The County of San Diego wants to hear from you. Join a virtual community meeting to learn how the County advocates for state and federal legislation and help shape the 2027 legislative program. The County’s Economic Development and Government Affairs (EDGA) office is asking residents to weigh in on the issues that matter most. Your input helps guide the County’s legislative strategy and helps ensure that the strategy reflects real community priorities. The legislative program outlines the Board of Supervisors’ policy goals and directs EDGA’s year-round advocacy on state and federal bills and regulatory actions. priorities. So far this year, the County has taken positions on 16 state and federal bills focused on key priorities: Safeguarding the social safety net Advancing housing solutions Bolstering the behavioral health system Ensuring safe communities Responding to the Tijuana River Valley Sewage Crisis The virtual community forum is set for Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Zoom. Register and learn more at Engage San Diego County . For disability-related modifications, language interpretation, or other accommodations, please email Legislative.Program@sdcounty.ca.gov . The County will record and post the session in full on the Engage San Diego site afterwards.  You can also submit your comments on Engage San Diego County through September 14. Beyond its legislative work, EDGA also drives the County’s economic development strategy, supports small businesses, leads to County’s binational affairs efforts in the California-Baja region, manages County grant programs, and updates and implements the County’s Strategic Plan and governance documents. For details, visit the EDGA website or call 619-531-5198.

Public comments focus on the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink as Anza-Borrego Foundation is honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Supporters of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park addressed the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 18 as concerns continue over the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink. Community members participated in person and virtually, submitted comments and spoke about potential impacts of the proposed project on the park and surrounding communities. Partner organizations involved in the broader advocacy effort include Save Temecula, Save Palomar Mountain, Save Fallbrook and Save Warner Springs. During the meeting, District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond brought the Anza-Borrego Foundation before the Board and proclaimed Aug. 18, 2026 , Anza-Borrego Foundation Day in San Diego County .

Supervisor Jim Desmond Opposes Proposed Transmission Route Through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond is opposing the current alignment of the proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink, a 500-kilovolt transmission line that would cross parts of North and East County, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Desmond says the proposal raises concerns about wildfire risk, environmental impacts, private property and the lack of local control over the project. He is encouraging residents to submit comments during SDG&E’s stakeholder feedback period and participate in upcoming public meetings.

Wing-Walking, Skydiving and Stunt Flying in Borrego Springs

Power Outages in Borrego Springs If you live in Borrego Springs, power outages are part of desert life. The electricity goes out, everything suddenly gets quiet, and the waiting begins. Borrego Springs resident and writer Shannon Cheesman , creator of Under the Borrego Sky , recently shared a video showing what one of these outages looks like from a local perspective. When the Power Goes Out Power outages can be especially noticeable in Borrego Springs, where air conditioning and other cooling systems are important during the warmer months. In her video, Shannon takes viewers along during an outage at her home, capturing the sudden quiet and uncertainty that comes with not knowing how long the electricity will be off. It is a simple look at an experience many year-round residents recognize. Managing Electricity in the Desert In a previous Under the Borrego Sky video, Shannon also shared how her household manages summer electric costs. Her strategies include using paid-off solar panels, avoiding laundry during peak hours, raising the thermostat while away, alternating between central air and a swamp cooler, and making monthly payments toward the household’s annual SDG&E bill. Together, the videos offer a practical look at two realities of living in the desert: managing the cost of keeping a home cool and being prepared for times when the power goes out. Under the Borrego Sky Under the Borrego Sky is Shannon Cheesman’s personal chronicle of life in Borrego Springs, California. Her videos feature seasonal nature reports, local discoveries, and everyday experiences filmed in and around Borrego Springs. Sometimes that means spectacular desert scenery. Other times, it is simply waiting for the power to come back on. Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@under-the-borrego-sky Read more from Under the Borrego Sky, at: www.undertheborregosky.com

Finding Faith, Belonging and Purpose Beyond Sunday Services

Growing this Summer If you have landscaping or a garden, you have probably spent time this summer wondering if your plants are going to make it. There have been many days I’ve walked outside, looked at a plant and said, “Sorry little feller, I feel your struggle!”  Be patient with your plants. In Borrego, nighttime heat is one of the biggest challenges. During the summer, plants need cooler nights to breathe. When night temperatures stay in the 80s, plants struggle because they conserve water by closing their stomata, which are tiny pores used for gas exchange. On hot nights these pores stay closed to prevent plants from losing more water than they can afford. But then they struggle to breathe. Cool nights are what allow desert plants to absorb carbon dioxide so they can create energy. In simple terms, hot nights keep plants from breathing, which slows the creation of sugars they need to be happy and survive. Look at the plants that naturally grow around us. There is a reason so many desert plants have small, thick leaves covered in wax. A smaller leaf has less surface area where water can escape. Waxy leaves create another protective layer that helps hold moisture inside the plant. Creosote and other plants have spent a very long time figuring out how to live wisely in the desert. Other landscape plants are less adapted to living through a Borrego summer. Even cacti struggle with the heat and get sunburned. And when a plant looks stressed, giving it more water is not always the answer. Too much water can complicate problems even further for many desert plants. Summer is a good time to practice patience. Pause for a moment and let the plant tell you what it needs. Sometimes plants need an extra drink and some shade cloth. Other times a little pruning will focus good energy on what is still alive. And when all else fails, slow down for a moment and talk to your plants. They are good listeners and appreciate words of encouragement. It has been a hot summer, and the plants are struggling just like the wildlife and many of us are. Wander outside and offer a little extra attention to everything that is surviving this summer. A few caring words and a little patience can make all the difference.

Smoke from the Church 2 Fire near Campo rises into the sky on Aug. 17, 2026. A brush fire spread over swaths of brushy open terrain in the rural southeastern reaches of the San Diego area Monday, blackening scores of acres and threatening structures as ground and airborne crews worked to subdue the flames. Church 2 FireThe blaze, dubbed the Church 2 Fire, erupted for unknown reasons shortly before 2:30 p.m. off the 36800 block of Church Road in Campo, east of Lake Morena and about a mile south of Interstate 8, according to Cal Fire. Advertisement Within a half-hour, the fire had grown to encompass roughly 20 acres, the state agency reported. The flames were posing potential hazards to some developed areas as firefighters battled the blaze, officials said. As of 3:45 p.m., the size of the burn zone had grown to about 132 acres, Cal Fire advised. EvacuationsAuthorities issued an evacuation order for sparsely populated locales around the intersection of Live Oak Springs Road and Old Highway 80, and advised people living somewhat farther to the east to prepare to clear out of their homes on short order. A temporary shelter for the displaced was in operation at Golden Acorn Casino in Campo.

Wednesday, August 26

Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

Saturdays from 11 to 1 p.m

Monthly

Celebrating Young Artists and the Future of Creative Education 

UCI Nature Chief Administrative Officer Job Posting 

www.youtube.com/@under-the-borrego-sky

Comment by Aug. 18 on Golden Pacific Powerlink The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is accepting online comments on the Golden Pacific Powerlink through Aug. 18. Submit a comment here: https://sdcounty.granicusideas.com/.../6a7a375d7d79655936

BASIC (Basic Assistance for Students in the Community) is hiring a Managing Director to lead programs, fundraising, operations, and community partnerships that support education for students and families in Borrego Springs. This is a visible, hands-on leadership role for someone who can build trust, get things done, and champion BASIC's C2G cradle to graduation mission. Key Responsibilities Partner with the Board to set priorities and support strong governance. Manage general daily operations, including use of technology, tracking data and written information, running meetings and supervision of a small staff. Guide BASIC programs, including the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Learning Academy, and Scholarships. Manage fundraising and communications (external and internal). Build strong partnerships and serve as a trusted community ambassador. Ideal Candidate Bilingual in Spanish and English Proactive, organized, and comfortable in our small community. Strong communicator (written and verbal) and relationship-builder. Leadership experience in nonprofits, fundraising, programs, administration, education or community service. How to Apply Send your resume to basic2026job@borregobasic.org by September 15, 2026 Learn more about BASIC: www.borregobasic.org

By Dennis Mammana Week of Aug 16-22, 2026 It was 20 years ago that our solar system lost a planet. Well, it didn't really go anywhere, but Pluto is no longer a planet because it's been reclassified. I'm sure you figured out in school that scientists love to classify things. Rocks, clouds, plants and, yes, even stars and planets. So why did they feel the need to reclassify Pluto? Because Pluto doesn't seem to fit the pattern of the rest of the major worlds of our solar system. First, it's a world not even 1,500 miles across; in other words, if we could bring it to Earth, it would fit inside of Mexico. Its orbit is tipped about 17 degrees to the orbits of all the other planets and is so elongated that every 240 years it crosses the orbit of Neptune. In addition, Pluto is an icy world with only five known moons, yet it exists in the realm of the gassy, ringed giants, around which hundreds of moons orbit. This is one strange world, so on Aug. 24, 2006, when the International Astronomical Union reclassified it as a "dwarf planet" — one of five currently known — some folks became quite upset. I hear people say all the time, "Pluto was a planet when I was in school, and by God, it's still a planet!" But that's not how science works. As we learn more about nature, we find characteristics and patterns that don't match up with our previous notions. Sometimes when that happens, we must change the way we think. It's all good science, and it happens more frequently than you might imagine. Ages ago, anyone on the high seas would have considered whales as fish. Though whales were known to have characteristics different from fish, it wasn't until 1758 that the 10th edition of Carl Linnaeus' "System Naturae" officially branded them as mammals. I'd be willing to bet that if the internet had existed back then, folks would have been screaming for Linnaeus' hide, and proclaiming, "Whales were fish when I went to school, and by God, they're still fish!" But here we are, three centuries later, and no one's upset any longer. No, Pluto just doesn't fit the patterns of all the other planets, so for that reason, it seems to me, Pluto cannot legitimately be categorized as a planet. So if Pluto's not a planet, what is it? A moon of one of the outer planets that broke free? A monster comet? A weird missing link? Good questions, all. Unfortunately, we just don't know. It was in 1930 that Clyde Tombaugh found Pluto, and some of his ashes were carried onboard the New Horizons spacecraft as it sped past and explored this distant world in 2015. Those who are more sentimental than scientific believe that this reclassification is an insult to the man who was so very proud of being the discoverer of the last planet of our solar system. I knew Clyde, and I'm pretty sure this wouldn't bother him one bit. In fact, I suspect he would be even more honored to be the discoverer of the first of an entirely new class of worlds! Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com .

Thursday from 11 to 11:30 a.m

Saturday, September 5

The world champion who races in Borrego Springs trains all summer in a Saskatchewan village Fred LaCroix, a French handcyclist and a familiar sight on Borrego Springs roads, was recently featured by CBC News for his racing in Borrego Springs and his summer training base in rural Saskatchewan. LaCroix, 65, is from the French Alps and has competed in the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships in Borrego Springs. He won the 24-hour men’s handcycle event in the 60–69 age division, finishing despite mechanical problems. A former helicopter pilot who worked in 62 countries, LaCroix’s life changed dramatically in 2016 when a virus caused him to lose the use of his legs. The disability ended his aviation career and made him a wheelchair user. He later turned to adaptive sports, first racing in a wheelchair and then discovering handcycling, which allowed him to train for longer distances and endurance competition. LaCroix was looking for somewhere in Canada with flat roads and elevation slightly higher than the Borrego Springs course. He landed in Cadillac, Saskatchewan, a small village about 146 miles southwest of Regina , by chance. This is his third summer there. The village has taken to him. CBC News reported that residents gathered during his interview , and local officials said LaCroix has become part of the community. He has volunteered at fundraiser barbecues and even helped by watering newly planted trees at the village campground. Regional Saskatchewan news outlets have also reported on LaCroix’s training and his preparations for racing in Borrego Springs. His regular appearances on local roads have made LaCroix a familiar figure in Borrego Springs, creating an unexpected connection between this desert community and a small prairie village more than 1,500 miles away.

Wednesday, September 16

Friday, September 11

FY 26/27 application and instructions will be available on July 1, 2026.

New communications tower supports stronger local connectivity

www.youtube.com/@Desertusa

Historic protections proposed amid Lithium Valley development.

Cool Down at the Library

October 17–18

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office Nearly 200 older adults will start receiving a $500 a month in rental assistance next year through the County’s third round of the Shallow Rental Subsidy Program . The County is now accepting applications and will continue until 195 qualified households are accepted. Monthly payments to landlords are expected to begin in early 2027. The program offers $500 a month for 18 months to low-income older adults age 60 and older who are struggling with rising rental costs and are at risk of losing their housing. “This rental support gives older adults a better chance to stay in their homes and avoid homelessness. It is a practical step toward meeting the needs of our aging community,” said Dijana Beck, director of County Office of Homeless Solutions. To qualify, applicants must be severely rent burdened with a household income at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income .

Help restore and preserve one of Borrego Springs' most treasured gathering places Christmas Circle Community Park began repairing and upgrading an aging irrigation system in early August 2026. This work will not only get our irrigation system working more efficiently, but also begin to transform the look of the park. The Board of Directors is making an appeal to the Borrego Springs Community and visitors to the park to make a generous one time donation to help fund this project. Our goal is $25,000 by December 31, 2026. Please consider making a donation and keeping the Park we all love and enjoy looking its best now and for years to come.

A firsthand account of the Beaty family's homestead, ranching life, the original Borrego school, General Patton's desert training, and the people who helped shape the Borrego Valley.

Anza-Borrego Night Hike Experience Anza-Borrego after dark on a guided 2–3 mile hike across natural desert terrain. Participants may observe shifting shadows, nighttime sounds, and nocturnal wildlife such as bats, owls, and scorpions. Event Details Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026 Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m. Meeting Location: Anza-Borrego Foundation Store, 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #110, Borrego Springs Cost: $28 ABF members, $33 non-members, $17 students The group will meet at the ABF store and carpool or caravan to the trailhead. The hike will be led by Wilderness First Responder Matt Nagy. Bring sturdy closed-toe shoes, a flashlight or headlamp, at least 2 liters of water, and snacks.  Register Today Space may be limited, so early registration is recommended.

The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak during the predawn hours of Thursday, Aug. 13.

Former agricultural land near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park could be restored with native wildflowers and desert vegetation A proposal would restore approximately 261 acres of former agricultural land at Bauer Ranch into native desert habitat as part of a potential California Proposition 4 climate grant project. Bauer Ranch is a Borrego Water District property located adjacent to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park , within the Borrego Palm Canyon and Clark Lake area north of central Borrego Springs. The project documents identify the site as fallowed agricultural land that is no longer in production because of groundwater-use reductions. The project is titled “From Fallowed Fields to Wildflowers: A Desert Revival & Restoration Initiative.” The Anza-Borrego Foundation would serve as the lead applicant, while the Borrego Water District was asked to consider participating as the landowner and co-applicant. California State Parks is anticipated to become the long-term owner and steward of the restored habitat if the proposal moves forward. Restoring former farmland Agricultural production on the property was discontinued as part of efforts to reduce groundwater pumping in the Borrego Springs Subbasin. According to the proposal, the former fields would be restored with native wildflowers and other desert vegetation to improve ecological function and long-term landscape resilience. The project documents explain that large areas of exposed, fallowed farmland can contribute to dust, higher surface temperatures and degraded soil conditions. Restoring native vegetation could help stabilize the soil, reduce dust and improve habitat near the state park. Proposed project goals The proposal identifies four main goals: Restore approximately 261 acres of fallowed farmland to native desert habitat. Increase vegetation to reduce exposed soil, dust and extreme-heat impacts. Evaluate opportunities to support groundwater recharge through soil improvements and land recontouring. Include Tribal consultation, community education and long-term stewardship in the planning process. The restoration could include soil work, land recontouring, native seed development, habitat establishment and long-term monitoring. Hydrologic, biological and cultural studies would also be completed during the planning process. Proposition 4 funding Funding would be sought through California’s Proposition 4 Extreme Heat Grant Program , which supports projects intended to reduce extreme-heat impacts and improve community resilience. The Anza-Borrego Foundation approached the Borrego Water District about the grant opportunity. Helix Environmental Planners was selected to assist with developing and submitting the application and to explain the responsibilities and possible costs associated with the Water District serving as a co-applicant. Potential model for other fallowed land The proposal describes Bauer Ranch as a possible model for restoring former agricultural land throughout the Borrego Valley and other groundwater-limited desert regions. Project documents estimate that approximately 9,000 acres of agricultural land in the Borrego Valley could be fallowed by 2040 as groundwater pumping is reduced. If successful, the Bauer Ranch project could demonstrate how those lands might be managed to reduce dust, restore habitat and improve climate resilience. The Bauer Ranch project remains a proposal . The Borrego Water District was asked to receive an overview and consider whether it should participate as a co-applicant in the grant process. The project documents do not establish that restoration work has been approved or funded. Source: Borrego Water District July 14, 2026 Board Package

Saturday, December 12

By Karen Pearlman, East County Magazine Aug. 4, 2026 (Descanso) — Three months after the San Diego Humane Society took custody of more than 700 neglected animals, including more than 150 horses, from the Villa Chardonnay property in Julian, some of the animals are trotting off to the next chapter of their lives. Eight of the horses have found a forever home in East County at Horses of Tir Na Nog in Guatay, near Descanso. Established in 2003, the volunteer-powered nonprofit is the longest-operating equine sanctuary in San Diego County, serving as a non-riding safe haven for horses with medical conditions and advanced age. The arrival of the new horses was a bittersweet moment for the rescued horses-focused sanctuary that is also home to alpacas, sheep, goats, llamas pigs, ducks, cats and dogs: Horses of Tir Na Nog is concurrently mourning the passing of several of its aging, longtime residents, including several horses and burros. “Although we are excited to welcome home the new horses from San Diego Humane Society’s Villa Chardonnay case, the joy of their arrival is tempered by the pain of a number of recent losses,” said Amy Pat Rigney, Administrator for Horses of Tir Na Nog. “As a forever home for residents with medical conditions and often advanced ages, saying goodbye is part of the nature of our sanctuary work. However, it never gets easier to lose a resident.” The San Diego Humane Society reports that other rescued horses are stepping into entirely new roles. Oscar, a horse previously highlighted by SDHS, left last week for the Unconditional Love Foundation in Murrieta, where he will serve as a therapy horse for veterans with PTSD, SDHS officials report. Oscar didn’t make the trip alone; he was accompanied by his pony “girlfriend,” Loretta Lynn, and a horse named Knight King Julian. They join Runner and Alfred, two other horses previously rescued from the Julian property by Unconditional Love Foundation. Of the roughly 165 horses and ponies originally rescued from Villa Chardonnay, 48 remain in SDHS care, with 37 currently ready for adoption. In July, the remaining horses were relocated from Julian to the Willow Glen Equestrian Centre in El Cajon to make them more accessible for staff, volunteers and potential adopters. Four horses requiring more advanced care are now housed at the SDHS Escondido Campus. The 37 horses waiting for homes are looking for patient, experienced owners, SDHS officials report. Because many received little to no veterinary care in the years prior to their rescue, they are being adopted out strictly as companion animals. SDHS notes their rideability is unknown, and riding should not be expected. Interested adopters must complete an application at sdhumane.org/horses and, if approved, make an appointment to meet the horses in El Cajon. The ongoing placements mark a significant milestone in what SDHS officials have called one of the largest and most complex rescues in their history that raised awareness throughout Southern California earlier this year. On May 1, SDHS carried out a massive, multi-agency rescue operation and authorities served a search warrant at the 40-acre Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings LLC property amid bankruptcy proceedings and mounting reports of extreme animal neglect. While the Julian area encompasses the County of San Diego and its Department of Animal Services’ jurisdiction, due to the scale of the situation, DAS handed the case to SDHS. The case was officially transferred from DAS to SDHS on April 24, due to the extreme scope of the rescue and complexities stemming from the bankruptcy issue. SDHS was subsequently granted legal ownership of all 728 animals on site — including cats, dogs, farm animals and equines — many of which were suffering from emaciation, untreated injuries and a severe lack of basic care. The investigation into the Julian facility remains ongoing.

Nearly every issue from 1958 to 2008 is now searchable online.

March 13-14

60th Borrego Days Festival Set for October 17–18, 2026

Providing temporary cooling units while residents repair their air conditioning systems or explore HVAC financing options.

Award-Winning Filmmakers Return With Anza Borrego Sunrise to Sunset Documentary

 Learn More About Borrego Springs

Originally published February 1999.

Park closures highlight growing heat dangers as Borrego Springs temperatures climb toward 115°F.

2027 Concert Season

A Free Path to a High School Diploma

Shelter Near Capacity as San Diego Humane Society Seeks Homes for Hundreds of Animals

Complimentary Tram Admission in August for Qualifying First Responders