Get Out: Weekend Planner, Sept. 23-25

It’s Thursday and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Gig Harbor Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-with-work, get-me-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new establishments to explore.

• Where/When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 at .
• Why Go:  Learn how to satisfy your sushi cravings at home for a fraction of the price of eating out. Learn the basics of the Japanese art during this cooking class at Bella Kitchen Essentials. You'll start by learning how to prepare perfectly seasoned rice and popular roll fillings, then create your own rolls and traditional starters.
• Cost: $75, register here.

• Where/When: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday at the Puyallup Fair Grounds.
  
• Why Go: It's the last weekend of the Puyallup Fair. So grab your friends and family and head to Puyallup for all the attractions you'd expect, plus a few extras. Activities and entertainment include animal shows, grange displays, home arts cooking contests and quilts, Hobby Hall, floral designs and rides, including the new thrill ride, Vertigo. And don't forget about all that !
• Pricing: Admission ranges from $9 to $11. Kids under 5 are free.

• Where/When: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Uptown Gig Harbor Shopping Center (4701 Pt. Fosdick Dr.)
• Why Go: Join the Tacoma Glassblowing Studio at the Northwest Glass Pumpkin Patch this Saturday in the Uptown Gigharbor Shopping Center. The event will feature more than 2,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins crafted by local glass artisans. These glass art pumpkins are perfect for the autumn season, yet beautiful enough to display year-round. Come pick the perfect pumpkin for yourself or as a gift.
• Cost: Admission is free. Most Glass Pumpkins range from $35-$95 but there will many huge and specialty pumpkins that range from $100-$1,000. Tacoma Glassblowing Studio will be donating a portion of ALL sales to Kidstown International and other local non-profit organizations.

• Where/When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at .
  
• Why Go:  The and Galaxy Theatre have joined forces to help raise money for the Jaycox Gig Harbor Police Benevolent Fund by offering $2 family movies every Saturday through Dec. 10. This week's featured film is the family friendly Robots. Enjoy the show!
• Cost: Tickets are $2.

• Where/When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at .
• Why Go: Join Harbor WildWatch this Saturday evening for "Pier into the Night." Using submersible lights and scopes that illuminate the water, participants will have the opportunity to view the marine activity in Gig Harbor at night. You'll see darting plankton, pulsing jellyfish and feasting squid. There will even be Naturalists on site to answer any questions you may have.
• Cost: Free. Life jackets are available free of charge at the dock.

• Where/When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at .
• Why Go: The Gig Harbor Library is inviting any authors interested in publishing their work without a third-party publisher, as well as to currently self-published authors to this self publishing author event. The group will meet to share stories and advice. 
• Cost: Free. Authors who would like to sell books at this event may sign up through the Library’s online calendar.

• Where/When: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 24, at Rocky Creek Conservation Area, SR 302 at 150th Ave.
• Why Go: Show some love to the local parks by joining your neighbors for the National Public Lands Day. Participants will be clearing scotch broom, grooming trails and picking up litter to beautify the Rocky Creek Conservation area. Make sure to dress for the weather and bring labeled gloves, shears and other yard tools. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy after a hard day's work. The event is hosted by
• Cost: Free