Happy Monday, Vancouver!

If you were hoping for a calm, uneventful weekend…absolutely not. We had a plane land on SR-14 (yes, the highway), a popular local restaurant quietly close its doors for good, and a former vegan spot announce a major plot twist.

Also, we asked…and you answered: 58% of you think light rail should stop on Evergreen Blvd, not hover dramatically above the waterfront like a transportation cliffhanger. Strong opinions all around!

Meanwhile, Earth Day is right around the corner, and this week is shaping up to be just as eventful (hopefully with fewer planes on highways).

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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🍽️ Michael Jordans Restaurant at ilani Has Permanently Closed

Michael Jordan’s Restaurant at ilani has permanently closed as of yesterday. The space is set to reopen in May as a new ilani-owned concept called Sovereign, so while the name is changing, your steakhouse-era cravings will likely live on, albeit with new menu items. So, it's less like "game over" and more like "half time?"

😬 3 Howls Remedy House to Be Replaced with Meat-Centric Restaurant

Vancouver, WA’s most identity-crisis-prone restaurant spot is at it again! After 3 Howls Remedy House closed in November (RIP to its many forms, vegan and…less vegan), the space is now becoming Lil Pig Lil Pig: a full-on meat-centric spot with rotisserie, smoked meats, and a pour house. This location on Main Street has lived many lives: tea shop, Mexican, pho (twice…then again), vegan, not-vegan...and now it’s entering its carnivore era. At this point, the only thing more consistent than the turnover is the plot twists!

🛩️ Plane Lands on SR-14…Because Of Course It Did

In a very “Vancouver WA" moment, a small Cessna made an emergency landing on SR-14 Saturday afternoon after a mechanical issue shortly after takeoff from Pearson Field. The pilot (solo onboard) managed to land on the freeway without hitting any cars (which honestly feels like the real miracle here). Traffic was briefly backed up while crews responded, but by mid-afternoon everything was cleared...and the plane was somehow guided back to Pearson Field like it just took a quick highway detour. No injuries reported, just a lot of drivers with a story they’ll be telling forever!

WEATHER

Monday, 4/20: 71/52 ☁️ Cloudy
Tuesday, 4/21: 56/49 🌧️ Showers
Wednesday, 4/22: 56/46 🌧️ Light Rain
Thursday, 4/23: 62/45 🌤️ Partly Cloudy

EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO [4/20 - 4/23]

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

Stay tuned for Thursday morning’s newsletter, where we’ll give the lowdown on all the cool upcoming weekend events!

MONDAY, APRIL 20th

🖍️ Preschool Color Lab @ Camas Public Library | 11AM (FREE)
Color Me Impressed! This Preschool Color Lab lets kids experiment with colors while building fine motor skill...aka getting delightfully messy for educational purposes.

🎤 Southwest Washington Civics Bee @ The Kiggins Theatre | 5PM (FREE)
Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Probably not. The National Civics Bee is where middle schoolers take the stage to flex their government knowledge and casually pitch life-changing ideas for the community. No better time to be humbled than a Monday night, right?!

🏃‍♂️ Run Club @ Foot Traffic | 5:45PM (FREE)
Looking for an excuse to be active but mostly just want to socialize? This run club is 50% chatting, 50% running, and 100% a good time. They meet at the Trader Joe’s on Chkalov, you know, just in case you wanna grab some cheese for the drive home.

🤣 Chicks & Giggles @ Donnell’s | 6PM - 8PM (FREE)
Mondays don’t have to be so miserable…laugh your way into the week at Donnell’s! Grab a drink, find a good seat, and get ready for an evening of raw, unfiltered comedy from some of the funniest locals around.

🤣 Open Mic Comedy @ Underbar | 8PM - 10PM (FREE)
Underbar’s Open Mic, hosted by Juan Duran, is the place to be to beat the Monday blues. Their drink selection doesn’t hurt either tbh…sip sip hooray!

TUESDAY, APRIL 21st

🩸 Red Cross Blood Drive @ Cascade Park Library | 10AM - 3PM (FREE)
This isn’t your average library circulation…Cascade Park Library is checking out blood donations! Swing by the Red Cross Blood Drive and save lives, one pint at a time. P.S. did you know that free snacks that taste even better when you’ve just saved a life?

♻️ Recycling 101 @ Fire Station 2 | 12PM (FREE)
Confused about what actually belongs in the recycling bin? You’re soooo not alone. This free Recycling 101 class breaks down the basics of our regional garbage and recycling system…what goes in the curbside bin, what definitely doesn’t, and where it all goes after pickup.

✍️ Shut Up and Write! @ The ARTS Centered | 5:15PM (FREE)
Calling all writers (yes, even you with the half-finished novel hiding in Google Docs)! This is focused weekly writing time to just show up, get words on the page, and meet some fellow word nerds. Write, write, write!

🚲 Urbanism Happy Hour @ Tap Union | 6:30PM (FREE)
Grab your helmet and your happy hour appetite…it’s time for Cycle Vancouver’s Urbanism Happy Hour at Tap Union! Meet fellow two-wheeled enthusiasts, swap stories from the bike lane, and toast to better mobility, stronger community, and fewer potholes.

🗣️ Chinook History and Lived Experience @ Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church | 6:30PM (FREE)
Spend an evening with Chinook Elder Sam Robinson as he shares the history and lived experience of the Chinook people...offering insight, perspective, and stories you won’t get from a textbook. This free talk is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with the deeper history of the place we all call home.

🎱 Autumn Pinny Cup Tournament @ Silver Ball Social Club | 7PM ($12)
Ready to have a ball? Head over to Silver Ball Social Club for a flippin’ cool pinball tournament. Players will be matched together on teams, regardless of skill levels, so get ready to roll over your opponents!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22nd

🤑 Free Financial Planning Day @ Johnson Bixby | 9AM - 6PM (FREE)
Got financial questions you’ve been aggressively avoiding? Book a free 30-minute 1:1 with a Certified Financial Planner and finally face your budget, debt, or any other money situation. Happens every 4th Wednesday (Jan - Oct), with Zoom or in-person options, so you can get your finances together without spending…more money. 

🌎 Port of Camas-Washougal Earth Day Clean-Up @ Truman Road | 10AM - 12PM (FREE)
Time for some trashy behavior (but make it heroic!) Join the Port of Camas-Washougal's Earth Day Clean-Up, grab some snacks, and enter a raffle where your reward for hauling trash could be…a tomato plant?! Pick up garbage now, grow tomatoes later. It's like a...trashy circle of life?!

🌍 Earth Day Celebration @ Vancouver Mall | 3PM - 5PM (FREE)
Come branch out at Earth Day at Vancouver Mall! There will be crafts, recycling games, and wildflower planting. It’s free, it’s family-friendly, and it’s your annual reminder to get your life (and your recycling habits) together.

🪡 Open Craft @ Hook & Needle Fiber | 4PM - 7PM (FREE)
For when you’re feeling crafty, but also a little too lazy to follow official directions. Bring your supplies, hang out, and make something beautiful at this open craft session...or a tangled mess. We don’t judge!

🎺 Music Night @ Willful Wine | 5PM – 7PM (FREE)
Sip wine and sway awkwardly at this delightful evening of music and merlot. Willful Wine knows how to pair a Pinot with a trumpet solo. Wine not?!

🪴 Grow Your Own Herbs @ Three Creeks Library | 5PM (FREE)
Tired of paying $5 for a bundle of herbs you use once and forget? Grow your own! This free workshop (led by a WSU Master Gardener) covers how to cultivate favorites like basil, rosemary, and cilantro so you can feel like a garden genius every time you garnish something! 

🧠 Adult Trivia Night @ Cascade Park Library | 6PM (FREE)
Adult Trivia Night is your chance to flex that random knowledge you’ve been storing for absolutely no reason. Form a team (or adopt one on arrival), answer questions across all kinds of topics, and compete for prizes and light refreshments. Ages 18+ for this one!

🥙 Backyard Composting @ Waste Connections | 6PM (FREE)
Learn how to turn your food scraps into garden gold at this backyard composting workshop, featuring the fast and furious “hot” method and the slow-and-steady “cold” approach (aka compost time dilation). Register for free and get ready to stop throwing things away and start growing them better.

🎥 The Trail Running Film Festival @ The Kiggins Theatre | 7PM ($16 - $20)
Run (don't walk) to this Trail Running Film Festival at the Kiggins Theatre! This film festival features peak human behavior: voluntarily suffering uphill for art, glory, and emotional processing. 

🎲 Open Gayme Night @ Our Third Space | 7PM - 11PM (FREE)
Crit happens! SWWPA’s Community Crafting Wednesday turns into Open Gayme Night at Our Third Space...where MTG Commander gets decked out, Pokémon trainers get evolved socially, and D&D decisions immediately become everyone else’s problem.

🃏 Tabletop and Taps @ Vault31 Bar | 6PM (FREE)
Board games are always a good idea. Join your fellow nerds at this board game meet-up and get ready to pwn some n00bs at Catan. Bring your A-game, or just bring yourself and let the dice and drinks (or both?!) decide your fate.

🤣 Comedy Night @ Shanahan’s | 8PM (FREE)
Grab the mic (literally) every Wednesday! In-person sign-ups kick off at 7:30, and the stage lights blaze at 8:00. Hosted by the one and only Sean Grace, this is your chance to shine, stumble, or just watch others do both.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd

📝 The Craft of Writing @ Vancouver Library | 10:30AM (FREE)
This writer’s group dives into the craft of writing with a mix of exercises, book discussions, and friendly workshopping. Explore published gems across memoir, fiction, and non-fiction, then test-drive your own stories in a supportive, collaborative setting.

🍕 Grand Re-Opening @ Mountain Mike's Pizza | 4PM - 7PM (FREE)
Slice, slice, baby! Mountain Mike’s Pizza is celebrating its Salmon Creek grand re-opening with free mini pizzas for the first 100 guests...so show up early and carb-load responsibly!

🍷 Sip & Fold with Holly @ Burnt Bridge Cellars | 4:30PM (FREE)
Come twist, fold, and glitter your way to a set of dazzling 4-piece modular boxes while you sip on some delicious vino. These Masu-style bottoms keep it classic while letting single-sided paper shine. Drop in, fold up, and leave with something clever! Wine not?!

🧠 Library Trivia Nights @ Vancouver Library | 5PM (FREE)
Think you’re a trivia novel-ty? Prove it at Library Trivia Night, where solo scholars and team players alike can check out their brainpower across all kinds of topics.

🗣️ The Historic Trust Speaker Series @ Red Cross Building | 6PM (FREE)
The Historic Trust Speakers Series is back with a deep dive into General Thomas Anderson’s 12-year command at Vancouver Barracks. Local Vancouver author, historian, and archaeologist Jeff Davis will come with stories, context, and more.

🏃‍♀️ Vancouver Run, Grub, and Chug @ The Vancouver Waterfront | 6:45PM (FREE)
Run for your health, and drink for...well, fun. Kind of like a race but with fewer rules and more rewards. This run club meets weekly, so if this is your vibe, guess what? You can do it next week, too!

🎭 Show People @ The Kiggins Theatre | 7PM ($25)
A wannabe star heads to Hollywood expecting instant fame…lol. Instead, it’s chaos, rebranding, and a full identity pivot (Patricia Pepoire?? bold). The real plot twist: it’s a silent film with a live orchestra, so the drama hits harder!

WEEKLY EVENTS

Note: please call or visit each establishment’s website before visiting for a particular event in case details have changed.

BINGO

[MONDAY] Music Bingo Monday @ Ghost Runners Brewery | 7PM (FREE)
[TUESDAY] Bingo @ Grapes n Hops | 6PM (FREE)
[WEDNESDAY] Not Boring Music Bingo @ Fortside Brewing | 6PM (FREE)
[WEDNESDAY] Bar Card Bingo @ Vancouver Elks Lodge | 6PM (FREE)
[THURSDAY] 5 Star Bingo @ Doomsday Brewing Pub | 6PM (FREE)
[THURSDAY] Adult Bingo @ Underbar | 7PM (FREE)

TRIVIA

[MONDAY] Monday Night Trivia @ Shorewood Restaurant and Bar | 6PM (FREE)[MONDAY] Trivia Night @ Pour Choices Pub | 6:30PM (FREE)
[MONDAY] 5 Star Trivia @ Gossip in the Grain | 6:30PM (FREE)
[MONDAY] Trivia Night @ Thirsty Sasquatch | 8PM (FREE)
[MONDAY] Trivia Monday @ Full Heart Irish Pub | 9PM (FREE) 
[TUESDAY] Trivia Night @ Oak Tree Station | 6PM (FREE)
[TUESDAY] Last Call Trivia @ Tip Top Tavern | 7PM (FREE)
[TUESDAY] 5 Star Trivia @ Playmakers Hazel Dell | 7PM (FREE) 
[TUESDAY] Trivia Tuesday @ Underbar | 7PM (FREE)
[TUESDAY] 5 Star Trivia @ JB’s Taphouse and Grill | 7PM (FREE)
[TUESDAY] Trivia Night @ Ole’s Outpost | 7PM (FREE)
[WEDNESDAY] Not Rocket Science Trivia @ Coral Club | 7:30PM (FREE)
[WEDNESDAY] 5 Star Trivia @ Grapes n Hops | 6PM (FREE)
[WEDNESDAY] Last Call Trivia @ Victor23 | 7PM (FREE)
[THURSDAY] 5 Star Trivia @ Doomsday Brewing Pub and Pizza | 6PM (FREE)
[THURSDAY] 5 Star Trivia Night @ Ghost Runner Brewery | 7PM (FREE)
[THURSDAY] 5 Star Trivia Night @ Grady’s Public House | 7PM (FREE)
[THURSDAY] Not Rocket Science Trivia @ Brickhouse | 7PM (FREE)
[THURSDAY] Trivia Thursday @ Breakside Vancouver | 6PM (FREE)

Lateral Thinking Puzzle of the Day

🧠 Time to put your thinking cap on!

Welcome to our Lateral Thinking Puzzle section, where things aren’t always as they seem. Ready to challenge your brain with some tricky scenarios and unexpected twists? Let’s see if you can crack the puzzle!

We’ll give you the answer in Thursday’s edition of The PNW Report (Vancouver)!

Today’s Puzzle: What has to be filled out before it can be used?

Last Thursday’s Question + Answer: What question can you ask all day long and always get different answers? [Answer: What time is it?!]