Publishers' Message
Even in the Imperial Valley, a desert oasis where the sun almost always shines, crops grow year-round, and the weather is usually excellent.
There are distinct seasons, most of them are sublime. Then, there is summer, the sizzling season of sweat. The season we love to loathe.
Summer arrives like a raging bull to break the idyllic climatic spell cast by spring. Civilized seasons arrive quietly to bestow their unique gifts on the Valley, loosely following the normal rhythm of the calendar. Not summer. Its arrival is always jarring. Temperatures soar. Humidity rises. Heat alerts blaring on cell phones become a backdrop to life. That is not to say summer lacks a unique charm. The season is always a hot topic for conversation and the development of epic tall tales seem to grow taller with each retelling.
But summer’s superpower is that it prods us to change our perspective and look inward. The season serves as a great reminder that changing perspective can change perception.
Looking inward to air-conditioned places is where you find the spirit, creativity, and enthusiasm of the people of the Imperial Valley. It is where we found the people, ideas, and programs that breathe life into the stories in this edition and the spirit of the Imperial Valley.
Writer Darren Simon found such creativity and enthusiasm in spades when he interviewed a group of cosplayers. For the uninitiated, like some of us at Alive, cosplaying goes beyond just slipping on a costume. The cosplayers interviewed
A season to be hot and Alive!
in this edition work to breathe life into the characters they emulate from movies, games, and comics. Those interviewed designed and fabricated their costumes, including their armor and shields.
Darren’s piece focused on Imperial Valley Cosplayers Group members, many of whom participate in various community events throughout the year. They generously agreed to pose for an Alive photo shoot on a sunny, hot July morning in Eager Park in Imperial so you could get a glimpse into their hobby.
Cosplayers and fans of other universes are excited about a growing local comic con, the Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention (IVEC), which will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion in El Centro on Sept. 28.
Ruben Najera, the founder of the local convention and a man whose creativity extends to writing comic books, children’s books, and a host of other ventures, provides details about the upcoming event and the celebrities who will be there in another story in the edition.
For a different perspective on the grit and guts that the Imperial Valley cultivates, you won’t want to miss reading co-publisher and writer Bill Gay’s piece about Dian Mahan Self, one of the first inductees to the Imperial Valley College Foundation’s Hall of Fame since the college adopted its new “Desert Warriors” mascot.
Gay’s compelling article follows the circuitous route that Self took after retiring from teaching to become a compassionate warrior now dedicated to fighting to help the men
and women recovering from the wounds of war and their families.
And if you really want to see creativity and energy on display, dive into Darren’s article about all that is going on at the Pioneers’ Museum, where kids and the young at heart come together with fun and creative results.
Simultaneously, a group of local artists is working with the museum to create pieces linked to Valley history. Their works were featured in a unique art exhibit at the museum from 7 to 11 p.m. on July 19.
Even as many stay energized and creative throughout the Valley’s summer, others prepare and plan for outward pursuits, which kick into high gear in the Fall. Check out the calendar of events in this edition for the low down on what the Valley has to offer in the coming weeks and months.
We know that summer, like a bad house guest, isn’t likely to pack up its high temperatures and humidity and leave until escorted out by the cool west winds of fall. Until then, relax and delve into the pages of this edition and into the spirit emanating from within that keeps Imperial Valley lively. Happy and cool reading!
Bill Gay Susan Giller Peggy Dale Sue Gay Bill Amidon
Imperial Valley cosplayers dressed as "Wednesday."
Volume 8, Number 4
EDITORS & PUBLISHERS
Bill Gay
Sue Gay
Susan Giller
Bill Amidon
Peggy Dale
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Darren Simon
CONTRIBUTORS
Alejandra Pereida
Darren Simon
Charla Teeters Stewart
COVER PHOTO
Alejandra Pereida
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alejandra Noriega
Alejandra Pereida
Virginia Figueroa Davila
Dian Self
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Alejandra Noriega
Alejandra Pereida
WEB DESIGNERS
Sergio Uriarte
Jesus Uriarte
SALES
Bill Amidon
John Lovecchio
ADVERTISING
bill.amidon@reliancepr.com 760-693-5330
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Send name, address and email address along with $20.00 (plus tax) for annual subscription to: Reliance Public Relations, Inc. P.O. Box 1944 • El Centro, CA 92244
www.imperialvalleyalive.com
IMPERIAL VALLEY ALIVE! is published quarterly by Reliance Public Relations, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical for any purpose without the written permission of Reliance Public Relations, Inc.
Venture
Cosplayers breathe life into other universes, Page 6
IV comic con brings stars, comics & universes to El Centro in September, Page 12
Valley vegetable growers leveling fields to grow great produce, Page 14
Honor
IVC Warrior leads with a big heart, Page 8
IV 9/11 Stair Climb provides a memorial to remember, Page 16
Celebrate
Pioneers’ Museum off ers arts, crafts to paint path to history, Page 10
Borrego Days offers a tradition worth a visit, Page 24
AND...
Dove hunting season starts with a bang on September 1., Page 26
Valley cosplayers Jerry Bernard Travis II and Virginia Figueroa Davila in character.
-Photo by Alejandra Pereida
Artist Susana Martinez with Pioneers' Museum community quilt project.
INSIDE |
Publishers’ message, Page 3
Dining options, Page 18
Calendar of events, Page 22
Kidwise, Page 28
Valley cosplayers Share creativity, passion to bring characters to life
By Darren Simon
When Virginia Figueroa Davila was growing up in the Imperial Valley, she went to the drive-in in Imperial to see the first Star Wars, which was released in 1977. That movie would have a lasting impact on her life.
Although she was only four at the time, the movie started her fascination with the Star Wars universe that continues to this day.
It only makes sense, then, that when Davila entered the world of cosplay, her first costume was of Princess Leia. That was 12 years ago. She dressed as Leia from that original movie and attended the San Diego Comic-Con.
“I had so many positive experiences there that I have been doing cosplay ever since,” Davila said.
Today, the wife and mother of two,
who resides in Imperial and works as an instructional aide for special education at Ben Hulse Elementary School, is a lead organizer for the Imperial Valley Cosplayers Group. The group attends schools and library activities and events throughout the Imperial Valley to share their passion and spread some joy to locals of all ages.
Cosplay, which originated in Japan around the 1970s, has become increasingly popular in the United States, thanks largely to comic book conventions. Cosplayers create elaborate costumes of their favorite characters from movies, television shows, video games, and comics and attend conventions and events to show off their creations.
Davila’s path to becoming a cosplayer began as a child. Yet it wasn’t just Star Wars that inspired
her. She also had a favorite superhero—Wonder Woman, who, for Davila, personified strength and courage in a unique way.
“She was a heroine who led with love, and that’s why she was my favorite hero,” Davila said. She also connected with the actress who played Wonder Woman in the 1970s television series—Lynda Carter.
“She comes from a background of being both white and Mexican, just like me,” she said.
Davila also grew up learning skills that helped
From left: Jerry Bernard Travis II, Ethan Davila, and his mother, Virginia Figureroa Davila, in costumes they' created.
her create her cosplay costumes. Her mother taught her to sew and design clothing, which has always been an important part of her life.
“I’m a very creative person, so it was very easy for me to have the passion to do this,” Davila said of becoming a cosplayer.
She made the decision to try it when, after attending the San Diego Comic-Con once with family, a cousin convinced Davila that, with her background in sewing and design, she would make a great cosplayer.
The next year, she attended the San Diego ComicCon, this time dressed as Princess Leia.
“It took me a year of research and preparation. I decided to be Princess Leia in her white dress from “A New Hope,’” Davila said. She added that she had so many positive reactions, she has been cosplaying ever since.
Today, Davila has designed and created more than thirty costumes, many from scratch. One of her favorites is her costume from The Mandalorian series. It even has armor Davila made from workout mat foam melded together with layers of plastic dip.
Other Imperial Valley Cosplayers Group members are equally enthusiastic about their experiences.
Jerry Bernard Travis II, of Brawley, started cosplaying in 2009 when he dressed as the anime character Kilik Rung from the series Soul Eater and attended the San Diego comic convention. Since then, he has enjoyed the hobby, which he believes brings joy to others as well.
“I get to bring enjoyment to other people who see what it is I create and maybe they think to themselves that they can do it too,” said Travis, who added hopes it inspires youth to follow their dreams and not be embarrassed to do so. “With cosplay, it’s just 100 percent all about having fun.”
Travis is grateful that his late father inspired him to enjoy comics. He said cosplay has given him a sense of self-confidence to achieve his goals. Through cosplay, he even taught himself to sew, an important skill for creating his costumes.
He said creating a costume can take as long as a year or as little as two hours. One of his favorite experiences was creating a Thor costume in three hours by taping together six compact discs across his chest, reversing Superman’s red cape, using tinfoil to recreate Thor’s helmet, and
Virginia Figueroa Davila in her "Fallout" costume. - Photos by Alejandra Pereida
Dian Self
IVC Warrior leads with a big heart
By Bill Gay
The word “warrior” has been defined as a person who shows great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness.
Add to that definition leadership and compassion, and you have Dian Mahan Self.
It is fitting that Self, in May, became one of the first inductees to the Imperial Valley College Foundation’s Hall of Fame since the college adopted a new mascot identity as “The Desert Warriors.”
Self’s journey to the IVC Hall of Fame was paved with tragedy, compassionate leadership, courage, and aggressive involvement in bettering the lives of others.
This latest honor adds to her family’s legacy in the Imperial Valley.
Just ask any Valley football enthusiast. Her brother-inlaw, the late Ed Self, her late husband, John, her son Jon, her grandson Chandler, and her nephew Matt all have left decades of positive impacts on young athletes from Calipatria to Imperial to Calexico, Brawley, and beyond.
Dian Self, an El Centro native, attended McKinley School and Wilson Junior High and graduated from Central Union High School in 1965. After IVC, she received her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State Imperial Valley
Campus and began her teaching career in Calexico.
She ultimately spent more than 30 years teaching in the Poway Unifi ed School District near San Diego. At one point, she was named San Diego County Social Studies Teacher of the Year. Yet it was her post-retirement career that cemented her selection into the Hall of Fame.
Her work today as a tireless volunteer for wounded warriors grew from summer history classes she used to teach.
“These summer classes created a thirst for knowledge, motivation, and real history,” Self said. “I led fi fth-grade groups to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown,
Dian Self with a game referee. - Photo courtesy of Dian Self
Wolfpack action.
Monticello, Washington DC, and sometimes the Amish country during spring breaks,” she added.
Her post-teaching career actually began nearly two decades ago when her fi fth-grade class adopted and became pen pals with members of a U.S. Marine helicopter squadron, nicknamed “The Purple Foxes,” while it was deployed in Iraq.
One of the students was Anna Vaus, the daughter of Steve and Corrie Vaus. Anna’s pen pal was 1st Lt. Jared Landaker, a helicopter pilot from Big Bear.
“Anna remembers wrapping up hand warmers and toothpaste. It took many weeks for the troops to get letters and for any return mail,” Corrie Vaus said. Anna had received only one letter from Lt. Landaker, and she had brought it home to read to her parents.
On Feb. 7, 2007, Anna’s pen pal arrangement ended tragically. Landaker and six other crew members died when
their Sea Knight helicopter was shot down northwest of Baghdad while on a medical evacuation mission.
Back in Poway, Self remembers learning about the deaths through a television broadcast and wondering if it involved any of her class’s adopted “Purple Knights.” When it was confirmed that Landaker was one of the fatalities, Self called all of her fi fth-grade parents.
“All of us were shocked and deeply saddened and suddenly the war was very real. More than that, we had a name and a face, someone we cared about, who had sacrifi ced his life for our country,” Vaus said.
Self helped her students and their parents cope with the tragedy.
“Dian showed us a path, and we went down it and faced what had happened by talking about it, remembering and honoring Jared and his crew members,” Vaus said That involved attending the memorial service at Camp Pendleton for all seven members of the crew.
“We met Jared’s parents and cried with them,” said Vaus. Later they went to Big Bear and ran in a 5K race held in the pilot’s honor. A foundation in honor of the
Wounded warriors in action.
- Photos by Dian Self
Pioneers' Museum
On a hot Monday just before the Fourth of July, as temperatures topped 110 degrees, 7-year-old Luna Ramirez of El Centro waited with anticipation to see just how much confetti would launch from the toilet roll cannon she’d created as part of an arts and crafts activity at Pioneers’ Museum in Imperial. Pulling back on the deflated balloon attached to one end of her cannon, she let go. With a pop, an array of colors burst from her creation.
cannon,
Art, activities lead to Valley history
Luna was one of nearly 100 children and teens in the museum on this day, avoiding the blazing temperatures for a few hours to participate in family-oriented summer programming called Museum Mondays.
The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday in June and July for free family-oriented activities that let children have fun and learn about the museum. These hours are in addition to the museum’s summer schedule of opening Wednesday through Sunday.
The Monday events were part of a larger effort by the museum to provide summer programming that focuses on arts and education while bringing attention to the exhibits that highlight the Valley’s remarkable history.
said before quickly moving
“That was fun,” she on to another project.
“It’s a way of teaching history through the arts,” said Museum Director Caitlin Chavez. “We wanted to be able to offer programs that educate, but also bring people into the museum who might not have been here before.”
Angel Iniguez, 12, of Calexico, (below) is one of nearly 100 Imperial Valley youth getting crafty with history at Pioneers' Museum.
Along with Museum Mondays, summer arts programming included Community Quilt Volunteer Days every Thursday, during which volunteers worked together on a quilt celebrating the Valley’s history. The museum planned to hold a July 19 art show titled “Hetzel Pretzel: Art with a Twist” to showcase the quilt and history-inspired creations made by a number of Valley artists.
The name of the event was inspired by renowned late El Centro photographer Leo Hetzel, whose prolific collection of images taken during the early to mid1900s provided inspiration for many of the artworks to be displayed in the art show.
On a recent Monday, the museum was filled with the sounds of children laughing and playing as they made their way from one station to the next. Their objective was to create art projects based on the theme, “Red, White, and You,” to commemorate the nation’s Declaration of Independence.
Children created buttons at one table, confetti cannons at another, and paintings of exploding fireworks at another station. All the activities took place in the museum’s massive community room/exhibit hall, which is surrounded by exhibits highlighting the history of water in the Imperial Valley, the growth of the cattle industry, and a
diorama of the Valley's indigenous wildlife.
Susan Hawk of Holtville, whose husband is Imperial County Supervisor John Hawk, brought 11 of her grandchildren to the event.
“This has been great for them,” she said. “They can come here and be
creative. It’s just a great resource.”
Seiden Kai, a Calexico martial arts academy that runs a youth summer camp, brought a group of its campers to Museum Mondays. Kimberly Tirado of Calexico, whose two children,
Youth create American flags to honor Fourth of July. - Photos by Alejandra Pereida
Imperial Valley comic con
By Darren Simon
What do R2-D2, a couple of Jawas from the Star Wars universe, and a Dora Milage, a female warrior from Black Panther and the Marvel universe, have in common?
The actors who portray them, including Christine Galey, the first woman to play the role of R2-D2 in the Star Wars franchise’s nearly 50-year history, will be featured at the fifth annual Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention, or IVEC. It will be held on Sept. 28 from noon to 7 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion in El Centro.
They’ll be joined by one of the most famous comic book writers in the Marvel universe, Scott Lobdell. Anyone who grew up reading the X-Men during the 1990s and early 2000s likely read Lobdell’s creations.
IVEC founder Ruben Najera, an Imperial Valley native, local comic book
Stars, comics, outer universes to collide in September
shop owner, and comic book author, considers the annual event a labor of love that allows him to share his passion for the world of comics and entertainment with the Imperial Valley.
“It truly is a fan service to make dreams come true for fans,” said Najera, who owns METAHUMANS Comics in El Centro. His business will have a grand reopening this summer as METAHUMANS Comics and Skate, encompassing another of Najera’s passions—skateboarding.
Comic book conventions, like Najera’s, bring together those interested in comics, pop culture, movies, and television, particularly superhero genres, science fiction, fantasy, and horror, plus anime and gaming. The event often features actors from current and past television
series and movies, comic book creators, retailers, and cosplayers.
“I’ve seen people literally burst into tears in joy meeting their heroes during this event, and that’s what it’s all about, he said.”
Most fans are familiar with the famed San Diego Comic-Con, but there are conventions throughout the country. Najera dreamed of bringing
Local comic con founder Ruben Najera and the Archie comic he wrote.
- Photo by Darren Simon
such a convention to the Valley.
“The convention idea came up because we are good enough to have something like this,” he said. “I knew I could pull off and create something great for the Imperial Valley.”
Najera organized his first convention in the Valley in 2018. That first event was called the Imperial Valley ComicCon, but the name later changed to encompass the larger entertainment component of the local convention.
“The name change just made sense,” he said. “It really is an entertainment convention, featuring voice actors and celebrating anime and pop culture. Comic books are
just a piece of the entertainment the convention covers as a whole.”
The local convention was stopped in 2021 due to COVID-19. It returned in 2023, and this year, Najera said, it will be larger than ever with at least one hundred vendors filling the Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion.
Virginia Figueroa Davila of El Centro, who organizes a local cosplayers’ group, said the IVEC has become important for fans of cosplay, which involves dressing up as a character from comics, movies, television, anime, gaming, or manga. Her involvement with the IVEC also
CONTINUED | PAGE 33
The 2024 Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention list of celebrity guests (at the time of this story) includes actors featured in Star Wars, including The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, the Black Panther movies, and a famous X-Men comic book writer. Here are those special guests:
Christine Galey plays RD-D2 in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. She is the first woman to ever play the role of R2-D2.
Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, who plays Nomble, one of the Dora Milaje (female warriors) in the Black Panther movies, Captain America movies, and The Falcon & Winter Soldier television series.
Scott Lobdell, writer of the X-Men comics.
Bradley Galey (Christine’s husband) plays a Jawa in the Star Wars universe.
Susana Malak plays the alien Thodbin in The Book of Boba Fett and a Jawa in the Star Wars universe.
Comic book fans at the local comic con. - Photo courtesy of Virginia Figueroa Davila
Valley Growers
By Susan Giller
It takes more than luck to harvest the nutritious Imperial Valley winter produce crops that feed the nation and fuel the local economy.
That is why Valley farmers turn to precision farming techniques to dodge potential risks and maximize the resources needed to reap an annual produce harvest valued at more than $1.1 billion, according to the 2023 Imperial County Crop & Livestock Report.
During the summer, long before planting seeds, local produce growers work to level the playing field to improve the odds of
harvesting a banner crop. One of the first techniques that many mention is precision land leveling, a space-age version of a practice that has been in use since farming started in the Imperial Valley.
Alex Jack, who serves on the Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association (IVVGA) Board of Directors, compares the need for leveling farmland to the wisdom of sanding a board before painting it.
“If the wood is sanded, the paint goes on smoothly,” he said. “If you don’t sand it, well, everything gets out of whack. Land leveling just makes everything in the field work better.”
Jack, whose Jack Brothers operation is
based in Brawley, said land leveling allows water to move across a field more evenly, so water does not pool in low spots where plants die from overwatering or miss high spots where plants can dry out and die.
“As far as I am concerned, land leveling should be part of routine maintenance,” he said.
The increasing focus on conserving water and improving yields are among a multitude of issues Valley growers face when they grow labor-intensive, high-value produce crops. While growers remain at the mercy of unpredictable weather, market conditions, and concerns over food safety, using precision techniques provides greater
control and opportunities in areas over which they have control.
“We can’t keep growing the way our grandfathers did,” Jack said. “We won’t survive.”
Today’s land leveling is light years ahead of what it was in the early 1900s when Valley farmers used Fresno scrapers pulled by mule teams to level land. Today, systems using advanced laser or GPS technology emit a beam that communicates with a tractor-mounted computer to show the operator where dirt must be moved to level a field and set its optimum slope and grade.
Ricky Taylor, who has been leveling Imperial Valley farmland for 47 years, said, “Almost every field here benefits from leveling; some need it more often than others.”
However, he commiserates with growers who cringe at the cost of land leveling. “It isn’t cheap,” he said.
Recently, he added a new GPS base station and two repeaters to his operation. It cost $72,000.
GPS is the latest technology in land leveling.
“The most accurate is the laser,” Taylor said. “But each has its advantages and disadvantages.”
Taylor said that the laser system does not work well in the wind; the GPS works well in the wind but falters in excess heat.
Land leveling does more than merely flatten a farm field. Taylor said leveling a field’s slope and grade “promotes more efficient water usage…leading to water conservation.”
Imperial Valley growers conserve impressive amounts of water through land leveling, according to records kept by the Imperial Irrigation District’s On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program. The program pays participating growers to implement on-farm methods that generate conserved water for transfer to San Diego under the terms of the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA).
According to IID, land leveling, or ground reconfiguration, is an effective conservation method and popular practice among growers who enroll acreage in the on-farm conservation program.
IID estimates land leveling and/or field reconfiguration results in ½ acre-foot of water saved per acre. Nearly 40 percent of the acreage enrolled in the program used land leveling to conserve water. That acreage resulted in the conservation of more than 82,600 acre-feet of water in 2023.
IID Public Information Officer Robert D. Schettler said, “The key, however, is that it be practiced regularly; after a while, the ground needs to be reworked as, over time, the configuration of the land deteriorates.”
According to Taylor, water conservation is just the tip of the iceberg of the benefits land leveling provides for growers. It improves the distribution of water through a field. By creating a consistent water flow, land leveling can reduce soil erosion, so valuable topsoil isn’t lost.
Taylor added that land leveling “minimizes the need for manual adjustments and corrections to irrigation and drainage systems, saving time and labor costs.”
Land leveling also supports crop rotation by maintaining a consistent field surface, Taylor added. Crop rotation, routinely practiced in the Imperial Valley, can improve soil health over time.
Taylor said another benefit of land leveling is that it results in more uniform crop growth and maturity, leading to more consistent and higher-quality produce.
While the weather and other risks may be unavoidable, precision farming techniques such as land leveling give Valley vegetable growers an edge in growing the winter produce that feeds a hungry nation.
Honor
IV 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb rises as a way to remember
Under the sponsorship of the Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb Committee, local first responders and residents will gather Saturday, Sept. 7, to honor and remember the 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to save lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
This year’s Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb will again take place at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds. The event will continue the tradition of patriotism, remembrance, and camaraderie, which the stair climb has come to symbolize. Attendees can choose to participate in the climb or cheer from the sidelines while enjoying music, food, beverages, and activities for all ages.
The stair climb is not a timed-racing event, but a way for participants to honor the FDNY firefighters and law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. About 3,000 people died in the attack and collapse of the Twin Towers.
Registered participants will climb the fairground grandstands multiple times for a total of 110 stories, symbolizing the number of floors of the trade center.
Early registration is available on the committee’s website, iv911.org, through Aug. 23. Each participant will receive a photo ID of a fallen hero to carry, symbolically completing
their climb. The fee for early registration is $25, and those registering by the early deadline will receive a commemorative t-shirt the day of the event.
Attendees may also register onsite on the day of the stair climb. The registration fee then is $35, and they will receive the commemorative t-shirt two weeks after the event date.
Check-in and onsite registration will begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7, and exhibits, food, and beverages will be available throughout the evening. Opening ceremonies will begin at 7:45 p.m., and the climb will start at 8 p.m.
The Imperial Valley 9/11 Stair Climb Committee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The funds raised will support several important initiatives that include:
Creating a permanent memorial at the fairgrounds to honor the fallen heroes of 9/11.
Providing charitable assistance to local firefighters and families in times of crisis.
Promoting scholarship opportunities for local individuals who seek education in the field of public safety. Organizers encourage involvement to honor the memory of the brave firefighters and officers and ensure their legacy continues to inspire future generations.
- Photos courtesy of the Imperial Valley 9//11 Stair Climb Committee
Valley's Eateries
American Food
2GO SALADS $
210 E. Cole Blvd #5, Calexico, CA 92231
760-618-9120
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Applebee's Grill & Bar $$
2421 Cottonwood Dr, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-8311
www.applebees.com
Applebee's Grill & Bar $$
2505 Scaroni Ave, Calexico, CA 92231
760-768-1649 www.applebees.com
Back To Eden Juice $
616 Main St, Ste#4 Brawley, CA 92227
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Imperial Valley's homegrown restaurants offer lots of tasty choices
Broken Yolk Café
3049 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-9655
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Brownie’s Diner $$
990 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-344-2938
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Buckshot Deli & Diner $$ 8120 CA-111, Niland, CA 92257
760-359-0595
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Buffalo Wild Wings $$ 510 Danenberg Dr, El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-9481 www.bu alowildwings.com
Brickhouse Deli
447 W. Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251
760-592-4352 www.bhdeli.co
Burgers & Beer $$ 260 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-4431
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Cafecito Bar $
157 N Plaza St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-262-3257
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Chili's Grill & Bar $$
3303 S. Dogwood Rd, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-2116 www.chilis.com
China Palace Steakhouse $$$ 1075 Adams Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-1510
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DQ Grill & Chill Restaurant $$
3063 N Imperial Ave. El Centro, CA 92243 www.dairyqueen.com
Denny's $$
1445 Ocotillo Dr, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-2576 www.dennys.com
Denny's $$
3403 Dogwood Rd. El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-9023 www.dennys.com
Desert Rat Pizza $$ 612 Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-960-7956
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Dogwood Sports Bar & Grill $$
3603 S. Dogwood Rd, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4668
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Famous Dave's $$
3103 S. Dogwood Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-9044
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Farmer Boys $$ 1532 Cruickshank Dr, El Centro, CA 92243 760-336-0227 www.farmerboys.com
Foster Freeze $ 130 N. 5th St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-344-7566 https://fostersfreeze.com
Habit Burger $
2335 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-997-7805 www.habitburger.com
Hope Café and Creperie $ 605 E 2nd St, Calexico, CA 92231
760-890-5259
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Hope Café and Creperie $ 1027 W State St. El Centro, CA 92243
442-283-5092 hopecafeelcentro.com
Hot Rods & Beer $$
235 West E 5th St, Holtville, CA 92250
760-356-9900 hotrodsnbeer.com
Humble Farmer Brewing Co.
116 S. Imperial Ave Ste C, Imperial, CA 92251 760-545-0037 humblefarmerbrewing.com
Imperial Valley Colectivo 221 N. Imperial Ave, Imperial, CA 92251 442-283-5116
https://bit.ly/3RTKVBf
Jersey Mike’s Subs 1002 N Imperial Ave. EL Centro, CA 92243 442-231-8093 www.jerseymikes.com
IHOP $$
2362 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-1100 www.ihop.com
Junior's Café $ 1791 Adams Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-9556
https://bit.ly/3cP2oG5
Leroy's Backyard BBQ $$ 401 Broadway, El Centro, CA 92243
760-675-6546
https://bit.ly/3iLMFLP
Maranatha Steakhouse $$ 612 S. J St, Imperial, CA 92251
760-355-0777
https://bit.ly/2ZaBkx2
Menchie’s
508 E Danenberg Dr., #7 El Centro, Ca., 92243
760-970-4820 www.menchies.com
Panera Bread $$
2321 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-332-6499
www.panerabread.com
Pepper Grind
Coffee $
1560 Pepper Dr, El Centro, CA 92243
https://bit.ly/3j3jcxd
Rabb Slabs Bbq $$
496 W. State, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4867
bit.ly/3y1aquf
Red Feather
Off-Road Market & Cafe $
1182 N. Imperial Hwy, Ocotillo, CA 92259
760-358-7389
https://bit.ly/3vwXwvY
Saltcedar
Barbecue $
297 South Imperial Ave. Imperial, CA 92251
619-724-8162 Saltcedarbbq.com
Shake & Wake $
1490 N. Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
442-283-5100
https://bit.ly/3EalJfZ
Sizzler $$
707 N. Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-3780
http://www.sizzler.com
Sonora Fusion $$$
560 W State St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-693-5069
https://bit.ly/3wLozVP
The Burger and I
3451 S Dogwood St Spc 1396, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4849
bit.ly/3OqulpV
The Healthy Spot $
134 Main St, Calipatria, CA 92233
760-354-2005
https://bit.ly/40kVCO5
The Original Town Pump Steakhouse $$
200 W Main St., Westmorland, CA 92281
760-344-3663
https://bit.ly/3wLlvch
Tropical Delights $$
221 W E St, Brawley, CA 92227
(760) 344-5051
https://bit.ly/3rakIPW
Valley Vida $$
1560 Ocotillo Dr. Ste C El Centro, CA 92243
442-271-4103
https://valleyVida.com
Vibras Healthy
Nutrition $
136 N Plaza, Brawley, CA 92227
760-679-6277
https://bit.ly/41c6hfm
Asian Cuisine
Chef Lee's Express $
1049 N. Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-693-5555
https://bit.ly/3xx5M0q
Chi+Mac $$
330 Wake Ave El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-0203
bit.ly/40zTMcC
China Inn
Restaurant $$
461 W Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-344-1038
https://bit.ly/3xlMI4W
China Palace
Restaurant $$ 1075 Adams Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-2798
https://bit.ly/3wFTh2y
Fortune Garden $$ 3309 S. Dogwood Rd, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-9888
https://bit.ly/3iJn6uQ
Fortune House $$ 1627 W Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-3888
https://bit.ly/3vrsZzu
Fujisan Sushi $$ 1560 Ocotillo Dr Suite O, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4436 www.fujisaniv.com
Golden Dragon $$ 928 Imperial Ave. Calexico, CA 92231
760-890-0066
Helen’s Family $$
445 W. Main St. Brawley, Ca. 92227
760-592-6962 helensfamilyvietfood.com
Hong Kong $$
550 Wake Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4497
https://bit.ly/3E4Wdcb
K Sushi Bar & Grill $$
416 S. J St, Imperial, CA 92251
760-355-4440
https://bit.ly/3zyKbWT
Khan Korean BBQ $$
330 Wake Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-0202
https://bit.ly/3gy1hwY
Komaki Sushi & Sea Food $$
1133 Ben Hulse Hwy, Brawley, CA 92227
760-623-1033
https://bit.ly/3q5qyWB
Kotori Japanese Food $$
300 E Cole Blvd, Calexico, CA 92231
760-768-8540
https://bit.ly/3zHPbZE
Lucky Chinese Restaurant $$
500 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-7680 www.luckyrestaurant.com
Los Ce-B-Ches $$ 1074 E Coles Blvd Ste 7, Calexico, CA 92231 442-270-1402 https://bit.ly/35ps9sy
Mah’s Kitchen $$
290 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-8713
https://bit.ly/3q4OF3w
Peony Pavilion $$
1505 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-351-9888
https://bit.ly/3iJdGj3
Poke & Noodle Japanese Cuisine $$
799 E. Danenberg Dr, El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-9208
https://bit.ly/2UccQkB
Sushi & Noodle $$
800 N. Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
442-283-5075
Sushi & Noodles $$
630 S Brawley Ave, Unit #6, Brawley, CA 92227
760-623-1361
https://bit.ly/3E6JANF
Sushi Park $$
330 Wake Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-2377
https://bit.ly/3gB9uze
Sushi Spot $$
115 North Imperial Ave. Ste F-G, Imperial, CA 92251
760-355-0441
https://bit.ly/39JEYUl
Volcano $$
445 E. Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-9105 volcanoelcentro.com
The Thai Bistro $
775 E. Danenberg Dr. Ste. 105 El Centro, CA 92243 (760) 592-4611 exoticthaibistro.com
Unni Korean Food $ 582 Adams Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4121
https://bit.ly/41xhJlA
Wongs Kitchen $
102 W 5th St, Holtville, CA 92250
760-791-3227
Italian Food Assaggio Ristorante Italiano $$
538 E St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-344-9750
https://qrco.de/Assaggio
Chuck-E-Cheese $$
803 E. Danenberg Rd, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-4785 www.chuckecheese.com
George’s Pizza $$
116 W 5th St, Holtville, CA 92250
760-356-1192
https://bit.ly/3cPgc3A
Grasso's Italian Restaurant $$
1902 Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-4635
https://bit.ly/3gAvSd5
Inferno $$
505 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-344-7744
https://bit.ly/3B7d1gH
Johnny Carino's $$
3203 S Dogwood Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-9588 www.carinos.com
Mangiamos
Pizza $$
1802 N. Imperial Ave. Ste. C El Centro, CA 92243
442-231-8293 pizzaelcentro
Mona Lisa Cocktails & Cuisine $$$
2393 CA-86, Imperial, CA 92251
442-258-3350
https://bit.ly/45pGYrn
Mozzarelli
Artisan Bistro $$
123 W Barioni Blvd, Imperial, CA 92251
760-545-0222
https://bit.ly/3b0Ctdd
Mozzarelli Pizza & Gelato $$
950 N Imperial Ave, (inside Strikezone) El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-3300
https://bit.ly/3q7g4l2
Round Table Pizza
508 E Danenberg Dr.,#6 El Centro, Ca. 92243
760-970-4801
roundtablepizza.com
Mexican Food
Antojitos Como En Casa $$
841 W. Main St., El Centro, CA 92243
442-271-4016
Antojitos Como
En Casa $$
425 Desert Gardens Dr., El Centro, CA 92243
760-482-5621
antojitoscomoencasa.com
Asadero
Neighborhood $$ 220 W Birch St. Calexico, CA 92231
760-357-0890
https://bit.ly/39LddL2
Baja Tacos $$
460 Holt Ave. Holtville, CA 92250 442-225-7126
https://bit.ly/3XTV6JD
Birrieria La Patria $$ 301 Sorenson Ave. Calipatria, CA. 92233 760-354-2020 lapatriamgrestaurant.com
Birrieria y Menuderia
Guadalajaras $ 845 Imperial Ave, Calexico, CA 92231 760-890-5181
https://bit.ly/3cNjmoc
Briseida's Kitchen $$
741 Cesar Chavez Blvd, Calexico, CA 92231
760-618-9180
https://bit.ly/3b2oeod
Cardenas Markets $$
1620 N. Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-482-0139 www.cardenasmarkets.com
Celia’s Restaurant $$
1530 Adams Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-4570
https://bit.ly/3q4ZFxQ
Cilantros La Taqueria $ 643 S 4th St Ste 1, El Centro, CA 92243
760-693-5337
https://bit.ly/3gBgdJu
D’Lupita's Restaurant $$ 336 W 5th St, Holtville, CA 92250
760-356-7100
https://bit.ly/3gwwvo5
D'Poly Taco, Grill & Beer $$ 1573 W. Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4243
https://bit.ly/35vdKLw
El Cañon $ 625 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227 760-344-2411
El Chochis Snacks & Salads $ 1065 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-790-8242
https://bit.ly/3K9LdzB
El Jumping Bean
Taqueria #2 1050 S Brawley Ave #103, Brawley, CA 92227
760-623-7030 bit.ly/3m5FCPd
El Guero Tacos & Beer $ 1560 Ocotillo Dr. El Centro, Ca. 92243 442-230-9971
El Menudazo $ 548 Broadway #C, El Centro, CA 760-970-4940
bit.ly/3n8dezl
El Merendero $$ 1702 N Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243 442-283-5014
https://bit.ly/3GdMxxW
El Zarape $$ 139 S. Imperial Ave, Imperial, CA 92251 760-355-4435 https://bit.ly/3gCuPrP
Flautas & Sopes $ 1622 S 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243 442-283-5090
www.flautasysopesusa.site
Flautas & Sopes $$ 1531 Ford Dr, El Centro, CA 92243 760-336-0825 www.flautasysopesusa.site
Flautas & Sopes $ 715 Cesar Chavez Blvd, Calexico, CA 92231 760-357-0655 www.flautasysopesusa.site
Hacienda Market & Snack Bar $ 941 K St, Brawley, CA 92227 760-344-5542
https://bit.ly/3b0ILJR
Holtville Taco Shop $ 404 E 5th St, Holtville, CA 92250 760-356-5756 www.holtvilletacoshop.com
Jalisco's Bar & Grill $$ 844 N. Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243 760-353-2515
https://bit.ly/3nhTvsZ
Johnny's Burritos
490 D St., Brawley, CA 92227
760-344-0961
https://bit.ly/3cJkERa
La Birrieria Red Tacos $ 710 Heil St, El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 970-4406
https://bit.ly/2SHS77N
La Fonda Bar & Grill $$
1950 S 4th St #1, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-6450
https://bit.ly/3E23yJm
Johnny's Burritos
301 Wake Ave., El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-0963
https://bit.ly/3cLY2Qb
La Fuente Restaurant $ 737 Emerson Ave, Calexico, CA 92231
760-357-5760
https://bit.ly/2ZcppyX
La Resaca $$ 143 S. 6th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-592-4971
https://bit.ly/3vFQox3
Johnny's Burritos
105 S. Imperial Ave., Imperial CA 92251
760-355-0962
https://bit.ly/3vzAxAh
K Taquiza Restaurant $
249 E Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-693-5088
https://bit.ly/3GcVSpA
Karina's Mexican Food $$
845 Adams Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-0027
https://bit.ly/3njjQXG
Las Chabelas Restaurant $$
749 S. Brawley Ave, Brawley, CA 92227
760-351-2991 www.laschabelas.com
Las Palmitas Taco Shop #1 $ 2003 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-2757
https://bit.ly/3gwEUYH
Las Palmitas Taco Shop #2 $ 880 Adams Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-370-9120
https://bit.ly/3cL3jr0
Letty's Casita $$
705 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-352-8170
https://bit.ly/3wBPpPV
Los Cabos Seafood & Grill $$
201 N. Imperial Ave, El Centro, CA 92243
760-693-5393
https://bit.ly/35xq51E
Los Cerritos Restaurant $
411 E 5th St, Holtville, CA 92250
760-756-3097
https://bit.ly/35yM1t9
Ma Lupe's $$
2600 Thomas Dr. El Centro, Ca. 92243
Ma Lupe's $$
390 W. Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251
760-355-1180
Mi Casita $$
324 S. Imperial Ave. Ste B, Calexico, CA 92231
760-556-9895
https://bit.ly/3cO17PE
Mexca Brew Co. $$
612 W Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-970-4544
https://bit.ly/2SkabEM
Nana’s Kitchen $$
502 W. Aten Rd., Imperial, CA 92251
760-457-6077
https://bit.ly/3zCHvri
Rosa's Plane Food Inc. $$
445 S. Imperial Ave, Calexico, CA 92231
760-890-8860
https://bit.ly/3q5sg5Q
Nana Dora's 103 W. K St., Brawley, CA 92227
760-344-2677
https://bit.ly/2S3kWex
Sombrero Mexican Food $$
703 E. Danenberg Dr, El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-2160
Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant 644 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
442-646-9492 bit.ly/44zYV71
Patty’s Loncheria $$
1191 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-960-9023
https://bit.ly/3B3hjHd
Puerto Nuevo Patio & Grill $$
395 Broadway, El Centro, CA 92243
760-336-0430
https://bit.ly/3iMIrUj
Rosa's Plane Food Inc. $$
1523 Main St., El Centro, CA 92243
442-231-8040
https://bit.ly/3q5sg5Q
Sobe's Restaurant $
1151 S. 4th St. EL Centro, CA 92243
760-352-6838 sobesrestaurant.com
Sofia’s Kitchen $$
395 A St Ste B Brawley, CA 92227
760-623-1777 bit.ly/3HkRx5Z
Sofia’s Seafood & Grill $$
132 S Plaza St. Brawley, CA 92227
760-623-1080 bit.ly/3NbNgFO
https://bit.ly/3xyamev
Tacos De Pescado Marlyn $$ 1614 S 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243
760-353-1686
https://bit.ly/2SAvbaI
The Burrito Factory $$
130 S. Imperial Ave. #3458, El Centro, CA 92243
760-693-5110
https://bit.ly/3zxSGSd
Virginia's Casita $ 645 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
760-351-2386
https://bit.ly/3b41jck
Calendar of Events
July through Aug. 10
Spectacular Saturdays
Summer Camp
11-2 p.m. each Saturday
Imperial Valley Desert Museum
6th to 8th Grade
Full rate: $150; Daily rate $35 Learn about geology, art, botany, archeology, curation
11 Frontage Road, Ocotillo https://rb.gy/unuxe7
July through Aug. 16
Crafty Lunch at the Calexico Library
12-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday & every other Friday
Snack at 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday Calexico Public Library
850 Encinas Ave., Calexico https://rb.gy/81jw12
July 22
Museum Mondays: Desert Wildlife
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Imperial Valley Pioneers Museum
373 E. Aten Road, Imperial https://rb.gy/f6ax3a
July 22-25
The information included in the print version of Imperial Valley Alive! is what was available by publication deadline. Visit our calendar online at www.imperialvalleyalive.com and submit your event information.
Aqua Aerobics Session 6 (55+)
7-8 a.m.
Imperial Pool 618 W Barioni Blvd., Imperial https://rb.gy/hbzv6c
July 23, 30
Kids Summer Arts Series
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Classroom 2, Frank Wright School in Imperial https://ourl.io/uAwoA
July 23, 30
Games Palooza
2 p.m.
Calexico Public Library https://rb.gy/2ji6zc
July 23, 30
Chess Club
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Calexico Public Library https://rb.gy/2ji6zc
July 23, 30
Toddler Time
5-6 p.m.
Calexico Public Library https://rb.gy/2ji6zc
July 24, 31
60 seconds. or Less STEM
Class (Kids 11-14)
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Classroom 2, Frank Wright School https://rb.gy/s6dczz
July 25
Stitch Swap
3 p.m.
Imperial Public Library
200 W. Ninth St., Imperial https://rb.gy/8qw1k0
July 25
Pioneers Book Club: The Chinese Parrot
6 p.m.
Imperial Valley Pioneers Museum https://rb.gy/act87m
July 25
Wild Wonders: Exotic Animals
3 p.m.
El Centro Public Library
1198 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro https://ourl.io/oaWy4
July 25
Traveling Artist (Kids 9-12)
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Classroom 2, Frank Wright School in Imperial https://ourl.io/Euumo
July 26, Aug. 2
Survivor Camp (Kids 11-14)
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Classroom 2, Frank Wright School in Imperial https://ourl.io/y4gkY
July 29
Museum Mondays: Creative Writing
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Imperial Valley Pioneers Museum https://ourl.io/iUU0c
July 29-Aug. 1
Aqua Aerobics Session 7 (55+)
7-8 a.m.
Imperial Pool https://ourl.io/i2Uug
Aug. 12
First Day of Fall Semester
Imperial Valley College 380 E. Aten Road, Imperial www.imperial.edu
Aug. 17
Intro to Basket Weaving 2 p.m.
Gateway Gallery 1173 North Imperial Highway Ocotillo www.gatewaygallery.net
Aug. 26, Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 7
Imperial Valley Nonprofit Board
Leadership Series: (Session One-Four)
Sponsored by Imperial Valley Community Foundation and Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Imperial Valley College Student Center https://ourl.io/q4oQ2
Aug. 31
Battle of the Bands
6 p.m.
Prestige Event Center
Imperial Valley Desert Museum
11 Frontage Rd, Ocotillo, CA
Ph: 760-358-7016
1111 Yourman Road, Heber https://ourl.io/8k0cI
Sept. 1 - Sept. 15
Dove Season
Half Hour Before Sunrise to Sunset Imperial County–for locations and regulations, see: https://ourl.io/cqsKo
Imperial Valley Museums
Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM
Cost: General Admission. . .$10
Students/Active Duty/Senior Citizens
Children under 5. . . .
Open: Wednesday – Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: General Admission. . . $5
Website: ivdesertmuseum.org
Pioneers Museum
373 Aten Rd., Imperial, CA
Ph: 760-352-1165
Open: September thru May
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
$5
. . FREE Website: pioneersmuseum.net
Center of the World in Felicity "Museum of History in Granite¨
History of Humanity / The Church / Maze of Honor Center of the World Plaza, Felicity, CA
Sept. 7
9/11 Memorial
Stair Climb
6-10 p.m.
I.V. Fair Grounds
200 E. Second St., Imperial https://iv911.org
Ph: 760-572-0100
Open: Nov 1 – April 30 (Guided Tours) Daily – 10 AM – 5
May 1 – Oct 31 (Self Guided Tour) -7 AM – 7 PM
Costs – Include Parking
Children (Under 5) FREE Website: Historyingranite.org
Borrego Days
A festive desert tradition worth visiting
The desert really does have seasons—some worth celebrating in a big way. While it is hot in the summer when life slows down to a crawl, fabulous weather reigns supreme from about October to mid-May. And when the weather cools, the community of Borrego Springs roars back to life with its first major event, the Borrego Days Desert Festival.
Starting in 1966, business owners and residents saw an increasing number of visitors from other states and countries coming to Borrego Springs to escape the cold winter and enjoy the beautiful desert sunshine. With these visitors (lovingly nicknamed snowbirds) came economic growth, tourism, and a lively atmosphere enjoyed by all.
Community leaders quickly realized how important the snowbirds were to the area and felt that a season-opening festival welcoming snowbirds and visitors back to Borrego Springs was the perfect way to officially launch the new season.
This year marks the 58th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival, a family-friendly weekend to be held at the iconic Christmas Circle Community Park celebrating six months of perfect desert weather. The event will be held over two days, Saturday Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the park located on Palm Canyon Drive.
Admission is free for the festivities, which will include two days of live entertainment, a car show, a beer garden for adults, crafts, artists, food, an expanded kids' zone, and lots of surprises.
This year, the festival also features the return of the annual Borrego Days parade. This year’s parade theme is “Celebrating Our Local Veterans.”
The annual festivities are produced by the Borrego Springs Chamber of
Commerce and Welcome Center. More information about the festival is available at www.borregodays.com or by calling 760-757-5555.
So join us for Borrego Days and let the season begin.
- Photos courtesy of Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce
Dove Season IV tradition
returns with bang on Sept. 1
The sounds of shotguns as dawn breaks on the opening day of dove-hunting season are familiar ones to Imperial Valley residents.
Local fields have long drawn dove hunters from inside and outside Imperial County and are highly ranked in publications, such as Western Outdoor News (wonews.com).
The first phase of the 2024 season opens on Sunday, Sept. 1. It runs through Sept. 15 and resumes from Nov. 9 to Dec. 23.
Dove hunting in the Imperial Valley has been a tradition for ages. It is also important for wildlife research. Wildlife biologists use bands to mark some birds for research, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife asks hunters to report banded birds to
WHITE-WINGED DOVE
White on top leading edge of wing. Uniformly tan bu y body. Two-tone squared or fan shaped tail with narrow white outer band.
MOURNING DOVE
Tail tapered to point. Tan bu y body with dark spots on back.
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE
Black ring around neck. Larger than mourning dove. Uniformly tan bu y body.
reportband.gov.
Visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/uplandgame-birds for more information or use the QR code below to view regulations.
Imperial Irrigation District:
K I D
Burrowing Owl Conservation Program
Entries from Ms. Zamora 3rd grade at Seeley Union School District
Alma Gomez
Kaleb Holguin
Naysia Ayala
Jacob Pacheco
W I s E
Imperial Irrigation District: Desert Species Conservation Program
Entries from Mrs. Perez 3rd grade at Cesar Chavez Elementary
Elma Vildosola
Melody Maciel
Camila Apodaca
Giselle Macias
fashioning a PVC pipe into a hammer.
“There have been a lot of costumes where I really couldn’t tell how it was going to turn out until I finished it, but I learned to keep pushing forward and if you are going to fall, fall forward,” Travis said. “In fact, I’ve learned a lot of important life lessons from cosplay and being around like-minded people.”
Imperial Valley Cosplayers Group members enjoy participating monthly in local events, including the annual autism fair held in April and the annual October LGBTQ Pride event. They also do readings in schools, especially as part of the
Read Across America initiative.
On May 4, Valley cosplayers joined other Star Wars fans who gathered in Glamis to commemorate the filming of the third Star Wars movie, Return of the Jedi.
Another event the group attends annually is the local comic convention, titled the Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention, set for Sept. 28 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion in El Centro.
Travis said he is looking forward to the local convention, the chance to connect with fellow Valley cosplayers, and seeing what costumes they have created.
“Being a cosplayer really breaks down social barriers, especially when attending the conventions,” Travis said. “The social barriers are gone. Everyone knows why they are there (to show their costumes), and you can just be.”
Davila, who is currently designing a new Mandalorian costume and a fairy costume, organizes a cosplay contest during the local convention. She said it is fun to see how the community reacts to the costumes displayed during the event.
“I like becoming someone else for a while and seeing others’ faces when I do it,” she said.
Ruben Najera, the founder of the local convention, said the Imperial Valley Cosplayers Group members attract fans to the convention.
“They really give the characters they portray life,” he said. “You believe they are real even if only for a few seconds. It happens to me, too. It’s like a full-on, geek-out experience for me. It brings back memories, and I get really stoked.” Najera added the cosplayers group has been a part of his convention from the start. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention hall of famers.”
Those interested in joining the local cosplayers group can talk to members at the local convention. You can also leave a message on their social media pages, The group can also be messaged on its Facebook and Instagram pages..
“Run headfirst into it,” Travis said of cosplay. “You’ll have a great time. It might take you a month, it might take a year to design your first costume, but whatever time it takes, just enjoy it.”
Imperial Valley cosplayers in their "Fallout" costumes. - Photo by Alejandra Pereida
10-year-old Sofia and 7-year-old Antonio, are part of the academy, was thrilled with the museum activities.
“It’s nice to see them have a good time,” she said. “For me, it’s also important because I love the history of the Valley.”
Her daughter, Sofia, said while building a confetti cannon, “I love being here because you get to play and use your imagination.”
Angel Iniguez, 12, another Calexico martial arts academy camper, said, “It’s pretty nice that they do this. It’s good to have somewhere you can go and be entertained.”
For Imperial resident Hannah Wilchss, education and events assistant at the museum and the lead organizer of the Museum Mondays, it meant a lot to see the youth enjoy engaging in the arts and crafts activities.
“Seeing them so happy—you cannot put a price on that,” Wilchss said. A recent Imperial Valley College graduate, she plans to transfer to San Diego State University Imperial Valley to study for a degree in education. Her goal is to teach high school English. She thinks her position at the museum, developing programming and working with children, is helping her prepare for her future career. Wilchss worked as a volunteer for
the museum before funding became available from Imperial County Workforce Development for her position. She is part of an expanded team at the museum, many from Imperial Valley College, whose positions were funded by county Workforce Development and from a San Diegobased Far South/Border North: Artists and Cultural Practitioners in Community grant program. The museum hired a team of eight local artists and cultural practitioners with the arts grant funds.
Marcie Landeros, the museum's lead artist, said the team worked together to come up with new ideas for the museum and the community. “We’ve been able to experiment and stretch our legs, and that has opened the door to experiment with programming like Museum Mondays.”
Chavez said having her young staff take the lead in organizing programs like Museum Mondays benefits the community and the museum staff.
“We’re empowering them to develop curriculum and take ownership of it,” Chavez said. “We are helping them on their journey.”
Chavez added that the county workforce funds and grants, including one from the Imperial Valley Community Foundation, enabled the museum to hire staff, fund free
programs for the community, and keep the museum open throughout the summer.
“We are hoping to continue to raise funds for future events like we have been able to hold this summer,” Chavez said, adding throughout the year the museum would like to offer free monthly events as well as continue to provide summer programming.
Enjoying toilet roll cannons at Pioneers' Museum. - Photo by Alejandra Pereida
helicopter crew, Seven Stars, was developed and today raises funds to send children of military members, including the fallen, wounded, active, deployed, and reservists, to YMCA camps around the nation.
Self shared that Landaker’s death totally changed her class.
“They became bonded,” she said, “It made a huge difference in their sensitivity to others’ feelings.”
Self was also affected. “My mother had been sick and had died a long time before, but I had not grieved for her,” she said. “I transferred all of my grief to Jared. I allowed myself to grieve for him.”
The experience also motivated Self to work as a volunteer with wounded warriors.
Self said that after she retired, she traveled a bit and then asked herself, “OK, Dian, what are you going to do for the rest of your life?”
As Donna Duggins James Upshaw noted in her introduction of Self at the IVC Hall of Fame banquet, “No, she didn’t sit on the couch and watch the news and eat bonbons upon retirement. She began a new career—what an inspiration for us all.”
Self discovered the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station in 2010 and has been with them ever since. Today she sits on the foundation board.
The foundation provides qualityof-life items, support services, and transitional housing for men and women and their families who are recovering from the wounds of war.
When she started, Self said, there were “so many amputations. The Warrior Foundation kept giving me more and more work.”
People can see Self’s work in action on the Warrior Foundation's Facebook page. She is the page's primary photographer. Self has also become very involved in the foundation’s adaptive sports team, the San Diego Wolfpack. The team was established in 2012 by the Naval Medical Center San Diego. A group of service members recovering from wounds requested a therapeutic outlet that also would provide the camaraderie and sense of purpose they had experienced while serving.
She said many of the players had just been released from the hospital and were still healing as they learned to play basketball from their wheelchairs.
Armed with her camera, “Mrs. D”, as they call her, takes the team photos and is there to support the players and their families.
She also helps them deal with the trauma from their wounds, such as post traumatic stress disorder, pain, and other conditions.
During tournaments, she has met Prince Harry, the British Duke of Sussex, several times. She added, “He’s there for the warriors, not the audience” and he loves to personally engage with the team members.
The foundation pays all expenses for the team at tournaments, both in the U.S. and internationally. That includes wheelchairs, uniforms,
and transportation. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association has ranked Wolfpack sixth in Division 1.
Self also takes team members shopping for shoes or other gear, which she said is part of their therapy.
Part of that gear is the Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO) brace. It is a custom energy-storing orthosis designed to improve gait, stability, and function after lower extremity injury or limb salvage.
“Because of the IDEO brace, all branches of the injured military have been able to avoid many amputations. Part of fitting a warrior with a proper shoe can include taking the shoe to a cobbler to adapt the shoe for their prosthetic leg or IDEO brace,” Self said. She also takes the warriors to shop for suits paid for by the foundation. Self added, “Many have not ever had a suit before, and this puts them up a step.” As their photographer, she also takes formal pictures of them for resumes.
As Corrie Vaus, the Poway mom, noted about Dian Self, “I quickly learned that her love of life and energy can’t be contained. She has the ability to rally a nd inspire people young and old, and always with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Wherever she puts her talent and heart, great things happen.”
Just ask a fifth-grade class grieving a tragedy or a wheelchair-bound warrior leaning in to play basketball. She represents vigor, courage, a bit of aggressiveness, and exemplifies all of it with compassion.
includes organizing a cosplay contest.
“I’m very proud to be a part of the Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention not only as someone who attends but who organizes the cosplay contest,” said Davila, who has been involved in cosplay for 12 years. “It’s a big deal for us geeks in the Valley.”
Hearing what the event means to those who participate keeps Najera motivated to continue organizing it.
“There’s a lot of people who don’t have the ability to attend the shows out of town,” he said. “With our event, they can attend for a day and don't have to pay the cost of a hotel or the high price of other conventions. And they get to shop with the same vendors they see at other shows, plus…they don’t have to wait in two-hour lines to meet the celebrities who attend our convention.”
Najera is as big a fan as those who attend the convention, drawing on his own history of reading comics and skateboarding that eventually led to a multi-faceted career in entertainment.
A graduate of Southwest High School, Najera, 39, began skateboarding in his teens and became so skilled at it that he eventually received a proskateboarding contract. His proficiency
with tricks on the skateboard led to stunt work in both films and music videos.
Following his career as a professional skateboarder, he saw a need in the Imperial Valley for a comic book shop, which led him to open METAHUMANS Comics in El Centro. He initially opened in the Ocotillo Plaza and eventually moved to his present location in the shopping plaza in the 400 block of Imperial Avenue.
“When I opened METAHUMANS, it had been like a good 10 years since there was a comic book shop in the area,” said Najera. At the time of this interview, he had closed his business to prepare for the grand reopening of the shop that will add his line of skateboards to his already popular comics.
Najera took his love for comics to an even higher level by becoming a comic book writer himself. In 2022, he published a comic book under the Archie Comics brand, “The Best Archie Comic Ever.”
This summer he had a new comic book published under the Blood Moon Comics label. The story, titled, “Calaguerra,” features three Mexican superheroes on the Mexican/American border who band together to fight evil. Najera is also a children’s book
author. In 2021, he published “Chiquita The Va Quita” with illustrator Sheyla Valencia. The book was meant to raise awareness of the plight of the nearly endangered vaquita porpoise.
Soon, Najera, who plays both the guitar and piano, could further his list of accomplishments. He is now working on an album with producers in Los Angeles. He also broadened his comic book convention sites this year when he hosted a new event in Palm Springs on May 4.
Still, Najera said his local convention will always be a priority because it serves the needs of the Imperial Valley.
“Without question, the Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention will never go away. We’ll be talking about the 15th annual convention and the 20th annual convention. The Valley needs this, he said.”
Tickets for the convention are on sale now through the event website, www. imperialvalleyec.com, and through Najera’s skateboarding site, www. terrestro.com. Tickets purchased online currently cost $30 per person, while tickets at the door will be $35.
Since 1949, the month of May has been designated national Mental Health Awareness Month to bring attention to mental illness and the e orts to treat those in need of help.
Each year during that month, Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS) raises awareness of mental health conditions and mental wellness to destigmatize and encourage individuals to seek help and support when needed. This year, in a proclamation dated May 7, 2024, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors declared Mental Health Month “an opportunity to encourage all
Statistics
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and only half of them receive treatment.
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience a serious mental illness each year, and only two-thirds receive treatment.
1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition each year, and
Mental Health Awareness
“Together, we can realize our shared vision of a community where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives. People should not feel alone in this struggle.”
– Leticia Plancarte-Garcia, Director, Imperial County Behavioral Health Services
residents, government agencies, businesses and schools in Imperial County to increase their awareness and understanding of mental illness and available services to ensure appropriate and timely access to services.”
ICHBS o ers a variety of services that are located throughout Imperial County, with its sta of qualified professionals ready to provide the assistance needed to improve mental health.
only half of them receive treatment.
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
In 2020, 1 in 5 young people reported that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health.
In 2020, there was a 31% increase in mental health-related emergency department visits among adolescents.
As of 2021, 1 in 10 young people under age 18 experienced a mental health condition following a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Source: nami.org/mhstats
