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Irvine Named “Best City to Live In” for 10th Straight Year

Issue # 0505

Author

Joshua Tjia
28 Oct

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏙️🌟 Irvine Named “Best City to Live In” for 10th Straight Year

🚒🧯 Stay Prepared: Wildfire Safety Workshop Coming to Irvine City Hall

🎃 Fall Fun Finale: Half-Off Pumpkin Patch Entry at Tanaka Farms Nov. 1–2

🧋👻 Limited-Time Treat: Brown Sugar Deerioca Thai Milk Arrives at The Alley

🍏🍉 Farm to School: IUSD Brings Local Produce to Student Meals

🧼🫧 Stay Fresh, Stay Safe: Handwashing Made Easy

🌳🪏 Free Compost Giveaway Returns November 15 Across Orange County

🎁 Find Unique Gifts at Woodbridge’s Holiday Craft & French Artisan Market

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐾 Enroll Your Pup in Puppy Kindergarten This Fall

🏐 UCI Women’s Volleyball: Feliciano & Jensen Earn Big West Weekly Honors

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC Women’s Volleyball Rallies to Sixth Straight Win

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Northwood Football Tops Fountain Valley to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Irvine Police Seek Suspects in $4,000 Apartment Office Theft

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the ghost starch his sheet?

He wanted to scare people stiff.

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

Irvine Named “Best City to Live In” for 10th Straight Year

Irvine has been named the “Best City to Live In” by Orange County Register readers for the 10th consecutive year, praised for its safety, schools, parks, and resident happiness.

🏙️ With over 318,000 residents, the city continues to expand amenities like the new library system, sustainable mobility projects, and extensive trails.

🌳🛝 Locals such as Ryan Borda and Jane Gillespie highlight Irvine’s unmatched convenience, access to nature, and vibrant lifestyle—from top-rated schools and planned communities to arts, dining, and shopping at places like the Irvine Spectrum Center.

Stay Prepared: Wildfire Safety Workshop Coming to Irvine City Hall

The Orange County Fire Authority and Mayor Larry Agran invite residents to a Wildfire Preparedness event on Thursday, October 30 at Irvine City Hall.

  • The Meet-and-Greet will take place from 5:30–6 p.m., followed by an informational program from 6–7:30 p.m. 

  • Attendees can learn practical fire safety tips, ask questions, and gain valuable insights on reducing wildfire risks.

  • RSVP here

Fall Fun Finale: Half-Off Pumpkin Patch Entry at Tanaka Farms Nov. 1–2

Last call for pumpkin fun! Tanaka Farms in Irvine is offering 50% off admission for Nov. 1–2 with code FALL50 — your final chance to explore the pumpkin patch before it closes for the season.

🍂 Book your discounted tickets now at tanakafarms.com!

Limited-Time Treat: Brown Sugar Deerioca Thai Milk Arrives at The Alley

The Alley has launched its limited-time Brown Sugar Deerioca Thai Milk, available through Oct. 31 only! This spooky Thai-inspired drink is now haunting select U.S. locations — including Irvine. Sip it before it disappears into the night!

Farm to School: IUSD Brings Local Produce to Student Meals

IUSD celebrates National Farm to School Month by highlighting its partnership with local farms like Sunrise Produce and Old Grove Orange, which provide fresh fruits and veggies for students’ meals.

🥗🍎 From watermelon spears and organic apples to plums, pluots, and baby Persian cucumbers, these farm-to-school connections ensure nutritious, locally sourced options that keep students healthy and energized every day.

Stay Fresh, Stay Safe: Handwashing Made Easy

Keeping your hands clean is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy! Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — sing your favorite song while you scrub!

Remember to wash:
🍽 Before eating
🚻 After using the restroom
🤧 After coughing or sneezing
🩹 Before & after caring for wounds
🖐 After touching surfaces in public areas

Free Compost Giveaway Returns November 15 Across Orange County

Celebrate America Recycles Day with a Free Compost Giveaway on Saturday, November 15, from 7:30 a.m. to noon! Residents can pick up nutrient-rich, STA-certified compost at one of three County of Orange locations:

  • Bee Canyon Greenery (Irvine) – 11002 Bee Canyon Access Rd.

  • Valencia Greenery (Brea) – 1942 N. Valencia Ave.

  • Capistrano Greenery (San Juan Capistrano) – 32250 Avenida La Pata.

🪏 Bring your own shovel and containers for the Irvine and San Juan sites.
Learn more at OCLandfills.com/FallCompostGiveaway.

Find Unique Gifts at Woodbridge’s Holiday Craft & French Artisan Market

The Holiday Craft Show & French Artisan Market returns on Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Center! Discover unique, handmade gifts and French-inspired creations just in time for the holidays — plus, admission is free. Don’t miss this festive shopping event.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. November 5, 5-9 PM: Band Spectacular, Irvine HS

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. October 30, 7 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Concert

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

Enroll Your Pup in Puppy Kindergarten This Fall

Enroll your pup in Puppy Kindergarten at the Woodbridge Community Center! Designed for puppies 9–20 weeks old, this 5-week program builds early training, manners, and social skills.

  • 🗓️ Classes meet Thursdays, Nov. 6–Dec. 11 from 6:00–6:55 PM, including 1 online asynchronous and 5 in-person sessions.

  • 💵 Fee: $250.

  • Learn more at wva.org.

UCI Women’s Volleyball: Feliciano & Jensen Earn Big West Weekly Honors

UC Irvine’s Nicole Feliciano and Campbell Jensen earned Big West weekly honors after leading the Anteaters to sweeps over Hawaii and Cal State Fullerton.

🏐 Feliciano, named Setter of the Week, posted 39 assists and 10 digs, while Jensen, the Defensive Player of the Week, averaged 5.67 digs per set and helped hold opponents to negative hitting percentages.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Tennis

  • Thu, Oct 30 – vs UCI Fall Invitational, TBA

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs UCI Fall Invitational, TBA

Men’s Water Polo

  • Thu, Oct 30 – vs Long Beach State, 6:00 PM

IVC Women’s Volleyball Rallies to Sixth Straight Win

Irvine Valley College’s women’s volleyball team earned its sixth straight win with a sweep over Riverside, improving to 8-7 overall and 8-2 in the OEC to tie for second place. Alya Mersin led with 14 kills and six digs, while Samantha Schellenberg and Jazlynn Fu each added seven kills.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Oct 28 – vs Saddleback, 3:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs Santa Ana, 1:00 PM

Northwood Football Tops Fountain Valley to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Northwood High boosted its playoff hopes with a 20-7 win over Fountain Valley. Dylan D’Epifanio threw two touchdowns, Jack Schultz had 142 receiving yards, and Elliot Kwon sealed the game with an interception. The Timberwolves (4-5) face Dana Hills next aiming to stay playoff-eligible.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With October Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

October 2025

Friday, October 31

  • Football – 7:00 PM vs. Sonora – Irvine High School Stadium

Irvine Police Seek Suspects in $4,000 Apartment Office Theft

Irvine Police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects who broke into an apartment office on Sullivan, stealing about $4,000 worth of tools, supplies, and personal items. Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Paulsen 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

Now - November 2 Tanaka Farm Pumpkin Patch

November 1 Caity Gyorgy 7 PM

November 5 Takács Quartet 7 PM

November 8 Love Irvine: Citywide Serve Day 7:30 AM - 12 PM

November 8 Holiday Faire 10 AM - 4 PM

November 13 Phaeton Piano Trio 7 PM

November 15 - 16 Woodbridge Village Center: Makers Markets 10 AM - 4 PM

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