Farmers market officially open

The Grand Valley State University farmers market is officially open and will remain open until Oct. 26. The market is held every Wednesday in parking lot G on the Allendale Campus from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The market introduces Allendale residents to local vendors and nutritional food items. GVSU campus dining provide $6 lunches from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The market provides produce, flowers, soaps, bread and sweet treats. Cash is the only accepted form of payment. There will also be blood pressure screening provided by the GVSU nursing program. For a full list of vendors visit www.gvsu.edu/farmersmarket.

Campus health coaches

On June 8 the DeVos Center will host certified health coaches in Room 299C from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. All benefit-eligible Grand Valley State University faculty and staff, including their spouses and immediate family are qualified to receive free consultations to prepare for better health practices. Health coaches will be available to answer questions regarding health and wellness and to help prepare pragmatic wellness plans. The goal is to help participants move closer to their physical and mental health goals. The program is in partnership with Priority Health and appointments can be scheduled by calling the number on the back of the Priority Health insurance card or online at www.priorityhealth.com.

Surplus store June sale

The Grand Valley State University Surplus Store will be open June 18 from 9 a.m. until noon. The store is located on 140 Front St. SW in Grand Rapids and is open to the general public. The store sells furniture, electronics, office supplies and sports equipment. Name brands including Apple, HP, Dell, Samsung and Texas Instruments are sold at heavily discounted rates. Popular items include computer accessories, cell phones and work desks. For more information, visit www.gvsusurplusstore.com.

Hauenstein Center Conference

Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein’s Center for Presidential Studies hosted a conference on June 1 to discuss the history and culture of the Midwest. The conference started at 9 a.m. and went until 8 p.m. in the Charles Loosemore Auditorium, featuring over a dozen panels and a multitude of speakers and experts discussing a variety of topics, including history, art, music, literature and culture of the Midwest. This was the second Midwestern History Conference hosted. In attendance were cultural critics, literary scholars and historians.

Grand Rapids mayor named as one of 100 most influential women

Crain’s Detroit Business recently rolled out their list of 100 more influential women and Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss was included on the list. Bliss is the first female mayor of Grand Rapids. Her next big goal in Grand Rapids is to restore the natural rapids of the Grand River. She wants to achieve this by removing “obsolete dams” and adding walking paths and picnic areas.