Today’s show – some responses to the attack on BLM activists in Minneapolis;  Barry Febos talking about the Day of Mourning in Plymouth, MA; and the main theme:  Sharing Living Spaces.

Did you know that in the US today, the average square footage of living space per person is FOUR TIMES what it was in the mid-1900s?  It used to be 150 – 200 sqft, and now it’s closer to 850 sqft per person.

Wayne Feiden and Carolyn Misch of the City of Northampton Planning Department share some thoughts on infill and urban density.  Then the feature interview is with Paige Bridgens and Rebecca Landes.  They recently became housemates in Paige’s house, which Paige had lived alone in for many years.  How did they come to live together, and what had to be overcome for this sharing of space to happen?

Also there is Marty talking about challenges with people he lives with outside.  And Rod sharing ideas of tiny homes.

And lastly, Bill Arnold mentions how he has replaced paper towel dispensers with cloth hand drying rolls at his building, 30 N. Maple St in Florence.

Mother Earth wants us to enjoy being alive. I love sports.

First, though, I have some comments about squirrels and “Single?” yard signs.

Then we have interviews with Diane Fisher-Katz, a healthy and active physical therapist in Florence; some friends at the Haydenville ultimate frisbee game; and Sam Belmonte of Northampton, who grew up playing sports with girls and women but transitioned to a man in college. His sports endeavors transitioned as well. Sam talks about the joys and pains of sports as he has experienced them.

This episode is an interview with my neighbor Luna Puchalsky, who has been writing songs and singing since she was 6 years old.  She’s in 7th grade at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts school now.  She sings two original songs during the hour.

And there’s a story about a compost crisis that wasn’t.

Oh yeah, this is also fund drive.  Even though it’s a podcast, feel free to donate to Valley Free Radio online at any time of year.

Live guest!  Tem Blessed joins us to talk about his upcoming show on VFR.  Soon he will be alternating the Wednesday 4-5 pm hour with me, with hip-hop music and environmental themes.

There’s a short interview with pollworker Dick Clark of Florence.

And I have observations of American Indian representations in historical markers, gravestones, and National Park displays.

Also there is gingko stinko fruit in the studio, smell it!  And eat the nut.

And to close the hour, you’ll hear a clip from a talk at Smith College last week by Lourdes Ashley Hunter, from the DC-based Trans Women of Color Collective.

Did you know that many places in Northampton ban hanging clothes outside to dry?  I asked lots of my neighbors what’s up with that, and how do people deal with clothes drying barriers?  Can’t you see it’s beautiful??

FNTG = Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways.