Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the City of Irvine at the Great Park, Today!

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture and other countries in East and Southeast Asia. It is the second-most important holiday after Lunar New Year and dates back over 3,000 years, when the Emperor of China worshipped the moon for bountiful harvests. The City of Irvine will host a Mid-Autumn Festival at the Great Park on Friday, September 29th from 5 to 9 p.m. This family-friendly festival includes education, entertainment, crafts, food trucks, and artistic demonstrations. Local community partners will be in attendance to support the event and share organizational information and resources. This event is free, open to all ages, and no registration is required.

For more information about the Mid-Autumn Festival in Irvine, please visit cityofirvine.org/midautumn.

City of Irvine Wins 2023 Beacon Award for Grassroots Environmental Initiative

The City of Irvine has been recognized with the 2023 Beacon Leadership & Innovation Award for its Cool Irvine program, which educates and empowers locals on environmental matters, leading to community-driven climate action and stronger neighborhood bonds. The award, given by the Institute for Local Government, appreciates California local bodies that voluntarily work towards reducing greenhouse emissions and promoting sustainability. In a year, Cool Irvine engaged 210 households in 1,734 sustainability actions, pledging 2,457 more, eliminating over 727,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This initiative also fostered community connections, with neighbors forming disaster plans and friendships. Mayor Farrah N. Khan acknowledged the collective effort in making Irvine cleaner and more vibrant. Alongside, the city is developing its first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) to set achievable emissions reduction goals. The collaborative efforts between residents and the city underline the collective power in addressing climate change and enhancing community resilience against environmental challenges. For those interested, the Cool Irvine website and the City of Irvine’s Environmental Programs provide avenues to join this eco-conscious movement.

Read more here

UCI Aldrich Park to Host Anti-Cancer Challenge Next Saturday: A Day of Runs, Rides, and Revolutionary Research Funding

On Saturday, October 7, at UCI Aldrich Park, a 5K and 10K Run/Walk event alongside 14-, 37-, 60-, and 100-Mile Rides, including a Mountain Bike Ride, will be held as part of the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge.

This initiative is a communal endeavor aimed at elevating awareness and generating funds for vital cancer research being conducted at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Every dollar raised by participants will be directly channeled towards supporting pilot studies and early-stage clinical trials. These efforts are dedicated to uncovering novel understandings in cancer prevention, treatment, and cures, with the ultimate goal of saving lives.

Visit UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge website to register for the event

Act Now: Limited Spots Available for Ocean-Friendly Landscaping Workshop!

The upcoming Plant Like a Local Workshop Series, Part 2, aims to educate attendees on ocean-protective landscaping practices. The workshop will cover topics like nurturing living soil, rainwater harvesting, and choosing California-friendly plants to create an appealing yet ocean-friendly yard. Scheduled for October 18, 6 p.m. at the IRWD Headquarters in Irvine, the event is free for IRWD customers, although registration on the IRWD website is mandatory.

Sign-up at IRWD’s website here

Concordia's New Spectrum Campus: A Giant Leap Towards Healthcare Excellence in Irvine!

Celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Concordia-Spectrum Campus on October 5 at 2:00 pm.

The Concordia-Spectrum Campus in Irvine, encompassing a three-story 114,000 sq. ft. building, will host Concordia's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, graduate healthcare programs, and other related courses, marking Concordia's dedication to local workforce development. Situated in a bustling biotech and healthcare sector, the campus boasts 20,000 sq. ft. of modern nursing teaching space, 90,000 sq. ft. for additional classrooms and offices, all on a 6.6-acre lot with a 690-space parking facility. This expansion aims to address community and regional healthcare needs by producing top-notch nurses from its programs.

Find out more here

Limited Spots Available: Register Now for the Upcoming City-Sponsored College Tours

The City is organizing private college tours for high school students on October 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., covering Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton. The tour includes transportation, admission presentations, brochures, and supervision. Interested individuals need to register online at yourirvine.org with the class code #94697, as spots are limited.

Irvine Valley College Soccer Ascends to 15th Nationally, Gears Up for Fullerton Clash on Friday

The Irvine Valley men's soccer team has entered the top 20 rankings in the DIII United Coaches Soccer Association Poll for the first time this season, now standing seventh among California teams. With a current record of 5-2-1, they began their conference play with a 1-1 tie against Golden West. The team has been unbeaten in the last five matches, showcasing notable performances from players like Ivan Lopez and Josh Simonton. They are set to face Fullerton, ranked fifth nationally, in a highly anticipated match this coming Friday at 3 PM.

Find more here

High School Varsity Athletics: Football Face-offs and Sports Calendar

Upcoming High School Football Games (Varsity Level)

1. October 13 at 5:00 PM

   • Northwood High Vs Portola

2. October 27 at 7:00 PM

   • Irvine High Vs University

Northwood High School Monthly Athletic Calendar (Varsity Level)

University High School Monthly Athletic Calendar (Varsity Level)

Woodbridge High School Monthly Athletic Calendar (Varsity Level)

IUSD's College, Career and Life Readiness Fair on Oct. 23

The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) is hosting a College, Career, and Life Readiness Fair on October 23, from 5-7 p.m. at Northwood High School. This free event, open to all students, families, and community members, aims to provide valuable resources and information for future planning. Additional details can be found on the event's flier.

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