BASIN EVENTS Aug. 14-22
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 2 weeks 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 14, 2026 3:20 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The third week in August is coming up, and we all know what that means: the Grant County Fair, Miner Services Demo Derby and Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo. But that’s not all that‘s happening this week. Check out these options.
Aug. 14
Cowboy Breakfast
Kick off Grant County Fair week with breakfast and Pee Wee Stick Horse Rodeo hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 7-10 a.m. at Moses Lake Elks Lodge, 217 N. Elder St. Info: 509-765-7888.
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.
Aug. 18
Know Your Rights
Free bilingual Labor and Industries workshop where you will learn about your rights as a worker and receive resources if you are facing workplace issues. 5:30 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Aug. 18-22
Grant County Fair
Carnival, livestock shows, entertainment, pro rodeo and more. Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.gcfair.fun.
Aug. 19
Create & Cackle
Join fellow artists, makers and creatives to hang out and finish that project you’ve been working on. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
Aug. 20
Mobile Market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families or while supplies last. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bethel Assembly of God, 915 S 1st Ave, Othello. Info: 2-harvest.org.
Aug. 22
Community Shred Day and Food Drive
Protect your personal information and support the Moses Lake Food Bank at the same time. Bring up to three boxes of documents to be disposed of securely. Bring a nonperishable food donation for the food bank and shred an additional box. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or until the truck is full, at Solarity Credit Union, 411 E. Fifth Ave., Moses Lake. Info: www.solaritycu.org.
CBHA Run for a Cause
Join Columbia Basin Health Association for a colorful 5K run through Othello. Runners will get splashed with paint along the route for a messy, light-hearted experience. Funds raised support childhood wellness. 10 a.m. at the CBHA Othello clinic, 1515 E. Columbia St. Register at bit.ly/CBHA_ColorRunRegistration. Info: www.cbharunforacause.com.
Science Saturday
Exciting, hands-on science class where kids will explore, experiment, and investigate the science all around us. Through interactive activities and simple experiments, students will discover how science connects to everyday life while building curiosity and critical thinking skills. All materials are provided. For ages 6-13. $15 per session. 10:30 a.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Arts Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Lind Community Street Dance
Dancing and fun for all ages, plus food vendors. 6-10 p.m. outside the Lind Lions Club, 108 E. First St. Info: 509-347-6696.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Brink of War (PG); End of Oak Street (PG-13); Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG); The Odyssey (R); One Night Only (R); Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); Super Troopers 3 (R); Toy Story 5 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for showtimes.
The Showhouse: Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); The End of Oak Street (PG-13). See othelloshowhouse.com for showtimes.
Ritz Theater: The Odyssey (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Flowers for Wolves will perform Saturday at Tower Pizza and Sunworks in Crescent Bar.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Hidden chimney damage can turn cozy fires dangerous
MOSES LAKE — The weather is getting chillier, which means lots of people are getting ready to build the first fire of the year in their fireplace. Here in the Columbia Basin where electricity is plentiful, few homes are heated with burnable fuel like wood or oil. But even chimneys attached to fireplaces that only get occasional use should be checked regularly, said Joe Ochal, CEO of Chimney Scientists. “Chimneys last about 20-30 years before the interior of them starts to degrade and they have holes where heat can transfer into the wall cavity,” Ochal said. “When we’re going into people’s homes and do a chimney cleaning, we put a camera in the chimney every time to make sure there’s no holes where there’s heat transfer. People will often say to us, ‘Well, it’s been this way for 80 years,' and (they’re) surprised that chimneys require maintenance.”
BASIN EVENTS: November 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — November is right around the corner, and the Basin is brimming with things to do. Here are a few ways to get out and about.
Family History Fair helps people explore their roots
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a Family History Fair Saturday that allowed visitors to dig deep into their roots, with tools many hadn’t known existed. “I’m learning that there are a lot of things that I could be doing, that are easy changes in my routine, to document not just my life but those of my ancestors,” Sarah Bair of Ephrata said. Much of the information revolved around the church’s primary genealogy site, FamilySearch. That site accesses more than 16 billion records, Moses Lake East Stake FamilySearch Center co-coordinator Jeff Stevens told the Columbia Basin Herald in February.