December 2018
Your monthly news & updates

Greetings!

Check out the MANY December holiday happenings around town right here in the Gig-A-Byte. There's lots to do and tons to see so mark your calendars and plan with glee!

Sending you and yours warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year.

Cheers!
Mimi
Gig Harbor Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Hosted by the City of Gig Harbor on December 1
Gig Harbor's Annual Tree Lighting at Skansie Brothers park, December 1, at 5 pm, is the official kickoff to the holidays! Join friends, family and neighbors for music performed by the Spectrum Choral Academy and treats courtesy of the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance served at the Skansie Net Shed. Come to welcome Santa on the fire truck and see lights illuminate the tree - fun for all!

It's a Wonderful Waterfront and Holiday Hayrides Hosted by the Downtown Waterfront Alliance
The waterfront merchants welcome you in with great holiday specials, treats and extended shopping hours Friday, December 7, through Sunday, December 9! Deck the Harbor, a storefront decorating contest, challenges merchants to create imaginative holiday displays. Shop and stroll the harbor, enjoy the displays and vote for your favorite display in the "People's Choice" contest through December 16.

Enjoy Holiday Hayrides with Santa, December 7 & 8, 4:30-7:30 pm. This free magical experience begins at Timberland Bank on Judson St., where refreshments are served and live music is played.

Lighted Boat Parade Sponsored by the Gig Harbor Yacht Club is on December 8
In the spirit of Gig Harbor's maritime pride, the Lighted Boat Parade showcases the creativity of area boaters. This beautiful, local tradition, has boats circling the harbor, spreading holiday cheer to onlookers gathered along the water's edge. The parade is on Saturday, December 8, beginning at 5 pm. Great viewing locations of this free, fun family event include Skansie Brothers Park and several downtown waterfront restaurants.

Hark the Harbor Hosted by the Downtown Waterfront Alliance
This crowd-pleasing community caroling event takes place Sunday, December 9, at 5:30 pm under the pavilion at Skansie Brothers Park. Songbooks and candles will be provided to accompany joyful holiday caroling. All this while awaiting the arrival of the Argosy Christmas Ship all aglow in festive lights.

15th Year of GHPD Holiday Heroes
The Jaycox-Gig Harbor Police Benevolent Fund, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, will conduct its annual Holiday Heroes event on Tuesday, December 11.This event allows local children in need the opportunity to get to know the Gig Harbor Police Officers and other law enforcement personnel while holiday shopping at the Gig Harbor Target store. Each child is provided spending money donated by community members and local service clubs, including funding from the Jaycox-Gig Harbor Police Benevolent Fund. In addition, the children are provided a tour of the police department and breakfast with their law enforcement shopping buddies. 

After shopping, lunch is provided for the children before they are returned to school in a police vehicle.This year at least ten children will participate.

Additional major local sponsors for the Holiday Heroes program include our Gig Harbor Target and the Galaxy Theatre. Donations are still needed to make this program a success. If you would like to assist, donations are being accepted at the Gig Harbor Police Department. One hundred percent of all donations go to the kids for their shopping. To donate, checks can be dropped off at the Gig Harbor Police Department or mailed to GHPD, 3510 Grandview Street, Gig Harbor WA, 98335. Please make check out to The Jaycox Fund or call GHPD at (253) 851-2236.
Join in the Fun and Festivities
PenMet Parks & Peninsula Athletic Association Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 1, 9-11 am
Boys & Girls Club Cheney Family Branch

The Gig Harbor Kiwanis will also be providing a pancake breakfast, $8 a person and children under two are free. Please register online.

Gingerbread Houses at Gig Harbor Library
Saturday, December 1, 10:30 am - 1 pm
Gig Harbor Library

Friends of the Gig Harbor Library invite children an families to make and decoratge their own gingerbread houses. Supplies provided while they last. Please register online.

Gig Harbor Night Market at 7 Seas Brewing
Sunday, December 2, 2 - 8 pm

Celebrate community and the arts at the first Gig Harbor Night Market! Talented local vendors and artists, music and drinks, shopping for gifts and treats and a special visit with Santa. Learn more.

"Polar Express" movie at Galaxy Uptown
December 8 & 9, 10 am and 6 pm (on 9th)
Galaxy Theatres Uptown

Tickets for this family friendly holiday classic are $6. Proceeds benefit the Gig Harbor Police Jay Cox Fund.

Holiday Events at Tickled Pink
Ornament Day - Saturday, December 1
Santa's Castle Toy Drive - Through Wednesday, December 5
Caroling - December 7 & 8, 4:30 - 7:30 pm
12 Days of Pink Deals - December 12-23

Photo Op with THE GRINCH at The Weathered Cottage
Friday, December 7, 3 - 8 pm
Saturday, December 8, 12 - 7 pm
Sunday, December 9, 2 - 5 pm

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year at For the Love Of Spice
Saturday, December 8, 15, 22-24

Enjoy longer shopping hours and hot beverages. Learn more.

Santa's BoatShop at The Gig Harbor BoatShop
Sunday, December 9, 11 am - 4 pm

This fun, festive-themed activity has kids building and decorating a model boat they can take home. Fee is $10, register online.

Light Up the Night - 5th Annual St. Lucia's Festival
Friday, December 14, 5 - 6:30 pm
Harbor History Museum

Celebrate Gig Harbor's Scandinavian heritage with crafts, games and snacks at this family-friendly event. $2 admission for all ages. Learn more.

Shop with an Elf at The Weathered Cottage
Saturday, December 15, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, December 16, 11 am - 5 pm

Have an Elf help your kids pick out a secret present for Mom or someone special! The Elves will also help wrap it to make it a surprise. Parents can set a budget and then wait in our secret waiting area while the Elves help the children shop. 
Grown Up Holiday Fun
Heritage Distilling Company's My Batch Bourbon & Rye Class
Saturday, December 1, 12:45 pm
HDC Flagship: 3207 57th Street Ct NW, Gig Harbor

A 3-hour educational experience where you learn about the distilling process from beginning to end, participants get to bottle the spirits that were produced that day, and takes home two bottles. $149 Session Fee, must register. Learn more.

Wine Down Wednesdays & Live Jazz at Ocean5
December 5, 12, 19, 6 pm
Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr. NW.,

Wine down to live jazz! Wine specials by the glass, bottle and everything in-between. Enjoy a night of great live music, wine, food, and a little dancing. Free admission, 21+. Learn more.
Deck the Halls:
Holiday Craft Fairs Abound
Gig Harbor Eagles Holiday Bazaar
Friday, November 30, 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday, December 1, 10 am - 4 pm
Gig Harbor Eagles, 4425 Burnham

There is a great selection of holiday items and homemade crafts. This festive event is open to the public and admission is free.

Peninsula Marketplace Holiday Show
December 1, 8, 9 & 15, 9 am - 3 pm
5503 Wollochet Dr. NW

Live music, quality handcrafted gifts, festive decor, unique treasures, seasonal greenery and more! Free Admission, ample parking.
Do You Hear What I Hear:
Holiday Musical Performances
Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church Christmas
Concerts
Saturday, December 8, 7 pm
Sunday, December 9, 3 pm
Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church

Features Chapel Hill's Chancel Choir, orchestra, the Chapel Ringers, Signature Brass, and more. No charge, donations accepted. Learn more.

Glow: Christmas Songs by Glowstick
Saturday, December 15, 6:30 pm
Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church

Celebrate Christmas with a fun-filled night of light, color, sound, joy, and the best of Christmas songs with a modern twist!
Ho, Ho, Ho! Jolly Guy in Red Sightings
Santa will be making appearances all over town during December. Besides being featured at aforementioned events, he can also be found at a multitude of locations including:

Sunday, December 2nd at Table 47 for Brunch with Santa, 9 am - 2 pm. Take pictures and enjoy a great brunch spread. $16 for adults, $12 for kids. Reservations online.

Wednesday, December 5th at Harbor Place at Cottesmore, 1 - 3 pm.

Saturday, December 8th at Penrose Harbor at Heron's Key, 12:30 - 4:30 pm.

Sunday, December 9th at Harbor General Store, 12 - 2 pm

Saturday, December 15th at Lisa Hystek Photography, 7512 Stanich Ln #1, for Santa in the studio mini sessions, 9 - 11 am. To contact, here.

Saturday, December 15th at the Weathered Cottage, 12 - 4 pm. Bring your own camera.

Sunday, December 16th at Properties NW, bring your own camera. 12 - 4 pm.

Friday, December 21st at Harbor General Store, 5 - 7 pm

Mark your calendars to join in on the fun!
A Time for Giving, A Time to Reflect
Lions Club Giving Tree: Going on through Friday, December 14

Lions Club, in partnership with Peninsula FISH Food Bank and the Cheney Family Boys & Girls Club, Giving Tree program where you pick up a gift tag, (indicating child's age and likes), can be found at the following locations:

DOWNTOWN:
7 Seas Brewing
Birdnest Gallery & Framing
dolly mama
Marketplace Grille
Timberland Bank
A Prima Salon
Columbia Bank (downtown)
For the Love of Spice
Morso
Sea Hags
Waters Edge Gallery & Framery
Allovus Creative Partnership
Copy It/Mail It
Harbor History Museum
No Dearth of Books
Weathered Cottage
Amadora Salon
Devoted Kiss Cafe
Heritage Distilling
Rainy Day Yarns
Wild Birds Unlimited
Beach Basket Christmas Shop
Rainy Day Yarns
Kimball Coffeehouse
Blue Moon Garage & Spa
Kelly's Cafe
Ultimate Looks
Tickled Pink
Williams Flowers & Gifts

UPTOWN:
Galaxy Theatres Luxury + IMAX
The Foundry
Gameday Sports Shop
Kitsap Credit Union
Massage Envy
van der Veen Jewelers
Teaching Toys Too
Ben & Jerry's
Chico's
Cutter's Point Uptown
Frankie's
J. Jill
Sports Clips

ALSO:
Kitsap Bank
Kitsap Credit Union
Bank of America
Sound Credit Union
Peninsula Retirement Living

Santa's Castle Toy Drive at Tickled Pink through December 5

Tickled Pink, in partnership with the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce and JBLM, will be collecting new and unwrapped toys for each child to have a wonderful Christmas.

Luminary Walk at Haven of Rest
December 9, 5 - 7 pm

Annual Luminary Walk and Remembrance Time with candle lighting, live music, quiet reflection, letter writing, gifted speaker, luminary walk and reception. Learn more.
Meaningful Movies in Gig Harbor Presents the Documentary "The Genius of Marion"
“The Genius of Marion” follows Pam White in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, and is both an intimate look at a much-feared illness and a loving portrait of the meaning of family.

The event is free to the public; donation is gratefully accepted. Friday, December 14, 6 pm, at the Agnus Dei Church, 10511 Peacock Hill.

Harbor WildWatch Hosts Family Fun
Donkey Creek Salmon Tours
Saturday, December 1 & Saturday, December 8 at 10 am

Beach Monitoring - Several Areas in December
Check Harbor WildWatch's Facebook page for dates and locations
Events at Harbor History Museum
Gig Harbor Literary Society  
December 4, 6 pm

The Gig Harbor Literary Society is dedicated to exploring the literary world of historical fiction, nonfiction, and other works of interest. Meetings are free and are held on the first Tuesday of every month. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks to share and are welcome to bring their own wine. The book for December’s meeting is “Firefly Lane,” by Kristin Hannah.  
Humanities in the Harbor
December 7, 6 pm

Humanities in the Harbor: “Hollywood and the Homefront: Tinsel Town’s Contribution to World War II,” welcomes John Jensen to the Harbor History Museum on December 7 for a special presentation as part of the “Bomber Boys: Portraits from the Front” Exhibit Opening. Admission is free, thanks to Humanities Washington, but seats are limited.  RSVPs encouraged.

Bomber Boys: Portraits from the Front
Exhibit Opening
December 7

Coinciding with Humanities in the Harbor's "Hollywood and the Homefront: Tinsel Town's Contribution to World War II" event.

Humanities in the Harbor
December 20, 6 pm

Humanities in the Harbor will be hosting a second discussion in December, “The Pine and the Cherry: Japanese Americans in Washington,” with writer and curator, Mayumi Tsutakawa. Admission is free, thanks to Humanities Washington, but seats are limited.  RSVPs encouraged.
Gig Harbor Film Festival Holiday Party on December 11
In the spirit of the holiday season, Gig Harbor Film Festival will be changing their usual monthly movie night with a potluck movie night party! The potluck will be held at the Gig Harbor Yacht Club, 8209 Stinson Ave., from 6 - 7 pm (followed by a holiday movie presentation), on Tuesday, December 11.

RSVP via email for potluck sign up and movie information.
December Dining News
Many restaurants around Gig Harbor will be open on Christmas eve, including:

Anthony's (until 8 pm)
Applebee's (until midnight)
Blazing Onion (until 4 pm)
El Pueblito (until 6 pm)
Fondi Pizzeria (until 6 pm) and Christmas Day, (2 - 8 pm)
The Green Turtle (until 9 pm)
The Harvester (until 'early afternoon')
il Lucano Ristorante (until 8:30 pm)
Kelly's Cafe & Espresso (until 7 pm)
Lunchbox Laboratory (until 4 pm)
Mizu Japanese Steak House (until 9 pm)
Moctezuma's (until 8 pm)
MORSO (closed)
Puerto Vallarta (until 8 pm)
Spiro's Pizza & Pasta (until 8 pm)
Tanglewood Grill (until 5 pm)
Tides Tavern (until 3 pm)

Often, we get questions about who may be open on Christmas day. If you know of a restaurant open on Christmas Day, please email us and let us know.
More December Events
Harbor General Store Christmas Cookie Decorating Class
Thursday, December 13, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
$35, limited to 12, call 253-358-3241 to reserve.

Properties NW Holiday Market
Thursday, December 13, 6 - 9 pm, co-hosted with The Nook, at 3435 Harborview Dr. Enjoy complimentary refreshments while shopping.


City Updates
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Coffee with Kit Returns in February
"Coffee with Kit" morning gatherings at Kimball Coffeehouse will be starting back up on Tuesday, February 5, at 7 am. Other chances to catch the Mayor for a quick chat will be at the December 1st Gig Harbor Tree Lighting and during Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance's "It's a Wonderful Waterfront" December 8th activities.

Eddon Boat Shop Wall Repair & Repainting Project is Completed
The project, which included repair of the front wall of the Gig Harbor BoatShop at Eddon Boatyard and painting the entire exterior of the boat shop building was completed in November. Learn more about the project and view photos here.

Ancich Project Update
Harborview Drive frontage improvements are expected to be complete by the end of December.

Turkey Drive Benefits GHP FISH
The City of Gig Harbor Wellness Committee raised $343 and received donations of five turkeys during its Turkey Drive to benefit the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank and Community Services.
On Going Events
First Saturday Art Walk

Super Business Group

Toastmasters

AARP Smart Driver Class

The Journey of Grief

Freedom From Tobacco Free Weekly Support Group

Paradise Theatre

Our calendar is jam-packed! Find more information about these and other events at: www.gigharborguide.com
Coming Next Year
First Saturday Art Walk
Saturday, January 5

Meaningful Movies in Gig Harbor Presents the Documentary "Sin in Silence"
Friday, January 11

Harbor Womens' Wellness Weekend
January 11 - 12

Winter Sip & Stroll
February 9
(New times!) Noon - 4 pm


Plus more holiday info at :


The Gig-A-Byte is not published in January - so check your inbox in February!