PULSE MAGAZINE: NOVEMBER 2022

Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com

David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com

Jenny Pacillo, Editor jpacillo@pagioinc.com

Kevin La, Art Director kla@pagioinc.com

Nick Sposato, Executive Events Coordinator nsposato@pagioinc.com

Give Thrift A Chance: Why Local, Gently Used, & Inclusive Options are the New Holiday Fashion

Irena Kaçi

With COVID-19 finally receding into the endemic morass of germs that we battle each year, this holiday season feels like the first holiday season. Even the most cautious of us are resigning to the itch for joy and warmth and fixing to cel ebrate. I own that I have a long history of thrift shopping, once more out of the necessity of being a poor college stu dent, then out of the thrill of being a subversive 20some thing hipster, and these days it’s simply a –shall we say - well worn habit. Whatever the motivation, our fair city will not disappoint. Not only is Worcester and its surrounding suburbs well outfitted with lots of neighborhood gems, but there are also many new pandemic-borne local businesses a-brewin’.

My first stop on the tour of how to dress up for the holiday season is Abby’s Attic, downtown Worcester’s best kept se cret. Located at 52 High St., Abby’s Attic seems unassum ing and tucked away. Once inside, however, it is obvious that it is one of the most well-cared for and carefully cu rated spaces I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. The sec tions are neatly labeled, and easy to navigate, and the store runs regular discounted specials. Way back and toward the left hand side from the entrance there is Abby’s Boutique Corner, which contains nicer items as well as some formal wear perfect for passing the platter in at Thanksgiving, or toasting in the new Year with a glamorous cocktail in hand.

I took the time to chat with Meghan Person, Abby’s House’s Development and Communications Specialist. Abby’s House is a Women’s shelter in the Crown Hill neighborhood as well as the parent organization of this fantastic store. When I

asked Person to speak to the mission of Abby’s Attic, she was very enthusiastic to explain. “We are a nonprofit organization and rely heavily on donors in every respect. Abby’s Attic is an important stream of revenue for our clientele. In fact we get 10.5% of the entire operating budget from our thrift store sales. It’s huge. We take it very seriously, which is what you notice when you walk into the store.” Pam Guild, the manager at Abby’s Attic joined in, “We take care to be very picky and have incredibly generous donors. We get a tonnage –is that a word?- tonnage of donations every week, and have a lot of options for what we put out. It’s hard work to go through all of it and we have some incredible volunteers that come in every day to help us sort through our donations. That’s actually how I started out, and look at me now. I am just really proud to do the work that I do.” Pride is evident everywhere I look, and considering the general spirit of the holiday season, I would be hard pressed to name another place that achieves the same balance between the joy of giving and the joy of taking.

My next pick is Leigh Soucy’s pandemic project @Thicket Worcester. Soucy is a transplant from New Hampshire, who has made Worcester a home for over a decade now, has been building the idea of a size-inclusive vintage consignment store for a long time. “I began hosting clothing swaps for fel low thick friends in the winter of 2018 after I had created a FB group to connect with other ‘fat folks’ in the area—where we shared info on size-inclusive medical care, stores, sales, etc. Some of my friends would show up to these swaps with bags upon bags of new & like new plus-size clothes. They felt a little like treasures found, not just articles of cloth

ing. I remember joking with friends about how I should just turn around and resell all the brand new clothes—and every time, the response was the same: ‘you should! I would hate for them to just get tossed/donated’ It was clear to me that giving other fat folks the chance to snag these clothes before the clothing-donation-monster ate them up was important.”

Soucy, herself an artist with a very well developed aesthet ic, was up to the task. “During the Pandemic, with more time home to think about showing up for my greater commu nity, being a consumer and the idea of “work”, The Thick et began to take shape. Leaning on the flexibility of being a stay-at-home parent, I was able to slowly collect second hand pieces that complimented my collection kept from past clothing swaps. I spent time researching & visiting thrift, consignment & charity shops throughout New England—and Quebec, too—to collect fashionable, vintage & secondhand clothing for folks who have a harder time finding things that they both like AND fit. It’s personal for me—I have been a fat girl my whole life and have always wished to have the kind of shopping experience of going somewhere to look for a special occasion outfit, or just something new and fun like a funky jacket or skirt, and having so many options. Walking into a store to find most of the items in your size is a luxu ry that plus-size people don’t typically find outside of plussize brand.” Things started to build slowly at first. “I started posting in-search-of posts on FB marketplace to source more

clothes, reaching out to friends & family & just being open to any random bag of clothes that someone wanted out of their house. I got a couple clothing racks and suddenly, my basement was a makeshift store. I began hosting friends for “shopping sessions” and eventually offered this to anyone lo cal that reached out to me about it. Initially I focused my sell ing to one-on-one in-person, or through Instagram story sales. Then I spent most weekends this summer selling my stuff as a pop-up shop at The Worcester Bazaar, New Tradition, The Rose Room & at Pride 2022. At every pop-up I’ve had, some one has asked where my store is located. I always tell them my residential HQ is open to shopping appointments, but that I don’t yet have a brick and mortar. I am hoping to find a good place in Worcester to bring The Thicket to life in a real way once the stars align. As for now, I am planning on having at least 2 more story sales over my Instagram this fall & winter —including a “Holiday Sparkle Sale” where I’ll be listing all of my sparkly, shiny, shimmery stuff going live on December 6th. Plus another clothing swap in the new year! So much clothing has already been made, I’m happy to track down the good stuff in the right sizes for folks who are often left out of fashion—while also keeping clothes in closets, out of landfills and making statements wherever my customers go.” For now, following @ThicketWorcester is the way to connect. Of course no holiday outfit is complete without some fun ac cessories and glam baubles to catch and reflect the sparkle

Leigh Soucy from Thicket Worcester

of the season. My favorite spot for unique jewelry and acces sories is the newly minted ‘A Piece of Heaven’ boutique at 11000B Pleasant St. Worcester. Libbe Siskend, the wom an behind the counter and the premise, has been proud ly collecting and selling unique and artisanal accessories since the 70s. Walking into the store for the first time was a dazzling experience. Everywhere I looked some new trea sure beckoned, and nothing looked like anything I’d ever seen before. “That’s intentional,” says Siskend, reading my mind with her sales prowess, “Everything you see here is hand picked by me and I’ve been doing this for a long, long time. There are vendors that will only sell to me, because I’ve been in the game for so long.” There are a few items of clothing carefully displayed on a rack in the front, but the remainder is all beautiful glove/scarf/hat combinations, several purses that look hand stitched, and vintage jewelry. Siskend is very welcoming and happy to be in Worcester. “I’ve had stores in so many different places, Boston, Hud son, Florida for a while, but after all that, I just wanted to settle somewhere that really felt comfortable. I was so glad to find a place in Worcester. I intend to run special sales for Worcester residents, and would love for this to become an accessory destination. I think my style has always been what sets me apart, I just really have a very eclectic taste. I always say fashion is what you make it and here I make sure I give a lot of options that are truly unique.” Even though my intention was to walk in and look, I am mentally assembling a sparkling ensemble, with clear chandelier earrings, and plush wine colored gloves. I walk away with a few Harry Pot ter, and flower themed stickers for my children but can hard ly wait for a special event that will occasion my next visit.

I have barely scratched the surface of the variety of options for quality thrifting, locally made, and vintage in Worcester and Worcester County, but even cover articles have a word limit. Part of the charm of connecting through a shopping experience, however, is everyone’s willingness to share the favorite off the beaten path shop. If this story has inspired you to pivot toward the gently used and local this season, I’ve no doubt that you too will soon be in the know. When it comes to holiday fashion, good neighbors are always in style.

photos from ‘A Piece of Heaven’

VESSEL CANDLES

IRENA KAÇI

While the sights and sounds of fall are truly breathtaking, for Ariana Lewis and Sarah Ducas -two local candlemakers- it is the scents that really make the season.

The duo met each other through Ariana’s brother. Ducas and Lewis’ brother had been dating and living in California when fortune sent them back to the east coast. “When they were apartment searching, I had a room available so Sarah moved in with me.” The two shared an apartment in Boston and got on famously. The future in-laws had lots of interests in common, including their love for indoor crafting.

“We didn’t really like to go out and drink or anything like that. We were much more inclined to have a good night of staying in and work ing on something with our hands. I had been working for the Charles Hotel in Cambridge doing event and advertising work, so I got my fill of socializing,” says Lewis. During that time Ducas was working in inte rior design, which lent itself quite nicely to creative pursuits.

“Pretty soon we started making candles because we both really loved candles. So we figured why not try to make them? It seemed fun.” At the very beginning of their hobby, they liked to experiment with differ ent shapes and kinds of candles. “We loved looking for different kinds of ‘vessels’ that we could use, from coffee mugs, to tea cups, or pencil holders, whatever we could find. That’s actually where our name was born.” Pretty soon Ducas and Lewis realized that this was more than just a hobby.

“By 2013, we were ready to grow the side hustle into a real thing. We launched our website and online store and pretty much it’s been going strong since then. We’ve rebranded a couple of times, the last time in November of last year, but we have been refining our concept for eight years.”

The supply chain issues that every small business has been experienc ing for the past year definitely had an impact on Vessel. “We were un fortunately affected a lot by it, but it has also yielded a lot of creativity.” Lewis loves how interactive and social the work is: “I love meeting with like minded people who are interested in learning more about what we do and how we do it. We put a lot of passion into our work.”

During the lockdown sales were constrained by the fact that it was more challenging to shop remotely for something as hands-on as scented candles. “We’ve had a real uptick in our work now that we are able to

do in person events again. Our calendar for the coming months is quite active. We are doing an awesome event at Tower Hill in November and then we have a seat at the StART in the Station for December. We are so excited for both of those.”

Though they have a workspace at the Sprinkler Factory (38 Har low St.) where they make their small batch concoctions, Ducas and Lewis are hoping to set up a brick and mortar space soon. “We are looking in the Worcester area. But we can afford to wait. We really want to make sure that we find the right space for us.”

When asked about some of their bestsellers leading up to the holi days, Lewis was quick to mention their holiday hit “tree in the jar”. “It smells exactly the way you’d think, and everyone loves it. It’s such an instant ‘aha’ moment for people when they smell it.” But, of course, as any connoisseur Lewis has her own treasured candle that she says she’s been enjoying this fall. “I love Juniper. It’s super underrated as a smell. It’s just the perfect cozy- with an emphatic body shimmy –November scent.”

American Heritage Museum (978) 562-9182

568 Main St., Hudson https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/ November 10 - Tri Chamber Veterans Apprecia tion Event

November 18 - Speaker Series: Becoming FDR

Arts Worcester (508) 755-5142

44 Portland St., Worcseter https://artsworcester.org/

November 11 - Public Reception: Go Big

Boulder Art Gallery (978) 354-7000

960 Main St., Fitchburg http://theboulderartgallery.com/ Gallery open Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Brick Box Theater (508) 413-5622

20B Franklin St., Worcester November 11 - Robert Bannon: Rewind Live in Concert

Fitchburg Art Museum (978) 345-4207

185 Elm St., Fitchburg https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/ Free First Thursdays

Hanover Theatre (877) 571-7469

2 Southbridge St., Worcester https://thehanovertheatre.org/ November 3 - 6 - Disney’s Aladdin

November 7 - Tour of Historic Mechanics Hall

November 9 - Brown Bag Concert featuring Crocodile River Music November 13 -

A Night to Remember: Folk Guardians of Worcester Connecting Through Culture November 15Outstanding Women in Business Awards November 16 -

Brown Bag Concert featuring Laszlo Gardony November 18 - Massachusetts Annual Firefighter of the Year Award November 29 - U.S. Naturalization Ceremony November 30Brown Bag Concert featuring Greg Abate

Old Sturbridge Village (800) 733-1830

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge https://www.osv.org/ Fridays, Saturdays & SundaysPhantom by Firelight

November 5 & 19 - Historical Craft Classes November 25, 26 & 27 - Christmas By Candlelight

Tuckerman Hall (508) 754-1234

10 Tuckerman St., Worcester http://www.tuckermanhall.org/

The Village Worcester thevillageworcester@gmail.com

4 King St., Worcester

November 4 - Critical Community Conversations: The Problematics of Black Panther November 8 & 22All Spirits in Bloom presents: Fall Sound Bath Series

November

November 9 - Warren Miller’s Daymaker

November 10 - Get the Led Out

November 11 & 12 - Kevin James

November 25 - 27 - The Nutcracker

JMAC Popup (508) 561-0173

20B Franklin St., Worcester www.jmacworcester.org

Mechanics Hall (508) 752-5608

321 Main St., Worcester https://www.mechanicshall.org/ November 3 - Club 321 featuring Nellie McKay November 4 - An Evening with Brain Stokes

Mitchell: Broadway’s “Last Leading Man” November 5 -

Be Like Brit Foundation Annual Fall Gala

Preservation Worcster (508) 754-8760

10 Cedar St., Worcester https://www.preservationworcester.org/

Samuel Slater Experience (508) 461-2955

31 Ray St., Webster https://samuelslaterexperience.org/

Tower Hill Botanical Garden (508) 869-6111

11 French St., Boylston https://www.towerhillbg.org/ Tuesdays - Chair Yoga & Yoga in the Garden Wednesdays - Qigong & Yoga in the Garden Thursdays - Yoga in the Garden

November 5 - Restorative Mini Yoga Retreat

November 6 - Forest Bathing November 12 & 13 - Holiday Marketplace November 17 - Sogetsu Ikebana November 18 - Botanical Clay Ornaments

November 19 - Holiday Colors November 20 -

Season Pruning Workshop: Late Fall November 25, 26 & 27Member Appreciation Weekend

November 11 - Private Community Screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Worcester Art Museum (508) 799-4406

55 Salisbury St., Worcester https://www.worcesterart.org/ Free First Sundays

Saturdays - Public Tour of Jewels of the Nile Sundays - Highlights Tour

Worcester Center for Crafts (508) 753-8103

25 Sagamore Rd., Worcester https://www.worcestercraftcenter.org/ November 25, 26 & 27 - Holiday Festival of Crafts

Worcester Chamber Music Society (508) 926-8624

323 Main St, Worcester https://worcesterchambermusic.org/

Worcester Historical Museum (508) 753-8278

30 Elm St., Worcester https://www.worcesterhistory.org/

November 6 - Cookies & Tea with Clara from the Nutcracker

8 - Historic & Architectural Tour

NOW STREAMING.

JASON SAVIO

DYING COMES WITH AGERYAN KENT

If you’re looking to hear something re freshing, new, and mysterious, look no further than author and poet Ryan Kent’s debut album Dying Comes with Age. It’s a mix of spoken word, rock, stoner haze, and overall colorful introspection. Kent writes all of the lyrics and recites most of them, with help from guests including D. Randall

Blythe of Lamb of God, Laura Pleasants of Kylesa, and more.

Some tracks, like the opening “Son of a Bitch,” have music accompanying the lyrics—a lot of the time fuzz guitar or experimental sounds—while others are straight spoken word. You’ll take away something subtle and profound from each offering. Recited by Pleasants, “All the Others Were Just Years”, paints a picture of a person who finds themselves in a precarious traffic predicament, only to escape it and stop at the narrator’s favorite fried chicken place. Once there, she says, “I considered my 35 years. Decided, 30 was the best of them. And all the others were just years.” Pleasants does a wonderful job here of capturing the haunting dismay that manifests under the surface.

Kent has a cool swagger in the way he reads his own work that echoes Iggy Pop. He calls out a former lover in, “Message From Someone Going Somewhere With Someone Else Who Is Go ing Somewhere” when he tells her, “I’m glad you didn’t knock me up, Pussycat,” and, in “I’ll Take the Usual,” he talks about “writing another love song for a girl who doesn’t need one.”

Perhaps Kent’s most memorable line of the album—and one we all might benefit from--is in the title track as a guitar noodles in the background: “After a while, life repeats itself,” he says. “It works best when you’re not holding your breath.”

For more, visit: https://www.instagram.com/poemsfordeadpeople/?hl=en

LAMB OF GODOMENS

“They’re all so scared again, it’s so American/Here in the home of the brave and the terrified/Who can we blame this time?” asks Lamb of God singer D. Randall Blythe on the scath ing song “Dirt.” Lamb of God’s ninth studio album, Omens, takes to task those who have power in our country and how we as a people respond to their actions and words. Combined with the thunderous anger that only Lamb of God can ignite, Omens is a 10-song wake-up call that demands your attention from beginning to end.

The end of times, distrust, sneaky pol iticians, and overall unease make for the superfood that any metal band worth its weight can use to its advantage and chow down on, and Lamb of God does exactly that on this newest effort. Blythe seems to jump around from watching the world crumble with dismay, to being angry and trying to do something about it, to overall not caring anymore, throughout the course of Omens. In the title track, he sings, “I can’t pretend to care about how this will end/All I see are omens/Fuck it all, ignore the omens,” while also adding in “Gomorrah”--with an extra bite in his bark-- that “Everything is doomed to fail.” In “Ill Designs,” Blythe calls out slimy politicians for what they really are when he sings, “Reap the rotten fruits of your labor/A bitter taste of exile and failure/Fatal flaws becoming clearer/Reptile eyes in the mirror.”

All of this is backed by the controlled chaos of guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell and drummer Art Cruz. “To The Grave” packs one of the biggest punches on the album, while “Denial Mechanism” shows off a flashy guitar solo. The closing “September Song” starts off slower and more melodic than anything else here, before ultimately revealing numer ous different parts concluding with an epic finale of chanting background vocals.

For more, visit: https://www.lamb-of-god.com/

ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

If you’d like to be included in future listings, please email JPacillo@ pagioinc.com.

BirchTree Bread Company 744-243-6944 138 Green St., Worcester Birchtreebreadcompany.com

Black and White Grille 508-885-5018 206 North Spencer Rd., Spencer Blackandwhitegrille.com

Black Sheep Tavern 978-422-0255

261 Leominster Rd, Sterling Meetmeatthesheep.com

Blueprint New American Bar & Grille 978-668-5580

10 Village Sq., Westminster

Cafe Neo 774-253-6139 97 Millbury St., Worcester Nightly Karaoke

Chuck’s Steakhouse 508-832-2553

10 Prospect Street, Auburn November 3 & 5 - Mark Manzella

November 4 - Drunkin Uncles

November 10 - Jason Beaulieu

November 11 - Tequila Bonfire

November 12 - Nancy Marshall

November 17 - Jean Batista

November 18 - Whiskey Nights

November 19 - Joe Macy November 26 - Missy Maxfield

Classic’s Pub 978-227-5258

285 Central St., Leominster

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya 508-304-7183

38 Franklin St., Worcester

1st & 3rd Thursday - Mauro Depasquale’s Jazzed Up Trio 2nd & 4th Thursday - Van Dam Duo

Draught House Bar & Grill 508-835-4722

42 West Boylston St., West Boylston

Electric Haze 26 Millbury St., Worcester

November 5 - CL Smooth 30th Anni versary of T.R.O.Y.

November 12 - The Vibe Collective: An Immersive Art Experience ft Local Dj and Designers

October 8 & 16 - Frohsinn Club

Dance

October 9 & 23 - Irish Seisiun October 13 - Beer Dinner Folk Band

Firefly’s BBQ 508-357-8883

350 E. Main St., Marlborough Dante’s at Firefly BBQ: Indoors November 4 - The Gary Back strom Band

November 5 - Playing Dead November 11 - Rip Chord November 18 - Easily Amused November 19 - LoVeSeXy November 23 - Whiskey Church

November 25 - Petty Larceny

November 26 - Aquanett

Indian Ranch

508-943-3871

200 Gore Rd., Webster Indianranch.com

Legends Bar and Grille 978- 342-6500

68 Airport Rd, Fitchburg

MB Lounge 508-799-4521

40 Grafton St., Worcester

Wednesdays - Karaoke

Thursdays - Trivia

Friday & Saturdays - Dance Party

Sundays - Game Night

November 23 - Thanksgiving Eve Dance Party

November 27 - Drag Bingo

November 13 - Micro Wrestling

Flying Rhino 508-757-1450

278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

Gardner Ale House 978- 669-0122

74 Parker St., Gardner

Greater Good Imperial Brewing 508-926-8736

55 Millbrook St., Worcester

Greendale’s Pub 508-853-1350

404 W Boylston St. North, Worcester

Sundays - Night Jam Wednesdays - Wacky Blues Jam

Halligan’s 508-832-6739

MCL Club

508-797-0141

181 Lake Ave., Worcester Worcestermcl.org

Thursdays - Karaoke

November 5 - Heartland Radio

November 18 - Don’t Let Go

November 20 - Vertices WSG/Bob bing For Apples, Good Trees River Band

November 30 - Raff Therulers Birth day Celebration

Elm Draught House 508-865-2850

35 Elm St., Millbury

Fidder’s Green Pub 508-792-3700

19 Temple St., Worcester

November 5 - Frohsinn Club Dance

November 12 - Annual Shamrock & Holly Fair

November 13 & 27 - Irish Seisun November 29 - Paint Night

889 Southbridge St., Auburn

Husky’s Pub 508-425-9614

413 Park Ave., Worcester

Wednesdays - Acoustic Open Mic Thursdays - Trivia with Wise Guys Trivia

Sundays - Comedy Open Mic

November 4 - Grade A Fancy

November 5, 11, 18, 19 & 25 - Ka raoke

November 12 - Molly Maguires

November 23 - Opening Night

November 24 - Liz & Pop’s Thanks giving Dinner!

November 26 - Smokeless Wood

November 27 - Sunday Funday

November 12 - Say Uncle Returns

November 19 - Neon Alley

November 26 - Doctor Robert

Michael’s Cigar Bar 508-459-9035

1 Exchange St, Worcester

November 2, 4, 16, 25 & 30 - Me chanical Rat

November 3 - Dezi Garcia

November 5 - Hit the Bus

November 9 - Jodee Frawlee Duo

November 10 - Kerr Griffen

November 11 - Los Sugar Kings

November 17 - Chris Reddy

November 18 - On the Loose

November 19 - Bobbing for Apples

November 23 - Frank Foot

November 26 - On the Rocks

Mint Kitchen + Bar 508-459-1532

79 Maywood St., Worcester

Fridays - Karaoke Night

Off the Rails

508-304-6411

90 Commercial St., Worcester Music Venue

November 3 - Rhett Miller with Spe cial Guest Anthony D’Amato

November 4 - Blanco Brown

November 5 - Screamin Eagle Band with Special Guest Hollywood Roxx November 11 - First Ever Comedy Night hosted by Doug Guertin

Monday - The Dirty Gerund Poetry Open Mic

Wednesday - Karaoke with Dj Matt R! Rascal’s 508-459-0862

70 James St., Worcester Rascalsworcester.com

November 5 - Aquanett

November 7 - Trapt 20th Anniversary Tour November 12 - Dirty Deeds the AC/ DC Experience

November 19 - Stardust November 26 - Trailer Trash

Reunion Tap & Table 774-293-5501

November 12 - Shane Smith & The Saints

November 18 - Kelly & the Poor

Boys: A Creedence Tribute Band

November 19 - Ryan Griffin with Special Guests Tyler Morris and Cody Bondra

November 26 - Scott Brown & the Diplomats with Special Guests Southern Rock Experience Restaurant Stage

November 3 & 17 - Jared Reinert

November 4, 12, 19 & 25 - Kamryn

November 5 - Eric Marcs

November 6 & 26 - Ryan Pinette

November 10 - Big John Short

November 11 - Jacob Hunsinger

November 13 - Tequila Jim November 18 - David Rak November 20 - Nate Ramos

One Eyed Jack’s

Tiki Bar & Grill 508-459-0089

433 Park Ave., Worcester

Partner’s Pub 978-345-5051

970 South St., Fitchburg

Patsie Ducass 508 755-4155

49 Millbury St, Worcester Nightly Entertainment

Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern 508-752-7711

455 Park Ave., Worcester

Purgatory Beer Co. 508-596-2194

670 Linwood Ave. Building C, Whitinsville

Ralph’s Diner 508-753-9543

148 Grove St., Worcester

198 Worcester St., North Grafton Mondays - Musical Bingo Wednesdays - Trivia with Nate Briggs River Styx 978-696-5176

166 Boulder Dr., Fitchburg Thursdays - World Tavern Poker/ Trivia Fridays and Sundays - Finicky Fork November 12 - Timeout Market Beerfest

November 19 - Day of Darkness: Our Annual Soutfest

Southside Grille 978-632-1057

242 West Broadway, Gardner Tuesdays - Slingo Thursdays - Trivia with Kevin

Stakes Pub 508-755-2955

1281 Pleasant St., Worcester

Steel and Wire Cocktail Lounge 508-373-2225

124 Millbury St., Worcester Tuesdays - Trivia with Lexi Loo Wednesday Night Mix Tape Thursdays - Karaoke with DJ Matt R

The Bull Run

978-425-4311

215 Great Road, Shirley November 3 - Lenny Clarke, the “Crazy Train” of Comedy November 4 & 5 - No Static: Tribute to Steely Dan November 5 - Will Evans November 6 - Gabe Stillman Band November 11 - Will Hoge & Dave Hause

November 12 - Danny Klein’s Full House

The Palladium

508-797-9696

261 Main St., Worcester

November 5 - Emo Night Brooklyn

November 10 - Katotonia

November 18 - Best Night Ever November 19 - The Early November November 25 - The Dolly Disco November 29 - Capstan & In Her Own Words

November 17 - NRBQ

November 18 - Albert Aastiglia November 19 - Clem Snide/Dueling Pianos

November 23 - The Green Sisters November 25 - The Slambovian Circus of Dreams November 26 - Sal Baglio & the Sen sational Rock n Roller Coaster Ride

The GazBar 978- 534-6600 1045 Central St, Leominster

The Mill at 185 774-261-8585 185 W Boylston St., West Boylston Live entertainment Thursday through Saturday

The Muse 508-796-5900 536 Main St., Worcester

Thirsty Robot

265 Summer St., Fitchburg Thursdays - Dj Bingo

Tryst Lounge 978-400-7906 320 Main St, Fitchburg

Vincent’s Worcester 508-752-9439 49 Suffolk St., Worcester

Wachusett Brew Yard 978-874-9965

175 State Rd. E, Westminster Brew Yard at 152 Green St., Worces ter

Whiskey on Water 774-578-8829 97 Water St., Worcester

White Eagle 508-753-9612 116-120 Green St., Worcester Whiteeagleworcester.com

Woo Bar & Grill 774-243-6130 358 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

DINING REVIEW CASTLE CANTINA TAPAS BAR

BERNIE WHITMORE

For many decades the Castle restaurant was the preeminent restaurant in Central Massachusetts. The Nicas family built it, stone by stone, and ran their restaurant with the highest standards of for mal dining buttressed by one of the nation’s finest wine cellars.

When James Nicas announced the closure of the Castle, I wondered how anyone could possibly find a way to make that unique building, with all its many idiosyncrasies, work as another function ing restaurant without tearing it down. It seemed very unlikely.

But, after one visit to Castle Cantina, I can report: another family has risen to this task.

Drawing on their heritage, the new owners have inflected the castle’s décor with design elements from their own Spanish heritage, amped up the lighting and moved the soundtrack forward to the 2020’s. That alone is fine, but what will make us loyal customers is Castle Cantina’s cuisine: Classic Spanish with sparks of Caribbean flavor.

Scanning the Tapas pages of CC’s menu, I was a bit confused. As experienced in Barcelona, tapas are small dishes with, basically, a tasty bite or two. CC’s prices led me to suspect that their portions must be larger than that. Our server was happy to assist and explained that CC’s tapas were adjust

ed to local expectations, with larger portions that are suitable for sharing.

Based on that, we organized a meal of sharing that began with Almejas a al Marineo; clams sautéed in white wine flavored with garlic and flecks of cilan tro. At least twenty littleneck clams in their shim mering golden-brown shells were steamed open and served in a lidded metal dish that kept them steamy hot in their broth as we leisurely enjoyed them.

White wine + garlic + clam broth; an ambrosial blend, slightly floral yet compelling. Alas, the kitchen had skillfully wielded cilantro in a man ner I’ve never experienced. I love the astringent quality cilantro usually imparts to a dish; this chef transported it to another level.

After finishing the clams, we asked our server for bread to soak up the remaining broth. Minutes later she returned with an elegant tray of rustic bread sliced thin and touched by the grill. Perfect!

The cuisine of Spain is some of the most memora ble anywhere, but if I had one night in Madrid to order just one meal it might well be paella. Castle Cantina offers three varieties. We chose the clas sic Del Mar Paella. With the first forkful of saffron rice, it held both of us ecstatic. A large pan of golden rice was mixed with bright green peas and

bits of sweet red pepper and was topped with a landscape of huge prawns, littleneck clams, mus sels, thin spears of tender asparagus and wedges of lime. If you don’t often take photos of your food, you might find this dish irresistibly photo genic.

When we dug into the moist rice we found rings of calamari, tender as butter, large juicy shrimp, bay scallops and bits of tender vegetables. All of this was enveloped in the richest seafood flavor that pervaded the rice and unified the paella. We’d ordered their small portion; it was easily enough to serve three significant appetites and I went home with a large box of leftovers.

To complete our Spanish immersion, we finished with an order of churros; tubes of fried dough whose crispy ridges were packed with granular cinnamon sugar. They were served with dabs of whipped cream, dark chocolate sauce and a small cup of caramel sauce.

I think the Nicas family would be proud that their labor of love, the Castle Restaurant, has found a vibrant new family. I’d most-enthusiastically rec ommend the friendly hospitality of Castle Canti na Tapas Bar purely upon the merits of their qual ity ingredients, robust flavors and culinary arts.

CLOSE THE BARN DOOR. The closed Mountain Barn Restaurant in Princ eton will be reopening as The Barn. Still waiting to hear if they will be changing or updating the menu. Stay tuned.

ANYONE GOING TO THE REUNION? Rumors have been floating around that Grafton’s Reunion Tap will be opening a second location in Whitins ville. Those rumors are true according to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page.

HOW DO YOU CURE A HANGOVER? The shuttered Hangover Pub in Worcester’s Canal District will soon have a new owner and a new name, Blackstone Herbs & Martini Bar. The Hangover and its sister restaurant, Broth next door, often received great reviews from diners. Blackstone is expected to open in early December.

THERE’S NO POST GAME HERE. Pre Gamers on Worcester’s Green Street abruptly closed recently after being open for three months. We hear the space is available for lease. It’s a great location next to one of the main entrances to Polar Park.

ANOTHER BAKERY ON PARK AVE. Worcester baker Zaida Melendez is planning to open a permanent location on Park Avenue in the coming months. Melendez was approved recently by the city’s License Commission for her bakery, Belen, at 385 Park Ave. Melendez said she plans to serve a combination of tradi tional Salvadoran pastries and typical American desserts

WHO WAS ART ANYWAY? Arts Diner on Worcester’s West Boylston Street was recently sold to the owners of Lincoln Street’s Press Box.

NO TIME TO MAKE THE DONUTS. Doughnuts & Draughts, located on the corner of Main Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard posted in mid-Oc tober on Facebook that it was now permanently closed.

TOP OF THE HILL. Three Worcester restaurants are on Yelp’s list of the top 100 eateries in New England. Shawarma Palace on Franklin St. placed the highest at number 18 on the list. Fatima’s Café, an African restaurant on West Boylston St placed 27th and Belmont Street’s, Belmont Vegetarian placed 82nd.

PINECROFT GETS A NEW OWNER. Pinecraft Dairy in West Boylston recently acquired a new owner, Jeff Paquette. They also are open year-round, ac cording to their Facebook post. In addition, if you check out their Facebook page you will find daily specials like fish and chips for $14.

DELI-ICIOUS. Helfand’s Deli opened the last week of October. The Jewish style deli took over space that formerly housed a Middle Eastern restaurant. In a post on social media, Helfand’s Deli identified its chef as Mike Sobel, a former executive chef at Assumption College and executive catering chef at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, with experience at a number of restaurants and banquet fa cilities in the Northeast.

THEY ARE FINALLY OPENING. After months of cleaning and remodel ing, Callo Imperial Bistro, will be opening its doors in the space that for decades housed Mac’s Diner at 185-187 Shrewsbury Street. As we previously reported this will be owned by the same folks who own Jay’s Twisted Fork in Leicester.

HERE’S A TWIST. Goodstuff Smokehouse has opened on Route 146 A, six years after they left. Here’s the twist, they are located inside Marty’s Liquors in Blackstone. Beer and BBQ - You can’t go wrong.

what’s happening in the restaurant scene PAUL GIORGIO

PULSEBREW

SHANNON JUTRAS

Dear Drinkers, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I hope you have much to be grateful for this year, and can raise a glass with those you hold most dear. Maybe you gather with family, or friends that are like family. Maybe you volunteer, or spend the day at home with a favorite pet. Maybe you

choose to reflect and extend solidarity with and to Indigenous peoples of North America. Maybe you don’t celebrate at all. However you choose to spend the day is worthy in my eyes. For those who partake, no matter our specific traditions, we can all probably find an excuse to have a drink.

I must confess that I trend towards excess when it comes to Thanksgiving liba tions. Years ago, when illness interrupted our normal family gathering, my hus band, brother and I were not to be deterred. We spent the day cooking our fa vorite fall foods with drink pairings for each course. We even printed out a menu like the bonafide nerds we are. We all look back on that quiet holiday (and the cranberry old fashioneds) with fondness. You don’t need a crowd to have a party; you just need the right pairings of people and refreshments to make the moment memorable.

APPETIZER COURSE (AKA THE PUMPKIN RAVIOLI COURSE) paired with Carlson Orchards Simply Dry cider

So hear me out on this one. If you don’t start your Thanksgiving meal with an appetizer of sorts you should reconsider - and it should probably be pumpkin ravioli. It’s good to get some solid nutrition in before you go too hard on drinks or pie, and Thanksgiving turkey has a reputation for being fashionably late. Why pumpkin ravioli specifically, you ask? It’s hearty, vegetarian, and means “nectar of the gods” in ancient Greek (do not quote me on this). Pairing it with a dry cider is a refreshing twist on pasta with white wine, and the Belgian yeast character offers subtle notes of spice that will complement this most perfect starter.

CLASSIC TURKEY & FIXINGS paired with Treehouse Working Memory dry-hopped saison

I don’t have to explain this one to you. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cran berry sauce, gravy. Perhaps some wild rice, green bean casserole or stuffed mush rooms. There are a lot of twists on this meal, but turkey and stuffing are the Norman Rockwell-esque centerpiece of many Thanksgiving dinners. Without a doubt, saisons and farmhouse ales are my favorite pairing for a meal this robust and varied. At 6%, this saison has the backbone to stand up against rich flavors, while the bright dry-hop and mixed culture fermentation lend complexity and a hint of tartness without overpowering any dish on the table. This is a crowd pleaser crossover appeal to wine drinkers.

EVERYTHING BUT THE BAGEL

SEASONING

paired with Wormtown Brewing Mass Whole lager

Maybe your family colors outside the lines a little with your traditions. Perhaps you skip meat all together and have a veggie fest. Maybe no holiday would be complete without handmade dolmas. Mac & cheese and lasagna are both sta ples at many Thanksgivings and I fully support this (see above: pumpkin ravioli course). Even if I don’t know exactly what you’ll be serving, I know a classic lager with MA-grown hops and malt will be a good match. Lagers are meant to be ses sionable, crisp, even, dare I say, companionable. And a beer that was grown here and brewed here feels like a fitting nod to the spirit of Thanksgiving.

DESSERT

AKA THE AFTERMATH

paired with Greater Good Imperials BBA Evana Russian Imperial Chocolate Stout This bottle is reserved for the moments spent lingering after a hearty meal. If the day has gone well and everyone is getting along swimmingly, this is a perfect sipper to share amongst family or friends in a toast. The rich cocoa flavors will feel decadent and would be outrageously good paired with a slice pecan pie. On the other hand, if Auntie Cheryl and her kids have disintegrated into a fight that should never be discussed in polite company… you can retreat to the corner and drink this one yourself. Just keep in mind that if you’ve already enjoyed several beers, this is a nuclear option, best enjoyed with a designated driver.

I know the holidays are not universally celebratory for everyone, and sometimes, not even the best local beer can lift the mood. Wherever you are, I hope you can find a reason for gratitude on November 24 this year. While you’re out there choosing a meal and picking up beer from your local breweries, please consider donating food or funds to your local area food bank. Your own meal will taste better knowing you helped someone else enjoy one of their own.

JENNY PACILLO

COCKTAIL CORNER NIKKI TESSIER

JOEY’S BAR & GRILL

Joey’s Bar & Grill at 344 Chandler Street is the go to place in Worcester for amazing meals, homemade desserts and classic cocktails, but I think the secret to their success is the staff. Full disclosure, I worked at Joey’s for over four years, and I was lucky to become friends with some of the kindest, funniest, and most talented women around, including my friend/bartender extraor dinaire, Nikki Tessier.

Nikki’s drink of choice is the Maple Sidecar, made with Bird Dog Whiskey, maple whiskey, local apple cider and fresh lemon. It’s refreshing but also packs a punch and the perfect way to start your night at Joey’s. “I’ve been at Joey’s for twelve years,” Nikki smiles, “We’re a family, my co-workers are my lifelong friends, and I love sharing all the milestones from weddings to the many many babies. Plus our customers are amazing.” Stop by and visit my girl Nikki, try a Maple Sidecar or any of their other delicious cocktails, and get to know the wonderful staff at Joey’s.

WAVVZNEWAGE

JENNY PACILLO

“Our goal is literally inspiring the next generation with fashion through vi sual art and music,” WavvzNewage COO Emmanuel Qlynton Carboo tells me, “We want to make a safe haven for creators and people to come around and just be themselves.” Carboo and his fiance Jaribel Carela, who is both the COO and Creative Director of WavvzNewage, have dedicated their careers to making their beautiful, inclusive vision for Worcester a reality. “If you want to create something, you might know where to go but sometimes you might not feel comfortable going. We just want to break those barriers,” Carboo says.

Walking into Carboo and Carela’s studio, which is inconspicuous ly tucked away beneath Main Street in Worcester, feels like you’re step ping into a mini Milk Studios in New York City. There’s cozy seating, workspaces filled with sewing machines, clothing racks, and spaces to hold photoshoots. As Carboo showed me around, friends slowly filtered in and joined the conversation, including Carela with their puppy Vel vet. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, but everyone is focused on their work, which ranges from photography to altering a handmade jacket.

We stop at a rack of colorful, puffy coats as Carboo explains they are currently working on their winter collection. “We have some items at a store in Milford, but what we are actually trying to focus on is online and to hopefully in the future get our own store fronts for people like us,” he says, pointing out that it can be difficult for some stores to un derstand the amount of talent and time that go into WavvzNewage’s clothing. “We have to kind of come up with a different path,” he says.

Carboo has more on his mind than his clothing line, he has plans to start a Worcester Fashion Week. “We're going to try to fo cus on a Worcester Fashion Week where every designer gets paid and models get paid and everyone who gets included literally gets paid. It’s really important because we are tired,” Carboo laughs. WavvzNewage studios offer tailoring services which can be booked on their website but they can also help with recording and photoshoots. Car boos leads me through the workshop, past a photo room which is avail able to rent, and into a recording studio. “We actually are working with a few interns who do production,” he says, adding that their recording ser vices are so affordable because, “People struggle against things like that. We just want to meet in the middle where we actually give them quality stuff.”

Aside from the one of a kind, high quality clothes and various outlets for fellow artists, WavvzNewage is about collaboration and inclusivity. “There's so many opportunities together. We can get so much and everyone is in your corner,” Carboo says. Whether you need an old pair of jeans patched up or guidance with a photoshoot, Carboo and Carela are here to help. By the time we finished our interview, I felt as though this group of young, insanely talented people were my friends, even though I’m just a forty year old mom who only wears wrestling t-shirts. WavvzNewage have so many wonderful things to offer the community, definitely keep them on your radar and don’t hesitate to reach out.

STYLE Savvy

APRIL GODDARD

Hello Pulse readers! Welcome to November and the start of an other holiday season! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we are all getting festive and ready to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. One of the most fun ways to get into the spirit is to get dressed up for whatever celebration you are attending this year. It’s certainly one of my favorite parts of going places during the holidays! Stumped on just what is trending this year? Read on to discover five trends that you can rock at any party or event this season!

DARK LIP: Whether you want to go brown or red toned with a lipstick or gloss, darker, autumnal themed hues are on trend this season to wear with a minimalistic overall makeup look, or a bold er eye look. People this season are having fun experimenting with mixing lip liners and gloss or even chapstick to find something that works best for their particular skin tone or look that they are going for. Try out a few different combinations and see which one works best for you!

HEADBAND AND CLAW CLIPS: That’s right folks-the 90’s are actually back in full swing because old school hair accessories like the claw clip and the zig zag headband are back in style. You can try all different types of hairstyles with these accessories, and I have a tendency to look to old photos from the 90’s and the early 00’s for inspiration on how to style my hair with these accessories.

RELAXED MOM JEANS: We are really not seeing much in the way of slim or even skinny jeans any more, with the mom or ultra re laxed jeans completely taking over the internet as the “it” denim of the year. When I think of this trend, I think of all the “it” celebrities of the late 80’s and early 90’s, and notice that the way these looser jeans are being styled are reminiscent of what was popular then.

CHROME NAILS: What was the “glazed donut nail” trend of this summer has slowly but surely morphed into the “any kind of glazed nail shape and design possible” nail trend. Basically, what is cur rently popular is any color of design that you can think of (french, brow-tones, light pinks and whites, etc) finished with a chrome powder or topcoat. This makes whatever you have underneath iri descent and ultra reflective.

REALLY SPARKLY EYESHADOW: Finely milled, sparkly eye shadow in a neutral color is everything this season. Sparkly is tra ditionally right on par with everything holiday themed, and the ultra-reflective eyeshadow colors that are trending right now are a continuation of the “glazed” look that we initially saw trending in nails over this summer and fall.

OUT & ABOUT

AN UPDATE FROM YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD QUEER ROCKER

GIULIANO D’ORAZIO

In addition to my work writing for this fine publication, I’m a musician. Since I was about thirteen, I’ve had this crazy obsession with building a life around the pursuit of my passion - no matter the cost. It’s a journey full of slips and surges, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I’ve got a new record out this month, and with it, a kickass release party. It’s my debut as a solo artist, and I want you to know about it!

My new album started as a pandemic project. For many of us, especially those of us in the entertainment, hospitality and gig-work sectors, the pandemic hit our livelihoods like a freight train. As individuals and as a society, we grappled with financial stress and mental health impacts. After settling into life’s new and foreign pace - one devoid of live music, from the small-time bar to the sports arena, I buckled down with my songwriting and recording. Quite honestly, mak ing this music kept me going. It was a light at the end of the tunnel, knowing that one day, I’d be sharing these songs, these stories with an audience who’s connection I so desperately longed for.

As you might guess, this is an album full of deeply personal songs with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. It’s a ten-song singer-songwriter record dressed up in a motorcycle jacket and Doc Martens. I recorded the whole thing in solitude, save a couple guest cameos from my dad (sax on “Don’t Pray For Me”), my long-time collab orator Matt Sivazlian (guitar solo on “Stranger”), and my partner Josh (vocals on “We Can Make It Last”). The album is out on all streaming platforms Friday, November 4. Head to musicbygiuliano.com for all the links, or just search “Gi uliano” on your service of choice (for my artist name, I just use my first). Although I played almost all the instruments on the record, I knew I couldn’t pull it off on stage without a band. So, over the past year, I’ve been rehearsing with a new group. We call ourselves “Giuliano & The Band Plays Loud”, and yes, we do. I can’t tell you how talented these musicians are, and I am so humbled by their support and commitment with this music. We’ll be debuting the record in the form of a live rock show on Friday, November 11 at Ralph’s Rock Diner. I mean… where else?

The record release event (let’s call it what it is - a queer rock ‘n’ roll party) will feature an opening set from Ryleigh Modig (local queer singer-songwriter fea tured on The Voice), and culminate in a dance party with DJ Patrick Allen (aka Worcester drag royalty Joslyn Fox - featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race) behind the turntables.

I’ve learned first-hand that rock ‘n’ roll can be one of the most potent vehicles for self-expression and communal joy. Several times, it’s saved my life. My mis sion as an artist is to add queer perspective to the landscape of rock music in the twenty-first century – to bring all kind of folks together to celebrate ourselves, experience catharsis, and have a whole lotta fun along the way. I want to do that together, right here in Worcester. I hope you’ll join me.

For tickets, scan the QR code below, or head to musicbygiuliano.com for the EventBrite link!

Email: giulianodoraz@gmail.com Instagram: @musicbygiuliano

Album cover design by Joshua Croke. Photo by Erika Sidor.

Bio

Giuliano D’Orazio (he/him) is a Worcester native, musician, music educator, member of the queer community, and a board member of Love Your Labels.

0 5 8

TRAVIS DUDA

If you would’ve asked the kid version of me about my favorite holi day, I would quickly shout Halloween followed closely by Christmas. As an adult it’s more like Halloween followed closely by Thanksgiv ing. Some would argue there are few holidays more American than Thanksgiving, but it’s not the large table of food or the day of in ertness that most interests me. Instead, it's a very unique day where I get to share a few bowls of greens with some of my family before sitting down to an absolute feast. It’s a tradition we’ve shared for years, and it’s something I look forward to every autumn. I don’t want to call out any of my family members in this column but I will say my mom does not partake. However she is very cool about it and plays an integral part of the operation by covering for us when grandma goes looking.

The conversations that start in the circle and end up at the table are some of my most cherished family memories. Sports don’t strike my fancy so I love to take these opportunities to avoid the television and get into engaging conversation. I don’t get to spend as much time as I’d like with them anymore and inevitably there will come a time when I do not have the opportunity to share these moments. So I appreciate that we have a day to remind us to be thankful for the time that I have left. In the case it sounds like I’ve forgotten that this is a column about weed, my point is that I use cannabis to help deepen these conversations. I have learned more about my family history while stoned because my mind is engaged and asking the right questions. Cannabis also helps to soften the blow of any less than savory words you might be forced to hear, and ask the person not to use...for like the zillionth time. And when all you wanna do is whack ‘em upside the head... I digress. I hope your family is an equally excepting one and that you don’t have to go for the obvious walk right before dinner where you’re forced to make up a stupid story about a run in with a skunk.

However you celebrate, and even if you don’t, I’m thankful that you read this column. I’m thankful that we live in a cool city that is cannabis friendly. I’m thankful that the past year has seen a lot of progress towards national legalization, especially with the recent statement from President Biden. I’m thankful that we are taking steps to release people in the prison system facing cannabis related crimes. I’m thankful that the prices for cannabis at the dispensaries are becoming more affordable. I’m thankful that places are selling normal sized buds as mini buds for some reason and are charging me less, please keep that up. And mostly I’m thankful for the indi vidual moments I get to share with the people around me. This in cludes everyone that supports my various endeavors, the super rad people that tell me they like the column, and to literally everyone that smokes weed in Worcester. Let’s keep normalizing responsible cannabis culture.

NOVEMBER DECOR IDEAS VINCENT PACIFICO

The leaves have changed, the air is crisp, and it's once again time to prepare for the holidays. There's nothing like decorating your home that gets you in the mood for festive gatherings, dinners and hangouts. Pumpkins, leaves, candles and flowers are just a few of the common props that can be seen around any New Englanders home this time of year. Pumpkins lining porch steps, candles in the windows and mum plants hanging from front porches are some of the most popular ways to spice up your home for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The first thing you see when you come to someone's home is what they have at their front door and steps. I feel like you almost expect to be greeted with a seasonal display of pumpkins, corn stalks, mum plants, fall wreaths or any thing else from the harvest season. Different sized pumpkins can be arranged together on front steps and balanced with some seasonal plants or hay from a local farm. Decoration at the doorway will definitely set the stage for an invit ing holiday occasion.

The colors of fall as everyone can guess are your reds, oranges and yellows. Using these tones in linens, pillows, or even dishware can really help to get your interior feeling seasonal and thoughtful. Baking is almost a necessity this time of year. There's nothing like the smell of a freshly made apple or pecan pie throughout the house. A fall themed pie dish or muffin display can compliment any kitchen countertop.

Thanksgiving time is all about the harvest and gatherings. A few ways to spice up a kitchen island or dining table is to get, or make, an arrangement contain ing fall flowers, mini pumpkins and even indian corn. A nice touch that your guests will enjoy and appreciate are the dinner napkins and tablecloth selec tion. A simple but stylish pattern will bring a nice accent to any thanksgiving experience. A good rule of thumb is to have a pattern on either the tablecloth or the napkins, but not both. You don’t want patterns to clash, but be creative with it. If it’s in the budget, get some seasonal dishware that matches the ar rangement which brings a thoughtful touch to any meal.

An easy and cheap way to get the house’s ambiance ready for guests is with some seasonal candles and scents. This really helps to set the mood and give your guests an experience they won’t forget. Pumkin, cinnamon, cider and teakwood are all good candle choices for the fall and will be sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.

Good design doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of stores that sell holiday decor at a reasonable price and you might even be able to find a good amount second hand. Repurposing is always a smart idea and a good way to utilize what you already have. You don’t have to go overboard with decor ideas to be festive so keep it simple. Less is more, have fun with it, and when you go get pumpkins and mums, support your local farmer.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 QATAR

Did you know that the FIFA World Cup is happening this winter instead of its usual summer time? Did you know the original timeline of the World Cup in the first place? Have you seen the Jon Hamm ad where he plays a very sexy Santa Claus who has to quickly make a bunch of soccer balls and jerseys at the last minute because America has fallen in love with soccer during the holiday season?

It's okay if you didn’t know much of this. There has been a conflicted and tep id rollout to this specific tournament. There have been controversies, death and corruption, so obviously there has been a big public relations problem getting the word out to those who may even be slightly interested.

Surprisingly, in 2010 Qatar was named the host of the 2022 World Cup. Since then, controversy has followed. The former president of FIFA (the govern ing body of the World Cup) Sepp Blatter was banned as president after cor ruption charges, but helped select Qatar as the host. Since then there have been bribery allegations. According to reports from Al Jazeera numerous FIFA officials were bribed millions of dollars so that Qatar would be chosen. Qatari officials deny all allegations.

There were significant problems just with the setting of the games in the first place. Qatar can reach up to 120 degrees in the summer months, mak ing it impossible for players to play when the tournament would typically occur. So they moved it to the winter. For the next decade human rights allegations have swirled around Qatar with experts accusing them of forced labor from migrant workers. In the decade leading to this winter over 1,000 migrant workers from Nepal and India with low wages and terrible working conditions.

Finally LGBTQ+ and women’s rights have come into focus in Qatar. Rights advocates are rightfully concerned about how these two groups, who are normally treated poorly, will be treated as they come to their country and live under their laws. Qatar’s main form of legislation is Sharia law which does require women to cover their heads and does not recognize anyone’s lifestyle that isn’t heterosexual.

With all this in mind I reached out to soccer fans in Worcester about their excitement level for this year’s Cup. Unsurprisingly, folks were all over the map with their interest.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the US team does considering they failed to qualify for the previous World Cup,” says Spencer Cannistraro. “Big fan of the [US’s] jerseys, not a huge fan of FIFA’s politics and I have a real problem with the slave labor used to prepare the sites, but again I do love the jerseys,” added Holden comedian John Flagg.

Some weren’t even aware that the competition was actually even happening this season, while others were as conflicted as Flagg was.

“It's the first time in a long time I’m severely torn about the World Cup. The labor standards, horrific practices that saw multitudes of worker deaths and the seeming acquiescence to Qatar social dynamics makes this a World Cup I want to, but may not be able to, boycott,” says James Nixon. Jonathan Hardy Lavoie, a local educator agrees, “ultimately my excitement is overriding my good sense.”

Some just love the sport too much to deny any moral misgivings. Nick Lewis, a bartender and server, is excited to see their favorite player Lionel Messi play for Argentina and wants “to see him lift up the gold before he retires.” Others are still politically minded, but using that awareness to fuel his fan dom, “The USA and England both conspired to overthrow Iran’s democratic government in the 1950s and now they are all in the same group. Juicy plot line there.”

However you feel about the upcoming tournament, it's happening, begin ning on November 30th on NBC and NBCUniversal channels. Tune in, boy cott or supplement your sports watching needs passively while you wrap presents for whatever holiday you celebrate this December.

SHAUN CONNOLLY

Shaun2

KNOWS SPORTS?

MASCOT MADNESS

SHAUN CONNOLLY

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and while we are all excited for the meal, see ing family and watching the NFL all day, I am pumped up for high school football. It could be because I grew up in a hectic sports family. You know, with tight deadlines between school, practices, dinner and homework. Or it could be because when I was in high school, despite my lack of interest in the sport and inability to play, my school’s team, Burncoat High, was very good. I also, not to brag, was also the team’s mascot.

Call it nostalgia, but I still try and catch at least a half of one of the more important Thanks giving Day games here in Worcester. It all depends on which team has caught fire this year. For a while that meant seeing Doherty rout my alma mater. Or it was North beating up on South. Sometimes it meant watching St. John’s, when they used to play the now defunct St. Peter-Marian. No matter who was playing there was something exciting about having the day off, knowing there was a big meal ready for you and seeing all of your friends, older alumni and teachers all relaxing and cheering on your peers at Foley Stadium.

My Junior year, when I was the Patriot, I didn’t have to wear the big mascot head. My whole get up was a cute Patriot outfit with knickers and a vest. Then I bought a three cornered hat from the Minuteman National Park in Concord and it would just be me wreaking havoc and cheering on the team. My friend Damian that year was the Doherty Highlander. He also didn’t have a big mascot hear, he just wore a tam and a kilt and our other friend Corey knew how to play bagpipes and would blare them as Damian danced and cheered. Damian and I had a plan to stage a fight between the two mascots at the 50 yard line during halftime the night before Thanksgiving.

That night it was cold and snowing. Heavy snow, high wind, it was near blizzard conditions and we all were out there, knowing that we would get to go home and eat a bunch of turkey and stuffing the next day. The game, despite Burncoat being the superior team, was very close. That year Burncoat had future NFL player Ron Brace as well as Worcester legend Mo Horton and the state’s top passer Steve Scannell. Later that year, Burncoat would come up short winning the state championship. This year, most likely because of the weather, the game was close.

Damian and I got permission days before to stage the fight from our principals, which I don’t think would happen today. At halftime we went out there and slipped and slid all over the field, getting soaked and muddy from the snow and earth. We were just laughing the whole time. The stadium announcer called it like it was a WWE match. And the crowd was getting really into it. Damian and I really hammed it up. Oh and I have to mention that Corey was playing the bagpipes for it all too! At the end we both staged it that we would “knock each other out” and fell backwards down for the count. Then we both got up, held hands and took a bow to the crowd. The alumni, students, teachers and some of the college scouts in attendance cheered!

I don’t go to these games looking forward to seeing something exactly like that. I go for the camaraderie, spirit and nostalgia of it. In a world that can feel jaded, cynical and apathetic I still think Thanksgiving high school football games are a great representation of what makes our community so fun. Do me a favor and go look up when your old school is playing this hol iday and catch a quarter or two, I bet you may want to stay till the end. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Gray Barn Boutique just opened its brick and mortar doors at the end of summer. On August 27th, they had the soft opening of their Fitchburg store, and now business is booming. I caught up with Kateri Forte, one half of the dynamic duo (Ketari Forte and Alyssa Buono) behind Gray Barn, to chat a bit about the journey of a new parent turned business owner.

“I was actually a branch manager at a bank for many years before this. Then I got pregnant with my son,” Forte begins, “I’ve always been fairly petite, but pregnancy and postpartum changed my body in ways that altered my relationship to shopping for clothes.” Forte returned to work postpartum and worked for about a year and a half before deciding to scale back and explore some other options.

“I met Alyssa at a Lularoe group, and we really hit it off straight away. We are huge animal lovers and between us we have twelve pets, cats, dogs, and even a bird,” Forte smiles. Alyssa Buono had been a Head Start teacher for many years before leaving to focus on her family. “Alyssa and I had kids around the same time so it was easy to grow close.”

Initially, the two bonded over many of the parenting milestones, as well as the aftermath of pregnancy. “We talked to so many women who hated shop ping, and had started to hate shopping even more after childbirth,” Forte explains. It didn’t take long for the idea to take hold; the need for an alter native shopping experience came through loud and clear.

It was this shared experience that fueled the two entrepreneurs to part ways with Lularoe and develop their own business concept. “We just started talking about doing our own thing; we wanted to branch out and take the lead on something that had started to feel very personal for us both.”

“I have a gray barn behind my house and initially the idea was to turn the barn into a ‘by appointment only’ space for people to come shop. We actu ally launched our virtual boutique online right at the start of the pandemic, sometime in April 2020,” Fortes says, adding, “We launched our Facebook and Instagram platforms for sales.” Covid19 turned out to be a fortuitous disaster for the small business owners.

“We had not expected so much attention to our little venture but with the shut downs, everyone was restricted to online shopping.”

The overwhelming success of their online store made the prospect of using Forte’s barn less manageable. “The space was simply too small. We looked into what was available to see if there was a space that we could afford, and that would feel good to us. And we were so lucky to find a great spot at the Airport Road Plaza in Fitchburg.”

When asked if she always knew she would be a business owner one day, Forte admits that it’s very tied to becoming a parent. “Flexibility is so important as a parent, and really it’s so difficult to find that without just creating it for yourself. ”

The business has already survived numerous hurdles, including the Covid19 pandemic. “We were each other’s pod, Alyssa’s family and mine. Because we were doing Facebook live drops of our products, it was the only way we could work together as closely as we needed to,” Forte recalls.

When reflecting on what they look for when they select items for their bou tique, Forte emphasizes fit and texture. “We hear it (and love hearing it) so many times that our clothes are ‘super soft.’ That is absolutely intentional, and one of our most important categories when we select merchandise. We initially hoped to shop online, but quickly realized that we needed to feel the material in order to decide whether something was right for us. So we have done a lot of traveling; we have regularly gone to vendor expos in Atlanta, Texas, and Las Vegas. At this point we’ve developed some strong relation ships with vendors and designers that we know we can trust. That’s been a huge help.”

Wanting to honor the original concept, Forte and Buono decided to keep the ‘Gray Barn’ moniker, and also –undoubtedly –its rustic and cozy spirit.