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From Field to Fork: Tanaka Farms' Farm-to-Table Cookout Tour Launches This Saturday

Issue # 0104

Author

Joshua Tjia
21 Feb

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎡👩‍🦽🚴‍♀️ Irvine Unveils Plans for Premier All-Wheeled Sports Plaza at Great Park

🧤🥕🌱 Harvest for Hope: : Volunteer for Harvest Solutions Farm Event

📃🏘 OC's Premier Properties: 2023's List of Top Home Sales Launches March 4th

🍴🍅🥑 From Field to Fork: Tanaka Farms' Farm-to-Table Cookout Tour Launches This Saturday

🎁💐 Support Westpark's Spring Carnival: Donations Needed for Unforgettable Celebration

❤😷 Revolutionizing Heart Health: UCI Health's Innovative Approach to Preventing Heart Disease

🚶‍♂️🌳 Unlocking the Secrets of Irvine Ranch: A Journey Through 57,500 Acres of Wildlands

🖼🎨 Discover the Magic of Paul Gardner's Art at City Hall's Latest Exhibition

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐇 Make Every Moment Count: Creative Ideas for Celebrating National Love Your Pet Day

🏌️‍♂️⛳ UC Irvine Men's Golf Finishes Fourth at Wyoming World Match Play

🏐 UC Irvine Volleyball's Hilir Henno Clinches AVCA National Player of the Week Title Again

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 Christen Ziska Named Irvine Valley's Athlete of the Week for Stellar Basketball Performance

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀5️⃣ Kira Watanabe: The 5-Foot Powerhouse Redefining High School Basketball

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

👮‍♂️🚨 Energy Drink Rampage Ends in Arrest for Ontario Man in Irvine

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How do you plant a kiss in spring?

With tulips!

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

Irvine Unveils Plans for Premier All-Wheeled Sports Plaza at Great Park

Irvine is planning a new all-wheeled plaza at the Great Park, aiming to be a top destination for wheeled sports. Community feedback is sought to guide its design and features. Attend the feedback session on February 29, 6-7:30 p.m. at Portola Springs Community Park, or email suggestions to [email protected].

Harvest for Hope: : Volunteer for Harvest Solutions Farm Event

The Harvest Solutions Farm Volunteer Event is scheduled for March 23, from 8 AM to 11 AM, inviting individuals to participate in harvesting vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and broccolini. This initiative supports the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, a key organization in Irvine dedicated to ending hunger and food insecurity, serving nearly 400,000 people monthly. Interested participants can register here.

#WeAreIrvine #WeFeedOC #VolunteerOpportunity

OC's Premier Properties: 2023's List of Top Home Sales Launches March 4th

The 2023 Top Home Sales List, releasing on March 4th, highlights OC's significant real estate deals of the year, showcasing luxury homes that elevate its reputation as a top living destination. See the 2022 list for reference.

#OCBJ #OCRealEstate #OrangeCounty

From Field to Fork: Tanaka Farms' Farm-to-Table Cookout Tour Launches This Saturday

Attend Tanaka Farms' first Farm-to-Table Cookout Tour of the year on Saturday, February 24, from 11am to 2pm. Experience a guided farm tour, harvest your own veggies, and enjoy a farm-to-table meal featuring options like Smokehouse Maple Chicken or BBQ Tofu, grilled vegetables, Kale and Strawberry Salad, and fresh fruit. Water included. Reservation required via their website.

#farmtotable #localfood #tanakafarms

Support Westpark's Spring Carnival: Donations Needed for Unforgettable Celebration

Westpark Families are invited to contribute to the success of their annual Spring Carnival this March by making donations. The event organizers are seeking a variety of contributions, including:

  • Airbnb stays

  • gift cards

  • tickets to entertainment venues

  • themed gift baskets

These donations are tax deductible. For those interested in contributing or seeking more information, Justine can be contacted at [email protected]. The collective effort aims to make this year's Spring Carnival an unforgettable event.

Revolutionizing Heart Health: UCI Health's Innovative Approach to Preventing Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease, the top cause of death in the U.S., is complex to manage. UCI Health's Preventative Cardiology & Cholesterol Management Services offer support for those at risk of or recovering from heart disease, aiming to enhance life quality and prevent future issues. More info is available at ucihealth.org/heart.

#AmericanHeartMonth #hearthealth

Unlocking the Secrets of Irvine Ranch: A Journey Through 57,500 Acres of Wildlands

Open space preservation on The Irvine Ranch, initiated 125 years ago with Irvine Regional Park, now encompasses over 60% of the area, offering a 22-mile stretch of preserved land from mountains to sea. The Waterworks Nature Hike in Fremont Canyon, known as the "Yosemite of Orange County," showcases the region's diverse ecosystems, including oak woodlands, Tecate cypress trees, mule deer, and golden eagles. Led by OC Parks specialist Gray Crouch, the hike highlights the area's rich biodiversity and unique flora like laurel sumac and California sagebrush. With 57,500 acres of open space, The Irvine Ranch provides unparalleled access to natural diversity near urban areas.

For more hikes, including the Red Rocks Trail, Quail Hill Loop Trail, and Ridge Route Loop, visit letsgooutside.org.

Discover the Magic of Paul Gardner's Art at City Hall's Latest Exhibition

"Paul Gardner: A Retrospective" at City Hall showcases the impactful work of Paul Gardner, a key figure in Orange County's art scene, known for his vibrant art and teaching at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. The exhibition highlights his unique approach to transforming everyday elements into extraordinary art. It's open until March 24, with visiting hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. For more, visit cityofirvine.org/artatcityhall.

#ArtAtCityHall #Irvine #WeAreIrvine #PaulGardner

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. March 16, 2024: Irvine Jazz Festival (8:00 am - 5:00 pm)

  2. 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. March 9, 14,15, 16: EVITA - Spring Musical at 7:00 PM.

  2. 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 January.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. February 29th-March 2nd, 7 PM shows: The Wizard of Oz

  2. March 22nd, 7 PM: Spring Concert

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

  4. 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 January.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Choral Calendar

  1. Th.-Sat, Feb. 29-Mar 2, 7:00 PM: IHS Musical (Any student) at IHS Theater.

  2. March 12 or 13, Morning: IHS Arts Assembly (Canta Bella & Irvine Singers) at IHS Game Gym.

  3. Mon, Mar. 18, 7:00 PM: Spring Concert (All Choirs) at Concordia Univ.

  4. Fri, March 22, Morning: CSU Fullerton Festival (Irvine Singers) at CSUF Meng Hall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  13. 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

Make Every Moment Count: Creative Ideas for Celebrating National Love Your Pet Day

Celebrate National Love Your Pet Day with special activities for your furry friend! Take a long walk or explore a pet-friendly park, pamper them with a spa day or homemade treats, and surprise them with a new toy. Considering adoption? Visit irvineanimals.org/adopt for more info.

#NationalLoveYourPetDay

See video

UC Irvine Men's Golf Finishes Fourth at Wyoming World Match Play

UC Irvine's men's golf team finished fourth at the Wyoming World Match Play tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., after losing a tiebreaker to Sacramento State. Both teams had three victories, but Sacramento State won the tiebreaker by winning more holes. Highlights include senior Darien Zhao's 1-up victory, freshman Jason Tang's 3&1 win and remaining unbeaten in the tournament, and sophomore Rei Harashima's 2-up comeback win. However, losses by junior Kevin McGough, Jin Nakao, and Yaoting Zou contributed to UCI's fourth-place finish. The team looks forward to competing at the UC San Diego Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course from March 24-26.

UC Irvine Volleyball's Hilir Henno Clinches AVCA National Player of the Week Title Again

Hilir Henno, a UC Irvine men's volleyball player, has been named the AVCA Men's National Collegiate Player of the Week for the second time in his career, following a previous award on Jan. 10, 2023. Additionally, he was recognized as the Big West Offensive Player of the Week for the fifth time, marking his second honor this season. In recent victories over Stanford, Henno excelled with averages of 6.38 kills, 1.63 digs, 1.25 blocks, and 7.50 points per set, showcasing standout performances that included a season-high 28 kills in one match. This award marks the 33rd time a player from UC Irvine has received this distinction.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Basketball

  1. Sat, Feb 24th - vs UC San Diego, 2:00 PM

  2. Thu, Feb 29th - vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  1. Thu, Feb 22nd - vs UC Santa Barbara, 8:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  1. Fri, Feb 23rd - vs Concordia, 6:00 PM

Women's Tennis

  1. Fri, Feb 23rd - vs New Mexico, 2 PM

  2. Wed, Feb 28th - vs Hope International (Calif.), 2 PM

Women's Water Polo

  1. Fri, Feb 23rd - vs TBA

  2. Sat, Feb 24th - vs TBA

  3. Sun, Feb 25th - vs TBAMen's Volleyball.

Christen Ziska Named Irvine Valley's Athlete of the Week for Stellar Basketball Performance

Christen Ziska, Irvine Valley's athlete of the week for Feb. 19, excelled in women's basketball, scoring double figures in two wins last week with 14 and 19 points against Fullerton and Cypress, respectively. She showcased impressive shooting, contributing significantly in rebounds, assists, and minutes played. Averaging 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game this season, Ziska leads her team in three-pointers with 63. With her performance, she has scored double figures in 15 games, surpassing 20 points five times, and helped Irvine Valley achieve a 19-7 record and a No. 12 state ranking.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

Men's Basketball

  1. Fri, Feb 23: vs Cypress at 6:00 PM.

Kira Watanabe: The 5-Foot Powerhouse Redefining High School Basketball

Kira Watanabe quickly became a basketball sensation at Portola High School, making a name for herself with her exceptional half-court shots despite being the shortest player on the team. Her skill in making long-distance shots and her strategic play have significantly contributed to her team's rise from Division 4 to Division 1, making them one of the top teams in the county. Kira's dedication to improving her game, from practicing ball-handling from a young age to shooting 3-pointers from well behind the line, has not only broken school records but also transformed the team's dynamic, enabling her to assist in making her teammates shine. Off the court, her academic excellence and generosity towards her teammates highlight her character, embodying the spirit of a true team player and leader.

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

February 2024

Wed, Feb 21:

  1. Volleyball, Boys VR vs. Santa Margarita, 05:45 PM, Game Gym

Fri, Feb 23:

  1. Swimming & Diving, Boys VR, Irvine City Relays, 03:30 PM, Woolett Pool

  2. Swimming & Diving, Girls VR, Irvine City Relays, 03:30 PM, Woolett Pool

Mon, Feb 26:

  1. Softball VR vs. Laguna Hills, 03:30 PM, Softball Field

Tue, Feb 27:

  1. Beach Volleyball, Girls VR vs. Esperanza, 03:00 PM, Deerfield Park Beach Courts

  2. Lacrosse, Girls VR vs. Lutheran/Orange, 05:00 PM, Stadium

Energy Drink Rampage Ends in Arrest for Ontario Man in Irvine

A 31-year-old Ontario man was arrested for felony vandalism after knocking over a Red Bull fridge and kicking cans at a gas station in Irvine, disproving the slogan "Red Bull gives you wings" with handcuffs and jail time instead. #IrvinePolice #CrimeDoesntPay

  • 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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