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Irvine Teens Raise $100K to Donate New Van to Police Explorer Program

Issue # 0606

Author

Joshua Tjia
08 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚓🚙 Irvine Teens Raise $100K to Donate New Van to Police Explorer Program

♻️🌱 Recycle and Replace: Free Oil Filter Exchange on April 11

🍨🍫 Double the Sweet Treats: Earth Day BOGO Dirt Cups at Yogurtland Irvine

🚌🚏 Free OC Bus Service Available Countywide on April 22 for Earth Day

🩰👾🎨 Summer Fun Starts Soon: Explore Kids Camps Across Irvine

🍰🫛 Feel-Good Foods: Three Comforting Dishes or Better Mood, Energy, and Wellness

🦉🦅 Raptor Nesting Season Returns to Irvine Ranch This Spring

🎻🎶 Young Artists Invited to Pacific Symphony’s Summer Arts Immersion Camp

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐾 Flea Prevention Tips to Protect Your Dog and Home

🏃🏻‍♀️💨 UCI Women’s Track: Kaia Schmidt Named Big West Athlete of the Week

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🎾 IVC Men’s Tennis Wins OEC Title, Earns Top Playoff Seed

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Crean Lutheran Baseball rallies past Canyon 11-3 in Freeway League win

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓📱 Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in Apple Store iPhone Theft at Spectrum

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Where do ducks go when they are sick?

The ducktor’s office.

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

Irvine Teens Raise $100K to Donate New Van to Police Explorer Program

Local Irvine students and community supporters came together to raise nearly $100,000 to provide a new 14-passenger Ford Transit van for the Irvine Police Department’s Explorer program. Led by teen brothers David and Daniel Zhang, who have been part of the program since their freshman year, the student-driven effort took three years and included support from several local organizations and youth groups. The new van will help transport Explorers to trainings, competitions, ride-alongs, and community service events across Orange County.

Recycle and Replace: Free Oil Filter Exchange on April 11

Join the City of Irvine this Saturday, April 11, for a free Used Oil Filter Exchange event at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Bring one used oil filter and receive a new one at no cost while supplies last.

Double the Sweet Treats: Earth Day BOGO Dirt Cups at Yogurtland Irvine

Yogurtland is celebrating Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, with a Buy One, Get One FREE Dirt Cup offer. This limited-time treat features a rich mix of chocolate frozen yogurt, cookies & cream crumble, and sour gummy worms. The promotion is available online through the Yogurtland app; use the code EARTHDAY at checkout on April 22 to redeem the deal.

Free OC Bus Service Available Countywide on April 22 for Earth Day

Ride OC Bus for free on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, and enjoy an easy way to get around Orange County at no cost.

Summer Fun Starts Soon: Explore Kids Camps Across Irvine

School’s almost out, and summer fun is right around the corner. From art and dance to coding and robotics, several family-friendly camps are available around Irvine, giving kids plenty of ways to stay creative, active, and engaged this summer.

  • 🎨 Mission Renaissance — Woodbridge Village Center
    Art-focused summer camps designed to spark creativity and build artistic skills.

  • 💃 Focus Dance Center — Woodbridge Village Center
    Dance camps and classes for kids who love to move and perform.

  • 💻 Code Ninjas — Parkview Center
    Coding and tech camps where kids can learn programming and problem-solving skills.

  • 🩰 Tutu School — Crossroads
    Ballet and dance programs perfect for younger children.

  • 🤖 Magikid Robotics Lab — Woodbridge Village Center
    Robotics and STEM-based camps focused on building and innovation.

  • 🖌️ Aspire Art Studio — Quail Hill Shopping Center
    Creative art camps with hands-on projects and fun activities.

Feel-Good Foods: Three Comforting Dishes or Better Mood, Energy, and Wellness

Looking for comforting meals that may help support your mood and overall well-being? UCI Health shares three delicious dishes made with ingredients known for their calming, nourishing benefits.

Recipes:

  • Spring Pea Soup with Mint – A light, refreshing soup packed with protein, fiber, probiotics, and calming mint to support digestion and gut health.

  • Crunchy Baked Fish with Lemony Couscous – A balanced dish featuring lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, and vitamin-rich tomatoes and lemon.

  • Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Drizzle – A lighter dessert with protein from egg whites, calming vanilla, and antioxidant-rich fresh raspberries.

Raptor Nesting Season Returns to Irvine Ranch This Spring

Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s annual raptor nest monitoring is now underway across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as hawks, owls, and other birds of prey begin nesting season this spring. Working with local biologists and trained volunteers, IRC tracks active nests, breeding success, and chick development while helping protect sensitive nesting areas through temporary trail closures when needed. This long-running effort supports wildlife protection and helps maintain the health and balance of the local ecosystem.

Young Artists Invited to Pacific Symphony’s Summer Arts Immersion Camp

Pacific Symphony is now accepting applications for arts-X-press 2026, its summer arts immersion camp held at Concordia University Irvine this June. Open to current 6th, 7th, and 8th graders across Southern California, the weeklong program offers hands-on experiences in music, theater, dance, and visual arts, with two sessions available: June 21–26 and June 28–July 3. It’s a creative opportunity for students to explore new artistic interests, build confidence, and express themselves in a fun summer setting.

Find more information here

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. April 11, 12:00 - 3:00 PM: Friends of Jazz, Long Wolf Brewing Company

  2. April 15: IUSD Jazz Festival, Woodbridge HS

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No further upcoming events for 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. April 15, 6:00 PM: SPUR Awards, PAC

  2. April 18, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Choirs Host Forum Festival

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further upcoming events for this month

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Flea Prevention Tips to Protect Your Dog and Home

Fleas are a common problem for dogs, but the good news is they can be treated and prevented with the right care. These tiny pests can cause itching, skin irritation, and other health issues, while also spreading quickly around your home through carpets, bedding, and furniture.

Helpful Tips:

  • Check your pup often for scratching, bites, or flea dirt

  • Use monthly flea prevention recommended by your vet

  • Wash bedding and vacuum regularly to stop eggs from spreading

  • Brush with a flea comb during grooming sessions

  • Treat your home and pet together if fleas appear

  • Reach out to your vet if fleas keep coming back

UCI Women’s Track: Kaia Schmidt Named Big West Athlete of the Week

UC Irvine junior Kaia Schmidt was named the Big West Women’s Track Athlete of the Week after setting both a school and stadium record in the steeplechase with a personal-best time of 10:16.88. Her time ranks first in the Big West, 17th in the West Region, and 26th in NCAA Division I.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Volleyball

  • Thur, Apr 9 - CSUN, 6:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  • Fri, Apr 10 - Cal Poly, 12:00 PM

IVC Men’s Tennis Wins OEC Title, Earns Top Playoff Seed

Irvine Valley College’s men’s tennis team captured another Orange Empire Conference title after finishing 10-1 overall and a perfect 8-0 in conference play. Freshman Philip Neuman earned Singles Player of the Year honors and coach Ross Duncan was named Coach of the Year. The Lasers are the No. 1 seed in the 3C2A SoCal Regional Playoffs, and several players and doubles teams have also advanced to the state individual championships.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Flag Footbal

  • Thu, April 9 – Golden West, 4:30 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  • Fri, April 10 – Santiago Canyon, 6:00 PM

Baseball

  • Sat, April 11 – Golden West, 12:00 PM

  • Thu, April 16 – Santa Ana, 2:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  • Tue, April 14– Ventura, 3C2A SoCal Regional Semifinals, 2:00 PM

Crean Lutheran Baseball rallies past Canyon 11-3 in Freeway League win

Crean Lutheran baseball overcame a 3-0 first-inning deficit with 11 unanswered runs to defeat Canyon 11-3 on Tuesday, keeping its playoff hopes alive in Freeway League play. Jayce DeJong earned the win with three scoreless relief innings as the Saints got key offensive contributions from multiple players, including Ian McDermott, Jameson Richardson, and Brecken Stranahan.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2026

Wednesday, April 8

  • Tennis, Boys - 3:15 PM vs Fairmont Prep

  • Baseball - 3:30 PM vs Portola

  • Lacrosse, Boys - 4:00 PM vs University

Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in Apple Store iPhone Theft at Spectrum

Irvine Police Department officers assigned to the Spectrum recently investigated the theft of iPhones from the Apple Store. After the Crime Impact Unit conducted surveillance, the suspect was arrested following a brief foot pursuit; the 25-year-old Garden Grove man was later booked into Orange County Jail on burglary charges.

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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