📰 What's Making News

Washougal's Resect AI Lands $25M in Venture Capital

A Washougal-based startup just proved you don't need a Seattle or Silicon Valley address to attract serious money. Resect AI has secured $25 million in venture capital funding, making it the latest Clark County company to pull in millions despite operating far from traditional tech corridors. The deal is part of a broader trend showing the region's startups gaining real traction with investors. It's a big signal that our corner of the state is building a reputation worth betting on. Read the full story at The Columbian.

50-Foot Paintings, 400-Foot Canvases: Clark County's Cyclorama History

Long before IMAX screens tried to swallow audiences whole, there were cycloramas — massive wraparound paintings up to 50 feet tall and 400 feet long that drew enormous crowds. The Columbian's Clark County history column digs into how these jaw-dropping theatrical spectacles, including the famous "Battle of Gettysburg" cyclorama, captivated viewers in an era when "immersive entertainment" meant oil paint and sheer scale. It's a fascinating look at how the desire to be transported by a big experience is nothing new. Dive into the history here.

October Skies Bring Meteor Showers, Rare Planet Sightings

If you've been meaning to look up more and scroll less, October is giving you every reason. This month features two meteor showers, the hunter's moon, and prime viewing windows for planets that are typically hard to spot from Washington. Whether you head out to a dark stretch of Clark County countryside or just step onto your back porch, there's plenty to catch. Here's what to watch for and when.

When Jobs Dip, Washington Grads Head to College

A new report from the Washington Student Achievement Council found that high school graduates across the state are more likely to enroll in college when the job market softens — and two-year colleges see the biggest bumps. It's a pattern worth knowing about, especially for families weighing post-graduation plans. The data underscores how economic conditions quietly shape the choices young Washingtonians make about their futures. See the findings at The Columbian.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Monday, October 5

• HOPE Dementia Support: "Meet Me at the Art Workshop" — 11:00 AM at Vancouver Arts Hub. Guided by art instructor Tricia Hall, participants with dementia explore hands-on projects that encourage expression, connection, and joy. Free, but registration required. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting — 12:00 PM at AC Hotel by Marriott Vancouver Waterfront. The Rotary Club of Downtown Vancouver welcomes community members to its weekly lunch meeting. Free. More info
• Penguin Talks: The Life of a Native Bee — 12:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Biology professor Steven Clark shares the fascinating and surprising life of Washington's native bees — where they go after September, why most don't live in hives, and more. Free. More info
• Pairs and Spares Monthly Potluck — 1:00 PM. A monthly potluck and social for ages 50+. All are welcome. Call 360-892-8944 for details. More info
• Early Learners Music and Movement — 2:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Songs, rhymes, rhythm, and dance for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Free. More info
• Kids & Tweens Great Build Off — 3:30 PM at various FVRL Library locations. Put your creativity to the test with a surprise building challenge using provided materials. Ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Tales with Tails — 4:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Kids in 1st–5th grade can boost their reading confidence with 15-minute sessions reading to a therapy dog. Registration required. Free. More info
• Cosmic Watercolor Splatter Coasters Workshop — 6:30 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub. Susan Soltau of Dragon Half Art teaches wet-on-wet watercolor blending and splatter techniques to create nebula-like coasters. No experience needed, all supplies provided. $35. More info

Tuesday, October 6

• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM at various locations around Clark County. Free evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60+, tailored to all ability levels. No pre-registration required. More info
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM. A safe indoor space for kids ages 9 months to 6 years to run, play, jump, and explore while parents socialize. $7–$9. More info
• Camas Public Library Food Drive — 10:00 AM at Camas Public Library. Drop off non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and laundry pods to benefit the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center. More info
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM at Velvet Acres Gardens, 18905 N.E. 83rd St., Vancouver. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hay bale pyramid, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, vendors, and food carts. $10 weekdays, $12 weekends. More info
• English Conversation Group for Adults — 12:30 PM at Camas Public Library. Practice speaking and listening skills in a supportive environment. Free. More info
• New Aging Solo Program Community Meeting — 1:30 PM at Keller Williams, 2211 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Villages Clark County launches a new program for adults 50+ who are aging solo — find local resources, support, and practical info. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM at various FVRL Library locations. Create a character and play Dungeons & Dragons with other players ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Teen Make Your Own Merch — 4:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Design custom prints and buttons and learn how artists turn handmade items into a business. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Shut Up and Write! Writers Group — 5:15 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub. A weekly gathering for writers of all levels featuring dedicated writing time — no readings or critiques. Free. More info
• Spanish Conversation Group — 5:30 PM at Camas Public Library. A group for beginning Spanish speakers. No registration required. Free. More info
• Living on the Land Class Series — 6:00 PM at 78th Street Heritage Farm, Hazel Dell. WSU Clark County Extension brings in local experts to teach stewardship principles for small acreage landowners — pasture management, soil health, weed control, and more. $60. More info
• Page Turners Book Club — 6:30 PM at Camas Public Library. A book club for kids in 4th–6th grade and their adults. Register, pick up the book, and keep it for free after the meeting. Free. More info
• VAS: "Amazing Adaptations: How Birds Survive Stormy Weather" — 6:30 PM. Dr. Jamie Cornelius of Oregon State University presents on the behavioral and physiological strategies birds use to cope with storms and unpredictable environments. Free, all welcome. More info
• Disney's Worlds Collide Concert Tour — 7:00 PM at Moda Center, Portland. An arena spectacular bringing together the worlds of Descendants, ZOMBIES, and Camp Rock with a lineup of Disney stars. Starting at $59.65. More info
• Science Pub: Smoke and Mirrors — 7:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. Professor DR Schreiber explores how magicians used mirror technology to create entirely new forms of magic in the 19th century. More info

Wednesday, October 7

• Marshall House Tour — 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Vancouver. Tour this stunning Queen Anne home named for General George C. Marshall, featuring stained glass, decorative woodwork, and military memorabilia. Free. More info
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Explore the 1873 neo-Georgian brick building constructed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, once a school, orphanage, and convent offices. Free, by reservation. More info
• Contemplative Prayer — 12:20 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Vancouver. Quiet music and contemplative prayer. Free. More info
• Kids & Tweens Create — 4:00 PM at Washougal Community Library. Drop in for creative and interactive art projects. Ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Kids Read to a Dog — 4:00 PM. Build reading skills and confidence by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Ages 5–9. Free. More info
• Teen & Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM at various FVRL Library locations. Open game play with decks provided or bring your own. Free. More info
• Main Street Promise Reopening Celebration — 5:00 PM at Kiggins Theatre, Vancouver. Celebrate the completion of the $21 million Main Street Promise with Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, community leaders, a performance by Metropolitan Performing Arts, and live music from Liz Joy and Midnight Theory. Free. More info
• Wined Down Wednesdays: Karaoke Night at 14 Acres — 5:00 PM at 14 Acres Vineyard and Winery, Ridgefield. Sing karaoke and enjoy wine by the glass or bottle. Ages 21+. Free admission. More info
• Caps N Taps Costume and Holiday Decor Swap — 5:00 PM at Caps N' Taps, Camas. Bring gently used Halloween costumes or holiday decorations and swap them for something new-to-you. All ages. Free. More info
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. East Coast and Lindy Hop style swing dancing with an intermediate lesson at 6, beginner lesson at 7, and social dance at 8. Singles, partners, and groups welcome. $5–$10. More info
• All Ages Bingo — 6:00 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Friendly competition with fantastic prizes, snacks, and refreshments. $10–$13. More info
• Waltz and Salsa Classes — 6:00 PM at Clark College O'Connell Sports Complex. Julieann and Joseph Platt teach beginning waltz (6 PM) and salsa (7 PM). No experience required. $69 per person for the five-week session. More info
• Low-waste Chef: Reduce Food Waste, Save Money — 6:00 PM at Waste Connections of Washington, Vancouver. Clark County Green Neighbors shares easy meal-planning ideas, food storage tips, and creative ways to maximize ingredients. Free. More info
• FVRL: Backyard Birdwatching — 6:00 PM. A beginner-friendly workshop on equipment, ethical bird feeding, identification tools, and common backyard birds. Free, no registration required. More info
• An Evening with Jeff VanderMeer — 6:30 PM at Foster Auditorium, Clark College. White Oak Books hosts the bestselling author of the Borne trilogy and the Southern Reach trilogy. Tickets are $20 and include a chapbook. More info
• Budget Bites Workshop — 6:30 PM at PeaceHealth Specialty Clinic, Vancouver. Sarah Sterling leads a workshop on eating well on a budget. $35. More info
• Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Movies — 7:30 PM at Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, Ridgefield. Drive-in horror movies with in-car audio, Hollywood-quality monsters, and food and drinks available. Starting at $78.22. More info

Thursday, October 8

• On the Road Tour: Putting the Garden to Bed — 8:00 AM, departing from 78th Street Heritage Farm. WSU Master Gardeners take you on a guided tour of end-of-season gardens including Marcia Sparling's 37-acre LaCenter farm and Battle Ground Blooms cut flower business, with lunch at the Margarita Factory. $40. More info
• Quiltfest Northwest: Golden Jubilee — 10:00 AM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. The 50th annual show features over 500 quilts, the Cherrywood Challenge Exhibit, a vendor mall, and the ocean-inspired "Abyss: Creatures from the Deep" exhibit. Through Oct. 10. $10. More info
• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Vancouver. Tour this beautifully preserved Queen Anne home with period furnishings and military memorabilia. Free. More info
• Advanced Competitive Bridge Bidding — 10:00 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club. A six-week class with Ruby Life Master Michael Walker covering opening bids, slam bidding, takeout doubles, and more. $10–$50. More info
• Dine the Couve — 11:00 AM at locations around Clark County. Now in its 11th year, Dine the Couve offers three-course meals at restaurants, cafes, and brewpubs throughout the county — $35 or $50 tiers. Grab the free mobile pass to browse menus and earn points. More info
• Kids & Tweens Build It — 3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Spark your imagination and build STEM skills using LEGO bricks, blocks, boxes, and more. Ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Teen Bad Art — 4:00 PM at Ridgefield Community Library. A hilariously fun program where perfection is not allowed — make your worst art, talk about your process, and vote for the most impressively bad piece. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:30 PM. Hang out with friends, play games, craft, and chat. Snacks provided by the Friends of Vancouver Community Library. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Take Learning Outside — Session 1: Birds as a Window to Science — 4:30 PM. Vancouver Audubon's Cameraderie Youth Program invites educators to earn free STEM clock hours while learning to use binoculars and field guides in the field. More info
• FVRL: Attracting Worms to Your Garden — 6:00 PM. Discover the benefits of earthworms and learn how to attract them to your garden beds. Free, no registration required. More info
• The Mazamas: 133 Years of Adventure, Science and Culture — 6:30 PM. Matthew Brock, Library and Historical Collections Manager for the Mazamas, shares the mountaineering organization's rich Pacific Northwest history. Free. More info
• 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. More info
• Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at Magenta Theater — 7:30 PM at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. A lightning-fast, laugh-out-loud, gender-bending romp through Bram Stoker's vampire tale — think Mel Brooks meets Monty Python. $28. More info

Friday, October 9

• Adult & Teen Craft & Chat at La Center Community Library — 10:00 AM. Bring your fiber arts project — knitting, crochet, spinning, cross-stitch, even mending — and make connections. Ages 13+. Free. More info
• Game & Puzzle Swap — 10:00 AM at Kindred Vancouver. Bring board games, card games, or puzzles to swap for something new-to-you. Nothing to bring? Everyone is welcome to browse. Free. More info
• Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time — 10:00 AM in Ridgefield. Explore the beautiful trails of Plas Newydd Farm with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan — observe migratory birds, native plants, and the rhythms of the land. More info
• Gardner School Book Swap — 11:00 AM. Bring gently used books, puzzles, and games to trade. This year also features a chili cook-off and cornbread competition. Free. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program — 12:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Free lunch for low-income seniors age 60+, sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Paddles — 5:30 PM in Ridgefield. Try dragon boat paddling at no cost — no experience needed, ages 14+. A fun, team-oriented activity on the water. More info

Saturday, October 10

• Washington State Parks Fee-Free Day — 7:00 AM. No Discover Pass needed! Explore millions of acres of Washington's parks and trails for free in celebration of World Mental Health Day. More info
• Water Center Backyard Habitat Garden Cleanup — 9:30 AM at the Water Resources Education Center. Volunteer to help keep the Backyard Habitat Certified gardens in shape — weeding, trimming, and small blackberry removal. Tools and gloves provided. Registration required. More info
• Walk with a Doc — 9:30 AM. Learn about a current health topic from a healthcare provider, then enjoy a healthy walk at your own pace. Free. More info
• NatureScaping Perennial, Bulb and Seed Swap — 10:00 AM at the Wildlife Botanical Gardens, 11000 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie. The 10th annual swap — bring divided perennials, extra bulbs, or saved seeds and trade for something new for your garden. More info
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — 10:00 AM. Help beautify St. Helens Park by removing ivy and spreading mulch. Family-friendly, great for teens. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. More info
• Wild Edibles: Native & Non — 10:00 AM at Good Year Farms, Washougal. Learn about edible native and introduced plants already growing in your yard, with ethical harvest practices, preparation techniques, and tastings. More info

Sunday, October 11

• Vancouver Audubon's Young Birders Club — 8:00 AM at WSU-Vancouver Campus. Youth ages 8–18 search for migratory birds and irruptive finches. All birding levels welcome — binoculars available to borrow. More info
• Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helens Institute — 10:00 AM at Pine Creek Information Station. Learn to identify wild edible and inedible mushrooms, harvest safely, and cook them into delicious dishes. Plan to get your shoes and hands dirty! More info

Thursday, October 15

• Step Inside Opal & Ivy — Ribbon Cutting — 4:00 PM at 8606 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Suite C, Vancouver. Tour this community-focused luxury salon, enjoy refreshments, and enter a raffle. Open since January 2026, Opal & Ivy is a welcoming space for independent stylists and local connection. More info
• LCNN's Seeds for Education — Seed Sorting & Packing — 4:00 PM at Good Year Farms, Washougal. Help sort and pack seeds to support outdoor, hands-on learning in local schools. More info
• Doomscrolling Detox: Finding Your Balance in the Digital Age — 6:00 PM at the Red Cross Building, Vancouver. Journalist and media educator T. Andrew Wahl breaks down our current information landscape and shares practical strategies for healthier digital habits. Free. More info

Friday, October 16

• Vancouver Lake Community Paddle Trip — 10:00 AM. Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver's Water Center for a free family-friendly canoe paddle aboard 29-foot Big Canoes. Spot shorebirds, look for beaver activity, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem. More info

Saturday, October 17

• Clark County Parks & Nature Fee-Free Day: National "Take a Hike" Day — 7:00 AM. Free access to Clark County regional parks and trails. Find a trail near you and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of hiking. More info
• Secret Spaces Tour: Post Hospital — 9:00 AM. The Historic Trust brings back this fan-favorite tour of one of Vancouver's most talked-about landmarks. Built in 1903–1904, the Post Hospital was cutting-edge for its time. $35. More info
• Ivy Removal at Behrens Woods — 9:00 AM. Join Vancouver's Naturespaces volunteers for a morning of removing invasive plants. Family-friendly and great for teens. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. More info
• (Not So) Scary Nature Day at Columbia Springs — 10:00 AM at Columbia Springs, 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. Hands-on science exploring creepy, crawly critters — engaging for all ages from preschoolers to adults. Free. More info
• Learning to Prune Deciduous & Evergreen Shrubs — 10:00 AM at 11104 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie. Professional gardener Christofer Robison teaches methods and techniques to get your shrubs looking incredible and healthy, with classroom time and hands-on demos. More info
• Mini-Basket Weaving Class — 10:00 AM at Good Year Farms, 29610 SE 23rd St. Erin of Frog & Twig teaches locally harvested fiber basketry techniques including pairing weave, three-rod wale weave, and soft fiber twining. More info
• Trail Trackers Nature Hike with WREC — 10:00 AM at the Water Resources Education Center. A beginner-friendly class on identifying and interpreting animal tracks, scat, feeding marks, and other signs of wildlife. More info
• Bear Creek Riparian Restoration Work Party — 10:00 AM on the North Fork Toutle River. Volunteer with Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group and partners to plant native vegetation and build Beaver Dam Analog structures that support salmon habitat recovery. More info
• Autumn Stitching on the Farm — 10:00 AM at Plas Newydd Farm. Back by popular demand! Nicki Eybel leads a day of stitching an 8"x8" autumn landscape — think sky, river, and land — around the workshop table. More info
• Fall Color Rides on the Chelatchie Railroad — 12:00 PM, departing from Yacolt. Ride vintage trains through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River, and stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. More info
• River Superstars: Salmon and Lamprey — 1:00 PM at the Water Resources Education Center. A drop-in program for ages 5–12 exploring the life cycles of salmon and lamprey through hands-on activities. Free, no registration required. More info
• William Scofield Gallery — Artist Talk with Candace Pratt — 1:30 PM. Candace Pratt discusses her work and the ideas behind her pieces in the exhibition Accumulation. More info

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