Hearts over Hoquiam

Someone is leaving their hearts all over Hoquiam this Valentines, and they want you to find them!

Uniquely painted wooden hearts, 20 in all, provided by the Harbor Art Guild will be placed in participating business around Hoquiam.  Participating customers are encouraged to seek out the local artist painted hearts starting Saturday, February 9th through Thursday, February 14th. 

Visitors to the participating businesses are encouraged to "hunt for the hearts" by using their cameras and camera phones.  Find a heart and post the photo to the Hop over to Hoquiam facebook page or post to Twitter and Instagram with the #heartsoverhoquiam.

  A random drawing from the submitted photos will result in a Take Your Honey to Hoquiam prize.

Hop over to Hoquiam is looking to create a truly memorable event for your Valentines week.  Remember that the hearts may or may not be in plain sight, they can be placed anywhere in the business, so make like Sherlock and search away!  Above all remember to have fun!

Bye, Bye Birdie

As a former choir student, I am a huge supporter of the arts on the harbor.  I know first hand just how difficult it can be to coordinate rehearsal schedules for a large group of students who are highly involved in many different commitments outside of the production.  That is why I must encourage everyone to go out this weekend and catch a performance of Bye, Bye Birdie at 7th Street Theater.

Put on by the Hoquiam High School Drama club Bye, Bye Birdie runs February 7,8,9 at 7:30 and February 10 at 2:00pm.  Step off the streets of Hoquiam and into small town Ohio to witness the event of the year as a rock singer makes his “farewell” television performance before he is drafted.

Adults $10, Students and Children $7

Tickets available at Harbor Drug, Crown Drug, Rosevear’s Music, HHS, and the door

Stormwatching in Grays Harbor: Winter adventure

If you have lived on the harbor for any number of years, you may have noticed that the section of your closet that holds your "camping clothes" or your "work outside clothes", grows exponentially faster than the summer section.  It is those fleece jackets, your down vests, the base layers of flannel and thermal, your smart wool socks, your knitted hats and hiking shoes and of course your rain shells.  It is the gear we wear here on the harbor to get around in the sloggy, soggy, dripping weather that descends upon us mid-November.  But, have no fear Harborites, there is a purpose for this winter weather gear, and it is out on the beach (or near the beach in a nice cozy cabin with double pane windows). 

The lure of the winter storms from November through March up and down the Cranberry Coast promises fantastic views and cozy rooms to watch the beaches light up with thunder and lightening.  With no shortage of rain forests, rocky jettys, beachfront property and significant rainfall during the winter months, our Pacific Northwest coastline is a popular winter destination for tourists and locals alike.  Typically a 'storm' is defined by the 55+ mph winds that whip up 20-30 foot waves.  The rocky shores of Westport provide views of great white crests that break on the rocks, while the sandy beaches of Ocean Shores showcase the power of the tides.

Storm watching has become so popular here that many local hotels that have beachfront views offer storm package deals ranging from several nights stays and dinner, to complimentary extras such as massages and free gifts.  A quick perusal of the coastal hotels gives me many ideas for future storm watching base camps.  For instance, Iron Springs Resort outside of Pacific Beach and Copalis boasts on their home page that it is the perfect time to watch the storms on our beaches, and offers 28 different cabins that are pet friendly with views of the ocean.

Vacations by the Sea, another favorite of GoGo Grays Harbor, has sweeping ocean views perfect for taking pictures of white cresting waves on stormy afternoons.

Take a winter vacation this year in your own backyard and catch a storm brewing off the coast, but remember to take the proper safety precautions such as; never turn your back on the ocean, stay on high ground (or in your room), always carry a cell phone for emergencies, and check tidal and weather forecast in advance.

1 Year for The Recipe Box

When you think about the course of events that can take place in the span of one year, it is really something to celebrate when one of our local start up businesses makes it to the one year mark.   

This Saturday, The Recipe Box, brain child of Stephanie McManus, has becoming the up and coming go-to for cake and coffee this side of the Hoquiam bridge, for the greater part of 2012.  February 9th marks the first anniversary of the "little bakery that could", and the staff wants to celebrate by thanking everyone for the encouragement and support. 

photo courtesy of The Recipe Box

Stop by the store on February 9th between 9:00am and 4:00pm for specials and deals that will make your Saturday sweet.  For starters it will behoove me to mention the free cake and coffee (hello! I said free) along with drawings every hour! (one entry for every $10 spent).  A fun trivia game will be running throughout the day with prizes and special deals every hour, including the following; 

9:00am-10:00am buy biscuits and gravy get second plate 1/2 off
10:00am-11:00am 50% off all espresso with purchase of $5+
11:00am-12:00pm Buy two get one free on all pastries/baked goods
12:00pm-1:00pm 2 for $4.00 homemade pizza and calzones
1:00pm-2:00pm 1/2 off sandwiches with soup
2:00pm-3:00pm Buy 1 dozen cupcakes/cookies get 1/2 dozen free
3:00pm-4:00pm Everything must go, all remaining treats discounted!!

This birthday party has it all, including rootbeer floats, orange floats and sundaes, because what party is complete without Ice Cream?

photo courtesy of The Recipe Box

After meeting with Stephanie, and listening to her story about her jump from fashion design to culinary school and how she ended up back on the harbor, to how serendipitous her eventual ownership of The Recipe Box turned out to be, I am a believer in the dream of the small business.  Come out and support one of our own as she celebrates the one year mark of The Recipe Box, at 2302 Simpson Ave in Hoquiam (at the base of the bridge). 

Mardi Gras and Garlic Festival

Looking for something fun to do today?  How about every Sunday in February?  The Westport Winery has anticipated your need to combat the "end of the weekend blues", and has brought back the Mardi Gras and Garlic Festival!

With Mardi Gras falling on Tuesday February 12 this year, you might be asking yourself, "What is the  Mardi Gras and Garlic Festival"?  

Starting today, February 3, and running every Sunday in February from 11-4 the Westport Winery (located on South Arbor Rd) is playing host to live music with the Electric Park Jazz Band.  Wine club members will receive a free wine tasting for both them and their guests, complimentary chicken and wild rice gumbo is available for everyone, and for $5 visitors may also sample wine handpicked for the festival.  Selections of mock tails will also be available including the wine Hurricane made in the New Orleans tradition. The garlic portion of the festival will also be well represented with a host of gourmet garlic selections for tasting. 

Come on out today starting at 11am, and remember, beads are an acceptable form of dress for this Mardi Gras occasion!

 

 

Support Music on the Harbor

Saturday is a big day for the music departments of Aberdeen and Hoquiam High Schools.  As a former choir member I understand the importance of supporting our local musicians and music departments.  Instruments, trips, sheet music, and costumes cost money and most of the expenses are covered by booster donations from the community.

Aberdeen High School Music Boosters is hosting an auction on Saturday February 2nd at the Rotary Log Pavilion.  For $10.00/person, your ticket gets you in the door to bid on fantastic items from local vendors and themed baskets with wonderful prizes.  Eat, drink and bid to help support the music programs at AHS.

Saturday is also the day Hoquiam High School has chosen to host the HHS Bank Spaghetti Dinner and Auction in the Hoquiam HS cafeteria.  Help raise funds to send the band on their yearly band trip by eating yummy spaghetti and bidding on baskets and items from around the community.

Both events support our local HS and our local students.  Can you think of a better investment for you time and money? 

Grand Re-Opening in Cosi

It is exactly what you have been craving.  A juicy patty of beef with endless options of toppings.  Fresh and crispy french fries.  An ice cold beverage, and terriyaki?  The grand re-opening of Maxi Burger in Cosmopolis is one day away and the new management is hoping to make January 21 a fantastic opening day.  If you are craving a juicy giant bite of yummy beefyness you must join the new crew as they grill up your burgers to order in the building accross the street from the Luna Rana coffee shop and eatery on first street in Cosi.