BASIN EVENTS: Jan. 23-31, 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 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. | January 23, 2026 3:05 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather might be chilly and gray, but there are still things to do to break up the winter doldrums. Here are a few ideas for this week.
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 are $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.
‘Red 2’
Screening of the film starring Bruce Willis and John Malkovich. Retired CIA agent Frank Moses reunites his unlikely team of elite operatives for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device. 2 p.m. at the Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C St. NW. Info: www.ephrataseniorcenter.org.
Jan. 30
Winter Scene in Charcoal
Learn the techniques of working with charcoal while bringing a snowy winter landscape to life. Class is for ages 14 and older. $21 per person. 2-3:30 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830.
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.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (R); Anaconda (PG-13); Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13); David (PG); Greenland 2: Hamnet (PG); Mercy (PG-13); Primate (R); The Housemaid (R); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Mercy (PG-13); The Testament of Ann Lee (R); 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Ella McKay (PG-13). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The animated film “Elio” will be shown for free at the Quincy Library Friday.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.