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Irvine Ranks 3rd Happiest and 7th Most Serene City in America

Issue # 0456

Author

Joshua Tjia
01 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌳🏙️🌳 Irvine Ranks 3rd Happiest and 7th Most Serene City in America

🚓 Irvine Police Conduct High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement, Issue 32 Citations

🚧 Great Park Grading Project Underway, Completion Expected Summer 2025

🐷🌸🧋 Pink Pig Dessert Shop Serves Milk Teas, Fruit Teas, and Brûlée Specialties in Irvine

🚙 UCI Health to Host Free Teen Driving Clinic August 16–17

🐝 Bee Sting Basics: How to Treat Stings and Spot Serious Reactions

🦎🐍 Lizards and Snakes Emerge as Trails Warm Up

✍🏻 Bring Your Drawings to Life—Join the Animation Fun in Woodbridge

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🦜🌱 Birds and Botanicals: A Handy List of Pet-Safe Plants

🏀 UC Irvine Women’s Basketball Adds Grant and Lutbert to 2025–26 Roster

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Crean Lutheran Opens Football Practice, Preps for Aug. 22 Opener vs. Mullen

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you know…?

The national animal of Scotland is a unicorn!

We hope this fun fact brings a smile to your day! 😁

Irvine Ranks 3rd Happiest and 7th Most Serene City in America

Irvine has been ranked as the 7th most serene city in the United States. This ranking comes from two studies by Wallethub.com, one measuring happiness and the other stress levels.

  • Irvine earned the #3 spot for happiness, reflecting its well-being, economics, and community.

  • On the stress study, Irvine placed #16, based on work, family, financial, health, and safety factors.

  • Together, these scores secured Irvine's position as the 7th happiest city in America.

Irvine Police Conduct High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement, Issue 32 Citations

Irvine Police Department conducted a High-Visibility Enforcement (HVE) operation called “Operation Safe Square” last morning within the area of Culver Dr, Jeffrey Rd, Irvine Center Dr, and Walnut Ave to promote road safety.

  • Officers issued 32 citations for various violations, including arresting one driver for reckless driving after being clocked at 101 MPH. The driver's vehicle was impounded.

Great Park Grading Project Underway, Completion Expected Summer 2025


A grading project is underway at the Great Park following a contract awarded by the Irvine City Council on May 28 to Independent Construction. Work began on July 22 and includes excavation, grading, and removal of fencing. The project is scheduled for completion by summer 2025.

More information here.

Pink Pig Dessert Shop Serves Milk Teas, Fruit Teas, and Brûlée Specialties in Irvine

Pink Pig Dessert Shop in Irvine’s University Center offers a variety of tea-based drinks and desserts in a casual, walk-in setting. Known for its unique pink boba, the shop provides a range of drink options. Some popular menu highlights include:

  • Uji Matcha Milk Tea – a rich, earthy blend made with premium matcha

  • Passion Lime Fruit Tea – a refreshing citrus-forward option

  • Jasmine Green Cloud Tea – light and floral with a creamy foam topping

  • Orea Brûlée Swirl Slush – smooth frozen slush with crunchy cookie pieces

The shop also offers self-serve kiosks and seasonal drink variations.

UCI Health to Host Free Teen Driving Clinic August 16–17

UCI Health is co-sponsoring a free teen driving clinic at Angel Stadium on August 16–17.

  • Teens ages 16–19 with a permit or license can join this 3-hour hands-on session to practice vehicle handling, slide control, and avoiding distractions with professional instructors.

  • Vehicles are provided, and parents are encouraged to attend.

  • Register now here

Bee Sting Basics: How to Treat Stings and Spot Serious Reactions

Getting stung by a bee can be painful, but most stings are not serious and can be treated at home with simple care. However, some people may have allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. It’s important to know what to look for and how to respond calmly and effectively.

Call 9-1-1 if there are signs of:

  • Severe allergic reaction (trouble breathing, swelling of face or throat)

  • Signs of shock (dizziness, confusion, pale or clammy skin)

Seek medical care if you notice:

  • Sharp pain, itching, redness, or swelling

  • A stinger still in the skin

At-home care tips:

  • Remove the stinger gently with clean tweezers

  • Wash the area with soap and warm water

  • Apply a small amount of antibiotic gel

  • Use a cold pack to reduce swelling

  • Monitor for any worsening symptoms

Lizards and Snakes Emerge as Trails Warm Up

Summer sunshine brings out some of Irvine’s wildest residents—like fence lizards showing off their push-ups and snakes basking on trails. Stay alert for small movements in the brush and enjoy the hot summer season.

Bring Your Drawings to Life—Join the Animation Fun in Woodbridge

Woodbridge Village Association is hosting an animation workshop where participants will explore character development, storyboarding, cel animation, and flip books. Attendees will learn to design characters and create their own traditional animation cel.

To register, visit the office at 31 Creek Road or call (949) 786-1800 during business hours.

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

Birds and Botanicals: A Handy List of Pet-Safe Plants

Many birds love to explore and nibble on houseplants, but not all greenery is safe for feathered companions.

  • Birds often chew on plants out of curiosity or play, which may lead to accidental ingestion.

  • Some plants are mildly irritating, while others can be toxic or fatal to birds.

  • A wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants are considered non-toxic, including:

    • African violet, jade plant, marigold, spider plant, Boston fern, bamboo palm, and zinnias.

  • Even safe plants should be offered in moderation to prevent gastrointestinal upset.

  • Safe trees for perches include apple, elm, citrus, guava, mulberry, maple, and pear.

  • Always verify unfamiliar plants with an avian veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline: petpoisonhelpline.com.

UC Irvine Women’s Basketball Adds Grant and Lutbert to 2025–26 Roster

UC Irvine women’s basketball has added two standout recruits for the 2025–26 season: point guard Ameerah Grant and center Elodie Lutbert.

  • Grant, a prolific scorer from Wisconsin, averaged 39.5 points per game her senior year and graduated as Brown Deer's all-time leading scorer.

  • Lutbert, a 6'6" center from Martinique, brings international experience from France’s top league and national team play.

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.

Crean Lutheran Opens Football Practice, Preps for Aug. 22 Opener vs. Mullen

Crean Lutheran kicked off football practice Monday under head coach Rick Curtis, preparing for their season opener against Mullen (Denver, CO) on Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.

  • Despite losing 28 seniors, Curtis is optimistic thanks to a strong JV pipeline.

  • Junior QB Caden Jones returns fully healthy with improved arm strength, leading an offense supported by standout senior Dillon Booth.

  • Defensive anchors Anthony Jones, Ryder Barnes, and Javari Nash are also expected to shine.

  • The Saints went 9-3 last season and defeated Mullen 35-12 in last year’s opener.

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


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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

July 12 - End of August Tanaka Farms Melong Tasting Tours

August 5 Toddlers & Tunes 10 AM - 12 PM

August 5 2025 National Night Out 5:30 - 7:30 PM

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