BASIN EVENTS: Jan. 9-17, 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 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. | January 9, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — With the holidays safely in our rear-view mirror, the calendar in the Basin isn’t as crowded as it was a few months ago. Still, there are plenty of things to get out and enjoy for those who want to. Here are a few possibilities.
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. 11
Winter Handbell Concert
Performance by Heart of the Basin Ringers handbell choir, followed by light refreshments. 3 p.m. at Othello Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 915 E. Rainier St. Info: 509-488-2208.
Jan. 15
Aaron Crawford
Live performance by the pioneer of the Cascade Country sound. 6:30 p.m. at Gård Public House, 112 Evergreen Ave. NW, Royal City. Reservations and info: bit.ly/gardpublichouse or 509-414-1484.
Jan. 17
Salish Sea Salt Master Class and Salt-Making Demo
Learn how to collect, filter and evaporate seawater to make your own sea salt, plus barbecue rubs and seasoning mixes made from the salt. No charge, but donations will be accepted for Covenant Christian School’s greenhouse project. Class taught by Valerie Parrott of Pieces by Parrott. 11 a.m. at Covenant Christian School, 1001 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake. Info: 509-431-1879.
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.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Anaconda (PG-13); Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13, 2D and 3D); David (PG): Greenland 2: Migration (PG-13); Marty Supreme (PG); Primate (R); Song Sung Blue (PG-13); Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants (PG); The Housemaid (R); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Anaconda (PG-13); 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Fackham Hall (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Comedian Cory Michaelis will perform at Moore Brewing Company Jan. 17.
Pieces by Parrott will host a master class in making sea salt 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.