The Vancouver Farmers Market at Columbia Tech Center opens this Thursday, June 2. Now in its second year serving Vancouver’s east side, the market offers fresh produce, plants and flowers, baked goods, delicious food, crafts and a lot more. It runs Thursdays through September 1, from 3 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting the last Adventures in Boating certification course until Fall. Classes are open to any individual who needs to obtain a Washington State Boaters Education Card. The next available class will be held on Saturday, June 4. The class will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Cowlitz County Search and Rescue Building, 1800 Western Lane in Kelso. The class is free. To register contact Deputy Jordan Spencer via email at spencerj@co.cowlitz.wa.us. This one-day class will certify boaters to operate a vessel in the state of Washington. Registrations fill up fast. All vessel operators age 59 and younger must have a Washington Boaters Education Card to operate a vessel in Washington State. For additional information and resources, check out www.boatered.org.

The Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce June General Meeting will include a presentation by special guest Dr. Lynda Falkenstein. Known as the “Niche Doctor,” Falkenstein is author of several books, including NICHECRAFT: Using Your Specialness to Focus Your Business, Corner Your Market, and Make Customers Seek You Out. Her professional consulting practice has, for many years, focused on helping businesses of all sizes create, keep, and deepen their market niche. The meeting is Thursday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Cedars on Salmon Creek, 15001 NE 181st St. in Brush Prairie. Admission is $17 for members; $20 for non-members. Registration is required by Wednesday, June 1.

YWCA Clark County is hosting the Val Joshua Racial Justice and Youth Social Justice Awards on Wednesday, June 1, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the YWCA Community Room, 3609 Main St. This annual event is in honor of two citizens who are carrying on the legacy of Val Joshua, a former YWCA Clark County board president and community leader who committed her life toward the elimination of racism.

Felisciana Peralta (at left) will receive the Val Joshua Racial Justice Award for her important work as Multicultural Retention Manager at Clark College, as well as her role as President of the Washington State Multicultural Student Services Diversity Council. Astrid DuBois, a graduating senior from Vancouver iTech Preparatory, is the recipient of the Val Joshua Youth Social Justice Award & Scholarship. DuBois is consistently striving to educate her peers on the importance of diversity in the STEM field.

Both women exemplify the spirit of the Val Joshua Racial Justice and Youth Social Justice Awards through demonstrated leadership toward the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. For more information, visit www.ywcaclarkcounty.org.