BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 2 weeks AGO
Voting is still on through Dec. 23 for Light Up Columbia Basin. Give a shout-out to the best decorated homes and support Newspapers in Education, a program that puts the Columbia Basin Herald in local schools to ensure our youth have the media literacy they need to thrive.
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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 19, 2025 3:00 AM
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:
Dec. 19
Christmas Ornament Night
Children, tweens, and teens are invited to make their own ornament, enjoy some hot chocolate, watch a movie and create memories. 3:30-5:50 p.m. at Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-765-3489.
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. 19-20
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. 1-23
Light Up Columbia Basin
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. 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.
Dec. 21
Toy Swap
Do you have toys and books taking up space at your house, or need gifts for children because money is tight? Volunteers from Moses Lake Nazarene Church will get them set up and ready for families to “shop” for the perfect gift for their children at no cost. Gifts should be in ready-to-use condition. Church members will supply cocoa, cookies and some gift-wrapping supplies. Toys can be dropped off 2-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at Moses Lake Nazarene Church, 422 S. Balsam St., until the day of the swap. 3-6 p.m. at U Rock Ranch, 465 Road T NE, Warden. Info: 509-765-4343.
Ugly Sweater Christmas Party + Tamales
Complimentary tamales, beans, rice and chips while supplies last, and feel free to bring something to share. Wear an ugly sweater to be entered into raffles. 2-7 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
Dec. 23
Winter Drop-In Crafting
Take a cozy, creative break to enjoy seasonal crafts, explore new materials and techniques and sip complimentary hot chocolate as you create. Come solo or with loved ones. All ages welcome. No charge. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Dec. 26
Crafts of Questionable Quality
Family-friendly craft for children, plus a story to accompany the fun. 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-765-3489.
Dec. 27
Kitchen Sink Science – Bounceology
Make your own bouncy balls in this fun science class, where you will learn new things and investigate the science around you. All materials provided. Cost $11. Ages 6-12. 10:30 a.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13, 2D and 3D); David (PG): Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (PG-13); Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants (PG); The Housemaid (R); Wicked: For Good (PG); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: The Housemaid (R); Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13); Young David (PG). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Regretting You (PG). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Museum’s Rusty Mammoth sale tomorrow to be the biggest in years
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s annual Rusty Mammoth Sale is tomorrow, and it’s a doozy, according to Museum Superintendent Dollie Boyd.
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Pride meets taste buds at Greenpoint chili cookoff
MOSES LAKE — Greenpoint Technologies engineer Gary Neu walked away with $100 and some serious bragging rights at the company’s annual chili cookoff April 27. “My reliable meat pimps at Ernie’s (Quality Meats and Wine) came through for me again,” Neu said. His chili wasn’t very spicy, he said, just traditional. “Just a good, solid, basic chili,” he said. “I’ve learned through the competitions that you have to cater to a very neutral element … If it even looks hot (people) will run and hide. There’s bell peppers in there, so it’s got a good color, but it doesn’t really have much heat.” Greenpoint, a company that does custom interiors for private planes, has held chili cookoffs for its employees for years, but this is only the fourth year that the company has invited judges from outside the company. This year’s judges were all from the Port of Moses Lake: Executive Director Dan Roach, Facility Director Milt Miller, Airport Director Rich Mueller, Executive Assistant Bonnie Peterson and Commissioner Darrin Jackson.
CB Job Corps to hold open house Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Job Corps Center will hold an open house Wednesday, to show prospective students and their community what the program has to offer. “We’ll have all our training programs on display,” said Community Liaison Susan Mann. “We … have our construction trades – carpenters, plasterers, cement masons and painters – and computer networking, office administration, culinary arts.” Each program will have an interactive display to let attendees see what the program is all about.