Ruth Tirado, president of the board of directors of Casa Latina, joins me in the studio.  (http://Casalatinainc.org) Casa Latina is the only Latino-led and Latino-focused organization in Hampshire County. They promote self-sufficiency and a sense of community among local Latinos.  Ruth talks about some of Casa Latina’s different projects, and how she got involved over the years.  Ruth and I met last week doing the Northampton Food Rescue project at Hampshire Heights.

Tuesday night at the Iron Horse is Latin dance night!  Ruth says it was great, a fun way to share local latinidad.

Also, at the beginning of the show, I share a little story about how earlier in the day, biking through Easthampton hauling compost, I passed a young man, an EHS student, walking down the path with a basketball under one arm and a confederate flag wrapped around him.  So we played basketball together for a bit and I asked him about the flag.

And, this is fund drive week, so feel free to contribute to Valley Free Radio, now or at any time.   You can donate online at Valleyfreeradio.org.  Thanks!  And thanks to all the contributors and volunteers who keep the station going, and give me this platform.