📰 What's Making News

Vancouver's Whisper Running Club Dominates at Sherwood Youth Meet

The Whisper Running Club of Vancouver sent a squad to the Sherwood Youth Club meet on April 25 in Sherwood, Ore., and came home with a pile of top finishes. Several athletes posted victories across multiple events, a strong showing that puts the club on the map heading into the heart of the youth track season. If your kiddo has been eyeing competitive running, this hometown club is clearly doing something right. Full results here.

GameStop's $56 Billion Swing at eBay: What Ryan Cohen Is Thinking

GameStop Corp. made a jaw-dropping $56 billion cash-and-stock bid to acquire eBay Inc., a company roughly four times its size. CEO Ryan Cohen is betting big that the meme-stock darling can absorb one of the internet's original e-commerce giants. It's the kind of deal that would reshape online retail if it actually goes through — and Wall Street is already debating whether it's visionary or reckless. Read more about the bid.

350,000 Flock to Florida for Artemis II Moon Launch

Nearly 350,000 visitors descended on Florida's Space Coast to watch NASA's Artemis II mission send humans past the moon for the first time in over 50 years. The launch from Kennedy Space Center drew the kind of crowds not seen since the Apollo era, turning the surrounding area into a massive, impromptu celebration of space exploration. Whether you stayed up to watch the livestream or missed it entirely, the milestone marks a new chapter in human spaceflight. Get the full story.

Spirit Airlines Begins Wind-Down, Plans Asset Sales

Spirit Aviation Holdings is moving to sell off its assets in an orderly wind-down, marking the effective end of the budget carrier after two bankruptcy filings and a failed government rescue attempt. For Pacific Northwest travelers who occasionally snagged Spirit's ultra-low fares out of Portland or Las Vegas, those options are now off the table. The collapse underscores just how brutal the post-pandemic airline landscape has been for no-frills carriers. Here's what happened.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge Unveils New Community Nature Center

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge celebrated the grand opening of its Community Nature Center on Sunday, drawing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and local residents for the ribbon-cutting. The center is designed as a gateway to get more families and newcomers onto the refuge's trails and waterways.

Vancouver Lake Rowing Club Teens Snag Third at Windermere Cup

Both boats representing the Vancouver Lake Rowing Club earned third-place finishes at Saturday's prestigious Windermere Cup regatta in Seattle — a strong showing for Clark County's young rowers against stiff regional competition.

Lil Pig Lil Pig Brings Smoked Meat to Uptown Village

A new barbecue spot called Lil Pig Lil Pig is heading to Vancouver's Uptown Village neighborhood, specializing in smoked pork and chicken. Get the details on the menu and opening timeline here.

Evergreen Outpost: East Vancouver's Big New Food Pod Breaks Ground

Construction is officially underway on Evergreen Outpost, a large-scale food pod hub going up near the Dutch Bros on 138th Avenue in East Vancouver. The project promises a curated hangout space that goes well beyond the typical parking-lot pod setup.

Compass Coffee Plants a Flag in East Vancouver

Compass Coffee Roasting has officially opened a new location in East Vancouver, saving fans the trek to its Downtown or Washougal shops. The new outpost puts the local roaster's lineup within reach of the area's growing east-side population.

'Devil Wears Prada 2' Dominates Box Office With $77 Million Opening

Twenty years after the original, the sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada" stormed theaters with a $77 million domestic debut and $156.6 million internationally — driven largely by women moviegoers. If you haven't snagged seats yet, consider this your sign.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Monday, May 4

• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens — Stroll the famous gardens, tour Hulda's Farmhouse, browse the gift shop. Today is Senior Citizen Day ($5 for ages 62+). 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 115 S. Pekin Road, Woodland
• Prairie High School Plant Sale — Snag flowers, veggies, and more from student-grown greenhouses. 3–6 p.m., Prairie High School greenhouse, 11311 NE 119th St., Brush Prairie
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — All community members welcome. Noon–1 p.m., AC Hotel by Marriott Vancouver Waterfront
• Wildcrafting as Stewardship Plant Walk — Join Kristin Currin and Missy Rohs to learn about harvesting edible and medicinal non-native invasive plants. Morning, Sam's Walker Day Use Area near Skamania

Family & Kids

• Early Learners Play to Learn — Hands-on early literacy fun for ages 0–5 and their grownups. 10–11 a.m., Battle Ground Community Library
• Runaway Chicken Craft at Camas Public Library — Kids in grades K–5 (with an adult) design and decorate a racing chicken. Registration required. 4:30–5:30 p.m., Camas Public Library

Seniors

• Pairs and Spares Seniors Monthly Potluck — Bring a dish and good company. 1 p.m., St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver
• HOPE Dementia Support Creative Art Experience — Guided art projects with instructor Tricia Hall for participants with dementia. Registration required. CDM Caregiving Services Building, Vancouver

Tuesday, May 5

• Plant & Seed Swap with Kindred Vancouver — Share starts, seeds, and extra plants or just browse and take home something new. 2213 Main St., Vancouver
• Dragon Boat Community Paddling in Ridgefield — Try this exciting team sport at no cost. Ages 14+, no experience needed. Ridgefield

Thursday, May 7

• Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — Vibrant flowers and fresh veggies grown by horticulture and FFA students. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Fort Vancouver High School
• The Evolution of Birds with Vancouver Audubon Society — Professor emeritus Steven Clark of Clark College traces the evolutionary processes that led to the birds we love. Vancouver Audubon meeting location
• Dog Mountain Hike with the Mazamas — Spectacular Gorge wildflowers and views of Mt. Hood on this 6.9-mile, 2,750-ft.-gain hike. Columbia River Gorge

Friday, May 8

• Keep It Wild Collaborative Art Show — Opening Night — Creativity meets conservation at Arrowleaf Workshop during the White Salmon Wildflower Festival. 5–7 p.m., White Salmon
• Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Fort Vancouver High School
• Flora & Fauna Friday at Campus Community Garden — Mid-day volunteer work party with the City of Vancouver. Roll up your sleeves, learn about the local ecosystem, and enjoy snacks. Vancouver

Saturday, May 9

• Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — Last day! 9 a.m.–noon, Fort Vancouver High School
• WSU Extension Master Gardener Mother's Day Plant Sale — Shopping appointments available for this beloved annual sale. Sign up online. Clark County
• Beacon Rock Trail Day Work Party with WTA — Help maintain trails at one of the Gorge's most popular parks. Camping available Saturday evening. Beacon Rock State Park
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — Family-friendly volunteer morning removing ivy and spreading mulch. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. St. Helens Park, Vancouver
• Cape Horn Trail Hike with WA Native Plant Society — 5-mile round trip with 700 ft. elevation gain, lush woods, and spring wildflowers. Email Ron Klump to register. Columbia River Gorge
• Thrillium Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party — Join Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance's Southwest Chapter for tread maintenance in the Yacolt Burn forest. Larch Mountain trailhead
• Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival — Pedal-powered fun on the sand for all skill levels — fat bikes, trikes, e-bikes, and more. Cannon Beach, OR

Family & Kids

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

Sunday, May 10

• Lilac Days — Final Day at Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens — Last chance to see the gardens during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 115 S. Pekin Road, Woodland
• Bloom Where You Are Planted Multicultural Festival — Hosted by the Fourth Plain Five neighborhoods for a celebration of community and culture along the Fourth Plain Corridor, Vancouver
• Conboy Lake NWR Hike with WA Native Plant Society — A 3.8-mile loop along the open marsh edge with views of Mount Adams and diverse wildflowers. North of White Salmon
• Bachelor Island Circumnavigation Kayak Tour — 10-mile full-day paddle around Bachelor Island with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. Ridgefield

Monday, May 11

• Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon Society — Spring migration birding beneath towering cottonwoods along the Columbia River. Captain William Clark Park, Washougal
• Clark County Parks Fee-Free Day — International Migratory Bird Day — Enjoy free access to your regional parks in celebration of migratory birds. Clark County parks

Family & Kids

• Early Learners Play to Learn — Hands-on early literacy fun for ages 0–5. 10–11 a.m., Battle Ground Community Library

Tuesday, May 12

• Life After the Great Eruption: Mt. St. Helens — Fort Vancouver volunteer Alex Lennox explores what happened after the 1980 eruption. Fort Vancouver Visitor Center Theater
• Clark College Spring Native Plant Center Plant Sale — Perfect for building out your pollinator habitat. Reserve St., Vancouver

Wednesday, May 13

• Gardening with Compost Workshop — Learn to use compost for a fertilizer-free garden with Waste Connections of WA. 9411 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver
• The Resilient Yard: Change at Home — Discover simple actions you can take in your own yard to reduce your carbon footprint. Free library presentation

Thursday, May 14

• Online Watercolor Painting: The Burrowing Owl — Paint along with the Bird Alliance of Oregon in this fun online workshop. From home
• Spice of Life: Growing Herbs — WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips covers planting, growing, harvesting, and preserving your favorite herbs. Free library program

Friday, May 15

• Flora & Fauna Friday at Campus Community Garden — Weekly mid-day volunteer work party. Snacks provided. Vancouver

Saturday, May 16

• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd Farm — Explore beautiful spots on the farm with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan. Registration required. Plas Newydd Farm
• Learn to Kayak Tour in Ridgefield — Paddle through the Columbia River Water Trail near the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. Ridgefield Waterfront Park
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — A strenuous but rewarding early-season ascent. Marble Mountain Snow Park
• Plant Sale at Northlake ES — Lower Columbia School Gardens — Support school gardens in Longview and Kelso. Longview
• Nature Walk: Wildflowers of Jewett Creek — Local author Ashley Erdely leads a short walking field trip. Meet at White Salmon Valley Community Library

Family & Kids

• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest with Vancouver Audubon — Deadline approaching for this nature photography contest for youth, sponsored by Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union

Monday, May 18

Family & Kids

• Early Learners Play to Learn — Last session of the series! Ages 0–5. 10–11 a.m., Battle Ground Community Library

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