Ambassador of the Month Archive

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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 – ...

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...

Walk-ins Accepted at OC Great Park Vaccination Clinic

Monday, May 03, 2021

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Ambassador of the Month Archive

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