📰 What's Making News

Seton Catholic's Violet Heidt Turns Summer Experiment Into Triple Jump Breakout

Sometimes the best athletic stories start with "why not?" Violet Heidt of Seton Catholic picked up the triple jump last summer on a whim — and now she's turning heads at the Tiger Invite as a legitimate threat in the event. It's a great reminder that Vancouver's prep athletes keep finding new ways to compete at a high level. Read the full story in The Columbian.

Saturday Scoreboard: How Local Teams Fared Across 5 Sports

Baseball, softball, boys soccer, track and field, girls tennis — Saturday was packed with high school action across Clark County. Whether your kid plays or you just love following the local programs, this is your one-stop recap for every result that came in over the weekend. Check the full scoreboard here.

Val Kilmer Returns to the Big Screen — Via Artificial Intelligence

Val Kilmer, who passed away last spring, will star in an upcoming film using AI technology to recreate his performance. It's a fascinating and slightly surreal frontier for Hollywood, raising questions about legacy, consent, and what it means to "star" in a movie after death. Love it or find it unsettling, it's a conversation worth having. Read more from The Columbian.

💬 Community Buzz

Columbia Springs Turns 25 — and Vancouver's Favorite Nature Hub Keeps Growing

A quarter century of outdoor education right here in Vancouver, and Columbia Springs is marking the milestone with a look back at how a small conservation idea grew into one of Clark County's most beloved community spaces. Their anniversary piece traces the arc from early days to a thriving center for curiosity-driven learning and habitat restoration. If you've ever wandered the trails along the Columbia or brought your kids to a nature program there, this one will hit home. Read the full anniversary reflection.

What If Paying Attention Were Something You Practiced?

Columbia Springs' "Lessons That Stick" series tackles a deceptively simple idea: attention isn't a given — it's a skill you can sharpen, especially outdoors. The piece explores how slowing down in nature rewires the way we notice the world around us, something that resonates whether you're eight or forty-eight. It's a short, thought-provoking read that might change the way you approach your next walk along Burnt Bridge Creek. Check out the full lesson.

Fix It Before You Toss It: Monthly Repair Tips Worth Bookmarking

Columbia Springs has been quietly running a "Repair Tip of the Month" series, and the January and February 2026 installments are practical gems for anyone trying to waste less and save a little money. These aren't overwhelming DIY overhauls — they're bite-sized, doable fixes that fit into a busy week. If your New Year's resolution involved being a bit more resourceful, start here. See the latest February tip or catch up on January's.

⚡ Quick Bites

Washington Homebuyers Gamble on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Again

With mortgage rates and home prices staying stubbornly high, more Washington buyers are turning to adjustable-rate mortgages — the same loan type that surged in popularity before the 2008 financial crisis. King County is leading the trend, but it's worth watching for Clark County homeowners weighing their next move. Read more from The Columbian.

Skier Survives 4.5 Hours Buried in Stevens Pass Avalanche

Michael Harris, a lifelong skier, was buried by an avalanche while skiing solo at Stevens Pass on Feb. 26 — and somehow survived after 4.5 hours under the snow. His rescue story is a remarkable reminder for anyone heading to the mountains this spring. Full story here.

Columbia Springs Shares Its March Repair Tip

Columbia Springs just posted its March 2026 repair tip — part of an ongoing series connecting Vancouver residents with hands-on skills for fixing what's broken instead of tossing it. Check out this month's tip.

PlayStation Price Jumps Another $100, Now 30% Higher Than Last Year

Sony is raising the price of the PlayStation by $100 — the second hike in under a year, pushing the console's cost 30% above where it sat in early 2025. If you've got a gamer in the house, brace the birthday budget. Details here.

Can AI Actually Help You Land a Job?

A new tech-tip breakdown from The Columbian walks through exactly where AI tools can streamline your job search — and where they fall flat. Useful reading if you or someone you know is navigating the application grind right now. Read the guide.

Fish Disguised as Salami? Seafood Industry Tries a New Play

The American seafood industry is reimagining fish as meatballs, breakfast sausage, and even spareribs — betting that if it looks more like meat, more people will eat it. A fun, slightly weird food trend to watch. Read more.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Sunday, March 29

• Adopt-A-Park Event at LeRoy Haagen Community Park — Help remove ivy and non-native plants at this family-friendly volunteer morning. Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks provided. 13200 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver
• Camas SpringFest! — Free all-day festival at Crown Park with activities, entertainment, and egg scramble fun for the whole family. Crown Park, Camas
• Palm Sunday at St. Luke's–San Lucas — Services at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. (English) and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) featuring the procession of palms and Eucharist. 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free
• Jump for Joy Horse Show — Fox Hills Pony Club show, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield
• He Lives: An Easter Celebration — 70-voice Southwest Washington Easter Choir with baritone Matthew Erickson, violinist Tianna Byrtus, and saxophonist Breegan Arnett. 7 p.m. at 21720 NE 29th Ave., Ridgefield. Free
• Portland Revels Spring Pub Sing: A Sea Shanty Sing-Along! — Don your best maritime attire and sing along, 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Lucky Labrador. Free ($10 suggested donation)
• Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons — A candlelit concert experience, 60 minutes. The Old Church Concert Hall, Portland. $43.50–$67.50
• Stumptown Stages Presents: Avenue Q — The Tony-winning musical, part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart. 2 p.m. at Brunish Theatre, Portland. $43–$79
• Guys and Dolls — Columbia Theater Arts Foundation's pay-what-you-will performance, 2 p.m. Washburn Performing Arts Center, Washougal High School

Family & Kids

• Nature Art Resin Jewelry Studio with Bri — Kids go on a nature walk at Columbia Springs, then create pendants, earrings, or keychains using UV resin and natural elements. Columbia Springs, Vancouver
• Floating Easter Egg Hunt at Kids Club — Easter egg open swim with goody bags and a visit from the Easter Bunny, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Ages 0–12. Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver. $20
• Community Egg Hunt at River City Church — Free breakfast (pancakes, sausage, fruit), egg hunts by age group, photo booth, and games, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 2400 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free
• First Presbyterian Church Easter Fest & Egg Hunt — Faith-filled activities and a creative egg hunt, 2–3 p.m. in the upper parking lot. First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver. Free
• Northwest Children's Theater Presents: Alice in Wonderland — An original jazz musical, noon and 3 p.m. (3 p.m. is sensory friendly). The Judy, Portland. $25–$35
• Pinch Pot Pets at Kilnfolk Clay Studio — Sculpt your pet or favorite animal in clay, 3:30–5 p.m. Ages 8+. 108 W. Sixth St., Vancouver. $65

Adults

• Evening of Jazz — The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra welcomes jazz vocalist Halie Loren, pianist John C. O'Leary III, and percussionist Charlie Doggett for dinner and music. Doors 5:15 p.m., dinner 6 p.m. AC Hotel, 333 W. Columbia Way, Vancouver. $150
• A Night Among the Stars: Columbia Gorge Museum Gala — Dancing, silent auction, and a Skamania Lodge–prepared meal, 6–10 p.m. Columbia Gorge Museum, Stevenson. $75
• VanCity's Saturday Social Dance & Beginners Lesson — 45-minute lesson at 7 p.m. followed by social dancing until 10 p.m. No partner needed. VanCity Ballroom, Hazel Dell. $10
• Prom with a Purpose Fundraiser for Fosterful — 21+ enchanted Neverland-themed prom benefiting local foster children, 7–9 p.m. 2211 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. $35–$55
• Sound Bath at Lilith House — A relaxing sound bath with Rachel Fouts-Carrico, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Bring a mat, blanket, or pillows. 1017 NW 45th St., Vancouver. $45
• Spring Happy Hour Cooking Class — Cook green goddess meatballs, pearl couscous salad, and charred broccolini with WildSalt Studio, 1:30–4:30 p.m. Class Cooking, 110 E. 15th St., Vancouver. $99

Monday, March 30

• Clark County Parks Fee-Free Day — "National Take a Walk in the Park" Day — Enjoy free access to Clark County regional parks all day
• Park Clean Up at Pacific Community Park — Pitch in to pick up litter. Tools and snacks provided. Check in at the picnic shelter, 1515 NE 164th Ave., Vancouver

Family & Kids

• Early Learners Play to Learn — Hands-on early literacy activities for ages 0–5, 10–11 a.m. Battle Ground Community Library. Free
• Early Learners Music and Movement — Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for ages 0–5, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Vancouver Community Library. Free
• Kids & Tweens STEM Lab: Owl Pellets — Dissect a real owl pellet with Ken Pitts from the Vancouver Audubon Society. Ages 5–12. No registration needed. Battle Ground Community Library

Seniors

• Vancouver's Forever Young Hikers — Cougar Trails Red Loop — Easy 4-mile hike at WSU Vancouver with little elevation gain. For adults 50+

Tuesday, March 31

• Vendor Open House at Black Pearl on the Columbia — Meet caterers, photographers, planners, and musicians at this waterfront venue, 2–7 p.m. 56 S. First St., Washougal. Free
• Free Documentary Screening: Big Medicine: York Outdoors — The untold story of York, the only African American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 6:30 p.m. Camas Public Library. Free
• Vancouver Wildlife League Monthly Meeting — Adrienne Mason of Friends of Vancouver Lake speaks about the future of the lake, 6–7 p.m. Smith-Reynolds American Legion Post 14, Vancouver. Free
• Vancouver Elks Lodge #823 Officer Installation — Annual installation of new officers for the 2026–2027 year, 7 p.m. Vancouver Elks Lodge. Free
• Les Misérables — Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production of the beloved musical, 7:30 p.m. Keller Auditorium, Portland. Starting at $80

Family & Kids

• Easter Bunny & Real Bunnies Play Sessions at City Play — Kids meet the Easter Bunny, cuddle real bunnies, and enjoy an Easter scavenger hunt. 1-hour sessions. City Play for Kids, Vancouver. $40

Teens

• Teen & Adult Japanese Conversation Circle — Practice speaking Japanese in a group setting, 6 p.m. Ridgefield Community Library. Free

Adults

• Shut Up and Write Writers Group — Focused writing session for ages 13+, 5–6:30 p.m. Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free

Wednesday, April 1

• Marshall House Tours — Free tours of the historic Officers Row landmark, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver
• Providence Academy Tours — Free tours of the historic building, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Providence Academy, Vancouver
• Contemplative Prayer — Quiet music and prayer, 12:20–12:45 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St., Vancouver. Free
• Music Therapy Song Circle — Led by licensed music therapist Kelly Aloia, 1–2 p.m. Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 3500 NW 129th St., Vancouver. Free
• Vancouver Audubon Society Bird Walk (Moved to April 4) — Spring birding with leader Cindy McCormack at Shillapoo Lake Wildlife Area. Register at vas@vancouveraudubon.org

Family & Kids

• Family Storytime — Stories, songs, and activities for ages 0–5, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Vancouver Community Library. Free
• Preschool Storytime — Stories, songs, and activities for ages 3–5, 11 a.m.–noon. Battle Ground Community Library. Free
• Kids & Tweens Create — Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–12, 4–5 p.m. Washougal Community Library. Free

Teens

• Teen & Adult Magic: The Gathering Social Club — Open game play with decks provided, 4–6 p.m. Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Free

Seniors

• TOPS WA 1056 Vancouver — Weigh-in 8:15–9:15 a.m., meeting 9:30–10:30 a.m. Fourth Plain Nazarene Church, Vancouver
• Enhance Fitness Classes — Group exercise for adults 60+, 8:30–9:30 a.m. and 10–11 a.m. Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie
• Pairs and Spares Seniors Lunch — 11:30 a.m. at Makoto Japanese Buffet, 1119 SE 163rd Pl., Vancouver