📰 What's Making News

Seton Catholic's Lilah Chase Voted Athlete of the Week

Lilah Chase of Seton Catholic girls soccer has been named The Columbian's Week 5 high school athlete of the week for 2026-27, pulling in 260 of 543 reader votes to take the honor. The recognition, sponsored by Killer Burger, highlights Chase's standout play on the pitch for the Cougars this fall. If you're a prep sports fan, it's a name worth knowing — and a reminder that Clark County soccer talent runs deep. Read more from The Columbian.

Monday's Prep Golf Scores Are In

Boys golf results from Monday's high school action are posted, covering matchups across the region. If you've got a golfer in the family — or just like tracking how local programs stack up — The Columbian's scoreboard has the full rundown. Check the scores here.

Roller Disco, Movie Crafts, a Shining Night Out: Your Midweek Lineup

A local Redditor who scouts events for a living compiled this week's don't-miss happenings, and the lineup is genuinely fun. Highlights include a free roller disco performance at Vancouver Arts Hub, a "Stitching at the Movies" craft night at Regal City Center, and The Shining Night Out in downtown Camas for horror-season vibes. There's also a Red Cross blood drive at Cascade Park Community Library and a free run club at Foot Traffic if you're looking for something lower-key. See the full list on Reddit.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Free Drive-Thru Medication Take-Back Hits SW Washington Saturday

Got expired or unused medications cluttering your cabinet? Multiple drive-thru take-back sites across Southwest Washington will accept unwanted meds for safe disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, October 24 — no questions asked, no cost. Drop-off locations span Battle Ground, Camas, Washougal, and Ridgefield.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Tuesday, October 20

• 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. Visit them all to complete the walk. Free. Downtown Camas.
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM. Free evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60 and older, hosted by the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington. Instructors tailor movements to every ability level. No pre-registration required. Various locations around Clark County.
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM. Wagon ride, pick-your-own pumpkin (any size you can carry!), corn maze, and nighttime maze admission all included with entry. $14–$16. Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver.
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM. Ages 9 months–6 years. A safe indoor space for little ones to run, climb, and explore while parents socialize. $7–$9.
• Camas Public Library Food Drive — 10:00 AM. Donations benefit the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center. Special need for lunchbox snacks, canned fruit, and hygiene items. Donation box inside the library near the north entrance. Camas Public Library.
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM–6:00 PM. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hay bale pyramid, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, vendors, and food carts at Velvet Acres Gardens. $10. Orchards.
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM. A 40-acre pumpkin patch with 60+ varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, plus u-pick fields. Free admission and free parking. Woodland.
• Archer Gallery: Path to Progress Opening Reception — 2:00–5:00 PM. Memphis-based artist Roger Allan Cleaves explores Afrofuturism, art history, and world-building through his Forget Me Nots Land universe. Free. Archer Gallery at Clark College, Vancouver.
• National Share the Warmth Day at Vancouver Mall — 3:00–5:00 PM. Bring a new or gently worn coat to donate. Donors enjoy Spin-to-Win prizes, hot cocoa, coffee, cider, and craft activities. Vancouver Mall.
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM. Ages 9–19. Create a character and play Dungeons & Dragons with other adventurers — beginners and experienced players welcome. Free. Various FVRL Library locations.
• Family Arts & Crafts Supply Swap — 5:00 PM. Swap your extra fabric, beads, and yarn for new-to-you treasures. Donating isn't required to participate — just bring your own bags. Free. Battle Ground Community Library.
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15–6:45 PM. Weekly writers group for all experience levels featuring dedicated writing time, introductions, and a concluding session. No readings or critiques. Free. Vancouver Arts Hub.
• Spanish Conversation Group — 5:30–6:30 PM. Practice conversational Spanish in a casual group setting for beginning speakers. No registration required. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Adult & Teen Creative Crafts: Felted Pumpkins — 6:00 PM. Ages 13+. Learn to needle felt an adorable seasonal pumpkin. All materials provided. Registration required. Free. La Center Community Library.
• Star Trek Trivia at Firehouse Axes — 6:30 PM. Test your Trek knowledge from the '90s onward. Prizes for the top two teams and themed drinks available. Firehouse Axes, Vancouver.
• Cover to Cover Book Club — 6:30 PM. A general fiction book club for adults. No registration required to join the discussion. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Science Pub: Fear and the Brain — 7:00 PM. Dr. Radhika Reddy of Portland State University explores why your heart races before you know what scared you and how fear is an ancient survival system. Doors at 6:00 PM. OMSI, Portland.
• Le Patin Libre Roller Disco — 7:00 PM. Montreal-based contemporary skating company Le Patin Libre hosts a roller disco performance and workshop. Watch, skate with your own gear, or rent from Skatemobile ($15). Free admission. Vancouver Arts Hub.

Wednesday, October 21

• Marshall House Tour — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. Tour the Queen Anne–style home of General George C. Marshall, featuring stained glass, decorative woodwork, period furnishings, and military memorabilia. Free, 30-minute tours. Marshall House, Vancouver.
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. Explore the four-story neo-Georgian brick academy built by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1873. Free, by reservation. Providence Academy, Vancouver.
• C.A.L.M. De-escalation Training — 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. A free NAMI Southwest Washington presentation on understanding mental health crises, practical de-escalation techniques, and reducing stigma. NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver.
• Military Officer Association of America Luncheon — 11:30 AM–1:30 PM. Featuring Dennis Fisher, Marine photographer during the Vietnam War. $25. Cascadia Tech Center Culinary Academy, Vancouver.
• Contemplative Prayer — 12:20–12:45 PM. Quiet prayer with music. Free. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Vancouver.
• October Forest Walk at Columbia Springs — 3:30 PM. Join knowledgeable staff or expert volunteers on a guided walk to discover the wildlife and native plants along the trails. Great for all ages — trails are not stroller-accessible. Free. Columbia Springs, Vancouver.
• Kids Monster Buttons — 3:30 PM. Ages 5–11. Design silly monster buttons using paint, googly eyes, and colorful materials. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Kids & Tweens Create — 4:00 PM. Ages 5–12. Drop in for creative and interactive projects — stretch your imagination and try a new artistic skill. Free. Washougal Community Library.
• Kids Read to a Dog — 4:00 PM. Ages 5–9. Build reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Free.
• Teen & Adult Magic: The Gathering Social Club — 4:00–6:00 PM. Open game play — decks provided or bring your own. Free. Various FVRL Library locations.
• Providence Academy Plaza Dedication — 4:00 PM. Join The Historic Trust for the official dedication of Sacred Heart Plaza at Ed Lynch Square, featuring a ribbon-cutting with the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and unveiling of a new interpretive exhibit. Free. Providence Academy, Vancouver.
• Intro to Sewing Machines — 4:30–6:30 PM. Ages 9+. Learn to thread a machine, select stitches, and make a Trick-or-Treat bag. Space is limited. Free. Vancouver Community Library.
• Wined Down Wednesdays: Karaoke Night at 14 Acres — 5:00–8:00 PM. Ages 21+. Sing karaoke and enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. Free admission. 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery, Ridgefield.
• Coco (Spanish with English Subtitles) — 5:30 PM. Sepia Language Study presents a screening of the Oscar-winning animated film in Spanish. A portion of concession sales goes to the Sepia Language Study scholarship fund. $10–$12. Kiggins Theatre, Vancouver.
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM. Intermediate lesson at 6, beginner lesson at 7, social dance 8–9:30 PM. Singles, partners, and groups welcome. $5–$10. The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver.
• Waltz and Salsa Classes — 6:00–8:00 PM. Waltz 6–7 PM, salsa 7–8 PM with Julieann and Joseph Platt. No previous dance experience required. $69 per five-week session. Clark College, Vancouver.
• Online Spanish Conversation Classes, Levels I & II — 6:00–7:00 PM. Practice speaking with a native speaker in a small group — real talk, not grammar drills. $25 per session. Online via Zoom. Andrea's Spanish School.
• Worm Bin Composting Workshop — 6:00 PM. Learn how to care for worms, explore different bin types, and get up close with decomposers. Free. Clark County Composter Recyclers.
• Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights — 7:00 PM. Grand Kyiv Ballet reimagines the classic with vivid light design, illuminated costumes, and world-class dancers. $55–$65. The Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton.
• Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Movies — 7:30 PM. Drive-in horror movies with in-car audio, Hollywood-quality makeup monsters, and terrifying twists. Food and drinks available. Tickets from $78.22. Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, Ridgefield.

Thursday, October 22

• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. Explore the Queen Anne home of General George C. Marshall with period furnishings and military memorabilia. Free. Marshall House, Vancouver.
• Advanced Competitive Bridge Bidding — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM. Instructed by Michael Walker, Ruby Life Master. Topics include opening bidding, slam bidding, takeout doubles, and more. $10–$50. Vancouver Bridge Club.
• Xeriscaping: Landscaping for Dry Conditions — 10:00 AM. Learn how xeriscaping reduces irrigation and conserves water, soil, and time — applicable in any region. Xerces Society online presentation.
• Dine the Couve — 11:00 AM. Now in its 11th year! Enjoy three dishes for $35 or $50 at restaurants, cafes, brewpubs, and tasting rooms throughout Clark County. Free Dine the Couve Pass for browsing menus and earning check-in points.
• Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) — 11:30 AM–1:30 PM. Weigh-ins 11:30 AM–12:15 PM, meeting 12:30–1:30 PM. Free. Minnehaha Church of Christ, Vancouver.
• Preschool Trick or Treat — 2:30–3:30 PM. Kids and grown-ups "practice" trick-or-treating with dramatic play, sensory activities, and Halloween safety tips. Costumes welcome. Free, no registration. Camas Public Library.
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 3:00–5:00 PM. Admission includes corn maze, train ride, and one pumpkin any size. Dogs welcome on leash. $13 ($11 seniors 55+, 2 and under free). Walton Farms, Camas.
• Kids & Tweens Great Build Off — 3:30 PM. Design, build, and problem-solve your way through a surprise challenge with provided materials. Free. Various FVRL Library locations.
• Kids & Tweens Build It — 3:30–5:00 PM. Ages 5–12. Spark your imagination and build STEM skills with LEGO bricks, blocks, boxes, and more. Free. Vancouver Community Library.
• Teen Bad Art — 4:00 PM. Ages 13–19. Make your worst art on purpose, talk about your process, and vote for the most impressively bad piece. Free. Battle Ground Community Library.
• Mac's Auto & Diesel Repair Moves to a Larger Location — 4:00 PM. Celebrate the growth of Mac's Auto & Diesel Repair at their new, bigger space. Meet the team, enjoy light snacks, and enter raffle drawings. 6309 NE St Johns Rd, Vancouver.
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:30–6:30 PM. Ages 13–19. Hang out with friends, play games, craft, and chat. Snacks provided by the Friends of Vancouver Community Library. Free.
• Silent Book Club — 5:30–7:30 PM. An hour of silent reading followed by optional socializing. Bring your own book or borrow one. Light beverages and snacks provided. Free. Camas Public Library.
• Atlas Community High School Information Night — 5:30–6:30 PM. Learn about this small, Montessori-informed school offering rigorous academics. Free. Clark County Food Bank, Vancouver.
• Native Plant Seed Saving with Vancouver Bee Project — 5:30 PM. Pollinators & Pints at Gray's Restaurant & Bar at the Hilton. Bring your questions about native seed saving and connect with fellow gardeners. Downtown Vancouver.
• Online Workshop: Recycling 101 — 6:30–8:00 PM. Learn what to recycle curbside, why it matters, and where items go. Free optional Organics 101 workshop follows. Free. Microsoft Teams.
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM. Two immersive main haunted houses, up to five additional houses, food, drinks, and oddities vendors. $25–$33. Oaks Park, Portland.
• Stitching at the Movies — 7:15 PM. Hook and Needle Fiber hosts a private screening of LAIKA's handmade stop-motion film Wildwood. Bring your fiber project and a neck light. $15. Regal City Center, Vancouver.

Friday, October 23

• Adult & Teen Craft & Chat — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM. Ages 13+. Fiber arts social circle — bring knitting, crochet, spinning, needlepoint, or any stitchery project. Free. La Center Community Library.
• HOPE Dementia Support: Meet Me at Kit-Tea Cafe — 10:00–11:00 AM. People living with dementia can attend with a companion for a visit with cats at Milky & Coco's Kit-Tea Cafe. Free; registration required. Vancouver.
• NAMI Art Group — 1:00–3:00 PM. Open art group every Friday. Free. NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver.
• Tree & Shrub Pruning 101 — 5:00 PM. A beginner-friendly Master Gardener class led by an ISA Certified Arborist on proper pruning for healthier plants and safer landscapes. Free. In partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Library.
• Friday Live Music at Pour Choices Pub — 7:30 PM. Tino takes the stage for a night of live music and good vibes. 1919 Main Street, Vancouver.

Saturday, October 24

• Columbia CX Harvest Cross — Cyclocross Race — 8:00 AM. Races for all ages and abilities at scenic Frenchman's Bar Regional Park, including Kiddie Cross on a separate course. Grass, dirt, gravel, pavement, and the fan-favorite sand pit. 9612 NW Lower River Rd.
• Stewardship Saturday at Columbia Springs — 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. Spend a morning removing invasive species, maintaining trails, and improving site accessibility. Tools, gloves, and guidance provided. Columbia Springs, Vancouver.
• Make a Difference Day: Wetland Restoration — 9:00 AM. Join the Water Center and Clark Public Utilities to plant native trees and shrubs across 3.6 acres of wetlands. Great for getting your hands in the soil.
• Mason Bees Unwrapped: Cocoon Harvesting Workshop — 9:30 AM. WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger leads an interactive workshop on these gentle, non-stinging native pollinators. Learn to create and maintain habitat in your own backyard.
• Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helens Institute — 10:00 AM. Learn to identify edible and inedible mushrooms, then harvest and cook them. Plan to get your shoes and hands dirty. Pine Creek Information Station.
• Volunteer Gathering & Orientation for Plas Newydd Farm — 10:00 AM. Refreshments, mingling, and a walkthrough of the house and farm with volunteer sign-up opportunities. Ridgefield.
• Adopt-A-Park Event at LeRoy Haagen — 10:00 AM. Help beautify LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park by removing ivy and non-native plants. Family-friendly, great for teens. Gloves, tools, water, and snacks provided. Vancouver.
• Nature Days at Columbia Springs — 10:00 AM. Free exploration of the natural world right here in town. Stop by the check-in tent and make your own adventure. Columbia Springs, Vancouver.
• How to Winterize Your Garden for Spring Success — 10:30 AM. Tips to protect plants, enrich soils, and care for irrigation systems before winter. Free. In partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Library.
• Bat Class at Nature's Haven Nursery — 11:00 AM. Just in time for Halloween! Learn about Pacific Northwest bats — species, habitats, diet, and how to make your yard more bat-friendly. Bat houses available for sale. 6403 NE 277th Ave, Camas.
• The Resilient Yard: Battling Climate Change at Home — 4:00 PM. Learn actions you can take in your own suburban yard to reduce your carbon footprint. Free. In partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Library.
• The Rocky Horror Pet Show — 4:30 PM. Halloween fun for dogs (and brave cats!) with nosework, bobbing for Frankenfurters, a DIY Trick-or-Treat bag, and a photobooth. $18 pre-sale (through Oct 22), $20 after. Civilized Wolf.
• Pink After Dark — Karaoke for a Cause — 8:30 PM. Celebrate women and breast cancer survivors with a night of karaoke. Wear pink, grab the mic, and support a nonprofit assisting women during treatment. Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main Street, Vancouver.

Monday, October 26

• Camas Library Audiobook Walking Club — 9:30 AM. Bring your audiobook and join fellow listeners for a 60-minute walk at a new outdoor location, followed by optional social time. All paces welcome — power walkers, stroller pushers, and leisurely listeners alike. Camas.

Tuesday, October 27

• Federal Public Lands Fee-Free Day — All day. In honor of Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, entrance fees are waived at national parks, monuments, and wildlife refuges across the country.
• Science on Tap: K9 Conservationists — Dogs Helping Wolf Research — 7:00 PM. Discover how detection dogs are helping biologists study wolves on Alaska's Pleasant Island and what happens when apex predators run out of prey. Portland.

Wednesday, October 28

• Wednesday Wanders at the WREC — 10:00 AM. A guided nature walk exploring Columbia River and wetland ecosystems. Discover native plants, search for wildlife, and learn how waterways support life. Great for families with kids 6+ and adult nature lovers.
• Backyard Composting Workshop — 6:00 PM. Learn hot and cold composting methods from Clark County Composter Recyclers. Free.

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