📰 What's Making News

Bright Indirect Light Social Club Opens Urban Garden Center Downtown

Matt and Kim Sievert are growing — literally. The couple behind Bright Indirect Light Social Club, the beloved downtown Vancouver plant shop, have expanded into a full urban garden center on East 17th Street between Broadway and C streets. The new space gives the Sieverts room to stretch beyond houseplants and into outdoor gardening, and it's already drawing curious foot traffic from the neighborhood. If you've been looking for a reason to wander downtown this weekend, consider this your nudge. Full story here.

Evergreen's Damian Perez Returns to the Field After Health Scare Nearly Ended It All

There was a time Damian Perez wasn't sure he'd suit up again. After a serious health battle threatened to sideline him for good, the Evergreen Plainsmen team captain is back — and now preparing for one of the biggest games of his high school career. It's the kind of comeback story that makes Friday night lights feel a little brighter. Read Damian's story.

9 Races, 9 Wins: La Center Girls Cross Country Defends District Title

Perfection is hard to come by in any sport, but the La Center Wildcats girls cross country team is making it look routine. The squad defended its Class 1A district championship Thursday, extending its unbeaten streak to a flawless nine-for-nine on the season. That's nine starting lines and nine victories — no exceptions. They'll head to the state meet with momentum that's hard to argue with. Read more.

Hockinson's Graysen Aldridge Runs Away With First District Crown

Graysen Aldridge wanted a competitive push at Thursday's District 4 cross country championships. Instead, the Hockinson senior delivered a runaway win in the Class 2A girls race, claiming her first district title by a commanding margin. It's the kind of performance that announces a runner is peaking at exactly the right time, with the state meet just around the corner. Full results here.

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

💬 Community Buzz

The community conversation thread is a little quiet today — we'll be back with more local discussions soon!

Help a friend stay in the loop on Vancouver — forward this issue.
Did someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter.

⚡ Quick Bites

Ground Kontrol Plans Downtown Vancouver Location

Portland's beloved arcade bar Ground Kontrol is heading across the river with a new spot in downtown Vancouver. It's a big get for the downtown scene — and yes, this time Portland is coming to us.

Clark County Rethinks How It Picks Land to Preserve

County officials are revisiting the criteria they use to select land for conservation, with the Council being asked to weigh in on priorities that will shape which green spaces future generations get to enjoy.

Week 9 Prep Football: Previews, Picks, Livestream Links

High school football heads into Week 9, and The Columbian's prediction crew is riding a 10-2 rebound that bumps their season mark to 91-26. Grab the full capsule previews and livestream links before Friday's kickoffs.

Forward this to one Vancouver friend today — it's how we grow.
Did someone forward you this? Subscribe to this newsletter.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Friday, October 30

• Scary Story Walk at Camas Public Library — Celebrate the winners of the Scary Story contest by strolling downtown Camas. Each participating business features a winning scary story in its front window. Visit them all to complete the walk! Free. More info
• Boo Bash: A Halloween Costume Play Party — 9:00 AM at Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver. An indoor play adventure with slides, an obstacle course, tunnels, and colorful balls designed for kids 3 and under. Come in costume! $14.99. More info
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, one free pumpkin (any size you can carry!), corn maze, and same-day admission to the nighttime corn maze. $14–$16. More info
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM, Vancouver. A safe indoor space for kids ages 9 months to 6 years to run, climb, and explore while parents socialize. $7–$9. More info
• Merry Go Round Resale Consignment Event — 10:00 AM–9:00 PM at the Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Shop gently used kids' clothing, gear, toys, and more. Today features 20% off from 4–9 PM. More info
• 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. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program — Noon–1:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver. Free lunch for seniors age 60+ sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — Noon at Whalen Oaks Farm, Woodland. Nestled on 40+ acres with 60+ varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Free admission and free parking. More info
• La Center Trick or Treat — Noon at La Center City Hall. Stop by for candy, coloring, and a pumpkin toss game, then head to Legacy Park for a free outdoor showing of Monsters Inc. with a pumpkin carving contest. Free. More info
• NAMI Art Group — 1:00–3:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver. A weekly creative gathering hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Free. More info
• Downtown Woodland Trick or Treat — 2:00 PM in Downtown Woodland. Dress up and trick-or-treat at local businesses — a beloved Woodland tradition! Free. More info
• Battle Ground Boo Bash — 3:00 PM at the Battle Ground Event Center. A family-friendly celebration with a candy carnival, games, prizes, and a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot. Free. More info
• Downtown Ridgefield Trick or Treat — 3:00–5:00 PM in Downtown Ridgefield. Grab your costumes and go door to door at downtown businesses for fun and treats. Free. More info
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 3:00–5:00 PM at Walton Farms, Camas. Admission includes the corn maze, a train ride, and one pumpkin any size. Dogs welcome on leash. $13. More info
• Clearmeadows Park Naturespace Native Garden Planting — 3:00 PM at Clearmeadows Park, Vancouver. Help plant 400 native plants to support pollinators and wildlife. Training, gloves, tools, and snacks provided. Family-friendly and great for teens. More info
• Vega Gymnastics Open Gym — 4:15–5:00 PM at VEGA Gymnastics, Camas. Open gym for ages 2–6. $12. More info
• Wildwood at OMSI — 5:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. LAIKA's handcrafted epic fantasy film — a spectacular adventure through a forbidden forest full of enchanted creatures. More info
• Movie and Craft Nights at Vancouver Mall — 5:00–7:00 PM at Vancouver Mall. Halloween-themed movie, craft activity, free snacks, and beverages. Free for newsletter subscribers. More info
• Live Music: Brenna Larsen at 14 Acres Vineyard & Winery — 5:30–7:30 PM in Ridgefield. All ages welcome, no cover, no reservation needed. Wine for the grown-ups, vineyard views for everyone. More info
• Bi-Zi Farm Nighttime Corn Maze — 6:00–10:00 PM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Navigate the maze after dark. Tickets sold in 60-minute time slots, last slot at 9:00 PM. $7.50–$9.50. More info
• Teen Late Night: Fright Night — 6:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. A teens-only (ages 13–19) after-hours evening of tricks and treats with snacks. Free. More info
• Holiday House on Third — 6:00–11:00 PM at 3307 N 3rd St, Ridgefield. A dazzling Halloween and Christmas light display with special effects on Fridays and Saturdays. More info
• Family Spooktacular Dance — 6:30 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Costume up and dance the night away with DJ Mikey spinning family-friendly tunes. Snacks and drinks included. $12–$15. More info
• Monster Mash Friday Fun Night at Kids Club — 6:30 PM drop-off at Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver. Kids enjoy Candy Corn Smash, Monster Hunt, Mummy Wrap, trick-or-treating, pizza, and more. Pickup at 9:30 PM. $39.99 per child. More info
• Autumn Pumpkins Workshop — 6:30–8:00 PM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver. Craft ceramic pumpkins using the pinch pot method — no experience necessary, family-friendly for ages 5+. $55. More info
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM at Oaks Park, Portland. Two immersive main haunted houses, a Halloween theme park, food, drinks, and oddities vendors. $25–$33. More info
• Haunted History Walking Tour — 7:00 PM at Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver. Guides lead groups along Main Street and beyond to uncover tales of what haunts local buildings and streets. $20. More info
• Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks — 7:00 PM, meet at the Grant House parking lot, Vancouver. Historian Jeff Davis leads a 1.5- to 2-hour tour of haunted history from the Barracks' founding in 1849. $17–$22. More info
• Fauré Requiem: A Liturgy for All Souls — 7:00 PM at St. Luke's-San Lucas Episcopal Church, Vancouver. The church choir joins a 17-member orchestra and community singers for this beautiful performance. Free. More info
• Ekklesia Theatre Presents: Middletown — 7:30 PM at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. Will Eno's funny, haunting journey through one small town and the vast universe inside it. $15, open seating. More info
• "Friday Frolic" Scottish Dance Class — 7:30–9:00 PM at Columbia Dance Center, Vancouver. No partner or special clothing needed — just soft-soled shoes recommended. First class free, then $8. More info
• Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Movies — 7:30 PM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Drive-in horror movies with in-car audio, Hollywood-quality makeup, and terrifying twists. Tickets from $78.22. More info
• Wonder Prom for Adults — 8:00–11:00 PM at Dovetail Cellars, Vancouver. Ages 21+, dress to impress, dance the night away — no date required. $40, benefiting Woman of Wonder. More info
• Scooby Doo Costume and Pajama Party — 9:30 PM at the Liberty Theatre, Camas. Costume contest at 10 PM, then a late showing of Scooby Doo. $8.50. More info

Adults

• Halloween Live Music at Pour Choices Pub: Jon Von Blood and the Trick-or-Treats — 7:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub. Come dressed like a monster for a spooky night of live music with Slaughter Lobby. 21+. More info

Saturday, October 31

• Downtown Vancouver Market — 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. The flagship year-round farmers market with local vendors in the heart of downtown. More info
• Apple Cider Pressing at Cedar Creek Grist Mill — 9:00 AM at Cedar Creek Grist Mill, Woodland. Watch volunteers press around 10,000 pounds of apples into fresh cider at one of the only remaining water-powered grist mills in the country. Kids can try the hand-cranked presses. Free. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Become A Nature Detective — 9:00–10:00 AM at OMSI, Portland. Hands-on STEAM challenges for kids ages 3–5 and their families. More info
• Ivy Removal and Tree Planting at Behrens Woods — 9:00 AM, Vancouver. Help remove ivy and plant trees to improve the health of the forest. Training, gloves, tools, and snacks provided. Family-friendly and great for teens. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play — 9:15–10:30 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club. Free bridge lesson followed by assisted play. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, Vancouver. Explore flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes. Free for all ages. More info
• Pumpkin Lane at Pomeroy Farm — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM in Yacolt. Tractor-pulled hayride through dozens of pumpkin people scenes, plus pumpkin picking, photo ops, farm animals, and kids' activities. $6–$8. More info
• Spooky Ghosts Hand Building Workshop — 10:00–11:30 AM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver. Craft your own ceramic ghost — no experience necessary, best for ages 8+ with parental help. $55. More info
• Trick or Treat at Vancouver Marketplace — 10:00 AM–4:00 PM at 210 W. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Free indoor trick-or-treating with art activities, games, prizes, button-making, and wood pumpkin crafts. More info
• Costumes, Candy and Airplanes — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at Pearson Field Education Center, Vancouver. Kids in costume get a free goody bag while supplies last. More info
• Adopt-A-Park Ellsworth Springs East Ivy Removal — 10:00 AM, Vancouver. Help remove ivy to prep for an upcoming native planting project. Family-friendly, tools and snacks provided. More info
• Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop — 11:00 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Learn about mason bee biology and hands-on cocoon cleaning to prepare healthy bees for spring. Free. More info
• Halloween Costume Parade and Storytime at Barnes & Noble — 11:00 AM at Barnes & Noble, Vancouver. A special Halloween storytime filled with tricks and treats. Free. More info
• Halloween Tea at Sweet Peas Tea Room — 11:00 AM–3:00 PM in Battle Ground. A spooktacular afternoon tea with themed sandwiches, savories, desserts, and a special soup. Reservations recommended. More info
• Birds of a Feather Art Show — 11:00 AM at Ridgefield Art Gallery. Nature photographer Chris Bidleman's work alongside 12 gallery members and guest artist Jamie Regina. Free. More info
• Online Spanish Conversation Class, Levels II & III — 11:00 AM–Noon via Zoom with Andrea's Spanish School. Practice speaking with a native speaker in a small group — no homework, no tests. $25. More info
• Kids Life-Sized Candyland Adventure — Noon at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. A sugary sweet life-sized board game adventure for kids. Free. More info
• Halloween at Vancouver Waterfront — Noon–5:30 PM. Trick or treat at participating waterfront businesses. Pick up free treat bags at Pop-Local, 111 Grant St. Free. More info
• Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating at Vancouver Mall — 1:00–5:00 PM. Indoor trick-or-treating at participating retailers for kids ages 10 and under. Free. More info
• Harvest Jam at Crossroads Community Church — 1:00 PM, Vancouver. Carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, photo booth, music, snacks, and loads of candy. Free. More info
• Cedar Creek Grist Mill Apple Cider Press Day — 1:00 PM in Woodland. Watch the water-powered mill in action, enjoy fresh-pressed cider, and take in this living piece of history. More info
• Family Spooky Storytime — 2:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Books, finger rhymes, songs, and craft activities with an extra spooky twist. Free. More info
• Trick-or-Treat on Main Street — 2:00–5:00 PM in downtown Vancouver. Candy from participating Main Street businesses plus a trunk-or-treat behind Metropolitan Performing Arts. Free. More info
• Washougal Trick or Treat on Main Street — 3:00–5:00 PM. Free parking at Pendleton Outlet, trick-or-treating at participating merchants, and fun activities in Reflection Plaza. Free. More info
• Reb Conner at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery — 5:30–7:30 PM in Ridgefield. Live music with wine by the glass and the bottle. Free. More info
• Halloween Bash at Get-to-Gather Farm — 5:30–10:00 PM in Washougal. Live music, costume contest, and pumpkin smashing. Food and drinks from Western Sipz and Mean Machine Food Cart. Free, RSVP to 360-989-0163. More info
• Harvest Carnival at Warehouse Church — 6:00–8:30 PM at Warehouse Christian Church, Washougal. Two floors of carnival games, all-ages activities, snacks, popcorn, and tons of candy. Free. More info
• Lights, Camera, Monsters Halloween Party — 6:00–10:00 PM at Vancouver Elks Lodge #823. Old-school Hollywood monster theme with live music by The One-Eyed Kats, costume contest, potluck, and dancing. Free for members, $10 for guests. More info
• VanCity's Saturday Social Dance and Beginners Lesson — 7:00 PM at VanCity Ballroom, Hazel Dell. A 45-minute lesson followed by social dancing until 10 PM — ballroom, Latin, swing, and country. No partner needed. $10. More info
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show — 10:00 PM at the Kiggins Theatre, Vancouver. The Denton Delinquents present the annual Halloween showing with a costume contest. $20. More info

Sunday, November 1

• First of the Month Bird Walk — 8:00 AM at WSU-Vancouver campus. Wildlife scientist Cindy McCormack leads birders through the Cougar Trails network, searching diverse habitats for wintering songbirds and raptors like Spotted Towhees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Cooper's Hawks. More info

Tuesday, November 3

• Vancouver Audubon Society: "Conserving the California Condor" with Dr. Hayley Brazier — 6:30 PM at 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver. Dr. Brazier, Wildlife Conservation Specialist at the Oregon Zoo, presents on California Condor conservation. Free and open to all. More info

Wednesday, November 4

• Gardening with Compost Workshop — 6:00 PM, presented by Clark County Composter Recyclers. Learn how to use compost — Bokashi, vermicompost, leaf mulch, and more — to build healthy, fertilizer-free garden soil. Free. More info

Saturday, November 7

• Esther Short Park Cleanup — 9:00 AM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Join Adopt-A-Park volunteers and the Vancouver Downtown Association for litter cleanup and beautification. Tools, gloves, and snacks provided. Family-friendly. More info
• Marine Park Beach Cleanup — 9:30 AM. Help remove plastic, styrofoam, and litter from the beach to keep it out of the Columbia River. Expect a 2.5-mile walk on sandy terrain. Registration required. More info
• Shaffer Stormwater Site Tree Planting — 10:00 AM, Vancouver. Join the Urban Forestry Department to plant new trees throughout this large stormwater site. Gloves, tools, and refreshments provided. Family-friendly, RSVP required. More info
• Adaptive Birding Hike at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge — 11:00 AM. Adventures Without Limits and a USFWS biologist lead an inclusive, accessible birding hike open to all abilities and ages. Free (suggested $10 donation). More info
• Adopt-A-Park Ellsworth Springs East Native Planting — 1:00 PM, Vancouver. Help plant over 700 native plants across 40+ species to support pollinators, wildlife, and edible and medicinal plants for people. No experience necessary. More info

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