DEAR READER

By Cara Bayles

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DEAR READER,

Yesterday I spotted birds that weren't pigeons. They were perched on my neighbor's birdfeeder, pecking at sunflower seeds and each other. And while I've always been terrified of birds (they're tiiiiiiny dinosaurs!), my cold heart melted when I saw them, because spring is sneaking up on us. There's a larger, more vicious species that flies back into town once the weather warms (perhaps you spotted them Tuesday). That's right; the Red Sox are here. So what better way to celebrate the impending return of spring than to look at the sordid world of Sox sponsorship?

And it's not just baseball that's in season. Did you know April is Earth Month, and this is antiques week? The Dig's Department of Commerce section does. We also bring you an exclusive interview with electro-duo Autechre, and a look at the amazing cellphone art of Robert Pettit, who somehow manages to make the everyday essential (read: necessary evil) startling and beautiful.

I'd be an idiot if I praised little green buds and long evening shadows without covering my bases (har har!). So in case another foot of snow plops down next week, let's not forget the ugly side of summer: humidity, sunburns (for the pale), mosquitoes, sweat, movie theater AC and ... bird shit.

Merry April!