Life - The Eastern Echo

Matt on Music: Katy B and Toni Braxton

By Matt Rice · Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014

It can be difficult to find two new releases that can be reviewed alongside each other, especially if there are a handful of albums I want to get to. So really, I took a shortcut here. Toni Braxton and Babyface’s R&B doesn’t have much in common with Katy B’s electropop, and I’m not going to pretend like it does. So let’s just say that I’m reviewing these albums alongside each other because Braxton and Katy B can both be described as divas of sorts. Now, on to the reviews.

Food Scoop: Orange Sugar Cookies

By Anna Hinkley · Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014

Every year before Valentine’s Day, my mother bakes dozens of cookies. She invites friends to frost and decorate them. This is a tradition that began before I was born, and will last long after I graduate from college and head out on my own. For now, I’m happy to be a part of a tasty tradition.

Katie's Craft Corner: Valentine's Day desserts

By Katie Remski · Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014

Valentine’s Day gifts often trend toward the clichéd and the simply disliked – chocolates with the flavors that get picked over, overpriced trinkets and flowers and other grocery store last-minute picks.

Still can't find a Valentine? Avoid these disastrous dating don'ts

By Jacob Jefferson · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

Dating is the most enigmatic and confusing period in a person’s lifetime. Both men and women have expectations and yes, they both talk with their friends about the outcome of a potential connection.

Katie's Craft Corner: Get hooked on Ravelry

By Katie Remski · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

There’s a lot that’s changed about formerly grandma-dominated knitting in the past 10 years, the most significant being the way crafters connect with each other and learn new things.

Celebrated African American studies professor Robert Perry honored upon retirement

By Shams Alhussein · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

An event was held in honor of professor Robert Perry’s retirement on Tuesday, Feb. 4 in rooms 310 A and B in Eastern Michigan University’s Student Center. Perry dedicated his life to ethnic and black studies.

Food Scoop: Soft Oatmeal Cookies

By Anna Hinkley · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

I was going to try something new tonight. Something a little fiddly, maybe with almonds and cream. Something sweet, because it’s February.

Matt on Music: Dream pop acts drop disappointing albums

By Matt Rice · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

A lot of music fans put atmosphere at the same level as songwriting. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, but I find this impossible to do.

Best Buddies: Buddy finds courage, friendship

By Joey Nelson · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

My name is Joey Nelson. My life being short started when I was born. Other kids in school wanted to fight with me because they thought I had a disability because I was short.

Katie's Craft Corner: Online tutorials

By Katie Remski · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

While there are lots of crafts that can be learned through first-person teaching and books, the internet is becoming the most popular way to learn a new art by far. When writing this column, I sometimes look to the World Wide Web for inspiration, and between my own searching and word-of-mouth suggestions, I’ve come across some excellent websites and blogs.

Disney introduces lesbian characters to mixed reviews

By Kayla Boyd · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

Since 17 states throughout the country have legalized same-sex marriage, the media has been showing a lot more support for the cause through music, fashion and even popular TV shows. On Jan. 26, Disney Channel took a big step by introducing their first ever gay couple on an episode of “Good Luck Charlie.”

Ohayocon a great way to meet people

By Kaitlyn Stabile · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

Word association. I say convention, you will probably say or think one of the following: comics, superheroes, weird, costumes, nerd.

Matt On Music: Knifefight and Young Fathers

By Matt Rice · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

Founded in 1998, Anticon has become one of the finest independent hip-hop labels, releasing music from Why?, Buck 65 and Serengeti, to name a few. Along with Serengeti’s “C.A.B.” (which I reviewed last week), I’ve been playing two other Anticon releases lately: a 2013 collaboration that I missed, and the first LP from Young Fathers, whose “Tape Two” EP was one of my favorite records of last year.

Chinese New Year Party an enjoyable and authentic experience

By Casey Day · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

The Chinese New Year Party, sponsored by the American-Chinese Student Association, was held on Jan. 31 in the Student Center. It was an enjoyable and authentic experience, as well as a great way to begin the Year of the Horse.

Food Scoop: Special Occasion Waffles

By Anna Hinkley · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

This morning, I woke up with the desire to make waffles. I didn’t have anywhere to be in the early hours, and it was snowing hard enough that leaving the house was an iffy proposition. This kind of morning calls for a decadent, toasty-warm breakfast.

Diversity Council holds Around the World in One Night

By Matt Rice · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

Around the World in One Night, hosted by Eastern Michigan University’s Diversity Council, was held on Jan. 31 in the Student Center Ballroom. The event revealed how diverse EMU’s campus really is, with food, music and displays which all centered around different cultures.

Eastern alumna, writer enjoys successful career

By Drew Saunders · Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014

Eastern Michigan University alumni Amalie Nash is a perfect example of how most journalism majors want their careers to go.

Game designers, enthusiasts take part in Jam

By Danyelle Pinder · Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014

The Global Game Jam, held last weekend, turned out to be an exciting and encouraging event for most of the senior simulation, animation and gaming majors here at EMU.

Food Scoop: Oven fried potatoes

By Anna Hinkley · Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014

Every year in late autumn, my parents put up a couple hundred pounds of potatoes. That’s right, a couple hundred pounds of potatoes are sitting in their basement right now. Kept cool, dry and dark, they will last for the majority of the winter. I have always loved this because no matter how bitter the cold was, we could always bring up some potatoes and make oven fries.

Matt on Music: Hard Working Americans/Bruce Springsteen

By Matt Rice · Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014

One of the first music articles I wrote compared the leftist politics on two albums, Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” and Todd Snider’s “Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables.” Now, almost two years later, Springsteen and Snider have both released albums just weeks from each other. How convenient.