Basic Assistance to Students in the Community, BASIC - is bringing a new experience to Borrego! A fun-interactive-who done it-murder mystery dinner and show! The fundraiser is happening Friday, January 26, from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Roadrunner Clubhouse on 1010 Palm Canyon Drive.

The evening’s entertainment will feature professional actors from the Jest Murder Mystery Company based in Los Angeles. Jest’s “Bullets in the Bathtub” is a roaring 1920’s murder mystery theme complete with gangsters, flappers, and bootleggers. You’ll meet crazy characters like Red E. Mix (local concrete salesman), Trixie (owner of Cherry’s), and many others before we find out who put “da finger” on Harry’s Hyde! Was it Larry, The Rug? Was it Joey, The Lips? Or maybe, J Edna Hoover? Attendees will have a chance to join in the fun by playing characters while trying to solve the crime. Silly awards will be presented to the winning detective, the killer, and the re-enactor. Additional awards will be provided for the best costume and more so don’t forget to bring your gangster hat and flapper outfit!

The evening will begin with a delightful appetizer spread complete with refreshments as guests peruse the silent auction where many tempting articles will be for sale, so be sure to bring your wallet! BASIC’s own Learning Academy Headmaster Tim White will make the winning announcements of auction items which include a meal for six prepared by Chef Gordon, artworks by Ed White, Ron Egland, Vallee, a “Stay and Play” at La Casa and Rams Hill which includes a round of golf at Rams Hill for 4 with golf carts and two nights in a La Casa Casita for two couples just to name a few. Feeling lucky? Take a chance to enter an additional raffle where several gift certificates donated by generous local sponsors will be up for grabs!

In addition to the murder mystery and silent auction, there will be a delectable buffet dinner provided by local favorite Carlee’s, a restaurant you can always count on for great food! Entrées include chicken piccata, top sirloin steak with almond and mushroom demi-glaze, and pasta primavera. Enjoy a fresh house salad, fluffy rice pilaf, and an array of veggie medley, but don’t forget to save room for a tasty dessert. Red and white wine will be provided at each table and additional bottles available for a suggested donation of $20.

Tickets are on sale now at $100 per person and can be purchased at http://www.borregobasic.org/murder-mystery-dinner.html or with a check to BASIC at PO Box 1914, Borrego Springs, CA 92004-1914. Contact Nidia at 442-358-6518 for more information or if you would like to reserve a group table of 8 – please reach out prior to the event to confirm your request. Maximum guests are 100 so sign up soon!

All of the money raised will benefit our Borrego Springs learners through our Cradle to Graduation (C2G) programming. BASIC is much more than a scholarship program for college and vocational students. It also provides age-appropriate bilingual books to preschoolers every month, parent involvement sessions for English learners, a summer learning academy that works to move students toward grade-level proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as post-high school mentorship. In short, we are along for the full ride of a student’s educational journey to help them reach their potential and realize their dreams. But we can’t do it without your support. So, get your tickets today and experience the fun of a unique event that will do so much for so many for our community. We look forward to a good time for all!