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Great Park’s Next Phase: The Canopy to Offer Shopping, Dining & Community Spaces

Issue # 0513

Author

Joshua Tjia
07 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🥘🍕 From Kung Pao to Hot Honey Pizza: Try Irvine’s Sweet-and-Spicy Dishes

🌳🏗️ Great Park’s Next Phase: The Canopy to Offer Shopping, Dining & Community Spaces

🫐🧋 Sip Something New — Try Tastea’s Earl Grey Series

🍞🍰 85°C Bakery Café Offers New Party Trays for Special Occasions and Events

👚🪀 Save on Kids’ Clothes & Toys at Irvine’s Up Up & Away Sale, Nov. 7–9

💚🍴 Simple Diet Changes That Help Prevent Heart Disease

🌅🌿 Catch the Sunset on a Fitness Hike on Hicks Haul Road, Nov. 15

🩰 Join the Magic: Fun Holiday Ballet Classes for Kids Ages 3–5 at Woodbridge

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🚰💧 Learn How IRWD Keeps Your Water Clean — Join the Workshop Nov. 13

🎾 UC Irvine Tennis Opens ITA Sectionals with Strong Wins in Singles and Doubles

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC Women's Volleyball Sweeps Cypress, Strengthens Playoff Push

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Woodbridge Football Secures CIF Playoff Spot, to Host Desert Hot Springs

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🚨 Suspect Identified and Arrested in Connection with Irvine Vehicle Burglary

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do sweet potatoes wear to bed?

Yammies.

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

From Kung Pao to Hot Honey Pizza: Try Irvine’s Sweet-and-Spicy Dishes

The “swicy” craze — a blend of sweet and spicy flavors — is taking over Irvine’s dining scene. Rooted in Sichuan traditions and expanding into modern American and Mexican dishes, this trend delivers the perfect balance of heat and sweetness, satisfying adventurous food lovers across cuisines.

Where to Taste the Swicy Trend in Irvine:

  • Meizhou Dongpo (Culver Plaza): Classic kung pao chicken and shrimp blending sweet, sour, and numbing spice.

  • Kuan Zhai Alley (Los Olivos Marketplace): Sichuan favorites that highlight fiery chiles and sweet notes.

  • Cucina Enoteca (Irvine Spectrum Center): Pepperoni pizza drizzled with hot honey for a sweet-spicy twist.

  • Sessions West Coast Deli (Woodbridge Village Center): Pepperoni Stinger pizza with hot honey and Calabrian chili oil.

  • Puesto (Los Olivos Marketplace): peach-habanero cocktails, Nogada guacamole with pomegranate and mango pico, and tamarindo shrimp tacos.

Great Park’s Next Phase: The Canopy to Offer Shopping, Dining & Community Spaces

Construction is progressing at The Canopy at the Great Park, a 12-acre destination that will feature over 90,000 square feet of retail, dining, and everyday services for Irvine’s growing Great Park neighborhoods. With foundations now underway and vertical construction starting soon, this vibrant new hub will provide convenient amenities and community gathering spaces.

Stay updated at greatparkframework.org.

Sip Something New — Try Tastea’s Earl Grey Series

Tastea is introducing its new Earl Grey Series with two drinks — Blueberry Blush and Earl Grey Milk Tea — now available at all locations! Enjoy 20 bonus points when you order one through November 9, and redeem either drink for 375 points on the Tastea Rewards App until November 30.

85°C Bakery Café Offers New Party Trays for Special Occasions and Events

85°C Bakery Café now offers Party Trays perfect for gatherings and celebrations, each serving up to 14 people. Choose from Sweet Buns, Savory Buns, or Little Cakes assortments featuring favorites like taro rolls, cheese dogs, egg tarts, and matcha rolls. Available at all 85°C locations while supplies last.

Save on Kids’ Clothes & Toys at Irvine’s Up Up & Away Sale, Nov. 7–9

The Up Up & Away Kids Consignment Sale continues through Nov. 9, at its new location: 79 Technology Dr. W, Irvine, CA.

Enjoy free entry on:

  • Friday, Nov. 7 (10 a.m.–7 p.m.)

  • Saturday, Nov. 8 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.)

  • and a 50% off sale on Sunday, Nov. 9 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) with savings on kids’ clothes, toys, and gear.

Simple Diet Changes That Help Prevent Heart Disease

A heart-healthy diet is the strongest defense against heart disease. Making small, consistent changes to eating habits can go a long way in improving overall wellness and protecting your heart for years to come.

Tips for a Heart-Healthy Diet:

  • 🥦 Enjoy More Fruits & Vegetables – Add color and nutrients to every meal.

  • 🌾 Choose Whole Grains – Try whole wheat, oats, or brown rice for lasting energy.

  • 🍯 Limit Saturated Fats & Sugary Foods – Small changes make a big difference.

  • 🍽️ Be Mindful of Portions – Eat slowly and savor each bite.

  • 💧 Keep Hydrated – Water supports your heart and helps you feel your best.

  • Read more here

Catch the Sunset on a Fitness Hike on Hicks Haul Road, Nov. 15

Join OC Parks for a Sunset Fitness Hike on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 4–6 p.m. at Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Enjoy a 6-mile roundtrip hike along the paved Hicks Haul Road, crossing both sides of Loma Ridge with stunning panoramic views of Orange County at sunset.

Join the Magic: Fun Holiday Ballet Classes for Kids Ages 3–5 at Woodbridge

The Showtime Dance Nutcracker Ballet class invites young dancers ages 3–5 to experience the magic of The Nutcracker this holiday season! Classes run Tuesdays from Nov. 18 to Dec. 16 from 4:00–4:45 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Center, offering a fun introduction to ballet in a festive setting.

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 

Learn How IRWD Keeps Your Water Clean — Join the Workshop Nov. 13

Join the IRWD Water Quality Workshop on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the IRWD Operations Center. This free event gives residents an inside look at how IRWD treats and tests drinking water to meet all state and federal standards. Attendees can tour the state-of-the-art water quality lab, hear presentations on treatment and testing, and participate in a Q&A with water experts.

UC Irvine Tennis Opens ITA Sectionals with Strong Wins in Singles and Doubles

UC Irvine men’s tennis had a strong start at the ITA Sectional Championships in Berkeley, winning two matches on Thursday. Tal Goodman and Hiroki Sakagawa advanced to the doubles quarterfinals after defeating Arizona State, while Sakagawa also moved on to the singles Round of 16 with a hard-fought win over Oregon’s Lachlan Robertson.

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 Women's Volleyball Sweeps Cypress, Strengthens Playoff Push

Irvine Valley College’s women’s volleyball team boosted its record to 9-9 overall and 9-4 in Orange Empire Conference play after sweeping Cypress. Standout players included sophomore Alya Mersin with 14 kills, freshman Dalilah Rivero with nine kills and six aces, and freshman Jazlynn Fu with seven kills.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Basketball

  • Fri, Nov 7 - vs IVC Classic, TBA

Men's Soccer

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

Women's Soccer

  • Fri, Nov 7 – vs Santiago Canyon, 3:00 PM

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

Woodbridge Football Secures CIF Playoff Spot, to Host Desert Hot Springs

Woodbridge High’s football team clinched a CIF Division 13 playoff berth and will host Desert Hot Springs at University High. Despite starting the season 0–7, the Warriors fought back to earn a playoff spot through a three-way tie and coin flip.

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

Suspect Identified and Arrested in Connection with Irvine Vehicle Burglary

The Irvine Police Department has arrested 32-year-old Rosemary Arteaga Morfin of Anaheim, who was previously sought in connection with a vehicle burglary incident at an apartment garage on Miramonte. Following an investigation and search warrant, detectives located and took Ms. Morfin into custody in Anaheim after she failed to voluntarily surrender. She was booked into the Orange County Jail on charges including burglary, vehicle burglary, vandalism, and receiving stolen property.

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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