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Irvine Hazardous Waste Center Stays Open Another Year

Issue # 0532

Author

Joshua Tjia
09 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏫🏥 $80 Million Donation Helps Advance New UCI MIND Dementia Center Plans

☣️⚠️ Irvine Hazardous Waste Center Stays Open Another Year

🚓🚦 High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement in University Area Results in 21 Violations Cited

🍕 Grab an XL Pizza and Get Another for 50% Off at Pieology

🎺🥁 Woodbridge High Entertainment Corps Brings Home the 6A State Crown

🐕🩺 Therapy Dogs to Bring Comfort to Patients at UC Irvine’s New Hospital

🌳🍓🌳 Bright Berries and Colorful Bark: Irvine’s Wildlands Light Up With Winter Color

🩰 Join a Youth Ballet & Jazz Combo Class at Woodbridge Community Center This January

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐈‍⬛ New Homes and Happy Reunions: A Busy Week at Irvine Animal Care Center

🏀 Big Second Half Lifts UCI Men’s Basketball Over CSUN, 85–71

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Woodbridge Football Defeats San Fernando 13–0 to Earn First-Ever State Regional Title

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚛 Driver Arrested After Unlicensed Truck Stop Leads to Firearm Discovery in Irvine

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the icy road say to the car?

“Want to go for a spin?”

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

$80 Million Donation Helps Advance New UCI MIND Dementia Center Plans

Nearly $80 million in donor support, led by a $50 million gift from the Quilter family, is propelling UCI MIND’s plans to build a new state-of-the-art facility focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia research, clinical care, and community outreach. The contribution—along with additional commitments from several community partners—will help strengthen UCI’s role as a national leader in dementia science and expand opportunities for treatment, prevention, and public education.

Irvine Hazardous Waste Center Stays Open Another Year

The City of Irvine and OC Waste & Recycling have extended the license for the Irvine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center for up to one year, allowing it to stay open at its current location while a new permanent site is identified.

The center will continue operating until further notice, and residents can use any of the four countywide Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers, all open Tuesday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement in University Area Results in 21 Violations Cited

Irvine Police conducted a high-visibility enforcement operation in the University area on Thursday after recent community complaints. Officers issued 21 citations for violations such as speeding, cellphone use while driving, running red lights, and modified exhausts.

Police remind everyone to slow down, stay alert, and avoid distracted driving.

Grab an XL Pizza and Get Another for 50% Off at Pieology

Pieology at Irvine Spectrum is offering a limited-time deal through December 31: buy one 16" XL pizza and get the second for 50% off. It’s a great chance to share with friends, try new toppings, or enjoy extra pizza for less—don’t miss out on this seasonal special.

Woodbridge High Entertainment Corps Brings Home the 6A State Crown

Woodbridge High School’s Entertainment Corps is once again the 6A State Band Champion! They scored an impressive 91.95 to earn their 8th title in 10 years, winning by just 0.1 points. Every student took home a medal, the percussion section earned the High Percussion Award, and Zachariah Hufford received the top soloist honor plus a $500 scholarship.

Therapy Dogs to Bring Comfort to Patients at UC Irvine’s New Hospital

UC Irvine’s new hospital will feature a dedicated team of therapy dogs—P-Nut, Pixel, MEG, and others—who will visit patients daily to provide comfort and emotional support. The 14-dog “paw patrol,” already known at UCI’s trauma center, helps patients feel calmer and more at ease, even joining them on beds and responding to special visit requests. Staff say these furry companions make a meaningful difference in helping patients feel more like themselves.

Bright Berries and Colorful Bark: Irvine’s Wildlands Light Up With Winter Color

Winter at the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks brings its own kind of holiday magic, even without twinkling lights. The trails brighten up with toyon bushes covered in vibrant red berries, the smooth, cool-colored bark of manzanita trees, and cheerful pops of gooseberry that stand out against the winter landscape. It’s nature’s way of decorating for the season, creating a colorful and festive feel all across the open space.

Join a Youth Ballet & Jazz Combo Class at Woodbridge Community Center This January

Join the fun this winter with Showtime Dance’s Ballet & Jazz Combo class for children ages 3–5, held on Tuesdays from January 6 to March 10 at the Woodbridge Community Center. This beginner-friendly class introduces young dancers to simple ballet and jazz movements in a playful, supportive environment.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. December 9, 7 - 8:30 PM: Vocal Music Winter Concert, NHS Theater

  2. December 12 , 7 - 8:30 PM: Winter Gala Concert – Jazz Ensemble I, Wind Symphony, Philharmonic, and Vocal Music, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. December 11 - 12, 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Winter Concerts, 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

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. December 16, 7 PM: Jazz the Halls, TBD

  2. December 18, 7 PM: Holiday Concert, IHS PAC

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. December 12, 7 - 9 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

  2. December 13, 3 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON Matinee

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

New Homes and Happy Reunions: A Busy Week at Irvine Animal Care Center

From December 1–7, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 6 dog adoptions and 13 cat adoptions, with pets like Domino, Sasha, Buttercup, and Georgina finding new homes. The center also reunited 7 dogs, 1 cat, and 3 turtles with their owners. 

For adoption details and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

Big Second Half Lifts UCI Men’s Basketball Over CSUN, 85–71

UC Irvine men’s basketball beat CSUN 85–71 after a huge second half that turned a halftime deficit into a strong win. UCI closed on a 17–4 run to improve to 7–4 overall and 2–0 in Big West play.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 – vs California Baptist, 2:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Basketball

  • Tue, Dec 9 - vs LA Mission, 5:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 - vs San Diego Miramar, 5:00 PM

  • Tue, Dec 30 - vs LA Valley, 5:00 PM

Woodbridge Football Defeats San Fernando 13–0 to Earn First-Ever State Regional Title

Woodbridge High School’s postseason momentum kept rolling as the Warriors defeated San Fernando 13–0 in the CIF South Division 7-AA Bowl Game, earning the first state regional win in school history. With this shutout victory, Woodbridge now advances to the CIF State Championship to face North champion Redding Christian.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Tuesday, December 9

  • Basketball, Boys - 7:00 PM vs Aliso Niguel

Wednesday, December 10

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:00 PM vs Crean Lutheran

  • Wrestling, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Woodbridge

  • Soccer, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Fountain Valley

  • Wrestling, Boys - 5:00 PM vs Woodbridge

Thursday, December 11

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:30 PM vs Dana Hills

Driver Arrested After Unlicensed Truck Stop Leads to Firearm Discovery in Irvine

On Sunday night, Irvine officers conducted a traffic stop on a truck traveling along Harvard Avenue without license plates, prompting further investigation when the driver’s explanation proved inconsistent. A search revealed a substantial amount of cash and a loaded firearm inside the vehicle. The 29-year-old driver from Colorado was subsequently arrested for possession of a loaded firearm.

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 28 - December 30 Santa's Village

November 28 - December 28 Hikari: Festival of Lights

December 9 Holiday Organ Spectacular 7:30 PM

December 11 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

December 21 Tis the Season!

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