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Explore Irvine’s Pop-Up Library Every Sunday at Heritage Park

Issue # 0438

Author

Joshua Tjia
08 Jul

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🥗🥬 Where to Find the Best Kale Caesar Salads in Irvine

🚙 Ford to Close Irvine Studio, 263 Positions Affected, Facility Up for Lease

🧘🏻 Free CorePower Yoga Sculpt Class Coming to Woodbridge Village Center July 12

🍫🥛 Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake Arrives at Shake Shack for Limited Time Only

📚📖 Explore Irvine’s Pop-Up Library Every Sunday at Heritage Park

🤕 Bounce Back Stronger: Simple Steps for a Safe Sports Injury Recovery

🪶🍔 Join the Sea and Sage Summer BBQ at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary – July 26

🎨 Irvine Art Show Happening Saturday, July 12

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛🐕‍🦺 26 Pets Find Homes, 5 Reunited with Owners at Irvine Animal Care Center

🤽‍♀️💦 UCI's Tara Prentice Named to Team USA Water Polo for 2025 Worlds

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽️ Irvine Valley Women’s Soccer Releases 2025 Schedule

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔💥 Driver Arrested After Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash in Irvine Kills 67-Year-Old Man

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the detective go to the ice cream shop?

He was looking for a cone-fidential informant.

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

Where to Find the Best Kale Caesar Salads in Irvine

The Caesar salad has come a long way since its beginning in the 1920s. Originally crafted from simple ingredients like romaine, croutons, and Parmesan, the dish has transformed into a globally loved staple with countless variations. One of the most popular modern takes is the kale Caesar, which combines traditional flavors with kale and added toppings for a heartier, more flavorful experience. In Irvine, several local restaurants have embraced this trend, each putting their own spin on the beloved classic:

  • Sweetgreen (Irvine Spectrum Center):
    A bold mix of shredded kale and romaine, tomatoes, Parmesan crisps, and a lime squeeze. Choose from roasted chicken or caramelized garlic steak to top it off.

  • Urban Plates (Market Place and Crossroads):
    Made with organic baby kale and romaine, diced organic tomatoes, crunchy garlic croutons, and shaved Asiago cheese. Grilled chicken is available as an optional add-on.

  • Mendocino Farms (University Center and soon at Market Place):
    A hearty blend of kale, romaine, and baby spinach with avocado, grape tomatoes, red onion, toasted wheat berries, and quinoa for extra texture and nutrition.

Ford to Close Irvine Studio, 263 Positions Affected, Facility Up for Lease

Ford Motor Co. is closing its Irvine-based Ford Design Studio at 3 Glen Bell Way, resulting in 263 layoffs, per a June 30 WARN notice. The facility will shut down on November 30. All affected employees were offered roles at other Ford locations in Long Beach or Dearborn, Michigan; five who declined relocation to Michigan will be terminated on August 31. Most affected staff (92) were hardware development engineers.

Free CorePower Yoga Sculpt Class Coming to Woodbridge Village Center July 12

Join CorePower Yoga for a free outdoor Bodyweight Sculpt class on Saturday, July 12, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Woodbridge Village Center. Instructor Lexus will lead a dynamic session on the lawn that blends mindful yoga and bodyweight exercises. All levels are welcome—just bring a mat and water.

Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake Arrives at Shake Shack for Limited Time Only

Shake Shack has launched the Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake nationwide for a limited time starting June 26. This rich, buzzy shake is available in limited daily quantities and exclusively in-Shack.

Explore Irvine’s Pop-Up Library Every Sunday at Heritage Park

Stop by the Irvine Public Library’s pop-up library on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Community Park Middle School Program Office! Get a library card, check out books, enjoy make-and-take crafts, and explore digital resources.

For more summer programs, visit irvinepubliclibrary.org.

Bounce Back Stronger: Simple Steps for a Safe Sports Injury Recovery

Recovering from a sports injury takes time, care, and the right approach. Family Care Centers Medical Group (FCCMG) in Orange County provides expert guidance and treatment to help patients heal safely and return to activity with confidence.

Key Healing Tips:

  • Use the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation help reduce swelling and discomfort

  • Avoid pushing through pain: Rest is essential—ignoring symptoms can worsen the injury

  • Commit to rehab exercises: Gentle stretching and strengthening support long-term healing

  • Watch for serious symptoms: Persistent pain, swelling, or limited movement should be evaluated

  • Support the injury properly: Braces or wraps and proper footwear can aid recovery

  • Stay in touch with care providers: Follow-ups with therapists or specialists help track progress

Join the Sea and Sage Summer BBQ at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary – July 26

Join the Annual Sea and Sage Audubon Summer BBQ 2025 on Saturday, July 26, from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine.

  • Bring family and friends for an evening of dining in the meadow, birdwatching, live music, a used book sale, a guided marsh walk, and door prizes.

  • Tickets are $25 (free for kids under 5; $20 for volunteers).

  • Advance reservations required at Eventbrite or Sea and Sage’s website.

Irvine Art Show Happening Saturday, July 12

Celebrate 41 years of local creativity at the Irvine Annual opening reception on Saturday, July 12, from 2–4 p.m. at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. This juried exhibition, selected by guest jurors Elizabeth Munzón, Stephanie Sherwood, and Dakota Noot, showcases diverse contemporary works across multiple mediums. Meet the artists and explore a vibrant display of color, texture, and expression.

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

26 Pets Find Homes, 5 Reunited with Owners at Irvine Animal Care Center

From June 23–29, 2025, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 26 pet adoptions, including 2 dogs (Rocket and Shaggy), 22 cats, and 1 rabbit (Garnet). In addition, 4 dogs and 1 cat were reunited with their owners. Congratulations to all the new families!

For adoption info and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

UCI's Tara Prentice Named to Team USA Water Polo for 2025 Worlds

UC Irvine alum Tara Prentice has been named to Team USA for the 2025 World Aquatics World Championships in Singapore, taking place July 10–23. A four-time All-American and UCI’s all-time leading scorer, this marks her fourth consecutive World Championship appearance. She previously helped Team USA win gold in 2022 and 2024, and competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. UC Irvine’s Dan Klatt will also serve as an assistant coach. Team USA begins group play July 10 against China, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Argentina.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

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

Irvine Valley Women’s Soccer Releases 2025 Schedule

The Irvine Valley College (IVC) women’s soccer team has released its 2025 fall schedule after a strong 2024 season (10-10-1 overall, 5-8-1 in OEC).

  • The Lasers begin with a scrimmage vs. Westcliff on Aug. 15, then open the regular season at Cuyamaca on Aug. 22.

  • Key home games include matchups vs. Grossmont (Aug. 29), East LA (Sept. 26), and Golden West (finale on Nov. 14).

  • In 2024, four players earned all-conference honors, including standout forward Jordan Madison (12 goals, 6 game-winners). Coach Tom Lancaster recognized several top performers, including MVP Madison, Player of the Year Jocelyn Quinonez, and Freshman Award recipients Ashley Reina, Lilliana Springer, and Yihan Shu.

🏐⚽🏀 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.

Driver Arrested After Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash in Irvine Kills 67-Year-Old Man

Irvine Police arrested 24-year-old Francis Guadalupe Tercero-Benavides of Anaheim in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that occurred on May 9, 2024. The collision happened near Culver Drive and Trabuco Road, when a Honda Civic turned against a red light, causing 67-year-old Allen Yangkaou Lee to swerve and crash his Toyota Corolla. Lee later died from his injuries. Following public tips, detectives located the suspect vehicle on May 15 and arrested Tercero-Benavides on July 7 in Anaheim. She is charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. Police thank the community for helping bring the suspect to justice.

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

July 9 Spectrum Sunset Strolls 6 - 8 PM

July 12 CorePower Yoga: Summer Yoga on The Lawn 9:30 – 10:30 AM

July 12 - 13 Woodbury Town Center: Summer Makers Mart 10:00 – 4:00 PM

July 13 Pop-up Library 1 - 4 PM

July 26 Umami Summerfest 11 AM - 7 PM

July 27 Umami Summerfest 11 am - 6 pm

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