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3 IUSD students named among Thermo Fisher Scientific’s top 300 junior innovators

Issue # 0494

Author

Joshua Tjia
10 Oct

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🔥🔋⚡ Think Before You Charge: Learn How to Prevent Battery Fires This Week

🥳🏅💡 3 IUSD students named among Thermo Fisher Scientific’s top 300 junior innovators 

💙👮‍♀️👮‍♂️🎁 Help Assemble or Sponsor Care Packages for Irvine Police

🍕🎉🎁 Get Rewarded for Loving Pizza: Enter The Pizza Press Giveaway Now!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎃🎟️ Win 4 Tickets to Pretend City’s Costume Week — Giveaway Ends Today, Oct. 10!

🧘💙🌿 You Don’t Have to Face Anxiety Alone — FCCMG Can Help

🌄🥾🚶‍♀️ Explore Limestone Canyon on a Beginner Twilight Cardio Hike – Oct. 19

🎶🏅🌟Irvine’s Ariana Kim Named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

💙🐶🐱 Orange County DA’s Office Promotes Animal Welfare at Upcoming Pet Adoption Event

🏀💙🙌 UC Irvine Basketball Honors Coaching Staff on National Coaches Day

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽🚀🎯 Isaac Nixon Named Irvine Valley’s Athlete of the Week After Stellar Two-Game Performance

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🔌👀 See Something, Say Something: Help Stop Costly Copper Wire Thefts in Irvine

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How do you fix a broken jack-o’-lantern?

With a pumpkin patch!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Think Before You Charge: Learn How to Prevent Battery Fires This Week

It’s Fire Prevention Week, October 5–11! The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are promoting this year’s theme: “Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” Residents are encouraged to make safe choices when buying, charging, and recycling lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires. Learn more at here.

Three IUSD Students Named Among Nation’s Top 300 Junior Innovators

Three Irvine Unified students have been named among Thermo Fisher Scientific’s top 300 junior innovators nationwide. 🎉

Honorees:

  • Meghana Wuppalapati, Beacon Park School

  • Tokiya Murase, Lakeside Middle School

  • Max Chen, Sierra Vista Middle School

Their projects were selected from nearly 2,000 entries, after excelling at the IUSD Science Fair, advancing to County, and reaching the national level.

Help Assemble or Sponsor Care Packages for Irvine Police

Irvine Rotary’s Care Packages Project supports Irvine Police officers who work long, demanding shifts and make life-or-death decisions daily. The project provides snack kits, drinks, and handwritten thank-you notes as a gesture of gratitude and encouragement. 💙

📩 Want to help? You can volunteer to assemble or sponsor care kits — a small but meaningful way to give back to those who serve.

Get Rewarded for Loving Pizza: Enter The Pizza Press Giveaway Now!

Celebrate National Pizza Month with The Pizza Press and win free pizza, sides, or exclusive swag! 🍕 Just order your favorite pizza, share it on your story or feed with #ThePizzaPressMonth, and tag @ThePizzaPress if it’s a story. Four winners will be selected daily through October 30.

🏆 Prizes:

  • Redeemed through The Pizza Press App (for food prizes)

  • Swag items mailed or available for pickup

Join the celebration and share your pizza love all month long!

Win 4 Tickets to Pretend City’s Costume Week — Giveaway Ends Today, Oct. 10!

🎉 Pretend City Giveaway! Win 4 tickets to Costume Week at Irvine’s Pretend City Children’s Museum!

How to Enter:

  1. Follow @pretendcity on Instagram

  2. Like the giveaway post

  3. Tag friends you’d bring (each tag = 1 entry)

  4. Bonus: Share the post to your story!

🗓️ Giveaway closes today: October 10 👤 Must be 18+ to enter. One winner will be notified via DM.

Costume Week Fun:

  • Sun 10/26: Favorite Character Day 🧙

  • Wed 10/29: Pajama Day 😴

  • Thu 10/30: Animal Day 🐾

  • Fri 10/31: Halloween Costume Day 🎃

💰 Enjoy $2 off child admission from Oct 29–31 (weekdays only) — tickets must be bought at the door.

🕹️ Dress up, play, and make family memories at Pretend City!

You Don’t Have to Face Anxiety Alone — FCCMG Can Help

Anxiety can interfere with daily life, but effective help is available. FCCMG offers professional care and treatment options designed to help individuals manage and reduce anxiety symptoms.

🔗 Learn more about anxiety treatment: fccmg.com/urgent-care/anxiety-treatment

Explore Limestone Canyon on a Beginner Twilight Cardio Hike – Oct. 19

Discover Limestone Canyon on a moderately paced 5.5-mile beginner cardio hike through OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Enjoy scenic ridge views while building fitness.

Details:

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025

  • Pace: 3–3.5 mph with minimal stops (Level 3 difficulty)

  • Highlights: Limestone Canyon and Limestone Ridge vistas

  • What to bring: At least 48 oz. of water, a small pack, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, first aid, and personal supplies

  • Requirements:

    • Advance registration required (no walk-ups)

    • Bring all necessary gear or you may be denied participation

    • Sign a liability waiver before hiking

    • Stay home if you feel unwell or have been recently exposed to illness

  • Restrooms available (not sanitized between uses)

🔗 Learn more or register: letsgooutside.org

Irvine’s Ariana Kim Named 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar

Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra alum Ariana Kim, former Principal Bassoon and 2023–24 PSYO Concerto Competition 1st place winner, has been named a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar — one of just 161 students nationwide honored for outstanding achievement, leadership, and artistic excellence. The Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles (PSYE) celebrates Ariana’s success as another example of its musicians’ continued impact and inspiration.

Read more

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. November 5, 5-9 PM: Band Spectacular, Irvine HS

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 6-8 PM: Fall Orchestra & Vocal Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 7 PM: Fall Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 23, 3:30-4:30 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Rehearsals

  2. October 30, 7 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Orange County DA’s Office Promotes Animal Welfare at Upcoming Pet Adoption Event

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is committed to pursuing animal abuse cases, with a dedicated prosecutor reviewing every report for evidence. Join OCDA and Supervisor Janet Nguyen for a Pet Adoption Expo on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 10 AM–1 PM at Freedom Hall, Mile Square Park (16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley). The event features free pet adoptions, $15 rabies vaccines, microchipping, wellness exams, and more. Stop by the OCDA booth to learn how they combat animal cruelty. For details, call 714-834-3110.

UC Irvine Basketball Honors Coaching Staff on National Coaches Day

UC Irvine Basketball celebrates National Coaches Day by recognizing its dedicated coaching staff — the visionaries behind every victory — and thanking them for their leadership, commitment, and impact on the program.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Oct 10 – vs UC Davis, 6:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Oct 10 – vs Cal State Bakersfield, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Oct 11 – vs CSUN, 5:00 PM

Men’s Water Polo

  • Sat, Oct 11 – vs Ted Newland Alumni Game, 11:00 AM

Men’s Basketball

  • Sun, Oct 12 – vs Arizona State (Exhibition), 12:00 PM

Isaac Nixon Named Irvine Valley’s Athlete of the Week After Stellar Two-Game Performance

Irvine Valley’s Athlete of the Week (Oct. 6) is sophomore men’s soccer forward Isaac Nixon, who scored three goals in a 4–1 win over Orange Coast and added an assist in a 5–3 victory against Saddleback. His efforts helped IVC improve to 5–4 overall and 2–0 in Orange Empire Conference play. The Lasers have won five of their last six matches, outscoring opponents 22–9, with Nixon contributing six goals and one assist during that stretch. A UC Irvine transfer and San Clemente High alum, Nixon now has seven goals and one assist in eight starts this season. IVC next faces Santa Ana at home on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Oct 10 – vs Cypress, 3:00 PM

  • Fri, Oct 17 – vs Fullerton, 3:00 PM

  • Fri, Oct 24 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs Santa Ana, 1:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Oct 14 – vs Santiago Canyon, 3:00 PM

  • Tue, Oct 21 – vs Golden West, 3:00 PM

  • Tue, Oct 28 – vs Saddleback, 3:00 PM

Men’s Basketball

  • Thu, Oct 23 – vs Chaffey (Scrimmage), 5:30 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With October Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

October 2025

Monday, October 13

  • Girls Golf – 3:30 PM vs. Rosary Academy

Wednesday, October 15

  • Girls Golf – 3:30 PM vs. Portola

  • Girls Flag Football – 6:30 PM vs. Laguna Beach at Irvine High School Stadium

Wednesday, October 22

  • Girls Tennis – 3:30 PM vs. St. Margaret’s Episcopal

See Something, Say Something: Help Stop Costly Copper Wire Thefts in Irvine

Copper wire theft continues to impact Southern California, including Irvine — with over $40,000 in wiring recently stolen along Peters Canyon Trail. On Monday, officers arrested a man near the San Diego Creek tracks for trespassing and resisting arrest after he fled; they also found a replica firearm, pepper spray, and stripped copper wiring nearby.

Residents are urged to stay alert and report suspicious activity such as:

  • Work being done outside regular hours

  • People lingering near light poles or utility boxes

  • Exposed or missing copper wire

  • Lights out along bike paths

  • Piles of empty wire sheathing

  • Open or tampered utility boxes

📞 Report emergencies: 9-1-1 📞 Report suspicious behavior: 949-724-7200 👉 If you see something, say something.

/S

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

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