Support Borrego Sculptor Ricardo Breceda

On Wednesday, July 29, at 7pm BSFI presents: A Simple Plan – 1998 – Rated R – 2h 1m A Simple Plan is a gripping neo-noir crime thriller that represents a striking departure from Sam Raimi's reputation as a master of horror and stylized genre filmmaking. Directed by Raimi and written by Scott B. Smith, adapting his own 1993 novel, the film stars Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, and Bridget Fonda, and is set in rural Minnesota. The story follows brothers Hank (Paxton) and Jacob Mitchell (Thornton), who, along with Jacob's friend Lou (Brent Briscoe), stumble upon a crashed plane in the woods containing $4.4 million in cash. The four — including Hank's wife Sarah (Fonda) — go to great lengths to keep the money secret, but begin to doubt each other's trust, resulting in lies, deceit, and murder. Roger Ebert, who ranked the film fourth on his list of the best films of 1998, praised how rarely a film is "this skillful at drawing us, step by step, into the consequences of criminal action," and Gene Siskel called it "an exceedingly well-directed genre picture" in which Raimi "does an excellent job of presaging the lethal violence that follows." A Simple Plan premiered at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim, before a limited US release in 1998. It underperformed at the box office, grossing $16.3 million, but was widely praised by critics. On the awards front, the film earned two Academy Award nominations: one for Best Supporting Actor for Thornton and one for Best Adapted Screenplay for Smith. After Paxton's death in 2017, critic Matt Zoller Seitz declared his performance as Hank the finest of Paxton's career — a fitting testament to a film that, despite its modest box office, has only grown in reputation as one of the most emotionally devastating thrillers of its era. This season’s BSFI movie screenings are being generously underwritten by the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF). A Simple Plan — Free BSFI Movie Screening When: Wednesday, July 29 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Where: Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs Rating/Runtime: Rated R | 2 hours, 1 minute

East County News Services Looking for an affordable summer outing? San Diego residents can visit select Balboa Park museums free every Tuesday through the park's popular Free Museum Tuesdays program. Each Tuesday features a different participating museum, but on the first Tuesday of every month , residents receive free admission to both the Fleet Science Center and the San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) . Visitors simply need to bring a valid photo ID or other proof of San Diego County residency. The recently updated San Diego Natural History Museum offers five floors of exhibits, including displays on Southern California's unique wildlife, fossils and conservation. One featured exhibit showcases artwork created from plastic collected along shorelines, highlighting the impact of marine pollution. Just steps away, the Fleet Science Center has also undergone recent renovations and features hands-on science exhibits, interactive displays and activities designed for visitors of all ages. Parking can also help keep the day budget-friendly. Several free parking lots are available throughout Balboa Park, and the City of San Diego has temporarily paused parking enforcement in many areas through early next year, making it easier for visitors to enjoy the park without added expense. Free Museum Tuesdays rotate participating museums each week, giving residents the opportunity to explore many of Balboa Park's cultural attractions throughout the month. For the current schedule and additional information, visit balboapark.org .  ---------- Located about 90 miles southwest of Borrego Springs, Balboa Park makes for an easy day trip, offering San Diego County residents free admission to select museums every Tuesday through the Free Museum Tuesdays program.