Ellington

Date of Downtown Moses Lake Association annual meeting to be announced

MOSES LAKE — The Downtown Moses Lake Association will review its plans for 2025 and its schedule of events during its annual public meeting, tentatively scheduled for early February. The date will be determined during the annual DMLA board member retreat this weekend.

Open Mic brings out the talent in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — It’s 5:30 p.m, and 11-year-old Jimmy Ocampo is singing “Die with a Smile” in front of an audience of about 25 people. He’s the fourth performer to take the stage in the last half hour, and there’s a long waiting list after him. It’s Open Mic Night, and the sky’s the limit.

ENZO opens event room, expands kitchen

MOSES LAKE — ENZO owners and staff cut the ribbon on the restaurant’s newest facility, called the Riviera Room, Wednesday. ENZO already had a smaller banquet facility, called the Amalfi Room, owner Rhonda Cacchiotti explained, but it’s also used for everyday dining and even when it’s booked for private functions it can only accommodate 25-30 people. “This (Riviera) room has capacity for 60-80 people.” Cacchiotti said. “It has a private entrance. It has AV equipment (with) a drop-down screen. We have speakers, we have microphones. We have a podium that can be used. We have room to push tables into different configurations, where we can have a small dance floor. We have a full banquet buffet menu that we can also customize.”

‘Hello, Dolly!’

Matchmaking, mayhem and a little and manipulation light up QVAA musical

QUINCY — Audiences can put on their Sunday clothes and cast themselves back to the Gay Nineties this month as Quincy Valley Allied Arts brings “Hello, Dolly!” to the stage.

Showing the moves

Local hoofers show their moves at Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars

MOSES LAKE — The Wallenstien Theater was almost full Saturday night for the second annual Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “It was exciting to see (so many) young people,” said Judy Twigg, vice president of the Central Basin Community Concert Association, which hosted the event. “It shows that if you get the right entertainment in Moses Lake, it draws people.”

Music students perform at animal-themed recital

MOSES LAKE — Seventy-seven local music students from 5 to 17 years old performed at the ninth annual Celebrate Music Festival Saturday, according to an announcement from music teacher Marina Munter.

REACH Museum highlights Latino migration stories

RICHLAND — The National Park Service and REACH Museum have collaborated on a new exhibit, “Migration to Community: Latinos/as at Hanford and the Tri-Cities,” according to an announcement from the museum. It will be open for viewing Feb. 4-March 22.

STUDIO BASIN: Halfway point of Kriete's term and Maverick wrestling

MOSES LAKE - In this - slightly delayed - episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and Sports Editor Ian Bivona visit about recent news and sports action. Miller was able to sit down with Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete last week as Kriete reached the halfway point in his first term heading up the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Miller reviewed what the sheriff said were the accomplishments of his first term and what he sees on the horizon for GCSO. Miller and Bivona also talked about happenings in Soap Lake like the city considering how water in the lake may be used and why the Soap Lake Police Chief is on administrative leave.

Chess tournament sharpens wits in Ephrata

Annual strategic competition set for February 1

EPHRATA — A hundred young players will go head-to-head – and brain-to-brain – at the Waypoint Foundation Scholastic Chess Tournament in Ephrata Feb. 1. This is the 18th year the tournament has been held at Parkway Elementary School. said Troy Pugh, who created and manages the tournament with his brother Roger Pugh. This year, Pugh said, the foundation has added online registration for the first time. There were 89 players registered Tuesday morning, he said, which is the fastest it’s ever filled up. “Usually, we don’t get to 89 until the week of the event,” he said.

Basin Events for the week of Jan. 24-Feb. 1

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s cold outside, but fortunately most of what’s happening this week takes place indoors. Here are a few possibilities: