Twelve Years and Counting
This month I will mark my 12th Anniversary in this job – Gig Harbor Marketing Director. Twelve years have gone by in the blink of an eye. I find it a little hard to believe honestly. I never set out to be here this long…I honestly wasn’t sure what I was getting into at the time I was hired. Being the first person to ever hold this job, it was pretty much up to me to figure -out the position. Hopefully I have by now!
So as I reflect a little today on the last 12 years, I realize how the community has been in a constant state of change since 1999. Changing business, changing neighborhoods and changing people. For example there has been;
- Six Gateway Editors
- Four Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors
- Three Peninsula School District Superintendents
- Two Mayors
- And a partridge in a pear tree –oh that’s me!
Read more → Comments (2)
It's so Easy to Say HI
Gig Harbor is a Friendly Place
I've been training to participate in two upcoming events; the Over the Narrows 10 Mile race being put on by the Gig Harbor North Rotary this coming Saturday September 4th and the Seattle Women's Triathlon on Sunday September 19th.
So, I am out there running alot. I run in the harbor, I run near my home on Wollochet Bay, I run on Point Fosdick, I run over the bridge, I run on Fox Island. I also bike.
Twice this summer my husband and I have taken a weekend Get-Away and during that time we also continued our training. We spent a weekend in Ellensburg when we attended a concert at the Gorge. We spent another long weekend in Woodenville when we attended a concert at Château St. Michelle. And in both places I noticed something very curious...
No one says Hi or acknowledges you while running. No eye contact. No smile. No Good Morning. Really? What's up with that?
I noticed it immediately. When I run in Gig Harbor, or when biking, everyone smiles, makes eye contact, waves. Most people say Hi, Good Morning and occasionally Good Job! Some folks inquire how far you are going, where you are starting and stopping, or ask if you are training for something in particular.
Nothing in Ellensburg. Nada in Woodenville. Seriously - is Gig Harbor super friendly or what?
When I said Good Morning to two ladies walking in Woodenville they seemed so startled and actually somewhat suspicious. I first noticed this when running alone in the morning. Later in the afternoon when my husband and I were together on our bikes on the Burke Gilman Trail I mentioned it to him. He immediately agreed that he had taken note of it as well.
So I have two things to say - First, lighten up Woodenville and Ellensburg. And second, keep it up Gig Harbor! Though some outsiders think Gig Harbor is "snobby" I absolutely know this is not true. Good morning to you, is so easy to do. And it always is a good morning when you live in Gig Harbor.
Read more → Comments (2)Ten Things To Do Before Summer Ends in Gig Harbor
Enjoy the last days of summer
There is still lots of time to get out and enjoy Gig Harbor; for a day, a night or a weekend. Join us in Gig Harbor at one of our fabulous inns, hotels or bed and breakfasts and say farewell to summer Gig Harbor style!
1. Take a tour aboard Destiny Harbor Tours www.destinymarine.com
2. Enjoy farm fresh at the Gig Harbor Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday www.gigharborfarmersmarket.com
3. Golf! Enjoy one of many wonderful regional golf courses from Chambers Bay to Gold Mountain all within "driving range" of our hotels. www.gigharborguide.com
4. Kayak - rent a kayak or take a guided tour on Gig Harbor Bay. www.gigharborguide.com
5. History Rocks in Gig Harbor with the grand opening of our beautiful new state-of-the-art Harbor History Museum on September 18th www.harborhistorymuseum.org
6. Bring the pooch and enjoy the 8th annual Harbor Hounds event on September 18th www.harborhounds.com
7. View the wonderful Heron Art on display around Gig Harbor until the end of August, then make a bid to own one at the SalmonChanted Auction on Sept 18th www.salmonchantedharbor.org
8. Through the month of September enjoy the Quilt Show at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, precurser to October's Gig Harabor Quilt Festival www.gigharborquiltfestival.org
9. Get close and personal with sea critters at one of the remaining guided beach walks this summer with Harbor WildWatch www.harborwildwatch.org
10. Sit back, relax and enjoy. With a latte, a glass of wine, a mug of our very own 7 Seas Brewery beer...whatever fits your fancy. Gig Harbor has it and it is waiting for you to enjoy.
See our hotels and learn about special rates and deals at www.gigharborguide.com
Read more → Comments (0)US Amateur is Here
Gig Harbor Welcomes Many Players and Their Families
I received this great email below from Brian Simpson who has been one of the main organizers of the 2010 US Amateur. I have really enjoyed working with Brian, and this information below is just fascinating. If you are a golfer you will love it, and even if you aren't you will still find this interesting.
Tickets are still available if you want to come out this week and see some excellent golf, and perhaps a future PGA Champ!
Good day from Championship Headquarters. The Saturday/Sunday practice rounds are nearing the finish line…It’s almost time for Stroke Play Monday and Tuesday.
Our Pairings, Starting Times and Scoring will always be at:
http://www.usga.org/ChampEventScoringIndex.aspx?eid=17179869326&year=2010&id=17179869371
You can always link from our website:
and
It was amazing to see the best amateur players from all over the world see Chambers Bay for the first time.
Enjoy the week at the 110th U.S. Amateur. Here are some great storylines:
Foreign countries represented (15): Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, El Salvador, England, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, South Africa and Venezuela.
States represented (40): All but Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.
Youngest competitor: There are seven 15-year-olds in the field. The youngest is George Cunningham of Litchfield Park, Ariz. (DOB: 8/14/1995). Jim Liu, the 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur champion, is five days older than Cunningham. Liu (DOB: 8/9/1995), of Smithtown, N.Y., won the U.S. Junior Amateur in late July with a 4-and-2 victory over Justin Thomas at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich., becoming the youngest winner in the championship‘s history.
Oldest competitor: George “Buddy” Marucci Jr. of Villanova, Pa., is 58 years old (DOB: 3/6/1952). Marucci won the 2008 USGA Senior Amateur with a 2-up victory over George Zahringer at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Marucci captained the victorious 2007 and 2009 USA Walker Cup Teams and played on the USA Walker Cup Teams in 1995 and 1997. He is playing in his 27th U.S. Amateur and was the runner-up to Tiger Woods in 1995.
USGA champions in the field (14):
Byeong-Hun An – 2009 U.S. Amateur champion
Brad Benjamin – 2009 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion
Tim Hogarth – 1996 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion
Tim Jackson – 1994 and 2001 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion; Member of winning Tennessee team at the 2003 USGA Men’s State Team Championship
Lion Kim – 2010 U.S. Amateur Public Links champion
Sihwan Kim – 2004 U.S. Junior Amateur champion
Sean Knapp – Member of winning Pennsylvania team at the 2009 USGA Men’s State Team Championship
Jim Liu – 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur champion
Kevin Marsh – 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion
George “Buddy” Marucci Jr. – 2008 USGA Senior Amateur champion
Cameron Peck – 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur champion
Nathan Smith – 2003 and 2009 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion; Member of winning Pennsylvania team at the 2009 USGA Men’s State Team Championship
Jordan Spieth – 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur champion
Kevin Tway – 2005 U.S. Junior Amateur champion
Read more → Comments (0)Outdoor Community Theater Returns
Snow White is a hit
Last evening my husband and I went to the new Sehmel Homestead Park to see the outdoor performance of Snow White. It was great! Highlighted by the fact that you were watching community theater outdoors again, something I have been sad to see disappear in the harbor.Multiple venues have served for outdoor theater performances in Gig Harbor over the years, but recently both community theater companies have been performing indoors only due to loss of outdoor space.
Sehmel Homestead Park has a facility that is perfect for theater - a small amphitheater with a permanent concrete 'stage". Unfortunately this facility is also open for public rental (well not unfortunately, but unfortunately for the theater companies) so using it as a permanent summer venue is not possible.
Read more → Comments (0)
Stop the Whining - Fall is Cool!
Slide right from summer to fall in Gig Harbor
I'm hearing a lot of whining out there. Summer over? Don’t fret! Even if it may be cool, late Summer and Fall there is still so much to do around here. In fact there is so much stuff coming up in September and October its easier to just give you the entire list. So check out the calendar at www.gigharborguide.com for all the details. Keep on enjoying summer right to the bitter end!
Read more → Comments (0)
Come on "Over the Narrows" With Me
September 4th 10 mile run
Some of you know that I have become a runner in the past year and a half. It took me 49 years to figure out how great running is, and what great exercise it is. I really enjoy it now, and look forward to it as often as possible. I constantly challenge myself by planning my next 5K.
But now I decided to push myself a little harder because the Gig Harbor North Rotary is planning a new event in Gig Harbor. The Over the Narrows 10 mile run is being planned for Saturday September 4th.
I really wanted to support this new event, so I decided yesterday to do a test run on the route to see how I did. The furthest I have ever run was 9 miles. But I didn’t want to sign up if I wasn’t sure that I could do 10 miles. So yesterday was the day.
Read more → Comments (0)
The 50's are back in Gig Harbor
Saturday Gig Harbor Rocks
Classic cars, music and dancing are all part of the fun this coming Saturday when Gig Harbor goes back to the 50's with Gig Harbor Rocks in downtown Gig Harbor.
Sponsored by local merchants, this second annual event will include a costume contest and a dance contest. Music begins at 6:30pm with GOLD RUSH performing in the parking lot of Seasons by the Bay.
Classic car buffs will also enjoy the cars on display through out the day. The weather is supposed to be awesome, what a "marvelous night for a moondance". Enjoy burgers, fries and a coke, then stay and dance til you drop.
For more information call 858-9170.
Read more → Comments (0)Top Chef Fan Favorite meets Iron Chef Challenger
2010 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival
By guest blogger Al Abbot
It’s time for the inaugural Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival showcasing an exciting cook-off between Fabio Viviani – Top Chef Season 5 Fan Favorite and Craig Haslebacher – Challenger and victor over Iron Chef America’s Chef Bobby Flay. Tami Michaels, of KOMO News, and State Senator Derek Kilmer will attend as judges for the cook-off, accompanied by a third judge determined by an on-site auction just prior to the competition. In addition, high bidders will have the opportunity to rub spoons as sous-chefs to Viviani and Haslebacher in the cook-off finale.
Festivities take place August 7, 2010 on the campus of the Harbor History Museum overlooking picturesque Gig Harbor Bay. All the action begins at 12:00 pm. $75 Admission tickets can be purchased in advance on the Festival’s website: www.harborwineandfoodfest.com or at the gate on the day of the event. Proceeds from the event will benefit Gig Harbor’s Harbor History Museum and The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association.
Read more → Comments (0)