“Lobbying” is loosely defined, misunderstood and abused — but affects every citizen and taxpayer — local, state and federal.

I have been a downtown Gig Harbor retailer for the past 15 years. In that time, I have gotten to know my regular customers by name.

We have direct democracy in Washington state. Citizens just like you and me can directly engage our government through a trio of rights: initiative, referendum and recall.

For most of 2009, we’ve been inundated with troubling circumstances. People have lost their jobs. Families have lost their homes. The nation has been in an economic downturn the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Great Depression.

The Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Commission is currently reviewing traffic numbers provided by the state Department of Transportation to prepare a recommendation on tolls for next July. The commission may make a recommendation either Dec. 1 or Dec. 8 to the state Transportation Commission, which ultimately will set the toll.

I’ve been struggling with the same question for several months: What do I call home anymore?

On Nov. 9, I stopped at the downtown Gig Harbor QFC. I was tired after a stressful day of pre-holiday shopping in the Seattle area. I was now home, and I could let down my defenses — or so I thought.

UP ’N ITEM — It is obligatory for the media to publish “Best of” lists at the end of every year. These lists will reach a feverish pitch this year, because we are closing out another decade.

When voters shot down Pierce County Charter Amendment 1 on the general election ballot earlier this month, they denied moving elections for the county executive and county council members from even-numbered years to odd-numbered years. They also killed the proposal to added a third four-year term to those elected positions.

The Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy is the only facility of its kind in the state. Make no mistake about it: WCCW is a prison, but it’s also a place where the focus is on rehabilitation. The last thing Superintendent Doug Cole and corrections officers want to see is an inmate return once they’ve finished their sentence.

Well, it’s happened again. In spite of protests, another phone company has littered our neighborhood with phone directories, each encased in a white, non-biodegradable plastic sack.

My husband and I love to cuddle up on these rainy, blustery fall days and watch old movies. Our favorite era is the 1940s; those great black-and-white movies with actors like Bette Davis, James Cagney, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen’s Advisory Committee met last Thursday to start its annual analysis of income (toll revenue) against expenses (debt service and operation costs) in order to advise the state Department of Transportation on what the toll charges will need to be next year on the Narrows bridge.

Next week, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a day when all Americans pause from their daily routines of trying to figure out if the pilots up front are asleep and where our health care coverage could have possibly gone.

LAST WEEK’S ELECTION gave local voters the chance to drastically change the dynamic of the Gig Harbor City Council and the Fire District 16 Board of Commissioners.

A FAMILY HAS just moved into the area. They don’t know anyone. They’re separated from the rest of their family and friends by miles. Worse yet, the family provider has just lost their job.

I have been pulling my hair out ever since hearing that the City of Gig Harbor will be laying off Community Service Office Lynn Mock in 2010.

While most of the health care discussion revolves around coverage, the real issue is cost. And unless something is done soon, we’re going to get crushed.

Documenter-in-Chief of the nation Ken Burns believes the National Park System defines America. His 12-hour TV series this fall illustrated how taxpayer-funded parks are “America’s best idea.”

TODAY we gather to celebrate and honor the great courage and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. It is because of their sacrifice that we can safely enjoy the freedoms our great country offers. It is because of their unmatched commitment that America can remain a beacon for democracy and freedom throughout the world.

ONCE three levels of judiciary ruled against the City of Gig Harbor in its desperate attempt to stop Gordon Rush from building high-density housing at the corner of Hunt Street and Skansie Avenue, a lawsuit was inevitable.

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.

Someone who lives a life of purpose hopes to leave behind a legacy when he or she passes away. Sometimes, even when they’re given very limited time on earth, people make the very best of it and end up touching the lives of hundreds around them simply with their joy for living.