East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (Borrego Springs) – Anza Borrego Desert State Park invites the public to start the New Year off with a “First Day Hike.”  The park will offer two guided hikes on January 1^st, one at 9 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.

Pontiff named Time Magazine's Man of the Year

By Miriam Raftery

January 2014 (Rome)--On New Year’s Day at the Vatican, Pope Francis issued an impassioned plea for world peace.  He told the thousands of faithful gathered there that we are all part of the same human family, and we share a common destiny.

“This brings a responsibility for each to work so that the world becomes a community of brothers who respect each other, accept each other’s diversity, and takes care of one another,” the Pope said.

Then he did a remarkable thing.  Pope Francis laid aisde his prepared speech, and asked, “What is happening in the heart of man? What is happening in the heart of humanity?”  Deploring the violence in nations around the world, he said, “It’s time to stop.”