Holiday Package Safety: 5 Tips to Stay Secure

Issue # 0313

Author

Joshua Tjia
19 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

📦🎁 Holiday Package Safety: 5 Tips to Stay Secure

🍧🍨 Bacio di Latte Opens at Irvine Spectrum Center, Offering Authentic Italian Gelato

🚜🚧 Walnut Avenue Closure Scheduled December 19-20 for JOST Bridge Work

📖📚 Join Family Storytime: Stories, Songs, and Fun at Heritage Park Library

🏥🩺 Hyundai Donates $50,000 to UCI Health Centers to Expand Diabetes Care

🌳🧤 Volunteer Opportunity: Habitat Restoration in Buck Gully on December 20

🖼️ "Exploring California's Artistic Roots: UCI's Langson IMCA Unveils 'Common Ground' Exhibition in Spring 2025

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🫧🧼 Protect Your Pipes This Holiday Season: Properly Dispose of Fats, Oils, and Grease

🏀 Déja Lee Named Sgt. Pepperoni's Anteater of the Week After Historic Basketball Win

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Crean Lutheran and Capo Valley Lead the Way in Basketball Victories; Irvine Scores Big in Non-League Game

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🛍️ Irvine Police Arrest Two in Spectrum Retail Theft, Recover Thousands in Stolen Goods

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How much does Santa have to pay to park his sleigh?

Nothing. It's on the house!

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

Holiday Package Safety: 5 Tips to Stay Secure

As the holidays near, it's important to take precautions to protect your gifts from package thieves. Here are some simple tips to keep your deliveries safe and ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones:

  • Track your packages

  • Be available for delivery

  • Require a signature

  • Choose in-store pickup

  • Install a security or doorbell camera pointed at your doorstep

Bacio di Latte Opens at Irvine Spectrum Center, Offering Authentic Italian Gelato

Bacio di Latte opened at the Irvine Spectrum Center on Dec. 13, offering a range of gelato flavors, including popular choices like Pistacchio and limited edition Crema Torino. Known for its authentic Italian experience, the shop features in-house-made gelato crafted daily with fresh ingredients, using gelato spatulas instead of traditional scoops. The welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and options like toppings and cones make it a must-visit dessert spot. Bacio Sweet Day on Dec. 20 will support Second Harvest Food Bank with free gelato giveaways and donation matching. Peak hours are between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., making it a great after-dinner treat destination.

Walnut Avenue Closure Scheduled December 19-20 for JOST Bridge Work

Walnut Avenue, south of Jeffrey Road, will be fully closed from 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, to 5 a.m. on Friday, December 20, for work on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge. Access to nearby residences and businesses will remain open, but the southbound I-5 on- and off-ramps and Caltrans Park & Ride will be inaccessible during this time.

Join Family Storytime: Stories, Songs, and Fun at Heritage Park Library

Enjoy a morning of stories, songs, and fun for the whole family at Irvine Heritage Park Library on Sunday, December 22, from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. This free, family-friendly event is perfect for all ages and is part of the Storytime series hosted at the Heritage Park Branch. Don't miss out on this engaging community gathering!

Hyundai Donates $50,000 to UCI Health Centers to Expand Diabetes Care

UCI Health Family Health Centers in Santa Ana and Anaheim received a $50,000 donation from Hyundai Motor America to enhance diabetes care for underserved communities. The funds will convert an exam room into a specialized diabetes suite and expand group medical visits led by a multidisciplinary team covering topics like healthy habits, insulin resistance, and stress management. Serving primarily low-income, Spanish-speaking patients, the centers also address broader healthcare disparities through holistic services, including mental health and dental care. This initiative aligns with UC Irvine’s broader diabetes program, which integrates innovative strategies like social dance workshops and EHR-driven care optimization to combat high diabetes rates in the Latino community.

Volunteer Opportunity: Habitat Restoration in Buck Gully on December 20

Join the Third Friday Habitat Restoration in Buck Gully on December 20, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, to help improve wildlife habitats by planting native plants and removing invasive species. The activity, rated difficulty level 3, involves working on sloped terrain, so sturdy hiking boots are recommended. Training, tools, and gloves will be provided, and participants must register in advance and bring proper equipment.

"Exploring California's Artistic Roots: UCI's Langson IMCA Unveils 'Common Ground' Exhibition in Spring 2025

The Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art (Langson IMCA) at UC Irvine will present the exhibition Common Ground: Early 20th-Century Artist Communities in Southern California from February 8 to May 17, 2025. Curated by UC Irvine Visual Studies Ph.D. students, the exhibition features 36 works, including paintings, porcelain, and bronze, highlighting the artist communities in Laguna Beach, La Jolla, and Los Angeles. These groups, like the Laguna Beach Art Association (now Laguna Art Museum), La Jolla Art Association, and California Art Club, fostered collaboration, artistic exchange, and professional growth in the early 1900s. Located at 18881 Von Karman Avenue in Irvine, the museum offers free admission and parking, with related programs to be announced in 2025.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for December.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Protect Your Pipes This Holiday Season: Properly Dispose of Fats, Oils, and Grease

Avoid pipe clogs and sewage spills during your festivities by properly disposing of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in the trash—not down the drain. Follow these simple tips to keep your plumbing in top shape:

  1. Never pour grease down the drain or toilet. It can solidify and block your pipes.

  2. Dispose of FOG in sealed containers. Use jars or lidded containers to store leftover fats, oils, grease, gravies, and heavy sauces, then place them in the trash.

  3. Wipe greasy pans before washing. Use paper towels to clean pans and throw the towels in the trash.

  4. Avoid food scraps in the garbage disposal. Potato peelings, coffee grounds, and eggshells should go in a compost or trash bin.

  5. Safely discard fryer oil. Let it cool, mix it with absorbent materials like cat litter or newspaper, and toss it in the trash.

For more tips, visit IRWD.com/fog. Keep your celebrations stress-free and your pipes flowing smoothly!

Déja Lee Named Sgt. Pepperoni's Anteater of the Week After Historic Basketball Win

Senior Déja Lee earned the title of Sgt. Pepperoni's Anteater of the Week after leading UC Irvine women’s basketball to a historic 60-48 win over Oregon State, marking only their second win in the series and first since 1999. Lee contributed 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, and moved into eighth place in program history for career 3-pointers (113) and steals (171).

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No further upcoming home games for December

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Basketball

  1. Fri, Dec 20: vs Cypress, 7:00 PM

  2. Mon, Dec 30: vs Alumni, 6:00 PM

Crean Lutheran and Capo Valley Lead the Way in Basketball Victories; Irvine Scores Big in Non-League Game

Jerry Tarkanian Classic:

  • Crean Lutheran 69, Coeur d'Alene 64: Crean Lutheran opened the Nike Division with a hard-fought win, led by Will Malual (21 pts, 7 reb) and Hunter Caplan (20 pts, 4 ast). Jacob Majok added 9 pts, 9 reb, and 3 ast to seal the victory.

  • Capo Valley Christian 79, Coral Academy 45: Capo Valley Christian dominated with Matthew Ahern scoring 24 pts, Michael A’Hern contributing 19 pts, and Shaunt Kechejian adding 17 pts for a decisive win.

Sunset League:

  • Newport Harbor 60, Marina 43: Newport Harbor kicked off their league opener with a road win, powered by Jack Berry’s 24 pts and 10 reb, along with Owen Saukkola’s 16 pts and 4 three-pointers.

Non-League:

  • Irvine 67, Godinez 30: Irvine cruised to a home victory with Jalen Yim (16 pts, 4 stl) leading the charge, supported by Cooper Stearns (11 pts, 8 reb) and Ali Dal (10 pts, 5 reb). Holden Stearns also added 10 pts to the effort. Godinez’s Jaiden Torres scored 10 pts in the loss.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2024  

Friday, December 20

  • 07:00 PM - Basketball, Boys VR vs Laguna Hills at Irvine High School Game Gym

Irvine Police Arrest Two in Spectrum Retail Theft, Recover Thousands in Stolen Goods

Spectrum Officers responded to a theft at Lululemon on Sunday, detaining two suspects while two others escaped. Over $800 in merchandise was stolen, and an additional $2,000 worth of stolen goods from other Southern California stores was found in the suspects' vehicle. Anita Snell, 27, of Las Vegas, and Jamil Naylor Harris, 23, were arrested for organized retail theft and possession of stolen property. Irvine PD continues to work closely with Spectrum security, with extra officers on duty during the holiday season to ensure safety.

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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