Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant Gig Harbor Celebrates Birthday with New Spring Menu, Events

Gig Harbor Local, Daniel Jackson Named Lead Captain; Adds Focus on Community Partnerships
GIG HARBOR, Wash.—(March 25, 2010)—On March 26, Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant in Uptown Gig Harbor marks its one-year anniversary with a new spring menu, addition of Gig Harbor local Daniel Jackson to the team, and a host of community-fostering events through partnerships with Gig Harbor organizations and festivals.

Daniel Jackson’s career began in 1983 at Triples in Seattle, and his palate and talents were honed at the acclaimed Fullers in the Seattle Sheraton. Most recently he developed the wine program at Brix 25 Restaurant in Gig Harbor, which, in turn, led him to Sip. Jackson has an appreciation for and extensive collection of Northwest wines: 98 percent of his personal cellar is comprised of Northwest bottles.

“Right now, there’s a lot happening in Uptown Gig Harbor, and I’m excited to be here, working with Robert Green and the rest of the team,” says Jackson.

Jackson has an exciting spring lined up for Sip. guests, including a recently added full bar and cocktail program, a new spring menu from Gig Harbor’s well-loved, Executive Chef Robert Green, and a series of community events.

New Spring Menu Additions –
• BBQ Shrimp—Jumbo shrimp, apple-wood bacon, fresh basil and housemade Asian BBQ sauce, 13.
• Fried California Roll—Spicy crab with soy dipping sauce and wasabi aioli, 12.
• Crab Salad—Fresh Dungeness crab, watercress, marinated tomato, hard-boiled egg and lemon-caper vinaigrette, 13.
• Duo of Duck—Seared breast and leg confit with cherry sauce, potato gratin, fresh daily vegetable, 27.
• BBQ Salmon—Wild Alaskan salmon, grilled and basted with housemade Asian BBQ sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes, fresh daily vegetable , 23.
• Hand Cut Ribeye—10 oz. Certified Angus with housemade steak sauce, duck fat-whipped potatoes, fresh daily vegetable, 25.

Winemakers Dinner with Barons V and DeLille Cellars, April 13, 5 p.m. –
Sip. Gig Harbor’s first winemakers’ dinner will include Chef Green’s specially prepared four-course dinner paired with award-winning wines. Special guests include Gary McLean, co-owner of Barons V; Matthew Logo, Barons V winemaker; and Greg Lill, co-owner of DeLille Cellars. Cost is $80 per person not including tax and gratuity. For reservations and more information, call Sip. at (253) 853-3020.

“Sips & Tips” Monthly Women’s Networking Event –
From 5 to 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month, Sip. provides an opportunity for women to meet, mingle and network in the spirit of community and learn about local businesses and organizations. Enjoy half-price glass pours, get a chance to win the door prize, and stay for a three-course dinner for just $30, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For more information, e-mail Karen Lawler at klawler@warestgroup.com.

Sip. in the Community –
A committed member of the Gig Harbor business community, Sip. is thrilled to be a partner in the Gig Harbor Film Festival and a contributor to the Gig Harbor Rotary Club and FISH food bank.

The staff at Uptown Sip. is grateful to the people of Gig Harbor for their patronage throughout their first year in business, and is looking forward to further developing their relationship with the community and its residents.


The Napa Valley-inspired Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant offers an approachable, global wine selection featuring nearly 70 by-the-glass choices, wine flights, and more than 250 bottles from the Pacific Northwest, California and around the world. The Northwest-driven food menu comforts and inspires, and is sourced locally whenever possible. Locations include 909 5th Ave., Seattle 98101 (206) 682-2779; 1084 NE Park Dr., Issaquah, 98029 (425) 369-1181; and 4793 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, Suite 400, Gig Harbor, 98335 (253) 853-3020. For further information, visit www.siprestaurant.com.

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Twitter: @SIPwinebar
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Countdown - Farmers Market Time is Here!

Weather like today really makes me excited about spring and summer and all the great things that go on in Gig Harbor during these seasons. And one of my favorite, the Gig Harbor Farmers market, which opens April 3rd.

I really love our Farmers Market, which has come so very far since it began about a decade ago. And, according to market director Dale Schultz, this upcoming market season is going to be event better. Dale has spent the winter recruiting new farmers and new vendors including Gradwohl grass fed organic beef farmer and Last Bite Bakery as well as Ike's Fish and Seafood.

The Saturday Gig Harbor Farmers Market opens April 3rd at the new location on Kimball Drive. Take the Wollochet City Center exit off of Hwy 16 and follow the signs.

Thanks to a sponsorship by Columbia Bank, every Saturday the market will have live music including Billy Farmer, Steve Stefanowicz and Dave Calhoun - all local favorites.

The Farmers Market has a brand new website www.gigharborfarmersmarket.com and will also be selling new Farmers Market logo wear this year! It's all new and exciting for the Saturday market.

And additional good news, the Wednesday Green Market at Skansie Brothers Park is also expanding with more vendor, more activities and longer hours - open until 7pm. The Wednesday Green Market begins June 2nd. Stay tuned for more details on the Wednesday market coming to this Blog!

And see you on Saturday April 3rd for the opening of the Gig Harbor Farmers Market!!
www.gigharborguide.com

Hippity Hoppity Easter's On Its Way!

The sun is smiling on us today and it is a perfect day to talk about Easter, that wonderful holiday that makes us all feel like spring is finally here in all its pastel glory.
Once again this year there are many great options for your family to enjoy Easter in Gig Harbor - beginning this coming Saturday March 27th with the UPTOWN EASTER EGG HUNT!
Celebrate Spring at Uptown on March 27th with their annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10am. Uptown merchants invite you to meet at the fountain for this fun, free, family event. Children ten and under can meet the Easter Bunny himself until noon. It's all your style, you Uptown. Learn more at www.uptowngigharbor.com

Join WildBirds Unlimited for their 18th ANNUAL WILDBIRDS UNLIMITED EASTER EGG HUNT, on Saturday April 3rd at 10:30am. Kids ages 0-9 are invited to come to historic downtown Gig Harbor for this wonderful, free event. Be sure to bring your cameras too because that old Easter Bunny will be there, and ready to have a photo taken with your child. Wild Birds Unlimited is located at 3120 1/2 Harborview Drive. Learn more at www.wbu,com/gigharbor

Also on Saturday April 3rd from noon - 2pm is the PenMet Parks Spring Easter Egg Hunt at Goodman Middle School 93701 38th Ave NW). Kids 6th grade and under are invited to this free event that includes an Easter Egg Hunt, bounce house, prizes, raffle and of course (that very busy guy) the EASTER BUNNY!. Bring your cameras! Learn more at www.PenMetParks.org

On Easter Sunday enjoy a Champagne Easter Brunch Buffet at Brix 25. Brunch will be served from 10am-2pm on Sunday April 4th and will include bottomless glass of champagne, carving station, omelet prepared to order, Beouf Bourguignon, seafood station, dessert bar and more. $32 per person, kids 5-12 are half price and under five is free. Reservations are recommended so call (253) 858-6626 pr www.harborbrix.com

The Heritage Restaurant at the beautiful INN at Gig Harbor offers its special Easter menu on Sunday April 4th from 9am-3pm. Enjoy a special plated Easter Brunch and choose from maple glazed ham, Dungeness crab crepe, prime rib, crab cake Benedict, shrimp omelet, cinnamon french or roasted tomato, spinach & Asiago strata. Adults are only $22, children under 8 are $5. Make your reservation today at (253) 858-1111.

Enjoy celebrating spring and Easter together in Gig Harbor!

To learn about loding in Gig Harbor for the Easter weekend please go to www.gigharborguide.com

It's Garage Sale Time

As soon as the sun comes out so do the garage sales, and this weekend there is a special one you do not want to miss. The Best Western Wesley inn, 6575 Kimball Drive is holding a INDOOR GARAGE SALE, with proceeds going to The Homestead at Alder Cove.
Friday March 26th from 9am-5pm and Saturday March 27th from 9am-4pm stop by the Wesley Inn for some great garage sale items and to support The Homestead, a permanent residence for local foster children (www.homesteadcove.org).
Donations are now being accepted, but must be delivered to the Wesley Inn by Thursday March 25th. Call to arrange over sized items at (253) 858-9690.
The Best Western Wesley Inn is located .5 off of Pioneer on Kimball Drive.

See you there!
www.wesleyinn.com

GET OUT AND VOTE FOR GIG HARBOR

Sharpen up your #2 pencils Gig Harbor and get out and vote! Two great annual opportunities are upon us to vote for your favorites in Gig Harbor. A great way to support local businesses and help our local businesses to thrive!!

1. Gig Harbor has been nominated as BEST TOURISM DESTINATION in the annual KING 5 BEST OF WESTERN WASHINGTON contest. Of course, as they say, "it's an honor just to be nominated", but not fooling anyone that it would be really nice to win. What a nice boost to our local economy and all of our exceptional businesses to have this honor. Here is the link so please, log on and vote!

http://best.king5.com/contests/best-of-northwest-escapes/4764

2. It's also that time of year where the Peninsula Gateway is doing the BEST OF GIG HARBOR, voting. This annual local competition is friendly but also very competitive as local businesses position to be the BEST OF GIG HARBOR in everything from best art gallery to best romantic walk. Watch the Gateway each week for the next several weeks for your ballot for THE BEST OF GIG HARBOR awards. Announcement of winner will be in late May.

Join the fun and vote for what you love about our wonderful community. And then go out and enjoy it, because you are so lucky to live here!

April is National Volunteer Month

Gig Harbor is an awesome place for volunteers. Everyone you meet is a volunteer in some capacity, each individual finding a place to give some time and energy that focuses on something they are passionate about.
April is the time of month to stop and say thanks to those who give back with time. Time is such a valuable commodity. Worth its weight in gold, as they say. So THANK YOU Gig Harbor for all you do.
The City of Gig Harbor thanks their volunteers annually with a small but non-the-less sincere reception and awards ceremony. This year the event takes place on April 19th at 5:30-6:30pm at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. Dozens of citizens volunteer for the city in capacities such as parks commission, design review board, visitor information center volunteer and police department reserve. Each year the Mayor announces the annual Carol Gorman Memorial Volunteer of the Year award to one outstanding city volunteer, as well as the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center Volunteer of the Year and several police department awards.
If you are not volunteering in your community, we can help connect you to a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available. Here is a link that will take you direct to a page on our website that lists local volunteer activities.

http://www.gigharborguide.com/files/library/4826b39ce78f25e0.pdf

In addition several local groups we work with are recruiting now for upcoming event volunteers;
Are you interested in helping the the 2010 Maritime Gig Festival June 5&6? Volunteers are needed to assist with the Grande Parade, Kitsap Credit Union Main Stage, Children's Fair, Fun Run and more. Contact the Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce to learn more at (253) 851-6865
Are you interested in history and the new Harbor History Museum? The museum is looking for volunteers to assist with their annual Basket Social Auction, the new and coming up in August Gig Harbor Food and Wine Festival and many other areas including programming for the new museum. Call (253) 858-6722
Are you interested in helping answer questions about our community? The Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center, located at 3125 Judson Street is open six days a week and needs lots of volunteers to greet guests and help them have an exceptional experience in Gig Harbor. (253) 857-4842
Are you interested in preserving the economic vitality of historic downtown Gig Harbor? The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association is now the lead organization on the creation and maintenance of the beautiful summer flower baskets and planters and they need lots of volunteers to assist with that program. In addition they are currently planning Chalk the Walk for July 17th and volunteer are needed for that. (253) 514-0071
The Gig Harbor Film Festival is coming up in October, and is fast becoming one of the "signature" events for our community. Volunteers are desperately needed for all aspects of the festival. It's a great event, find out more at (253)851-1619 or http://www.gigharborfilmfestival.org/listpage.asp?Category=Get~Involved&Category2=Volunteer&Cat=Category
There are dozens of other fabulous volunteer opportunities in Gig Harbor including the FISH Food Bank, CoalitionHumane, PenMet Parks all of the service organizations, Peninsula Schools Foundation and many, many more. Check out the link

http://www.gigharborguide.com/files/library/4826b39ce78f25e0.pdf for more ideas.
And thanks Gig Harbor, for giving your time!

BE COUNTED - 2010 Census is Important

There is lots of talk now about the Census. But also lots of confusion. What is it and why is it important to our community?
The first census took place in 1790 to determine the number of seats each state would have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The census also was created to gain a better understanding of where people lived and to establish patterns of settlement as the nation grew.
Today, in addition to administering the census of population and housing the Census Bureau conducts more than 200 annual surveys including the American Community Survey, the Current Population Survey and economic censuses every five years.
A Census Snapshot
What: The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States
Who: All US residents must be counted - both citizens and non citizens
When: You will receive your questionnaire in March either by US mail or hand delivery. Some people in remote areas will be counted in person
Why: The US Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have i the US House of Representatives.
How: Households should complete and mail back their questionnaires upon receipt. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census takers will visit households that do not return questionnaires to take a count in person.
Did you know;
It's Easy - 10 questions take 10 minutes to answer
It's Safe - The Census information is 100% confidential is not shared, even with out US Departments. You do not need to fear giving accurate information even if you are an undocumented resident, have issues with the law or the IRS. The information is protected.
It's Important - For every person who is not counted in our community, local jurisdictions loose $1400 per year for the next 10 years in federal support.
Read more about the Census at www.2010census.gov
Be Counted!