California State Library Parks Pass: Free Access to State Parks

By Dennis Mammana Week of March 8-14, 2026 If you hear the word "superstar," what immediately comes to mind? Perhaps names like Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift or LeBron James? That's certainly understandable; they are all undisputed superstars who attract the attention of paparazzi and fans alike. If you're an astronomer, however, you may answer this question differently. For example, when I hear the word "superstar," I think of UY Scuti, WOH G64 or RSGC1-F01. Yes, these are superstars, but not quite how people may think. These are some of the largest stars known in our galaxy and, for that reason, are quite intriguing to us celestial paparazzi. Regular readers of this column know that our sun is also a star. It appears big and bright in our daytime sky because not only is it rather close (about 93 million miles away), it's also pretty large (nearly a million miles across). It sounds huge, but our star is rather small on a cosmic scale, and believe it or not, there are stars out there that would dwarf our sun and make it look tiny. These are the true superstars! Until recently, the largest star known was given the hopelessly poetic name of UY Scuti. At a distance of some 9,500 lightyears from Earth, UY Scuti is what is known as a red hypergiant star, with a diameter some 1,700 times that of the sun! All that changed recently, however, when astronomers found a gargantuan star some 2,150 times larger than our sun! It's named Stephenson 2-18, and if you'd like to get a peek at this stellar behemoth, you'll need more than your eyes. At a distance of some 18,900 lightyears, it appears 5,100 times fainter than we can see without a telescope. If you have no telescope but would still like to see a celestial superstar, you're in luck. There's one shining in our night sky right now; it's one of the brightest up there and is named Betelgeuse. Betelgeuse sparkles brightly in the northeastern corner of Orion, the hunter, and you can see its orange light midway up in the southern sky after dark this week. With about 15-20 times more mass than our sun, Betelgeuse is known as a red supergiant star for good reason. While we could align 109 Earths across the face of our sun, we would need at least 700 suns to cross the face of Betelgeuse! Indeed, this star is so immense that if it replaced our sun at the center of our planetary system, Betelgeuse would engulf the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, and stretch part of the way to Jupiter! Yet it appears as a simple point of light in our night sky because of its tremendous distance from us — some 3,100 trillion miles, or about 520 lightyears. Betelgeuse is easily one of the largest known stars, though its size fluctuates by as much as 60% as the star shudders and pulsates on its way to an eventual supernova explosion, thousands or millions of years from now. Or tonight. We just don't know.  I hope you'll step out under the night sky soon to meet this remarkable superstar for yourself! 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

Karla Diaz’s Unity Project returns for a 2026 festival in Borrego Springs with public portrait banners at The Mall, a Unity Walk, and a Community Unity Festival. Karla Diaz’s Unity Project returns to Borrego Springs in 2026 for its third community-responsive activation, continuing a unity-focused effort she launched in 2024. The project combines a community run/walk, public programming, and painting with the goal of creating safe spaces for healing, art, and collective storytelling. After a year-long residency, research, and a series of community-led workshops, the Unity Project culminates in three core components: a community run/walk event, two public portrait banners inspired by Diaz’s interactions and workshops, and an exhibition of her watercolor works on paper. Diaz’s work centers narrative, identity, and memory as a way to generate collaboration and dialogue among diverse communities. 

Lucky Tongue at the Dreamweaver Amphitheater at The Springs Lucky Tongue is scheduled to perform live at the Dreamweaver Amphitheater at The Springs in Borrego Springs. Below are the confirmed event details plus a few on-site logistics so people know what to expect when they arrive. Event facts Event: Lucky Tongue (live music) Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026 Time: 5:00–7:00 PM Location: Dreamweaver Amphitheater at The Springs (The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course), Borrego Springs, California Cost: Free show Amphitheater setup Seating is informal: sit on the grass, sit in chairs set-up for the event or bring your own chairs Guests may arrive by golf cart The setting is relaxing and outdoor Food and drinks The Springs Wine & Beer Bar will be open El Dorado Tacos will be selling food

COMING SOON: The Gallery at the Palms

Artists painted live during the Plein Air Quick Draw at Rams Hill in Borrego Springs.

Presented by Borrego Springs Community Concert Association

Borrego Springs, CA The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA) will host the 2026 Borrego Home & Garden Tour on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to explore four private homes and gardens at their own pace in Borrego Springs. This annual tour is a fundraiser benefiting ABDNHA, the educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports interpretation, education, and stewardship connected to the Anza-Borrego Desert region. Event details Event: 2026 Borrego Home & Garden Tour Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Format: Self-guided tour of four private homes and gardens Tickets $30 General Public $24 ABDNHA Members $20 ABDNHA Volunteers Early purchase discount: Buy by March 8 and save $2 per ticket . How to purchase Tickets are available online at abdnha.org/gardentour and in person at the ABDNHA Desert Nature Center , 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs . Questions: (760) 767-3098 Important guidelines Tickets are non-refundable . For guest safety and property rules, no strollers or dogs are permitted. About ABDNHA The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA) is a nonprofit organization that supports education and interpretation in and around Anza-Borrego Desert State Park through programs, exhibits, and community engagement. Media Contact: ABDNHA Desert Nature Center 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA (760) 767-3098 abdnha.org/gardentour

Roadrunner Club Association Benefit The Roadrunner Club Association’s 38th annual Senior Center Benefit golf tournament raised $33,000 for the Borrego Springs Youth and Seniors Center , according to Executive Director Teresa West . West described the turnout as strong early in the day, writing that as the sun came up she was “surprised at how many participants were out playing golf.” She called it “an amazing sight” and said it “touched my heart.” Largest single fundraiser of the year West said the golf tournament is the largest single fundraiser of the year for the Borrego Springs Youth and Seniors Center. She credited golfers, sponsors, and volunteers for making the event possible. “To all the golfers who participated in the tournament I want to say thank you,” West wrote, adding thanks to those who “sponsored a hole, put up signs, handed out food and drinks, took pictures and did all the preparation behind the scenes.” Services supported by the fundraiser West highlighted how the Senior Center supports older adults in the community by providing “nutritious and healthy meals” for homebound seniors, activities at the Seniors Community Center, and a medical loan closet that offers free medical equipment . She also noted the importance of the Borrego Springs Children’s Center , which provides childcare for children from birth to age 5. West said that without the Children’s Center, “many of our local parents would not be able to pursue their chosen career paths,” and children could miss an early start on “social-emotional development.” Message to the community West closed with a message of gratitude from the center’s team: “We can’t say thank you enough,” she wrote. “We truly appreciate each one of you.” Learn More About Borrego Springs

The BADWATER® Salton Sea ultra running event returns Saturday–Sunday, April 18–19, 2026 , with a listed start time of 6:30 AM and a Borrego Springs audience-friendly stop point at Borrego Springs Resort . This is a team race for duos or trios who run together for the full course (it’s not a relay). The route spans 81 miles (130 km) from Salton City —about 234 feet (71 m) below sea level —to Palomar Mountain at roughly 5,500 feet (1,676 m) , with over 9,000 feet (2,740 m) of total climbing. For locals and visitors watching in the Borrego area: about eight miles of the course cut through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park , using a single-track section between near Borrego Springs and near Ranchita , making the overall route a mix of road and trail . Organizers note this is the 13th edition , capped at 100 runners . If you’re in Borrego Springs, this is one of those rare mornings when you can watch a world-class endurance event pass through the desert landscape you already know—then climb all the way to the cool air of Palomar. Expect a moving pack of two- and three-person teams running side-by-side , plus support vehicles and race staff along the road portions. For updates, photos, and official race info, follow BADWATER® on Facebook and Instagram , or check the organizer’s event page .

March 1, 2026 (Borrego Springs) -- The Borrego Art Institute is marking the 20th anniversary of its Annual Plein Air Invitational this month. Featuring 16 nationally recognized artists and a series of public competitions, the month-long programming will culminate in the "Art for Everyone" spring fundraiser and auction on April 4. The invitational begins Monday, March 2, and runs through Saturday, March 7. During the Plein Air Invitational, the BAI Gallery will offer extended hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Regular operating hours resume Sunday, March 8. Participating artists will paint "en plein air" (outdoors) at various regional sites, including Coyote Canyon and central Borrego Springs. Completed works will be installed in the BAI Gallery daily and made available for public purchase. The 2026 artist roster includes Geoff Allen, Marcia Ballowe, Mark Fehlman, Debra Huse, Peggy Immel, Chuck Kovacic, Paul Kratter, Margaret Larlham, Jason Li, Carolyn Lord, Jim McVicker, Lynn Mehta, Stock Schlueter, Jeff Sewell, Lisa Skelly and Toni Williams. Scheduled public events are as follow: Quick Draw Competition: 8:30 to 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 4 at Rams Hill. Artists must complete a work on-site within 90 minutes. Juried by Jeanne Plekon. Awards Ceremony: 3 p.m., Saturday, March 7 at the BAI Gallery. Awards will be presented at 4:30 p.m., by juror Natasha Isenhour. ArtWalk: 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 7. The full exhibition will remain on display at the gallery through April 26. On Saturday, April 4, the BAI will hold its annual spring fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. at Studio West. The "Art for Everyone" Open House is free to the community and serves as a primary benefit for the institute’s programming. The event features a silent auction including works from various private collections. Additionally, the gallery will showcase 65 pieces created by local high school students. All proceeds from these specific sales will be paid directly to the student artists. The evening includes a live raffle, appetizers and wine service provided by Stay Classy Selections. For more information on the Plein Air Invitational or the April 4 fundraiser, visit borregoartinstitute.org .

Walk World Labyrinth Day World Labyrinth Day is a worldwide invitation to slow down and choose peace—one quiet step at a time. In Borrego Springs, you can take part by walking the outdoor labyrinth at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on May 2, 2026, anytime dusk till dawn. Make it a full Borrego Springs morning: arrive early, walk at your own pace, pause in the center, sign the guest book, take a photo, and then head out for breakfast. Come with a friend, make it a date, or come solo for a little space and stillness. Event details World Labyrinth Day in Borrego Springs Date: May 2, 2026 Time: Dusk till dawn (self-guided) Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 2680 Country Club Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 All are welcome • No appointment necessary What a labyrinth is A labyrinth is not a maze. There’s one clear path in and the same path back out. People walk labyrinths as a practice of reflection, prayer, gratitude, and quiet listening—an easy way to step out of the noise for a few minutes and reset. Make a day of it in Borrego Springs Go early for cooler temps and a calmer start Bring a friend—or come alone and treat it as personal time Make it a date: walk first, then grab breakfast together Take a photo of your walk (or the desert sky overhead) Sign the guest book to mark your visit and add your name to the day Share your photos online to encourage others to take part A few simple tips Wear comfortable shoes and bring water Walk slowly—there’s no “right” speed When you reach the center, pause, breathe, pray, or reflect Give others space and let the experience stay quiet and unhurried Share your World Labyrinth Day If you post photos, include #StBarnabasBorregoSprings so others can find it and plan their own walk. For updates and details, visit www.stbarnabasborregosprings.com  Learn More About Borrego Springs