Bragging rights are defined as “the opportunity to speak proudly because you have done something impressive”. So today our rights are front and center as KGAY and KMEE land top honors in the CVI/KESQ readers/viewers poll.
Ever since we started KGAY on Christmas day, 2018, the community has responded by awarding us top honors for best radio station. John Taylor has been awarded top personality honors. And Patrick Evans on our sister station KMEE 103.1 MeTV FM comes in a close second.
Our team includes dozens of people “behind the scenes” who all contribute to make us successful. As we approach Thanksgiving, let me give thanks to our entire crew who keeps the train on the tracks and on time.
Some toil away on the Gay Desert Guide website to keep our calendar and content fresh. Another schedule the ads that appear on air and online. Our engineer gets “beeped” every time there’s an on-air glitch to fix. My sales team makes sure we stay in business and help other companies grow and build awareness. And our street team are the goodwill ambassadors that you see at the many community events and appearances. In all, over 20 people are on the payroll on any given month.
Many others came before them and I am grateful that they were a part of our ongoing success as well. They also do incredible things outside their work volunteering and participating in making this world a better place. And even if they don’t take bragging rights for what they contribute, I wanted to take a few paragraphs to do so today.
So I give thanks to an incredible collective of people all pulling in the same direction and appreciate the honors we won, listed below.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you may reside! P.S. Our KMEE 103.1 MeTV FM has gone “all holiday music”! Tune in!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis
We Are Best of Coachella Valley Winners!
Readers of the Coachella Valley Independent and viewers of KESQ News Channel 3 voted in the Best of Coachella Valley 2024-2025 poll, and once again we are dancing for joy because we are WINNERS! KGAY 106.5 is honored in the TOP SPOT as BEST RADIO STATION for the 6th year running! KGAY deejays were honored as well, with DJ Modgirl and DJ Galaxy taking the top two spots in their category of Best Local DJ, with DJ Eric Ornelas placing fourth as well! John Taylor, KGAY morning host, scored first in the Best Local Radio Personality category, and Patrick Evans, afternoon host of our sister station, 103.1 MeTV FM, nabbed the #2 spot; 103.1 MeTV FM was the third most popular radio station in the valley too! See the full list of winners in all categories at cvindependent.com
Building Resilience
Join The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert for Building Resilience on Monday, November 25 from 5–6:30 pm at the Palm Springs Pavilion. This 90-minute session will be dedicated to strengthening our community’s ability to face challenges together, involving LGBTQ+ people and our allies to explore what resilience means at both personal and community levels. Through community building circles, and hands-on activities, the goal is to empower and inspire our community to rise above adversity. RSVP encouraged. More info
Come From Away
Broadway’s Come From Away is at the McCallum Theatre for 8 performances, from Tuesday, November 26, through Sunday, December 1. This uplifting musical takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Get tickets
Wildlights Returns to The Living Desert
WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is back, open select nights from November 26–December 30! WildLights invites guests to see the Zoo in a whole new light: This year’s event features an enhanced light design with three million lights throughout the park, live nightly entertainment, Instagram-worthy festive photo ops, delectable wintertime treats, and much more. Enjoy the unique experience of seeing the Zoo at night as you take an enchanting stroll through the African Safari section of the Zoo, where in addition to the lights, you may see some of Africa’s most iconic animals, such as the rhino, giraffe, zebra, and African painted dogs. Get tickets
The November Center Social
Don’t miss The November Center Social at Chill Bar on Wednesday, November 27 from 5:30 pm–7 pm. This monthly event, held every 4th Wednesday, is a fantastic opportunity to forge new connections, strengthen friendships, and enjoy a tasty happy hour. Come join in for an evening filled with great conversation and community spirit! More info
Wild Turkey Trot 5K
Join the fun at the Palm Springs Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 28. Starting at 8 am at the corner of Tahquitz & Palm Canyon, this 5K certified course welcomes runners, walkers, strollers, and dogs. Enjoy a scenic route through beautiful neighborhoods on this fast and flat course, and show your holiday spirit by dressing up as a turkey, pilgrim, or in another festive outfit. Keep an eye out for Santa Claus, who will be there to kick off the holiday season! More info
Thanksgiving Day 5K on El Paseo
The 18th Annual Martha’s Village & Kitchen Thanksgiving Day 5K is on Thursday, November 28 at 8 am, starting at the intersection of San Pablo and El Paseo. After the race, enjoy the awards ceremony at 9 am. Attractions include Festival Row with exhibitor booths, a photo station, and a doggie refreshment station. The Kids Zone offers complimentary face painting, arts and crafts, limbo, and hula hooping. Participants aged 21 and above can unwind in the Beer Garden with a refreshing local brew. More info
Magic of Lights
Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience, runs daily through December 29 (Sun–Thurs 5:30–9 pm / Fri–Sat 5:30–10 pm), bigger and brighter than ever with more than a mile of spectacular light displays at the Empire Polo Club. Don’t miss the larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas, with favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season depicted with the latest LED technology and digital animations. Get tickets
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, November 25
Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala | 5:30 pm at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Wednesday, November 27
Funk Monks R&B/Funk | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Friday, November 29
Desert Art Festival | 10 am–4 pm Friday–Sunday at The River in Rancho Mirage
Country Dance Fridays: Beginner Shadow with Rob Ollander-Krane | 7 pm at Step by Step
Saturday, November 30
Art on Main Street | 10 am–4 pm in Old Town La Quinta
The Gand Band’s Woodstock Immersive Concert Experience | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Sunday, December 1
Palm Springs Vintage Market | 7 am–2 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
