📰 What's Making News

Indoor Slide Park Transforms Old JoAnn's in East Vancouver

Grippy socks at the ready — crews are building out a new indoor play park at the former JoAnn's location in east Vancouver, and this one is all about giant dry slides designed for kids and adults alike. The concept fills a niche that Vancouver families have been driving to Portland (or beyond) to find, and the fact that it's repurposing a vacant retail space makes it even sweeter. Construction is already underway, with more details expected soon on an opening timeline. Full story from The Columbian.

Haunted Walking Tours Return to Downtown Vancouver This Month

The Clark County Historical Museum is launching its Haunted Walking Tours at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through September and October. Guides lead groups of 25 through downtown Vancouver and beyond, stopping to share stories of lingering spirits, mysterious happenings, and moments where history and the supernatural collide. These sell out quickly every year, so if you've been meaning to go, don't wait. A Labor Day car show and a horticulture hike round out the museum's "Try This" picks for the week. See all the suggestions here.

Owen Winn, Carsyn Howard Lead Columbia River Golf Past Mark Morris

Columbia River's boys golf team put together a sharp afternoon at Heron Lakes Golf Course in Portland on Thursday, with Owen Winn and Carsyn Howard both shooting sub-par rounds in a 2A Greater St. Helens League match against Mark Morris. Three Chieftains total finished at par or better — a strong early-season signal for a program worth watching this fall. Read the full recap at The Columbian.

Thursday Night Scoreboard: Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Swimming

It was a packed night across Clark County with results rolling in from high school football, volleyball, girls soccer, girls swimming, and boys golf. If you're tracking your neighborhood school's start to the fall season, The Columbian's full scoreboard has every final from Thursday, September 3 in one place. Check all the scores here.

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⚡ Quick Bites

500 Shoppers Brave Rain for Ridgefield's New Goodwill Superstore

The line stretched out the door as more than 500 customers showed up for the grand opening of the new Goodwill Superstore in Ridgefield. Beyond the thrift finds, the location will offer free job training, computer classes, and ESL courses.

Friday Night Lights Return Across Clark County

High school football kicks off this week, and Washougal coach David Hajek says the reshuffled 2A GSHL schedule gives every team a legitimate shot at a playoff berth. Here's what to watch for from Camas to La Center.

RedDoor Gallery Kicks Off Fall with First Friday Reception

Camas gallery RedDoor Gallery hosts a free First Friday reception featuring new oil paintings by Ray Baxter and Sarah Bang, plus work from 16 resident artists. Stop by to kick off the fall art season.

Healing Steps Pairs Horses, Licensed Therapists in Brush Prairie

Run by Adam and Kelsey Herman, Healing Steps in Brush Prairie uses equine-assisted therapy to build physical, cognitive, and emotional skills in children and adults — including stroke rehab and support for kids with autism and ADHD.

Khosla Family Finalizes $9.6 Billion Seahawks Purchase

It's official: the Khosla family closed on its $9.612 billion purchase of the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, making it the most expensive team sale in NFL history.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Friday, September 4

• Backpacking Fundamentals: Mount Hood with Opal Creek Center — 8:30 AM / A three-day beginner backpacking expedition into old-growth forest, meadows, and trout-filled lakes. Build backcountry skills like water filtration, route finding, and gear packing. More info
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM / Providence Academy, Vancouver / Free guided tours of the historic building. Enter at Suite 103 inside the front door. More info
• The Portland Maize and Pumpkin Patch — 10:00 AM / Sauvie Island, Portland / Almost 2 miles of corn maze pathways to navigate, plus the pumpkin patch. Open 10 AM–5 PM. More info
• Playgroup — 10:00 AM / Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver / $7–$9 / Ages 9 months to 6 years. A safe indoor space for little ones to run, climb, and explore while parents socialize. More info
• Fall Watercolor Workshops with Kathryn Garcia-Stackpole — 10:30 AM–12:30 PM / Vancouver Arts Hub, Vancouver / $125 / Learn to paint florals, apples, and pumpkins. Beginners welcome. All materials and a template included. Register at kathrynbydesign.art. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program — 12:00 PM / Calvary Chapel Vancouver / Free lunch served noon to 1 PM for low-income seniors age 60+, sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• NAMI Art Group — 1:00–3:00 PM / NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver / Free / A weekly creative session at the NAMI office. Details at namiswwa.org. More info
• Friday Night Cruise-In at Alderbrook Park — 4:00–8:00 PM / Alderbrook Park, Brush Prairie / $5–$10 / Classic cars plus disc golf, train rides, mini golf, bounce houses, pool, and more — all included with admission. More info
• Discover Downtown Ridgefield — 4:00–8:00 PM / Downtown Ridgefield / Free / First Friday shopping, dining, and strolling as participating businesses stay open late with special activities. VIP packages also available. More info
• First Friday Art Walk — 5:00–8:00 PM / Downtown Vancouver / Free / Galleries and art-centric businesses throughout downtown open their doors for the monthly art walk. More info
• Celebrate Art First Friday in Camas — 5:00–8:00 PM / Downtown Camas / Free / Art shows, demos, hands-on experiences (quilling, basket weaving, pottery, and more), a self-guided mural tour, live music, and after-hours shopping and dining. More info
• Between Page and Panel at Camas Public Library — 5:00–8:00 PM / Camas Public Library / Free / Opening reception for an exhibit of original artwork by 15 local children's book illustrators. On view through Oct. 17. More info
• Aurora Gallery presents "Around Vancouver" — 5:00–8:00 PM / Aurora Gallery, 1004 Main St., Vancouver / Free / Celebrating 23 years in business with work by local artists depicting recognizable Vancouver scenes, plus Cortney Firstenburg's first exhibit. More info
• Attic Gallery September Exhibit: Curator's Choice — 5:00–8:00 PM / Attic Gallery, Camas / Free / First Friday reception with paintings and sculptures selected by gallery owners, plus live music, wine, and light refreshments. More info
• Ray Baxter and Sarah Bang at RedDoor Gallery — 5:00–8:00 PM / RedDoor Gallery, Camas / Free / Original oil paintings plus the chance to meet many of RedDoor's 16 resident artists. More info
• Into the Crater Hike with the Mt. St. Helens Institute — 5:00 PM / A bucket-list adventure into the crater of an active volcano with expert geologists and mountain guides. More info
• MSHI GeoGirls Art Display — 5:00 PM / 210 W. Evergreen Blvd., Suite 300, Vancouver / See what middle-school participants of the GeoGirls geology and technology camp at Mount St. Helens discovered and created. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle — 5:30 PM / Ridgefield Public Boat Launch / Free / Try dragon boat paddling — no experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14+. More info
• Clay Trinket Workshop at Dandelion Teahouse — 5:30–7:30 PM / Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, Vancouver / $5 suggested donation / Make your own trinkets from air-dried clay. All materials supplied, plus the full tea menu is available. More info
• Family Fun Night in Salmon Creek — 6:00 PM / Salmon Creek Grange, Vancouver / Free / Games, light snacks, and fun for the whole family on First Friday. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More info
• Good Times and Wine at English Estate Winery — 6:00–8:00 PM / English Estate Winery, Vancouver / Free admission / Live music by Shirley Van Paepeghem plus on-site food truck Venue 1903. More info
• First Friday Open Sculpting at Kilnfolk — 6:30–8:00 PM / Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver / $50 / Choose from mugs, vases, gnomes, or animal sculptures. No experience needed — an instructor walks you through the basics. More info
• Haunted Walking Tours — 7:00 PM / Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver / $15–$20 / Guides lead groups through downtown sharing tales of lingering spirits, mysterious happenings, and forgotten tragedies. Approximately one mile. More info
• Live Music on the Patio at Farrar's Bistro — 7:00 PM / Farrar's Bistro, Vancouver / Enjoy food, cocktails, local wine, and live music on the pet-friendly patio. Seating is first come, first served. More info
• Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra at Providence Academy — 7:00 PM / Providence Academy Ballroom, Vancouver / $16 / Hot jazz and sweet dance music from the roaring '20s and '30s — tunes of Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and more. More info
• Scottish Dance Party — 7:30–9:00 PM / Columbia Dance, Vancouver / $5 / An evening of easy dancing — no partner or experience needed. All dances taught and called. Refreshments served afterward. More info
• Candlelight: Coldplay and Imagine Dragons — 8:30 PM / The Old Church Concert Hall, Portland / $49.50–$81.50 / A live, multi-sensory tribute concert under the gentle glow of candlelight. More info

Saturday, September 5

• Summit Climb on Mt. St. Helens — 6:00 AM / A single-day non-technical scramble to the summit with professional mountain guides. Designed for novice hikers and experienced mountaineers alike. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market — 9:00 AM–3:00 PM / Esther Short Park, Vancouver / Shop local produce, crafts, and more at the flagship year-round market. More info
• Ridgefield Multicultural Festival — 9:00 AM–3:00 PM / Overlook Park, Ridgefield / Free / Music, dance, food, traditional dress, crafts, games, and stories celebrating the cultures that make up the community. More info
• Heritage Choir Fall Street Fair — 9:00 AM / Heritage High School, Vancouver / Live music, handmade crafts, food vendors, boutique shopping, and more to support the Heritage Choir program. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail Parkrun — 9:00 AM / Salmon Creek Trail, Vancouver / Free / A friendly weekly 5K — walk, jog, run, or volunteer. All ages and abilities welcome. Register at parkrun.us. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Design and Discover at OMSI — 9:00 AM / OMSI, Portland / Hands-on engineering challenges for ages 3–5 with their families. More info
• NWTA "Good Dirt!" Mountain Bike Event — 9:00 AM / Cascade Locks / The last Good Dirt of the season with beginner, women's intermediate, and co-ed intermediate group rides through scenic Gorge trails. More info
• Bird Language: Sit Spot and Habitat Mapping — 9:00 AM / Portland / Learn to interpret bird calls and behavior with naturalist Rey Snyder at Whitaker Ponds. More info
• Candle Making Workshop at Kindred Vancouver — 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM / Kindred Vancouver, 2213 Main St. / $28 / Pick your own vessel, fill it with natural soy wax, and embellish with herbs and flowers. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play — 9:15–10:30 AM / Vancouver Bridge Club / Free / A bridge lesson followed by play with assistance available. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM / Pearson Field Education Center, Vancouver / Free / Flight simulators, a vertical wind table, historic airplanes, and hands-on STEAM activities. More info
• Pop-Up History Museum: Exploring Ridgefield's Told and Untold Stories — 10:00 AM / The Greely Building, Ridgefield / Free / The last day to explore Ridgefield's founding, little-known stories of Japanese farmers during WWII, and more. More info
• Flora of Battle Ground Lake Hike — 10:00–11:30 AM / Battle Ground Lake State Park / Free (Discover Pass required) / A one-mile informative plant hike through the Upper Trail led by park aide Easton Lane. RSVP by email. More info
• Matcha Set Workshop at Kilnfolk — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM / Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver / $85 / Create a ceramic matcha bowl and whisk holder while enjoying a matcha drink from Short and Sweet. No experience necessary. More info
• Native Habitat Garden Tour in Felida — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM / 10918 NW 27th Ct., Vancouver / Vancouver Bee Project volunteer Steve has planted 500+ native plants — come see the late-summer biodiversity in bloom. Also open Sunday. More info
• WNPS Plant Hike in the Gorge — 11:00 AM / Wind River Arboretum (north of Carson, WA) / Search for rare native plants of Washington with Steve Clark from the Washington Native Plant Society, including a massive Fremont's silktassel bush. More info
• End of Summer Fun at Tesla Vancouver — 11:00 AM–2:00 PM / Tesla Vancouver / Free / Games, activities, prizes, treats, vehicle exploration, and a dunk tank. Accepting donations of unused school supplies for local students. More info
• Magpie Dreams Grand Opening — 11:00 AM–7:00 PM / 1001 Main St., Suite B, Vancouver / Free / A new artist collective with 20+ vendors offering original art, houseplants, vintage finds, pottery, jewelry, and more. Prizes for the first 39 shoppers. More info
• Play Bridge (0–150 points) — 11:00 AM / Vancouver Bridge Club / $10 More info
• La Center Historical Museum — 12:00–4:00 PM / La Center / Free / Open the first and third Saturday of each month. Run entirely by volunteers and donations. More info
• Bi-Zi Farms Sunflower Festival — 12:00–8:00 PM / Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver / $12 / Cut your own sunflower, enjoy a hayride, snap photos, and visit farm animals. More info
• On the Move: Incredible Animal Journeys — 1:00–2:00 PM / Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver / Free / Drop-in program for ages 5–12 exploring how water connects animal migrations. More info
• Chinese Storytelling and Crafting — 2:00–3:30 PM / Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver / Free / Storyteller Kenny Chen brings traditional Chinese stories to life, followed by a craft activity for kids and families. More info
• Mushroom Hunting for Beginners — 2:00 PM / Fort Vancouver Regional Library / Free / A beginner-friendly class on skills and tools for accurate mushroom identification. No registration required. More info
• Concert on the Patio at Bookish — 5:00 PM / Bookish, Camas / Free / Family Rhythms performs covers the whole family will enjoy on the lakeside patio of this cafe and wine bar. Donations to the scholarship fund welcome. More info
• Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings — 6:30 PM / The Old Church Concert Hall, Portland / $44.50–$78 / A string quartet tribute celebrating the 25th anniversary of the trilogy's unforgettable music, performed by candlelight. More info
• VanCity's Saturday Social Dance and Beginners Lesson — 7:00 PM / VanCity Ballroom, Hazel Dell / $10 / A 45-minute lesson followed by social dancing of all styles until 10 PM. No partner or experience needed. More info
• Saturday Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub — 8:30 PM / Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main St., Vancouver / Let your inner entertainer shine — come solo or with friends. More info

Sunday, September 6

• Timberline Daydream MTB Event — 6:30 AM / Timberline, Mt. Hood / $70 adults, $35 juniors / Three timed downhill mountain bike runs with lift service. OBRA membership required. More info
• Kids Throw Free at Firehouse Axes — 11:00 AM / Firehouse Axes, Vancouver / Up to two kids ages 10–17 throw free with each paying adult. Closed-toe shoes required (crocs available to rent). More info
• Autumn Pumpkins Workshop at Kilnfolk — 3:30–5:00 PM / Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver / $55 / Craft ceramic pumpkins using the pinch pot method. Family-friendly for ages 5+ (with parental help). No experience necessary. More info
• Richie Jen: Miracle Concert 2026 — 8:00 PM / The Cowlitz Ballroom, Ridgefield / One of Mandopop's most beloved stars performs timeless hits on his "Miracle" world tour. More info

Monday, September 7

• Clark County Parks Fee-Free Day: Labor Day — 7:00 AM / All Clark County regional parks / Free / Enjoy free access to regional parks all day. Picnic shelters are available to reserve for your group. More info
• 40 et 8 Labor Day Car Show: Custom, Classy and Classic — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM / 2809 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver / Free for spectators / Vehicles of all makes and models, music, raffles, vendors, food, drinks, prizes, and trophies. More info
• SW Washington Down Syndrome Community Walk About — 10:00 AM / Stewart Glen Trailhead off Fruit Valley Road / A relaxed, family-friendly walk for families, self-advocates, caregivers, siblings, and supporters. More info
• Clark County Genealogical Society Research Book Club — 12:00–1:30 PM / Online / Free / September's book is "The Family Tree Problem Solver" by Marsha Hoffman Rising. Members and non-members welcome. More info
• Bigfoot Adventure on the Portland Spirit — 2:00 PM / Caruthers Landing Dock, Portland / $64–$72 / An 80-mile roundtrip jetboat ride to Multnomah Falls with exclusive Bigfoot lore narration by Cliff Barackman of "Finding Bigfoot." More info
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM / Vancouver Arts Hub, Vancouver / $35 / Learn wet-on-wet watercolor blending and splatter techniques to create nebula-like patterns. No experience needed. All supplies provided. More info

Tuesday, September 8

• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM / Various locations around Clark County / Free / Evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60+, tailored from seated to full mobility. No pre-registration required. More info
• Take Your Genealogy Search Beyond with Free Research Guides — 10:00–11:30 AM / Clark County Genealogical Society, Vancouver / $20 / Discover resources beyond Ancestry and MyHeritage using a new searching template. More info
• Camas Public Library Food Drive — Ongoing through Sept. 30 / Camas Public Library / Donations benefit the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center. Special need for lunchbox snacks, canned fruit, hygiene items, and laundry pods. More info
• I Got You Poo Ribbon Cutting — 10:00 AM / Salmon Run Bell Tower, Esther Short Park / Meet this veteran-owned Vancouver pet waste removal business at their official ribbon cutting. More info
• Tween and Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM / Various FVRL Library Locations / Free / Ages 9–19 can create a character and dive into Dungeons and Dragons — new and experienced players welcome. More info
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15–6:45 PM / Vancouver Arts Hub, Vancouver / Free / A weekly gathering for writers of all levels with dedicated writing time, introductions, and discussion. No readings or critiques. More info

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