📰 What's Making News

Clark County All-Star Basketball Games Back After 7-Year Hiatus

Mark your calendar for Tuesday: senior high school basketball all-star games are returning to Clark County for the first time in seven years, hosted at King's Way Christian. It's a chance to see the best local talent on one court before they move on to the next chapter. If you've got a high schooler — or you just love a good crosstown showdown — this is the kind of event that makes our local sports scene worth celebrating. Full details from The Columbian.

Battle Ground Baseball Opens Season With Two Wins, Dominant Pitching

Battle Ground's baseball team wasted no time making a statement on opening day Saturday. Derek Gunderson delivered a clutch two-run single, while James Gill III and Logan Carsten combined for four hitless innings of relief to lock things down. Two wins to start the season is exactly the kind of momentum a program wants heading into league play. Read the full recap here.

Saturday Scoreboard: Baseball, Softball, Soccer Results Are In

Spring sports season officially kicked off across Clark County on Saturday with baseball, softball, and boys soccer all in action. If your kid played — or you're just keeping tabs on how the local programs are shaping up this year — The Columbian has the full rundown of scores and results. It's going to be a fun spring. Check all the scores here.

Tacoma's Museum of Glass Plans First-Ever Major Renovation

Worth-the-drive alert: Tacoma's Museum of Glass is gearing up for its first-ever capital renovation project, with work expected to start as soon as next month. If you've been meaning to visit, now might be a good time to go before sections close for upgrades — or plan a trip after the refresh for a whole new experience. It's one of the Pacific Northwest's standout cultural destinations. More on the renovation plans.

California Wine Country Faces a Grape Glut Nobody Saw Coming

Here's a story that might hit differently if you're a wine lover: California's wine industry is struggling, with winery owner Stuart Spencer estimating he left about 50 tons of grapes to rot on the vine in Lodi last fall because harvesting them would have cost more than they were worth. It's a fascinating look at the economics reshaping one of the country's most iconic agricultural industries — and a reminder of why supporting Pacific Northwest wineries closer to home matters. Read the full story.

💬 Community Buzz

Vancouver Lightning Rebrands as "Storm," Eyes Bigger Goals

If you've been following Clark County's semipro indoor soccer scene, there's a fresh chapter unfolding. The Vancouver Lightning — the men's WISL indoor soccer team — has officially rebranded as Vancouver Storm under head coach Peter Valdez. The name change signals more than new jerseys: the team separated from a local nonprofit to broaden its mission and reach heading into 2026. Worth keeping on your radar if you love supporting homegrown sports that aren't just about Portland. Read more at ClarkCoTalk.

Free Razor Clam Festival in Ocean Shores — Worth the Drive?

The 2026 Razor Clam and Seafood Festival in Ocean Shores is generating buzz as a solid day-trip option for Clark County foodies. Free admission gets you fresh whole razor clams, local seafood vendors, and that salty coastal air just a few hours west. If you've been itching for an excuse to hit the coast before spring really kicks in, this one checks every box without denting the wallet. Full details at ClarkCoTalk.

Aberdeen's Mermaid Festival Runs Free All March

The International Mermaid Museum in Aberdeen is hosting its annual Mermaid Festival every weekend this month — and it's completely free. Think aerial stunts, fire dancing, live unicorns (yes, really), and costumed mermaids blending myth with coastal culture. It's quirky, family-friendly, and unlike anything you'll find closer to home. If you're planning a coast trip anyway, this pairs perfectly with a clam-digging weekend. Learn more at ClarkCoTalk.

⚡ Quick Bites

Gorge Wildflowers Already Blooming — Here's Where to Find Them

A warmer-than-usual winter means spring wildflower carpets are arriving early across Columbia River Gorge trailheads. The Columbian has a site-by-site guide to the best spots for weekend wandering.

Crown Point Country Museum Opens March 21 in Corbett

The new Crown Point Country Museum debuts next Saturday with exhibits on Wasco Nation heritage, early Gorge settlements, and art by Charles W. Post. Free grand-opening festivities run all day.

Columbia River Boys Make State Basketball Run

Columbia River's boys basketball team turned heads at the WIAA state tournament, and Evergreen's girls squad earned a state placing of their own. Reporter Paul Valencia breaks it all down on the latest Study of Sports Podcast.

Plant These Seeds in Your Garden Right Now

Mid-March in Western Washington means it's go time for cold-tolerant crops and flowers — if your soil isn't waterlogged. The Columbian rounds up expert advice on exactly which varieties to get in the ground this week.

RichlandHUB Coffee: Vancouver Shop Sources Beans Direct from East Africa

Founded by James Mbuya, Vancouver's RichlandHUB is an African specialty coffee shop sourcing coffee, cacao, and cashews directly from Tanzania. Learn how the shop connects our community to East African growers.

Easter Egg Hunts Across Clark County — Bookmark This Roundup

Easter lands early in 2026, and ClarkCoTalk has compiled a master list of egg hunts for kids and adults throughout Vancouver and Clark County, including photo ops with the Easter Bunny.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Sunday, March 15

Family & Kids

• St. Paddy's Family Swim — 2:00–4:00 p.m. at Goldfish Swim School, Vancouver. Free splash-filled fun for the whole family.

All Ages

• Clark College Native Plant Center End-of-Winter Sale — All day at the Clark College Greenhouses. Time to get those native flowers in the ground.
• Wild Colors — Natural Pigment Workshop — All day. Explore the magic of wild pigments through ink and dye making with fellow plant-and-color lovers.
• Empanada Cooking Class with Chef Fabiola Donnelly — 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Class Cooking, 110 E. 15th St., Vancouver. Learn dough prep, filling, folding and salsa from scratch.
• Laughgasm! Stand-Up Comedy with Sean Jordan — 7:00 p.m. at UnderBar, 1701½ Broadway, Vancouver. Hosted by Logan Loughmiller with Kyle Adams, Rachelle Cochran, Joseph Crumb and Janeva Zentz. $10 cover.
• Blueprint Arts Presents Magnificence — 7:07 p.m. at Rose City Park United Methodist Church, Portland. Featuring Symphony Topaz and multiple choral ensembles. Pay what you want.
• VanCity Ballroom Saturday Social Dance — 7:00–10:00 p.m. at VanCity Ballroom, 9212 N.E. Hwy 99, Hazel Dell. Beginner lesson at 7, social dancing all styles until 10. $10, no partner needed.
• Clark College Concert Choir Winter Concert — 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 401 E. 33rd St., Vancouver. Free admission; donations accepted.
• Urban Abundance Kick-Off Event — 1:00–3:00 p.m. at the Oak Room. Free food, seed and plant-start swap, and a first look at the 2026 calendar. First 50 guests get a special gift.
• Volunteer for Clark Conservation District Native Plant Sale — Pick-up day shifts available. Sign up for the time that works best for you.
• Love Street Playhouse Presents: Small Potatoes — 2:00 p.m. at Love Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave, Woodland. World-premiere Depression-era drama by local playwright David Bareford. $26.
• Stumptown Stages Presents: Avenue Q — 2:00 p.m. at Brunish Theatre, Portland. Tony-winning musical — part flesh, part felt, packed with heart. $43–$79.
• Ekklesia Theatre Presents: 12 Incompetent Jurors — 2:00 p.m. at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. A hilarious courtroom comedy about the world's worst jury. $15.
• COVID Day of Reflection Labyrinth Walk — 2:00–4:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 N.E. Gher Rd., Vancouver. Walk an indoor or outdoor labyrinth in quiet reflection. Free.
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Chamber Series: Beethoven and Brahms — 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver. Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey and pianist Awadagin Pratt perform masterworks. $25.
• Quiz for a Cause Trivia Night — 7:00 p.m. at Loowit Brewing, 507 Columbia St., Vancouver. Hosted by Geeks Who Drink benefiting Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program. Teams of up to 6, $5/person.

Monday, March 16

Family & Kids

• Early Learners Play to Learn — 10:00–11:00 a.m. at Battle Ground Community Library. Hands-on activities and early literacy tips for ages 0–5. Free.
• Early Learners Music and Movement — 2:30–3:30 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library, Children's Program Room. Songs, rhymes, rhythm and dance for ages 0–5. Free.
• Tales with Tails — 4:00 p.m. at Camas Public Library. Kids in grades 1–5 read aloud to a therapy dog in 15-minute sessions. Registration required. Free.

All Ages

• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — Noon–1:00 p.m. at AC Hotel by Marriott, Vancouver Waterfront. Free and open to community members.

Tuesday, March 17

All Ages

• St. Patrick's Day at McMenamins — All day at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge. Irish Stout on tap plus food and drink specials. Free, all ages.
• Paddy Hough Parade — 12:30 p.m. starting at Hough Elementary, 1900 Daniels St., Vancouver. This year's theme: "The Heart of Hough — Cultivating Learning Through Connection and Community." Free.
• Composting Field Work at Heritage Farm — 10:00 a.m. at 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver. Hands-on bokashi, worm harvesting, leaf mold screening and more. Free — dress for messy outdoor work.
• Aram Arslanian (Orphan Train) Live Music — 6:00 p.m. at Kascadia Public House, Washougal. Free.
• Fort Vancouver Pipe Band and The Quiet Man — 6:30 p.m. pipe band performance followed by a 7:00 p.m. screening of the 1952 John Wayne classic at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. $10–$12.

Teens

• Teen & Adult Japanese Conversation Circle — 6:00 p.m. at Ridgefield Community Library. Practice speaking Japanese in a group setting. Ages 13+. Free.

Wednesday, March 18

Family & Kids

• Family Storytime — 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Vancouver Community Library, Children's Program Room. Stories, songs and activities for ages 0–5. Free.
• Beaded Shamrocks — 1:30–2:30 p.m. at Camas Public Library. Kids in grades K–5 create shamrock charms with pipe cleaners and beads. Registration required. Free.
• Tummy Time — 3:30–4:45 p.m. at Camas Public Library. For babies under 18 months. Free.
• Kids & Tweens Create — 4:00–5:00 p.m. at Washougal Community Library. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–12. Free.
• Kids Read to a Dog — 4:00–5:00 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library. Build reading confidence with a certified therapy dog. Ages 5–9. Free.
• Pajama Storytime — 5:30–6:30 p.m. at Three Creeks Community Library. Wear PJs, bring a stuffed animal and enjoy stories and songs. Ages 0–5. Free.

Teens

• Teen Magic: The Gathering Social Club — 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library. Ages 13–19; decks provided or bring your own. Free.
• Teen Songwriting Workshop with Taylor Miranda — 5:00 p.m. at Camas Public Library. Learn song structure, idea generation and more. Registration required. Free.

All Ages

• Flourish Vancouver Networking — 8:00–9:30 a.m. at Keller Williams Realty, 2211 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free.
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Period furnishings, military memorabilia and General George C. Marshall's study. Free.
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Walk-in or reserve ahead. Free.
• C.A.L.M. Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Training — 11:00 a.m.–noon at NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver. Especially valuable for businesses and community orgs. Free.
• Hatchery Tours & Forest Walks at Columbia Springs — 3:00 p.m. at Columbia Springs, Vancouver. Guided tours of the Vancouver Trout Hatchery and surrounding trails. Free.
• Live Music at The Grant House — 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Willful Wine inside the Grant House, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver. Free.
• Swing Dancing at The Valiant Ballroom — 6:00–9:00 p.m. at 109 W. 9th St., Vancouver. Beginner Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing lesson at 6, social dancing at 7. $10 drop-in.
• Teen & Adult Magic: The Gathering Social Club — 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library. Decks provided or bring your own. Free.
• Contemplative Prayer — 12:20–12:45 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St., Vancouver. Quiet music and reflection. Free.
• Lenten Services — Soup at 5:30 p.m., service at 6:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St., Vancouver. Free.

Seniors

• TOPS WA 1056 Meeting — Weigh-in 8:15–9:15 a.m., meeting 9:30–10:30 a.m. at Fourth Plain Nazarene Church, 16807 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30–9:30 a.m. and 10:00–11:00 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie. Evidence-based group exercise for adults 60+.
• HOPE Dementia Support: "Meet Me at the Museum" — 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan St., Washougal. Explore local artifacts and heritage. Registration required.