Anza Borrego: The Best Places to See the Wildflower Bloom

( Borrego Springs, CA, May 2nd, 2026 by Jim Dion ) The Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Course and Internship Program is an innovative Career Technical Education (CTE) initiative that prepares students for careers in hospitality, public service, and environmental interpretation. Launched in the 2019–2020 school year, the program integrates classroom instruction, industry-recognized certification, and hands-on internships. It is implemented through the Borrego Springs Unified School District and aligned with its Hospitality CTE pathway. Students in isolated communities such as ours often face limited access to career exploration opportunities, professional certifications, and paid work-based learning experiences. This program addresses those gaps by providing structured pathways into local and regional employment sectors, particularly within public lands management, tourism, and community-based organizations. The program is a two-year sequence: Year 1: Certification and Coursework Students complete an in-class, for-credit course culminating in interpretive guide and host certification through the National Association for Interpretation. Participants also earn Emergency First Aid and CPR certification through American CPR Training. Year 2: Paid Internship Experience Students who successfully complete Year 1 transition into internships conducted in partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Interns rotate through operational units, gaining exposure to park management, visitor services, and interpretive programming. Additional placements include the Borrego Water District, Anza-Borrego Foundation, and Borrego Art Institute. Goals and Objectives of the Program Provide students with industry-recognized certifications and workforce-ready skills Expand access to paid, career-aligned internship opportunities Increase awareness of careers in public lands, hospitality, and local government Strengthen partnerships between schools, public agencies, and community organizations Outcomes and Impact By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, 75 students will have completed the certification and internship program Students gain hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to career pathways The program has demonstrated sustained student interest and strong community support Funding and Sustainability The Borrego Village Association recently secured a grant from Parks California, securing funding through the 2028 school year. This funding enables the program to provide paid internship opportunities, ensuring equitable access for all students. Additional support is, and has been since 2018, provided by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Borrego Springs Rotary Foundation, Borrego Springs Education Foundation, and the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund. Program Leadership and Partnerships The program is led by local educator Stacy Valdez and supported by district leadership and community partners, including California State Parks. We greatly appreciate California State Parks - Colorado Desert District Supervisor, Ray Lennox for his dedication to making this program a success and making available his staff and resources, to support the youth of our community. These collaborations ensure high-quality instruction, mentorship, and real-world learning experiences. An Opportunity for Students! Due to demonstrated success, the program will continue into the 2026–2027 academic year, expanding to serve new cohorts of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. If you are a student at Borrego Springs High School that is interested in participating in this two year CTE, for credit course elective, please contact Borrego Springs Hogh School Principal Victoria Baay. 

The Borrego Springs Welcome Sign Committee has launched the next phase of the project and released the final welcome sign concepts.

Borrego Springs pianist Steve T. Hunter shares a new solo piano album inspired by love songs from classic films. Borrego Springs pianist, arranger, and conductor Steve T. Hunter has released a new solo piano album titled Heartstrings Hotel, a collection of love songs from classic films arranged and performed by Hunter. With a career that has included performances at the Kennedy Center and conducting productions such as CATS and TOMMY, Hunter brings decades of professional experience to a project shaped in part by the quiet creative setting of Borrego Springs. The album is now available on Bandcamp and features 17 tracks inspired by cinema favorites including Cinema Paradiso, La La Land, The Notebook, Out of Africa, The Princess Bride, WALL-E, Shawshank Redemption, and more. Listen here

By Dennis Mammana Week of May 17-23, 2026 That brilliant light now glistening in the west at sunset is again the "star" of the show. It is, of course, the planet Venus, and this week it'll pair up with two other celestial wanderers: Jupiter and the moon. Jupiter, another very bright planet, has been descending farther to the west as the spring months progress, and it is now approaching a close encounter with Venus by the end of the month. This occurs because these worlds, along with the Earth, orbit the sun, and our constantly changing viewpoint makes them appear to drift slowly against the more distant and "fixed" stars. Over the next week, though, another solar system body will enter the scene: the moon. Since our celestial neighbor orbits the Earth once a month, we can see it change its position in the sky from night to night. Shortly after sunset on May 17, you might try searching very low in the west for the tiny and delicate crescent moon, but to find it, you'll need a very clear sky and a low horizon, and possibly binoculars. If you don't succeed, don't worry. It'll be pretty tough to spot, but if you wait until the next night, it'll be much easier to see. On the 18th, it will appear not far from Venus. Of course, the moon won't really be next to this planet; they will be separated by 124 million miles that evening, but since both lie roughly along the same line of sight, they'll appear together in the sky. For a really amazing view, check out the pair through binoculars! The following night, May 19, the moon will have moved eastward along its orbit and will appear about midway between Jupiter and Venus. If your sky is clear on May 20, check out the western sky again, and you'll notice that the moon is not only a significantly thicker crescent but now lies above Jupiter. Of course, this whole view is purely an illusion caused by our inability to see true depth in the cosmos, but it does result in a truly pretty picture. And speaking of pretty pictures, this week offers a good opportunity to try your hand at photographing the spectacle. Since the trio appears low enough in the sky at dusk, you can frame the scene with a foreground subject — a dramatic tree, building, sculpture or person, for example. You don't need fancy or expensive equipment to do this; just a regular camera or smartphone will do fine. You may find, however, that zooming in a bit will produce a more compelling image. If you shoot half an hour or so after sunset, you can probably trust the automatic settings of your camera or phone. Much later, though, you may need to adjust settings as you go because the light at dusk changes rapidly. Don't be afraid to experiment; if some photos turn out poorly, you can always hit "delete," and no one will ever know! I hope your skies are clear this week so you can enjoy the planetary sky show. And if you get some nice photos, please email me. I'd love to share your success!  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. Learn More About Borrego Springs

Bill Wright’s Lasting Impact on Borrego Springs This tribute video reflects on the businessman, developer, and community supporter remembered across the desert community A tribute video created by Path 88 Productions is helping preserve the memory of longtime Borrego Springs businessman and community supporter Bill Wright, whose influence can still be seen throughout the desert community today. The video was created by Path 88 Productions , a Borrego Springs-based production company owned and operated by Alicia Wszelaki and Matthew Nothelfer. Through interviews and personal reflections, the video describes Wright as a visionary, entrepreneur, and someone deeply committed to Borrego Springs and its people. “He had a passion for Borrego, not just for its beauty and splendor, but for its people.” “He was a big idea man. He was a creator. He was an entrepreneur.” The tribute reflects on Wright’s decades of involvement in Borrego Springs, where he became known for supporting community projects, development, local organizations, and charitable efforts. “Every vision that he had, he brought it to fruition.” “Bill loved people, wanted to see good for everybody. He made it happen.” “You walk around, you see all the places that Bill had an impact.” The video closes with reflections from Wright’s son, who described his father as someone proud of what he accomplished and grateful for the life and work they shared together. “I like to see my tracks. I like to see what I’ve accomplished.” For many in Borrego Springs, the tribute serves as both a remembrance and a reminder of the lasting influence one person can have on a desert community.

The Bike4BorregoKids fundraiser is ongoing and continues to support graduating seniors at Borrego Springs High School with financial aid f

An extreme heat warning is in effect for the eastern edge of San Diego County, including Borrego Springs. The National Weather Service expects daytime highs to run well above average Sunday and Monday. Borrego Springs could reach about 103 to 104 degrees, while Ramona may see highs in the low to mid-80s. The heat is being caused by a strong high-pressure system. Temperatures are expected to ease by Tuesday, but another warmup may arrive later in the week. During extreme heat, the risk of heat-related illness rises. Residents and visitors should limit time outdoors, drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Did you know the Borrego Sun was established in 1949 and has documented Borrego Springs for more than 70 years? The newspaper has covered local life, community milestones, desert events, and stories from Borrego Springs, Julian, Ocotillo Wells, and the Salton Sea. In 1954, Copley Press purchased the Borrego Sun and helped modernize the paper during an important growth period for Borrego Springs. James Copley also played a role in promoting Borrego Springs as a desert resort community. Copley Press produced promotional films, featured Borrego Valley news, and helped bring wider attention to the area. The historic Borrego Sun building was built in 1960 and originally housed both the newspaper offices and a bank. Today, the Borrego Sun archive includes thousands of photos, articles, maps, and clippings that help preserve the story of Borrego Springs and the surrounding desert region. More is to come for the historic Borrego Sun.