Borrego Springs

MOTHER AND INFANT KILLED IN BORREGO SPRINGS CRASH

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 21, 2015 (Borrego Springs)—A mother and her infant son are dead of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle collision that occurred yesterday shortly before 4 p.m. in Borrego Springs. Three other people were injured, according to the California Highway Patrol.


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VINTAGE PHOTOS SOUGHT OF BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL

 

July 19, 2015 (Borrego Springs) – October 23-25, the Borrego Days Desert Festival will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.  Organizers are seeking vintage images from the early days of the event for use in marketing materials and posters.


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DESTINATION RELAXATION: THE SPA AT LA CASA DEL ZORRO

 

All-new seasonal treatments and spa-inspired fare are carefully curated to soothe and rejuvenate with a nod to the Anza-Borrego Desert

July 13, 2015 (Borrego Springs) -- When it comes to summertime relaxation, there’s no better place than the spa to prep for long, laid-back days and fun in the sun. This season, the luxurious Spa at La Casa del Zorro is offering a suite of new services and a health-centric menu to help guests feel bright, brilliant and beautiful inside and out.


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STARS COME OUT IN BORREGO --ALONG WITH PLANETS, SPACE STATIONS AND MORE

 

By Mark and Miriam Raftery

Photo, leftMilky Way galazy and dragon sculpture in Anza Borrego Desert; © Dennis Mammana/dennismammana.com

July 4, 2015 (Borrego Springs) – Stargazing guru Dennis Mammana has been photographing the night sky for nearly a half century and leading night sky tours for nearly thirty years.  He also teaches workshops that provide in-depth tips on how you can photograph everything from the Milky Way to constellations – and  as we discovered last weekend in Borrego, you don’t have to have a backpack full of professional camera gear to come up with some gorgeous images.

Borrego Springs in 2009 became the first designated International Dark Sky Community in California--thanks in part to the efforts of our helpful host, teacher and guide.  That means there are no bright lights at night to interview with your night-sky viewing pleasure.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A WILD NIGHT SIGHT

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 25, 2015 (Borrego Springs) -- You just never know what you might see on a warm desert night out in Borrego Springs! 

This shot by our editor, Miriam Raftery, was taken on the summer solstice eve.  The figure at left, a photography student on Dennis Mammana's night sky photography tour, is facing off with a sculpture of a giant sloth (a creature that once roamed the Anza-Borrego Desert). The gigantic metal sculpture is one of many created by artist Richard Breceda that appear tto rise from the desert floor, captivating the imaginations of young and old alike.

The moon, Venus, and Jupiter are faintly visible in the sky above.


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SUMMER NIGHT SKY TOURS IN ANZA BORREGO DESERT

 

East County News Service

June 12, 2015 (Borrego Springs)--Dazzling sights can be viewed each night in the clear dark skies over Southern California's Anza-Borrego Desert―including colorful stars, stellar clusters, planets, star-forming nebulae, Earth-orbiting satellites, distant galaxies and more. 

Famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana invites you to treat yourself or your family to an inspiring and personalized tour of the cosmos above Borrego Springs—California’s first and only International Dark Sky community – with the power of a large telescope and one of America’s favorite celestial tour guides. The summer 2015 night sky tour schedule is now available at http://www.borregonightskytours.com/.


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4.1 QUAKE RATTLES BORREGO

 

East County News Service

May 31, 2015 (Borrego Springs)--If you felt the earth move under your feet Sunday morning at 6:02 a.m., that’s because a 4.1 earthquake centered 7 miles northeast of Borrego Springs rattled our region.  Our news partner, 10 News, reports the quake was felt as far away as Escondido, but the Sheriff’s Department did not receive any reports of damage.


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WATER CUTS HIT HARD IN BORREGO SPRINGS

 

East County News Service

May 25, 2015 (Borrego Springs)--An emergency order issued by Governor Jerry Brown is having a harsher impact on some communities than others, since the slash-water-use requirements make no distinction between northern forested communities and places like Borrego Springs, which is located in the Anza-Borrego desert.


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CIRCLE OF ART SHOW IN BORREGO SPRINGS MARCH 14-15

 

March 5, 2015 (Borrego Springs) - Desert artwork will be on display at the Circle of Art Show in Borrego Springs on March 14th and 15th.


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DEPUTIES SAVE LIFE OF ARSONIST BURNED IN BORREGO SPRINGS FIRE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2015 (Borrego Springs)—A domestic dispute in Borrego Springs ended in an explosive situation that resulted in a home in flames and a Sheriff’s deputy risking his life to save an arsonist from a burning home.


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CIRCLE OF ART SHOWCASES BEAUTY OF CA "SECRET DESERT" MARCH 14-15

 

January 9, 2015 (Borrego Springs) - Enjoy the original artwork of 60 selected fine artists and craftsmen while experiencing the unique beauty of "California's Secret Desert" at the 26th annual Circle of Art Show & Sale March 14 & 15, 2015 in Borrego Springs.  Circle of Art is outdoors on Christmas Circle right in the center of Borrego Springs, just 2 hours from San Diego and Palm Springs.


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CACTUS AND CANYONS PHOTO TOUR JAN. 17

 

January 1, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Nature and landscape photographers Ernie and Kati Cowan will lead a Cactus and Canyons photo tour to explore some of the most scenic and secret places of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on Saturday, January 17th. This all day-hike runs from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.


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PETITION LAUNCHED OPPOSING OPENING MILLIONS OF ACRES OF CALIF. DESERT TO INDUSTRIAL-SCALE ENERGY PROJECTS

 

“Without significant input from the public, from you, this juggernaut will proceed relentlessly, sacrificing millions of acres of desert habitat, wasting precious groundwater, degrading air quality, and “taking” endangered species and other wildlife.” —David Garmon, Borrego Springs, petition author

By Miriam Raftery

November 28, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Environmentalists have launched a petition at Moveon.org asking the public to sign in opposition to the Desert Renewable Energy Plan, which would open up millions of acres of California deserts to industrial-scale wind and solar projects. Instead, environmental leaders want the California Energy Commission to do an analysis of rooftop solar as an alternative. 

You can sign the petition here:  http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/we-dont-have-to-sacrifice?source=c.em.mt&r_by=1516679

The petition states: “More renewable energy is available from rooftop solar in San Diego and Los Angeles Counties than will be derived from the siting of utility-scale generating facilities on 2 million acres of desert habitat called for in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. The unintended consequences of utility-scale facilities in the desert are becoming known and are unacceptable--dust storms in Lancaster, midair incineration of birds at Ivanpah, depletion of scarce groundwater in Borrego Springs.”

The petition was started by Borrego Springs resident David Garmon, president of the Tubb Canyon Desert Conservancy. It is supported by the Desert Protective Council in San Diego and by Basin and Range Watch, another southwest environmental protection organization.


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HOLIDAY HOME TOUR DEC. 6 IN BORREGO SPRINGS

 

By Kathleen Jorgensen

November 22, 2014 (Borrego Springs) -- Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs will hold its Holiday Home Tour on Saturday, December 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.  You will tour five lovely homes in the Borrego Valley, each uniquely adorned for the holidays. From "ultra-modern" to "old school", each home will reflect the distinct decorating style of the homeowner.


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STATE WANTS TO SEND PREDATOR SNAVELY BACK TO JACUMBA; DEC. 19 HEARING SET

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 14, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)—The state has changed its proposed plan to place sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs and now instead proposes places him in Jacumba Hot Springs at 45612 Old Highway 80.  A hearing is set for December 19 at 9 a.m. in Department 2 of San Diego Superior Court downtown.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BUTTERFIELD RANCH RESORT

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 13, 2014(Borrego Springs) -- You just never know what you'll see along the highways in East County. Our editor snapped these images at Butterfield Ranch Resort, an RV park and horse camp named for the historic stage coach line that once ran through the area.

The roadside stop has an eclectic collection of statues featuring Western wildlife, as well as an old horse and buggy and other Western memorability, a store and more.


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PROPOSED PLACEMENT OF PREDATOR IN BORREGO IS WITHDRAWN BY STATE

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 6, 2014 (Borrego Springs) – The proposed placement of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs has been withdrawn by the Department of State hospitals after the conclusion of public comments, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has announced.


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RELEASE OF CHILD MOLESTER PROPOSED IN BORREGO SPRINGS

 

East County News Service

October 29, 2014 (Borrego Springs)--The state is proposing to release convicted child molester Gary Snavely, a sexually violent predator, in Borrego Springs.  A hearing will be held on December 5th in San Diego Superior Court and the public can provide with comments.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS OCT. 23-NOV. 2

By Miriam Raftery

Radio show hosted by Rebecca Williamson and Leon Thompson

October 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes some spooky Halloween happenings, a picnic with parrots, and our very own Party with the Press benefit event, all this weekend right here in East County. 

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a wine festival at a castle in Ramona and a hot chili cook-off in Lemon Grove.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine!


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BORREGO DAYS FESTIVAL OCT. 24 - 26 FEATURES STARDANCE THEME

 

September 8, 2014 (Borrego Springs) – The 49th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival will take place October 24-26.  Admission is free to this one-of-a-kind event, which welcomes snowbirds to the desert warmth at the start of the fall season.


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SDG&E ON TRACK TO MEET 33% RENEWABLES GOAL BY YEAR'S END

 

Photo: Wind turbines in Ocotillo dwarf resident and mountains surrounding the desert town

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Jim Avery, a senior vice president at San Diego Gas & Electric Company, says the utility will meet California’s 33% renewable energy goal by the end of 2014 – six years ahead of schedule, IT San Diego reports.


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FLASH FLOOD ALERTS and ROAD CLOSURES IN EAST COUNTY; FIRE IN BORREGO

 

 

Update 2:45 p.m.: Viejas Grade in Alpine is closed at Willows due to an ATV accident with injuries.

Photo by Brett Staubaum: Smoke from Borrego tree farm fire and thunderheads overhead

August 21, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--The National Weather Service has issued two separate flash flood alerts due to thunderstorms in the East County.  This is the second day in a row of stormy weather; yesterday over 200 lightning strikes occurred countywide, including 95 on land and 129 over coastal waters.

The first storm cell today was reported about 23 miles south of Borrrego Springs, and the cell is nearly stations. It is producing flooding on sections of the S-1, (Sunrise Highway), as well as Pine Valley. Some of these areas were burned during the Chariot Fire, so there is a danger of mudslides as well. 

There is a second cell that is affecting I-8 and it is slowly moving towards the Mexican border. Both alerts are to remain in place until three this afternoon.

In addition, CHP reports a lightning fire in Borrego at the Borrego tree farm; a road closure in the area has been lifted now.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: ANOTHER SECRET STREAM

 

August 7, 2014 (Borrego Springs) – Tom Lemon sent in these photos of a “secret stream”, along with this description:


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SHERIFF'S WARN RESIDENTS OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR RELEASED IN BORREGO

 

June 8, 2014(San Diego)--Sheriff's Deputies went door to door today in Borrego Springs to inform the community about a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) now living in their neighborhood. Terry Allan Stone was released from Coalinga State Mental Hospital on Tuesday, June 3rd and has registered as an SVP with the Sheriff's Department.


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BORREGO SPRINGS, RUNNING OUT OF WATER, HOSTS PUBILC OUTREACH MEETING JUNE 12

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 8, 2014 (Borrego Springs)—For decades, Borrego Springs has been draining down its aquifer at an increasingly rapid pace.  If action is not taken soon, a new report warns, the community could face dire consequences.

The Borrego Water Coalition invites the public to a public outreach meeting on Thursday, June 12 from 4:30 to 7 p.m at the Borrego High School Library, 2281 Diegueno Road in Borrego Springs.


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INVENERGY ACQUIRES SOITEC'S PLANNED MASSIVE SOLAR PROJECT IN BORREGO SPRINGS

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 4, 2014 (Borrego Springs) – Invenergy Solar Development has acquired Soitec Solar’s Desert Green Solar Farm, a 7 MW solar project slated to break ground this month in Borrego Springs. The project will include over 2,800 soitec concentrator photovoltaic modules using dual-axis tracking technology.  Commercial operation is expected to begin by the end of this year.  San Diego Gas & Electric has signed a long-term purchase agreement for power from the project, which will hook up to the existing Borrego Springs substation.


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CURTAIN RISES JANUARY 23-26 AT BORREGO SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL

 

January 15, 2014 (Borrego Springs) -– With the help of Borrego Springs volunteers, a retired California State Park Ranger will watch his dream come true January 23 – 26 when the curtain goes up on the first Annual Borrego Springs Film Festival.

Fred Jee, a former ranger at the Anza Borrego State Park, started collecting historical data of movies shot in and around the little desert community early in his 34-year-career. “As it turned out, Borrego Springs’ involvement in the silver screen dates back nearly to the infancy of the film industry”, Jee explained. “It seemed only natural that someday the community should have its own festival to commemorate this association.”


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'TIS THE SEASON TO VISIT ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2014 (Anza Borrego) -- Late winter and early spring are the prime seasons to visit Anza-Borrego Desert State park, when the weather is mild enough for savoing outdoor hikes through rugged and  beautiful terrain.  There are also many activities coming up from hikes to cultural events -- and several organizations offering activities besides the Park itself.  

Winter is a good time to try and spot elusive and endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and other wildlife.  Soon, spring blooms will cover the desert floor and mountain passes, adding brilliant splashes of color to the landscape.


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48TH ANNUAL BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL KICKS OFF OCT. 25

 

October 23, 2013 (Borrego Springs) – Dori Holladay’s 48th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival is October 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and October 26 & 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This year’s event, renamed in honor of Dori Holladay (1937-2013), fondly called the Grand Dame of Borrego Springs will be anything but dry with a weekend filled with family entertainment.

The free festival features a music festival parade, artists, arts & crafts and food booths, and beer garden.  There will even be a carnival for the little ones. 


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SUPERVISORS APPROVE LAND PURCHASE ADJACENT TO BORREGO VALLEY AIRPORT

By Miriam Raftery

September 11, 2013 (San Diego) – Today, Supervisors approved the acquisition of over 14 acres of vacant land adjacent to Borrego Valley airport. The purchase aims to create a buffer zone between the airport and private properties to protect approach and departure routes. The property is listed for sale at $20,000.

No one spoke in favor of the measure.  One speaker, Robert Germann of Lakeside, spoke against, calling it a “waste of taxpayer money.”


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