Hey There, Buckaroo

Name: Cowpoke Wrangler Buckaroo

Where Do You Live: Elma, Washington

Profession/Day Job:  a hired hand who tends cattle and horses at a ranch

Loyal To: Buckaroo Days! September 22 in Elma!

Best Harbor Moment: Chili/Salsa Cook off
Cash prizes: Chili Category:

• First Place - $250
• Second Place - $100
• Third Place - $50

Salsa Category:

• First Place - $100
• Second Place - $75
• Third Place - $50

Elma Feed & Farm Supply, 2nd & Martin Street

Cost: Tickets available for $1 each to be used for sampling.
The Chamber will provide sampling cups to each contestant for serving

Favorite Festival: Buckaroo Days in Elma, Saturday September 22

Favorite Local Business: Elma Chamber of Commerce,  Elma Feed and Farm Supply, Guesthouse Inn and Suites, Les Schwab Tire Center, House Brothers Construction, and Puget Sound Railroad (the sponsors)

Grunge, Metal or Country: The music of Momma at the Beer and Wine Festival following the daytime festivities at Guesthouse Inn and Suites of course.

Beach, Forest or River:  Saturday on the Harbor at Buckaroo Days September 22

Favorite Outdoor Adventure: Elma, Saturday!  Enjoying events that include a grand parade, a chili cook off, a "fun" dog show, a bouncy house, kiddy cowpoke games, a Cowboy jail and mutton busting!

Define the Harbor in One Word: Fun events and great people!

If You Could Change One Thing About the Area, What Would it Be: A packed crowd this Saturday at Buckaroo Days in Elma!

Grays Harbor's Best Kept Secret: Beer and Wine Fest with wine samples from Westport Winery and beer Samples from Westport Brewery from 4-9 p.m. at the Guesthouse Inn in Elma!  If you want to spend the night use the codeword "Buckaroo" for a discount!

30 Miles of Junque in Westport this weekend

With the success of shows such as American Pickers, Auction Hunters and of course the classic Antiques Roadshow we really do have the feeling that one persons junk is another persons treasure.  All you have to do is rummage though someones hardly used barn and 'poof ', you can find that one of a kind bicycle that was only made for one year and you could never find replacement parts to.  Whatever your skill level in the art of 'picking', this weekend there are 30 miles of treasure to look through on the 30 Miles of Junque highway from Westport to Tokeland and Ocosta.  Looking for sea glass?  You just might find some hidden in a garage sale on this beach highway.  How about a buoy or two?  That perfect end table for your living room?  What about a used book that you have always wanted to buy?  The 15th annual garage sale that gets drivers off the main road and exploring the hidden wonders of the beach highway is the place for all treasure hunters this weekend. 

9 a.m to 5 p.m. on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th.  Some might call this an extravaganza of a weekend, and if you are into bargain hunting it is sure to please everyone young and old.

application

Interested in participating?  Do you live in the area and have noticed your garage filling up with unwanted items that someone else might find a use for?  Sign your site up or get a group together and sign up your block by clicking the above link for the sellers application.  Only $15 dollars and you can have your site on the 8,000 maps to be handed out to business in the area.  The only requirements of participation are that you list the top five things that your garage sale can bring customers and remember, nobody loves a mooch! 

Contact the Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce for more information at 800-345-6223.

Summer weekend at our Beaches

Westport is for surfers, it is a place for food lovers and whale watchers and summer fun.  This weekend it is the place to be for art and entertainment.  The 15th annual Westport Art Festival is August 18th-19th and with the weather promising to be in the 80's it should be a beautiful weekend to get a little culture and soak up the rays. Check out the list of vendors and juried art booths here.

If you happen to head to Grayland this weekend you are not going to want to miss the Jet Ski competition sponsored by Wishkah River Distillery.  The Grayland Open starts August 17th with a rider clinic and continuing with competitions throughout the weekend.  You are going to want to stick around for the BBQ, music and free entertainment.

When sipping wine is more your speed, visit Ocean Shores this weekend for

the Grapes, Paints and Prints Festival.  Sipping Serendipity and the Creative Light Gallery are hosting this vintage festival in their parking lot on Saturday, August 18th starting at 1 p.m..  Enjoy the wine and art while breathing in the beach air.

Summer Music Festival

So much music, so little time!  End the summer on a high note out at the beach!

Seabrook is bringing the music to our warm summer nights. 

Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12

Seabrook's is hosting their first annual Summer Music Festival!

Starting with music at Mill 109 on Friday evening and continuing with live music on every street in Seabrook on Saturday. Saturday performances include Tom May, Jim Sanders, Oliver Mulholland, Peter Jordan, and John Basker.

The Dusty 45s from Seattle are the headliners on Sunday and will be playing on the Village Green.

Mill 109's wonderful food is the highlight of a cookout with hot dogs, burgers, and a Beer Garden!


photo courtesy of Seabrook Blog

Saturday

Event Stage

12-1:30pm - Oliver Mulholland

1:30-3pm - Jim Sanders

3-4:30pm - Tom May

4:30-6pm - Peter Jordan

Mill 109 Restaurant & Pub

6:30-9pm - John Baker

Sunday

Mill 109 Restaurant & Pub

11-3pm - Cronin Tierney

3-5pm - The Dusty 45s

August 4th brings Hot Rods and Wine to Grays Harbor

You could be celebrating Mustard Seed day, a popular August 4th holiday, or commemorating President Barack Obama's Birthday, also Saturday.  Jeff Gordon of Nascar fame will also be celebrating a birthday tomorrow.  August 4th is National Coast Guard day, as it is the day it was founded, a day that it shares with Chocolate Chip day!

You could be doing any of these things tomorrow, however I know that I will be checking out the Heat on the Street in Elma and the Wearable Art and Wine Festival in Ocean Shores.



photo courtesy of Elma chamber of commerce



photo courtesy of Beach Fairy Events



Heat on the Street is in its fourth year and seems to be growing by leaps and bounds each event.  Classic cars for as far as the eye can see, and with the weather promising to be close to 90, the heat will be out and shining off the paint as the cars line up for a shine and show from 9:00 am to 3:00 on August 4th.

With 15 wine vendors participating in the Wine festival at the ocean shores convention center on Saturday there is sure to be a vintage for everyone.  The festival is hosted by Beach Fairy Events, and the Wearable Art fashion show is the highlight of the event.  Walking art that you can showcase as clothing is such a fun and unique way to approach an art show.

However you celebrate August 4th make sure you get out and explore the great events in our wonderful county!

Friday Five: Anatomy of a Sailor

The pirate of yesteryear is quite different from those modern pirates of today.  You may be surprised to find out that some of your co-workers are pirates.  They live a double life, and use the rules of modern piracy to balance and lead their lives.

A quick search for traits of a pirate comes up with many hits, my favorite being PiratesvsZombies.org.   Th' "New" Pirates: Traits and Characteristics post is by far one of the best (in my opinion) maps of this new generation of pirates.

In honor of the Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze this weekend (June 22-24) in Westport, I find it only mo'r th'n fittin to highlight the characteristics of the mo'drn pirate!

Do today's pirates keep a parrot? Have a peg leg? Bad teeth? An eye patch? Beards?  Where did these images come from? 

1. The image of today's pirate hark ens back to the old days.  The beard is a must not only for the rugged appearance but for the sheer reason that when working days on end on the Tall Ships, shaving is just not a priority!

2. Today's pirate is part of a community, much like a family.  The captain is in charge of his crew, much like he/she takes charge of their life.  A ship is a disciplined place and most pirates practice this discipline in their own lives.

3. Those who sail the tall ships do have their own language.  To see a glossary of terms click here.

4. Pirates and sailors be explorers! On the sea or in life, a pirate is adventurous.  They are often the forward thinkers in a company.  Shaking things up and moving a business toward the future.

5.Pirates and sailors of tall ships today are certainly not the scoundrels of the past, more like privateers who are commissioned by the government, pirates today are fun loving lighthearted women and men who have a true calling with the sea. 

Get to know your local band: Nicholson Keaton!

Catch Westport locals Nicholson Keaton at the Mermaid Deli and Pub every 2nd and 4th Friday and acoustic sets on Sundays

 Who's in the band and what do they play? (Left to Right)Steve Jay bass/vocals Lonzo Tackett drums David Anderson guitar/vocals. (EARMUFFS)

Where did the name come from? The name came from the 1989 Batman movie (Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton).

How long has everyone been playing? We all started in the 4th grade. (Interviewer note: I can't prove this is Nicholson Keaton but I also can't prove it isn't Nicholson Keaton.)

Who are your top five influences?

What's your favorite song to play?

Where can we keep up to date with you? We are the Mermaid Deli and Pub's house band, Mac's Tavern and on our Facebook Fan Page.

Camp The Harbor!

Memorial Day weekend is coming up and you know what that means: it's stylish to wear white pants again! Oh, and it's the official kick off of the camping season.  If you haven't yet pulled out your trusty blue tarp do so now and start packing your camping gear because true to tradition, the weather for this weekend is looking iffy at best. Actually, if you haven't already made reservations to camp at a formal campground by now, you're most likely going to be camping in your backyard - everyone it seems, is heading out to the Harbor's best campgrounds this Friday to celebrate the unofficial start to summer.

But even if you end up spending Memorial Day weekend "camping" in your backyard, there's still an entire summer ahead of you to enjoy all the close-to-home camping opportunities. Have you camped locally before? The great thing about Grays Harbor is that our terrain is so versatile you can camp nearby and feel worlds away- beaches, lakes, rivers and forests all offer you the chance to reconnect with nature without ever really leaving home. Here are some options for you to consider; go ahead and mark a weekend on the calendar now and make your reservation ahead of time (yes, camping is so in-demand these days that reservations are needed at most places):

If you love falling asleep to the soothing sound of waves and waking up to the salty sea air, try the following beach campgrounds:

Pacific Beach Campground: On the northern end of Grays Harbor's shores, this campground is open year-round for those willing to brave the cooler months. You can even have fires on the beach!

Ocean City Campground: Just north of Ocean Shores, this campground is also year round and offers not only your typical beach activities, but is also a great place to view migratory shorebirds.

Twin Harbors Campground: On the Westport end of our shores, this park is open in its entirety from June 16- October 31. 

If you're looking for a really quick trip that still gets you in touch with nature, try one of the following two very local parks:

Lake Sylvia

Lake Sylvia State Park: Located in Montesano, this is a great place for a one-night stay if that's all you have time for. The camping is still excellent despite its proximity to the city and there's plenty of hiking, fishing and outdoor activity to keep you occupied.

Schafer State Park:  Ok, just outside of Grays Harbor, Schafer is technically in Mason County. But it's such a great camping location along the Satsop river, it has to be mentioned. It's also a very close camping option for those living in East County.

If you'd rather enjoy the Olympic National Forest and all its versatility, try the following:

Lake Quinault Area

The Pacific Ranger District of the Olympia National Forest maintains four campgrounds around Lake Quinault that allow you to take in the rain forest at its finest. All are first-come, first-served campgrounds.

Coho Campground at Wynoochee Lake: My personal favorite campground locally. I remember visiting this campground frequently growing up. I even blue-tarp camped there with a group of friends like a true Washingtonian on the 4th of July weekend in 2008, 7 months pregnant and all! This campground is a bit tricky - it's a long (bumpy) drive to get out there and its still your traditional first-come, first-served campground so head out on a Thursday just to be safe!

Some things to keep in mind when planning your camping experience:

-Reservations really are recommended whenever possible. You don't want to disappoint your family by getting all the way out there and seeing "Reserved" notes on every spot that is sitting empty. I've been there- and slept in the car, in a parking lot, as a result. All State Parks are reserved on their website. Olympic National Forest campgrounds are, unfortunately, still first-come, first-served.

-You will need a Discover Pass if you are visiting any State Park this summer. It's $30, and you can get it here or at any place that sells hunting/fishing licenses.

-Bring a blue tarp! You know how the weather can be.

-Respect burn bans and campfire rules. Some campgrounds, like the beaches, may only allow campfires on the beach and not at the campsite. Other times, a burn ban may be in effect because the weather's just been too nice for too long (it happens!).

-Have fun, enjoy nature, run wild! Just remember to keep all your trash to yourself so that those after you can enjoy the beauty too. Take pride in the fact that these beautiful, scenic areas are in our community and people come from all over the northwest to enjoy them!

We've all been there. Living in the NW, there's no way to avoid it.

Driftwood Children's Theater Presents: Cinderella by Ruth Newton

Cue the wavy lines across the television screen circa 1990 Saved by the Bell when Zach would reminisce about a dream that he had, and lets travel back to my living room where in a pink plastic camping chair in front of the TV is a younger me (6 yrs old to be exact) glued to the magic of Cinderella.  I loved the music and I loved GusGus, as much as one can love an animated mouse!

Cinderella holds a special place in my heart and childhood and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Sara Henry, the Director/Producer of the Driftwood Children's Theater production of... drumroll ....Cinderella!

Sara, how long has Driftwood had a Children's Theater program?
Driftwood has had a "children's" theater program for 20+ years.  I got involved with Driftwood through children's theater over 20 years ago.  A few years ago the program faded into the background and then two years ago, I was offered the position of children's theater director.  (I accepted because I am crazy!) 

So, it is not a relatively new program! That is fantastic!

Who is involved in this weekends production and how are you involved?

I am the director/producer of "Cinderella" at McDermoth Elementary.  Alex Eddy is the musical director as well as having written the music and lyrics, Jerrod Phelps is the vocal coach, Anna Norkoski is the choreographer and Rhoda Norkoski is the pianist. 

From which school are the students who are performing from?

McDermoth PTO approached me last spring and asked if Driftwood, and me, would be interested in doing a kid's show there, instead of using Missoula.  I jumped at the opportunity because, not only is this a great opportunity for the kid's program at Driftwood, but it keeps it LOCAL!  Which is always a great thing!  The team began talking and meeting last summer to decide what show we would do.  Finally, in September, we decided to do Cinderella, by Ruth Newton.  

For those of us who are not familiar, Missoula Children's Theater is a traveling theater company that can be hired to come to your school and cast the students in a stage production.  However, as Sara said, it does not keep the Theater local, which makes what you wonderful people are doing so great!

Cinderella is a wonderful choice for a children's play. Will there be musical numbers as well?

We chopped up the script and told Alex "Ok, now turn what we cut out into songs!"  By mid-February we had a show!  

How long have these students been rehearsing?

We began rehearsing with the kids about 3 weeks ago.  It has been a lot of work with the kids in a very compressed amount of time.

Will other schools be able to participate in the future?

We have heard that other schools are interested but this is a full time job, and we as a team are volunteers and have spent countless hours outside of our other jobs (and all the other shows we do!) to do this, so we will have to be a little picky about what we choose to do next year.  Although, we would LOVE to do this again.  It has been such an awesome experience and a great opportunity for Driftwood!

Can you tell me the dates and times of the performance?
We open on Friday, May 11th at 6:00pm, have a show on Saturday, May 12th at 6:00pm and Sunday, May 13th at 1:00pm and it is FREE!  The show will take place at McDermoth Elementary.

Sara herself is an accomplished actor and I hope will not mind if we pull an old photo out of the vault from Grays Harbor College during her participation in the drama departments One Act Plays!

 photo courtesy of GHC

 

Ferris Bueller+Ballet+Auction+Art Walk

Bueller, Bueller... BUELLER!

There is something so wonderfully classic about watching a movie in the 7th Street Theater.  Now your idea of a classic movie may be Casablanca, however it could also be Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the eighties are classic...if you were born in the nineties!  If it is the latter you are in luck because this Friday and Saturday Bueller is playing on the big screen at 7th street.  Grab a friend, eat some popcorn and enjoy this cult classic. Don't forget your accordion.

If classic movies are not your thing, maybe some classical dance is more your speed.  I must refer you to our previous post by the wonderful and talented Britta.  She so artfully covered the production of Don Quiote that I surely cannot add anything but my own urging to go and see this wonderful Ballet!

The weather is supposed to finally treat us well this weekend, so it's probably a good day to head to the beach - and why not check out the Seabrook Art Walk? Hosted by the Washington State Artist Trust, they will have a full day of events (including a drum circle!!) on Saturday from noon to 8pm. Check out their facebook event for more info.

Hoquiam is bringing out its best this weekend with its Showing its best Auction this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. in the Hoquiam Masonic Temple. Tickets, which are $25 are available at Crown Drug in Hoquiam, and profits from all the items will go to support projects in Hoquiam.  I personally know that Grays Harbor Young Professionals will be there and so should you!

Grays Harbor Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo

This weekend is the second annual Outdoor Adventure Expo.

April 28th-29th.

Crew members from the deadliest catch.

Prizes and fun for the family.

Grays Harbor County Fair Grounds.

Eva Shockey of “Jim Shockey Hunting Adventures”.

Glen Hall of the fishing and hunting show “Hawg Quest".

Expo tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youths 6 -13, children 5 and under free.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Children are welcome to cast for prizes at Cabela’s Fishing Pond.

Having lived on the Harbor for most of my life, it is hard to convey to people who are not from our beautiful area just how important the surrounding wildlife is to our outdoor experiences.

I would even go as far as to say that most of us either are a hunter/fisher-person, or know someone who is, which usually translates into a freezer full of yummy fish and meat to smoke, grill and fry!

flyer courtesy of www.ghcfairgrounds.com/OutdoorExpo.

And don't forget to visit Local Magazine Horns and Hooks booth!

The Hills Are Alive!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens, Bright copper sleigh bells and hot yellow mittens, Round paper geese that fly with a string........ these are a few of my favorite things.... or something like that.

Haven't you just been dying to tear those old curtains off the window in your kitchen (ya know, the ones with the ducks looking at each other underneath a heart) and make some flashy new dress to wear out for a night on the town? ME TOO. The musical nun/nanny in my family got all of our clothes at Lamonts.

I'm sure you've been wondering exactly when you would finally be allowed to sing along in a public setting about your favorite things and some rare German bird called Eddelwiess... or is it a tree? Regardless, now is the time!

Or maybe you've always wondered what the heck happens to that musical Austrian family because, like me, you always stop watching the movie after the nun sings Climb Every Mountain because things kind of get a little dark and sad.

Well, the sad part is still in the movie BUT it won't be so bad when you've got all dressed up and stuffing your face with buttery popcorn at the theatre this Friday and Saturday night! Come out to the 7th Street Theatre for what will surely be an entertaining evening. The movie starts at 7:30pm both nights and Saturday will also include a costume parade and the Hoquiam High School to help lead everyone in singing along. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for youth. For more info on where to get tickets or to find lyrics to all of the songs, check out the 7th Street Theatre's website.

National Park Week 2012

It's a place to walk the dog, to have a picnic, to play outside and spend time with your kids, your family or just by yourself with a book, a fishing pole or a pair of running shoes.  (except for the kids part... sounds like many of my springs and summers here on the harbor!)

Photo courtesy of Nationalparks.org

National Park Week 2012 starts this, yes I repeat THIS, weekend April 21 and runs through the 29th.  Lucky Grays Harborites have so many parks to choose from, you could visit one a day and it would still take you more than a month to visit them all. 

State parks that usually require a Discover Pass are free all week.  Great news for those of us (ie: ME) who have not taken the short amount of time required to buy the $30 pass when we renew our tabs.

Even if the weather isn't the best, (which it is supposed to be sunny this weekend), our areas 9 state parks, 9 wildlife conservations, and the national park are still great places to visit in the drizzle and fog.  The natural beauty of each park is breathtaking no matter the weather.

Not to mention the hundreds of local city and township parks that are sprinkled in and around our homes and workplaces. 

A few years ago, my mom and I took advantage of one of the many National Park Weeks held throughout the year and hiked our local parks.  It not only felt great to be outside but it made me appreciate the beauty of the area so much more. 

A few suggestions for your exploration week:  If you happen to be headed out to the beach check out Griffiths-Priday, Bottle Beach, and Westport Light.

My personal favorites are Lake Sylvia and Friends Landing in Montesano.  But don't forget about Makarenko Memorial  Park in Cosmopolis.  The memorial park has trails that are perfect for running and soccer fields that are great for a quick pick up game! 

Heading to East County?  Shaffer State Park is beautiful and free this week!

I could continue to tell you about all the local parks we have, and the list would be long, but what I really want you all to do is to Picture yourself Outside!

Seafood and Music, does it get any better?

I am a self proclaimed foodie.. actually a term given to me by one of my college roomates! We were drawing names for presents for Christmas and she was discussing what kind of present would best suit us.. and I am getting way way way off track!  It is this weekend that offers a great opportunity to taste the food of our shores to my hearts content.

The Sixth Annual Razor Clam Festival takes place in the Ocean Shores Convention Center in Downtown Ocean Shores.  Begining at 7 AM, Saturday, March 24, 2012 with the Firemen's Pancake Breakfast and food vendors including many of our beloved harbor restaurants;  

Emily's, North Shore Grill, Alec's, Home Port, and Bennett's. 

Check out the entire list of vendors here

If that doesn't start your mouth to watering, how about the Clam Chowder Cookoff?

Or the specialty adult drinks at Galway Bay Irish Pub and the Pirate's Cove Pub?

I also mentioned music.. a local favorite for sure! Drumroll please!

Ericka Corban will be the featured performer throughout the day.

On top of the Scrumptious Seafood and the amazing vendors and music, attendees can bid on decorted clam shovels and kids can enjoy Uncle Stinky's Magic show and pony rides.

The Sixth Annual Razor Clam Festival ends at 4 pm.  Admission to the Festival is $3.00 per person, but children 12 years old and under will be admitted free of charge!
 

Photo by John Clark

Chocolate on the Beach

Chocolate on the Beach

Date: February 24, 2012 - February 26, 2012

Chocolate bake sale,

chocolate crafts,

chocolate cocktail throwdown,

chocolate cooking classes and recipies, and
chocolate vendors.  

The 5th annual Chocolate on the Beach festival is the place to be if your not so secret indulgence is chocolate.  Events including cooking classes sponsored by the Ocean Crest Resort and a new kid's event at the "Palace of Treats" (Pacific Beach resort Conference Center)

(not an actual representation of the Palace of Treats)

A third venue, the "Hot Cocoa Hall" at the North Beach Community Center has been added to hold all the new vendors.

This year's annual Chocolate Recipe Contest guest judges are The Culinary Madman, Jess Owen from the Ocean Crest Resort and Art Sanders from KOMO News Radio. Once the festival is over, recipes collected from the first five years will be made into a collector's cookbook.

Did I mention that tickets were only $5? However, on Sunday, ALL professional and volunteer fire, EMS, law enforcement and 9-1-1 operators are invited to bring a guest for FREE! This is the Festival Board's way of saying, 'Thank You!' to these extaordinary people.

Friday Five: Live Music! Bars Edition

I'd like to start off by apologizing to the editors of Go Go Grays Harbor. They assigned me the task of writing a Friday Five post about the notable animals of Grays Harbor. Asking me to write about animals is like asking a woodpecker to perform a rhinoplasty. It could be done, but it wouldn't be pretty and it wouldn't be neat. However, it would be enlightening- in a "we should NEVER let that happen again" kind of way. So I'm going to write about something I love- watching people get drunk and dance. Let's go!

1. Galway Bay Irish Pub (880 Point Brown Ave. NE. Ocean Shores. 360-289-2300)
Galway Bay has Irish music most weekends. They serve wonderful food and have a great alcohol selection (Guinness anyone?). When it comes to dancing, Galway is the tamest of bars on my list, but the sing-alongs are a hoot. The more you drink, the better they sound.


One Guinness.


Two Guinness.


Three Guinness.


You get the idea.

2. Quinault Beach Resort and Casino (78 State Route 115. Ocean Shores. 360-289-9466)
The casino is the biggest bar on my list. The lounge itself is reasonably sized but since its a casino, you can drink and smoke all over. I have played out here many of times with the Bruce Hughes Band. I have seen the best dancers and the worst dancers while playing in the Ocean Lounge in the casino. Everything from break dancing to ballroom, from the sprinkler to the worm. The folks who can and the folks who THINK they can. I've seen the old guy who asks all the young ladies to dance then looks innocent as he gropes them until the girls stomp off the floor in disgust (don't play dumb ladies- you've watched the guy pull this stunt all night). You know the person who is so drunk their idea of dancing is to hump EVERYTHING? I've seen that person in the lounge. A LOT. Bonus: the security is awesome- so go have fun!


Seen it.


Lived it.


Love it.

3. 8th Street Alehouse (207 8th St. Hoquiam. 360-612-3455.)
From the folks who brought you Galway Bay, its the Alehouse! The 8th St. Alehouse is in a small building. How small? 12 people and the place is hoppin'. 13 people and the place is packed! 40 people?! At that point, the fire marshall has to come over and notify the barkeep the place is over occupancy. But, as soon as the fire marshall walks in the whole place bursts at the seams! They have to rebuild every week. That's how I see it in my head anyway. Okay, maybe I understated the numbers. Its really not that small, but it is the smallest bar on my list. It's great to play at the Alehouse. You always play to a packed house and that feels good. Plus, they have open mic night! Sweet!


I'd like to play another Hanson tune for you.


And they're all in line for the bathroom.

4. Gepettos (126 E. Pioneer Ave. Montesano. 360-249-4445)
Gepetto's is a good place to get Italian food and it has a sweet bar too. Beer and pizza truly is a match made in heaven. Acoustically, its one of the best rooms on the harbor. The dance floor is front and center of the stage, with seating all around. If you get there early enough to get a table, there's not a bad seat in the house. Also a reasonably sized establishment, it fills up quickly which builds band confidence. If the crowd is having a good time, the band is having a good time and vice versa.


Hey Macarena!

5. NW Passage (617 W. Curtis. Aberdeen. 360-532-0161)
Also a good sounding room, the NW Passage has been a live music staple on the harbor for EVER. Seriously, since the beginning of time. I've seen some great dancing here too, but more in the "I can't believe they're dancing like that...in public" category. Some dance to the beat of a different drum. The kind of beat that puts countless shots of alcohol in your bloodstream and inspires you to move in gyrating motion, a la Pee Wee Herman. Not familiar with that beat? It sounds a little like this:



Go out this weekend!

This Weekend

If you can find your way out of the snow this weekend, check out these events!

Friday, January 20th:

Grays Harbor "Idol"
The search continues for the best talent in the area! Performances start at 8pm in the bar at the Quinalt Beach Resort and Casino.

Labyrinth
Watch this crazy old 80's movie starring David Bowie for only $5 at the 7th Street Theater in Hoquiam. And they have popcorn! Show starts at 7:30pm.

Saturday, January 21st:

Grays Harbor Wine and Seafood Festival
Eat and drink yourself silly at this event! Only $8 at the door and then you can purchase tokens to sample a variety of wines. And you get to keep the glass! It's all going down at the Satsop Business Park in Elma from noon to 9pm. More info here.

Labyrinth
In case you can't go Friday, check this movie out at the 7th Street on Saturday! 7:30pm. PS - It's directed by Jim Henson so there are puppet type things in the movie... exciting or scary? You decide.

Great Music for a Great Cause

Benefit show for Tabitha Kowal, Saturday, January 7th at the Moose Lodge in Montesano. Music by Humptulips. 9pm-1am. There will be auctions and other ways for people to donate. Sounds like there's going to be a HUGE turnout!

Donations for the family may also be made at any Anchor Bank location.

What's Happening This Weekend

Northwest Harvest Funds and Food Raiser
Top Foods, Aberdeen
Saturday, 7 am to 3pm
The Elks 593 Singers will be performing from 1-3, and King-5 personalities will be attending, taking donations. All donations received stay in our local communities. Team Harvest will also purchase more items to aid in our hometown effort.

Ho Ho Hoquiam Fun Run
Sponsored by City of Hoquiam
2 mile walk, 2 mile, 5k and 10k runs
Registration at 9 a.m. and run at 10 a.m. on Saturday
Begins in front of 7th Street Theatre
$5 without a shirt and $15 with a shirt

Santa Comes to Hoquiam
sponsored by Hoquiam Development Association
11 a.m. at Central Grade School
Free pictures with Santa

Cocoa Stroll and Festival of Trees
Sponsored by Tully's Coffee and Hoquiam Business Association
Saturday, 4-7 p.m. Downtown Hoquiam
Shoppers should register at Tully's Coffee beginning at 4 p.m. on December 3rd to receive their voting sheet. First 100 to register receive a complementary Ho Ho Hoquiam 2011 collectible ornament. Then stroll around Hoquiam with your complementary cocoa to view and judge the trees decorated by the businesses.

Christmas Tree Lighting
Sponsored by Timberland Bank
Saturday, 7:00 p.m. in the Timberland Bank parking lot

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
7th Street Theatre
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
$5 for adults and $3 for students
Moose mug raffle, moose mug punch bowl silent auction and Cousin Eddie look-alike contest (winner receives a moose mug!)