UCLA Bruin Toastmasters veteran José Angel Manaiza Jr. shares experiences in public speaking

Nov. 23, 2011 – Fourth-year economics student José Angel Manaiza Jr. reflects on what he’s learned over the years from Toastmasters, a global organization focused on teaching communication and leadership skills through public speaking. UCLA Bruin Toastmasters is a certified President’s Distinguished Club, which is the highest level of excellence that a Toastmasters club can achieve.

[5:51]

Shalom Aper draws students together to share food, exchange cultures

Nov. 21, 2011 – Bruins for Israel and the Armenian Students’ Association co-hosted an ethnic cultural exchange on Nov. 16. The event, “Shalom Aper,” draws its name from the Jewish word Shalom, which means “hello,” and the Armenian word Aper, which means “brother.” [3:22]

Note: Razmig Sarkissian is a third-year english student. Molly Cornfield is a fourth-year environmental science student.

Sex and Cookies program raises discussion about relationships, sexuality

Nov. 18, 2011 – Sex and Cookies is a program run by medical, public health and social work students at UCLA that aims to teach undergraduate residents about safe sex. The “cookies” aspect ties in by creating a fun atmosphere for discussion about relationships and sexuality. A group of graduate students started Sex and Cookies in 2009 with help from David Gere, an associate professor in the world arts and culture program, and Dr. Gail Wyatt, a professor in the psychiatry and biobehavioral science program. Sex and Cookies has since expanded to include more than one hundred members who meet with undergraduates four or five times per quarter. [4:42]

UCLA boxer LaSalle gears up for cross-town rivalry rematch at Fight Night

Nov. 15, 2011 – In the city’s third annual UCLA v. USC Fight Night, students from both schools step toe-to-toe with one another hoping to retain bragging rights in front of a crowd at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. UCLA fighter Joseph LaSalle prepares for a rematch against Francisco Montenegro of USC in the main event and for a shot at glory. For LaSalle, the fight starts weeks before the actual event, in the gym.

To see more photos from Fight Night, click here.

To see video from Fight Night, click here.

[3:28]

Men's basketball team reflects on replacing Tyler Honeycutt, Malcolm Lee

Nov. 15 – Recent negotiation sessions have ended without a new deal between the NBA players’ union and the team owners, and with the NBA lockout still in effect, two former UCLA students are out of work. Last year, then-sophomore Tyler Honeycutt and then-junior Malcolm Lee each decided to take their talents to the NBA and entered the draft with hopes of being first-round picks. Not only did they slip to the second round, and out of the guaranteed money zone, they entered an NBA that is in the midst of a collective bargaining dispute.

Games in November have already been canceled, and the rest of the season is in jeopardy. Honeycutt and Lee cannot even set foot in the gyms of their new teams. Although they can’t come back to school and play for UCLA ever again, their former teammates still show them support and have nothing but gratitude for these two former Bruins who used to call Westwood home.

[2:22]

Treehouse Open Mic continues to showcase Westwood's talents as it begins to draw in new crowds

November 8, 2011 – The Treehouse Open Mic is a student-run event that has been going on in Westwood since Fall 2010. Set on Strathmore Avenue in Westwood’s North Village, the Open Mic is an open forum for students to perform in front of an audience in a comfortable atmosphere. While music is the center of the monthly event, there are other acts performed there, such as spoken word poetry, comedy and magic. [3:43]