MAYOR TRACIE MARKLEY'S TOP 5:
WEEK OF AUGUST 19
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1) City Council will break from their regular meeting schedule, and there will be no council meeting on Monday, August 22. However, Council and I met yesterday, August 18, for a Special Meeting. During this session we discussed the City’s 2023 Legislative Agenda, management of the Eddon Boatyard House, a contract amendment with BCRA for the Sports Complex Phase 1B and short-term rentals. You can view the video session from this and every council meeting on our website. Our next regular meeting will occur as usual on Monday, September 12 at 5:30 PM.
2) Do you have an idea for an event to draw tourism to Gig Harbor in 2023? Are you affiliated with a non-profit? Apply for a 2023 Lodging Tax Grant! Tourism has a positive economic impact on the city and contributes to quality of life for Gig Harborites through both sales tax and lodging tax collected from our visitors. LTAC Grants specifically apply to four categories: tourism marketing, marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists or operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations.
Non-profits and public agencies may apply for a LTAC grant. For-profit event producers may apply by partnering with a non-profit or public agency. This is called a “cooperative project” where the non-profit or public agency serves as a sponsor of the event. Applications must include a segment on how the event or festival will attract overnight stays in lodging from visitors 50 miles or more away. You can find the application and further guidance can be found on our City website. Act quickly, the deadline is August 31, 2022, for events that occur within 2023.
3) It’s hard to believe that fall is nearly here – get out and enjoy these beautiful late summer days! If you haven’t stopped by the Waterfront Farmers Market at Skansie Brothers Park, you’ve been missing out!
The Downtown Waterfront Alliance has done a great job curating a unique variety of vendors each Thursday. Through August, market hours are from 1:00PM – 7:00PM and through September 8, 1:00PM – 6:00PM Pick up some fresh seafood for dinner, score hand-painted pieces from local artisans, or just enjoy an ice cream and live music. See the complete list of vendors and find more information here.
Jumping forward to fall, mark your calendars for the return of the Gig Harbor Film Festival from September 22-25. Early October brings the Autumn Sip n’ Stroll on October 8, 2022 from 12:00 to 4:00PM, put on by the Downtown Waterfront Alliance and Rotary Club of Gig Harbor. Tickets are on sale for this popular tasting event that includes 20 businesses hosting “Stroll Stops.” It’s a great way to explore the downtown area while sampling wines, brews, spirits, and small bites. Be sure to take advantage of early bird pricing of $40 through the end of August. Details on how to purchase a ticket are below.
4) Time is ticking away to apply for two open volunteer positions within the City! If you’re interested in getting involved with decisions that impact your community, here are two great opportunities to be of service:
- The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), is seeking a representative for a collector role. This would be someone who represents a venue that collects lodging tax for overnight stays (a hotel, motel, RV resort, or vacation rental). In this position, you’ll help review applications for lodging tax grants and make recommendations to City Council. You’ll need to commit to attending quarterly meetings, with an occasional special meeting as well. Committee members serve for three-year terms.
- The Gig Harbor Design and Review Board (DRB) is seeking a new board member. You’ll need experience in urban design and planning or knowledge of landscaping, horticulture, arboriculture, forestry, or you’ll need a background in historic planning to qualify. As a DRB member, you’ll work on the interpretation, review, and implementation of the City’s Design Manual. You’ll review City locations that may qualify to be on the Register of Historic Places. To apply, you’ll need to reside in the greater Gig Harbor area (within Pierce County on this side of the Tacoma Narrows and Purdy Bridges).
Both positions have a deadline of August 31, 2022. For LTAC or the Design Review Board, select the category you’re interested in and apply here.
5) Supporting our veterans and first responders is near and dear to my heart. City Administrator Katrina Knutson and I recently met with Permission To Start Dreaming (PTSD) Foundation leaders on upcoming events that help fund programs for veterans and first responders with effective, long-term solutions to transform post-traumatic stress into post-traumatic growth.
Over the second weekend in September, two events features opportunities to have a great time and raise funds for the PTSD Foundation.
First, the 12th Annual Prayer Breakfast features several distinguished speakers sharing messages of hope and courage on Friday, September 9. Speakers include Johnny “Joey” Jones, Major General Thomas L. Solhjem, Frank Hill and Juliann Ashcraft. The event begins at 7:00AM at Chapel Hill Church.
On Sunday, September 11, the Race for a Soldier Half Marathon and 5K supports and brings focus to serving our 9/11 veterans, first responders and their families. It’s a brand-new course for 2022, and This half-marathon and 5K kicks off at 6:30AM and features a brand new course for 2022. The PTSD Foundation still needs volunteers, I encourage you to sign up to volunteer here.
Enjoy the summer sunshine this weekend!
-Mayor Tracie Markley
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ICYMI: I had the BEST time making a surprise guest appearance with Abney Park this last Tuesday at Summer Sounds! I've known some of the band members since I was nine years old! I want to thank the entire band for welcoming me on stage to sing their rendition of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with them. I had a blast, and hope you enjoyed the show as well!
-Mayor Markley
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022:
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT AT OCEAN5
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No need to choose between a movie or bowling tonight, you can do both at the same time at Friday Night Movie on the Lanes at Ocean5! Reserve one hour of bowling at 8:00PM and stay for the full viewing of Disney’s Ratatouille. Lanes accommodate up to six people, bring your best friends or family and enjoy food and beverage offerings delivered right to your lane.
Can’t make it tonight? Don’t worry, there’s still a chance next Friday for a viewing of Despicable Me. Be sure to check out their full lineup of events every month!
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022:
HISTORY ROCKS AT
HARBOR HISTORY MUSEUM
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Tomorrow night is going to rock -- we are so impressed with our community’s support and proud to say History Rocks 2022 is sold out!
There are still opportunities to support the event by registering for the Virtual Auction or by making a cash donation.
There are some amazing items to bid on including a stay on the Linmar Yacht, dinner for four at Morso, golf packages, wine baskets and more!
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2022:
YOGA IN THE PARK
AT THE CIVIC CENTER GREEN
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Nurture your mind, body and spirit while giving back to the community. Every Saturday through September 3, take part in Yoga in the Park at the Civic Center Green. Admission is donation-based and benefits a different local non-profit each week.
Tomorrow’s class donations will benefit Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH. Individuals are welcome to drop in or register in advance.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2022:
THE BATANA PROJECT OPEN HOUSE
AT GIG HARBOR BOAT SHOP
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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 between the commercial fishing and boatbuilding traditions of Croatia and the Croatian-American community of Gig Harbor. Spots remain for guests to join Vlahovich and a small team focused on the build – just like 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! Please sign up for a maximum of 4 time slots, so the Boat Shop can include as many helping hands as possible that would like to participate.
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Check out the Batana 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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TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022:
SUMMER SOUNDS AT SKANSIE
COUNTRY & ROCK ARTIST NATE BOTSFORD
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Our annual City of Gig Harbor summer concert series continues next week, featuring Nate Botsford – a recording artist out of Portland with a blend of country & rock, influenced by Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison.
Music starts at 6:00PM and ends at 8:00PM. Pack a picnic or enjoy wood-fired pizzas from Millville Pizza, or grab a delectable cone from iScreamery, both on site at the park.
Your City Councilmembers will also be answering questions at the City booth before and during the concert. Be sure to stop by to chat about what's on deck for Council and an overview of how to keep in the loop on upcoming issues and communications from the City.
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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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2022:
PAINT AND SIP
AT HERITAGE WATERFRONT
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Calling all aspiring artists! Sip and savor while you relax and paint. Discover how creativity (and spirits!) help you unwind and reduce stress at Artvana’s Paint and Sip Class at Heritage Distilling Co - Waterfront. All skill levels are welcome. You become the artist - an art coach guides you through each stop of the process to create ‘The Wave’ Painting.
Heritage Distilling will have their full menu available during the event, which starts at 1:00PM. Fun summer cocktails like the Hibiscus Chill or Huckleberry Mule are available, along with small bites and non-alcoholic beverages (for purchase). This event is family-friendly.
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 –
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022:
THE GIG HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL
AT UPTOWN’S GALAXY THEATER
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Tickets are now on sale! Get ready to walk the red carpet at Uptown’s Galaxy Theatre for the Gig Harbor Film Festival! This annual event is Washington State’s destination film festival hosting more than 100 visiting filmmakers, presenting screenings of films from around the world!
Films will feature a post-screening Q&A session with the filmmakers, followed by spirited parties open to everyone. The festival programming provides three full days of entertainment across multiple genres at Galaxy Theatre’s state-of-the-art luxury screening rooms. The surrounding restaurants at Uptown Gig Harbor allow guests to a plethora of dining options to satisfy pre- or post-film cravings!
Exclusive all-access VIP passes for the four-day event are on sale now, but you can only purchase these tickets by emailing director@gigharborfilmfestival.org. All the epic parties, events and films are included in the $300 pass. General admission $40 tickets can be purchased at Galaxy Theater.
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SUBMISSIONS OPEN:
HONOR YOUR HERO WITH
THE VETERANS BANNER PROJECT
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The Downtown Waterfront Alliance is seeking submissions for the Veterans Banner Project. For the fifth year, the banner project will honor local heroes, past and present, with 40 banners placed along Harborview Drive and throughout the downtown waterfront. If you would like to honor a local veteran or first responder, apply now online or print an application and bring it to the Alliance office at: 3311 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
Each banner will feature a photo of a veteran or first responder. Banners are $200 and will be displayed on light poles from early October to mid-November. Submissions will be approved in the order they are received.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 –
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23:
CITY ROADWAY STRIPING
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Beginning this Sunday, August 21, Pierce County will re-stripe roadways within the City of Gig Harbor. Work will begin on southern city streets and move north through the City along the waterfront. Expect delays along the impacted roadways until work is complete. View the full map to see streets to be re-striped. This work is weather dependent and expected to be complete by Tuesday, August 23.
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NEXT WEEK'S NOAA TIDE FORECAST
AUGUST 20 - AUGUST 26, 2022
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NOAA Tide Predictions are based upon the latest information available.
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AUGUST 28:
Circus by the Sea
at 7 Seas
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SEPTEMBER 11:
PTSD Foundation
Race for A Soldier
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SEPTEMBER 24:
9th Annual
Cider Swig
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City of Gig Harbor | 253-853-3554 | 3510 Grandview Street
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