📰 What's Making News

Mango Mango Dessert Stakes Out a Downtown Vancouver Spot

The trendy Asian-inspired dessert chain Mango Mango Dessert has posted "coming soon" signage in downtown Vancouver, adding another draw to the city's growing food scene. Known for its mango-centric drinks, cakes, and sticky rice dishes, the franchise has built a devoted following in major metros — and now Vancouver gets its own location. Downtown has been on a steady roll with new openings, and this one should bring some fresh foot traffic to the neighborhood. Full story here.

Union's Michael Ofuasia Rolls Ankle, Still Claims District Tennis Title

Union High School's Michael Ofuasia turned in one of the gutsiest performances of the fall sports season Saturday at Club Green Meadows. After rolling his ankle in the first set and dropping it 5-7 to Camas freshman Keenan Danh, Ofuasia clawed back through a tiebreaker in the second set and dominated the third 6-1 to capture the 4A district boys tennis singles title. It's his first district crown, and the kind of comeback story that sticks with a community. Read the full recap.

Skyview Softball Earns Fourth at 4A State Tournament

The Skyview Storm slowpitch softball team wrapped up their season with a fourth-place finish at the 4A state tournament in Yakima on Saturday. Making it to the final four at state is no small feat, and the Storm represented Clark County well on a big stage. It caps a strong fall run for a program that's been building momentum. See the tournament results.

The Columbian's Website Goes Dark — Cybersecurity Hits Close to Home

If you tried to visit columbian.com early Thursday morning and got a "504 gateway timeout" error, you weren't alone. The Columbian's own newsroom shared a candid look at the increasingly costly and disruptive reality of cybersecurity threats, even for a community newspaper. It's a useful reminder that no organization is too small to be a target, and that the digital infrastructure we rely on daily is more fragile than it looks. Read the newsroom's account.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Clark County Agents Turn Reels Into Real Estate Deals

Vancouver agent Jasmine Yamamoto is among a growing number of Clark County real estate pros using social media not just to list homes but to walk would-be buyers through the financial planning it takes to actually land one. Read more from The Colombian.

Tour Vancouver's New East Side Bridge Shelter on Wednesday

The City of Vancouver is opening the doors of its new east Vancouver bridge shelter for public tours on Oct. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. Staff will walk visitors through the services offered before the facility opens by the end of November. Details here.

Your Garden Tools Need a Spa Day Before Winter Storage

Columbian gardening columnist Allen offers a handy checklist for cleaning, sharpening, and properly storing your tools and equipment before the wet season settles in for good. Get the full rundown.

Hikers, Hunters Share Washington Trails — Here's How to Stay Safe

Fall means more overlap between hikers and hunters on Washington's public lands than any other time of year. The Columbian breaks down practical tips for both groups to enjoy the outdoors without surprises. Read the guide.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Sunday, October 25

• Scary Story Walk at Camas Public Library — Celebrate the winners of the Scary Story contest by strolling downtown Camas. Each participating business features a winning scary story in its front window. Free.
• Headless Horseman Halloween Train — 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM at Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, Yacolt. Chug through a 330-foot rock tunnel and keep an eye out for the headless horseman. Bring a camera! $18–$24.
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Fall Train Rides — 9:30 AM departing from Yacolt. Ride through the tunnel, cross the East Fork of the Lewis River, and visit Yacolt Falls at Moulton Station. $16–$24.
• Howloween at the Zoo — 9:30 AM at the Oregon Zoo, Portland. Bring your costumed kids for keeper chats, live entertainment, and Halloween fun in a safe setting.
• Downtown Vancouver Market — 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Our flagship year-round farmers market in the heart of downtown.
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Wagon rides, pick your own pumpkin, corn maze, and more. $14–$16.
• The Halloween Ball with Northwest Children's Theater — 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM & 3:00 PM at The Judy, Portland. Costume parade, interactive live storytime, dance party, and sing-a-long. Best for ages 4+. $16.
• Pumpkin Lane at Pomeroy Farm — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (last admission 4:00 PM) at Pomeroy Farm, Yacolt. Hayride through dozens of pumpkin people scenes, photo ops, farm animals, and kids activities. $6–$8.
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM in Camas. Corn maze, train ride, and one pumpkin of any size included with admission. Dogs welcome on leash. $13.
• Metropolitan Performing Arts Presents: Brown Bear, Brown Bear — 11:00 AM at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. A 15-minute live performance of the beloved children's classic by Bill Martin Jr.
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM–6:00 PM at Velvet Acres Gardens, Orchards. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, and food carts. $10–$12.
• The 81st Annual Chrysanthemum Show: Mums Are Our Story — 11:00 AM–4:00 PM at the HH Hall Building, Vancouver. The Vancouver Chrysanthemum Society showcases 13 varieties with experts on hand to answer your growing questions. Free.
• Family Costume Party at Thirsty Sasquatch — 11:00 AM–3:00 PM at Thirsty Sasquatch, 2110 Main St., Vancouver. Goodie bags, candy, scavenger hunt, and Halloween movies on the all-ages patio. Free admission.
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM in Woodland. Over 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds on 40+ acres. Free parking and no admission fee.
• Cocktails and Baubles — 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. Most Everything Vintage hosts a holiday attire and gift show featuring vintage cocktail dresses, sparkly accessories, and gift ideas. Enter through the Narnia wardrobe! Free.
• Pumpkin Decorating at Loyal Legion — 12:00 PM at Loyal Legion Beer Hall, 1109 Washington St., Vancouver. Decorate pumpkins donated by The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island with prizes for the three best designs. Free candy for kids, costumes encouraged. Free admission.
• Wildwood at OMSI — 1:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. LAIKA's handcrafted epic fantasy film about a girl's quest through an enchanted forbidden forest.
• Guys and Dolls — 2:00 PM at Winningstad Theatre, Portland. The classic Broadway musical comedy set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City. $48.25.
• Leaving Iowa with Starbird Theatre — 2:00 PM at The Sherman Auditorium, Vancouver. A heartfelt comedy about a father-and-son road trip and the classic family vacation.
• Ekklesia Theatre Presents: Middletown — 2:00 PM at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. Will Eno's funny, haunting journey through one small town and the vast universe inside it. $15.
• Halloween Cookie Decorating Class at Firehouse Axes — 2:00 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. Local cookie artist Teddy Raines of Raines Cookie Co. shows you how to decorate a special batch of Halloween-themed cookies. $65.
• Love Street Playhouse presents The Women of Lockerbie — 2:00 PM at Love Street Playhouse, Woodland. A moving drama about grief, compassion, and healing. $26.
• Luna Moth Pinning Class — 3:00 PM–6:00 PM at Magpie Dreams Collective, 1001 Main St., Suite B, Vancouver. Syd Edwards of Studio Syd teaches the art of insect pinning — create your own luna moth specimen to take home. No experience needed. $25.
• Spooky Ghosts Hand Building Workshop — 3:30 PM–5:00 PM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver. Craft your own ceramic ghost and embellish it with details. Best for ages 8+ (with parental help). $55.
• Arts Talk Live in Battle Ground — 4:00 PM at Battle Ground Community Library. Artists Joylynn Woodard, Hiroko Stumpf, and Sharon Harbeck share insights into their creative journeys. Free.
• Sunday Ballroom and Latin Group Classes — 4:00 PM–6:00 PM at Dance Fusion/Northwest Classical Ballet, Vancouver. Beginning classes at 4:00 PM, advanced at 5:00 PM. $15 for ages 12+.
• Beginning Swing and Foxtrot Fusion — 5:30 PM–7:00 PM at Vancouver Fitness Studio. Julieann and Joseph Platt lead swing and foxtrot lessons followed by social dancing. No partner required. $15 drop-in or $50 for the series.
• Cinema of Horrors Drive-In: Beetlejuice — 7:00 PM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Family Night screening of Beetlejuice (1988) from the comfort of your car. Tickets sold per vehicle. $69.
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM at Oaks Park, Portland. Immersive haunted houses, a Halloween theme park, food, drinks, and oddities vendors. $25–$33.

Monday, October 26

• Audiobook Walking Club — 9:30 AM, hosted by the Camas Public Library. Bring your own audiobook and meet at a different outdoor location each month for a 60-minute walk plus optional social time. Free.
• Tiny Toppings Storytime — 11:00 AM at Eight Cow Creamery, Ridgefield. Kids story time hosted by Copper Bell Bookshop — participants get a coupon for a free kids ice cream scoop.
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — 12:00 PM–1:00 PM at the AC Marriott on the Vancouver waterfront. Community members welcome. Free.
• Early Learners Music and Movement — 2:30 PM–3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Free.
• La Ratoncita Presumida / The Vain Little Mouse Puppet Show — 3:30 PM at various FVRL Library locations. A bilingual Spanish/English puppet show from Venezuela, presented by Melissa and Carlos Bertran. Free.
• Tales with Tails — 4:00 PM–5:15 PM at Camas Public Library. Kids in grades 1–5 can practice reading aloud to Scamp the therapy dog. Registration required at CamasPL.org/TalesWTails. Free.
• Movie and Craft Nights at Vancouver Mall — 5:00 PM–7:00 PM at Vancouver Mall. Halloween-themed movie, craft activity, free snacks and beverages. Free for newsletter subscribers.
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub. Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art teaches wet-on-wet watercolor blending and splatter techniques. All supplies provided, no experience needed. $35.

Tuesday, October 27

• Federal Public Lands Fee Free Day — In honor of Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, entrance fees are waived at federal public lands across the U.S. A great excuse to explore!
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM at various locations around Clark County. Free evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60+, tailored to each person's ability. No pre-registration required.
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM, Vancouver. A safe indoor space for kids ages 9 months to 6 years to run, play, and explore while parents socialize. $7–$9.
• Camas Public Library Food Drive — 10:00 AM at Camas Public Library. Donations benefit the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center. Special needs: lunchbox snacks, canned fruit, hygiene items.
• Christine Cohen presents "Alienation of Affection: Divorce in the U.S." — 10:00 AM–11:30 AM at Clark County Genealogical Society and Library, Vancouver. Learn how divorce records can unlock genealogy clues. Free.
• Kids & Tweens Create — 3:30 PM–5:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–12. Free.
• Kids Read to a Dog at La Center Community Library — 4:00 PM–5:00 PM. Build reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. For ages 5–9. Free.
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM at various FVRL Library locations. Play Dungeons & Dragons — all experience levels welcome, ages 9–19. Free.
• College and Career Fair — 5:00 PM–7:00 PM at Prairie High School, Vancouver. Learn about apprenticeships, trade schools, military branches, and colleges. All students and families welcome. Free.
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15 PM–6:45 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub. A weekly gathering for writers of all levels with dedicated writing time. No readings or critiques. Free.
• Spanish Conversation Group — 5:30 PM–6:30 PM at Camas Public Library. Casual practice for beginning Spanish speakers. Free.
• Vancouver Wildlife League Monthly Meeting — 6:00 PM at Smith-Reynolds American Legion Post 14, Vancouver. Speaker Bill Woods discusses the fishing season, local rivers, and seals. Open to the public. Free.
• Science on Tap — K9 Conservationists: Dogs Helping Wolf Research — 7:00 PM in Portland. Learn how detection dogs are helping biologists study wolves on Alaska's Pleasant Island.

Wednesday, October 28

• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Tour the stunning 1873 building constructed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Reservations required. Free.
• Wednesday Wanders at the WREC — 10:00 AM. Guided nature walk exploring ecosystems along the Columbia River and adjacent wetland. Great for families with kids ages 6+ and nature-loving adults.
• Tentacle Tribe Hip Hop at Clark College — 2:00 PM at Archer Gallery, Clark College, Vancouver. Montreal's Tentacle Tribe blends breaking, hip hop, and contemporary dance in a free lecture and demonstration.
• Pumpkin Party at Boo Bash — 2:30 PM–5:30 PM on NE Cedar Street in downtown Camas. Carnival games, face painting, balloon art, and treats for kids of all ages. Free.
• Boo Bash 2026 in Camas — 3:00 PM–5:00 PM in downtown Camas. Trick-or-treating at local businesses, a Spooky Season Market with fall foods and decor, plus costumes galore. Rain or shine! Free.
• The Great Pumpkin Reveal — 3:00 PM at Camas Public Library. See the winning pumpkin creations from this year's contest, on display outside during Boo Bash. Free.
• Wined Down Wednesdays: Karaoke Night at 14 Acres — 5:00 PM–8:00 PM at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery, Ridgefield. Sing karaoke and enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. Ages 21+. Free admission.
• Backyard Composting Workshop — 6:00 PM. Learn about hot and cold composting methods from Clark County Composter Recyclers. Free.

Thursday, October 29

• Vancouver Audubon Society Field Trip: Wahkiakum County — 6:20 AM departure from Salmon Creek Park & Ride. Carpool to Puget Island and Julia Butler Hansen NWR to view migrating birds. Email Randy Hill to register.
• Building Lasting Impact — Children & Nature Network Workshop — 10:00 AM virtual event. Hear from community leaders transforming how cities prioritize nature-based solutions for children and families.
• Park Hill Cemetery Tree Planting — 10:00 AM. Join the City of Vancouver's Urban Forestry Department for a morning of planting new trees. Halloween costumes welcome! Family-friendly, all ages. RSVP required.
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Grand Opening — 4:00 PM ribbon cutting at 210 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver. The new Lacamas location brings personalized pet grooming, gourmet treats, pet food, toys, and accessories.
• Not Fade Away: Stories and Songs of Buddy Holly — 6:00 PM at Providence Academy Chapel, Vancouver. Music historian Joel Underwood tells Buddy Holly's story through humor, music, and heart. Presented by Columbia Invest & Insure. $18.
• Halloween Sip & Paint at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Paint something spooky while sipping — one drink included with your ticket. $35.
• Comedy Night at the Waterfront — 8:00 PM. Stand-up comedy featuring rising stars of Pacific NW comedy.

Friday, October 30

• Clearmeadows Park Naturespace Native Garden Planting — 3:00 PM. Help plant 400 native plants to support pollinators and wildlife. Training, gloves, tools, and snacks provided. Family-friendly and great for teens.

Adults

• Halloween Live Music at Pour Choices Pub: Jon Von Blood and the Trick-or-Treats — 7:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub. Come dressed like a monster for a spooky night of live music with Slaughter Lobby. 21+.

Saturday, October 31

• OMSI Curiosity Kids: Become a Nature Detective — 9:00 AM at OMSI, Portland. Hands-on STEAM challenges for ages 3–5 and their families.
• Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop — 11:00 AM on Columbia Way, Vancouver. The Vancouver Bee Project teaches fall mason bee care to prepare healthy cocoons for spring.
• Cedar Creek Grist Mill Apple Cider Press Day — 1:00 PM at Cedar Creek Grist Mill, Woodland. Watch the historic water-powered mill in action and enjoy fresh-pressed cider and good eats. Free.

Tuesday, November 3

• Vancouver Audubon Society: "Conserving the California Condor" with Dr. Hayley Brazier — 6:30 PM at 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Dr., Vancouver. The Oregon Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Specialist shares insights into condor conservation. Free and open to all.

Wednesday, November 4

• Gardening with Compost Workshop — 6:00 PM. Clark County Composter Recyclers teach you how to use homemade compost to create a healthy, fertilizer-free garden. Free.

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