Happy Tuesday, Vancouver. In today’s edition: Women Build Holiday Luncheon and Auction, Winter Wonderland Marketplace & Bazaar, Sensory-Friendly Santa Claus, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Policy debates take shape: Washington lawmakers convene in Olympia for committee days starting Dec. 3, focusing on a looming 2026 budget shortfall, plus data centers and bridges struck by trucks — see what’s on the agenda.

City pride takes flight: Vancouver raised its first new flag since 1993 on Nov. 29, designed by Brooke Nugent and Nathan Hunter, featuring green and blue, a white chevron, and a landmark-inspired emblem — see what the symbols mean.

Civic pride on display: Vancouver kicked off the holidays at Esther Short Park with a Tree Lighting, raised its new city flag, and marked the return of the Salmon Run Bell Tower’s restored bells — read the full story.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Motorcyclists needed to deliver donated toys
• Shop local, pet goats, enjoy live music
• Celebrate Women Build at luncheon and auction
• Celebrate the Rose City Symphonic Band debut
• Sensory-friendly Santa photos at Vancouver Mall
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Dazzling holiday flotilla: The Christmas Ships Parade returns to the Columbia this December, with dozens of lighted boats gliding past Vancouver’s Waterfront between 7 and 8 pm. Best Clark County nights include Thu Dec 4 (Vancouver Waterfront, combined fleet) and Sat Dec 6 (Camas/Washougal at 6 pm). Viewing is free, arrive early and check the official site for updates. See when and where to watch.

Holiday-season dining roundup: Small Bites highlights: Javi’s is expanding to Vancouver at The Mill. Thai favorite YUI is returning on SE Belmont. Pomalo opens Dec 4 with live music. Dear Sandy flips to Dear Santa all December. Winter drink menus land at Portland Cà Phê and Slow Haste. ROAM PDX winds down, and Rogue files Chapter 7 amid $17M in liabilities. Check out the full lineup.

Burrito craving, handled: When the rice-beans-meat trifecta calls, the Carne Asada Burrito at El Burrito Mojado answers with grilled beef, your choice of pinto or black beans, rice, and pico in a warm flour tortilla. No fuss, just a reliable burrito fix any day of the week.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🍽️ Dine Out 2 Help Out @ Oswego Grill at Columbia Shores | Tuesday (12/2) at 3:00pm – Skip cooking and head to Oswego Grill on the river, the spot where Beaches used to be. They are donating 100% of profits to Bridge the Gap, so you can order dessert, enjoy yourself, and help local foster kids with tutoring, therapy, and more.

🎉 VAS Programs: 50th Anniversary Celebration @ Evergreen Public Schools | Tuesday (12/2) at 6:30pm – Vancouver Audubon is celebrating 50 years of education, conservation, and community birding, and you’re invited. Bring your latest sightings from Ridgefield or Vancouver Lake, your favorite Audubon memories, and your appetite. Expect cake, refreshments, door prizes, and a lovingly curated trip down memory lane.

🌋 Mount St. Helens Institute December Volcano Views & Brews @ Loowit Brewing Downtown Pub | Thursday (12/4) at 6:30pm – If you’d rather plan hikes with a beer than on a couch, head to Loowit Brewing. Award-winning guidebook author Craig Romano is spilling Gorge wisdom from Silver Star to Cottonwood Canyon, including quieter gems. Come for volcano vibes, stay for practical beta, and bragging rights.

🎊 Party on the Plaza presented by Columbia Credit Union @ Providence Academy | Friday (12/5) at 4:00pm – Celebrate the new Sacred Heart Plaza at Providence Academy with live ice carving, free cocoa, and a wander down the Sacred Heart path. Then tour the chapel with docents. The kids visit Santa, craft in hand and Snowman Soup to-go, and you call it culture.

🎸 Tony Furtado @ Falcon Art Community | Friday (12/5) at 5:00pm – This free annual hangout is back with art, music, and the kind of cozy revelry Portland does best. Wander the studios, sip something tasty, and catch Tony Furtado dropping intimate acoustic sets right from his workspace. It’s low-key, local, and the perfect excuse to start your weekend on a creative high note.

This weekend

🔨 Women Build Holiday Luncheon and Auction @ Royal Oaks Country Club | Saturday (12/6) at 11:30am – If you like your holiday spirit with purpose, snag a $50 ticket to Evergreen Habitat’s Women Build luncheon and auction at Royal Oaks. Lunch, a glass of wine, and an inspiring program, no drywall lifting required, all supporting homes built by women. Register at fundraiser.bid/womenbuild.

❄️ Winter Wonderland Marketplace & Bazaar @ Fairway Village Retirement Community | Saturday (12/6) at 1:00pm – Kick off the holidays the civilized way with a marketplace of local makers, festive finds, and zero mall chaos. Thirty-plus vendors, a petting zoo with goats and a very opinionated donkey, plus live tunes from the Kansas City Rhythm Kings and Rose City Banjoliers.

🛍️ Christmas Shopping at the Shop @ Word of Mouth Motorcycle Repair | Saturday (12/6) at 3:00pm – Swing by the new shop and knock out your Christmas list with local vendors, then donate to enter raffles for free services. It’s a true shopping event with local vendors. Expect good food, great beverages, and the blissful absence of mall parking chaos.

🌙 Lights Out On Main @ Main St Vintage | Saturday (12/6) at 5:00pm – Main Street is flipping the switch again for Lights Out, a charming, festive evening along Main Street. Sip hot cocoa, nibble sweet treats, and shop under twinkling lights. First 25 purchases snag a free goodie bag, which beats another candle from Aunt Linda.

🎅 Sensory-Friendly Santa Claus @ Vancouver Mall | Sunday (12/7) at 11:00am – Give your kiddo a calm Santa moment before the stores even open, with a sensory-friendly private photo session in the Elf-themed set at Vancouver Mall. Photo packages start at $39.99, reservations encouraged, walk-ups welcome. Bring a coat to donate, earn some extra nice-list points.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/4 Robert Sarazin Blake @ T.C. O’Leary’s – 8 pm
• 12/5 Tony Furtado @ Falcon Art Community – 5 pm
• 12/5 Eagle Eyes @ Ponderosa Lounge – 9 pm
• 12/6 Ugly Holiday Sweater Pub Crawl @ Uptown Village – 5 pm
• 12/6 Sol @ Polaris Hall – 7 pm
• 12/6 Eric John Kaiser @ Haymaker Bar – 8 pm
• 12/6 Domo Branch @ Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center – 8 pm
• 12/10 Fundraising Dinner for Caroline Bradwell @  Vancouver Elks 823 – 5 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Lacey Lewis (Windermere Community Realty)

In Velvet Acres, Vancouver’s coveted enclave of 10,000-plus-square-foot lots, this single-level standout serves style and breathing room among custom builds. Close to daily essentials, yet quietly upscale.

A road warrior’s dream, the property boasts dedicated parking for a 42-foot RV and an oversized garage with an electronic lift to generous attic storage. The gourmet kitchen teams with an oversized pantry, flowing into a relaxed living area warmed by a gas fireplace. The primary suite pampers with a custom tile shower and towel-warming racks. Out back, manicured landscaping sets a serene, private backdrop.

Take a peek inside →