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Irvine Considers Turning Oak Creek Golf Course Into Public Nature Park

Issue # 0597

Author

Joshua Tjia
26 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

📦🥦🫘 Free Grocery Food Boxes Available April 9 at Great Park

⛳️🏞️ Irvine Considers Turning Oak Creek Golf Course Into Public Nature Park

🚓⚠️ A Quick Reminder from Irvine Police: Close Your Garage, Keep Your Neighborhood Safe

🌺🕯️ Voluspa Opening Soon with Candles and Home Fragrances at Irvine Spectrum

🎶🎤 IUSD Hosts 42nd Annual Donald Bren Honors Concert on April 7

👀 Learn About Protecting Your Vision at UCI Health’s Free Eye Health Seminar, Apr. 7

🌅🌳 Take in Stunning Coastal Views on Orchard Hills’ Sunset Loop Hike, Apr. 8

🎵🎥 Join Concordia University for a Free Night of Disney & Movie Music, Mar. 27

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🍼 Support Irvine’s Cutest Residents: Pet Foster Drive Ends Soon

⛳️ Rei Harashima Named Anteater of the Week After Top-5 Golf Finish

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚾️ Irvine Valley Baseball Defeats Orange Coast 11–8 for First OEC Win

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🚨 Irvine Police Seek Suspects in Apartment Storage Burglary on Sullivan

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a sleeping dinosaur?

A dino-snore!

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

Free Grocery Food Boxes Available April 9 at Great Park

Free grocery food boxes will be available on Thursday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Great Park (Parking Lot 2). Eligible Irvine residents can receive a monthly 30-pound box with items like fresh produce, canned goods, dairy, and proteins (when available). Supplies are limited and offered first-come, first-served—so it’s best to arrive early.

Irvine Considers Turning Oak Creek Golf Course Into Public Nature Park

Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine could turn into a public nature park, but it’s still tied to a larger debate about building more than 3,000 homes on the site. City planners recently supported a zoning change that would allow a park with trails and open space, though no final decision has been made. Some people like the idea of a park that everyone can use, while others worry it could lead to housing on land voters once protected as open space—so the issue may eventually go to voters, possibly in 2026.

A Quick Reminder from Irvine Police: Close Your Garage, Keep Your Neighborhood Safe

Irvine Police Department is reminding residents to keep their garage doors closed, as open garages can be quickly targeted by thieves. Taking this simple step can help protect your belongings and contribute to overall neighborhood safety, while also encouraging neighbors to stay alert.

Voluspa Opening Soon with Candles and Home Fragrances at Irvine Spectrum

Voluspa is coming soon to Irvine Spectrum Center, offering a range of home fragrance products. The brand is known for using globally sourced ingredients and a clean-burning coconut wax blend, with candles and scents designed to help create a comfortable, personalized home environment.

IUSD Hosts 42nd Annual Donald Bren Honors Concert on April 7

Irvine Unified School District invites the community to the 42nd Annual Donald Bren Honors Concert on Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, featuring talented student musicians. Tickets are available online, by phone at (714) 556-2787, or in person at the box office, with more details at iusd.org/HonorsConcert.

Learn About Protecting Your Vision at UCI Health’s Free Eye Health Seminar, Apr. 7

UCI Health is hosting a free virtual seminar on April 7 from 7–8 p.m. focused on age-related macular degeneration, where experts Andrew Browne, MD, PhD and Stephanie Lu, MD will discuss vision changes, causes, symptoms, treatment options, and long-term prevention. The one-hour session is part of an ongoing eye health education series aimed at improving community well-being.

Register here

Take in Stunning Coastal Views on Orchard Hills’ Sunset Loop Hike, Apr. 8

Join a scenic sunset hike in Orchard Hills on Wednesday, April 8 from 6–8 p.m., featuring a 3-mile loop around avocado groves with stunning ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline. This moderate hike includes steep climbs and uneven terrain — enjoy the fresh air, beautiful views, and a relaxing evening outdoors with the community!

Join Concordia University for a Free Night of Disney & Movie Music, Mar. 27

USA250: American Classics for the Stage and Screen is a free concert led by Concordia University Irvine, happening Friday, March 27 from 7:00–8:30 PM at Orange Lutheran High School. The Concordia Symphony Orchestra, student soloists, and combined choirs will perform music from Disney films (Coco, The Princess and the Frog, Pocahontas, James and the Giant Peach), along with highlights from La La Land and Crimson Tide. No tickets are required—just join and enjoy a live performance showcasing Concordia’s student musicians.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: IUSD Honor Orchestra Concert

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. March 26, 4:00 PM: WHS Carnival

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. March 27 - April 2: Hawaii Choir Tour

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further upcoming events for this month

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Support Irvine’s Cutest Residents: Pet Foster Drive Ends Soon

The Irvine Animal Care Center is sharing a friendly reminder that there are just a few days left to support its Foster Donation Drive, ending March 31. Donations like kitten treats, digestive supplements, Pedialyte, and other essentials go directly to foster families caring for vulnerable animals, and you can easily help by purchasing items from the Amazon or Chewy wishlists and shipping them straight to the center—every little bit makes a big difference.

Rei Harashima Named Anteater of the Week After Top-5 Golf Finish

Senior Rei Harashima earned Anteater of the Week honors after tying for fifth at the UC San Diego Invitational. The performance marked UC Irvine’s first individual top-10 finish of the season, as Harashima continues to lead the team with a 72.83 scoring average.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Tennis

  • Thur, Mar 26 – vs Dartmouth, 12:00 PM

Men's Track & Field

  • Fri, Mar 27 - Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, 12:00 PM

Women's Track & Field

  • Fri, Mar 27 - Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, 12:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Fri, Mar 27 - UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

Irvine Valley Baseball Defeats Orange Coast 11–8 for First OEC Win

Irvine Valley baseball won its third straight game and earned its first Orange Empire Conference victory with an 11–8 win over Orange Coast. Brandon Abernathy had a standout game, going 4-for-5 with a home run and 4 RBIs, while Andres Hernandez got the win and Lucas Scott closed out the game as Irvine Valley improved to 16–10.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Sat, Mar 28 – vs Orange Coast, 12:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With March Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

March 2026

Thursday, March 26

  • Tennis, Boys - 3:15 PM vs Woodbridge

  • Beach Volleyball, Girls - 3:30 PM vs St. Margarets Episcopal

Irvine Police Seek Suspects in Apartment Storage Burglary on Sullivan

The Irvine Police Department is investigating a burglary from an apartment storage room on Sullivan where several appliances were stolen. Detectives believe the suspects—possibly driving a dark-colored Honda SUV—are responsible and are asking the public for help identifying them; anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Castro at [email protected].

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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