Happy Monday, Vancouver!

This is the kind of news you open immediately: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is coming to Vancouver, and we've got all the details for you down below.

Now that we’ve got your attention: yes, Tax Day is also approaching, spring break is officially over, and we’ve all been gently dropped back into reality. But don’t worry...this week is stacked with enough sing-alongs, wine-fueled mobility, trivia nights, forest walks, comedy shows, and library adventures to keep you thoroughly distracted while adulthood does its thing in the background.

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!

Was this email forwarded to you and you’re not yet a subscriber?

🌺 L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is Coming to Vancouver, WA

We're getting a taste of the islands! L&L Hawaiian BBQ (a Hawaii-born chain known for its very generous plate lunches) is planning to open at the former Subway in Centerpointe Retail Center near the Costco on NE 84th Street. If you’ve never had it, think two scoops of rice, mac salad, and your choice of saucy, savory mains like chicken katsu, BBQ beef, or loco moco piled high. No official opening date yet, but as always, we’ll keep you posted!

📈 Vancouver-Portland is 24th Most Expensive Place to Live in the U.S. out of 386 Metropolitan Areas in the US

Good news (said with the utmost sarcasm)! The Vancouver–Portland metro area has officially ranked as the 24th most expensive place to live in the country. The findings come from a new affordability report by the Washington Roundtable and consulting firm Kinetic West, which analyzed 386 metro areas nationwide and found Washington is now the 5th most expensive state in the U.S. (and rising faster than almost anywhere else since 2013). Yay for us?!

WEATHER

Maybe time to brush up on some…indoor Spring cleaning?!

Monday, 4/13: 56/44 ☁️ Cloudy
Tuesday, 4/14: 51/39 🌧️ PM Rain
Wednesday, 4/15: 49/36 ⛈️ Thunderstorms
Thursday, 4/16: 56/38 ☁️ Mostly Cloudy

EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO [4/13 - 4/16]

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 13th

🎨 Adventures in Art @ Vancouver Library | 10:30AM (FREE)
Learn how to nature journal at this month’s iteration of Adventures in Art - a free monthly program that encourages adults to make art using different forms of media.

🏃‍♂️ 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.

✍️ Willamette Writers @ Three Creeks Library | 6PM (FREE)
Have you been wanting to write the Great American Novel someday? Well, someday is now, babe! Willamette Writers is a free monthly writers meetup is where you stop screaming into the void and start screaming your words into an open mic…or at least sharing your genius with people who get it. 

🧘 Mobility Monday @ Dovetail Cellars | 6PM ($25)
Namaste…for the wine! Join Shadow Cat Fitness and Dovetail Cellars for a slow-flow session that’s all about pouring into yourself...and later, into your glass. You’ll stretch, lengthen, and wine-d down your joints while building strength, mobility, and just enough inner peace to justify the vino waiting at the end.

🤣 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 14th

🎙️ Startup Conversations in the Couve @ The VIC | 9AM ($10)
Mike Wallace (Co-Founder and CEO of Perfect Company) is here to talk about what it actually takes to build something that works during this event hosted by Northbank Innovations. Stick around for the Q&A!

🎨 The Other Side of Yesterday @ Archer Gallery | 1PM (FREE)
Please touch the art (we're not kidding)! For once, the gallery rules are flipped...yes, you’re actually supposed to touch things at this art exhibit. Archer Gallery’s newest exhibit by Nan Curtis is basically an aesthetic excuse to interact with rocks, moss, and water...water you waiting for?! Today's event features a free talk with the artist...dare we say it rocks?!

✍️ 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.

🎱 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 15th

🌱 Microgreens Class @ Three Creeks Library | 3PM (FREE)

🌳 April Forest Walk @ Columbia Springs | 3:30PM (FREE)
Wander among the trees, and breathe in the mossy vibes during this free forest walk sponsored by Columbia Springs. A knowledgeable guide will talk you through the plants and wildlife seen on the walk…such a tree-t!

🪡 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?!

🃏 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.

🤣 Leave Your Troubles at the Door @ Orchards Tap | 6PM (FREE)
At this free comedy show, comedians don’t vent about their own baggage…they roast yours!! Anonymously jot down your woes before the show, toss ’em in the box, and watch some of the Pacific Northwest’s sharpest comics turn your pain into punchlines.

🪱 Worm Bin Composting @ Cascade Park Library | 6PM (FREE)
Turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold with the help of red worms! Perfect for small spaces, this hands-on workshop will teach you how to set up a worm bin and let these little composting champs do all the dirty work. 

🧢 Paint Your Own Hat Art Night @ Caps n' Taps | 6PM ($20)
Design your own trucker hat at this paint night where creativity flows almost as freely as the drinks (which are extra, but let’s be real...you knew that). With guided help from local artists, you’ll leave with a custom hat that is just so truckin' cute!

🪄 Harry Potter Trivia and Karaoke @ Drop The Mic | 6PM - 9PM (FREE)
You’re a singer, Harry! Grab your wand and your questionable karaoke confidence, because it’s Harry Potter Trivia and Karaoke Night. Test your Hogwarts knowledge, belt out your favorite songs, and fully commit to the bit. All houses welcome! 

🚢 The Port of Vancouver Lecture Series @ The Kiggins Theatre | 6:30PM (FREE)
The Port of Vancouver’s lecture series is back, and yes...it’s actually free (in this economy?!). This installment, “Reliability by River,” dives into Tidewater Barge Lines and how the Columbia-Snake River system keeps the region moving, one massive barge at a time. RSVP required!

🤣 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 16th

✍️ 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.

🌸 Sakura Festival @ Clark College | 1PM (FREE)
The Sakura Festival is back! The ceremony will unfold in the Japanese Garden unless spring decides to rain on the parade...in which case everything gracefully moves indoors. There will be performances, displays, and cultural celebrations. Free and open to the public! 

🗣️ Women Who Shape This Place @ Clark County Historical Museum | 4:30PM (FREE)
What does it mean to shape a place? Sometimes it’s art. Sometimes it’s community. And sometimes it’s just showing up to a happy hour and accidentally becoming part of something meaningful. Join women from across Southwest Washington at the Clark County Historical Museum for a relaxed, salon-style gathering where networking takes a back seat and actual human connection drives.

🏃‍♀️ 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!

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 is always coming but never arrives?

Last Thursday’s Question + Answer: What can go through glass without breaking it? [Answer: Light]