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Five Pianos, Fifty Fingers: celebrate the Holidays with The 5 Browns – Live on December 1

Issue # 0299

Author

Joshua Tjia
27 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍰🍬 Sweet Treat Success: Honey & Butter Macarons Brings Holiday Cheer to Irvine Spectrum

🐐🧘🏻 Relax with Adorable Baby Goats: Holiday Yoga at Hana Field

🎹🎼 Five Pianos, Fifty Fingers: celebrate the Holidays with The 5 Browns – Live on December 1

🧼🫧 Keep Your Pipes Clog-Free This Holiday Season

🧑‍💻 Learn, Fix, and Connect: Free Tech Assistance at Irvine University Park Library

🏥 Hoag Adopts Noninvasive Cancer Technology, Names Dr. Kenneth Chang to Lead Digestive Health Institute

🦃🥘 Keep Your Thanksgiving Safe: Simple Cooking Safety Tips

Minna Chow’s Chinese Brush Paintings to Open at Irvine City Hall on Dec. 13

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🦜 Adoption Highlights: 5 Dogs, 15 Cats, and 3 Birds Find New Families at Irvine Animal Center

🏐 UCI Women's Volleyball: Jensen, Smith, and Riedl Secure Big West Recognition

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 Irvine Valley Men's Basketball Clinches Second Straight Win with 67-50 Victory Over Cuyamaca

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Portola Football’s Incredible Comeback: From 0-5 Start to CIF Division 11 Final

🏈🎾 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

Why did the farmer have to separate the chicken and the turkey?

He sensed fowl play

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

Sweet Treat Success: Honey & Butter Macarons Brings Holiday Cheer to Irvine Spectrum

Honey & Butter Macarons, a dessert spot at Irvine Spectrum Center since 2016, is known for its whimsical macaron designs and innovative flavors. Pawel Pietrasinski, the owner, attributes the shop's success to a dedicated team, loyal fans, and fresh, uniquely crafted macarons. With international influences from Pawel’s Polish roots and his wife’s Vietnamese heritage, flavors like purple yam sticky rice and passionfruit variations stand out. For the holidays, they offer festive creations like hand-decorated creature cookies and seasonal classics like peppermint mocha, making macarons the perfect gift. December is their busiest time, filled with hard work and holiday cheer, before taking a well-earned rest in January.

Relax with Adorable Baby Goats: Holiday Yoga at Hana Field

Celebrate the holiday season with Baby Goat Yoga at Hana Field, hosted by Tanaka Farms on November 30 and December 1 at 9:30 AM and 11 AM. Enjoy a 45-minute yoga session led by Sarah Brown, a certified instructor with over 25 years of experience, followed by 15 minutes of free play and photo opportunities with adorable goats, including newborns. The class is open to participants 9+ years old (children 9-16 must be accompanied by an adult). Bring your own mat and water. Limited spots available so book soon!

Five Pianos, Fifty Fingers: celebrate the Holidays with The 5 Browns – Live on December 1

Celebrate the season on Sunday, Dec 1, at 4 PM with The 5 Browns, a Juilliard-trained sibling piano quintet known for their dynamic performances on five pianos on. Dubbed the "Fab Five" by People magazine and featured on Oprah and 60 Minutes, they bring fresh holiday arrangements to life. With performances at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall and collaborations with major orchestras, their eight albums have topped the Billboard classical charts for over 30 weeks. Don't miss this captivating holiday concert!

Keep Your Pipes Clog-Free This Holiday Season

Enjoy your holiday feasts without plumbing headaches by properly disposing of fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Follow these simple tips to prevent clogs and sewage spills:

- Never pour grease down the sink or toilet.

- Place leftover fats, oils, gravies, and sauces in lidded containers and dispose of them in the trash.

- Wipe greasy pans with paper towels before washing and throw the towels in the trash.

- Avoid putting potato peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, and other scraps down the garbage disposal—use the proper waste bin.

- Let fryer oil cool, mix it with absorbent material (like cat litter or newspaper), and discard it in the trash.

Visit IRWD.com/fog for more information.

Learn, Fix, and Connect: Free Tech Assistance at Irvine University Park Library

Get assistance with your tech questions from knowledgeable teen volunteers at the Irvine University Park Library on Sunday, December 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Bring your own device or use a library computer. This first-come, first-served program is available to adults and older adults.

Hoag Adopts Noninvasive Cancer Technology, Names Dr. Kenneth Chang to Lead Digestive Health Institute

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has introduced the FDA-approved HistoSonics Edison Histotripsy System, a noninvasive technology using ultrasound to destroy cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue, allowing same-day recovery. Dr. Trushar Patel highlighted its potential to transform liver cancer care. Hoag also appointed Dr. Kenneth Chang as Executive Medical Director of the Digestive Health Institute, where he plans to establish centers of excellence for obesity, gut health, colon health, and gastrointestinal oncology, supported by expanded satellite locations in Orange County.

Keep Your Thanksgiving Safe: Simple Cooking Safety Tips

Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires, mostly on ranges and cooktops. Stay safe with these quick tips:

  • Never use water on a grease fire—cover it with a lid to smother the flames.

  • Turn skillet handles to the back to avoid accidental spills or burns.

Simple steps like these can make a big difference in keeping your kitchen safe!

Minna Chow’s Chinese Brush Paintings to Open at Irvine City Hall on Dec. 13

 

The City of Irvine's new Art at City Hall exhibition, Minna Chow: Traditional Chinese Brush Painting, opens Friday, December 13, showcasing the stunning nature-inspired works of local artist Minna Chow. The exhibition highlights Chow's mastery of traditional Chinese brush painting, a craft she refined after retiring from her accounting career. A free reception with the artist will be held on Tuesday, December 17, from 2–4 p.m. at Irvine City Hall. The exhibit, reception, and parking are free.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. Wed, December 4-5, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Instumental Music Winter Concert

  2. Fri, December 13, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Winter Gala Concert

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. Thu, December 5, 7:00 PM: A Winter Celebration at Big Theater.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. Thurs, December 12, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Winter Concerts: Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra

  2. Fri, December 13, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Winter Concerts: Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. Fri, December 6, 7:00 PM: Winter Celebration Concert at WHS Performing Arts Center.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. Wed, December 18, 6:00-10:00 PM: IM Winter Concert

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

Adoption Highlights: 5 Dogs, 15 Cats, and 3 Birds Find New Families at Irvine Animal Center

From November 18–24, 5 dogs (Belle, Maggie, Nolan, Poppy, Sugar), 15 cats (including Aleister, Apple, Mystic, and Pumpkin), and 3 birds (Blueberry, Lemon, Macarron) found new homes—congratulations to all! Additionally, 1 dog (Belzy) was sent to rescue, and 3 dogs and 1 cat were reunited with their owners. Visit irvineanimals.org/adopt for adoption details and hours.

UCI Women's Volleyball: Jensen, Smith, and Riedl Secure Big West Recognition

UC Irvine women's volleyball players Campbell Jensen, Katie Smith, and Hunter Riedl received Big West honors as voted by league coaches. Jensen, a junior libero, was named second-team All-Big West, ranking third in total digs (438) and earning Big West Defensive Player of the Week recognition. Smith, an outside hitter, led the conference with 44 aces, placed 12th in kills, and recorded double-figure kills in 17 matches. Riedl, an opposite hitter, earned honorable mention for the second year, ranking 15th in kills and points, with a standout 21 kills at Hawaii. UCI opens the Big West Championship against UC Davis today, Nov. 27, at the Bren Events Center.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Volleyball

  1. Wed, Nov 27: vs First Round TBA (Big West Championship)

  2. Fri, Nov 29: vs Semifinals TBA (Big West Championship)

  3. Sat, Nov 30: vs Championship TBA (Big West Championship)

Irvine Valley Men's Basketball Clinches Second Straight Win with 67-50 Victory Over Cuyamaca

Irvine Valley College's men's basketball team secured its second consecutive victory with a 67-50 win at Cuyamaca on Friday, following a 73-48 home win over Southwestern. The Lasers improved to 5-2 overall, matching Cuyamaca's record. IVC dominated early, leading 32-19 at halftime, and maintained control in the second half for their third win in four games. Freshman Matt Mowers led with 16 points, supported by Parker Tuttle's 13 points and 7 rebounds, and Allen Moser's all-around effort of 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. The team out-rebounded Cuyamaca 56-23, with strong contributions from Josiah Reed, Ben Starks, and Ammon Allan.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Basketball

  1. Wed, Nov 27: vs El Camino, 5:00 PM

Portola Football’s Incredible Comeback: From 0-5 Start to CIF Division 11 Final

Portola High School's football team defied early-season struggles, turning an 0-5 start into a remarkable journey to the CIF Division 11 final. With a resilient spirit and teamwork, the Bulldogs won three playoff games, including a 31-20 upset over top-seeded Don Lugo, and are set to face El Rancho in the championship. Players expressed their excitement and determination during the CIF Media Press Conference, highlighting key moments like senior night and the pivotal shift in mentality after a tough loss to Northwood. Standout leaders like running back/linebacker Timmy Grettenberg, quarterback Nash Luper, and defensive lineman Adam Nofal praised their team’s hard work, defensive strength, and unity, aiming to make school history in the finals.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

November 2024  

Monday, December 2

  • 05:00 PM: Soccer, Boys VR vs. El Modena at Irvine High School Stadium

  • 07:00 PM: Basketball, Boys VR vs. Santa Ana at Irvine High School Game Gym

Wednesday, December 4

  • 04:00 PM: Water Polo, Girls VR vs. Canyon (Anaheim) at Woolett Pool

Friday, December 6

  • 05:00 PM: Soccer, Boys VR vs. Estancia at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, December 10

  • 04:00 PM: Water Polo, Girls VR vs. Portola at Woolett Pool

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

November 1 - December 14 Annual Holiday Toy Drive

November 18 – December 13 Letters to Santa

November 29– December 29 Hikari Festival of Lights

December 1 The 5 Browns 4 PM

December 5 - 7 Art of the Spanish Guitar 8 PM

December 7 - 8 Holiday Market 3 - 8 PM

December 7 - 15 Holiday Makers Mart 10 AM - 4 PM

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