🌱 Patch AM: Want a better view? Know Gig Harbor’s strict tree-cutting rules first

Hey there, Gig Harbor! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

November Photo of the Month Winner: Lorra R. from Lincolnshire, IL

"Autumn buffet for many!" Photo: Lorra R. in the Lincolnshire, IL Patch AM

🎉 Congratulations to Lorra R. from Lincolnshire, Illinois, whose photo of a resourceful chipmunk stocking up for winter was selected for November's Patch AM photo of the month! We had amazing submissions, and hard as it was, we had to choose, and the chipmunk won for being seasonally appropriate. We look forward to seeing December's photos as the weather rolls in!

To send in your pic for Gig Harbor photo of the day, click here. And of course, a big thank you to everyone who submitted photos! 💚 You make Gig Harbor Patch AM a livelier place.

In today's newsletter:

• Want a better view? Know Gig Harbor’s strict tree-cutting rules first
• How Gig Harbor’s giant Christmas tree actually gets raised each year
• How a $1 sailboat finally escaped Gig Harbor’s watchful eyes

Also on today's calendar: Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra- A Harbor Holiday.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Nana B.!

Today's riddle: What did the red wire say when the white wire asked it to come out and play? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Periods of rain, with a high of 55 and low of 49 degrees.
• Wednesday: Rain; windy in the morning, temps: high: 56, low: 51.
• Thursday: Periods of rain, with a high of 54 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Storm of comments followed a tree removal post in Pierce Co. What are the rules? (thenewstribune.com) — If you’re frustrated by a view-blocking tree in Gig Harbor, city rules still won’t let you cut or shape public trees just to improve views. Officials explain how to report vegetation concerns, when private tree removal permits are required, and why you’ll likely need a certified arborist and formal application before taking down problem trees on local properties.
   

2. It takes a village to raise a Christmas tree (gigharbornow.org) — Gig Harbor’s official Christmas tree is once again lighting up Skansie Brothers Park, continuing a tradition that dates back to a 1949 Chamber of Commerce decorating contest. City crews partner with Joint Base Lewis-McChord and a local tree service to select, install, and decorate the towering cut tree, which delights residents and visitors before being removed sometime after New Year’s.
   

3. Katrinka Finkelsplatt limps out of the harbor (gigharbornow.org) — A long-troublesome sailboat, the Katrinka Finkelsplatt, has finally left Gig Harbor after repeated violations of local moorage rules at Jerisich Public Dock. The story follows the $1 sale to a Seattle houseboat resident, the boat’s checkered past in local waters, and the vigilant Gig Harbor resident who uses a drone to help police keep derelict or overstaying vessels in check.
   

4. Lakewood man who died following Friday afternoon crash has been identified (thenewstribune.com) — A serious two-vehicle crash on SR 302 near Mason County Friday left a 25-year-old Lakewood man dead and a Salem, Oregon woman injured and transported to St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor. Troopers say the Lakewood driver crossed the center line without wearing a seat belt; alcohol and drugs were not factors, and the highway was blocked for about four hours.
   

5. Montreal Alouettes Salaries: Davis Alexander's $258K Contract, Grey Cup Champions & Elite Payroll (surprisesports.com) — A rising CFL quarterback from Gig Harbor, Davis Alexander, is now leading the Montreal Alouettes on a cost-conscious contract worth $258,000 guaranteed and up to $336,000 with incentives. The piece breaks down how his deal, and those of several teammates and coaches, fit into Montreal’s broader salary-cap and roster strategy after their recent Grey Cup runs.
   

📣 Gig Harbor Shout Outs!

• ❤️ This about my Family !! A big Thank You for a Thanksgiving with all of you ! I'm grateful ! Despite their huge responsibilities , and 2 of the most important responsibilities , my Grandchildren ! —Nana B.

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Gig Harbor

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 10

• HRMS Book Fair
  Harbor Ridge Middle School
  8:15 am

Saturday December 13

• Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra- A Harbor Holiday
  Peninsula High School , 14105 Purdy Dr NW , Gig Harbor
  7:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• 2025 Harbor Winds Holiday Concert - Celebration!
  Gig Harbor High School , 5101 Rosedale St NW , Gig Harbor
  3:00 pm

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 9

• HRMS Book Fair
  Harbor Ridge Middle School
  8:15 am
• Korean Pickled Vegetables
  Swasey Branch Library , 7001 Sixth Avenue , Tacoma
  12:30 pm
• Up and Atom: Exploring Outer Space 
  Swasey Branch Library , 7001 Sixth Avenue , Tacoma
  3:30 pm
• GHHS - MAIN BOYS JV/V BASKETBALL GAME vs Capital
  Gig Harbor High GHH - Main Gym
  4:00 pm
• GHHS - AUX - BOYS C BASKETBALL GAME vs Capital
  GHH - Auxiliary Gym
  4:00 pm
• COM - GHHS / Field #2 - HSC
  Gig Harbor High GHH - Turf Fastpitch Field # 2
  5:00 pm
• PHS Girls Basketball vs Silas
  PHS - Aux Gym, PHS - Main Gym
  5:15 pm
• COM - GHHS / Field #1 - HSC
  Gig Harbor High GHH - Turf Soccer Field # 1
  6:00 pm
• Español/English Chat Group
  Swasey Branch Library , 7001 Sixth Avenue , Tacoma
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Here is a site that will tell you the fastest way to get an actual person on the phone (if its publicly known) for almost any business or agency, https://gethuman.com/
  I saw someone post about not being able to actually speak to a person when calling Comcast but I can find it now... (Nextdoor Peacock Hill/154th)
• Collision on I-705 Southbound at Milepost 0 near I-5 has been cleared.
  12:52PM on Dec 7: Collision on I-705 SB at MP 0 near I-5 reported, with the ramp to NB I-5 partially blocked. (Nextdoor )

• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Meat Cutter in Gig Harbor. Apply here.
• ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Housekeeper for Commercial Cleaning Company in Gig Harbor. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gig Harbor here.

Ok Gig Harbor! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I can't. I'm grounded.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook