April 2018
April Showers Bring May Flowers
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April is a time to begin the spring clean up - and Gig Harbor is ready!
Parks Appreciation Day is one of the longest running events that regularly welcomes a great turnout. Always a favorite day in Gig Harbor, this joint effort among KeyPen Parks, PenMet Parks, City of Gig Harbor, PAD is an opportunity to show your love of our local parks by giving back to the earth - and it is all happening on Saturday, April 28th. For more information and to find out where to volunteer visit
here.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION TONIGHT: Harbor History Museum hosts 'Revitalizing Gig Harbor's Round Rock Contest' at 6pm.
Learn more about it.
There is much more to do and see in April - keep tabs about all things by reading this month's GigaByte, visiting our website, following us on
Facebook,
Twitter and see beautiful photography by visiting
Instagram.
I look forward to seeing you in the sunshine. Enjoy!
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Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup
April 21 and 22
The 7th Annual Paddlers Cup Regatta will take place on April 21st and 22nd, 2018 at the Historic Skansie Brothers Park in downtown Gig Harbor.
Organized by the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team in cooperation with the Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission and the City of Gig Harbor, this annual community event features paddle racing for kayaks, canoes, SUPs, outriggers and para-canoes, and dragon boat races.
Paddlers Cup is the premiere event for Pacific Northwest canoe, kayak, paddleboard and outrigger athletes and enthusiasts of all ages and levels. To register or to learn more, visit www.GigHarborPaddlersCup.com.
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GHFF 72-Hour Film Competition screening April 8
Calling all film lovers! The Gig Harbor Film Festival offers an opportunity for filmmakers of all ages to create cinematic gold within 72 hours. Filmmaking started on March 15th and official selections will be screened on April 8th before a live theater audience at The Galaxy. Winners will be chosen and an awards reception will follow.
Join Gig Harbor Film Fest on
April 8th for the screening at the Galaxy Theatre, Uptown Gig Harbor from 2-4pm, Awards Reception to follow at The INN at Gig Harbor.
Audience Ticket Price and Availability: $10 online
www.GigHarborFilmFestival.org
or at the door.
Also this month is GHFF Wednesday Night Movie (see selection in lower article), April 25th at 6:30PM at Galaxy Theatre Uptown.
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Meaningful Movies in Gig Harbor
April 13
April showing features The Inconvenient Sequel: The Truth to Power beginning at 6:30pm at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church.
Former Vice President Al Gore continues his tireless fight, traveling around the world to train an army of activists and influence international climate policy. Cameras follow him behind the scenes -- in moments both private and public, funny and poignant -- as he pursues the inspirational idea that while the stakes have never been higher, the perils of climate change can be overcome with human ingenuity and passion.
Link to additional information
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Coming in May:
Bike to a Business - Gig Harbor
May is Bike Month - There are so many good reasons to start biki
ng in May and keep biking year round, including "Bike to a Business - Gig Harbor".
Fabulous local businesses are offering special discounts and promotions to their customers who arrive by bike. Join this group (on Facebook) and be entered into the monthly drawing of prizes from the local businesses. Earn extra entries every time you post pictures of a pedal powered visit to a participating business. Review the posts for participating businesses and their Bike to a Business offers (starting in May). Printed flyer (and maybe even a poster) coming soon to our visitor kiosks and the Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center.
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Volunteer at the Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center
We are gearing up for summer!
The City of Gig Harbor's Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center is currently recruiting volunteer ambassadors for our welcome center. The center is run in partnership with Harbor WildWatch and is home to the Harbor WildWatch Laboratory too. Volunteer shifts consist of regularly scheduled weekly, monthly or on a fill in basis. Please contact Karen Scott at the City Tourism & Communications Office by email for more details on how to sign up.
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| Peninsula School District News
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Parks Appreciation Day April 28
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Gig Harbor Film Festival Event April 25
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Round Rock Contest is Back at the
Harbor History Museum TONIGHT!
Special Presentation March 29, Admission is FREE for Harbor History Museum members; Non-Members: $5.
Humanities in the Harbor, a monthly lecture series that explores unique and engaging topics for the Gig Harbor community, will continue in March as the Harbor History Museum reinvigorates an annual Gig Harbor tradition.
The popular Round Rock Contest was created in 1951 by C.E. Shaw, who was well known for entertaining Gig Harbor with Rooster Races in the 1930's and 1940's. The Round Rock Contest was re-introduced in 1998, and now each year the winners are announced during the first weekend in June during the Maritime Gig Festival. The concept for the contest is simple. Participants search for the roundest natural rock they can find and submit it to the Museum prior to the contest deadline. Cash prizes are awarded to the five rocks or stones judged the most perfectly rounded rocks.
Join Harbor History Museum Director Stephanie Lile and former Geology Professor Steve Benham as we revitalize Gig Harbor's Round Rock Contest. The evening's program will be divided into two parts with Lile covering the history of the Round Rock Contest and Benham discussing the science and geology behind round rocks. You might even be able to pick up some tips on where to find this year's winning rock!
PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 6:00PM
Link to additional information |
Harbor History Museum Hosts
Literary Society April 3
Join the Gig Harbor Literary Society: "The Egg and I"
Tuesday, April 3 from 6PM - 7:30PM.
Harbor History Museum and the Gig Harbor branch of the Pierce County Library invite you to join the Gig Harbor Literary Society, dedicated to exploring the literary world of historical fiction, nonfiction, and other works of interest.
The April meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 3rd at 6PM at the Harbor History Museum. The book for the April meeting is The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald.
When Betty MacDonald married a marine and moved to a small chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, she was largely unprepared for the rigors of life in the wild. With no running water, no electricity, a house in need of constant repair, and days that ran from four in the morning to nine at night, the MacDonalds had barely a moment to put their feet up and relax. And then came the children. Yet through every trial and pitfall-through chaos and catastrophe-this indomitable family somehow, mercifully, never lost its sense of humor.
A beloved literary treasure for more than half a century, Betty MacDonald's The Egg and I is a heartwarming and uproarious account of adventure and survival on an American frontier.
Link to additional information |
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Happenings at the Gig Harbor BoatShop April 6
Join the Page Turners at the Boat Shop on Friday, April 6 from 7PM - 9PM.
The Page Turners, Carolyn Kendrick and Jake Howard, are an award-winning group (2016 Freshgrass Best Duo) who have a strong foothold in the acoustic music scene. Their partnership began as musical friends at Berklee College of Music, and they started playing together through a mutual admiration for musical authenticity and adventurousness. The Page Turners write sharp and adept original music, as well as put new twists on old favorites. All together, they blend their love of bluegrass, whiskey-fueled old-time, country, swing, and fearless song-writing into one all-purpose seasoning of good ole' fashioned roots music. Although a duo at heart, the Page Turners have had the opportunity to extend themselves. and oftentimes play with friends who have become honorary Turn-ees. Now on tour nationally, their debut album is available and you can catch them where they turn the page next.
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Paradise Theatre Presents "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" April 13 - May 5
Join Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher in the greatest summer adventure ever told in this imaginative, highly theatrical adaptation of Mark Twain's incomparable classic. Featuring the thrill of mischief-making, the fickleness of first love, the cold shivers that linger after an adventure gone very wrong and the unbridled joy at discovering real buried treasure, this story is for anyone who has ever been a kid and celebrates all that is grand and glorious about childhood. This adaptation by Laura Eason was given a highly praised production by the Hartford Theatre Company.
*OPENING NIGHT INCLUDES COMPLIMENTARY WINE & CHEESE!*
Link to additional information |
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Harbor WildWatch April Events
Join Harbor WildWatch on
April 19 for an
informational session and orientation for Volunteer training. This event takes place at
Round Table Pizza from 6:30 - 7:30PM.
If you are interested in sharing your passion for the marine environment and learning more about the amazing life that exists in the Puget Sound, you should become a Harbor WildWatch volunteer!
Cocktails & Fishtales
Join HWW at Harbor History Museum on
April 18, 5:30-7PM at the Harbor History Museum.
See a presentation by Hannah Ljunggren, the AmeriCorps Water Quality Outreach Specialist for Pierce Conservation District. Hannah will talk about the benefits of rain gardens, how to determine if one is appropriate for your needs, how to design it, build it, and maintain it. Hannah will also discuss the Pierce Conservation District rain garden program, and how we can help them in getting a rain garden of their very own.
For more information on both these events, visit www.HarborWildWatch.org.
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April Dining News
Anthony's Available at Costco
Anthony's Restaurants is proud to announce that their award-winning, signature clam chowder is now available for sale at Costco.
Fans of Anthony's can now purchase two 24-ounce containers of clam chowder, which comes with two round sourdough bread loaves made by our long-time partners, Essential Baking Company based out of Seattle, that can be cut into individual bread bowls; similar to how it is served in the restaurants.
"We are so excited to introduce the same high-quality clam chowder we serve in the restaurants to those shoppers at Costco retail stores," says Jeff Arnot, Vice President of New Business Development for Anthony's Restaurants.
"We are thrilled about this partnership with Costco and we look forward to continuing a relationship with them for years to come."
"Our clam chowder has been a signature for Anthony's," says Pat Donahue, Executive Chef for Anthony's Restaurants. "It is incredibly exciting for us to have this opportunity to partner with Costco and to be able to introduce our clam chowder and our high commitment to quality ingredients to a wider range of people. It's also a wonderful way for our regular guests to purchase our chowder to enjoy at home."
Read more.
Brix 25 News
Last day for the current location of Brix will be March 31st. Accepting reservation at the new location beginning April 12th. Contact Brix 25 Restaurant by calling 253-858-6626 or at
harborbrix.com.
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Continue your education today! Learn new skills to further your professional development or take a class for sheer enjoyment. Continuing Education classes are designed to work around your busy schedule and available in Gig Harbor. Day. Evening. Weekend. Online.
Important Dates and Information
Spring Quarter - 02.02.2018 - 06.11.2018
Write in the Harbor - 11.02.2018 - 11.03.2018
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Join PenMet Dragon Boating
Come Paddle with us!
Looking for a fun workout on the water? Join a group of friendly paddlers who like the Harbor as much as you do. All skill levels are welcome! Practices include skill building, endurance, and camaraderie. Enjoy any or all of 3 weekly practice options. Tuesday-6:30AM, Thursday-6PM, Saturday-8:00AM. Work toward competing in races, or simply enjoy recreational paddling in the harbor. For more information
email or
visit our site
or call 253-208-4353 to book a trial paddle. Registration information here
Facebook.
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Hotel Highlight: The INN at Gig Harbor
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Ancich Waterfront Park Upland Development - On October 23, 2017 City Council approved the Public Works construction contracts for the Ancich Waterfront Park and Netshed Restoration Project. Upland work began on December 4th. More information.
Residential Moratorium
At their February 12th, 2018 meeting, the City Council passed Ordinance 1383 declaring an immediate six-month moratorium on the acceptance of certain residential development applications. More information.
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City Construction Updates
Harbor Hill Drive Extension Project
The City's Harbor Hill Drive Extension Project, extending Harbor Hill Dr to Burnham Drive, has been under construction since July 2017. In order to complete this project, there will be a one-month long road closure of Sentinel Drive where it connects to Harbor Hill Drive. This road closure will allow for the construction of a new Roundabout at the Harbor Hill Drive and Sentinel Drive intersection. The road closure will begin on March 19, 2018 and will be in effect through April 17, 2018. No local access will be provided through the closure area during this time period. During the road closure, access to Sentinel Drive is provided from Athena Avenue off Borgen Boulevard and from Apollo Way off Peacock Hill Road. Road closure signing, including closure information, will be posted two weeks prior to the road closure starting. If you have any Questions or Comments, please contact the City of Gig Harbor Public Works at 253-851-8136, or Construction Supervisor Kyle Neiman at 253-377-1378.
Also follow City of Gig Harbor on Facebook for the most up to date information on construction projects, agendas and meetings www.facebook.com/cityofgigharbor
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Ongoing Events
Hike It Baby
® at Cushman Trail
NEW!
First Saturday Art Walk
Super Business Group
Toastmasters
AARP Smart Driver Class
The Journey of Grief
Freedom From Tobacco Free Weekly Support Group
Paradise Theatre's performances
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Coming Next Month
Great Strides Walk, May 5
Relay For Life, May 5
Myx'O de Mayo, May 5
Giggin' Up The Harbor, May 19
Street Scramble, May 26
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