Community Link Newsletter: September 5-12, 2024

Celebrate the Full Moon at Mid-Autumn Festival

Save the date for Friday, September 13, at 5 p.m. as the City of Irvine celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Great Park. This celebration takes place under the full moon and is observed by many East and Southeast Asian cultures to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.

Held in collaboration with the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, this year’s festival will feature educational displays, live entertainment, crafts, specialty food trucks, artistic demonstrations, and much more.

Admission is free and open to all ages. For more information about this family-friendly celebration, please visit cityofirvine.org/midautumn.

Take Time for Your Health

Take charge of your well-being at our Healthy Living Expo Friday, September 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lakeview Senior Center.

Enjoy a morning of fitness demos, educational talks, and health screenings, plus explore a diverse range of exhibitors offering resources on wellness, safety, and nutrition. This outdoor event is free to attend with free parking available on-site.

For more information, visit irvineseniors.org/expo.

Discover the Benefits of Going Solar

Considering making the switch to solar? Join us at the Solarize Irvine workshop Tuesday, September 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Las Lomas Community Center to explore the advantages of solar energy.

In this free workshop, you'll have the opportunity to hear from experts on:

• Federal tax credits for solar panels and batteries.
• Group discounts on solar systems, battery storage, and EV chargers.
• How solar can enhance your home’s value and reduce energy bills.

Learn more and register at ocgoessolar.org.

Make a Difference Next Week

You can play a crucial role in easing the blood supply crisis in Orange County by participating in the City of Irvine and UCI Health's blood drive. Join us Wednesday, September 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Irvine Civic Center.

Your donation will directly support critical care at UCI Medical Center. As a thank you, donors will receive a $10 gift card to Target, In-N-Out Burger, Starbucks, or a blood donor T-shirt. Additionally, you'll have the chance to enter an opportunity drawing for four passes to Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena, generously provided by UCI Health.

While appointments are encouraged, they are not mandatory. Schedule yours online at cityofirvine.org/blooddrive.

Cascading Water Features Coming to the Great Park 

Take in the beauty of the cascades and water gardens at the Great Park during a morning stroll or while sitting under the setting sun.

Completion of these and other amenities within the Heart of the Park are expected beginning in 2027, but you can get a glimpse of what's coming much sooner.

Join us at the Heart of the Park Showcase, Tuesday, September 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Get a close-up look at the future amenities and meet some of the people who are bringing the park to life.

The event will take place adjacent to Parking Lot 8 at the Great Park, next to Wild Rivers. To learn more, visit greatparkframework.org.

This Week in DE&I

There are many cultural and religious holidays celebrated and recognized throughout our community this month. Learn about some of the significant dates being observed in Irvine below and on our DE&I calendar.

September 11: Patriot Day
Patriot Day is an annual observance in the U.S. to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It commemorates those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93. Observed each year on September 11, the day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and unity, recognizing the bravery of first responders and citizens.

To learn more, visit our DE&I calendar.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Great Park's New Eatery: The Layover