Camping in Winter

Yes, you read that correctly. Camping in December... indoor camping that is!

December 27th, today, is Family day at our local Timberland Libraries and it is all about Camping!

Starting at 1 pm at the Aberdeen Library, bring the kids and make mini campfires out of yummy edibles and read scary ghost stories among the stacks. Have a bear hunt, look for your favorite bears in many of your favorite books. 

Later that evening head out to the Elma Library for Eric Haines, comedian extraordinaire, a fun family event for all ages.  The library is the cure for cabin fever December 27th on the harbor!

The Aberdeen Timberland Library is located at 121 E Market Street. Phone number is (360) 533-2360.

The Elma Timberland Library is at 118 N First Street; Phone number is (360) 482-3737.

A little Christmas Joy...on Music Monday

It's the end of the world...

As we know it!

Ok, you might have noticed that the world did not end as predicted by the Mayan Calendar.  I think had the Mayans been able to predict the end of the world they might have also been able to for see their own demise.. I am just saying.  Regardless, surviving the "end of the world" is cause for a little celebration.

Maybe you go out tonight, attend one of the many 'End of the World' parties happening around town, I know the Pourhouse is having a shindig and so is the 8th St. Ale House.

On second thought, maybe tonight is dinner out with the family.  College students are home for winter break, the family is all in town.  Why not go out and celebrate life at one of the many local restaurants?  Casa Mia, Terri's Steak House, Amore, Geppettos, Thai Carrot, Billys, Sasquatch Pizza maybe? 

However you decide to celebrate the world not ending, do it in style!  Pick up a fancy wine glass at Harbor Drug, buy a sequined top at Pure Clothing and dance the night away!

7...

Days left to shop locally for the Holidays!

Check out our To Do List for suggestions.

12/12/12

People plan their wedding date, first date, and birth of their baby around numerical coincidence. 

Musicians sell out concerts that play on repeating numerical dates. 

We "make a wish" when the clock hits 11:11. 

Websites and numerologists for tell good fortune when the date lines up with the time of day. 

For instance, in 2009 the clock and date lined up to give us 12:34:56 on 7/8/9. 

Tomorrow will mark the last time most of us alive today will see the date in a repeating format. 

Tomorrow is 12/12/12 and numerical coincidence that will not happen again until 01/01/2101.

This may not seem too significant to the general population, however number nerds (myself included) enjoy the mathematical fun the date can provide. If you look long enough you can find the calendar date that is equal to Pi (March 14, 2015 or 3/14/15).  Some may even go further to find out the square root of 2 day (January 14, 2042 or 14/1/42).  Whether you love numbers or just love saying 12/12/12, remember that this is the last time for this coincidence for the next 89 years!

Music Monday: Christmas with the Celts

When I was younger, my family and I watched alot of PBS.  Seasame Street in the morning, Reading Rainbow in the afternoon and during the holidays they always had the best telethons.  Riverdance, best of Laugh-in... and in December of 2010 Christmas with the Celts. 

It was a huge production number with Irish dancers, music group "The Celts", an orchestra and a children's choir.  Critics called it "Ancient meets Modern" and the music was filled with Christmas spirit that made you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. 

Lucky for Grays Harbor, this holiday show is coming to the D & R Theater December 19th at 7 pm.  Tickets on sale now!

Lighthouse Ballet Academy: The Nutcracker

This weekend the Lighthouse Ballet Academy presents "Nutcracker" at historic Hoquiam's 7th Street Theater.  Check out last weeks post about my love of the Nutcracker Ballet here.  Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for students sixteen and under, and $32 for a family (two adults with two children.) Children under three are free. You can purchase tickets at the studio at 526 8th Street in Hoquiam, Harbor Drug, Tullys, The Recipe Box, and at Rosevear's Music in Aberdeen.

Lighthouse Ballet Academy presents The Nutcracker in its entirety at the Hoquiam's 7th Street Theatre.  

Performances dates are

Friday, December 7 at  7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 8 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 9 at 2:00 p.m.  

 

Tchaikovsky's seasonal classic features local talent and original choreography by Artistic Director Luis Mestas. 

Local Glassblowers host Open House

Being the third generation in a family living and growing up in Cosmopolis, it is always exciting for me to have the chance to promote a business in the city of Cosi.  Opal Art Glass, located on 1st street in Cosmopolis is a gem in the art industry.  Johnny and Darlene have a passion for the beautiful and are extremely dedicated to their craft.  This Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can witness the artistry as they host an Open House with live Glassblowing demonstrations and 2nd sale art pieces at fantastic prices. 

Their glass blown pieces make the perfect gift for someone who has everything.  The art is unique and gorgeous and fills the needs of many gift givers, even when you are giving the gift to yourself!  From glass hearts that can be used all over your home to intricately blown chandeliers and vases, you will find what you didn't know you always wanted at the Opal Art Glass Open House this weekend!

A Monte-Ville Christmas

Fah who for-aze! Fah who for-aze! Dah who dor-aze! Dah who dor-aze! Welcome Christmas, Come this way!  Who doesn't tear up when "all the Whos down in Whoville" take each others hands and sing around the Christmas tree?  Those memories from childhood that take us back to our holiday innocence and make us smile on the inside.  That is exactly the feeling that I get when I think about Montesano and the Festival of Lights.  It would be so easy to say "eh, you've seen one parade, you've seen them all", but with the Festival of Lights it just would not be true.  This year, the 26th annual light parade is taking a page from Whoville and filling our hearts with holiday cheer. 

But first the Montesano Chamber of Commerce would like to fill you with pancakes!  8 am at City Hall in Montesano, for just $5 you can enjoy a wonderful christmasy pancake breakfast to fill you for the festivities to come.  Not to make to many comparisons, but sitting down in city hall to pancakes reminds me of the who's sitting down to roast beast!  Speaking of roast beast, later in the Chowder feed and homemade chili and cornbread later in the day will be the perfect dinner before the Grand Parade at 6:00 pm.  You can find the entire schedule of events here.

Enjoy the lighting of the Yule log accompanied by bagpipes and the Duke of Swings after you watch the parade along the parade route and watch the living nativity, which is always a highlight.  Make it out to Monte-ville and relive your childhood memories of light parades and cocoa!

A Community Supports One of Their Own

Grays Harbor is a close knit county.  We have relatives that live in every town, we have friends that are spread all over.  We support our local businesses and we care about our neighbors.  When people in large cities talk about "small town life" we know exactly what they mean. 

Teachers teach the children of students they had before.  Four generations living in the same town is commonplace.  Shop owners and bank tellers know you by name when you walk in the door.  Living in a small town is like living on the set of Cheers, everyone knows your name. 

There are so many upsides to small town life.  You always get back what you give in the community.  Locals remember and appreciate those who positively impact people around them.  We are quick to jump in and support members of our community who are in need, especially when the need is a financial burden of cancer. 

One of our own is fighting a battle of her life.  She is especially close to the hearts of the writers here at Go Go as we went to school with and have known her most of her life.  Nikki is a heartwarming person, the Manager of a business in town and a positive force in our community.  She is mother to a beautiful son and struggling with breast cancer.  When we hear that one of our own is struggling, we as a community reach out to help. 

Such is the event on December 8th, the Nikki Doesn't Fight Alone! Benefit and Silent Auction at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge.  A treatment fund set up earlier in the year met its $5000.00 goal ahead of schedule and the donations for the auction have been piling in.  Local businesses and community members have been showing their support in the form of hundreds of auction items and donations of food and funds.

HO HO Hoquiam

Tis the season to run, run, run!  The Hoquiam Fun Runs conclude this year with the Ho Ho Hoquiam Dash on December 1st.  Strap on your jingle bells, put on your candy cane stockings and elf hat and dash away dash away dash away all!  Make sure you pick up your T-shirt to wear proudly on Christmas Day!

Driftwood Players Present: Excursion Fare

The current play in the historic Driftwood Theater this weekend is Excursion Fare.  A train station for characters whose real life deaths are shrouded in mystery.  Amelia Earhart and Jimmy Hoffa are there to greet a young lady who has recently jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, and a young man whose car has careened off a cliff.  Sounds gruesome, but the players manage to inject some lightness into their roles with comic relief and characterizations of historical figures.

Visit Driftwood Theater for laughs and fantastic acting This Weekend!

7th Street Christmas

Last year I picked a classic holiday movie to watch every weekend in November and December leading up to Christmas.  This year, the 7th Street Theater is doing the hard work for me! 

This weekend its The Polar Express.  November 23 and 24 at 7:30.

On December 1st, for one night only Elf will be the feature presentation at 7:30.

December will also bring a live production of The Nutcracker Suite from local ballet company Lighthouse Ballet.  December 7th at 7pm, December 8th at 1 and 7pm and December 9th at 2pm.

Enjoy the Christmasy entertainment all month long!

Small Business Saturday

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday sits Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and their communities.

We are proud to support Small Business Saturday and encourage everyone to shop at their favorite small business on Saturday, November 24th!

RSVP to our Facebook Event Here for all of the Updates!

The Body Shop

600 E Wishkah St, Aberdeen

A massage therapy specializing in deep tissue, injury treatment, therapeutic, and sports massage. Discounted gift certificates, giveaways, free coffee and other goodies.

The Daily World

315 S Michigan St, Aberdeen

Newspaper serving readers throughout Grays Harbor and Northern Pacific Counties.

Corporate Image

413 7th St, Hoquiam

Custom Embroidery, Vinyl Cuts, Rhinestone Designs and Small Batch T-Shirt Printing. 25% off in-stock items.

Gray’s General Store

520 Simpson Ave, Hoquiam

An old fashioned store with a modern twist. Quirky gifts for everyone on your Gift List plus modern fabric and craft supplies, yarn, vintage fabric and books, records, coffee & tea. Plus a place to sit and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a book! Door Prizes and In-Store Craft Projects all day!

Seagate Lounge

4595 St Rt 109, Pacific Beach

A casual restaurant and lounge within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. Top notch service and tasty food, the Seagate is a great place to meet up with friends and unwind.

 

Rosevear’s Music

110 E Wishkah St, Aberdeen

Everything you need to become Aberdeen's next rock star.

Lunarana Coffee & Tea

1101 1st St, Cosmopolis

A mom and pop cafe with specialty sandwiches, soup and salads. Proudly serving Raven's Brew Coffee and Teas from around the globe. Free coffee to Saturday Shoppers.

Anytime Fitness

2700 Simpson Ave, Aberdeen

Work out anytime, day or night! Elite and Modern Fitness Club for the adult in a CoEd environment. 24/7 access, surveillance, and tanning. We dare you to find a reason not to work out!

Pure Clothing

317 7th Street, Hoquiam

Recycled Jeans and T-Shirts. Receive $5 in free accessories for every $50 purchase. Enter to win $25 gift certificate at counter (no purchase required). Red tag clearance!

Oceana Spa

501 W Wishkah St, Aberdeen

Relax, have a cup of tea, and forget the cares of the day. Rejuvenating treatments to sooth tired muscles, professinal Bare Essentuals makeup application and consultation, Pedicures and Manicures... it's all here.

Tinderbox Coffee Roasters

101 N Montesano St, Westport

Small-batch roasted coffee on the beautiful Pacific Northwest Coast. Drive thru now open!

Stella & Dot Jewelry @ Backstage Espresso

Next to the D&R Theater, Aberdeen

Beauty & Baubles. Add some sparkle to the holiday season with Stella & Dot Jewelry. Mary Kay will also be there!

Main Street

706 Simpson, Hoquiam

Brand New! Antiques and Creative Reuse Goods. Complimentary fair market appraisals on antiques and collectibles (up to 3 items per person) from noon to 4pm. *No gemstones or preciuos metals. 

Blind Dog Books

Seabrook

A sweet little book shop nestled in the small beach town of Seabrook. 10% off all Thymes products.



Kettle Klash 2012

There is something so iconic about the red buckets and the ringing bells during the holiday season.  It signals the ushering in of the season of giving.  The idea that your donation can contribute to something bigger than you.  Before we know it the season will be upon us and the Salvation Army Kettle Brigade will be ready.

Brought to life in 1891 by Army Captain Joseph Mcfee, the "kettle" was his brainchild to help fund a giant Christmas dinner for the poverty stricken and downtrodden in San Francisco.  What started in one community has spread to many more and helps the Salvation army provide much needed assistance to individuals in Grays Harbor County.

The Kettle Klash is a yearly event that helps to kickoff the season of the red buckets with a bang.  The Salvation Army's goal is always to raise the highest amount of funds possible to help provide the aid that many need and this annual luncheon is always great fun.  Lunch from O'Briens and entertainment is included, the Kettle Klash will be November 16th from noon to one with doors opening at 11:30.  Join other kettle klashers at the corner of scammel and cherry streets in Aberdeen to participate.  Admission is $13/person and for more information you can contact Nancy Neisinger @ 360-533-0329.

http://salvationarmygraysharbor.blogspot.com/

Nutcracker Suite!

'Tis the season for the little blond girl to lift up the curtain on the giant stage to discover the world of The Nutcracker Ballet!  Anyone else remember that commercial gem?  How old is that little girl by now anyway!?  

Moving on, you must bear with me as I tell you a little story about my childhood.  It is the only way to truly get across exactly what this magical ballet does to my soul.

When I was a little girl all I wanted to do was to be a ballerina.  I was in dance lessons from the age of three, practicing leaps and twirls and jumps in my parents living room in tutus and tights.  I loved the stage, the lights, the blue eyeshadow and the red lipstick.  (why on earth the dance teachers of the world ever let our parents put this hideous combination on our faces as children is beyond me, there must have been a makeup guide from 1982 they were all following!)   My parents knew how much I loved dance and when I was ten years old they took both my sister and me to see The Nutcracker Ballet in Seattle.  We wore matching plaid skirts and red turtlenecks, which isn't important to this story I just thought it was cute, and my mom bought us a cast figurine of Clara which hung on a red ribbon around our neck.  I recently found this charm while unpacking boxes from my childhood into my adult home (no I did not cry, ok maybe a little).

I remember that first trip to the ballet, the Two Hour car ride to Seattle seemed like forever (it really still is) but the theater was gorgeous and the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company did the most wonderful job.  Since that day, my parents took us three more times over the years, and my sixth grade class went on a field trip.  I even had the pleasure of being an extra in the traveling production when i was a teenager.  Made my nutcracker debut as a toy soldier on a horse!   I bet you are all thinking that I wanted to be Clara on stage with her beautiful dress dancing to the music of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, but you would be mistaken dear harboites.  I wanted to be the Russian dancers jumping high into the air to the classical number Trepak. 

Now I told you all of this to let you in on a secret, everyone here on the harbor has the chance to make their own Nutcracker memories this November 13 and 14.  The D & R Theater is playing host to the Moscow Ballet and will be showing the legendary Nutcracker tonight and tomorrow on stage.  Make memories for you or you and your children and treat yourself to this iconic ballet.  You wont be sorry.

Girls' Night Out November 2012

 Looking for an evening of girly fun with wine included?  Girls' Night Out is the place you want to be on November 17th from 5-9.   Past Girls' Night Out are extremely well attended and a fun place to socialize for a good cause.  Enjoy the complimentary Hors D'oeuvres, dessert and wine while sampling the vendors wears and shopping local goods to your hearts content.

Every girls night out is a fundraising event for Women's Health and the last event in April of this year was a huge success, featuring local stores such as Grays General Store, Harbor Drug, Lunch, Bryan & Son Jewelers and Satsop Landscaping and Nursery.  Come on out with your best girl friends to enjoy the shopping experience this Saturday, you wont regret giving a little for the women of this community.  Tickets are available at Harbor Drug, Mane Attraction, Oceana Spa and Waughs.

Last Few Days of FOODBALL 2012

In this economic climate you must applaud the effort of young people to provide for those less fortunate than themselves.  Lets join in the effort to fill our local food banks with provisions.  Below are links to both Aberdeen and Hoquiam Foodball Calendars.  With only a few days left (weigh in is on the 13th) makes sure you participate in the events these school have lined up!

Aberdeen Foodball Calendar

Hoquiam Foodball Calendar

Calling all writers!

You may have noticed that the beginning of this week has been pretty silent on GoGo. 

We are fairly certain that it isn't the result of nothing going on around the harbor, only a result of our full time jobs interfering with our creative process! 

It makes us a little sad here that we just don't have all the time we need to get the information out to everyone each and every day. 

That is where you, dear harborites, come in. 

We are reaching out to our readers for collaboration.
 
Do you have an event happening that you want to let people in on?  Write us a press release, or better yet write an article for GoGo and we will publish it for you!

We want to continue to grow GoGo but realize we cannot do it alone, we need and want your help. 

Contribute your skills that we know you have and see your work up on our website and promoted on our facebook page. 

Now go forth harborites and click on that tab up there at the top of the page, a little to the left, now down a bit, !there!  Guest Posting... Click on it and submit your most awesome piece of writing. 

If you don't feel like writing an article just give us a run down of what is going on or what you would like to hear about and we will write it! 

Friday Five: No Shave November and Beards for All

Captain Bluebird, a community organization that believes play, creativity, and art should be an important part of children's lives, is hosting an all-in-fun Beard Contest this weekend in Pacific Beach at the Seagate. We are currently working to build an indoor playground in Pacific Beach, Washington with a strong sense of environmental stewardship, creative reuse, and lots of fun.

This edition of Friday Five is brought to you by Captain Bluebird!

Five Winning Beard Categories

1. Best Beard will be chosen by People's Choice. The winner of Best Beard will be determined by the Man With the Most Coin because voting will be done with dollars and cents. We are not recommending participants stuff their own jars, but enticing a group of friends to vote in his favor could win entrants a LARGE PIZZA from the Seagate. He may feel free to share it with his supportive buddies or eat some and save some for later. Hopefully not in his victorious face-hairs.

2. Most Manly Everyone knows that the sign of manhood is facial hair. The winner in this category shall exhibit exceptional manliness in his facial hair by attaining extreme fullness as well as good shape. Winner will go home with the pride of wearing a Beard Adonis and a gift certificate redeemable for an Appetizer Basket from the Seagate.

3. Most Dedicated Some things are worth waiting for. The winner of this category shall exhibit extreme dedication in beardliness by allowing his beard to grow the longest time without being clean shaven. The winner's dedication will receive a gift certificate for an Appetizer Basket.

4. Most Creative Almost every man (and a few special ladies) has the ability to grow facial hair, but few take the initiative to style their beard parts. The winner of this category shall exhibit creative beard styling that fits his personality. The winner's forward thinking and out-side-the-beard design aesthetics will earn him an Appetizer Basket from the Seagate.

5. Best Groomed Just as hair on a man's head does not care for itself, neither does the hair from his chin. The winner of this category shall exhibit finesse and practice in upkeep and cleanliness of his beard. We will be sure to supply a napkin and an Appetizer Basket to the winner, from the Seagate.

All profits raised will support Captain Bluebird, a new community initiative that is focused on building an indoor play structure with space for art, crafts, music, concerts and anything else fun we can find dream up. All this, and we are planning to do this with an eye toward sustainability, Eco-friendliness and environmental stewardship.
Until a stylish sweater is fashioned to keep razor burned faces cozy, letting your face grow long at the first signs of cold is a good way to welcome a drop in temperatures and rise in wind gusts.
Come show off your facial-hair-growing prowess at Pacific Beach's very first Beard Contest! We hope to see you there!!

Registration will take place FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2 from 8pm-10pm and again SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3 from 8pm-10pm.

Toast the Harbor 2012

Having just been to Hoptoberfest at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, and having won at the silent auction, I am more than excited that Toast the Harbor will be coming so soon to the same location.  With the pairing of wine, food, entertainment, and free gifts, Toast the Harbor should be a one-stop for an evening of fun!

The event takes place on Saturday, November 3rd from 2:00pm-9:00pm with Tickets available at the door, from any Aberdeen Lions Club member or at a number or local business including; Aberdeen Honda, Harbor Drug, GL Kluh, Frames-N-Things, Journey Travel, Quinault Beach Resort, Flying Cats & the Sipping Serendipity Wine Shoppe in Ocean Shores.

Toast the Harbor is an event that has been sponsored by the Aberdeen Lions Club for the past 8 years.  As for this blogger, who was not all that familiar with Aberdeen Lions, I did a little research. 

This event is and has been their major fundraiser for the past 8 years. Check out their website to see what the organization supports and how they help our local communities.  It was an eye-opening read. 

This weekends event is certainly a foodies paradise, with samples of cuisine from local Ocean Shores eatery Half Moon Bay, The Orieol in Hoquiam, Northshore Grill, Engs Egg Rolls, and QBR. With vendors from Harbor shoes in Aberdeen, How Charming, and Blissful Wonders there will be plenty of swag to buy and win. 

In addition to the food (I know that it is hard to imagine something better that delectibale goodies and savory treats) several wineries and breweries will be giving samples of beer and wine.  The 2012 Toast the Harbor wineries and breweries that are participating this year are as follows: the Bateaux Cellars out of Toledo, WA, Frenchman Hills Winery, Okanogan Estates, our very own Westport Winery, Dicks Brewery, Local Westport Brewary, and new local distillers Wishkah River Distillery.

Included in your ticket is live music that will play throughout the event and a silent auction with over 100 items to bid on from gift baskets to art to wine that has been donated from the participating wineries.

Presale tickets $12.00

Tickets are $15.00 at the door

Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, 5 sampling tickets, a tote bag & the wine festival program

Taste of Home Cooking School

When the Holiday season kicks off, I get the urge to cook.  I want to have people over and prepare warm, comfy food that makes your tummy happy.  I start breaking out the cookbooks and making shopping lists.  Tis' the season to try new foods, and new cooking techniques.  KIX 95.3 must agree with me, because tonight, November 1st, KIX is presenting the "Taste of Home Cooking School" at the D&R Theater. 

Sitting in this spacious theater, participants will be privy to live cooking demonstrations by Culinary Artist Kristi Larson.  Each year Taste of Home picks 10 recipies from their fall magazine to showcase at their cooking school demonstrations. Those who attend the school tonihgt will get to see each of these recipies made and take home goody bags with the recipies inside. 

Vendors and prizes will be available to peruse and win. 

The Doors will open at 5pm and the show starts at 6:30.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

7th Street movie schedule available at 7thstreettheater.com

Memorize to save the books you love

I have always been a huge proponent of the public library.  Nay-Sayers for years said that the printed word is becoming obsolete, no need for books when we have computers.  This statement makes me cringe.  And no, I am not going to launch into a rant on how 'I love the feel of a real book, the smell of the pages, the weight of it', because, I too own a digital reader.  It isn't the same though, is it book fans?  Sure you get titles instantaneously and can change books in the blink of an eye, but its just not quite the same.  I think I pinpointed why on my last trip to the used book store. We use media on an almost daily basis.  Sitting in a Dr.'s office we check Pinterest and Facebook.  Shopping at the grocery store our lists are digitized and we look for recipes on the Internet, not in a cookbook.  There is so much media around us every day that sitting down to read a book on a digital reader is not as special, it is just an everyday "task".  Timberland Reads Together has put together and event that highlights what is special about the books we choose to read.

"Timberland Reads Together (TRT) is an annual program of the Timberland Regional Library District that promotes and celebrates reading and community. One book is chosen each year that has widespread appeal across various interests. Everyone in the five-county library district is encouraged to read the book and to attend free book discussions, author presentations, live performances and programs throughout the month of October at local Timberland libraries and other venues."(www.trl.org)

Tonight, at the Aberdeen Branch, the public can become a talking book.  Let the conversation begin with other book lovers about which book you would choose to memorize to save it from the censor's fires.  What books do you want to save for future generations?  Participants may read or recite from memory a short passage from the book of their choice. All readers are welcome to attend, whether they choose a title or not.  The books that are discussed will be used to construct a library of titles to save for the future.  Octobers TRT was Fahrenheit 451, a title often subjected to censorship.

Music Monday: Monster Mash

Last minute costume? Shop Local!

From the state of my Facebook feed, it seems that there are many, many, many Halloween procrastinators amongst us when it comes to shopping for a costume.  Every other post for the past week says something similar to the following; 

"Totally have a party tomorrow and have no idea what to dress up as! 
Maybe I should just go as a cat...again."

This is just not acceptable harborites.  We have got to use our imaginations when it comes to the last minute Halloween costume.  Especially when we don't want to spend an inordinate amount of money at (ugh) Halloween overpriced City.  Our solution here at GoGo?  Shop our local stores for items that you can use even after Halloween to make a kick-butt costume that wont break your budget.

Lets start with our beloved local Dennis Co.  While wondering the aisles on a random Tuesday a few weeks ago, a friend and fellow blogger noticed an entire wall of Boyscout pins, ribbons, scarves, belts and vests.  Talk about a treasure trove for last minute costume planning.  How easy to take a few patches and a vest and pair with a skirt or jeans and white sneakers for an instant costume!

Last weekend I was shopping in town for a new side table for my living room when I decided to stop in at the Variety Store in Elma for some fabric for pillows.  Walking in this establishment is like taking a step back in time to the variety stores of the past.  They literally have EVERYTHING you could ever need for your home and you life.  As far as costumes ideas are concerned, the only thing i could think of is grandma..But in the spirit of Halloween dressing as grandma is just not enough, so I have a few options for you.  The Variety store has gardening supplies and big floppy hats.  Pair this with a pair of capri pants and a over sized button up shirt and presto... Martha Stewart.  Secondly, how about an ensemble costume.  Go for Little Red Riding Hood, The Big Bad Wolf and, you guessed it, Grandma.

Hometown feed is a frequent stop on my errand runs, our dog is a super demanding puppy and I love buying dog bones to keep him occupied.  Walking around this store, several costume ideas come to mind.  First, dog collars, cat collars.. you could go the traditional route and dress as an animal, or use one of the dog beds, cut open, as a potato!

Harbor Saw and Supply is my ultimate place for a costume that can double in your everyday life.  How about the Brawny Paper Towel Man!  You all probably have a pair of jeans hanging out in your closet and since you live on the harbor, I am going to assume here that you have a pair of work boots hiding out in the garage.  Pick up a flannel at Harbor Saw and some paper towels at Swansons and Presto! Insta-costume.



Haunted Harber Events

I was sitting at work yesterday was working very diligently yesterday morning, contemplating exactly what to write about Halloween that hasn't been written one million times before.  You see dear harborites, this holiday and I have a rocky relationship.  As a kid, I loved playing dress up.  I loved being on stage and transforming into a character.  On the other hand.. As an adult, I loath the scary, hate the horrid and am squeamish about the gory.  That is why I like to embrace the 'little kid' aspect of Halloween.  The cute princesses, the strong superheros, the adorable bunnies, and not the creepy zombies, bloody axe murderers, and blood sucking vampires.  Fortunately for those of you reading this (you are out there reading this, right?), I am among the minority when it comes to embracing the macabre aspects of Halloween. If you are in the majority of the population and love the fun escape that this holiday provides then starting this weekend the harbor has a vast array of ways to celebrate both with the little ones and without.

Lets start with Haunted Hoquiam.  In addition to the 7th Street Theater's showing of Poltergeist on Friday the 26th and Saturday the 27th, Hoquiam has cooked up a whole host of events on Saturday to delight the Halloween craving masses. Businesses in Hoquiam will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters from 1-3pm on Saturday (you can find a map of the businesses participating here), which also includes the locally famous Haunted Lobby!  If you plan on gorging yourself on candy and treats and want to do so guilt free, make sure you register for the Haunted Hoquiam Fun Run.



Aberdeen is also hosting their annual Downtown trick-or-treating with businesses on Heron, Wishkah,  and adjacent side streets.  This will go from Noon - 2 pm.  During the downtown trick-or-treat, Aberdeen Parks and Recreation will be hosting a Halloween Spooktacular on 102 West Wishkah (next to Pizza Hut).  Bring the kids in for a costume contest and more!

Elma is also jumping on the Downtown Trick-or-Treating by handing out candy at the visitors station on Halloween night from 3-6pm October 31st!  Treat bags will be available for the first 250 kids and Treat route maps will help parents shuffle their kids around the neighborhood scaring up goodies.

Makarenko Park in Cosmopolis is hosting the Relay for your Life Zombie Run on Sunday October 28th.  Registration starts at the spooky hour of 5:30 and the race starts at 7 pm.  Costumes, while not mandatory, are encouraged!  Even to someone like myself who is not into the undead, this event sounds fabulously spooky.