Corpse flowers smell like rotting flesh to attract certain pollinators. | Photo by Jon Hetman/Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
A titan arum (aka the “corpse flower”) that recently bloomed at Australia’s Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is making headlines. These putrid plants bloom infrequently and unpredictably, so when they do, it’s kind of a big deal.
But did you know Boston is home to two corpse flowers?
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is currently cultivating two titan arums from Ohio State University.
On June 22, 2024 one of those flowers — nicknamed Dame Judi Stench — bloomed for the first time. Watch a time lapse of its growth and collapse.
Don’t worry, you haven’t missed your chance to see (or smell) these flowers. Dame Judi Stench is currently dormant and may bloom again. The second corpse flower — dubbed Pepe le Pew — may make its bloom debut this year.
Neither flower is currently on view, but the Arnold Arboretum is always free. Pro tip: This time of year is great for viewing witch hazel blooms.
Events
Events
Thursday, Feb. 6
Galentine’s Wine & Chocolate Tour | 5-8 p.m. | Jamaica Plain, Jamaica Plain | $20 | Chocolate, wine, and shopping — name a better combo.
MFA First Fridays | 6-9 p.m. | Boston Museum of Fine Arts | $27 | Listen to music, dance, and make art while meeting new people.
Tessa Bailey: “Dream Girl Drama” | 7-8 p.m. | Brookline Booksmith, Brookline | $30 | Meet the bestselling author, snap a pic, and take home a signed copy of her newest steamy romance title.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Bowl of ‘Zole Boston 2025 | 12-4 p.m. | South Boston Lithuanian Citizens’ Association | $65+ | Warm up with pozole and other Mexican dishes from Boston chefs, plus 100+ agave spirits.
Cupid’s Undie Run | 12-4 p.m. | Lansdowne Pub | $45 | Strip down to your skivvies and jog a mile in support of those affected by a group of genetic conditions known as NF; there will be a dance party afterwards.
Alton Brown Book Signing | 1-3 p.m. | Harvard Book Store, Cambridge | $40 | The TV personality, food scientist, voice actor, and author signs his new book of personal short stories, “Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations.”
Monday, Feb. 10
Valentine’s Day Paint & Sip | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Trident Booksellers & Cafe | $25 | Paint a portrait of your partner while watching a screening of “About Time.”
Tuesday, Feb. 11
Greenway Valentine’s Pop-Up Market | Tuesday, Feb. 11-Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway | Free | Support local artisans like Petsi Pies, Birdie & Claire, and Lucciano’s Bakeshop and find the perfect gift for your loved ones.
Friday, June 6
The Keith Lockhart 30th Anniversary Concert | 7:30-10 p.m. | Symphony Hall | Celebrate 30 years of Keith Lockhart leading the Boston Pops, with special guests Michael Feinstein, Mandy Gonzalez, and Jason Danieley.*
Yelp’s Elite Squad is the place for local movers and shakers. | Photos provided by Yelp
Meet your new favorite club.
If you love food, Boston, and meeting people who also love both, get to know Yelp’s Elite Squad.
As a member, you’ll be invited to special events, get to know more Boston businesses, and have a genuinely good time with other Elites who write “chef’s kiss” reviews.
Boston’s Planning Department will host a Zoom meeting Monday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. to discuss the impacts of the Great Scott redevelopment. The project hopes to revive Allston’s music venue that closed during the pandemic and add a new, 300-person performance space. Register here to join the call.
Community
There are many ways to honor Black History Month in Boston. Check out Boston Public Library’s author talks, workshops, special collections, and 75 titles in its “Black Is…” book list throughout February. The city is hosting special programming, too, including BCYF Black History Annual Skate Night on Friday, Feb. 14.
Opening
Oh, we feel a lil’ shopping spree coming on.Vivant Vintage plans to open its second storefront on Saturday, March 1 at 332 Newbury St. The local business will retire from Brimfield and outdoor markets to take on the new opportunity. Its Allston location will remain open, too.
Coming Soon
The more good local pizza, the merrier. Traveler Street Hospitality will open the pup-themed FiDO Pizza this summer inside the Allston Labworks Campus. New York-style pies will be the menu’s specialty, plus cocktails, beer, and wine. It’ll be open daily for lunch + dinner.
Closed
Rudy’s Cafe — a Tex-Mex restaurant that served a mean bowl of queso in Somerville for 43 years — has shuttered. The Teele Square space will be taken over by Dragon Pizza owner Charlie Redd who plans to open a new neighborhood restaurant this spring dubbed Hollows. (Eater Boston)
Real Estate
According to Zumper’s new study, Boston is the No. 4 most expensive city to rent a one-bedroom apartment. The average price is $2,830 — although that’s a 5.7% decrease year-over-year. Across the US, rent for a one-bedroom apartment has increased 2.5% compared to the same time last year.
Concert
Outlaw Music Festival will return to Xfinity Center on Sunday, Sept. 7 for its 10th anniversary tour featuring Willie Nelson + Family, Bob Dylan, Waxahatchee, Madeline Edwards, and a few artists that have not yet been announced. General public tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.
Try This
The Street Chestnut Hill will host its Sweets at the Street Dessert Crawl on Saturday, Feb. 8, 12-2 p.m. Attendees can pop into six participating businesses for small treats like coconut macaroons at Davio’s. Tickets cost $10 and benefit the Newton Food Pantry — and that’s the sweetest part.
Health
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Shop
If your favorite part of Super Bowl Sunday is watching the commercials, we’ve got just the thing for you: commercial bingo cards. Bonus: This is the perfect prize for the winner.*
Home
Selling your home? Promote your listing where buyers will see it — right here in this newsletter.
Finance
Tackling debt is crucial for many Americans in 2025. This trending card — “worth its weight in gold,” according to experts — offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2026. (Read: More than a year of interest-free payments.) Apply.*
Health
Weight Loss by Hims & Hers makes hitting your goals simple and personalized. Answer a few questions online, and a medical provider will design a plan just for you — medications, follow-ups, and all. Plus, it’s the least expensive 12-month GLP-1 plan around†. Ready to get started?Take the free assessment.*
†Please note: Comparison based on 12-month plan prices for compounded semaglutide from 12 leading competitors as of December 2024.
City Guide
City Guide
🥞 Here’s a hunch: You love brunch
Bostonia Public House is a must try brunch location Boston. | Photo via @dine.n.dashi
Ah, brunch. For many of us, it’s the most important meal of the day. Boston’s brunch scene is poppin’ — check out this round of recommendations and don’t forget to bookmark our full brunch guide to use time and time again. Happy brunching, friends.
Weekday wonder
The Friendly Toast | Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Snag a spot on the virtual waitlist for this Back Bay gem that offers mimosa flights and breakfast all day. Don’t miss the Some Like It Tot appetizer — it’s a masterpiece.
Weekend must
Bostonia Public House | Saturday + Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | What we’re ordering: Sweet potato donuts, bananas foster French toast, and lobster frittata.
Pastry paradise
Tatte Bakery and Cafe | Daily, hours vary | Stop by one of the 21 Boston-area locations for fresh baked goods and a variety of coffees. Pro tip: Sip a hazelnut iced latte. There’s also a dedicated brunch menu available all day Friday-Sunday with quiche, tartines, sandwiches + more.
Boston ranks No. 4 among the best football cities for fans in the US — and we know you love a game plan. If you’re looking for a place to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, Feb. 9, start with Boston’s sports bars.
If you’d rather order snacks to-go, Joe’s on Newbury and Joe’s Waterfront are selling Game Day Platters of wings, spinach dip, ribs, and more. You can pre-order starting today via their online ordering system.
Answered
Answered
We asked: When did the first US pizzeria open?
Easy as pie, right? More than 40% of BOStoday readers knew the answer: 1905. Now, go ahead and reward yourself with a slice — the Boston area has plenty of incredible pizza spots.
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