1. Buzzin’ and bloomin’
Buzz on over to the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver, from 1 to 3 p.m. July 13 for some free, kid-centric fun during Second Saturday: Wildflowers and Pollinators. Learn about the insects, birds and mammals that pollinate crops and wildflowers, enabling plants to propagate and delicious fruit, vegetables and berries to grow. As with every Second Saturday at the Water Center, hands-on games, activities and crafts will teach and entertain the kids (and maybe the grown-ups, too). Plenty of free parking is available on-site; children should have parents or guardians with them. 360-487-7111, vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter
2. Dragons at Vancouver Lake
About 40 teams will compete in the Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Races from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13 at Vancouver Lake Regional Park, 6801 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver, a fundraiser to benefit the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center. There are two kinds of teams: club or competitive teams, and amateur community teams, made up of friends or co-workers who are (mostly) new to dragon boating. The day’s highlights are the Battle of the Branches race featuring Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine and Air Force teams competing for the Commander’s Cup, followed by the Smackdown of the Services, featuring the SeaBees vying against other teams. It’s free to watch; parking is $3 per car. Food and drinks will be available to buy. paddleforlife.org
3. Midsummer night’s shopping
Vancouver’s Terminal 1 Night Market is offering a two-night summer market from 5 to 10 p.m. July 12 and 13 at the WareHouse ’23 Event Center, 100 Columbia St. Shop for one-of-a-kind, locally handcrafted goods and products from 80 vendors and tap your toes to live music with the Uganda Choir, Jason Meeks, Tap Brothers, Sunday Speedtrap and others. Spice things up with free salsa lessons from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on the waterfront patio, meet your next furry BFF with the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s pet adoptions, 5 to 10 p.m. both days. Grab dinner from one of six food vendors or savor a meal with a view at WareHouse ’23. Free parking is available on-site. www.nightmarketvancouver.com or www.warehouse1923.com
4. Half-baked history
The next History on Tap will explore “Stuff We Used to Believe: Strange Stories from Our Past” at 7 p.m. July 18. Clark County Historical Museum Executive Director Brad Richardson will delve into a range of once-popular theories, beliefs and ideas that have since been debunked, such as the health benefits of radioactive water, doctor-recommended cigarettes, why hand-washing is useless at preventing disease, and the Earth’s position at the center of the universe. While attendees are learning funky history facts, they can also enjoy draft beer, fine wine and snacks in the comfort of the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 or $18 at the door. www.kigginstheatre.com
