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Hi Vancouver, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Great Bowls of Fire chili cook-off, new Amtrak Airo trains, rage rooms after heartbreak, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Leaders poised to strengthen workforce: The Southwest Washington Contractors Association has named its 2026 board to steer construction, led by President Darin Kaysner and President-elect Brigham Lambley, with Camas members Drew Barrett and Dennis Schmid — see who’s on the board.
Neighbors unite for animals: West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s A Tail to Remember fundraiser will be held February 28 at Vancouver’s Heathman Lodge, supporting animal transportation, veterinary care, and community programs for local pets — get all the details.
Finding relief through destruction: Rage rooms saw a Valentine’s Day spike nationwide, and in Vancouver, Outraged Rage Room owner Kristalynn Scheradella says it is a place to go after heartbreak, even smashing sentimental breakup items — see why it’s catching on.
Statewide survivor services threatened: Advocates urge Washington lawmakers to budget $21.3 million for victim services as VOCA funding declines, warning a $12 million shortfall could reduce hospital response and strain Southwest Washington’s DV shelter — see what’s at stake.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
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.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*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
Leadership and growth through service: Sixteen-year-old Sgt. Major Charlotte Bisila with the Lewis and Clark Young Marines was named Division 5 Young Marine of the Year. It is the program’s highest individual honor. She will represent Division 5 in the upcoming National Young Marine competition. Read the full story.
Transforming travel across Cascadia: Amtrak unveiled its new Airo trains for the Eugene, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver BC corridor. The fleet will offer bigger windows, roomier seats, and quicker trips while cutting emissions. Expect easier day trips from the Portland and Vancouver WA area once the trains roll out. See features, routes, and benefits.
Seasonal cravings, solved: Roots Restaurant & Bar keeps things fresh with a seasonally shifting menu inspired by Pacific Northwest flavors. A cozy dining room and a view of the chef’s counter invite lingering over plates that turn any weeknight into a small win… simple, vibrant, and satisfying.
Upgrade your toolkit: If your spatulas are shedding and your knives are on strike, The Culinary Collective has the fix, stocked with quality cookware, clever gadgets, and in-store knife sharpening that gets dinner back on track. An easy upgrade for your lineup that gives your kitchen an attitude adjustment, minus the drama.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🔧 Tool Swap! @ Kindred | Friday (2/27) at 11:00 AM – Clear some shelf space and hit the community Tool Swap, where hand tools, power tools, and gardening gear find new homes. Bring extras, or just bring yourself, take what you’ll use, and call it free, sustainable decluttering, because yes, we all own three tape measures.
🐢 “How the Turtle Got Its Shell” @ Camas Public Library | Friday (2/27) at 3:30 PM – Take a break from errands and tuck into an interactive telling of a classic West African folktale, How the Turtle Got Its Shell. Kids lean in, adults remember they have imaginations, and everyone gets a screen-free reset, plus a taste of living tradition.
🧧 Lunar New Year Celebration @ Vancouver Mall | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Lunar New Year calls for something better than tackling Costco, so head to Vancouver Mall for the Year of the Horse celebration. Expect traditional dance, martial arts, music, live calligraphy, and My Perks Lounge giveaways, refreshments, plus family-friendly chaos that feels charming, and free.
🧩 Marble Mazes @ Camas Public Library | Saturday (2/28) at 2:00 PM – If your K-5 kid needs a project that is not another couch fort, swing by Camas Public Library for straw-built, marble-rolling tabletop mazes. Low mess, secretly educational, and a blessed window to chat with other parents, grandparents, and neighbors.
🌶 Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-off @ Fern Prairie Grange | Saturday (2/28) at 3:00 PM – Chili season calls for our second annual Great Bowls of Fire cook-off, where bragging rights, beans, and questionable spice bravado collide. Sample, vote, maybe sweat a little, then stick around for a wholesome family folk dance, because balance, community, and sore calves matter.
🐾 A Tail to Remember – Auction for the Animals @ The Heathman Lodge | Saturday (2/28) at 5:00 PM – Our favorite kind of night out, the big WCGHS fundraiser with dinner, cocktails, raffles, the famous Dessert Dash, and a live auction featuring Name the Shelter, Celebrity Pet, and more. Every dollar backs WCGHS, so the warm fuzzies are legit.
🎭 Magenta Improv Theater Season Kickoff Show @ Magenta Theater | Saturday (2/28) at 7:30 PM – New season, fresh laughs. Magenta is kicking off with unscripted, family-friendly improv here in Vancouver, so you can skip the bridge traffic and get your comedy fix. Expect quick wit, audience shenanigans, and zero scripts, all with hometown charm, and grab seats at https://magenta.ludus.com/200513130.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Vancouver report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 51°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 6%
Areas of frost before 10am. Mostly sunny. High near 51, with temperatures falling to around 49 in the afternoon. South wind around 3 mph. Later: Areas of frost after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southeast wind around 3 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 8%
Areas of frost before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Patchy frost between 2am and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
This house is wild
This single-level executive home sits two blocks from the Columbia River in a gated community on a greenbelt. Soaring ceilings, engineered hardwoods, granite, and coffered ceilings elevate the kitchen and living room, with three gas fireplaces. A covered deck overlooks trains, planes, automobiles, and boats, and 2025 updates include a dishwasher and a state-of-the-art HVAC with heat pump and thermostat.
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 think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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