• Irvine Insider
  • Posts
  • Irvine Hosts Pump Track Celebration at Great Park on June 7

Irvine Hosts Pump Track Celebration at Great Park on June 7

Issue # 0419

Author

Joshua Tjia
02 Jun

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚡💵 Irvine Invests $715K in Great Park Gondola Study Ahead of Public Reveal

🚔🚨 Irvine PD to Conduct DUI & License Checkpoint on June 6

🎓 From Algebra to Academia: Meet IVC’s Youngest-Ever Graduate at Age 10

🧊🍉 Back for a Limited Time: Tastea’s Refreshing Watermelon Slushie Returns

🚲 Irvine Hosts Pump Track Celebration at Great Park on June 7

🏥🩺 UCI Medical Center Ranked Among Nation’s Top 10% for Stroke Care

🏃🏽👟 Hit the Trails and Make New Friends: Join Run OC’s June Events

🎮🎨 Meet Seung Yon Lee: Irvine 3D Artist in Animation and Gaming

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐶🐱 Adopt-a-Shelter Pet Day Set for June 7 at Irvine Animal Care Center

⚾️UC Irvine Baseball Beats Fresno State 8-3 to Stay Alive in NCAA Regional

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🥎 University High Wins First CIF Softball Title with 4-1 Victory Over Rio Hondo Prep

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🥖 Suspect Arrested After Purse Theft at Panera, $1,600 Fraud at Sephora

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the cat run away from the tree?

Because it was afraid of the bark!

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

Irvine Invests $715K in Great Park Gondola Study Ahead of Public Reveal

The City of Irvine is exploring an elevated gondola-style transit system called the Whoosh System for the Great Park, developed by startup Swyft Cities. Intended to provide low-impact, on-site transportation, the system could eventually cost up to $75 million.

  • However, a recent report revealed that the city spent $715,000 on contracts tied to the project—including a prototype vehicle and virtual reality demo—before any public announcement or formal City Council approval.

  • The spending, authorized by city staff between May 2024 and March 2025, has raised concerns among some councilmembers about transparency and oversight.

  • City staff say the expenditures were made in accordance with purchasing guidelines but acknowledge that community outreach was lacking.

  • A $9.5 million pilot segment funded by Swyft Cities is proposed, with Irvine retaining the option to expand or cancel the project later. Further deliberation and public engagement are expected before next steps are taken.

Irvine PD to Conduct DUI & License Checkpoint on June 6

On Friday, June 6, the Irvine Police Department will conduct a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The checkpoint aims to reduce crashes and save lives by ensuring drivers are sober and properly licensed. If you spot an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.

From Algebra to Academia: Meet IVC’s Youngest-Ever Graduate at Age 10

Ten-year-old Zora Elling became the youngest graduate in Irvine Valley College history, surpassing records set by her siblings Tycho and Athena. Zora said she enrolled to take math classes, not to break records. Tycho, 15, is graduating from UC Irvine and starting a Ph.D. at USC, while Athena continues courses in theater and dance at IVC. Their mother, Cristina Elling, encourages them to follow their interests and focus on effort over labels. Zora plans to attend UC Irvine in the fall to pursue a future in mathematics.

Back for a Limited Time: Tastea’s Refreshing Watermelon Slushie Returns

Tastea, a smoothie and tea shop, has brought back its fan favorite — the watermelon slushie! Get this refreshing summer drink while it’s back on the menu at their Irvine location.

Irvine Hosts Pump Track Celebration at Great Park on June 7

Join the City of Irvine for a fun-filled Pump Track Celebration at the Great Park Promenade on Saturday, June 7, from noon to 4 p.m. 

  • The family-friendly event includes live music by Head Wide Open (12:30–1:30 p.m.), ramp demos by Skate Dogs, crafts, games, face painting, and community booths. 

  • Enjoy bites from The Layover and dessert truck treats.

  • The temporary pump track is open daily June 2–15, 7 a.m.–dusk. 

  • Learn more

UCI Medical Center Ranked Among Nation’s Top 10% for Stroke Care

UCI Medical Center has earned national recognition for its stroke care, receiving the 2025 Stroke Excellence Award from Healthgrades. This honor places UCI Health’s stroke program in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide. Learn more about their award-winning stroke care program here.

Hit the Trails and Make New Friends: Join Run OC’s June Events

Run OC is a friendly running group in Orange County open to all levels. Join for fun weekly runs, scenic trails, and post-run socials!

Upcoming Events:

  • Wed, June 4 - Global Runing Day, special day with run, 20 push-ups and raffles.

  • Sat, June 14, Dessert Bake-off, share your favoirte desserts and win prizes.

  • Sun, June 29, 6:00 PM – Sunday Beach Run and Breakfast at Sharkeeez

RSVP or learn more at: Run OC Meetup

Meet Seung Yon Lee: Irvine 3D Artist in Animation and Gaming

Meet Seung Yon Lee, an Irvine resident and 3D artist who has built a growing career in animation and mobile game development since graduating from Pasadena’s ArtCenter College of Design in 2020. She has worked on two award-winning animated short films, Canary and Head Noise, and contributed to several mobile games, including Home Design Makeover, Ellen’s Garden Restoration, Dream Garden Makeover, and Property Brothers Home Design. Lee says moving to Irvine helped shape her creative focus, thanks to the city’s strong blend of technology and innovation. She also appreciates the sense of community she’s found here.

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

Adopt-a-Shelter Pet Day Set for June 7 at Irvine Animal Care Center

California Adopt-a-Shelter Pet Day is coming up on Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Irvine Animal Care Center. It's a chance to meet adoptable pets and give them a loving home—while opening space for the shelter to help even more animals. Each pet has a story, and you could be their happy ending.

UC Irvine Baseball Beats Fresno State 8-3 to Stay Alive in NCAA Regional

UC Irvine baseball kept its NCAA Regional hopes alive with an 8-3 victory over Fresno State on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Anteaters jumped ahead early thanks to a three-run homer by James Castagnola and a solo shot by Jacob McCombs. Riley Kelly pitched 4.2 solid innings, and David Utagawa earned the win with 2.1 shutout frames. McCombs reached base four times and hit his 12th homer of the season, while Anthony Martinez set a school record with his 16th career sacrifice fly and tied the all-time RBI record (189).

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

University High Wins First CIF Softball Title with 4-1 Victory Over Rio Hondo Prep

University High School's softball team made history by winning its first-ever CIF title with a 4-1 victory over Rio Hondo Prep in the Division 6 final at Deanna Manning Stadium. Behind a dominant performance from junior pitcher Carson Cruz—who struck out eight and allowed no earned runs—the Trojans secured the win with a key three-run fifth inning. The program, which hadn't reached CIF playoffs in decades, experienced a major turnaround under Coach Merissa Guzman, relying on strong team chemistry and leadership from underclassmen. With no seniors on the roster, the young squad now heads to the CIF SoCal regional playoffs to continue its remarkable season.

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

Suspect Arrested After Purse Theft at Panera, $1,600 Fraud at Sephora

A 63-year-old man was arrested after stealing a purse from an elderly woman at Panera Bread in Woodbury Town Center, then using stolen access cards to buy $1,600 in items from Sephora at Irvine Spectrum. Thanks to surveillance footage, license plate readers, and quick action by Irvine police and Spectrum officers, the suspect—Manuel Armando Cartagena Soto—was identified, tracked, and arrested. Some of the victim’s belongings were recovered.

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

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Irvine and surrounding areas and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Irvine Insider with them! It’s simple!