Couve Scoop March 2026
Table of Contents
17th Children’s Festival Returns to Vancouver Mall
Mark your calendars! Vancouver Family Magazine’s beloved Children’s Festival is back. The 17th annual Children’s Festival takes place Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vancouver Mall.
This free, family-friendly event offers a day of fun for kids of all ages, including face painting, balloon art, games, prizes, giveaways and access to helpful community resources. Families can explore, play and connect while enjoying a lively atmosphere designed just for kids.
The event is sponsored by Parties Inc. and WA529 Washington Education Savings Plans. Admission is free. Don’t miss this annual celebration of family fun!
Nutter Foundation Presents the First‑Ever BuildHER Summit
The Nutter Foundation, the organization behind Dozer Day®, is taking its mission further by launching The BuildHER Summit—a dynamic, hands-on mentorship event designed to inspire girls ages 15–18 to explore and pursue careers in the trades.
The inaugural BuildHER Summit will take place April 22 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm at Nutter Corporation in Vancouver, with lunch provided for all participants. This first‑of‑its‑kind event invites young women to step inside the world of construction, engineering, heavy equipment operation, welding and other skilled trades—guided directly by the women who are already doing the work.
The BuildHER Summit is designed to be immersive, inspiring and practical. Girls will hear directly from tradeswomen representing fields such as:
- Heavy equipment operation
- Carpentry
- Welding
- Electrical
- Engineering
- Mechanics
- Construction management
Panelists will share their stories—how they got started, what the job is really like, what they’ve learned along the way and the advice they wish they’d had at 15. Students will also have opportunities for Q&A, hands‑on exploration and guided mentorship conversations.
Girls ages 15–18, educators and school partners will receive sign‑up information directly through the Nutter Foundation and Vancouver School District as details are finalized.
Tradeswomen interested in speaking or mentoring are invited to reach out to: info@nutterfoundation.org
The inspiration for the BuildHER Summit began with Nancy Duncan, Career & Technical Education TOSA (Teacher On Special Assignment) for Vancouver Public Schools, who saw firsthand how many young women were eager for guidance, real‑world insight and the confidence to step onto a jobsite feeling powerful, prepared and capable. Her observations—and her passion for creating meaningful pathways for girls—helped illuminate a gap in mentorship opportunities within the trades.
Duncan’s insight became the spark that ignited the BuildHER Summit, shaping it into a program designed not just to inform, but to empower.
As 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of The Nutter Foundation, which annually brings Dozer Day® to our community, they celebrate a beloved event that has introduced thousands of children to the excitement of operating real heavy equipment while emphasizing safety, teamwork and future career pathways. Over the past two decades, the Foundation has given back more than $2.5 million and helped bring Dozer Day® to communities across the nation. In honor of this milestone, the Foundation is proud to add the BuildHER Summit to its growing lineup of youth-focused programs.
“Dozer Day® has always been about building confidence and opening doors,” says Amy Johns (Jazzy), Dozer Day® Co‑Chair. “The BuildHER Summit takes that mission one step further by creating a space where young women can see themselves in these careers—and meet the tradeswomen who are paving the way.”
Handel’s Ice Cream Opens First Washington State Location in Vancouver
Ice cream lovers, rejoice – there’s a new spot in town to try. Handel’s Ice Cream opened in Vancouver on Mill Plain Blvd (530 Southeast 192nd Avenue). The grand opening took place in mid-January. This is their first location in Washington.
The shop is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with extended hours during warmer months. Guests can enjoy classic and seasonal favorites, with 48 rotating flavors each month. The 1,600-sq-ft Vancouver scoop shop offers pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates along with catering services.
Beyond serving premium treats, the owners are committed to making a positive community impact. They plan to support local schools and organizations through fundraising and partnerships. The owners also aim to be a trusted employer for local youth.
“We are especially proud of the opportunity to provide first jobs for young people in Vancouver,” said Heather Portus, co-owner of Vancouver Handel’s. “Creating a supportive environment where team members can learn responsibility and teamwork is a priority for us. We hope our store is a positive workplace that helps young employees build confidence they can carry throughout their careers.”
For more information about Handel’s Mill Plain including upcoming events, visit, https://handelsicecream.com/store/mill-plain/
Read the March 2026 Issue
