📰 What's Making News

Washougal Library Lands Record $6M Gift, Nears Fundraising Goal

The new Washougal Community Library just got a massive boost. The Endeavour Fund donated a record $6 million to the project, bringing the total raised to within $400,000 of the $10.4 million goal. The library, designed by Hacker Architects for a site at 222 Durgan Street in downtown Washougal, is part of a larger civic campus vision that includes a splash park and dog park. Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation executive director Jenny Wilkerson and FVRL leader Jennifer Giltrop have been driving the fundraising effort — and they're now tantalizingly close to breaking ground. Read more

Lee Golden Jr. Takes His Second Chance to the Transplant Games

Vancouver's Lee Golden Jr. received a kidney from his mother back in 2000, and he's been making the most of every moment since. Now he's among the athletes competing in the Transplant Games, an event that celebrates second chances and the deep bonds between donors and recipients. Golden's story is a powerful reminder of how organ donation reshapes entire families — and how gratitude can fuel a lifetime of purpose. Read more

Battle Ground Man Receives Kidney From Family Friend

Jackota Salmi of Battle Ground had been enduring daily clinic visits and at-home dialysis when a family friend stepped forward with a life-changing offer: a kidney. The donation spared Salmi from the grueling routine of filtering his own blood through a catheter implanted in his abdomen. His family is calling it "a prayer answered." It's the second organ-donation story out of Clark County this week, underscoring just how personal these decisions are in our community. Read more

Scooped Ice Cream Festival Wins Praise for Keeping Esther Short Park Open

The Scooped Ice Cream Festival wrapped up Saturday evening in downtown Vancouver, and locals are giving it high marks — not just for the treats, but for how it treated the neighborhood. Organizers kept Esther Short Park's playground, water feature, and great lawn open to the general public throughout the event, a move that residents say made downtown feel welcoming rather than walled off. It's the kind of thoughtful event planning that earns a festival a standing invitation back. Read more

Your July Garden Is Thirsty — Here's How to Cut Water Use in Half

With summer heat settling in, longtime Columbian garden columnist Allen offers timely advice on conserving water in your landscape without sacrificing curb appeal. Tips range from mulching strategies and drip irrigation to rethinking which plants earn a spot in your beds. If your water bill has been creeping up alongside the thermometer, this one's worth bookmarking. Read more

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⚡ Quick Bites

Boeing's Long-Delayed 737 MAX 7, 10 Near Certification Finish Line

Boeing is closing in on FAA certification for its 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants after resolving an engine anti-ice issue that had stalled the process. The Pacific Northwest planemaker's fix could finally clear both models to carry passengers. Read more

Rob Reiner Earns Posthumous Emmy Nod for "The Bear"

The legendary director and actor received a posthumous Emmy nomination for his guest role in Season 4 of the hit FX series "The Bear." Read more

New Chamber Music Venue Headed to Downtown Seattle

Seattle is getting a dedicated chamber music venue downtown — worth the drive north for classical fans in Clark County looking for a new performance space. Read more

Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, Blink-182 Converge on Comic-Con

Pacific Northwest guitar hero Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and members of Blink-182 will both make appearances at San Diego Comic-Con next week — no concerts, but plenty of panel time for music and pop-culture fans. Read more

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Sunday, July 19

• Mt. St. Helens Summit Climb with MSHI Geologist — 6:00 AM. A single-day non-technical scramble to the summit with professional mountain guides and a certified geologist. Designed for novice hikers and experienced mountaineers alike. More info
• Mount St. Helens Trail Jamboree and Campout — WTA Day Work Party — 8:00 AM. Spend the day tending trails on the east side of the Monument, then stick around for a campout with guest speakers, s'mores, and good company. A partnership between WTA and the Mount St. Helens Institute. More info
• Free Outdoor Fitness Bootcamps — 9:00 AM at Northwest Personal Training, 1011 Broadway, Vancouver. Full-body muscle and cardio workout at scenic Vancouver locations. All fitness levels welcome. Fill out a waiver at nwpersonaltraining.com before class. Free. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Market — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park (8th & Esther St.), Vancouver. The flagship Vancouver Farmers Market, running strong since 1990. More info
• Vancouver Community Library Renaissance Fair — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St. Costumes encouraged! Morning: juggling, poetry open mic, yarn spinning, herb workshop. Afternoon: mushroom foraging, potions workshop, drop-in D&D for teens, and live Celtic music. Free. More info
• Photography Hike with MSHI — 10:00 AM. Join photographer Patrick Aalto and Mt. St. Helens Institute guides for a photography hike to Spirit Lake. Practical photography instruction plus natural history from a naturalist guide. Wildflowers, waterfalls, and sun-bleached logs await. More info
• Intro to WA Native Frogs — 10:00 AM at Nature's Haven Nursery, 6403 NE 277th Ave, Camas. Learn about the Pacific chorus frog — a color-changing wonder under 2 inches long — and how to welcome them to your yard. Free, but registration required. More info
• Renaissance Faire: Herb Workshop with Garden Delights — 10:30 AM at Vancouver Community Library. Learn to preserve herbs with Garden Delights Herb Farm. Supplies provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Free. More info
• Northwest Children's Theater Alumni Presents: Robin Hood — 11:00 AM at The Judy, Portland. A fast-paced, comedic take on the classic tale featuring NWCT alumni on stage and behind the scenes. $20–$25. More info
• Scooped Ice Cream Festival — 11:00 AM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. 50+ flavors of all-you-can-eat ice cream, live music, vendors, roller disco dancers, and fun activities for the whole family. $29. More info
• True Impressions Car Show — 11:00 AM–3:00 PM on Battle Ground Main Street. The sixth annual show welcomes all cars and motorcycles. Vehicle registration is $20; spectators free. Raffle prizes and awards in 20 categories. More info
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Summer Train Rides — 12:00 PM departing from Yacolt. Ride through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River, and stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. $18–$24. More info
• Kids Axe Academy — 12:00–1:30 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. A 90-minute session for ages 10–14 with an Axepert Coach covering all the ins and outs of axe throwing, capped with a tournament. Limited to 8 kids. $15. More info
• Hell's Kitchen (the Musical) — 1:00 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland. The new Broadway musical from 16-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys — a New York City coming-of-age story set in the neighborhood that shaped her. More info
• Renaissance Faire: Mushroom Foraging for Beginners — 2:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room. Naturalist Rebecca Lexa shares tips on where to find edible mushrooms and how to tell them apart from poisonous look-alikes. Free. More info
• Shoestring Circus: Dreamland — 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM at Hazel Dell Commons, 9811 NE 15th Ave., Vancouver. Aerialists fly, acrobats tumble, and delightful oddballs keep things perfectly ridiculous inside a vintage circus tent. $17–$55 (free for kids under 3). More info
• As You Like It — 6:00 PM at 6403 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver. MPA's Community Theater presents its 8th annual summer Shakespeare touring show. Also features a season 17 announcement party at 5:00 PM. Free. More info
• Sunday Sounds Concert Series — 6:00 PM at Columbia Tech Center Park, Vancouver. Free outdoor concerts running Sundays through August 16. Bring a picnic or grab food from local vendors. More info
• ROAD TRIP — Sandsations Sand Sculpture Festival — Long Beach, WA. Professional and amateur sand sculptors create awe-inspiring works at the iconic Bolstad Approach. A beloved Pacific County tradition. More info

Monday, July 20

• Early Learners Play to Learn — 10:00–11:00 AM at Battle Ground Community Library. Early literacy tips and hands-on activities for ages 0–5. Free. More info
• The Great Summer Dash at Vancouver Mall — 10:00 AM at Vancouver Mall. Complete fun challenges, earn points, and enter for chances to win prizes all summer long (through August 14). More info
• HOPE Dementia Support: Meet Me at Sarah's Garden — 10:00–11:30 AM at Sarah's Garden, 2311 NE 68th St., Vancouver. Simple, dementia-friendly garden activities for people living with dementia and their care partners. All supplies provided. Free; register at Eventbrite or call 360-513-5754. More info
• Storytime in the Park — 10:30–11:00 AM at Lacamas Park, 3344 NE Everett St., Camas. Join Camas Library staff for a family storytime outdoors. Bring a blanket! All ages. Free. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — 12:00–1:00 PM at AC Marriott, Vancouver Waterfront. Community members welcome. Free. More info
• Line Dancing — 1:30–3:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. Grab any shoes you can find and learn line dances for fun and exercise. Free. More info
• Summer Movie Mondays: The Good Dinosaur — 2:00–4:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Free screening upstairs in the Community Rooms. Registration required at CamasPL.org/Movies. More info
• Vancouver Chrysanthemum Society Meeting — 2:00–3:30 PM at 78th Street Heritage Farm, 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver. Visitors and non-members welcome. More info
• Early Learners Music and Movement — 2:30–3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Free. More info
• Rock Painting: Under the Sea — 3:00–4:30 PM at La Center Community Library. Paint your own ocean-themed rock — all supplies provided. Free. More info
• Teen Bad Art — 4:30–5:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. A hilariously fun art program where perfection is not allowed. Make your worst art, then vote for the most impressively bad piece. Free. More info
• Watch & Make: Jurassic Park — 5:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Teens and adults craft along as the original Jurassic Park (PG-13) plays. All materials provided. Registration required at CamasPL.org/WatchMake. Free. More info
• Humane Society Summer Lecture Series — 5:30–7:30 PM at Humane Society for Southwest Washington, 1100 NE 192nd Ave, Vancouver. Free. More info
• ROAD TRIP — Adaptive Bicycling Summer Series — 6:00–8:00 PM at Portland International Raceway. Adaptive Sports Northwest welcomes all abilities. Bring your own bike or try one of theirs. Helmets required. More info
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd. Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art teaches wet-on-wet watercolor blending and splatter techniques for galactically inspired coasters. No experience needed; all supplies provided. $35. More info
• Monday Trivia Night at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 PM at 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Hosted by Don Elliott. Bring your best team and see if you can top the leaderboard. More info

Tuesday, July 21

• Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe — 9:30 AM at La Center Community Library. A joyful celebration of Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, and New Zealand traditions through dance and authentic music. Free. More info
• Storywalk at Camas Public Library — 10:00 AM at Dorothy Fox Park, Camas. Follow the path to read "So Tortoise Dug" by Emmy Kastner. Free. More info
• Chipper's Preschool Rides at Oaks Park — 10:00 AM–12:30 PM at Oaks Park, Portland. Kiddie rides and select family rides for ages 6 and under, plus snack and story time with Chipper the Squirrel. $13.50 per child; one adult rides free. More info
• 78th Street Heritage Farm Walking Tours — 10:00 AM. WSU Extension Master Gardener docents lead tours of this historic property — once Clark County's "poor farm," now home to beautiful demonstration gardens. Hazel Dell. More info
• Columbia Springs Community Days: Plants — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM on the lawn across from the fish feeding pond at Columbia Springs. Interns lead fun, hands-on activities about plants. Free. More info
• Lewisville Regional Park Picnic Bench Painting — 10:30 AM at Lewisville Regional Park, north of Battle Ground. Help the Clark County Parks volunteer team spruce up picnic tables. All tools provided. Wear closed-toe shoes. More info
• Meaningful Movies — 1:00–3:00 PM at Three Creeks Community Library. Watch a documentary followed by a discussion on its themes. Free. More info
• Teen Escape Room — 2:00–4:00 PM at Battle Ground Community Library. Navigate an underwater-themed escape room with clues and puzzles designed for teens of various skill levels. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30–6:30 PM at various FVRL library locations. Ages 9–19 can create a character and take on challenges in Dungeons & Dragons 5E or Pathfinder 1E. Free. More info
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15–6:45 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd. Dedicated writing time for all experience levels — no readings or critiques. Free parking. More info
• Spanish Conversation Group — 5:30–6:30 PM at Camas Public Library. Geared toward beginning Spanish speakers. No registration required. Free. More info
• Aram Arslanian (Orphan Train) — 6:00 PM at Kascadia Public House, Washougal. Original music in an intimate setting. Free. More info
• Ridgefield Raptors Baseball — 6:30 PM at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. Cheer on Clark County's hometown team under the lights. More info
• Science Pub: The Yellowstone Hotspot — 7:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. Geologist, photographer, and writer Ellen Bishop, PhD, traces how the Yellowstone hotspot shaped the Pacific Northwest's landscapes over 60 million years. $8. More info
• Twilight Tuesday — 8:15–9:45 PM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Walk along the Columbia River and wetlands at dusk — spot wildlife, explore native plants, watch for bats, and identify stars. Ages 8+. Free; register at cityofvancouver.us. More info

Wednesday, July 22

• Mt. St. Helens Summit Climb with MSHI — 6:00 AM. A guided single-day scramble to the summit of Mount St. Helens for all experience levels. More info
• Impressions of the Pacific Northwest at the Rebecca Anstine Gallery — 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Mon–Fri) at Clark County Public Service Center, 6th floor, Vancouver. A new exhibit featuring Pacific Northwest artists Oleg Ulitskiy and Elizabeth Ganji celebrating the region's moody landscapes and vibrant spirit. Free. More info
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30–9:30 AM and 10:00–11:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie. Evidence-based group exercise for adults 60+. More info
• Free Financial Planning Day — 9:00 AM–6:00 PM at Johnson Bixby, 275 W Third St., Suite 600, Vancouver. Complimentary 30-minute sessions with a certified financial planner (Zoom or in person). More info
• Mt. St. Helens Eruption Hike with MSHI — 9:00 AM. A guided nature hike through the hummocks created by the May 18, 1980 eruption, then up the Boundary Trail for stunning views. More info
• Reclaimed Creations Exhibit at OMSI — 9:30 AM at OMSI, Portland. Artist Sayaka Ganz transforms discarded plastic objects into soaring animals, rushing waves, and fluid sculptures. On view through September 30. More info
• Takohachi Duo — 10:00 AM at La Center Community Library. The ancient Japanese street theater tradition of kamishibai brought to life with vibrant folktales for all ages. Free. More info
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver. Free 30-minute tours of the historic Officers Row home featuring period furnishings, military memorabilia, and General George C. Marshall's study. More info
• High School Art Exhibit at Camas Public Library — 10:00 AM at the Second Story Gallery, Camas Public Library. Annual exhibition showcasing painting, sculpture, and mixed media by Camas School District students. Free. More info
• Where's Waldo? at Autumn Leaf Books — All day at Autumn Leaf Books, Downtown Camas. Pick up a passport and hunt for Waldo hidden in up to 25 local businesses throughout July. Complete your passport for prizes. Free. More info
• Reading in the Wild: Un-Bee-lievable Pollinators — 10:00 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. A free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3–6 connecting stories with nature activities. More info
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Walk-in or by reservation. Free. More info
• Creature Teachers — 10:30 AM–12:00 PM at Camas Public Library. An educational presentation about reptiles followed by a meet-and-greet with the animals. Registration required at CamasPL.org/2026creatures. Free. More info
• Brain Health and Dementia Awareness — 1:00–3:00 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie. HOPE Dementia Support hosts a community conversation about brain health, aging, risk reduction, and family resources. Free; RSVP at Eventbrite or call 360-513-5754. More info
• HOPE Dementia Support: Meet Me at the Wildlife Refuge — 1:30–3:30 PM at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Naturalist-led activities to explore nature and see local wildlife. Free; register at Eventbrite or call 360-513-5754. More info
• Silver Trails Community Walk — 2:00 PM. A new walking program for adults 65+ featuring easy 1–2 mile walks through beautiful parks and trails, presented by Parks Foundation of Clark County, Community in Motion, and Vancouver Parks. More info
• Camas Farmers Market — 3:00–7:00 PM in Downtown Camas (new temporary location on Birch Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues). Fresh produce, artisan goods, and community spirit every Wednesday. More info
• Trainer in the Park — 3:30–5:30 PM at Dakota Dog Park, 1515 NE 164th Ave, Vancouver. Free training advice from Julie Mills of Paws Down Pets. Look for the green DogPaw flags. More info
• Teen & Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00–6:00 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Open game play — decks provided or bring your own. Free. More info
• Kids & Tweens STEM Lab — 4:00–5:00 PM at Washougal Community Library. Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle — 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Try dragon boat paddling — no experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14+. Free. More info

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