Pulse Magazine | June 2015

PAG E 2 6 : Café Reyes offers Cuban food and a mission

JUNE 2015 COVER story 6

Summertime around the Woo

12 Rae of Sunshine

does it again with Dead Wake

Van Halen

15 GameON: Mortal Kombat X is

and a mission

27 PulseBREW: What do the

14 OnCD: Mika / Those Alone /

26 Café Reyes offers Cuban food

13 PulseBOOKS: Erik Larson

dining & entertaining

entertainment

IN THIS ISSUE

pound for pound awesome

pros drink?

28 Dining Review: The Boynton

offers creative & diverse dining

ThePulseMag.com

29 Hot&Now

follow us on social media:

Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse

ART & CULTURE 30 No Evil Project – Making an

18 Club, Pub & Bar Listings

read pulse Online @

impact one photo at a time

22 PulseShots

Follow us on Instagram @PulseMag_Worc Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine

SPORTS & FITNESS Lifestyle 24 Simple products to increase

flexible workout

your health

25 EverydaySCIENCE: The

32 Yoga: The world’s most

BEAUTY & sTYLE

technology of summer travel extends to wallets

34 These products will keep

summer beautiful

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. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com

Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Vanessa Herbold, Art Director Justin Perry, Photographer Chris Reddy, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Account Executives

Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor Kimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, R.J. Linton, Brianna Duval Kerry Cyganiewicz, Tricia Wise Writers

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

C O V E R ST O R Y

Saround ummertime the Woo

By Tricia Wise The summer is just heating up, and it’s about to get a lot hotter. Don’t worry about being stuck in the house; with these cool events, you can soak up the summer sun! Grab your sunscreen and hit the streets of Worcester!

6 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

schools out for summer

2015 Food Truck Tour The fourth annual Worcester Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is once again coming to the Woo! Spend an afternoon sampling everything from Vietnamese sandwiches to lobster rolls to duck tacos. Samuel Adams is a title sponsor and will be selling a variety of its popular and specialty beers. If you purchase the VIP ticket, you receive early access to the festival (no lines), unlimited non-alcoholic Polar beverages and a free dessert. Saturday, June 20, at Elm Park, Worcester. VIP hour is 11a.m.-noon; general admission is noon-5 p.m. VIP tickets are $20; general admission is $5.For more information or to purchase tickets, visit foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com.

Taste of Shrewsbury Street With more than 30 restaurants and pubs participating, the 15th annual Taste of Shrewsbury Street is a great way to sample the cuisines Shrewsbury Street offers. Grab a button and walk Worcester’s Restaurant Row while enjoying live entertainment! 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, on Shrewsbury Street, Worcester. $25 for a button. For more information, visit tasteshrewsburystreet.com.

Paulie’s NOLA Jazz & Blues Festival It’s time to jazz up the city. Go to Paulie’s New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival in Worcester’s Canal District and spend three days listening to tunes and munching on some great local food and drinks. Bring your own chairs and blankets. 7 p.m.-midnight Friday, June 26; noon-midnight, Saturday, June 27; and noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Prices vary. Tickets at the door are additional $5. 152 Green St., Worcester. Visit baevents.com/pauliesnolabluesandjazzfestival/ index.html for more information.

Asian Festival The Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts is hosting the annual Asian Festival to share Asian heritage with the city of Worcester. There will be cultural performances, food and music. Noon-7 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at the Italian American Cultural Center at 28 Mulberry St., Worcester. Visit seacma. org/asian-festival.html for more information.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7

a midsummer night’s dream

Cars of Summer Super Show Interested in cars or just want a new adventure? Head down to Green Hill Park on Fourth of July weekend for the Cars of Summer Super Show, with more than 1,000 classic and custom vehicles, not to mention vendors, food, live music, canoe rides, bounce houses, a kids’ zone and much more! Marissa Brown, one of the organizers, said, “This year, we are doing something different; we are partnering up with some area pet shelters this year to do on-site adoptions. We have partnered up with the Massachusetts Audubon Society for free canoe and paddleboat rides; we will have on display the new 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat; we have added a racing/NASCAR area this year with racing vehicles on display; and we will have four live bands playing on Friday and Saturday. Saturday night we will have a block party with a DJ.” July 3-5; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday , 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at Green Hill Park on Green Hill Parkway, Worcester. Three-day pass is $25; one-day pass is $10 at the gate. Show car and camping pass is $80. Register at carsofsummer.com.

Big Dipper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival In addition to all-you-can-eat ice cream, there will be Moonwalks and other games, face-painting, a food tent, clowns, raffles and all-day entertainment. Debbie Huegal, the director of marketing and development at Children’s Friend, said, “The Big Dipper not only creates a great opportunity for family fun, but the money it raises supports the critical services that Children’s Friend provides to children and families throughout Central Massachusetts.” From 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Worcester’s Elm Park on the Russell Street side. Rain or shine. $5 for ages 10 and older. $2 for ages 4-9. Free for ages 3 and younger. All money goes to Children’s Friend.

Shrewsbury Street Walk and Rock Enjoy a variety of live music and great food on Shrewsbury Street on selected Thursday evenings in July. With 10 venues, this free event allows you to connect with local music and local cuisine for one great evening. Walk Shrewsbury Street and catch local bands playing live at area restaurants. 7 p.m. select Thursdays in July on Shrewsbury Street. Free. Shrewsburystreet.org/walkrock.htm.

Hot Night in the City If you like it hot, then head down to Worcester Center for Crafts for an outdoor event with fresh food, fiery crafts, live music from the Jubilee Gardens and cool art. Executive Director Honee Hess said, “Hot Night gives us the opportunity to literally turn ourselves inside out in order to tell the community thank you for being partners with us.” 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester. Free. For more information, visit worcestercraftcenter.org.

8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Summer in the city

Slide the City Need to cool off from the hot summer sun? Well, Slide the City is coming to Worcester! Grab your bathing suit and head down to a (soon to be determined) street in Worcester for a 1,000foot slip and slide, as well as music, dancing, food and drinks. Saturday, Aug,1. Time and street TBD. Prices vary. For more information, visit slidethecity.com/events/worcester.

Country MusicFest Head to Wachusett Mountain for some good country fun. Listen to great local and national country performers while enjoying good food, beer and vendors. Don’t forget your lawn chair!

Saturday, Aug.15, at Wachusett Mountain. Find more information at wachusett.com.

Latin American Festival Come enjoy the 2015 Latin American Festival. There will be nonstop music and dancing, information, vendors, children’s tent, crafts tent, beer/wine garden and a ton of Latin food. Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug.15, at the Worcester Common. Free. For more information, visit worcesterlatinfestival.com.

Farm Fresh Festival It’s time to celebrate Massachusetts’ agricultural community! Enjoy a huge farmer’s market, crafts, wine sampling, cooking demonstrations and petting zoo, all while listening to some bluegrass. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 29-30, at Wachusett Mountain. Check out wachusett.com for more details.

Worcester Caribbean Carnival The Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association will host its annual Caribbean Carnival Day this August. There will be Caribbean food, performances, music and more! Sunday, Aug. 30, at noon at Institute Park. Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. at 305 Chandler St. Visit worcestercarib.com for more information.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9

fun in the sun

Wild Music – Sounds and Songs of Life

A traveling exhibition, Wild Music is coming to the EcoTarium. Built with ecologically green materials, this 4,000-square-foot exhibition explores the biological origins of music through an interactive sound experience.

May 30-Sept.6 at the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester. Visit wildmusic.org or ecotarium.org for more information.

Art in the Park

Feeling artsy? Stop by Art in the Park, an exhibition in of sculptures by New England artists. It features tours with the artist, music and activities. There are 23 pieces by 19 artists that were selected by the jurors – professor and sculptor Amy Podmore, curator Susan Cross and environmental sculptor Steven Siegel.

Exhibit opens June 14 with a reception from 3-7 p.m. and is open through Oct. 11 at Elm Park in Worcester.

For more information, visit artintheparkworcester.org/AIPW_home.html.

Out to Lunch Summer Concert Series and Farmer’s Market

With a concert series, famer’s market and food vendors all in one, the Out to Lunch Series is the perfect way to get some sun on a summer afternoon. Come and listen to some great tunes! Every Thursday on the Worcester Commons from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 18-Aug.20. Visit facebook.com/pages/Worcester-CommonOval/370921459652272 for more information.

Worcester Newton Square Summer Concert Series

Since 2003, the Newton Square Summer Concerts have been rocking the square. Brittany Legasey, marketer for the series, said, “We’ve featured almost every type of music from rock to blues to swing jazz.” Blue Jeans Pizza, the long-time sponsor, sells pizza and drinks. In August, 5K races hosted by Central Mass Striders take place at the same time as the concerts, starting and ending at Newton Square after touring around Newton Hill.

Tuesday nights at 6:30 at Newton Square. Tentative dates are June 30- Aug.11. Free. For more information, visit friendsofnewtonhill.org.

Park Spirit Elm Park Concert Series

Head down to Elm Park to hear some good tunes for the annual Park Spirit Elm Park Concert Series! Brittany Legasey, of Park Spirit, said, “Last year was a landmark year for us with the Elm Park Concert Series, as we averaged about 2,000 people a night, so in total, we entertained more than 10,000 by late August.” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays from July 9-Aug. 12 in Elm Park. Free. For more information, visit parkspirit.org.

Third Thursdays on the Common

A collaboration between Worcester Film Works and Las Mariposas Productions, Third Thursdays on the Common include a movie on the common the third Thursday of each summer month, a food truck park, music and a beer and wine garden. Begins at 6 p.m. for food and music; movie begins at sundown on the Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main St., Worcester. Free. Visit worcesterfilmworks.org.

Indian Ranch Summer Concert Series

Back for its 68th concert season, Indian Ranch will host a slew of exciting concerts and events this summer. This year, the series will feature Huey Lewis and the News, Dwight Yoakam, Montgomery Gentry, Three Dog Night and many more acts. Days, times and ticket prices vary throughout June, July and August. 200 Gore Road, Webster. Visit indianranch.com.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 10

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 11

E NT E R TAINM E NT

Rae of sunshine

By Tricia Wise At just 16, singer Karina Rae is on her way to the top. With her hectic schedule of touring, recording, taking classes, singing in a band and just being a teenager, there is no doubt Rae is destined for fame. Her sound resembles popular singers such as Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez. You can even find a great cover of Rae singing Ariana Grande’s “Best Mistake” on YouTube. However, Rae is not just a carbon copy of these famous young musicians; she is currently in the studio working on her own original content. Although she’s recording and writing new songs, she claims she is still trying to find her sound. Rae admits she is “still young, so it’s still changing and evolving.”

Rae has been singing since she could talk.

She began her singing career at 8, when she won a contest to perform with Kidz Bop on a stop during their tour. Cue the big stage, the large crowd and the lights. Rae recalls how much she “loved it and never wanted it to end.” Since then, she has been turning this passion into a career. In April of 2013, she got her professional start when she opened for YouTube sensation Ryan Beatty. This led to small tours such as Ashe Kids Day 2014 and Playlist Live 2014 in Orlando, Fla. Rae recorded her first single “Round and Round,” which is available on iTunes, with a Grammy and BET Award-nominated production company.

As a Lowell native, Rae has spent her time performing and playing shows all around New England. She also performed the national anthem at Fenway Park for a Red Sox (vs.

Padres) game in July of 2013.

With the help of social media, Rae has a strong following of young, dedicated and passionate listeners. Active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Rae has quickly gained a large following, which has only benefitted her career. Rae said social media has boosted her success because she “can reach supporters in places I have never even been to.”

Rae does not only excel at singing, she has a plethora of talents. One of her other loves is modeling. Rae is signed with ModelClub in Boston and can be found on the boxes of Nerf Rebelle toys.

Visit Karina Rae’s website reverbnation.com/ ItsKarinaRae and follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @ItsKarinaRae and like her on Facebook.

12 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Currently, Rae is performing with FanRave, a tour based on social media stars looking to become more mainstream. She has opened for acts such as Kalin and Myles, Trevor Moran, Midnight Red and IM5. So far, she has performed in Boston, New Jersey, Chicago, Las Vegas and San Diego and plans to perform in other cities this summer. Her plans for the future include finishing the FanRave tour while spending her off-time working with a Grammy Award-winning producer in New York City on her first EP. Rae was also just awarded a scholarship to attend a five-week summer program at Berklee College of Music. Rae is “really looking forward to the experience” and said she’s “excited for the future.”

p u l se B O O K S: Erik Larson does it again with Dead Wake

By Kimberly Dunbar When most people think of disasters at sea and sinking ships, their minds immediately drift to the sad story of the Titanic. Thanks to James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the tragedy will forever live in popular culture. But if Erik Larson has his way, another ship – the Lusitania – will also earn a spot in your memory.

Larson’s new book, Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (Crown Publishing), chronicles the last – and tragic – voyage of the Lusitania as it attempted to cross from New York to Liverpool in May 1915. During the trek, the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner and the world’s largest passenger ship at the time, was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat. As a result, 1,198 passengers and crew – including many Americans – were killed, and more than 600 souls were never found. To put it in a historical perspective: 1,500 people died when the Titanic sank.

Ten months into World War I, the Lusitania embarked on its scheduled journey despite warnings that U-boats would be patrolling the waters; Germany claimed it would sink enemy ships (which at the time included Britain, as the United States was still a neutral country) crossing waters that had been designated as a “war zone.” The passengers and crew of the Lusitania sailed comfortably, assuming the British Navy would protect the passenger liner if it encountered danger, as it had for other ships. Germany, however, was true to its word and took down Britain’s unescorted passenger liner.

What happens next is a small blip in the history books, and the intimate details of this tragedy are often eclipsed by other World War I events. This is where Larson shines. As he has done in his previous best-selling books, Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts, he’s able to provide readers with detailed and personal accounts of this moment in history, which many consider the catalyst for America’s entry into World War I. Dead Wake is composed of letters, journal entries and documents from passengers, officers, bystanders, survivors and others involved in the tragedy. Combined, these add another layer of history to the Lusitania’s tragic story.

Whether or not you enjoy reading about history, you have to respect the time and research Larson put into writing this book, as well as his creative method of storytelling, known as narrative nonfiction. Larson weaves between viewpoints throughout the story, including that of President Woodrow Wilson, grieving the loss of his wife and holding on to America’s neutrality in Washington, D.C.; Walther Schwieger, captain of the U-20 boat that sank the Lusitania; the British intelligence unit that intercepted and decoded enemy messages in the secret Room 40; and numerous passengers of the ship, including famed Boston bookseller Charles Lauriat, female architect Theodate Pope, and Mrs. Arthur Luck and her two sons from Worcester, Mass.

The story of the Lusitania is deeper than the waters in which it sank, and we now have Larson to thank for sharing it.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 13

OnCD:

MIKA / those alone / Van halen

MIKA | no place like heaven

By Michael Wood Since his debut album in early 2007, Mika has been compared to everyone from Elton John to Prince, but the most constant association has been to Freddie Mercury. Mika’s never had a problem with the comparison and has even included references to the Queen frontman in his lyrics in the past, but now Mika’s ethereal voice pays bittersweet tribute to the late, great Mercury and his partying ways in the aptly titled “Last Party.” Surprisingly, it’s not a total downer, but rather a reflection on the fun the legend had before he was gone too soon.

THose alone | string by string

By Jennifer Russo This band is a great example of what people have come to know as Boston rock. I have to say, I really dig these guys. Their grungy, yet modern, form of rock is like a polygamous marriage between Godsmack, Nirvana and Silverchair, producing a child with a little more grit and a lot more swag.

Their new EP, String By String, offers everything a fan could want – excellently written lyrics, powerful and emotion-filled vocals, a great backline and a guitar that cuts through all of it with some beautiful solos.

The band recently made it to the HardRockRising finals and rightly so, with a Round One performance that was just plain “on” (no, I wasn’t there, but

VAN

HALEN

|

TOKYO

DOME IN CONCERT

By Jason Savio Who would’ve guessed that in 2015, the mighty Van Halen would not only be embarking on a North American tour with David Lee Roth on the mic but would also release the band’s first-ever live album with its original frontman?

Recorded live at the Tokyo Dome on June 21, 2013, Tokyo Dome in Concert captures the reunited Van Halen on tour in support of its then-newly released comeback album, A Different Kind of Truth.

Handpicked by Roth, the show encapsulates the veteran rockers’ long-awaited return to glory. Eddie

14 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

No Place Like Heaven is heartfelt and poignant, but also very pop-friendly. Mika’s fourth studio album has got some heavy-hitting producing power behind it in the form of Gregg Wells, whose client list includes Adele, Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams, so it may have radio airplay traction built in, and this record deserves it. No Place Like Heaven starts right off with the infectiously fun and poppy “Talk About You,” which could just be the perfect summer song. Mika may finally get some much-deserved love (and some fans) here in the States. Some other standouts from a rather exceptional album include “Good Guys,” “Oh Girl You’re The Devil” and the title tune, “No Place Like Heaven.”

For all the latest on the artist, check out mikasounds.com. some good soul posted a video of it online).

The first track, “Ghost,” was easily my favorite and the perfect welcome to the party. The second song, “818,” came in with a pretty intro and a slower, similar style, but then “I Walk Alone” came in and threw me off with a completely different feel and a more classic take on a rock ballad. Fanfavorite “Time” then took over with a head-boppin’ power rhythm and a sudden need to play air drums. If it sounds familiar, this song was also on the band’s first EP, Nebula, but it sounds like it’s been changed up a bit for the new album. The title song arrived with a catchy and blues-esque hook, unexpected changeups and visions of beer-filled bar patrons dancing on a Saturday night.

I think there are only good things in store for these guys. Very promising – my crystal ball says your summer will be better with this EP playing in your car on the way to the beach. Don’t test fate.

For more information, visit thosealone.com.

Van Halen remains the hottest guitarist on the planet, proving on classics like “Hot For Teacher” and “I’m The One” that he still has his chops. As for Roth’s voice, he may not be able to do all the Tarzan screams he used to, but he rarely misses a beat. And, as always, he knows how to entertain as he speaks fluent Japanese to the audience.

While Roth may be back, bassist Michael Anthony isn’t. In his place is Eddie Van Halen’s teenaged son, Wolfgang. But the young Van Halen is up to the task, even earning accolades from Roth for his background vocals in the middle of “I’m The One.” The Van Halen and David Lee Roth reunion was decades in the making. Tokyo Dome in Concert shows that the wait was worth it. Van Halen is finally back, and all is right with the world.

For more information, visit van-halen.com.

Mortal Kombat X is pound for pound awesome

By Jason Savio For more information, visit mortalkombat.com.

In the world of fighting games, you have your Street Fighters and you have your Tekkens, and then there’s Mortal Kombat. One of the most controversial and polarizing games of all time, Mortal Kombat has cultivated a strong following since the series’ debut in 1992. Fast-forward 23 years, and interest in the title is as strong as ever with the release of its 10th installment, Mortal Kombat X. One would think that after more than 20 years of Mortal Kombat, the thrill of the game would wear out, but Mortal Kombat X is a perfect example of how a veteran title can still be fresh and exciting while remaining true to its roots.

In MKX’s story mode, an amulet containing the entity of a dangerous god falls into the wrong hands, putting Earthrealm in sudden peril. The only way to quell the threat? Fight it, obviously. But instead of having the same tired cast of characters return, a twist has been added. After explaining the story’s history at the beginning, the game has a time jump that propels it 20 years into the future, creating the opportunity to introduce a new generation of fighters alongside grizzled and wiser versions of the game’s original combatants like Sub-Zero and Johnny Cage.

The interaction between the old blood and new blood adds a nice take on the characters and creates interesting conflict. And while the new breed is indeed tough, the iconic originals aren’t exactly pushing walkers. If anything, they’re throwing them. The fatalities – a hallmark of the series that has helped separate it from other fighting games – continue to surprise with their gore factor, and the popular X-ray move from 2011’s Mortal Kombat is wisely still included. A new addition is the choice of picking from three different fighting variations for each character. Each has its own unique power move, such as Sub-Zero’s Cryomancer, a selection that allows him to create ice weapons.

While the handling and controls of the game are spot-on, it’s MKX’s ability to meet the challenge of the next-gen environment that is its greatest strength.

With expectancy for multiplayer availability in games nowadays, the gaming community should be ecstatic with what MKX has to offer. MKX introduces the online Faction War mode, a community-driven event in which you pick one of five groups to join and contribute points through your matchups against other online competitors in different groups. The faction with the most points at the end of the week earns a reward. It’s a clever idea that really creates a buzz among MKX gamers and spreads Mortal Kombat’s online potential.

MKX is the fighting game all others should strive to match. It manages to keep its original charm while seamlessly incorporating modern demands. It is a crowning achievement for the series, one that delivers all the gruesome I-can’t-believethey-did-that moments you could hope for while seriously forging new ground.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 15

Club & Pub Listings

Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs & other select venues

American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling Backstreets Pub 14 Mill St., Fitchburg The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc.

Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc.

508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com Tuesdays: Tuesday Night at the Movies Wednesdays: Ladies Night June 4: Jen O & Mike Rush June 5: We & Mrs Jones June 6: Hendrix Tribute June 11: The Littlest Giant June 12: Grade “A” Fancy June 13: Desolate Highway June 14: Stan Matthews with Roger Convery June 18: Fossil Funk June 19: Let It Bleed June 20: A Fine Connection June 25: Worcester Jazz Collective June 26: Shay & The Shufflebacks June 27: 13 “O” Clock Blues June 28: Daryl and The Derelicts Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg

June 13: Kevin Shields June 18: Franco O’Malley June 19: Brother Maynard June 20: Strumburgh June 25: Mike Ordway June 26: Kelly Wheeler & Tribe June 27: Brett Casavant Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley June 5: Lisa Loeg June 6: Selwyn Birchwood June 12: Joan Osborne June 13: Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun with Commander Cody June 13: Orphan: Eric Lilljequist, Dean Adrien & Steve Abdu (Ballroom) June 19: Sleepy LaBeef June 20: Marty Nestor (Ballroom) June 21: Janiva Magness June 25: Los Lobos June 26: No Static (Steely Dan tribute) June 28: Mason Jennings Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc.

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: DJ (21+) Saturdays: Stage Time Comedy Show

Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury June 27: Dan Kirouac

Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc.

Birkbeck’s Waterfront Grille 242 Mill St., Worc.

Centerfolds 2000 139 Southbridge St., N. Oxford

Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling

Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 E. Brookfield Road, N. Brookfield Fridays: Karaoke

Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc.

Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster June 5: Ken Macy June 6: Goldrush June 11: Dan Cormier June 12: Michael Spaulding

Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster June 26, 27: Windfall Classic Rock

Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc.

The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc.

Fridays, Saturdays: DJs June 4: Brian Richard June 9: Chris Brunelle June 11: Chris Houston June 16: Chad Clements June 18: Dezi Garcia June 23: Nick Christy June 25: Dave O’Brien June 30: Tyler Reilly Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc.

Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc.

Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens

The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster June 6: City Boys June 13: Scott Babineau June 20: Brian & Captain June 27: Heather Ralston Gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc.

Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc.

Sundays: Jim’s Sunday Blues Jan Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy June 5: Ed & Da Ve June 5: No Alibi June 12: Auntie Trainwreck June 13: Clam Diggers June 17: Blueswitch Featured Band at Wacky Wed. June 20: 9Teen June 26: Jack Roberts Slim

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 June 4: Last Daze June 7: Funky Jazz Jam June 11: Mizz Kistune Electro Swing Fusion June 12: Curtis Mayflower June 13: Unity June 14: Worcester Jazz Collective June 19: Airspray – Queer Dance Party!

June 20: Fennario (Grateful Dead tribute) June 26: Background Orcs, Big Ol Dirty Bucket, Chroma Concept

The Grey Hound Pub 139 Water St., Worc.

Thursdays: Team Trivia New England

Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc.

JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster

Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough

Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc.

June 5: Tequila Bonfire June 6: Doctor Robert June 13: UFC 188 June 19: Hit the Bus June 20: Souls on Fire June 26: Wilbur & The Dukes

Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster

Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden June 11: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc.

Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster

Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

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Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live music

Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn June 5: Live comedy fundraiser (Kiwanis Club Worcester) June 13: Lenny Clarke live June 27: Live comedy fundraiser Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/ Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc.

Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg

JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough June 5: HotHouse June 6: How Bizarre!

Continued on Page 21

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Continued from Page 18 June 12: Usual Suspects June 13: 9Teen June 19: Killer Queen June 20: Flock of Assholes June 26: The Chills

June 26: Jim Devlin Band June 27: Acoustic Nation

The Lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough

The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston June 4: Mark & Anthony June 5: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell June 6: Belit June 12: Brian Chaffee June 13: Andy Cummings June 18: Night Train June 19: Heather Ralston & Joe Macy June 20: Kelly & Friends June 26: Ken Macy June 27: Dustin Brideau

Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc.

June 6: Dorsey and Dwyer Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc.

London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc.

Lucky Dog Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc.

Wednesdays: Games at the bar June 3: Mr Smartass Theatre presents Journey to the Seventh Planet.

June 5: Pre-party and The Take Back Your Health America Benefit Concert.

Joe D’Angelo Jazz, Ari Band featuring Smelltone, and free food.

June 6: 4 Da Crown; Jungle DJ “ODI”; three-way battle set with B-Milk, Dig Doug & DJ Kiero; and exhibition sets from Edison Cos, Biclops and Badboon.

June 7: Vinyl Siding Worcester presents DJ vinyl flea market and swap meet Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc.

Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc.

MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc.

McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc.

June 4: Jack Kelly & The Htree Beer Story June 5: Acoustic Nation June 6: Brett Brumby & His Better Half June 11: Dave B & The Hotshots June 12: Doctor Robert June 13: Probable Cause June 18: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell June 19: Andy Cummings & Swingabilliy Lounge June 25: Brett Brumby

Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg

Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge Moonstruck Café 19 Worcester Road, Charlton Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc.

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc.

Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat June 18: Grade “A” Fancy The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc.

Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc.

Tuesdays: Industry Night Wednesdays: Bike Night with Sheldon’s Harley Thursdays: College Night with DJ Xkaliber Fridays: DJ One-3 Saturdays: DJ Reckless Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc.

Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc.

Primetime Pub 5 Summer St., Lunenburg Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc.

Sundays: Sunday Night Cinemageddon Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry Show Tuesday: C.U.Next Tuesday with DJ Poke Smot The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc.

Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville

Padavano’s Place 358 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Wednesdays: Sean Ryan Thursdays: DJ Curtis Karaoke June 5: Revin’ Kevin Keith June 19: Babe Pino Band June 26: Auntie Trainwreck

Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Thursdays: Justin Cosenza June 5: Three of a Kind June 6: The Recliners June 7: Mychael David & Help Wanted June 12: Beach Party with Tom Revane June 13: Chet Williamson June 14: Clamdigger June 19: Mike Lynch Trio June 20: Take Two June 21: Blues House Between June 26: Raw Umber June 27: Gabe Navarre June 28: Bo & The Highlanders

Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster

Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc.

Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford

The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc.

Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc.

Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster June 4: Jon Short June 5: Scott Babineau June 6: Marty Beecy & The Rogue Loons June 11: Jay Graham June 12: Neon Alley June 13: Brian & Captain June 18: Sean Fullerton June 19: Zack Slik

June 20: Invisible Sun (The Police tribute) June 25: Brian Chaffee June 26: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell June 27: Brian & Captain Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc.

Scorz 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner June 24: Ladies Night with Sean Fullerton Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford Wednesdays: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc.

Trumbull Bar & Grill 117 Main St., Spencer Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc.

Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc.

Tuesdays: Jon Bonner and Boogie Chillin’ June 13: Blueswitch Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner June 5: The City Boys Acoustic Duo Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., W. Brookfield

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

PULSESHOTS

By Justin Perry

PERFECT GAME Worcester

DEVENS GRILL DEVENS

JJ’S SPORTS BAR NORTHBOROUGH

22 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

COMPASS TAVERN WORCESTER

BREW CITY GRILL & BREW HOUSE WORCESTER

PADAVANO’S PLACE WORCESTER

RYE & THYME LEOMINSTER

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23

L IF E STY L E

Simple products to increase your health

Snack healthy

Get a good night’s sleep The Pillow of Health is designed to provide a restful and comfortable sleep.

Its adjustable design and high-quality materials make it one of the most luxurious pillows available today. One of the primary fillings used in The Pillow of Health is medical-grade, high-resilience foam that is specially engineered to reduce pressure points and relieve pain.

We all know how to be healthy – get a good night’s sleep, eat well and get some exercise – but it’s not always easy to do. Here are some products that will get you on the right track.

Keep your work out in tune FIT Radio is a dynamic app that provides more than 25 channels of music designed to maintain BPMs (beats per minute) between songs without twitchy transitions or advertising. Users can select stations based on genre or type of workout.

$169.99; thepillowofhealth.com

If you have a sweet tooth and still want to stay on course, try Ice Chips, the good-for-you candy. Ice Chips is made with Xylitol, a natural ingredient offering many health benefits. Flavors include coffee and cream, ginger, lemon, licorice, margarita and more. $29.95 for 6 tins; icechipscandy.com

Free; fitradio.com

Work with a health coach

Up the intensity of your workout The Elastic Boutique’s resistance bands are specially formulated to resist instant snapping when stretched – preventing injuries. The unique formulation slows down the progression of a tear, so the user can detect it while in use and stop immediately. The exercises included in the chart that come with the bands were developed by a physical therapist to get the most effective workout in the shortest amount of time. $24.95, elasticboutique.com

24 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Vida is an app that provides you with a personalized program that combines technology with a human touch to help you reach your fitness goals, including losing weight, detoxing from sugar, reducing stress, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and preventing/reversing diabetes. The Vida app connects consumers with a real personal coach and uses wearable device integration and Apple’s HealthKit, as well as data from patients’ doctors, to suggest the optimal care approach for each person. $49 per month; vida.com

Keep pain at bay Rocktape is kinesiology tape, which works by creating a bio-mechanical lifting mechanism, allowing more blood to move into an injured area to accelerate healing and recovery. It’s ideal for the new weekend warrior with knee problems; rotator cuff, groin and hamstring pulls; lower back issues; shin splints; tennis and golf elbow; Achilles tendonitis; and plantar fasciitis. $20, rocktape.com

EVERYDAY SCIENCE The technology of

s u m m er tr av el extends to wallets

By RJ Linton As the summer months are approaching, so are long-awaited summer vacations. I recently traveled to Germany, and in my carry-on bag, I had at least five different methods of payment and identification with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags embedded in them. My U.S. passport, several credit cards and a few other devices in my purse all have RFID tags in them. There have been a number of articles and discussions on social media and in the popular press about the safety of the information stored on those RFID chips in the past several years, and there are many misconceptions about how RFID tags work, how much information someone can gain from reading them and just who can read the information on those tags.

Before I talk about just how safe your purse or wallet is with all that technology buried inside it, let me first tell you how RFID technology works.

Consider the RFID chip that you see on your credit card. This chip is used when you swipe your card past one of those flat readers at the grocery store instead of swiping it through the slot on the old-style card readers that read the magnetic strip. When your chip is placed close to the reader, a signal is sent from the reader to your credit card. This signal has enough energy to charge a type of battery (a capacitor) inside the chip, which allows your chip to begin transmitting. Without first receiving this charge, your RFID chip can’t do anything. Once the chip is fully charged, the RFID chip uses the signal as a something called a carrier wave, which essentially lets the RFID reader know that the signal coming back to it came from the chip it just charged.

Because of these chips, it might be a good idea to use an RFID-protected purse or wallet when you travel (or maybe all the time). Using radio signals to transfer information, track the location of the transmission and measure the movement of the device transmitting information is a well-studied area of science. What is new is that almost everyone has a transmitter with personal information, which will automatically be transmitted if the transmitter receives a charge. While it is currently unlikely that a nefarious character will have the knowledge and the equipment to create devices to take advantage of these little transceivers in your wallet, the technology does exist and is inexpensive. Some of the current research for utilizing RFID tags for marketing purposes include tracking the position of a particular RFID tag, maximum reading distance (6 feet in perfect conditions, almost always much less) and information extraction (thankfully, the information is often encrypted).

Everyone in the financial, marketing, ID and other industries that utilize RFID tags is aware of the security issues involved, and RFID-safe wallets and purses are becoming more commonly available. So when you’re traveling this summer, stop by a local Worcester business that sells travel supplies and pickup an RFID-resistant bag, wallet or purse to add your own layer of protection.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 25

DINING & E NT E R TAINING

Café Reyes offers Cuban food & a mission Ca fé Rey es 421 Shrews bury S t., W o r c e s t e r ( 508) 7 6 2 -9 9 0 0 | C a fe R e y e s.o r g

Ortiz said Café Reyes is helping him to learn and better himself. “I was always a follower, never a leader. I always wanted to do everything a little

By Brianna Duval | Photos by Michael Hendrickson

bit better than everyone else. ... If they were gangbanging, so was I, and if they were doing

Walking into Café Reyes, your eyes are met with bright colors and the

drugs, so was I.” Now, Ortiz is learning how to

smell of the roast pork. But this is no ordinary restaurant.

lead and deal with his emotions through his work as a server at Cafe Reyes. Through Café Reyes

Cafe Reyes opened on Shrewsbury Street in January to serve as an

and the Hector Reyes House, Ortiz said, he is

outlet for hands-on job training for those staying at the Hector Reyes

distancing himself from his previous “animalistic

House. Café Reyes serves traditional Cuban cuisine and offers full-

lifestyle” and “learning responsibility – waking up

service catering.

in the morning and taking care of myself.”

The Hector Reyes House is a 25-bed, culturally focused program and

According to Café Reyes manager and chef

treatment facility for Latino males that opened in 2008, as a response by Hector Reyes (a native of Puerto Rico and a

instructor, Kenneth Bourbeau, “We work on everything, from keeping a time sheet

“At work, I to showing up on time, to how and always put a smile to the rise in violence and substance abuse problems. when to call out professionally.” on people’s faces; Bourbeau said many of the men that’s the most amazing Many people pick up leadership skills at school or at thing to me. Before, I was in the program have either been work. But for Reymond Ortiz, these are skills that, due always hurting people; I out of the work environment for to a series of events in his life, he was never able to destroyed everything I a number of years or were never obtain. Now, after years of substance abuse problems really part of it. touched.”

– Reymond ortiz and trouble, Cafe Reyes and the Hector Reyes House Worcester resident) and others in the Worcester area

are helping him and other Latino men recovering from substance abuse problems get these valuable work-life skills.

Both Bourbeau and Castiel hope to see Café Reyes expand its hours into the weekend and grow the business for the catering

According to the program’s director, Dr. Matilde Castiel, the idea for

department. Café Reyes was funded by a number

the unique program stemmed from a discussion around the high risk of

of grants, said Castiel, but the goal is for Café

relapse due to unemployment and the inability to obtain or keep a job.

Reyes to be a self-sustaining restaurant.

Castiel said employers often assume employees have job and leadership skills. Castiel and others involved in the creation of Cafe Reyes felt that

“At work, I always put a smile on people’s faces;

it was important to bring the participants’ Latin American culture into the

that’s the most amazing thing to me. Before, I was

restaurant.

always hurting people; I destroyed everything I touched,” Ortiz said.

For the first few months, participants in the program receive a $100 stipend for their work, then they are officially hired or recommended for a

Café Reyes serves traditional Cuban cuisine

job elsewhere. The program also works with Quinsigamond Community

from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday and offers

College, where participants take a 100-hour course that covers everything

full-service catering. For more information, visit

from safe food handling and restaurant machinery to hospitality.

cafereyes.org.

26 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

PulseBREW: what do the pros drink?

By Kerry Cyganiewicz I have been at a few beer-based events lately and have had the chance to talk to industry pros. Brewers and other folks that work in breweries have unprecedented access to not only their own beers, but also to other brewers and the beers they produce. I have asked all of these pros the same question: “What beer do you drink that you do not brew that you would actually pay money for?” Here are their answers. Identities have been hidden to protect the innocent.

Larry, Wachusett Brewing (8.5% ABV) No, Larry isn’t his name. It’s an IPA that I have written about in this column before. I learned that I am not the only fan of this local beer. The opinions that were shared included: “It’s a well-balanced IPA. It will satisfy the hophead, yet most people will enjoy it.” and “You can go to most stores and buy this beer, which is about as good as the beers people wait hours in line for.” and “Tell your readers to go on the tour at their brewery. The beer tastes even better after you see what kind of people work there. Great people make great things.”

Wunderkind, Bantam Cider Company (6% ABV) This was mentioned twice, and I have to say, I am shocked. Bantam is a craft cider producer based in Somerville. Wunderkind is an apple cider made from local apples. Both brewers said the same thing: “Sometimes I get tired of beer and need something different. Seriously, I work with beer all week. I go to events with beer. I visit other breweries to see friends, and guess what ... more beer. This is the best cider I have had. It’s locally made from local ingredients, and they are as great folks as anyone in the industry.”

Irish Style Stout, Lefty’s Brewing Company (6.8% ABV) Irish Style Stout is a hidden gem, according to one prominent area brewer.

He likens it to Guinness, but with more complexity while remaining smooth.

“I know of no greater value on the market than this beer. This is my favorite stout that has not been barrel-aged. Speaking of which, I hear they have a few different beers aging in barrels. Thanks for reminding me I need to get out there.” I think we all should get out there.

Sam Adams Boston Lager, Boston Brewing Company (4.7% ABV) This Vienna lager is the first craft beer for many people, and one particular brewer’s assistant chose this as a favorite, and I really cannot blame him.

He said, “This beer started me on my journey to the career I have today. This beer made me a craft beer drinker. Whenever I go out to dinner or whatever, I order at least one. It’s a great example of a Vienna lager, plus it’s my way of saying thanks.”

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

THE Boynton offers creative & diverse dining The B oy nto n Res ta ur a n t & S pi r i t s 117 H ig hland S t., W o r c e s t e r ( 508) 7 5 6 -8 4 5 8 b oynt onres taura n t.c o m

By Bernie Whitmore In the days before Worcester had a credible dining culture, it was, nonetheless, sprinkled with decent places to eat. Yet, to get creative cuisine, it seemed as if we were forever leaving town and heading to the MetroWest region, where options were more diverse.

There were exceptions, though, and when it came time for the group to make a decision on where to eat, as soon as someone suggested The Boynton, well, debate over. Part of the reason is location. Highland Street always had a people-friendly, outof-the-workaday, Worcester groove that’s fun to visit. But more than that is the Boynton itself; the diverse menu and friendly atmosphere has achieved a rare thing in this town of tribes: a place where college students, faculty and the community at large blend into one.

My most recent visit to The Boynton was on an early May weeknight, when what seemed to be an endless winter had finally retreated. The queue for a table was estimated at 15 minutes; we spent it in a small waiting area that was mostly silent as everyone thumbed their iPhones and waited to be texted that their table was ready.

Once we’d been seated, Nickie, our server, welcomed us and assisted me in selecting an IPA. Ten years ago, The Boynton overhauled its dining room and added a major system of beer taps – the selection is formidable and changes regularly.

She guided me to a glass of Entitled Brewing American IPA. Entitled is a brewer from Hingham; the IPA wasn’t so hoppy as to trample my food courses, and its flavor was softened with faint floral and herbal notes. Meanwhile, my friend decided to get a jump on summer with Curious Travelers’ Lemon Shandy.

course. And it succeeded perfectly in whetting our appetites with four or five clams each. But they were so scrumptious, I wanted them all for myself!

It seems Salmon Rebecca has been on The Boynton’s entrée menu forever, so tonight I decided to give it a try. My recommendation? Don’t wait as long as I did; order it.

Six large chunks of salmon were sautéed just until firm and fall-apart flaky and then drenched in a mild tarragon lemon sauce and served over a deep bed of angel hair pasta. Adding contrasting colors and depth of flavor were soft leaves of spinach and strips of tart sun-dried tomatoes. As I enjoyed this dish, I recalled another dinner, a week earlier, where I suffered an over-cooked, dried-out salmon steak.

I’ll take The Boynton’s any day; even the half portion I brought home made tasty dining the next day.

OK, here we are in the month of May, and my friend’s ordering the Pilgrim’s Pride Sandwich. This is, basically, Thanksgiving dinner on a bulkie!

In rebuke of my ridicule, he insisted it was a nice light meal that tasted great with his glass of Shandy. Then, he enthused, “This is real turkey! Not that fake loaf stuff!” The sandwich was piled thick with slatherings of cranberry sauce and moist stuffing.

The Boynton plated it up with a tumble of golden steak fries.

To extend the summer theme, we decided to split one of the evening’s appetizer specials: Fried Clams – whole belly. What a treat! Presented in a shiny chrome deep-fryer basket, they were juicy and sweet with no heavy oily flavor; just a perfectly fresh taste of the sea.

“Where’s someplace good for lunch?” my non-Worcester workmates often ask. After giving them a few suggestions, I rarely hear anything more. Except for The Boynton, that is, for once they’ve tried it, they insist on going back. The Boynton is so good, it lures suburbanites from chain restaurants!

These clams didn’t have a trace of sand and came nestled over a bed of mixed greens, which was a bit of a bummer because it reduced my initial anticipation of how many would fit in that mini-basket. I had to remind myself: It’s just an appetizer

This should serve as a reminder to us that some of Worcester’s bedrock restaurants – places that have been in business forever – are still there. And some, particularly the Boynton, are better than ever.

28 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Hot& Now

By Paul Giorgio

15th annual Taste of Shrewsbury Street.

Join Worcester’s unofficial kickoff to summer at the Taste of Shrewsbury Street from 5-9 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23. More than 40 of Worcester’s best restaurants and bars put on a 2-mile block party featuring food and music. The event is sponsored by Shock Top Beer, Deep Eddy Vodka, DCU Credit Union, Fidelity Bank, Herb Chambers Fiat, Pepsi and Reliant Medical. Media sponsors include WXLO, Nash 102, The Pike, WCRN-AM830, Pulse and TasteWorcester.com. Buttons for the event are $25 and can be purchased at Tasteshrewsburystreet.com.

Chickpea opens. Chickpea, a vegan café at 589 Park Ave. in Worcester, opened its doors the last week of May. The restaurant is owned by Katie Dufault and Julia Cohn. Before branching out, the restaurant was located inside Spiritual Haze, a hookah bar.

342 West Boylston St.

It looks like the old D’Angelo’s on Worcester’s West Boylston Street may get a new life. The owner of the property is petitioning the city to put in a fast food restaurant with a drive-through.

The same person is also petitioning to convert the Dippin’ Donuts on Park Avenue into a drive-through fast food place.

McCabe goes to Hopkinton. Sean McCabe, formerly of Ritual and Zipango in Worcester and numerous other restaurants, has partnered with Ko Lin, of Newton, to open Ko Sushi & Grill in Hopkinton. McCabe and Lin worked together at the former Zipango on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street.

Pure Juz gets new owners. Highland Street’s Pure Juz has new owners.

Dante Camparetto and his partner Martha Assefa took over the juice bar at the beginning of May. Pure Juz has been around for more than a year and has become a focal point for the neighborhood. It is located at 123 Highland St. in Worcester.

Sweet thing. Sweet on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street was recently picked by Yankee Magazine as having the best cupcakes in New England.

The bakery was featured in the magazine’s “Best of New England 2015” issue. Kudos to Alina Eisenhauer and staff.

Basil set to open. Basil n’ Spice, a new Thai restaurant, will open in June at 299 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester. The restaurant is opening in the space that housed Surya, an Indian restaurant, for a decade. Basil n’ Spice has a new look with an updated modern décor. It is warm and welcoming. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Just across the bridge. We hear that Lakeside Bar & Grille in Shrewsbury has been sold. No details yet on what the new owners will be doing.

Lakeside, on Route 9, has become a very popular spot with the locals.

Hamilton Street news. We hear that Shaker’s on Worcester’s Hamilton

Street has shut its doors after quite a few years in business. This leaves the Grafton Hill neighborhood without a breakfast spot.

In more Hamilton Street news. La Cucina Italiana was set to open next to Shaker’s, but there have been some setbacks. No news on when this Italian restaurant will open.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29

A R T & C U L T U R E

N o E v i l Pr o j e c t Making an impact one photo at a time but not necessarily aware of where other people identify. It’s more than a lesson in tolerance. People should not feel the need to hide behind their labels,” Thompson said.

By Jennifer Russo When Troy Thompson set out to make a statement, he had no idea just what a huge impact he would make in the community – and it all started with a picture.

“This generation is extremely selfaware, but not necessarily aware of where other people Nearly everyone is familiar with the See No Evil, Hear No identify.

It’s more than a Evil, Speak No Evil monkeys. Troy took that idea and began lesson in tolerance.

People photographing people in the three monkey poses. Then, he should not feel the need to amped it up by asking his subjects to choose for themselves three labels of who and what they believe they are. Choices hide behind their labels.” can be anything, from a racial term to a job, a religion to a – Troy Thompson character trait, and more. These labels are placed under the photos, causing the audience to see beyond the limitations of what it expects those labels to mean. It is an experiment in growth and identity, and it is making a change for the better.

“It’s about difference … and being OK with difference. This world should not be a melting pot, where everyone assimilates into one identity. Our differences are what make us unique individuals, and they should be celebrated. People should not be afraid of those differences. It shouldn’t be the case where someone hears the term ‘Muslim’ and automatically associates it with violence, but that is what has happened. How do we change that? The labels themselves are neutral,” Thompson said.

Understanding that a label is a word and that the word is not “evil” is a feat in a society filled with stereotypes and pressure to be “politically correct,” where people have become afraid to embrace the beauty of our differences. Thompson said, for example, people are often hesitant to call his wife “black,” even though it is a label that she would use to describe herself.

Breaking down these stereotypes is one of the biggest things that the No Evil Project accomplishes. When people can openly choose the words that define them, regardless of what stereotype may be associated with that label, we have taken a step forward. When people can look at the labels people choose to define themselves and not feel shocked or amazed, we have taken a giant leap.

The project starts conversations. Not only are the subjects in the photos asked to assign labels to themselves, they are also asked to note a good deed they have done or how they contribute to society. This way, others can see that people can do good in many different ways, no matter what their labels.

In 2011, Pulse interviewed Thompson when the project was just a few months old. Since that time, it has grown exponentially, and the original goal (hanging a collage with 250 people) has not only come to fruition, but has gone far above and beyond that number. On April 30, the opening reception for Thompson’s newest exhibit took place, featuring nearly 1,500 subjects on 91 banners in the No Evil Project’s photo display at the Denholm Building.

To learn more about and

Lately, Thompson has been asked to take the idea for this project to classrooms, most recently at Worcester’s own North High School. Asking the students to participate in the photos or stand in certain parts of the room if they identify with certain labels has proven an excellent point and may even be a turning point in the anti-bullying campaign.

“Students see their good friends acknowledging labels on the other side of the room, and it surprises them. They see people they may have judged one way identifying with something that they have in common. This generation is extremely self-aware,

30 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

participate in the No Evil Project, visit noevilproject.com or facebook.com/noevilproject.

Previous and existing exhibits include the Hanover Theatre, Dean College, Nichols College and Wachusett Regional High School.

JUNE 2015 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 31

S P O R TS & FITN E SS

Yoga:

By Kimberly Dunbar Yoga has long been touted as a healer of chronic conditions, a stress reliever and a fitness and flexibility booster. According to Christine Chen, author of HappyGo-Yoga, stress is the next big health crisis. Study after study has proved that practicing yoga can improve brain function, sleep and inflammation in the spine. However, many Americans still resist the idea of yoga.

Perhaps there is still a stigma associated with yoga; that it’s for earthy, crunchy, tree-hugging hippies who gather at juice bars to discuss the benefits of veganism. Or maybe the prospect of awkwardly bending yourself into a pretzel in a room full of sweaty supermodels scares you away. But these ideas are far from accurate. The truth is most people suck at yoga when they first try it, including Chen, who admits she could do just 20 percent of the class when she started. You can come up with a dozen reasons to reject yoga: You think it’s too hard or you just can’t find the time, a place you like or the money in your budget. However, yoga can be done almost anywhere, anytime – at home, at work, on an airplane and even at the bar (seriously, keep reading).

Chen designed her advice specifically for those on the go – literally; the book is light and compact for easy transport.

Yoga saved Chen from a lifetime of debilitating back pain, and she maintains her health by incorporating simple moves into her everyday routine. Chen won’t instruct you to Downward Dog while waiting for the bus; instead, her advice is “a collection of poses based on real yoga and real health information with a big dose of real life.” In other words, anyone can do it anytime and anywhere.

Try Eagle Twist on the plane, Spine Align while sitting at your desk or Surf It while vacuuming the house. There are even moves to help you relax in crowded spaces. No seats on the train? No problem. Have a Seat against the wall and tighten your tush as you commute. Chen even offers ways to incorporate yoga while spending time with family or your significant other.

Still skeptical you can fit yoga in your life anywhere, anytime? Head to the bar – and bring Miriam Austin’s Bar Stool Yoga along with you. In it, Austin embraces the idea of “social yoga” in a fun, yet serious way. Each of the 40 yoga poses in the book are named after a cocktail (and include a recipe for a post-workout drink to match) and are photographed in a variety of bars, demonstrating how to use a barstool to your advantage. If that seems too silly for you, Austin includes an at-home version.

If you’re embarrassed or intimidated by crowds, try the moves by yourself and in the comfort of your own home.

Chen encourages doubters to try just one pose and see where it leads. Whether that’s to a longer home routine, your first yoga class or even the local pub, the benefits will follow.

32 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

The world’s most flexible workout

B E A U TY & STY L E

these products will keep summer beautiful Rub Rub Rub shower scrub Rub Rub Rub is a bit of a variation on the normal shower gel. It’s so thick, it’s in tub for handy scooping in the shower. It’s also a bright-blue, supremely softening, exfoliating sea salt shower scrub to revive your skin. You can even use it as a shampoo in a pinch! $21.95; lushusa.com

My Cabana Boy Sunscreen is an absolute must for summer fun in the sun, but what good is that bottle of sunscreen if you aren’t applying it correctly? The My Cabana Boy applicator gets sunscreen on those tough-to-reach spots.

Just snap in any full-size can of sunscreen, push the nozzle on the handle of My Cabana Boy, and it will evenly spray sunscreen across your body without missing areas on the backs of your legs, shoulders or the middle of your back.

Summer is finally here.

While we’re happy to be out in the warm weather, sometimes you need a little help with chilly summer nights, frizzy hair, smooth skin and sun protection. Check out these products – they’ll make summer a breeze!

Ice Blue soap When you’re in the shower, rub Ice Blue all over your body for a refreshing, tingly feeling.

Peppermint has the incredible quality of making you feel cool when you’re hot and warm when you’re cold. To really wake up your skin and your senses, Ice Blue soap is made with refreshing citrus oils. $6.40; lushusa.com

$9.99; my-cabanaboy.com

Goodwipes Have an hour lunch break and want to work out but not smell afterwards? Feel confident without showering with these handy wipes! Goodwipes are made from effective eco-friendly ingredients like tea tree oil, chamomile, lavender and peppermint to freshen up your neck, back, face, underarms and body.

Hair Warrior It’s bad enough that the dry air is making your hair unruly, but when you perspire, the salt that is released in your sweat can result in dry, brittle and dull-looking hair. Hair Warrior is an all-natural solution that you apply to your hair before working out. It reduces frizziness, preserves color and adds volume and shine.

Need an extra layer after your workout? The flattering styling that takes this open-front, drape cardigan from day to night makes Pocket Poppet the perfect extra layer to take with you on the go. It comes in its own attached carrying case, which provides a clean and wrinkle-free cardigan when it’s needed. There are three styles to choose from and a host of colors.

$24; hairwarrior.co

$99 - $129; pocketpoppet.com

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$6; goodwipes.com

Pocket Poppet

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