Ellensburg Community Morning Show, Friday, Nov. 15

Dusty's Nursery donating trees to be distributed to FISH Food Bank clients is just one example of community giving this past week. Photo courtesy of FISH Food Bank

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NEWS

Christmas spirit manifests

Over the past several days there have been multiple occurrences of individuals, groups and businesses contributing to help those in need this Christmas. Dusty’s Nursery donated Christmas trees to be distributed to FISH Food Bank pantry clients. The Hugs and Stitches quilting group donated 60 handmade quilts and Quilters in the Valley donated 19 quilts to be included in Community Christmas baskets for children and seniors. The Downer County Bikers delivered the toys it raised at its annual fundraising event in early December. Multiple school groups and businesses contributed food raised during food drives.

Eyes, ears out for carolers

After practicing for the past month, Christmas Caroling with Valley Noises takes to the streets and neighbors. Caroling is scheduled for Sunday and Tuesday.

Legislative Day is today

The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., today in the Elk Ballroom at the Hotel Windrow. State Sen. Judy Warnick and State Reps. Tom Dent and Alex Ybarra will be in attendance to discuss the upcoming session. Registration is open for the event. For more information, call Chelsea Cramer at 509-925-2002 or email Chelsea@kittitascountychamber.com

Dancing the Polar Express

The Ellensgurg Dance Ensemble performs “The Polar Express” at 7 p.m., Friday and 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, at the Morgan Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $18.50 for adults and $15.50 for students and seniors.

Museum speaker series features Randy Lewis

The Kittitas County Historical Museum Speaker Series features tribal elder Randy Lewis presenting “The Healing Power of Remembering” at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the museum. The event is free and is made possible through a grant from the Ellensburg Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission.

Possibilities to Pickleball

A pickleball open house is being held from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday at 1500 W. Dolarway Road, Suite 801. There will be pickleball games and beginners clinic from 2 to 4 p.m., as well as food, drinks and music. The event is presented by Armory Pickleball and is free and open to the public.

Chance to chat with Santa

Children have a chance to chat with Santa thanks to a cooperative effort between KITTCOM and the Kittitas County Auxiliary Community Service. From 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 18 and 20, children in Ellensburg and Cle Elum will be able to access Santa Net — communications with Santa in the North Pole via radio. This will take place at the KITTCOM facility in Ellensburg and the Cle Elum Fire Department. A total of 36 kids can participate each night. To register, email chanelle.albo@kittcom.org

SPORTS

Busy basketball weekend

High school basketball teams take to the court this weekend. The Ellensburg boys and girls host league rival, Selah. The girls’ game tips off at 3:30 p.m. and the boys follow at 5 p.m. The Kittitas boys and girls teams play tonight and Saturday. Highland visits tonight with the girls' game at 6 and the boys at 7:30. On Saturday, county-rival Cle Elum-Roslyn travels to Kittitas with the girls' game at 6 p.m. and boys at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the Saturday showdown, the Warrior girls and boys play tonight at Mabton with girls at 6 and boys at 7:30.

Central basketball offers a $1 deal

CWU basketball fans get a chance to check out the men’s team at a discount price on Sunday when the Wildcats host Cal State San Marcos at 4 p.m. at Nicholson Pavilion. Admission to the game is $1. Select concessions also will be $1.

LUNCH

The FISH Open Table Lunch is Zupa Toscana, garlic bread and apple sauce. 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 4:13 p.m., and the expected nighttime low is 27 degrees. Winds will be light and variable.