BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 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.
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
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.