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Irvine Council to Reconsider Veterans Cemetery at Great Park Site

Issue # 0414

Author

Joshua Tjia
23 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎼🎵 Pacific Chorale Presents Season Finale with Mozart, Brahms, Quartel, and Runestad

🔭🏢 Space Company Opens Main Headquarters on Barranca Parkway in Irvine

💐🪦 Irvine Council to Reconsider Veterans Cemetery at Great Park Site

🍧🍨 Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream Opening Soon at Irvine Spectrum Center

🎡🎶 Toddlers & Tunes Returns Monthly to Irvine Spectrum with Free Rides and Family Fun

☀️🧴 6 Simple Ways to Protect Your Skin This Summer

🌱🌾 Crystal Cove Restoration Project Advances with Native Plant Installations

🩰 Join an Afternoon of Dance at the PBSOC Spring Showcase – June 1

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

☀️🐾 Keep Pets Safe This Summer: Simple Tips for Hot Weather Care

🏃🏽‍♂️ Seven UC Irvine Men’s Track & Field Athletes Advance to NCAA West First Round

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏊🎾 Concordia Irvine Cuts Swimming and Tennis Programs Amid Budget, Facility Strains shorter version

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔⚖️ Former Irvine Councilmember Tammy Kim Charged with Felonies for False Residency Claims

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why do trees seem so suspicious?

They always look a little shady.

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

Pacific Chorale Presents Season Finale with Mozart, Brahms, Quartel, and Runestad

Join the Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale on May 24, at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for a powerful season finale led by conductor Robert Istad.

  • The program features Mozart’s Requiem, K. 626, alongside Johannes Brahms’ Nänie, Op. 82, Sarah Quartel’s Density of Light, and Jake Runestad’s Into the Light.

  • This concert brings together classical masterworks and contemporary compositions in a performance that highlights both musical tradition and innovation.

Space Company Opens Main Headquarters on Barranca Parkway in Irvine

Terran Orbital has relocated its corporate headquarters from Florida to Barranca Parkway in Irvine, where it will manage spacecraft development for commercial aerospace and global defense applications.

  • The company, acquired by Lockheed Martin in October, focuses on producing small satellites used for communications, Earth imaging, and lunar data collection.

  • With two existing facilities in Irvine, this move further establishes the city as a center for aerospace activity alongside firms such as SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Turion Space.

Irvine Council to Reconsider Veterans Cemetery at Great Park Site

The City of Irvine is considering action to move forward with establishing a Veterans Cemetery at the Great Park.

  • Originally proposed in 2014 by current Mayor Larry Agran for the 125-acre ARDA site, the project has experienced years of delays due to competing development interests and shifting Council decisions.

  • While a Veterans Memorial Park & Gardens is currently under construction, the cemetery portion has not yet been approved.

  • A new proposal by Mayor Agran, scheduled for discussion at the May 27 City Council meeting, would direct city staff to incorporate a Veterans Cemetery into the existing project.

  • The plan aligns with state guidelines but does not require state approval.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream Opening Soon at Irvine Spectrum Center

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is opening soon at the Irvine Spectrum Center, near Target. Known for crafting ice cream fresh daily since 1945, Handel’s offers more than 100 flavors made with high-quality ingredients.

For more details, visit here.

Toddlers & Tunes Returns Monthly to Irvine Spectrum with Free Rides and Family Fun

Join Toddlers & Tunes held on the first Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Giant Wheel Lawn in the Irvine Spectrum Center.

The event includes complimentary rides on the Giant Wheel and Carousel, games, bubbles, and music by an interactive DJ.

Upcoming dates include June 3, July 1, and August 5.

Participating restaurants offer promotional deals during the event, such as:

  • Brio, P.F. Chang’s, Dave & Buster’s: Kids eat free with adult entrée

  • Häagen-Dazs: 20% off all items

  • Luna Grill: Free kids meal (Mon–Thurs, dine-in, app required)

  • Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Free dipped marshmallow with purchase

  • Subway: 10% off

6 Simple Ways to Protect Your Skin This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors—whether you’re splashing in the pool, relaxing at the beach, or strolling through the park. But even a short time in the sun can lead to skin damage. Here are a few easy and thoughtful ways to help protect your skin while you soak up the season:

  • 🌞 Apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) at least 15 minutes before heading outside.

  • 🔁 Reapply often—especially after swimming or a couple of hours in the sun.

  • 📅 Double-check expiration dates on your sunscreen to make sure it’s still effective.

  • 💋 Don’t forget the little spots like your lips, ears, and eyelids—SPF lip balm helps!

  • 👒 Add a little shade with a wide-brim hat or an umbrella when you can.

  • 🕶️ Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

Taking these simple steps can go a long way in keeping your skin healthy and happy all summer long.

Crystal Cove Restoration Project Advances with Native Plant Installations

As part of ongoing habitat restoration efforts at Crystal Cove, IRC staff recently installed 323 native container plants, utilizing compost provided by OC Waste & Recycling.

  • The site is showing positive ecological progress, with native species establishing successfully and additional plants naturally recruiting into the area.

  • Six sensitive and rare plant species have also been identified within the habitat, contributing to long-term biodiversity goals.

  • The project reflects continued collaboration among partners and staff involved in the restoration initiative.

Join an Afternoon of Dance at the PBSOC Spring Showcase – June 1

The Premier Ballet School of Orange County will hold its 2025 Annual Spring Showcase on Sunday, June 1 at 3 PM at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The program will include a variety of ballet, modern, and jazz dance performances, featuring the school's first presentation of The Fairy Doll ballet. Doors open one hour before the event.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. 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

No upcoming events

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 23, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Jazz & Percussion Concert

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. 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

No upcoming events

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

Upcoming Portola High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 30, 7:00 PM: Vocal Concert

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

Keep Pets Safe This Summer: Simple Tips for Hot Weather Care

With the warmer days of summer rolling in, it’s a great time to make sure your pet is ready to enjoy the season safely and comfortably. From sunny strolls to backyard lounging, a little preparation can go a long way in keeping your furry friend happy and healthy all summer long.

  • 🚙 Never leave pets in parked cars – Even for a short time, it can quickly get too hot and become unsafe.

  • 💧Keep fresh water nearby – Make sure your pet stays hydrated, especially on warm days.

  • ☀️ Plan walks during cooler hours – Early mornings or evenings are best to avoid the heat.

  • 🐾 Be mindful of hot surfaces – Try walking on grass or shaded paths to protect their paws.

  • 🐢 Take it easy – Slow the pace and allow plenty of breaks to rest and cool off.

  • 🧨 Avoid loud, busy places – Fireworks and large crowds can be overwhelming for many pets.

Seven UC Irvine Men’s Track & Field Athletes Advance to NCAA West First Round

Seven UC Irvine men's track & field athletes have qualified for the NCAA West First Round, taking place May 28–31 in College Station, Texas.

  • Senior Liam Miksic, seeded 8th in javelin, leads the group after a school-record throw.

  • Junior Kenechukwu Okonkwo (triple jump) and seniors Jacob Hawkins (discus) and Logan Peyton (javelin) return for their second NCAA appearance.

  • Freshmen Angel Cordero (800m) and Justin Johnson (200m) are making their debut after standout seasons, while senior Joshua Schuld (3000m steeplechase) also qualifies for his first NCAA berth.

The top 12 finishers will move on to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 11–14.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No upcoming events

Concordia Irvine Cuts Swimming and Tennis Programs Amid Budget, Facility Strains shorter version

Concordia University Irvine has announced it will eliminate its NCAA Division II men’s and women’s swimming & diving and tennis programs after this season. The decision, prompted by rising costs, facility challenges, and shifting collegiate athletics trends, reduces its varsity sports lineup to 20 teams. Athletes who remain will keep their scholarships. Head coach Bert Bergen expressed deep regret, pledging to help displaced swimmers find new programs. The school, which transitioned to NCAA Division II in 2017, had 68 athletes across the cut programs. Its swim teams used Irvine’s Woollett Aquatics Center and had recently placed well at the PCSC Championships. The men’s tennis team also just made its first NCAA tournament appearance.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No upcoming events

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With May Schedule

Northwood High School Monthly Athletics Calendar (All Level)

No upcoming events

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No upcoming events

Former Irvine Councilmember Tammy Kim Charged with Felonies for False Residency Claims

Former Irvine City Councilmember Tammy Kim has been charged with multiple felonies, including perjury and voter fraud, for allegedly lying about her residency while serving on the council and running for mayor in 2024. Charges include perjury by declaration, filing false documents, aiding illegal voting, and voter registration fraud. If convicted, she faces over 10 years in state prison and a lifetime ban from public office. Kim is set to be arraigned on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. The investigation began after a tip from an Irvine resident.

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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