• Irvine Insider
  • Posts
  • Irvine Ranked Southern California’s Top Innovation Hub in New Study

Irvine Ranked Southern California’s Top Innovation Hub in New Study

Issue # 0520

Author

Joshua Tjia
19 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏙️📈🌟Irvine Ranked Southern California’s Top Innovation Hub in New Study

🍽️🧸🤲🏼 Give Back This Holiday Season: Volunteer Locally to Support Crime Survivors

⚠️☣️ Irvine Hazardous Waste Center to Close Permanently on Dec. 31

🚧🚲 Bike Trail Underpass Cleanups Continue as Irvine Reopens Key Sections

🚦 Traffic Signal Work at Beacon & Great Park Blvd Happening Today

🖌️🎨 Heritage Park Library Hosts Teen Kindness Pop-Up Card Workshop, Dec.9

🚸🚲 Helping Kids Ride Safely: CHOC Shares E-Bike Tips

✨🎄 South Coast Plaza's Annual Tree Lighting Returns Today, Nov. 20

🌲🎁 Holiday Market Returns to Woodbridge with Local Makers and Family Fun, Dec 6

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐈 Irvine Animal Care Center Reports Successful Week With 15 Adoptions

🏐 UCI's Campbell Jensen Earns Third Big West Defensive Honor in Women’s Volleyball

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽️ IVC Men’s Soccer Clinches OEC Title With 3–2 Victory Over Golden West

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Irvine High Football Advances to CIF Semifinals After 14–0 Shutout Win

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🛍️ Irvine Police Recover $3,000 in Stolen Goods, Arrest Three Suspects Near Spectrum

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a single kernel of corn?

A uni-corn!

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

Irvine Ranked Southern California’s Top Innovation Hub in New Study

Irvine has been named Southern California’s top innovation hub in a new CommercialCafe study, placing No. 7 in the Western U.S. overall. The ranking highlights Irvine’s strong STEM employment, high degree attainment, and growth in science and tech firms—boosted by the city’s two major innovation centers: UC Irvine and the Research Park, and the Spectrum District. These hubs have helped launch breakthroughs like the heart valve, HTTP, and World of Warcraft, while supporting thriving clusters in medical devices, ophthalmology, and gaming that provide thousands of high-paying STEM jobs.

Give Back This Holiday Season: Volunteer Locally to Support Crime Survivors

Crime Survivors is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting victims, survivors, and their families with hope, healing, and essential resources across our community. Students and residents can earn volunteer hours while making a meaningful impact through hands-on service, donation drives, advocacy, and community outreach.

Ways to Help:

  • 🎁 Toy & Stuffed Animal Drive: Collect comfort items for children affected by trauma.

  • 🧴 Hygiene & Necessities Drive: Provide essential care kits for survivors rebuilding their lives.

  • 🔍 Research & Outreach: Assist with awareness campaigns and safety education.

  • 🎉 Event Support: Volunteer at survivor empowerment events and fundraisers.

  • 💬 Social Media & Advocacy: Spread awareness and support victims’ rights online.

  • 📦 Donation Organization: Sort, pack, and prepare items for families in need.

  • 🤝 Community Engagement: Represent the organization at schools, fairs, and local events.

  • Learn More, Donate, or Volunteer: For questions, volunteer sign-ups, or donation details, contact:

    1. 📧 [email protected]

    2. 📞 (844) 853-HOPE

    3. 🌐 www.crimesurvivors.org

Irvine Hazardous Waste Center to Close Permanently on Dec. 31

The Irvine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will permanently close on December 31, 2025, to accommodate the City of Irvine’s planned dog park expansion. Orange County residents may continue to dispose of household hazardous waste at the Anaheim, Huntington Beach, or San Juan Capistrano facilities, which operate Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additional information is available at OClandfills.com/notice.

Bike Trail Underpass Cleanups Continue as Irvine Reopens Key Sections

City of Irvine staff have reopened many bike trail underpasses following cleanup efforts, though a few areas remain closed. Riders are encouraged to use caution as crews continue working and more rain is expected later this week.

  • San Diego Creek Trail: All underpasses are fully open.

  • Peters Canyon Trail: All underpasses from Barranca to Irvine Blvd are open except the 5 Freeway underpass.

  • Hicks Canyon Trail: Cleanup is still underway at multiple locations; the Yale Tunnel remains closed.

Traffic Signal Work at Beacon & Great Park Blvd Happening Today

Traffic signal work will take place at Beacon and Great Park Boulevard today, Wednesday, Nov. 19, with the signal turned off or set to red-flash mode between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes and plan for possible delays.

Heritage Park Library Hosts Teen Kindness Pop-Up Card Workshop, Dec.9

Teens ages 13+ are invited to Heritage Park Library on Tuesday, December 9, from 5–6 p.m. to create handmade pop-up cards that will be donated to a local community organization. No registration is required—walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.

Helping Kids Ride Safely: CHOC Shares E-Bike Tips

CHOC is encouraging families to keep kids and teens healthy and safe while riding e-bikes, reminding everyone that simple habits can prevent injuries. As the lead agency for Safe Kids Orange County, CHOC works with local partners to protect children from common risks like bike crashes, falls, and other preventable accidents.

E-Bike Health & Safety Tips

  • Pop on a comfy, well-fitted helmet to protect those growing brains.

  • Follow traffic rules and stick to bike lanes so rides stay smooth and safe.

  • Choose an e-bike that fits your child’s size and experience to help them stay in control.

  • Be bright and be seen with lights, reflectors, and colorful clothing.

South Coast Plaza's Annual Tree Lighting Returns Today, Nov. 20

South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom Center kick off the holidays with their annual Tree Lighting on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in Town Center Park. The free event features live performances, Santa appearances, and the lighting of a spectacular Christmas tree.

Holiday Market Returns to Woodbridge with Local Makers and Family Fun, Dec 6

Modern Makers Mart returns to Woodbridge Village Center on December 6–7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing a festive outdoor holiday market with 30+ local artisan vendors, live music, a kids craft station, and pet-friendly fun. Shoppers can enjoy unique handmade gifts, seasonal treats, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Vendor applications are available online for those interested in participating.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. December 3, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, NHS Theater

  2. December 4, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert, Guitar, Symphonic Strings, Concert Orchestra, 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

  1. December 5, 7 PM: Winter Celebration 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

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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

Irvine Animal Care Center Reports Successful Week With 15 Adoptions

From November 10–16, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 15 happy adoptions.

  • 7 Dogs: Alexandra, Linda, Monchy, Orabelle, Penelope, Victoria, Voyager
    8 Cats: Cat Stevens, Charcoal, Chestnut, Dawn, Kiwi, Pecan, Rune, Sterling

  • 1 Dog was sent to rescue: Markos

  • 2 Dogs and 3 Cats were reunited with their owners.

UCI's Campbell Jensen Earns Third Big West Defensive Honor in Women’s Volleyball

UCI libero Campbell Jensen earned her third Big West Defensive Player of the Week award after a standout performance with 18 digs vs. CSUN and 27 vs. Cal State Bakersfield. She now has seven 20+ dig matches, plus strong passing numbers with 11 assists, an ace, and a .930 reception rate. Jensen leads the Big West with a 4.62 dig average.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Nov 21 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

Men’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Nov 21– vs Big West Championship, TBA

IVC Men’s Soccer Clinches OEC Title With 3–2 Victory Over Golden West

Irvine Valley College men’s soccer clinched the Orange Empire Conference title with a 3–2 win over Golden West after a fast 3–0 start in the first 20 minutes. Despite Golden West closing the gap before halftime, IVC held on to secure its first conference championship since 2015, finishing the regular season 13-7-1.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women's Basketball

  • Wed, Nov 19 – vs El Camino, 7:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  • Fri, Nov 21 - vs Cuyamaca, 5:00 PM

Irvine High Football Advances to CIF Semifinals After 14–0 Shutout Win

Irvine High School advanced to the CIF Division 8 semifinals after a gritty 14–0 road win over Quartz Hill. The Vaqueros (9–3) now head to Brea Olinda on Friday with a spot in the championship game at stake.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

Irvine Police Recover $3,000 in Stolen Goods, Arrest Three Suspects Near Spectrum

Irvine Police quickly apprehended three suspects after an Ulta shoplifting case in a nearby city was flagged by the Real Time Crime Center. Officers coordinated with Spectrum patrol, Sephora Loss Prevention, and a drone team to track the pair as they fled back to their vehicle, leading to a traffic stop where over $3,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered. Two suspects were arrested for burglary and conspiracy, and the driver was arrested for conspiracy.

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 20 - November 22 Shelley Conducts Carmen and Daphnis and Chloe 8 PM

November 22 Lao Tizer Band

November 23 PSYCB: Songs of the Earth 1 PM

November 25 PSYO: Light in Darkness 7 PM

December 4 - 6 Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake 8 PM

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Irvine and surrounding areas and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Irvine Insider with them! It’s simple!