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BASIN EVENTS: Feb. 6-14, 2026

JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 weeks, 6 days AGO
by JOEL MARTIN
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 6, 2026 3:00 AM

COLUMBIA BASIN — Valentine’s Day is coming up, and whether you celebrate with a sweetie, hang with some friends or just sail solo, there’s something for everybody happening this week. 

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 bringing 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. 

Ladies Night Out 

Grab your friends and enjoy a night out while supporting the small businesses that make our town unique. Whether you’re stopping in for a snack, browsing local shops or discovering a new favorite spot, Ladies Night Out is designed to celebrate connection, community and local love. Sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association. 5-8 p.m. in downtown Moses Lake. Info: 509-770-1700. 

Feb. 13 

Community Breakfast 

Pancakes and sausage or biscuits, gravy and sausage, coffee and orange juice, plus door prizes. $7 dine in, $8 take-out. Proceeds support H.E. Gritman Senior Center. 7-10 a.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921. 

Feb. 14 

Family Speed Puzzling 

Bring your crew of up to four people to see if you can complete a 350-piece puzzle first. The winning group will receive a gift card to the store. Cost is $20, and participants keep the puzzle whether they win or not. 1-2 p.m. at Sandbox Bookstore and Games, 102 E. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-761-9630. 

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. 

This weekend at the movies: 

Fairchild Cinemas: Clika (R); Dracula (R); Iron Lung (R); Melania (PG); Mercy (PG-13); Send Help (R); Shelter (R); Solo Mio (PG); Strangers: Chapter 3 (R); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times. 

The Showhouse: Wuthering Heights (R); Send Help (R); Iron Lung (R); Solo Mio (PG); GOAT (PG). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times. 

Ritz Theater: Marty Supreme (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates. 

    Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo star in “Wicked: For Good,” showing free at the Quincy Public Library Friday.
 
 


ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN

Pages of Redemption
March 5, 2026 3:20 a.m.

Pages of Redemption

Initiative gathers books to donate to jails

MOSES LAKE — A single book can make a big difference for those who are incarcerated. “Books have the power to change lives,” said Bryson Fico, who collects and donates books to jails through his Pages of Redemption initiative. “If we can educate (inmates) or change their perspective on things, if they can see that somebody on the outside really cares about what’s going on inside these jails, they might be more inclined upon their release to give back.” Fico has collected and donated more than 3,000 books to jails around the Northwest, he said. Those books serve both to educate inmates and to give their minds something to do during the long, dull period of incarceration.

Field trip set to explore ice age geology near Tri-Cities
March 5, 2026 3 a.m.

Field trip set to explore ice age geology near Tri-Cities

RICHLAND — The past is right beneath our feet, and a field trip planned for the Tri-Cities area aims to bring that home, according to an announcement from the Ice Age Floods Institute.

Space Burger booth open March 13-15
March 4, 2026 3 a.m.

Space Burger booth open March 13-15

MOSES LAKE — Those who can’t wait for the Grant County Fair can get their Space Burger fix next weekend, according to an announcement from the Lioness Club of Moses Lake. The iconic Grant County sandwiches will be available at the Grant County Fairgrounds March 13-15, according to the announcement. There is no admission fee to get into the fairgrounds that weekend.