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Irvine's Energy Dilemma: OCPA's Failures in Transparency: Higher Bills, Broken Promises on Green Energy

Issue # 047

Author

Joshua Tjia
21 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌀️ Irvine Weather

πŸŒŸπŸ’› Local Irvine Student, Amber Lin, Blazes Trail in Arts, Academics, and International Aid

🧼🧽 Thanksgiving Cleanup: Tips for Disposing of Fats, Oils, and Grease After Holiday Meals

πŸ’‘ Irvine's Energy Dilemma: OCPA's Failures in Transparency: Higher Bills, Broken Promises on Green Energy

πŸ«πŸ”” Collaborative Safety Exercise: IUSD and EPIC Team Up for Emergency Preparedness

🚧🚲 Irvine City Council Greenlights Revolutionary JOST/I-5 Bike and Pedestrian Bridge

πŸ˜‹πŸ° Celebrate Health This Holiday: 9 Nutritious Twists on Classic Favorites

πŸ₯ΎπŸšΆβ€β™‚️ Join the High-Intensity Fitness Hike at Aliso & Wood Canyons Park

πŸŒ„ Unlock the Great Outdoors: Bommer Canyon's Upcoming Activities and Hikes

🐢 Senior Dog Seeking Forever Home: Meet Chloe at Irvine Animal Care Center

πŸ½πŸ‘¨β€πŸ³ French Cooking Made Easy: Join Irvine's French Kitchen: Leek & Salmon Mousse Class

πŸ€ UC Irvine Women's Basketball Continues Home Dominance: Thrilling Comeback Against Eastern Washington

πŸ€½β€β™‚οΈ Men's Water Polo: UC Irvine vs. Princeton: A Rematch Set for NCAA Championship's First Round

πŸ€½β€β™‚οΈ ⚽🏐 UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

πŸ€βš‘ IVC Athlete of the Week: Makena Tomlinson Leads Women's Basketball to Victory with Stellar Performance

🏐 Irvine Valley Women's Volleyball Faces Pasadena City in Playoff Opener

πŸβš½πŸ€ Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

πŸ€ A Roundup of OC High School Boys and Girls Basketball's Games, Nov 20

🏈🎾 High School Varsity Athletics: Football Face-offs and Sports Calendar

βš– Costa Mesa Male Nanny Convicted in Major Child Abuse Case Receives 705-Year Sentence

πŸ“…πŸ“… Lots of Local Events

Why did the cranberry join the band?

Answer: Because it had great jam sessions.

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

Local Irvine Student, Amber Lin, Blazes Trail in Arts, Academics, and International Aid

Amber Lin, a sophomore at Tarbut V’Torah Community Day School in Irvine, is a multi-talented teen with achievements in various fields. Originally from Taiwan, she's an accomplished pianist who has won several competitions and performed at Carnegie Hall four times by age 13. Amber excels in sports too, playing varsity golf and participating in prestigious tournaments. She's passionate about STEM, winning first place at a science fair for her anti-aging research. Amber also engages in community service, earning a Presidential award, and has traveled to Nepal for health education and medical assistance projects, planning to return for further aid. Her story highlights the exceptional capabilities of Irvine students.

Read more

Thanksgiving Cleanup: Tips for Disposing of Fats, Oils, and Grease After Holiday Meals

Discard certain food items such as:

  • Gravy

  • Lard

  • Shortening

  • Butter

  • Food scraps

  • Cooking oil

before washing dishes post-Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving. Learn about the impact of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) on sewers at IRWD.com/fog.

Irvine's Energy Dilemma: OCPA's Failures in Transparency: Higher Bills, Broken Promises on Green Energy

Last year, Irvine residents were automatically enrolled in the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) without public voting. OCPA, which promised greener, cheaper electricity and transparency, has failed to deliver on these promises. Customers face higher rates than with Southern California Edison, and OCPA has been opaque about its power sources, often using less green energy than claimed. Investigative articles by energy expert Jim Phelps reveal OCPA's practices like overcharging through "benchmarking," greenwashing, and lack of proper oversight by Irvine's representatives on the OCPA board. OCPA has also been amassing a large reserve fund by overcharging and buying power from less clean sources. Despite being a not-for-profit, OCPA has profited significantly, leaving customers with higher bills and misleading information about clean energy. Irvine residents can opt out of OCPA service.

Collaborative Safety Exercise: IUSD and EPIC Team Up for Emergency Preparedness

IUSD and the Emergency Preparedness Interagency Collaborative (EPIC) conducted a joint tabletop exercise. EPIC, a partnership of public safety agencies and educational institutions in Irvine, was established by IUSD in 2014 for quarterly safety planning and discussions.

Learn more about EPIC

Irvine City Council Greenlights Revolutionary JOST/I-5 Bike and Pedestrian Bridge

The City Council has approved the construction of the JOST/I-5 Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Project. This bridge will cross the I-5 freeway, enhancing connectivity and quality of life by providing sustainable transport options and easier access to various local amenities.

#WeAreIrvine #JOSTBridgeProject

Celebrate Health This Holiday: 9 Nutritious Twists on Classic Favorites

Here are 9 unique, healthy holiday recipes that are perfect for anyone looking to enjoy festive meals without compromising on health. Recipes presented by Jessica VanRoo, executive chef of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health. Selections includes:

  1. Vegan Mushroom Lentil PatΓ©

  2. Light Salmon Spread with Vegetables

  3. Nutrient-packed Butternut Squash Soup with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

  4. Creamy yet nutritious Baked Artichoke and Spinach Polenta with Gruyère

  5. Roasted Garlic Ratatouille

  6. Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

  7. Heart-healthy Holiday Shrimp Paella

  8. Protein-rich Tiramisu Trifle made with silken tofu

  9. Gingerbread Bundt Cake spiced with anti-inflammatory ingredients

Each recipe offers a delicious twist on traditional holiday dishes, ensuring a delightful and healthy feast.

Join the High-Intensity Fitness Hike at Aliso & Wood Canyons Park

Join a strenuous, 6.2-mile fitness hike with a 800-ft. elevation gain on November 23, 2023, from 8:30 am to 11:00 am at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. This event is best suited experienced hikers.

  • pre-registration is required at lagunacanyon.org,

  • Safety measures include minimized group sizes, mandatory liability waivers for adults, and a minimum age of 16 with a parent/guardian.

  • Bring water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection.

  • Stay home if unwell or exposed to illness.

Meet at Canyon View Staging Area, parking available near 22144 Canyon Vistas.

Unlock the Great Outdoors: Bommer Canyon's Upcoming Activities and Hikes

Bommer Canyon offers a variety of outdoor activities organized by numerous groups and volunteers, with most programs being free of charge. Pre-registration is required for events led by IRC-Certified Volunteers, closing at 4 p.m. the day before the event. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and for any assistance, reach out via email to [email protected].

Upcoming events:

  • November 25th: Full moon hike

  • November 27th: Full moon hike

  • November 30th: 7-mile hike in Bommer Canyon

The activities are family-friendly, with some available after 5 pm on weekdays or during weekends. For more details, trail tips, and FAQs, visit the Bommer Canyon website.

Senior Dog Seeking Forever Home: Meet Chloe at Irvine Animal Care Center

Senior dog Chloe, who loves snuggles and walks, is up for adoption at Irvine Animal Care Center. Check out irvineanimals.org for more info about visiting times.

#AdoptASenior #IrvineAnimals #IrvineAnimalCareCenter #WeAreIrvine

See video

French Cooking Made Easy: Join Irvine's French Kitchen: Leek & Salmon Mousse Class

Join the β€œThe French Kitchen: Leek & Salmon Mousse” cooking class to learn how to make a delicious salmon and leek mousse, a French classic. Enhance your cooking and presentation skills. Class on December 5, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at Irvine Fine Arts Center. Register at yourirvine.org.

#FrenchCuisine #CookingClass #IrvineFineArts

UC Irvine Women's Basketball Continues Home Dominance: Thrilling Comeback Against Eastern Washington

The UC Irvine women's basketball team won 71-63 against Eastern Washington, overcoming a late three-point deficit. Nevaeh Parkinson and Nevaeh Dean led the scoring with 15 points each, with Dean hitting a crucial three-pointer in the final minute. The team showed strong defense and free throw performance. This victory marks UC Irvine's fifth consecutive home win and maintains their record of keeping opponents under 70 points for 38 games. Up next, they'll play in the Tiger Turkey Tip-Off in Stockton, California. Eastern Washington, the Big Sky preseason favorite, suffered their first loss of the season.

Men's Water Polo: UC Irvine vs. Princeton: A Rematch Set for NCAA Championship's First Round

UC Irvine Men’s Water Polo, the Big West regular season champions, will play against No. 4 seeded Princeton in the NCAA Championship's first round on Dec. 1. This follows their Big West Championship win over UC Santa Barbara. The match is a rematch of their October encounter, which Princeton won. This is UCI's 22nd NCAA appearance and their first since 1993, with a history of three national titles.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Basketball:

  1. Sat Dec 16 - vs South Dakota, 7:00 PM

  2. Thurs Dec 28 - vs UC Riverside, 7:00 PM

Women’s Basketball:

  1. Sat Dec 2 - vs Denver, 2:00 PM

  2. Sat Dec 30 - vs Cal State Bakersfield, 2:00 PM

IVC Athlete of the Week: Makena Tomlinson Leads Women's Basketball to Victory with Stellar Performance

Makena Tomlinson, a freshman women's basketball player at Irvine Valley, has been named athlete of the week for her outstanding performance. She's leading the team with an average of 12.6 points and 10.0 rebounds, contributing to their 5-0 record. Tomlinson, who previously attended Corona del Mar High, recently excelled in the El Camino Crossover, scoring 14 points in a game against Citrus. She was also the MVP of the RCC EOS Tournament, where Irvine Valley triumphed. The team's next game is on Tuesday at El Camino.

Irvine Valley Women's Volleyball Faces Pasadena City in Playoff Opener

Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team, with a 19-4 record and a top 10 state ranking, begins their playoff journey at home against No. 13 Pasadena City. Pasadena, under coach Mike Terrill, has a 19-8 record and six players on the All-SCC teams. Irvine Valley, led by first-year coach Anna Unke, has four players on all-conference teams, with standout performances from players like Tessa Marocco and Natalia Brandlin. The winner of this match will face the victor of the Saddleback vs. Orange Coast game in the regional final.

πŸβš½πŸ€ Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

Men’s Basketball:

  1. Fri Dec 15 - vs LA Valley. 6:00 PM

  2. Tue Dec 19 - vs Orange Coast. 6:00 PM

  3. Fri Dec 29: vs Alumni. 5:00 PM

Women’s Basketball:

  1. Tue Nov 28 - vs Long Beach, 5:30 PM

  2. Fri Dec 22 - vs Alumni, Time TBA

A Roundup of OC High School Boys and Girls Basketball's Games, Nov 20

- Boys Basketball: Feast Week

- Foothill defeated La Habra 51-38. Key players: Rocco Gaffoglio (16 pts), Isaiah Bernard (10 pts, 10 reb), Mansur McClain (8 pts). Foothill's record: 2-1, La Habra's record: 3-2. Next game: Foothill vs. Roosevelt.

- Aliso Niguel won against AGBU Corona 58-38. Standouts: Jay Keys (15 pts), Garrett Trayer (12 pts). Aliso Niguel's record: 2-0. Next game: vs. San Clemente.

- Rancho Alamitos Tourney

- Northwood beat Valencia 65-50. Top players: Zaid Yunis (16 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl), Ryan Abaye (13 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast). Northwood's record: 2-0. Next game: vs. Palm Desert.

- Irvine triumphed over Corona 63-40. Key contributors: Cooper Stearns (14 pts), Jaesang An and Parth Gupta (10 pts each). Irvine's record: 2-1. Next game: vs. West.

- Girls Basketball: Non-League & El Toro Tourney

- Woodbridge won against Laguna Beach 58-28. Notable players: Hana Watanabe (17 pts), Teagan Burris and Milan Heisdorf (9 pts each). Woodbridge's record: 3-0.

- Pacifica Christian defeated Northwood 62-45. Leading scorers: Alexia Valencia (22 pts), Lauryn Ham (16 pts, two 3-pointers).

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

November 2023

Wednesday, 22 November

- 05:00 PM: Soccer, Boys (VR) vs. TBA at Irvine High School Stadium

Monday, 27 November

- 05:00 PM: Soccer, Boys (VR) vs. Foothill/Santa Ana at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, 28 November

- 05:00 PM: Soccer, Girls (VR) vs. Foothill/Santa Ana at Irvine High School Stadium

- 05:30 PM: Basketball, Girls (VR) vs. Tustin at Irvine High School Game Gym

Wednesday, 29 November

- 05:00 PM: Soccer, Boys (VR) vs. Tesoro at Irvine High School Stadium

Costa Mesa Male Nanny Convicted in Major Child Abuse Case Receives 705-Year Sentence

Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski, a 34-year-old male nanny from Costa Mesa, was sentenced to 705 years to life plus two years and eight months for sexually assaulting 16 boys and showing child pornography to a 17th boy. The victims, aged 2 to 12, were under his care when he committed these crimes, which he often filmed. Arrested in 2019, Zakrzewski faced 34 felony charges, including lewd acts with a minor and possession of child pornography. The case, which spanned from 2014 to 2019, was prosecuted after additional victims were identified following a public appeal. Zakrzewski, who advertised himself as a "manny" offering various childcare services, never apologized in court, while parents expressed their deep anguish over the betrayal and harm to their children.

November 21 UCI Symphony Orchestra 8 PM

TAYLOR SWIFT - THE ERAS TOUR Playing now

The cultural phenomenon continues on the big screen! Immerse yourself in this once-in-a-lifetime concert film experience with a breathtaking, cinematic view of the history-making tour.

Click for Showtimes

See video

December 2 Palm Court Light Display Dusk - 9:30 PM

December 2 Nutcracker for Kids by Pacific Symphony 10:00 and 11:30 AM

See video

December 2 - 3 Holiday Market 3 PM - 7PM

Click here to see the intro video

December 9 Concordia Christmas 

December 9 - 10 123 AndrΓ©s 

December 10 Holidays Around the World 11 AM

See video here

December 17 - 18 Tis the Season! 5 PM, 7:30 PM

December 19 Holiday Organ Spectacular 7:30 PM

December 23 Fiesta Navidad 8 PM

Decmber 30 KC and the Sunshine Band 7:30 PM

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