Happy Thursday, Vancouver!

Well, it’s looking like “Fake Spring” is coming to an end, and (Second) Winter is coming. For those of you who don’t know what we’re talking about, welcome to the world of weather in Vancouver, Washington:

With last frost dates varying so much in our region from year to year, we have to ask…

We’ll let you know the results in Monday’s newsletter!

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

🚊 Congress Just Earmarked $100M for the MAX Light Rail Connecting Vancouver and Portland

On Tuesday, Congress signed off on the spending package to bring the MAX Light Rail across the Columbia River. Some are cheering, while others are concerned about the final bill. This funding specifically targets the light rail extension, which has been the "Ross and Rachel" of local politics for years…will they or won’t they? For proponents, this is a massive win for connectivity and getting cars off the I-5. For critics, this is an expensive add-on to a project whose price tag is already "ballooning" quickly.

Due to this spending package being signed, $100 million is officially earmarked for light rail. Because it was named specifically in the federal bill, it’s locked in (i.e. no "returning it for store credit" to spend on more lanes). Removing the light rail now could be a "bridge too far”…It’s baked into the current design, and changing it could cause a breakup between Washington and Oregon, potentially risking the $1 billion each state has already committed.

WEATHER [2/6 - 2/8]

(Second) Winter is coming!

Friday, 2/6: 56/42 🌤️ Partly Cloudy
Saturday, 2/7: 51/45 🌧️ Rain
Sunday, 2/8: 49/41 🌧️ Rain

EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO [2/6 - 2/8]

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, FEBRUARY 6th

🏠 Marshall House Tour @ Officer’s Row | 10AM (FREE)
Step inside the Marshall House, where Queen Anne elegance meets military history. Once home to General George C. Marshall, this turreted treasure features stained glass, intricate woodwork, and a peek into the past with period furnishings and a recreated study. Walk-in tours available Wed–Fri, 10–2, and select Saturdays, 11–3.

🍫 All You Need is Love…and Chocolate @ Downtown Camas | 5PM - 8PM (FREE)
Prepare your dental insurance because Downtown Camas is turning into a literal candy land for this month’s rendition of First Friday. Attendees can wander the streets of Camas while hunting for hidden "Art Hearts" or guessing the volume of candy jars. Most importantly, free hot cocoa provided by the Downtown Camas Association!

🛍️ First Friday @ Downtown Vancouver | 5PM - 9PM (FREE)

🛒 First Friday Pop-Up @ Slocum House | 5PM - 8PM (FREE)
The Vancouver Farmers Market is moving inside for First Friday. They are cramming a "cozy slice" of local talent into a historic downtown space so you can browse Backyard Bohemia Pottery and Pak Hye Goods without your toes turning into icicles. TY VFM!

🪩 Family Valentine’s Day Balls @ Pearson Air Museum | 6PM ($10 - $25)
Prepare to reach cruising altitude on the dance floor at the Sweetheart Dance, where the only thing more dated than the vintage planes at the Pearson Air Museum will be your dance moves. This is a chance for families to celebrate their bonds in a historic hangar without the usual baggage of a typical school dance.

🌳 Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop @ Heritage Farm | 6:30PM ($25 - $50)
Local legend Monica Maggio is hosting a two-part Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop to help you stop butchering your McIntoshes. Part one starts Friday on Zoom (where you can learn the theory of making the cut from the comfort of your couch)…part two moves to the actual dirt on Saturday morning, where you will practice your new skills in the great outdoors.

🎶 “The Love of Music” @ First Presbyterian Church | 7PM ($30)
Maestro Ken Selden and the VSO are here to blow you away with The Love of Music. This chamber series kickoff at the VSO features a whirlwind of Rossini and the "lyrical grace" of Gounod. After you stretch your legs at intermission, prepare for the "youthful exuberance" of Richard Strauss and a masterwork by Louis Spohr that promises to bring the house down without the need for a drum kit.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7th

🍦 Ice Cream for Breakfast Day @ Ice Cream Renaissance | 8AM - 12PM (Cost Varies)
We LOVE THIS HOLIDAY. This Saturday, ditch the boring oatmeal and head over to Ice Cream Renaissance to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. All morning, you can enjoy special breakfast ice cream flavors (french toast, anyone)?!

🎨 HeART Fest @ Black Pearl on the Columbia | 10AM - 5PM (FREE)
The Artisans’ Guild of Camas is back with the third annual HeART Fest, a non-juried show that will give you a chance to connect with local creators and admire the beauty of the space.

🛒 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?!

💗 Cupids Bazaar @ Uptown Village | 12PM - 5PM (FREE)
If you are looking for a way to prove you actually put thought into Valentine’s Day, Vancouver’s Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market is your savior. This gathering of local makers is the perfect place to score unique finds that do not look like they came from a generic big-box store.

🎭 Snow Soup @ Magenta Theater | 2PM (FREE)
Teach your children the ancient art of the "stone soup" hustle with this Arctic-inspired musical that proves you can build a feast out of nothing if you have enough charisma. Featuring a cast of indigenous animals (including a walrus, a polar bear, and a narwhal) this show attempts to convince kids that sharing is better than hoarding.

🎉 Galentine’s Night Out @ Eras Vintage Marketplace | 6PM ($20)
Leave the significant other at home and grab the squad for a Galentine’s Night at Eras Vintage Marketplace. This 21+ shindig is a ticketed excuse to drink champagne and shop vintage decor after hours. Your entry fee scores you a glass of bubbly, two chocolate-covered strawberries, and a small bouquet of flowers.

🪩 Family Valentine’s Day Balls @ Pearson Air Museum | 6PM ($10 - $25)
Prepare to reach cruising altitude on the dance floor at the Sweetheart Dance, where the only thing more dated than the vintage planes at the Pearson Air Museum will be your dance moves. This is a chance for families to celebrate their bonds in a historic hangar without the usual baggage of a typical school dance.

🤣 Love Hurts @ Underbar | 7PM (FREE)
This spicy dramedy event features five comedians airing their dirty laundry and trauma-dumping about love, relationships, and the inevitable train wrecks that follow. It is the perfect opportunity to feel significantly better about your own dating history while watching professionals turn their romantic failures into punchlines.