BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months 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.
FILE PHOTO
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
Endless battle
Noxious Weed Control Board works to keep invasive plants under control
MOSES LAKE — Some of the nastiest plants in Grant County were the topic of a class led by Jay Johnson, a consultant with the Grant County Noxious Weed Control Board, Tuesday. The Noxious Weed Control Board, as its name would suggest, is tasked with keeping weeds under control in Grant County. That’s not a small job; the board’s website lists 129 species of noxious weeds that are found around Grant County. A noxious weed is defined as an invasive, non-native plant that threatens agricultural crops, local ecosystems or fish and wildlife habitat, according to the Noxious Weed Control Board. Washington state law requires that these weeds be identified and their spread kept to a minimum, if not completely eradicated. “We’re one of those agencies a lot of people don’t really understand,” Johnson said. “We’re a county office and … our funding is tax-based assessment. When you get your tax bill and you look down at all the expenses that you pay for, there we are.”
BASIN EVENTS: Oct. 16-24
COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you feel like shopping, crafting, learning or seeing a show, there’s something happening for you this week in the Basin. Oct. 16 ‘My Family (Mi Familia)’ screening Spanning three generations, “My Family (Mi Familia)” is a heartfelt drama that follows the Sánchez family as they build their lives in East Los Angeles. Through love, hardship, triumph, and sacrifice, the film explores the immigrant experience, the strength of family bonds, and the traditions that connect one generation to the next. Lowrider show and taco truck before the screening. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts, EDUBS C/S and the Moses Lake Creative District. $12 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m., film begins at 7 p.m. at the Moses Lake Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St. Tickets and info: www.cba-arts.org.
Moses Lake author encourages women to look beyond church culture norms
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake author’s book, “A Christian Woman Striving to Live Her Faith in a Man-Controlled World,” takes aim at the role to which many churches relegate the female half of their congregations. “It’s to encourage women in the faith,” Linda Curran said. “A lot of churches say, ‘Teach Sunday school, do this, do that, but don’t (evangelize.)’" In her book, Curran recounts a time when she moved to a new community and joined a church there. She was surprised to learn that, as a new female member, she had been automatically assigned church cleaning duties. When she questioned it, she wrote, she was met with condescension and her objections were brushed aside. In other churches, she said, women who were capable of teaching were relegated to “women’s ministry.”