Hey, guys! I grew up listening to classical music, opera and musical theater, but somewhere along the way, discovered rock and metal. Hearing bands like Nirvana, A Perfect Circle, AFI, RED and Seether opened up a new world to me, and I’ve worked in the music business ever since. I graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre from Michigan State University and started working as a reporter for Gannett Michigan. I also scored my first radio job on an alternative station in Michigan. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Billy Corgan, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Metallica's Kirk Hammett and many more. Fun fact: I don’t like going to the movies. I can't sit still that long! Thanks for listening, and God bless!
Anne Erickson
Spartans Smell Roses!
No. 10 Michigan State took on No. 2 Ohio State last night in the Big Ten championship game, and the Spartans took home a victory, winning 34-24 over the Buckeyes. Now, MSU (12-1) will take on Stanford (11-2) on Jan. 1, 2014 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Anne’s Christmas Eggnog Latte
Eggnog is one of those polarizing drinks that you either love or hate. I find that even if you’re not the biggest eggnog fan, you may have a chance of liking a sweet, piping hot eggnog latte. Read on for my quick and easy DIY recipe for eggnog latte!
5 Sports Stocking Stuffers Under $15
It's hard to go wrong with a sports-themed gift. I mean, almost everyone has a favorite team, and in Michigan, we have some great pro and college teams to support. Check out a few sports-friendly stocking stuffer ideas below (all pro teams), and the items are available online, so you don't have to venture out of your snuggie to get them.
Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation Helps Provide Kids with Free Heart Screenings
The holidays and Christmas are a popular time to give to those in need. One of my friends was recently telling me about a charity in the Flushing area called the Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation that helps raise funds to offer free heart screenings to middle and high school students.
Movember Facts!
We’re nearing the end of November, and it's obvious: Movember staches are everywhere. I’m impartial when it comes to the whole beard/facial hair trend, but since Movember is for a good cause, it's impossible not to support it. Check out some random facts about Movember below, and remember, December is only a week away!
Local Band Spotlight: adrenachrome.
If the name adrenachrome. sounds familiar, that’s probably because the Lansing-based hard rockers have been together for almost two decades. The guys will bring their heavy-yet-melodic mix to the Machine Shop on Dec. 13 alongside GivenSix, Know Lyfe, Pralaya, All Ends Black and Deadringer, so I figured it would be a great time to profile them on the Banana site and get their story out!
Pope Francis’ Heartfelt Moment with Sick Man
Pope Francis is in the headlines this week for a powerful moment he shared with a man with a disfiguring disease. The 76-year-old head of the Catholic Church paused for a moment to pray and embrace the sick man, and the image has gone viral. Check out the video below. The image certainly touched my heart. (And, yes, I shed a tear...or two.)
Sparty Has a Beard!
I graduated from Michigan State University and am a big MSU fan, so I was very excited to see them win on Saturday against Michigan. (Although my two best friends went to U of M, so I do have some appreciation for the school.) While rooting for my school to win, I couldn't help but notice the bearded Sparty on the field. Could it be real: Sparty is sporting a hipster beard?
Halloween 101: Tips for Preserving a Carved Pumpkin
I’ve already seen a ton of super-cute carved pumpkins this season. Halloween isn’t until this Thursday, so those pumpkins need to survive at least a few more days before getting all gooey and gloppy, right?
Halloween to Total $6.9 Billion in Sales This Year
Halloween is pretty awesome. You get to dress up as anything you want, eat tons of candy and enjoy candy corn, the latter which just doesn’t taste the same at Christmastime.
As it turns out, I’m not the only one who loves the spooky holiday. According to a new survey by the National Retail Federation, roughly 66 percent of adults will partake in the festivities this year.
Halloween Contact Lenses Could Cause Eye Injuries
While wacky contact lenses may seem like the perfect compliment for a Halloween costume, they can be dangerous. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, wearing such lenses could result in permanent vision loss.
Anne’s Halloween Peanut Butter Dip
I attended an awesome Halloween party last weekend (the same one Tony LaBrie recently posted about) and couldn’t believe the amazing food spread. From appetizers to desserts, everything tasted amazing, and – of course – almost everything had a Halloween theme.
This all got me thinking about some of my favorite Halloween party recipes. The season is just starting, so changes are you’ll attend at le