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Good morning, Vancouver! In today’s edition: John L. Drake II named fire chief, a mocktail class at an axe-throwing venue, a blind wine tasting, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Deal valuation and cap rate: A 47-unit Vancouver, Washington, apartment complex sold for $8.61 million. The buyer, tied to Newmark executive David Squire, plans unit upgrades and a long-term hold — get all the deal details.
Local lawmakers share outlook: Clark County legislators prepare for a tough session starting Jan. 12, with a lean budget and Gov. Bob Ferguson’s plan centered on cuts as revenues projected down about $66 million — learn what’s ahead in Olympia.
Decades of firefighting leadership: Vancouver has chosen John L. Drake II as its new fire chief after a nationwide search. The Los Angeles City Fire Department leader will replace Brennan Blue, who retired last year — see his experience and background.
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
Stay social, skip spirits: Firehouse Axes in Vancouver, Wash. is offering alcohol-free mocktail classes for Dry January. The axe-throwing venue’s sessions teach creative drinks without alcohol, giving a sober-friendly way to stay social this month. Get all the details.
Rainy-day sanity saver: Whether your kiddo wants to scramble, slide, or steer a pretend ship, Dizzy Castle delivers a towering play castle, a pirate ship, and a solid café for your caffeine fix. Plenty of room to adventure, plus an easy perch for grown-ups within arm’s reach.
Rain-proof pickleball fix: Whether you’re easing into dinks or craving fast rallies, Salmon Creek Indoor Sports Arena hosts five regulation indoor courts, with nets and balls provided. Join casual drop-in play or coordinate through PlayTime Scheduler, and find your crew without braving the drizzle.
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.
🏟 Fort Vancouver Trappers vs Kalama Chinooks @ Fort Vancouver High School Center for International Studies | Monday (1/5) – Clear your evening for a gym night doubleheader, Fort Vancouver’s Trappers hosting Kalama’s Chinooks in girls JV and Varsity. Expect squeaky sneakers, spirited defense, and small-town rivalry buzz you can’t stream. Grab a seat, a hot cocoa, and better gossip than Facebook.
🎨 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.
🌿 Herbal Gratitude Jars @ Vampire Unicorns | Thursday (1/8) at 6:00 PM – Kick off the year by thanking the herbs that got you through, then invite some new green allies to the party. Guided reflection plus a handmade jar for notes, inspirations, and plant messages. Think therapy, but with rosemary, calm, and something pretty to keep.
🎤 Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic @ Art At The Cave | Thursday (1/8) at 7:00 PM – Art at the Cave turns into Vancouver’s living room for Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic, featuring Laura Esther Sciortino and typewriter magic. It’s all ages, inclusive, and uncensored since 2004, with a $5 suggested donation and no one turned away.
🍷 Blind Tasting @ Burnt Bridge Cellars | Friday (1/9) at 1:00 PM – The last Friday of every month is for flexing your palate, not your schedule. Blind taste your way through five wines, match them to their tasting notes, and if your guesses impress, you could snag a Burnt Bridge Cellars gift card, and everlasting bragging rights.
🥁 Reiki Gong Bath @ The Soul Ascension Studio | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Saddle up for a Reiki Gong Bath with Crystal Steele, $30, where the Year of the Horse brings the oracle, the gongs, and the deep exhale you forgot you needed. Expect bowls, vibrations, and a surprising urge to untether your to-do list. Quiet, restorative, energizing.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Vancouver report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 46°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 34%
A chance of rain before 10am. Partly sunny. High near 46, with temperatures falling to around 44 in the afternoon. South southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. South southeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
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Tomorrow – 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%.
This house is wild
Craftsman character on a cul-de-sac corner lot with sweeping Columbia River views. Floor-to-ceiling windows span the living room, family room, and primary suite, filling each space with daylight. The updated kitchen has slab granite, elegant cabinetry, an island with Jenn-Air cooktop, stainless appliances, hardwoods, and a built-in desk. Two fireplaces warm the formal living and the spacious family room. A main-level bedroom and full bath add flexible options. Upstairs, a generous primary plus three more bedrooms.
An expansive Ironwood deck frames river and backyard views. Extras include a tile roof, central vac plumbing, a gated RV or boat pad, sprinklers, mature landscaping, and a 3-car tandem garage.
Take a peek inside →
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