June 2019 Gig Harbor Living Local

JUNE 2019

LIVING LOCAL

Life & Community

Failure

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JUNE 2019

Volume 6 Number 6

inside Map Your Trip

Pick the perfect journey for you and your crew!

Adventure the Pacific Northwest Road trips & festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest Region

Tips for Traveling with Kids The best way for all to enjoy the trip!

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GIGHARBORLIVINGLOCAL.COM

MARKETING DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Cassie Riendeau | 360.798.3061 cassie@livinglocal360.com

EDITORIAL SENIOR EDITOR | CONTENT MANAGER Jillian Chandler | jillian@livinglocal360.com STAFF WRITERS Patty Hutchens | patty@livinglocal360.com Colin Anderson | colin@livinglocal360.com

DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Whitney Lebsock DESIGN DIRECTOR | Maddie Horton GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Donna Johnson GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Darbey Scrimsher

OPERATIONS MANAGING PARTNER | Kim Russo EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Steve Russo DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | Rachel Figgins

CONTRIBUTORS

Nikki Luttmann, Betty Lilienthal, Felicia Soleil, Mariel Kraus, Kay Frallic, Darcie Miller, Ryan Egan, Angie Frantz, Kristin Carlson, Anneli Fogt, Marguerite Cleveland, Marina Gunn

GIG HARBOR LIVING LOCAL MAGAZINE

is brought to you by Like-Media.com. If you would like to advertise with us please call 360.798.3061 or email cassie@livinglocal360.com. To submit articles, photos, nominations and events, email us at events@livinglocal360.com.

Living Local Magazine is published monthly and distributed freely throughout the Pacific Northwest and Inland Northwest; Gig Harbor, Edmonds, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Dover Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum and the Spokane Valley. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Living Local Magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Living Local Magazine is produced and published by Living Local 360, and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the publisher.

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PHOTO BY SAMANTHA ELISE TILLMAN

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PUBLISHER’S

Note

SUMMER ADVENTURES - MAKE THE MOST OF THE SEASON It's finally here! The kids are finishing up school, the warm weather has arrived and we are delighted at the arrival of summer! It goes by quickly, so I encourage you to take some time, before it is too late, and plan some summer adventures. Next winter, as you cozy up by the fire, you can look back at some wonderful memories made with family and friends.

We at Gig Harbor Living Local want to help you make the most out of your summer, so be sure and check out our tips in this issue on unique places to stay and things to do in the upcoming months. Also in this issue, we offer tips for when traveling with children and planning a vacation on a budget. Whether you choose to fly off to somewhere exotic or enjoy a “staycation” right here in our own community, you will want to make the most of your summer.

When planning your summer getaways, make a commitment to “think outside the box” this summer. Choose a place on the map that you have never been to and set out to explore. Whether it is a day trip, a

drive across the mountains or across the Canadian border, make it something new and adventurous.

And how about trying a new summer activity? Water sports are abundant and there is something for everyone.

Remember, adventure and expensive do not have to go hand in hand. With options for hiking, going to the beach, bike trails and more, there is so much to do and so many beautiful places right here in our own backyard to do it!

From all of us at Gig Harbor Living Local, we hope you enjoy whatever summer adventure you choose to set out to do!

Steve Russo

Steve Russo Executive Director steve@like-media.com Creating | Connecting | Living Local

ABOUT THE COVER JUNE HAS ARRIVED AND THE SCHOOL YEAR IS COMING TO AN END. With summer officially here, it's time to start planning all of your outdoor adventures! From a day of hiking or an afternoon on the water to a weekend of camping or that family road trip, there's much to enjoy here in the Northwest—and there's no better place than right here in Gig Harbor. This month's cover image provided by Defenders Northwest, DefendersNW.com.

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Contents pg. 26

pg. 82

16

Get Featured

Join our Facebook group Gig Harbor Living for a chance to get your photos, recipes, ideas and much more featured.

40 Living Local Wanna Trade? Free plant swap keeps gardens growing

20 Essentials

48 Health & Lifestyle

26 Life & Community

58

The latest tips and trends

It’s time to Party in the Park! PenMet Parks celebrates 15 years

28 Good News A New Senior Center is Born: Greater Gig Harbor Foundation & Gig Harbor Senior Center have joined forces to create senior center

32

Business Spotlight

Family First Adult Family Homes: Celebrating 20 years serving the community

34

Gig Harbor In Focus

Travel with the Chamber: Third all-inclusive trip goes far from home

Tips and informational articles about living a healthy, active lifestyle

Feature Story

Chasing Failure: How Tacoma’s Richard Kresser uses defeat as motivation

82

Travel & Leisure

Budget Travel: How to plan a summer vacation on a tight budget

86

Food & Drink

Discover Gig Harbor's tastiest recipes and restaurants

92

Arts & Entertainment

Calendar of great local events, music and shows

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pg. 34

IT’S ALL HERE, WHY AREN’T YOU?

STAY WATERFRONT GIG HARBOR

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SLEEPS UP TO 14 7 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHS, 2 KITCHENS

LIGHTHOUSE, BEACH ACCESS, MT.RAINER , COMMENCEMENT & GIG HARBOR BAY VIEWS

KAYAK, CANOE OR TAKE THE ITALIAN GONDOLIER TO EXPLORE GIG HARBOR

ROAST HOT DOGS, SMORES AT THE WATER’S EDGE SPOT SEALS, EAGLES, WHALES AND GO FISHING

7 5 0 6 G O O D M A N D R . N W. | 7 5 1 0 G O O D M A N D R . N W. 9 0 9 . 7 7 2 . 8 8 1 0 | R E N T @ S TAY WAT E R F R O N T G I G H A R B O R | S TAY WAT E R F R O N T G I G H A R B O R . C O M

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C O U N T E R TO P O V E R V I E W : T H E B A S I C S

BY NIKKI LUTTMANN, INTERIOR DESIGNER

L

et’s talk countertops. One of my favorite upgrades in any kitchen or bathroom often starts with countertops.

Nowadays there are so many options out there you can choose almost any look, but all countertop surfaces are not created the same!

Stone countertops are very popular. Stone ranges in all kinds of looks and colors, from super-simple Absolute Black, to classic Carrara Marble, to swirly-twirly Typhoon Bordeaux. As well, the surface of stone can be polished, honed or even leathered, creating options within options, which can be even more daunting when it comes to the selection process. However, I will say this: Often when it comes to natural stone, and granite in particular, my clients experience something akin to love at first sight—they’ll see a slab and just know that that is the rock they want in their house.

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Stone is quarried all over the world. Natural stone is dug out of the quarry, then split into manageable slabs, then sent to local distributors and then purchased by the fabricator, who cuts it to size, adds details like edging and specific cuts, and then it is installed. It is a tedious process that is all the more difficult because the fabricators are working with massive slabs that weigh thousands of pounds and can break easier than you might think!

Quartz is fabricated roughly the same way as granite, but it is a man-made substance, not pure stone like granite. It’s called quartz because the manufacturers take quartz rough material, grind it down finely, and mix it with binders and pigments to get an end product. It can look wild with lots of variation, or subtle with little to no variation, and can go with a variety of interiors.

Many people labor under the misinformation that quartz is more durable than granite, but often times, that is not the case as it can be more brittle and heat-sensitive. Because it is man-made,

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There are so many options out there you can choose almost any look. the material is only as good as its manufacturing process, and different manufacturers have different processes. A good fabricator or sales center can help you determine the right quartz brand for you, as they often have their favorites that they have good working history with.

In addition, there are new composites like Dekton, which works for both indoor and outdoor use and is very dense, and fun, environmentally friendly options like compressed paper, which comes in a variety of colors and looks like stone or even leather.

There is also tried-and-true laminate, which has come a long way since the glossy blue marbled look of 1985! The new laminate materials from Wilsonart and Formica are gorgeous—some of them look very close to natural stone, and others looking sleek and ready for an uber-modern interior. Edging has also improved. Gone are the days when wood or laminate tape was the only option for countertop edging. Integrated Corian edges look fantastic, and some places can do seamless rolled edges as well.

I’ve done Terrazzo countertops, concrete countertops and even natural Linoleum countertops. All of them are different and all of them have pros and cons. Bearing that in mind, do some research and then ask questions of your sales person! They can be a wealth of information and can help you find the right product for your home.

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Transformation through Transition YOUR DIVORCE IS MORE THAN A SPREADSHEET

I

By Felicia Soleil, JD

recently had the opportunity to experience two diverse philosophies during an introductory meeting between myself, another attorney and our respective divorcing clients. The philosophical approaches to the divorce process were between myself and the other attorney, whom I greatly respect. However, I had to pause when that attorney presented an approach that suggested we handle the dissolution of the marriage “like a business.”

This is where the divergence occurred. While I agree there is certainly business to attend to, such as segregating assets, liabilities, and analyzing income, expenses and overall cash flow, I countered that the parties may also want to consider a more holistic approach to this major life transition than merely reducing the demise of their marriage to nothing more than spreadsheets and financial records.

For starters, we could talk about the meaning for each of them behind the numbers. We could identify each party’s needs and wants and interests underneath potential ideas for asset and income distribution. We could seek to support the importance of their successful track record in co-parenting their children by introducing different perspectives on financial support. There was an opportunity here to treat this transition as more than a superficial business transaction—if they wanted.

My approach was not meant to discredit the other attorney’s approach in any way but instead was founded on the premise that we need to take the stigma out of getting divorced and stop pretending that feelings don’t matter—particularly very deep-seated feelings and beliefs that may have guided them through their marriage when things were better. Focus on what the parties have done well and apply those strengths to tackling the myriad challenges involved in disentangling their marital financial life.

When parties, and often their lawyers, seek to rush through the mechanics of the divorce process, it is

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often fueled by the parties wanting to avoid difficult conversations and minimize their discomfort with what is usually a very painful decision by one or both of them to significantly alter their relationship. Why prolong it?

Shouldn’t a financial settlement be fairly easy to achieve if one attempts to take the emotion out of it? Yet, this is exactly where the issues arise, when ignored and suppressed emotions often come to light once the parties see the numbers of their life reduced to a spreadsheet and a residential schedule for their children reduced to a detailed ‘Parenting Plan.’

It is also easier for lawyers to “treat it like a business” because, unlike therapists, they usually aren’t professionally trained to deal with the emotions of multiple clients at once. Distancing oneself in this way from clients is often an attempt to avoid the inevitable burnout divorce lawyers will experience otherwise.

However, there are many lawyers who appreciate the need for continued education in the areas of client counseling, conflict resolution, conflict coaching and negotiation skills inspired by something other than traditional position-based bargaining.

For couples and individual clients who tell me they want to maintain their integrity, move through this very difficult time with grace and dignity while allowing both parties to obtain an outcome that meets their own respective definitions of “fair,” they should be offered a divorce process that provides the space for a transformation of their relationship to something they can hopefully feel honorable about when they are done.

A spreadsheet is only a glimpse into their story.

Felicia Soleil helps her clients in achieving a resolution that fosters both a compassionate ending to their union and a healthy new beginning for them and their families so they can focus on moving on, rather than simply moving out.

Felicia can be reached at 253.853.6940. All consultations are strictly confidential.

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S IT’

T I M E TO PA RTY

In The Park!

P E N M E T PA R K S C E L E B R AT E S 1 5 Y E A R S

By Jillian Chandler | Photos Courtesy of Chrissy Dorsey Photography

S

ehmel Homestead Park is the place to be Saturday, June 15, as PenMet Parks hosts Party in the Park, a celebration to mark its 15th anniversary serving Gig Harbor residents.

and kids adventure zone, and corn-hole tournament. Bring some cash, as there will be food trucks dishing up tasty fare, and to quench your thirst, a root-beer float garden and beer garden on-site. While there, it’s also a great time to make a donation to support in the efforts of PenMet Parks and all they do for the Gig Harbor community.

“As we embark on our next adventure of celebrating 15 years as the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District (PenMet Parks), this is a time of reflecting on the amazing support that has come from the Greater Gig Harbor area; a time of celebrating collaboration, community, volunteers and staff,” says Chuck Cuzzetto, PenMet Parks marketing specialist.

“As someone who grew up here, the District has provided more to the community than ever imaginable. From breathtaking parks and waterfront access, to youth and adult recreation, PenMet Parks has fit the needs of the community in so many ways.”

“We would like to thank the community, businesses and organizations for their dedication and continued support,” says Chuck. “As we look toward the future of promoting health and wellness in our area, we truly could not ask for a better community to serve.”

Join the community 11am to 4pm for an event for friends, families and fun!

The festivities kick off at 11am (and conclude at 4pm), and the event is free to attend. Smiles are sure to be on the faces of all who attend, as Sehmel Homestead Park comes alive with live entertainment, kids stage

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With activities, beautiful scenery and staff on hand to answer questions, have some fun and … party on PenMet!

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PHOTO BY FRANK OWEN SHAW

A New Senior Center is Born GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION & GIG HARBOR SENIOR CENTER HAVE JOINED FORCES TO CREATE SENIOR CENTER

By Jillian Chandler & Betty Lilienthal

THE GREATER GIG HARBOR FOUNDATION HAS ENTERED INTO A FISCAL SPONSOR ARRANGEMENT WITH THE NEWLY FORMED GIG HARBOR SENIOR CENTER.

S

ince its inception more than nine years ago, The Senior Club has been housed in Gig Harbor’s Boys & Girls Club, but with the recent sale of the building to the Peninsula School District, the seniors have now been displaced. With a move-out date set for June 20, area seniors would have nowhere to go. Fortunately, the tides have turned, as it was recently announced at an update meeting on May 3 that the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation has entered into a fiscal sponsor arrangement with the newly formed Gig Harbor Senior Center (formerly the Senior Club), which gives the organization the benefit of a 501 (c)(3), among many other features.

The Gig Harbor Senior Club (GHSC) joins the roster of Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s (GGHF) half dozen projects and programs. Dr. Julie Ann Gustanski of the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation shared GGHF received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit determination from the IRS in 2006, explaining the process an organization undergoes to become a nonprofit. The ability to offer fiscal sponsorship to community initiatives consistent with GGHF’s mission and within 501 (c)(3) regulations enables

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GGHF to provide an expedient pathway to becoming a nonprofit organization while fulfilling its mission to build, bridge and enrich our community. Gig Harbor Senior Club can operate as a nonprofit organization under the Foundation’s umbrella.

The officers of the newly formed GHSC board were introduced and include Joyce Schultz, president; Betty Lilienthal, vice president; Marc Avni, treasurer; Betty Ringlee, member at large; and Claire Predergast, secretary.

Panelists Dr. Gustanski, along with Jeni Woock, City of Gig Harbor councilmember; Missy Hill, PenMet Parks Board president; and Joyce Schultz, Gig Harbor Senior Center president, shared how their organizations fit into the equation of the future of the Gig Harbor Senior Center.

Avni, panel moderator, stated, “It is no longer the Senior Club, it’s now the Gig Harbor Senior Center.

Without the connection to the Boys & Girls Club, we could not raise or accept funds or write grants, which is why Dr. Julie Ann Gustanski from the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation is here today.”

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“I FELT SO LOST AND LONELY (WHEN MY HUSBAND PASSED). I WAS BECOMING A RECLUSE. WITHOUT THE SENIOR CLUB I WOULD NOT HAVE THE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND FRIENDS I HAVE TODAY.” - E. ANDERSON “AFTER MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY, I WAS SO LONESOME. THE SENIOR CLUB CHANGED MY LIFE. IT HELPED ME FIND NEW FRIENDS; I FELT LIKE I BELONGED.” - E. CAMPBELL “I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING INSTRUCTOR BETTY LILIENTHAL'S COMPUTER CLASSES FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND AM SADDENED TO LEARN THAT THIS CLASS HAS NO PLACE TO GO. IT HELPED ME TO CONNECT TO OTHER SENIORS AND LEARN NEW SKILLS.” - M. BUJALSKI

Woock explained that the city provided approximately $250,000 to the Boys & Girls Club for the Senior Club’s operating expenses when it opened nine-and-a-half years ago. The city and the Boys & Girls Club are currently in negotiations on the amount that will come back to the GHSC. “At the last Park District meeting, Betty and Joyce brought a list of needs to our Board. The Board took the requests seriously, and we think we have a possible location that may fit a senior center’s needs,” said Hill.

Schultz reported that Harbor Covenant Church has offered space on Mondays and Wednesdays during the summer months, adding “Our relationship with the Catholic Community Services hot lunch and foot care programs remains intact, as well as other activities. The church’s generosity enables us to continue our search for a long-term temporary home while we hunt for a permanent solution. It is necessary for our exercise programs to move to various locations. We are grateful to all of the churches and organizations that have been contacted in the pursuit of a home. When one door closes, another opens.”

She thanked Gustanski for “providing the opportunity through the foundation for the senior population of the greater Gig Harbor area to find a place to call their own and to continue providing the ‘welcoming and caring home away from home’ they have enjoyed for the past nineand-a-half years.”

The Task Force group includes members from PenMet Parks, City of Gig Harbor, Pierce County, Boys & Girls Club and the Seniors.

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Schultz and Lilienthal met with the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce Board. The Chamber invited GHSC to participate in the Maritime Gig Festival, where they collected “Signatures of Support” for the continuance of a viable senior center.

“Many seniors benefit from membership in the center,” Joyce noted.

“When a senior walks through the door and returns, it is claimed as a victory for the center.” Lilienthal added, “Seniors who have nowhere to go find new friendships and become involved in their community.”

Todays’ seniors are redefining the quality of life and healthy aging. They wish to maintain their independence and sense of purpose while having the opportunity to learn and play together for the benefit of all. The Gig Harbor Senior Center fulfills this requirement.

For those interested in helping the Gig Harbor Senior Center, which benefits the seniors in our community, email ghseniorctr@ gigharborfoundation.org or call 253.514.6338 ext. 107.

About the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation (GGHF) is the only community foundation specifically working to meet the diverse needs of our greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula communities. The nonprofit organization has invested more than $7 million in grants, scholarships, land, equipment and volunteer labor over its 12-year history. Through the support of its donors, volunteers and fundholders, the Foundation has been able to address some of the community’s most pressing needs. For more information, visit GigHarborFoundation.org.

30

TEACHER OF THE MONTH

By Colin Anderson

Joy Stanford PENINSULA SCHOOL DISTRICT

W

e can all remember back to with the kids [is crucial],” she says. “This the days when our teacher generation is so smart and tech savvy. They was going to be out and will be our future leaders.” we would be having a Gaining respect from a classroom that substitute for the day. A little breakup in knows you might only be there for a day or the routine would make things interesting. two isn’t always easy, but being honest and Maybe we’d get to watch a movie instead of direct with her students is a technique Joy studying for a quiz or doing our fractions. uses to keep them focused on their studies.

Great substitute teachers who keep kids on point are something One of the other unique “I WANT KIDS TO BE every district strives to aspects of the substitute attract, and luckily for is meeting new kids FEARLESS. HOWEVER PSD they have done just every day and never that.

WE GET THEM THERE quite knowing what’s going to come out of Joy Stanford doesn’t WE MUST REMIND their mouths. always know what tomorrow will bring, THEM THE FAILURE IS “I have the kids refer to just the fact that she’ll me as Ms. Joy. One day be leading a classroom SUCCESS, BECAUSE IT a student asked me, ‘Is somewhere across first name Ms. or the Peninsula School MEANS YOU HAVE NOT your Joy?’ I thought this was District. She’s been the funniest things any subbing on and off since GIVEN UP." of the kids had ever 2014 and has made it asked me,” she recalled. to just about every school in the district.

Her ever-changing role means she must be able to relate to young children as well as teens; no easy task. Her favorite subjects to teach are history and art and music classes; however, she must be prepared to lead a class on just about every subject.

Having experienced many levels of learning, she’s found there are different nuances at each age, but there is one thing Joy brings to each and every classroom: honesty.

“Having honesty and real conversations

While Joy might only have a few hours or days to make an impact, the lessons she instills are ones she hopes stick with the young minds she works with. These include encouraging kids to keep trying and keep working even if they aren’t successful on the first try.

“I want kids to be fearless. However we get them there we must remind them the failure is success, because it means you have not given up,” said Joy.

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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Thank You

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Celebrating 20 Years Serving the Community WHERE FAMILY IS ALWAYS FIRST

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA ELISE TILLMAN

FAMILY FIRST ADULT FAMILY HOMES 4700 Point Fosdick Drive, Suite 312 Gig Harbor, Washington 98335 FamilyFirstAFH.com

Family owned, Family First Adult Family Homes has been serving Gig Harbor and surrounding communities for 20 years, a testament to the unwavering commitment they have for all who come through their doors.

A

ging is a part of life. There will come a time when someone we love can no longer live independently and will rely on others in order to live the rest of their days in the best, most comfortable way possible.

Family First Adult Family Homes offers unmatched high-end care, with a goal to enhance the quality of life for their residence while striving to give family members the ability to have quality time with their loved one without the stress of caregiving.

Family First consists of six adult family homes in the Gig Harbor area; each home state licensed to care for up to six people and offering 24-hour care.

Some of the medical needs they specialize in are dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, stroke, diabetes, special diets and hospice care. When a resident lives at Family First their medical and social needs are met by qualified staff members including CNAs, RNs, activity director, quality assurance manager, administrative staff and hands-on owners.

“We were inspired to get into this business when both our grandmas needed care,” says Julie Thomson, who co-owns Family first with husband Chris.

“The options were difficult for them, and they were both so much happier

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

32

in Family First's home setting with the heartfelt attention they deserved.”

Family First is very unique as they have created a small setting that offers high-end care. Many facilities have a much higher caregiver to client ratio.

In addition, Family First is fortunate to have longevity when it comes to their staff, with many having worked for them for five to 16 years.

Family owned, Family First Adult Family Homes has been serving Gig Harbor and surrounding communities for 20 years, a testament to the unwavering commitment they have for all who come through their doors. Julie and Chris have worked hard to surround themselves with a wonderful team that believes in their mission to help others and provide loving care. “The support of our family, community and dedicated staff has allowed us to continue to survive and thrive in this ever-changing and challenging industry,” says Julie.

For those looking for a home away from home for their loved one to live out their final time to the fullest, Julie and Chris invite you to call and schedule a tour.

“We take pride in being a resource to our community, helping them

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

navigate through this difficult time and giving resources to help families make the right decision for their situation,” Julie says.

Julie and Chris were both born and raised in Tacoma. They were high school sweethearts and moved to Gig Harbor in 1993. With parents and family also in the area, this is where they wanted to raise their own family and are grateful they did. They are blessed to live in Gig Harbor and to be a part of this wonderful community.

In addition to the work they do through Family First, they enjoy being involved in the community in many ways. Chris coached youth sports for many years and currently serves as vice chair on the board of directors for the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Julie is on the board of directors for the nonprofit organizations Alliance of Woman Owned business (AWOB) and Aging Smart.

“Our annual fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association is a big focus for us, and our Family First team members are very involved in this event each year,” says Julie. “Our team name is Family First Fighting Angels, and we encourage you to go tour website, FamilyFirstAFH.com, click on the purple arrow and join our team to fight this disease.”

33

GIG HARBOR IN FOCUS TRAVEL WITH THE CHAMBER THIRD ALL-INCLUSIVE TRIP GOES FAR FROM HOME

BY COLIN ANDERSON

T

raveling across the U.S is fairly easy and straightforward. You don’t need immigration papers to cross state lines, currency is consistent throughout the varying time zones, and you will have no trouble communicating in English. As you cross the seas, however, traveling on your own can become a bit more challenging, especially if you want to visit many parts of Asia. English is not nearly as prevalent, local customs are often much different, and trying to read non-Latin based language street signage is near impossible.

This is why many U.S. travelers who want to see distant lands choose a guided tour, and there is one such tour that’s leaving later

this year that promises an unforgettable experience where you can focus on the sites and memories instead of the logistics.

The Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce has just a few spaces left on a 10-day tour of China that leaves Seattle on October 30. This is the third trip hosted by the Chamber; something that just a few years ago wasn’t really on their radar.

“We kind of avoided it because it was usually the larger chambers that were taking these trips,” recalled Gig Harbor Chamber President and CEO Warren Zimmerman.

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It wasn’t until several members started asking Zimmerman about group travel with the Chamber when the idea started gaining some traction.

In 2017, Zimmerman took a group to Tuscany on an all-inclusive guided tour. Soon after the trip had concluded, many of the attendees began asking about what the trip was going to be the following year. It was decided to go back to Italy again and tour the coastline, and after a second successful and well-received trip, a yearly offering is now likely to continue.

When Zimmerman attended a chamber conference for the Washington and Oregon

region, he came into contact with a company that specializes in all-inclusive group tours to China. “This trip was originally set up under the George H.W. Bush administration as a way to take federal government workers to China to establish relationships,” said Zimmerman. The program was expanded to include U.S. private sector business owners as a way to encourage commerce and partnerships between the two nations, and Chambers are an ideal fit.

Each year the travel company now brings about 600 to 1,000 Chamber members to China, and Gig Harbor members have the opportunity to experience this adventure.

While the trip started as business oriented, this offering is really geared toward tourism and seeing some of the most famous sites in one of the oldest countries in the world.

Zimmerman and his wife decided that before committing the Chamber to the trip, they would experience it firsthand.

“My wife didn’t have a lot of interest in traveling there but she eventually decided to go, and she’ll tell you it was one of the most interesting trips she had ever taken,” he said.

The package is all-inclusive, meaning all of your airfare, taxes and fees are taken care of. You are provided three meals a day,

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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deluxe bus tours, fluent English-speaking guides and entrance fees for attractions.

Accommodations are all 4- and 5-star properties that if booked on your own might cost just as much by themselves as Chamber members will pay for the entire trip. The cost is $2,299 for Chamber members and partners and $2,499 for others. The only additional expenditures is a flat gratuity and any additional shopping, dining or entertainment outside of the tour you would like to partake in. While the schedule is quite full, there are still several times and opportunities to go out and explore on your own. “We went to the Chinese Circus and it was amazing, I would highly recommend it,” said Zimmerman.

Travel begins with a flight from Seattle to Beijing. Here you will visit Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world, as well as the Forbidden City and its 9,999 rooms. While in Beijing for three full days you will also see gardens and lakes, markets and see the exteriors of the biggest venues from the 2008 Summer Olympics including the National Aquatic Center and The Bird’s Nest, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.

On day six, travelers board a plane to Shanghai where your experiences will be a mixture of past and present. You’ll get to see a centuries old gardens and silk factories, as well as plants that manufacture Apple phones and Samsung TVs. Watch how pearls become jewelry and tour a tea plantation and a silk rug factory across Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Chamber members who have an interest in learning more about Chinese goods and the import/export process are also able to arrange meetings with Chinese commerce officials to learn more about potential trade opportunities. “You can make some good in roads with Chinese counterparts, and we can pair you with a type of business of your choice so you can talk about different requirements,” explained Zimmerman.

While seeing all the incredible sites and centuries of history, it was some of the simple observations that stick with Zimmerman when he recalls the journey. “We had a large amount of interaction with Chinese citizens. Just watching their daily routine was very informative. They wanted to talk with us, take selfies and were very friendly toward us.”

There are a few things travelers do need to be prepared for if they are visiting a non-democratic country for the first time. You won’t have access to

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

Google or Facebook and will find that China is more technologically savvy in the ways of banking and Internet in comparison to the U.S. Zimmerman recommends downloading ‘Google Translator’ for easy interactions at shopping areas and cafes. He also says that despite the restrictions on personal freedoms, guides are quite open to talk about their life experiences living in China. “They are willing to discuss any topic honestly and are truthful about questions of intrusion of privacy and losing rights,” he said.

Cutoff to register for the trip is June 30 and the group will max out at about 30 travelers as to not be an overwhelming number of people to wrangle.

Travelers should be physically fit enough to walk upward of 5 miles per day when exploring vast gardens, the Great Wall, and large temples and other structures. Once you’ve registered, the Chamber will take care of providing all your necessary travel documentation to the travel company so you are approved to be on the group travel visa.

If you would like more information on the trip or would like to be a part of it, contact the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce at GigHarborChamber. net or call 253.851.6865.

36

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s senior Hannah Carroll graduates from Gig Harbor High School, she can look back with pride on what she has accomplished both athletically and academically over the last four years.

Hanna received a varsity letter in basketball her freshman year and lettered in soccer four years and in track for three. She was the captain of the high school soccer team and was all-league MVP, first team all-league for three years and all-state first team one year for soccer.

“I was a member on the soccer state title team. I have won the state title in the 400 two years, 200-meter state title, 4x100 state title, track team title and was named Best Female Athlete of districts,” said Hannah, who has taken four AP classes, maintained a GPA of 3.87 and is a member of the National Honor Society.

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Hannah was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the seventh grade, it is even more remarkable.

“I have had to learn how to communicate my physical limitations with my coaches, manage day-to-day joint pain and push myself to perform at the highest level,” said Hannah. “As this is a lifelong disease, I continue to learn I have to have faith and understand I do not walk this journey alone.”

In the fall Hannah will attend Louisiana State University where she will run cross country and track while pursuing a career as a speech pathologist. “It would be a privilege and an honor to give someone a voice,” she said.

Hannah shares that Coach Eager has been an important influence and has imparted an important life lesson she plans to carry on with her throughout her life: “Coach Eager has taught me how to persevere in the face of adversity, believe in myself and my training, and what it looks like to lead by example.”

“Coach Eager has taught me how to persevere in the face of adversity, believe in myself and my training, and what it looks like to lead by example.”

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THE MONTH

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ISAAC CASEY Peninsula High School

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ighteen-year-old Isaac Casey has made his mark when it comes to athletics at Peninsula High School.

The senior has participated in both wrestling and football during his high school career and looks forward to continuing his wrestling career at Montana State Northern in the fall.

During his wrestling career at Peninsula High School, Isaac placed second in state this year and fourth in 2018. As a testament to his leadership skills, he also served as captain of the wrestling team for two years and was also football team captain.

In football, he helped lead his team to the state quarterfinals both his junior and senior years and was recognized as first team league linebacker his junior and senior years.

At Montana State Northern, Isaac plans to study electrical technology. “Electrical technology will allow me to work in a growing field with many job opportunities,” said Isaac of his career choice.

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Although Isaac has experienced great success in athletics, he said one of the biggest challenges he faced was the disappointment of not placing at state for wrestling his sophomore year.

“But that motivated me to work hard throughout the next year, and I was able to take fourth,” he said, adding that the best part about wrestling is that he enjoys being able to have his own destiny in his hands and being able to make his own decisions when he is on the mat.

Isaac is grateful for the many lessons he has learned through sports. One in particular has certainly made an impact. “Wanting good results is not enough. You need to work for them through hours of preparation,” said Isaac. “My wrestling coaches, Mark Nickles and Gary Griffin, also taught me to relax when I’m wrestling and to trust the hard work I put in at the practice room.”

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WANNA TRADE? FREE PLANT SWAP KEEPS GARDENS GROWING

BY COLIN ANDERSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GIG HARBOR PLANT SWAP FACEBOOK PAGE

W

hile some dread weekend yard work, gardeners look forward to every chance they can get to create a colorful and unique life-filled space around their yard. Those who do it as a profession or a hobby are always making adaptations to their gardens and plants that no longer fit the look or need to be scaled back and often find themselves in a garbage can. However, a couple of like-minded ladies have found a solution to keep these plants alive and appreciated.

car ride home we both thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to drive an hour and 20 minutes to do this?’” said Cheryl.

It wouldn’t be long until their conversation turned from idea into a quarterly Gig Harbor event. Once a season you’ll now find gardeners from all over town parked in the parking lot of the Uptown Gig Harbor Shopping Center. The swaps are held in January, April, June and October to coincide with the growing seasons. The swap works very simply: Gardeners pull up living plants that they either no longer want or don’t want taking over their backyard.

Master Gardener Cheryl Hart was purchasing plants from Ann Lemieux, and the pair found plenty to talk about in their love of plants and gardening. During the conversation Ann ended up inviting Cheryl to the Green Elephant Plant Swap in Redmond; an invitation she accepted.

“The excitement of getting all the free plants was just amazing, and on the

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

“You pull up your car, put your plants out behind your vehicle and then go searching for what others have to offer,” said Cheryl. No money is exchanged, and you’ll find not just plants, starts and seeds but gardening

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Olympic Alzheimer's Residence Presents

ALIVE INSIDE THURSDAY, JUNE 20 AT 6:00 PM ALIVE INSIDE is an award-winning cinematic exploration of music’s capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. Join us to learn about our Expressions Music program, and for a viewing of this uplifting documentary that highlights music’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those living with dementia.

Please call (253) 851-5306 to reserve your seat today.

This event will be held at: Olympic Alzheimer's Residence 3025 14th Ave. NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335

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Swap till you drop!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE GIG HARBOR PLANT SWAP, YOU’LL FIND IT AT THE UPTOWN GIG HARBOR SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT ON SATURDAY, JUNE 8, BEGINNING AT 10AM AND RUNNING UNTIL ABOUT NOON. tools, books and plenty of knowledge. “Each swap I get that feeling of excitement like a kid on Christmas morning. I really can’t think of anything that compares,” she laughed.

While much of the swap is seasoned gardeners, those new to planting or wanting to learn more are welcome to participate as well. Those without plants to swap can bring inexpensive seeds, or at the very least cookies and donuts to keep up with the theme of everyone bringing something to the event.

While the swap itself attracts dozens of participants each time, Anne and Cheryl’s ultimate goal was to develop a community of people who are plant lovers. They’ve done this largely through the Gig Harbor Plant Swap Facebook page, which at the time of print had 530 members. The page is an open forum where members can share upcoming classes, presentations and events, give advice, and help solve both common and unique problems.

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

“All the time we get people posting pictures and asking what exactly is growing in their yard and if they should rip it out or let it grow. People are quick to offer friendly advice, and there is a ton of knowledge and experience here, and everyone just jumps in to help each other out,” said Cheryl.

October will mark the group’s second anniversary, and organizers are hoping to create more interactive events for members. Cheryl envisions taking field trips to gardens around the area, and a local Bonsai expert has already offered to show off his work and answer questions about one of the most detailed gardening methods in the world.

Each swap has seen increased visitation. Despite pouring rain all morning, 45 vehicles pulled up for the April swap, and everyone had a great time. Cheryl is hoping to see that number increase to 60 for the June sale.

If you are interested in attending the Gig Harbor Plant Swap, you’ll find it at the Uptown Gig Harbor Shopping Center Parking Lot on Saturday, June 8, beginning at 10am and running until about noon. Swappers are

42

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encouraged to join the Facebook page. About two weeks before each swap, gardeners start sharing what plants they will likely be bringing to the swap. You can also post if you are seeking a specific plant, flower or tool and often someone is willing to bring forth just about anything that is being requested. Visitors are encouraged to grab about as many items as they initially brought with them to swap until the last 10 minutes of the event when it’s a free for all, as everything must go!

Not only are Cheryl and Ann helping keep thousands of living plants out of the landfill, they’ve connected a community that shares a passion—whether it’s a hobby or their profession. Putting a garden together can be expensive, and being able to acquire quality plants and talk to the experts who grow them—for no cost other than plants you were going to discard anyway—is a win for all.

Whether you are a master gardener ready to share your advice or a weekend warrior looking for inspiration and a few good pointers, the Gig Harbor Plant Swap is a great resource that will help your green thumb grow a little greener.

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NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART Things to know to avoid running injuries

By Ryan Egan, Licensed Joint and Movement Specialist

A

s we approach summer, mud boots are swapped out for trailrunning and road-running shoes. As trails dry out from mud season, summer mountain exploration begins!

There are, however, some simple, easy changes to employ if you want to upgrade your running performance and decrease the likelihood of unnecessary and very common injuries.

Unfortunately, most runners are severely under equipped for the miles they seek, leading to an onslaught of running injuries and overuse issues. Everything from plantar fasciitis and IT band syndrome to knee pain and low back issues, running is not for the faint at heart!

First thing is to ditch the heel strike and begin landing on the mid foot with a slightly positive shin angle. Heel striking dramatically increases forces when landing and essentially acts upon the body like a brake. Heel striking also limits the loading potential of the powerful lower leg. Landing on the heel is also a huge contributor to shin splints as the toes “slap” down when fatigue sets in.

My mentor, who trains the world’s elite soccer clubs, says, “You don’t run to get in shape, you have to be in shape to run.” Albeit a bit cheeky but very true, since nearly 80 percent of people getting their miles in this spring will sustain some sort of injury.

Second, ditch the fancy footwear. Your shoes are not the issue, your foot and ankle are. Finding a slightly more low-profile shoe can give you better feel,

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THE CALL OF THE OUTDOORS Summer is here, so it’s a great time to get out and walk! According to a study at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, heading outdoors for 30 minutes when the sun is shining can make you happier and improve your brain's ability to process new information.

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elevate the way you treat yourself

THERE ARE EASY CHANGES TO EMPLOY IF YOU WANT TO UPGRADE YOUR RUNNING PERFORMANCE AND DECREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF UNNECESSARY AND

VERY COMMON INJURIES.

lower your ankles’ center of gravity—which can reduce ankle sprains—and help you change to a more appropriate mid-foot strike. Honestly, fancy shoes were made so people could run farther and bypass the natural feedback loop of sore paws. This is a classic example trying to obtain fitness without the necessary foot and ankle health to withstand the mileage it takes to “get fit.”

Third, practice some running skill work.

Running is a single-leg activity, meaning that all of the work is being done by one leg at a time in alternating fashion. On the other side, all the force absorption, and energy recycling, is also done on one leg. So learning to be balanced, and equal, by engaging in running skill work can help you not run like you have one flat tire.

Fourth is joint mobility work. Most people lack

the simple foot, ankle and hip prerequisites to hurdle themselves through space one leg at a time. Limitations in and around the foot are the biggest contributor to faulty mechanics and injury-prone movement flaws.

Lastly, practice smarter movement-based warmups that engage the entire body, and better strength training, learning key strength-training exercises to strengthen the hips, knees, ankles, feet and the core. These can be done during nonrunning days and can really aid in unnecessary running woes.

One thing to keep in mind is that a single strike of a person’s running stride can carry nearly six times their body weight in force. Meaning a 150-pound person creates nearly a half-ton of force each strike. It’s no wonder injuries are so prevalent.

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P O S T- C O N C U S S I O N SYNDROME Light Sensitivity & Vision Changes

By Mariel C. Kraus, OTR/L

O

ne of the missed and undertreated symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is light sensitivity, trouble reading and driving at night—especially when only whiplash has been diagnosed. This symptom can last from months to years following an undiagnosed concussion. The National Center for Biotechnology Information1 (NCBI) reports on the prevalence of misdiagnosis and the serious physical and psychological consequences for undiagnosed individuals.

In PCS, people may experience a change in visual acuity almost instantly, and if they report this to the emergency room staff or their physician, they have a greater chance of being properly diagnosed with a Functional MRI. But because this is often unreported at the time of injury, it is important to watch for any unusual sensory disturbance even weeks after because the injury can cause an accommodative convergence center in the injured mid-brain or brain stem, which causes double vision or be attributed to premature presbyopia.

A neuro-ophthalmologist is specialized in proper diagnosis of head injury-related visual changes.

They perform visual field testing, ocular motility testing and other cranial nerve tests to provide the appropriate corrective or accommodative treatments. Specialized tests include visual evoked potential (VEP), which tests the optic nerve, and the electroretinography (ERG), which tests the function of the retinal cells. This includes the photoreceptors, inner retinal cells and ganglion cells.

Occupational therapists (OTs) are the allied health professionals who become specialized

in neurologic visual dysfunctions following a head injury, stroke or due to a disease process such as MS (multiple sclerosis), diabetes and other conditions. They work with patients whose neuro-ophthalmologists have prescribed special prisms or colored lenses to correct the dysfunction. Unfortunately, this medical specialty is so limited in practitioners (our nearest neuroophthalmologist is in Federal Way). Because of this, OTs often work in schools to help children with impaired reading, attention and lightsensitivity issues that are affecting their learning capability in school and at home.

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In my practice, I primarily treat light sensitivity as one of several post-concussion symptoms. I trial special lenses and colored film overlays to accommodate or correct the visual disturbance that interferes with a patient’s activities of daily living such as reading, driving, attention and symptom management. The Irlen Method3 is the only method outside of wearing special prism lenses that is effective in treating visual impairments due to brain injuries. A therapist must be certified to screen and administer Irlen colorED overlays.

It is important to be a strong self-advocate because many health-care practitioners are too quick to dismiss what they are not trained in. For now, we have a choice in who we choose as a health-care provider, and it is up to us to find a good match for us as our partner in our health and well-being. A good practitioner will rarely have all the answers, but they will listen to their patients and refer them to other practitioners who may be able to solve the symptoms we are struggling with.

Mariel C. Kraus, OTR/L LSVT-Big, CAPS-CGA

Certified Aging in Place Specialist Certified Irlen Screener

253-514-6842

5775 Soundview Drive Suite A-103 Gig Harbor, WA 98335

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SUDDEN HEARING LOSS IS IT AN EMERGENCY?

BY KAY FRALLIC, MA, AUDIOLOGIST HEAR FOR LIFE AUDIOLOGY

I

f you woke up one morning and found you couldn't see out of one eye, odds are you'd call the eye doctor immediately—or even go to the emergency room. Unfortunately, we don't tend to treat our ears with the same sense of urgency. When sudden hearing loss occurs, people often think it's due to earwax and tend not to get it checked out right away.

But sudden hearing loss is far more serious than an ear plugged with wax, and quick treatment is crucial. (1) Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is also known as sudden deafness. It occurs when you lose your hearing very quickly, typically only in one ear. The nerve pathways connecting the inner ear to the brain are damaged. (2) Hearing loss occurring without any known reason may seem temporary, but if left untreated, it can quickly become permanent. Sudden hearing loss should be tested immediately by an audiologist—the very next day if possible. The audiologist will make certain that you see an ear doctor right away if needed. Effective treatment of sudden hearing loss begins immediately if the loss is to be reversed.

Kay Frallic, M.A., Audiologist

Causes The exact cause of sudden hearing loss is unknown. Nevertheless, we do know that circulation in the inner ear is reduced during sudden hearing loss. There are dozens of possible causes such as Bell’s Palsy, viral infections, circulatory disorders, metabolic disorders, blood clots, autoimmune diseases, whiplash, head trauma, measles, mumps, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, and occlusion of the inner ear’s vessels. Ototoxic drugs like aspirin, cisplatin, quinine, antibiotics like streptomycin and gentamycin are causes.

Sometimes the problem proves to be high platelet count or blockage in the cochlear artery, which carries blood from the heart to the ear. In the vast majority of cases sudden hearing loss is idiopathic, meaning doctors cannot determine the cause. (3) Symptoms Symptoms occur at once or within a few days and vary in severity. Earache is not a common symptom of sudden hearing loss. Ear pressure and tinnitus are typically the first signs. The main indication is muffled sound in one ear

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HEARING LOSS OCCURRING WITHOUT ANY KNOWN REASON MAY SEEM TEMPORARY, BUT IF LEFT UNTREATED, IT CAN QUICKLY BECOME PERMANENT.

occurring instantly or over just a few days.

Typical symptoms may include one-sided hearing loss without a recognizable cause, the absence of an earache, dizziness, loss of sensation in the outer ear, ear pressure and tinnitus. (3) Treatment Outcomes A sudden hearing loss should be assessed by a specialist on an emergency basis. (4) Do not waste precious time getting an appointment with your primary physician—go directly to an audiologist or ear doctor. Oral steroids have often been shown to help patients recover, and for patients with medical conditions that make taking steroids inadvisable, physicians may inject the medication directly into the ear's tympanic membrane to limit potential effects on the rest of the body. Chances of recovery are increased the earlier treatment begins. The chances of full hearing recovery are smaller for patients with severe loss when accompanied by vertigo (50 percent of cases). If symptoms persist for an extended period of time, hearing aids can provide effective relief in 30 to 70 percent of cases. SSHL usually strikes adults aged 30 to 60 years, though it can happen to anyone. The younger the patient, the greater the likelihood of a full recovery. Among untreated cases, spontaneous recovery sometimes occurs, usually within the first two weeks. (4) 1 Rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/ sudden-hearing-loss 2. Healthline.com/health/sensorineural-deafness 3 Hear.com/hearing-loss/sudden 4 Hear-It.org/Sudden-Hearing-Loss

WA L K I N G TA L L

CORRECT YOUR GAIT WITH PRACTICE AND MINDFULNESS

By Darcie Miller, Light in Balance Reflexology

A Holistic approach to improved health

I

f you have been following along for the past two months, I talked about your incredible feet and their structure. They are your foundation. Next, I talked about shoes and the importance of wearing shoes that not only fit well but also wearing the appropriate shoes for your activities, as these help support your foundation.

Let’s put your foundation and support together and look at how both affect your posture, over all health and well-being. Below are some examples of walking styles and how they may affect your health.

Slouching - Hips are thrust forward, shoulders hunched and head pulled down. This can lead to neck, shoulder, hip, knee, hump back, back pain and poor digestion. You may also shuffle when you walk.

Marching - Your legs move up and down. It is difficult to get a full stride and walk through on each step if you are marching when you walk. This can lead to hip, knee, lower back pain and poor digestion. When you take a full step using your whole foot and stride, your diaphragm moves up and down, and your digestive system get a nice little massage.

Bow legged - You walk and weight bear on the outside of your foot. This puts a lot of strain on your hips, knees and lower back and can leave you off balance, which may result in falls. Remember we talked about your center of gravity and the optimal alignment of your foot when taking a step.

Knee knocking - Your knees bend inward and the inside of your feet turn inward, which leaves the outside of your foot and heel unsupported. This can lead to hip, knee, ankle and lower back pain. In older people it is often associated with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.

We learn to walk from watching our parents; you may see an entire family that has the same gait. Rest assured, you can correct your gait and how you walk by becoming aware of your posture and how it affects your stride and, more importantly, how you feel when you are walking tall.

Try standing in a mirror and notice what your profile looks like. Do you slouch, lean forward, lean back or bend over? Try standing with your feet squarely planted on the floor with your shoulders back and see if you notice a difference in how you feel all over. If you are not walking tall, I have good news! With some practice and mindfulness, you can change your gait.

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If you have suddenly developed bowed legs, knock-knees or have begun to slouch, it might be a good idea to call your health-care provider for an evaluation.

A trained and licensed reflexologist can help you with your tired and sore feet, back, legs, hips and pain associated with poor posture as well as other health challenges you may have.

Your reflexologist can assess your gait and posture; together the two of you can develop a session strategy to promote your optimal health.

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Darcie Miller 253-720-1400 6625 Wagner Way Suite 260B Gig Harbor, WA 98335 darcie@lightinbalance.com www.lightinbalance.com

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THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY DIET FOR SENIORS

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aintaining a healthy diet is a great way for seniors to stay active and energized and can also help reduce the risk of common chronic conditions like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and more.

However, many seniors can find it challenging to follow a healthy, satisfying diet. According to the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), only 11 percent of older adults incorporate enough fruit and vegetables into their diets.

Some seniors may need modified or specialized diets to help counteract some of the common changes that come with age.

For example, older adults often have a slower metabolism, which means they don’t need as many calories to maintain their weight.

Though typical nutrition recommendations are based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet, a doctor can review factors such as age, gender and level of physical activity to help determine the right amount of calories for your loved one.

Karen Smith, ARNP

For most older adults, a healthy meal should include:

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Studies have shown that a Mediterraneanbased diet may contain a number of health benefits for most people, and particularly aging adults. In a Mediterranean diet, meals typically include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, and lots of extra virgin olive oil for cooking, dressing or dipping. Fish is another major staple, though other lean meats are only eaten occasionally, and in smaller portions.

Researchers have found that people who consistently followed this pattern of eating

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were about 40 percent more likely to age without developing chronic diseases and memory or physical problems, compared to those who didn’t eat as well. Other recent studies have shown that older adults who followed a Mediterranean-based diet had as much as a 35 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment.

What’s more, an analysis of hundreds of the world’s centenarians—those who live to be 100 years old—found that their diets consist mostly of plants and eat meat only rarely.

These centenarians, who live in communities with high concentrations of healthy older adults, follow more traditional diets that incorporate local ingredients.

No matter what diet plan you follow, try to avoid items that are high in added sugars, sodium or salt. And remember that water is an important nutrient as well. Seniors especially should drink small amounts of fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration, which can contribute to other health complications.

Some older adults may struggle to afford healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Luckily, there are programs available to help. According to the National Council on Aging, millions of low-income adults over age 60 use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the federal Food Stamp Program, to help afford healthy food.

The average senior enrolled in SNAP receives more than $100 per month for food.

However, three out of five seniors who qualify for the program do not participate— meaning 5.2 million older adults miss out on benefits. Enrolling in SNAP can help an older adult afford a variety of healthy, whole foods. To find out if your loved one is eligible for SNAP or other benefits programs, visit BenefitsCheckup.org.

Angie Frantz is the executive director for memory care community Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence in Gig Harbor, Washington. To learn more about the community and awardwinning memory care program Expressions, visit: PrestigeCare.com

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55

PHOTOSENSITIVITY What it is and how you can protect your skin from it

By Kristin Carlson, Medical Esthetician

AFTER BEING COVERED UP ALL WINTER IT FEELS GREAT TO SHED THE LAYERS AND WARM UP. BUT DON’T RUN OUT INTO THE SUNSHINE WITHOUT THE PROPER CONSIDERATION FOR YOUR SKIN.

S

ummer is in full swing, and we are all rushing outside to soak up the warmer temperatures and the sunshine! After being covered up all winter it feels great to shed the layers and warm up. But don’t run out into the sunshine without the proper consideration for your skin. Not only will you be more susceptible to burn, certain products in your skin-care routine or medications you take can cause photosensitivity.

Let’s talk about what photosensitivity is, what causes it and how to avoid it.

in your skin-care products, which may cause sensitivity to the sun. Tretinoin (or retinoids like Retin-A), alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid), beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) and benzoyl peroxide, cause a thinning of the outermost layers of the skin and increase sensitivity. While these ingredients are amazing for treating acne and signs of aging (fine lines and dark spots), they cause more damage with prolonged sun exposure.

What is photosensitivity?

The best way to prevent symptoms of photosensitivity is to limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. We know it’s the time of year when you want to feel the warmth of the sun on your skin! But keep in mind the risks and make SPF your new best friend. This is not just for those who are photosensitive—everyone should wear sunscreen daily. Also, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long sleeved lightweight clothing to keep you out of direct sun exposure. UV rays are always more intense at higher altitudes, so if you’re heading to the mountains keep this in mind. If you are a sun lover and know you will be exposed regularly, you may consider putting those retinol products on the back shelf for the summer. After all, getting a sunburn is counterproductive for antiaging. The fall is a great time to add these products back in to your routine when the sun is much less intense. Remember, don’t discontinue medications without talking to your health-care provider first.

Photosensitivity is an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and other light sources. UV rays come directly from the sun but also bounce off water, snow and even sand, causing indirect exposure from the elements around you.

Symptoms of photosensitivity vary from mild to severe. The most common symptom is a skin rash or sunburn. In some cases, a sunburn can be so severe that blistering or peeling can occur. Reactions vary, depending on the length of exposure and what is in and on your body.

What causes photosensitivity?

There are many causes of photosensitivity.

Medications such as certain antibiotics, diuretics, chemotherapy drugs and oral acne medications can cause photosensitivity. If you are given a prescription with a warning of photosensitivity or “to limit your sun exposure,” take it seriously. This means the medication has been known to cause a reaction to UV rays. Medical conditions such as Lupus can cause photosensitivity as well.

It is also important to pay attention to ingredients

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How do we avoid photosensitivity?

We want you to enjoy your summer. Go boating, hang out on the beach, take a bike ride or a long hike. Just remember to protect your skin—all your skin—with daily SPF application and protective clothing.

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CHASING

FAILURE How Tacoma’s Richard Kresser uses defeat as motivation

BY ANNELI FOGT PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICHARD KRESSER

R

ichard Kresser stood outside a café in Bend, Oregon, devastated. He cried as he spoke to his girlfriend over the phone. “The trip’s over,” he told her.

His bicycle, and the 80 pounds of highly specialized gear that had been attached to it, was gone: stolen by a passerby in the less than 10 minutes he had been inside grabbing breakfast. It was early July of 2018 and Richard was nearly halfway through the Tour de Volcanoes—a human-powered, mostly self-supported challenge he dreamed up that would see him bike to and summit the 16 active volcanoes between Mount Lassen in California and Mount Baker in Washington. In total, he would cover 2,400 miles on his bike and gain 127,000 feet of elevation. On foot, the 16 summits would add up to 180 miles with nearly 80,000 feet of elevation gain.

replace the gear,’” he says.

He took a day to regroup before picking up where he left off and riding 40 miles west to the Three Sisters. He summited all of them that day—36 hours after nearly scrapping the tour.

It was the most recent of the extreme adventures thought up by the Tacoma-based Army veteran and ultrarunner from Iowa who seeks out chances for failure and finds joy in overcoming it. His motto: “If you’re not scared, it’s not a big enough goal.” He had been planning Tour de Volcanoes for years and had already summited six volcanoes before he found himself at that cafe with only the clothes on his back, journal, phone and helmet. He was admitting defeat. It was uncharacteristic … and painful.

Sixty miles north was Mount Jefferson: a technical climb that Richard, who was summiting all of these volcanoes solo, was going into blind on a day with questionable weather. “I hadn’t seen the route,” he says. “Not knowing what I was getting myself into was really concerning, but taking a weather day would severely delay me. That day was a gray area where winds were decently strong, but they were not terrible. I was thinking, ‘I could maybe do it, but it’s taking a lot of risk.’”

“At that point, there’s anger and then there’s quickly acceptance,” Richard recalls of coming to the realization his bike was stolen.

“Even if I got the bike, all the gear that I had for my very particular style of climbing would have taken so long and been so expensive to replace that it was that final sigh of … ‘I’ll just catch a flight and come home.’”

Richard recognized that while he wanted the summit, things could go awry quickly. So he forced himself to take a rest day and wait for better weather.

But Richard found motivation in his impending defeat and, after saying goodbye to his girlfriend, found a convenience store with a surveillance camera nearby. The employees there had seen a bike in the alleyway. It was his, but more than half of the gear on it had been stolen. “Now I had my bike and it was that acceptance of ‘I do have to keep going, and now I have even more of a hurdle of how to

GigHarborLivingLocal.com

“That was such a moral conundrum,” he said. “Right after having taken 36 hours off for the bike being stolen, all I wanted to do was go, and having the reins pulled on me was so hard. That was the only day I took off.”

He summited Jefferson the next day and encountered the steepest snow he’s ever climbed without a rope. Richard admits “it was pretty hairy,” but everything went well. After that, he knew the hardest parts were over.

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“Then it was just like, ‘OK, don’t mess up now. You know all the rest of them,” Richard recalls.

Over the next 13 days, Richard biked to and climbed up Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak and Mount Baker without a hitch. Back at the trailhead after summiting Mount Baker on that last day, he stopped the clock on the Tour de Volcanoes 25 days, nine hours and 58 minutes after first setting off up the slopes of Mount Lassen more than 2,000 miles south.

Success. ***** The snowfield Richard was standing on continued upward in front of him at a 70-degree angle. It was 2am and the light from the full moon lit his path up to Mount Rainier’s summit. Looking down, he could see the headlights of cars making their way up the winding roads inside the national park.

“It was that moment when I knew I needed more of this in my life,” Richard says.

Born and raised in Iowa, the 21-year-old college student had never seen a mountain. Now, he was more than 1,700 miles from home on the side of one of the tallest in the contiguous United States. And he was elated.

While Richard grew up in a family that spent time outdoors, most trips consisted of car camping and bike riding. “I knew nothing of adventure sports,” he says. So, when he picked up a magazine at the age of 11 and saw a person rock climbing on the cover, he was immediately intrigued. Seven years later, when it came time for him to go to college, he chose to study civil engineering at Iowa State University and joined Army ROTC with the hope that the military could help him get to the wild, natural spaces where he could climb.

It did. During the summer between his junior and senior years, he and the rest of the cadets in his class were sent to Fort Lewis (now Joint Base LewisMcChord) for a three-week camp where Richard saw mountains—and Mount Rainier—for the first time.

“Just walking out on the drill grounds and seeing this

His motto: “If you’re not scared, it’s not a big enough goal.”

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OVER THE NEXT 13 DAYS, RICHARD BIKED TO AND CLIMBED UP MOUNT HOOD, MOUNT SAINT HELENS, MOUNT ADAMS, MOUNT RAINIER, GLACIER PEAK AND MOUNT BAKER WITHOUT A HITCH. massive mountain right there, it was amazing,” he recalls. “We never were allowed to leave the base, so I didn’t really get to experience it, but I was exposed to that.”

He returned to the Iowa State campus that fall with a newfound desire to return West.

And he wasn’t the only one. A few classmates he knew from being involved in the school’s outdoor recreation program sent an email later that semester asking who would be interested in a two-week road trip west the following summer to climb some of the Pacific Northwest volcanoes, including Rainier. Richard jumped at the chance.

“We failed on every mountain in those two weeks except for Rainier,” Richard says. “I was a total [disaster], I had no idea what I was doing.”

But he was hooked. “That trip, hands down, changed my life,” he says.

He graduated in 2009 and was set to begin his four-year term of service with the U.S. Army

in Fort Hood, Texas. In a stroke of luck, he switched with another soldier who wanted to go to Texas and Richard ended up back at Fort Lewis. “I moved out here and then just went down the rabbit hole,” he says.

During his four years at Fort Lewis, the marathon runner started climbing and summited all the major mountains in the area.

By the time he completed his military service in 2013, he was looking for a challenge that would truly test his physical prowess. He had completed 50-mile running races before and always felt at the end that he “had more in the tank,” he says. He decided to return to Iowa for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI)—a weeklong, 420-mile ride from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River. But he wouldn’t be biking, he’d be running. “I wondered if I could run 400 miles in seven days in the Iowa heat,” he says.

In July of 2013, he became the first person to run the RAGBRAI route and immediately began thinking up his next challenge. Back

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in Washington, while working ski patrol at Steven’s Pass, he concocted a plan for a brutal trip he coined Dick’s RASH. He would go up, down and around Rainier, Adams, St. Helens and Hood—230 miles with 71,000 feet of elevation gain—in seven days.

Traditionally, a trip of that scale would take three times as long, and as he planned, Richard began to understand the magnitude of the undertaking. By his calculations, Rainier alone would take one day to summit and then two days to run around the 93-mile Wonderland Trail. “That’s half my time on one mountain.

That was so intimidating,” he says.

After two years of training, Richard took on the RASH in the summer of 2016. He started at Rainier where he summited and descended the glaciated 14,411-foot volcano in under 12 hours before heading straight for the Wonderland Trail where he went 43 hours with no real sleep, a sore throat and got caught in a surprise rainstorm 20 miles from the finish line.

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“Morally, I was done,” Richard recalls in a blog post for the Mountaineers about that last day on the Wonderland Trail. “How could I continue in weather like this, already with a sore throat? ‘Just keep moving,’ I told myself.

‘You never know what will happen.’ After many hours, I finally made it to the van. I was in horrible shape and sure I wouldn’t be able to finish, but I couldn’t come up with an excuse to quit. I could still walk, the sore throat was bad but I could still eat, and I had no idea if weather was going to be bad or good the rest of the week. Well, got to try at least, right?”

He did more than try. Richard completed the ascent, descent and around-the-mountain run of Adams in just over 18.5 hours and Saint Helens in 14.5 hours. After five days, only Hood was left, but Richard was done—“wore down,” as he recalled in the blog post.

“On the drive down I-5 to Hood, I cried. Just bawled,” Richard writes in the post. “About nothing, about everything. It was the first time in days I was stationary and didn’t have anything else to think about. All of the emotions from the previous three mountains flooded over me, all the positives and all the negatives. And

“It kept getting closer and closer. I was crying again. It was so beautiful.

I was at the summit.” to think I was only one mountain away from being done. So close ….”

Richard’s 14-hour run around Hood was rough, but he kept moving forward and, after a threehour nap, he set off for the summit with skis on his back—determined to make this descent fun. But the ascent was hard. Richard found it hard to move uphill. “All my reserves were spent,” he writes. “Slowly, but surely, I made progress up Hood. It kept getting closer and

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closer. I was crying again. It was so beautiful. I was at the summit.”

In the parking lot after skiing what he calls “some of the happiest turns” of his life six hours after setting off for Hood’s summit and one week after beginning the RASH, there was no fanfare for Richard’s feat. “I was just walking back to my car after having just finished this big achievement. No one around me knew what I’d just did,” he said.

But that’s just how he likes it. For Richard, these feats are not about gaining recognition or setting records. They’re about acknowledging the possibility of failure, using it as motivation, and overcoming. “It’s an internal feeling—that quiet satisfaction of being able to do something I set out to do—that’s why I do it,” he says. **** Professionally, Richard is a firefighter for the City of Everett, works for Steven’s Pass Ski Patrol in the winters and organizes Skimo— uphill ski touring— events in Washington state through the company he founded, Snow Goat Skimo.

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Road trips Festivals PLAN YOUR SUMMER

BY PATTY HUTCHENS, JILLIAN CHANDLER AND COLIN ANDERSON

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SEATTLE OLYMPIA SPOKANE

YAKIMA

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SANDPOINT

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LET THE

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ADVENTURE

PLACES TO STAY AND THINGS TO DO ON YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURES. doghouse a whole new fun adventure!

Located in Cottonwood, Idaho, an approximate fourhour drive from Spokane, Washington, and a seven- to eight-hour drive from Seattle and Portland, the park is home to Toby and Sweet Willy, otherwise known as the world’s two largest beagles. Toby is a 12-foot-tall beagle statue, and Sweet Willy serves as the Dog Bark Park Inn, which sleeps four in a queen bed and two twin foldout side-by-side futon mattresses in the loft. There is a full bath, microwave, small refrigerator and much more. While you are there, you will have a chance to meet the artists and explore their unique gift shop!

Photos of the Trailer Park by Angie Morfitt. Photos of Dog Bark Park Courtesy of Dog Bark Park. Photos of The Shire of Montana courtesy of The Shire of Montana

Unique Camping Experiences

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The Vintages Trailer Resort 16205 SE Kreder Road Dayton, Oregon 97114 971.267.2130 The-Vintages.com reservations@the-vintages.com In the heart of the Willamette Valley, this unique resort will take you back in time. Vintage trailers fill one of the neighborhoods within the 140-acre Willamette Wine Country RV Park, and each offers a unique experience.

Each of the vintage trailers include gourmet pourover coffee, luxurious terry-cloth robes, comfortable mattresses and hotel-quality linens. Each trailer also features a propane grill and all the tableware you will need!

Enjoy the fabulous views of the neighboring vineyards, lounge by the pool and take part in the outdoor lawn games. Make your reservations today for this one-ofa-kind experience!

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Ranked as No. 2 in the 10 Best Movie Themed Hotels in the World, The Shire of Montana is an adult-only vacation home filled with enchantment and wonder.

Located in Trout Creek, Montana, this real-life hobbit house is a unique guest home that offers breathtaking views of Cougar Peak and an alpaca ranch in the foothills of the Cabinet Mountains. With a portion of the home underground, it is unique in every sense of the word.

Designed to bring out the inner-child, owners have reported that many of their guests comment about how soothing, quiet and enchanting the home is to all who visit.

Fire Lookouts Available in Most States FireLookout.org/lookout-retals.html If a beautiful view is something you desire when camping, look no further than fire lookouts. They are available in many states and provide a unique (and remote!) experience for your getaway. Because of their locations, you will likely have to pack in your own gear and supplies, but the view and tranquility that go with

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it will definitely be worth it!

Locations in Washington where fire lookouts are available include: Burley Mountain, Evergreen Mountain, Heybrook, Hidden Lake, Lookout Mountain, Park Butte, Quartz Mountain, Three Fingers and Winchester.

In Idaho, you can rent fire lookouts at the following locations: Arid Peak, Bald Mountain, Castle Butte, Deadwood, Deer Ridge, Little Guard, Lookout Butte, Lunch Peak, Shorty Peak and Surveyors.

There are also several available in both Oregon and Montana!

Food & Drink Taste of Tacoma June 21 - 23, 2019, Tacoma, Washington Point Defiance Park will host the wildly popular event, now in its 34th season. More than 40 regional restaurants and food truck operators will give your taste buds a trip around the culinary world. Here you can choose your own adventure or pre-purchase ‘Taste It’ tickets, which include tickets for food tastings as well as five beer or wine tasters as well. The two 21+ beer gardens also include wine and craft cocktails from Heritage Distilling.

Admission is free. Once inside you’ll find a kids carnival, chef

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competitions and more than 100 live music acts throughout the weekend. TasteofTacoma.com CRAVE! July 11 - 13, 2019, Spokane Valley, Washington Spokane continues to grow, and so does the food scene. CRAVE! brings together the top regional chefs from Eastern Washington and North Idaho for a three-day culinary experience. There are several “Top Chef ” contestants and James Beard winners and nominees who will serve up a variety of samples. There is a different theme for each session; fire and smoke, seafood, and around the world, to name a few. Admission gets you unlimited samples of both food and drink from local brewers, distillers and vintners. The schedule includes cooking demonstrations from expert chefs, and you can vote on your favorite dishes. Tickets for single sessions and all weekend passes are available. CraveNW. com Seattle International Beer Fest July 12 - 14, 2019, Seattle, Washington Not only does this annual beer lovers mecca include the best of the city but also brings in some of the top international brands and some of the most crazy experimental brews you won’t find on

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Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard 3117 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, Washington 253.432.0052 gigharborgondola@gmail.com Gig Harbor Gondola gigharborgondola.com gigharborgondola

There is a different theme for each session; fire and smoke, seafood, and around the world, to name a few. Admission gets you unlimited samples of both food and drink from local brewers, distillers and vintners. any shelf. You won’t get to them all as there will be more than 200 taps pouring. Sours, fruit beers, double IPAs, barley wines and ‘wild’ ales can be found alongside more traditional styles in seven different tents spread out across the festival grounds at the Seattle Center Pavilion. Tastes are 4 ounces each and run anywhere from $1 to $7, with most in the $1 to $2 range. Food is also readily available inside the festival. SeattleBeerFest.com Taste of Coeur d’Alene/Art on the Green August 3 - 5, 2019, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho While technically two separate events, the proximity between them makes this an annual pilgrimage for many in the Inland Northwest. Close to 200 artists from all over the region set up booths featuring paintings, photography, metal sculpting and more on the lawns of North Idaho College. Just a beachside walk over to downtown’s City Park will bring revelers to the Taste of Coeur d’Alene, where they will find a wide range of food on-site, served up food-truck style. Local chefs serve up their favorites, and there is a beer garden featuring local brewers.

The main strip of downtown is also closed for pedestrians where another 250 or so vendors are set up selling a wide range of crafts, gifts and, oh yes, food. ArtontheGreenCdA.com Arts & Entertainment Kirkland Summerfest July 26 - 28, 2019, Kirkland, Washington This three-day music and arts festival returns to the picturesque shores of Lake Washington for its eighth year offering the perfect environment for the artists, musicians and fans to enjoy an incredible summer weekend filled with music and art.

During Summerfest, attendees will be treated to dozens of live performances, outdoor entertainment venues, delicious food, local beers and wines, street fair with more than 200 vendors, Create Zone, Rotary Duck Dash and KidZone. Though the event is free for those wandering the streets, there are festival passes that get you into the main stage events and KidZone passes available for purchase. This is Kirkland’s signature event of the year with more than 40,000 attendees. Don’t miss out! KirklandSummerFest.com Summer Meltdown August 1 - 4, 2019, Darrington, Washington Summer Meltdown offers a weekend “where the music meets the mountain.” People gather from all over the West to attend this four-day music, camping and adventure festival held at

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Gage is an innovative and accessible contemporary artart school, Gage an innovative and accessible contemporary art school, Gage is is an innovative and accessible contemporary school, based in personal mentorship and skills-based studio instruction. based personal mentorship and skills-based studio instruction. based in in personal mentorship and skills-based studio instruction.

Whether you are aare curious newcomer or or a professional artist, a aa Whether you a curious newcomer or a professional artist, Whether you are a curious newcomer a professional artist, working creative or a retired passion-seeker, Gage is open to working creative or a retired passion-seeker, Gage is open working creative or a retired passion-seeker, Gage is open toto anyone interested in learning.

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WeWe also provide scholarships and fiand nancial aidaid to youth and We also provide scholarships financial aid to youth and also provide scholarships and financial to youth and families that need it most.

Gage is ais501c3 non-profi t dedicated families that need it most.

Gage is a 501c3 non-profi t dedicated families that need it most.

Gage a 501c3 non-profi t dedicated to to building a vibrant creative community, providing artart programs, to building a vibrant creative community, providing art programs, building a vibrant creative community, providing programs, lectures, demos, events, and enrichment forfor all. lectures, demos, events, and enrichment for lectures, demos, events, and enrichment all.all.

Illustration Instructor Clive Smith Illustration by Instructor Clive Smith Illustration by by Instructor Clive Smith

FEATURING GIG HARBOR FEATURING GIG HARBOR FEATURING GIG HARBOR ACCLAIMED ARTIST ACCLAIMED ARTIST ACCLAIMED ARTIST MARDIE REES MARDIEREES REES MARDIE Join sculptor and Gage Instructor Join sculptor and Gage Instructor Join sculptor and Gage Instructor Mardie Rees for her Weekend Mardie Rees for her Weekend Mardie Rees for her Weekend Workshop: Gesture Drawing Workshop: Gesture Drawing Workshop: Gesture Drawing and Sculpting the Figure. and Sculpting the Figure. and Sculpting the Figure.

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Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, Printmaking Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, Printmaking Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, Printmaking gageacademy.org/spring19 gageacademy.org/spring19 gageacademy.org/summer19

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TONAL PORTRAIT TONAL PORTRAIT TONAL PORTRAIT DRAWING DRAWING DRAWING with Dale Zinkowski

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The Festival at Sandpoint has played host to incredible entertainers drawing people from all over the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the 4,000-seat capacity venue.

Darrington Bluegrass Park in Darrington, Washington. The annual festival prides itself as offering a “vibrant” community setting that welcomes all ages. From the live performances, dancing and kids zone to relaxing and socializing in the beer garden, this is a festival the whole family will enjoy. This year’s lineup includes Tipper, Umphrey’s McGee, Gramatik, Nahko and Medicine for the People, The Polish Ambassador, CloZee, G Jones, along with three dozen more acts. All general admission tickets include optional tent camping.

Discounted weekend passes are available for youth ages 9 to 15, and kids 8 and younger are free. SummerMeltdownFest. com Festival at Sandpoint August 1 -11, 2019, Sandpoint, Idaho Enjoy eight nights of incredible entertainment featuring a variety of genres under the stars and overlooking the water in a breathtaking setting at War Memorial Field in Sandpoint, Idaho. Now in its 37th year, The Festival at Sandpoint has played host to incredible entertainers drawing people from all over the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the 4,000-seat capacity venue. Intimate in its setting, attendees can choose to bring in their own food and drink or enjoy some of the fabulous food and beverages provided on-site. This year’s lineup

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includes Nathaniel Ratecliff & The Night Sweats, Walk Off The Earth, Jackson Browne, Lake Street Dive, The Avett Brothers, and Kool & The Gang, as well as the Family Concert featuring The Festival Community Orchestra and Studio One Dancers and Grand Finale featuring the Spokane Symphony.

FestivalAtSandpoint.com Watershed Music Festival August 2 - 4, 2019, George, Washington This country music festival is one you won't want to miss.

Enjoy a weekend of camping and live musical performances by some of the top country artists around. Held at The Gorge Amphitheatre overlooking the Columbia River (just 10 miles northeast of Quincy), this year’s lineup features Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Brothers Osborne, Chris Young, Maren Morris, Midland, Kip Moore and many more. The Gorge Amphitheatre offers some of the most spectacular views in the world from any music venue and seats more than 20,000, including the lawn area. Country fans from all over the Pacific Northwest continue to flock to Watershed—the biggest three-day country and music festival in the Northwest—year after year.

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Travel Tips

FO R T RAV E L I N G W I T H K I D S AV O I D T H E S T R E SS W I T H T H E S E T I P S

BY PATTY HUTCHENS

DISCUSS YOUR PL ANS I N A D VA N C E

PLAN FOR D E L AY S

D O N ' T OV E R PAC K & GIVE THE KIDS INPUT

When planning your trip, be sure to talk about your plans in advance and, if your children are at the appropriate age, allow them to be involved in the planning process. Offer them options of various activities that you can all participate in and allow plenty of time for each stage of the trip so you are not rushed. Also, allow for downtime. While traveling can be exhilarating, it can be exhausting too. Try to keep kids’ bedtimes close to that which they have at home. By doing so, you will have a happier travel companion! You may also want to consider renting a home through Airbnb or VRBO as opposed to a hotel room so parents can have some time of their own after the kids go to bed.

Planning ahead for delays can help alleviate stress.

If you are traveling by plane, be sure to pack extra snacks and activities for the kids to do in the event of a flight delay. Do you typically limit screen time while at home? This is the time to maybe ease up on those restrictions and allow the kids to have some added fun while keeping them occupied at the same time!

For older kids, one thing that can help keep them busy is keeping a journal, either handwritten or on their laptop. It’s a way they can document their trip, and it can also provide them with something to do in the event delays take place.

Don’t over pack! Kids (and adults) tend to want to bring all they can on a trip. After all, it’s nice to have choices, right? Allow the kids to have some input into what goes into their suitcase, but remind them that whether it’s a backpack or a small roller bag, they will have to help transport all they bring. By all means, though, if they have a favorite stuffed animal or blanket that gives them comfort, that is a “must” when it comes to packing.

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BREAK UP THE TRIP

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If you are traveling by car, especially with a toddler, be sure to break up the trip. It is natural to want to get in and just drive to our destination to arrive sooner than later, but a few hours into the trip you will quickly realize this is not realistic. When planning your trip, strategize as to where you can stop for breaks and allow your children to get some activity.

Perhaps pack a picnic lunch and eat in a park where they can run around, play on a playground and let out some of that stored up energy.

Equip your car for anything that may come your way! Be sure to bring a lot of Ziploc baggies and a marker to label them. These can come in handy in a multitude of situations, especially snacks! Even if your child is potty trained, be sure to pack some wipes in the car. Whether it’s that spilled juice on the car seat or cleaning a messy face, you will be glad you brought them along. Also be sure to pack a little first aid kit for cuts and scrapes. Don’t forget to include medication—you never know when an upset stomach could sabotage your journey! If your children are little, also include painter’s tape and use it to cover outlets in hotels. It’s easy to use and is not damaging to surfaces the way masking tape can be.

Depending upon the age of your children, consider bringing a paper map along. While we have come to rely on Siri and our car’s navigation systems for directions, it can be fun for kids to follow along with the route and may possibly keep them from asking you, “How long until we stop?” Books on CD can also help make the trip go faster for everyone!

Choose something that will engage your child. If you have satellite radio, there are several choices for kids’ channels as well. And when all else fails, be ready to break into song and have everyone else sing along!

Family vacations are fun, and they don’t have to be stressful. Just remember, plan and pack accordingly and involve the kids as much as possible from the start. They’ll feel more invested, and that goes a long way to family harmony!

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• Acute Illness Treatment

We work with our patients to create pathways for optimal health and wellbeing through an integrative and comprehensive care approach. Being your primary care provider involves treating the entire patient, starting with overall physical health while also considering other significant factors such as family, emotional, social and environmental health.

4423 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Suite 306 | Gig Harbor, WA 98335 (253) 432-4437 | RainierFamilyMedicine.com

Located in the Gig Harbor Corporate Center Across the street from the Gig Harbor Library

Enhance your home!

Custom Doors Custom Furniture Custom Kitchens Laser Engraving Millwork Gifts Items Gig Harbor - Olalla, WA (253) 858-3210 Robb@RobbYoung.com www.RobbYoung.com

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Budget Travel

How to plan a summer vacation on a tight budget

By Marguerite Cleveland

S

ummer is upon us, and it is time for that annual rite of passage—the summer vacation. It can be an expensive extravaganza or you can choose a more frugal option. Some of my best memories of family vacations are the ones that were the least expensive. With a little planning and creativity you can have a fun vacation that won’t break the bank.

Staycation. The staycation is the ultimate budget vacation, but you have to make some rules first to ensure it is a vacation. The rules are: Decide the length of the vacation, determine a budget, stick to it and lastly no work.

This last one is tough and must be agreed upon by all parties. No family yard work, no house projects and no working from home.

Plan activities for each day and visit local attractions. Maybe invest in a family membership that you can use all summer at a local aquarium, museum or pool. Turn your backyard into a summer playground with fun yard toys. It’s low tech, but running through a sprinkler never gets old. Rent an outdoor movie screen for summer movies under the stars and purchase movie candy from the dollar store. The key is to spend time together as a family and just have some fun.

At the end of the week, invest in a night at a waterpark hotel. For a family of four the cost is about the same as a day at a waterpark. Many hotels will let you check in early to use the waterpark and stay later the next day after

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ROAD TRIPS ARE ONE OF THE MORE ECONOMICAL WAYS TO TRAVEL WITH A FAMILY VERSUS THE HIGH COST OF PLANE TICKETS TO A DESTINATION.

you check out to swim some more. Make sure to bring snacks to save money, as nothing builds an appetite like swimming.

Summer Road Trip. Road trips are one of the more economical ways to travel with a family versus the high cost of plane tickets to a destination.

The first rule of thumb is to plan how far you want to drive. For a weekend trip plan no further than a three- to four-hour drive. If you are planning for a weeklong trip, venture out about a seven- to eight-hour drive. Consider more scenic routes and research fun stops along the way.

Next decide if you want to go to multiple destinations or make a base at one location. The more relaxing route is to pick a location and then venture out from there.

When traveling with family, a cabin or vacation rental can save you money. You may pay slightly more than a hotel room but you can cut costs by cooking some of your meals. For budget lodging check state parks or campgrounds for low-cost cabin rentals. Websites like AirBnB. com or VRBO also offer options for economic vacation rentals. Spend some time researching your options and look for any specials at your destination. Often resorts will offer a free night if you stay for a certain number of days.

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Plan to eat breakfast at your lodging, have your big meal at lunch at a restaurant where lunch prices are less than dinner, bring back leftovers and supplement with other foods for an easy dinner. Purchasing local favorites or specialties makes a fun meal. Plan easy cookouts. You can also cook and freeze meals to bring with you. This allows the cook in the family to vacation without spending lots of time in the kitchen. For the car pack a snack box and a cooler with cold drinks. During the summer heat, beverages can quickly add up in costs if purchasing on the road.

For savings on lodging, some surprising places offer deals. Groupon is a go to for local deals, but did you know they offer travel deals as well?

Rakuten.com (formerly Ebates.com) offers cashback on hotels and vacations. A quick search revealed offers from 3 to 10 percent cashback on hotel websites, and discount sites like Expedia and TripAdvisor. You can double dip by going through Rakuten to access Groupon. You will get cashback on your Groupon discounted purchaseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a win all around.

Also, when searching for lodging, check the pricing on different dates.

For example, in big cities with lots of business travel, rates are often more expensive during the week, and they offer specials on the weekend whereas a resort area is more costly on weekends than on weekdays.

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Summer Cruise. A cruise is a more expensive endeavor, but if you are willing to wait until the last minute there are deals to be had. VacationsToGo. com is one of the best websites for discount travel.

Although prices may be the same on other sites, they often have onboard ship credits and other perks available only through VacationsToGo. The key to making a cruise a good deal is you must be able to drive to the port, and the ship needs to start and end at the same port. Last-minute airfare for a family of four defeats the cost savings of booking last minute. At the time this article was written, the site had many Alaska cruise deals out of Seattle and Vancouver for as much as 79 percent off. This deal offered a price of $749 (not including taxes) per person for an ocean-view cabin with a brochure price of $3,498â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and also threw in a $175 per cabin onboard credit. The less expensive cabins sell first, so oftentimes last minute you can pick up a great deal on an ocean-view or balcony cabin. One offer was less than $400 (not including taxes) a person for a seven-day Alaskan cruise.

Once you are on your cruise you can save additional money by taking the time to plan your trip. Take advantage of all the things your cruise includes. Plan your shore excursions so that you eat all your meals on the ship. Shore excursions in Alaska are pricey, but by researching the ports of call you can save money. Many Alaskan ports are walkable. You can spend your time in port seeing quite a bit on your feet. One thing to be aware of if you book an excursion through the cruise line: They will make sure you are back or will wait for you if it is delayed when the ship

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is due to depart. You do not have this guarantee when you book a shore excursion through another business.

When shopping look for unusual options for souvenirs to reduce your costs. In Sitka, the Russian Orthodox Church had a wonderful gift shop with very good prices; many under $10. When on the ship, look for deals that can save you money. Drinks can be pricey, but one cruise line offered a pub crawl through all the areas on the ship that served mixed drinks for not much more than the cost of one drink. At each stop you received a cocktail or shot themed for that stop. Some ships will offer wine tastings for a set price.

When planning a budget vacation, the Internet is your friend. Research, research, research. This is the key to finding great deals. Read forums on websites. Facebook has travel pages and groups for every interest. The website for your destination is also a wealth of information. Send away for free area guides. Do a web search for coupons for an attraction you want to visit. Use Groupon for the destination you are traveling to for discounts on food, activities and even spa treatments. If you are willing to put the work in beforehand, it will pay off by lowering the cost of your vacation.

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World Class Wines

TASTING ROOM • EVENT VENUE • CORPORATE RETREATS OLALLAWINES.COM • 253.851.4949

TASTE THE NORTHWEST

JULY 11 -13, 2019

FOOD & DRINK CELEBRATION • SPOKANE VALLEY • CraveNW.com

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YUM

Your local Dining Guide

RECIPES

LOCAL FLAVOR

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SPOTLIGHTS

Traditional and Contemporary Vietnamese Coffee, Milk Tea, and Boba

GIG HARBORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWEST RESTAURANT NOW OPEN

5160 Point Fosdick Dr NW. Suite C101 | Gig Harbor, WA 98335 | Hours: Every Day, 11am - 9pm 253.649.0915 | mssaigongigharbor.com

Experience the Flavor

Thai & Vietnamese Cuisine

Serving Traditional Taste Family Owned and Operated Since 2001 4747 Point Fosdick Dr NW Ste. 200 | Gig Harbor, WA 98335 Hours: Every Day, 11am - 9pm | 253.514.6382 | lelegigharbor.com lelerestaurantgigharbor | lelerestaurant

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BLISTERED PEPPER + ARUGULA CHICKEN SALAD

Recipe & Photo Courtesy of Marina Gunn @marinagunn | MarinaGunn.com

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups arugula 5-7 sweet peppers 1/2 red onion (sliced thinly) 2 chicken breasts, shredded 2 tbsp. dijon mustard 1/2 tsp. of dried dill or 1-2 sprigs of fresh dill juice of 1 lemon pinch of salt 1-2 tbsp. olive oil

METHOD: • Place sweet peppers in a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil on medium high for 5 to 6 minutes until crisp. Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, so that both sides are golden brown.

• While the peppers are cooking, place arugula in a bowl and top with thinly sliced red onion and chicken; it’s the perfect addition to the salad. Also substitute fish or even a cooked egg!

• In a small bowl, whisk dijon mustard with dill, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Once combined, slowly add the olive oil while still whisking to allow the oil and mustard to emulsify and combine for a creamy dressing.

• Once the peppers are cooked, top the salad with the dressing and peppers. Enjoy!

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Occasions Occasions

Coffee and Crepes Coffee and Crepes 4700 Pt Fosdick Dr NW, Ste 109

Occasions

In the Olympic Medical Plaza

253-851-2576

• • • • •

Paninis & Sandwiches Build Your Own Crepes Salads and Soups Forza Coffee All Recycleable Packaging and Utensils

Coffee and Crepes

out k c loth Che C & y a l C ns! g i s De

FRESH STR AWBERRIES AND WHIPPED CREAM

Find Great Gifts & More!

www.occasionscoffeeandcrepes.com

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LUNCHBOX LABORATORY This “funkadelic” restaurant boasts the world’s best burgers and shakes, features a wide range of eclectic burgers, as well as rotating experiments. Also on the menu are handcrafted shakes, a variety of crazy experimental cocktails and patio dining when the weather allows!

4901 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW | Gig Harbor 253.432.4061 LunchboxLaboratory.com

MARKETPLACE GRILLE American cuisine with a Caribbean flair. The best fish and chips and clam chowder in Gig Harbor! Located next to Anthony’s Restaurant, they offer an expansive view of the harbor. Family owned and operated. Beer and wine, takeout menu available. Open Mon.-Thurs. 11am-8pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-9pm, Sun. 11am-8pm.

8825 N. Harborview Dr. Unit C | Gig Harbor 253.858.3487

MOCTEZUMA’S Voted best Mexican Restaurant in South Sound Magazine for 2015! Since 1978, Moctezuma’s has been the favorite of those seeking authentic Mexican food and award-winning Margaritas. Go visit their Gig Harbor location and enjoy their Tequila Bar for daily happy hour specials and an array of delicious appetizers.

4628 Pt. Fosdick DR. NW | Gig Harbor 253.851.8464 | Moctezumas.com

GERTIE AND THE GIANT OCTOPUS At Gertie and the Giant Octopus, located in the Uptown Mall next to the Galaxy Theater, patrons will be treated to a warm and inviting staff complemented by a delicious yet affordable dinner menu, taking its inspiration from French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared and meant to share. They invite you to dine with them Tuesday through Saturday 4 to 9pm.

$5

4747 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Suite 600 Gig Harbor | 253.649.0921 www.gertieandthegiantoctopus.com

PHO EVER WOK Whether it's a hot lunch or dinner you're looking for, look no further than Pho Ever Wok, where their traditional Vietnamese pho is always sure to satisfy. Whether you like your soup mild or spicy, they'll prepare it just the way you like it, and vegan and vegetarian options are available as well. Even better, the prices can't be beat, and there's plenty of parking. Also available for take-out. Open Monday through Saturday 10:30am to 9pm.

4819 Point Fosdick Drive NW | Gig Harbor 253.858.8399

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GREEN TURTLE RESTAURANT The dining atmosphere has always been considered one of Gig Harbor's favorites with a quaint dining room and our outdoor deck, both with serene waterfront views of the Gig Harbor light house and Mount Rainier. Join us for cocktails, premium beers and an extended wine list and make The Green Turtle one of your most memorable dining experiences. To make a reservation please call:

2905 Harborview Drive | Gig Harbor 253.851.3167

OCCASIONS COFFEE & CREPES Gig Harborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home for coffee & crepes! Located in the heart of Gig Harbor at the Franciscan Medical Building, Occasions Coffee and Crepes offers premium, hand-crafted espresso drinks, smoothies, fresh salads, hot paninis, fresh made deli sandwiches, soups and of course made-to-order crepes!

Authentic centrAl texAs-style BArBecue

4700 Point Fosdick Dr NW #109 | Gig Harbor 253.851.2576 OccasionsCoffeeandCrepes.com

EAT FRESH

Open seven DAys

A

Week

11:00AM - 8:00pM JOin us fOr A unique Dining experience!

253.313.5656

4814 Point Fosdick Dr. NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335

TexasBBQ2U.com BBQ2U

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ENTERTAINMENT

A TOUR FOR LITERACY BEAUTY ABOUNDS AS GIG HARBOR GARDEN TOUR RETURNS FOR ITS 22ND YEAR

BY JILLIAN CHANDLER PHOTO BY PATTI MCFERRAN

T

he flowers have bloomed, and now is your chance to explore seven of the area’s most beautiful gardens during this year’s Gig Harbor Garden Tour.

The 2019 tour features four gardens between Gig Harbor and Olalla, with the other three in Gig Harbor. Each garden on display has its own unique story to tell, each one a reflection of the gardener.

Sponsored by the Gig Harbor Garden Tour Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to promote literacy in the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula, the event raises approximately $30,000 each year for this cause.

Patti McFerran, Gig Harbor Garden Tour Board vice president, master gardener, garden writer and photographer, looks forward to the event year after year. “I’m an avid gardener and enjoy seeing the gardens and talking to the gardeners,” she says.

“We’re so appreciative of them to give up their gardens for a weekend, and it’s very rewarding to know the profits from this tour go to such a good cause.”

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Su mmer blooms are here!

Tickets are $25 each ($20 for groups of 10 or more) and can be purchased online at GigHarborGardenTour.org or at one of the following ticket outlets in Gig Harbor: Ace Hardware, The Garden Room, Rosedale Gardens Nursery, Tickled Pink, Wilco Farm Store and Wild Birds Unlimited; Sunnycrest Nursery and Floral in Lakebay; Garden Sphere Nursery in Tacoma; and Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors in University Place.

Once you purchase your ticket at one of the ticket outlets, you will receive a booklet that will include descriptions of each garden and directions to their locations. Those who purchase their tickets online will be mailed a ticket booklet. Tickets allow admittance to both days.

The tour dates and hours are Saturday, June 29, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, June 30, 10am to 4pm. For additional information, visit GigHarborGardenTour.org or email info@ gigharborgardentour.org.

Whether you are an avid gardener or novice, these gardens are sure to inspire.

SHOP SHOP

Enjoy your Uptown Life!

Take a break from the ordinary, the expected.

SIP SIP

STROLL STROLL

Treat yourself to the easygoing Uptown style.

EVENTS

CONCERTS

Gig Harbor Plant Swap June 8th 10am-11am

July 11th Flor de Luna Latin

Summer Sidewalk Sale July 12th - 14th

July 18th The Shy Boys, Rock

Cruise the Narrows Car Show August 3rd 9am-3pm

July 25th The Dark Horses, Country

Gig Harbor Film Festival September 26th - 29th Gig Harbor Plant Swap October 12th 10am-11am

August 1st Wounded Mic, Rock August 8th Indigo Jazz Band, Jazz August 15th The Michael Crain Band, Rock

DINE DINE Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm Hwy 16, Exit 10 - Olympic Drive to 4701 Pt, Fosdick Drive Hwy 16, Exit 10 - Olympic Drive to 4701 Pt, Fosdick Drive UPTOWN GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE UPTOWN GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE

DISCOVER DISCOVER

www.uptowngigharbor.com www.uptowngigharbor.com

Over GigHarborLivingLocal.com 93 30

stores Over 30 stores

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE Waterfront Farmers Market Opening Day

06

The Waterfront Farmers Market begins their fifth season on June 6. The Market is open every Thursday, June through August (with the exclusion of July 4th), 1 to 7pm. Located on Gig Harbor's beautiful downtown waterfront at Skansie Brothers Park, visit the market for the freshest, local produce, flowers, food products, hand-made body products, and local art and crafts. There will also be live entertainment and activities for all ages.

GigHarborWaterfront.org

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

07

08

Adventure Awaits

Boatyard Swap Meet

Comedy Night at Ocean 5

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this evening of fun and merriment in support of Gig Harbor Film Festival. Held at Canterwood Golf and Country Club, the festivities will kick off with a hosted cocktail hour featuring some spectacular silent auction and raffle items. A seated dinner will be served, followed by a dessert dash, live auction and raise the paddle. GigHarborFilm.org

The Boatshop's annual Swap Meet is set for June 8, 9am to 2pm, at Second Wave. This event, in celebration of National Marina Day, will be a fun day of swapping good stuff, trading a few boating and fishing stories and enjoying some food and music while you browse. Find out more online at GigHarborMarina.com.

Regional finalist of NBC "Standup" and national touring comedian Susan Jones will be headlining Comedy Night at Ocean5. Doors open at 6pm, with two guest performers opening the show at 7pm.

Prepare for humor overload! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at EventBrite.com.

JUNE-JULY

JUNE

14-06

15

13

Party in the Park!

Disney Newsies Paradise Theatre presents Newsies. Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice. Newsies is a classic with the power to inspire. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at the Dragonfly Theatre in Port Orchard. Get your tickets today at ParadiseTheatre.org.

Join PenMet Parks as they celebrate 15 years as a Park District! Bring the family, grab a friend and come celebrate the start of summer at Party in the Park at Sehmel Homestead Park. Don't miss the family friendly fun 11am to 4pm, with live music, kids stage, kids adventure zone (featuring rock climbing wall, obstacle course, bounce houses and more), cornhole tournament, beverage garden, root beer float garden and food vendors. PenMetParks.org

Upcoming Events - July 06

08

SWING FOR A 9TH ANNUAL GIG SOLDIER AT HARBOR WINGS CANTERWOOD & WHEELS GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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WOMEN'S WELLNESS EXPO

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SUMMER SOUNDS AT SKANSIE BROTHERS PARK

JUNE

Father's Day Car Show

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Bring Dad out to the vineyard for a day of fun! Join Olalla Vineyard & Winery Sunday, June 16, 1 to 5pm, for Father's Day in the vineyard. Muscle cars will be on display by Mopar Mafia of Port Orchard, and live music will fill the air with Ten Strings and A Box. Delicious foods by Grillside Mobile BBQ will also be available for purchase. There is a $20 entrance fee per carload.

Register at OlallaWines.com.

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

25

23

19

Cocktails & Fishtales Phill Dionne, research scientist with Washington Fish & Wildlife, will be discussing forage fish at Gig Harbor Brewing Co. Taproom 5:30 to 7pm. Forage fish include herring, anchovies, smelt and sand lance—all fish that are important prey for marine predators. Doors open at 5:30pm; presentation is from 6 to 7pm with time for a short Q&A after.

HarborWildWatch.org

Gig Harbor Climb Out of the Darkness

Summer Sounds at Skansie

Join Perinatal Support Washington in its annual climb to spread awareness of perinatal mental health at Sehmel Homestead Park 10am to 1pm.

The walk is stroller and family friendly. Walk, run, or talk and stroll as you enjoy the company of others spreading the word! Individuals and teams raising donations will help support continued education for professionals and programs in the community. Find out more on Facebook.

Summer Sounds at Skansie returns for the 2019 season June 25 featuring Mark Hurwitz and Gin Creek. This outdoor music concert series takes place every Tuesday 6:30 to 8pm through August 13 and is free to attend, thanks to sponsors CHI Franciscan and Harbor Hill. See the upcoming lineup at GigHarborGuide.com/music.

JUNE

JULY

29

04

Summer Kick-Off Party

Tacoma Freedom Fair & Air Show

The Kids' Dentist Gig Harbor invites the community to join them in kicking off the summer Saturday, June 29, 10am to 1pm. The morning of fun includes a game truck, bounce house, food and more. And ... the event is free to attend. So gather the kids and join your friends and get the summer started off right. For more information, call 253.329.5437.

Held at Tacoma Narrows Airport, this event has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top July 4th Celebrations in the United States!

This event has it all: multiple stages with national and regional music acts, air show, huge fireworks presentation, Camp Patriot with military displays, classic car show, funtastic kids park, more than 200 arts and crafts vendors and delicious international food courts and beer gardens, and more. FreedomFair.com

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GUIDED NATURE GIG HARBOR WALK AT SUMMER ART JOEMMA BEACH FESTIVAL STATE PARK GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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OLALLA VINEYARD & WINERY’S’DINNER IN THE VINEYARD

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HEARTS & SOUL: A BENEFIT FOR HEARTWOOD HAVEN

LOW-tide

beach walks with harbor

wildwatch Y

Get our F15eet Wet J U N E S C H ED U LE

Sunnyside Beach Park at 10 a.m.

OverBeach 600 16 Titlow

Park at 11 a.m. with Education Programs photo workshop Annually

17 Belfair State Park

11 a.m.

•atGuided beach, wetland, and estuary walks

3 0+ wa lks i n J u ly & • Live dive Au g underwater u st! experiences

• Citizen science monitoring and training opportunities

schedule onLINE •Full Cocktails & Fishtales science socials for Get to know the21+ unique creatures of

• seaStars & Beyond youth the intertidal zone with naturalist training program biologists at more than • Hands-on in 12 beaches inexhibits the south Downtown Gig Harbor Puget Sound. Free (donations appreciated) and great for all ages!

HarborWildWatch.org (253) 514-0187 (253) 514-0187 HarborWildWatch.org 2502 S. TYLER ST. TACOMA, WA 98405 | 253.752.7707 | WERTACOMA.COM

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IMAGINE SUNSETS

NIGHTLY FIRESTORMS OF COLOR UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS LUXURY FOX ISLAND HOME $1,550,000 | MLS #1440229

WHAT YOU IMAGINE, WE MAKE HAPPEN. Joe Sanchez & Associates Coldwell Banker Bain “We Sell Homes.

We Build Relationships.”

253-853-2262 JSAssociates@CBBain.com www.WaterfrontGigHarbor.com

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Come meet Duke!

800.458.5808

3888 W St. Hwy. 16, Bremerton Between Bremerton & Port Orchard

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(253) 530-7300

Fax (253) 530-7301 (253) 530-7300GigHarborLivingLocal.com

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