📰 What's Making News

Union Volleyball Storms Back From 2-0 Hole for Five-Set Thriller

It looked like an early night for the Union Titans after dropping the first two sets — but this squad had other plans. Union rallied for a dramatic five-set comeback victory that had the gym buzzing on Tuesday night. It's the kind of gutsy, refuse-to-quit performance that makes high school sports worth following, and Titans fans are still catching their breath. Full recap from The Columbian.

Clark College Penguins Punch Their Ticket to NWAC Postseason

The Clark College Penguins are headed to the NWAC postseason after clinching a berth this past week. It's a milestone moment for the program and well-earned recognition for a roster that's been grinding all season. If you haven't been paying attention to Penguin athletics, now's a great time to start. Read the full athletics report here.

I-5 Lane Closures Between Ridgefield, Salmon Creek Snarl Morning Commutes

If your Tuesday morning drive south on I-5 felt particularly painful, you weren't imagining things. Road work closed the right and center lanes between Ridgefield and the I-205 exchange in Salmon Creek, backing traffic up well north of the 179th Street exit. Commuters should plan for continued disruptions in the area and consider alternate routes during peak hours. Details and updates from The Columbian.

The Columbian Wants to Hear From Clark County Homeowners

Are repair bills and maintenance costs stretching your household budget thin? Columbian reporter Mia Ryder-Marks is working on a story about the real cost of homeownership in Clark County and wants to hear directly from local homeowners. If that's you, reach out to her at [email protected] or 360-735-4547 by 5 p.m. Monday. More details here.

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💬 Community Buzz

The community conversation bin is a little light today — we'll be back with more local discussions soon!

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⚡ Quick Bites

Clark County Parks Survey Closes Nov. 1 — Your Input Shapes the Next 20 Years

Clark County is rewriting its long-range parks system plan and wants to know what matters most to you — more trails, off-leash dog parks, better restrooms, access to natural areas. Responses feed directly into the framework that guides future improvements. Take the survey before the Saturday deadline.

King's Way Sophomore Christian Harlow Named 1A Trico League Golf MVP

Christian Harlow earned Most Valuable Player honors on the 1A Trico League boys golf all-league team, leading a strong King's Way Christian contingent that also placed Jordan Liou and Keegan Disbrow on the first team. La Center freshman Blake Stephens and Seton Catholic seniors rounded out the top selections. See the full roster.

Vamos Local Spotlights Latino-Owned Businesses in Southwest Washington

A new initiative called Vamos Local is working to connect customers with Latino-owned shops and restaurants across the region, including Bryan Hernandez, who opened his first brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2024 after years of saving and working in the industry. Read his story and learn how the program works.

Washington Residents Carry Less Debt Despite Higher Cost of Living

A new analysis finds that while everyday expenses in Washington run higher than the national average, state residents are actually less likely to carry outstanding debt than their counterparts elsewhere in the U.S. The Columbian breaks down the numbers.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, October 28

• 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. Free.
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Wagon rides, pick-your-own pumpkin, corn maze and nighttime maze access all included with admission. $14–$16.
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Tour the stunning 1873 neo-Georgian brick building constructed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Free, reservations required.
• Wednesday Wanders @ the WREC — 10:00 AM. Guided nature walk exploring ecosystems along the Columbia River and adjacent wetland. Great for families with kids ages 6+ and nature-loving adults.
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM–6:00 PM at Velvet Acres Gardens, Orchards. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hay bale pyramid, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals and food carts. $10.
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM at Whalen Oaks Farm, Woodland. Over 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds on 40+ acres. Free parking and no admission fees.
• Contemplative Prayer — 12:20–12:45 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Vancouver. Quiet music and a peaceful midday pause. Free.
• Tentacle Tribe Hip Hop at Clark College — 2:00 PM at Clark College's Archer Gallery, Vancouver. Montreal's Tentacle Tribe blends breaking, hip hop and contemporary dance in a free lecture and demonstration.
• Pumpkin Party at Boo Bash — 2:30–5:30 PM on NE Cedar Street in Downtown Camas. Face painting, balloon art, carnival games, treats and activities for kids of all ages. Free.
• Boo Bash 2026 in Camas — 3:00–5:00 PM in Downtown Camas. Local businesses hand out candy and Halloween prizes, plus a Spooky Season Market with fall foods, baked goods and decor. Costumes encouraged! Free.
• The Great Pumpkin Reveal — 3:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Come see the spook-tacular pumpkin creations that won this year's contest, on display outside during Boo Bash. Free.
• Wildwood at OMSI — 3:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. LAIKA's handcrafted epic fantasy film about a girl's quest through a forbidden forest full of enchanted creatures.
• Kids & Tweens Great Build Off — 3:30 PM at various FVRL Library locations. Design, build and problem-solve your way through a surprise challenge. Free.
• Teen & Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00–6:00 PM at Cascade Park & Vancouver Community Libraries. Open game play — decks provided or bring your own. Free.
• Kids & Tweens STEM Lab — 4:00–5:00 PM at Washougal Community Library. Hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities for ages 5–12. Free.
• Kids and Tweens Pokémon Club — 4:00–5:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Learn, play and connect through the Pokémon Trading Card Game. All experience levels welcome. Free.
• Teen Escape Room: Haunted Pizzeria — 5:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Can you survive the locked-down pizzeria before something finds you? Free.
• Pokémon Trade Night — 5:00 PM at Barnes & Noble, Vancouver. Hang out and trade with the local TCG community. Free.
• Wined Down Wednesdays: Karaoke Night at 14 Acres — 5:00–8:00 PM at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery, Ridgefield. Sing karaoke and enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. 21+. Free entry.
• Movie and Craft Nights at Vancouver Mall — 5:00–7:00 PM at Vancouver Mall. Halloween-themed movie, craft activity, free snacks and beverages. Free for newsletter subscribers.
• Poetry Street PNW — 6:00 PM (doors open), readings 6:30–7:45 PM at Camas Public Library. Read your original or favorite work and enjoy featured poets. All ages welcome. Free.
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. East Coast and Lindy Hop lessons followed by social dance at 8:00 PM. Singles, partners and groups welcome. $5–$10.
• Online Spanish Conversation Classes, Levels I and II — 6:00–7:00 PM via Zoom with Andrea's Spanish School. Practice speaking with a native speaker in a small group. $25.
• Backyard Composting Workshop — 6:00 PM. Free workshop from Clark County Composter Recyclers covering fast and slow composting methods.
• Healthy Relationship with Food — 6:30–7:30 PM at PeaceHealth Specialty Clinic, Vancouver. Sarah Sterling explores how dieting, upbringing and emotions shape our relationships with food. $50.
• Craft Night at the Theatre — 7:00 PM at Camas Liberty Theatre. Bring a craft project and a friend, and craft during a showing of Mamma Mia! Doors at 6:30 PM. Concessions available. $10.
• Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Movies — 7:30 PM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Drive-in horror movies with in-car audio, Hollywood-quality monsters and food and drinks. Tickets from $78.22.

Thursday, October 29

• Road Trip with Vancouver Audubon Society: Wahkiakum County — Meet at 6:20 AM at Salmon Creek Park & Ride. Carpool north to Puget Island and Julia Butler Hansen NWR to view migrating birds. Led by Randy Hill. Email to register.
• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM at various Clark County locations. Evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60+ tailored to every ability level. Free.
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM at the Marshall House, Vancouver. Tour the Queen Anne–style home of General George C. Marshall, featuring period furnishings and military memorabilia. Free.
• Merry Go Round Resale – Fall 2026 Consignment Event — 10:00 AM–9:00 PM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Celebrating 15 years! Shop sweaters, jackets, boots, baby clothing, toys, home decor and more.
• Building Lasting Impact – Lessons from Nature Everywhere Communities — 10:00 AM virtual workshop with the Children & Nature Network. Hear how community leaders are prioritizing 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 trees. Halloween costumes welcome! Family-friendly. RSVP required.
• Dine the Couve — 11:00 AM and on at locations around Clark County. Now in its 11th year — three dishes for $35 or $50 at participating restaurants, cafes, brewpubs and tasting rooms.
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 3:00–5:00 PM at Walton Farms, Camas. Corn maze, train ride and one pumpkin (any size!) included with admission. $13 ($11 for seniors 55+).
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Grand Opening — 4:00 PM ribbon cutting at 210 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver. The new Lacamas location offers personalized pet grooming plus gourmet treats, pet food, toys and accessories.
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:30–6:30 PM. Games, crafts, chatting and snacks for ages 13–19. Free.
• Watch & Make with "The Addams Family" — 5:00–7:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Adults and teens (grades 6–12) craft along while The Addams Family (1991, PG) plays. Registration required. Free.
• Boo Bash: A Halloween Costume Play Party — 5:30 PM at Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver. Indoor slides, obstacle course, tunnels and balls for kids 3 and under in costume. $14.99.
• Brews and Brushes with Ana the Artist — 5:30–7:30 PM at Recluse Brew Works, Washougal. All painting supplies and two beers included. $45.
• Not Fade Away: Stories and Songs of Buddy Holly — 6:00 PM at Providence Academy Chapel, Vancouver. Music historian Joel Underwood performs a Buddy Holly tribute concert. Doors at 5:30 PM. $18.
• Salmon Creek Flyfishers Club Meeting — 6:00 PM at American Legion Post 176, Vancouver. Learn about tying flies and fishing. Food available for purchase.
• Halloween Sip & Paint at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub, Vancouver. Paint something spooky — includes one drink. Space is limited! $35.
• Line Dancing at Ashwood Taps & Trucks — 7:00–9:00 PM at Ashwood Taps and Trucks, Washougal. Led by Kat Nichols. All ages, beginners welcome. $10.
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM at Oaks Park, Portland. Immersive haunted houses, a Halloween theme park, food, drinks and oddities vendors. $25–$33.
• Comedy Night at the Waterfront — 8:00 PM. Stand-up comedy featuring rising stars of Pacific NW comedy.

Friday, October 30

• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Indoor play for ages 9 months to 6 years while parents socialize. $7–$9.
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program — 12:00–1:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver. Free lunch for low-income seniors age 60+.
• La Center Trick or Treat — 12:00 PM at La Center City Hall. Stop by for candy, coloring and a pumpkin toss game, then head to Legacy Park for a free showing of Monsters Inc. and a pumpkin carving contest. Free.
• NAMI Art Group — 1:00–3:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver. Drop-in art group every Friday. Free.
• Downtown Woodland Trick or Treat — 2:00 PM in Downtown Woodland. Dress up and get treats from local businesses. A Woodland tradition! Free.
• Battle Ground Boo Bash — 3:00 PM at Battle Ground Event Center. Candy Carnival games, trunk-or-treat with creative vehicle displays, and festive fun for the whole family. Free.
• Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Ridgefield — 3:00–5:00 PM. Dress in costume and collect candy from participating downtown businesses. Free.
• Clearmeadows Park Naturespace Native Garden Planting — 3:00 PM. Help plant 400 native plants to support pollinators and wildlife. Family-friendly, no experience needed. Tools and snacks provided.
• Vega Gymnastics Open Gym — 4:15–5:00 PM at VEGA Gymnastics, Camas. Open gym for ages 2–6. $12.
• Brenna Larsen at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery — 5:30–7:30 PM at 14 Acres, Ridgefield. Live music with wine by the glass and bottle. Free.
• Autumn Pumpkins Workshop — 6:30–8:00 PM at Kilnfolk Clay Studio, Vancouver. Craft ceramic pumpkins using the pinch pot method — no experience needed. Ages 5+ with parental help. $55.
• Family Spooktacular Dance — 6:30–8:30 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. DJ Mikey spins family-friendly hits with snacks, drinks and spooky activities. $12–$15.
• Haunted Walking Tours — 7:00 PM at Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver. Guides lead groups through downtown sharing tales of lingering spirits and forgotten tragedies. About one mile. $15–$20.
• Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks — 7:00 PM, meet at the Grant House. Historian Jeff Davis leads a 1.5–2 hour tour covering barracks history and haunted happenings since 1849. $17–$22.
• Fauré Requiem: A Liturgy for All Souls — 7:00 PM at St. Luke's-San Lucas Episcopal Church, Vancouver. The church choir is joined by a 17-member orchestra and community singers. Free.
• "Friday Frolic" Scottish Dance Class — 7:30–9:00 PM at Columbia Dance Center, Vancouver. No partner or special clothing needed. First class free, then $8.

Adults

• Halloween Live Music at Pour Choices Pub: Jon Von Blood and the Trick-or-Treats — 7:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub, Vancouver. Live music with Slaughter Lobby — come dressed like a monster! 21+.

Saturday, October 31

• Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop with Vancouver Bee Project — 11:00 AM on Columbia Way. Learn about mason bee biology, fall stewardship and how to reduce parasites and disease in your bee houses. Hands-on cleaning included.
• Cedar Creek Grist Mill Apple Cider Press Day — 1:00 PM at Cedar Creek Grist Mill, Woodland. Watch the water-powered mill in action, enjoy fresh-pressed cider and take home fresh-milled flour and cornmeal. Free.

Sunday, November 1

• First of the Month Bird Walk — 8:00 AM with Vancouver Audubon Society. Wildlife scientist Cindy McCormack leads a walk along the Cougar Trails at WSU-Vancouver, searching for wintering songbirds and raptors.

Tuesday, November 3

• "Conserving the California Condor" with Dr. Hayley Brazier — 6:30 PM at 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Dr., Vancouver. Vancouver Audubon Society hosts Dr. Brazier, Wildlife Conservation Specialist at the Oregon Zoo. Free, all welcome.

Wednesday, November 4

• Gardening with Compost Workshop — 6:00 PM. Free workshop from Clark County Composter Recyclers on using compost to build healthy, fertilizer-free garden soil.

Saturday, November 7

• Esther Short Park Cleanup — 9:00 AM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Join the Adopt-A-Park program and Vancouver Downtown Association for litter cleanup and beautification. Family-friendly, tools and snacks provided.
• Marine Park Beach Cleanup — 9:30 AM. Help remove plastic and litter from Columbia River beaches. Expect 2.5 miles on sandy terrain. Registration required.
• Shaffer Stormwater Site Tree Planting — 10:00 AM. Plant new trees with Vancouver's Urban Forestry Department. Family-friendly, RSVP required.
• Road Trip: Adaptive Birding Hike — 11:00 AM at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Inclusive, accessible birding hike with Adventures Without Limits and a USFWS biologist. All ages. Free (suggested $10 donation).
• Ellsworth Springs East Native Planting — 1:00 PM. Help plant over 700 native species — including edible and medicinal plants — in an area cleared of ivy earlier this year. No experience needed.

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