Free Flu and Covid Clinic Highlights Valencia County Community Events

Valencia County residents have access to a no-cost flu and Covid vaccination clinic today at the Belen Public Health Office, located at 617 Becker Ave. The clinic runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and residents can schedule appointments by calling 505-864-7743. Providing immunizations with no out-of-pocket cost addresses financial barriers to preventive care and is a timely public health measure as respiratory viruses circulate in the community.

The clinic is the lead item in a round of community notices that together reflect ongoing efforts to bolster health, social connection, and cultural life across the county. Later today, the Belen Public Library at 333 Becker Ave. will host an open mic from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., a family-friendly event produced by PopUpShow.net and Tony DeNardo with free entry and a $2 registration fee to perform. Events like this support mental well-being and intergenerational engagement, important complements to medical services.

Recurring programs provide steady community supports. Story time with JayDee the Therapy Dog meets every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Belen Library, while an Adult Silent Book Club gathers Wednesdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The Bosque Farms Community Center serves breakfast on the first Wednesday of each month from 9 to 10:30 a.m., and the Bosque Farms Public Library hosts dance classes at 10 a.m. each Saturday. These low-cost or no-cost offerings reduce social isolation and create informal networks that can improve health outcomes.

Valencia Community Action Network hosts Textile Thursday at Meadow Lake Community Center on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., offering free instruction and materials. Free arts and skill-building programs reduce economic barriers to participation and provide therapeutic outlets, particularly for families and residents on limited incomes. Meadow Lake Community Center also runs weekly art sessions and other recurring activities that contribute to neighborhood resilience.

Historic and civic programming will continue throughout January. The historic Tomé jail and casita are open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the UNM-Valencia Campus, and Belen’s 33rd annual candlelight vigil and remembrance is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Belen Public Library. On Saturday, Jan. 24, Eagle Park in Belen will host the World’s Largest Matanza, organized by the Hispano Chamber, featuring live music, competitions, vendors, and scholarship fundraising.

Groups supporting veterans and families also remain active. The Blue Star Mothers of Valencia County will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Daniel Fernandez Park in Los Lunas; contact 505-980-4759 for details. The community bulletin also includes schedule and contact information for the Belen Area Food Pantry, which serves residents within the Belen Consolidated Schools district.

Taken together, the clinic and community programming underscore the interconnected needs of public health, food security, social support, and cultural preservation in Valencia County. Free and low-cost offerings reduce barriers for low-income and rural residents, but single-day clinics and limited hours highlight the ongoing need for sustained, accessible services across the county.