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PULSE MAGAZINE: DECEMBER 2020 COVER STORY Craft Doughnut Craze
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ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & CULTURE
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Murals Bring New Life in Worcester
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LIFESTYLE NEW IN THE WOO MFITNESS inferno Hot Pilates
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Out and About
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420 in 508
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Style Savvy
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ArtsWorcester 10 Tackling the Pandemic with New Exhibits
SPORTS + FITNESS
NowStreaming:
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Game On Sports & Performance Center
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Pulse Shots Best of 2020
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Finding Balance
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DINING REVIEW Dining Review: Woo Bar & Grill
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Hot & Now 15
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PulseBrew 16
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PULSE MAGAZINE ENTERTAINMENT LISTING NOTE*
Things have been tough for the amazing bars, restaurants, venues and public spaces throughout Central Massachusetts since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com Kevin La, Art Director kla@pagioinc.com Josh Lyford, Editior jlyford@pagioinc.com David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com Bernie Whitemore, Ryan Cashmen, Molly Prior, Jason Savio, Paul Giorgio, Rachel Shuster, Giuliano D’Orazio, April Goddard, and Jennifer Russo, Writers FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: TWITTER @WORCESTERPULSE • INSTAGRAM @WORCESTERPULSE • FACEBOOK.COM/THEPULSEMAGAZINE
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PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 134 Gold St., Worcester, MA 01608. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com
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WORCESTER’S CRAFT DOUGHNUT CRAZE COURTESY OF JOE JACOBS
written by Bernie Whitmore
Back in the days when munchkins meant ‘little people’, the important discoveries of fried dough and powdered sugar came together on some country fairground to ignite a tasty tradition that has never stopped innovating. Add a hole! Coat with icing! Inject them with jelly! The modern donut was born.
Since then, the humble donut has been scientifically calibrated and mass-produced, sold from gas stations and machine-fed at a terrifying rate into Homer Simpson. And now, across the nation, regions are locked in competition for the most leading-edge donut culture. West Coast cities brag that they’re out front on the donut curve. But here in the Worcester area, home to a rich tradition of family donut shops, there’s a group of newcomers defying standard donut logic to give us the distinct edge. To investigate, we tossed rational blood sugar concerns aside and set out on a binge tour of these pioneering donut shops to taste for ourselves how they’re advancing this frontier. At each shop we would select three different donuts; one of which, the basic glazed, would serve as the control group; an anchor to the past. Then, back in the tasting lab, we’d subject them all to a battery of taste tests and make scientific tasting notes. Here are the results.
Glazy Susan REIGNcafe 50 Foster St., Worcester
After waiting a half hour in line, I was finally admitted into the donut salesroom where Michael emphasized that Glazy Susan donuts are made from scratch, even the icings and glazes, using locally sourced ingredients such as Hebert’s chocolate. I was early and, consequently, fortunate to find their shelves packed with fresh donuts and all varieties available. This complicated the decision-making process, but here’s what I selected: Ube Coconut. Michael explained that ube is a purple yam used as a natural sweetener in confections and ice cream. This was news to me and challenged my bias against vividly colored donuts. The Ube is a bright purple cake donut covered with bits of shredded coconut, sweet and moist but not cloying. With each of my selections it became more evident that the Glazy Susan baker has a solid understanding of flavor balance; a knack that allowed the mild coconut flavor to transcend. Boston Cream. This one really stood out; it’s a raised donut with a hole in the center, but the donut is filled. How do they do it? Where are the injection points? On close inspection I couldn’t find them anywhere on the donut’s surface, so I concluded they must be on top, obscured by the thick chocolate icing. Clever. That Hebert’s deep chocolate flavor was thick and rich – but not fudgy… this was a classic raised donut with gobs of honest eggy custard in every chocolaty bite. If your last Boston cream pie was from a grocery store, do yourself a favor and grab some Glazy Susan Boston cream donuts. Honey Glazed, aka the Glazy Susan. A delicate thin glaze that fractures on touch is coated over an even-textured raised donut. Fried to a nice light golden brown, it was masterful. After sampling this gorgeous donut, I understand why they’d rest their name and reputation on it. Our overall reaction to Glazy Susan: Three is not enough! We want more!
Rocco's Doughnut Company 238 Millbury Ave., Millbury
Rocco’s is located five minutes from the center of Millbury; once you get there, you’ll need to finagle a parking spot because all the neighbors have signs posted ‘No donut parking.’ I waited in a short line before being admitted. Once inside, I was advised that Rocco’s is so famous because the donuts are big, creatively conceived and baked from scratch with high quality ingredients. Indeed! At Rocco’s, size does matter. These huge donuts provide ample real estate needed to top them with thematically devised companion confections. I took advantage of that with my selections: Chocolate Raspberry Brownie. Start with a rich chocolate raised donut, crusty and dipped in a thin sugar glazing, then cloak it with thick fudgy frosting dabbed with mini fudge marshmallows. Add a generous drizzling of bright-flavored raspberry syrup and top it off with a ridiculously fudgy brownie triangle. This was a totally outrageous chocolate journey. Tart raspberry and chocolate: an inspired combination. Basic Glazed. A fluffy raised donut quick-dipped in a glaze that shattered into crispy shards when I bit into it. Very airy texture. Can a donut be ethereal? Here’s a candidate. Blueberry Maple Brunch. True blueberry bits were blended into a huge cake donut that had been dipped in a mild maple glaze and studded with chewy maple chunks. All this was topped by a classic Belgian waffle. The waffle itself was worthy of raves, straight from the boulevards of Brussels. You might be tempted to ladle it with warm maple syrup and a big dab of whipped cream. Overall, Rocco’s glazes are nice and thin, their flavors are true (no sledgehammer of imitation maple flavor). And, happily, their donuts are very huge and perfect for sharing. We loved their well-conceived flavor combinations and felt an urge to make a return trip. Three Rocco’s donuts barely scratch the surface of their collection.
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Doughnut Homies Worcester Public Market 160 Green St., Worcester
Positioned behind her glass display case, Alicia explained to me that Doughnut Homies are made by hand in small lots and sell out fast. That explained the limited choice; had we arrived a few minutes later we may have departed empty-handed. Fortunately, there were still some interesting varieties remaining. Our Selections: Chocolate Coated. This was a dense-textured raised white donut that stood proud to support delicious dark chocolate frosting decorated with rainbow sprinkles. The chocolate flavor was deep and true and left a pleasing cocoa aftertaste. DH’s Glazed Donut was the solid-citizen of the bunch; a springy-dense donut with thin coating of glaze. Ours was a bit squeezed on one side but still sticky-fresh. Cream Filled. In general, I prefer donuts with holes but reluctantly selected this one and was really surprised! I loved the crusty exterior; deep brown around the sides with a nice crunch when you bite into it. The center was filled with fluffy white cream that puffed out one side. Alicia had topped it with a raging blizzard of powdered sugar after boxing it for me. This made it messy, but fun to eat. The Doughnut Homies experience reminded me of my youth, when the family would gather for Saturday Night Donut Dinner, right before watching hours of Creature Features. My favorite donuts were the cream-filled; I never really knew what that fluffy white stuff was, but I still find it a guilty pleasure.
Doughnuts & Draughts 255 Main St., Worcester
Doughnuts & Draughts is located in a corner of the Palladium building and has a few tables overlooking Main Street. While I waited, I overheard a couple customers enjoying coffee and registering gloomy alarm regarding some conspiracy theory. The manager explained to me that D&D’s fame derived, simply, from the freshness of their donuts. I get that; with so many donuts sourced from the nearby gas station, freshness should be a cause for celebration. My Selections: Cinnamon Glazed. This was a respectable raised donut with a pudgy coating of sweet cinnamon caramel glaze. Careful how you hold it, though, I couldn’t wash that glazy aroma off my hands for the rest of the day. Maple Bacon Glazed. My favorite of the D&D bunch; the salty notes coming from crispy bacon shreds provided a welcome anti-sweet aftertaste. This donut shouldn’t be messed with by nibbling. Take a big bite and savor the combination of intense maple, crunchy bacon and fluffy raised donut. All with that hint of salt finish. Hey, pass me an IPA! Chocolate Frosted (billed as the best you’ll ever have!). I was ready for a frosted chocolate cake donut but, surprise!, discovered a regular white raised donut coated with a thick layer of semi-sweet chocolate frosting and topped with rainbow sprinkles. The effect: fluffy gives way to deep choco intensity. Delicious! Wait… maybe this was my favorite. Doughnuts & Draughts are very sweet donuts; the flavors of their coatings are robust and seem built to withstand the assault of a New England Double IPA.
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ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & CULTURE
MURAL BY TRAVIS DUDA AND GRHIMM XAVIER AT REC YOUTHGROW FARM
MURAL BY EAMON GILLEN AT COES POND COURTESY OF MIKE PETRUCCI
Worcester is becoming a lot more colorful thanks to a growing group of mural artists in town. It’s now more and more common to see large, brightly colored works of public art on walls and buildings that were formerly void of any sort of pizazz or life. Last month, we talked to Ryan Gardell of Artifakt Studios, who is making his name known with large murals like the one he created in 2017 on Coney Island in conjunction with POW! WOW! Worcester. POW! WOW! Worcester, an arts festival that is part of a worldwide arts initiative network has continued to embrace local artists and has most recently enlisted the talents of Travis Duda and Eamon Gillen to beautify our area. “There’s just something about public art that is really enchanting, the idea that we’re taking art out of museums and putting it on the street and making it really accessible to all people, that truly appeals to me,” says Duda, a graphic designer at Hunchback Graphics, a company he founded. Duda has also been a board member of POW! WOW! Worcester for three years, helping with the annual arts festival. “I’ve been working with POW! WOW! Worcester and watching those artists for the past few years and they kind of shed some light on the whole way it’s done and took out the mystery,” says Duda. “It went from something that was kind of scary and intimidating to ‘Oh yeah, I can actually kind of do this.’” Duda used his newfound confidence to step away from the computer and lend his skills to paint a mural on a building he and artist Grhimm set up together nearby a youth grow garden at 63 Oread Street, in conjunction with POW! WOW! Worcester and the Regional Environmental Council (REC), a grassroots food justice organization that works on “creating access to food for Worcester’s most food-insecure communities,” according to the group’s website. Duda and Grhimm decided to paint a picture of a young woman “whose hair creates a kind of negative space, which is also a duplicity for the garden with messaging that says ‘Keep it going, keep it growing,’” says Duda. “We drew up a proposal and came up with an idea to lift up the sprits of the people who already use the garden,” he says. “They’re doing such cool things over there with inner city kids using that space and learning how to grow vegetables and whatnot, so whatever messaging we put up there we wanted it to (be for them).” For Duda, creating the mural at the youth grow garden was always in the cards, even if he didn’t know it. He previously practiced making smaller murals privately in his backyard, but the 40 ft. by 15 ft. one at 63 Oread Street is the biggest he’s worked on to date. “Typically, I’m behind the computer, so this was a nice way to switch up my skill set and work on a different part of my brain,” he says. Across town at Coes Pond Beach you’ll see another display of public art in the form of a mural on a beach house/bathroom facility. Eamon Gillen, a tattoo artist at Crown of Thorns Tattoo, was tapped by POW! WOW! Worcester and Park Spirit, a volunteer-based group that focuses on sustaining and protecting public parks in the community. “(The) Coes Beach (mural) is kind of a take on the animals that you would see while you’re out exploring the trails, so there’s a fish, frog, turtle, beaver, birds, and also a mix of city and nature because the trail cuts through the city,” Gillen says about the mural.
MURALS BRING NEW LIFE TO WORCESTER JASON SAVIO POW! WOW! Worcester contacted Gillen to create the mural to help frame and bring attention to new signage being put up in the area, he says. Gillen is no stranger to mural painting, having done work for Pixels and Pints Arcade Bar, Lincoln Street School, and other places around town. He’s also currently working on one for Beaver Brook Park that is a “faraway shot” that features Worcester landmarks. The Beaver Brook Park mural is located on a parks department building, according to Gillen. “Tattooing is very particular, very specific, it has to be perfect whereas it’s nice to be a little bit looser with my side projects,” Gillen says about his murals. “(They are) more open, fun, bright, that kind of thing.” Both Duda and Gillen have been met with a thumbs-up response for their work. “We’ve gotten nothing but positivity,” says Duda. “We went out there yesterday and did a celebratory cupcake share with some of the REC kids and organizers and they all seemed really pumped. It was cool to hang with them and see the kids using the space.” “A good amount of people are taking pictures and saying positive stuff,” says Gillen. Gillen makes sure to point to the importance of public art like his and Duda’s, especially in a COVID-19 world where going to an art museum may be out of the picture. Both artists hope to see more murals allowed to be put up around Worcester. “It’s free to the public, you can socially distance, and you can watch someone paint,” Gillen says. “That’s the idea,” adds Duda, “to keep growing young minds and foster talent.” For more visit: Travis Duda on Instagram: @hunchbacktravis Eamon Gillen on Instagram: @eamontron Grhimm Xavier on Instagram: @grhimmx
TRAVIS DUDA AND GRHIMM XAVIER AT REC YOUTHGROW FARM
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INSTALLING ALONG THE WRACK LINE IN ARTSWORCESTER'S EAST GALLERY WITH ART PREPORATOR TIM JOHNSON COURTESY OF ARTSWORCESTER
ARTSWORCESTER TACKLING THE PANDEMIC WITH NEW EXHIBITS MOLLY PRIOR ArtsWorcester is doing all that it can and more to bring art to its audience during the pandemic. After shutting its doors in March like all museums and non-essential businesses, the gallery reopened in July and has successfully been able to adapt to the changes.
Another upcoming exhibit that Feibel is excited about is the State of Being exhibit. The State of Being exhibit, beginning Dec. 3, will highlight the art created by teachers throughout the Worcester Public Schools system.
“In this moment, we are actually grateful to be a small gallery,” said Juliet Feibel, executive director. “Because we are two small galleries, you can enter and enjoy without touching anything, we’ve been able to re-shape our exhibitions and create a smooth transition.”
“This exhibit is unique and important because the art teachers throughout the Worcester Public Schools are so talented,” Feibel said. “Oftentimes, we forget that they are actually artists and not just teachers. This will be a chance for them to show their students and the public what they can really do.”
Feibel talked about the importance of making art available in different ways to their core audience during this time. “I think the biggest thing that we would like our audience to know is that we fully respect how people feel about the situation going on right now. Whatever works for them, works for us,” she explained. “We are aware that we may in fact be the first place people went this summer that wasn’t the grocery store or pharmacy. And we recognize that many visitors aren’t going anywhere at all, and we don’t want them to feel like they’re missing things. At the same time, we want everyone to be able to fully enjoy our member’s artwork, and that’s where the importance of our online exhibits comes in.” Feibel explained that now, ArtsWorcester will be displaying their exhibits both online and in person for twice as long as normal. In order to come, one must also sign up on EventBrite, and there must be groups of no more than seven people. She additionally talked about the current and upcoming exhibits that will be on display. All of them will be available online to the public for an extended period of time. One of the current exhibits, Material Needs, has been on display since Oct. 15, striving to bring new and unconventional art to the Worcester County area. “The goal of the Material Needs Grants is the creation of new art in Worcester County, something that is new to the artist and new to the community,” she explained. “A grant of $10,000 is distributed to a number of artists, anywhere from $750 to $1,500 each, to pay for the materials they need to make something new. For example, one artist wanted to increase the size of her watercolors to nearly eight feet in every dimension. Watercolor paper that big is expensive, and that’s the kind of experimentation these grants pay for. Each year’s exhibit is the result of the grants we gave the year before. Additionally, we want them to also make full use of digital platforms, as this one is online only. This will help them reach a wider audience.”
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Though this is the first year of the exhibit, Feibel says that she hopes that it will be ongoing and the goal is to make it happen yearly. “Teachers have done so much this year, with the transition to being online, it has not been easy.” Feibel said. “This is a way to give back to the art teachers and say ‘thank you’ to them.” Along with the State of Being exhibit, there will be another solo exhibit beginning on the same day, December 3rd. The exhibit is called “Along the Wrack Line” and is an environmental project by Rebecca McGee Tuck. McGee Tuck won this year’s Present Tense Prize, which is an award that is presented to an artist that exemplifies artistic risk-taking and excellence. McGee Tuck’s exhibit features sculptures created by the sea debris that she has collected along the Massachusetts shore line. “This year, we needed to pare way back to make way for the longer runs of group shows, and we prioritized group shows so that we can serve as many artists as possible, in a time of limited opportunities,” Feibel said. “We also needed to cut costs, as it wasn’t clear what kind of financial havoc the pandemic would create for us. This particularly solo exhibition has restricted support attached to it, meaning that it comes with its own funding, and it’s important. Encouraging new media and new work is core to what we do. So it’s the only solo exhibition we plan to produce this year.” There is so much going on at Arts Worcester, both in person and online. You won’t want to miss it! For more information, visit Artsworcester.org/current-upcoming-exhibitions.
NOW STREAMING: JASON SAVIO
SCAN THE BARCODE THROUGH SPOTIFY
Somewhere between the dreamscape and reality is The Waltz of the Moonshine Blind, a haunting and moving double album produced and performed by Matthew Bannister, working under the moniker The Beautiful Fear. The Waltz of the Moonshine Blind is filled with atmosphere and is heavily emotional as Bannister unravels his mindset, dealing with his struggles of addiction and fighting off his inner demons. The music itself echoes his emotions perfectly, ranging from dark and ominous to cautiously optimistic. “The Arndale Whale” is a cornucopia of sonic flourishes and embellishments, including acoustic guitars and rising synths, embracing an element of shoegazing that characterizes much of the album. Many of the songs here bob back and forth between hypnotic melodies and soothing swells. It’s hard not to think of Pink Floyd when listening to this, especially as most of the songs on the first half of the album transition seamlessly into one another, sometimes with undecipherable words and dissonant instrumentation. Bannister tries to see the beauty in his struggle, hence the moniker he uses here, and there are instances of him finding it (“God Loves Delay”) and others where he thinks he does but ultimately can’t shake the ugliness that holds him back (“Still Life”). But he tries his hardest to hold on, as he sings in the latter, “There’s still some hope.” The Waltz of the Moonshine Blind is moody and might be a hard listen for some, but if you’re up for the challenge, it can be a rewarding and ear-opening dive into someone’s mind that is fragile and honest. For more, visit: http://www.thebeautifulfear.com/
Worcester’s own SUMiT is going to make waves in the hip hop world with his newest 6-song EP Stimulus, a tightly produced and lean collection of songs that makes its mark in a short amount of time. SUMiT hits it hard from jump with the opening “Radical,” a head-spinning vocal delivery showcase backed by an adrenaline-pumping beat that sets the tone for the rest of the EP. A woman’s voice welcomes us at the beginning of the track and at the end advises us to “remember to breath.” That’s good advice. It’s clear the SUMiT has a talent for delivering his lyrics in break-neck speed before coming to a quick stop and slowing them down to grab your attention, such as in “What You Think,” when he hit the brakes for the chorus after laying lines like, “The grace of a felon/I fell out of heaven/Been having a hell of a time/Ages 7 to 9.” The single, “Game 7,” featuring Sean Kingston, is a breezy track with an old school hip-hop feel, complete with a beat punctuated with horns. Produced by YoungKio, the beat maker behind Lil Nas X’s Grammy-winning hit “Old Town Road,” SUMiT’s “Game 7” is the standout of Stimulus. It will definitely get your head bopping and coming back for more. SUMiT’s best flow comes on the last track, “Fire Me Up,” when he says, “Fire me up for disaster/I’m coming for capital punishment/Mad at the government/Die or be fucking adapting /I ain’t democrat or republican.” Recorded at Phoenix Down Recording in Somerville, Stimulus is a good example of a local talent that has the potential to expand his horizons if he keeps creating songs like the ones here. For more, visit SUMiT on Instagram: @1_sum t h epu ls emag.com
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You ’re Invited The program includes: •
Powerful stories of dedicated health care workers throughout our community
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Our renowned auction—with Auctioneer John Terrio on hand!
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Our 12th Annual Winter Ball is our first-ever virtual gala and we want to “see” you there to help us Unmask Our Champions!
An opportunity to support front line caregivers through this year’s Fund-A-Need—the UMass Memorial Emergency Assistance Support for Employees (EASE) Fund
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We’re bringing all the energy and excitement our community has come to expect on our big night. So stay in, stay safe, and log on to catch every compelling moment.
Our mobile auction, featuring a catalog packed with must-have items
We all need our caregivers now more than ever. And they need you!
The 2020 UMass Memorial Health Care Virtual Winter Ball
Friday, December 4, 2020 at 6:30pm
Find out how to register, bid, and give at www.umassmemorial.org/winterball
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DINING DINING REVIEW REVIEW
THE WOO BAR & GRILL 358 SHREWSBURY STREET THEWOOBAR.COM (774) 243-6130
Pandemic safety precautions: Tables at The Woo Bar are spaced apart at least six feet, placards regarding social distancing and mask wearing were posted from the entrance throughout the dining room, indicative that management takes health precautions seriously. Additionally, the dining room has high ceilings and good air circulation. On the day my companion and I met for dinner we were, for most of the evening, the only diners seated. What was once the norm: to be warmly greeted and shown to a table by a hospitable proprietor, has become an exotic – if not, wistful – experience. And that’s just how it felt on the drizzly cold night I met a friend for dinner at the Woo Bar. Seated at a table near French doors leading out to their patio, the sight of all that summery furniture stacked and dripping out in the darkness was a sad sight. Inside, though, the spirit was much brighter and alive with potential. The Woo Bar’s dining room is spacious and open. Taking a look at the menu I was impressed to find the cuisine a blend of Brazilian and Italian influences with Brazil edging its way to primacy. In that spirit we started with the Chicken Coxinha appetizer. Billed as a popular Brazilian dish, ground chicken is mixed with seasonings and formed into balls, then fried till the exterior was a crunchy deep golden-brown. I should have counted, but there must have been eight or ten of them served in a paper-lined basket. That’s a lot of chicken croquettes! After two or three of them the whole croquette experience could have become a trudge. But to the rescue came a cup of spicy sriracha sauce. It kept the Coxinha experience lively and tasty. Also providing flavor contrast and palate-cleansing was my glass of War Castle IPA. This is, easily, one of my
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favorite brews from Redemption Rock Brewing – just across Shrewsbury Street from the Woo Bar. It pours hazy amber and tastes slightly citrus, a touch bitter, a bit of pine – in short, well balanced, great with food and, especially, on its own. My friend broke off from our basket of Coxinha to turn his attention to a bowl of Bean Soup. Woo Bar’s is a thick puree of ground black beans and vegetables and contains chunks of smoked sausage and bits of bacon. I snagged a few spoonfuls and enthusiastically recommend the muted smoky flavors and pure heartiness of the beans to be perfect for dispelling shivers in the cold months ahead. For my entree, I took a step from Brazilian cuisine and chose from their menu of specials; Woo Bar’s Stuffed Acorn Squash. If nothing else, this dish merits excitement for its brilliant presentation. A classic example of one of those intense-forest-green, deeply ridged winter squash had been baked till the flesh was softened, then the cap was sliced off, seeds and pulp removed and replaced with a creamy-rich, cheesy sauce that contained bits of vegetables and a generous handful of shrimp. Then the cap was popped back into place and the squash was returned to the oven and baked till golden cheesy richness dripped down its glistening folds. It came plated with a large mound of fluffy long-grained rice and surrounded by heaps of crunchy potato sticks.
The resulting dish looked like something right out of the Food Channel’s All Star Thanksgiving Special! But let’s get back to flavor: the chef struck a fine balance; all that over-the-top cheese and cream was relieved by plenty of tasty shrimp and, when desired, forkfuls of righteous squash flesh. No kidding, this entrée was so large that what I had boxed up to go home with looked barely touched. If you were to prepare this at home, one squash could easily be shared amongst four people as a hearty, attractive side dish. In contrast, my friend tested the chef ’s skill at the basics with their Woo Burger, a half-pound of beef topped with American cheese and lettuce and tomato. Simple? Yes. But he graded it ‘excellent’: cooked exactly as requested, medium rare, with deep char flavor grilled right into it. Above all, the Woo Bar’s portions are generous. And the place is fun; its voluminous interior was energized by a soundtrack of progressive house and tech electronica. Call to reserve a table, the friendly management will provide a serving of what dining always meant for us: fun, food and friends.
HOT & NOW What’s hot and happening now in the restaurant scene PAUL GIORGIO
NIGHT TIME IS THE BEST TIME. Alice Lombardi of Bean Counter fame has sold Café Noir on Grafton Street in Shrewsbury to Charles Carroll of Templeton. Carroll also owns Café Edesia in Gardner. Café Noir will close for minor renovations. IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER. Grid Hospitality Group has announced that they will follow suit with many other Massachusetts restaurants and will be closing the Worcester Beer Garden until sometime next year. Gary Benacquista, Grid’s Director of Operations, said in a statement "We cannot ignore the reality of spiking COVID numbers. We want to keep our staff and our community safe." FRANKLIN STREET FARE, Grid's recently-opened world street food concept, will temporarily close as well. "We are seeing the same math as everyone else, and it does not make economic sense to remain open until the situation improves," Benacquista added. IT’S LULU. LuLu’s Café recently opened on Worcester’s Pleasant Street in the space that for years was home to the Corner Grille. Olivia Hashesh and husband Mohamed Hashesh are owners of LuLu’s Bakery and Café, the west side eatery opened four weeks ago. They are open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch plus they have a bakery, which bakes fresh pastries, including scones, every day. RECENTLY REOPENED. Sisters Restaurant on Worcester’s Stafford Street has recently reopened under new ownership. Don’t think the sisters own it anymore, but it's worth a trip. COVID-19 compliant with great service and great food. DEEP IN THE HEART OF NORTHBORO. The Texas BBQ Company announced in mid-November that it was shutting down. Texas BBQ has been open for 14 years at their Main Street location. The owners blame over-regulation due to COVID-19 on their decision. They hope to reopen at some point. THE DRAUGHT HOUSE REOPENS. West Boylston’s Draught House recently reopened after being closed for the summer. SOUTH OF THE BORDER. Mexicali, a locally owned Mexican restaurant chain is expanding. They will be opening another Mexicali in Oxford. FURTHER SOUTH BUT NORTH. Kingston Island Cuisine opening soon on Main Street`in Fitchburg. They offer Jamaican and Caribbean cosine MORE FITCHBURG NEWS. Dario’s Ristorante, an Italian eatery will be relocating to Fitchburg’s Main Street from their current River Street location in early 2021. PUB 99 JUST GOT 86’ED. Pub 99 on Worcester’s East Central Street announced that it has closed its doors. The chain is undergoing restructuring. The other two Worcester locations are still open. WHEN THE MOON GETS IN YOUR EYE. It looks like Moonshiners on Worcester’s Water Street has closed. They have been shut down since Covid-19, but there is a for lease sign in the Window. NO POT OF GOLD. The iconic Gold Star Restaurant on Worcester’s West Boylston Street has closed down. We will keep you posted.
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PULSEBREW RYAN CASHMAN
It’s December. It’s almost over. We’ll soon welcome 2021 with a long list of demands, chief among which will be: You Best Be Better Than Last Year! For your amusement, as well as my own, I’ve put together this little holiday drinking inspired ditty. It’s tacky and ridiculous, but it made me laugh and it was fun to write. My hope is that it makes you smile, if only just a little. Enjoy. Twas the last month of 2020 and all through the land One can hear shouts of “Thank, God” and “How grand!” We’ve had Covid and lockdowns and Election Day flack, But through it all we’ve had drinks to sip on or pound back. This year has brought out the drinker in all of us, So here are some tips for this unusual Festivus. For Dad provide beer, a Sam Adams will do. There’s Winter Larger and Holiday Porter and a Holiday White Ale now too. The White Ale’s got orange and cinnamon for spice, With a hint of nutmeg that’ll make you say “Mmm, oh that’s nice.” Not for Sam Adams? That’s no cause for dread. Simply crack open a Wormtown instead. They get hoppier and hoppier with each passing year. But there’s plenty of variety, so you needn’t fear. The Blizzard of ‘78, what a storm to remember! But the aptly named beer is more charming and tender. An English Brown Ale mixed with coffee and chocolate Will make these cold nights a bit warmer and temperate. Now for Mom there’s the question of wine or hard cider, But too much and watch out, she’ll turn into a fighter. For local buy Truro, they’ve got lighthouse shaped bottles, But a spill could result in some rather bad mottles. The Uncles get whiskey and the Aunts they get the vodka, Which they say do wonders at reviving their chakras. The Glenlivet’s expensive and Jameson’s strong, While Grey Goose is classy and Smirnoff ’s just wrong. For you, it’s no question, whatever’s your favorite, The one that brought you through this year and helped make it. So farewell 2020, we won’t miss you at all, Now pass me a beer and you best make it tall. From me here behind the keys of my laptop to all you readers: Happy Holidays. May they be safe and healthy. And may we welcome this new year that cannot arrive soon enough. Cheers. 16 DECEMBER 20 20
LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE
MFitness Inferno Hot Pilates RACHEL SHUSTER
Located at 299 Shrewsbury St., MFITNESS, LLC Inferno Hot Pilates is full body, high intensity interval training using Pilates and the Tabata method in a heated room. Owner and Instructor Melinda Mercedes’s first class on October 5 was everything she hoped it would be and more. “With COVID, I was stuck at home and looking for something new and refreshing to do,” Mercedes said. “I saw the creator of Inferno Hot Pilates was teaching online courses, and it really interested me. I took the courses and started teaching friends and family. That led me to open MFITNESS, LLC and start teaching classes. It’s something I am very passionate about.” A thrill seeker by nature, Mercedes loves to find new adventures that excite and challenge her, including skydiving and studying abroad in college in the Dominican Republic and the Amazon. However, the Worcester native since the age of three after moving from the Dominican Republic, also has a love for feeling relaxed and investing in self-care. When she came across hot yoga in 2009, and Pilates in 2010, those were the perfect combination of new, challenging adventures that spoke to her passion for self-care. “When I studied abroad in the Amazon, I fell in love and wanted to bring that vibe here,” Mercedes said. “When clients come into the space, I want them to feel liberated. I love plants and nature, so you’ll find a lot of that, plus incense and blue lights. It’s just very laid back and relaxing.” The relaxing, laid back vibe of the space is a nice contrast to the intense and
hard work, but equally fun and inspiring part of the classes. “Classes consist of workouts focused on abs, planks, burpees, mountain climbers, squats, etc., all performed on yoga mats to protect your body from injury and along to great music from every genre and all corners of the world” Mercedes said. Mercedes offers a variety of classes and class packages to meet your needs. “We have a one-hour class and a 45-minute express class,” she said. “In the express class, you can wear ankle weights, which aren’t typically used in Pilates, but I added them for a more intense workout.” Both classes use two-pound dumbbells and resistance bands. Class pricing and packages include your first class for free, $25 for a single dropin, a 6-class deal for $80 and an unlimited monthly package for $125. “If you bring a friend and they sign up for the unlimited monthly package, you get a free class!” Mercedes added. She will also be offering student deals and other specials around the holidays and in the future. Mercedes is also taking every safety precaution as it relates to COVID-19. “We have 10 people in each class, masks available, hand sanitizer, and place tape on the floor so clients know their spot,” she said. Get your sweat and groove on with MFITNESS Inferno Hot Pilates and visit Mfitnesstrain.com or visit on Instagram @_mfitness5. t h epu ls emag.com
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HOLIDAYS 2020: FAMILY, BELONGING AND ISOLATION DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC GIULIANO D’ORAZIO
As I covered in last year’s Holiday edition of “Out and About”, queer folx experience unique challenges during the holiday season. Coming home to family members who may not be supportive or even acknowledge your identity, not having a family to go home to, and financial strains due to lack of access and workplace discrimination all sting just a little bit more during the holiday season when mainstream society is reminding us just how wonderful this time of year is. While there is undeniable coziness, nostalgia, dare I say, magic, associated with winter nights spent warm by the fire, watching the snow fall, this year is a tough one for just about everyone who is paying attention. COVID is raging. We gotta figure out how to safely share this season with the ones we love. We spent the better part of 2020 learning how to adapt to the challenges of navigating a pandemic. As the weather warmed up a bit, testing improved, and we learned more effective ways of slowing the spread (masks, distancing), many of us opened up our social circles. I know for me, personally, after spending about three months completely quarantined with my partner Josh, save for a few trips to the grocery store, we were desperately in need of some social interaction. Being outside made a lot of this more possible, and I know many of us, myself included, enjoyed backyard hangs by the fire, socially distanced barbecues and trips to the beach. Today, with the cold weather and cases on the rise, the fear of returning to a March/ April style quarantine is distressing and downright depressing to a lot of us. The bottom line is, this keeps getting worse because people, mostly young, are not listening. I truly believe health and wellbeing are the genesis for all the good work a person can do. If we aren’t healthy and well, it is very hard to make space and time to help others. As a community who is so blatantly underserved from a medical perspective, it is imperative queer folx do all we can to keep ourselves vibrant and healthy. Those of us who are young and full of life need to make sure we are respecting the science and doing our part to stop this spread. I get that folx find themselves in different places when it comes to our level of comfortability. Some of us are keeping very tight social pods, while others are housing “small” house parties of about twenty or so. We saw a lot of these around Halloween, and trust me, you’re talking to a gay who *loves* Halloween, but now we’re in a second surge, and the science is pointing to these gatherings as the culprit. Even if you are only doing unmasked indoor gatherings with your friends who are also young and healthy, and you’re accepting the risk, please know that you are willfully putting other members of your community in danger. Every time you walk into the grocery store after your weekend party, you are a bigger risk to the elderly person picking up their prescription, or to the frontline worker with asthma. We need to radiate some compassion and self control. It’s been a hard year. Many of us, myself very much included, have experienced an exacerbation of preexisting mental health issues, and others who have never struggled with depression/anxiety are saddling a new state of distress. We are getting closer to a vaccine, the light is at the end of the tunnel, but we have to hold out. As hard as it is, we need to keep our social gatherings small this holiday season, ideally to just the folks you’re already isolating with. If you are getting tested before going home for a holiday gathering, especially involving elderly relatives, you also have to isolate yourself between the time of your test and the gathering. It’s all extremely risky and uncertain and scary and we have to make decisions that work for all of us. Let’s just please put compassion and grace, the true hallmarks of the holiday season, at the forefront this year, so we can all show up to the table next year. Bio Giuliano D’Orazio (he/him pronouns) is a Worcester native, musician, music educator, active member of the local LGBTQ+ community, and a board member of Love Your Labels. Follow him on instagram @musicbygiuliano
18 DECEMBER 20 20
420 508 IN THE
GREEN WEDNESDAY ELLIOT MERCIER Before we delve into the subject at hand, let’s talk a bit about the American hallmark that obviously inspired it: Black Friday. The earliest evidence of this shopping centric craze was in 1961 as a phrase used by police to describe the amount of traffic and pedestrian presence detected in the streets outside shopping centers and neighboring blocks. Later interpretations of the phrase centered on the tendency for businesses to turn profits at a dramatic rate, going from the dire and troubling “in the red” to the cushy and reassuring “in the black.” Great deals and massive discounts are just as synonymous with the holiday as is the sight of grandma being trampled by a single father needing to get his son the Playstation 5. While the appeal of these deals has skyrocketed since 2005 and dwindled in subsequent celebrations, we only recently have a new business staple that may be here to stay as marijuana sales become more commonplace and universally understood. Green Wednesday takes place before Thanksgiving as opposed to afterwards like its inspiration, with participating shops giving discounts and bundle deals to their crops throughout the day, with most of their sales going towards gifts of the medical variety. The CCC (Cannabis Control Commission) currently holds a strict policy against discounts for recreational products, but gift cards and other forms of purchase for medical strains are allowed, with a possibility of becoming popular for even the non-smoking population. The first recorded instance of Green Wednesday can be credited to Canna Provisions in Holyoke, but many other shops participated when they could, with even more rumored to be taking part this year in order to make up for the decrease in profits caused by 2020’s defining feature. That is to say for the stores that had to open in the midst of the pandemic, surprisingly profits have been perfectly respectable and assuring throughout this year for the more established venues.
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Blunts weren’t the only product associated with the sales, as edibles were plenty profitable and continue to be so through the coming year, being seen as easy to understand and less intimidating to the unfamiliar. Before you go buying anything for your fellow green enthusiast however, be wary that there are limits to everything. If of age: one ounce of pot, or up to five grams of marijuana concentrate. Even though travel between states is being discouraged, it is still federally illegal to mail a marijuana gift to someone else. A fair amount of dispensaries will likely be operating on order-ahead / curbside pickup systems to reduce exposure. Best not to go in expecting everything to be stocked and ready to smoke. With disease control still being a major concern this late into the year, Green Wednesday might be the best chance you have at buying something for yourself or another at a reduced price. If you think that there won’t possibly be another lockdown, just remember that our tea drinking brothers across the pond thought the same thing.
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STYLE Savvy STYLE SAVVY APRIL GODDARD The holiday season is officially in full swing! But let’s face it; the holidays for most of us are going to look drastically different this year than in any other year in history. For many, this is a difficult thing to accept, and we may look nostalgically to years past and think about the parties, the dressing up and the gathering of our respective families. But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom! In this edition of Style Savvy, we will explore how what you wear can make your days merry and bright as we all adjust to our “new normal”. So, if you are ready to embrace all this season has to offer, keep on reading. One of the staples of the times in everyone’s wardrobe is the mask. Style savvy has talked a lot before about how you can embrace this new safety accessory by coordinating it to your outfit. Many big brands and small businesses alike are coming out with their own versions of masks to match carefully curated outfits. For the holiday season, consider picking a festive themed mask. Not only are you bringing the holiday cheer, but you are bound to get a million compliments on how extra you are! Another staple as many of us are staying home again are festive holiday pajamas. Who says that stay-at-home attire has to be boring? You can make this year just like any other year and find your new favorite holiday PJs. Make it that much more special by having everyone in your immediate household grab a matching set for a cool holiday e-card! Because nothing says the holidays are here like a pajama photo opportunity. A key staple for the holidays happens to be one that I have been embracing for the last few months, especially during work meetings via Zoom. That is: the statement earring. No longer do we really have to worry about what we wear when it comes to the physical office. But for the virtual one, I try to focus on accessories around the face. So in the spirit of all things festive, try sporting some holiday-themed earwear. Not keen on staying in your PJs or sweatpants all day long? No one is saying that you can’t dress up the way that you normally would for the holidays this year! Make a point to do this for any virtual holiday get-togethers that you are having. If picking out a special outfit for your celebration at home brings you joy, continue to do it! Encourage the members of your household to join you and make an event out of another photo opportunity to mark this historic year and holiday season. Whatever and however you are celebrating this holiday season, remember that expressing yourself through style is part of the fun. Style Savvy is wishing all of our readers a very happy and safe holiday season, and wishing everyone a healthy and happy start to the New Year! 20 DECEMBER 20 20
SPORTS SPORTS&& FITNESS FITNESS
GAME ON SPORTS & PERFORMANCE CENTER RACHEL SHUSTER Located at 200 Game On Way in Fitchburg, Game On Sports & Performance Center is the spot for all things sports programming, player development, training, and community recreation with an indoor facility and outdoor complex. “This place is about supporting the community,” said Game On representative, Dean Hirtle. “Fitchburg has been waiting for something like this. Everyone including the mayor has been so supportive and we are just so excited. There’s nothing like this in the local area.” Hirtle is part of a broader team that brought passion for sports and community to life through a state-of-the-art facility, measuring at about 40 acres of land, housing a 120,000 sq. ft. facility. Hirtle and the Game On team all share a love of sports, activity and bringing the community together. “I was always into sports,” Hirtle said. “I am also owner of High Hoops LLC, a youth basketball program in the Blackstone Valley area for the last 18 years. We specialize in camps and clinics, leagues and have locations in Uxbridge and Hopkinton, [they will] be part of Game On and are so excited about it.” With the official grand opening aimed for April 1, 2021, Hirtle said they have big plans, some of which are already in place as construction continues. “We are approved to use three fields,” Hirtle said. “A couple months ago we started renting to other organizations like PrimeTime Lacrosse, Fitchburg field hockey uses us as their home turf, and we’ve had flag football programs.” Hirtle and the Game On team have experienced challenges with COVID, like many, but they are looking forward to the grand opening and taking every safety precaution necessary. “We follow all protocols that the Governor has put out for the state,” Hirtle said. So what can the community expect when Game On officially opens all its doors in the spring? Game on is nowhere near short on offerings when it comes to sports. They offer and hold instructional camps and clinics, drop-in play, leagues, tournaments, and parties for soccer, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, field hockey, ultimate frisbee and more.
soccer, lacrosse, flag football and field hockey, hard courts for basketball and volleyball, batting cages, video games, locker rooms and a fitness center. Looking to hold your next meeting or gathering? You’re covered! The indoor facility also has conference rooms, a lounge and restaurant with casual food, concessions and vending and rooms for birthday parties. They even have an arcade with your favorite video games and laser tag! If you want to get outside, the outdoor complex is at your service. With lighted turf fields, shaded player benches, electronic video boards posting game results and info, a referee lounge with locker rooms, picnic pavilions, a trail loop and multiple playgrounds, Game on has thought of everything! Think they’re missing outdoor meeting and event space? Think again! They have a 2,000 square foot space for meetings and events, including tournament check-ins and full-service concessions offering traditional and healthy options. Rental options are endless for whatever kind of gathering or event you’re planning, and costs vary depending on what you’re looking for. “Currently, we have discounted rates due to construction and impacts of COVID,” Hirtle said. “Field rentals are currently $125 - $160 per hour per field, but the rate will increase when we officially open to $200 - $250. Indoor rates will be on the higher end,” he adds. Hirtle and the team have an eye to the future as well, and already have several organizations signed with the facility, with hopes for more! “We’ve got PrimeTime Lacrosse, Laxachusetts, Inc. and hopefully more to come,” Hirtle said. “It’s all about bringing the community together as much as possible.” Game On’s current hours are 8am – 11pm, seven days a week, with Friday – Sunday staying open until midnight. For more information, visit Gosportscenter.com or find them through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
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KINTSUGI JENNIFER RUSSO
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY! 155 SHREWSBURY STREET • WORCESTER, MA • 508-791-4535
It doesn’t matter if you had a difficult life or the most privileged life, grew up with nothing or everything, or were surrounded by love or experienced a lack of love. There are moments, where no matter who we are, we feel broken…incomplete…flawed. This feeling could last a moment, a day, or a while and can lead to us feeling sorry for ourselves and insecure. That insecurity can lead to depression, anxiety, hopelessness, or lashing out. I recently read an article which spoke about the 15th century method of Kintsugi. Kintsugi is Japanese for “golden joinery” and is the art of mending and repairing broken pottery by using precious metals like gold to fuse the pieces back together. Based on the belief of wabi-sabi, or that beauty is found in imperfection, this procedure does not attempt to camouflage or hide the cracks in a broken vase or bowl, but rather highlight them in a beautiful way, showcasing that it was once broken. The new line of gold embraces the history of the piece, making it truly one of a kind. An entire art form that celebrates flaws. What’s more is that the gold used to mend the cracks only makes the piece stronger and even more beautiful than it began. What if we celebrated our flaws and our brokenness? What if we healed in a way where we didn’t try to hide that we once felt broken at all? What if instead of simply trying to bury and discard those dark moments in our lives, we embraced what it took to move on and celebrated ourselves, acknowledging the person we continue to become as a result of our strength and refusal to give up? If someone asks about these shining scars, we could tell them our stories and this may help them in some relatable way. We can choose to see ourselves as unique humans with a history that shines like the purest gold, less than perfect, and perfectly beautiful.
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