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Ballet, Italian Food, Taekwondo, and Sushi: Explore Crossroads Shopping Center's Local Gems

Issue # 0720

Author

Joshua Tjia
23 Oct

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🩰🍝🥋🍣 Ballet, Italian Food, Taekwondo, and Sushi: Explore Crossroads Shopping Center's Local Gems

🍼 Join Irvine Rotary in Supporting Military Families with Newborn Essentials

🌺🎶 Enjoy Live Hawaiian Music at OluKai in Irvine Spectrum Every Saturday in October

🍞🥘Try the New Japanese Curry Bun at 85°C Bakery Cafe

🧵🪡 Irvine Offers Hands-On Sewing Workshop for Teens

🥗🥧 Enjoy Your Favorite Comfort Foods with These Healthier Recipes

🪺 Explore the Wonderful World of Hummingbirds on November 7

🎨 Get Creative with Stenciled Tea Towels at Heritage Park Library on October 24

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🍬🐕 No Tricks, Just Treats: Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

⚽️ UC Irvine Men’s Soccer Defeats Cal Poly 1-0 with Last-Minute Goal

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 Irvine Valley Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton in 3-0 Victory

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Woodbridge Girls Flag Football Wins League Title, Advances to CIF Open Division Playoffs

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🏃🏽 Irvine Police Arrest Suspected Copper Wire Thief

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What type of computer does a horse like to eat?

A Macintosh

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

Ballet, Italian Food, Taekwondo, and Sushi: Explore Crossroads Shopping Center's Local Gems

Irvine’s Crossroads shopping center is home to several locally owned businesses offering everything from children’s activities to dining and martial arts.

  • Tutu School: Owned by former Disney performer and UC Irvine graduate Brooke Luminelli, Tutu School offers ballet and creative movement classes for children ages 6 months to 8 years.

  • Sole Toscano: Opened in 2017 by Marco Cimmino, this Italian café serves freshly made piadina sandwiches, pasta, pizza, pastries, and espresso using Italian and locally sourced ingredients.

  • Master Lee’s Talium Taekwondo: Founded in 2016 by Grand Master Seung Hyung Lee, this martial arts studio teaches taekwondo while emphasizing discipline, technique, and character development.

  • Sagami: Established in 2006 by Seitaro Kawai, this Japanese restaurant specializes in sushi made with seasonal fish imported from Japan, along with izakaya dishes and sake.

Join Irvine Rotary in Supporting Military Families with Newborn Essentials

The Rotary Club of Irvine supports growing military families through its Baby Baskets for Marines program, providing newborn essentials such as clothing, blankets, and other necessities. Volunteers select and pack each basket to help ease the transition into parenthood. Community members interested in supporting the program can message Irvine Rotary to learn about current needs and volunteer opportunities.

Enjoy Live Hawaiian Music at OluKai in Irvine Spectrum Every Saturday in October

Enjoy the sounds of Hawaii at OluKai in Irvine Spectrum Center every Saturday in October, from 2–4 p.m. Stop by to listen to live Hawaiian music and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of shopping.

Try the New Japanese Curry Bun at 85°C Bakery Cafe

85°C Bakery Cafe has introduced its new Japanese Curry Bun, featuring golden, crispy bread filled with rich, savory Japanese curry and topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. This sweet and savory treat is now available at all 85°C Bakery Cafe locations, while supplies last.

Irvine Offers Hands-On Sewing Workshop for Teens

Teens are invited to join a fun, two-day sewing workshop at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, beginning November 3, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Participants will learn basic sewing skills, pattern making, and quilting while creating their own pocket organizers for art supplies. The workshop welcomes beginners and those with sewing experience, and encourages creative ways to reuse scrap fabric.

Enjoy Your Favorite Comfort Foods with These Healthier Recipes

UCI Health executive chef Jessica VanRoo shares two healthier versions of classic favorites that use lean proteins, fiber-rich ingredients, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats. Both recipes offer comforting flavors, balanced nutrition, and easy preparation in about an hour using just one pan or baking sheet.

Chicken Pot Pie with Whole Grain Herb Biscuits

  • Chicken thighs provide protein, while cannellini beans create a creamy sauce.

  • Beans, mushrooms, leeks, and garlic provide fiber and nutrients that support digestion and heart health.

  • Whole wheat flour adds fiber and minerals, while Greek yogurt replaces most of the butter for a lighter, protein-rich topping.

  • Spinach, parsley, and lemon juice provide vitamin C and help the body absorb iron.

Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Rosemary Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

  • Ground beef provides iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, while mushrooms reduce saturated fat and calories.

  • Rolled oats replace breadcrumbs, adding fiber that may help lower cholesterol.

  • Tomato paste and balsamic vinegar replace traditional ketchup and brown sugar.

  • Roasted Brussels sprouts, red onions, and rosemary potatoes provide fiber, vitamins, potassium, and antioxidants.

Find the recipes here

Explore the Wonderful World of Hummingbirds on November 7

Join the Sea and Sage Audubon Society on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at San Joaquin Marsh to learn about Orange County’s hummingbirds, their unique behaviors, native plants that attract them, and ways to protect them.

RSVP by emailing Trude Hurd at [email protected] 

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Get Creative with Stenciled Tea Towels at Heritage Park Library on October 24

Get creative at Heritage Park Library’s Stenciled Tea Towels Workshop on Saturday, October 24, from 2–3:30 p.m. Adults can design a personalized tea towel featuring a favorite food-related quote from a book or movie. These handmade creations are perfect for decorating your kitchen or giving as gifts. Walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  • October 29 - IUSD High School Vocal Festival, 7:00 PM

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

No Tricks, Just Treats: Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Halloween costumes, candy, decorations, and frequent visitors can be stressful or dangerous for pets. Here are some simple tips to help keep your furry friends safe and comfortable.

  • Keep Pets Indoors: Avoid taking dogs trick-or-treating in crowded areas. If going outside, use a secure, short leash.

  • Choose Comfortable Costumes: Make sure costumes don't restrict movement, breathing, vision, or hearing. Watch for signs of stress and avoid small, detachable accessories.

  • Create a Quiet Space: Keep pets in a calm room away from doorbells, loud noises, and unfamiliar visitors.

  • Prevent Escapes: Secure doors and gates to prevent frightened pets from running outside.

  • Keep Candy Out of Reach: Chocolate, xylitol-sweetened treats, raisins, and candy wrappers can be dangerous for pets.

  • Watch Decorations: Keep candles, electrical cords, corn cobs, and other potentially hazardous decorations away from curious pets.

UC Irvine Men’s Soccer Defeats Cal Poly 1-0 with Last-Minute Goal

UC Irvine men’s soccer defeated Cal Poly 1-0 after Isaiahs Gutierrez scored the winning goal with just 26 seconds remaining, extending the Anteaters’ unbeaten streak to six matches and recording their fourth consecutive shutout.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Oct 23 - vs UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

  • Sun, Oct 25 - vs Air Force, 12:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Sat, Oct 24 - vs RV UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Sat, Oct 24 - vs UC San Diego, 5:00 PM

Irvine Valley Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton in 3-0 Victory

Irvine Valley College’s women’s volleyball team bounced back with a 3-0 home victory over Fullerton to improve to 10-5 overall and 8-1 in conference play. Cassidy Lister led the Lasers with nine kills and six aces, while Jazlynn Fu added six kills and four blocks.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Soccer

  • Fri, Oct 23 - vs Santa Ana, 3:00 PM

Woodbridge Girls Flag Football Wins League Title, Advances to CIF Open Division Playoffs

Woodbridge High School quarterback Delia Stone led the Warriors to the Pacific Coast League title with a state-leading 7,073 passing yards and 110 touchdowns. Woodbridge opens the CIF Girls Flag Football Open Division playoffs at home against Downey on Saturday, October 24.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated with October Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

October 2026

Saturday, October 24

  • Volleyball, Girls - 1:00 PM vs Paraclete - CIF Playoffs

Irvine Police Arrest Suspected Copper Wire Thief

Irvine Police arrested a suspected copper wire thief after he attempted to flee officers on a bicycle and then on foot before hiding in a storm drain. The suspect, Arturo Mendozapedroza, 27, of Santa Ana, eventually emerged and was taken into custody. He was booked into Orange County Jail on charges of attempted grand theft, felony vandalism, and resisting arrest.

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

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