MAYOR MARKLEY'S TOP 5
THINGS TO KNOW:
WEEK OF JULY 22, 2022
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1) Starting Tuesday, the weather forecast is predicting temperatures in the 90's and above. The City is working with community partners on cooling stations, keep your eyes out for updates on location and hours from the Gig Harbor Police Department and the City's social media channels. It took the sun a while to get here this summer, so many of us may not be completely prepared -- stay hydrated, don't spend too long in direct sunlight, and be sure to offer a helping hand if you see a neighbor affected by the heat.
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2) I want to recognize the great joint efforts from the Gig Harbor Fire Department and Gig Harbor Police Department - Their quick responses to fires around the City kept our community safe this past week.
I know there's been a lot of talk surrounding these fires, so I want to share what we know. First, investigators don't believe these fires were related. Two fires occurred within City limits, both causes were confirmed to be accidental. The first was a boat fire off North Harborview, and thanks to the actions of both GHFD and GHPD, was quickly contained, saving other nearby boats in the marina.
The second fire incident started by accident in the garage of a single family house - this was also contained by GHFD, and we're glad to share that there were no injuries.
Two other fires started within the county and our GHPD detectives are assisting Pierce County authorities in their investigations.
3) Our next City Council meeting is coming up this Monday, July 25 at 5:30PM. You're welcome to join and listen on the issues Council and I are considering, and share public comment. We'll be discussing a contract approval for a Court vendor, looking at a Verizon small cell franchise, hearing budget amendments and and voting on a sister city agreement with Bodo, Norway.
You can dial in and listen on your drive home, from your boat or from your air-conditioned home via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/93216056382) or via phone, at 253-215-8782 (enter Meeting ID 932 1605 6382). Please see the Public Comment & Decorum section at the end of the agenda for information on options to make public comment. You can view the agenda here.
4) We already know this, of course, but it's always nice to hear it from others! Gig Harbor makes an appearance on Travel + Leisure Magazine's 11 Best Small Towns in Washington! Our ranking includes several other great Washington towns, including Poulsbo, Leavenworth, Friday Harbor and more. Read the full list here.
5) Family Fun Day at the Harbor History Museum is back, coming up on Friday, August 5 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM. The festivities include heritage crafts, story time, Shenandoah tours, hands-on artifact examination. I’m especially excited to see turn-of-the-century school lessons with “Miss Bennett” at the Museum's circa 1893 Midway Schoolhouse - it's truly interactive theater, and a fun way to bring history to life for little ones. Find all the details at www.HarborHistoryMuseum.org.
Stay cool out there, Gig Harbor!
- Mayor Tracie Markley
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THIS WEEKEND:
MADRONA LINKS
SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
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Now that we have summer weather it’s time to really concentrate on getting out on the links! The two-day long Senior Club Championship will occur July 25 and 26 at Madrona Links Golf Course. You must be 60 by July 25 to be considered eligible.
This is individual play from the white tees. No need to form a team, but you can let the Pro Shop know if you have a group of buddies that want to play together for the first day.
Tee times and pairings for Day 2 will be determined by the scores of Day 1.
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SUMMER SOUNDS AT SKANSIE:
THE PAPERBOYS | TUESDAY, JULY 26
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It's not summer in Gig Harbor until you've spent a Tuesday evening downtown with music, dancing & local foodie favorites on site!
Our annual City of Gig Harbor summer concert series continues this next week, featuring The Paperboys on Tuesday, July 26, a freewheeling blend of influences from Celtic and bluegrass, to Mexican son jarocho, brass bands, and Canadian roots influence this band, they’ve been called everything from Cajun slamgrass to worldbeat. RSVP HERE.
Your City Councilmembers will also be here answering questions at the City booth. Be sure to stop by to chat about what's happening at the City, and enter to win reserved front-row seats for The Beatniks on August 9!
The event starts at 6:00PM, and ends at 8:00PM. Pack a picnic or enjoy offerings from Millville Pizza, iScreamery and Pink Gorilla on site.
Questions on when you can set out concert chairs this year? Be polite and respectful of your neighbors, but no time limit stands for this year. We cannot assure your chairs will be untouched by others.
As a reminder, roping off seats and chairs/blankets on the Jerisich Dock Viewing Platform is not permitted. No tents or canopies are allowed, but small umbrellas can be used – we ask that all attendees please be respectful of their neighbors. All Gig Harbor parks are smoke, vape and alcohol-free.
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UPTOWN CONCERT SERIES:
INDIGO JAZZ BAND | THURSDAY, JULY 28
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The popular concert series continues with this hot “little big band” that performs decades’ worth of favorite tunes from the 30s to the 70s and beyond, featuring outstanding female and male vocalists as well as exciting, professional instrumental soloists. Join us for the annual Summer Concert Series at Uptown. Free live local music for all of Gig Harbor to observe.
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy food and beverages from your favorite restaurants at Uptown Gig Harbor. Concerts begin at 6:00PM and end at 8:00PM at the Uptown Concert Pavilion.
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FRIDAY MOVIES AT SEHMEL HOMESTEAD PARK:
FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF | FRIDAY, JULY 29
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Next Friday, the FINAL movie in the annual City of Gig Harbor summer series is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at the grass amphitheater at Sehmel Homestead Park. Trivia starts at 8:30PM, the film will start at dusk, run time is 1 hour, 43 minutes.
Lawn games and trivia will be featured prior to the start of each film. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome.
Movies in the Park are free to the public. Kitsap Bank provides free popcorn, Pink Gorilla will offer concessions for purchase, and films are presented by the City of Gig Harbor and PenMet Parks, with special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
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STEP INTO HISTORY:
GIG HARBOR BOAT SHOP'S
BATANA BOAT PROJECT
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Join master shipwright Michael Vlahovich and help build a traditional Croatian Batana fishing boat. This program opportunity is an authentic boat-building experience at the Gig Harbor Boat Shop, showcasing the links of commercial fishing and boatbuilding traditions between Croatia and the Croatian-American community of Gig Harbor. Spots still remain, guests will join Vlahovich and a small team focused on the build, akin to joining a real boatbuilding crew.
The goal is to build the traditional boat for use at the 2022 Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, September 9th-12th, 2022. The build began on July 5 and will continue to have building sessions every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until August 31.
There is no registration fee to participate! To register to volunteer, CLICK HERE. Please sign up for a maximum of 4 time slots, so they can include as many helping hands that would like to participate.
Check out the Batana Boat being built in person! The Gig Harbor Boat Shop has a weekly open house at Eddon Boat Park every Sunday from 11:00AM to -3:00PM. Come see the project and try a cup of custom-roasted Batana Blend coffee!
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GOOD TO KNOW:
2022 LODGING TAX GRANT APPLICATIONS
APPLY BY AUGUST 26!
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2023 Lodging Tax funding requests are currently being accepted by the City of Gig Harbor.
Lodging taxes can be used for four purposes:
1) Tourism Promotion/Marketing;
2) Operation of a Tourism Promotion Agency;
3) Operation of a Tourism-Related Facility owned or operated by a non-profit organization;
4) Operation and/or Capital Costs of a Tourism-Related Facility owned by a municipality.
Who May Apply?
Lodging Tax funding is open to non-profit organizations and municipalities with the demonstrated ability to achieve tourism related goals:
- An increase hotel/l in overnight stays at hotels/motels/RV spots/vacation rentals in the City of Gig Harbor.
- An increase the number of visitors to the City from more than 50 miles away.
Award Criteria:
Funding of the program and specific awards are dependent on recommendations of the City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC). LTAC will receive all applications and recommend a list of candidates and funding levels for final determination by the Gig Harbor City Council. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.
Criteria include:
- The estimated amount of Lodging Tax Fund available for the coming year as provided by the City’s Finance Office.
- Thoroughness and completeness of the proposal.
- Percent of the proposal request to the event/facility promotions budget and overall revenues.
- Percent of increase over prior year City of Gig Harbor Lodging Tax funded proposals, if any.
- Projected economic impact within the City of Gig Harbor, in particular projected overnight stays in Gig Harbor lodging establishments.
- The applicant’s financial stability.
- The applicant’s history of tourism promotion success.
- Committee member general knowledge of the community and tourism-related activities.
Have questions?
For application assistance please contact City Clerk Josh Stecker at (253) 853-7613 or cityclerk@gigharborwa.gov prior to Friday, August 26.
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AUGUST 6:
Cruise the Narrows
Car Show
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AUGUST 13:
Harbor History Museum
History Rocks
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AUGUST 20:
Harbor History Museum
History Rocks
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City of Gig Harbor | 253-853-3554 | 3510 Grandview St
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