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Bommer Canyon’s Cattle Camp Preserves Irvine’s Old West History

Issue # 0573

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 Feb

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Fun Fact Friday

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚜🚮 Irvine Approves Housing Near Bowerman Landfill Following Asphalt Plant Closure

🥁🧧 Drums and Dancers: Lunar New Year Lion Dance Comes to University Center, Feb. 22

🚓🔫 Irvine Police Department Issues Safety Warning Regarding “Senior Assassin” Game

🚰🛠️ Learn How to Fix Household Leaks at IRWD’s Free Fix a Leak Workshop, Mar. 7

🚌✏️ IUSD Parent Information Night for Incoming PK & Kindergarten Students, Mar. 5

🧂🥘 Full of Flavor Without Added Salt: Three Spice-Powered Recipes to Try

🐂🐄 Bommer Canyon’s Cattle Camp Preserves Irvine’s Old West History

🎹 Join an Evening of Mozart and Mahler at the Segerstrom Concert Hall, Feb. 26–28

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

♻️🔋 Recycle Used Batteries Safely at OC Hazardous Waste Centers

🏃🏻‍♀️Women’s Indoor Track & Field Standout Aoife Hernon Named Anteater of the Week

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 IVC Women’s Basketball Secures Share of OEC Title With 57–47 Win at Santa Ana

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚽️ University Boys Soccer Defeats Santa Paula 2–0, Advances to CIF Division 4 Semifinals

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🚨 Irvine Police Arrest Three in $9,000 CVS Organized Retail Theft Case

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you know…

Monaco has three national animals: the hedgehog, the rabbit, and the wood mouse.

We hope this fun fact brings a smile to your day! 😁

Irvine Approves Housing Near Bowerman Landfill Following Asphalt Plant Closure

Irvine city officials approved a land sale to fund the purchase and demolition of the former All American Asphalt plant, ending a long-running source of air quality complaints. The agreement allows a new Brookfield Residential neighborhood to be built near the Bowerman Landfill. At the same time, public odor complaints and air quality violations linked to the landfill have increased, prompting questions about potential environmental impacts on future residents. City and county officials say they are working to manage landfill operations and reduce impacts as surrounding development continues and regional waste patterns shift.

Drums and Dancers: Lunar New Year Lion Dance Comes to University Center, Feb. 22

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a lively Lion Dance performance by the Southern Wind Lion Dance group on February 22 from 12:30–2:00 p.m. at University Center. The colorful, high-energy celebration will move through the Courtyard and Fountain area, passing popular dining spots like Cha for Tea, ShareTea, Gelatissimo, and Tenori, bringing festive sights and sounds,to the center.

Irvine Police Department Issues Safety Warning Regarding “Senior Assassin” Game

The Irvine Police Department is warning the community about a game known as “Senior Assassin,” in which high school students use realistic-looking water guns or gel blasters. Because these items can closely resemble real firearms, their use in public places may lead to emergency calls and police responses. Such situations can escalate quickly and create serious safety risks. Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about avoiding realistic-looking toy guns in neighborhoods, parks, parking lots, and near schools.

Learn How to Fix Household Leaks at IRWD’s Free Fix a Leak Workshop, Mar. 7

IRWD invites the community to a free Fix a Leak Workshop on Saturday, March 7, from 9–11:30 a.m., where the Water Efficiency team will share simple, hands-on tips for finding and fixing common indoor and outdoor leaks around your home.

  • The workshop is part of IRWD’s Fix a Leak Month, which also includes a fun sweepstakes running March 1–31.

  • By checking your toilet or other fixtures for leaks and submitting a photo, IRWD customers can earn entries for a chance to win one of eight $100 Home Depot gift cards—plus learn how to save water and lower utility bills along the way.

IUSD Parent Information Night for Incoming PK & Kindergarten Students, Mar. 5

Irvine Unified School District will be hosting a PK & Kindergarten Parent Information Night on March 5 for families with incoming students. Each neighborhood elementary school will share its own meeting details on their website. Families may find it helpful to review resources at iusd.org/pk, with enrollment for the 2026–27 school year opening March 6.

Full of Flavor Without Added Salt: Three Spice-Powered Recipes to Try

Cutting back on salt doesn’t mean giving up flavor. By leaning into herbs and spices you can boost taste while supporting heart health and reducing inflammation. UCI Health experts highlight that spices add depth to meals and come with real health benefits, from better digestion to improved blood sugar control. The following low-sodium recipes created at UC Irvine show how bold spices can make everyday cooking healthier and more exciting.

🥚 Spinach & Tomato Baked Egg

  • Why it works: A meal packed with iron, antioxidants, and complete protein.

  • Flavor boost: Cumin, smoked paprika, marjoram, and chili flakes add warmth and depth without extra salt.

  • Health highlights: Spinach (fiber, iron), tomatoes (lycopene), eggs (essential amino acids).

🥭 Curried Mango Chicken Salad

  • Why it works: A satisfying, protein-rich dish with sweet and savory balance.

  • Flavor boost: Curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and fresh ginger bring anti-inflammatory benefits.

  • Health highlights: Mango (vitamin C), Greek yogurt (protein, probiotics), lean chicken breast.

🍜 Miso Soba Noodle Soup

  • Why it works: A comforting, plant-forward meal that’s filling but light.

  • Flavor boost: Miso, shiitake mushrooms, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil create deep umami flavor.

  • Health highlights: Tofu (heart-healthy protein), soba noodles (high-fiber buckwheat), kale (vitamins A, C, K).

Bommer Canyon’s Cattle Camp Preserves Irvine’s Old West History

Bommer Canyon’s historic Cattle Camp brings the Old West to life at a site where thousands of cattle once roamed The Irvine Ranch. Thought to be named after a “bummer,” or abandoned calf, the area now features authentically restored barn red buildings, scenic canyon trails, and a serene setting with shaded picnic tables, a catering kitchen, and even a bridal suite. Open to the public and reservable for celebrations like birthdays and weddings, Cattle Camp also hosts free community events through Irvine Company, offering residents a unique way to experience Irvine’s nearby wilderness and history.

Join an Evening of Mozart and Mahler at the Segerstrom Concert Hall, Feb. 26–28

Join Pacific Symphony February 26–28, at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for From Mozart to Mahler, led by conductor Eduardo Strausser with pianist Yoav Levanon. The program features Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” taking audiences from elegant, lyrical moments to powerful orchestral highs.

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 Music Calendar

  1. February 26-28: Cinderella Musical, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. February 26-28, TBD: Cinderella, 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. February 21: CSUF SSAA Festival, CSU-Fullerton

  2. February 25-28, 7:00 PM: Seussical, IHS PAC

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

Recycle Used Batteries Safely at OC Hazardous Waste Centers

Got old household batteries lying around? OC Waste & Recycling makes it easy to recycle them safely. Drop them off Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., at Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, or San Juan Capistrano. It’s a simple way to keep harmful materials out of landfills. ♻️

Details at OClandfills.com.

Women’s Indoor Track & Field Standout Aoife Hernon Named Anteater of the Week

UC Irvine graduate student Aoife Hernon was named Anteater of the Week after a record-breaking performance at the Battle Born Classic in Reno, where she ran a personal-best 54.12 in the 400m and helped set a school record in the 4x400 relay. Hernon recorded UCI’s fastest relay split (54.08) as the Anteaters now look ahead to the MPSF Championships on March 1–2 in Reno.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs California, 6:00 PM

Women’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

Women’s Tennis

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Portland, 6:00 PM

IVC Women’s Basketball Secures Share of OEC Title With 57–47 Win at Santa Ana

Irvine Valley College’s women’s basketball team clinched at least a share of the Orange Empire Conference title with a 57–47 road win over Santa Ana, improving to 23–4 overall and 9–2 in conference play. The Lasers were led by Symantha Barnett’s 23 points and a dominant third quarter.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Long Beach, 6:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  • Tue, Feb 24 – vs Riverside, 2:00 PM

Baseball

  • Tue, Feb 24 – vs LA Valley, 1:00 PM

Women’s Beach Volleyball

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Cerritos, 10:00 AM

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Cal State Los Angeles, 12:00 PM

University Boys Soccer Defeats Santa Paula 2–0, Advances to CIF Division 4 Semifinals

University High School’s boys soccer team advanced to the CIF Division 4 semifinals with a 2–0 home win over Santa Paula. Rayan Heyati scored in the 18th minute for his eighth goal of the season, and Pavlos Mikhael added an early second-half goal. Goalkeeper Lucca Clouthier recorded his fifth shutout with several key saves.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

February 2026

Saturday, February 21

  • Baseball - 11:00 AM vs Capistrano Valley

Irvine Police Arrest Three in $9,000 CVS Organized Retail Theft Case

Irvine Police officers arrested three suspects after the department’s Real-Time Crime Center flagged a vehicle linked to multiple CVS cosmetic thefts. Officers stopped the car near a CVS and found about $9,000 worth of stolen cosmetics hidden inside trash bags, taken from stores across Irvine and nearby cities. All three occupants, from Los Angeles, were arrested on charges including organized retail theft, grand theft, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property.

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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