Pulse Magazine by Pulse Magazine

november 2015 IN THIS ISSUE COVER story

20 THE CENTRAL scene

6 business casual brings

22 sam james – from the voice to the

fashion to work

airwaves

beauty & style

23 Out & About:

November is a time of thanks

12 Mini jean guide:

what is the right fit for you?

24 Club, Pub & grub Listings

read pulse Online @

14 more than beautiful

28 PulseShots

16 how to rock a mustache

FOOD & DRINK

entertainment 18 honor + hip hop:

the story of massacre music group

ThePulseMag.com Steal The Style: Homemade Skinnies Fall Fashion Roundup

30 Dining RevieW:

PulseBooks: Life gets better after you read these two books

Sake Bomb brings fresh flavor to the table

NowStreaming: Chris Cornell / BlackList Union / Warren Burnett GameOn: Super Mario Maker is super fun

32 New around the woo: Somethin’ Catchy wants to keep summer going all year long

Netflix Junkie: Thanksgiving on Netflix Mind your texting Eat well this Thanksgiving PulseBrew: A chat with Harpoon CEO Daniel Kenary

33 Hot & Now

sports & fitness

36 women’s ice hockey comes

to becker college

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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, 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, R.J. Linton, Kerry Cyganiewicz, John Trobaugh, Jamie Burke Writers

NOVEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

C O V E R S T O R Y

Business casual brings fashion to work By Jamie Burke Business casual is the best thing that will ever happen to your life. Once you figure out how to dress, you will look seamless, classy and trendy without overdoing it, no matter what you are doing or where you are going. Even better, these outfits will take you from Monday morning to Saturday night. The only thing youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to add is a beer.

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Match it Before you get excited about going business casual, you have to reintroduce yourself to the good old color wheel. The color wheel is your friend. It will save you from trying on ridiculous items, then throwing them on floor and going to war with your clothes. Put the lighter fluid and matches down. First, get yourself organized and sort your clothes into a rainbow … or even into the color wheel pattern. Sort your neutrals after. This gets you into a rhythm of picking out colored clothes first, then mixing in neutrals or safe

clothes. You can even get crazy obsessed and have your accessories and shoes nearby in a similar pattern so you can easily check out what matches. If you manage to pull this off, do yourself a favor: Call the Kardashians and tell them pack up and leave town because you are the new Magician of Fashion. A color wheel shows you rows of what works well together between same color-family tones and what colors complement each other on the opposite end. You can actually download a color wheel app on your smartphone. So now, go back to your closet, pick out a piece of clothing, match it to where it is on the color wheel and then stay in the same number row, find an opposite complementary color or just mix it with a neutral. The marketing geniuses at every big-name store come out with a color scheme

every season so you feel like you need to buy all the items just to pull together a decent outfit. With a color wheel and some organization, you can see what you have and what colors you may need to mix in. Also, a color wheel can help you identify what colors fit each season. Numbers like 9, 8 and 7 work great in summer; 6, 5 and 4 for spring; 3 and 2 for fall; and 1 works for winter. Now as a total cliché, there really are no rules in fashion. Try your clothes on, line up your outfits for the week and try some mixing and matching. It may take you 40 minutes to line up your clothes for the week, but it will save you from wanting to burn down your house because you can’t pull together a decent outfit in three minutes in the morning. Truth!

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Must-haves These are the foundations you’ll need to mix and match. These pivotal basics are must-haves in your wardrobe. Prices range from expensive ($$$) to fashion on the cheap ($). Remember, some items – like suits – are worth the investment. A good suit can take off 10 pounds. I will even pay extra if the suit can take of 20 pounds.

Suits $$-$$$ Men and women need a good, tailored-fit suit. The pieces of the suit can transition from formal (when worn together) to business casual (when worn broken up). Men should have two suits of different fits and colors. If you are a plain dude, get black and a medium to dark gray; one suit should be a looser fit and one more tailored. Women, buy the pencil skirt with the coat and pants. Start with black. A suit is the most important part of your wardrobe in any working situation. You don’t have to pair suit items together, but you should have a good base.

Button-up shirts $$-$$$ Men can get away with a good designer button-up. Spend the cash on the higher-quality thread count. Get a wrinkle-free shirt. This goes for women, too. Ladies, get a size bigger than you are. There is a fine line between fitting and tight.

Coats $$-$$$ You live in New England, so get a nice jacket. If you get fired, you can always wear it to a funeral. Trench and pea coats are always in fashion.

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Jeans $-$$ Jeans are often frowned upon at work or thought of as not being “dressy” enough. Well, the jean has evolved, and so has the concept. Solidcolored jeans with classic seams and cut work for both men and women. Men, try a skinnier leg. Women, try a crop or slouch. Jeans are easy and they feel good on. But stick to darker solid colors. You can even wear jean shirts; a classic jean button-up is timeless. Make sure to use starch when ironing. Ironing is a must to make your jeans look work-ready.

Vests $-$$ I don’t care what you have seen or heard, vests are amazing. Amazing!! And everyone looks good in one. You might have to try on a lot of vests to see what will work, but once you find the right chesticle vesticle, you will want to buy more and more. You can wear them with suits. They can be a pullover, cardigan or oversized. Vests are a layering basic. And they can hide coffee spills on your shirts and the dreaded muffin top. They cinch your waist, and vests just make you feel so crafty.

Cardigans $-$$ Cardigans, cheap cardigans! V-neck, button-up, pullover … any style, any fabric. I find cardigans online and in stores for basically peanuts. We are talking about $10-$15 each. They come in a zillion colors and can help transition clothes between seasons. You can wear a cardigan with any of your basic bottoms paired with a basic top.

Textures and patterns $-$$ Quilted,

lace,

stripes,

plaids,

geometrics, tweed, argyle, wool blends – anything goes! If you have trouble figuring out what works, revert back to the color wheel. Color blocking works best, and textures and patterns mix up an ordinary outfit. Don’t get too crazy and pair patterns and bright, shocking colors together. Instead, tone down a bright pattern with neutrals – and don’t get too matchy-matchy. NOVEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9

Wild cards Accessories $-$$$ This covers it all. You can find these from a little money to a lot. Jewelry, belts, scarves, shoes, ties, bowties, socks, tights and stockings! Stick to one wild card per outfit, unless you work as a lounge singer in a Las Vegas show.

A big statement piece that most women try to avoid is the dress. But really, dresses are so easy and can be such a great mix into your closet. Also, a unique pattern or ombre effect works well.

Statement Piece $-$$$

For men, statement pieces will be more about the colors (think bold and rich). A richer color or pattern on a jacket is a great starter statement piece for a man. Plus, most likely, no one else will buy it, so it will probably be on sale.

A statement piece can really be any basic clothing item in a bolder color, print, style or cut. They are generally timeless pieces that you can keep in your wardrobe forever. The best places to find them are consignment spots, clearance racks and in your grandparentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; closets. But you can also find some really great faux high-end fashion pieces at the basic trendy, inexpensive stores; they just might not be the exact quality you are seeking.

Business casual is a movement and way of living. You feel comfortable in what you are wearing at all times. More and more businesses are encouraging employees to wear more casual and relaxed clothes. The end results being that the employees are more creative, functional and happier. Everyday clothes for everyday people.

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BONUS If you jump on the business casual train and dress like this all the time, it saves you the embarrassment of leaving the house in your terrible, ripped sweatpants and seeing everyone you know at CVS. Also, the moment you figure out business casual, you can chat about all the sweater vests you now own. Definitely a win-win.

CREDITS Photography: Justin Mayotte Photography Hair and Makeup: Hannah Lawson Clothes: Grime New & Used Clothing (Worcester) Alexis Grace Cosignment (Worcester) Mainstream Boutique (Northborough) Shoes and Accessories: Evolushoen (Lawrence) Models: Nicole LaFrance, Bianca Reyes, Lacinda Ortiz, Mitchell Perry and Kyle Sullivan Location: ten24 Digital Solutions, Innovation Center of Worcester (20 Franklin Street, Worcester)

style&beauty

Mini Jean Guide: What is the right fit for you?

By Jamie Burke Finding the right pair of jeans is like searching for the fountain of youth. In a perfect world, you want to believe they exist and can be in your grasp, but we all know that any fix is only short term. They just don’t make jeans like they use to, and that is a good and bad thing. There are many more styles and brands to pick from, but the quality is not always great. Let’s get the basics out of the way. If you want to find the perfect fit for your body, you will definitely have to try them on in a terrible dressing room with fluorescent lighting. You will have to try what seems like a thousand pairs. Speak to the sales associates; they will help you. Talk to them about what you are looking for and ask questions. Questions like: What jeans here will make me look amazing? I need everyday jeans, what holds up best for all-day wear? I don’t want flat-butt jeans, which ones boost? What jeans look good with boots? What jeans will make me look rich and look like the queen of the world? Become best friends with your jeans people. They know which ones to order a size up or down. They know what color or fade have more stretch. They know which jeans to avoid because of static cling, flat butt or because they stretch out after 10 minutes. They will also tell you when there is a sale. So just for informational purposes, I took my behind to three stores and bought jeans: Express (higher price), Gap (mid-price) and The Rack (lowest price). At Express, I tried on four pairs, all ranging from $89-$110 a pair. My body shape is petite and pear-shaped and fits into a size 10, so I have to try styles for both body types. I tried on Stella Low Rise Skinny, Stella Low Rise Boot Cut, Wide Leg and Distressed. They were OK – some better than others – but I wasn’t completely wowed. Next stop was to the Gap Outlet and jeans that were all about $45 a pair. I tried on the exact same pair but in different colors. Black, Dark Rinse and Medium Super Skinny. The crazy part about these was the size differences. Black was a size 8, Dark a size 6, and Medium a size 10. I am usually a 10, but fluctuate up and down. Gap uses totally different material for each jean, so it is wise to ask how to size. Gap gave me a good selection for a fair price. Lastly, I tried random jeans from The Rack. Like any variety brand store, it is hit or miss. I tried on a dark rinse, low-rise skinny, which was by far the most comfortable (and the cheapest at $36). These are a good everyday jean. They are really thin, so I’m not sure how long they will last. They will work great while wearing boots. All in all, what matters most is figuring out your shape and trying your jeans on. If you are still really stuck finding the best for your body, buy jeans and photograph yourself in them.

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Women Figure out your basic body shape. If you’re a mix, try on jeans for both body types. Petites: Boot-cut, skinnies, super skinnies, cropped skinnies, wide-leg. Thin: Low-rise, straight-cut, flare, distressed. Athletic: Mid-rise, straight boot-cut, flare, boyfriend, skinny. Tall: Straight, boot-cut, skinny, flared, boyfriend, crop, super skinnies. Pear shape: Low-rise skinny, tapered or slight boot-cut, fitted flare. Small waist, bigger behind: High waist, stretch, flare, skinny boot-cut. Plus: Straight boot-cut, crop, fitted flares, skinnies, crop, flat front. Hourglass: Classic wide-leg, mid-rise, flat fronts, straight boot-cuts, skinny.

Men Men do not have as many options, so you have to identify what is suited best to your body type. Athletic build: Straight or boot-cut, low waist. Thin legs: Dark skinny or slim fit. Short legs: Straight fit, slim straight. Heavier: Relaxed, straight.

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More than beautiful By Kimberly Dunbar Take a closer look at the photos on this page. Maybe you glanced at them quickly or moved on because they made you uncomfortable. Maybe you were turned off because the models don’t resemble Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss or even those on the cover of this very magazine. “There’s so much focus on being perfect and looking a certain way. There’s so much judgement,” said Alana Gordon, a local photographer who has teamed up with local author Joe Mogel to create a book that embraces positive body image awareness, Strength Through Adversity. “I don’t know if I can get rid of that, but I hope through this book we can help.” Strength Through Adversity focuses on illuminating internal beauty, not the external, conformist type pushed out through both traditional and social media. The book is a collection of stories of 40 men and women – ranging in age from 18 to 57 – who share their insecurities and messages of empowerment through personalized photo shoots and their own words. “In our world, where corporate standardized patterns are set for everything, it’s becoming harder and harder to truly express yourself, right down to our very bodies themselves,” Mogel said. “I would like to think that this book will be a big step against the evergrowing homogenization of society, culture and the human form itself.” Gordon initially came up with the idea about four years ago after sustaining a knee injury. “I stayed at a rehab facility and met some of the strongest people, whom most would look at and judge by their disabilities instead of getting to know them,” she said. “I wanted to tell their stories.” Due to timing and the severity of some of the disabilities, the idea was put on hold until this past spring, when Mogel, a friend and former colleague, approached Gordon with a similar idea for a book. “For me, much of the idea came from seeing photo sets intended to build confidence about body image,” Mogel said. “While the intention was beautiful, I never felt like I was connecting to the models, who felt more like mannequins to me. I wanted to do a body image book where the personal experiences of the models would be the focus.”

Mogel and Gordon held three different sessions this summer, in which participants were interviewed and given a personalized photo shoot; participants were allowed to dress and pose in ways they felt most comfortable and that best portrayed their vulnerabilities. “I’m honestly just so honored that so many people were this brave to potentially let the world into their lives,” Gordon said. “There are things that I truly dislike about myself and would be uncomfortable sharing – never mind letting someone photograph – yet these people, as terrified as they were, came in and did just that. It was inspiring and gave me the confidence to love myself for everything I am. I think that’s the most amazing part of this book.” While body insecurity was the catalyst for the project, personal strength became an overarching theme. For Gordon, one of the most memorable examples of courage came from a breast cancer survivor. “She chose to pose topless, exposing her scars on her torso,” she said. “We showed her scars, but honestly, it was absolutely stunning. It was like that with all the participants. I’ve never seen such bravery.” Although most of the participants were female, Gordon and Mogel encouraged males to participate. “I think men are typically conditioned not to talk about emotions or insecurities, so it was a bit harder to convince them,” said Gordon, who learned that men and women aren’t really that different. “We’re all people who have something we’re insecure about.” Mogel agreed. “While in my life I’ve felt some body image issues, I’ve mostly pushed them to the back of my mind and never even stopped to think about how other men think or feel about themselves. Meeting with, and talking to, other guys who have had issues with how they see their bodies was quite eye-opening for me.” While both Gordon and Mogel set out to provide a comfortable environment and an outlet for people to discuss their most vulnerable attributes, the project became much more. “We didn’t anticipate that we’d be creating a community where people would really listen to each other and open up about such private things,” Gordon said. “This gave the participants the support to stand up and say, ‘No, I’m going to look my insecurity in the face and still love myself.’ From all the feedback, I’ve learned that it changed these people’s lives. It changed my life. These people felt embraced and free from something that has haunted them for so long. There’s nothing better that I could ask for.”

That’s why in the pages of Strength Through Adversity readers will find so much more than a photograph; they’ll connect with a compelling story. “We had stories of people In the end, both Gordon and Mogel hope that their book helps people learn to judge less and accept each other more. “Love yourself for who who are transgender, people who are covered in scars, you are, and love others for who they are,” Mogel said. people who have stretch marks, have recovered from eating disorders, people who have overcome a variety For updates, visit facebook.com/StrengthThroughAdversityBook. A release party for StrengthThrough Adversity will be of abuses,” Gordon said. “These people are you, me and held in early December. everyone. We can all relate to someone in this book.”

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By Jennifer Russo

How to rock a mustache chevron

In the last decade, the idea of the mustache has received tons of attention, even spurring companies to make a profit on mustache-themed fashion and retail items. And why not? Sporting a mustache is a way to express yourself and stand out in a crowd. It’s also a way to raise awareness and money for a great cause this month. The Movember movement, which started in 2003 in Australia with a couple friends challenging 30 friends to bring back the lost facial hairstyle, asks men to grow mustaches in the month of November to bring to light the seriousness of prostate cancer. In 2004, the charity became official and has since grown rapidly, spreading to include countries across the world, with almost 5 million people officially signing up and raising almost $700 million towards prostate cancer research since its start. In 2007, the charity was officially launched in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Spain and the UK and brought the total of money raised TO a whopping $27 million. In 2009, the LIVESTRONG Foundation jumped on board as a partner, and with the help of the charity’s funding, it was discovered that there are more than 25 kinds of prostate cancer. In 2011, Movember was ranked in the Top 100 Best Charities in the World, and the world’s first Prostate Cancer Genome Mapping Project was completed. In 2013, Movember was awarded the Social Force of the Year Award from GQ Magazine. So if you’re a guy (or a hairy woman, whatever) and want to grow a mustache to support the Movember initiative or simply just want to hop on the wagon to bring back the lost art of the mustache, here are some tips on how to rock various styles. Some things to consider: Your hair growth pattern may allow for only certain styles; consider your overall look ahead of time; and lastly, don’t get impatient – see it through! There are weird “in-between” stages for some of these. The Horseshoe: This mustache is connected to a partial beard down to the chin but is not actually on the middle part of the chin.

dali

The Chevron: Also known as the “’70s or ’80s porn-stache,” it covers the entire area above the upper lip in a widened pyramid shape, grown long and trimmed straight across the bottom. The Muttonchops: A thick mustache which connects to the sideburns. The Dali: Named for artist Salvador Dali, this is a thin, two-sided, ridiculous (on purpose) mustache that turns upward. The Pencil: This very thin mustache is cut very short, in any shape, above the upper lip. The Fu Manchu: This mustache takes a long time to grow. It is two-sided and starts above the upper lip, but the ends are grown long to hang below the chin. The Handlebar: This is an old style of the two-sided mustache, grown long with ends turned up.

fu manchu

The Walrus: Similar to the handlebar, the walrus is much thicker since it’s not trimmed and kept as nicely. It can be downright bushy and often masks the upper lip entirely. The Toothbrush: This is a thick mustache above the upper lip that is shaved to only take up about an inch in the center, right under the nose. Whatever style works for you, remember that you may get some extra attention for growing one – both positive and negative. If you’re going to rock the ’stache, be ready to defend it!

For more information on Movember and to officially sign up, visit us.movember.com. For other mustachery, check out americanmustacheinstitute.org. 16 THEPULSEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2015

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Honor + hip hop: Th e sto r y o f M ASS a c re M u s i c G ro u p

By Jason Savio There’s a sound coming out of Leominster that is echoing through the streets. It’s the sound of hard work and hip hop. The two have a long history of reinforcing each other through trials, tribulations and, ultimately, inspiration. Ian Hochard, a.k.a. iLLa Truth, artist and manager of MASSacre Music Group, is the embodiment of such sustained strength. After a tragedy that could have derailed his vision – and worse, his spirit – Hochard forged on in the name of honor and music. Based in Leominster, MASSacre Music Group, which operates out of HalfAcre Studios, is an upstart hip hop team with a short roster of promising players. MASSacre Music Group’s humble beginnings started with two brothers and a shared passion for hip hop. Born in Ayer and raised in Lunenburg, Hochard listened to underground and older hip hop to try to “learn more about hip hop history.” It was a mix CD, featuring the track “Heavenly Divine” by Jedi Mind Tricks, that Hochard gave to his younger step-brother, Eric Stafford, as a Christmas gift that bonded the two. “It was all over after that, so to speak,” Hochard said. “Eric was all old-school ’90s ‘boom bap’ hip hop after that. That’s all we listened to from then on, for the most part. We became very close after that.” From there, Hochard said, Stafford started making his own beats and rapping over them, eventually adopting the stage name Jazzscapez. While Stafford honed his craft, Hochard attended the New England Institute of Art, where he earned an associate’s degree in audio production. After graduating, Hochard started his own management group, Max Power Management. “It basically gave me my first chance to apply all the business knowledge I had just learned while in school,” Hochard said. “Also, I gained a lot of experience in life and in the music business.” That experience would not only benefit Hochard, but it would help Stafford. “Eric was starting to get pretty good at rapping and beat-making over the next couple of years,” Hochard said of MASSacre’s beginnings. “He would come over to teach me certain things that he had learned in his progression of making beats. I would give him tips on recording, business, music he should check out, etc.” Eventually, the two brothers setup their own studios, using their talents to create what would become MASSacre Music Group, with the goal to “make classic hip hop with a fresh twist and a unique style.” That effort began in earnest when they reached out to various emcees across the region, including the hip hop duo Time & Lepp. With a good start and a small, strong group in place, things looked promising for MASSacre. But suddenly, tragedy stuck. Stafford was shot in an altercation with police in his home. “I miss having someone as sarcastic as myself around,” Hochard said of Stafford. “He was a funny guy and had a very similar sense of humor as me. We were both smartasses and loved giving people a hard time together. We would also show each other different new music we had found that the other one may not have heard yet.” With the loss of Stafford, one might have expected the future of MASSacre to be in jeopardy. But Hochard’s dedication to his music and his brother gave him the fire to continue. “At no point did we think about stopping, and I don’t think it ever crossed our minds. I don’t believe Time, Lepp and I even discussed it,” Hochard said. “We knew that (Stafford) would want us to carry on the vision. I felt like I needed to have as a many people as I possibly could hear Jazzscapez’s music. I felt an obligation to friends and family to continue his memory through his music.” Today, MASSacre is stronger than ever, corralling new talent like emcee E.S.P. and hosting charity events such as Pittie Jam, a fundraiser to help raise money for PittieLove Rescue Inc. A mix tape showcasing the artists of MASSacre is also lined up for release before the year is out, as well as Hochard’s collaboration with Joe Con, using his iLLa Truth moniker. And as for Jazzscapez’s music, that can still be heard on Soundcloud. “Get your popcorn ready, because we aren’t going away and we plan on making each new album fresher and more unique than the last,” he said. “We are up-and-coming artists, and the best is yet to come, so stay tuned.”

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For more information, visit: MASSacreMusicGroup.com soundcloud.com/massacre-music-group massacremusicgroup.bandcamp.com youtube.com/user/MASSacreMusicGroup

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Worcester’s Smokin’ Hot Heroes Calendar Launch Party Come to Jillian’s on Nov. 19 for a launch party extravaganza! Sales of the Smokin’ Hot Heroes calendar benefit The Box 4 Special Services Canteen, which provides food and drinks at

emergencies. The party will feature the launch

of the 2016 Worcester firefighters calendar that guests can get signed by the heroes themselves. Also, be sure to stick around for

the featured firefighter runway show. 7 p.m. Nov. 19; tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door and $50 for a VIP backstage pass that includes a free gift bag; worcfirefightercalendar.com.

The Weeknd, BANKS and Travi$ Scott The DCU Center is hosting a star-studded

lineup this fall. The Weeknd comes to The

DCU Center just before the actual weekend, on Nov. 12. The hip-hop phenom that is

responsible for hits such as “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face” will bring along up-andcomers BANKS and Travi$ Scott. This could

be the last and biggest concert you attend in

Super Megafest

A call to action for all pop culture aficionados! Super Megafest Comic Con returns to Framingham on Nov. 21 and 22 at the Sheraton Hotel. Browse through booths containing amazing collections, including, but not limited to, comic books, toys, collectibles and clothing. Meet celebrity guests like Dennis Rodman and the original cast of ’70s hit television show, The Dukes of Hazard. Nov. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 21 and 10:30 a.m.5 p.m. Nov. 22; $28/day, $49/weekend pass for adults and $12/day and $15/weekend for children; newenglandsupermegafest.com.

Something’s Brewing in Worcester Something’s Brewing in Worcester is gathering the most talented chefs across the region and having them cook dinner – all at the Hanover Theatre on Nov. 9. Enjoy contemporary cuisine and a glass of local beer from Wormtown Brewery while listening to the tunes of Josh Briggs. Proceeds benefit No Kid Hungry, which aims to end childhood hunger. 7-10 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester; tickets start at $30; http://ce.nokidhungry.org/events/ something-brewing-worcester.

2015. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12; The DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester; ticket prices vary; dcucenter. com.

March For Babies

Whether you prefer to run alone or organize team runs, be sure to register for the March for Babies, a March of Dimes event. This 5k

The Central Scene

charity run/walk takes place at Worcester

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State University and raises money to help local women have more full-term pregnancies, resulting in healthier babies. Registration at 9:30 a.m., race at 11 a.m. Nov. 15; Worcester State University; 486 Chandler St., Worcester; marchofdimes.org.

e v e n ts h a p p e n i n g around central mass :

november 2015

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Sam James – From The Voice to the airwaves By Jennifer Russo Sam James has that rock-star swagger about him … a little rasp, a little beard, a little flannel and the vocal chops to get him places. And he certainly has been places. You may remember him from Season 3 of The Voice, with his beautiful acoustic rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Adam Levine slammed his hand down on that button, making sure James didn’t get away from his team. James, who grew up in Auburn and Worcester and attended St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, is a down-to-earth local boy who knew where he was headed at a young age. Listening to records with his dad, falling in love with music and asking his mom to drive him to open mics at 13, he was hooked on performing. He wasn’t sure how to make it happen, but he was going to try. He picked up a guitar and decided to chase the dream. “Music lessons weren’t really for me. I am actually really terrible at sitting down and taking direction from other people,” James said. “I do things better on my own and in my own way. I listened to music and tried to copy the sound, and, though it was a lot of trial and error, I taught myself how to play.” Now James is coming out with an album of his own. An EP will be released first, Stories from the Valley, which he tells me came about because he wrote and recorded the songs in Simi Valley, Calif. While he was on the West Coast writing, he was hoping to record, but all the studios were booked up because it happened to be Grammy weekend. At a show, he was handed a card by an acquaintance for a music studio (118 West) she worked at, and so he went to go check it out. Turns out, it was a beautiful studio in the middle of nowhere and he absolutely loved it. The EP should be ready by the end of the year or early next year. In the meantime, James’ first single release, “Words to Life,” is available now. The song is beautifully written and produced, and the radio stations are sure to gobble it up and make James a household name. I asked James what inspired the song. “It’s really about finding the good … in situations and in people. Sometimes, I go into ‘negative town’ mentally, and this song is about getting out of that space and seeing the positive. I really wanted to paint a picture. I think this song is a great jumping off point for the rest of the album,” James said. I spoke to him about his time on The Voice and if he feels it sparked his music career in a meaningful way and if it was all that he expected it to be behind the scenes. “It is a very fast-moving reality show, and I learned a lot about myself in that experience,” James said. “You realize what you can handle and what you can’t. You see how you are portrayed to the viewers, and, in my case, it wasn’t really who I am. Through that, I learned about who I really wanted to be as an artist and how to have that come across now that I am off the show. On this record, I played what I liked and stayed true to myself and the music I want to make.” James has a bunch of dates lined up playing at colleges across the country and is hoping to hit the road soon on a larger tour to promote his album. “It was a long time coming … a roller-coaster project in a way,” James said. “I didn’t set out to make an album; it just kind of happened that way. The day the album was finished, I got signed and then later decided to go independent instead. I do hope that a Grammy is in my future, and it’s nice to be acknowledged, but it’s far more important to me to have people enjoy the music. I want to be heard, keep making music, and hopefully, people will really like it.” Having heard the single myself, I think people will jump right on board the Sam James train.

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For more information, visit samjamesmusic.com and facebook.com/samjamesmusic.

For more information, visit worcesterpride.org

november is a time of thanks By John Trobaugh We are thankful for marriage equality, but we know it is just a step toward equality. Our transgender brothers and sisters (especially those of color) know this, as well. The average life span of a trans person of color is 35 years old. We remember trans people who have passed on Nov. 20. I am so thankful and pleased with the progress Pride has made through the years. Although I will continue to support Pride as a sponsor and volunteer, I am stepping down as Pride’s president to lead an effort to create an LGBTQ cultural community center for Central Massachusetts. As I reflect on my time at Pride, sometimes it is nice to hear what others have to say. Our mayor had this to say about Pride and my participation in Worcester civic life: “I am sorry to hear that John Trobaugh, who has been on the board of Worcester Pride for the past five years and their president for the past three years, is stepping down. John has been an instrumental partner and advocate to the mayor’s office as I sought to make it a priority of my administration that we make the city of Worcester a welcoming place to all individuals and families. “Under John’s leadership with Worcester Pride, they have flourished and maintained a presence in the community throughout the year. Whether it is hosting events, social programs, celebrations in City Hall and the community, advocating for change or promoting Worcester and Worcester Pride throughout New England, John has led the charge every step of the way. “One of the most important accomplishments has been working with John and Worcester Pride on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index Report. For the first time ever, and with John’s leadership and guidance, the city of Worcester was able to receive a perfect score. This would not have happened without John’s advocacy and commitment to lead the way on many of the changes. “I look forward to continuing to work with John in his new capacity, leading an effort to establish an LGBTQ cultural community center, and I look forward to the continued great relationship with Worcester Pride and their new president.” These are very kind words indeed. One of the things I am most proud of is making sure Worcester Pride is inclusive of families, as well as the diverse communities of color. I was so proud to have Black Lives Matter (especially trans people of color) march with the Asylum Project and Family Health Link, as well as parents and religious faiths of all kinds representing the broad tapestry that is Worcester. Thank you to all that made the 40th year of Worcester Pride the best year so far.

Upcoming Events Transgender Day Of Remembrance: Join Worcester Pride and the entire community at 4 p.m. Nov. 20 at Worcester City Hall (check worcesterpride.org for details) as we remember those who have passed because of intolerance and hate. Airspray, Worcester’s Queer Dance Party: Nov. 20 is the next Airspray and the Queer Dance Night at Electric Haze, 26 Milbury St., Worcester. LGBT Networking: The Gay Professionals Group currently meets at Bocado on the second Wednesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. LGBT Youth: Every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. is SWAGLY at AIDS Project Worcester, 85 Green St., Worcester, for ages 12-22. Every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. is a meeting of Safe Homes, for ages 14-23, at The Bridge, 4 Mann St., Worcester. John Trobaugh is a diversity project specialist in the Diversity and Inclusion Office of UMass Medical School.

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Club, Pub + GRUB Listings

Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs & other selec t venues American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg

Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg

Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc.

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

Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton

Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc.

Backstreets Pub 14 Mill St., Fitchburg

Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford

The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. Wednesdays: Trivia Night Thursdays: Live Acoustic Fridays, Saturdays: DJs

Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley Nov. 6: Gilbert Gottfried Nov. 7: Invisible Sun (The Police tribute) Nov. 14: Devens ROCK 4 WARRIORS Benefit Concert

Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens

Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling Fridays: Bill McCarthy Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. Tuesdays: Tuesday Night at the Movies Wednesdays: Cornhole Wednesdays Nov. 5: EJ.Eric Rutman Nov. 6: Sharpshooter Nov. 7: Roadhouse Strangers Nov. 13: The Automatics Nov. 14: Secret Sage Nov. 15: Chris Jason (Frank Sinatra tribute) Nov. 19: Grain Thief Nov. 20: Elemental Nov. 21: Stan Matthews and The Rough Riders, Rusty Mikes Nov. 22: Alpine Report Nov. 25: Grade “A” Fancy Nov. 27: Cruth Squared with Bruce Mandaro Nov. 28: Road Owls

Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) Nov. 6: Jim Perry Nov. 7: Rob Adams and Jared Adams Duo Nov. 13: Lisa Marie Nov. 14: Around Midnight Nov. 20: Ron Jones Nov. 27: Lisa Marie Nov. 28: Ken Macy Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc. Centerfolds 2000 139 Southbridge St., N. Oxford

Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. Sundays: Funky Jazz Jam Sundays, Sunday Dead Night Mondays: Open Mic/Open Decks Tuesdays: Hip Hop Tuesdays Nov. 5: West End Blend CD release party, YAMN Nov. 6: Way Up South CD release show, Adamsson, Gianfriddo & Sutka, Cousin Earth Nov. 7: Consider the Source, Lespecial Nov. 10: Playin’ Dead Nov. 13: Esseks, Of the Trees, Soohan, Uncle Bob, Double S Nov. 14: New England Junglists UNITED, featuring Spinscott Nov. 18: Eggy, Neighborhood Formula Nov. 25: William Thompson Funk Experiment, YoJimbo, The Jauntee Nov. 27: Strange Machines, Relative Souls, Jeremiah Hazed

Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 E. Brookfield Road, N. Brookfield

Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. Fridays: A Murph’s Comedy Joint Nov. 14: Raices Latin Dance

Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster

Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough

Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg

Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster

Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury

Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc.

Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden Nov. 5: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops From Hell Nov. 19: Dan Kirouac

Birkbeck’s Waterfront Grille 242 Mill St., Worc.

Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke with Royal Crown Tuesdays: Open Mic with Key Performance Fridays: DJ Darren and Double D Nov. 7: Laquerhead Nov. 14: Soundtrack to Monday Nov. 21: Never Enuff Nov. 28: Teeter Todder

Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc.

The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster Nov. 14: The City Boys Nov. 21: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Eve with Hitchcock Blondes

Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden Thursdays: Open Mic Night Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster Nov. 5: The City Boys Nov. 6: Brian Chaffee Nov. 7: JCDC Nov. 12: Joe Reidy Nov. 13: Michael Spaulding Nov. 14: Brett Casavant Nov. 19: Scott Babineau Nov. 20: Ken Macy Nov. 21: Gale county Nov. 27: The Quarry Nov. 28: Northern Company

The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster Nov. 5: Left Right Nov. 12: Brett Casavant Nov. 19: Dave Gordon Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. Wednesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: Live Music Fridays, Saturdays: DJs

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Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner Mondays: Live Blues Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live Bands

Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. Sundays: Jim’s Sunday Blues Jam Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy Nov. 6: Ed & Da Ve Nov. 7: Petty Larceny

Nov. 13: Ed Sullivans Nov. 14: 9Teen Nov. 20: Boom Box Nov. 21: Clam Diggers Nov. 25: Silverbacks Nov. 27: How Bizarre Nov. 28: No Alibi Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc. Nov. 6: Never in Vegas Nov. 7: Flock of Assholes Nov. 13: Doctor Robert Nov. 14: UFC 193 Rousey vs. Holm Nov. 19: Firefighters Calendar Kickoff Party Nov. 20: Metro Nov. 21: Decades by Dezyne Nov. 25: DJ Key Performance Nov. 27: Ben Knight Band Nov. 28: The Plagiarists JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough Nov. 6: Heavy Horses Nov. 7: Groove Street Band Nov. 13: Dirty Deeds Nov. 14: Custard Pie Nov. 20: How Bizarre Nov. 21: Usual Suspects Nov. 25: JJ’s Thanksgiving Eve Bash, featuring Flock of Assholes Nov. 27: Northboro Food Pantry Benefit, featuring Nibot and Bourbon Truth Nov. 28: Probable Cause PostThanksgiving Bash The Lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc. Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc. Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. MB Lounge

Continued on Page 21

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Continued from Page 24 40 Grafton St., Worc. McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. Sundays: Blue Light Bandits Nov. 6: Russo Bros Jazz Quintet Nov. 7: Hit the Bus Nov. 11: Hot Smoke Trio Nov. 12: Jim Devlin Nov. 19: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Nov. 20: Andy Cummings Nov. 21: Neon Alley Nov. 25: Blue Light Bandits Nov. 27: Acoustic Nation Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston Nov. 5: Nigh Train Nov. 6: Belit Nov. 7: Jay Graham Nov. 12: Frank Pupillo Nov. 13: Joe Macey Nov. 14: Office Party Band Nov. 19: James Keyes Nov. 20: Scott Babineau Nov. 21: Amanda Cote and Ken Macy Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Eve with Chris Reddy Nov. 27: Sam James Nov. 28: Bill McCarthy Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge Moonstruck Café 19 Worcester Road, Charlton Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. Fridays: Thanks Friday It’s Dr. Nat The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 508-839-6106 Nov. 5: Mike Tarara Nov. 6: Macey & Ralston Nov. 7: Windfall Classic Rock Nov. 13: Blue Honey Nov. 14: The Dots Nov. 19: Joe Macey Nov. 20: Ray Bryant Band Nov. 21: Three of a Kind Nov. 25: Josh Briggs & Friends On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford

Padavano’s Place 358 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Thursdays: Karaoke with DJ Curtis Nov. 6: How Bizarre Nov. 7: The Dan Hogan Duo Nov. 8: Brett Brumby Nov. 11: Dan Hogan Nov. 13: Moonshine Unplugged Nov. 14: The Babe Pino Band Nov. 20: Joe Cariglia (Frank Sinatra tribute) Nov. 21: The Lester Rawson Band Nov. 22: Amanda Cote Nov. 23: The Norm Tonelli Trio Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Eve Party featuring A Ton of Blues Nov. 27: The Ray Bryant Band Nov. 28: The Josh Briggs DuoNov. 29: Guy Bergeron Dec 1: Amanda Cote

Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Nov. 6: Three of a Kind Nov. 7: Country Night with Mychael David & Howie Nov. 13: Take Two Nov. 14: The Invaders Nov. 20: Mike Lynch Trio Nov. 25: Tom Revane Nov. 27: Drunken Uncles Nov. 28: Andy Cummings

Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster

Rocky’s 139 Water St., Worc.

The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc.

Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc.

Park Grill and Spirits 257 Park Ave., Worc. Fridays, Saturdays: Dick Doherty’s Beantown Comedy Escape Nov. 20: The Drunken Uncles

Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster Nov. 5: Jon Short Nov. 6: Brian & Captain Nov. 7: Mike Melendez Nov. 8: Zack Slik Nov. 12: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Nov. 13: Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge Nov. 14: Madison Avenue Nov. 19: Jay Graham Nov. 20: Zack Slick Nov. 21: Trilogy Nov. 22: Jon Short Nov. 25: Caves on Mars Nov. 27: Brian Chaffee & The Players Nov. 28: Brian & Captain

Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg Thursdays, Fridays: Karaoke Nov. 7: Tyrus Nov. 14: Ben Cote Band Nov. 25: The Quarry Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc. 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 Nov. 7: DAM Chick Singer (Denise Cascione) Nov. 14: The Joan Cleary Groove Nov. 21: The Big Little Tour with Sally Stempler

Tuesdays: C.U. Next Tuesday with DJ Poke Smot

South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner

The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc.

Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough Thursdays: DJ Dance Party Fridays: Karaoke Saturdays: Live Music

Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville

Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. Trumbull Bar & Grill 117 Main St., Spencer Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. Tuesdays: Boogie Chillin’ Nov. 14: Little Red & The Riders Nov. 16: Hip Swayers Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner Nov. 20: Dan Kirouac with Glenn Jackson

Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. Scorz 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg

Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., W. Brookfield 508-867-9709, 508-867-4139 westbrookfieldtavern.com

Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. Primetime Pub 5 Summer St., Lunenburg Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. Sundays: Sunday Night Cinemageddon Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry Show

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PULSESHOTS

By Justin Perry

JILLIAN’S OF WORCESTER GROVE ST., WORCESTER

PARKWAY RESTAURANT & BAR SHREWSBURY ST., WORCESTER

THE CITIZEN WINE BAR EXCHANGE ST., WORCESTER

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JJ’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL SW CUTOFF, NORTHBOROUGH

FLYING RHINO CAFE SHREWSBURY ST., WORCESTER

PADAVANO’S PLACE SHREWSBURY ST., WORCESTER

PARK GRILL & SPIRITS PARK AVE., WORCESTER NOVEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29

F O O D & D R I N K

dining review:

Sake Bomb brings fresh flavor to the table By Bernie Whitmore

Sake bomb sashimi

Sushi apprehension. I admit it. I resisted sushi for years. Not out of an aversion for raw fish; I always loved oysters and clams on the half shell. Sushi, on the other hand, loomed in my mind as an exclusive cult with rituals I was incapable of attaining. Then, quite simply, I tried it and realized how much I’d been missing. We all know how insufferable late converts can be with their evangelical zeal for their lifechanging discovery. So, I’ll spare you the breathless pitch and express it in simple terms: If you love flavors and textures stripped down to their most elegant form, you should be a natural lover of sushi. With a huge variety, moderate prices and fresh quality, the Sake Bomb Bistro makes going out for sushi as easy as any other dining option. Most dining experiences commence with an appetizer. Instead, at Sake Bomb, we wandered the menu’s various sections and assembled an order that might test the range of the chef. Ken, our waiter, had patiently assisted in the ordering process, responding “No problem!”as we added each item. Cuisines represented in the menu are Pan-Asian, heavily weighted to Japan and China. The first dish to reach our table was the Sake Bomb Sashimi, a chef ’s selection of the day. It featured five types of fish sliced and presented in carefully constructed groupings. Crimson chunks of ahi tuna were richly satisfying, pure, deep-sea protein, and strips of white tuna were soft and creamy. Buttery tender slices of salmon were to be expected; mackerel, on the other hand, was an unexpected entry and surprisingly luxurious.

stir fry seafood udon noodles

For me, the surprise entry in this chef ’s choice was Surf Clam. A broad, thin slice was artfully folded into a catamaran of white pontoons, with a deep-red sail arcing over. Its mild flavor and chewy texture gave the dish additional range. Emerald-green Seaweed Salad was springy and crunchy; a flavor and textural counterpoint to the fish. The chef divided it into a mini salad for each of us and paired the salads with an orb of Crabmeat Avocado Salad, a delectable mixture that he wrapped in a thin layer of salmon and topped with masago fish roe. Very playful and creamy-rich delicious.

Seaweed salad

To complement each of these flavor nuances, I chose a tall can of Sapporo Beer. This Japanese rice lager is mild, crisp and unobtrusive. I didn’t want anything to overwhelm the Hamachi, our order of yellowtail sashimi. Each slice was served over a strip of white rice and classically presented on gleaming snow-white chinaware. Next, we turned our attention to Spicy Crabmeat Maki, rolls of sticky white rice that I plunged into soy sauce mixed with sinus-clearing wasabi. At many sushi bars, an order of this range would have felt cost-prohibitive. But Sake Bomb’s prices are some of the most reasonable I’ve encountered. They allow you to freely wander the menu without fear of blowing the rent money. Veering from sushi, we moved on to a bowl of Stir Fry Seafood Udon Noodles. Udon are long, chubby noodles simmered till soft. They were easy to snag with chopsticks because they weren’t swimming in broth; Sake Bomb had them nestled with peapods, soft chunks of onion and plenty of seafood – juicy shrimp, shreds of crabmeat, scallops and squid. Sake Bomb Bistro. I loved the name before I even walked in. But after meeting the friendly team and enjoying such a delicious meal, it became clear to me: It’s exploding with the potential to be my favorite sushi restaurant.

Sake Bomb Bistro

| 258 park ave., worcester | 508-754-2426 | sakebombbistro.com

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Somethin’ Catchy wants to keep summer going all year long By Jason Savio Sometimes, things just come naturally; sometimes, there’s a learning curve. Restaurant owner RoseEllen Padavano is familiar with this concept. She is, after all, an entrepreneur and the co-owner of two successful restaurants. And this year, she and her partner, Angela Padavano, are expecting to have another popular spot on their hands when they open the doors of Somethin’ Catchy Seafood Shanty on Shrewsbury Street. Somethin’ Catchy Seafood Shanty is ready to keep the warm-weather vibe going all year long, serving up summer, even when the leaves change color and the temperature cools down. “My partner, Angela, and I decided that Worcester is in need of a great, homemade, fresh, fried seafood establishment,” said Rose-Ellen. “Our restaurant will be open five days a week, year round, so all are able to enjoy fresh fried seafood when they want it.” The Padavanos intend to give Worcester the seafood spot it has been craving, with plans to “offer all scratch, kitchen-made food,” including hand-cut french fries, onion rings and soups and chowders that are made daily. Rose-Ellen also noted, “Our seafood will be fried in trans-fat-free oil that will be filtered after each lunch and dinner service. This obviously requires time and dedication to be sure that our guests get the very best and freshest-tasting seafood in the area.” With a loaded menu that will satisfy any and all seafood lovers (clams, scallops and haddock, oh my), Somethin’ Catchy will also offer classic go-to selections like chicken tenders and hotdogs to accommodate those who may not be in a seafood mood. Specialty milkshakes will also be featured, as well as a raw bar. But for all her apparent knowledge, Rose-Ellen wasn’t always in the restaurant biz. Nor has she even been in it for very long, a surprise considering her current winning streak when it comes to restaurant owning. “My restaurant experience began almost five years ago, when I shifted from my biotechnology career to open my first restaurant,” she said. That first restaurant was Rosalina’s Kitchen, located on Hamilton Street in Worcester.

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Going from a career in biotech to one that’s involves serving up food is quite a jump, and Rose-Ellen freely admits that she and Angela had “no restaurant experience to speak of.” Rose-Ellen is “100 percent self-taught and trained.” When it comes time to keeping up with the competition, she said she “(studies) the business trends, cooking techniques and (stays) competitive by learning.” After having gone out on a whim and hitting it solid with Rosalina’s Kitchen, Rose-Ellen and Angela decided to team up with family member, Alisa Padavano Deveau, to open Padavano’s Place on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. If Rosalina’s Kitchen was the “small, quaint” startup restaurant for the budding entrepreneurs, then Padavano’s Place – an Italian restaurant which features a full-service horseshoe bar – was the next step in their business growth. Now, Somethin’ Catchy’s on the menu. But how can you manage three different restaurants at the same time? Location, location, location. “We were looking for somewhere on the east side of the city that would be easy for us to transition from one restaurant to the next,” Angela said. “As luck would have it, a space came available in the same plaza that houses Padavano’s Place.” One difference between Somethin’ Catchy and the other Padavano-owned restaurants, however, is the nostalgic roots it has for Rose-Ellen. A proud New England native, RoseEllen recalls spending many of her childhood summer days on the northern beaches of Gloucester and Rockport. “I have a lot of fond memories and want to capture that beachy feeling in the city,” she said of Somethin’ Catchy. And if this winter turns out to be anything like last year’s, everyone will be dreaming about summer weather and vacation bliss. “Our restaurant décor will be consistent with any beautiful beach-themed restaurant you can find along the shoreline,” said Rose-Ellen. “Come on in and feel like you’re at the beach.”

For more information, visit somethincatchyworc.com

By Paul Giorgio

This is perfect. The Erlich brothers, owners of The Perfect Game on Worcester’s Water Street, will open a second spot just a few feet away. The Whiskey Bar will open in the space that once was home to Jose Murphy’s. No word yet on the concept, other than whiskey. There is a good-size kitchen area in the place. More than perfect. There is a new restaurant opening up on Water Street. Lock 50, so named because of the Blackstone Canal, will open its doors in a few months. Tim Russo, formerly of Volturno’s and Worcester’s 2015 Best Chef winner, will man the range. This is a family business, with his brother running the front of the house. It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is Friendly. Worcester’s Park Avenue is home to a new Vietnamese restaurant, The Pho Bowl. I am guessing by the name that the owners will serve the national dish of Viet Nam, Pho soup. The restaurant is located at the site of the former Friendly’s near Webster Square. If pigs could fly. Figs & Pigs Kitchen is the name of the new mini eatery located in the DCU Center at the corner of Foster and Commercial streets. The 1,200-square-foot restaurant will be managed by Candace Murphy, who had orginally planned to open The Salted Pig on Franklin Street. We will have to find out what her fascination is with pigs, besides bacon, of course. Too late for the gondola ride. The Gondola Restaurant in Leominster has closed its doors after 58 years in operation. The fourth generation of the Lelli family decided that it was time to move on. We wish them well. Fiftyeight years is a very long time in the restaurant business and is a testament to the quality of their food. Habitat has found its Niche. Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater

Worcester recently announced a partnership with Niche Hospitality Group for a series of events, including custom dinners at the Mezcal Test Kitchen, wine tastings, hosted wine pairing dinners and more, the proceeds of which will support Habitat’s critical home builds for low-income families. In addition, Fab Lab, Niche’s new company that outfits restaurants, will build custom furniture for Habitat houses. The first event will feature a “Tour of Niche” experience at Niche’s Mezcal Test Kitchen. Contact Mezcal for details.

Best Diners. Thrillist has picked the Miss Worcester Diner as the best in the state. The website picked 14 diners in Massachusetts as noteworthy for their food and charm. The Miss Woo made the list for its pancakes. Worcester’s Boulevard Diner on Shrewsbury Street also made the list, as did Dinky’s Blue Belle Diner in Shrewsbury and Charlie’s Diner in Spencer. We do love our diners in these parts. Thanks. Don’t forget to make your Thanksgiving reservations early. Plenty of restaurants are open that day to serve all those who don’t want to cook or just can’t. NOVEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 33

sports&fitness

Women’s ice hockey comes to Becker College On Halloween, Becker College sports fans were treated to history being made when the puck dropped for the first game of Becker College’s first women’s ice hockey team.

Having played competitively as a forward for the women’s ice hockey team at Utica College in New York, where she helped her team make it to four consecutive ECAC Women’s West Conference Tournaments and rack up 58 victories, Kelley gained some coaching experience as an assistant coach for Utica after her playing days were over.

Joining schools like Amherst College and Connecticut College, Becker College will have a hockey team just for women and join a movement of progressive and opportunitybased sports programs. But Becker College hasn’t been oblivious to the positive impact of having sports teams that cater to both sexes. It already has eight sports teams for women, including basketball, field hockey, softball and soccer. After eight years of a successful men’s ice hockey program, it was finally time to introduce a women’s hockey team.

“I’ve always loved hockey, so when I was finished playing, I wanted to stay involved. The year after I finished playing, I was on the staff as a volunteer assistant. When the assistant there left, the players actually asked for me to join the staff as the full-time assistant head coach,” Kelley explained. “It seemed like a natural fit, and by that point, I was hooked. I loved the coaching side. Previously, I had coached a lot of youth hockey, but college hockey is what I’m really passionate about.”

“Becker wants to compete with the best institutions, and women’s ice hockey gives us another opportunity to attract quality female student athletes,” said Becker College Athletic Director Frank Millerick.

That experience will prove vital for Becker’s inaugural women’s hockey season. As Millerick pointed out, the team couldn’t be in better hands.

By Jason Savio

Becker College’s women’s ice hockey team will compete on the NCAA Division III level, against opponents such as Amherst and Connecticut. With such stiff competition – especially for a team just strapping up its skates for the first time – a good leader needs to be at the helm. That title has been bestowed upon Coach Eliza Kelley. Originally from Vermont, Kelley, just like her players, finds herself in a unique and new position – being the head coach of a team for the first time.

“Liza emerged as the strongest candidate throughout the search process, [and] she came highly recommended from the folks at Utica,” Millerick said. “We met weekly to ensure that we were dotting our ‘I’s’ and crossing our ‘T’s’ as we prepared to start up a program from scratch. Eliza has a tremendous work ethic, and I [am] very confident in her ability to lead this program. All of us at Becker College are excited for the start of a new era.” Millerick has such faith in Kelley and her staff that he believes the sky is the limit when it comes to what Becker’s women’s ice hockey team is capable of this season. “We expect to be competitive in our league right from the get-go,” said Millerick. “Eliza has worked hard to recruit these talented women, and I think she would agree with me that we will be in the hunt for our conference championship.” Kelley does indeed echo that same sentiment, with an emphasis on the team’s growth. “My hope is that we will compete for a Colonial Hockey Conference championship,” Kelley said. “Most of what we will be doing this season is in preparation for that goal. My expectation is that we will work hard and continue to grow and develop as a team.” Of course, to attract players and build a winning team, you first need a winning academic program to attract students. Kelley and her staff make sure that prospective students know that academics always come first. “They are selling not only the ice hockey component, but more importantly, the opportunity to study at a terrific institution,” explained Millerick of the recruitment process. “Becker has quality academic programs, and we need to be sure that the prospective student athletes and their parents understand this and know that our job is to ensure they graduate in four years.”

For more information, including a season schedule, visit beckerhawks.com/sports/wice/index. 36 THEPULSEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2015

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