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Borrow Tools, Instruments & More: Irvine Launches New “Library of Things”

Issue # 0539

Author

Joshua Tjia
18 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🔨📚🎻 Borrow Tools, Instruments & More: Irvine Launches New “Library of Things”

📦🥬 Spread Holiday Kindness—Support OC Families with a $5 Food Bag

❄️🎬 Holiday Movie Night: Join Tanaka Farms for The Polar Express Screening Tonight

🍧🍰 Seasonal Sips and Sweet Bites: Limited-Edition Holiday Treats Across Irvine

🥼🔬 Help Inspire Young Scientists—Be an IUSD Science Fair Judge

😷 Stay Well at Work: Simple Ways to Fight Cold and Flu Season

🌅🥾 Experience Orange County’s Golden Hour on a Hicks Haul Sunset Hike, Dec.20

🎷🎨 January Arts in Irvine: New Exhibits, Jazz in the Palm Court & Free Workshops

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🎄🐈‍⬛ Easy Tips to Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree

🏀 Lauryn Madsen Earns Anteater of the Week for Women’s Basketball

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the teacher’s Christmas party fail?

Because none of the students were present!

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

Borrow Tools, Instruments & More: Irvine Launches New “Library of Things”

Irvine Public Library has introduced a new Library of Things, giving residents the chance to borrow items—like musical instruments, tools, electronics, gadgets, games, and more—at no cost with a library card.

  • Perfect for one-time projects or testing a new hobby, most items can be checked out for 21 days with up to five renewals if no one else is waiting, and up to three items can be borrowed at once.

  • The library is also inviting the community to suggest new items for the collection by emailing [email protected], and will notify you if they can add your requested item to their offerings.

Spread Holiday Kindness—Support OC Families with a $5 Food Bag

Through January 1, shoppers at Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions can purchase a $5 bag of nonperishable food that will be donated to local food banks, helping Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County provide reliable, nutritious support to families in our community this holiday season.

Holiday Movie Night: Join Tanaka Farms for The Polar Express Screening Tonight

Happening today at Tanaka Farms—join Holiday Movie Night at Hikari featuring The Polar Express (2004). Admission is included with general entry, and guests can cozy up with blankets and hot cocoa while enjoying showtimes at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Seasonal Sips and Sweet Bites: Limited-Edition Holiday Treats Across Irvine

Taste the holidays around Irvine with special seasonal treats available for a limited time. Here are some of the must-try sips and bites:

Holiday Treats

  • 🍰 Brown Butter Pecan Soufflé Pancakes – Burnt Crumbs | Los Olivos Marketplace

  • ☕ Peppermint Matcha Mocha – Blk Dot Coffee | Irvine Spectrum, The Market Place

  • 🥕 Vanilla Spice Carrot Cake Latte – Bopomofo | Alton Square

  • 🍹 Celia Cruz Mocktail – Habana | Irvine Spectrum Center

  • 🥧 Hello Kitty’s Apple Pocket Pie – Hello Kitty Cafe | Irvine Spectrum Center

  • 🧇 S’mores Bubble Waffle – Happy Lemon | The Market Place

  • 🐟 Pan-Seared Salmon – Little Sister | Irvine Spectrum Center

  • 🍦 Vanilla Pecan Irvine Ripple – Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream | Alton Square, Irvine Spectrum & The Market Place

  • 🍮 White Chocolate Peppermint Bread Pudding – Nordstrom Cafe Bistro | Irvine Spectrum Center

Help Inspire Young Scientists—Be an IUSD Science Fair Judge

IUSD is seeking STEM professionals to volunteer as judges for the upcoming Science Fair. Judges can choose between two sessions:

  • January 21 (in-person interviews for grades 6–8 at Creekside Education Center)

  • January 22 (virtual interviews for grades 9–12 on Zoom)

Both sessions run from 4–8 p.m. Interested volunteers can sign up here.

Stay Well at Work: Simple Ways to Fight Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu season spreads fast in shared workplaces, but simple daily habits can keep teams healthier and reduce sick days. Here are the key tips to prevent illness and keep your workplace running smoothly.

Quick Prevention Tips

  • Hand hygiene: Wash often, use sanitizer stations, and wipe down shared tools.

  • Stay home when sick: Encourage employees to rest at home when they’re not feeling well so they can recover and help prevent illness from spreading.

  • Improve airflow: Open windows when possible, use air purifiers, and maintain HVAC filters.

  • Healthy habits: Encourage hydration, nutritious snacks, and adequate sleep.

  • Clean high-touch areas: Disinfect doorknobs, keyboards, break rooms, and shared devices regularly.

  • Provide hygiene supplies: Keep tissues, sanitizer, and wipes available; remind teams about cough etiquette.

  • Spot symptoms early: Fever, sore throat, cough, and fatigue should prompt staying home.

  • Seek care when needed: Persistent fever, trouble breathing, or worsening symptoms require medical attention.

Experience Orange County’s Golden Hour on a Hicks Haul Sunset Hike, Dec.20

Join the Sunset Fitness Hike on Hicks Haul Road on Dec. 20, 4–6 p.m. for a 6-mile paved hike with beautiful panoramic sunset views over Loma Ridge. This level-3 workout moves at about 3 mph, and you’re welcome to walk, jog, or run at whatever pace feels right.

January Arts in Irvine: New Exhibits, Jazz in the Palm Court & Free Workshops

Irvine is kicking off the new year with a full lineup of arts events, including new exhibits, hands-on activities, and live jazz.

Coming in January:

  • Art at City Hall: “Hope Center for the Arts: Be Seen” opens January 12.

  • Great Park Gallery Exhibits (opening January 25):

    • Daniela Garcia Hamilton: Embroidered Paintings

    • Kristina Rose Baker: The Diver

    • Vonn Summer: This is Krazy

  • Jazz in the Palm Court: Live music on January 25, 1–3 p.m.

  • Free Art Activity: January 25, 1–3 p.m.

    • Orizomegami Workshop: Learn paper-dyeing techniques and create colorful patterns.

Learn more at cityofirvine.org/arts.

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

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. December 18, 7 PM: Holiday Concert, 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

Easy Tips to Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree

Keep your Christmas tree festive and cat-friendly with these simple tips from the Irvine Animal Care Center:

  • Anchor the tree so a surprise climb won’t tip it over.

  • Place breakable ornaments higher up and keep lower branches simple.

  • Cover the trunk and water basin with a tree skirt or box to prevent drinking tree water.

  • Use gentle deterrents like citrus spray, aluminum foil, or double-sided tape around the base.

  • Offer a more appealing alternative such as a scratching post, cat tower, or tissue-filled “gift box.”

Lauryn Madsen Earns Anteater of the Week for Women’s Basketball

UC Irvine women’s basketball guard Lauryn Madsen was named Anteater of the Week after hitting four threes vs. California Baptist and tying her career high with five threes vs. New Mexico State. She has made 4+ threes in six games and leads both UCI and the Big West with 32 made this season.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Basketball

  • Fri, Dec 19 – vs Belmont, 6:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Basketball

  • Tue, Dec 30 - vs LA Valley, 5:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Friday, December 19

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Laguna Hills

  • Soccer, Boys - 5:00 PM vs St. Margarets Episcopal

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

November 14 - December 30 Dream Glow Festival 4:30 - 10 PM

November 28 - December 28 Hikari: Festival of Lights

November 28 - December 30 Santa's Village

December 19 The Rinks: Ugly Sweater Skate 6 - 9 PM

December 21 Tis the Season!

December 21 Tribute to Mikhael Tariverdiev 6 - 7 PM

December 23 Fiesta Navidad 8 PM

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!