July 12, 2024
Stay Cool Borrego Springs: The Cool Zone Program
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Cool Zone Sites: Your Refuge from Extreme Heat
The Cool Zone program, managed by Aging & Independence Services (AIS) in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), provides essential resources to help residents escape the heat and conserve energy. This program offers free, air-conditioned spaces where people can stay cool, ensuring community well-being during the hottest months of the year.
The Importance of Cool Zones
Extreme heat poses significant health risks, especially for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses or disabilities, outdoor workers, unhoused individuals, and pregnant individuals. Cool Zone sites are critical in offering a safe haven from the intense heat, which can reach dangerously high temperatures. Staying cool is essential for preventing heat-related illnesses and maintaining overall health.
How to Find a Cool Zone Site
Finding a nearby Cool Zone site is simple. Use the Cool Zone Interactive Map or view the Cool Zone Site List to locate a site near you. If transportation is a barrier, residents in San Diego County can call 2-1-1 San Diego to be connected to free transportation services, ensuring everyone has access to these vital resources.
Cool Zone Fan Program
For those who cannot access air-conditioned spaces, the Cool Zone Fan Program provides free electric fans to older adults with low incomes and people with disabilities.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Live in San Diego County.
- Have no access to air conditioning or a working fan.
- Be unable to travel to a Cool Zone site.
- Be 60 years or older or disabled.
- Meet specific household income limits.
To apply, complete the Eligibility Form or call 2-1-1 San Diego for assistance.
Tips to Beat the Heat
Staying safe during extreme heat requires taking proactive measures:
- Avoid Outdoor Activities: Limit outdoor exercise and work.
- Dress Appropriately: Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks.
- Eat Healthy: Consume lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Ensure those at higher risk are safe and hydrated.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts, heat alerts, and information about local cooling centers.
By following these tips and utilizing Cool Zone sites, you can stay safe and comfortable during extreme heat periods. For more information, visit the Cool Zone program website.
Become a Cool Zone Site
Public and private organizations can join the Cool Zone program by becoming a Cool Zone site.
Sites must:
- Maintain working air conditioning.
- Post the Polar Bear Cool Zone logo at the entrance.
- Provide public access during operating hours.
- Define seating capacity and offer public seating.
- Allow unannounced visitors and service animals.
- Provide access to restrooms.
- Ensure visitors are not required to purchase goods or services.
- Inform AIS of any program or operational changes within 24 business hours.
Perks of Becoming a Cool Zone Site:
- Help lower community utility usage.
- Stay informed about local heat event warnings.
- Connect to valuable community resources.
- Contribute to community health and well-being.
For more details and to apply, complete the Standards of Participation form.
By staying informed and utilizing these resources, residents can ensure their safety and well-being during the hottest times of the year. Take advantage of Cool Zone sites and programs to beat the heat and protect your health.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
The 13th Borrego Springs Film Festival wrapped January 18, 2026, with sold-out screenings, red carpet moments, awards, and strong community turnout. The 13th Annual Borrego Springs Film Festival wrapped up January 18, 2026, closing five days of independent cinema, conversation, and community energy. Events were held throughout Borrego Springs, including free screenings at the Borrego Springs Library and ticketed block screenings and awards ceremonies at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. Presented by the Borrego Springs Film Institute, the festival continued its traditional, theater-first format that brings people together to watch films in shared spaces and talk about them afterward. Several screening blocks sold out during the week, reflecting strong local interest and visiting attendance. That connection was clear during the live-streamed red carpet. Host Brianna Pinto described one of the festival’s defining qualities by saying, “Filmmakers get to interact directly with the audience,” noting that Borrego Springs draws viewers who truly watch and engage with the films. Filmmakers echoed that experience in different ways. A King’s Curtain director Grannan Johnson said it was especially meaningful to hear audience members tell him, “Oh yes, I saw your film,” calling Borrego Springs “a fun place to be” with “really nice, great people.” Documentary filmmaker Mitch Yapko (Watching Walter) described a moment when a full theater reacted together, saying the shared gasp from the audience made it clear they were fully engaged. The setting itself also left an impression. Actress Laura Bolin (Rage, Rhonda) called the enthusiasm of Borrego Springs audiences “contagious” and encouraged visitors to explore the landscape, describing the area as a place to “just wander” and take in the desert views.
Event Overview The Doobie Doubles present The Ultimate Doobie Brothers Tribute, a live concert celebrating the music of the legendary rock band The Doobie Brothers . The performance recreates the sound, harmonies, and stage energy associated with decades of Doobie Brothers hits. The Band The Doobie Doubles is a professional tribute band known for faithfully performing classic Doobie Brothers material. Band members include Rick Erbe, Mike Leffler, Sheldon Bonada, Ray Bergstrom, Pete Hopkins, and Daniel Osterstock. Date, Time, and Venue Date: January 25, 2026 Time: 3:00 PM Venue: Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center Address: 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, California The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center hosts a range of concerts, theater productions, and community performances throughout the season. Tickets Tickets: Available online Website: bspac.org Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Tribute concerts like this one offer audiences the opportunity to experience iconic music performed live in an intimate setting. With a focus on musical accuracy and stage presence, The Doobie Doubles deliver a performance designed for longtime fans and new listeners alike.
Event Overview The Denim & Diamonds Gala is a hoedown-style fundraising event celebrating three decades of community care by the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) . Proceeds from the gala support programs that strengthen the well-being of Borrego Valley residents, including healthcare, education, arts, environmental initiatives, and community development. Live Music and Entertainment Live music will be provided by Sean Oliu and the Coastline Cowboys. The program also includes cowboy poetry by Carey Peck, along with line dancing, auctions, and interactive activities throughout the afternoon. Date, Time, and Location Date: February 21, 2026 Time: 2:00–5:00 PM Location: The Center 590 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, California Tickets and Food Tickets: $100 per person Pre-order: give@bvefund.org Availability: Limited tickets available at the event Food will be served by Pablito’s, with a cash bar available.
First day of mural work at Christmas Circle: Gabriel Wisdom with mural artist Anne-Sophie Gaudet and assistant Romain on site at 730 Christmas Circle.
Supervisor candidate Rebecca Jones met Borrego Springs residents at a BBQ luncheon at Rams Hill to discuss housing, education, busing, healthcare, and quality of life.
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
NBC 7 San Diego
Circle of Art: March 14–15, 2026
An Evening of Fine Dining, Scenic Views, and Live Music Whether shared with a partner or a group of close friends, Rams Hill’s Valentine’s Day dinner offers an elegant night out against the backdrop of the Anza-Borrego Desert. Guests will gather in the Santa Rosa Room for a thoughtfully prepared prix-fixe menu featuring locally inspired dishes—from the Urban Blend Berry Salad to a classic Surf & Turf entrée , and a decadent Mini Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake for dessert. Live music by Brooke Ramel adds to the ambiance, creating a warm, inviting setting for a memorable evening. Seating is limited, and this popular event fills quickly—plan ahead.
By Dennis Mammana
Is a Super Bloom Coming to Anza-Borrego Desert? Fox 5 San Diego news recently spoke with Sicco Rood of the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center about the vibrant wildflowers beginning to appear across the region. While the landscape near Henderson Canyon is already bursting with purple desert verbena , desert sunflowers , and white dune primroses , this is technically a fall bloom —not yet the rare and famous Super Bloom . A true Super Bloom spans many more square miles and requires a perfect combination of well-timed rain , cool temperatures , no drought , and minimal wind . If these conditions align, early March could bring a spectacular bloom like the last major one seen in 2019 . For now, visitors can enjoy the peace and beauty of this early bloom, with fewer crowds and great photo ops in areas like Coyote Canyon and the Badlands . But remember, a heat wave or lack of rain could still cut the season short. Now’s a great time to visit—just in case nature doesn’t go full Super Bloom this year!
Performance Date: January 27, 2026
