The Gig-a-Byte Podcast: News from the 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