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Great Park Ice Offers Free Beginner Skating & Hockey Programs for All Ages

Issue # 0591

Author

Joshua Tjia
18 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🫐🍓🎊  Ubatuba Açaí Brings Authentic Brazilian Bowls to Irvine: Grand Opening on Mar. 28

🚧🏗️ Marine Way Project Update: Tunnel Work and Access Plans Moving Forward

🚦✋🏼 Help Improve Irvine’s Venta Spur Trail — Join the Community Meeting, Mar. 25

🗂️💵 Free Tax Preparation Services Offered in Irvine for Eligible Residents

⛸️ Great Park Ice Offers Free Beginner Skating & Hockey Programs for All Ages

🧊🩹 Sprains Explained: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor

📱🌷 Capture Nature Like a Pro: Learn Cell Phone Photography Basics, Mar. 27

🎨🌟 Over 60 IUSD Students Nominated for OC Register Artist of the Year Awards

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈 From Shelter to Snuggles: Irvine Seeks Volunteers to Foster Kittens in Need

🏐 Big Third Quarter Lifts UC Irvine Women’s Water Polo Past CBU 15-11

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏈 IVC Flag Football Dominates Long Beach State 45–12

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Beckman Baseball Scores Late to Defeat Woodbridge 4-1

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🛍️ Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in $2,400 Apple Pay Fraud Case at Spectrum Stores

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the mama cow say to the calf after he stayed up too late?

It's way pasture bedtime.

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

Ubatuba Açaí Brings Authentic Brazilian Bowls to Irvine: Grand Opening on Mar. 28

Ubatuba Açaí is celebrating its grand opening at University Park Center in Irvine on March 28 from 9 am - 10 pm, bringing authentic Brazilian açaí bowls topped with fresh fruit and granola. Guests can enjoy special one-day deals, including free bowls and tote bags for the first 50 customers, free bowls for the next 50, and buy-one-get-one-free bowls available all day while supplies last.

Marine Way Project Update: Tunnel Work and Access Plans Moving Forward

The City of Irvine continues making progress on the Marine Way Undercrossing & Extension Project, which will eventually allow travel under the railroad tracks at Marine Way and provide a connection along Barranca Parkway to the Irvine Transportation Center.

  • Rail crossings will remain limited to Barranca Parkway for now, with a possible additional crossing near Ada under consideration.

  • There are no current plans to expand or reroute transit service into the Great Park.

  • Recent work includes tunnel reinforcement, construction of tunnel walls and roof at the Borrego Channel, slope excavation, and installation of supports to maintain stability.

Help Improve Irvine’s Venta Spur Trail — Join the Community Meeting, Mar. 25

The City of Irvine is working to improve safety and accessibility along the 3.7-mile Venta Spur Trail, focusing on street crossings that currently lack traffic signals. Residents are encouraged to share feedback through a survey and attend a community meeting on Wednesday, March 25, from 6–8 p.m. at Northwood Community Center to learn more, ask questions, and help guide the project.

Free Tax Preparation Services Offered in Irvine for Eligible Residents

Free tax preparation assistance is available in Irvine through April 7 for individuals who earned less than $69,000 in 2025. IRS-certified volunteers will provide support with filing taxes. Services are offered on Tuesdays from 12–6 p.m. at Harvard Community Park, and appointments are required.

Great Park Ice Offers Free Beginner Skating & Hockey Programs for All Ages

Great Park Ice in Irvine offers welcoming programs for all ages and skill levels, making ice skating and hockey accessible even for beginners.

  • Kids ages 4–12 can try free programs like First Strides (two weeks) and Learn to Play Hockey (four weeks), with all equipment provided.

  • Afterward, participants can advance to programs like Little Ducks or beginner figure skating classes, while adults can also join entry-level lessons.

  • The goal is to create an inclusive, low-pressure environment where anyone can learn, build confidence, and enjoy the ice—no prior experience needed.

  • Find more information here

Sprains Explained: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor

A sprain is when a ligament (the tissue that connects bones) gets stretched or torn, usually from a fall, twist, or awkward movement—most often in the ankle, wrist, or knee.

Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and trouble moving the joint.

Mild sprains can often be cared for at home, but it may be helpful to seek medical attention if you’re unable to bear weight, hear a “pop,” or if the pain doesn’t improve over time.

Recovery can take days to months, and you can prevent sprains by warming up, wearing good shoes, and improving strength and balance.

Quick Tips

  • 🧊 R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

  • 🏃 Ease back in: start moving gently after a couple of days

  • 👟 Prevent it: warm up, wear supportive shoes, and build strength

Capture Nature Like a Pro: Learn Cell Phone Photography Basics, Mar. 27

Join Phone Photo Friday, a free beginner-friendly photography program on Friday, March 27, 9–11 a.m. at Irvine Regional Park. Participants will learn phone photography basics, camera settings, and editing techniques with hands-on practice outdoors near the Nature Center.

Over 60 IUSD Students Nominated for OC Register Artist of the Year Awards

Over 60 juniors and seniors from Irvine Unified School District have been nominated for the OC Register’s Artist of the Year Awards, recognizing their talent, technique, and passion. Students were selected across a wide range of categories—including theater, dance, instrumental and vocal music, film and TV, media arts, and fine arts.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. March 18: 8th Grade Family Night – Jazz Ensemble I

  2. March 21: Irvine Jazz Festival

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. March 20: WHS Carnival

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. March 20, 7:00 PM: Spring 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

  1. March 27 - April 2: Hawaii Choir Tour

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 Shelter to Snuggles: Irvine Seeks Volunteers to Foster Kittens in Need

The Irvine Animal Care Center is looking for volunteers to foster kittens and help them grow in a safe, loving home until they’re ready for adoption. Fostering provides critical care and socialization that shelters can’t always offer, and the center supplies everything you need—including training, supplies, and veterinary support.

Learn more about the foster care program here

Big Third Quarter Lifts UC Irvine Women’s Water Polo Past CBU 15-11

UC Irvine women’s water polo pulled away with a dominant third quarter to defeat California Baptist 15-11. Lauren Hett led the Anteaters with five goals while Deirdre Murphy added a hat trick.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Fri, Mar 20 – vs Oregon State, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Mar 21 – vs Oregon State, 1:00 PM

  • Sun, Mar 22 – vs Oregon State, 1:00 PM

IVC Flag Football Dominates Long Beach State 45–12

Irvine Valley College flag football bounced back from a loss to Cypress with a dominant 45–12 win over Long Beach State, improving to 9–2 on the season. Quarterback Akayla Chaple threw seven touchdowns, while the defense added four interceptions.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Wed, Mar 18 – vs LA Harbor, 2:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  • Thu, Mar 19 – vs Fullerton, 2:00 PM

Women’s Beach Volleyball

  • Fri, Mar 20 – vs Saddleback, 10:00 AM

  • Fri, Mar 20 – vs Riverside, 12:00 PM

Beckman Baseball Scores Late to Defeat Woodbridge 4-1

Beckman and Woodbridge were tied 1-1 until the final inning, when Beckman scored three runs to take the lead and win 4-1. Pitcher Vinnie Montes finished the game strong with two scoreless innings.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With March Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

March 2026

Thursday, March 19

  • Tennis, Boys - 3:15 PM vs University

  • Softball - 3:30 PM vs Northwood

Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in $2,400 Apple Pay Fraud Case at Spectrum Stores

Irvine Police tracked down and arrested a suspect linked to about $2,400 in fraudulent gift card purchases at Irvine Spectrum stores, including Lululemon, Sephora, and Target, after she used someone else’s Apple Pay information. The suspect, Yan Yu, 37, of Baldwin Park, was located in Mission Viejo and booked for identity theft

Police are reminding residents to enable transaction alerts and quickly report suspicious activity to prevent fraud.

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

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