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Enjoy a Free Pacific Symphony Concert at Mike Ward Community Park This Saturday

Issue # 0686

Author

Joshua Tjia
12 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎶🎺 Enjoy a Free Pacific Symphony Concert at Mike Ward Community Park This Saturday

🏙️🚲 Bike Around Irvine with the City's New E-Bike Share Program

🌅🌾 Join a Guided Sunset Photo Walk at the San Joaquin Marsh

🌳🛝 Oak Creek Community Park Plans New Playground and Fitness Features

🥗🍱 Fresh and Wholesome Back-to-School Lunch Ideas

🌱🧤 Help Restore Local Habitats at Takedown Tuesdays on August 25

🧵🪡 Create One-of-a-Kind Fabric Art at Irvine's Free Motion Embroidery Class

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🚌🐕 Tips to Help Your Pet Adjust to Back-to-School Routines

⚽️ UC Irvine Men's Soccer Defeats UCLA 1-0 in Exhibition Opener

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓💎 Suspect Arrested in $10,000 Jewelry Theft at Irvine Spectrum

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why doesn’t the sun trust umbrellas?

Because they’re so shady.

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

Enjoy a Free Pacific Symphony Concert at Mike Ward Community Park This Saturday

Join the City of Irvine for the free Symphony in the Cities outdoor concert on Saturday, August 15, at Mike Ward Community Park – Woodbridge. Enjoy an evening of popular classics, pop favorites, and patriotic music performed by the Pacific Symphony, with free kids' activities beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the concert starting at 7 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic or purchase food and drinks at the park while enjoying this annual community tradition.

Bike Around Irvine with the City's New E-Bike Share Program

The City of Irvine has launched a new Bike Share Pilot Program featuring 20 pedal-assist e-bikes available at fixed stations at the Irvine Civic Center and University Center. The e-bikes have an assisted speed of up to 18 mph and a range of about 30 miles. Monthly memberships start at $15 and include 90 minutes of riding per day. Riders can get started by downloading the Irvine Mobility Bike Share app.

Join a Guided Sunset Photo Walk at the San Joaquin Marsh

Photographers of all skill levels are invited to a free Golden Hour Photo Walk at the San Joaquin Marsh on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 6:30–8 p.m. Participants will enjoy a guided, easy-paced walk through the Marsh with plenty of opportunities to take photos and learn about IRWD's wildlife sanctuary.

Register here

Oak Creek Community Park Plans New Playground and Fitness Features

Oak Creek Community Park is planning upgrades that include new playground equipment and outdoor fitness stations. Community members are invited to attend a public meeting on Tuesday, August 18, from 6–7 p.m. at the City of Irvine Operations Support Facility (6427 Oak Canyon, Irvine) to review design options, share feedback, and help shape the park's final improvements.

Fresh and Wholesome Back-to-School Lunch Ideas

Packing a homemade lunch is a simple way to enjoy fresh, balanced meals while saving money and staying energized throughout the day. These easy recipes are designed for both kids and adults, featuring wholesome ingredients that make lunchtime nutritious, satisfying, and enjoyable.

  • DIY Lunchables – Build your own lunch with whole grain bread or crackers, lean turkey or chicken, cheese, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Children can help assemble their lunches, making mealtime more fun and encouraging healthy eating.

  • Rainbow Lunch Bowl – A colorful combination of brown rice, fresh vegetables, avocado, eggs, and chickpeas or salsa chicken, finished with a creamy cilantro yogurt drizzle. This meal provides protein, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals to help support energy and focus.

  • Salsa Chicken Stuffed Pitas with Summer Fruit Skewers – Whole wheat pitas filled with salsa chicken, black beans, corn, spinach, avocado, and cheese, served with fresh fruit skewers. It's a balanced meal that offers lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of fresh fruit.

Find the recipes here

Help Restore Local Habitats at Takedown Tuesdays on August 25

Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy for Takedown Tuesdays: Weeding at the Native Seed Farm on Tuesday, August 25, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. Help remove invasive weeds, learn about native plant species, and support local habitat restoration.

Create One-of-a-Kind Fabric Art at Irvine's Free Motion Embroidery Class

Discover the art of free motion embroidery in this beginner-friendly textile art class on Wednesday, August 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will discover how to use a sewing machine to "draw" with thread and create unique fabric art, making it a great opportunity for both beginners and experienced sewists.

Learn more 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 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

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Tips to Help Your Pet Adjust to Back-to-School Routines

Back-to-school season can be a big adjustment for pets as family routines change. These simple tips can help them feel more comfortable and make the transition easier.

  • Ease into the new routine: Start waking up earlier and fit in a morning walk or playtime before school begins.

  • Keep pets busy: Let them play while you're getting ready to help burn off energy.

  • Use enrichment toys: Puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, or treat-filled toys can keep pets entertained when everyone leaves.

  • Keep goodbyes short: A quick, calm goodbye can help reduce separation anxiety.

  • Spend time together after school: Go for a walk or enjoy a longer play session to help your pet unwind.

  • Include your pet in family time: Let them relax nearby during homework or dinner preparation.

  • Take an evening walk: A short stroll before bed can help both you and your pet end the day on a calm note.

  • Share pet care responsibilities: Give each family member a simple task, such as feeding, refreshing water, or playtime, to help keep your pet's routine consistent.

UC Irvine Men's Soccer Defeats UCLA 1-0 in Exhibition Opener

UC Irvine men's soccer opened its exhibition schedule with a 1-0 win over UCLA, with Zac Smuck scoring the game-winning goal in the 64th minute. The Anteaters play one more exhibition on August 15 before opening the regular season at home against Oregon State on August 20.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Soccer

  • Wed, Aug 12 - vs Utah Tech, 6:00 PM

  • Wed, Aug 12 - vs Concordia Irvine, 6:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Sat, Aug 15 - vs USC, 12:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Aug 25 - vs Norco, 3:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Sat, Aug 15 - vs Alumni, 10:00 AM

  • Fri, Aug 21 - vs Chaffey, TBA

  • Fri, Aug 21 - Scrimmage Tournament, 9:00 AM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated with August Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

August 2026

Wednesday, August 12

  • Flag Football, Girls - 6:30 PM vs Capistrano Valley Christian

Thursday, August 13

  • Volleyball, Girls - 5:15 PM vs Canyon/Anahiem

Friday, August 14

  • Football - 5:00 PM vs Pacifica/Garden Grove

Suspect Arrested in $10,000 Jewelry Theft at Irvine Spectrum

Last month, a box containing nearly $10,000 worth of gold jewelry was stolen from a jewelry store at Irvine Spectrum. Irvine Police detectives identified the suspect, and the Crime Impact Unit later arrested 37-year-old Jessica Andrea Montoya Mora of Hawthorne. She was booked into the Orange County Jail on burglary and grand theft charges.

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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