Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

Boston bunnies: a hoppy tale

Boston bunnies explained

You’ll spot these Eastern Cottontails moving quickly in the city. | Photo via Wikimedia

If you’ve spent any time around Boston, chances are you’ve spotted a bunny or two bouncing around the city. Did you know that Massachusetts is home to two species of wild rabbit? Both can be found in our city from spring though early fall.

With Easter right around the corner, we’ll hop right into all the furry details.

🥕 The native New England Cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) — a very rare species in our region, despite the name. These can be identified by their darker back and black spots between the ears.

🥕 The non-native Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) — introduced before the 1900s, this species is now the most common rabbit in the Bay State. The non-native rabbits have a lighter coat and white or light brown spots on their foreheads.

The typical lifespan of these jumpy residents is about one and half years + they are herbivores, which means they snack on local grasses, weeds, fruits, dandelions, and garden flowers.

It’s common for local homeowners find a nest around the yard. If a nest is discovered, the best practice is to leave it be. Young rabbits will leave the nest after about two weeks and if nests are moved, chances are the mother won’t be able to relocate it.

If you find an injured cottontail, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Share these fun facts with some bunny + keep an eye out for cottontails around the Emerald Necklace and in Cambridge.

Events

Thursday, April 6

Fenway’s Got Talent | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 7 p.m. | Time Out Market, 401 Park Dr., Boston | Free to attend | Grab some food and enjoy the entertainment from Boston’s talented residents each Thursday throughout April.
Crafts and Cocktails Spring Edition: Eggstravaganza | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St., Boston | $15 | Decorate your own eggs + participate in an egg hunt through the bookstore.
“They Can Talk” with Jimmy Craig | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 7 p.m. | Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | Free | Join animal cartoonist Jimmy Craig and “Off the Mark” creator Mark Parisi to discuss the new book “Are You Gonna Eat That?”
“Coriolanus” | Thursday, Apr. 6-Sunday, Apr. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston | $26 | See this modern take on Shakespeare’s classic performed by women and BIPOC actors.

Friday, April 7

Watercolor 101 | Friday, Apr. 7 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Studio by Garden Streets, 100 CambridgeSide Pl., Cambridge | $55 | All materials are included for this workshop to create a flowering apple tree and a dessert cactus.

Saturday, April 8

Sapphic Nights | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 8 p.m. | House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston | $25-$35 | Proceeds from this dance party will support plans to open Dani’s Queer Bar.
Yamato: The Drummers of Japan | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 8 p.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | $37-$65 | The performance features over 20 drums with bronze cymbals, vocals, and bamboo flutes.

Sunday, April 9

Pinball Tournaments at The Silhouette Lounge | Sunday, Apr. 9 | 4-6 p.m. | Silhouette Lounge, 200 Brighton Ave., Allston | Free to attend | Entry in the weekly tournament is $5.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Civic

Boston City Council approved a new climate-friendly state building code to discourage the use of fossil fuels in new construction and major renovations. If approved by Mayor Wu, Boston will be the eighth and largest city in the state to implement the new code. (Boston Globe)

Open

A new Rwandan coffee shop is now open in Somerville’s Teele Square at 1212 Broadway. Yego Coffee, which roughly translates to “yes,” serves up locally roasted coffee starting at $15 a bag. (Eater Boston)

Development

The BPDA is requesting proposals for a five-acre property across from Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown. The agency is looking for bids to build three to six buildings that could offer hundreds of income-restricted housing units. (Boston Business Journal)

Watch

Tune in Saturday at 9 p.m. for the return of HGTV’s “Houses With History.” The second season will highlight renovations of historic homes in the Bay State, including what’s left of an 85-room mansion that dates back to 1895 in Fairhaven. (Boston.com)

Tech

This new robot is taking one small step toward groundbreaking technology. MIT researchers from the “Improbable Artificial Intelligence Lab” have created a new robot that can play soccer. The Cheetah DribbleBot is a legged robotic system that uses sensors to dribble a soccer ball across different types of terrain. (7 News)

Arts

A photo series 10 years in the making is on display in the windows of WBUR CitySpace at 890 Commonwealth Ave. through Friday, April 14. “The Finish Line” exhibit features photos from the Boston Marathon finish line, capturing scenes of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and the weeks following. (WBUR)

Community

Hopkinton’s Start Line Brewing Company has released a new brew to celebrate the late marathoner Dick Hoyt, who is known for completing 32 marathons while pushing his quadriplegic son. A portion of sales will be donated to the 26.2 Foundation. (7 News)

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Outdoors

Tee-rific city golf courses

Tee it up at these Boston golf courses

The greens at the George Wright Golf Course.

The George Wright Golf Course opened in 1938. | Photo by @liam_moran33

We can’t think of a better way to soak in Boston’s greenspace than spending some time on the links. Whether you’re looking to connect with friends outdoors or you’re honing the perfect swing, here are 13 golf courses to check out at tee time around Boston.

The green on a hole at the TPC Boston golf course. — Play a round on the only PGA tour course in the Bay State.
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Photo by @_beers_n_birdies_

Members only

The Country Club, 191 Clyde St., Brookline | Dating back to 1882, The Country Club is one of the oldest clubs in the US and one of five charter members that founded the United States Golf Association in 1894. It has hosted numerous championships, including the 1913 U.S. Open, the 1999 Ryder Cup, 1902 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the club’s first national championship, and four U.S. Opens.

TPC Boston, 400 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton | A membership here grants you access to the Bay State’s only PGA Tour facility, events at the club, unique dining experiences, and year-round entry to the event spaces.

Blue Hill Country Club, 23 Pecunit St., Canton | This private, family-focused country club offers 27 holes of championship golf, with a pool, practice facilities, and several dining and function facilities.

South Shore Country Club, 274 South St., Hingham | Join the waitlist for membership at this club to book tee times in advance of the public, and gain access to discounts in the pro shop, complimentary practice balls prior to play, and discounted + free off-season use of the golf simulators.

A drone shot of the river, located next to the Cambridge golf course. — Take a swing with views of the river from the greens.
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Photo by @stories__in__squares

Public courses

William J. Devine Golf Course, 1 Circuit Dr., Dorchester | Take a swing at this Jamaica Plain course located next to the Franklin Park Zoo. This is the second-oldest public golf course in the US and part of the Emerald Necklace. The course is open year-round and has an outdoor patio with chairs, tables, and umbrellas + seating for up to 100 people.

George Wright Golf Course, 420 West St., Hyde Park | This course was founded in 1938 and is open seven days a week through November. George Wright was a Hall of Fame baseball player who played for the Cincinnati and Boston Red Stockings in the 1800s.

Brookline Golf Course, 1281 West Roxbury Pkwy., Brookline | Learn more about the game and practice your swing with instruction for all player levels, plus enjoy a variety of clinics and junior-specific programs.

Granite Links Golf Club, 100 Quarry Hills Dr., Quincy | Play as a public guest to take advantage of amenities like the patio bar, views of the skyline, and driving range.

Fresh Pond Golf Course, 691 Huron Ave. Cambridge | This nine-hole municipal golf course is open to residents and requires pre-registered tee times.

BOS-Puttshack-Press- — Here’s the perfect indoor activity as the weather starts to cool.
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Photo provided

Just puttin’ around

Puttshack, 58 Pier 4 Blvd., Seaport | This putt-putt course uses smart technology to track every swing and add an extra challenge. There are two levels of courses and multiple food and drink options.

Project: PUTT 61 Exchange St., Malden | Swing by to visit the mad scientist for a round of mini golf with a variety of special effects, including fog, lasers, and lights.

Rendering of the new Topgolf Canton. — Take a swing at the only Topgolf location in the Bay State.
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Photo provided by Topgolf

Take it indoors

Five Iron Golf, One Washington St. | Book a lesson or just get some practice swings in at this indoor golf simulator in Government Center.

Topgolf, 777 Dedham St., Canton | This new location is coming soon. Once completed, this multi-story facility will offer climate-controlled hitting bays for year-round play, with HDTVs in every bay, the sports bar, and restaurant.

Did we miss an un-fore-gettable golf course? Let us know.

The Wrap

Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica

From the editor

There is another art mystery afoot in Boston. ICYMI — March 18 was the anniversary of the infamous art heist from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Now, a fine art photograph is missing due to another scheme that started at a Boston gallery.

The work in question from Worcester native Christopher Boffoli is titled “Champagne Scuba.” Break out your detective hat and read the rest of the clues in this case.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Participate in the BOStoday poetry contest.

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