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Irvine to Launch Independent Public Library System, Invites Community Input

Issue # 0327

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

๐Ÿ˜ Laugh Of The Day

๐ŸŒค๏ธ Irvine Weather

โš ๏ธ๐Ÿ’จ Red Flag Warning in Effect: Take These Steps to Stay Safe in Irvine

๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ“– Irvine to Launch Independent Public Library System, Invites Community Input

๐Ÿชญ๐Ÿ Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Wood Snake Festival: February 1 at The Market Place

๐Ÿง‹๐Ÿงง ๐Ÿง‹ Boba, Red Envelopes, and Mystery Bags: Celebrate Lunar New Year at The Alley

๐Ÿ”ฅ Wildfires Update: Palisades Fire at 61% Containment, Eaton Fire Nearing Control

๐Ÿงฏ๐Ÿ“ CAL FIRE Updates Damage Inspection Maps for Southern California Wildfire Recovery

๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ Join the Fun! Westparkโ€™s Kids Run the OC Program Starts February 4

๐Ÿ˜ท๐Ÿ’จ Santa Ana Winds: How to Protect Your Lungs from Invisible Smoke Particles

๐Ÿฆ‹๐ŸŒฟ Support Monarch Butterflies: Join the Milkweed Planting Event at Bommer Canyon

๐Ÿฉฐ 60 Years of Twyla Tharp: Ballet, Beethoven, and Boundless Brilliance

๐ŸŽผ๐ŸŽผ Upcoming High School Music Calendar

๐Ÿ•๐Ÿ‡ Adoption Success: 18 Pets Find New Homes, 4 Reunited with Owners

๐Ÿ€ UC Irvine Basketball Extends Home Win Streak to 20 with 101-71 Victory Over Cal Poly

๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ๐ŸŽพโšพ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

๐Ÿ€๐Ÿ€ Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

๐Ÿˆ๐ŸŽพ High School Athletics Calendar

๐Ÿ๐Ÿฅญ๐Ÿ‘ Local Farmers Markets

๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿช๐ŸŽ‰Irvineโ€™s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

๐Ÿ“…๐Ÿ“… Lots of Local Events

๐Ÿ“ž๐Ÿ’ก Useful Contact Information

Why did the man stand behind the horse?

He was hoping to get a kick out of it

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! ๐Ÿ˜

Red Flag Warning in Effect: Take These Steps to Stay Safe in Irvine

The City of Irvine prioritizes community safety through emergency preparedness and partners with the Orange County Fire Authority for enhanced response capabilities. With a Red Flag Warning in effect until the end of today, January 21 at 10 p.m., residents are urged to:

  1. Sign up for AlertOC for real-time updates (alertoc.org).

  2. Check evacuation zones using the City's map.
    Emergency alerts will link to real-time evacuation maps, and a unique Hi/Lo siren will signal evacuation needs.

  3. Learn more about emergency preparedness here.

Irvine to Launch Independent Public Library System, Invites Community Input

The City of Irvine is transitioning its library services from the County of Orange to the newly established Irvine Public Library system to provide a more localized and community-focused approach. Residents are encouraged to participate in informational meetings to offer input on the development of the new library system.

  • The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. at the Quail Hill Community Center, 39 Shady Canyon Drive.

  • Currently, the Heritage Park Library, University Park Library, and Katie Wheeler Library are operated by the Orange County Public Library.

  • This transition was approved by the Irvine City Council on July 23, 2024, and aims to create accessible, dynamic library spaces that support civic engagement and educational opportunities.

  • Additional information is available at cityofirvine.org/libraries.

Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Wood Snake Festival: February 1 at The Market Place

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Wood Snake Festival on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM at The Market Place at the courtyard near Mathis Home in Irvine.

  • Enjoy dragon and lion dances, martial arts, musical performances, themed crafts, a live snake exhibit, calligraphy, stilt walkers, and a mocktail bar.

  • Complimentary items are available (one per guest, while supplies last).

Boba, Red Envelopes, and Mystery Bags: Celebrate Lunar New Year at The Alley

Celebrate Lunar New Year with The Alley, your favorite boba spot! From January 20โ€“29, purchase two or more drinks to receive a red envelope containing a coupon and a raffle ticket. Fill out the ticket and enter the lucky draw for a chance to win an exclusive My Hero Academia mystery bag. Winners will be announced on January 31! ๐Ÿงง๐Ÿง‹

Location: 507 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618

Wildfires Update: Palisades Fire at 61% Containment, Eaton Fire Nearing Control

Incident Updates (1/20/2025 PM):

  • #PalisadesFire: Pacific Palisades, LA County โ€“ 23,713 acres, 61% contained.

  • #EatonFire: North Pasadena/Altadena, LA County โ€“ 14,021 acres, 87% contained.

  • A #RedFlagWarning is active through Tuesday evening across Southern California counties due to strong winds and low humidity. CAL FIRE and partners are increasing resources to address new fires. Stay updated on emergency info and evacuations at fire.ca.gov.

CAL FIRE Updates Damage Inspection Maps for Southern California Wildfire Recovery

Residents affected by Southern California wildfires can access property status updates via CAL FIREโ€™s damage inspection maps, which are updated daily with images and information. These resources assist with insurance claims and recovery planning.

More details: #PalisadesFire | #EatonFire.

Join the Fun! Westparkโ€™s Kids Run the OC Program Starts February 4

Westparkโ€™s Kids Run the OC (KROC) Program is a fun training initiative for 1stโ€“6th graders promoting fitness and combating childhood obesity through games improving speed, agility, and coordination.

  • Led by OC Marathon-certified coaches, students accumulate 25.2 miles of activity, finishing their marathon's final mile on May 3, 2025, at the OC Fair & Event Center.

  • Sessions run Tuesdays and Thursdays (7:30โ€“8:00 AM) from 2/4 to 5/1 at Westpark.

  • Students must register for both Westparkโ€™s program and Race Day.

  • Learn more about Kids Run the OC

Santa Ana Winds: How to Protect Your Lungs from Invisible Smoke Particles

Santa Ana winds can carry harmful smoke particles that may affect your lungs, even if they're invisible or odorless.

  • Protect yourself by avoiding outdoor activities during poor air quality, monitoring air quality levels, and using air purifiers to keep your indoor environment safe.

  • Prioritize your respiratory healthโ€”visit Family Care Centers Medical Group in Irvine, Fountain Valley, or Costa Mesa for expert care and guidance.

Support Monarch Butterflies: Join the Milkweed Planting Event at Bommer Canyon

Join IRC staff on Thursday, January 30, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM in Bommer Canyon to plant milkweed and nectar plants, supporting monarch butterfly migration.

  • No experience needed; tools provided.

  • Participants must register in advance and wear appropriate attire.

  • The event includes a 0.5-mile trail with a 100-foot elevation change and is open to ages 15+.

Learn more and reserve your spot here.

60 Years of Twyla Tharp: Ballet, Beethoven, and Boundless Brilliance

Celebrate Twyla Tharp's 60th Anniversary with an unforgettable fusion of dance and music featuring Beethoven's "Diabelli Variations" and Philip Glass's "Aguas da Amazonia." Experience ballet, jazz, modern, and more in a performance that showcases Tharp's genius choreography and artistic wit. Don't miss this groundbreaking evening of stellar dance and phenomenal musicianship on February 15 (7:30 PM) and February 16 (1:00 PM).

Find tickets here

Upcoming Northwood High Schoolโ€™s Music Calendar

  1. February 12 - 15: Musical, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. January 23 - 24, 7:00 PM: Legends Concert, Big Theater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. February 27 - March 1, 7:00 PM-10:00 PM: Shrek the Musical, Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High Schoolโ€™s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. February 8: SCVA Vocal Jazz Festival, Saugus HS (Santa Clarita).

  2. February 27 - March 1: Shrek the Musical, WHS Performing Arts Center.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. March 5-8, 7:00 PM: Mary Poppins Musical, Irvine Performing Arts Center.

  2. March 13, 6:30 PM: Festival Concert, Irvine Performing Arts Center.

  3. March 15, All Day: Irvine Jazz Festival, Irvine High School Campus.

  4. March 18, 7:00 PM: District Jazz Festival, Woodbridge HS Performing Arts Center.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Adoption Success: 18 Pets Find New Homes, 4 Reunited with Owners

Between January 13โ€“19, 2025, Irvine Animals celebrated the adoption of 5 dogs (Coffee, Gale, Jade, Ronnie, Shadow), 12 cats (Azul, Donatella, Frito, Kuma, Leonardo, Mandarin, Michelangelo, Oliver, Oreo, Pierogi, Raphael, Starlight), and 1 rabbit (Biscotti). Additionally, 3 dogs and 1 cat were reunited with their owners. Visit irvineanimals.org/adopt for adoption details and hours.

UC Irvine Basketball Extends Home Win Streak to 20 with 101-71 Victory Over Cal Poly

UC Irvine dominated Cal Poly with a 101-71 victory at Bren Events Center, improving to 17-2 overall and 7-0 in Big West play. All five starters scored in double figures, with Devin Tillis leading with 21 points and seven rebounds. The Anteaters extended their home win streak to 20 games, setting a school record. UCI shot 53.1% from the floor, 47.4% from three, and 92.3% from the free-throw line. Key contributions included Bent Leuchten's 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Myles Cheโ€™s game-high six assists. UCI next faces UC Riverside on Jan. 23, at 7:00 PM.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Basketball

  1. Thu, Jan 23: vs UC Riverside, 6:00 PM

  2. Thu, Jan 30: vs Long Beach State, 6:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  1. Sat, Jan 25: vs Hawaii, 7:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  1. Wed, Jan 22: vs BYU, 6:00 PM

  2. Fri, Jan 24: vs BYU, 6:00 PM

Women's Tennis

  1. Sat, Jan 25: vs Idaho, 11:00 AM

  2. Fri, Jan 31: vs Caltech, 2:00 PM

Baseball

  1. Sat, Jan 25: vs Alumni Game, 12:00 PM

๐Ÿโšฝ๐Ÿ€ Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Menโ€™s Basketball

  1. Wed, Jan 22: vs Fullerton, 6:00 PM

  2. Fri, Jan 24: vs Cypress, 7:00 PM

  3. Wed, Jan 29: vs Santa Ana, 6:00 PM

Menโ€™s Baseball

  1. Fri, Jan 24: vs Long Beach, 1:00 PM

Menโ€™s Volleyball

  1. Wed, Jan 29: vs LA Pierce, 6:00 PM

Womenโ€™s Basketball

  1. Fri, Jan 24: vs Fullerton, 5:00 PM

  2. Fri, Jan 31: vs Santa Ana, 6:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High Schoolโ€™s Varsity home games:

January 2025

Tuesday, January 21

  • 4:15 PM - Girls' Water Polo (VR) vs. Laguna Beach at Woolett Pool

  • 5:00 PM - Boys' Soccer (VR) vs. Northwood at Irvine High School Stadium

Thursday, January 23

  • Girls' Water Polo (VR) - Var Socal Tournament at Woolett Pool

Friday, January 24

  • Girls' Water Polo (VR) - Var Socal Tournament at Woolett Pool

  • 7:00 PM - Boys' Basketball (VR) vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Game Gym

Saturday, January 25

  • Girls' Water Polo (VR) - Var Socal Tournament at Woolett Pool

Irvineโ€™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 youโ€™re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! โ€œIrvine Insiderโ€ is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Letโ€™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 letโ€™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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