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Safer Skies: Southern California Deploys World's Largest Helitankers in Groundbreaking Initiative

Issue # 053

Author

Joshua Tjia
01 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌀️ Irvine Weather

πŸšπŸ’§ Safer Skies: Southern California Deploys World's Largest Helitankers in Groundbreaking Initiative

πŸ§ πŸ’—πŸ“ˆ Maximize Your Brain Health: 6 Easy Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp and Healthy

πŸ‘ Students Receive Essential Vision Care on Day Three of UCI Health Eye Mobile Initiative

πŸ’ƒπŸŒΉ Fiesta NavideΓ±a Returns: Orange County School of the Arts Hosts a Spectacular Blend of Ballet and Mexican Folklore

πŸŽ„ Illuminate Irvine: Great Park's Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec 2

β„β˜ƒ Winter Wonderland Returns to Westpark: A Magical Evening of Snow, Sleds, and Smiles on December 8th

πŸΆβš• UCI Health Introduces Lulu, the Mi-Ki Therapy Dog Transforming Patient Recovery

😷 Health Update: Rising RSV Cases in Young Children in Orange County - Know the Symptoms

πŸ‘ŸπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ Hit the Pavement with Orange County Runners: Weekly Runs and Socials

πŸ“πŸ₯πŸ… Weekly Fresh Produce: Irvine Farmers Market Opens Every Wednesday

🩰 Aspiring Ballet Dancers: Audition for ABT JKO School's 2024-2025 Year in Select Cities

πŸ”ΊπŸ”» Exciting Workshop Alert: Master Mosaic Art at Irvine Fine Arts Center

πŸ€½β€β™‚οΈ UC Irvine to Battle Princeton in NCAA Men's Water Polo Quarterfinals

πŸ€ Dukes Triumph Over Anteaters Men's Basketball, Snatching Victory in Nail-Biting 66-62 Game

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

🏐 IVC vs Delta: Showdown at the 2023 3C2A Women's Volleyball State Championship

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

πŸ””πŸˆ Saddleback Roadrunners Seek New Leadership as Football Coach Paige Nobles Resigns

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

πŸ“…πŸ“… Lots of Local Events

What's a snowman's favorite snack?

Answer: Ice Krispies!

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

Safer Skies: Southern California Deploys World's Largest Helitankers in Groundbreaking Initiative

Southern California's Quick Reaction Force (QRF), a unique public-private partnership funded by Southern California Edison with $35 million, now operates year-round to combat fires. This cross-agency initiative, led by the Orange County Fire Authority, features a 24/7 helitanker fleet in L.A., Orange, and Ventura counties. The CH-47 Chinook helitankers, the world's largest firefighting helicopters, can drop 3,000 gallons of water or retardant even at night. The QRF's effectiveness was demonstrated in recent fires, significantly reducing potential damage and costs. The fleet also includes a reconnaissance helicopter with night vision and laser guidance for precision drops. The initiative's success has prompted discussions about expanding this model across the western United States.

See video

Maximize Your Brain Health: 6 Easy Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp and Healthy

To maintain brain health in the long term, it's crucial to follow six key steps.

1. Quality Sleep: prioritize quality sleep by establishing a regular routine that ensures 7-8 hours of rest each night

2. Cognitive Exercises: Engage in activities like computer games, reading, or puzzles that challenge and entertain your brain.

3. Social Connections: Avoid social isolation to protect mental health and maintain cognitive function.

4. Manage Health Risks: Control diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, avoid smoking, and monitor heart health.

5. Healthy Diet: Eat green leafy vegetables, whole grains, berries, fish, and nuts; limit meat, butter, and cheese.

6. Regular Exercise: Staying active, especially in your 40s, reduces the risk of cognitive impairment later in life.

Follow along here

Students Receive Essential Vision Care on Day Three of UCI Health Eye Mobile Initiative

UCI Health Eye Mobile for Children provided vision care for students on its third day of service.

Fiesta NavideΓ±a Returns: Orange County School of the Arts Hosts a Spectacular Blend of Ballet and Mexican Folklore

The Ballet FolklΓ³rico Dance Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts is hosting its fifth annual Fiesta NavideΓ±a, a festive event featuring dance performances, cultural food, and decor showcasing various regions of Mexico. Directed by Ms. Marlene PeΓ±a-Marin, this year's event is expected to be grander than ever, with sold-out shows. Students will perform a range of dance styles, including ballet folklΓ³rico and flamenco, and will present dances from Mexican states like Sinaloa and Jalisco. The event, which also serves as a fundraiser, emphasizes family involvement, with parents contributing to food and decorations. Ms. PeΓ±a-Marin highlights the importance of cultural representation and community in these performances.

Illuminate Irvine: Great Park's Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec 2

Celebrate the holiday season at Illuminate Irvine on Saturday, December 2, from 3-7 p.m. at the Great Park. Enjoy live holiday music, activities for all ages, and the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex at 5:15 PM. For more details, visit the City of Irvine website. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 12 are welcomed for the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee Holiday Toy Drive.

#WeAreIrvine #IlluminateIrvine #Community #Irvine #TreeLighting

Winter Wonderland Returns to Westpark: A Magical Evening of Snow, Sleds, and Smiles on December 8th

Westpark's Winter Wonderland event is on Dec 8, 2023, 5-8 PM, featuring snow play, sled runs, food, and more. Wristbands and waivers needed for participation.

UCI Health Introduces Lulu, the Mi-Ki Therapy Dog Transforming Patient Recovery

Lulu, an 11-year-old Mi-Ki, is part of UCI Health's Pet Therapy Program, which uses therapy dogs to aid patient recovery at UCI Medical Center. These dogs help reduce stress, loneliness, and medication needs while improving vital signs. Stay tuned monthly for more features on therapy dogs like Lulu.

More info on pet therapy program 

Health Update: Rising RSV Cases in Young Children in Orange County - Know the Symptoms

Orange County is experiencing a significant increase in RSV cases, a virus causing lung infection in young children. Symptoms are similar to COVID and flu, so accurate diagnosis by a healthcare provider is crucial. Immediate medical attention is advised for symptoms like

  • Runny nose

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Short periods without breathing (apnea)

  • Feeding difficulties

  • Wheezing

  • Unusual breathing patterns

  • Blue discoloration around lips and fingertips.

Visit www.hoagurgentcare.com to schedule an appointment or find a nearby urgent care location.

Hit the Pavement with Orange County Runners: Weekly Runs and Socials

Orange County Runners group, open to all skill levels, meets every Wednesday in Irvine for running, socializing, and food. Additional events are held around OC. Upcoming events include:

  • December 4th: Monday Night Runs with SCRR at Hick's Canyon Park

  • December 6th: Social Runs + Food at Jeffrey Open Space Trail (meeting at Starbucks)

  • Decmber 11th: Monday Night Run with SCRR at Hick's Canyon Park

  • December 13th: Social Runs + Food at Jeffrey Open Space Trail (meeting at Starbucks)

Weekly Fresh Produce: Irvine Farmers Market Opens Every Wednesday

The Irvine Farmers Market is held weekly on Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm at the Irvine Medical Center, 6640 Alton Parkway. It offers fresh produce and is conveniently located for picking up prescriptions.

Aspiring Ballet Dancers: Audition for ABT JKO School's 2024-2025 Year in Select Cities

Audition for the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School for the 2024-2025 year during the 2024 ABT Summer Intensive National Audition Tour in select cities. Dancers can choose to be considered for the ABT JKO School Pre-Professional Division at these auditions. Join the tour in these cities for a chance to audition!

- In-Person Auditions: Held across various U.S. cities, limited class sizes. Auditions on weekends from January 6 to February 4, 2024. Pre-registration mandatory, no walk-ups.

- Video Auditions: Open from December 1, 2023, to February 15, 2024. Specific guidelines provided on the Student Portal. Audition fee required, results by March 1, 2024.

- Eligibility: Open to intermediate and advanced ballet students of all genders, one audition per year.

- Registration: Online pre-registration required. Use ABT Portal for registration and payment. Bring photos on audition day.

- Locations and Dates: Detailed schedule for various cities provided, including Costa Mesa, Atlanta, New York, Dallas, and others.

- Additional Notes: Limited class sizes, masks optional as of November 2023, no vaccination proof required. No refunds or exchanges for registrations.

Exciting Workshop Alert: Master Mosaic Art at Irvine Fine Arts Center

Join the β€œIntroduction to Mosaic Art” class at Irvine Fine Arts Center to learn mosaic creation. The class covers tools, materials, and techniques. It's on Saturday, December 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sign up at yourirvine.org. 

#MosaicArtistry #CreativeExploration #WeAreIrvine #IrvineFineArts #ArtHappensHere

UC Irvine to Battle Princeton in NCAA Men's Water Polo Quarterfinals

UC Irvine, the 5th seed with an 18-9 record, faces 4th seed Princeton (25-7) in the NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship quarterfinals on Dec. 1 at USC's Utengsyu Aquatic Center. UC Irvine recently won the Big West Championship, marking their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1993. Key players include Jacob Pyle, Luka Krstic, Tyler Padua, and Johann Thrall. Princeton, on a four-game winning streak, won the NWPC title and is led by Roko Pozaric, George Caras, and Vladan Mitrovic. This is the first postseason meeting between the two teams, with Princeton having won their last encounter. UC Irvine averages 13.1 goals per game and is commemorating former legend Peter Campbell this season.

Dukes Triumph Over Anteaters Men's Basketball, Snatching Victory in Nail-Biting 66-62 Game

Duquesne defeated UC Irvine 66-62, ending Irvine's six-game winning streak. Duquesne's strong three-point shooting (9-18) and capitalizing on Irvine's season-high 20 turnovers were key to their victory. Irvine's top scorers were Justin Hohn and Andre Henry with 13 points each. Despite Irvine's solid shooting performance, including a perfect 11-11 from the free-throw line, Duquesne's late-game free throws secured their win. Next, Irvine faces Utah State on the road.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Basketball

  1.  December 16th, 2023 vs South Dakota - 7:00 PM

  2.  December 28th, 2023 vs UC Riverside - 7:00 PM

Women's Basketball

  1. - December 2nd, 2023 vs Denver - 2:00 PM

  2. - December 30th, 2023 vs Cal State Bakersfield - 2:00 PM

IVC vs Delta: Showdown at the 2023 3C2A Women's Volleyball State Championship

The 2023 3C2A Women's Volleyball State Championship, set to take place from December 1-3 at Mt. San Antonio College, promises a fierce competition. The North Region enters with a formidable lineup, including three recent state champions, and is headlined by San Joaquin Delta College, which has maintained the #1 state ranking throughout the regular season. In contrast, the South Region, last victorious in 2017 with Irvine Valley, is determined to break its recent streak of quarterfinal losses. Key teams from the North include 2021 champion Fresno City, the current defending champion Feather River, and American River, notable for its consistent five-year run in the tournament. The South's lineup is equally impressive, led by top seed San Diego Mesa, Ventura making its first appearance in 23 years, a strong Grossmont team on a 20-match winning streak, and Irvine Valley, coached by a former player. The championship is not just a display of team strengths but also a showcase of coaching prowess, with many coaches bringing their past state tournament experiences. The player roster is studded with talent, featuring seven AVCA All-Americans and five conference MVPs, highlighting the depth of skill in teams like Delta and Ventura. This year's championship is more than just a competition; it's a convergence of seasoned teams and individuals, each bringing a rich history of volleyball excellence to the forefront.

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. Fri Dec 22 - vs Alumni, Time TBA

Saddleback Roadrunners Seek New Leadership as Football Coach Paige Nobles Resigns

Paige Nobles has resigned as head varsity football coach for the Saddleback Roadrunners after one season, in a mutual agreement with Athletic Director Rob Thompson. A replacement coach will be announced soon. Nobles, previously at Northwood and Dana Hills, led a young team with a 0-10 record this season. Saddleback had to forfeit a game due to a lack of healthy players. Nobles was the third head coach since 2020, following Nick Diulio and Glenn Campbell. He had expressed hopes of revitalizing the program, especially with the opening of a new stadium.

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2023

- Wednesday, 6 December

- 05:00 PM: Boys Soccer, Varsity vs. Laguna Beach (Irvine High School Stadium)

- 07:00 PM: Boys Basketball, Varsity vs. Wilson/Long Beach (Irvine High School Game Gym)

- Friday, 8 December

- 05:00 PM: Boys Soccer, Varsity vs. St. Margarets Episcopal (Irvine High School Stadium)

- 07:00 PM: Boys Basketball, Varsity vs. Brea Olinda (Irvine High School Game Gym)

- Tuesday, 12 December

- 06:30 PM: Girls Basketball, Varsity vs. Trabuco Hills (Irvine High School Game Gym)

- Wednesday, 13 December

- 05:00 PM: Boys Soccer, Varsity vs. Aliso Niguel (Irvine High School Stadium)

- Friday, 15 December

- 07:00 PM: Boys Basketball, Varsity vs. Whitney (Irvine High School Game Gym)

- Tuesday, 19 December

- 05:00 PM: Girls Soccer, Varsity vs. Valencia/Placentia (Irvine High School Stadium)

- Wednesday, 20 December

- 05:00 PM: Boys Soccer, Varsity vs. Tustin (Irvine High School Stadium)

- 06:00 PM: Girls Basketball, Varsity vs. Edison (Irvine High School Game Gym)

- Thursday, 21 December

- 03:00 PM: Girls Water Polo, Varsity vs. Trabuco Hills (Woolett Pool)

November 24 - December 30 Hikari Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms 4:30 PM - 10 PM

Click here for discount coupon code

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

December 6 - 7 Westpark Annual Talent Show 7 PM

December 7 - Empowering the Youth 5 PM - 7 PM

December 7 Crean Lutheran High School The Joy of Christmas: Christmas Around the World 7 PM

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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