📰 What's Making News

Salmon Run Bell Tower Gets a Fresh Start in Esther Short Park

If you were anywhere near downtown Vancouver at noon on Friday, you heard it — the familiar chimes of the Salmon Run Bell Tower ringing out across Esther Short Park for the first time since its rededication. The beloved landmark, one of the most recognizable pieces of Vancouver's skyline, was officially celebrated in a ceremony marking a new chapter for the structure. It's one of those small moments that reminds you why downtown Vancouver has a character all its own. Full story here.

Ridgefield Raptors Explode for 15 Runs, Crush Port Angeles

The Raptors' bats came alive in a big way Thursday night, tying a season high with 15 hits in a 15-2 rout of Port Angeles — their first road win of the season. Loyola Marymount's Zach Wadas led the charge, going 4 for 5 with extra-base power, as Ridgefield piled on nine unanswered runs from the seventh inning on. Three Raptors pitchers combined to hold Port Angeles to just six hits while the lineup clubbed seven extra-base knocks. Summer baseball in Clark County is officially rolling. Read the full recap.

Clark County Fair Wants You Behind the Mic

Got pipes? The Clark County Fair is putting out an open call for singers to perform the national anthem at this year's fair, including all events at the Toyota Grandstand. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a shower-singing superstar ready for your moment, this is your shot at one of the county's biggest stages. Details on how to audition are available now — and spots tend to fill up fast. Learn how to sign up.

Which Restaurants Aced Their Health Inspections Last Week?

Clark County's latest batch of restaurant health inspection results is out, covering May 25 through 30. It's the kind of list worth scanning before you pick your next dinner spot — and a good excuse to shout out the local places that keep their kitchens spotless. Browse the full rundown to see how your favorites fared. See the full inspection list.

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⚡ Quick Bites

No License Needed: Free Fishing Weekend Hits Washington Waters

This Saturday and Sunday, anyone can cast a line at Washington lakes, rivers, and streams without buying a fishing license. The tradition dates back to the 1990s, and Clark County has plenty of spots to try — perfect for first-timers or families looking for a low-key outdoor weekend. Full details on local fishing spots here.

Amazon Topples Walmart for Fortune 500's No. 1 Spot

Seattle-based Amazon claimed the top position on the Fortune 500 list for the first time ever, ending Walmart's 13-year reign at No. 1. A little Pacific Northwest pride for your Saturday morning — the company that started in a Bellevue garage now officially leads the pack. Read more from The Columbian.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, June 6

• Washington State Parks Fee Free Day — Free Fishing Weekend · 6:00 AM · No Discover Pass needed, and fishing licenses aren't required for many species this weekend. Rainbow trout, bass, lingcod, and more are all fair game. Details here
• Paul's Restaurant and The Elbow Room One Year Anniversary · 7:00 AM–9:00 PM · Paul's Restaurant, Vancouver · Free rainbow-sprinkle birthday cake (while it lasts) and a chance to win one of three $100 gift certificates. Details here
• Ridgefield's Big Paddle — National Trails Festival · 7:00 AM · Ridgefield Waterfront · Live music, vendors, guided hikes, and family fun centered around the Big Paddle Ride. Details here
• Fishing with Outdoor Afro & I'm Hooked · 7:00 AM · Hagg Lake, Gaston, OR · All equipment provided free of charge, including rods, reels, and life jackets. Families welcome; food and t-shirts free for children, $5 for adults. Details here
• Pacific Crest Trail — Trail Work Project at Big Huckleberry Mountain · 8:00 AM · Gifford Pinchot National Forest · Celebrate National Trails Day by helping brush out the trail. Contact project leader Steven Jones for details. Details here
• PCTA Trail Work Project at Timothy Lake · 8:00 AM · Mount Hood National Forest · Brush a mountain bike trail that intersects the PCT. Registration required; max 8 volunteers. Details here
• Pacific Crest Trail — Trail Work Project at Trout Creek Rd 43 · 8:00 AM · Gifford Pinchot National Forest · Crosscut log-out project beginning at Trout Creek Trailhead, working south. Details here
• National Trails Day — Fee Free Day in Gifford Pinchot NF · 8:00 AM · Get outside and enjoy trails on land and water with no fees required in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Details here
• Birding Walk at Ridgefield NWR · 8:00 AM · Carty Unit, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge · Join experienced guide Ron Escano for a relaxed birding walk suitable for beginners and seasoned birders alike. Details here
• Big Paddle Waterfront Festival · 8:30 AM–2:30 PM · 109 W. Division St., Ridgefield · Free! Paddling, hiking, live music from Takohachi Japanese drum group and Hit Machine, hayrides, games, and food. The Big Paddle guided 5-mile roundtrip starts at 10:00 AM ($5 with your own boat; rentals available through Alder Creek Kayak). Details here
• Gifford-Pinchot National Trails Day: Blue Lake Trail Improvement · 8:30 AM · 42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd, Amboy · Volunteer trail work party to leave trails better than we found them. Details here
• Lyle Cherry Orchard Day Trail Work Party · 8:30 AM · Help Washington Trails Association build a new staircase and install check steps on this perpetually tricky stretch. Note: poison oak is present. Details here
• Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market · 9:00 AM–3:00 PM · Esther Short Park, Vancouver · The flagship market has been a Saturday staple since 1990. Details here
• Curiosity Kids: Become a Nature Detective · 9:00 AM · OMSI, Portland · Ages 3–5 with families; hands-on STEAM challenges. $22.50–$30.50. Details here
• 2026 Junior Market | Lemonade Day · 9:00 AM–3:00 PM · Esther Short Park, Vancouver · Free! Over 300 kidpreneurs ages 6–16 sell their own handmade products in the finale of the Lemonade Day entrepreneurship program, presented by the Greater Vancouver Chamber and OnPoint Community Credit Union. Details here
• Friends of Ridgefield Community Library Used Book Sale · 9:00 AM–3:00 PM · Ridgefield Community Library · Free! Members-only sale; memberships available at the door. Details here
• Run For Life · 9:00 AM · Washougal Reflection Plaza · 1-mile walk, 5K walk/run, and 10K run along the Columbia River Dike Trail. Family-friendly fun before, during, and after. $45. Details here
• Tomato Pruning Workshop · 9:00 AM–10:30 AM · 78th Street Heritage Farm, Vancouver · WSU Clark County Extension Master Gardeners offer hands-on training on which tomatoes need pruning and how to do it. $10. Bring bypass hand pruners and water. Details here
• Gifford-Pinchot National Trails Day: Wind River Arboretum Work Party · 9:00 AM · Celebrate National Trails Day with a volunteer trail cleanup. Details here
• Gifford-Pinchot National Trails Day: Coldwater Lake Trail Work Party · 9:00 AM · Volunteer trail stewardship near Coldwater Lake. Details here
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play · 9:15 AM–10:30 AM · Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. · Free bridge lesson followed by assisted play. Details here
• Camtown Arts & Music Festival · 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · Crown Park, Camas · Free! Four stages of live performances, interactive art demos, mini workshops, local vendors, and experiences for all ages. Details here
• Farm Days at Pomeroy Farm · 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · 20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt · Arts and crafts theme with live artisan demos, hands-on activities, and a quilt show. $3 ages 6+; free for 5 and under. Details here
• Euro Block Party at Kings Cross Automotive · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM · 315 East Reserve St., Vancouver · Free! Music, food, prize wheel, and a showcase for all European vehicles — BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, and more. Details here
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center · 10:00 AM–3:00 PM · Pearson Field, Vancouver · Free! Flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes on display. Details here
• Curtin Creek Community Park Grand Opening · 10:00 AM · Clark County's newest park! Bird walk with Vancouver Audubon, rugby demos from Clark County Chiefs Rugby Football Club, ribbon cutting, refreshments, and activities. Details here
• Highway 14 Wildflower Project — Volunteer Opportunity · 10:00 AM · Help the East County Citizen's Alliance maintain 8,000 square feet of native wildflowers along Highway 14 near Camas and Washougal. Details here
• Countryside Park Annual Cleanup · 10:00 AM · Join City of Vancouver Naturespaces volunteers for invasive plant removal, picnic table scrubbing, playground woodchip leveling, and general park maintenance. Family-friendly. Details here
• Dandelion Wish Fair · 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, 109 W. Seventh St., Vancouver · Free! Outdoor pop-up market with local vendors selling skincare, plants, jewelry, quilts, and more. Details here
• This Science Will Blow Your Mind at OMSI · 10:30 AM · Interactive science talk and book signing with Maynard Okereke, the Hip Hop MD, exploring the wackiest corners of scientific research. Details here
• Watercolor Workshop: Let's Paint Poppies · 10:30 AM–1:30 PM · Vancouver Arts Hub · Led by Kathryn by Design. $55, all materials included. Register at kathrynbydesign.art. Details here
• Metropolitan Performing Arts Presents: Beauty and the Beast · 11:00 AM · Metropolitan Performing Arts, Vancouver · A brand-new musical written by MPA's own Erik Montague. Details here
• Play Bridge (0–150 Points) · 11:00 AM · Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. · $10. Details here
• The La Center Historical Museum · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM · La Center · Free! Open the first and third Saturdays. Details here
• Clark County Fire District 6 Open House · 12:00 PM–3:00 PM · Salmon Creek Station 63, 1303 NE 136th St., Vancouver · Free! Hot dogs, snow cones, fire rescue demos, Jr. Firefighter Challenge, station tours, and photos in a fire engine. Details here
• Basket Weaving: Whimsical Birdhouse Workshop · 12:00 PM–3:00 PM · Craft Collective, 21506 NE 83rd St., Vancouver · Learn weaving and twining techniques to create a functional seagrass birdhouse. No experience needed. $69. Details here
• Journey Theater Presents Seussical · 1:00 PM · Manor Church, Battle Ground · Oh, the thinks you can think! A colorful musical for young audiences. $16–$18. Details here
• Vancouver School of Arts and Academics 30-Year Celebration · 1:00 PM–4:00 PM · Royal Durst Theatre, 3101 Main St., Vancouver · Free! Meet former and current students and staff, tour the building, and purchase commemorative items. Details here
• Land Collage — The Poetics of Place Workshop · 1:00 PM · Plas Newydd Farm · Spend the day with poet Christopher Luna and arts initiator Abby Braithwaite exploring poetry, landscape, and creative writing. Details here
• Mamma Mia! · 2:00 PM · Keller Auditorium, Portland · The timeless ABBA musical. Tickets from $68. Details here
• DIY Painted Canvas Tote at Craft Warehouse · 2:00 PM–4:00 PM · Craft Warehouse, Vancouver · Paint your own tote bag and take it home. $10. Details here
• Adopt-A-Park: Ellsworth Springs East Ivy Pull · 2:00 PM · Help remove invasive ivy from park trees. Family-friendly; tools, gloves, and snacks provided. Details here
• Lotic Taproom Grand Opening · 3:00 PM–9:00 PM · 1307 NE 78th St., Suite B10, Hazel Dell · Lotic Beverage Company opens its new taproom. Details here
• Clark County Food Bank Presents: Tacos & Taps · 4:00 PM · 21+ · Gourmet tacos, craft beer, live music, raffle prizes, and games — all supporting 250,000+ meals for the community. $60–$70. Details here
• Teen Battle of the Bands · 5:30 PM · Columbia Tech Center Amphitheater, Vancouver · Eight Clark County teen bands take the stage — rock, pop, hip hop, folk, and more. $5. Details here
• ZooBrew · 6:00 PM · Oregon Zoo, Portland · 21+ · Craft brews, ciders, and an evening stroll through the zoo's forested grounds. $30–$60. Details here
• Vancouver Symphony 2026 Gala · 6:00 PM · Vancouver Hilton · Unique performances by VSO musicians and honoring Paul and Loti Christensen with the VSO Lifetime Leadership Award. $150. Details here
• YMCA Battle of the Bands · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM · Clark County Family YMCA, 11324 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver · Free with RSVP! Live teen band performances, food, and non-alcoholic drinks. Details here
• Bells of the Cascades Concert · 7:00 PM · First United Methodist Church, Portland · World premiere of "When All Else Fails" by conductor Matthew Compton, featuring Bells of the Cascades, Pikes Peak Ringers, and instrumentalists. $20–$30. Details here
• VanCity Ballroom Saturday Social Dance · 7:00 PM · 9212 NE Highway 99, Suite 110, Hazel Dell · 45-minute beginner lesson at 7 PM, then social dancing until 10 PM. No partner needed. $10. Details here
• Jazz Band Spring Quarter Concert · 7:30 PM · Clark College Gaiser Student Center, Vancouver · Free! Details here
• Clark College Theatre Presents [title of show] · 7:30 PM · Decker Theatre, Clark College, Vancouver · A love letter to musical theatre and the joy of collaboration. Free–$12. Details here
• OMSI Solstice Celebration Star Party · 8:00 PM · OMSI, Portland · The first star party of the year! Details here
• Saturday Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub · 8:30 PM · 1919 Main St., Vancouver · Let your inner entertainer shine. Details here

Sunday, June 7

• Washougal MTB — PNW XC Series Race #3 · 8:00 AM · Washougal Motocross Track, 40205 NE Borin Rd · Mountain bike racing for all experience levels. Free coffee courtesy of Nossa Familia Coffee. Details here
• Free Outdoor Fitness Bootcamps · 9:00 AM · Meet at Northwest Personal Training, 1011 Broadway, Vancouver · Full-body workout at scenic Vancouver locations. All fitness levels welcome. Free! Details here
• Sunday Brunch at Sons of Norway Lodge · 9:30 AM–12:30 PM · Columbia Lodge, 2400 Grant St., Vancouver · Scandinavian pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, lingonberries, and free pancake refills. $12. Details here
• Bird Watching at Whitaker Ponds · 9:30 AM · 7040 NE 47th Ave., Portland · Free! Catch the tail end of spring migration with nature artist and birder Bryan Quintanilla. Details here
• David Douglas Adopt-A-Park Volunteer Event · 10:00 AM · Litter cleanup and invasive plant removal. Family-friendly; tools, gloves, and snacks provided. Details here
• Columbia Play Project Indoor Play Space · 1:00 PM–4:00 PM · Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. · Free! STREAM-themed exploratory play for ages 0–10 and caregivers. Details here
• Bloom Bar with Hidden Flower Farms · 1:00 PM · Create your own bouquet from buckets and buckets of gorgeous blooms from Hidden House Flowers. $45. Details here
• Pairs and Spares Seniors Happy Hour at Gustav's · 2:00 PM · Gustav's Restaurant, 1705 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver · Info: 360-892-8944. Details here
• Berry Bowls Workshop at Kilnfolk Clay Studio · 3:30 PM–5:00 PM · 108 W. Sixth St., Vancouver · Make your own ceramic berry bowl — beginner-friendly, ages 8+. $55. Details here

Monday, June 8

• Tiny Toppings Storytime and Ice Cream in Ridgefield · 11:00 AM · Story at Copperbell Bookstore, then ice cream at Eight Cow Creamery — buy a scoop, get a free kid scoop! Perfect for pre-K littles. Details here
• Juneteenth Celebration at Clark College · 11:00 AM–2:00 PM · Gaiser Student Center · Free! "The Vanguard Generation: African-American Artists 1880–1918" talk by Daniel Akinson, presented by Washington Humanities. Details here
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting · 12:00 PM–1:00 PM · AC Marriott, Vancouver Waterfront · Free and open to community members. Details here
• Cirque Kikasse: SANTÉ! · 12:00 PM · Clark College Penguin Union Building · Free! North America's only mobile circus stage — built atop a fully self-sufficient food truck — featuring acrobatics, balancing acts, and physical comedy. Poutine and lemonade available for purchase. Details here
• Line Dancing at Cascade Park Community Library · 1:30 PM–3:30 PM · Free! Learn line dances for fun and exercise — all levels welcome. Details here
• Willamette Writers Vancouver Chapter Open Mic · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM · Three Creeks Community Library · Bring a snack to share and a family-friendly piece of writing (750 words or 5 minutes max). Free! Details here
• Northwest Harmony Guest Night · 6:30 PM · Vancouver United Church of Christ · Come sing with Northwest Harmony Chorus — no experience required, just bring your voice and a love of music. Details here

Tuesday, June 9

• VisionGuard Auto Glass Ribbon Cutting · 10:00 AM · Greater Vancouver Chamber, 1111 Main St. · Celebrate VisionGuard's expansion into the Vancouver area with fellow chamber members. Details here
• Sensory Storytime at Ridgefield Community Library · 10:30 AM–11:30 AM · Free! Smaller group size, visual aids, sensory play, and freedom of movement for ages 3–9. Details here
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game · 4:30 PM–6:30 PM · Various FVRL library locations · Free! Dungeons & Dragons 5E and Pathfinder 1E for ages 9–19. Details here
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group · 5:15 PM–6:45 PM · Vancouver Arts Hub · Free! Dedicated writing time with fellow writers of all levels — no readings or critiques, just focused writing. Details here
• Camas-Washougal Chamber Annual Award Banquet · 5:30 PM · Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club, Washougal · Honoring citizen and businessperson of the year, scholarship recipients, and teachers of the year. $40 (includes buffet dinner). Details here
• Spanish Conversation Group · 5:30 PM–6:30 PM · Camas Public Library · Free! Geared toward beginning Spanish speakers. No registration needed. Details here
• Ridgefield Raptors Baseball · 6:30 PM · Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex · Cheer on Clark County's hometown team! Details here

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