Quick Reads | Oct. 19, 2022
Stay up to date on the latest news in the City of Irvine.
On October 8th we commemorated 21 years of food, art, music, and Irvine's diverse heritage and culture at the Great Park! Thank you to all of the festival sponsors and businesses for all of your support and partnership. We appreciate the community of Irvine for showing up and making this event so wonderful. I love to see our community come together to celebrate the multiculturalism and diversity in our city.
It was great to see so many members of our local badminton community come together, once again, for Open Badminton Gym at Irvine High School. I want to thank the Community Services Department for developing the winter badminton program.
Join the fun every Sunday from October 16 – December 18 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the Irvine High School Practice Gym.
To register and learn more, visit Catalog - City of Irvine and in the filter box, type Badminton.
Views from the basket! The Great Park Balloon is one of the largest tethered helium (not hot air) balloons and the first of its kind in the United States. It is environmentally safe, non-polluting, and virtually silent. It stands 118 feet tall with a volume of 210,000 cubic feet. The Balloon flies 6 - 16 passengers simultaneously based on flight conditions. Flying at an altitude of up to 400 feet, it is always tethered to the ground by a steel cable with a strength of 99,000 pounds, making it a safe and fun experience for everyone. You will enjoy a panoramic view of our city and the Great Park.
This is the 11th year the Great Park has transformed the Balloon into Jack . Jack will stick around through November 2, and is visible from the I-5. Balloon pilots are lifted by a large crane to attach black vinyl tarp pieces to the Balloon, creating a jack-o-lantern face affectionately known as “Jack.”
Hours of operation:
Thursday–Friday Sessions: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. and 7 p.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday Sessions: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and 7 p.m.–10 p.m.
All rides are weather permitting. For more information, visit Great Park Balloon & Carousel.
Calling volunteers who want to help shape the Irvine youth sports community. The City of Irvine is now accepting applications to fill two volunteer member-at-large vacancies on the Irvine Sports Committee. The committee is composed of representatives from Irvine’s youth sports organizations and at large members. The Sports Committee meets once a quarter providing the City Council and the Community Services Commission with input and feedback on policies, programs, facilities, and the needs of the Irvine youth sports community.
Applicants must reside in the City of Irvine and be willing to commit to a two-year term. Applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. October 31.
To learn more and apply, visit Irvine Sports Committee.
Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is approaching, and I encourage everyone to turn in expired or unused prescription drugs. It is one small step in preventing the potential for misuse, abuse or accidental poisoning. On Saturday, October 29 you can drop off your unwanted medication at two designated locations in the City of Irvine from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Irvine Police Department - 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606
Hoag Health Center - 16405 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA 92618
For more information regarding the Drug Enforcement Administration’s national campaign, including other local collection sites, visit National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (usdoj.gov).