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Harbor Happenings | This critter is critical to the Salish Sea. Learn more about it

Posted on September 10th, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Learn about the mysterious world of the pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) at this month’s Cocktails and FishTales, Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Ocean5.

The pinto abalone is a species of marine snail found in the kelp forests and rocky reefs of the Salish Sea, where they play an important role in the ecosystem. They clean the rocky surfaces to encourage the growth of many species of kelp, and their voracious appetites have earned them the nickname “Roombas of the Sea.”

At Wednesday’s Cocktails and FishTales event, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Emily Loose will talk about WDFW’s efforts to protect and restore this endangered snail. Cocktails and FishTales is presented free by Harbor WildWatch. Wednesday’s event starts at 6 p.m. and can also be viewed live on the Harbor WildWatch Facebook page.

Pinto abalone. Photo courtesy of the National Marine Fisheries Service

Plant swap

The final Gig Harbor Plant Swap of the year will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the Home Goods parking lot in Uptown. Bring plants to trade or give away and meet other gardeners. According to the organizers, swappers have black and blue salvia, bear’s britches, Schizostylis coccinea Sunrise and many other varieties available. Don’t have plants to swap? No worries. Many swappers give away their plants for free.

At the same time on Saturday, local Master Gardeners offer their final Saturday Garden Talk of the season. This month’s talk will cover “putting your beds to bed” for fall.

The Saturday Garden Talk is from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Gig Harbor Demonstration Garden, 10123 78th Ave. NW.

Live music

Kimball Coffeehouse hosts an open mic at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Come share your talent, whatever it might be. On Friday, Sept. 13, Steph and the Eclectrix take over the Kimball stage at 7 p.m. for a free, all-ages-welcome dance party. Kimball is at 6659 Kimball Dr. No. A102.

Ten Strings and a Box bring their music to the Olalla Winery Friday at 6:30 p.m. Make reservations here.

At the movies

The Flashback Cinema movie at Galaxy Theatres Uptown on Wednesday, Sept. 10, is “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Showtimes are 1 and 6 p.m. The Flashback movie on Sunday, Sept. 15, is the final film of the LOTR trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Showtimes for The Return of the King are 12:30 and 6 p.m. Flashback movies cost just $5.

The SummerFest movie on Sept. 10, 11 and 12 is “Hotel Transylvania.” Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 13 through Sept. 19, the SummerFest movie is “Scoob!” Showtimes for Scoob! are 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 13, 16, 17, 18 and 19; 10 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. on Sept. 14; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15. SummerFest movies are just $2.

Civic engagement

Attorneys from tacomaprobono will host a legal aid pop-up at the Civic Center on Grandview Street from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, and again from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 16. Attorneys will provide no-cost advice on civil matters such as tenant-landlord relations, eviction, consumer issues, family law, civil law and other issues.

The Gig Harbor City Council meets for a study session at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. Tentative discussion items include a Business and Occupation tax, proposed updates on the city’s purchasing and contracting policies and security cameras. The meeting will be held in the community rooms at the Civic Center, and can also be viewed via zoom.