COLUMBIA BASIN EVENTS: January 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 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. | January 1, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — With the holidays behind us, things are slowing down a little in the Basin, but there’s still plenty to do coming up in January. Here are a few possibilities:
Jan. 3
Free Family Saturday: Coffee Filter Snowflakes
Snowflakes made of coffee filters are just as unique as the real thing; no two are alike. The whole family can enjoy creating this classic winter craft. All materials are supplied. 12-2- p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Jan. 9
Gallery Opening: ‘The Four Corners of the Year’
Exhibit by Moses Lake artist Pamela Petry-McKinsey representing the four seasons of the year. Exhibit runs through Feb. 20. Opening reception 4-7 p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Sourdough for Beginners
Are you ready to finally take the plunge into sourdough and all of its benefits? Come learn a skill as old as time and get your hands doughy. Laura, a WSDA-certified commercial sourdough baker and instructor, will teach you all you need to know to bake an artisan sourdough boule from start to finish. Tickets $99, available at https://bit.ly/SourdoughTix26. 5-7:30 p.m. at The Drip, 123 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected].
Jan. 10
Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars
Six local stars will partner with dance professionals for a competition judged by the audience. Proceeds support the Central basin Community Concert Association. Great dancing and great fun in a great cause. 7 p.m. at the Big Bend Community College Wallenstien theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: www.CommunityConcertsML.com.
Jan. 17
Comedy Night: Cory Michaelis
After teaching high school for 12 years, Cory Michaelis "retired" to do comedy full-time because he wanted to try out both of the lowest-paying jobs in America. Now he’s bringing his act – which is sharp, irreverent and not suitable for the high schoolers he used to teach – to Moses Lake. Tickets $28.52 and available at https://bit.ly/CoryMichaelisML. 7:30 p.m. at Moore Brewing Company, 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-707-0192.
Jan. 23
Family Movie Day: ‘Elio’
Free showing of Pixar animated film “Elio.” Elio is a space fanatic with a vivid imagination and a love for all things alien. When he’s unexpectedly beamed up to the Communiverse – an intergalactic organization with representatives from across the cosmos – he must build friendships with eccentric alien lifeforms, face challenges of cosmic proportions and discover where he truly belongs. Attendees are free to bring snacks, just clean up afterward. Rated PG. 1 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Jan. 23-24
‘Cafe Murder!’
Dinner theater production by Columbia Basin Allied Arts and Sunshine Theater. Rosemary has a flair for the dramatic, a few quirky beliefs and a talent for stirring up excitement wherever she goes. Over dessert, guests will be drawn into a playful mystery involving Rosemary and her lively circle – a fun, theatrical twist that invites everyone to enjoy the evening’s surprises together. Tickets $80, which includes pasta dinner, soft drinks and desserts. A no-host bar will also be available. Proceeds support arts and entertainment in the Basin. 6-9 p.m. at Best Western Lake Front Hotel, 3000 W. Marina Drive, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: www.cba-arts.org.
Jan. 24
Friends of the Moses Lake Library Book Sale
Peruse through gently used books and take home a new treasure for your home library. Proceeds go to fund library programs. 2-6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-771-7634.
Bagpipe Bash
Celebrate in the spirited style of a traditional Scottish Burns Night. Three-course dinner, live and silent auctions and music and entertainment. Hosted by Quincy Booster Club. Proceeds support Quincy school choirs. Tickets $50 at https://bit.ly/BagpipeBash26. 6 p.m. at Quincy Valley Historical Society, 415 F St. SW, Quincy.
Jan. 29
Chess Tournament Preparation Class
Tournament preparation class for the upcoming Waypoint Chess Tournament. Topics include basic chess rules, pairing, notation, and more. Classes are not required to participate in the tournament. No charge. 6 p.m. at Parkway Intermediate School, 1011 Parkway Blvd., Ephrata. Info: waypointfoundation.org.
Jan. 31
Sweethearts Market
Shop for sweets and Valentine’s gifts. Presented by the Moses Lake Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-237-2100.
Comedian Cory Michaelis will perform at Moore Brewing Company Jan. 17.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Home prices up in most Basin markets
MOSES LAKE — Home prices increased in most, but not all, markets of the Columbia Basin this year, according to data from the real estate website Redfin. The median home price in Moses Lake in September was $364,821, according to Redfin’s data, up 5.4% from September 2025. Ephrata’s median price wasn’t far off, at $368,824, but that represented a 12.5% increase over the same time period. Quincy’s median price topped the list of local cities at $405,235, a 10.1% year-over-year increase. Othello, in contrast, dropped by 17.1% year-over-year, to $298,226.
BASIN EVENTS Nov. 6-14
COLUMBIA BASIN — Now that everyone has adjusted from the Daylight Saving Time changeover, it’s time to get out of the house and off to something fun. Here are a few destinations to check out. Nov. 6 Members Exhibition Gallery opening for show of artworks by museum members. Opening reception 4-7 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.moseslakemuseum.com.
Going rogue
Moses Lake salon celebrates creativity and independence
MOSES LAKE — The new salon on East Broadway is called Rogue Collective for a reason. “We had this dream to do it all together,” said owner Dana Mendoza. “That’s where the ‘collective’ came from. It’s a pretty amazing group of women. Everyone has their own separate gifts and talents.” The “rogue” part of the name comes from the fact that the professionals all came from other salons with the same idea: to do things their own way.