Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings: A salute to veterans on Nov. 11
The sixth annual Gig Harbor Veterans Day Celebration starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Gig Harbor Antique Aero Museum at Tacoma Narrows Airport.
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This year’s event will include a special ceremony commemorating veterans of the Vietnam War. United States military forces withdrew from Vietnam 50 years ago this year.
An image from the 2021 Gig Harbor Veterans Day event.
The keynote speaker will be Bill Reeder, a retired Army colonel and pilot whose aircraft was shot down in Vietnam in 1972. Reeder is a published author whose 2016 book, “Through The Valley, My Captivity in Vietnam,” recounted his ordeal as a prisoner of war. Reeder lives in the Kitsap County community of Seabeck.
Bill Reeder
Saturday’s ceremony also includes an “In Memoriam” slide show paying tribute to local vets who died this year. Send photos and biographical information about deceased veterans to [email protected] for inclusion in the slide show.
Admission to the Veterans Day event is free for veterans or $15 for non-veterans. Purchase tickets here.
PHS theater presents ‘Almost, Maine’
“Almost, Maine,” a critically acclaimed play by John Cariani, opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Peninsula High School.
The Peninsula High drama class presentation is the tale of a midwinter night in Almost, Maine, when the northern lights shimmer and town residents fall in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised, hearts are broken. But everything heals — almost.
Additional performances take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, with a matinee performance at 1 p.m. on Nov. 18. Tickets cost $20 for adults or $15 for students. Buy tickets here.
Holiday shopping
The Peninsula Guild’s annual holiday sale is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Nov. 17 at Timberland Bank, 3105 Judson St.
Proceeds from the sale support Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma. The sale features new and gently used holiday decorations and other items.
The 75-year-old guild also operates a thrift shop on Kimball Drive.
Book discussion
The Gig Harbor Literary Society will discuss “One Two Three” by Laurie Frankel at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Dr.
The book tells a story about corporate greed and environmental irresponsibility in a small town told through the voices of triplets Mab, Monday and Mirabel (One, Two and Three) and their mother Nora. The book discussion is open to everyone.
Music
- Kimball Coffeehouse hosts an open mic night starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Entertainers of all kinds are welcome to perform.
- Gig Harbor’s Budapest West plays at Kimball Coffeehouse starting at 7 pm. Friday, Nov. 10. No cover.
Budapest West
Wine tasting
Sample four locally produced wines from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Two Loons Winery. For every bottle of wine sold, the winery will donate $5 to Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank. The tasting lineup includes 2022 Roussanne; NV Cabernet Sauvignon; 2018 Merlot and 2017 Petit Verdot – all produced at Two Loons. The winery is located at 9422 22nd Ave NW.
Flashback
The Flashback Cinema movie at Galaxy Uptown Theatre at 12:45 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, is “A Christmas Story.” The flashback movie at 12:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, is “Gremlins.” Flashback movies cost just $5.
Civic engagement
- The Gig Harbor City Council will hold a virtual study session at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, to review proposed recipients of lodging tax grants and to discuss a lid lift of the current property tax levy. Click here to access the meeting via Zoom.
- The Gig Harbor City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street. The agenda includes revenue estimates for 2023-24 and the first reading of an ordinance on 2024 property taxes. Click here to watch via Zoom.