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Celebrate 86 Years at Tanaka Farms Open House — Free Fun for the Whole Family

Issue # 0574

Author

Joshua Tjia
23 Feb

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

📢🚠🏞️ City of Irvine to Host Great Park Project Update Meeting on Mar. 2

🚒🏡 OCFA Responds to Overnight Apartment Fire in Irvine, One Patient Hospitalized

🚦Traffic Signal Maintenance Underway in Irvine from Feb. 23–26

🚜🍓🐐 Celebrate 86 Years at Tanaka Farms Open House — Free Fun for the Whole Family

🍈🥬🥕 Vitamin A and Vision: How It Helps Support Healthy Eyes

🦌🦌 Local Wildlife Spotted at Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

🎨🛍️ Handmade Finds, Live Music & Family Fun at Modern Makers Mart Irvine, Mar. 14–15

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🚧🐾 Irvine Animal Care Center Pauses for Facility Improvements, Closed Feb. 25

🎾 UC Irvine Men’s Tennis Rallies Past San Diego State, 4–3

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 Irvine Valley Women’s Basketball Claims OEC Title With 77–53 Win at Fullerton

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Defeats Rancho Christian, Advances to CIF Division 1 Final

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Irvine Police Arrest Three After Storage Facility Burglaries on Red Hill

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Which vegetables can’t you take on a boat?

Leeks.

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

City of Irvine to Host Great Park Project Update Meeting on Mar. 2

The City of Irvine is advancing multiple planned projects at the Great Park, including new open spaces, cultural institutions, memorial areas, and retail amenities.

  • Upcoming developments include the Heart of the Park with lakes and promenades, the Cultural Terrace with several museums, the Northern Sector’s Veterans Memorial Park, and the Bosque greenway.

  • A new retail and dining area, The Canopy, is scheduled to open later this year.

  • The City will host a community meeting on Monday, March 2, from 4–6 p.m. at The Canopy construction site, where attendees can walk the site, review project details, and speak with project representatives.

OCFA Responds to Overnight Apartment Fire in Irvine, One Patient Hospitalized

Firefighters responded to a first-floor apartment fire at a two-story complex in Irvine, where flames were threatening neighboring units above and adjacent to the origin. Crews quickly contained the fire to the affected unit while also providing medical care to one individual. One victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and Irvine Police Department assisted at the scene.

Residents are reminded to ensure smoke alarms are functioning and to practice home escape plans.

Traffic Signal Maintenance Underway in Irvine from Feb. 23–26

Traffic signal maintenance is underway at several Irvine intersections this week. Signals will be turned off or set to red flash mode between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on select dates from February 23–26.

Locations & Dates:

  • Feb 23: Alton Parkway & Irvine Boulevard

  • Feb 24–25: Bake Parkway & Irvine Boulevard

  • Feb 25: Harvard Avenue & San Juan

  • Feb 26: Alton Parkway & West Yale Loop

Celebrate 86 Years at Tanaka Farms Open House — Free Fun for the Whole Family

Tanaka Farms is inviting the community to its Open House 2026 on March 14–15 in Irvine to celebrate 86 years at the farm. The free, family-friendly event includes free admission, tractor rides, giveaways, games, and strawberry festival bites, giving visitors a chance to explore the farm, enjoy snacks, and celebrate together.

Vitamin A and Vision: How It Helps Support Healthy Eyes

Vitamin A plays a key role in healthy vision—especially the ability to see in low light—according to UC Irvine expert Philip D. Kiser, PharmD, PhD. While the body can’t make vitamin A on its own, it can be obtained through diet in two forms: pre-formed vitamin A from animal-based or fortified foods, and beta-carotene from plant-based foods. If someone is deficient, vision problems can occur, but proper intake can help restore normal eyesight. Beyond carrots, good sources of beta-carotene include bell peppers, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and cantaloupe.

Local Wildlife Spotted at Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Just another day in nature. Local wildlife was spotted making its way through the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, offering a fun glimpse of the animals that call these open spaces home.

Handmade Finds, Live Music & Family Fun at Modern Makers Mart Irvine, Mar. 14–15

Mark your calendar for Modern Makers Mart – Cottagecore Spring Faire on March 14–15, happening 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Woodbury Town Center. Stroll the palm-lined main street and shop from local makers, enjoy live music, and let kids get creative at the free craft station. It’s a fun, relaxed way to spend a March weekend while supporting small businesses and discovering unique, handmade finds.

Local makers interested in being vendors can apply to be part of this juried market here.

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 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

Irvine Animal Care Center Pauses for Facility Improvements, Closed Feb. 25

The Irvine Animal Care Center will be closed to the public on Wednesday, February 25, due to ongoing construction aimed at improving animal spaces and expanding meet-and-greet areas. The center will reopen with regular hours on Thursday, February 26.

More details and hours are available at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Men’s Tennis Rallies Past San Diego State, 4–3

UC Irvine men’s tennis edged San Diego State 4–3 on Sunday to complete a 2–0 weekend. The Anteaters improved to 2–4 on the season.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Golf

  • Mon, Feb 23 – vs Bruin Wave Invitational, 8:00 AM

Women’s Basketball

  • Thur, Feb 26 – vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

Baseball

  • Tue, Feb 24 – vs Grand Canyon, 6:00 PM

  • Wed, Feb 25 – vs Grand Canyon, 1:00 PM

Irvine Valley Women’s Basketball Claims OEC Title With 77–53 Win at Fullerton

The Irvine Valley College women’s basketball team clinched the Orange Empire Conference title outright with a dominant 77–53 road win over Fullerton, finishing the season 24–4 overall and 10–2 in conference play under head coach Claire Gocke. IVC secured a top-four seed in the upcoming 3C2A Southern California regional playoffs.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Tennis

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

Baseball

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

  • Sat, Feb 28 – vs LA Mission, 12:00 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  • Wed, Feb 25 – vs Palomar, 6:00 PM

Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Defeats Rancho Christian, Advances to CIF Division 1 Final

Top-seeded Crean Lutheran rallied to defeat Rancho Christian 67–55 on the road, advancing to the CIF Division 1 boys basketball final for the first time since 2021.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

February 2026

Monday, February 23

  • Lacrosse, Girls - 5:30 PM vs Mission Viejo

Tuesday, February 24

  • Track and Field, Boys - TBA vs Pacific Hills Quad #1

  • Track and Field, Girls - TBA vs Pacific Hills Quad #1

  • Baseball- 3:00 PM vs Oxford Academy

  • Tennis, Boys - 3:15 PM vs Crean Lutheran

Irvine Police Arrest Three After Storage Facility Burglaries on Red Hill

Irvine Police arrested three suspects following a series of burglaries at a Red Hill storage facility over the past few weeks. The Directed Enforcement Team and detectives identified the suspects and served a search warrant at an Irvine hotel, arresting two individuals for burglary and a third for an outstanding warrant and drug charges. Some stolen property was recovered and returned to its owners, including a recurve bow.

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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