BASIN EVENTS: July 31-Aug. 31
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 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. | July 31, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Those lazy days of summer don’t have to be so lazy you can’t get out and enjoy some fun around the Basin. Here are a few ideas for August.
July 31
Open Mic
The stage is open to everyone, and of every skill level. Not only is it a great way to gain experience as a performer and test out new material, it’s a great way to learn to play with other musicians. 6 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: camascovecellars.com.
Aug. 1
World Breastfeeding Week Celebration
Learn about breastfeeding and community organizations that support breastfeeding in Grant County. Information, community resources, kids’ activities and prizes. Hosted by the Grant County Breastfeeding Coalition. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave, Moses Lake. Info: 509-770-5081.
Free Family Saturday
Celebrate the joy of summer with a simple watercolor sunburst project. All materials are supplied. Free for all ages. 12-2- p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Aug. 7
Coffee and Conversation
Every other month the Downtown Moses Lake Association hosts a different presentation from employees or business owners in Moses Lake. This is open to the public, and the coffee is free. 8:30 a.m. at the DMLA office, 205 S. Division St., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected] or 509-770-1700.
Aug. 8
Cloudview Summer Festival
A laid-back celebration of summer with vendor market, photos and kids’ activities. $5 for adults, children free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cloudview Farm, 17305 Frey Rd, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-2504.
Aug. 11
Car Seat Check
Make sure your little one is riding safely. Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will inspect your child’s car seat, help ensure it’s installed correctly and answer your questions. No appointment needed; just bring vehicle, car seat and child. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Health Association. 3-5 p.m. at 520 Government Road, Mattawa. Info: CBHA.org.
Heritage Garden Class
Learn about native plants, pollinators, and creative garden ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this class will offer valuable tips, education and inspiration. Hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake and Columbia Basin Conservation District. Free registration at https://bit.ly/HeritageGardenClass8-26. 5-6 p.m. at 903 W 3rd Ave, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4030.
Aug. 14
Cowboy Breakfast
Kick off Grant County Fair week with breakfast and Pee Wee Stick Horse Rodeo hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 7-10 a.m. at Moses Lake Elks Lodge, 217 N. Elder St. Info: 509-765-7888.
Aug. 15
Arts Quest
Arts Quest is an interactive arts adventure where creativity takes center stage. Designed for all ages, Arts Quest encourages participants to explore, create, and discover new artistic skills through fun, hands-on activities. Hosted by Columbia Basin Allied Arts and the Moses Lake Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave, Moses Lake. Info: www.cba-arts.org.
Aug. 18-22
Grant County Fair
Carnival, livestock shows, entertainment, pro rodeo and more. Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.gcfair.fun.
Aug. 22
CBHA Run for a Cause
Join Columbia Basin Health Association for a colorful 5K run through Othello. Runners will get splashed with paint along the route for a messy, light-hearted experience. Funds raised support childhood wellness. 10 a.m. at the CBHA Othello clinic, 1515 E. Columbia St. Register at bit.ly/CBHA_ColorRunRegistration. Info: www.cbharunforacause.com.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Hadestown: The Musical (Not rated); Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); The Odyssey (R); Toy Story 5 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); Evil Dead Burn (R); The Odyssey (R). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Supergirl (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Cloudview Farms in Ephrata will host a Summer Festival Aug. 8, with vendors, kids’ activities and more.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Endless battle
Noxious Weed Control Board works to keep invasive plants under control
MOSES LAKE — Some of the nastiest plants in Grant County were the topic of a class led by Jay Johnson, a consultant with the Grant County Noxious Weed Control Board, Tuesday. The Noxious Weed Control Board, as its name would suggest, is tasked with keeping weeds under control in Grant County. That’s not a small job; the board’s website lists 129 species of noxious weeds that are found around Grant County. A noxious weed is defined as an invasive, non-native plant that threatens agricultural crops, local ecosystems or fish and wildlife habitat, according to the Noxious Weed Control Board. Washington state law requires that these weeds be identified and their spread kept to a minimum, if not completely eradicated. “We’re one of those agencies a lot of people don’t really understand,” Johnson said. “We’re a county office and … our funding is tax-based assessment. When you get your tax bill and you look down at all the expenses that you pay for, there we are.”
BASIN EVENTS: Oct. 16-24
COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you feel like shopping, crafting, learning or seeing a show, there’s something happening for you this week in the Basin. Oct. 16 ‘My Family (Mi Familia)’ screening Spanning three generations, “My Family (Mi Familia)” is a heartfelt drama that follows the Sánchez family as they build their lives in East Los Angeles. Through love, hardship, triumph, and sacrifice, the film explores the immigrant experience, the strength of family bonds, and the traditions that connect one generation to the next. Lowrider show and taco truck before the screening. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts, EDUBS C/S and the Moses Lake Creative District. $12 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m., film begins at 7 p.m. at the Moses Lake Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St. Tickets and info: www.cba-arts.org.
Moses Lake author encourages women to look beyond church culture norms
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake author’s book, “A Christian Woman Striving to Live Her Faith in a Man-Controlled World,” takes aim at the role to which many churches relegate the female half of their congregations. “It’s to encourage women in the faith,” Linda Curran said. “A lot of churches say, ‘Teach Sunday school, do this, do that, but don’t (evangelize.)’" In her book, Curran recounts a time when she moved to a new community and joined a church there. She was surprised to learn that, as a new female member, she had been automatically assigned church cleaning duties. When she questioned it, she wrote, she was met with condescension and her objections were brushed aside. In other churches, she said, women who were capable of teaching were relegated to “women’s ministry.”