January 22, 2026

KRAM 90.5 Prepares to Launch at Christmas Circle

Share

Check back for launch dates!

First day of mural work at Christmas Circle: Gabriel Wisdom with mural artist Anne-Sophie Gaudet and assistant Romain on site at 730 Christmas Circle.

Mural Work Begins at Future Home of Borrego Springs Newest Radio Station

Activity is underway at 730 Christmas Circle, where mural work has begun on the building that will soon serve as the home of KRAM 90.5 Borrego Springs. The site—long known to residents as the former Wells Fargo building—is being repurposed as a local radio station and community media center.


The exterior mural is being painted by Anne-Sophie Gaudet, whose large-scale public artworks are familiar throughout the Anza-Borrego region, including a prominent wall (west side) at the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA). A former visual art teacher based in the Bay Area, Gaudet now works full time as a muralist, creating nature-inspired designs across California and beyond..


The mural and exterior station signage are visible to the public and represent the first outward sign of the station’s presence at Christmas Circle. Together, they are intended to clearly identify the building’s new role and establish it as a recognizable community media space as KRAM 90.5 moves closer to launch.

On-site planning at Christmas Circle: Gabriel Wisdom discusses mural placement with artist Anne-Sophie Gaudet



Design mock-up: The mural concept reflects Borrego Springs’ dark-sky environment and desert landscape, featuring a bighorn sheep under a star-filled night sky. 


About the Radio Station Project


KRAM 90.5 Borrego Springs is an FCC-licensed radio station and an initiative of the Ram Media Foundation that has been in planning and development for approximately three years. KRAM Borrego Springs will be easy to listen to at home or in your car at 90.5 FM, as well as digitally.


The station will carry programming from KPBS, creating a broadcast connection between Borrego Springs and San Diego County public media. KPBS reaches an estimated 250,000 weekly listeners countywide, and KRAM 90.5 Borrego Springs will be included in KPBS station identifications, giving the Borrego Valley regular mention across the regional airwaves.


Gabriel Wisdom, founder of the Ram Media Foundation, said the partnership reflects both local and regional priorities.


“By airing programming from KPBS on KRAM 90.5 FM, we’re linking Borrego Springs with trusted journalism, and a cultural connection that strengthens civic life in San Diego’s beautiful desert community,” Wisdom said.


He noted that the station’s call letters were selected to reflect the local landscape.


“The call letters KRAM honor the area’s famous bighorns that roam freely in the foothills,” he said.

Wisdom also emphasized the broader purpose of the collaboration.


“The KRAM–KPBS alliance is grounded in local identity, while keeping San Diego’s close-knit desert population connected to the wider world.”


A New Use for a Familiar Building


The Christmas Circle location, long known as the former Wells Fargo building, is being repurposed as a radio station and community media space. Exterior work is underway, with interior preparations continuing ahead of the station’s launch.


Project organizers say the mural and signage are intended to clearly identify the building’s new role and establish a visible community presence for the station.


Next Steps


KRAM 90.5 Borrego Springs is expected to go live in the coming weeks. Additional announcements, including the official launch date and listening details, will be shared as they become available.


Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow the mural’s progress at Christmas Circle and stay tuned for updates as Borrego Springs’ new radio station moves closer to broadcasting.







Learn More About Borrego Springs

By Jake Hinton May 24, 2026
San Diego Public Media is on KRAM 90.5 FM Borrego Springs 
By Andrea McKenna June 5, 2026
A Wine Tasting Fundraiser Supporting Women and Girls in Borrego Springs
By Andrea McKenna June 5, 2026
Celebrating Tacos, Lotería, and Community
By Andrea McKenna June 5, 2026
From Norway to Spain: Sylvia Maas Rides for Borrego Springs Students On June 20, 2026, the NorthCape–Tarifa race will begin at 12:01 a.m. at the North Cape in Norway. Described as the world's longest bicycle race, the event follows a route of nearly 7,000 kilometers to Tarifa, Spain, the southernmost point of mainland Europe. Among the riders will be Borrego Springs ultra cyclist Sylvia Maas , who will be riding for her Bike4BorregoKids initiative. Track Sylvia Here The race begins at the North Cape in Norway and ends in Tarifa, Spain. Along the way, riders pass through several major checkpoints, including: Helsinki, Finland Hill of Crosses, Lithuania Torun, Poland Bregenz, Austria Col du Galibier, France Nice, France Port d’Envalira, Andorra Pico del Veleta, Spain Tarifa, Spain The route covers nearly 7,000 kilometers and includes mountain passes, historic cities, and some of the most demanding cycling terrain in Europe.
June 5, 2026
Source: Rams Hill Golf You Tube
June 5, 2026
www.youtube.com/@Road2
By Karen Pearlman June 4, 2026
By Karen Pearlman June 3, 2026 (Julian) — Roots rock and Americana tunes are coming to fill the mountains of East and North County with original music this weekend during the Fifth Annual Julian Town Square Music Festival .  The free community celebration will run from noon until 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6 at 2712 Washington St. in Julian. Organized by the nonprofit Julian Community Heritage Foundation , with more support from the Julian Chamber of Commerce , the festival is the main fundraiser for the support of the continued development of the Julian Town Square — a historic corner lot becoming a permanent outdoor park and performance space. The emerging Julian Town Square represents a 10-year, grassroots preservation effort to safeguard the town’s mountain heritage. The site dates back to 1912 when it housed the Silvers Supply Store, before eventually operating as a Chevron gas station in the 1970s. In 2017, a small group of local neighbors formed the JCHF to buy the abandoned corner lot and revitalize it. The foundation has been molding the plot into a permanent cultural epicenter for theater, art and community gatherings. While admission to the festival is free — with parking available for $10 at Frank Lane Park, 2645 Farmer Road in Julian — organizers are looking to the community to help fund the next phases of development. Attendees making on-site or online donations of $300 or more will have their names permanently etched onto the Town Square’s upcoming donor wall. Local artisans, handmade goods, and backcountry vendors will line the venue, alongside food from QUECHO Elevated Mexican Eatery and craft beverages provided by The Toasty Tap . Original music, local artists This year’s festival is anchored by a heavyweight lineup of roots music icons, led by former San Diego Padres fan favorite-turned-Americana-troubadour Tim Flannery and his band, the Lunatic Fringe . For local audiences, Flannery represents a unique intersection of San Diego sports history and grit. Long before he was touring the country with his blend of blue-eyed Irish soul and California country, Flannery (photo, right) spent over three decades in Major League Baseball. He played 11 seasons as a versatile infielder for the Padres (1979-89). He later transitioned to coaching, serving as the third-base coach for the San Francisco Giants during three World Series championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Beyond his athletic feats, Flannery’s presence on stage carries a deeper emotional weight for fans following his severe medical crisis. In late 2020, Flannery was hospitalized in San Diego, fighting a life-threatening staph infection that required seven major surgeries and an extensive recovery period. After publicly sharing his battle — during which he credited music and his guitar as vital pieces of his healing process — Flannery’s return to the stage with the Lunatic Fringe marks a triumphant milestone in resilience. Sharing the marquee is Sara Petite, (photo below, left) an award-winning singer-songwriter who has become a fixture of the Southern California Americana scene. Originally from Sumner, Wash., Petite is widely recognized for her raw, roadhouse-rock style of outlaw country. A five-time finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and a frequent winner at the San Diego Music Awards , Petite brings an authentic twang heavily influenced by Loretta Lynn and Lucinda Williams. The afternoon’s diverse musical program will also feature performances by Elizabeth Bowersox , whose album California Queen just won Best Country or Americana Album at this year’s San Diego Music Awards; Salinas Road , Rootful and Donn Bree and friends. For more information on the organization and on the event, visit juliantownsquare.org. For more information on Julian, visit https://visitjulian.com.
By Andrea McKenna June 4, 2026
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church expands its ongoing collaboration with Rostros y Corazón For the first time, Fr. David Madsen and Jan Naragon of St. Barnabas (Borrego Springs) are leading a regular Eucharist service at Rostros y Corazón in Salton City. The gathering will take place the first and third Wednesday, creating a new opportunity for worship, fellowship, and community connection. The service builds on an existing relationship between the two organizations and reflects the many connections already shared between Borrego Springs and Salton City. Many West Shores residents work in Borrego Springs, attend school here, shop here, receive services here, or have family and friends in the Borrego Valley. The two communities are neighbors in many ways. The new service reflects St. Barnabas's commitment to extending ministry beyond its church walls while continuing to support relationships throughout the desert region. By gathering regularly at Rostros y Corazón, organizers hope to create a welcoming space for prayer, conversation, encouragement, and connection. Rostros y Corazón , led by Graciela Mendivil Ramos, is a nonprofit community center serving Salton City and the surrounding West Shores area. The organization is known for supporting families and connecting residents with needed resources. For upcoming service dates or questions, contact Graciela Mendivil Ramos at gracielamramos@gmail.com .
By Andrea McKenna June 4, 2026
Borrego Valley Community Radio – The RAM has moved from its previous location at the Community Resource Center and is now broadcasting from a studio inside WhipperSnappers at 794 Circle J Drive in Borrego Springs. The station, owned by Monica Rue and operated by Mike Rue, continues to serve listeners throughout Borrego Springs and the San Diego County backcountry with a mix of music, community information, local conversations, and volunteer-driven programming. The move gives The RAM additional space to grow while continuing its mission of providing hyper-local radio "by the community, for the community." Mike Rue recently invited residents from Borrego Springs, Julian, Warner Springs, Santa Ysabel, Descanso, Wynola, Mount Laguna, Pauma Valley, Ocotillo Wells, and surrounding communities to get involved. One of the station's goals is to encourage more people to spend time behind the microphone. Rue hopes to provide opportunities for others to share their interests, stories, music, and perspectives with listeners across the region. As The RAM settles into its new location, the station is sharing a short wish list to support its next stage of growth: A Numark dual CD player so volunteer hosts can bring in and play music from their own CD collections during broadcasts Donations of records and CDs to help build a shared community music library for future programming A professional ultra-portable field recorder that can connect to wireless lapel microphones for higher-quality interviews outside the studio Sponsorships from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, including programming blocks, on-air commercials, and regular acknowledgements during broadcasts Good-faith supporters willing to invest in the station’s growth and help create more opportunities for local voices to be heard For Mike Rue, the new studio is about more than equipment or location. It is about creating a place where local voices can be heard and where communities throughout the backcountry can stay connected through music, conversation, and shared experiences. Listeners can listen online at TheRamRadio.com and hear local music, community conversations, interviews, event announcements, and programming created for the San Diego County backcountry.  ------------------------
Borrego Springs County Park - Tails Up Dog Park
By Andrea McKenna June 3, 2026
Discover Borrego Springs County Park, a pet-friendly haven with separate areas for small and large dogs, ample play spaces, safety features like double-gate entries, and amenities including water faucets and waste bags. Enjoy clean, spacious areas for pets and scenic views, making it the perfect destination for relaxation and fun..
Show More

Share This Post