Save the Date: Enjoy a laugh, a run, a dance, even a Japanese New Year

Have you ever wondered how Clark County grew into the community it is today?

From 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 27, at the Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver, Washington State University Vancouver professors Donna Sinclair and Sue Peabody will discuss surprising facts they’ve learned about local history, including local population growth trends and where newcomers came from. Sinclair, an independent historian, and Peabody, who has written historical books and is distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and History, will use “How We Came to this Place” to explore how and why the county population has increased from 221,654 to nearly 500,000 in the past three decades. Pre-registration is required at ClarkCountyStories@gmail.com. 360-993-5679 or www.cchmuseum.org.

Comedy returns to Ridgefield with Laughing on Last Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield; $20. Mike Wally Walter was scheduled to perform, but had to cancel, so the Theater is working to find a replacement comedian. 360-887-7260 or www.oldlibertytheater.com.

Keep warm in the winter by clocking some mileage. At least you’ll be warm(ish) when walking or running in the Race for Warmth from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 28 starting at Clark Public Utilities, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver; $30 to $40. Through three races (kids race, 10K run, 5K walk and run), participants raise funds to support limited-income families who need help paying electric bills. In the last three years, the race has raised more than $100,000 for local families. 360-992-3599 or www.raceforwarmth.com.

Nick Calais and Tami Weidert just can’t miss Camas First Friday, even on their wedding day. The couple hasn’t missed a First Friday since April 2015, so they figured why not combine the monthly event with their wedding? From 2 to 8 p.m. Feb. 2, First Friday will transform into “Nick & Tami: The Wedding Affair To Remember,” which will include a public marriage. Camas Mayor Scott Higgins will marry the couple at 2 p.m. at Liberty Theatre, 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. But the fun doesn’t stop after “I do.” The entire free First Friday will be wedding-themed. Cake Happy will supply the wedding cake and food from downtown restaurants will be served at an outside celebration with lighted tents, music, dancing, games and more. 360-816-0352 or www.facebook.com/events/284181862076293.

Share a dance with that special someone: your daughter. At the annual Father-Daughter Valentine’s Ball from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 2 and 3, you can get some one-on-one time with your daughter in a memorable, musical atmosphere in the Pearson Airfield Historic Hangar, 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver; $12 to $14. Entertainment includes a local DJ, professional photographer, balloon artist, temporary tattoo station and ballroom and hip hop dance instruction. 360-487-7100 or www.cityofvancouver.us/parksrec/page/annual-father-daughter-valentine%E2%80%99s-ball-1.

Ghost Town Poetry’s Open Mic next month includes a poet with some pretty fame-filled credentials. Dane DeLloyd, who’s also an actor, pianist and artist, will be at the 7 p.m. Feb. 8 open mic at Angst Gallery, 1015 Main St., Vancouver; free. DeLloyd has opened for The Roots, Faith Evans, The Pharcyde and Ghostface Killer. He’s also self-published multiple chap books. 360-553-1014 or www.printedmattervancouver.com.

Do New Year’s all over again. This time it will have to be a Japanese New Year, or Mochitsuki 2018, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Smith Memorial Student Union at Portland State University, 1825 S.W., Broadway, Portland; $4 to $10. Celebrating the year of the dog, this festival will include hands-on activities such as ikebana (floral arrangements), calligraphy, many games, rice pounding, staged performances and plenty of tasty Japanese food. mochipdx.org.