Founded in 1946 as a fishing village on Washington's Puget Sound, the City of Gig Harbor, WA, is a great place to live, work and play. Surrounded by water, Gig Harbor boasts views of Mt. Rainier, Tacoma's Pt. Defiance Park, Vashon Island, and even the Seattle Skyline. We are proud of the top-ranked Peninsula School District. Gig Harbor is located just across the Narrows from Tacoma, about an hour's drive from Seattle. To get the true Puget Sound experience, just drive north just a few minutes and take the ferry to Seattle from Bainbridge Island or Port Orchard. Visit this site often to learn about Fox Island, Canterwood, Gig Harbor North, and all of the other local communities.

Fox Island Open House Blitz!

October 3rd, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson 2 Comments »

There are 16 open houses in the Gig Harbor area this weekend, and 11 of those are on Fox Island.  If you’ve ever wondered what it was like living on Fox Island, this is your weekend to find out!  Located just south of Gig Harbor, Fox Island is a unique community with homes ranging from the low $200’s to well into the millions.  As you may expect on an island, there are numerous waterview and waterfront homes available.  Fox Island is part of the Peninsula School District, and has relatively few amenities (a gas station and small store is about it).  Check out the interactive map of open houses this weekend!  If you find something that you like, I’d love to discuss with you your buying options.  Open house information is taken from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed.

Fox Island Chapel

Chapel on the Bay on Fox Island.  It’s pretty, but not for sale.

Vote for the Tides/Seahawks game!

October 2nd, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson 3 Comments »

The annual Gig Harbor football rivalry, known as the “Fish Bowl”, is coming up Friday night!  The 30th meeting between Gig Harbor High and Peninsula High will be played at PHS’ Roy Anderson Field tomorrow night at 7pm.  Both teams enter the game with 3-1 records, so it should be a great game.

Fox News and Q it up sports is looking for your vote to determine which game they will provide footage of on their sportscast Friday night.  Make sure you vote here for the Tides vs Seahawks game!

Point Fosdick View Home

October 1st, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson 1 Comment »

I’ve just listed a magnificent view home at 19 Point Fosdick Dr NW.  Pt Fosdick is at the far southeast corner of Gig Harbor, and is unquestionably one of our area’s most desired neighborhoods.  This home offers sweeping views of the Puget Sound and Fox Island, and allows you to watch the sunrise over Mount Rainier and the sunset over the Olympic Mountain range.  It’s rare that a home in Gig Harbor offers such expansive views.  Even more rare is the price…over 3200 square feet of wonderful flow for only $625,000.  That’s about $15/sf below the competition!

Views

If you know of anybody who is interested in buying a view home in Gig Harbor’s Point Fosdick neighborhood, please pass this information on to them or have them contact me directly.  Check out the home’s details, I’m sure you’ll be impressed!

Water skiing in Gig Harbor

September 29th, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson Click Here To Comment »

Federal Bailout Bill rejected.  WaMu fails.  Stocks plummet.  It’s not that I don’t care about all of the negative news that’s out there (I do care, it affects me too), it’s just that I choose not to print it.  You’ve got plenty of other options on the web to find bad news; I want this site to make you happy.

So in light of all of the turmoil that is going on in the nation right now, how about you join me and admire this photo of a water skiier on the Puget Sound along Gig Harbor.  Kind of a nice reminder that God is still in control, regardless of how badly man screws things up.  If it’s not a reminder of that for you, perhaps it can be an indicator.  Times are tough for lots of people.  Enjoy the sunsets.  Enjoy the beauty of Gig Harbor.  Appreciate the incredible photographers and photos they provide of Gig Harbor.  If you have a Bible around, read Philippians 4:8.  I don’t want to be political or religious on this blog, but sometimes some good news (and pretty pictures) can be a nice pick-me-up for everyone!

Skiier on the Sound

This picture is courtesy of JimsPics and Flickr.  It is posted here with written permission from the photographer.  Please respect his work and don’t use his pictures without his consent.  Thanks!

African Gospel Acappella comes to Gig Harbor

September 28th, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson 1 Comment »

Music lovers in Gig Harbor are in for a real treat this coming Saturday (Oct 4th).  The African Gospel Acappella, formerly known as the African Gospel Choir, will be putting on a benefit concert at Lighthouse Christian School on Pt Fosdick Drive.

The Acappella group is currently made up of 4 men–all blind (1 was born blind, the other 3 from Measles)–from various tribes in Liberia.  I encourage you to listen to the song that is playing on the African Gospel Acappella’s website.  I’d love for you to share your reaction after listening to this song and reading the members’ amazing stories.  The song changed my entire mood–it just makes me happy and hoppy (you’ll understand that when you listen to it).  Reading their stories sure puts my own struggles into perspective.  My struggles aren’t lessened or eased in any way, but certainly put into perspective.

The concert is Saturday, October 4th at 7pm (doors to open at 6:30pm).  Tickets are $10, free for 12 and under. You can contact Lighthouse School for more info.

Gospel Acappella

Harbor Hounds a hit!

September 28th, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson Click Here To Comment »

Gig Harbor hosted the 6th annual Harbor Hounds charity dog walk yesterday, and it couldn’t have turned out much better!  The weather was perfect (maybe a bit warm for some of the bigger dogs), sunny and beautiful! I was amazed at how many dogs brought their people to the event.  I had a unique perspective as I was holding an open house right on the walking route.  Here are a few pictures from the day.  I’d love to hear your take on the day if you participated!

Look away

BIG fella

Polar bear?

Let me out!

Trick or Treat

Another Gig Harbor road closure

September 26th, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson Click Here To Comment »

I’m looking forward to Canterwood Blvd re-opening.  Traffic has become a mess with this road closed.  I got word today of another road closure in Gig Harbor, but this one, while longer, shouldn’t impact traffic as much.  The small stretch of road from Harborview Dr to Austin Drive (next to the new Gig Harbor History Museum and Donkey Creek Park) will be closed for about 20 months while the city works to improve the waste water management plant.  Progress is good, right?

Flyer

Harbor Hounds and Open Houses

September 26th, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson 2 Comments »

Seb and TuckTomorrow (Saturday the 27th) Gig Harbor will be hosting the 2008 Harbor Hounds walk and all-around Doggie-Day!  Microchipping, obedience, doggy massage, and much more will be available for Gig Harbor’s 4-legged residents.  Basically, a day devoted to a huge dog walk and pampering your dog!  Harbor Hounds activities will be on the downtown Gig Harbor waterfront from 10am-3pm. 

Open House

Sebastian won’t be joining me, but I’ll be participating in the festivities by holding an open house along the walking route!  Be sure to view my interactive map of open houses in the area.  I’ll have some dog treats and water for the walkers, and an incredible, remodeled, heart of downtown house at a remarkable price for everybody!  I’d love to have you visit!

Borders Books in Gig Harbor throws Kids’ Party!

September 25th, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson Click Here To Comment »

Borders Bookstore in the new Gig Harbor Uptown Center will be hosting a Kids’ Party this Saturday (Sept 27th) from 2-4pm!  If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Borders (or any of the other stores in the Uptown Center), Saturday would be a good oportunity for you to do so.  I tend to be a proponent of the smaller local stores, and I still lean that way, but the reality is the big box stores like Borders are able to offer some fun things that the smaller stores just don’t have the ability to match.  The Kids’ Party is one of those things.  For more information on the event, you can visit the Borders’ website.

Borders

Bremerton Naval Yard

September 24th, 2008
Posted by Matt Thomson Click Here To Comment »

Have you ever visited the Bremerton Naval Yard?  Is it even open for visitors?  I’ve driven by and marveled at the size of the ships many times, but I’ve never swung in to take a closer look.  About 30 minutes north of Gig Harbor, the Bremerton Naval Yard is home to some simply mind boggling ships in an absolutely gorgeous setting.  One of those things that is so close yet I know nothing about.  I’d really appreciate any insight or feedback if you know more about the Naval Yard.

Bremerton Naval Yard

Bremerton Naval Yard