Christmas Time is Here

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? It certainly is cold enough for it. Maybe this will warm you up.



Kris Orlowski lives in Seattle but has told me he has a lot of family in Aberdeen, so I felt he has enough Harbor street cred to get his video on this blog. You can hear more from Kris on his website www.krisorlowski.com.

And I certainly hope you are getting your Christmas sweater ready for our party next Thursday, December 22nd at the Harborena! You'll have the opportunity to meet new people and see old friends, hear some awesome tunes from a sought after house-party DJ (me), and eat some snacks! Just try not to fall down from all the excitement.



7pm to 9pm. Tickets are $10 at the door. Includes your skate rentals, snacks and beverages (of the non-alcoholic sort, but if you spike the egg nog we'll look the other way). Sorry kiddos, 21+ only. After party at a local bar (to be announced at the party).

Stay Local

The holidays are almost here! Check out these local spots for last minute gifts and entertainment:

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub (and Gift Store) - A restaurant gift card might be the way to go, but make sure you check out their gift shop. They have many gifts from Ireland including home goods, clothing, jewelry and accessories.

The Salty Dog at Seabrook - If you really want to spoil your dog, this is the place to go. Super cute dog toys, sweaters, beds and snacks.

Rosevear's Music Center - Splurge and get someone a new guitar or sign them up for lessons here. You will also find a variety of accessories and CD's from local bands.

Westport Winery - Buy a bottle of wine and some accessories to go along with it. Wine bottle openers, bottle stoppers, fancy napkins and glasses, and more. Also they carry scarves, books, delicious cheese and Rogue beer.

Jackson Street Books - This cute little shop has both new and used books in every genre. Why not grab a coffee to go at Tully's down the street and spend some time browsing?

Grand Heron & Waugh's Men's & Women's Store - For your fancypants friends out there, you'll find plenty of gifts for them at these shops and they are within one block of each other! Grab some new clothes and a few bottles of wine at Waugh's and head to the Grand Heron to make your home look as beautiful as you do.

Elk Head Tap Room - For the beer lover in your life, grab a growler full of whatever brew you prefer. And you get to try them all for free!

What are your other local places to do your gift shopping?

The Polson Museum

The Grays Harbor area's history might be fairly short, but this little area has gone through a lot in the last 150 years! I payed a visit to the Polson Museum on Sunday for their Holiday Open House. They warmed me up with their hospitality and hot apple cider then filled my head with a lot of interesting stories about logging history, Native American crafts and 100 year old photos, among other things.



Since I am a semi-professional HGTV viewer, I couldn't wait to see the layout of this mansion, built for the Polson Family in 1926. My home-gawking needs were more than fulfilled by this place. It is beautiful and maintains it's historical integrity, including a couple of closets full of antique clothing and a child's bedroom full of toys (although maybe if you have an irrational fear of dolls like I do, this isn't a room you'll want to check out - at least if it's dark).


If you are interested in the early history of Hoquiam and Aberdeen, they have a great deal of old photographs. I actually got to step into their offices (the old maid's quarters) to see the area where they archive old photos, some from as far back as the mid 1800's. I was told that they have digitized somewhere around 13,000 photos! I imagine that I could spend weeks in there just looking at all the old photos, but I held back and only spent about 2 hours there looking at old slides and learning more and more about what life was like back in the days of the logging boom.




The Polson Museum also has a lovely little gift shop where they sell a variety of local books, gifts and posters. They even have their own wine which they sell at Swanson's grocery!


The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4pm. There is a minimal entrance fee. Find out more about their exhibits and history on their website www.polsonmuseum.org.

It's Friday!

This seems to be the weekend for some holiday parties. Have fun!

Cat Power

I know how to solve the economic troubles on the Harbor. More cat videos!

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!)

Go Go Grays Harbor Flickr Pool

Go Go Grays Harbor Flickr Pool, a group on Flickr.

Hey Look! Now you can add your photos from Flickr to our Flickr Pool and share your photography skills with the world! Your photos could end up on the blog!