SENIOR EVENTS: May 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 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. | May 6, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather is gorgeous, so there’s no excuse for not getting out and enjoying everything the Basin has to offer. Here are some possibilities.
May 7
Ladies Night Out – Mother’s Day Edition
This special evening is all about bringing the community together for a fun night downtown featuring exclusive specials, local shopping, and unique experiences hosted by participating businesses and vendors. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a head start on Mother’s Day, whether you’re shopping for the moms in your life or simply enjoying a well-deserved night out. No charge. Sponsored by Downtown Moses Lake Association. 5-8 p.m. at 205 S. Division St., Moses Lake. Info: downtownmoseslake.org.
May 7-8
SING! Choir Fundraiser
Student soloists and a live band. Tickets $10, student/senior/military $5. All proceeds support Quincy High School Choir. Concessions will be available from Quincy Music Boosters. 7-9 p.m. both evenings at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. NE. Info: 509-787-3501.
May 7-10
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Basin Community Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical. 7:10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 1:10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Moses Lake High School Theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave. Tickets and info: basincommunitytheatre.com.
Paint, Sip & Live Music
Paint class led by Brittany Jahns, live music with Stadyc Stromberg and Alysen Hesselroth and more. Tickets $50 and include all paint supplies, two drink tickets and a chance to be entered in a movie night package raffle. 6:30 p.m. at The Showhouse, 130 N. Broadway Ave., Othello. Info: othelloshowhouse.com.
Cinco de Mayo Farmers Market
Fresh produce from the greenhouses, Mother’s Day baskets, forever bouquets, treats and baked goods. Hosted by Little Owl Farms. 9 a.m. at Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant, 222 Basin St. SW, Ephrata. Info: littleowlfarms.com.
Barracuda Golf Tournament
Raffles, prizes and a great time. Proceeds benefit Othello Barracudas swim team. 10 a.m. at Sage Hills Golf Course, 10400 Sagehill Road SE, Warden. Info: [email protected] 9
St. Rose of Lima Coconut Crawl
Participants run, walk or hula their way through a1-mile or 5K race option. Participants are awarded a finisher lei. Food available from local vendors. 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: www.saintroseschool.org.
Quincy Public Market Popup and Car Show
Vendors, food and classic vehicles of all kinds. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1004 F. St. SE, Quincy. Info: 509-794-3445.
May 12, 19 and 26
Beginner Line Dance Lessons
Easy line dance class designed especially for seniors. Learners will move at a comfortable pace and break down each step so everyone feels confident. Line dancing is a great way to stay active, improve balance, and enjoy music with friends. 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 E. Third Avenue. Info: 509-765-7809.
May 14
Mobile market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bethel Assembly of God, 915 S. First Ave., Othello. Info: 2-harvest.org.
May 15
Old Time Fiddlers
Musical jam for anyone who wants to play or just enjoy the music. 2-4 p.m. at the Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 E. Third Ave. Info: 509-765-7809.
May 16
High Tea at the Garden
Step into an elegant, Regency-inspired afternoon at our High Tea. Enjoy fine teas, sparkling beverages, classic tea-time treats, and a charming mini-bloom bar where you can craft your own petite bouquet to take home along with a keepsake teacup and other sweet treasures. Proceeds support Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Garden Event Center, 605 E Nelson Road, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4030.
Community Shred Event
Bring old bills and sensitive documents to be destroyed safely. Sponsored by Windermere Moses Lake. Four-box maximum. No charge. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Surf ‘n Slide Water Park parking lot, 410 W. Fourth Ave., Moses Lake.
5 Mile Drive
Live bluegrass concert. Adults $5, kids 12 and younger free. There will be a hat-pass for the musicians. Refreshments served by the Georgettes. 3 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
The Wicked Pickles
Moses Lake cover band featuring a mix of ’80s and classic rock, with a little country, pop, and alternative sprinkled in. 7-11 p.m. at Columbia Basin Eagles Lodge No. 2622, 1517 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-3312.
May 21
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 help fund library programs. 2-6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-771-7634.
May 21-24
Spring Fest
Moses Lake’s biggest blowout of the year. Carnival, parades, car show, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and more. Info: www.springfestinmoseslake.com.
May 22-24
Last Stand Rodeo
PRCA rodeo plus Cow Pie Jog, mutton bustin’, Cowboy Breakfast and parade. Coulee City Rodeo Grounds, 505 E. Walnut St., Coulee City. Info: laststandrodeo.com.
May 25
Dimestore Prophets
Live music by local band. 8 p.m. at Sporty’s Bar & Grill, 507 E. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: sportysml.com.
May 27
Mobile Market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 22818 SR 17 N., Soap Lake. Info: 2-harvest.org.
May 28
‘Mrs. Doubtfire’
Screening of the 1993 comedy film starring Robin Williams and Sally Field. 2 p.m. at the Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C St. NW. Info: www.ephrataseniorcenter.org.
May 29
Restore City Youth Auction
Dinner and live and silent auction to fund youth trip to National Youth Conference. Tickets $20 per person or $35 for a couple. Childcare available by donation. 6 p.m. at Restore City Church, 2227 W. Peninsula Drive, Moses Lake. Info: restorecity.church.
May 30
Sludgefest
Heavy metal music festival featuring Merlock, Sawdust, The Velvet Helmets and more. All ages welcome. 12 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: camascovecellars.com.
‘Aladdin’
A magical tale told with ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop dance. Presented by Ballet Academy of Moses Lake. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/AladdinBalletML26. 1 and 6 p.m. at Moses Lake High School, 803 E. Sharon Ave. Info: balletacademyml.com.
The George Community Center will host a concert by 5 Mile Drive May 16.Dave Shafer
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.”