⚡ Quick Bites

Nothing made the cut today — all four items in the hopper were national Wall Street and polling stories with no Vancouver or Clark County connection. We'd rather leave this section empty than pad it with filler that doesn't help you. We'll be back tomorrow with local stories worth your time.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Monday, October 12

• Tiny Toppings Storytime — 11:00 AM at Copper Bell Bookshop, Ridgefield. Kids storytime with a bonus: every participant gets a coupon for a free kids scoop at Eight Cow Creamery. 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 gathering. Free to attend. 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
• Tales with Tails — 4:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Kids in grades 1–5 can practice reading aloud to Scamp the therapy dog. Sign up for a 15-minute slot at CamasPL.org/TalesWTails. Free. More info
• Bluey's Big Play – The Stage Show — 6:00 PM at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland. The Heeler family hits the stage in this theatrical adaptation of the beloved series, with an original story by creator Joe Brumm. Tickets from $38.70. More info
• Flynn Creek Circus: The Cricket and the Wren — 6:00 PM at Clark College, Vancouver. An all-human circus spectacular featuring aerialists, jugglers, knife throwers, and laugh-out-loud comedy woven into a storybook adventure. $27–$98. More info
• Furry Friends Online Auction — 6:00 PM (online). Furry Friends cat rescue kicks off an online auction running through Oct. 18. Browse and bid on items, or join the "Butch Catsidy and the Sundance Kit" dinner and live auction on Oct. 17 at Royal Oaks Country Club. 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 galaxy-inspired coasters. No experience needed. $35. More info

Tuesday, October 13

• Enhance Fitness Classes — 8:30 AM at various locations around Clark County. Free evidence-based exercise classes for adults 60 and older, tailored from seated to full mobility. No pre-registration required. More info
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze — 10:00 AM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Wagon rides, a free pumpkin you can carry, corn maze, and more. $14–$16. More info
• Playgroup at Firstenburg Community Center — 10:00 AM. A safe indoor space for kids ages 9 months to 6 years to run, climb, 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, lunchbox snacks, hygiene products, and pantry staples to benefit the Camas School District's Family-Community Resource Center. More info
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM at Velvet Acres Gardens, Orchards. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hay bale pyramid, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, vendors, and food carts. $10–$12. More info
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM at Whalen Oaks Farm, Woodland. More than 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds on 40+ acres. Free admission and free parking. More info
• Kids and Tweens Create — 3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Tween and Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game — 4:30 PM at various FVRL Library locations. Create a character and dive into Dungeons & Dragons for ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Teen Make Your Own Merch — 5:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. 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 casual group for beginning Spanish speakers. No registration required. Free. More info
• Puzzle Dash — 6:00 PM. Race the clock to assemble a 500-piece puzzle with your team. Top two fastest teams win prizes, and every team keeps their puzzle. $34–$43. More info
• Beyond the Scale: Mindful Eating — 6:30 PM at PeaceHealth Specialty Clinic, Vancouver. Sarah Sterling leads a workshop on breaking the cycle of guilt and stress around eating. $50. More info

Wednesday, October 14

• Pomeroy Farm Fall Homeschool Day — 9:00 AM at Pomeroy Farm, Yacolt. Homeschool families and small groups of 20 or fewer can enjoy hayrides, pumpkin picking, and "The Farm in Fall" program for preschool through second grade. $10. More info
• Providence Academy Tours — 10:00 AM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Tour the stunning 1873 neo-Georgian building constructed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, featuring four stories of history. Free, by reservation. More info
• Teen Book Club — 2:30 PM at Camas Public Library. Teens in grades 7–12 meet for a guided 45-minute book discussion and get to keep their free copy. Register at CamasPL.org/TBC. Free. More info
• Teen and Adult Magic the Gathering Social Club — 4:00 PM at Cascade Park and Vancouver Community Libraries. Open game play with decks provided or bring your own. Free. More info
• Kids and Tweens Create: Origami — 4:00 PM. Drop-in creative fun for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Kids and Tweens Creative Crafts: DIY Squishies — 4:00 PM at Cascade Park Community Library, Vancouver. Make your own squishy stress-busting toys. Ages 5–12. Free. More info
• Ridgefield Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan — Open House Workshop — 4:30 PM at Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center. Share your input on the future of Ridgefield's parks, trails, and recreation. More info
• Teen and Tween Hangout: Pizza and Games — 5:00 PM at Three Creeks Community Library, Vancouver. Games, crafts, chatting, plus pizza and snacks. Ages 9–19. 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. 21 and over. Free. More info
• Weekly Swing Dancing at the Valiant Ballroom — 6:00 PM at The Valiant Ballroom, Vancouver. East Coast and Lindy Hop lessons followed by social dancing. Singles, partners, and groups welcome. $5–$10. More info
• Howl-O-Ween: Pooch Parade — 6:00 PM at Battle Ground Event Center. Dress up your pup for this free dog costume contest with prizes, including a People's Choice Award. More info
• Black Community Science Night — 6:00 PM at OMSI, Portland. An evening of hands-on science, local vendors, educators, and cultural celebration. All are welcome. More info
• Waltz and Salsa Classes — 6:00 PM at Clark College O'Connell Sports Center, Vancouver. Five-week sessions for beginners — waltz at 6 PM, salsa at 7 PM. $69 per person. More info
• Bokashi Composting: Ferment Food Scraps for Your Soil Factory — 6:00 PM at Waste Connections of Washington, Vancouver. Learn how Bokashi bins use airtight fermentation to compost food scraps in a compact setup. Free. More info
• Disabled American Veterans Monthly Meeting — 6:30 PM at the 40 et 8, Vancouver. DAV Chapter 4 holds its regular monthly meeting. Free. 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 Hollywood-quality makeup, in-car audio, and food and drinks. Tickets from $78.22. More info

Thursday, October 15

• Marshall House Tours — 10:00 AM at Marshall House, Vancouver. Explore this beautifully preserved Queen Anne home at Fort Vancouver, once the residence of General George C. Marshall. Free. More info
• Advanced Competitive Bridge Bidding — 10:00 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club. A class for beginning and intermediate bridge players led by Ruby Life Master Michael Walker. $10–$50. More info
• Move to Improve: Exercise and Diabetes — 10:30 AM at Touchmark at Fairway Village, Vancouver. Touchmark's health and fitness director Jennifer Short explores how exercise supports blood sugar management. Free. More info
• Clark County Community Development Learning Lab — 11:00 AM at Clark County Public Service Center, Vancouver. Expert staff cover a new topic each month, from building permits to land use. Free. More info
• Dine the Couve — 11:00 AM at locations around Clark County. Now in its 11th year, sample three dishes for $35 or $50 at restaurants, cafes, brewpubs, and tasting rooms throughout Clark County all month long. More info
• Thrive During Retirement — 12:00 PM at Martel Wealth Advisors, Vancouver. A complimentary catered lunch with a presentation on the most important decisions facing retirees. Free. More info
• Clark College Native Plant Center Fall Sale — 12:00 PM at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. Stock up on native plants just in time for fall planting season. More info
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 3:00 PM at Walton Farms, Camas. Corn maze, train ride, and one pumpkin of any size included with $13 admission. More info
• Kids and Tweens Build It — 3:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. LEGO bricks, blocks, boxes, and more for ages 5–12. Free. More info
• LEGO Club — 4:00 PM at Camas Public Library. Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade can play with the library's LEGO collection. Free. More info
• Step Inside Opal & Ivy — 4:00 PM at 8606 E Mill Plain Blvd Suite C, Vancouver. Ribbon cutting for this community-focused luxury salon. Tour the space, enjoy refreshments, and enter a raffle. More info
• LCNN's Seeds for Education — 4:00 PM at Good Year Farms, Washougal. Help sort and pack seeds to support outdoor, hands-on learning in local schools. More info
• Teen Hangout at Vancouver Community Library — 4:30 PM. Games, crafts, and snacks for ages 13–19, provided by the Friends of Vancouver Community Library. Free. More info
• Teen Bad Art — 4:30 PM at Vancouver Mall Library. A hilariously fun program where perfection is not allowed. Make your worst art and vote for the most impressively bad piece. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Open Mic Night at Dovetail Cellars — 6:00 PM at Dovetail Cellars, Vancouver. A supportive lineup of songwriters and small groups, live on KXRW. Sign-ups at 5:30 PM. Free. More info
• Doomscrolling Detox: Finding Your Balance in the Digital Age — 6:00 PM at Red Cross Building, Vancouver. Journalist and media educator T. Andrew Wahl breaks down how to navigate today's information landscape. Free. More info
• pQ Puzzle Night 2: Fright Club at Firehouse Axes — 6:30 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. Five rounds of timed puzzle-solving with prizes for the fastest teams. More info
• Author Event and Costume Party with Keith Rosson — 6:30 PM at White Oak Books, Vancouver. Celebrate the launch of Keith Rosson's novel Crone with a reading, live interview with Leah Sottile, and a Halloween costume party. Free. More info
• Line Dancing at Ashwood Taps and Trucks — 7:00 PM at Ashwood Taps and Trucks, Washougal. Line dancing with Kat Nichols, open to all ages and beginners. $10. 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
• Disney on Ice Presents: Jump In — 7:00 PM at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Portland. Dazzling ice skating, enchanting worlds, and beloved Disney characters. Tickets from $37.30. More info
• History on Tap: The Lavender Palette — 7:00 PM at Old Liberty Theater, Ridgefield. Art historian David F. Martin presents an evening of film and discussion at the Clark County Historical Museum's series finale. $5. More info

Friday, October 16

• Vancouver Lake Community Paddle Trip — 10:00 AM. A free, family-friendly canoe paddle in 29-foot Big Canoes with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. Spot shorebirds, look for signs of beaver activity, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program — 12:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver. A free lunch for low-income seniors age 60 and older, served noon to 1 PM. Sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info

Saturday, October 17

• Clark County Parks and Nature Fee-Free Day — 7:00 AM at Clark County regional parks. Celebrate National Take a Hike Day with free access to regional parks and trails. More info
• Secret Spaces Tour: Post Hospital — 9:00 AM. Explore Vancouver's historic 1903 Post Hospital, once considered cutting-edge. This fan-favorite tour is back from The Historic Trust. $35. More info
• Ivy Removal at Behrens Woods — 9:00 AM. Help the City of Vancouver remove invasive plants in a family-friendly volunteer morning. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. More info
• (Not So) Scary Nature Day at Columbia Springs — 10:00 AM at Columbia Springs, Vancouver. Hands-on science exploring creepy, crawly critters for all ages. Free. More info
• Learning to Prune Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs — 10:00 AM in Brush Prairie. Professional gardener Christofer Robison teaches pruning methods and techniques with classroom time and hands-on outdoor demos. More info
• Mini-Basket Weaving Class — 10:00 AM. Erin of Frog & Twig teaches locally harvested fiber weaving techniques including willow, cattail, and iris. More info
• Trail Trackers Nature Hike with WREC — 10:00 AM at Vancouver Water Resources Education Center. Learn to identify animal tracks, scat, and feeding marks in this beginner-friendly class. More info
• Bear Creek Riparian Restoration Work Party — 10:00 AM on the North Fork Toutle River. Volunteer with Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group to plant native vegetation and build beaver dam structures that support salmon habitat. 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, then cook them into delicious dishes. More info
• Autumn Stitching on the Farm Workshop — 10:00 AM at Plas Newydd Farm. Stitch an 8x8-inch autumn landscape with fiber artist Nicki Eybel in this hands-on workshop. 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 to visit Yacolt Falls. More info
• River Superstars: Salmon and Lamprey — 1:00 PM at Vancouver Water Resources Education Center. A drop-in program for ages 5–12 exploring the life cycles of salmon and lamprey. Free. More info
• William Scofield Gallery — Artist Talk with Candace Pratt — 1:30 PM. Join exhibiting artist Candace Pratt for a conversation about her work in the Accumulation exhibit. More info

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