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Games, Music, and a Ribbon Cutting—Katie Wheeler Library Reopens, Mar. 7

Issue # 0565

Author

Joshua Tjia
09 Feb

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚜🏗️ JOST Bridge Nears Completion; Overnight Walnut Avenue Closures Scheduled

🥟🥒🥢 Din Tai Fung Welcomes Guests with Exclusive Preview Reservations

🚔 Irvine Police Conduct School Zone Traffic Enforcement in Portola Area

📚🎉 Games, Music, and a Ribbon Cutting—Katie Wheeler Library Reopens, Mar. 7

💚🧩 Family Craft Night Today at the Library: Puzzle Heart Wreaths

🤧 Natural Cough Remedies Recommended by UCI Health

🦆🌳 Little Explorers: Discover Ducks with Your Kids at Mason Regional Park, Feb. 12

🩰 Annual UCI Dance Showcase Returns to the Barclay

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕 From Zoomies to Slow Walks: Dog Exercise Made Easy

🏀 UCI Women’s Basketball Cruises Past UC Santa Barbara, 63–41

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚾️ IVC Baseball Rolls Past Cerro Coso, Improves to 8–0

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Historic Night on the Court: Kara Niho Hits 1,000 Career Points for Portola Basketball

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓💄 Irvine Police Arrest Suspect Linked to $60,000 in Multi-State Ulta Thefts

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did one lightbulb say to the other on Valentine’s Day?

I love you watts and watts.

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

JOST Bridge Nears Completion; Overnight Walnut Avenue Closures Scheduled

Work continues on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge, which is expected to open this summer and will create a major trail connection across Irvine.

  • 🚲 Project: JOST Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge, linking trails from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ana Mountains

  • 🚧 Road closure: Walnut Avenue south of Jeffrey Road

  • ⏰ Closure times:

    • Thursday, Feb. 12, 11 p.m. – Friday, Feb. 13, 5 a.m.

    • Friday, Feb. 13, 11 p.m. – Saturday, Feb. 14, 5 a.m.

  • 🏠 Local access: Residences and businesses will remain accessible

  • 🚫 No access during closures: Southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps at Jeffrey Road and Caltrans Park & Ride

  • More info: cityofirvine.org/jostextension

Din Tai Fung Welcomes Guests with Exclusive Preview Reservations

Reservations are now open for an exclusive preview of the new Din Tai Fung location a the Irvine Spectrum, available now through March 1, ahead of its official grand opening on March 2. Guests can reserve a spot to be among the first to dine at the restaurant before it opens to the public.

Irvine Police Conduct School Zone Traffic Enforcement in Portola Area

Irvine Police conducted a 90-minute High Visibility Enforcement operation in the Portola area after increased traffic complaints near school zones, issuing 40 citations. Violations included children under 18 riding bicycles without helmets and illegal parking in “No Stopping” zones.

IPD reminds parents and drivers to follow helmet laws and posted signs during school pick-up and drop-off times.

Games, Music, and a Ribbon Cutting—Katie Wheeler Library Reopens, Mar. 7

The City of Irvine invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of the newly refreshed Katie Wheeler Library on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, lawn games, hands-on activities, and live barbershop quartet music, highlighting updated spaces, new amenities, and programs designed for all ages as Irvine Public Library begins its next chapter.

Family Craft Night Today at the Library: Puzzle Heart Wreaths

Irvine Public Library is hosting Create-it-Yourself: Puzzle Heart Wreaths, a family-friendly craft night where participants transform recycled puzzle pieces into a layered heart wreath. The free program takes place today, Monday, February 9, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Heritage Park Library.

Natural Cough Remedies Recommended by UCI Health

As cold and flu season continues, coughing is a common symptom many people deal with. Dr. Roxann Engle, a UCI Health family medicine physician, is encouraging patients to try gentle, natural remedies first before reaching for medication.

  • Neti pot relief: Using a neti pot with saltwater can help flush the sinuses, lower swelling in the nasal membranes, and pull out mucus, offering short-term relief from cough-related congestion.

  • Steam showers: Warm steam from a hot shower can feel soothing and may help loosen mucus and ease airway irritation, making breathing more comfortable for many people during a cough.

Little Explorers: Discover Ducks with Your Kids at Mason Regional Park, Feb. 12

Join Little Explorers: Ducks, a family-friendly OC Parks program on Thursday, February 12, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. at Mason Regional Park in Irvine, designed for children ages 3–6 with a parent or guardian—join OC Park naturalists for a fun morning of story time and an easy hike as little ones learn all about ducks.

Annual UCI Dance Showcase Returns to the Barclay

Dance Visions 2026 is UC Irvine’s Department of Dance annual showcase, featuring original faculty choreography performed by UCI dance students. The program blends contemporary and classical works with theatrical and musical elements. Performances run February 19–21 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, with evening shows at 8 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. February 11-14: Musical -Mean Girls, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. February 26-28, TBD: Cinderella, 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

  1. February 21: CSUF SSAA Festival, CSU-Fullerton

  2. February 25-28, 7:00 PM: Seussical, IHS PAC

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

From Zoomies to Slow Walks: Dog Exercise Made Easy

Dogs need daily movement to stay healthy and happy, but the right amount depends on their age, breed, and energy level. Some dogs thrive on long, active days, while others do best with shorter, gentler routines.

  • Adult dogs: About 1 hour of activity per day

  • High-energy breeds: 2+ hours of exercise and mental stimulation

  • Puppies: Multiple short play sessions throughout the day

  • Senior dogs: Around 30 minutes of low-impact activity

  • Too little exercise may show up as: Weight gain, restlessness, chewing, or excessive barking

UCI Women’s Basketball Cruises Past UC Santa Barbara, 63–41

UC Irvine’s defense powered a dominant 63–41 win over UC Santa Barbara,. Hunter Hernandez (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Summah Hanson (12 points, 13 rebounds) led the way as UCI improved to 19–4 overall and 10–2 in Big West play.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Volleyball

  • Wed, Feb 11 – vs USC , 6:00 PM

IVC Baseball Rolls Past Cerro Coso, Improves to 8–0

Irvine Valley baseball remained undefeated, cruising to a 20–2 win over Cerro Coso on Saturday to improve to 8–0. The Lasers broke the game open with 11 runs in the fifth inning and have now outscored opponents 99–25 this season.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Tue, Feb 10 - vs Ventura, 2:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  • Tue, Feb 10 - vs Riverside, 5:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  • Tue, Feb 10 - vs Stanton, 2:00 PM

Women's Basketball

  • Tue, Feb 10 - vs Riverside, 7:00 PM

  • Thu, Feb 12 - vs Orange Coast, 7:00 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Feb 13 - vs El Camino, 6:00 PM

Historic Night on the Court: Kara Niho Hits 1,000 Career Points for Portola Basketball

Portola High School senior Kara Niho reached the 1,000-point career milestone in girls’ basketball during a 51–34 win over Warren, becoming the fifth Bulldog to do so. Portola finished fourth in the Pacific Coast League at 18–10 overall.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

February 2026

Wednesday, February 11

  • Beach Volleyball, Girls - 3:30 PM vs Montebello

Thursday, February 12

  • Beach Volleyball, Girls - 3:30 PM vs Esperanza

Irvine Police Arrest Suspect Linked to $60,000 in Multi-State Ulta Thefts

Irvine Police arrested a 31-year-old Las Vegas woman accused of stealing more than $2,000 in merchandise from an Ulta store on Jamboree Road in January. Investigators linked her to over $60,000 in Ulta thefts across Nevada and Arizona, and with help from out-of-state agencies, IPD located and arrested her in Corona. She was booked into Orange County Jail on charges of grand theft and organized retail theft.

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

February 12 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

February 14 Hide & Squeak 6th Anniversary 11 AM - 2 PM

February 14 - 15 Modern Makers Mart: Woodbury Town Center 10 AM - 4 PM

February 15 America 250 3 PM

February 19 - 21 UCI Dance Visions 2026

February 21 IUSD Recycling Event 9 AM - 12 PM

February 21 IRWD Community Tour 10 AM - 2 PM

February 21 Lunar New Year 8 PM

February 26 - 28 From Mozart to Mahler 8 PM

February 28 Peter and the Wolf

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