July 12, 2024

Stay Cool Borrego Springs: The Cool Zone Program

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

Borrego Cheers for Lukas!

June 6, 2025

Community Rallies Behind Austrian Cyclist Training for RAAM You might have seen a focused cyclist zipping around Borrego Valley over the past few weeks. That rider is Lukas Kaufmann , a world-class athlete from Austria who’s chosen Borrego Springs as his training ground for the upcoming Race Across America (RAAM) —a 9-day, coast-to-coast endurance race starting June 10 in Oceanside and finishing June 19 in Atlantic City. Track his ride here: trackleaders.com/Team_Kaufmann While Peter Kellner was also out riding with his wife Tammy Baker , he spotted Lukas and could tell right away he wasn’t just another visitor getting in a few desert miles. Peter tracked him down, learned his story, and turned that curiosity into action. The result? A spontaneous community celebration: “Borrego Cheers for Lukas!”

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Sylvia Maas Ride Updates On June 1, 2025, Sylvia Maas, an ultra-endurance cyclist and Soroptimist from Borrego Springs, will embark on the Trans Am Bike Nonstop Check Point Edition (3,500 miles), a self-supported, coast-to-coast cycling challenge starting in Astoria, Oregon. Her mission is to raise funds for the "Bike 4 Borrego Kids" scholarship program, supporting Borrego Springs High School seniors pursuing higher education.

New Recording Studio Completed for Borrego Springs Youth Music Program

June 1, 2025

Community nonprofit completes construction phase, seeks funding for equipment The Borrego Springs Music Festival and its educational arm, the Borrego Academy of Music & Art (BAMA), have completed construction on a new recording studio in downtown Borrego Springs. The buildout included soundproofing and a technician window, with oversight provided by John Young, BAMA’s Technical Director and Vice President of the board. The studio is the latest milestone in the organization’s mission to provide music education to youth in a region where none of the local schools—elementary, middle, or high school—offer a formal music program. Borrego Springs serves a population of approximately 2,500 residents, and 87% of the 358 enrolled students in the school district are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged. John Young, a 34-year science center veteran and longtime volunteer, helped launch the studio space as part of his ongoing work with the music festival and its education efforts. He also teaches courses in piano, digital recording, and technology.