📰 What's Making News

NYC Dessert Chain Mango Mango Picks Downtown Vancouver for West Coast Launch

The old Subway space across from Esther Short Park is about to get a whole lot sweeter. Mango Mango House of Desserts, a wildly popular New York City chain, is setting up its very first West Coast location right here in downtown Vancouver. The shop is known for its Hong Kong-style mango-based desserts, fresh fruit drinks, and eye-catching presentations that practically beg to be photographed. No opening date has been announced yet, but the fact that Vancouver — not Portland, not Seattle — landed this debut is a win worth savoring.

Skyview's Kellen Wiggins Scores First College Touchdown in Linfield Rout

Former Skyview standout Kellen Wiggins picked the perfect moment for a career milestone. The Linfield linebacker scooped up a fumble and returned it 14 yards for his first collegiate touchdown, stretching the Wildcats' lead to 38-0 in a dominant performance. The win also marked Linfield's 70th winning season — a staggering run of consistency in Division III football. Not a bad weekend for a kid who sharpened his skills right here in Clark County.

One Day Apart: How Lewis, Clark, and the Russian Empire Nearly Crossed Paths

Here's a local history nugget that reads like an alternate-history novel. In March 1806, the Russian ship Juno anchored on a sandbar just beyond the mouth of the Columbia River — exactly one day before Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery left Fort Clatsop. Two expanding empires, separated by mere hours and a stretch of coastline, never knew the other was there. The Columbian's Clark County History column digs into what might have happened if timing had been just slightly different. It's a fascinating "what if" rooted in the very ground we walk on.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Seahawks Smother Chiefs 20-3 in Dominant Bounce-Back

Seattle held Kansas City to just three points on Sunday, turning in one of the most lopsided defensive performances of the season. If you heard the cheers echoing down I-5, now you know why — full recap here.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Monday, October 26

• 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 story in its front window. Visit them all to complete the walk. Free. Downtown Camas.
• Audiobook Walking Club — 9:30 AM. Bring your own audiobook and join fellow listeners for a 60-minute group walk followed by optional social time. Walks are weather-dependent. Free. Camas Public Library, Camas.
• The Portland MAiZE & Pumpkin Patch — 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Almost two miles of corn-maze pathways plus a full pumpkin patch on Sauvie Island, Portland.
• Tiny Toppings Storytime — 11:00 AM. Storytime with Copper Bell Bookshop at Eight Cow Creamery in Ridgefield. Every participant gets a coupon for a free kids ice cream scoop with purchase.
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — 12:00 PM. The Rotary Club of Downtown Vancouver welcomes community members for its weekly lunch, noon–1 PM at the AC Marriott on the Vancouver waterfront. Free.
• Early Learners Music and Movement — 2:30 PM. Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Free. Vancouver Community Library.
• La Ratoncita Presumida / The Vain Little Mouse Puppet Show — 3:30 PM. A bilingual Spanish/English puppet show from Venezuela, presented by Melissa and Carlos Bertran. Free. Various FVRL Library locations.
• Tales with Tails — 4:00 PM. Kids in grades 1–5 can practice reading aloud to Scamp the therapy dog. Sign up for a 15-minute slot. Registration required at CamasPL.org/TalesWTails. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Movie and Craft Nights at Vancouver Mall — 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Family-friendly Halloween movies paired with crafts, free snacks, and beverages nightly Oct. 26–30. Free for Vancouver Mall Newsletter subscribers. Vancouver Mall.
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM. Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art teaches wet-on-wet blending and splatter techniques to create nebula-like coasters. No experience needed; all supplies provided. $35. Vancouver Arts Hub.

Tuesday, October 27

• Federal Public Lands Fee-Free Day — 7:00 AM. In honor of Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, entrance fees are waived at federal public lands across the U.S. A great excuse to visit your favorite National Park or Wildlife Refuge.
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM. Evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60 and older, tailored to all ability levels. No pre-registration required. Free. Various locations around Clark County.
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM. Wagon ride, pick-your-own pumpkin, corn maze, and harvest festival fun. $14–$16. Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver.
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM. Indoor play for ages 9 months–6 years with safe toys while parents socialize. $7–$9. Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver.
• Camas Public Library Food Drive — 10:00 AM. Drop off non-perishable food, hygiene items, or laundry pods. Donations benefit the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center. Donation box near the north entrance. Camas Public Library.
• Christine Cohen presents "Alienation of Affection: Divorce in the U.S." — 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Discover how divorce records can unlock genealogy clues. Presented by the Clark County Genealogical Society. Free. Clark County Genealogical Society and Library, Vancouver.
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, food carts, and more at Velvet Acres Gardens. $10. Orchards.
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM. Over 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds on 40+ acres. U-pick field, activities, and free parking. Woodland.
• Kids & Tweens Create — 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–12. Free. Vancouver Community Library.
• Kids Read to a Dog — 4:00 PM. Build reading confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Ages 5–9. Free. La Center Community Library.
• Wildwood at OMSI — 4:00 PM. LAIKA's handcrafted epic fantasy film about a girl's quest through a forbidden forest of enchanted creatures. OMSI, Portland.
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM. Create a character and play Dungeons & Dragons with other players ages 9–19. Free. Ridgefield and Three Creeks Community Libraries.
• College and Career Fair — 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Learn about apprenticeships, trade schools, military branches, and colleges — plus a financial aid presentation at 4 PM. All students and families welcome. Free. Prairie High School, Vancouver.
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM. Dedicated writing time for all experience levels — no readings or critiques. Free. Vancouver Arts Hub.
• Spanish Conversation Group — 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Practice conversational Spanish in a casual group for beginning speakers. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Vancouver Wildlife League Monthly Meeting — 6:00 PM. Speaker Bill Woods discusses the fishing season, local rivers, and seals. Open to the public. Free. Smith-Reynolds American Legion Post 14, Vancouver.
• Science on Tap — K9 Conservationists: Dogs Helping Wolf Research — 7:00 PM. Learn how conservation dogs are aiding wolf research in Alaska. A fascinating road-trip-worthy talk in Portland.

Wednesday, October 28

• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Tour the stunning 1873 neo-Georgian building constructed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Free, by reservation. Providence Academy, Vancouver.
• Wednesday Wanders at the WREC — 10:00 AM. Guided nature walk exploring Columbia River ecosystems and wetlands. Great for families with kids 6+ and curious adults.
• Tentacle Tribe Hip Hop at Clark College — 2:00 PM. Montreal's Tentacle Tribe blends breaking, hip hop, and contemporary dance in a free lecture and demonstration at Clark College's Archer Gallery.
• Pumpkin Party at Boo Bash — 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Camas Parks & Recreation hosts carnival games, face painting, balloon art, and fall activities on NE Cedar Street during the annual Boo Bash. Free. Downtown Camas.
• Boo Bash 2026 in Camas — 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Downtown Camas trick-or-treating at local businesses, plus a Spooky Season Market with fall foods and artisan vendors. Costumes encouraged! Free. Rain or shine.
• The Great Pumpkin Reveal — 3:00 PM. See the winning pumpkin creations from this year's contest, on display outside the Camas Public Library during Boo Bash. Free.
• Kids & Tweens Great Build Off — 3:30 PM. Design, build, and problem-solve through a surprise challenge using provided materials. Ages 5–12. Free. Various FVRL Library locations.
• Teen & Adult Magic: The Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Open game play — decks provided or bring your own. Free. Cascade Park & Vancouver Community Libraries.
• Kids & Tweens STEM Lab — 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Hands-on science, tech, engineering, and math activities for ages 5–12. Free. Washougal Community Library.
• Kids and Tweens Pokémon Club — 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Learn, play, and trade in this casual Pokémon TCG club. Free. La Center Community Library.
• Teen Escape Room: Haunted Pizzeria — 5:00 PM. Can you escape the pizzeria before something finds you? A spooky, free escape-room challenge. La Center Community Library.
• Pokémon Trade Night — 5:00 PM. Hang out and trade cards with the local TCG community. Free. Barnes & Noble, Vancouver.
• Wined Down Wednesdays: Karaoke Night at 14 Acres — 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Sing karaoke and sip wine at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery, Ridgefield. 21+. Free entry.
• Poetry Street PNW — 6:00 PM. Open mic for poets of all ages — read your original or favorite work and enjoy monthly featured poets. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM. East Coast and Lindy Hop lessons followed by social dancing at 8 PM. Singles, partners, and groups welcome. $5–$10. The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver.
• Online Spanish Conversation Classes, Levels I and II — 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Practice speaking Spanish with a native speaker in a small group. $25. Via Zoom with Andrea's Spanish School.
• Backyard Composting Workshop — 6:00 PM. Learn hot and cold composting methods from Clark County Composter Recyclers. Free.
• Healthy Relationship with Food — 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Sarah Sterling explores how dieting, upbringing, and emotions shape your relationship with food. $50. PeaceHealth Specialty Clinic, Vancouver.
• Craft Night at the Theatre — 7:00 PM. Vancouver Knitters Guild invites you to bring a craft project and enjoy working on it during a showing of Mama Mia! at the Liberty Theatre in Camas. $10.
• Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Movies — 7:30 PM. Drive-in horror movies with in-car audio, monsters in Hollywood-quality makeup, and terrifying twists. Food and drinks available. Tickets from $78.22. Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield.

Thursday, October 29

• Vancouver Audubon Society Road Trip: Wahkiakum County — 6:20 AM. Carpool from Salmon Creek Park & Ride to view migrating birds at Puget Island, Julia Butler Hansen NWR, and beyond. Led by Randy Hill. Registration required via email.
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM. Tour this stunning Queen Anne home honoring General George C. Marshall, featuring stained glass, military memorabilia, and period furnishings. Free. Fort Vancouver.
• Merry Go Round Resale Consignment Event — 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Shop sweaters, coats, boots, baby gear, toys, books, home decor, and more at this beloved consignment sale celebrating 15 years. Runs Oct. 29–31. Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield.
• Building Lasting Impact — Lessons from Nature Everywhere Communities — 10:00 AM. Virtual conversation with community leaders transforming how cities prioritize nature-based solutions for children and families. Free.
• Park Hill Cemetery Tree Planting — 10:00 AM. Join Vancouver's Urban Forestry Department for a morning of planting new trees. Halloween costumes welcome! Family-friendly; gloves, tools, and refreshments provided. RSVP required.
• Dine the Couve — 11:00 AM. Now in its 11th year — explore Clark County restaurants, brewpubs, and tasting rooms with prix fixe menus at $35 or $50 for three dishes. Grab the free Dine the Couve Pass to check in and earn points.
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Corn maze, train ride, and one pumpkin of any size included with admission. Dogs welcome on leash. $13 ($11 seniors 55+). Walton Farms, Camas.
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Grand Opening — 4:00 PM. Ribbon cutting for this new Lacamas-area pet shop offering personalized grooming, gourmet treats, toys, and accessories. 210 NE 192nd Ave, Vancouver.
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Games, crafts, chatting, and snacks for ages 13–19. Free. Vancouver Community Library.
• Watch & Make with "The Addams Family" — 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Craft along while The Addams Family (1991, PG) plays. For adults and teens grades 6–12. Registration required at CamasPL.org/WatchMake. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Boo Bash: A Halloween Costume Play Party — 5:30 PM. Indoor slides, obstacle courses, tunnels, and colorful balls for kids 3 and under in costume. $14.99. Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver.
• Brews and Brushes with Ana the Artist — 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. All painting supplies provided plus two beers included. $45. Recluse Brew Works, Washougal.
• Providence Academy Concert: Not Fade Away — Stories and Songs of Buddy Holly — 6:00 PM. Music historian Joel Underwood returns with a brand-new show celebrating Buddy Holly's life in story and song. $18. Providence Academy Chapel, Vancouver.
• Halloween Sip & Paint at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 PM. Paint something spooky while sipping — one drink included. $35. Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main Street, Vancouver. Space is limited.
• Line Dancing at Ashwood Taps & Trucks — 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Line dancing with Kat Nichols. Beginners welcome, all ages. $10. Ashwood Taps and Trucks, Washougal.
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM. Two immersive haunted houses, a Halloween theme park, food, drinks, and oddities vendors. $25–$33. Oaks Park, Portland.
• Comedy Night at the Waterfront — 8:00 PM. Stand-up comedy featuring rising stars of Pacific NW comedy. Vancouver waterfront.

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, water, 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. Come dressed like a monster for a spooky night of live music with Slaughter Lobby. 21+. Pour Choices Pub, Vancouver.

Saturday, October 31

• OMSI Curiosity Kids — Become a Nature Detective — 9:00 AM. Kids ages 3–5 and families explore early science and engineering through playful hands-on challenges. OMSI, Portland.
• Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop with Vancouver Bee Project — 11:00 AM. Learn mason bee biology, fall stewardship, and hands-on cocoon cleaning to prepare healthy bees for spring. Columbia Way, Vancouver.
• Cedar Creek Grist Mill Apple Cider Press Day — 1:00 PM. Watch the historic water-powered grist mill in action, enjoy fresh-pressed cider, and take home fresh-milled flour. Free. Cedar Creek Grist Mill, Woodland.

Tuesday, November 3

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

Wednesday, November 4

• Gardening with Compost Workshop — 6:00 PM. Learn to amend your garden soil with homemade compost — Bokashi, vermicompost, leaf mulch, and more — from Clark County Composter Recyclers. Free.

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