The Central Washington Dance Academy performs "The Nutcracker" this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Central Washington Dance Academy
NEWS
No electronic payments until Tuesday
Ellensburg is accepting electronic payments until Tuesday as the city installs its new online utility customer portal. The utility counter is staffed today but will be closed on Monday.
County-wide lodging tax funds distributed
The county-wide lodging tax workgroup made recommendations last week for distributing $429,506 to 25 different applicants for the 2024 funding cycle, ranging from $1,575 to Kruisin Kittitas to $62,395 to the Central Washington Snowsled Challenge: Winter Racing Thrill. The recommendations go to each participating jurisdiction’s legislative body for approval.
CWU Jazz Holiday Concert is tonight
The Central Washington University Jazz Band 1 will perform Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite as well as other holiday classics, at 7 tonight in the McIntyre Music Building. Tickets are $15 for general admission.
Annual Beef Counts distribution is today
The annual Beef Counts distribution is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., today at Armory Building at the Kittitas Valley Events Center. Beef Counts is a cooperative effort between the Cattlemen’s Association and Second Harvest. The boxes include produce, perishable groceries and chubs of ground beef.
Dance Academy presents “The Nutcracker”
The Central Washington Dance Academy will perform “The Nutcracker” this weekend at the Morgan Performing Arts Center. Performances will be at 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, and 2 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are $17.
“Rented Christmas” on stage this weekend
Boulet Theatre Productions is presenting “Rented Christmas: The Musical,” with performances starting tonight at the Cle Elum Masonic Building above the Cle Elum Post Office. There will be shows nightly at 7 p.m., today through Monday, with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $10.
Winter Farmers Market Saturday
The annual Winter Market is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday at Teanaway Hall in the Kittitas Valley Event Center. The event is hosted by the Ellensburg Farmers Market.
Christmas comes to Kittitas
The annual Christmas in Kittitas celebration is on Saturday. A highlight of the event is the lighted parade at 5 p.m. on Main Street. Santa Claus and the Grinch also will be available for photos at 4 p.m. at the New Life Church.
Photos with Joly Ol’ Nick
Santa Claus will be available for photos from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday at Dru-Bru Cle Elum. People can use their personal phone or camera to take photo. The event is free but donations will be accepted for the Cle Elum Fire Department. Other Christmas in Cle Elum events Saturday include sled dog rides at Wye Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with proceeds going to ARRF Animal Rescue,
Plan ahead for beer fest
Tickets are now on sale for Winterhop Brewfest on Feb. 17 in downtown Ellensburg. The brewfest has a limited number of tickets and usually sells out well before the event. Ticketing information is available on the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce website. The event is also in need of volunteers, who must be 21.
SPORTS
High school hoop action tonight
In high school basketball tonight, the Ellensburg girls’ team travels to Moses Lake for a 7 o’clock game while the Bulldog boys host Moses Lake at 7. The Cle Elum-Roslyn girls’ team hosts River View at 6, followed by the boys’ game tipping off at 7:30.
Central players earn honors
CWU volleyball players Tia Andaya and Emma Daoud-Hebert earned AVCA All-America honorable mentions. The AVCA recognizes 42 athletes, 14 for the All-America first, second, and third teams, and an additional 106 as honorable mentions.
LUNCH
The FISH Open Table Lunch is pork street tacos, roasted corn salad and Mandarin oranges. The lunch is open to all seniors age 60-plus from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Ellensburg, and noon to 1 p.m., in Cle Elum. Meal sites are the Ellensburg Open Table and the Cle Elum Seventh-day Adventist Church. The community lunch for anyone needing a hot meal is from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Ellensburg location.
WEATHER
The forecasted high today in Ellensburg is 41 degrees. Sunset is at 4:12 p.m., and the expected nighttime low is 26 degrees. Winds will be 10 to 20 mph.
Komen