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Inside Irvine's Fight Against Burglary: How Proactive Policing and Community Tips Are Making a Difference

Issue # 0124

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

👮‍♂️🏠 Inside Irvine's Fight Against Burglary: How Proactive Policing and Community Tips Are Making a Difference

💊🛑 Fake Prescription Pills Fueling America's Opioid Epidemic with Deadly Consequences

🏫🎓 From Education to Economic Growth: Irvine Valley College's Major Role in OC

🌷🌸🌷 Spring Has Sprung: Tanaka Farms Invites You to Celebrate with Their Exclusive Spring Harvest Festival

🏑👦 2024 Spring Break Roller Hockey Camp Registration Now Open

🫁🥦 Top Foods for Boosting Lung Health and Reducing Disease Risk

🌳🏡 Top 5 Springtime Strategies to Protect Your Home from Wildfires

✍🏻 🧑‍🎨 Want to Master Drawing Expressive Faces? Chuck Jones Teen Drawing Class Begins April 9

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐈‍⬛ Join Irvine's Mission to Rescue Foster Animals This March

🏆🏃🏽‍♂️ UCI’s Jacob Hawkins Shatters 41-Year-Old School Record, Dominates Big West Field Events

🏀 UC Irvine's Basketball Coach Russell Turner Named Finalist for Prestigious Hugh Durham Award

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 Irvine Valley Men's Volleyball Team Continues Winning Streak in Conference Play

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ University Secures Narrow Victory Over Beckman in Pitcher's Duel

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🏡🔒 Protect Your Home: Irvine PD Shares Essential Tips Amid Rising Burglary Rates

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the fried rice say to the shrimp?

Don’t wok away from me!

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

Inside Irvine's Fight Against Burglary: How Proactive Policing and Community Tips Are Making a Difference

The City of Irvine recently addressed concerns and provided updates on residential burglaries over a 35-day period, emphasizing that Irvine remains one of the safest cities in the U.S., with a 15% decrease in residential burglaries compared to last year. Of the 34 burglaries mentioned, 18 were garage burglaries, 7 involved professional crews, 6 occurred in apartment homes without a clear pattern, and 3 involved suspects who were guests or service providers. Police Chief Michael Kent highlighted the city's commitment to safety through proactive policing, technology use, and collaboration with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for successful prosecutions. Efforts to combat crime include a Real Time Crime Center, drone deployment, a Directed Enforcement Team, and regular surveillance by the Criminal Investigations Division. The Irvine Police also encourage the community to stay informed on crime prevention tips via social media.

Fake Prescription Pills Fueling America's Opioid Epidemic with Deadly Consequences

Fake pills, designed to look like real prescription medications, are being used by traffickers to exploit the opioid crisis. These counterfeit pills can contain deadly amounts of fentanyl, posing a significant risk as they are often indistinguishable from genuine medications, leaving users unaware of their potential lethality. It's crucial to raise awareness to combat the daily toll of fentanyl-related deaths in the U.S. Additionally, if someone dies from ingesting, being exposed to, or manufacturing a controlled substance you provided, you could face murder charges. Fentanyl deaths should be seen as poisonings, not just overdoses.

From Education to Economic Growth: Irvine Valley College's Major Role in OC

Irvine Valley College significantly impacts Orange County's economy by providing quality education, supporting over 6,500 jobs, and generating $611.8 million. The college focuses on aligning academic programs with industry demands, leveraging technology, and fostering community partnerships. Graduates earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma, contributing to the local economy alongside the college's direct spending. Commissioned by the Orange County Regional Consortium, this study underscores the college's role in workforce development. Irvine Valley is also ranked as the third-best two-year college in California by EDsmart.

Spring Has Sprung: Tanaka Farms Invites You to Celebrate with Their Exclusive Spring Harvest Festival

  • When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm until the end of March.

  • Features: Spring and Easter-themed foods, games, activities, free tractor rides (with $5 admission), Easter Bunny photos, egg hunts, and more.

  • Activities: Carrot Patch Game, Bee Train, arts & crafts, mini-golf, pedal tractors, corn hole, tic tac toe, water pumps.

  • Food: Special recipes focusing on spring produce at Tanaka Grill.

  • Cost: $5 General Admission includes festival entry. No reservations needed for the festival.

  • Special Reservations: Chicks & Sprouts, Storytime, Baby Goat Yoga, Princess Storytime, Shearing Day & Fiber Arts Festival, Bunny Yoga, Farm-to-Table High Tea, Easter Hilltop Luncheon, @maxloveproject Farm Walk.

  • Location: Tanaka Farms, Irvine, CA.

#californiagrown #local #eatyourvegetables #oc #irvine #farm #supportlocal #farmtotable #spring #easter

2024 Spring Break Roller Hockey Camp Registration Now Open

Register now for the 2024 Spring Break Roller Hockey Camp at the Rinks in Irvine from April 1st-3rd. The camp includes a mix of dryland warmup drills, gear-up sessions, and hockey drills/games, running from 8:30am to 1:00pm daily. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring their hockey gear, a refillable water bottle, and a packed lunch. A small snack and beverage will be provided. Find more here for registration.

#inlinehockey #RollerNation #youthsports #TheRinks #SummerCamps

Top Foods for Boosting Lung Health and Reducing Disease Risk

Lungs are essential for oxygenating blood and removing carbon dioxide, but pollutants and germs can increase the risk of diseases like asthma, COPD, and bronchitis.

  • A healthy diet and regular exercise can significantly improve lung function.

  • Eating fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in antioxidants and fibers can reduce inflammation and disease risk, while regular physical activity strengthens lung muscles.

  • Foods beneficial for lung health include apples, beets, tomatoes, and green tea, among others, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Conversely, processed meats, white bread, potato chips, and cold cuts are harmful due to their potential to increase inflammation and lung workload.

  • Simple dietary changes can enhance lung health, reducing disease risk and improving quality of life.

Top 5 Springtime Strategies to Protect Your Home from Wildfires

With spring's arrival, it's vital to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season. Protect your home by:

  • clearing dead plants

  • trimming vegetation

  • cleaning gutters

  • keeping your lawn watered

  • having an evacuation plan

Preparation reduces wildfire risk, ensuring safety for all.

#WildfireSafety #ReadyforWildfire

Want to Master Drawing Expressive Faces? Chuck Jones Teen Drawing Class Begins April 9

Aspiring teen artists can enhance their skills in drawing expressive faces with the Chuck Jones Teen Drawing: Drawing Faces class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. The course covers facial anatomy, expressions, and capturing likeness, with personalized feedback from an experienced instructor. Ideal for those into animation, cartooning, character design, and illustration. Classes start April 9, 4–5:30 p.m. Register at yourirvine.org.

#ChuckJones #TeenDrawing #DrawingFaces #Animation #CharacterDesign #Illustration #IrvineFineArtsils

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 11, 2024: Instrumental Music Awards

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. May 2 & 3: Broadway Rocks! at 7:00 PM.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2023-24-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for March.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. March 22nd, 7 PM: Spring Concert

  2. April 16th, 7 PM: IUSD Honors Concert

  3. May 31st, 7 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for March.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Choral Calendar

  1. Fri, March 22, Morning: CSU Fullerton Festival (Irvine Singers) at CSUF Meng Hall.

  2. April 1st - 5th, 2024: TBD.

  3. Tues, April 16, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert (Selected Members) at OCPAC.

  4. Wed, April 17, 6:30 PM: 8th Grade Parent Night at IHS Gym.

  5. TBD: Aliso Women’s Festival (Canta Bella) - Location TBD.

  6. Wed, April 17, All day: Forum Festival (Concert Chorale, Chorale & Viva Cantar) at Knott’s Berry Farm.

  7. Wed, April 26, 6:00 PM: SPUR Awards (Chordinated Chaos) at IHS Theater.

  8. Tues & Wed, May 28 & 29, 3:30-6:30 PM: Dress rehearsal “Voices” (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  9. Thurs.- Sat, May 30-June 1, 7:00 PM: Voices 2024 (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  10. Wed, June 5, 7:00 PM: Heritage Awards (Chorale) at IHS Gym.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html

Join Irvine's Mission to Rescue Foster Animals This March

Support the Irvine Animal Care Center's Foster Donation Drive this March by donating supplies like Nursing Kits and heating pads via their Amazon or Chewy wish lists. Items can be shipped directly to 6443 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618. Every donation helps foster puppies, kittens, and animals recover and find forever homes. The drive ends on March 31. More info at irvineanimals.org/foster.

#FosterDonationDrive #IrvineAnimals

UCI’s Jacob Hawkins Shatters 41-Year-Old School Record, Dominates Big West Field Events

Jacob Hawkins, a junior from Irvine, California, has been honored as the Big West Men's Field Athlete of the Week. At the Challenge Cup on March 15, he won both the shot put and discus events, setting a new school record in discus with a throw of 59.03 meters, breaking a 41-year-old record. His shot put throw of 17.83m is the fifth-best in his school's history. Hawkins' achievements have placed him at the top of the Big West rankings for discus, third in the West Region, and fourth nationally. In shot put, he ranks second in the conference, 11th in the region, and 20th in the nation.

UC Irvine's Basketball Coach Russell Turner Named Finalist for Prestigious Hugh Durham Award

UC Irvine's head men's basketball coach, Russell Turner, is a finalist for the 2024 Hugh Durham Award, recognizing the nation's top mid-major coach. This is Turner's third nomination, highlighting his successful 14-year tenure at UC Irvine where he became the winningest coach in the school's history with a 289-179 record. Under his leadership, the Anteaters have achieved nine 20-win seasons in the last 11 years, secured seven Big West regular season titles in the last decade, and are nationally ranked in multiple statistical categories. UC Irvine finished the regular season with a 24-9 record and will compete in the NIT against Utah. The Hugh Durham Award, named after the only coach to be the winningest at three different Division I schools, includes a diverse list of finalists from various mid-major programs across the country.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  1. Fri, Mar 22: vs Cal State Bakersfield, 6:00 PM

  2. Sat, Mar 23: vs Cal State Bakersfield, 1:00 PM

  3. Sun, Mar 24: vs Cal State Bakersfield, 1:00 PM

Men's Tennis

  1. Sat, Mar 23: vs Gonzaga, 11:00 AM

Men's Volleyball

  1. Sat, Mar 30: vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

Women's Tennis

  1. Sun, Mar 24: vs CSUN, 12:00 PM

Women's Water Polo

  1. Tue, Mar 26: vs Brown, 4:00 PM

Men's Track & Field

  1. Fri, Mar 29: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

  2. Sat, Mar 30: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

Women's Track & Field

  1. Fri, Mar 29: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

  2. Sat, Mar 30: vs Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, All Day

Irvine Valley Men's Volleyball Team Continues Winning Streak in Conference Play

Irvine Valley men's volleyball maintained their unbeaten streak in the Orange Empire Conference by defeating Santiago Canyon with scores of 25-13, 25-15, 25-16. Ranked 4th in the state, Irvine Valley improved to 8-4 overall and 2-0 in the conference, while Santiago Canyon dropped to 1-11 overall and 0-1 in the conference. Irvine Valley achieved a season-high team hitting percentage of .468 and limited Santiago Canyon to -.095. Jared Irwin led the team with nine kills and a .615 hitting percentage, alongside nine digs. Grant Dvorak contributed six kills, a .600 hitting percentage, and 17 assists. Damon Kooiman and Nick Hinker also made significant contributions. Irvine Valley will next face Fullerton away and then host Golden West on Mar. 29.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

Baseball

  1. Thu, Mar 21: vs Cypress, 2:00 PM

  2. Tue, Mar 26: vs LA Harbor, 2:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  1. Tue, Mar 26: vs Riverside, Tentatively rescheduled for 3/26 or 3/27, 2:00 PM

  2. Thu, Mar 28: vs Gustavus Adolphus, 2:00 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  1. Fri, Mar 29: vs Golden West *, 6:00 PM

University Secures Narrow Victory Over Beckman in Pitcher's Duel

In a closely contested Pacific Coast League game at Beckman, University's Cooper Berger and Beckman's Zach Ireland showcased their pitching talents, with University edging out a 2-1 victory. Berger, a junior, delivered a standout performance by striking out nine, walking none, and allowing just three hits for his second complete game, improving his record to 2-0. He kept Beckman scoreless for the last five innings after the game was tied in the second. University's offense provided enough support to secure the win, highlighted by key plays including a sacrifice fly by Austen Barnett that put University ahead. Despite a strong effort from Ireland, who struck out seven and allowed four hits, Beckman couldn't overcome University's lead. The win was significant for University, bouncing back from a recent series loss, and was particularly satisfying for Berger, who credited his team's offense for their support. The series continued with games at University and Beckman, featuring these two elite pitchers in a pivotal matchup for both teams.

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

March 2024

Wednesday, 20

  • 3:30 PM - Softball, VR vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Softball Field

  • 3:30 PM - Baseball, VR vs. Northwood High School at Irvine High School Baseball Field

  • 7:00 PM - Lacrosse, Boys VR vs. Portola at Irvine High School Stadium

Thursday, 21

  • 2:00 PM - Beach Volleyball, Girls VR vs. Crean Lutheran at Deerfield Park Beach Courts

  • 3:15 PM - Tennis, Boys VR vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Heritage Park

Friday, 22

  • 5:00 PM - Lacrosse, Girls VR vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Stadium

Monday, 25

  • 7:00 PM - Lacrosse, Boys VR vs. Northwood High School at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, 26

  • 3:15 PM - Tennis, Boys VR vs. University at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 3:30 PM - Baseball, VR vs. University at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Wednesday, 27

  • 3:30 PM - Swimming & Diving, Boys VR vs. Northwood High School at Woollett Pool

  • 3:30 PM - Swimming & Diving, Girls VR vs. Northwood High School at Woollett Pool

Thursday, 28

  • 3:15 PM - Tennis, Boys VR vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 3:30 PM - Golf, Boys VR vs. Sage Hill

Friday, 29

  • 3:30 PM - Baseball, VR vs. University at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Protect Your Home: Irvine PD Shares Essential Tips Amid Rising Burglary Rates

Irvine has experienced 34 residential burglaries in the last 35 days, with criminals disabling cameras or entering through second-story windows. Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity. To enhance home security:

  • consider applying security film to windows

  • maintaining a security system

  • knowing your neighbors

  • using door communication strategies

  • locking doors and windows

  • using timers for lights

  • securing valuables in a safe

  • employing sliding window locks

  • documenting valuables

  • registering bikes at Project529.com/irvine

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 55% - 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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