BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: March 20-27, 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months AGO
The Gentlemen’s Quartet will perform at the Wallenstien Theater March 24.
COURTESY PHOTO/LIVE ON STAGE
The Moses Lake Taproom will host a bingo fundraiser for Daze of Camelot Animal Sanctuary March 26.
Northwest historian Feliks Banel will present “All Over the Map: Stories Behind the Names of Washington Places and Things” at the Ritzville Public Library March 27.
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 20, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — There’s plenty to do this week in the Columbia Basin. Here are some possibilities.
March 20
Rylei Franks
Live music by local singer-songwriter. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: ryleifranks.com
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. 53 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com
March 22
Mom Meetup
Support and friendship for moms of all faiths and all ages of children. Childcare provided. 3-4:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Chapel, 612 Third Ave. SE, Ephrata. Info: 509-760-7669
March 23
Naloxone Training
Learn to identify and respond to an opioid overdose with hands-on training. Presented in English and Spanish by Grant County Health District. 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. 509-787-2359
March 24
Gentlemen’s Quartet
Instrumental quartet with female vocalist. GQ is a modern, elegant take on some of the most famous music ever written, fusing together multiple genres in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor. Sponsored by Central Basin Community Concert Association. Tickets $30 for adults, $10 for students, with special rates for families and music teachers and students. 7 p.m. at the Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: www.communityconcertsml.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
March 26
Family History Night
Learn about the history of the Columbia Basin, and enjoy cheese zombies or chili with a cinnamon roll. Hosted by Ephrata Middle School PAWS. Proceeds fund EMS’ eighth-grade celebration. Tickets $7, available at https://bit.ly/EMSHistory26. 5-7 p.m. at Ephrata Middle School, 384 A St. SE. Info: 509-754-4659
Bingo Fundraiser for Daze of Camelot
Raffles, drawings and bingo. Prizes include a smart TV, a kayak and gift baskets. Proceeds support Daze of Camelot Animal Sanctuary. There will also be a supply drive; please bring any laundry detergent and pet food you can spare. No charge, but a donation of $5 is suggested per bingo card. 6-8 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: moseslaketaproom.com
March 27
‘Zootopia 2’
Free screening of family-friendly film. Rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De'Snake arrives in Zootropolis and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. Bring your favorite treats to enjoy, just remember to clean up afterward. 1 p.m. at Quincy Public Library 208 Central Ave S. Info: 509-787-2359
Pine Needle Basketry
Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket making in this hands-on beginner class. Participants will learn the fundamentals of coiling techniques, how to prepare and work with natural pine needles, how to start with a ceramic base, and how to incorporate simple embellishments. No prior experience is necessary. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a small, handcrafted basket and the skills to continue this relaxing and rewarding craft at home. All materials are provided. 1 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830
Humanities Speaker: Feliks Banel
Northwest historian, broadcaster and storyteller Feliks Banel presents “All Over the Map: Stories Behind the Names of Washington Places and Things,” an engaging look at how our state’s towns, landmarks, and even local brands got their names. Sponsored by Humanities Washington. No charge. 5 p.m. at Ritzville Public Library, 302 W. Main Ave. Info: ritzvillelibrary.org
Under the Stars Daddy-Daughter Dance
Dinner and dancing for dads and daughters. Treat boxes and water included, plus photos available on-site. Hosted by Royal High School Family, Career, Community Leaders. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/RHSDaddyDaughter26. Dinner 5:30 p.m., dancing 7-8:30 p.m. at Royal High School, 955 Ahlers Ave. N. Info: 509-346-2256
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: GOAT (PG); Hoppers (PG); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Reminders of Him (PG) Scream 7 (R); Undertone (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Reminders of Him (PG-13) See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: I Can Only Imagine 2 (PG). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The Moses Lake Taproom will host a bingo fundraiser for Daze of Camelot Animal Sanctuary March 26.
Northwest historian Feliks Banel will present “All Over the Map: Stories Behind the Names of Washington Places and Things” at the Ritzville Public Library March 27.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Endless battle
Noxious Weed Control Board works to keep invasive plants under control
MOSES LAKE — Some of the nastiest plants in Grant County were the topic of a class led by Jay Johnson, a consultant with the Grant County Noxious Weed Control Board, Tuesday. The Noxious Weed Control Board, as its name would suggest, is tasked with keeping weeds under control in Grant County. That’s not a small job; the board’s website lists 129 species of noxious weeds that are found around Grant County. A noxious weed is defined as an invasive, non-native plant that threatens agricultural crops, local ecosystems or fish and wildlife habitat, according to the Noxious Weed Control Board. Washington state law requires that these weeds be identified and their spread kept to a minimum, if not completely eradicated. “We’re one of those agencies a lot of people don’t really understand,” Johnson said. “We’re a county office and … our funding is tax-based assessment. When you get your tax bill and you look down at all the expenses that you pay for, there we are.”
BASIN EVENTS: Oct. 16-24
COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you feel like shopping, crafting, learning or seeing a show, there’s something happening for you this week in the Basin. Oct. 16 ‘My Family (Mi Familia)’ screening Spanning three generations, “My Family (Mi Familia)” is a heartfelt drama that follows the Sánchez family as they build their lives in East Los Angeles. Through love, hardship, triumph, and sacrifice, the film explores the immigrant experience, the strength of family bonds, and the traditions that connect one generation to the next. Lowrider show and taco truck before the screening. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts, EDUBS C/S and the Moses Lake Creative District. $12 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m., film begins at 7 p.m. at the Moses Lake Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St. Tickets and info: www.cba-arts.org.
Moses Lake author encourages women to look beyond church culture norms
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake author’s book, “A Christian Woman Striving to Live Her Faith in a Man-Controlled World,” takes aim at the role to which many churches relegate the female half of their congregations. “It’s to encourage women in the faith,” Linda Curran said. “A lot of churches say, ‘Teach Sunday school, do this, do that, but don’t (evangelize.)’" In her book, Curran recounts a time when she moved to a new community and joined a church there. She was surprised to learn that, as a new female member, she had been automatically assigned church cleaning duties. When she questioned it, she wrote, she was met with condescension and her objections were brushed aside. In other churches, she said, women who were capable of teaching were relegated to “women’s ministry.”