BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 12-20
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
Dancers take to the air in a previous rehearsal for the Ballet Academy of Moses Lake’s performance of “The Nutcracker,” returning Saturday.
FILE PHOTO
Eastern Washington musician Darnell Scott will perform Dec. 20 at Millie’s Wine Bar in Ephrata.
The Marlin Handbell Ringers will bring holiday classics to the George Community Hall Sunday.
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. | December 12, 2025 3:20 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas out there, and there are holiday goings-on galore in the Basin. Here are a few things to make your spirits bright:
Dec. 12-20
Christmas Tree Sale and Toy Store
Pick up your Christmas tree and visit the Christmas rummage sale for clothing, toys, stuffed animals and decorations, including a dedicated area where children can purchase affordable new and gently used gifts for their families. 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at Generations Church, 431 E. Brown Ave., Moses Lake. Info: gcmoseslake.org.
Dec. 12-23
Vote for the best Christmas display on a home or business in the Basin, and support the Columbia Basin Herald’s Newspapers in Education program. Visit http://bit.ly/2025LightUpCB to vote at no charge.
Dec. 12
H.E. Gritman Senior Center Fundraising Breakfast
Enjoy a homemade breakfast of pancakes and sausage or biscuits and gravy and sausage. Cost is $7 and all ages are welcome. All proceeds go to support the activities at the Senior Center. 7-10 a.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’
The children of Mars are watching too much Earthling TV, so their elders kidnap Santa Claus in this 1964 campy classic film. Pre-film activities include a graham cracker house building station, cosmic iceball toss and more. Ugly sweaters encouraged. Free for the whole family. Presented by Columbia Basin Allied Arts. Activities begin at 6 p.m., movie begins at 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.cba-arts.org.
Celtic Christmas Celebration
Violinist Geoffrey Castle’s “Celtic Christmas” program will feature the Geoffrey Castle Celtic Band, Irish tenor Dan Connolly, singer Emily McIntosh, bagpiper Don Scobie and the Seattle Irish Dance Company. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-514-3849. 7 p.m. at the Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, on the Big Bend Community College campus. Info: www.ChristmasInWashington.com.
Dec. 12-13
Readers Theatre: ‘The Gift of the Magi’
Wahluke High School Drama presents the classic Christmas story by O. Henry. 6 p.m. at the Wahluke High School Library, 505 North Boundary Road, Mattawa. Info: 509-932-4477.
Dec. 13
Cocoa with Santa
Enjoy a hot cup of cocoa with St. Nick and the Moses Lake Firefighters. Children can tour the ladder truck and have photos taken with Santa. Donations of nonperishable food are accepted for the Moses Lake Food Bank. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Ashley’s Playground, corner of Fifth Avenue and Beech Street, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-2204.
Bells on Basin
Ephrata pulls out the stops for this community holiday celebration, starting with breakfast with Santa and finishing with a lighted Christmas parade. Activities for children and adults throughout the day. Sponsored by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. 509-717-0050.
Santa Paws Van-tastic Howliday
Luncheon and silent auction with food, drinks, door prizes and good company. Proceeds go toward Hands ‘N Paws shelter. 1-4 p.m. at Phoenix Family Farms, 2672 W Kuhn Rd, Othello. Info: handsnpawswa.org.
‘The Nutcracker’
The Ballet Academy presents the classic telling of a little girl’s Christmas dream. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/MLNutcracker25. 1 and 6 p.m. at Moses Lake High School Theater, 803 Sharon Ave. E. Info: www.balletacademyml.com.
Dec. 14
Gingerbread House Craft & Sip
Enjoy a fun holiday crafting experience with all supplies, including gingerbread, frosting, candy trim and instruction. It’s the perfect time of the season to make an edible holiday decoration. Wine pours and slushies are available for purchase. 1-4 p.m. at the Jones of Washington Tasting Room at Quincy Public Market, 1004 F St. SW. Info and reservations: 509-787-8108.
Marlin Handbell Choir
Experience the enchanting sound of 100 English handbells, bringing beloved holiday classics to life. The concert will conclude with a fun sing-along, inviting all to join in the festive cheer. Don’t miss this special holiday experience – perfect for family and friends to enjoy together. Admission is by donation. Cookie decorating at 1 p.m., concert begins at 3 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
Ladies Christmas Tea
Theme is “A Weary World Rejoices.” Appetizers, tea, and good conversation. Guest speaker is Pastor Bridget Bern of Spokane Bethel Church of the Nazarene. All ladies welcome. RSVP by Dec. 3 to [email protected]. 4:30 p.m. at Moses Lake Nazarene Church, 422 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-765-4343.
Dec. 16
The Brewer and the Baker Cookie Class
Turn star cookies into charming holiday characters and simple designs – Santa, snowman, elf and more. All ingredients and materials are supplied. Learn easy decorating techniques in this hands-on class and leave with a box of adorable holiday cookies. Fun, beginner-friendly, and perfectly festive. Hosted by Moore Brewing Company and Butterflies and Bumblebees Bakery. Pre-registration is recommended as seating is limited to 15 people. 6 p.m. at Moore Brewing Company, 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake.
Dec. 17
Bingo
Cards cost 25 cents each for each game played and all money is put back into the game prizes. 2-3:30 p.m. at H.E. Gritman Senior Center, 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
Create & Cackle
Do you like to make stuff? Do you have a unfinished project? Want to just hang out and finish a project? Just drop in, have a drink and a snack and create. Knitting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, perler beading, coloring, painting, origami or basket-weaving – the only limit is what you bring. Bring your own project and drinks/snacks and hang out with like-minded individuals. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
An Evening of Caroling
Join Othello Christian Church and Pilgrim Lutheran Church to sing favorite Christmas songs together and enjoy some guest performances. Light refreshments will be served afterward. 6:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 511 S. Seventh Ave., Othello. Info: 509-488-2208.
Dec. 18
Movie Night: ‘Overboard’
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell star in a hit comedy of amnesia, revenge and romance. 2 p.m. at Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C Street NW. Info: 509-754-2382.
Singo
Singo is a new and exciting musical spin on the traditional game of Bingo. Instead of listening for a number, players are listening to their favorite music. Each player receives a free Singo card printed with the titles of popular songs. While Singo randomly plays song clips, players can sing along and mark matching song titles on their cards. The first player to mark five songs in a row and to shout “Singo” wins the round. Admission is free and prizes will be awarded. 6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
Dec. 19
Doug Coutts
Enjoy new variations on jazz standards and more recent music from local saxophonist Doug Coutts. Wine, craft beer and hard cider available, as well as Cornfusion gourmet popcorn and local meats. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: 509-750-4193.
Dec. 20
Darnell Scott
Live music from the artist, sometimes called Eastern Washington’s best-kept secret. 4 p.m. at Millie’s Wine Bar, 114 First Ave. NW, Ephrata. Info: 509-449-3988.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Ella McKay (PG-13); Eternity (PG-13); Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (PG-13); How the Grinch Stole Christmas 25th Anniversary (PG); Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution (R, English dubbed or Japanese with English subtitles); Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (PG-13); Predator Badlands (PG-13); Wicked: For Good (PG); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Zootopia 2 (PG); Wicked: For Good (PG); Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (R); Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13); Young David (PG). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Bugonia (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Eastern Washington musician Darnell Scott will perform Dec. 20 at Millie’s Wine Bar in Ephrata.
The Marlin Handbell Ringers will bring holiday classics to the George Community Hall Sunday.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy National Night Out scales down
QUINCY — Quincy’s National Night Out was more compact this year, which worked out well, said QPD Sgt. Joe Westby, who’s in charge of event planning for the Quincy Police Department. “National Night Out is a big event, and the fact that we’re able to shrink it up is like a breath of fresh air,” Westby said. “If you're always doing the same thing, it's kind of nice to switch things up and see how it works.” National Night Out took place Thursday on the block of C Street next to the police station, a shift from previous years when it was held at Lauzier Park. The smaller space meant fewer emergency vehicles for children to explore, but it also meant less walking for attendees. Grant County Fire District 5 brought a fire truck, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office had a patrol boat. Renew, the Grant County behavioral health agency, had a booth and so did Quincy Partnership for Youth. Veterans Operation Creation sang the national anthem, and the Quincy Animal Shelter brought kittens that piled over each other making friends with passersby. As before, the QPD served grilled hot dogs.
Quincy Police retirements leave big shoes to fill
QUINCY — There are some big shoes to fill at the Quincy Police Department. “We’re losing 48 years of experience between them,” Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said at the retirement party for Capt. Jorge Trujillo and Det. Damon Powell Thursday. Trujillo, who grew up in Sunnyside, has been with QPD for 19 years, he said, coming on as a patrol officer fresh out of the military. From there he served as a field training officer, a detective and finally captain. “I consider him my left-hand man,” Green said. “He runs the operations side of the house … He knows the agency very well, and he knows the community.” Trujillo has some projects around the house to tackle now that he’s retired, he said.
Big fun on a small scale
Wheat Land Communities’ Fair opens Thursday
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair isn’t as big or as flashy as some of the county fairs around central Washington, but the folks who keep it going like it just the way it is. “It’s somewhere you can go and get an old-time traditional feeling, and you’re comfortable letting your kids roam the grounds and experience all that it has to offer,” said Board Member Lori Williams. “It’s more of a feeling than (one) specific thing,” The fair starts Thursday in Ritzville and runs through Sunday. Starting Friday, the 56th Ritzville Rodeo will take place alongside the fair at the rodeo grounds. This year the entertainment budget was expanded, Williams said, to be able to offer more fun that’s covered by the cost of admission. For the kids, there’s face painting, balloon art, Lego crafts, races, contests and games. Children can also ride on a little train towed around the fairgrounds behind a tractor.