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Don't Miss Irvine Fine Arts Center’s 'Reencuentros: Seeing You Again' Photography Exhibition

Issue # 0127

Author

Joshua Tjia
25 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

📚📖 Changes Coming to Barnes & Noble at Irvine Spectrum Center: From Cozy Book Rooms to Tailored Collections

🧑‍💻👾 UC Irvine Launches ZotGPT Chat, Pioneering Custom AI Tool for Campus Community

🪻⛪️🪻Celebrate Easter Sunday at Free Chapel OC on March 31

🚗🔧 Exchange Your Used Oil Filter for a New One at Irvine's Earth Day Celebration

🌱🧑‍🌾 Orange County Residents Invited to Free Compost Day on May 4

⚽️🏀 Join Youth Basketball or Soccer Lessons at Great Park

😮‍💨 Breathe Easier with Our Expert Bronchitis Care - Open 7 Days a Week in Orange County

🌵Innovative Gardening Techniques Propel Irvine Cactus Nursery Beyond Expectations

🎥 Don't Miss Irvine Fine Arts Center’s 'Reencuentros: Seeing You Again' Photography Exhibition

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🪮 Top Spring Pet Care Tips: From Grooming to Allergy Prevention

🏆 UC Irvine's Deandra Tyler Dominates at Aztec Invitational, Sets Sixth-Best Record in School History

⚾️ UCI Baseball Seals 12th-Inning Victory Over Cal State Bakersfield, Sweeps Weekend Series

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐☀️ Irvine Valley Women's Beach Volleyball Team Dominates Conference with Two More Wins

🏐⚡️Irvine Valley Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton in Thrilling Match

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Northwood Baseball Dominates Irvine with a Shutout Victory

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

👮💳 Irvine Theft Alert: Police Seek Two in Connection with $3,400 Debit Card Fraud

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call iron flying in the wind?

Fe-breeze!

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

Changes Coming to Barnes & Noble at Irvine Spectrum Center: From Cozy Book Rooms to Tailored Collections

Barnes & Noble in Irvine Spectrum Center is set for a major makeover next month, aiming to reinvigorate book buying. The 30,000-square-foot store will see a comprehensive renovation, including an updated café. This initiative is part of a broader company strategy initiated in 2019 under CEO James Daunt, allowing stores more autonomy to cater to local tastes. The Irvine store, a high performer since its 1995 opening and 2002 expansion, will tailor its offerings to the community's needs, featuring an extensive children's section, tech-related books, and teen interests. Changes include more intuitive book displays and the introduction of "book rooms" for a more immersive browsing experience. Additional seating and organized book clubs and events are also planned, with renovations expected to complete in April and further updates in the fall.

UC Irvine Launches ZotGPT Chat, Pioneering Custom AI Tool for Campus Community

UC Irvine has launched ZotGPT Chat, a custom AI tool for its community, aiming to provide a secure, AI-enhanced environment for faculty, staff, and soon students. Developed to foster innovation and ensure data privacy, ZotGPT Chat features mobile and voice chat capabilities, with safeguards against external data misuse. It's in open-beta, with plans to introduce internet responses, image generation, and custom chatbots. The initiative also includes a campuswide effort to improve AI literacy.

Celebrate Easter Sunday at Free Chapel OC on March 31

Join the Easter Sunday services at Free Chapel OC on March 31 at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, or 12:30 PM for powerful worship and an uplifting message. Childcare is provided for infants to fifth graders. Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ for a day of hope and inspiration.

Exchange Your Used Oil Filter for a New One at Irvine's Earth Day Celebration

Irvine celebrates Earth Day 2024 with events throughout April. Exchange your used oil filter for a new one (one per person, drain for 24h) on April 27, 8 AM at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Contact the Environmental Programs team at 949-724-7669 or [email protected] for questions. Details at cityofirvine.org/earthday.

Orange County Residents Invited to Free Compost Day on May 4

OC Waste & Recycling is hosting a Community Compost Giveaway on May 4, from 7:30 a.m. to noon, open to all. Supplies are limited.

  • Free compost will be available; Bee Canyon and Capistrano require you to bring containers and a shovel, while Valencia will provide pre-filled bags (limit of four per household).

  • The compost, made from recycled green waste, is STA-certified for quality.

  • Locations: Bee Canyon in Irvine, Valencia in Brea, and Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.

Join Youth Basketball or Soccer Lessons at Great Park

Sign up for Youth Basketball or Soccer Lessons at the Great Park this spring! Improve skills with expert coaching, enjoy team spirit and outdoor fun. Hurry as spots are limited. Register at yourirvine.org. 

#GreatPark #YouthSports #SpringFun

Breathe Easier with Our Expert Bronchitis Care - Open 7 Days a Week in Orange County

Family Care Centers offer treatment for acute bronchitis, a condition causing swollen airways and excessive mucus in the lungs, at walk-in clinics in Irvine, Fountain Valley, and Costa Mesa. Open 7 days a week with facilities for immediate diagnosis, the centers provide experienced care, online check-in, and free parking.

Symptoms: Acute bronchitis, often resembling a chest cold, includes coughing (possibly with phlegm), chest soreness, body aches, chest tightness, fever, and sore throat, lasting up to 2 weeks.

Innovative Gardening Techniques Propel Irvine Cactus Nursery Beyond Expectations

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy's cactus nursery in Silverado Canyon has seen remarkable growth in its cacti, surpassing expectations due to innovative cultivation methods. This accelerated growth means the cacti will be ready for restoration projects earlier than planned, aiding in the restoration of cactus scrub habitats on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Don't Miss Irvine Fine Arts Center’s 'Reencuentros: Seeing You Again' Photography Exhibition

Explore Irvine's art culture at the Irvine Fine Arts Center with the "Reencuentros: Seeing You Again" exhibition, showcasing the work of eight photographers exploring family and home. Details at irvinefinearts.org. Featured works include Iris Huerta's "Concedeme la serenidad," Julie Leopo's "El Salvador Park," and Alkaid Ramirez's "I love you but I live here too."

#Reencuentros #PhotographyExhibition #IrvineFineArts

See video

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 11, 2024: Instrumental Music Awards

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. May 2 & 3: Broadway Rocks! at 7:00 PM.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2023-24-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for March.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. April 16th, 7 PM: IUSD Honors Concert

  2. May 31st, 7 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for March.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Choral Calendar

  1. April 1st - 5th, 2024: TBD.

  2. Tues, April 16, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert (Selected Members) at OCPAC.

  3. Wed, April 17, 6:30 PM: 8th Grade Parent Night at IHS Gym.

  4. TBD: Aliso Women’s Festival (Canta Bella) - Location TBD.

  5. Wed, April 17, All day: Forum Festival (Concert Chorale, Chorale & Viva Cantar) at Knott’s Berry Farm.

  6. Wed, April 26, 6:00 PM: SPUR Awards (Chordinated Chaos) at IHS Theater.

  7. Tues & Wed, May 28 & 29, 3:30-6:30 PM: Dress rehearsal “Voices” (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  8. Thurs.- Sat, May 30-June 1, 7:00 PM: Voices 2024 (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  9. Wed, June 5, 7:00 PM: Heritage Awards (Chorale) at IHS Gym.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html

Top Spring Pet Care Tips: From Grooming to Allergy Prevention

- Regular Grooming: Brush pets to remove loose fur and prevent skin irritation.

- Parasite Prevention: Consult with your vet for year-round protection against parasites like fleas and ticks.

- Allergy Awareness: Look out for allergy symptoms in pets, such as itchy skin and sneezing, and see a vet if needed.

- Outdoor Activities: Enjoy the season with your pet through hikes, fetch, or agility courses. For cats, consider bird feeders or new toys.

- Adopt a Pet: Consider adopting from the Irvine Animal Care Center this spring. Visit irvineanimals.org/adopt for more information.

Stay proactive in your pet care this spring for a happy, healthy pet.

See video

UC Irvine's Deandra Tyler Dominates at Aztec Invitational, Sets Sixth-Best Record in School History

At the 45th Annual Aztec Invitational in San Diego, Senior Deandra Tyler from UC Irvine won the shot put with a 14.84m throw, marking her fourth win this season and recording the sixth-best all-time mark at UCI. This victory contributed significantly to UC Irvine's 10th place finish, with Tyler scoring 13 of the team's 30 points. Sophomore Nyla Baker also performed well, securing third in both the shot put and discus. DeAna Davis achieved the eighth-best UCI record in the hammer throw, finishing fourth. Freshman Alana Sugue tied for 17th in the pole vault. UC Irvine is set to host the Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic soon.

UCI Baseball Seals 12th-Inning Victory Over Cal State Bakersfield, Sweeps Weekend Series

UC Irvine baseball secured a 12th-inning walkoff win, 3-2, against Cal State Bakersfield, completing a weekend sweep at Anteater Ballpark. The game, delayed to 6:00 p.m. Sunday to avoid bad weather, was a pitching duel for the first 5 1/2 innings with no score. UC Irvine broke the deadlock in the sixth due to defensive errors by CSUB, but the game eventually went to extra innings tied at 2-2. Thomas McCaffrey delivered the winning hit in the 12th inning, his fourth of the night, driving in Woody Hadeen. Both McCaffrey and Hadeen had standout performances with four hits each. David Utagawa clinched his first win of the season in relief. UC Irvine's record improves to 18-3, leading the Big West. The team next faces Loyola Marymount on March 26, followed by a series at Hawai'i starting March 28.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Volleyball

  1. Sat, Mar 30: vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

Women's Water Polo

  1. Tue, Mar 26: vs Brown, 4:00 PM

Men's Track & Field

  1. Fri, Mar 29: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

  2. Sat, Mar 30: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

Women's Track & Field

  1. Fri, Mar 29: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

  2. Sat, Mar 30: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

Irvine Valley Women's Beach Volleyball Team Dominates Conference with Two More Wins

The Irvine Valley women's beach volleyball team maintained its lead in the Orange Empire Conference by defeating Fullerton (5-0) and Orange Coast (4-1) at home, improving their record to 10-4 overall and 9-0 in the conference. The team showcased strong performances across all matches, with notable victories from pairs Marocco/Dews and Brandlin/Fowler. Their next games are scheduled for Friday against Fullerton and Saddleback, with Fullerton as the host.

Irvine Valley Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton in Thrilling Match

The Irvine Valley men's volleyball team, ranked 4th in the state, remained undefeated in Orange Empire Conference play by sweeping Fullerton (25-13, 28-26, 25-14) away. Their record now stands at 9-4 overall and 3-0 in the conference. They have a bye on Friday and will face the state's top-ranked Orange Coast at home next Wednesday. Freshman Grant Dvorak and sophomore Damon Kooiman led the team with eight kills each, with Kooiman achieving a .727 hit rate. Dvorak also added 18 assists, while freshman libero Domenic Marquez led with nine digs. Sophomore setter Nick Hinker contributed eight assists, and the team had a .324 hitting percentage in their win.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

Baseball

  1. Tue, Mar 26: vs LA Harbor, 2:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  1. Tue, Mar 26: vs Riverside, Tentatively rescheduled for 3/26 or 3/27, 2:00 PM

  2. Thu, Mar 28: vs Gustavus Adolphus, 2:00 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  1. Fri, Mar 29: vs Golden West *, 6:00 PM

Northwood Baseball Dominates Irvine with a Shutout Victory

Northwood High School's baseball team, led by junior Paul Grossman's excellent pitching and hitting, defeated Irvine 9-0 to stay at the top of the Pacific Coast League standings. Grossman, with a 3-0 record, struck out nine and allowed four hits over five innings, also contributing three RBI and two runs scored. The win was part of a series where Northwood took two of three games from Irvine, which is tied for third place. The victory was highlighted by strong team performance and a rebound from a previous loss to Irvine. Key moments included Northwood scoring early and consistently, with contributions from players like Luke Hansen and Jordan Kim. Irvine struggled offensively, managing only a few significant plays. Northwood's focus is on winning every series to maintain their lead, while Irvine looks to recover in their next games.

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

March 2024

Monday, 25

  • 7:00 PM - Lacrosse, Boys VR vs. Northwood High School at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, 26

  • 3:15 PM - Tennis, Boys VR vs. University at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 3:30 PM - Baseball, VR vs. University at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Wednesday, 27

  • 3:30 PM - Swimming & Diving, Boys VR vs. Northwood High School at Woollett Pool

  • 3:30 PM - Swimming & Diving, Girls VR vs. Northwood High School at Woollett Pool

Thursday, 28

  • 3:15 PM - Tennis, Boys VR vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 3:30 PM - Golf, Boys VR vs. Sage Hill

Friday, 29

  • 3:30 PM - Baseball, VR vs. University at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Irvine Theft Alert: Police Seek Two in Connection with $3,400 Debit Card Fraud

Two suspects are wanted for using a stolen debit card to withdraw $3,400 from the victim's account after a distraction theft in another city in January. Irvine Police are seeking help to locate them. Contact [email protected] with any information.

#IrvinePD #FelonyFriday

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 55% - 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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