Pulse MagazineMarch 2016 by Pulse Magazine

march 2016 in this issue COVER story

FOOD & DRINK

6 celebrate irish culture

26 new around the woo: The Muse

10 create your own irish pub crawl 11 st. patrick’s day parade map

entertainment

27 Pulsebrew: Worcester’s hidden brewery

28 Dining review: Make Clintons a dining destination

12 escape the weekend blahs

29 hot & now

14 THE central scene

sports & fitness

15 netflix junkie:

30 Worcester is going pro

Netflix gets lucky

18 Club, Pub & grub Listings 22 PulseShots

Lifestyle

ART & CULTURE

read pulse Online @ 32 artsworcester and worcester

ThePulseMag.com

center for crafts bring new art to worcester

PulseBooks: Help along life’s journey GameOn: The Force Awakens NowStreaming: Charlie Puth / David Bowie / Elton John

BEAUTY & sTYLE

34 st. patrick’s day style

25 OUT+ABOUT:

35 steal the style:

A retreat for LGBT vets

Green with envy

24 Get your dream job

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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 Chris Reddy, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Alex Theisen, Kyle Sullivan Account Executives Mitchell Perry, Event Manager Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor

Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor Kimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Samuel Schonning, Kerry Cyganiewicz, John Trobaugh, Jamie Burke, Diana Holiner Writers

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

c o v e r s t o r y

Photography: Justin Mayotte Location: Whiskey on Water 97 Water Street, Worcester, MA 6 THEPULSEMAG.COM | March 2016

Celebrate I r i S H c u lt u r e By Christina Rossetti

More than just a day for green beer, St. Patrick’s Day gives us the chance to celebrate nearly 200 years of Irish culture in Worcester – a city built at the hands of these settlers.

Coming to Worcester Around 1815, a group of “invisible immigrants” – a small, middle class of Irish farmers, shopkeepers, artisans and mechanics – emigrated to assist in the construction of the Blackstone Canal. The Irish were attracted to the Worcester area by Irish entrepreneurs like Tobias Boland and Benjamin Wright. Boland, a construction boss, brought Irish settlers to the area to aid in the completion of the canal. Wright attracted Irish settlers from New York who had previously worked on construction projects and were better equipped than the “Yankees” first employed to complete the job. After 1845, two more waves of Irish immigration into the city occurred. Many of these settlers were those fleeing from Ireland’s Great Famine, and their sheer numbers began to drain the city of its resources. Feelings of resentment grew in the Irish community, and the influx of immigrants created a divide between what would come to be known as the “Old” Irish and the “New” Irish. The economic climate of Worcester stabilized as the Great Famine ended, and the rate of immigration slowed by the end of the 1850s. This group of Irish Catholics had become the single largest ethnic group in Worcester by 1895 and accounted for nearly one-third of the population.

‘Old’ vs. ‘New’ Irish In his work, Worcester’s Immigrant Groups: A Bicentennial View, the late author and Worcester historian Morris H. Cohen noted that the immigrants first settled in the valley areas of Worcester, near the Island area on the east side of town, close to the railroad tracks and factories. As these groups became more affluent, they would to move “up the hills,” and their former residences became occupied by the next group of immigrants. Irish shantytowns began to appear in The Meadows (east of what is now Washington Square), “Scalpintown” (near what is now Water Street), and on the North Slope of Union Hill. The two distinct waves of settlement led to a dispersal of Worcester’s Irish community, as the downtown settlers began moving up the hills. The Great Famine

was responsible for the arrival of thousands of immigrants into the city limits, all of whom were ready to fill the demands for unskilled labor. The community began to expand as longstanding residents moved toward the east side of the city and new settlers claimed their vacant homes. What had formerly been a tight-knit community began to dissipate, and tensions between the two groups grew. Strain between the “Old” and “New” Irish climaxed on Palm Sunday in 1847, when violence erupted between the established Irish community, comprised mainly of canal-builders, and the new arrivals from Ireland. The resentment felt by the newcomers stemmed from feelings of alienation from the established Irish community. Riots erupted throughout the city. Ideas of violence spread rapidly as groups began rioting outside of taverns before turning their efforts to tracking down specific individuals. One group in particular searched out Tobias Boland but was unable to find him. The group then turned its actions toward the local priest. This English priest, Matthew Gibson, was roughed up by crowd, which believed that he was unfamiliar with the religious folk practices of western Ireland. After forcing him to flee to Boston, the crowd slowly dissipated.

The Irish Influence It would be fair to claim that the city of Worcester was literally built by the Irish. They constructed the factories that dominated the town, the streets and sidewalks that enlarged it, the canal that connected it to Providence and the railroads that revolutionized transportation. Unfavorable Irish stereotypes simply did not apply; the Irish provided the labor and expertise that was needed as the city began to industrialize. Often, Irish “strollers” swept through the town and provided the labor to complete temporary jobs before continuing to somewhere new. Other, more permanent Irish settlers found regular jobs in the many warehouses and factories that sprung up around the canal or on the canal itself as boatmen. The addition of the Irish to the workforce helped industrialize the city, as the construction of canals and railroads connected Worcester to other large cities and March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7

essentially transformed the once-isolated town into a large industrial center. The steady flow of Catholics into Worcester began to cause a variety of problems for the church, since the few priests in New England were taxed in their efforts to provide the rapidly growing community with adequate care. The desire for a permanent pastor to be assigned to the town grew, and in the early 1830s, was met with the presence of Reverend James Fitton. Fitton was instrumental in the religious evolution of Worcester. He bought land on Temple Street for the first Catholic Church in town and established a Catholic boarding school, which later became The College of the Holy Cross. In his work, To Preserve the Flame: St. John’s Parish and 150 Years of Catholicism in Worcester, historian Timothy J. Meagher explained that prior to the establishment of such enterprises, there were no churches or religious meetinghouses whatsoever within the city, and that in this feat, the Irish had proved they were capable of creating something remarkable. The Irish had also originally constructed St. Vincent’s Hospital, as well as contributed to the formation of various political, social and charitable organizations within the city of Worcester. If hospitals, churches and canals aren’t enough, we also have the Irish to thank for the potato. According to The Proceedings of the Antiquarian Society: The Scotch-Irish in America (1895), “They [Irish settlers] introduced the potato, so generally known in this vicinity as the Irish potato, into Worcester, as well as the other parts of the country in which they settled.” It is believed that this crop was first introduced to New England as the first group of Irish settled, as nothing seems to have been known about it prior to their arrival in America in 1718.

Facing Discrimination Although the early Irish were generally received as sources of labor, they were excluded socially by a majority of Worcester’s native inhabitants. Signs reading, “Rooms for rent, no Irish need apply” were all-too-common as the Irish flooded the city. The sheer numbers of Irish in the city lent to their being viewed as a threat within the community; newspapers began to play on the concerns of locals, one even going to far as to claim that it was Worcester’s fate to become another Dublin. The late Dr. Vincent E. Powers, author of The Irish in Worcester, noted that in the 1850s, a branch of the Know-Nothing Party began to organize in Worcester and soon secured control over the community. The party began to pass laws against the Irish, delaying the naturalization process of immigrants and forbidding nonnative-born individuals to hold elective or appointive office. The party also passed employment laws, forbidding any person to work unless they had attended an American public school for a certain number of years. Growing solidarity within the Irish community eventually led to the emergence of Irish into city politics. The political involvement of this ethnic group culminated as Phillip O’Connell, an Irish lawyer, was elected mayor of Worcester in 1900. During these later years, the presence of the Irish in local government corresponded with the appearance of members of the community as civil service agents like policemen.

C e l e b r at i n g I r i s h C u lt u r e The Ancient Order of the Hibernians, an organization that plans community events and sponsors various Irish festivals throughout the year, aims to both preserve and

8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | March 2016

promote Irish culture. The Worcester branch, Division 36, was established around 1866. The late John F. Finnegan, former member and president of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Division 36, said, “In this country, the mission of the Hibernians has been to help Irish immigrants settle.” However, this function of the society has faded since the early 1960s, as immigration from Ireland to the area has slowed nearly to a halt. The group has since evolved its mission, which Finnegan described as “remaining focused upon keeping ethnic heritage alive.” Worcester has a lengthy and notable history of Irish traditions, one of the most interesting being that of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The first parade was held in March 1868 as a response to the strong Irish nationalism of the decade. In his work Inventing Irish America, author and historian Timothy J. Meagher said, “The Irish used annual festivities to demonstrate the strength and loyalty of the community in Worcester.” However, these parades became the center of heated controversy at the time. The Irish community frequently disagreed over how the parades should best represent its identity as a group. Due to these arguments, Worcester’s Irishmen agreed to march on St. Patrick’s Day only 10 times from 1880-1896. The tradition was abandoned entirely in 1911, a move which lasted until 1983, when the event was revived. The 1983 St. Patrick’s Day Parade was documented by an array of local newspapers; a 1983 publication of the Worcester Telegram illustrated the event, with the caption: “Cold or no cold, there was a parade to be watched and the Irish were getting together. The parade, with 2,500 participants, got under way with five threewheeled police motorcycles, lights flashing and sirens wailing, and three cruisers leading the way”. The popularity of the parade was reported by The Evening Gazette (1983), which said, “A crowd estimated of more than 100,000 people turned out yesterday for the city’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 72 years.” The longstanding popularity of the parade has led to the continuation of the event as this beloved festivity enters its 34th annual celebration in 2016. More than eight generations have passed since the 1820 arrival of the “Canal” Irish in Worcester, what Powers referred to as “The first ethnic community within the city.” The traditions of the Irish are kept alive through the efforts of local and regional organizations, which continue to hold events in an effort to maintain the ties of Worcester’s Irish to their native roots. Some organizations, like the Gaelic Athletic Association, aspire to bring traditional Irish sports, like hurling and Gaelic football, to the masses. They allow for a wide range of participation, as the leagues range from youth to adult. Other events, like the Celtic Festival and Irish Music Festival, are sponsored by local Irish organizations like the Ancient Order of the Hibernians and the Irish Cultural Center of New England. These groups aim to bring Irish traditions into the 21st century and allow for new generations of Irish Americans to embrace their heritage. In Inventing Irish America, Meagher addressed the current Worcester Irish: “They have changed because older generations had grown up, grown old, and passed away, and new generations have emerged with new understandings of themselves as Irish and American and Catholic.” Much of the research for this article was found at the American Antiquarian Society (americanantiquarian.org) and the Worcester Historical Museum (worcesterhistory.org). Photos were provided by the Worcester Historical Museum.

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9

Create your own

Irish pub crawl By Chris Reddy Every year around this time, the residents in our neck of the woods get ready for a holiday unlike any other – St. Patrick’s Day. For those of Irish decent or lineage, it is a time to celebrate our heritage through parades, song and, of course, imbibing at our favorite Irish pub. Regardless of heritage, many will flock to an Irish bar in March, so here are some of my favorites. If you are looking for a truly traditional Irish tavern, there are quite a few to choose from, including some of the oldest here in Worcester – Moynagh’s Tavern and Moynihan’s Pub. Although there has always been some dispute over which one is the oldest, both establishments have been around for almost 80 years. O’Connor’s, on the West Boylston/Worcester line, is also a favorite throughout the year with its beautiful décor, top-notch fare and fine whiskey selection, as well as a perfectly poured Guinness! The Banner Pub in the Canal District is always a must-stop for a cold pint and is always buzzing in March. The Canal is also home to Patsy Dugan’s, The Nines, Fiddler’s Green, Union and Compass taverns and the new kid on the block, Whiskey on Water. If you find yourself on the other side of town, Galway Bay Irish Pub on Stafford Street, Marty’s Pub on Canterbury Street, and Breen’s Café, tucked away on Cambridge Street, all have that traditional Irish vibe year round. Whiskey Tango, Mahoney’s, The Blarney Stone and Leitrim’s, along the parade route on Park Avenue, are favorites with college students, and you can expect nothing short of insanity on Parade Day. The Press Box on Lincoln Street is another good bet and is a post-parade party destination every year. Funky Murphy’s on Shrewsbury Street is also a top destination for great food, live entertainment and a fresh pint. Bar-hopping in the Greendale neighborhood? Check out Smitty’s Tavern on West Boylston Street or Bennie’s Café up on West Mountain Street. If you are celebrating north of the city and looking for some good, authentic grub, The Other Place Pub in Boylston has excellent food and a traditional feel. A quick trip up Route 70 brings you to Clinton, where – sadly – The Old Timer, an Irish favorite since 1929, recently closed its doors. Check around St Patrick’s Day, though, as they may have one last hurrah on the holiday! Spruce Street Tavern, Clem’s and Simple Man Saloon are still kicking if you’re thirsty. Up the road in Sterling, The Black Sheep Tavern gets pretty crazy on St. Patrick’s Day with live Irish acoustic by yours truly all afternoon! Heading into the Twin City area north, there a few notable Irish establishments where you can feel comfortable getting your green on. Sean Patrick’s in Lunenburg has great Irish fare and drink, as does Mickey Shea’s further up Route 13. The American Graffiti and Donnelly’s on Summer Street are always good bets. Or head over to South Street in Fitchburg and hit Partner’s, which boasts a traditional front bar and fresh Guinness. Worth a venture to Westminster, McNally’s boasts excellent food and traditional Irish entertainment in early March. Wherever you end up, stay safe, have fun and keep the Uber app handy!

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St. patrick’s day parade

st. patrick’s day bar crawl

sunday, march 13 | park ave.

thursday, march 17 | the canal district

S t. P a t r i c k ’ s D a y P a r a d e Noon, Sunday, March 13 Along Park Avenue between Mill and Highland streets, Worcester The Annual Worcester Saint Patrick’s Day Parade offers the chance for the members of the Worcester community to celebrate together. The event will take place immediately after the Guinness Celtic 5k on March 13. The Parade starts at noon and will follow the same route as the Celtic 5k, running along Park Avenue. For more information, visit stpatsparade.com.

G u i n n e s s C e lt i c 5 k 11 a.m. Sunday, March 13 Elm Park, 284 Highland St., Worcester The sixth annual Guinness Celtic 5K will take place Sunday, March 13, and will follow the same route as the Worcester St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning in Elm Park. Individual and team awards will be presented to the top runners. Registration fees range from $27- $32. For registration and more information, visit tourdeworcester.com.

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 11

e n t e rta i n m e n t

Escape

the weekend blahs By Christina Rossetti Do you think you have what it takes to escape a room? It sounds simple enough. However, this is no ordinary room. To escape, you must solve a series of complex challenges and puzzles that require both brain power and teamwork. Fortunately, you can try it out right here in the city. Escape Games Worcester, which opened in January, provides an experience that goes well beyond your typical Friday night dinner and a movie, a point emphasized by the more-than 840 reservations made within a week of the opening. The idea for bringing an escape room to Worcester occurred when Jason Eastty and Rob Riggieri saw an ad for the Escape Games location in Boston. Immediately interested, Eastty began to organize a trip. “It was right up my alley,” he said, “I got a group of people together and tried it, but we didn’t escape. We had so much fun in losing though; we really wanted to find where more places like this were.” The nearest locations were Boston and New York. So, the two brought on Chelsea Perry and Martin Urban and launched an escape room right here in Worcester. There are few options for a night out that offer a new experience, but Escape Games Worcester presents something distinct. Riggieri said a dinner and movie can cost two people more than $100, but Escape Games Worcester costs $25 per person. “The unique part about this,” he said, “is it’s like being in a movie.”

likely to either return to the room they were unable to beat or try a new room with a new set of challenges. All ideas for the rooms are completely original and are created by the owners or those close to them. The general concept for a room is created first; Eastty and Riggieri said once a backstory is thought up, building off the idea is relatively easy. The two said that when it comes to creating a room, the team tries to be “as time-specific as possible,” right down to the little trinkets that are placed around the room to create authenticity. Jenny Albores, a robotics engineering student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute who works with Escape Games Worcester, said there are big plans for future rooms. “There is technology involved with a few of the things we’re going to be creating,” she said. She is joined at Escape Games by another WPI student – a game design major – and the two are able to utilize their unique skill sets in an environment that will be enjoyed by countless people. “We have to keep revolutionizing the games,” Eastty said, as the team wants the rooms to maintain what it jokingly refers to as “re-play-ability.” The general response received thus far from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Eastty said the enjoyment doesn’t necessarily derive from winning. “That’s why we started it,” he said. “We participated in one in Boston, and we lost, but we had so much fun in losing.”

Eastty and Riggieri said interest in the games range from children to adults. Riggieri added that the rooms also provide a unique opportunity for corporate outings: “You tend to learn a lot about the people you’re in the room with.” Regardless of the group, the venue offers close quarters with a platform for teamwork, mental stimulation and – most of all – fun.

Escape Games Worcester is now hoping to plan a competition for students and faculty of local colleges. Riggieri said, “Right now, we’re seeing if we can put something together where we can do a campus challenge,” allowing local universities to go head-to-head, competing to see who is able to escape the room the fastest.

Each room is monitored by an employee to ensure that the players within are advancing. Eastty said, “We like to see that they’re progressing in a room.”

There are also plans to offer an all-expenses-paid trip to Florida in April. The incentive – unofficially dubbed “Escape to Paradise” – was generated with hopes of bringing a greater awareness of the business to the area.

“If we feel like people are stuck, we’ll definitely send them clues,” Riggieri added. The clues, while cryptic, offer “a gentle nudge in the right direction.” Each room is different and presents a unique theme, backstory and set of challenges to its players. Eastty said, “We don’t want to repeat any tricks or games.” Eastty and Riggieri said having a backstory to accompany the challenges within a room helps immerse the players in the game, leading to return players. In fact, most players are

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“It puts us over the top in a sense. It lets people know that we’re here,” Eastty said. “With some of the partners we’re bringing on board, we’re hoping that it’ll bring about some exposure,” Riggieri said. Escape Games Worcester is currently reserving for the Museum Room, Crime Scene Room and the newlyopened Conspiracy Room. Escape Games Worcester is at 108 Grove St., Worcester, and is open ThursdaySunday. For reservations and details on the Escape to Paradise challenge, visit escapegamesworcester.com.

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 13

Events happening around Central Mass – March 2016

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Don’t forget the Parade Day festivities on Park Avenue and Guinness 5k that starts at Elm Park. These are true Worcester traditions, so show up in your best green! Race starts at 11 a.m., parade starts at noon March 13; stpatsparade.com and tourdeworcester.com.

A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a traditional Celtic concert celebrating the rich culture of Ireland? Sponsored by Worcester State University, the Celtic Sojourn will introduce the audience to a variety of talented musicians who are sure to impress. $26; 7:30 p.m., March 17; Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester; thehanovertheatre.org.

Get tickets to Brew Woo Worcester’s Original Craft Beer Festival, Brew Woo, celebrates its sixth anniversary this year. The beer-tasting extravaganza will feature breweries with craft beers and local brews, live music, food and more. This is a 21+ event. $30 in advance, $35 day of event; 1-4 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. April 2; DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester; brewwoo.com.

Maple Days: Old Sturbridge Village For four weekends in March, enjoy Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village. Participants will be able to partake in the process of maple sugaring, just as it was done in early 19th-century New England, at the Village’s functioning sugar camp. Participate in an old-fashioned experience that’s sure to be memorable for the whole family! $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, $14 for youths, free for children younger than 2; Saturdays and Sundays March 5-27; 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge; osv.org.

Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary World Tour Get your tickets before they run out! The infamous Harlem Globetrotters return to Worcester as part of their 90th Anniversary World Tour. Bound to impress, the celebration will feature these athletes/entertainers, who aim to awe the crowd with their one-of-a-kind performances. $26.50-$125.50; 7 p.m. March 11, 1 p.m. March 12; DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester; dcucenter.com. 14 THEPULSEMAG.COM | March 2016

netflixjunkiE: Netflix gets lucky

By Jennifer Russo Do you believe in luck? This is the time of year to follow the rainbow to your pot of gold

(or corned beef, whatever your preference). Netflix has tons of options in every genre for

those who believe in picking up pennies and taking a chance on the lottery. It’s also a great time to embrace all things Irish, and Netflix isn’t short on Irish-themed movies either, lucky for us.

For some feel-good, luck-based movies on Netflix, start with It Could Happen to You.

Nicolas Cage plays a policeman who runs a little short on cash and can’t tip his waitress, so he says she can have half his lottery ticket winnings if he wins, and he does. In Paycheck,

things don’t immediately go so well for code-breaker Ben Affleck, but luck is on his side. For the comedy-lover, check out Good Luck Chuck, with Dane Cook and Jessica Alba, about a man who can’t seem to find the right girl, but whose ex-girlfriends all find their right

match, right after dating him. For a blast of nostalgia, check out pre-crazy Lindsay Lohan and pre-chiseled Chris Pine in Just My Luck, a romantic comedy about a lucky girl who seems to give her incredible luck away to someone else with a party kiss.

For more laughs, check out stand-up comedy with Morgan Murphy: Irish Goodbye. If you aren’t familiar with what an Irish goodbye is (something my sister does constantly), you will be after you see this.

If you are more into horror flicks, stay with the monthly theme and watch the Leprechaun series. Kind of scary, and yet cheesy as all hell, Netflix has all of these right now.

On a more serious note, learn something about Irish history with movies such as Angela’s

Ashes, based on the famed Frank McCourt Pulitzer-winning memoir about growing up in poverty and moving to New York as an Irish man in the ’30s and ’40s. Bloody Sunday is another incredible film, chronicling the 1972 shooting of 26 unarmed civilians during a

protest march in Derry. For a more uplifting story, take the time to watch My Left Foot. In one of Daniel Day-Lewis’ most notable roles, he plays Christy Brown, a man from an Irish family who was born with cerebral palsy and relies on his desire and determination to learn

to paint and write with his left foot. The Wind that Shakes the Barley, one of the highest-

grossing Irish independent films, is also available. This war drama depicts a man who joins the IRA after a friend is killed.

If you don’t feel like sitting through a movie, there are plenty of TV show options, as well. Recently available is the first season of the Full House spinoff, Fuller House, which I may need to add to my agenda – just to see if it stands a chance.

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Club, Pub + GRUB Listings

Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs & other select venues 435 Bar & Grill 435 Lancaster St., Leominster American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010

March 18: Brian Chaffee March 19: Gale County March 24: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 25: Brother Maynard March 26: Scott Babineau

B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 978-422-9763

Bolton Street Tavern 587 Bolton St., Marlborough 508-485-4416

The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. 508-755-0879

Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008

Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575

Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105

Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: Bill McCarthy

Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862

Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. 508-926-8877 March 4: Government Surplus March 5: Chicken Change March 6: Marc Delgado with Wounded Knee March 10: Ashley Jordan March 11: Black Moutain Symphony March 12: The Blue Liners, Sick Pills, Adonis Crew, and Distressors March 13: Saint Patrick’s Day Parade March 18: Ben Cote Band and Flight of Fire March 19: Alpine Report March 23: Might Squirrel Beer-tasting March 24: Ghost Guest March 25: Grain Thief March 26: Pistol Shot Gypsy March 31: Lets Be Leonard Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Parade party with Chris Reddy Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. 508-797-4827 Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 Thursdays: Open Mic March 6: Deborah McDonnell Band March 12: The Invaders Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 March 3: Dustin Brideau March 4: Kelly Wheeler & Tribe March 5: Kevin Shields March 10: Joe Reidy March 11: Brett Casavant March 12: Ken Macy March 17: JCDC

Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. 508-926-8353 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJs (21+) March 4: Jim Perry March 5: Bob Moon March 11: Brian Kendall & Dave Miller March 12: New England Weather March 18: Around Midnight March 19: Alias Draleaus March 25: Jim Perry March 26: Hot Dish Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster 978-534-0020 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 Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke with Royal Crown March 5: Never Enuff March 12: The Pinch Trio March 19: Bad Reputation March 25: Bullet Called Life March 26: Laquerhead Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. 508-798-8385 The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster 978-751-8962 Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc.

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508-304-6044 Wednesdays: Karaoke Saturdays: DJs March 4: Hit the Bus Mar ch11: Chad Clements March 13: Sam James - Post Parade Party March 17: St Patrick’s Day with The Drunken Uncles March 18: Brian Richard March 25: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. 508-752-0482 Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. 508-757-6977 Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006 Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. 508-799-0629 Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 March 4: Tony Soul Project March 5: Whiskey Church Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden 508-829-3008 March 10: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 31: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-757-1450 Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-753-2995 Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live bands

Sundays: Mikey Lynch’s Sunday Jam Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy March 4: Ed & Dave March 5: No Alibi March 11: Desolate Highway March 12: Silverbacks March 18: Clam Diggers March 19: 9Teen March 25: Twisted Dawg March 25: Twisted Dog March 26: Petty Larceny Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster 508-943-3871 Industry 109 Water St., Worc. 508-756-2100 Sundays: Karaoke with DJ Soup and What We Do Productions Thursdays: College Night with DJ Scotty P and guest DJ (18+) Fridays, Saturdays: DJ Dbbl D and Scotty P (18+, 21+ no cover March 17: DJScotty P and What We Do Productions March 27: DJ Soup and What We Do Productions Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701 JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc. 508-793-0900 March 4: Key Performance March 5: UFC 197 Dos Anjos vs. McGregor March 11: Decades by Dezyne March 12: Key Performance March 18: Second Hand Smoke March 19: Dazed with opener Rockhouse March 25: SharpShooter March 26: Squelch

The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster March 5: Scott Babineau March 12: Heather & Chris March 19: Hitchcock Blondes March 26: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 March 4: Playback March 5: 9Teen March 11: Peak Fifteen March 12: Groove Street Band March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Party March 18: Shady Armadillo March 18: The Great Escape (Journey Tribute) March 25: How Bizarre! March 26: Flock of Assholes

Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-853-1350

Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500

Continued on Page 21

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 19

20 THEPULSEMAG.COM | March 2016

Continued from Page 18 Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. 508-798-2447 Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. 508-796-5177 March 3: Sam James March 4: Dezi Garcia March 5: Nik Chisholm March 9: P. E. James March 10: Sam James March 11: Drunken Uncles March 12: Jay Graham March 13: The Flock during the Parade March 16: Booty and The Jett March 16: Ricky Booth March 17: Irish music March 18: Ken Macy March 19: Two-Timers March 23: Ricky Duran March 24: Sam James March 26: Jay Graham March 30: Ricky Booth March 31: Sam James

March 4: Joe Macey March 5: Jodee & Brian March 11: How Bizarre March 12: St Patrick’s Day Parade Party with Chris Reddy March 18: Annie Brobst Trio March 19: Bill McCarthy March 24: Night Train March 25: Sam James March 26: The Two Yoots Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. The Muse 536 Main St., Worc. 508-756-6873

London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc. 508-799-7655

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. 508-753-4030 Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat March 5: Isabel Stover with Pamela Hines March 26: We & Mrs. Jones

Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc. 508-277-1073

The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. 508-340-0318

Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. 508-754-0033

Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 508-839-6106

MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. 508-799-4521 McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster 978-874-1444 March 4: Dan Kirouac March 11: Tim Rollo March 17: Seamus Pender & Eileen Quinn March 18: Brett Casavant March 25: Sean Fullerton Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 March 3: Allston Police March 4: Acoustic Nation March 5: Mystic River Band March 9: Brett Brumby March 10: Jim Devlin March 11: The Road Dawgs March 12: Hot Letter March 16: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 18: Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge March 19: Hit the Bus March 23: Ricky Duran March 24: Hit the Bus Duo March 25: Russo Bros Jazz Quintet March 26: Jim Devlin Band March 30: Mike Melendez March 31: Keith Kenney Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 March 3: Steve Agnellis

On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford 508-987-5397 Padavano’s Place 358 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-823-3022 Thursdays: DJ/Karaoke with DJ Bruce March 4: A Ton of Blues March 5: Take Two March 6: Jim Carnazza & Mike Odgen Jazz Duo March 11: The Two Yoots March 12: Ricky Duran March 13: Brett Brumby March 18: Jim Perry March 19: Auntie Trainwreck March 19: Auntie Trainwreck March 25: The Josh Briggs Duo March 26: A Band of Brothers March 27: The Dale LePage Trio Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. 508-797-9696 Park Grill and Spirits 257 Park Ave., Worc. Sundays, Fridays, Saturdays: Dick Doherty’s Beantown Comedy Escape March 11: Ricky Durans March 18: The Drunken Uncles Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051

Thursdays, Fridays: Karaoke March 5: Mark & Lizzy Marquis March 12: Backstreet Zero March 17: St Patrick’s Day with Sean Daley March 19: Jim Weeks Band March 26: Back in Time Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. 508-755-4155 Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc. 508-792-4263 Wednesdays: Bike Night with Sheldon’s Harley Thursdays: DJ Tec Threat Fridays: DJ One 3 Saturdays: DJ Reckless Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc. 508-756-7555 March 5: Pete Levesque Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster 508-943-0404 Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. 508-856-9255 March 13: St. Patrick’s Post Parade Party with Chris Reddy Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry Show March 3: Metal Thursday: Hessian, Amadus, Ancient Power, Godeater March 5: Whiskered Wonderland IV March 13: Witchaven, Steel Bearing Hand, Led To The Grave, Birnam Wood March 26: Blood Feast, Iron Force, Seax, Crypter, Black Mass The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133 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 Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 March 3: Jon Short March 4: Brian Chaffee & The Players March 5: Second Hand Smoke March 10: Sean Fullerton March 11: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 12: Caves on Mars March 17: Ethan Caouette March 18: Zack Slik March 19: Doctor Robert March 24: Jay Graham March 25: Scott Babineau March 26: Soulstice March 31: Dan Cormier Sakura Tokyo

640 Park Ave., Worc. 508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000 South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 Saturdays: Live bands March 5: Dirty Deeds (AC/DC Tribute) March 12: Helen’s Hope (Cancer Fundraiser) March 19: Brasilian Dance Band March 26: Great Escape (Journey Tribute) Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614, 877-782-4346 Sunset Tiki Bar/The Outlook 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 The Tavern on Central 3 Central St., Ashburnham 978-827-1272 Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 508-754-3516 Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre 978-355-2224 Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-756-4747 Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-752-9439 Sundays: Big Jon Short March 5: Blueswitch March 11: Ottomatic Slim Whiskey Hookah Lounge 316 Main St., Worc. Whiskey on Water 97 Water St., Worc. 774-578-8829 Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford 508-987-3087 William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner 978-632-7794 Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., W. Brookfield 508-867-9709, 508-867-4139

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

435 ba r & g r ill – L e om in s t e r

By Justin Perry

in dustry b ar room – wor c ester

blac kst on e ta p – w or ce s t e r

l ak e side b ar & g rille – sh r ewsbury

22 THEPULSEMAG.COM | March 2016

padavano’s p lace – wor c ester

vi c to ry b ar & cigar – worcester

park grill & spirits – worcester

smok estac k ur ba n ba r b e cu e – w or ce s t e r

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23

l i f e s t y l e

“Years ago, I would have told you I was crazy for thinking that I’d have such an adventurous career. The point is that nothing is out of our reach – for me or for you.” parvis firouzgar

G ET YO U R DREAM J OB It’s no surprise that people who dislike their boring-but-safe, 9-to-5 jobs tend to be unsatisfied and unsuccessful in their careers. That’s because the first ingredient to success is to do what you’re passionate about, said serial entrepreneur Parviz Firouzgar, author of 20/20 Hindsight. “We all need money to get by, but if you ever have the opportunity to take a chance and do what you actually love, take it,” said Firouzgar, who left a middling corporate job in his early 20s and eventually earned a fortune a few times over. “When I started out, if you had told me that in a few years I’d be an expert in sweepstakes promotions, I would have laughed – but it happened. I went on to learn to grade and price diamonds of any size and quality, became a radio talk show host, invented a new way of supporting needy children around the world, and I now own a gold mine. Those are just some of the adventures I’ve had.” If you don’t like what you do, you will tend to have an aversion to doing what it takes to be very successful, he said. Without passion, it’s almost impossible to distinguish yourself. “If you keep your boring and safe job, you can keep your boring and safe income, but I don’t know how happy you could be,” he said. “Years ago, I would have told you I was crazy for thinking that I’d have such an adventurous career. The point is that nothing is out of our reach – for me or for you.” Through trial and error and after decades of experience, Firouzgar has uncovered reliable tips for achieving your dream job.

Get a mentor.

Imagine having the ability to skip ahead to possessing that unique set of skills that comes with already having earned your first fortune. “Had I known what it would take to earn my first million before I’d earned that knowledge, it would have come much quicker and easier, and that’s why I wrote my book,” Firouzgar said. In the same spirit, he recommends developing a relationship with a mentor who can also help you fast-track success. You’ll want to choose someone who is already successful, so that the advice isn’t some form of wishful thinking. You don’t learn how to get rich from someone with low income. Ideally, you’ll find someone who has experienced hardship in life and at least one major business failing.

24 THEPULSEMAG.COM | March 2016

Learn from failure.

One of the biggest reasons why personal experience is so valuable – and why an ideal mentor has experienced some measure of failure – is because that’s where the most valuable lessons usually lie. Our first success is often fleeting, and, meanwhile, one’s ego tends to get out of control. Then it all comes crashing down, as flawed character traits surface and sabotage what took so much hard work to build. It’s our failures that positively mold the most important features of our character – including humility and gratitude. It’s when we experience and overcome failure that success becomes a sustainable possibility.

Have a plan. Getting excited over an idea is the fun part, but

actually working through how an idea may fare is where the work begins. While investors seek confidence first and foremost in people, a business plan is vital for raising capital. If multiple investors turn down your project, it may mean that the plan didn’t demonstrate how and when the investment would generate an acceptable return. More importantly, it’s a sign your idea hasn’t quite matured in the sometimes hard light of business. Remember, creating a business plan entails creating something where, previously, there was nothing more than an idea. So if you truly believe in your idea, do it justice by putting in the appropriate time, thought and energy.

Make a to-do list.

Among the abundant academic and selfhelp literature intended to help aspirational people achieve goals, there is one proven and reliable tool that sets the gold standard like nothing else: a to-do list. To-do lists act as cheat sheets for keeping your busy mind focused on what needs to be addressed at any given time. Entrepreneurs need to multi-task to an extent. A list will keep you straight, and since you’ll be adding to the list regularly, make sure to cross out tasks that have been accomplished. “An added tip for a to-do list: Do first what you like doing least,” Firouzgar said. “Even very disciplined people push off what they dislike. But if you get in the habit of accomplishing unattractive duties in the morning, the rest of your day can be that much more pleasant.” For 25 years, Parviz Firouzgar has founded several multi-million dollar companies. He started a mortgage company that employed more than 500 loan officers and has written business plans for start-up companies that have helped them raise millions in capital. After he discovered a new way of raising funds, he expanded into the charitable arena. Most recently, he has been in the precious metals and diamond business, including owning a gold mine. Parviz was a radio talk show host and a long-time instructor for Income Builders International (IBI), now called CEO Space, an entrepreneurial forum with internationally recognized instructors.For more information, visit parvizfirouzgar.com.

OUT+ABOUT: A retreat for LGBT vets

By John Trobaugh It was not long ago that I would have had to lie to join the military. In addition to other changes, our country’s military has changed significantly. With that, however, come additional challenges. The founder and executive director of Project New Hope, Bill Moore, said, “The military veterans keep to themselves, but the LGBT veterans keep to themselves even more!” Veterans – and especially LGBT veterans – are not easy to reach with services. Project New Hope’s mission is to assist veterans and their families with PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, marital issues, chronic pain and suicidal thoughts and other issues. It is a nonprofit service organization, and one of the ways Project New Hope delivers services is through annual retreats. One of the board members had a relative who was gay and asked about services for LGBT veterans. The board decided that this would be a good themed retreat to try and see if people would use it – and they did! This is special because the retreats provide a holistic approach, and there is no cost to veterans or their families. The veterans are encouraged to bring their spouses and children. There are special program for the kids, so the parents can fully focus on their workshops and networking, as well as massage and acupuncture. This year, Navy SEAL Kristin Beck will be the special guest at Project New Hope’s LGBT retreat, which will be held March 11-13. She came out in 2013 and served on several highprofile missions in the Middle East. “I do not believe a soul has a gender, but my new path is making my soul complete and happy … I hope my journey sheds some light on the human experience and, most importantly, helps heal the socio-religious dogma of a purely binary gender,” Beck said. I know many LGBT veterans in our area who would benefit from this retreat, which is open to any LGBT veteran. Moore said veterans are also welcome to just come on Saturday if they are unable to come for the whole weekend. I also asked about what happens after the retreat, and Project New Hope continues to follow and provide resources to all the veterans that attend the retreats. That is pretty special, since it is an all-volunteer organization! For more information, visit projectnewhopema.org/retreats.

Other Local Events: Worcester Pride will participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the first time! We will have a marching group and need your participation; worcesterpride.org. LGBT Networking for Professionals is held on the second Wednesday of every month; worcestergayprofessionals@gmail.com. AirSpray at Electric Haze! Dance, dance, dance on the third Friday of every month; airspraywstr@gmail.com. LGBTQ Meetup is always offering events, from karaoke to hiking; meetup.com/LGBTQ4CentralMA. New England Pride TV with Dale LePage is coming (Dale may even let me co-host sometimes!; NEPrideTV@gmail.com. As always, please let me know about your LGBTQ+ event at outandaboutworcester@gmail.com. For more information, visit worcesterpride.org

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 25

F O O D & D R I N K

The muse By Christina Rossetti Although having spent nearly 30 years in the restaurant business, it was not always John Rinaldo’s intent to enter the bar industry, let alone become the proprietor of his own establishment. The Muse, in downtown Worcester, is looking to offer something new to the area. The venue currently offers an extensive selection of both cocktails and beer but lacks the distracting televisions that one typically finds in bars. “I just wanted to create something that other places would aspire to be. People can come here and meet new people or hang out with their friends in an environment that might be more than what the typical Worcester bar has to offer,” Rinaldo said. Located directly across from the Hanover Theatre, The Muse is placed to attract theater-goers, and Rinaldo hopes to further aid in the cultural development of Worcester. The bar is one of the many businesses attempting to revitalize the city, and it attracts a mixed crowd that reflects its atmosphere. The bar also boasts an extensive art collection, as it is home to a commission-free

a unique gallery adds to the atmosphere Rinaldo hoped to create for The Muse, which he describes as “a place where people can hang out and have conversation.” And there’s a lot of drink choices. “We really want to be known as a cocktail bar more than anything else. We’ve created our own recipes that other places may not have,” Rinaldo said. This in-house creation gives the bar an added edge against other local competitors. “We’re constantly changing. We’re trying to do things that other places aren’t doing – or doing as much of.” But The Muse is also a work in progress, with live music and food on the horizon. “Unfortunately,” Rinaldo said, “We don’t currently have the area to serve food, so we’re in the process of changing that.” There is no kitchen within the establishment yet, although one is currently in the works. “Hopefully, it will be introduced within the next three to four months. It will totally change the whole vibe of the place.”

gallery. Rinaldo spoke of his friends within the art community as the inspiration for the gallery. “They always talk about how expensive galleries are. I thought it

The Muse has recently received a license for live music. Rinaldo said he hopes to

would be great to promote Worcester and Worcester’s artists.” The inclusion of such

begin booking a few live acts for Saturday nights within the coming weeks.

pulsebrew: Worcester’s hidden brewery

By Kerry Cyganiewicz I had heard talk of a brewery on Cambridge Street since it opened about a year ago. I drive down Cambridge Street quite often, but I never saw a brewery or any signage, so it’s been an “out of sight, out of mind” kind of thing. I’ve been meaning to stop in, but life has just taken over and other craft beer destinations have become my destination – but not today. On the day I was to meet with Dave Howland, the owner and brewer at 3Cross, I had difficulty finding the brewery. Then, it hit me: It’s the old Playoff Arcade! This is actually an excellent location for a brewery/tap room; it is enormous inside – 5,500 square feet – and has a large parking lot. 3Cross will need that space with the entertainment it offers. There are trivia nights, and local musicians such as Big John Short, The Hip Swayers and Zack Slik have played here recently. 3Cross gets its name from the classic spoke-lacing pattern of a bicycle wheel. They are cyclists here, and this is a bicycle-themed brewery. In addition to a large amount of bicyclethemed decorations on display, there are numerous places to store your bike should you take a ride down, which is encouraged. Some beer names are cyclist-centered, including SingleSpeed, which is a single-hop IPA utilizing whatever hop Howland is liking at the time. Speaking of beers, there is an ever-rotating selection. While some breweries become pigeonholed, 3Cross brews an ever-changing variety of beer. Over the past few weeks, I have seen a Baltic porter, a single-hop IPA, a brown ale, a milk stout and a strong Belgian ale. Howland sometimes leaves the beer as is; sometimes, he introduces chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon or other flavors. If you are not in the mood for a beer, he also offers other beverages. The night I was there, a house-made ginger beer was on tap, as well as a kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented green tea beverage that is not only refreshing but has a high probiotic content that some claim has health benefits. The bottom line: There is always something different here. Howland is not like most brewers. While most are looking to expand as far as they can while increasing production, Howland just wants to be known as a great local brewery with a tap room, a neighborhood pub. According to the 3Cross website, “Our focus is on serving our community, and we want to be known as a local, Worcester brewery. Our taproom will always come first, and it’s unlikely that you’ll ever see 3Cross beer sold too far from Worcester. “ Presently, you can only purchase 3Cross beer at the brewery. You can either enjoy a glass in the tap room or you can purchase a growler to take home. Dave told me he has plans to distribute to a location or two locally, but I will let him break that news. For more information, visit 3crossbrewing.com.

March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

dining review:

make clintonS a dining destination By Bernie Whitmore

friend and me through our craft brew selections.

Of all the towns surrounding Worcester, Clinton has long stood out as a dining destination. Not so much for its breadth of cuisines, but for a couple rock-solid restaurants that have kept the town on the map. With the loss of The Old Timer and Via Alta 27, the status of dining destination seemed at risk.

Enough background. The real Clintons story is the food, and in that regard, things got off to a great start with my appetizer of Slow Roasted Beets topped with chunks of creamy goat cheese and toasted glazed pecans. All this under a nest of crunchy-fresh julienned Bartlett pear. Each ingredient contributed a succinct texture, but the rich beet flavor, augmented with a balsamic reduction, was never muffled. Indeed, to really ignite these flavors, a toss of raspberry crystals, like pixie dust, was sprinkled over the dish. Each little red crystal, now activated by the moisture of the pears, packed the intense tang of a fresh raspberry.

Happily, a new place has opened in the Via Alta 27 storefront, and after an initial visit, we can report that Clintons Bar & Grille would be a strong contender in any town. Judging by the size and enthusiasm of the crowd enjoying mid-afternoon lunch on a recent Saturday, Clintonians are fully embracing this good fortune. Clintons’ dining room retains the acoustic signature of a large, open space, with an exposed kitchen and bustling bar. In my opinion, that’s a good thing, because its Moby-leaning music theme is able to drift over, without impeding, conversations and the business of running a restaurant. This is a space that once housed a small town department store – complete with balcony and large plate-glass windows looking out on a commercial street. Stephanie, our server, noticed me snapping interior photos and remarked, “Isn’t this place beautiful? Until you look out the window and see Aubuchon [hardware store] across the road, you forget you’re in Clinton.” Her enthusiasm proved unflagging and, though she readily admitted to less than a passion for beer, she guided my

Slow roasted beets

On the other end of the cholesterol spectrum was my friend’s bowl of Creamy Lobster Bisque. Velvety and luxuriously refined, it was a pale-yellow color and decadently crammed with big chunks of tender lobster meat. Perfect on this frosty February afternoon. Either of these selections would be a delightful beginning to the finest of dinners. But lunch is about sandwiches, right? My selection was the Black Pastrami on a pretzel bun that was glossy, moist and glistening brown. Thick slices of pastrami were topped with Swiss cheese – all of it stuffed way beyond the bun’s holding capacity. Too often when ordering a sandwich or burger, I forget to request Dijon mustard whilst the server is still at

creamy lobster bisque

the table. Then, I have to go searching for a bottle. And, jeepers, didn’t it happen again! This was especially annoying because the menu stated “Dijon mustard.” Yet, there was none in sight. Stoically, I sampled a few fries and then took my first bite of the sandwich. If condiments can produce rapture, this was it! My sandwich gushed with tangy Dijon mustard! Each bite was a feast of peppery pastrami, melty cheese and a slathering of Dijon. The hoppy, bitter nuances of my glass of Long Trail Brewery’s Limbo IPA paired perfectly with pastrami. And my friend was similarly responding to his 10-ounce Black Angus Burger. Yeah, it was done medium-rare as ordered; thick and juicy and stacked with the layers of lettuce, a tomato slice and molten Swiss cheese. But when it came to flavor, the chef had laid down a rich char on the exterior of this beef patty that took it to a higher plane of deliciousness. Paired up with a glass of Magic Hat’s Single Chair Golden Ale, this was “total burger satisfaction.” Both sandwiches came with a mini-basket of French fries and a thick dill pickle spear. It proved a very robust lunch, and when we had finished, Stephanie tried to sell us on dessert. So far, her recommendations had proven stellar; she’d earned my complete trust. But, alas, we were no longer hungry; dessert, as well as Clintons’ imaginative dinner menu, will have to wait for return visits. I’m confident there will be many.

black angus burger

black pastrami

hotandnow: What’s hot and what’s happening now in the restaurant scene

By Paul Giorgio

What a hot tomato. Belmont Street in Worcester will soon be home to a new informal restaurant. The Oliveri family – which owns Peppercorn’s in Worcester and Oli’s in West Boylston, among other ventures – will be opening Oli’s Tomato Pie. The pizza and sub shop will be at the site of the old D’Angelo’s on Belmont Street in Worcester. We hear the family will open others in the future. They will also be opening a gastro pub in Westborough. We will get you more details on that. Speaking of restaurant families. The Sakart family, which owns the El Basha restaurants on Worcester’s Park Avenue and Belmont Street, as well as one in Westborough, is celebrating 25 years in business. This is a great immigrant story. The family came to Worcester from Lebanon and started a business that has lasted 25 years. How are they going to celebrate? They will be opening a fourth El Basha in Sudbury soon. It’s not a mirage. We hear that work is progressing on the old Le Mirage restaurant at

the corner of June and Chandler streets in Worcester. Richard and Diana George will open Dianna’s Neighborhood Bistro at the site. The restaurant will be BYOB. Look for a midMarch opening.

In other Worcester restaurant construction news. A whole host of new Worcester restaurants will be opening in the coming months. Here is update about some restaurants that we know about. Work on the Oak Barrel, which will replace Tweed’s on Worcester’s Grove Street, is progressing at a fast pace, and it will open in April. While we are on Grove Street, we can report that The Fix Burger Bar will open in May at the site of the former Northworks. Further up the street, Quinn’s is moving in along on West Boylston Street. This is in the space that once housed Banana Joe’s, a vegetable stand. The concept will be pub food. Lock 50, on Worcester’s Water Street, should open in the middle of this month. This decidedly upscale restaurant (based on the beautiful construction) will be a welcome addition to the Canal District. Raise a new banner. Speaking of the Canal District, we hear that the Banner, a widely

popular watering hole on Green Street, has been sold to Matt Ormond. Matt was born into the bar business. His father, Jackie, was the longtime owner of Bennie’s Café at the Summit.

What does a vintage pig get you? In this case, top honors at the Fork it Over fundraiser for the Girl Scouts. Figs & Pigs and Vintage Grille took the top honors for their savory and sweet recipes, which included Girl Scout cookies, in February. The judges picked Figs & Pigs’ Samoas-inspired Vietnamese Caramel Pork as the best savory dish and Vintage Grille’s Crème Anglaise Milkshake as the best sweet dish. Peppercorns came in second and won People’s Choice for its Samoas Shrimp Cake with Crispy Bacon and Grilled Pineapple. The second place sweet dish was Niche Hospitality’s Girl Scout Cannoli. Nine restaurants participated at the annual event, held at Worcester’s Beechwood Hotel. March 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29

sports&fitness

Worcester is going pro By Zachary Martucelli

O’Brien has served on the ECHL’s Board of Governors and spent several

Struggling to endure the endless frozen wastes of a seemingly desolate planet of ice,

years juggling multiple roles with the NHL’s

doomed to an eternal winter, is a familiar scenario in the greater Worcester area. Luckily,

New York Islanders. But – above all else – O’Brien is a family man. With two sons, one

come October 2017, citizens of Worcester can finally see all that ice put back where nature intended it: indoors. Last month, the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) unanimously approved the formal admission of Worcester into the ECHL – bringing hockey back to the heart of the Commonwealth. Ever since the Worcester Sharks evacuated the iced waters of the DCU Center in 2015, it seemed hockey in Worcester was over. However, after an influential pitch – principally spearheaded by Worcester Pro Hockey owner, Cliff Rucker – the impressed ECHL Board of Governors agreed that hockey’s future in Worcester would be successful, thanks largely to the “broad-based community support,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. Worcester will become the 29th member of the ECHL, an established league, now in its 30th season. “We look forward to working with our staff to put together a winning team that serves as a great ambassador of our region throughout the United States and Canada,” Rucker said. Determined to live up to this promise of success, Worcester Pro

of whom is a passionate hockey player and fan, O’Brien said he will “treat his staff like family,” stressing the importance of the term “hockey club,” in which everyone works cohesively and cooperatively. As for what the return of pro hockey means for the city of Worcester, CEO of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce Tim Murray foresees an economic boom. The Worcester ECHL team “will bring world-class athletes and hundreds of thousands of hockey fans annually into the city,” Murray said. “These visitors will frequent area restaurants, hotels and bars, growing our local economy and creating jobs.” In the spirit of O’Brien’s dreams for the forthcoming Worcester professional hockey team, it is crucial to remember that Worcester thrives off of the energy of its community. With a stable and energized community comes a sustainable economy that ultimately yields success and well-being for all involved in the journey. In the end, hockey fanatic or not,

Hockey announced that its new president and general manger will be Toby O’Brien.

“we are all going to be a hockey club.”

O’Brien, born and raised in Dorchester, has a cumulative 20 years of experience in the

To celebrate the return of hockey to Worcester, there will be a free Fan Fest at the DCU Center

pro hockey world, beginning in 1996 with ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs. With the Chiefs,

from 1-4 p.m. April 3, with children’s games and activities on the court and local Worcester

O’Brien held roles such as head coach, general manager and president. Additionally,

bands. For more information, visit dcucenter.com or worcesterprohockey.com.

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N OR TH

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

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

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

a r t & c u lt u r e

ArtsWorcester and Worcester Center for Crafts bring new art to Worcester By Christina Rossetti Two arts powerhouses are joining forces to showcase the new work of regional artists. ArtsWorcester and the Worcester Center for Crafts will show NOW! New Art by New Artists, which will highlight the works of “regional artists in the early-to-mid stages of their careers, born since 1975.” The works will be housed at both locations and on display from March 18 to April 16. This is the first collaboration between ArtsWorcester and the Worcester Center for Crafts. The collection is specifically aimed at presenting the works of younger artists, allowing those who may not otherwise be included in other exhibits the opportunity to display their work to fellow community members. Juliet Feibel, of ArtsWorcester, said attendees can expect to see a different structure than many art shows. “Younger artists don’t always find the traditional divide between art and craft very useful. We hoped to highlight artists working in both these genres and between them, artists whose work might not be easily categorized and is sometimes all the better for it. It’s important for audiences and fellow artists alike to keep bringing in new work and new approaches.” As this exhibition differs structurally from those typically curated in the past, Feibel said, “We have gotten some heat for limiting participation to those born in or since 1975. But it’s crucial to keep new ideas and new artists circulating. The creative dialogue that results sustains and inspires artists of all ages.” Those behind the exhibition hope to broaden the sense of community among local artists, as the collection will house works created by individuals within the same region. When discussing the collection, Feibel said it will “introduce different circles of artists and approaches to each other.”

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Feibel also said the exhibition comes with a goal. “We wanted to broaden the geographical reach of both of our organizations and to bring to the forefront artists that are not yet known to our usual audiences. The prizes, particularly the opportunity for a solo exhibition or to curate a solo exhibition, will incentivize participation from those new to our community. We think it will be electric, and, of course, new and very ‘now.’” Although they have yet to receive submissions, those working on the project anticipate that the collection will likely be diverse in nature, including a broad range of approaches and mediums by local talent. The NOW! exhibition page states that submissions may be of varying forms, including sculpture and fabric, as well as more traditional mediums, serving to highlight the works of artists that might not be included in other collections. Feibel said she hopes the exhibition will inspire young artists. “It’s one thing for an artist to go to the ICA [Institute of Contemporary Art] and see international artists at the mid-point or peak of their career. While inspiring, it can feel like an impossible dream.” This collection will be about artists that are members of the community and close at hand. Feibel said, “When you can see the work of people living near you, and whose educational and career trajectory looks a bit more like yours, you’re in a better position to learn from them, and, in this case, have the opportunity to meet them in person.” NOW! New Art by New Artists is a joint exhibition, and galleries will be housed at both ArtsWorcester, 660 Main St., Worcester, and the Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester. The exhibit will be juried by Roger Hankins, director of the Cantor Art Gallery at The College of the Holy Cross. There will be an opening reception March 18, and the free exhibits will be open to the public March 19-April 16. For more information, visit artsworcester.com or worcester.edu/WCC.

style&beauty

St. patrick’s day style By Christina Rossetti The very idea of St. Patrick’s Day is enough to make some squirm, not because they don’t love the Irish, but because they don’t know what to wear. March is the time of year that we all are encouraged to dress in varying shades of green. Festivity is one thing, but a head-to-toe green outfit may be difficult to pull off, even for the most daring of style icons. Fortunately, there are more subtle ways to show your St. Patrick’s Day spirit – with pieces that you’re likely to wear more than just once a year. For many, a simple green blouse tucked into jeans completes the look; for others, it’s an olive pant. Finding pieces that complement your personal taste without going overboard is do-able, and limiting yourself to one green statement piece generally will ensure success. Thankfully, shades of green have evolved, and your favorite store is most likely littered with options that won’t make you look like a leprechaun. If you are an individual whose style tends to be more subdued, it may be best to gravitate towards neutral, olive tones this March. Rather than splurging on an outfit you’re only likely to wear once or twice before it finds a permanent home in the furthest recesses of your closet, neutral greens can be easily integrated into everyday looks. Finding an article of clothing like a green skirt or military jacket may save those who prefer to limit themselves in terms of style experimentation, but for those who are even less daring, or simply don’t like green, there are alternatives. If even the thought of committing yourself to a shred of green for the day makes you cringe, it may be easiest and most practical to simply stick to accessories. A little green goes a long way; for a simple festive addition to any outfit, try a subdued green cocktail ring, necklace or shoe. For a bolder look, try a statement bag. Easily able to complete a look, a bag is practical – and can haul around whatever you need for your St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Opting for a bag that matches your personal taste will allow for future use, thus justifying for its purchase. For those who are cautious of the thin line between festive and excessive, there are alternatives this holiday season. There is no need to stress about St. Patrick’s Day; finding a comfortable middle ground can be managed by integrating simple style choices. One place you should absolutely cut loose and dress to the nines? Worcester’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

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stealthestyle: Green with envy

before

after

By Jamie Burke Everybody is Worcester Irish. If you are from Worcester and Irish, you are probably related to everyone and claim to be more Irish than the people next door. I feel like I am a good contender for being wicked Irish in Worcester. My parents are both of Irish heritage; my dad was in an Irish band; and I got married in Ireland to a leprechaun. … so, yeah, my blood is green like a shamrock, and we celebrate our high holiday – St. Patrick’s Day – in style. Although there is no recreating a traditional Irish knit, you can dress up any outfit with a plaid scarf. Tartan plaids are originally Scottish but now fall under the category of Celtic, so you are safe, and if you say that your great-grandfather wore it while climbing Crough Patrick barefoot during the famine, just to go on the yearly pilgrimage with only a potato in his belly, you will be far more believable. With about 30 minutes and $6 and some supplies, you will have a craicing Celtic Irish scarf!

Supplies:

Plaid fabric Sharp scissors or Rotary cutter Pins Iron Needle and thread or Stitch Witchery A scarf pin Whiskey

Steps:

Figure out the length and width of your scarf. I like to compare lengths to my favorite scarves. But for reference, a nice chunky scarf is about 30 inches by 75 inches. This is my goto length for everyone. You can always make your scarf smaller, but I love the chunky look. Next, cut along the plaid lines. This is so easy because the fabric has a built-in ruler. After you cut the longest edges, fold the fabric over about ½ inch and then fold it over again, giving you a nice clean edge. Now, pin these edges in place and iron. It will give you an easy crease to work with. Now, you can either sew the edges or use Stitch Witchery. Stitch Witchery is awesome. You place the tape under the edges, then just iron. It is a temporary adhesive but works wonders. You can buy it for nearly peanuts at any craft or drug store. Once you have the long edges of your scarf secured, cut and fray the short ends for a more authentic look. It is easy. Cut along the edges every ¼ inch or so – about 2-3 inches up – then just pull the strings. Once you have your lush new Celtic Irish scarf, do a little jig and pour yourself some whiskey in a jar, give a toast to my good health and consider all your friends green with envy – because you are far more Worcester Irish now than any of them.

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