Happy Thursday, Vancouver!

This weekend's forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a 100% chance of making at least one sentence you never thought you'd say.

Examples include:

• "Can we stop by the giant inflatable blueberry?"

• "Should we wear kilts to the bike ride?"

• "I accidentally ate twelve samples of ice cream."

• "Should I join the circus too?”

Honestly? We're here for all of it. One thing we’re not here for, though, is the sudden closure of a beloved Uptown spot that was announced yesterday. More details below.

Anyways, here's what to expect in today's edition of The PNW Report (Vancouver):

📰 Local News
☁️ Weather
🎉 Events & Things To Do
🤔 Lateral Thinking Puzzle

Let’s get started!

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LOCAL NEWS

😢 Underbar in Downtown Vancouver Has Permanently Closed

Our favorite underground speakeasy, UnderBar (located in the basement at 1701 1/2 Broadway St), has officially poured its very last drink and permanently closed its doors as of yesterday, July 15th. Known for serving up the coziest vibes, killer Moscow Mules, and the absolute best basement acoustics for karaoke, local comedy, and legendary drag bingo nights, this incredibly inclusive hotspot is leaving a giant, speakeasy-sized hole in Vancouver’s local nightlife. While we are incredibly sad to see this subterranean staple go, we want to send a massive thank you to the owners, performers, and staff who kept our spirits high (literally and figuratively).

🚔 Vancouver Considers New Sales Tax to Fund Additional Police Officers

Pennies for the police? Vancouver City Council is officially looking into a brand new public safety sales tax to help fund more officers, equipment, and support staff around town. The proposed sales tax is part of a "multi-source" strategy to boost local law enforcement numbers without putting the entire financial burden on property owners.

Because keeping the community safe is a team effort, the tax would mean visitors and shoppers from outside city limits also chip in when they buy goods locally. This council-approved tax, combined with state public safety grants and the proposed Proposition 5 property tax levy on the ballot, could help fund up to 25 sworn officers and 10 non-sworn positions to keep up with Vancouver’s rapid growth. Talk about putting your money where your neighborhood is!

WEATHER [7/17 - 7/19]

Hey, at least the clouds are being consistent this weekend?!

Friday, 7/17: 80/55 🌤️ Partly Cloudy
Saturday, 7/18: 83/56 🌤️ Partly Cloudy
Sunday, 7/19: 87/59 🌤️ Partly Cloudy

EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO [7/17 - 7/19]

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? You’re in the right place! 🎉

Stay tuned for Monday morning’s newsletter, where we’ll give the lowdown on all the cool upcoming weekday events for next week!

FRIDAY, JULY 17th

📚 One-Day Book Sale @ Washougal Community Library | 10AM – 5PM (FREE)
There are two types of people: people trying to reduce their book collection, and people who see a library book sale and immediately want to add to their book collection. Browse hundreds of sci-fi, fantasy, manga, graphic novels, paranormal titles, and more at this Washougal Community Library book sale. Read-y or not, here it comes!

🏛️ Lunchtime Walking Tour: Vancouver's First Suburbs & Early Retail District @ Downtown Vancouver | 12PM (FREE)
Downtown Vancouver has seen jailbreaks, devastating fires, notorious crimes, and enough local drama to fuel several Netflix documentaries (yes, we’ve seen the TikTok trend going around). The Clark County Historical Museum's lunchtime walking tour uncovers the stories hiding in plain sight…proving that the most interesting thing about downtown isn't finding parking (though that can be pretty interesting).

🚗 Friday Night Cruise-In @ Alderbrook Park | 4PM – 8PM ($5–$10)
Chrome, engines, and nostalgia…what more could you want? Polish your ride or just stroll and gawk at this wheely awesome classic car gathering in a beautiful scenic environment. This week’s 4th of July event features extended hours.

🎲 Family Bingo Night @ Camas Public Library | 5PM – 6PM (FREE)
Free family bingo at the library on a Friday evening! Bring the kids and your competitive streak. B-4 you make other plans, consider this one!

🚲 The Scottish Ride @ Columbia Square | 5:30PM – 7:30PM (FREE)
Finally, a bike ride where the dress code is less “athleisure” and more “medieval Highland fashion show.” Riders will cruise Vancouver’s “Scottish Corridor” decked out in kilts and plaid attire. The ride wraps up at Marshall Park with a picnic featuring traditional Cranachan dessert. It’s going to be a wheel-y Scottish adventure!

🎪 Shoestring Circus: Dreamland @ Hazel Dell Commons | Various Times ($17–$35)
Remember when running away to join the circus sounded like a solid career plan (still does tbh)? Shoestring Circus brings aerialists, acrobats, and a wonderfully weird cast of performers under a vintage big top in Hazel Dell. Hey, should turn out to be a pretty in-tents evening.

🧠 Mysteries of the Mind @ Vancouver Elks Lodge | 7:30PM ($20–$25)
Mind over matter? Brian Ledbetter is a world-class mentalist who is putting that theory to the test with an evening of mind-reading, psychological illusion, and audience participation that'll have you questioning everything. Think twice before volunteering, but it’s sure to be an eye-opening (or, in this case, eye-closing) event.

SATURDAY, JULY 18th

🫐 Hockinson Blueberry Festival @ Hockinson Community Center | 9AM – 1PM (FREE)
Blueberry lemonade. Blueberry coffee cake. Blueberry milkshakes. Fresh blueberries. A blueberry pie-eating contest. And, naturally, a 16-foot inflatable blueberry, because eventually every successful festival reaches the point where giant inflatable produce becomes the obvious next step. 🤪

🛒 Vancouver Farmers Market @ Esther Short Park | 9AM - 3PM (FREE)
Your weekly reminder that vegetables can be aesthetic and bread is always the answer. Stock up, stroll around, and try not to spend all your money on honey and hot sauce. But, if you do, at least you’re spending local?!

🌿 Art in Nature @ Water Resources Education Center | 9:30AM – 11:30AM (FREE)
Nature has colors, textures, patterns...and apparently an arts and crafts department?! Families with kids ages 6–10 will create temporary sculptures and artwork using materials found along the Columbia River during this free outdoors art class. Water you waiting for?!

🎨 Adult Bad Art @ Three Creeks Community Library | 10AM – 12PM (FREE)
Perfection is prohibited (yay!!). The goal of this free workshop is to create the worst piece of art you possibly can and then confidently explain your artistic vision to everyone else. Talk about a brush with greatness.

🍦 Scooped Ice Cream Festival @ Esther Short Park | 11AM – 9PM ($15 - $29)
Unlimited samples of 50+ ice cream flavors?! Say no more! Live music, milkshake competitions, sundae showdowns, and (probably) brain freeze at the Scooped Ice Cream Festival. Scoop, there it is!

🚗 Cruise the Couve @ Main Street | 12PM – 10PM (FREE)
Buckle up, buttercup…Cruise the Couve is rollin' back into town! On Saturday, Downtown Vancouver will transform into a chrome-covered time machine with hot rods, muscle cars, and other classic cars. Who else is wheelie excited?!

🦎 Creature Teachers @ Vancouver Community Library | 3PM – 4:30PM (FREE)
Meet reptiles, creepy crawlies, and other fascinating creatures while learning why they're actually important...even if your first instinct is to scream a little. Fair warning: some of the animals have strong personalities. And smells!!

🎥 Waterline Film Festival @ Vancouver Waterfront Park | 8PM (FREE)
An outdoor movie night is already hard to beat. An outdoor movie night featuring award-worthy short films with a Columbia River backdrop? Even better. Bring a blanket, grab some food, and discover your new favorite short filmmaker before they become impossible to stop talking about. Hey, it’s going to be a reel good time.