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

How BAMA helps Borrego kids build confidence through music

Regional event celebrates the night sky, science, and dark sky preservation Borrego Springs residents who enjoy stargazing, astronomy, and protecting the night sky may want to mark their calendars for the 2026 San Diego Dark Sky Festival , scheduled for August 15 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Julian Union High School in Julian. The festival will feature distinguished speakers, telescope viewing, hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and opportunities to learn more about the growing dark sky movement throughout San Diego County. The event is organized by DarkSky San Diego County and regional partners committed to reducing light pollution and preserving access to natural darkness. Activities are designed for families, students, amateur astronomers, and anyone interested in the night sky. Festival organizers describe it as a celebration of stars, science, and community. For Borrego Springs residents, the festival highlights a cause that has become part of the community's identity. Borrego Springs was California's first International Dark Sky Community , earning recognition for its efforts to reduce light pollution and preserve exceptional night-sky viewing. Julian followed with its own International Dark Sky Community designation in 2021, creating a network of dark-sky advocates in San Diego County's backcountry. The festival also showcases the growing regional movement to protect dark skies. Organizations from Borrego Springs, Julian, Fallbrook, Mission Trails Regional Park, and the Laguna Mountain area are working together to promote responsible lighting and preserve natural darkness for future generations. Visitors can expect telescope viewing, astronomy demonstrations, educational booths, and presentations on the importance of natural darkness for wildlife, human health, and energy conservation. Similar festivals have drawn large crowds and provided opportunities for the public to experience some of Southern California's best night skies. For many Borrego Springs residents, the event offers a chance to connect with neighboring dark-sky communities while celebrating one of the region's greatest natural resources—the star-filled skies that make both Borrego Springs and Julian special destinations for stargazing. ------------------ Fun Local Fact: K-RAM 90.5 FM at 730 Christmas Circle recently received a Night Sky Friendly Business Certificate of Merit from the Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition. The building also houses a Dark Sky visitor center and Borrego Valley Realty, where realtor Mary Watkins helps visitors learn more about protecting Borrego Springs' famous night skies.

Registrar conducts required hand count to verify June election results

Borrego Springs Community United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School is underway in Borrego Springs, bringing kids, youth counselors, adults, and volunteers together for four days of free summer fun. This year's Snowball Mountain Challenge includes Bible stories, arts, science, crafts, music, and hands-on activities for children ages 3–11. Ollie the Seal helps teach the daily lessons, along with the many volunteers who make the program possible. The program is free for all children and provides a positive, welcoming place for Borrego kids to stay engaged during the summer months. Children are creating art projects, exploring science activities, enjoying games, making new friends, and receiving a healthy lunch each day.

Exploring Goat Canyon Trestle Before It's Gone Adventure filmmaker Jeven Dovey documents one of Southern California's most remote railroad landmarks

Shop clothing, artwork, home décor, books, and more while supporting the Borrego Springs Children's Center.

Supervisor Jim Desmond Fights Transmission Line Planned Through East County

Martha Deichler, CRC Executive Director and Cristian Hernandez, CRC Team Leader

Items were discovered among boxes recently dropped off at Revivals. PALM SPRINGS, CA June 15, 2026 — DAP Health CEO David Brinkman will formally deliver two Holocaust-related artifacts to the Tolerance Education Center in Rancho Mirage during a Rancho Mirage City Council meeting on June 18 at 1:00 p.m., ensuring they are preserved, studied, and used for education. The meeting will be held in the Council chamber at Rancho Mirage City Hall, located at 69-825 Highway 111. Recently, volunteers at a Revivals resale store sorting donated items encountered two framed artifacts tied to the Holocaust: a Star of David badge and a set of paper notes identified as Lodz Ghetto currency from 1940. Recognizing the significance of what they had discovered, the volunteers ensured the items were protected and handled with reverence before delivering them to DAP Health CEO David Brinkman. The decision to transfer the artifacts to the Tolerance Education Center sparked a meaningful collaboration among community partners. The city of Rancho Mirage, DAP Health, the Jewish Federation of the Desert, and the Tolerance Education Center came together as organizations with different missions but a shared purpose: to protect human dignity and confront the consequences of hatred. “The collaborative work is stitched together because we all continue to fight for the human rights of people who were persecuted by the Nazis,” says Brinkman. “Both the Jewish community and the LGBTQ+ community still face discrimination, and there is a very significant thread that ties us all together.” Reflecting on the significance of the discovery, Brinkman adds, “For anybody who would ever doubt that the Holocaust happened, when you see items like this, the truth is undeniable. These artifacts personalize history, reminding us that real people lived through these heinous experiences.” Rancho Mirage City Council Member Eve Fromberg Edelstein, Esq., believes the artifacts have found the right home in Rancho Mirage. “Our community is committed to ensuring that this history is preserved, honored, and never forgotten." The Star of David badge represents one of the earliest and most visible tools of persecution used by Nazi authorities. Beginning in 1939 and expanding across occupied territories, Jewish individuals were forced to wear identifying symbols, often a Star of David, on their clothing. These badges marked Jewish people for public discrimination, restricted their movement, and made them more vulnerable to harassment, violence, deportation, and, for many, eventual death in ghettos and concentration camps. The second artifact, currency from the Lodz Ghetto, reflects another dimension of Nazi control. Established in 1940 in German-occupied Poland, the Lodz Ghetto confined more than 160,000 Jewish people in overcrowded and inhumane conditions. Within the sealed encampment, Nazi authorities introduced a closed monetary system, currency that held no value outside its borders. This “ghetto money” functioned as a tool of economic isolation and exploitation, stripping residents of real assets while tightly controlling access to food and necessities. In a time when Holocaust history is too often reduced to abstractions, artifacts like these insist on the concrete. They remind us that persecution was carried out through regulations and objects, paperwork and fabric, borders and receipts, each one with a link in a chain that led to deportation and murder. Tolerance Education Center Executive Director Michele Gold explains, “The enormity of lives murdered during the Holocaust can be overwhelming. Sharing stories with relatable artifacts such as these provides a powerful tool to help students learn that the Holocaust happened. It characterizes the events and holds emotional value to help students learn.” “As the organization responsible for overseeing all Jewish needs across the Coachella Valley, Jewish Federation of the Desert is proud to continue serving as a bridge-builder across different organizations, across nonprofits and municipal leadership,” says its CEO, Danny Labin. “We will deliver these artifacts with reverence,” concludes Brinkman, “placing historical evidence in the hands of expert professionals who can authenticate, conserve, and interpret with the respect owed to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.” About DAP Health Since 1984, DAP Health has remained committed to protecting and expanding health care access. Guided by the voices and needs of the diverse communities it serves, the nonprofit’s nearly 1,000 team members provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care, plus social services and more, to almost 80,000 people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, orientations, and socioeconomic statuses at 23 fixed locations and six mobile units from the Coachella Valley to the San Diego coast. About the Tolerance Education Center The Tolerance Education Center was founded by Holocaust survivor Earl Greif in 2006 and opened its doors to the public in 2009. Its mission is to promote tolerance, civility, respect, and understanding by the elimination of hatred and bigotry. Programs, activities, and exhibits provide an educational opportunity for students and the community at large to expose prejudice, practice critical thinking, and be empowered to take an active role in creating a more just and humane society.

Proposal claims recycled wastewater could support Salton Sea restoration without using Colorado River water

A recent KPBS report shared heartbreaking news: an endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep was found dead after becoming entangled in concertina wire near the U.S.-Mexico border in the Jacumba Wilderness. The story highlights growing concerns from wildlife biologists and conservationists about how border fencing and razor wire can affect protected species, including bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and wild horses. Wildlife biologist Christina Aiello has been among those warning that barriers can cut animals off from food, water, and safe movement corridors. This issue matters to Borrego Springs and the surrounding desert region because Peninsular bighorn sheep are part of our shared desert landscape. Protecting wildlife movement, water access, and habitat is essential to the long-term health of the Anza-Borrego region. Read the full KPBS report here: [ https://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2026/06/10/endangered-ram-dies-after-getting-caught-in-concertina-wire-at-us-mexico-border ]

Golf, Dining, and Summer Savings in Borrego Springs

By Sandra Sterling, Retired R.N. Many health care professionals consider dementia one of the greatest challenges facing older adults and their families today. Millions of Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and as our population ages, that number is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. Families often do not know what to expect when a loved one receives a dementia diagnosis. Most people have heard stories about memory loss, confusion, poor judgment, personality changes, and wandering, but the reality of caring for someone with dementia is often much more complex. Dementia affects more than memory. Individuals may experience changes in behavior, communication, sleep patterns, mobility, and their ability to perform daily tasks. Caregivers frequently find themselves providing increasing levels of support over many years. One of the greatest challenges facing families is caregiver burnout . Providing care can be emotionally, physically, and financially exhausting. Many caregivers put their own health and well-being aside while focusing on the needs of their loved one. Education and support are essential. Understanding the disease process, learning effective communication techniques, and connecting with available resources can make a significant difference for both caregivers and those living with dementia. In Borrego Springs, caregivers do not have to face these challenges alone. The Alzheimer's Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets at the Borrego Seniors Community Center on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. The group provides a welcoming environment where families can share experiences, discuss concerns, learn coping strategies, and find encouragement from others who understand the journey. Over the years, I have seen how important it is for caregivers to have a place where they can speak openly about their struggles and successes. Many participants tell me that simply knowing they are not alone brings comfort and hope. My interest in dementia care became deeply personal after losing a family member to the disease. After more than 40 years as a registered nurse, I found a renewed purpose in helping other families navigate the challenges of caregiving. Through the support group and caregiver respite visits, I strive to provide practical assistance, education, and encouragement. There is no single solution for dementia, but there is help. Families can benefit from support groups, respite care, community resources, and the guidance of healthcare professionals. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it is an important part of providing the best possible care. When a loved one is living with dementia, remember that quality of life matters. Patience, compassion, understanding, and support can make a meaningful difference for both the individual and their family.  Alzheimer's Dementia Caregiver Support Group The Alzheimer's Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets at the Borrego Seniors Community Center, 580 Circle J Drive, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. Families share stories, struggles, helpful coping skills, and resources in a supportive environment. Sandra Sterling, a retired registered nurse with more than 40 years of experience, also provides caregiver respite visits for relief and support. After losing a family member to dementia, she found purpose in helping other families navigate the challenges of caregiving. For information about the support group, call the Borrego Seniors Community Center at 760-767-3116 . For caregiver respite visits and support services, contact Sandra Sterling at 760-803-2212 .

June 2026 Skywatching Highlights

Beat the heat and keep moving all summer long. As temperatures climb in Borrego Springs, Prajna Yoga is offering a full summer schedule with air conditioning and a variety of classes designed for all experience levels. Whether you're looking for a gentle stretch, a relaxing slow flow, or a more active sculpt and flow class, there are options throughout the week. The summer schedule includes Slow Flow classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, Sculpt & Flow on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Gentle Stretch on Wednesdays, Vinyasa on Monday evenings, and a Sunday evening Restorative class. Prajna Yoga also offers flexible pricing options, including $15 drop-in classes, a two-week trial for $39, class packs, and unlimited monthly memberships. With triple-digit temperatures arriving in Borrego Springs, summer is a great time to stay active indoors while focusing on strength, flexibility, balance, and relaxation. The studio's air-conditioned space provides a comfortable environment to maintain a healthy routine throughout the season. Whether you're new to yoga or have been practicing for years, Prajna Yoga invites the community to stay connected, stay moving, and enjoy a healthy summer.