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Together for a Safer California: Join the Fight Against Retail Theft and Fentanyl

Issue # 071

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

๐Ÿ˜ Laugh Of The Day

๐ŸŒค๏ธ Irvine Weather

๐Ÿ’™โ›“๐Ÿ†“ Orange County's Fight for Freedom Against Human Trafficking

๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’Š Together for a Safer California: Join the Fight Against Retail Theft and Fentanyl

๐ŸŽจ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™€๏ธ Discover Irvine's January Gems: Art, Nature, and Community Spirit

๐Ÿ“บ๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ Witness the Making of a Highway Patrol Officer in CHP's Latest Reality Series

โฌ›โ™Ÿโฌœ Sharpen Your Skills: Irvine Library's Weekly Chess Club for Kids Starts Jan 4

๐Ÿ˜ทโš• Vision Tests to Immunizations: Complete Pre-Employment Health Check-Up at OC Urgent Cares

๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿงค Transform Your Waste into Garden Gold: Simplifying Composting at Home

โœ‚๐Ÿ“• Join a Fun Chinese Paper-Cutting Class โ€“ Limited Spots Available

๐ŸŽผ๐ŸŽผ Upcoming High School Music Calendar

๐Ÿ’กโšก Discover How to Save Energy and Money: Join Irvine's Electrification 101 Workshop

๐Ÿ€ UCI Women's Basketball to Face Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis in Upcoming Big West Games

๐Ÿ€๐ŸŒŸ Pierre Crockrell II Named Anteater of the Week for Exceptional Performance in Big West Basketball

๐Ÿคฝโ€โ™‚๏ธโšฝ๐Ÿ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

๐Ÿ€Irvine Valley Women's Basketball: Resilient Win Against Ventura, Tough Defeat by Glendale

๐Ÿโšฝ๐Ÿ€ Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

๐Ÿˆ๐ŸŽพ High School Varsity Athletics: Football Face-offs and Sports Calendar

๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿฅซ Irvine Police Nab Duo in $3,000 Baby Formula Heist at Spectrum Target

๐Ÿ“…๐Ÿ“… Lots of Local Events

โ„นโš โ˜Ž Useful Contact Information

Why was the belt arrested in January?

Answer: For holding up a pair of pants!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! ๐Ÿ˜

Orange County's Fight for Freedom Against Human Trafficking

January is human trafficking prevention month. Human trafficking, a concealed crime involving force or fraud for labor or sex, is actively investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office. They collaborate with law enforcement to rescue victims and prosecute perpetrators, aiming to eradicate the industry and end exploitation.

Together for a Safer California: Join the Fight Against Retail Theft and Fentanyl

Join efforts at www.casafecommunities.com to tackle retail theft, halt fentanyl distribution, and aid addiction recovery in California. Key aspects of the initiative include:

1. Accountability for Repeated Crimes: Hold individuals accountable for repeated retail theft and fentanyl sales crimes. This is in response to concerns about safety and health in communities, with a focus on preventing these individuals from escaping consequences.

2. Stopping Retail Crime: The initiative targets repeat offenders involved in smash-and-grab crimes, which are believed to be driving retailers out of the state and increasing costs for all Californians. It emphasizes the need to stop retail crime that leads to increased security measures and restricted access to items in stores.

3. Mandated Drug Treatment: Addressing the issue of hard drug use, the initiative proposes mandated treatment and job training programs for those arrested multiple times. This approach is seen as a solution to the homeless crisis in California, which is partly attributed to a population of seriously addicted individuals.

4. Support from Voters: 70% of California voters support the "Homelessness, Drug Addiction, Retail Theft Reduction Act." This act is presented as an opportunity to restore accountability and safety in communities.

5. Funding and Support: The initiative is paid for by "Californians to Reduce Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft," sponsored by Golden State Communities.

Discover Irvine's January Gems: Art, Nature, and Community Spirit

Kick off the new year in Irvine with a diverse array of activities and events.

1. Paul Gardner Art Retrospective: Opening reception on Jan 11, 4-6 p.m., celebrating Gardner's impact on Irvine's culture.

2. Art Exhibitions at Irvine Fine Arts Center: "Revision" and "Into the Garden" running until Feb 3.

3. Irvine Animal Care Center Donation Drive: Online donations accepted until Jan 31 to support animal care programs.

4. Hiking at Bommer Canyon and Quail Hill: Guided hikes and 16,000 acres of open space available year-round.

5. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels: Ongoing opportunity to deliver meals to homebound seniors.

6. Reserve City Parks and Facilities: Book fields and facilities for events and gatherings, available year-round.

7. Great Park Certified Farmers Market: Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring fresh produce, gourmet food, and local vendors.

8. Winter Classes and Camps Registration: Open for all ages, offering a variety of activities including arts, science, and sports.

Witness the Making of a Highway Patrol Officer in CHP's Latest Reality Series

A new reality series featuring nine cadets' training at the CHP Academy to become California Highway Patrol officers premieres on January 17 at 4 PM PST on the CHP YouTube channel.

See video

Sharpen Your Skills: Irvine Library's Weekly Chess Club for Kids Starts Jan 4

Join the Chess Club event held every Thursday from 4-5 pm at Irvine University Park Library, starting January 4. Open to children aged 6-14, all skill levels welcome, no registration needed.

Vision Tests to Immunizations: Complete Pre-Employment Health Check-Up at OC Urgent Cares

Orange County Urgent Care clinics provide a range of pre-employment screenings, including:

  • Vision and hearing tests

  • drug screening

  • immunizations

They offer customized physical exams for pre-employment and return-to-work situations, available in various locations including Irvine, Fountain Valley, and Costa Mesa. These exams, which assess physical ability and check for chronic conditions, include a variety of screenings and are tailored to the specific requirements of different job roles.

Transform Your Waste into Garden Gold: Simplifying Composting at Home

Composting is beneficial for gardens and the environment, reducing landfill waste and methane emissions. Composting aligns with SB 1383 for waste separation, reducing the need for commercial soil and fertilizers.

- To Start Composting:

- Choose the right compost bin.

- Balance green (vegetable scraps) and brown (leaves) organics.

- Maintain 40-60% moisture, similar to a wrung-out sponge.

- Regularly turn the pile, aiming for heat generation.

- Harvest when compost is dark brown and crumbly.

- Organics Separation Importance: Essential for both composting and adhering to green bin regulations.

- Organics Bins Tips:

- Understand your city's specific organic recycling program.

- Store food scraps in the fridge or freezer.

- Use coffee grounds or citrus peels for odor control.

- Line bins with paper for liquid absorption.

- Add a layer of green waste before food waste.

- Consider a charcoal filter for odor reduction.

Join a Fun Chinese Paper-Cutting Class โ€“ Limited Spots Available

An in-person workshop on Chinese paper-cutting (jianzhi), a traditional Chinese folk art, will be held at Irvine University Park on January 21 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Limited to 20 adults, the workshop offers a chance to learn this ancient craft, with materials provided. To join, contact the library at 949-786-4001 or [email protected]. The event focuses on arts, culture, and DIY crafts.

Upcoming Northwood High Schoolโ€™s Music Calendar

  1. January 11, 2024: IUSD Winds Area Concert (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm)

  2. January 12, 2024: Symphony Irvine Collaboration Concert (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm)

  3. March 6, 2024: Spring Festival Concert โ€“ Band (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm)

  4. March 7, 2024: Spring Festival Concert โ€“ Orchestra (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm)

  5. March 16, 2024: Irvine Jazz Festival (8:00 am - 5:00 pm)

  6. May 11, 2024: Instrumental Music Awards

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. February 1 & 2: LEGENDS CONCERT at 7:00 PM.

  2. March 7, 8, 9, 14,15, 16: EVITA - Spring Musical at 7:00 PM.

  3. May 2 & 3: Broadway Rocks! at 7:00 PM.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2023-24-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for January.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High Schoolโ€™s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. January 17th-22nd: WHS Music Department Disney World Trip

  2. February 29th-March 2nd, 7 PM shows: The Wizard of Oz

  3. March 22nd, 7 PM: Spring Concert

  4. April 16th, 7 PM: IUSD Honors Concert

  5. May 31st, 7 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for January.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Choral Calendar

  1. Fri & Sat, Jan. 26 & 27: Weekend Singers & Canta Bella at Pilgrim Pines.

  2. Th-Sat, Feb. 1-3, All day: CA All-State Choir Weekend (Any Student) in Sacramento, CA.

  3. Th.-Sat, Feb. 29-Mar 2, 7:00 PM: IHS Musical (Any student) at IHS Theater.

  4. March 12 or 13, Morning: IHS Arts Assembly (Canta Bella & Irvine Singers) at IHS Game Gym.

  5. Mon, Mar. 18, 7:00 PM: Spring Concert (All Choirs) at Concordia Univ.

  6. Fri, March 22, Morning: CSU Fullerton Festival (Irvine Singers) at CSUF Meng Hall.

  7. April 1st - 5th, 2024: TBD.

  8. Tues, April 16, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert (Selected Members) at OCPAC.

  9. Wed, April 17, 6:30 PM: 8th Grade Parent Night at IHS Gym.

  10. TBD: Aliso Womenโ€™s Festival (Canta Bella) - Location TBD.

  11. Wed, April 17, All day: Forum Festival (Concert Chorale, Chorale & Viva Cantar) at Knottโ€™s Berry Farm.

  12. Wed, April 26, 6:00 PM: SPUR Awards (Chordinated Chaos) at IHS Theater.

  13. Tues & Wed, May 28 & 29, 3:30-6:30 PM: Dress rehearsal โ€œVoicesโ€ (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  14. Thurs.- Sat, May 30-June 1, 7:00 PM: Voices 2024 (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  15. Wed, June 5, 7:00 PM: Heritage Awards (Chorale) at IHS Gym.

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

Discover How to Save Energy and Money: Join Irvine's Electrification 101 Workshop

Irvine City is hosting a free Electrification 101 Workshop on January 17, from 6-8 p.m. at Irvine City Hall, in collaboration with Switch is On and SCE. The workshop will educate attendees on transitioning to electric appliances, energy-saving upgrades, and available rebates. It includes a 7-8 p.m. expo for further learning from local organizations and contractors. This event supports Irvine's climate goals and offers insights into saving money through electrification. Registration is available at yourirvine.org, with more details at cityofirvine.org/ep.

UCI Women's Basketball to Face Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis in Upcoming Big West Games

UC Irvine's women's basketball team (8-4, 2-0 Big West) plays away games against Cal State Fullerton (5-7, 1-1 Big West) on Jan. 4 and UC Davis (4-8, 0-2 Big West) on Jan. 6. Irvine has a strong defensive record, holding opponents under 70 points in 46 consecutive games and leading the Big West in scoring defense. They are on a winning streak in Big West play and have a strong overall conference record since 2020-21. Junior Dรฉja Lee, recently named Big West Player of the Week, is a key player, alongside top bench scorers contributing significantly. Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis have had mixed results in their recent games. UC Irvine has a favorable all-time series record against Fullerton but trails against Davis. In their last game, Irvine defeated Cal State Bakersfield with a strong second-half performance. The team has been consistent in their lineup and performance, with significant contributions from players like Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba and Nikki Tom. Up next, they face the defending conference tournament champion Hawai'i on Jan. 11.

Pierre Crockrell II Named Anteater of the Week for Exceptional Performance in Big West Basketball

Pierre Crockrell II was named Sgt. Pepperoniโ€™s Anteater of the Week for leading UC Irvine men's basketball to a 2-0 start in Big West play. He achieved a double-double with 10 points and 16 assists in a recent game, nearly breaking a school record. Crockrell II is now fourth in the nation for assists in a game and has risen in national rankings for assists per game and total assists, also topping KenPom's assist rate chart.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Basketball

  1.  Thurs, Jan 4th: vs Cal State Fullerton, 7:00 PM

  2.   Sat, Jan 6th: vs UC Davis, 1:00 PM

  3.   Thurs, Jan18th: vs UC San Diego, 7:00 PM

  4.  Sat, Jan 27th: vs CSUN, 7:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  1.  Tues, Jan 9th: vs George Mason, 3:00 p.m.

  2.   Wed, Jan 10th: vs Saint Francis, 6:00 p.m.

  3. Sat, Jan 13th: vs Princeton, 6:00 p.m.

  4.   Wed, Jan 17th: vs McKendree, 6:00 p.m.

  5.  Wed, Jan 31st: vs UCLA, 6:00 p.m.

Women's Basketball

  1.  Thurs, January 11th: vs Hawai'i, 6:00 PM

  2. Sat, January 20th: vs UC Davis, 2:00 PM

  3.  Thurs, January 25th: vs Long Beach State, 11:00 AM

Men's Tennis

  •  Fri, January 26th: vs BYU, Time TBA

  •  Sat, January 27th: vs San Diego State, Time TBA

Baseball

  1.  Sat, January 27th: vs Alumni Game, 12:00 PM

Irvine Valley Women's Basketball: Resilient Win Against Ventura, Tough Defeat by Glendale

The Irvine Valley women's basketball team, after a two-week break, played at the VC-Optimist Club Holiday Classic in Ventura, splitting their games. They beat Ventura 58-52 with a strong second-half comeback, led by Moka Saiki's 19 points, but lost to Glendale 47-31 due to poor shooting. Their record now stands at 8-5. Their next game is on Jan. 5 against Palo Verde.

๐Ÿโšฝ๐Ÿ€ Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

Men's Basketball

  1. Fri, Jan 05: at Riverside* at 5:00 PM

  2. Wed, Jan 10: at Santa Ana* at 5:00 PM

  3. Fri, Jan 12: vs Fullerton* at 6:00 PM

Women's Basketball

  1. Fri, Jan 05: at Palo Verde at 5:30 PM

  2. Wed, Jan 10: vs Orange Coast* at 6:00 PM

  3. Fri, Jan 12: at Santa Ana* at 7:00 PM

  4. Wed, Jan 17: vs Golden West* at 6:00 PM

  5. Fri, Jan 19: at Fullerton* at 7:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High Schoolโ€™s Varsity home games:

January 2024

Saturday, January 6

  • Wrestling, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 9:00 AM, Tournament at Irvine High School Game Gym

  • Wrestling, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 9:00 AM, Tournament at Irvine High School Game Gym

Monday, January 8

  • Soccer, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 5:00 PM vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, January 9

  • Water Polo, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 6:00 PM vs. University at Woodbridge High School

Wednesday, January 10

  • -Soccer, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:00 PM vs. University at Irvine High School Stadium

  • -Basketball, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:30 PM vs. University at Irvine High School Game Gym

  • -Basketball, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 7:00 PM vs. University at Irvine High School Game Gym

Thursday, January 11

  • -Water Polo, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 4:00 PM vs. Woodbridge at Woodbridge High School

Friday, January 12

  • Soccer, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:00 PM vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Stadium

  • Basketball, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:30 PM vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Game Gym

  • Basketball, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 7:00 PM vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Game Gym

Tuesday, January 16

  • Soccer, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 5:00 PM vs. Beckman, Arnold at Irvine High School Stadium

Wednesday, January 17

  • Wrestling, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 6:30 PM vs. Beckman, Arnold at Irvine High School Game Gym

  • Wrestling, Girls Varsity (VR)

  • - 6:30 PM vs. Beckman, Arnold at Irvine High School Game Gym

Friday, January 19

  • Soccer, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 5:00 PM vs. Laguna Hills at Irvine High School Stadium

Monday, January 22

  • Soccer, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 3:30 PM vs. Portola at Irvine High School Stadium

  • Water Polo, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 4:30 PM vs. Portola at Portola High School

  • Basketball, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:30 PM vs. Portola at Irvine High School Game Gym

  • Basketball, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 7:00 PM vs. Portola at Irvine High School Game Gym

Wednesday, January 24

  • Water Polo, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 4:15 PM vs. Northwood High School at Northwood High School

  •  Soccer, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:00 PM vs. Northwood High School at Irvine High School Stadium

  • Basketball, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:30 PM vs. Northwood High School at Irvine High School Game Gym

  •  Basketball, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 7:00 PM vs. Northwood High School at Irvine High School Game Gym

Friday, January 26, 2024

  •  Soccer, Boys Varsity (VR)

    - 3:15 PM vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Stadium

  • -Soccer, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:00 PM vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

  • Basketball, Girls Varsity (VR)

    - 5:30 PM vs. Beckman, Arnold at Irvine High School Game Gym

Irvine Police Nab Duo in $3,000 Baby Formula Heist at Spectrum Target

On December 27, two suspects, Christopher David Szabo (52) and Cheryl Daveen Wipf (57), were arrested for using stolen state benefit information to buy over $3,000 in baby formula from Spectrum Target in Huntington Beach. They are charged with burglary, forgery, organized retail theft, and narcotics offenses. The Irvine Police Department, handling the case, also addressed Szabo's outstanding arrest warrants.

#IrvinePD #Arrest #RetailCrime

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