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Hey Vancouver, hope your week’s off to a good start! I-5 Bridge greenlight, James Beard semifinalists, a lion dance performance, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Regional economy set to benefit: Senator Patty Murray and Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle hailed Coast Guard approval of a fixed I-5 Bridge between Vancouver and Portland, moving toward faster and safer cross-river travel this decade — read the full story.
Third location on the horizon: Trap Door Brewing will open a Brush Prairie location in fall 2026 featuring a food cart pod and family friendly beer garden, with local food trucks already expressing interest — get all the details.
Inside the culinary Oscars: The 2026 James Beard Awards announced 16 Washington semifinalists, including Vancouver’s The Elbow Room for Best New Bar. Seattle chefs and eateries also made the list, matching last year’s total — get all the details.
New public health alert: Clark County health officials identified a measles exposure site in Ridgefield linked to a recent case. Unvaccinated may be at risk. As of Jan. 30, no new cases were confirmed — read the full update.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
New voice joins council: Washougal City Council appointed David Szyplinski to the No. 5 seat, vacant since Molly Coston’s death. Mayor David Stuebe confirmed the appointment via Skype. Szyplinski previously served as a firefighter and worked as a project manager for Vancouver-based Western Construction Services. Read the full story.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Modernizing student transportation locally: KWRL Transportation has purchased 14 new electric school buses for Kalama, Woodland, Ridgefield and La Center. Backed by EPA, Washington Department of Ecology and local PUD grants, the move trims fuel costs by more than $100,000 and reduces maintenance. Diesel buses will remain part of the fleet. See how funding made it possible.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Make some noise: Whether your kid needs a first trumpet, your cable’s on its last leg, or you’re ready for lessons that stick, Beacock Music offers rentals, repairs, and real guidance to keep the home jam rolling, all without crossing the river.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Stretch it smarter: If your back’s been filing HR complaints, Pilates Plus Northwest offers calm, precise sessions that build real core strength and better posture, without the gym chaos. A low-impact reset for Vancouver folks who want to feel stronger, move easier, and keep up with life, including those endless PNW stairs.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🧧 Asian Valentines & Lunar New Year Party @ Clark College | Wednesday (2/11) at 1:00 PM – Two holidays, one excuse to be festive without the prix fixe. At Gaiser Hall, expect chocolate making, lucky envelopes, snacks, drinks, and karaoke. Bring a date, a friend, or just yourself, and yes, they take cash and cards.
🕯 Fused Glass Nightlights or Votives Project @ Melt Glass Art Supply | Wednesday (2/11) at 6:00 PM – Skip errands and play with fire, sort of, at the glass studio, making up to four custom nightlights or votives from colorful, stackable glass. No experience needed, all materials included, they run the kiln, you pick up in two weeks, and it’s 16+.
🍷 Wine and Chocolate @ Total Wine & More | Thursday (2/12) – If your idea of self-care is letting someone else figure out which cab goes with which cacao, this is your night. Sip curated wines with premier chocolate, discover new flavors, and pretend it’s education. Grown-up dessert, zero guilt, excellent company.
This weekend
🛡 Stromgard Founding Revel @ Camas Community Center | Saturday (2/14) at 9:00 AM – Stromgard’s turning 25, so dust off your garb, or borrow from Gold Key, and revel like the Baltic trade never stopped. Expect classes, dancing, bardic showdowns, an Amber Road feast, and an Is It Cake contest, then vote your favorite bard into fleeting fame.
💌 Valentine’s Love Letters Ceramics Class @ Kilnfolk | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Skip the prix fixe this Valentine’s Day and make something that lasts longer than roses. Head to Kilnfolk Clay Studio to turn your vows or favorite lyrics into ceramic love letters, $200 per couple, one booking covers two. Beginner friendly, coffee provided, metered parking nearby.
🎨 Paint Your Pet Sunday @ ART ZONE | Sunday (2/15) at 11:00 AM – Trade scrolling for something wholesome, and turn your four-legged roommate into wall-worthy art. It’s beginner friendly acrylics with instructor Hannah Complin, linework prepped, brushwork and color tips as you go, zero pressure, just laughs, paint, and a smug pet portrait.
🦁 2026 Lion Dance Performance @ Short & Sweet | Sunday (2/15) at 2:30 PM – Trade your quiet evening for something better, Lunar New Year done loud. White Lotus, Oregon’s premier Dragon & Lion Dance team, brings pounding drums, acrobatics, and a generous dose of luck to Short & Sweet, and yes, it is free. Consider it cardio for ears.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Vancouver report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 53°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy frost between 8am and 9am. Partly sunny. High near 53, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Areas of frost after 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 54°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 0%
Widespread frost before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 54. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Later: Areas of frost after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
This house is wild
Custom no-step single-story in First Place tailored for aging in place. It offers 3 bedrooms plus an office and 3 baths, a split plan, and an island kitchen open to a great room. Roll-in shower and heated bath floors. Solar tubes add ease. Covered patio with motorized shades, skylights, and built-in fire pit and BBQ. Near I-205 and neighborhood park.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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