Oakland's Los Cenzontles is more than an award-winning band: It's a grassroots, artist-driven organization sharing the roots of Mexican culture through classes, events, and performances. This week we present music from the band as well as from some of its many musical collaborators, including Linda Rondstat -- whose support of Los Cenzontles is featured in the current documentary "Linda and The Nightingales" -- Jackson Browne, Joel Rafael, and Joe Troop (founder of Che Apalache and appearing at Ruhstaller Farm on July 18).  Also: New music from I See Hawks In LA, Billy Strings and Del McCoury, Diana Jones, and Peter Bruntell. 

What's a cultivar? What's a hybrid? What's a selection? What's a variety? We get a long answer to a short question about Ceanothus "Concha" and Ceanothus "Ray Hartmann."

Also today we have a discussion of soil pH (probably not the problem in the situation described); the challenges of planting in compost instead of soil; raised planter woes; and  details on local water issues and Davis' good situation. 

Music of Cole Porter tonight on Jazz After Dark. Prolific composer of the 20th Century, many of his songs became jazz standards thanks to vocal albums by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Julie London. We'll also hear instrumental versions from Stan Getz with Gerry Mulligan, Duke Ellington, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Stephane Grapelli, and Stuff Smith, as well as contemporary vocal covers by Dianne Reeves and Diana Krall. 

This week's episode of Listening Lyrics digs deep into the case of a missing tomato. Then we move on to the Great Lakes, and zero in on a couple of guys who sit by Lake Erie and listen to KDRT. Great stories and some pretty cool music.