Back to School on Two Wheels: E-Bike Safety Tips

Issue # 0468

Author

Joshua Tjia
19 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

📖📚 Community Input Sought as Irvine Plans New Libraries and Upgrades

🚓🚸 Irvine PD Shares Back-to-School Traffic Safety Reminders

🍔👦 Burger Night Just Got Better — Free Meals for Kids at Eureka!

☕️🍫 New Cocoa Cold Brew Arrives at Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine

🚌🍎 Parent-Approved Tips for a Smooth and Easy Back-to-School Season

🍣🥑 Wholesome, Simple, Delicious: Try This Summer Salmon Poke Bowl Recipe

🚲 Back to School on Two Wheels: E-Bike Safety Tips

🫧🍂 Join a Free Pumpkin Spice Self-Care Workshop at Heritage Park Library

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐇 Irvine Animal Care Center Celebrates 20 Adoptions and 5 Reunited Dogs

⚽️ UC Irvine Men’s Soccer Opens 2025 Season Thursday vs. UCLA

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Portola High Gears Up for 2025 Football Season With Key Players Returning

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓 Two Arrested in $500K Irvine Carjacking and Robbery

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What’s a potato’s favorite horror movie?

The Silence of the Yams.

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

Community Input Sought as Irvine Plans New Libraries and Upgrades

On August 3, the City of Irvine launched its new City-run public library system, with more than 1,200 residents in attendance. The initiative aims to address past funding disparities and expand library services across the city.

  • Irvine previously contributed about $17 million annually to Orange County Public Libraries but received about $5 million in local services.

  • The new system plans to grow from 40,000 sq. ft. to 220,000 sq. ft.

  • Proposed projects include a 110,000 sq. ft. main library at the Great Park, a 40,000 sq. ft. library at Bill Barber Park, and upgrades to existing branches.

  • Planned features include expanded collections, study and meeting rooms, art and history exhibits, and community spaces.

  • Community feedback will guide the planning process for programs, services, and locations.

Irvine PD Shares Back-to-School Traffic Safety Reminders

With the new school year underway, families are encouraged to give themselves extra time as traffic near campuses will be heavier than usual. The Irvine Police Department reminds the community to stay patient, enjoy those first-day photo moments, and help keep school zones safe.

  • Plan Ahead: Arriving early makes mornings smoother and less stressful.

  • Expect Delays: Traffic will be busier during the first few weeks.

  • Police Presence: Officers will provide extra visibility around schools.

  • Safe Choices: Drivers are asked to avoid unsafe shortcuts, such as parking in no-parking zones or relying on hazard lights.

Burger Night Just Got Better — Free Meals for Kids at Eureka!

Eureka! at University Center is now part of Kids Eat Free, making family burger nights more affordable. From Sunday through Thursday, kids can enjoy free meals when dining with adults through KidsEatFreeOC.com.

New Cocoa Cold Brew Arrives at Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine

Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine has introduced a new Cocoa Cold Brew, a sweet cold brew topped with cold foam, marshmallows, and chocolate puffs, now available at the Hello Kitty Cafe at the irvine Spectrum.

Parent-Approved Tips for a Smooth and Easy Back-to-School Season

The new school year is here, and with it comes busy mornings, homework time, and packed schedules. A few small habits can make a big difference in keeping kids (and parents!) on track. Try these parent-approved tips:

  • 🥪 Prep lunches and pack backpacks the night before

  • 👕 Let kids choose outfits before bedtime

  • 🧹 Assign simple chores to share the load

  • 📚 Set a regular homework time in a quiet space

  • 🌙 Stick to a consistent bedtime routine

  • 🤝 Choose your battles wisely

  • 🧘 Don’t forget to take a breath

Wholesome, Simple, Delicious: Try This Summer Salmon Poke Bowl Recipe

Fresh, nutritious, and protein-packed — this poke bowl is a light yet satisfying meal. With sushi-grade salmon, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and a sesame-soy marinade, it’s balanced and refreshing for summer nights.

Recipe (2 servings):

  • Rice base (sushi or white)

  • Salmon (cubed) + soy sauce, sesame oil & rice vinegar

  • Avocado, cucumber, seaweed salad

  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Steps: Marinate salmon → slice veggies → assemble over rice → finish with sesame seeds.

🛒 Find all the essentials at Tokyo Central in Irvine and make it at home tonight!

Back to School on Two Wheels: E-Bike Safety Tips

As students head back to school, it’s important to remember a few outdoor safety basics to help make every ride smoother and safer:

  • Know the Classes: Class 1 & 2 e-bikes (20 mph max) are common for students, while Class 3 (28 mph) requires riders to be 16+ and wear a helmet.

  • No Modifications: Don’t alter e-bikes to go faster — it’s unsafe for both riders and others on the road or trail.

  • Ride Smart Outside: Always wear a helmet, follow traffic laws, check brakes and tires, ride with respect for pedestrians and drivers, and use lights or reflective gear when it’s dark.

  • Campus Rules: Irvine schools require safety/registration classes. Unregistered bikes aren’t allowed on campus, and parents must attend for middle school riders.

Join a Free Pumpkin Spice Self-Care Workshop at Heritage Park Library

Join the Create-It-Yourself: Pumpkin Spice Self-Care workshop on Monday, Aug. 25, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at Heritage Park Library. Adults 18+ can make their own pumpkin spice–inspired lip balms and body scrubs. The event is free, no registration is required, and walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.

We will resume with the high school music calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Irvine Animal Care Center Celebrates 20 Adoptions and 5 Reunited Dogs

Between August 11–17, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 20 adoptions:

  • 4 dogs (Azalea, Brioche, Lucky, Rose)

  • 14 cats (Aspen, Butter Pecan, Ethel, Gemma, Hades, Jack, Lambo, Lucy, Luka, Mazda, Nilla, Plum, Stripes, Zinnia)

  • 2 rabbits (Omar, Volcano

  • In addition, 5 lost dogs were successfully reunited with their owners.

  • Learn more about adoption and hours at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Men’s Soccer Opens 2025 Season Thursday vs. UCLA

UC Irvine men’s soccer kicks off the 2025 season on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. against UCLA at Anteater Stadium.

  • The Anteaters bring back top players like Agaton Pourshahidi, who scored seven goals last year including UCI’s first hat trick in 14 years, and Brady Treinen, who led with five assists.

  • Most of last year’s offense returns, along with five all-conference players and several new additions.

  • Goalkeeper is the main position to watch after last season’s injuries.

  • UCI has won 10 straight home openers and will play its first six matches at home.

  • This is the 24th all-time meeting with UCLA, which went 7-6-6 last year.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Soccer

  • Thu, Aug 21 – vs UCLA, 6:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Sat, Aug 23 – vs San Diego State (Exhibition), 12:00 PM

  • Sat, Aug 23 – vs San Diego State (Exhibition), 12:00 PM at Bren Events Center

Women’s Soccer

  • Sun, Aug 24 – vs Washington, 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Aug 22 – vs Moorpark, 1:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Tue, Aug 26 – vs El Camino, 3:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Aug 29 – vs Grossmont, 3:00 PM

Portola High Gears Up for 2025 Football Season With Key Players Returning

Portola High football kicks off its 2025 season Friday, Aug. 22 at home vs. Long Beach Wilson after last year’s historic CIF title.

  • Key returners include RB Timmy Grettenberg, WR Malachi Moore, and LB Maxwell Mapstone, with junior QB Orion Suttle stepping in.

  • With six starters back on offense and seven on defense, plus standout kicker Ishaan Kedia, Coach Peter Abe and his captains look to build on last year’s success and compete for another strong Omicron League run.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With August Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

August 2025

Thursday, August 21

  • Girls Flag Football – 6:30 PM vs. Fountain Valley at Irvine High School Stadium

Friday, August 22

  • Football (11 person) – 7:00 PM vs. Northwood at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, August 26

  • Boys Water Polo – 4:30 PM vs. Capistrano Valley at Woolett Pool

  • Girls Volleyball – 5:15 PM vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Game Gym

Thursday, August 28

  • Girls Tennis – 3:15 PM vs. El Toro at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • Girls Golf – 4:00 PM vs. University at Irvine High School

  • Girls Flag Football – 7:30 PM vs. Dana Hills at Irvine High School Stadium

Friday, August 29

  • Girls Volleyball – 6:30 PM Alumni Scrimmage at Irvine High School Game Gym

Two Arrested in $500K Irvine Carjacking and Robbery

On July 3, Irvine Police investigated a carjacking and robbery on Sky Park Circle where a delivery driver was held at gunpoint and had a truck carrying over $500,000 in merchandise stolen.

  • The truck was later found in Lynwood, with its dash camera capturing parts of the crime.

  • Two suspects, Hector Sebastian Guerra (27) and Jose Juan Miranda (22) of Los Angeles, were arrested and face charges including carjacking, robbery, and conspiracy.

  • Police are seeking public assistance to identify additional suspects—anyone with information is asked to contact [email protected].

S

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

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Irvine and surrounding areas and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Irvine Insider with them! It’s simple!