The visitor from the Midwest stood silently in front of the most popular display at the Harbor WildWatch exhibit at the Skansie Information and Interpretive Center. In a single motion, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone to capture photographic evidence of his childhood memories. “I really need to send pictures of this to my brother,” the man exclaimed. “This is exactly what we wanted to create as children; only this one is digital.” Executive Director Li

Photo Courtesy of YWCA Rags Guild. Domestic violence is something that is never deserved or justified, and unfortunately it as an all too familiar problem both nationally and here at home. According to Kathy Dorr, a board member for the RAGS Guild that hosts a juried wearable art competition and sale that benefits the YWCA’s domestic violence prevention and intervention programs, the Pierce County YWCA’s 24-hour domestic abuse hotline received nearly 8,500 calls in 2016. For

Our thoughts manifest as actions, actions become habits and habits create success. Positive thoughts generate positive energy, which is effective and attractive. That’s the good news. However, negative thinking also works. Negative thoughts also manifest as actions, these actions become habits and the habits create failure. Negative thoughts create negative energy that is also effective, but for failure, not accomplishment, and it repels rather than attracts. Your power to do

Starting out in the workforce can be overwhelming. Whether you are ready to begin a new career or going back to work after time away, there are many things to consider. How will I market my business? How will I meet people? How can I balance my career and my family? In Gig Harbor, the Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Young Professionals of Gig Harbor, a group of members under 40 who are eager to connect with one another and share experiences and ideas. Erin Abrigo, the Chairm

The inherent qualities of bronze motivates Gig Harbor artist Mardie Rees to pay special attention to the realistic details of life-size figures she creates. Rees’ latest work recently went on permanent display in the U.S. Marine Corps Museum in Virginia, 36 miles south of Washington, D.C. The statue was commissioned by the WWII U.S. Marine Raider Foundation to acknowledge the specialized contributions of the Navajo Code Talker, War Dog Handlers and the vital role the Browning

Maple Valley resident Brenda Running knew the green pastures she had known as a child growing up in the South Puget Sound had long ago been replaced by housing developments and shopping centers. What Running did not realize is that the growth meant that many children in her own community are growing up without the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature. Running is a Native Plant Steward who was invited to share her passion for nature in her own children’s classr

Chapman University freshman Elly Aronson received an important lesson last year while preparing a documentary on the Basket Brigade in Gig Harbor. “It was an amazing experience to be part of,” Aronson remembered. “Seeing so many people from different organizations coming together for a single purpose was truly inspirational.” The 18-year-old soccer standout recorded many of the meetings held to prepare for the night when boxes were filled with turkeys and fresh produce. She a

Students at all eight primary schools in the Peninsula School District are getting steamed. ​ The school board has partnered with the Peninsula Hands on Art to enhance the STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by bringing instruction in art back to classroom. ​ The addition of art in every elementary school is something totally unique for the Peninsula District. It is unofficially being called STEAM. The art portion of the acronym was developed th

Gig Harbor resident Karen Larson smiled last year as she watched dozens of families take advantage of an evening filled with games and fun activities. Why? Because she knew that proceeds from the evening would help fund the preservation of nature trails and create guardians to protect sensitive areas of the peninsula. ​ Larson is the director of development for EnviroCorp, the outdoor advocate division of the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. She made her observation last summer

When Gig Harbor resident Cordell Council took his spot at the starting line of the Boston Marathon in April, there was more on his shoulders than the race bib No. 13290 draped across his chest. The long distance runner began the 26.2 race mile competition through the streets of the city and eight nearby townships just 15 days after his latest treatment for advanced melanoma. The race gave Council his first break from the grueling series of surgeries and procedures he has endu