Battle of the Desert Unveiled

Free Outdoor Music in Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs local Brice Weaver is featured in SDVoyager, sharing how curiosity, adventure, and fine art photography shaped his path. Borrego Springs local Brice Weaver is featured in a recent SDVoyager story that takes a closer look at his path into photography and the experiences that shaped his work. Weaver’s journey into photography did not begin in a traditional way. He picked up his first DSLR in 2016, and what started as curiosity quickly became a serious creative pursuit. Since then, his work has taken him to places like Everest Base Camp, Guadalupe Island for great white shark photography, and remote landscapes including Anza-Borrego Desert . Today, Weaver is known for fine art and portrait photography that focuses on mood, place, and quiet storytelling. His work has also earned international recognition, including top honors in major photography competitions. For Borrego Springs, it is always meaningful to see a local creative featured for work that connects art, landscape, and personal vision. Read Brice Weaver’s Story Read the full SDVoyager feature here: sdvoyager.com/interview/check-out-brice-weavers-story

Watch the video to hear Briem Cole's story and learn about his goals.

Borrego Springs watches closely San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond has announced his campaign for Congress in California’s 48th District following Rep. Darrell Issa’s decision not to seek reelection. Issa has already endorsed Desmond, making him an early contender in what is expected to be a closely watched open-seat race. For Borrego Springs, the announcement carries local weight. The community is part of the 48th District, so the race will help decide who represents Borrego Springs in Washington. Desmond’s candidacy is more than a political development here. For many in Borrego Springs, he has been someone the community could call when county help, attention, or support was needed. Desmond told the Borrego Sun, “It’s time to restore the Californian dream.” In his campaign announcement, Desmond said families are “getting squeezed from every direction” by the cost of groceries, gas, rent, and insurance. He said he is running to lower costs, protect public safety, and help restore the American Dream for the next generation. That connection matters in Borrego Springs. Desmond has publicly stood with residents on major safety concerns, including opposition to the proposed placement of sexually violent predators in the community. He also helped launch the Borrego Springs Community Revitalization Committee, aimed at connecting Borrego Springs with county departments and public resources to address local priorities. Residents have also seen Desmond visit after local emergencies and speak about the need for strong fire and medical services in Borrego Springs. That history gives his congressional run added significance locally, as many voters already see him as familiar with the community and its concerns. Desmond’s campaign also turns attention to county leadership. With Desmond termed out, Vista Mayor John Franklin and San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones are running for the District 5 supervisor seat. Jones, reportedly ahead in early polling, has also been in touch with the Borrego Springs community, including business and organizational leaders. That puts Borrego Springs in focus on both the congressional and county fronts. For more information or to get involved, visit DesmondForCongress.com .

Michael and Julia Johnson take top honors in Borrego Springs Michael Johnson and Julia Johnson were named the winners of the 2026 Peg Leg Smith Liars Contest, held March 7 at American Legion Post 853 in Borrego Springs (circa 1916). Their winning performance, The Ballad of Peg Leg Smith , mixed music, costume, and tall-tale humor in a way that captured the spirit of one of Borrego Springs’ most distinctive traditions. Michael opened by noting that he had won the contest the previous two years, making this his third straight victory. This year also marked the first time he and Julia Johnson performed together. In the act, Michael sang The Ballad of Peg Leg Smith , while Julia appeared as Sister Mary Virgin Cleopatra Gamora, adding to the comic stage presence that helped set the performance apart. The performance played to the crowd with a mix of desert references, Borrego humor, and Peg Leg mythology. Johnson wove in mentions of local places, wild desert characters, and the enduring mystery of Peg Leg Smith’s lost mine, all while leaning into the exaggerated storytelling style that defines the contest. The finale brought the act back to its central idea: “We never found his mine, but we loved his mystery.”