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Irvine CONNECT Shuttle Service Extended, City Explores Route Expansions

Issue # 0396

Author

Joshua Tjia
29 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚎🚏 Irvine CONNECT Shuttle Service Extended, City Explores Route Expansions

🏞️🏗️ Construction Begins on The Canopy at Great Park, Featuring 80,000+ Sq. Ft. of Retail and Dining

🚓🦆Abandoned Ducklings Rescued Near Irvine Center Drive and Taken to Wildlife Sanctuary

💃🏻🎥 From Flamenco to Film: The Barclay Curates a May Full of Magic

📚👧🏻 Final Library Scavenger Hunt Set for May 3 at Heritage Park Library

😷 When to See a Doctor for Bronchitis: Know the Warning Signs and Treatment Options

🌾✍🏻 Sketch, Stroll, and Learn—Celebrate Wildfire Awareness Month with Nature Journaling

📽️🎨 Northwood’s Villanueva Earns 2025 Artist of the Year; Portola and University High Finalists Recognized

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐕 Over 20 Pets Find Homes or Reunite with Families in Irvine, April 21–27

⚾️ UC Irvine Baseball Rallies in Ninth to Complete Sweep of Cal Poly, Extends Win Streak to Seven

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🎾 Irvine Valley Men's Tennis Sweeps Ojai Titles After State Championship Win

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Beckman Baseball Tops San Juan Hills 4–2, Closes Regular Season with Playoff Hopes Alive

🏈🎾 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 is a deer's favorite cake?

Doe-nuts!

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

Irvine CONNECT Shuttle Service Extended, City Explores Route Expansions

The City of Irvine launched a free shuttle pilot program last April called Irvine CONNECT, offering weekday and weekend service to parks, schools, hospitals, and shopping areas. Running every 20 minutes, the current Yale-Barranca route includes 70 stops like Irvine High, Woodbridge High, Kaiser Permanente, the Irvine Spectrum, and the Train Station.

  • Due to high ridership, the City Council voted unanimously on April 22 to continue the service, but a 4-2 vote directed staff to study adding three new routes and expanding the current one.

  • Proposed additions include stops in North Irvine (e.g., Northwood High), a Jamboree-UCI route linking UCI and John Wayne Airport, and a Barranca Parkway connector route.

  • A fourth route to the Great Park was also approved for study.

Construction Begins on The Canopy at Great Park, Featuring 80,000+ Sq. Ft. of Retail and Dining

The Canopy at Great Park has officially broken ground, kicking off development on over 80,000 square feet of unique retail and dining space in Irvine. This milestone marks a major step forward in transforming the Great Park into a vibrant community. The City thanks development partner Almquist and encourages the public to stay tuned for construction updates.

Abandoned Ducklings Rescued Near Irvine Center Drive and Taken to Wildlife Sanctuary

A group of abandoned ducklings was found dodging traffic near Irvine Center Drive and Jeffrey. Irvine Police and Animal Services safely rescued the brood and relocated them to a wildlife sanctuary.

Residents are reminded to call professionals when encountering wild animals and not intervene without their assistance.

From Flamenco to Film: The Barclay Curates a May Full of Magic

Irvine Barclay Theatre presents an exciting lineup this May with something for every art lover. Highlights include:

Final Library Scavenger Hunt Set for May 3 at Heritage Park Library

Don't miss the last Library Scavenger Hunt at Irvine Heritage Park Library on Saturday, May 3, from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. This fun, in-person event is open to all ages—come show how well you know the library one final time!

When to See a Doctor for Bronchitis: Know the Warning Signs and Treatment Options

Bronchitis affects millions and ranges from mild to serious. While many cases resolve with rest, symptoms like a persistent cough (over 3 weeks), difficulty breathing, chest pain, fever, coughing up blood, or worsening fatigue require prompt medical attention.

  • High-risk groups—children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions—should seek care early.

  • Diagnosis may involve chest X-rays, sputum tests, or pulmonary assessments.

  • Treatment varies by cause (viral vs. bacterial), and in some cases, breathing support or lifestyle changes are needed.

  • Severe shortness of breath or bluish lips warrants emergency care.

  • Visit Family Care Centers in Irvine Woodbridge or Costa Mesa for fast, expert treatment.

Sketch, Stroll, and Learn—Celebrate Wildfire Awareness Month with Nature Journaling

Join the Pyrosketchology Nature Journaling event for Wildfire Awareness Month to connect with nature through art and learn about fire ecology and plant resilience. The session covers basic art theory, journaling techniques, and recent wildfire impacts. Bring your own journal, art supplies, water, sun protection, and a chair. This is a level-2 activity with short trail walks and seated sketching.

Northwood’s Villanueva Earns 2025 Artist of the Year; Portola and University High Finalists Recognized

Northwood High senior Noah Villanueva was named the Orange County Register’s 2025 Artist of the Year in Film and TV for his short film Faces. He stood out among a group of finalists after a rigorous interview process.

Amicus Carrasco (Portola High) and Sophia Tang Nagel (University High) were also recognized as finalists in the instrumental music and fine arts categories.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 10th, 4-7:00 PM: Instrumental Music Awards and Reception, NHS Theater

  2. May 16th, 5:30 PM: Jazz at the Oak, NHS Oak

  3. May 21st - 22nd, 7:00 PM: POPS Concerts, NHS Theater

  4. May 30th, 7:00 PM: POPS Gala, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. May 1-2, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks!, Big Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 2, 7:00-10:00 PM: WHS Warrior Dance Company Spring Show

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 10, 7:00 PM: Open Mic Night, Black Box.

  2. May 30, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 2, 7:30 PM: Music Under the Stars (MUTS), Irvine Amphitheater

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

Over 20 Pets Find Homes or Reunite with Families in Irvine, April 21–27

From April 21–27, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated the adoption of 9 dogs, 9 cats, 1 bird, and 1 hamster. Adopted pets included dogs like Candy and Rusty, cats like Gilligan and Tetris, a bird named Melon, and a hamster named Toby. Additionally, 4 dogs and 2 cats were happily reunited with their owners.

For more info on adoptions and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Baseball Rallies in Ninth to Complete Sweep of Cal Poly, Extends Win Streak to Seven

UC Irvine baseball pulled off a thrilling 10-8 comeback win Sunday at Cal Poly to complete a three-game sweep and strengthen their lead in the Big West. In a game filled with lead changes and late-inning drama, UCI rallied from a one-run deficit in the ninth as Chase Call drew a bases-loaded walk to tie it before Rowan Felsch delivered a clutch two-run single for the win. Ricky Ojeda closed it out to earn his NCAA-best 11th win. Offensively, the Anteaters racked up 13 hits, with Call reaching base six times and Jacob McCombs driving in three. UCI now sits at 32-9 (19-2 Big West) with seven straight wins.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Track & Field

  • Fri, May 2 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA
    Sat, May 3 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA

Women's Track & Field

  • Fri, May 2 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA

  • Sat, May 3 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA

Baseball

  • Fri, May 2 – vs UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, May 3 – vs UC San Diego, 1:00 PM

  • Sun, May 4 – vs UC San Diego, 1:00 PM

Irvine Valley Men's Tennis Sweeps Ojai Titles After State Championship Win

Irvine Valley College men’s tennis team capped an unforgettable week by winning both the singles and doubles titles at the 123rd Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, just days after securing the 3C2A State Championship. In the all-IVC singles final, Nick Grove defeated teammate Luis Moros with powerful serving and forehand play, 6-2, 6-2. Grove then teamed up with Luciano Pardo to beat Foothill’s top-seeded duo 6-4, 6-1 in the doubles final.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women's Flat Football

  • Fri, May 2 – vs National University, 5:00 PM

Beckman Baseball Tops San Juan Hills 4–2, Closes Regular Season with Playoff Hopes Alive

Beckman High School baseball closed out its regular season with a clutch 4–2 win over San Juan Hills, highlighted by Nick Molina’s go-ahead two-run homer and strong pitching from Carter Head and Ricky Schoeffler. With the win, Beckman (15-13, 5-7) secured a .500 record, keeping their hopes alive for a CIF at-large playoff berth. Despite being shorthanded compared to last year’s championship squad, the Patriots swept San Juan Hills in three games, with Coach Kevin Lavalle emphasizing the team’s late-season momentum.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2025

Wednesday, April 30

  • Softball (VR) – 3:30 PM vs. Portola at Irvine High School Softball Field

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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