GIRLS NIGHT OUT IS COMING TO GIG HARBOR

This is going to be so much fun! The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association is planning their first annual GIRLS NIGHT OUT event! Get a jump start on your holiday shopping while enjoying time with your girlfriends. You’ll love all the shopping and dining specials being offered throughout the day at participating businesses along the waterfront.

Here’s how it works:

Pre purchase your “goodie bag” at any of the participating merchants. Goodie Bags (which serve as your ticket) are $10 and are filled with over a $100 worth of treats, coupons, specials and more. Explore the merchants and restaurants from noon ��" 7pm on November 10th to enjoy all the wonderful events and activities. Receive a ticket for every $10 you spend ��" the more you spend, the greater chance you have at winning wonderful prizes at the end of the day! Finish off your day of shoppingat Morso and Anthony’s at the head of the bay from 7-8:00 at the “Night Cap” event where there will be more fun, food, prizes and drinks...and Gig Harbor and WSCFF Burn Foundation firefighters and their calendars!

Thirty four stores are already signed up to offer this great shopping day for you!

Gig Harbor Girls Night Out is sure to become one of our favorite annual events. Be sure not to miss it. Learn more at www.ghhwa.org or (253) 514-0071.

THE FUN NEVER STOPS IN GIG HARBOR

Well last night was interesting huh?  No power, lots of traffic accidents, huge back ups and a house fire.  Wow.

Power is on this morning, and thankfully there is a ton of fun stuff to do this weekend in Gig Harbor.  So, let's pretend last night didn't happen, and get out and enjoy our little town this weekend.  Here are my recommendations for the weekend:

Opening Tonight - Paradise Theatre's Haunted House www.paradisetheatre.org

Saturday it's the first annual SCARECROW FESTIVAL at Sehmel Homestead Park.  Join the fun from 11am-5pm.  Event includes a Beer Garden, KidZone Carnival Games, Live Music, Scarecrow Contest, Food and good ole' harvest time fun.  www.penmetparks.org

Pick up your FREE pumpkin for the downtown pumpkin decorating contest.  Pumpkins can be picked up on Saturday Oct 23rd at the Harbor History Museum between 2-4pm.  Take your pumpkin home and decorate, carve or embellish it as you wish and return it for judging on October 30 between 3-5 (at the museum).  Pumpkins will be placed around the historic waterfront district and be on display for Trick or Treat in the Harbor on Halloween. (253) 858-6722

Encore! Theater's production of "Captain Louie" continues through November 12th.  This is a family friendly Halloween story.  www.encoretheater.org

Patterson's Market has wonderful pumpkins and fall decorations all weekend.

Beer and Brats at Water to Wine from 2-5pm on Saturday.  Ty and Steve will be grilling brats and serving them properly with German Beer.  Be there to grab a brat, taste some beer and have some fun.  253 853-9463

Tonight is the opening reception of the Peninsula Art League's annual Art Show. The public is invited to the event where the winners of the show will be announced. 6pm at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Largest Carved Pumpkin in Washington will be in Gig Harbor

We really will get a glimpse of the Great Pumpkin in Gig Harbor this year!

Champion master pumpkin sculptor, Russ Leno, will be at Uptown Friday, October 29^th from 9:30am – 3:00pm to carve a 1250 pound pumpkin. The pumpkin was grown on Holland's Land O'Giants Pumpkin Farm in Sumner, WA. The pavilion at Uptown Gig Harbor will be the location of the carving of this giant pumpkin.

 World-renowned, Russ (www.masterpumpkinsculptor.com) holds the Guinness Book record for carving the largest pumpkin, weighing just under 1300 pounds. This year’s Uptown pumpkin will be the largest carved pumpkin in Washington State and perhaps the largest in the country. Stop by Uptown Gig Harbor to watch this master pumpkin sculptor at work! This event is just one of several family-friendly Halloween events being held at Uptown Gig Harbor, culminating in store-to-store Trick-or-Treating from 4-6pm, Sunday October 31^st.

For more details on this pumpkin carving and other Uptown Gig Harbor events, visit www.uptowngigharbor.com

The Garden Room Opens at Uptown

You know that saying that goes something like "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window"?  Well that is exactly what comes to mind when I look at the amazing new store opening tomorrow at Gig Harbor's Uptown.

When Marlin Cram, long time owner of Peninsula Gardens decided to retire and close the store, his incredibly creative staff got busy.  Instead of throwing in the towell, they worked together to open a new store highlighting some of our favorite things about Peninsula Gardens: gifts and holiday decor!

Tomorrow is the Grand Opening of the new The Garden Room at Uptown and I was in there last night for a sneak peek and it is absolutely beautiful.  You will love the holiday decorations that will put you in the spirit!

So, check it out tomorrow at Uptown, the Grand Opening celebration of THE GARDEN ROOM.

HOLD ON TO YOUR BROOMS! HALLOWEEN HITS GIG HARBOR THIS WEEK!

I love Halloween.  It's so funny to watch grown adults have so much fun acting like children for a day.  And therapeutic.  We really should do this more often!  You get a sense of someones "inner" personality on Halloween.  What fantasy or fear lurks inside the people we THINK we know?  It's all in good fun, and I don't think anyone should take it too seriously, or be critical of those who celebrate this nutty holiday. 

Gig Harbor goes Ga Ga (Oh I'm sure we'll see Lady GaGa out trick-or-treating too) over Halloween.  We let our hair down in Gig Harbor for Halloween.  Not only on the big day, but for a few weeks ahead of time!  So here is a list of activities I have been able to come up with to tempt your taste buds for this years ghoulish celebration:

Patterson's Market is overflowing with pumpkins.  While you are there be sure to pick up a jug of that amazing fresh squeezed apple cider.  Nothing says fall like the taste of delicious apple cider.

Encore! Theater presents "Captain Louie", a family friendly theatrical event to entertain and enlighten.  A story of an imaginary Halloween journey, but not too scary -perfect for the whole family - opens October 15th and runs through October 31st.  Learn more at www.encoretheater.org

Key Pen All Hallows Eve Oct 16th - Come join the music, pumpkin judging, and costume contest and storytelling at Volunteer Park on the Key Peninsula.  6-8pm www.keypenparks.com  

PenMet Parks Scarecrow Festival Oct 23rd, 11am-5pm at Sehmel Homestead Park - Scarecrow contest and displays, kid zone and carnival games, music and entertainment, food and fair treats, beer garden and more!  www.penmetparks.com  

Free pumpkins at the Harbor History Museum, Saturday October 23rd.  Pick up your free pumpkin between 2-4pm and get busy getting creative.  Return your pumpkin to the museum on the 30th between 3-5pm for the judging and your pumpkin will be displayed at one of the downtown merchants.  Enjoy the "pumpkin search" while trick or treating in historic downtown Gig Harbor on the 31st.

Haunted House - "Theatre of Lost Souls" October 23-31 (off on Monday).  Fun and frightening annual Gig Harbor event.  Special kid friendly nights October 25 & 27th.  Learn more at www.paradisetheatre.org or (253) 851-PLAY

Friday October 29th watch the 1250lb pumpkin be carved by master carver Russ Leno at Gig Harbor's Uptown.  Learn more at www.uptowngigharbor.com

Monster Dash Oct 30 - Second annual event sponsored by NW Physical Therapy includes both a 5K and 8K run.  Wear a costume (or not), but come for a fun time. www.databarevents.com/monster8K.asp

October 30 th at 8pm the Annual Tides Tavern Halloween Bash, $1 cover. Costume contest- judging starts at 9pm, 1st place is $100, 2nd is $50. www.tidestavern.com

Harbor History Museum Halloween, October 31st from 1-3pm.  Fun kids stuff, "Nautical Nightmare", craft activities, treat bags for the first 50 kids, hot cider and more.  Free for members, non-member get in with paid admission. www.harborhistorymuseum.org

Admission is $1 off if you come in costume!

LEARN HOW TO MEET IN GIG HARBOR

Hotel Open House Free to the public on October 21st

October 21^st from 5-8pm Gig Harbor area residents and business leaders are invited to “Meet In Gig Harbor” at a special event designed to open communication about the meeting and convention opportunities available in Gig Harbor.  Given that our local residents and business community are our greatest promoters, this event is designed to educate about how meetings and conventions bring a positive economic impact to Gig Harbor.  It will be a fun event focused on locals who may have groups or associations (professional groups, fraternal groups, military groups, business associations, church groups, sports groups, etc) they are involved in that could be interested in “meeting in Gig Harbor!”

The event will run from 5-8pm.  Attendees will start at any one of our three hotels (Wesley Inn on Kimball, the INN at Gig Harbor on 56^th and the Maritime Inn on Harborview) and work their way through the evening to each hotel where food, fun, tours, entertainment and activities will be taking place.  Guests who visit all three locations will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize.

Overnight visitors spend an average of $300 more per day than a day visitor, money that goes back into our local economy through sales tax and lodging tax.  The meetings and convention business is more profitable to local hotels than leisure travel business, and provide a year around opportunity to fill local hotels.  Residents and business leaders are asked to attend the event in an effort to build awareness, partner with each other and create momentum as a community to build and repair our local economy.

Want to go?  Please RSVP at gigharborguide@gmail.com or call (253) 853-3554.  To learn more about meeting opportunities in Gig Harbor visit the new meeting and convention website at www.MeetInGigHarbor.com

Trying to Do It All This Coming Weekend in Gig Harbor

So many choices!

I'm not sure why this is such a popular weekend for events, but Gig Harbor is experiencing another mother lode weekend of events and activities.  Not to be too cliché, but there is seriously something for everyone in Gig Harbor coming up this weekend.

Wanna eat?

Brix 25 Restaurant presents a dinner with Mcrea Cellars and Salida Winery on Thursday October 14Th.  Reservations required at www.harborbrix.com

Tides Tavern presents Dining with a Green Beret on Friday October 15Th.  Buy a soldier lunch from 1:30-3:30pm.

Wanna watch?

The Gig Harbor Film Festival opens on Friday the 15th and runs through Sunday with a wide variety of films through out each day.  See the entire list of films on our calendar of events at www.gigharborgudie.com

Encore! Theater opens its show "Captain Louie" on Friday the 15th.  This is a family-friendly fun Halloween show sure to delight all ages.  Runs through Halloween October 31st. www.encoretheater.org

Wanna learn?

The 10th Annual Gig Harbor Quilt Festival takes place October 16th & 17th with a variety of events and classes as well as the annual quilt auction to benefit breast cancer research.  See all information and register at www.gigharborquiltfestival.org

The 4th Annual Donkey Creek Chum Festival, October 16th,  once again brings the community together to celebrate the life of the salmon, through displays, arts, events and much more including kayak race and Chum Burger BBQ! www.gigharborguide.com

Stars & Stripes continues at the beautiful new Harbor History Museum.  Enjoy this special engagement of this wonderful exhibit of a captivating collection of America's icon.  www.harborhistorymuseum.org

Wanna Shop?

We are so excited to announce the grand opening of the beautiful new The Garden Room at Uptown, which brings the much loved items from the former Peninsula Gardens gifts shop to a special shop at Uptown.  Along with these great items comes many of your favorite employees from Peninsula Gardens.  Check it out on October 16th from 10am-8pm!

"Memories" of Paul Ancich

Gig Harbor lost another native son this week with the passing of 49 year old Paul Ancich.

Paul was a local fisherman and lifelong resident of Gig Harbor.  His boat, "Memories" is moored today at the Ancich Dock, and Paul's spirit is around it.

Paul acquired "Memories" from his father George in 1990.  George was the first local fisherman to add a second story to a vessel.  "Memories" is a 52 foot, 22 ton, wooden purse seiner built in 1952.  No doubt the name, "Memories" says it all.  If only a vessel could talk.

I did not know Paul that well, but had the privilege of working with him on the Donkey Creek Chum Festival.  Paul is the individual who had the original idea for this event.  He came to me about five years ago with the idea of this event.  He wanted to find a way to connect the local fisherman and the Gig Harbor Commercial Fisherman's Club with the public.  He wanted the public to know about Donkey Creek, and the salmon egg incubation that local fisherman have cultivated and parented for more than thirty years. Today the Donkey Creek Chum Festival is a wonderful celebration that combines the Gig Harbor fishing community with local environmental groups - both of which have the same goal, protecting the salmon and Gig Harbor Bay.

Donate to Goodwill - Help Someone In Need

We hear alot these days about those who need assistance in finding jobs, learning new skills or just getting by.  It may be in the news now more than ever, but Goodwill Industries has been there for these folks for a very long time.  Quietly assisting, supporting people in job-traiing and placement programs and serving thousands of residents in our region.

And it is so easy to help them, help others.  Just by donating things you might otherwise throw away.

Now in Gig Harbor there is another convenient location for you to donate your items.  A new Goodwill attended donation station opened October 1st at 7910 Stinson Ave at the corner of Stinson and Rosedale.  This new station is in addition to the existing station at the Goodwill store located at 4805 Point Fosdick Drive NW and another attended station at the Key Peninsula Market/Chevron in Wauna at 9522 State Route 302.  For a complete list of donations sites or to check what gently used items Goodwill accepts go online to www.tacomagoodwill.org and click on "donate".

Film Festival Is Back Oct 15-17

Gig Harbor is the Place

The film line up has finally been announced for the 2010 Gig Harbor Film Festival and it looks very exciting.  You can see the entire line up in this weeks Gateway Gig Harbor Film Festival Program or go to www.gigharborfilmfestival.org.

Celebrity guests will also be on hand (Karen Black and Hal Linden as well as a To Be Announced Celeb) but I am less inclined to schmooze with celebritities than to see some fabulous independent films.

My goal this year is to spend one and half days at the movies!  How often do you get to do that?  Sounds like fun to me.  So I took the program and laid out my plan - based on my personal schedule, the movie schedule and what sounded most interesting to me.  I encourage you to do the same. The variety is huge, comedy, drama, documentary, narrative - you name it! I have not seen any of the films yet - but based on my research my time will be spent at the following:

Friday October 15th "The New American Family" at 3:45pm (36 min documentary), "Sweet Crude" at 5:30pm (93 min documentary), "Unearthed" at 7:45pm (26 min narrative) , "Teething" at 9:05 pm ( 6 min narrative) and "Sold- Fighting the New Global Slave Trade" at 11pm (54 min documentary)

Saturday October 16th "Walk in the Clouds" 10:15am (10 min documentary), "Waking Up" at 10:30am (104 min narrative),  "Obediance" at 12:55pm (10 min narrative), "Camp Unity" at 1:05pm (83 min documentary) , "Walla Walla Wiffle" at 3:15pm (7 min documentary) ,  "The Woman Behind the Symbol" at 4pm (15 min documentary) ,  "Jillian's Vantage" at 8:30pm 923 min mystry)  and "Tequilla" at 9:05 pm.

I might change this around...I might add or subtract.  But I'm spending the weekend at the movies!  How about you??

Learn more at www.gigharborfilmfestival.org or www.gigharborguide.com