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!