Adult Anxiety and Depression Clinic in Calexico, Tree planting at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Veterans Affairs expanded clinic and MAG nominees for men and women of the year

Adult Anxiety and Depression Clinic in Calexico

Bringing critical services to an underserved area, the Imperial County Department of Behavioral Health Services expanded its reach to embrace this vital cog in the county with a new Adult Anxiety and Depression Clinic in Calexico.

The clinic, serving 186 clients, has been sporadically transitioning clients from Behavioral Health’s El Centro branch to help clients in the local community with the convenience of accessing treatment in a more convenient location.

Tree planting at Memory Gardens Cemetery

Four seedling shade trees added a touch of grace to the Memory Gardens and Memorial Park as volunteers with the Imperial Valley Committee for Veterans planted the saplings at the center island here Saturday. It has been a community effort to revitalize the cemetery which has resting several veterans. For years it was without maintenance until the Committee for Veterans started efforts to clean it up and revitalize. Kudos to all involved.

Veterans Affairs expanded clinic

Veterans and doctors welcomed visitors to tour spacious offices and patient rooms of the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System Imperial Valley clinic on Friday.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially marked the clinic’s reopening after a relocation change to 1115 S. Fourth St. from its prior address on South Imperial Avenue, even though it has seen patients since February. Dr. Robert Smith, director of the VASDHS noted at nearly 9,800 square feet this clinic is three times larger. Although now serving 1,500 veterans, the older clinic was only serving 20 percent of the nearly 8,000 in Imperial County.

MAG nominees for men and women of the year

There are several names on that list and all worthy of the recognition. Those selected will be awarded during the fourth annual 2017 Sneaker Ball Scholarship Fundraiser, scheduled for 6 p.m. April 1. The event is held in the College Center at Imperial Valley College.

As part of its ongoing effort to raise crime victim awareness, Mothers and Men Against Gangs Coalition formally announced nominations for men and women of the year Thursday. The nominees are: Darletta Willis, Jane Mata, Laurie Edwards, John Moreno, Dan and Dennis Gibbs and Tony Leon. Good luck to all the nominees.