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Healing with Nature: UCI Health Integrates the San Joaquin Marsh into Campus Design

Issue # 0516

Author

Joshua Tjia
13 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍑🥞🍊 Gram Cafe & Pancakes Brings Its Famous Soufflé Pancakes to Culver Plaza

🌧️☔️ Rainy Weekend Ahead in Irvine — Showers Expected Friday Through Sunday

🎄 Hikari Festival of Lights Returns to Tanaka Farms with 30% Early Bird Savings

🌊🧋 The Alley x Demon Slayer Collab Brings Giyu Tomioka Drinks & Merch

🍂🛼 Roll Into the Holidays: Friendsgiving Skate Night at The Rinks, Nov. 28

🌿🩺 Healing with Nature: UCI Health Integrates the San Joaquin Marsh into Campus Design

🌅🥾 Evening Adventure Awaits: Hike Hicks Haul Road at Sunset

🎻🎶 Celebrate the Season with Concordia’s Christmas Ensembles, Dec. 13

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🌳📷 Show Off Your Best Shot — Woodbridge Village Photo Contest Returns

🏀 UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Sets Records in 130–63 Blowout Win Over Lincoln

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC Volleyball's Alya Mersin Named State Athlete of the Week

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️🏀🥍 Crean Lutheran Athletes Commit to College Sports Programs

🏈🎾 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’s the problem with eating too much pumpkin pie this time of year?

You’ll get autumn’y ache.

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

Gram Cafe & Pancakes Brings Its Famous Soufflé Pancakes to Culver Plaza

Gram Cafe & Pancakes — a famous Japanese chain known for its jiggly soufflé pancakes — is opening next month at Culver Plaza. Founded in Osaka in 2014, Gram’s signature cloudlike pancakes are made by whipping egg whites into meringue and cooking them slowly for a light, airy texture. The cafe has more than 60 locations worldwide, including in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and is now bringing its Instagram-worthy treats to Irvine.

Rainy Weekend Ahead in Irvine — Showers Expected Friday Through Sunday

Rain is on the way! Irvine could see 3–4 inches from Friday through Sunday.

  • Report any puddles or downed trees through the Access Irvine app or call 949-724-7600 (weekdays) / 949-724-7000 (after hours).

  • Free sandbags are available at 6427 Oak Canyon Rd, Tue–Fri, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

  • More info: cityofirvine.org/berainready. Stay safe and dry! ☔

Hikari Festival of Lights Returns to Tanaka Farms with 30% Early Bird Savings

Hikari: Festival of Lights is returning to Tanaka Farms from November 28 to December 28 (Wednesday–Sunday)! Stroll or ride through glowing fields filled with thousands of lights, festive displays, holiday music, and tasty treats. Enjoy wagon rides, themed walking paths, a holiday market, and photos with Santa.

Early Bird Deal: Save 30% off tickets when you book in advance at tanakafarms.com.

The Alley x Demon Slayer Collab Brings Giyu Tomioka Drinks & Merch

The Alley has launched a Demon Slayer x Giyu Tomioka collab! Fans can sip on the special Hashira Oreo Boba Mochi Milk and shop exclusive themed merch—perfect for anime lovers and boba fans alike. Grab this limited-time collection through November 30, while supplies last!

Roll Into the Holidays: Friendsgiving Skate Night at The Rinks, Nov. 28

Join Friendsgiving Skate Night at The Rinks Irvine Inline on Friday, November 28, from 7–10 PM! Celebrate the season with friends, festive music, and good vibes on wheels.

Admission is $18, with $5 rentals for skates and $5 for Skate Mates. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just here for the fun, it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday spirit together. 🦃✨

Healing with Nature: UCI Health Integrates the San Joaquin Marsh into Campus Design

UCI Health — Irvine was designed to embrace and protect the 300-acre San Joaquin Marsh Reserve next to its new medical campus.

  • The marsh serves as both a natural water filter and a sanctuary for more than 300 bird species and native wildlife like the Western pond turtle.

  • The hospital’s architecture prioritizes environmental harmony, with bird-safe windows, stormwater filtration, and native plant buffers.

  • Expansive views, outdoor terraces, and meditation areas invite patients, visitors, and staff to connect with nature, promoting healing and well-being through a calm, restorative environment.

Evening Adventure Awaits: Hike Hicks Haul Road at Sunset

Experience the serene beauty of Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve during an Evening Hike on Hicks Haul Road on Tuesday, November 25, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Enjoy 3.5 miles of scenic views, fragrant native plants, and peaceful twilight sounds as you hike up to Loma Ridge. Sign up here

Celebrate the Season with Concordia’s Christmas Ensembles, Dec. 13

Concordia University Irvine celebrates the holiday season with “Emmanuel! A Concordia Christmas” — a festive concert featuring over 200 student performers from eight vocal and instrumental ensembles. Led by conductors Dr. Michael Busch, Dr. Jeff Held, Dr. Daniel Wessler, and Erik Der, the performances will take place on Saturday, December 13, at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

Tickets available here.

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

Show Off Your Best Shot — Woodbridge Village Photo Contest Returns

The Woodbridge Village Association’s Annual Photography Contest is just two weeks away! Submit your best 5x7 photo in one of six categories — Lakes, Bridges, Sunsets, Gazebos, Landscapes, or Wildlife — by Friday, November 21 at 5:00 PM. Winning photos will be featured in the January or February 2026 Reflections newsletter.

UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Sets Records in 130–63 Blowout Win Over Lincoln

UC Irvine men’s basketball shattered records in a 130–63 win over Lincoln, setting new marks for assists (40), field goals (59), and second-half points (71). The Anteaters, now 2–1, return to the Bren Events Center to face Weber State on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 PM.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Basketball

  • Sat, Nov 15 – vs Weber State, 7:00 PM

Women's Volleyball

  • Sat, Nov 15 – vs Northen Arizona, 3:30 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Nov 21 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

Men’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Nov 21– vs Big West Championship, TBA

IVC Volleyball's Alya Mersin Named State Athlete of the Week

Irvine Valley’s Alya Mersin, a sophomore from University High, was named one of the state’s top volleyball players of the week after helping the Lasers sweep both Cypress and Santa Ana.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women's Soccer

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

Women's Basketball

  • Wed, Nov 19 – vs El Camino, 7:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  • Fri, Nov 21 - vs Cuyamaca, 5:00 PM

Crean Lutheran Athletes Commit to College Sports Programs

Four Crean Lutheran athletes signed their college commitments during a special on-campus ceremony on Wednesday.

College Signings:

  • 🏀 Chadrack Mpoyi – University of Minnesota (Boys Basketball)

  • 🏀 Jacob Majok – UC Riverside (Boys Basketball)

  • ⚾ Brady McKay – Saint Mary’s College (Baseball)

  • 🥍 Presley Jomphe – Concordia University Irvine (Lacrosse)

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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 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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