Community Link Newsletter

 

Community Link Newsletter

November 12, 2021 | Edition 46

Welcome to the Community Link Newsletter

Our weekly newsletter aims to keep residents and businesses connected to us and all that is going on in and throughout the City. You can connect with us and learn more about our community, cultural events and celebrations, and news of interest by reading this newsletter, visiting our website at cityofirvine.org, and following us on our social media channels, listed at the bottom of this email. We look forward to connecting with you. 

 
Oliver Chi

Irvine City Council names Oliver Chi as new City Manager

At the Irvine City Council meeting November 9, Oliver Chi was selected as the new City Manager. His contract begins Friday, December 24.

“I am humbled, excited, and grateful for the opportunity to join a City as dynamic and diverse as Irvine," said Oliver Chi. "It is a truly remarkable community, and I am so looking forward to partnering with the Mayor, City Council, and staff as we work together to guide Irvine’s continued growth during its next 50 years.”

Oliver Chi becomes Irvine’s sixth City Manager. Read more about him here

 
Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Meals for Seniors and Veterans

The City of Irvine is hosting a Thanksgiving meal distribution to serve seniors, veterans, and their families.

The meals will be provided by Orange County Third District Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, and are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. Age Well Senior Services is also partnering to host this food distribution event.

The drive-thru meal distribution will be Monday, November 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Irvine Civic Center. The meals will be individually wrapped, and include turkey, side dishes, and dessert. Visit cityofirvine.org/thanksgivingmeals for more information.

If additional assistance is needed this holiday season, please contact the City’s FOR Families program at 949-724-6650 or the Keen Center for Senior Resources at 949-724-6926.

 
Letters to Santa

Write a Letter to Santa

Santa is going digital this holiday season, and would love to hear from his friends!

Use our magic online mailbox to send your letter by December 13, and get a reply as fast as reindeers fly. Gus, the City's official elf, will make sure all letters get to Santa, and receive email responses. Please allow one week for responses; classrooms, allow two weeks. In-person drop-off and pick-up of hand-written letters will not be available.

Visit cityofirvine.org/letterstosanta to send your letter today.

 
Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month 

Did you know that Native American history exists in your own City?  

 

Portola Springs Community Center, located at 900 Tomato Springs, features a Native American Wing. The area houses cultural and historical artifacts that pay homage to the Native American tribes who once inhabited the Portola Springs area.  

 

Just outside the community center, nearby trails are home to native plants such as the coastal prickly pear, which has been known to be a food and medicine source for Native Americans, as well as a source of needles, containers, and water. 

 

Visit the Portola Springs Community Center to view the artifacts. The center is open Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.; and Sunday: Noon–6 p.m. 

 

Please visit our DEI Spotlight webpage to learn more. 

 
Holiday Toy Drive The Market Place

OCFA Holiday Toy Donation Drive this Saturday

The Irvine Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority are partaking in the Spark of Love Toy Drive Saturday, November 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mathis Brothers at The Market Place. 

Residents and community members are invited to donate toys to help children in need this holiday season. In addition to the drive-thru event, toys can be dropped off at all 77 Orange County fire stations. You can learn more and make monetary donations to the OCFA Foundation by visiting ocfa.org/toydrive

 
Great Park Development

Play a Role in Great Park Development

Play a role in helping to develop Great Park by visiting our Digital Foyer, a virtual space where you can access information about Great Park planning and share your feedback.

 

The Digital Foyer has seven stations offering information about the Great Park project and opportunities to share input and comments about the types of uses and designs you would like to see at the park.

 

We are excited to offer this public engagement tool in eight additional languages: Arabic, Farsi, Japanese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.

 

Help be part of Your Great Park and visit the Digital Foyer at bit.ly/3wsFm0d.

 
50th anniversary

Historic Fact for 50 Years of Incorporation 

Bill Barber

Yesterday, we honored our military heroes during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, which is named in honor of a Korean War hero and Medal of Honor recipient who was also a longtime Irvine resident.

 

Bill Barber served in three wars, but it was his courageous efforts in the Korean War that earned him the nation's highest honor. He was one of the "Chosin Few," the men who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, recognized as one of the toughest campaigns in military history. He is one of 17 men who earned the Medal of Honor for their actions there.

 

The City of Irvine named the park in honor of Col. Barber in 2000.

 

To learn more about Col. Barber and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, visit bit.ly/3qFnNJN.

Credit: U.S. Department of Defense

 

Upcoming Meetings & Events 

November 13 | 9 a.m.

Spark of Love Toy Drive

 

Nov. 15 | 5:30 p.m. 

Finance Commission

 

Nov. 18 | 5:30 p.m.

Planning Commission

Nov. 18 | 7 p.m.

We Are Irvine Lecture

View the City Calendar 

Lets be Friends