While classical music often suffers from an image of ancient dead white men, this month music lovers had a chance to hear an alternative to that stereotype. During Open Mic Classical's February performance at the Cultural Center in Yarmouth, guest ensemble Linking Legacies from Oberlin College and Conservatory celebrated Black History month with music from Black classical composers.

https://www.lowercapenews.org/a-different-look-at-classical-music

A charming old firehouse on Banks Street marks the entrance to the Cold Brook Preserve in the town of Harwich on Cape Cod. In a unique collaboration, the Harwich Fire Association and the Harwich Conservation Trust combined forces to not only restore the old bog at Cold Brook Preserve, but to also bring that old firehouse back to life ... and incorporate housing to boot. The rehabbed new facility, brings affordable housing units, event space, and a refurbished 1928 fire truck while restoring the bog at the same time.

https://www.lowercapenews.org/environment-and-affordable-housing-share-in-harwich-firehouse-restoration

If proponents have their way, this fall Massachusetts voters will see a ballot initiative calling for the legalization of entheogenic, or psychedelic, substances (aka "magic mushrooms") for therapeutic use. We visited with James Davis of Bay Staters for Natural Medicine, the group pushing for the change to find out more about both why and how this might happen.

https://www.lowercapenews.org/massachusetts-considers-psilocybin-therapy

Art Nickerson, a.k.a the Turnip Man, grew the iconic Eastham turnips into his nineties for his love of Eastham. The purple heirloom put Eastham on the map as the number one vegetable exporter in Cape Cod, until war and tourism changed it all. The Turnip Man's daughters took us on a tour of a slice of the Cape's history.

https://www.lowercapenews.org/the-turnip-man-and-his-legacy

The wait is over; the empty storefront at the former Christmas Tree Shops will soon be adorned with a new sign. Orleans' lost businesses have left a gap the new tenant is aiming to fill.

https://www.lowercapenews.org/former-christmas-tree-shops-gets-new-tenant

More than 100 bright-eyed guinea pigs - aka cavies - are frolicking at the Animal Rescue League of Boston in Brewster, waiting for their fur-ever homes. A slew of surrenders and piggie population boom has the center offering a sort of adoption guinea-pigfest, with adoption fees waived.

Harwich, a town with deep roots in cranberry cultivation, faces challenges as oversupply in other regions drives down prices. Local growers, unable to turn a profit, are seeking alternative solutions to preserve the historical significance of cranberry farming.

For 124 years bird enthusiasts all over America have participated in the Christmas Bird Count, the worlds oldest citizen science project. The numbers help scientists spot trends and protect vulnerable species.

Seaside Cannabis Co. opened its doors to the public during a two-day grand opening event, which took place on Dec. 22 and 23. Located at 14 Lots Hollow Road, the recreational dispensary strives to engage with the community and promote the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, according to COO Spencer Knowles.

https://www.lowercapenews.org/orleans-cannabiz-opens

Truro's 2023 fall special town meeting now sits scheduled for May 2024 - on the same weekend as the annual town meeting. This upcoming double dose of democracy in action rose from voter registration challenges and heated debates over housing, land use, and municipal projects ... and may very well reflect a growing reality within many Cape and Island towns.

https://www.lowercapenews.org/truro-tension