BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: March 13-21
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 4 weeks AGO
“Up the Down Staircase,” a play about students, teachers and life, opens tonight at Moses Lake High School.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Rylei Franks will perform live at Michael’s Market & Bistro March 20.
Comedian Nate Ford will perform at Pastime Sportscenter in Ritzville March 21.
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. | March 13, 2026 4:15 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s been a little bit breezy, but nothing the Basin isn’t used to, and it’s certainly no excuse not to get out and do something fun this week. Here are some options.
March 13-17
‘Up the Down Staircase’
Step inside the halls of a bustling urban high school where idealism meets reality in this heartfelt and often humorous story of a young teacher finding her way. The play follows Sylvia Barrett as she begins her first teaching job – full of hope, enthusiasm, and big dreams. But between endless paperwork, rule books, red tape, and unforgettable students, she quickly learns that education is about far more than lesson plans. 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, 2 p.m. Saturday matinee at Moses Lake High School, 803 E. Sharon Ave. Info and tickets: https://bit.ly/MLHS-UTDS.
March 13
Sourdough for Beginners
Are you ready to finally take the plunge into sourdough and all of its benefits? Come learn a skill as old as time and get your hands doughy. Laura, a WSDA-certified commercial sourdough baker and instructor, will teach you all you need to know to bake an artisan sourdough boule from start to finish. Tickets $99, available at https://bit.ly/SourdoughTix26. 5-7:30 p.m. at The Drip, 123 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected].
Comedy Night
Featuring Tacoma-based Robert Ca$h Moore. 7 p.m. at Rick’s Eatery, 819 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-761-9644.
March 14
Lucky Finds Market
Local treasures, fresh spring foods, unique handmade gifts and more at this offseason event by the Moses Lake Farmers market. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-237-2100 or farmersmarketml.com.
Indoor garage sale
Homemade crafts, jewelry and more. 3 p.m. at U Rock Ranch, 465 Road T NE, Warden. Info: 509-350-0562.
Coffee & Canvas Spring Paint Event
Guided paint session with artist Nellie Hoots. Invite your friends and family for an evening of creativity, laughter, and maybe a little tea party magic. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Desert Rose Cafe, 745 E. Hemlock St, Othello. Registration and info: https://bit.ly/SpringPaint3-26.
March 17
Moses Lake Chamber Business Expo
Discover a vibrant showcase of local businesses, enjoy delicious food and drinks, play fun games, and connect with neighbors during a spirited community celebration together. This year’s theme is “Stars, Stripes & Shamrocks.” 4-7 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info and registration: www.moseslake.com.
March 18
Create & Cackle
Do you like to make stuff? Do you have a project unfinished? Want to just hang out and finish a project? Just drop in, have a drink and a snack and create. Knitting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, perler beading, coloring, painting, origami or basket-weaving – the only limit is what you bring. Bring your own project and drinks/snacks and hang out with like-minded individuals. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
March 19
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.
March 20
Rylei Franks
Live music by local singer-songwriter. 5:30-8:30 po.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Boradway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: ryleifranks.com.
Rylei Franks will perform live at Michael’s Market & Bistro March 20.March 21
Cruisin’ into Spring Car Show
Classics, lowriders and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.gcfairgrounds.com/cruisin.
Model Home Build Competition
Students in grades 6-8 are invited for a fun day of hands-on building. Model kits are provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own materials and add-ons. No charge, but registration required by March 13. Info and registration: https://bit.ly/HFHGML-ModelHome26.
Corral Creek
Bluegrass concert featuring American roots music and storytelling. Adults $5, kids 12 and younger free. There will be a hat-pass for the musicians. Refreshments served by the Georgettes. 5 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
Nate Ford Live
Comedian Nate Ford has performed across the country, from the dimly lit dive bars that ooze with character to the grandeur of prestigious theaters, as well as being seen on “Last Comic Standing” and “The Prairie Home Companion.” 8-10 p.m. at Pastime Sportscenter, 119 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info and reservations: 509-428-4117.
Comedian Nate Ford will perform at Pastime Sportscenter in Ritzville March 21.This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: GOAT (PG); Hoppers (PG); I Can Only Imagine 2 (PG); Iron Lung (R); Reminders of Him (PG) Scream 7 (R); Solo Mio (PG); The Bride! (R); The Revenant (R); Undertone (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Scream 7 (R); Hoppers (PG); The Bride! (R); Scream 7 (R); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Reminders of Him (PG-13) See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: How to Make a Killing (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Home prices up in most Basin markets
MOSES LAKE — Home prices increased in most, but not all, markets of the Columbia Basin this year, according to data from the real estate website Redfin. The median home price in Moses Lake in September was $364,821, according to Redfin’s data, up 5.4% from September 2025. Ephrata’s median price wasn’t far off, at $368,824, but that represented a 12.5% increase over the same time period. Quincy’s median price topped the list of local cities at $405,235, a 10.1% year-over-year increase. Othello, in contrast, dropped by 17.1% year-over-year, to $298,226.
BASIN EVENTS Nov. 6-14
COLUMBIA BASIN — Now that everyone has adjusted from the Daylight Saving Time changeover, it’s time to get out of the house and off to something fun. Here are a few destinations to check out. Nov. 6 Members Exhibition Gallery opening for show of artworks by museum members. Opening reception 4-7 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.moseslakemuseum.com.
Going rogue
Moses Lake salon celebrates creativity and independence
MOSES LAKE — The new salon on East Broadway is called Rogue Collective for a reason. “We had this dream to do it all together,” said owner Dana Mendoza. “That’s where the ‘collective’ came from. It’s a pretty amazing group of women. Everyone has their own separate gifts and talents.” The “rogue” part of the name comes from the fact that the professionals all came from other salons with the same idea: to do things their own way.