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Veteran of Three Wars, Major Billy C. Hall, Recognized in Patriotic Fourth of July Celebration

Issue # 0200

Author

Joshua Tjia
09 Jul

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚗🔧⚠️Tragic Death of TV Star Puts Spotlight on Rising Catalytic Converter Thefts

⚠️🚨 Sober Living Facility Incident: Man Arrested for Roommate's Murder in Irvine

🎖️👏🎶 Veteran of Three Wars, Major Billy C. Hall, Recognized in Patriotic Fourth of July Celebration

🧡💌 July is Social Wellness Month: Tips to Stay Connected and Boost Mental Health

🏥🎗️ New UCI Health Cancer Center in Irvine to Triple Treatment Capacity for Orange County

🥾🌱💦 Stay Safe and Cool While Hiking This Summer: Essential Tips for Outdoor Enthusiasts

👩🏻‍🍳🥘 Join the Quiche Lorraine and Tomato Tart Cooking Class at Irvine Fine Arts Center

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐱🏷️ Ensure Your Pet's Safety with Digital ID Tags from Irvine Animal Care Center

🏀 Julius Smith Joins UC Irvine Men's Basketball as Assistant Coach

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC's Natalia Brandlin Earns NCAA Division I Spot with Cal State Northridge Volleyball

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Northwood High's Coach Sets High Goals for 2024 Football Season

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🔍 Man Steals $4,800 Binoculars from Irvine Store; Police Seek Information

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the grape say when he got stepped on?

Nothing! He was just wine-ing

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

Tragic Death of TV Star Puts Spotlight on Rising Catalytic Converter Thefts

Last month, Johnny Wactor, a 37-year-old actor from "General Hospital," was tragically killed by thieves while attempting to prevent the theft of his car's catalytic converter, which highlights the growing issue of catalytic converter thefts. These parts, crucial for reducing emissions, contain valuable metals like platinum and rhodium. With over 50,000 thefts in the US in 2021 and California seeing around 1,600 monthly, it's important to take preventative steps such as installing anti-theft devices, utilizing strategic parking, setting sensitive car alarms, and marking converters with identifying information.

Note: We recently had to replace our water heater and chose a local plumber who's been in Irvine for years (supporting local businesses! 🙂). During his visit, he shared that his catalytic converter was stolen right from his driveway costing him several thousand dollars to replace. This incident underscores that Irvine is also affected by the rising trend of catalytic converter thefts. Apparently it is a growing problem because the value of a catalytic converter is higher than the standard stereo system installed on most cars.

So, this post by the Orange County District Attorney's office is relevant to us who live in Irvine.

Stay alert, everyone!

Source

Sober Living Facility Incident: Man Arrested for Roommate's Murder in Irvine

A 24-year-old man, Braxton Tysean Hill, was arrested for allegedly killing his 18-year-old roommate at a sober living facility in Irvine on Monday. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. near the 200 block of Toll Road. The victim was found with serious injuries and later died at a nearby hospital. Hill was apprehended near I-15 in Apple Valley three hours later. The motive remains unknown, and the cause of death is unclear. Neighbors are outraged, calling for changes to the system, and plan to bring the issue to the Irvine City Council.

Veteran of Three Wars, Major Billy C. Hall, Recognized in Patriotic Fourth of July Celebration

Honoring Major Billy C. Hall, an American hero and veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, on the Fourth of July Spectacular. He joined the Marine Corps at age 15, over 82 years ago, and served in over 150 missions. His legacy and the contributions of many veterans were honored at the event.

July is Social Wellness Month: Tips to Stay Connected and Boost Mental Health

July is Social Wellness Month, emphasizing the importance of staying connected for mental health, especially during summer. Real human contact is crucial for well-being, as isolation can harm health like smoking. Ways to connect include:

  • Taking classes, enjoying parks, staying in touch with loved ones, having family fun nights, volunteering, organizing playdates, and getting active.

  • Students can join school clubs and activities during the school year.

  • Nurturing relationships supports a connected community and positive mental health.

Read here and visit IUSD’s Mental Health and Wellness resource page for more info.

New UCI Health Cancer Center in Irvine to Triple Treatment Capacity for Orange County

On July 16, the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center will open a new state-of-the-art facility in Irvine, expanding access to elite cancer care across Orange County and beyond. This new center is part of the $1.3 billion UCI Health — Irvine medical complex and will triple the capacity for cancer treatment. The Irvine center will offer advanced diagnostics, treatments, and clinical trials, meeting the same high standards as the flagship center in Orange. A community open house will be held on July 20, featuring a health fair, entertainment, and tours. Learn more at https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2024/06/uci-health-irvine-cancer-center-to-open.

Stay Safe and Cool While Hiking This Summer: Essential Tips for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Enjoy nature safely this summer with these tips:

  • Wear breathable, moisture-wicking clothes and a wide-brim hat for UV protection.

  • Stay hydrated with at least 32 ounces of water per hiking hour.

  • Don't forget sunscreen, a reliable trail map, and a fully charged phone.

  • Plan your hikes for early morning or evening to avoid peak sun and enjoy cooler temperatures.

Stay safe and cool!

Join the Quiche Lorraine and Tomato Tart Cooking Class at Irvine Fine Arts Center

Love French cuisine? Join the Classic French Cuisine: Quiche Lorraine and Tomato Tart cooking class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center on July 23, from 6–8:30 p.m. Learn to make perfect pie crusts, delicious fillings, and master presentation with guidance from an expert instructor. Sign up here. Don't miss this chance to bring a taste of France to your kitchen!

#FrenchCooking #QuicheLorraine #TomatoTart #CookingClass #IrvineFineArts #WeAreIrvine

We will resume with the high school music calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Ensure Your Pet's Safety with Digital ID Tags from Irvine Animal Care Center

Keep your pet safe with a new digital ID tag from the Irvine Animal Care Center, in partnership with PetHub.

  • These tags link directly to you, allowing you to create a detailed pet profile with essential information like medications, vaccines, and emergency contacts.

  • You control what info is visible online, ensuring your pet's safety. If your pet gets lost, the digital tag helps with quick reunification.

  • Licensing your pet is not only a safety measure but also a legal requirement.

Learn more and get your pet's digital ID tag at www.cityofirvine.org/irvine-animal-care-center/licensing.

Julius Smith Joins UC Irvine Men's Basketball as Assistant Coach

Head coach Russell Turner announces the addition of Julius Smith to the men's basketball staff as an assistant coach. Turner praises Smith as a proven winner with energy and experience that will benefit the team’s skill development and academic success. Smith, returning to Southern California after a year at Montana State University, previously contributed to their NCAA Tournament berth and high academic standards. At Point Loma, he was instrumental in an 83-22 record and academic achievements. Smith also has experience in high school basketball and AAU programs. He is joined by his wife, Nicole, in this new role with the Anteater family.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

IVC's Natalia Brandlin Earns NCAA Division I Spot with Cal State Northridge Volleyball

Natalia Brandlin, star player of Irvine Valley College's women's volleyball team, has signed with NCAA Division I Cal State Northridge for both indoor and beach volleyball. Brandlin excelled with the Lasers, earning all-Orange Empire Conference and all-3C2A State honors, and winning the OEC pairs title with teammate Audrey Fowler. She contributed to Irvine Valley's impressive 22-5 overall record and 13-3 conference play, helping the team secure a share of the Orange Empire Conference title and a spot in the 3C2A State Championship tournament in 2023. Under head coach Anna Unke, Brandlin was pivotal, leading the conference in hitting percentage (.406) and blocks per set (1.20), while ranking second in the state in hitting percentage and fourth in blocks per set. With a successful history, including stints at Orange Coast College and Edison High, Brandlin joins a Northridge team with new indoor coach Aquiles Montoya.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Northwood High's Coach Sets High Goals for 2024 Football Season

Northwood High School football coach JC Clarke aims for a healthy season, playoff contention, and victories against Irvine teams. Northwood, now in the Foxtrot League due to re-leaguing, will face only three Irvine teams: Irvine (Aug. 23), Woodbridge (Sept. 13), and Portola (Sept. 20). Clarke is disappointed with the new league, preferring traditional rivalries. The team features standout players like Joseph Harper, Sun Tao, Quintin Lynch, Eddie Petrusin, Issac Kwon, Tristian Tran, and Cole Hildalgo. The quarterback competition is tight between Noah Green, Gavin Lounsbury, and Roman Suarez. Northwood, with a 4-6 record last season, aims to return to its CIF championship form from 2021 and 2022. The 2024 schedule includes home games at Irvine Stadium and key matchups throughout the season.

High School Athletics Calendar

We will resume with the high school athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Man Steals $4,800 Binoculars from Irvine Store; Police Seek Information

On June 5, a man stole a pair of binoculars valued at $4,800 from a bird-watching equipment store in Irvine. He was seen escaping in a gray Lexus sedan. Irvine Police are asking for assistance to solve this theft and encourage anyone with information, including the suspect who may wish to confess, to contact them at [email protected].

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 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

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