📰 What's Making News

Skyview's India Schmidt Edges District Golf Title by a Single Stroke

Talk about nerves of steel. Skyview's India Schmidt fought through first-time tournament jitters to claim the 4A District girls golf championship by just one shot. It's the kind of gutsy, down-to-the-wire finish that makes prep sports so thrilling to follow — and puts another Vancouver name on the district leaderboard this spring. Read the full story in The Columbian.

Mountain View's Alyssa Rigby Wins 3A District Crown — by 40 Shots

If India Schmidt's victory was a nail-biter, Alyssa Rigby's was the opposite. The Mountain View golfer dominated the 3A District 4 tournament so thoroughly she won by a 40-stroke margin, looking every bit the champion right down to her 2026 Masters cap. That kind of gap doesn't happen by accident — it's the result of serious, sustained work, and Vancouver should know her name. Full recap here.

Fort Vancouver's Jorge Ventura Scores Three in 10-0 Trico League Soccer Clincher

Fort Vancouver locked up the Trico League boys soccer title Tuesday night with a commanding 10-0 win over Stevenson. Jorge Ventura led the charge with three goals and an assist, turning the championship match into a showcase. It's a league crown that the Trappers and their fans can celebrate loudly heading into the postseason. See the highlights at The Columbian.

Kolten Gesser's Shutout Gives Seton Catholic Another Trico Baseball Title

When Seton Catholic needed its ace most, Kolten Gesser delivered. The pitcher tossed a shutout against La Center in a tight 1-0 game to clinch the Class 1A Trico League baseball championship. It was a vintage big-game performance — the kind of outing coaches dream about and opponents dread. Another banner for the Seton Catholic program's growing trophy case. Read the full game story.

Clark County Needs You on Its Historic Preservation Commission

Love old buildings, local history, and the stories our architecture tells? Clark County is looking for a volunteer to serve on its Historic Preservation Commission, the body that helps protect the region's cultural and architectural heritage. It's a real chance to shape how the county honors its past while it grows. If that sounds like your kind of thing, this one's worth a closer look. Details and how to apply here.

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⚡ Quick Bites

WSU Vancouver Opens Doors for Free Preview Day on May 14

Prospective students can meet admissions counselors, financial aid experts, and current Cougs at WSU Vancouver's free Preview Day on Wednesday, May 14 — plus tour the campus and sample the legendary Cougar Gold cheese. Details and registration here.

Battle Ground University Now Accepting Applications for Fall

The City of Battle Ground is enrolling residents in its free civic program, Battle Ground University, running September through November. The hands-on course covers city finance, public works, and community development — a perfect fit if you've ever wondered how your city actually runs. Sign up for the Class of 2026.

Workforce Southwest Washington CEO Miriam Halliday Departs in June

Miriam Halliday, who has led the regional workforce development board Workforce Southwest Washington, will step down as CEO next month. The organization is entering a leadership transition as it continues shaping job-training strategy across Clark County. Read more from The Columbian.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, May 6

• Illuminated Memories Art Reception featuring Susan Jones and Anne John — 5–7 p.m. at Vancouver Design Academy
• McMenamins Friends and Family Night benefiting Deaf Education Advocates Foundation — 5–10 p.m. at McMenamins on the Columbia, 1801 S.E. Columbia River Drive, Vancouver (50% of proceeds support Washington School for the Deaf students)
• Shut Up & Write! Writers Group — 5:15–6:45 p.m. at the Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver
• Teen & Adult Japanese Conversation Circle (ages 13+) — 6 p.m. at Ridgefield Community Library, Ridgefield
• Vancouver Audubon Program: "The Evolution of Birds" with speaker Steven Clark — 6:30 p.m. at Evergreen Public Schools District Office, 13413 N.E. LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver (free)
• Cinco de Mayo Tasting Menu at Elements Restaurant — 6:30–9:30 p.m. at 907 Main St., Vancouver. Six courses paired with wines and cocktails honoring Chef Miguel Sosa's heritage. $140/person (+$60 optional pairing)
• Science Pub: Tornado Tech with KATU meteorologist Bobby Corser — 7 p.m. at OMSI, Portland
• The Resilient Yard: Change at Home — a free library presentation on making your suburban yard more sustainable. 11:30 a.m.

Family & Kids

• Page Turners Book Club for kids in 4th–6th grade (and their adults) — 6–7:30 p.m. at Camas Public Library (free; register at CamasPL.org/pageturners)

Thursday, May 7

• VPS High School Plant Sale at Fort Vancouver — 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (also May 8 and May 9)
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. through May 10 in Woodland. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. It's the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society!
• KEEP IT WILD Collaborative Art Show — on view May 1–30 in White Salmon (part of the White Salmon Wildflower Festival). Opening night reception May 8, 5–7 p.m.
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — month-long celebration of nature, art, and community in the Columbia River Gorge featuring guided hikes, art shows, wine walks, and live music. Details here

Friday, May 8

• Flora & Fauna Friday at the Campus Community Garden — midday volunteer work party with the City of Vancouver's Volunteer Programs and Naturespaces. Snacks provided
• VPS Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Saturday, May 9

• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest with Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union — nature photography submissions open. Details here
• VPS Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
• WSU Extension Master Gardener Mother's Day Plant Sale — sign up for shopping appointments at the link
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — morning volunteer event removing ivy and spreading mulch. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. Family-friendly (minors need signed consent form)
• Beacon Rock Trail Day Work Party with Washington Trails Association — spend a day (or the weekend) maintaining trails at Beacon Rock State Park
• Thrillium Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance — Larch Mountain trailhead, Yacolt Burn State Forest. Contact Sean Callaghan for details
• Plant & Seed Swap hosted by Kindred Vancouver — bring your extra starts, seeds, and plants to share. 2213 Main St., Vancouver
• Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival — pedal-powered beach adventure for all skill levels in Cannon Beach, OR
• Gardening with Compost Workshop with Waste Connections of WA — learn how to amend your soil with home-produced compost. 9411 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver
• Clark College Spring Native Plant Center Plant Sale — pick up pollinator-friendly plants on Reserve St., Vancouver

Sunday, May 10

• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Paddles — free paddling sessions, ages 14+, no experience needed. Runs through October
• Volunteer Land Stewardship at Baker Bay with Columbia Land Trust — two days of stewardship near Chinook, WA
• Conboy Lake NWR Hike with Washington Native Plant Society — 3.8-mile wildflower loop with views of Mount Adams, north of White Salmon

Monday, May 11

• Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon Society — spring migration birding along the Columbia River at Captain William Clark Park, Washougal
• Dog Mountain Hike with Mazamas — 6.9 miles, 2,750 ft. elevation gain to catch the famous wildflowers just before Mother's Day (no permit needed on a Thursday — wait, this one's actually listed for the week; check the link for the exact date)

Wednesday, May 13

• Spice of Life: Growing Herbs — WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips covers planting, growing, harvesting, and preserving your favorite herbs. Free library program
• Nature Walk: Wildflowers of Jewett Creek with local author Ashley Erdely — meet at White Salmon Valley Community Library and walk to Jewett Creek Park (free)

Saturday, May 16

• Clark County Parks & Nature Fee-Free Day: International Migratory Bird Day — free access to Clark County regional parks
• Learn to Kayak Tour in Ridgefield with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe — paddle the Columbia River Water Trail near Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at Ridgefield Waterfront Park
• Bachelor Island Circumnavigation Kayak Tour — a 10-mile full-day paddle around Bachelor Island with Alder Creek Ridgefield
• Bloom Where You Are Planted Multicultural Festival — hosted by the Fourth Plain Five neighborhoods in central Vancouver
• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd Farm with Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan — explore one of the farm's most beautiful spots
• Online Watercolor Painting: The Burrowing Owl with Bird Alliance of Oregon — paint along from home
• Cape Horn Trail Hike with Washington Native Plant Society — 5 miles round trip with spring wildflowers and fantastic Gorge views. Email Ron Klump to register
• Wildflower Hike: Upper Swale Creek Canyon with WNPS Suksdorfia Chapter — explore balsamroot-carpeted slopes along the Klickitat Rail Trail
• Plant Sale at Northlake ES benefiting Lower Columbia School Gardens — Longview, WA
• Life After the Great Eruption: Mt. St. Helens — a free presentation by volunteer Alex Lennox at the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center Theater
• Neighborhood Tree Stewards Workshop — learn to care for Vancouver's urban canopy and become a Tree Steward for your neighborhood

Family & Kids

• Kids Fishing Festival with Columbia Springs — fishing for ages 5–14 with expert mentors, hands-on science activities, and BBQ lunch. 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. $8/person; advance registration required

Saturday, May 17

• Naturalist Training Program: Reading the Landscape with Cascadia Wild — develop skills in wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, and more
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — a strenuous early-season ascent from Marble Mountain Snow Park (permit fee included)
• Cascades Pika Watch Training Workshop — learn to locate and survey pikas in the Columbia River Gorge
• Volunteer Stewardship at Raistakka Preserve with Columbia Land Trust — litter pickup and Scotch broom removal along the Grays River in Wahkiakum County
• Cape Disappointment Volunteer Vacation with Washington Trails Association — spend a week doing beachside trailwork while staying in historic lodging at Fort Columbia State Park
• Clark County Parks & Nature Fee-Free Day: "Kids to Parks" Day — free access to regional parks for the whole family
• Watershed Stewardship Program with Clark Conservation District — a six-week course covering local watersheds, groundwater, fish, wildlife, and conservation. Led by local experts

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