Pulse Magazine - February 2014 by Pulse Magazine

FEBRuary 2014

pg.

Armsby Abbey offers true handcrafted cuisine

On the cover: Nicole Giannino

Holy Cross women’s ice hockey, Team USA inline skating

IN THIS ISSUE tHE COVER story 8 Heart of a (Commonwealth) Champion Sports & fitness 14

Spencer native attracts spotlight with weight loss

16 To: Your Body ~ Love: You 17

Products to help you get fit

ENTERTAINMENt 18

HollyWoo and raising the roof on the Worcester movie business

19 Affliction reunites after Worcester Music Award win

New England Music Awards

19 hit Lowell in February 20 Pulsebooks:

GAME ON:

Own the sTage with Bandfuse: Rock Legend

Online @ thepulsemag.com style & Beauty

LIFESTYLE

SCENT: The most seductive perfumes

Lifestyle

A lesson in chivalry for the 21st century

HOME: Pack your lunch HEALTH: Ward off a cold

DINING & ENTERTAINING

Armsby Abbey

SPORTS & FITNESS

offers true handcrafted cuisine

FITNESS: Exercise tips PRODUCT: Get the right sports bra fit

35 HOT AND NOW

Group plans new theater for Worcester

COLLEGE

37 Worcester Restaurant Week 2014 Tasty and affordable 42 PulseBREW:

Pick the right beer

for your food

43 Pairing food and wine? A few tips

Before they were chick flicks

WPI: Robotics competition results

MORE ONLINE!

Style & Beauty

21 Save Ends ~ a new-school emo band

22 Club, Pub & Bar Listings 24 Pulse Shots

ON CD:

28 Eye Empire ~ Evolve Ned Lucas ~ Flame of Love Britney Spears ~ Britney Jean

Get gorgeous for Valentine’s Day

45 The Style List: A look back at

2013

Women’s underwear brand celebrates real women 45

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2012 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.

Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Justin Perry, Art Director, Photographer Chris Reddy, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Vanessa Herbold Account Executives Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Alex Kantarelis, Music Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor

Kimberly Dunbar, Alex Kantarelis, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Benjamin McNeil, Victoria Piscatelli, Richard Morchoe, Stacia Kindler, Tim Korby, Kerry Cyganiewicz Writers

Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7

COVER STORY

Heart of a

(Commonwealth)

Champion By Kimberly Dunbar

This month, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best athletes will take center stage at the 2014 Winter Olympics. While Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest compete in Sochi, these four local athletes are blazing their own trails of greatness. 8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2014

Nicole Giannino, 20

Holy Cross women’s ice hockey, Team USA inline skating Nicole Giannino has never been one to pass up a challenge. In fact, it’s why she’s where she is today. The Holy Cross women’s ice hockey standout and four-time member of Team USA’s inline hockey squad was lured into her first inline game on a bet from her dad. “My dad built an inline rink in our backyard so my older brother, Ricky, could practice,” said Giannino. She was 11 at the time. “I used to help my brother by shooting on him in the yard. A couple months later, he said he’d give me $50 if I went on the rink during a game.” It was love at first skate for Giannino. After a year playing inline, she also took up ice hockey. Her speed and skill were quickly noticed, and at 13, she became the youngest player selected for the Empire State Games and played on the West Islip Boy’s High School hockey team while still in middle school. At 15, she became the youngest-ever member of Team USA’s inline team for the 2010 World Championships. “Seeing my name on the Team USA roster was such an indescribable feeling,” she said. “The first time I made it, I remember I just went into the bathroom and started to cry ... I was just so grateful they gave me a chance, especially since I was so young.” Giannino ~ who said she’s been very fortunate over the years (she’s since made Team USA’s roster three more times, winning two gold medals) ~ has never let age get in the way. “I never really let my age affect my confidence,” she said. “I didn’t go into the tryout thinking about it as a disadvantage; I just concentrated on being the best player I could be in that moment,” said Giannino, who was up against Division I college players and teammates “old enough to be my mom.” Before becoming a Crusader in 2011, Giannino played ice hockey at the National Sports Academy (NSA) in Lake Placid, N.Y., where she played in the Junior Women’s Hockey League ~ the highest level of female hockey in North America. She planned to stay a third year until she met Holy Cross Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Peter Van Buskirk. “After meeting him, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and who to play for,” she said. “I chose Holy Cross because I wanted to place myself in the best academic school that would also allow me to play great hockey.” Although balancing a biology major, ice hockey and inline skating is challenging, Giannino said her experience as a Crusader “has been amazing.” While her career dream is to be a pharmacist, her NSA experience has her considering teaching and coaching while attending grad school. She’s also gotten offers from Spain, France and Italy to play professionally. No matter what she chooses, Giannino is up for the challenge ~ and knows her family will support her, especially Ricky. “He is responsible for the success I have achieved,” she said. “Ricky and I still play together and even play against each other in tournaments when I play on boys’ teams. We are very competitive … it’s always fun.”

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Paul Noone, 30

Worcester Police officer, marathoner, triathlete Some people may be born to run, but that doesn’t mean it comes easy. Just ask Paul Noone ~ he’s a marathoner and triathlete now, but you’d never guess he started his running career at the back of the pack. “I was pretty slow my first season,” said Noone, who started running outdoor track his sophomore year at St. John’s High School. “My lack of success that season motivated me to run a decent amount of miles the summer going into my junior year. When I started the cross-country season that fall, I began to have some success and watched my times drop significantly.” Noone kept at it and continued to run in college, competing on the University of Massachusetts men’s cross-country and indoor track teams and amassing an impressive post-grad running resume. “After running in high school and college, it’s easy to burn out,” said Noone, who discovered triathlons and made them his focus after college. “It was a new challenge for me, and one I’ve been able to find greater success in than running. This success in triathlons has motivated me to continue running at a relatively high level, as well.”

Noone’s list of accomplishments includes placing third in his age group at the 2011 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship (26th overall) and being the top overall finisher in the Northeast in the 2012 race (23rd overall). He was also the overall winner of the Massachusetts State Olympic Distance Triathlon in 2011 and 2012. In 2009, he completed the Ford Ironman USA triathlon for Sherry’s House, raising more than $6,500. Although Noone has completed countless 5Ks, 8Ks and a handful of half and full marathons, he averages five triathlons a year (he’s completed 25 ~ a mix of sprint, Olympic, half-distance and full Ironman tris). To keep this pace, Noone, who describes himself as injury prone, cross-trains with yoga, cycling and swimming to help build endurance. “I really enjoy the variety in workouts, as it prevents me from getting bored and keeps my legs fresh for running,” he said. “I’m far from a high-mileage dude … so typically when I’m out on the road or trails, I’m getting after it and making my miles count.” Noone, a Worcester police officer, credits his active lifestyle to staying healthy. “Without my good health, I wouldn’t be able to do much,” he said. “This fitness level has, without question, helped me in every other area of my life.” It’s been a 15-year journey for Noone to get where he is today. “The initial starting period with running is difficult,” Noone advised. “There are no shortcuts, and it’s necessary to log the miles to build up strength and endurance. In distance running, it’s all about trying to hang in there mentally.” Stay in the moment, keep a positive mindset, fight through the pain and embrace it for what it is: worth it. “Just like with anything in life, the only way to find out is to try,” he said. “If you want it bad enough, you can do it.”

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Stephen Dropkin, 23, and Korey Dropkin, 18 Team USA curlers

Like many brothers do, Stephen and Korey Dropkin joined the family business. It just so happens their “family business” is curling. “We were raised into it,” said Korey, who started curling when he was 5, as did older brother Stephen. The Dropkin Family Curlers, of Southborough, began with dad, Keith, who took up the sport as an activity for his college fraternity. Then mom, Shelley ~ whom both boys said figured she had to get into the sport in order to stay with their dad ~ started curling. When the curling couple had children, they brought them along. “I grew up at the curling club,” Stephen said, referencing the family’s longtime Broomstones Curling Club in Wayland. “I was there for five years, and when I could, I started curling.” He and Korey fell in love with the sport and began curling competitively. With their dad as their coach, the brothers made a splash in the junior curling circuit. Stephen earned a U.S. Junior Men’s National Championship in 2012, while Korey took home the 2012 and 2013 U.S. Junior National Championship and USA Curling Male Athlete of the Year in 2012. The Dropkin brothers played together for a few years, but now, each has his own team (Korey is still a junior at 18, while Stephen aged out at 21 and has a men’s team). However, they’ve partnered for Project 2018, a training program aimed at identifying and developing the USA’s best young talent for future competitive success. Last July, USA Curling and the U.S. Olympic Committee selected six teams to be part of the program this season. Under this high-performance program, Stephen and Korey competed for Team USA in the Winter World University Games, while Korey’s junior team also participated. “My dream is to medal in 2018, but my goal is 2022,” Korey said. “I’m not sure if 2018 is realistic.” Olympic dreams are the reason the brothers Dropkin left Massachusetts for Minnesota. Korey is a freshman at University of Minnesota-Duluth and Stephen is a new resident of the St. Paul area. Because curling is more popular in the Midwest than it is on the East Coast, it’s a better environment to hone their skills. Although they live in the same state, Korey and Stephen don’t play together much, save the occasional practice or tournament. But that doesn’t mean they’ve lost that loving feeling. “A couple months ago at the St. Paul Cash Spiel, we played each other in a round robin,” Stephen said. “Fortunately, I won. He’s never beaten me, but if he did, I probably wouldn’t ever hear the end of it.” Despite wanting to beat his older brother, Korey has nothing but respect for him. “I was always looking up to him, watching him play,” he said. “He was my motivation and inspiration to keep going.”

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Sports & Fitness Spencer native attracts spotlight with weight loss By Benjamin McNeil

Kait Ekstrom, a Spencer native, has been the name on everyone’s lips lately. Ekstrom lost 135 pounds and developed infinitely healthier habits the old-fashioned way: lots of hard work; more specifically, through diet, exercise and positive framing. In fact, Ekstrom’s drawing so much attention that she was on the cover of the Jan. 2 “Half My Size” edition of People. Ekstrom was also featured in the ABC News article “Three Women Lose Half Their Body Weight.” Five years ago, Ekstrom lost literally half her size; she now weighs around 130. Ekstrom struggles began young. By age 12, she had experienced puberty before most of her peers. Because Ekstrom developed earlier and had a larger body compared to her classmates, she began thinking of herself as fat. The nagging and unwanted label of “being different” led her to quit dance and soccer, activities for which she possessed an absolute passion. “Being different” came seemingly hand-in-hand with constant hunger pangs; urges from which she could not refrain. Ekstrom ultimately gained 10 pounds annually following her 12th birthday; this persistent trend found Ekstrom weighing 263 pounds after a decade. “I didn’t have great eating habits, and after dancing and playing soccer for years, I quit being active,” explained Ekstrom, who is now a fitness director at The Willows, a retirement community in Worcester. Like many of us, Ekstrom would eat out of boredom, but she also overindulged with the aspiration of muting her feelings of inadequacy brought on by weight gain. But she detests and never once bought into fad diets, weight-loss supplements or any other drastic regimen. “Because my mom was going through chemo, my family was trying to eat better. And we adopted a dog to have a little happiness, and I’d walk him up to eight times a day,” Ekstrom said. As her family started eating better, she followed suit ~ fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, more water and less refined foods. But positive thinking served, and continues to serve, as the foundation for Ekstrom’s success. “You need to want the change for yourself, not others. And you need to frame your decisions in a positive light. Don’t think of a problem all at once, but take it day-by-day; change occurs in increments,” Ekstrom said. “When you develop a healthy lifestyle and lose weight, you’re going to look better, but everything you do will also be easier. And there are hundreds of ways to be healthy.”

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Enjoy Heineken Light Responsibly

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7/23/13 2:50 PM Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 15

To: Your Body Love: You By Victoria Piscatelli

In February, everyone is looking for love. Those who have a significant other go from store to store, trying to find special gifts to express their love. As children, we grow up stuffed full of princess movies and fairytales and the idea that for every person in the world, there is a great love waiting to be found. But what if this great love is right in front of you? Rather than looking for Cupid to hit you with one of his arrows this February, be your own Valentine and learn to love yourself and your body. One of the strongest types of love is self-love, in which we truly accept, respect and have confidence in ourselves. Health, fitness, nutrition and diet should not be things that add stress to our lives; they should bring us happiness and confidence. But it is very easy to take treating our bodies well too far by overexercising, under-eating and stressing about working out or staying on track with our diet. Although eating a healthy diet and exercising is a great way to show our bodies some love, it is important to stay balanced. So, here are the best ways to show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day in a truly happy and healthy way: Accept yourself. In the movie Forrest Gump, Forrest’s momma said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” The same can be said about our bodies. There are a variety of body types out there, just like there are a variety of different chocolates. Remember, size is just a number. Enjoy the chocolate. Do not be afraid to indulge in a treat here and there. A chocolate, a burger or a milkshake will not kill you! An unhealthy food every now and then is not bad for you; what is bad for your body and health is a diet that consists mostly of unhealthy fats and sugars. Eat fruits and vegetables every day. Although broccoli or apples may not be the most exciting foods in the world, they are healthy foods and essential to loving yourself. Eating about two cups of vegetables with lunch and dinner and two pieces of fruit a day will help you show your body some love. When you eat well, you feel good. Stay hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day will not only help you stay energized, it will keep you from overeating. It also does wonders for your skin! Exercise. There are many ways to get out and get moving. Whether you are a hiker, biker, swimmer, gym-goer or Zumba dancer, get your heart rate up and break a sweat. The endorphins from exercise will leave you feeling good, and your body will appreciate the activity. Rest. Overextending yourself will only lead to injuries and a weaker immune system. It is better to take a day off to sleep or relax than to push yourself at the gym when you really are not feeling up to it. Don’t stress. Take a look at things that are stressing you out and ask yourself, “Will this be important in a week, a month or a year? Is it worth it?” If the answer is no, take a step back and do something that makes you happy. You are in charge of your own happiness! Laugh. It just feels good, and it is contagious. Socialize. Sometimes you need to just go out with friends, grab a drink and dance. So go ahead and shake that thang. So, go ahead, buy yourself some chocolate, laugh and enjoy this lifelong relationship between you and your body. When you love yourself and your body, every day will be Valentine’s Day.

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Products to help you get

fit

Books, gear, food and the right stuff can help you reach your fitness goals. Check out these products for a little fitness boost. Energems

Energems are a liquid energy alternative made with real milk chocolate. Energems are bite-sized, hard-coated gems that use a special blend of B-vitamins and caffeine to give you the energy boost you need to keep up with your hectic schedule. Whether it’s pulling an all-nighter for an exam or trying to finish that 10-page paper you forgot about, Energems delivers the burst of energy you need. energems.net.

Get a Lean Body Fat Wallet

Ellie Kay and Danna Demetre, co-authors of Lean Body Fat Wallet, are life experts in two seemingly different fields ~ finance and fitness. Working together, they realized that the principles and habits that help you balance your budget are the same ones that help you lose weight and keep it off! The result is an innovative two-for-one approach that will transform your life. Topics include ways to overcome emotional eating and spending and four essential habits for satisfying change. leanbody-fatwallet.net.

Celsius

It’s cold, and you may find yourself feeling less inclined to get active ~ or maybe you just need an extra boost to start feeling fit again. The perfect companion to your New England lifestyle is the Celsius negative-calorie beverage. Celsius comes in five flavors, carbonated and non-carbonated, and also in convenient packets that can be easily mixed with water at the gym, work or on the road. celsius.com.

Brooks Running

Looking to stay warm while staying fit? Check out Brooks Running. With items like the Infititi Tight III for women, which features moisturewicking compression fabric that supports your every move, and the Adapt Vest for men, which acclimates to the conditions, Brooks has plenty to protect you from the weather. brooksrunning.com.

Sainthood Herbs

Try something different this year. Keep your health in check by adding some natural herbal supplements to your daily routine. Try some of Sainthood Herbs’ Stress & Sleep to ensure you’re getting enough healthy downtime. If you want to keep the weight off, Sainthood Herbs has a perfect natural supplement for that as well: Weight Management. All of Sainthood Herbs products are globally sourced, non-GMO and 100 percent vegetarian. sainthoodherbs.com.

Pines Wheat Grass

We all know that green leafy vegetables are essential for reducing the risk for cardio-vascular disease, slowing bone loss, helping to manage weight and blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of arthritis and keeping our eyes healthy as we age. Since only about a quarter of us are getting enough “green leafies” in our diets, Pines offers the perfect solution ~ Pines Wheat Grass! Choose from wheat grass powder, tablets or capsules. wheatgrass.com.

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Entertainment

HollyWoo and raising the roof on the Worcester movie business By Richard Morchoe

Will Spider-man swing from new heights in Worcester in his next cinematic incarnation? Who knows, but he could when Mass Studios is done raising the roof. Upon completion, the project will have the second highest studio roof in the country. Next October, work is to begin on elevating the Pullman Street structure from 65 feet to 80 feet. When done, solar panels will go on top, making it the greenest studio in the country. Are there any other reasons for Spidey to arrive in a town historically known more for industry than show biz? Could Wormtown become HollyWoo? It’s already happening. Most recently, in October, the HBO miniseries, Olive Kittredge, made a star out of the Worcester Airport. The show stars Frances McDormand in the title role. McDormand is best known for her Oscar-winning performance in Fargo. She had a queenly presence on set, as was noted by the many locals hired as extras. Before that, American Hustle was in town. It seemed some days you couldn’t help but run into Christian Bale on the streets. The movie was filmed in Worcester during the spring. Why here? According to The Associated Press, renowned director David O. Russell said “There are places there that you can’t find in the New York area that are untouched from the ’70s.” Putting aside whether or not that’s a compliment, a diversity of locales does not hurt when wooing production companies. Take it for what it’s worth, but Russell referred to Worcester as a “gold mine.” American Hustle, the story of ABSCAM, a huge scandal several decades ago, is being tipped for Academy Awards. The Worcester Regional Airport just loves to be in pictures. Before Olive Kittredge, Captain Philips landed at the airport. Captain Philips is the Tom Hanks vehicle about a skipper’s close call with pirates. That ’70s look can’t be the only reason for the city’s popularity. At the Kittredge shoot, Barbara Guertin, studio director of Mass Studios, spoke with crew members who were appreciative of how efficiently a day’s work could be accomplished. The extras showing up on time, if not early, at the Tatnuck Driving Range impressed Team Kittredge. A reason for this is our better traffic patterns. Time is money for moviemakers. Actors are on a 12-hour day, starting from when they leave the hotel. If it takes too long to shift them, shooting time is lost. Such would rarely be the case in

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Worcester. Along with the rest of Massachusetts, Worcester benefits from the generous tax incentives to projects that qualify. The Bay State provides up to a 25 percent payroll credit and a 25 percent production expense credit. Even if we never see another crew swoop in from L.A. to take over the airport or hang out in the Canal District, movies are going to be made here. The Central Mass Film Festival, held in October, showcased numerous independent films, many of them local efforts. One of the trailers shown was for Girls Night Out, made by two of the three impresarios of the new studio. Guertin has much experience in stage, screen and TV, having an association with The Foothills Theater and a role in Guiding Light on her resume. Kristen Lucas, who is the studio’s director of marketing, is always moving forward with some project. Goldilocks Productions, which she founded, is making Girls Night Out. The third member of the Mass Studios triumvirate is Anton Nel. Nel emigrated from South Africa in 1994 and was asked back by the post-apartheid government to put together a film studio. This experience, and his knowledge of finance, makes him a key part of the team. The three are not alone. Ed Madaus, the man behind the Hanover Theater revival, has been instrumental to the studio, as well. There are collateral benefits to the HollyWoo brand. Not the least, Nel said, is the value of film tourism. New Zealand is hard to get to, yet it is now the destination of choice for Lord of the Rings fans seeking Middle Earth. Multitudes come to Boston to hang out at Cheers, even though the show wasn’t filmed there. A thriving film scene and studio complex could, sooner or later, produce a film or series with a cult following. Though the roof-raising does not start for months, things are already happening at Mass Studios. Work is being done on the three buildings that will make up the complex. Mass Studios, according to Guertin, is a guerilla operation, open for business even while the rejuvenation is in progress. So HollyWoo, finish those scripts and head on over to 30 Pullman St. For more information, visit massstudios.com.

New England Music Awards hit Lowell in February

Affliction reunites after Worcester Music Award win By Brianna MacMillan

Almost four years after breaking up, local band Affliction is gearing up to hit the stage March 22 for its second reunion show. Affliction performed its first reunion show last year after being voted Band You’d Most Like to See Reunite at the 2012 Worcester Music Awards. The band won the award again in 2013 and “made a promise to the fans that every year we won, we would do a reunion show,” said singer Jessica Hogan, who said the break up was due to a “falling out of the inner workings of the band.” Last year’s show was at Tammany Hall, which is now closed, and this year, Affliction will reunite at The Raven in Worcester. “Tammany was home to us,” Hogan said. However, she added, after almost selling out the show last year, the band is excited for an even bigger reunion this year. This year’s show will feature at least five bands: Mindset X, Scarecrow Hill, Tester and Affliction, along with a surprise band that is to be announced.

Musicians from all over will gather in Lowell on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2122, for the New England Music Awards. The New England Music Awards are presented every year to the musicians who call New England their home and whose dedication, spirit and achievements over the last year have established them as a contributing force to the most robust and diverse music scene in the country. The NEMA nominating committee consists of journalists from music publications, radio personalities, talent buyers and record label execs collectively representing all six New England states. With more than 100 artists and bands nominated, more than 40,000 voters cast their votes in January. The awards, presented at Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 22, will include performances by nominees Nemes (Best in State ~ Massachusetts), Haley Sabella (New Act of the Year), Dressed for the Occasion (Best in State ~ New Hampshire), Josh Logan (Male Performer of the Year), Sarah Borrello (Rock Act of the Year), Will Dailey (Male Performer of the Year) and The Mallett Brothers Band (Band, Album of the Year). Comedian Steve Sweeney will host/emcee the evening’s festivities, which will include a special featured performance by Lowell’s own Riverhawk Party Band and special guest award presenters. The weekend will include a kickoff party, BrewFest, Nominee Showcase, Artist Conference and more. For full details, visit nemusicawards.com. Tickets to the awards ceremony are $10 and can be purchased at lowellauditorium.com.

Lead guitarist Michael Mariano was excited to talk about the upcoming reunion. He said the reunion will be larger this year, partially because the band had been unsure of how the first reunion would go and if “all of us as a band could work it all out.” Mariano and Hogan had been working on a side project, playing some Affliction songs, and Mariano said that he felt it was important that he and Hogan stay together and play their old songs. They “vowed to keep those songs alive, in memory of our original bassist [Scott Bever],” Mariano said. After a successful first reunion and an enormous response from fans, Affliction will be back again. Hogan said she started receiving emails and hearing rumors of a potential second reunion almost immediately after the first show. This year, the band will play a longer set, “pulling out all the old songs we haven’t played in a long time,” Mariano said. Both Mariano and Hogan said how vital the fans have been in the reunion process, especially the band’s large, dedicated fan group ~ the self-named Affliction Bitches. Led by “head bitches” Tanya Skinner and Nicole Cyr, almost the entire group of more than 50 women is expected to be at the upcoming show. “They didn’t let us die,” Hogan said. Starting in Hogan’s shed, Affliction has built a legacy for itself through its songs and the enormous dedication of its fans. This won’t be the last fans see from Hogan and Mariano, either. Both said they think Affliction members would love to perform on a yearly basis. Mariano also alluded to something new in the works, with a new name and a mix of new and familiar faces. Mariano said that although he can’t give away too many secrets, fans can “expect something in the future from us.” For more information, check out Affliction Reunion II on Facebook.

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Pulsebooks: Before they were chick flicks By Kimberly Dunbar

Most good romantic comedies start with an even better book. For example, look at any Nicholas Sparks book-turned-movie (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, Safe Haven, etc.). If the thought of spending your Valentine’s Day watching Gone with the Wind (thanks, Margaret Mitchell) for the 56th time doesn’t appeal to you, pick up one of these books instead. They’re all headed for the big screen soon, so read up before Hollywood intervenes. Divergent (Veronica Roth)

This coming-of-age science fiction book, the first in a series of three, has a romance at its heart. The relationship between the main characters might at times leave you squealing like a teenage girl and also feeling a little like Mrs. Robinson for crushing hard on the 18-year-old hero. I dare you not to fall in love with their budding love story. Divergent hits theaters in March 2014.

The Fault in Our Stars (John Green)

This New York Times best-seller tells the story of 16-year-old Hazel, who is stricken with thyroid cancer and forced by her parents to attend a cancer support group for kids. When she meets Augustus, a 17-yearold who lost his leg to cancer and is in remission, a love story ensues, so make sure you have some tissues ready. The movie is set to hit theaters in June 2014.

50 Shades of Grey (E.L. James)

Although I haven’t read the books, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this much-anticipated big screen adaptation. I hear the steamy love scenes between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele are quite scandalous. Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard the movie is slated for a 2015 release.

If I Stay (Gayle Forman)

After surviving a car crash that kills the rest of her family, Mia must decide if she wants to wake up from her coma or let go. The power of young love takes center stage in this quick read. Although the movie adaptation has hit a few bumps, it’s said to be moving forward, but it doesn’t have an official release date.

Something Blue (Emily Giffin)

The sequel to Something Borrowed has long been rumored for film adaptation and seems like an eventual certainty, especially after the first film ended with “to be continued.” As much as you hate selfish, snotty (and pregnant) Darcy, you’ll experience a change of heart as she transforms into someone the upstanding (and adorable) Ethan can love.

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Save Ends ~ a new-school emo band By Alex Kantarelis

Pop punk and emo bands come and go, and Massachusetts has seen many of them. But Save Ends is here to stay, and the group has just released a new LP. The mix of classic-sounding emo and pop punk, with male/female dual vocals, is unlike anything that’s come out of Massachusetts in a while, and the sound got the band plenty of attention in 2013, and it’s looking like 2014 will be Save Ends’ year. Forming out of friendship ~ and a mutual love for Dungeons and Dragons ~ the band got together in 2010 simply by hanging out. The members all had the same musical backgrounds and loved the same bands, so hangout sessions became basement jam sessions, and Save Ends was born out of thin air. Guitarist Tom Ciesluk and pianist/vocalist Brendan Cahill’s band Rotary was just dissolving, and they started writing songs with guitarist and vocalist Christine Atturio and bassist Sam Nash. They meshed musically, created the 2010 EP 10 or Better and brought their male/female dual vocals to shows all around New England.

and that’s when things started to pick up,” Atturio said. After the success of Strength First, it was time for the next step. At the end of last year, Tiny Engines released Warm Hearts, Cold Hands, a 10-song LP that Save Ends recorded with producer Jay Maas. The result is a perfectly polished sound that’s a blend between The Anniversary, The Promise Ring and The Get Up Kids. It’s a little more pop punk than just plain old pop, yet it’s still unmistakably emo. The male/female vocals round out the energetic tunes and give a sense of melody that will get you singing along by the second chorus.

“We played a lot of shows around Boston, and a little bit of a scene started building up with our group of friends,” Atturio said. By 2012, the band was back with another EP, Strength First, the first with new drummer Burton Wright. The new EP stepped up the band’s sound to the next level, aided by a more complex songwriting structure and higher quality production.

Save Ends has the right mentality. Like most of my favorite Massachusetts bands, the group is happier playing a basement show than being on a stage at a club. Save Ends kicked off 2014 with a Canadian tour and will hit the road on a Midwest tour in April. In May, the band will round out its spring with Pouzza Fest in Montreal. Fans of Lemuria, The Anniversary, The Get Up Kids and old Blink 182 should take notice of Save Ends. This band represents Massachusetts well.

It was good enough to catch the attention of Tiny Engines Records, which promoted the EP through its PR company, Bear Trap. “They got us more press,

For more information, visit saveends.com or bandcamp.com/saveends.

Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

Club & Pub Listings

Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs, & other select venues

The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. 508-755-0879 thebannerbar.com Barbers Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575 barberscrossingrestaurant.com

508-926-8353 facebook.com/CanalRestaurantandBar Wednesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: Open Mic Night Feb. 7: Poor Howard Stith Blues Feb. 8: Tom Revane Performance Feb. 14: Heather Marie Ralston Feb. 21: TbD Feb. 22: Sean Fullerton Feb. 28: Rob Adams

Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Thursdays: Karaoke

The Cannery 12 Crane St., Southbridge 508-764-1100 12crane.com/canneryhall/index.php

Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. 508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com

Cantina Bar & Grill 385 Main St., Worc. 508-459-5325 cantinaworcester.com

Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg 978-343-3148 beemerspub.com

Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc. 508-438-0597 thecenterbar.com Sundays: Sunday Funday Karaoke with DJ Matty J Thursdays: Thirsty Thursday with DJ Matty J Fridays: Friday Night Dance Party with DJ Blackout

Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 blacksheeptavernsterline.com Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. 508-797-4827 blackstonetap.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 hometown.aol.com/blueplatelounge Thursdays: Open mic with Ed Sheridan Feb. 28: The Ric Porter Band Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 Feb. 6: Fred Elsworth Feb. 7: Rob Benton Feb. 8: Kevin Shields Feb. 13: Sean Fullerton Feb. 14: Strumburgh Feb. 15: Scott Babineau Feb. 20: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Feb. 21: Neon Alley Feb. 22: Now and Then Feb. 28: Sean Fullerton Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862 brew-city.com Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 bullrunrestaurant.com Feb. 7: Albert Lee Feb. 8: Charlie Farren (Ballroom) Feb. 8: Christine Lavin & Don White (Sawtelle Room) Feb. 14: Bellevue Cadillac Valentine’s Day Ball Feb. 15: Orpheus Reunion Feb. 21: Johnny Winter’s 70th Birthday Tour Feb. 22: The Alchemystics Feb. 28: Invisible Sun ~ featuring the music of The Police

Centerfolds 2000 139 Southbridge St., N. Oxford 508-987-5222 centerfolds2000.com Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 E. Brookfield Road, N. Brookfield 508-867-2494 sitewizzer.com/choochs Fridays: Karaoke Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster 978-534-0020 chopsticksleominster.com Feb. 7, 8: Windfall Classic Rock Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250 facebook.com/christopherspubleominster Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-767-9728 worcesterscene.com/admin/location_images/ ciceros.jpg Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750 classicspub.net Club Caliente 816 Main St., Worc. 508-826-9305 Club Instyle 41 Pleasant St., Worc. theclubinstyle.com Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. 508-798-8385 facebook.com/ClubKasBar Feb. 21: Auntie Trainwreck Feb. 28: Valvatross

Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 destare.com

Cornerstone’s Restaurant 616 Central St., Leominster 978-537-1991 cornerstonesrestaurant.com Wednesdays: Trivia Fridays, Saturdays: Live music Feb. 14: Tom Yates & The Workingman’s Band

Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc.

Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc.

22 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2014

508-752-0482 Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. 508-757-6977 danceranchandsaloon.com Dar Bah 29 Canal St., Millbury 508-865-8441 Dark Horse Tavern 12 Crane Street, Southbridge (508) 764-9200 Feb. 14th: Erica & Justin Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006 daysendtavern.com Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 devensgrill.com Dunnys Tavern 291 E. Main St., E. Brookfield Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. 508-799-0629 facebook.com/ElectricHaze Feb. 4: Tuesday Blues Feb. 5: Art gallery opening featuring Erin Potter Feb. 6: Rocky and the Pressers, Satellite Rockers Feb. 7: Get Down Feb. 8: Rob Nolan, Ameranounche Feb. 11: Hip Hop Tuesdays Feb. 12: Waco Sparkler, Swift Technique Feb. 13: Dub Apocalypse Feb. 14: Dan Burke and the Royal Treatment Feb. 15: Fennario ~ Grateful Dead tribute Feb. 18: Tuesday Blues Feb. 20: Strange Machines Feb. 21: Airspray Feb. 22: Thought Bomb ~ Comedy monthly featuring The Rice Cakes Feb. 25: Hip Hop Tuesdays Feb. 26: Vegan Cafe fundraiser Feb. 27: Dub Apocalypse Fat Tony’s Pub 1102 Main St., Worc. 508-798-8908 facebook.com/pages/Fat-TonysPub/120246167987079 Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 aohworcester.com Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 fireflysbbq.com Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden 508-829-3008 flipflopsma.com Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-757-1450 flyingrhinocafe.com Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-753-2995 funkyandjosemurphys.com Galway Bay Irish Pub 186 Stafford St., Worc. 508-753-8909 thegalway.com

Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 gardnerale.com Sundays: Sunday brunch with Chet Williamson Mondays: Blue Mondays ~ live Blues Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live music Gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc. 508-791-2583 gilreins.net Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-853-1350 myspace.com/greendalespub Tuesdays: Open Mic Night with Bill McCarthy Wenesdays: Open Mic Jam Feb. 7: Time Machine Feb. 8: Blow It Up Johnny! Feb. 14: Nuzzy Feb. 15: 9Teen Feb. 21: Mayhem Feb. 22: Silverbacks Feb. 28: Auntie Trainwreck Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster 508-943-3871 indianranch.com Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701 ixtapacantina2.com JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc. 508-793-0900 jilliansworcester.com Wednesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: Open mic with Bill McCarthy Feb. 7: XS & Bill McCarthy Feb. 8: The Great Escape ~Journey Cover Band Feb. 14: Valentines Day Country Music Festival Feb. 15: The Flock Feb. 21: Decades by Dezyne Feb. 28: The Remuck Brothers Band JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz Feb. 7: Dirty Deeds ~ AC/DC tribute Feb. 8: Usually Normal Feb. 14: Tension Feb. 15: Tony Soul Project, Women Of Soul Feb. 21 Happy Jack ~ The Who tribute Feb. 22: No Alibi Feb. 28: The Issues March 1: Power Play LaScala Restaurant 183 Shrewsbury St, Worc. 508-753-9912 lascalashrewsburystreet.com Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. 508-798-2447 leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc.

Continued on Page 27

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Continued from Page 22 508-796-5177 loft266.com Tuesdays: Karaoke Feb. 22: Erica & Justin London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc. 508-799-7655 londonbilliards.com Lucky Dog Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc. 508-363-1888 luckydogmusic.com Sundays: Game Night Mondays: Open Mic Tuesdays: Electric Tuesdays (21+) Feb. 5: Mister Smarta** Theatre’s comedy take on the film Tron! Feb. 6: Every Other Thursday with Day One, Funk For Now, Phases and Anastasia Markov Feb. 7: Broadcast Hearts, Just Sayin’, Altic Feb. 8: A metal night with Along Came The Flood, Shred Of Salvation, Verscythe and Project Insanity Feb. 10: Free movie night, featuring the RoboCop series. Feb. 11: Drink And Draw Social Club with live model. $7 to the model. Feb. 12: The Unlikely Hero, A Certain Word and more. Feb. 13 Every Other Thursday with Hot Letter, Oh Hey Bear, Funk For Now and Luke Jarret Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Massacre with Deception Of A Ghost, A Faylene Sky, It Lies Within, Kerrigan, Shred Of Salvation, Promise Of Fire Feb. 15: Members of Fear Nuttin Band, D.P.R., The Part Time Regulars and more. Feb. 17: Free movie night with the early films of Peter Jackson Feb. 18: Independent Movie Meet-up Feb. 19: That Racket and more Feb. 20: Every Other Thursday with Funk For Now, Phases and Anastasia Markov Feb. 22: 80’s party with The Flock Of A-Holes Feb. 24: Free movie marathon night Feb. 25: Open Mic Tuesday. Feb. 26: Free show, band TBA Feb. 27: Every Other Thursday with Hot Letter, The Cosby Sweaters, Funk For Now and Luke Jarret Feb. 28: Rosemont, The October Accord and more Mar 1: Blue Light Bandits with Prying Eyes, Build & Bind and Oh Hey Bear Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc. 508-277-1073 facebook.com/mahoneyspub.ma Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. 508-754-0033 martyspub.com MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. 508-799-4521 mblounge.com McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster 978-874-1444 mcnallysgrille.com Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Feb. 5: Hit the Bus Feb. 6: Ricky Duran Feb. 7: Jim Devlin Trio Feb. 8: Andy Cummings Trio Feb. 12: Jon Bowser Feb. 13: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Feb. 15: Real Cool Cats Trio Feb. 19: Ricky Duran Feb. 20: Dave B and the Hot Shots Feb. 21: Bill McCarthy Feb. 22: Rugged Road Band Feb. 26: Brett Brumby Feb. 27: Jim Devlin

Feb. 28: Mystic River Band Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 The Mill 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com Feb. 1st: Erica & Justin Feb. 7: David Garden Feb. 8: Josh Briggs Feb. 14: Chad Clements Feb. 15: Scott Babineau Feb. 21: How Bizarre Feb. 22: Belit Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 millstreetbrews.com Moonstruck Café 19 Worcester Road, Charlton 508-248-4558 Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. 508-753-4030 myspace.com/NicksWorcester Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat Feb. 22: Jubilee Gardens The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. 508-340-0318 Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 508-839-6106 On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 The Outlook Restaurant 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 dineoutlook.com Saturdays, Feb. 8-22: Chris Reddy ~ Narragansett Promo Feb. 27: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford 508-987-5397 Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. 508-797-9696 thepalladium.net Pampas Churrascaria Restaurant 145 E. Central St., Worc. 508-757-1070 pampas-restaurant.com Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 partnerspub.com Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. 508-755-4155 patsiedugans.com Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc. 508-792-4263 perfectgameworcester.com Sundays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy Thursdays: Karaoke Fridays: DJ One-3

Saturdays: DJ Reckless Feb. 8: Dave O’Brien Feb. 15: Pete Towler Feb. 21: Drunken Uncles Feb. 28: Bill McCarthy

Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. 508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 sakura-tokyo.com Feb. 7, 8: Flock of A-Holes Feb. 21, 22: Doctor Robert

Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc. 508-756-7555

Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000 seanpatricksrestaurant.com

The Pumphouse 340 Main St., Southbridge 508-765-5473 facebook.com/#!/pages/The-PumpHouse/374917818127?sk=info

South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 southsidemargaritafactory.com

Rage 105 Water St., Worc. 508-756-2223 rageworcester.com

Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net

Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com Sundays: Sunday Night Cinemageddon Tuesdays” C.U.Next Tuesday with DJ Poke Smot and special guests Feb. 7: Good Question, Shamrock Whiskey and One For The Road Feb. 8: Dyfunctional Advocate, Stone Crusher, Hellitosis and Mercy White Feb. 15: Preacher Roe, Mellow Bravo Feb. 22: Ghost Ocean, Born Without Bones, The Young Leaves, Build and Bind The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133 facebook.com/people/RavenWorcester/100001022046717

Trumbull Bar & Grill 117 Main St., Spencer 508-885-6901

Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-243-1100 rivalrysworcester.com Feb. 7: Dave Nelson & Nude Suits Feb. 8: The Recliners Feb. 9: Clamdigger Feb. 14: Babe Pino Band Feb. 15: Beach Party with Tom Revane Feb. 16: One for the Road Feb. 21: Take Two Feb. 22: Cosby Sweaters Feb. 23: Bo & The Highlanders Feb. 28: Drunken Uncles

Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 ryeandthyme.com Feb. 6: Chris Reddy Feb. 7: Scott Babineau Feb. 8: Brian Chaffee & The Players Feb. 9: Stout & Slik Brunch Feb. 13: Jay Graham Feb. 15: Doctor Robert Feb. 20: Zack Slik Feb. 21: Scott Babineau Feb. 22: City Boys Feb. 27: Jay Graham Feb. 28: Brian & Captain

Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 skinashoba.com/summer

Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 508-754-3516 3gs-sportsbar.com Fridays: The Ramm Jamm

RG Scooters Pub 84 Lakefront St., Lunenburg 978-348-2453 facebook.com/pages/RGScooters/211225168902092

Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. 508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com

Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614, 877-782-4346 grotonstagecoachinn.com

Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster 508-949-6559 talsplacewebster.com

Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville 978-939-7373, 978-939-8321 myspace.com/theredonion

Rose Garden Restaurant and Pub 16 Milford St., Upton 508-529-7776 uptonrosegarden.com

Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 SpruceStreetTavern.com

Tweed’s 231 Grove St., Worc. 508-755-8047 tweedspub.com Union Music 142 Southbridge St., Worc. 508-753-3702 unionmusic.com Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. facebook.com/TheUnionTavernWorcester Tuesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: DJs Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre 978-355-2224 upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-752-9439 facebook.com/vincentsbar Sundays: Big Jon Short Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford 508-987-3087 StopByTheWhistle.com Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-9909 wonderbarrestaurant.net

Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

ON CD Eye Empire ~ Evolve By Jennifer Russo Eye Empire ~ a band that splashed onto the scene back in 2009 ~ has been steadily growing its fan base the last several years, playing plenty of live shows and producing great music. The four-piece band plays with the pure “go-getter” attitude of a local rock band but makes waves like a national band that has been on the scene for much longer than it actually has. After having caught this band at a club stage show a couple years back, I can personally attest to the experience this band bestows on its fans. You aren’t there to be a part of the crowd; you are there to be a part of the music itself. As much as I enjoy Eye Empire, I find myself frustrated (now, hear me out) when I listen to this band. Why? Because to put it bluntly, they are badass … far too badass to not be uber-successful and on stages at the big shows and festivals that the band’s equally as good (or in some cases, not nearly as good) counterparts are playing. I expect this will change and soon. Eye Empire’s latest album, Evolve, is a brand of rock that can easily fall into the mainstream, but doesn’t easily blend into the gray background of similarity. A clean and expansive range of vocal prowess, featuring a well-placed scream or two, tops off the instrumental talent of passionate individuals. The album exhibits a self-aware vibe that I have not heard in a long time. Lyrics and music are bound cohesively ~ you can’t imagine the lyrics sung to a different track or the track with different lyrics; each song is alive. In short, this band reminds me why I love music … and that is a compliment I do not dish out often. For more information, visit eyeempire.com. Ned Lucas ~ Flame of Love By Jason Savio Ned Lucas’ country/blues rock album, Flame of Love, is a multi-part collaboration that captures Lucas performing with both his Massachusetts-based and North Carolina-based bands, as well performing as the sole musician on a few tracks. But whereas having two different backing bands involved may be suspect and cause an uneven listen, the differences between the two here gel nicely. The North Carolina band has a little more of a country twang, while the Massachusetts band brings a sharper, rock-chiseled edge. Of course, all is held together by Lucas’ soulful, bellowing voice. One of the most enduring qualities of Flame of Love is the recording’s genuine nature; it doesn’t come across like a country cash-in or opportunistic flash. Some of this is thanks to the musician-favored instrumentals. “E Mood” is a sultry, after-hours strut recorded entirely by Lucas himself, and “Surfer Voodoo,” fleshed out by his Massachusetts group, sounds just like the name suggests and is the most confident and creative offering here. But this is clearly Lucas’ project. His jammy blues imprint is evident on every track, including the Allman Brothers-esque “U Can’t Do That Anymore.” Although Lucas’ bitterness and disdain creeps through in “Peace on Earth,” which is more alienating than miserly relatable, the album’s title song is lighthearted and fun, as is the rollicking roadhouse number “Mica Moon.” Much like the narrator’s experiences in the songs, Flame of Love has its ups and downs and is clearly a labor of love. For more information, visit nlucas.com. Britney Spears ~ Britney Jean By Michael Wood At first, I was ready to dismiss this album as just another generic reboot of any “insert pop diva name here,” but damn it if after repeated listenings, Britney Jean doesn’t grow on you. Feel as you might about Spears as an artist (or as fodder for tabloid sensationalism), she’s an entertainer who, despite some missteps and mishaps, is clearly doing something right: Five of her seven albums (this is her eighth) debuted at No. 1, and she has 24 Top 40 hits to her credit. On Britney Jean, the songs’ beats are familiar and the lyrics are conjured up from Brit-Brit’s usual bag of tricks ~ sex, love, dancing, make-ups and break-ups ~ but they are catchy, even if there are no personal details to this Spears experience. However, she’s so overproduced in some songs, you may not even be able to tell it’s Spears at all. The first single, “Work Bitch,” remains the standout for dance club kids and their brethren, and DJs are sure to be pumping out remixes of this ditty for years to come. Other songs that dance fans are expecting, like “Tik Tik Boom” and “Body Ache,” are strong accompaniments, but likewise, they’re not uniquely Britney. (Any anonymous dance club diva could have released them, and we wouldn’t be the wiser.) The few ballads sprinkled throughout are Britney’s standard fare, too. “Perfume” is probably the best of the lot. With Britney Jean, you’ll get what you expect: Nothing more, but also nothing less. Britney is unleashed daily at britneyspears.com

28 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2014

Own the sTage with Bandfuse:

Rock Legends By Jason Savio

Do you want to learn how to rock? Do you want to really learn how to rock? While nothing can compare to a human teacher or having an “Aha!” moment on your own, Bandfuse: Rock Legends comes close. Guitar Hero, music gaming’s original sweetheart, just got relegated to the kids’ table. Bandfuse takes the formula of that sentimental favorite ~ playing along with your favorite songs to the notations on the screen ~ and morphs it into an actual learning experience, with a few legends along the way to help guide you on your quest for rock stardom. What makes Bandfuse such a realistic and practical experience is that it requires you to plug a real guitar, bass or microphone directly into your console. Gone are the fake, plastic instruments with their big, bright buttons. This is the real deal. And while there’s no denying that Bandfuse isn’t the first to apply this real-world approach to music gaming, it is the first to include such in-depth attention to performing. One such offering is the highly educational and impressive Shred U mode. Within Shred U is the Skills Lab, a tutorial for not only guitar, but also bass and vocals, that lets you fine tune the fundamentals and expand into advanced techniques. For guitar and bass, in particular, everything from basic scales and chord structures to tapping and harmonics is covered and explained. What helps Bandfuse stand out from other games are the actual guitar legends, like Slash and Zakk Wylde, giving tips and pointers in video segments that are peppered throughout. It’s like having your own private lesson with some of the greatest guitarists of all time, right in your own living room. Also included in Shred U, and just as expansive, is the Lick Lab. More focused on the playable songs within the game, Lick Lab shows the authentic notation and approach to playing each riff and note. Are you having a hard time with a particular part of the solo in Living Colour’s Cult of Personality? No problem; each song is broken down and can be slowed down and looped to make sure that you’re hitting every hammer-on, bend and trill. You can test your skills in the Tour Mode, where ~ just like in guitar games of old ~ you can play along with your favorite songs. The song selection is quite diverse, ranging from Wolfmother’s Woman to more pop-oriented guilty pleasures like Rick Springfield’s Jessie’s Girl. As involved and instructive as Bandfuse is, it’s not just for those who are skilled veterans or who are looking to master every nook and cranny of the game. This is a game for all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who has played for years, Bandfuse Rock Legends will rock you.

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For more information, visit bandfuse.com. Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29

CANAL DISTRICT

30 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2014

CANAL DISTRICT

Carnaval de Canal

A Mardi Gras Event

Fat tuesday | March 4th

in the Worcester Canal District

pm kickoff

Beads

Giveaways

with slippery sneakers @ Smokestack Urban BBQ

Promotions

Photo Contest! (see Facebook for details) For schedule of events find us on Facebook: The Canal District

Free shuttle to/ from events from area colleges.

or visit www.thecanaldistrict.com

Check Facebook for schedule updates.

Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 31

LIFESTYLE

A lesson in chivalry for the st 21 century

They say that chivalry is dead. Really? How sad a notion, really ~ that being polite and treating your partner with respect is a thing of the past. I disagree. While a guy may not need to hold a girl’s hand when she is stepping out of a carriage or toss his jacket over a puddle, and we certainly cannot expect men to pay for every date, I am a firm believer that some oldfashioned tricks of the trade should be reinstituted, or at least updated for the modern age. And women, you are not excluded! Chivalry is a choice and should be practiced by everyone.

By Jennifer Russo

For Men Let’s start with the basics. Whatever happened to holding a door open for a woman or walking around the car to open her door? How about giving up your seat on a bus or train, so a woman doesn’t have to stand, especially if she is elderly, pregnant or disabled? And though the original reason for walking on the outside of a sidewalk is past, it’s a nice gesture to still do this. Helping a woman put her coat on, letting her sit down at a restaurant first ~ for whatever reason, these gestures have all been swept under the rug. Let’s bring these things back into the culture! On a more modern note, being chivalrous also can mean standing in front of a woman at a crowded concert if it starts getting too rowdy, treating her with respect when you run into your friends, paying attention when she speaks and not staring at her physical assets (or those of other women when you are with her), putting the toilet seat down if you’re sharing a restroom and offering to rub her shoulders after a long day without expectation for more. In fact, never expect.

Oh, and if your guy is being a gentlemen ~ let him. Don’t go on about how you can do it yourself. Of course you can. Just say thank you or smile to make him feel appreciated.

For Men and Women

Most importantly ~ and this should be a matter of honor ~ keep your word. In my opinion, there is nothing more chivalrous than someone who fulfills his promises and stays true to his beliefs.

In some cases, chivalry is also just good manners. Here are a couple of tips that apply to men and women.

For Women

•

Although we have technology at our fingertips, don’t take calls or text when you’re out to dinner or at a family event. We do this so much that we don’t even realize when we are being rude.

•

Don’t flirt with other people in front of your significant other. Flirting here and there in an innocent way isn’t all bad, but to do it in front of the person you are dating is extremely disrespectful.

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Introduce the person/people you are with to those they might not know.

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Say thank you, even when you’re going through the drive-thru. If someone is helping you, show gratitude.

That’s right; women can be chivalrous, too. For all the complaining we do about the toilet seat, we have our own foibles. Most guys will agree that our hair being left all over the bathroom floor or in the shower drain is gross, so clean up after yourself. When in public with your significant other, don’t check out other guys, and if others happen to look at you, make it clear where you stand ~ move closer or put your arm around your guy. And keep your fights private; don’t make him look like an ass in front of his friends. I am going to start having to practice what I preach with this one, but try not to “sound like a trucker” too often. Swearing here and there, not that big of a deal and can’t much be helped, but for every other word … not really “ladylike,” I suppose. There are little things, too, that you can do ~ notice the preferences he has, such as sitting in an aisle seat so he can stretch his legs out a little more. 32 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Feb. 2014

Bottom line: Treat others exactly the way you want to be treated. As old and idea as it is, it still holds true! Photo: “The Accolade,” Edmund Blair Leighton

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NORTH COUNTY •

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING • NORTH Feb. Feb. 2014 2014 || THEPULSEMAG.COM THEPULSEMAG.COM 33 33

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NORTH COUNTY •

DINING & Entertaining

REVIEW

Armsby Abbey

offers true handcrafted cuisine By Bernie Whitmore

144 Main St., Worcester (508) 795-1012 armsbyabbey.com To those who believe it’s OK to satisfy hunger with a trip to the fast-food strip: You’d best turn the page. For this is a story of robust times ~ earthy flavors, rich textures and handcrafted cuisine. If you fear our food culture’s descending into industrialized bland, there’s good news! An emergent tradition, led by a legion of brewmasters and other artisans of nourishing sustenance, is tossing these mass-production practices out the window, along with all that white bread and light beer. The renaissance being enjoyed by beer is also at hand for bread, its soulmate. During a recent meal at Armsby Abbey, it became obvious that bread and beer are the owners’ passions. A friend and I ducked into Armsby Abbey on a bitter cold evening and were shown to a table along the wall, just beyond the chalkboard used to list the current selection of what’s on tap. A menu on the table filled out the beverage offering with season-inspired mixed drinks. Amanda introduced herself as our server, and I was immediately impressed with her expertise and willingness to kit us out with beers to our liking. Minimal info exchanged ~ maximal satisfaction delivered. I started with a glass of Bar Harbor Cadillac Mountain Stout, jet black with a lacing of

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cocoa-colored foam around the edge. Cadillac Mountain had the wholesome feel I expect in a stout, with a decent hint of chocolate richness and a suggestion of musty, dark berries. After I convinced my friend that he loves IPA, Amanda guided him to a glass of Founders All Day IPA. Deep amber in color, it was bubbly with crunchy, bitter freshness. In the taste or two I managed to snag, I could also detect citrus, perhaps grapefruit. We started our meal with one of Armsby Abbey’s Slates, which are variety appetizers presented on rough-hewn rectangles of stone. We chose the Pickle Slate, a variety of garden and root vegetables, each preserved with different spices and brines. Rounding it out was a schmear of habanero-honey conserve and a crescent of goat cheese. Warning: Beware the habanero conserve; its fiery heat is incendiary! Our favorite of the pickles? The thin cucumber slices reminded me of my mother’s bread and butter pickles; the pickled carrots were a middle-ground refuge from the hot spices and sweet beets. After days locked in the grips of a fierce cold snap, we banished all residual chills with bowls of Armsby Abbey’s Chorizo Soup. Chunkified with bits of meat and hunks of potato, the tomatoey broth was hearty with flecks of kale. It was served piping hot from the cauldron in crockery that retained its heat through the entire serving. That night, it was served with thick slices of moist, dark bread that had been lavishly buttered and grilled until touched with edges of delicate crispness.

Hot & Now By Paul Giorgio

On to the main course. My friend chose the Cuban Sandwich ~ a special that night ~ served on a sesame bun made with ale; it was wonderfully moist and rich. Whilst I’m inclined to rave about the breads, what’s in them was just as important; in this case, layers of ham, pork shoulder and gruyere cheese. Dijon mustard and pickled cucumber slices provided tasty flavor and texture contrasts. My sandwich selection, Apple Grilled Cheese, had thin slices of fresh apples, harvested from Tougas Orchard in Northborough, and sharp Vermont cheddar cheese grilled to gooeyness and crammed between thick slices of homemade honey oatmeal bread. Both sandwiches were served with arugula farro salads. I just had to ask Amanda about the bread used in each of our courses. “Where does it come from?” She assured me that it was homemade and went on to mention Armsby Abbey’s retail bakery ~ a new venture. It’s named Crust and located in an adjacent storefront. As fascinating as the cuisine proved to be, I must also note the physical space. From the street, Armsby Abbey is marked by a simple sign and modest visual profile. But just walk in, and you’ll find yourself in a handsome room of rustic brick and fine-crafted wooden archways. If a gentrification of Worcester’s downtown ever takes place, it should aspire to the standard that’s been set by Armsby Abbey.

On the road again. The Bolton Roadhouse has a new owner and will also be sporting a new moniker. The new owner is Anastasios Kessaris. He is renaming the restaurant, located at 544 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Fotini’s Restaurant and Bar. Kessaris also owns Linguine’s, an Italian restaurant on Northborough’s Route 20. Not too far afield. David Fields recently joined Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery as managing partner. Wormtown is moving from its current Park Avenue location to Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street. In addition, Wormtown will dramatically increase production and have a tasting room. Fields was the former owner of Consolidated Beverages, the area’s Budwieser distributor, which he sold to Quality Beverages in the fall of 2013. Quality will be distributing Wormtown’s beer. From jam to beer. The first Trappist brewery outside of Europe has started production of beer, which hit retail stores the last week of January. The monks at Saint Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer are rolling out bottles of Spencer Trappist Ale, brewed in a 36,000-square-foot facility on the monastery grounds. The brewery will be the ninth Trappist brewery in the world, joining Chimay, Orval and other well-known brands. Brother Isaac Keeley, who oversees brewery operations, calls Spencer’s beer a “refectory ale,” in reference to the dining hall in which the monks take their meals. The monks had help in developing their recipe. One of the monks brewed with Dann Paquette and Martha Holley-Paquette, of Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project, for two years; two monks traveled to Belgium; and Harpoon’s Dan Kenary had early input into the project. The final recipe is a beer with 6.5% ABV. Most of the ingredients in the beer ~ and there are only four of them ~ come from the United States: water from a well on the property, malted barley from New York and Willamette and Nugget hops from the West Coast. The key ingredient, Belgian yeast, comes from a family of yeasts cultured for other Trappist breweries in the middle of the 20th century. Espresso Pizza opens second location. The wildly popular Espresso Pizza in Fitchburg just opened a second location over the bridge in Leominster. According to owner Lynda Ferrara, the Leominster location had a soft opening at the end of December. The new location is at 272 Central St., Leominster. Stop “wining” and go. The annual Boston Wine Expo will be held Feb. 15 and 16 at the World Trade Center. There are more than 400 exhibitors offering tasting samples from around the world. In addition, there are celebrity chef demos. Among the chefs are Ming Tsai, Mary Ann Esposito and Jody Adams. Tickets, which cost $70, can be purchased at wine-expo.com/boston. It was a Divine Comedy. Our spies tell us the Shrewsbury Street’s Dante’s restaurant has closed its doors. The building is for sale or lease but can only accommodate about 10 tables. Mezcal makes the move. After months of construction, Mezcal, owned by Niche Hospitality, has made the move to its new digs opposite the DCU Center. The restaurant has tripled its space.

Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 35

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Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

Once again, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for the winter edition of Worcester Restaurant Week, a semi-annual event highlighting the food of local restaurants. Central Massachusetts is known for having great food at reasonable prices, but twice a year, local restaurant owners take their prices down even more. From Feb. 24-March 8, you can check out special menus at local restaurants for $23.14! Got a favorite restaurant or want to discover a new favorite? Worcester Restaurant Week is the time to go out, dine and beat back those winter blues. Worcester restaurant week is sponsored by Pepsi, UniBank, Blue Moon, Guinness, Harpoon, Samuel Adams, Mercadante Funeral Home and American Express. Media sponsors include The Pike 100 FM, WXLO 104.5 FM, WORC 98.0 FM, WCRN 830 AM, Vitality Magazine, TasteWorcester.com and Pulse. For more information, check out worcesterrestaurantweek.com and facebook.com/worcesterrestaurantweek.

Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 37

Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

Tasty and affordable

Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

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Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

Best Overall Restaurant 2012 & 2013

Lunch | Dinner | Full Bar | Seasonal Beers Tuesday - Thursday 11am to 9 pm NEW MENU ITEMS !! Friday and Saturday 11am to 10 pm NEW WINES !! Sunday 8am to 9 pm NEW BEERS !! (Breakfast 8am to 11:30 am Sundays only) www.evodining.com

508 -459-4240

234 Chandler Street Worcester

(Located On corner of Chandler St & Park Ave)

Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 39

Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

Best Vegan & Organic Food 2009-2013

Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

CRAFT BEER. FARMHOUSE FARE. RIGHTEOUS COCKTAILS.

Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

CRAFT BREWS. FRESH BREADS. Celebrate the artisan craftsman with an unmatched selection of farm-fresh food, hand-crafted spirits and, of course, world class beers. In late September, you’ll be able to enjoy our expanded kitchen, 30 additional seats with semi-private function space, and the opening of Crust, our artisan bakeshop one block away. The slow food movement has found it’s home here.

118 Main Street Worcester MA 01608 crustbakeshop.com OPENING LATE SEPTEMBER 2013

Lunch & dinner daily beginning at 11:30AM Brunch Saturdays & Sundays beginning at 10AM Located downtown in the historic courthouse district. 144 Main Street Worcester, MA 508.795.1012 www.armsbyabbey.com

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Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th

Join us during Worcester Restaurant Week! February 24th - March 8th Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 41

PulseBREW: Pick the right beer for your food By Kerry Cyganiewicz

Sometimes, it’s hard to match the beer to the meal. Pairing food and beer is an inexact science. With Restaurant Week coming up in Worcester at the end of the month, I’ve created a basic guide that will help you get the most out of your meal ~ and your beer.

Seafood

Perhaps you are feeling like sushi. Maybe it is a special occasion, and steamed lobster is in your future. Baked haddock seems to be on just about every menu. Regardless your seafood choice, you simply cannot go wrong with a witbier. This style is usually cloudy and well-carbonated, with a long-lasting head that clings to the glass. It has a light mouthfeel, with notes of coriander and citrus. You might know it as Blue Moon or Shock Top Belgian White. Hoegaarden Original White Ale is the original witbier, and in my opinion, is outstanding, as is Allagash White. I just tried Sam Adams Cold Snap, and it was a very good example of the style and should be available everywhere by the time you read this.

Burgers

How times have changed. Ordering cheese used to be as fancy as burgers got. Now, not only are burgers made with different types of animal and non-animal protein, but bacon, mushrooms, hot peppers and even eggs are appearing as toppings. A more complex burger deserves a more complex brew. I recommend a Belgian dubbel. These are well-carbonated, malty, slightly spicy ales with a reduced hop character. Grimbergan Dubbel and Chimay Rouge (the red label) are excellent examples from Belgium. Alagash Dubbel Ale is brewed right in Maine and is readily available. I recently had the opportunity to enjoy a Trappistes Rochefort 6. It is brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium. It pours a deep copper with a small, persistent head. Its smell and taste are of sweet plum, raisin and a sweet tannin-like finish. Red wine drinkers should definitely try this style, as well as those that wish to have a flavorful beer without the hop bitterness or aroma.

Italian This is probably the most difficult cuisine to pair with beer. Is it red sauce or cream? Spicy or bland? Northern Italian or Southern Italian? There are many more variables that I could list. Peroni is an Italian beer that is becoming available on draft at many establishments. I would recommend a Belgian Saison, otherwise known as farmhouse ale, to go with most Italian dishes. Ommegang Hennepin has been reviewed previously in this space. Saison Dupont and Boulevard Tank7 are other examples of the style that are easily found. I have a special place in my heart for Fantom Hiver (Winter Ghost) from Brasserie Fantome in Belgium. If you like wine, you will love this. It smells and tastes of orange, pepper, flowers, mint, apple and general nameless funk. There will be no shortage of dinner conversation trying to pick up all of the intricacies of Fantom Hiver. If you see it, or any other offerings from Fantom, try it.

Steak

There are many ways to order steak, but I will break it down into two broad categories. If you are ordering a basic steak with no sauce or special seasoning, skip to the last section of this article for the best option. If you are ordering blackened steak, prime rib, Steak Au Poivre or any other variety with a sauce or heavy seasoning, a stout is the way to go. Narragansett

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makes an Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout that has a light mouthfeel for those of you with an aversion to dark beers. At the other end of the spectrum is Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, which at more than 14% ABV is quite thick and dark. It is as smooth as crushed velvet. It’s also barrel-aged in old bourbon barrels, which gives it its complexity. My pick would be somewhere in the middle ~ Founders Breakfast Stout. At about 8% ABV, it is brewed with chocolate, coffee and oats. The coffee and chocolate come through in both the smell and the taste, while the oats add a full, smooth mouthfeel. It is a meal in itself.

Spicy

So many types of food fit into this category ~ Indian curries, hot wings, various types of Thai and Chinese cuisine and even a Lobster Fra Diavlo. You need something that stands up to the spice, but doesn’t leave your palate in shattered pieces. An IPA (Indian pale ale) will do the trick nicely. It is a natural with curry, going back to the invention of the style. Just about every brewery puts out an IPA. Harpoon and Wachusett Light IPA are good examples and available in most places. I have reviewed Ballast Point Sculpin and Sierra Nevada Torpedo here previously and would eagerly order either if they’re available. Maine Beer Company Lunch is an excellent beer, and if available, I would choose my dinner around this beer. It pours a beautiful tangerine, with a luscious creamy head. There are notes of citrus, tropical fruit, pine and a deep complex sweetness from the malt. This is one of the best IPAs I have ever had. Enjoy it with an extra spicy pad thai like I did and prepare for enlightenment.

Barbecue

If you have never had barbecue with a properly matched beer, you are in for a treat. You need something smoky, roasty, or both to stand up to the smoked meat and spicy-sweet sauces. A stout like a Guinness would do nicely. A Scottish ale, with its peat-smoked malt, would be excellent, as well. A Bellhaven Scottish Ale or an Innis and Gunn Oak Aged Beer are examples of the style. I prefer a porter. Stone Brewing Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean is my go-to beer for barbecue. It pours the color of root beer, with a head that is reminiscent of a vanilla shake. It has complimentary notes of smoke, chocolate, vanilla and an earthy goodness. It accents barbecue nicely and is also available without the vanilla.

Everything Else (or I am not sure what I am eating)

Perhaps you are having something not listed here. Maybe you have no clue what your host is feeding you, but you eat it anyway out of courtesy. Do not fret; a pale ale goes with just about everything. Berkshire Brewing Steel Rail and Bass Ale are readily available choices. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is an old favorite of mine. Dale’s Pale Ale from Oskar Blue’s Brewing Company gets the nod. It pours a clear orange, with a fluffy, 1-inch head. There’s some fruit, some cereal and a touch of citrusy pine in the background. It tastes as it smells, but better. It is familiar and comfortable; try it with your new mother-in-law’s/roommate’s/third date’s mystery dish and you will see.

of the dish. When you start getting into fattier dishes, like a ribeye steak smothered in sautéed wild mushrooms, you want to start looking for a wine with higher tannic acid, like Cabernet Sauvignon, to balance the dish’s fatty richness. With spicy foods like Indian or Thai, the best pairings are those wines that are fruitier, almost verging on sweet, like Rieslings. With spicy dishes, I usually do not recommend wines made from Gewurztraminer because, sometimes, the wine’s spicy flavors clash with the spices used in the dish. Even more fruity wines like Sauternes work very well with a very savory dish like pate de foie gras.

Pairing food and wine? A few tips

By Tim Korby Pairing wine and food? It sounds simple enough ~ and with a few simple tips, it can be. If choosing wine for a meal at home, then start by thinking about the meal as a whole and all of the flavors on the table. Are they mild or flavorful; rich or acidic; fatty or lean? With these characteristics in mind, you will be able to select a wine that will keep all of the flavors in balance. Some foods work better with wines of a similar nature. Match mild foods like baked haddock to mild wines like Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc. Match big, flavorful foods like peppercorn steak with big, flavorful wines like Syrah or Zinfandel. Also, you usually want to match the richness of the food to the richness of the wine. A higher acid dish, like swordfish in a lemon-caper sauce, should have a higher acid wine like a Sauvignon Blanc. A richer dish, like chicken in a mushroom cream sauce, should be matched with a richer California Chardonnay. A higher acid wine with a rich cream sauce is like adding lemon juice to cream ~ not a pleasant result. Other foods tend to work better with wines that contrast with the characteristics

Matching wine to a meal at home is different than ordering wine in a restaurant, where each person at the table may be ordering something completely different. If you’re not big drinkers and really only want one glass of wine each, then you have two options: Each person can order a wine by the glass to complement their dish, or you can find a bottle that will not overpower the lightest meal ordered at the table. If the latter is your choice, then everyone at the table will have to come to a consensus on whether to order a red, a white, or the more obvious solution ~ one of each. If you are in an ethnic restaurant, then make your wine selection from the same country in which the food originated. This will narrow down your selection some and make it a bit easier to come to a final selection. If you are not quite adventurous enough to try Greek wine with your Greek food or Spanish wine with your Spanish food, then probably the most universal wines for dining are lower alcohol Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (around 13.5% ABV) that have seen little to no oak aging. Usually, these wines are both delicate and flavorful enough to be enjoyed with an array of foods. With these tips, and a little experimentation and practice, you’ll be able to impress your dining companions. Tim Korby is the director of Julio’s Liquors’ the-AngelShare.com online wine store. He started in the wine industry in California in 1976 and moved to the Boston area in 2000. In addition to being a retail wine buyer, he has taught wine courses since 1984 and has regularly written newsletters, articles and blogs since 1981. Korby travels the world several times each year to find just the right wines for his customers and to learn the true romance of the wines he sells.

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beauty & style

Get gorgeous for Valentine’s Day Whether you’ve got big plans for Feb. 14 or prefer to take it easy, February is a great time to give your skin a little extra pampering. After all, it’s survived (most of) winter and could use a little extra hydration to get you glowing again. Here are some of our picks to perk up dry winter skin.

Protect your eyes

More than 90 percent of the signs of aging are caused by the sun, and the first area women begin to notice lines and wrinkles is around the eyes. It’s never too early to think about an anti-aging eye cream. Supergoop! SPF 37 Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream is ideal for daytime use and is formulated to protect the delicate eye area around the clock, both from the sun and natural aging. This cream is also great after a long night out or traveling or for a 3 p.m. pick-me-up. $45, supergoop.com.

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Get a boost Has the cold got you looking a little dull? Check out Karin Herzog Essential Mask. This multitasking mask instantly hydrates, softens and brightens the complexion, creating the perfect canvas for makeup application. Vitamin A and 2 percent active oxygen work synergistically to combat breakouts, restore moisture and revive the skin’s healthy glow. $60, karinherzog.com.

KORA Organics

KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr has just what you need to ensure you’re looking and feeling your best, with ingredients that are designed to nourish, replenish and hydrate the skin. Products such as Hydrating Day and Night Cream, Balancing Rose Mist and Tinted Day Cream offer healthy, organic ingredients that hydrate and protect skin. Prices vary, KORAOrganics.com.

The A look back at Style List.

2013

By Stacia Kindler

We’re officially well into the new year, the holidays are behind us, and we’re all resolving to whip our bank accounts and bodies back into shape. Since most of us would rather go barefoot than think about shopping anytime soon, let’s save the spring 2014 trend alerts for a later date.

Now is a perfect time to recap on the most popular trends of 2013 before you pack up last year’s styles for good. Whether we predicted them or not, it’s safe to say that the trend wheel took us for a spin in all different directions in popular fashion.

The Flat-Buckle Boot

Sneaker Wedges

Ankle boots, booties, shooties ~ call them whatever you want, but you should have had a pair for a while now, period. However, 2013 took boots to another level entirely, with loads of strapped, buckled and cutout innovations in any color or material imaginable, and they were everwhere. From your cheapest fast-fashion destinations to the biggest brands in the world, even stores I didn’t know sold shoes were pumping out completely unique versions of the flat, embellished boot every time I turned around, dubbing 2013 the year for boots for sure.

This trend came out of left field last year and grabbed on for dear life, despite the naysayers ~ and there were plenty of them. The juxtaposition of an athletic sneaker and a heel in efforts to form a whole new category of chic footwear was a marriage too interesting for most to even consider. After a while, a few fearless girls took the plunge, and some were surprisingly cute! But not enough for most to put that much thought into pairing an outfit with such an unusual kind of shoe, nor to spend their money on it. Needless to say, I have a strong feeling the sneaker wedge was nothing but a fad of last year.

The Crop Top For better or worse, the crop top hit 2013, and it hit hard. Not since the ’90s have we been bombarded with so much clothing made to show off that bellybutton ring mom loves so much. “If you got it, flaunt it” will forever be a phrase used in fashion for any offender of underwear-asouterwear or cropped silhouettes. (I’m with you!) However, it seems as though sheaths and tunics should be given another run. For those of you planning to continue the cropped life, give the look some grown-up flavor and throw on some high-waisted jeans this spring, and no one will mistake you for Miley.

Grunge As for the most popular overall look of last year, the first-place trophy definitely lies in the lap of grunge. Leather-laden girls everywhere embraced buckles, zippers and even head-to-toe plaid, creating a surprisingly wearable look almost anyone could rock. Cringe not at those leather hot pants just yet, ladies; I would guess this look will be a hit for any of you rock stars to channel for seasons to come. Whether you hit all the right notes with your trends last year or are already hiding from your rainbow wedged sneakers, it is safe to say that 2013 was one for the books, with unique trends and styles that pushed the envelope.

Women’s underwear brand celebrates real women

The idea for the campaign started when Knix Wear began receiving feedback from their customers through the success of its crowdfunding campaign. “We really value the voices of our customers and realized we needed to offer additional sizes and introduced a XXL, which are now some of the top sellers,” said founder and CEO Joanna Griffiths. “Due to the success of the size expansion, we plan to introduce additional plus sizes, as well as XS, in the near future.” The campaign instills a message of loving and accepting all women’s bodies and aims to help them find the right size and style of underwear for their body and lifestyle.

If you feel like it’s time to get real, check out the Real Women Campaign by Knix Wear. The iconic campaign features Knix Wear customers, who range from 2-14. The eight real women ~ with real curves ~ pose as models in Knix Wear underwear and provide feedback as to why Knix Wear is their chosen brand.

The Canadian-based company’s mission is to provide a product that works for all lifestyles, without compromising style. Knix Wear consists of three different product lines: Knix, the everyday seamless underwear: FitKnix, the ultimate workout underwear; and Knixy, the all-day lace collection. For more information, visit knixwear.com.

The start-up women’s underwear brand, celebrated for its approach to practical issues without sacrificing sexiness, believes that women of all shapes and sizes should have options of high-tech, protective, beautifully discreet underwear. Feb. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 45