📰 What's Making News

75,000-Square-Foot Lexus Dealership Opens on 139th Avenue

Vancouver just got a major new addition to its auto row. Holman has opened the all-new Lexus of Vancouver at 420 SE 139th Avenue — a 75,000-square-foot facility that replaces the former Lexus of Portland branding with a decidedly Clark County home base. General Manager Frank Carbone and Regional President Rebecca Hadnott are leading the operation, which features expanded service bays and a customer experience rooted in the Japanese hospitality concept of "omotenashi." It's a significant investment in Vancouver's retail corridor and another sign that national brands see this side of the river as a destination, not a detour. Read more

Jon Girod Grew Construction Classes from 100 to 2,200 Students Countywide

Identity Clark County has named its 2026 Learn Here Heroes, and the numbers behind one honoree are staggering. Jon Girod's work expanding construction coursework across 10 Clark County high schools took enrollment from 100 students to 2,200 — building a pipeline of skilled-trades talent the region badly needs. Chad Sessions also earned recognition, along with organizations including the Port of Vancouver USA, KMR Group Foundation, Quail Homes, and Windermere Northwest Living. The annual awards spotlight volunteers and business leaders who invest real time and resources in local classrooms. Read more

Ridgefield Raptors Players Face a Make-or-Break Summer

Summer ball is about more than wins for several Ridgefield Raptors players — it's an audition for a college home. Pitcher Gavin Poffenroth is among the roster members using the West Coast League season to showcase their skills for college recruiters watching from the stands. The Raptors' wooden-bat league gives scouts a truer read on talent than aluminum-bat college play, making every at-bat and every inning count. If you're heading out to the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex this month, you might be watching someone's future take shape in real time. Read more

Battle Ground Schools Invite Community Input June 17

Battle Ground Public Schools is hosting a listening session on June 17 at Battle Ground High School, and district leaders want to hear directly from families about budget priorities. The session will cover topics including school funding, educational programs, child care, and the district's financial outlook. It's a chance to weigh in before decisions get finalized — the kind of meeting where showing up actually matters. Whether you have kids in BGPS or just care about how your local schools are run, mark the date. Read more

Clark County Public Health Names First Racial Equity Director

Shanell Brown, a public health nurse and Tacoma native, joined Clark County Public Health in May as its first-ever racial equity director. The newly created role is designed to embed equity considerations into the department's programs and community outreach. Brown brings clinical experience and a personal commitment to the work, telling The Columbian she's "willing to fight for racial equity, for justice." It's a notable hire that signals a shift in how the county's health department approaches its mission. Read more

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⚡ Quick Bites

Trail Blazers Legend Rick Adelman Dies at 79

Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman, who led Portland to two NBA Finals in the early 1990s, passed away Monday. His son David Adelman currently coaches the Denver Nuggets. Rick's tenure with the Blazers remains one of the most celebrated eras in franchise history. Read more

Downtown Spokane Doubles as Film Set for Tire Commercial

A Seattle-based production company chose downtown Spokane's historic architecture as the backdrop for a new tire commercial, highlighting eastern Washington's growing appeal as a filming location. Read more

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Tuesday, June 2

• Who Do You Think You Are? Discovering Your Family Tree — 10:00 AM at Clark County Genealogical Society and Library, Vancouver. Professional genealogist Hannah Allan walks you through the steps and tools to research your family history. Librarians will stick around afterward to answer questions. Free. More info
• Mobility City Grand Opening — 10:00 AM at 9301 NE 5th Avenue, Suite 104, Vancouver. The Greater Vancouver Chamber celebrates the grand opening of Mobility City, locally owned by Kristin and Bill Babby. Tour the new showroom, enjoy refreshments, and learn about their mobility equipment sales, rentals, and repair services. More info
• Art Chat at Ridgefield Community Library — 10:30 AM at Ridgefield Community Library, Ridgefield. A monthly gathering to share art, learn techniques, and connect with fellow creatives. Bring a piece or two of your own work, or just come for the camaraderie. Free. More info
• 2026 Annual Luncheon with Community Foundation of Southwest Washington — 12:00 PM at Hilton Vancouver Washington. This annual celebration of philanthropy honors the region's culture of giving and community engagement. More info
• English Conversation Group for Adults — 12:30 PM at Camas Public Library, Camas. Practice speaking, listening, and expressing yourself confidently in a supportive environment. Free. More info
• Tween and Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM at various FVRL library locations. Ages 9–19 can create a character and dive into Dungeons & Dragons 5E or Pathfinder 1E — experienced players and newcomers alike welcome. Free. More info
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. A weekly meet-up for writers of all levels featuring dedicated writing time, brief introductions, and a wrap-up session. No readings or critiques — just focused writing. Free parking. Free. More info
• Pencils and Pints — 6:00 PM at A Beer at a Time, 216 NE Third Ave., Camas. Sketch, paint, or doodle while sipping a local craft brew at this low-key meet-up co-hosted by the Artisans Guild of Camas and the Camas Public Library. Paper and pencils provided, or bring your own supplies. No registration needed. Free. More info
• Page Turners — 6:30 PM at Camas Public Library, Camas. A monthly book discussion group for 4th–6th graders and their adults, with a related activity after the discussion. Register at CamasPL.org/pageturners or call 360-834-4692. Free. More info
• Ridgefield Raptors Baseball Home Game — 6:30 PM at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, Ridgefield. Cheer on Clark County's hometown baseball team as they take on Pacific Northwest opponents under the lights. More info
• Mamma Mia! — 7:30 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland. The beloved musical set on a Greek island paradise, told through the timeless hits of ABBA. Tickets from $68. More info
• Clark College Orchestra Spring Concert: "Connections" — 7:30 PM at Joyce Garver Theater, 1500 NE Garfield St., Camas. Directed by Dr. Rafael Rodriguez, the program features violin soloist Erasmo Solerti performing the Gutierrez Violin Concerto, plus Schumann's Manfred Overture and Brahms' Symphony No. 3. Free admission. More info

Wednesday, June 3

• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 NE 159th St., Brush Prairie. An evidence-based group exercise program helping older adults (age 60+) stay active, with sessions at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM. More info
• Lyle Cherry Orchard Day Trail Work Party — 8:30 AM. Help Washington Trails Association build a new staircase and install check steps on a tricky section of trail. Heads up: there is substantial poison oak in the area. More info
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Free tours of this beautiful historic building, available Wednesday through Friday. More info
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver. Explore period furnishings, military memorabilia, and General George C. Marshall's study on this free tour. Walk-ins welcome. More info
• Contemplative Prayer — 12:20 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St., Vancouver. A midday moment of quiet with music, wrapping up at 12:45 PM. Free. More info
• Camas Farmers Market — 3:00 PM in Downtown Camas (new temporary location on Birch Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues). Fresh produce, local food vendors, and artisan goods every Wednesday through 7:00 PM. More info
• Kids and Tweens Create — 4:00 PM at Washougal Community Library, Washougal. Drop in for creative and interactive projects for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Teen and Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Open game play with decks provided (or bring your own), thanks to a generous donation from magikids.org. Free. More info
• Kids Read to a Dog — 4:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Kids ages 5–9 can build reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Free. More info
• Teen Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM at Vancouver Community Library, Vancouver. Ages 13–19 can enjoy open game play with decks provided or bring their own. Free. More info
• All Ages Bingo — 6:00 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Friendly competition, fantastic prizes, snacks, and fun for the whole family. $10 residents / $12 non-residents. More info
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, 109 W. Ninth St., Vancouver. Intermediate lesson at 6 PM, beginner lesson at 7 PM, and social dance from 8–9:30 PM. Singles, partners, and groups all welcome. $5–$10. More info
• Allen Ginsberg Centennial Reading — 7:00 PM at Mother Foucault's Bookshop, 715 SE Grand Ave., Portland. Dan Raphael and Christopher Luna host an evening of Ginsberg readings by local poets celebrating what would have been the poet's 100th birthday. Free. More info

Thursday, June 4

• East Vancouver Farmers Market — 10:00 AM at Columbia Tech Center, 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Over 50 small businesses offering farm, food, and artisan products. Runs through 2:00 PM. Free parking. More info
• Marshall House Tour — 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Vancouver. Free 30-minute tours of this beautifully preserved historic home. More info
• Go With the Flow: Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour — 10:00 AM at Vancouver Water Resources Education Center. See what happens to all the water that goes down your drains on this indoor-outdoor tour. Ages 8+, closed-toed shoes required. Free. More info
• WNPS Wildflower Hike: Falls Creek Falls — 10:00 AM. A 4-mile out-and-back hike with the Washington Native Plant Society to spot shade-loving wildflowers, capped with lunch at one of the largest waterfalls in southern Washington. Contact Ron Klump at klumpron@gmail.com to sign up. More info
• The Craft of Writing: Workshop and Writers Group — 10:30 AM at Vancouver Community Library, Vancouver. Writing prompts, craft discussion, and workshopping for aspiring and published writers alike. Free. More info
• Card Making Club at Craft Warehouse — 1:00 PM at Craft Warehouse, 9307 NE Fifth Ave., Hazel Dell. Check out new paper crafting products, try the latest techniques, and bring a recent project to share. Door prizes, too. Free. More info
• Kids and Tweens Build It — 3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library, Vancouver. Spark your imagination and build your STEM skills using LEGO bricks, blocks, boxes, and more. Ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Hike with Pacific Peaks Mountain Top Fitness — 3:30 PM at Lacamas Lake Lodge. An adaptive fitness program for those with neurodevelopmental differences, featuring a group warm-up and walk along the Heritage Trail. Registration and fee required. More info
• Nature Lovers Book Group — 4:00 PM with Fort Vancouver Regional Library. Discuss Close to Home by Thor Hanson. Register online for the virtual link; a copy of the book may be sent to your nearest library. Free. More info
• Teen Hangout — 4:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library, Vancouver. Games, crafting, chatting, and snacks every Thursday for ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Tween and Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game Adventure — 4:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Ages 9–19 can create a character and play Dungeons & Dragons. Fill out a character creation form before attending. Free. More info
• Recycling 201: Beyond Curbside — 5:00 PM at Waste Connections, 9411 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver. Go beyond basic curbside recycling and learn about local options for plastic bags, appliances, bulky items, and household hazardous waste. Recycling 101 is a prerequisite. Free. More info
• Clark County Youth House Art Show — 5:00 PM at Clark County Youth House, 1012 Esther St., Vancouver. "Beautiful Bonds" features canvas paintings, handmade cards, photography, multimedia artwork, and a coloring book by young artists. Light refreshments provided. Free. More info
• Road Cycling 101 — 5:30 PM. Join the Vancouver Bicycling Club's ride leader Charla Burke for fun group rides exploring trails, neighborhoods, and parks. 5–10 miles at about 10 mph on flat terrain. Bring a bike in good working order. More info
• Journey Theater Presents Seussical — 6:00 PM at Manor Church, Battle Ground. The Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant in this colorful musical for young audiences. $16–$18. More info
• Vancouver Audubon: The Extraordinary Lives of Common Nighthawks — 6:30 PM at Evergreen Public Schools District Office, Vancouver. Science writer and biologist Gretchen Newberry reveals the mystery behind these masters of camouflage. Free. More info
• Family Bingo at Kalama Harbor Lodge — 7:00 PM at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge (doors at 6 PM). Free, all ages welcome. Win fun prizes — including a possible overnight lodge stay in the final blackout round. More info
• Fort Vancouver Rose Society Meeting — 7:00 PM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Consulting rosarian Leslie Mowers addresses black spot and other rose care challenges, plus a recap of the 2026 Rose Show. Free. More info
• Clark College Theatre Presents [title of show] — 7:30 PM at Clark College Decker Theatre, Vancouver. A witty, heartfelt musical about two writers racing to create something new — a love letter to musical theatre and the joy of collaboration. $12. More info

Friday, June 5

• Flora and Fauna Friday at Downs Neighborhood Park — 10:00 AM at 3217 NE 62nd Ave., Vancouver. Volunteers (adults and teens) are needed to distribute mulch, pick up litter, and remove invasive plants. Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks provided. Free. More info
• Coldwater Lake MTB Trail Work Party and Campout — 10:00 AM. Join Northwest Trail Alliance and the Mt. St. Helens National Monument for trail work plus a rare opportunity to camp overnight near the shores of Coldwater Lake (June 5–7). Space is limited. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal — 12:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Free lunch for low-income seniors age 60+, served noon to 1:00 PM, sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• NAMI Art Group — 1:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, 4201 NE 66th Ave., Suite 105, Vancouver. A weekly creative gathering every Friday from 1–3 PM. Free. More info
• Kids Create — 3:30 PM at Washougal Community Library, Washougal. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–9. Free. More info
• Clark County Food Bank Presents: Tacos and Taps — 4:00 PM. A high-energy 21+ fundraiser featuring gourmet taco creations, craft beer, live music, raffle prizes, and games — raising meals for the community. $60–$70. More info
• Tween Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:00 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Games, crafts, chatting, and snacks for ages 9–12. Free. More info
• Friday Night Cruise-In at Alderbrook Park — 4:00 PM at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Road, Brush Prairie. Classic cars plus disc golf, train rides, mini golf, bounce houses, pool, and more. $5–$10 admission. More info
• Discover Downtown Ridgefield: First Friday — 4:00 PM in Downtown Ridgefield. Shops, restaurants, and businesses stay open later with specials, tastings, and pop-ups. Free to attend; VIP packages available. More info
• First Friday Sidewalk Open Mic at Magenta Theater — 4:00 PM at Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver. Sing with karaoke tracks or bring your own instrument. Anyone is welcome to perform. Free. More info
• Friends of Ridgefield Community Library Used Book Sale — 5:00 PM at Ridgefield Community Library. Members-only preview night (memberships available at the door), with the public sale continuing Saturday 9 AM–3 PM. More info
• First Friday Art Walk — 5:00 PM in Downtown Vancouver. Stroll through galleries and art-centric businesses across downtown, most open from 5–8 PM. Free. More info
• Unicorns, Rainbows and Mythical Beasts First Friday — 5:00 PM in Downtown Camas. A family-friendly scavenger hunt, costume contest, art receptions, after-hours shopping, games, crafts, and treats. Pick up your passport and hunt for stickers to win prize baskets. Free. More info
• New Mini Art Gallery Ribbon Cutting — 5:00 PM at Gallery 408, 408 NE Fourth Ave., Camas. Celebrate the opening of a detailed miniature version of Gallery 408, featuring tiny artworks by participating artists — inspired by the Sidewalk Joy Project. Free. More info
• Family and Friends Friday Climb — 5:00 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Multiple difficulty levels for ages 4+ with unlimited climbing for an hour and 45 minutes. No experience necessary; all equipment provided. $33–$41. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle — 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch, Ridgefield. Try dragon boat paddling at no cost — no experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14+. More info
• Family Fun Night in Salmon Creek — 6:00 PM at Salmon Creek Grange, 1900 NE 154th St., Vancouver. Games and light snacks for the whole family on the first Friday of each month. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. More info
• ZooBrew — 6:00 PM at Oregon Zoo, Portland. A 21+ evening of craft brews, ciders, and wildlife encounters on the zoo's forested grounds. Tickets support endangered species conservation. $30–$60. More info
• First Friday Open Sculpting at Kilnfolk — 6:30 PM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, 108 W. Sixth St., Vancouver. Shape up to two pounds of clay into mugs, vases, gnomes, or animal sculptures — no experience needed. Staff fires and glazes your piece. $50. More info

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