Ephrata going chrome
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 5 months AGO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | July 19, 2024 3:10 AM
EPHRATA — The cars — and trucks, and motorcycles, and whatever else — will gleam in the sun again Saturday at the Anything with Wheels Show and Shine car show.
This is the show’s 13th year, according to Rita Witte, director of the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the show.
“It's evolved,” Witte said. “We started with probably about 75 people, and the highest we've had is about 150.”
Witte wasn’t sure how many entries there were this year, because while some vehicle owners register online, others prefer to go old school and fill out registrations in person at the chamber office, she said.
The “anything with wheels” part is for real. Any kind of vehicle is welcome at the show, Witte said.
“We have rat rods, we have Bel Airs, motorcycles, just all kind of things.”
Vehicles can be registered online for $25 at the chamber’s website, www.ephratachamber.org.
C Street will be closed from First Avenue Northwest to First Avenue Southwest, Witte said, and Division Avenue from Basin Street to the alley behind D Street across from the courthouse, Witte said. Along with the vehicles, there will be food and craft vendors set up around the area, she added.
Judging will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Witte said. There’s also a Kids Choice prize, where children get to pick their favorite car, and a poker walk, where attendees stop at five stations to build up a winning poker hand.
Entrants will receive a goodie bag with gifts and coupons from local businesses, Witte said. Each entrant will also be entered in a raffle to win a washer and dryer valued at $1,500, donated by Moore Furniture. Attendees who aren’t showing a vehicle can also buy a raffle ticket for $1, Witte said.
Weather for the event is expected to be in the triple digits, but plenty of cold drinks and cool cars will be on-hand to offset the weather.
Joel Martin may be reached via email at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
‘Our favorite time of year’
Shop with a Cop brings smiles to both children and officers
MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “The first day we put it out, I think we got 20-some people say ‘Yeah, we’re in.’ That's just under half the department right away.“
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas:
Chimney maintenance is essential for safety
MOSES LAKE — With Christmas just around the corner, lots of folks are using their fireplaces for warmth, roasting chestnuts or just a pleasant atmosphere. But before Santa pays your chimney a visit, you should make sure it’s in good working order. Chimney fires are responsible for more than three-fourths of residential building heating fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Regular inspections and cleaning are the best way to prevent that, said Michael Harper, known as The Chimney Guy. “If they’re using (the fireplace) aesthetically – date night, Christmas, New Year’s, show-off times, something in the background here and there, (they should) have it inspected once a year for peace of mind,” Harper said. “If they’re using it two to three days a week religiously through the winter months, they need to have it cleaned once a year.”
