📰 What's Making News

Columbia Senior Nitzschke Posts Sub-15 at Nike Portland XC

Wyatt Nitzschke of Columbia High School turned in a standout performance Saturday at the Nike Portland XC invitational, finishing as the top local placer in the Danner Championship boys race at Blue Lake Regional Park in Fairview, Ore. The senior ran the 5,000-meter course in 14 minutes, 58.9 seconds — landing less than 20 seconds behind winner Ashenafi McKinnis of North. Breaking 15 minutes at a major invitational this early in the season is a strong signal heading into league competition. Keep an eye on this kid when the postseason arrives. See photos and full results at The Columbian.

Brody Landgren's 55-Yard TD Seals Bruins' First Win

Columbia-White Salmon got into the win column Saturday with a 25-22 non-league victory over Medical Lake, and it was junior Brody Landgren who delivered the dagger — a 55-yard touchdown run with just 2:58 left on the clock. The Bruins' defense then held its nerve, recovering a late onside kick and taking a final knee to ice the game. It's the kind of gritty, down-to-the-wire finish that gives a young team real confidence going forward. Read the full recap at The Columbian.

Friday Night Lights Scoreboard: Football, Volleyball, Soccer, XC

It was a packed weekend across Clark County prep sports, with results rolling in from football, volleyball, girls soccer, and cross country on Friday and Saturday. Whether your household follows the Trappers, Storm, Panthers, or any other local squad, the full scoreboard has you covered. Check all the scores in one place and see how your school stacked up. Full results at The Columbian.

Sunny Finish to the Weekend After Friday's Gusty Autumn Storm

Friday's storm certainly announced that fall has arrived — gusty south winds and steady rain swept through Clark County, prompting a wind advisory along the I-5 corridor from the National Weather Service. But the payoff is a pleasant one: the rest of the weekend is shaping up sunny and dry. It's the classic Pacific Northwest pattern — dramatic entrance, gorgeous encore. Enjoy it while it lasts. Read the full forecast at The Columbian.

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💬 Community Buzz

Lacey MakerSpace Opens Doors at Festival of Sparks

If you've ever wanted to tinker, prototype, or just see what happens when creative people get access to serious tools, the Lacey MakerSpace at Saint Martin's University is worth knowing about. Operating since 2019 on the Saint Martin's campus near Old Main, this community workshop brings together artists, entrepreneurs, students, and small business owners to turn ideas into tangible projects. The upcoming Festival of Sparks is your chance to see it all in action. Get the full details from ClarkCoTalk.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Tupua Brothers Bring 4.0 GPAs, Samoan Pride to Evergreen's O-Line

Seniors Nehemiah and Daniel Tupua are anchoring Evergreen High School's offensive line this fall while carrying perfect 4.0 GPAs. The brothers credit coaches like Jason Stevens and Darnell Wilford with shaping them well beyond the football field — a story worth reading if you love Clark County kids doing it right. Full story here.

Battle Ground's Jamie Young Wins National Screen Printing Honor

Jamie Young, owner and founder of Uptown Screen Printing in Battle Ground, is one of just six recipients of the 2026 Women in Screen Printing Awards from Screen Printing Magazine. A well-deserved spotlight on a local business owner building something impressive right here in Clark County. Read more from The Columbian.

Why Clark Public Utilities Wants You to Think About Conservation Now

With power demand climbing across the Pacific Northwest, energy conservation is becoming a bigger priority for utilities — including Clark Public Utilities. The focus: avoiding future strain on the grid as the region grows. Here's what that means locally.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Sunday, September 27

• GRO Parade of Homes — 8:00 AM at Emerald Grove, Salmon Creek. The Building Industry Association of Clark County wraps up its showcase of eight custom homes featuring smart-home tech, indoor-outdoor living spaces, and energy-efficient design. Homes open 10 AM–7 PM. Tickets $20 (ages 12+) or $50 season pass.
• Downtown Vancouver Market — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Our flagship year-round farmers market, running strong since 1990.
• Costume Swap at Kindred Vancouver — 10:00 AM at Kindred Vancouver. Bring clean costumes, accessories, or Halloween decor and swap for something fresh. Free.
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Wagon rides, a free pumpkin you can carry, corn maze admission, and nighttime maze access all included. $14–$16.
• Naydenov Xcel Booster Pancake Breakfast — 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at American Legion, Salmon Creek. Support a local girls gymnastics team with pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, and drinks. $10/plate or $35 for four.
• Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helens Institute — 10:00 AM at Pine Creek Information Station. Learn to identify wild edible and inedible mushrooms, then harvest and cook them into delicious dishes.
• Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe — 2:00 PM at Battle Ground Community Library. Polynesian dance and narration from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand with authentic costuming and audience participation. Free.
• Wild Symphony — 2:00 PM at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland. Dan Brown's picture book comes to life as Maestro Mouse introduces an ensemble of friendly critters, each with a life lesson, backed by a live orchestra. $16–$56.
• Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at the Magenta Theater — 2:00 PM at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. A lightning-fast, laugh-out-loud, 90-minute romp blending Bram Stoker with Mel Brooks and Monty Python. $28.
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Opening Night — 3:00 PM at Skyview Concert Hall, Vancouver. Music Director Salvador Brotons leads the VSO in his own Virtus, Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor with pianist Yulianna Avdeeva, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral." $15–$63.
• Autumn Pumpkins Workshop — 3:30 PM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver. Craft ceramic pumpkins using the pinch pot method — no experience needed, family-friendly for ages 5+. $55.
• Healthy Kids Run Vancouver Fall 2026 — 4:00 PM at Pacific Community Park, Vancouver. Week three of a fun five-week running series for kids of all abilities, with age-appropriate dash and distance races. $8–$54.
• Nutrition and Hormones — 5:00 PM at Dovetail Cellars, Vancouver. A free talk with Keri Buhman of Mirabelle Nutrition about nutrition and hormones. RSVP at keribuhmannutrition.com.
• Free Dance Sampler Classes — 5:30–7:30 PM at Vancouver Fitness Studio, Vancouver. Drop in for free rumba (5:30 PM) and tango (6:30 PM) sampler classes with Julieann and Joseph Platt of Ballroom Dance with Us.

Monday, September 28

• Audiobook Walking Club — 9:30 AM, hosted by Camas Public Library. Bring your own audiobook and meet at a new outdoor location for a 60-minute walk plus optional social time. Free.
• Tiny Toppings Storytime — 11:00 AM at Eight Cow Creamery, Ridgefield. Kids story time hosted by Copper Bell Bookshop — every participant gets a coupon for a free kids ice cream scoop.
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — 12:00 PM at AC Marriott Vancouver Waterfront. Community members welcome at this weekly lunch meeting. Free.
• Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce Luncheon — 12:00 PM at Washougal Times, Washougal. Guest presenter Brad Richardson of the Clark County Historical Museum shares stories of Camas and Washougal. $30–$40.
• Early Learners Music and Movement — 2:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Free.
• Tales with Tails — 4:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Kids in grades 1–5 can practice reading aloud to Scamp the therapy dog. Sign up for a 15-minute slot at CamasPL.org/TalesWTails. Free.
• Teen & Adult Creative Crafts: Felted Landscapes — 5:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Use provided supplies to create a one-of-a-kind needle-felted landscape. Ages 13+. Registration required. Free.
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub. Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art teaches wet-on-wet watercolor blending and splatter techniques to create nebula-like coasters. All supplies included. $35.

Tuesday, September 29

• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM at various Clark County locations. Free evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60+ tailored to every ability level. No pre-registration needed.
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM. A safe indoor space for ages 9 months–6 years to run, play, jump, and explore while parents socialize. $7–$9.
• Camas Public Library Food Drive — 10:00 AM at Camas Public Library. Last days to drop off non-perishable food items (especially lunchbox snacks and pantry staples) benefiting the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center.
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM–6:00 PM at Velvet Acres Gardens, Orchards. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hay bale pyramid, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, vendors, and food carts. $10–$12.
• Here for Good 20th Anniversary Luncheon — 11:30 AM at Heathman Lodge, Vancouver. Meals on Wheels People celebrates 20 years, emceed by KGW Meteorologist Rod Hill. $50/person or $500/table.
• Kids & Tweens Create — 3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Drop-in creative and interactive projects for ages 5–12. Free.
• Teen Sewing 101 — 4:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. Learn to use a sewing machine and create a simple project. Ages 13–19. Free.
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM at various FVRL library locations. Create a character and play Dungeons & Dragons — beginners and experienced players welcome. Ages 9–19. Free.
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub. A welcoming weekly group for writers of all levels with dedicated writing time — no readings or critiques. Free.
• Spanish Conversation Group — 5:30 PM at Camas Public Library. Casual practice for beginning Spanish speakers. Free.
• Letterboxing Workshop — 6:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Create a simple stamp and hunt for hidden letterboxes on library grounds. Ages 5+. Free.
• Vancouver Wildlife League Monthly Meeting — 6:00 PM at Smith-Reynolds American Legion Post 14, Vancouver. Learn about the pheasant release program and the Ridgefield project. Free.
• Water for Elephants — 7:30 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland. The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to life in a spectacle-filled Broadway musical.

Wednesday, September 30

• Reclaimed Creations Exhibit at OMSI — 9:30 AM at OMSI, Portland. Last day to see Sayaka Ganz's stunning sculptures made from discarded plastic objects — 3D impressionism meets environmentalism.
• Wednesday Wanders — 9:30 AM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. A guided nature walk exploring the ecosystems along the Columbia River and adjacent wetland. Great for families with kids 6+ and nature-loving adults. Free.
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Tour the stunning 1873 neo-Georgian brick building constructed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Free, by reservation.
• Harvest Tours at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery — 12:00–5:00 PM in Ridgefield. Walk the vineyard during harvest time and enjoy a glass of wine. Ages 21+. $60.
• Contemplative Prayer — 12:20 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Vancouver. Quiet music and contemplative prayer. Free.
• Camas Farmers Market — 3:00–7:00 PM in downtown Camas (temporary location on Birch Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues). A celebration of the region's agriculture and community.
• Camas Farmers Market Harvest Festival — 3:00–7:00 PM in downtown Camas. Close out the season with live pan music by NW Pan Man Terry Baber, cider sips, pumpkin bowling, scarecrow photo ops, cornhole, and more. Free.
• La Ratoncita Presumida / The Vain Little Mouse Puppet Show — 3:00 PM at various FVRL library locations. A bilingual Spanish/English puppet show from Venezuela by Melissa and Carlos Bertran. Free.
• Teen & Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM at Cascade Park & Vancouver Community Libraries. Open play — decks provided or bring your own. Free.
• Teen Make Your Own Merch — 4:00 PM at Washougal Community Library. Design custom prints and buttons and learn how artists turn handmade items into a business. Ages 13–19. Free.
• Wined Down Wednesdays: Karaoke Night at 14 Acres — 5:00–8:00 PM at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery, Ridgefield. Sing karaoke and enjoy wine. Ages 21+. Free.
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle — 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Try dragon boat paddling for free — no experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14+.
• Giving Pop-Up in the Ripple Space — 5:30 PM at The Ripple Space, Vancouver. Meet five local nonprofits including the Clark County Historical Society, Elevate Youth, and Enspire Arts, and donate directly. Donations of $100+ are boosted by grants. $15 entry.
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. East Coast and Lindy Hop lessons followed by social dance. Singles, partners, and groups welcome. $5–$10.
• Waltz and Salsa Classes — 6:00 PM at Clark College O'Connell Sports Center. Waltz at 6 PM, salsa at 7 PM with Julieann and Joseph Platt. No experience required. $69 per five-week session.
• DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaners Workshop — 6:00 PM at Waste Connections of Washington, Vancouver. Clark County Green Neighbors teaches you to make your own all-purpose spray, window cleaner, and gentle scrub. Free.
• Let's Bug Out: A Beginner's Guide to Packing an Essentials Bag — 6:00 PM on Main St., Vancouver. Wild Camp Goods founder Leland Duck walks you through packing a basic essentials bag. Free.

Thursday, October 1

• PCTA Trail Work Project at Big Huckleberry Mountain — 8:00 AM in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Carson, WA. Join the Pacific Crest Trail Association's Mount Hood Chapter for a day of trail work. Registration required; max 6 volunteers.
• Go with the Flow: First Thursday Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour — 10:00 AM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. A free 90-minute walking tour of what happens after you flush. Ages 8+.
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Vancouver. Tour the Queen Anne-style home where General George C. Marshall lived from 1936–1938, featuring period furnishings and military memorabilia. Free.
• Advanced Competitive Bridge Bidding — 10:00 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club. A six-week class for beginning and intermediate players with instructor Michael Walker, a Ruby Life Master. $10–$50.
• Dine the Couve — 11:00 AM, launching across Clark County. Now in its 11th year, enjoy three dishes for $35 or $50 at participating restaurants, cafes, brewpubs, and tasting rooms throughout October.
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM in Woodland. A family-sized pumpkin patch on 40+ acres with 60+ varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, plus a u-pick field. Free admission.
• Kids & Tweens Build It — 3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Build your STEM skills with LEGO bricks, blocks, boxes, and more. Ages 5–12. Free.
• Kids & Tweens Great Build Off — 4:00 PM at various FVRL library locations. Put your creativity to the test with a surprise building challenge. Free.
• Proof Cocktails & Lounge Grand Opening — 4:00 PM at 801 Washington Street, downtown Vancouver. Raise a glass to this locally owned cocktail and whiskey lounge featuring craft cocktails, a seasonal menu from Executive Chef Carl Henderson, and over 2,000 bottles of whiskey and spirits.
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:30 PM. Games, crafts, chatting, and snacks courtesy of the Friends of Vancouver Community Library. Ages 13–19. Free.
• Potions Class at Camas Public Library — 4:30 PM. Make four magical concoctions to astound and awe. Grades 1–5. Registration required. Free.
• 2026 Friend Raiser — 5:00 PM at Friends of the Children – SW Washington Clubhouse, Vancouver. An evening of food, cocktails, silent and live auctions, and inspiring stories from youth and Friends. $100.
• Vancouver Audubon Guest Speaker: Annie Cahill — 6:30 PM at 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver. Annie Cahill from the Wildlife Center of the North Coast discusses wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Free.
• Family Bingo at Kalama Harbor Lodge — 7:00 PM (doors at 6 PM) at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge. Fun prizes plus a chance to win an overnight stay. All ages. Free.
• Line Dancing at Ashwood Taps & Trucks — 7:00 PM in Washougal. Line dancing with Kat Nichols — beginners welcome, all ages. $10.
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM at Oaks Park, Portland. Immersive haunted houses, a Halloween theme park, food, drinks, and oddities vendors kick off for the season. $25–$33.

Friday, October 2

• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Paddles — 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. One of the last community paddles of the season — no experience needed, equipment provided, ages 14+. Free.

Saturday, October 3

• Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day — 8:00 AM. Join the NW Trails Alliance for a fun-filled day on the trails with kids.
• BIPOC Series: Beacon Rock Trail Work Party — 8:30 AM at Beacon Rock State Park. A trail work party for folks identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color — learn the tools of trail building and put them to use.
• OnPoint Community Credit Union Camas Grand Opening — 8:45 AM at 19542 SE Brady Rd, Suite 101, Camas. Ribbon cutting for OnPoint's ninth SW Washington branch, with a $5,000 donation to the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, plus complimentary food and coffee.
• BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival in Ridgefield — 9:00 AM. Celebrate the return of the Sandhill Crane to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with birding, bluegrass music, and family fun.
• Open House: East Vancouver Community Park Concepts — 10:00 AM. Help design Vancouver's new 14-acre community park near 192nd Ave. and 20th St. Review early design concepts and share your input. Light refreshments provided.
• Vancouver's Old Apple Tree Festival — 11:00 AM at Old Apple Tree Park, 112 Columbia Way. Celebrate the oldest living apple tree in the Northwest, planted at Fort Vancouver in 1826, with food, music, history, and free tree cuttings.
• River Superstars: Salmon and Lamprey — 1:00–2:00 PM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. A drop-in program for ages 5–12 with hands-on activities exploring the life cycles of salmon and lamprey. Free.

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