Hello Vancouver! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free outdoor bootcamps, toddler train day, and Harper's playground day of play + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Holiday firework rules ahead: Fireworks sales will start soon in Clark County, with tight rules within city limits and a curfew after midnight on July 4. First-time illegal use brings a $500 fine -- see the county guidelines.
Summer fitness motivation: NW Personal Training in downtown Vancouver is offering free outdoor bootcamps through the summer, inviting locals to join upbeat group workouts and shake off the slump with fresh-air fitness -- join the outdoor bootcamps.
Infrastructure for the future: Ridgefield broke ground June 1 on an east side elevated water reservoir to boost storage, stabilize pressure, and strengthen fire protection, expanding system redundancy and supporting growth in the city -- see the reservoir plans.
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.*
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.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Green-thumb upgrade, anyone? Skip the big-box shuffle and wander Cascade Greenhouse, a family-run spot that grows most of its plants right here in Vancouver. Friendly, plant-savvy folks and PNW-ready varieties mean your yard, porch, or windowsill gets happier without you doomscrolling plant forums all night.
Crack a case, IRL: Round up your crew this week and test your wits at NW Escape Experience, with crowd-favorite rooms like Operation: DB Cooper and Jurassic Tours keeping the adrenaline fun instead of stressful. It’s the perfect excuse to laugh too loud, high-five strangers, and call it team bonding.
Quiet green fix nearby: Need a low-key reset between errands and real life? Orchards Community Park is a compact slice of trees, paths, and picnic-friendly lawns where you can stroll, birdwatch, or park yourself with a sandwich and a playlist, then head home feeling like you snuck in a mini vacation.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚂 Toddler Train Day @ Kazoodles Toys | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Nap time roulette calls for an easy win. Kazoodles Toys is hosting a wooden train takeover for tiny conductors, ages 18 months to 5, with tracks to tinker, stories to spin, and social skills sneaking in while you supervise, sip coffee, and admire the calm.
📚 Northwest Book Fair & Media Fest @ Gaiser Hall | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Grab a coffee and wander the Northwest Book Fair & Media Fest, now in its fourth year, where authors, media creators, and readers from across the PNW swap stories and nerd out. Part bookstore hang, part community reunion, with fewer shushing librarians, more flannel.
🛝 Harper's Playground Day of Play! @ Marshall Community Park | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Remember recess? Marshall Park turns into a big-tent playground with music, food, games, community partners, and a gloriously low-tech cardboard derby that will thrill your inner 10-year-old. Expect neighbors swapping stories, kids running feral, and adults pretending the sunscreen is for them.
🎪 Fourth Plain Festival Day @ Swift Skatepark | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Whether you still own a skateboard or just enjoy clapping from a lawn chair, this first Festival Day rolls from Evergreen Park to Swift Skatepark with community partners, play, and neighborly chatter. It wraps with the third annual skate jam, plus free prizes and merch.
🎭 Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. @ Metropolitan Performing Arts | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – The Broadway Jr summer intensive is staging Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr., the Saturday morning staple reimagined by local kids. Expect "Conjunction Junction," "Just a Bill," and the rare joy of someone else explaining grammar to your kids. Basically civics, nostalgia, and humming for days.
🚗 Camas Car Show @ Downtown Camas | Saturday (6/27) at 2:00 PM – Whether you remember when Fourth Avenue had more parking or just like your chrome with a side of nostalgia, the Camas Car Show is back for its 19th spin. Stroll downtown, ogle classics and clever customs, swap stories, then debate tailfins versus torque over coffee.
🧚 Faerie Gardens @ Vampire Unicorns (Camas) | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Trade yard work for whimsy at a workshop where you design a tiny fairy house or garden on rustic wood. Expect moss, twigs, bark, pebbles, and pinecones, plus the joy of a home project you can finish. Art therapy with a wink, zero HOA approvals.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Vancouver report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. North northwest wind 0 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North northwest wind 1 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 36%
A chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 55. This house is wildThis gated Rivercrest estate commands 1.2 landscaped acres with sweeping Columbia River, PDX, and bridge views, plus a protected wildlife refuge below. Over 7,800 square feet of refined living includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a sweeping staircase, elevator access, dual kitchens, a wine room, media room, and five fireplaces. Outside, a saltwater pool, hot tub, and outdoor kitchen steal the show.
Take a peek inside → |
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