Pulse Magazine - October 2014

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Canalloween brings the nightmare to Canal District

Online @ thepulsemag.com style & Beauty

On the Cover

Witch’s Woods

STYLE: Grooming tips for guys

Photo courtesy of Witch’s Woods

TREND: Great costume ideas

OCTOber 2014

LIFESTYLE

IN THIS ISSUE

COVER storY 6

Terrorizing Central Massachusetts Witch’s Woods offers up Halloween fright

ENTERTAINMENt

Lifestyle 20 A descendant of the Salem madness 21

12

Canalloween

brings the nightmare to Canal District

Need a costume? Look to the movies

EVENTS: Check out Clark’s narrative series DORM: Halloween party ideas ENTERTAINMEnt

beauty in the grotesque

MUSIC: On CD ~ music reviews GAME ON: Darkwood

DINING & ENTERTAINING 24 DINING review

PRODUCTS: Companies go pink for Breast Cancer Awareness COllege

The Style List

Art & Culture 22 Photographer KarenJerzyk

In Worcester, October means Rock & Shock

10

FOOTBALL: Throw a great party

PULSEBOOKS: Favorite ghost stories UP & COMERS: Aviator gets it right

Experiment with the flavors of

Chuan Shabu

14 Club, Pub & Bar Listings

26 HOT AND NOW

16 Pulse Shots

Sports & Fitness 28 Becker coach helps Hawks soar

FILM: Holy Cross free film series MORE ONLINE! Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine.

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2012 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc.

Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Justin Perry, Art Director, Photographer Chris Reddy, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Vanessa Herbold, Kevin Swenson, Derek Fernandes Account Executives Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Alex Kantarelis, Music Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor

Kimberly Dunbar, Emily Gowdy-Backus, Alex Kantarelis, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, R.J. Linton, Stacia Kindler, Sean Haley, Maxine Giza, Rachel Schuster, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Ben McNeil, Brianna MacMillan Writers

Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

COVER STORY

Terrorizing Central Massachusetts Witch’s Woods offers up Halloween fright

By Emily Gowdey-Backus

Most October nights, Kerry Russell arrives home very late, covered in blood. Russell, the makeup manager at Witch’s Woods, a Halloween attraction in Westford, said she often ends up taking the haunt home with her.

“Halloween isn’t just a holiday,” she said. “It’s a lifestyle.”

In 1964, Alan Fletcher Sr. purchased 100 acres of land in Westford and opened a one-run ski facility with a rope tow. Now, 50 winters later, Nashoba Valley Ski Area has expanded into a multi-season outdoor recreation facility. Guests from across Massachusetts return every year for festivities, including snow tubing, Oktoberfest and barbecue cookout competitions.

One of the most popular events is the Halloween-themed haunt, Witch’s Woods. Now in its 15th year, Witch’s Woods opens Friday, Oct. 3, and runs every Thursday-Sunday until Nov. 1. Classified as a “super haunt,” the three haunted houses, 1½-mile-long haunted hayride, and twisted carnival boardwalk (called the midway) consistently attract more than 30,000 guests during the month of October.

For a business to attract such a large crowd, it must be a well-oiled machine. Each season, Nashoba Valley hires between 140 and 150 actors, as well as 40 to 50 managers and support staff, all of whom fall under the purview of Show Director Brian Brandt.

Brandt was one of the first actors hired when Witch’s Woods opened its doors in 2001 and has since risen through the ranks, having held almost every job available. He said he finally “tapped his inner ghoul” when he was given a chainsaw scare in the haunted hayride.

As show director, Brandt is in charge of hiring the actors. He said the interview process varies, depending on the character each actor will portray. Interviews are always in person and usually include a trial run of any performance that would be done in front of a guest. “I like to have them wow me before they can wow the crowd,” he said.

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“Halloween isn’t just a holiday. It’s a lifestyle.”

The second component of Brandt’s job is to ensure each element of all the haunts runs without a glitch. Brandt called this part of his job “organized chaos.”

“It takes a lot of effort to get these up, especially working in a time frame around other parts of the business,” he said.

An actor at heart, Brandt’s favorite part of working at Witch’s Woods is interacting with guests. He admits he sometimes likes to bring the old prop chainsaw to work and get his ghoul on.

Part of the reason Witch’s Woods attracts so many visitors is because of the forethought and planning put into the haunts each year by Brandt, the managers and the creative team.

As the month of October progresses, these staff members, led by creative directors Matt Bistany and Ken Layne, take note of which elements produce the best scares and which will be scrapped before opening next October. Off-season brainstorming is when most of the next season’s ideas and themes are mapped out. “The process almost never stops,” Brandt said. “You never know when you’ll have a great idea!”

Combined, Bistany and Layne have worked in haunted attractions for more than two decades and have held various positions from acting to makeup.

Layne, a Tewksbury Department of Public Works employee, grew up watching horror movies with his grandmother and has a sketch of the first haunt he worked tattooed on his leg. A network security administrator and improvisational comedian, Matt Bistany has been working at haunts for so long, he said, “It’s such a treat to be scared now.”

Bistany and Layne have a style of haunt they use to produce a bonechilling, world-immersion experience for the guest. “We’re big on creating a world and keeping people inside of it,” Layne said. “I hate when you go to a haunt and people break character. If I come through and the guy has a chainsaw but is wearing a T-shirt and jeans, I feel like he didn’t even try.”

Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7

If Bistany and Layne have done their jobs well, guests should not be able to distinguish between mannequins and actors. “Even if you catch on to the fact that some things are real and some things are fake, you’ll never know which are which,” Bistany said.

Because Nashoba Valley is a year-round park and runs different seasonal festivities almost every month of the year, Bistany and Layne have, at best, one month of uninterrupted time to construct. This year, the pair had just 12 days to build sets for various scenes in the haunted hayride; create mannequins for all locations; string up an animatronic bat with a 9-foot wingspan; and, because the park is open at night, strategically light all the haunts.

On top of the hundreds of built elements are the tens of thousands of props wielded nightly at Witch’s Woods. From prom dresses and stone garden decorations to bed frames and high-back chairs, donations stream in during the off season, and Bistany and Layne take it all. “I don’t even know if I want it, I just say yes,” Bistany said. “What’s the worst case scenario, I throw it out?”

Layne admits he’s pulled over multiple times on the way to work to pick through someone else’s trash.

Necessary inventory increases exponentially when you factor in Costume Manager Liz Devlin’s responsibilities. Imagine a dress-up chest the size of the DCU Center. That is roughly the magnitude of materials Devlin must categorize, inventory and repair before the start of October.

Devlin, who learned to sew by hemming pants, began making her own Halloween costumes in high school because she could never find the perfect costume. “There was always something I wanted to add, change or take away,” she said. “It became easier to just make it from scratch.”

Now a costume designer for Witch’s Woods, Devlin coordinates most of the 150 costumes from her massive inventory. Costumes range in detail from a simple black robe, nightgown or one-piece clown suit to 10-plus elements per costume.

However, the amount of face-to-face time the actor has with guests determines the level of detail in the costume.

The same principle applies to makeup ~ the more up close and personal, the more detailed an actor’s appearance. Makeup Manager Russell sticks to a strict priority schedule because she, with the help of 15 additional makeup artists, only has 90 minutes each night to makeup between 70 and 80 actors. “We’re a makeup factory,” Russell said. “We don’t have time to get into the nitty-gritty.”

With a degree in sculpture, Russell, a corporate business analyst by day, has many makeup tricks up her sleeve, but her favorite materials when creating wretched faces are silicone and latex. “It’s an exciting way to transform our actors into their characters,” she said.

Those actors who will be in the house haunts and walking the midway will have silicone makeup because it appears and reacts similarly to human skin.

In contrast, latex makeup, which begins to pull away on contact with sweat and water, has a less natural look and is used on those actors who interact with guests from afar. With the rise in latex allergies, Russell is very careful not to cross-contaminate. If an actor has an allergy, she talks with them about the severity of the allergy and determines safe alternative products. This year, the application to work at Witch’s Woods has been updated to include a latex allergy questionnaire.

A small plastic box, which never leaves Russell’s side, holds other tricks of the trade she has come to incorporate when creating the look of the undead. When dry, a special raspberry jam-like putty mimics the look and feel of coagulated blood; a thin layer of rigid collodion contracts the skin to form deep, painless scar tissue; and swishing makeup-grade nicotine coloring in your mouth produces a look of grotesque decay.

“We always say if we make you wish you wore diapers, we’ve done our job,” Russell said.

Alan Fletcher, Sr.’s daughter, Pam Fletcher, credits the success of Witch’s Woods to the diversely creative staff that returns year after year and devotes its free time to create an attraction fated to be deconstructed a month later.

“The reason it is such an interesting concept is because of the haunt family,” Fletcher said. “Their passion in wanting to scare [is amazing]; our staff just loves to haunt.”

Tickets are $33. For more information, visit witchswoods.com.

Photos courtesy of Witch’s Woods.

8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

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Entertainment

In Worcester, s n a e m r e b o t c O

k c o h S & k c Ro

By Jason Savio

It’s that time of the year: The leaves are changing, jack-o-lanterns flicker in the dark, and Rock & Shock is about to make its return to the DCU Center and the Worcester Palladium. From Oct. 17-19, Worcester will be all about Halloween, as the annual horror and music spectacle takes over with an abundance of special guests, live performances and events certain to scare you into the holiday spirit.

After last year’s 10th anniversary celebration, Rock & Shock established itself as a bonafide, tried-and-true horror convention that knows exactly what its fans want and never disappoints. This year looks to continue that trend.

“We take the passion of our fans very seriously,” said Marketing Director Jill Miller, of MassConcerts, which owns The Palladium.

“We know how lucky we are to have them, and it helps us to strive to put on the best convention possible.”

There is already an impressive lineup of guests for the loyal fan base to meet, and that list will continue to grow until opening day. Be sure to bring your Good Guy Doll with you, because among the attendees is Brad Dourif, the voice of the ginger-haired, murderous doll Chucky, in a rare and special appearance.

Other distinguished names include special FX legend Tom Savini, WWE wrestler and They Live star Roddy Piper, and a Frighteners cast reunion, featuring Dee Wallace, Jake Busey and Jeffery Combs, who you might know as Herbert West in Re-Animator.

There will also be live panel discussions with genre guests and insiders, the seventh annual Rock & Shock Independent Horror Film Festival and vendors with awesome goodies, contests, games and more.

But if that’s the shock, where’s the rock?

What helps make Rock & Shock such a unique event is its inclusion of the music that the horror genre inspires, creating a wholly immersive experience. Produced by MassConcerts, Rock & Shock is an anomaly in the convention circuit with a distinct advantage.

“Our year-round job is concerts, and in being at so many shows, management began to see that many of our concert-goers were wearing horror-themed T-shirts,” explained Miller of the rock and metal concerts that are MassConcerts’ specialty. “The strong correlation between music and horror films became evident, and the idea for Rock & Shock came about.”

It comes as no surprise, then, that Rock & Shock has become a beloved tradition over the past decade. When you’re done meeting your favorite actors and personalities at the DCU Center, you can head on over to The Palladium and rock out with awesome live music fit for the occasion. On Thursday night, King Diamond will perform and kick off a weekend of music mayhem that will also feature headliners Machine Head on Friday, the one and only GWAR on Saturday (providing both rock and shock, indeed), and Twiztid on Sunday.

Of course, a packed weekend such as this takes a lot of time and energy from all those involved, and although they may not know it, it all starts with the fans.

“Their passion is infectious,” Miller said. “The day after Rock & Shock ends, we get to work on the next year’s event. It’s a lot of hard work, but seeing how happy it makes people is the ultimate payoff.”

After waiting all year, the weekend of horror heaven for fright fans of all ages is right around the corner. There is no better precursor to Halloween, and while the holiday itself is known for supplying a trick or treat, don’t count out Rock & Shock.

“Let’s just say that we still have a few tricks up our sleeve,” Miller said, “but you are going to have to come out to the show to find out what they are!”

For information on VIP packages and tickets, visit rockandshock.com.

Photos by Jeremy Saffer.

10 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 11

Canalloween

brings the nightmare to Canal District

By Brianna MacMillan

For some, Halloween is a month-long celebration. They start getting excited the moment they see the telltale black and orange decorations gracing store shelves. If you are one of those people, you won’t want to miss this year’s Canalloween celebration!

This will be the fourth year of this huge Halloween celebration, tapping into the spooky and scary side of Halloween but also offering kid-friendly side.

This year’s Canalloween is similar to years past, starting with a road race ~ The Scary Monster Dash ~ followed by a Halloween parade, both of which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25. These events are perfect for all ages, and participants are encouraged to get in touch with their Halloween-loving side by dressing in costume and enjoying the festivities. The road race starts at 2 p.m., with a Kids Fun Run at 12:30 p.m., and the parade starts at 3 p.m.

If you are looking for a bit more over-21 fun in your Halloween celebration, you won’t be disappointed. The third segment of the celebration is the Halloween parties at the Canal District bars, making the celebration fit for a costumed older crowd, too!

Canalloween is the brainchild of the publisher of Pulse, Paul Giorgio, who said he hoped to tap into the growing love of Halloween and its boom in popularity within the holiday market. Gorgio said his personal favorite part of Halloween is trick or treating. “I get about 200 kids in my neighborhood. They bus them in because it is safe and welcoming,” Giorgio said. This idea of welcoming families and promoting the Halloween experience can be seen everywhere in the Canalloween event.

Giorgio added that the setting of the celebration was extremely important in

12 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

ensuring the event was a hit. “The Canal District is a perfect venue because of the streetscape and the number of bars and restaurants,” Giorgio said.

The Canal District, he said, fits the Halloween theme perfectly, thanks to the landscape of its streets and variety of old buildings, which can easily take on a spooky feel once the sun goes down.

This year, the start of the road race will be moved to the Worcester Common.

However, Giorgio said, families can expect a similar celebration, and the race will still run through the Canal District. Giorgio hopes to get even more families involved in this year’s celebration, aiming for an even larger parade than in previous years.

Giorgio said he’d like to see the event grow each year. “The city wants us to expand to the Worcester Common, and that could happen next year,” he said.

With the city’s support, Gorgio said he feels that there is no stopping this event from growing into a signature event in Worcester, giving him and others involved high hopes for where the celebration may be headed in the future.

Someday, Giorgio said, he hopes the celebration with include, “A big parade and closing off Water Street for a large block party with outdoor music!”

Canalloween is sponsored by Wachusett Brewing Company, Shipyard, Samuel Adams, Coors Light, Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau, massvacation.com, Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare, WCRN 830 AM, WXLO 104.5 FM, WORC-FM 98.9, 100 FMThe Pike and Pulse.

For more information, visit canalloween.com.

Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 13

Club & Pub Listings Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs,

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

Oct. 24: Sonny Levine Oct. 25: A Fine Connection Oct. 31: Kelly Wheeler & Tribe

B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 978-422-9763 140pub.com

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

Backstreets Pub 14 Mill St., Fitchburg 978-345-0758 facebook.com/backstreetspubfitchburg

Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton Oct. 4: The Great Escape

The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc.

508-755-0879 thebannerbar.com

Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-752-3862 brew-city.com

Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575 barberscrossingrestaurant.com

Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 bullrunrestaurant.com Oct. 4: Orphan

Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc.

508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com Oct. 3: Hothouse Oct. 4: Strangled Darlings Oct. 7: Indie Art Market (6-9 p.m.)

Oct. 9: Amazing Dick’s Ukelele Night Oct. 10: DESJR Oct. 11: Traveling Broke & Out of Gas Oct. 14, 21, 28: Karaoke with DJ Fast Track Oct. 17: Root Land Band Oct. 18: Grade “A” Fancy Oct. 23: Hipswayers, Cosmic Slim & The Intergalatic Plowboys Oct. 24: Matt Hopewell Trio Oct. 25: Mud Puddle Stompers Oct. 30: Zach Slik Oct. 31: Halloween Party with DJ Dance Away Sound Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg 978-343-3148 beemerspub.com Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 blacksheeptavernsterline.com Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: Live music Oct. 23: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Oct. 24: Live band karaoke with Fingercuff Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc.

508-797-4827 blackstonetap.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 hometown.aol.com/blueplatelounge Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 Oct. 3: Kevin Shields Oct. 4: Ken Macy Oct. 9: Amanda Cote Oct. 10: JCDC Oct. 11: Brian Chaffee Oct. 16: Professor Harp Oct. 17: Dave Harrington Oct. 18: Scott Babineau Oct. 23: TC Polk

& other select venues

508-798-8385 facebook.com/ClubKasBar Wednesdays through Oct. 23: Open Mic with David Bazin Oct. 29: David Bazin & Blues Junction

Sundays: Jazz Brunch Mondays: Blue Monday ~ live blues Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live music Oct. 31: Doctor Robert Halloween Bash

The Columbia Tavern 11 Merriam Ave., Leominster 978-227-5874

Gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc.

508-791-2583 gilreins.net

Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. thecompasstavern.com Thursdays: Acoustic Fridays and Saturdays: DJs Cornerstone’s Restaurant 616 Central St., Leominster 978-537-1991 cornerstonesrestaurant.com Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc.

508-752-0482

Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 destare.com

Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc.

508-757-6977 danceranchandsaloon.com

Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc.

508-926-8353 facebook.com/CanalRestaurantandBar Thursday: Open Mic Night Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) Saturdays: StageTime Comedy Club Oct. 11: Tom Revane Oct. 17: Jim Perry Performance

Dar Bah 29 Canal St., Millbury 508-865-8441

Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc.

508-438-0597 thecenterbar.com Fridays: Friday Night Dance Party with DJ Blackout Oct. 5: Sunday Funday Karaoke with DJ Matty J

Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006 daysendtavern.com Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 devensgrill.com Dunnys Tavern 291 E. Main St., E. Brookfield

Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 E. Brookfield Road, N. Brookfield 508-867-2494 sitewizzer.com/choochs Fridays: Karaoke

Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc.

508-799-0629 facebook.com/ElectricHaze Tuesdays through Oct. 21: Hip Hop Tuesdays Sundays through Oct. 19: Funky Jazz Sundays

Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster 978-534-0020 chopsticksleominster.com Oct. 31, Nov. 1: Windfall

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

508-792-3700 aohworcester.com

Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250 facebook.com/christopherspubleominster Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc.

508-767-9728 worcesterscene.com/admin/location_images/ ciceros.jpg Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750 classicspub.net Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke Oct. 3: Never Enuff Oct. 4: Playin Dirty Oct. 10: Soulstice Oct. 11: Soundtrack to Monday Oct. 17: By a Thread Oct. 18: Five Hole Oct. 24: Dazed Till Dawn Oct. 25: Marked Oct. 31: Go Gadget Go Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc.

14 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 fireflysbbq.com Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden 508-829-3008 flipflopsma.com Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-757-1450 flyingrhinocafe.com Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-753-2995 funkyandjosemurphys.com Galway Bay Irish Pub 186 Stafford St., Worc.

508-753-8909 thegalway.com Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 gardnerale.com

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

508-853-1350 greendalespub.com Sundays: Jim’s Blues Jam Tuesdays: Open Mic Night with Bill McCarthy; Local Musicians Showcase Wednesdays: Wacky Wednesday Open Mic Jam with Mark Oct. 3: Blue Honey Oct. 4: Clam Diggers Oct. 10: Auntie Trainwreck Oct. 11: No Alibi Oct. 17: Ed & Da Ve Oct. 18: Silverbacks Oct. 24: Sluggo Oct. 25: Boom Box Oct. 31: Time Machine The Grey Hound Pub 139 Water St., Worc.

508-754-6100 anculiath.com Thursdays: Team Trivia New England Oct. 17: The Auld Locals Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com Oct. 18: Gilbert Gottfried live Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc.

Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster 508-943-3871 indianranch.com Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701 ixtapacantina2.com JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc.

508-793-0900 jilliansworcester.com Wednesdays: Karaoke Oct. 3: Hit the Bus Oct. 4: Bobby Hogan & Sugar Creek Oct. 10: New Bay Colony Band Oct. 11: Doctor Robert Oct. 17: The Shakers Oct. 18: Mass Octane Oct. 24: Decades by Dezyne Oct. 25: UFC 179 Aldo vs Mendes Oct. 31: Halloween Bash with The Plagiarists JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz Oct. 3: Heavy Horses Oct. 4: Flock of A-holes Oct. 10: Tension Oct. 11: The Brit Wits Oct. 17: The Great Escape Oct. 18: Windfall Oct. 24: Happy Jack Oct. 25: The Band 9Teen Nov. 1: Probable Cause

Continued on Page 19

Pulse

Shots

Photos by Justin Perry

The Shrewsbury Street College Shuffle ~ Shrewsbury St., Worcester

Gazbar ~ Leominster

Happy Jacks ~ Leominster

Rye & Thyme ~ Leominster, MA

StART on the Street ~ Park Ave., Worcester

18 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

Continued from Page 14 LaScala Restaurant 183 Shrewsbury St, Worc.

508-753-9912 lascalashrewsburystreet.com The Lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough 508-229-2264 doggonelazy.com Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 facebook.com/centericebar Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc.

508-798-2447 leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc.

508-796-5177 loft266.com Tuesdays: Karaoke London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc.

508-799-7655 londonbilliards.com Lucky Dog Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc.

508-363-1888 luckydogmusic.com Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc.

508-277-1073 facebook.com/mahoneyspub.ma Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc.

508-754-0033 martyspub.com MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc.

508-799-4521 mblounge.com McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster 978-874-1444 mcnallysgrille.com Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc.

508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Sundays: Blue Light Bandits Oct. 4: Russo Bros Jazz Quintet Oct. 8: Hit the Bus Oct. 9: Ricky Duran Oct. 10: The Mystic River Band Oct. 15: Ricky Duran Oct. 16: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Oct. 17: Andy Cummings Swingabilly Lounge Oct. 18: Tequila Bonfire Oct. 22: Brett Brumby Oct. 24: Hit the Bus Oct. 25: Brett & Lisa Brumby Oct. 29: Blue Light Bandits Oct. 30: Greg Hyder Band Oct. 31: Jim Devlin Band Mickey O’Neil’s 377 Park Ave., Worc.

Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com Wednesdays: Karaoke Oct. 3: Chad Clements Oct. 4: BILL McCarthy Oct. 9: Jay Graham Oct. 10: Ethan & Ashley Oct. 11: Katie Obrien Duo Oct. 17: Belit Oct. 18: Joe Macey Oct. 23: James Keyes

Oct. 24: Brian Chaffee Oct. 25: Sean Ryan Oct. 31: Jay Graham Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 millstreetbrews.com Moonstruck Café 19 Worcester Road, Charlton 508-248-4558 Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc.

508-753-4030 myspace.com/NicksWorcester Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc.

508-340-0318 Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 508-839-6106 Oct. 4: Rock House Oct. 10: Big Chief Oct. 11: Blue Honey Oct. 16: Blue House Between Oct. 17: Neon Alley Oct. 18: The Hoochies Oct. 23: Joe Macey Oct. 24: Three of a Kind Oct. 25: Belit On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 Oct. 17: The City Boys with Johnny Romance & The Captain The Outlook Restaurant 79 Power Road, Westford 978-692-5700 dineoutlook.com Oct. 10, 18, 30: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford 508-987-5397 Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc.

508-797-9696 thepalladium.net Pampas Churrascaria Restaurant 145 E. Central St., Worc.

508-757-1070 pampas-restaurant.com Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 partnerspub.com Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke Saturdays: Live music Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc.

508-755-4155 patsiedugans.com Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc.

508-792-4263 perfectgameworcester.com Thursdays: DJ Cuz’N Kev Fridays: DJ One-3 Saturdays: DJ Reckless Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc.

508-756-7555 Pinz Entertainment 110 S. Main St., Milford 508-473-6611

facebook.com/pages/Scorz-SportsBar/216216528569258

pinzbowl.com Fridays: DJ Jay Senior Saturdays: DJ Soup Oct. 31: Halloween Party

Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000 seanpatricksrestaurant.com

Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster 508-943-0404 pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc.

508-856-9255 facebook.com/pages/The-Press-Box Primetime Pub 5 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-400-7727 facebook.com/PRIMETIMEPUBOFLUNENBURG Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc.

508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com Sundays: Ralph’s Flea Market, Sunday Night Cinemageddon Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry and Variety Show Tuesdays: C.U. Next Tuesday with DJ Poke Smot and special guests Oct. 3: Gorilla Pie, Riff Legion, The Luxury Oct. 4: The Devils Twins, Creepin Cadavers, Weaklings, Damnation Oct. 5: Rumble at Ralph’s Diner Car Show Oct. 10: Rationales, OldJack, Airport, Sinnet The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc.

508-304-8133 facebook.com/people/RavenWorcester/100001022046717 RG Scooters Pub 84 Lakefront St., Lunenburg 978-348-2453 facebook.com/pages/RGScooters/211225168902092 Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

774-243-1100 rivalrysworcester.com Oct. 3: Bare Hill Oct. 4: Babe Pino Band Oct. 10: Invaders Oct. 11: Norm Tonelli & Friends Oct. 17: Take Two Oct. 18: Tom Revane Oct. 19: Clamdigger Oct. 24: Boogie Chillin Oct. 25:Night Time Urgency Oct. 31: Drunken Uncles Rose Garden Restaurant and Pub 16 Milford St., Upton 508-529-7776 uptonrosegarden.com Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc.

508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 ryeandthyme.com Oct. 3: Kevin Shields Oct. 4: Brian & Captain Oct. 9: Dan Cormier Oct. 10: Andy Cummings Oct. 11: A Fine Connection Oct. 16: Jay Graham Oct. 17: Zack Slick Oct. 18: L&M Rythym Kings Oct. 23: Danielle Lessard Oct. 24: Scott Babineau Oct. 25: Brian & Captain Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc.

508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 sakura-tokyo.com Oct. 24-25: Doctor Robert Scorz 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 southsidemargaritafactory.com Oct. 3: Mike Ordway Oct. 4: Sin City Oct. 10: Sean Fullerton Oct. 11: Side Effect Oct. 17: Scott Babineau Oct. 18: Gale County Oct. 24: Lizzy Marquis Oct. 25: Moonshine Oct. 31: Awesome ‘80s Night with DJ Shakka Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net Fridays: Karaoke Oct. 4: Dirty Deeds Oct. 25: The Allens Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 SpruceStreetTavern.com Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614, 877-782-4346 grotonstagecoachinn.com Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 skinashoba.com/summer Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster 508-949-6559 talsplacewebster.com Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc.

508-754-3516 3gs-sportsbar.com Trumbull Bar & Grill 117 Main St., Spencer 508-885-6901 Tweed’s 231 Grove St., Worc.

508-755-8047 tweedspub.com Union Music 142 Southbridge St., Worc.

508-753-3702 unionmusic.com Oct. 11: Taylor Guitars ~ Find Your Fit Oct. 17, 18: Steve Kaufman ~ Flatpicking Workshop Oct. 18: Steve Kaufman & Dave Dick concert Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. facebook.com/TheUnionTavernWorcester Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre 978-355-2224 upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc.

508-752-9439 facebook.com/vincentsbar Sundays: Big John Short Tuesdays: Jon Bonner and Boogie Chillin’ Oct. 11: Hip Swayers Deluxe

Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 19

LIFESTYLE

A descendant of the Salem madness

By Jennifer Russo

Being from New England, I became familiar with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 through lessons at school. Likely, so did you. Lord knows, the town of Salem has capitalized on this sad part of American history by becoming a tourist attraction, especially around Halloween. Though the “Haunted Happenings” actually are a lot of fun and I’d recommend it to anyone, I think it’s even more important to acknowledge what happened to make the city so famous in the first place.

A quick history brush-up: The short version of the story is that in January 1692, Betty Parris (the minister’s daughter) and Abigail Williams were diagnosed as being afflicted by witchcraft.

Parris’ servant, Tituba, prepared a “witch cake” in an attempt to find the witch responsible. She was blamed by the girls for their symptoms.

Then, Mercy Lewis, an 18-year-old orphaned girl-turned-servant, started having fits. The Putnam family, for whom she worked, also began acting afflicted.

Tituba was blamed. After an examination by judges Corwin and Hawthorne, her fear led her to give false confession, and she called out four other women in the community. By the end of April, 10 people stood accused of witchcraft.

They were stripped to look for marks and interrogated. They had no right to an attorney, had to pay for their own food in prison, and some died there.

Accusations soon became used to settle disputes and raise other individuals to power. The Putnam family and close relations were responsible for 201 accusations. If you were not a church supporter of Parris, a friend of the Putnams, or did them wrong in any way, you were at risk of being accused of witchcraft. Death sentences began in June, beginning with Bridget Bishop. In July, five more women were hanged (Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth Howe and Sarah Wildes) because they would not confess and give names, and in August, George Burroughs and four others were hanged.

I am a huge advocate of researching your family history. I have traced parts of my family back to the 1500s. On this journey, I uncovered relative after relative in my direct line and ended up in Salem and Danvers. And then ~ generations up my tree ~ there she was: Mary Towne Estey (also spelled Easty, Estie and Esty), my ninth great-grandmother, and her sister, Rebecca Nurse.

Now on a mission to find out everything I could about these women, I found sad and surprising truths about my ancestors in historical records. Both Mary and Rebecca were upstanding and respected women of the town and church. It is documented that Rebecca was so respected that 39 prominent members of the community (including John Putnam) signed a petition to have her cleared. The jury found her not guilty originally and then changed its verdict, due to the afflicted having fits at the trial. Mary was accused because it was thought that witchcraft was common in families (she was Rebecca’s sister) and because her husband, Isaac, owned a valuable farm ~ land that others wanted. Mary was released after two months in prison but was arrested again two days later, after her accusers had even more violent fits. She was executed Sept.

22 on the gallows, with prayers to end the hunts and parting words to her family that were said to be “as serious, religious, distinct and affectionate as could be expressed, drawing tears from the eyes of almost all present.”

Mary is credited as a martyr, and her eloquent petition, which she wrote in prison, is said to be part of the reason the trials ended. She wrote, “…I was cried out upon by them and have been confined and now am condemned to die. The Lord above knows my Innocence then and likewise does now as at the great day will be known to men and Angels. I Petition to your honors not for my own life for I know I must die and my appointed time is set, but that if it be possible, no more Innocent blood may be shed.”

At the peak of the madness ~ September ~ Giles Corey was gruesomely crushed to death by heavy stones for refusing to plead guilty. He lived for two days under the weight. Three days later, eight more people were hanged for refusing to confess: Martha Corey, Mary Estey, Ann Pudeator, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Wilmott Redd, Margaret Scott and Samuel Wardwell.

To say that I am honored to be descended from such a strong woman of courage is an understatement. Next time you visit Salem for a day of Halloween fun, take a minute to walk through the historic graveyard and look at the memorial benches set along the edges. These benches have the names of those who were executed, including Mary Town Estey and Rebecca Nurse.

Remember: Though we dress in costumes, eat leftover candy and enjoy the holiday, true horror was a stark reality in 1692.

Have you ever felt a strong tie to a place that cannot be explained? You have never been there or lived there or seen it before? A feeling of connection … chills up and down your spine, but no fear? That is how I felt when walking through Salem. I never knew why. Until recently.

For more information on the Salem Witch Trials or those accused, visit salem.lib.virginia.edu, which has a great collection of documents, or simply Google “Salem Witch Trials.” I also recommend the books In the Devil’s Snare by Mary Beth Norton and Six Women of Salem by Marilynne Roach.

20 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

The Style List.

By Stacia Kindler

Need a costume?

Look to the movies October is here, and it’s almost time to celebrate with copious amounts of candy, horror movie binges and last, but not least, getting dolled up in your Halloween best come the 31st. Although most everyone loves Halloween, not everyone has enough time to prepare, and with so much pressure to find your perfect Halloween costume, where do you begin to look? For times such as these, it is only right to look at some of the best costumes in the history of film for inspiration.

The film industry influences pop culture so heavily that a good costume design can transcend generations, as we’ve seen time and time again. If you’re looking to go classic, Audrey Hepburn’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one look that will never go out of style (and with something you probably already have in your closet, too)! From long black gloves and sultry cigarette holder to the pearl necklace and tiara, this costume has so many iconic images, you’ll be a guaranteed knockout.

Another simple, yet iconic, look is none other than good old Sandra Dee in Grease ~ the end-of-movie sexed-up version, of course. In nothing but sky-high heels, bottoms that fit like a second skin and an off-the-shoulder top to match, this look will turn heads while still keeping it simple, classy and unmistakable.

Pair with beauty-queen-high hair to top it off, and you’re costume is complete.

If you are looking for good-girl appeal, the costumes in The Wizard of Oz are unmistakable. With perhaps the most iconic choice of footwear to ever appear on the big screen, Dorothy’s red slippers are a surefire way to pull a last-minute costume together with a pair of old, unwanted shoes and a can of spray paint.

Getting a little bit more modern, there is one film costume that any ’80s, ’90s or 2000s girl can get with, and that’s the killer ensemble featured in Clueless.

The matching yellow tartan getup is clearly the most famous look from the film, but any kind of plaid-andknee-socks combination will get the message across.

All you blondes: Break out your flat irons. I feel like this look might be a big one this year, given its recent music video reincarnation in a certain hate-it-or-loveit (but secretly love it) chart-topping tune.

Not into all that girl stuff? Break out the bad in you with arguably one of the most iconic and unique film costumes of all time: Edward Scissorhands.

The classic 1990 film can be made to be androgynous enough for anyone with an interest in a leather-clad, buckled-up look this year. With the right accessories, you might even be able to make black pants and a button-up work. Now who said costumes were hard?

So get out there and show off your favorite filminspired costumes this Halloween. New or old, a lot of character-inspired costumes are easy to pull together.

Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

k y z r e J ren

Art & Culture

a K r e h p a ogr

t o h P

y t u a be e h t n i e u q s e t o r g usso

nifer R

By Jen

“I want my photos to portray a story, but I want the story to be different and personal to each person who looks at it. There’s no right or wrong way to read my photos. I just want people to feel something, whether that feeling is sadness or joy or whatever it may be, I want my photos to have some sort of voice.” ~ Karen Jerzyk windows and antique furniture, light fixtures and plumbing. There is wildly pattered wallpaper, wheelchairs, crumbling fireplaces and graffiti, and Jerzyk makes this all look beautiful in its degraded state … flawless in its brokenness, hoping to restore character and personality to something that has been lost or abandoned.

Where her shooting locations are hidden is confidential. Although Jerzyk lives in New Hampshire, she does many of her portrait shoots in Central Massachusetts, and many of her concert shoots take place at The Palladium.

In her more recent work, Jerzyk explores the world of the truly fantastic and weird, with masked models, children, fire, water, colored smoke and laws of gravity completely defied. She, through her work, asks the open ended question, “What if?” What if there were no rules, physically or spiritually speaking? What if all laws and limits were turned upside down, the world was flipped inside out and anything could happen? And she answers with, “Let me show you.”

For a long time, photography operated under a very rigid formula. Even after the transition from film to digital photography, one still must have expertise in light, space and angle, while understanding and respecting its limitations accordingly. Photographer Karen Jerzyk pushes against these boundaries daily, embracing the true artistry that is idea to image. She combines innovative methods and technology to make an outstanding concept a reality. She has found her niche, which is what every serious photographer hopes to achieve.

It’s simple: Once you are familiar with Jerzyk’s work, you will know it anywhere.

When looking at a Jerzyk photo, you will undoubtedly notice first the subject (or model) in the piece. Oftentimes, these models are in clothing and sporting hair that is an art all in itself ~ or possibly wearing no clothing at all and seemingly in a state of madness. Then, you will notice behind these subjects are settings that are not often seen, nearly forgotten eras of culturally embarrassing times past: mental institutions with equipment that was used in barbaric treatments for patients or homes with unique character. There is peeling paint and jagged

22 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

Her inspiration comes from many places, Jerzyk said. “I read a lot, listen to a ton of music and watch a lot of weird movies. Sometimes, that stuff gives me ideas.

Books are the best because you can have a hundred people read the same passage and each person will visually portray what they read in a completely different way. I also have pretty gnarly dreams and draw a lot of my ideas from those.”

Though Jerzyk’s artwork can be construed (and sometimes, misconstrued) as dark and horrific, she challenges viewers to see further into her world. Beyond the sometimes shocking initial impact of what she portrays, there is a palette of color and an almost painting-like quality to her work. I asked her if she thought the content was, indeed, dark.

“There’s just something about my personality and feelings that comes out in my photos that portrays something that just feels off. Uncomfortable,” Jerzyk said.

When her father passed away a few years ago from a heart attack/stroke in her home, Jerzyk was greatly impacted.

“Visually, it was all so jarring to me. It changed me. Sometimes I just replay each second in slow motion, from that moment to watching him die in the hospital.

Those moments just completely wiped out any good memories I had in that house, but over time that eventually went away. I hold onto those bad memories and feelings like a delicate thing, and I use them carefully when I need to … I feel blessed that I was able to take what happened and allow it to become fuel for what I do. You can either crumble or you can use what life gives you to build your dreams. Burying my head in the sand has never been an option.”

Sometimes, Jerzyk is the subject of her own photos, bringing out many dimensions of possibility for one single face. Using makeup, latex, contact lenses and other tools, she completely transforms herself in each self-portrait.

So much so, you wouldn’t guess it was the same person. “A lot of them,” she said, “are basically super-exaggerated depictions of how I’ve felt, either physically or mentally. So you could say they are a small part of my persona.

It’s like seeing an acute version of an experience.”

Like in her self-portraits, Jerzyk believes in reinvention.

“When I first started doing portraits, I had no direction,” Jerzyk said. “I wasn’t really thinking about wardrobe or makeup or location. When I did come up with ideas, they were pretty terrible ~ my composition was atrocious and my locations were boring. There was a period of time where I contemplated using a studio, but I didn’t have the money for that, which, in hindsight, was a blessing. I decided to use natural light and to find my own locations. A friend of mine mentioned that there were a lot of these cool things in the places I was shooting and that I should use them and set them up, which can be … which was unheard of, because sometimes it’s noisy and a ton of work, not to mention super time-consuming. But I tried it. I started shooting horizontally; getting the entire scene I set up and giving my photos a more cinematic feel.”

Speaking of cinema, Jerzyk has always wanted to be involved in film. “I’ve recently been asked to help here and there with various projects in that regard, and I would definitely love to go down that path a lot more. I’m more of a movie person than a photo person, in terms of what I like aesthetically. Movies have had a huge impact on me.”

To experience Jerzyk’s photography, check out karenjerzykphoto.com and facebook.com/karenjerzykphoto.

Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23

REVIEW

DINING & Entertaining Experiment with the flavors of Chuan Shabu

By Bernie Whitmore

Chuan Shabu 301 Park Ave., Worcester (508) 762-9213 shabuworcester.com Aromatic broths simmering in broad silver bowls right at your table. Baskets of fresh vegetables, seafood and thin-sliced meats ready to be plunged into the broth and cooked to your personal ideal of perfection. It’s the ultimate DIY meal and as healthy as you want it to be.

That’s hot pot at Chuan Shabu. It’s a concept that allows inventiveness and up-close participation in the preparation of your meal. Though Vietnamese restaurants have offered variations on it, the hot pot concept is fairly new in Worcester, and the friendly staff at Chuan Shabu is eager to assist.

Here’s how it works: My friend and I were seated at a jet-black, glass-topped table. At the center is an induction cook-top with a very simple set of controls. Induction cooking avoids an open flame and heats metallic cookware superfast. We were provided with a laminated menu and pen to check off items for our entrée.

It starts, I suppose, with broth selection. There are a number of choices, each $3, with a “basic” version offered for free. We selected Seafood and, at the recommendation of people nearby, Tom Yum ~ a Thai-inspired, spicy and slightly sour broth.

Then, we checked off our vegetable selections: bok choy, broccoli and wood ear mushrooms.

For meat, we selected Angus sirloin. It came gorgeously red and marbled, sliced thin in big, loopy rolls and ready for the plunge. From a long list of seafood, we chose fresh clams (in the shell) and shrimp dumplings. To unite all this, we also ordered a bowl of Udon noodles.

In addition to hot pot, Chuan Shabu also features a full Chinese menu. We started with one of its appetizers, Sliced Pork Belly in Mashed Garlic Sauce. Enough for sharing? Oh, yes!

There were more than a dozen slices slightly less than ¼-inch thick and schmeared with sauce ~ I’d call it garlic-chili ~ and sprinkled with sesame seeds. It was served just under room temperature over salad greens.

We snagged slices of pork belly with our chopsticks and took the edge off the mildly spicy heat with bottles of Tiger Beer. Tiger is a lager from Singapore that’s really meant to

24 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014

be enjoyed with food; on its own, well, it’s just not that interesting. In contrast, the rest of our meal was quite fascinating.

When we finished with the appetizer course, our server set out small bowls of soy sauce and dishes of condiments for us to mix as we desired. Then, the large simmering bowl, divided down the middle and filled with our broths, was set on the table and the induction device was activated. In moments, the bowl’s contents were steaming away, and for the remainder of our meal, it emitted clouds of sumptuous vapor. The broths were rich creations that included chunks of ginseng root, jujube dates and citrus slices.

Some rudimentary knowledge of cooking helps when engaging in the hot pot. For example, it’s nice to know that razor-thin sliced beef will cook in seconds. And that overcooking it is not a good idea. Broccoli florets, on the other hand, can take five minutes or so to cook, but too long in the broth and they’ll go battleship grey. Some experimentation was required, but soon I felt reasonably proficient.

The bok choy was one of my favorites. Perfectly green and flawless, these mini-stalks of tender leaves became exceedingly delicious in either of the broths, but I really favored the Tom Yum. Mushrooms took the plunge, and we fished them out with ladles. Other than that, we managed with our chopsticks.

The clams ~ cherrystones, actually ~ took more time to open than I expected. But they were well worth the wait; they were as fresh as possible, tender and clean.

As we proceeded through our meal, we concurred that on a return trip, we really should order a bowl of noodles per diner. They simmered up tender and acquired the flavor of the broth. Plus another meat; perhaps pork.

And more vegetables. Oh, yeah, and I want to experiment with different broth.

Perhaps it should have been obvious to me, but the food choices you select for simmering add their own flavors to the broth, and by the end of the meal, it was just as satisfying to relax amidst the rich aromas and enjoy spoonfuls of our own unique creation.

Chuan Shabu’s hot pot is delicious and fun.

Come the colder months, all that steamy redolence should make it the most sensual place in town.

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING • NORTH COUNTY

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

Hot & Now

By Paul Giorgio

OktoberFest on Shrewsbury Street. Can’t make it to Munich this year? Head down to Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street for a variety of Oktoberfest beers. There will be live music, as well as German food at some of the Shrewsbury Street eateries. Check out shrewsburystreetoktoberfest.com for details and participating restaurants. The event is sponsored by Leominster Credit Union and Harpoon Octoberfest, Sam Adams Octoberfest, Wachusett Octoberfest and Leinenaugel’s Oktoberfest beers.

Get your Fix. The Fix on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street opened in midSeptember for lunch. This is a natural for the Niche Hospitality Group’s latest venture. Who doesn’t love a burger, fries and a milkshake for lunch?

Farm to stomach. The Regional Environmental Council’s annual fundraiser will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Worcester’s Citizen restaurant in downtown Worcester. The event is now billed as The Farmers Gala, and it celebrates farm-to-table food. Call (508) 799-9130 for information and tickets.

Big news in the Brookfields. A new restaurant is opening in East Brookfield ~ 308 Lakeside, which will take the place of the Lashaway Inn. The old Lashaway Inn, which was on Lake Lashaway, was torn down and a new 200-seat restaurant and bar was built in its place. Look for a late October/early November opening.

In other Brookfield news. We hear that Carmella’s, a fixture in the Brookfields for a couple generations, has closed its doors. We wish the Fitzpatrick family well.

Carmella’s celebrated its 25th year in business a few years back.

Take your pick. The Pic on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street is under new management with new owners. Arthur Furtonado heads up the new group. Look for a new menu soon.

Lost your way. The Compass Tap Room on Worcester’s Harding Street in the Canal District was scheduled to open the last week of September. It will be home to a great beer selection and a sliced roast beef sandwich that, according tom owner Dave Dominick, will be the envy of the city.

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Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

Sports & Fitness

Becker coach helps Hawks soar

By Kimberly Dunbar Walk down the corridor of the Becker College athletic offices, and you’ll pass the Hawks’ Battle Call and a Becker Family Covenant outlining the values held by the Becker football family. In Head Coach Mike Lichten’s office, a mantra is prominently displayed: Last Play, Never Quit.

“That’s something I brought here with me,” Lichten said. Entering his fourth season as head coach, the 28-year-old has also brought dedication to building a football program steeped in commitment and accountability, academic excellence and community service. But it hasn’t been an easy road.

“I’m the fourth head coach in nine seasons,” said Lichten, whose 7-23 record makes him the winningest coach in the program’s short history.

But Becker football is on the rise. The Hawks are coming off their most successful season, in which they earned the most wins in team history and finished first in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) in passing yards per game.

The coach has also seen a dramatic increase in player retention and a hike in the team’s average GPA. “We’ve had a very steep hill to climb,” he said. “But we climb it diligently every day. We’re heading in the right direction.”

According to Lichten, the program is “night and day” since he was hired at age 23, making him one of the, if not the, youngest coaches in college football.

“When I got here, it was all about recruiting as many kids as possible and winning with them,” he said. Now, Lichten and his staff have a strategy: recruit great people, guys who will spend four years contributing to Becker on and off the field; encourage players to win while they’re here, not just on the field but by having them learn more about themselves and what they are capable of; and make sure players graduate and become valuable alumni who are successful in their chosen fields.

Alumni like Melvin Booker ( 2013), a criminal justice major who was recently offered lucrative contracts from the CFL and FBI (who originally didn’t know what a first, second or third down meant); Cameron CoeSmith (2012), who worked full-time jobs throughout college while playing football and is now teaching elementary school in Malden; and Gary Clark (2009), who completed two tours in Iraq before attending Becker and is now a state marshal in Connecticut and an active alumnus dedicated to mentoring guys in the current program.

“There are so many others like them,” said Lichten, who’s hoping there’s plenty of cream in this year’s crop. Becker’s 2014 squad is made up of 36 freshmen and 14 seniors ~ the first in which all of the seniors were recruited by Lichten and his staff. “It’s exciting for us to see the whole process come together,” he said.

Lichten thinks this is the best group of Becker football players he’s had, which bodes well for this season’s goal of winning the conference.

“That’s the goal of any team,” he said. “But we want to go to the playoffs and win at least one game. No ECFC team has ever won a playoff game. We want to be the first.”

Although Lichten said that programs must measure success in wins, he insists it isn’t the only barometer he uses. “The best moment for me is watching these kids graduate,” Lichten said. “Many of these kids are the first to graduate in their families. It’s why I do what I do. Some I’ve had to drag kicking and screaming, but that is the biggest and most important part of my job.”

It’s about passion and persistence. Last play, never quit.

For more information, visit beckerhawks.com/sports/fball/index.

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Oct. 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29

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CRAFT BREWS. FRESH BREADS. Celebrate the artisan craftsman with an unmatched selection of farm-fresh food, hand-crafted spirits and, of course, world class beers. With our new kitchen, 30 additional seats with semiprivate function space, and the opening of Crust, our artisan bakeshop one block away, the slow food movement finds its home here.

118 Main Street Worcester MA 01608 crustbakeshop.com 774.823.3355 NOW OPEN

Lunch & dinner daily beginning at 11:30AM Brunch Saturdays & Sundays beginning at 10AM Located downtown in the historic courthouse district.

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30 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Oct. 2014