BASIN EVENTS: Aug. 7-15
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 1 week 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. | August 7, 2026 3:10 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — We’ve made it to August, and there are things going on all over the Basin. Here are some chances to get out and about.
Aug. 7
Coffee and Conversation
Every other month, the Downtown Moses Lake Association hosts a different presentation from employees or business owners in Moses Lake. This is open to the public, and the coffee is free. 8:30 a.m. at the DMLA office, 205 S. Division St., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected] or 509-770-1700.
Aug. 8
Cloudview Summer Festival
A laid-back celebration of summer with vendor market, photos and kids’ activities. $5 for adults, children free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cloudview Farm, 17305 Frey Rd, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-2504.
Aug. 11
Car Seat Check
Make sure your little one is riding safely. Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will inspect your child’s car seat, help ensure it’s installed correctly and answer your questions. No appointment needed; just bring vehicle, car seat and child. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Health Association. 3-5 p.m. at 520 Government Road, Mattawa. Info: CBHA.org.
Heritage Garden Class
Learn about native plants, pollinators, and creative garden ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this class will offer valuable tips, education and inspiration. Hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake and Columbia Basin Conservation District. Free registration at https://bit.ly/HeritageGardenClass8-26. 5-6 p.m. at 903 W 3rd Ave, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4030.
Aug. 14-15
Summer Cleanup
Mattawa-area residents, including Beverly, Schwana and Desert Aire can dispose of tree and bush trimmings, appliances, furniture, and other unwanted junk. Cost ranges from $5 for a small trailer load to $40 for a vehicle with a large trailer. Tires will be accepted for an additional cost. One load per residence and proof of residency will be required. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 710 First St., Mattawa. Info: www.cityofmattawa.com.
Aug. 15
Arts Quest
Arts Quest is an interactive arts adventure where creativity takes center stage. Designed for all ages, Arts Quest encourages participants to explore, create, and discover new artistic skills through fun, hands-on activities. Hosted by Columbia Basin Allied Arts and the Moses Lake Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave, Moses Lake. Info: www.cba-arts.org.
Live Music: Flowers for Wolves
Flowers for Wolves is a harmony-driven acoustic duo blending the soul of modern country, the storytelling of indie-folk and the grit of Americana. 8 p.m. at Tower Pizza and Sunworks at Crescent Bar, 8995 Crescent Bar Road NW, Quincy. Info: 509-787-0102.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG); The Odyssey (R); One Night Only (R); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); Super Troopers 3 (R); Toy Story 5 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Minions and Monsters (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); The Odyssey (R). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Minions and Monsters (PG) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Acoustic duo Flowers for Wolves will perform at Tower Pizza in Crescent Bar Aug. 15.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.”