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Fun, Food, and Fresh Air: The Market Place Adds New Park, Restaurants, and Apartments

Issue # 0514

Author

Joshua Tjia
10 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍽️🏞️🛝 Fun, Food, and Fresh Air: The Market Place Adds New Park, Restaurants, and Apartments

📦🍏🥬 Free Grocery Boxes Available for Irvine Residents This November

🚔🚲 Irvine Police Promote Safe E-Bike Riding Through Ongoing Education

🍵🌸 Fan Favorite Returns: Try Lagu’s Signature Sea Salt Green Tea

🧪🔬 IUSD Science Fair Office Hours: Learn, Ask, and Get Inspired

☕️🚽 The Science Behind Coffee and Digestion

🌿🥾 Explore Hidden Trails at Bommer Canyon’s Wilderness Access Day — Nov. 15

🎨🎁 Get Creative This Season — Design Your Own Holiday Mug

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛🐈 Trim, Scratch, Play: The Purr-fect Nail Care Guide for Cats

🤽🏻‍♂️ UCI Men's Water Polo Stuns No. 7 San Jose State in Senior Day Victory, 11–9

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽️ IVC Men’s Soccer Extends Lead with 2-0 Victory Over Santiago Canyon

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Woodbridge Football Surges Past Desert Hot Springs 28-13 to Advance in CIF Playoffs

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔📫 Stolen Mail Recovered — Two Arrested in Irvine Identity Theft Case

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How many bakers does it take to make a pie?

3.14.

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

Fun, Food, and Fresh Air: The Market Place Adds New Park, Restaurants, and Apartments

The Market Place in Irvine has undergone a major transformation, adding new restaurants, apartments, and a half-acre park that’s quickly become a community favorite.

  • The reimagined space now features eateries like Mendocino Farms, BLK Dot Coffee, and Handel’s Ice Cream. Alongside these, there are two luxury apartment communities—Colonnade and Meridian at The Market Place—developed by Irvine Company.

  • Designed as a walkable, mixed-use hub, the area blends over 130 shops and restaurants with resort-style living, including pools, fitness centers, dog parks, and co-working lounges.

Free Grocery Boxes Available for Irvine Residents This November

Need a little extra help with groceries? Irvine residents can receive a free 30-lb food box filled with fresh produce and pantry staples on

  • Thursday, Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. 

  • 📍 Heritage Park Community Center, 14301 Yale Ave. 

For more info, call 949-724-6650 or email [email protected].

Irvine Police Promote Safe E-Bike Riding Through Ongoing Education

The Irvine Police Department is continuing its efforts to keep the community safe by focusing on e-bike safety. Officers are educating parents, reminding riders to follow safe practices, and issuing citations when necessary to help prevent accidents. These enforcement efforts will continue both day and night as the department encourages everyone to ride responsibly and help keep Irvine’s streets safe for all.

Fan Favorite Returns: Try Lagu’s Signature Sea Salt Green Tea

Lagu Cafe has restocked one of its most-loved drinks — the Sea Salt Green Tea! This creamy and refreshing blend of jasmine tea and sea salt foam is back and as delicious as ever. Stop by the café near John Wayne Airport to enjoy a cup.

IUSD Science Fair Office Hours: Learn, Ask, and Get Inspired

IUSD is hosting Science Fair Office Hours where students can meet with STEM professionals for guidance and feedback on their projects.

Upcoming Office Hours:

  • 🗓️ Thursday, Nov. 20 – 5–6 p.m.

  • 🗓️ Thursday, Dec. 4 – 5–6 p.m.

  • 🗓️ Monday, Dec. 8 – 3–4 p.m.

  • 🗓️ Thursday, Dec. 18 – 5–6 p.m.

Reserve your spot here

The Science Behind Coffee and Digestion

Ever wonder why coffee seems to kick-start your digestion? UCI Health gastroenterologist Dr. Kiran Sachdev explains how caffeine activates your body’s natural reflex to help things along.

  • Coffee triggers the gastrocolic reflex, which moves stool toward the rectum — most active in the morning.

  • Dr. Sachdev advises avoiding coffee on an empty stomach, as it can cause reflux, bloating, or diarrhea.

  • It’s best to enjoy coffee with or right after a meal for a smoother experience.

Explore Hidden Trails at Bommer Canyon’s Wilderness Access Day — Nov. 15

Explore Irvine’s beautiful southern Open Space Preserve during Wilderness Access Day at Bommer Canyon on Saturday, November 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can enjoy self-guided hiking and biking through normally restricted trails in Shady Canyon and Bommer Canyon.

Get Creative This Season — Design Your Own Holiday Mug

The Artist Lab in Irvine invites students in grades 3–12 to create a personalized 16 oz. ceramic hot chocolate mug—perfect for holiday gifting! The class includes two sessions:

  • Hand-sculpting on November 18 (5:30–7:30 PM)

  • Glazing on December 2 (5:30–6:30 PM).

🐦‍⬛ Don’t miss an early bird discount of $30 available through November 10.

✍🏻 To sign up, call or text 949-293-2380.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. December 3, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, NHS Theater

  2. December 4, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert, Guitar, Symphonic Strings, Concert Orchestra, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. December 11 - 12, 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Winter Concerts, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. December 5, 7 PM: Winter Celebration Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. November 13, 5:45 PM – 9:00 PM: Twilight and Petals: Fall Band Concert, PHS Performing Arts Center

  2. November 14, 5:45 PM – 9:00 PM: Twilight and Petals: Fall Orchestra Concert, PHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Trim, Scratch, Play: The Purr-fect Nail Care Guide for Cats

Scratching is second nature to cats — it’s how they stay active, express themselves, and keep their claws healthy. With just a few smart habits, you can make sure your kitty stays content while your furniture stays scratch-free.

Tips for Scratch-Smart Cat Care:

  • ✂️ Trim Those Tips: Use cat-specific clippers every 2–4 weeks, and watch out for the quick.

  • 🪵 Provide Scratching Posts: Offer sisal, cardboard, or carpet posts for fun claw workouts.

  • 🐾 Try Soft Nail Caps: A safe, playful option that keeps claws blunt and furniture safe.

  • 👩‍⚕️ Ask the Pros: If trimming feels tricky, your vet or groomer can guide you.

Learn more pet care tips at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UCI Men's Water Polo Stuns No. 7 San Jose State in Senior Day Victory, 11–9

No. 16 UC Irvine men’s water polo closed out its regular-season home schedule with an impressive 11–9 upset over No. 7 San Jose State on Senior Day. UCI now heads to LMU for their final regular-season matchup on Nov. 15.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Basketball

  • Fri, Nov 7 – California Baptist, 7:30 PM

Women's Volleyball

  • Fri, Nov 7 – vs UC Davis, 1:00 PM

  • Sat, Nov 8 – vs UC Riverside, 5:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Sat, Nov 8 – vs Big West Semifinal, 6:00 PM

Men’s Water Polo

  • Sun, Nov 9 – vs San Jose State, 12:00 PM

IVC Men’s Soccer Extends Lead with 2-0 Victory Over Santiago Canyon

Irvine Valley men’s soccer secured a 2-0 win over Santiago Canyon, moving three points clear in the Orange Empire Conference. IVC, ranked in SoCal’s top 20, closes the regular season this week vs. Fullerton and Golden West.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Soccer

  • Wed, Nov 12 - vs Fullerton, 3:00 PM

Women's Soccer

  • Fri, Nov 14 – Golden West, 3:00 PM

Woodbridge Football Surges Past Desert Hot Springs 28-13 to Advance in CIF Playoffs

Woodbridge High defeated Desert Hot Springs 28–13 in the CIF Division 13 playoffs, rallying with a strong second half. The victory marked Coach Connor McBride’s first as head coach, advancing the Warriors to face Buena Park in Round 2.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

November 2025

Wednesday, November 12

  • Water Polo, Girls – 4:30 PM vs. Canyon/Anaheim

  • Wrestling, Boys – 5:00 PM vs. El Toro

Stolen Mail Recovered — Two Arrested in Irvine Identity Theft Case

Irvine Police arrested two suspects, Phuong Duc Pham of Anaheim and Don Quy Le of Santa Ana, after a traffic stop near Sand Canyon and Trabuco revealed a large stash of stolen mail. Le, a repeat offender already out on bail for a similar crime, received enhanced bail. Both were charged with identity theft and conspiracy and booked into Orange County Jail. Officers have since returned the stolen mail to its rightful owners

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 11 Veterans Day Ceremony 11 AM

November 13 Phaeton Piano Trio 7 PM

November 15 - 16 Woodbridge Village Center: Makers Markets 10 AM - 4 PM

November 20 - November 22 Shelley Conducts Carmen and Daphnis and Chloe 8 PM

November 22 Lao Tizer Band

November 23 PSYCB: Songs of the Earth 1 PM

November 25 PSYO: Light in Darkness 7 PM

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