Basin BBQ Bash to bring in thousands to LakeTown Landing.

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) is putting on a one-day event on Saturday, September 24^th that is sure to bring in the crowds to LakeTown Landing, Moses Lake’s downtown shopping district. Third Avenue from Alder to Dogwood would be shut down to traffic and be filled with participants from the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association as well as a car show, commercial and food vendors, live entertainment all day in Sinkiuse Square as well as a Kid’s Zone.

Entertainment for the event includes the Lake City Blues band, Bill Ecret Entertainment, who will MC the event ,as well as Dime Store Prophets. Entertainment starts at 11am with the Lake City Blues band who will play until 1pm, and then again from 2pm until 4pm and continues throughout the day with Dime Store Prophets playing from 5-7pm.

This event is a family friendly event that will include a Kid’s Zone that will include Chalk on the Block, face painting, the Kangaroo Bounce House and a hands-on Science Booth brought to you by the Girl Scounts of Eastern & Northern Idaho. Read more

National Nite Out

National Night Out is a unique nationwide event which is designed to enhance awareness about crime prevention.  Nationwide, more than 36 million people in 16,000 different communities will join forces to participate in this event.

National Nite Out – America’s Nite Out Against Crime is August 2nd

The Moses Lake Police Department and the Moses Lake Business Association invite you to

Come on down to National Nite Out – America’s Nite Out Against Crime!

Tuesday, August 2^nd from 7 – 9 pm

Live Music in LakeTown Landing’s Sinkiuse Square – Centennial Band

Free Hot Dogs

Free Ice Cream at Firefly Café

Free Fingerprinting for Kids

Free crime prevention and child safety information

National Night Out is a unique nationwide event which is designed to enhance awareness about crime prevention.  Nationwide, more than 36 million people in 16,000 different communities will join forces to participate in this event.

Come help make this a special event this year.  Enjoy the evening and send a message that the citizens of Moses Lake are concerned about crime prevention.

Spring is here and LakeTown Landing is ready for flowers!

May 16, 2011 – Moses Lake, Washington.  Spring is here and Third Avenue in LakeTown Landing is gearing up for spring flowers. There are around 150 cement planters located in the downtown area that are filled with plants and flowers. The pots give life to downtown year round.

The Moses Lake Business Association makes a donation to the Horticulture students from the Moses Lake High School. According to Chad Utter, instructor, the program teaches plant growth and development, responsibility, pride in putting out a good product and business management. “We figure out which plants that they’ll put in the pots, and then we’ll generally order plugs, (started plants) in September. Due mainly to the fact that it is a semester long class and it doesn’t start until January. Then the students transplant, put together hanging baskets, maintain the greenhouse, as well as work in the greenhouse every day. Our goal is to have blooming plants throughout the season as well as ornamental grasses to finish out the arrangement in the pot.”

The Moses Lake High School has their plant sale in May that is open to the public. “After the plant sale we go downtown to prepare the pots for plant material, then we take the plants we have set aside for downtown and plant them.” “By having these pots in LakeTown Landing as part of a class project I believe the students take more ownership in the cleanliness of the downtown area and take pride in making the downtown area look it’s best,” said Utter.

Back in 2007 the Moses Lake Business Association purchased 68 cement planters and plants from Skaug’s Ace Hardware. Eight of the planters located on the corners of Third Avenue are slightly larger in size than the others. In 2008 70 planters were purchased to add to the existing planters.

The Moses Lake Business Association’s partnership with the Moses Lake High School’s FFA students began in the fall of 2008 in preparation of the 2009 planting season and the relationship has continued every since. The MLBA makes a donation to the group for their services. The students also plant the planter boxes at the ends of Ash, Beech and under Monte’s Mural at the post office as well as around the clock in Sinkiuse Square.

The Moses Lake Business Association pays a water master to water the plants all summer as well as fertilize and remove dead plant material from the planters. The MLBA has a Gator and a pressurized tank that is used primarily for this purpose.

Dustyn Mattes, Moses Lake Business Association President, said “I appreciate the hard work and the students involved really help make downtown look wonderful. Without this effort a project like this would be left up to individual businesses. MLBA is thankful the Horticulture Department chose to help us with this project, it really has brought an added beauty to our downtown.”

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1993 by interested Moses Lake citizens. The purpose of the organization is to stimulate economic development in the Moses Lake business district called LakeTown Landing and to promote the area as an exciting place to live, shop, work and play. The MLBA also seeks to maintain a healthy business community and a high quality of life. MLBA is a member of the Washington State Downtown Revitalization Program. It is currently seeking to obtain Main Street Program status, which will benefit the organization by qualifying for state and national funding for programs and projects. The four components of this program are design, economic restructuring, promotion and organization.

To contact the Moses Lake Business Association you can call 509-764-1745 or visit their website at www.mlbacares.org. You can also become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mlbacares or www.facebook.com/LakeTownLanding.

Moses Lake cleanup began early

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
By Pam Robel – Herald staff writer Columbia Basin Herald

MOSES LAKE – The sun was just rising as volunteers spread through downtown Moses Lake to clean sidewalks Saturday morning.

The annual Moses Lake Citywide Clean Up began with a good hose-down thanks to volunteers, donated water trucks, and plenty of good intentions.

Marianne Bondi, of the Moses Lake Business Association, estimated about 40 volunteers turned out to help with the job.

“This is the ninth year we’ve done this,” Bondi said. “The Moses Lake Business Association started this to help get ready for summer.”

Bondi said the business association teamed up with Vision 2020 to make it a more comprehensive clean-up project.

Water trucks from Cenex Harvest States, Simplot, Wilbur-Ellis, Agrinomics, Baker Farms, and J & K Recycling weaved through downtown with volunteers trailing behind with hoses, towels, and garbage bags in hand.

“It’s a lot of fun (to do this),” volunteer David Plate, of Moses Lake, said. “It’s spring and we had such a rough winter.”

Plate said it was an opportunity to spend the morning with his kids doing something for the city.

“It makes downtown look nice,” Plate said.

Reid Baker, of Moses Lake, who provided trucks with water tanks as well as his time said he has volunteered with the sidewalk cleaning project for years.

“Our church called and asked if we wanted to participate,” Baker said.

Bondi said the only incentive for the volunteers was helping the community.

“We have the same people come every year to help beautify our downtown,” Bondi said.

Bondi noted that Shilo Inn Suites, of Moses Lake, donated towels for the clean-up at the last minute.

“We use them to keep water out of the businesses,” Bondi said.

Towels are stuffed against the bottoms of doors before the exterior sidewalks are hosed down in an effort to keep the doorways dry.

“We are always in need of more towels,” Bondi said.

More volunteers gathered at the Surf ‘n Slide Water Park in Moses Lake later in the morning to continue the cleanup effort.

For more information about the organization, call 509-764-1745.

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Thank you to everyone who attended our first MLBA Nite Out event!

There were over 30 LakeTown Landing and Moses Lake business owners in attendance.  We had fantastic food from the Chief Academy Café & Bakery, wine from Kyra Winery and Beaumont Cellers, entertainment by Zeb Rogerson and great discussions between local business owners and the MLBA Board of Directors.  We discussed topics important to LakeTown Landing business owners as well as interested Moses Lake residents.

The MLBA is responsible for many projects and events in our downtown every year.  Some of the well-known events include the Washing of the Sidewalks in LakeTown Landing, LakeTown Landing Trick or Treat, LakeTown Landing Street Tree Lighting and the Holiday Lighted Agricultural Parade and Street Party.  A new event was announced.  The MLBA will be hosting a Barbeque Competition in our downtown.  It will be called the Basin BBQ Bash in LakeTown Landing and will be held on Third Avenue, September 24^th.  This event will include Tasting, Entertainment and Competition.

The MLBA has recently completed a project to install 10 informational kiosks throughout Moses Lake.  We also care for the planters in LakeTown Landing, put up the yellow pole banners in the spring, and decorate LakeTown Landing for the holidays with pole banners, wreaths and tree lights.  We are currently working on a wireless music system to provide a fantastic experience for the walking public.

The MLBA is also a medium for the public and the businesses in LakeTown Landing to have a collective voice.  We listen and help with issues that are important to you.

The MLBA currently holds their General Meetings the first Thursday of each month at 8 am.  It was suggested that we hold some evening meetings and possibly hold a couple of MLBA Nite Out events each year.  The MLBA Board of Directors and Officers are having a Board Retreat this month and we will report back to you in the June newsletter about any changes in meeting times and events.

If you weren’t able to join us for the event, we hope you’ll put our monthly meetings on your agenda. You can sign up on our website to get emails from MLBA which include meeting reminders as well as when our monthly newsletter is posted to our website. We encourage you to download as well as print out our newsletter and pass it around. Our meetings as well as our newsletter are filled with information important to downtown as well as upcoming events.

Click here to get our monthly email newsletter!

MLBA plans Nite Out on April 26th

“Take this chance to decide the future of MLBA and the downtown of Moses Lake”

If you are a Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Contributor, a MLBA Member, a LakeTown Landing business owner or interested in membership, you are invited to attend.

Come and join us for free entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and drinks on April 26th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center (MAC). Your participation will help guide the future direction of the Moses Lake Business Association. We need input from LakeTown Landing businesses so, as an organized group, we can grow our downtown businesses.

MLBA’s goal is to improve the economic development of the Moses Lake business community through organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring. We are here to support our downtown shopping district, LakeTown Landing. With gas prices on the rise let’s figure out how we can encourage our residents to Shop Moses Lake First!

The MLBA has money and has several projects planned but frankly, attendance at meetings and membership has deteriorated.

Come, get involved in a frank discussion about our direction, and let us know what you want the MLBA to do for you.

RSVP’s by April 18th are required. Contact Marianne at 764-1745 or director@mlbacares.org.

MLBA holds annual meeting and elects new Board of Directors

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) held their annual meeting to reflect on past projects. Interim President, Dustyn Mattes, Manager of Furniture West/Red Rock Creek will stay on as President; Candi Jaeger, Director of The Prosperity Center was elected Vice-President; Jim McKiernan, Advertising Director at the Columbia Basin Herald, was elected Secretary; and Stroud Kunkle, owner of Sutter, Kunkle and Thompson, will continue his position as Treasurer.

Officers elected to the MLBA Board of Directors include, Vern & Gail Hellewell, owners of Cobblestone Corner; Pam & Rich Engelmann, owners of Get Rich Quick Properties, Michaelle Boetger, owner of Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs, Jasmyne DeBeaumont, Business & Asset Coordinator at The Prosperity Center, and Susan Mann, Business Community Liaison & Work Based Learning Coordinator, Columbia Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center.

“Since 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the successful Main Street Approach™. Main Street is a comprehensive, incremental approach to revitalization built around a community’s unique heritage and attributes. Using local resources and initiative, the state program helps communities develop their own strategies to stimulate long term economic growth and pride in the heart of the community- downtown,” states www.choosewashington.com/business/grow/downtown.

Marianne Bondi, Executive Director of the MLBA, says, “I am looking forward to working with the new Board of Directors and Officers as we press forward with the goals, initiatives and projects currently in place and make way for new and exciting things to come.”

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1993 by interested Moses Lake citizens. The purpose of the organization is to stimulate economic development in the Moses Lake business district called LakeTown Landing and to promote the area as an exciting place to live, shop, work and play. The MLBA also seeks to maintain a healthy business community and a high quality of life. MLBA is a member of the Washington State Downtown Revitalization Program. It is currently seeking to obtain Main Street Program status, which will benefit the organization by qualifying for state & national funding for programs and projects. The four components of this program are design, economic restructuring, promotion & organization.

Design Committee letter receives positive response

We received the letter signed by Michaelle and Rich and want to pass on our thanks for the work your organization is doing for downtown Moses Lake—aka LakeTown Landing. I have long been a proponent of strong core downtowns as I believe that the entire community is strengthened. Outlying shopping centers and other businesses are very important, but the heart must be strong first.

We are pleased to be part of that area and have some very good tenants including Inca Restaurant, Silver Sage Design Studio, Diva for a Day, and Bella Boo & Livi Lou’s  which is new and takes over the Baby Naturally space at corner of 3rd and Ash.

Keep up the good work.

Don H. Swartz II

J&M Electric – Moses Lake

The Chief Academy Cafe and Bakery opens in LakeTown Landing.

By Shantra Hannibal

Herald staff writer Columbia Basin Herald

Formerly known as Griffin’s Bakery and Cafe, the bakery’s new incarnation is part of the Moses Lake High School Career and Technical Education Culinary Program.

“The grand opening is the opportunity to show the public that we’re open and see what our students can do,” says Moses Lake School District Superintendent Michelle Price.

Under the instruction of Chris Rimbey, Susan Moberg and Kayla Scott, students are learning to make cinnamon rolls and cookies, crab bisque, clam chowder, bread and more as well as learn aspects of business management.

“Susie Moberg came up with the idea of having the culinary arts program run out of the building and the dream came alive,” Price said.

The bakery initially opened after a mandatory health inspection and receiving a business license in November. Currently, about 50 students rotate through working at the business during the day.

Tuesday’s opening invites the public to visit the new business and enjoy coffee and student-baked cookies.

“It’s a full business operation,” says Executive Director of Secondary Education Dave Balcom. “So it’s everything from shoveling sidewalks (and) mopping the floor to customer service. It’s anything that a restaurant or bakery owner would be expected to do.”

The bakery is typically open from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on regular school days as well as 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Culinary Arts Instructor Susan Moberg said the program wouldn’t have been possible without help from the Griffin family. The former owners helped the school district get the lease for the building as well as giving them specialized recipes.

“We can show them everything here,” said executive chef and culinary instructor Chris Rimbey. “They know above and beyond what a textbook can tell them.”

The Chief Academy Cafe and Bakery is located at 101 E. Broadway in Moses Lake.