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Irvine Named Best City for Renters in Southern California

Issue # 0451

Author

Joshua Tjia
25 Jul

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏡🌟 Irvine Named Best City for Renters in Southern California

☀️🎶 Irvine’s Summer Nights Continue with Free Concert Featuring 1969 the Tribute

🍣🍜 New Tokyo Central Opens in Irvine This Weekend—Don’t Miss Out

🍓🐈 Strawberry Tarts Return to Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine

📖 Join the Final “Storytime Saturday” on July 26 at University Community Center

🏥 Four UCI Health Hospitals Earn 2025 Gold Plus Awards for Stroke and Diabetes Care

🌳🦆 Explore Irvine Parks and Win Prizes in the Summer Passport Challenge

🎺🎷 A Summer of Sound: Barclay Theatre Jazz Band Brings Live Music to Bistango

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈 Meet Nezuko: A Gentle Cat Ready for a Quiet, Loving Home

🏐 UC Irvine Releases 2025 Women’s Volleyball Schedule

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Suspect Taken into Custody Following Assault and Hate Crime Investigation

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert?

Because it was stuffed.

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

Irvine Named Best City for Renters in Southern California

Irvine was rated the top city for renters in Southern California by WalletHub’s 2025 “Best & Worst Places to Rent in America” report, based on factors such as a strong job market, high‑quality public schools, and plentiful parks and recreational spaces.

  • At the national level, Irvine placed 26th overall and received the second‑highest score among California cities.

  • The annual study compared 182 U.S. cities using 21 metrics—including affordability, crime rates, and resident satisfaction—to determine rankings.

Irvine’s Summer Nights Continue with Free Concert Featuring 1969 the Tribute

On Saturday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m., enjoy a free summer concert at Mike Ward Community Park — Woodbridge featuring 1969 the Tribute performing ‘60s rock and roll hits. Bring low-back chairs, blankets, and dress in layers for comfort. Pack a picnic or grab a bite from gourmet food trucks.

New Tokyo Central Opens in Irvine This Weekend—Don’t Miss Out

Get ready for the grand opening of Tokyo Central’s brand-new Irvine store this weekend! Stop by July 26–27 from 10 AM to 10 PM at 14120 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA, for a full day of shopping and celebration.

Strawberry Tarts Return to Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine

Strawberry Tarts are back at Hello Kitty Cafe Irvine! These adorable, seasonal treats are a sweet reason to stop by and enjoy a fan-favorite dessert. Don’t miss your chance to grab one during your next visit. 🍓

Join the Final “Storytime Saturday” on July 26 at University Community Center

Don’t miss the final Storytime Saturday on July 26 at 10 a.m. at the University Community Center (1 Beech Tree Lane)—a fun-filled morning of stories, songs, and dances for young readers.

  • More family-friendly programs will follow after the grand opening celebrations on Sunday, August 3, at Heritage Park Library (1–4 p.m.) and University Park Library (2–5 p.m.).

  • Discover everything the Irvine Public Library has to offer at irvinepubliclibrary.org.

Four UCI Health Hospitals Earn 2025 Gold Plus Awards for Stroke and Diabetes Care

Four UCI Health hospitals have been recognized with the 2025 Stroke Gold Plus and Stroke/Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Awards from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

  • These awards highlight their ability to treat complex stroke cases.

  • Additionally, UCI Health — Orange received national recognition for its heart failure program with the Heart Failure Gold Plus and Target: Heart Failure Optimal Awards.

  • These honors reflect adherence to clinical guidelines and commitment to improving care for stroke, heart failure, and diabetes patients.

Explore Irvine Parks and Win Prizes in the Summer Passport Challenge

This summer, join Irvine’s Park and Recreation Month challenge by picking up a passport and exploring local parks and facilities.

  • Complete fun challenges at each location to collect stamps—earn a sticker sheet for 6 stamps and a special water bottle for 12.

  • Prizes are limited, and the challenge ends Thursday, July 31.

  • Learn more and find participating spots at

    cityofirvine.org/parks.

A Summer of Sound: Barclay Theatre Jazz Band Brings Live Music to Bistango

Every Wednesday this summer from 6–8 PM, enjoy live jazz at Bistango with the Barclay Theatre Jazz Band. Led by Jerry Mandel and Craig Springer, the band features top musicians like Ron Kobayashi, Sal Cracchiolo, Shelly Gordon, Karim Yengsep, and Maureen O’Sullivan.

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

Meet Nezuko: A Gentle Cat Ready for a Quiet, Loving Home

Nezuko is a shy but affectionate cat who blossoms with gentle care and a quiet environment. She's looking for a calm home where her sweet personality can shine. Meet her from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Irvine Animal Care Center.

UC Irvine Releases 2025 Women’s Volleyball Schedule

UC Irvine’s women’s volleyball team kicks off the 2025 season with a competitive schedule featuring nine different conferences across four states. From early tournaments to Big West rivalries, the Anteaters aim to build on last year’s 16-win performance.

Key Dates

  • Aug 23 – Exhibition vs. San Diego State (Home)

  • Aug 29–30 – Wildcat Invitational in Utah

  • Sept 5–7 – UCI/adidas Invitational vs. Fresno St., Colorado, Penn (Home)

  • Sept 11–13 – Oregon State Tournament

  • Sept 18–20 – Nashville Road Trip: Lipscomb, Vanderbilt, Belmont

  • Sept 26–27 – Big West Openers vs. Long Beach State & UC San Diego (Home)

  • Oct 21 – Home vs. Hawai’i

  • Nov 7–22 – Final Home Matches: UC Davis, UC Riverside, UCSB, Cal Poly

  • Nov 26, 28–29 – Big West Championship at Long Beach State

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.

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

Suspect Taken into Custody Following Assault and Hate Crime Investigation

A 54-year-old Irvine man, Robert Leon Tackett, was arrested for suspected hate crime and aggravated assault following a road rage incident Tuesday morning near Sand Canyon Avenue and the I-5 Freeway.

  • According to police, Tackett allegedly followed a driver, swerved aggressively, shouted racial slurs, and threw hot coffee into the victim’s vehicle, causing burns.

  • The incident was recorded by the victim and later reported to the Irvine Police Department.

  • Authorities are asking witnesses or anyone with additional footage to contact [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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