📰 What's Making News

$719K Awarded, $460K More on the Way for Local Nonprofits

The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington just wrapped its first round of 2026 Focus Grants, sending $719,000 to 15 area nonprofits — and round two is now open. The local grantmaking organization expects to distribute approximately $460,000 in this upcoming cycle. If you work with or support a Clark County nonprofit, this is worth flagging immediately. Full details from The Columbian.

Lacamas Park Bridge Replacement Starts in August — What Trail Users Need to Know

If Lacamas Regional Park is part of your summer routine, heads up: Clark County will begin construction next month to replace the aging bridge along the main access road in the park's northeast corner near Camas. The project means temporary disruptions for hikers and visitors who use that route. Plan alternate access points if you're heading out that way later this summer and into fall. Read more from The Columbian.

Know someone who'd love a daily Vancouver dispatch? Forward this their way.
Did someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter.

⚡ Quick Bites

Seattle NBA Bid Heats Up as Multiple Ownership Groups Jockey for Expansion

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Tuesday that several groups are vying to bring an expansion team to Seattle, though he cautioned the path forward isn't simple. For Pacific Northwest hoops fans who've been waiting since the Sonics left in 2008, the competition among bidders signals real momentum — even if a timeline remains fuzzy. Read more from The Columbian.

Washington Gas Prices Dip While Rest of Nation Pays More

National gas prices broke an eight-week streak of declines this week, but Washington state's average actually edged down, according to AAA data. A nice little win for your wallet heading into the second half of summer road-trip season. Full breakdown here.

Know a fellow Vancouverite who'd enjoy this? Send them a copy.
Did someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Thursday, July 16

• Gorge Morning Walks — 9:00 AM at Mosier Totem Pole Plaza. A casual, no-frills 3.5-mile hike in the Columbia Gorge with Friends of the Gorge (600 ft elevation gain). No registration needed — just show up! More info
• Insect Investigators at the Water Resources Education Center — 9:30 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Young entomologists ages 6–10 can explore insect life cycles, go on a garden scavenger hunt, and build a clay insect to take home. Free; registration required. More info
• ROAD TRIP: Tending and Traditional Cultural & Ecological Knowledge at Sandy River Delta — 9:30 AM. Join Confluence, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, and local Indigenous partners for land tending and learning focused on cattail wetland rehabilitation at the Sandy River Delta. More info
• East Vancouver Farmers Market — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Columbia Tech Center, 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver. Over 50 small businesses offering farm-fresh produce, food, and artisan products. More info
• Tiny Art Show at Camas Public Library — 10:00 AM–6:00 PM at Camas Public Library. The beloved Tiny Art Show is back for its 6th year — stop by all month long to see what the Camas community has created. Free. More info
• Vancouver Bridge Club Introductory Bridge Class — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 Mill Plain Blvd. A six-week intro course starts today. $10/lesson or $50 for all six. Contact Ellie Hood at 360-433-2409 for details. More info
• Fruit Tree Pruning Education & Volunteer Work Party — 10:00 AM. Learn summer pruning techniques from the City of Vancouver's expert Urban Forestry team, then come back later this summer to harvest the fruit! More info
• Lewisville Regional Park Picnic Bench Painting — 10:00 AM at Lewisville Regional Park, north of Battle Ground. Help Clark County Parks spruce up picnic tables at this historic park. All tools provided — just bring water and closed-toe shoes. More info
• ROAD TRIP: Mt. Hood Meadows Chairlift Wildlife Ride and Hike — 10:00 AM. Join the Washington Native Plant Society for stunning alpine wildflower displays via the Mt. Hood Meadows chairlift. More info
• The Craft of Writing: Workshop & Writers Group — 10:30 AM at Vancouver Community Library. Writing prompts, craft discussions, and workshopping for writers of all levels. Free. More info
• Clark County Community Development Learning Lab — 11:00 AM–12:00 PM at Clark County Public Service Center, 6th floor. This month's session covers a new topic with expert staff, plus Q&A. Free. More info
• Experience TALented Works — Ribbon Cutting — 4:00 PM at 1015 Main Street, Vancouver. The Greater Vancouver Chamber welcomes TALented Works Studio & Gallery, showcasing local artist Tal W. DeWitt's work. Meet the artist and explore the gallery. More info
• Teen Hangout — 4:30 PM–6:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Games, crafts, and snacks for ages 13–19. Every Thursday through the summer. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game Adventure — 4:30 PM–6:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. Create a character and play Dungeons & Dragons with other players ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Heritage Tree Bike Tour — 5:30 PM–7:30 PM starting at Esther Short Park. Join Vancouver's Climate and Urban Forestry teams for a 4-mile guided bicycle ride visiting 12 Heritage Trees. Meet at the clock tower; helmets required. Free. More info
• Road Cycling 101 — 5:30 PM. Join the Vancouver Bicycling Club's Charla Burke for a fun, flat, 5–10 mile group ride exploring trails and neighborhoods. All levels welcome. More info
• Teen Video Game Night — 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Nintendo Switch gaming and hangout time for ages 13–19. Refreshments provided. Free. More info
• Open Mic Night at Dovetail Cellars — 6:00 PM–7:30 PM at Dovetail Cellars, 404 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Hosted by Jeff Keddie, this monthly open mic features a loyal lineup of songwriters. Live on KXRW radio! Sign-ups at 5:30 PM. Free. More info
• Local Author Panel at Literary Leftovers — 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at 813 W. Main St. #105, Battle Ground. Excerpt readings and book signings with authors Cindy Goyette, Hollis Oliver, Peggy Lotz, Cameron Paris, and Toni Woodard. Free, all ages. More info
• ROAD TRIP: Picnic & Paddle on the Willamette River — 6:00 PM. Join People of Color Outdoors for an evening paddle on the Willamette River. 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
• Waterfront Concert Series — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Waterfront Park. Free live music along the Columbia River — bring a picnic or grab food from a waterfront restaurant. All ages. More info
• Disney Trivia at Firehouse Axes — 6:30 PM–9:00 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. Teams of all ages battle it out for Disney trivia supremacy. Free; RSVP recommended. More info
• Drawing Wildflowers from Photographs — Online Series — 6:30 PM. Botanical drawing with colored pencils, hosted by the Washington Native Plant Society with artist Crystal Shin. More info
• Hell's Kitchen (the Musical) — 7:30 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland. The new Broadway musical from Alicia Keys — a coming-of-age story set in New York City. More info

Friday, July 17

• Birding-in-Place: Accessible & Inclusive Outing — 7:00 AM, location TBD. Bring a chair and join the Vancouver Audubon Society for a stationary bird outing designed with accessibility in mind. Led by Kiara Way and Sam Cable. More info
• The Scottish Ride — Meet at 5:30 PM, ride at 6:00 PM from Columbia Square, Vancouver. A tartan-themed 7-mile bike ride along the "Scottish Corridor" ending at Marshall Park with Cranachan dessert. Helmets required. Free. More info
• Mount St. Helens Trail Jamboree & Campout — 8:00 AM. A weekend of trail stewardship on the east side of the Monument with WTA and the Mount St. Helens Institute — complete with guest speakers and s'mores. More info
• Upper Lewis River Flyfishing Outing — 8:00 AM. Join Clark-Skamania Flyfishers Don and Carol Kohler for an overnight wading-for-trout trip on the Lewis River. More info
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie. Evidence-based group exercise for adults age 60+. More info
• Pathways Clinic Baby & Maternity Sidewalk Sale — 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at 2926 E. St., Washougal. Hundreds of gently used baby and maternity items — fill a cinch bag with clothes for $10. Also on July 18. Proceeds support clinic programs. More info
• Volunteer Gleaning: SWWA Victory Garden — 9:00 AM at 2311 NE 68th St., Vancouver. Help keep the community garden growing — harvested produce is donated to local families. More info
• ROAD TRIP: Family Mountain Bike Ride Days at Timberline Lodge — 9:30 AM at Mt. Hood. Kids and teens 17 and under ride free with an adult ticket. Bike rentals available on-site. More info
• Marshall House Tour — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at the Marshall House, Vancouver. Free 30-minute guided tours of this beautifully preserved historic home. Book a time in advance. More info
• One-Day Book Sale — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St. The Friends of Washougal Community Library are selling 700 sci-fi, YA, fantasy, manga, graphic novel, and paranormal books. More info
• Willow Flower Weaving Workshop — 10:00 AM–11:30 AM at Good Year Farms, Washougal. Learn basketry skills and create a playful willow flower with Erin from Frog & Twig. 12-person max; registration required. More info
• Lunchtime Walking Tour: Vancouver's First Suburbs & Early Retail District — 12:00 PM at Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver. Join historian Tracy Reilly-Kelly to explore housing styles and hidden stories in Vancouver's earliest neighborhoods. Free. More info
• NAMI Art Group — 1:00 PM–3:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, 4201 NE 66th Ave., Suite 105, Vancouver. A creative art group every Friday. More info
• Brain Health and Dementia Awareness — 1:00 PM–3:00 PM at Battle Ground Community Library. Hope Dementia Support leads a community conversation on brain health, aging, and early support. Free; RSVP on Eventbrite. More info
• Washougal Community Market — 2:00 PM–6:00 PM at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., Washougal. Local artisans, authors, musicians, bakers, and food vendors. Free. More info
• Family Adventure Camp at Mount St. Helens — 3:00 PM at Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center. Scenic trails, hands-on activities, and art for the whole family. $275. More info
• Kids Create — 3:30 PM–4:30 PM at Washougal Community Library. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–9. Free. More info
• Tween Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:00 PM–5:30 PM. Games, crafts, and snacks for ages 9–12. Free. More info
• Alderbrook Park Cruise-In — 4:00 PM–8:00 PM at Alderbrook Park, Brush Prairie. Classic cars plus disc golf, train rides, mini golf, bounce houses, a pool, and more. $5–$10 admission. More info
• Tween & Teen Hybrid Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM–6:00 PM at Ridgefield Community Library. Play Pathfinder 1E for ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Family Bingo Night at Camas Public Library — 5:00 PM–6:00 PM in the Totem Pole Room. All ages welcome — winners get a Reading Dragon prize. Free; registration required. More info
• Family & Friends Friday Climb — 5:00 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Ages 4+ can tackle multiple difficulty levels for 1 hour 45 minutes of unlimited climbing. No experience necessary. $33–$41. More info
• ZooNights at Oregon Zoo — 5:00 PM in Portland. Live music, food carts, keeper chats, animal encounters, and elephant ears. Summer Friday fun for all ages. $13–$26. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle — 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Try dragon boat paddling for free — ages 14+, no experience needed, equipment provided. More info
• Dice Throne Fridays at Contrarian's Game Cafe — 6:00 PM at Contrarian's Game Cafe, Vancouver. Bring your hero and battle it out in this weekly dice game night. More info
• Good Times and Wine at English Estate Winery — 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at English Estate Winery, Vancouver. Live music from singer-songwriter Anica Stemper plus on-site food truck Venue 1903. Free admission. More info
• American Legion Post 168 Amboy Bingo Night — 6:30 PM–8:30 PM at 21400 NE 399th St., Amboy. An evening of bingo supporting local veterans and their families. All welcome. More info
• Shoestring Circus: Dreamland — 7:00 PM at Hazel Dell Commons, Vancouver. Aerialists, acrobats, and delightful oddballs under a vintage big top tent. Running July 17–26. $17–$55. More info
• Mysteries of the Mind with Brian Ledbetter — 7:00 PM at Vancouver Elks Lodge #823. A live theatrical experience featuring mindreading, psychological illusion, and audience interaction. $20. More info
• Live Music on the Patio at Farrar's Bistro — 7:00 PM at Farrar's Bistro, 12514 NW 36th Ave., Vancouver. Enjoy food, cocktails, and live local music on the pet-friendly patio. More info
• Pour Choices Summer Concert Series: Archer — 7:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Live music in the heart of downtown. More info
• ROAD TRIP: Bat Chats at Tryon Creek — 8:00 PM at Tryon Creek State Natural Area, Portland. Learn about Little Brown Bats, Silver-haired Bats, and Big Brown Bats, then settle in for evening bat viewing. Free, family-friendly. More info

Saturday, July 18

• Mt. St. Helens Summit Climb with MSHI — 6:00 AM. A single-day non-technical scramble to the summit with professional guides. Designed for both novice and experienced hikers. More info
• Battle Ground Harvest Days — 7:00 AM at Downtown Battle Ground. Pancake breakfast at 7 AM, parade at 10 AM, Harvest Market 11 AM–6 PM, BMX Bike Show, main stage entertainment, and fireworks to close the night. Free. More info
• Back Country Horsemen of Washington Annual Fun Ride — 7:00 AM–5:00 PM at Kalama Horse Camp, Cougar. Free breakfast, riding, raffle prizes, and lunch available. Proceeds support local horse camps and trails. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market — 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park. The flagship year-round market with local farms, food, and artisan vendors. More info
• Hockinson Blueberry Festival — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM at Hockinson Community Center, Brush Prairie. Live music by the Thilo Kluth Trio and Kirby Swatosh, pie baking and eating contests, kids' area, 29 local vendors, and heaps of fresh blueberries. Free. More info
• World War II Encampment — 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at the Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds. A living history event in partnership with Living History Group Northwest, honoring the stories of America's WWII fighting forces. Free. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail Parkrun — 9:00 AM at 800 NE 117th St., Vancouver. A free weekly 5K — walk, jog, or run. All ages, all abilities, dogs welcome. Register online for your barcode. More info
• Wander Clark County: Historic Downtown Battle Ground Walking Tour — 9:00 AM (early) and 11:00 AM (late) from Dev's Coffee Bar, Battle Ground. Discover how the town got its name, stroll past the 1928 Sacred Heart Church, and more with Clark County Historical Museum guides. $10. More info
• Sunny Days and Blooms Summer Market — 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at Living Hope XChange Church, 2711 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver. 100 local artisans, makers, food vendors, and small businesses. Free admission. More info
• Frenchman's Bar Beach Cleanup — 9:00 AM at 9612 NW Lower River Rd. Help Clark County Public Works pick up litter at this beloved park. All tools provided. More info
• Mt. St. Helens Eruption Hike with MSHI — 9:00 AM. A guided nature hike through the hummocks created by the 1980 eruption — witness the geological and biological forces that shaped this landscape. More info
• TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition — 9:30 AM at OMSI, Portland. Over 100 authentic artifacts from the wrecksite — step back to 1912 and take on the role of a passenger. More info
• Art in Nature — 9:30 AM–11:30 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Families with kids ages 6–10 can explore colors and patterns in nature, then create art with materials found along the Columbia River. Free; registration required. More info
• ROAD TRIP: Canyoneering 101 — 9:45 AM. Join the Adventure Society for a non-technical exploration of a pristine PNW river canyon — expect swimming and off-trail adventure. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, Vancouver. Flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes — hands-on STEAM learning for all ages. Free. More info
• Avian Super Powers Presentation — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at CASEE, Brush Prairie. Brandon Burger of Backyard Bird Shop explains why shorebirds stand in freezing water, how hummingbirds get nectar, and why woodpeckers don't get concussions. $15. More info
• The Stuff of Legends at AQUA Gallery — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at 403 Quayside Place, Vancouver Waterfront. Vibrant paintings of mythological characters by Carson Legree and expressive stuffies by Abby Ketcham. Free. More info
• Ridgefield Lavender U-Pick and Farm Stand — 10:00 AM–4:00 PM at 6203 NW 172nd St., Ridgefield. Pick your own bundles, sip lavender lemonade, and browse handcrafted lavender products. Free. More info
• Froglandia — Frog & Amphibian Class — 10:00 AM at Good Year Farms, Camas. Learn about the native Pacific chorus frog, supportive habitats, and building your own frog-friendly pond. Registration required. More info
• ROAD TRIP: ForestFest at the World Forestry Center — 10:00 AM–6:00 PM in Washington Park, Portland. A free, family-friendly day of live music, Smokey Bear photos, community vendors, food, and s'mores. More info
• Reptile Man at Ridgefield Community Library — 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Meet the Oregon Reptile Man for live reptile encounters, big laughs, and up-close learning. Free. More info
• Robin Hood by NW Children's Theater Alumni — 11:00 AM at The Judy, Portland. A wildly fun, laugh-out-loud take on everyone's favorite outlaw. $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 for all ages. Also July 19. Tickets from $29. More info
• Cruise the Couve & Chrome & Craft Market Alley — 12:00 PM–10:00 PM on Main Street, Vancouver (between 15th and 28th). Classic cars cruising all day plus a new curated maker market on 19th Street (3–8:30 PM). Free. More info
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Summer Train Rides — 12:00 PM departing from Yacolt. Ride through the tunnel, across the East Fork Lewis River, and visit Yacolt Falls. $16–$24. More info
• La Center Historical Museum — 12:00 PM–4:00 PM. Free admission at this volunteer-run museum preserving La Center's history. More info
• Triathlon Run Through with NW Association of Blind Athletes — 12:00 PM. An inclusive athletic event — contact Katie Vroman at 360-448-7254 for details. More info
• Artist Talk at Art at the Cave — 1:00 PM–2:00 PM at Art at the Cave, Vancouver. Hear from artists in the current exhibit, "Rising Out of the Shadows: Stories of Resilience." More info
• Pollinator Power at Water Resources Education Center — 1:00 PM–2:00 PM. A free drop-in program — all ages welcome. Explore the air-conditioned exhibit hall and shaded garden spaces while you're there. More info
• Creature Teachers at Fort Vancouver Regional Library — 3:00 PM. Meet cool reptiles and creepy crawlies and learn about the wild, weird, and wonderful world of animals. Free. More info
• Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub — 8:30 PM at 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Let your inner entertainer shine — solo or with friends. More info
• ROAD TRIP: OMSI Star Party — 9:00 PM. View planets, the moon, stars, and celestial objects through telescopes of all sizes with OMSI, Rose City Astronomers, and Oregon Parks. All ages, all experience levels. More info

Like what you're reading? Send it to a Vancouverite who should subscribe.
Did someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter.