Tai Chi with Jill Feltovich at Christmas Circle

The Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Course and Internship Program - a Co-operative approach to Career Technical Education between the Borrego Springs Unified School District and the Borrego Village Association ( Borrego Springs, CA, May 2nd, 2026 by Jim Dion )....The Borrego Springs High School Interpretation Course and Internship Program is an innovative Career Technical Education (CTE) initiative that prepares students for careers in hospitality, public service, and environmental interpretation. Launched in the 2019–2020 school year, the program integrates classroom instruction, industry-recognized certification, and hands-on internships. It is implemented through the Borrego Springs Unified School District and aligned with its Hospitality CTE pathway. Students in isolated communities such as ours often face limited access to career exploration opportunities, professional certifications, and paid work-based learning experiences. This program addresses those gaps by providing structured pathways into local and regional employment sectors, particularly within public lands management, tourism, and community-based organizations. The program is a two-year sequence: Year 1: Certification and Coursework Students complete an in-class, for-credit course culminating in interpretive guide and host certification through the National Association for Interpretation. Participants also earn Emergency First Aid and CPR certification through American CPR Training. Year 2: Paid Internship Experience Students who successfully complete Year 1 transition into internships conducted in partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Interns rotate through operational units, gaining exposure to park management, visitor services, and interpretive programming. Additional placements include the Borrego Water District, Anza-Borrego Foundation, and Borrego Art Institute. Goals and Objectives of the Program Provide students with industry-recognized certifications and workforce-ready skills Expand access to paid, career-aligned internship opportunities Increase awareness of careers in public lands, hospitality, and local government Strengthen partnerships between schools, public agencies, and community organizations Outcomes and Impact By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, 75 students will have completed the certification and internship program Students gain hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to career pathways The program has demonstrated sustained student interest and strong community support Funding and Sustainability The Borrego Village Association recently secured a grant from Parks California, securing funding through the 2028 school year. This funding enables the program to provide paid internship opportunities, ensuring equitable access for all students. Additional support is, and has been since 2018, provided by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Borrego Springs Rotary Foundation, Borrego Springs Education Foundation, and the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund. Program Leadership and Partnerships The program is led by local educator Stacy Valdez and supported by district leadership and community partners, including California State Parks. We greatly appreciate California State Parks - Colorado Desert District Supervisor, Ray Lennox for his dedication to making this program a success and making available his staff and resources, to support the youth of our community. These collaborations ensure high-quality instruction, mentorship, and real-world learning experiences. An Opportunity for Students! Due to demonstrated success, the program will continue into the 2026–2027 academic year, expanding to serve new cohorts of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. If you are a student at Borrego Springs High School that is interested in participating in this two year CTE, for credit course elective, please contact Borrego Springs Hogh School Principle Victoria Baay.

The Cinco de Mother’s Day celebration is one example of the volunteer work behind local community events In Borrego Springs, community events often happen because dedicated volunteers are working quietly behind the scenes. The OLAX team is one example, giving their time to create cultural celebrations that support families, education, and community connection. For the Cinco de Mother’s Day celebration at Christmas Circle, volunteers prepared hundreds of gifts to be given free to moms attending the event. It was one visible example of the care, planning, and hands-on work that goes into creating meaningful experiences for the community. The OLAX team is made up of volunteers with full-time jobs, families, and daily responsibilities. Even with busy lives, they continue to make time for projects that support education and cultural events in Borrego Springs. Their work helps preserve traditions, create positive experiences for local youth and families, and strengthen the sense of connection that makes community events possible.  Learn more: www.olaxdeborrego.org

Community joins global moment of reflection in Borrego Springs St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs marked World Labyrinth Day with visitors gathering throughout the day and at the shared “Walk as One” moment at 1:00 PM, joining others around the world in a quiet act of reflection and intention for peace. The church’s outdoor labyrinth, located just south of the main building, remained open all day, allowing people to walk at their own pace. Some came for a few minutes, others lingered, taking time in the center to pause, reflect, or pray. Fr. David Madsen described the experience as accessible to anyone. “You do not have to know the right words or follow a certain tradition. The labyrinth welcomes anyone seeking peace, clarity, or a moment to breathe.” Unlike a maze, the labyrinth offers a single path to the center and back out, encouraging a steady, intentional walk. “The labyrinth offers a quiet way to pause, pray, and listen for the presence of God in the stillness,” Madsen said. Modeled after the 11-circuit design at Chartres Cathedral, the Borrego Springs labyrinth sits in a peaceful desert setting that naturally invites stillness and reflection. Participants walked for many reasons, including seeking calm, releasing burdens, or simply taking a break from the pace of daily life. “In the desert quiet, the labyrinth becomes a place to release burdens, center the heart, and return to the world with peace,” Madsen said. World Labyrinth Day is observed globally each year, bringing people together through a shared act of walking with intention. In Borrego Springs, the day offered a simple but meaningful opportunity to connect, reflect, and step into stillness.

The emblem at Christmas Circle has been updated from the ram to the sun, along with a fresh coat of paint. Did you notice the update at Christmas Circle? The emblem has been refreshed, replacing the ram with the sun and adding a new coat of paint to brighten the sign. The work is maintained by the Christmas Circle Board, a local nonprofit that relies on community support. Frank Murillo, a board member and longtime resident, volunteers his time to keep the sign clean, current, and welcoming. His ongoing efforts are part of what helps maintain the appearance and pride of this central gathering place. Small details like this reflect the care people have for Borrego Springs—and the many volunteers who quietly keep things looking their best. The Board welcomes donations of all sizes to help continue maintaining Christmas Circle and its features for the community. Borrego Springs is fortunate to have dedicated individuals like Murillo helping preserve what makes the area special.

As the busy Borrego Springs season comes to a close and the community transitions into summer, the Rotary Club of Borrego Springs is reflecting on a year of meaningful impact. Through fundraising, partnerships, and volunteer efforts, the club continues to support programs that invest in students, develop leaders, and strengthen the community. A highlight of the season was the Mardi Gras gala fundraiser, which raised nearly $60,000 . Those funds are distributed throughout the club’s July–June fiscal year, supporting a wide range of local initiatives. This year, Rotary contributed to programs including the Christmas Toy Giveaway, the Youth and Seniors Center, Borrego Days Festival, the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association , the Borrego Springs History Museum, and the Borrego Ministers Association’s emergency air conditioner program, helping local families during extreme heat. Supporting Borrego youth remains a central focus. Rotary continues to fund scholarships for Borrego Springs High School seniors and students continuing their education, with a $50,000 allocation this year. Leadership programs such as Interact, RYLA, and LEAD also provide students with opportunities to build confidence, responsibility, and community involvement. Beyond Borrego Springs, the club remains active in international service, including long-standing support for an orphanage in Mexicali and contributions to Rotary International’s End Polio Now initiative. The Rotary Club has also launched a newly redesigned website, offering a clearer view of its work and making it easier for the community to stay connected. “Our Club is small but mighty — like Borrego itself,” said President Diane E.P. Johnson. “As we enter the new year, we intend to let the good times — and good works — roll on.” Save the date: The 2027 Rotary Gala will take place on February 6 at La Casa del Zorro — an event the community won’t want to miss.

A Unique Stop Just Outside Borrego Springs

Emmy-winning mixer Mark Hensley leads development on “Sundown at the Salton Sea,” the first flagship feature from the Blockreel Studios production pipeline EIN Presswire LOS ANGELES — Blockreel Studios, the production and distribution division of the filmmaker-owned operating system Blockreel DAO, announced the development of its first flagship feature film, Sundown at the Salton Sea. The project is being led by founding advisor and Emmy-winning re-recording mixer Mark Hensley (Genius: Picasso, The Last of Us), who serves as the project’s lead creative force. Sundown at the Salton Sea is an elevated gothic horror-thriller that weaves together a tragic 19th-century love story with a modern-day descent into terror. Bound by reincarnation, memory, and an ancient curse, the film explores the terrifying reality behind the myth of Nosferatu. As a group of friends becomes stranded in the California desert, they discover that the classic cinema legend was not fiction but a desperate, plagiarized attempt to exploit a real-world tragedy that has haunted the shadows of history for over a century. “Sundown at the Salton Sea represents a new hybrid model for independent cinema,” said Mark Hensley. “By utilizing Blockreel’s end-to-end production ecosystem during this development phase, we are creating a blueprint that allows for complete creative integrity while accessing a global network of vetted, high-caliber talent. We are building a model for how the next generation of features will be packaged and produced.” A new blueprint for independent production With a target budget of $5 million, the film serves as a lighthouse project for the Blockreel ecosystem. The production leverages Blockreel’s integrated infrastructure, designed to replace legacy industry fragmentation with a unified workflow: Vetted Talent Ecosystem: Utilizing Blockreel’s network of 560+ vetted professional filmmakers, including award-winning talent, to assemble the creative team. End-to-End Transparency: Incorporating decentralized production management to streamline transparent reporting, real-time budgeting, and global distribution workflows from the ground up. Industry-Standard Quality: Ensuring all creative and technical aspects meet the highest standards required by global theatrical and streaming partners. “Independent film is at an inflection point,” says Osman Arslan, founder and CEO of Blockreel DAO. “Hollywood output is shifting, and the next generation of breakout independent hits will come from creators who own their rails. With this feature, Blockreel Studios is moving from the platform layer to the production layer—delivering high-velocity, high-quality IP that the market is starving for.” The project currently serves as the anchor title for the Blockreel ecosystem, creating a closed-loop pipeline from development through to future exhibition.

Free compost and mulch available May 3–9 while supplies last.