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From Mac & Cheese to Gelato: Irvine Spectrum's Upgraded Comfort Food Favorites

Issue # 0646

Author

Joshua Tjia
04 Jun

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🥪🧀🍦 From Mac & Cheese to Gelato: Irvine Spectrum's Upgraded Comfort Food Favorites

🍫🍪 Sip Into Summer With Returning Favorites at Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine

🌳⛺️ Find, Trade, or Donate Outdoor Gear at Irvine Camping Gear Sale June 13

🎶🎤 Enjoy an Evening of Music with DJ Ricky Rocks at Irvine Spectrum Center

🚌🌟 Three IUSD Students Earn College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships

☀️🧴 Know the Signs: How to Spot Melanoma Early

💧🦆 Explore Irvine Regional Park’s Birdlife on a Guided Lakeside Walk, June 17

💅🏼 2EM Nail Lounge at Quail Hill Celebrates Grand Opening with 20% Off Nail Services

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐾 Summer Dog Safety: Easy Ways to Prevent Paw Burns

🏃🏽‍♂️ UCI Men's Track & Field Senior Kenechukwu Okonkwo Earns Anteater of the Week Honor

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 IVC Women’s Basketball Standout Gianna DeForest Headed to Kansas for Next Chapter

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 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

What do you pay to spend a day on the beach?

Sand dollars.

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

From Mac & Cheese to Gelato: Irvine Spectrum's Upgraded Comfort Food Favorites

Childhood favorites get a grown-up upgrade at Irvine Spectrum Center, where restaurants are serving elevated takes on classics like mac and cheese, grilled cheese, spaghetti, tater tots, and ice cream using premium ingredients and creative flavors.

  • Mastro's Ocean Club – Lobster Mac & Cheese made with a whole Maine lobster and five cheeses.

  • The Melt – Three Cheese Classic grilled cheese with aged cheddar, Muenster, and fontina.

  • Cucina Enoteca – Bucatini pasta with kale pesto, peas, Parmesan, and chili-lemon breadcrumbs.

  • Kalbi Social Club – Mentaiko Egg Soufflé and Crispy Cheese Potato Pancake.

  • Dive Oyster Bar – Chowder Frots featuring Cajun tots, fries, chowder, bacon, and mozzarella.

  • Bacio di Latte – Fresh-made Italian gelato with a variety of classic and creative flavors.

Sip Into Summer With Returning Favorites at Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine

Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine is bringing back two popular summer drinks for a limited time: the S’mores Cold Brew and Chocolate Milk. Fans can enjoy these seasonal favorites while supplies last.

Find, Trade, or Donate Outdoor Gear at Irvine Camping Gear Sale June 13

Rancho San Joaquin Scouts will host a Camping Gear Swap and Sale on Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to noon at Irvine United Congregational Church, 4915 Alton Parkway in Irvine.

  • Community members are invited to donate, swap, buy, or pick up gently used camping and hiking gear, including tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, stoves, boots, and outdoor apparel.

  • Scouts will also host a Goodwill donation collection on-site for items you no longer wish to keep.

  • Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to stop by to find outdoor gear they need or donate items they no longer use.

  • For more information or to participate, contact Paul Strasma at [email protected].

Enjoy an Evening of Music with DJ Ricky Rocks at Irvine Spectrum Center

Join Irvine Spectrum Center’s Soundtrack of Summer series on Friday, June 5, from 5:30–8 p.m. near Old Navy, featuring DJ Ricky Rocks. Known for his high-energy performances, DJ Ricky Rocks combines live percussion with today’s hits, dance favorites, and classic throwbacks. Guests can enjoy dinner, music, and a lively summer atmosphere as part of the center’s seasonal entertainment lineup.

Three IUSD Students Earn College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships

Three students from the Irvine Unified School District have been awarded college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships, which provide between $500 and $2,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study. Recipients were selected by their chosen colleges from among the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Finalists based on academic achievement, PSAT scores, leadership, extracurricular involvement, essays, and recommendations. This year, 138 colleges and universities across the country are sponsoring these awards. The June announcement is the first of two college-sponsored scholarship announcements, with a second group of recipients to be announced in July.

Know the Signs: How to Spot Melanoma Early

Most people have at least a few moles, and the majority of these are harmless. While it’s rare for a common mole to turn into melanoma, experts recommend keeping an eye on your skin and checking for any unusual changes. The good news is that melanoma is highly treatable when caught early, making regular skin checks and sun protection important steps for staying healthy.

What to watch for:

  • Most moles are normal and nothing to worry about.

  • Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, but early detection leads to excellent treatment outcomes.

  • Use the ABCDE rule to spot potential warning signs:

    • Asymmetry – one half looks different from the other.

    • Border – edges are uneven, ragged, or blurred.

    • Color – multiple colors or uneven coloring.

    • Diameter – growing larger over time.

    • Evolving – changing in size, shape, color, or appearance.

  • Have a doctor check any mole that bleeds, itches, becomes painful, swells, crusts, or oozes.

  • Not all melanomas start as moles, so it's a good idea to become familiar with your skin and note any new or changing spots.

  • A biopsy is the only way to confirm whether a suspicious spot is melanoma.

  • Protect your skin year-round by wearing sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), reapplying regularly, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning beds.

Explore Irvine Regional Park’s Birdlife on a Guided Lakeside Walk, June 17

Join OC Parks for a free guided Lakeside Bird Walk at Irvine Regional Park on Wednesday, June 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Participants will explore the park with an experienced volunteer, searching for birds in the trees and surrounding habitat while learning more about local wildlife.

2EM Nail Lounge at Quail Hill Celebrates Grand Opening with 20% Off Nail Services

2EM Nail Lounge is celebrating its grand opening at Quail Hill Shopping Center with a special promotion through June 14. Customers can receive 20% off all services when they book an appointment, making it a great time to enjoy a relaxing manicure, pedicure, or other nail care services.

Appointments can be made by calling (949) 848-9999.

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

Summer Dog Safety: Easy Ways to Prevent Paw Burns

Hot pavement can burn your dog’s paws faster than many people realize. A few simple precautions can help keep your pup comfortable and safe during summer walks and outdoor adventures.

Tips to Protect Your Dog’s Paws from Hot Pavement

  • Walk your dog in the early morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

  • Use the 7-second rule: if you can’t comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog.

  • Stick to grass or shaded paths whenever possible.

  • Use dog booties to protect paws from hot surfaces.

  • Apply a pet-safe paw balm or wax to help protect and moisturize paw pads.

  • Check your dog’s paws after walks for burns, cuts, cracks, debris, or signs of irritation.

  • Keep nails trimmed and fur between paw pads tidy to help prevent injuries.

  • Contact your veterinarian if you notice redness, blistering, or other signs of paw damage.

UCI Men's Track & Field Senior Kenechukwu Okonkwo Earns Anteater of the Week Honor

UC Irvine senior triple jumper Kenechukwu Okonkwo was named Anteater of the Week after placing 21st at the NCAA West First Round in Arkansas. The 2026 Big West champion recorded a jump of 15.52 meters and graduates with the second-best triple jump mark in UC Irvine history at 15.83 meters.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

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

IVC Women’s Basketball Standout Gianna DeForest Headed to Kansas for Next Chapter

Irvine Valley sophomore forward Gianna DeForest has committed to the University of St. Mary in Kansas after helping the Lasers win the Orange Empire Conference title and reach the 3C2A State Championship Tournament. DeForest earned second-team All-OEC honors and was part of Irvine Valley’s 26-5 season, one of the most successful in program history.

🏐⚽🏀 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.

High School Athletics Calendar

We will resume with the high school athletic calendars after the summer break

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

We will resume with the varsity home game events after the summer break

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

June 6 Studio Arts Festival 10 AM - 5 PM

June 11 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

June 13 Camping Gear Swap and Sale 8 AM - 12 PM

June 17 Solarize Irvine Workshop 6 - 7:30 PM

We could use your help

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One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

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