Orange County’s first Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor World is opening at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 in Irvine.

A ceremony Wednesday is invite-only, with the full store opening Thursday to the public.

The outfitter known for its cavernous shop of all-things outdoorsy has been working around the clock to convert a shuttered Walmart Supercenter into a giant lodge.

Shoppers and motorists along Technology Drive and the 5 freeway in Irvine have likely been watching the progress for nearly two years now. The Walmart closed in 2021. A year later in February 2022, property owner Irvine Co. said it had scored a new tenant for the sprawling space. Bass Pro was expected by early 2023, the landlord said at the time.

In recent months, peaked roofs appeared atop the building at 71 Technology Drive, and just weeks ago, enormous oval signs proclaiming Bass Pro Outdoor World were raised front and back.

The 140,000-square-foot Outdoor World will tout and experience like few others in retail. The typical Outdoor World opens to a soaring clerestory decorated with wildlife dioramas in front of murals of local destinations. Myriad aisles will be packed with apparel, gadgets, tools, shoes, ATVs, boats and trailers for fishing, camping, hiking and hunting enthusiasts.

And if your children get bored among all the stuff, you can park them in front of enormous aquariums stocked with hundreds of fish.

The nearest Outdoor World was a trek for Orange County residents, nearly 45 miles to the north alongside the 15 freeway and adjacent to the Victoria Gardens shopping mall in Rancho Cucamonga.

Representatives with Bass Pro told us last week that more details would be forthcoming about its “Evening for Conservation” and grand opening.

Stay tuned!

Midway City’s Sanitary District has purchased its first all-electric vehicle. The city paid $32,548.63 for 2023 Chevy Bolt, which it will use for various business services including audits on residential trash containers. (Photo courtesy of Midway City Sanitary District)

Midway City buys first EV for sanitation district

Midway City Sanitary District has purchased its first all-electric vehicle.

The city paid $32,548.63 for 2023 Chevy Bolt, which it will use for various business services including audits on residential trash containers.

Officials tell us the car has been wrapped with information for residents, reminding them to sort their trash accordingly (blue for recyclables, green for organics and black for garbage).

The EV is part of a broader mission by the sanitation district to go green.

MCSD’s fleet of collection trucks also run “clean,” using natural gas created from methane gas pulled from green waste. Recently installed solar panels on the district’s parking lot will provide power to the office and yard.

The fleet will gradually switch to EVs, part of a state mandate to clean up emissions across the state.

The Kevin Armstrong Memorial Sports MD Foundation’s 14th annual golf tournament is being held Monday, April 1 at Tustin Ranch Golf Club. (Photo courtesy of Chester Maharaj)

Golf tournament fundraiser is April 1

The Kevin Armstrong Memorial Sports MD Foundation’s 14th annual golf tournament is being held Monday, April 1 at Tustin Ranch Golf Club.

The foundation provides under-resourced students in Santa Ana with athletic gear and opportunities such as running shoes, paying registration fees to marathons, providing bus transportation to events, snacks and T-shirts. It also has sponsored the annual Intermediate School & Track Field Meet for 10 years.

The entry fee includes lunch, dinner and the golf.

For more information, go to armstrongmdfoundation.org.

Address: 12442 Tustin Ranch Road

Student art exhibit tonight

The Anaheim Union High School District is hosting its 23rd annual Color and Light Student Art Exhibition on March 18 at the Center Gallery.

The event showcases exceptional student artists from AUHSD’s 20 schools. Work includes photography, drawing, painting and 3-D design pieces.

Participants can expect to see more than 300 pieces from students in grades seven through 12.

The exhibition opens at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The awards ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m.

Address: Anaheim Downtown Community Center, 250 Center St. Parking also is free.

Appointments

Lake Forest resident Cedric Franklin Rutland has been reappointed to the California Health Workforce Education and Training Council, where he has served since 2022. Rutland has been a pulmonary critical care doctor and chief executive officer at Rutland Medical Group, West Coast Lung since 2019. The council position does not require Senate confirmation; compensation is $25 per diem.

Newport Beach Ali Jahangiri recently was appointed to the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. He is the founder and CEO of Eb5Investors and Uglobal since 2012 and is owner and CEO at Hotels Magazine since 2020. The board position requires Senate confirmation; compensation is $100 per diem.

Fred Jung, a Fullerton resident and its mayor since 2021, recently was appointed to the state Mining and Geology Board. He also served as city councilmember since 2020. This position requires Senate confirmation; compensation is $100 per diem.

Fundraisers

Beyond Blindness raised more than $240,000 at its seventh annual Vision Beyond Sight Gala held Feb. 29 at Mile Square Golf Course in Fountain Valley. The money will go toward supportive services for children with visual impairments and other disabilities.  “Vision Beyond Sight supports our continuous evolution as we deliver life-changing, inclusive programming that paves the way for children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their full potential,” says Angie Rowe, the nonprofit’s president and CEO.

Mail carrier milestones

Three Laguna Niguel mail carriers for the US Postal Service were honored in late February for driving three million miles without an accident in the city limits.

The honorees are Adam Dube, Sherry Garrett and Charles Jensen, all of whom have at least 30 years as mail carriers with USPS.

Each driver got a plaque and automatic membership to the National Safety Council “Million Mile Club.”

Kim honored with lifetime achievement award

Frank Kim, a board member at Orange County’s Credit Union in Santa Ana, recently was honored by the Orange County Business Council with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Kim has been a board member since 2006, bringing his experience in budgeting, strategic planning and managerial finance to the credit union.

“Frank’s dedication and leadership have been instrumental in shaping Orange County’s Credit Union into the community-focused institution it is today,” said Kathy Jumper, the credit union’s CEO. “His legacy of service and commitment to our Members’ financial well-being will continue to inspire us all.”

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity

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