📰 What's Making News

Memorial Hospital Demolition Wraps by November as PeaceHealth Builds What's Next

If you've driven past the old Memorial Hospital site lately, you've seen the heavy equipment doing its thing. Demolition of the former PeaceHealth facility in west Vancouver is on track to finish by November, clearing the way for a brand-new stand-alone inpatient rehabilitation center. It's one of those bittersweet transitions — a building with decades of community history making room for something the area genuinely needs. Keep an eye on that block; it's going to look very different by year's end. Full story from The Columbian.

3 Ridgefield High Schoolers Just Made District History

Three Ridgefield High School students were sworn in last week as the very first student representatives on the Ridgefield school board — a move that's never happened before in the district. The inaugural reps will bring a student perspective to board discussions throughout the 2026-27 school year. It's a meaningful step for a community that's been growing fast and clearly wants younger voices at the table. Hats off to Ridgefield for making it official. Read more at The Columbian.

Free Bluegrass Festival Hits the Waterfront for One Last Summer Hurrah

Summer isn't done with us yet. The Waterfront Vancouver Bluegrass Festival is bringing top-tier bands to the Columbia River waterfront for a free outdoor music celebration — the kind of event that makes you glad you live here and not just across the river. Grab a lawn chair, round up friends, and soak in the last golden stretch of the season with banjos and fiddles as the soundtrack. It's hard to beat live music on the water, especially at no cost. Details from The Columbian.

Historic Trust Taps New Partner for Vancouver's Veterans Parade

The Historic Trust has announced a new partnership for its annual veterans parade in Vancouver, signaling fresh energy behind one of the community's most cherished traditions. While details on the new partner are still emerging, the collaboration aims to keep the event strong and growing. If you've ever lined the streets for this one, you know it's a point of genuine hometown pride. More from The Columbian.

Clark College Men's Soccer Opens Season With 3-1 Victory

The Clark College Penguins men's soccer team kicked off its 2026 campaign with a convincing 3-1 win — a promising start for a program that's no stranger to postseason runs. Clark's soccer programs have built a reputation as perennial contenders, and this opener suggests another strong year could be in the cards. It's early, but the energy is real. Read the recap at The Columbian.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Dough Zone Dumpling House Lands in Vancouver Sept. 15

The Seattle-born dumpling chain Dough Zone is opening its Vancouver location on September 15, giving Clark County its own outpost of the hand-pulled noodle and soup-dumpling spot that's built a loyal following across the Puget Sound. Mark your calendars — early visits tend to draw a crowd.

170,000-Acre Wildfire Now Washington's Largest

The Little Giant Fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has surpassed 170,000 acres, overtaking the Sinlahekin Fire as the state's biggest active blaze. No direct threat to Clark County, but smoke conditions could shift — worth keeping an eye on air-quality forecasts this week.

Rice Recall Hits Washington Store Shelves

The FDA flagged a recall on potentially contaminated rice sold at stores across Washington. Check the link for specific brand names and lot numbers before your next pantry cleanout.

Lumen Field Ranked No. 1 NFL Stadium

USA Today's Nate Davis placed Lumen Field at the top of his ranking of all regularly used NFL stadiums. Whether you make the drive north on game days or just cheer from a Vancouver sports bar, it's a nice feather in the regional cap heading into the new season.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, September 2

• Reclaimed Creations Exhibit at OMSI – 9:30 AM at OMSI, Portland. Discover Sayaka Ganz's stunning 3D sculptures made from thousands of discarded plastic objects, transformed into soaring animals and rushing waves. On view through September 30. More info
• Providence Academy Tours – 10:00 AM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Take a free guided tour of this beautiful historic building. Tours run Wednesday–Friday, 10 AM–2 PM. More info
• Marshall House Tour – 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Vancouver. Explore this gorgeous Queen Anne–style home steeped in military history — free, 30-minute tours available Wednesday–Friday. More info
• Chippers Preschool Rides at Oaks Park – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at Oaks Park, Portland. Little ones ages 6 and under enjoy kiddie rides at their own pace, plus snack and story time with Chipper the Squirrel. Last day of the summer series! $13.50 per child; one adult rides free. More info
• Musicians in the Park – 12:00 PM at Davis Park, Ridgefield. Free lunchtime live music in the Downtown Arts Quarter — bring a picnic or grab takeout from a Downtown restaurant. More info
• Vesta Hospitality Celebrates 30 Years – 1:00 PM at 15605 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver. Help celebrate this Vancouver-rooted hospitality company's 30th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony. More info
• Camas Farmers Market – 3:00 PM–7:00 PM in Downtown Camas. Find the market at its new temporary location on Birch Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues — local farm, food, and artisan vendors every Wednesday. More info
• Tween Bad Art – 4:00 PM–6:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Grab random supplies and create a gloriously imperfect masterpiece — no rules, no expectations. Free. More info
• Kids Read to a Dog – 4:00 PM. Kids ages 5–9 can build reading confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Free. More info
• Teen & Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club – 4:00 PM–6:00 PM at various FVRL library locations. Open game play with decks provided (or bring your own). Free. More info
• Kids & Tweens Create – 4:00 PM–5:00 PM at Washougal Community Library. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Speed Friending – 5:00 PM–6:30 PM at Camas Public Library. A fun, low-stress way for adults to meet new people — prompts provided, no awkward silences. Registration required. Free. More info
• Grow and Arrange Cut Flowers Year-Round – 5:00 PM. WSU Extension Master Gardeners and FVRL team up to teach you how to grow a beautiful cut flower garden, including a flower arrangement demo. Free. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle – 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Try dragon boat paddling for free — no experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14+. More info
• Leathercrafting Workshop with Dragon Half Art – 5:30 PM at The Arts Centered, Vancouver. Get hands-on with leather and leave with something genuinely cool. Beginner-friendly. $40–$45. More info
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom – 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. Intermediate lesson at 6 PM, beginner lesson at 7 PM, social dance 8–9:30 PM. Singles, partners, and groups welcome. $5–$10. More info
• All Ages Bingo – 6:00 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Friendly competition, fantastic prizes, and snacks in a welcoming environment. $10–$13. More info
• Vaux Swifts 101 – 6:00 PM. Learn the fascinating life history of these tiny migratory birds before their spectacular September return to the Vancouver–Portland area. More info
• Vanport Jazz Open Rehearsal – 7:00 PM at Cascade Inn Assisted Living Center, Vancouver. Listen, dance along, and enjoy a free evening of jazz. More info

Thursday, September 3

• Enhance Fitness Classes – 8:30 AM at various locations around Clark County. Free evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60+, tailored to every ability level. No pre-registration required. More info
• Mount Adams Mystery Backcountry Trip – WTA Backcountry Response Team – 8:30 AM. A surprise trail work adventure in the Indian Heaven Wilderness for adventurous spirits — could be logout, a bridge project, or miles of tread work. More info
• Communicating Through Supply Chain Disruption – 9:00 AM. A workshop led by Kayla Anderson of Riparian Media on social listening, publishing under uncertainty, and drafting response language. More info
• Native Plant Tending and Traditional Ecological Knowledge – 9:30 AM at Sandy River Delta. Join the Confluence Project NW, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, and Indigenous partners for hands-on land tending and cultural knowledge sharing. More info
• East Vancouver Farmers Market – 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Columbia Tech Center, Vancouver. Over 50 small businesses offering farm, food, and artisan products. More info
• Go with the Flow: Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour – 10:00 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. A free 90-minute behind-the-scenes walking tour of what happens after you flush. Ages 8+. More info
• Marshall House Tours – 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Vancouver. Tour this striking Queen Anne home with period furnishings and military memorabilia. Free. More info
• Advanced Competitive Bridge Bidding – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at Vancouver Bridge Club. A class for beginning and intermediate players with instructor Michael Walker, a Ruby Life Master. $10–$50. More info
• Card Making Club at Craft Warehouse – 1:00 PM at Craft Warehouse, Vancouver. A free monthly gathering for paper crafting enthusiasts of all skill levels — discover new products and share inspiration. More info
• Reading Dragons Kickoff – 3:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Pick up a reading tracker, snag a mystery card pack, and enter for a chance to win a prize. All ages. Free. More info
• WEO Celebrates 30 Years of Women Empowering Women – 4:00 PM at 603 Officers Row, Vancouver. A ribbon cutting honoring three decades of the Women Entrepreneurs Organization supporting women in business across Southwest Washington. More info
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library – 4:30 PM–6:30 PM. Games, crafts, chat, and snacks for ages 13–19, courtesy of the Friends of Vancouver Community Library. Free. More info
• Wintler Beach Clean-Up – 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at Wintler Park. Join Riparian Media and the City of Vancouver to help keep this beloved riparian zone lovely. RSVP for a head count. More info
• Bird Language: Learning to Read the Landscape Through Birds – 6:00 PM. An immersive virtual class with naturalist Rey Snyder exploring how bird behavior reveals what's happening in the landscape. More info
• Family Bingo at Kalama Harbor Lodge – 7:00 PM (doors at 6 PM) at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge. Free, all ages — win fun prizes and a chance at an overnight lodge stay in the final blackout round. More info
• Line Dancing at Ashwood Taps & Trucks – 7:00 PM–9:00 PM in Washougal with instructor Kat Nichols. All ages, beginners welcome. $10. More info
• Fort Vancouver Rose Society September In-House Rose Show – 7:00 PM at St. Luke's–San Lucas Episcopal Church, Vancouver. Enjoy the annual rose show plus a "Wings and Roses" chicken wing supper. Open to the public. More info
• Clark County Historical Museum: "Brewing and Distilling in the Pacific Northwest" – 7:00 PM at Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver. Historian Sam Busick explores alcohol's complicated role in the region, from Fort Vancouver to the modern brewing boom. $5. More info

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 confidence with expert guides. More info
• The Portland Maize & Pumpkin Patch – 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sauvie Island. Almost two miles of corn maze pathways, plus the pumpkin patch. More info
• Playgroup – 10:00 AM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Ages 9 months–6 years enjoy safe indoor play while parents socialize. $7–$9. More info
• Fall Watercolor Workshops – 10:30 AM–12:30 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub. Kathryn Garcia-Stackpole of Kathryn By Design teaches you to paint florals, apples, and pumpkins. Beginners welcome. $125 includes all materials. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program – 12:00 PM–1:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver. Free Friday lunch for seniors age 60+, sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• NAMI Art Group – 1:00 PM–3:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver. A weekly creative gathering. Free. More info
• Alderbrook Park Cruise-In – 4:00 PM–8:00 PM at Alderbrook Park, Brush Prairie. Classic cars plus disc golf, train rides, mini golf, bounce houses, pool, and more — all included with admission. $5–$10. More info
• Discover Downtown Ridgefield – 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. Shop, dine, stroll, and explore as downtown businesses stay open late for this First Friday experience. Free. More info
• First Friday Art Walk – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM in Downtown Vancouver. Galleries and art-centric businesses open their doors across the downtown. Free. More info
• Celebrate Art First Friday in Camas – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM in Downtown Camas. Art shows, demos, hands-on experiences (quilling, basket weaving, pottery), live music, after-hours shopping, and dining. Free. More info
• Between Page and Panel – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM at Camas Public Library. An opening reception for this exhibit featuring original artwork by 15 local children's book illustrators. On view through October 17. Free. More info
• Aurora Gallery presents "Around Vancouver" – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM at Aurora Gallery, 1004 Main St., Vancouver. Meet local artists and see original work depicting recognizable Vancouver scenes, plus Cortney Firstenburg's debut exhibit. Free. More info
• Attic Gallery September Exhibit: Curator's Choice – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM at Attic Gallery, Camas. Paintings and sculptures selected by gallery owners, with live music, wine, and refreshments. Free. More info
• Into the Crater Hike with 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 at 210 W Evergreen Blvd, Suite 300, Vancouver. See what middle schoolers discovered and created at this empowering geology camp at Mount St. Helens. More info
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Paddles – 5:30 PM in Ridgefield. Free community paddling for ages 14+ — no experience needed, equipment provided. More info
• Family Fun Night in Salmon Creek – 6:00 PM at Salmon Creek Grange, Vancouver. Games, light snacks, and laughter — free for all. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More info
• Good Times and Wine at English Estate Winery – 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at English Estate Winery, Vancouver. Live music from Shirley Van Paepeghem plus food from Venue 1903. Free admission. More info
• First Friday Open Sculpting at Kilnfolk – 6:30 PM–8:00 PM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver. Shape up to two pounds of clay into your own creation — no experience needed. Staff fires and glazes your piece. $50. More info
• Haunted History Walking Tour – 7:00 PM at Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver. Uncover the unexplained on a guided walk through downtown Vancouver's haunted past. $20. More info
• Live Music on the Patio at Farrar's Bistro – 7:00 PM at Farrar's Bistro, Vancouver. Enjoy food, cocktails, and local wine with live music on the pet-friendly patio. More info
• Scottish Dance Party – 7:30 PM–9:00 PM at Columbia Dance, Vancouver. Easy, taught dances — no partner or experience needed. Refreshments afterward. $5. More info
• Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons – 8:30 PM at The Old Church Concert Hall, Portland. A multi-sensory tribute concert under the glow of candlelight. $49.50–$81.50. More info

Saturday, September 5

• Summit Climb on Mt. St. Helens – 6:00 AM. A single-day guided 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 at Esther Short Park. Our flagship year-round market featuring local farm, food, and artisan vendors. More info
• Ridgefield Multicultural Festival – 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at Overlook Park, Ridgefield. Performers, games, food, and vendors celebrating the Ridgefield community. Free. More info
• Heritage Choir Fall Street Fair – 9:00 AM at Heritage High School, Vancouver. Live music, handmade crafts, artisan goods, food vendors, and family fun benefiting the Heritage Choir program. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail Parkrun – 9:00 AM at Salmon Creek Trail, Vancouver. A free weekly 5K — walk, jog, run, or spectate. All ages and abilities (dogs too!). Register at parkrun.us for your barcode. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Design and Discover – 9:00 AM–10:00 AM at OMSI, Portland. Kids ages 3–5 work with families to build, test, and design through playful hands-on challenges. More info
• Candle Making Workshop – 9:00 AM (and 11:00 AM session) at Kindred Vancouver, 2213 Main St. Choose your vessel, fill it with natural soy wax, and embellish with herbs and flowers. $28. More info
• NWTA "Good Dirt!" Mountain Bike Event – 9:00 AM in Cascade Locks. The last Good Dirt of the season — green, blue, and black trails with views of the Columbia River Gorge. Groups for all levels. More info
• Bird Language: Sit Spot & Habitat Mapping – 9:00 AM at Whitaker Ponds, Portland. A field class with naturalist Rey Snyder on interpreting what birds are saying about their surroundings. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play – 9:15 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club. Free bridge lesson followed by assisted play. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center – 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, Vancouver. Flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes — hands-on STEAM fun for all ages. Free. More info
• Pop-Up History Museum: Ridgefield's Told & Untold Stories – 10:00 AM at The Greely Building, Ridgefield. Discover the industries, institutions, and little-known stories — including the Japanese farmers forcibly removed during WWII — that shaped Ridgefield. Free. More info
• Battle Ground Lake: Flora Hike – 10:00 AM–11:30 AM at Battle Ground Lake State Park. Join Parks aide Easton Lane for a one-mile informative plant hike. Free (Discover Pass required for parking). More info
• Matcha Set Workshop at Kilnfolk – 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver. Create a ceramic matcha bowl and whisk holder while sipping a matcha drink from Short and Sweet. No experience needed. $85. More info
• End of Summer Fun at Tesla Vancouver – 11:00 AM–2:00 PM. Kids' games, activities, prizes, treats, and a dunk tank — plus a school supply donation drive for local students. Free. More info
• WNPS Plant Hike in the Gorge – 11:00 AM at Wind River Arboretum (about an hour from Camas). Join Steve Clark of the Washington Native Plant Society to search for rare native plants, including the elusive Fremont's silktassel bush. More info
• The La Center Historical Museum – 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at La Center Historical Museum. Free admission on the first and third Saturday of each month. More info
• Bi-Zi Farms Sunflower Festival – 12:00 PM–8:00 PM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Photos with gorgeous sunflowers, hayrides, farm animals, and one cut sunflower included with admission. $12. More info
• On the Move: Incredible Animal Journeys – 1:00 PM–2:00 PM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Drop-in activities about late-summer animal migrations for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Chinese Storytelling & Crafting – 2:00 PM–3:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Storyteller Kenny Chen brings traditional Chinese stories to life, followed by a family craft. Free. More info
• Mushroom Hunting for Beginners – 2:00 PM. A free FVRL workshop focused on skills and tools for accurate mushroom identification — perfect for Pacific Northwest foraging season. More info
• Concert on the Patio at Bookish – 5:00 PM at Bookish, Camas. Family Rhythms hosts a free lakeside concert featuring covers the whole family will love. Donations to the scholarship fund welcome. More info
• Saturday Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub – 8:30 PM at 1919 Main Street, Vancouver. Let your inner entertainer shine — solo or with friends. More info

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