Couve Culture Weekender: May 8th - May 11th

Author

Jay Letlow
May 08, 2025

It’s Thursday, the 8th of May in the Couve.

Happy Thursday, Couve! It's May 8th, and I'm already mapping out a classic weekend.

You know the drill: Saturday morning means a Kafiex coffee while I browse the Farmer's Market – it’s practically a weekly pilgrimage. Then Sunday, it's all about Mother's Day! I’ll be channeling my inner chef to whip up some gourmet French toast for the wife and kids – aiming for 'deliciously decadent' rather than 'distinctly singed.' Wish me luck!

In other family news, my daughter’s birthday is on the horizon, and she's convinced us to get pet rats. But not just any rats, mind you, these are the fancy kind with curly hair. Our house is about to get even more interesting, and I'm sure I'll have stories.

Also, a quick little milestone moment: we just crossed 5,000 subscribers! I’m honestly so proud of how far this scrappy little newsletter has come – and so grateful you’re here for the ride. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or just signed up last week, thank you for being part of the Couve Culture crew.

Now, a little heads-up: I'm heading to Mexico next week with the whole extended family crew, so the newsletter might be a bit on the light side. I'll do my best to 'research' while I’m hitting taco stands and spending quality time at the. I don't expect too much sympathy though!

And speaking of new things, I’ve been mulling over an idea and would love your take. What do you think about a small, ticketed Couve Culture event? Picture a cool little happy hour, maybe about 50 of us, just a fun, casual get-together to chat and enjoy some local flavor. Purely hypothetical at this stage, but there's a quick survey below. Let me know if that's something that piques your interest!

Are you interested in a ticketed Couve Culture Meetup?

Probably limited to 25-50 people to keep it intimate.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Here are my top picks for this weekend:

  • Camas Plant and Garden Fair

  • Barracuda (Heart Tribute Band)

  • Mother’s Day Clay Workshop at Kilnfolk

  • Mother’s Day Brunch at The Grant House

  • Laughs on Loowit Comedy Show

Cheap Flights

Here's a little something for your travel daydreams! If your passport has been feeling a bit neglected or you're simply craving a change of pace from the (lovely, but sometimes a bit too familiar) Couve, I've got some stellar news. My very serious and highly scientific research (which mostly involves sipping coffee and hunting for deals) has uncovered some fantastic cheap flights from PDX.

This week, you could be saying "Ciao bella!" in Rome, exploring the vibrant streets of Barcelona, or catching some rays in sunny Honolulu for a lot less than you'd expect. Go ahead, start planning that escape – your secret's safe with me!

PDX - Rome 🇮🇹
From $473, normally $850+
Departing MAY 2025, AUG 2025, NOV 2025, MAR 2026
Icelandair
Economy Seating
Layovers
2h5m in Reykjavik
1h20m in Reykjavik (return)
*Price will last ~4-5 days
sample pricing

PDX - Barcelona 🇪🇸
From $483, normally $1015+
Departing SEP 2025, NOV - DEC 2025, JAN - FEB 2026
Delta Airlines
Economy
Layovers
2h54m in New York City
4h30m in Atlanta (return)
*Price will last ~1-2 days
sample pricing

PDX - Honolulu, Hi 🌺
From $350, normally $685+
Departing MAY 2025, AUG - NOV 2025
American Airlines
Economy
Layovers
2h12m in Los Angeles
2h8m in Los Angeles (return)
*Price will last 5-7 days
sample pricing

The Tape Deck

Looking to outshine your neighbors year-round? Evershine Lighting in Vancouver, WA, specializes in permanent outdoor and holiday lighting installations. Their customizable LED systems, controllable via phone or laptop, are built to last over 20 years. With a five-year warranty and stellar local reputation, Evershine ensures your property stays brilliantly lit without the hassle.

Woody’s Custom Landscaping brings over 70 years of combined experience to Vancouver, WA, crafting award-winning outdoor spaces. Specializing in hardscapes, irrigation, and water features, their certified team delivers personalized designs with top-tier craftsmanship. Known for reliability and attention to detail, they transform yards into lasting, beautiful retreats.

Got dull knives, scissors, or garden tools mocking you from the drawer? The Patron Saint of Knives gets it. This local sharpening pro treats every blade, from your fancy chef's knife to Grandma's old shears, with respect – honoring its history while making it "mysteriously sharp." Affordable, expert sharpening!

Our friends at the Vancouver’s Downtown Association (VDA) are on a mission to keep downtown vibrant. From public art and flower baskets to infrastructure upgrades and local events, they’re the behind-the-scenes heroes making downtown Vancouver a place where people want to live, work, and linger longer.

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project your working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to over 5,000 friends?

Mother's Day Events

Saturday, May 10 | Mother's Day Tea | The Grant House | $50
🫖 Fancy afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and sweets—basically the Downton Abbey experience, minus the drama. Reservations required.
Register Here

Saturday–Sunday, May 10–11 | Mother's Day Weekend Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Truffle Pairing | Barnard Griffin Winery | FREE
🍷 Wine paired with cheese and chocolate truffles—show Mom you have great taste (and taste buds). Moms get a complimentary taste of the new 2023 Rosé.
Tickets Here

Sunday, May 11 | Mother's Day Movie Night | Thirsty Sasquatch | FREE
🎬 Celebrate Mom with a movie night that's strictly for adults (21+). Perfect for moms who prefer wine over whine.
More Info

Sunday, May 11 | Mother's Day Brunch | The Grant House | Price Varies
🥂 All-day brunch for Mom with cocktails, wine, and food. Because brunch is how you show you care. Reservations strongly encouraged.
Register Here

Sunday, May 11 | Mother’s Day Mimosas & More | Airfield Estates Vancouver Tasting Room | Price Varies
🥂 Celebrate Mom all weekend with bubbly drinks, gourmet charcuterie, and Frosé. Reservations recommended because moms deserve no less.
More Info

Sunday, May 11 | Mother's Day Brunch | 3 Howls Remedy House | FREE
🍾 Brunch, mimosas, and Frosé—basically everything Mom wants in one spot. Cheers to the lady who deserves it all!
More Info

Sunday, May 11 | Mother's Day Brunch + Jewelry Pop-Up | Maryhill Winery | Price Varies
💍 Four-course brunch with wine pairings, plus on-site permanent jewelry pop-up. Brunch and sparkle—your mom called, she said yes.
More Info

Sunday, May 11 | Mother’s Day Clay Workshop | Kilnfolk Clay Studio | $65
👐 Get crafty with Mom making mugs, vases, or trinket dishes. Pieces ready in a few weeks—right in time to prove your love again.
Register Here

Sunday, May 11 | Mother's Day Tea Tasting Party | Dandelion Teahouse | $25
🍵 Tea tasting with baked goodies. Ideal for the mom who loves tea almost as much as spilling it.
Tickets Here

Food & Drinks

Friday, May 9 | Date Night with Live Music | Bethany Vineyard | FREE
🎶 Date night at Bethany just got even better with live music and that romantic vineyard vibe. Reservations encouraged so you don't end up staring lovingly at a packed room.
More Info

Saturday, May 10 | Yoga and Wine | English Estate Winery | $28
🧘‍♀️ Stretch, sip, repeat. Your weekend zen is waiting in the tasting room. Includes a glass of wine because hydration matters.
Register Here

Community Events

Saturday, May 10 | Spruce the Couve | Esther Short Park | FREE
🌸 Give back to the community by planting flowers and cleaning up downtown. Free snacks and good karma guaranteed. RSVP required.
Register Here

Saturday, May 10 | Camas Plant and Garden Fair | Downtown Camas | FREE
🌻 Stock up on plants and outdoor decor, pet some friendly animals, and pretend you'll actually maintain that garden this year. Free entry and expert gardening advice included.
More Info

Vancouver Events

Savor the Pacific Northwest’s finest flavors at Tide and Terroir, a celebration of sea and soil curated by Chef Cameron Dunlap. Hosted at the stunning Confluence Estate on Saturday, May 31 from 5–8 PM, this one-night event features a raw seafood bar, expert wine pairings, and live music in a lush outdoor setting. Expect oysters, ambiance, and a whole lot of “is this heaven?” energy. It’s a feast for the senses and a love letter to local abundance. Come hungry, leave slightly buzzed and very impressed. 🌊🍷🎶

Want to feature an event that is important to your business? Click below to share it with 5,000+ locals looking for something to do.

Thursday, May 8 | Comedy on Tap | The Kiggins Theatre | $15
🎭 Start your weekend laughing with a rotating lineup of comedians. Doors open at 7, drink specials till 7:30, and laughs start at 8—perfect timing if you consider bedtime a crucial factor.
Tickets Here

Friday, May 9 | Free Play Fridays! | Vault 31 | Free with Purchase
🎮 The gamer’s version of happy hour. Pick up a controller or mouse, grind ranks, or just embarrass your friend at Mario Kart. Free gameplay with any purchase!
More Info

Friday–Saturday, May 9–10 | Line & Partner Dance Lessons | Lucky’s Roadhouse | FREE
💃🕺 Grab a friend (preferably one with rhythm) and join dance lessons every weekend! Scoot, spin, stomp, and swing with lessons starting at 7 pm. Your dancing shoes called—they miss you.
More Info

Friday, May 9 | Imposter Syndrome | Georgie’s Garage and Grill | $5
🎸 Classic rock and country with enough edge to keep things interesting. Perfect if your Friday plans involve singing loudly and pretending you're the lead vocalist.
More Info

Friday, May 9 | Barracuda (Heart Tribute Band) | Billy Blues Bar and Grill | $15
🎤 Powerhouse tribute to Heart, sprinkled with Led Zeppelin covers—because sometimes you need classic rock delivered loudly and passionately. Ages 21+ only.
Tickets Here

Saturday, May 10 | Laughs on Loowit Comedy Show | Loowit Brewing Downtown Pub | FREE
😂 Free laughs paired with great local beer. It's comedy night—consider this your official invitation to drink and giggle in public.
More Info

Saturday, May 10 | Mother's Day Beer Choir | Heathen Brewing Feral Public House | FREE
🍻 Celebrate Mom by singing loudly and drinking merrily in true pub style. New songbooks available because Mom deserves better than your shower rendition.
More Info

Saturday, May 10 | Kill The Headlights and Drifter | Georgie’s Garage and Grill | $5
🎸 Local bands bring original rock ‘n roll and some surprise covers to Georgie’s. Family-friendly until 8 pm, then it’s adults-only fun.
More Info

Sports & Outdoors

Saturday, May 10 | UFC 315 Viewing | The Stadium Sports Bar & Grill | FREE
🥊 Watch pros battle it out on-screen while you battle a giant plate of nachos. Main fights include Muhammad vs. Maddalena and Shevchenko vs. Fiorot.
More Info

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See you next week.

That’s it for this week, friends! Whether you’re brunching with Mom, dodging dance partners at Lucky’s, or just here for the flight deals, I hope your weekend’s full of good food, better vibes, and zero burnt French toast (I make no promises on my end). Thanks again for helping us hit 5,000 subscribers—you all make this weird little thing worth it.

Catch you next week—assuming I survive family vacation and the rats don’t unionize. 🐀

Cheers!
Jay Letlow

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