Daina was a staff writer at the Occidental College student newspaper from September 2008 to March 2010 covering L.A. ethnic and urban culture. 

“Pulitzer-winner Jonathan Gold to speak about food and culture in LA”

March 3, 2010

The acclaimed LA Weekly food critic and writer will make a special Occidental College appearance.

“An Oxy Student’s Guide to the Metro Gold Line Extension”

February 27, 2010

The new Gold Line Extension offers one more opportunity to leave Oxy’s bubble and experience the city near its eastern border, exploring  unknown culture and interacting with eastside Angelenos and their neighborhoods.

Infobox: “Riding the Gold Line: Guide to Little Tokyo” – February 27, 2010

“Collaboration Celebration”

October 23, 2009

Oxy poets and composers team up to produce melodic accompaniment to the Homecoming Concert and President Veitch’s Inauguration

“A Legendary Educator”

May 2, 2009

Robert Winter, former Occidental Professor and renowned architectural historian, continues to teach and inspire community and college

“Exploring the Phillipines in Occidental’s Backyard”

March 23, 2009

It can’t be long before Northeast L.A. wakes up to discover the cultural wealth of the Philippines, just steps away from home.

“Oxy Abroad Student Blogs from France and Spain”

February 4, 2009

Students use blogs to record experiences and share them with the world.

“The Victorian Los Angeles”

November 25, 2008

A journey one hundred years back to the age of kerosene lamps and cross-country train expeditions, preserved in Highland Park

“The Melting Pot Myth”

November 5, 2008

OPINION: We must see the world before our eyes in all its complexity, a world where we can trade fantasies like the Great American Melting Pot for clear-eyed reform.

“Day of the Dead: Rituals Remixed”

October 29, 2008

This Latin American holiday has undergone transformations in the United States that have extended its celebration beyond conventional reverence for the dead to include expanded festivities favoring skulls and bones in an open-minded political forum.

“Oxy Students Fast for the Future”

October 22, 2008

Protest for immigration reform takes place in Los Angeles

“Bajofondo Rocks The Roxy”

October 22, 2008

The eclectic musician behind the Oscar-winning scores for Brokeback Mountain and Babel plays a sold-out show on Sunset

“Temple Beth Israel, A Culutral Gem in L.A.’s World of Religion”

October 15, 2008

Northeast Los Angeles is blessed with religion.  Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock is the city’s second-oldest temple.

“Literary L.A.”

October 8, 2008

A day at the West Hollywood Book Fair explains why we love book fairs: they remind us that literature and knowledge are cherished in our city.

“¡Viva Yiddish! Yields a Musical Melting Pot”

October 1, 2008

Imagine Klezmer clarinets, blaring brass, banda ballads, crazy congas, vigorous violins, fine flutes, syncopated steps, awesome oom-pah-pahs, amplified accordions, giant guitarrones and hilarious good humor! Is it a wild dream? No, it’s a performance by the ¡Viva Yiddish! Project at California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles.

“Art Culture in Eagle Rock”

September 24, 2008

On the second Saturday evening of every month, the NELA Art Walk highlights the art in our local community.