Events

Happy Mother's Day Bruins Nation

by Nestor on May 11, 2008 2:39 PM PDT in Events

Happy Mother's Day from the heart of Bruins Nation:

Photo Credit: karanmahta (flickr)

To all those Bruins - who are fortunate to spend this Sunday with the Moms in your family - enjoy a Happy Mother's Day.

And if you can't visit your Mom this Sunday - don't forget to give her a call.

GO BRUINS.

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Celebrating Our Bruinness

by Nestor on May 8, 2008 5:26 PM PDT in Events

Freesia39 diaried up the upcoming event featuring Vin Scully and Coach Wooden at NOKIA theater on June 13 in the diaries. That gives me the excuse to let you know about couple of more events that you may want to mark down on the calendar.

The UCLA Alumni association is putting together a "UCLA Day" on campus on May 17th. Tomorrow is the last day to sign up. You can do so by going here. The best part of the website is the section called "myMoments" which features memories like this one from Jeff Torres (Class of 90):

My Big UCLA Moment came shortly upon arrival on campus. I had been dropped off by my parents at Hedrick Hall to start my college career complete with new UCLA t-shirt purchased by parents during our earlier walk around campus. I was sitting alone in my dorm room with no clue what to do next.

Something told me to stand up and leave my room and so I walked to the doorway to look around the dorm with arrivals popping in and out of the rooms down the hall. And there walking down the hall was the most perfect girl I had ever seen flanked by two stern looking older women. Most people dismiss love at first sight but I was certain that this was the girl of my dreams (found on sight on my first day at UCLA?).

We met later and became the best of friends and shared many pressure packed academic moments as we progressed through our UCLA life. We enjoyed Mardi Gras, UCLA events like Jimmy Stuart and Princesses Fergi making a visit. We went through finals and trying family and college moments together. I got involved in fraternity and politics and she in journalism. Stephanie Coles became a Managing Editor (and now mother of our son) and I became a lawyer and for the 6 years as friends and 15 years married we have enjoyed many wonderful moments since our first big UCLA moment back in the fall of 1987. UCLA gave us a first rate education and many amazing opportunities but most importantly, it gave us each other.

Well I can certainly related to that. I met Mrs. N in our first week on Campus back in 1991. For more "Big UCLA Moments" go here. Again tomorrow is the last day to sign up for this event.

If you want can't make it to campus for UCLA day, you can head out to the Wooden Center on June 7, for "2008 True Blue Celebration":

Join us for a day of the ultimate Bruin camaraderie! This event will host 1,000 Bruins ranging from our championship coaches, student-athletes, Bruin athlete alumni like Troy Aikman and Michael Warren, Kenny Washington, Rafer Johnson, as well as the very best of our Bruin Fans. This event is being held to raise money for all programs within UCLA Athletics.

This unique event will offer over 500 silent auction items divided into four zones - Everything Bruin, Food & Wine, Arts & Entertainment, and Travel & Leisure. During the silent auction, our favorite wineries will provide wine tasting to all guests. We will also be serving appetizers. The silent auction will be followed by a Taste of UCLA (buffet dinner) and an exciting and extensive Live Auction hosted by a prominent member of the UCLA Alumni family. We want our third True Blue Celebration to be as memorable as our first. Help create a great collegiate tradition!

Sounds like fun. If anyone of you are planning to attend these events, as always the rest of us who don't live in the Golden State, we love posts and pictures.

On that note I will see you sometime tomorrow. As far as we know the new site gets launched tomorrow. Again you can get the full details here.

GO BRUINS.

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Happy 4th Bruins Nation

by Nestor on Jul 4, 2007 10:00 AM PDT in Events

Wanted to wish all of you a happy and festive July 4th:

July 4th Fireworks over the Rose Bowl, 2006

Wherever you are and whatever you are up to, have a great time and please be safe.

See you tomorrow.

GO BRUINS.

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The City of Angels: A Bruin Town

by Nestor on Jul 3, 2007 4:17 PM PDT in Events

As we all head out to the freeways, subways, airports or wherever we are heading to enjoy the Holiday (which is already off to a ROCKING START!!!!) just keep this in mind:

The 2006-07 season also marked the first time that UCLA swept USC in football, men's basketball and baseball. USC last accomplished the feat in 1940-41.

Remember that fact if you get stuck in the free way.

Picture this (or check it out in your iPhone) if you are standing in some long line at the airport:

Or visualize this if some a&&clown (with a TrOJan license plate) cut you off on the 405:

That's right.

We own this town even with Dorrell in charge of our football program.

Oh did I mention the best college basketball coach in America also reigns in Westwood?

Its good to bleed blue and gold.

GO BRUINS.

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The UCLA History Project

by Nestor on Jun 24, 2007 1:20 PM PDT in Events

A reader brought our attention to something pretty cool: the UCLA History Project.

More from the site:

The UCLA History Project is capturing and recording a full account of our beloved alma mater, from its humble beginnings to its current standing as one of the world's most prestigious public research universities. We invite all Bruins - and the extended UCLA family - to be a part of this monumental endeavor.

We will be delving into the untold number of historical documents and photographs preserved in UCLA's archives and other campus units. But we are committed to going beyond what is already here - interviewing many members of the UCLA community and searching for materials and information that may be on the verge of becoming permanently lost or forgotten.

This is the first time that UCLA has taken on such a large-scale formal collection of items pertaining to its history. The effort is a collaboration between the UCLA Alumni Association and Gold Shield, Alumnae of UCLA.

Much of the material gathered will serve as background for UCLA's second history book to be published in fall 2008. The new book will document the university's entire lifespan, revisiting the campus's formative years through the present time.

The guys who are putting it together are collecting stories, pictures etc. They already have a photo gallery up which includes some priceless shots:

If you have something to contribute send it their way. Here is the info. on where you can send the info. Plus you can aways share them with us!

I am sure Fox71 and Classof66 alone can add a separate chapter to that book.

GO BRUINS.

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Why I Appreciate This Site

by Achilles on Jun 20, 2007 10:10 AM PDT in Events

On the occasion of the this site's second anniversary, I wanted to express my appreciation to Nestor, the other contributors and the many readers and participants who make Bruins Nation worthwhile.

One thing needs to be made clear: My appreciation for this site is not because its editors and writers have taken an anti-Dorrell stance or because they choose to hold Karl Dorrell to any particular set of standards. If anything, while I generally agree with the majority opinion on the Karl Dorrell issue, I'm likely more moderate than any of the other contributors and many of the readers.

If this site was only about bashing Karl Dorrell, I wouldn't be here -- even if I agreed in principle with the bashing.

No, what I appreciate about this site is its independence and its freedom of thought. Bruins Nation is not a site for shills, it's a place for independent people with the confidence to express their personal views and visions. This is a place for smart people with smart takes. It's a place for independent thinkers, with original thoughts.I have no doubt that if I chose to oppose the majority opinion here regarding Dorrell or any other issue, I have that opportunity.

And for that I'm grateful.

Yes, I read Bruin Report Online. And, very rarely, I look at Bruinzone or the blogs of the print reporters. Each has its own place in the pantheon of web sites devoted to UCLA athletics.

As does Bruins Nation -- which I believe is an important contributor to the grand and always ongoing conversation about Bruin sports.

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Something Brewin In The OC

by Nestor on Jun 18, 2007 4:41 AM PDT in Events

Orange County Bruins are an active bunch these days. BruinEd03 is putting together a Bruin gathering around the Angels game on June 23rd which sounds like lot of fun.

Also on the same day the UCLA Athletics Club of Orange County is putting together a very cool event at Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. Got this via an email:

UCLA Athletics Club of Orange County
Inaugural Celebration Dinner

A limited number of tickets remain for the UCLA Athletics Club of Orange County Inaugural Celebration Dinner:

Saturday, June 23, 6:00pm
Balboa Bay Club (1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA)

Come enjoy an evening with Bruin supporters from across Orange County and learn about this exciting initiative that is taking place in your own backyard.

The evening will kick off with a hosted, full-service bar highlighted by a specialty Ketel One Martini bar. Following the cocktail reception, the evening will progress into a lavish dinner and exciting program featuring MC Lynn Shackelford, Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero, a "Conversation with Coach and the Quarterbacks" featuring Terry Donahue and quarterbacks Wayne Cook, Tom Ramsey and Cade McNown. The discussion will be led by former Bruin defensive back James Washington.

Tickets for the event are $250 (50% tax-deductible) and can be purchased by contacting Scott Nelson (snelson@athletics.ucla.edu or310-206-3302).

The time is now to get involved with UCLA Athletics in Orange County. If you are currently a supporter of UCLA Athletics, your involvement is sincerely appreciated. Our goal is to create a firm establishment in Orange County and benefit from the greatness that it entails.

If you live in or around Orange County and want to get more involved in UCLA athletics given what you read here on a daily basis, I strongly encourage you to go to these events. Because when it all comes down to it, while we articulate our reservations or concerns about our programs or celebrate their success here online, it is always important to engage the UCLA brass in a professional manner offline. This is the kind of program that presents a opportunity to tell Mr. Guerrero in a frank and respectful manner exactly what we are expecting from the football program next season. I’d encourage all of you who live around the area to take advantage of it.

Plus it is always cool to see this guy:

I miss those days.

GO BRUINS.

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Special Sunday For the Nation

by Nestor on Jun 17, 2007 9:20 AM PDT in Events

Happy Fathers to day to everyone.

Have you called your Dad yet?

Happy Fathers to day to all the Dads here on BN - Menelaus, Meriones, Ajax, Achilles, Class of 66, Fox71 and many others - who help make this place the most passionate, engaged, and intellectually honest Bruin online community around the internets.

Now this is a special Sunday for this Nation. We've got Dad Day today on top of the graduation weekend. Again want to extrend our congratulations to every member of the UCLA class of 2007.

Graduation (06) at the Catheral of College Basketball
Photo Credit/Source: Big Willie Style's Photo Stream

From my experience 4 and 2/3 quarters in Westwood was Paradise. But life only got better from there on as an alum of one of the finest universities in the world. And for our newest graduates on BN, I just have a simple message. This is a family in its truest sense. We are here for each other. If you need help, suggestions, ideas on what you want to do next (i.e. whereever you want to go to law school, med school, what cities you want to live in) we are here for you. Fire away with questions. Don't be shy to engage the hundreds, thousands of alums who are coming to BN every day to get their blue and gold fix.

So congratualtions to all our newest graduates and a Happy Father's Day to the Nation.

Enjoy your Sunday.

GO BRUINS.

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Compare & Contrast

by Nestor on Jun 13, 2007 7:28 PM PDT in Events

They have this guy:

Snoop Dogg high-fiving the (alleged) sex criminals (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

While we have her:

Yes that is Jessica Alba seen with Cash Warren, the son of Bruin legend Mike Warren.

Well done Cash. Well done.

Snoop Dog v. Jessica Alba.

I rest my case.

GO BRUINS.

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Prayers

by Nestor on Apr 16, 2007 4:27 PM PDT in Events

On behalf of everyone in Bruins Nation I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Virginia Tech family today.

As we read more about this incredibly sad tragedy, it shakes us to our very cores.

Please join me in saying a prayer for those who we lost and for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

Our hearts are with you, VA Tech

GO BRUINS