📰 What's Making News

Jon Girod Earns Clark County's First Citizen Honor

Homebuilder Jon Girod has been named the 2026 First Citizen Award recipient by the Greater Vancouver Chamber. The award recognizes outstanding community contributions, and Girod's selection highlights the kind of quiet, sustained leadership that shapes a region behind the scenes. If you've lived here long enough, you've likely driven past his work without even knowing it. Read more from The Columbian.

65 Townhomes Could Replace Vancouver Heights Shopping Center

A Vancouver company is exploring plans to redevelop a shopping center in the Vancouver Heights neighborhood into 65 townhomes. The project is still in the exploratory phase, but it signals continued interest in adding housing density to established neighborhoods closer to the city core. If you know that stretch of Vancouver Heights, this one's worth watching. Read more from The Columbian.

Skyview's Hadlee Garvin Voted Athlete of the Week

Hadlee Garvin of Skyview's slowpitch softball team earned The Columbian's Week 4 Athlete of the Week honor, pulling in 244 of 682 votes. The award, sponsored by Killer Burger, is a fan-driven poll — so Garvin clearly has a cheering section behind her. It's always fun to see local high school athletes get their moment in the spotlight. Read more from The Columbian.

Camas, Mountain View Dominate Day 1 of District Golf

Camas grabbed a nine-shot lead over Skyview after the opening round of the 4A district boys golf tournament at Lewis River Golf Course in Woodland on Monday. The Papermakers stacked three golfers in the top four — Luke Rubano (75), Ryker Jun (76), and Evan Wilsey (77) — making a strong case for a team title. Mountain View leads the 3A field. Read more from The Columbian.

Scammers Impersonating Clark Public Utilities — Again

Clark Public Utilities is warning residents that scam calls from people posing as CPU representatives are circulating around the county. The callers typically pressure customers into making immediate payments to avoid a shutoff. If you get a call like that, hang up — Clark Public Utilities will never demand payment over the phone with threats of immediate disconnection. Verify anything suspicious by calling CPU directly. Read more from The Columbian.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Identity Clark County Adds Andy Macklin to Board

The local business leaders group Identity Clark County has elected Andy Macklin to its board of directors and honored Helen Devery with an emeritus role. Read the full business briefing.

Get To-Gather Farm Opens Its Two-Acre Pumpkin Patch in Camas

Skip the long drive — Get To-Gather Farm, right on the edge of Camas, is welcoming families to its two-acre pumpkin patch for the harvest season. Expect crisp-morning vibes, pick-your-own pumpkins, and plenty of classic fall activities. Details here.

Four Free Events Hit Vancouver This Week

A local roundup flags a packed lineup through Friday, Oct. 16: a free lecture on doomscrolling at the Red Cross Building, a book swap at Terrain Coffee Project, an author launch at White Oak Books, and a night market at Vancouver Station — all free. See the full list.

Downtown Camas Drops Its Latest Newsletter

The Downtown Camas Association just published its newest newsletter rounding up merchant news, upcoming events, and what's new along the storefronts. Read it and subscribe here.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Tuesday, October 13

• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Wagon rides, a free pumpkin (any size you can carry!), corn maze admission, and same-day entry to the Nighttime Corn Maze are all included with your ticket. $14–$16. More info
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM. A self-monitored indoor play session for ages 9 months to 6 years with safe, clean toys while parents socialize. $7–$9. More info
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM at Whalen Oaks Farm, Woodland. A 40-acre pumpkin paradise with 60-plus varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds — free parking, no admission fee. More info
• Kids & Tweens Create — 3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Drop in for creative and interactive projects for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM at various FVRL library locations (Ridgefield & Three Creeks). Create a character and dive into Dungeons & Dragons — beginners welcome. Ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Teen Make Your Own Merch — 5:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. Design custom prints and buttons and learn how artists turn handmade items into a business. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Puzzle Dash — 6:00 PM. A fast-paced team challenge to assemble a 500-piece puzzle against the clock — top two teams win prizes, and every team keeps their puzzle. Light snacks provided. $34–$43 per team of 2–4. More info

Wednesday, October 14

• Pomeroy Farms Homeschool Day — 9:00 AM–12:00 PM at Pomeroy Farm, Yacolt. A fall-themed open house for homeschool families and small groups (under 20 students). Recommended for preschool through 2nd grade, though mixed ages are welcome. $10. More info
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Explore the stunning 1873 neo-Georgian building constructed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Free, by reservation. More info
• Teen & Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM at various FVRL library locations (Cascade Park & Vancouver Community Libraries). Open game play with decks provided or bring your own. Free. More info
• Kids & Tweens Create: Origami — 4:00 PM. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Kids & Tweens Creative Crafts: DIY Squishies — 4:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Make your own squishy stress-busting toys. Ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Ridgefield Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan — Open House Workshop — 4:30–6:30 PM at Columbia Assembly Room, Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center. Help shape the future of Ridgefield's parks, trails, and recreation. More info
• Teen & Tween Hangout: Pizza & Games — 5:00 PM at Three Creeks Community Library, Vancouver. Games, crafts, and free pizza courtesy of the Friends of Three Creeks Community Library. Ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. East Coast and Lindy Hop lessons at 6 PM (intermediate) and 7 PM (beginner), followed by social dance 8–9:30 PM. Singles, partners, and groups welcome. $5–$10. More info
• Howl-O-Ween: Pooch Parade — 6:00 PM at Battle Ground Event Center. Dogs strut their stuff in Halloween costumes for a chance to win prizes — including a People's Choice Award voted on by the audience. Free. More info
• Black Community Science Night — 6:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. An after-hours evening of hands-on science demos, local vendors, educators, and cultural celebration. All are welcome. More info

Thursday, October 15

• Rooted in Nature: Fall Hiking Series for 65+ Women — 9:00 AM. Adventures Without Limits leads an accessible, guided group hike at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Transportation from Forest Grove and Hillsboro Senior Centers included. $30 covers this hike and Oct. 29. More info
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM at the Marshall House, Vancouver. Explore the beautiful Queen Anne–style home where General George C. Marshall once lived, featuring stained glass, decorative woodwork, and military memorabilia. Free. More info
• Clark College Native Plant Center — Fall Sale — 12:00 PM at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. Stock up on native plants just in time for fall planting. Sale runs Oct. 15–17. More info
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 3:00 PM at Walton Farms, Camas. Admission includes the corn maze, a train ride, and one pumpkin of any size. Dogs welcome on leash. $13 ($11 for seniors 55+, 2 and under free). More info
• 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. More info
• Step Inside Opal & Ivy — Ribbon Cutting — 4:00 PM at 8606 E Mill Plain Blvd, Suite C, Vancouver. Celebrate the community-focused luxury salon's ribbon cutting with tours, refreshments, and a raffle. More info
• LCNN's Seeds for Education — Seed Sorting & Packing Event — 4:00 PM at Good Year Farms, 29610 SE 23rd St, Washougal. Help sort and pack seeds that connect local classrooms with hands-on outdoor learning. More info
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:30 PM. Games, crafts, conversation, and snacks courtesy of the Friends of Vancouver Community Library. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Teen Bad Art — 4:30 PM at Vancouver Mall Library. A hilariously fun art session where perfection is not allowed — make your worst art and vote for the most impressively bad piece. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• pQ Puzzle Night 2: Fright Club at Firehouse Axes — 6:30 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. Five rounds of timed puzzle-solving hosted by paradigmQ Escape Rooms — fastest overall team wins. More info
• Line Dancing at Ashwood Taps & Trucks — 7:00 PM in Washougal with instructor Kat Nichols. All ages, beginners welcome. $10. More info
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM at Oaks Park, Portland. Two immersive main haunted houses, five additional haunted houses, a Halloween theme park, food, drinks, and oddities vendors. $25–$33. More info
• Disney on Ice Presents: Jump In! — 7:00 PM at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Portland. Dazzling effects, mesmerizing projections, and beloved Disney characters on ice. Tickets from $37.30. More info
• History on Tap — The Lavender Palette — 7:00 PM at Old Liberty Theater, Ridgefield. The Clark County Historical Museum presents the final installment of the 2026 series with art historian David F. Martin. $5. More info

Friday, October 16

• Vancouver Lake Community Paddle Trip — 10:00 AM. Free family-friendly canoe paddle in 29-foot Big Canoes with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver's Water Center. Spot shorebirds, look for signs of beavers, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program — 12:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver, 6503 E Mill Plain Blvd. Free lunch for low-income seniors age 60+, served noon to 1:00 PM. More info
• Family Bingo Night at Camas Public Library — 5:00 PM. Winners take home their choice of Reading Dragon prize. All ages welcome. Free. More info
• Family and Friends Friday Climb — 5:00 PM. An hour and forty-five minutes of unlimited climbing with multiple difficulty levels for ages 4 and up. No experience necessary — all equipment provided. $33–$41. More info
• Stenciled Front Door Wreath Card Class — 5:00 PM at Craft Warehouse, Vancouver. Create two Christmas cards with layered stencils, dimensional wreaths, and festive embellishments. $25. More info
• Live Music: Gina de Noble at 14 Acres Vineyard & Winery — 5:30–7:30 PM in Ridgefield. Live music in the tasting room — no cover, no reservation needed, all ages welcome. More info
• Bi-Zi Farm Nighttime Corn Maze — 6:00 PM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Navigate the maze after dark every Friday and Saturday through October 30. $7.50–$9.50. More info

Saturday, October 17

• Clark County Parks & Nature — Fee Free Day: National "Take a Hike" Day — 7:00 AM. Free access to Clark County regional parks all day. Find a trail near you and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits right in your own neighborhood. More info
• Ivy Removal at Behrens Woods — 9:00 AM in Vancouver. Join the City of Vancouver's Naturespaces volunteers to remove invasive plants. Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks provided. Family-friendly, great for teens. More info
• Adaptive Silver Falls State Park Hike — 9:00 AM. Adventures Without Limits leads a stroll through scenic Silver Falls — inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities. More info
• Learning to Prune Deciduous & Evergreen Shrubs — 10:00 AM at 11104 NE 149th Street, Brush Prairie. Classroom instruction and hands-on demos with professional gardener and landscape contractor Christofer Robison. More info
• Mini-Basket Weaving Class — 10:00 AM at 29610 SE 23rd Street (Good Year Farms area). Learn twining with locally harvested fibers — willow, cattail, iris, and more — led by Erin of Frog & Twig. More info
• Trail Trackers Nature Hike with WREC — 10:00 AM at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center. Learn to identify tracks, scat, feeding marks, and other wildlife signs on this beginner-friendly guided hike. More info
• Bear Creek Riparian Restoration Work Party — 10:00 AM on the North Fork Toutle River. Volunteer with Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group, Cascade Forest Conservancy, and Mt. St. Helens Institute to plant native vegetation and build Beaver Dam Analog structures. More info
• 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. More info
• Autumn Stitching on the Farm Workshop — 10:00 AM at Plas Newydd Farm. Stitch an 8"x8" autumn landscape with instructor Nicki Eybel — think sky, river, and land in a gorgeous fall palette. More info
• Fall Color Rides on the Chelatchie Railroad — 12:00 PM departing from Yacolt. Ride vintage trains through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River, and stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. More info
• River Superstars: Salmon and Lamprey — 1:00–2:00 PM at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center. Drop-in hands-on activities exploring the life cycles of salmon and lamprey. Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult. Free. More info

Sunday, October 18

• Photography Hike: Autumn — 10:00 AM at Hummocks Trail #229 near Mt. St. Helens. Join professional photographer Patrick Aalto and Mt. St. Helens Institute guides to capture stunning fall vistas among the massive hummocks from the 1980 eruption. More info
• Mushroom Hunting for Beginners — 10:00 AM. Fort Vancouver Regional Library hosts a beginner-friendly class emphasizing the skills and tools needed for accurate mushroom identification. Free. More info

Monday, October 19

• Finding Balance: Self-Care in Birding — 4:00 PM (online). Birdability Captains Eric Clow and Jayme Boucher lead an open community discussion on self-care and collective care in birding — kicking off Birdability Week 2026. More info

Wednesday, October 21

• The Historic Trust Dedicates Sacred Heart Plaza — 4:00 PM at Providence Academy, 400 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver. Ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony unveiling new interpretive elements and signage at Ed Lynch Square. More info
• Worm Bin Composting Workshop — 6:00 PM. Learn how to care for composting worms, explore different bin types, and get up close with the decomposers. Part of Clark County Composter Recyclers' free fall workshop series. More info

Thursday, October 22

• Mac's Auto & Diesel Repair Services — New Location Ribbon Cutting — 4:00 PM at 6309 NE St Johns Rd, Vancouver. Celebrate Mac's move into a larger shop with tours, light snacks, and raffle prizes. More info
• Native Plant Seed Saving with Vancouver Bee Project — 5:30 PM at Grays Restaurant & Bar at the Hilton, downtown Vancouver. October's "Pollinators & Pints" gathering focuses on native seed saving — bring your questions and connect with fellow gardeners. More info

Friday, October 23

• Tree & Shrub Pruning 101 — 5:00 PM. An ISA Certified Arborist leads a beginner-friendly Master Gardener class on proper pruning for healthier plants, better blooms, and safer landscapes. In partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Library. Free. More info

Saturday, October 24

• Columbia CX Harvest Cross — Cyclocross Race — 8:00 AM at Frenchman's Bar Regional Park, 9612 NW Lower River Rd. Races for all ages and abilities, including Kiddie Cross on a separate course. Expect grass, dirt, gravel, sand, and barriers. More info
• Make a Difference Day: Wetland Restoration and Native Planting — 9:00 AM at the Water Center. Help plant native trees and shrubs to restore 3.6 acres of wetlands with the Water Center and Clark Public Utilities. More info
• Mason Bees Unwrapped: The Art & Science of Cocoon Harvesting — 9:30 AM. WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger leads an interactive workshop on these gentle, native pollinators — learn how to create and maintain a thriving mason bee habitat. More info
• Adopt-A-Park Event at LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park — 10:00 AM at 13200 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver. Remove ivy and non-native plants to support forest health. Training, tools, and snacks provided. Family-friendly. More info
• Nature Days at Columbia Springs — 10:00 AM. A free, self-guided exploration of the natural world right here in town — check in at the tent and make your own adventure. More info
• How to Winterize Your Garden for Spring Success — 10:30 AM. Learn tips to protect plants, enrich soil, and care for irrigation systems. In partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Library. Free. More info
• Bat Class at Nature's Haven Nursery — 11:00 AM at 6403 NE 277th Ave, Camas. Learn about Pacific Northwest bat species, their ecosystems, and how to make your yard bat-friendly — just in time for Halloween. Bat houses available for purchase. More info
• The Resilient Yard: Battling Climate Change at Home — 4:00 PM. Learn practical actions to reduce your carbon footprint by rethinking each part of your suburban yard. In partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Library. Free. More info

Monday, October 26

• Camas Library Audiobook Walking Club — 9:30 AM. Bring your audiobook and join fellow listeners for a 60-minute community walk at a new outdoor location, followed by 30 minutes of optional social time. All paces welcome. More info

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