See you in Borrego Springs!

Holiday Gift Event in Borrego Springs On Sunday, December 14 , families gathered at Christmas Circle for the annual Santa at the Circle Gift Giveaway , a holiday event organized by OLAX – Organización de Latinx de Borrego Springs in collaboration with community partners. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the event aboard a Borrego Springs's San Diego County fire truck , while the Grinch made an appearance in a decorated truck , interacting with children throughout the afternoon. Holiday music played during the event, creating a seasonal backdrop as families moved through the activities. The Event was Open to all Families Children met Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos, received a stuffed animal, and then walked through a decorated toy tunnel , where they selected a gift to take home. Free cookies and hot chocolate were provided for everyone. Volunteers assisted with greeting families, guiding children through each station, and supporting gift distribution to ensure that each child received an age-appropriate gift in an organized and efficient way. Volunteers included members of OLAX , Miss Borrego and the Princesses , and S-Interact students , a Rotary–Soroptimist youth service group. Their coordination helped the event run smoothly and safely. The Santa at the Circle Gift Giveaway reflected continued community collaboration in Borrego Springs, bringing together local organizations, volunteers, and families for a shared holiday tradition.

The Borrego Springs Rotary Toy Giveaway is a long-standing holiday tradition that reflects the community’s commitment to caring for one another. A Day of Holiday Giving On Sunday, December 14, the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center was filled with holiday spirit as the Rotary Toy Giveaway welcomed families from across the community. The event was organized by the Borrego Springs Rotary Club , continuing a tradition that began in 2011. Originally created to support families facing financial hardship, the Toy Giveaway has grown over the years. Today, every child in Borrego Springs is invited to participate, reinforcing the Rotary Club’s commitment to inclusion and community care. Community Volunteers and Youth Leadership Rotary members were joined by Miss Borrego, the Princesses, and S-Interact students—a Rotary–Soroptimist youth service group—who volunteered their time to help distribute gifts and assist families. Together, volunteers ensured each child received a high-quality, age-appropriate gift in a welcoming and joyful setting. A Tradition That Brings People Together Each year, the Toy Giveaway highlights what makes Borrego Springs special: neighbors supporting neighbors and organizations working together for the common good. The smiles, gratitude, and shared moments captured during the event reflect the lasting impact of service rooted in compassion and collaboration. Learn More About Rotary Events like the Toy Giveaway are just one example of how the Borrego Springs Rotary Club serves the community throughout the year. Those interested in learning more about Rotary’s work—locally and beyond—are encouraged to explore how the organization supports education, youth leadership, and community enrichment in Borrego Springs.

Prajna Yoga & Wellness offers a range of classes designed for all experience levels, from slower, alignment-focused practices to more dynamic flows and strength-based sessions. A New Yoga Studio Opens in Borrego Springs Prajna Yoga & Wellness has officially opened on Palm Canyon Drive, offering a community-centered approach to yoga and wellness. The studio’s philosophy is simple and inclusive: yoga is for everyone—come as you are and discover what feels right for your body. The studio is owned and operated by Alex and Liam Robinson, year-round Borrego Springs residents who are excited to bring consistent, high-quality yoga offerings to the local community. Experienced Instructors, Inclusive Approach Alex and Liam Robinson each have more than 10 years of teaching experience in the San Diego area and over 1,000 hours of combined training across multiple modalities. Their backgrounds include hatha, vinyasa, meditation, sculpt, and functional mobility, allowing them to offer classes that meet a wide range of needs and goals. Whether you’re new to yoga or have an established practice, classes are designed with options and modifications so students can move safely and confidently. Class Offerings Prajna Yoga & Wellness offers several class styles throughout the week: Slow Flow A slower-paced class focused on foundational postures, alignment, and fundamentals. Ideal for beginners or anyone looking to move mindfully. Vinyasa Flow A more dynamic class that links breath with movement. Classes move at a quicker pace, with options offered for all levels. Sculpt & Flow A blend of vinyasa yoga and strength-building using bodyweight and light resistance. This class incorporates elements of pilates, barre, functional mobility, and yoga to build strength and stability. Restorative Yoga A slower, deeply relaxing practice where postures are held for longer periods to encourage rest, gentle stretching, and recovery—often a favorite way to end the week. Location & Contact Prajna Yoga & Wellness 583 Palm Canyon Dr, Suite B Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Email: studio@prajnayogaandwellness.com Class schedules, plans, and pricing are available directly through the studio. LEARN MORE ABOUT BORREGO SPRINGS

This one-night performance features world-class jazz artists whose careers connect decades of jazz history with contemporary expression.

A Charlie Brown Christmas piano concert with pianist, arranger, and conductor Steve Hunter at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on December 21 at 3 PM.

Photos: Sicco Rood | Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center

Campaign fundraiser for Rebecca Jones

By Fr. Michael Plekon Every year in December we come around to a holiday that still for many is a holy day. It has different names in different languages and cultures—Yuletide, Jul, Weinachten, Noel, Navidad, Natale, Rizdvo and more. Christmas comes from “Christ’s Mass,” denoting the sacred service known in many churches and languages as the “Mass.” There are feasts of other faith traditions that often come close to the end of the year. Hannukah is the Jewish celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the restoration of the sacred lights on the menorah or candlestick in the Jerusalem Temple. Despite not being filled with enough oil, the lamps burned for eight days. There is the Hindu celebration of light in darkness, Diwali. And the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa. Christmas also has other special days associated with it. December 6 is the feast of St. Nicholas, the original Santa Claus, a 4th century bishop renowned for his generosity to those in need. In some countries this is the day of the exchange of gifts. Likewise January 6 is the feast of Epiphany or the day of the Three Magi Kings, when in Hispanic countries gifts are given. Central to Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The gospel of Luke tells the familiar story of the parents, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem to enroll in a census. While there, lodging in a stable, their son is born, wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger, a feed trough for domestic animals. Angels announced this birth to shepherds in the surrounding countryside. These herdsmen came and honored the newborn child, having heard a song from the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, peace to all people on earth.” Later, in Matthew’s gospel, three astronomers, perhaps also royalty, came from further East to visit the child, following a star which led them to where the family was. This gospel does not mention the angels, the manger or shepherds, but notes that King Herod was fearful of the newborn as a threat to his power, asking the three astronomers to report back and disclose where the child was. They did not do this and went home on another route. The male children of Bethlehem were subjected to a massacre. Thus, the birth of Jesus was not without pain and suffering also. Christmas evokes images of trees twinkling with lights and ornaments, dinner tables loaded with food, the faces of children lit up with glee, not just at their presents but also at the warmth of family and friends. Christmas is an event that was to bring peace to the world, the birth of someone who became a teacher and healer later in life, one whom his followers saw, in Matthew’s words as “God with us,” Emmanuel, God becoming a human being, part of our world, of space and time. But Jesus was born in a land under the occupation of the Roman Empire, in a society in which most people teetered on the edge of extreme hunger and poverty. The birth happened in a barn where domestic animals lived, and the first visitors were scruffy sheep herders, thought of as not trustworthy. Two thousand years later, Christmas remains a moment in a world torn apart by suspicion, hatred, violence and anger. The holiday sees millions of dollars spent on gifts, parties, decorations, and entertainment. And yet, the story of how this birth came to take place remains one that faces us with a helpless infant, loving parents, the sense of joy from heavenly beings, the welcome of very humble as well as some very elite, privileged visitors. Christmas can still stand as a sign of light in the darkness, a message of joy and goodness despite everything that might appear as opposed to this. You don’t need to be religious to see in this holiday something of hope and joy. Merry Christmas! --- The Rev. Michael Plekon, PhD Professor Emeritus: Sociology, Religion & Culture The City University of New York - Baruch College Learn More About Borrego Springs

Performance Date: January 27, 2026

Winter brings early wildflower blooms to Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Hike, golf, explore art galleries, farmers markets, and dark skies—before spring crowds.

Guadalupe Procession Honors Tradition in Borrego Springs Borrego Springs observed the annual Guadalupe Procession on Saturday, December 13, as community members marked the occasion with prayer, music, and a public walk led by Fr. Anthony “Tony” Stanonik of St. Richard’s Catholic Church. The route started at Christmas Circle, continued past the Borrego Art Institute and the Borrego Springs Post Office, and made its way to St. Richard’s Catholic Church. The observance centers on Our Lady of Guadalupe, the name given to the Virgin Mary following her 1531 apparition to Saint Juan Diego in Mexico. According to Catholic tradition, her image appeared on Juan Diego’s cloak, becoming a powerful and enduring symbol of faith, Mexican identity, and the Catholic Church. Her feast day, celebrated annually on December 12, is among the most significant religious observances in the Americas and draws millions of pilgrims to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Throughout the walk, traditional music filled the route, and several participants wore masks and attire reflecting Guadalupe symbolism. Families, longtime residents, and visitors took part, highlighting the multigenerational nature of the tradition. The gathering continued at St. Richard’s Catholic Church with Mass and an evening celebration. For many in Borrego Springs, the annual procession remains a meaningful expression of faith during the Advent season and a reflection of the area’s enduring cultural and spiritual heritage.

Pottery Sale Returns

Three Kings Day in Salton City

New Season, Big Changes—Get Your Tickets Today The new 2025–2026 season at Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC) has officially kicked off! Tickets are now available online at www.bspac.org. This year’s lineup includes 11 exciting events in the 2025–2026 BSPAC Season, along with a wide variety of local productions presented at the theater by the Borrego Springs Film Festival, the Community Concert Series, the ABDNHA Lecture Series, and more. Richard Helvig, who recently stepped down after serving as BSPAC President, guided the theater through a period of major improvements. Under his leadership, BSPAC completed a full interior update, introduced modern stage lighting, and most recently launched the successful “Turn Up the Sound” campaign, which brought in a state-of-the-art sound system ensuring every seat in the house enjoys crystal-clear audio — including assisted listening devices for the hearing impaired. Now, with Gary Edwards elected as the new president, BSPAC looks forward to the next phase of improvements. Gary is already taking on the lobby and planning more exciting upgrades that will continue enhancing the theater experience for the community. You can find the full season schedule and other community performances on the BSPAC website: www.bspac.org.

SHORT | 24:35 | THE 2026 BSFF COMMUNITY FILM!

Ricardo Breceda’s New Sculptures Installed on Borrego Springs Road The community gathered on December 5 for the unveiling of Battle of the Desert, the newest addition to Borrego Springs’ iconic Sky Art by sculptor Ricardo Breceda. Installed at 4990 Borrego Springs Road, the pair of towering steel figures—a Greater Roadrunner and a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake—now join the region’s well-known collection of more than 130 Breceda sculptures that define the local landscape. Commissioned by Rams Hill and Borrego Community Builders, a Rams Hill initiative supporting community development and Borrego Community Homes, the installation highlights the wildlife and ecological relationships that shape the Anza-Borrego Desert. The roadrunner and rattlesnake are two of the desert’s most recognizable species, each playing a key role in rodent control and ecological balance. A permanent interpretive sign was also introduced during the event, explaining the meaning behind the sculptures and Breceda’s long-standing impact on desert art in Borrego Springs. Speakers included Rodney Bruce (Rams Hill), Wade Beane (Borrego Art Institute and Honorary Mayor of Borrego Springs), Gabriela Dow and Jennifer Sencion (Borrego Community Builders), Harry Turner (COO), and Ricardo Breceda, who spoke about the creativity and craftsmanship behind his work. The program acknowledged the collaborative planning behind the installation and the ongoing efforts to expand public art in the community. Following the unveiling, attendees were invited to a reception at Rams Hill. Breceda’s new roadrunner and rattlesnake join the larger Sky Art story—a regional landmark that continues to draw visitors, celebrate desert wildlife, and honor the artistic history shaped by the late philanthropist Dennis Avery’s original vision for large-scale, outdoor public sculpture in Borrego Springs. 

The second community Shape Note Sing in Borrego Springs

Jeanne & Jan Are Back at The Mall Offering Light Repairs for the Community Every first Monday of the month, they set up in front of Tubs Laundromat and Community Valley Bank at The Mall, offering helpful light repairs such as mending, patches, buttons, and hems. The service is always free. If you choose to donate, every donation goes directly to a local Borrego Springs charity. Check Borrego Events to confirm time & dates.

Cindie Horn – Textile Artist & Slow Fashion Creator Meet one of the makers featured at Desert Lovers & Co. Cindie Horn has spent years working with fabric, guided by an appreciation for slow fashion and craftsmanship built on time, patience, and intention. She sources and collects textiles gathered over the years and transforms them into pieces that feel personal, functional, and thoughtfully made. Her work at Desert Lovers & Co includes upcycled and embellished denim jackets, colorful phone and tablet pillows, and her popular fabric cactus sculptures. Each piece reflects her eye for detail and her interest in experimenting with textures, patterns, and new techniques. Cindie enjoys challenging herself creatively and exploring fresh ideas through fabric. Her belief that handmade items add comfort, character, and warmth to everyday life comes through clearly in her designs. Desert Lovers & Co is proud to feature the work of Cindie Horn both in the shop and online at DesertLoversandCo.com . Visit Soon: 583 Palm Canyon Dr. Suite D, Borrego Springs, CA, United States, 92004

A reflection on Advent’s meaning and the saints who show us how to wait with purpose.

Happy Thanksgiving! The Borrego Springs Welcome Sign committee is grateful to the many individuals and businesses who have supported efforts to construct the first new “Welcome to Borrego Springs” sign since the 1970’s. Because of their support, we have raised almost $29,000. Donations have ranged from $10 - $5,000 and we are thankful for every single dollar. Apparently costs to construct and install the signs have gone up significantly in the last year and a half. Therefore, when we thought we had almost reached our fundraising goal, we were told we might need as much as 50% more. The Borrego Village Association has got to work looking at alternative vendors, we are currently requesting estimates, and still hoping to get the job done for closer to the original estimate. If you pledged funds, that pledge will likely be requested in December or January. If you donated cash, please know that it is safely in an account earmarked for the welcome sign. If you haven’t donated yet, PLEASE DO! More funding is certainly needed and appreciated, especially as we have two more signs to construct after this one. To donate: The Borrego Village Association, a 501c(6) c, nonprofit organization, is leading the fundraising. Contributions checks can be made out to the Borrego Village Association and sent to Borrego Village Association. P.O. Box 1133, Borrego Springs, CA 92004. Donations can also be made via PayPal found on our website at BorregoVillageAssociation.org, or made via Zelle transfer. Pledges can be made using the form below. If you have any questions or require further information, email BorregoVillage@gmail.com Happy holidays and with many thanks to those who have - or will - donate, The Welcome Sign Committee - Jim Dion, Bruce Durbin, Nancy McRae, Alicia Wszelaki  -- James Dion Executive Director Borrego Village Association Learn More About Borrego Springs

A full month of creative workshops, hands-on learning, and holiday projects December at the Borrego Art Institute brings a full schedule of classes for all ages and skill levels—from drawing and sculpture to kids’ art, yarn-making, and an olive oil tasting at the ArtPark Café. Whether you’re a resident, seasonal visitor, or weekend explorer, Studio West offers plenty of ways to create, learn, and enjoy the season.

The Thanksgiving Eve Service brought the community together at Borrego Springs Community UMC for an evening centered on gratitude, reflection, and the shared bonds that carry Borrego Springs through each year. Guided by local clergy, and volunteers, the service offered a mix of music, readings, and stories that highlighted both faith and community care. Coming Together in Gratitude Pastor Mateo Mamea opened the service with a call to give thanks, setting the tone for an evening of reflection. Rev. Michael Plekon followed with the opening prayer, encouraging gratitude for daily blessings and the natural world that surrounds Borrego Springs. Readings, Music, and Reflections Scripture readings were shared by Cmdr. Dale Jones and Rev. David Madsen, with additional participation from Ellen Fitzpatrick. Pastor Mamea offered the homily, focusing on gratitude and living with intention. Music added depth and warmth to the service. Jennie and Gary Edwards performed “For the Beauty of the Earth,” and the combined choir, directed by Jinny Perrin, contributed an uplifting anthem. Voices From the Community Martha offered stories about the Borrego Ministers Association—how it began, how it supports people in crisis, and why its work matters. Her remarks helped newcomers and longtime residents better understand the BMA’s role in meeting urgent needs throughout the year. Supporting Local Needs An offering was collected to support the ongoing work of the Borrego Ministers Association , which provides emergency assistance and support services for individuals and families in Borrego Springs.