News

UCI Receives Excellence in Action Award for Water Conservation

Thursday, June 09, 2022

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) were honored with the 2022 Award of Excellence from the WateReuse Association. The national award recognizes UCI’s long-standing partnership with the IRWD as one of its earliest partners in the Water Star business program using IRWD recycled water on campus for more than five decades. The award notes: “Irvine Ranch Water District and the University of California, Irvine are celebrating more than 50 years of recycled water partnership with the completion of the university’s Central Plant Recycled Water Conversion. The project uses cooling towers to chill air-conditioning wate...

Trumark Homes Announces New Single-Family Homes On Sale at Acclaimed Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine

Wednesday, June 08, 2022

Continuing its strategic expansion into many of California’s most desirable housing markets, award-winning Trumark Homes announced on June 8 that sales have begun at L’Aube at Solis Park, a collection of single-family detached homes located at the acclaimed Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine. Located on Lynx adjacent to the site of a future Irvine Unified School District K-8 public school, L’Aube at Solis Park offers 47 three-story, single-family detached homes. Homebuyers can select from five distinct three- and four-bedroom floorplans ranging from 1,640 square feet to 2,419 square feet. The homes’ design styles include modern farmhouse, boutique and contemporary. Models are anticipated t...

City of Irvine Seeking Input on the City's Transit Vision

Tuesday, June 07, 2022

The City of Irvine is launching a study to define community transportation needs and determine additional transit needs (beyond the existing iShuttle and bus routes located within the City). The Irvine Transit Vision Study will evaluate new and improved transportation options to support residents getting around within the city. The study will develop transit service recommendations based on current travel patterns, parking conditions, existing transit services, and other factors. The study aims to increase access to local businesses, relieve parking and traffic congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We have prepared some initial service concepts and welcome your feedback. The presentatio...

Irvine Regional Park Turns 125 This Year

Tuesday, June 07, 2022

(Orange County Register) The centuries-old oak trees in Irvine Regional Park tell a story of what was, what is and even what the future holds for the state’s first regional park. A defining feature of the park, the oaks were rooted in the earth long before James Irvine Jr. gifted – for the price of $1 – 160 acres of his ranch to the County of Orange on Oct. 5, 1897. Described by a member of the Board of Supervisors at the time as the “gift munificent,” the acreage situated in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains became the Orange County Park...

UCI Wins $14M NIH Grant to Study Brain Circuits Susceptible to Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease

Tuesday, June 07, 2022

The University of California, Irvine has been awarded a five-year, $14 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study brain circuits that are susceptible to aging and Alzheimer’s disease. The research findings will advance the development of early diagnostic tools and the discovery of new treatment strategies. Xiangmin Xu, Ph.D., UCI Chancellor’s Fellow of anatomy and neurobiology and principal investigator, will lead an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team whose goal is to construct comprehensive, high-resolution maps of specific neuron types and their connections in critical brain circuits whose defects correspond with behavioral deficits associated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease. “One of th...

138 New Homes Coming to Irvine, Mission Viejo From Under $600,000 to Over $1M

Monday, June 06, 2022

(Orange County Register) To understand the lengths some homebuilders go to in order to acquire land, consider the challenges for Trumark Homes as it develops 138 residences at two very different Orange County sites. In Mission Viejo, Trumark is building 91 townhomes and condos on what was an undeveloped hillside. At the same time 6 miles to the west in Irvine, the San Ramon-based developer is building 47 single-family houses on ready-to-go lots in the Great Park Neighborhoods’ master-planned community Solis Park. For Trumark, both projects are a stretch from its reputation as a specialist in what industry insiders call “in-fill” projects — turnin...

Irvine Restaurants Make Best Places to Eat in Orange County List

Monday, June 06, 2022

The Orange County Register has published an interactive map on the 75 Best Places to Eat in Orange County 2022. Irvine establishments making the list are: 15. Little Sister Dishes blend and balance the spices and flavors of Southeast Asia with French techniques and Dutch and British colonial influences. The Spectrum, 896 Spectrum Center Dr. 949-800-8798 | dinelittlesister.com/irvine 26. Sol Flavors and experiences are inspired by coastal Mexico. 1910 Main St. 949-975-1220 | solcocina.com 53. HiroNori Original and authentic ramen noodles, stock, and sauce are made on-site. 2222 Michelson Dr. 949-536-5800 | hironoricraftramen.com 65. Solstice The modern American menu features seasonal ingredient-driven cuisine. 18555 Jamboree Rd. 949-241-7088 | solsticeoc.com

UCI Study Finds Affordable Housing Increases Property Values, Lowers Crime

Monday, June 06, 2022

(ABC 7 Eyewitness News) The need for affordable housing in Orange County is evident as the price to buy a home reaches record highs. George Tita, University of California, Irvine professor of criminology, law and society, directs UCI Livable Cities Lab. The lab conducted a study, which looked at the impact affordable housing has on communities in the O.C. "There is a shortage of 65,000 housing units in Orange County right at this moment," Tita said. He said the study looked at data three years before, and three years after affordable developments moved into neighborhoods. He said the findings of the study debunk the myth tha...

Press & Moka in Irvine Adds to Family's Businesses That Includes Bistango

Friday, June 03, 2022

(Orange County Register) John Ghoukassian is gone but his legacy goes on. The founder of a family business that still owns and operates Bistango and Bayside Restaurant, he passed away in March 2021 but his children, son Marc Ghoukassian and daughter Karyn Ghoukassian, have followed in his footsteps. They are launching Press & Moka Coffeehouse, a European-style casual coffee shop, slated to open Monday, June 6 in Irvine. And they’re announcing that their father is being honored with a Distinguished Citizen Award by the City of Irvine, to be presented at a city council meeting scheduled for June 14. The council established th...

$60M Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine Set to Open June 20

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

Thirty-five years after the first visitors splashed down a water slide at Wild Rivers in Irvine, the countdown is on for the popular water park that closed in 2011 to open anew — and just in time for summer. The park has set June 20 as opening day, but there are a host of to-dos that still remain on the punch list, including finishing construction of some attractions and obtaining various regulatory approvals for rides. It’ll be tight, said Wild Rivers owner Mike Reidel, but the focus is on delivering the best experience possible for the long-awaited debut. When will he know, for sure, th...

Irvine Ranked the Happiest City in Southern California

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

(Irvine Standard) Irvine was named the happiest city in Southern California and fifth in the nation, according to WalletHub’s 2022 rankings. The personal finance website compared 182 of the largest U.S. cities, looking at 30 indicators of happiness – from income growth rate to average leisure time. Irvine residents had the third-lowest separation and divorce rate and the fifth-lowest depression rate. Thanks to its abundance of parks and amenities, Irvine also tied for fifth in the sports participation rate. Overall, Irvine finished among the top 16 in all three major categories – emotional and physical well-being; income and employment; and community and environment.

Irvine-Based USA Water Polo Announces 2022 Hall of Fame Class

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

Irvine-based USA Water Polo ihas announced the 38th induction class for the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame. This year's class represents the complete water polo experience: athletes, coaches and referees with involvement at the age group, collegiate, masters, and Olympic levels. Layne Beaubien, a three-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic silver medalist, and Kelli Billish-Fitter, a women's water polo pioneer and FINA World Championship bronze medalist, join this year's class. Bob Corb, a veteran referee who whistled at world-class events around the globe, will be inducted alongside Russ Hafferkamp, a masters water polo champion, coach, and author. Rounding out the group is John Vargas, an Olympian, Olympic team head coach, an...

IVC Names Rick Miranda Vice President for Instruction

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

Irvine Valley College (IVC) has named Rick Miranda as Vice President for Instruction. He will begin in his new role on July 11 pending board ratification. Rick replaces Dr. Chris McDonald who accepted the position of Vice-Chancellor of Educational and Technology Services for the South Orange County Community College District in March. Since 2016, Miranda has served as Vice President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent at Cerritos College where his key responsibilities include leading, planning, supervising, coordinating, and evaluating all areas of the instructional programs and services. Miranda is responsible for enrollment management, academic compliance, budget supervision, and overall instructional support, includin...

Kristine Collins Named Dean of UCI Division of Continuing Education

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

University of California, Irvine has appointed Kristine Collins to be its dean of the Division of Continuing Education, following a North American-wide search. She will assume the post on Aug. 22. The UCI Division of Continuing Education serves the lifelong learning and career development needs of individuals, organizations and the community on a local, regional and global scale. Through a wide range of educational opportunities, including certificate and specialized studies programs, short courses and strategic partnerships, the DCE provides learning pathways for those seeking career advancement or personal enrichment. DCE offers 2,500 classes per year, with nearly 23,000 enrollments. Additionally, throug...

John Wayne Airport Names New Director

Friday, May 27, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Orange County’s Board of Supervisors appointed Charlene Reynolds as the new director of John Wayne Airport on May 24. The Phoenix-native holds over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Reynolds is currently the chief commercial officer of the Houston Airport System, and previously worked for the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as the Interim and Assistant Aviation Director. She also worked for the city of Phoenix for 15 years in the transportation department and the city manager’s office. “Improving the quality of both internal and external community operations remain my priority. Ms. Reynolds impressed m...

OC Unemployment Drops to 2.7%, Lowest Since Nov. 2019

Friday, May 27, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Orange County’s unemployment rate fell to 2.7% in April from a revised 3.1% in March and below the 6.8% rate seen in April last year, according to the state’s Employment Development Department. It’s the lowest unemployment in Orange County since November 2019. The state’s unemployment rate was 3.8% in April while the U.S.’s was 3.3%. Nonfarm OC employment gained 9,400 jobs from March to April when 1.63 million were employed. OC employment was up 78,300 jobs from the same period a year ago. The county remains below the February 2020 pre-pandemic employment level of 1.68 million jobs. Six of the 11 industr...

Irvine Summer Concert Season at FivePoint Amphitheatre

Thursday, May 26, 2022

(Orange County Register) FivePoint Amphitheater, which was constructed just outside the Great Park in Irvine following the demolition of the county’s beloved Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in 2016, is back with another full season of rock, pop, hip-hop, and classical music concerts. The 12,000-capacity outdoor venue was meant to be a temporary solution until a larger venue could be built, but it will continue to operate as the Irvine City Council and concert promoter Live Nation work toward a permanent structure within the Great Park. FivePoint Amphitheatre is located at 14800 Chinon and is about a five-minute walk from the train station. General admissio...

City of Hope to Expand Supportive Care Program for Cancer Patients With $10M Gift From The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and a national leader in providing cancer patients with best-in-class, integrated supportive care programs, has received a $10 million gift from The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. The partnership between City of Hope and The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation will support City of Hope’s efforts to give patients across its cancer care system expanded access to its evidence-based supportive care medicine offerings and to advocate for establishing supportive care as a standard practice for cancer care in the United States. Beginning a...

Irvine Officials Tout Strengthened Tech Hub

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan is making a push to bolster Irvine’s reputation as a tech hub. “More than 900 tech companies call our city home and we are working to attract additional high-growth technology businesses,” Khan said. That appeal was made clear with Amazon’s decision to bring more than 800 corporate and tech jobs to Irvine over the next few years after inking a notable lease at the city’s Spectrum Terrace office development (see May 16 print edition of the Business Journal). Fellow tech titan Apple also signed a full-building lease at Irvine Co.’s Spectrum Terrace this year, source...

At Solstice at the Boardwalk in Irvine, The Power Lunch is Back

Friday, May 20, 2022

(Orange County Register) The power lunch is back, and Solstice is the new reigning hot spot. Solstice is that long-awaited restaurant in the Boardwalk, which, if you haven’t noticed, is the fanciest office building to open in the Irvine Business Complex in years. This neighborhood has long been the epicenter of the O.C. power lunch. The restaurant is very elegant, a cosmopolitan loft-style aesthetic with reams of natural light. It’s swarming with people who look like lawyers, accountants, bankers, architects and whatnot, mostly dressed in typical C-suite business attire. It also looks like a few people are here merely because they can be...

C-SPAN Visits Irvine to Honor Local StudentCam Documentary Winners

Friday, May 20, 2022

C-SPAN and Cox Communications will join Mayor Farrah N. Khan on Wednesday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. PT to honor Sharon Chen and Amber Khauv for their winning entry in C-SPAN's annual student video documentary competition, StudentCam. Chen, an 11th grader at Portola High School, and Khauv, an 11th grader at Orange County School of the Arts, won Third Prize and $750 for the video, The Lasting Impact of Space Travel, and will meet with the Mayor at Irvine City Hall. The competition, now in its 18th year, invited all middle and high school students to enter by producing a shor...

UCI Ranked 9th University in Money Magazine’s Best Colleges 2022

Friday, May 20, 2022

Money magazine has ranked University of California, Irvine ninth in its 2022 list of the U.S.’s “Best Colleges” – making it the highest-rated California university. The annual ranking, released May 16, acknowledges UCI’s continued growth in providing accessible, high-quality education and fostering alumni success. “We are delighted that UCI has once again been recognized as one of the premier universities in the nation,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “This ranking reflects our deep commitment to providing student opportunity and validates our intentional agenda to promote the American dream by being an engine of upward mobility through higher education.” According to Money, UCI score...

Why are Los Angeles, Orange County Economies Together So Often?

Friday, May 20, 2022

(Orange County Register) Jonathan Lansner of the Orange County Register addresses a common question: “Just curious. Why do you always lump Orange County and Los Angeles together in your analysis and articles? Living in O.C., it would be preferable to see the data separated. For example, in homeownership, I would assume that O.C.’s rate of ownership is much higher than L.A.’s.” Lansner's Answer: That’s a good and common question I’ve received over the years. The column in question looked at “real-time” homeownership data from the U.S. Census Bureau that estimates 45% of households in the L.A.-O.C. region lived in a home they owned in 2022’s firs...

Blind Pig Adds Sandwich Shops in Irvine, Anaheim

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

(Orange County Register) A Trough sandwich shop will soft-open in late May in Anaheim and The Blind Pig Restaurant Group has plans for another, coming in late November or December to Irvine. That makes three for this concept, including its first location in Rancho Santa Margarita. They were conceived by owner Tony Monaco, founder of The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar restaurants in Rancho Santa Margarita and Yorba Linda. His Trough concept focuses on breakfast and lunch with hot and cold sandwiches on a menu originally created by Karl Pfleider, executive chef for The Blind Pig. General Manager Brandin Duda has added mor...

Mavenlink, Kimble Applications Gets New Name: Kantata

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Mavenlink in Irvine and Kimble Applications of London said their combined company has been renamed Kantata. Kantata is a global supplier of purpose-built technology for professional services organizations. Software company Mavenlink and Kimble Applications said in November they had agreed to merge as their products help improve operational and financial performance of professional services firms. Mavenlink was co-founded by OC entrepreneur Ray Grainger, who also served as the company’s CEO. Grainger is executive chairman and founder of the combined firm Kantata, according to his Linkedin.com page.

Hoag Unveils Innovation Center, and Telehealth App

Monday, May 16, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has launched a new health center and mobile app that will allow patients to receive the same care, whether they’re at home, in the doctor’s office, or on the go. The On-Demand Care and Innovation Center, which opened in late March, totals 12,200 square feet at 4699 Jamboree Rd. in Newport Beach, just shy of 9 miles from Hoag Hospital Newport Beach. Located on the corner of Jamboree and Campus Drive, the new center is also across the street from a $1.3 billion hospital complex being built at the University of California, Irvine. UCI’s children’...

London Chippy Brings a Taste of the UK to Irvine’s Trade Marketplace

Monday, May 16, 2022

(Daily Pilot) London Chippy chef and co-owner Arjun Neil Bhakta said each time he traveled to the United Kingdom with his British Indian parents, they were always sure to visit a chippy. “Whenever we went to London to visit family, the first thing they would always take me to — that they would rave about — is fish and chips,” said Bhakta. While fish and chips can be found on restaurant menus throughout Orange County, there aren’t as many concepts devoted solely to the dish. “Chippies,” British slang for fish and chips shops, are hard to come by locally. So when Bhakta’s friend and busines...

Kaiser Permanente Orange County Hospitals Earn Place on Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2022 List

Friday, May 13, 2022

Kaiser Permanente Anaheim and Irvine Medical Centers have been awarded on Newsweek’s list of Best Maternity Hospitals 2022, a prestigious award presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. “We are proud of this accomplishment, which is a testament to the exceptional care provided by our physicians and staff,” said Mark Costa, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Orange County. “Having two of our hospitals recognized is a tribute to our dedicated care teams whose top priority is to provide our members and patients with high-quality personalized maternity care as they embar...

Kaiser Permanente Orange County Hospitals Nationally Recognized With Top Safety Grade

Friday, May 13, 2022

Kaiser Permanente Orange County hospitals have received an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes Irvine and Anaheim Medical Centers’ achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. "The health and safety of our patients and members is our top priority," said Mark Costa, senior vice president and are...

UCI Names Mary Lou Ortiz CFO

Friday, May 13, 2022

Mary Lou Ortiz has been named chief financial officer and vice chancellor for the Division of Finance and Administration at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. She will assume the post on July 18. Ortiz comes to UCI from The Pennsylvania State University, where she serves as associate vice president for budget as well as university budget officer. “Mary Lou Ortiz brings to UCI close to 30 years of outstanding experience in promoting financial stewardship, advancing the efficient use of resources, and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “We all look forward t...

California Travel Making a Comeback

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

(CalChamber) May marks the celebration of Tourism Month in the United States, highlighting what for California is a significant sector of the state’s economy. Travel spending totaled $100.2 billion in 2021, according to Visit California’s annual Economic Impact of Travel in California report. That total represents a 43% increase from 2020, but is still down 30.9% from the historical peak in 2019. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the California travel industry was $67.3 billion, making up approximately 2% of California’s total GDP in 2021. The travel industry in California is experiencing a recovery, and according to Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta...

Cox Communications Works with White House to Connect Households with Affordable Internet

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Leaders from Cox join White House officials in a partnership about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), making high-speed internet more affordable and accessible to households across the nation. In participating in the ACP, eligible households will have access to Cox’s 100 Mbps high-speed internet service at no cost. “Our commitment to digital equity continues to be our guiding purpose in ensuring that families stay connected at an affordable cost,” said Mark Greatrex, president of Cox Communications. “By participating in ACP, we can reach more low-income households with high-speed reliable internet service.” On March 16, 2022, Cox announced the company’s alignment to ACP and doubled th...

Cricket League Plans 10K+ Seat Venue in Irvine

Monday, May 09, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Officials at an upstart sports league targeting the country’s growing base of cricket fans tell the Business Journal that they expect to spend well north of $10 million to build a new sports venue at Irvine’s Great Park, and say they are optimistic the facility could host cricket matches for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Major League Cricket (MLC) last week got city approval to move ahead on lease negotiations and design approvals to build what they say will be a “world-class” cricket venue on a 15-acre parcel at the city-owned Great Park. The stadium would be amon...

Orange County Teen Develops & Partners with Irvine Ranch Conservancy to Pilot Wildfire Prevention Device

Monday, May 09, 2022

(Orange County Register) Since the fifth grade, Ryan Honary has been developing a technological solution to better detect – and therefore prevent – wildfires, after witnessing the devastation of the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California. After years of innovation, including awards and grants for his impressive artificial intelligence-driven concept, the Newport Beach 14-year-old is now getting the opportunity to test his network of sensors in his community’s backyard. “I’m really excited,” Honary said. “I always talk about it, but I never really had it happen until now.” In a new partnership, Honary is working with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, a nonprofit working t...

Masimo Introduces W1 Health Watch

Friday, May 06, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine-based Masimo Corp., a maker of wireless blood and oxygen monitoring devices for hospitals, introduced its first-ever watch, the W1. “The first of its kind, the Masimo W1 offers accurate, continuous measurements and actionable health insights – from the leader in hospital pulse oximetry – in a personal, discreet, lifestyle-friendly wrist-worn wearable,” the company said in a statement. The W1 provides continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, pulse rates, perfusion indexes, and respiration rates, alongside step count and fall detection. The company is releasing only 10,000 W1s on a first-come, first-served basis, at a 50% discount, to users who agre...

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Receives $53M Donation

Friday, May 06, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange has received a record-setting $53 million estate gift from an Orange County couple who have requested to remain anonymous. The gift, the second-largest in Providence history and the largest in Southern California history, will create an endowment fund to support the greatest needs of Providence St. Joseph Hospital for years to come. The gift is a direct result of the care that the donors received at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, according to a statement from the hospital. The donors were also inspired by the service and sacrifice of Providence St. Joseph caregivers an...

Amazon to Add Nearly 1K Jobs to Irvine Tech Hub

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

(Orange County Register) Amazon announced on May 3 that it’s expanding in Southern California, adding “more than 800 corporate and tech jobs” in Irvine. The company said the hiring would happen over the next few years. Amazon was not specific about the timeline. To accommodate its growth, the company has signed a lease for 116,000 square feet of office space at Spectrum Terrace, an office campus under development and owned by The Irvine Co. Amazon said it would move into the office space later this year. The Irvine Spectrum office community continues to draw major star power. Irvine Co.’s twin towers on Spectrum Cente...

City of Hope OC Presents Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Celebrate Irvine

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

City of Hope Orange County is the presenting sponsor for the Greater Irvine Chamber Celebrate Irvine event on Wednesday, June 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at Irvine Marriott, 18000 VonKarman Ave. “Irvine has so much to celebrate, and City of Hope will add to this eventful year as we open The Lennar Foundation Cancer Center this year,” said Annette Walker, president, City of Hope Orange County. “We’re grateful to be part of this thriving community where visionary leaders join with us to create a better and healthier tomorrow.” City of Hope is investing $1 billion to develop and operate a comprehensive cance...

Irvine Possible Host for FIFA World Cup Team Practices

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

(Orange County Register) Irvine could play host to some of the world’s top soccer teams as they practice for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals if Los Angeles wins a bid to host the final leg of the premier soccer tournament. LA is vying to be one of several U.S. cities to host World Cup matches, hoping to be selected for the championship game and some playoff rounds to be played at SoFi Stadium, Irvine City Manager Oliver Chi said. An agreement approved by Irvine’s City Council this week would give FIFA use of fields in the Great Park Sports Complex for teams t...

Irvine Ranked 8th in National 2022 ParkScore Index

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

For the seventh consecutive year, the City of Irvine park system has been ranked among the top 10 in the nation by the Trust for Public Land. Irvine ranked eighth in the country and second in California in the national nonprofit’s annual ParkScore Index, which is recognized as the national gold-standard comparison of park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States. The index is based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities. “We are proud to be recognized as having one of the top 10 park systems in the nation for the seventh consecutive year,” sai...

Record Home Prices, Scarce Supply; Businesses Brace for Impact on Job Market

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine medical device maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp., the most valuable public company in Orange County with a nearly $70 billion valuation, last week listed nearly 220 open positions for its expansive Irvine headquarters campus along Red Hill Avenue, where it has spent well over $200 million buying land and building new facilities the past several years. Electric vehicle upstart Rivian Automotive Inc., valued at around $30 billion as of last week, says it has openings for over 370 positions at its rapidly expanding Irvine headquarters, where it has already built a base of nearly 2,000 workers in ...

Irvine Teams with Live Nation to Identify Permanent Location for Concerts at Great Park

Monday, May 02, 2022

(Orange County Register) After years of portable stadium seating and a temporary stage, Irvine leaders are beginning the search for a location in the Great Park to replace the FivePoint Amphitheater with a permanent venue, teaming with concert promoter Live Nation to find an ideal spot and design. Live Nation has operated the temporary amphitheater since 2017; the property just outside the Great Park is owned by developer FivePoint. The location off Marine Way near the southern end of the park was always meant to be a for-now solution after the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre was razed in 2016. A new permanent venue was alway...

Video Game Publisher Bandai Namco Hosts Celebration at Irvine Spectrum for its Headquarters in the City

Monday, May 02, 2022

(Orange County Register) Irvine is now the home of several games and toys many people are nostalgic for video games such as Pac-Man and Galaga and those little electronic Tamagotchi pets you try to keep alive. All fall under the banner of Bandai Namco, which recently gathered all of its companies at new headquarters in Irvine. The company also has popular new titles, including the newly released Elden Ring, a role-playing action game in collaboration with fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin, known for his “Game of Thrones” series. On May 1, Bandai Namco celebrated its new venture in Orange County with a communit...

Irvine Getting Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor World Store

Friday, April 29, 2022

(Orange County Register) Southern California’s second Bass Pro Shops — those eye-catching and large outdoor outfitter stores — is coming to Irvine by early 2023. The chain’s “Outdoor World” is going into a vacant 140,000-square-foot space at Alton Marketplace, an Irvine Co. property just off the 5 freeway at Alton Parkway. The shopping center, with its colorful freeway signage, is perhaps best known for the Costco store next door. The new store will open in “late 2022 or early 2023,” said the merchant that’s a pioneer in what’s called “destination shopping” — places that become attractions by themselves. Bass Pro has been i...

Three Seniors from High Schools in Irvine Among 30 Edison Scholars

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Thirty high school seniors in Southern California Edison’s service area have been named 2022 Edison Scholars and will be awarded a total of $1.2 million in scholarships from Edison International. The scholarships are intended to help these students pursue science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) studies. Among the students are three from schools in Irvine: Eric S. Lee, Irvine High School Monica Pal, San Joaquin High School Abigail Samson, Arnold O. Beckman High School Including Lee, Pal, and Samson, there are nine Orange County seniors receiving STEM scholarships of $40,000. Here is the complete list of the 2022 Edison Scholars: Halle Allen, San Pedro High School Eliana Amanuel, Whitney Hig...

UCI Names Tiffany Lopez as Dean of Claire Trevor School of the Arts

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Tiffany Lopez, visionary artist and administrator and proven champion for diversity and inclusion, has been named dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. She will assume the post on July 1. Lopez comes to UCI from Arizona State University, where she serves as vice provost for inclusive excellence and as a Foundation Professor in the Sidney Poitier New American Film School in ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. “UCI’s visionary founders included a school of fine arts in our academic plan so that the study and creation o...

UCI’s Michael Méndez is named a 2022 Andrew Carnegie Fellow

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

University of California, Irvine’s Michael Méndez has been named to the 2022 class of Andrew Carnegie Fellows. The assistant professor of urban planning and public policy joins an exclusive cohort of 28 distinguished individuals nationwide selected from nearly 300 nominees. Each will receive $200,000 for a research sabbatical focused on their study in the social sciences or humanities – the most generous stipend of its type. “I am pleased to congratulate Professor Méndez on being named a 2022 Andrew Carnegie Fellow,” said Hal Stern, UCI provost and executive vice-chancellor. “This recognition will support his groundbreaking research on environmental policy and protection...

Award-Winning Greater Irvine Chamber Career Edge Program Issues First-Ever Certification

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

The award-winning Career Edge program has issued its first-ever soft-skills certification to seven students from high schools in Irvine who successfully completed all four sessions of the 2021-2022 series. At the conclusion of the series in April, graduates of the program also earned a letter of completion & recommendation from the Greater Irvine Chamber. The sessions offered were: Successful Business Etiquette and Effective Business Communication taught by Massiel Pérez-Calhoon, Ed.D., adjunct faculty at University of Massachusetts Global; and Practical Critical Thinking & Problem Solving taught by Edward R. De La Torre, Ed.D., assistant professor at University of Massachusetts Global. The final session, Resum...

Goodwill OC's Tierney Center for Veteran Services Receives $300,000 Funding

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Congressman Lou Correa awarded the Tierney Center for Veteran Services with $300,000 in community projects funding support to continue growth of the center as a destination for veteran services and community collaboration. A check presentation and celebration was held on April 18 at the Tierney Center in Tustin. “Even with 107,000 veterans calling Orange County home, our county has historically been a place where veterans are underserved. This funding will allow us to truly start to change that,” said Nicole Suydam, President and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County, operator of the Tierney Center for Veteran Services. “This investment into th...

Irvine High Schools Earn High Scores in California’s Top 50

Monday, April 25, 2022

Irvine High Schools have made Niche’s 2022 rankings of the best public high schools in the nation and the state. Out of thousands of public schools considered, University High School cracked the nation’s top 100 at 93. How high schools in the Irvine Unified School District ranked among the top California public high schools: #10) University High School – 4th best in college prep #13) Northwood High School – also ranked 12th best in college prep #34) Woodbridge High School – also ranked 30th best in college prep #50) Irvine High School – also ranked 40th best in college prep Portola High School ranked 9th best public high school in Orange County. Arnold O. Beckma...

How Remote Work Helped Tech Companies Outside Silicon Valley Grow

Sunday, April 24, 2022

(The New York Times) Photo by Audra Melton for The New York Times: Craig Fuller, founder of FreightWaves at his home office in Chattanooga, Tenn. His business improved when the company shifted to a virtual office, he said, and he hasn’t had trouble filling jobs. Some companies that hired remote workers during the pandemic say going back to the office isn’t an option. More than two years after the pandemic sent workers packing and hunkering down in their home offices, many companies are now doing everything they can to lure employees back in office buildings — at least for a few days a week. Bu...

Irvine-Based Design Firm Ware Malcomb Celebrates Turning 50 by Pledging to Donate $50,000

Sunday, April 24, 2022

(Orange County Register) The Irvine-based design firm Ware Malcomb founded in 1972 celebrated its 50th anniversary April 1. The company said it will be donating $50,000 to 50 charities in local communities across the Americas. The firm, which provides planning, architecture, interior design, civil engineering, branding, and building measurement services, says its revenues are more than $200 million per year with an estimated total billings of $1 billion. “We are so proud of this significant milestone,” said Ken Wink, CEO of Ware Malcomb. “It’s our people, our clients, and our partners who have propelled us this far. Because of our commitment to continual innovation...

MemorialCare Signs 10-Year Lease at University Park in Irvine

Sunday, April 24, 2022

(Orange County Register) MemorialCare Medical Foundation has signed a 10-year lease for the retail spot once occupied by Crown Ace Hardware at University Park in Irvine, according to CBRE. Financial terms of the lease were not disclosed, but CBRE said in a statement that the foundation signed a 9,460-square-foot lease at the retail center at 18102 Culver Drive. Tenants at University Park include Wholesome Choice, Rite Aid, Wells Fargo, and Carl’s Jr. CBRE’s Andy Nott and Austin Kanzler represented MemorialCare. The physician division of MemorialCare provides internal and family medicine, pediatrics, urgent care and dental services in Orange County. “MemorialCare was not actively lookin...

Concordia University Irvine Earns Military Friendly School Designation

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Concordia University Irvine has earned the 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School designation in the Silver Tier. This means Concordia is in the top 20% of most Military Friendly® Schools, excluding the top 10. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard. The 2022-2023 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined b...

John Wayne Airport Mask Rules: Latest Policies For Travelers

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

(Patch) A federal judge struck down the federal travel mask mandate Monday, meaning face coverings to protect against COVID-19 are no longer required on planes, trains, and, in most cases, subways and buses. At John Wayne Airport in Orange County, the mask mandate was dropped in alignment with the judge's ruling. "Guests and employees have the option to wear a mask during travel or while working. Travelers are advised to check with their airline and destination airport for local guidelines," airport officials said in a statement. On April 18, Florida federal Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said in the 59-page decision striking down the trave...

Nobel Peace Laureate Nadia Murad Appointed as Chapman University Presidential Fellow

Monday, April 18, 2022

Chapman University has announced that Nadia Murad, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, will be the keynote speaker at the university’s 2022 Commencement ceremony. The event will mark the beginning of Murad’s appointment to a three-year term as a Presidential Fellow at Chapman beginning June 1, 2022 and continuing through May 31, 2025. Murad was born in the village of Kocho in the Sinjar District of Iraq, a region populated mostly by the Yazidi, an ethno-religious minority indigenous to northern Iraq. In 2014, Islamic State militants attacked her home and killed hundreds of men and older women in her village...

Rivian Appoints First Chief Sustainability Officer

Friday, April 15, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine-based electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive Inc. announced Anisa Kamadoli Costa as its first chief sustainability officer, effective April 18. Kamadoli will lead Rivian’s ‘Forever’ foundation and oversee the company’s sustainability roadmap for both its products and the business with a focus on climate and environment. This includes supervising the accounting of Rivian’s sustainability metrics across all operations and apply data to companywide decisions. The automaker, with a valuation around $37 billion, said it has committed to carbon neutrality in its operations by 2028. The Forever foundation is dedicated to high-impact climate initiatives, such as preserving and restoring wildlands...

How Workers Lose with 4-Day Workweek Proposal

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

(CalChamber) For years, employees have expressed their desire for the kind of workplace flexibility that would allow them to set a flexible daily schedule or alternative workweek. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the California Chamber of Commerce found that 91% of polled voters agree that the state’s labor laws should be changed to allow for more flexibility. Yet rather than proposing a real solution that will meet workers’ and employers’ needs, California legislators are proposing a law that will dramatically raise labor costs, expose employers to litigation, and has the potential to kill hundreds of thousands of jobs — al...

Proposed California Bill to Reduce Weekly Work Hours to 32 Could Hurt Small Businesses

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

(Epoch Times) California legislators proposed a new bill that would allow employees of bigger companies to work fewer hours in a week without losing any income, which critics said would become a “job killer.” Assembly Bill 2932, introduced by Assembly Members Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) and Evan Low (D-San Jose) in February, would require companies with more than 500 employees to reduce their weekly work hours from 40 to 32 hours—from the regular 5 to 4 workdays a week—and those who work more than 32 hours a week would be considered as working overtime and should be compensated at a rate o...

Rivian Foresees Success Despite Hurdles

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Rivian Automotive Inc. in Irvine believes it can compete effectively in the increasingly crowded electric vehicle market, but notes multiple near-term difficulties it faces, ranging from the Russian attack on Ukraine to global supply chain disruptions. In its first annual report as a publicly-traded company, filed on March 31, Rivian provided an in-depth look at the future. Rivian delivered 920 vehicles last year and is ramping up for a large increase. Among the company’s bright spots: $18.4 billion in cash and equivalents as of Dec. 31—probably the biggest such bank account of any Orange County public company. Much o...

Irvine Retail Center Eyed for Innovative Housing Solution to Meet State Mandates

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) The Irvine Co. is in the early stages of planning for what could be its first-ever housing project on the grounds of the Irvine Market Place, part of Orange County’s fifth-largest shopping center. The Newport Beach real estate owner and developer has proposed building up to 1,400 residential units on its land at the Market Place to address “the quality of life and economic needs of recent graduates, young professionals, and essential service providers” in the Irvine area, according to city filings. The company got the city’s approval late last month to move ahead with a General Plan Amendmen...

Irvine-Based Masimo Completes Acquisition of Sound United

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine-based medical technology company Masimo announced on Apr. 12 that it has completed its acquisition of consumer electronics company Sound United. Sound United — which operates brands like Marantz, Bowers & Wilkins, and Denon — will operate as a division of Masimo under its existing leadership from its Carlsbad, CA headquarters. The combined company will develop consumer-facing healthcare products, officials said. “We are thrilled to add Sound United’s premium technology, established consumer channels, and well-known brands to Masimo’s broad portfolio of hospital and home medical technology solutions,” Masimo’s Founder and CEO Joe Kiani said in a statement. “We believe Masimo’s expertise in advance...

Parker Aerospace Selected For Helicopter Development

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Parker Aerospace in Irvine will be playing a key role in a Sikorsky-Boeing team effort to win the prized contract for a new U.S. Army helicopter called Defiant X. The Sikorsky-Boeing team has selected multiple Parker technologies for its entry in the competition for the award to build what is called a “Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft,” one which is expected to eventually replace the Army’s aging Black Hawk helicopters. The agreement with Parker Aerospace covers hydraulics and flight controls. Financial terms of the partnership were not released. The Army will choose a winner—after a faceoff between Textron’s Bell and the Sikorsky-Boein...

Concordia University Irvine Offers Students Pathway to Serve Communities

Friday, April 08, 2022

Beginning Fall 2022, Concordia University Irvine will offer traditional undergraduate students to complete 450 hours of service over the course of the academic year in exchange for $10,000 toward their education in a new initiative called the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps. The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program is a service fellowship that provides students with college funding while engaging them in community problem-solving in the fields of education, climate action, and food insecurity. Over the next two academic years, Concordia students will have the opportunity to serve alongside local school districts and nonprofit organizations to solve real challenges and build healthier, more equitable communities. This program align...

UC Irvine Names Austen Parrish New Dean of Law School

Thursday, April 07, 2022

Austen Parrish, a respected scholar, gifted classroom teacher, and admired legal academy leader, will become the third dean of the School of Law at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. He will assume the post on Aug. 3. “Since it first enrolled students in 2009, UCI Law has been recognized as the finest young law school in the nation, one of the top public law schools overall and a model for combining academic excellence with service to the community,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “With his clear vision, proven leadership and stellar accomplishments, Austen Parrish is the right perso...

UCI Sets Location for its California Art Museum

Thursday, April 07, 2022

(Orange County Register) UC Irvine’s growing north campus has been chosen as the future home of the Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art. Museum and university officials chose the location for the Langson IMCA, as it is being called, intentionally, said Museum Director Kim Kanatani, because of its proximity to the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, as well as the planned healing gardens at UCI’s expanding health campus still under development. “Its adjacency to nature is very critical for the museum,” Kanatani said. “It really resonates with our collections.” More than 3,000 works of modern art in a variety of mediums collected b...

CathWorks and Quest International Announce Global Partnership

Wednesday, April 06, 2022

CathWorks, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), with offices in Irvine, Israel, and Japan, and Quest International, a global service support provider to the OEMs, announced today they have signed a post-sales technical service support agreement that Quest International becomes the preferred technical service delivery partner for end-to-end service support of CathWorks' fast-growing install-base of customers globally. CathWorks plans to leverage Quest's capabilities to accelerate its commercial operations and expand its geographic footprint. "In pursuit of our mission of partnering with physicians to transform how cardiovascular disease is diagnosed and treated, we have become partners with Quest International because of their deep industry expertise an...

City of Irvine Joins National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation During Earth Month

Tuesday, April 05, 2022

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan has joined mayors across the country for the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation by asking residents and businesses to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely. The annual challenge, April 1-30, is a nonprofit national community service campaign presented by the Wyland Foundation that encourages leaders to inspire their residents to make a series of simple pledges to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy. TAKE THE PLEDGE “We are in the third year of a drought, so it is more important than ever that we take action to conserve water,&rdquo...

Irvine-Based Alteryx Names Lucas Moody New Chief Information Security Officer

Tuesday, April 05, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) Alteryx Inc., the Irvine-based data analytics software company, has appointed industry veteran Lucas Moody as senior vice president and chief information security officer. He will lead the security organization, oversee the protection of customer, partner, and employee data and assets, and contribute to product innovation. Moody will report to Alteryx Chief Executive Officer Mark Anderson. He joins most recently from Twitter where he oversaw global security technology teams protecting the company's more than 192 million daily users. In addition to his prior CISO roles at Rubrik and Palo Alto Networks. Shares in Alteryx fell 2.3% to $72.39 apiece for ...

Nominations Now Open for the 2022 Celebrate Irvine Business Awards

Tuesday, April 05, 2022

Nominations, including self-nominations, for the Greater Irvine Chamber’s annual business awards are being accepted through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13. Awards: Business of the Year Nonprofit of the Year Business Philanthropist of the Year Entrepreneur of the Year Spirit of Hospitality NOMINATE HERE Through this award program, the Greater Irvine Chamber recognizes businesses and individuals in greater Irvine that have demonstrated the principles of community service, volunteerism, and the best traditions of good corporate citizenship. Awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Celebrate Irvine event on Wednesday, June 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at Irvine Marriott, 18000 VonKarman Ave. Tickets for the 2022 Celebrate Irvine event are $11...

Irvine-Based Kia America Announces Naming Rights for The Forum in Inglewood

Monday, April 04, 2022

(Orange County Register) In the past, the stalwart entertainment venue on the corner of Manchester and Prairie in Inglewood has been known as the “Fabulous Forum” and the Great Western Forum and, well, just The Forum. But now, thanks to a deal with the South Korean automaker’s Southern-California wing, Kia America, as of Monday, April 4, it’s the Kia Forum. Kia America formally announced that it purchased the naming rights for the arena from Forum owner Steve Ballmer — the first U.S. naming rights deal for the automaker — with a ceremony at the familiar venue, which has been packing in crowd...

Podcast: Important HR Bills to Watch This Year

Monday, April 04, 2022

In this episode of The Workplace, CalChamber employment law expert Matthew Roberts and CalChamber policy advocate Ashley Hoffman discuss three job killer bills under consideration in the California Legislature: SB 1044 (Durazo; D-Los Angeles), AB 2182 (Wicks; D-Oakland) and SB 1162 (Limón; D-Goleta). The framework of potential laws is coming into view at the California Legislature, and we are beginning to see this year’s priorities, Roberts says in kicking off the podcast. Already there are a significant number of employment law-related proposals that could have far-reaching implications for most or all businesses in California. SB 1044 One problematic proposal being considered is S...

California Corporate Diversity Law Ruled Unconstitutional

Saturday, April 02, 2022

(Patch) A Los Angeles judge on April 1 ruled that California's landmark law mandating that corporations diversify their boards with members from certain racial, ethnic, or LGBT groups is unconstitutional. The brief ruling granted summary judgment to Judicial Watch, a conservative legal group that sought a permanent injunction against the measure that was signed into law last year. The ruling didn't explain the judge's reasoning. The measure requires corporate boards of publicly traded companies with a main executive office in California to have a member from an "underrepresented community," including LGBT, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American or Pacific Islander. The lawsuit argued that violated th...

Chapman MBA Program Rises to its Highest Position Ever in U.S. News Rankings

Friday, April 01, 2022

Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics has vaulted to No. 72 in the latest Best Business School rankings by U.S. News & World Report, announced Tuesday, March 29. It’s the school’s highest-ever position in the prestigious rankings of business schools with full-time MBA programs. Since Thomas Turk assumed the role of dean five years ago, the Argyros School has jumped 26 places in the national rankings. “These 2023 rankings validate our position among the top private business schools on the West Coast as well as our overall position among all California schools,” said Turk, Ph.D., who holds the Robert J. and Caroly...

Infusion Bays at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center Designed Around Patient Preferences

Friday, April 01, 2022

When designing Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, City of Hope Orange County put patients' needs first, placing special importance on the infusion center. Stepping into the treatment space located on the top floor of the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, the warmth of the sunlight fills the area from its large windows that look onto Saddleback Mountain, allowing strength and stability to flow in. It’s a patient-centered, peaceful environment that is comfortable and calm. “We’ve taken extra care to center the infusion bays around the patient experience,” said Wendy P. Austin, RN, MS, AOCN, COA, NEA-BC, FACHE, the senior vice president of operations fo...

Strong U.S. Jobs Report Shows Hiring Momentum

Friday, April 01, 2022

(The Wall Street Journal) The U.S. labor market strengthened last month as the pandemic’s grip receded and more workers jumped back into the labor force. Employers added 431,000 jobs in March, as restaurants, manufacturers, and retailers snatched up workers, and hiring in January and February was stronger than previously reported, the Labor Department said Friday. The report marked the 11th straight month of job gains above 400,000, the longest such stretch of growth in records dating back to 1939. The unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in March from 3.8% a month earlier, quickly approaching the February 2020 pre-pandemic rate of 3.5%, a 50-yea...

U.S. Companies Shift to Mexican Suppliers

Friday, April 01, 2022

(The Wall Street Journal) New data suggests Mexican suppliers are gaining ground as manufacturers reset their supply chains amid growing global disruptions. Last year, large American manufacturers solicited chemicals, produce and construction materials, and other goods from six times as many suppliers based in Mexico as they did in 2020, according to procurement software firm Jaggaer. At the same time, the number of suppliers in China that received procurement bids declined by 9% in 2021, Jaggaer said, using data from its 30 biggest U.S. manufacturing customers with an average of over $30 billion in annual revenues. The push for suppliers in Mexico come...

Wage Gains Show Signs of Slowing

Friday, April 01, 2022

(The Wall Street Journal) Wages continued to grow in March, but the pace has cooled slightly over the past few months, suggesting employers are feeling less pressure to offer pay increases as more people return to the workforce, which could ease inflation pressures. Average hourly earnings were up a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in March over the previous month, following February’s relatively weak 0.1% rise, the Labor Department said on April 1. In the previous six months, by contrast, monthly wage gains averaged 0.5%. Economists say the past two months of softer wage growth could signal that the labor market is starting to coo...

The Largest Sol Mexican Cocina Now Open in Irvine

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

(Orange County Register) Xperience Restaurant Group — the owner and operator of El Torito, Chevys Fresh Mex, Sol Mexican Cocina, Acapulco and Las Brisas — opened its newest location of Sol Mexican Cocina in Irvine, 1910 Main St., on March 24. Background: It’s huuuuge! This multimillion-dollar renovation of a former El Torito Grill occupies 11,277 square feet, including a 2,861 square foot patio set into Centerview, a LEED Platinum property with twin 12-story office buildings. It’s the largest of all the Sol locations, which include the original in Newport Beach, along with others in Playa Vista, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Denver, Colorado. Watch fo...

UC Irvine Ranks Among U.S. News' Best Graduate Schools

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

The University of California, Irvine’s graduate programs in education and chemistry place in the nation’s top 10 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual graduate school rankings. Nine other fields of advanced study are in the top 20 among public universities, marking UCI as one of the leading locations in the country for students to pursue graduate degrees. “UCI has established itself as a world-class public research university in a wide range of graduate disciplines,” said Gillian Hayes, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate Division. “These rankings confirm that our campus offers challenging an...

UCI’s North Campus Site Provides Outdoor Vistas to Complement Indoor Masterpieces

Monday, March 28, 2022

Spellbinding views – both indoors and out – will grace the future home of the Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art at the University of California, Irvine when it opens along Campus Drive near Jamboree Road – a location UCI officials announced today. The North Campus site – which is near where the UCI Medical Center–Irvine complex is also being constructed – will offer visitors “sweeping views of the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve to complement Langson IMCA’s remarkable collection of California impressionist and contemporary art and serve as a vibrant hub for discovery, exchange and engagement,” said museu...

Irvine Company Presented $2M Installment of Larger Gift to Irvine Unified School District Arts & Sciences Programs

Friday, March 25, 2022

(Orange County Register) The Henry and Renee Segerstrom Concert Hall hosted young musicians for a special concert on March 14. The music programs of the Irvine Unified School District were center stage during the Donald Bren Honors Concert, typically held annually until the pandemic forced a two-year hiatus. More than 650 students performed, officials said, ranging from fifth-graders to high school seniors. A $2 million donation from the Irvine Company was presented to the district during the concert. The donation was part of a $45 million commitment the Irvine Company has made to support arts, music, and science education in the district. The 20-year commitment wa...

Metrolink Train Maintenance Facility Proposed Near Great Park

Friday, March 25, 2022

(Orange County Register) Metrolink trains running throughout Southern California might in the future make pit stops in Orange County at a new maintenance facility proposed near the Great Park in Irvine. Officials with the Orange County Transportation Authority, owner of the vacant property where the project is proposed, said the facility would make Metrolink more efficient by allowing its trains to be serviced and repaired locally instead of having to be routed to facilities in Los Angeles, San Diego or San Bernardino, which are operating close to full capacity. The possible environmental impacts of such a facility are being researched now as th...

Bristol Farms Newfound Market Makes Debut at Irvine Spectrum

Thursday, March 24, 2022

(Orange Coast Magazine) Irvine Spectrum Center’s newest tenant is Bristol Farms’ new concept Newfound Market which combines a food hall with their signature grocery market. “It’s the next iteration of the Bristol Farms brand,” says Bristol Farms CEO Adam Caldecott about their newest location which takes up a vacant building on the east side of the Irvine Company-owned retail center. “We want it to be a foodie destination for the City of Irvine and Southern California.” To do that, Bristol Farms took the 34,000 square-foot building and separated it into two areas: a food hall with seven of its own chef-created restaurant brands, and ...

Heather Vezner named new Dean for the School of Education at Concordia University Irvine

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Heather Vezner, a lifelong teacher and leader in education, is the newly-appointed dean of Concordia University Irvine (CUI) School of Education (SOE). She succeeds Kent Schlichtemeier, who is now the director of the new Servant Leadership Institute, which works in close partnership with the SOE. Vezner was a primary leader in preparation for CUI’s site visit critical to the California Teacher Credential process. “It was hugely successful and showed a lot about why she needs to be in a position of leadership like she is in now,” Tim Schumacher, assistant professor of educational technology and chair of the search committee. Provost Scott Ashmon say...

Irvine Prepares for Great Park Botanical Garden with Demolition of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station Remnants

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

(Orange County Register) Storage and utility buildings, old steel sheds, the remnants from when leathernecks called home the airbase that is now becoming the Great Park in Irvine are likely to be what is cleared out next as Irvine leaders enter the next phase of developing the city’s premier park. Dozens of structures remain from the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Base, the majority scattered on a 125-acre section known as ARDA on the northeast edge of the Great Park. Once the proposed location of a state veterans cemetery, the undeveloped expanse is now slated for a large botanical garden featuring...

Twelve Honorees Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Women of Influence

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Twelve empowering women who lead and succeed in their life, industry, and community have been named the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2022 Women of Influence. Meet the honorees: ENTREPRENEUR – Alicia Cox, Founder & CEO, PRJKT Restaurant Group ENTREPRENEUR – Leslie Nguyen, Founder & Creative Director, Bosscat Kitchen; Miss Mini Donuts INNOVATOR – Dr. Daniela Bota, Vice Dean & Medical Director, Center for Clinical Research, University of California, Irvine INNOVATOR – Rhonda Ducote, President, Apriem Advisors EXECUTIVE – Teresa Prestwood, Executive Vice President, Irvine Company Apartment Communities EXECUTIVE – Carrie Strom, President, Global Aesthetics, Allergan ADVOCATE – Kelley Lee, Government Relations Manager, Local Public Affairs, Southern California Edison AUTHENTIC LEADER &ndash...

Hoag Receives $50 Million Gift from the Sun Family Foundation; Announces Major Expansion in Irvine

Monday, March 21, 2022

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has received a $50 million gift from the Sun Family Foundation to serve as a catalyst for Hoag's ongoing expansion that will usher in major new health care facilities, technology and treatment protocols for the residents of Orange County and beyond. The gift – and the physical expansion and medical advancements it will help make possible – underscores Hoag's emergence as a global destination for medical excellence, unparalleled service, and patient-focused outcomes. "This remarkable gift from the Sun Family Foundation will enable Hoag to dramatically expand the breadth of outstanding health care services available to the Orange Count...

Three Ways Chambers of Commerce Help Businesses Thrive

Friday, March 04, 2022

Working together, the California Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Irvine Chamber are a solid force as advocates supporting business-friendly policies and helping California businesses comply with complex laws and regulations. Other local chambers of commerce throughout the state are likewise committed. While independent from the California Chamber, the Greater Irvine Chamber is able to tap into its partnership with CalChamber to provide a regional platform for the thoughts and priorities of businesses to be heard and considered. With 80%–90% of local chamber members having fewer than 20 employees, local chambers are a major voice for business communities throughout California. Three of the top ways th...

Colleen Dillaway Named Market Vice President for Cox Communications in Orange County

Wednesday, March 02, 2022

Colleen Dillaway has been named market vice president for Cox Communications in Orange County, Calif. Dillaway, who is the first person to hold this newly created position, will join Cox's California senior leadership team and report to Ingo Hentschel, senior vice president and region manager for Cox’s California region. In her new role, Dillaway will work with business and community partners in Orange County and Palos Verdes, represent Cox in the community, and serve as the market spokesperson. Dillaway joined Cox in 2018 as director of public affairs where she was responsible for community relations, philanthropic giving, external communications, and employee communications acros...

Greater Irvine Chamber Announces Women of Influence Awards Finalists

Tuesday, March 01, 2022

The Greater Irvine Chamber 2022 Women of Influence finalists include empowering women who lead and succeed in their lives, businesses, and communities. Meet the finalists: Kelly Alesi, Director of Sourcing, Logistics & Sustainability Ramona Agrela, Chief HR Officer & Vice-Chancellor, University of California, Irvine Diane Blake, General Manager, Sonesta Irvine Anisha Bhatnagar, Woodbridge High School Kai Boyer, Owner, Kai Boyer Fitness Janelle Brunette, Chief Operating Officer, Octane Daniela Bota, Vice Dean for Clinical Research, University of California, Irvine Center for Clinical Research Jasmine Chhabria, Student, Northwood High School Dr. Seema Choudhary, Executive Director, Montessori Preschool Irvine & Lake Forest Jennifer Ciccone, Senior Vice President, Operations, Irvine Company Retail Libby Cooper, Vice Presiden...

Jorge Mora Named Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for February 2022

Tuesday, March 01, 2022

Jorge Mora, business development executive for KtimeHR, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for February 2022. “The Irvine Chamber has provided me with exceptional networking opportunities, which often lead to mutually beneficial business partnerships. The most significant benefit I have received as a Chamber member is that the Chamber enables me to develop meaningful professional and personal relationships with local business leaders,” Mora said. It’s a pleasure to serve as an Ambassador for the Chamber and participate in all of the amazing events and programs the Chamber offers all its members.” Mora became an Ambassador just month...

Battery developer Enevate expanding to new HQ in Irvine

Monday, February 28, 2022

(Orange County Register) Enevate, a startup in the lucrative battery development industry, has signed a lease in Irvine for a new headquarters six times the size of its current home, also in the city. The company should have plenty of room after it moves by year’s end from 20,000 square feet at UCI Research Park. The new digs measure 125,000 square feet at 34 Parker Drive, enabling the company to grow its electric vehicle battery pre-production line and corporate offices. “With Enevate’s expanding customer base, increased number of projects, and more employees we simply ran out of room at our current facility,” sai...

Irvine Forgoes Property Taxes to Convert 1,000+ Units to Workforce Housing

Monday, February 28, 2022

(Orange County Register) Rents at more than 1,000 units at two apartment buildings in Irvine are expected to be marked down and turned into the city’s first housing priced for people making middle-of-the-road incomes. Sometimes called “workforce housing,” the lower-rate units are meant to target renters who fall into a void within the housing market — what’s been dubbed the “missing middle” — where they make too much for entry into affordable housing programs but not enough to afford today’s prices. Projects that convert market-rate units into middle-income homes have been adopted by cities up and down the state in recent years, includin...

Pepper Russell Appointed to the Higher Education Advisory Committee

Friday, February 25, 2022

A member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) since 2018, Pepper Russell, senior manager of economic development at the Greater Irvine Chamber, was recently appointed as a member of IEDC’s Higher Education Advisory Committee. This committee works to cultivate a bridge between economic developers and higher education to work collaboratively to grow jobs, investment, and talent in a knowledge-based economy. Additionally, the committee connects with approximately 60 members from around the world, facilitates an annual in-person conference as well as regular conference calls with advisors, and presents reports to the IEDC Board’s External and Member Relations Committee. Russell oversees Greate...

Irvine Forward Foundation Established to Support Education and Career Readiness Programs

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

The Irvine Forward Foundation (IFF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been established to support educational achievement through scholarships, career readiness, and community engagement. Scholarships supported by IFF: Lt. Col. Thomas U. Wall Scholarship — Funding for the scholarship began with a $20,000 endowment from the Thomas U. Wall trust in 1992. The funds were placed in an account at a financial institution and the interest from the funds determines the number of scholarships to be awarded on an annual basis. Eligible students must be a U.S. resident, U.S. military veteran, or child or grandchild of a U.S. Military veteran who is pursuing ...

Irvine-Based Architectural Design Firm Reimagines Koreatown Landmark as Independent Living Oasis, Medical Offices

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

One of L.A.’s most iconic sites is now the focus of an upcoming adaptive reuse project led by Irvine-based Varisco Design Build Group. Once an L.A. landmark, the former Shriners Hospital building’s newly reimagined look will be facilitated by 147,000 square feet of tenant improvements and an effective repurposing of the space into senior living and medical offices. This blend of residential and medical units, both with outstanding amenities, demonstrates VDBG’s unique and diverse range of abilities and applied understanding of different spaces. The project’s innovative design and sustainability efforts also include features such as solar-powered parking lifts to serve as traffi...

CathWorks Joins Greater Irvine Chamber as Silver-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

CathWorks, a medical technology company dedicated to improving the care of patients suffering from coronary artery disease, has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner. “CathWorks is excited to partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce toward achieving our vision of leading innovative digital health platforms that improve the lives of patients globally. Together, we are building a community that attracts and cultivates the next generation of top talent, entrepreneurs, and investors who share the common passion for helping patients,” said Ramin Mousavi, president and CEO, CathWorks. CathWorks, is a global company with offices in Israel, Japan...

Historic Marine Aircraft Could Return to Great Park in Irvine

Monday, February 14, 2022

(Orange County Register) The CH-46 helicopter that evacuated the ambassador and flag from the roof of the American embassy during the fall of Saigon in 1975 may soon take a new journey, landing at the Irvine Great Park. The helicopter and another 40-plus aircraft of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego could soon be on display in a newly restored hangar once part of the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The base was the original home of the aviation museum when it was active in the late 1980s. Since then, the artifacts of American aviation have been housed at th...

Why an Internal Audit is Good for Your Business

Monday, February 14, 2022

(Orange County Register) It’s safe to say no one in their right mind would ask to be audited. The term “audit” generally strikes fear in most of us, as it’s associated with bad behavior and negative consequences. The IRS audits and then penalizes taxpayers. Companies fail SEC audits, and stock shares plummet. Politicians resign in disgrace when corruption is discovered. However, the above examples are called “external audits,” which are examinations conducted by outside parties that are often involuntary. There are also “internal audits” conducted voluntarily by business owners and management that we should not fear. Internal audits, also called performance or operational audits...

Irvine's Visionary Housing Mix Ensures Economic Vitality and Diverse Opportunity

Friday, February 11, 2022

By Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber, as published in Irvine Standard, February 2022. Irvine’s economy is as diverse as it is innovative. In tech, the city is home to the world’s biggest brands and important companies that deliver high-paying jobs across multiple industries. In health care, we’re fortunate to have world-class medical institutions with Hoag, Kaiser, MemorialCare, UCI Health and soon, City of Hope serving our community. We are also home to Orange County’s largest employer: UC Irvine and its 25,000 employees. And Irvine Unified School District is home to 2,000 teachers and staff. As diverse as these industries are, there’s one thing I consistentl...

Meet the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 Honorees

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

Forty outstanding Orange County next-generation professionals were recognized during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 40 Under 40 awards presentation on Dec. 9 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, for their demonstrated leadership and accomplishments advancing their industries and the Orange County community. “The Greater Irvine Chamber is honored to recognize 40 of Orange County’s most accomplished young professionals, each a promise of continued innovation for our region,” said Bryan Starr, the chamber’s president and CEO. “I congratulate them all for what they have achieved, the example they set, and I look forward to their future contributions.” View and download the event program here: Meet the Greate...

Wild Rivers Offers Season Passes for 2022 Swim Season

Sunday, October 31, 2021

(Orange County Register) There’s not an official opening date yet, but Wild Rivers developer Mike Riedel is confident enough the water park will be open next spring he’s putting season passes on sale. The original Wild Rivers in Irvine closed in 2011 when the Irvine Company, which leased the property to the park, moved ahead with plans to build apartments. Riedel has been working since then to reopen nearby; he’s creating a new $60 million water park at the corner of Great Park Boulevard and Skyhawk, near the Great Park’s baseball fields. Getting construction permits has been a little slow, but “I think in the coming week...

Irvine: The City of Education

Monday, October 04, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber | Destination Irvine As published in the Orange County Business Journal, October 4, 2021 (Text included below flipbook.) It’s not surprising that Irvine is one of the best places in the nation to receive an education, from K-12 to Ph.D. More than six decades ago, Irvine was master-planned with education in mind. Visionary city leaders knew that prioritizing education would be the key to the city’s long-term economic vitality and quality of life, so they designed the city around a research institution — known today as the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As the cit...

Bryan Starr Discusses the Legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan in Podcast

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

In a recent radio interview with OC Talk Radio, Bryan Starr, President and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber and its destination marketing and economic development divisions, discussed the legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan, the city’s many assets, and the Chamber’s role as convener, champion, and catalyst for economic vitality in the greater Irvine area. “Everything comes back to the master plan,” Starr said, referencing Irvine centered around what is now University of California, Irvine. “The initial step, right away, made us a city of innovation, a city of education, that has been perpetuated into the 21st century.” Impact OC Talk Radio...

Sight Restoration Center to Open at UC Irvine

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

(Orange County Business Journal) In the latest boost to Orange County’s thriving ophthalmology industry, the area will house the second center in the U.S. to restore sight to patients blinded from severe ocular surface disease by 2023. The Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration is building its first “Center of Excellence” at UC Irvine’s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute on the western edge of the university’s campus, where it expects to recreate the ocular transplant program at Cincinnati’s Center for the Restoration of Sight. The foundation plans to open five other centers across the country over the next few years. The Holland Foundation was founded i...

Irvine Officials Weigh Veterans Memorial as Part of Proposed Botanical Garden at Great Park

Friday, February 11, 2022

(Orange County Register) Irvine leaders are considering dedicating about five acres of a proposed 125-acre botanical garden at the Great Park to be a veterans memorial. In rare agreement over what should happen with the corner of the Great Park known as the ARDA site, the Irvine City Council on Feb. 8 decided to incorporate the memorial park into a study of the feasibility of developing a large botanical garden, and to immediately get started on a plan for cleaning up the blighted area. The ARDA site at the northern edge of the 1,300-acre Great Park was one of three locations where ...

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