FEBRUARY 2021 PULSE by Pulse Magazine

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PULSE MAGAZINE: FEBRUARY 2021 COVER STORY Central Mass Makes to the Big Screen

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & CULTURE

Leslie Graff – 9 A nod to the human experience at WAM NowStreaming 10

DINING REVIEW Dining Review: B.T. Fried Chicken and BBQ

LIFESTYLE Turn Up the Heat with Decimation Hot Sauce

New in the Woo: Bud’s Provisions and Goods

Out and About

420 in 508

Style Savvy

SPORTS + FITNESS New Pro Basketball 21 Team keeps it Local Finding Balance

Hot & Now 14 PulseBrew 15

Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com Kevin La, Art Director kla@pagioinc.com Josh Lyford, Editior jlyford@pagioinc.com David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com

READ PULSE ONLINE: THEPULSEMAG.COM

Bernie Whitemore, Ryan Cashmen, Molly Prior, Josh Lyford, Travis Duda, Jason Savio, Paul Giorgio, Rachel Shuster, Giuliano D’Orazio, April Goddard, and Jennifer Russo, Writers

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: TWITTER @WORCESTERPULSE • INSTAGRAM @WORCESTERPULSE • FACEBOOK.COM/THEPULSEMAGAZINE PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 134 Gold St., Worcester, MA 01608. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2020 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

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CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS MAKES THE BIG SCREEN

producer, John Stimpson,” she says. “I’ve made seven movies with him. We worked in the same building and both made movies that premiered on Lifetime. What John and I were doing, we were doing for a long time when no one was really doing it.” After many years of making her mark in MA, Ajemian packed up again to go to LA. “I was trying to get further in my career,” she says. “I loved doing the smaller movies, but I needed to get to that higher level.”

FILM STARTS TO BOOM IN THE CITY

WRITTEN BY RACHEL SHUSTER It may have once been the case that you needed to get on a plane to Los Angeles in order to get a chance to see the filming of a big budget Hollywood movie, or get on a train and head to New York City to catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrities shooting their next big blockbuster or TV show. These days, you don’t have to go very far. Over the years, our very own city of Worcester and its surrounding towns have become destinations for both small and big budget films and TV. The filming boom in Central MA, which has only grown over the years, has brought great benefits for both the cities and towns acting as film locations and the local and aspiring actors, actresses and film buffs looking to break into the industry and find success.

A WORCESTER NATIVE PAVES THE WAY Film producer and Central MA native, Andrea Ajemian knows a thing or two about the filming boom in Worcester, because she was at the center of it. “Andrea is our star,” Erin Williams, cultural development officer for the city of Worcester of 17 years says. “She is Worcester’s biggest booster for the film industry. She has done such due diligence and has come through the ranks. It’s been terrific to see her grow and keep Worcester in mind.” Ajemian was born in Worcester and grew up in Rutland. “I was an extra in an independent horror movie when I was in eighth grade, which gave me my first glimpse into the business,” Ajemian says. “I went to

“Boy Band” now called “Breakdance Academy” Wachusett High School and did theater throughout, then to Elmira College in upstate New York where I did theater as well. It was there when I had a small role in an independent movie in town that got me really excited about the industry.” After realizing her love and passion for film, Ajemian moved to Los Angeles when she was 24 to pursue acting. While there, Ajemian met aspiring filmmakers and gained great experience and knowledge. “I was out there for a few years, but came back to Worcester,” she says. It was then when Ajemian changed the Worcester film game. “I came back to Worcester/Rutland in 2001 and produced the independent movie ‘Rutland, USA,’” she says. From there, Ajemian spent several years back and forth between Worcester and LA with her production company, AA Films, with an office in downtown Worcester. Some movies Ajemian produced in and around Worcester over those few years include “Boy Band” (now titled “Breakdance Academy”) and a number of Lifetime movies such as “Sexting in Suburbia” and “Last Hours in Suburbia.” Ajemian also produced the series “Worcester Love” with her partner, Kaz Gamble, that focused on five-10 minute segments about love for the city of Worcester and acted as a virtual travel guide. Ajemian isn’t the only filmmaker that emerged out of the Worcester area – she is in good company. “I am friends with fellow 6 FEBRUA RY 20 21

Ajemian’s determination and passion paid off. Since then, her career has taken off, but Worcester is never far from her mind. She has brought several movies to MA and the interest in filming in Worcester has caught on with others in the industry. “The Surrogates” in 2008 with Bruce Willis was one of the first big budget films in Worcester. “We had a number of others come into play like ‘American Hustle’ with Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Bale and ‘Knight and Day’ with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, which shot at Worcester locations such as Union Station and the Worcester Airport,” Williams says. Ajemian still tries to shoot in Central MA as much as possible. “Proud Mary” with Taraji P. Henson and “Slender Man” with Joey King are just two of the films Ajemian brought to central MA. In 2018 when Ajemian was working on “Proud Mary,” a producer called her with a big project. “They had a Liam Neeson project called ‘Honest Thief,’” she says. “I was hired as executive producer, which was so exciting. The team was thinking of shooting in Boston, but I pitched them Worcester and they said yes. We shot the whole thing in Worcester! At the time, I found a production office on Main Street across from the Hanover Theater. I’d park my car in the same lot as I did years before when I had a production office in the Printers Building for seven years. Then, I was broke trying to raise money and now here I am. It was full circle for me.” Overall, there is more production in Central MA and the Worcester area in the last 10 years, more specifically in the last five. “Especially now with New England Studios in Devens, it has grown,” Ajemian adds. “When a series is filmed there, some elements are typically filmed in Worcester.”

Andrea on set for “Honest Thief”

WORCESTER’S DESIRABLE FACTORS So what is it about Worcester and central MA that has gotten producers and filmmakers flocking to the area? “They are realizing it has great and diverse looks, it’s affordable, welcoming and easier logistically,” Ajemian says. “The city has great and versatile architecture that can provide the backdrop for both period pieces and contemporary films,” Williams adds. Although, the interest in the area isn’t solely because it’s such a special place that offers great versatility, but the people and those who work for the city make it a special experience. “Edgar Luna, Business Development Manager for the city of Worcester has been fundamental in helping to identify site locations,” Williams says. “He is the go-to person in Worcester for film and has helped to navigate many films and location scouting. They leave no stone unturned for locations. The partnership is great, and the film industry folks are respectful of what needs to get done to preserve the integrity of the property.” t he p uls e m a g .c o m

The smaller scale of the city lends itself well to the intimate and close-knit treatment between the city and the film industry visitors, and everyone works together to make the experiences pleasant and memorable, ensuring many future partnerships.

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & CULTURE

“We work closely with the Department of Public Works and the Police Department as well,” Williams says. “Everyone is so helpful and it’s a great team to work with. City Manager Edward M. Augustus is a great supporter of film in the city, and we are also connected to the cultural community in a deep way as well as the private sector. Anything from production assistants, casting, food vendors for catering, props – we are involved and can help. Worcester loves to have films. We make the process easy to navigate.” The MA film office is also critical to the city’s work. Ajemian and Williams note that Worcester has a good film tax credit. “The tax credit bill makes Worcester a key player in filmmaking,” Williams adds. “This is what brings the film industry first and foremost to MA. It is a major incentive. They go where the tax credits are the best.”

THE FUTURE OF FILM IN WORCESTER LOOKS BRIGHT LESLIE GRAFF – A NOD TO THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AT WORCESTER ART MUSEUM

As for the future, Ajemian would love to see more of her own and others’ films brought to Worcester.

JENNIFER RUSSO

“I would like to make more of my movies there and see more movies based in Worcester full time,” she says. “I will always recommend Worcester first and use more crew members living in the area. I want to pour all the money into this economy!” Not only does bringing film and TV to Worcester and Central MA mean good things for the city and its economy, but it means a great opportunity for locals who have the same big dreams Ajemian had. “There are so many great success stories already,” Ajemian says. “Stories where people started working on our little movies and now they have big time careers. A lot of them stay and work in MA. It’s a lot easier

Sutton’s Leslie Graff was deeply honored when the Worcester Art Museum approached her about being featured in their gallery as part of their Central Massachusetts Artist Initiative. Her two works on display, On Her Mind and On His Mind, separately depict a female and a male sitting on a couch reading, but the meaning behind the pieces dives deep into the idea of social expectations and roles. The subjects are seated in very different poses, reading different types of literature, one seemingly more focused and one more deep in thought. The settings are similar between the two works, and yet result in strikingly different emotions when viewed side by side.

Filming in Worcester

now if you are starting out and want to work in the business. You don’t need to go to LA or New York anymore – you can grow and work your way up right here.” From the city’s perspective, with all the success they have seen with the film industry over the years, it’s the hope that it will only continue to evolve and grow. “Film scouts and those in the industry talk to each other, and with a good experience, they are likely to recommend it to others and come back,” Williams says. “We could boost up our presence and attract more films and TV productions, raise up our own local film and media community and encourage more film making and festivals. The more we can celebrate and lift up new voices in independent filmmaking in Worcester and Central MA, the better.” The film boom in Worcester over the years boils down to the determination and passion of hard-working and talented people, working together to create something special and impactful for the people of Worcester, Central MA and beyond. With momentum this great, this is just the beginning of what’s in store for the city of Worcester and film. “We are appreciative of the city structure that allows us to be engaged within the creative enterprise,” Williams says. “As we move ahead, we will see more media production here with film, podcasts, and different kinds of production that will celebrate our great city of Worcester.”

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Her process involves taking photos, often hundreds of images, of different poses and attitudes of different activities to study the composition, then determining from these images where she wants to go with an art piece with the ultimate goal of creating the biggest impact. Unique to Graff’s portraiture in her Domestics series is the focus on the body language and action of her subjects, who are mostly female, showing only a hint of the face. This is done purposefully and for a number of reasons. “I appreciate the way feminist frameworks taught us the value of speaking from first person. It feels more authentic to speak from my experience… my body, my clothes, my home. I like that by changing the identity or historical framework, you can change what the painting is saying. I like that ambiguity and blurring of context. I like that one image can tell multiple and even conflicting stories, simultaneously. I like that they focus on the actions which relate to their identity. It raises questions about domestic work, roles, outsourcing, and our perceptions. I like how the pieces play with the power dynamic between the woman and the viewer,” Leslie shares. Leslie’s work uses many clean lines and minimalist style to convey her ideas. She is deeply inspired by mid-century art and furniture as well as lifestyle periodicals of the time and the compositions and color used. She likes the dynamic between simplicity of the art style and the complexity of the story she is telling. Graff, who has been painting since she was a child, never expected to have a career as an artist. In fact, though she has been painting regularly for a long time, she has only more “intensively” been painting over the last seven years. Having gone to school for education and working in the space of human development and later be-

coming a child life specialist, she has a unique understanding of the social sciences and this greatly influences her work. Fascinated by the complexity of the different experiences and varied lives people have, and the emotions that are tied to these within the individuals, she embraces capturing these “interesting intersections within culture and context” to help create a connection, helping people to better understand each other. “I want to ultimately provide people with a sense of value, voice, and validation. No matter what series I am paining, the pieces always explore deeper, psychological themes,” says Graff. Even her different still life series images become representations of ideas and social issues. Her paintings of cakes and other desserts speak to different elements of the human experience, and items in her Rewind series which have become obsolete, such as pay phones and cassette tapes, tell the story of both advancement and a desire to hold onto the idea of a more simple way of living before technology became so prevalent. Leslie encourages creating art or incorporating others’ works into our personal spaces. “I want people to connect with the arts, especially visual art, to see its richness and its imperative role in our society and culture, and to be inspired and use their own voices to create and give expression to their own experiences,” she shares. As an art instructor at Danforth Art Museum School in Framingham, Leslie encourages aspiring artists to explore and work on the type of art that they feel most passionate about and which give them energy, worrying less about finding a specific style. She advises to become immersed in the art and to find a community that will help inspire and support along the journey. In a recent interview with Springville Museum of Art, she also shared that it is important to explore other interests outside of art, because those interests can also lend different ideas and cross-pollinate to create interesting things within the artwork that is created. Graff’s art will be hanging in the Worcester Art Museum through May of next year, so be sure to stop by and enjoy them along with the other exhibits offered in the space. Her work can also be seen on her website at Lesliegraff.com

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NOW STREAMING: JASON SAVIO

THE ORACLE

Photo credit: Timmy Brothers

When you first see Patrick Murphy, founding member and leader of the Oracle, you may think it’s Halloween, or you may just feel flat out uncomfortable. Cloaked in a black robe with his face painted white, Murphy makes his presence known. But it’s not necessarily meant to scare anyone; instead, it’s an extension of the music he plays, and the message behind it. “A big theme of the Oracle is isolation and being alone,” says Murphy. “Bleak and somber themes are big things that I’m trying to get out, and meditation as well. My goal is to make music that you can meditate to or feel.” Murphy compares the listening experience one has with his music as a “ritual,” and cites Norwegian black metal of the early ‘90s as an influence. Painted in black on his forehead, Murphy wears the Algiz rune that means “protection and shelter,” what he says correlates to his message of isolation and “keeping everyone at bay.” A Douglas native, Murphy, 33, moved to Worcester in 2014. It was around that time he started what would become the Oracle. The project has featured different collaborators over the years with Murphy continuously leading the way. “I don’t play guitar so I have other people come in to help me with things that I can’t do on my own,” says Murphy, who plays keyboard and synths in the Oracle. He’s also the current drummer in Mountain Man. On the Oracle’s latest release, Hypogeum, Murphy teamed up with producer Zach Weeks to create a collection of dark ambient songs filled with electronic drones and looming waves. “The way I write songs isn’t your typical verse/chorus/verse kind of thing,” he says. Because Murphy uses a lot of analog synths on the record, he says it’s hard to recreate the same sounds when he performs live. “Each time you come to see us play and hear our songs, you’re never going to hear what it sounds like on the record. It’s just more of like a sonic exploration every time.” Performance art is a big inspiration for the Oracle’s live shows. A recent performance he posted on YouTube, titled “The Mass of the Oracle,” features Murphy sitting stoically while surrounded by keyboards as a projector emits visuals on the wall behind him to go along with the music. A picture of Marshall Applewhite, founder of UFO religious cult Heaven’s Gate, is one of the images that is shown. “I wanted it to sort of be more—without sounding pretentious—like a religious experience, and not just (me) sitting there and (the audience) watching me press buttons on a keyboard,” says Murphy, who was raised Catholic but no longer considers himself one. “I want people to take something, maybe even spiritual, away from it.” The album title itself is steeped in mystery, named after subterranean structure discovered in Paola, Malta, that is believed to be linked to ancient spiritual practices. Spirituality plays a big part on Hypogeum as Murphy ponders the role of what he calls “cults and their messiahs.” “The theme of the record can loosely be compared to Jesus (and) how he created followers and people turned against him and eventually killed him,” Murphy says. “There are a lot of similarities between that and other cults, like Heaven’s Gate. It follows a similar trajectory (of) people believing in a messiah or a profit.” With Hypogeum, Murphy is taking a look at what makes people believe in others who refer to themselves as “a chosen person.” “All religions fascinate me a lot and I think that’s another reason why I started the Oracle as a way to kind of channel that,” he says. “The Mass of the Oracle” performance was recorded in September, but Murphy doesn’t currently have any plans for more video recordings or live streams, although he says it’s not out of the question. “It’s an undertaking performing Oracle stuff live, so I really have to prepare for it,” he says. To listen to the Oracle, visit: https://theoraclema.bandcamp.com/album/hypogeum

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TESTAMENT TITANS OF CREATION

MARK RUGGIERI WAKE UP WORLD

From UFO religious cults, to witches and Egyptian gods, nothing is off the table on Testament’s newest release, Titans of Creation.

Mark Ruggieri may be the most talented singer/ songwriter you’ve never heard of. Case in point: his album Wake Up World.

The Berkley, California, thrash metal band is alive and well in 2021, taking their trademark sound and chiseling it to a modern-day edge. The album starts off with an explosive rush of adrenaline with “Children of the Next Level,” a song about the 39 people who committed mass suicide as part of the Heaven’s Gate religious group in 1997. A twin guitar solo flurry between Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick in “Children of the Next Level” is the definition of face-melting. Chuck Billy’s vocal performance on “Night of the Witch,” a tune inspired by the 2015 film “The Witch,” captures perfectly the song’s sinister attitude as he sings “All night/They cast a spell by the light of the moon.” An equally menacing guitar lick makes this a standout.

Performed entirely by Ruggieri and also produced and engineered by him, Wake Up World is a 13-song masterclass of what one musician can accomplish on their own.

There seems to be some loose connective tissue between the majority of the songs here that, when looked at as a whole, create a running commentary on creation and destruction throughout the centuries and those responsible for it, hence the album’s title and artwork. “Code of Hammurabi” and “Curse of Osiris” are both mini-metal history lessons: the former being about an ancient Babylonian code of law created by Hammurabi, the sixth king of the Babylonian Dynasty and the latter about the Egyptian Lord of the Underworld. There’s more ancient history to look into on Titans of Creation if you’re so inclined, but it doesn’t get in the way if you just want to headbang.

Ruggieri’s best tracks on Wake Up World come when he embraces his guitar riffs and lets his sixstring run free. He shows his prowess on the guitar for much of the record, with “She’s Here Again” being a standout, complete with a strong drum track to back it up. “Facebook People,” a must-listen, is a laugh-out-loud look at the social media platform and those who use it, with Ruggieri singing, “I don’t judge my day on a thumbs up or a like

For more, visit: Testamentlegions.com

Throughout the lengthy record, Ruggieri switches seamlessly between a wide variety of different music styles like an audio chameleon, all while clinging firmly to a rock foundation. “A Love Song” features a Santana-type circling guitar riff, punctuated by Spanish horns and a cool groove; “Piece of Mine” has a middle-eastern feel, with a guitar solo that slithers like an electric snake. These songs don’t come off as gimmicky, but rather tunes written and performed by someone who is a student of music.

While there is certainly some humor targeted at the outside world on the aptly titled Wake Up World, there is also a healthy dose of introspection and melancholy, especially in “If You Try” and “Time.” In the latter, Ruggieri sings “Time don’t wait for you to get it right.” After listening to the large variety of songs on Wake Up World, you get the idea that those are words Ruggieri lives by. For more, visit: Soundcloud.com/musicmarkr

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ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

PULSE MAGAZINE ENTERTAINMENT LISTING NOTE For years, Pulse has been your go-to publication for all things entertainment. Whether that is by reading our writers’ excellent stories, or flipping back here to the entertainment listings to plan your weekend or night on the town. Things have been tough for the amazing bars, restaurants, venues and public spaces throughout Central Massachusetts since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many businesses have already closed and more may close in the future. Regulations for spaces have changed several times and it has become increasingly difficult to plan our entertainment listings accordingly. Regulations and guidelines are evolving as new information regarding the pandemic is discovered and the numbers of sick and dying increase. Naturally, making sure dates and times of things like live music events are far from the top of the list for businesses struggling to stay afloat. As we can’t be sure of event information accuracy a month in advance, we are not publishing our usual entertainment listings. We hope Pulse is a publication you trust and if we can’t be positive that our entertainment information is correct, we will not include it. We hope that you understand. Rest assured that we will continue to be your go-to magazine for all things entertainment as we as a community make strides toward a happy and healthy future.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY! 155 SHREWSBURY STREET • WORCESTER, MA • 508-791-4535 12 FEBRUA RY 20 21

DINING DINING REVIEW REVIEW

B.T.’S FRIED CHICKEN AND BBQ 318 PARK AVENUE, WORCESTER BTSCHICKENANDBBQ.COM PHONE: (774) 530-6152

Pandemic precautions: at the time I’m writing this, with Massachusetts poised at peak COVID-19 levels and prior to a public vaccination campaign, B.T.’s is takeout only. On the evening we stopped in for our dinner, the staff were distanced, there was no waiting line and plentiful parking made navigation of the Park-Chandler intersection a cinch. Barbeque is special. How special? Enough so that some people take vacations to regions that specialize in it (btw, try the Home Team in West Ashley, SC). I’ve never tried B.T.’s Smokehouse in Sturbridge, but people have long raved about it; rumor of a new Worcester location has sparked plenty of anticipation. Our last Worcester BBQ experience was a sorry event that still scars my memory. Hoping to remedy that, on a recent Saturday evening a friend and I decided to try B.T.’s. The place is recently renovated and, even more recently, the entrance demolished by a two-car accident. That’s been repaired and they have reopened for business. The B.T.’s crew happily take first-time customers through the ordering process and their range of options. The menu is far from vast, but what they offered looked very appealing – so much so that it’s easy to leave with an excessively large meal. But that’s always my problem with BBQ; ordering too much. One of the issues with pandemic takeout has been the pile of styro-plastic waste it generates. Not so at B.T.’s. Sides are portioned into lidded paper cups and meals stowed in sturdy paper cartons. Ribs were slipped into heat retaining foil-lined bags. The only plastic used was for the BBQ sauces.

Within minutes of packing our order into the car for the ride home, the air was suffused with the smoky meaty savor of BBQ. What a way to stimulate appetite! Once in the kitchen, everything was unpacked and attractively displayed for dining. Decision: start with the sides or proteins? Well, B.T.’s name highlights Fried Chicken, so let’s commence there. Our piece of chicken was so large I’d assumed it was a full breast. But when I split it in half for sharing, no bones! This boneless breast was a massive hunk of white meat that came apart in appealing juicy shreds. Its thick coating of golden-brown breading had, alas, lost much of its crunch in transport but none of its peppery heat. Our thick slice of brisket was so long it had to be curled in half in order to fit in the take-home box. The black crusty-bark exterior was loaded with a tasty combination of salt and dry rub that yielded to the buttery soft interior. A fatty vein ran down it, keeping things moist and delicious. All this beefy richness contrasted perfectly with my glass of citrus-bitter-hoppy ‘Save The Robots’ East Coast IPA (by Radiant Pig Craft Beers). When it comes to ribs, I’m used to ordering a half rack. Warning! B.T.’s ribs are full-sized (enormous) and loaded with meat – after the chicken and brisket one rib was plenty enough. These aren’t fall-off-

the-bone ribs, the meat is thick and runs all the way down the bone; it’s got nice chew, a pleasing smoke ring and an exterior of B.T. ‘s dry rub. It left a smack of smoky flavor that deserved another blast of IPA. When it came to BBQ sauces, well, things got less memorable. Had we dined in; I’d have inquired as to their composition. Based on flavor and consistency I’ll speculate that one was mostly apple cider vinegar; the other applesauce-based. Both thin. Both sweet. Both appley. B.T.’s sides are evenly split into hot / cold offerings. It wasn’t till my first forkful that I discovered their black-eyed peas were cold. Quickly adjusting to that, I especially enjoyed the flecks of fresh green cilantro running through them. Very tasty. Of their hot sides, I chose collard greens. Flavorful, leafy and soft, they were loaded with chunks of pork. Their mac and cheese had a thick crust of crumbled crackers, a rich cheesy sauce encased spirals of cavatappi macaroni. B.T.’s is valiantly in the process of establishing themselves in Worcester. The staff is enthusiastically happy to serve and the food is delicious in an authentic way. Hopefully those are ingredients for long-term success during these bleak times for the entire hospitality industry.

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HOT & NOW PULSEBREW RYAN CASHMAN

I promise that this will be my last philosophical column and I’ll get back to the business of drinking beer and reviewing it next month. If I’m totally honest, I’ve taken a little break from drinking. It’s a shame to admit, but when you drink beer as often as I do, constantly looking for unusual and unique flavors to write about, it all starts to taste the same. With very few exceptions, every IPA I’ve tasted in the last year tastes exactly the same: hoppy. I like hoppy beer, I do. But it gets to a point where you think: is this really all there is? I can’t tell you the last time I drank a stout that didn’t taste like a knock-off Guinness, or a porter that didn’t reek of coffee and taste like sludge. (I’m not a fan of porters anyway, so I can’t say I approach them without any biased expectations.) Ales, on the other hand, I find a bit more satisfying. Since there’s very little-to-no hops in your traditional ales, any additional flavor packed into the beer is immediately noticeable. The Spencer Trappist Holiday Ale, for example. It’s a darker ale than most, but you can taste the mulling spices. Overall, it does what it sets out to do: warm your soul on the cold days of winter. This time last year I wrote about the alcoholic alchemy occurring at

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3Cross Fermentation Coop, a place that isn’t exactly what I would call a classic brewery. Honestly, I think it is an example for how we will continue to make beer in a post-pandemic world. The whole idea of 3Cross is that it is a cooperative; a business run by and for its members. Centering your business around a specific community and allowing them to have input in the beer being brewed is what got us that absolutely amazing cranberry mead-style braggot last year which, to date, is the most interesting and flavorful beer I’ve ever tasted. I suppose what I am trying to say is that there needs to be some kind of shift in the world of craft beer. A shift towards being more forward facing in the servicing of community but simultaneously independent. A shift towards being a little more out there and experimental. If 2020 taught us anything, it was the need to adapt to extraordinary circumstances. Believe me, I am so happy that many of my favorite microbrews are still in business and turning up some really excellent beer. I also cannot wait for these vaccine rollouts so we can all get back to having a beer together, something I think our nation really needs right now. But perhaps this next cycle in the life of microbrewing in America will see a departure from what we know and into a realm that is filled with possibility and experimentation. And I’ll be there, ready to drink whatever weird and wacky potion our future brewers come up with.

What’s hot and happening now in the restaurant scene PAUL GIORGIO

NOW A DISTILLERY TOO. Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery will be expanding their tap room, moving into the space that was once occupied by Simjang on Shrewsbury Street. Plans also call for them to open the city’s first distillery. A DAY AT THE BEACH. The Greek Isle of Mykonos is famous for its white sandy beaches. Mykonos Café and Bakery, which recently opened in downtown Millbury hopes to become known for their great Greek food. They are owned by the Andrianpolous Family who also own the pizza parlor across the street. KELLY SQUARE GETS NEW EATERY. Che! Empanada, an Argentinian eatery opened last month in Worcester’s Kelly Square. Che! Empanada offers about 10 different Argentinian-inspired hand-held meat pies. Don’t worry, they do offer vegetarian options and are planning a gluten-free one as well. IT’S A WICKED TIME. Wicked Wings on Worcester’s West Boylston Street has moved to take-out only during the pandemic. ARE THEY LUCKY? Lucky’s Café on Worcester’s Grove Street is asking the city for permission to do curbside pick up. MORE BEER. Seven Saws Brewery in Holden is using the pandemic time to expand and has undertaken a major reconstruction of the brewery. IT’S NOT ALL BLACK & WHITE. Spencer’s Black & White Grille has recently joined the igloo craze. These domed clear huts are a great way to extend outdoor dining. NOTHING COULD BE FINER. Worcester’s Boulevard Diner on Shrewsbury Street is now offering curbside pick up and deliveries through ToastNow. Check out their website for a discount coupon. They have also temporarily stopped serving from 11 pm to 8 am.

IT’S A TWO-WAY STREET. Peter Tsigas, owner of Millbury Street’s Café Neo plans a second restaurant just down the street in Worcester’s Canal District. One Way Bar and Grill will open this spring SAY CHEESE. North Main Provisions closes. The wine & cheese store on Worcester’s Main Street has closed its doors. The closing will allow its sister business Crust Bakery to expand into the space. LEO’S STAYS PUT. Leo’s Ristorante off of Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street staying where it is. They recently sold the real estate but Leo’s has a very long lease. The family is working on the third generation of ownership. SOMETHING’S BREWING. Worcester’s Brew City Restaurant on Shrewsbury Street has announced that it will be temporarily closing due to COVID-19. They don’t say how long the hibernation will last. Brew City has been around for 25 years. HIBERNATION IS THE THING. Meze Greek restaurant also on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street has also gone into hibernation until the early spring. NANCY CHANG REOPENS DINING ROOM. Nancy Chang’s restaurant on Worcester’s Chandler Street has reopened their indoor dining room. NORTH BY NORTHWEST. Some news from the North County. Worceste- based D’errico’s, located off of Shrewsbury Street, is planning a third location in Leominster. BEEMER’S PUB - was bought by the owners of Dario’s Ristorante and the plan is for a Mexican restaurant on main Street in Fitchburg. BOSS PIZZA & WINGS recently open in Moran Square area Fitchburg

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LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE

TURN UP THE HEAT WITH DECIMATION HOT SAUCE JENNIFER RUSSO Jared Brodeur, a Leicester native, is a musician and freelance graphic designer and screen printer, but always imagined that he’d take one of his many passions and make it a living. His dad and brother run their own companies, and it made sense for him to find something of his own to put his energy into. Having a great love of food and working in several kitchens throughout his life, he toyed with the idea of owning a cocktail bar or restaurant, but a chance happening at a family holiday planted the seed for a different idea. “My Uncle Ray showed up to Thanksgiving one year with two pounds of red habanero peppers. Everyone was just like ‘woah…okay, haha’. Nobody touched them, so the next day I decided to make a hot sauce out of them so they wouldn’t go to waste. I just went for it and it came out awesome. I started getting into the whole thing and it snowballed very quickly. Six months later, Decimation officially launched,” Jared tells us. Jared always loved hot sauce, as a love for spicy food was popular in his family. Very involved in the punk and metal/hardcore music scene in his teens and twenties here in Worcester, and then moving to Nashville for a while before heading back to the area, he admits that those influences greatly played into the branding. Aesthetic was important, and he thought it would seem pretty “half-assed to just call his products something like jalapeno sauce”, and he has a great time choosing the names, relating it back to choosing titles for new songs. And the names are fantastic – Tiki Torture is a pineapple forward sauce, but not too sweet, with great heat and citrus taste that pairs well with Mexican style dishes and any kind of chicken. Six Six Citrus combines habanero and orange, for a bright and flavorful punch. According to Jared, “it’s got a nice burn to it, but it’s not going to kill ya.” Green Hell is a jalapeno and fresh lime sauce, with a robust flavor profile that would be the perfect topping on tacos or any kind of seafood. It’s versatile and Jared gives it a 6/10 on the heat scale. Lucifer’s Tears boasts bold flavors of Thai red chilis and

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red Fresno chili peppers. It is what you’d expect from a traditional hot sauce that pairs well with anything but remains unique with a very slight hint of pineapple for balance. A little spicier, Jared likes this on pizza. For those who like to really turn it up, with a raise in body temperature and some sweat beading on the forehead, Everlasting Torment is for you. This is a limited edition, collaborative effort with New England thrash metal outfit HIGH COMMAND. This sauce is not for the weak, with ghost peppers that boast a “massive blaze that resonates” and smoky, slightly sweet notes for this 8.5/10 heat bomb. Have a cold glass of milk nearby for this one. Coming up with the flavor profiles for these sauces comes from a knowledge of what works well on the palette, and a little bit of trial and error, Jared says. “Similar to any type of art or music design, you can keep f***ing with it forever, but at a certain point, enough is enough – accept that it is good or not.” Once the ideal flavor and heat are achieved, the sauce is named and produced in the kitchen, and Jared designs the label to go along with the overall feel of the product. The logo used today features a fire-headed skull with his tongue sticking out, which falls in perfectly with the overall theme, and for anyone who has had a really good hot sauce, I think we’ve all been that guy. What may be unexpected, despite its seemingly malevolent branding, is that there is huge attention given to sustainability when producing the products. Everything is composted, they use very little plastic, and they source their ingredients from local farms in New England whenever possible. It’s important to Jared to stimulate the local economy and reduce any harm to the environment. Additionally, all of their hot sauces are gluten free and soy and nut free. Decimation will be working the farmer’s market circuit this year and are working on a line of spicy simple syrups that should be released in the February/March timeframe. There are also a couple new sauces that will be coming out just in time for summer barbeques. You can support this local business and get your spicy on by purchasing Decimation Hot Sauce and their other products directly on their website at Decimationhotsauce.bigcartel.com.

BUD’S GOODS & PROVISIONS

Photo credit: Joe Jacaobs & Kevin La

RACHEL SHUSTER

Located at 64 W Boylston St. in Worcester, Bud’s Goods & Provisions is the city’s neighborhood dispensary providing the state’s largest cannabis selection. “It’s something I’m very proud of,” says Alex Mazin, CEO of Bud’s Goods & Provisions. Only having opened in the first week of November last year, Mazin says the team has been going strong and steady, despite a global pandemic. “We’ve had to be nimble, reactive and responsive, but things are growing,” he says. In fact, Mazin is already looking at additional locations! A Worcester native, Mazin went into corporate America after college and then came back to Worcester. “I feel like the city was on a great trajectory before COVID,” he says. “Part of the reason I came back was the growth and opportunity in the city.” So how did the cannabis industry and Mazin cross paths? “In 2015 I was approached by a good family friend diagnosed with MS,” Mazin says. “There was interest in investment into the cannabis industry because it was helping her through. The family thought I was a good fit because I had 10 years living in NYC as a healthcare consultant for pharma companies. I had exposure to the healthcare industry, and they thought I might be able to help.” With that, Mazin got himself into the medical marijuana industry in MA. “That was how it all started,” he says. “I started a company called Vaprcase in 2014 which sold silicone accessory products for vaporizers. It was an entrepreneurial cannabis experience, and a good fit to take the opportunity on when I was approached to get into industry.” As his entrepreneurial juices began to flow, Mazin embarked on his journey to opening a dispensary in his beloved city. “My team and I embarked on a mission in early 2016,” he says. “Our goal was to build a new form of cannabis retail that normalizes what cannabis is to society. We wanted hospitality branding, design and customer experience at forefront, which makes us different. We offer customers an experience unlike other retailers in the country. With early cannabis companies, the thought was ‘if I build it, they will come,’ but I never believed that. We knew it would be competitive and we’d need to prove ourselves.” Big dreams and clear goals come with challenges to overcome. “Just because a law passes, that doesn’t mean it goes into effect the day it passes,” Mazin says. “Even though the law was passed in 2016, it took 18 months to create rules. Once rules are created at the state level, it takes time to roll out locally. It took 2 years for Worcester.” In August 2018, Mazin received approval to open. “We started getting into the

approval process, building permits, etc. and started construction in January 2020,” he says. “Things were moving along, then COVID hit. It threw our timeline off by 3-4 months.” Now that they are officially open, Mazin is living his dream, and part of that is creating a distinct brand. “As we evolved the ‘Buds Goods’ brand, we thought, we all know the west coast, but what is a New England cannabis brand?” he says. “We thought, patriotic colors, playing off of red, white and blue. We wanted to focus on our community and hardworking individuals, because that makes up a New Englander – modern Americana. Most dispensaries are sterile, but we wanted to add an element of fun and excitement. We have a wraparound bar, wide oak hardwood floors to mimic Nantucket or Cape Cod, and really try to play off that New England theme.” So they’ve got the brand down, but what about the products? They’ve got that down too! “We carry 40 different varieties of flower, 30 different pre rolls, an abundance of edibles, gummies, chocolates, mints, cookies and a selection of concentrates and cartridges,” Mazin says. Mazin also offers what he calls “Little Buds.” “It’s a partnership with a grower in MA. We sell an eighth of the flower and sell it for $30, which is really affordable. We do this because I am a believer that legal cannabis should be affordable for anyone over 21. It’s an affordable, everyday option.” As for general pricing, an eighth varies between $40-50, pre rolls range from $7.50 – 15, and edibles run for $15. “We are trying to negotiate the right deals and provide it to the consumer,” Mazin says. When COVID eases, Mazin and team hope to commence with their plans to connect with the community. “We want to get involved with local community colleges to help students realize career opportunities in cannabis,” Mazin says. “We want to offer speaking engagements, resume critiquing, etc. Many school staff marketing professors understand that there is opportunity in cannabis and there’s an opportunity to convey that to students.” Mazin and team also plan on getting involved in some volunteer work to clean up the neighborhood and beyond. “We’d love to work with local farmers markets and have food trucks in our parking lot on the weekends and engage with the community, showing that we want to be active in the community and do some good,” Mazin says. “We are trying to get people to see [our industry] is good and change the mindset about cannabis, all while empowering our employees and staff and have them feel they are part of something really amazing.” For more information on Bud’s Goods & Provisions, visit them at Budsgoods.com. t he p uls e m a g .c o m

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OUT AND ABOUT

IN THE

Prioritizing Self-Care in Turbulent Times GIULIANO

D’ORAZIO

It’s no secret that we’re living through some trying times. Words like ‘unprecedented,’ ‘uncertain’ and ‘historic’ have peppered news broadcasts and television ads for almost a year now. The sheer saturation of bad news might be enough to desensitize you, if it wasn’t so... scary. Let’s face it. It’s frightening. COVID death tolls continue to rise across the country, each day surpassing the last record, a White Supremacist insurrection shook the Capitol and the country last month, economic insecurity plagues countless families and small businesses, and, for what feels like the first time, we had to wonder “will we actually see a peaceful transition of power in the United States”. I know I spend a lot of words in these columns encouraging action, awareness and engagement in the civic process, because, if I can do one thing when writing to my siblings in the queer community, it would be to help galvanize our influence in shaping public discourse and policy. However, as important as that is, we’re not much good to ourselves or others if we don’t feel good. This month, I want to talk about the importance of self-care, for maintaining mental, physical, and spiritual wellness is paramount if we want to inject compassion and justice into our Society. I’ll speak for myself here, but one of the (if not the) most important elements of my self-care is making time for creativity. I’m a musician by trade, but even for those who don’t work in the arts, tapping into your own unique creative energy, is life-giving. It’s an essential part of our beings, and to me, a very spiritual pursuit. Making something from nothing, problem solving, seeing beyond the surface. These are all elements of creative thinking, and we can nurture that in many ways. I know from personal experience, and also from talking to fellow artists, this past year has given us more time on our hands, but that hasn’t always translated to more productivity, in fact, for many it’s just resulted in burn-out and writer’s block. Personally, I was able to mitigate some of the creative stagnation by feeding my mind. Reading authors that stretch my preconceptions, and seeking out new music to actively listen to. Active listening really spurs creativity, and I don’t think enough of us really do it. I’m not talking about cranking up your favorite song in the car; I’d call that cathartic listening. Try this: turn off the lights, maybe light a candle or some incense, and put on an entire album, not just a song or a playlist. Close your eyes and get inside the song. Listen to specific instruments, hone in on the lyrics, whatever pulls your attention, but really focus in the way you would if you were reading a book and didn’t want to forget it. I’m telling you it can be Transformative. Physical and spiritual self-care is also so important. Sometimes this looks like a warm bath with candles, or playing hooky for a day of netflix and chill. Sometimes though, it looks like tracking your habits (I highly recommend the ‘Clear Habit Journal’ by Baron Fig), setting boundaries and sticking to your goals. We’ve lost a lot of structure from the external flow of day to day life, so I’ve found it very grounding to create some structure for myself at home. Meditation as a practice, or whatever way you might connect with spirit/universe/god is essential. We have to erase the blackboard once in a while, and that’s what meditation does for me. Exercise and eating right are also important, as is watching our alcohol intake when we’re left to our own devices night after night. I’m not the best at any of those things, but I’ve found sticking to a yoga practice, and not being afraid to pick it back up after you’ve slacked off, is a game changer. Perhaps more than anything else, this past year has stripped us of the socialization and spontaneity that keeps us happy, healthy and sane. It can feel weird or like one more task to do, but connecting with friends and relatives remotely actually helps. We might be a few months out from being able to throw caution to the wind for a night on the town, but until then, nurturing our existing relationships can help us feel the connection and the love we all need to survive. Take care of yourselves and one another as we seem to be nearing the home stretch with COVID, as vaccinations are slowly being rolled out. A little self-love and patience will go a long way in making sure we’re all healthy and ready to celebrate together when the time is right.

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TRAVIS DUDA

High, Hello, How Are You? I’m Travis, and I’m going to be writing this here column for a little bit. A little background on my cannabis authority - I have no formal training in the science or business of marijuana. What I lack in traditional training, I make up with over a decade of daily use of the devil’s lettuce. I enjoy learning about the bleeding edge of bud science, but at the end of the day, I really just enjoy smoking it, and don’t want to get too in the weeds on the minutiae. So, you can expect a more casual column about local cannabis. One mixed with opinions on our scene, bits of interesting news and information on the data of dope, and updates on the local culture surrounding our favorite herb. So, with that out of the way... It’s Good to Have Buds After a long stint of purchasing weed off the street, it’s wonderful to have so many options for legal procurement here in Worcester and within Worcester County. With so many options, I can’t help but consider how these companies will differentiate themselves and more importantly, create a unique experience for the customer. Obviously the pandemic has prevented many from heading into their local dispensary, by opting for the curbside pick up route. Those willing enough to don a mask and step inside, have been welcomed with a wide array of experiences and atmospheres. Currently we have a smattering of options to fit your personality type, all with subtle differences that make them unique.

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The most notable for me has been Bud’s Goods & Provisions on West Boylston Street. They are one of the few, non-vertically integrated dispensaries around. Normally as a consumer, I’d be slightly weary of this, assuming them to be a more expensive middle man. However, the team at Bud’s has done their homework and focused heavily on the customer experience. They cater a collection of the best available strains, with more available brands than their competitors. They’ve also managed to develop a private label brand called “Little Buds” which offers customers an eighth of small, quality nugs at the closest I’ve seen to street pricing. And with a rotating stock of options, there are plenty of Little Buds to try. Lastly, the thought and care that went into building their brand aesthetic and interior design makes for an inviting shopping experience that rewards observant customers with plenty of fun eye candy. Not Everyone Is Happy A move that was meant to even the financial playing field for Massachusetts-based cannabis companies has caused a group of companies to file a lawsuit against the CCC. The new rules allow only a certain group of disenfranchised retailers to apply for a recreational delivery license in the first three years. The lawsuit claims that this new rule violates existing laws by not letting retailers with pre-existing licenses apply until three years from now and that the CCC has overstepped their authority. There have been many social equity advocates touting this move by the CCC, but with so much money being invested in our scene, it’s no wonder some of the bigger players are crying foul play. What this means for the consumers is that we probably have to wait even longer before recreational delivery is an option for us. While they argue the legality of the new rules, the whole process will continue to be delayed, and the recreational users will just have to keep trekking to their shop of choice. Thanks for reading, and happy trails! -Travis

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STYLE Savvy

SPORTS SPORTS&& FITNESS FITNESS

STYLE SAVVY APRIL GODDARD

And just like that, the first month of 2021 is over, and we find ourselves in the month of February. There are loads of new and exciting style savvy happenings in the fashion world that you will be rocking this coming Valentine’s Day. So in honor of the month of love, let’s hop into my loves for the top trends that will take you to the 14th and beyond. 1. Pink- And lots of it. Not only does this color go with the hearts and frills of Valentines, but it is also one of spring’s biggest colors (as mentioned in last month’s issue, it’s its own vibe). Wear pink any way you want to-on handbags, and socks, on a blouse or a scarf. You can’t go wrong with this pretty color! 2. Huge sweatshirts-because why not? Although ‘sweatshirt’ isn’t something that usually comes to mind when one thinks of Valentine’s day attire, huge, oversized, cozy sweatshirts are everything right now. In the era of most spending their days at home, you can be sure that the oversized sweatshirt (in addition to being the trend of the moment) will get a lot of practical use as well. Pair with leggings or bike shorts and chunky sneakers. 3. Statement eyebrows and Lashes-because in the pandemic age, we are all wearing our masks everywhere we go, and even though they are covering most of our face, you can still make a statement with eye makeup. The key? Go for a more natural look with the brows, combing them through with clear eyebrow gel and add some mascara or false lashes. It’s your two-step easy solution to statement eyes. 4. The tote- The oversized, carry everything but the kitchen sink tote is big again in stark contrast to the “micro” bags of last year. Totes, in addition to being chic, are absolutely the most practical type of handbag that I own. *Hint*- I have had a high-quality tote bag for years that I use every day for absolutely everything. It is arguably the best purchase I have ever made. Period. Invest in a tote that is classic and will always remain in style, and you won’t be sorry! 5. Stackable jewelry- This is a trend that you will only see increase as the spring and summer months start to blossom. Necklaces, bracelets, and rings- the more that are stacked the better! For the most subtle look, go with more delicate pieces, and don’t be afraid to mix metals! 6. The Band Tee- The 80’s and 90’s are coming in strong this season, and what better to mark the occasion than with an easy tee shirt with the logo of your favorite classic band or tv show? Dress up with some well-tailored jeans, flats, and bazer, or down with ripped jeans and a cardigan. Tees are versatile, so you really can’t go wrong with them, whatever way you style them!

NEW PRO BASKETBALL TEAM JOSHUA LYFORD

Worcester is no stranger to professional sports. With the Railers now several seasons deep (though, alas this season was scuttled due to COVID-19), the Massachusetts Pirates gearing up for a 2021 run and the WooSox coming down the pipeline, the present of Worcester sports holds some heavy-hitters. The past, too, is filled with professional teams that call the city home. The Worcester Bravehearts kept the moniker, but have moved home field to Leominster, but the IceCats, the Sharks, the Tornadoes, the Bombardiers and many more have held home games here. The first time professional basketball would arrive in The Heart of the Commonwealth was back in 1984, when the Bay State Bombardiers moved from Brocton High to the Worcester Auditorium. They lasted two years, before the Worcester Counts would give the city a go for one season in 1989. The 78s gave it a shot more recently, but there is a new game in town. The Worcester Majors will play their first game later this year, though no schedule has yet been set, but the name itself pays homage to Worcester cycling legend, Major Taylor. Major Taylor was the first African American to win a world championship, in this case for one mile track cycling. Taylor has been memorialized in several ways throughout the years, including the downtown boulevard and a statue at the Worcester Public Library. Now, thanks to a fan vote, his name will be emblazoned on the incoming professional basketball team’s jerseys. “We wanted to get the community involved,” explained AJ “Coach Beast” Stephens, co-founder and COO of Beast ‘Em Basketball Training Academy and GM and president of the Majors. “We brought it down to a vote. We had some stories published about us. The community of Worcester voted and the team name selected was the Worcester Majors. We did the research, we’re happy the fans selected it.” Some of the other possibilities included the Candlepins, Mechanics, Wrenches and Rockets. All of the options paid homage to Worcester’s history, but the fan vote was clear and the Worcester Majors were born. Coach Beast founded Beast ‘Em Basketball alongside CEO La’Toya Bentick, but last year, the gears started turning on bringing a professional basketball team to the city. “It started about September, October of 2020,” said Stephens. “The WooSox coming to town, it was a great time. The market was great. This is the second biggest city, behind Boston. [I was] approached with a situation of possibly getting a team.” The first step was working with the Beast ‘Em board of directors.

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“We discussed the opportunity,” said Stephens. “We usually just do things for the youth. My aspiration was to play professional basketball. I had my son and didn’t want to go to Spain or Europe and leave him here. The next step, for me, was to own some kind of professional basketball team.” The board of directors was on board, with one caveat from Bentick: “as long as it’s fully your responsibility, she was on board with it.” From there, Stephens would speak with the founder of the American Basketball Association, the league in which the Majors will play. Right out of the gate, local was the initiative. Local games, local practice facilities, local players and a local coach. The coach would be one of the first puzzle pieces arranged, as Bruce Marchand was tagged. Marchand lives and works here in the city. “We had nothing to build on, we had to start from scratch. Start fresh,” said Stephens. “No coach, no assistant coach, no venue, no team, no nothing. Then we found a coach. We wanted to be sure we started at home, we started from Worcester. That’s how you get the community support and get the fan base. Have homegrown names.” To that end, the Worcester Majors will hold open tryouts at St. Bernard Church, 236 Lincoln St., on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. Sign ups are still available at Beastembasketball.com. While the team isn’t necessarily looking for a specific type of player, they are looking for a specific attitude. “Come and prove yourself,” said Stephens. “We’d love to get a Worcester-born player to draw a fanbase. Someone who has passion and ambition and wants to go to the next level and can compete right away.” As the team continues to nail down the essentials on their way to game one, Stephens and his team are in talks with Worcester colleges to hold home games, including Worcester State University. In the meantime, Stephens is excited for the future. “For game one, I expect to see 500-1,000 people in the stands,” he said. “Some great things happen. While COVID is here, we have a lot of time to get things done. We can do a lot remotely. We’re hiring people to do social media, we’re working with colleges The main thing is we’re working on our dance team. We expect things to go smoothly, have our mascot there, have our dancers out there. Have a great fun, family experience.” For more information on the Majors, Coach Beast and Beast ‘Em Basketball, head to Beastembasketball.com.

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FALL AND WINTER AYURVEDIC EATING JENNIFER RUSSO It is easy to get into a woe-is-me attitude when we have been dealing with all of the insanity of 2020 for so long. In the new year, there are still challenges to face, and even with the hope of an effective vaccine being distributed to people, COVID cases are still on the rise. We can’t go to restaurants the same way, or sit at a bar with a group of our closest friends. We can’t up and leave on that Spring Break trip to Jamaica or walk around without a mask on in public. A lot of us are dealing with remote schooling and there is still a lot of political unrest. If someone sneezes near us, we go into panic mode. The world has changed. This all being said, it is important to have some perspective too. Many of the challenges we are facing are that of inconvenience. We live in a time when we can Zoom or Facetime someone and still see their faces. We can order food delivered to our doors, binge Netflix over a couple beers, take a fitness class online and learn how to play guitar by watching YouTube videos. For some though, the struggle goes far beyond this inconvenience. People are still out of work. People are still struggling to put food on the table. People with anxiety are having a really hard time. People with chronic health issues may not be able to get an appointment. Small businesses are on their last legs. Perhaps how those of us who are not dealing with some of these major things can take some of our time to help and share some love and compassion. In the Worcester area, there are plenty of in-person and virtual opportunities to volunteer to help those who need it most. Donate blood through the Red Cross locally. For appointments, go to Redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive. Donate funds or food to the Worcester County Food Bank. Learn more at Foodbank.org/donate Simply United Together has a chapter on Major Taylor Blvd that helps feed the homeless or work with seniors and veterans. Learn more at Sutglobal.com. Musically talented and have some experience teaching? Help underprivileged kids learn an instrument with the MusicLink Foundation. Musiclinkfoundation. org. Have a love for furry creatures? Donate to a shelter to help them cover costs of caring for animals awaiting adoption. Check out sterlingshelter.org. Tech or business savvy? There are many volunteer opportunities at catchafire. org for people who can assist with building websites, making phone calls, editing and writing, and creative marketing. Donate or volunteer at Abby’s House, a place of support for women and children who need assistance. Learn more at abbyshouse.org/get-involved. Looking for more opportunities to help your community? Check Red Cross, United Way and Volunteer Match for many more ideas.

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