📰 What's Making News

Half-Empty Strip Malls Could Become Housing Under New WA Law

If you've driven past a tired, half-vacant strip mall in Vancouver and thought "something should go there," you're not alone — and now something can. A new Washington state law opens the door for housing development in commercial and other zones that previously kept residential projects out. For a city where housing demand keeps climbing, this could reshape underused corridors across Clark County in meaningful ways. Keep an eye on which properties local developers move on first. Read more from The Columbian.

Toumani Camara Drops 23 in Blazers' 35-Point Blowout

Portland's Toumani Camara looked every bit the emerging star Sunday night, pouring in 23 points as the Trail Blazers dismantled the Washington Wizards 123-88. It was the kind of lopsided, feel-good win that has Rip City buzzing about the team's trajectory. For Clark County fans who make the trip across the river — or catch the game from the couch — it was an easy night to enjoy. Full recap here.

Seattle's Giant Troll Sculpture Cracks National Top-Attractions List

The Fremont Troll — that enormous concrete figure lurking under Seattle's Aurora Bridge — just earned a spot among the top roadside attractions in the entire country. The sculpture has been a quirky Pacific Northwest landmark for decades, but national recognition is putting it back on road-trippers' radar. It's a solid excuse for a weekend drive north if you haven't visited in a while. See the full ranking.

'Project Hail Mary' Holds Strong With $54.5M Second Weekend

Ryan Gosling's sci-fi adaptation "Project Hail Mary" isn't slowing down, pulling in $54.5 million in its second weekend to cement its status as 2026's biggest hit so far. Based on the bestselling Andy Weir novel, the film's word-of-mouth momentum suggests it has serious staying power. If you haven't grabbed tickets yet, this might be the week — before spoilers catch up with you. Box office details here.

💬 Community Buzz

Columbia Springs Turns 25 — Quarter-Century of Conservation on the Waterfront

Vancouver's own Columbia Springs just hit a remarkable milestone: 25 years of environmental education, habitat restoration, and community building right here along the Columbia River. Their retrospective traces the arc from scrappy startup to beloved nature hub, highlighting the curiosity-driven programs that have connected thousands of Clark County families to the outdoors. If you've ever taken the kids to a salmon release or wandered the trails near the old fish hatchery, you're part of this story. Read the full anniversary reflection from Columbia Springs.

Why "Paying Attention" Might Be the Most Underrated Outdoor Skill

Columbia Springs' latest "Lessons That Stick" column makes a compelling case that observation — just noticing what's around you — is a trainable skill, not a personality trait. The piece explores how slowing down in nature sharpens focus for kids and adults alike, something worth remembering as spring weather finally nudges us outside. It's a short, thoughtful read that might change how you approach your next walk along Burnt Bridge Creek. Check out the full column here.

Fix It Before You Toss It: Columbia Springs' Monthly Repair Tips

Columbia Springs has been quietly running a "Repair Tip of the Month" series, and both the January and February 2026 installments are worth bookmarking. The idea is simple — learn one practical fix each month so fewer usable items end up in the landfill. It's the kind of resourceful, waste-not spirit that feels very Vancouver. Grab the latest February repair tip or catch up on January's.

⚡ Quick Bites

Columbia Springs Shares How Rainy-Day Field Trips Still Spark Wonder

The environmental education center's latest "Lessons That Stick" blog post explores how kids learn just as deeply — maybe more so — when the weather isn't cooperating. If you've ever debated pulling your kiddo from an outdoor field trip on a drizzly morning, this one's worth a read.

Free Repair Know-How: Columbia Springs Posts Its March Fix-It Tip

Before you toss that broken household item, check Columbia Springs' March 2026 Repair Tip of the Month. The center's growing repair program also just published a deeper look at how volunteer repair events build community connections across Clark County.

Summer Flights Will Cost More as Oil Prices Climb

Rising oil prices are pushing airfares higher heading into summer travel season, with some airlines warning of potential service cuts. If you're planning a getaway, booking sooner rather than later could save real money. Full details here.

Colleges Ditch Laptops, Bring Back Oral Exams to Counter AI Cheating

A growing number of universities are requiring students to defend their work face-to-face — no screens, no chatbots, no notes — in old-school oral exams designed to prove they actually know the material. The Columbian has the story.

Vancouver Couple Among Latest Marriage Licenses Filed

Congrats to Ashley Rene Edwards, 31, and Richard Dillon Drury, 38, both of Vancouver, who appeared in Saturday's Vital Statistics listing in The Columbian.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Monday, March 30

• Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons — a 60-minute concert by candlelight at The Old Church Concert Hall, Portland (doors open 45 min early)
• He Lives: An Easter Celebration — free concert featuring the 70-voice Southwest Washington Easter Choir with baritone Matthew Erickson, violinist Tianna Byrtus, and saxophonist Breegan Arnett, 7 p.m. at the Ridgefield Stake Center, Ridgefield
• Clark County Parks & Nature Fee-Free Day — celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day with free access to Clark County regional parks
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — noon–1 p.m. at AC Hotel by Marriott Vancouver Waterfront (free)

Family & Kids

• Early Learners Play to Learn — hands-on activities and early literacy tips for ages 0–5, 10–11 a.m. at 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. at Vancouver Community Library (free)
• Kids & Tweens STEM Lab: Owl Pellets — dissect real owl pellets with Ken Pitts from the Vancouver Audubon Society, ages 5–12, 3 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library (free, no registration needed)

Seniors

• Vancouver's Forever Young Hikers: Cougar Trails Red Loop — easy 4-mile hike at WSU Vancouver, for adults 50+, 8 a.m.
• Park Clean Up at Pacific Community Park — volunteer litter pickup, 1 p.m. at 1515 NE 164th Avenue, Vancouver (tools provided)

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. at 56 S First St., Washougal (free)
• Vancouver Wildlife League Monthly Meeting — Adrienne Mason of Friends of Vancouver Lake on the future of the lake, 6–7 p.m. at Smith-Reynolds American Legion Post 14, Vancouver (free)
• Free Documentary Screening: Big Medicine: York Outdoors — the untold story of York from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 6:30 p.m. at Camas Public Library (free)
• Officer Installation at Vancouver Elks Lodge #823 — public welcome as new officers are installed for 2026–2027, 7 p.m. (free)
• Les Misérables — Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production, 7:30 p.m. at Keller Auditorium, Portland (from $80)

Family & Kids

• Easter Bunny & Real Bunnies Play Sessions at City Play — photos with the Easter Bunny plus 15 min of real bunny cuddles, Easter treats and scavenger hunt, 7:30 a.m. at City Play for Kids, Vancouver ($40/child)

Teens

• Teen & Adult Japanese Conversation Circle — practice speaking Japanese in a group setting, ages 13+, 11 a.m. at Ridgefield Community Library (free)

Adults

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

Wednesday, April 1

• Marshall House Tours — free tours of the historic Marshall House on Officers Row, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
• Providence Academy Tours — free tours 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Providence Academy, Vancouver
• Contemplative Prayer — quiet music and prayer, 12:20–12:45 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St., Vancouver (free)
• Music Therapy Song Circle — led by licensed music therapist Kelly Aloia, 1–2 p.m. at Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Felida (free)
• First of the Month Bird Walk (moved to April 4) — spring birding led by Cindy McCormack at Shillapoo Lake Wildlife Area, 7:30 a.m. — register via Vancouver Audubon Society
• Laser K-Pop Demon Hunters — 30-minute laser show at OMSI Planetarium, Portland ($7.50)
• Live Music at The Grant House — solo musicians at Willful Wine, 5–7 p.m. at 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver (free)
• All Ages Bingo — prizes, snacks, and friendly competition, 6 p.m. at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver ($10–$12)
• Swing Dancing at The Valiant Ballroom — beginner lesson 6–7 p.m., social dancing 7–9 p.m., 109 W. Ninth St., Vancouver ($10 drop-in)
• Poetry Street PNW Open Mic — read your own poetry or a favorite poet's work, 6:15–7:45 p.m. at Camas Public Library (free)

Family & Kids

• Family Storytime — stories, songs, and activities for ages 0–5, 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Vancouver Community Library (free)
• Preschool Storytime — stories, songs, and activities for ages 3–5, 11 a.m.–noon at Battle Ground Community Library (free)
• Kids & Tweens Create — creative art projects for ages 5–12, 4–5 p.m. at Washougal Community Library (free)
• Kids Read to a Dog — read aloud to a certified therapy dog, ages 5–9, 4–5 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library (free)
• Kids & Tweens STEM Lab — hands-on science and engineering for ages 5–12, 4–5:30 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library (free)
• Pajama Storytime — wear PJs and bring a stuffed animal for stories and songs, ages 0–5, 5:30–6:30 p.m. at Three Creeks Community Library (free)

Teens

• Teen & Adult Magic: The Gathering Social Club — open play (decks provided or bring your own), 4–6 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library (free)
• Teen Magic: The Gathering Social Club — ages 13–19, 4–6 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library (free)
• Teen Songwriting Workshop — learn to write music with songwriter Taylor Miranda, 10 a.m. at Camas Public Library (free, registration required)

Seniors

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

Thursday, April 2

• Advanced Competitive Bridge Bidding — class with Ruby Life Master Michael Walker, 10 a.m.–noon at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. ($10–$50)
• Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington Chapter #19 — guest speaker Tim Dixon on the Tillamook County Creamery Association, 12:30–2:30 p.m. at Salmon Creek United Methodist Church (free)
• Card-Making Club — free hands-on card crafting, 1 p.m. at Craft Warehouse in Hazel Dell

Family & Kids

• Kids & Tweens Build It — LEGO bricks, blocks, and building for ages 5–12, 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library (free)
• Kids Book Group — chapter book discussion for ages 5–9, 4–5 p.m. at Three Creeks Community Library (free, registration required)
• Easter EGGsperience Toddler Play Park — indoor play park with egg hunt and Easter Bunny photos for ages 3 and under, 4 p.m. at Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver ($14.99)

Teens

• Tween & Teen Tabletop RPG Adventure — Dungeons & Dragons for ages 9–19, 4:30 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library (free)
• Teen & Adult Financial Literacy — budgeting and money management with IQ Credit Union, ages 13+, 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Battle Ground Community Library (free)
• CD Painting — transform old CDs into custom art, grades 6–12, 4:30–6 p.m. at Camas Public Library (free, registration required)