Water Management in Borrego Springs: The Role of the Watermaster

Award-Winning Wines, Local Coffee, and California-Made Finds on Palm Canyon Drive

Music,Food & Community The BYOB (Bring Your Own Bowl & Spoon) concert series at St. Barnabas Church is a relaxed, midday gathering built around live music and community. It’s the place to go to see friends, catch up with neighbors, and enjoy performances in an easy, welcoming setting. Open to everyone, the series runs weekly at noon and features a rotating lineup of local and visiting musicians. Great opportunity to meet your neighbors or plan a friend meet up!

Robert R. Landry at Studio 628 Studio 628 is hosting a new exhibit featuring artist Robert R. Landry , with an opening reception on March 7 from 4–7 pm . Here are the essentials—where to go, when to come, and what to expect—plus a quick note about the last Studio 628 exhibit for anyone following the gallery’s seasonal shows. Event Details Opening Reception: March 7, 4–7 pm Location: Studio 628 Address: 628 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA What to Expect Landry’s work (as shown in the exhibit artwork) is abstract , with strong shapes and bold color. If you like modern art that focuses on design, texture, and composition rather than realism, this exhibit is a solid stop. Last Exhibit at Studio 628 The last exhibit at Studio 628 was Más Y Más , curated by Gary Henderson . It featured assemblage artwork by Robert Wright and archival photography by Wil Gardner , with an emphasis on texture, structure, and visual patterns. That exhibit reflects what Studio 628 often brings to Borrego Springs—contemporary work in a small gallery setting that’s easy to visit. Plan Your Visit Studio 628 is right on Palm Canyon Drive, making it an easy stop if you’re already exploring Borrego Springs. Drop in during the reception window to see the new work and meet others from the local arts community. 

Support Education & Culture Una Noche Mexicana is now on sale, and OLAX is inviting Borrego Springs residents and visitors to be part of a two-day benefit weekend that supports education and culture locally. Event Details Event: Una Noche Mexicana — OLAX Benefit Gala & Concert Venue: Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center Address: 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Saturday, March 14, 2026 Sponsorship Tickets (Gala & Benefit Night) Sunday, March 15, 2026 Get Tickets (General Admission) Ticket Sales Tickets are available for both days. Choose your preferred date and purchase online: Sat., Mar 14, 2026 — Sponsorship Tickets Sun., Mar 15, 2026 — General Admission Tickets Sponsorship Sponsorship is a powerful way to support OLAX’s work while gaining community visibility. Sponsors will be recognized! If you’re a business owner, a community group, or a family looking to support education and culture in Borrego Springs, Saturday’s Sponsorship Tickets are the place to start. Why Sponsor Una Noche Mexicana Sponsorship helps OLAX do more than host a memorable weekend—it helps sustain local programs and opportunities tied to education and culture in Borrego Springs. Your sponsorship is both support and a public statement that community investment matters here.

Event Overview The Denim & Diamonds Gala is a hoedown-style fundraising event celebrating three decades of community care by the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) . Proceeds from the gala support programs that strengthen the well-being of Borrego Valley residents, including healthcare, education, arts, environmental initiatives, and community development. Live Music and Entertainment Live music will be provided by Sean Oliu and the Coastline Cowboys. The program also includes cowboy poetry by Carey Peck, along with line dancing, auctions, and interactive activities throughout the afternoon. Date, Time, and Location Date: February 21, 2026 Time: 2:00–5:00 PM Location: The Center 590 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, California Tickets and Food Tickets: $100 per person Pre-order: give@bvefund.org Availability: Limited tickets available at the event  Food will be served by Pablito’s, with a cash bar available.

by Michael Plekon Every year, Christians move through the months with different seasons and festivals. The Christmas-Epiphany season is just finishing, and before that, in December, was Advent, is a time of preparation and anticipation of the Christmas feast of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. This year, on Ash Wednesday, February 18, Christians will start the season of Lent, a forty-day period of prayer and good works. It leads up to Holy Week, when Jesus’ last supper, his trial, crucifixion, death and burial are commemorated on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 5. Borrego churches and the BMA gather behind the Methodist Church for a Sunrise Service. St. Barnabas has a simple Eucharist right afterwards and a festive service at the regular 9:30am time. Why ashes? The Hebrew Bible has many references to ashes as a sign of sorrow and repentance for the evil one has done. Job places ashes on his head to acknowledge his failing in faith (42:6) Tamar also. (2 Sam. 13: 19) The entire people use ashes to express their desire to turn away from sin and back to God. (Numb. 19:9) And there are quite a few other examples. In our time there are gestures of admitting guilt and asking forgiveness, something that happens in courthouses after a trial concludes. In our families and circles of friends, at times we need to humble ourselves and ask forgiveness of those we have wronged. And accept the forgiveness of others as well. The ashes are put on a person’s forehead with the words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19) Usually there are other things about which people ask for prayers—relatives who are ill, friends facing tough times with finances, work, relationships. Contrary to what some might think, ashes and Lent are anything but gloomy or self-imposed sorrow. The word “lent” comes from an Old English word for the spring slowly com ing, lencten. Yes, it connotes the lengthening of the days, more sunshine and warmth, which in years long ago meant release from cold, planting of crops, and the joy of spring and summer. Easter and its Jewish precedent, Passover/ Pesach, bears some of the same meanings—release from bondage, life triumphing over death. The encounters with folks on the Christmas Circle and in church are anything but morose, whether they drive up and stay in their vehicles or park and walk up, or line up for ashes after the BYOB music or at the afternoon service. There is joy, maybe even a lightness in their step. The clergy of Borrego will be there at The Circle in shifts starting at 8am, continuing till noon. And ashes will be available as mention, at church. In addition to taking daily prayer mor seriously, there are many things one can do in Lent. It used to be assumed that alcohol and desserts would be given up. This is fine if you so choose. Giving more for food insecurity, volunteering at food banks, even seeking out family and friends to make sure you are at peace with them—all of these are wonderful Lenten practices. Happy Lent.

Borrego Springs Art Guild Open Studios Visit the BSAG Open Studios Tour in Borrego Springs. Explore 12 artist studios February 14–15 and support local artists and arts education. The BSAG Open Studios Tour invites the public to visit 12 working studios and exhibits across Borrego Springs. Over two days, visitors can see where artists create their work, experience a wide range of styles and media, and purchase original art directly from local artists. Proceeds benefit Borrego Springs artists and students through the Borrego Springs Art Guild Arts Education Scholarship Fund. Dates and Times Friday & Saturday: February 14 & 15 Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tickets $35 per ticket Includes both days of studio visits Ticket Locations (Cash Only) Desert Lovers & Co. 583 Palm Canyon Drive, Suite D Thursday–Sunday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM The Fudge Factory 590 Palm Canyon Drive, #202 Wednesday–Sunday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Other Purchase Options Checks and credit cards accepted at: Art Guild Luncheon at Rams Hill January 15 February 12 Art in the Park at Christmas Circle January 17 January 31 Community Impact Proceeds support Borrego Springs artists and students through the Borrego Springs Art Guild Arts Education Scholarship Fund . Click poster to download and please share!

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