📰 What's Making News

Camas Volleyball Takes the Field — Literally — for First-Ever Outdoor Match

Here's something you don't see every day: the Camas volleyball team played its first-ever outdoor match on Friday, setting up right on the field at Doc Harris Stadium. It's a fun, creative twist on the traditional gym setting and the kind of moment that makes local high school sports so memorable. If you missed it, The Columbian has the photo gallery — and it's worth a scroll.

Treylon McGraw Scores 3 TDs in 34 Wild Seconds as Evergreen Stuns Union

Evergreen's Treylon McGraw put on a show Friday night at McKenzie Stadium, hauling in three touchdown catches — including two in the final 34 seconds of the first half — to spark a 42-28 rally over Union. That kind of finish-the-half fireworks is the stuff teammates will talk about for years. Full game recap here.

Washougal's Matteo DiGiacomo Delivers Walk-Off OT Keeper Against Heritage

Friday night football doesn't get much more dramatic than overtime. Washougal quarterback Matteo DiGiacomo punched in a 1-yard keeper in OT to seal a 25-19 win over Heritage at McKenzie Stadium. It's a gutsy early-season road win for the Panthers and a tough break for a Heritage squad that battled all night. Read the full recap from The Columbian.

231 Rushing Yards: Stevenson's Jude Travinski Bulldozes Goldendale

Stevenson's Jude Travinski was virtually unstoppable Friday, racking up 231 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 36-29 home win over Goldendale. That's the kind of stat line that gets college scouts checking their GPS for directions to Skamania County. Here's the full game story.

Week 2 Scoreboard: Every Southwest Washington Result in One Place

Beyond the marquee matchups, it was a packed Friday across Southwest Washington. Whether your kid plays football, volleyball, cross country, swimming, or tennis, The Columbian has you covered with complete results. Check the football scoreboard and the all-sports scoreboard to find your school.

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💬 Community Buzz

Clark County's 2026 Pumpkin Patch Roundup Drops Just in Time

Sweaters in the morning, tank tops by afternoon — yep, Pacific Northwest fall is officially here. Clark County Talk just published their annual guide to pumpkin patches across Vancouver and greater Clark County, and it's already making the rounds. The rundown covers locations, hours, and what each patch offers, so you can plan your first outing of the season without having to cross-reference five different Facebook pages. Bookmark it now before your weekends fill up. See the full pumpkin patch guide here.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Xavier Lions Tosses Three TDs as Hudson's Bay Rolls Past Fort Vancouver

Hudson's Bay quarterback Xavier Lions threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score to power the Eagles to a 41-12 victory over Fort Vancouver at Kiggins Bowl on Friday night. Full recap here.

Skyview Storm Put Up 49 on Ridgefield Behind Brown, Gibbs

Kenroy Brown and Soren Gibbs each scored twice as Skyview raced to a 35-0 lead and cruised to a 49-7 rout of the Ridgefield Spudders on Friday. Read more.

Battle Ground Holds Prairie to 31 Total Yards in 20-0 Shutout

Miles Skov rushed for 149 yards on 25 carries — 119 of them in the second half — and the Battle Ground Tigers' defense smothered Prairie in a dominant 20-0 win at District Stadium. Full story.

Freshman QB Leads Hockinson to First Shutout in Five Years

Stephen Foerstner, a freshman, threw two second-quarter touchdown passes as Hockinson blanked Medical Lake 17-0 — the Hawks' first shutout since 2021. Details here.

Five Taco Spots Worth the Drive Across Vancouver

The Columbian just dropped a curated list of five standout taco joints around Vancouver, proving this town holds its own as a serious taco destination. See the picks.

King's Way Students Plant Flags, Honor 9/11 at Campus Chapel Service

Middle schoolers at King's Way Christian Schools marked the 25th anniversary of September 11 by planting American flags on a campus hillside following a chapel service led by Army veteran Ryan Watkins. Read more.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, September 12

• VAS BirdBlitz 2026 on iNaturalist – 6:00 AM / Team up with Vancouver Audubon Society to find and document birds across Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat counties. Upload your photos and recordings to iNaturalist and contribute to community science. More info
• Summit Climb on Mt. St. Helens – 6:00 AM / Join professional mountain guides for a single-day non-technical scramble to the summit of Mount St. Helens — designed for novice hikers and experienced mountaineers alike. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Market – 9:00 AM–3:00 PM / 8th & Esther St., Vancouver. Our flagship year-round farmers market next to beautiful Esther Short Park. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail Parkrun – 9:00 AM / Salmon Creek Trail, 800 NE 117th St., Vancouver. A free, fun, friendly weekly 5K — walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate. All ages and abilities welcome, dogs too. Register at parkrun.us for your personal barcode. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Sasquatch Science Team – 9:00 AM / OMSI, Portland. Curious kids and families use their five senses to explore Sasquatch and how we interact with our environment. More info
• Second Saturday at Jane Weber Arboretum – 9:00 AM–Noon / 9215 SE Evergreen Hwy., Vancouver. Join volunteers to get the grounds ready for fall. A light lunch is served afterward. Free. More info
• Birdhers Saturday Birding Walk – 9:00 AM / Powell Butte, Portland. A hike through shaded forest up to open meadow — bring binoculars and sturdy shoes. More info
• Litter Pick Up at Frenchman's Bar – 9:00 AM–11:30 AM / Frenchman's Bar Regional Park, 9612 NW Lower River Rd. Join Clark County Public Works to slam dunk the junk. Wear close-toed shoes and dress for the weather. More info
• Uptown Vancouver Community Clean Up – 9:00 AM / Meet at Kindred, 2213 Main St., Vancouver. Gloves, picker-uppers, and buckets provided — help keep Uptown beautiful. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play – 9:15–10:30 AM / Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Free lesson followed by assisted play. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center – 10:00 AM–3:00 PM / Pearson Field Education Center, Vancouver. Explore flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes. Free admission for all ages. More info
• Dandelion Wish Fair – 10:00 AM / Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary, Vancouver. The final outdoor popup market of the summer series featuring local vendors with skincare, plants, jewelry, quilts, and more. More info
• Rose City Comic Con – 10:00 AM / Oregon Convention Center, Portland. Portland's premier pop culture convention — a fun, family-friendly three-day celebration of comics, cosplay, and fandoms. More info
• 2026 Catio Tour – 10:00 AM / SE Portland. Peek into creative outdoor cat enclosures, from simple builds to standout showpieces. $15 tickets include an online guidebook and maps. More info
• The Portland Maize & Pumpkin Patch – 10:00 AM–5:00 PM / Sauvie Island, Portland. Almost two miles of pathways through the corn — allow 45 minutes to an hour to solve the maze. More info
• 2026 GRO Parade of Homes – 10:00 AM / A single-site home show showcasing high-end, unique, and innovative homes in a professional setting. More info
• Workshops: Flower Bouquet – 10:00 AM / OMSI, Portland. Learn the art of flower arranging with Lexie Criscola of Fruits of Orange using locally grown seasonal flowers. $55, take-home bouquet included. More info
• Nature Days at Columbia Springs: Fire, Fungi & Community Builders – 10:00 AM–1:00 PM / Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy., Vancouver. Free hands-on science and nature experiences — check in at the Visitor Center for maps, activities, and guided walks. More info
• 5K/10K Oktoberfest Fun Run – 10:00 AM / 54°40' Brewing, 3801 S. Truman St., Washougal. Scenic routes along the Columbia River area. Oktoberfest attire encouraged. $50 registration includes a race bib and finisher medal. More info
• Book Swap at Kindred Vancouver – 10:00 AM–4:00 PM / 2213 Main St., Vancouver. Bring clean, gently used books and take home as many new-to-you reads as you like — no trade required. Free. More info
• KatVisions Doll Show – 10:00 AM–3:00 PM / American Legion Smith-Reynolds Post #14, 4607 Saint James Rd., Vancouver. Collectible dolls and toys for sale, plus doll repair, evaluation, and restringing services. Free admission. More info
• Bird Stories of Plas Newydd Farm Writing Workshop – 10:00 AM / Ridgefield, WA. Join author Kate Gray for a workshop inspired by the birds that fly through the farm. No writing experience necessary. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided. More info
• Sensory Storytime – 10:30 AM–11:30 AM / Vancouver Community Library. Interactive storytime with sensory play and freedom of movement, with reduced group size for children with sound sensitivity. Ages 3–9. Registration required. More info
• Spanish Storytime – 10:30 AM / Camas Public Library. Bilingual stories and songs in Spanish and English for children and families. No registration required. More info
• Fall Watercolor Workshops – 10:30 AM–12:30 PM / Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Kathryn Garcia-Stackpole of Kathryn By Design teaches florals, apples, and pumpkins. Beginners welcome. $125 includes all materials. More info
• Play Bridge (0–150 Points) – 11:00 AM / Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. $10. More info
• Oktoberfest at 54°40' Brewing – 11:00 AM–7:00 PM / 3801 S. Truman St., Washougal. Live music by Festival Brass, a stein-holding contest, silent auction, raffle, food, and local beer — all benefiting Camas Lions Club service projects. $10. More info
• 440 West Market and Mingle Grand Opening – 11:00 AM / Vancouver Waterfront. Tour the waterfront's newest community and browse local vendors including Fe Cafe, Sourdough by Lana, Boop Club Pop Up Pet Portraits, and Charcuterie Cutie. More info
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Summer Train Rides – 12:00 PM / Yacolt. Ride through the tunnel and across the East Fork of the Lewis River with a stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. $18–$24. More info
• Paper Collage at Art at the Cave – 12:00–5:00 PM / Art at the Cave, Vancouver. Greg Bee hosts a free, stress-free paper collage day every second Saturday. Bring supplies or don't — all are welcome. More info
• Bi-Zi Farms Sunflower Festival – 12:00–8:00 PM / Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Take photos among beautiful sunflowers, visit farm animals, and enjoy a free hayride. Every paid entry includes one cut sunflower. $12. More info
• Waterfront Vancouver Bluegrass Festival – 12:00–6:00 PM / Waterfront Park, 695 Columbia Way, Vancouver. Free, family-friendly live bluegrass featuring Jackstraw, The Rosa Lees, Stillhouse Junkies, and headliner Jason Carter Band. Bring blankets or chairs. More info
• Oksana's School of Art Grand Opening – 12:00–3:00 PM / 5300 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 102, Vancouver. Ribbon-cutting ceremony and info on art classes for children, teens, and adults at all skill levels. More info
• Ridgefield Lions Oktoberfest – 12:00–10:00 PM / Abrams Park, 400 Abrams Park Rd., Ridgefield. Live music by Freight Train Jaine and Double Down, hammerschlagen contest, stein-holding contest, kids zone, and wiener dog races. $27.38. More info
• The Foundation's Annual Block Party – 3:00–7:00 PM / Bridgeview Resource Center, 505 Omaha Way, Vancouver. Free family-friendly event with food, music, games, and opportunities to connect with local organizations. More info
• Vancouver Elks Lodge #823 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony – 4:30–5:30 PM / 11605 SE McGillivray Blvd., Vancouver. A public ceremony honoring first responders on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. More info
• Columbia River High School Class of '66 — 60th Reunion – 5:30–9:00 PM / Club Green Meadows, Vancouver. Cash bar, snacks, open mic, and conversation. RSVP by email to CR66reunion at gmail. More info
• Saturday Jazz Duet at Dovetail Cellars – 6:00–8:00 PM / 404 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Live jazz with Annie Averre and Christopher Woitach, plus wood-fired pizza and wine. More info
• Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson – 6:30 PM / The Old Church Concert Hall, Portland. A multi-sensory concert experience under the glow of candlelight. $43–$65. More info
• Haunted History Walking Tour – 7:00 PM / Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver. Guides lead you along Main Street and beyond to uncover the unexplained in this historic city. $20. More info
• VanCity's Saturday Social Dance and Beginners Lesson – 7:00 PM / VanCity Ballroom, 9212 NE Hwy 99, Hazel Dell. A 45-minute lesson followed by social dancing of all styles until 10 PM. No partner needed. $10. More info
• Live Music on the Patio at Farrar's Bistro – 7:00 PM / 12514 NW 36th Ave., Vancouver. The final night of the season's patio music series — enjoy food, cocktails, and local wine. More info
• Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks – 7:00 PM / The Grant House, Vancouver. Historian Jeff Davis leads a walking tour of the historic Vancouver Barracks covering its history and haunted happenings from 1849 to 2011. 1.5–2 hours, about 1.5 miles. $17–$22. More info
• OMSI Public Star Party — Autumn Night Sky – 8:00 PM / Stub Stewart State Park, Buxton, OR. View planets, stars, and celestial sights through telescopes and binoculars with OMSI, Rose City Astronomers, and Oregon Parks. All ages welcome. Parking $10/vehicle. More info
• Pour Choices Pub Karaoke: Love Songs Theme Night – 8:30 PM / Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Grab the mic and sing your favorite love ballad, power anthem, or breakup song. More info

Sunday, September 13

• Crossroads Fall Kickoff – 8:00 AM / Crossroads Community Church, 7708 NE 78th St., Vancouver. New sermon series launch, a new season of groups, and a community picnic after the last service with free hot dogs, inflatables, field games, snow cones, cotton candy, and raffles. Free. More info
• Sunday Brunch at Sons of Norway Lodge – 9:30 AM–12:30 PM / Sons of Norway Columbia Lodge, 2400 Grant St., Vancouver. Scandinavian pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, lingonberries, and a beverage — free refills on pancakes. $12. More info
• Laundry Love – 12:00–2:00 PM / Sunshine Laundry and Cleanworks Laundromat, Battle Ground. Saving Grace Church volunteers pay for patrons' washing, drying, and even folding. No cost or obligation. More info
• 2nd Annual Leadbetter Walk & Roll – 1:00 PM / Leadbetter Road (closed to traffic), Camas. Walk, bike, or roll the future North Shore Trail route from Lacamas Lake Boat Launch to Camp Currie. More info
• Spooky Ghosts Hand Building Workshop – 3:30–5:00 PM / Kilnfolk Clay Studio, 108 W. Sixth St., Vancouver. Craft your own ceramic ghosts — no prior experience necessary. Best for ages 8 and up. $55. More info
• Healthy Kids Run Vancouver — Fall 2026 – 4:00–5:00 PM / Pacific Community Park, Vancouver. A five-week Sunday running series for kids of all abilities, including a Challenger Division. Ages 2–14. $8–$54. More info
• How to Winterize Your Garden for Spring Success – 4:00 PM / Presented by WSU Extension Master Gardeners and FVRL. Learn tips to protect plants, enrich soils, and care for irrigation systems before winter. Free. More info

Monday, September 14

• Tiny Toppings Storytime – 11:00 AM / Copper Bell Bookshop, Ridgefield. Story time for little ones — every participant gets a coupon for a free kids ice cream scoop at Eight Cow Creamery. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting – 12:00–1:00 PM / AC Marriott, Vancouver Waterfront. Community members are welcome at this weekly gathering. Free. More info
• Bigfoot Adventure on the Portland Spirit – 2:00 PM / Caruthers Landing Dock, Portland. An 80-mile roundtrip high-speed jetboat tour to Multnomah Falls with exclusive Bigfoot narration by Cliff Barackman. $64–$72. More info
• Early Learners Music and Movement – 2:30–3:30 PM / Vancouver Community Library. Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Free. More info
• Stained Glass Art – 4:00 PM / Camas Public Library. Kids in K–5th grade create faux stained glass using glue and paint. Free. More info
• Adaptive Bicycling Summer Series – 6:00–8:00 PM / Portland International Raceway. Everyone is welcome — bring your own bike or try one of theirs. Helmets required. More info
• Story Explorers Book Club – 6:30 PM / Camas Public Library. A book discussion group for 2nd–3rd graders and their adults — this month's read is Ratnip by Cam Higgins. Registration required. Free. More info
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop – 6:30 PM / Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Learn wet-on-wet blending and splatter techniques to create galactically inspired coasters with Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art. $35, all supplies included. More info

Tuesday, September 15

• Enhance Fitness Classes – 8:30 AM / Various locations in Clark County. Free evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60 and older, tailored to each person's ability. No pre-registration required. More info
• Playgroup – 10:00 AM / Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. A safe indoor space for ages 9 months–6 years to run, play, and explore while parents socialize. $7–$9. More info
• Camas Public Library Food Drive – 10:00 AM / Camas Public Library. Donate non-perishable food items (especially lunchbox snacks, canned fruit, and pantry staples) and hygiene items through September 30. Benefits the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center. More info
• Pink Lemonade Project Kicks Off Pink October – 10:00 AM / 1207 Washington St., Suite 125, Vancouver. Ribbon cutting and spotlight on Pink Lemonade Project's work supporting people affected by breast cancer in SW Washington and Oregon. More info
• Dough Zone Dumpling House Grand Opening – 11:00 AM / Dough Zone Vancouver. The popular dumpling house opens its 30th location right here in Vancouver, bringing signature dumplings, noodles, and Chinese comfort food. More info
• Kids & Tweens Create – 3:30–5:30 PM / Vancouver Community Library. Drop in for creative and interactive projects for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game – 4:30 PM / Various FVRL Library locations. Create a character and play Dungeons & Dragons — newcomers and experienced players welcome. Ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group – 5:15–6:45 PM / Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Dedicated writing time with introductions and a concluding share session. All experience levels. Free. More info
• Spanish Conversation Group – 5:30–6:30 PM / Camas Public Library. Geared toward beginning Spanish speakers. No registration required. Free. More info
• Canoe Journeys: Traveling with Our Cousins and Ancestors – 6:00–7:30 PM / Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Community Nature Center, 28908 NW Main Ave., Ridgefield. Sam Robinson, Mildred Robinson, and granddaughter Destany share the history of tribal canoe journeys with songs, dance, photos, and videos. Free. More info
• Cover to Cover Book Club – 6:30 PM / Camas Public Library. A general fiction book club for adults. Limited physical copies available for registrants. Free. More info

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