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Irvine’s $4B Health Care Boom Is Shaping the Future of Healing and Innovation

Issue # 0503

Author

Joshua Tjia
24 Oct

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Fun Fact Friday

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏗️🏥💵 Irvine’s $4B Health Care Boom Is Shaping the Future of Healing and Innovation

🏆🌍🌌 A Tale of Two Nobels: How UCI Made History with Two Nobel Winners in One Year

🍽️💚 Make a Difference: Volunteer with Irvine’s Serving Up Smiles Program for Older Adults

🎻🎶 Pacific Symphony Presents “Scandinavian Dreams” — Chamber Music by Grieg, Sibelius & More

🚌🚸 School Bus Safety Week: October 20–24 — Simple Safety Reminders for the Road

🩸 Help Save Lives Locally: Sign Up for the Woodbridge Blood Drive This Oct. 29

🌱🍂 Preserve the Season: Fall Garden Workshop at Great Park

🥐🍏 Whisk Up Some French Flair in Your Kitchen This Fall

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐶 Love at First Fetch: Adopt Cole from Irvine Animal Care Center

🏐 UCI Women’s Volleyball Dominates Cal State Fullerton 3-0

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚾️ IVC Baseball’s Edison Polanco Commits to Loyola Marymount

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏐 Crean Lutheran Girls Volleyball Captures Freeway League Title

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚲 🚓 Irvine Police Issue Alert on Rising Copper Wire Thefts Along Bike Paths

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you know…?

Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight—unlike flying squirrels or sugar gliders, which only glide.

We hope this fun fact brings a smile to your day! 😁

Irvine’s $4B Health Care Boom Is Shaping the Future of Healing and Innovation

Irvine is emerging as a national leader in medical innovation, driven by $4 billion in new hospitals and research centers that bring advanced care and high-paying jobs to the community.

  • 💊 Vision Breakthroughs: UCI’s Dr. Krzysztof Palczewski and student Jennings Luu are developing a pill to fight blindness through their startup, Hyperion Therapeutics.

  • 🧬 $200M Falling Leaves Center: Launching research on vision, brain, and neurodegenerative diseases.

  • 🏥 City of Hope ($1.5B): Opening OC’s only cancer specialty hospital with 600+ doctors and 700 clinical trials.

  • 🌿 Hoag Sun Family Campus ($1B): Adding new buildings, 11 ORs, and 24-hour cancer urgent care.

  • ⚡ UCI Health ($1.3B): Nation’s first all-electric hospital opening December 2025.

  • 🧠 Lifepoint Rehab Center ($80M): Specialized stroke and brain injury recovery center opening 2026.

A Tale of Two Nobels: How UCI Made History with Two Nobel Winners in One Year

In October 1995, UC Irvine achieved a historic milestone when two of its founding professors each received Nobel Prizes on the same day — honoring discoveries that reshaped science and elevated UCI as a leader in world-changing research.

  • 🧪 Frederick Reines — Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering the neutrino, a nearly invisible “ghost particle” that revolutionized how scientists study matter and energy.

  • 🌎 F. Sherwood “Sherry” Rowland — Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (with Mario Molina) for discovering that CFCs were depleting the ozone layer, leading to the Montreal Protocol, one of the most successful global agreements in history.

  • 🔬 Their discoveries not only defined modern particle physics and atmospheric chemistry but also solidified UCI’s legacy as a hub for curiosity-driven, life-saving science.

Make a Difference: Volunteer with Irvine’s Serving Up Smiles Program for Older Adults

The City of Irvine’s Serving Up Smiles program provides nutritious meals and social connection for adults 60 and older in a welcoming dining setting. Volunteers ages 14+ help by greeting guests, serving meals, and fostering companionship. A few hours a week can make a big difference. Attend a brief orientation to get started — sign up here 

Pacific Symphony Presents “Scandinavian Dreams” — Chamber Music by Grieg, Sibelius & More

Enjoy a cozy afternoon of chamber music at Cafe Ludwig in the Samueli Theater on Sunday, October 26, at 3:00 PM. Pianist and host Orli Shaham leads an elegant program featuring works by Johan Svendsen, Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, and Amanda Maier, performed by Pacific Symphony’s principal musicians. Savor coffee, desserts, and beautiful Scandinavian melodies.

School Bus Safety Week: October 20–24 — Simple Safety Reminders for the Road

The California Highway Patrol kindly reminds drivers to stay cautious and patient around school buses to help keep children safe on their way to and from school.

Safety Reminders:

  • Yellow lights: The bus is preparing to stop — drivers should slow down.

  • Red lights and stop arm: Come to a complete stop until the lights stop flashing.

  • Stop in both directions unless the bus is on the opposite side of a divided or multi-lane highway.

  • Penalties: Fines up to $1,000 and possible license suspension for repeated violations.

Help Save Lives Locally: Sign Up for the Woodbridge Blood Drive This Oct. 29

Join the Woodbridge Village Association’s blood drive on Wednesday, October 29, from 1:00–7:00 p.m. at the Community Center, 31 Creek Road. Residents can make a life-saving donation by scheduling an appointment at redcrossblood.org using their ZIP code or by calling 1-800-RedCross (1-800-733-2767).

Preserve the Season: Fall Garden Workshop at Great Park

Learn how to make the most of your autumn harvest at the Farm + Food Lab (8000 Great Park Blvd) on October 25. This hands-on workshop for ages 12+ teaches practical methods for storing, drying, and preserving seasonal vegetables, so you can enjoy homegrown flavors year-round.

Register for here.

Whisk Up Some French Flair in Your Kitchen This Fall

Join the French Baking Class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center to master classic pastries like croissants and tarts with expert guidance. The next class starts Tuesday, October 28 — perfect for anyone wanting to elevate their baking skills.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. November 5, 5-9 PM: Band Spectacular, Irvine HS

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of 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. October 30, 7 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Concert

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

Love at First Fetch: Adopt Cole from Irvine Animal Care Center

Meet Cole, one of Irvine Animal Care Center’s senior sweethearts ready for a forever home! With a lifetime of love and loyalty, Cole brings warmth, joy, and calm companionship to every walk and cuddle.

  • 💸 Through the Fall in Love Senior Pet Promotion, adoption fees for senior pets are waived.

  • 🐶 Visit cityofirvine.org/animals to meet Cole and discover your new best friend.

UCI Women’s Volleyball Dominates Cal State Fullerton 3-0

UC Irvine women’s volleyball swept Cal State Fullerton 3-0, led by Ally Bolden’s 12 kills and six blocks. Setter Nicole Feliciano posted a double-double as the Anteaters improved to 9-13 overall and 4-6 in the Big West.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Soccer

  • Sun, Oct 26 – vs UC San Diego, 1:00 PM

Women’s Tennis

  • Thu, Oct 30 – vs UCI Fall Invitational, TBA

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs UCI Fall Invitational, TBA

Men’s Water Polo

  • Thu, Oct 30 – vs Long Beach State, 6:00 PM

IVC Baseball’s Edison Polanco Commits to Loyola Marymount

Irvine Valley’s Edison Polanco has committed to play Division I baseball at Loyola Marymount in 2027. The third baseman, who played for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots this summer, returns for his sophomore season as the Lasers open Jan. 23 at Long Beach City.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Oct 24 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs Santa Ana, 1:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Oct 28 – vs Saddleback, 3:00 PM

Crean Lutheran Girls Volleyball Captures Freeway League Title

Crean Lutheran’s Girls Volleyball team clinched the Freeway League title after a standout season, finishing with a 24–2 overall record and 7–1 in league play. The Saints’ success reflects their dedication, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:3–4

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With October Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

October 2025

Friday, October 24

  • Football – 7:00 PM vs. Troy – Irvine High School Stadium

Friday, October 31

  • Football – 7:00 PM vs. Sonora – Irvine High School Stadium

Irvine Police Issue Alert on Rising Copper Wire Thefts Along Bike Paths

The Irvine Police Department is reporting an increase in copper wire thefts along local bike paths. Residents are asked to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity near light poles or electrical boxes.

Warning signs may include:

  • work being done outside regular hours

  • individuals loitering near electrical equipment

  • exposed or missing wires

  • darkened bike path lights

  • open electrical boxes.

📞 For crimes in progress, call 9-1-1. For suspicious behavior, contact the non-emergency line at 949-724-7200. Your awareness helps keep our community safe and well-lit.

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

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