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Good morning, Vancouver! In today’s edition: A magical winter drag showcase, a new all-access community center membership, a home with a two-story atrium, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Chamber forum previews fiscal challenges: Clark County legislators brace for a tough Olympia session starting Jan. 12, expecting a lean budget and cuts under Gov. Bob Ferguson amid a projected revenue drop from September’s forecast — see what lawmakers expect.
Who benefits and what’s changing: Four Western Washington counties were awarded $6.58 million for road safety, Sen. Maria Cantwell said, funding planning and pilot work and a push to improve post-crash emergency care — see which communities benefit.
New labor trend snapshot: Clark County’s labor market is slowing, a state report says, with seven months of weaker growth through September and 188,300 nonfarm jobs, according to Washington’s Employment Security Department — see the latest numbers.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*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
Citywide fitness made simpler: Vancouver’s new Community Center Membership is now live, giving residents all-access to Firstenburg and Marshall. Enjoy pools, a lazy river, more than 60 classes, fitness centers, and drop-in sports. Resident rates run $22 to $41 monthly, with family plans available. Current members already have access. Get all the details.
Crisp local pour: Vancouver’s original cidery, Mela Cider, pours small-batch blends like Orange Peach Mimosa and Blueberry Breeze. Clean, fruit-forward, and fridge-friendly, these cans make an easy weeknight swap from beer to something apple-y, bright, and refreshing.
Vintage home glow-up: When your space needs personality fast, Camas Antiques makes it easy to wander 10,000 square feet of vintage furniture, decor, art, and oddities from 70+ vendors under one roof. Pop in for a browse, walk out with the piece you didn’t know you needed.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🎨 Pastel Studio Fundamentals @ ART ZONE | Wednesday (1/7) at 11:00 AM – Whether your last art class involved macaroni or a merlot flight, this four-week pastel studio gets you back to basics with soft chalk, solid drills, and honest critiques. Expect real projects, real progress, and the satisfying mess of good pigment, good paper, and good company.
🖌 Winter Kids and a Canvas Paint Night @ Lacamas Lake Lodge | Wednesday (1/7) at 6:00 PM – Whether you draw stick figures or still flaunt that third-grade ribbon, this winter paint night keeps the kids busy and your sanity intact. Courtney guides all ages step by step, no experience needed, just register, embrace the happy accidents, and give the fridge bragging rights.
🧚 Drag Out the Fae: Land of Winter Wonder @ UnderBar | Wednesday (1/7) at 7:00 PM – Bundle up your glitter and thaw out at a magical winter drag showcase where the only thing icy is the theme, not the performers. Local favorites reign as snow queens, hosted by Satyr Fae Bennington, and the cover charge is a cool zero, sequins included.
This weekend
🏀 Hoop Shoot @ Open House Ministries | Saturday (1/10) at 11:00 AM – Bring the kids to Open House Ministries for a free, no-frills free-throw showdown for ages 8 to 13, with winners moving on to district, state, and beyond. Cheer, volunteer, or quietly relive your P.E. glory days from the bleachers, coffee in hand.
🐈 Cat Magick @ Vampire Unicorns | Saturday (1/10) at 11:00 AM – Your cat already runs the house, so lean in with this Cat Magick class exploring feline folklore, myth, and practical witchery. Learn cat-safe herbs, protective rituals, Tarot spreads for kitty chats, and harmony spells for your multi-cat coven, because peace is priceless.
✨ Shinpiden Reiki: Introductory Class @ The Soul Ascension Studio | Sunday (1/11) at 10:30 AM – Curious about Reiki without committing to a weekend on a mountaintop? This intro class peeks behind the curtain of shinpiden, the so-called mystery teachings from Japan, with hands-on basics, history, and practical energy work. No crystals required, comfortable socks recommended.
✏ Comics & Manga Artists’ Workshop @ ART ZONE | Sunday (1/11) at 6:00 PM – Local comics and manga artists are huddling up for a laid-back studio session where you can draw, swap tips, and get real feedback without the internet peanut gallery. Bring a sketchbook, a favorite pen, and your best panel ideas. Snacks optional, camaraderie guaranteed.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Vancouver report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 45°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 94%
Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 45. South wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
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Tomorrow – High: 45°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 91%
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 37.
This house is wild
At the end of a quiet street just beyond Royal Oaks Golf Club, this private home centers on a dramatic two-story atrium. A skylight and grow lights turn the core into a year-round garden. Massive windows frame the oak preserve and pool, and a sunken living room channels a conversation pit. Restored geometric wood walls flank an updated wood-burning fireplace, returning the original organic character.
Native landscaping guides a welded metal path to a fire pit. The deep kidney-shaped pool and hot tub sit off the covered deck. The primary adds a treetop “treehouse” nook. Three garages plus a mini garage, along with recent roof and HVAC updates, round it out.
Take a peek inside →
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