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7 Must-Try Coffee Shops Around Irvine and Orange County

Issue # 0632

Author

Joshua Tjia
14 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

☕️🥐 7 Must-Try Coffee Shops Around Irvine and Orange County

⚠️🚔 Irvine Police Encourage Residents to Stay Alert for Permit Payment Scams

🎶🎵 Join Pacific Chorale’s “A Serenade to Music” Season Finale at Segerstrom Hall

🏮🍉🏮 Lantern-Lit Melon Moon Market Coming to Tanaka Farms This Summer

🏥🩺 New UCI Health Rehabilitation Hospital Opening in Irvine This Summer

🌕🚶 Explore Bommer Canyon Under the Full Moon During a Scenic Evening Hike, May 31

☀️🎻 Irvine Art & Music Center Launches Summer 2026 Band, Songwriting & Tutoring Programs

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐶 Help Give Irvine’s Puppies a Safe and Loving Foster Home

🏃🏾‍♀️ Jolie Robinson Named Anteater of the Week After Runner-Up Finish at Big West Heptathlon

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽️ Irvine Valley Soccer Captain Tristan Amezcua Headed to NCAA Division I Central Arkansas

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🦆 Irvine Man Arrested After Alleged Duckling Cruelty Incident at Community Pool

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a cow in an earthquake?

A milkshake.

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

7 Must-Try Coffee Shops Around Irvine and Orange County

Coffee shops across Irvine and Orange County are serving everything from specialty lattes to buttery pastries and creative seasonal drinks, giving coffee lovers plenty of new places to explore. Try some of these spots on your next coffee trip.

Irvine Police Encourage Residents to Stay Alert for Permit Payment Scams

The FBI and the Irvine Police Department are warning residents about phishing scams involving fake planning and zoning permit payments. Scammers use real-looking permit details, fake invoices, and urgent messages to trick people into paying fraudulent fees. Officials say the City will never demand immediate payment without prior notice.

  • Watch for emails from non-government email addresses.

  • Do not pay unexpected permit fees without verifying directly with the agency.

  • Avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing personal information.

  • Gift cards, wire transfers, crypto, and payment apps are common scam red flags.

  • Report suspected scams to the Irvine Police Department at 949-724-7000.

Join Pacific Chorale’s “A Serenade to Music” Season Finale at Segerstrom Hall

Join Pacific Chorale at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on May 23, at 7 p.m. for A Serenade to Music, a season finale led by John Alexander alongside the Pacific Symphony. The evening will feature works by composers including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms, and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Lantern-Lit Melon Moon Market Coming to Tanaka Farms This Summer

Tanaka Farms is launching its first-ever Melon Moon Market, a new Friday night market series happening from July 17 through August 21 in Irvine. Guests can enjoy lantern-lit evenings on the farm from 5 to 9:30 p.m. featuring sweet summer melons, wagon rides, and local vendors. Vendor applications officially open May 15 for makers, bakers, and artisans interested in participating.

New UCI Health Rehabilitation Hospital Opening in Irvine This Summer

UCI Health is opening a new 52-bed rehabilitation hospital in Irvine this summer that will expand critical recovery care for patients recovering from strokes, traumatic injuries, burns, cancer, and spinal cord or brain injuries.

  • The facility will feature private rooms, advanced robotic therapy technology, a specialized cancer rehabilitation unit, therapy gyms, and realistic home-style practice spaces designed to help patients safely transition back to independent living.

  • The hospital hopes to help bridge the gap between acute hospital care and returning home while also advancing rehabilitation research and treatment options in Orange County.

Explore Bommer Canyon Under the Full Moon During a Scenic Evening Hike, May 31

Experience Bommer Canyon Preserve under the light of the full moon during a moderate 3-mile evening hike on Sunday, May 31 from 5:30–8 p.m. Participants will enjoy sunset views, coastal sage scrub, and scenic overlooks of Irvine.

Registration opens May 16 at 8 a.m., and spots tend to fill up fast.

Irvine Art & Music Center Launches Summer 2026 Band, Songwriting & Tutoring Programs

Irvine Art & Music Center is offering Summer 2026 programs from June 8–August 14 designed to keep students creative, engaged, and learning during the summer. Students can join one-week music programs like band, songwriting, and music production, along with math tutoring for elementary through high school students.

Limited spots are available, and families can call or text (949) 559-3069 for enrollment details.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 15, 5:00-8:00 PM: Jazz at the Oaks, NHS

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 29, 7:00 PM: ​Broadway Rocks Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. May 29-30, 7:00 PM: Voices 2026, Irvine High PAC

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. May 14 - 15: PORCHELLA 2026, Portola High Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Help Give Irvine’s Puppies a Safe and Loving Foster Home

The Irvine Animal Care Center is looking for foster volunteers to help care for young puppies, including late-night feedings, cuddles, and all the messy but rewarding moments that come with raising vulnerable pups.

Jolie Robinson Named Anteater of the Week After Runner-Up Finish at Big West Heptathlon

Senior UC Irvine track and field athlete Jolie Robinson was named Anteater of the Week after finishing second in the Big West heptathlon with a personal-record 5,647 points, helping the Anteaters earn their first conference podium sweep since 2015. Her score ranks second in school history and 17th nationally, putting her in position to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, while marking her fourth straight top-two finish at the Big West meet.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Thu, May 14 - Cal State Bakersfield, 6:00 PM

  • Fri, May 15 - Cal State Bakersfield, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, May 16 - Cal State Bakersfield, 1:00 PM

Irvine Valley Soccer Captain Tristan Amezcua Headed to NCAA Division I Central Arkansas

Tristan Amezcua, a two-year standout, team captain, and first team all-Orange Empire Conference player for Irvine Valley College men’s soccer, has committed to NCAA Division I University of Central Arkansas. After helping the Lasers win the 2025 Orange Empire Conference title, Amezcua was also named a finalist for a 3C4A Special Recognition Award for his leadership, hard work, and strong comeback season.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No further upcoming home games for this month.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No further upcoming varsity home games for this month.

Irvine Man Arrested After Alleged Duckling Cruelty Incident at Community Pool

An Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after witnesses reported he entered a community pool near Morena and Segura, collected several ducklings, and allegedly struck some of them with a plastic trash bin before throwing them into a trash can. One duckling died and another suffered severe head injuries and was taken to a veterinary clinic, while the remaining ducklings escaped with the mother duck. Irvine Police identified and arrested 71-year-old Randall Bertsch following an investigation and search warrant, and the case will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Police remind the public that migratory birds are federally protected and encouraged residents to contact Animal Services for wildlife assistance.

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

May 14 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

May 17 PSSS: Recomposed 1 PM

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