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Create Unforgettable Holiday Memories at the Hikari Festival of Lights

Issue # 0305

Author

Joshua Tjia
09 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🔋⚡️ Irvine City Council Reduces Monthly Electricity Costs by $60,000 with Transition to Lower-Tier Energy Plan

🎄✨🎄 Create Unforgettable Holiday Memories at the Hikari Festival of Lights

🚧 Roadwork Begins in Woodbridge North to Improve Streets and Sidewalks

🍦🥄 Scoop Up Your Free Giant Spoon Today at Yogurtland

🎱🎊 Join the Fun: All-Ages Bingo Night at Irvine Heritage Park Library

🏥💊 Balancing Health and Medication: UCI Pediatrician Urges Holistic Care for Obese Teens

🌱🧤 Help Restore Wildlife Habitat at Bommer Canyon Planting Day – December 10

🩰 Join ABT Gillespie School's Ballet Auditions This December

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🪀 Bring Joy to Shelter Cats: Donate Small Toys to Irvine Animal Care Center

🏀 UC Irvine Men's Basketball Opens Big West Play with 82-66 Win Over Cal State Bakersfield

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Portola Football Triumphs in Overtime, Secures First State Championship Berth

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔💰 Four Suspects Wanted for $316K Check Fraud in Irvine

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How did the bauble know that she was addicted to Christmas?

She’d been hooked on Christmas trees all her life.

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

Irvine City Council Reduces Monthly Electricity Costs by $60,000 with Transition to Lower-Tier Energy Plan

The Irvine City Council voted on November 26 to reduce the city’s electricity costs by $60,000 monthly by switching to the lowest-cost plan from the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA). The city had been enrolled in OCPA’s highest-tier, 100% renewable energy plan, but rising costs prompted OCPA to request a move to its mid-tier “Smart Choice” plan, offering 55% renewable energy. Instead, Vice Mayor Larry Agran proposed opting for the lowest-cost “Basic Rate” plan (44% renewable energy), which passed 3-2, supported by Mayor Farrah Khan and Councilmember Mike Carroll. Another proposal to adjust residents' and businesses' energy plans for 2025-2026 was postponed for further information. Concerns were raised about delayed communication from OCPA regarding its financial challenges, prompting the Council to defer additional decisions until after the new Council is seated on December 10.

Create Unforgettable Holiday Memories at the Hikari Festival of Lights

Hikari: A Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms is your ultimate holiday destination! Enjoy a magical tractor ride through a working farm adorned with over 1 million lights and festive displays

  • Snap a photo with Santa or the fluffy "snowball" chickens.

  • Savor seasonal eats from the Hikari menu at Tanaka Grills.

  • Dive into family fun with farmer games, the bee-train ride, and live holiday music every weekend.

  • It's a dazzling experience perfect for making cherished memories.

  • Reserve your spot now for this unforgettable holiday adventure!

Roadwork Begins in Woodbridge North to Improve Streets and Sidewalks

Pavement rehabilitation and slurry seal work will begin in Woodbridge North today, December 9, including repairs to curbs, gutters, sidewalks, access ramps, and adjustments to manhole and water valve covers. Residential work will occur Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., and arterial street work from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., with completion expected this winter. Temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted 72 hours in advance in affected areas. Learn more about this and other projects here.

Scoop Up Your Free Giant Spoon Today at Yogurtland

Happening Today! Get a free Giant Spoon with your purchase at Yogurtland. Spend $12 for 1 spoon, $24 for 2, $36 for 3, or $48 for 4 (max 4 per transaction). Hurry in before they’re all gone!

Join the Fun: All-Ages Bingo Night at Irvine Heritage Park Library

Families and individuals of all ages are invited to enjoy an hour of Bingo fun with prizes available while supplies last. The event will take place on Thursday, December 12, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM at Irvine Heritage Park Library. This community gaming event promises entertainment for all.

Balancing Health and Medication: UCI Pediatrician Urges Holistic Care for Obese Teens

With the rising use of semaglutide weight-loss drugs among U.S. teenagers, Dr. Dan Cooper, a pediatrician at UCI Health, warns of potential long-term risks and advocates for careful monitoring. Cooper, an expert in pediatric growth and development, highlights concerns that these medications, which reduce food intake, could negatively impact adolescents' growth, leading to bone fractures or osteoporosis, and increase the risk of suicidal ideation. He stresses that addressing obesity requires a holistic approach, particularly for low-socioeconomic groups facing limited access to physical activity and healthy food. In a 2023 commentary published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, Cooper calls for comprehensive research into the long-term effects of these drugs on adolescent development and emphasizes the need for a balanced strategy that integrates lifestyle changes with medical interventions.

Help Restore Wildlife Habitat at Bommer Canyon Planting Day – December 10

Bommer Canyon Planting Day (Dec 10, 9 AM–12 PM): Help restore native coastal sage scrub habitat at Bommer Canyon Preserve by planting native plants with IRC staff. No experience required and tools are provided. Pre-registration is required.

Join ABT Gillespie School's Ballet Auditions This December

The ABT William J. Gillespie School is offering high-quality classical ballet training, with auditions for ages 8 and up scheduled for Saturday, December 21, from 4–6 PM. Pre-registration is required, and those interested can email [email protected] to obtain the audition form. Find more information here.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. Fri, December 13, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Winter Gala Concert

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. Thurs, December 12, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Winter Concerts: Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra

  2. Fri, December 13, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Winter Concerts: Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. Wed, December 18, 6:00-10:00 PM: IM Winter Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Bring Joy to Shelter Cats: Donate Small Toys to Irvine Animal Care Center

Help make the holidays brighter for cats at the Irvine Animal Care Center by donating much-needed small cat toys like spiral springs, plushies, and small balls. Visit their Amazon and Chewy wish lists and have items shipped directly to them. Learn more about how to support the center at cityofirvine.org/irvine-animal-care-center/donate-support.

UC Irvine Men's Basketball Opens Big West Play with 82-66 Win Over Cal State Bakersfield

UC Irvine opened Big West play with an 82-66 win over Cal State Bakersfield, improving to 9-0 for the best start in program history, tied with the 1981-82 team. The Anteaters were dominant at the free throw line, scoring 33 points on 40 attempts, and saw standout performances from guard Justin Hohn with 19 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, and Jurian Dixon with a career-high 17 points. Despite being out-rebounded, UCI’s defense held CSUB to zero fastbreak points and capitalized on key runs late in the game. The win marks UCI's sixth consecutive Big West opener victory. Up next, they face Oregon State on Dec. 14.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No further upcoming home games for December

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Basketball

  1. Sat, Dec 14: vs Glendale, 3:00 PM

Men’s Basketball

  1. Fri, Dec 13: vs Mt. San Antonio, 5:00 PM

  2. Fri, Dec 20: vs Cypress, 7:00 PM

  3. Mon, Dec 30: vs Alumni, 6:00 PM

Portola Football Triumphs in Overtime, Secures First State Championship Berth

Portola High secured a thrilling 35-34 overtime win against King/Drew in the CIF Regional Division 6-AA Football Championship Bowl Game at Banning High, earning their first state championship berth. Running back Timmy Grettenberg led Portola with 169 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including the decisive overtime score. King/Drew responded with a touchdown but failed on a two-point conversion, stopped by Portola’s Reggie Thorn. Despite standout performances from King/Drew’s Jahmir Torres, including three touchdowns and a key defensive strip, Portola's resilience, highlighted by Kaden Orosz's blocked field goal, proved decisive. Portola, which began the season 0-5, will face Arcata (13-1) for the state title on Dec. 14.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

November 2024  

Tuesday, December 10

  • 04:00 PM: Water Polo, Girls VR vs. Portola at Woolett Pool

Four Suspects Wanted for $316K Check Fraud in Irvine

Four suspects intercepted a FedEx parcel, replacing two cashier's checks with fraudulent ones, and cashed them using fake IDs with the victims' names. The checks totaled $316,499. If you have information about these suspects, please contact [email protected].

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

November 1 - December 14 Annual Holiday Toy Drive

November 18 – December 13 Letters to Santa

November 29– December 29 Hikari Festival of Lights

December 7 - 15 Holiday Makers Mart 10 AM - 4 PM

December 14 Holidays Around the World 11 AM

December 14 Fiesta Navidad 8 PM

December 17 Holiday Organ Spectacular 7:30 PM

December 20 - December 21 Joss Stone: Merry Christmas, Love 8 PM

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