📰 What's Making News

Clark College President Karin Edwards delivered her annual State of the College address Thursday, and the headlines are a mix of pride and caution. The college has rolled out new programs, boosted enrollment, and weathered plenty of recent challenges — but Edwards warned that financial headwinds are on the horizon. It's a story worth watching for anyone who cares about accessible education right here in Vancouver. Read the full story at The Columbian.

Over in Washougal, the school board has appointed Greg Retchless to the No. 1 director seat left open when Jim Cooper resigned back in January. It's a fresh chapter for the board as Retchless steps into the role. Get the details here.

Congrats are in order for some seriously talented young wrestlers across the region. The Trico League announced its 2025-26 boys wrestling all-league team, featuring standouts from La Center, Kalama, Castle Rock, and more. Freshmen Dillon Regis, Brody Johnson, and Chance Shirley of La Center all earned first-team honors — keep an eye on those names in the years ahead. See the full all-league roster.

Thursday night brought heartbreak for UW Huskies fans as Wisconsin's John Blackwell erupted for a career-high 34 points — including six three-pointers — to edge Washington 85-82 in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament. It was a gutsy run for the Huskies, but the Badgers had the last word. Recap the game here.

Spring sports are officially in full swing. Thursday's high school scoreboard featured boys soccer and girls tennis action across Clark County. If you're tracking your favorite local team, this is your one-stop roundup. Check all the scores.

💬 Community Buzz

Ever heard of the Vancouver Storm? If the name doesn't ring a bell yet, it will. The men's semiprofessional indoor soccer team formerly known as the Vancouver Lightning rebranded at the start of the year, with head coach Peter Valdez saying the change was about more than just a fresh logo — it's about expanding the team's mission and reach after separating from a local nonprofit. If you've been looking for a local team to rally behind that's distinctly Vancouver, this is your moment. Read more about the rebrand here.

Craving fresh seafood with an ocean breeze? The Razor Clam and Seafood Festival in Ocean Shores is coming up, and the best part — admission is completely free. Expect fresh whole razor clams, plenty of local seafood vendors, and all the coastal charm you can handle. It's the kind of day trip from Vancouver that practically pays for itself (well, minus the gas). Get the details here.

Planning a big gathering but dreading the prep work? Bon Appétit Catering — the team behind the dining program at Saint Martin's University — also handles private events of all sizes. Whether it's a milestone birthday, a company luncheon, or a wedding reception where you'd rather be dancing than plating, they've got the logistics covered so you can actually enjoy hosting. Learn more about their catering services here.

⚡ Quick Bites

Vancouver media producer Chris Erickson is prepping an epic road trip to document Route 66's 100th anniversary through instant photography and video — he's raising funds now via GoFundMe to capture the stories before they're lost. Read more

Heads up if you're driving in Clark County: heavy rains have triggered road and park closures, including near Northeast 159th Street, and Public Works crews are actively responding to flooding reports. Check current closures here

Washougal's long-planned 32nd Street rail crossing project is getting a major redesign — originally conceived as an underpass, it will now move forward as an overpass instead. Full story

Furry Friends is hosting a weeklong cat adoption event at the East Vancouver PetSmart for National Pet Adoption Week — stop by to meet adoptable cats and the volunteers who care for them. Details here

Prairie High School's Falcon Baseball Academy will host its first-ever Extra-Innings Bazaar and Market on May 2 in Brush Prairie, with local vendors and the school's plant and greenhouse sale supporting the baseball program. Learn more

Columbia Springs is celebrating 25 years of environmental education and conservation right here in Vancouver — a quarter-century of connecting our community to nature along the Columbia River. Read their story

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Friday, March 13

• Recycling 101: Learn the Basics — Free hybrid workshop covering curbside recycling tips and where your items go after pickup. Various locations, times vary. Details and sign-up
• Vancouver Sons and Daughters of Italy Meeting — Dinner included at this free monthly gathering. 2nd Thursday each month at Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 3500 N.W. 129th St., Vancouver. More info
• Hot Nutz Competition — Think you can handle the heat? A $100 cash prize awaits the bravest mouth in the room. 6:30 p.m. at Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main St., Vancouver. More info
• Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic featuring Mary Mullen — Award-winning Alaskan writer and author of Zephyr and A Thousand Cabbages. 7 p.m. at Art at the Cave, 108 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. $5 suggested donation. More info
• Clark College Treble Ensemble and Chorale Winter Concert — Directed by Dr. Jacob Funk, accompanied by Dr. Jeongmi Yoon. 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Vancouver. Free admission. More info
• Prune Hill Elementary School Living Lab Work Party — Pull weeds, chip mulch, and prep planting circles with the Camas Earth Day Society. 9:30 a.m. at Prune Hill Elementary, Camas. More info
• Enhance Fitness Classes — Free exercise classes for adults 60+. 8:30–9:30 a.m. and 10–11 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 N.E. 159th St., Brush Prairie. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program — Free lunch for low-income seniors 60+. Noon–1 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Vancouver, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. More info
• NAMI Art Group — 1–3 p.m. at NAMI Southwest Washington, 4201 N.E. 66th Ave., Suite 105, Vancouver. Free. More info
• HOPE Dementia Support: Meet Me at the Movies — A musical on the big screen at 1 p.m. at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. $10 per person. More info
• Watercolor Art Social Group with Gwen Boggs — Learn watercolor techniques; all supplies provided. 1–3 p.m. at NAMI Southwest Washington, 4201 N.E. 66th Ave., Suite 105, Vancouver. Free. More info
• Kids' Kitchen: Pi Day — Virtual cooking class for K–5th graders making fruit popovers. 4:30–5:30 p.m. via Camas Public Library. Free; registration required. More info
• Tween and Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game Adventure — Play Pathfinder 1E for ages 9–19. 4:30–6 p.m. at Ridgefield Community Library. Free. More info
• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd — A guided nature walk hosted by Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan. 5 p.m. at Plas Newydd Farm. Registration required. More info
• Kids Night Out: Leprechaun Traps — Kids ages 5–12 design leprechaun traps with recyclables, paint, and hot glue. Pizza and cookies included. 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Drip Drop Art Studio, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. $45. More info
• Project Huddle Knit/Crochet Circle — Bring your yarn projects (or your scraps for someone else). 5:30–8 p.m. at Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, 109 W. Seventh St., Vancouver. Free. More info
• Journal Embellishment Workshop with Athena McElrath — Learn to decorate and personalize a handmade or purchased journal. 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, 109 W. Seventh St., Vancouver. $30. More info
• Winter Cookie Decorating Class with Bear Hug Bakery — Heather walks you through decorating six gorgeous sugar cookies with royal icing. 6–8 p.m. at Lacamas Lake Lodge, 227 N.E. Lake Rd., Camas. $60. More info
• Friday Fun Night at Kids Club: Steve and Friends — Minecraft-inspired adventures (no screens!) for ages 4–11. Drop-off event at 6:30 p.m. at Kids Club Fun and Fitness, Vancouver. $39.99. More info
• Ekklesia Theatre Presents: 12 Incompetent Jurors — A hilarious comedy about a chaotic jury at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. 7 p.m. $15. More info
• Journey Theater Arts Presents: Mary Poppins — The beloved musical takes the stage at 7 p.m. at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver. $17–$19. More info
• Clark College Native Plant Center End-of-Winter Sale — Spring is springing! Shop native plants at the Clark College Greenhouses. 7 p.m. More info
• Love Street Playhouse Presents: Small Potatoes — World-premiere drama by local playwright David Bareford, a Depression-era story of immigrants chasing the American Dream. 7:30 p.m. at Love Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave., Woodland. $26. More info
• Stumptown Stages Presents: Avenue Q — The Tony-winning musical opens at Brunish Theatre, Portland. 7:30 p.m. $43–$79. More info
• Cirque Mechanics Presents: Tilt — Innovative American circus performance at the Columbia Theatre, Longview. 7:30 p.m. $28–$61.50. More info
• Live Music Friday at Pour Choices Pub — Catch the Pour Voices for a community-powered night of live music. 7:30 p.m. at Pour Choices, 1919 Main St., Vancouver. More info

Saturday, March 14

• City of Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Kickoff Meeting — Learn about the 4th season of community dragon boating. Check-in at 6 p.m., presentation 6:30–7:30 p.m. in Ridgefield. More info
• 2026 US World Open Taekwondo Championships — Spectate disciplines from weapons and poomsae to sparring. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland. $20 spectator entry (cash only). More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play — Free lesson plus assisted play. 9:15–10:30 a.m. at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center — Free STEAM fun with flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Pearson Field Education Center, Vancouver. More info
• Vancouver Farmers Market — Fresh produce, artisan goods, prepared foods, and more from 250+ vendors. 10 a.m. at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. More info
• Washington State Toy Show — Vintage and modern toys, comics, action figures, LEGO, video games, and collectibles. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at Clark County Event Center, 17402 N.E. Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. More info
• Deciduous Tree Nature Day at Columbia Springs — Free, drop-in hands-on science exploring trees that shed their leaves. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Columbia Springs, 12208 S.E. Evergreen Hwy., Vancouver. More info
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington Brunch Club — Communal-style brunch fundraiser with seatings at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The Cove, 5731 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. $40. More info
• Keeping a Milk Cow Workshop at Pomeroy Farm — Hands-on class covering daily care, housing, feeding, and health basics. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt. $35. More info
• K-9 Veterans Day at Fort Vancouver — Free, family-friendly event with K-9 demos, B.A.R.K. Ranger activities, and on-leash training with Sassafras Patterdale. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. More info
• Local Musicians Meet-Up at Jam Session — Drop-in gathering for players of all skill levels. Bring your instrument. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Jam Session, Vancouver. Free. More info
• Play Bridge (0–150 Masterpoints) — 11 a.m. at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. $10. More info
• Hado Healing Sound Bath with Hiroko Hibbard — Explore the five elements through crystal bowls and chimes. 1–2 p.m. at Soulspring Dance Studios, 16904 S.E. First St., Suite 102, Vancouver. $35. More info
• The Ugly Duckling — Broadway Mini's showcase featuring tiny actors ages 3–6 singing, dancing, and acting through this classic tale. 1:30 p.m. at 6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free. More info
• Blueprint Arts Presents: Winds Around the World — Sapphire Wind Symphony performs a global musical journey. 2:07 p.m. at Rose City Park United Methodist Church, Portland. Pay what you want. More info
• Teva Oriata Presents: Te Moana Nui A Hiva — Polynesian dance and music celebrating the spirit of the ocean. 2 p.m. at The Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton. $30–$40. More info
• White Elephant Fantasy Book Exchange — Hosted by Woman of Wonder. Bring a wrapped book (genre written on wrap) and play. 2–3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver. $10–$15. More info
• Tarot Nights at Vampire Unicorns — Classic tarot, oracle, palm, rune, and bone-throwing readings. 3–7 p.m. at 3510 N.E. Third Ave., Camas. Sessions from $18. More info
• St. Paddy's Bash at The Neighborhood Refuge — Live music from DJ Raeann (3–7 p.m.) and The Low Keys (7–10 p.m.), plus food, whiskey, and Guinness. 3–10 p.m. at 113 S. Main Ave., Ridgefield. More info
• WTA Trail Skills Series: Intro to Trailhead Communication — Learn work-party safety and communication devices for out-of-range situations. 4 p.m. in SW Washington. More info
• Camp Hope Spring Clean-Up Volunteer Work Party — Help maintain trails and build community in a beautiful forest setting. 4 p.m. in Battle Ground. More info