Ellington

Mason’s Place opens in new location

More space with larger kitchen

MOSES LAKE — For Heather Mason, the opening of Mason’s Place’s new location is about more than fresh paint, expanded seating or future menu offerings. It is the culmination of more than a decade of relationships, regular customers and community support that helped transform a small coffee shop’s dream into one of Moses Lake’s most popular third spaces. After 11 years in the Smith Martin Building, Mason’s Place has moved into a larger standalone space that allows for a full kitchen, room to grow and new opportunities to serve customers. But as she looked around the café shortly before opening day, Mason said what struck her most was not the renovation itself.

BASIN EVENTS Aug. 14-22

COLUMBIA BASIN — The third week in August is coming up, and we all know what that means: the Grant County Fair, Miner Services Demo Derby and Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo. But that’s not all that‘s happening this week. Check out these options as well.

‘All That’ star Christy Knowings, 46, dies after severe asthma attack

NEW YORK — Christy Knowings of “All That” fame has died following a severe asthma attack. The Bronx-born actress and comedian was 46.

Arts Quest brings creativity to farmers market

MOSES LAKE — Arts Quest made its first appearance at the Moses Lake Farmers Market Saturday. “There are a lot more people coming, a lot more kids especially,” said Columbia Basin Allied Arts Event and Communication Support Sarah Delacruz. “Chris (Haguewood) from the Farmers Market is really excited to be working with us.”

Day of preparation before the Grant County Fair opens

MOSES LAKE — For the volunteers at the Covenant Christian School booth, the Grant County Fair started with a lesson in how to make smoothies. The fair starts today, and CCS students, staff and parent volunteers are running the fruit smoothie booth as a school fundraiser. Monday was the day to set up the displays, booths and tents, house the animals, enter exhibits and generally clean up those spaces that are used sparingly during the rest of the year. The booth was packed with parents, staff and CCS elementary and high school students. Principal Desiree Sept said CCS does use a lot of its equipment year-round, but a test run is never a bad idea.

Sunny skies predicted for Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair opens today, with all its rides, food, entertainment and fun. The weather should be some of the nicest we’ve had all summer. The National Weather Service is predicting sun with high temperatures around 90, just enough to make a cold treat seem appealing. And the smoky skies we’ve been dealing with since the summer started are clearing up. The Washington Department of Ecology is predicting that the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups: older adults, children, and people with heart or lung disease. But even for those folks, it’s just a good idea not to be outdoors too much, and plenty of the things to do at the fair are inside the buildings and barns. For everyone else, the air should be just fine.

BASIN EVENTS: Aug. 21-29

COLUMBIA BASIN — Summer is winding down, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy it while it lasts. Here are a few things to round out your August.

Masquers Gala to take a trip back to the ’80s

SOAP LAKE — Be ready to be transported to the age of Madonna, Ferris Bueller and New Coke at the Masquers Theater Gala Aug. 29. The theme is ’80s Prom Night, and big hair and bright colors will fill the theater, according to an announcement from the troupe. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. There is no charge to enter. The event begins with a cocktail hour, followed by a program featuring live performances from the Masquers’ last season and some songs from the upcoming “Anastasia: The Musical,” according to Masquers Publicity Representative Darryl Pheasant. Food and drinks will be provided by Cloudview Kitchens.

Sip & Stroll to offer greater variety of sips

MOSES LAKE — Sip & Stroll, the Downtown Moses Lake’s annual celebration of wine and local business, is expanding its horizon this year. “In years past, Sip & Stroll has been mainly wine,” DMLA Executive Director Mallory Miller said. “This year we decided to include beer (plus cider and spirits). It’s like a taste of everything. We wanted it to feel like an event everybody could attend.” The idea behind Sip & Stroll is the same as in years past: patrons browse through 17 downtown businesses, each of which has at least one winery – or, this year, a brewery, cidery or distillery – offering tastes of their wares. There are also nonalcoholic drink options at each stop.

Stuck on science

Kids discover physics at museum program

MOSES LAKE — It was just another Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, with Program Assistant Savannah Betz explaining non-Newtonian physics and the scientific method to a group of grade-school children. “We know that something is solid because we can feel that it’s solid,” Betz said. “We know that something is liquid because it looks like liquid and feels like liquid. And you know that something is a gas because, well, you can’t see it, really. Sometimes you can smell a gas, and you kind of feel it as you wave your arms around. (Oobleck) is called a non-Newtonian fluid because it doesn’t conform to those states of matter.”