Letter from the Publisher
Welcome to the New Neighbors Guide!
On behalf of the local community, we welcome you to Kitsap County. Whether you’re here temporarily or to make this a permanent home, we know you’re going to love our region. With our natural beauty, lakes, streams and forested trails, this is the perfect location for outdoor fun. With some of the best coffee in the world and a vibrant food and entertainment scene, Kitsap County has something for everyone.
Let’s face it, moving to a new city can be costly and time consuming—but it’s also exciting! This guide is written by a mix of perspectives from native Kitsap Countians to people who moved here from out of the area. Our group reminisced about what we wished people had told us when we first moved here.
This resource guide offers tips and reminders to get you settled and to get the nuts and bolts of your new home well underway. This resource will also help you get connected to your local community, schools and health care; and help you put down “roots” in your daily life here. From great ideas for your home and events to engage in the community, we have you covered.
As we put together this issue, we look forward to providing you with information and education about all the “best things” in Kitsap County and we hope to give you a sense of place where you belong and feel connected. We welcome you, our “new neighbor” to Kitsap County.
Kindest regards,
Robin Lucas, Publisher
This Issue’s Content
When it comes to health, focus on progress, not perfection
If you want to live a healthier life, you’ve probably heard a lot of advice. Friends, family, social media – everyone has tips. It can feel overwhelming sifting through the amount of information that is out there, but turning to trusted sources is one way to streamline the noise. Enter the American Heart Association’s Life’s…
Life in Kitsap County
Kitsap County is known for its deep indigenous roots and its military and timber industries. The area provides a wide array of activities to keep you and your family active and engaged in your surroundings. History Kitsap County was originally named Slaughter County in 1857, but only six months later became Kitsap County, named after…
The Harbor History Museum
Nestled on the Gig Harbor waterfront where Donkey Creek meets the bay, the Harbor History Museum is celebrating its 14th year of operation. Yet the Museum’s campus has a much deeper history, first as a village site of the sx̌ʷəbabš , or Swift Water People, a band of the Puyallup Tribe. In the early 1900s…
Enrolling in School in Kitsap County
A move can be a traumatic event for our kids—a new school being one of the most daunting challenges for both them and for you as parents. There are 78 public schools in Kitsap County that serve over 34,000 students as well as 32 private schools that meet the needs of nearly 2,400 students.The biggest…
Making Your House a Home
Tips to transform a house into a home with decor and furniture from the heart Design tips provided by Sage Interiors in Tacoma Your entry is the initial introduction to your home and sets the stage for you and your guests. Place a cozy rug or floor mat inside the door to define the entry…
Getting Settled into a New Home
After the last box is moved into your new home, you might think the hardest part of moving is over. And you’re right, but there are still things to take care of before you can relax completely. Get Your Utilities Set Up You don’t want to arrive at your new place late at night and…
Olympic Landscape – Heart for Community
Olympic Landscape has been designing, building and servicing outdoor residential and commercial spaces in the South Sound for more than 40 years. As an expert landscape contractor, the company creates beautiful outdoor living spaces, unique gathering spaces, and specially-themed gardens for homes and businesses. The owner and CEO, Joe Areyano, plans to continue that legacy.…
Find Quality & Confidence When Replacing Your Home’s Windows
Replacing windows in your home is a significant investment. Windows open you to the beauty of your surroundings. Additionally, they are foundations for energy efficiency, safety, security, and durability. Renewal by Andersen, locally owned and operated, accompanies homeowners on their window journeys from beginning to end – from idea conception to the final installation. Is…
Uptown Gig Harbor: Shop & Dine at Gig Harbor’s Most Loved Shopping Center
At Uptown Gig Harbor you will find a wonderful mixture of national retailers you love and fun, local merchants that provide you with a connection to the area. Located just off Highway 16’s exit 10, Uptown Gig Harbor’s 35 stores and restaurants off er the latest fashions, intriguing gifts, décor, and artwork plus fine dining…
Far Bank: Built Around a Passion for Fly Fishing
Living in the Pacific Northwest, outdoor activities surround us, especially with the abundance of water in Kitsap County. Whether your healthy obsession is camping, hiking, or biking or something else entirely, the great people from Far Bank want to encourage you to consider fly fishing. According to Tag Kleiner, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at…
Explore your inner “CREATIVE WARRIOR” at The Lisa Stirrett Creative Warrior Studio
Housed in a charming historic building in Kitsap County, glass artist Lisa Stirrett runs a working glass studio open to the community and focused on empowering women through art. The Lisa Stirrett Creative Warrior Studio showcases colorful glass art from butterflies to hanging mermaid ornaments, all handmade in Silverdale, and provides space for all to…
Harbor Hill Dentistry and Airway Center: Whole Body Dentistry
At Harbor Hill Dentistry and Airway Center in Gig Harbor, their approach to dental care goes beyond traditional dentistry and embraces the philosophy of “Treating the Cause, Not the Symptom.” Led by Dr. Keith Gressell, a Temple University School of Dentistry graduate, this approach incorporates an overall health method he acquired while stationed in Europe…
Shelton Family YMCA to Host Ribbon Cutting
The Shelton Family YMCA invites community members to attend a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday, April 13th at noon, celebrating the launch of Common Ground at they Y, a community-wide initiative designed to steward and enhance the YMCA’s nearly 10 acre campus for the benefit of both YMCA members and the broader Shelton community. Common…
Yoga Classes Offer Big Health and Wellness Benefits to Seniors
Gentle yoga classes offers many benefits to seniors or those with mobility concerns. “It has been wonderful to watch our seniors build a sense of community, improve their health, improve flexibility and balance, and build strength. Additionally, seniors can experience higher rates of depression and anxiety. If you’re a senior, yoga can be a game…
Warm-Weather Wellness Tips for Seniors
Warmer weather often awakens a desire to get outside and be active. But seniors who have a higher sensitivity to heat need to use caution when making plans in the sun. Put on Your Walking Shoes Walking is an excellent physical activity. And doing so in a park or forest is a great way to…