Gateway Fitness Another Great Option for Active Gig Harborites

Gig Harborites are very active, and we are lucky to have several options for places to work out – many people enjoy the beautiful YMCA, which is about to undergo an expansion.

But some people are looking for something a little different in a work out.  Yoga studios, Jazzercize, personal trainers and boot camps are also popular around Gig Harbor.  But one of Gig Harbor’s hidden secrets is Gateway Fitness located near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Gateway Fitness offers a very different experience than the YMCA.  If you are looking for a club with all the equipment and classes, without lots of kids in the locker room or on the equipment, then Gateway Fitness might be for you.  For those who live in the South end of Gig Harbor or in Fox Island, Artondale, Point Fosdick, Eastbay or Reid Road, you might find Gateway a perfect fit for you too.

GIG HARBOR DOGS ARE READY FOR FUN IN NEW OFF LEASH PARK

Everywhere we go in Gig Harbor there seems to be new development of both commercial and residential.  It’s easy to think we are paving paradise.

But look a little closer.  We have awesome parks – not just the ones you see from your car or attend events and festivals at. 

We have some amazing hidden gems waiting for discovery.

Like the brand new 97 acre dog park – still waiting for a name.

PenMet Park’s newest park is located across the street from the 122 acre McCormick Forest Park, next door to Fire District 5 on Bujacich Road.   The site is being leased from the Peninsula School District and as is the newest addition to PenMet Parks variety of parks property around the area.

The parcel has had trails on it for a long time (and still does) but now also includes a fenced in off-leash dog park.  Parking is available at the Fire District (look for the signs) and a porta-potty was being installed the day I was there.

Rotary has been a big helper in getting this project done.  A little more work over the next few weeks to grade and seed the area that will be a meadow for Frisbee and doggie social time and then the park will be complete. 

Dogs can be off leash inside the fenced area, and on leash on the trails.  Walkers and runner are encouraged to continue to use the trails, which now connect the 100 acre Sehmel Homestead Park through the dog park to McCormick Forest Park – a total of  320 acres!

Savage Ancient Seas

For the kid in all of us....

When I was a child not more than 7 or 8, my family camped at Lake Okanagan in British Columbia.  It was there that I was first introduced to “Ogopogo”, the Okanagan Lake Sea Monster.  Not unlike the more famous Lochness Monster “Nessie”, “Ogopogo” supporters believe this creature is a prehistoric sea monster, perhaps an aquatic dinosaur left over from the Ice Age of thousand s of years ago.

You want to get a 7-year olds attention?  Give ‘em a monster story! Boy was I fascinated with this prospect and thrilled I might see the monster while on my camping trip.

I’m still waiting, 46 years later, to encounter such a creature, despite numerous accounts even locally of similar sea serpents, colossal squid and giant octopi.   Just a very quick Google search brings up some great material of many sightings over the years of a sea creature near Des Moines,  “Willatuk”, (named by Native Americans) seen numerous times since 1736 in Lake Washington,  and gigantic squid captured in the Puget Sound from Alki to Lofall.  Reports of a giant squid that lives under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge come from scuba divers.

Many people take this very seriously, and others do not.  But no matter your opinion, it is fact that giant dinosaur-like sea creatures lived in our oceans at one time – and you now have a fabulous opportunity to see them up close and personal at our own Harbor History Museum.

Savage Ancient Seas is now open to the public for the first time in Pacific Northwest.  This incredible, blockbuster exhibit features more than 14 complete specimens of large visually stunning prehistoric marine creatures from Triebold Paleontology Inc., Colorado.  Many of these specimens are suspended from the ceiling with various specimens rounding out the exhibit which includes hand on and learning centers.

Savage Ancient Seas looks at the aquatic world of the late Cretaceous period over 70 million years ago.  It is the world of huge carnivorous marine reptiles with double-hinged jaws and teeth in the middle of their palates, gigantic flesh-eating fish big enough to swallow an adult human whole.  Even if you believe you have seen “Nessie”, “Ogopogo” or ‘Willatuk” I can guarantee you still haven’t seen anything like Savage Ancient Seas before.

These spectacular water creatures ruled the Western Interior Seaway when dinosaurs ruled the land.  Bring your 7 year old or your 70 year old because both will be thrilled to peer into the mouth of the largest aquatic reptile ever discovered – the 45-foot-long Tylosaurus , or gasp in awe at the 15-foot-wide sea turtle “Protostega”.

What a great way to be inspired about science, history and the sea, all at our very own first-class museum right here in Gig Harbor.  Why are you still reading this?  Get up and go!!

Savage Ancient Seas is at the Harbor History Museum through July 14, 2013.  Museum hours are Tuesday – Sunday 10am-5pm.  The Harbor History Museum is located at 4121 Harborview Drive.  To learn more visit www.harborhistorymuseum.org.

GIG HARBOR LITTLE LEAGUE TO HOST STATE TOURNAMENT

Hundreds of visitors expected in July

Nearly 10,000 kids have passed through the Gig Harbor Little League program since it began in 1995.  That’s a lot of Gig Harbor kiddos.  I wonder how many parents the program has touched… certainly a lot.

I’m one of those parents.  My two sons (now age 26 and 22) were involved in both the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Little League programs for years and years (and years, and years…).  How can you forget sitting at those fields wrapped up like an Eskimo on a chilly April night or rainy May Saturday?

Despite those memories of chilly games, of course we also have great memories of sunshine, homeruns, celebrations and fun.  How many times was I the “team Mom”, snack leader, carpooler, backstop cheerleader?  Little League was a big part of my kids growing up years, and I’m sure they would agree the teams, coaches and other players helped build their character and leadership skills.

Vacation Rental By Owner - Gig Harbor Style

Gig Harbor has a surprising number of vacation home rentals, hidden around the peninsula area. Some are on the water, some in the woods, some in quiet and peaceful neighborhoods. If a vacation home rental fits your needs, check out our listing of vacation homes at www.gigharborguide.com

The newest addition to the line-up of vacation homes is “Harborview”, a historic 1927 property, formerly a bus garage, now a beautiful vacation home with a mid-century aesthetic. The home has been renovated over the past several months with all fresh paint and fabrics, kitchen tile and floors. The original hardwood floors that were covered with carpet have been refinished and a new deck was added where you have the most stunning view of Mount Rainier and the harbor.

“Harborview” already has some bookings for the property which sleeps nine and has a full kitchen and two baths. Want to learn more? Visit

http://www.vrbo.com/459846.

Two Feet Back - Giant Leap Ahead

Gig Harbor Welcomes Grant & Shawna Korgan

Feeling sorry for yourself?

Not Grant Korgan. He doesn’t know how to feel sorry for himself. In fact, he can give you a life lesson in positive thinking that you will never forget.

On March 5, 2010, Grant ��" a whitewater kayaker, snowmobiler and nano scientist ��" suffered a spinal cord injury while shooting a snowmobile film in Tahoe backcountry. He was paralyzed from the bellybutton down.

That day, in the emergency room, Grant’s wife of only five months, Shawna, held his face between her two hands and told him they would get through this together.

Of course the doctors said he would never walk again. Grant’s initial prognosis was to never move his legs against gravity. The doctors told him the independence he once cherished would become a thing of the past. But of course I wouldn’t be writing this story if he had accepted those assumed truths as his forever fate. No, not Grant Korgan.

“They gave me a gift by saying I would never move my legs” Korgan said. “I told them I respectfully disagree, and then set out to find my feet.” Grant Korgan walked with the help of two canes, into Java & Clay last week to be interviewed.

“I have chosen to recover through activity based efforts. My body knows how to do these independent sports. My brain understands this modality and uses the movements required to find and retrain the sleeping parts of my body. I believe I will recover 120%.”

Netshed No. 9 Newest Eatery in Gig Harbor Waterfront

Brix 25 Owners Open Second Restaurant in Casual Location

Four years ago Chef Thad Layman and his wife Katie Doherty arrived in Gig Harbor after being in the restaurant biz in Napa California. They came to Gig Harbor with a goal. Bring good food and great service to the diners of Gig Harbor.

For the past four years they have done that consistently with Brix 25, located on Pioneer Way. Shortly after opening Brix, when they were still feeling their way, the couple looked at an additional potential restaurant site on the waterfront of Gig Harbor. They were really close to moving ahead with that site, but their hesitation meant another restaurateur beat them to the punch. “It probably was just as well,” Katie told me in an interview last week. “We were still working on getting Brix just right.” Since then, they have brought two sous chef’s up from their former Napa team, and have built a very loyal clientele and consistently good menu at Brix 25 including an award winning wine list. When the same building became available again this past winter, they were ready to pull the trigger.

Their latest venture (but likely not their last) is the new “breakfast and lunch all day” waterfront location called “Netshed No.9” opening March 23rd at 3313 Harborview Drive. The name is a throwback to the days when the fishermen counted the netsheds as they came into the harbor. This location, also known as the Novak Netshed, was No.9. “The name just felt right” Doherty said.

Chef Thad believes the more quality restaurants and businesses we can have in this part of historic Gig Harbor the better it is for everyone. “We are doing something not like anything else in town, “he said. “I want a restaurant that is a destination.” And with the rustic maritime character and fantastic waterfront location, combined with a mouth watering and affordable menu, Netshed No. 9 should fit the bill.

Guest can enjoy inside seating for 24 and an additional 24 seats on the seasonal deck while dining on such things as Thad’s version of Chicken and Waffles, Frittatas, Bisquits and Gravy or Sourdough Ricotta Pancakes. Don’t expect to see deep fried fish and chips or Burgers on the menu. Netshed No.9 has no deep fryer or grill. Dishes will be made using a griddle, oven and a Panini press. Rumor has it the Chef will also be resurrecting a special recipe from his California days ��" a Mexican dish called Chilaquiles. Wine, Beer, Beer Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas, Espresso drinks and the piece de’ resistance, Thad’s killer Hot Chocolate will all be added attractions to the menu.

Netshed No. 9 will likely become a Gig Harbor favorite, without taking anything away from other local breakfast and lunch fav’s like The Tides, Kelly’s or Devoted Kiss. Everything about the place feels unique, not a copycat, but another quality dining option with a killer waterfront views.

Opening March 23rd. Hours to start will be Wednesday ��" Sunday 8am-4pm. Hours may change as time goes along. Website coming soon .

See you at the Shed.

FISHWIFE SALMON IS A FISHY BUSINESS FOR GIG HARBOR COUPLE

Krista and Ryan Philbrick are making high quality salmon accessible and affordable right out of their Gig Harbor home.

The Gig Harbor Couple has fish in their blood, not to mention a strong and innovative work ethic. Ryan grew up in Sun Valley but spent his summers in Alaska fishing with his father in Bristol Bay. Ryan’s family has several generations of boat-builders, and being on the water was very natural to him. His boat F/V Legend is based in Bristol Bay. Krista grew up in North Tacoma, and when they married and were ready to settle down, Gig Harbor seemed a perfect fit.

Krista’s nickname “FishWife” spawned from her jokingly telling Ryan she had to go “darn his nets” in the off – season. It was only after the nickname stuck did she realize the true meaning of the term;

“[ físh wif ] coarse and loud woman: an offensive term for a woman who is regarded as loud-voiced and lacking in manners.”

Who's Your Funny Valentine?

My Funny Valentine

~ By Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

My funny Valentine
Sweet comic Valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable
Yet you're my favorite work of art

Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speak, are you smart?

But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day

Hopefully you have your own funny valentine and have someone to spend the upcoming Valentine’s Day with.  We encourage you to consider local Gig Harbor businesses when shopping for gifts, or choosing dining or a weekend get-away.

Check out our calendar of events for February, and particular for February 14^th to see a great list of Valentine ideas for couples, kids, parents, friends – anyone you want to show how much you care.

http://www.gigharborguide.com/ghg-events.php

Gig Harbor is Making Music with Allstar Guitar & Music Academy

Grand Opening Celebration February 23rd!

Few things are more inspiring to me than a small locally grown business that finds it niche and becomes a great success.  One such business that knows its product and its customer is Gig Harbor’s  “Allstar Guitar and Music Academy”.

Dan and May Wilson are well known in Gig Harbor by those in the music industry.  Since 1994 they have operated “Allstar Guitar”, for most of those years  in the Harbor Landing Plaza.  Over the years they have piecemealed the shop together using several small spaces at Harbor Landing Plaza.  But all that changed this month when Allstar doubled their space and moved to a fabulous 4000 sq foot location in the former Gig Harbor Gift Mall above Spiros.  This location, is also the historic former Gig Harbor Hotel, and the layout is perfect for Allstar Guitar and Music Academy.

The Wilson’s dream of expanding the music academy can now be realized with the new enlarged space.  Although the bread and butter of the business is and has always been the service center, this fabulous location has opened up expanded academy space and Dan and May expect to go from 200 students to 400.