Today, some people are experiencing more stress than ever before. And at one time, those dealing with the loss of a loved one had to go through it alone without help from a professional.

Rick Johnson doesn’t have an ordinary three-car garage. In fact, there are no cars in it at all. The floor is painted green with white stripes to resemble a miniature tennis court, complete with a net.

Patrons who visit Il Lucano Ristorante on Judson Street will see some familiar faces. The restaurant’s owners, Michele and Azusa Simone, worked at Terraccianos, the restaurant that formerly occupied the location, for several years. Peppino D’Angelo was a waiter and Rich Johnson works as the restaurant’s waiter, bartender and Web designer.

Matt Cummins used to be a professional snowboarder. But what does a snowboarder do when it’s time to retire? Open up a snowboard shop, naturally.

RE/MAX Town and Country has hired Alvin Mullins, a former chef from Memphis, Tenn. He brings years of experience in real estate marketing.

Harbor Greens is a one-of-a-kind store. And now it will be featuring a one-of-a-kind beer. “The Incredible,” Harbor Greens’ private label, went on sale at Thanksgiving. The beer is being whipped up in small batches monthly at Harmon Brewery in Tacoma.

Regular patrons of Terracciano Italian restaurant in Gig Harbor won’t have to be heartbroken any more. The popular eatery is not gone for good — it just moved to another location.

For Ken Hazelton, owner of At Your Service Gig Harbor, helping people who are busy, sick or those who just want some free time is what it’s all about. “Every service provided is exciting,” Hazelton said. “It is empowering to know that you are helping someone, and that you have their respect and confidence.”

Anyone wanting to own a small business that they can take care of without a lot of overhead might find a good deal in Gig Harbor.

Steve Lundquist doesn’t like the idea of timeshares. “Timeshares are the most grievous concept,” he said. “They promise people they can own property, but they really don’t.”

The YMCA, Costco, St. Anthony Hospital and Uptown Gig Harbor all have one thing in common: Every piece is coming to serve a specialized niche in the ever-growing Gig Harbor community and will be finished by 2009.

In the current issue of Seattle Magazine, Gig Harbor residents can read a familiar name in its glossy pages: “Brix 25º,” a small restaurant at the bottom of Pioneer Avenue, nabbed the award for the Washington Wine Restaurant of the Year.