December 18, 2025
Borrego Palm Canyon: Student Field Hike
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Photos: Sicco Rood | Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center
Learning the Desert Firsthand
Students from Borrego Springs High School are gaining real-world experience in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park through a certified interpretation and internship program. This post covers a recent field hike in Borrego Palm Canyon, highlights what students learned on the trail, and explains how the program prepares teens for professional interpretive guide and host certifications while connecting them more deeply to the desert they call home.
Students on the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail
Two seniors and four juniors from the Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Course and Internship Program recently took part in a guided hike up Borrego Palm Canyon. The hike was led by Stacy Valdez and Sicco Rood as part of the students’ coursework.
For several students, this was their first time hiking Borrego Palm Canyon, making the experience especially memorable. One long-standing goal for the group was to see desert bighorn sheep—a highlight that became reality near the end of the hike on the Alternate Trail.
Part of a Certified Interpretive Program
The hike is one component of a for-credit interpretive guide and host certification program offered through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). The course provides students with professional-level training in environmental education, public engagement, and desert stewardship.
The program is led by local resident Stacy Valdez and coordinated with the Borrego Springs Unified School District, giving students structured, hands-on learning tied directly to their local landscape.
Community Support Behind the Program
This ongoing program is sponsored by the Borrego Village Association and has been made possible since 2019 through grants and support from:
- San Diego County Board of Supervisors
- Borrego Springs Rotary Foundation
- Borrego Springs Education Foundation
- Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF)
- Private donors
Their continued support allows Borrego Springs students to access professional training opportunities without leaving their community.
Preparing the Next Generation of Desert Interpreters
Through field experiences like the Borrego Palm Canyon hike, students gain practical knowledge, confidence, and certification pathways that support future work in parks, education, and visitor services. The program also strengthens connections between young residents and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, reinforcing stewardship and local expertise.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
PEG LEG SMITH LIAR’S CONTEST Since 1916 To Date The next saga of the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest is a month away, Saturday March 7th . Location American Legion Post #853 4515 Borrego Springs Road Borrego Springs, Ca. Date March 7th, 2026 Time Dusk Who Thomas Long Smith , miner, horse thief, Indian fighter, and notorious liar. Google him for details or YouTube for videos. What A 100 plus year old event , a perpetuation of prevarication, where participants at the event manufacture the truth or a lie about a real person, Thomas Long Smith , aka Peg Leg Smith , who allegedly found, then lost, a gold mine in the Borrego Valley back in the mid-1800’s. He existed. The mine is what is in question. Why Must be fun. It’s been held here in the Valley nearly every year, give or take a few world wars and related interferences…… since 1916 . Rules None. Just make up a lie about him, or not even him—most anything—that is interesting, logical, entertaining, relatively short ( 10 minutes or less ). If it is good and you just show up and lie, you will receive a trophy (recycled) and a nice certificate good enough to frame . Judging There are three judges , all veterans of the event, all with 20 or more years doing so. The Chief Judge , me, has been judging since 1982 (no remuneration, free, poor judgement on my part). Winners are not chosen on bribery or status, but on three major categories : Quality of the lie ( 10 points max ) Performance in presenting it ( 10 points max ) Garb, stunts, random foolishness, helpers, music, or whatever ( 5 points max ) The last five points only separate the scores, as even last-minute sign-ups during the event are competitive. If we have children under 10 years of age , we will have a child judging category as well. Audience & Participation It is a liar’s contest. We can have 50, 100, 150 or more in the audience, but without liars…there is no contest . Sign up at the event Viewers bring a folding chair Bring non-alcoholic beverages (the Legion has a full bar) Sit outside near the campfire (held outside always—dress accordingly) Services Bathrooms, bar, and kitchen courtesy of the Legion and volunteers. Dinner is available—might be pulled pork again by popular demand , or not. It is a liar’s contest. Actually, I might be lying to you now. The Only Truth It will occur rain or shine , at the date and time , at the Legion . Bring a Lie It can be a short one, bad one, dumb one about anything you want to lie about—or even the truth is welcome. Just say his name, then run off in any direction you lie about best. You probably won’t know anyone there except a few friends that might have come along, so you can’t be embarrassed in front of strangers. Prepare to lie. We ALWAYS need liars . Even bad ones. Again, Google the contest to learn more. It is always fun and out of doors. What could be better than that? Oh, free as well. Jim McKenna Learn More About Borrego Springs
Hawk Watch Documentary Screening in Borrego Springs Hawk Watch documentary screening Feb. 18 at 7 PM at BSPAC. Free admission, donations encouraged, with a Q&A with the cast and crew. Hawk Watch screening facts Film: The Hawk Watch Documentary (locally produced) Event type: Fundraising screening Admission: Free Donations: Encouraged Date: Feb. 18 Time: 7:00 PM Location: BSPAC (Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center) Host: Borrego Springs Film Institute (BSFI) After the film: Q&A with the cast and crew More info: https://www.borregospringshawkwatch.com What the film is about The flyer describes the story as a look at a group of local birders working to help protect a global hawk migration as it passes through their valley—and whether their efforts can make a difference for both the birds and the community. Learn More About Borrego Springs
The Borrego Springs ArtWalk is held the first Saturday of each month, November through May, from 5–7 PM.
Community vigil and sing-along A vigil and walk with songs of hope, peace, and love was held Sunday evening, February 1st, in Borrego Springs. Participants gathered at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Church Lane, where the route and plan for a silent walk were shared. The group then walked up the street to the Peace Column near Community United Methodist Church . The vigil was coordinated by Pastor Mateo Mamoa of Community United Methodist Church. At the Methodist church parking lot, members of the upcoming Jimmy’s Front Porch cast were waiting for the walkers and led a sing-along. Songs included “Stand by Me,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and others.
Source: www.eastcountymagazine.org
The 27th Annual Borrego Springs Golf Classic takes place on Friday, February 20, 2026, at de Anza Desert Country Club. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego , this annual event brings golfers, supporters, and community members together for a day of golf and giving in Borrego Springs. All proceeds from the tournament directly benefit the Borrego Springs Branch , supporting programs that help local youth succeed academically, build good character, and develop healthy lifestyles. The event features a scramble-style round of golf , on-course activities, auctions, and a hosted lunch. It’s designed to be both competitive and social, welcoming participants looking to enjoy a meaningful day on the course while supporting youth programs in the Borrego Valley. Sponsorship & Participation A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals interested in supporting the event and the Borrego Springs Branch. Sponsorships provide visibility throughout the tournament and help fund essential youth services. Event Details Date: Friday, February 20, 2026 Location: de Anza Desert Country Club 509 Catarina Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Registration and additional event details are available through the event website. Learn More About Borrego Springs
A Journey of Strength, Grit, and Determination This Friday, the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center will host guest speaker Fred Lacroix , a world-renowned hand cyclist, for an evening presentation focused on resilience, endurance, and determination. Fred Lacroix is originally from France and discovered hand cycling after a life-changing disability. He went on to compete in endurance and world time-trial events around the globe. Lacroix has earned first place in his category at the 6–12–24 Hour World Time Trial Championships in Borrego Springs and has completed legendary climbs, including cycling above 14,000 feet at Pikes Peak . Event Details Date: Friday, February 6 Time: 5:00 pm Location: Borrego Springs Community Resource Center 587 Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 125 Borrego Springs, CA The event is free to attend , and light refreshments will be served . About the Event Presented by the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center , the evening offers an opportunity to hear firsthand about endurance sports, adaptive athletics, and the personal challenges involved in competitive hand cycling. Lacroix’s experience spans international competitions and long-distance endurance events, with a focus on perseverance and personal achievement. The presentation is open to the community and designed for a general audience.
FAMO Fascia Movement Classes at The Palms FAMO Fascia Movement classes led by Silvia Monetti are offered at The Palms at Indian Head in Borrego Springs. These donation-based classes focus on purposeful movement designed to support mobility, coordination, and overall physical well-being. Open to all levels, the classes provide a structured yet accessible approach to movement in a calm indoor setting. Class Location and Schedule FAMO Fascia Movement takes place at The Palms at Indian Head , located at 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs . Classes are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 10:30 am , beginning January 19 . What the Class Includes The class blends slow, intentional movements with dynamic sequences aimed at supporting physical agility, fluid movement, and ease in the body. The focus is on improving movement functionality while encouraging a sense of balance in body, mind, and heart. All experience levels are welcome. What to Bring and Cost Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat and a tennis ball . Classes are offered on a donation basis , with a suggested contribution of $15 . About the Setting 2220 Hoberg Road Borrego Springs, CA 92004 The Palms at Indian Head provides a dedicated indoor space for wellness and movement activities in Borrego Springs, making it a consistent location for ongoing classes throughout the season. Learn More About Borrego Springs
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.
