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Irvine Chosen Best City in State for Work-Life Balance

Issue # 0480

Author

Joshua Tjia
05 Sep

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Fun Fact Friday

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏙️🌟 Irvine Chosen Best City in State for Work-Life Balance

🚓👮🐾 Explore Patrol, K9s, and SWAT: Community Police Academy Applications Now Open

🚙 Volunteer Drivers Needed: Help Seniors Stay Connected

🧋🥭 Sip for Half Price: September Tea Deal at 85°C Bakery Cafe

🚌 Kids 6–18 Ride OC Buses Free Until September 2026

🏥 UCI Health Surgeon: Portable Imaging Transforms Orthopedic Care

🌿 🧤 Help Restore Irvine’s Wildlands at the Native Seed Farm

💮 Explore the Timeless Art of Chinese Leisure Seals

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐈 Find Your Forever Friend: Free Pet Adoptions This Weekend at Irvine Animal Care Center

⚽️ UCI Women’s Soccer Hosts Northern Arizona in Sunday Match

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚨🚔 Two Arrested After Attempted Burglary on Sequoia Tree Lane

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you know…?

Both Venus and Uranus exhibit retrograde rotation, spinning opposite to most planets in the Solar System. Venus is flipped upside down, causing it to rotate clockwise, while Uranus is tilted about 98 degrees, making it spin sideways as it orbits the Sun.

We hope this fun fact brings a smile to your day! 😁

Irvine Chosen Best City in State for Work-Life Balance

Irvine has been named the best city in California for work-life balance in CoworkingCafe’s 2025 national study.

  • Ranked 7th in the U.S. overall, Irvine stood out for its nearly 96% health insurance coverage, plentiful parks with 34+ acres of green space per 1,000 residents, good air quality, short commutes, and high share of remote workers.

  • This is the second year in a row Irvine has stayed in the nation’s top 10, making it the highest-ranked city in the state.

Explore Patrol, K9s, and SWAT: Community Police Academy Applications Now Open

The Irvine Police Department is accepting applications for its Community Police Academy (CPA), a free 10-week program running Oct. 2–Dec. 11 on Thursday evenings (6–9 PM) at IPD.

  • The CPA offers community members insight into police work through classes, hands-on activities, and demonstrations covering patrol, traffic enforcement, investigations, K9s, and SWAT. It’s also helpful for those interested in a law enforcement career.

  • Applications are due by Sept. 18, as space is limited.

  • Apply online here or contact Sgt. James Do at [email protected] for questions.

Volunteer Drivers Needed: Help Seniors Stay Connected

The City of Irvine is inviting residents to join its Volunteer Driver Program, helping older adults reach medical appointments, shopping, and social activities.

  • Volunteers commit just one day a week, receive training, and use a City vehicle.

  • The next orientation is on Monday, September 8, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. at Rancho Senior Center.

  • Register here or call 949-724-6800.

Sip for Half Price: September Tea Deal at 85°C Bakery Cafe

85°C Bakery Cafe is thanking its app users with a special September offer. All month long, members will receive a coupon for 50% off one medium fresh tea (hot or iced).

  • The deal is valid from September 1–30, and includes customer favorites such as Jasmine Green, Oolong, Peach Green, Passion Fruit Green, Red Grapefruit Green, and Mango Green tea.

  • Visit your nearest location in Irvine and grab a sweet treat this month!

Kids 6–18 Ride OC Buses Free Until September 2026

  • The Orange County Transportation Authority’s Youth Ride Free program makes it easy for kids ages 6–18 to ride OC buses at no cost through September 30, 2026.

  • Families just need to fill out a Parent Request Form for each student, available online in several languages or at the school office.

Learn more at iusd.org/OCTA-BusPass.

UCI Health Surgeon: Portable Imaging Transforms Orthopedic Care

Advances in medical technology continue to shape how physicians deliver care. According to UCI Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nitin Bhatia, the portability of imaging has been a major innovation in orthopedic surgery.

  • Surgeons can now review imaging studies on smartphones and tablets, enabling real-time input on cases worldwide.

  • This shift improves both patient care and physician quality of life, compared to earlier times when doctors relied on desktop computers or hospital film libraries.

  • Dr. Bhatia, chair of UC Irvine’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery and an expert in spine surgery, highlights how these innovations demonstrate the ongoing impact of technology in clinical practice.

Help Restore Irvine’s Wildlands at the Native Seed Farm

Join Growing Together at the Native Seed Farm on Friday, September 19, from 8–11 a.m.

  • Volunteers will help harvest seeds, plant, tend seedlings, and work in the demo garden to support habitat restoration across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

  • No experience is needed, and all collected seeds will aid local wildlife and ecosystem resilience.

Explore the Timeless Art of Chinese Leisure Seals

Join the Irvine Fine Arts Center for Tseng-Yao Terry Sun: The Charm of Chinese Leisure Seals on view September 10–24, with an Opening Reception on September 11, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

  • The exhibition showcases the artistry and history of Chinese leisure seals—once used for identity, authentication, and art—reimagined by Terry Sun through enlarged woodcarvings and calligraphy.

  • His work makes this ancient tradition accessible to modern audiences while honoring its cultural roots.

We will resume with the high school music calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Find Your Forever Friend: Free Pet Adoptions This Weekend at Irvine Animal Care Center

The Irvine Animal Care Center is waiving all adoption fees this weekend, September 6–7, thanks to support from the ASPCA Rescue Effect Campaign.

  • That means cats, dogs, puppies, kittens, and small pets can be adopted for free during regular hours.

  • It’s the perfect chance to meet your new best friend and give a shelter pet a forever home. Learn more and view hours at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UCI Women’s Soccer Hosts Northern Arizona in Sunday Match

UC Irvine women’s soccer (2-1-3) hosts Northern Arizona (2-1-2) this Sunday at 1 p.m. in Anteater Stadium.

  • UC Irvine women’s soccer is unbeaten in four straight matches, thanks to first career goals from Ella Colombini and Suus de Bakker, standout contributions from freshmen, and a defense led by Laurynn Ziller that hasn’t given up a goal in open play for nearly 500 minutes.

  • Northern Arizona comes in with scoring threats Micala Boex and Avery Ott. This is the third meeting between the two programs—UCI won the first two at home by identical 1–0 scores.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 5 – vs Colorado vs Penn, 4:00 PM

  • Fri, Sep 5 – vs Fresno State, 7:00 PM

  • Sat, Sep 6 – vs Penn vs Fresno State, 1:00 PM

  • Sat, Sep 6 – vs Colorado, 5:00 PM

  • Sun, Sep 7 – vs Penn, 12:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 5 – vs New Hampshire, 6:00 PM

  • Mon, Sep 8 – vs Cornell, 4:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Sun, Sep 7 – vs Northern Arizona, 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 5 – vs Alumni, 6:00 PM

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs Orange Coast, 6:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 12 – vs San Diego Mesa, 2:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 5 – vs Cuyamaca, 4:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 26 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs East Los Angeles, 1:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With September Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

September 2025

Friday, September 6

  • Traditional Competitive Cheer – 7:00 PM vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Stadium

  • Football – 7:00 PM vs. Woodbridge at Irvine High School Stadium

Monday, September 9

  • Girls Flag Football – 6:00 PM vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Stadium

Two Arrested After Attempted Burglary on Sequoia Tree Lane

Last Sunday, Irvine officers responded to a home on Sequoia Tree Lane after security cameras spotted a masked man in the backyard and a suspicious truck.

  • Police stopped the vehicle, detained two men, and found a mask, shaved keys, and narcotics.

  • Efrain De Jesus (36) and Miguel Zacapala Martinez (34), both from Santa Ana, were arrested on charges including attempted burglary, conspiracy, and possession of narcotics, and booked into Orange County Jail.

  • Residents are encouraged to use security cameras with alerts and call 911 immediately if they see suspicious activity.

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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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