📰 What's Making News

Battle Ground's Mismatched Running Backs Make an Unlikely, Unstoppable Pair

You wouldn't sketch them on the same whiteboard, but Miles Skov and Addison Roa-Cooper are rewriting Battle Ground's rushing playbook together. The two backs couldn't look more different on paper — or on the field — yet their contrasting styles have turned the Tigers' ground game into something opponents can't plan for. It's the kind of story that makes Clark County prep football so fun to follow this time of year. Read the full feature in The Columbian.

Seton Catholic's James Kautz Named Week 3 Football Athlete of the Week

James Kautz of Seton Catholic earned The Columbian's Week 3 football athlete of the week honor, pulling in 230 of 500 votes cast by readers. The recognition, sponsored by Killer Burger, highlights another strong week for the Cougars' program. If you haven't been paying attention to Seton Catholic football this fall, now's a good time to start. See the announcement and video.

Ridgefield Blanks Columbia River 3-0, Shakes Up Girls Soccer Standings

The Ridgefield Spudders handed Columbia River its first loss of the season Thursday night with a decisive 3-0 shutout. The result adds serious intrigue to an already competitive Class 2A Greater St. Helens League race — no team can coast from here. It's still early, but this is the kind of statement win that announces a contender. Get the highlights from The Columbian.

"Dracula" at Magenta, CouveCon, Oktoberfest — Your Weekend Sorted

Need a plan for the next few days? The Columbian's "Try This" roundup has five local picks, including a production of "Dracula" at Magenta Theater, the return of CouveCon for comic and pop-culture fans, and Oktoberfest celebrations right here in Clark County. Whether you're rallying the family or carving out a date night, there's something on this list worth circling. Browse all five picks.

Week 4 Prep Football Preview: Predictions, Capsules, Livestream Links

Sitting at a sharp .712 on the season after going 14-2 in Week 3, The Columbian's prep football crew is rolling out capsule previews for every Week 4 matchup — including Mountain View hosting Elma at McKenzie Stadium Friday at 4:30 p.m. Each game comes with predictions and livestream links so you can follow along even if you can't make it to the bleachers. See all the Week 4 capsules.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Quiltfest Northwest Turns 50 at Clark County Fairgrounds

Half a century of stitching is worth celebrating. Quiltfest Northwest marks its 50th anniversary this year at the Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield, showcasing quilts as both handcraft and fine art. Full story here.

Firm Foundation Breaks Ground on 62-Acre Battle Ground Campus

Firm Foundation Christian School is building a new high school campus off State Route 502 in Battle Ground, with room for up to 300 students. Plans include a gymnasium, fabrication lab, chapel, and athletic fields. Read more.

WSU Vancouver's Food Pantry Visits Nearly Double in One Year

Shopping visits at WSU Vancouver's Cougar Food Pantry jumped from 1,539 to 2,923 after the campus partnered with Clark County Food Bank to expand its on-site food distribution. Details here.

La Center Volleyball Stays Unbeaten, Tops Seton Catholic in Trico Showdown

La Center knocked off fellow undefeated and top-10-ranked Seton Catholic in three sets Tuesday night, extending a four-year run of Trico League dominance. Catch the recap.

Shorty's BBQ Files for Beer, Wine License in Camas

Shorty's BBQ & Catering at 3510 NE Everett St. in Camas has applied for a grocery store beer-and-wine license with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board — a sign the barbecue spot may be expanding its offerings. See the filing.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Friday, September 25

• Washington Outdoor Women – Fall Workshop Weekend at 9:00 AM in Stanwood, WA — A weekend of hands-on outdoor skills classes with expert instructors and all equipment provided. Registration is $395 for ages 18+. More info
• Adult & Teen Craft & Chat at 10:00 AM at La Center Community Library — Bring your knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, or any fiber arts project for a free social circle. Ages 13+. More info
• Costume Swap at Kindred Vancouver at 10:00 AM — Bring clean costumes, accessories, or Halloween decor and swap for something new. Free. More info
• The Portland MAiZE & Pumpkin Patch at 10:00 AM on Sauvie Island — Almost two miles of corn maze pathways plus pumpkin picking. Open Friday through Monday in September. More info
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center at 10:00 AM — A safe indoor play space for kids ages 9 months to 6 years while parents socialize. $7–$9. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program at 12:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver — Free lunch served noon to 1:00 PM for low-income seniors age 60+, sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• NAMI Art Group at 1:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver — A free weekly art group hosted by NAMI of Southwest Washington, 1–3 PM. More info
• Oktoberfest at Oaks Park at 4:00 PM in Portland — Authentic German food and beer, Kinderplatz kids' activities, cooking shows, wiener dog races, and more. Runs through Sunday. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle at 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch — Try dragon boat paddling for free. No experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14+. More info
• Live Music: Gina de Noble at 14 Acres Vineyard & Winery at 5:30 PM in Ridgefield — Free live music in the tasting room, 5:30–7:30 PM. All ages, no cover, no reservation needed. More info
• Ricotta Gnocchi and Ragu Cooking Class at 5:30 PM at Class Cooking, Vancouver — Chef Fabiola Donnelly leads a hands-on class making gnocchi and ragu from scratch. $100 includes all ingredients and tools. More info
• The Sound of Music at 6:00 PM at Washburn Performing Arts Center, Washougal — Columbia Theater Arts Foundation presents the beloved musical, Sept. 18–26. All tickets are pay-what-you-will. More info
• Pleasant Valley Schools 50th Anniversary Celebration at 6:00 PM — All alumni, families, staff, and community members are invited for memorabilia, music, and connections from 6–8 PM. Free. More info
• English Country Line Dancing at 6:30 PM at Fern Prairie Grange, Camas — Newbies and experienced dancers welcome. Every dance is walked through first. $5 per person or $10 per family. More info
• Haunted Walking Tours at 7:00 PM at the Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver — Guides lead groups of 25 through downtown Vancouver sharing tales of lingering spirits and mysterious happenings. $15–$20. More info
• Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks at 7:00 PM starting at The Grant House — Historian Jeff Davis leads a walking tour covering haunted history from 1849 to 2011. About 1.5 miles, 1.5–2 hours. $17–$22. More info
• The Lowdown Line Dancing at 7:00 PM at The Cedars Public House, Brush Prairie — Line dancing lesson 7–8 PM, social dancing 8–10 PM. Full food and drink menu available. All ages, $5. More info
• Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at 7:30 PM at Magenta Theater, Vancouver — A 90-minute comedy romp blending Bram Stoker with Mel Brooks and Monty Python. Five actors play over a dozen roles. Tickets from $28. More info
• "Friday Frolic" Scottish Dance Class at 7:30 PM at Columbia Dance Center, Vancouver — No partner or special clothing needed. $8 at the door, first class free. More info
• Live Music: Jeremy Ross at Pour Choices Pub at 7:30 PM — Kick off the weekend with live music and good company at Pour Choices Pub in Vancouver. More info
• Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift at 8:30 PM at The Old Church Concert Hall, Portland — A multi-sensory concert experience featuring the music of Taylor Swift by candlelight. $42.50–$66. More info

Saturday, September 26

• Washington State Parks Fee Free Day at 7:00 AM — No Discover Pass needed! Celebrating National Public Lands Day, enjoy free access to all Washington State Parks. More info
• Camas Plein Air Event & Tribute to Marquita at 8:00 AM at Red Door Gallery, Camas — A premier outdoor painting competition honoring the late Marquita Call, with $2,800 in cash prizes. Entry fee $30. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market at 9:00 AM at Esther Short Park — The flagship market runs 9 AM–3 PM next to beautiful Esther Short Park. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail Parkrun at 9:00 AM — A free, friendly weekly 5K. Walk, jog, run, or volunteer. All ages and abilities welcome, dogs too. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Design and Discover at 9:00 AM at OMSI, Portland — Kids ages 3–5 work with families on playful hands-on engineering challenges. More info
• Stewardship Saturday at Columbia Springs at 9:00 AM — Volunteer from 9 AM–12 PM removing invasive species and maintaining trails. Tools, gloves, and guidance provided. Free. More info
• National Public Lands Day Ivy Removal at the Historic Covington House at 9:00 AM — Help remove ivy, tour inside the historic house, and learn about its history. 9 AM–noon. Free. More info
• NW Trail Sisters Guided Falls Creek MTB Ride at 9:00 AM — A guided mountain bike ride on the spectacular Falls Creek trail in the Gifford Pinchot. Groups divided by ability. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play at 9:15 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club — Free bridge lesson 9:15–10:30 AM with assisted play afterward. More info
• Great Train Swap Meet at 9:30 AM at Battle Ground High School — Model trains in all scales, collectibles, and memorabilia from 180 vendors, plus an operating modular layout. $5 admission. More info
• Annual Lacamas Lake Cleanup at 9:30 AM in Camas — Join Lacamas Watershed Council and the City of Camas for litter picking and ivy pulling around Round, Fallen Leaf, and Lacamas Lakes. Registration required. More info
• Burnt Bridge Creek Native Plant Walk with WREC at 9:30 AM — A guided walk along the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway to learn about native plants for your yard. Free. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center at 10:00 AM — Free STEAM education through aviation: flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplane displays. 10 AM–3 PM. More info
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze at 10:00 AM in Vancouver — Wagon ride to the patch, one free pumpkin you can carry, corn maze admission, and harvest festival fun. $14–$16. More info
• Oregon Trail & Cider Press Family Day at 10:00 AM at Camp Hope, Battle Ground — Your family becomes a wagon train: cross rivers, hunt buffalo, press cider, and try to make it to Oregon before winter. $50. More info
• Stewardship Day at Mount St. Helens at 10:00 AM — Help remove invasive weeds, then join an optional 2.4-mile guided Hummocks Trail hike. Free, registration required. More info
• Camas-Washougal Fire Department Open House at 10:00 AM — Live kitchen fire demos, vehicle extrication demonstrations, emergency preparedness exhibits, and more. 10 AM–2 PM. Free. More info
• Spooky Ghosts Hand Building Workshop at 10:00 AM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver — Craft your own ceramic ghosts. No experience needed, best for ages 8+. $55. More info
• Costume and Prop Sale at 10:00 AM at Metropolitan Performing Arts Building, Vancouver — Browse costumes and props, 10 AM–3 PM. Proceeds support Metropolitan Performing Arts. More info
• Girls in Aviation Day at 10:00 AM at FLYIT Academy, Camas — Meet women pilots and aviation professionals, enjoy crafts, activities, and booths from NOAA, LifeFlight, and more. Free, registration required. More info
• Cameraderie: Youth Birding Photography Walk at 10:00 AM — Vancouver Audubon Society's youth program connecting ages 8–18 with experienced birders and photographers. More info
• Adopt-A-Park Event at LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park at 10:00 AM — Help remove ivy and non-native plants to support forest health. Family-friendly, great for teens. Tools and snacks provided. More info
• Sensory Storytime at 10:30 AM at Vancouver Community Library — An interactive storytime with sensory play and freedom of movement for ages 3–9, with smaller group size. Free, registration required. More info
• CouveCon at 11:00 AM at Vancouver Mall — The 5th annual pop culture event with artist showcases, celebrity meet-and-greets, cosplay contests, fandom panels, and more. Free general admission. More info
• Play Bridge at 11:00 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club — Play with individuals with 0–150 masterpoints. $10. More info
• Free Lunch at East Woods Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM — A free community lunch, 11 AM–1 PM, on the fourth Saturday of every month. More info
• Oktoberfest at Alderbrook Park at 11:00 AM in Brush Prairie — Live music, German food, pony rides, bounce houses, wiener dog races, pedal boats, mini golf, and more. 11 AM–10 PM. $15 adults, $10 kids 4–13. More info
• Small Acreage Stewardship Tour: Good Year Farm at 11:00 AM in Washougal — Tour the farm's land stewardship practices, meet animals, and enjoy the native plant nursery. Light lunch available for $10. Free tour with registration. More info
• Vancouver Bee Project Native Plant & Seed Library Opening Day at 11:00 AM — Pick up free native plants, seeds, and pollinator garden resources. All welcome, while supplies last. More info
• Giant Breed Rescue Event at 11:30 AM at 54°40' Brewing Company, Washougal — Giant breed dog owners, bring your pups for a fun meet-up in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge region. Free, registration required. More info
• Krafty-oke at Drop the Mic Karaoke at 12:00 PM in Camas — Create a succulent garden in a wine glass while enjoying karaoke, food, and beverages. $45 includes all supplies. More info
• Cornbread Day at Cedar Creek Grist Mill at 1:00 PM in Woodland — Sample cornbread made with fruit jam, hot peppers, bacon, cheese, herbs, and vote for the best. More info
• Eleventy-First Birthday Party at 1:00 PM at Vancouver Community Library — Step through a life-sized round door for Tolkien-inspired snacks, crafts, trivia, a costume contest, and a screening of The Fellowship of the Ring. Free. More info
• Family Movie Matinee at 3:30 PM at Three Creeks Community Library — A family-friendly movie with free popcorn. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Video Game Night at 4:00 PM at Ridgefield Community Library — Nintendo gaming, snacks, and new friends. Free. More info
• Family Promise of Clark County Fundraiser at 5:30 PM at Royal Oaks Country Club — Dinner, silent and live auctions, dessert dash, and a program about Family Promise. $110. More info
• Live Music: Trevor Lund at 14 Acres Vineyard & Winery at 5:30 PM in Ridgefield — Free live music in the tasting room, 5:30–7:30 PM. All ages, no cover. More info
• Motley Crue at Cascades Amphitheater at 6:30 PM in Ridgefield — The Return of the Carnival of Sins tour with special guests Tesla and Extreme. Tickets from $74. More info
• for KING + COUNTRY at 7:00 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland — The Grammy Award-winning duo brings "The Most Beautiful Colours" tour to Portland. Tickets from $66.15. More info
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Opening Night at 7:00 PM at Skyview Concert Hall — Conductor Salvador Brotons leads pianist Yulianna Avdeeva in Grieg's Piano Concerto, plus Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony. $15–$63. More info
• VanCity Saturday Social Dance at 7:00 PM at VanCity Ballroom, Hazel Dell — A 45-minute beginner lesson followed by social dancing of all styles until 10 PM. No partner needed. $10. More info
• On the Brink: An Evening of Short Films at 7:30 PM at Columbia Theatre, Longview — The 4th annual evening of short films exploring infinite possibilities on the edge of change. $17.50. Note: some films contain adult language. More info
• Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub at 8:30 PM — Show off your pipes starting at 8:30 PM at 1919 Main Street, Vancouver. More info

Adults

• Spooky Soiree: CCHM Fundraising Dinner and Auction at 5:00 PM at Summit Grove Lodge, La Center — An evening of eerie elegance and Clark County history presented by the Clark County Historical Museum & Society, 5–8:30 PM. More info

Sunday, September 27

• GRO Parade of Homes at 8:00 AM in Emerald Grove, Salmon Creek — Tour eight custom homes featuring contemporary architecture, smart home tech, and energy-efficient innovation. Open 10 AM–7 PM. $20. More info
• Naydenov Xcel Booster Pancake Breakfast at 10:00 AM at American Legion, Salmon Creek — Support a local girls gymnastics team with a full breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, and drinks. $10 per plate. More info
• Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helens Institute at 10:00 AM — Learn to identify wild edible and inedible mushrooms, then harvest and cook them into delicious dishes. Registration required. More info
• Wild Symphony at 2:00 PM at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland — Based on Dan Brown's children's book, Maestro Mouse introduces animal friends as the orchestra plays the author's soundtrack live. Perfect for little book lovers. $16–$56. More info
• Healthy Kids Run Vancouver at 4:00 PM at Pacific Community Park — A fun weekly running series for children of all abilities, with age-appropriate dashes and distance races. $8–$54. More info

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