📰 What's Making News

1,500 Walkers, Countless Wagging Tails Flood the Waterfront for Animals

The Vancouver waterfront turned into the happiest place in Clark County on Saturday. Nearly 1,500 people — and their four-legged best friends — showed up for the Walk/Run for the Animals, benefiting the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. It's one of those events that reminds you why this community is special: people lacing up their sneakers and hitting the pavement so shelter animals get the care they deserve. If you were anywhere near the waterfront, you already know — the tail-wagging energy was off the charts. See the photos and full recap here.

Golden Tempo Wins Kentucky Derby, Cherie DeVaux Makes History as Trainer

Horse racing got a historic moment on Saturday when Golden Tempo crossed the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby — and trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman ever to train a Derby winner. DeVaux made history at the opening leg of the Triple Crown, a barrier-breaking achievement in a sport with deep traditions. Whether you had a mint julep in hand or just caught the replay, it's a result worth knowing about. Read the full story here.

Saturday's High School Baseball Scoreboard: Who Won?

It was a busy Saturday on the diamond for Clark County high school baseball teams. If your kid plays, your neighbor's kid plays, or you just like keeping tabs on local athletics, the full scoreboard is in. Spring sports season is flying by, and every game matters as teams jockey for postseason positioning. Check all the scores here.

Starbucks Picks Nashville Over Seattle — What's That Say About the Northwest?

When Starbucks announced plans for a major new office in Nashville instead of expanding in its hometown of Seattle, it set off a real conversation about what's pulling companies away from the Pacific Northwest. The move has people across the region asking tough questions about what Nashville offers that Seattle doesn't. It's a fascinating look at the shifting geography of corporate America — and as neighbors just across the river, it's worth paying attention to. Read the full column here.

⚡ Quick Bites

Blind Soccer Takes the Field at Washington State School for the Blind

A brand-new blind soccer program is up and running on the Vancouver campus of the Washington State School for the Blind, complete with a dedicated field where players track a rattling ball by sound. It's believed to be one of the first programs of its kind in the state. Read more from The Columbian

Battle Ground Offers $10K Grants to Refresh Old Town Storefronts

Business owners and commercial property owners along E. Main Street, Parkway, and nearby blocks can now apply for Battle Ground's new Facade Improvement Grant Program, which provides up to $10,000 in matching funds for awnings, signage, murals, and exterior upgrades. Details at Clark County Today

Travis Drake Named Next Camas High School Principal

The Camas School District tapped Travis Drake to lead Camas High School starting in the 2026-27 school year, succeeding Kelly O'Rourke. Drake previously served at Prairie High School and Pleasant Valley Middle School in the Battle Ground district. Full story at Clark County Today

Two King's Way Soccer Players Are Also Training to Fly Planes

Spencer Mayhugh and Cooper Sprague play soccer together for King's Way Christian — and both are working toward their pilot's licenses. The Columbian profiles the unusual duo balancing flight training with high school athletics. Watch and read at The Columbian

Northbound I-5 Gee Creek Rest Area Closes May 4-29

Heads up if you commute north: WSDOT will shut down the northbound Gee Creek Rest Area in Clark County for 25 days of annual maintenance starting this Monday. Plan a different pit stop through the end of May. More from Clark County Today

Livewell Camas: $60 for 6 Weeks, No Expiration on the Offer

Downtown Camas studio Livewell Camas is running an open-ended new-student special — six weeks of Pilates, dance, fitness, or yoga classes for $60, available in-studio, via live stream, or on demand, seven days a week. Learn more at Downtown Camas

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, May 3

• More Than A Mom: Portraits of the Whole Woman — Photography exhibit and reception celebrating women beyond motherhood. 5–7 p.m. at Loowit Brewing Company, 507 Columbia St., Vancouver.
• Ridgefield's Spring Festival — The 10th anniversary of Ridgefield First Saturdays with music, food, art, vendors, and family-friendly fun in downtown Ridgefield.
• 28th Annual Furball: Purrtty In Pink — An '80s prom-themed fundraiser benefiting Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon's spay/neuter services. At The Avenue, Portland.
• Washougal Studio Arts Tour — The Tree House Art Studio — Visit artists in the Washougal River Valley for nature-inspired art, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Rain Gardens & Ponds Class at Good Year Farms — Workshop on rain gardens and ponds. Stay tuned for more details at Good Year Farms.
• Blueprint Arts Presents Choose-the-Path: The Time Heists! — Pay-what-you-want live performance featuring ensembles Topaz, Burgundy, and The Super Cuts. Doors at 5:45 p.m. at Rose City Park United Methodist Church, Portland.
• Indelicate Exhibit at Columbia Gorge Museum — New exhibit featuring the work of Jessalyn Maguire and Project Runway's Sonia Kasparian. Free admission. Columbia Gorge Museum, Stevenson.
• Candlelight Concert and Sound Bath — Pre-Mother's Day evening with Native American flutist Sherrie Davis and a sound bath with Gary Merrill. 6–8 p.m. at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. $30–$35.
• 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. $10. VanCity Ballroom, 9212 NE Hwy 99, Hazel Dell.
• Saturday Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub — Show off your pipes starting at 8:30 p.m. 1919 Main St., Vancouver.
• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest with Vancouver Audubon — Youth nature photography contest sponsored by Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union. Urban and wild categories.
• Naturalist Training Program: Reading the Landscape with Cascadia Wild — Learn wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, and map reading on a road trip outing.
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society. Open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. through May 10. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. Woodland.
• Learn to Kayak Tour in Ridgefield — Paddle the Columbia River Water Trail near Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. Ridgefield Waterfront Park.
• Hiking Clinic — NW Association of Blind Athletes — An inclusive hiking clinic open to athletes of all ages and ability levels.
• Grand Opening: Ridgefield NWR Community Nature Center — Ribbon cutting and celebration of the new nature center at 28908 NW Main St., Ridgefield.
• Author Event: Hiking WA's Fire Lookouts at White Oak Books — Meet authors Amber Casali and Cheryl Hill at White Oak Books in Uptown Vancouver, 3:30 p.m.
• Wildcrafting as Stewardship: Harvesting Edible & Medicinal Invasive Plants — Morning plant walk at Sam's Walker Day Use Area near Skamania with Kristin Currin and Missy Rohs.
• The Resilient Yard: Change at Home — Free library presentation on reducing your carbon footprint in your own yard.
• Cape Disappointment Weekend Trail Work Party — Help prepare for a stair-building project on the Coastal Forest Loop at Cape Disappointment State Park. Three-day commitment.
• Grays Harbor Shorebird & Nature Festival — Witness thousands of migrating shorebirds with guided walks and educational programs at Hoquiam. Through May 3.
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — Month-long celebration of wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge with guided hikes, art shows, wine walks, and live music.
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Paddles — Free community paddling at Ridgefield. Ages 14+, no experience needed.
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — Help remove ivy and spread mulch. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. Family-friendly. Youth under 18 need a signed consent form.
• Bloom Where You Are Planted — Multicultural Festival — Hosted by the Fourth Plain Five neighborhoods in central Vancouver.
• Cape Horn Trail Hike with WA Native Plant Society — Moderate-to-strenuous 5-mile round-trip hike to Nancy Russell Overlook with spring wildflowers. Email Ron Klump to register.
• Ridgefield Bachelor Island Circumnavigation Kayak Tour — 10-mile full-day paddle around Bachelor Island with Alder Creek Ridgefield.
• Nature Walk: Wildflowers of Jewett Creek — Join author Ashley Erdely for a wildflower walk from White Salmon Valley Community Library to Jewett Creek Park.
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — Early-season ascent from Marble Mountain Snow Park. Strenuous climb for experienced hikers.
• Thrillium Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party — Join the SW Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for trail maintenance in the Yacolt Burn State Forest.
• Plant Sale at Northlake ES — Lower Columbia School Gardens — Supporting school gardens across the Longview and Kelso school districts. Longview.
• Conboy Lake NWR Hike with WA Native Plant Society — 3.8-mile loop along the marsh edge with wildflowers and views of Mount Adams. North of White Salmon.
• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd Farm — A guided walk exploring the forest canopy with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan.
• Volunteer Land Stewardship at Baker Bay — Two days of conservation work with Columbia Land Trust at forested wetlands near Chinook, WA.

Monday, May 4

• Prairie High School Spring Plant Sale — 3–6 p.m. at Prairie High School greenhouses, 11311 NE 119th St., Vancouver.
• Vancouver's Neighborhood Tree Stewards Workshop — Learn to become a Tree Steward for your neighborhood and help make Vancouver greener.

Wednesday, May 7

• Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — May 7–8, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and May 9, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Flowers and veggies grown by horticulture and FFA students.

Thursday, May 8

• Keep It Wild — Collaborative Art Show Opening Night — Creativity and conservation art show at Arrowleaf Workshop in White Salmon. 5–7 p.m. Exhibit runs May 1–30.
• Dog Mountain Hike with Mazamas — 6.9-mile hike with 2,750 ft. of gain and stunning spring wildflowers. Beat the Mother's Day crowds on a Thursday.
• The Evolution of Birds with Vancouver Audubon Society — Professor emeritus Steven Clark of Clark College speaks about bird evolution. In-person program and meeting.

Saturday, May 10

• WSU Extension Master Gardener Mother's Day Plant Sale — Shop plants grown by Clark County Master Gardeners. Sign up for shopping appointments online.
• Plant & Seed Swap with Kindred Vancouver — Bring plants, seeds, or just browse. Everyone welcome. 2213 Main St., Vancouver.
• Clark County Parks Fee-Free Day: International Migratory Bird Day — Free access to Clark County regional parks in celebration of migratory birds.
• Beacon Rock Trail Day Work Party — Volunteer with Washington Trails Association at Beacon Rock State Park. Camping available Saturday evening.
• Watershed Stewardship Program with Clark Conservation District — Six-week course on local watersheds, wildlife, and conservation. Led by local experts.
• Spice of Life: Growing Herbs — WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips covers planting, growing, harvesting, and preserving herbs. Free at the library.

Sunday, May 11

• Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon Society — Spring migration birding along the Columbia River at Captain William Clark Park in Washougal. Look for Bullock's Orioles and Caspian Terns.

Monday, May 11–Sunday, May 17

• Cape Disappointment Coastal Forest Loop Volunteer Vacation with WTA — Spend a week building stairs on the Coastal Forest Loop trail while staying in historic Fort Columbia lodging.
• Cape Disappointment Coastal Forest Loop Volunteer Vacation — Week-long trailwork at Cape Disappointment State Park with Washington Trails Association.