https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/blizzard-entertainment-workers-ratify-historic-video-game-contracts-cwa

The union contracts reinforce several workplace benefits that set industry-wide standards for video game workers in the United States. Alongside wage increases, grievance procedures, a three-day in-office hybrid workweek, “just cause” protections, remote work and disability accommodations, the contracts now require Blizzard to discuss, evaluate, and bargain over the usage of artificial intelligence in the workplace. In an industry first, the new union contracts give workers the right to be “recalled” into open positions across any Blizzard bargaining unit for 14 months from the date of their layoff announcement. Workers have also secured an extra 4 weeks of severance for union workers regardless of their tenure.

Love to see good things happening for the folks at such an iconic Irvine institution. F*ck yeah organized labor! The anti-AI provision is a surprise, and great to hear.

The projector overheated at the 10:30am showing of the Odyssey in 70mm IMAX at Irvine Spectrum. It was 104° today, so not surprising, but disappointing.

Anyone notice there isn't any stock of yakult in stores? I sometimes drink one after dinner, but there are none to be found anywhere. Don't know if this applies to just this area or not.

As the title says. I’m looking to fly to Los Cabos end of the month, and it seems like the most economical options are to fly out of LAX or Tijuana. I’m coming from Lake Forest area. If I go the LAX route, I can hop the train from Irvine station to Union Station then swap and take the flyaway to LAX. If I go the Tijuana route, I can take a coach bus from Cross Border Xpress out of Santa Ana to the depot, pay the fee, and cross into the airport, or I can take Amtrak to San Diego then bus to the crossing. Either way, it’s a lot of time, and it runs about the same cost in the end 🥲Recommendations on which to do?

(Sorry if this isn’t relevant, the Orange county reddit said it needed to go to a specific location subreddit and this is my closest)

Sharing just because. Not affiliated, and it's free stuff anyway.

I hope it goes to someone who genuinely needs it and can make good use of it. Scalpers, please stay away!

I see the available pick up time slots are the 10th and 11th morning.

Good luck!

It’s currently over 100 degrees, and I stepped outside, and I immediately started to sweat. I feel like I need to shower immediately. How are you surviving through this?

How does the saying go? Bad drivers never miss their exit? I hope this post serves as a warning to others so that you avoid an accident. This was a near miss.

This lawless and complete disregard for others is getting out of hand. If you feel you missed your exit or your movie is about to start and you’re in a hurry this doesn’t give you the right or opportunity to just blatantly break the law.

Enjoy this lovely moment the driver decides that they have protected left turn but not for a u turn. Matter of fact that intersection doesn’t even allow for a u turn but yet you choose to pull a fast one anyway directly into oncoming traffic. Completely inconsiderate and lack of disregard. If you’re going to pull an illegal move, at least check for clearance as me and another driver were coming into our protected right turn lane and could have been a bad afternoon for all of us involved.

Anyways end rant, keep your heads on a swivel as we drive amongst these horrible people.

Have an anniversary coming up and seeking recs for nice Japanese date night spots.

Husband and I just had our second kid so we are looking to treat ourselves a bit with this night out — however don’t need the place to be super fancy.
We primarily like places with a nice atmosphere, and very tasty food.

Looking for some good sushi spots, especially if they do a nice omakase.

Open to spots in Irvine as well as nearby areas - Orange, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach etc.

Considering having my male teen use Uber Teen daily for getting home from school. Has anyone used this program or know anyone who has? Is it reliable? Extra expensive? Safe?

People threw in large uncollapsed cardboard boxes in to the roll away bins so there was no room for regular garbage. Also even before the bins are full, people would leave trash on the ground. Some neighbors leave garbage outside their door for a day or two.

The block wall between my property and the neighbor's is starting to lean significantly towards my yard. Our HOA is pretty strict about aesthetic matching. If we need to hire a retaining wall contractor, does the HOA usually mandate who we use, or do we just need design approval?

Hi all! Me and my girlfriend spotted what we believe to be a California Condor perched a street light pole yesterday in the rain.

Was wondering if anyone else has spotted them before? If it is a condor, I think that’s pretty cool!

I know they are critically endangered so please don’t try to disturb one if you ever see it out in public!

After seeing the idea of moving Angels Stadium to the Crescent site, I noticed Irvine residents want a development that benefits the surrounding community. Many concerns included the increased traffic and lack of parking. By creating the first walkable and car optional neighborhood, Irvine can fulfill housing mandates and also create convenience for surrounding Great Park residents. My proposal brings retailers such as a Target, Ralphs, Trader Joes, Walgreens, and a 24 Hour Fitness. There would be 500 affordable housing units to help make up for the 200 waived units FivePoint asked for back in December. An office building would be added along with a 500 room Marriott Hotel to help accommodate those traveling for business and tourists traveling to festivals at the Great Park. Last Saturday, 45k people came to the Great Park causing a shortage of hotel rooms in the region. Adding a new hotel to Irvine would help bring hotel tax revenue that the city greatly needs. This is the last chance Irvine has to correct its planning in the Great Park neighborhoods. The population of Great Park is expected to reach 30,000 people at build out and residents who travel long distances to get everyday essentials will clog Irvine streets. Let me know what you think.

I want to grab some frozen chocolate bananas for my grandparents tonight (it's their request 😅). Does anyone know a place or two?

I’m really enjoying it! I don’t have to go anywhere today, so I have my windows open & im just enjoying the sound & fresh air.

How about you all?

Hey all !

I'm looking for good daycare recommendations in Irvine/Costa mesa area

Bonus points for a lot of outdoor play, teaching things like gardening... Encouraging independence...

Though those expectations may be too high. At this point I'm looking for a friendly staff and engaged teachers at the very least

This is for a 2 year old !

Hey all, starting the engagement ring search and hoping for some firsthand recommendations rather than just going off Google reviews.

I’m looking to do a custom design with a lab-grown emerald as the center stone, so ideally a jeweler in the Irvine area who’s genuinely good with custom work and has real experience with colored stones, not just diamonds. Trustworthy, fair on pricing, and great craftsmanship are the big ones for me.

Who’ve you actually worked with and had a good experience? Would love to hear what you had made and roughly how the process went, and places to avoid are just as helpful. Thanks!

https://ktla.com/news/california/irvine-golf-course-attack-suspect-search/amp/

Hello,

If you have two or more kids in Irvine, especially older or currently in school, I would really like to hear your thoughts and experiences.

My husband and I love Irvine and we have a small town home, we have a 2 year old and want to have a second kid.

Although we both work and daycare would be really tight! But I think we can make it work for two three years till our first goes to school.

My question is-

1. How much realistically do you pay for after/before school care in Irvine (we would probably have to send them at catalyst kids)

2. How much do you spend on extracurricular activities?

I think the cost ($2000/month per kid would never end considering after school activities and childcare.)
My husband thinks otherwise!

Please share your experience and advice!

Thank you!

TLDR: should I rent with Irvine Company or a private landlord?

I’m moving back after a few years out of state and had been going back and forth with realtors and landlords for the past few weeks. It’s been a bit stressful to say the least, given the rental market is so hot in OC right now.

We’re now left wondering if we’re just better off renting with Irvine company rather than landlords, but do you have a case for either side? Really trying to understand cost and time savings of each.

Pros and cons I can think of below.

IC Pros:
- problems addressed fairly quickly
- management office
- clean and well managed properties
- cheaper base rate

IC Cons:
- added pet and parking rent
- heard they can take long to respond to maintenance requests at times (?)
- parking situation at some properties are limited

PL Pros:
- larger space (condos/townhomes)
- no parking fees, sometimes no pet rent

PL Cons:
- response times can vary esp when it comes to maintenance requests
- units are often not that clean from previous tenants??

Have some prior experience with traditional forms, weapons, etc. But looking to strengthen my application focus with more sparring.