Opinion

Dolly Parton wants your kids to read, and we’re here to help

Aug 31, 2023 | By:

Hello Dolly! Dolly Parton came and conquered the State of Washington. By proclamation from Governor Jay Inslee, August 15 is now Dolly Parton Imagination Library Day. This program had delivered over 200 million books to children worldwide since it began in 1995 and gives over 2 million books each month! Dolly Parton dazzled an invitation-only

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In the Margins: Not your father’s real estate market, nor your mother’s

Aug 23, 2023 | By:

Nearly 40 years ago, my wife and I purchased our first home. For what seemed like a staggering sum of $75,850 ($221,000 in today’s dollars), we moved into a 1,350 square-foot, three-bedroom home in a small subdivision just north of the Harbor. We vacuumed our sofa cushions for the down-payment and borrowed the balance at

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Letter to the Editor: Downtown Waterfront Alliance wants to know what you think

Aug 15, 2023 | By: Carrianne Ekberg

The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance is the voice and ears for the merchants and restaurants for our downtown waterfront.  We ask that you take a very quick survey in order for us to determine your shopping and dining preferences as residents and visitors.  It will help us shape the future of our downtown. Lots

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Letter to the Editor: More questions about PenMet’s levy request

Aug 07, 2023 | By: Craig McLaughlin

Editor’s note: Craig McLaughlin submitted this letter in response to our June 22 story, PenMet proposing levy lid lift renewal From 2017 to 2023, as property values rose at a greater than 6% rate so that the “rate” of taxation dropped below the 75₵, this did NOT reduce PenMet’s overall income from property tax levies. 

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Letter to the editor: Levy funds help Gig Harbor Fire protect the community

Jul 27, 2023 | By: Joe Urvina

Ballots have been delivered and more than 10% of those in the Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One service area have already been returned to the County Clerk. As Fire District Commission Chairman, I hope the majority of these, and the ones still sitting on kitchen counters, are cast in support of the District’s general

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In the Margins: Can’t we find better ways to celebrate a birthday?

Jul 19, 2023 | By:

We returned to Gig Harbor at the end of June after a family vacation in the north woods of Canada’s Great Lakes region. Unfortunately, this year the typically fresh lake air and photogenic views were compromised by a gray layer of noxious wildfire smoke from northern Ontario. It reminded us of Puget Sound’s summer of

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In the Margins: Local author’s work picked for lunar library

Jun 21, 2023 | By: Leland Smith

We all have dreams and goals. And so often we hear the time-honored advice to just go for it. Shoot for the moon! Someday soon, C.J. Booth’s literary dream will land on the moon … literally. Introducing the Lunar Codex Project. NASA plans to put humans back on the moon sometime in 2026. Along with

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As fire season approaches, Gig Harbor mom says “Enough!”

Jun 14, 2023 | By: Heather Maher

We all know it’s coming: fire season. All year long, Gig Harbor-ites look forward to the summer months, when we can be outside and relish the beauty of living in the PNW. When summer arrives, I find myself sighing with relief: finally, my children can play outside! But it has come to be an unofficial

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The Brown lady who rang a doorbell in Gig Harbor

May 31, 2023 | By: Thelma Brown

My name is Thelma Brown.  My husband and I are retired educators from Los Angeles and moved to Gig Harbor seven years ago. We have developed many wonderful friendships and have become very involved in several community activities. We bought a home in the Bellesara development where we had wonderful neighbors, but in October 2022

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Letter to the editor: Keep cats inside during this noisy season

May 25, 2023 | By: Sally Pataky

Many cats are reported lost here in Gig Harbor. Organizations advocating for animals do not advise allowing cats to roam outside. Cats are at the mercy of coyotes, raccoons, and dogs, as well as poisoned mice and cars. Unfortunately, studies have shown that cats are responsible for the diminishing numbers of songbirds. Some may use

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