📰 What's Making News

31-0: Raptors Smash Franchise Record in Historic Blowout

One day after snapping a painful 10-game losing streak, the Ridgefield Raptors responded with the most dominant performance in franchise history — a 31-0 demolition of Bend on Friday night. The road win shattered Ridgefield's previous record of 23 runs in a single game, set during a 23-12 victory over Walla Walla back in 2022. If you've been sleeping on summer collegiate baseball, this is your wake-up call. Full recap from The Columbian.

5 Shady Southwest Washington Hikes That Won't Melt Your Face

If your evening walks have felt more like slow-roasting than recreation lately, The Columbian has you covered with a roundup of shaded trails across Clark County that deliver the scenery without the sunburn. The list includes spots near Battle Ground Lake State Park, Ridgefield, and Vancouver Lake — all chosen for their tree cover and cooler conditions even during peak heat. Worth bookmarking for the rest of this scorching stretch. See the full trail guide here.

Weekend Dig That Saved Fort Vancouver's Hidden Treasures

Here's a piece of Clark County history you probably never heard. During early excavations at Fort Vancouver, archeologist Winifred "Winnie" Caywood stumbled onto a trash pit brimming with Hudson's Bay Company artifacts — and realized looters could get to it first. She and her husband Louis raced to complete the entire dig over a single weekend, ultimately uncovering materials that reshaped our understanding of daily life at the old fur trading post. It's a great reminder that the ground beneath this city still has stories to tell. Read the full history column.

Steelhead Runs Heat Up on Columbia River Tributaries

Summer steelhead fishing is picking up fast on tributaries across Southwest Washington, and anglers are taking notice. Water conditions and timing are lining up for what's shaping up to be a strong mid-summer window on the lower Columbia system. If you've been waiting for the right moment to dust off the waders, local reports suggest that moment is now. Get the full fishing report here.

Dog Days Episode 2: Skyview's Matt Hamlin Talks Team Camp

The Columbian's high school football docuseries "Dog Days" just dropped its second episode, following Heritage, Skyview, and Washougal as they hit the road for team camps. This installment features a conversation with Skyview Storm coach Matt Hamlin and gives an early look at how local programs are gearing up for the fall season. It's July, but Friday night lights are closer than you think. Watch Episode 2 now.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Fort Vancouver Library Staff Picks: Summer Sagas Worth Your Beach Bag

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries' latest "Check It Out" column spotlights family and historical sagas — sprawling, multi-generational stories perfect for long summer afternoons. If you're the type who likes to disappear into a book for a week straight, this reading list has you covered.

16 New July Reads Span Mystery, Fantasy, Everything Between

Looking for your next summer page-turner? A fresh roundup of 16 July releases covers mystery, fantasy, and more — so whether you're poolside or curled up with the AC on full blast, there's something on this list to keep you reading.

Clark County Reader Shares a Montana Cave Detour That Became a Family Legend

In the latest "Everybody Has a Story" column from The Columbian, a local writer recounts a spontaneous road-trip stop at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park near Bozeman, Montana — the kind of unplanned adventure that becomes the trip's best memory. Read the full story here.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Monday, July 20

• Early Learners Play to Learn — 10:00 AM at Battle Ground Community Library, Battle Ground. Fun hands-on activities and early literacy tips for ages 0–5. Free. More info
• The Great Summer Dash at Vancouver Mall — 10:00 AM at Vancouver Mall. Complete fun challenges, earn points, and enter for chances to win prizes all summer long. More info
• Meet Me at Sarah's Garden with HOPE Dementia Support — 10:00 AM at Sarah's Garden, 2311 N.E. 68th St., Vancouver. A dementia-friendly garden activity for people living with dementia and their care partners. Free; registration required. More info
• Storytime in the Park — 10:30 AM at Lacamas Park (3344 NE Everett St.), Camas. Bring a blanket and enjoy a family storytime outdoors with the Camas Library. Free. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — 12:00 PM at AC Hotel by Marriott Vancouver Waterfront. Community members are welcome to join this weekly gathering. Free. More info
• Line Dancing — 1:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. Grab any pair of shoes and learn line dances for fun and exercise. Free. More info
• Summer Movie Mondays: The Good Dinosaur — 2:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Free screening upstairs in the Community Rooms. Registration required. More info
• Vancouver Chrysanthemum Society Meeting — 2:00 PM at 78th Street Heritage Farm, Vancouver. Visitors and non-members welcome to learn about growing chrysanthemums. More info
• Early Learners Music and Movement — 2:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Free. More info
• Rock Painting: Under the Sea — 3:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Paint your own ocean-themed rock — all supplies provided. Free. More info
• Teen Bad Art — 4:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. A hilariously fun program where perfection is not allowed — make your worst art and vote for the most impressively bad piece. Free. More info
• Watch & Make: Jurassic Park — 5:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Teens and adults can craft along while the original Jurassic Park (PG-13) plays. Crafts provided. Registration required. Free. More info
• Summer Lecture Series with the Humane Society — 5:30 PM at Humane Society for Southwest Washington (East Vancouver location). Free. More info
• Adaptive Bicycling Summer Series — 6:00 PM at Portland International Raceway. Everyone is welcome to try adaptive cycling — bring your own bike or use one provided. Helmets required. More info
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art teaches wet-on-wet watercolor blending and splatter techniques. No experience needed. $35. More info
• Monday Trivia Night at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 PM at 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Bring your best team and see if you can top the leaderboard with host Don Elliott. More info

Tuesday, July 21

• Boys Backpacking: Going Glacial with Opal Creek Center — 8:30 AM, departing for Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon. A multi-day backcountry adventure for middle and high school boys. More info
• Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe — 9:30 AM at various FVRL Library locations. A joyful celebration of Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, and New Zealand dance traditions. Free. More info
• StoryWalk at Camas Public Library — 10:00 AM at Dorothy Fox Park. Follow the path to read So Tortoise Dug by Emmy Kastner. Free. More info
• Chippers Preschool Rides at Oaks Park — 10:00 AM at Oaks Park, Portland. Kiddie rides for ages 6 and under, plus snack and story time with Chipper the Squirrel. $13.50 per child; one adult rides free. More info
• 78th Street Heritage Farm Walking Tours — 10:00 AM at 78th St., Hazel Dell. WSU Extension Master Gardeners lead tours of this historic property and its demonstration gardens. More info
• Columbia Springs Community Days: Plants — 10:00 AM at Columbia Springs, Vancouver. Interns set up fun activities on the lawn for community members to explore the world of plants. More info
• FBC.PDX Beginner Campout — 10:00 AM at Milo McIver State Park, Oregon (July 21–23). A beginner-friendly community campout with birding, campfire conversations, and river time. More info
• Lewisville Regional Park Picnic Bench Painting — 10:30 AM at Lewisville Regional Park, Battle Ground. Volunteer with Clark County Parks to spruce up the picnic tables. More info
• Kids Axe Academy — 12:00 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. A 90-minute session for ages 10–14 with an expert coach, ending in a tournament. $15. More info
• Meaningful Movies — 1:00 PM at Three Creeks Community Library. Watch a documentary followed by a discussion. Free. More info
• Teen Escape Room — 2:00 PM at Battle Ground Community Library. Navigate an underwater-themed escape room with clever clues and puzzles. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM at various FVRL Library locations. Play Dungeons & Dragons 5E and Pathfinder 1E for ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. A weekly group for writers of all experience levels — dedicated writing time, no critiques. Free. More info
• Spanish Conversation Group — 5:30 PM at Camas Public Library. A casual group for beginning Spanish speakers. No registration required. Free. More info
• Aram Arslanian at Kascadia Public House — 6:00 PM in Washougal. Original music performed under the name Orphan Train. Free. More info
• Ridgefield Raptors Baseball — 6:30 PM at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. Cheer on Clark County's hometown team. More info
• Science Pub: The Yellowstone Hotspot — 7:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. Geologist Ellen Bishop, PhD, explores how the Yellowstone hotspot shaped the Pacific Northwest. $8. More info
• Twilight Tuesday — 8:15 PM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Walk along the Columbia River and adjacent wetlands to explore native plants, watch for bats, and spot emerging stars. Ages 8+. Free; registration required. More info

Wednesday, July 22

• Mt. St. Helens Summit Climb with MSHI — 6:00 AM. A guided single-day scramble to the summit with professional mountain guides. More info
• Rebecca Anstine Gallery: Impressions of the Pacific Northwest — 8:00 AM–5:00 PM at Clark County Public Service Center, 6th floor, Vancouver. Paintings by Oleg Ulitskiy and Elizabeth Ganji celebrating PNW landscapes. Free. More info
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie. Evidence-based group exercise for adults 60+. More info
• Free Financial Planning Day — 9:00 AM–6:00 PM at Johnson Bixby, 275 W. Third St., Suite 600, Vancouver. Complimentary 30-minute one-on-one sessions with a certified financial planner (Zoom or in person). Free. More info
• Mt. St. Helens Eruption Hike with MSHI — 9:00 AM. A guided nature hike exploring the hummocks created by the May 18, 1980 eruption. More info
• Reclaimed Creations Exhibit at OMSI — 9:30 AM at OMSI, Portland. Sayaka Ganz transforms discarded plastic objects into stunning sculptures of animals and waves. More info
• Takohachi Duo — 10:00 AM at La Center Community Library. A vibrant Japanese kamishibai street theater experience weaving folktales into an interactive performance. Free. More info
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Marshall House, Fort Vancouver. Explore period furnishings, military memorabilia, and General George C. Marshall's study. Free. More info
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Walk through this historic building by reservation or walk-in. Free. More info
• High School Art Exhibit at Camas Public Library — 10:00 AM at the Second Story Gallery. Paintings, sculpture, and mixed media from Camas School District students. Free. More info
• Where's Waldo? at Autumn Leaf Books — 10:00 AM in Downtown Camas. Pick up a passport and hunt for Waldo hidden in up to 25 local businesses all month long. Free. More info
• Reading in the Wild: Un-Bee-lievable Pollinators — 10:00 AM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. An outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3–6, connecting stories with nature. Free. More info
• Creature Teachers — 10:30 AM at Camas Public Library. An educational reptile presentation followed by a meet-and-greet with the animals. Registration required. Free. More info
• Brain Health and Dementia Awareness — 1:00 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie. A community conversation with HOPE Dementia Support about brain health, aging, and resources. Free; RSVP requested. More info
• Meet Me at the Wildlife Refuge — 1:30 PM at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Naturalist-led activities with HOPE Dementia Support to explore nature and spot local wildlife. Free; registration required. More info
• Silver Trails Community Walk — 2:00 PM. A walking program for adults 65+ featuring easy 1–2 mile walks through beautiful local parks, in partnership with Vancouver Parks and Community in Motion. More info
• Camas Farmers Market — 3:00 PM–7:00 PM in Downtown Camas (temporary location on Birch Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues). Fresh produce, local food, and artisan goods. More info
• Trainer in the Park — 3:30 PM at Dakota Dog Park, 1515 NE 164th Ave., Vancouver. Free training advice session with Julie Mills from Paws Down Pets. More info
• Kids & Tweens STEM Lab — 4:00 PM at Washougal Community Library. Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Teen & Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Open game play — decks provided or bring your own. Free. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle — 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Try dragon boat paddling — no experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14+. Free. More info
• Leathercrafting Workshop with Dragon Half Art — 5:30 PM at The Arts Centered, Vancouver. A hands-on session for beginners and seasoned crafters alike. $40–$45. More info
• Poetry Street PNW — 6:00 PM at Camas Public Library, Totem Pole Room. Read aloud original or favorite work and listen to featured poets. All ages welcome. Free. More info
• Weekly Swing Dancing — 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. Intermediate lesson at 6 PM, beginner lesson at 7 PM, social dance 8–9:30 PM. $5–$10. More info
• Ciencias Night at OMSI — 6:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. A night of museum exploring, science demonstrations, and cultural celebration honoring the local Latinx community. $8–$10. More info
• Nexus Nights: Riftbound Weekly Play — 6:00 PM at Contrarian's Game Cafe, Vancouver. Constructed format, three rounds of Swiss, Nexus Packs for all participants. More info
• Evanescence 2026 World Tour — 7:00 PM at Cascades Amphitheater, Ridgefield. Classic hits and new music from the band's latest album with an all-star lineup. Tickets from $35. More info

Thursday, July 23

• Lakes Trail at Snow Lake — 8:00 AM, Mt. St. Helens area. A longer backcountry hike along the Lakes Trail with WTA Backcountry Response Team, including views of Mount St. Helens and camping at Snow Lake. More info
• Cape Horn Lower Trail Work Party — 8:30 AM. Join WTA and the Cape Horn Conservancy to brush back vegetation and restore trail sections along the gorgeous Gorge loop. More info
• Days of Aloha — 9:00 AM at Esther Short Park and Clark College, Vancouver (July 23–26). Four days celebrating Hawaiian arts and culture with workshops, hula competitions, and more. More info
• Tending and Traditional Ecological Knowledge at Sandy River Delta — 9:30 AM, Oregon. Join Confluence and local Indigenous partners in land tending and cattail wetland rehabilitation. More info
• East Vancouver Farmers Market — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Columbia Tech Center, 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Over 50 small businesses with farm, food, and artisan products. More info
• Tiny Art Show at Camas Public Library — 10:00 AM. The 6th annual exhibit showcasing miniature creations from the Camas community. Free. More info
• Vancouver Bridge Club Introductory Bridge Class — 10:00 AM at 6503 Mill Plain Blvd., Suite H, Vancouver. A six-week class for beginners. $10/lesson or $50 for all six. More info
• Family Storytime at Ridgefield NWR — 10:30 AM at the Community Nature Center on the Carty Unit, with the Ridgefield Community Library. No registration required; daily entrance fee applies. More info
• Teddy Bear Picnic — 11:00 AM at Heritage Park, 303 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas. Preschoolers ages 3–5 bring a favorite stuffed animal for story time, games, and snacks. Free. More info
• Clark County Play Day: Orchards Community Park — 3:00 PM–6:00 PM at 9800 NE 54th St. Learn about upcoming park improvements and share feedback while enjoying lawn games and refreshments. More info
• Poindexter Corrective Exercise Center Ribbon Cutting — 4:00 PM at 6833 NW Friberg-Strunk St., Building B, Camas. Tour the new space and celebrate PCEC's relocation to east Vancouver. More info
• Teen Hangout — 4:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Games, crafts, chatting, and snacks for ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game Adventure — 4:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. Play Dungeons & Dragons for ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Road Cycling 101 — 5:30 PM. Join Vancouver Bicycling Club ride leader Charla Burke for a beginner-friendly 5–10 mile group ride exploring trails and neighborhoods. More info
• Waterfront Concert Series — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Waterfront Park. An eclectic mix of live music on the north shore of the Columbia River. Bring a picnic or grab food from a waterfront restaurant. Free. More info
• Shoestring Circus: Dreamland — 7:00 PM at Hazel Dell Commons, 9811 N.E. 15th Ave., Vancouver. Aerialists fly and acrobats tumble under a vintage circus tent. $17–$55. More info

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