📰 What's Making News

Elbow Room Co-Owner Toby Maloney Puts Vancouver Cocktails in Print

Toby Maloney, the co-owner who brought The Elbow Room its first James Beard nomination, just released his second book: The Classic Cocktail Sessions: A Bartender's New-Fashioned Approach to the World's Most Beloved Recipes. The book dives into reworked versions of timeless cocktails, drawing on Maloney's decades behind the bar. It's a proud moment for Vancouver's growing food-and-drink scene — and a reminder that world-class craft doesn't require a Portland zip code. Read more from The Columbian.

$6 Million Gift Fast-Tracks New Washougal Community Library

The Endeavour Fund has committed a $6 million gift to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District and its foundation, giving a major boost to the new Washougal Community Library. The project is scheduled to break ground this winter. It's one of the largest single donations the library district has received and signals serious momentum for east county's growth. Washougal residents have been advocating for an upgraded library space for years, and this gift brings it within reach. Full story here.

That Green Truck at Salmon Creek? Meet the Farmstand Collaborative

If you've spotted an artichoke-green mini truck at the Salmon Creek Farmers Market, you've already met the Farmstand Collaborative. The group picks up produce and meat from small local farms that can't always staff a market booth, then sells it on their behalf at multiple Clark County farmers markets. It's a clever workaround for growers stretched thin during peak season, letting them focus on farming while still reaching customers directly. The model is catching on — and it's making locally grown food easier to find across the county. Learn how it works.

Bloodworks Northwest Declares Code Red — Donors Needed Now

Bloodworks Northwest has issued a Code Red alert, meaning the regional blood supply has dipped below a two-day reserve for area hospitals. Summer is historically tough for donations — travel schedules and the "100 Deadliest Days" of increased car crashes collide with steady demand for surgeries, cancer treatments, and trauma care. Donors can book an appointment at bloodworksnw.org and may receive a $10 gas card as a thank-you. If you've been meaning to donate, this is the week to follow through.

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⚡ Quick Bites

$25K Grant Fuels Free Lunches, Summer Play for Vancouver Kids

The Parks Foundation of Clark County just landed a $25,000 McClaskey Foundation grant to keep the Summer Playgrounds Program running at Crestline Elementary, Hough Elementary, and Evergreen Park. The six-week program serves kids ages 6–11 with free recreation and USDA-funded meals — no registration required. Full story here.

Clark County Health Inspections: Who Passed, Who Didn't

The latest round of Clark County restaurant health inspections covering July 6–11 is out. If you're picking a spot for dinner this weekend, it's worth a quick scroll. Check the full list at The Columbian.

Cascadia Quake Prep Needs More Regional Investment, Experts Warn

Earthquake preparedness experts say the Pacific Northwest still has major gaps in coordination before the anticipated Cascadia Subduction Zone quake — noting that retrofitted buildings like the Salem Capitol and Portland's new airport terminal are the exception, not the rule. A good nudge to revisit your own household go-bag. Read more.

Vancouver's Alistair Docherty Falls Short at British Open

Local golfer Alistair Docherty missed the cut at the British Open after shooting a 2-over 72 in Friday's second round at Royal Birkdale, undone by three consecutive bogeys on the back nine. Still — a Clark County kid teeing it up at a major is worth cheering. Details here.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, July 18

• Mt. St. Helen's Summit Climb with MSHI — 6:00 AM. A single-day non-technical scramble to the summit with professional mountain guides and certified volunteer climbing stewards. Designed for novice hikers and experienced mountaineers alike.
• Battle Ground Harvest Days — 7:00 AM. Pancake breakfast at 7 AM, parade at 10 AM, Harvest Market from 11 AM to 6 PM, BMX Bike Show, main stage entertainment, and fireworks to close the night. Downtown Battle Ground. Free.
• Back Country Horsemen of Washington Annual Fun Ride — 7:00 AM–5:00 PM at Kalama Horse Camp in Cougar. Free breakfast, riding, lunch available, and 80 raffle prizes. Proceeds support local horse camps and trails.
• Mount St. Helens Trail Jamboree and Campout — WTA Day Work Party — 8:00 AM. Trail stewardship on the east side of the Monument, followed by a campout with guest speakers and s'mores. A partnership between WTA and the Mount St. Helens Institute. Families welcome.
• Downtown Vancouver Market — 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park, 8th and Esther St., Vancouver. Our flagship year-round farmers market in the heart of downtown.
• Curiosity Kids: Become A Nature Detective — 9:00 AM at OMSI, Portland. Kids ages 3–5 and their families build, test, and design through playful hands-on challenges. $22.50–$30.50.
• Wander Clark County: Old City Tours — 9:00 AM at various locations. Explore Clark County on foot with the Clark County Historical Museum. Tours at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Free–$10.
• Hockinson Blueberry Festival — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM at the Hockinson Community Center, Brush Prairie. Live music by the Thilo Kluth Trio and Kirby Swatosh, baking and pie-eating contests, kids' area, 29 local vendors, and heaps of fresh blueberries. Free.
• World War II Encampment — 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at the Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds. A living history event in partnership with Living History Group Northwest, honoring the stories of America's WWII fighting forces. Free.
• Salmon Creek Trail Parkrun — 9:00 AM at Salmon Creek Trail, Vancouver. A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5K community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate. All ages and dogs welcome. Free.
• Pathways Clinic Baby and Maternity Sidewalk Sale — 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at 2926 E. St., Washougal. Hundreds of gently used baby and maternity items — clothing, gear, toys, books, nursery essentials. Fill a cinch bag with clothes for $10.
• Wander Clark County Walking Tours — 9:00 AM. Clark County Historical Museum guides lead groups through historic neighborhoods. Tours at 9 AM and 11 AM. $12.51.
• Sunny Days and Blooms Summer Market — 9:00 AM–4:00 PM at Living Hope XChange Church, 2711 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver. 100 local artisans, makers, boutiques, and food vendors. Market Passport Adventure with prize drawings. Free admission.
• Wander Clark County: Historic Downtown Battle Ground — Early Tour — 9:00 AM starting at Dev's Coffee Bar, Battle Ground. Step into history with landmarks like the 1928 Sacred Heart Church and the historic Stith Home. $10.
• Mt. St. Helen's Eruption Hike with MSHI — 9:00 AM. A guided nature hike through the hummocks created by the May 18, 1980 eruption, winding through mounds of rocks and debris up to the Boundary Trail.
• Frenchman's Bar Regional Park Beach Clean Up — 9:00 AM at 9612 NW Lower River Rd. Litter pickup with Clark County Public Works. Tools supplied — just bring closed-toe shoes, a water bottle, and snacks.
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play — 9:15 AM–10:30 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Free bridge lesson followed by assisted play.
• TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition — 9:30 AM at OMSI, Portland. More than 100 authentic artifacts recovered from the wreck site. Assume the role of a passenger and explore life on board.
• Art in Nature — 9:30 AM–11:30 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Kids ages 6–10 and their adults explore colors, shapes, and patterns in nature, then create art along the Columbia River's edge. Free.
• ROAD TRIP: Canyoneering 101 — Beginner — 9:45 AM. Explore a pristine PNW river canyon with the Adventure Society. Non-technical route with plenty of swimming — wetsuits recommended.
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM in Vancouver. Flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes on display. STEAM education through aviation. Free.
• Avian Super Powers Presentation — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at CASEE, Brush Prairie. Brandon Burger of Backyard Bird Shop shares how shorebirds stand in freezing water, how hummingbirds get nectar, and why woodpeckers don't get concussions. $15.
• The Stuff of Legends at AQUA Gallery — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at 403 Quayside Place on the Vancouver waterfront. Vibrant paintings of mythological characters by Carson Legree and expressive stuffies by Abby Ketcham. Free.
• Ridgefield Lavender U-Pick and Farm Stand — 10:00 AM–4:00 PM at 6203 NW 172nd St., Ridgefield. Pick your own lavender, sip lavender lemonade, and browse handcrafted lavender products. Free.
• Froglandia — Frog and Amphibian Class — 10:00 AM at Good Year Farms in Camas. Learn about the native Pacific chorus frog with Erin of Frog and Twig. Talk about supportive habitats, frog hotels, and building your own pond. Registration required.
• ROAD TRIP: Food Forests Workshop — 10:00 AM. Dan Sloan from the Portland Food Forest Initiative leads an exploration into urban regenerative agriculture, forest gardening, and habitat building.
• ROAD TRIP: ForestFest at the World Forestry Center — 10:00 AM–6:00 PM in Portland. Free, family-friendly day with live music, community vendors, food and drinks, and hands-on outdoor fun in Washington Park.
• Reptile Man — The Fascinating World of Reptiles — 11:00 AM at the Ridgefield Community Library. Live reptiles, big laughs, and up-close encounters with the Oregon Reptile Man. Free.
• Northwest Children's Theater Alumni Presents: Robin Hood — 11:00 AM at The Judy, Portland. A fast-paced, comedic adaptation featuring NWCT alumni on stage and behind the scenes. $20–$25.
• Scooped Ice Cream Festival — 11:00 AM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. 50+ flavors of all-you-can-eat ice cream, live music, vendors, roller disco dancers, and fun activities. $29.
• Play Bridge with 0–150 Points — 11:00 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. $10.
• Wander Clark County: Historic Downtown Battle Ground — Late Tour — 11:00 AM starting at Dev's Coffee Bar, Battle Ground. $10.
• The La Center Historical Museum — 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at La Center Historical Museum. Explore local history exhibits. Free.
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Summer Train Rides — 12:00 PM departing from Yacolt. Ride through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River, and stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. $18–$24.
• Cruise the Couve and Chrome and Craft Market Alley — 12:00 PM–10:00 PM in Uptown Village, Vancouver. Classic cars cruising Main Street plus a curated maker market with local artists, handcrafted goods, and food on 19th Street (3–8:30 PM). Free.
• Triathlon Run Through with NW Association of Blind Athletes — 12:00 PM. Contact Katie Vroman for more information at 360-448-7254.
• Artist Talk at Art at the Cave — 1:00 PM–2:00 PM at Art at the Cave, Vancouver. "Rising Out of the Shadows: Stories of Resilience." Hear from artists involved in the current exhibit.
• Water Resources Education Center Drop-In Summer Programs — 1:00 PM–2:00 PM. "Pollinator Power" — learn about our pollinator friends. Drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.
• ROAD TRIP: Wildcrafting at Mt. Hood Meadows — 1:00 PM. Hike with wildflower expert Jesse Eaton to learn about wildcrafting — the practice of gathering plant materials for culinary and medicinal purposes. Educational hike only.
• Hell's Kitchen — 2:00 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland. The new musical from 16-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys — a New York City coming-of-age story.
• Sprinkle Bash at Next Dough Neighbor — 2:00 PM–3:00 PM in Camas. Monthly birthday celebration for kids ages 5–9 with doughnut decorating, games, and prize wheel spins. Free.
• Shoestring Circus — 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM at Hazel Dell Commons, Vancouver. Aerialists fly, acrobats tumble, and delightful oddballs keep things ridiculous inside a vintage circus tent. $17–$55.
• Family Movie at Ridgefield Community Library — 3:00 PM–5:00 PM. Bring the family for a movie and free popcorn. Free.
• Creature Teachers — 3:00 PM–4:30 PM at the Vancouver Community Library. Meet cool reptiles and creepy crawlies and learn about the wild, weird, and wonderful world of animals. Free.
• Teen Escape Room: Reality ReWritten — 3:30 PM–5:00 PM at Camas Public Library. An AI post gone wrong — go back in time and fix it before things get worse. Registration required. Free.
• Live Music — Cellar Rats at Windy Hills Winery — 5:00 PM–8:00 PM in Ridgefield. Local band playing outside under the tent. Drinks and food from Steakburger available. No cover, all ages. Free.
• Family Paint Night — Seahorse at Drip Drop Art Studio — 5:30 PM in Vancouver. Step-by-step painting with pre-traced outlines — creative control over colors and details for all ages. $25.
• As You Like It — 6:00 PM at 6403 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. MPA's Community Theater presents Shakespeare's beloved comedy. Free.
• Saturdays in the Park: Fortunate Gold — 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at Sternwheeler Park, La Center. CCR and Neil Young tribute band. Family-friendly concert series. Free.
• Intergalactic Trivia at McMenamins — 6:00 PM at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge. Star Wars-themed trivia night — teams of 1–6. Prizes for top three teams. Food and beverages available. Free.
• Jesus and Friends: An Evening of Acoustic Christian Music — 6:30 PM–8:00 PM at Gathering Church, 2500 NE 78th St., Vancouver. Modern Christian music on acoustic instruments. Free, donations encouraged.
• VanCity's Saturday Social Dance and Beginners Lesson — 7:00 PM at VanCity Ballroom, Hazel Dell. 45-minute lesson followed by social dancing of all styles until 10 PM. No partner needed. $10.
• Live Music on the Patio at Farrar's Bistro — 7:00 PM at 12514 NW 36th Ave., Vancouver. Live performances on the pet-friendly patio with food, cocktails, and local wine.
• Birds of Battle Ground Lake — 7:00 PM–8:00 PM at Battle Ground Lake State Park. Interpretive volunteer Simmone Williams presents the fine, feathered friends of Battle Ground Lake. Free (Discover Pass required for parking).
• Hot Summer Nights: Christopher James Pickett — 7:00 PM–10:00 PM at The Neighborhood Refuge, Ridgefield. Live music, food, and craft cocktails. $5 cover.
• Improv at Magenta Theater — 7:30 PM at 1108 Main St., Vancouver. Family-friendly comedy sketch show fueled by audience suggestions. $10.
• Saturday Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub — 8:30 PM at 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Let your inner entertainer shine.
• ROAD TRIP: July OMSI Star Party — 9:00 PM. OMSI, Rose City Astronomers, and Oregon Parks invite you to view planets, the moon, stars, and celestial sights through telescopes and binoculars. All ages welcome.

Sunday, July 19

• Mt. St. Helen's Summit Climb with MSHI Geologist — 6:00 AM. A single-day non-technical scramble to the summit with professional mountain guides — this time featuring a geologist on the team.
• Free Outdoor Fitness Bootcamps — 9:00 AM. Meet at Northwest Personal Training, 1011 Broadway, Vancouver, then head to scenic locations for a full-body workout. All fitness levels welcome. Free.
• Vancouver Community Library Renaissance Fair — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at 901 C St., Vancouver. Juggling, poetry open mic, yarn spinning, herb workshop, mushroom foraging, potions workshop, drop-in D&D for teens, and live Celtic music. Costumes encouraged. Free.
• Photography Hike with MSHI — 10:00 AM. Join photographer Patrick Aalto and Mt. St. Helens Institute guides on a hike to Spirit Lake. Practical photography instruction alongside natural and human history.
• Intro to WA Native Frogs — 10:00 AM at Nature's Haven Nursery, 6403 NE 277th Ave., Camas. Learn about Pacific chorus frogs and how to welcome them to your yard. Free, registration required.
• Renaissance Faire: Herb Workshop with Garden Delights — 10:30 AM at Vancouver Community Library. Learn how to preserve herbs from Garden Delights Herb Farm. Supplies provided on a first-come basis. Free.
• True Impressions Car Show — 11:00 AM–3:00 PM on Battle Ground's Main Street. All cars and motorcycles welcome. Raffle prizes and awards in 20 categories. Spectators free; vehicle registration $20.
• Kids Axe Academy — 12:00 PM–1:30 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. Ages 10–14 learn the ins and outs of axe throwing with an Axepert Coach, finishing with a tournament. $15.
• Renaissance Faire: Mushroom Foraging for Beginners — 2:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Naturalist Rebecca Lexa shares where to search for edible mushrooms and how to distinguish them from poisonous species. Free.
• Sunday Sounds Concert Series — 6:00 PM at Columbia Tech Center Park, east Vancouver. Genre-defying crowd favorites. Food and refreshments from local vendors or bring a picnic. Free.
• ROAD TRIP: Sandsations Sand Sculpture Festival — 8:00 PM at Long Beach, WA. Professional and amateur sand carvers compete in one of Pacific County's most cherished traditions at the Bolstad Approach.

Monday, July 20

• Early Learners Play to Learn — 10:00 AM at Battle Ground Community Library. Hands-on early literacy activities for ages 0–5 and their grown-ups. Free.
• The Great Summer Dash at Vancouver Mall — 10:00 AM. Explore, shop, dine, and play your way through summer. Complete challenges, earn points, and enter to win prizes through August 14.
• Meet Me at Sarah's Garden — 10:00 AM–11:30 AM at Sarah's Garden, 2311 NE 68th St., Vancouver. HOPE Dementia Support hosts simple, dementia-friendly garden activities for people living with dementia and their care partners. All supplies provided. Free, registration required.
• Storytime in the Park — 10:30 AM at Lacamas Park, 3344 NE Everett St., Camas. Camas Public Library's weekly outdoor family storytime. Bring a blanket. All ages. Free.
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — 12:00 PM–1:00 PM at the AC Marriott on the Vancouver waterfront. Community members welcome. Free.
• Vancouver Chrysanthemum Society Meeting — 2:00 PM–3:30 PM at The Heritage Farm, 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver. Visitors and chrysanthemum growers welcome.
• Summer Movie Mondays: The Good Dinosaur — 2:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Registration required at CamasPL.org/Movies. Free.
• Watch and Make with "Jurassic Park" — 5:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Teens and adults craft along while the original Jurassic Park plays. Crafts and materials provided. Registration required. Free.
• ROAD TRIP: Adaptive Bicycling Summer Series — 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at Portland International Raceway. Adaptive Sports Northwest provides bikes and volunteer assistance. Bring a helmet and water. All abilities welcome.
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Learn wet-on-wet blending and splatter techniques with Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art. All supplies provided. $35.
• Monday Trivia Night at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 PM at 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Hosted by Don Elliott. Bring your best team for food, drinks, and friendly competition.

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