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Irvine Teens Turn Allergy Struggles Into Educational Children’s Book

Issue # 0467

Author

Joshua Tjia
18 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

💎💍 Delicate Designs and DIY Workshops: Irvine Spectrum Debuts Three New Jewelry Stores

📖🍎 Irvine Teens Turn Allergy Struggles Into Educational Children’s Book

🍋‍🟩🍓🌱 85°C Bakery's New Mojito: Citrusy and Full of Fresh Berry and Matcha Flavors

📚 Study, Snack, and Relax: Join Teen Lounge Night at University Park Library – Aug. 26

🏥 UC Irvine to Launch Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Program in October

🦎🐍  From Blue-Bellies to Rattlers: Summery Reptiles You May See on the Trails

🎨🧵 Explore Your Creativity: Sign Up for Irvine Fine Arts Classes Today

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕 Meet Katara, a Sweet Shepherd Looking for a Loving Family

⚽️ UCI Women’s Soccer Opens Season with a Win Again GCU, 4-1

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚓🚨 Irvine PD Confirms Arrest in Walmart Skirt-Recording Investigation

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a camel with no humps?

Humphrey.

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

Delicate Designs and DIY Workshops: Irvine Spectrum Debuts Three New Jewelry Stores

Irvine Spectrum Center has added three new jewelry retailers, each offering its own style and approach. Shoppers can now explore options ranging from affordable daily wear to fine gold pieces and even interactive workshops for custom creations.

  • Caitlyn Minimalist – Offers delicate, stackable designs inspired by sun and sea, with most pieces under $30, along with select vintage timepieces from brands such as Fendi and YSL.

  • RG Jewelry – Features 14k gold jewelry and permanent “Forever Jewelry” bracelets. Founded by Rachel Karcich, the brand focuses on simple, lasting designs.

  • Gem Studio – Provides silversmith workshops where participants can design and create their own pieces. Sessions range from quick charm making to full two- to three-hour workshops.

Irvine Teens Turn Allergy Struggles Into Educational Children’s Book

Two Foothill High School students, Max Ngo and Aayush Iyer, created Allergic to the Max—a children’s book that uses rhymes, drawings, and an A-to-Z format to help kids better understand food allergies.

  • Inspired by Max’s own lifelong allergy challenges, the book is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

  • With support from a six-month fellowship from Irvine’s Dragon Kim Foundation, they’ve been able to share the book with schools, libraries, and families across Southern California.

  • Interested readers can learn more about their work and follow along on Instagram.

85°C Bakery's New Mojito: Citrusy and Full of Fresh Berry and Matcha Flavors

85°C Bakery has launched its new Mojito Cup— a tasty treat featuring fluffy matcha cake, tangy lemon mousse, a refreshing non-alcoholic mojito jelly base, and fresh strawberries on top. Available now at all stores for a zesty, uplifting treat.

Study, Snack, and Relax: Join Teen Lounge Night at University Park Library – Aug. 26

Join Teen Study Lounge on Tuesday, August 26, from 6–7 p.m. at University Park Library in Irvine.

  • Teens 13+ (12th grade and under) are invited to drop in, get ready for tests, finish homework, or just relax.

  • Enjoy free snacks, coloring, and stress-relief activities—all supplies provided.

  • No registration needed, so just join in and make the most of this study break!

UC Irvine to Launch Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Program in October

UC Irvine’s Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing will launch a 24-month Family Nurse Practitioner residency in October to address Orange County’s primary care shortage.

  • The program combines one year of training with a year of service to CalOptima members, focusing on patient-centered care and improving access for underserved communities.

  • Applications are now open for the first cohort.

From Blue-Bellies to Rattlers: Summery Reptiles You May See on the Trails

Summer brings out some of the most fascinating reptiles across Orange County’s Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. From colorful lizards to slithering snakes, these critters thrive in the heat and can often be spotted by hikers.

Lizards

  • Western Fence lizard – “Blue-belly” lizards common on trails and fences

  • Granite Spiny lizard – Larger, colorful lizards found on rocky hillsides

  • Coast Horned lizard – Rare, camouflaged, and a protected species in CA

Snakes

  • Southern Pacific rattlesnake – Common venomous species in foothills and scrublands

  • Gopher snake – Harmless rattlesnake lookalike with dramatic hissing

  • California Kingsnake – Non-venomous, known for preying on rattlesnakes

Tip: Stay on trails, wear closed-toe shoes, and observe wildlife from a safe distance.

Explore Your Creativity: Sign Up for Irvine Fine Arts Classes Today

Registration is now open for fall classes at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, offering programs for all ages in areas such as culinary arts, painting, printmaking, flower arranging, and bookbinding.

  • Adult jewelry and ceramics classes open for registration today, August 18 at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., respectively.

  • Find classes and register here.

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

Meet Katara, a Sweet Shepherd Looking for a Loving Family

Katara, a gentle German Shepherd, has made an incredible recovery after arriving at the Irvine Animal Care Center with a broken leg. Thanks to the Enhanced Care program, she received surgery right away and was nurtured in a foster home until she healed. Now healthy and active, Katara is patiently waiting for a loving forever home where she can share her loyal and kind nature.

Adoption details are available at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UCI Women’s Soccer Opens Season with a Win Again GCU, 4-1

UC Irvine women’s soccer opened the 2025 season with a 4-1 road win over Grand Canyon University in Phoenix on Thursday night.

  • After taking an early lead, the Anteaters conceded an equalizer before halftime but surged in the second half with three goals in nine minutes from Fiona Shin, Kori Pickelle, and Trinity Morales.

  • Mia Colombini scored the opener and added an assist, while goalkeeper Laurynn Ziller made three saves for her first career win.

  • The victory marked UCI’s fourth straight season-opening win and featured strong debuts from several newcomers.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Soccer

  • Thu, Aug 21 – vs UCLA, 6:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Sat, Aug 23 – vs San Diego State (Exhibition), 12:00 PM

  • Sat, Aug 23 – vs San Diego State (Exhibition), 12:00 PM at Bren Events Center

Women’s Soccer

  • Sun, Aug 24 – vs Washington, 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Aug 22 – vs Moorpark, 1:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Tue, Aug 26 – vs El Camino, 3:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Aug 29 – vs Grossmont, 3:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With August Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

August 2025

Thursday, August 21

  • Girls Flag Football – 6:30 PM vs. Fountain Valley at Irvine High School Stadium

Friday, August 22

  • Football (11 person) – 7:00 PM vs. Northwood at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, August 26

  • Boys Water Polo – 4:30 PM vs. Capistrano Valley at Woolett Pool

  • Girls Volleyball – 5:15 PM vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Game Gym

Thursday, August 28

  • Girls Tennis – 3:15 PM vs. El Toro at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • Girls Golf – 4:00 PM vs. University at Irvine High School

  • Girls Flag Football – 7:30 PM vs. Dana Hills at Irvine High School Stadium

Friday, August 29

  • Girls Volleyball – 6:30 PM Alumni Scrimmage at Irvine High School Game Gym

Irvine PD Confirms Arrest in Walmart Skirt-Recording Investigation

Irvine Police arrested 23-year-old Damian Bravo of Santa Ana on August 6 after he was caught using his phone to record up a woman’s skirt at Walmart. Surveillance footage helped officers track and detain him as he fled. Detectives believe there may be additional victims and urge anyone affected to contact [email protected].

S

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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