News

Ailene Dewar Named Greater Irvine Chamber July 2021 Ambassador of the Month

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Ailene Dewar, CBPA, aPHR, vice president of sales, California, Engage PEO, has been selected as the July 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for her high level of engagement in Chamber events and committees. A Greater Irvine Chamber member since 2016 and Ambassador since 2018, Dewar currently serves as chair of the Ambassadors Committee. Dewar regularly serves as an Ambassador at Chamber signature events, including Business Outlook and Women of Influence and New Member Orientations. She is active at After Hours and Evening Business Exchange Mixers and Networkers Luncheons. She has assisted in the Chamber’s award-winning Business Outreach Rall...

Irvine Ranch Landmarks Reopen Wilderness Access Days

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

(Times OC) Nature lovers can now return to the natural landmarks of Irvine Ranch with Wilderness Access Days, which had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy, along with OC Parks and the city of Irvine, reopened the free public events last weekend with a public hike in Black Star Canyon. “Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff, volunteers and partners are excited to welcome visitors back to experience the beauty of the Landmarks,” Dave Raetz, the conservancy’s vice president and chief operating officer, said in a press release. “Throughout the pandemic, IRC staff and landowners worked diligently to restore and preserv...

Travel Industry Poised to Boost California’s Recovery

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

(CalChamber) Summer is traditionally the most popular time for travel in California and with vaccination counts climbing and restrictions being lifted, 2021’s summer travel season is well underway. The state’s official re-opening June 15 kicked California’s economic recovery into high gear with restaurants, hotels, and attractions able to operate without imposed limits. From restaurants to resorts and theme parks to wineries, California’s tourism industry is beginning to witness a much-needed increase in activity and some pent-up demand for travel across the state. Statewide, hotels saw occupancy exceed 70% in June for the first time since March 2020. With virtually no restrictions remaining, California’...

UCI Team Readies Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Prototype for Human Trials

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Scientists with the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute have designed a promising vaccine prototype aimed at preventing all coronavirus strains and variants, not just the one that causes COVID-19. The research team — led by Lbachir BenMohamed, Ph.D., director of the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology and professor with the eye institute — hopes to begin a phase 1 clinical trial of the prototype’s safety by early 2022. “If this universal vaccine performs as we expect, it could prevent the spread of future coronaviruses by humans and animals,” said BenMohamed, a vaccinologist and immunologist who trained at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. “It would b...

Waste Management Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Waste Management has renewed as a gold-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. A Chamber member since 1979, Waste Management is North America’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management, offering services such as garbage collection and disposal, recycling, and dumpster rental. Waste Management has been listed on the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for North America and the World. This distinction marks a recognition of the company’s corporate sustainability leadership within the industry. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on ho...

What U.S. Companies Are Saying About Price Pressures

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

(Bloomberg) As the late U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld might have put it, the likelihood of this year’s surge in consumer prices proving “transitory,” as policymakers anticipate, is a known unknown. But the slew of corporate earnings statements and analyst calls are shedding some light on the outlook. The comments suggest price pressures aren’t about to fade. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., the restaurant chain that hiked wages earlier this year, said Tuesday it may raise its prices further. CFO Jack Hartung said the company has seen “no resistance whatsoever” to higher menu prices yet. Other recent comments, gathered by Olivia Rockeman and Peyton Forte, add to signs that businesse...

UC Admits Largest, Most Diverse Class Ever; UC Irvine Makes the Biggest Jump

Monday, July 19, 2021

(Los Angeles Times) The University of California admitted its largest, most diverse undergraduate class ever for fall 2021 — but it was harder to get in as a record-shattering number of applicants vied for access to the renowned public research system, according to UC data released Monday. The UC system’s nine undergraduate campuses collectively admitted 132,353 prospective freshmen — including out-of-state and international students — an increase of 11% over last year. Among California applicants, Latinos were the largest group admitted for the second year in a row, making up 37% of those the 84,223 students offered freshman seats. Asian Americans made up 34%...

Irvine, Orange County Among Best Places To Live In US Reports Say

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

(Patch) Irvine is among the top 100 best places to live in the U.S., according to a recent report from Niche. The towns on the list are known in general for their low crime rates, proximity to good jobs, and strong school systems. Niche—that connects people to their future schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces—analyzes and ranks factors such as livability, crime rates, the housing market and trends, schools, employment, and access to other amenities and resources. Rankings are based on city data from the U.S. Census, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Irvine is #11 on the list...

Los Angeles Rams Host Training Camp at UCI; 10 Practices Open to the Public

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The Los Angeles Rams are hosting their 2021 Training Camp, presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union, at the University of California, Irvine from July 28 – August 10. This year’s Training Camp will feature 10 practices that are open to the public. Fans must register for free tickets to attend at www.therams.com/trainingcamp. 2021 Rams Training Camp Schedule: DAY DATE TIME PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS Wed Jul 28 4 p.m. Training Camp Kickoff Day Giveaway: Rams Royal Cooling Towels Photos and autographs with Rams Legends; Performance by Rams Cheerleaders Thurs Jul 29 4 p.m. Giveaway: Collectible Poster Fri Jul 30 3 p.m. Season Ticket Member Appreciation Day Giveaway: Rams-branded Sunglasses for Season Ticket Members Photos and autographs with Rams Legends Sat Jul 31 ...

No Evidence of a California Exodus, UC Study Finds

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

(Orange County Register) Despite California losing a congressional seat for the first time in history due to slow population growth and some high-profile technology companies and billionaires leaving the state, there is no evidence of an abnormal increase in residents planning to move out of the state, according to a University of California survey released July 7. The research, which included UCLA, is part of a larger, multi-institution research consortium led by UC to assess whether there is in fact a “California exodus,” and to help inform state policy and public knowledge by focusing on state population patterns. Formed in fall 2020, th...

OCTA Renews its Leaders Circle Partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has renewed as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Since its formation in 1991, OCTA has kept residents and commuters moving throughout the 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County. OCTA’s responsibilities, programs and services impact every aspect of transportation within the state’s third largest county. A member of the Chamber since 2016, OCTA keeps people moving by reducing freeway congestion, improving safety and efficiency on our local roads, providing bus service and regional multimodal connections, helping people find ways to leave their cars home, and providing safe, convenient transportation to those with special needs. Leaders Circl...

City of Hope Named One of Orange County’s Best Places to Work

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The team to beat cancer is also the team to join. City of Hope Orange County was recently named a best place to work by Orange County Business Journal. The world-renowned center for cancer research and treatment is delivering on a $1 billion vision to expand access to its compassionate care and scientific breakthroughs in Orange County, keeping this promise to its patients and its employees. A growing team at City of Hope Orange County is developing a comprehensive cancer campus in Irvine and an Orange County network of highly specialized cancer care. The first clinical location in Newport Beach opene...

Distinguished Scholar Jon Gould Named Dean of UCI’s School of Social Ecology

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Jon Gould, a distinguished scholar in justice policy, social change and government reform who has held key positions in the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Science Foundation, will become the new dean of the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. He will assume the post on Jan. 1, 2022. At UCI, Gould will lead the nation’s first school of social ecology, established in 1970 in response to high demand for more socially relevant research. For over 50 years, the school has been an internationally recognized pioneer in developing interdisciplinary approaches t...

Irvine officials Discuss Renaming Orange County Great Park to include City Name

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Orange County Great Park has sports fields, ice rinks and other facilities used by athletes from around the county and beyond, and plans are in the works to add other regional attractions including a water park, children’s museum and Marine Corps aviation museum. But the park’s roughly 1,300 acres lie within Irvine city limits, and the city funds and operates the park. So what’s in a name? Irvine city leaders planned to discuss renaming the recreation mecca as the Irvine Great Park during a July 13 City Council meeting. “I think we’ve been working very hard on branding Irvine and really highlightin...

New Chamber Program to Honor Distinguished Educators, Nominations Open Now

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates Irvine’s world-class education as part of what helps the city live up to its promise as a model master-planned community and its ability to sustain economic vitality by ensuring a continued skilled workforce. Through its inaugural Distinguished Educators program, the Chamber will recognize exemplary Irvine educators who have contributed to the educational process through direct student involvement or partnership activities. Outstanding STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs offered in Irvine will also be recognized. Nominations and self-nominations are open through Sept. 3, 2021. NOMINATE HERE Honorees will be announced at the Distinguished Educators event on Wednesday...

Destination Irvine Finishes Fiscal Year Strong

Monday, July 12, 2021

Destination Irvine (DI) saw a measurable increase in the number of leads sent and room nights booked for future group business during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. Between April and June, the DI sales team sent 101 leads and booked 3,208 room nights worth nearly $750,500 in economic impact. Two major sporting events booked for the new fiscal year include Curling Night in America, scheduled for August 2021, and USA Synchro Championships in April 2022. Combined economic impact worth is estimated to be $290,000. “As soon as the state reopened on June 15, we received 17 leads for future busines...

Chapman University to Transform Old Packing House into New Dance Center with $5M Grant

Friday, July 09, 2021

(Orange County Register) A $5 million grant from one of Chapman University’s most generous donors will allow the university to transform the 100-year old Villa Park Orchards Association Packing House into the Sandi Simon Center for Dance, a 33,000 square foot complex which will serve Chapman’s 150 dance majors and host performances for the community. Located at 350 N. Cypress St. in Orange, the center is scheduled to be completed by next summer and be in use for the fall 2022 semester. The $5 million was donated by philanthropists Ron and Sandi Simon, who have gifted millions to the university over the years throug...

UCI's Joyce Yu-Chia Lee is the First Faculty Member to Earn Prestigious American College of Clinical Pharmacy Award

Friday, July 09, 2021

Joyce Yu-Chia Lee, clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California, Irvine, has received the 2021 Clinical Practice Award from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. An advanced practice pharmacist, Lee is a founding faculty member of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the first to earn the prestigious recognition. ACCP is a professional and scientific society with more than 15,000 members from over 60 countries committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy. Each year, the award is given to one member who has developed an innovative clinical pharmacy service, provided innovative documentation of the impact of clinica...

Greater Irvine Chamber 2021-2022 Board Slate Includes Three New Members and Incoming Chair

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber installed its new 2021-2022 Board of Directors during a July meeting held at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, kicking off the fiscal year term. The new slate includes incoming Board Chair Carlos Oregon, president/CEO of Thinkbox Technology Group, who is assuming the gavel following outgoing Chair Jeff Davis, vice president, Entitlement, Irvine Company. Three executives from Orange County organizations have been appointed to the board: Wendy Aid, Director of sales, Cox Business With more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Wendy Aid is a results-driven leader with the proven ability to develop and lead sales teams to excee...

Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups Smash Previous Annual Records with $60.5 Million in Closed Business Referrals Despite Pandemic Distancing

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

Proving once again the power of the Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups, members have broken all previous records by a wide margin with $60,558,908 in closed business referrals during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, compared to $22,247,720 earned in FY 2019-2020. More than 1852 leads were exchanged. This achievement is even more impressive because the six groups convened through Zoom for the entire period to solve social distancing during the pandemic. “The Chamber’s Leads Groups convene professionals across industries to grow clientele opportunities. Through group participation, members foster trusted professional relationships and identify and refer qualified opportunities,” said Bryan Starr, president an...

MemorialCare, Greater Newport Physicians Recognized as Top California Medical Groups

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

SCAN Health Plan®, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, has announced the top 15 performing medical groups in its California provider network. Making the list are MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians, based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics for preventive screenings, treatment of chronic conditions and appropriate documentation to ensure members get the care they need to remain healthy and independent. The medical groups recognized are the top 15 performers for care and service based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics. MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians are Leaders Circle partners of the Greater Irvine Chamber, at the platinum and silver levels, respectively.

Chevron Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Bronze-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Chevron has renewed as a bronze-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Established as the Pacific Coast Oil Co. in 1879, today Chevron is a leading energy provider worldwide. Chevron’s success is driven by its people and their commitment to get results the right way — by operating responsibly, executing with excellence, applying innovative technologies, and capturing new opportunities for profitable growth. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on how to become a part of this elite Leaders Circle group...

Courtney Nakagawa Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Professional Staff

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Courtney Nakagawa has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber professional staff as Program Manager. In this role, she will manage chamber events. Nakagawa brings to the role 18 years of restaurant industry experience with a focus on private dining event management at upscale establishments, including Morton’s The Steakhouse and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. An active Chamber member since 2018, she participated in the Leads Groups program, served on the Women of Influence planning committee for two years, and has a well-established network in the community. Nakagawa earned a B.A. in deaf studies from California State University, Northridge, and is fluent in American Sig...

Cox Charities Community Grants Application Period Opens

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Cox Charities is accepting applications between July 1 – 31 from nonprofit organizations as a part of their annual Community Grants program. This year, Cox Charities will be awarding a total of $180,000 in grants to nonprofits statewide, with individual grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Cox Charities will accept applications from nonprofits that offer programs focused on: Youth and education with a focus on innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) opportunities for K-12 students beyond the classroom, Conservation and sustainability, Diversity, equity, and inclusion, including military and veterans and, Bridging the digital divide, including digital equity and digital literacy. To apply for a Cox Charities nonprofit grant, organizations must meet the following qualifications: Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Be located or provide services in a Cox service are...

Irvine is the Best City for an Active Lifestyle

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

The cities that provide the necessary infrastructure as well as integrate nature into the built environment can better support our adoption of healthy and active lifestyles. In that regard, Irvine came out as the best city for leading an active lifestyle. In order to identify the best places in the US for active lifestyles, STORAGECafé compared the 100 largest cities based on a weighted index of 18 key indicators such as venues for exercising, walkability, bike-friendliness and natural conditions. Here are some of our key findings: Irvine ranks as the best city for the composite score of outdoor livability among the 100 larges...

Outdoor Summer Concerts Return to Irvine July 16

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

A favorite City of Irvine annual summer tradition returns this July, when the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert series kicks off at Mike Ward Community Park — Woodbridge. The community is invited to a series of free family-friendly concerts in the park covering a variety of musical tastes — from groovy soft rock and dance hits to classic soul and ’80s music. In addition to Saturday concerts, enjoy three Friday concerts presented in partnership with Irvine Barclay Theatre, and a Sunday series finale featuring Pacific Symphony. Bring a picnic basket or purchase treats from on-site gourmet food trucks. General admission is free and law...

Wild Rivers Water Park Groundbreaking July 7 at the Orange County Great Park

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Construction on the Wild Rivers Water Park at the Orange County Great Park will begin July 7. In April 2020, the Irvine City Council approved a location and lease for the water park. In November, the Irvine Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit for the 20-acre project at the southeast corner of Great Park Blvd. and Skyhawk. Wild River’s plans include multiple components including in-ground slides, pools, and thrill slides. As currently proposed, there will be 20 attractions available on opening day, with additional attractions planned for the future, including a potential 3-acre expansion. “I’m beyond thrilled to brin...

Orange County Officials Support Veterans Cemetery on County Land

Monday, July 05, 2021

(Orange County Register) A number of Orange County officials and military veterans have come together to support building a veterans cemetery on county land in Anaheim Hills, and some of them gathered at the Gypsum Canyon site on July 1, to demonstrate their commitment. Dozens of veterans, many wearing caps naming a branch of the service or vets organization, filled the seats under a shade tent with a backdrop of brush-covered hills south of the 91 freeway and just east of the 241 toll road. “We have been supporting this site for a veterans cemetery for years now,” OC Supervisor Don Wagner said. “We are o...

$60 Million Wild Rivers Water Park at OC Great Park in Irvine to Break Ground this Month, Open Summer 2022

Friday, July 02, 2021

(Orange County Register) It won’t come in time to quench this summer’s heat, but a new Wild Rivers water park in Irvine could be ready to open its gates for swimming, sliding and splashing by summer 2022. Developer Mike Riedel said July 1, he now has financing all lined up for the $60 million park and he could start to break ground as soon as the middle of next week. The original Wild Rivers was a summertime fixture for 25 years before it closed in 2011 after the Irvine Company, which owned the land leased for the park, moved ahead with plans to buil...

In One Chart: GDP Growth by State as COVID Recovery Takes Hold

Thursday, July 01, 2021

(MarketWatch) The U.S. economy expanded 6.4% on an annualized basis in the first quarter, the Commerce Department said last month, as American businesses reopened and people got back to work after being largely locked down throughout 2020. But as with all economic data, the national headline number masks a lot of local discrepancies. The chart below, from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, released in late June, shows how much growth varies among the different states. California is somewhere in the middle with 6.3% increase in GDP. Nevada, heavily dependent on indoor tourist traffic, saw the biggest uptick in growth among all states in the firs...

Irvine Company Seeks Brand-Name Chain to Reopen Two Closed Hotels

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Irvine Company’s two shuttered hotels in Orange County will reopen after the company finds a new operator for its properties that cater primarily to corporate travelers and business events. The property giant said it is seeking a “world-class” brand-name operator to lease and run what’s currently the 536-room Hotel Irvine and the 295-room Fashion Island Hotel. The company will continue to own and operate its other hotel property, the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, which remained open throughout the pandemic. The two business hotels were closed by Irvine Co. in the spring of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic throttle...

Marines Air Museum Could Land at OC Great Park in Irvine

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

(Orange County Register) After more than 20 years in another location, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum may be coming in for a landing near its original home in Irvine. The museum honoring the Marines’ aviation history was created in 1989 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. When the base closed 10 years later, the museum was moved about 100 miles south to MCAS Miramar, said Mike Aguilar, a retired Marine brigadier general and the executive director of the museum’s nonprofit foundation. The planes and other artifacts displayed at the museum are owned by the Marine Corps, which closed the San Diego-area museu...

Orange Coast Magazine Features OC Great Park In Irvine for its Kid Friendly Trails

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Orange Coast Magazine has called out four areas in Orange County for its kid friendly trails. Making the short list of family-friendly favorites is the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. The 1.5 miles of multiuse trails in the Upper Bee and Bosque area cross through 53 acres of natural landscape, and include natural and paved surfaces. For more information on family-friendly outdoor activities available in Irvine, visit DestinationIrvine.com.

California’s Love Affair with Cars Helps Keep Car Wash Industry in Tip Top Shape

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

(U.S. Census Bureau) For many Americans, after a house, their car, SUV, or pick-up truck is the second-most expensive item that they will purchase, and maintaining that investment on wheels is paramount. Because many see their cars as an extension of their personality, maintaining an image by keeping their cars clean also matters. While some may cherish pulling out a hose, wash mitt, and soap to give their “baby” a customized shine, others opt for a more convenient ritual: trips to the local car wash. According to the 2019 County Business Patterns program, there were 16,976 Car Washes with paid employees in the United States, 6.8% o...

The Travel & Tourism Industry Plays a Critical Role in Restoring the Economy

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in the Orange County Business Journal, June 29, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic caused global economic hardship with the travel industry being the hardest hit, even more so than it was during the Great Recession. Prior to the pandemic, travel spending in Irvine contributed nearly $781 million to the city’s economy, supporting nearly 6,000 jobs, and generating nearly $50 million in state and local tax revenue. In 2020 there was a nearly 57% decline in travel spending and a loss of approximately 1,570 jobs, proving just how important the economic impact o...

Kaiser Permanente Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Monday, June 28, 2021

Kaiser Permanente has renewed its gold-level Leaders Circle partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber. Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans, serving 12.5 million members, providing high-quality, affordable health care services to the communities it serves. At Kaiser Permanente, physicians are responsible for medical decisions. The Permanente Medical Groups, which provide care for Kaiser Permanente members, continuously develop and refine medical practices to help ensure that care is delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible. Expert and caring medical teams at Kaiser are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Leader...

Newly Created U.S.-EU Council to Focus on Cooperation in Trade, Technology Issues

Monday, June 28, 2021

(CalChamber) The United States and the European Union have created a council to provide a forum for coordinating approaches to key global trade, economic and technology issues. U.S. President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) during the U.S.-EU Summit in Brussels on June 15. The council will deepen transatlantic trade and economic relations based on shared democratic values. A White House statement, “Towards a Renewed Transatlantic Partnership,” noted that the United States and the European Union represent 780 million people who share democratic values and the largest economic relationship in the world. Th...

Hoag Clinical Trials Attract Global Interest

Friday, June 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) Olav Ruud was out of options. Since being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year earlier, he had part of his pancreas removed, followed by two rounds of chemotherapy. And yet scans were showing two new tumors. The retired commodities broker started searching online to see if there were any pancreatic cancer therapy trials he could sneak into. “I found an article on Senator Harry Reid and I go ‘Wow! This is for me.’” The article was about an experimental natural killer cell therapy that stopped the former U.S. senator’s pancreatic cancer cold in two months. Ruud kept digging and found that a natura...

UCI Partners with Irvine Ranch Conservancy for Climate Change Adaptation Study of Plant and Microbial Ecosystems

Friday, June 25, 2021

Off a gravel road in the hills east of Irvine and down a barely navigable footpath through dense stands of head-high, bright yellow mustard plants, a series of arched metal frames indicates several research plots. Here at Loma Ridge, near the 241 toll road, University of California, Irvine scientists are studying how plant and microbial ecosystems will respond to increasingly severe droughts and hotter temperatures driven by climate change. They’re also examining how local ecosystems recover from wildfire – the 2007 Santiago fire and the 2020 Silverado fire both swept through here – among other questions. UCI researchers manipulate environmental conditions at eac...

City of Hope-Led Research Identifies How the Most Common Type of Breast Cancer Becomes Resistant to Treatment

Thursday, June 24, 2021

City of Hope, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center, has identified how cancer cells in patients with early-stage breast cancer change and become resistant to hormone or combination therapies, according to a new study published in Nature Cancer. About 80% of breast cancer cases are hormone receptor positive, meaning that these cancer cells need estrogen or progesterone to grow, according to the American Cancer Society. Doctors currently treat people with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer using therapy that inhibits both estrogen levels and cell cycle activity. While these therapies often initially shrink tumors, about 90% of metastatic patients an...

MemorialCare Surpasses 150k Vaccines

Thursday, June 24, 2021

MemorialCare, a leading Southern California nonprofit integrated health system, has administered more than 153,000 vaccine doses and counting in Orange and Los Angeles counties, including nearly 30,000 doses to the most vulnerable and hard to reach, since vaccines became available December 2020. MemorialCare has reached deep into neighborhoods to vaccinate some of the region’s most vulnerable populations – in their homes, in pop-up clinics, in senior facilities and at their hospitals. They have partnered with the cities of Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and community groups including the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, Centro CHA, Long Beach Forward, and the City o...

UCI Professor Wins Spain’s Prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific Research

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Philip Felgner, Ph.D., professor in residence of physiology & biophysics at the University of California, Irvine, is one of seven scholars worldwide to win Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research in recognition of their contributions to designing COVID-19 vaccines. “It is a great honor, and I am so happy the jury selected me for this distinguished award,” said Felgner, who directs UCI’s Vaccine Research and Development Center. “It gives me the opportunity to reward my team for their years of dedication and commitment. I’m proud to be included with six other eminent recipients who’ve been workin...

California Outpacing Nation in Employment Growth in 2021

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

(Beacon Economics) California’s labor market continued to expand at a rapid pace in May, according to an analysis released jointly with the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. Total nonfarm employment in the state grew by 104,500 positions over the month and California accounted for 18.7% of the 559,000 net jobs added in the nation. In addition to California’s strong monthly gains in May, April’s gains were revised up to 102,000 in the latest numbers, a +200 increase from the preliminary estimate of 101,800. Over the past four months, California’s economy has added close to 500,000 jobs, representing the fastes...

Diamond Jamboree Renews as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Diamond Jamboree has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level partner. Diamond Jamboree has been a Chamber member since 2006. Diamond Jamboree is a vibrant, eclectic retail center conveniently located at Alton Pkwy. and Jamboree Rd., where Irvine business and residential communities meet. Featuring a range of services and dining destinations to please every palate, the center is representative of its diverse community. A unique Southern California destination that brings together a variety of cuisines and international flavors—Diamond Jamboree brings you the world. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive rol...

Hoag at Home Launches Hospice and Home Visiting Physician Services to Orange County

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced today the launch of Hoag at Home, a comprehensive home care service offering that provides patients with the high-quality personalized care they need in the comfort of their home. Hoag at Home represents an evolution in Hoag’s commitment to the community and a recognition of the changing demographics of the county. This new service allows Hoag to extend the world-class care that is delivered in Hoag hospitals, physician offices, and health centers right to a patient’s place of residence. “People are living and staying mobile longer, and there are more ways to allow people to age i...

Irvine: California’s Best City to Start A Business

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

By Bryan Starr, as featured in the June 2021 Irvine Standard. Irvine has always been a great place to start a business. A study by WalletHub, a national financial resource website, just confirmed it’s the best place in California to launch an entrepreneurial dream. It makes sense. The survey found Irvine has the most educated workforce in the nation. More than 72% hold a bachelor’s degree while 32% hold a master’s degree or higher, No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation, respectively. The city – through its Master Plan – has also fostered the most dynamic, active and healthy business climates I’ve seen. One-third o...

Masks in Daily California Life, Workplace

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

California has now changed its mask requirements to match CDC guidance. Masks in daily life Vaccinated people do not need to wear masks, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone: Public transit Healthcare settings (including long term care facilities) Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings State and local correctional facilities and detention centers Homeless shelters,emergency shelters, and cooling centers Unvaccinated people are required to wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses, like: Retail Restaurants Theaters Family entertainment centers Meetings State and local government offices that serve the public See CDPH’s Face Coverings Q&A to learn more about where masks are still required or recommended. Read Get the Most out of Masking to learn how a mas...

The Economy Isn’t Going Back to February 2020, Fundamental Shifts Have Occurred

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

(The Washington Post) The U.S. economy is emerging from the coronavirus pandemic with considerable speed but markedly transformed, as businesses and consumers struggle to adapt to a new landscape with higher prices, fewer workers, new innovations, and a range of inconveniences. In late February 2020, the unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, inflation was tame, wages were rising and American companies were attempting to recover from a multiyear trade war. The pandemic disrupted everything, damaging some parts of the economy much more than others. But a mass vaccination effort and the virus’s steady retreat this year has allowed many businesses and communities to reopen. What Americans ar...

Orange County Soccer Club Hosts Back to Business Networking and Pro Soccer on July 6

Monday, June 21, 2021

Orange County Soccer Club’s July 6 “Back to Business” Night home game will offer world-class soccer and more! Enjoy connecting with business leaders and pro soccer players in the networking garden from 5:30 – 7 p.m., and immediately following, a game between pro teams Orange County Soccer Club and Tacoma Defiance. Tickets include access to our exclusive networking garden, raffles, contests, access to a full bar with a complimentary beer or wine voucher, and reserved seating for the game. Tickets are $23. Parking is free. Purchase tickets here. Orange County Soccer Club is a gold-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber.

UC Irvine Physicist Among Researchers Seeking to Bring Lithium-Ion Batteries to EV Market

Monday, June 21, 2021

(Orange County Register) To curb global warming, policymakers say, we need to switch from gas-powered cars to driving clean, non-polluting electric vehicles. Major automakers plan to make that happen, promising a full line of electric vehicles by 2030. But there’s just one little speed bump on the road to electrification: We don’t have the capacity to make enough batteries for all those plug-ins. Electric vehicle sales will jump four-fold in the U.S. in the next five years, climbing from 1.8% of all car sales in 2020 to about 7% in 2026, according to market research firm AutoPacific of Tustin. The U.S. Department o...

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing Teams with IB Roof Systems to Provide New Roof for Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

“We are so grateful that IB Roof Systems and Antis Roofing came to the rescue when we really needed it,” said Pam Estes, CEO for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. “Given the pandemic, 2020 was an emotionally and financially challenging year. As we approached the fall holidays, our insurance carrier required a new roof for our main clubhouse to be able to obtain full coverage, which came with an unanticipated $100,000 price tag.” Orange County-based Antis Roofing & Waterproofing and Texas-based IB Roof Systems came together to ensure The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach (BGCLB) would get a new roof tha...

Cal State Fullerton Receives $40 Million Gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

(Orange County Register) A multi-billion dollar donation spree announced by billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott on June 15, included $40 million for Cal State Fullerton, the largest gift the school has ever received. During an interview in between commencement speeches on June 15, CSUF President Fram Virjee said he “jumped up and down and screamed, ‘Oh my goodness, this is unbelievable,’” when he first heard the news. The gift felt like an “affirmation” to CSUF’s students, the majority of whom are minorities and many first-generation collegegoers, that they “deserve education, and that if we provide the resources for them, they can thrive an...

California Defies Doom With No. 1 US Economy

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

(Bloomberg) When misfortunes multiplied during the coronavirus pandemic, observers seized on a four-letter word signaling end of days for the largest state with one-eighth the U.S. population and 14% of its gross domestic product. “California doom: Staggering $54 billion deficit looms,” the Associated Press concluded a year ago in May. “California Is Doomed,” declared Business Insider two months earlier. ”Is California doomed to keep burning?” queried the New Republic in October. California is “Doomed” because of rising sea levels, according to an April EcoNews Report. Bulletins of people leaving the world's fifth-biggest economy for lower-cost states because of high taxes and too much regulation stifling business continue unabated. No one anticipated the latest data readout showin...

City Council Welcome Back Youth Sports Tournament Play to Irvine

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

City of Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan, Councilmember Anthony Kuo, and Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel Bill Barber Park Saturday were on hand to welcome back youth sports tournament play during a recent Summertime Classic girls softball tournament game held at the Mark Daily Athletic Field in Irvine. Hosted by the Irvine Girls Softball Association, teams from throughout Southern California participated. As of June 15, there are no longer restrictions regarding sporting events at all levels, from youth to professional play, for any City of Irvine facility. California has removed executive orders regarding the Blueprint for a Safer Economy related to sports at all levels an...

Ingram Micro Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Bronze-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Ingram Micro has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level partner. Ingram Micro has been a bronze-level partner since 2018. Ingram Micro helps businesses maximize the value of the technology that they make, sell, or use. With its vast global infrastructure and focus on cloud, mobility, technology lifecycle, supply chain, and technology solutions, the company enables business partners to operate more efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Ingram Micro delivers a broad and deep a spectrum of technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world, supporting global operations throughout North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Lati...

The City of Irvine’s City Hall and Facilities Reopen June 15

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

The City of Irvine will reopen City Hall and other facilities to the public on June 15. The reopening aligns with the State of California’s move to Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and the full reopening of business sectors. “We want our community to know that the City is taking every step necessary to safeguard the health and well-being of our residents and businesses as we reopen June 15,” said Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “I encourage you to watch my welcome back video to learn more about the changes to City Hall and City Facilities. Please remember that although businesse...

5 Things To Know About California's Reopening Day

Monday, June 14, 2021

(Patch) Almost a year and a half after coronavirus restrictions befell residents in the Golden State, Californians will finally be able to return to "business as usual" as of June 15 — for the most part anyway. As the state barrels toward this long-awaited milestone, several mandates and a complex color-coded tiering system will cease. But Californians should know that the state's grand reopening isn't perfectly cut and dry. Most restrictions are lifted, but there are a few exceptions. So don't make celebratory plans to burn facemasks in a pile just yet as some coronavirus protections — and the virus itself — ar...

Welcome Back, We're Open!

Monday, June 14, 2021

After nearly a year and a half of meetings and events held digitally and staff working remotely, the Greater Irvine Chamber has fully reopened for in-person business as of June 15. In compliance with Cal/OSHA guidelines, masks are required for the duration of indoor visits. On the heels of its Celebrate Irvine event, held in a hybrid format — in-person and live-streamed on June 9 —the Chamber is resuming full-capacity, in-person gatherings from networking events, Leads Groups, and committee meetings to signature events. Join the Greater Irvine Chamber for its, first since more than a year ago, full-capacity in-person Evening Business Exchange networking even...

UCI Medical Center Awarded the Highest Designation for Excellence in Caring for Older Hospitalized Patients

Thursday, June 10, 2021

UCI Medical Center has been awarded the highest designation for excellence in caring for older hospitalized patients from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The recent Level 2 designation of the Inpatient Care Unit as an Age-Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence, follows IHI’s earlier Level 2 designation of UCI Health outpatient primary care services and Level 1 designation of the Emergency Department for their commitment to healthcare excellence for older adults. “This recognition for UCI Health is exciting because it shows that we demonstrate a commitment to the highest level of care for seniors,” says Dr. Lisa Gibbs, professor and chie...

Irvine-Based FivePoint Extends Community-Building Vision into Valencia

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

(CNBC) FivePoint, land developer behind Irvine-based Great Park Neighborhoods and a gold-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber, is expanding its vision for building sustainable “cities of the future” with the introduction of FivePoint Valencia. The new mixed-use community is poised to become the largest net-zero community in the nation. It will include more than 21,000 homes on 15,000 acres and will include affordable housing, commercial space, park areas, and open space. A new housing model is rising from the dirt in Valencia, California, and potentially raising the bar for real estate developers hoping to reduce their carbon footprints. More than 21,000 homes are going u...

Meet Frontline Community Heroes Honored During In-Person and Live-Streamed Celebrate Irvine

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

During its 2021 Celebrate Irvine event, the Greater Irvine Chamber honored some of the community's frontline heroes who have performed above and beyond their normal work duties to serve the community's greater good. Meet the 2021 Celebrate Irvine honorees: Andrea Billeb - Office Administrator and Human Resources Manager, Jackson Tidus City of Hope Newport Beach Physicians & Staff Jacqueline Deats - Director of Student Health Services, Chapman University Jan Gameroz, MSN, RN - Manager of Oncology Administration Services and Community Relations, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Hoag Pharmacy Team Dr. Susan Huang - Medical Director, Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, UCI Health Michelle Laabs - Nurse Practitioner an...

The City of Irvine’s Receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 42nd Consecutive Year

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

The City of Irvine’s Financial Management & Strategic Planning Department received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. “The City of Irvine is proud to receive this distinction for the 42nd consecutive year,” said Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “This ranking confirms City staff remain committe...

What’s Next for California’s COVID-19 Emergency Regulation?

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

(CalChamber) The Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted revisions to the state’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS or the Regulation) on June 3, which will go into effect on or just before the Governor’s much-discussed June 15 opening date. But – just before doing so – the Standards Board actually rejected the very same proposal about an hour earlier, and then created a subcommittee of Board members to work on improvements, and then approved the same text they had previously rejected. The subcommittee of Board Members seemed focused on making quick changes and fixes to the ETS, but ultimately still thought the proposal was bette...

Not All Industries Experienced Declines During the Pandemic

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

(U.S. Census) Consumer habits shifted dramatically in March 2020 in response to stay-at-home orders and the shuttering of offices across the nation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There were reports of people traveling less, workers gaining unprecedented freedom to work from anywhere and consumers ordering more products online. But did these lifestyle changes affect industries in the same way? Not according to a review of the seasonally adjusted 2020 quarterly revenue estimates published by the Census Bureau’s Quarterly Services Survey (QSS). We found that both couriers and messengers and offices of real estate agents and brokers ended the year with revenue above pre-pandemic levels from the last quarte...

Part of Bison Avenue Renamed After Former UC Irvine Chancellor

Monday, June 07, 2021

(Los Angeles Times) A stretch of Bison Avenue has a new name, courtesy of Michael Drake — also the current president of the UC system. “I’m incredibly humbled to be honored in this way on the University of California at Irvine campus,” Drake said in a statement released on Monday. “My family and I called UCI home for nearly a decade, and this means so much to us. UCI holds a very special place in our lives, and I’m so grateful to be remembered alongside my predecessors in such a meaningful way.” Beginning at the intersection of California Avenue and ending at Ring Road...

City of Irvine Receives Southern California Veterans Cemetery Feasibility Study Results

Friday, June 04, 2021

On June 4, the City of Irvine received the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVets) cemetery feasibility studies for the golf course and ARDA locations. City of Irvine staff will be reviewing the study summaries and reaching out to CalVet to schedule a public presentation of the results and next steps. Both the ARDA and golf course feasibility studies are available on the City’s website. For additional information about the Southern California Veterans Cemetery and to view supporting documents, please visit CalVet’s webpage. For more information about proposed Southern California State Veterans Cemetery in the City of Irvine, please visit cityofirvine.org/veteranscemetery. Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognize...

Irvine Ranked 3rd Best US City to Raise a Family

Friday, June 04, 2021

Irvine is ranked the 3rd Best U.S. City to Raise a Family by WalletHub. With families in mind, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 48 key metrics that consider essential family dynamics, such as the cost of housing, the quality of local school and health-care systems, and the opportunities for fun and recreation. In the Wallethub analysis, Irvine—an aspirational master-planned community—scored No. 1 for health and safety, No. 3 for education and child care, No. 17 for family fun, No. 9 for socioeconomics, and No. 57 for affordability. “Irvine has the fewest violent crimes (per 1,000 residents), 0.64, which i...

Orange County Soccer Club Pays Tribute to Hoag Health Care Workers

Thursday, June 03, 2021

Orange County Soccer Club unveiled its 2021 kit this week, paying homage to Hoag health care workers of Orange County, who emerged among the many heroes of the community over the past thirteen months. To celebrate the sacrifice of these workers, OCSC invited a diverse array of Hoag employees to represent their workforce as official Hoag Community Champions this season. Hoag has been the shirt partner for OCSC since June 2017. Orange County Soccer Club hopes this kit launch brings attention to the tireless work done by health care workers in the community all year long. “In sports, we are taught t...

Orange County Expects Improved FY 2021-22 Budget, Spending $7.7 Billion

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

(Orange County Register) Orange County’s financial condition is much less dire than some feared it would be when the coronavirus pandemic shut down businesses, schools, and even some government services for months starting early last year. County supervisors will vote in June on a budget for fiscal year 2021-22 that would spend $7.7 billion, just a little less than where this year’s spending is expected to end up, at $7.9 billion. OC’s fiscal position is relatively healthy in part because the county had the tools already in place to be proactive, Chief Financial Officer Michelle Aguirre said. Once the pandemic hit last year...

The Economic Recovery is Here and it’s Unlike Anything You’ve Seen

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

(Wall Street Journal) The U.S. economic recovery is unlike any in recent history, powered by consumers with trillions in extra savings, businesses eager to hire and enormous policy support. Businesses and workers are poised to emerge from the downturn with far less permanent damage than occurred after recent recessions, particularly the 2007-09 downturn. New businesses are popping up at the fastest pace on record. The rate at which workers quit their jobs—a proxy for confidence in the labor market—matches the highest going back at least to 2000. American household debt-service burdens, as a share of after-tax income, are near their lowest levels since 1980, when records began. Th...

California May Require Masks For Indoor Workers Until 2022

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

(Patch) California in mid-June will lift many of the coronavirus restrictions that residents have grown accustomed to. But the state's workforce regulators are taking a more cautious approach and could require face masks indoors where unvaccinated people are present. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health in May proposed that employers keep mask and social distancing requirements in some settings until early next year, a departure from Gov. Gavin Newsom's guidance. The agency also recommended that the state keep a July 31 deadline to update employer pandemic safety rules instead of lifting some coronavirus restrictions on June 15. The agency proposed the followin...

City of Hope Orange County’s Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., Named Among the Nation’s 25 Science and Policy Leaders

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Preeminent oncologist Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., physician-in-chief, City of Hope Orange County and vice physician-in-chief, City of Hope National Medical Center, has been named among the nation’s top cancer leaders by Friends of Cancer Research, a national organization dedicated to advances in science, policy, and regulations that speed lifesaving treatments to patients. Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is honoring Dr. Kim, a leading physician executive and world-renowned lung cancer specialist, for his tireless work to expand eligibility criteria for cancer clinical trials. Dr. Kim leads initiatives to reduce barriers to clinical trials and is passionate about ensuring that they ar...

Greater Irvine Chamber Awards Military Veteran Students with 2021 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Wall Scholarship

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Each year, the Greater Irvine Chamber grants scholarships to students enrolled at Irvine Valley College (IVC) in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas U. Wall, a former chairman of the Irvine Valley College Foundation and the Chamber. Lt. Col. Thomas U. Wall Scholarship Committee trustees awarded the 2021 scholarship to recipients DeAngelo Hunter (United States Army Veteran) and Rosio Rodrigues (United States Marine Corps Veteran and Active Reserve member). Hunter is studying administration of justice and is a member of the IVC Online Education Task Force, designed to give input from the student body directly to the professors (critical during the COVID pandemic). Hunter assisted in providing food to families during the recent Silverado fires. “I don'...

Latest Chao Family Gift Will Name Cancer Center at New UCI Medical Center in Irvine

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

With its current gift, longtime UCI Health benefactor the Chao family has committed $50 million since 1995 to UCI Health toward advancing cancer care in Orange County and beyond. The family’s latest gift will name the cancer center at the new UCI Medical Center in Irvine, expanding access to leading-edge cancer treatments and therapies, promising clinical trials, and world-class cancer care driven by the latest in precision medicine. “Few families have been as generous in support of their fellow residents of Orange County as the Chao family,” said UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman. “This latest extraordinary gift is testament to their belief i...

California Considers Timing on Easing Workers’ Virus Rules

Friday, May 28, 2021

(AP News) California workforce regulators recommended on May 28 that the state stick with a July 31 deadline for updating certain employer pandemic safety rules instead of adopting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mid-June lifting of mask and physical distancing requirements in most social settings. Revised rules to be considered Thursday by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board have relatively few changes from an earlier proposal that drew extensive criticism from business and agricultural groups. Cal/OSHA’s staff withdrew their initial proposal last week so they could take into account new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that fully vaccinated people can no...

City of Irvine Ranked 7th in National 2021 ParkScore Index

Friday, May 28, 2021

The City of Irvine park system has been ranked 7th in the nation by the Trust for Public Land in their annual ParkScore Index, which ranks the nation’s 100 largest cities based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities. Irvine is the second-ranked city in California, and this is the sixth consecutive year the City’s parks have ranked in the top 10 nationally. Irvine earned a perfect score in parkland percent of city area, the number of basketball hoops per 10,000 residents, and the number of recreation/senior centers per 20,000 residents. The index also notes that 89% of Irvin...

Multi-Year Conserve Irvine Campaign Engages Community

Friday, May 28, 2021

As part of the City of Irvine’s Earth Day efforts, the City unveiled the Conserve Irvine campaign, a multi-year endeavor to improve resilience and sustainability of the community. The Conserve Irvine campaign focuses on the key pillars of environmental protection that residents and businesses can take action on — waste reduction, energy, water conservation, and alternative transportation choices. Through events and additional resources that raise awareness, the campaign will also promote making environmentally friendly actions, like reducing plastic consumption, composting, and implementing drought-tolerant landscaping, part of an everyday sustainable lifestyle. The Irvine community promotes sustainability through numerous projects, events, and campaigns throughout th...

State Sets Up Employer Vaccination Toolkit

Friday, May 28, 2021

(CalChamber) California has created an Employer Vaccination Toolkit, a website designed to help employers make COVID-19 vaccinations more convenient for their employees. The website includes links to help employers find local provider partners for scheduling an offsite vaccination event, information on requesting a worksite mobile clinic and vaccine education materials to share with employees. Employers who seek to vaccinate fewer than 100 employees per event/day are encouraged to consider partnering with another employer or organization nearby in coordinating the vaccination clinic. The step-by-step guide for submitting a mobile clinic request includes the infrastructure requirements for a worksite mobile clinic, such as the physical space needed fo...

Businesses Lease Office Space, Furniture, and … Workers

Thursday, May 27, 2021

(U.S. Census) Since the industrial revolution, businesses have strived to streamline operations to maximize employee productivity and minimize costs. They embraced automation, a popular way to modernize workflows and production processes, but it was not enough. Enter California businessman Marvin R. Selter, who in the late 1960s popularized a concept that gave businesses a way to avoid employment taxes and other costs: lease — not hire — employees. How would it work? Leasing firms would provide the leased workforce and handle all the human resources, payroll, and employee benefit functions for the client, but the client would still maintain day-to-day management of the workers. Th...

Governor Newsom Proposes $95 Million for Travel and Hospitality Industry to Promote California as a Travel Destination

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Governor Newsom on May 13 announced he will propose a $95 million investment in his May Revise to fund an expansion of Visit California’s successful marketing campaigns. This funding is critical to the state’s travel and hospitality industry as the country reopens. Before COVID-19 hit, the travel and hospitality industry was one of the largest economic drivers—and the largest export—for California, the nation’s No. 1 tourism destination. In 2019, visitors spent $145 billion at California businesses, supporting 1.2 million jobs. “We thank Governor Newsom for understanding and championing the tourism industry,” said Emellia Zamani, director of government affairs for the California Travel Association...

How Vaccines & Workplace Safety May Spark Lawsuits

Thursday, May 27, 2021

(Los Angeles Times) Can your boss make you return to the office mid-pandemic? Can you refuse to be vaccinated and keep your job? Can you sue if the colleague in the next cubicle won’t wear a mask? As the COVID-19 pandemic abates in California, many employees who have worked from home for months will soon return to the office with no clear-cut answers on how to navigate coronavirus-related issues. Some are happy to go back. Others — not so much. Companies are obligated by law to provide safe workplaces — a challenge as the virus continues to circulate, albeit at a lessening pace. With many white-colla...

JWA Resumes Nonstop Flights to Hawaii

Thursday, May 27, 2021

(Orange County Register) Aloha, Hawai‘i! Antsy travelers with mai tais in mind will be happy to hear that daily, nonstop SNA to HNL routes have begun again at John Wayne Airport. United Airlines’ inaugural nonstop flight to Honolulu took off May 6 aboard a Boeing 737-700 and is the airport’s only nonstop flight between the two cities. Nonstop flights from Santa Ana to Hawaii’s islands have had a stop-and-start history. United was the last airline at JWA to offer a quick trip to the Aloha State but canceled its flights in 2012. Those routes were originally operated by Continental Airlines, which United acquired in 2010. Other nonstop route...

Six Things to Know About California's New Face Mask Rules

Thursday, May 27, 2021

(Patch) The federal government has recommended lifting face mask mandates in virtually all situations if you're fully vaccinated. But California adopted a more cautious and stringent approach, and that is causing confusion and frustration among residents. State officials said they will wait until June 15 to align California guidelines with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's the day the state wants to reopen the economy fully. That day will be monumental for Californians, who have lived under some of the toughest coronavirus restrictions in the country as COVID-19 cases surged for months in the nation's most populous state. Patch spoke t...

Cox Awards $50,000 in 2021 Innovation in Education Grants to Irvine Unified and Other Local School Districts

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

While many students across California started the 2020/2021 school year from home and utilizing a technology device, most are now finishing up the year back in the classrooms. To safely welcome students back in the classroom and ensure remote learners have an equitable experience, schools had to make some modifications. To support those efforts, Cox awarded $50,000 in Innovation in Education (IIE) grants to local school districts and to the Orange County Department of Education. “The Innovation in Education program is part of Cox's commitment to education since its founding. Established in 2014, the program has awarded $350,000 in grants t...

IVC's Amy Hunter Receives California Community Colleges Board of Governors Classified Employee of the Year Award

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

California Community Colleges Board of Governors honors Amy Hunter, senior administrative assistant in Business Sciences at Irvine Valley College (IVC ), with the 2021 Classified Employee of the Year Award. Hunter is among five California community college workers to receive the honor. Hunter is involved in a number of initiatives, including Diversity Equity Inclusion training, Guided Pathways, and Caring Campus, in addition to serving as Classified Senate President. She serves with the IVC Foundation as a board member and is actively involved in fundraising. In her leadership with the Caring Campus Initiative, she recruited a large number of classified professionals to champion th...

SBA Launches $100M Community Navigator Pilot Program

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on May 25 that it is accepting applications for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program. This new initiative, established by the American Rescue Plan, will leverage a community navigator approach to reach our nation’s smallest businesses, with a priority focus on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as women and veterans. SBA will accept applications through July 12, 2021, and anticipates making award decisions by August 2021. The Biden-Harris Administration has made delivering equitable relief to hard-hit small businesses a top priority and will continue to take steps to ensure equitable distribution of relief. “The Community Navigator Pilot Program is a crucial addition to our SBA programs because it helps u...

California has Regained Nearly Half of Jobs Lost in Pandemic

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

(Associated Press) California extended its slow but steady economic recovery in April, adding more than 100,000 jobs for the third consecutive month. The state’s Employment Development Department says California has now regained 1.3 million jobs, or 48% of the 2.7 million it lost in March and April of 2020. The new numbers show California has become an engine in the nation’s recovery, accounting for 38% of all jobs gained in the U.S. in April. Since February, California has added 390,300 jobs following sharp declines in December and January amid a surge of new coronavirus cases. More than 60% of the job gains in Apri...

Hoag Partners with Irvine Company to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Irvine Spectrum Center

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

To continue expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines, Hoag is partnering with the Irvine Company to bring COVID-19 vaccine clinics to Irvine Spectrum Center. Hoag will be operating a COVID-19 vaccine clinic every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the former 24 Hour Fitness Space located near the Regal Cinemas. “We are proud to partner with the Irvine Company to offer this convenient and accessible vaccination option in the heart of Orange County,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, Hoag president and CEO. “We are making good progress on fighting this virus and the vaccine is our best chance to protect ourselve...

Latest Irvine Restaurant News: May 2021

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Sol Mexican Cocina Coming to Irvine in Fall 2021 Sol Mexican Cocina will take the place of El Torito Grill in Irvine at Centerview located at 1910 Main St. in Irvine. Undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation, the new restaurant will occupy 11,277 square feet, including a 2,861 square foot patio, and is slated to open in the fall. The new Sol’s menu and pricing will be similar to its Newport location with signature dishes such as Taco Vampiro ($10) on a double tortilla with cheese, serrano chilies, carne asada, guacamole, pico de gallo, chipotle sauce and cotija cheese, and Wild Fish on Esquites ($43) wit...

Southern California Housing Hits Third Record Price in a Row

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) What a difference a year makes. In April 2020, Southern California home prices dipped and sales plummeted by a third during shelter-in-place orders that all but shut down the economy. This past April, though, a housing market boom roared into its 10th straight month with sales almost double year-ago levels and home prices hitting a third record high in a row. Last month’s median home price – or price at the midpoint of all sales – hit $655,000, leaping $25,000 from March levels and $110,000 from April of last year, DQ News/CoreLogic figures released Tuesday, May 25, show. That’s the second bigges...

Renovated Plaza Neighborhood Park Playground in Irvine Reopens

Monday, May 24, 2021

City of Irvine announc officials were on hand for the reopening of Plaza Neighborhood Park playground after undergoing renovations. Improvements to the neighborhood park include new playground equipment, signage, shade structures, and walkways. Construction began in summer 2020, and the park officially reopened May 20, 2021, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Irvine City Council. The newly renovated playground includes fun amenities paying tribute to the agricultural legacy of Irvine Ranch. It features a tractor slide, Farmers Market storefront, sand diggers, orange crate steps, and oversized play citrus trees and asparagus – the official City of Irvine vegetable. “The City is happy to showcase our rich agricultural history through Plaza Neighborhood Park’s new playground,” said Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “Now, kids can enjoy playtime outdoors while learning more about Irvine’s roots in a fun, innovative way.” Additional improvements made to the site include additional shade structures, new playground safety surfacing featuring an orange blossom theme, thematic concrete site work...

Efforts to Treat COVID-19 Patients Chronicled in UC Health Medications Data

Friday, May 21, 2021

A record of medicine utilization patterns assembled by an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the UC San Diego School of Medicine reveals the thought, care and scientific rigor clinicians at UC Health medical centers applied in their treatment of patients with COVID-19 in 2020. For a study published today in Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, the investigators examined data on the usage rates of 10 different medicines and medicine categories to map how drugs were used on people hospitalized with the viral infection. The authors got their data from the University of California COVI...

MemorialCare Medical Group Celebrates 60th Anniversary

Friday, May 21, 2021

For 60 years, MemorialCare Medical Group, formerly known as Bristol Park Medical Group, has proudly cared for its community through the most challenging of times. From flu season to the COVID-19 pandemic, MemorialCare has remained steadfast in its commitment to treating every one of its 130,000 patients like family. In celebrating its 60th anniversary, MemorialCare Medical Group is taking a nostalgic look back at its rich history, thanking those who have contributed to its success, and peeking through the looking glass as it prepares for what lies ahead. “In celebrating our 60th anniversary, we celebrate MemorialCare Medical Group’s continued success an...

California Approves Electric Car Mandate for Uber and Lyft

Thursday, May 20, 2021

(CalMatters) Ninety percent of miles logged by Uber and Lyft drivers in California must be in electric vehicles by 2030 under a state mandate adopted May 13. The so-called Clean Miles Standard, unanimously approved by the California Air Resources Board, aims to curb the climate impacts of emissions from ride-hailing trips. It’s an ambitious target: In 2018, electric vehicles accounted for less than 1% of miles traveled by Uber and Lyft drivers in California. The big question for the gig-economy fleets is: Who will pay for the cleaner cars? It’s not a question that the air board could answer in its three-hour public hearing Thursday. While ...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Announces Election of Jeremy Smith, M.D., as Division Chief of Surgical Spine

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, announced the election of orthopedic surgeon Jeremy Smith, M.D., as its Division Chief of Surgical Spine. Dr. Smith will work to identify necessary program elements and resource requirements for developing, implementing, and maintaining the surgical spine program. “Hoag Orthopedic Institute is proud to congratulate Dr. Smith on his appointment as our Division Chief of Surgical Spine,” said Steven L. Barnett, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of HOI. “We have complete confidence that Dr. Smith will continue to uphold HOI’s unparalleled standards in surgical spine care.” Dr. Smith aims to improve publi...

Orange County Great Park is Open for Business

Thursday, May 20, 2021

While the Orange County Great Park’s open space, athletic courts, and drop-in fields have been available for use during COVID-19, now more amenities are open as the City of Irvine continues to follow state and local guidelines. The Orange County Great Park is back open for business and flights for everyone’s favorite attraction, our iconic orange Balloon, are now available! Soar 400 feet above Irvine and enjoy 360-degree views of our gorgeous City and beyond. Rides are limited to six people per flight and are always free. Just stop by the Visitors Center to sign up. Wait times can vary based on demand...

Orange County Moves to Yellow Tier

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

(Orange County Register) After weeks of waiting and watching COVID-19 case statistics tick slowly down, Orange County has qualified for the state’s yellow tier, with restrictions on businesses further loosening as of May 19. State data released on May 18 show the number of cases per 100,000 residents had reached 1.5 and had remained below the threshold of 2 cases per 100,000 for the required two weeks. While not much will change for some businesses – most stores and restaurants have already returned to full capacity – others will be cleared to reopen indoor service or expand capacity. Theme parks including the Disneyland and Knott’s Berr...

At 50, the City of Irvine is Evergreen

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The City of Irvine’s 50th anniversary is a significant milestone celebration for our community. Together, we have achieved so much so quickly. Irvine is the safest large city in America, we have the top-performing school system in California, one of the strongest jobs centers in America, and the state’s best parks system. Yet perhaps our most inspiring accomplishment has been creating one of America’s greenest cities. Today, owing to 50 years of careful planning and ambitious environmental stewardship, Irvine residents are, on average, just 76 steps from a neighborhood park — and need to travel less than 20 minutes to enjo...

Irvine: Masks Required Indoors Until June 15 for Vaccinated Persons

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The California Department of Public Health announced on May 17 that it will wait until June 15 to implement the CDC's new mask guidelines which allow people who are fully vaccinated to go without a mask in most indoor settings. The City of Irvine’s Executive Order, updated May 3, remains in place and falls in line with the current guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health and implemented in Orange County. These guidelines are to be followed by all residents and businesses in Irvine until June 15: For fully vaccinated persons, face coverings are not required outdoors except when attending crowded outdoor events, such as live performances...

Cox Permanently Increases Speed for Low-Cost Internet and Offers Discount through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Monday, May 17, 2021

Cox Communications announced that the increased internet download speed introduced at the onset of COVID-19 for its low-cost internet package Connect2Compete is now permanent. The speed was temporarily increased from 25 to 50 Mbps in March 2020 to support families in greatest need. “During the pandemic, we had provided an internet speed boost to our Connect2Compete participants to ensure families could continue learning and working from home without interruption,” said Sam Attisha, Senior Vice President and Region Manager for Cox Communications in California. “Now, many restrictions are being lifted in our communities and students and workers are heading back to schoo...

Hoag Vaccine Clinic Opens at John Wayne Airport

Monday, May 17, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Hoag Hospital began offering COVID-19 vaccines to travelers at John Wayne Airport on May 13. The Fly Well Clinic, located post-security in Terminal B across from Gate 10, also provides urgent care, telehealth consultations, and vital screenings. In addition, Hoag is hosting rapid COVID-19 testing for all airport visitors at pre-security in Terminal B on the Departure Level. “It’s so important that people get vaccinated against this deadly virus, and the Fly Well Clinic and the Rapid Testing Clinic are important new resources for helping us reach out to the community in a number of ways to ensure everyone receive...

Orange County Great Park Drive-thru Vaccination Clinic Expands to Include Pfizer

Monday, May 17, 2021

The Orange County Great Park drive-thru vaccination clinic now administers Pfizer vaccines in addition to Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. The City of Irvine in partnership with Providence Health System, opened a mass drive-thru vaccination clinic at the Orange County Great Park on April 26. As one of the only remaining drive-thru vaccination sites, the Irvine clinic provides convenient access for Irvine and Orange County residents to protect themselves from COVID-19. “Our collaborative partnership with Providence makes it possible to adapt to the evolving vaccination guidance and brin...

UCI’s Amanda Hughes Nominated for American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact Award

Friday, May 14, 2021

Amanda Hughes, community relations manager for strategic communications and public affairs at University California, Irvine, has been nominated for the American Heart Association’s 2021 Orange County Woman of Impact award as part of the nonprofit’s Go Red for Women campaign. Nominees bring together a network of individuals to form an impact team, set a goal, raise funds, and directly impact the community. Following the culmination of this year’s Feb. 5 – Apr. 7 campaign, the nominees will be celebrated for their overall impact on the American Heart Association’s mission and the community. The woman who brings her network together to have th...

City of Irvine Joins Businesses, Agencies, and Faith-based Organizations in Love Our Cities Initiative

Thursday, May 13, 2021

The City of Irvine has partnered with Love Irvine as part of the nationwide Love Our Cities effort aimed to connect people who want to help those in need by working with various nonprofit service providers, faith-based organizations, government entities, and schools. As part of Love Irvine’s first Citywide Serve Day, the City of Irvine will host a community enhancement event on Saturday, May 22, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. This is an opportunity for the entire community to work together to serve and make a difference in Irvine. Volunteers will join the City to pick up litter on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail. Volunteer space...

Governor Proposes Additional $1.5 Billion in Small Business Relief Grants

Thursday, May 13, 2021

(CalChamber) During remarks to the Sacramento Host Breakfast audience on May 13, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a proposal to expand California’s small business relief grants to $4 billion, representing the largest small business grant program in the country. The expansion is part of the Governor’s “Comeback Plan,” a $100 billion COVID-19 economic recovery plan that addresses some of the state’s most challenging issues, such as drought infrastructure, public education and homelessness. The plan also proposes a number of investments and strategies focused on helping businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the Governor’s announcement, Allan Zaremberg, CalChamber President and CEO said, “We applaud th...

Orange County Could Move to Yellow Tier by May 19

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

(Orange County Register) Orange County notched a first week of eligibility for the less restrictive yellow tier, setting it up to advance in reopening more of the business and the public sectors as of May 19 if its progress curbing the coronavirus continues. A county has to show it can keep the three metrics the state is watching in its tiers system under the threshold for the next tier for two weeks before it can make the move. Leaving the orange tier for yellow would mean for a number of businesses – including bowling alleys, breweries, dance studios, and movie theaters – ...

UCI's Emily Penner Among Five Early-Career US Researchers Named William T. Grant Scholars

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Emily Penner, an assistant professor of education at the University of California, Irvine, has been named a William T. Grant Scholar to explore what makes a high school ethnic studies teacher effective. The five-year, $350,000 award supports promising early-career researchers with interests in reducing inequality or improving the use of research evidence. It will fund a project building on Penner’s previous work, which showed that enrollment in a ninth-grade ethnic studies class substantially increased attendance, grade-point averages, and course credits for students who had been labeled at risk of dropping out of high school based on eighth-grade performance. “The goal is t...

US Job Openings Soar to Highest Level on Record

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

(AP) U.S. employers posted a record number of available jobs in March, illustrating starkly the desperation of businesses trying to find new workers as the country emerges from the pandemic and the economy expands. Yet total job gains increased only modestly, according to a Labor Department report issued on March 11. The figures follow an April jobs report last week that was far weaker than expected, largely because companies appear unable to find the workers they need, even with the unemployment rate elevated at 6.1%. Job openings rose nearly 8%, to 8.1 million in March, the most on records dating back to December 2000, the governmen...

A Mars Rover, Marine Biology Projects, and Business Stock Performances Among Entries at CUI's Undergraduate Research Competition

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Concordia University Irvine announced the winners of its annual President's Academic Showcase which pairs individual undergraduate students, or teams, to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on a research project of their choice. More than 40 students from freshman to seniors representing over 15 majors competed in the virtual academic event which awards over $5,000 in cash. One team entry, from Team Helios, included a 2-person human-powered rover built to NASA specs for the 2021 NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Team Helios built their rover, called Patience, over a nine-month period. With the on-site competition in Huntsville, AL canceled due to COVID-19...

Governor Newsom Proposes $5.1B Water, Drought Infrastructure Plan

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

(CalChamber) Governor Gavin Newsom on May 10 unveiled a $5.1 billion plan for California’s water infrastructure, drought response, and preparations for a “climate-resilient system.” In addition to the proposed $5.1 billion funding, which will be spread out over four years, the plan includes $1 billion to help Californians pay their overdue water bills. Drought Preparedness and Response The Governor’s plan makes investments to support safe drinking water, water supply and reliability, and flood resilience by allocating: $1.3 billion for drinking water/wastewater infrastructure, especially for small and disadvantaged communities; $150 million for groundwater cleanup and water recycling to improve climate resilience; $300 million for Sustainable Groundwater Management Ac...

The Lotts Agency Joins the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Leaders Circle as Bronze-Level Partner

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

The Lotts Agency has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Leaders Circle as a bronze-Level partner. “Throughout the years as a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber, I’ve been able to grow the many opportunities the Chamber offers to all of its members; building connections with many small business leaders, growing meaningful connections in the community, and having the humbling fortune of closing business deals with its many members,” said Thomas Lotts, principal of The Lotts Agency. “It seemed fitting to have The Lotts Agency be a part of an influential group of companies that engage in the Chamber and the community a...

UCI Health Earns 14th Consecutive "A" Grade in Patient Safety From Leapfrog Group

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

UCI Health has received a 14th consecutive “A” grade in The Leapfrog Group’s biannual Hospital Safety Grade, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from errors, injuries and infections. The spring 2021 Hospital Safety Grade is compiled by The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit patient safety watchdog organization, that assessed patient safety among more than 2,700 hospitals in the United States. “The safety of our patients is the highest priority for everyone at UCI Health and this grade from The Leapfrog Groups reflects our team’s laser-like focus even during the height of the COVID pandemic,” said UCI Health CEO Chad T. Lefteris. “Th...

Concordia Master of Healthcare Administration Students are First Team in University History to Compete in Statewide Competition

Monday, May 10, 2021

Graduate students from Concordia University Irvine’s (CUI) Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program recently competed in CUI’s first-ever entry in the 2021 Healthcare Executives of Southern California College Bowl. Students from the liberal arts university faced teams from private and public universities across the state. “We’re extremely proud of the work that our students poured into this competition,” said CUI MHA Academic Program Director and Associate Professor Catherine Sinardi, MFT, Ed.D. “For being new to the competition, competing against seasoned teams, while holding down jobs and internships in healthcare, and going to school, our students held their own.” Concordia Irvine’s team consisted of four MHA graduate student...

New $600-Plus CA Stimulus Plan Would Affect Majority of Residents

Monday, May 10, 2021

(Patch) Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 10 proposed another round of $600 California stimulus checks, which would go to both middle-class and low-income residents. The "immediate" relief is part of a proposed $100 billion California Comeback Plan, which is made possible by a historic $75.7 billion budget surplus, Newsom said. The governor touted the proposal as the biggest recovery package in state history. "This time last year we announced a $54.3 billion projected shortfall. Today, we are announcing a projected $75.7 billion budget surplus," Newsom said at a May 10 news conference in Alameda County. "It's a remarkable turnaround. ... California is going t...

California Reports First Ever Yearly Population Decline

Friday, May 07, 2021

(Orange County Register) California’s population fell by more than 182,000 people in 2020, marking the first year-over-year loss ever recorded for the nation’s most populous state. State officials announced that California’s population dipped 0.46% to just under 39.5 million people from January 2020 to January 2021. The news comes one week after the U.S. Census Bureau announced a paltry population growth for California, resulting in the state losing a congressional seat for the first time because it grew more slowly than other states over the past decade. But the census numbers reflect the state’s population in April 2020. The new state numbers released o...

CA Stimulus Payments: 5 Essential Things To Know

Thursday, May 06, 2021

(Patch) Tax day comes up on Monday, May 17 in California, and it's an especially significant deadline for low-income Californians who qualify for a $600 Golden State Stimulus. If approved by the Legislature, that stimulus payment will be extended to the state's middle-class taxpayers. Taxes are usually due in April, but the federal deadline was extended this year after lawmakers and some tax professionals put pressure on the Internal Revenue Service to give taxpayers more time to file as the pandemic continued to upend daily life. The Golden State also extended its tax filing deadline to May 17. Gov. Gavin Newsom in February signe...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Names Nader Nassif, M.D., Division Chief of Joint Replacement

Thursday, May 06, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, announced the election of orthopedic surgeon Nader Nassif, M.D., as its Division Chief of Joint Replacement. Dr. Nassif will work to identify necessary program elements and resource requirements for developing, implementing, and maintaining the hospital’s joint replacement program. HOI performs more joint replacements than any other facility in California. “With overwhelming support from all of his peers, Hoag Orthopedic Institute would like to congratulate Dr. Nassif on his appointment as our Division Chief of Joint Replacement,” said Steven L. Barnett, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of HOI. “We ar...

Job Paradox Baffles Economists as US Employers See Worker Shortage

Thursday, May 06, 2021

(Bloomberg) As the U.S. job market comes roaring back, there’s a growing debate about whether there are enough workers to power faster economic growth. Companies from fast-food chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. to chicken producer Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. and MGM Resorts International say they can’t find—or entice—enough workers. In earnings calls and business surveys, executives often blame stimulus checks and generous unemployment benefits for hampering hiring efforts. But economists and policymakers are unclear about what’s really causing this gap and how long it will last. Hiring remains robust for now, indicating these labor disparities aren’t necessarily a problem. The worry is if labo...

Northwood and University High Schools Named Califonia Distinguished Schools

Thursday, May 06, 2021

Northwood and University high schools have been named 2021 California Distinguished Schools. This designation is the state’s top honor for schools. California Distinguished Schools are selected based on key indicators tied to the California School Dashboard, which is the state’s primary school accountability and improvement tool. Indicators reflect test scores, suspension rates, conditions and school climate. In total, 223 California high schools and middle schools were honored through this year’s Distinguished Schools program with 21 in Orange County. “IUSD is proud of our students, staff and parents, who exemplify our mission to provide the highest quality educational experience we can envision," said IUSD Board o...

Vizio Adds Channels to SmartCast TV System

Thursday, May 06, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine-based Vizio Holding Corp. has bolstered its free channel offering on its SmartCast connected TVS with 10 additions. The company said it added PeopleTV, QVC, HSN, Jack Hanna, Love Nature, Real Wild, Fuse Sweat, Absolute History, Revry, and Horse & Country to its channel roster. The channels are available to anyone with a SmartCast TV. The move continues to bolster the company’s streaming services, part of its Platform+ business. The division, which totaled $147.2 million in revenue generates money off the sale of advertising, subscriptions, and licensing revenues. The potential in digital advertising is one of the reasons Vizio mad...

City of Hope Orange County Names Nisha Morris VP, Marketing & Communications

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

Nisha Morris has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Communications for City of Hope Orange County. Under Morris’s leadership, City of Hope Orange County has become a recognized health care brand in the region. Nisha is a recognized leader in her field, having been named three times as one of the top public relations professionals in the U.S. by Ragan Communications, PR News, and PR Daily. One of the founding senior members of the City of Hope Orange County team, she has been with City of Hope for nearly three years. Prior to joining City of Hope, she held senior executive marketing and communications role...

Greater Irvine Chamber Offers Seventh Annual John Colvin Memorial Scholarship

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

For the seventh year, the Greater Irvine Chamber will award John Colvin Memorial Scholarships to selected students who have been accepted to or are enrolled in a four-year degree program at an accredited university or college in Southern California. Eligible students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, a demonstrated commitment to a fitness lifestyle, and an objective of contributing to the health and economic vitality of Irvine and California. Applications are being accepted now through Friday, September 17, 5:00 p.m. Download the 2021 John Colvin Memorial Scholarship Application The Greater Irvine Chamber established the scholarship in coordination with the Colvin family t...

Hoag Earns Top Grade for Hospital Safety

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

Achieving the nation’s top honor for patient safety, Hoag earned straight “A’s” this spring on The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade for its hospitals in Newport Beach and Irvine. Additionally, Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, Hoag Hospital Irvine and Hoag Orthopedic Institute were recognized with the 2020 Patient Safety Honor Roll Award from California Health and Human Services Agency, Hospital Quality Institute, and Cal Hospital Compare. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoag has remained committed to prioritizing patient safety and providing the same compassionate, high-quality care for the community. The accomplishment was made possible by the hard work from Hoag’s nurses, medical staff members, and the entir...

MemorialCare Orange Coast and Saddleback Medical Centers Receive Top National Honors for Hospital Safety

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center and MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center received an "A" Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group, an independent national organization committed to health care quality and safety. This prestigious national distinction recognizes hospitals for achieving the highest standards in safe patient care and protection. The safety score assigns a letter grade – A, B, C, D or F – to hospitals across the country based on performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections, as well as other safe patient care measurements. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade also helps consumers make informed decisions on where to seek the highest-value care...

Why Can’t Orange County Move to Less Restrictive Yellow Tier?

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

(Orange County Register) As Los Angeles County prepares to enjoy the further relaxed restrictions that will accompany moving to the state-designated yellow tier, some in Orange County are wondering: When is our turn? New state data released on May 4, showed one of Orange County’s COVID-19 metrics, the number of new daily cases per 100,000 residents, continues to dwindle but has stayed stubbornly in the range of the orange (second-best) tier. For weeks now, the county has met yellow tier levels on two other state metrics – the percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive and the positivity rate in neighborhoods with less access t...

Kaiser Permanente Orange County Hospitals Earn Top Grade for Patient Safety

Monday, May 03, 2021

Kaiser Permanente Anaheim and Irvine Medical Centers have received the prestigious “A” grade for excellence in patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, which released ratings as part of its spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report. This report is a biannual scorecard of nearly 2,700 U.S. hospitals. "The health and safety of our patients and members is our top priority," said Mark Costa, senior vice president and area manager. “This past year has been unlike any other. We are very proud of this recognition, as it further exemplifies the continuous commitment of our physicians, clinicians, nurses, and staff to prioritize patient safety, even during thes...

The Case for California: Why Stories About the Golden State’s Demise Are Overblown

Friday, April 30, 2021

(Forbes) Paying $3,150 a month for a one-bedroom apartment is absurd — unless you’re living in San Francisco. For computer engineer David Berrios and his wife, it was worth it to live in this 49-square-mile technology paradise by the Bay. From their perch near Mount Olympus in the Corona Heights neighborhood, they could stroll down the hill to Haight-Ashbury or walk to a favorite jiu jitsu studio — or anywhere else in the city, for that matter. That changed a year ago, when San Francisco became the first major city in the country to lock down in the pandemic. A former NAS...

Two Irvine High Schools Make California's Top 100 List by US News & World Report

Friday, April 30, 2021

(Patch) Thousands of public California high schools have been ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the publication's latest analysis of upper school education in the United States, revealing the top schools across the state and beyond. This year's Best High Schools list ranks more than 24,000 public high schools throughout the country. Two Irvine Unified School District high schools are ranked in Calfornia's top 100: University High School at #57 (431 nationally), and Northwood High at #59 (435 nationally). Top 100 California schools (and national ranking): (11 nationally) Oxford Academy, Anaheim Union High, Cypress (25 nationally) Whitney High School, ABC Unified School District, Cerritos (32 nationally) California Academy of Mathematic...

California’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive package providing urgent relief for the small businesses of California. There is $2 billion of grants available for distribution up to $25,000. To help you prepare for Round 6, review the Program and Application Guide for a detailed overview of the program and step by-step instructions for the entire application process at CaReliefGrant.com. This final round of the California Relief Grant begins Wednesday, April 28 through Tuesday, May 4, 2021. The application process is not first come, first served. Based on annual gross revenues for 2019 tax year, eligible business can receive the following: Revenues $1,000 to $100,000 = $5,000 grant Revenues $100,000 up to $1,000,00...

Irvine Children’s Fund Awarded Grants from City of Irvine and Federal Community Development Block Grant Program

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

On April 27, the Irvine Children’s Fund (ICF) was awarded more than $970,000 by the Irvine City Council through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Public Service, and Coronavirus Grant programs. The Irvine City Council awarded a $70,000 CDBG Public Service grant to ICF to fund before and after school child care scholarships for low income, working families from Irvine. In addition, the Council awarded a one time, 3-year grant of $900,000 to help families negatively impacted by the pandemic. “These grants go a tremendously long way in allowing us to help deliver quality, affordable child care t...

Irvine Ranked in Survey as California’s Best Place to Start a Business

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine was ranked California’s best big city to start a business, in a recent survey by WalletHub. WalletHub’s review of 21 economic and demographic metrics for 100 large U.S. cities created an overall national ranking from breakdowns for each locale’s business environment; access to resources; and business costs. Seventeen California cities made the 100-city scorecard: Irvine: No. 20 overall in the U.S.— No. 6 environment; No. 1 resources; and No. 97 in costs. Long Beach: No. 26 overall — from No. 14 environment; No. 32 resources; and No. 82 in costs. Fresno: No. 27 overall — No. 47 environment; No. 56 resources; and No. 35 in costs. Oakland: No. 30 overall &mdash...

UCI’s Adria Imada Named a 2021 Andrew Carnegie Fellow

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The University of California, Irvine’s Adria L. Imada has been named to the 2021 class of Andrew Carnegie Fellows. The professor of history – who also teaches in the medical humanities – joins an exclusive cohort of 26 distinguished scholars from across the nation, selected out of more than 300 nominees. Each winner will receive up to $200,000 to support a research sabbatical focused on his or her studies in the social sciences and humanities – the most generous stipend of its type. “It is an honor to congratulate Professor Imada on being named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow,” said Hal S. Stern, UCI provost and executiv...

Orange County Soccer Club Announces New Family Game Night and 2021 Season

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

After a year of challenges unlike any other, The Orange County Soccer Club is excited to announce its promotional schedule, The NEW Family Game Night, a series of innovative and safe programming options designed to bring fans back into our community safely. The New Family Game Night includes two post-match firework shows, three Beer Fests, a unique set of five specialty nights designed to support family fun, and a weeknight program designed around $1 beers and affordable food offerings. Additionally, the 2021 schedule features theme nights, premium giveaways, and community nights with more events being added prior to the season opene...

Award-Winning Career Edge Program Increases Reach with Virtual Series

Monday, April 26, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s award-winning Career Edge program was adapted as a virtual program in response to Coronavirus safety measures. Digitization of the program made it accessible to more students across a wider geographic area. More than 100 students from 20 colleges, universities, high schools, and academies in Orange County and a larger part of California attended the 2020/2021 three-part series. Career Edge participants attend Irvine Valley College, Northwood High School, and University High School in Irvine; Anaheim High School, Cambridge Virtual Academy, North Orange Continuing Education, Loara High School, and Magnolia High School in Anaheim; Cypress High School, Huntington Beac...

City of Irvine Partners with Providence on COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Orange County Great Park

Monday, April 26, 2021

The City of Irvine, under the leadership of Mayor Farrah N. Khan, is partnering with Providence, a national nonprofit health system, to offer a large-scale drive-thru vaccination clinic at the Orange County Great Park. The Irvine clinic will provide convenient access for Irvine and Orange County residents to protect themselves from COVID-19. “Centrally located in the Orange County and with the appropriate infrastructure to handle a large capacity of people, the Orange County Great Park in Irvine is the ideal location for the drive-through vaccination clinic,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “As more Orange County residents an...

BIA Magazine Features Irvine’s Healthy Outlook

Friday, April 23, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in Building Industry Association Southern California Magazine, April 2021. For more than a year of collectively enduring the pandemic, good health has been a top concern for just about everyone. For Orange County’s health care providers, it has always been and remains the number one priority. As Irvine emerges as a national leader in direct patient care, major hospital expansion projects have been completed, and more are in various stages of development in the city and neighboring areas. It’s not only good for our health, but it’s also good for the economy. Followin...

Greater Irvine Chamber Joins Coalition Opposing Bill on California Renewables Portfolio Standard

Friday, April 23, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber joins the California Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to oppose SB 67, as amended, which would risk substantially increasing rates by revise the California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) to incorporate an every-hour newly defined “clean energy” standard. Alters RPS Goals Before the Agencies Determine Appropriate Scenarios Current law requires that all retail sales of electricity meet renewable energy standards on the following schedule: 44% by 2024, 52% by 2027, and 60% by 2030. Just a few years ago, the legislature enacted SB 100 (DeLeón, 2017), which requires utilities to achieve 100% renewable and/or zero carbon energy by 2045...

Irvine Ranks Second in Top Geographic Information System Programs in North America

Thursday, April 22, 2021

The City of Irvine was ranked #2 by PSD Citywide in the top 25 most mature public sector Geographic Information System (GIS) programs in North America. Irvine is the first U.S. participant to earn a spot in the top three GIS programs in the history of the survey. Irvine ranks second behind Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and ahead of third-ranked District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. PSD Citywide empowers governments of all sizes with infrastructure asset management, budgeting, and GIS solutions through their web-based software. PSD created the Geospatial Maturity Index (GMI) to assist with GIS program development, capacity building, and innovation in publi...

UCI Professor Judith Kroll Named American Academy of Arts & Sciences Fellow

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Judith Kroll, Distinguished Professor of language science at the University of California, Irvine, has been elected a fellow by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. The 241st class of inductees includes more than 250 extraordinary people across America and around the world who help solve the world’s most urgent challenges, create meaning through art, and contribute to the common good from every field, discipline, and profession. Kroll is receiving the honor for her research revealing the unique way bilingual people juggle the presence of two languages in one mind and brain. Supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Nationa...

California Lawmakers Revive Virus Tax Break for Businesses

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

(The Associated Press) California lawmakers on April 19 revived a multibillion-dollar tax break for some businesses after the Biden administration assured them the proposal would not jeopardize the state’s own federal coronavirus aid. The federal government has given California companies about $97 billion in loans during the pandemic, the majority of which business owners won’t have to pay back. Congress already lets business owners deduct expenses associated with those loans from their federal taxes. But California business owners still owe state taxes on that money. California lawmakers wanted to change that, and they were prepared to do it earlier this year. But the...

City of Irvine Partners with Edwards Lifesciences, Providence, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa & Tustin to Open COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

The City of Irvine is partnering with Edwards Lifesciences, the Orange County-based medical technology company, Providence, a national nonprofit health system, and the cities of Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and Tustin to open two mass vaccination clinics at one of Edwards Lifesciences’ campus buildings in Santa Ana and the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, providing convenient access for residents to protect themselves from COVID-19. The Providence clinic at the Edwards Lifesciences site, which was made possible in part by a generous $500,000 donation from the company as well as significant facility and staffing support, was strategically chosen due to it...

Host Your Group Meeting in Irvine

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Irvine is home to 22 hotels ranging from full-service and all-suite properties to boutique and economy with nearly 4,900 sleeping rooms and thousands of square feet of flexible meeting space to accommodate 10 to 1,200 people, with safety measures in place. The Greater Irvine Chamber's Destination Irvine team can assist you with planning just about every detail of your event. From proposal requests to site selection, itinerary planning to activity arrangements, we are dedicated to ensuring your meeting or event in Irvine is a success. Conveniently located in the center of Orange County, Irvine is a premiere Southern California meeting and event destination that is affordable and easil...

Greater Irvine Chamber Welcomes Back Limited Amount of Members for Hybrid In-Person/Virtual Meetings

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber is welcoming back into its office a limited amount of members only at a given time to attend Leads Groups, committee meetings, and other scheduled activities. Meetings are being held in hybrid in-person/virtual format, with seating arrangements to ensure safe distancing. Prior reservations are required for admittance. Upon arrival, members with appointments will be asked to verify their general health status regarding COVID-19, have their temperature checked by touchless scanner, and be required to wear a mask and adhere to distancing and sanitization protocols for the duration of their stay. Capacity is limited. Refer to the Chamber event calendar t...

Igloo Taps Irvine for West Coast Outpost

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Ice chest brand Igloo Products Corp. has relocated to Orange County, selecting Irvine for its new West Coast office. The company said its 10,000-square-foot space on McDurmott, near John Wayne Aiport, will be staffed with most of Igloo’s creative, marketing, e-commerce, and product development staff. The OC team currently numbers 35 workers. The company had previously been located in Costa Mesa, also near the airport. Igloo’s companywide staff totals 1,200 with corporate headquarters in Katy, Texas. The company has recruited from many local and regional companies in the action sports space with some executives hailing from local brands, such as Element...

OC Unemployment Falls to 6.4% in March, Ahead of State's Recovery

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Orange County gained 17,800 jobs with more than half in the leisure and hospitality sector, as the OC unemployment rate fell to 6.4% in March from a revised 6.7% in February, according to the state Employment Development Department. A year ago, the March unemployment rate was 3.3%. Last month’s level compares with California’s unemployment rate of 8.2% and the U.S.’s 6.2%. The most recent numbers for the county, state and U.S. are not seasonally adjusted. Orange County had a total of 1.52 million non-farm employees as of last month. Between March 2020 and March 2021, total non-farm employment i...

City of Hope's Betty Ferrell receives 2021 ONS Lifetime Achievement Award

Monday, April 19, 2021

With nearly half a century of outstanding contributions to the field of oncology nursing, City of Hope's Betty Ferrell, Ph.D., MA, CHPN, FAAN, FPCN, was selected by the ONS Board of Directors to receive the society's 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ferrell is the director of the division of nursing research and education at City of Hope, principal investigator of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) project, and a world-renowned author and lecturer. "I am so honored to receive this award from ONS," Ferrell said. "It has been a great privilege to be a part of oncology nursing for the past 4...

SoCal Added 64.5K Jobs in March, in Growth Mode to Recapture Pre-Pandemic Levels

Monday, April 19, 2021

(Southern California News Group) Southern California bosses added 64,500 jobs in March as pandemic-related business limitations left the region 753,900 workers short of pre-coronavirus employment. State job figures released April 16, found local bosses had 7.14 million employees last month in the four counties covered by the Southern California News Group. This staffing level, derived from a survey of employers, was up 0.91% in a month or 103,600 jobs. The region added an average 46,236 workers monthly since April’s economic bottom. The region’s economy is back in growth mode with additional businesses allowed to reopen as more residents get vaccinated and COVID-19 death...

Higher Ed Integral to Business Needs

Saturday, April 17, 2021

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Lande Ajose, senior policy advisor for higher education to Governor Gavin Newsom, discuss the challenges the state faces in its goal to ensure that higher education remains accessible to all Californians. California has some of the best regional economies in the world and it is thanks to our higher education institutions, which include prestigious universities like the University of Southern California, UCLA, California Institute of Technology, and Stanford, Zaremberg tells podcast listeners. But California’s higher education institutions don’t just include research universities—the state has a community college syste...

OC to Offer Optional Digital Vaccine Record, Not a Mandate

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

(Orange County Register) Orange County health officials still plan to provide digital proof people can use to show they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, but county leaders stress they will not mandate that anyone get a so-called “vaccine passport” and one won’t be required to get services from the county. The OC Board of Supervisors on April 13, faced an angry crowd demanding the county abandon plans to require that people carry proof of vaccination to go about their daily lives – but no such plans exist. Currently, when people get a vaccine shot, they’re given a white card issued by the Centers fo...

Vincit USA Acquires Arizona Digital Development Firm VURIA™

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Ville Houttu, founder and CEO of Vincit USA, introduces Arizona Digital Development Firm VURIA™ to Vincit's portfolio: To our friends and customers: To remain a dynamic partner, we’re always seeking new ways to enhance our services and meet the changing needs of our clients and their customers—which is why we’re excited to announce that Vincit has acquired Vuria™, a website design and mobile app development firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona with more than 20 employees and nearly three hundred active customers. Not only will this acquisition expand our operations and join a growing tech boom in Phoenix, but it will also strengthen our abilit...

Irvine Company Goes Low-Rise With New Innovation Office Park

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) The Irvine Company didn’t stop building during the pandemic. Now the region’s largest commercial real estate landlord has a slate of new buildings that are expected to draw plenty of interest from tenants wanting low-rise product as their workers return to the office. The state’s largest office owner, with more than 560 buildings in its portfolio—a bulk of which are in Orange County—has opened the first phase of its latest ground-up office campus, Innovation Office Park, in the Irvine Spectrum area. The loft-style office project is on 73 acres, roughly the size of Irvine Co.’s Fashion Island shopping center in Newpor...

Linda and Mike Mussallem donate $5 million to Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

A $5 million gift to the University of California, Irvine from Linda and Mike Mussallem will support integrative cardiology training and research in the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and initiate a UC system-wide health coaching program. “We are thrilled to receive this very generous gift,” said Dr. Shaista Malik, associate vice chancellor for integrative health and executive director of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. “Linda and Mike’s commitment to further advance science-based research and provide educational opportunities for the next generation of healthcare providers truly speaks to their long-standing partnership with us in transforming how healthcare is delivered to patients.” Th...

UCI’s Adriana Darielle Mejía Briscoe Named a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Adriana Darielle Mejía Briscoe, an acclaimed biologist known for her work on the evolution of vision in butterflies, has been awarded a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship. The University of California, Irvine professor of ecology & evolutionary biology is among a diverse group of 184 artists, writers, scholars and scientists worldwide to receive the prestigious award this year from a pool of almost 3,000 applicants. Briscoe will use her fellowship to support a project titled “Light, Heat and Butterflies: Adaptations of Insects to a Warming Planet.” She will conduct field research and write a book weaving together the biophysics, genetics, physiology and evolutio...

Irvine Biopharmaceutical Company Partnership Potentially Worth $250 Million

Monday, April 12, 2021

(Orange County Register) Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company in Irvine, has formed a partnership worth potentially $250 million with LianBio, a biotech company in China, to develop and commercialize its proprietary eye drops in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. Tarsus in January 2020 raised $60 million in a funding round for late-stage clinical trials of its therapeutic treatment called TP-03. The eye drops were engineered to treat Demodex blepharitis, an eyelid disease affecting millions of Americans, and Meibomian Gland Disease. As part of the partnership, LianBio will gain exclusive rights to develop and commercialize TP-03 in greater China, while Tarsus wil...

Orange County’s Housing: $820,000 Record Price, Most Sales in 15 Years

Monday, April 12, 2021

(Orange County Register) Orange County’s homebuying binge continued in February with sales up 13% and prices increasing 9.6% over 12 months to a record high. The selling spree came as recovery quickened from the pandemic’s broad economic challenges. Interest rates remained low but are rising. Severely limited housing inventory also hindered house hunters seeking new or larger living spaces. Here’s a look at DQNews/CoreLogic’s report on February’s closed transactions in the county … Sales: 2,725 residences sold, existing and new — up 13% in a year. The last time the county had more sales in February was 2006. Sales in the past 12 months totaled 35,692, u...

SBA Opens Applications for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants

Thursday, April 08, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration officially opened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal on April 8 for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers, and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief, as those eligible entities are some of the first that had to shutter their doors a year ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Concerts, plays, dance performances, movie premieres, museum exhibits – these are the lifeblood of culture and community, and often the anchor for travel, tourism, and neighborhood food and retail stores. We know tha...

Fowler School of Law Names Inaugural Wylie A. Aitken Professor of Law, Race, and Social Justice

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law Professor Janine Young Kim has been selected as the inaugural Wylie A. Aitken Professor of Law, Race, and Social Justice. Nationally recognized Top 100 trial lawyer and Chair Emeritus of Chapman University’s Board of Trustees Wylie A. Aitken established the new professorship to support a faculty member whose teaching, scholarship, and/or service furthers Chapman University’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. “Law and justice are the foundation of this country, which recognizes that social justice gives equal recognition to all without regard to race, country of origin, or economic status,” said Aitken. “This professorship an...

U.S. Job Openings Jump to Two-Year High in February

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

(Reuters) U.S. job openings rose to a two-year high in February while hiring picked up as strengthening domestic demand amid increased COVID-19 vaccinations and additional pandemic aid from the government boost companies’ needs for more workers. The Labor Department’s monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report, was the latest indication that the labor market had turned the corner after shedding jobs in December as the nation buckled under a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections and depleted government relief. “Labor demand should continue to heat up as companies brace for a post-pandemic burst in pent-up demand,” said Lydia Boussour, lead U.S...

UCI’s Brilliant Future Campaign Surpasses $1 Billion in Gifts

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Alumni and friends of the University of California, Irvine have raised more than $1 billion to support scholarships, groundbreaking research, top-notch patient care, and world-class educational facilities, among other initiatives. The $1 billion total pushes UCI across the halfway mark in its $2 billion philanthropic effort, Brilliant Future: The Campaign for UCI, which has also engaged 44,000 alumni so far – more than half the goal of 75,000 by 2024. The Brilliant Future campaign publicly launched in October 2019. It is the most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement effort in UCI’s history. To date, more than 68,000 supporters have given to th...

Business Executives Eager to Return Employees to the Office

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

(CNBC) The days of working from home may be numbered. While some companies, including JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, are dumping office space, others are ramping up their return-to-work plans. Just this week, Google, one of the first major U.S. companies to send employees home last year because of the coronavirus, told staffers it is accelerating plans to get back in the office ahead of the Sept. 1 return deadline. In a memo to Bloomberg employees first reported by Business Insider, Michael Bloomberg said he expects workers to return to the office as soon as they are vaccinated. In a survey of more than 350 CEOs and human resources and financ...

California to Fully Reopen June 15

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

(Patch) Sixteen California counties will move into less restrictive tiers as officials look to lift all COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, gatherings, and recreational activities June 15, though a statewide mask mandate will remain in place. Assuming continued availability of vaccines and no spikes in COVID-19 hospitalizations — particularly among people who have been vaccinated — the state on June 15 will do away with its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the four-tier, color-coded system that has guided economic reopening through a series of restrictions and capacity limits. That system has been in place for 31 weeks, Gov. Gavin Newsom said during ...

Irvine HS Students to Exhibit Ethics Presentations During Greater Irvine Chamber Virtual April 20 Business & Workforce Development Meeting

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

Five teams of Irvine High School students have completed a semester-long Ethics Forum program created by the Greater Irvine Chamber Business and Workforce Development Committee (BWD) in partnership with Irvine Unified School District and Vital Link. The students will showcase their work during the BWD virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 4–5:30 p.m. Parents and the public are invited to attend. Join the Zoom meeting here. Student presentations will cover: Drug Regulation Government Intervention in the Financial Industry Government Subsidy of Dollar Tree/99 Cent Stores Ethics of Electronic Tracing with COVID-19 Racial Bias in Healthcare The Ethics Forum program, led by Dr. Brian Dozer, president of Vital Link, is designed to teach students by introducing, instructing...

California to Allow Indoor Events, Gatherings As Cases Near Record Low

Friday, April 02, 2021

(Patch) In a major about-face from the state's strict and stringent reopening plan, California officials on April 2 announced that the state will allow indoor concerts, theater performances, and gatherings starting April 15. The announcement comes as officials said the state's coronavirus test positivity rate nears a record low, according to the California Department of Public Health. To attend indoor gatherings, Californians will have to get tested for coronavirus or show proof of full vaccination, the state said. Guidance on indoor events and gatherings will also vary by the level of restrictions in each county's tier assignment. It remains to be seen just ho...

OC is Reopening! Schedule a Business Celebration

Friday, April 02, 2021

Orange County is rapidly moving toward reopening businesses and venues as COVID-19 cases continue to fall and more people are vaccinated in the county. And the Greater Irvine Chamber is ready to help you celebrate your milestone. We have implemented mandated safety guidelines to ensure a successful celebration. Is your business celebrating a milestone anniversary or grand opening? Let us know! To learn more and to schedule your business celebration, contact Jessica Welch.

Orange County Soccer Club Announces 2021 Schedule

Thursday, April 01, 2021

Orange County Soccer Club has released its full schedule for the 2021 season. The club will play 32 league matches stretching from May 16 to Oct. 30. The schedule will feature 10 Saturday night and 5 mid-week matches at Championship Soccer Stadium located in the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. View complete Orange County SC Schedule The 2021 Championship regular season will see each of the league’s teams play a 32-game schedule over a 28-week regular season, with the league divided into four divisions and two conferences. Playing in the USL Championship Pacific Division, OCSC will open the season on the road against Tacoma Defiance o...

City of Hope Receives $50M to Support Cancer Care Center to Open in Irvine in 2022

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

(Orange County Register) The size of the gift Lennar Foundation just awarded City of Hope Orange County is eye-popping: $50 million. The gift will support the development of a $1 billion, 190,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer campus in Irvine. Made public March 31, the money represents the biggest gift yet in the three-year-old effort by City of Hope to bring its expertise in fighting cancer to Orange County. It’s also the second-largest donation in City of Hope’s 108-year history. The organization has been known for its hospital and research center in Duarte, but the move into Orange County is part of an expansion that will includ...

Internationally Known Scholar Norma Bouchard Named New Provost of Chapman University

Monday, March 29, 2021

Norma Bouchard, an internationally recognized scholar and innovator with extensive experience leading diverse academic programs, has been selected as the new provost at Chapman University. The announcement by Chapman President Daniele C. Struppa follows a nationwide search to replace Glenn Pfeiffer, who is retiring in July after five highly effective years as provost. Following a sabbatical, Pfeiffer will return to his previous position as a professor of accounting in Argyros School of Business and Economics. Bouchard, Ph.D., will begin July 28, taking on the role of Chapman’s chief academic officer after serving most recently as dean of the College of Arts and Science...

Irvine Community Report Provides Insights from a Challenging Year

Monday, March 29, 2021

Highlights from the Greater Irvine Chamber Community Report covering 2020 have been published in the Orange County Business Journal. The report provides a snapshot of Irvine's demographics and workforce details. It also provides insights into the work of the Chamber and its Destination Irvine and Economic Development divisions to enhance the economic vitality of Greater Irvine. View / Download the full Irvine Community Report Below are excerpts as published in the March 29 Orange County Business Journal: View / Download the full Irvine Community Report

California Job Recovery Picks Up Steam, Accounting For Over One-Third Of All Jobs Added In U.S.

Friday, March 26, 2021

California’s labor market recovery picked up steam in February, with total nonfarm employment in the state expanding by 141,000 positions over the month, according to an analysis released jointly by Beacon Economics and the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. 37% CA Share Of All Jobs Added In U.S. While the late 2020 surge in COVID-19 cases and the associated health-mandated business restrictions took a toll on the state’s labor market in December and January, the February figures represent the highest monthly job gains for the state since June of last year. In contrast to its earlier trend, California helped t...

Eight Women Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2021 Women of Influence

Friday, March 26, 2021

Eight outstanding Orange County women were selected from an impressive group of finalists and honored during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2021 Women of Influence virtual event live-streamed on March 24. GAME CHANGER Janeen Hill, Ph.D. Dean, Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Chapman University EXECUTIVE Patty Juarez National Diverse Segments Director Wells Fargo ADVOCATE Farrah N. Khan Mayor City of Irvine ENTREPRENEUR Nada Nasserdeen CEO & Founder Rise Up For You AUTHENTIC LEADER Danni Remington Smithson Vice President & Regional Manager Bank of Southern California INNOVATOR Amy von Kaenel Founder & CVEO VolunteerCrowd RISING STAR Caitlyn Yang CEO & Founder StartSmart INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AWARD Lynn Jochim Chief Operating Officer FivePoint To read how the honorees have positively impacted their industries and the Orange County community, view the event program booklet. 2021 WOME...

Governor Signs New Paid Sick Leave Mandate Into Law

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

(CalChamber) Governor Gavin Newsom on March 19 signed legislation that mandates the addition of up to 80 hours of employer-paid COVID-19 sick leave retroactive to Jan. 1, 2021. The new law applies to employees who work for a public or private employer with more than 25 employees. Upon signing the legislation into law, Governor Newsom said, “Even as case rates and hospitalizations decline and vaccinations ramp up, we can’t let our guard down and must do all we can to stop this virus from spreading.” The California Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of more than 110 allied groups, strongly opposed the proposal. Th...

City of Irvine Green Ribbon Environmental Committee Accepting Applications for Members-at-Large, Student Vacancies

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

The City of Irvine is accepting applications to fill two member-at-large and two student vacancies on its Green Ribbon Environmental Committee. The Committee advises the City Council and makes recommendations on matters related to energy, recycling and waste management, mobility, open space, and water issues. Applicants may be an Irvine resident, student, or businessperson. At-Large members will serve two-year terms, while students who are currently in middle school or high school will serve one-year terms. Committee meetings are held every other month at 4:30 p.m. Due to COVID-19, meetings will take place virtually until further notice. Selection will be based on: Professional or civi...

Southern California Gas Company Sets Bold Net Zero Emissions Pledge

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), the largest gas utility in the U.S., today announced the company's bold commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045. View/Download the Report This commitment makes SoCalGas the largest gas distribution utility in North America to set a net-zero target including scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, which would eliminate not only its own direct emissions but also those generated by customers' energy delivered by SoCalGas' energy infrastructure. SoCalGas' commitment aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement's recommendations and reflects the company's focus on supporting California with a resilient gas grid through the energy transition t...

City of Irvine and Hoag Continue COVID-19 Vaccine Partnership

Monday, March 22, 2021

Mayor Farrah N. Khan’s unwavering pledge to vaccinate all Irvine residents continued March 22, with another COVID-19 vaccine clinic held through an ongoing partnership with Hoag. Higher-risk Irvine residents aged 60 and over received COVID-19 vaccines at Lakeview Senior Center. “Continuing to expand COVID-19 vaccine parameters to more Irvine residents brings me great satisfaction,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “My COVID-19 Task Force continues to be successful in meeting the needs of my constituents and I’m extremely grateful for these fruitful partnerships. I’m certain that in coming weeks the City will be able to provide even more vaccines to eligible Irvine residents.” O...

Irvine Police Announce New Online Hate Crime Reporting Tool

Saturday, March 20, 2021

(Orange County Register) As public officials and activist groups around the country demand an end to attacks on Asian Americans, Irvine police are rolling out a new online portal people can use to report hate crimes and incidents. It’s part of larger efforts by the Police Department and the city to discourage racism and bias and be more inclusive. Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel announced the reporting tool at a March 19 press conference at the Irvine Civic Center. City leaders including Mayor Farrah Khan, representatives of Asian American organizations, and several residents also spoke about their experiences and their goal of ending racism. Orange Count...

City of Irvine Holds Press Conference in Light of Recent Hate Incidents Toward Asian Pacific Islander Community

Friday, March 19, 2021

The City of Irvine takes great pride in its diverse community and continues to set the standard for taking proactive measures to maintaining a quality of life that includes safety and inclusion for residents, businesses, and visitors. In early 2021, Mayor Farrah N. Khan and City Councilmembers unanimously adopted the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resolution and launched a diversity campaign, We Are Irvine. In light of recent hate crimes and incidents toward the Asian Pacific Islander community throughout the United States and Irvine, the City has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its residents from hate and discrimination with the launch of ...

New Dining Center Near JWA to Include Four Restaurants with Ample Outdoor Patio Space

Friday, March 19, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) The McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant and brewery stood like a fortress for more than 20 years at the corner of Main Street and Gillette Avenue in Irvine. “They built a solid wall with not too (many) windows—so as to lock in clients,” said Michael Robinson, a partner at Robinson Hill Architecture Inc. “It was a protected environment that didn’t really embrace the community. It was its own little box that had no connection to anything.” Since that restaurant closed in 2019, the property’s owner, Emmes Group, picked RHA to design a new concept for the property at 200...

City of Irvine Continues to Prioritize Diversity through City Council Initiatives

Thursday, March 18, 2021

The City of Irvine has always been a leader in celebrating diversity and has continued this proactive approach through recent council initiatives. In early 2021, Mayor Farrah N. Khan and City Councilmembers unanimously adopted the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resolution and launched a diversity campaign, We Are Irvine, confirming their commitment to the City’s values. As part of this effort, the Irvine Police Department has implemented a hate crime reporting portal. In light of the recent increase in hate crimes and incidents throughout the nation, the City’s proactive and thoughtful approach will help with the ongoing effort to inform and educate our community tha...

Cox Enables Customers with Physical Disabilities to Control Contour Video Guide with Eyes

Monday, March 15, 2021

Cox today unveiled a new feature that empowers people with disabilities to control their TV with their eyes. The Accessible Web Remote for Contour gives those who have lost fine motor skills – whether from degenerative conditions or paralysis – the ability to browse the video guide with a glance. Specifically, a free web-based remote control is navigable using various assistive technologies owned by customers, including eye gaze hardware and software, switch controls, and sip-and-puff systems, which the user controls by gently blowing into a tube. Eye-tracking technology gives people living with conditions like paraplegia, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) the same acces...

CA Has 11th Lowest Tax Rate In The Country

Friday, March 12, 2021

(Patch) If you feel as though you have been working harder than you have ever been, but your paychecks are somehow lighter, it's not your imagination or some coronavirus-fueled fever dream. WalletHub released its annual Taxpayer Survey, a snapshot of each state's taxation obligations. The Golden State ranked 11th, just behind Tennesee, in the category of Overall State & Local Tax Rate. WalletHub comes up with the scores by factoring in a variety of tax obligations, none of which were anything California could really shout about: Tax Rates in California (1=Lowest; 25=Average): 11th – Overall Effective State & Local Tax Rate 13th – Income Tax 16th – Real-Estat...

Parker Aerospace and Parker Foundation grant WISEPlace $10,000 contribution

Friday, March 12, 2021

Irvine-based Parker Aerospace, and Parker Foundation recently presented a grant to a local women's shelter, continuing its longstanding commitment to the local community health. The $10,000 check was presented to WISEPlace by Parker Aerospace’s Group Vice President of Program and Contract Management Barry Draskovich. The Parker Foundation is a bronze sponsor partner with the organization. “The critical work of leading nonprofits in Orange County is essential to creating a brighter, healthier, and stronger community. WISEPlace is an example of how one organization can make a difference in the lives of neighbors in need,” said Draskovich. “Our goal is to provide women hope, a saf...

California Economic Recovery Forecast to Outpace the US

Thursday, March 11, 2021

(Los Angeles Times) The U.S. and California economies will experience near-record growth this year thanks to widespread vaccinations for COVID-19 and massive federal relief for struggling workers and businesses, UCLA forecasters predict. “A waning pandemic combined with fiscal relief means a strong year of growth in 2021 — one of the strongest years of growth in the last 60 years — followed by sustained higher growth rates in 2022 and 2023,” according to the quarterly economic outlook released March 10. California, buoyed by high-earning technology and professional sectors that shifted to at-home work during the pandemic, will recover somewhat faster than the U.S., even thoug...

Governor Newsom Delivers State of the State

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Last night, as California passed a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his third State of the State address in a virtual presentation from an empty Dodger Stadium – a striking visual display of the approximate Californians lost to COVID-19. The Governor highlighted the state’s continued progress in battling the pandemic, reflected on those lost, and recognized everyday Californians who have risen to meet the challenges of this unprecedented time – including the health workers now vaccinating some of the most vulnerable Californians at the stadium. The Governor also highlighted the urgent relief the state is providing to the hardest hi...

COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Released

Tuesday, March 09, 2021

(CalChamber) On March 4, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) updated its COVID-19 guidance, addressing several vaccination-related questions. The updated guidance replaces the version last updated on July 24, 2020. The DFEH answers one of employers’ biggest questions — can they require employees to get vaccinated? Yes, says the DFEH, an employer may require employees to receive an FDA-approved vaccination so long as the employer complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), meaning it “does not discriminate against or harass employees or job applicants on the basis of a protected characteristic, provides reasonable accommodations related to disability or sincerely-hel...

Meet the Nominees for Greater Irvine Chamber 2021 Women of Influence Awards

Tuesday, March 09, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2021 Women of Influence virtual event to be live-streamed on Wednesday, March 24 at noon will recognize an outstanding woman in each of eight categories who have positively impacted their industries and the Orange County community. REGISTER FOR WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2021 AWARD CATEGORIES: Entrepreneur is a woman who founded an organization and has excelled in strategy, operations, and finances. Achievement is measured by overall business success rather than business size. Innovator is a woman for innovations she has initiated, developed, or contributed in extraordinary ways to the organization or industry she serves. Executive is a woman who effectively leads al...

Big News in Irvine Retail

Friday, March 05, 2021

By Bryan Starr President & CEO Greater Irvine Chamber (Irvine Standard: March 3, 2021) Spring weather is calling us back outside to enjoy Irvine’s open-air shopping and dining. Irvine Standard asked Greater Irvine Chamber President & CEO Bryan Starr for his insights and forecasts on retail in 2021. What’s new and exciting with retail in Irvine right now? I spoke to the retail experts at Irvine Company about the past year and what to look for in 2021. There’s a lot of news to share. Two new H Marts are coming to Irvine – one in Northpark Plaza, the other at Westpark Plaza. Newfound Market at Spectrum Cente...

City of Irvine and Hoag Partner to Provide COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Friday, March 05, 2021

Through the continued efforts of Mayor Farrah N. Khan’s COVID-19 Task Force, the City of Irvine and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian partnered to provide a small COVID-19 vaccine clinic for Irvine senior citizens. The small vaccine clinic took place March 4 at Lakeview Senior Center. A total of 300 seniors aged 65 and over received the COVID-19 vaccine. With nearly 28,000 seniors aged 65 and over in the City, the City of Irvine is making it a priority to get seniors vaccinated against the coronavirus. “My COVID-19 Task Force will continue to forge relationships and bring vaccines to the City of Irvine,” sai...

Employee Quitting Due to COVID May Still Collect Unemployment

Friday, March 05, 2021

(CalChamber) QUESTION: I have several employees who have quit for COVID-19 related reasons, including lack of child care and fear of being in the workplace. Why are they able to collect unemployment insurance when they were the ones who chose to quit? ANSWER: An employee who quits with good cause is eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) in California. According to the California Code of Regulations, good cause exists when the “motivating factor… is real, substantial, and compelling and would cause a reasonable person genuinely desirous of retaining employment to leave work under the same circumstances.” (22 CCR 1256-3(b)) Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, some commo...

The Future is Electric, with California Leading the Way

Friday, March 05, 2021

By Gavin Newsom California is creating and growing the markets of the future. It happens here first because our ambitious policies to protect the planet and public health have not only cleared the air but also fueled our economic growth — and developed pathways that the federal government can model nationally. Our steadfast commitment to zero-emission vehicles takes into account that transportation is an integral part of our way of life and reduces harm to the air we breathe and the planet we leave for our kids’ future. Last fall, I committed that only zero-emission vehicles would be sold in California by 2035. Today...

UC Irvine Makes Top Ten Public Colleges in the West List

Thursday, March 04, 2021

(Wall Street Journal) The University of California system has the four highest-ranked public schools in the West in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. In all, it has six of the top 10 public schools in the region, with University of California, Irvine ranked seventh. The University of California, Santa Barbara ranked sixth. Among private schools, two of the country’s top 10 colleges of any kind are located in California—Stanford University, ranked No. 4 overall nationwide, and the California Institute of Technology, No. 7 overall. The WSJ/THE ranking is based on 15 factors across four main categories: Forty percent of each school’s overal...

City of Irvine Launches $17.7 Million Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Tuesday, March 02, 2021

To continue to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on Irvine’s residential renters, the City of Irvine, in partnership with Orange County United Way, will be allocating approximately $17.7 million for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The program is funded through a combination of federal and state dollars. The program will provide funding for unpaid rent from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. For eligible households, the program will pay for up to 80% of unpaid rent if the landlord agrees to forgive the remaining 20%. In cases where landlords are unwilling to participate, 25% of the unpaid rent wil...

Award-Winning Career Edge Program Goes Virtual with Record Attendance

Monday, March 01, 2021

As the Greater Irvine Chamber’s award-winning Career Edge program adapted to Coronavirus safety measures, it was delivered virtually, with a record attendance of 62 students from 20 colleges, universities, high schools, and academies in Orange County and a larger part of California. The digitally formatted February 2021 session, Successful Business Etiquette & Workplace Behaviors, received positive feedback. Out of 41 student survey respondents, 76% indicated they registered for the workshop because they wanted to learn more about the work world, and 80% indicated the session was interesting and kept their attention. Survey respondents ranked the skills covered during the workshop in order o...

MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Earns Elite Honor for Maternity Care

Friday, February 26, 2021

MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is one of only two hospitals in Orange County recognized on Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2021 list. This high honor highlights hospitals that provide exceptional care to mothers, newborns, and their families. Newsweek developed this prestigious list in partnership with The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit that monitors the quality and safety of health care. Hospitals that received the top maternity care honor had to fully meet all of Leapfrog’s rigorous targets in several quality and safety measures, including lower rates of early elective deliveries, C-sections, and episiotomies, as well as assuring newborn jaundice screenings are conducted along with techniques to preven...

Orange County Details Pandemic Spending

Friday, February 26, 2021

(Orange County Register) Over about nine months of last year, Orange County spent more than $500 million in coronavirus aid money to address the need for COVID-19 testing, food assistance, grants to struggling small businesses, places for the homeless to quarantine, help to prevent or manage nursing home outbreaks, and preparations for county employees to work remotely. Funding from the federal CARES Act (intended to cover pandemic-related public health and safety measures) had to be spent by the end of 2020. The Board of Supervisors authorized county CEO Frank Kim in March to bypass typical procedures so he could more nimbly deal wit...

UCI Medical Center recognized among the country’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals

Friday, February 26, 2021

UCI Health has again been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s of Best Maternity Care Hospitals for 2021. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns, and their families, as verified by the 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of the publication’s Best Health Care series, developed by The Leapfrog Group. “It is an honor to be recognized for the excellent maternity and newborn care UCI Health provides every day,” said Chad T. Lefteris, CEO, UCI Health. “Our team of committed physicians, nurses, and other specialists stop at nothing to offer each woman in our care the best treatment for her condition...

Bugatti Getting its Own Irvine Showroom for $2 Million Veyron, $3 Million Chiron

Friday, February 19, 2021

(Orange County Register) Bugatti Newport Beach in Irvine is expanding its operation with a 1,500-square-foot showroom and service center that will showcase some of the French automaker’s high-performance and ultra-pricey vehicles. The dealership at 44 Auto Center Drive recently broke ground on the $2 million expansion, which is expected to be completed in late 2021 or early 2022. The showroom will feature a “configuration table” where buyers can order custom options in regard to color, trim, and other details. “There was no Bugatti franchise in Orange County before, but we’ve been awarded the franchise so we’re building a dedicated showroom at this address,” said Pietr...

Irvine, Orange County: Leader in Patient Care

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in the Feb. 15, 2021 issue of the Orange County Business Journal Irvine is a well-established global leader in life sciences, innovation, and medical technology and manufacturing. With companies like Allergan, B. Braun, Biolase Technologies, Edwards Lifesciences, and Kahala Biosciences located in Irvine, and Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Bausch & Lomb, and Beckman Coulter close by, Orange County is a life science innovation hub and has been fairly described as the medical device capital of the world. As reported right here in the pages of the Orange County Business Journal over the past severa...

John Wayne Airport Lands Direct Route to Hawaii, Resumes Flights to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta

Saturday, February 13, 2021

(Orange County Register) After a nine-year hiatus, a direct flight to Hawaii from Orange County is returning to John Wayne Airport. As of Feb. 13, travelers were able to start booking summer flights from John Wayne Airport to Honolulu aboard a daily United Airlines flight. The daily route, according to an announcement by the airline, begins May 6 and is scheduled to depart SNA daily at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in HNL at 11:30 a.m. The return flight leaves Honolulu at 12:50 p.m. Hawaii time and lands at 9:10 p.m. in Orange County. Direct flights from Santa Ana to Hawaii’s islands have had a stop-and-star...

Federal COVID-19 Response Taps UCI Health as a Model for Delivering Monoclonal Antibody Therapy

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Monoclonal antibodies are showing promise for improving outcomes for COVID-19 patients, but when a hospital is already beyond capacity, administering them can be a challenge. As hospitalizations soared across California, clinicians with UCI Health created a system for delivering monoclonal antibodies that is keeping hospital beds available for patients with the greatest need. “The hospital bed is one of the most valuable resources that we have, which has been stretched thin by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Daniel S. Chow, an assistant professor in residence in radiological sciences and co-director for the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Medicine as well as th...

Destination Irvine Looks to Sports Groups to Lead Hotel Recovery

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

During 2020—a tumultuous year for the travel and tourism industry—Destination Irvine (a division of the Greater Irvine Chamber) was faced with a monumental task: to continue bringing groups to Irvine to support the community’s economic vitality. Despite California’s COVID-19 restrictions, which are stricter than any other states’ and include crippling restrictions for groups of any size to gather, and a lack of guidelines as to what hotel-based meetings and sports tournaments will look like in the months ahead, Destination Irvine found opportunities to bring visitors to Irvine. But it’s been an uphill battle. Prior to March 2020, Destination Irvine was on pac...

11 Great Things About Living in Irvine

Monday, February 08, 2021

Irvine residents already what makes it a great city in which to live, play, and work. And there are well beyond 11 reasons. But to help those who are interested in moving to Irvine, Extra Space Storage has put together a list of 11 of the master-planned city's desirable qualities. Recognized as one of the happiest cities in America and one of the best U.S. cities for raising a family, this California city is incredibly safe, offers a rapidly growing job market, and has an abundance of family-friendly activities. Here are 11 things you need to know about living in Irvine! Plant Roots in America’s Safest City Phot...

Greater Irvine Chamber Earns Top Awards from Industry Association

Monday, February 08, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber was honored with top awards by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) for its communications program and branded portfolio. The announcement was made during the 2021 W.A.C.E. Conference presented virtually Feb. 3-5. The Chamber received the top honor of Best Overall Communications Program. This is the Chamber’s fourth time to earn the title. The Chamber also earned three first-place honors: outstanding program for its Celebrate Resiliency campaign, best digital newsletter for Weekly Connection, and outstanding achievement in video for Greater Irvine Chamber: Here to Ensure You Are Part of Irvine’s Success, as well as special merit in the website category. The Western Association of Chamber Executives is the premie...

Destination Irvine Earns Global Hospitality Award: Irvine, USA’s Best Emerging Leisure & Recreation Travel Destination

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

LUXlife has awarded its 5th annual Hospitality Award to Destination Irvine for its work to market Irvine’s well-deserved status as “USA’s Best Emerging Leisure & Recreation Travel Destination.” “To be globally recognized with this award, during a truly challenging year, is quite an honor,” said Wendy Haase, vice president, Destination Irvine. “Irvine being recognized as the best U.S. destination for leisure and recreation will further our marketing efforts that highlight the city’s safe and responsible COVID-19 recovery.” LUXlife Magazine, one of AI Global Media’s most popular standalone publications, recognized that many firms whose work is vital to the industry were not bein...

COVID-19 Dominates California’s Latest Workplace Regulations

Sunday, January 31, 2021

(The Press-Enterprise) In response to the coronavirus pandemic, California lawmakers and regulatory agencies spent much of 2020 passing legislation and issuing regulations to prevent and address the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Many of these laws and regulations went into effect Jan. 1 and will continue impacting California businesses well beyond 2021. New Measures in Workplaces California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health approved sweeping emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 infection prevention in November for all employees not covered by Cal/OSHA’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard. The state’s ATD regulations commonly apply to workers in health care facilities, laboratories, public health as wel...

In Case You Missed It: Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook Presentation and Slides Available Online

Friday, January 29, 2021

Whether you missed the Jan. 28 live-streamed presentation of the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook event, would like to revisit it, or share it with others, the complete presentation, program booklet, and Chris Schwarz’s slide deck can be accessed here: Business Outlook 2021.

Record-Breaking Half-Year for Leads Groups with $25 Million in Closed Business Referrals; David Feldberg Earns Q2 2020 FY Rainmaker Title with $10.3 Million

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The previous (2019-2020) fiscal year was a record-breaking year for Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups. With more than 2,200 leads exchanged, the six leads groups generated $22,247,720 in closed business referrals during the period, surpassing any figure during the history of the program. But despite the limitations of COVID-19 related shutdowns, the groups were even more productive this fiscal year with a combined $25,035,558 in closed business in just the first six months of reporting for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The top-performing members by closed business referrals for the first half of the fiscal year 2020-2021 are: $10,383,500– David Feldberg $4,200,290 – Mel Ray $1,445,923 – Jammi...

Community Heroes Recognized during Greater Irvine Chamber’s Virtual Celebrate Resilience Show

Monday, October 26, 2020

During its Celebrate Resilience awards presentation, the Greater Irvine Chamber recognized companies, organizations, and individuals that have made a positive impact on the greater Irvine community in response to the Coronavirus crisis. Congratulations to the 2020 Celebrate Resilience award recipients: Community Hero Chaplain Jeff Hetschel, Hoag Benefactor Award Google Fiber Community Impact Award OmniPrint International Community Impact Award B. Braun Community Impact Award Irvine Mayor Christina Shea and the Irvine City Council Corporate Responsibility Award FivePoint Corporate Responsibility Award University of California, Irvine Frontline Champion The Stand Frontline Champion Ampronix Innovation Award Second Harvest Food Bank Innovation Award Monica Pal Innovation Award Golden State Foods Nonprofit Hero Families Forward Partnership Hero UCI Beall Applied Innovation Service Award Genee Hansen Hospitality Award Wayne Lanthier, Hyatt House Supporting Celebrate Resilience are Presenting Sponsor: City of Hope Orange County; Sustainabilit...

Irvine is Safest City of its Size for 15th Year

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

For the 15th consecutive year, Irvine is the Safest City of its size for violent crime, according to FBI data for 2019. Information released on Sept. 28 shows Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more. Irvine is also the Safest City of its size for violent crime for the first half of 2020, according to preliminary FBI data released earlier this month. The FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Report measures crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft, and arson. Irvine Mayor Christina Shea congratulated the Irvine Police Departmen...

CDC Says Vaccinated Americans Can Go Without Masks

Friday, May 28, 2021

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