City of Irvine Blog

School is in Session…Drive Carefully

Annie Brown — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:28:37 +0000

The Irvine Police Department would like to remind the community that school is back in session. Please drive slowly in school zones and wait for crossing guards to clear children from the roadway before entering the intersection. If you are a parent dropping off a child at school, be familiar with the traffic plan for your campus. Dropping students in unauthorized areas may save a moment of your time but … Continue reading →

Farmers to Flyers

Annie Brown — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:07:24 +0000

Farmers to Flyers at the Orange County Great Park really is about those who served on the Great Park grounds when it was Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (closed in 1999). An exhibition of historical photographs, documents and artifacts is based upon 400 oral history interviews already completed. Don’t miss a special free reception: The Orange County Great Park will host at the Great Park Gallery in the Palm … Continue reading →

What’s on the Agenda

Annie Brown — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:59:29 +0000

The City Council meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 11 in the Council Chamber following a 4 p.m. closed session. On the agenda: A moment of silence will be observed as this day is the 11^th anniversary of 9/11…also, the City Council will consider a general plan amendment and zone change to add three detached single-family residences at the site of a former school. If approved at the corner of Michelson Drive and Rosa Drew Lane,. The number of homes will increase to 58. The site is at the former Vista Verde Elementary School.

What’s on the Agenda

Annie Brown — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:06:27 +0000

The City Council meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, following a 4 p.m. closed session. Agenda items include: Development fee deferral ordinance for new residential and commercial development; memorandum of understanding between the City and County of Orange in terms of annual appropriation of funds to the county library system and a savings over the next 10 years specifically for libraries within the City; adoption by City Council, as Successor Agency to the dissolved Irvine Redevelopment Agency, of an obligation payment schedule; and discussion and direction regarding public safety and the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station. Meetings are held in the Civic Center’s Council Chamber.

What’s on the Agenda

Annie Brown — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:47:16 +0000

Today’s City Council meeting begins at 4 p.m. in the Civic Center’s Council Chamber. First item is a scoping session regarding a developer-proposed general plan amendment and zone change for the Great Park Neighborhoods, the privately owned land adjacent to the Orange County Great Park. Scoping sessions provide time for the City Council to give input to staff about areas of study and to also give early direction in the process. Also on the agenda is the Strategic Business Plan, for City Council consideration. The annual document helps the City Council assess the effect of policy decisions on the City’s future quality of life.

City Food Drive Helps Families in Need

Annie Brown — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:47:46 +0000

Irvine residents helped fight hunger this holiday season by donating more than 2,800 pounds of food to the City of Irvine’s Healthy Food Drive. From December 1 through January 15, community members collected canned and non-perishable food items to benefit eight of Irvine’s food pantry distribution programs.

“The outpouring of support was tremendous,” said Corinne Schneider-Jones, City of Irvine Health and Human Services Manager. “We are pleased that during these hard times people give so generously to provide food items to help those in need.”

Local food pantry programs, like the ones in Irvine, have become a lifeline for many families and seniors facing tough economic challenges; and thanks to your outpouring of support, we succeeded in supplying enough food items to provide more than 2,335 meals for people in need.

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Annie Brown — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:39:51 +0000

A lot of history passed through the Council Chamber on Dec. 13 as the City Council filled its agenda with 40^th Anniversary movers and shakers. The City of Irvine’s incorporation date is Dec. 28, 1971. Many people who lived, worked and planned the City were on hand as the official celebration of the 40^th Anniversary year was held; a public reception followed. Inaugural businesses/organizations (including the night’s marquee, UC Irvine) were there, as well as Oral History Project participants who starred in the City’s video program. To view the special night, go to the ICTV program at irvine.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=530. For highlights of the City’s 40 years, go to our homepage’s main carousel and click on interviews and more on a special 40^th Anniversary story.

Toy Drive Brings Joy to 400 Families

Annie Brown — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:27:28 +0000

Irvine’s annual Toy Drive had a joyful ending for more than 400 families from Irvine’s adopted Marine Battalion from Camp Pendleton. More than 200 toys were collected and distributed by Santa to the children during a special holiday party hosted by the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee on Saturday, December 10 – a welcome relief for the Battalions 900 Marines and Sailors who are currently deployed through the holiday season. Special gifts were raffled, handmade crocheted baby items were given to parents with little ones and every Marine received a gift bag. A fully catered holiday lunch was provided with plenty of food and desserts for all ages. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Photographs by Peter Huynh

Irvine Holiday Faire a Huge Success

Annie Brown — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:47:34 +0000

The Irvine Fine Arts Center recently hosted the 29^th annual Holiday Faire, which continues to grow in size and popularity each year. This year the Fair was attended by an estimated 3,000 people and featured more than 120 Orange County artists who offered a variety of original handmade holiday artwork and decorations.

All funds benefit the Fine Arts Center and go to support the purchase of art supplies for children’s art classes and new equipment for its art studios. To learn more about the Irvine Fine Arts Center, visit irvinefinearts.org or call 949-724-6880.

The Holiday Faire originated in 1982 and is held in early November each year.

OC METRO’S TAKE ON IRVINE’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Annie Brown — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:23:25 +0000

OC METRO Magazine Publisher Steve Churm, referring to the City of Irvine’s “standard of consistency and performance,” used his Bottom Line editorial in the December issue of the business magazine to write (and speak) about our 40^th Anniversary. Lots of his commentary focuses on the business strength found in the City, where attraction, retention and growth are key themes.

To watch his video, click here.