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Harbor Happenings | State of the Watershed meeting is Wednesday

Posted on October 22nd, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

The KGI (Key Peninsula-Gig Harbor-Islands) Watershed Council’s annual State of the Watershed meeting is at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street.

The KGI Watershed Council, an advisory board to Pierce County, provides educational programs, outreach and workshops on watershed issues. The council includes representatives from city of Gig Harbor and Pierce County governments; the Pierce Conservation District; Tacoma Pierce County Health Department; and nonprofits and advocacy groups.

State of the Watershed speakers and their topics include:

Chris Rurik, naturalist: “Through the Eyes of a Naturalist Spy”
Mike Behrens, Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Land Fund board member: “Land Conservation in the Watershed”
Melissa Erkel, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: “McNeil Island Fish Passage Projects”
Stena Troyer: science director at Harbor WildWatch: “What’s the Deal with Invasive European Green Crab?”
Bruce Murray, Key Peninsula resident: “Invasive Plant Removal at the Purdy Spit”
Cindy Callahan, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: “Success Story: Minterbrook Oyster Septic Repair”

The event is free and the public is welcome. The civic center is at 3510 Grandview St.

Rattle Dem Bones

The Rattle Dem Bones Halloween-themed bike ride and costume contest takes place Sunday, Oct. 27, with three courses to choose from: A the 25-mile Monster, 14-mile Son of Monster and a “Mini-monster” obstacle course and bike rodeo.

The Mini-monster obstacle course and bike rodeo takes place at Swift Water Elementary School, 10811 Harbor Hill Drive, starting at 10 a.m.

All other rides begin and end at the Kimball Drive Park and Ride, 6805 Kimball Drive. Rattle Dem Bones is a fundraiser for the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. Get details and sign-up here.

Costumed bike riders prepare for the 2023 Rattle Dem Bones ride.

Clothing drive

The Soroptimists organization and the Gig Harbor Police Department are holding a clothing drive to support women released from the Washington Correction Center for Women.

Inmates released from the prison often don’t have appropriate clothing to successfully rejoin the outside world, like outfits for job interviews and everyday clothes.

Donate clean, ready-to-wear slacks; leggings; jeans; casual t-shirts and blouses; jackets; dresses and long skirts; tennis-, casual- and closed toe shoes and dressy flats and professional-type clothing.

The clothing drive does not accept open-toed shoes, shorts, crop tops, high heels, undergarments, purses or jewelry.

Donation boxes are located in the civic center lobby at 3510 Grandview St. during regular business hours, through Friday, Oct. 25. A drive-up donation station will be available from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, outside the Civic Center.

Halloween fun

PenMet Parks hosts a Trunk or Treat party from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Sehmel Homestead Park, with decorated cars, music and Halloween treats at every booth. Free.
The Beer Vault in Purdy hosts Witches Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23,. It’s a costume party and shopping party all-in-one. Costumes are encouraged for shopping at pop-up booths that will offer a variety of handmade goods from women-owned businesses, plus tarot readings, treats and special prices on drinks. The Beer Vault is located at 14004 Purdy Drive.
Witches, grab your paddles. The annual “Witches Brew” paddle happens from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Paddle through the harbor at your own pace from the boat launch at 8723 Randall Drive to the Lighthouse. All ages are welcome, but paddlers are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others on their vessel. U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices are required on board for all participants and must be worn by children 12-and-younger. Dress “witchy” and bring treats to toss to on-shore spectators.

Find many more Halloween events in our Halloween Happenings story here.

At the library

The library’s nonfiction book club meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the large meeting room at the library at 4424 Point Fosdick Drive to discuss “The Underworld” by Susan Casey. Geared to adults and seniors.
The Chess Club meets from 5:45-to-6:45 p.m. Thursdays at the library for 20 minutes of instruction and 40 minutes of play. Geared to ages 5-12.
The library hosts Teen Movie night from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, with free movies, games and refreshments for teens ages 13-18.

Live music

Ted Pickett brings his Neil Diamond tribute to the Olalla Winery on Friday, Oct. 25. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Reserve tickets here.
Michele D’Amore and the Love Dealers play funky blues and R&B at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Kimball Coffeehouse, 6659 Kimball Dr. Free; all ages are welcome.
The Hasbrooks bring their “good ole country music” to the Beer Vault in Purdy from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. The Beer Vault is located at 14004 Purdy Drive.

At the movies

The Gig Harbor Film Festival’s Monday movie for October is “Coup de Chance,” (Stroke of Luck), playing at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown. It’s a story of romance, passion and violence set against the backdrop of autumn in Paris. Featuring Woody Allen’s classic wit — in French. Reserve tickets here.

The Flashback Cinema movie at The Galaxy on Wednesday, Oct. 23, is “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” playing at 1:05 and 6 p.m. The Flashback movie on Sunday, Oct. 27, is “The Exorcist.” It’s the Director’s Cut – a never-seen-before version, with footage not contained in the original release. Showtimes are 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor planning department will discuss changes proposed to the city comprehensive plan from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 23, at the Civic Center. The comp plan guides the city’s actions in everything from traffic and street projects, to parks and open space, arts and cultural activities and more. Public comment is being accepted on all comp plan elements.

The Gig Harbor City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at the Civic Center. Tentative agenda items include a third quarter budget update, and a contract amendment to the Crescent Creek Park master plan. Council meetings can also be accessed via Zoom.

Looking ahead

The 10^th annual Write in the Harbor writers conference takes place Nov. 1 and 2 at the Gig Harbor campus of Tacoma Community College. Keynote speaker Shawn Wong will discuss his recent work and offer tips to aspiring writers. Additional workshops will cover topics ranging from writing the perfect opening, to editing your work, crafting a memoir and more. Enroll here.