The Pulse Magazine by Pulse Magazine

december 2015 COVER story 6 Happy (vintage!) holidayS!

entertainment

in this issue

25 OUT+ABOUT: Worcester needs LGBTQ+ Cultural Community Center

27 everyday science: DIY Science

10 brian chaffee finds a new lease on music

FOOD & DRINK

12 worcester rings in the new year with

28 Good taste: a day in the life of

first night

julioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new wine director

29 Hot & Now

13 gameon: The holiday shopping list

14 THE central scene

30 Dining RevieW: The Wonder Bar

31 pulsebrew: 15 netflix junkie: Netflix you a merry holiday

18 Club, Pub & grub Listings

A chat with Harpoon CEO Daniel Kenary

ART & CULTURE 32 nine dot gallery is thinking outside

the box

22 PulseShots

Lifestyle 24 Can you regift? yes!

read pulse Online @ ThePulseMag.com

PulseBooks: Books to keep you busy NowStreaming: Carrie Underwood / Elle King / Jeff Givens Holiday gift guide Holiday fashion guide Steal the Style: Out of this world rock trend

BEAUTY & sTYLE

34 New around the woo:

Mainstream Boutique

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, 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, Samuel Schonning, Kerry Cyganiewicz, John Trobaugh, Jamie Burke, Diana Holiner Writers

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

COVER STORY

6 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

By Emily Gowdey-Backus Light is what makes the holidays a magical time of year. Whether it is the soft glow of the Hanukkah candles atop a menorah or the neon spark of Rudolph’s nose, this is the time of year when we are awed by light. What happens when we cast a light on current celebration trends, only to see the traditions of holidays past are missing? Assumption College Associate Professor of Anthropology Amy Gavin-Schwartz believes traditions are how a culture is passed down from one generation to the next. “It gives people a connection to their past, as well as their future,” she said. However, over the past half century, a strong trend of consumerism and materialism has been steadily shadowing this once familycentric time of year. Older traditions like watching a live holiday variety show have been replaced with more modern crazes like faux-silver Christmas trees.

Local Holiday Events

their separate responsibilities and come together as one. “I like traditions, but everyone has their own life. Thanksgiving and Christmas bring people together in a family way. It’s such a warm experience.”

Christmas by Candlelight 4-9 p.m., Fridays-Sundays, Dec. 4-20 Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge $10-$15, osv.org

Kim Ben-Israel, owner of Shuki’s Judaica, also helps to create warm experiences during the holidays. Part of the Framingham community since 2000, Shuki’s Judaica is one of the largest importers of menorahs in the area.

Sutton Chain of Lights 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 5

Vaillancourt Folk Art 9 Main St., Sutton

Ben-Israel said her business during the holiday season is always good because people naturally look forward to Hanukkah. “When you’re dealing with a niche market, you’re dealing with a community. It doesn’t matter who they are; for me, it’s a community of mixed-marriage Jewish people,” Ben Israel said. She said she needs to know the traditions and find ways to intrigue customers.

Have we left the holiday spirit out of the holidays?

She puts a premium on her customers’ happiness and therefore brings in new merchandise as often as possible to keep her clientele interested. However, it can sometimes be difficult competing with the Christmas hype, admitted Ben-Israel.

Yes, the smothering nature of consumerism has been a growing concern, said Gavin-Schwartz, but creating new traditions does not mean older ones must be ditched.

“We live in a Christian country, but as a niche market selling non-Christian items, you do the best you can and make the customers happy, so that way they come back.”

“Nothing stays the same; nothing is static. From generation to generation, or even year to year, people change what they do. They might modify their traditions, invent new ones or maintain old traditions. They might do all of those things, depending on what is meaningful to them,” she said.

This Hanukkah, Ben-Israel suggested purchasing a second menorah. If you have young children, once they are grown and out of the house, you can gift them one that they will remember using during their childhood.

“Lots of things people think are ancient traditions – like Christmas trees – were invented in the last centuries. Traditions change; they come, they go,” added Gavin-Schwartz. In fact, in the world of anthropology, Gavin-Schwartz said this is the expected course of a society. “I would consider [the loss or evolution of traditions] the natural ebb and flow. It is the nature of society and culture to have things change. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but that is how cultures work,” she added. But, can we have both the cherished traditions and the modern nuances we crave?

Holiday Decorations

Linda Luks and her husband, Richard, are the coowners of Luks Christmas Tree Farm in Auburn. The pair opened their “pick-your-own” farm in 1960 and have supplied the surrounding community with Christmas trees and decorations ever since. One of the things Linda loves most about owning a Christmas tree farm is seeing the families interact. Young and old, she loves to see so many smiling faces year after year. “It’s nice to see the families walk around doing this together. It’s good to see them reunite when they’re all going their other directions during the day,” Luks said. Cutting and decorating a Christmas tree is a family activity. For some, said Luks, this may be the only time during the year that they put down

In the spirit of making new family memories, take one afternoon to share in the fun of cutting your own Christmas tree. Take the camera and document the fun (or frustration!) of the event. “A live Christmas tree, as long as you keep it watered, is less apt to catch fire. It gives you true smell rather than using chemicals,” Luks said.

Culinary Holiday Traditions

Jewish chef and cookbook author Paula Shoyer thinks baking is truly an act for others, especially during the holidays. “You wouldn’t bake a batch of cupcakes then eat them all by yourself. You bake a batch of cupcakes if someone had a birthday or there was a death and you want to comfort someone. You bake for other people; that is our nature. On the holidays, having these food traditions makes the celebration all the more enjoyable and memorable,” she said. For example, Shoyer always bakes latkes for her family on Hanukkah, so her children associate potato pancakes with the holiday. “I want them to go through life thinking, ‘Oh Hanukkah, that’s when my mother made latkes. She might have experimented with the applesauce or flavoured the latkes, but there were always latkes,’” she said. Shoyer’s newest cookbook The Holiday Kosher Baker presents a plethora of traditional holiday recipes with healthier ingredients substituted for less flavorful or less healthy ones. She suggests these alternatives with a two-fold message: Traditional Jewish baked goods

Free, valfa.org.

Diane Kelly Presents Holiday Spectacular 2015 6-8 p.m., Dec. 5

The Hanover Theatre

2 Southbridge St., Worcester

$26-$32, thehanovertheatre.org

Manheim Steamroller Christmas 7 p.m., Dec. 6

The Hanover Theatre

2 Southbridge St., Worcester

$50.50-$68, thehanovertheatre.org

Nutcracker Ballet 1-3 p.m., 5-7 p.m., Dec. 13 Mechanics Hall

321 Main St., Worcester

$20-$26, mechanicshall.org

Salisbury Singers Worcester Art Museum

55 Salisbury St., Worcester 2-3 p.m., Dec. 13

Free with museum admission, worcesterart.org

Torah Observant Messianic Jewish Congregation 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays

Congregation Melech Yisreal 231 Main St., Cherry Valley

WGBH Presents a Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan 7:30-9:30 p.m., Dec. 14 The Hanover Theatre

2 Southbridge St., Worcester $46, thehanovertheatre.org

A Christmas Carol Times vary, Dec. 18-27 The Hanover Theatre

2 Southbridge St., Worcester

$28-$52, thehanovertheatre.org.

Worcester First Night 10 a.m.-11 p.m, Dec. 31 Citywide

$10-$15, firstnightworcester.org

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7

8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

can be made with healthier ingredients and still taste good. “People always say, ‘My grandmother’s hamantashen recipe is so dry, but I make them every year.’ Why? Why don’t you just make good hamantashen?” she said. Shoyer is not the first to alter an inherited recipe. “Even bakers in the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s were looking for something new. Jewish people have been eating bad quality baked goods for so long, they want something tasty; they want something worth the calories.” Shoyer is aware some people may be turned off by the mention of alternative flours or less sugar, which is why some sleight of hand goes into her cooking. “I wasn’t advertising this as a healthy cake. I just happened to make it this way, and people like the taste. As long as it tastes good, they’re happy,” she said. A traditionally-trained chef, Shoyer studied in Paris and believes people should resurrect old family recipes, honouring relatives and family traditions by doing so, but should not be reticent about improving upon what came before. “One of my favorite things to do is take something like rugelach, a classic Jewish-American dessert served at Hanukkah, and substitute modern fillings like almond-pistachio or cranberrychocolate” for the usual raspberry jam. The owner and baker at Worcester’s Crown Bakery, Jon Lundstrom also incorporates his family’s ethnic heritage into his culinary masterpieces. One of three Swedish chefs at the bakery, Lundstrom’s Princess Torte and gingerbread cookies are among the bakery’s most popular items during the holiday season. At Crown Bakery, the holidays kick into gear right after Thanksgiving. “We do the decorated gingerbread men like we used to in Sweden. Nobody else does it like us,” Lundstrom said. Hundreds of decorated, marching cookies form a sugary army that stands tall among the infamous Swedish Christmas tortes with sponge cake centers and marzipan shells also on display at the 55-year-old bakery. “Families get together during the holidays, and you have to have food to keep them happy, keep them smiling,” said Lundstrom. On your next free weekend afternoon, gather your family together and host a gingerbread decorating party. See who can create the best look-alike of a family member, friend or even favorite Patriots player. If you are a little more adventurous when it comes to baked goods, talk with some of the older members of your family and ask them what their favorite holiday treats were when they were young. Since food additives and fake sugars became prevalent only in recent decades, these will most likely be simpler recipes. Or follow Paula Shoyer’s recipe for Green Tea Hamantashen (see sidebar).

Good Ol ‘ New England Yankee Swap One of the most popular gift-giving traditions in New England is the Yankee Swap. At a Yankee Swap, everyone brings a wrapped gift. The first person picks a gift to open. The second person may either take the first person’s gift or pick a new gift to open. If the second person takes the first person’s gift, the first person chooses a second gift. If the second chooses a new gift to unwrap, then a third person would take the next turn, and so on.

A local Worcester shop rife with vintage gifts for your next Yankee Swap is Crompton Collective, which sells the handmade wares of 41 local artists and 34 artisans from across the country. Just like traditions, the time, effort and meaning behind a gift is what truly matters, said Crompton Collective owner Amy Lynn Chase. “Handmade gifts represent a much more intimate and meaningful process than going to a chain store to buy something. People are aware the maker spent time and love creating their product, and I think that translates, making it a lot more special,” said Chase. “You don’t need to spend a million dollars on someone to let them know you love them, and I think small businesses and local artisans are the perfect representation of that.” However, Chase said the excitement and emotion behind gift-giving has slowly waned over the past decade.

Green Tea Hamantaschen Makes 3 dozen

Dough 3 large eggs 1 cup sugar ½ cup canola or vegetable oil 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons green tea powder 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting Dash salt

Filling

“The art of gift-giving has transformed into something that lacks the sentimental value and attention to detail it once had. This is why opening Crompton was such an important thing for me. I wanted to share my family’s obsession with finding the perfect gift for someone and offer that [opportunity] to my community,” said Chase.

1 cup apricot preserves

When you are four hours into a bout of online shopping, checking off items on your holiday list, take a deep breath, close your laptop and consider giving a vintage item a second life. Chase also suggested the wonderfully generous tradition of buying small gifts for children in need through programs like Toys for Tots. This time of year is when we gather together with family and celebrate, but we often forget to lend a hand to those less fortunate.

Learn From Tradition, But Add Your Own Personality Wesley Hall holds a unique and revered position at Worcester’s First Baptist Church. He is the organist. Master of a centuries-old instrument, Hall knows all too well the importance of continuing the life of a tradition. “When people think about the past, it’s important to have a sense of humility that defines your place in the human story. Do not think what you do [today] is better,” he said. However, Hall also wants the congregation to grow in its musical understanding and therefore chooses from a diverse spectrum of music for each week’s sermon. In the course of one Sunday morning, Hall, along with the church choir, has performed 14th-century monastic chants, a choral anthem from 1910 and rounded out the sermon with contemporary African music. For Hall, playing the organ is a privilege, but following in the footsteps of his musical ancestors is the true gift. “It can be very valuable to remind ourselves that we’re not the first ones doing what we do. There is some value in participating in the type of music, the type of social engagement that humans have done for hundreds and hundreds of years,” he said. Hall said participating in the continuous progression of cultural evolvement is humbling. “It helps us remember that what we do now will join that path.”

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, oil and lemon juice. Add the green tea powder and mix well. Add the flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and leave it in the fridge for one hour to firm up. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two or three large cookie sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats or plan to bake in batches. Divide the dough in half. Take another two pieces of parchment paper and sprinkle flour on one, place one dough half on top, and then sprinkle a little more flour on top of the dough. Place the second piece of parchment on top of the dough and roll on top of the parchment until the dough is about ¼ -inch thick. Every few rolls, peel back the top parchment and sprinkle a little more flour on the dough. Use a 2- to 3-inch drinking glass or round cookie cutter to cut the dough into circles. Use a metal flat-blade spatula to lift up the circle of dough and place it on another part of the flour-sprinkled parchment paper. Place up to 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of the dough circle and then fold the three sides in toward the middle to form a triangle, leaving a small opening in the center. Pinch the three sides together very tightly. Place on the prepared cookie sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough and roll and cut any dough scraps, making sure to sprinkle a little flour under and over the dough before you roll. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned, but the tops are still light. Slide the parchment onto wire racks to cool the cookies. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days or freeze for up to three months.

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9

ENTERTAINMENT

Brian Chaffee finds a new lease on music By Jason Savio Brian Chaffee has something he wants to share, something he’s kept bottled up inside that he needs to let out: his music. But not just music he’s written and performed, music he’s lived and breathed. Like other artists before him, Chaffee experienced the itch that comes when you find yourself yearning to cut straight to the heart and express yourself through music without constraints. And like other artists before him, Chaffee decided that the only way to do this would be to branch out on his own. Now, after having answered that calling, Chaffee has two new albums under his belt and, along with his live backing group The Players, is riding a new high and expressing himself the way he’s always wanted with his two albums, For Lovers and Crooners, and the newly released Afterglow. Chaffee’s new material has been a long time coming. While performing in his previous two bands, Krakow and The Franks, Chaffee began writing songs that he wasn’t able to bring to his bandmates because the songs didn’t fit the bands’ styles. “We were all thinking different things, as I was writing a lot more outside of the style we had created,” Chaffee said about the end of his time in The Franks, a group he described as a rock outfit with reggae and funk leanings. Chaffee’s new music, by contrast, is more in the vein of alternative rock with some folk qualities. “I decided to start my own recordings to at least document these songs,” he continued. “It was a strange Brian Wilson or George Harrison kind of thing. I just needed to get this stuff out of my head, and my current situation was not going to provide that relief.” Those recordings turned into more than a dozen demos that Chaffee had taped at home. Following the breakup of The Franks – which Chaffee insisted was not due to any bad blood or drama – Chaffee got to work, hooked up with engineer/producer Adam Rourke at Red Room Recording Studios in Waltham and cut the tracks that became For Lovers and Crooners and Afterglow. Instead of releasing all the songs onto the

same album, Chaffee decided to split them up. “I started to look at the songs and realized half were all about the hooks, love, (and) the other half was darker, richer, new life, but lots of death as well,” Chaffee explained. “I decided that releasing them separately made a lot of sense.” But Chaffee didn’t record and release his two new offerings by himself overnight. He had help from his friends and local musicians. Along with having members from The Players perform on some of the tracks, Chaffee enlisted many other talents, including bassist and vocalist Sarah Clark and drummer Adam Sausville. Clark and Chaffee began playing together in high school, went their separate ways and then reconnected at the Audio Wasabi open mic night Chaffee hosts at The Gardner Ale House. “Playing on the new album was a blast,” Clark said of Afterglow. “Brian wanted to add a couple of my originals, and it was really great to be included and accomplish that.” The originals in question are “Sweet Tooth” and “More Than I.” Clark and Chaffee wrote the track “On My Own” together. Sausville and Chaffee also have a history of performing together, which led to Sausville’s contribution. “I have always been a fan of Brian’s,” said Sausville, who plays on the track “Bullet like a Photograph” on Afterglow. “I’m lucky enough to perform with him, which still inspires me 15-plus years (later).” But no matter how many talented musician and writers Chaffee enlisted on his new projects, when all is said and done, it is his heart that is on that album sleeve. Some of the songs are very personal, enough so that Chaffee avoids going into specifics as to exactly what they are about. But he did have this to say about what Afterglow means to him: “For me, all we have is the afterglow someone leaves us and the one we leave. That’s what this album is for me.”

Be sure to catch Brian Chaffee and The Players performing live across New England in support of Afterglow and keep an eye out for new material, as Chaffee and company For more information, visit brianchaffeemusic.com and facebook.com/brianchaffeemusic continue to work in the studio.

10 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

Worcester rings in the New Year with First Night By Samuel Schonning Although every First Night Worcester is spectacular, expect an even bigger and better celebration in 2016, as First Night Worcester celebrates 35 years since the event’s inception in 1981. This year, First Night Worcester will offer a free mobile app that can be found on the iTunes App Store. It offers a complete schedule, information about events and links to the sponsors, venues and artists. With 60 performances, 12 venues and so much going on this year, you’ll need a little help! With a First Night Button, you’ll get free admission to the EcoTarium, Museum of Russian Icons, Old Sturbridge Village, Salisbury Mansion, Worcester Art Museum and Worcester Historical Museum. Along with access to all of the historical hot spots, a First Night Button can get you a lift on one of the two First Night trolleys sponsored by Bay State Savings Bank and SG&D Insurance Agencies. They are a fun and easy way of getting around the city on this special night. First Night Worcester will feature new acts and returning

successes, including the wildly popular psychic mediums Joanne Gerber and Deborah Livingston at the Courtyard Marriot (72 Grove St.). Down the road, UniBank’s Kids Zone at Veteran’s Inc. (69 Grove St.) will kick off the night at Tuckerman Hall with Youth Affect, a Southeast Asian Coalition group sponsored by Saint-Gobain, performing cultural dances. Jillian’s (315 Grove St.) is a new venue on the First Night Worcester scene this year, and it will host an eclectic line-up of artists (not to mention free pasta and a $10 game voucher with a First Night button). Expect critically acclaimed country folk singer/songwriter Grace Morrison, rising electropop act Shaded Glitch and the wholesome Kelly Girls Celtic band. For a jazzy night in the city, be sure to check out the artists at Ralph’s Rock Diner (148 Grove St.). Once you’ve skated in front of City Hall and watched the awe-inspiring dancers, acrobats, magicians and musicians of the night, find your favorite little spot in the city and enjoy the fireworks being lit from atop Bell Hill, courtesy of Polar Beverages, as you enjoy the New Year with friends, family and the city of Worcester.

Buttons are $10 until Dec 25, $12 after Dec 25 and $15 at the door and free for children younger than 7. Information on purchasing buttons and the schedule of events can be found at firstnightworcester.org.

12 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

THE holiday shopping LIST By Jason Savio

Super Mario Maker What would a holiday buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide be without everyone's favorite

red-overalled plumber on the list? Super Mario Maker is the perfect game for older and younger gamers. The veterans will love the

nostalgia and the ability to finally create the levels they dreamed of as a kid, while newcomers will be transfixed with the attention

to detail and hands-on approach the game has to offer. Never

one to miss a party, Mario makes it onto this year's list with

Super Mario Maker.

Lego Dimensions Quite possibly the most geeked-out offering on shelves this holiday season is the too-good-to-

be-true nerdgasm that is Lego Dimensions. Picking up a cue from the likes of Nintendo's Amiibos and Disney's Infinity games, Lego Dimensions incorporates the real life tangibility of Legos with

the metaphysical transportation of them to your TV screen. In other words, you build a Lego, attach it to a base, and said Lego opens up new playable characters and levels in the game. Lego

Dimensions is a two-for-one deal in that sense; it comes with a Lego set, which you build, and the game itself, in which all your favorite licenses in the Lego universe collide in one surprise

adventure. With numerous add-ons to buy (Jurassic World, Back to the Future and Ghostbusters, among others), Lego Dimensions is perfect for any Lego lover.

Star Wars Battlefront Just in time for the new Star Wars movie (and the holidays) is the highly anticipated Star Wars Battlefront. The next-gen Star Wars game that fans

have been waiting for, Battlefront looks

every bit as good as it promised to be.

Be prepared for battles on planets like Hoth,

Tatooine, Endor and the newly introduced Jakuu from

the

upcoming film, The

Force Awakens. Players are also given the opportunity to play as iconic characters, including Luke

Skywalker and Darth Vader. Plus, the game is prequel trilogy-free, to the delight of many fans. Rather than a continuation of the previous games in the series, Battlefront is a complete reboot that is set to introduce the Star Wars universe to the next generation of gaming.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Geared toward the more mature gamer on your holiday shopping list is the final installment in the Metal Gear franchise. The Phantom Pain is an epic, open-world adventure that sets Venom

Snake (aka, Big Boss, Solid Snake, etc.) on a revenge mission into Afghanistan during the Soviet/ Afghan war. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is a go-big-or-go-home game that raises all the stakes. Longtime Metal Gear fans will love it.

Batman Arkham Knight Finishing up the Arkham trilogy of Batman games is Arkham

Knight. Following the events of the previous two Arkham games,

the stage has been set to introduce a new and mysterious villain,

the titular Arkham Knight. But this time, the Dark Knight has a new trick up his sleeve: The Batmobile. Not included in any of the other Arkham entries, the Batmobile makes its long-awaited

debut in this final act and truly changes the feel of the game.

With the inclusion of the Batmobile and a new and exciting

heavy, Arkham Knight is a surefire hit with Batman fans this season.

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 13

events happening around central mass

december2015

1 2 3 4 5

Tom Rush concert

Enjoy a night of folk music from the talented Tom Rush. From selling out Club 47 to jumpstarting Joni Mitchell’s career, Rush is known for his moving lyrics and timeless tunes. $50-$70; 8 p.m., Dec. 12; Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley; bullrunrestaurant.com.

Preservation Worcester 2015 Holiday Stroll

Take a peek into the most exquisite homes in Worcester. This year’s stroll is of the Massachusetts Avenue Local Historic District, a special area conceived by Stephen Salisbury III as a grand-scale neighborhood on a portion of his family farmland. The stroll not only celebrates beauty and holidays but the release of a new book – Living at the City’s Green Edge: Bancroft Heights a Planned Neighborhood in Worcester, Massachusetts. For an additional fee, there is also a reception after. $25 for members, $30 for non-members; noon-5 p.m., Dec. 6; preservationworcester.org/pages/events.html.

Sutton Chain of LightS

The Sutton Chain of Lights is filled with holiday spirit, fun for all ages and a time you can’t get anywhere else. Sutton shops, churches, farms, galleries, schools and the Historical Society will be open with products, hospitality and entertainment. Get an old-fashioned experience in the picturesque town center. Free; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 5; Vaillancourt Folk Art, 9 Main St., Suite 1-H, Sutton; valfa.com/annual-events/chain-of-lights.

Massachusetts Symphony Hall Pops

Get your tickets to the popular show before they run out! This show is sure to be a hit, with a variety of music that’s perfect for everyone. The concert has been going or 35 years and is still going strong. $37-$45; 8 p.m., Dec. 12; Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester; mechanicshall.org.

Christmas Carol

Don’t miss this holiday classic that celebrates Christmas redemption and the love of mankind at The Hanover Theatre. The show features New England’s largest theater pipe organ, with carefully selected carols and a unique sound. With gorgeous makeup and costuming, beautiful scenery and special effects akin to Broadway productions, this show will not disappoint. $28-$52; Dec. 18-27; Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester; thehanovertheatre.org/a-christmas-carol.

14 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

Netflix you a merry holiday By Jennifer Russo

what t o wat c h : Rudolph Frosty A Christmas Story It’s a Wonderful Life The Polar Express ELF A Christmas Carol Love Actually Santa Claus Conquers the Martians • Eight Crazy Nights The Hebrew Hammer • The Black Candle • Home Alone Narnia Eight Below The Grey Happy Feet

There are people who live for the holidays, throwing up a tree the day after Thanksgiving. My mom’s house always looked like a department store; everything sang or moved on a sensor, an entire mini-village took up most of the living room, and old records played carols and festive songs. I do not follow in mother’s footsteps when it comes to being merry-on-steroids at this time of year; however, I do love holiday movies. Curling up under a cozy fleece blanket near the fireplace with some coffee and a snowy, feel-good movie after a long, cold day … yes. If you love nostalgia like I do, some of my personal favorites are the original Claymation and stop-motion movies like Rudolph and Frosty. You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy these, and as an adult, you can appreciate all the work that went into them. Some other musts are the iconic and hilarious A Christmas Story and all-time favorites It’s a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express and ELF. There are adaptations of A Christmas Carol for every taste, my favorites being the musical version with Kelsey Grammar and Jason Alexander and, of course, Scrooged with Bill Murray for a funnier take on the story. For total mush-balls, Love Actually is a romantic holiday chickflick, and for something totally (and kind of literally) out there, search and click on Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. I swear it exists. While there certainly aren’t as many Hanukkah movies as there are Christmas ones, they are out there. If you like Adam Sandler, his animated Eight Crazy Nights is pretty funny, though definitely not for everyone (like most of his movies). There is also a really funny parody called The Hebrew Hammer with Andy Dick that is worth watching. Other than that the selection is well … nonexistent. Sadly, the same rings true with Kwanzaa movies – there’s just not much out there. There is one called The Black Candle, which is a documentary narrated by Maya Angelou, but nothing else. Hello, Hollywood? OK, so how about some movies that are just plain good to watch during winter? Though Home Alone is technically a Christmas movie, it’s really more about two robbers getting an arsewhoopin’, so that’s fun for everyone. Narnia could arguably be considered a winter movie. Eight Below and The Grey are a couple of movies that will remind you it’s better to be inside. Happy Feet is just happy – and it has penguins. If you are totally against any type of holiday or winter-themed movie, I recommend binge-watching Hoarders episodes. It will make you start thinking about spring cleaning and warm you right up … or maybe that’s just the five cats on your lap.

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 15

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 B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling Backstreets Pub 14 Mill St., Fitchburg The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. Wednesdays: Trivia Night Thursdays: Live Acoustic Fridays, Saturdays: DJs 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. 508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com Tuesdays: Tuesday Night at the Movies Wednesdays: Game Night Dec. 4: Metal Friday Dec. 5: Freestone Dec. 10: A Ukulele Christmas Dec. 11: Darryl & The Derelicks Dec. 12: Four Bands with Bloodline Therapy Dec. 13: Wooing Dorothy & Broadband Dec. 18: Ricky Robiduox Dec. 19: Hip Swayers & Cosmic Slim Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury Fridays, Saturdays: Live Music Birkbeck’s Waterfront Grille 242 Mill St., Worc. Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: Live Music Dec. 26: The Shaggers Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden Thursdays: Open Mic Night Dec. 11: We & Mrs. Jones Blueprint New American Bar & Grill

9 Village Square, Westminster Dec. 3: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Dec. 4: Scott Babineau Dec. 5: Moon Cow Dec. 11: Whitney Doucette Band Dec. 12: Brett Casavant Dec. 12: The City Boys Dec. 17: Mike Melendez Dec. 19: A Ton of Blues Bolton Street Tavern 587 Bolton St., Marlborough 508-485-4416 boltonstreettavern.com Dec. 4: Tequila Bonfire Dec. 5: Andy Cummings Dec. 11: New Watch City Dec. 12: Unfinished Business Dec. 18: Blue Light Bandits Dec. 19: Hired Guns Dec. 26: Usual Suspects Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862 Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley Dec. 10: Blue Oyster Cult Dec. 11: The Allman, Pitchell, King, Charles Band Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) Dec. 4: Ken Macy Dec. 5: Jim Perry Dec. 11: Lisa Marie Dec. 12: New England Weather Dec. 18: Lisa Marie Dec. 19: Hot Dish Dec. 26: Brett Brumby Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc. Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster

18 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke with Royal Crown Tuesdays: Open Mic with Key Performance Fridays: DJ Darren & Double D Dec. 5: Go Gadget Go Dec. 12: Laquerhead Dec. 19: Oh Hey Bear Dec. 26: Backseat Zero Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. Dec. 12: Far From Eden The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster Dec. 3: Whitney Doucette & Kyle Amalotti Dec. 10: Corey Bazillion Dec. 17: Left Right Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. Wednesdays: Karaoke Saturdays: DJs Dec. 4: Sam James Dec. 11: Dezi Garcia Dec. 18: Brian Richard Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve with Dezi Garcia Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. Sundays: Funky Jazz Jam Sundays; Sunday Night Dead Mondays: Open Mic/Open Decks with Kroma Kode Tuesdays: Hip Hop TuesdaysDec 4: Viral Sound, Electric Love Machine (ELM), Broccoli Samurai Dec 5: Dave Crespo WEMF radio event Dec 9: Hip Hop vs. Reggaeton Showcase Dec 10: Mizz Kistune Electro Fusion Dec 14: Gallery featuring Artist Jacob Green Dec 17: Secret Weapon P-Funk members Dec 18: AIRSPRAY Dec 19: Robert Banks Trio Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant

19 Temple St., Worc. Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden Dec. 23: Acoustic Loops From Hell Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner Sundays: Jazz Brunch Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live bands Dec. 7: The Bees Deluxe Dec. 14: L&M Rythym Kings The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster Dec. 4: Macey & Ralston Dec. 12: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Dec. 18: Scott Babineau Dec. 26: The City Boys Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. Sundays: Jim’s Sunday Blues Jam Tuesdays: Open Mic Night with Bill McCarthy Dec. 4: Auntie Trainwreck 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. Dec. 4: Dec.ades by Dezyne Dec. 5: New Bay Colony Dec. 5: New Bay Colony Dec. 11: H2 & The Groove Dec. 18: Never in Vegas Dec. 19: How Bizarre Dec. 25: DJ Dec. 26: DJ Continued on Page 21

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 19

Continued from Page 18 JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough Dec. 4: Bourbon Truth Dec. 5: Windfall kicking off an all-day benefit at JJ’s Dec. 11: The Brit Wits Dec. 12: 9Teen Dec. 18: Boombox Dec. 19: Fennario (Toys for Tots Fundraiser/Toy Drive) Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Bash featuring No Alibi 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. Saturdays: Karaoke with Outrageous Greg MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster Dec. 4: Dan Kirouac Dec. 12: The City Boys Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Sundays: Blue Light Bandits Dec. 4: Jim Devlin Band Dec. 5: Doctor Robert Dec. 9: Hot Smoke Trio Dec. 10: Dave B & The Hot Shots Dec. 11: Mystic River Band Dec. 12: Hit the Bus Dec. 16: Ricky Duran Dec. 17: Jim Devlin Dec. 18: Andy Cummings Dec. 19: Tequila Bonfire Dec. 26: Neon Alley Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve with The Flat Five Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston Dec. 3: Mark & Anthony Dec. 4: Brian & Jodee Dec. 5: Kelly & Tribe Dec. 11: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Dec. 12: Joe Macey Dec. 17: Night Train

Dec. 18: Ken Macy Dec. 19: Jay Graham Dec. 26: Steve Agnellis Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. The Muse 536 Main St., Worc. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 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 Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. Park Grill and Spirits 257 Park Ave., Worc. Fridays. Saturdays: Dick’s Beantown Comedy Escape Dec. 18: The Drunken Uncles Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Dick’s Beantown Comedy Escape Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg Thursdays, Fridays: Karaoke Saturdays: Live bands Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc.

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 Tuesdays: C.U. Next Tuesday with DJ Poke Smot Dec 10: Ghost Ship Octavius, Next To None, Binary Code, Spiritual Sickness, Protean Collective, Seven Spires The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville Rocky’s 139 Water St., Worc. Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster Dec. 3: Jon Short Dec. 4: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Dec. 5: Soulstice Dec. 6: Brunch with Zack Slik Dec. 10: Dan Cormier Dec. 11: Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge Dec. 12: Brian Chaffee & The Players Dec. 17: Jay Graham Dec. 19: Scott Babineau Dec. 26: Brian Chaffee Duo Dec. 27: Brunch with Jon Short Dec. 31: New Years w/Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg

South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough Thursdays: DJ Dance Party Fridays: Karaoke & Dance Party Saturday: Live Music Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford The Tavern on Central 3 Central St., Ashburnham Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 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. Sundays: Big Jon Short Tuesdays: Boogie Chillin’ Dec. 5: Hip Swayers Deluxe Whiskey Hookah Lounge 316 Main St., Worc. Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner Dec. 4: The City Boys Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., W. Brookfield

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. Dec. 5: Jazzed Up featuring Mauro DePasquale Dec. 12: Tyra Penn and Her Army of Snakes Point Breeze On the Lake DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

PULSESHOTS

By Justin Perry

CANALLOWEEN: A NIGHTMARE ON WATER ST. CANAL DISTRICT, WORCESTER

THE MILL 185 W. BOYLSTON ST., W. BOYLSTON

MEZCAL CANTINA CENTRAL ST., LEOMINSTER

22 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

GAZBAR SPORTS GRILL CENTRAL ST., LEOMINSTER

BREW CITY GRILL & BREW HOUSE SHREWSBURY STREET, WORCESTER

COLUMBIA TAVERN CENTRAL ST., LEOMINSTER

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23

LIFESTYLE

Can you regift?

YES!

By Diane Gottsman We have all received gifts that just weren’t the right fit – literally and figuratively. When given a gift that you know you have no use for, it is OK to think about giving it to someone who might want it. But you have to be careful about how to handle the re-gift, so you don’t insult your gift recipients while trying to spread holiday cheer. Here are some tips to help you regift with style. Do re-gift with caution. It is no longer taboo to give a perfectly lovely or useful gift to someone you know will enjoy it. You may not be able to eat the expensive box of chocolate toffee you were given, but you know your elderly neighbor would go wild to receive it. Go for it, but make certain you aren’t giving a gift to someone who may be socializing in the same circle of friends. Don’t wait too long if the gift is perishable. If it’s something that you can put away, like a pretty frame that is a duplicate, wait for the right moment to give the gift, such as a birthday or anniversary, rather than during the same holiday season. But if it is a food item, time is of the essence. Do give the gift in the original package. Attempting a bait and switch by changing department store labels or bags, leading the receiver to think it came from a different source, is a shifty move. They may try and return the item, only to find it was not purchased at that particular store. Don’t give away anything that was a free gift with purchase or has been used and put back in the box. Don’t re-gift an heirloom. While you may not appreciate the set of bonehandled steak knives that have seen better days, your great-aunt thinks she is giving you a treasure. Accept the gift graciously and pull them out the next time she comes to visit. It’s the gift of courtesy you are giving back in return by remembering the thought behind her gesture. Do donate to a charity. Instead of risking getting caught giving away something you received from a friend or family member, donate unwanted gifts to a charity where someone will be able to use it. This is where your gifts with purchase and multiple samples of travel-size toiletries can be put to good use. Don’t hide it. Own your actions. Rather than re-gifting discreetly, consider letting the other person know you received a gift that you cannot use, but you know it’s their favorite brand, color or scent. Don’t wrap it like a gift but offer them the item in a nice bag that looks like it has been waiting just for them. By following these re-gifting rules this holiday season, you will be able to happily find a good home for your unwanted gifts. Once the wrapping paper of an unwanted gift is torn apart, you can pass the gifts on without tearing apart any friendships or relationships. Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert, author and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in corporate etiquette training.

For more information, visit protocolschooloftexas.com

24 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

worcester needs lgbtq+ cultural community center By John Trobaugh Since 2011, I have been interested in creating an LGBTQ+ community center, and I know I’m not the only one! I think that Pride’s community leadership has helped people believe that we can do it. I also believe that the withering of lesbian- and gay-owned/oriented businesses has contributed to the heightening desire for an alternative in-person space. At the first town hall meeting about the possibility of an LGBTQ+ cultural community center, we thought 30 people would declare a good public interest, but more than 200 people attended the preliminary discussion – an almost overwhelming response! This group expressed a pent-up need and desire for a cultural community center. Now, our task is to deliver. A core group of people with expertise and interest will parse the data and begin working on an outline. (Reach out to me directly if you should be on the short list for this group.) The consensus is that plans should move forward quickly. I have spoken with attendees at all the tables and reviewed the online feedback. It seems people want something more, but also that there is a clear need. The format of the discussion was designed to elicit what people wanted in an ideal community center, so we don’t discount any ideas. Then, we asked about current services and the organizations that offer them. If your organization was mentioned, we will reach out to you to talk about what you have as we create a “currently available” list and also to brainstorm with your organization about a vision for working together. If your group or organization offers services to, about or from the LGBTQ+ community, be sure you are on the list (bit.ly/LGBTQCENTER). We also hope to get names of individuals in the community who they think might like to be involved or know about the process. Without compiling the data, it seems clear there is a need for more youth and elder services, more family services, more interventional services, a social and organizing space and an incubation center for small groups, nonprofits and cultural offerings. People envision the space as independent of current organizations and expressed a clear desire to complement and add to the current services rather than replace any. Our task is to continue the discussions and not lose momentum as we create a 501c3 organization to begin to hammer out the details. Want to help? Worcester Pride is ramping up for next year! The group is looking for volunteers and ideas for new directions and improvements on next year’s agenda. Pride is already thinking about next year’s theme and grand marshals. Get involved at worcesterpride.org. Youth can connect with each other through Supporters of Worcester Area GLBT Youth (SWAGLY), located at AIDS Project Worcester, 85 Green St., every Wednesday night and Safe Homes, 4 Mann St., every Thursday night. John Trobaugh is a diversity project specialist in the Diversity and Inclusion Office of UMass Medical School.

For more information, visit worcesterpride.org DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 25

DIY SCIENCE By R.J. Linton Worcester is no stranger to science, technology and art. Worcester has a dizzying array of colleges and universities, from the liberal arts university, Clark, to the science and technology university, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Many of the institutions in the city have community programs. For example, the Worcester Art Museum has a number of community art programs and classes. One thing Worcester has been missing is a makerspace. Makerspaces are community do-ityourself collectives where amateur artists, engineers, builders and tinkerers can come together and share equipment and ideas. Right now, there are three groups in Worcester trying to come together to create a new makerspace in Worcester. Technocopia, the central makerspace organization, already has some anchor tenants to help support the organization. Worcester Think Tank is an educational organization in Worcester dedicated to building curriculum and providing opportunities for young people to enjoy art and science. IA Design, a combination machine shop and wood-working shop, will round out the group. If the groups’ fundraising is successful, they hope to bring their collective maker experience to the Worcester Printer building. The hope is that this new, larger collective will be better equipped and will be in a position to provide classes and other opportunities for makers of all ages to collaborate and learn from each other. Makerspaces are not a new concept, and a flagship example of a successful makerspace – Artisan’s Asylum – is just down the road in Somerville. The makers from Artisan’s Asylum have spawned several major projects, including Stompy, the six-legged robot walker that carries two passengers. In fact, a robot-fighting duel is scheduled between the U.S.-based team and a team in Japan. Community members who are members of the makerspace build these major projects. Typically, membership dues support makerspaces. Members also bring their personal tools to the space and share their tools with other members. This collective mentality allows people from the community to have access to tools and equipment they may not have at home. Some of the exciting things that makerspaces provide are 3D printers, large robotic machines for cutting wood, laser cutters and, of course, an array of hand tools. According to Technocopia’s fundraising video, the group hopes to attract families, students and entrepreneurs from all over the city. The new location in the Printers Building is near public transportation, which ensures that the barriers to accessing the new opportunities at Technocopia are as low as possible. The membership dues are currently $75 a month, but since the group is a nonprofit, members can be sure that the fees go directly to the community. Additionally, lowincome families may qualify for a modified membership fee. So if you or someone in your family is a maker, artist or tinkerer who needs a space or equipment, consider becoming a member or supporting the fundraising campaign.

For more information, visit technocopia.org DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

FOOD&DRINK

By Samuel Schonning It was an early Tuesday afternoon when I visited Julio’s Liquors at 140 Turnpike Road in Westborough. Toni Deluca had been announced as the store’s new wine director in September. My goal was to ask Toni about the wine industry and gain a better understanding of what a wine director’s role is, but as luck would have it, I experienced a first-hand glimpse into what a busy day she actually has. As I enter Julio’s and look for Deluca, I notice her assisting a couple of customers, making recommendations based on budget, taste and occasion. Then, I head to Deluca’s office to wait for her, as she is approached by a wine vendor. Within the first five minutes of my visit, I’m starting to get the big picture of what a wine director accomplishes all in a day’s work. According to Deluca, the wine industry was not a stop on her original career path. In fact, in college she studied criminal justice in Washington, D.C., and had a part-time job organizing and running wine-tasting events in northern Virginia. Later, she worked in the wine cellars of Chrysalis Vineyards, getting hands-on experience in the production of wine. A combination of customer relations experience and knowledge of wine production made her the best candidate for organizing a wine department at a store as large as Julio’s Liquors. Keeping a diverse inventory well stocked, maintaining customer relations by offering personal recommendations and consistently bringing in new vendors all comes with the territory of being wine director. In addition, Deluca holds special wine-tasting events at Julio’s. From 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday, there is a formal tasting, and customers can come in and sample from the store’s wide array of wines. On Saturdays, there are often more specific tasting events, some that even benefit nonprofit organizations. On Dec.12, Deluca will host a champagne portfolio tasting in conjunction with Toys for Tots. The event will help the organization provide toys for underprivileged children during the holidays.

Good taste: A day in the life of Julio’s new wine director Wi nes f or th e h oli days Recommendations from Toni Deluca, Julio’s wine director

Christmas Cartizze from Villa Sandi Italian Prosecco Two Arrowheads White Blend Sonoma, California Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Etna Rosato Italian Sicilian Red Chateau Lilian Ladouys French Bordeaux Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape French Rhone

Hanukkah Kuhling-Gillot Dry Riesling Germany Zufini Pinot Noir Italian Lanzur Chardonnay White Wine Chile Kosher Wine Dalton Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee

The wine tastings take place in the Angel-Share Tasting Room of Julio’s Liquors, a relaxed environment with a unique selection of hard-to-find wines that Deluca curated herself. She is responsible for the aesthetic of the wine department, and it shows in the presentation of marquee brands and overall organization of the wine racks. There are even brands of wine that are exclusively retailed at Julio’s.

Domaine Cauhape Jurancon, France Semi-sweet, refreshing, after-dinner wine

When a store like Julio’s has so many departments, including beer, hot sauce, specialty food, spirits and a smoke shop, it’s difficult to create a unique experience that fits into the bigger picture. And it’s Deluca’s job to do just that.

For more information, visit juliosliquors.com

28 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

By Paul Giorgio

It’s technically not on a square. A new Tavern on the Square will be opening at the site of the former Spag’s in Shrewsbury. The small chain has nine eateries, with the closest one in Northborough. Speaking of Shrewsbury. Work is progressing on the Hooters location on Shrewsbury’s

Route 9. A late December or early January opening is anticipated, and the restaurant is already hiring.

North County news. The 435 Bar and Grille will be opening soon in Leominster at 435 Lancaster St. It plans to be open seven days a week, with the kitchen operating from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. The bar will be open until closing time. Some Worcester news. Yummy Steak House is the name of the Japanese steak house that has taken the place of Hirosaki Prime on Worcester’s Grafton Street out by Sunderland Road. It was sporting a “Just Opened” banner in the middle of November.

Or was it just a mirage? Le Mirage, a longtime fixture on Worcester’s June Street, recently

closed its doors. The Middle Eastern restaurant had very good homemade food but suffered from not having a liquor license.

A Hangover hits the spot. Two new bars, The Spot and Hangover, will soon be opening on

Worcester’s Green Street in the space that once housed the Center Bar and Primo’s. We hear that Danielle Spring and Jay Grayson will be the owners. Danielle was the former owner of Square 1 on Green Street.

Something fishy. Something Fishy Seafood Shanty opened the last week in November on

Shrewsbury Street. It is owned by Angela and Rose Ellen Padavano, who also own Padavano’s Kitchen next door and Rosalina’s Kitchen on Hamilton Street.

It’s always been his dream. Dave Richardson recently opened up Flying Dream Brewery Company on Park Avenue in the space that, until recently, served as the home for Wormtown Brewery. Wormtown moved to Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. Angry chef visits Sturbridge. One of England’s premier chefs and the host of numerous Food Channel TV shows, Gordon Ramsay, recently paid a visit to Sturbridge, where he ate at BT’s Smokehouse. Word has it that he loved the barbeque. Ramsay, who has the reputation for being a potty-mouthed, ill-tempered chef, was filming at The Vienna in Southbridge.

I’ll have a splash of water with my whiskey. Whiskey on Water is the name of the new bar that is undergoing renovations on the corner of Water and Harrison streets. It was formerly Jose Murphy’s. The bar, which will specialize in whiskies from around the world, is owned by the Erlich brothers, who own the Perfect Game right down the street. The Hill gets new grill owner.

Green Hill Golf Course’s Grill on the Hill will have a new operator this season. Jim and Melinda Taylor will be taking over from Savvas Fotiadis, whose family owns West Boylston’s The Manor and the Draught House. He did not seek to renew his lease with the city. Melinda has worked at the Grill for the past five years, and her husband Jim manages Bentley Pub in Auburn

Two places abruptly close. We hear that Art’s Diner, a bar on Worcester’s West Boylston

Street, abruptly closed in the middle of November. Rivalry’s, a Shrewsbury Street bar next to the Flying Rhino, closed the last week of October.

DECEMBER 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29

dining review:

the wonder bar restaurant The iconic Wonder Bar is serving up slices of history By Bernie Whitmore When the iconic Wonder Bar neon sign went dark, it seemed to signal a turning point in the history of Shrewsbury Street dining. For this was one of the originals. Long before the street underwent its renaissance and became a dining district, there was but a small handful of places to go for a slice of pizza. Almost as soon as that neon sputtered out, rumors began to light up. Oh yeah, the WB’s been bought! The format will change! No, they can’t do that; it’s a landmark. And then, early last summer at the taste of Shrewsbury Street, the Wonder Bar’s doors opened and pizza was served, amid much commotion. The place was so packed with people that I could barely nudge my way in and felt lucky just to snag a slice of basic cheese pizza. But that single slice tasted worthy of the Wonder Bar name. Fast forward a few months, and the Wonder Bar has re-established its venerable reputation on the street. End of story? Hardly! For if you haven’t ventured back, you’re in for a surprise. The WB we grew fond of was hardly the attractive room it started out as back in the ’20s. Somewhere in the ’60s, it fell victim to the fervor for ‘”modernization.” In this case, ceilings were dropped, walls paneled and lighting fluoresced. The new owners peeled back all that worn-out veneer and revealed an original stamped tin ceiling that actually extends halfway down the walls. I’ve never seen this before; it must have been a significant upgrade nearly a century ago. It’s been painted pale lemon, the lighting has been modernized and the bar restored along the wall. All this sends a message: “Welcome home.” I realize there are purists who treasure memories of the run-down look of the place before its re-boot. My advice: Give it time; this layer of paint, too, shall fade. All of this effusing would, of course, be just empty words if the pizza didn’t pass muster. That was the real objective of this visit: to grab a brew and split a pizza. Before that, though, we ordered the Fried Calamari. Classically prepared, the heaping dish of quarter-sized rings and squiggly tentacles came with a cup of mild marinara for dipping. Expertly fried to a light golden-brown, we gave them a few additional shakes of salt. It was an encouraging start to our meal. The pizza menu looks much as I remember it, still containing one of my favorites, White Clam and Garlic. This evening, we went with a selection that should test most of the kitchen’s basic skills, a combination of sausage, mushroom and pepper. First observation: the cheese. The chef used a lot of it. Real honest mozzarella, not that strange cream cheese-ish stuff that some places spread on their pizza dough. WB used so much mozzarella that when I grabbed my first slice, big stretchy strands draped from the pie across the table to my plate. This brought back happy mozzarella memories from childhood, and I twirled up all the excess on my fork. Be ready to wipe it off your chin! Then the other toppings. Strips of fresh green peppers were soft and sweet and plentiful. Sliced brown mushrooms retained their mild flavor and a bit of firmness. But the meat really caught our attention. Each slice had several chunks of sausage that was lean and crumbly with flecks of tasty fennel. This was a combo whose ingredients were fresh, real and applied in generous measure. Now, we get to the all-important crust. For me, dough is the heart of the pizza experience, where many fail and few prevail. Everyone has their favorite form of pizza, and I consider myself versatile – thin crust, deep dish and variations between; each are OK as long as my pizza crust provides some chewy resistance with a crusty edge, bready flavor enhanced by a deep-baked brown crust and, ideally, a dappling of near-burnt points where it was exposed to the hot stone surface in the pizza oven. Happily, this pizza passed each one of these tests. Even though I’d just returned from pizza nirvana in Naples, Italy, I greedily enjoyed my half of our combination. The WB serves up a fairly thin crust – not crackerthin – but pliable enough that you can fold your slice and enjoy it without using a fork. Baked deep brown on the bottom, I reckon the Wonder Bar has accomplished the classic pizza experience. Our only advice: Dial back just a wee bit on the cheese!

The Wonder Bar Restaurant | 121 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester | 508-752-9909 | wonderbarrestaurant.com 30 THEPULSEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2015

PulseBREW: A chat with harpoon ceo daniel kenary

By Kerry Cyganiewicz I recently had the opportunity to speak with Daniel Kenary, CEO of Harpoon Brewery. In my time here at Pulse Magazine, I have met many people within the craft brewing industry, some local and some from afar. Every one of them, without exception, has been humble, passionate, kind and quite approachable. Kenary is no different. It’s no secret that I frequently write about local brews I personally enjoy. I discovered that Kenary has some solid local roots. He grew up in the Newton Square area of Worcester and still has family in the area that he visits often, but his connection to Worcester doesn’t stop there. His wife graduated from Holy Cross, as did five of her siblings. We spoke for some time about Worcester and how it has changed. Local beer distributor Atlas Distributing was Harpoon’s first distributor back in the ’80s, and it’s a partnership that’s still going strong today. Harpoon is planning many events to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2016. You can sign up for the Friend of Harpoon program at harpoonbrewing.com. This will enable you to see all of Harpoon’s events, as well as to take advantage of discounts on various Citi Performing Arts tickets. Harpoon hosts five festivals a year, and the company’s charitable arm, Harpoon Helps, hosts six events per year. Through these philanthropic efforts, Harpoon donates volunteer hours, fresh beer and thousands upon thousands of dollars to various causes throughout New England. It seems that every week, another craft brewery is getting bought up by a macro brewery. Kenary told me Harpoon is employee-owned. Harpoon started an employee stock ownership plan that allows its employees to have an ownership stake in the company. Deschutes Brewing in Oregon has an ESOP plan, as well. Brewers tend to be a tight-knit community and work together in creative ways, including brewing beers together which are usually called collaboration beers. These two breweries with ESOP’s got together and brewed a beer called EHOP. They are brewing a slightly different version at each brewery, and the beers will contain employee-grown hops, as well as sage and thyme. In closing, I asked Kenary how the past 30 years have been and if he ever dreamt he would be where he is now. He replied by telling me about his trip to this year’s Great American Beer Festival. He spoke about how many brewers were there and how much excellent beer is being brewed in the United States right now. There was a time when Europeans would look down upon American beer offerings. Now, they are sending their students here to learn how to get some of this excitement for beer in Europe. He stated that he would frequently stop, look around and just take it all in with a smile. I imagine that’s what many craft beer drinkers do when they visit Harpoon Brewery.

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art&culture

is thinking outside

Nine Dot Gallery

the box

friends and community members. Right now, he’s planning a poetry night on every third Thursday of the month, as well as open mic nights and live musical house shows.

By Samuel Schonning When John Vo thinks about Nine Dot Gallery, he sees a community. “I want Nine Dot Gallery to be a community space where artists can cultivate their craft and elevate the status of the city,” Vo said. Vo opened the private fine arts gallery at 763 Main St., Worcester, last summer. Along with being a place for local artists, Vo also envisions the gallery becoming an important destination for international artists to present their work. Vo said that despite the many creative individuals who inhabit the city, Worcester does not receive the credit it deserves as a cultural hot spot. Nine Dot Gallery is not only looking to benefit artists, but the communities in which they live. Vo himself is a Lowell-born, Worcester-raised artist. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, where he studied art and philosophy. In 2010, he received a grant to travel to Vietnam and study art in the country of his heritage. Looking at his current work, there is no doubt that this voyage was transformative and inspirational to him in many ways.

Nine Dot Gallery 763 Main St., Worcester, is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For more information, visit ninedotgallery.com

“It was the first time in my life that art has taken me anywhere, and with Nine Dot Gallery, art has taken me home,” Vo said on the gallery’s website. Upon returning from Vietnam, Vo said he realized the importance of building something special and lasting in one’s hometown. Vo not only wants to inhabit the space of Nine Dot Gallery with visual arts, but also with live performances in the company of

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But visual arts are still at the forefront of Nine Dot Gallery’s mission. The months of October and November featured a collaborative exhibit called “Re:Imagine” by Amanda Stone Lohnes, Erica Chick and Erica Silvestri. These three artists challenged and played with the idea of human perception through drawing and photography in their own unique styles, but they came together to create a one unified experience. From the opening reception on Nov. 29 until Dec. 25, Nine Dot Gallery will present an entirely new exhibit from local photographer and street artist Hank VonHellion, “Sanctioned Communications.” In stark contrast to “Re:Imagine,” which depicted perceptions and memories of human beings in both negative and positive lights, “Sanctioned Communications” appears to represent the grounded reality of street culture for what it is: edgy and unapologetic. It is the diversity in the art that makes Nine Dot Gallery a special place for all voices to be heard. Nine Dot Gallery’s environment can only be described as welcoming and collaborative. For artists and musicians, Nine Dot Gallery wants to hear from you about presenting your work. For art-lovers who feel their brains are craving creativity and nourishment, Nine Dot Gallery invites you to stop in.

N OR TH

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

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

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

style&beauty

For more information, visit northboro.mainstreamboutique.com or check out the store’s Facebook page

Mainstream Boutique By Diana Holiner Carrie Goodwin, owner of the new Mainstream Boutique in Northborough, is changing the fashion world in New England. Making every kind of woman feel confident is one of the main goals of the boutique. “If I make a woman feel beautiful, then that’s more than I could ever hope for. And that’s definitely the feedback we’re getting,” Goodwin said. Looking around the store, it is unlikely you won’t find something that fits your style. Clothes range from dressy to casual, with everything in between. The store offers dresses, sweaters, tops, jeans, jewelry, scarves, handbags, hats, gloves, jackets and shoes for all women. In fact, Goodwin said she sold one particular blue dress to both a 17-year-old and a 70-year-old – and it looked fantastic on both women. Goodwin, who is from New York, moved to Northborough years ago and now lives in Boylston. With a background in mergers and acquisitions for health care franchises, Goodwin knew she wanted to open a clothing store. Then, she found the Mainstream Boutique franchise. Goodwin, whose store is the only Mainstream Boutique in New England, opened in August. “I expected it to ramp up slower; I expected to grow steadier. Instead, we’ve just been busy since we’ve opened. All of the feedback has been positive. Beyond what I had ever imagined. … It’s

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just been amazing,” Goodwin said. “I love when [women] feel really good about the things I’m putting them in. I love working with the customers. I love when they say, ‘I love this store. I love the variety; I love how different the variety is.’” When it comes to making customers feel good, that is Mainstream’s mission. “I think we make sure that women feel very confident in the clothes that they’re in. I won’t push sales onto customers in things that they’re uncomfortable in. I will try to make them take a risk. I’m also very honest about what looks good on them. Being honest is important, so that the brand and the customer look good.” Not only is Goodwin making customers confident, she is also exposing them to new and exciting trends. “I think I have the advantage of bringing the market of the West Coast and Midwest to the East Coast.” Of the coming trends, she said we will see a lot of denim – bellbottom jeans are making a comeback – flannels and fringe. We will also see a lot more color than we’ve seen in the past, with vibrant colors like purple, fuchsia and red taking center stage. Goodwin said her customers are also starting to take risks with prints. “I wondered if New England would handle that OK. I didn’t know how people were going to be about that. I expected people to be more conservative, but they’re not – they’re really happy to be back in a store with a more bohemian feel to it.” She showed me a dress that she jokingly described as looking like an EKG, but despite that, it is beautiful and selling. She picked out another dress to show me; this one has a bit of crazy print – and it’s almost out of stock. “We get women of all sizes. We get professional businesswomen; we get stay-at-home moms. We get a diverse group of people and age group. We buy for everybody.”

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