THE PULSE MAGAZINE: FEBRUARY 2018 by Pulse Magazine

WRW

FEBRUARY 2018 SPORTS+FITNESS ISSUE COVER STORY

24 PULSESHOTS

6 FOOTBALL KICKS OFF

LIFESTYLE

IN WORCESTER

26 IN FEBRUARY, MAKE TIME

SPORTS+FITNESS

FOR ROMANCE

10 IS FITNESS ALL IN YOUR HEAD?

27 OUT+ABOUT:

11 FINDINGBALANCE: It’s simple, just simplify

Many ways to love in the LGBTQ+ community

28 THE LUXE LIST:

12 PRODUCTS TO CHANGE

YOUR FITNESS

Fab Valentine’s Day gifts for wine lovers

FOOD+DRINK

ENTERTAINMENT

30 NEW AROUND THE WOO:

14 PAYING TRIBUTE TO WORCESTER’S

Glamour Bombonier Brazilian Sweet Shop

TRIBUTE BANDS

31 HOT & NOW

15 GAMEON:

32 DINING REVIEW:

Summer camp fun with Friday the 13th

Azorean Bistro brings the joy of discovery

16 NOWSTREAMING:

STYLE+BEAUTY

READ PULSE ONLINE

Mike Gordon / Asking Alexandria / Tove Lo

34 POST-WORKOUT BEAUTY

17 PULSEBOOKS:

35 STEAL THE STYLE:

Fall in love with a book this Valentine’s Day

Faux cotton stems

ThePulseMag.com

18 THE CENTRAL SCENE

37 STYLESAVY:

20 CLUB, PUB + GRUB LISTINGS

These products will make you date-night gorgeous

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2015 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. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com

Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Vanessa Herbold, Art Director David Simone, Vice President, Sales Chris Reddy, Regina Weeks, Account Executives Kyle Sullivan, Kati Nalbandian, Marketing & Event Managers

Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor Kimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Audra Brackett, Merilee Kern, John Trobaugh, Sloane Perron, Jamie Burke, Rachel Shuster Writers

thepulsemag.com

COVER S TO RY

Arthur, the Massachusetts Piratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mascot, flexing at the DCU Center. 6

Febr uar y 2018

Jawad Yatim, Team President

Kyle Sullivan / Photography by Demet Senturk Massachusetts is no stranger to winning football teams, but this spring, fans will have a new reason to cheer. With the official announcement made in November, Worcester’s DCU Center became the home of the National Arena League’s (NAL) latest expansion team, the Massachusetts Pirates. Fresh off of its inaugural season, the NAL is comprised of six teams, including the newly formed Maine Mammoths, Massachusetts Pirates and Carolina Cobras, who are set to begin play in 2018. Though several teams folded or joined other arena football leagues following the 2017 season, the NAL hopes to continue expanding in upcoming years. For those not familiar with the NAL or arena football as a sport, many of the rules are similar to those found in the NFL. The sports’ major differences involve the length and setup of the field. NAL fields span 50 yards in length, half the distance of traditional NFL fields, with a width of 85 feet. The shorter field length leads to a faster-paced, higher-scoring game. Additionally, the field is bordered by a 48-inch, foam-padded wall, which serves as the out-of-bounds marker. Fan seating starts just on the other side of this wall, allowing spectators to feel as though they are right on top of the action. In many ways, the sport offers a higher entertainment value for a lower ticket cost. Another key difference is the season timing. With the first game slated for early April, the season will run through July. Thus, the NAL season falls during the NFL off-season, decreasing competition between the two leagues. Games will be played on Saturday nights and offer area fans another fun weekend entertainment option. The lead-up to the announcement of the new team involved months of back and forth between league officials and the Pirates front office, as well as research into other possible markets to find the best fit for the new team.

In the months since the team’s announcement, the Pirates front office has been working diligently to ensure that everything is on schedule for April’s opening night. “It’s been a busy couple of months,” said Perotto, a sentiment that was echoed by Head Coach Ameer Ismail and team President Jawad Yatim.

“THE VISION OF THIS TEAM IS TO BUILD A CHAMPIONSHIP BALL CLUB, WHICH IS WHAT OUR STATE HAS BEEN USED TO FOR SOME TIME NOW. ANYTHING LESS IS A FAILURE IN OUR EYES.” Jawad Yatim, Team President

“Now that the schedule has been finalized and released, we have set target dates to have certain goals accomplished,” Yatim said. “Right now, [the front office’s] main focus is selling tickets and sponsorships to businesses around the state. Marketing is a key component of everything, and we are starting to pick things up.” With ticket prices skyrocketing for other professional sports teams in the area, one major draw for the Pirates is affordability. In fact, the NAL as a whole has made a commitment to keeping the events both reasonably priced and family-friendly. According to Yatim, this has made a major impact on early ticket sales numbers.

FOLLOW THE MASSACHUSETTS PIRATES:

With the season-opener a little more than two months away, the Pirates have already locked down several major sponsors, which will be announced in the coming weeks. As the team’s heads continue work, they hope to create partnerships with media outlets and businesses across the state.

“We met with several markets on where we were going to end up, “One major focus of ours this season is to find a broadcast partner, ideally, from Providence to Boston, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey FACEBOOK (@MAPIRATES) one that reaches the whole state. We are the Massachusetts Pirates, not TWITTER (@NALPIRATES) — really all over New England. In the end, it’s a no-brainer to go with your hometown,” said Brandon Perotto, the team’s director of INSTAGRAM (@MASS.PIRATES) just the Worcester Pirates,” said Yatim. The team’s commitment to the entire state has Yatim optimistic that the Pirates will make Worcester a destination operations, who hails from Central Massachusetts. When it came time for high-quality football and entertainment. “It’s surreal to think that we can to make the final decision, it was the familiarity with the area, along with provide the people of the Bay State with another form of entertainment during the the DCU Center itself, which sold them on the location.

thepulsemag.com

“IT’S GOOD COMPETITION, BUT I WILL BET ON MY SKILLS VERSUS ANYBODY,” HE SAID. “I’M GONNA WORK TO BE THE BEST PLAYER I CAN BE, AND I WANT THAT OUT OF MY TEAMMATES. IF WE CAN DO THAT, THEN WE’LL BE SOMETHING SPECIAL.” Mardy Gilyard, Player

Shawn Loiseau and Nick Haag, Massachusetts Pirates players

While Yatim and the rest of the front office continue to get the word out about the new team, Head Coach Ameer Ismail has been hard at work recruiting players to join the Pirates. “Right now, we are just trying to get the best talent we can,” he said. “We are recruiting a lot of guys with NFL experience and guys who have played arena football in the past.”

With the focus on bringing in players who can win the team a title, the organization also aims to help their players reach their individual goals. For some, this means developing their skills and ultimately earning NFL contracts, while others hope to find a place where they can continue to play the sport that they love at high level. Ever since Ismail was brought on to coach the team, he has been on the road scouting and recruiting the players who will take the field this spring. Ensuring that the team is bringing in the best available talent involves a great deal of research, outreach and negotiation. “It’s a lot of phone calls, emails, messaging and social media work,” said Ismail. While the task of building a team has involved scouting players from across the country, the Pirates have made sure not to overlook talent in their own backyard. In fact, the team recently held an open tryout at the John Smith Sports Center in Milford. According to Ismail, the tryout had a great turnout and he has high hopes that he will see some of the guys back when training camp starts up in March. And it’s the training camp that has the Pirates staff excited. “There is a lot of work to be done once we can finally get on the field,” said Ismail. Just as the front office and coaching staff have been hard at work putting the finishing

Febr uar y 2018

touches on many of the business aspects of building the team, the players have been doing everything in their power to get ready to take the field. Among them is Mardy Gilyard. A two-time All-American Wide Receiver at Cincinnati, Gilyard was drafted into the NFL in 2010 by the St. Louis Rams. Before signing with the Pirates earlier this winter, he had played stints with numerous NFL and CFL teams. With eight years of professional football under his belt, Gilyard hopes that some of his best play is yet to come. “I’m working on being more explosive and getting stronger. I don’t want to drop any balls,” he said. Though he acknowledges that every team the in the NAL is filled with talented players, Gilyard is confident in his own skill set and aims to make up for any shortcomings by outworking the competition. “It’s good competition, but I will bet on my skills versus anybody,” he said. “I’m gonna work to be the best player I can be, and I want that out of my teammates. If we can do that, then we’ll be something special.” While his experience and work ethic solidify Gilyard as a team leader, his cockiness and enthusiasm for the game are sure to excite the fans. “I’m gonna beat [my opponent] to the ball. I don’t care who they are, how tall they are, or how smooth their footwork is. I’m gonna beat them to the spot.” It’s this attitude that players and front office staff hope will bring a championship to the Pirates. “The vision of this team is to build a championship ball club, which is what our state has been used to for some time now,” said Yatim. “Anything MASSACHUSETTS PIRATES VS. less is a failure in our eyes.”

FIRST GAME: MAINE MAMMOTHS APRIL 7, 2018 DCU CENTER

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MASSPIRATESFOOTBALL.COM

Though these may seem like lofty expectations for a team that was officially formed less than three months ago, Gilyard is certain they will be able to achieve everything they set out to do.

“I came here to win a championship. I know how it’s done. I’ve seen it done. Now, it’s time to do it.”

SPORTS +FITN E S S

IS FITNESS ALL IN YOUR HEAD? Shanna Ferrigno Changing your health habits starts in your head. Getting your mindset right and setting clear, attainable, realistic goals is critical to success, especially in the early stages of habitchanging. I have had hundreds of clients over the years, and the ones that have been the most successful have a great attitude, a plan and set attainable goals. I discuss it at length in my book The Reset Plan. Having the right attitude can help you “think yourself ” fit. If you want to be successful with your fitness goals and change your eating habits, you need to look at the habits and patterns in your life getting in the way of your success. When you are trying to improve your diet and lifestyle, most people do OK, until some life event occurs they can’t control and triggers them back into their old patterns.

TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR FITNESS AND WEIGHT-LOSS EFFORTS: 1. IDENTIFY YOUR BEHAVIORS THAT LEAD TO WEIGHT GAIN

2. BE REALISTIC AND SET ATTAINABLE, SMALL GOALS

CHANGE ONE HABIT PER MONTH

MAKE 2-3 SMALL NUTRITION-FOCUSED CHANGES EACH WEEK

For example, if you are used to watching TV with a bag of potato chips, enjoy an apple with almond butter instead. If you’re really craving chips and an apple and almond butter just won’t do it alone one day, grab a handful of potato chips and put them on a plate. Ditch eating out of the bag — portion your serving and enjoy each chip at a time. At this point, you should know how hard you are physically working to burn it off, so enjoy every crunch. Do leg lifts or squats while watching television. Get rid of the emptycalorie foods in your house and replace them with healthier options.

If you want to lose 20 pounds and you can look ahead one year, then that is really only 1 to 2 pounds per month — something doable and manageable, even with a busy lifestyle. Like they say in AA — one day at a time. I believe the same is true with food addictions.

The key is that changing your overall lifestyle isn’t necessarily about one or two major life changes; it’s about the numerous, small habit changes you can implement every day.

Febr uar y 2018

If you don’t go moment by moment, you are going to give up when you’re having a bad day and are tempted by doughnuts. It’s so easy to allow one small slip-up, like having a slice of pizza, to snowball into having three slices and a bowl of ice cream. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Make a list of mini-goals to help you reach your ultimate goals. Do little things, such as eating more fruits and vegetables or getting more physical activity in your day. Order a side salad instead of french fries. Take the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Change is hard, and it can be more difficult if we try to make too many changes at once. Start small and gradually make lifestyle improvements. Stay in the moment and slay one goal at a time.

3. SUPPLEMENT YOUR DIET REEVALUATE YOUR CURRENT SUPPLEMENTATION PLAN It’s nearly impossible to get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs from diet alone. It would be great if we could, but food and our habits have changed so much that supplementation is a necessary and great way to get what is missing from your diet. But not all supplements are created equal. Don’t be fooled by the discount supplements on sale for $9.99 at the store. Trust me, those aren’t giving you what you need. I recommend all my clients take a regiment of pharmaceutical-grade, clinically proven supplements. I typically recommend the multivitamin, omega-3, probiotic and a plant-based, vegan protein supplement from Previnex. It’s a brand that I know put science ahead of profits and uses the best ingredients and manufacturing processes possible. Shanna Ferrigno is a Previnex Fitness Ambassador and the founder of Ferrigno FIT.

FINDINGBALANCE: It’s simple, just simplify Jennifer Russo Why does life need to be so complicated? The truth is, it doesn’t That is not to say that we won’t have struggles, pain points, distractions and

moments where we want to pull our hair out, but we can take a step back and look at it from a different perspective. We can simplify by doing a few things. It may not be perfect, but it will certainly be a little easier.

I have talked about mindfulness before, and there are many benefits to practicing

it, one of which is that if you are truly focused on one thing, it is less overwhelming. Make a list of things you need to do, but focus on only one single task at a time. Do nothing else except that thing until it is complete. Don’t rush through it, either — take your time and see it through properly. Then move on to the next item.

Another thing you can do to simplify is clean and organize your immediate living

space. The first step is to throw out or donate everything that you no longer use or need. Then, store the items you don’t use every day. There are tons of different

organizational shelves, bins and boxes on the market now to help you sort the things you do reach for on a daily basis.

I read somewhere that simply making your bed every day can actually improve your mood and sense of overall organization. I would tend to agree with this idea. Do you

need to make your bed if no one is coming over? Probably not, but by doing so, you actually create a cleaner environment and subconsciously lower stress.

Next, either buy a pocket calendar or utilize your phone’s calendar app. Use this for

everything on your schedule instead of spreading everything out among different tools. On Saturday nights, review the next two weeks to make sure everything is

captured. Create reminders in this calendar for anything you need to do or prepare. Plan your meals by the week: Go shopping for only what you need, portion the

ingredients into freezer/sandwich bags and label them by day. Store them in the fridge or cabinet.

If you are on social media (and who isn’t these days) — do a friends list cleanup. Go through your friends alphabetically and delete (or at least unfollow) people

you haven’t kept in touch with in more than six months. No one cares if you have

3,000 friends, and you probably talk to less than half of them, if you even know them at all. Stay in touch with those that truly matter.

While you’re at it, declutter your smartphone and laptop. Toss all the apps for

those games you don’t play, clean up your contact list by getting rid of the ones you no longer need, delete or archive old files into folders labeled by year. Let 2018 be a year of organization and simplification.

thepulsemag.com

PRODUCTS TO

CHANGE YOUR FITNESS Working out? Add these game-changers to your life!

MASIGI

FRESH EGGS DAILY

Oil pulling. Heard of it? An ancient Indian practice that involves swishing oil

If the thought of eating eggs from chickens treated with antibiotics and hormones has your feathers ruffled, perhaps now’s the time to fly the coop and put some chickens in your own backyard! After reading Fresh Eggs Daily by Lisa Steele, the natural chickenkeeping guru, you’ll know how to raise healthy, happy chickens. Join the flock of people realizing the health and environmental benefits of backyard chicken-keeping. As a fifth generation chicken Keeper, she is best known for her book Fresh Eggs Daily. Steele’s franchise includes a popular blog, books, a TV show and her website, where she serves up simple, down-to-earth advice for the non-farmers amongst us. fresheggsdaily.com.

around in your mouth, oil pulling has some serious benefits. Studies have shown

that it can help strengthen the teeth, gums and jaw, whiten teeth, prevent bad breath and increase overall oral health. Using “nature’s wonder oil,” Masigi is

made from 100 percent organic coconut oil and essential oils — and absolutely nothing else! In addition to clean ingredients that come together to create their two delicious pulling blends, Masigi also comes in single-serve packets to keep oil pulling mess-free and convenient. $28, masigi.com.

GOOD ZEBRA made with 12 grams of protein and no refined sugar — are ready to go. These are

Avoid sniffling away this winter with Seat Sitters — lightweight, 100 percent recyclable and reusable seat covers for all your travels! With a generous fit for versatility and comfort, this ideal travel companion helps you stay healthy and enjoy your seat. Complete with wipes for the armrests, tray tables and a tray table cover, Seat Sitters will make your trip a healthy one. $14.99, seatsitters.com.

anytime you need something to fill you up! 12 for $29.99, goodzebra.com.

SHOWOFF SUPER MOUNT

What would you do to not suffer through another mealy, overly sweet or cardboard-esque protein bar? Good Zebra — the world’s first animal crackers

so yummy and perfect for mid-day crashes, kids snacks, travel, gym bags and just

SIPP Handcrafted in the kitchen, Sipp mixes ingredients to create unique layers of

blended fruits and herbs into a refreshing sparkling beverage. Whether it’s mixed

in a drink recipe to craft a natural, fresh cocktail or chilled to enjoy with a meal, these fun flavors are the perfect fusion of clean, simple culinary extracts! All Sipp

Sparkling Organics come in 12-ounce bottles and 10½-ounce cans. Prices vary, haveasipp.com.

SEAT SITTERS

Febr uar y 2018

Looking to showcase your workouts while you get in shape for 2018? Share your favorite moves or follow along with your favorite workouts easily to achieve your New Year’s resolutions. Record, stream and post your progress to all your friends with one easy device… your phone! The ShowOff Super Mount transforms any smartphone into a personal photographer, body cam, dash cam and more instantly. Highlight your hikes, stream your hardest routines at the gym or snap progress pics from anywhere with one easy-to-use device! Each ShowOff Super Mount comes with the magnet pack, sticky mounting pads and a Bluetooth remote. Starts at $34.99, showoffyourlife.com.

thepulsemag.com

ENT ERTA IN M E N T Bob Moon, guitarist in Fellowship of the King, doesn’t mind playing the same songs all the time, as long as the band plays them well and people continue to enjoy them. “The Rolling Stones play the same songs every night for 100 years, and how do they do it? I think it’s just the fact that they play something that sounds great and its rock and roll,” said Moon. “The more second nature it is, the easier it is and the more fun you have with it — the more you don’t have to worry about remembering the chords, and I kind of like that. And then you’re just playing, and you’re in that groove, you’re in that pocket, and there’s no better feeling than that.” Whether or not they are locked in to covering just one band or peppering in some variety, all the local groups share the same goal: to sound as similar to the artist they’re covering as they can. Sometimes that is easier said than done. Miguel Goncalves, bassist in the long running AC/DC tribute band Back in Black, talked specifics. “The overall sound of any band is hard to replicate,” said Goncalves. “The technical stuff is very important — guitar tones need to be perfect. We stay true by replicating their instruments and amplification and hope to get the true sound.” The guys from Second Hand Smoke subscribe to the same notion, but they also point out that their delivery doesn’t necessarily always have to be right on the dot.

PAYING TRIBUTE TO

WORCESTER’S TRIBUTE BANDS Jason Savio Elvis is alive, and he’s playing at a bar in Worcester. If you want to hear the croon of the King, the heavy power chords of AC/DC or the laid-back vibes of Sublime at a live concert, you still can, thanks to local tribute bands. The music of these legendary artists lives on in our own backyard through these dedicated acts, which are garnering large crowds in Central Mass. “A lot of people when they go out like to hear songs they know,” said Jamie Mazzaferro, bassist in the Sublime tribute band Second Hand Smoke. The members of Second Hand Smoke — along with other tribute bands like the Elvis-focused Fellowship of the King, AC/DC-powered Back in Black and Police tribute Invisible Sun — are making their way onstage with songs by well-loved bands. To be a tribute band, you need to love the music of the group you’re covering, and all of these musicians carry that adoration like a badge of honor. Dan Fontaine is a die-hard Elvis fan and lead singer in Fellowship of the King. When he’s not working as a music minister at Hill Crest Church in Auburn, he’s channeling his inner Elvis. “One of the things that we tell the guys in our band is grow to appreciate the music, love the music, love the musician and listen to it on a consistent basis,” said Fontaine. “I feel like if you love what you’re doing and you really feel like you’re paying tribute to something, then you have nowhere to go but up.” And up is exactly where Fellowship and other such bands are going. Tribute bands are taking over local establishments and playing at places like Vincent’s and Bull Mansion. “I think it has to do with people wanting to relive experiences and enjoy the music they grew up with or that they listened to in their own lives, and sometimes you can’t

Febr uar y 2018

get out to see the bands if the person is dead or they’ve broken up years ago,” said Fontaine. “But if you listen to a good tribute band, you can feel some of that experience.” But the members of these bands also want you to know they aren’t parodies. When you think of tribute bands, you’re likely to conjure up images of over-the-top costumes and hairdos that are meant to look like the artist they’re covering. Members of Fellowship of the King stress that they aren’t your typical Elvis impersonators and take their music seriously. That hasn’t stopped them, however, from having some fun, as each band member wears a getup that represents a different era of Elvis’ career. The rest of the musicians on the local tribute scene have sworn off the stage attire. One of those who won’t be dressing up or, in his case, be putting on a gravity-defying wig, is Jason Paulino, the singer in Journey-inspired The Great Escape. Paulino and his group have been belting out “Separate Ways” for 10 years now, bringing up the critical question: Do you ever get tired of playing someone else’s song over and over again? The short answer from Paulino is yes. “We started out as a tribute band, but everybody started getting bored, so we started throwing other cover songs in there to keep the crowd from leaving,” said Paulino, who refers to his band as a cover band that “caters” to Journey. Brian Chaffee, keyboardist and vocalist in the Police tribute band Invisible Sun, said that it’s not just a concern with the audience, but with the band itself. “Probably the biggest challenge for us is finding our own interesting take on the songs,” Chaffee said. “You want to stay true to what people love about them, but you also have to keep it fresh, (so) maybe you lean toward an alternate take or a live version. When a cover act plays the same song (of ) the same studio version every time, I get over it real quick.”

“We want to get the songs correct, but it has to be in the spirit of it,” said guitarist Michael Albano. “We play, like, you know it’s Sublime, but it’s not note-for-note. The music is there and if you have a voice that sounds similar, then it all clicks.” In essence, it’s all about feeling. It’s that feeling that led all these musicians to decide to devote their time to someone else’s songs in the first place. When there is a music group that resonates with you on that level, you can’t help but want to help carry that torch after the artist who lit it has either passed on or retired. And if you aren’t inclined to get up on stage, the next best thing is to watch it as part of the audience. Left Photo: Back in Black; Photo Credit P. Sanders Right Photo: Fellowship; Photo Credit Facebook

CHECK OUT THE TRIBUTE BANDS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE: BACK IN BLACK

@BACK-IN-BLACK-ACDC-tribute-Mass bnbnacdc@aol.com backinblack.org

FELLOWSHIP OF THE KING

@fellowshipofthekingelvis fellowshipkingelvis@gmail.com youtube.com/fellowshipoftheking

THE GREAT ESCAPE

@thegreatescapeband thegreatescapemusic.com

INVISIBLE SUN

@InvisiblesunMA

SECOND HAND SMOKE

@sechandsmoke secondhandsmoke12@gmail.com shsmoke.com

GAMEON: Summer camp fun with Friday the 13th Jason Savio Horror films have a strange history in the gaming world. There always seems to be a high demand from the fan base for them to be adapted, but rarely does that ever seem to happen. Luckily, nowadays players have more control, and after a successful Kickstarter campaign, Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13th is slicing and dicing his way into next-gen gaming. One thing needs to be established right away: As of this writing, Friday the 13th is only an online multiplayer game. To be able to play it, you need an online gaming subscription such as Playstation Plus if you have a PS4. So, yes, you’ll have to deal with all the ugliness of playing in that arena. That is a major drawback that will hopefully be addressed in the near future. But for now, we’re talking about the game itself. For those who might not remember, Friday the 13th has already been a game once before, long ago on the original Nintendo console. While that version is often cited as one of the worst video games of all time, this new attempt proves to be better, albeit, with some of its own problems. The tone and feel of F13 is great. Taking place at the Camp Crystal Lake campgrounds, it picks up at the best part of any Jason film — when all hell breaks loose and people are running for their lives. Most of the time, you’ll be randomly selected to be one of the desperate counselors as you try to survive, but sometimes, you’ll get to play as Jason and hunt down the rest of the players. It’s a survival horror game, and because of that, it falls into the same traps as other titles in the genre, such as having to endure tedious searches in drawers and cupboards for things to help you make it through the night. As one of the stereotypical ’80s teens, you can win by either surviving the duration of the timed round by hiding (boring), fixing up a car and driving it to the exit, calling the police, or, if you’re really feeling like a badass, killing Jason. Teamwork most always prevails in these scenarios. Of course, it’s way more fun playing as Pamela Voorhees’ little boy. As Jason, your goal is — you guessed it — to finish off all those pesky kids. How Jason does so is often comical, with kills that are so over the top even Freddy Krueger would blush. There are also some advantages given to Jason to help him on his tyrannical mission that aren’t true to the movies and might upset some die-hard fans. His ability to “morph” and “shift” from one location on the map to another in an instant is a dramatic help to whoever is playing as Jason (and actually makes sense, since he’s extremely slow and would never catch up to anyone otherwise). But, at times, these abilities can be almost unfair if the player is skilled and knows exactly how to work it, quickly pegging off everyone in a flurry. Friday the 13th is a game of cat and mouse. It can get really intense with some major jump scares, making for an authentic horror experience. Does it meet the expectations and dreams (or nightmares) of those who have been waiting for it? Not exactly. But it’s close and better than nothing. Now, if we could get Freddy to have his own game, that would be killer. For more information, visit f13game.com.

thepulsemag.com

MIKE GORDON / OGOGO

ASKING ALEXANDRIA / ASKING ALEXANDRIA

Jason Savio

Jennifer Russo

If only more records could be like Mike Gordon’s OGOGO. The quiet bassist from jam king Phish brings a fun and exploratory set of songs to the forefront on his newest solo effort. Gordon’s work has always been a mix of off-kilter shenanigans and bright charm with a dash of pop/rock hooks. On OGOGO, he seems to really nail down his niche with a strong emphasis on the catchy twists and turns. There are times during OGOGO when you would never have guessed Gordon was at the helm. “Let’s Go” contains elements of a massive radio hit, while “Up and Down” is another tightly constructed number with an enjoyable chorus. Don’t start to think Gordon is selling out for popularity points, though. “Crazy Sometimes” is classic Gordon weirdness and absurdity. And absurdity isn’t bad, so long as you do it right, and he does. Gordon’s “Quazimodo snaps a photo” line in the funk number “Victim” is pure gold. And just as you think it’s a party with only a couple songs left, Gordon catches you with your guard down and hits you right in the feels with the touching lullaby of “So Far Gone.” It’s clear that Gordon is making good use of his time in between tours with Phish. OGOGO is not an album just for Phish fans; it would be doing it a major disservice to dismiss it as such. Instead, it’s a highly accessible and fully realized collection of songs crafted by someone who refuses to rest on his laurels. For more information, visit mike-gordon.com.

Febr uar y 2018

I will admit that when the opportunity to review this album came up, I was a little more than excited. Asking Alexandria, which has long been one of my favorite bands, has released a self-titled album which, in my opinion, has put to rest any accusations of musical “typecasting.” Rock/metal has become rather stale over the last few years, and what we get here is a sound that is beautifully mixed with an introduction into a blended genre that incorporates not only metal moments, but pop and other experimental ventures. In this album, we see the return of Danny Worsnop on vocals, and his signature style is forward throughout each song. The vocals are clean, unlike what we have seen from him before, and in every track, we hear a little more of his story and the pain and breakthroughs he has made as a result. “Alone in a Room” enters with some soft guitar, picking up immediately and launching into a self-reflection that we’ve all experienced at one point or another. The song is highlighted by Worsnop’s higher range and is the perfect beginning. “Into the Fire” has a little more of the heaviness we are used to hearing from AA, but again, we get a heart-wrenching dialogue. “Eve” is the most metal song on the album, with some screaming and solid drumwork that pair perfectly. “Where Did It Go” is my favorite song on the album with its trance-like, borderline hip-hop melody and high-energy chorus, which I felt truly showcased the versatility of Worsnop’s voice. The first time I heard it through, I immediately realized several things: 1) there are no flaws, 2) I am going to be listening to this on repeat for a very long time, and 3) my word count allowance for this review isn’t nearly big enough for all the accolades I want to share. What I truly believe is that this album is going to pave the way, inspiring a movement that is going to change the approach of the entire scene in the next few years. The recommendation is to get the album, and while you are at it, go see them at The Palladium on Feb. 2. For more information, visit askingalexandra.com.

TOVE LO / BLUE LIPS (LADY WOOD PHASE II) Mike Wood Tove Lo has never been the type of pop artist you’d necessarily take home to meet the parents. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t awesome. She’s just uncensored, and she’s unapologetic about what she has to say and how she chooses to say it. Some of you may want to take a shower after listening to Blue Lips, but I’m guessing more of you might want to applaud this outspoken musician for telling it — and singing it — like it is. The album’s title is a sequel, of sorts, to her last studio album, Lady Wood, and both recount the roller coaster of an ultimately toxic relationship — from beginning to its heartbreaking end. Yes, there’s graphic descriptions of sex acts and profanity, but it’s more about female power and empowerment than it is about sex. Some might call it shock-pop, but when the lyrics are this sure and are sung with such conviction, we know it’s not just for sound or show. Tove Lo puts it all out there and in your face, exploring topics of race, sexuality, bisexuality and one-night stands — all in good measure. There’s no guesswork with her song titles or her lyrics. Take the dancefloor-ready standout “Disco Tits,” where she’s hopelessly and simultaneously in love and lust — and you just want to dance with her in her joy. With “Struggle,” we get just that, as she dissects the dissolution of her once-strong relationship. You’ll find that each track works off the others to tell her story in full. And, while it’s unabashedly raw, Blue Lips is actually revealing more of Tove Lo’s soul than it is her body. For more information, visit tove-lo.com.

PULSEBOOKS: Fall in love with a book this Valentine’s Day Kimberly Dunbar This Valentine’s Day, skip the fancy dinners and sappy movies and refrain from wallowing in heart-shaped boxes of chocolates; instead, pick up one of these books. These two stories about imperfect women and imperfect relationships will hit shelves just in time for Valentine’s Day. Fans of Grey’s Anatomy will love Kimmery Martin’s debut novel, The Queen of Hearts (Berkley), a tale filled with love, lies and medical drama. Zadie, a cardiologist, and Emma, a trauma surgeon, have been best friends since meeting at a summer camp in high school. Fast-forward two decades: The women attended medical school together and now live with their families and practice medicine in Charlotte, N.C. Zadie and Emma are as thick as thieves, each other’s ultimate confidants, but when a man from their past takes a job at Emma’s hospital amid a professional crisis, tension arises between the three, and everything Zadie believes is turned upside down. Martin seamlessly weaves between the present and the past, revisiting the life-changing events that happened during the women’s third year of medical school, when a young and naive Zadie is swept off her feet by Dr. X, her superior (a la Meredith Grey and McDreamy), and Emma is engaged in a serious relationship with a fellow classmate. But when tragedy strikes, Emma retreats and Zadie has her heart broken; events both women have seemingly put behind them until Dr. X resurfaces, along with some deeply hidden secrets. This book has everything you’d expect from a medical drama, including some on-call room shenanigans. Sophie Kinsella is back with her latest novel, Surprise Me (Penguin Random House), a humorous, honest take on a marriage gone stale. When Sylvie and Dan learn from the doctor that they’re both so healthy they could be together for another 68 years, the couple, celebrating their 10th anniversary, panics. Sylvie and Dan know each other inside and out and finish each other’s sentences, leaving her to wonder if they’ll bore each other for the next 68 years. To keep things exciting, Sylvie decides they should create surprises for each other. At first, the surprises are filled with humor (including a pet snake and boudoir photo shoot gone wrong), but when the surprises unearth some shocking secrets and truths, Sylvie begins to wonder if they knew each other at all. Suddenly, Sylvie is no longer worried about being bored with Dan, but rather is focused on making sure they’ll still be together in 68 years. Meanwhile, a secret cell phone and whispered conversations between Dan and Sylvie’s mom, of whom Dan has never been a fan, begin to push Sylvie to the brink, all while she must handle a work crisis. By trying to incorporate some mystery into their marriage, Sylvie gets nothing but stress, and in the end, she is the only one who ends up surprised. Though fictional, and a tad naive, Sylvie is a relatable character for real women in real marriages and relationships.

thepulsemag.com

THINGS TO DO: FEBRUARY 2018 ARTSWORCESTER’S ANNUAL COLLEGE SHOW Every year, ArtsWorcester recognizes emerging student artists. Now, see the artists whose works were selected for the Fourteenth Annual College Show. This event, juried by independent curator Mary Tinti, features the best artwork of the Worcester area’s college students, regardless of their major. The selection process was highly competitive, with just 65 works selected from 253 submissions. Noon-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 2-March 2; ArtsWorcester at The Hadley, 657 Main St., Worcester; free; artsworcester.org.

STEMPUNK Head to Tower Hill for all things steampunk! Teapots, clocks and zeppelins abound at this steampunk-inspired floral bonanza. Wear your best botanical steampunk regalia and explore Tower Hill’s lush conservatories and innovative steampunk-inspired floral designs. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Feb. 17-18; Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston; free with admission; towerhillbg.org.

MONSTER JAM Monster Jam is adrenaline-charged family entertainment, providing jaw-dropping displays and gravity-defying feats that promise to always leave fans entertained. Monster Jam events feature some of the most recognizable trucks in the world, including Grave Digger, Max-D, El Toro Loco and many more. 7 p.m. Feb. 16 and 17 and 1 p.m. Feb. 17 and 18; DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester; tickets start at $18; dcucenter.com.

WORCESTER RESTAURANT WEEK Fill your appetite without emptying your wallet! The winter edition of Worcester Restaurant Week begins Feb. 26 and runs through March 10. Worcester Restaurant Week allows people to sample food from a wide variety of Worcester’s best restaurants without breaking the bank. Participating restaurants lower their prices and create a special menu, offering a three-course meal for only $25.18. Feb. 26-March 10; participating restaurants around Worcester; $25.18; worcesterrestaurantweek.com.

THE WORCESTER MUSIC AWARDS The Worcester Music Awards is gearing up for another year. While awards will be presented at Pulse’s show in April, we’re asking for you to nominate your favorite bands now. We’ll be collecting nominations in February and asking you to vote in March. It’s easy; just hop online and tell us who you think should be recognized this year. Throughout the month of February; nominate bands at worcestermusicawards.com.

Febr uar y 2018

CLUB+PUB+GRUB LISTINGS

ENTERTAINMENT AT CLUBS, BARS, PUBS & OTHER SELECT VENUES 435 Bar & Grill 435 Lancaster St., Leominster Feb. 9: James Keyes Feb. 16: Mike Melendez Feb. 23: Brian Chaffee American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010 Art’s Diner 541 W. Boylston St., Worc. 774-530-6120 B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 978-422-9763 140pub.com 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 Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: Bill McCarthy Feb. 3: Ed McCarron Feb. 10: Chris Terp Feb. 17: Scott Babineau Feb. 24: Left-Right Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. 508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com Feb. 24: Neil Young Tribute Band Beemer’s Pub & Grill 310 Main St., Fitchburg 978-348-2100 beemerspub.com Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. 508-797-4827 blackstonetap.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 Feb. 3: Michael Spaulding Feb. 8: Scott Babineau Feb. 9: Middlemen Feb. 10: Brian Chaffee Feb. 15: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Feb. 16: Gary Girouard Feb. 17: Lizzy Marquis Feb. 22: Ken Macy Feb. 23: Tim & Lou Bolton Street Tavern 587 Bolton St., Marlborough

Febr uar y 2018

508-485-4416 boltonstreettavern.com Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008 Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 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 Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 destare.com Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. 508-926-8353 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster 978-534-0020 chopsticksleominster.com Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250 Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-767-9728 Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750 classicspub.net Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke with Royal Crown Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. 508-798-8385 Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke Feb. 24: We & The Dawg The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster 978-751-8962 Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. 508-304-6044 thecompasstavern.com Fridays, Saturdays: DJs Feb. 9: Nick Christy Feb. 16: Alex Twohey Feb. 23: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. 508-752-0482 The Cove Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc. 508-363-1888 thecovemusichall.com Feb. 3: Sick Season (AIC tribute) Feb. 9: Rusty Cage (Soundgarden tribute) Feb. 10: AquaNett Feb. 16: Born to Party in the 90s Feb. 17: Shadow Windhawk Feb. 23: Through the Doors (Doors tribute)

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 Feb. 3: Celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday Feb. 9: Desert Rain, The Kings Feb. 15: Lespecial Feb. 23: The Lizards (Phish tribute) Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 fiddlersgreenworcester.com 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 Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-757-1450 flyingrhinocafe.com Forty’s 1030 Central St., Leominster 978-534-7026 Frank’s 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-420-2253 Feb. 3: Infinite Groove Feb. 10: J Mac Blues Band Feb. 17: Dezi Garcia Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-753-2995 funkymurphys.com Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 gardnerale.com Sundays: Jazz Brunch Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live music The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster thegazbar.com Feb. 3: Dustin Brideau Feb. 8: Dan Cormier Feb. 9: Mike Melendez Feb. 10: Amanda Cote Feb. 15: Heather Ralston Feb. 16: Hitchcock Blondes Feb. 17: The Lost Artifacts Feb. 22: Joe Macey Feb. 23: Ricky Booth Feb. 24: Scott Babineau Greendale’s Pub

404 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-853-1350 greendalespub.com Sundays: Meat Raffle, Blues Jam with Jim Perry Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy; Local Musicians Showcase Wednesdays: Wack Wednesday Jam Night Thursdays: Karaoke Feb. 9: Auntie Trainwreck Feb. 16: Riff-Raff Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com Happy Jack’s 785 North Main St., Leominster 978-466-3433 Feb. 24: Sean Fullerton’s Mad Loops Laboratory Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster 508-943-3871 indianranch.com Industry Bar Room 109 Water St., Worc. 508-756-2100 industrybarroom.com Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701 ixtapacantina2.com JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz Mondays: Jazz Night Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 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 Marty’s Pub 225 Canterbury St., Worc. 508-754-0033 martyspub.com MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. 508-799-4521 mblounge.com Sundays: Seasonal Martini Sundays Mondays: Industry Night with Keith Tuesdays: Throwback Tuesdays with Andy R. Wednesdays: Karaoke with Mikey Mics Thursdays: Drinks with Superman Shawn Fridays, Saturdays: Guest and house DJs McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster 978-874-1444 Medusa Brewing Company 111 Main St., Hudson 978-310-1933 Continued on Page 23

thepulsemag.com

Febr uar y 2018

Continued from Page 20 medusabrewing.com Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Feb. 3: Jim Devlin Band Feb. 4: Mike Melendez Feb. 8: Sean Ryan Feb. 9: Doctor Robert Feb. 10: A Fellowship of the King Feb. 11: Blue Light Bandits Feb. 15: Kevin Shields Feb. 16: Stubby Philips and The Flatheads Feb. 17: Hot Letter Feb. 18: Rick Hamel Feb. 22: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Feb. 23: Hit the Bus Feb. 25: Topher Brew Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com Feb. 3: Kelly & Tribe Feb. 8: Brett Brumby Feb. 9: Jay Graham Feb. 10: Stillwater String Band Feb. 15: Night Train Feb. 16: FM Live Feb. 17: Bill McCarthy Feb. 22: Josh Briggs Feb. 23: Joe & Liz Feb. 24: Guiliano D’Orazio Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 millstreetbrews.com The Monument Tap 13 Central St., Leominster 978-798-4653 monumenttap.com Feb. 3: Ron Williams Feb. 8: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Feb. 9: Arthur James Feb. 10: Mychael David Feb. 16: Cailte Kelly Feb. 17: Left-Right Feb. 23: Chris Terp Feb. 24: Dustin Brideau Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. The Muse 536 Main St., Worc. 508-756-6873 Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. 508-753-4030 Sundays: Listen! A new weekly poetry event hosted by Dave Macpherson Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat Saturdays: Sip & Stitch, Pitch & Sip The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. 508-340-0318 Oak Barrel Tavern 229 Grove Ave., Worc. 508-755-8047 oakbarreltavernworcester.com Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton

508-839-6106 On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 The Outlook at Nashoba Valley 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 Saturdays: Chris Reddy 3-5 p.m. Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford 508-987-5397 Padavano’s Place 358 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-823-3022 padavanosplace.com Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. 508-797-9696 thepalladium.net Feb. 3: Neck Deep with special guests Feb. 9: Above & Beyond with Luttrell Feb. 10: Rivera Promotions Entertainment presents:New England’s Future 5 Feb. 15: Steve Aoki with Desiinger Feb. 16: August Burns Red with special guests Feb. 18: Architects, Doomsday Tour Feb. 25: Bury Your Dead with special guests Feb. 27: Slaves with special guests Park Grill and Spirits 257 Park Ave., Worc. Sundays: Open Mic Fridays, Saturdays: Dick’s Beantown Comedy Escape Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 partnerspub.com Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke Feb. 3: JCDC Feb. 10: Jah Spirit Feb. 17: Rock It Feb. 24: Kevin Shields Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. 508-755-4155 patsiedugans.com Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc. 508-756-7555 The Pint 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-414-1314 Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster 508-943-0404 pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. 508-856-9255 Quinn’s Irish Pub 715 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-459-2025 quinnsirishpub.com Feb. 3: Brett Brumby Feb. 4: DJ JR Feb. 7: Brett Brumby Feb. 8: John Brazile Feb. 9: Terry Brennan Feb. 10: Adam Makes Noise Feb. 11: Brian Twohey

Feb. 15: Tim Pacific Feb. 16: Sam James Feb. 17: Kevin Shields Feb. 18: John Brazile Feb. 21: Brett Brumby Feb. 22: John Brazile Feb. 23: Josh Briggs Feb. 24: Sam James Feb. 25: Mike Melendez Feb. 28: Chris Reddy Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133 Wednesdays: Open Mic Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville 978-939-7373, 978-939-8321 Rocky’s 139 Water St., Worc. Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. 508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 ryeandthyme.com Feb. 3: Scott Babineau Feb. 8: Joe Sabourin Feb. 9: Trackdown Feb. 10: De La High Feb. 11: Zack Slik Brunch Feb. 15: Amanda Cote Feb. 16: Doctor Robert Feb. 17: Hot Mess Feb. 18: Brunch with Chris Gardino & Hayden Irizarry Feb. 22: Jim Weeks Feb. 23: Acoustic Shoes Feb. 24: Joe Grizzly Presents Feb. 25: Jon Short Brunch 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 Feb. 3: Neon Alley Feb. 9: Lizzy Marquis Feb. 10: Sean Daley & The Hooligans Feb. 16: TC Polk Feb. 17: Second Chance Feb. 23: Zack Slik Feb. 24: Our Buddy Carl Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net 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/The Outlook

79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 The Tavern on Central 3 Central St., Ashburnham 978-827-1272 thetavernoncentral.com Feb. 3: Ton of Blues Feb. 9: Brother Maynard Feb. 10: Tim & Lou Feb. 16: Whitney Doucette Feb. 23: Midnight Sharp Feb. 24: MB Padfield Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 508-754-3516 3gs-sportsbar.com Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: Karaoke Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre 978-355-2224 upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com Valentino’s Press & Pour 154 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-530-6130 Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-752-9439 Tuesdays: Boogie Chillin’ Feb. 3: Saturday Night Swayfulness Whiskey Hookah Lounge 316 Main St., Worc. Whiskey on Water 97 Water St., Worc. 774-578-8829 whiskeyonwater.com Sundays, Wednesdays: Karaoke with DJ Soup Thursdays: DJ Cuzn Kev Fridays: DJ Tec Threat Feb. 9: C›s Express Duo Feb. 10: PK and The Mighty 7 Feb. 16: Sean Von Clauss Feb. 17: Southern Rain Feb. 23: On the Rocks Feb. 24: Blue Light Bandits Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford 508-987-3087 StopByTheWhistle.com White Eagle Polish Club 112 Green St., Worc. 774-245-1991 William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner 978-632-7794 williamsrestaurantandtavern.com Feb. 9: Dan Kirouac with special guest Glenn Jackson Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., W. Brookfield 508-867-9709, 508-867-4139 westbrookfieldtavern.com

thepulsemag.com

BY JUSTIN PERRY

MEZÉ GREEK TAPAS BAR & GRILL – WORCESTER

PICCOLO’S – WORCESTER

BRITISH BEER COMPANY – WORCESTER

Febr uar y 2018

BOCADO TAPAS BAR – WORCESTER

EL BASHA – WORCESTER

LAKESIDE BAR & GRILLE – SHREWSBURY

thepulsemag.com

LI F ESTY LE

IN FEBRUARY, MAKE TIME FOR

ROMANCE

Jennifer Michaud Valentine ’s Day — aka “the momentary savior to dried-out relationships.” The pink and purple hearts conquer retail for a month’s time, reminding you to hustle and purchase treats for your partner like clockwork. In fact, the “holiday” is so ingrained into American culture that it raises the question of whether or not these acts of kindness are out of our own hearts or out of obligation to society. Maintaining a genuine relationship with your partner year-round isn’t always easy, so here are some tips on how to make every day as special as Valentine ’s Day.

PRIORITIZING YOUR PARTNER

Learn how to step away from convenience. Social media and 24/7 connectivity aren’t necessarily bad things, but they can drown us in convenience by taking away the attention our loved ones deserve. Being late for a date before instant technology used to be a roller coaster ride of emotions for the one waiting, but now, it’s as simple as shooting an “I’ll be late” text. What once may have put a relationship on the line is now easy to fix. Refrain from this by making your partner your No. 1 priority.

PROTECT YOUR TIME TOGETHER

Paul Looseman, 31, of St. Louis, Mo., has a private practice as a licensed professional counselor with experience in Gottman Couples Method Training. Looseman said protecting your time together and spending time together are two different things. A couple can easily spend time watching a movie, but they may be distracted and emotionally distant. If you’re going to do something together, be sincere and set aside possible distractions. These intentions show devotion to your partner and encourage a more genuine relationship. “Make your partner your best friend. If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, this is a must,” said Looseman. “If they don’t want to build that relationship with you, that’s a huge red flag.” Your partner should want to know all things about you and prioritize you as someone who he or she couldn’t live without.

STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP

“Keep them involved in everything,” said Ryan Michaels, a 25-year-old spouse and father from Worcester. “When you’re single, or even when you’re dating, at the end of the day, you make your own decisions. But when you’re married, there’s two people, so you have to make a decision together.”

Febr uar y 2018

LISTEN AND EMPATHIZE

According to Looseman, partners are bound to have different perspectives and understandings due to their own personal upbringings. Therefore, make intentional attempts to empathize with your partner. Show concern over things that bother him or her and show support for things he or she is excited about. Understand that you won’t always see things the same way, but make an attempt to step into the other’s shoes and recognize how they feel. “Learn about one another on a deeper level,” said Looseman. If you know how your partner will react in a variety of situations, you can offer them the best support. This means conversing about topics such as sex, work and home life. Getting to know your partner as fully and deeply as possible will assure a resilient relationship.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Balance work with your relationship. We live in a generation where success in the workplace is the ultimate goal for many. We are submerged in a world of workaholics and lazy lovers. Take that hard-working ethic and bring it into home life. Sacrifice a late night at work to make dinner for your loved one. A word of advice to married workaholics: “Put your spouse above your career. Don’t make your job your second marriage,” said Michaels.

UNDERSTAND HARD THINGS MAKE RELATIONSHIPS GROW

There are bound to be trials and tribulations during any long-term relationship, but Looseman said these difficult times will provide insightful lessons and benefit the relationship. Challenges deliver opportunities to learn about one another and create trust. Don’t lose hope when challenges arise, but trust that you may just come away learning something wonderful.

ENGAGE YOUR PARTNER IN THE LITTLE THINGS

“Romance is a part of life; the two shouldn’t be separated,” said Looseman. You can be sexy and intentional in the way you do routine things. Even if it’s just meeting your partner on his or her emotional plane to encourage a good mood in the household or listening to your partner talk about the day. Engaging your partner in the little things tweaks what may have once been boring into an adventure. Valentine’s Day may be the handy work of capitalism, but the concept behind the madness is a beautiful thing. Don’t let Valentine’s Day be the only day of the year you devote attention to your partner — make it another lovely day in an adventurous year.

OUT+ABOUT: Many ways to love in the LGBTQ+ community John Trobaugh Sexual orientation is described as an inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. You may be able to tell from the many letters in our community that sexual orientation is only part of the many ways we love. For some, your gender matters if they are going to consider you as a partner and for others, not so much. To find out more, I did a quick survey of my limited circle of a few thousand friends via social media. In my circles, we are all about intersectionality — including where you live. People from Massachusetts was thankful for living here, since this gave them the privilege to live more openly than in other parts of the U.S. I included the spectrum of sexual orientation (including straight allies) and gender identity for responses to six questions. I am only able to give a sample here. It turns out we are so complicated! I think most of our readers know LGBT, but most of the time, we add Q and a plus sign, since there are quite a few letters that we welcome under the rainbow umbrella. Since the Q and plus are less familiar, I focused on their responses. Queer has emerged as a catch-all phrase that most people seem to use as a way to say they reject the traditional gay/lesbian, straight, bi definitions. One friend described it this way: “I was queer going into college; sometimes, I would identify as a lesbian and sometimes as queer. It depends on my mood and my current attraction, so I like the flexibility that comes with queer.” Pansexual folks see themselves as blind to gender when it comes to sexual attraction (as opposed to bi, who have been defined as attracted to male or female). My friend said the biggest problem for her was the gender of her current relationship. It turns out people really like to put you in a known category. Asexual (sometimes know as demisexual) is when the person doesn’t desire their partner sexually, but usually wants to form companionships. They usually feel relieved when they find out there are others like them, since they often get mislabeled as if something were wrong. Polyamorous, and there were several that responded, describe themselves as participating in consensual, ethical and responsible non-monogamy. In fact, most declined to be identified because the average person assumes they are just out to have sex or act recklessly. One friend said, “I am not ‘open’ for fear they would think my husband and I are not sincerely in love, are putting on a charade, practice infidelity or are ‘sluts.’” In reality, many who are polyamorous would say they just have room in their heart for more than one love. You can be gay, lesbian or even queer and also be poly. The consistent theme was love and community. No matter what your orientation, gender or location, we need to build our communities and ask before we label. Much love! Send comments and suggestions for Out and About to John@johnart.com.

thepulsemag.com

THE LUXE LIST

FAB VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS FOR WINE-LOVERS Merilee Kern

Valentine’s Day has become big business and is certainly a holiday that retailers love. While this affection-driven day is a prime time to shower your special someone with gifts that showcase the extent of your affection, there are plenty of great gift ideas for wine-lovers, in particular, that’ll duly convey your adoration.

AERVANA LUXURY WINE AERATOR Here’s a gadget that’s designed to help people enjoy wine at its best in an innovative, effective and fun way. The Aervana Luxury Wine Aerator helps people enjoy wine the way winemakers envision. It uses a patented, advanced one-touch process that provides proper aeration with half the effort. It’s reportedly the only wine aerator designed to keep wine sediment in the bottom of the bottle and not in your glass. It also helps reduce tannins, acidity and sulfides and pours a perfect amount of aerated wine with each and every glass — it works especially great with young, tannic red wines. With it, you can say goodbye to messy decanters or aerating time delays. The gadget also boasts a sophisticated, sleek, modern aesthetic, food-safe materials and takes just seconds to use. Pouring is so easy; just press the button for a perfect amount of aerated wine. Cheers! $99.98, Aervana.com.

HAND-GILDED GRAPEVINE WINE GLASSES Entertain your guests in fabulous artisan style with stunning hand-gilded grapevine wine glasses masterfully handcrafted in a third-generation workshop in Verona, Italy. Founder Amedeo, along with his two sons, Valentino and Roberto, transform each wine glass into a work of art — no two glasses will ever be exactly alike. After applying stucco vines and leaves to the glass, a layer of color and gold leaf is added by hand. Once completely dry, each is hand-polished to a gleaming luster. With a large capacity, measuring 8½ inches tall and holding 20 ounces, this wine glass is a truly artful and elegant addition to your wine bar. $70, UnoAllaVolta.com.

VIVAJENNZ GENEVIEVE WINE PURSE/BEVERAGE CARRIER Speaking of wine, with this gift you can give someone the gift of freedom to go where they please without the sacrifice of leaving things — and their favorite beverage — behind with this purse designed by Vivajennz. Originally created by a mom to carry her autistic son’s organic juice, anything can go inside the replaceable three-liter BPA-free bag. Forget the heavy and fragile glass bottle and bottle openers. You can carry your liquids of choice without breaking a sweat. There are many different bag styles to choose from, and each has its own secret insulated compartment that holds your drink choice — wine, mixed cocktails, juice, alkaline water…all no problem. Additionally, a portion of each sale is donated to support autism services. $74.98, Vivajennz.com.

FAUST NAPA VALLEY COMMEMORATIVE GRAFFITI MAGNUM Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon celebrated its 13th anniversary vintage by partnering with noted New York City graffiti artist known only as Faust. The artist that shares his name with Faust winery is one of the most innovative and influential street artists coming out of the Big Apple today. Faust joined the winery in Napa as its artist in residence, during which time he created this piece. Faust (the wine) seeks to express the complexity of cabernet sauvignon and the diversity of the Napa Valley by sourcing from estate vineyards in Coombsville and Rutherford, as well as small lots from spectacular mountain AVAs such as Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain. The result is an artful, palate-pleasing expression. $110, FaustWine.com. As the executive editor and producer of The Luxe List, Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority. She identifies and reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her at TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter @ LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at TheLuxeList and on Instagram at LuxeListReviews.

Febr uar y 2018

N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g

N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G

N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g

F OO D +D R IN K

NEW AROUND THE WOO

GLAMOUR BOMBONIER BRAZILIAN SWEET SHOP

Rachel Shuster Although not truly “New” in the Woo, Glamour Bombonier Brazilian Sweet Shop has some exciting things happening in 2018, including — hopefully — a new sweet shop. Rayanne Sabara is the founder and owner of Glamour Bombonier, offering her delicious Brazilian sweets to the city of Worcester and beyond. When I say, “beyond,” I truly mean it. Sabara has shared her sweet treats all the way to “La La Land” via the Oscars for the past three years. The 90th Academy Awards on March 4 will be her fourth time serving up her sweets for Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. “I have done the Oscar statues and edible chocolate frames for the Oscars [after] parties,” Sabara said. “Each year, about 300 celebrities try my sweets. It’s so much fun; I love it. Every year, I get so excited. I can’t wait to be there in March. I’ve made several friends.” So how did Sabara get this awesome gig? “I have a friend from New Jersey who is a designer who went to the Oscars a few years ago who dressed some of the celebrities. She sent my sweets to one of the producers who attended and that’s how I got invited.”

For more information or to place an order, visit Glamour Bombonier on Facebook and/or Instagram @Glamour_Bombonier.

all ready for pizza-making, but I loved sweets, so we did both,” Sabara said. While the pizza and sweets shop closed late last year, Sabara still maintains her sweet shop exclusively online via social media and teaches private lessons.

Among all the celebrities that have tried her sweets, she has been able to meet many of them! “I met Melanie Griffith and her daughter Dakota Johnson. They loved my sweets!” she said.

“People can use our Facebook and Instagram pages to place orders, including custom orders,” Sabara said. “We have traditional Brazilian items, including a variety of flavored chocolate fudge and truffles and cakes. For Valentine’s Day, we are doing big chocolate frames.”

Before she made her way to Hollywood, Sabara grew up in Brazil and came to Worcester with her family in 1998.

While Sabara offers standard truffles, edible frames and fudge, custom orders are definitely welcomed! She also provides catering for parties.

“I learned to do sweets with my aunt when I was a child,” Sabara said. “When I got to the U.S., after I got married, I lost my daughter. I became depressed and I started making the sweets and chocolate as a hobby. It helped me. My depression went away, and that’s when I started thinking of it as a business. People started asking for orders and that was it.”

As for pricing, truffles run $1 each, and there is a minimum of 25 truffles per order. Special occasion pricing is by unit, so pricing depends on the order. Otherwise, pricing varies based on the order and is done on a case-by-case basis.

Sabara also had a shop last year that featured her delicious sweets and traditional Brazilian pizzas. “It’s a unique combination, but I had previously worked in the pizza industry for a while. I had so much experience. When I found the shop location, it was

Febr uar y 2018

With a thriving sweets business and three, going on four, years at the Oscars under her belt, what could be next for Sabara? “We plan on opening another shop/business this year focusing solely on chocolate and sweets. Stay tuned!”

HOTANDNOW: What’s hot and what’s happening now in the restaurant scene Paul Giorgio

WORCESTER RESTAURANT WEEK The annual edition of Worcester Restaurant Week kicks off on Feb. 26 and ends

March 10. For $25.18, you get a three-course meal at some of the area’s best

restaurants. Check out www.worcesterrestaurantweek.com or the Facebook page, which will list of the menus. Sponsors include Pulse Magazine, Tasteworcester. com, Pepsi Cola and Mercadante Funeral Home.

COFFEE NEWS Coffee shop Fuel America, which also will serve beer and wine, will open next fall in one of the most high-profile retail spaces in downtown Worcester at the corner of Front and Mercantile streets. It will sit where the Galleria Mall once stood.

MORE THAN S’MORES With Fork It Over at the Hanover Theatre on March 8, the Girl Scouts need

chef recipes in by Feb. 9. Chefs are asked to create approximately 250 bite-size portions of their creation(s) for guests to taste. Tickets are $50 each, or two tickets for $80 and will be available online. All tickets at the door are $50 each.

MORE THAN A MARKET The most unique feature of the new Whole Foods in Shrewsbury will be the

Borgatti Bar, a restaurant on the second floor, Whole Foods said. The Borgatti Bar

will have 12 craft beers on tap, wine, cocktails and menu items, including snacks, sandwiches and salads.That name honors Anthony “Spag” Borgatti, who owned

and operated Spag’s discount department store at the location. Spag’s opened in the 1930s and amassed a massive following of dedicated, weekly shoppers for decades.

THE MEDITERRANEAN MERRY-GO-ROUND A representative from The Grid has confirmed that, come spring, Techni

Mediterranean Grill will be replaced by a new concept called The Missing

Link Kitchen to coincide with the launch of a much-anticipated beer garden located between 64 and 66 Franklin St. The Missing Link Kitchen will focus

on homemade sausages and “Wicked” pretzels, catering to the 500-seat, yearround Brew Beer Garden, which will include a pavillion for entertainment and

an outdoor pergola. Accordingly, international franchise Taste of Mediterranean

was slated to open the last week of January pending completion at 20 Franklin St.

GRAB & GO UP & RUNNING The Living Earth on Worcester’s Chandler Street has expanded and added a new

concept, a grab and go for meals. The expansanion is located in the space that once

housed EVO and, later, Bootleggers. The Maykel family opted to change the space

and take advantage of the new trend of pre-fixed meals. All food is made on the premises, and gluten-free and vegetarian options are available.

thepulsemag.com

DINING REVIEW

AZOREAN BISTRO BRINGS THE JOY OF DISCOVERY

AZOREAN BISTRO 35 BLACKSTONE RIVER ROAD, WORCESTER (774) 420-2289 MENU POSTED ON FACEBOOK

the vegetables were chopped, where the ingredients were sourced and preparation details specific to her own family.

Bernie Whitmore

And if that wasn’t enough, we soon discovered that the Azorean’s cuisine, with its Portuguese spectrum of flavors and distinct ingredients, is every bit as exciting.

Some people dine out to satisfy their hunger quickly and easily; actual flavor is a secondary concern. There are plenty of options for this group, and an entire industry has arisen to provide them with ten chicken nuggets for a buck. Then, there are the rarefied souls who pay hundreds for tweezer-sized morsels and entrees of distilled foam. You won’t find a $500 chef ’s tasting menu in Worcester. And then there’s a another group; those who are ready for some adventure, who like to experience other flavors and cuisines, who want to meet and support the people who prepare these meals and the community it fosters. Let’s face it, this is the dynamic that put the renaissance in Worcester. If you consider yourself a witness to this renaissance, here’s a story that should be of interest. I hadn’t been to Azorean Bistro’s location in quite some time, so when my friend and I walked into the dining room, I was surprised to find the physical layout and decor mostly unchanged. The Azorean was so new, the owners hadn’t yet replaced the sign out on the street, so if you drive up to the “Blackstone Bistro,” then OK, you’ve reached the Azorean. We waited a few minutes, then seated ourselves. After a few more minutes, we were greeted with menus, an enthusiastic welcome and a discussion regarding beverage choice. Azorean is BYOB, but there are soft drinks, mineral water and Portuguese beverages to choose from. As expected, the menu features Portuguese options augmented with American and Italian cuisine for those unready to explore. Because the place was almost empty, I felt emboldened and asked Carla Soscia, our server, for recommendations. She saw that as a green light to be social, describing, in detail, any dish I was curious about, how it was prepared, how

Febr uar y 2018

Carla, we soon learned, is server, co-owner, cook, mother and grandmother and one of the most infectiously happy persons we’ve encountered. Anywhere.

From the buttery-thick slices of grilled bread, richly charred on the grill, to an appetizer of cod cakes, we found satisfaction at the first tasting. But let’s explore those cod cakes. They’re actually Codfish and Potato Croquettes, made with bacalhau (dried cod) that’s been painstakingly soaked and restored to a creamy-smooth texture. The cod is pureed and blended with mashed potatoes, formed into oblong cakes, deepfried a golden brown — crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside. “Not too fishy,” Carla had proclaimed, as if worried we might taste fish and object to it. In my opinion, the mild fish flavor was perfect and not burdened by the potatoes. For dipping, we were introduced to an Azorean Bistro signature, the Mozambique sauce. This is a thin, tomatoey blend of spices, paprika and onion bits. It was delicious — not too spicy, but with flavor so new to us that we eagerly dipped the last of the bread into it and spooned out all that remained.

family and the nature of the family recipes she’s brought to the Azorean. Her friendly nature is infectious, and time quickly passed. Little neck clams figure prominently throughout the menu. Since they are not found on very many menus, I had to make them my entree choice: Littleneck Espanola over Linguine. My first reaction was delight. A broad bowl of pinkish-tinged linguine was studded with fresh in-shell clams and big chunks of chorizo sausage. Chorizo proved to be both the source of color and the engine of flavor, a mildly spicy heat tinged with other tasty spices and rich olive oil. A word on chorizo: This is a Portuguese sausage that, as Carla explained, varies in spiciness depending upon each butcher’s recipe. The one she’d selected had “controlled heat.” If it’s too mild for your liking, she has her own ways of adding fire. As much as I worked on this meal, it seemed bottomless. Big slices of chorizo and additional clams kept appearing from the depths of the linguine. To conserve some shred of appetite for dessert, I asked Carla to bring a takeout box so I could bring home more than half of my meal.

A small side salad of mixed greens followed, with a glass cruet of balsamic dressing. I haven’t seen “salad included” in a while, and it was appreciated.

Shrimp Mozambique, my friend’s entrée, featured that delicious sauce we’d already encountered. Eight large and juicy shrimp were sautéed in it and served over yellow rice. Another huge dish! This time, we were introduced to another Azorean specialty — the rice. Onion and garlic bits are sautéed in olive oil and the chef ’s blend of spices. Once softened, the rice is stirred in and browned, then stock is added and simmered until the rice is soft and wonderful.

I’ve been to Lisbon, so I’m not unfamiliar with Portuguese cuisine. And, if there’s one thing common to most Portuguese-American menus, it’s Kale Soup. Never miss it! My friend ordered a cup and reported, “A sturdy broth, loaded with deep-green chunks of kale, kidney beans, thick carrot slices and elbow macaroni.” Each kitchen has their own variation; the Azorean had it nailed.

Amazingly, we managed to save some appetite for dessert. Carla had detailed her approach to flan so extensively, it seemed criminal to leave without sampling it. Many cuisines claim flan as their own; I was happy to try Portuguese flan. A bit deeper and thicker than most, it was eggy-rich and drenched in a pool of caramel sugar syrup. Compelling and sweet-tooth satisfying!

Before launching into the next course, here are some observations. Our meals were large and freshly made. While we waited for them, Carla stood by and recounted how she came to start the restaurant, tidbits about her

The Azorean, as I said, is new to the area and, for many, will be an introduction to a wonderful Mediterranean cuisine. My advice? Don’t wait. Go before she gets so busy, Carla doesn’t have a chance to give you a big hug on your way out!

thepulsemag.com

STYLE+B E A U TY

POSTWORKOUT BEAUTY You’ve done your workout, now it’s time to take car of your body in another way. So, take a few minutes after hitting the gym — or doing your favorite outdoor workout — and take care of your hair and skin.

MIXED CHICKS Here’s the solution for flat, dull, post-gym hair! No need to rewash; instead, energize those curls. Reshape, redefine and boost next-day hair with Mixed Chicks Morning After Redefining Foam. Take a few pumps and apply to your dry hair to bring it back to life. It’s easy and convenient and a must-have to keep your hair alive after the gym! $14.99, mixedchicks.net.

SWAY DEODORANT Stay odor-free with an effective, long-lasting and all-natural deodorant that actually works — SWAY! The first and only deodorant on the market that uses a special blend of apple cider vinegar, fine essential oils and other natural ingredients, SWAY has a unique pH value that helps to restore and maintain the acid mantle of the underarm skin. Conventional deodorants are usually loaded with chemicals. SWAY is committed to helping you eliminate yet another unnecessary chemicalladen product from your daily routine. $12.99, lovemysway.com.

NYL SKINCARE Winter weather is no fun for our skin. Not only are those cold winds miserable, they result in dry winds which can cause dry, damaged skin. Save your skin this season with nyl skincare! A collection of fresh, all-natural products handmade weekly in a kitchen – not a factory – nyl focuses on delivering clean, yet effective, products that won’t harm you or the environment. Free of toxins, animal products, parabens and petroleum products, everything nyl makes is vegan and cruelty-free. Prices vary, nylskincare.com.

SUFFICIENT-C Sufficient-C is the health insurance you need after a long workout. Not only does it taste great, but all you need is a little water. Sufficient-C High Dose Lemon Peach Immune-Ade drink mix is the health insurance you need and an outstanding way to fortify your immune system and compensate for what was lost during your workout. Sufficient-C is a thirst-quenching treat after a hot workout and simply satisfying to drink just because.... Prices vary by size, sufficientc.com.

Febr uar y 2018

STEALTHESTYLE: Faux cotton stems

Jamie Burke Most styles I steal are home decor. Home decor gives me all the thrills, especially when I can really knock it out of the park with a knock-off trend. They seem out of reach, but most home accessories are cheaper and less scary to attempt than a fashion trend. You need the bare minimum for a big style impact. Since hit shows, blogs, YouTube and Pinterest have become landmarks for doing it yourself, it is almost difficult to narrow down to a project to complete. There are just so many to pick from! Plus, they are not always as easy to complete with a small amount of time, budget and resources. There is no denying that rustic and farmhouse chic are huge trends right now. So much so that vintage stores and design stores are at an all-time low for legit unique decor. Stores are forced to craft their own versions of trends — or even buy the expensive ones on wholesale and mark up the prices. This is true for not only accessories, but furniture, too. Recently I have kept seeing these unusually big cotton stems. They just are so pretty and rustic — and ridiculously expensive. They cost almost $10 to $14 a stem. Like WHY??? It is a dead branch with old cotton buds. If you know what I am talking about and want to achieve this awesome low-budget home accessory trend, you will need only a few supplies and about a half hour.

SUPPLIES Cotton balls Pine cones Clippers or needle nose pliers Sticks or wood stems Glue gun

STEPS 1. Take cotton balls and work them gently into bigger balls. Roll them like you are making meatballs. Keep gently pulling the cotton into different sizes. Set aside 2. Next, take the pine cones and remove all the little petals with clippers or pliers. Set in a pile. 3. Heat up the glue gun and figure out where you want your cotton-bunched stems to go. Glue the cotton right to the branches or stems by making beads of glue at the base of the cotton. You’ll need a few seconds to dry and set the glue. Then, glue three or four pine cone shells around the cotton base — like a bud that is open. Glue the cotton buds wherever you want along the branches, like you would a flower. You can double them up, too. 4. Glue the little pine cones petals intermittently along branches as well.

thepulsemag.com

Febr uar y 2018

STYLESAVY: These products will make you date-night gorgeous April Goddard Ah, St. Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air, which for most of us translates to a beautiful excuse to receive gifts, get dressed up for a night out on the town and binge eat surplus amounts of chocolate. (The latter happens to be my personal favorite.) However, if you are one of the many who enjoy getting dressed up and going out on the annual Valentine’s Day date night, here are a host of new beauty products that you are sure to fall in love with!

CLINIQUE CHUBBY STICK SCULPTING HIGHLIGHT I do not foresee a time anywhere in the future where highlighter will be going out of style. Especially during the dry winter months, a good highlighter can help you achieve hydrated, healthy-looking and youthful skin. Although this may be contrary to reality, this cream highlighter by Clinique, with just the right amount of light-catching pigments, will become your fast go-to highlight.

DR. JART WATER REPLENISHMENT COTTON SHEET MASK If you have some time to kill before dinner and a movie, try this hydrating sheet mask to add some much-needed moisture to your skin care and makeup routine. My favorite trick is to use this sheet mask before makeup application. Remove the mask after 15 minutes, do not rinse and add your favorite moisturizer on top. Apply makeup as usual.

URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY This is the only makeup setting spray that I have ever used, and I’m giving it another honorable mention here. After makeup application is complete, spray a generous amount in criss-cross motions. You spent all that time getting ready for a fun night, so you might as well ensure that your hard work and artistry lasts as long as possible.

YSL TOUCHE ECLAT RADIANCE PERFECTING PEN Another one of my personal favorites for any day of the week. This concealer is lightweight and brings immense amounts of light and brightness to even the darkest corners of your face. As an added bonus, this is the only concealer I’ve ever tried that doesn’t crease by the end of the day. Set with a light amount of powder, and you should be good to go for the entire evening!

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY LIQUID LIP CRAYON These are brand new and can be picked up on the Marc Jacobs website or at your local Sephora. This cream-based lip crayon has the pigmentation and longevity of a liquid lipstick — claiming up to 16-hour wear! It comes in a line of pretty pinks and bold reds, perfect for the season!

thepulsemag.com