Happy Thursday, Vancouver!

Well, we’ve got good news coming your way. Crispy Cones finally opens in Salmon Creek tomorrow, and on Saturday, it’s the first day of Spring!

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

🌉 Cost to Replace I-5 Bridge Doubles, New Estimate is $13.5B to $15.2B

The Interstate Bridge Replacement is back with an update, and it’s somehow both bigger and slower: the new estimate is between $13.5B and $15.2B, with nearly half chalked up to inflation and over 400 identified risks (…what we all want to hear for a bridge replacement, right?!)

Groundbreaking has been pushed to 2028, with completion slated for 2045. Yes, it’ll eventually bring light rail to Vancouver and overhaul five miles of I-5…but with only $5.5B locked in so far, the real question is whether the funding, the time line, or your patience will run out first.

🍦 Crispy Cones in Salmon Creek Opens Tomorrow

Clear your schedule and your sweet tooth, because Crispy Cones is opening tomorrow (3/20) at Skyview Station in Salmon Creek, and things are about to get cone-siderably more delicious. These Shark Tank–famous treats feature warm, crispy chimney cones stuffed with soft serve and an aggressive amount of toppings. Consider your weekend dessert plans officially handled!

Follow our Instagram (@thepnwreport.vancouver) for exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at the Crispy Cones Salmon Creek opening!

☕️ Kitanda Espresso and Açai is Now Open in Esther Short Park

The former Starbucks spot in Esther Short Park has officially gotten a…Brazilian?! Kitanda Espresso and Açai is now open, serving up espresso drinks, cheesy pão de queijo, and açai bowls. Check out our Opening Day preview below on our Instagram:

WEATHER [3/20 - 3/22]

It’s gonna be a nice one out there this weekend, folks!

Friday, 3/20: 60/39 🌧️ PM Rain
Saturday, 3/21: 57/34 ☀️ Mostly Sunny
Sunday, 3/22: 60/40 🌤️ Partly Cloudy

EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO [3/20 - 3/22]

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, MARCH 20th

🖼️ Adult Art Share @ Cascade Park Library | 11AM - 1PM (FREE)
Are you a starving artist? A full artist? Either way, come to Art Share (hosted by the Society of Washington Artists) for this monthly meet-up where artists can share their art with other artists and talk about their creative process, techniques, and inspirations.

🪧 Advocacy Crash Course @ Kindred Vancouver | 6PM (FREE)
Activism is not just for people who own megaphones. Come meet local advocates, learn what they actually do, and find your own way to get involved. This month features voices from 50501 Movement and LULAC in Southwest Washington, plus discussion around recent happenings with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries.

🎭 Guys and Dolls @ Washougal High School | 7PM (Pay-What-You-Will)
Luck be a theatergoer tonight! Washougal High School is rolling the dice on the classic Guys and Dolls, bringing gamblers, showgirls, and smooth-talking charm to the stage.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21st

🥝 Grow Your Own Kiwifruit Workshop @ Heritage Farm | 10AM ($10)
Kiwi believe it? You can grow your own fuzzy fruit right here in the PNW! Join the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Program for a hands-on workshop that’ll have you vine-ing your way to backyard kiwi success.

🛒 Vancouver Farmers Market @ Esther Short Park | 10AM - 2PM (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?!

🐝 Introduction to Spring Mason Bees @ Vancouver Hilton | 10AM (FREE)
Ready to bee the kind of person who knows a lot about pollinators? The Vancouver Bee Project is hosting a buzz-worthy Intro to Spring Mason Bees at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Free to attend, and honestly, this event is the bee’s knees.

🔧 Repair Event @ Vancouver UCC | 10AM – 1PM (FREE)
Got stuff that’s seen better days? Don’t toss it…fix it! This repair event is here to give your broken bits a second chance at greatness. Bring in small, carryable items and volunteers will help you troubleshoot, mend, and revive everything from toasters and lamps to clothing, jewelry, and bikes.

🎨 Guided Pottery Painting @ Kilnfolk Clay Studio | 10AM ($40)
Lettuce paint something cute, shall we? Join Marianne of Mozaika Arts for a guided class where you’ll turn a ceramic plate or bowl into a full-on garden party…think fruits, veggies, and a-peel-ing designs.

🧹 Learn to Crochet 101 @ Kindred Vancouver | 11AM – 1PM (FREE)
Hooked on the idea of crocheting but have no idea where to start? This beginner-friendly, 2-hour class will teach you the essentials: slip knot, chain stitch, single crochet, and how to fasten off effectively. All materials included: one skein of 100% recycled cotton yarn and a Soft Touch Clover hook (yes, you get to keep them). No experience needed…just bring your hands and a willingness to get a little knotty.

🎭 Spring Equinox Native Art Market @ The Arts Centered | 11AM (FREE)
The Spring Equinox Native Art Market is here! Expect a mix of local and regional Indigenous artists showing off creations. Don’t brush off this event!

✍️ Writing Workshop @ Cascade Park Library | 11AM (FREE)
Got thoughts? Feelings? A Notes app full of half-finished brilliance? Bring it all. Join Clark County Poet Laureate Susan Dingle for a free writing workshop designed to get your creativity flowing through prompts, poems, and a little metaphor magic.

💧 World Water Day @ The Water Center | 11AM – 2PM (FREE)
Come celebrate World Water Day with a day full of family-friendly hands-on activities and educational opportunities all about the importance of clean water. Learn how water goes from “used” to “reused”…don’t let this opportunity just go down the drain.

🎭 Guys and Dolls @ Washougal High School | 2PM & 7PM (Pay-What-You-Will)
Luck be a theatergoer tonight. Washougal High School is rolling the dice on the classic Guys and Dolls, bringing gamblers, showgirls, and smooth-talking charm to the stage.

🌼 Protect Our Pollinators @ Cascade Park Library | 2PM (FREE)
It’s getting hot out there! Join the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program to learn how climate change is impacting pollinators…and why that’s kind of a big buzzin’ deal for the rest of us. You’ll get practical, garden-friendly tips to help support bees, butterflies, and other tiny MVPs that keep our ecosystems (and gardens options) thriving.

🖌️ Aura Painting Workshop @ Kindred Vancouver | 2PM (FREE)
Ready to see your true colors (literally)? Join Charissa for a guided Aura Painting Workshop where you’ll explore chakras, energy fields, and what your whole deal might look like on canvas. You’ll learn the meaning behind different colors, tap into your intuition, and create a 5x7 acrylic painting that’s basically a portrait of your inner energy…hey, who wouldn’t want that?!