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Great Park and Citywide Alert Systems to be Tested Sept. 17

Issue # 0488

Author

Joshua Tjia
17 Sep

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏙️🚨 Great Park and Citywide Alert Systems to be Tested Sept. 17

✏️🌟 Irvine Valley College Ranked Among Nation’s Best Community Colleges

📲📚 Books and Apps for All Ages: Portola High Student Blends Tech and Storytelling

🚦 Traffic Signal Work at Culver & Alton, Sept. 17

🔬✋🏼 Volunteers Needed for IUSD’s Ask A Scientist/Engineer Night

🛌💤 REM Sleep: The Nighttime Cycle That Boosts Mind and Body

🌅🌾 Explore Loma Ridge on a Scenic Sunset Trek

🤸🏻 An Evening of Artistry: Limón Dance Company Live Sept. 25

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

‼️🎒 National Preparedness Month: Build Your Emergency Kit This September

⚽️ UC Irvine Women’s Soccer Celebrates Senior Day with 2-0 Win

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the pumpkin fail his math test?

He was totally caught off gourd!

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

Great Park and Citywide Alert Systems to be Tested Sept. 17

On Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 10:30 a.m., the City of Irvine will take part in a regional AlertOC emergency notification test.

At the same time, a new speaker system at the Great Park Sports Complex will also be tested, which means visitors and nearby neighbors may hear sirens or messages.

Irvine Valley College Ranked Among Nation’s Best Community Colleges

Irvine Valley College has earned national recognition, ranking No. 12 in WalletHub’s 2025 Best Community Collegesfor affordability, student success, and educational quality.

  • The school also ranked No. 13 in California for return on investment in the Golden Returns report, noted as one of just 25 colleges in the state where students can recover education costs in six months or less.

  • President John Hernandez shared that the rankings reflect IVC’s focus on supporting students, aligning programs with workforce needs, and expanding opportunities.

Books and Apps for All Ages: Portola High Student Blends Tech and Storytelling

Aditya Baniwal, a junior at Portola High School, has combined his interest in technology with writing and app development.

  • His projects include:

    • books for teens, young children, and parents — ranging from Getting Bored, which encourages creative thinking, to picture books illustrated by his sister Reya.

    • a guide for parents on understanding AI, Raising AI-Ready Kids.

  • Beyond books, he developed an iOS app set to launch in late November that helps children practice math skills and offers older adults a tool to stay mentally active.

Traffic Signal Work at Culver & Alton, Sept. 17

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, crews will be working on the traffic signal at Culver Drive and Alton Parkway. Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the signal may be turned off or in red flash mode, so drivers are advised to use alternate routes when possible.

Volunteers Needed for IUSD’s Ask A Scientist/Engineer Night

Join the Irvine Unified School District for Ask A Scientist/Engineer Night on October 14, from 5:30–7 p.m. at the IUSD Learning Center. Students will meet one-on-one with STEM professionals for 10–15 minute sessions to get advice and feedback on their science fair ideas.

  • The district is also seeking volunteer scientists and engineers to share their expertise.

  • Learn more or sign up at iusd.org/STEMEvents.

REM Sleep: The Nighttime Cycle That Boosts Mind and Body

REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is a vital stage of rest that supports memory, emotional processing, mental health, and immunity.

  • It makes up about 25% of nightly sleep in adults, usually 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes within a 7–9 hour night.

  • Newborns spend half their sleep in REM, while adults’ REM is concentrated later in the night.

  • Too little or too much REM can signal issues, including depression.

  • To improve REM, prioritize enough total sleep and avoid disruptions from alcohol, caffeine, and certain medications, which can reduce this restorative stage.

Explore Loma Ridge on a Scenic Sunset Trek

Join an evening hike at Hicks Haul Road on Thursday, Sept. 18. This 3.5-mile round-trip hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve leads up to scenic Loma Ridge, surrounded by rock formations, native plants, and the peaceful sounds of nature. Bring sturdy shoes, water, and a red-tinted flashlight for the return after sunset.

An Evening of Artistry: Limón Dance Company Live Sept. 25

Join the world-renowned Limón Dance Company on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 8 PM at Irvine Barclay Theatre. Known as the first modern dance troupe to tour internationally under the U.S. State Department and perform at Lincoln Center, the company continues to captivate audiences with its signature blend of artistry and innovation in contemporary dance.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. September 30, 7-8:30 PM: Vocal Music Fall Concert, NHS Theater

  2. October 6, 7-8:30 PM: Fall Orchestra Concert, NHS Theater

  3. October 7, 7-8:30 PM: Fall Band Concert, NHS Theater

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 9,16, 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 

National Preparedness Month: Build Your Emergency Kit This September

September is National Preparedness Month, and OCFA reminds residents to build an emergency supply kit for their household. A ready kit can make a big difference in a crisis. See the full list here

Kit Essentials:

  • Water & food (3-day supply)

  • Flashlight & batteries

  • Radio (battery/hand-crank)

  • First aid kit

  • Whistle & masks

  • Sanitation items (wipes, bags)

  • Tools (wrench, can opener)

  • Phone charger & backup power

  • Important documents & meds

UC Irvine Women’s Soccer Celebrates Senior Day with 2-0 Win

UC Irvine women’s soccer enjoyed a special Senior Day with a 2-0 victory over Washington State.

  • Clara Samson scored just after halftime, and Suus de Bakker added a late goal to secure the win.

  • Goalkeeper Laurynn Ziller recorded another shutout as the Anteaters (3-2-4) wrapped up non-conference play.

  • They now look ahead to their Big West opener against UC Riverside on Sept. 21.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Special Event

  • Fri, Sep 19 – Rameelo Raas Garba with Jignesh Barot, 7:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Sun, Sep 21 – vs UC Riverside, 1:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs Long Beach State, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Sep 27 – vs UC San Diego, 5:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Soccer

  • Tue, Sep 23 – vs Cuyamaca, 4:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 30 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs Orange Coast, 6:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs East Los Angeles, 1:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With September Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

September 2025

Thursday, September 18

  • Girls’ Tennis – 3:30 PM vs. Sage Hill at Heritage Park

  • Girls’ Golf – 4:00 PM vs. Woodbridge at Oak Creek Golf Course

Monday, September 22

  • Girls Flag Football – 3:30 PM vs. Portola at Irvine High School Stadium

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

September 20 Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch Opening 9 AM - 6 PM

September 20 IPD Open House 10 AM - 2 PM

September 25 Limón Dance Company 8 PM

September 26 Mid-Autumn Festival 5 - 9:30 PM

September 27 Joshua Redman Quartet 8 PM

September 28 Barclay Block Party 1 PM

September 30 Calidore String Quartet 7 PM

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