SENIOR EVENTS: February 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 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. | February 4, 2026 3:05 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Shake the chill out of your bones and head out this month for auctions, free movie screenings and more. Here are some things happening for seniors this month in the Basin.
Feb. 4
Seahawks Paint Night
Fan paint night with Rustic Girl Painting to celebrate the Super Bowl-bound Seahawks. Painters are encouraged to wear 12th man gear. Prizes given for the best team spirit. Beginners welcome; must be 21 or older. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info and registration: rusticgirlpainting.com.
Feb. 5
Moses Lake Non-Profit Meetup
All Moses Lake non-profits and service organizations are welcome. Share what your organization is all about, what your current needs are and network with other local nonprofits. One lucky nonprofit will win a $100 donation from Care Moses Lake. Bring your own lunch. Noon at the Downtown Moses Lake Association office, 205 S. Division St. Info: 509-770-1002.
An evening with Derek Sheffield
Join Washington’s Poet Laureate for a live reading of his work, followed by an open question-and-answer session where you can explore his creative process, inspirations, and the role poetry plays in our communities. Whether you’re a lifelong poetry lover or simply curious about the art of language, this event offers a rare chance to connect with one of Washington’s leading literary voices. 5 p.m. at Ritzville Public Library, 302 W. Main Ave. Info: 509-659-1222 or ritzvillelibrary.org.
Feb. 6
Free Family Movie
“Wicked for Good”: The epic finale to the untold story of Oz begins. Elphaba, long misunderstood as the Wicked Witch of the West, fights for truth from the shadows. Glinda, beloved symbol of goodness, shines in Emerald City. But when the people of Oz rise up, these two powerful women must reunite, face the truth about each other and change the fate of Oz for good. Rated PG. Snacks are welcome, just clean up afterward. 1 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 206 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Tacos for Tuition
Help students get a Catholic education by supporting the Fr. Kerr Scholarship Fund. Dinner by Maggie’s Kitchen, plus live entertainment, games and activities. Proceeds enable students with financial need to attend St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. St. Rose is open to students of all faiths and does not turn students away based on ability to pay. Admission and dinner by donation. 6-9 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-4901 or saintroseschool.org.
First Friday Jam
Local musicians of all skill levels are invited to come, participate and learn new skills in this fun group. Anyone with an instrument can come and play; anyone with ears can come and listen. 7-9 p.m. at George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
Feb. 7
Community Appreciation Breakfast
The Quincy-George community is invited to enjoy pancakes and meet their neighbors. No charge. 8-11 a.m. at George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: 509-785-3041.
Feb. 10
Care-A-Van Mobile Health Services
The Washington Department of Health Care-A-Van mobile health team will bring essential health services directly to our community. This fully operational mobile clinic is dedicated to expanding access to health care and social services — especially for underserved communities. Free services include Naloxone (Narcan) distribution; blood pressure screening and management education; A1C and blood glucose screening; pre-diabetes prevention and diabetes management guidance; and more. No identification or citizenship documentation required. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Feb. 12
WellPoint Washington Apple Health Medicaid Community Outreach
Monthly community outreach to help individuals in the community by offering education, resources and information regarding WellPoint Washington Apple Health and Medicaid. 1:30-3 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Feb. 13
Community Breakfast
Pancakes and sausage or biscuits, gravy and sausage, coffee and orange juice, plus door prizes. $7 dine in, $8 takeout. Proceeds support H.E. Gritman Senior Center. 7-10 a.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
Feb. 14
Leanna Shannon
Live music for Valentine’s Day. 5-7 p.m. at Moore Brewing Co., 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-707-0192.
Feb. 19
DMLA 2026 Kickoff Event
Join the Downtown Moses Lake Association for a recap of 2025 and plans for 2026. Light refreshments provided. RSVP to [email protected]. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Moore Brewing Co., 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-770-1700.
Feb. 21
Soap Lake Community & Senior Center Supporters Open House
Volunteers are needed to support center programs and expand open hours. Meet new friends and support your community. Light refreshments will be served. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Soap Lake Community & Senior Center, 121 Second Ave. SE. Info: 360-632-0370.
Checkered Chunky Blanket Workshop
Learn how to create a checkered chunky blanket, plus how to make and add embellishments. Participants who don’t finish their blanket at the event will leave with the knowledge and written instructions to finish it at home. Must supply own yarn. 2-6 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info, registration and yarn specifications: rusticgirlpainting.com.
The Bada Bings
Live music from Wenatchee’s good-time rock-and-roll band. 9 p.m. at Sporty’s Bar & Grill, 507 E. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: www.sportysml.com.
Feb. 26
‘Midway’
Screening of the 1976 film starring Charlton Heston and Henry Fonda about the pivotal World War II naval battle. 2 p.m. at the Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C St. NW. Info: www.ephrataseniorcenter.org.
Soroptimist Bingo
Support Soroptimist International with prizes, silent auction items, a 50/50 drawing and bingo. Dinner by Porky’s Hotdogs. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
Feb. 27-28
Columbia Basin Home & Garden Show
Whether you’re planning spring home projects, dreaming of spring gardens, looking for fresh inspiration, or just love browsing artisan vendors, sipping coffee and connecting with the community, this event has something for everyone. Free admission on Friday. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial Building, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-750-8911 or seedcupboardnursery.com.
Feb. 28
Golden Giving Night
Banquet and auction to support the Quincy Food Bank. Irish-themed dinner and live entertainment. 5 p.m. at the Port of Quincy, 101 F. St. SW. Tickets available at bit.ly/GoldenGiving26. Info: quincyvalley.org or 509-787-2140.
Washington Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield will visit the Ritzville Library for a live reading and question-and-answer period Feb. 5.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.