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Irvine’s Great Park to Get a Cultural Makeover with Asian Hall of Fame Performing Arts Cente

Issue # 0246

Author

Joshua Tjia
12 Sep

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🔥✈️ Airport Fire Reaches 22,376 Acres, Structures Damaged as Firefighters Battle Blaze

🎭🏗️ Irvine’s Great Park to Get a Cultural Makeover with Asian Hall of Fame Performing Arts Center

🔬 Future Scientists: Irvine Students Showcase Research in Biomedicine at ULP Event

🧪🧑🏻‍🔬 IUSD Hosts Successful Ask A Scientist/Engineer Night for Budding Scientists and Engineers

🤧 Feeling Stuffed Up? Find Sinus Infection Treatment at Family Care Centers Today

🌳💐 Symbol of Resilience: Survivor Trees at Great Park Stand in Remembrance of 9/11

🩰 Don't Miss Complexions Ballet’s Anniversary Show – 30 Years of Dance and Innovation

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕💦 Keep Your Pups Afloat: Swimming Tips for Safe Splashing

🏃‍♀️ Cross Country Champion, Kaia Schmidt Leads UC Irvine to Victory, Named Anteater of the Week

⚽️ UC Irvine Men's Soccer Gears Up for Battle against No. 21 San Diego After Thrilling Early Matches

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 High School Football Showdowns: Key Matchups Across OC, Sept. 12-14

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔 Irvine Police Recover Firearms and Manufacturing Parts in Ongoing Narcotics Investigation

🚨⚖️ Former OC High School Teacher Sentenced to 17½ Years for Hidden Cameras in School Bathrooms

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why was the crow on the telephone wire?

To make a long distance caw

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

Airport Fire Reaches 22,376 Acres, Structures Damaged as Firefighters Battle Blaze

The Airport Fire has burned 22,376 acres with zero containment and is moving southeast toward the Ortega Highway into Riverside County. Firefighters are aggressively battling the fire by air and ground. Heavy fire activity has impacted structures in the Ortega Highway communities, with damage reported in El Cariso, Long Canyon, and the CCC camp areas. A DINS team will provide an update after assessing the impacted properties. Crews are focusing on perimeter control and structure protection across all three branches of the fire.

Irvine’s Great Park to Get a Cultural Makeover with Asian Hall of Fame Performing Arts Center

The Asian Hall of Fame and OC Music and Dance are collaborating to open a new state-of-the-art, 800-seat performing arts center at the Great Park in Irvine, set to open in 2027. This venue will be the first of its kind in the U.S., dedicated to celebrating Asian and Indigenous cultures. The center will house performances, exhibitions, and events, marking a significant milestone for both organizations. Irvine, with its large Asian population, provides a fitting location for this ambitious project. The center will offer world-class facilities, including retractable seating, practice rooms, dance studios, and a recording studio, to support community and student performances. The project will cost around $48-$50 million, with both partners actively fundraising to meet the goal.

Future Scientists: Irvine Students Showcase Research in Biomedicine at ULP Event

Local high school students were honored for their biomedical research at University Lab Partners’ (ULP) third annual ROCK the Science event. Fifty students from ULP’s Summer Research and high school internship programs showcased projects on topics such as Zika-induced microcephaly, Alzheimer’s disease, and Type 1 diabetes. The event featured a keynote by Uma Lakshmipathy from Thermo Fisher Scientific and career panel discussions. Four students received ULP’s Presidential Volunteer Service Award and a $500 scholarship for their contributions.

IUSD Hosts Successful Ask A Scientist/Engineer Night for Budding Scientists and Engineers

IUSD's annual Ask A Scientist/Engineer Night was a successful event where 6-12 grade students had the opportunity to engage with local experts and IUSD science teachers to discuss their science fair projects. The well-attended evening was a great platform for inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Special thanks is given to the STEM team for organizing. The next event will be the District’s Science Fair this winter. For more information on IUSD’s STEM Department, visit iusd.org/STEM.

#iusd #iusdSTEM #iusdCommunity #ScienceFair #AskaScientistNight

Feeling Stuffed Up? Find Sinus Infection Treatment at Family Care Centers Today

The Family Care Centers Medical Group (FCCMG) offers comprehensive sinus infection (sinusitis) treatment at their urgent care centers in Orange County, CA.

  • Sinusitis, caused by viruses, bacteria, or irritants, can lead to symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pain, fever, and fatigue. While mild cases may resolve with over-the-counter treatments, more severe cases may require antibiotics or urgent care.

  • FCCMG provides on-site labs, X-rays, and board-certified providers for fast, reliable care. With convenient locations in Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Fountain Valley, FCCMG offers both walk-in and appointment-based services to help patients get relief quickly.

Symbol of Resilience: Survivor Trees at Great Park Stand in Remembrance of 9/11

On the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the lives lost and the bravery of those who responded are remembered. At the Great Park’s Farm + Food Lab, three "Sister Trees" grown from the Survivor Tree at Ground Zero stand as symbols of resilience and unity. These Callery Pear trees, cared for over 10 years, were planted in the Legacy Courtyard, a project led by Eagle Scout Parin Ladva with support from Solutions for Urban Agriculture. The Farm + Food Lab is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information can be found at cityofirvine.org/farmfoodlab.

#September11 #NeverForget

Don't Miss Complexions Ballet’s Anniversary Show – 30 Years of Dance and Innovation

Complexions Contemporary Ballet celebrates 30 years of groundbreaking performances with their dynamic show, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, blending tradition and innovation in dance. Praised as "game changing" by The Guardian, the performance promises to captivate audiences with its fresh energy. Don't miss this milestone event on September 14. Details here

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. Tue, October 8, 7:00-8:00 PM: Vocal Music Fall Concert at NHS Theater.

  2. Wed, October 9, 7:00-8:30 PM: Instrumental Music Fall Concert at NHS Theater.

  3. Thu, October 10, 7:00-8:30 PM: Instrumental Music Fall Concert at NHS Theater.

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. Thu & Fri, October 17 & 18, 7:00 PM: Songs & Stories at Big Theater.

  2. Thu, December 5, 7:00 PM: A Winter Celebration at Big Theater.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. Wed, November 6, 7:00 PM: IUSD Band Spectacular.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. Thu, October 17, 7:00 PM: Fall Concert at WHS Performing Arts Center.

  2. Wed, October 30, 7:00 PM: IUSD High School Vocal Festival at Portola HS.

  3. Tue, November 5, 1:00 PM: Concordia Treble Chorus Festival, TBD.

  4. Fri, December 6, 7:00 PM: Winter Celebration Concert at WHS Performing Arts Center.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. Tue, October 29, 7:00-9:30 PM: Autumn Serenade

  2. Wed, December 18, 6:00-10:00 PM: IM Winter Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Keep Your Pups Afloat: Swimming Tips for Safe Splashing

Swimming is a great way for pets to cool off, but safety is key.

  • Ensure they wear a life jacket for visibility and reduced fatigue.

  • Check water conditions, avoiding strong currents, uncomfortable temperatures, and dangerous animals like snakes.

  • Never leave pets unattended, even if they’re strong swimmers—watch for signs of fatigue or trouble.

  • Take regular breaks and provide fresh water, as pools and open waters may contain harmful bacteria or parasites.

Following these tips will help keep your pet safe while swimming!

Cross Country Champion, Kaia Schmidt Leads UC Irvine to Victory, Named Anteater of the Week

Sophomore Kaia Schmidt has been named Sgt. Pepperoni’s Anteater of the Week for leading UC Irvine’s women’s cross country team to victory at the season-opening Irvine Invitational. Schmidt finished the 6K course at Great Park in 22:03.7, securing a career-best third place in a field of 131 athletes. Her performance helped the team score 20 points, well ahead of runner-up Concordia. Schmidt, one of UCI’s top runners, claimed the No. 1 spot for the first time. The team’s next race is on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the UC Riverside Invitational.

UC Irvine Men's Soccer Gears Up for Battle against No. 21 San Diego After Thrilling Early Matches

UC Irvine's men’s soccer team has had an eventful start to 2024. In their first five matches, they’ve scored and allowed goals in every contest, with standout goalkeeper Alex Shields making 20 saves, including a career-high 8 against No. 17 UCF. UCI was ranked first in the Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll, with key players Winum, Montanile, and Pruter leading the charge. Freshman Marcus Lee earned Big West Freshman of the Week honors after scoring his first career goal. Looking ahead, the Anteaters face the No. 21 San Diego Toreros, a team they’ve historically struggled against but have dominated in recent years with a 5-1-2 record in the last eight matchups.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 13: vs San Diego, 6:00 PM

  • Fri, Sep 20: vs Alumni, 3:00 PM

  • Sat, Sep 21: vs Utah Tech, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Sep 28: vs San Diego State, 6:00 PM

Women's Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 13: vs Victor Valley, 4:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 24: vs East Los Angeles, 3:00 PM

  • Sun, Sep 29: vs CSUN, 1:00 PM

Men's Water Polo

  • Fri, Sep 13: vs UCLA, 1:00 PM

  • Fri, Sep 27: vs California, 1:00 PM

  • Sat, Sep 28: vs Stanford, 12:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

Women’s Soccer

  1. Fri, Sep 13: vs Victor Valley, 4:00 PM

  2. Tue, Sep 24: vs East Los Angeles, 3:00 PM

Women's Volleyball

  1. Fri, Sep 13: vs Pasadena City, 5:00 PM

  2. Fri, Sep 20: vs Riverside, 6:00 PM

  3. Fri, Sep 27: vs Golden West, 6:00 PM

High School Football Showdowns: Key Matchups Across OC, Sept. 12-14

On Thursday, Sept. 12, games include Segerstrom vs. El Modena, Estancia at University, Pacifica vs. Marina, and more.

On Friday, Sept. 13, notable matches include San Juan Hills at Crean Lutheran, Northwood vs. Woodbridge, Oaks Christian vs. Santa Margarita, Irvine at Trabuco Hills, Tesoro at La Serna, and Orange Lutheran at Bishop Gorman. There are many other exciting matchups like Mission Viejo at Highland and Newport Harbor vs. Cajon.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, key games are Sunny Hills vs. Canyon and Mater Dei at Kahuku.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With September Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

September 2024

Monday, September 16

  • 03:00 PM: Tennis, Girls VR vs. Canyon/Anaheim at Irvine High School Heritage Park

Tuesday, September 17

  • 04:15 PM: Water Polo, Boys VR vs. Yucaipa at Woolett Pool

  • 05:15 PM: Volleyball, Girls VR vs. Laguna Beach at Irvine High School Game Gym

Wednesday, September 18

  • 03:30 PM: Flag Football, Girls VR vs. Rosary Academy at Irvine High School Stadium

Thursday, September 19

  • 03:00 PM: Tennis, Girls VR vs. La Habra at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 05:15 PM: Volleyball, Girls VR vs. St. Margarets Episcopal at Irvine High School Game Gym

Friday, September 20 

  • 07:00 PM: Football, VR vs. Kennedy/La Palma at Irvine High School Stadium

  • 07:00 PM: Traditional Competitive Cheer VR vs. Kennedy/La Palma at Irvine High School Stadium

Monday, September 23

  • 03:00 PM: Tennis, Girls VR vs. Capistrano Valley at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 03:30 PM: Flag Football, Girls VR vs. Laguna Beach at Irvine High School Stadium

  • 04:00 PM: Golf, Girls VR vs. Laguna Beach at Oak Creek Golf Course

Friday, September 27  

  • Water Polo, Boys VR - S&R Tournament at Woolett Pool

Saturday, September 28

  • Water Polo, Boys VR - S&R Tournament at Woolett Pool

Monday, September 30

  • 04:00 PM: Golf, Girls VR vs. Portola at Oak Creek Golf Course

Irvine Police Recover Firearms and Manufacturing Parts in Ongoing Narcotics Investigation

The Irvine Police Department's Specialized Investigations Unit (SIU) is continuing an investigation following the arrest of a man on narcotics and gun charges. Last Thursday, SIU served a search warrant at his residence, recovering rifles, a shotgun, and firearm manufacturing parts. This serves as a reminder that the Irvine PD is committed to maintaining the safety of the community.

#dontcommitcrimeinirvine #irvine #irvinepd #police #cityofirvine

Former OC High School Teacher Sentenced to 17½ Years for Hidden Cameras in School Bathrooms

A former Orange County high school teacher, Siu Kong Sit, 38, was sentenced to 17½ years in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after secretly installing hidden cameras in school bathrooms and other locations. Sit, who taught at Beckman High School in Irvine, recorded and downloaded hundreds of videos over three years, including footage of children under 12 using restrooms. The cameras were discovered in 2023, and law enforcement found numerous incriminating images and videos on Sit's devices. He will face lifetime supervised release, and a restitution hearing is set for November 8. The case was investigated by Homeland Security and Irvine Police.

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

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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 55% - 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

July 20 – September 14 Picturing Summer

September 13 Mid-Autumn Festival 5 PM - 9:30 PM

September 14 - October 31 Pumpkin Patch at Tanka Farms

September 17 Great Park Heart of the Park Showcase 1 PM - 2:30 PM

September 20 An Evening with Samara Joy 8 PM

September 22 Fiesta Latina en Irvine 11 AM - 4 PM

September 26 - 28 Rachmaninoff & Beethoven 8:00 PM

September 28 Silent Disco 6 PM - 9 PM

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