Pulse Magazine - February 2015

celebrate

NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND

with

Page 40: ArtsWorcester College Show

FEBRUARY 2015 IN THIS ISSUE COVER story 6 Staying healthy with

24 Club, Pub & Bar Listings

HEALTH & FITNESS 10 Dress to impress:

LIFESTYLE 30 Your guide to Valentine’s Day

28 PulseShots

winter sports

Stay warm this winter as you explore outdoor sports

11 Heading outside?

Prevent injury

12 What’s the right eating plan 14 Use your workout etiquette

for you?

16 Get over your gymtimidation

31 EverydaySCIENCE: Water isn’t

as soft as you think

DINING & ENTERTAINING 32 Eating healthy on a budget 33 Worcester Restaurant Week:

Give yourself a treat

Billy’s Pub offers the classic roadhouse experience

Entertainment 18 Comedy Fest ~ Because you

36 PulseBREW:

20 OnCD: Johnny Wore Black /

36 Hot&Now

21 Oh what a feeling! Flashdance

ART & CULTURE 40 ArtsWorcester College

need a good laugh

Mary J. Blige / XFactor1

comes to the Worcester stage

22 PulseBOOKS: Two new books

to read this month

23 GameON: WWE 2K15 doesn’t

pull any punches

ThePulseMag.com ONLINE STORIES

HEALTH & FITNESS: PRODUCTS TO TRY

34 Dining Review:

read pulse Online @

follow us on social media:

Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse

Saturday beer trips

Follow us on Instagram @PulseMag_Worc Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine

Show to showcase up and coming talent

style & beauty 42 Look great before, during

and after workouts

42 TheStyleList:

Exercise gear gets an upgrade

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2012 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc.

Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Vanessa Herbold, Art Director Justin Perry, Photographer Chris Reddy, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Kevin Swenson, Account Executives

Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor Kimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Stacia Kindler, R.J. Linton, Rachel Shuster, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Kevin Swenson, Diane Gottsman, Alejandro Chaban, Akilah C. Thompson Writers

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

C O V E R

Staying healthy with winter sports

By Jennifer Russo So you have made some goals for the year that involve getting fit, but it’s absolutely freezing outside and there is snow on the ground. While it might be tempting to cover yourself in blankets, watch a bunch of series shows on Netflix and hibernate until spring, be encouraged to get out there and continue or start your fitness routine, even in February. Granted, you may not be able to run around your neighborhood to rid yourself of those chocolate heart calories, but there are plenty of ways to stay fit in winter, and you’ll have such a good time that it won’t even feel like exercise. Plus, keeping fit in the winter is proven to boost immunity at a time when colds and flus are trying to sneak their way into your system, and because your body has to work harder to maintain its own temperature in the cold, you burn more calories. The mental health benefits are great, too, as exercise can also battle winter depression (even in the winter, being outside in the sun gives you air and vitamin D), and it’s a great stress reliever.

6 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

Snowboarding Snowboarding, a sport that combines the idea of skateboarding and surfing using snow as the terrain, burns an average of 475 calories per hour and increases flexibility, cardiovascular strength and provides even more of a leg workout than skiing.

Additionally, the workout it provides your joints means that as you age, you will be less likely to have age-related injuries in the hips and knees. If you don’t ski or snowboard all the time or are a first-timer, you can rent the equipment. Lisa, a friend of mine who is an avid snowboarder, tells me that she prefers snowboarding to skiing because “it’s much more of a freestyle sport and there are far more stunt options. The clothes are cooler, the boots are comfortable, and I’m not the ‘ski bunny’ kind of girl!”

Skiing When you think of winter sports, skiing and snowboarding likely come to mind, as these are the most popular. Hitting those slopes offers a total body workout, and let’s face it, living in New England we have easy access to some of the best lodges in the country.

There is downhill skiing and cross-country skiing. Downhill skiing provides excellent calorie burn (450-550 calories an hour). You are using your body to balance itself, which works muscle groups in your stomach and legs and increases agility, making this one of the best workouts you can get. Downhill provides less calorie burn than cross-country, but is faster paced for that rush factor.

Cross-country skiing covers not only downward hills but flat terrain and even some uphill climbs and so exerts more effort and burns more calories (a whopping 500-650 per hour), but it is slower-paced and more about endurance than speed.

Tubing Tubing is so much fun that it is hard to believe it actually provides some benefit to your body. This form of sledding is riding an inflatable tube down a snowy hill. In addition to using core muscle groups to steer yourself, you have to bring the tube back up the hill again, which is a great leg workout. It burns about 250 calories for every 30 minutes, depending on how many times you trek back up.

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7

Snowshoeing I remember asking my mother why people had tennis rackets strapped to their feet when they walked in the snow. As an adult, I am actually pretty impressed that the concept of snowshoeing started more than 6,000 years ago as a survival skill and think it’s pretty cool, considering the physics of how snowshoes work.

Burning around 270 calories every 30 minutes, snowshoeing is a great way to get your body moving and get some oxygen into your blood and lungs. It’s a scenic way to get some exercise while you enjoy nature’s beauty and spend time with friends and family, and it’s great for all skill levels.

Football Though some may not look at it as a winter sport, football is played in the winter months. My dad always said, “Any weather is football weather,” and he was right. Football is played even when it’s raining, snowing or bitter cold. There are rarely cancellations in the NFL due to weather issues. Touch or tackle football is a great way to stay in shape and is a great social event, too. It burns about 530 calories an hour, and you’ll barely notice the cold once you get moving.

Snow Shoveling Totally not your idea of a fun pastime? Me neither, but you have to do it, and it does burn calories and give your arms and back an excellent workout at 315 calories burned an hour. Your heart will thank you, too.

Ice Skating This definitely takes some practice, coordination and balance, but once you master how to skate, you will realize what a great workout it is (and it’s fun, too). An excellent leg and abdominal workout, you will burn around 250 calories in 30 minutes going around the rink at a normal speed. Playing ice hockey is another great workout, burning 300 calories every 30 minutes.

8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

Where to Go Curling I have to admit that I had never heard of curling before the last Winter Olympic Games. And when I first saw it, I thought it was basically shuffleboard on ice. In a way, it is, but it’s a little more complicated. Originating sometime in the 16th century, the sport requires a lot of skill to try to slide a stone into a bull’seye. It’s become a popular sport and works the legs and arms and requires brainpower for strategizing. It burns around 210 calories an hour, and it’s a low-impact sport.

For skiing, snowboarding and tubing, the options are pretty endless, but if you don’t want to drive too far, Ski Ward (skiward.com) is right in our backyard. It’s on the smaller side, with three trails, and there are a variety of seasonal pass options, including a 50 percent military discount and a college pass. If you don’t mind driving a short way, Wachusett Mountain in Princeton is an excellent choice. In addition to having tons of trails, Wachusett has a full calendar of different events (including a Valentine’s event Feb. 14 and the Kiss 108 Winter Games on Feb. 21), races, workshops and night skiing. Lift ticket rates average around $55. If you want to venture out to western Massachusetts or out of state and make a weekend of it, try Butternut Mountain in Great Barrington, which has excellent group rates and terrain parks, or Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, Vt., which has more than 650 acres of slopes and terrain.

For snowshoeing, the Upton State Forest trail is pretty close and is a beautiful walk.

The forest is 2,660 acres, filled with maples and white pines and has a 3-mile looped trail for snowshoeing. Hopkinton State Park also has snowshoeing and a 3-mile looped trail.

Estimate 1 mile per hour and $5 for parking.

For ice skating, there are indoor and outdoor options. For skating indoors, most skating rinks, like the Buffone Arena on Lake Avenue in Worcester, have public skate hours for a small fee, and you can bring or rent skates.

If you’d rather skate outside, the Worcester Common has a rink, and there is always Patriot Place in Foxboro.

For snowmobiling, some places do not allow snow vehicles, so do your research first. Snowmobiling in Massachusetts is only permitted in daylight hours, and the vehicle must be registered. We recommend Douglas State Forest. It is great choice close by, with 4,640 acres that surround beautiful Wallum Lake. Spencer State Forest also allows snowmobiling.

Snowmobiling Alright, this isn’t really a sport, per se, and it’s definitely low-impact, since you are seated and letting a motorized vehicle do most of the work, but you can still burn 165 calories an hour doing this, and it gets you out and about and off the sofa, so we are all for it.

If you want to try your hand at curling, there are four curling clubs in Massachusetts. The closest is Petersham Curling Club, located on Route 32. The club offers lessons in curling that take about three hours for a $20 fee.

Sign up at petershamcurling.org. The largest curling club in the area is Broomstone’s Curling Club out of Wayland, which has four sheets (playing fields).

For shoveling, look no further than your very own driveway.

Note: Calories burned are based on a 150-pound, average height person of good health.

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9

HEALTH&FITNESS

Dress to impress:

Stay warm this winter as you explore outdoor sports

By Kimberly Dunbar

SmartWool or a similar brand). This material keeps feet warm, even when wet.

For most sports, your best bet is a synthetic snow glove ~ materials like fleece and polyester dry quickly when wet from snow or sweat. Make sure your gloves provide full coverage and no skin is exposed. You can layer with mittens, or opt for just mittens, which can be warmer than gloves, if the sport allows.

Hibernating during winter is for the bears. Learn how to dress for the cold weather, and you’ll be out in snow in no time.

Save Face Layer Up

There are three parts to properly outfitting your upper body for outdoor activity ~ base, mid and outer layers. Your base layer should be tight-fitting and moisturewicking to keep you warm and dry when you sweat. Base-layering tops can be as light as a tank or T-shirt (better for moisture-wicking) or as heavy as long underwear (for better insulation). Your mid layer helps with insulation and keeps moisture away from your body. It can be looser fitting than the base ~ options include fleece or down jackets and vests. The outer layer should be a jacket (such as a Gore-Tex or hard shell) that is waterproof, wind resistant and tough enough to withstand scrapes and tears. Be sure that the jacket has ventilation and breathability, allowing inside moisture to escape. This type of layering can be applied to most winter sports and modified to fit different weather and levels of activity.

When it comes to snow pants, choosing a pair that is flexible, durable, waterproof and breathable is also important. Most winter coats have a feature that allows you to connect them to your pants; if not, opt for snow pants with a bib. There’s nothing worse than getting a chunk of snow down your pants or up your shirt (it’s uncomfortable and harmful to your body temperature). Layer a pair of thermals, fleece pants or running tights under your snow pants for protection. For running and skating, slip a pair of leg warmers over tights for extra warmth.

Take Care of Your Digits

One of the most important pieces of clothing to keep in mind when dressing for outdoor activities is socks. Whether running or trekking through snow, moisturewicking or synthetic socks are a good starting point, as they will keep your feet dry from sweat. If heading out in the snow, layer these socks with wool (try

10 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

Eyewear is important. For skiing or snowboarding, that means wearing goggles with UV protection; for running, look for polarized sunglasses with UV protection (polarized lenses help cut down on the glare). And don’t forget the sunscreen and lip balm, even on cloudy days, to protect you from both sunburn and windburn.

Use Your Head

Put on your thinking cap before you head out for any winter activity. For skiing and snowboarding, this means investing in a properly fitting helmet. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the leading cause of death from sports-related injuries is traumatic brain injury. While you don’t necessarily need a helmet for sports like snowshoeing, skating or running, covering your noggin is always a good decision. Earmuffs, headbands or hats (wool or fleece) are all smart options.

Other things to keep in mind before heading outdoors for some exercise: Wear bright colors and reflective gear, especially when it’s dark. When running, also wear a headlamp, so cars can see you and you can see the path in front of you; it will prevent you from tripping on uneven pavement or slipping on a patch of ice. When hiking or snowshoeing, the brighter your outfit the better ~ it’ll help you stand out if you get lost.

And last, but certainly not least, warm up prior to participating in any activity.

Doing a few active stretches before an intense workout can help prevent injuries. Try jumping jacks, high knees or ~ my personal favorite ~ leg swings.

While holding on to a stationary object, keep your body straight and slowly swing your leg back and forth (both front and back and side to side).

But remember ~ have fun!

Heading outside?

Prevent injur y

By Kevin Swenson

While there’s always a new sport, new gear and new fitness trends to try, some things always stay the same ~ like injuries. Every year, you either hear about a person getting hurt or you get hurt yourself during the winter, and some more than others. But what causes these injuries? Well, Dr. Jon Dooley, of Greendale Physical Therapy, has something to say about this, as well as what to do when injuries occur.

Dooley’s practice, Greendale Physical Therapy, with locations in Worcester, Shrewsbury and Clinton, recently received an Honorable Mention in Advance for Physical Therapy and Rehab magazine’s nationwide Practice of the Year contest.

“The most common injuries that people receive during the winter are, actually, falling on ice,” Dooley said. “There are ways to avoid this, obviously.

Making sure surfaces are prepped properly for the weather. Wearing proper footwear like sneakers or boots when you go to work and changing after getting into work is also recommended.”

It seems almost obvious that slipping and falling would be the most common cause of injuries during the winter. Slips and falls can be quite dangerous, but oftentimes, people do not get help for the injuries they sustain doing things that may seem normal or automatic to them.

“People believe that PT (physical therapy) is something that is painful. While there is chance to feel pain after, say, a total knee replacement, the techniques are not painful at all to people, and we educate on that,” Dooley said.

“People also tend to think we are just massage therapists. All of our new doctors have doctorates, and we focus on educating, as well as doing a variety of physical therapy techniques.”

Dooley also said there is a mental component to injuries. Often, people tend to forget that getting injured means that activities may need to be curtailed. He said he recently attended a wedding, where he and other friends played hockey before the event. Dooley did not play as strenuously as he did when he was younger; he knew his body could not handle the stress. That is a big part of avoiding injuries: knowing what your body can and cannot do.

“Staying in shape is the biggest thing for preventing injury. Making sure you are warmed up before recreational sports or just taking breaks when doing yard work,” Dooley said. “These are the ways to prevent a lot of common injuries people receive day to day.”

For more information, visit greendalept.com.

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 11

What’s the right eating plan for you?

By Jennifer Russo With so many diet and eating lifestyles out there, how do you know which is the right one is for you? They say it’s really just about calories in and calories out when it comes to maintaining or losing weight, and while the basics of that may be true, there are other things to consider. Should you eat carbs? Should you go organic? What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan? Are there good fats and bad fats, good carbs and bad carbs, good protein and bad protein?

What’s Paleo? Do you need to be gluten-free? How many calories should you eat?

All of this info is enough to make you throw your hands up and grab a bag of Doritos and think about it tomorrow, right? Put them down, lick the bright orange cheese powder off your fingers and slowly back away. Here is some insight into what all of this health jargon means.

First, let me squash the idea of “dieting.” In truth, there is no such thing, unless you are planning on only having results for the duration of your diet. If you want to have a healthy body and lifestyle, then you need to make a lifestyle change.

A healthy-eating lifestyle means that you eat healthy 90 percent of the time, with the occasional treat.

Vegan and Vegetarian

They are not the same thing, though both of these lifestyles do not eat meat. In general, vegetarians do not eat meat (though some will eat eggs or dairy) while vegans exclude all meat and animal by-products (not only eggs and dairy, but also things like honey and gelatin) and do not use non-edible animal-derived products like leather, wool, fur or any products that may use or condone animal testing (beauty products, especially). Anyone can adopt these lifestyles, but people who tend to be low on iron, B vitamins and protein will need to be sure to eat foods that are rich in those or take supplements.

Organic

Organic food is simply, in a nutshell, farmed under organic standards set by organizations and the government. If there is an “organic” label on the product, it has been approved by food safety authorities. These foods are usually sustainable under conservation regulations, and chemical/synthetic pesticides and fertilizers for plants or hormones for livestock are not permitted for growth. It also stands by a “cage free” environment for animals to be used as food sources. Speaking personally, I prefer organic food most of the time. Not because it tastes better necessarily, but because who needs to eat chemicals and hormones?

Paleolithic/Paleo

So while it might seem similar to the diets above, Paleo is even more rigid.

That being said, I know several people who eat this way and it has worked for them. Also called the “Caveman Diet,” Paleo calls for its followers only to eat food items that are of the natural world ~ plants and animals that were available 10,000 years ago. It avoids foods that contain corn syrup, salt, caffeine, alcohol, trans fats and other man-made elements, as well as grains and dairy products. It focuses on eating non-starchy fruit and vegetables for nearly half of the day’s calories, along with grass-fed meat, fish and nuts. This is a great lifestyle for those prone to or who have diabetes. Dangers include lack of calcium and vitamin D, so supplements need to be taken.

Atkins/Low-Carb

Low -carb diets are also great for people who carry most of their weight in their stomach and people prone to diabetes.

Similar to the Paleo diet, where protein and low-carb vegetables account for the majority of the diet, this is a less strict approach, as it does allow for some carbs such as brown rice, beans and unleavened bread. The diet avoids foods like white bread, sugars and pasta.

Gluten Free

Suddenly, gluten-free products are filling supermarket shelves. Why? Gluten is a type of protein that acts as a binding agent and is found in wheat, rye and barley.

People with celiac disease have an auto-immune reaction to gluten, causing it to wreak havoc on their intestines, which can prevent them from absorbing necessary vitamins, among other issues. Many people are gluten intolerant, though, due to grains being modified and containing more gluten than they ever have before.

However, most people have no issue with gluten.

Whichever healthy eating lifestyle you choose to adopt, it is crucial to be sure that it is right for you, so check with your physician and be sure to add supplements of essential vitamins that your diet may not provide. Also, be sure that you are getting at least 1,200 calories a day. Though cutting calories is important, eating them and burning them off with exercise is the better way to stay healthy and be sure your body is getting all it needs.

12 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

D CU Y B D E T PRESEN

Use your

workout etiquette

By Diane Gottsman

Whether you’ve been working out forever or you’re a first-timer, you need to follow the rules of etiquette.

Here are some tips to help you out ~ whether you work out at a gym or in the great outdoors.

Gym Etiquette Do dress appropriately. Wearing the appropriate workout attire means you’ll feel

your best and get a better workout. If you are wearing too-baggy clothing, you will be distracted by your clothes catching on a weight. Too-revealing clothing is distracting and comes across as a bit desperate for attention. Neither are good starts to a great workout.

Don’t drop the weights. If you’re strong enough to get them over your head, you’re

strong enough to get them back down to the ground in a safe location so others don’t trip over them. In other words, put away your “toys” after you play with them.

Don’t save a machine. If your friend is getting a drink of water, that’s one thing. But

putting your towel on the treadmill to “save” it for someone that may or may not show up is impolite. Share the equipment and allow other guests to work out with you. If there is a time limit on a machine, get off and move on when your time is up.

Do mind your own business. Giving unsolicited advice may be taken with appreciation

or a grain of salt. Unless someone is in danger of hurting himself or herself, keep your instruction and step-by-step tutorials to yourself.

Don’t stare. Overtly checking someone out is nothing short of creepy. Equally off-

putting is watching someone check themselves out in the mirrors as they make their way through the gym and back to the locker room. You look the same in every mirror!

Don’t sing. When listening to your favorite music with your earbuds securely in place, remember you are probably singing along at a louder decibel (or two) than you may think.

Do wipe down the machine before moving on. Preferably not with the same towel you use to wipe your face and body. It’s worth investing in a pack of fitness towels with a germ shield. Use the disinfectant the gym provides specifically for this purpose.

Do back up. Respect other people’s personal space and take a step back while waiting for the weights or machine. If someone is stretching before a class or has placed a mat down for yoga, move your mat over so the other person has room to move freely without hitting you in the head with their foot.

Outdoor Etiquette Stay on track. If you are using a public area to run, bike or jog, but want to take a shortcut back, resist the urge to hop someone’s fence or bike across the golf course. Also, steer clear of areas that are close to children, or even remotely populated, when you feel the immediate need to relieve yourself and can’t wait another moment.

Plan for dusk and dawn. It might be more convenient to take your daily run in

the early morning or late-night hours but keep in mind the limited visibility of oncoming traffic. Wear reflective clothing and use reflectors if you plan a midnight bike ride (which I advise against for safety reasons). Don’t forget to wear your bike helmet and include a reflector or light.

Obey traffic laws and be respectful of drivers and pedestrians. Utilize all pedestrian crossings and stop at stop signs if you are on a recreational vehicle. Keep in mind that you are responsible for other people’s safety as much as they are responsible for yours. Don’t surprise a walker from behind or expect a driver to veer off the road to accommodate you.

Clean up after your pet. If your exercise routine includes a jog or walk with your dog, bring along some plastic bags for your dog’s waste.

Walk single file. If you are walking with a group of people, when you see someone walking toward you, allow them to pass by doubling up or walking single file, rather than making them step off onto the grass to allow your entire group to stay together.

No littering. Those plastic water bottles won’t throw themselves away.

Dress in layers. There may be a chill in the air when you leave the house, but

Don’t use the pool as your shower. Soap and water are still your best option. And

you will quickly warm up when you start moving. Peeling layers off is better than quitting because you are too hot too soon.

Don’t spit in the sink. Don’t even think about spitting in the shower, water fountain or sink. And keep your gum in your mouth until you find a trash can. The water fountain is not the place to leave it behind.

For more information, visit dianegottsman.com and protocolschooloftexas.com.

please, whatever you do, don’t forget deodorant.

Do leave your cell phone in your gym bag (safely locked up in the locker room). Don’t carry

your cell phone around with you while you lift weights or put it on the side of the basketball court while you play a quick game and then complain when it turns up missing or stolen.

14 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

Diane Gottsman specializes in executive leadership and etiquette training, with clients ranging from university students to Fortune 500 companies, and her seminars cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media. Her advice is backed by a master’s degree in sociology with an emphasis on adult behavior.

Carnaval de Canal

A Mardi Gras Event

FAT TUESDAY | Feb. 17th

in the Worcester Canal District

Beads • Giveaways • Picture Scavenger Hunt • Promotions Live Entertainment • Costumes Highly Encouraged

6 pm Start

@ Compass Tavern to get your program & picture scavenger hunt form

For a list of all participating venues & schedule find us Facebook: The Canal District Bus schedule will be posted on Facebook

Free bus to/from venues & area colleges and free hop-on/hop-off bus throughout Canal District

Join us for your chance to be crowned King or Queen of Mardi Gras! PLUS, enter for a chance to win a trip to Magic Hat’s Mardi Gras weekend in Vermont! Check Facebook for more details.

AUTHENTIC CAJUN SPECIALS

HURRICANES

BEADS&MASKS

DANCING & LIVE MUSIC from Slippery Sneakers Zydeco Band 139 GREEN STREET

WORCESTER, MA 01604

TUESDAY 6PM-11PM

FEBRUARY12th

Problem: Competition

Getting to the gym the first few days and looking at the girl next to you and wanting to compete with her is a very bad idea. The only thing you’re going to do with this is feel bad if you can’t keep up with her. Don’t compare yourself to anybody. Your only competition is yourself. You don’t know the other girl’s story, what drives her or how long she’s been doing this.

Problem: Publishing your training

Get over your gymtimidation After achieving his own personal weight loss of 150 pounds and overcoming his “gymtimidation,” certified nutrition consultant Alejandro Chabán knows firsthand the struggles of entering the gym as an overweight rookie. Here are his tips to solve some of the most common problems for those new to the gym.

Problem: Lack of knowledge

You’re there, and you have no idea how to use the machines or all of those weird balls. The only thing you see is all those expert people jumping from one machine to the next, and you just stare at them with a confused look on your face without knowing where to start. Invest in one session with a personal trainer that can show you how to use the machines and design a specific routine for you.

Another option that’s cheaper is to go on You Tube and look for different video tutorials that show you how to work every muscle and offer fun cardio routines to practice at home.

When we’re first starting, we want everyone to know what we’re doing, and we share it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and every other social media outlet.

This causes us to spend more time on our phones than actually working out.

Leave your phone in the locker or use it only to listen to music. Stop telling the world you’re going to work out and just work out! If you don’t work out, you won’t have any results to share.

Problem: The wrong clothes

This doesn’t mean that you should get the most expensive and trendy clothes for the gym; it’s about having the right underwear, pants, shoes and socks. This is important for you to feel comfortable, confident and to avoid injuries. I used to go to the gym with those huge heavy cotton shirts that were always three sizes too big. When I saw myself in the mirror, I got even more depressed and lost all my motivation.

P r o b l e m : T o o m u c h s t u f f

When you go to the gym, try to take as little as possible. I used to take a padlock, water, my phone, an iPod, a bag, towels, my protein shake, my wallet, a book and 40 other things. This just made me lose my focus, and I always ended up losing stuff. Try to take as little as possible and leave everything in the locker.

Alejandro Chabán is one of the youngest motivational speakers in the U.S. and is the best-selling author of De Gordo a Galán (From Fatty to Hottie). Chabán dedicates his time to sharing his life experience of battling obesity, anorexia and bulimia during his teenage years and how he was able to transform himself into an admired actor, author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Chabán created the Yes You Can! Diet Plan, the first and only diet plan created by Hispanics for Hispanics.

When you have the best people on your team, nothing can stop you.

Under age 25 -$35 per month | No Enrollment Fee

440 GROVE STREET | WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS | 01605 FACEBOOK.COM/WORCESTERFITNESS

16 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

Comedy Fest because you need a good laugh

By Jennifer Russo At a time when people are tired of dealing with winter, holiday let-down and watching the depressing crap on the news, Worcester answers with the best medicine of all … laughter.

The second annual Comedy Fest will grace The Palladium stage on Feb. 28, and the lineup looks truly amazing, with headliners Lenny Clarke and Steve Sweeney (both Boston comic legends), Jimmy Dunn, Frank Foley, Tony V, James Dorsey, Kevin Barbare, Tom Dwyer and some local acts, too. What could be better than live comedy, a couple drinks, forgetting your troubles for a couple hours and laughing so hard you get the hiccups (wait, does that happen to everyone or just me?).

“We really want to mix in some of the best local up-and-coming talent and the best talent from right here in Worcester with some big-name acts that also have ties to the area. These guys are top-notch national acts. They’ve all toured the country … all over the world. It was pretty easy to come up with this lineup this year,” said Larry Smith, co-founder of Stand Up for Laughs, which started in early 2012, combining a love for comedy, roasts, music and event planning and promotion.

“The feeling of watching over 800 people at The Palladium for last year’s Comedy Fest and it sounding like a laugh track at a show my company organized was definitely a highlight in my career,” Smith said. He hopes to top that number this year.

Headliner Steve Sweeney (Me, Myself and Irene, The Equalizer, WZLX Radio) said, “The lineup is really unbelievable; everyone on the bill is great. I did it last year, and it’s a good vibe. It’s an all-star kind of show that I think anyone would like. There are so many different styles of comedians, and it’s really a great night out.”

Sweeney said he likes performing in Massachusetts because “Boston has an edge, and it’s fun doing local material. People identify right away.”

In addition to performing at Comedy Fest, Sweeney will be in the upcoming movie, The Forger, with John Travolta and a movie about fighter Vinny Pazienza, Bleed for This. He is also co-writing a movie with Keith Dorrington (who wrote The Fighter).

Comedian Lenny Clarke (Rescue Me, The John Larroquette Show, Sirens, Fever Pitch) will host the event this year. He took some time to talk to me about the show and was just as funny unscripted as I would have imagined.

“You’re getting a bunch of headliners that would never necessarily be in Worcester on the same night otherwise,” Clarke said. “It’s an amazing lineup. When you’re working with other funny people that you respect and admire, it makes you bring your A game. At times, I think people just go through the motions, but this event is really something special; we all get up there and the crowd is amazing … we really kick some ass.”

Clarke, who is known for his brutally honest style of comedy, said that if he wasn’t doing comedy, he would probably be in a mental institution.

“I’m absurd. I’m out of my f-n mind! Some people love me, some people hate me, but after doing this for over 37 years, I know I can’t please everybody,” Clarke said. “When people do come to see me, though, I really want them to laugh. If they let me create, I will make them laugh. I’ll give them the best I can every time.”

Tickets for Comedy Fest won’t break the bank, either. You can get balcony tickets for $20, Lower Level seats for $30 and Floor seats right near the stage for $45. Tickets are available on ticketfly.com.

18 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

Change Your Career Change Your Life Programs Offered Medical Assisting Medical Office Administration Medical Billing and Coding Culinary Arts Massage Therapy Salter College offers Associate Degrees in Medical Assisting and Medical Office Administration, and certificates in all programs

ll One visit and you'oose ch ts see why studen

• Financial aid available to those who qualify • Day and evening classes are forming now • Career placement assistance

Call or Click Today!

888-569-9996 salter.edu

For Salter College’s Student Consumer Information visit www.salter.edu/info

184 W. Boylston Street West Boylston, MA

OnCD: Johnny wore black / mary J. Blige / xfactor1 johnny wore black | Walking Underwater Part 2

By Jennifer Russo I was surprised when I started streaming the latest release from Johnny Wore Black, because I had expected it to follow the Walking Underwater Part 1 flow. In fact, Part 2 has a completely different tone, a more brooding and contemplative one. Its core is old-school rock ’n’ roll, evoking Ozzfest memories, but with a bold approach to current instrumental technologies. The album also features Megadeth’s David Ellefson, bringing another level to the party.

The 10-song album has a lot going for it. The first track, “Firefly,” is smooth as butter, with wellbalanced harmony and a classic vibe, whereas “A Cut Above” brings a more modern feel, with some

Mary J. Blige | The London Sessions

By Michael Wood Going across the pond for her latest release was the right move for Mary J. Blige. The soul songstress finds her groove again ~ that groove she’s been seeking for the last dozen years in lesser efforts ~ and we’ve missed it. The sound on The London Sessions is fitting for the R&B queen because it allows her throaty, soulful voice to shine while matching it with big UK talents like Sam Smith and Disclosure (both acts with whom she teamed on their albums in 2014).

Most of the 12 songs on the album sound fresh and ~ more importantly ~ passionate, which is a cornerstone of Blige’s trademark sound. It begins with four ballads, highlighted by “Doubt,” a signature self-reflection anthem that bares her emotional

XFACTOR1 | Reboot the System

By Jason Savio XFactor1 is on a mission with Reboot The System.

According to XFactor1, the rock and metal scene is in need of a jumpstart ~ or reboot ~ and they intend to deliver it. But do they?

Things get off to a fist-pounding start on the opening “Rise of the Rebellion,” with vocalist QBall yelling over a building guitar-sustain, “Rock is anarchy/ Rock is decadence/This is the rise of the rebellion.”

QBall clearly draws the line between his band and others that fall “for the trends, the fads and the bandwagon (expletive) that the sheep call art,” and for the most part, the band lives up to its end of the bargain. The majority of Reboot The System contains a loose and heavy formula that harkens

20 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

computerized elements well fitted over natural talent. “Fallen Angel” and “Shine On” were two of my favorites and had a Pink Floydish kind of dark calm to them. “Gift of Desperation” was my favorite song on the entire album, with a compelling story and excellent lyrics that I found myself humming to later in my day. “I Do Dissolve” and “Noise” are the catchy tracks I can see doing well on the radio long before the others.

The album is very impassioned and stirring and perhaps gives us a peek into the varying issues band members have faced or are facing and really draws us into their world. I really enjoyed the intertwined techno and rock elements and exquisite layering offered throughout the record, which really gave it a deeper sound more bands should tap into.

Visit johnnyworeblack.com for more information on the band, the album and other news.

core. Those looking for a Mary J. throwback to her ’90s R&B will have to wait through the album’s first third until she really hits her stride with “My Loving,” quintessential Blige that explodes with raw emotion.

Heartfelt is sometimes overused, but with Blige it’s been overdue, so we’re happy to hear her sounding unapologetically, emotionally invested in her songs. The singer gets personal about her demons of addiction with “Therapy” and is ready for the pulsating dance floor with “Nobody But You.” And while the transitions between moods can be a bit jolting and the random spoken-word interludes

by Sam Smith and Disclosure, which praise her talents between tracks, are just awkward ~ it’s better to just let us hear her ~ this is the Mary J. Blige we’ve been waiting for. We’re just thrilled to be along for the ride … even if the road to get there is a little bit bumpy.

For all the latest on the queen of R&B, check out maryjblige.com. back to rock godfathers of yore, but the aggressive and reckless rock attitude teased at the beginning of the album begins to taper off into post-grunge inner turmoil by the end.

While QBall certainly sounds sincere in his mission statement at System’s start, things become perplexing with XFactor1’s cover of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me.” Covering an iconic ’80s pop song comes off as contradictory and doesn’t seem like the ideal way to “reboot” the rock and metal scene, but the rendition is a unique take that keeps the original’s hooks and appeal intact.

XFactor’s members put a lot of pressure on themselves from the get-go on Reboot The System.

Although it may not be the total reboot that it was intended it to be, XFactor1’s Reboot The System is a full and fierce listen.

For more, visit facebook.com/XFactor1official.

Oh, what a feeling!

Flashdance comes to t h e Wo r c e s t e r s t a g e

By Mike Wood If you’re of a certain age, we know that when we say Flashdance, you’re probably picturing Jennifer Beals staring at you pensively, with a gray sweatshirt hanging off her shoulder, or perhaps you’re envisioning an onstage shower as she poses in silhouette. But that’s so very ’80s.

We’re welcoming you to 2015, and that means a family-friendly update in the form of a touring production of Flashdance: The Musical. Written and produced specifically for the stage, this incarnation is ready for a whole new generation of fans, as well as the diehards clinging to that gray sweatshirt of 30 years ago.

We can hardly believe that Flashdance is celebrating its 30th anniversary, but it’s true, and what better way to relive that “oh-what-a-feeling” than to see the great onstage water splashdown, well, on a stage? If that image is lost on you, fear not, the new, full-on musical Flashdance will refresh your memory live at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester for one weekend only in February.

There’s something uplifting about the Flashdance storyline, which centers on a working class woman who holds two jobs ~ a welder by day and an exotic dancer at night ~ and dreams of taking her talents to ballet school and beyond to become a professional dancer who doesn’t need to rely on fire and fusing metal or the crumpled dollar bills of drunken bar patrons to make a living. To borrow from the hit song, it’s an inspiring story about taking your passion and making it happen. It’s not just a tagline or a lyric, it’s a life lesson.

The 1983 film inspired more than just what many might consider a fashion faux pas today (that off-the-shoulder sweatshirt trick came with red highheel shoes); it’s about the music! The touring show is packed with amazing songs, and many of the hits from the film are integral to Flashdance: The Musical, including the titular, Oscar-winning “Flashdance … What A Feeling,” as well as “Manhunt,” “Maniac” and “I Love Rock & Roll.” There are also 16 new songs written exclusively for the stage production that add more musical clout to the ’80s cult classic (with music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robert Cary and Roth).

One of the film’s original screenwriters, Tom Hedley, wrote the book for the stage production with Cary, and it will be directed and choreographed by a man who knows his way around a stage musical, Sergio Trujilo (Memphis, Jersey Boys), so ticket-holders are in for a real treat. Tickets are prices at $44, $54, $64 and $74, depending on your seat selection in the theater.

There is a 10 percent discount available for members and for groups of 10 or more, except for Friday and Saturday night performances. Remember, the show runs for one weekend only, with one performance at 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb.13, and matinee and evening shows on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15. And while the 1983 film may have been rated R by the MPAA, this version of Flashdance is considered suitable for audiences of all ages.

For more information, visit thehanovertheatre.org.

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

p

u

l

se

B O O K S:

Two new bo oks to read this month

By Kimberly Dunbar

Is There Life After Football?

Imagine you’re 32 years old, and the career you’ve worked for your entire life has ended.

Because the average NFL career lasts about 3½ years, this is the harsh reality many football players face once their NFL careers are over, whether they want to or not. In the recently released book, Is There Life After Football?

Surviving the NFL (New York University Press), authors James A. Holstein, Richard S. Jones and George E. Koonce, Jr., a former NFL player himself, tackle the issues explayers must deal with when they leave “the bubble,” the distinct social, emotional, cultural and psychological sphere football players live in for years.

While talk of brain damage and disabilities caused by concussions is receiving plenty of media attention, retired NFL players are plagued by many other issues when they leave the game. During the transition, players suffer financially, emotionally and psychologically. They go from being special specimens and grown men “infantized” by a controlled environment to living “average” lives. In life after the NFL, players, often broke from living the NFL lifestyle, are no longer special and forced to fend for themselves and find new careers ~ to make a living and to pay medical bills incurred from football injuries. The trio of authors gives readers a detailed explanation ~ complemented by personal accounts from Koonce and other former players, coaches and wives ~ about how lonely life outside the locker room and off the football field can be for NFL exes.

The Boston Girl

What would you say if someone asked, “What made you the person you became?” This question is the catalyst for Addie’s story, the star and narrator of Anita Diamant’s latest novel, The Boston Girl. Eighty-five-year-old Addie is asked this by her 22-year-old granddaughter, which prompts the elder to share the story of her life. Addie grew up as a poor, Jewish girl of Russian immigrant parents in a one-bedroom apartment in Boston’s North End during the early 20th century. Unlike other girls who kept low-paying jobs in factories until they were married, Addie aspired to have a career, just one more thing her disapproving mother held against her “other” daughter. More interested in books than finding a husband, Addie struggled to live with her parents as she related more to her American roots than her parents’ Old World values.

When Addie joins a neighborhood book club for Jewish girls, she meets others with similar ambitions and begins to accept her aspirations as potential reality.

The tale that ensues is one of love, friendship and acceptance. Diamant uses real events like the World Wars, flu epidemic and the Depression as a backdrop for Addie’s story of self-discovery. Despite continuous and harsh criticism from her parents, especially her mother, Addie is able to navigate all that growing up entails ~ such as falling in love and pursuing her dreams ~ in her pursuit of happiness, despite her humble roots.

Both books are available on Amazon and other online retailers.

22 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

WWE 2K15

doesn’t pull any punches

By Jason Savio WWE 2K15 is the second WWE game to be released under the 2K Sports banner, and as such, it continues to transform the annual series into more fact-based wrestling and less smoke-and-mirrors wrestling.

As always, this year’s offering is packed with all of the bone-crushing, dropkicking mat-mania any fan of WWE could ask for. The roster is updated to include the likes of recent breakout superstars like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, and fan favorites like TLC and Hell in a Cell are also available. As in past WWE games, some of the maneuvering and controls can become frustrating, particularly the pinpoint accuracy and timing that countering an opponent’s move demands. Another tiresome characteristic that rears its ugly head again ~ the amount of time it takes to get back up from being on the receiving end of an opponent’s offensive maneuver, especially one that isn’t even a finisher. It seems like a clothesline from The Miz has as much power as an F-5 from Brock Lesnar when it has you spending five minutes face down on the mat. With that said, the reworked grappling system offers a more fair and competitive edge that has the fight for control more unpredictable than ever.

What really makes WWE 2K15 a unique entry is the 2K Showcase and My Career mode. 2K Showcase puts the focus on two popular WWE rivalries: John Cena vs. CM Punk and Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H. As a player, you are able to relive each rivalry individually, taking part in classic matches that tell their stories while watching archival footage that helps put it all in context.

The My Career mode is 2K’s most obvious effort to draw the curtain back on WWE’s world and show what really goes into becoming a superstar.

The idea of a career mode isn’t anything new, but the depth and realism of the one included in 2K15 is unlike previous versions. For the first time ever, your own created wrestler will start out at the bottom of the totem pole as he/she has to try out for a WWE contract at the WWE Performance Center (that’s a real place). From there, you graduate into WWE’s farm system, otherwise known as NXT. In NXT, you hone your skills, earning points that you use to increase your stats as you slowly climb up through the ranks and into main event status. Your goal, ultimately, is to make it in WWE and to the top of the mountain: Wrestlemania.

WWE 2K15 adheres to WWE’s M.O. nowadays: to be honest with the audience about what goes into making a WWE superstar and all the behindthe-scenes production associated with it. Being able to see just how tall the mountain is that these performers have to climb to become successful in the wrestling industry adds a sense of respect and realism, something that makes WWE 2K15 a game about wrestling and not wrasslin’.

For more, visit wwe.2k.com.

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23

Club & Pub Listings Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs,

American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010 B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 978-422-9763 140pub.com Backstreets Pub 14 Mill St., Fitchburg 978-345-0758 facebook.com/backstreetspubfitchburg The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc.

508-755-0879 thebannerbar.com Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc.

508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com Feb. 5: The Lester Rawson Feb. 6: Tony Soul Project Feb. 7: Desolate Highway Feb. 8: SWNIC Fundraiser.

Feb. 10: Tuesday Night at the Movies Feb. 12: The Rusty Mikes Feb. 13: Jabooda Feb. 14: Elle Carpenter Feb. 19: Worcester Jazz Collective Feb. 20: Sonomatics Feb. 21: Stan Matthews Feb. 26: Courage and the Bear Feb. 27: The Forz Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg 978-343-3148 beemerspub.com Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 Fridays, Saturdays: Live music Birkbeck’s Waterfront Grille 242 Mill St., Worc.

774-243-6020 Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 blacksheeptavernsterline.com Feb. 26: Live band karaoke with Fingercuff Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc.

508-797-4827 blackstonetap.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 hometown.aol.com/blueplatelounge Feb. 14: Dinosaur Love Fest Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 Feb. 5: The City Boys with Johnny Romance & The Captain Feb. 6: Playin’ Dirty Feb. 7: Wheelhouse Band Feb. 12: Scott Babineau

Feb. 13: Brother Maynard Feb. 14: A Fine Connection Feb. 19: Brett Casavant Feb. 20: Backseat Zero Feb. 21: Professor Harp Feb. 26: Joe Reidy Feb. 27: Brian Chaffee Feb. 28: Ken Macy Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008 Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-752-3862 brew-city.com Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 bullrunrestaurant.com Feb. 5: Samantha Fish Feb. 6: Albert Lee Feb. 7: Rory Block Feb. 13: Duke Robillard Feb. 14: Bellevue Cadillac’s Valentine’s Day Ball Feb. 19: The Mallett Brothers Feb. 20: Edwin McCain Feb. 21: James Cotton and J. Geils Feb. 25: Tab Benoit Feb. 27: Greg Brown Feb. 28: Invisible Sun (Police tribute band) Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 destare.com Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc.

508-926-8353 facebook.com/CanalRestaurantandBar Wednesdays: Toast Masters Thursdays, Fridays: DJ (21+) Saturdays: DJ (21+), Stage Time Comedy Show Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc.

508-438-0597 thecenterbar.com Centerfolds 2000 139 Southbridge St., N. Oxford 508-987-5222 centerfolds2000.com Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 E. Brookfield Road, N. Brookfield 508-867-2494 sitewizzer.com/choochs Fridays: Karaoke Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster 978-534-0020 chopsticksleominster.com Feb. 27, 28: Windfall Classic Rock Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250 facebook.com/christopherspubleominster Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc.

508-767-9728 worcesterscene.com/admin/location_

24 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

& other select venues

images/ciceros.jpg Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750 classicspub.net Sundays, Thursdays: Karaoke Tuesdays: Open Mic with Key Performance Wednesdays: Karaoke contest Feb. 6: Laquerhead Feb. 7: Moonshine Feb. 13: Oh Hey Bear Feb. 14: H2 & The Groove Feb. 20: Madison Avenue Feb. 21: Pants on Fire Feb. 27: The Plaigerists Feb. 28: Johnny Romance Band Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc.

508-798-8385 facebook.com/ClubKasBar Feb. 6: Auntie Trainwreck The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster 978-751-8962 Feb. 5: Dave Gordon Feb. 12: Corey Bazillion Feb. 19: Sean Daley Feb. 26: Dean Dimarzio Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc.

508-304-6044 thecompasstavern.com Tuesdays: 2Fer Tuesdays with Pete Towler Thursdays: Mike Brennan Fridays: DJ Matty Saturdays: DJ One-3 Feb. 17: Carnival de Canal Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc.

508-752-0482 Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc.

508-757-6977 danceranchandsaloon.com Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006 daysendtavern.com Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 devensgrill.com Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc.

508-799-0629 facebook.com/ElectricHaze Sundays: Funky Jazz Jam Mondays: Open Mic/Open Decks Tuesdays: Hop Hop Tuesdays Feb. 5: Todo Bien/Kenny Brothers Feb. 7: The Hornitz, William Thompson Funk Feb. 12: High Peaks Feb. 13: Flowcase II Feb. 14: Dan Burke and the Royal Treatment Feb. 19: Rocky and the Pressers Feb. 20: Airspray Feb. 21: Fennario (Grateful Dead tribute) Feb. 26: Sub-Flex Feb. 27: A Ton of Blues Feb. 28: After Funk, 7 Below

Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc.

508-792-3700 aohworcester.com Saturdays: A Murphs Comedy Joint Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 fireflysbbq.com Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden 508-829-3008 flipflopsma.com Feb. 5: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-757-1450 flyingrhinocafe.com Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-753-2995 funkyandjosemurphys.com Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 gardnerale.com Mondays: Blue Mondays (live Blues) Fridays, Saturdays: Live music The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster thegazbar.com Feb. 14: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc.

508-791-2583 gilreins.net Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc.

508-853-1350 greendalespub.com Sundays: Jim’s Blues Jam Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy and Local Musicians Showcase Feb. 6: Ed & Da Ve Feb. 7: Clam Diggers Feb. 13: Road Owls Feb. 14: Vagabonds Feb. 20: Mayhem Feb. 21: Silverbacks Feb. 27: The Invaders Feb. 28: No Alibi March 1: Tony Soul hosts Blues Jam with Alexandria Bianco The Grey Hound Pub 139 Water St., Worc.

508-754-6100 anculiath.com Thursdays: Team Trivia New England Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com Feb. 12, 26: Comedy Open Mic Night Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc.

Feb. 17: Hip Swayers Deluxe Mardi Gras show Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701

Continued on Page 27

Continued from Page 24 ixtapacantina2.com JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc.

508-793-0900 jilliansworcester.com Feb. 6: RockHouse with Dazed (Led Zeppelin tribute) Feb. 7: Bobby Hogan & Sugarcreek Feb. 13: Plagiarist Feb. 14: New Bay Colony Feb. 20: Gov’t Surplus (Gov’t Mule tribute) Feb. 21: Ben Knight Feb. 27: Decades By Dezyne Feb. 28: UFC #184 JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz Feb. 6: No Alibi Feb. 7: Synergy Feb. 13: The Groove Street Band Feb. 14: The SGS Project Feb. 20: Custard Pie (Led Zeppelin tribute) Feb. 21: How Bizarre (‘90s tribute) Feb. 27: Boombox (‘70s and ‘80s tribute) Feb. 28: The Flat Five Band The Lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough 508-229-2264 doggonelazy.com Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 facebook.com/centericebar Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc.

508-798-2447 leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc.

508-796-5177 loft266.com London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc.

508-799-7655 londonbilliards.com Lucky Dog Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc.

508-363-1888 luckydogmusic.com Wednesday: Dominos and other games Feb. 5: Mister Smarta** Theater; Man vs.

MaSHANE. Feb. 6: Marked and Good Question.

Feb. 7: Trendkill (Pantera tribute); Strangler Needs A Manicure;The Moulten Llama Feb. 8: Vinyl Siding; All House Crappy Winter Dance Party Feb. 12: The Sort Of Late Show featuring Shaun Connolly; Man vs. MaSHANE Feb. 13: Men Of Steel Valentines All Male Revue Feb. 14: Let It Bleed (Rolling Stones tribute) Feb. 17: Mardi Gras Bash: How Bizarre (’90s tribute); Flock of A**holes acoustic set, Magic; Karaoke Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc.

508-277-1073 facebook.com/mahoneyspub.ma Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc.

508-754-0033 martyspub.com MB Lounge

40 Grafton St., Worc.

508-799-4521 mblounge.com

Karaoke Feb. 14: Johnny Girouard & Mark Marquis Feb. 21: Tyrus

McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster 978-874-1444 mcnallysgrille.com

Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc.

508-755-4155 patsiedugans.com

Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc.

508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com

Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc.

508-792-4263 perfectgameworcester.com Mondays: Ladies Night Tuesdays: Team Trivia Wednesdays: Karaoke with DJ Sirch-One Thursdays: College Night with DJ Cuz’N Kev Fridays: DJ One-3 Saturdays: DJ Reckless

Feb. 5: Dace B & The Hotshots Feb. 6: On the Rocks Feb. 7, 12, 28: Hit the Bus Feb. 13: Jim Devlin Band Feb. 14: Grade A Fancy Feb. 18, 26: Brett Brumby Feb. 19: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Feb. 20: Andy Cummings & Swing-a-Billy Lounge Feb. 21: Tequila Bonfire Feb. 27: Russo Bros Jazz Quintet Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 The Mill 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com Wednesdays: Karaoke Feb. 5: Bill McCarthy Feb. 6: Scott Babineau Feb. 7: Sam James Feb. 13: Brian Chaffee Feb. 14: Dave O’Brien Feb. 20: Mychael David Country Night Feb. 21: Bill McCarthy Feb. 27: Belit Feb. 28: Kelly & Friends Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 millstreetbrews.com Moonstruck Café 19 Worcester Road, Charlton 508-248-4558 Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc.

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc.

508-753-4030 myspace.com/NicksWorcester Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc.

508-340-0318 Feb. 7: Shamrock Whiskey On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 The Outlook Restaurant 79 Powers Road, Westford Feb. 13: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc.

508-797-9696 thepalladium.net Feb. 28: Comedy Fest Worcester 2015 Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 partnerspub.com Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays:

Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc.

508-756-7555 Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc.

508-856-9255 facebook.com/pages/The-PressBox/181242711941126 Primetime Pub 5 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-400-7727 facebook.com/ PRIMETIMEPUBOFLUNENBURG Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc.

508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com Sundays: Sunday Night Cinemageddon Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry Show Tuesdays: C.U.Next Tuesday with DJ Poke Smot Feb. 4: Ralph’s Diner’s (Should Be) Hidden Talent Show!

Feb. 13: Doomriders; F**king Invincible; Black ; A Horse Named Glue The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc.

508-304-8133 facebook.com/people/RavenWorcester/100001022046717

Feb. 27: The City Boys Band Feb. 28: Danielle Lessard Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc.

508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 sakura-tokyo.com Feb. 20, 21: Doctor Robert Scorz 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc. facebook.com/pages/Scorz-SportsBar/216216528569258 Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000 seanpatricksrestaurant.com South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 southsidemargaritafactory.com Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net Thursdays: Acoustic Fridays: Karaoke and dance party Saturdays: Live bands Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 SpruceStreetTavern.com Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614, 877-782-4346 grotonstagecoachinn.com Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 skinashoba.com/summer Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster 508-949-6559 talsplacewebster.com Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc.

508-754-3516 3gs-sportsbar.com Fridays: The Ramm Jamm

Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville 978-939-7373, 978-939-8321 myspace.com/theredonion

Trumbull Bar & Grill 117 Main St., Spencer 508-885-6901

Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

774-243-1100 rivalrysworcester.com Feb. 6: Bare Hill Feb. 7: Andy Cummings Feb. 13: Three of a Kind Feb. 14: Tom Revane Feb. 20: Mike Lynch Trio Feb. 21: Take Two Feb. 27: Drunken Uncles Feb. 28: April’s Fools

Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. facebook.com/TheUnionTavernWorcester

Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc.

508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com

Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc.

508-752-9439 facebook.com/vincentsbar Tuesdays: Jon Bonner and Boogie Chillin’ Feb. 6: We & Mrs Jones Feb. 9: Hip Swayers Deluxe

Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre 978-355-2224 upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com

Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 ryeandthyme.com Feb. 5: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Feb. 6, 21: Brian & Captain Feb. 7, 14, 26: Brian Chaffee Feb. 8: Sunday Brunch with Zack Slik Feb. 12: Jay Graham Feb. 13 L & M Rythym Kings Feb. 19: Cara Brindisi Feb. 20: Zach Slik Feb. 22: Sunday Brunch with Jon Short

William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner 978-632-7794 williamsrestaurantandtavern.com Feb. 13: The City Boys with Johnny Romance & The Captain Feb. 20: Dan Kirouac Feb. 21: Sean Fullerton

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

PULSESHOTS

BREAKAWAY BILLIARDS CLINTON, MA

SOUTHSIDE GRILL GARDNER, MA

COMPASS TAVERN WORCESTER, MA

By Justin Perry

PERFECT GAME WORCESTER, MA

PARTNER’S PUB FITCHBURG, MA

MEZCAL CANTINA WORCESTER, MA

JILLIAN’S

WORCESTER, MA

LIFESTYLE

Your guide to

Valentine’s Day

By Jennifer Russo

Whether you have a date lined up, are single and loving it or the very idea of Valentine’s Day makes you ill and you’re just in it for the 50 percent off candy on Feb. 15, we’ve got you covered. Below are ideas for every one of you, whether you choose to take part in Cupid’s favorite day or not.

For the Singles Girls Night

Get your single girlfriends together for a night or rent some rooms at a nearby hotel and make a weekend of it. Dress to the nines, go have a few martinis, buy a little something for yourself, get a manicure, head to the club or bar and scope out some eligible bachelors … or don’t. Lucky Dog is hosting Men of Steel (an all-male revue) on Feb. 13 for some drool-worthy fun.

Guys Night

Single men can have fun without it being awkward. Of course, there are always strip clubs, but there are also sporting events, whiskey and beer tastings and the chance to check out the latest action flick or dumb comedy.

Have a pool tourney at Jillian’s or make the drive to Mohegan Sun … and by all means, talk to the girl who seems to be checking you out.

Running Solo

Don’t feel like making small talk or getting crazy with your friends? There’s nothing wrong with staying home, taking some time to organize, read, paint or catch up on Netflix.

If you do want to head out on your own, there are tons of options. Really want to make a statement? Join the Cupid’s Undie Run and have an excuse to be half naked in public.

The Boston event is for charity, and there is an after-party at the Landsdowne Pub.

30 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

For the Taken

For the

The Perfect Date

People

Though some stand by the tried-and-true romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day (and Worcester has many great restaurants), you may want to think out of the box. How about some ice skating at the Buffone Arena or The Bull Run’s annual Valentine’s Day Ball in Shirley (at 8 p.m.

Feb. 14 for $30)? Try a couples massage or checkout Flashdance: The Musical at the Hanover Theatre. A romantic picnic in the living room, a scavenger hunt or even taking a class together and learning something new could spark some new interests and maybe something else, too (wink, wink).

The Perfect Present

Chocolates, flowers and teddy bears are all well and good, and they are certainly appreciated, but putting some thought into your gift and showing you know the receiver’s interests is far better. They say it’s the thought that counts, and it couldn’t be truer. What are your significant other’s hobbies and favorite things? Gifts that show you care about that are always awesome. And guys deserve gifts, too ~ maybe a new techie gadget or something from Mancrates.com or tickets to see a favorite team or artist.

Movie Night

If you want to go the dinner-and-a-movie route, there are a couple movies coming out this month that would fit the romantic bill ~ Fifty Shades of Grey, for instance. Better yet, order some Chinese food and cuddle up on the sofa and watch an oldie-but-goodie at home … kiss-inspiring films like Shakespeare in Love, When Harry Met Sally, Jerry Maguire, Dirty Dancing or the very sexy Original Sin.

“I hate this holiday” Think Valentine’s Day is an overrated, dumb holiday created by stores to make you feel bad about yourself or just annoy the crap out of you with its Barbie Townhouse pink-and-red motif? Many people feel that same way. In fact, people actually throw Anti-Valentine’s Day parties ~ throw one yourself. Or just listen to angstridden ’90s music, do something productive or catch up on your sleep … or just live it out like any other normal day. There’s a great big world out there ... try something new.

EVERYDAY SCIENCE:

Water isn’t as soft as you think

By R.J. Linton With Boston being selected to make a bid for the Olympics, I was reminded of possibly one of the more remarkable Olympic sports ~ aerial skiing.

Arial skiers hit their ramps in excess of 40 miles per hour and jump more than 50 feet above the ramp to accomplish complex aerial maneuvers. These athletes rely on fairly simple properties of physics, known to scientists and engineers as angular momentum and the moment of inertia, to control their maneuvers.

To understand how they manage their twists and amazing spins, think for a moment to another Olympic sport ~ figure-skating. When figure skaters move into an in-place spin, they control their speed of rotation by moving their arms closer to or further from their bodies. That is, they are changing their moment of inertia (increasing the moment when they tuck their arms towards their bodies) and relying on the conservation of their angular momentum to handle the rest.

Conservation of angular momentum is a fancy way to describe one of Isaac Newton’s fundamental rules that something is going to keep moving unless a force is applied to it. While practicing figure skating can be done with your feet firmly on the ice, perfecting aerial ski jump motions at high speed and so far above the ground can be a very dangerous activity. So how do Olympic free-style skiers practice?

Most aerial skiers practice by jumping into a pool. They can do this very safely and with minimal chance for injury. They practice their jumps hundreds of times before even moving to the snow. But as a friend recently told me, the water ramp wasn’t always the safest way to learn. Early in the use of the water ramp, trainers found that their skiers were still being injured far too often in practice sessions. In some cases, skiers were injured more often than on traditional snow ramps. To figure out why the water ramp wasn’t reducing injuries as expected, an engineering team was brought in to examine (and improve) the water ramp.

The engineering team solved the problem by placing perforated air tubes at the bottom of the pool. The tubes allowed for a constant stream of bubbles to come up through the water. The solution addressed two key factors of the landing area: surface tension and density. Anyone who has ever belly-flopped off the diving board at a local pool is familiar with a property of fluids known as surface tension. This happens because on the surface of a fluid, the individual molecules are predominately pulled in tension with other molecules on the surface, creating something of an invisible net.

The other problem with liquid water as opposed to the snow on the ski jump was density. The density of snow is far less than the density of water. In some cases, snow can be more than 10 times less dense. The addition of the bubbles simultaneously decreased the density of the pool and broke the surface tension, allowing aerial skiers to practice more safely.

So while the Summer Olympics are on in 2024 (maybe in Boston), you can think about all those aerial skiers practicing ~ even though there’s no snow.

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 31

DINING&ENTERTAINING How to Shop

Bargain Hunting

$$

$ Eating

healthy on a budget

By Akilah C. Thompson

Tired of the grocery bills being in the triple digits because of your healthyeating lifestyle? Well, this stops today because eating healthy on a budget is possible and definitely affordable. When it comes to eating healthy, everyone automatically thinks organic and dollar signs. However, there are many ways to eat clean while saving money. Here are some tips that will have you on the right track to eating healthy while spending less.

32 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

Everyone loves a bargain because sales help you to pay less than the original price. For example, fruits are probably one of the most expensive healthy items on your grocery list. Strawberries cost about $3.99 to $4.99 for a small plastic carton.

On the other hand, if you are lucky, you can catch a bargain where the prices are two for $5.

Bundles/Stock-up

With bargain hunting comes the luxury of buying in bundles. This allows you to buy on sale and in large quantities to stock up. Going back to the example of the strawberries, one might buy one carton of strawberries at the price of $3.99, but with the sale price end up buying four. You¹re saving, getting more for your buck and stocking up your refrigerator. Now that is a deal!

Cross Shopping

Cross shopping is another technique used to save money. At home, spend time looking up different local supermarkets, food markets and even department stores like Walmart and Target in your area. This will allow you to cross shop products that are on your healthy grocery list and compare prices. Sometimes, the same items that you are waiting to go sale in one location is already on sale at another or even regularly priced cheaper than other stores.

Seasonal Shopping

Seasonal shopping is another way to save money. For instance, seafood can be very costly, especially salmon because it is high in nutrients and in high demand.

Salmon contains protein, which is good for body growth and maintenance. In addition, salmon consists of the Omega 3 fats (good fatty acids), which help fight many health problems such as diabetes and cancer. So when is the best time to buy salmon? The answer is from May-September because this is when the fish are more prominent in the water and large quantities can be sold to consumers at cheaper prices. Now that you have bought all your items, next is to determine how you cook them.

How to Cook

The way you prepare your food is very important. Let¹s take a look at chicken for a moment. As we know, fried chicken is most common, not only at home but in fast food restaurants. Yes, it might be enticing and satisfying to the stomach, but fried food also absorbs large amounts of grease and oil. Grease and oil breaks down into what is known as “bad” fat, which can clog arteries and cause heart disease and strokes. Baking, steaming, boiling and grilling are cooking alternatives that are much healthier. If you do choose to incorporate a little oil in your meal, cooking with extra virgin olive oil is recommended because it contains heart-healthy antioxidants. Remember to remove all skin and fat from the meat. A clean meal is a clean body!

How to Eat

Portion Control

Paying attention to how much food you are consuming is critical to eating healthy and sticking to the budget. Portion control is vital. It allows you to monitor your food intake, as well as budget your shopping list. For example, if you tend to eat larger portions of fish rather than steak, your budget will take in consideration the price of fish, going back to the idea of seasonal and bundle shopping. Portion control also brings about the strategy of substitution, where instead of having larger portions of fish, consider switching it up with shrimp or scallops. In this case, you are still obtaining protein but leaving yourself with options to make new dishes and try new foods.

Snacking

Stay away from junk food. Substitution is key! Snacking can get the best of us because junk foods like potato chips, cookies and ice cream taste so good. We think it is OK because we are only consuming small amounts. However, you can find healthy snacks that taste great, too. For example, instead of having ice cream, look at having yogurt. Yogurt is nutritious and light. As for potato chips, try baked chips like tortilla chips or even rice crisps; you can even take it a step further and make your own. Remember, make smart substitutions!

You can eat healthy regardless of your budget. Do not get discouraged by the high costs of eating healthy. Conduct research and find ways to beat the prices. Your body is important, and eating right is a major step to staying healthy or improving your health. With all the tips above, you can eat smart, save money and live healthy!

For more information, visit actinspires.com.

Akilah C. Thompson earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business economics from North Carolina A&T State University. She is an IRS enrolled agent, certified life coach, licensed Zumba instructor and inspirational speaker. She is the founder and CEO of ACT Inspires, Inc. and the nonprofit Generations Inspired, Inc. Thompson is also a model, actor and author.

Worcester Restaurant Week Give yourself a treat Once again, it’s time for the winter edition of Worcester Restaurant Week, a semi-annual event highlighting the food of local restaurants. Central Massachusetts is known for having great food at reasonable prices, but twice a year, local restaurant owners take their prices down even more. From Feb. 23-March 7, you can check out special menus at local restaurants for $23.15!

Got a favorite restaurant or want to discover a new favorite?

Worcester Restaurant Week is the time to go out, dine and beat back those winter blues.

Worcester restaurant week is sponsored by, UniBank, Blue Moon, Yuengling, Harpoon, Samuel Adams, and Mercadante Funeral Home. Media sponsors include The Pike 100 FM, WXLO 104.5 FM, Nash Icon 98.9 FM, WCRN 830 AM, Vitality Magazine, TasteWorcester.com and Pulse.

For more information, check out worcesterrestaurantweek. com and facebook.com/worcesterrestaurantweek.

Feb. 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 33

Billy’s Pub offers the classic roadhouse experience Billy ’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbur y (508) 425-3353

By Bernie Whitmore Cited in the outskirts of Worcester and Shrewsbury, near areas where strange stuff happens after the sun sets, Billy’s Pub is the latest incarnation in a long line of establishments. For any film noir buff, the building will provide moments of déjà vu, guaranteed.

For what we have here is a classic American roadhouse. Over the years, the place has changed hands and names numerous times.

With each successive owner, I fear the place will be stripped of its character and transformed into some chain affair.

So it was with relief that my visit to Billy’s Pub felt like a homecoming.

The new owner/curator has left intact the dining room’s curve-edged ceiling, heavily varnished wainscoting and general feeling of faded glory that seems to seep from every surface. The front lounge is a bit cheerier and updated, but when my friend and I walked through the front door, the column of bar patrons scarcely turned a head to see who’d just entered.

To further the 1940’s ambiance, the dining room sported numerous old tin advertising pieces, a nod to the place’s heritage. Billy’s menu, on the other hand, was rooted firmly in the modern era. And once we sampled the cuisine, we discovered a standard of quality and flair for flavor that ignited the noir era with Disney Technicolor.

Katie, our server, was an absolute delight. Business had slacked off that freakishly cold winter night, and we were her only table. But never mind, she took our questions and teasing in easy stride and was attentive but not intrusive.

I started with a glass of Blue Point Oatmeal Stout. Actually, I was astonished to learn Billy’s had anything like this on tap and eagerly anticipated tasting it. In the minute it took Katie to walk it to the table, all trace of foamy head had vanished, and it looked just like a glass of coke. In flavor, it managed to summon up mild coffee notes, perhaps a smudge of chocolate. Call it “stout on training wheels.”

The beer really shouldn’t reflect on Billy’s; after all, they didn’t brew it. When it came to kitchen skill, critical elements such as flavor came out to shine. First example: our appetizer of Homemade Onion Rings. Rare is the proprietor who’ll admit he trucks in pre-formed frozen onion rings. It’s up to us to figure that out for ourselves. But Billy’s were homemade, no doubt.

Irregularly sliced rings of fresh, sweet onion were dipped in a madeto-order batter and deep fried to s crispy, golden brown. The onions were still a bit al dente, and the breading flaked apart when forked.

Of course, I’m speculating on the assertion of “to-order,” but from my own experience, that’s the most sure-fire way to attain such a craggy texture. We loved every crunchy scrap!

And that was just the warm-up. My dining companion was lucky enough to score the last order of a daily special: Roast Pork with Mashed Potatoes. Sound mundane? Anything but! Three thick

34 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

slabs of pork glistened with a peppery amber glaze and flavor that was beguiling. Where did all this spicy heat come from? Pepper?

Hot sauce? Under its herb crust, the meat was juicy and tender. It was a jumbo portion with extraordinary flavor. Even the Red Bliss potatoes tasted freshly mashed.

My entree came from the menu’s modest selection of seafood entrees: Baked Scallops. Yeah, this was a staple entry on menus 30 years ago. But it seems to have faded after people got tired of overdone seafood swimming in pools of tired oil under a blanket of burned crumbs. So why did I order it? Research; to see if the chef could handle the basics.

Billy’s chef understands all that pain and brought Baked Scallops back to basics. These sea scallops were the most tender I’ve had in years ~ perhaps even a touch underdone ~ with just a trace of buttery broth and a scatter of golden crumb topping. Under such deft treatment, their fragile flavor shone through. The portion was generous in size and served piping hot.

The mid-20th century popularity of roadhouses was not based on quality dining. And, somehow, I doubt those customers demanded much in the area of flavor. These were rooms marinated in cigarette smoke and cheap whiskey. Nostalgia aside, I’ll eagerly take the Billy’s Pub reboot, hands down.

Still, sitting in that big empty room, I couldn’t help thinking of The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues”: Yeah, keep your eyes on the road, Your hands upon the wheel.

Keep your eyes on the road, Your hands upon the wheel Yeah, we’re goin’ to the Roadhouse, Gonna have a real good time.

PulseBREW: S at u r d ay b e e r t r i p s If you are like me, you despise staying home during the winter. I get why some people do, though. The weather is not inviting, and it is easy to just stay home, throw a beef stew into the slow cooker and make plans about what you are going to do when the weather gets better. I, however, cannot do that. I need to get out and have social interaction, some sunshine, and ~ most importantly ~ my beef stew recipe requires beer.

If you’re a beer-lover, checking out local breweries is always a good option.

Here are three local breweries to visit that offer tours, serve incredible beer and have things to do nearby for the other people in your vehicle. Be sure to check their websites for current hours and activities. Cheers!

Treehouse Brewing

160 East Hill Road, Monson | Treehousebrew.com Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays I think by now you get the point that this is one of my favorite breweries.

Regardless of what is on tap, you should go. Treehouse sells refillable growlers. You fill out an order card ~ kind of like a sushi restaurant ~ and you wait for your growler to be filled. Tours are offered of the brewery, and sometimes there is a food vendor selling groovy grub, or you can just take a walk and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Nearby on Route 20 in Sturbridge is Enrico’s Brick Oven Pizza and BT’s Smokehouse if you are looking for lunch or dinner. Sturbridge Coffee Shop is a great place to grab a coffee and a pastry on your way in. Yankee Candle has an outlet store there, in case your companion likes that sort of thing better than craft beer.

Jack’s Abby

81 Morton St., Framingham | Jacksabbybrewing.com Open noon-8 p.m. on Saturdays This is one of the most diverse breweries you will ever encounter. Lagers are what Jack’s is known for, but don’t go in expecting to see boring mass-market offerings. Jack’s has everything from a 4.5% ABV Framinghammer Lager to a 13% ABV lagerwine known as Bridemaker. There are also smoked beers, imperial pale lagers and Baltic porters that include some aged in bourbon barrels and some that use cacao nibs or peanut butter and jelly. Jack’s license allows for 4-ounce samples, as well as full pints, and there are bottles to take home.

On nearby Route 9, there is a plethora of things to do. Shoppers World has just about every store you could imagine. The Natick Mall is also nearby if upscale shopping is your thing. Julio’s Liquors is a must-visit, as it has one of the best selections of craft beer in Massachusetts.

Wachusett Brewing Company

175 State Road, East Westminster | Wachusettbrew.com Open noon-5 p.m. on Saturdays One of the pioneers of the local craft beer scene, Wachusett is still going strong after more than 30 years in business. The company has no intention of resting on its laurels and has recently introduced its Milk Stout in a can, as well as being the first in the state to offer 32-ounce cans filled with the fresh beer of your choice at the brewery. These large cans are called crowlers, growlers with a “c” for “can.” The walking tour of the brewery takes almost an entire hour and comes with two 2-ounce samples at the end. Be sure to try Larry or Green Monsta if they are available that day.

Nearby on Route 2A is the 1761 Gift Shop. It kind of reminds me of a Cracker Barrel, but is an individual family business. Great rolls come with the dinner that’s served upstairs. Afterwards, head downstairs to the gift shop for all sorts of things, including old-fashioned penny candy. Wachusett Mountain in nearby Princeton has skiing and snowboarding, as well as other events throughout the year.

36 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

Hot Now &

By Paul Giorgio

Worcester Restaurant Week. The winter edition of Worcester Restaurant Week will be held from Feb. 23-March 7. The price of a three-course meal in almost 50 local eateries is $23.15. Visit worcesterrestaurantweek.com for a list of participating restaurants.

Last call at The Saloon. The Saloon on Worcester’s West Boylston Street recently closed its doors. The restaurant occupied the site of the former Banana Joe’s. It was only open for a little more than six months and had two owners in that brief time. It’s a great location for someone who knows what they are doing.

Don’t pick this one. The Pic on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street quietly closed its doors at the beginning of January. The business had been sold to Arthur Furtado, who unexpectedly passed away from complications due to diabetes.

Across the bridge. Another restaurant closed, this one in Shrewsbury. Buppa de Beppo, on the shores of Lake Quinsigamond, abruptly closed its doors in the middle of January. Maybe it was the astronomically high rent or the construction on the bridge that was the cause. Before that, Elsa’s, which was next door, also closed up shop.

Throw in your sombrero. We also hear that Ole, a Mexican eatery on Worcester’s Water Street, closed its doors at the end of the year. No word if anyone is moving into the space.

Changes at Ceres. Bill Nemeroff, the chef at Ceres Bistro, has left to work at Sturbridge Village. No word yet on who will take over his duties at the Beechwood.

The Urban feel. The Urban Kitchen + Bar, 225 Shrewsbury St., opened its doors on New Year’s Eve. The chef has created an exciting menu. The bar is a showpiece and features craft cocktails. The owner is George Voyatzis, who also owns Fish in Marlboro, probably the best seafood restaurant outside of Boston.

Don’t fall in. A new restaurant is going in on Water Street, right past The Perfect Game. Amici on Canal will be opening shortly.

Speaking of Water Street. We hear that Jose Murphy’s will not be reopening.

Instead, a new owner, Jason Grayson, and a new concept will take the space.

Speaking of water. Birkbeck’s Waterfront Grill opened the first week of January on Worcester’s Mill Street. This has been the home of a few restaurants and is probably the only Worcester eatery on the water. Mike Birkbeck is the owner.

Front Street gets a new restaurant. Talyta’s Café recently opened at 20 Front St. in Worcester, directly across from City Hall. The café specializes in Mexican and Salvadorian food.

In more downtown news. Jak’s Pub, across from the Hanover Theatre, has a new owner. No word yet on any plans for the space.

In the ’burbs. Wilson Wang, who owns Baba on Worcester’s Park Avenue, was recently given a liquor license in Holden. He plans on opening Blue Fish Restaurant at 1134 Main St. No opening date has been set.

art&culture

Bang Luu, College of the Holy Cross, “Stardust,” hand and laser-cut wood, First Prize in 2014.

Kate Murphy, Second Prize, “The Beats,” mixedmedia painting.

“Potter Wasp” by Ariela Sturgis, mixed-media.

ArtsWorcester College Show to

showcase up and coming talent

By Rachel Shuster It’s a tradition more than a decade old and a chance for Worcester-area college students to embrace their inner artists.

ArtsWorcester’s 11th annual College Show runs Feb.6-27. Winners of the juried exhibit will be selected at the end of the month.

“Works in the College Show are selected by an independent, professional juror.

They are submitted from all the Worcester-area colleges and universities from students in all majors,” said Juliet Feibel, executive director of ArtsWorcester.

Feibel explained that each year’s art is different and exciting. “Each year, there is a new crop of student artists, so the art varies year by year. Some professors require submission as part of their class assignments, which also affects the content.”

ArtsWorcester encourages students to submit art in various mediums to keep the show interesting and fun. “All the work submitted is all media, which encompasses everything from oil painting to video installation,” Feibel said.

Selecting a juror is also a very important part of the show’s preparation. Feibel said ensuring unbiased opinions is crucial to the process.

“We seek a museum or art professional from outside the Worcester area; we want to make sure that they are not biased towards one institution over another.

We also want to make sure that the juror brings a fresh eye and is open to the new ideas that students bring to the show,” she said. This year’s show will be juried by Lexi Lee Sullivan, assistant curator at the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln.

Typically, a juror looks for excellence in concept, in the ability to execute the idea in whatever media, and that something ineffable, something expressive that makes a work stand out,” Feibel said. “We award First, Second and Third Prizes, and usually four Honorable Mentions.”

The Worcester community always embraces the arts, but Feibel said the College Show is truly unique and special to the community. Not to mention the friendly school rivalry that can arise during the show!

“No other event makes Worcester feel like so much like a college town, with students, faculty and friends from all institutions under one roof. It’s a great opportunity to see the artistic talent being nurtured here,” she said. “For people not involved in one of the schools, it’s a glimpse into the student life that’s being lived all around us. There’s even some good-natured school rivalry for the prizes!”

Want to see the art and get involved? The show’s opening reception is 6-8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6, at the Aurora Gallery, 660 Main St., Worcester. Gallery hours run through the month of February: Noon-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment.

“The opening reception is a huge party. There is free parking one block up at the Freemasons, at Ionic and Beacon streets. Just look for the WPI students waving you in!” Feibel said.

So how much are tickets? The reception and gallery are free and open to the public! “All of our gallery exhibits, year-round, are free to the public,” Feibel said.

The ArtsWorcester College Show is a unique experience and a true gem of the city in a beautiful place.

Once the art has been displayed and the community, as well as the juror, has had a chance to see the incredible talent from Worcester college students, a select few are awarded for their work.

“Just walking into the Aurora Gallery is an amazing experience. Most people don’t know what a beautiful space is hidden right in the middle of Main South and that contemporary art exhibits are happening all the time under their noses,” Feibel said.

“Every juror has their own criteria, and we have a different juror every year.

For more information on ArtsWorcester, visit artsworcester.org.

40 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2015

N OR TH

NOR TH COUNTY • DINING • ENTER TAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

C OU N TY • DINING • ENTER TAINMENT • NI GHTL IFE • SHOPPI NG

NOR TH COUNTY • DINING • ENTER TAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

Look great before, during and after workouts

style&beauty Getting ready for a marathon or just a marathon workout?

Make things a little easier on yourself by remembering these must-have beauty essentials.

The best for … dry skin & calluses Your feet probably already suffer from calluses and dry skin from all your training.

Give your feet the TLC that they need and reach for Amopé Pedi Perfect. The revolutionary electronic foot file helps to remove rough hard skin, revealing smooth results after just one use. Specially designed with a micralumina roller head, the file exfoliates the foot through a gentle and safe rotating action. The results: luxurious feet you’ll want to show off! $39.99, mass retailers nationwide.

The best for … soothing achy muscles Intense training can leave muscles sore and achy, so use Weleda’s Arnica Massage Oil ~ an all-natural, nourishing oil ~ before and after exercise for immediate relief. Infused with a soothing bend of anti-inflammatory ingredients that work to help give your body a much needed boost, the warming formula deeply nourishes skin while relaxing the body and the mind with its delicate scent. $22.50, usa.weleda.com.

The best for … a long run Regular training can take its toll on your feet, so give them a little TLC with Freeman’s Bare Foot Pain Relief. The unique blend of methyl salicylate, camphor and menthol work together to help neutralize muscle pain and soothe away aches while karanja oil and neem oil relieve dryness and help moisturize, ensuring your feet stay nice and strong. $6.99, Walmart.

The best for … sun protection If you’re exercising outdoors, applying a long-lasting SPF lotion is key! Opt for a lightweight, non-greasy waterproof formula such as Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 50 Lightweight Foaming Lotion, which quickly absorbs into skin to provide multi-layer protection from UVA/UVB rays and free radical damage. The powerful protection of broad-spectrum sunscreen, coupled with the delicate feel of an air-mousse formula, effortlessly glides on skin without any residue and protects your face without stinging your eyes. $28.50, vichyusa.com.

The best for … damaged hair After logging countless hours training with your hair pulled back, your strands may be as weak as your muscles. Undo the damage of sun exposure, sweat and tight ponytails with Zotos 180 PRO Moisture Repair Discovery Kit from Sally Beauty Supply. It features groundbreaking technology formulated with ultrareparative Pro-Peptide Complex that repairs while gently cleansing and conditioning severely damaged, overprocessed hair. It will leave you with winning results. $5.99, Sally Beauty Supply and SallyBeauty.com.

The best for … a glowing face You can protect yourself from the harsh elements with Almay Smart Shade skintone matching makeup, which not only has SPF 15 but also easily adjusts to your unique skin tone for natural-looking coverage.

Suitable for all skin types. $13.99, drug and mass retailers nationwide and Almay.com.

42 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2015

T he S tyle L ist : Exercise gear gets an upgrade

By Stacia Kindler Approaching the second month of the New Year, everyone has one thing on their minds ~ time to hit the gym! Whether you have a whole lifestyle change in mind for 2015 or you’re just making an honest effort to work off all of those excess holiday sweets from December, it’s safe to say the gym is packed. This can be a little intimidating, to say the least, especially as a newcomer, but the trick to feeling your best is to look your best, I always say.

However, as we all know, the gym is the exception to the rule of looking your best. No makeup? No problem. Just throw on a boyfriend T-shirt and go, right? Wrong … except maybe the makeup part.

Luckily for all of you who are tackling the gym, sportswear is not only a practical addition to your wardrobe, it’s super trendy right now, as the athletic looks goes high fashion. Not that I would condone spending high-fashion prices to spend an hour at Planet Fitness three times a week, but the sport-inspired trends from Paris and New York City should lend some inspiration if you are looking to treat yourself to some new gym outfits.

Another great thing about the athletic trend going mainstream is that cute gym clothes are more accessible than ever. The growing popularity of these trends and high-end athletic wear such as Lulu Lemon has caused a trickledown effect and inspired many other retail stores to try their hands at their own athletic-wear lines.

Sports fabrics are also making a comeback in the fashion world, with materials such as mesh and windbreaker becoming more of a widely accepted mainstay. These fabrics are being cut into more modern silhouettes and therefore are able to be worn more seamlessly across your day-to-day life. Joggers and slim-cut sweats, for example, are a prime example of the super-cool and dynamic road that sportswear has taken recently.

With that, if you are really serious about whipping your rear end into shape this year, there is no better way to get started than to invest in the gear. This way, you will be inspired to meet your goals and feel good while doing it, which is just as important.

To conclude, I am sad to share the news with Pulse readers that I am embarking on new adventures in 2015 and will no longer be writing The Style List. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time as your fashion columnist and can only hope that my readers feel the same.

Wishing all of our readers a safe, healthy and fashionable year!

CRAFT BEER. FARMHOUSE FARE. RIGHTEOUS COCKTAILS.

CRAFT BREWS. FRESH BREADS. Celebrate the artisan craftsman with an unmatched selection of farm-fresh food, hand-crafted spirits and, of course, world class beers. With our new kitchen, 30 additional seats with semiprivate function space, and the opening of Crust, our artisan bakeshop one block away, the slow food movement finds its home here.

118 Main Street Worcester MA 01608 crustbakeshop.com 774.823.3355 NOW OPEN

Lunch & dinner daily beginning at 11:30AM Brunch Saturdays & Sundays beginning at 10AM Located downtown in the historic courthouse district.

144 Main Street Worcester, MA 508.795.1012 www.armsbyabbey.com

Happy Hour 4:30-7:30

Private Parties & Catering Available!

DJ XKaliber or DJ Joe Tortorelli Thurs, Fri, Sat at 11 20c Tacos Tuesdays and Thursdays $4 Small Cheese Pizza after 10 PM $6 Large Cheese Pizza Sundays and Mondays 15c wings Sunday and Monday 15c wings during Bruins, Celtics, Pats games loft266.com 266 Park Ave 508-796-5177

Sexy Singles Valentine’s Day Party Live music! DJ at 11!

Choclate-covered strawberries!

Champagne! Free hors d’ouevres!

Blue Jeans pizza, brew & lots more, too

$5 Burgers Wednesdays $5 Small Specialty Pizza Thursdays $6 Fish & Chips Fridays $7 Chicken Parm Saturdays $7 BBQ Smokin’ Sundays

Valent dinne ine’s da Buy o r BOGO y get se ne entr ½ c ond h ee, alf pr ice

5-9 lesserPM Second cost. C entree ann mus offersot be comb t be of equ a or spe ined w ith othl or cials. er

Each of the above specials with your beverage purchase;.

Dine-in only. Specials cannot be combined with other offers or specials

Happy Hour WedS-SaT 4:30-7:30 Blue Jeans Bistro (next to Blue Jeans and under Loft 266) Weds.–Sun. open at 4:30 bluejeanspizza.com 508-926-8313