College Guide 2011

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4 2011 College Survival Guide • A Publication of Worcester Mag • worcestermag.com

College Survival Guide is a Publication of LEGALS/PUBLIC NOTICES: Please call 978-5346006, email sales@centralmassclass.com, or mail to Central Mass Classifieds, 101 Water St., Worcester, MA 01604.

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Intro F

inally, the day you’ve dreamed of has finally arrived. You, my friend, are living large and without mother Marge – at college. You’re finally free, independent and on your own as this exciting chapter in your life begins. But guess what? There’s more to college life than what you’ll find on campus. Worcester has so much to offer you, whether you grew up on the other side of the world or just a few towns away. Spend a few moments to flip through Worcester Mag’s College Guide to see how we view the City of Worcester. From our burgeoning arts scene, renowned restaurants, outdoor adventures and indoor amusements - do yourself a favor and leave the dorm room behind to explore the city every once in a while. Trust me, you’ll need a break at some point this semester, and this guide offers you everything you’ll need to do just that.

TOC

A night on the (new) town .......................................................6 Fit Undergrade............................................................................9 Ask Archie ................................................................................ 11 Worcester Overnights ..............................................................12 Coupons.....................................................................................17 Scratching the surface .............................................................19 Car-less ......................................................................................26 Fun under 21 ............................................................................28 Advertiser Index .......................................................................30

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A night on the (new) town Brittany Murphy

I

’m not sure what’s more difficult: finding the guts to ask someone out on a date, or planning one? Whether it’s a person you’ve know for years, a blind date, or someone you met in the coffee line at Starbucks, everyone wants to make a good first impression and therefore plan an unbelievable first date. This can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming – especially when you’re new to a college and a city. To cut down on this unneeded stress, we have compiled plenty of date ideas that will last for the first, second, and third date…if you’re lucky. The typical dinner and a movie can get boring, so if you’re looking to impress, do something different. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a date, it just takes some research into what is out there; Worcester is full of unique date ideas. If you’re looking for the wow-factor, then I would suggest a night out in the city with tickets to a show at the Hanover Theatre (thehanovertheatre.org). The ticket prices vary, but the interior of the theater and existing architecture ensures a romantic setting. Plus, you don’t have to

6 2011 College Survival Guide • A Publication of Worcester Mag • worcestermag.com

worry about starting a conversation every two seconds. After all, nothing is worse on a first date than those long, awkward pauses in conversation with someone you are trying to get to know and impress, leaving you desperately struggling to come up with something witty or interesting to insert in the voids of silence. Afterwards, you can take a walk and at least talk about the show over dessert at a restaurant on Shrewsbury Street. A good restaurant is still nice, now and again. But to change things up, take your date to a hibachi restaurant, which will have you both laughing and catching food in your mouth all night. Sakura Tokyo on Park Avenue is a great place because it is inexpensive and recently renovated. There is also another hibachi restaurant on Lincoln Street, Kyoto Hibachi & Sushi. The prices are reasonable and the place is impressive, plus they have sushi too! (kyotoofworcester.com) Nothing changes up the typical date, like a breakfast date. The third date is a tell-all kind of date and a breakfast date is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other over a bottomless cup of joe. The best part about this date is that the tab is surely not to bust your college-drained wallet, and if your class schedules are completely different, then an early-morning might work best for both. If you feel like continuing the date later into the day, you could check out the

flea market or yard sales around the city. Look at the morning paper for some sales or even drive around; in Worcester there’s surely to be a yard sale on every corner. Or forget the yard sales and check out the flea market on Quinsigamond Avenue. This is a great opportunity to have some fun together, test your bargaining skills, pick out items for $1 for each other, or tell stories of the past fads, like Ferby and Cabbage Patch dolls. The start of the fall semester brings about different weather and seasonal date ideas. Tugas Family Farm in Northborough is a great place to take your date for a day of relaxing fun (tougasfarm.com). You can enjoy your favorite apples, stop by and pet the goats and farm animals, and then sit outside the small kitchen with a warm cup of coffee and an apple-cider donut. When it gets closer to October, you can go pumpkin picking and then carve a pumpkin together afterwards. Although, keeping a pumpkin from rotting and smelling up your two-by-four dorm room might difficult, so instead forget the mess and paint or even sharpie your pumpkin. Staying in the Halloween theme, you can also take your date to a psychic reading at Lola’s Psychic Readings on Park

Avenue in Worcester; hear about each other’s futures, and see if you’re in each other’s. If not, maybe there is no need for the next date. This sure would be something different. Another seasonal date option is ice skating. Once the water freezes over Elm Park is one option, as well as Carol’s Ice Skating Rink and Charles J. Buffone Arena in Worcester. For those romantics, imagine skating around the rink all bundled up in your cutest winter outfit holding hands or maybe even holding on to your date instead of the guard rails. If you’re looking to showcase your romantic side even more, then take your date to a late-night poetry reading. You could surprise the person, by getting up and reading something of your own. The Poet’s Asylum constantly has weekend shows where any one is welcomed and encouraged to read. They have different types of poetry that can be very entertaining, such as slam poetry. Their destination changes from coffee shop to coffee shop, so check out poetsasylum. org to plan ahead. Sometimes if you look on the cork board of local coffee shops, poetry readings will be posted on them as well. Who knows—you could find a single

ad and a date ad on the same cork board; a bonus for you. A picnic at the Worcester Airport would be another option for a romantic first, second, or even third date. This would be very inexpensive and romantic watching the planes fly out and the sun set. Also try a date at the gorgeously renovated Union Station, grab a coffee before, sit on the bench and make stories up about where you think people are going. Worcester Art Museum is a fabulous place to show your date, and maybe yourself, a little more about Worcester. For any history or art buffs this would be great! The WAM is known for its collections of European and North American paintings, prints, and drawings. Not to mention Asian art, Greek and Roman sculpture and mosaics as well as contemporary art. The ticket prices are very inexpensive, and if you have the Woo card, which many colleges in the city participate with, you can get in even cheaper; which leaves more money in your pocket, and a smile on your dates face (worcesterart.org). For adventurous date options, try laser tag at LazerZone in Marlborough, roller skating at Skylite, bowling at Colonial Bowling continued on page 8

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Center, the batting cages at Crystal Caves in Auburn, or rock climbing at the Central Rock Gym. Davis Mega Maze and Farmland in Sterling, a little-ways away is a place where some went as kids, but it is a unique date idea for animal and maze lovers. Their fall 2011 theme is a “Black Beard’s Revenge.� It looks like it’s taking inspiration from the new “Pirates of the Caribbean� movie (davisfarmland.com). The Worcester Animal Shelter is perfect to show your date your passion for animals and community service. Call ahead, see if you can walk the dogs, and then take your date out for a walk around the area, talking and getting to know each other while doing something good. Nothing warms someone’s heart like a cute dog or cat! For those lucky freshmen who are allowed to have a car on campus, with, of course, a price, this makes arranging a date 10 times easier. It also allows new date ideas. A date which requires a car would be a trip to the drive-in. There are a few drive-in options around Worcester, two of which are the Leicester Drive-In and the Mendon Drive-In. The great part of this date, is

Lola’s Psychic Readings

you pay $20 per a car and you get to see two movies. For a night out, this date could be done for the first, second and third. If you’re really broke and don’t have a car to get around, then go on a campus date. Yes, sure it can be lame, but that’s only if you make it lame. See if there are any athletic games scheduled, bring a blanket, and pack a backpack full of goodies. Your preparedness will show the person that you made an effort, and that’s all that matters—well for some. Another

on-campus date could be a laundry date—that way you can get two things done at once, laundry and a date. Bring a crossword puzzle or a board game and hang out in the laundry room. If you want to make it a tad fancier, you could bring some snacks along—a step up from Easy Mac could be chips and dip. If a grocery store is in walking distance or the shuttle can drive you, try a baked-goods date. Make sure the hall kitchen has a pan and other needed baking utensils, and then buy the ingredients for cookies or cupcakes and have fun making them from scratch. Some laugh when they see the sight of a Dining Commons date, also known as a “dc date,� in progress, but when your low on a budget, why not ask the person if they want to get lunch together? Whether you decide to do a romantic, unique, adventurous, inexpensive, or an on-campus date, the most important factor is asking the person out. The second most important factor is planning the date ahead of time, having everything organized, being on time, and remembering your wallet or purse. With these factors set in place, one can ensure a memorable date. Now the rest is up to you!

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8 2011 College Survival Guide • A Publication of Worcester Mag • worcestermag.com

Fit Undergrad Mark C. Volain

F

or many youths, college is a time of excess. And sometimes that excess can suddenly catch up with you in unexpected ways – like in your mid section. Luckily, your introduction to late night binges and a mad rash of fast food can be reversed, and you have the means to get back to your healthy habits right here in the city while you’re in school, if you make the effort. Here are some tips and ideas on how to keep your body in a shape that you can be proud of (and that’s not a spare tire). The change from high school to college is a big one not only socially and psychologically, but also physically. There are many bumpers that were set up for you in high school that are no longer present, at least not in the same capacity, in college. A healthy diet, regular work-out schedules, and all-around structure to your day has mostly disappeared in your transition from high school to college, and it’s up to you to put on your grown up pants and put some structure into place. A large number of people play organized sports in high school. A much smaller group plays organized sports in college. Let’s face it; some of us just aren’t college athletes. It is not a problem if you aren’t, but college athletes do get the structure of organized workouts and exercise that most of us left behind in high school. Luckily, there are no laws against nonathletes having an organized exercise regimen. You just have to want it for yourself enough to go out and do it. “You can join an intramural team,” said Chantal McMullen, a personal trainer and Group Exercise Instructor at the Greendale Family Branch of the YMCA. Intramurals are a great opportunity to still play the sport you love, and get exercise in in a way you already know you enjoy. Often the most looked over aspect of health is eating healthy. It is often easy to forget this simple rule. Well-rounded meals back at home were pretty easy to come by, but in college, your mama ain’t in the kitchen.

There is much more eating out than you’ve been used to, and let’s face it, there’s only a few things in the cafeteria you would touch. Following the food guide pyramid, as simple and silly as that may sound, is the best way to eat healthy. Worcester Fitness’ Senior Master Personal Trainer and Director of Group Exercise Ellen Green advised, “Don’t eat late night in the cafeteria or restaurant. Instead, keep healthy snacks handy like yogurt (if possible), almonds, pretzels or cheese sticks. Fruit is a great snack choice.” In all, living at home and going to high school has much more of a structure for your day than college ever will. In high school, you wake up, and know, more or less, exactly what your day is going to include. Six hours of school, and then extra curricular activities, homework, dinner and maybe some hanging out will be your day. The simple break up, spacing of your classes out over an entire day, instead of around 7-3 has an enormous impact on the structure

of your day. You may eat at different times every day, you may have to go long periods of time without eating, you may not have time to do the same things every day to take care of yourself. You are going to need to adjust to these changes, and make your schedule work with your upkeep of your body. “It’s all about time management. People often say that they don’t have time (to work out), but that’s just an excuse. You can fit it in,” McMullen said, “Even a half hour is better than nothing.” Green says, “Stay in a routine and schedule exercise as you would a class. Prioritize this and set reasonable goals as to how often you can hit the rec. center or local gym.” The best way to stay fit is to work out. The best ways to work out are swimming, biking and running, or accessing the variety of a gym. Fortunately, almost all decent-sized continued on page 10

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colleges in the country offer gym facilities at this point, including treadmills, free weights, benches, machines and the like for your work out usage. McMullen said, “Definitely take advantage of school gyms.” These gyms are within walking distance of your dorm, and offer at the very the least the basic work out necessities. Additionally, just like at home, there are gyms in the surrounding area that can be more extensive than your schools’ gym. Places like the Greendale Family Branch of the YMCA and Worcester Fitness offer enormous rooms full of work out devices that you may not be able to find in your school’s gym. They also offer personal training and group classes you may not find at school. Having the help of a trained professional is often more useful than you’d think; a big part of working out is motivation, which is easier to come by with a support structure. However you do it, make sure you’re staying fit. Staying fit will help you feel healthy, which will make everything else in college easier. “The challenge of college life is such that you will experience growth and maturity but hopefully not at the expense of your waistline!” Green said.

Put the Pop-Tarts down! Packed with sugar, calories and often enough salt to drown in, think twice before you grab for one of these next time you’ve got the munchies. Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry 200 calories, calories from fat 45, 5g fat, 2g sat fat, 17g sugar Seriously? Just have some eggs and whole wheat toast! Doritos Cooler Ranch 245 calories, 12g fat, 3g sat fat, 2g sugar How about some flax seed chips? Fiber and filling

Burger King Breakfast Bowl 540 calories, 13g fat, 1g sat fat, 1,020mg Sodium How about a bowl of Kashi instead? Hungry Man Beef Pot Roast 390 calories, 8g fat, 3g sat fat 1520mg sodium With so many amazing Worcester restaurants just a few steps away from Campus, why would you even open your microwave? Hot Pockets Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza 8 oz.

Cheez-It Cheddar Snack Crackers, 1 cup 720 calories, 48g fat, 24g sat fat, 16g sugar Almonds have the crunch you need without the calories

580 Calories, 25g sat fat, 1160mg sodium “I can’t think of a better way to start the day; Good morning ... you’re about to call in sick.” Comedian Jim Gaffigan.

Auntie Annes Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel 450 calories, 9g fat, 5g sat fat Put a dash of sugar and cinnamon on your homemade popcorn instead

Think Twice, Borrow Once.

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508-853-9966 10 2011 College Survival Guide • A Publication of Worcester Mag • worcestermag.com

- Nutritional information gathred from coheso.com.

Ask Archie is your personal tour guide to life’s hardest questions. See what’s on the mind of curious readers just like you... tip. So on a $4 Bud you tipped 40 cents? In the bar-business we used to call your kind of people “rubes.” The general rule of thumb (also according to CHOW.com) is a buck a drink. If the drink is a $10 Martini with extra-care instructions maybe throw down two. Bartenders survive on tips.

Dear Archie I’m a sophomore at WPI and struggling to keep my head above water, grades wise. My roommate is a lazy SOB who coasts through classes and gets a 3.8 without any effort—where is the justice? — P.O.’d at ’PI

Don’t base your whole future on the first few weeks of summer camp. The Boys and Girls Club is a fantastic place—I coached there a few summers ago. Keep in mind that the kids just started their vacation and have been pent up in classrooms all

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDY FISH

I think getting a good grade is actually pretty easy if you just make sure you follow the lecture and understand what’s being presented. Ask questions not to show you understand but to help clarify things you’re not sure of. Show a genuine interest, and your professors will recognize you’re a serious student, not someone who is just taking their class to get by. And show up on time. Students think it’s no big deal to be two or three minutes late to class; trust me—we professors notice.

ArchieI’m a junior at Worcester State University majoring in elementary education. I just started volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, and I absolutely hate working with these kids — what if that’s what teaching is like when I graduate? Have I made a horrible career choice? -Terrified Teacher

Dear ArchieI decided to stay in Worcester through the summer break and work full time, essentially being on my own. I’ve started digging the bar scene as a way to meet the ladies, but I got into a tiff with a barkeep over my 10 percent tip— what did I do wrong? Central Mass New Resident I worked my way through college as a bartender, and this is why college kids get lousy bar service. You don’t know how to

immediately and most importantly learn all their names. Kids will respect what you say if you address them by name when talking to them. If you don’t do this, they’ll feel like they are not important. I make notes on my rosters to remind me which kid is which; pretty soon I have it down pat. If this fails, have them take a break, draw a picture and sign their names to it. Sometimes that helps. Arch! You da man! Our frat goes out to eat once a week in what we call BOYS CLUB — usually a pretty decent restaurant where we’ll get anything from chops to steaks. When the bill comes we all throw in a $20—no matter what you get. It’s easier than figuring out the bill. We got this one new guy though, who sits and figures out exactly what he owes—last time he asked for change for a $10 from the waitress and then left $8.03 for his share. What do we do with this guy? -Perplexed at the Boynton Guys don’t ask for directions, and we don’t calculate down group checks. When eating dinner with other guys, if you order a Tuna Sandwich and everybody else gets steaks, you better get coffee and desert ’cause you’re going to pay $20 for that sandwich. If there are eight of you, the bill is split evenly eight ways. Done. There are no exceptions to this. Explain his error and kick him out if he does it again. He can go to group lunch with his mom and her friends and enjoy the experience of splitting a bill down to the last penny or pestering the waitress for separate checks.

year—once they let the energy out and get to know you they will calm down. And you need to establish command and control of the classroom: Be honest with them, stop bad behavior

Got questions? Ask ’em at ASKarchie@ hotmail.com or visit the Archie Blog where you can ask anonymously on the interwebs at http://askarchiewomag.blogspot.com/

worcestermag.com • A Publication of Worcester Mag • 2011 College Survival Guide 11

Worcester Overnights Tips on hosting your friends or family in someplace other than your dorm’s bottom bunk Chris Denmead

W

orcester has something that many other cites don’t have and that’s an abundance of colleges and universities, not just in Worcester, but Worcester County as well. And with institutions of higher learning such as Worcester State, WPI, Clark, and Holy Cross scattered throughout Worcester County, each fall our area becomes home to thousands of college students from all parts of the world. So students, when your parents and relatives come from afar to visit and support you in your intellectual journey, they’re going to need a place to stay and your

laundry-laden, pizza-box-covered dormitory floor just isn’t going to cut it. Behold: we offer you this guide to just a few of the many great options for where your visitor(s) can stay in and around the city. And no, trust us, they won’t want to stay on your bottom bunk.

Beechwood Hotel 363 Plantation St., Worcester beechwoodhotel.com 508-754-5789 FACTS Beechwood Hotel is Worcester’s only boutique hotel. It offers an interesting blend of world-class lodging and amenities, against

12 2011 College Survival Guide • A Publication of Worcester Mag • worcestermag.com

a setting of old-world charm and hospitality. They offer many different styles of rooms ranging from $175-$414 per night. The area is in a park-like setting not far from downtown and many local colleges. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, they offer firstclass fare made with great care, as well as an endless buffet for those same meals. ROOMS They offer both typical hotel rooms with options for a king-sized bed or two queens, as well as suites with fireplaces, which are great for a longer stay in case of a school event such as a sports championship or graduation. Some rooms offer skylights and ceiling fans and others come with a dry bar

for a late-evening drink. FINAL THOUGHTS If you want a hotel with a lot of luxury and have a decent length of stay, this is one of the top hotels in Worcester. It’s in great proximity to the UMass Campus (only two miles away) and 10-15 minutes from WPI, Worcester State, Assumption and Becker. General manager Mark Waxler has been with Beechwood Hotel for 16 years. Waxler shares that one of his favorite on-the-job experiences was when he popped in to the hotel’s bar and saw actor George Wendt, a.k.a. Norm from the TV show “Cheers,” doing what his character Norm is famous for—bellying up to the bar for a beer and friendly chatter. He uses this as a great example of the atmosphere you can expect at this four-star hotel.

Courtyard Worcester 72 Grove Street, Worcester 508-363-0300 marriott.com FACTS This is one of the more popular chains of hotels located in Worcester. Courtyard Worcester offers a wide range of amenities such as a large pool, a fitness room, a bar

with a pool table, high-speed internet, tennis and basketball courts—a decent amount of luxury for your buck. In between visits with you at college, your visitors can relax at a hotel with great accommodations for an affordable price. ROOMS Spacious hotel rooms with plenty of work space and separate seating areas. Free WiFi access to stay connected from your hotel room. Large work desk with convenient outlets let your visitors keep up with the 9-5 while away. For longer stays—such as when your mom insists on doing your 24 loads of laundry (you can only hope!)—these rooms can also be fully furnished with a stove and fridge as well. In your hotel room, enjoy two-line phones with speaker phone and voicemail as well as in-room movies, and great cable with HBO and ESPN. FINAL THOUGHTS If you want a nice hotel and good value for your buck—this is it. If you have visitors in town for more than a few days, this is a great hotel for them. This hotel is right next to UMass and 10 to 15 minutes from WPI, Clark, Assumption, Worcester State, and Holy Cross. According to Courtyard Marriot general

manager Massimo Santangelo, this hotel is a favorite stay for popular music stars, and he’s quick to add that they are all very respectful of other guests. So depending on what’s happening at the DCU Center when you stay at this hotel, you just might cross paths with a star or two.

Classic Suites and Inns 181 West Boylston St., West Boylston classicsuites-inns.com 508-835-4456 FACTS The Classic Inn offers comfort just like home. A privately owned hotel, it has old-school charm and elegance, offers a continental breakfast, as well as a Jacuzzi and pool. ROOMS The rooms come furnished with either two queen beds or one king bed with a sofa and chairs. All rooms have full baths, high-speed internet and cable TV. Classic Inn also offers Kitchenettes, which are equipped with an apartment-size stove, refrigerator, microwave and sink. Or you just might want to abandon your own dorm room for some R & R with continued on page 14

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your visitors in one of the inn’s deluxe Jacuzzi suites. FINAL THOUGHTS This is one of the nicer little hotels in the area, situated across the street from Salter School, so visitors of Salter students won’t have to travel far. Plus it’s on the same street as Quinsigamond Community College. If visiting in the winter months, this hotel is just minutes from Wachusett Mountain where the skiing is great. The rooms average between $79.99 and $99.95 per night. If your visitors let the manager know they are visiting the area for a college event, they’ll get a 10 percent discount. General manager Carol McAdam says many people mistake Classic Suites and Inns for Howard Johnson, a chain of hotels with bright neon roofs, where people would come in to eat a lot of the time, not to sleep. That’s because it once WAS a Howard Johnson. So you get a bit of hotel history when you stay here.

Rose Cottage 24 Worcester Street, Routes 12 &140, West Boylston therosecottage-ma.com 508-835-4034 FACTS If you’re an art student and your parents are art lovers, this might be the best place for them. The Rose Cottage is an 1850 Gothic-revival house, which used to be a summer home until converted 30 years ago into a bed and breakfast. There is much rich history here, and although it’s out of the way, it’s not too far from the city. ROOMS With only five rooms available, this bed and breakfast is small, but cozy. Rooms have brass beds, which give it oldworld charm. Many of the rooms have décor reminiscent of New England a century ago. If you

continued on page 16

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have visitors in the winter, then they provide an electric mattress pad to keep your feet warm after a long day. FINAL THOUGHTS If your family is from out of town and has never been to New England, this would be the perfect place for them to stay. Even if they are from New England, the Rose Cottage might be a treat. This bed and breakfast is just down the street from Salter School and Quinsigamond, and about 20 minutes from Worcester State, Assumption, WPI and Becker. The rooms range from $129-$139 per night. Owner Loretta Kittredge cares a lot about the people who stay with her—so much so, that sometimes she loses sleep; literally. Kittredge recalls the time that an elderly couple in their 90s was lodging with her and never returned back to the B&B from a class reunion. She stayed up all night wondering where they could be. Later she found out that the couple had actually returned when she was out for dinner--they had been safely sleeping in their room the whole time!

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Westborough Inn 4 Boardman St., Westborough westboroughinn.com 508-836-1900 FACTS Surrounded by 19th-century Greek-revival architecture, the Westborough Inn exudes a really nice, homey atmosphere. It’s within walking distance of several shops and restaurants, and offers free WiFi as well as a laundry and fitness room.

$84 a night and don’t go much higher than that. Owner George Waters has had some interesting people stay at his inn, including a cello player for a full week. The instrument’s sound echoed throughout the halls of the inn for the cellist’s entire stay. Even if the music being played is sweet or dreadful, Water’s says the Westboro Inn will accommodate any needs.

ROOMS The rooms come with king-, queen- and twin-sized beds, with large TVs in every room. There are no pets or smoking allowed in this hotel, so leave Rover and your cancer sticks at home. The rooms do have AC and heat when needed, as well as irons and ironing boards in each room in case you need to look sharp in a hurry. FINAL THOUGHTS The Westborough Inn is located not far from Framingham State and located very easily off Rt. 9. If you’re near UMass Medical School or Holy Cross, this might be the perfect location. Rooms at the Inn start at

So don’t make your Ma and Pa sleep on the bottom bunk when they come to town, for the lodging choices are varied and many for your guests when they come to see all that Worcester has to offer.

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Scratching the surface What every college kid should know about tattoos & piercings

P

opular culture has undergone a shift in body modification and adornment. Gone are the days when tattoos were for visiting sailors docking portside and facial piercings were for sideshow acts.

careful and does not play with the piercing or touch it with dirty hands, the piercing will do just fine. In 16 years of piercing, I have seen very few true infections. 2. You will go deaf if you pierce that part of the ear (laughs). You can’t go deaf by piercing that part of the ear. 3. You can’t have sex with a genital piercing. This is part of the reason some people get this piercing done! 4. You will have a lisp and lose all your teeth if you get your tongue pierced. I have mine done and all my teeth with no lisp. It is all on how you take care of a piercing. If you take care of it right and put a short, fitted jewelry piece in there will be no tooth damage. If a skilled piercer is working on you, the piercer will not do anything to risk a lisp. 5. [A client] can only wear gold. Titanium is the most accepted metal in the body. This is why it is used so much in the medical and dental field.

Can you recommend a good “first” piercing? A Good first piercing would be an ear piercing. The lobe is a nice piercing to get started with. To see how you heal and how the body treats the piercing. It will allow

continued on page 20

Today, nose rings are as commonplace as rings on a finger, and tattoos have evolved into wonderful works of art to be displayed with pride. But trust us, oh young one, choosing the right piercing or tattoo is not a decision to tackle lightly. That is why we asked a few Worcester experts for their advice as you debate what/where to stick that artful needle.

Marc Williams Piercing Emporium 400 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-754-0564 Piercingemporium.com How old must you be to obtain a piercing in MA? The state law is under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 18 and over will need a Photo ID with date of birth.

How young is too young for a piercing? I have pierced ear lobes as young as 3 weeks. I feel a person should be able to ask for the piercing but I am not going to tell a parent what to do or not to do with their child. I am a parent and would not approve of someone telling me what to do with my child.

someone to judge how well [he/she] will take care of piercings before getting something else pierced.

What areas of the body are hardest to pierce –as far as pain and healing? Some of the hardest places to pierce are in the ear cartilage. It is a very hard, stiff object. It’s the closest thing to bone. Some ear cartilage piercings can take 6 months to 1 year to heal.

What are the biggest healing myths you’d like to debunk? A couple would be this: 1. All piercings get infected. Infections come from bacteria. If the person is

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and a piercer finder on their site.

Top five things you should do to promote good healing of your piercing?

Any warning signs of a piercer that says “turn around and go somewhere else?”

Starting with educated piercer with the proper sterilization and a proper piercing. Piercing with Titanium jewelry. Live a healthy life style. Good multivitamins. Proper aftercare.

If the person seems like they really don’t have a clue what they are talking about. If there is any sign of them being high on drugs. They do not have proper sterilization. If the jewelry is not in a package or comes

How do you tell if your potential piercer is reputable and skilled?

straight out of an autoclave. Any jewelry piece that is in a fluid is not safe to be put into the body. It should only come from autoclave sterilization.

RESEARCH. Research the person. The Internet is a good way. Going into the studio and speaking to the piercer. Asking how they got their education. Talking to the local board of health. Going to the A.P.P. at safepiercing.org. They have a great checklist

website. they have it broken down the best way. www.safepiercing.org/piercing/jewelry-forinitial-piercings/

What sort of considerations should you make when deciding where (on your body) to get pierced? Is this the right piercing for me? Will it be accepted at my job/school? Is it the right

piercing for my lifestyle? (example: someone who wears a helmet everyday may not be able to get an eyebrow piercing).

Typical price range for a piercing? What should you look for in jewelry? I am going to give you a couple of answers but the best description to proper jewelry is in this link. It is taken from the A.P.P.

At Piercing Emporium & Tattoo all piercings cost the same: $30. The jewelry will range continued on page 22

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depending on the part of the body (not all jewelry is acceptable to go in any part of the body, the metal (titanium/gold), with gems or without.

Most popular types/location for piercing these days? The most popular piercings right now are nostril, navel, ear cartilage and surface anchors.

How should someone prepare to be pierced (mentally/ physically)? First, by eating a full meal. Try to not take any blood thinners. Have a picture ID. Wear comfortable clothes. Have someone else drive so they can relax on the way to the studio. No alcohol or illegal drugs. Leave children at home with a baby sitter so [clients] can concentrate on what they are doing to their own body. Relax and breathe.

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How young do you personally feel is too young? We follow the state law, however, maturity plays a role too. I’ve seen 18-year-olds that are more mature than some 25-yearolds. The person needs to be old enough and mature enough to understand the permanency of what they are about to do.

How long would you recommend someone consider getting a tattoo before actually going through with it? The length of time will vary from person to person. I will say though, that spontaneous tattoos are like one night stands with a stranger. Both can be exciting and fun, but each will most likely leave you with some level of regret.

How would you recommend someone choose a tattoo artist? A combination of research is good. Recommendations from friends help, but take responsibility for your own decision. Visit multiple shops; speak with different artists and view portfolios. There are a lot of options, comparative shopping and knowing where and whom you are comfortable with is the wisest.

Are there tattoo artists who specialize in certain types of tattoo – or are they all the same? It is silly to think that there is one artist who is the best at everything. Each artist will have his/her own strong points and weak points. The best recommendation is to seek out an experienced tattoo artist to avoid beginner mistakes.

plastic wrap. These things block the air from getting at your new tattoo, which will inhibit the healing process.

How do you keep your tattoo looking good as you age? There really is no trick to this. Keeping your skin healthy is important. Your tattoo will look as good as the skin it is on. It also helps if your artist knows what pigments do in the skin. Ink swells over time; if an artist writes super tiny letters, you are guaranteed not to have a tattoo that ages well. Your artist should design a tattoo that will hold up well over time.

How do you help your clients make decisions about where on their body they wish to be tattooed? I find myself often-reminding clients that their body will change over time. You have to remind many 18-25 year olds that when they are 35-45 years old, they will still want to look good. Their tattoo choices should go along with that fact. Future professions should also be considered.

Any place you will not tattoo? There is no place I won’t tattoo as long as the customer understands what they are asking for.

What do you do when someone comes to you with a

design/location that you disagree with? Depends on the level of disagreement. Rational people can usually come to a reasonable compromise. I respect their ideas, they respect my experienced opinion and we work it out together.

Best piece of advice you have for someone’s first tattoo? Just remember it’s permanent!

Tyler Green Owner/tattooist Port of Worcester Tattoos 4 Quinsigamond Avenue, Worcester 508-890-8666 powtattoo.com How long is long enough to think about a tattoo design? I used to think that it was wise to be wanting a design for at least a year, but now my opinion on this varies, depending on the idea, the client, and the situation involving the decision to be tattooed. Every situation is unique, and often involves a significant change, or event that has impacted their life dramatically. But more people are choosing to be spontaneous, as well as seeing tattoos on the TV. continued on page 24

How should someone prepare for a tattoo? Good mental and physical health is key. It is also a good idea to eat a decent meal at least an hour before hand.

What is the best way to show your tattoo artist your idea?

Biggest mistake young clients make? Not realizing that their body WILL change over time. Writing and symbols on the hips and ribs isn’t always a good idea.

Top five healing tips? There are many tattoo-specific healing products on the market right now. I have had good experiences with several of them. You want to keep it clean and avoid products with petroleum, lanolin and alcohol and

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A written list of ideas or pictures works well. I feel that once a client has chosen my artistic style, they trust that I can design a tattoo they will enjoy. The end result can be a more personal and original design. When people bring in photos of tattoos that have already been done, it can limit some of their ideas altogether. Or they can always choose a flash design, (sheets of pre-made tattoo designs).

worcestermag.com • A Publication of Worcester Mag • 2011 College Survival Guide 23

continued from page 23

With the popularity of tattoos on the constant rise comes a

simple question. But it CAN be tough. Different artists can specialize in certain areas, such as portraits and photorealism. Some artists specialize

variety of shops to choose from. Unfortunately, not enough people ask themselves that

in traditional, some in tribal. For as many styles, there are more specialists. The best way

How does one know where to get a tattoo?

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to choose who is right to tattoo you is to ask people who are wearing the type of tattoos that appeal to you where they acquired them. Looking at a tattoo is the best way to see how good the tattooist is. Simply put. A good tattoo is the best advertisement. There are a ton of tattoo artists in the city of Worcester, having a vast well of talent to choose from, you really can’t do too much looking into whom to choose for your job. You are worth taking the time to learn. It’s not like replacing a wiper blade. Just because someone has the equipment, does not necessarily qualify him or her for the job. It’s true, not everyone finds their true calling.

Advice on how to prepare for a tattoo? No one can really tell a person how to prepare for a tattoo. I guess if you are ready, you have probably imagined the needle poking in and out of your skin, and perhaps you might imagine how that feels. Kind of like ... say,

a needle going in and out of your skin. See? How do you prepare for that? Well I often tell people that the worse they think it’s going to be, the better off they are. Prepare for the absolute worst, and you may be pleasantly surprised. If you think to yourself, “this is no biggy”, then you will be not so pleasantly surprised at the amount it actually does hurt. Someone is going to tell you that it doesn’t hurt. Well ... I am covered in the things, and I can tell you that they all hurt to get done. And there is always going to be someone who knows better than you, telling you that these things are “forever.” There will always be opinionated people whose thoughts are much more important than yours, that think you obviously cannot think for yourself. Be true to yourself. Don’t get tattoos because your buddy has one. And don’t NOT get tattooed because some granny tells you they are stupid. Tattoos don’t make you ignorant,

but judging people based simply on what you see can make a person appear ignorant, though, as the readers well know.

Advice on how to research a tattoo artist? Take your time. Get to know some reputable artists in the area before you decide to mark yourself up permanently. A good artist will help you design what is right for you. They will take the time to help you understand aesthetics, composition, longevity, decisions like whether or not to use color, black & grey, placement ... all these things. If you feel a particular artist is not jiving with you, then move on! There are plenty of us to meet. You will find an artist right for you if you look. Or, you can be what we call a tire kicker, and ask how much we charge per hour before looking at photos of what I am capable of. But please do yourself a favor, and avoid the latter. If how much it’s going to cost you is more important to you than how it will look, then don’t come to the Port of Worcester Tattoos. How many industries have kept their pricing the same for over 25 years? That is CRAZY in this economy, but true! Tattoos have been relatively the same price since my first experience with AquaNet. Ignorance is more expensive than education!

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Getting around Car-less in Worcester Jeremy Shulkin

W

orcester is an old city, which means all the asphalt on the ground is really just paved over a cobblestone road; and before it was a cobblestone road, it was a wellworn goat path from the 1700s.* But just because you don’t have a car (or you have a car but don’t want to risk your life driving it on these unfamiliar mean streets) that doesn’t mean you can’t get around town. There’s a number of ways to move from one place in the city to the next, and no matter how difficult centuries WORCESTER of poor and short-sighted YELLOW CAB urban planning have made it for buses, bikes and tennis shoes to traverse Worcester, the ends justify the sometimes painfully slow and dangerous means.

BUSSED UP

W

hen I first arrived in Worcester in the fall of 2003 as a Clark University freshman, I found it considerably hard to get offcampus. I had no car, hadn’t yet found a bike and couldn’t stomach shelling out a couple bucks in cab fare every time I wanted to go to the movies. It was suggested to me—by whom, I don’t remember – that I look into the bus system. Of course! Worcester at the time had a population around 175,000 people – certainly large enough to have fully functional and expansive public transportation. Everyone was still high off of the then-recent renovation of Union Station, the starting and ending point of dozens of trains between Boston and Worcester each day. Naturally this city would place just as much emphasis on reliable mass transit. The problem, though, was that it was

purchase semester passes at huge savings and anyone wondering just how this transportation system works can call the WRTA at 508-453-3460 for a personal or group tour. There’s also excitement over the WRTA’s unveiling of innovations, including tying WRTA passes into the Charlie Card system for use on Boston subways and buses and attaching wayside message boards that show how long of a wait passengers have until their bus comes. “That’s going to make a huge difference for people,” Steinhillber says. Buses pick up at Clark University, Worcester • Computer Dispatched Polytechnic Institute, UMass • Credit & Debit campuses, Becker campuses, Cards Accepted Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College and go to surrounding towns. Pick up a WRTA College Brochure to see how the routes breakdown by attraction. Take a date to the Elm Draughthouse in Millbury, and impress them with your local knowledge by 1) taking the bus there and 2) ordering drink during the movie.

two months into the school year, and I had yet to see a bus. The Worcester Regional Transit Authority was stuck in the midst of cutbacks and route closures. Beyond that, tensions between union and management had many bus riders, not just the uninitiated Clarkies like me, confused about when routes were running. Advertisement and outreach, you see, generally aren’t priorities for organizations mired in court proceedings. By the next summer the union went

508.754.3211

on a full-blown strike, lasting for more than two months. I returned to Clark as a sophomore in August and didn’t see a bus on the street until September. Some nonunion buses rolled around town, but they were reserved for the neofascist riders. (Kidding, kidding.) Needless to say, the bus system and I never really overcame what should’ve been a lovely meet-and-greet. But that doesn’t mean it has to be like this for you, college student. Wendy Steinhillber, director of brokerage for the WRTA, really wants college students to take the bus, so much so that employees attended every college orientation last year. This year, students will be able to

26 2011 College Survival Guide • A Publication of Worcester Mag • worcestermag.com

CHEATING DEATH ON TWO WHEELS

L

ocal politicians love pulling out the phrase “Worcester is a city of neighborhoods.” Normally political rhetoric doesn’t mean much to the average citizen, but in this case they’re right, which makes the city all the more attractive to bikers. If you can get past the hilly terrain (I pray for you if you’re a fixed-gear rider), most areas where college students live have easy access by bike to supermarkets, restaurants, bars and city work centers. No matter where you live around Clark, just strap an old milk crate to the back and bike down to Big Y, Price Chopper

or Santiago’s for groceries. At WPI and Becker’s Worcester campus, Price Chopper is just down Park and Highland streets, and it’s open 24 hours. Unfortunately for Holy Cross students, a trip down College Street means it’s a crusade to get back up (see what I did there), but the bottom of College Hill sits at the current beginning of the Blackstone Valley Bike Path, which will eventually connect Union Station to Providence, R.I. (Right now it runs from Worcester to Millbury – a short but pretty and paved trip.) Assumption College students have a similarly tricky proximity to access food and restaurants, but biking on the west side of Park Avenue poses considerably less challenges than biking on the unforgiving east side where chaos and potholes reign. With that in mind, there isn’t any way to avoid Worcester potholes and aggressive drivers. Some streets are better than others, but counterintuitively. When given the choice between biking down Main Street or Park Avenue, I’ll take Main. Though while more congested, traffic moves slower. Biking up and down

Pleasant Street, a long curving road that doubles as a highway out of town, has good routes for scenic rides out of the city on one end, and spits you out right by City Hall on the other – just a cool five minutes away from the restaurant- and bar-centric Canal District and Shrewsbury Street. But cyclists make up an insignificant portion of the city’s commuter population; therefore bikers have to be smart about traffic. One time I saw a guy biking down Park Avenue on the wrong side of the road while texting. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. He was an idiot for doing all three things. The drivers here aren’t much smarter: I once got the finger for biking on the street. Seriously, just being a biker, riding my bike, on the street. Barney’s Bicycle (165 Chandler St.), Bicycle Alley (1067 Main St.) and Fritz’s Bicycle Shop (328 West Boylston St.) all sell excellent bikes and gear. Earn-A-Bike (34 Cambridge St.), a nonprofit program, will help you build your own bike in exchange for volunteering hours. The Seven Hill Wheelmen run bike rides around the city on a regular

basis, including Monday nights out of Barney’s Bicycle. Hook up with them at sevenhillswheelmen.org to learn the ins and outs of biking in Worcester. Ever so slowly, the city has begun to take biking and bikers more seriously. The city has just embarked on a $20 million street and sidewalk program that will – fingers crossed here – make many arterial streets safer for bikers and pedestrians. The changes won’t come over night, and it even looks like bike lanes are still far off in Worcester’s future, but the more bikers on the streets the more traffic will pay attention, and that’s as good a reason as any to brave the old goat paths on two wheels. Oh, and if you see a gruff, bearded driver in a dinged-up, white pick-up truck on Franklin Street near CitySquare, give him the finger and tell him Jeremy Shulkin sends his regards. *This is very much not true.

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worcestermag.com • A Publication of Worcester Mag • 2011 College Survival Guide 27

Fun under 21

Your guide to the under 21 scene in Worcester Mark C. Volain

L

et me guess: You’re an underclassman. You love to hang out with your friends and have a fun time. You want to get off campus and have some excitement, right? Luckily, Central Massachusetts is full of places for the under-21 crowd, so you don’t have to stay on campus for the same tired party, week after week. “But where can I go? What can I do? I’ve only been in Central Mass. for a little while now, and I don’t know much about the area.” First off, Worcester is a large city, the second largest in New England, so the opportunities are almost as plentiful as the population. There’s the obvious choice; the movie theaters, open to all ages, like Blackstone Valley 14: Cinema de Lux, which offers a luxurious setting for your movie-going experience. The movies are as great as at home, but you’re a college student, so affording trips to the

movie theater regularly can get pricey. There are numerous other options for your night out. There are the big venues for concerts featuring big-named bands and well-known dramatic and comedic shows. Worcester has a convention center, the DCU Center, which also is home to Worcester’s AHL team, the Worcester Sharks; a large music venue, The Palladium; and a beautiful performing arts center, The Hanover Theatre. These venues offer the perfect spot to catch that new band you’ve been into that just exploded on the mainstream or that comedian or show you’ve been dying to see live. And those are just for the shows with big names the majority of people would recognize; lesser known groups and shows can be seen at a variety of venues for a variety of prices, including everyone’s favorite price: free. There are bars across Worcester that allow those younger than 21 years old in to see concerts that they are hosting. These

places do ask for ID, and make sure you’re not doing anything you shouldn’t be, but let you see that band that you came all the way downtown to see. Tammany Hall, Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner, The Lucky Dog Music Hall and other bars regularly hold concerts that are semiregularly available for the 18-and-older crowd’s listening pleasure. Stay tuned in to these places for upcoming concerts! Worcester has a pretty big underground music scene, as well. Many of these concerts are DIY and hosted in houses across the city that are often run by a collective. These shows are always all-ages and have that community feel to them, that is absent from many shows at more official venues. They don’t get advertised in the press much, but flyers for their shows are everywhere, especially on your campus. Bands from all genres, all styles and all locations across the world come to play Worcester, so you will be sure to find something you like. Music and arts not your thing? Be sure

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to check out the Worcester GoList, an email Listserv where real people post real events and opportunities for you to attend. Events span from tag sales and car pools to concerts, hiking trips, and more. Sign up at wstr. com to get connected with the things that other Worcester residents are doing. Not 21 but still want to catch a game? Be sure to head out to JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill in Northborough or Perfect Game Sports Bar and Grill in the Canal District to watch your favorite teams play. Perfect Game also features Worcester’s only indoor HD Golf Simulator, a must-play for golfers everywhere. Check out the Worcester Tornadoes at Holy Cross’ Fitton Field. The Tornadoes are members of the Can-Am League and feature many college baseball players, among others. While Worcester is a bustling city, it also has places to make the suburbanite feel at home. The Citadel Airsoft Center has indoor airsoft perfect for dates or group

outings, at a good price and TriState Speedway in Dudley offers go-kart racing and an arcade that is always good fun—no ID necessary. Worcester is also a bit of a hub for dining. Worcester is home to dozens of phenomenal restaurants, with styles spanning from Italian to Caribbean, from Indian to vegetarian, and everything in between. Whatever your favorite type of food, Worcester probably has a restaurant specializing in it, with delicious menu options that you’re sure to love. Shrewsbury Street is a landmark in Worcester dining. The entire street is filled with fine restaurants that have won dozens of awards. If you’re looking for a really good, fine dining meal, Shrewsbury Street is the street to be on. There are options for great food all over Worcester, not just on Shrewsbury Street, and not just for a hefty nights’ check. There places all over the city continued on page 30

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Advertiser Index

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with great prices to match the great cooking that will bring you back regularly. These places are Worcester’s gems and perennial winners of “Worcester’s Best” awards. Conveniently, many are probably right near your school. Like Annie’s Clark Brunch, which has been part of Clarkie’s lives for years, and for good reason. Staples of the city, like Annie’s, help define the city and epitomize the great food and great prices that Worcester dining has to offer. There are dozens of art galleries across the area, with varying styles and mediums within the galleries and exhibits themselves. Groups like ARTSWorcester have multiple galleries for the art enthusiasts’ pleasure. Worcester is home to a diverse group of artists who are producing art on a professional level and love to see visitors flock to their galleries. Worcester’s diverse artistic culture perfectly matches the diversity of the city and area as a whole, and many times the art itself relates to these societal relationships. Worcester has a lot to offer and there are so many opportunities to have a good time in this area, even if you’re not 21. Keep in mind, you were able to have fun before college without being 21, so being in

Worcester while still under-21 should be a breeze. Worcester is a vibrant city with lots of interesting things to do every day of the week. Your local news media will have pages of lists describing many of the happenings and goings-on in the area, so it’s not difficult to find something awesome to do. Get out there and have some fun!

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