📰 What's Making News

Loyal Legion Takes Over Old Heathen Brewery Spot Downtown

The taproom at 12th and Washington has new life. Loyal Legion — known for its massive tap lists — is now open in the former Heathen Brewing Feral Public House space in downtown Vancouver. If you've been mourning the loss of Heathen's downtown location, this is the kind of successor that softens the blow. Details are still trickling out, but locals are already buzzing about the opening. Read more here.

Clark County Youth Report Lower Depression Rates, Stronger Academics

Here's a bit of genuinely encouraging news for local families. The latest Healthy Youth Survey from the Washington State Department of Health shows students in Clark County are reporting lower rates of depression and suicidal feelings compared with recent years, along with gains in academics. The survey tracks trends across the state, and Clark County's numbers are moving in the right direction. It's the kind of data point that doesn't grab headlines but matters deeply to the parents and educators doing the daily work. Read the full report from The Columbian.

YWCA Clark County CEO Brittini Lasseigne Departs June 17

Brittini Lasseigne, who has led YWCA Clark County as CEO, announced she will step down on June 17. She's expected to be named the next philanthropic leader of the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation — a big move that speaks to the caliber of nonprofit leadership our community has been cultivating. Her departure leaves a significant vacancy at one of Clark County's most prominent organizations. Read more from The Columbian.

Saturday: Leave a Bag, Feed a Neighbor

This Saturday is the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, and your letter carrier is ready to do the heavy lifting — literally. All you need to do is leave a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox before your mail arrives. The drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, collects donations for local Clark County food pantries every second Saturday in May. It's the easiest act of generosity you'll do all week. Get the details here.

Mark Morris Softball Finishes 14-0 in League Play

Perfection is hard to achieve in any sport, but the Mark Morris Monarchs softball team just pulled it off. Paisley Fraidenburg launched a three-run homer and pitcher Makenzie Henthorn threw yet another shutout as the Monarchs completed a flawless 14-0 run through the 2A Greater St. Helens League with a 3-0 win over Columbia River at VGSA on Wednesday. That's a season worth remembering for those young athletes. Full highlights from The Columbian.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Evergreen Outpost Brings 9 Food Carts, Tap House to 138th Avenue This Fall

A new food cart pod and 3,200-square-foot tap house called Evergreen Outpost is heading to 138th Avenue near McKenzie Stadium, with 20-plus craft beers on tap, space for nine food carts, and outdoor seating with fire pits and heaters. Look for a fall 2026 opening. Full details here.

Compass Coffee Opens Fourth Location at 192nd and Mill Plain

Compass Coffee Roasting has officially moved into the former Baron Patisserie space in East Vancouver, giving that side of town its own outpost of the local roaster. The overhead signage still reads Baron, but the doors are open and the coffee is flowing. More here.

The Sedgwick Closes for Good Downtown

The Sedgwick, long considered one of downtown Vancouver's standout restaurants, has permanently closed its doors. No word yet on what will take over the space. Read the thread.

Los Potrillos Shutters in Felida as Erickson Farms Turnover Continues

Los Potrillos in the Erickson Farms shopping area has closed permanently, adding to a string of restaurant turnovers in the Felida neighborhood. Farrar's Bistro remains one of the few long-term survivors in that stretch. Join the conversation.

Footloose Opens Tomorrow at Magenta Theater

Metropolitan Performing Arts brings Footloose the Musical to Magenta Theater in downtown Vancouver starting May 8, with performances running through May 24. Grab tickets here.

Bryan Woo Fans 9 as Mariners Top Braves 3-1

Seattle pitcher Bryan Woo tied his season high with nine strikeouts across six scoreless innings Tuesday night, and Julio Rodríguez added a homer as the Mariners handed Atlanta its first series loss of 2026. Full recap.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Thursday, May 7

• Teen Songwriting Workshop — Camas Public Library, Camas. Learn the craft of songwriting with Taylor Miranda, author of "The Songwriting Breakdown." Registration required.
• Live Music at The Grant House — 5–7 p.m., Willful Wine inside The Grant House, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver. Free solo musician performances every Wednesday.
• 100 Women Who Care Clark County Quarterly Meeting — 5–7 p.m., The Hammond Kitchen and Craft Bar, 4857 N.W. Lake Rd., Suite 200, Camas. Hear from local nonprofits and vote to direct donations.
• Romance Readers Social Club Kickoff Party — Ashwood, Vancouver. Romance Bingo, book trivia, and prizes.
• Weekly Swing Dancing at The Valiant Ballroom — 6–9:30 p.m., 109 W. Ninth St., Vancouver. Intermediate lesson at 6 p.m., beginner lesson at 7 p.m., social dance 8–9:30 p.m. $5–$10.
• All Ages Bingo — 6 p.m., Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Prizes, snacks, and friendly competition for the whole family. $10–$12.
• Green Cleaning Workshop — 6–7:30 p.m., Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver. Learn to make three green household cleaners. Free; bring two reused spray bottles.
• Poetry Street PNW Open Mic — 6:15–7:45 p.m., Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. Read your own poetry, share a favorite, or just listen. All ages welcome.
• How Wildlife Adapts to Environmental Changes — 6:30–7:30 p.m., Carty Unit, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, 28908 N.W. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Clark College's David Zonana leads the workshop.
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily through May 10, Woodland. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free.
• VPS High School Plant Sale — Fort Vancouver — 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. May 7–8 and 9 a.m.–12 p.m. May 9, Fort Vancouver High School. Flowers, veggies, and more grown by horticulture and FFA students.
• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest — Submissions open. Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union sponsor this nature photography contest for youth.
• Vancouver's Neighborhood Tree Stewards Workshop — Vancouver. Learn how to care for urban trees and make your neighborhood greener.
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Paddling — Ridgefield. Free paddling sessions through October; ages 14 and up, no experience needed.

Friday, May 8

• KEEP IT WILD Collaborative Art Show — Opening Night — 5–7 p.m., Arrowleaf Workshop, White Salmon. Celebrate creativity and conservation during the White Salmon Wildflower Festival. Exhibit runs May 1–30.

Saturday, May 9

• WSU Extension Master Gardener Mother's Day Plant Sale — Clark County. Shopping appointments available; sign up online.
• Beacon Rock Trail Day Work Party — Beacon Rock State Park. Spend a day (or the whole weekend) maintaining trails with Washington Trails Association. Camping available Saturday night.
• Thrillium Mt. Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party — Larch Mountain Trailhead, Yacolt Burn State Forest. Help the Southwest Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance maintain trail tread.
• Birding and Wildflower Festival at Silver Falls State Park — Silver Falls State Park, OR. Free guided hikes, birding walks, and wildflower tours all weekend for Mother's Day.
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — Vancouver. Help remove ivy and spread mulch in a family-friendly morning volunteer session. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided.
• Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival — Cannon Beach, OR. Beach cruises, challenges, and community gatherings for all pedal-powered riders.

Sunday, May 10

• Plant and Seed Swap — 2213 Main St., Vancouver. Bring plant starts, seeds, or extras to swap with your neighbors. No plants to bring? Come browse and take anyway — everyone is welcome.
• Bloom Where You Are Planted — Multicultural Festival — Fourth Plain Corridor, Vancouver. A celebration hosted by the Fourth Plain Five neighborhoods.
• Clark College Spring Native Plant Center Plant Sale — Reserve St., Vancouver. Stock up on native plants to build out your pollinator habitat.

Monday, May 11

• Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon Society — Captain William Clark Park, Washougal. Stroll along the Columbia River beneath towering cottonwoods and spot spring migrants like Bullock's Orioles and Western Wood-Pewees.

Wednesday, May 13

• Dog Mountain Hike with Mazamas — Dog Mountain, Columbia River Gorge. 6.9 miles, 2,750 ft. elevation gain. Famous wildflowers just before Mother's Day peak — and no permits or crowds on a Thursday midweek hike.

Thursday, May 14

• Naturalist Training Program: Reading the Landscape with Cascadia Wild — Part of an 8-class series covering wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, navigation, and more.
• Spice of Life: Growing Herbs — Community Room. WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips teaches you how to plant, grow, harvest, and preserve the most popular garden herbs. Free.

Saturday, May 16

• Ridgefield Learn to Kayak Tour — Ridgefield Waterfront Park. Paddle the Columbia River Water Trail near Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with experienced guides from Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe.
• Gardening with Compost Workshop — 9411 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver. Learn how to apply Bokashi, vermicompost, leaf mulch, and more for a fertilizer-free garden. Free; registration required.
• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd — Plas Newydd Farm. A guided walk through the farm's most beautiful landscapes with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan.
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — Marble Mountain Snow Park. A strenuous early-season ascent with about 1,000 more vertical feet than Monitor Ridge.
• Cape Horn Trail Hike with WNPS — Salmon Falls Rd. Park-n-Ride, Columbia River Gorge. 5 miles round trip, 700 ft. elevation gain. Lush woods, views, and spring wildflowers. Email Ron Klump to register.
• Nature Walk: Wildflowers of Jewett Creek — White Salmon Valley Community Library. Local author Ashley Erdely leads a short walk to discover native wildflowers. Free.
• Plant Sale at Northlake ES — Lower Columbia School Gardens — Longview, WA. Support school gardens across Longview and Kelso school districts.
• Online Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Burrowing Owl — Online via Bird Alliance of Oregon. Paint a Burrowing Owl in watercolor with step-by-step guidance.
• Conboy Lake NWR Hike with WNPS — North of White Salmon. A 3.8-mile loop along the open marsh with views of Mount Adams and diverse wildflower species.
• Wildflower Hike: Upper Swale Creek Canyon — Harms Road Trailhead, Klickitat County. Follow Swale Creek through canyon rimrock and balsamroot-carpeted slopes with WNPS Suksdorfia Chapter.

Sunday, May 17

• Ridgefield Bachelor Island Circumnavigation Kayak Tour — Ridgefield. A 10-mile full-day paddle around Bachelor Island with Alder Creek, exploring the Columbia River Water Trail.
• Clark County Parks and Nature Fee-Free Day — International Migratory Bird Day — Clark County regional parks. Enjoy free access and celebrate migratory birds.
• Volunteer Land Stewardship at Baker Bay — Near Chinook, WA. Help Columbia Land Trust tend conserved forested wetlands along Baker Bay over two days.

Saturday, May 17 – Sunday, May 18

• Berms and Boats Adaptive Sports Weekend — Central Oregon. Mountain biking and boating adventures with Oregon Adaptive Sports and the Kelly Brush Foundation.

Monday, May 18

• Cape Disappointment Coastal Forest Loop Volunteer Vacation — Cape Disappointment State Park. Spend a week doing beachside trailwork while staying in historic Fort Columbia lodging with Washington Trails Association.
• Cascades Pika Watch Training Workshop — Columbia River Gorge. Learn to survey and map pikas as a volunteer with Cascades Pika Watch.

Wednesday, May 20

• Watershed Stewardship Program with Clark Conservation District — Clark County. A six-week course covering local watersheds, groundwater, fish, wildlife, and conservation. Ongoing enrollment.
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — White Salmon, WA. Month-long celebration of nature, art, and community in the Columbia River Gorge with guided hikes, art shows, wine walks, and live music.

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