LAKEWOOD Nobody on the Gig Harbor Tides cross country team expected Maureen Tremblay to be this good.

LAKEWOOD The Peninsula Seahawks boys cross country team placed five of its seven runners in the top 16 to claim the Class 3A West Central District championship last Saturday at American Lake Golf Course.

Gig Harbor and Peninsula high schools have exceptional cross country programs. The quality of talent starts at the top and works its way down to the incoming freshmen from the surrounding middle schools.

Gig Harbor junior Troy Castle’s eyes lit up when the score of the Olympia-Foss football game was announced over the intercom during the celebration of the Gig Harbor’s 49-6 homecoming victory over Shelton last Thursday at Roy Anderson Field.

PUYALLUP The Gig Harbor Tides girls swimming and diving team won its fourth straight Class 4A West Central District meet last Saturday at Rogers High School.

A group of doctors made national news this fall as they caravaned across the country to spread the word about the benefits of health care reform.

Use wild Alaska canned salmon to make these patties in order to provide calcium and heart-healthy Omega 3s, which are essential fatty acids.

Sara Myron considers herself a traveling chef. Her Gig Harbor business as a personal chef takes her to clients’ kitchens, where she prepares healthy meals for individuals and families. But this summer, she literally took her show on the road.

The Gig Harbor Arts Commission has announced plans for the 2010 Arts Commission Grants Workshop. While funding depends on the city council’s approval of the 2010 budget, the GHAC will host a workshop to help applicants properly fill out grant applications and assist with other questions.

I left on vacation Sept. 24, and it was still summer in Gig Harbor. I returned on Oct. 12, and it was winter. I seemed to have missed fall in my three-week absence.

Water to Wine received a special gift for its 10-year anniversary. The Gig Harbor wine store was awarded third place in King 5 Evening Magazine’s “Best of Washington” contest in the wine shop category out of nearly 60 listings. The honor was announced last week.

Sometimes the little guys get big recognition out of the blue. So when Sunnycrest Nursery appeared on Komo News’ “Best places to buy new garden plants” it’s owners were a little surprised.

If the sound of potstickers, caramelized chicken wings or crispy fried prawns makes your mouth water, you can find them at Lele Thai and Vietnamese Cuisine at Uptown Gig Harbor.

When Harbor Well Being opened in April, its counselors had one goal in mind: to get people healthy, both physically and mentally.

Wade Perrow Construction will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Oct. 1. The company will invite colleagues, clients, subcontractors and employees to join the commemoration of the milestone.

It's been 2 1/2 years since a Hearing Examiner decision approved the Courtyards at Skansie project, although we had little knowledge at the time that the City of Gig Harbor would drag it out for this long or put up such a fight. Now it’s time to move forward and allow developer Gordon Rush to move to the next step in the process of the 174-unit lot.

Hundreds of trick-or-treaters, big and small, scurried about the streets of downtown Gig Harbor on Saturday during the annual Trick or Treat in the Harbor event. But what made the event special was the organization and presentation by downtown merchants.

My family is disappearing right before my eyes. My three children — beautiful adults-in-training — are in high school and middle school; the youngest is in elementary school. They are exceptional children, biased though I am.

The Sept. 30 issue of The Peninsula Gateway asked the question, “Is there another project the city should turn its focus toward?” I’m glad you asked. The Harbor History Museum needs to open next.

Young children waved flags from a multitude of Central and South American countries. Others performed the tango and belted out Spanish-spoken songs. Chants of “Ole! Ole! Ole!” filled the air.

All nine of Peninsula High School’s fall sports teams have qualified for Washington Interscholastic Activities Association academic honors, a first for the school.

I have long been fascinated with the quality of photography that pours from Michael Hunziker’s digital photography class at Key Peninsula Middle School.

As a high school instructor, Dean Roberts is fluent in the language he teaches.

Henderson Bay High School students Will Britten and Patrick Mirenta have been nominated as Red Cross Real Heroes by the American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter.