Venue ventures: _Los Angeles offers variety of music locales for fans of all tastes and budgets_

From the small, intimate setting of the historic Roxy Theatre located on Sunset Boulevard to the mass migration of music fans to the large, open Hollywood Palladium venue, Los Angeles boasts plenty of sites for music lovers to see their favorite performers.

Bruin gymnasts’ actions at NCAA finals reflect spirit of college sports

by Sarah and David Patterson

We want to commend the UCLA gymnastics team in coming back from some early season difficulties to finish so strong in the NCAA Championships Super Six team finals.

Last Saturday was a truly great competition in Cleveland.

Walking to the final event, the thought was running through each of our minds that this is what a great competition should be.

The championship came down to the final rotation with both teams on the floor just a few feet apart and each giving exceptional performances.

Among the brightest memories from the weekend was that, within seconds of the final routine, UCLA coach Valorie Kondos Field, along with her entire coaching staff and team, were there to congratulate the Alabama staff and athletes.

Then the UCLA fans shouted in unison, “Great job, ‘Bama.”

That is what NCAA sports should be about: Compete your heart out, strive to win and show class no matter what the outcome.

Most people can handle being a champion, but the true character of a team and staff is revealed when they come up short in a major competition.

We hope every coach, athlete and fan at the competition saw the actions of UCLA at the conclusion of the competition.

They showed all of us the best face of college athletics, and Bruins everywhere should be proud of their 2011 gymnastics team.

Sarah and David Patterson are gymnastics coaches at the University of Alabama.