October 20, 2024
Borrego Springs Welcome Sign: Your Opinion Matters!
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Help Shape Borrego's Welcome Sign!
The Borrego Valley Association (BVA) is asking for input again as the community moves closer to finalizing the new Borrego Springs Community Identification Sign. Over the past year, residents and visitors shared their insights on what they wanted to see in a welcome sign, and now the design finalists have been revealed!
Thanks to a $6,000 grant from the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund, three designers were selected to create unique concepts based on the community's feedback. Now it's time to provide your thoughts on which design best represents Borrego Springs. The designs vary from monolithic boulders to a night sky, each capturing different aspects of Borrego's landscape and culture.
This isn't a simple "vote for your favorite" survey; it's an opportunity to offer detailed feedback on the elements that resonate with you. Your input will play a key role in shaping the final decision. Take a moment to review the designs and share your perspective.
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From Norway to Spain: Sylvia Maas Rides for Borrego Springs Students On June 20, 2026, the NorthCape–Tarifa race will begin at 12:01 a.m. at the North Cape in Norway. Described as the world's longest bicycle race, the event follows a route of nearly 7,000 kilometers to Tarifa, Spain, the southernmost point of mainland Europe. Among the riders will be Borrego Springs ultra cyclist Sylvia Maas , who will be riding for her Bike4BorregoKids initiative. Track Sylvia Here The race begins at the North Cape in Norway and ends in Tarifa, Spain. Along the way, riders pass through several major checkpoints, including: Helsinki, Finland Hill of Crosses, Lithuania Torun, Poland Bregenz, Austria Col du Galibier, France Nice, France Port d’Envalira, Andorra Pico del Veleta, Spain Tarifa, Spain The route covers nearly 7,000 kilometers and includes mountain passes, historic cities, and some of the most demanding cycling terrain in Europe.
www.youtube.com/@Road2
By Karen Pearlman June 3, 2026 (Julian) — Roots rock and Americana tunes are coming to fill the mountains of East and North County with original music this weekend during the Fifth Annual Julian Town Square Music Festival . The free community celebration will run from noon until 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6 at 2712 Washington St. in Julian. Organized by the nonprofit Julian Community Heritage Foundation , with more support from the Julian Chamber of Commerce , the festival is the main fundraiser for the support of the continued development of the Julian Town Square — a historic corner lot becoming a permanent outdoor park and performance space. The emerging Julian Town Square represents a 10-year, grassroots preservation effort to safeguard the town’s mountain heritage. The site dates back to 1912 when it housed the Silvers Supply Store, before eventually operating as a Chevron gas station in the 1970s. In 2017, a small group of local neighbors formed the JCHF to buy the abandoned corner lot and revitalize it. The foundation has been molding the plot into a permanent cultural epicenter for theater, art and community gatherings. While admission to the festival is free — with parking available for $10 at Frank Lane Park, 2645 Farmer Road in Julian — organizers are looking to the community to help fund the next phases of development. Attendees making on-site or online donations of $300 or more will have their names permanently etched onto the Town Square’s upcoming donor wall. Local artisans, handmade goods, and backcountry vendors will line the venue, alongside food from QUECHO Elevated Mexican Eatery and craft beverages provided by The Toasty Tap . Original music, local artists This year’s festival is anchored by a heavyweight lineup of roots music icons, led by former San Diego Padres fan favorite-turned-Americana-troubadour Tim Flannery and his band, the Lunatic Fringe . For local audiences, Flannery represents a unique intersection of San Diego sports history and grit. Long before he was touring the country with his blend of blue-eyed Irish soul and California country, Flannery (photo, right) spent over three decades in Major League Baseball. He played 11 seasons as a versatile infielder for the Padres (1979-89). He later transitioned to coaching, serving as the third-base coach for the San Francisco Giants during three World Series championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Beyond his athletic feats, Flannery’s presence on stage carries a deeper emotional weight for fans following his severe medical crisis. In late 2020, Flannery was hospitalized in San Diego, fighting a life-threatening staph infection that required seven major surgeries and an extensive recovery period. After publicly sharing his battle — during which he credited music and his guitar as vital pieces of his healing process — Flannery’s return to the stage with the Lunatic Fringe marks a triumphant milestone in resilience. Sharing the marquee is Sara Petite, (photo below, left) an award-winning singer-songwriter who has become a fixture of the Southern California Americana scene. Originally from Sumner, Wash., Petite is widely recognized for her raw, roadhouse-rock style of outlaw country. A five-time finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and a frequent winner at the San Diego Music Awards , Petite brings an authentic twang heavily influenced by Loretta Lynn and Lucinda Williams. The afternoon’s diverse musical program will also feature performances by Elizabeth Bowersox , whose album California Queen just won Best Country or Americana Album at this year’s San Diego Music Awards; Salinas Road , Rootful and Donn Bree and friends. For more information on the organization and on the event, visit juliantownsquare.org. For more information on Julian, visit https://visitjulian.com.
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church expands its ongoing collaboration with Rostros y Corazón For the first time, Fr. David Madsen and Jan Naragon of St. Barnabas (Borrego Springs) are leading a regular Eucharist service at Rostros y Corazón in Salton City. The gathering will take place the first and third Wednesday, creating a new opportunity for worship, fellowship, and community connection. The service builds on an existing relationship between the two organizations and reflects the many connections already shared between Borrego Springs and Salton City. Many West Shores residents work in Borrego Springs, attend school here, shop here, receive services here, or have family and friends in the Borrego Valley. The two communities are neighbors in many ways. The new service reflects St. Barnabas's commitment to extending ministry beyond its church walls while continuing to support relationships throughout the desert region. By gathering regularly at Rostros y Corazón, organizers hope to create a welcoming space for prayer, conversation, encouragement, and connection. Rostros y Corazón , led by Graciela Mendivil Ramos, is a nonprofit community center serving Salton City and the surrounding West Shores area. The organization is known for supporting families and connecting residents with needed resources. For upcoming service dates or questions, contact Graciela Mendivil Ramos at gracielamramos@gmail.com .
