Thursday, April 16, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: 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.*

A journey of iron will: Camas strongman Martins Licis is training for what could be his final World's Strongest Man in Myrtle Beach, his fourth appearance, crediting early workouts with his father for his determination -- read the full story.

Regional fish stocking in limbo: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and a Clark County official are urging WDFW to reopen Skamania Hatchery after a federal funding boost, warning of fewer fish for Washougal and nearby waters -- see what is at stake.

Emphasis on career readiness: Washougal’s school board appointed Greg Retchless to the No. 1 director seat in March, filling Jim Cooper’s January vacancy. Retchless brings experience as a business owner, teacher, and local volunteer -- learn more about his role.

The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Treat-yourself pastry run: Bleu Door Bakery is the reliable treat-yourself move, with French-inspired pastries, small-batch breads, and a cozy cafe vibe. Slip from the to-do list and savor something warm, buttery, and genuinely satisfying in the heart of Vancouver... a little pause that hits exactly right.

Skin care that vibes: Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary pairs cozy tea moments with small-batch, plant-based skincare made on-site by Gifts From the Earth. Sip a latte, restock serums, and let your face and nerves exhale. A gentle, low-stress reset that feels like care.

Elevate your kitchen vibe: Poppy & Hawk curates small-but-mighty stoneware, glassware, linens, and other housewares from indie makers, perfect for refreshing your cooking zone without big-box sameness. Consider it a quick detour that becomes the ideal hostess gift... and the mug you reach for every morning.

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your photos are on five different devices: Between your phone, tablet, and dozens of folders on your computer, your family photos are everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Most people don't realize how fragile that setup is until they can't find their most cherished photos... or make a mistake they can't undo. ThePhotoStick Omni solves this exact problem. It looks like a thumb drive, but it's so much more. *See how it works →

Paying more than $25/mo for your phone plan? Most people are (the national average is nearly 4x for a single line)... all because they don’t realize there’s a just-as-good but way more affordable option. Metro by T-Mobile offers unlimited talk, text, and 5G on T-Mobile's network for $25/mo, taxes and fees included. Same towers, same coverage, way smaller bill. *Stop overpaying today →

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 it reimburses up to 90% of the bill →

🎨 Mosaic workshop! @ AHall Artworks and Studios | Thursday (4/16) at 1:00 PM – This two-part mosaic workshop has you design, lay out, and secure your piece, then come back to grout it. No experience necessary, consider it art class you’ll actually look forward to. $90 plus a $50 supply fee due first class, sign up at Ahallartworks.com.

👑 Adult Drag Bingo @ The Local Pub Vancouver, WA | Thursday (4/16) at 8:00 PM – Think bingo is just for church basements? Meet the BINGO Queens at The Local Pub near Uptown, with no cover, free prizes and swag, a real menu, no stairs, comfy seating, and a glorious free parking lot, hosted by Nashville Hott and Savannah O. Bennington.

🔮 Fortune Friday Psychic Faire @ Love Potion Magickal Perfumerie | Friday (4/17) at 4:00 PM – Fortune Friday means 15-minute readings for 15 bucks, from tarot to palmistry to those Lenormand cards you pretend to understand. Test-drive the future with Callie, Laura, Nakeia, and Kim, then brag about your past lives. Spots vanish, so call or come early.

✂ Clark County Quilters Stash Bazaar @ Salmon Creek United Methodist Church | Saturday (4/18) at 9:00 AM – Clark County Quilters are hosting a stash bazaar in Salmon Creek with fabric, yarn, and craft supplies to buy, sell, or trade. Tidy up your stash or gleefully expand it, then stick around. Every purchase scores a raffle ticket for basket goodies and bragging rights.

🎶 Bossa PDX @ Vancouver Community Library | Saturday (4/18) at 4:30 PM – Settle in with Bossa PDX, playing classic bossa nova and Brazilian jazz, smooth enough to make your old vinyl blush. Warm guitars, breezy vocals, and a gentle sway that turns rain into romance, best paired with a caipirinha, or the pinot you were saving.

🎤 Comedy Night @ Shanahan's Pub & Grill | Wednesday (4/22) at 8:00 PM – Craving laughs that don’t involve your neighbor’s HOA rant? Hit Comedy Night at Shanahan’s, where LaughsPDX funnels the best of Portland’s open mics, stand-up, improv, and sketch into one cozy room. Grab a pint, settle in, and let someone else be hilarious.

👑 ISCRE Coronation 52 @ Vancouver Elks 823 | Thursday (4/23) at 7:00 PM – Trade your couch for a crown at a Tony Awards-themed coronation weekend from the Imperial Sovereign Court, with drag bingo, splashy shows, and a victory brunch. Broadway energy, Vancouver charm, fewer tourists, and chicken cordon bleu you do not cook, just clap, tip, and enjoy.

This Rainier design channels its namesake with multiple gabled peaks and a front porch with optional extensions, plus a lower profile elevation choice. Inside, 3213 square feet flex between four or five bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a three-car garage. A living room or den can open to the dining room or close with double doors or a solid wall.