🌱 Vaccine Mandate Update + Wet Days Ahead + Flood Assistance

Happy Thursday, neighbors! I'm back from vacation (Chicago was shockingly cold) and that means it's time for the return of the Gig Harbor Digest.

I hate to admit it, but there hasn't been much breaking news going on in Gig Harbor these last few days, so for this morning's newsletter I've pulled a few regional stories that will have local relevance: for example, I've included an update from CVS on their plan to cull hundreds of stores nationwide— including, potentially, their Gig Harbor location. We also heard from Gov. Inslee Thursday on the future of vaccine mandates - always a point of local interest - and we have a look ahead at Puget Sound's forecast over the next few days (nothing as dramatic as the recent flooding, thankfully.) Speaking of weather, my colleague Lucas Combos has put together a great story about flooding in Whatcom County, with a few ways that Washingtonians can help out those who lost everything to the recent rains.

So, here we go:

First, today's weather:

Cloudy and chilly; p.m. rain. High: 45 Low: 41.

Here are the top stories in Gig Harbor today:

1. Washington Not Planning On Stricter Vaccine Mandates: Inslee (Seattle Patch)
2. Senator who took tough votes in Olympia, could do a standing slam dunk, dies at 78 (Tacoma News Tribune)
3. Rain Briefly Returns, Then A Drier Weekend: Puget Sound Forecast (Seattle Patch)
4. 6 Ways To Help Whatcom County Families Affected By Flooding (Seattle Patch)
5. CVS Closing Hundreds Of Stores: Will WA Locations Survive? (Seattle Patch)

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Today in Gig Harbor:

• PHS- Fall Choir Concert - Peninsula High School (2:00 PM)
• GHHS - Aux Gym - College and Career Fair (6:00 PM)
• GHHS - Commons - Band Concert - Gig Harbor High (7:00 PM)

Gig Harbor Patch Notebook

• Peninsula School District: "𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙣 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 | Collaboration, togetherness, and inspiration! Peninsula School District elementary physical education staff meet together at least once a month to share ideas, grade-specific activities, problem-solvi..." (Facebook)
• Gig Harbor Living: "Tis the season to pamper yourself and nominate the finest stylist NOW! 💇 Click the link in our bio to vote for the finest of 2021! . . . . . #gigharborliving #gigharborlivinglocal #gigharbor #253 #washington #lifestylemagazine #lifesty..." (Instagram)
• Gig Harbor Living: "Thank you @Best Western Wesley Inn & Suites for being one of our gold sponsors for this year's finest! 3 days left to nominate all the finest in town. Follow the link in our bio to VOTE today! . . . . . #gigharborliving #gigharborlivin..." (Instagram)
• Gig Harbor Living: "A huge shout out to @Family First Adult Family Homes First for being a sponsor for 2021 Gig Harbors Finest! Get your votes in today, and follow the link in our bio! . . . . . #gigharborliving #gigharborlivinglocal #gigharbor #253 #wash..." (Instagram)
• Tom Taylor Family YMCA: "Rise and shine! Let's start the day off with a yoga class led by local instructor, Kate, as she guides us through an Intermediate Vinyasa Flow. Move through a series of poses in this yoga practice and gently wake the body. Get moving at ..." (Facebook)
• Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One - Official Site: "Who's talking turkey? WE are talking turkey! Hop in on this week's Harbor Chat where Lt. Bissenas and friends are sharing ancient turkey secrets with the public about fire department Thanksgivings! Gobble gobble!" (Facebook)
• Gig Harbor Tides Scholarship Foundation: "Menchies Wednesday Tomorrow 😋 Look at all of these yummy flavors- just $5 cash and all proceeds go to student scholarships. Swing by during school lunches, in The Commons outside of the GHHS Library, and pick up a sweet treat 🍨" (Facebook)
• Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce: "Join us tomorrow, Thursday, November 18th from 5:30-7:00pm at Dunagan Irish Pub & Brewery for this month's Gig Harbor Young Professionals Meet & Greet. This networking opportunity is a great way to meet fellowvGig Harbor yp's in a casual..." (Facebook)
• Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce: "Join us Thursday, November 18 from 7:30-8:30am to hear from Gig Harbor Senior Center Core Area Board Chair Joyce Schultz. Joyce is passionate about the importance of giving seniors access to physical activity, socialization and good nutr..." (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Charles Woodman

About me: Charles started as Field Editor for Patch in May 2020, covering western Washington. He is based in Seattle. In the past, he has written for various TV news stations in Seattle, Reno, Nevada and Fairbanks, Alaska. He has also worked as a music critic, weatherman, and soccer referee.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Gig Harbor Daily? Email me at charles.woodman@patch.com.