The Gig-a-Byte Podcast: News from the City of Gig Harbor City of Gig Harbor

Episode 11 has Mayor Markley learning all about Food Backpacks 4 Kids, a local organization working to provide the nutritional needs of children and families when other resources aren't available. Board President Jennifer Sievers and Director of Communications Michelle Johnson chat with the mayor about the much-needed programs and services they provide to local residents, including the summer lunch program, Lunch in the Park! They also dive into some sobering data from their 2022-23 outreach efforts and explain how their organization directly impacts the City of Gig Harbor. Check out their website below to learn more about the services they offer and how you can get involved.

The mayor also welcomes Windy Payne, owner of For the Love of Spice. This local treasure carries 70+ spice blends, olive oil sourced from Spain, and barrel-aged vinegar from Italy. Have dietary restrictions? Get a custom-made spice blend that fits all your needs. Stop by, check out their selection of products, and enrich your senses!



Special Guest:

Food Backpacks 4 Kids

9127 154th Ave Ct NW

(253) 857-7401

www.foodbackpacks4kids.org

List of Programs: www.foodbackpacks4kids.org/programs

Donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=E55ETZ8FFVFLJ

How to Help: www.foodbackpacks4kids.org/how-to-help

Facebook: www.facebook.com/foodbackpacks4kids

Instagram: www.instagram.com/foodbackpacks4kids



Local Business Spotlight:

For the Love of Spice

3122 Harborview Drive

(253) 858-0272

www.loveofspice.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveofspices

Email: windy.p@gmail.com



For more information on what's happening in Gig Harbor visit us at:

Cityofgigharbor.net

Visitgigharborwa.gov

Facebook.com/cityofgigharbor



*This episode was recorded on July 17, 2023

In this episode, Mayor Markley sits down with Ketty Lane and Heide Solandros of Peninsula Art League (PAL). PAL is a not-for-profit organization whose tagline and mission is to "Bring Community to the Artist and Art to the Community". Their Summer Art Festival here in Gig Harbor, now in its 37th year and organized entirely through volunteer members, does just that. This annual fundraiser provides $12,000 in scholarship funds for local high school students, as well as public art shows, workshops, and other creative activities that encourage and promote the arts, adds to our community’s quality of life, and brings tourism dollars to Gig Harbor! Members include painters, printers,
sculptors, photographers, potters, jewelry designers, glass and enameling artists, fiber artists, writers – and people who simply love art.

 

A message from PAL: “We are grateful to the City of Gig Harbor and to Timberland Bank for their continued financial support of this event as well as our new sponsors this year.”

 

The mayor also chats with Allyson Howard, owner of Invitation Bookshop. This local, woman-run bookshop was founded on three core beliefs: the dignity of all people, thriving small businesses are essential to a healthy community, and that literacy is a human right, a key component of equity, and a fundamental part of being an engaged citizen. In addition to selling a curated selection of fiction, nonfiction, and other genres - they have puzzles, stationary, and more!

 

Special Guests:

Peninsula Art League – Ketty Lane and Heide Solandros

Website: https://peninsulaartleague.org/

Summer Art Festival: https://peninsulaartleague.org/summer-art-festival-2/

PAL Newsletter: https://peninsulaartleague.org/newsletters/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/peninsulaartleague



Local Business Spotlight:

Invitation Bookshop – Allyson Howard, owner

5125 Olympic Dr #104, Gig Harbor

(253) 432-4566

Website: https://invitationbookshop.com/

Email: hello@invitationbookshop.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/invitationbookshop/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/invitationbookshop/

 

For more information on what's happening in Gig Harbor visit us at:

Cityofgigharbor.net

Visitgigharborwa.gov

Facebook.com/cityofgigharbor

 

*This episode was recorded on July 3, 2023

In episode 13, Mayor Markley welcomes City of Gig Harbor Principal Planner Robin Bolster-Grant. The two discuss the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the current efforts underway to update the plan, as well as past and upcoming community outreach events.

The mayor also sits down with Max Collinge of Effortless Junk Removal. This local company helps consumers, real estate agents, contractors, and property managers remove the junk, debris, and stress from their lives!

 

Special Guest:

Robin Bolster-Grant, Principal Planner

City of Gig Harbor - Community Development

253-853-7615

rbolster-grant@gigharborwa.gov

Comp Plan Information: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/785/2044-Comprehensive-Plan-Update

 

Local Business Spotlight:

Effortless Junk Removal

https://www.effortlessjunkremoval.com/

253-290-7721

max@effortlessjunkremoval.com

 

If you have questions about City business or current issues that you would like the mayor to address in a future episode, or if you would like to suggest a local business to spotlight, please send your suggestions to communications@gigharborwa.gov.


For more information on what's happening in Gig Harbor visit us at:

Cityofgigharbor.net

Visitgigharborwa.gov

Facebook.com/cityofgigharbor

 

*This episode was recorded on June 5, 2023

In episode 12, Mayor Markley takes the Gig-A-Byte on-location to kick off Memorial Day weekend! She’s joined on beautiful Puget Sound by Officer Chet Dennis of the Gig Harbor Police Department. Officer Dennis gives us tips on water safety and etiquette and discusses the city’s Go With The Flow program and its Marine Services Unit.

The mayor is also welcomed aboard the beautiful vessel of Captain Tony and First Mate Erin of On Time Tours & Charters/Puget Sound Sea Memorials. This unique local business offers guided tours and custom charters, as well as sea memorials.

Special Guest:

Officer Chet Dennis, Gig Harbor Police Department

Go With the Flow: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/683/Go-With-The-Flow

Marine Services Unit: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/573/Specialty-Units

Vessel Safety Check Program: https://www.cgaux.org/vsc/

Local Business Spotlight:

On Time Tours & Charters/Puget Sound Sea Memorials

(253) 226-5928

www.ontimetoursgh.com

anthony@ontimetoursandcharters.com

anthony@pugetsoundseamemorials.com

facebook.com/ontimetoursandcharters

instagram.com/ontimetoursandcharters

 

If you have an idea for a future discussion topic or have a local business you would like to see in the spotlight, please send your suggestions to communications@gigharborwa.gov.
 

For more information on what's happening in Gig Harbor visit us at:

Cityofgigharbor.net

Visitgigharborwa.gov

Facebook.com/cityofgigharbor



*This episode was recorded on May 15, 2023

In episode 11 of the Gig-A-Byte, Mayor Markley welcomes Pam Leazer, the very first Executive Director for the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank. The two discuss FISH’s many community services and their goal of providing food and assistance with dignity, compassion, and encouragement. The mayor also
sits down with Nate Graves, President of In-Gear Media – a local full service creative and digital marketing agency. We’re so excited to shine a spotlight
each week on one of our local businesses!



Special Guest:

Pam Leazer, Executive Director

Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank

4303 Burnham Drive

253-858-6179

www.ghpfish.org

Gig Harbor Food Project: www.gigharborfoodproject.com

facebook.com/GigHarborPeninsulaFISH

instagram.com/ghpfish



Local Business Spotlight:

Nate Graves, President

In-Gear Media

6626 Wagner Way NW #100

253-242-2414

www.in-gearmedia.com

facebook.com/ingearmediamarketing

instagram.com/in_gearmedia

 

If you have an idea for a future discussion topic or have a local business you would like to see in the spotlight, please send your suggestions to communications@gigharborwa.gov.


For more information on what's happening in Gig Harbor visit us at:

Cityofgigharbor.net
Visitgigharborwa.gov
Facebook.com/cityofgigharbor


*This episode was recorded on May 1, 2023

In this latest episode of the Gig-A-Byte, Mayor Markley sits down with Olga Inglebritson, Dean of Tacoma Community College – Gig Harbor Campus. The two discuss all the incredible programs available to new and returning students, as well as some exciting upcoming events. Mayor Markley also sits down with Diane Miller, owner of Treasures 4 Humanity, a local women’s fashion boutique with a charitable mission. We’re so excited to shine a spotlight each week on one of our local businesses!

Special Guest:

Olga Inglebritson, Dean

TCC – Gig Harbor

3993 Hunt Street

(253) 460-2424

Facebook.com/tacomacc

Twitter.com/tacomacc

 

Local Business Spotlight:

Treasures 4 Humanity

7811 Pioneer Way

(253) 649-0161

Diane@treasures4humanity.com

Facebook.com/treasures4humanity

Instagram.com/treasures4humanity



If you have an idea for a future discussion topic or have a local business you would like to see in the spotlight, please send your suggestions to communications@gigharborwa.gov.


For more information on what's happening in Gig Harbor visit us at:

Cityofgigharbor.net
Visitgigharborwa.gov
Facebook.com/cityofgigharbor
 

*This episode was recorded on April 17, 2023