• Irvine Insider
  • Posts
  • City of Irvine Expands Free Shuttle Service; iShuttle to Be Retired

City of Irvine Expands Free Shuttle Service; iShuttle to Be Retired

Issue # 0429

Author

Joshua Tjia
16 Jun

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚏🚎 City of Irvine Expands Free Shuttle Service; iShuttle to Be Retired

🚓💥 Wrong-Way DUI Driver Arrested After Crash Near Portola Parkway; No Injuries Reported

🚧 New Sidewalk Construction Begins June 16 in Irvine Business Complex

🍵🍓 Strawberry Matcha Donuts Now Available at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine

🏊‍♂️💦 Irvine Hosts Free Super Swim Lesson and Movie Night June 27

🤕 When to Seek Urgent Care for Bug Bites and Bee Stings

🪻🌱🪻 Meet the California Bluebell: A Springtime Wildflower Favorite

🧖🏼‍♀️🫧 Create Your Own Cleanser at Lush’s Free Skincare Workshop

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐈‍⬛ Low-Cost Pet Vaccine & Microchip Clinics Return to Irvine June 22 & 24

🌟 Zharia Taylor Earns All-America Honors in NCAA High Jump Debut for UCI

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🎾 Four Irvine Valley Tennis Players Named ITA All-Americans After State Title Sweep

🏀🏀 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

What do frogs drink on a hot day?

Croak-a-cola.

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

City of Irvine Expands Free Shuttle Service; iShuttle to Be Retired

Irvine CONNECT, the City’s free shuttle service, is officially expanding after a successful pilot year with over 141,000 riders.

  • Starting next month, the Yale–Barranca route will extend north to Portola Parkway, reaching neighborhoods like Stonegate, Eastwood, and The Groves, plus schools and trails like Northwood High and Jeffrey Open Space Trail.

  • The current iShuttle service will end by June 27, with its buses transitioning to the Irvine CONNECT fleet to serve even more riders.

  • Learn more or track your shuttle at irvineconnect.org.

Wrong-Way DUI Driver Arrested After Crash Near Portola Parkway; No Injuries Reported

On Wednesday, Irvine police responded to a two-car crash near Portola Parkway and the 261 Freeway caused by a wrong-way driver, who was arrested for DUI. Fortunately, no one else was injured. Authorities urge the public to call 911 if they suspect impaired driving to help keep roads safe.

New Sidewalk Construction Begins June 16 in Irvine Business Complex

Construction on new public walkways at 17101 Armstrong Ave. in the Irvine Business Complex begins Monday, June 16, as part of the City’s pedestrian access improvements.

  • Work will occur on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for curb and sidewalk areas, with roadway traffic control between 8 a.m.–4 p.m. on residential streets and 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on arterial streets.

  • The project is expected to finish in July. More information: weekly newsletter.

Strawberry Matcha Donuts Now Available at Hello Kitty Grand Cafe Irvine

Strawberry and matcha come together in a sweet new treat at the Hello Kitty Grand Cafe in Irvine! Their seasonal Strawberry Matcha Donuts are soft, fluffy, and dusted with earthy matcha and fruity flavor. Stop by the cafe at 860 Spectrum Center Drive to try it, along with other adorable desserts and drinks.

Irvine Hosts Free Super Swim Lesson and Movie Night June 27

Kick off summer with the Irvine Super Swim Lesson on Friday, June 27, at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center. Free and open to all ages 3+, the event promotes drowning prevention with a large group swim lesson starting at 6 p.m. (arrive by 5:30 p.m. to sign up).

  • Stay after for free recreation swim, games, and a screening of Moana 2 at dusk.

  • Families can also exchange floaties for a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket (for ages 6 and under, while supplies last) as part of the City’s new Floatie Exchange program.

  • Learn more at cityofirvine.org/superswim or call 949-724-6717.

When to Seek Urgent Care for Bug Bites and Bee Stings

Spending time outside often means dealing with the occasional bee sting or bug bite. While most are harmless, some can lead to allergic reactions or infections. Family Care Centers in Irvine and Costa Mesa offer walk-in treatment every day, with extended hours, experienced staff, and on-site labs to help you feel better fast.

Tips: Clean the bite area, avoid scratching, and use antihistamines for minor reactions.

Seek urgent care if you have:

  • Redness, pain, or swelling that lasts more than 2–3 days

  • Signs of infection (fever, pus, spreading inflammation)

  • Rash after a tick bite or flu-like symptoms after a mosquito bite

Call 911 for:

  • Trouble breathing or swelling in the throat

  • Hives, vomiting, or symptoms of a venomous bite

Meet the California Bluebell: A Springtime Wildflower Favorite

The California bluebell is a vibrant spring wildflower native to coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats. Known for its striking blue-purple, bell-shaped blooms, it not only brightens up local trails but also attracts pollinators like bees, making it a valuable part of the ecosystem.

Create Your Own Cleanser at Lush’s Free Skincare Workshop

Join Lush at the Irvine Spectrum every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM for a fun, hands-on skincare workshop. Discover the science behind your skin’s microbiome, make your own fresh cleanser, and take it home—all for free! No booking needed—just drop in!

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

Low-Cost Pet Vaccine & Microchip Clinics Return to Irvine June 22 & 24

The Irvine Animal Care Center will host low-cost pet vaccine and microchip clinics on Sunday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 24.

  • Offered through mobile clinic partners, services include essential vaccinations like rabies, DHPP, and FVRCP.

  • Reservations are only required for the June 24 clinic and fill up fast—early booking is encouraged.

  • Visit cityofirvine.org/animals for full details and to make a reservation.

Zharia Taylor Earns All-America Honors in NCAA High Jump Debut for UCI

In her first NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship appearance, UCI junior Zharia Taylor tied for 16th in the women’s high jump at Hayward Field, clearing 1.79m before missing at a potential personal best height of 1.84m.

  • Taylor earned second-team All-America honors—the first UCI woman to do so since 1997—and was the first to qualify for nationals since 2009.

  • She joined UCI this season from Cerritos College and had already set a personal best of 1.81m at the NCAA West First Round and helped lead UCI to its first Big West Women’s Track & Field title.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

Four Irvine Valley Tennis Players Named ITA All-Americans After State Title Sweep

Four Irvine Valley College (IVC) men’s tennis players earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-America honors after a dominant season that saw the team sweep the 3C2A state titles in team, singles, and doubles in Ojai.

  • Sophomore Nick Grove was honored for winning the singles title and teaming with Luciano Pardo to win doubles; both were named All-Americans for the second year in a row.

  • Luis Moros, runner-up in singles, and Sufyan Ashraf, a singles semifinalist, were also selected.

  • The ITA awards singles players ranked in the top 10 and doubles teams ranked in the top 5 nationally. Full lists and more details are available at itatennis.com.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

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

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

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!