Dark Sky Open House Welcomes Visitors During International Dark Sky Week

Free Summer Movies Continue in Borrego Springs This July

Up to $75,000 Available for EV Charger Installations

Experienced, collaborative, mission-driven professional wanted

Summer Solstice Potluck at BAI Sunday, June 21 5:00 PM Borrego Art Institute This Sunday, the Borrego Art Institute Gallery will be open from noon to 8:00 PM to celebrate the summer solstice. The ArtPark is always open, and classes with Cody are offered weekly.  At 5:00 PM, come chill at BAI for a potluck and a chance to gather with other summer residents. See who else is hidden indoors these days in our sun-struck, deeply quiet village. This may be even better than hanging out at the Post Office. BAI will provide the cool air. Bring yourself, your friends, and your own beverage and food if you like. Or pick up some treats at Michael’s in Borrego and carry them over to the Gallery. They have a Father’s Day Special of ribeye steak and three prawns. BAI will furnish cups, plates, utensils, and some tables and chairs. Please bring a folding chair if you can. An RSVP isn’t required to attend, but it would help with setup to have an idea of how many people are coming. You can send an email to cody.magee@borregoartinstitute.org. The BAI Gallery is closed most days this summer to cut costs during a time when visitation to the building has historically been very low. But the Gallery will be open this Sunday from noon to 8:00 PM to celebrate the summer solstice. The ArtPark is always open, and classes are offered regularly by Education Coordinator Cody Magee. Learn more about classes: https://borregoartinstitute.org/classes/ We hope to see those of you who are in Borrego on Sunday.

Classic musical offers six performances at Julian High School's Little Theater

A new partnership brings worship, fellowship, and support to Salton City.

Hubbell’s dining room table bathed in warm light surrounded in beautifully crafted art in addition to surrounding heirloom art from Jones family. Photo courtesy Ilan Lael Foundation, 2020 East County News Services  June 18, 2026 (Julian) — Hidden among 10 acres of oak woodland in the mountains of Santa Ysabel sits an architectural marvel that bridges the boundaries between art and nature — and this local hidden gem has now received new national acclaim. The Ilan-Lael Foundation announced recently that the home and studio of its founders, the late artist James Hubbell and his wife Anne, has been officially accepted into the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program, a prestigious coalition under the National Trust for Historic Preservation . By achieving this designation, Ilan-Lael joins an elite group of 93 sites across 32 states, placing Hubbell’s property alongside the creative sanctuaries of renowned American artists such as Thomas Hart Benton, James W. Washington Jr., and Dorothy Riester. James Hubbell (1931–2024) was widely regarded as both a visionary artist and an organic architect. Over a span of more than six decades, he and Anne constructed 13 distinct structures on their Santa Ysabel compound. Often described as “habitable sculptures,” the buildings are defined by their deep roots in the surrounding landscape, utilizing found natural materials, intricate mosaics, stained glass, and custom ironwork. Hubbell’s ethereal designs extend far beyond his mountain retreat; his public and private works have graced hundreds of spaces across Southern California and the Pacific Rim. “We are beyond honored to have received this designation that will help us continue to commemorate Jim’s legacy,” said Marianne Gerdes, executive director at the Ilan-Lael Foundation. “Since his passing, we have strived to uphold his belief that art and nature work harmoniously. The property has always been the best hidden gem of San Diego, and now the recognition helps us to share the magic with the public.” Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios operates as a peer-to-peer museum coalition dedicated to preserving the primary residences and creative workspaces of notable American artists. As the only national entity focused on site-specific narratives in American art history, HAHS provides expertise in historic preservation, visitor programming, and community outreach. For the Ilan-Lael Foundation, this induction reinforces its ongoing mission to act as a community educator and arts advocate. Following James Hubbell’s passing in 2024, the foundation has actively expanded public access to his lifework. Historically, the private property was only open to the community during an annual Father’s Day weekend tour hosted by James and Anne. Today, the ILF has broadened its reach to include year-round tours with expanded access to the Santa Ysabel headquarters and studios; public exhibition showcasing Hubbell’s work at prominent locations (including the San Diego International Airport and the Oceanside Museum of Art); and educational partnerships, fostering continuous learning environments with local institutions such as UC San Diego, Palomar College and the Julian Union School District. Through these initiatives, the foundation continues to explore new avenues to engage the community, inspire creativity, and sustain Hubbell’s vision of a sanctuary where art and nature coexist perfectly. To learn more about the Ilan-Lael Foundation, explore James Hubbell’s artistic legacy or schedule a visit to the newly recognized historic property, visit ilanlaelfoundation.org

Source: East County News Services