be beat, and there's plenty of parking. Also available for takeout. Open Monday through Saturday 10:30am to 9pm.

4819 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW | Gig Harbor 253.858.8399

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GRAND NUTRITION Grand Nutrition says goodbye to bland and hello to delicious, serving up food that feels as good as it tastes. Customer favorites include smoothies, acai bowls and oatein. Grand Nutrition also offers meal planning and nutrition coaching. Open Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

5247 Olympic Dr. NW, Ste. A | Gig Harbor 253.649.5123 | GrandNutritionCo.com

OCCASIONS COFFEE & CREPES Gig Harbor’s home for coffee and crepes! Located in the heart of Gig Harbor at the Franciscan Medical Building, Occasions Coffee and Crepes offers premium, hand-crafted espresso drinks, smoothies, fresh salads, hot paninis, fresh made deli sandwiches, soups and of course made-to-order crepes!

4700 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Ste. 109 | Gig Harbor 253.851.2576 Facebook.com/OccasionsCoffeeAndCrepes

LELE'S RESTAURANT

Healthy that tastes good!

Smoothies Acai Bowls Oatein Herbal Tea Tea Bombs Meal Planning Nutrition Coaching

When Grandma is the head cook, you know the food will be authentic, delicious and made with heart. Every day they work to create a traditional taste of their homeland for their guests, serving each bite of Southeast Asia with a story of culture, authenticity and survival. Lele’s is open daily from 11am to 9pm.

4747 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Ste. 200 | Gig Harbor 253.514.6382 | LeleGigHarbor.com

MS. SAIGON VIETNAMESE CUISINE Ms. Saigon provides Vietnamese cuisine accessible to everyone, with a menu that includes grain-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Celebrating their grand opening back in April of 2019, Ms. Saigon is a new and welcome addition to the Gig Harbor dining scene. Open daily 11am to 9pm.

5160 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Ste. C101 | Gig Harbor 253.649.0915 | MsSaigonGigHarbor.com

253.649.5123

EAT FRESH

5247 OLYMPIC DR, SUITE A GIG HARBOR, WA 98335

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ENTERTAINMENT

gig harbor

What's happening in July!

JULY 2020 GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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OLYMPIC ALZHEIMER’S RESIDENCE

Today’s assisted living is a departure from nursing homes of the past.

We love Bingo too, but we also love senior rodeos, ladies night out, and other exciting activities that you won’t want to miss.

Take the first step towards experiencing the difference at Prestige.

Not Your Grandma’s

Call us at (253) 851-5306 to schedule your virtual tour of our community today!

Nursing Home

Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence 3025 14th Ave. NW · Gig Harbor, WA 98335 www.PrestigeCare.com

Birdnest Gallery & C ustom P iCture F raminG Established 2002

Downtown Gig Harbor 3202 Tarabochia St. 98335

FINE ART, HAND-CRAFTED GIFTS, HOME DECOR • A distinctive collection of Northwest art by over 70 Northwest artists • Framed Art • Prints • Original Paintings • Metal Sculpture • Bronzes • Pottery • Jewelry • Home Decor

SPECIALIZING IN INNOVATIVE CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING • Over sixteen years of framing experience. No project too big or too small.

• Custom Framed Mirrors • Canvas Stretching • Art Hanging Services • In-stock ready made frames in standard sizes • Fastest project turn-around time in Gig Harbor

BirdnestGallery.com • 253.857.6341

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WAITING IN MANY SUMMER EVENTS BEING POSTPONED

By Jillian Chandler

ANTICIPATION T

here’s nothing like summertime in the harbor, as the beautiful weather and scenery draw the community outdoors to experience all Gig Harbor has to offer. From the wonderful array of dining destinations, breweries and distilleries, to the unique shops and boutiques, to all of the outdoor activities we are blessed with, there are always new flavors to explore and new sites to see. And … you can’t forget about all of the big annual community events that both young and old wait in anticipation for all winter long!

Though summer is in full swing, these next couple of months will feel a bit different than years prior, as coronavirus is still affecting our way of life and how we are able to safely interact with others in our community. This means, unfortunately, that some of Gig Harbor’s much-loved summer events have been canceled for 2020.

For the first time in more than its three decades, the Peninsula Art League's Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival will not be returning to

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Judson Street, where they showcase more than 100 artists and their works over two days; and the always enjoyable, family friendly Summer Sounds at Skansie weekly outdoor summer concerts will not be heard throughout the park as it has in years past.

But instead of canceling all together, some annual events have only been postponed until later in the summer, so be sure to mark the dates on your calendar! Permission To Start Dreaming’s annual Swing for a Soldier has a new date of August 10 starting at noon at Canterwood Golf & Country Club (SwingForASoldier.org), while the Gig Harbor Wings & Wheels Air Show will now take place September 12 and 13, with tickets currently available online at GigHarborWingsAndWheels.com.

There’s still much to look forward to, not only this summer but next summer as well, as our favorite events return home to the harbor.

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RACE FOR A SOLDER VIRTUAL RACE EXPERIENCE Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation invites the community to join them for the Race for a Soldier Virtual Race on Sunday, July 5 (you may also complete your run by July 30)! Race for a Soldier has gone virtual to offer an experience to run miles while raising money to support the PTSD Foundation. All proceeds go to the foundation, with every mile logged supporting local veterans and first responders in the Pacific Northwest. Choose your race distance: 5k, 10k, 10 or 13.1 miles, or even make your own Race for a Soldier distance! Go online to RunSignUp.com and search Race for a Soldier Virtual Race Experience to register for the event, which is $30, no matter which distance you choose to run.

COCKTAILS & FISHTALES ONLINE: SHORELINE MANAGEMENT Join Harbor WildWatch and the Pierce Conservation District on Wednesday, July 15, for this month's Cocktails & Fishtales: Shoreline Management. The discussion will take place via Facebook Live from 6 to 6:30pm, with a focus on Puget Sound nearshore processes, including beach formation and erosion, and how human development influences the complex processes that build and erode beaches, impacting habitats and ecosystems. This emerging science on bulkheads can better help assess their impact on salmon and orcas. To learn more about Pierce Conservation District, visit PierceCD.org.

GRADUATION CEREMONIES It's the day they've been working toward for the past 13 years—high school graduation. And on July 25, Gig Harbor and Peninsula high school seniors will walk the stage to receive their diploma (8:30 and 11am respectively). The district is working to ensure safety is at the forefront. Seniors will sit 6 feet apart on the turf field at the Peninsula High School Roy Anderson Field, face the grandstand and proceed in and out of the ceremony at safe distances. Given the size of PHS and GHHS graduating classes, there will not be enough room for students to have guests attend the ceremony. Instead, the ceremony will be live streamed for all to watch safely from home.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS ONLINE! Want your event to appear on the largest event site in the Northwest? Submit your events to us online at Events.DirectoryNorthwest.com 24/7, 365 days a year!

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Make your patio the place to be this summer!

HARBOR TEAK Wood I Furniture I Decor Sustainable, Renewable & Ultimately Biodegradable We manufacture and import Teak furniture, by the container load, directly from Indonesia. Our Teak is of the highest quality; manufactured in a modern facility where employees are treated like family, because many of them are, and environmental stewardship and sustainability of the wood is fundamental. Our “outdoor” furniture represents some of the most popular designs, while much of our “indoor” selection is “one-of-a-kind” pieces often made from reclaimed/recycled Teak.

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