Opinion

Guest editorial: Bridge of Hope offers honest, respectful dialogue

Mar 30, 2023 | By: Lew Napolitano

Editor’s Note: Lew Napolitano of Tacoma is involved in the YMCA’s Bridge of Hope initiative. He provided this report on the initiative’s progress and plans. Click here for our earlier story about Bridge of Hope. The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, in response to the community wide disruption of effective and respectful dialogue over

Read More

Guest editorial: Artificial intelligence and the end of freedom of thought

Mar 23, 2023 | By: Justin Teerlinck

I am writing regarding the March 16, 2023 article, “Peninsula School District embracing potential of ChatGPT.” Artificial intelligence is deadly poison, not a shiny new toy for kids to play with. Freedom of thought is the birthright of all human beings. Furthermore, it is a requirement for all human endeavors that demand creativity, innovation, and

Read More

Guest editorial: What happens globally affects families locally

Mar 22, 2023 | By: Heather Maher

Heather Maher is a local Gig Harbor mom and resident for the past 14 years. She is also a member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s NextGen class of 2023.     I’ll never forget March 2020. As our kids were sent home from school, I watched as teachers wiped away tears, waving goodbye to

Read More

Guest Column: How zoning could limit our Incredible Expanding and Shrinking House

Mar 13, 2023 | By: Marlene Druker

Marlene Druker, AIA is a registered architect based in Gig Harbor. As part of her work, she has read the definitions in, and “kicked the tires” of many (maybe too many) zoning codes. Read Part 1 of her two-part column here.     In part one, I sold you on The Incredible Expanding and Shrinking

Read More

Guest column: The Incredible Expanding and Shrinking House

Mar 06, 2023 | By: Marlene Druker

Editor’s note: This piece was submitted by Marlene Druker, a self-employed architect based in Gig Harbor. Her home office is expansive enough to house an expensive electronic drafting board and cheap trace paper, both of which were used in imagining The Incredible Expanding and Shrinking House. This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Look

Read More

Guest column: City council member wants input on short-term rentals

Jan 10, 2023 | By: Jeni Woock

Dear Gig Harbor Citizens, I would like your input on important legislation that will impact the future of your neighborhood, every block on every street. On Thursday, January 19, at 3 p.m. the Gig Harbor City Council will have a study session to discuss whether to allow short-term rentals in our residentially zoned neighborhoods 365 days a year. Public comment is

Read More

Letter to the Editor: Thankful for Randall’s support of WA Cares

Jan 10, 2023 | By: Ben Patinkin

As we age, it’s important to start planning for the possibility that we will need long-term care. Studies show that 70% of us will need it at some point in our lives. And unfortunately for too many Americans, it’s cost prohibitive. I’m a successful small business owner and my wife is a substitute teacher. Together,

Read More

Guest column: Start the New Year with a good walk

Dec 28, 2022 | By: Kurt Grimmer

So you joined the “Y” or signed up for Zumba or Pilates.  Have you tried hot yoga?  I fainted my first time.  Maybe you started running.  And what about that diet?  Man, I’m so hungry for a good burger and fries! Most of us have been in this situation and often revisit this scenario. Here

Read More

Guest column: A Christmas gift we can all share

Dec 20, 2022 | By: Bruce Cook

Fall and winter are some of my favorite times of the year. I love to feel the cool crispness in the air and see the leaves on the hardwood trees change colors, fall to the ground and form a soft layer to cover the earth. The daylight hours are shorter and rain and snow are

Read More

Letter to the editor: Thankful gas prices haven’t gone up — yet

Nov 23, 2022 | By: Bruce Cook

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love to feel the cool crispness in the air and see the leaves on the hardwood trees change colors and fall to the ground. The daylight hours are shorter and rain and snow are welcome weather patterns this time of year to relieve the

Read More