Big-screen TV expected to be big draw

MOSES LAKE - Santa Claus may have gone back to the North Pole, but he left his currency behind.

Columbia Basin residents get the opportunity to spend it tonight in the parking lot of the Columbia Basin Herald, located at 813 W. Third Ave., when the newspaper holds its Santa Bucks auction.

The auction begins at 5:30 p.m.

"We have a big-screen TV, 42-inch," Herald Publisher Harlan Beagley said. "We have some trips, such as Coeur d'Alene, St. Joe River, some certificates, a dozen or more gift-like items."

Items also include tickets to events at the Gorge Amphitheater and tickets to Swing Kings, a concert performance offered by the Columbia Basin Allied Arts.

Beagley hopes those who attend the auction have a good time.

"I know they've spent a lot of hours collecting Santa Bucks over the last couple of months," he said. "Santa Bucks have no value beyond tonight. There's no purchase necessary."

Residents could test-drive a vehicle or have their vehicle serviced at any Moses Lake dealership - Moses Lake Family Auto, C&V Auto, Ponderosa Nissan, I-90 Auto Center and Discovery Ford - and receive $100,000 in Santa Bucks, or pick up $1,000 in Santa Bucks in their newspapers.

"The big question is whether or not we auction the TV off first, or some of the smaller items," Beagley said. "Last year, the TV was the big hit; everybody came for the TV. The TV pulled in almost $1 million (Santa Bucks) by itself. So I would expect the TV to go for no less than a million this year."