BASIN EVENTS: Nov. 7-15
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 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. | November 7, 2025 3:30 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — This week celebrates veterans, and there are several events honoring those who served. There are also holiday markets, live performances and much, much more. Here are a few possibilities:
Nov. 7-8
Piper Barn Show
A tradition for over 30 years, this holiday bazaar features more than 60 vendors offering handmade goods, home décor, vintage finds, clothing, gifts and seasonal treasures.The Ephrata Senior Center will take a busload there on Saturday leaving at 10 a.m. Admission $7 the first day, free after that. Lunch and dinner served daily. Noon-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at 1508 Road S SE, Moses Lake. Info: www.piperbarn.com.
Nov. 7-11
Christmas Market
Artisan vendors, festive classes and seasonal soups, coffee and selections from the grill. 4 p.m. at Seed Cupboard Nursery, 12543 Road H SW, Royal City. Info: 509-750-8911.
Nov. 8
Movies and Robots
Explore the world of robots on and off the screen! Participants will watch robot-themed movies, then bring the action to life by coding their own robots. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the George Public Library, 403 S. Washington Way. Info: 509-785-7043.
Operation Offroad
Off-road adventure in the Moses Lake Sand Dunes for local veterans and their significant others. A carne asada lunch will be provided. Sponsored by the Sand Scorpions and Forward Operating Base. Rides start at 10 a.m., lunch noon at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes ORV Park, 978 Sand Dunes Road. Info: 509-761-9742.
‘A Time for Peace’
Benefit dinner and auction for St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. 1960s/70s dress is encouraged. 5 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: saintroseschool.org.
Nov. 11
Coffey Anderson Veterans Day Concert
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, patriotism and community with a special Veterans Day performance by country music star Coffey Anderson. 7 p.m. at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. NE. Info: 509-787-2140.
Elks Veterans Dinner
Community event to honor veterans. $10 per person, free to all active-duty military and veterans. Lodge opens 4:30 p.m., ceremony 5 p.m., spaghetti dinner 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Elks Club, 217 N. Elder St. Info: www.elks.org.
Nov. 13-15
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Othello High School Drama Club presents William Shakespeare’s beloved story of young love, magic and comedic chaos. Admission $10, students with ASB $8. 7 p.m. at McFarland Middle School, 790 S. 10th Ave., Othello. Info: 509-488-3351.
Nov. 14
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.
Introduction to the Indigenous Art Form of Beading
Local indigenous artist Amanda Keewatinawin will host a workshop on the indigenous art form of beading and how to create your own beaded fringe earrings. Hand-curated kits and instructions will be provided for each participant along with a brief history of indigenous beadwork. Ages 18 and older. 5:30-8 p.m. at the Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-765-3489.
Nov. 15
Harvest to Holidays Market
Moses Lake Farmers Market off-season market. Fresh produce, holiday gifts, baked goods, handmade treasures and more. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial Building, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-237-2100.
Retro-Con
Power up your nostalgia at Retro-Con, the ultimate celebration of all things retro. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just love the classics, this one-day event is packed with vintage treasures and pop culture gems. Rare toys, video games, collectibles and more. Admission free for all ages. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Youth Dynamics Building, 106 E. Third Ave., Moses Lake.
Maria Pearson Book Signing
Local author Maria Pearson will be at The Bookery signing copies of her newly published children's book “Pumpernick Village: Miss Possibility Panda,” a heartwarming, magical tale about courage, purpose and following your calling. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Bookery, 1 Basin St. NW, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-5321.
Ukulele Jams
Ukulele jams allow you to learn or practice playing simple chords while singing along with instructor Jennifer McCarthy and other participants. Bring your instrument and desire to make music to the museum once a month and enjoy the benefits of singing and playing in a group. Don’t have a ukulele? The museum has a few on hand for you to borrow during class. No charge, ages 5 and up. 1-2 p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: Info: 509-764-3830.
Jacie Sites and the Nitpickers
Live music from Pendleton-based award-winning fiddler Jacie Sites and her band. Adults $5, kids 12 and younger free. There will be a hat-pass for the musicians. Refreshments served by the Georgettes. 3 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Black Phone 2 (R); Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc (Not rated — English dubbed or Japanese with English subtitles); Christy (R); Predator Badlands (PG-13); Regretting You (PG-13); Sarah’s Oil (PG) Stitch Head (PG); Tron: Ares (PG-13); Truth and Treason (PG-13). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Predator Badlands (PG-13); Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (PG-13); The Running Man (R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: One Battle After Another (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
An earlier version of this calendar gave an incorrect time for the Jacie Sites and the Nitpickers concert in George. It has been corrected above.
Country singer Coffey Anderson will perform a special Veterans Day concert in Quincy Tuesday.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.