Pulse Magazine | March 2015

MARCH 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

COVER stORy

6 Worcester’s Annual Wearin’ O’ the Green

EntERtainmEnt

10 Cougar Bait plans for big year with new album

11 PulseBOOKS: The art of not having it all

12 OnCD: AC/DC, Tyler Aucoin and New Pilot

13 GameON: Scared in space with Alien: Isolation

14 Club, Pub & Bar Listings

18 PulseShots

LifEstyLE

20 Put on your lucky party shoes!

21 EverydaySCIENCE: The snow will melt ~ slowly

22 Spring Break without breaking the bank

DininG & EntERtaininG

24 Dining Review: Bob Shaughnessy’s The Other Place ~ a true pub experience

25 PulseBREW: Beers with fruit

25 Hot & Now

spORts & fitnEss

26 Buckets of fun: Harlem Globetrotters visit Worcester March 27

aRt & CULtURE

28 Building a family tradition

COLLEGE

30 What is luck? College students weigh in

styLE & bEaUty

34 The skincare salad - dress your skin with the essentials

Paul Giorgio, PublisherDonna Roberson, Editor

Vanessa Herbold, Art DirectorJustin Perry, Photographer

Chris Reddy,Kerry Cyganiewicz,

Kevin Swenson,Account Executives

Kim Dunbar, Sports EditorJennifer Russo, Lifestyle EditorKimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo,

Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood,Paul Giorgio, Stacia Kindler, R.J. Linton,

Kerry Cyganiewicz, Chris Reddy, Tricia Wise, Maxine GizaWriters

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.

paGE 28:building a family tradition

maRCh 2015 in this issUE

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By Mike Wood

C O V E R s t O R y

Whether it’s St. Patty’s day, St. Paddy’s Day or‚ for sticklers, the original St. Patrick’s Day, revelers are gearing up for the annual March holiday and getting decked out in green to proclaim their Irish pride ~ whether they have any ancestral ties to Ireland or not. You may want to be a part of it, too, as Worcester’s parade is a time for togetherness and community, and Worcester residents and our neighbors will celebrate their Irish heritage ~ and maybe just a few of us will indulge in a pint along the way for good measure.

There’s much more to the tradition than just shamrocks and green beer, of course, and that’s what the 33rd annual Worcester County St. Patrick’s Day Parade proves, since it honors many members of the local community for all they have done over the past year. In November, the parade committee recognized five members who have been involved with the parade for 30 years or more, and in its 33rd year, this parade signifies a commitment to the cause and to the community.

Steve Trainor, parade committee chairman for more than 15 years, said, “It’s been a joy to do this with the group of people we have here. There’s a great working nucleus, and it’s also great for the community; it’s just like a big family gathering.”

So bring your family and friends to this year’s parade, which will start at noon Sunday, March 8. The parade heads down Park Avenue, beginning at Mill Street and ending at Highland Street about two hours later. Before the parade ~ a day before

the parade, in fact ~ you’ll find much fun and fanfare at the annual Political Breakfast Roast. It’s a morning full of jokes, music and entertainment, and it all begins bright and early at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Armenian Church of Our Savior Cultural Center. Tickets are $25 each, with all proceeds supporting the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade. Then, at 4 p.m., Bishop McManus leads the annual St. Patrick’s Parade Mass at Cathedral of St. Paul on Chatham Street.

This year’s grand marshal of the parade is Edward P. Madaus, who is executive director of the Guild of St. Agnes of Worcester. The Guild currently offers services to some 1,500 children in eight state-of-the-art nationally accredited centers in Worcester County and provides after-school care at six Worcester elementary schools, as well as 100 independent care providers throughout Worcester County. Among his other contributions to the community, he (with attorney Paul Demoga) converted the vacant Showcase Cinemas in downtown Worcester into the state-of-the-art Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, which opened in 2008.

Whoever raises the most money for the parade is declared its mayor, and this year, the mayor of the parade is Dottie Doyle, known to many in the community as Mimi Dot and D2.

“Being mayor of the parade is an honor and very exciting,” Doyle said. “The tradition began in 2002, with myself and Leo Quinn going up and

down Park Ave. looking for candidates in all the local pubs. We got a late start this year with only three weeks to raise the money, but it’s a favorite event leading up to the parade, and folks rallied.”

Originally from Framingham, Doyle joined the parade committee more than 32 years ago and has been active with it ever since. “Working with the committee, the sponsors, bands and budgets can be challenging, but it has been rewarding every year to see the community come out in all sorts of weather to celebrate. Everyone is Irish on Parade Day,” Doyle said.

For the last several years, she has shared the commentators’ stand with Liz Mullaney, sharing her quick Irish wit and announcing and commenting on the floats that go by during the parade. “Liz and myself have a great time every year working from script descriptions and throwing out Irish trivia to the crowds,” Doyle said. “And of all the jobs I’ve had in the past 32 years, this one is tops!”

Gather up your green ~ and your family and friends, of course ~ and hit the parade route for a festive celebration of everything Irish on Sunday, March 8.

For the most up-to-date information on Worcester’s parade, visit stpatsparade.com; for a list of full St. Patrick’s Day festivities in and around our state, visit IrishMassachusetts.com/parades.php.

6 THEPULSEMAG.COM | MARCH 2015

worcester’s annualwearin’ o’ the green

St. Patrick’S Pub crawlParade day: Sunday, march 8

Park ave. canal diStrict

St. Patrick’S day: tueSday, march 17

Parade beginS atmill St. @ noon

Parade endS athighland St.


st. Patrick’s Day eventsworcester Sunday, March 8 | Parade begins at noon at Mill Street and ends at

Highland Street. The Celtic 5K starts at 11 a.m. at Elm Park. stpatsparade.com

Boston Sunday, March 15 | The parade begins at 1 p.m. at the Broadway MBTA Stop in South Boston and ends at Dorchester Avenue. southbostonparade.org

holyoke Sunday, March 22 | The parade is scheduled to begin at noon at Kmart Plaza and will wind its way through downtown Holyoke. The road race starts at 1 p.m.

at 143 Maple St. holyokestpatricksparade.com


Donning green and dressing up as a leprechaun doesn’t have to be reserved for St. Patrick’s Day parade

bystanders and bar hoppers. Wearing festive apparel paired with running sneakers for the

fifth annual Guinness Celtic 5K may be the perfect way to celebrate the Irish ~ or at

least burn off some beer calories!

There are a lot of 5K road races held throughout the year, but this one focuses on the pure fun and liveliness St. Patrick’s Day fosters. “It’s the most fun, and it’s the most colorful, and it’s the largest race. The crowd support along the route is great,” event organizer Charlie Breagy said. “The runners love having people cheer them on. It’s quite the sight to see 3,200 people running up and down the road dressed in green.”

The Guinness Celtic 5K, which takes place March 8 in Worcester, is the

second race in the Tour de Patrick series. The idea for the series was

born after Breagy started races in both Providence and Pawtucket, R.I. Each race

is followed by its respective city’s parades. In Worcester, that means the trek starts in Elm

Park at 11 a.m., before the parade kicks off at noon. Those who register for the entire series and

have the overall lowest time for all three races win the title of Tour de Patrick Champions.

Walkers are welcome, too, as the majority of participants are out to have fun and simply enjoy themselves. There is a team category for friends and family, as well, and groups often show off not only their athletic prowess but also their creative flair by

making their own shirts and unifying regalia.

While holiday costumes and post-race fun attract many participants, that doesn’t mean some serious runners don’t hit the course, also. Two-time Guinness Celtic 5K champion Eric Lonergan said the road race is great for people looking for a quick course with few turns. “The course was good because it was simple up and back around the parade route,” he said. “You get good crowd support throughout the whole course, so it’s not just a group of people at the finish line.”

Whether you are a regular race-runner or giving it a try for the first time, Breagy has some simple advice: “Go slow; don’t push. It’s always good to be cautious starting out.” And, of course, people should just aim to enjoy themselves and feed off the crowd’s energy.

As Lonergan pointed out, the fun atmosphere doesn’t end at the finish line. “Whether you are a new runner or an old runner, I would spend the day hanging out in Worcester,” he said. “They have all sorts of fun things happening that day.” One of the more famous post-race traditions is having a pint of Guinness to celebrate completing the run. There are more than a dozen pubs in the area hosting parties for the thousands of race participants.

On-site registration is available or runners can register at celtic5k.com/register. All entrants receive a T-shirt, with the first 2,000 runners getting a long-sleeve technical shirt.

Don your green an

D get running

By Maxine Giza


By Chris Reddy

Every year around this time, the Irish in all of us starts to anticipate St Patrick’s Day. In Worcester, that anticipation and celebration starts early with the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 8. St Patrick’s Day, on March 17, falls on a Tuesday this year, and there will be plenty of revelry in between!

If you are new to the area, or you just haven’t explored the various Irish pubs throughout the city, here are a few Irish bars in Worcester that are worthy of mention.

o’connor’S 1160 W. Boylston St.When O’Connor’s opened in 1989, it was a mere shell of what it has become today, a top restaurant and bar with authentic Irish décor inside and out. The restaurant offers plenty of traditional Irish fare and American and European cuisine. Along with Guinness, O’Connor’s boasts a large draft beer and bottle selection and numerous wine and whiskey offerings. Periodic Irish entertainment, especially in early March, adds to the true Irish pub feel. A must-visit!

the grey hound Pub 139 Water St.When I am in the Canal District and I am looking for the perfect pint or a fine Irish whiskey, I stop by The Grey Hound Pub. Having moved from its original Kelley Square location a short time ago, The Grey Hound features the finest selection of Scotch and whiskies anywhere in the city. If you are looking for a bar with a true Irish feel or to catch a football or hurling match, this is the place! Owner Paul Curley’s attention to décor and tradition keeps me coming back.

the banner 112 Green St.If you are looking for a working man’s Irish bar that serves a great lunch or dinner that won’t break the bank, then The Banner is it. Also located in the Canal District, The Banner has an unassuming Irish flare to it, similar to many of the more modern pubs in Ireland. The Banner features weekly entertainment and weekend DJs and is also considered one of Worcester’s premier sports bars.

the PreSS box 536 Lincoln St.The Press Box has been home to a dozen or so past mayors of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and is steeped in tradition. There’s always a fun and friendly Irish bar feel and plenty of festivities this time of year. Check out the post-parade party here for a great time or swing by for a pint on St Patrick’s Day ~ or any day, for that matter. The bar features daily lunch specials and Irish fare on Parade Day and St. Patrick’s Day.

Smitty’S tavern 611 W. Boylston St.In the Greendale section of Worcester, you can find Smitty’s Tavern, a small, authentic Irish bar with a strong neighborhood vibe. The feel is similar to many of the smaller Irish bars in Ireland, with its newly renovated décor. There is a decent selection of Scotch and whiskies, and I’m sure to run into someone I know while I’m sipping my Tullamore Dew.

galway bay 186 Stafford St.Looking for a Smithwick’s on tap? Head down to Galway Bay, another Irish-owned and traditional-style pub with a good following. The style is reminiscent of pubs I experienced in the Kinvara and Galway Bay areas of Ireland, and there is usually live entertainment on Saturday nights. This is a great start for Parade Day, with plenty going on before and after the Park Avenue event.

Funky murPhy’S 305 Shrewsbury St.Funky Murphy’s is Shrewsbury Street’s only real Irish Bar ever since the owners left Irish Times to open Funky’s years ago. Funky Murphy’s has a contemporary Irish bar feel with open-window seating in warmer months and fine Irish fare on the menu. Lunch and dinner is offered daily, and there are plenty of non-Irish cuisine options, as well. Live entertainment and a large bar area make this a popular nightspot year round!

PatSie dugan’S 49 Millbury St.Located in the Canal District on the Millbury Street side is Patsie Dugan’s, the former Emerald Isle, which was re-opened two years ago under its new name. Traditional Irish fare and a pint of Guinness can always be had here, with lunch and dinner served Tuesday through Saturday. Always busy in March, Patsie Dugan’s has the classic small pub/restaurant feel and has periodic entertainment.

breen’S caFe8 Cambridge St.If you are looking for good food and the small cozy Irish bar experience, check out Breen’s on Cambridge Street. This neighborhood pub offers great food at reasonable prices and has all the atmosphere of the finest Irish pubs! Breen’s was established in 1934, and it’s still around today.

Fiddler’S green 19 Temple St.If you are looking for a small Irish bar with great food and weekly Irish entertainment, Fiddler’s is the place. An authentic Irish pub with a consistent lineup of performers and events, the bar is in the same complex as the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center facility, which can be rented for events.

mahoney’S 413 Park Ave.A long-standing college favorite, Mahoney’s is a busy place on Parade Day and most weekends. Mahoney’s has a modern Irish bar feel and is a good spot for entertainment and sports events.

marty’S Pub 225 Canterbury St.Marty’s is a fine Irish sports pub founded in 2010 and located a bit off the beaten path. Great draft and bottle beer selections and a big wrap-around bar in the modern Irish style make Marty’s well worth the visit. This is a fun place and a great after-work bar close to Holy Cross.

If you’re still looking for more Irish bars, Moynagh’s Tavern, 25 Exchange St.; Leitrims Pub, 265 Park Ave.; Moynihan’s, 897 Main St; The 9ines, 136 Millbury St.; and Union Tavern, 65 Green St., are all Worcester staples that are worth checking out.

theSe iriSh PubS will helP you celebrate St. Patrick’S day


E n t E Rta i n m E n t

By Jason Savio

If there’s ever been a band that is primed and ready to break, Cougar Bait is it. Hot off the heels of being voted 2014’s Best Electronic Act at the Worcester Music Awards, Cougar Bait has just released its debut album, Through The Other Side, and has a homecoming show with Sophistafunk at Electric Haze in Worcester on March 13. But how have the members of Cougar Bait managed to separate themselves from the pack? With a very unique and eclectic mix of music genres blended together to create a memorable new offering.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek name, Cougar Bait is a band of young talent that has serious aspirations. Started as a “fun little hard rock project” in high school by lead vocalist and guitarist Sean Sullivan, the group really started to come together in 2010, when drummer Chris Tsinidis picked up the sticks, and eventually came to be the power trio that it is today with the addition of bassist Jamie McCarthy in 2013. During that course of time, Cougar Bait’s sound slowly evolved from a rock- and groove-oriented strut into the electronic/rock hybrid that it is today.

“Our sound transformed into a more electronic-based band when we noticed many bands using synths and samples to add to their sound,” Tsinidis said. “We bought sample pads and synths as time went on. Now we are a livetronica band.”

“Our sound certainly changed a lot in the last few

years,” Sullivan added. “When I go out to clubs, I go to dance, but all of the nightclubs are filled with guys clicking ‘play’ on a laptop. We wanted to accomplish that sound through the live performance of real instruments.”

That popular sound can be heard on Through The Other Side. Recorded at three different studios over the course of a year, including VibeHouse Studios in Fitchburg, Through The Other Side is a strong calling card for Cougar Bait.

“We felt it was time to record when people started asking us for CDs at shows and we didn’t have any to sell,” Tsinidis said.

By blending elements of dubstep and dancehall with a rock-centric backbone on Through The Other Side, the members of Cougar Bait were able to give the tracks a unique appeal. There are indeed synth bops and flourishes from beginning to end, and intricate proggy interludes, such as those on “Break Through,” add a nice, unpredictable edge. The straight dance and trancelike hypnotism of “Booty On The Dance Floor” features Worcester native and R&B singer Geli on vocals. The many female vocalists featured heavily on the album give it a balanced delivery, allowing it to appeal to both guys and girls alike.

“I think too many bands try to emulate their favorite band’s sound rather than create something new,” Sullivan said. “Oftentimes, we will take something like a house baseline, add a hip-hop beat you get on a Dr. Dre album, and throw a Muse-esque guitar

solo over it. I think it helps a larger audience identify with what we’re doing, since we draw from all these different places.”

Of course, recording a debut album can be a daunting task for any band, but especially for one such as Cougar Bait, given its electric favoritism, an element that can be hard to replicate live in a club.

“For those who haven’t seen us live, we perform in the style of a DJ set, meaning once the music starts, we don’t stop until the show is over,” Sullivan explained. “So when it came time to record the songs and decide on a specific structure, we had a lot of decisions to make on the orchestration.”

“On the other hand, the possibilities are endless,” Tsinidis added. “Making new sounds in new music is one of the best parts of being a musician.”

Cougar Bait’s new music will be on full display come March 13, when the guys perform at Electric Haze. “That show will be killer,” Sullivan said. “We look forward to hitting the road in the festival circuit hard this summer.” Having already played The Middle East in Boston and the Roots and Rock Music Festival, the trio from Worcester knows how to get down. And, with a strong new record to back them up, 2015 is set to be their best year yet.

For more, visit cougarbaitmusic.com.

Cougar Bait plans for big year with new album


By Kimberly Dunbar

If you’ve ever watched the Bridget Jones movies and thought, “There’s no way this would ever really happen,” then you should pick up Melissa Kite’s latest memoir, The Art of Not Having it All (Thomas Dunne Books). Kite lives up to her reputation as a “Bridget Jones of the 21st century,” with her tales of juggling work, friends, and most of all, the seemingly impossible and hopeless task of finding her perfect mate.

When Kite turned down a marriage proposal from a nice Scottish lad at age 14 and then cancelled her wedding to another man 15 years later, she thought she’d have plenty of time to find the right beau. Now at 40, Kite, a successful writer and columnist for a London newspaper, tells

her cautionary tale: The older you get, the slimmer the pickings. The author regales us with stories of relationships and dates gone bad, like the time she cut short a holiday in France because her then-boyfriend freaked out over the way her shoes were lined up. There’s also a date with a man she met online who can’t stop farting. Eventually, she finds her perfect match, albeit, with one major flaw: He’s gay (but that doesn’t stop her from fantasizing about their life together).

Being a single and 40 has challenges beyond finding a suitable mate, especially when it comes to fixing things around the house ~ leaking pipes, a malfunctioning cable box (cops and firefighters are involved on two different occasions) and properly taking out the trash bins. Adoption agencies ~ for both children and puppies ~ don’t take kindly to single women in their 40s, either. Even her well-intentioned protest of the city’s misuse of money manages to go awry.

My favorite example of Kite learning to embrace “not having it all” comes when she decides to take dance lessons to add some excitement to her life, per the suggestion of her friends. During her first lesson, every man yells at her for trying to lead (one of them wears a single white glove like Michael Jackson). Once she relaxes and lets the man do the work, she begins to enjoy herself.

Kite’s memoir is an honest story of self-acceptance and not having it all. Although at times she can be a drama queen, she’s also pretty practical about things ~ like the presence of “stomach cleavage” after shoving herself into a pair of skinny jeans. Whether you’re single or not, this is a book worth a few good laughs. It takes talent (whether it’s good writing or just plain bad luck) to turn so many ordinary situations into completely outrageous disasters, and Kite’s been kind enough to share them with you.

The book is available on Amazon and other online book retailers.

The art of not having it all

p u l se B OO K S:


OnCD: AC/DC | Rock or BustBy Jason Savio

Thunderous power chords? Check. Stomping, methodical drums? Check. Rock ’n’ roll attitude? AC/DC delivers all in spades on Rock or Bust, the band’s newest studio album.

“In rock we trust/It’s rock or bust,” sings Brian Johnson in his signature raspy voice. With that familiar AC/DC sound backing him up on the album’s titular opener, one thing is clear from the get-go: AC/DC hasn’t changed on bit ~ and that’s a good thing. Clocking in at just barely more than 30 minutes, Rock or Bust is a quick shot of hard rock juice, giving just enough to prove that AC/DC’s golden formula of unapologetic, seat-of-your-pants brashness hasn’t aged one bit. Angus Young, strapped with his trusty Gibson SG, delivers his

trademark riffs and solos with all the fervor and energy we’ve come to expect on songs like “Play Ball” and the surging “Baptism by Fire.” Johnson, ever the sly lyricist, adds in his dirty innuendoes on “Miss Adventure.”

Missing from the action because of health issues, however, is rhythm guitarist and brother to Angus, Malcolm Young. But thanks to Malcolm’s nephew, Stevie Young, filling in on rhythm, the blood tie is still there, as is the spirit, and you can’t tell the difference.

There’s something to be said about the resiliency and youth AC/DC show on Rock or Bust. The band is one of a select few in the rock world that has been to war and back and shows no signs of slowing down. Where others may falter, AC/DC not only stays the course, it shakes it to its core. Rock or Bust is full-on AC/DC power.

For more, visit acdc.com.

AC/DC / tyler AuCoin / new pilot

TYLER AUCOIN | AwayBy Jennifer Russo

I will never forget the first time I heard Randy Rhoads performing “Dee” in a live recording. I was immediately taken into his world, and the air radiated with the vibrations of something so pure and beautiful that I couldn’t help but cry. Through this album, Tyler Aucoin was able to transport me back to that memory instantly. This is an accomplishment that renders me speechless for a moment, because only a precious few guitarists have been able to bring me to that level of awe.

There is something about a man with an acoustic guitar on his lap, eyes closed and playing his heart out. There is even more something about one who is able to pour his emotions into those strings so convincingly that he doesn’t even need lyrics to say what he wants to say. Speaking only through

the tones and utterances of the instrument, Aucoin expertly conveys every feeling within, baring his soul to his listener.

Each song on the 10-track CD has its own unique voice. “Missing Her” seems a sad and thoughtful song, whereas “Starting Over” has a sense of urgency in its hook. “Beautiful Horizon” brought me to sitting on the beach with my toes in the sand, and “My Only Light” was my favorite on the album, with notes I didn’t expect, giving it a warm and haunting feel.

Aucoin is technically flawless in his delivery, using the guitar for every sound it is capable of, including percussion tapping and other advanced techniques. Every wish, every heartache, every moment of reflection is carefully composed into a masterpiece. This is an album that tells a complete story when heard in order.

For more information, visit tyleraucoin.com.

NEW PILOT |The Great American ToothBy Michael Wood

We thought we were in for something really hardcore by the first few guitar strings on the album’s opening song, “Loneliest of Ways,” but were pleasantly surprised when things softened while still retaining a harder edge.

This Worcester-based band’s fourth album, The Great American Tooth, is instrumentally solid and lyrically astute … and a little bit familiar. And while their influences are not in disguise by any means, this four-member indie band does make the music its own, so while Tooth has flashes of Nirvana (dare we say it?) coupled with Gin Blossoms and other like-sounding ensembles of the great ’90s alt-pop

rock school of thought, it’s more a compliment than a criticism since the sounds ~ though decades apart ~ complement one another.

Some of the songs run a little longer than they need to: four minutes, four-and-a-half, even a pair of songs that break the five-minute mark (but one five-minute ditty, “How Many Times,” is one of our favorites on the album).

The majority of the songs on “Tooth” come off as affecting and sincere, and there’s just enough angst seething through to make them potent. “Step Into My Fingers” and “All These Dreams” are two standouts. Members of New Pilot are not afraid to put their emotions out there ~ totally honest and raw. And this makes for an album that’s better than good.

For more information, visit newpilotmusic.com.


By Jason Savio

Alien: Isolation is the game that fans of the iconic film franchise have been waiting for. Terrifying, unpredictable and atmospheric, it embodies all of the traits that made the original film such a classic.

Right from the beginning, with a retro 20th Century Fox logo displayed through what looks like a sketchy video-feed, you know that you are in for a treat. Taking place 15 years after the original Alien film, you play as Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda Ripley, who takes on an expedition to find her missing mother and the Nostromo ship she was last reported on. It’s when things go haywire that you find yourself in a similar situation as those poor souls lost on the Nostromo.

It’s clear when playing Alien: Isolation that the game’s developer, The Creative Assembly, watched and took notes on the Alien films, particularly Ridley Scott’s original classic. There’s a tremendously creepy atmosphere throughout the game that captures the unsettling tone of Alien. From the slow, grainy scenes of outer space and gray-toned ships to the absolute silence that hangs in the air during gameplay, the spirit of the film franchise is captured perfectly.

Alien: Isolation also does a solid job of embracing the survival-horror genre; weaponry is scarce, as you are forced to craft together your defenses, and silence and stealth is a must to make it out alive. The alien you find yourself pitted against isn’t any slouch, either. If you manage to fend it off in one particular spot, it won’t be foolish enough to be back in that same place again. Instead, it’ll try hunting you with a different approach, and you quickly come to learn that you have to keep an eye out all around and above you. When the music does come in and reaches an intense fever pitch, you’ll be on the edge of your seat anticipating the worst is upon you as the air-lock doors open.

There is also a Survivor Mode that forgoes the story and focuses solely on you versus the alien, as you are given a timer to complete certain tasks while also trying to stay alive. The timer, along with the green neon glow and extra sound effects that emanate from a PS4 controller, create an engaging arcade-like experience.

Alien: Isolation is a game that fans of the film franchise and those who are just survival-horror gamers will both appreciate. Those who are familiar with the films will love how it fits in with the series’ narrative and will be left wondering why Hollywood hasn’t already made it into a sequel. For the gamer unfamiliar with the films, they’ll be intrigued to watch them after playing this game.

For more, visit alienisolation.com.

Scared in spacealien: isolationwith

Club & Pub listings Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs & other select venues

Continued on Page 17

American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010

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 Wednesdays: Trivia Night Thursdays: Live acoustic Fridays, Saturdays: DJs

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 March 5: Ariband March 6: Keith McLinden Band March 7: Karma & The Truth March 8: Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Party March 10: Movie Night March 13: Phono Synthesis March 14: Blues Switch March 19: Fossil Funk March 20: Hanna Khan March 21: Damnation March 22: Fellowship of the King March 24: Brush Lush and Glassware Painting March 24: Preacher Row and Styk March 26: Jen & Mike and Sweet Fire March 28: Jabooda with Shanty Man & The Speakeasies

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

Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 Fridays, Saturdays: Live music

Birkbeck’s Waterfront Grille 242 Mill St., Worc. 774-243-6020

Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 blacksheeptavernsterline.com Fridays, Saturdays: Live bands March 17: St. Patrick’s Day with Chris Reddy March 26: Live Band Karaoke with Fingercuff

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 March 5: Brett Casavant March 6: Michael Spaulding March 7: Maverick Street Country Band March 13: Kevin Shields March 14: Go Gadget Go March 20: Ken Macy March 21: Maximum Recoil March 26: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 27: Brother Maynard

Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008

Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton

Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862 brew-city.com

Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 bullrunrestaurant.com March 6: Christine Lavin and Don White March 12: The Danielle Nicole Band March 20: The Edgar Winter Band

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, Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) March 7: Blue Bandies March 13: Rick Porter Unpluged March 14: Tom Revane March 20: Brett Brumby March 27: Rob Adams March 28: “Hot Dish” Tina and Dave

Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc. 508-438-0597 thecenterbar.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, Thursdays: Karaoke Tuesdays: Open Mic with Key Performance Wednesdays: Sing to Win Karaoke Contest Fridays, Saturdays: Live bands Msrch 6: The Chills March 13: Laquerhead March 14: Backstreet Zero March 20: De La High March 21: Bad Reputation March 27: Teeter Todder March 28: Soundtrack to Monday

Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. 508-798-8385 facebook.com/ClubKasBar

The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster 978-751-8962 March 5: Whitney Coucette & Kyle Amalotti March 12: Corey Bazillion March 19: Brett Casavant March 26: Dave Gordon

Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. 508-304-6044 thecompasstavern.com Tuesdays: 2Fer Tuesdays with Pete Towler Solo Acoustic Thursdays: Mike Brennan Fridays: DJ Matty Saturdays: DJ One-3

Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. 508-752-0482

Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. 508-757-6977 danceranchandsaloon.com

Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 devensgrill.com

Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. 508-799-0629 facebook.com/ElectricHaze Sundays: Funky Jazz Jam Sundays Mondays: Open Mic/Open Decks Tuesdays: Hip Hop Tuesdays March 5: Gnome Project March 11: Mizz Kistune Electro Swing Fusion March 13: Sophistafunk, DPR, Cougar Bait March 14: Hope Road - Bob Marchley and the Wailers Tribute March 17: Block McCloud March 19: Airspray

March 21: Cats Under the Stars March 25: International Night March 26: Sub-Flex March 27: Curtis Mayflower, Sam James March 28: StrangeCreek Battle of the Bands Final Event March 31: Rezno and Nine Millz April 1: Art gallery opening

Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 aohworcester.com Saturdays: A Murphs Comedy Joint March 6: Doneglen March 8: St Patrick’s Day Parade events March 13: Madra Rua March 20: Mick Carr March 27: Tom Lanigan

Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 fireflysbbq.com

Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden 508-829-3008 flipflopsma.com March 5: Chris Reddy Loops from Hell

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 Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Live acoustic March 8: Post Parade Party with Terry Brennan March 17: St. Patrick’s Day with Terry Brennan & Brennan Bros.

Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 gardnerale.com Mondays: Blue Mondays ~ Live Blues Thursdays: Audio Wasabi hosted by Brian Chaffee Fridays, Saturdays: Live music

The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster thegazbar.com March 21: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

Gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc. 508-791-2583 gilreins.net

Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-853-1350 greendalespub.com Tuesday: Open Mic Night with Bill McCarthy March 6: Ed & Da Ve March 7: Desolate Highway March 13: Helen’s Hope: An Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Fundraiser in honor of Helen Levine Lipkin



Continued from Page 14

March 13: Auntie Trainwreck March 14: 9Teen March 20: Blow It Up Johnny! March 21: Mayhem March 27: Road Owls March 28: Silverbacks

The Grey Hound Pub 139 Water St., Worc. 508-754-6100 anculiath.com Thursdays: Team Trivia New England

Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com

Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. March 7: Winter’s Thaw with Sheez Late, Belit and The Vanguard

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 March 6: The Shakers March 7: Tequila Bonfire March 13: How Bizarre March 14: UFC 185 March 20: The Plagiarists March 21: Squelch March 28: Bobby Hogan & Sugarcreek

JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz March 6: Aerochix March 7: 9Teen March 13: Heavy Horses March 14: Flock of A-Holes St Patty’s Day Bash March 21: Probable Cause March 27: Tension March 28: No Alibi

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

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 Mondays: DeeJay Dee Smilesz Wednesdays: Dominos and other games at the bar

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 March 8: Seamus & Eileen March 15: Seamus & Eileen March 17: Sean Daley Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Live Music Sun., Thurs., Fri., Sat.

Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825

The Mill 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com Wednesdays: Karaoke March 6: Jay Graham March 7: Joe Macy March 13: Andy Cummings March 14: Chris Reddy ~ Irish Night March 20: Joe & Heather March 21: James Keyes March 27: Katie O’Brian March 28: Country Night

Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 millstreetbrews.com

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 March 11: 2nd Wednesday Residency March 14: We & Mrs. Jones

The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. 508-340-0318

On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692

Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117

The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. 508-797-9696 thepalladium.net

Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 partnerspub.com Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke March 7: Sean Daley March 14: Marked March 21: Town Meeting March 28: 1Oughta9

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 Mondays: Ladies Night Tuesdays: Industry Night Thursdays: College Night with DJ Xkaliber Fridays: DJ One-3 Saturdays: DJ Reckless

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

Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. 508-856-9255 March 8: Post Parade Party with Chris Reddy March 14: Karaoke March 17: St, Patrick’s Day ~ live music

Primetime Pub 5 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-400-7727

Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com Sundays: Sunday Night Cinemageddon Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry Show Tuesdays: C.U.Next Tuesday with DJ Poke Smot and special guests March 4: Ralph’s Diner’s (Should Be) Hidden Talent Show March 5: Metal Thursday CCLXIX March 6: Six to Midnight March 7: Whiskered Wonderland III

The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133

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

Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-243-1100 rivalrysworcester.com March 6: The Vagabonds March 7: Chet Williamson March 13: The Invaders March 14: Tom Revane March 20: Mike Lynch Trio March 21: Take Two March 27: Drunken Uncles March 28: Norm Tonelli & Friends

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

Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900

ryeandthyme.com March 6: Ethan Caoette March 7: Doctor Robert March 8: Zach Slik Brunch March 12 :Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 13: Scott Babineau March 14: Brian Chaffee March 19: Jay Graham March 20: Zach Slik March 21: Brian & Captain March 26: Sean Fullerton March 27: Danielle Lessard March 28: Caves on Marchs

Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. 508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 sakura-tokyo.com March 27: Windfall Classic Rock March 28: Windfall Classic Rock

Scorz 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc. facebook.com/pages/Scorz-Sports-Bar/216216528569258

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 southsideMarchgaritafactory.com March 6: Cailte Kelley March 7: Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge March 13: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 14: Side Effect March 20: Mike Ordway March 21: Backstreet Zero March 27: Ross McGuinness March 28: Whitney Doucette

Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marchlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net Thursdays: Acoustic Fridays: Karaoke and dance party Saturdays: Live bands

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

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

Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. facebook.com/TheUnionTavernWorcester

Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com

Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-752-9439 facebook.com/vincentsbar Tuesdays: Jon Bonner and Boogie Chillin’

William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner 978-632-7794 williamsrestaurantandtavern.com March 20: Sean Fullerton

LOFT 266 BAR & LOUNGEWORCESTER, MA

BANNER BAR & GRILLEWORCESTER, MA

PARK GRILL & SPIRITSWORCESTER, MA

P U L S E S H O T S By Justin Perry


MICHAEL’S CIGAR BARWORCESTER, MA

SMOKESTACK URBAN BARBECUEWORCESTER, MA

THE GREY HOUND PUBWORCESTER, MA

THE FIX BURGER BARWORCESTER, MA



L i f E s t y L E

By Jennifer Russo

You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. (I mean, I can’t be any more Italian, really.) People of all cultures will be donning their drinking shoes to enjoy the live Irish music, have some beer with friends, wear green and maybe find a leprechaun to haggle with. Fine by me.

If you don’t want to join the massive St Patrick’s pub crawl and wait too long for a drink at a noisy bar … some people LOVE this, but if you aren’t one of them … consider scaling it back a bit and having your own party. That, or make it a great way to “pre-game” before you hit the town, or have it the day before and watch the Celtics beat the 76ers.

Go Green. First stop, the party store or a place like Walmart or Target to get all the green hats, beads, boas, glasses, pins, etc., that you could ever need. Make a run and get into the spirit of things. Go all out and dress like a beer wench, we won’t judge! One year, I even saw someone in a head-to-toe green Lycra suit. Whatever makes you feel good.

Drink. Now that you have all the green trinkets you need, get yourself to a liquor store. Beer is the name of the game, and you can go the cheaper route of getting some Coors Light and some green food coloring to really honor the tradition of green beer drinkers everywhere, or you can mix it up and get some Guinness, Magner’s Cider, Sam Red or whatever else goes with the day. I happen to like Harpoon Celtic Ale. Don’t forget to pick up some Bailey’s while you’re there. Green Jell-O shots are also a great treat. If you want a cocktail option, mix up some vodka, milk or cream, crème de menthe and white chocolate liquor.

eats. You can’t drink without eating, so get your belly full beforehand. The menu should be Irish-inspired. Corned Beef, Swiss and Mustard mini-sandwiches are a must, but here are some other recipes that are easy and festive and will make your friends wonder when you got so clever.

entertainment. Not that you really need it ~ I mean, a party is entertainment all in itself ~ but you might consider hiring a live musician (they always need gigs!) to play some festive music or get a CD with some Irish tunes to get people feeling like they are in the rolling hills. Or have some movies on the TV that go with the day, like The Fighter, Boondock Saints, Leprechaun, Gangs of New York … you get the idea.

There are $2 scratch tickets with shamrocks on them, too. Pass these out as party favors; maybe fortune will shine on someone. You know those cheap chocolate coins in gold wrappers that you can get everywhere? Yeah, we know they are gross-tasting, but that’s not the point. Scatter them around the house. You may consider asking people to hunt for them, with a prize to whoever can find the most. If not, they work as décor.

However you choose to celebrate, drink responsibly, don’t drive while hammered, and we hope you get lucky.

irish Fruit Dip: Cool Whip, Pistachio Instant Pudding Mix. That’s it, mix it up and serve with skewered green grapes, kiwi and honeydew melon.

Green pinwheels: Get some spinach wraps. Mix cream cheese, diced red pepper, diced cucumbers and crumbled potato chips. Spread this on the wraps and top with ham. Then roll and slice.

Guinness sausaGes: OK, so this will sound a little strange, but it’s awesome, so just trust. Slice up some sweet Italian sausages and simmer in oil with some onions and garlic. When they are cooked, take the sausages out and set them aside. To the pan, add 2 tablespoons of flour and stir it in well, then add a bottle of Guinness to the pan with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of mustard and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, then add the sausage back in. Done. Delicious.

krispie treats: Who doesn’t love Rice Krispie treats? Try making some of these with green food coloring (a little goes a long way) or switch it up and use Lucky Charms instead. You’ll need 6 cups cereal, 3 tablespoons butter and one bag of marshmallows. Heat the butter and marshmallows in a pan until ooey-gooey, add cereal and mix; put in a pan and cut when set. Easy.

put on yourlucky party shoes!


By R.J. Linton

In the last few weeks of January, winter storm Juno and other storms blanketed the East Coast with snow. Some areas, like Worcester, saw more than 60 inches of snow in a week, and more snow fell in February. The snow-removal operation has been an ongoing and enormous undertaking by state and local government here in New England.

Seemingly everywhere one looks, there are glacial piles of snow. Even with rising temperatures moving into spring, anyone from New England knows these piles of snow will remain for longer than seems possible. With the blinding sunshine and the temperatures moving above freezing on a regular basis, one has to wonder how these behemoth piles of snow linger. Worse yet, with spring fever taking hold, one has to wonder how long it will take for the snow to finally find its way into the local reservoirs. Well, it turns out that the answers to these questions are very complicated.

There are many factors that affect the rate of snow melt. The most mind-boggling question is why are the piles not melted quickly by the power of the sun when the days are so bright and sunny? It turns out that the rays from the sun are at a greater angle to the snow. This larger angle is due to the tilt of the earth’s axis and is the reason for our seasons. Essentially, this means that less of the sun’s energy is transferred to the snow, thus having a smaller impact on the rate at which the snow melts.

The type of snow that falls also affects the rate of snow melt. Lighter, fluffy snow settles into more sponge-like piles. The sunlight that does hit the piles permeates down into the snowbank like water into

a sponge. Instead of melting the top layers of snow, the energy is spread out ~ and again, less effective.

The snow that does melt moves chaotically through the snowbank and rapidly cools until it refreezes, instead of running down in the drips and streams one might expect.

Another reason that the mounds of snow take so long to melt has to do with how we treat the roadways to prevent ice buildup. In order to save money, cities often use brine to pre-treat roads. Brine comes from active oil wells, which often contain chemical contaminants like benzene. When mixed with water,

these contaminants cause the water to have a higher melting point. Of course, the concentration of benzene

and other contaminants in the brine is expected to be low, but with large piles of snow, the contaminants are piled and compressed throughout the winter and can become high enough to be a significant factor in melting rates.

Will all of the factors impacting snow melt, we should not be surprised if the snow piles linger into the spring.

The Snow wILLmeLT ~ SLowLy

EVERYDAY SC IENCE :


By Jennifer Russo

It’s almost that time of year, when you can temporarily forget about schoolwork and exams and let loose for some much-needed fun with friends. Spring Break is known for being a little crazy ~ a chance to be the girl or see the girl in a skimpy bikini and take part in public and potentially embarrassing fun contests sponsored by MTV, radio stations, liquor companies, etc. Some will down rounds of shots and get their dance on in the sand and some will skip the beach altogether and do something totally different. Of course, travel companies know this is peak season, so tickets can be pretty pricey. So where can you go to spend as little as possible and still have the break you and your buddies will be talking about years from now?

Beach itIf you are looking to fly south for the winter and hit the beach and you don’t mind the crowds, Daytona is one of your best options. It will be between 80-85 degrees, and the restaurants and hotels are much cheaper than those in Miami. At the Daytona Welcome Center, you can get the 2015 Spring Break VIP Card for $25, which awards you free cover to the clubs, free beer and discounts at other local places.

Mexico is another great place with excellent deals for Spring Break. Do yourself a favor and look at Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen instead of Cancun. These places are only a bit south of the city but are just as gorgeous and $300-$400 cheaper. All-inclusive resorts are the way to go ~ you won’t have to pay for food or drinks while you’re there.

Another awesome beach location is Jamaica. Montego Bay and Ocho Rios may have some good deals, but if you are looking to save a few bucks, look into Runaway Bay. One of the cheapest places you can go down in the Caribbean, though, is the Dominican Republic. You may get lucky and find a great Punta Cana deal, but if you really want a gorgeous beach trip on the cheap, look at

Boca Chica. There are deals for less than $800 (yes, all-inclusive hotel AND flight combined). Hard to beat that!

Bet you didn’t know that Blue Curacao was named after an actual island. The tiny island of Curacao lies east of Aruba, and you can get some amazing deals here. Whereas Aruba tends to jack its prices up for Spring Break, you can get a beautiful hotel with flight for around $1,200, and the ocean is just as blue as the liquor.

Cruise the SeasCruises are also an option for those who want to get away. Unfortunately, there aren’t many that leave from Boston, but if you can get to New York and go from there, Norwegian Cruise Line has some deals to the Bahamas and Caribbean (and even Canada) for good prices.

Head NorthIf you are OK with the cooler temperatures, want to avoid the crowds and march to the beat of your own drum, you may consider heading north instead. It’s certainly a lot cheaper, and whether you are into hiking, skiing and snowboarding, or simply pub hopping, this might just be your cup of tea. Toronto has tons of things to do, and you can get a flight and few nights at a nice hotel there for

less than $800 easily.

Skiers and other winter sport aficionados can skip paying the airfare altogether and book rooms at lodges for $100-$150 per night in Killington or Stowe, Vt., and spend their days on the slopes and nights near the fire. Many places will have lift tickets on the cheap this week, too.

Go WestExtremely cheap deals await those who want to go to Las Vegas during Spring Break. With the number of hotels

and casinos in close proximity to The Strip (and the fact that you probably won’t spend much time in your room anyway), find the cheapest place you can. Stratosphere, Hooters and Circus Circus all have cheap rooms. Place a few bets, catch some topless shows and eat some of the best food in the world.

California is a great place to visit, and if you shop around, you can usually find pretty good deals in downtown Los Angeles, San Fernando, San Diego and even San Francisco if you look hard enough. Consider Santa Rosa, too; there are often good options, and it’s in the Sonoma area of California, so if you are a wine connoisseur, this might be your heaven.

Whereas Utah might not seem very “vacation,” for people looking to see something different and experience something new, think about staying near Zion National Park. The mountain views and sunsets are breathtaking; the log cabins and clay-colored buildings are gorgeous; and the park itself is a natural wonder all its own, with canyons, caves and springs. Learn more at nps.gov/zion.

General TipsBooking vacation package deals saves you a lot, so do that instead of trying to book your flights and hotel separately. I saw Daytona for $814, with four nights at a beachfront hotel and flight included at last check. I also saw a great deal for $1,300 (all-inclusive hotel with flight) in Playa del Carmen, too.

Shop around and book as early as possible, unless you want to take your chances with the “last-minute deals” some travel sites offer. Be careful of those, though, as you can’t guarantee something isn’t sold out.

Check out Kayak.com, which shows you fare history and trends for domestic and international flights.

Pack light. If you can manage to fit everything you want to bring in a carry-on bag and a small duffle bag, you can skip those ridiculous baggage check fees (AND the ticketing lines).

Spring Break without breaking

the bankSpring Break without breaking

the bankZion photo credit: DaveJonesPhotography.com


DininG&EntERtaininG

By Bernie Whitmore

Let’s face it: We all enjoy the informality of dining pub-style. And when it comes to selecting the right pub to meet friends, we want reliably decent cuisine, good service and a friendly atmosphere. When it comes to these virtues, I keep hearing the Other Place Pub mentioned. It had been a while since I had made the trek to Boylston, so I decided the time had come.

And true to form, The Other Place was just as I remembered it; bar to the right and split-level dining room on the left. My friend and I were urged to sit “wherever you want,” so we chose a booth in back. When there’s a queue, the OPP minimizes the inconvenience with complementary crackers and, on this night, a jar of peanut butter for spreading. Other times it has provided blocks of cheddar.

On most nights, the dining room gets packed; it tends to get real “cozy” and conversations overlap tables. The walls are covered with framed photos, newspaper articles and various advertising pieces. The subject matter seems idiosyncratic; if there’s a theme, it wasn’t apparent from my vantage point. Our server, Rebecca, was on-the-spot quickly to provide menus and take our drink order.

“Draft beers?” I inquired. Rebecca recited an extensive list, seemingly at the speed of light. Somewhere in there, I caught an “IPA.” So I had her rewind to that section and stopped her when she got to Wormtown’s Be Hoppy, which, for its citrusy, bitter flavor, is always a smart choice.

OPP’s menu is broad in categories, compact in offerings and buttressed with a full page of daily specials. Specials included lobster ravioli, a roasted half chicken and plenty more, but we were able to stick to the basic menu and started with the Potato Skins appetizer.

These are skins the way they’re supposed to be ~ actual potatoes, thick-sliced, with soft-baked centers and topped with plenty of cheese and bacon crunch, all baked golden brown. They came with foil-sealed cups of Hood’s sour cream. The portion was generous to the point of appetite destruction. I especially enjoyed the contrast in flavors as I sipped my Be Hoppy.

My friend’s entrée came with a leafy, green garden salad studded with vegetables ~ cucumber slices, shredded red cabbage, chunks of radish and tomato wedges. He chose the blue cheese dressing, which arrived on the side in a plastic cup. He commended the quantity of creamy chunks of cheese.

This praise intensified as he moved to his Open Steak Sandwich entrée. This New York Strip, 14 ounces, was remarkably handsome, with professionally sharp cross-hatching from the grill. He asserted that its flavor would stand up to any – yes, any – area steakhouse. The OPP is famous for its prime rib specials; perhaps beef is a solid choice any night.

My entrée, Chicken Pot Pie, was a fanciful sight. A mini-crock was loaded with the chicken-gravy mixture and topped with flaky puff pastry that soared in height. To emulate an actual pot pie, I stabbed at the puff until it collapsed into shards that sat on the gravy like a traditional crust.

The pie was loaded with big cubes of chicken in thick, white gravy containing bright-colored peas and slices of carrot. Though I cannot vouch for the chef’s methods, I reckon the ingredients were prepped separately and mixed before baking to preserve the vivid colors of the vegetables. But this comes at a certain cost. At home, I’d bake all the ingredients together in the pastry for an hour. The result may not appear as delightful, but the chicken and vegetable flavors would better integrate into the gravy.

Desserts are gorgeously depicted in a laminated folder. However, with appetites completely vanquished, we ended without sweets.

The Other Place Pub is just what we want in informal pub-style dining: The food is honest and economical, and the atmosphere is communal. Good service is always assured; Rebecca was both efficient and an instant friend.

I intentionally titled this review with the owner’s name and consider it important to extend my condolences to the folks at The Other Place Pub. Just weeks ago, Bob Shaughnessy died tragically in an automobile accident. As I read his obituary, I realized this should end with his own words: “Live every day like it’s your last because someday you’ll be right.”

The Other Place Pub71 Shrewsbury St., Boylston(508) 869-6003

bob ShaughneSSy’S The oTher Placea true pub experience

By Kerry Cyganiewicz

Last year, I wrote about typical Irish beers to enjoy throughout March in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. I reviewed Guinness Draught, Harp Lager, Beamish Stout, Smithwick’s Ale, Murphy’s Irish Stout and local favorite, Quinn’s Irish Ale from Wachusett Brewing.

I decided to change things up due to the weather. As I sit here writing this, my pool is covered with more than 5 feet of snow. Fruit reminds me of summer, particularly those of the citrus variety. I decided to review a number of fruit beers. Join me in trying these as we wait anxiously for better weather. Cheers!

Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin, 7% ABVI know what you’re thinking right now. Of all the fruits in the world to put in a beer, they chose grapefruit? Really? Yes, and you should run and buy some. Now! This is an IPA that begins with the award-winning Sculpin, which I have written about before and order whenever I see it on tap. Sculpin is a West Coast-style IPA, which in itself has notes of pine, tangerine, melon and grapefruit from the hops. The addition of actual grapefruit magnifies the citrus component of this beer and blends well with the base beer and ~ here is the key part ~ makes it better.

It pours a medium orange with a fluffy white head. The smell is mainly a citrus blend of lemon and grapefruit. It sure doesn’t smell like winter. Is has a soft-medium mouthfeel with just moderate carbonation. Even with the addition of the grapefruit, it is a well-balanced IPA that finishes crisp and clean with little aftertaste. This is one of my new favorites.

DogFishhead Aprihop 7% ABVThis is another IPA with added fruit, but this time, expect apricots. It pours a pale yellow with a two-finger head. The aroma is predominately piney hops with a touch of sweetness. It tastes like it smells, with an alternating rush of floral characters from the hops and sweetness from the malts. Then there’s a slight bitterness from the hops that is washed away by the faint flavor of apricot. It almost tastes like a light Belgian ale with all of the complexities. To sum it up, this beer is great for someone who does not like a bitter end to an IPA. The apricots temper the bitterness of the hops like sour cream tempers the heat in nachos.

Clown Shoes Clementine, 5.9% ABVHere is a Belgian Witbier with the addition of fresh clementine. It pours a pale, straw yellow with a huge, fluffy, bright-white head. The smell is predominately citrus, which is no surprise, since Witbier’s are brewed with orange peel, and this particular beer has the addition of its cousin, the clementine. This is a tame version of the style, lacking any coriander, clove or bubblegum esters from the yeast. It is ridiculously drinkable and sure to remind you that sunnier days are ahead.

Black and Blue, 4.35% ABVThis is a mixture of Wachusett Blueberry and Guinness Draught. I have

reviewed both of these beers independently, but never together. Many places you visit in Worcester will have both of these on tap, and I am sure the bartender will make it for you if it is

not on the menu. It brings together the coffee-like roastiness of the Guinness and the sweetness and flavor of the blueberry ale. The Wachusett Blueberry Ale will sink to the bottom, while the Guinness will rise to the top, as it is not carbonated with carbon

monoxide but with nitrogen. It is a chocolatey, blueberry masterpiece! Also on the list to try is a Black Velvet, which is a mix of Guinness and hard cider.

PulseBRew: b e e r s w i t h f r u i t

By Paul Giorgio

New Mexican eatery. The former Johnny Fugata on Worcester’s Belmont Street has a new lease on life. The Italian restaurant, which closed last year, will become a Mexican restaurant in the next few months. It has a great location across from UMass. It seems that Mexican is the hot new trend in Worcester and surrounding towns. Look for an early spring opening.

Downtown to get another restaurant. It looks like a new restaurant will open in downtown Worcester shortly, with the opening of Dead Horse Hill at 32 Franklin St. Interestingly enough, this was the home of the very successful Eden Garden Restaurant. Dead Horse Hill will be owned by Sean Woods. Look for an early summer opening. In the meantime, Woods and his partner have been doing pop-up dinners around the city. The last one drew 50 people to Café Manzi on Shrewsbury Street during one of our many snowstorms.

Northworks closes. Northworks on Worcester’s Grove Street shut its doors after more than 30 years in business. Owner Joe Marrone claimed it was because of lack of parking in the area. The building’s owner claimed that Marrone owed more than $200,000 in back rent. This should be a boom to Tweeds, which is right down the street.

White Cliffs to be torn down. The owners of the White Cliffs in Northborough are looking to tear down the Victorian-mansion-turned-restaurant. White Cliffs was owned by the Tomaiolo family for a number of years and was the site of numerous functions. The building was originally built as a summer home for the Wesson family of gun-making fame.

A final season. The Four Seasons Restaurant on Worcester’s Lake Avenue recently closed after about 50 years in business. The eatery was owned by the Potenti family. The last surviving brother, Fred, who is in his 80s, needed to retire.

We mourn the passing of Bob Shaughnessy. Bob Shaughnessy, the longtime owner of The Other Place Pub on Route 140 in Boylston, passed away tragically in a motor vehicle accident at the end of January. He was a very generous member of the area restaurant community. The Other Place will remain open and will be run by Shaughnessy’s family.

Julio’s wins top award. Julio’s Liquors in Westborough has won the 2015 Whisky Retailer of the Year Award. The award was presented by Whisky Magazine. This is the third year in a row that Julio’s has won the prestigious award. Our hats go off and a tip of the glass to owner Ryan Maloney and crew.

It’s like chess. Cal Dolan and Desi McKane, owners of Funky Murphy’s on Shrewsbury Street and the closed Jose Murphy’s on Water Street, are moving a few chess pieces around. Word has it that Jose Murphy’s on Water Street, which has been closed for a year due to a broken water pipe, will be taken over by Jason Grayson, who for about a month owned The District on Green Street, also in the Canal District. Now, Dolan and McKane will take over the space that housed The Saloon on Worcester’s West Boylston Street. They plan to open a neighborhood bar and restaurant and have named their new venture Quinn’s.

HotNow&


By Kimberly Dunbar

If Wheaties is the breakfast of champions, then Honey Nut Cheerios is the bedtime snack of the Harlem Globetrot-ters. Well, at least one. Anthony “Bucket” Blakes eats a bowl of the cereal before bed every night.

“It’s a comfort thing,” he said. “It helps me relax. Some people use aromatherapy candles, I like to eat cereal.”

Maybe the sharp-shooting guard ~ in his 13th season with the Globetrotters ~ is on to something. Dubbed “Buckets” because of his ability to “shoot a lot of buckets in a hurry,” he’s one of the most accurate shooters around and even owns a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

“I’m excited that I’ll be in the book,” said Blakes, who recently broke the record for the most underhanded half-court shots in one minute ~ he made six, one more than the previous record. In 2011, he hit two, tying him with ex-NBA star Jason Kidd for the record.

When he isn’t schooling former NBA players, Blakes takes the time to school himself: In 2012, he earned his bachelor’s in psychology, making the Dean’s List three times. “It was one of the things I always promised I’d do,” he said. “I feel happy that I accomplished it.”

Though he’s got game now, Blakes wasn’t always considered the coolest kid on the court. “I used to get to school early to eat breakfast, and one day, I sat next to this bully,” he said. “He told me to move, but I didn’t, so he started making fun of me. Some of his jokes were pretty good, so I laughed along with them. He got upset because he couldn’t make me feel bad … I just walked away smiling.”


Blakes likes to tell this story to the kids he visits as part of the Globetrotters’ mentoring program, especially because this year’s campaign is about bullying. “We talk to the kids about the ABCs of bullying prevention,” he said, adding that it stands for Action, Bravery and Compassion.

Blakes said that whether or not he and his teammates realize it, kids look up to them off the court. “We’re role models for them,” he said. “I believe that if you have a platform to stand on, you should do something positive with it.”

The Harlem Globetrotters also support the military by performing for the troops overseas. “It helps keep their minds off of stuff for a couple hours,” Blakes said. They also sponsor a Hometown Heroes initiative, in which the Globetrotters honor an active, wounded or retired member of the military at each game on the 2015 North American Tour.

Albeit long ~ 310-plus games in 249 cities in 49 states and nine Canadian provinces, plus another 150 games over-seas ~ Blakes still enjoys his tours with the Globetrotters. “My favorite part, other than making people laugh and smile, is that no matter where we are in the world, we’re always the home team,” he said.

Blakes and the Globetrotters will be at the DCU Center on March 27. For tickets, visit harlemglobetrotters.com.

Buckets of fun:Harlem GloBetrottersvisit WorcestermarcH 27

spORts&fitnEss


a R t & C U L t U R E

By Kimberly Dunbar

The family that antiques together stays together. At least, that’s the Farnsworth family way.

“It’s a family affair,” said Craig Farnsworth, looking at his wife, Karyn, and two young daughters working alongside him in their boutique, which opened in January. Farnswood, located in the warehouse space behind Higgins Armory, is a store packed with industrial-style artifacts and antiques, salvaged and restored by Craig.

“Everything in here has character,” he said. “They’re not perfect. But they are one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces.”

Last winter, Craig and Karyn started selling reclaimed wood products ~ small goods like wine racks, benches and shelves created from barn wood and pallets ~ at the Canal District Farmer’s Market at Crompton Collective in Worcester. After a month, the Farnsworths started showcasing their pieces at Counting Sheep Antiques in Berlin. When the shop closed for two months in the winter, they were left with what Craig calls “a borderline hoarders situation.”

The couple found 100 Barber Ave. and moved in. The warehouse space fits the Farnswood theme perfectly; the wood ceilings and weathered floors foster a rustic, creative environment. “We get excited to come here every week-end,” said Craig, an electrical engineer for commercial buildings on weekdays. “It means a lot of late nights and seven days a week for me, but I just love it.”

Craig has always been around antiques. “My parents used to bring me to auctions. I would sit there for hours and just take it all in,” he said. “I love working with my hands, love building things. And now, I’m passing it down to my kids.”

Craig and Karyn bring daughters Graycie, 8, and Kendall, 5, with them when antique hunting. “They go with us to flea markets and learn how to haggle pricing,” he said. Graycie even has a few things she’s found that are now for sale at the store, including her line of homemade earrings, Little G Designz.

The Farnsworths find their pieces all over New England, from barns and warehouses to estate sales and Craigslist. “We try to go for unique things and put our own spin on it,” Craig said. “I hate to see this stuff get thrown away. That’s what usually happens with this stuff; it gets scrapped.”

Craig also builds marquee letters. He taught himself to weld and creates with sheet metal. In fact, these custom letters are one of his top sellers. He’s created letters for a new Las Vegas restaurant, The Sandwich Shop; an entertainment lawyer in Boston; and is a currently working on some for a company in New York City. He’s also done work locally: The big red tomato hanging at the Canal District Farmer’s Market is Craig’s handiwork.

“You can go to Restoration Hardware and get this kind of stuff, but this is original,

custom work,” he said. “I make everything. They’re not bought overseas like some of these other letters you see being sold. They’re made with my hands in my basement.”

“There’s more character in old stuff than there is in new stuff,” said Karyn, who teaches dance in New Hampshire when not working at Farnswood. “It’s more interesting to look at.”

And the old stuff always has a story: On display at Farnswood is an antique trunk, which Karyn researched and discovered belonged to H.P. Hoar, a woman from a prominent family in Concord. “Anything local like this is popular,” she said.

But popular isn’t what the Farnsworths are going for. “This isn’t just part of the industrial trend,” Craig said. “Some of it’s bizarre and kind of weird, but it’s intriguing to me. I don’t ever want to build stuff just to build stuff. This may limit us sales-wise, but the reception has been pretty good so far.”

Craig said they’re hoping to build on the momentum with appearances at the Vintage Bizarre in Salisbury and Boston’s SoWa market. They also want to get into commercial interior decorating and bring their ideas to restaurants and hotels.

For now, the Farnsworths are enjoying their time working together. “Doing something you love definitely spills over into the other parts of your life,” Karyn said. “Our moods have changed. We are happier, more positive people.”

For more information, visit facebook.com/farnswooddesigns.

Building a family tradition


Building a family tradition


C O L L E G E

By Tricia Wise

’Tis the season to be lucky. St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and Worcester college students are finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

In honor of the little guy and his pot of gold, we asked area college students to give us their definitions of luck. Students all across Worcester ~ from Clark University to W o r c e s t e r Polytechnic Institute to Assumption College ~ weighed in with their thoughts, and most thought that being lucky is not a sporadic occurrence but is, in fact, created by individuals.

Worcester students think that luck is everywhere, and that anyone can make his or her own luck. Most students said luck is more likely to come from their own hard work.

Jana Kelnhofer, a freshman at Clark University, said she believes luck can only stem from hard work. “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

The majority of college students feel this way; especially when talking about the opportunities that arise in college. Duc Tien, a freshman at WPI, defines luck as “a chance or opportunity given to you,” adding that “when luck comes, it can be good.” Even though Tien feels very lucky, he still is “trying to do everything on my own and trying my best.” Tien said he believes his admission to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (he wants to be an engineer) is the luckiest thing to happen to him.

Some students find the simple things in life are the luckiest. Cassie Schultz, a sophomore from Assumption College, said she believes “in general, just being lucky (is) having good fortune.” Even something as simple as “rooming with my best friend, Courtney,” is lucky to Schultz.

For Devan Beaulac, a senior at WPI, money goes hand in hand with luck. The luckiest moments of her life are “when I find money on the ground.” One time, Beaulac said, she “found $200 in a book I got at The Salvation Army.”

“Good things happening for no apparent reason whatsoever” is what luck means to Ashley Impagliazzo, a senior at Assumption College. However, her luckiest experience is “getting into vet school,” a piece of luck that also needed some hard work.

But is luck real? It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Kelnhofer said luck is “a concept, whether or not it’s real,” and it can be anything from the “smallest things to getting the job to winning the lottery.” Kelnhofer calls luck “a mystical concept …. a fantastical spin on an everyday occurrence that people have made to celebrate success more often and make life more interesting.”

Whether it’s real or not, we’d all like a little. Here’s hoping your St. Patrick’s Day is a lucky one!

WHaT iS luCk?ColleGe STudeNTS

WeiGH iN

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

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s t y L E & b E a U t y

Pulse Magazine | March 2015

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Transcript of Pulse Magazine | March 2015