State of the City is March 7

Mayor Farrah N. Khan will deliver the State of the City Address on Tuesday, March 7, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive, Irvine).

This City event will begin with a free public reception at 5 p.m., followed by the 2023 State of the City Address at 6 p.m. where Mayor Khan will reflect on accomplishments from 2022 and share initiatives and highlights for 2023.

This year’s event will also include performances by community organizations including, Gospel Voices Youth Choir and Chinese Dance Company of Southern California.  

This event is free and open to the public.

New Art Exhibitions, Live Music Sunday at Great Park

Two new art exhibitions and a live music performance are coming to Great Park Sunday, February 19. 

Get a glimpse into the recreational lives of the men and women who served at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in "Life on the Base: MCAS El Toro," a historical photography exhibition at the Great Park Gallery. An opening reception will be held Sunday, February 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. 

In support of the exhibition, Swingin’ in the Palm Court, a live swing and jazz music performance, will take place Sunday, February 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. Additional dates for Swingin' in the Palm Court are Sunday, March 12, and Sunday, April 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. 

At Great Park Artist Studios, view “The Great Picture: Making the World's Largest Photograph" Sunday, February 19, through Sunday, May 7. The picture, measuring three stories high by eleven stories wide, was created by a group of six photographers in 2006. To create the image, they converted a hangar at MCAS El Toro into a pinhole camera.

For more information on these events at Great Park, visit yourgreatpark.org/art. 

Support the 2/11 Marines

This month, help support the single Marines, single parents, and geographic bachelors of Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion by donating bedding for their barracks.

The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee is seeking new, unused towels, washcloths, standard pillows, and standard pillowcases. Donations can be dropped off through Tuesday, February 28, at Irvine City Hall or the Great Park Visitors Center during business hours. Monetary donations are also accepted.

For more information, visit Irvine211Marines.org or call 949-724-6606.

Utility Users Tax Rebate for Irvine Businesses

Do you own a business in Irvine? The Irvine City Council has approved a one-time rebate of the Utility Users Tax that was collected from businesses in Fiscal Year 2021-22. Businesses may be eligible to receive a rebate either by check or by electronic funds transfer directly into their bank account.

The Utility Users Tax is a 1.5% tax added to all business electricity, gas, and phone bills. This tax is not added to residents’ bills. This rebate is only for the City tax paid, not the entire bill. Get additional details on the Utility Users Tax Rebate.

Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday

Tuesday, February 21, is Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. This festive holiday is celebrated by many people, especially in Catholic countries and communities, on the day before Ash Wednesday. It is associated with feasting, partying, and indulging in rich foods before the start of the Lenten fast.

February 22 is Ash Wednesday, a Christian holiday that marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection leading up to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, participants attend Mass and have ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross as a symbol of repentance and mortality.

Visit the City's DEI Spotlight to learn more about this and other observances of our diverse community. 

Feb. 23 | 5 p.m. 
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee