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hanover
August 2014
Pg: 19
Airspray is keeping the LGBTQ community together
IN THIS ISSUE COVER storY 8 WOO school Get to know Worcester
ENTERTAINMENt 16 Whitney Doucet on singing with Keith Urban and her future
19 Airspray is keeping the LGBTQ community together
21
Lifestyle 27 Go the distance 29 Everyday Science You can get the speed of light from your microwave 31 How well do you know your college?
explore Central MA
32 Club, Pub & Bar Listings
ON CD
34 Pulse Shots
20 This September,
25 Pulsebooks ‘Book to the future: Martin Shapiro takes you to 2039
Phish ~ Fuego
Hedwig and the Angry Inch ~ Original Broadway Cast Recording
The Dead Daisies
~ Face I Love
24
GAME ON
Art & Culture 40 stART on the Street is all about fun in September DINING & ENTERTAINING 42 DINING review
Perfect Game
Get lost in space revitalizes bar cuisine with Lords of The Black SuN 44 HOT AND NOW
45 PulseBREW Is that Gluten Free? Sports & Fitness 50 A hole new world 51 Kick back with a grade school classic College 54 Class is in session: Stay safe on campus 56 College: A year-by-year guide 58 Study smarter, not harder BEAUTY & STYLE 60 Worcester student has Mojo 62 When shopping, #shopwoo 63 THE STYLE LIST Back to school style ~ inspired from the resort collections
Online @ thepulsemag.com style & Beauty
STYLE: Fall wardrobe picks SKIN: Fall skin care TREND: Natural beauty products for the dorm LIFESTYLE
SCHOOL: College care packages COllege
EVENT: Learn how to start a business at EntreprenHER Summit ENTERTAINMEnt
MUSIC: Check out a video of local musician singing with Keith Urban MORE ONLINE!
Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ thepulsemagazine.
PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 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, Kevin Swenson, Derek Fernandes Account Executives Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Alex Kantarelis, Music Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor
Kimberly Dunbar, Emily Gowdy-Backus, Alex Kantarelis, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, R.J. Linton, Stacia Kindler, Kevin Swenson, Maxine Giza, Susan Bodack, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Ben McNeil Writers
Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 7
COVER STORY
By Kevin Swenson
’s
Jillian
So, you’ve settled into your dorm and now you want to explore Worcester. Having had roommates from all around New England ~ and being from Worcester Flying Rhino myself ~ I can see how our city can be daunting. You’re in luck, as students from Worcester’s many colleges have chimed in with the hope of helping you become comfortable in the Heart of the Commonwealth. Plus, there’s our handy list, which will help you find everything from great pizza to a reputable mechanic. Whether it be food, entertainment, the volunteer experience or just grabbing a drink with friends, you’ll be covered this year. 8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Sept. 2014
6
Loft 26
Food of the gods Great pizza
Brick oven: Volturno, 2Ovens Great atmosphere: The Boynton When you’re studying: Little Caesar’s, Blue Jeans Just good pizza: Corner Grille, Anzio’s, Paisano’s, Pepe’s
App: Pizza Finder
Little Ceasar’s
After the c lub Late-night eats
Chinese: Red Lantern, Mai Tai Pizza: Blue Jeans, Golden Pizza Diner: Parkway, Boulevard, Kenmore, Café Manzi Mexican: Ole Delivery: Wings Over Worcester
App: EazyEatz
Boulevard Diner
What’s that?
By the numbers Dining based on your budget
When you’re broke: Coney Island, Regatta Deli, New England Roast Beef When your parents are paying: Ceres Bistro, Joey’s, 111 Chop House, Bocado, Coral Seafood, The Sole Proprietor, People’s Kitchen
When the college cafeteria doesn’t live up to expectations
Burger: The Fix, Wild Willy’s, Brew City Italian: Leo’s Ristorante, Piccolo’s, Mare e Monti, La Scala, Greek: Meze, Zorba’s BBQ: Smokestack, West Side Steak & BBQ Sushi: Kenichi, Baba, 7 Nana, Sakura Tokyo Wings: Wings Over Worcester Mexican: Mezcal, Mexicali Grille, Plaza Azteca, Moe’s Breakfast: Café Manzi, Annie Clark’s, Miss Worcester Diner, Dinky’s, Lou Roc’s, Parkway, The Breakfast Bar Bakery: Bean Counter, Miranda Bread, Sweet Vegetarian: Belmont Vegetarian, Pure Juz
App: Menu Pages Ceres Bistro
App: Urban Spoon
Belmont Vegetarian
Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 9
Finally scoring that first date Great first dates
Casual: The Boynton, The Mill, The Dive Bar, Elm Park Grill Ethnic: El Basha, Pho Dakao, Ya Mon, Meze Vegan: Lovin’ Hut Gastropub: Armsby Abbey, Brew City Places to go: Elm Park, Worcester Art Museum Just coffee: In House Coffee, Starbucks, Bean Counter, NuCafe
App: First Date Guru
Brew City
Just friends
Places to hang out
Drinks: Mai Tai, Kenchi, Mezcal, Flying Rhino, Scorz, Bar food: Loft 266, The Boynton, Funky Murphy’s, The Citizen, Flying Rhino, The Mill Irish bar: The Grey Hound Pub, O’Connor’s, The Press Box, Fiddler’s Green, Mickey O’Neill’s, The Banner Bar atmosphere: 7 Nana, Ritual, Michael’s Cigar Bar, Ceres Place to play pool: Jillian’s Hookah/Cigar bar: Spiritual Haze, Electric Haze, Victory Bar & Cigar, Smokey Joe’s, Michael’s Cigar Bar
App: Poynt Loft 266
Cool sounds Great places to hear music, dance, etc.
Dance club: Club Rumors, Perfect Game, Dance Ranch Saloon, Industry, Loft 266 Gay club: Male Box Live music: Lucky Dog, Palladium, Ralph’s Rock Diner, Jillian’s, Raven, Beatnik’s, JJ’s, Michael’s Cigar Bar, Electric Haze, Greendale’s, Blue Plate Lounge, Rivalry’s, The Mill Karaoke: The Mill, Loft 266 Open Mic: Canal Restaurant & Bar, Greendale’s Pub, Nu Café, Three G’s Sports Bar, Union Music
App: Bands in Town
Jillian’s
Lookin’ Good
Keep your style fresh
Salons/spas: J’Adore, D’Iorios, Rinse, Head Shop Hair Factory, Paul Conzo’s, Hot Set Hair Studio Barbershops: Goodfellas, RB’s, Tommy M’s, Justin’s Nail salons: Cherry Nails, Orchid Nails, VIP Nails Body art/piercings: Miraculous Creations, Piercing Emporium, Secret Society, Zaza Ink, The Tattoo Project Thrift shops: Savers, Grime, Salvation Army, Trunk and Disorder
App: SpaFinder Miraculous Creations 10 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Sept. 2014
Further afield Things to do outside of Worcester
StART on the Street
Because man can’t live by bread alone Places to experience art and culture
Cultural destinations: Worcester Art Museum, EcoTarium, Hanover Theatre, Mechanic’s Hall, Sprinkler Factory, Annual events: Taste of Shrewsbury Street, College Shuffle, stART on the Street, Worcester Music Awards, Art in the Park, Barstool Blackout Tour, Rock and Shock Comic books/collectibles: That’s Entertainment, Newbury Comics Book stores: Tatnuck Booksellers, Barnes and Noble Just for fun: Sky Zone, Crystal Caves, Pinz, X Fire Paintball, Skylite Roller Skating Center
App: Yelp
The nuts and bolts Great mechanics and other things you’ll need
Mechanics: Thomas Auto Body, Pro Transmission and Clutch, K2 Auto Specialists, Harry Heitin Auto Radiator Co. Places to get glasses: Bello Opticians, Plante Opticians, Magay & Barron Eye Center Specialty market: Ed Hyders, Living Earth, Santiago’s, Mekong Market, D’Errico’s Market, Bahnan’s International Marketplace, Bakery and Cafe
App:
Angie’s List
Cultural: Fitchburg Art Museum, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Museum of Russian Icons Just for fun: Wachusett Mountain, Mulligan’s Miniature Golf, Davis Mega Maze, Nashoba Valley, Sholan Farms Great pizza: Blacksheep Tavern, Godfrey’s, Espresso, Paisano’s Great Mexican/Texmex: Happy Jack’s, Mezcal, Southside Margarita Factory Great Italian: Il Camino, Il Forno Great bars: Sunset Tiki Bar, Bootleggers, Café Destare, Rye & Thyme, Columbia Tavern Great restaurants: Rye & Thyme, Slattery’s, Bootleggers, Blueprint, Devens Grill, Sonoma Great live music: Blacksheep Tavern, Rye & Thyme, Gardner Ale House, Bull Run, Simple Man Saloon, Classic’s Pub Karaoke: Partner’s Pub, Classic’s Pub, Mickey Shea’s Open Mic: Primetime Pub, Coffeelands Word Gifts Espresso Cafe Billiards: Break-Away Billiards, JC Fenwicks Salon/Spas: The Clawshop, Trinity, New Outlook
“Worcester is a great city to go to school in because of its diverse communities, great food and great opportunities. In the city, it is easy to find delicious food from many different countries around the world. As a college student, most places have discounts, student nights and other great offers. Some great finds are: Flying Rhino Café and Watering Hole, Boynton Family Restaurant, Nancy Chang, Mezcal Cantina and Sweet for dessert, which is a great end to a great meal. If you are the adventurous type, rock climbing at Central Rock Gym is always fun and so is disc golf in Newton Hill. … If you are interested in giving back to the Worcester community, there are many opportunities for volunteering. Churches, schools and Park Spirit are amongst many groups that are always looking for volunteers to help with their camps, after-school programs and park cleanups.” ~ Kirsten Vanhourne, College of the Holy Cross, Class of 2015 “Living in Worcester can be some of the best times of your life if you know where to go. If you’re looking to kill time after classes or on the weekends, Worcester has plenty to offer to keep you entertained for hours. Take a trip to the Worcester Art Museum, which displays over 5,000 years of art history, or head on over to the EcoTarium if you are a big animal/wildlife lover. For those wishing to see a Broadway play without having to pay for those New York City prices, Worcester’s Hanover Theatre provides musicals, stand-up comedians and much more. Worcester also provides plenty of entertainment for those over 21. Head over to Water Street and indulge yourself in bars such as the Perfect Game and the Blackstone Tap, which are very popular for the college crowd.” ~ Matthew Tomaiolo, Worcester State University, Class of 2014 “There are plenty of adventures to experience throughout Worcester, but you’ll need to explore and take your time to find some of the hidden gems. If that’s not something you’re interested in, here are some more popular and fun places to go. I recommend checking out what’s going on at the DCU Center. They always have great concerts there! In the past, they’ve had Demi Lovato, Imagine Dragons and Paramore. Going to concerts with friends always leads to a memorable night, especially here in Worcester. … Finally, if you’re simply looking for a quick bite to eat with some friends, either Wooberry or Nu Café is the place for you. Wooberry has some of the best frozen yogurt around, and they even have a few board games in the back to play while you eat! Nu Café has fantastic smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and wraps. They also offer Paint Nites, live music and board game nights.” ~ Alexandra Davis, Assumption College, Class of 2017
“I think the most important thing any college student living in Worcester can do is to get off campus and explore the city. Worcester is a bigger city than I think most people realize, and all of the different neighborhoods each have their own vibe and something different to offer. I often hear students from out of town complaining about Worcester and how it’s too boring or too run down, and it makes me wonder how much of the city they’ve actually seen. Even after living here my entire life, I don’t think I’ve seen it all!” ~ Danielle Jacques, Clark University, Class of 2015
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Entertainment
Whitney Doucet on singing with Keith Urban and her future Maxine Giza
If you haven’t heard of Whitney Doucet, that is likely to change. The 23-year-old Fitchburg woman is securing performances of increasingly large scale. How big? Let’s just say she’s shared the stage with Australian country music star Keith Urban. Doucet started down the path of becoming a professional singer when she won a high school talent show. Over the years, Doucet has done everything from participating in local talent shows and auditioning for American Idol and The X Factor to performing in restaurants and at Fenway Park. As a teenager, Doucet studied vocals at Bristol Recording and Voice Studios in Boston, where she now teaches. “When I first started out, I was afraid to sing in front of other people,” Doucet said. “After practicing and getting proper voice lessons, I became a lot more comfortable.” That confidence proved essential, as Doucet has since sung the national anthem at a New England Revolution game and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It’s not always the large crowds, like the 80,000 people she performed for last year at NASCAR, that make her nervous. Sometimes, it’s the more intimate venues that are the most stressful. “With a small audience, you can see each person’s face; you can almost have a conversation with them,” Doucet said. “I get more nervous when there are less people because of that; I can see them staring at me.” The singer/songwriter’s most recent big break was the result of winning a Country 102.5 WKLB radio station contest. Armed with her phone, she shot
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a video of herself singing Urban’s “We Were Us” and submitted it to the station. Soon, she received the congratulatory phone call she’d been waiting for ~ she would be singing a duet with Urban at his Raise ’Em Up concert. The performance with the Grammy Award-winning Urban at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield marked one of the highlights of Doucet’s career. “Keith gave me a hug, and as soon as I heard that first riff from the song, I just felt so happy that I was finally about to do something I have worked so hard for,” she said. “I thought to myself, ‘Whit, here you go; now give it your all, here’s your chance!’” While her appearance with Urban is certainly notable, the rising star still has milestones she’d like to reach. “I really hope to put an album out. I want to be able to push my own music and find someone to go on tour with,” Doucet said. “My biggest goal is to open for someone, or at least sing, at Gillette Stadium during a country show.” Doucet doesn’t show signs of losing momentum any time soon. In fact, she will be heading to Nashville this fall to record some original songs and will likely sneak in a few performances. For more information on Doucet and her upcoming performances, visit facebook/whitneydoucet.com or reverbnation/whitneydoucet.com.
Fa la Corsa e Mangia... Compete and Eat on Shrewsbury Street!
COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND SUNDAY OCTOBER 12, 2014 • 11AM
Register Today! Register Online: $30 | Day of race: $35 3 for 2 special only $20 per runner
Register online at ShrewsburySt5k.com or call 508-853-4590.
Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 17
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Airspray is keeping the LGBTQ community together By Mike Wood
Building a diverse queer community in Central Massachusetts was the mission three friends had in mind when they created Airspray in the fall of 2013. Now nearly 1 year old, the community-based group for LGBTQ 20- and 30-somethings is thriving and expanding its reach in the area. Co-founders Ashley Emerson Gilbert, Heather Mangione and Ryan Williams were just three young professionals living and working in Worcester who wanted an outlet to express themselves artistically and engage with friends and other like-minded members of the queer community. Airspray attracts a diverse crowd of minglers during its community events, which include a monthly dance party at Electric Haze on Millbury Street. “We host monthly queer dance parties, bringing out at least 150 people on average each time. We’ve had huge success with other cultural events, and most recently, we hosted a queer memoir performance by Stephen Caldwell at the Worcester Historical Museum that was at maximum capacity,” Mangione said. Gilbert, Mangione and Williams realized that they and many of their friends were driving much too far ~ Boston, Providence, Northampton, etc. ~ to partake in queer social events, so they decided to take the leap and create their own group based right in Worcester. And, so far, “We’ve had great success in mobilizing the community! We have been very clear about our interest in making partnerships and collaborations in the community, and the response has been overwhelmingly supportive!” Gilbert said. “And we look forward to working with more and more community groups in the future.” This fall, Airspray is planning a lineup that includes hosting a Worcester Pride after-party, featuring Providence’s DJ Andy Morris at Electric Haze on Sept. 6 and a speakeasy-themed party at ArtsWorcester in November. The group will also march in the Worcester Pride parade.
“We love the folks at Worcester Pride! They are such amazing, talented community organizers, and we can’t wait for the Pride events this September!” Gilbert said. Williams, one of the founders, has just moved to Dallas, but Airspray will continue with his blessing. “We’re sad to lose Ryan as an integral part of our group but thrilled that he is moving on to accept a job! We hope he can create and foster a queer community in Dallas, as he did in Worcester with us,” Mangione said. Since one of the goals of Airspray is artistic expression, the group will continue to reach out to the community for input about how to expand its network and the slate of events through the fall and into 2015. “We believe in and support the arts as a cultural connector for a community. Everyone can enjoy performances, and we try to keep our events free and accessible to everyone,” Gilbert said. The group plans extensive campus outreach at college communities this fall to get the next generation of LGTBQ young adults and their allies involved. “We hope to just spread the word about our group and listen to what the community wants! We will be ‘flyer-ing’ on each college campus about our events, and we’ve been in touch with many of the LGBTQ-positive student organizations. Leanne Quackenbush, of Worcester State University, has recently taken the initiative to bring together the organizers of the LGBTQ groups of the local colleges, and that is very exciting; we look forward to making more connections!” Keep up with everything Airspray through Facebook (Airspray Worcester) and Twitter (@airspraywstr). You can also e-mail the group at airspraywstr@gmail.com. Photo by Jon Bettinger. Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 19
This September, explore Central MA By Jennifer Russo
Welcome to Worcester! Whether you are starting your freshman year and are new to the city, are a veteran coming back for more or simply live in the area, there’s plenty to do in September. Fall is the time for festivals and outdoor fun in New England, so grab a sweater and see what’s happening!
Canalfest. Organized by the Canal District Alliance, the Blackstone Canalfest takes place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. There will be raffles, kayak rides, music, tons of food, a children’s tent, dancing, horse and wagon rides and a wealth of artists and vendors. One big highlight will be a recreated segment of the canal itself (75 feet long and filled with more than 4,500 gallons of water) at the center of the festival! There is no charge for the event itself. The event celebrates the revitalization of the Canal area. Parking is available for $1 at the Union Station garage. blackstonecanalfest.org. Worcester Pride. The Worcester Pride parade and pageant will take place Saturday, Sept. 6. The event begins at Institute Park at 10 a.m. and marches all the way to Worcester City Hall and to the Common. Each year is different, but performers include musicians, magicians, drag performers, dancers and more. This year, Joslyn Fox (from Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race) will join the lineup. worcesterpride.org.
and other yummy produce. redapplefarm.com.
The Shrewsbury Street College Shuffle. The ultimate welcome for college students, the eighth annual Shrewsbury St. College Shuffle is a streetwide celebration from noon-3 p.m. Sept. 13. For $10 ($15 the day of), you can taste food from local restaurants, catch live performances and enjoy contests and giveaways. Also, there’s free transportation to and from area colleges. thecollegeshuffle.com. Wachusett Valley Music Festival. Starting at 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at the First Church of Chris Unitarian Church in Lancaster, this festival is a place to bring a blanket and a cooler, kick back and enjoy some folk music from some really talented artists. Performers this year will include Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli, John Flynn, Dale LePage, Dean Stevens, Brother Sun and more. soundsofwachusett.com. The Import Evolution Car Show. If you’re a car enthusiast, head to the DCU Center on Sept. 14. dcucenter.com.
Appleseed Country Festival. On Sept 6 and 7, Red Apple Farm in Phillipston will host its festival, beginning at 10 a.m. each day. It’s the best of New England, with hayrides, walking trails, a petting zoo, apple cider donuts, kettle corn and tons of fresh apples, blueberries
Paint Nite. This seems to be the new “big thing” ~ getting together with friends for a painting lesson and some drinks. I must admit, I am dying to do this. You can give it a try at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at Nu Café and at 7 p.m. Sept 9 at Peppercorn’s, The Center Bar and Park Grill & Spirits. There are other dates and locations, too, and you must buy tix ahead of time. paintnite.com.
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stART on the Street. On Sept 21, check out one of the area’s largest art and music festivals. There are amazing artists selling and creating their artwork for you live, vendors of every kind, local food (including vegan) and performances from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. startonthestreet.org. Hanover Theatre. The Hanover Theatre has plenty of great shows in September. Country fan? Grammy-winner Emmylou Harris graces the stage Sept. 23. If you’re looking for some comedy, check out Girls Night: The Musical on Sept. 26 and Last Comic Standing on Sept. 27. thehanovertheatre.org.
ON CD Phish ~ Fuego By Jason Savio
Fuego, Phish’s 12th studio album, is the group’s most concise and consistent effort in more than a decade. For the first time, the majority of the writing credit is given to the entire band, making this the largest team effort amongst the veteran band members to date.
With that said, much of the songwriting on Fuego is introspective and mature. “The Line” and “Wingsuit” are both beautiful and heartfelt numbers, with singer/guitarist Trey Anastasio reminding us to put our wingsuit on and “Fly where you choose/ There’s nothing to say/And nothing to lose,” before launching off into a transcendent outro.
Under the direction of famed producer Bob Ezrin, Fuego captures the magic of a live Phish show without straying too far off into the ether. Jams tagged onto the ends of songs like “Devotion To A Dream” contain all of the robust and bright energy that is a trademark of the group’s live performances. The album’s title track is the quintessential Phish song: cryptic, tongue-in-cheek lyrics dispersed upon top-notch improvisation that leaps and dives with multiple crescendos, all adding up to nine minutes of Phish bliss.
After listening to Fuego, you’ll get the subtle feeling of having heard a band that has been around for 30-plus years take that final turn to become what it will be for the rest of its career: a group that isn’t afraid to collectively embrace the wisdom that comes with age while still keeping its roots. From beginning to end, Phish deliver the goods on Fuego.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch ~ Original Broadway Cast Recording
soundtrack, and he killed it yet again. Let’s face it, nobody likes to be compared to the “original,” but comparisons are inevitable.
By Mike Wood
For those unfamiliar, Hedwig and The Angry Inch is a 1998 off-Broadway rock musical about a fictitious punk rock band helmed by a transsexual singer who bemoans his botched sex change operation that’s left him with … well, let’s just say it: An angry inch. Down there. OK, it sounds like a lot to digest, but this show ~ and its accompanying album ~ is really a universal love story about identity and acceptance and the common humanity we all share. This latest Hedwig soundtrack release, featuring Neil Patrick Harris in the titular role, comes 15 years after the original cast recording was released and achieved cult status and acclaim, due, in large part, to the magnetism of its star and lead vocalist, John Cameron Mitchell. Mitchell reprised his role a couple of years later for the motion picture
The Dead Daisies ~ Face I Love By Jennifer Russo
I love that old-time rock ’n’ roll. Though it’s a brandspankin’-new album, The Dead Daisies’ Face I Love EP boasts that timeless feel that is destined for longevity. Crisp and clean guitar solos pair with a backdrop of concrete-solid rhythm and range-roving vocals. It’s really a no-brainer: Combining the talents of rockers we already know and love, this is a side project that couldn’t do anything but succeed. Jon Stevens (INXS), David Lowy (Mink/Red Phoenix), Dizzy Reed and Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses), Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake) and Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne/Billy Idol) join forces to become a megaband. I find it hard to describe this album, other than to say that it puts me in my happy place, but I’ll do my best.
For more, visit Phish.com.
While this year’s show (for this soundtrack) won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival and Best Actor for Harris, Harris just doesn’t convey ~ on this album, at least ~ the emotional depth that Mitchell did with his renditions. Harris has a fine voice, but the lyrics often feel less-than because the painful heartache that is supposed to seep into our core seems restrained. Harris fares best with the bouncy “Wig In A Box” and the title song, “Angry Inch,” when he belts heatedly about his botched sexual transition. Hedwig and The Angry Inch is scheduled to run through October in New York City, with Andrew Rannells in the lead role; visit hedwigbroadway.com for tickets and more information.
All of the songs are easy to listen to, can fit with any situation and appeal to any kind of crowd. The title track, “Face I Love,” is a feel-good song clearly dedicated to that “one.” You know, the one that makes you feel like a million just with a smile or a touch of the hand. It’s a fast-paced song that begs for a music video. “Angel in Your Eyes” has an awesome intro, with a bluesy vibe that makes you bob your head and tap your foot. “Your Karma” is the track that’s perfect for the club ~ with the song playing so loud, you can’t hear what your friend is saying. The fourth song on the EP, “Helter Skelter”, is my favorite. It’s a smooth and harmonious delivery that has desire written all over it. It just makes you want everything you probably shouldn’t have. To learn more, visit thedeaddaisies.com.
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Get lost in space with Lords of ByThe Black Sun Jason Savio Ever wonder what it would feel like to have the all-encompassing power that enables you to rule an entire galaxy like Darth Vader? If you said yes, then Lords of The Black Sun is the game for you. Just remember to pack a lunch before you hit warp speed. LOTBS, a PC game that can be purchased through Steam, is an open-world adventure set in space. The narrative can differ, depending on who you choose to play as (there’s human and various alien species), but the main gist is the same: As the leader of your home planet, it is up to you to oversee every facet of it while expanding your empire in a race across the stars with competing species. One of the ways to do this is through research; you are allowed to choose between military, economic and scientific endeavors that will slowly build up the strength and intelligence of your civilization in each respective category and give you a fighting chance. But that’s just the start. Every detail that comes with ruling a planet is painstakingly included, and you have to take care of your home planet, as well as any other planets you colonize. It’s crucial to keep tabs on everything, make decisions regarding industry and government (including taxes and domestic policies) and even make sure that your population is happy. You get the picture. Who ever thought Darth Vader’s job was so particular? Of course, you can also control your own military and declare war on other planets, which is awesome and makes up for some of the dry details. The inclusion of all these responsibilities, however, makes the pacing of LOTBS extremely slow and turns it into the ultimate test of patience. At first play, you’ll get saddled with all this info and the tantalizing promise of kicking space butt, but then you’re lost in space as you wait for your ship to find another planet and actually travel there. And what do you do in the meantime? You become the proverbial mean kid on the ant hill with a magnifying glass, as the poor people on your home planet unwillingly become your entertainment. (There are a lot of unfavorable public policy decisions you can make if you get bored and really want to mess with your citizens.) LOTBS roots itself in a quasi-realistic, decision-making fashion, but that realism also contains some realistic yawns. It’s more complex and thoughtprovoking than many other games out there, but it’s also on the wrong side of an I-want-it-now culture. For more, visit store.steampowered.com/app/246940.
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PULSE
Books
Book to the future:
Martin Shapiro takes you to 2039 By Kimberly Dunbar Every now and then, I look at the news and think, “Wow, George Orwell totally called that in 1984.” I just hope I don’t have a similar reaction to the things in Martin Shapiro’s 2039, the recently released “sequel” to Orwell’s masterpiece. Imagine living in an America where life as we now know it is completely changed ~ and not for the better. In Shapiro’s 2039, the retirement age is 75 (but health care coverage ends at 70 to ease the burden of elderly health care in the U.S.); you have to apply for a special visitation permit to leave the country; and many of the liberties and freedoms we currently enjoy (and things like bottled water) no longer exist. CNN is the only news channel, owned by the government, and Americans are injected with a chip loaded with details about their lives. Shapiro decided to write this book in 2011, when issues like pollution, conflicts in the Middle East and Israel, China’s ascension and Russia’s resurgence as world powers, political gridlock in America and an increasing number of undocumented immigrants entering the country plagued not only America, but the world. Knowing these issues wouldn’t disappear without having a lasting impact, he wrote 2039. Shapiro doesn’t invent flying cars in his future (although there are some high-end vehicles that can be programmed to drive themselves). Instead, many of his predictions seem like they could happen. In his America, drugs such as marijuana, crack, cocaine and heroin are all legal in order for the government to better regulate them (and make some money). Half of Alaska is owned by Canada, which paid the U.S.’s debt to China in exchange for half of the territory. The U.S. military charges for its protective services, and Canada has built a border to keep unhappy Americans at bay. Shapiro weaves his futuristic predictions in with the story of Jonathan and Ida Kadish, an elderly couple attempting to escape to Canada in hopes of a brighter future. But they soon learn that even the best laid plans don’t always work out as anticipated. What ensues is a clever and interesting tale ultimately rooted in patriotism. As the main character says during the eighth day of his adventure, “I never thought our plan was so naive and that we would encounter so many new people and opportunities to challenge us, our intellects and our relationship.” Though sometimes the storyline can seem just a tad unrealistic, Shapiro does an excellent job addressing how the U.S. got to its current state in 2039. It is an entertaining and fast-moving read worth the investment, even if just to see one man’s vision of the future. Martin Shapiro’s 2039 is available on Amazon in both a print and ebook version. Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 25
26 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Sept. 2014
LIFESTYLE
Go the distance By Emily Gowdey-Backus
Letters were the sole form of communication for my grandparents while my grandfather was deployed during World War II. Living in Massachusetts, my grandmother was lucky to receive a letter once a month. As I embark on my own long-distance relationship, I’m thankful technology has developed exponentially since my grandparents dated. Below are some ways my boyfriend and I plan on building and sustaining our relationship while I’m studying overseas.
Personalized hashtag
If there is something cute you say to one another, apply it as a hashtag to your Instagram photos and tweets. This way you can bring special attention to specific events or things that remind you of your partner.
Online dates
Each week, set aside time for a FaceTime date. Allocate as much time as you can, because face-to-face time is what will keep your bond strong. If you’re worried about just staring at your partner’s face, try scheduling a date for Sunday dinner or simultaneously watching a streaming movie.
Write. It. Down.
I know I emphasized the development of technology, but taking the time to write a letter, even if it just chronicles the day’s activities, will mean the world to your partner. Who doesn’t like receiving mail?!
Pick up the phone
As a generation, we hardly ever have phone conversations, but you can’t listen to your loved one’s voice over Snapchats, texts or tweets. Suck it up and pick up the phone.
Expectations for campus visits
Salvatore and Paul
One day, my boyfriend and I were shopping at Crompton Collective, and I fell in love with a vintage set of salt and pepper shakers ~ a pair of burly, whitebearded sailors reminiscent of the Gorton’s fisherman. Being semi-broke, we didn’t buy them. My boyfriend returned a few days later and bought them as a surprise. I named the salt shaker Salvatore and the pepper shaker Paul. We haven’t decided yet which will travel with me, but when I see one of them sitting on my nightstand next March, I’ll remember the small things that make this relationship different from anything previous.
Online playlist
Create and share the account for an online Pandora, Spotify or iTunes playlist. Here, you can add new songs you hear at a dance club or those that remind you of your partner. Think of the butterflies you’ll feel in your stomach when you see the queue has been updated. Adding songs to a shared playlist is a subtle way of telling your partner you’re reminded of them by little things like song lyrics.
Text message etiquette
It’s really easy to just shoot off a text message that says, “OK.” But what does that say to the person reading it? While you’re separated, take the time to send a thoughtful response. If your significant other texts you while you’re legitimately busy, send this message: “Hi sweetie, I’m in the middle of [insert activity] and can’t talk right now. I hope your day went well, I’ll [call/text] when I’m finished.” Be sincere, genuine and follow up when you say you will.
Don’t listen to naysayers
When you meet people at school and tell them you’re in a long-distance relationship, you’ll get a lot of feedback. Some people will say, “Oh, I tried that; it’ll never work.” If you have confidence in yourself and your relationship, everything will work out.
When you visit your partner, set aside time to get to know his/her friends and school culture. You will have alone time with your partner, don’t worry. Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 27
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ULSE12 MN HALF PAGE Sept 2014.indd 1
28 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Sept. 2014
184 W. Boylston Street West Boylston, MA
8/25/2014
Everyday Science By R.J. Linton
You can get the speed of light from your microwave By R.J. Linton
The speed of light has generally been considered a constant in physics. However, theoretical physicists have recently worked on answering the question: “What if the speed of light is not constant?” While it is unlikely that any changes to the universal constant will be found, physicists are always asking questions like “What is the true speed of light?” to expand their understanding of the universe. The need to question and search out the truth of our surroundings drives all areas of science, not just theoretical physics. And as members of a healthy society, we want our children to pick up the search for the truth as they move through science education in the classroom. It is the hope of science teachers everywhere, not to make all of our children into scientists, but to teach them to ask questions, to think and to discover truth in all of their pursuits. As children throughout the country prepare to go back to school, I have a fun experiment you can do at home to discover the speed of light. All you need is a calculator, a ruler, a microwave-safe dish, some marshmallows and some writing utensils. The theory of the experiment is that a microwave oven heats unevenly, and the areas of highest heat will be those with the highest amplitude (a measurement of the strength of the wave of microwave light). If we know where the areas of highest amplitude are, we can measure the distance between the highest amplitude and the lowest amplitude. You will see how as you conduct the experiment. First, place a single layer of marshmallows on the bottom of your microwavesafe dish. If your microwave has a rotisserie dish, remove it, and place your experiment inside the microwave. While your microwave is open, take a look at the label inside the door. You will find the power output of your microwave listed there. For my microwave, I found a power output of 940W at 2450 megahertz. The 2450 megahertz is the frequency of the microwave light that moves through the inside of the oven and heats my food. You will need the microwave’s frequency later. Now, set the microwave for about one minute and start cooking. Watch the marshmallows until you see several areas start to sink. These are the areas of highest cooking intensity. In my microwave, it only took about 15 seconds to see the pattern emerge; yours may take more or less time. Now, use a ruler and measure the distance between one of the low areas and one of the high areas (the most-cooked space and the least-cooked space). For me, this distance was about 12 centimeters. We now have all of the information we need to discover the speed of light. The speed of light is defined as the frequency of a light signal times the wavelength of the same light signal. The frequency of our microwave light was found on the label of our microwave. The wavelength is twice the distance we measured between the area of cooked marshmallow and the area of uncooked marshmallow. The hardest part is converting our measurements to Hertz, and meters. For me, I converted 12 cm to meters by dividing12 centimeters by 100, and I converted my wavelength of 2450 megahertz to hertz by multiplying 2450 by 1,000,000. My answer to the question, “what is the speed of light” is 2.94 x 109 meters per second. Don’t worry about the units. If you took my advice and converted to hertz and meters in the beginning, I promise your units all worked out. Try it at home and you will see for yourself. Have fun and have a great school year. Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 29
How well do you know your college? By Jennifer Russo
1. This Worcester college was the only American college at which Sigmund Freud spoke.
10. This Worcester college has been the answer to questions on “Jeopardy” 10 times.
2. Seven of this Worcester college’s 14 residence halls are named after trees.
11. Craig Mello was a professor at this Worcester college and was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of RNA interference.
3. Which Worcester college has the most people affiliated with the U.S. Supreme Court as alumni or family of alumni, including Clarence Thomas (attended), John Roberts (wife attended) and Antonin Scalia (son attended)?
12. Founded in 1887, this Worcester college was the first graduate school in the country.
4. Which Worcester college was once destroyed by a tornado?
13. Robert Goddard, the father of modern rocketry, graduated from this Worcester college in 1908.
5. Which Worcester college has a student population that is historically more than 65 percent male?
14. This Worcester college, which also has a campus in Paxton, has its founding roots in Quebec, Canada.
6. Which Worcester college is rumored to be haunted and has a dorm that once belonged to an affluent New York family?
15. More than 92 percent of this Worcester College’s graduates stay in Central Massachusetts upon graduating.
8. This Worcester college was originally opened as a teacher training school in 1874. 9. Graduates from this Worcester college include a head football coach at Notre Dame, a president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame and a Minnesota Twins baseball player.
Bonus Question: There was another college in Worcester that was founded in 1849 and closed in 1934. Laura Spellman, who later married John D. Rockefeller, went to this women’s college. What was it called?
Answers: (1) Clark University (2) Becker College (3) College of the Holy Cross (4) Assumption College (5) Worcester Polytechnic Institute (6) Becker College (7) Massachusetts College of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences (8) Worcester State University (9) Assumption College (10) College of the Holy Cross (11) University of Massachusetts Medical School (12) Clark University (13) Worcester Polytechnic Institute (14) Anna Maria College (15) Quinsigamond Community College (Bonus) Oread Institute.
7. This Worcester college (which also has campuses in Boston and New Hampshire) is renowned for providing education in medicinal studies and has prepared more students for professional careers in pharmacy than any other institution in the world.
Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 31
Club & Pub Listings Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs,
American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010
B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 978-422-9763 140pub.com Backstreets Pub 14 Mill St., Fitchburg 978-345-0758 facebook.com/backstreetspubfitchburg The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. 508-755-0879 thebannerbar.com Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. 508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com Sept. 5: Sunlea Sept. 6: Street Change Sept. 12: Dodeca’s CD release party with The Hip Swayers Sept. 26: Blueswitch Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg 978-343-3148 beemerspub.com Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 blacksheeptavernsterline.com Thursdays: Acoustic Thursdays Fridays, Saturdays: Live music Sept. 28: Sabrina Jones and Johnny Romance Acoustic Duo 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 Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 Sept. 5: Northern Company Sept. 6: Ken Macy Sept. 11: Just For Kicks Sept. 12: Brother Maynard Sept. 13: Kelly Wheeler & Tribe Sept. 18: Liz Fohl Sept. 19: Midnight Judges Sept. 20: Five Hole Sept. 25: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Sept. 26: Brian Chaffee Sept. 27: Sean Fullerton Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008 Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105
& other select venues
myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton Sept. 13: Crazy Train and Ed’z Eppelin
508-798-8385 facebook.com/ClubKasBar
Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862 brew-city.com
The Columbia Tavern 11 Merriam Ave., Leominster 978-227-5874 Sept. 4: Corey Bazillion Sept. 11: Danielle Lessard Sept. 18: Jimmy Weeks Sept. 25: Dean Dimarzio
Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 bullrunrestaurant.com Sept. 5: Occidental Gypsy Jazz (Ballroom) Sept. 5: Paul Thorn Band (Sawtelle Room) Sept. 6: Joanne Shaw Taylor (Sawtelle Room) Sept. 6: Will Dailey & Friends (Ballroom) Oct. 2: BoDeans Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 destare.com Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. 508-926-8353 facebook.com/CanalRestaurantandBar Thursdays: Open Mic Night Saturdays: Stage Time Comedy Show Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) Sept. 5: Jim Perry Performance Sept. 12: Brett Brumby Sept. 13: Tom Revane Sept. 19: Joe & Heather Sept. 26: Ric Porter Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc. 508-438-0597 thecenterbar.com Fridays: Friday Night Dance Party with DJ Blackout Sept. 18: Tony Soul Project Curbside Jam Session 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 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 Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke Sept. 5: Teter Todder Sept. 6: Eastwood Dwellers Sept. 12: Pants on Fire Sept. 13: Laquerhead Sept. 19: Radio Flyer Sept. 20: Marked Sept. 26: Touched Sept. 27: Red Hot Rush Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc.
32 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Sept. 2014
Cornerstone’s Restaurant 616 Central St., Leominster 978-537-1991 cornerstonesrestaurant.com Wednesdays: Trivia Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. 508-757-6977 danceranchandsaloon.com Dar Bah 29 Canal St., Millbury 508-865-8441 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 Sundays: Funky Jazz Sundays Tuesdays: Hip Hop Tuesdays Sept. 3: Art Gallery Opening, featuring Ryn Grdll Sept. 4: Oneal Armstrong First Thursdays Sept. 5: Airspray/Worcester Pride Pageant After Party Sept. 6: Electron Sept. 10: Electro Swing Fusion Sept. 12: Satellite Rockers, Harsh Armadillo Sept. 13: Jacks Abby Smoked Beer Tasting Sept. 17: Magic Island, Big Sway, William Thompson Funk Experiment Sept. 18: Rocky and the Pressers Sept. 19: Airspray Sept. 20: Valvatross Sept. 24: Hear Now Productions Sept. 25: Mister F, Lespecial Sept. 26: Twiddle Sept. 27: Thought Bomb ~ Comedy Monthly Sept. 28: Worcester Jazz Collective, Freddy and the Yetis Sept. 30: Kickin Krotch Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 aohworcester.com Sept. 6: A Murph’s Comedy Production Comedy Joint Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 fireflysbbq.com Sept. 24: Open Mic 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: Jazz Brunch 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 greendalespub.com Sundays: Jim’s Blues Jam Tuesdays: Open Mic Night with Bill McCarthy Wednesdays: Open Mic Jam with Mark Sept. 5: Ed & Da Ve Sept. 6: Khaos Junkies Sept. 12: Auntie Trainwreck Sept. 13: Tony Soul Project Sept. 19: Hothouse Sept. 20: Silverbacks Sept. 26: Sluggo Sept. 27: 9Teen The Grey Hound Pub 139 Water St., Worc. 508-754-6100 anculiath.com Thursdays: Team Trivia New England Sept. 5: Max Courtney and Matt Glover Sept. 7: GAA Senior Hurling Final: Kilkenny v Tipperary Sept. 12: Colm O’Brien Sept. 21: GAA Senior Football Final Sept. 26: The Auld Locals Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com Sept. 5: No Heart Softball comedy fundraiser Sept. 21: W6 16th annual Ride for Heroes Sept. 27: Bobcat Goldthwait Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster 508-943-3871 indianranch.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 Sept. 5: Decades by Dezyne Sept. 6: Katrina Fundraiser with Mighty Mystic & Soul Rebel Project Sept. 12: Squelch Sept. 13: Mayweather Fight Sept. 19: XS Sept. 20: Probable Cause Sept. 26: How Bizarre Sept. 27: UFC 178 JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill
Continued on Page 37
Pulse
Shots
Photos by Justin Perry
Brew City ~ Worcester
Beatnik’s ~ Worcester
Victory Bar & Cigar ~ Worcester
Lucky Dog ~ Worcester
Michael’s Cigar Bar ~ Worcester
The Mill ~ West Boylston
Park Grille ~ Worcester
The Draughthouse ~ West Boylston
Union Tavern ~ Worcester
Continued from Page 32 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz Sept. 5: Gladstone Sept. 6: 9Teen Sept. 12: Nibot Sept. 13: Dirty Deeds Sept. 19: Custard Pie Sept. 20: Tribute This! Sept. 26: The Allens LaScala Restaurant 183 Shrewsbury St, Worc. 508-753-9912 lascalashrewsburystreet.com The Lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough 508-229-2264 doggonelazy.com Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 facebook.com/centericebar Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. 508-798-2447 leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. 508-796-5177 loft266.com Tuesdays: Karaoke Sept. 5: 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 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 Sept. 5: Sean Fullerton Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Sept. 3: Hit the Bus Sept. 4: Tyra Penn & Her Army of Snakes Sept. 5: Doctor Robert Sept. 6: Russo Brothers Jazz Quintet Sept. 11: Dave B & The Hot Shots Sept. 12: Mystic River Band Sept. 13: Hit the Bus Sept. 18: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Sept. 19: Andy Cummings & The Swingabilly Lounge Sept. 20: Brett Brumby and His Better Half Sept. 24: Brett Brumby Sept. 26: Audio Nation Mickey O’Neil’s 377 Park Ave., Worc. Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 The Mill 185
185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com Wednesdays: Karaoke Sept. 4: Pete Towler Sept. 5: How Bizarre Sept. 6: Sean Ryan Sept. 12: Brian Chaffee Sept. 13: Jesse Fontaine Sept. 19: Josh Briggs Sept. 20: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Sept. 25: Andy Cummings Sept. 26: Jay Graham Sept. 27: Joe Macey 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 Sept. 6: Suzanne Cabot with Pamela Hines Sept. 17: Spreadin’ Rhythm Around: New Orleans Comes to Harlem Sept. 21: Nat Needle plays piano for Buster Keaton’s The Cameraman Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 508-839-6106 Sept. 4: Jesse Garcia Sept. 5: Ray Bryant Band Sept. 6: Brogue Sept. 11: Mike Tarara Sept. 12: Belit Sept. 13: The Brit Wits Sept. 18: Mike Tarara Sept. 19: Mondo Soul Sept. 25 Joe Macey Sept. 26: Three of a Kind Sept. 27: Voodoo Sky On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 Sept. 26: The City Boys with Johnny Romance & The Captain 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 Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke Saturdays: Live Music 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 Thursdays: DJ Cuz’N Kev Fridays: DJ One-3
Sept. 12: Andy Cummings and The Swingabilly Lounge Sept. 13: Invisible Sun Sept. 18: Jay Graham Sept. 19: Neon Alley Sept. 20: Brian & The Captain Sept. 25: Danielle Lessard Sept. 26: Cara Brindisi Sept. 27: Soulstice
Saturdays: DJ Reckless Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc. 508-756-7555 Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster 508-943-0404 pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. 508-856-9255 facebook.com/pages/The-PressBox/181242711941126 Sept. 12: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Sept. 20: Karaoke Primetime Pub 5 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-400-7727 facebook.com/PRIMETIMEPUBOFLUNENBURG Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com Sundays: Ralph’s Flea Market; Sunday Night Cinemageddon Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry & Variety Show Tuesday: C.U. Next Tuesdays with DJ Poke Smot Sept. 5: Gaddamn Draculas, Planetoid and Pale Nephews Sept. 12: Birch Hill Dam, Cortez, Second Grave, Faces of Bayon and The Moulten Llama Sept. 13: Slitstitch, The Pity Whores, Fast Times, Moose Knuckle and Throat Culture Sept. 19: American Verse, Gery Gordon, Fossil Youth and The Royal Twenties! Sept. 25: The Spiritual Bat, Antidote For Annie, Forever Autumn and Transdusk Sept. 26 Le Roxy Pro, Aloud, J. Berndt and The Orphans, and Hazard Hawk Sept. 27 Sorrowseed, Forevers’ Fallen Grace, Nocuous, Blacksoul Seraphim and Infested Prophecy The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133 facebook.com/people/RavenWorcester/100001022046717 RG Scooters Pub 84 Lakefront St., Lunenburg 978-348-2453 facebook.com/pages/RGScooters/211225168902092 Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-243-1100 rivalrysworcester.com Thursdays: Mike Andreoli Sept. 5: Mike Lynch Trio Sept. 6: Babe Pino Band Sept. 12: Ton of Blues Sept. 13: Chad Clements Sept. 14: Clamdigger Sept. 19: Take Two Sept. 20: Tom Revane Sept. 21: Bo & The Highlanders Sept. 26: Drunken Uncles Sept. 27: Recliners Sept. 28: The Nudie Suits Rose Garden Restaurant and Pub 16 Milford St., Upton 508-529-7776 uptonrosegarden.com Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. 508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 ryeandthyme.com Sept. 4: Jon Short Sept. 5: Zach Slik Sept. 6: Brian & Captain Sept. 11: Kevin Shields
Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. 508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 sakura-tokyo.com Sept. 26: Windfall, Doctor Robert Sept. 27: Windfall, Doctor Robert Scorz 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc. facebook.com/pages/Scorz-SportsBar/216216528569258 Sept. 19: Erica & Justin Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000 seanpatricksrestaurant.com South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 southsidemargaritafactory.com Sept. 5: TC Polk Sept. 6: Dave Andrews Sept. 12: Mike Moore Sept. 13: ‘80s Dance Party Sept. 19: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Sept. 20: Four on the Floor Sept. 26: Carl Ayotte Sept. 27: Radio Flyer Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net Fridays: Karaoke Sept. 13: Tigerlily Sept. 27: Flock of A-holes Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 SpruceStreetTavern.com Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 skinashoba.com/summer Sept. 3: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Sept. 6: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster 508-949-6559 talsplacewebster.com Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 508-754-3516 3gs-sportsbar.com Saturday: Open Mic with the Old’school Band Trumbull Bar & Grill 117 Main St., Spencer 508-885-6901 Tweed’s 231 Grove St., Worc. 508-755-8047 tweedspub.com Union Music 142 Southbridge St., Worc. (508) 753-3702 unionmusic.com Sept. 9: The Martin Experience with Corey Congilion at 7 p.m. Showcase of music; play Martin instruments; giveaways. Call for reservations. Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. facebook.com/TheUnionTavernWorcester Victory Bar & Cigar
Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 37
Art & Culture
stART on the Street is all about fun in September Benjamin McNeil
If you’re driving down Park Avenue between Pleasant and Highland streets on Sunday, Sept. 21, you’ll be met with a rather significant roadblock: stART on the Street. Instead of taking a detour, stop by to see why street performers, live bands, food trucks and more than 300 artists have congregated. Chances are you’ve heard about stART, which was created in 2002 and is now “one of Central Massachusetts’ premier cultural events,” according to its Facebook fanpage. “We have featured artists from all over the East Coast, as far away as Baltimore. And we expect over 50,000 visitors this year,” said Tina Zlody, co-founder and co-director of stART on the Street and chairman of the Worcester Arts Council. StART, run by Zlody and a host of passionate volunteer coordinators, began as “the brainchild of an independent group of local artists and art-lovers at its inception in 2002,” according to its website. The nonprofit ~ still run entirely by volunteers ~ has since drawn considerable praise. StART has also evolved to become Massachusetts’s largest arts, music and cultural festival. What makes this fall’s stART on the Street different is the theme “Art
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of Play”; more specifically, how one interprets play, or recreation, and its connotations. Zlody said each festival centers loosely on a theme, and given this year’s “Art of Play” focus, stART’s coordinators have lined up “hands-on kids’ activities and interactive creative features for fun-lovers of all ages to investigate.” For the music aficionado, September’s festival will offer three stages with bands ranging from world music to rock ’n’ roll; for the hungry, food trucks will offer nearly everything, including vegan and vegetarian dishes; for the parents out and about with children, you’re not likely to hear the words “I’m bored.” No discussion of stART would be complete without highlighting its three most important letters. From the Worcester Art Museum to the Hanover Theatre, our city values creativity and the arts. It’s no surprise that stART on the Street has met with wild success. September’s event will feature more than 300 artists and crafters showcasing handmade wares, including pottery, jewelry, clothing and paintings. “Our goal is to showcase the best of what Worcester has to offer and continue growing,” Zlody said. She expects an increase of 5,0006,000 visitors compared to 2013, and her team has worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure the festival’s success. Whether you’re an incoming college freshman new to Worcester or you’ve lived in Worcester your entire life, do not miss this year’s stART on the Street. Come grab some good eats, jam out and support your local artists. For more information, visit startonthestreet.org.
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REVIEW
DINING & Entertaining
Perfect Game revitalizes bar cuisine By Bernie Whitmore
Perfect Game 64 Water St., Worcester (508) 792-4263 perfectgameworcester.com Perhaps it’s time for me to revise one of my personal laws of dining, the one that says sports bar cuisine is dismal and industrialized fare. For all I know, this was never true. It may be a prejudice born from a couple of poor dining experiences many years ago. But in the past couple years, one after another, my excursions to sports bars have proved to be surprisingly good culinary outings while retaining the elements that made them so popular: big screens, draft beers and fun. Perfect Game extends this winning streak. Sited on Water Street, the Perfect Game is at the vanguard of the rebirth of this historic neighborhood. It is taking advantage of the new streetscape with outdoor seating and large, retractable windows that allow the outside in. On the evening I met a friend for dinner, the Perfect Game was busy with two huge parties, and we soon surmised the kitchen staff was stretched because the wait for our first course felt like an unannounced rain delay. I put the time to some good use, observing that the décor had distinctly shifted to football. It was also an opportunity to enjoy my Harpoon IPA and listen to a surprisingly extended live concert recording of the Dave Matthews Band. (How often to you hear that at a sports bar?) But the manager at the Perfect Game just doesn’t like being less than perfect. After a while, he came to our table to explain the situation and left us with a promise to make things better. Game on. In minutes, he was back with our first course. Consider this an object lesson in how to correct a business problem: Face it, take ownership of it, explain it, and then correct it. In this case, it was corrected with an oven-hot dish of Stuffed Mushrooms. My friend’s appetizer choice, the half-dozen caps were packed with a seafood stuffing of bread crumbs, minced onion, herbs and, of course, bits of fresh seafood. Then, they were topped with a layer of molten mozzarella cheese. He effused, “Stretchy and delicious!” I started with the House Salad, a large salad plate of mixed, crispy leaves (red and green),
wide carrot shavings, cucumber slices, grape tomatoes and sweet-fresh red onion slices. I dressed it with tart balsamic vinaigrette. Perhaps I’ve been salad-deprived; this one tasted so crunchy-fresh and alive with flavor that I eagerly savored the generous portion. Disclosure: Our meals were specials featured for Worcester Restaurant Week. But I daresay they were representative of the Perfect Game’s everyday fare. Most places tend to scale back a bit on portion sizes for these special offers. Each of the Perfect Game’s courses was very generous in size. My friend’s entrée, Grilled Jack Daniel’s Sirloin Steak, was a 12-ounce hunk of sirloin marinated in homemade Jack Daniel’s sauce and topped with caramelized onions. The medium-rare presentation was proof that this is a chef who knows his way around a grill and, as my friend put it, there was enough Jack Daniel’s sauce to “float Kentucky.” If you are from Tennessee, you might know exactly what that means. For the rest of us, let’s assume it was an enthusiastic compliment. The steak came with baked potato and Greekstyle string beans. I chose Seafood Alfredo. It seems that every menu touts the alfredo sauce as “homemade.” Most of them are thick and tend toward gloppy. Not so at the Perfect Game; the sauce was cheesy-light, with a peppery flavor that made it truly a delight. It also contained strips of tasty sundried tomatoes and freshly sautéed spinach to boost the flavor and provide streaks of contrasting color. And the seafood: This Alfredo came with plenty of large, juicy shrimp and scallops and was bristling with mussels in their deepblue shells. Our server told us the dish was being considered as an addition to the standard menu. My advice: Do it. We ended with cake. The Carrot Cake was dense, moist and slathered with thick cream cheese frosting. It was decimated on the spot. I boxed a slice of Lemoncello Cake to take home. It was mouth-puckering tart and sweet, with lemon filling, butter cream and, of course, fluffy yellow cake. After a shaky start, the Perfect Game truly hit its stride with tasty cuisine, good service and large portions. Recommending sports bars for their cuisine? It’s not easy to get used to. But dining at the Perfect Game? Any time.
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Hot & Now By Paul Giorgio
Can you teach an old Sea Dog new tricks? Tavern in the Square recently opened in Northborough at the site of the former Sea Dog Steak & Ale. This is the fourth eatery in this location in the past eight years. We are not quite sure what square it is on, but the small sixrestaurant chain has a place in Cambridge’s Porter Square. The restaurant has what appears to be traditional pub food and a large selection of draft beer.
We no longer have to wonder. The Wonder Bar, an iconic Shrewsbury Street pizza parlor with decor from the ’50s and in-booth juke boxes, was recently granted a liquor license for new owner, Frank Prizio. Prizio has food in his blood, being the son of Regatta Deli owner Joanne Prizio. Prizio hopes to re-open in the early fall. On the high road. Via Alto 27 has closed its doors on Clinton’s High Street, and a new sign recently went up for the Clinton Bar & Grille. Doesn’t sound Italian to me, but Open Table says that it is still owned by the Ensrt Family, which owned Via Alto 27. You won’t get lost using a compass. Dave Dominick, bar manager extraordinaire, has set out on his own and will open the Compass Lounge in the Canal District. Dominick, who has managed too many nightspots to list, will offer food and numerous draft beers. The Philadelphia native will feature what he said will be an authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich. He will also serve steaks and other homecooked comfort foods. Watch for the opening. The Compass
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will occupy the space that once housed Smokestack Urban BBQ on Harding Street. More than a sandwich. A new sports bar has opened in Holden. The Specialty Sandwich Co. Bar & Grill recently opened at 624 Main St. Owned by Bill Gjinis, who formerly owned the Specialty Sandwich Co. next door, the pub opened on Aug. 1. In addition to sandwiches, the restaurant also offers brick-oven pizzas. It is open seven days a week. Go Fish. Marlboro’s Fish restaurant recently hired a new chef. Jonathan Saiff was the former sous chef at the very posh Oak Room in New York City and head chef at Bretton Arms Inn in Bretton Woods, N.H. Saiff will bring his own style to the kitchen. George Voyatsis, the owner and son of the folks who own Worcester’s Coral Seafood, has really stepped up his game in what has become Metrowest’s best seafood restaurant. Gee what is going on with Gia’s? Gia’s Restaurant, 785 Quaker Highway, Uxbridge, recently reopened under new ownership. The old place abruptly closed the week before Father’s Day. The restaurant will be managed by Robert D. Passaretta, son of the new owner, Orlando Passaretta. Gia’s will honor all gift certificates from the previous business. The gift certificates will have by a deadline, most likely the end of the year.
PulseBREW: IS THAT GLUTEN-FREE?
By Kerry Cyganiewicz Seven times this weekend, I heard someone ask if a particular product contained gluten. Whether it’s because of allergies or lifestyle choices, people are looking for gluten-free alternatives to everything. I have assembled a list below of gluten-free beers that I wholeheartedly endorse that can all be purchased locally. A word of caution: “Gluten-free” is defined in different ways. In the European Union and the United States, a beer must possess less than 20 parts per million to be labeled as such. Other places, such as Australia, define “glutenfree” as having no detectable gluten at all. If the difference is important to you, I recommend that you research the actual amount of gluten through the individual brewer.
Canal Fest
Green’s Gluten Free Beers, Dry Hopped Lager 4.10% ABV
If you tend to lean towards mass-market lagers, this would probably be the most similar. It pours a familiar pale yellow, with a small head that disappears quickly. There is an aroma of citrusy hops and sweet grain. It tastes as it smells, with a slightly sweet beginning and an almost bitter-free citrus and pine-hoppy finish. It was well carbonated. This surprised me; it was quite enjoyable and set the bar high for the other gluten-free beers I was to drink.
Canal Fest
Sam Adams/Brewery Rickoli, Oats McGoats American Stout 6.5% ABV
This is a low-gluten beer. The Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Brewing and Business Experienceship annually provides one craft brewer with hands-on brewing and business coaching. This year, it was Brewery Rickoli from Colorado. Rickoli brewed a stout with rye and oats as the primary ingredient. It is currently only available in select bars in Denver and at the Sam Adams Boston Brewery. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bottle. It poured a very dark brown, with a luscious two-finger head that lingered. It smelled of roasted coffee and a dark chocolaty sweetness. It tasted like a wellmade stout, with a roasted coffee and chocolate taste and a lingering finish. Usually, rye beers have an overly spicy or peppery taste to them, but this one was smooth.
Canal Fest
Festivities Family Fun
Blackstone
Dogfish Head Brewing, Tweason’ale 6.00% ABV
It is no secret that I am a fan of Sam Calagione and the way that he crafts unusual beers that you can’t help but enjoy. This one is brewed with sorghum, strawberries and buckwheat honey. The head appeared quickly and disappeared just as fast, leaving a ring that lasted until the end. The smell was of strawberries, sweet wine and overripe seeded fruit. It tasted of strawberries, citrus and a slight sweetness. The finish reminded me of drinking soda water. If you like fruit in your beer or are a wine drinker, give this one a try.
Windmer Brothers Brewing Company, Omission Pale Ale 5.80% ABV
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Saturday September 6, 2014 11am-5pm
FREE
I tried this beer on the recommendation of a coworker. This beer is a little different from the rest, as it uses barley with the gluten removed. Last I checked, the company cannot claim that the beer is gluten-free, but it has a reduced gluten content. The beer poured a clear bronze color, with a two-finger head that lingered throughout the experience. It looked and smelled like a good pale ale, with a slightly sweet malt backbone and a citrusy hop aroma. If you handed me a glass of this, I wouldn’t guess that it was a reduced-gluten beer.
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Lakefront Brewery Inc., New Grist Sorghum Beer 5.75% ABV
This offering poured a pale yellow, with a small head that lingered. There was some lingering lace down the glass to remind you that this was, in fact, a beer. It smelled sweet and tasted sweet. There was a slight sourness that contrasted nicely with the sweet molasses-like taste. It had the liveliest carbonation of the bunch. This is similar to the Green’s Lager, with less of a hop presence.
Blackstone
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Sports & Fitness
A hole new world By Kimberly Dunbar
Adam Hassett stumbled upon disc golf by accident a few years ago. Bored one day a few years ago, he walked across the street from his apartment to Newton Hill, part of Elm Park in Worcester, to explore. “It was something to do,” he said of the free disc golf course nestled in the hills off Park Avenue. Hassett, now 32, was so hooked that a year later he opened his own business dying discs. “I became invested in the sport, not only as a hobby but for my business as well,” he said. Disc golf is played much like regular “ball golf,” but with flying discs resembling Frisbees instead of balls and clubs. The “hole” is an elevated metal basket, and players aim to sink the disc in as few shots as possible. “It’s the same thing as ball golf but takes more effort,” said avid disc golfer Kevin McCormack. “There is a lot of strategy and mental confidence involved.” The sport, which began in the 1970s, has exploded in recent decades. According to Hassett, disc golf is growing at an average of 10 to 20 percent annually, and there’s an increase in events ~ instead of a couple tournaments a year, there are now a couple tournaments each weekend. One of those tournaments took place at Newton Hill in July, which was hosted by Hassett’s company, Sweet Hat! Disc Supply. Among those playing was McCormack, one of the individuals instrumental in bringing disc golf to Worcester. “We did it to bring people up to the hill,” said McCormack, vice president of the Friends of Newton Hill, of adding the disc golf course to the park. Friends of Newton Hill was started in 2001 by a group of locals with the mission to clean up the park. “It was overgrown, littered, and homeless people were living here,” McCormack said. “Now we have runners, walkers and people who ride their bikes along the trails.” According to McCormack, the disc golf course, which was built by volunteers and opened in 2009, has attracted additional patrons to Newton Hill. “We can have around 100 people here on a nice Saturday afternoon,” he said. That’s not counting the family of red-tailed hawks living in the park. McCormack, who has played at disc golf courses across the country, categorizes Newton Hill as being on the challenging side. “It is rather difficult because of the hills and trees,” he said, adding that most courses are in open fields. But despite the physical challenges, he said the course is well-marked, user-friendly, safe and a lot of fun. And because it’s in the middle of the city, you don’t really need a car ~ perfect for local college students looking for something free and fun to do. McCormack recommends picking up a starter kit (available at local disc golf stores) and hooking up with someone who plays to show you the ropes. “The best part of disc golf is the camaraderie and the competition,” he said. “It’s the friendliest group of people from all walks of life.” For more information, visit friendsofnewtonhill.org. Photos by Shauna Bolton, shaunasphotographybrimfield.com.
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Kick back with a grade school classic By Kevin Swenson
Oh yes, the World Adult Kickball Association is where you should be this fall.
comprehensive system connecting players to local leagues. The registration period for the upcoming season closes Sept. 3 (although latecomers are encouraged to contact the organization). The season is eight weeks long, with a playoff tournament at the end of the eighth week.
John Crawford and Joe Rossi, members of WAKA and players of kickball, have been a part of the organization since they heard about it a few years ago.
“Again, it is about fun. However, there is a glory in being the best kickball team in the league for that season,” Crawford said.
“It’s a social sport, trying to get people together and having fun,” said Crawford, of the league’s main reason for existing. “We don’t play for a prize. Teams get trophies and awards, and winning is awesome, but really, it’s all about having fun.”
WAKA is not only a New England regional league but a nationwide organization that is constantly changing and trying to recruit new members. Having made the change from WAKA to WAKA Social Sports, the group encourages people to join the league with the hopes of meeting new people and playing a longtime recess classic. Kickball, however, is not the only sport the organization offers. WAKA offers flag football, dodgeball, cornhole and even bar sports. Needless to say, the league wants people to join for all it has to offer adults.
Summer’s coming to an end, and now it’s time to get ready for the cold New England winter. But first, there’s fall ~ and that means …. kickball?
WAKA’s presence in Worcester began in 2010, after Greg Boyce, a head of the league then, lobbied in Worcester to get the necessary permissions for the league to start playing. The plan was to give people a place to meet new friends and create new relationships. “We wanted something that was a little more lax than other sports leagues. Softball and sports of that nature are fun, but can be very competitive,” Crawford said. “Kickball really is a dynamic thing. The teams don’t have set rosters, due to people leaving the league because of things happening in their lives. So we always have an influx of new people coming in.” The league typically plays at Crompton Park in Worcester on Wednesday evenings. In order to play, you must register on kickball.com, which has a
“For me, as someone who started a few years ago, I didn’t know anyone who played,” Rossi said. “I was never really able to meet anyone at bars, ever, but the kickball league helped me meet friends and form relationships.” “Winning is awesome,” Crawford said, “but we want to have fun.” For those interested in joining the league, visit kickball.com and click on an area near you. For more information, email John Crawford at jcrawford@kickball.com. Registration costs $60- $76, depending on the season.
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CANAL DISTRICT
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College
Class is in session:
Stay safe on campus By Kimberly Dunbar
As a junior in college, Sarah* was well-known around campus as a responsible student with a solid group of friends. Every weekend, and even on some weeknights, she’d stop by the off-campus house of a group of guy friends to hang out. She trusted the guys and considered them all friends, so there was never a reason for Sarah to think anything bad could ever happen to her at one of their parties. But it did. Whether her judgment was clouded by a few drinks or the comfort of trusted company, Sarah let her guard down, and one of her “friends” took advantage.
drinking at college parties is another dangerous epidemic. If you are of legal drinking age, know your limits and how many drinks it takes for you to get a buzz. Always keep your drink covered with your hand, refill it yourself, never accept a drink from another person and never leave your drink unattended. As cool as it may seem, don’t ever drink to get drunk. And always make sure you eat before heading out for the night; drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. •
When attending parties on or off campus, always travel in packs. Plan to attend and leave with a group of friends. Don’t hang out at strangers’ houses or at parties where you don’t know anyone. Pick a meeting place if you get separated and have a backup plan in case of an emergency. It is highly recommended that you designate someone in the group to drink less (or not at all) to ensure everyone gets home safely.
•
Always makes sure your phone is readily accessible and you have the numbers of a cab company, city police and campus police programmed in your cell phone.
•
In Massachusetts, individuals need a Firearms Identification Card (FID) to buy and carry pepper spray. These cards can be obtained by filling out the appropriate paperwork at your local police station. Self-defense is the only acceptable use for pepper spray, so use it in emergency situations only. If you can’t get an FID card, purchase a keychain alarm, which emits a sharp scream that can be heard from blocks away. In a pinch, walk with your keys in your hands; they can give you an edge in defense if needed.
Just like that, Sarah became a statistic and the victim of sexual assault. She wasn’t walking alone down a dark street. Most girls aren’t. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), approximately two-thirds of assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. Sarah is not the exception, she is the rule. And she could be you. RAINN’s website lists alarming facts about sexual assault. Every two minutes, an American is sexually assaulted, and 80 percent of those victims are younger than 30. A government report released in June showed that sex crimes on college and university campuses have doubled in the last decade despite a reduction in overall crime. And those are just reported cases; there are many women, like Sarah, who don’t report assaults. RAINN approximates that about 60 percent of sexual assaults go unreported, making it one of the most underreported crimes in the country. Sexual assault has taken center stage in recent months, thanks to the White House’s April release of guidelines designed to help colleges prevent incidents on campus. No doubt feeling the pressure, officials are scrambling to develop measures that prevent sexual assault on their individual campuses; there was even a weeklong summit focused on combating the crime at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire over the summer. But until action is taken to change the culture on campuses, women (and men, as sexual assault affects both genders, albeit females more often) must use precautions while exploring the social scene. Here are some tips to stay safe on campus this year: •
Many sexual assaults experienced by college students occur in situations involving alcohol, as it did in Sarah’s case. Underage
Many college campuses offer programs to educate students about safety. For example, Clark University offers Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training (visit rad-systems.com for trainers near you) along with the Clark Anti-Violence Education (CAVE) program (clarku.edu/cave). Check with your campus safety office to find out if your institution offers similar programs and get involved. If you have been a victim of sexual assault and heed help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or visit rapecrisiscenter.org. *Name has been changed to protect her privacy.
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College: A year-by-year guide By Kevin Swenson
So here it is: College. Those four (or five or six or seven or eight) years of good friends, good drinks and good times ~ with some studying thrown in along the way. These are supposed to be the best years of your life. And they can be! That is, if you know what you should be focusing on each year.
Freshman year
Sophomore Year
You’re a little fish in a big pond. You’re the new guy or gal, and everyone knows it. Plus, it can be tough for some students to transition from high school senioritis to freshman workas-hard-as-you-can year. But we are here to help.
First year is over, and it’s time for round two. Are you going go down swinging or are you here to stay?
Alan Harrington, a student of Assumption College’s Class of 2017, believes there are four basics to ensure your freshman year goes off well. “The top four things, in my opinion, that first-year students should focus on include, but are not limited to, their time management, academics, personal health ~ both mental and physical ~ and social life. By having good time management skills, any college student should be able to balance most of their life at college. As for academics, college may be about having a good time, but it is much more important to always remember that academics come first, and that may mean studying longer and spending more time on homework and less time with friends, but in the end, academics is paramount.” Sure it sounds boring at first, but in reality, those first two rules are so important, especially during freshman year. “Every first-year should try to branch out as much as they feel comfortable with; this includes participating in clubs, volunteering at events, playing in sports or intramurals and going to events such as football or basketball games or other things sponsored by the college. At these events and places, first-years will make a lot of their friends, and this will, hopefully, make the transition to college much easier,” Harrington said. Freshman year is about making your transition to college easy. So, stay healthy, have fun and study!
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Assumption College Dean of Students Robert Ravenelle, a dean for many years who has worked with many students, believes that sophomore year is an extremely important year for students. “The sophomore year can be a pivotal year for most students as they further commit to, and get immersed in, their major. Students entering their sophomore year should look to establish relationships with professors in their area of study and for opportunities to perform research or work related to their major outside of the classroom. These relationships and work experiences help provide deeper understanding and connection to the students’ work in the classroom” Ravenelle said. In addition, Ravenelle highlighted the importance of being involved on campus during this year, as you’ve now adjusted to the college classroom workload. Sophomore year is all about keeping stride. You’ve made friends that will be around forever and have made ~ or are about to make ~ a decision on your career path, so keep up your performance in the classroom.
Junior Year
Senior Year
Having just come off my junior year, I have an idea of what this year is about. It’s about once again staying with the pack but also change. Major change can and will come during this year. This means you have to be ready for it, and trust me, you will be. This is the time to think about your future, internships and, perhaps, making a change to your major. Junior year is the time to focus on school, as well as the job market.
Here it is: the big one. The make or break year. This is the year where all your work pays off, but it doesn’t mean you can sleep at the wheel. Now “job market” is no longer a dream for you, it’s a reality. It is time for you to strap in and get ready.
Derek Zuckerman, associate dean of students for the College of the Holy Cross, shared his thoughts about junior year. Zuckerman ~ like Ravenelle ~ believes that student involvement in groups is now, more than ever, important. Even more important, however, is the job search.
Take it from yours truly ~ a senior at Assumption College ~ when I say senior year is what you make of it. Surely I will be having fun with friends throughout the year, but I am also on a serious job hunt, as well as trying to end out my year on a strong academic note. Keep in mind that both mental and physical health is something that should always be on your radar, as well as maintaining your social life and friendships.
“In the junior year, students are starting to focus on what they want to do and where they want to be. This usually takes the form of academic major decisions and the possibility of study abroad or an internship. The junior year is where students focus on classes that are within their academic major and provide a specific direction for their career exploration. Students should become connected with the career development office and start to consider how their academic major can be connected with a vocation. Moreover, the junior year is a time when students should be taking on different leadership opportunities on campus in offices, clubs or organizations. Rather than trying to be in a lot of different groups, it is now time to focus on a few clubs that allow for greater involvement. Many students may choose to get practical work experience at an internship or participate in a study abroad program. These opportunities help students start to think about life after graduation and what they may want to do.”
Regardless of your grade level, it is important to remember the four basics: time management, academics, health and friends.
Now that you’re getting older, you have to think about the job market and getting your name out there in your chosen field. So stay close with professors, former bosses and friends; they will be infinitely helpful. Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 57
Study smarter, not harder By Jennifer Russo OK, so you’re back to school and are hustling to get registered for all the classes you need. You’re standing in a ridiculously long line, waiting to pay for your ridiculously expensive textbooks. Even though you still have vacationbrain happening, you’re going to have to listen to those lectures and take those notes, so let me give you some tips on how to go about it a better way. Fact is, you can study as hard as you want, drink five Red Bulls to stay awake the night before a test and cram as much information into your brain as it can hold before it explodes all over your dorm room. Or you can study smarter. Get a calendar. Doesn’t matter if it’s a virtual one on your phone or an old-fashioned datebook, as long as you can bring it to class with you. With all the classes you are taking, you need to keep track of upcoming assignments and tests in one place. If you write them down on miscellaneous pages in several notebooks, I guarantee something will get missed. If you put them into the calendar as you get them, you will be much more prepared to figure out how to manage your time. Take organized notes. Make a commitment to taking notes in class. Even if you have Sheldon Cooper’s memory skills, there are two benefits to taking notes ~ other than using them as a study tool. First, it forces you to pay attention and not be distracted by the cute guy/girl in the next row. Second, the act of writing it down helps solidify it in your memory. Don’t write notes in all directions all over the page; try to keep them neat and in outline style, highlighting important information as you go. Have a separate folder for handouts, too. Sticking those in various notebooks means they could get lost or forgotten. Organize or join a study group. If you are one of those people who has trouble getting yourself in gear and
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motivated to hit the books, a group can help. Fast fact: Students remember only about 20 percent of what is taught in the lecture itself, but remember about 70 percent of what they study in a group when helping each other learn concepts. Eat and sleep well. I know, I know ~ you’re in a hurry and you want to spend your time after classes with friends; I totally get it. But you need to energize yourself with sleep and protein. Studies show that protein and complex carbs give you longer-lasting energy than caffeine. Don’t “cop out.” Professors are wiser than you give them credit for. If you think Cliff’s Notes are all you need to read or that you’re going to get by just watching the movie version of a book, don’t be surprised when none of it is on the test in front of you when the time comes. Use study tricks. For instance, mnemonics (I’m sorry… what?) are great for some people. For example, one I learned ages ago was FANBOYS for the seven English coordinating conjunctions – For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. Think it’s silly? Bet you remember that one forever now. Flash cards work well for a lot of people, too. Figure out your best study time. This is twofold. When do you have the most energy? Are you a morning person or do you get your burst of alertness a little later in the day? Study when you are able to focus best. Late-night studying is the least effective. Secondly, commit to the time you set aside. Try to schedule sessions in advance. Make studying (kinda) fun. Alright, fun and studying in the same sentence ~ sure. It might not be as fun as most things, but if you have really boring content, turn it into a game of sorts. Try taking study questions with one-word answers and using a crossword puzzle generator to make it a better exercise.
Beauty & Style
Worcester student has Mojo By Emily Gowdey-Backus If you peered inside Worcester fashion blogger Joeanna Rodriguez’s closet, you would find black leather pants, suede pumps, Peter Pan collars, hi-top sneakers, acid-wash jeans and knit beanies. The 23-yearold fashion styling student has a head-turning style and a bilingual fashion blog, ItsMyMojo. For Rodriguez, the transition from being fashionable around town to fashion blogging was born from a family tragedy. On July 21, 2013, Rodriguez’s 21-year-old sister was killed when a drunk driver crossed the yellow line. “I was numb for months,” Rodriguez said. Understandably, her sister’s death took a toll on her relationship, work life and the family’s dynamic. “I needed to find a way to release some of the pain,” she said. “I needed an outlet, not for distraction or to cover up the grief, but a way to turn some of the hurt into positive energy.” Rodriguez’s boyfriend, and blog photographer, Alejandro Mendez, had been suggesting she begin a blog for almost two years before the accident, but Rodriguez wasn’t confident her style would gain an audience. Rodriguez said her mother fostered strength of character in her children from a young age and that helped her move forward. “She always encouraged self-expression, boldness and respect for others,” Rodriguez said. On January 12, 2014, ItsMyMojo went live. A native Spanish speaker, Rodriguez hails from Puerto Rico and now lives in Worcester. Since moving to the United States, she said, Spanish has slowly become her second language. “I never want to lose or forget my roots,” she said. As a bilingual Spanish-English blogger, Rodriguez maintains her Latina identity and stays true to her heritage.
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While Rodriguez prefers to sport tank tops and soccer shorts around the house, she draws her fashion inspiration from Sarah Jessica Parker. She applauds the actress for maintaining class while exuding an “effortless fashionably fearless attitude.” She added, “I believe women that show less have so much more to offer.” Although she draws inspiration from global fashion icons, Rodriguez keeps her shopping local because supporting Worcester is very important to her. “I want to see everyone in Worcester make it; that’s why I shop locally and do my best to feature local items on the blog,” she said. Frequenting boutiques like Grime Clothing and Alexis Grace Consignment, Rodriguez blends sophisticated vintage, hip-hop and haute couture pieces and pulls them together with a chic polish. She even remains local when shopping online. STR&NDS and Final Assembly, the latter of which is owned by Mendez, are both Worcester clothing and accessory brands available online. This fall, Rodriguez predicts, the thousands of college students who call Worcester home during the academic year will once again don furs, knits and tribal and western prints. However, the 2014 emphasis is size, Rodriguez said. “Bigger sweaters, bigger pants, bigger coats, oversized everything ~ the bigger the better!” Rodriguez will pursue her associate of arts degree in fashion styling this fall through the Academy of Arts University. Her goal is to one day establish an imaging and brand consulting company. To check out ItsMyMojo, visit itsmymojo.net. Photos by Alejandro Mendez.
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When shopping, #shopwoo By Emily Gowdey-Backus Hashtag Worcester? A group of local merchants have launched #shopwoo to promote local, independent shops and businesses. Now used across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, #shopwoo was conceived by Crompton Collective owner Amy Lynn Chase as a discovery tool in the months before the 2013 holiday season. In partnership with WOO Card and Worcester Local First (WLF) members, Chase sent out a press release encouraging consumers to shop local during the holiday season and post photographs of purchases to social media using #shopwoo. After the chaos of the holiday season died down, Chase noticed shoppers and businesses were still using #shopwoo. Nine months later, #shopwoo has developed into the hashtag to use when shopping in Worcester. “It’s a great way to discover new shops and cool products in the city year round,” Chase said. Miriam Hyder, daughter of Ed Hyder’s Mediterranean Marketplace founder, began using #shopwoo during the holiday season when it was introduced through the WLF private Facebook page. In addition to social media, this staple in Worcester’s culinary community executes a vast marketing plan, including TV commercials, radio advertisements and guest appearances on Jordan Levy’s WTAG program. However, Hyder has found #shopwoo to be an “organic way of marketing,” a fresh revival for WLF. She has referred customers to WLF shops and has had new customers come into the market on the recommendation of other WLF shop owners. “I think there is a lot of support amongst [local, independent businesses] and our customers,” Hyder said. “We would refer someone to WLF before a chain.”
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Virginia Orlando and Candace Atchue, co-owners of Seed to Stem, are well versed in the struggles of entrepreneurship. “Owning a small business today can be hard. You’re always competing with big box everything,” Orlando said. Specializing in terrariums, fresh flowers and antiques with a southwestern vibe, Seed to Stem began as a booth at stART on the Street and opened the Shrewsbury Street store in 2012. With the help of #shopwoo, tourists from Delaware to Australia have added Seed to Stem to their vacation itineraries. Canal District Farmers Market has also found a place on the Worcester retail map thanks to #shopwoo. “Because we are a young market and volunteer run, it’s important for us to seek out the best ways to market while keeping costs low,” said Market Coordinator Katelin Kilgallon. Although a recent state grant has bolstered the market’s online advertising budget, Kilgallon said the word of mouth nature of #shopwoo is still the most effective form of marketing for her business. “There is a huge movement right now to shop local and eat local; people are reaching out for it,” Kilgallon said. The widespread popularity of #shopwoo proves area consumers are clamoring for more independent businesses to set up shop in Worcester. “The city is filled with creative and talented people, and now, we have the customers to support them,” Chase said.
The Style List.
By Stacia Kindler
Back to school style ~ inspired from the resort collections
By Stacia Kindler September is here, and back to school we go. Although some of you might be pretty pumped for the cooler weather, everyone will secretly miss the warm, wild, anything-goes whimsy that can only happen in the summer. Not to worry! Summer is not completely over until almost October ~ so let’s ease into the new school year with some fresh end-of-season fashion inspiration.
Resort collections, or the pre-fall collection, are shown as pretty much a precursor to the large fall fashion productions we see in September and November. As of right now, we can look at these resort collections as a kind of sneak peek into the upcoming trends. Or if you’re lucky, use it for how it was originally intended ~ high summer, last-chance-for-a-getaway resort wear, of course! If nothing else, the collections make for a great partition between barely there summer wear and the art of layering, brought on by late September. Midi skirts are being seen everywhere right now and with perfect timing, too. The polite length between too dramatic and schoolgirl, this style is super chic and ideal for the weather’s mood swings. A huge bonus to this trend is how easy a midi skirt is to style. The knee-length skirts are just the right length for a warm day or slightly chilly day. Pair the skirts with knee-high boots for full coverage or wear them with pumps or flats for any type of weather or occasion. Whether you would prefer your midi fitted or flared, pair it with a graphic tee or denim jacket to offset the ladylike silhouette for a more casual affair. A lot of pieces are staying classic in khaki in these last few days leading up to fall, but don’t let fear of your mom’s boring pleated dress pants steer you away. From the classic trench and chic riding pants to shirtdresses and blouses in the hugely popular hue, khaki is turning over a new leaf with the most modern twists. Also a great investment for late summer, the color is the perfect neutral to transition you between seasons. Pair a khaki top with pop-color jeans or layers of necklace chains for a back-to-school chic that doesn’t quit. Last, but not least, boho is back yet again! Pre-fall overflows with romantic eveningwear with breezy materials like lace and chiffon that are sure to have you keeping it nice and dreamy for the rest of the summer. Botanical motifs are merging seamlessly with rocker-type details that scream fall while still keeping you cool as can be on those first few days of school. Carry this trend all the way into the new year with a simple layer in the colder months. Now that your shopping list has a few things on it, back to the grind it is ~ and back to another year of showing off your unbreakable style on campus while still breaking the best grade. Sept. 2014| THEPULSEMAG.COM 63
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