Happy Friday, Vancouver. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Vancouver Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Vancouver marks 25th Wine and Jazz Fest with Grammy winners, opens an inclusive playground, and finds $1500 rents buy about 784 square feet — catch up here.

State-level stories: In-N-Out opens first restaurant in Ridgefield, state fairs feature rodeos, reptile exhibits, and carnival rides, and life sciences jobs jump fifty percent — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Previously hacked data repository relaunches, ramen packs recalled over missing soy warning, and crypto markets tumble on inflation fears — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Join nonprofit executive directors to share ideas
• Boost your LinkedIn profile and network
• Receive free backpacks filled with school supplies
• Navigate anticipatory grief in dementia caregiving
• This home warranty is 50% off until 8/24

🫶 We got your back

Yoga: Forget mat selfies. Hit up yoga studios in Vancouver and you’ll be sweating, stretching, and finding your best zen yet.

Startup: Dream of launching your Washington business in just 2-4 weeks for about $300-500? Dodge the B&O tax even when you’re in the red and avoid filing out of order with these startup essentials.

Kitchen: Skip the $800 monster machines that could blend your iPhone and the $30 lumps that choke on ice. Our 2025 blender guide cuts through the hype so you get a blender that actually works without leaving you $200 poorer.

Vintage: Whether you’re after a perfectly broken-in leather jacket, a band tee older than you, or something that makes strangers say “wait, is that…?”, Cool Loots is a treasure trove of retro finds, funky one-offs, and the kind of closet gold that’ll have you feeling like you time-traveled (in style).

Home: Many homeowners have no idea they’re sitting on thousands in equity they can use to redo their bathroom, kitchen, or whatever their hearts desire. This free equity loan comparison tool can help you find the best fit and get started on the right foot.

👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?

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📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🔊 Reiki Sound Bath | Friday (8/22) at 7:30pm – Folks, if your week’s looked like an inbox with a million unread tabs, this Friday cries “namaste” instead of “reply all.” Slip beneath whale song and siren calls in Crystal Steele’s SIREN sound bath, then emerge lighter, recalibrated, and blissfully untangled.

🔥 Fire and Ice: A Pat Benatar Experience @ Billy Blues Bar and Grill | Friday (8/22) at 9:00pm – Dust off your best ’80s air guitar and swing by Billy Blues for a night where Pat Benatar’s anthems roar louder than a thrashing F-150. Think power chords, leather jackets, and singalongs that make your last karaoke attempt look like child’s play.

This weekend

🐶 Dog Prom Block Party & Doggy Fashion Show | Saturday (8/23) at 10:30am – Grab your sunnies and head downtown for Dog Prom block party, where local vendors peddle pet treats, art, home decor, and canine contestants flaunt Wizard of Oz inspired finery. It’s the perfect excuse to shop, snack, and cheer your favorite furball.

♟️ Chess Social Club @ Cascade Park Community Library | Saturday (8/23) at 10:30am – Whether you’re a grandmaster in the making or just figuring out how the knight moves, this is your spot for friendly matches and good conversation. All ages and skill levels are welcome, so bring your best moves—or just your curiosity—and settle in for a game or two.

🎪 Bridgewood Carnival | Saturday (8/23) at 1:00pm – Whether you’re chasing cotton candy dreams or just bribing the kids to behave, the Bridgewood Carnival delivers classic midway games, homemade treats, and local tunes. Dust off those walking shoes, practice your ring-toss stare, and prepare for some quality people-watching.

🍷 25th Annual Wine & Jazz Festival @ Esther Short Park | Sunday (8/24) at 11:00am – Uncork a glass of Northwest pinot and sink into smooth, Grammy-winning jazz on the waterfront. Seventy local wineries, fine art vendors, and acts from Arturo Sandoval to Take 6 will dot your weekend with rhythm and refreshment. It’s basically happy hour with a sax solo.

🎒 Changing Hearts Foundation Backpack Give Out @ Bagley Park | Sunday (8/24) at 1:00pm – Summer’s not over until your kid’s backpack still sits empty. Swing by for free school supplies, bring the whole crew, and perfect your back-to-school denial while the Changing Hearts crew hooks everyone up. Family-friendly fun, no homework required.

🔔 Community Sound Healing @ Siren Salon | Sunday (8/24) at 7:00pm – Slide into your favorite yoga pants and join a 50-minute sound healing session featuring quartz crystal bowls tuned to each chakra, heartfelt drumbeats, and more. Bring your yoga mat, pillow, and a blanket, because freezing out here isn’t exactly zen.

Next week

🎈 Villa Summer Block Party | Tuesday (8/26) at 3:00pm – Nothing beats live music on the lawn, good barbecue bites, and a cold lemonade, beer, or glass of wine while you scope out potential Touchmark neighbors. It’s the kind of backyard bash that reminds you why you settled here in the first place.

🚲 Jitensha @ Brother Cascadia Evergreen Pub | Tuesday (8/26) at 6:00pm – If your weekend vibes need an upgrade, head back to our favorite haunt Brothers Cascadia for Jitensha’s original neo-psychedelic grooves and indie pop concoctions. Just the right excuse to dust off those wireless earbuds, pretend you’re an early adopter, and actually get off the couch.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 8/22 Wine & Jazz Festival @ Esther Short Park – 3:30 pm
• 8/22 WaterFront Band @ Heathman Lodge – 6 pm
• 8/22 LG and more @ Georgie’s Garage – 7 pm
• 8/22 Parker McCollum @ Cascades Amphitheater – 7:30 pm
• 8/23 Holy Hannah @ The Backyard – 7 pm
• 8/23 Pantera @ Cascades Amphitheater – 7 pm
• 8/23 Gin & Juice and more @ Billy Blues – 9 pm
• 8/24 Nelly @ Ilani Cowlitz – 7 pm
• 8/24 Joel Sunny @ Polaris Hall – 7 pm
• 8/26 $uicideboy$ and more @ Cascades Amphitheater – 6:30 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Vancouver edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Donna M Roberts (eXp Realty)

Striking lines, radiant-heated concrete floors, and walls of glass put Mt. St. Helens and the Salmon Creek Greenway on full display in this Richard Meier–inspired showpiece. The art-display entry sets the tone, leading to a Bosch/Thermador kitchen, ensuite bedrooms with bamboo floors, and a spa-like primary suite with its own balcony. A private elevator, wine cellar, and sauna dial up the luxury.

Multiple decks and a covered outdoor living space with fireplace keep the party going year-round. Custom steel siding means less yard work and more time to explore nearby trails or grab coffee near top Salmon Creek schools.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →