AUGUST 2017 IN THIS ISSUE COVER STORY
21 gameon: Injustice 2 is comic book action at its finest
6 worcester’s cheap eats –
every night of the week
22 the central scene
FOOD+DRINK
24 nowstreaming: Katie Dobbins / Katy Perry / A Killer’s Confession
12 new around the woo: The Chameleon 13 Worcester restaurant week brings
dining to the city
30 PulseShots
LIFESTYLE
14 dining review: The Sole is where you go for seafood
32 ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS IN FIVE SIMPLE
STEPS
15 hot & now
33 out+about: Worcester Youth Pride
16 10 ways to s’mores
SPORTS+FITNESS
17 Pulsebrew: Funky Beers
ENTERTAINMENT
34 DCU offers a day of disc golf to kick
18 GEOFF JEWETT BRAVES THE SPOTLIGHT
35 findingbalance: Oh, my back!
off pro event
OF NEW SOLO CAREER 19 pulsebooks: Books to get you through the dog days of summer
BEAUTY+STYLE
20 Woorides goes the extra mile to bring
37 steal the style: Texture Scaping
people together
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26 Club, Pub + grub Listings
36 Beauty reboot
20 READ PULSE ONLINE ThePulseMag.com
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse Follow us on Instagram @PulseMag_Worc Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine
PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com
Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Vanessa Herbold, Art Director Chris Reddy, 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, Audra Brackett, Merilee Kern, Kerry Cyganiewicz, John Trobaugh, Sloane Perron, Jamie Burke, Rachel Shuster Writers
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VOLTURNO PIZZA NAPOLETANA
KYLE SULLIVAN & MITCHELL PERRY
Everyone likes eating out, and in an area with so many amazing restaurants, who wouldn’t? But all those meals can quickly add up and spoil your monthly budget. That’s why we challenged ourselves to eat out every night for an entire week with only three rules: Spend no more than $15 per person (tax and tip included), don’t leave hungry and never eat the same thing twice. Worcester’s restaurant scene makes this task relatively easy with its abundance of nightly meal deals. Fortunately for you, we documented our week of meals so that you, too, can become frugal foodies. 6
August 2017
THE HANGOVER PUB
MONDAY
TUESDAY
VOLTURNO PIZZA NAPOLETANA
THE HANGOVER PUB
72 SHREWSBURY ST., WORCESTER
Nothing helps you get a through a grueling Monday like looking forward to some after-work pizza and beer. Even better is when you can grab a friend and get that pizza buy-one-get-one-free. While you might have to sit at the bar to enjoy this deal, the pizzas at Volturno are nothing like your average bar-made pie. In the traditional Napoletana style, each pizza is made from locally and sustainably sourced ingredients, then baked to chewy, near-charred perfection in a 900-degree wood-fired oven. Buonissima. THE DEAL Buy-one-get-one-free pizzas at the bar with purchase of any additional menu item on Mondays and Tuesdays. WHAT WE GOT & WHAT IT COST $17 – Polpette pizza: beef, pork and veal meatballs, with creamy ricotta, mozzarella and San Marzano sugo. $0 – Calabrese pizza: Berkshire pork sausage with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, scallions and crema. $6 - Be Hoppy IPA (brewed right next door at Wormtown Brewery).
TOTAL AFTER TAX & TIP: $29 .26 THE BOTTOM LINE When it comes to eating cheap, Volturno’s two-for-one deal certainly saves you some dough without sacrificing fresh flavors and a full belly. Combine that with a trendy atmosphere and friendly bar staff, and you have the perfect place to grab a slice of Italy any Monday or Tuesday night.
102 GREEN ST., WORCESTER
Known for its brunch, bacon and craft cocktails, The Hangover Pub has been one of Worcester’s hottest spots since the restaurant opened its doors in 2016. Crafted to offer something for everyone, the menu is every bit as hip as the decor and the staff. With daily deals including $2 tacos, $2 White Castle sliders or $5 flat breads, you can be sure to find a great meal that won’t break the bank. THE DEAL Taco Tuesday – Tacos ranging from $2-$5. WHAT WE GOT & WHAT IT COST $14 – Seven Pulled Pork Tacos ($2 each): Flour tortillas piled high with pulled pork, cabbage and jalapenos. $5 – One Seared Scallop Taco ($5 each): Flour tortillas topped with big, juicy seared scallops. $1.86 – Diet Coke. $1.86 – Iced Tea.
TOTAL AFTER TAX & TIP: $29 .06 THE BOTTOM LINE Taco Tuesday is a classic, and The Hangover Pub does it just right. These tacos are surprisingly filling and packed with amazing flavors. The selection changes each week, but the deal doesn’t. You’ll have to visit several times to try them all and find your favorite.
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LOCK 50
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
LOCK 50
PARK GRILL & SPIRITS
50 WATER ST., WORCESTER While choosing our locations for the meal deal challenge, we took into consideration not just saving money, but also leaving each restaurant full and satiated. For this reason, we generally avoided appetizer-focused promotions. This summery Wednesday evening, however, we couldn’t help but indulge in some sweet, briny oysters on Lock 50’s breezy patio at just $1 per oyster. We ordered eight each, along with an assorted trio of warm, crusty breads accompanied by some EVOO and whipped butter. THE DEAL $1 oysters on Wednesdays. WHAT WE GOT & WHAT IT COST $16 - 16 oysters. $6.75 – Bread basket.
TOTAL AFTER TAX & TIP: $28 .94 THE BOTTOM LINE This might not be the deal for you if you’re looking for a full meal under $15, but if discounted decadence is your MO, look no further than Lock 50’s oyster night. We enjoyed our food and the warm summer breeze out on the bustling patio, which was filled by the sounds of live music and happy patrons.
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August 2017
257 PARK AVE., WORCESTER
What’s better than a big, juicy burger on a warm summer evening? One that’s half price! The menu is made up of all-American favorites, including pizza, wings, pastas and more, and the full bar is there to help you wash it all down. Its casual atmosphere, which often features live music, makes Park Grill the perfect place to wind down. You just might find yourself coming back for burgers every week. THE DEAL Burger Thursday. All burgers are half-price with the purchase of any additional menu item. These can range from $5-$7, depending on which one you choose. WHAT WE GOT & WHAT IT COST $11.90 – Two Bacon Marmalade Burgers: ½-pound Angus beef burger piled high with bacon, marmalade, onion strings, red onion, lettuce and tomato. Every burger comes served with a side of fries and a pickle. $2.25 – Unsweetened Iced Tea. $5 – Wormtown: Be Hoppy IPA
TOTAL AFTER TAX & TIP: $25 .49 THE BOTTOM LINE Coming in at well under our $30 budget, this deal is spectacular if you are looking to get full for cheap. The meal left us stuffed. We would have left a few bites on our plates if we could have pulled ourselves away from those mouthwatering burgers and fries.
QUINN’S IRISH PUB
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
QUINN’S IRISH PUB
FUNKY MURPHY’S
715 W. BOYLSTON ST., WORCESTER Nothing says Friday like a hearty plate of fish and chips, and Quinn’s Irish Pub offers
its take on the classic dish for just $9.99. Despite the considerable crowd, we barely
had to wait for our waitress to return with our orders, although it was clear after a single bite that the food was freshly made. A generous portion of perfectly crisp, moist
fish sat next to a pile of crunchy fries on a sheet of newspaper, along with a pile of creamy coleslaw. THE DEAL $9.99 Fish and Chips on Fridays. WHAT WE GOT & WHAT IT COST $19.98 – Two Fish and Chips.
305 SHREWSBURY ST., WORCESTER A Shrewsbury Street staple, Funky Murphy’s is a no-frills Irish pub serving up solid food at a great value. While the sports-bar environment can be a bit overwhelming on a Saturday evening, the open-window seating and back dining room are welcoming options. With daily deals throughout the week, you can always find some quality, wallet-friendly food. THE DEAL Half off Queen and King Cut Prime Rib with purchase of any additional menu item on Tuesdays and Saturdays. WHAT WE GOT & WHAT IT COST $17 – Two King Cut Prime Ribs: 12-ounce prime rib cut served with mashed potatoes, vegetables and drippings gravy. $3.99 – German Pretzel Appetizer: Two soft German pretzels, lightly salted and served with a melted cheese dip. $2.50 – Diet Coke.
TOTAL AFTER TAX & TIP: $25 .41
TOTAL AFTER TAX & TIP: $30 .00
THE BOTTOM LINE
THE BOTTOM LINE While many choose Funky Murphy’s solely for the drinks, the food was surprisingly delicious. The King Cut Prime Rib was lean, tender and flavorful. Despite maxing out our budget, the heavy discount on our entrees allowed us to split an appetizer while sticking to the $30 limit.
We couldn’t think of a single thing we would change about our experience at Quinn’s. The service was fast and friendly, the food was filling and well prepared, and the deal was unbeatable.
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GEORGE’S CONEY ISLAND
SUNDAY GEORGE’S CONEY ISLAND 158 SOUTHBRIDGE ST., WORCESTER We would have committed a grave error had we not ended our week of frugal binge eating at one of Worcester’s most iconic eateries: George’s Coney Island Hotdog. The nearly
100-year-old restaurant is instantly recognizable to Worcester natives and passersby alike by its giant neon sign, which is said to have been modeled after the hand of founder George
Tsagarelis holding up one of his famous franks. The restaurant rightfully boasts its persistence through history, having “endured through a depression, two world wars and a dozen presidents.”
When it came down to ordering, we knew the only logical option was to go for the “Woostah Special,” which is comprised of a Polar soda, a giant local, half-sour pickle, a Table
Talk pie (baked just a mile or so away) and, most importantly, two hot dogs. For toppings, we went with “The Works,” which comes with chili sauce, mustard and onions. All of these specifically local components were packaged-priced at just $6.50. While it may be more than the 5-cent dogs served up back in the day, it’s still a considerable deal by modern standards.
THE DEAL The Woostah Special: Two hot dogs, a Polar soda, a giant half-sour pickle and a Table Talk Pie for $6.50, available any time. WHAT WE GOT & WHAT IT COST $13 – Two Woostah Specials.
TOTAL AFTER TAX & TIP: $16 .78 THE BOTTOM LINE George’s Coney Island mixes its admirable history, unique atmosphere and solid food for the ultimate spot for cheap eats any day.
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August 2017
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F OOD+ DRI NK
NEW AROUND THE WOO
THE CHAMELEON
RACHEL SHUSTER
Located at 166 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester, The Chameleon, which opened in June, is staying true to its name and featuring an ever-changing menu. Worcester native and Chameleon owner, Joe Herman, took over the restaurant from the general manager of the former The Usual and decided to do something different with the space. “Deven Senior (former chef at The Usual) and I sat down and went over some ideas that Shrewsbury Street – the city – didn’t have,” Herman said. “We put down some concepts and got to talking about a menu that could possibly be changed seasonally. That’s how this came about. We decided to focus on different food concepts every season.” To reflect the idea of adapting and changing with the surroundings, Deven’s girlfriend came up with “Chameleon,” which perfectly fits the concept. While the menu is ever-changing, the atmosphere at The Chameleon remains constant, with a huge focus on family and fun. “I’m huge on family, staff-wise,” Herman said. “I like a fun atmosphere. It’s warm and inviting. We renovated the property, redecorated, opened up the layout to make it more inviting and added vinyl graphics, which are changeable and will be switched up as the menu switches up. We added 24 taps and draft cocktails made in-house, including hard lemonades and sangrias on tap.” The Chameleon also has a seating space for 15 people for larger parties and can section off areas near the bar. So what can guests expect from the menu? Herman said that the menu will always be changing, depending on the season, but the menu will also feature familiar items with a touch of the unexpected. “We take what is normal and expected and we do a little twist. It’s not too extreme, but it’s more unique,” he said. For the summer, the menu will focus on barbecue. “You can see items on the menu such as regular staples like ribs, pulled pork, brisket, vegetarian options, falafel, deep fried pork ribs, three different types of burgers, etc.,” Herman said. From there, Herman said the menu will change to German cuisine to comfort food with a twist in the winter. “To come, guests can expect items like jambalaya, chicken and waffles, soft-shell tacos and our special take on street food – Shrewsbury Street Corn on the Cob,” he added. Hate change? Well there’s a menu section for you. “The Always” portion of the menu will feature six or seven menu items that will always be on the menu! “We’ll have items like the tacos, jambalaya and Korean glazed salmon in this section. We might change the sauce or small details to change things up a bit, but we’ll always have them,” Herman said. As for prices, Herman said appetizers range from $8-$12; sandwiches and most meals range from $11-$18; and a couple items like the Full Rack of Ribs, Four Meat Combo and Hanger Steak go up into the $20 range. Herman plans to hold events where a portion of the proceeds will go to different, local charities. There are also plans in the works to put on other events like eating contests! The Chameleon has valet parking on the weekends, and after 5 p.m., guests can park in the lot across the street. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THECHAMELEONWORCESTER.COM OR CALL (774) 415-0885.
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August 2017
WORCESTER RESTAURANT WEEK BRINGS DINING DEALS TO THE CITY VICTORIAHOPE MCAULIFFE
Are you a foodie on a budget longing to indulge in the savory tastes of Worcester without breaking the bank? You are in luck; Worcester Restaurant Week will both entice and excite your taste buds, while allowing you to stick to your monthly budget. “Worcester Restaurant Week is a biannual event where restaurants create special menus that feature prix-fixe, three-course meals. It’s a great opportunity for people to enjoy a hearty meal at their favorite restaurants or to try one of the many new eateries popping up all over the city,” said Mitchell Perry, event coordinator of Pagio, Inc., which also owns Pulse. The event takes place throughout the city, in which three-course meals are offered for $25.17. This event is truly an inclusive event for the restaurant community and offers community members the opportunity to shop Worcester’s diverse culinary landscape. Diversity and affordability draws Perry in to the event, as well. “Worcester Restaurant Week is arguably the most popular culinary event in the area and, certainly, our favorite to produce. We love giving people an excuse to get out and experience Worcester’s rich culinary scene and the opportunity to do so without breaking the bank.” Worcester Restaurant Week will run through Aug. 12. No ticket purchase is required; simply order from the Restaurant Week menu at a participating restaurant and you will receive a three-course meal for $25.17. Worcester Restaurant Week is presented by Pepsi and Unibank. Other sponsors include Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, Percy’s Appliance Store and Discover Central Massachusetts, as well as Wachusett, Yuengling, Harpoon, Corona, Coors Light and Samuel Adams beers. The event is supported by a host of media outlets, including Pulse magazine, Tasteworcester.com, Vitality magazine, WXLO, The Pike and Nash Icon.
APPROXIMATELY 40 RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATE IN WORCESTER RESTAURANT WEEK, WHICH RUNS THROUGH AUG. 12. FOR A LIST OF RESTAURANTS AND THEIR RESTAURANT WEEK MENUS, VISIT WORCESTERRESTAURANTWEEK.COM OR FACEBOOK. COM/WORCESTERRESTAURANTWEEK. thepulsemag.com
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DINING REVIEW
THE SOLE IS WHERE YOU GO FOR SEAFOOD
BERNIE WHITMORE
“Where to go for seafood in Worcester?” That’s an easy one; the Sole, of course. The Sole Proprietor’s reputation was built on years of quality, service and value. Funny thing, though; as time passed and its popularity seemed to explode, the friends I hang out with found ourselves dining at The Sole less and less frequently. What started out as fun and informal – in the same tradition with the beloved clam shacks encountered on back roads along the coast – transitioned into a place for special occasions and people with a surfeit of discretionary income. Having said that, it remains true that The Sole Proprietor exists as one of very few seafood restaurants in town, and high-quality seafood is something most of us cherish. Time for a return visit! Arriving at The Sole, fortune beamed on us in the form of Buster, the huge inflatable crab straddling the entire roof of the restaurant. That meant a special menu with all sorts of crabby features! We started out with a couple crab specials. First, my friend ordered the Pan Seared Crab Cake. It was served at the end of a rectangular plate nestled under a salad of garden-fresh pea tendrils and thin apple slices. Fermented butternut squash paste was schmeared down the center of the plate in an artful way. He opined, “This is one of the best crab cakes I’ve had. EVER! I say that because it’s filled with crab – no filler!” “So what binds it together? Magic?” I prodded. “I don’t know… panko crumbs on the outside, pan-seared crunchy golden brown. But no bready filler. Nothing to cheapen it,” he rebuffed. While he was experiencing the sublime, the dish before me was a study in how not to treat seafood. In defense of the kitchen, something in my subconscious made me skip right over the first word in the name of my appetizer, Buffalo Fried Jumbo Soft Shell Crab. Every other aspect of that dish was so exciting to me that I let my guard down. Perhaps I could have special ordered it without the spicy glaze. Who would dare to dream of taking a beautiful jumbo crab – a study in delicate seafood flavor – and drenching it in a thick coating of buffalo dressing? Chicken wings – certainly. Creatures fresh from the sea – never. Granted, there were hints of crab flavor when I forked into the very center of the body cavity. I was inclined to conclude that this must be a menu item designed for people who don’t care for the flavor of crab but wish to be included in the Buster celebration. Fortune changed for the better with my entrée of Roasted Dijon Crusted Cape Cod Bluefish. A large fillet was draped in creamy-rich, mildly seasoned mustard sauce studded with chunks of crab. It came with jasmine rice surrounded by an arc of deep green broccoli florets drizzled with sweet hoisin sauce. All aspects of this dish were well conceived, artfully presented and a delight. But let’s have a word or two about bluefish. Many claim it’s too fishy. As if that might be a bad thing. In my opinion, it’s a fish for those who love wholesome seafood. It’s almost always fresh and served as big hearty fillets, especially when ordered in the early summer months when these fish arrive in New England in huge schools and can be hooked by line surfcasting from shore. My friend prefaced his entrée with a cup of Crab & Corn Chowder. Sweet creamy corn, not surprisingly, formed the basis of this chowder crammed with flakes of crab. ’Twasn’t thick enough to hold his spoon upright, but that’s a test I don’t find particularly compelling. I’m more interested in a chowder’s flavor – not starchy, not potato-bound and not overwhelmed by other odd flavors. Corn dominated this one, with flavors of crab sneaking through. Now, on to his Haddock with Lobster Newburg. This was classic a Sole Proprietor/New England seafood dinner. A snow-white, flaky haddock fillet was coated with Newburg sauce crammed with bits and larger chunks of lobster knuckle meat. Served with rice pilaf, it was a dish that proved as bulletproof as ever – my friend had nothing but praise. There was a time when ordering Newburg sauce was a risk; too many chefs were either purchasing it industrially prepared or concocting their own with too much cheap sherry. The Sole’s was always reliable; this evening proved the chefs still have their golden touch.
THE SOLE PROPRIETOR • 118 HIGHLAND ST., WORCESTER • (508) 798-3474 • THESOLE.COM 14
August 2017
HOTANDNOW: What’s hot and what’s happening now in the restaurant scene PAUL GIORGIO
OPENING SOON. Burtons Grill & Bar at the new Lakeway Commons shopping
center in Shrewsbury is set for an August opening. The restaurant will seat 219 indoors, including 186 in the dining room and 33 at the bar. An outdoor patio will
accommodate 30. Burtons Grill & Bar is known for its “allergy awareness,” offering a menu that features vegetarian, paleo and gluten-free options, as well as half portions.
IF YOU HADN’T NOTICED. Bootleggers Prohibition Pub, 234 Chandler St.,
Worcester, announced it is taking a “summer break,” closing until Labor Day. Management’s email read, “Summer is here and with some building renovations on our to-do list, now is the best time for us to complete some projects. We are going to be
closing Bootleggers while we complete the work during these slower summer months. We will reopen in time to welcome the fall!” Bootleggers is owned by Executive Chef Albert Maykell III and his sister, Celeste Maykel Zack. Last year, they closed their other restaurant, EVO, and renovated the spot before opening Bootleggers.
WEST SIDE SUSHI. A new sushi restaurant has quietly opened in the building
that also houses Nancy Chang’s on Worcester’s Chandler Street. Miyazawa recently
opened its doors to rave revives. It serves five at the sushi bar and another 16 people at the four tables. It is owned by Nori Tsukuda, who first learned the art of sushi making at Shiro in Berlin and later at Wanakuyra in Milford. Sushi Miyazawa is located at 372 Chandler St., Worcester.
MORE SUSHI NEWS. It appears that Tanaka, a sushi and Japanese restaurant in
Worcester’s Kelley Square, closed its doors in July. No word if anything else will be moving in.
NEW COFFEE ROASTER. Acoustic Java Roastery & Tasting Room recently turned
on the pots and roaster on at Brussels Street in Worcester. This out of the way place is located behind Rotman’s Furniture near Holy Cross. In addition to their wholesale
coffee business, they will have coffee tastings and lighter fare food options, plus a full coffee menu.
BITTERSWEET ENDING. Sweet Kitchen & Bar on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street
closed its doors at the end of July. Alaina Eisenauer decided to close up shop when her
lease ended. She tried to make the switch to a full-service restaurant, but that never
really took off. Maybe with a name like Sweet, people didn’t realize she did dinner also.
THIS TREE HOUSE IS NOT FOR KIDS. Almost 4,000 people showed up to the surprise opening of the new Tree House Brewery in Charlton recently. According to
the owners, the silent opening was necessary to avoid a major traffic jam. The awardwinning, cult-followed brewery is owned by Damien Goudreau, Dean Rohan and
Brewmaster Nathan Lanier. They expect to brew 150,000 barrels a year at the new facility.
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10 WAYS TO S’MORES JENNIFER RUSSO
There are just some things that go with the heat of summer – the beach, flip-flops, hot dogs, lemonade … and, of course, the dessert that has become synonymous with the season, S’mores. In recent years, I have begun to get a little more creative with these, rather than using the standard graham-Hershey’s-marshmallow combo that we all know and love. Not that there is anything wrong with the basic recipe, but there are so many other options. Try a few of these at your next campfire or family barbecue, and I promise, you’ll wonder what took you so long.
THE PB CHOCOLATE: This is the same as your basic S’more, but instead of using a piece of plain chocolate, switch it out for a Reese’s Cup. Game changer. BANANA-CINNAMON: You heard me right. Use cinnamon graham crackers, sliced bananas, marshmallow and milk chocolate on this one.
S’MOREOS: Use chocolate graham crackers, milk chocolate, marshmallow, and an Oreo cookie. You can even spread the grahams with white frosting before you add the fillings. CARAMEL: Get a jar of caramel ice cream topping and put a teaspoon of it on one graham cracker, then proceed as usual. WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY: Use white chocolate squares, marshmallow and raspberry jam for an interesting twist. Switch out the jam for sliced pineapple for a more tropical twist … or use both. MINT CHOCOLATE: Chocolate grahams, Andes mints or York patties, and marshmallow. STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE: You will need to prep a little for this one. Mix softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until you get that delicious cheesecake taste. Spread on the inside of the grahams and add marshmallow, sliced strawberries and a piece of white chocolate. COOKIE S’MORES: Who says you have to use graham crackers anyway? Use two oatmeal raisin, peanut butter or chocolate chip cookies instead! LEMON ZINGER: Grahams, lemon curd and marshmallow for a tart take on the dessert with a nice summer taste. BOURBON BACON: EVERYTHING is better with alcohol and bacon. Either pre-cook and cool the bacon or buy that pre-cooked stuff. When the marshmallow is done, dip it in a glass of bourbon, then sandwich with the bacon and chocolate.
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August 2017
PULSEBREW: Funky Beers
KERRY CYGANIEWICZ
Funk is not just for music. There is a growing trend for beers to be brewed with different strains of yeast to give beers far-ranging flavors. These flavors can range from mild to wild, with some even incorporating fruit or seeing some time in a wood barrel. These beers are perfect for those who are just coming over to craft beer from wine or if you are looking for a warm-weather beer that is not hop-forward. Cheers!
CROOKED STAVE PETITE SOUR BLUEBERRY, 5.0% ABV This beer pours a clear, light brown with a smallish white head. It leaves lacing in the glass as you drink it. It has a light aroma of blueberry, grass and oak. It tastes similar, with a subtle sweetness from the blueberries that gives way to a lemony, crisp finish. It is not as powerful as most sours and is quite refreshing. There is a little bit of a grassy funk, just enough to get you acclimated to what a sour is but not enough to push one away. This is an excellent choice for a first sour beer to get someone accustomed to the style.
MYSTIC BREWERY SAISON RENAUD, 6.5% ABV This is a personal favorite of mine from one of the most underrated breweries in Massachusetts. This traditional farmhouse ale pours a cloudy, pale orange with a pillow-like white head. The carbonation is ambitious, and there is an aroma of crackers, light pepper, straw, citrus and general funk. It is a dry saison with a full mouthfeel and a balance of flavors that came through on the aroma. No surprises here; nothing coy about it, just an honest upfront representation of a true saison brewed locally. Get to the taproom of you can.
NIGHT SHIFT EVERWEISSE, 5.0% ABV I am a big fan of Night Shift’s line of Berlinner weisses, and this just might be my favorite. This is a Berlinner weisse brewed with strawberries, kiwi and hibiscus. This one pours a pretty pink in the glass with a tiny head that goes away quickly. I do not taste the hibiscus, but in all honesty, I cannot remember the last time I ate a hibiscus petal. The strawberry/kiwi really comes through in both the aroma and the taste, as does some Granny Smith apple and a touch of acidity.
JESTER KING FUNK METAL, 7.0% ABV This is a sour, barrel-aged stout brewed in Texas using well water and wild yeast from the air surrounding the brewery. On top of that, it is unfiltered, unpasteurized and bottle conditioned. You cannot get more natural or wild. It pours a deep black with a rich brown head. As I am pouring it, I catch the aroma of chocolate, tree fruit and vinegar. It is not subtle at all. It tastes of citrus, grapes, earth, coffee, tree fruit and a hint of lemon. So much going on, but yet it is balanced. With each sip it changes. One of the more complex beers I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy.
BROUWERJE VERHAEGHE DUCHESSE DE BOURGOGNE, 6.0% ABV This is a Flanders red ale, a blend of 8-month and 18-month beers that have matured in oak casks. It pours a beautiful reddish brown with a small with head that persistently stays put. There is an aroma of sour cherries and oak, but a cloud of tartness seems to envelop all that you smell. Let me start with what is smooth – the carbonation and mouthfeel are quite gentle and forgiving. The taste and finish are complex. Cherries and vinegar seem to be engaged in an unpredictable dance as you drink this beer, and that is not a bad thing. Sweet and sour play out in interesting ways. This is must-try, perhaps not as your first sour, but please do try this beer at some point.
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E N T E RTAI NMENT
GEOFF JEWETT
BRAVES THE SPOTLIGHT OF NEW SOLO CAREER JASON SAVIO
You can’t be afraid to take chances. That’s the motto Geoff Jewett is living by these days. The former guitarist in local hard rock band Switchblade Suicide has traded in his power chords for a different approach to songwriting, one that he has never tried. The risk is great, but the reward could be even greater. To make it more difficult, he’s doing it on his own as a first-time solo artist. If you’ve been around the Worcester area during the past decade, you likely have heard of Switchblade Suicide. The homegrown rockers hit their stride when they won Best Up and Comers and Best Metal Act at the Worcester Music Awards and then proceeded to open shows for major headliners Cheap Trick and KISS in 2010. They ended up dismantling in 2012, but Jewett decided he wasn’t done yet. Instead of resting on his laurels, the Holden native saw the change as an opportunity. “Once the band stopped, it felt like a good time to buckle down and try something different,” said Jewett. “It was an opportunity to write some music outside of the hard rock genre. I embraced some of my other influences to see where it would take me and started to accumulate a bunch of material.” It’s certainly a scary proposition – going from being a member of successful group to suddenly being on your own, attempting to write and perform a different kind of music. The music in question, according to Jewett, is all singer-songwriter, folk, country and Americana focused. This sounds like a far cry from Switchblade Suicide, but, as Jewett says, it was always there waiting for him. “I have always been a fan of Southern rock, Heartlandtype rock, folk and country as much as hard rock and heavy metal,” said Jewett. “It was music my father used to play and that I started listening to as a kid and listened to while I was playing in Switchblade Suicide. While I was in the band, I was writing songs in those genres
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at the same time as working on songs for Switchblade Suicide.” With a new lease on his music life, Jewett seems to be relishing the moment. He recently performed his first full acoustic show at Vincent’s, where he was able to try out some of his new material in front of a live audience. By the end of the show, two of his former Switchblade Suicide bandmates, Dennis Vasconcelos and Brian Hoffman, joined him on stage for a couple of songs. “Geoff had a killer spot that night, and everyone there was digging his stuff,” said Hoffman, who played bass in Switchblade Suicide. “He did a stellar job that night, and it was so pleasing to see him playing this entire new set of songs, which is fitting and very natural for him. He has a very versatile style, and it’s great to see him out there singing and playing guitar exclusively.” “It was great to be up there with him again,” added Vasconcelos, Switchblade Suicide’s singer. “(It was) just like riding a bike … drunk. We fell right back into our old roles and had a blast.” It may sound like Jewett has glided rather easily into his new solo position, but he’ll be the first to tell you that hasn’t been the case. “There were definitely some growing pains,” said Jewett of his transition from being in a hard rock ensemble to a solo singer-songwriter. “You spend seven years playing with people who have your back, and you have theirs. You work as a team to play and put on the best show you can. As a solo artist, you are up there alone. It’s a different and much more vulnerable feeling.”
to make a connection through your music,” said Jewett. Making that connection doesn’t only happen on stage, however. It also takes root in the studio. Right now, Jewett is in the very early stages of putting together his first solo recording. He’s currently going through material, figuring out what fits together, but doesn’t have anything set in stone for a release date. “As far as writing, I think I am getting better at (tapping) into emotion and telling a story in a song now,” said Jewett. “That being said, a lot of material gets tossed aside. I think it’s a constant development process when you are writing songs. Every time I think I have one that feels right, I want the next one to be even better.” Hoffman can attest to Jewett’s hard work ethic, citing their time together in Switchblade Suicide and the recent gig at Vincent’s. “Now, just like in the past Switchblade Suicide days, he is committed to his music,” said Hoffman. “He puts the work in and takes it very seriously. He spent months and months fine-tuning the Allman Brothers Band’s ‘Come and Go Blues’ for the Vincent’s show, and that is a far from simple song to play.” It doesn’t sound like work when Jewett talks about his commitment to music. Instead, there’s a sense of fun and adventure, an energy that keeps him motivated and looking for more. Always on the move, Jewett plans on visiting Nashville this summer to “learn more about and get involved in the songwriting community there.
Jewett likens the experience to a song written by Chuck Cannon and Shawn Mullins – “The Great Unknown,” in which the narrator is a singer who braves the stage alone.
“I’m looking forward to learning more and being the best writer I can be and, hopefully, being a part of a song that really impacts someone’s life,” added Jewett. “My favorite part is the challenge of sitting down to create a story or moment that never existed before. How cool is that?”
“It really does feel like a void and this great unknown – looking out at a bunch of strangers, hoping you’re going
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SOUNDCLOUD.COM/ GEOFF-JEWETT.
PULSEBOOKS: Books to get you through the dog days of summer KIMBERLY DUNBAR
If you’re a fan of survival shows like Discovery’s Naked and Afraid, then you’ll enjoy South Dartmouth resident Holly FitzGerald’s new memoir, Ruthless River: Love and Survival by Raft on the Amazon’s Relentless Madre de Dios (Vintage Departures). In 1973, Holly and her husband, Fitz, embarked on their belated honeymoon: a year-long backpacking adventure across the world. Everything was perfect until their plane crashed in Peru five months into the trip. Though they survived unscathed, it put them behind their planned travel schedule. In an attempt to get their adventure back on course, Holly and Fitz built a raft to float down the Amazon through Peru and Bolivia. They were on track to make it to their destination in Brazil in the estimated three days when a storm knocked them into a dead-end channel off of the main river, an area filled with caiman and piranha. To make matters worse, the storm robbed Holly and Fitz of their supplies, leaving them lost, hungry and unable to battle the current or find a way out. Unlike modern survival shows, Holly and Fitz had no camera crews or options to “tap out” when things got dangerous. FitzGerald’s real-life tale of survival is one you won’t want to put down. Not all tough situations end happily. In What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen (Little, Brown and Company), ESPN commentator and journalist Kate Fagan tells the heartbreaking story of Madison Holleran, a University of Pennsylvania student who took her own life after struggling with anxiety and depression. On the outside, the 19-year-old New Jersey native seemed to have it all: looks, personality, perfect grades and a promising collegiate running career. But on the inside, Madison struggled with achieving perfection and meeting expectations while adjusting to her first year of college, in which both academics and track proved more difficult than she had anticipated. Madison’s death left her loved ones shattered and with questions, which Fagan attempts to answer. She uses Madison’s texts, emails and social media posts to reconstruct the months leading up to her death. The book is an eye-opening examination of the pressures young people face today and the lack of resources available on college campuses to help students deal with mental health struggles. A must-read for students, parents and college officials everywhere. On a lighter note (but heavy on calories), author George Geary has released Fair Foods: The Most Popular and Offbeat Recipes from America’s State & Country Fairs (Santa Monica Press), a book chock full of recipes that help you recreate your favorite fair foods. Chapters include drinks, sweet and savory snacks, desserts, main courses and one called “Fried Everything,” in which Geary covers the gamut, from lemonade, egg creams and milkshakes to fried Twinkies, fried Coca-Cola and fried butter (?!). The best news: no big deep fryer needed – Geary provides directions on how a stock pot and some (or a lot) of oil can get the job done.
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WOORIDES GOES THE EXTRA MILE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
VICTORIAHOPE MCAULIFFE
On the fourth floor of the Printer’s Building in Worcester, the WooRides team plans for the future of the budding business with excitement and joy. WooRides, the first pedicab service to grace the streets of Worcester, was started by the Soofi family – Imrana, Shahbaz and Ali – and has expanded to include friends Yaovi Tsomana, Josh Averett and Valentine Beluchukwu. If you attended The Taste of Shrewsbury Street, you may have seen them flying up and down the street, pulling their chariot-like cabs effortlessly behind them. WooRides was born of the team’s love for the city and the people in it. Imrana Soofi proudly said, “If I had to do it all over again and pick somewhere to raise my children, I would raise them in Worcester. And I would raise them in Main South.” As natives of the Main South area, Shahbaz, Ali and Imrana Soofi have been able to enjoy the diversity of Worcester firsthand. When asked why they chose to start their business in Worcester, the response was unanimous: “Worcester is home.” The goal of WooRides is to bring the human experience back to transportation; the service allows time for people to slow down and enjoy the moment. Averett reflected on one of his favorite experiences as a pedicab driver, “One of the best rides I took part in was a couple who decided to take a pedicab from the bar they were at and then to a restaurant up the street. Just to slow things down a bit.” So where can you find this eclectic group of entrepreneurs? The company that prides itself on its sustainable values as a “zero carbon emissions company” has chosen to focus on Worcester’s bustling nightlife hotspots to launch the business. You will be able to find drivers zooming around Water, Green and Shrewsbury streets Thursday-Saturday
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nights from 8 p.m. -1 a.m. When asked if there was a maximum distance cut off for pedicab rides, Ali Soofi replied, “Everything is pretty much within three miles of each other. So, we won’t go over that limit.” There was one instance where a dedicated WooRider went above and beyond for his passengers. Beluchukwu gave a pedicab ride from Shrewsbury Street to Kelley Square during the Taste of Shrewsbury Street event. According to Shahbaz Soofi, “We had only intended to stick to Shrewsbury Street and the surrounding area.”
THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT WOORIDES CURRENTLY IS BY VISITING FACEBOOK.COM/WOORIDES. HOWEVER, YOU CAN VISIT WOORIDES.COM OR CALL (508) 9668439 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. WOORIDES PROVIDE SERVICES AT PUBLIC EVENTS, WHERE THE FEE STARTS AT $5 AND INCREASES AN ADDITIONAL $5 FOR EVERY QUARTER MILE TRAVELLED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BOOKING WOORIDES FOR A PRIVATE EVENT, CONTACT THEM FOR A PRICE QUOTE VIA FACEBOOK OR PHONE. WOORIDES IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON AN APP, SO EXPECT THAT TO DEBUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
GAMEON:
Injustice 2 is comic book action at its finest JASON SAVIO
Forget what you think you know about the DC Comics universe. The status quo first got turned upside down in 2013 with Injustice: Gods Among Us, and its sequel, Injustice 2, keeps the pace going in perfect bombastic fashion. Whether you’re a comic book fan or not, there’s no denying it: Injustice 2 is a welloiled fighting game that very well might be the fighting game to which all others are compared. It really is that good and sets the bar to a new high for titles in its genre. Simply put, Injustice 2 kicks ass. If you haven’t played Injustice: Gods Among Us yet, don’t fret; Injustice 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, and the characters provide plenty of backstory in their dialogue to catch you up. Batman and Superman continue to butt heads over how to deal with their enemies while Superman remains locked up for crimes he committed in Gods Among Us. Batman stays true and follows his own moral code of not killing, while Superman – who has gone rogue – won’t budge on his stance that using his Kryptonian powers to decimate anyone or anything he sees as a threat is the right thing to do. As a result, the Justice League is split on whom to follow, causing the once-trustworthy team of allies to square off against one another in a series of battles. They’ll have to put their differences aside this time, however, when a mutual enemy threatens the fate of the planet. Injustice 2, without a doubt, plays to its comic book audience. But that doesn’t mean you need to be an avid follower of superheroes to appreciate it. From a pure fighting standpoint, the mechanics and controlling are crisp and fluid, making for frustration-free gameplay, thanks in large part to its developer, NeatherRealm Studios, the same team responsible for Mortal Kombat. And for all those jaded comic book veterans out there, seeing Superman act like a complete brat should pique your interest enough to feel honest excitement at seeing him get whooped. There is some cringe-worthy dialogue between characters, but hey, whoever expected Swamp Thing to wax poetic? And speaking of Swamp Thing – the list of playable fighters to choose from is a goldmine of DC icons. The playability factor of Injustice 2 lasts long after you’ve completed story mode. The option to upgrade your favorite characters so they can become the best fighters possible is addicting as you surpass level after level of strength and acquire cool new gear that changes their appearance in the process. You can do this through simple exhibition bouts, but the most fun is through the Multiverse. Much like the Towers featured in Mortal Kombat, the Multiverse offers gauntlets of opponents you can face with varying stipulations and challenges added to them. Through the Multiverse you are able to gather the most credits to build up characters’ powers and collect Mother Boxes, artifacts from the DC storyline mythos you decode to collect different in-game rewards. With all of the possibilities and different ways you can customize your fighters, Injustice 2 is the gift that keeps on giving. Unlike other games in its genre, it’s hard to get bored playing Injustice 2. It’s fun, action-packed and fast-paced, just like any good fighting game should be. FOR MORE, VISIT INJUSTICE.COM.
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THINGS TO DO IN
AUGUST 2017 WORCESTER CARIBBEAN AMERICAN CARNIVAL
For the past five years, the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association has brought the flavors and sounds of the islands to Central Massachusetts by hosting the Caribbean American Carnival. A parade featuring traditional dancing, energetic music and colorful costumes will start at the Worcester Common Oval at noon, then proceed to Institute Park. At Institute Park, attendees will find a variety of craft and food vendors to discover. All are welcome! NOON-7 P.M. AUG.27; INSTITUTE PARK, 100 SALISBURY ST., WORCESTER; FREE; WORCESTERCARIB.COM.
27th LATIN AMERICAN FESTIVAL For almost 30 years, CENTRO (formerly Centro Las Americas) has hosted the Latin American Festival. One day a year, downtown Worcester is immersed with the enticing smells of authentic Latin food and the hypnotic beats of traditional Latin music. Make sure to dance your way to the Worcester Common Oval; this is an event your family won’t want to miss. 9 A.M.-9 P.M. AUG. 19; WORCESTER COMMON OVAL, 455 MAIN ST., WORCESTER; FREE; CENTROINC.ORG.
CLUSTERTRUCK FOOD AND BEER FESTIVAL Join the Clustertruck food festival for delicious eats from all over the world, represented by dozens of New England food trucks. Engage with more than 100 local artists of varying mediums and see their one-of-a kind pieces available for purchase. Access the wine and beer garden with an ’80s soundtrack. Parking passes purchased in advance are $10, passes for the wine and beer garden are $15, and gates open at 11:30 a.m. NOON-7 P.M. AUG.26; KALON FARM, 339 SEVEN BRIDGE ROAD, LANCASTER; $10-$69; THECLUSTERTRUCK.COM.
NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH FAIR The Neighborhood Health Fair is an outdoor event to promote health, fitness and fun while educating the public about the Family Health Center of Worcester and local agencies and services. Family Health Center staff will offer health screenings and insurance enrollment assistance to interested community members, and there will be food, music, games, face-painting and much more. 11 A.M.- 2:30 P.M. AUG. 11; 26 QUEEN ST., WORCESTER; FREE; FHCW.ORG.
SUMMER GOSPEL FEST This event is orchestrated to bring diverse groups of artists, individuals, groups, cultures, race and communities together to enjoy the melodious sound of gospel music, good food, free activities, giveaways and more. 1-8 P.M. AUG. 5; INSTITUTE PARK, 100 SALISBURY ST., WORCESTER; FREE; INFO@SPIRITUALLYFABULOUS.COM.
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KATIE DOBBINS / SHE IS FREE
KATY PERRY / WITNESS
JENNIFER RUSSO
MIKE WOOD
Katie Dobbins is a New England-based folk singer who recently released her debut album, She is Free, a record that chronicles her quest for freedom from fear and insecurity and strives to relate to people experiencing the same. It also nods to those people who are the positive influencers for a person daring to achieve their dreams. It is a straightforward and honest CD, similar to some of Jewel’s earlier writing.
There is no denying Katy Perry’s popularity. She’s the most followed anybody on Twitter, recently setting the record as the first person to exceed 100 million followers. But her music – at least for me – well, that’s another story. Perry’s always been better in her recordings than live (sorry, Katy, not throwing shade … just the T). Uber-producer Max Martin has a hand in producing this album, and he may be the very reason Perry is overshadowed by production. We think of Perry as pop personified. But, on this, her fifth studio album, she’s muted – blending into the background rather than emerging as the formidable diva of Roar, or even the fun, candy-pop princess of Teenage Dream.
Katie’s voice reminded me a little of Natalie Merchant’s, with its throaty quality and pure tone. All songs except one, “Bring on the Fire,” are ballads that pay quiet homage to living. “Bring on the Fire” has more of a jazzy sound, with some brass and sultry bar rhythm. I really liked “Daddy’s Song,” which seems to be from the point of view of a child asking the “why” questions about everything she sees. There is a pretty innocence in this song, asking a father where the stars come from, with his simple answer that they live in her eyes. Anyone who has a child can relate. My favorite song on the album though is “Cards on a Tuesday,” which hit home for me. The song is about her special relationship with her grandmother. It speaks to the relentlessness of time and the power of staying true to one’s passions and having a sense of humor and grateful spirit throughout our lives. Dobbins is a special education teacher in Lexington, but since her album release back in May, she has been traveling to various locations to share her songs. She personifies the idea that music will set you free, and we eagerly await to see what else she has to share. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT KATIEDOBBINSMUSIC.COM.
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The songs are a departure for the artist, no doubt. And we get it; pop stars reach that turning point where they want to do or be something different. The problem is, aside from a new, blonde buzz cut, is the “something different” working? Perry uses lyrics to expound on challenges in her life and the world around us, but sometimes they sound, well, silly. Take “Tsunami,” where the double entendres are laid on thick: “So baby come and take a swim with me, make me ripple ’til I’m wavy/Don’t be scared to dive in deep and start a tsunami.” Cool? Or cringe-worthy? You decide. Only time will tell, but in the interim, we anticipate lots of dancing, even if we are still trying to figure out who this artist really is – or has yet to become – if she isn’t Katy Perry. VISIT KATYPERRY.COM FOR THE LATEST, AND FOLLOW HER LIKE 100 MILLION OTHER PEOPLE @KATYPERRY.
A KILLER’S CONFESSION / UNBROKEN JASON SAVIO
The debut album, Unbroken, by A Killer’s Confession, shoots a jolt out of your headphones that doesn’t let up, despite being 13 tracks long. Living up to its name, A Killer’s Confession’s first effort is as heavy and angry as you’d expect. But there is a twist ending to this one. The intro, “Awakening,” is a proper beginning for this record. In it we hear what sounds like someone who has just gone off the deep end and is talking to himself. The majority of the following songs are filled with the prescribed metal screams and deep, angry growls, making a perfect fit for the super heavy power chords and double bass drum that accompany them. The guys receive some help, too, noticeably from the likes of Korn’s Brian “Head” Welch on the title track and OneEyed Doll’s Kimberly Freeman on the radio-friendly attempt of “Sympathy.” All of this is swell but isn’t necessarily surprising. What is, however, are the last few tracks. There are some hints early on that a A Killer’s Confession has some love for the techno flare, but it isn’t until “Judas Kiss” and “Letting Go” that it seemingly turns into different band, relishing the bamdmates’ techno and industrial influences. “Letting Go” features demonic video gametype embellishments that stand out, while the closing “Purification” is a boogeyman stomp reminiscent of Rob Zombie. By its end, Unbroken becomes a tale of two records. It can be viewed as a sign of inconsistency or commitment, but for a band just releasing its first effort, it also shows the potential for growth and longevity. FOR MORE INFORMATION, AKILLERSCONFESSION.
VISIT
FACEBOOK.COM/
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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 B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 978-422-9763 140pub.com The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. 508-755-0879 thebannerbar.com Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: Bill McCarthy Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. 508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com Thursdays: Decades & Genres Aug. 4: Ebonhart Aug. 5: The Band Dennis, Low E & Populace Aug. 9: Wednesday Night Mayhem Aug. 11: Jay Frigoletto and The Diplomats of Funk Aug. 12: Stan Matthews Aug. 16: Beatniks Open Mic Night Aug. 18: Your Mother Aug. 19: Michael Sherry Aug. 23: Wednesday Night Mayhem Aug. 25: Memphis Lighting Aug. 26: Justin Dearborn Aug. 30: Beatniks Open Mic Night Beemer’s Pub & Grill 310 Main St., Fitchburg 978-348-2100 beemerspub.com Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. 508-797-4827 blackstonetap.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 Thursdays: Open Mic Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 Thursdays-Saturdays: Live music Aug. 3: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Bolton Street Tavern 587 Bolton St., Marlborough 508-485-4416 boltonstreettavern.com
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Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008 Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862 brew-city.com Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 bullrunrestaurant.com Aug. 4: Jerry Garcia birthday bash w/ DeadBeat Aug. 6: Big Sam’s Funky Nation Aug. 10: Bob Marley (Comedy) Aug. 11: Janiva Magness Aug. 12: The Corvettes Doo Wop Revue Aug. 17: Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals Aug. 18: Gary Hoey Aug. 24: Davina & the Vagabonds Aug. 25: Jarekus Singleton Aug. 31: Marcia Ball
Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. 508-304-6044 thecompasstavern.com Fridays, Saturdays: DJs Aug. 4: Jay Graham Aug. 11: Ken Macy Aug. 18: The Sage Project Aug. 25: FM Live Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. 508-752-0482 The Cove Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc. 508-363-1888 thecovemusichall.com Aug. 4: Trendkill (Pantera tribute) with DOOMSHOT Aug. 5: MATB, Zombii and Shore City Aug. 11: The Flock Aug. 12: Children of the Korn (Korn tribute) Aug. 13: The Jelly Jam Aug. 18: Undead Fest, featuring The Koffin Kats, Argyle Goolsby and more Aug. 19: Born to Party in the ‘90s Dance Party
Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live music The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster thegazbar.com Wednesdays: Trivia Aug. 3: Dan Cormier Aug. 4: Scott Babineau Aug. 5: Hitchcock Blondes Aug. 11: Kevin Shields Aug. 17: Amanda Cote Aug. 18: Dustin Brideau Aug. 19: Heather Ralston Aug. 25: Ricky Booth Aug. 26: Captain & Salls Orchestra Aug. 31: Danielle Lessard GD Lounge Union Station, 2 Washington Square, Worc. (508) 755-6555 facebook.com/GDloungeandtapas Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-853-1350 greendalespub.com Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy; Local Musicians Showcase Aug. 4: Tony Soul Project
Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 destare.com
Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. 508-757-6977 danceranchandsaloon.com
Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. 508-926-8353 Wednesdays: Toast Masters, Bike Night Fridays: Plant Nite Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) Aug. 3: Fear No Art, Wine & Design Aug. 4: Lisa Marie & Johnny Juxo Aug. 5: Connor Bird Aug. 11: Live Music Aug. 15: Jewelry Night with Lisa Marie Aug. 17: Fear No Art, Wine & Design Aug. 18: Mychael David & Howie Swett Aug. 19: Alias Aug. 25: Jim Perry Aug. 26: Junkyard Heartstrings Aug. 29: Fear No Art, Wine & Design Aug. 31: Sip & Sign Night
Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006 daysendtavern.com
Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster 978-534-0020 chopsticksleominster.com
Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 fireflysbbq.com
Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250
Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden 508-829-3008 flipflopsma.com Aug. 25: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell
Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster 508-943-3871 indianranch.com Aug. 6: Phil Vassar Aug. 13: Dwight Yoakam Aug. 19: Hunter Hayes with special guest Levi Hummon
Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-757-1450 flyingrhinocafe.com
Industry Bar Room 109 Water St., Worc. 508-756-2100 industrybarroom.com
Frank’s 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-420-2253
Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701 ixtapacantina2.com
Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-767-9728 Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750 classicspub.net Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke with Royal Crown Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. 508-798-8385 Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster 978-751-8962
Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 devensgrill.com Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. 508-799-0629 Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 aohworcester.com
Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-753-2995 funkymurphys.com Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 gardnerale.com
Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com Happy Jack’s 785 North Main St., Leominster 978-466-3433 Aug. 4: Brother Stereo Aug. 5: Dave Andrews Aug. 11: Alan Goodrich Aug. 12: Sean Fullerton and his Mad Loops Laboratory Aug. 18: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Aug. 19: Dave Rak Aug. 25: Ken Macy Aug. 26: Amanda Cote Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc.
JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz Continued on Page 29
N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g
N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G
N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g
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Continued from Page 26 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: Josh Briggs on the deck Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. 508-798-2447 leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. 508-796-5177 loft266.com Fridays, Saturdays: DJ Joe T at 11 p.m. Aug. 3: Sam James Aug. 4: Two Timers Aug. 5: Ricky Duran Aug. 10: Ken Macy Aug. 11: Drunken Uncles Aug. 12: Dave O’Brien Aug. 17: Sam James Aug. 18: Dave Ashman Aug. 19: Ashley and Ethan Aug. 24: Sam James Aug. 25: Jay Graham Aug. 26: Dave Mack Aug. 31: Sam James Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc. 508-277-1073 Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. 508-754-0033 martyspub.com MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. 508-799-4521 mblounge.com Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Aug. 3: Dave Brunyak Aug. 4: BitterSuite Aug. 5: Hot Letter Aug. 10: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Aug. 11: Jim Devlin Trio Aug. 12: Spaceout Aug. 17: Mike Melendez Aug. 18: Ghost Train Aug. 19: Abraxas Aug. 24: Jim Devlin Aug. 25: Stubby Philips & The Flatheads Aug. 26: Doctor Robert Aug. 31: The Royal Furs Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com Aug. 4: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Aug. 10: Brother Rex Aug. 11: Jay Graham Aug. 12: Scott Babineau Aug. 17: Night Train Aug. 19: Bill McCarthy Aug. 25: Guiliano D’Orazio Aug. 26: James Keyes Aug. 31: Josh Briggs Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 millstreetbrews.com The Monument Tap 13 Central St., Leominster
978-798-4653 monumenttap.com Saturdays: Live music Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. The Muse 536 Main St., Worc. 508-756-6873 Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. 508-753-4030 Mondays: Comedy open mic The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. 508-340-0318 Oak Barrel Tavern 229 Grove Ave., Worc. 508-755-8047 oakbarreltavernworcester.com Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 508-839-6106 On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford 508-987-5397 Padavano’s Place 358 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-823-3022 padavanosplace.com Thursdays: Karaoke Aug. 18: Tony Soul Project Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. 508-797-9696 thepalladium.net Park Grill and Spirits 257 Park Ave., Worc. Sundays: Open Mic Fridays, Saturdays: Dick’s Beantown Comedy Escape Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 partnerspub.com Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke Aug. 12: Zen at Eleven Aug. 26: Lost Artifacts Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. 508-755-4155 patsiedugans.com Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc. 508-756-7555 The Pint 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-414-1314 Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster 508-943-0404 pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. 508-856-9255
Quinn’s Irish Pub 715 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-459-2025 quinnsirishpub.com Aug. 3: Lizzy Marquis Aug. 4: Ricky Duran Aug. 5: Kevin Shields Aug. 6: Sam James Aug. 9: Little Black Dress Aug. 10: Brian Twohey Aug. 11: Josh Briggs Aug. 12: Tim Pacific Aug. 16: Jesse Garcia Aug. 17: Chris Reddy Aug. 18: Ricky Duran Aug. 19: Chad Clements Aug. 20: Sam James Aug. 23: Little Black Dress Aug. 24: Brian Twohey Aug. 25: Lizzy Marquis Aug. 26: Tim Pacific Aug. 27: Brett Brumby Aug. 31: Chris Reddy Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133 Wednesdays: Open Mic Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville 978-939-7373, 978-939-8321 Rocky’s 139 Water St., Worc. Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. 508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 ryeandthyme.com Aug. 3: Mike Melendez Aug. 4: Dave Harrington Aug. 5: Scott Babineau Aug. 10: Amanda Cote Aug. 11: The Two Timers Aug. 12: Dan Cormier & Ethan Caouette Aug. 17: Jay Graham Aug. 18: Terrifics Aug. 19: L & M Rythym Kings Aug. 24: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Aug. 25: JCDC Aug. 26: Scott Babineau Aug. 31: Sean Fullerton and his Mad Loops Laboratory Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000 seanpatricksrestaurant.com South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 southsidemargaritafactory.com Aug. 4: Mike Livingston Aug. 5: Sean Fullerton Aug. 11: Zack Slik Aug. 12: TC Polk Aug. 18: Dave Andrews Aug. 19: Topher Brew Aug. 25: Amanda Cote Aug. 26: Carl Ayotte Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net Fridays: Live bands
Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 sprucestreettavern.com Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614, 877-782-4346 grotonstagecoachinn.com Sunset Tiki Bar/The Outlook 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 Wednesdays: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell The Tavern on Central 3 Central St., Ashburnham 978-827-1272 thetavernoncentral.com Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 508-754-3516 3gs-sportsbar.com Union Music 142 Southbridge St., Worc. 508-753-3702 unionmusic.com Aug. 12: Open mic with TJ Peavey Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre 978-355-2224 upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com Valentino’s Press & Pour 154 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-530-6130 Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-752-9439 Tuesdays: Boogie Chillin’ Whiskey Hookah Lounge 316 Main St., Worc. Whiskey on Water 97 Water St., Worc. 774-578-8829 whiskeyonwater.com Sundays, Wednesday: Karaoke with DJ Soup Thursdays: DJ Cuzn Kev Fridays, Saturdays: DJ Tec Threat Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford 508-987-3087 StopByTheWhistle.com White Eagle Polish Club 112 Green St., Worc. 774-245-1991 Wednesdays: Karaoke with DJ M Thursdays: DJ M William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner 978-632-7794 williamsrestaurantandtavern.com Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., W. Brookfield 508-867-9709, 508-867-4139 westbrookfieldtavern.com
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BY JUSTIN PERRY
BRITISH BEER COMPANY – WORCESTER
BEATNIK’S – WORCESTER
FRANK’S – WORCESTER
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OAK BARREL TAVERN – WORCESTER
LAKESIDE BAR & GRILLE – SHREWSBURY
MEZÉ GREEK TAPAS BAR & GRILL – LEOMINSTER
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L I FE S T YL E
ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS
IN FIVE SIMPLE STEPS Achieving your dreams can be an intimidating undertaking, especially when the starting point is unclear. Kathy Andersen understands how daunting it can be to take that first step. Anderson survived an abusive childhood, which left deep emotional wounds that continued to haunt her as an adult. She realized she needed to make a positive change in her life and journeyed across the world to discover how. “I decided to literally change my shoes, from corporate high heels to hiking boots,” she recalled. “I needed to step out and experience something different that might get me on a path that was more inspiring, because up to this time, I had been just surviving and getting over what I had experienced.” Here are her tips to achieve your dreams:
1. SLOW DOWN, LIVE IN THE PRESENT AND TRUST YOUR OWN INTUITION. “We run so fast, and if you run through the most beautiful scene on the planet, you miss the beauty and the magic of everything that’s right next to you and in front of you,” Andersen said. “You start to wire your brain around a trusting of your inner wisdom, intuition and judgment, in addition to looking at the rational facts of the situation.”
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2. TAKE FIVE MINUTES OF “MEDITATIVE SPACE” AND VISUALIZE ALL YOU WANT FOR YOURSELF.
4. RESOLVE TODAY TO TAKE ONE STEP. Some of the steps you need to take may not be simple steps. They may challenge you. They may cause you to
question your work, your relationships, your beliefs, This goes for your well-being, health, relationships, work, wealth, spirituality and fun. Allow thoughts for what you want in your life to come to you. Allow the most important thought to stay with you as you leave your meditative space.
3. WRITE DOWN YOUR BIGGEST DREAMS AND STEPS TO ACHIEVE THEM. Putting them on paper makes them real and helps you keep focused. Once you have written down your dreams, it’s time to think about how to achieve them. Andersen recommends breaking each one down into tiny steps, so it’s less intimidating. “Writing and breaking down dreams into achievable action steps (such as who you can ask for help) makes those ideas more real and workable than if we just keep them in our heads,” she said.
your purpose, your passions and your choices. And that is the point!
5. WRITE YOUR RESOLUTION AFFIRMATION.
According to Andersen, “You only need to remember one thing. You hold the choices for your life in your
hands. They belong to you completely. They are yours to
make with each day. And with each day, the adventures of your life await your choices and your resolutions.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT KATHYANDERSEN.COM. Kathy Andersen has helped leaders, organizations and communities transform visions into realities to create impact and positive change for almost 20 years. She holds a master’s degree from
Harvard University with a focus on international development and leadership. Andersen is a master class-trained facilitator in adaptive leadership from Harvard University and a certified facilitator through Jack Canfield Training Companies. Her awardwinning book is Change Your Shoes, Live Your Greatest Life.
OUT+ABOUT: Worcester Youth Pride
JOHN TROBAUGH
Youth Pride began five years ago while I was still president of Worcester Pride. The youth wanted their own programming and dance, since they didn’t have a place to go after the Pride celebration in the park. It has blossomed since then. I spoke with the current leader, Nathan Manna. “In seventh grade, I came out as gay and was bullied because of that. It was terrible, and I ended up leaving the school system. This was where I first felt urgency to change the world and make it a better place for people like me,” Manna said. “When I joined Worcester Youth Pride last summer, I didn’t really consider the possibilities at first. I thought just a single event was wonderful and totally needed. Then, last September, our chair, Leanne Quackenbush, stepped down, and I was elected into the position. This May, we held the first queer prom in the area, and it was a huge success! We had over 90 youth attend; it was actually our biggest event to date. Seeing all of them comfortable and partying was amazing, and I can hardly put it into words. I realized at this point, cleaning up and taking the decorations down from the prom, that Worcester Youth Pride could be so much more. Last month, Youth Pride was recognized as an official subcommittee of Worcester Pride and given an even greater mandate than just a single event a year. Now, we’re planning and creating events throughout the year so that the youth – our future – can find a space to flourish and be themselves.” The current president of Worcester Pride, Peter Bacchiocchi, said, “Five years ago, Worcester Pride initiated a youth committee to focus on the needs of the youngest in our community. LGBTQ youth are among the most vulnerable in our community, yet they also represent our future. Under the leadership of Leanne Quackenbush, and now Nathan Manna, Worcester Youth Pride has flourished and created an identity to best serve the youth in our great community” The current goals for Youth Pride include our annual September dance, now in its fourth year. This dance started it all, and it’s been the only space for people younger than 21 to express themselves after the festivities of Worcester Pride. This year, the dance is at the YWCA on Salem Street and will be from 6-10:30 p.m. Differing from most years, though, we changed the age range. Worcester is a college town, and we wanted to figure a way to include college students in the fun, so this year, the age range is 16-22. There is a strict no alcohol/drugs policy, and we will have a coat check to prevent any prohibited items from getting into the event. When asked about what Youth Pride means to her, Maykenzie Joy Freeman said, “I’ve never felt more proud of who I am than when working with Youth Pride. The love and strength I feel around me while working to better the LGBTQ+ community is so powerful. Worcester Youth Pride helps me to believe that our future is truly colorful. There’s a light on the horizon, and the realm of possibility is the most breathtaking landscape.” FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WORCESTER YOUTH PRIDE COMMITTEE WITH A QUICK SEARCH ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR EMAIL YOUTHPRIDEWORCESTER@GMAIL.COM. Are you proud of something in the LGBTQ+ community? If so, email me about it! John@JohnArt.com.
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S P O RTS+ F I T NESS
DCU OFFERS A DAY OF DISC TO KICK OFF PRO EVENT
GOLF
MAXINE GIZA
Have you ever gotten the urge to join in and throw something while attending a sporting event at the DCU Center? Well, now is your chance. In fact, you’ll be encouraged to propel plastic discs to the best of your ability, thanks, in part, to a collaborative effort among Downtown Disc Golf, Discover Central Massachusetts and the City of Worcester. On Aug. 30, people can reserve a tee time and find out what disc golf is all about. With a pass, people will be able to play disc golf and carnival games, meet vendors and enjoy food at the DCU Center. The event is a kickoff to the Vibram Open, taking place at Maple Hill in Leicester from Aug. 31-Sept. 1. “Our hope is this educational event will hook people who are athletic and may not have known how to get into it,” said Michael Lucey, of Discover Central Massachusetts. “This is sort of a ‘come one, come all.’ Make sure everyone knows the doors are open for people who play competitively.” Driving down Marshall Street in Leicester, you may have seen a flying disc or two on the premier Maple Hill course. If you think disc golf is nothing more than a gym class game, you would be mistaken. The sport has experienced consistent growth over the years, according to Downtown Disc Golf Pro Tour Director Steven Dodge. To that end, a professional player press conference will be held to round out the festivities. “For people who look up to the pros, it’s their chance to meet them, get their autographs and play somewhere they don’t normally play,” noted Lucey. “[The professionals] will be there to celebrate the game and enjoy being engaged with the crowd. This is the first time an event like this has come to the DCU Center, although a similar affair was recently held at the AT&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys call home.”
WHAT IS DISC GOLF ANYWAY? While many people know what golf is and have tossed a Frisbee at some point in their lives, how the two are combined may be a bit more difficult to envision. As you may have guessed, it’s not one of those sports where players are going at lightning speed. Actually, one of the unique things about disc golf is that people of various sizes, ages and backgrounds can excel. No special experience required! “My mom started playing when she was 72, and she does it to stay active, to get outside and stay in shape,” said Dodge. “Her goals are different than mine, and mine are different than those of a touring pro, but it lends itself well to whatever your fitness goals are.” As the name implies, disc golf is akin to regular golf and became formalized in the 1970s. Courses typically consist of nine to 18 holes. Instead of a hole in the ground, like in traditional golf, disc golf courses are comprised of a basket suspended in the air by poles. Players aim to throw a disc into the basket in the fewest number of tries. There are courses sprawled throughout the country. Some venues are as professional as Maple Hill, while others are more simplistic and call state parks home. “It’s holistic. It’s a combination of different mediums,” said Lucey, who described the sport that juxtaposes athletic skill and mental relaxation. “Up here in New England, when we tend to be inside for the winter, getting outside and breathing in nature is very good for your soul.” FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PRICING, VISIT DCUCENTER.COM.
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FINDINGBALANCE: Oh, my back! JENNIFER RUSSO
Some believe that the only way you can build a strong body is by lifting weights. While lifting will certainly make your muscle tissue more dense and strong, yoga also builds a considerable amount of strength. Like many, I tend to hold all my stress in my back. This manifests itself in my upper shoulders and the sides of my neck. This, in turn, sometimes leads to migraines, irritability, insomnia and fatigue. Thankfully, there are some poses that serve to stretch and strengthen your back, lessening the chances that you will experience chronic pain in these areas.
LOW LUNGE Fold over your legs and touch your hands to the floor. Keeping one foot between your hands, step the other back so you are in a lunging position with the front knee bent deeply. If this is too much on your back knee, shimmy your leg back so the weight is on your shin. Lift your chest and reach your arms up overhead. Try not to sink into your hips, but pull up on the ribs to even off the weight. Hold and then change sides.
SPHINX AND SEAL POSES We’ve all seen what the Sphinx statue in Egypt looks like. Lay on your belly with legs straight behind you and tops of feet on the floor. Now, lift up just enough to place your forearms on the floor, lining up your shoulders and elbows so they are stacked. Now, engage by pressing the legs and feet into the floor and pulling back on the arms, almost as if you are trying to drag the floor without moving your hands. Hold. Now, move the palms diagonally out until your arms are straight when you lift your chest off the floor, like a seal. Hold this. This is excellent for the lower back.
SWIMMERS POSE Stay on your belly and stretch one arm straight along your ear and the other straight along your side, forehead on the floor. Lift the arms up as high as you can and hold for two seconds, then release. Do this five times, then switch sides. This strengthens all the muscles of your upper back and provides balance. Doing these poses each day will not only provide strength but also improve your posture. The pure light in me honors and respects the pure light in each of you. Namaste.
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B E A U T Y+ ST YL E
BEAUTY
VICTORIAHOPE MCAULIFFE
The summer is wonderful – beach trips, hikes into the mountains and cocktails by the pool. We hate to see it come to an end. But with all that fun in the sun, your body takes a beating. Lobster-red sunburns, sweat-clogged pores and parched hair leave your beauty routine exhausted and dried out. We have put together some of our favorite products that will rejuvenate your body from head to toe!
SLOUGH AWAY DEAD SKIN You’ve had wonderful adventures, and they’ve stayed with you all summer. Chances are you’ve been so busy taking on the world, you’ve forgotten to exfoliate. Get ready to transition your skin into fall by scrubbing away dead skin cells with LUSH’s Sugar Scrub and watch as glowing and radiant skin emerge. Filled with beneficial ingredients and a lovely natural scent, this scrub will leave your skin soft and refreshed. LUSHUSA.COM
PERK UP PUFFY EYES Let’s face it, running around from one social event to another is exhausting. Your face is starting to show it, especially with the telltale dark circles and puffiness under your eyes. Let the Iceland Hydrating Stick from The SAEM energize your eyes with the properties of Iceland’s mineral water. Your eyes will feel refreshed and renewed, leaving you ready to take on whatever comes your way. AMAZON.COM
REBOOT
sleeping mask before you go to bed. Glow Recipe has created an intensive sleeping
mask that promotes cell turnover by using the power of watermelons. For a radiant and fresh face in the morning, just apply the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask before bed and sleep your way to brighter skin. GLOWRECIPE.COM
CARE FOR YOUR SUNBURNT SKIN Everyone forgets to reapply sunscreen sometimes, which leaves skin with painful burns that can last for days. GreenGoo has created a skin salve that assists in the
healing of sunburns, as well as other skin ailments. Skin Repair Balm soothes skin while moisturizing with natural ingredients that are good for your body and the
environment. If you want a product that works and is made by a company with sustainable values, then this is for you. GREENGOOHELPS.COM
REPAIR DAMAGED HAIR Hair takes a beating in the summer. Chlorine from pools has stripped it of any moisture that it had, and you’ve kept it up in tight buns causing breakage, not to
mention the styling that goes in to maintaining lovely locks during the summer. Your hair has been dyed, over dried and possibly fried. Yet, there is hope for you.
MAKE SURE TO MOISTURIZE
Garnier has created a line of hydrating masks and conditioners that were inspired by
Your skin is going to need more TLC to get ready to cope with the crisp fall and winter air. To allow it to heal from drying sun and water exposure, use a restorative
dry and over processed hair. This will surely get your hair back to its former glory.
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the power of nature. The Coconut Water & Vanilla Milk hydrating mask moisturizes GARNIERUSA.COM
STEALTHESTYLE: Texture Scaping JAMIE BURKE
When you see different textures added to frames, clothing and decor, it looks very elaborate and hard to achieve. Actually, it is super easy, and it can be done in so many ways. This technique is so useful for leftover random items found around your house and can really add layers of unique fun to your style! This is the easiest level of crafting and a must-try! You need very few items and just about an hour or two of your time.
SUPPLIES: ITEM YOU WANT TO TRY IT ON (FRAME, HEADBAND, BRA TOP, VASE, BASKET) CHEAP FAKE FLOWERS, BEADS, SHELLS, WHATEVER MOD PODGE OR PLASTER MIXED WITH WATER WARM WATER IN A BOWL SMALL BRUSH GLUE PAINT
STEPS: 1. Put some newspaper down to protect your work surface. First, clean your items. Lay out how you want your item to look. You can even take apart flowers to achieve different looks. Decide if you want to use Mod Podge for a thin, shell look or plaster for a thicker, heavier look. Dip the items separately into the Mod Podge or plaster, then let them dry individually for about 25 minutes. Make sure they are a bit pliable still, but not soaking. 2. Individually glue what you’re adding to the item create a layered texture. Use super glue, fabric glue or a hot glue gun, so your glue reacts fast. Keep covering the item until you’re satisfied. Add the smaller items (beads or shells) after the larger items (flowers). Once you have everything glued on, let the item sit for five minutes. 3. While your piece is sitting, mix a small bit of water in with the Mod Podge or plaster. Then, take your paint brush and start painting the mixture on everything. It should be covered! You will have to let it sit for a while now, maybe an hour or two. Make sure there is a nice hard shell; if not, repeat this step until the hard shell is achieved. Wait until completely dry before painting.
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