Borrego Palm Canyon: Student Field Hike

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

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.

Spend Memorial Day at Rams Hill Golf Club on Monday, May 25, with a full day on the course surrounded by the desert landscape of Borrego Springs. Players can enjoy morning rounds, a relaxed afternoon pace, food and drink specials, on-course games, and complimentary replays throughout the day. Special pricing: $120 — Military & First Responders $170 — All Players Whether you're planning a competitive round or simply looking to enjoy time with friends over the holiday weekend, Rams Hill offers a memorable Memorial Day experience in Borrego Springs.  Reserve your tee time: https://tinyurl.com/RamsHillMemorialDay

BY: Colt Knedler Rams Hill Golf Club

Families gathered at Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs as OLAX hosted its Cinco de Mother’s Day celebration, an evening focused on honoring mothers, culture, and community connection. The event featured performances by Eli Hernandez, Mia Lopez, BAMA Youth, and Folklorico Youth. Guests also enjoyed free drinks, quick snacks, gifts for mothers, and an opportunity drawing. Mothers attending the event were able to choose their own gifts. Volunteers prepared hundreds of items for moms, creating a thoughtful and welcoming experience for local families. Mothers also received corsages made by Christina Portillo.

Hundreds of Animals Rescued From Julian Sanctuary During Major Investigation San Diego Humane Society officials say hundreds of neglected animals are now receiving care after a large-scale rescue operation at Villa Chardonnay in Julian. Villa Chardonnay had been described online as an animal sanctuary focused on giving animals a safe place to heal and live peacefully. But investigators say the conditions they encountered on the 40-acre property revealed widespread neglect involving hundreds of animals. According to San Diego Humane Society, the rescue effort began after concerns about conditions at the property continued for years. The case was transferred from San Diego County Animal Services to SDHS in late April due to the scale of the situation and legal complications connected to bankruptcy proceedings.  Officials said a search warrant was served on May 1 after veterinary evidence documented severe neglect, including malnutrition, untreated injuries, infections, and lack of basic care.