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Brilliant Boats and Festive Fireworks: Newport Beach Lights Up the Holidays

Issue # 0312

Author

Joshua Tjia
18 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏥 City of Hope Expands Irvine Campus with $88.5 Million Land and Building Purchase

🛥️🎄 Brilliant Boats and Festive Fireworks: Newport Beach Lights Up the Holidays

♻️🥗 How to Recycle Food Waste During the Holidays: A Quick Guide

🎶🎵 Weekend Live Music at Irvine Spectrum Center: Upcoming Performances

🩸 Donate Blood Today at Irvine Civic Center: Save Lives This Holiday Season

🌳🚲 Become a Mountain Biking Trail Guide: Orientation Set for February 9, 2025

🌨️❄️ Create Your Own Festive Snow Globe at Irvine Heritage Park Library

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛ Meet Puck: A Talkative and Lovable Cat Ready for Adoption at Irvine Animal Care Center

🏐 UCI Volleyball Stars Honored for Academic and Athletic Excellence

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Portola High Football Makes History with CIF Titles and State Championship Appearance

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🚨 Man Arrested in Orange County for Attempted Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the pony miss singing at the Christmas concert?

It was a little horse.

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

City of Hope Expands Irvine Campus with $88.5 Million Land and Building Purchase

City of Hope has purchased 52 acres of land near its Great Park Neighborhoods campus in Irvine, along with the 2000 FivePoint building housing its administrative offices, for a total of $88.5 million. This acquisition, adjacent to its Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, reflects City of Hope's commitment to serving patients and families, according to President Annette Walker.

Brilliant Boats and Festive Fireworks: Newport Beach Lights Up the Holidays

Experience the magic of the 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, December 18-22, at 6:30 p.m. nightly in Newport Harbor. Featuring decorated boats, opening-night fireworks, and grand marshals, the parade starts and ends at the Tip of Lido Isle. Enjoy free admission, public viewing at Marina Park, and waterfront dining options for a festive holiday outing!

How to Recycle Food Waste During the Holidays: A Quick Guide

The holiday season often brings excess food waste, but you can make a difference by recycling responsibly! Instead of tossing leftovers, place them in your curbside organics bin to keep waste out of landfills.

Accepted Items for Curbside Organics Bins:

  • Food Scraps: Fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, eggshells, coffee grounds.

  • Yard Waste: Grass clippings, leaves, small branches.

  • Compostable Paper: Napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes, food-soiled paper.

  • Check out OC Landfills for a list of accepted items.

Weekend Live Music at Irvine Spectrum Center: Upcoming Performances


The Irvine Spectrum Center invites visitors to enjoy live musical performances near H&M on weekend evenings from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. These performances, featuring talented local musicians, provide a vibrant and entertaining atmosphere perfect for families, friends, or date nights.

Upcoming Performances:

  • December 19: Sebastian Romero

  • December 20: Priya Mani

  • December 21: Chloe Demore & Corey Angeli

  • December 22: The Other Reindeer Carolers & Chelsey Sanchez

  • December 23: Sabrina Rose & JP Aquino

  • December 24: Beau Stevens

Donate Blood Today at Irvine Civic Center: Save Lives This Holiday Season

Spread holiday cheer by donating blood today, December 18, at the Irvine Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are recommended. Your donation can save lives! Learn more about eligibility, safety, and FAQs or schedule your appointment at cityofirvine.org/blooddrive.

Become a Mountain Biking Trail Guide: Orientation Set for February 9, 2025

Love mountain biking and nature? Become a Mountain Biking Trail Guide with the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! Priority registration ends in December for the next orientation on February 9, 2025. Email [email protected] to secure your spot here!

Create Your Own Festive Snow Globe at Irvine Heritage Park Library

Teen/Tween Craft: DIY Snow Globe: Teens and tweens (ages 12-17) are invited to create a festive snow globe for the holidays at this in-person craft event. Join the fun on Thursday, December 19, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Irvine Heritage Park library.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

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 December.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. Wed, December 18, 6:00-10:00 PM: IM Winter Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Meet Puck: A Talkative and Lovable Cat Ready for Adoption at Irvine Animal Care Center

Meet Puck, a charming and talkative cat with a goofy personality that will brighten your day! This social, attention-loving feline adores pets, treats, and reminding you when it's mealtime. Friendly and outgoing, Puck is the perfect companion to bring extra joy into your life.

Visit Puck and other adoptable pets at the Irvine Animal Care Center during adoption hours: Weekdays 12–5 p.m. and Weekends 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and holidays). Learn more at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UCI Volleyball Stars Honored for Academic and Athletic Excellence

Katie Smith and Kendra MacDonald, standout outside hitters, were named to the 2024 CSC Academic All-District® Women's Volleyball team, recognizing their excellence both on the court and in the classroom. To qualify, athletes must maintain a minimum 3.50 GPA and actively contribute to at least 50% of the season’s games. Smith led the Big West in ace average (0.40), ranked 12th in kills per set (2.88), and achieved double-digit kills in 18 matches, including a career-high 20 against Portland. MacDonald averaged 2.41 kills and 1.81 digs per set, finishing the season strong with a career-best 20 kills and a .576 hitting percentage against CSUN. The CSC has celebrated academic and athletic achievements since 1952, honoring over 38,000 athletes across various sports.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No further upcoming home games for December

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Basketball

  1. Fri, Dec 20: vs Cypress, 7:00 PM

  2. Mon, Dec 30: vs Alumni, 6:00 PM

Portola High Football Makes History with CIF Titles and State Championship Appearance

Portola High School Football had a historic season, achieving several groundbreaking milestones for the first time in school history. Here's a quick look at their incredible achievements:

  • 🏆 CIF-SS Division 11 Champions

  • 🏆 CIF Southern California Division 6-AA Champions

  • 🏆 CIF 6-AA State Final Championship Competitors

These accomplishments were made possible by the hard work of the players, the leadership of the coaching staff, and the unwavering support of fans. Congratulations, Portola Football, on an amazing season!

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2024  

Wednesday, December 18

  • 05:00 PM - Wrestling, Boys VR vs University at Irvine High School Practice Gym

  • 05:00 PM - Wrestling, Girls VR vs University at Irvine High School Practice Gym

  • 07:00 PM - Basketball, Boys VR vs Godinez at Irvine High School Game Gym

Friday, December 20

  • 07:00 PM - Basketball, Boys VR vs Laguna Hills at Irvine High School Game Gym

Man Arrested in Orange County for Attempted Trafficking and Firearm Offenses


An Irvine Police detective working with the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) apprehended Lawrence Everett Henderson, 35, of Stockton, following a social media operation. Henderson, who believed he was recruiting a female for trafficking, drove from the Bay Area to Orange County to meet her. Upon arrival, detectives arrested him and discovered a loaded Glock pistol with high-capacity magazines in his vehicle. He was charged with multiple offenses, including pandering, attempted pimping, firearm possession by a felon, resisting arrest, and possessing high-capacity magazines. The OCHTTF continues its dedicated efforts to combat human trafficking and protect victims.

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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