My Resolution Is To Be Happy - How Hard Can That Be?

What is life for? It is for you. - Abraham Maslow

Each New Year resolutions are made. Each February resolutions are broken. I am as guilty of this pattern as anyone.

I can't imagine a more difficult year than 2009, so 2010 brings hope and optimism. But I for one, am not making a resolution for 2010. Instead, I am strategizing....what is it that I want and how do I achieve it? I'm turning to Dr. Seuss for inspiration;

You have a brain in your head, and feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself, any direction you choose

You're on your own and you know what you know

And you are the one, who'll decide where to go

I have a book that inspired me for this blog. It's called "Where Will You Be Five Years From Today?" by Dan Zadra. This book has reinforced for me the personal decisions I have made during 2009...and inspired me to stay on track. My five year goals reflect my personal values. MY personal values. Not my employer, my community or even my family. Although all of my values are in line with these groups and people - if they weren't I wouldn't be very happy would I?

My mission in life is to be happy.

What is your mission? Choose a personal mission rather than making a resolution and work toward that in a realistic way all year long and not just in January. Being happy is what it is about...what makes me happy is my family first, my friends second, my community third. My job is not even in the top three is it? But the way it should work is, that if I am happy and accomplishing my personal mission and goals, then my job will be fulfilling as well.

I don't have this down pat yet. But I am working on it. And I expect it to continue to be a work in progress.

If success is not on your terms- if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart-it is no success at all. - Anna Quindlen

In January I turn 50. This monumental event may be partially responsible for my philosophical thinking....but I know from years of trial and error, that there is nothing more important in life than happiness. I encourage you to evaluate your life and ask yourself "Am I happy?" Give yourself permission to be happy.

Most people don't aim too high and miss. They aim too low and hit. - Bob Moawad

Join me in aiming high Gig Harbor. And smile while you are doing it.

Happy New Year.

A Message From Gig Harbor Police Chief Mike Davis

When I heard the dispatcher call Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Kent Mundell's personnel number out of service last night at 5:04 p.m., I experienced an all too familiar sensation of shock and sadness. I stopped in my tracks - how could this happen again?
For a moment in time my concerns for getting work done, solving problems, pushing for deadlines seemed so meaningless. Infinitely more important than such routine matters, is dealing with the loss of one who was like a family member to those of us that work in public safety. At such times I am at a loss for words to express the immense value of Kent's life, one who served with such a a capable hand and courageous heart. Kent's passing will leave a void that we cannot fill by ourselves, we will need help.
On behalf of my department and community, I want Sheriff Paul Pastor, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and Kent's family to know we will cherish his memory. His bravery and sacrifice will serve as a lasting legacy for those of us left behind - tasked with keeping anarchy from overcoming the order we have become so accustomed to in this country.
Pause with me now and, in your own way, reflect on what traits we need to emulate as a community as we contemplate what tasks remain for us to accomplish to ensure Kent's death was not in vain. We want his family to know that we will miss him. Our hearts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Mike Davis
Chief of Police
Gig Harbor Police Department

H1N1 Vaccine Available in Pierce County

From Pierce County Health Department
More than 238,000 H1N1 flu doses were distributed for vaccination during 2009 in response to the swine flu outbreak started last spring.
Director of Health Dr. Anthony Chen said the Tacoma -Pierce county Health Department approved 238,290 vaccine doses for shipment throughout the county by Washington State Department of Health. Of that number TPCHD's vaccine office distributed 37,406 doses. the remainder was sent directly from DOH to health care providers, pharmacies and other retail stores.
In contrast to earlier this year, H1N1 vaccine is in good supply and the Health Department encourages everyone to be vaccinated. Available vaccination clinics can be found at www.tpchd.org.

Upcoming free H1N1 vaccination opportunities:
Wed Dec 30th from 10a-1p and 2p-6p at Bridge Children's Health Center East Wing. Open to all people 6 months of age or older.
Wed Dec 30th from 10a-6p at the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department auditorium, 3629 S. D Street, Tacoma.

Tree Recycling Available in Pierce County

From Pierce County Solid Waste

Make a New Year's resolution to help protect the environment by recycling your Christmas tree. Pierce County residents can recycle their discarded trees through the Public Works and Utilities department, various cities and towns and county-contracted private solid waste and recycling companies.

All trees collected through the self-haul and curbside yardwaste programs are composted into a beneficial soil amendment that is popular with home and commercial gardeners. Treecycling helps save valuable landfill space, while the composte created enhances soil quality, saves water and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Pierce County residents who subscribe to yardwaste collection services can "treecycle" their unflocked tree curbside. Other residents can recycle trees free of charge at designated locations. Flocked trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of as garbage.

Milton, Tacoma, Puyallup and Ruston have special collection programs for households within their limits. Contact the city or town hall or local garbage hauler for more details.

To recycle a tree in Pierce County, remove the tree stand, tinsel, decorations, garland, nails and staples.

to recycle curbside, cut the tree into 4 foot lengths or smaller and place loosely inside the yardwaste container. If it doesn't all fit, dispose of the peices over several weeks on the regularly scheduled yardwaste pick up days.

Self haulers can take their tree to any of the following locations;

• Anderson Island residential waste drop box, 9607 Steffenson Road, Sunday from 10a-2p and Monday from 1p-5p


• Hidden Valley transfer station, 17925 Meridian Street East near South Hill, 8a-5:45p, seven days a week


• Key Center residential waste drop box, 5900 Key Pen Hwy, between Key Center and Home, Wed-Sun, 9a-4:45p


• Prairie Ridge residential waste drop box, 11710 Prairie Ridge Dr between Bonney Lake and South Prairie, 9a-4:45p seven days a week


• Purdy transfer station, 14515 54th AVe NW north of Gig Harbor, 9a-4:45p seven days a week.

All facilities above will be closed on New Years Day. For additional drop-off sites, call the Public Works and Utilities 24-hour solid waste information line at (253) 798-4115 or go to www.piercecountywa.org/treecycle.

Treecycling - its the right thing to do.

Are You Ready for Steppin' UP?

The 4th annual Steppin' Up Women's Conference is the South Sound's premier forum for women hosted by the Best Western Wesley Inn of Gig Harbor. The mission of Steppin' Up is to rejuvenate, inspire and educate women to make positive changes in their lives and in the lives of others. the conference has grown from a leadership initiative for working professionals into a network of women from all walks of life, backgrounds and perspectives. And a life-changing experience for hundreds of women who have attended. This year, the conference will start Saturday January 23rd and end Sunday January 24th. There will be a variety of speakers, sessions, and events including money saving tips, organizing ideas for home and travel, healthy lifestyle advice and workout routines.

Keynote speaker this year will be local news anchor Margo Myers.

The conference is held at the beautiful Wesley Inn hotel in Gig Harbor WA. General admission is $50 and great discounted room rates are also available. Learn more at http://www.wesleyinn.com/.

January is a great month to be Steppin' UP!

City of Gig Harbor Receives Federal Grant Money

President Obama signed appropriations bill last week that included two federal grants for the City of Gig Harbor;

1.) $1.4M from the Federal Transportation Community & System Preservation Program sponsored by Senator Patty Murray for continuing the Donkey Creek day-lighting project. The Donkey Creek project had already received $800K grant from the Federal Department of the Interior, sponsored by Congressman Norm Dicks. Combining these two grants provides the City of Gig Harbor the money needed to design and begin construction on this project which includes day-lighting the creek, replacing the underground pipe with a fish-friendly culvert and building a pedestrian friendly bridge. Gig Harbor City Councilman Tim Payne says "This is a dream come true! The restoration of Donkey Creek will bring attention to the importance and influence of salmon on one of Gig Harbor's earliest industries: commercial fishing."

2.) $730 K from the Federal Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative Program sponsored by Senator Patty Murray, for the Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Hope Center for programming and capital campaign. This money will be added to the $250K the City of Gig Harbor has already committed to the new Boys and Girls Club. Councilman Derek Young says "Obtaining these funds for the Boys and Girls Club means that they can expand programming that would have otherwise not been available in Gig Harbor. Support for the club from our congressional delegation has been critical throughout the process."

NOW AVAILABLE, Gig Harbor WildWatch guide to the Puget Sound

Gig Harbor's Harbor WildWatch (501(c)3) has published Puget Sound's Wildside, A Natural History of Puget Sound's Marine Environment.

Now available for sale, this beautiful book is generating excitement among environmental organizations, beach watcher and shore steward programs, aquarium staff, libraries and the academic community.

"...clean, crisp, easy to read text filled with great facts that will excite the reader to head down to the beach and explore all aspects of our marine environment", said Alan Rammer, Marine Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist for WA Dept, of Fish & Wildlife."

"...provides excellent overview of much of the Puget Sound marine environment and threats to its health and survival. In a short and beautifully illustrated manual, one can become engaged with some of the history, major habitats, common animals and plants and our impact on this major marine ecosystem." said Ernest L. Karlstrom PHD. Biology (retired) University of Puget Sound.

The scientific information contained with the book is written in layman's terms and illustrated with colorful original artwork and drawings. The book features:

• FAST FACTS boxes, offering the reader a fascinating fact about the subject being discussed


• TYING IT TOGETHER pages at the end of each chapter, explains the dynamic interrelationship of the subjects being discussed in that section.


• BOUND in sturdy 100# 30% post consumer recycled cover, and 80# 30% post consumer recycled FSC certified Knightskote white text, the 8.5 x 11 book is well suited for disassembling and placing in loose leaf binder by punching the pages or preserving in page savers.

This book is truly a one of kind, user friendly book perfect for class room, family room or waiting room. Everyone will love this beautiful learning resource.

Harbor WildWatch has been working in the greater Gig Harbor area for several years now educating anyone and everyone about the Puget Sound ecosystem. Learn more about this dynamic organization and its volunteer based programs at http://www.harborwildwatch.org/

The books are currently available at Mostly Books in Gig Harbor and the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center as well as the Seattle Aquarium. Additional locations will be announced soon. The book is also available on line at http://www.harborwildwatch.org/

Get yours today!

Don't Trash Your Recycling Cart!

Reprinted from EARTH MATTERS, Environmental News from Pierce County.

Are you putting trash in your recycling cart?

Pierce County households averaged 1 pound of nonrecyclables in the recycling cart each month last year. Now the average is up to 13/4 pounds per month - a 75% increase.

Nonrecyclable materials make trucks fill up faster. That requires more routes, more labor, more fuel and higher costs.

Costs also increase because more sorting is needed ot separate contaminates from potential recyclables.

To keep our contamination low, here are a few suggestions:

Plastic bags, styrofoam and clamshell containers are contaminants that cannot be collected in our curbside program.

Lets review: Plastic bottles must have a neck smaller than a base. For example: bottles that contained water, soda, ketchup or shampoo.

We cannot recycle plasitc containers without a "neck" such as margarine tubs, yougurt containers, clamshell containers and drinking cups.

Plastic bags and glass need to be recycled in other ways. They damage machines and may injure workers during the sorting process.

Glass shards also get caught in paper and other materials, lowering their value for manufacturers.

It's a step backward when we consider the positive growth. Since our single cart recycling program began in 2005, households are recycling 64% more paper, 94% more aluminum and 33% more tin cans.

Also noteworkth: Each household recycles an average of 34 plastic bottles (20 oz size) per month.

Here are examples of the leading trouble shpots and tips to help solve the contamination problem.

PROBLEM: Plastic bags and film like shrink wrap. These materials get caught and wrap around the sorting machinery. Recyclables should be loose, not encolsed in a clear or black plastic bag.

TIP: Take plastic shopping bags to participting grocery stores for recycling. Use cloth or other reusable shopping bags just one could save 100-200 plastic bags per year.

PROBLEM: Butter tubs, yougurt-type containers and bottles from pesticides, herbicides or authomotive fluids. Containers with a recycling symbol may not necessarily be recyclable.

Be sure to "check the neck". We only accept plastic bottles with an opning that's smaller than the base.

PROBLEM: Glass in our comingled recycling carts may injure workers and damage equipment in the sorthing facility. Broken glass also ends up in bales of recycled paper, damaging expensive equipment at paper mills.

TIP: Glass collected at various drop-off sites is emptied directly into shipping containers and marketed.

For more information on being a responsible recycler visit http://www.piercecountywa.org/ or call (253) 798-2179.

New Years Eve in Gig Harbor

Gig Harbor offers several restaurants to dine at on New Years Eve, before going back to your safe and cozy home to ring in the New Year. This sounds like the perfect evening to me! Here's a list of ideas;

Anthonys Restaurant serving off their regular menu until 10pm

Tanglewood Grill, last dinner seating at 9pm and bar open until midnight

Harvester, a great family option, closing at 7pm, 851-8500

Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar, specials on the menu and open until 1am

Tides Tavern, open until 8pm

Be safe this New Years!

http://www.gigharborguide.com/

News from the Gig Harbor Boat Shop

The Gig Harbor Boat Shop, at Eddon Boat is working hard on programming and events. They are now open every Saturday from 11am-2pm and invite the public to some see what they are doing. Visitors to the Boat Shop will now see volunteers demonstrating boat repair techniques.

Thunderbird Hull #2 is off the trailer and onto the cradle that volunteers made. She was inched into the building, which took four hours, and now rests safe and comfortably inside the building. Special thanks go out to Peninsula Light for helping lift Hull #2 onto the cradle. The boat made it under the beam over the inner door with only 1.5 inches to spare! Now the work begins on restoration. Once completed, the restored vessel will become part of the on-the-water training programs planned by the Boat Shop.

Thanks go out to Cook's Concrete for the temporary use of their flatbed trailer, which will be used for moving a classic 26' Gig Harbor built tugboat to the BoatShop for repair. Once restored, it will also become part of the on-the-water training program.

The Gig Harbor BoatShop was recently awarded a gift of more than $11,000 from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation. In addition, The BoatShop received a $10,000 gift from an anonymous donor. These generous gifts are a great stride toward the goal of operating the boatyard full time. You can join the effort by donating today. It's easy to donate from the website at http://www.gigharborboatshop.org/.

Volunteers are always needed. Stop by on Saturday to learn more!

MUSIC IN GIG HARBOR

Coming to our beautiful community this weekend are two wonderful holdiay performances by local groups. After you finish trimming the tree and baking the cookies and wrapping the gifts, take a moment to both enjoy and support two of our finest musical performing groups;

Saturday December 19th 7PM at Milt Boyd Auditorium, Peninsula High School, 14105 Purdy Dr

Concert by the Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra

Monrning Noon and Night, a Winter Concert

http://www.ghporchestra.com/

Sunday December 20th 6PM at St. John Episcopal Church, 7701 Skansie Avenue

Concert by the Peninsula Community Chorus

Messiah Sing-A-Long

http://www.peninsulachorus.org/

Merry Christmas!

The Gig Harbor Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me -

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me-

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me -

Three Tree Lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me -

Four shopping areas

Three Tree Lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave t0 me -

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three Tree lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me-

Six wine tastings

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three Tree Lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas tree

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me -

Seven Seas Brewery

Six wine tastings

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three tree lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me -

Eight local fisherman

Seven Seas Brewery

Six wine tastings

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three Tree Lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain View from my Christmas Tree

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me -

Nine art galleries

Eight local fisherman

Seven Seas Brewery

Six wine tastings

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three Tree Lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me-

Ten kayakers racing

Nine art galleries

Eight local fisherman

Seven Seas Brewery

Six wine tastings

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three Tree Lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me-

Eleven Inns to stay in

Ten kayakers racing

Nine art galleries

Eight local fisherman

Seven Seas Brewery

Six wine tastings

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three tree lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain view from my Christmas Tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me-

Twelve Christmas Ships

Eleven Inns to stay in

Ten kayakers racing

Nine art galleries

Eight local fisherman

Seven Seas Brewery

Six wine tastings

Five beers at the Tides

Four shopping areas

Three tree lightings

Two Holiday Plays and

A Mountain View from my Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Gig Harbor Marketing Department

www.gigharborguide.com

Gig Harbor's Wesley Inn Celebrates 12th Anniversary

Saturday December 12th marks the 12th Anniversary of Gig Harbor's Wesley Inn hotel located at 6575 Kimball Drive. This beautiful hotel offers first class hospitality in beautifully appointed rooms.

Cassidy Glaspie, General Manager, was on the staff opening day, and now serves as GM. When the hotel opened, 20% of the rooms were ready. Today the inn operates with a total , 89 rooms. 29 beutiful new rooms were added last year.

The Wesley Inn is named after Wes Braaten, father of Ken Braaten. Ken and Sue Braaten are owner, operators of the property. Twelve years later, you can still find Wes stopping in for a cup of coffee on a regular basis.

Ken Braaten hand dug the stones that are now part of the beautiful river rock fireplace, one of two stunning focal points in the lobby. The other focal point is the historic sailboat that hangs from the celing in the lobby...formerly owned by Gig Harbor pioneer Claude Spadoni.

Over the years the Wesley has hosted some famous names; Herman's Hermits, The Lovin Spoomful, Jan & Dean, the crew from Extreme Home Makeover, BJ Thomas and Twila Paris.

The Wesley Inn invites you to visit their website and see the wonderful overnight specials and accommodations available. http://www.wesleyinn.com/

Cushman Trail to Open in Gig Harbor

A ribbon cutting ceremony will mark the official opening of Cushman Trail Phase Two, in Gig Harbor, on Wednesday December 16th at 2:30p.m. The public is invited.

Mayor Chuck Hunter and Pierce County Councilman Terry Lee will recognize the milestone, a project that has been a joint partnership development of Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Gig Harbor and Tacoma Public Utilities. the trail connection design phase began in 2006 and included public input meetings in 2007 prior to design approval through the permitting process. The $3.5 million construction contract, which is shared by Pierce County and the City of Gig Harbor, began in September 2008.

The trail occupies land adjacent to or under the Cushman Power line. Phase 2, an additional 2.5 miles of 16" wide perviouse asphalt with a 4" gravel shoulder, is exclusively for non-motorized uses. This section continues the existing trail from the Pierce Transit Park & Ride om Kimball Drive, through Wilkinson Farm Park (City of Gig Harbor) and ending at 96th Street, just off Burnham Drive in the city limits.

A section of the trail between Foster Street and Wilkinson Farm Park is constructed on 400' long pin-pile bridge, which is required to minimize impacts to the wetland in the area. A lighted crosswalk has been installed across Rosedale Street. The trail provides dramatic scenery and natural resource area with trail slopes that vary from nearly level to a challenging 8%. The route crosses deep ravines with streams, wildlife viewing and views of Gig Harbor. The trail also provides Tacoma Public Utilities improved access to their power transmission facilities.

Future plans for continuing the trail to Gig Harbor North at Borgen Blvd. have been designed and permitted.

For additional information about the Cushman Trail or the Cushman Trail Phase Two ribbon cutting event please contact Terri Reed, City of Gig Harbor, (253) 851-6170.

http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/

Christmas Spirit Live and Well in Gig Harbor

This week is the pinnacle for holiday activities in beautiful Gig Harbor. Whether you are looking for shopping options, entertainment, lovely lights & decorations, or messages of goodwill, you will find it in Gig Harbor.

As always to see a complete list of all things going on in Gig Harbor you can visit http://www.gigharborguide.com/.

THURSDAY December 10th it's Ho Ho Harbor Holidays at Uptown

FRIDAY - SUNDAY December 11-13th it's CandleLight Christmas in the Harbor, downtown

FRIDAY - SUNDAY December 11-13th it's A Christmas Story at Paradise Theatre

FRIDAY-SATURDAY December 11-12th it's Oliver at Encore! Theater

SATURDAY December 12th it's the HarborFest Holiday Tour of Homes

SATURDAY December 12th it's the Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

SATURDAY December 12th Gig Harbor Peninsula Symphony Orchestra presents holiday concert

SUNDAY December 13th Christmas Concert at LDS Church

MONDAY December 14th HARK the Harbor, new event, community caroling and arrival of Argosy Cruise Ship, 7pm at Skansie Brothers Park

It might be cold, but the community breaths warmth into this holiday season through all the wonderful things they do. See details on these and many other events at http://www.gigharborguide.com/. Happy Holidays!

3/50 Project Make it Happen Gig Harbor

We have businesses in our beautiful community that are hanging on by their fingernails. Everyone talks about how much they love our community and particularly our downtown. But if you really love it, it's time to step up!

This morning I made an appeal to all the fans on our Facebook Fan Page gigharborguidehttp://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/gigharborguidecom/132049134029?ref=nf

I asked all 304 fans to spend $50 at three stores, and for each fan to get one additional friend to spend $50 at three stores.

$150 by 608 people would pour more than $90K into our local economy. IT'S VERY EASY. We must take it seriously NOW!!

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO SHOP ON LINE. PLEASE DON'T TAKE YOU HOLIDAY SHOPPING DOLLARS TO THE TACOMA MALL.

We need to step up and take responsibility here in the community that we all love!! BUSINESSES WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF THE YEAR IF WE DO NOT PATRONIZE THEM NOW.

Yesterday I spent more than $100 at a local jeweler. Today I am out searching for some sailing gear for my son. I know I can find it downtown. I printed a list of "must reads" from a friend of mine who is a librarian at the Seattle Public Library. I will buy or order these books at the local book store.

THIS IS NOT HARD TO DO.

JUST DO IT! DO IT, DO IT, DO IT. There just are no acceptable excuses for not shopping LOCAL!

It's Ho Ho Harbor Holidays at Gig Harbor Uptown

Thursday December 10th come to Uptown in Gig Harbor for the second annual Ho Ho Harbor Holidays event! This event is co-sponsored by the Uptown merchants and the Gig Harbor Mid-Day Rotary Club.

Start the evening off right Sip. at the wine bar and restaurant. Bring your friends, significant other or co-workers and enjoy a fashion show, appetizers, wine, cooking demonstrations and more from 3-5PM. Reservations for this part of the event are required ($40) call (253) 853-3020.

Following the Sip. event enjoy shopping and festive specials through out Uptown from 5PM- close. You'll find fabulous gifts to satisfy everyone on your holiday list, all while keeping your shopping dollars right here in Gig Harbor. Participating merchants include;

• Adam & Eve


• Bloom


• Chicos


• Coldwater Creek


• Elandan Gallery


• Heart


• Indigo Plum


• J Jill


• Julep Salon


• Teaching Toys


• Tuscan Sanctuary


• SC Decor


• Possum's Boutique


• Pizzeria Fondi


• Panera Bread


• Massage Envy


• Lele


• Posh Paw


• Justice for Girls


• Jamba Juice


• Games Workshop


• Galaxy Theatre


• Daddy O's Board Room


• Cutter's Point


• Borders


• Blazing Onion


• Ben & Jerry's


• AT&T


• Ann Taylor Loft

Delight in the holiday ambiance of strolling carolers, delicious refreshments and an opportunity to win a Palm Desert Vacation.

Proceeds from this event go to support Med-Day Rotary community programs such as Fish Food Bank and youth education.

http://www.siprestaurant.com/ www.uptowngigharbor.com

Gig Harbor Holiday Tour of Homes Next Weekend

The HarborFest Holiday Tour of Homes has become a traditional way to start the holidays in gig Harbor. 2009 looks to be one of the best ones yet, with homes from Canterwood to Cromwell, the tour offers an inside look at some incredible decorated private homes - a special peek into beautifully decorated homes of the harbor. Some locations home baked treats and hot drinks will be available while in other homes holiday music will be provided by the Peninsula Youth Orchestra.

The 14th annual HarborFest Tour of Homes, conducted by the Altrusa Foundation of Gig Harbor, will be held on Saturday December 12th from 10AM - 4PM. Tickets and programs will be available at The INN at Gig Harbor after 9:30AM on the 12th.

The annual HarborFest Tour of Homes is Altrusas primary fund raiser, raising money to support Altrusa projects such as the Community Kitchen at the new Boys & Girls Club/Senior Center, the Peninsula Youth Orchestra and Altrusa Serving Kids program.

"It's hard to imagine how the homeowners do it," said Shirley Hanson, Altrusa Foundation President, "but every year the decorations seem to be more exciting!".

Tickets for the tour are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event. Advance tickets are available at John L. Scott on Olympic Drive, Kitsap Credit Union on Point Fosdick or Gig Harbor North Branch, Watersedge Gallery on Pioneer Way or the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, or from any Altrusa member.

For ticket information contact (253) 858-0088

NEVER A DULL WEEKEND IN GIG HARBOR

Every weekend is a holiday in Gig Harbor, particularly this one! There is so much to do in Gig Harbor this weekend. For details check out the calendar at http://www.gigharborguide.com/.

Here's a taste;

• Friday Night at Chapel Hill 7pm Candlelight Vigil for Lakewood Officers
• Fri-Sun Encore Theater last weekend for Oliver
• Fri-Sun Paradise Theatre continues with A Christmas Story
• Sat Sharon's Consignment Open House
• Sat & Sunday Tidefest at Gig Harbor High School
• Sat is Gig Harbor First Saturday Art Walk
• Fri & Sat Eagles Holiday Bazaar
• Wine Tastings around town
• Saturday Eddon Boat Shop Public Tours
• Saturday Fox Island Market
• Sat/Sunday great stuff at Rosedale Gardens
• Sunday Ladies Night at Peninsula Gardens
• Sunday Peninsula Community Chorus performs

And lots of Tree Lightings

SATURDAY Gig Harbor Tree Lighting

SUNDAY Fox Island and Key Peninsula Tree Lightings.

The weather is great - the community is great, the shopping is great...why wouldn't you be in Gig Harbor this weekend?? http://www.gigharborguide.com/

Gig Harbor Sip Welcomes Robert Green, Executive Chef

Lane Scelzi, owner and founder of Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant, is happy to announce the promotion of Chef de Cuisine Robert Green to Executive Chef.

Green, who has been sith Sip. Gig Harbor since doors opened in March 2009, brings to the position 23 years of culinary experience in restaurants, hotels and country clubs across the United States.

To say Chef Green has enjoyed a varied, colorful career is an understatement. He went from the U.S. Marine Corps to French culinary school, and then apprenticed with Jim Hughes, National Chef of tje Year (1979). He also trained with renowned master of Cajun food, Chef Paul Prudhomme and Chef Mark Miller, an authority on Southwest cuisine.

Currently a proud Gig Harbor residemt, he settled in the Northwest five years ago and helmed the kitchen at Gig Harbor's award-winning Brix 25 (2004-2005) before becoming Sip.'s Chef de Cuisine.

His culinary philosophy can best be summed up in three words: "Simple is better." Green combines classical technique with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and lets the essence of the food speak for itself.

Sip. invites you to explore Chef Greens cuisine on Thursday December 10th 3-5pm at a special Ho Ho Harbor Holidays event. Enjoy Appetizer Bar and wine pours, Chef demonstration, fashion show and more as Uptown Gig Harbor celebrates Ho Ho Harbor Holidays. $40 per person. Reservations for this event should be made soon. Call 253 853-3020.

Or stop by Sip. anytime to enjoy the wonderful cuisine of Chef Green.

http://www.siprestaurant.com/

Gig Harbor Tree Lighting on Saturday

One of Gig Harbor's favorite events among the locals is the annual tree lighting event held the first Saturday of December every year. Since it's inception more than 20 years ago the community has come together each year in holiday spirit to celebrate together.

This years event on Dec 5th begins at 5pm with music by the Peninsula Community Chorus and special activities by Harbor WildWatch. CenturyLink and the City of Gig Harbor sponsor the event and provide free Santa hats and glow necklaces.

The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association provides cookies and cider for free and this year Fort Lewis will be honored for their community support. Each year Fort Lewis provides the beautiful 40 foot tree that is installed at the park by City crews.

Santa arrives around 5:30pm via Pierce County Gig Harbor Fire Truck and the tree is lit! Santa then spends time meeting with all the children in the park.

This event is a wonderful, fun, free, family, festive tradition in beautiful Gig Harbor, right on the waterfront. Join us!