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Borrow More Than Books: Explore Irvine’s Library of Things

Issue # 0469

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🦁 Local Celebrity Returns: Newport the Mountain Lion Seen Thriving in OC

📖📚 Borrow More Than Books: Explore Irvine’s Library of Things

🧋📝 Back-to-School Deal: Sip & Save at Presotea Irvine

🍰 Treat Yourself: Half-Price Cake Slices at 85°C Bakery Café

🚌🚧 Community Meeting on Sept. 4 to Review School Route Safety Improvements

🩹 Cuts & Scrapes: When to Treat at Home, When to Seek Care

🌳🥾 Explore Irvine’s Historic Bommer Canyon on August 21

🖌️🎨 Small Hands, Big Imagination – Join the Artists in Training Preschool Art Program

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐕‍🦺 Protect Your Pet: Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic in Irvine on August 26

🏀 UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Welcomes Hodges and Palmer for 2025-26 Season

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽️ IVC Women’s Soccer Opens Season This Week, Ranked Fifth in OEC Poll

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓 Irvine Detectives Arrest Suspect in $100K Retail Theft Case

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

A man went to a mosquito themed restaurant.

It wasn't very good, though. After a few bites he got up and left.

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

Local Celebrity Returns: Newport the Mountain Lion Seen Thriving in OC

Newport the mountain lion, who once surprised residents in 2022 by roaming through Irvine, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach, is back and thriving in the Santa Ana Mountains.

  • Wildlife cameras show him looking strong and healthy, now ruling his own territory after pushing out another male.

  • Newport has even pulled off the rare feat of crossing the 91 Freeway.

  • While he’s become a local favorite and symbol of resilience, experts remind us that mountain lions still face challenges like inbreeding and shrinking habitats, and stress the importance of wildlife crossings to help protect these amazing cats for the future.

  • More information

Borrow More Than Books: Explore Irvine’s Library of Things

The Irvine Public Library’s Library of Things lets you borrow unique items for free with your library card — perfect for projects, hobbies, or trying something new before you buy.

  • Collection includes musical instruments, tools, gadgets, kits, and electronics.

  • Loan period: 21 days (renewable up to 5 times if no holds).

  • Limit of 3 items per library card.

  • Suggest new items by emailing: [email protected].

  • Available at Heritage Park Library, University Park Library, and (early 2026) Katie Wheeler Library.

Back-to-School Deal: Sip & Save at Presotea Irvine

Presotea Irvine is offering a Back-to-School special with 20% off drinks (except blended) from Aug. 18–22 and Aug. 25–29, weekdays only between 2–5 p.m. Perfect for study sessions, after-class hangouts, or a quick treat.

Treat Yourself: Half-Price Cake Slices at 85°C Bakery Café

From Aug 18–31, 85°C Bakery app members can enjoy 50% OFF select cake slices — half the price, double the treat!

  • Flavors include: Black Forest, Blueberry Cheesecake, Red Velvet, Strawberry Cream, Mango Crème Brûlée, Chocolate Mousse, Tiramisu & more.

  • Just show your QR code in the app to redeem in-store or online.

Community Meeting on Sept. 4 to Review School Route Safety Improvements

The City of Irvine, along with IUSD, TUSD, and local schools, is updating its Suggested Routes to School program to help students travel safely by walking, biking, or rolling.

  • Draft maps and safety improvements for every public school in Irvine will be shared at a community open house on Thursday, September 4, from 6–8 p.m. at Deerfield Community Center.

  • The updates are based on school visits, surveys, and community feedback, and include 45 maps with recommended improvements.

  • Learn more at cityofirvine.org/sharestheway.

Cuts & Scrapes: When to Treat at Home, When to Seek Care

Cuts and scrapes are common, but knowing when to treat them at home and when to see a doctor is important. With a few simple steps, you can prevent infection and help wounds heal faster.

Seek Medical Help If:

  • Wound is deep, gaping, or bleeding won’t stop

  • Caused by an animal/human bite or has debris inside

  • Shows redness, swelling, or worsening pain (infection)

Home Care Tips:

  • Rinse gently with water and mild soap

  • Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding

  • Cover with a sterile bandage to protect the wound

  • Avoid removing large objects stuck in the wound

Stitches/Antibiotics May Be Needed For:

  • Large or deep cuts

  • Puncture wounds or contaminated injuries

  • Wounds on hands, feet, face, or joints

Explore Irvine’s Historic Bommer Canyon on August 21

Join the Thursday Morning Trek at Bommer Canyon Preserve on August 21, from 7:00–10:30 a.m. This 7-mile, level-4 hike (1,430 ft elevation) offers stunning views of the ocean and Irvine, starting and ending at the historic Cattle Camp.

Small Hands, Big Imagination – Join the Artists in Training Preschool Art Program

Let your little artist shine! The Artists in Training program at the Irvine Fine Arts Center gives preschoolers (ages 3.5–5) a fun way to explore art through painting, drawing, and creative projects.

  • Classes run on Mondays, Aug. 25 – Sept. 15, from 10–11:30 a.m. 

  • Spots are limited, so sign up today and let your child’s creativity grow in a welcoming, hands-on environment.

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

Protect Your Pet: Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic in Irvine on August 26

The Irvine Animal Care Center will host a HEART vaccine clinic on August 26 in its parking lot, offering low-cost vaccines, microchips, and wellness services for dogs and cats.

  • The clinic provides an affordable way to keep pets protected, whether it’s their first time or a routine update.

  • Appointments are required at heart4pets.org, with more details available at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Welcomes Hodges and Palmer for 2025-26 Season

UC Irvine men’s basketball has added two newcomers for the 2025-26 season:

  • 6-6 forward Mason Hodges from San Juan Hills High, a three-time Seaview League MVP and the school’s all-time leader in scoring and rebounds

  • 6-3 guard Josh Palmer from St. Bernard High, an All-Del Rey League player with multiple tournament MVPs and a CIF Division I championship on his résumé

The Anteaters are coming off a historic year, finishing 32-7 and reaching the NIT championship game.

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

IVC Women’s Soccer Opens Season This Week, Ranked Fifth in OEC Poll

Irvine Valley College’s women’s soccer team opens its season this Friday with a 3 p.m. non-conference match at Cuyamaca. The Lasers were picked to finish fifth in the Orange Empire Conference preseason poll, behind Cypress, Saddleback, Santiago Canyon, and Orange Coast.

  • Last season, IVC went 10-10-1 overall and just missed the playoffs.

  • Returning under head coach Tom Lancaster are several key players, including Megan Beal, Haley Flores, and Izzy Rodriguez.

  • IVC’s home opener is Aug. 29 against Grossmont, with conference play starting Oct. 3 at home versus Saddleback.

🏐⚽🏀 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

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

Irvine Detectives Arrest Suspect in $100K Retail Theft Case

Detectives in Irvine, working with the OCDA Organized Retail Theft Unit and private security, arrested 40-year-old Ekaterina Zharkova of Lake Forest for stealing high-end clothing and shoes from stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom, and Nordstrom Rack, including four incidents in Irvine.

  • When taken into custody outside her home, investigators found hundreds of stolen items worth over $100,000, with one store needing a U-Haul to reclaim its property.

  • Zharkova was booked for grand theft with bail enhancement, and much of the merchandise was returned to retailers.

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

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