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IUSD Schools Earn Top Honors in Orange County Journalism Competition

Issue # 0583

Author

Joshua Tjia
06 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏙️🛌 Irvine and Costa Mesa Work Together to Provide Temporary Shelter Beds

🚔💥 Irvine Woman Fatally Injured in Work Truck Collision at Laguna Beach 7-Eleven

🤸🏻🎉 JETSET Pilates Celebrates Grand Opening Week at Crossroads in Irvine

🚧 Weekend Closure Planned for I-405 Jamboree Off-Ramp in Irvine

🚌📝 IUSD Schools Earn Top Honors in Orange County Journalism Competition

🤧 Why the Common Cold Affects People Differently

🐸🌱 Efforts Underway in Irvine to Help the Threatened Western Spadefoot Toad Thrive

🌿🎨 Celebrate the Spring Equinox with Nature Journaling, Mar. 20

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛🐾 Low-Cost Pet Vaccines Available at Irvine Animal Care Center This March

🏀 UC Irvine Women’s Basketball Cruises Past Cal Poly; Hunter Hernandez Drops 41 Points

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🪙 Police Arrest Suspects Linked to Stolen Silver Deliveries in Irvine

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What happens if you don’t laugh at a cat’s joke?

They’ll take it purr‑sonally.

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

Irvine and Costa Mesa Work Together to Provide Temporary Shelter Beds

The City of Irvine has entered into an agreement with Costa Mesa allowing individuals experiencing homelessness in Irvine to temporarily access available beds at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter through June 30, 2026. Under the arrangement, Irvine will pay $163 per bed per day based on monthly usage. The partnership helps utilize vacant shelter beds, which Costa Mesa officials say have increased as more individuals transition into housing. City staff are also exploring a longer-term agreement that could provide Irvine with dedicated shelter beds once a new operator for the facility is selected.

Irvine Woman Fatally Injured in Work Truck Collision at Laguna Beach 7-Eleven

A 25-year-old Irvine resident, Savannah Van Houtte, was struck during a collision involving two work trucks in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven in Laguna Beach on March 3 at about 10 a.m. The trucks—operated by CR&R and Belshire Environmental Services while servicing the store—collided at 31702 Coast Highway near 3rd Avenue. Van Houtte, who was walking through the parking lot at the time, sustained critical injuries and was transported to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, where she later passed away. Authorities have released limited information about how the collision occurred, and it is not yet known whether any charges will be filed.

JETSET Pilates Celebrates Grand Opening Week at Crossroads in Irvine

JETSET Pilates is celebrating its grand opening at the Crossroads location in Irvine with special events and promotions running March 3–7. The studio offers a 50-minute, high-intensity yet low-impact full-body workout using custom reformer machines.

The official grand opening event takes place Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring complimentary light bites, matcha, and a photobooth.

Weekend Closure Planned for I-405 Jamboree Off-Ramp in Irvine

The southbound I-405 Jamboree Road off-ramp will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, March 6, to 5 a.m. Monday, March 9 for ramp replacement and minor concrete work.

More information is available at revivethe405.com.

IUSD Schools Earn Top Honors in Orange County Journalism Competition

IUSD student journalists earned top honors at the Orange County Journalism Education Association (OCJEA) competition.

  • 📰 Woodbridge High School – Golden Arrow: Print Edition of Best in Show

  • 🎙️ Northwood High School – The Howler: Best Podcast and Best News Website

  • 📰 Portola High School – The Pilot: Newspaper Sweepstakes

  • 📘 Portola High School – Yearbook: Yearbook Sweepstakes for the fourth consecutive year

Students competed in journalism simulations, including attending a mock press conference and writing a news story within one hour. Several student journalists also qualified for the State Competition on April 5.

Why the Common Cold Affects People Differently

Colds can affect people very differently depending on factors like immune response, age, genetics, and overall health. According to UCI Health infectious disease expert Dr. Shruti Gohil, people with stronger immune defenses in their nose and throat are often able to stop the virus earlier, leading to milder symptoms. Others may experience more severe symptoms if the virus spreads more easily in the body. While there is no cure for the common cold, maintaining a healthy immune system and managing symptoms can help you recover more comfortably, with most colds lasting about seven to ten days.

  • Virus involved: Most colds are caused by rhinovirus, which infects cells in the nose and upper airways.

  • Factors that affect severity:

    • Age

    • Allergies

    • Chronic lung disease

    • Genetics

    • Lifestyle habits

    • Pre-existing health conditions

  • Past exposure: Previous infections can help the immune system recognize and fight the virus faster.

  • Virus strain & amount: Different strains and viral load can influence symptom severity.

Ways to Support Your Immune System

  • Get enough sleep

  • Maintain balanced nutrition

  • Manage stress

  • Avoid smoking or consider quitting

Ways to Relieve Cold Symptoms

  • Use decongestants, cough medicine, pain relievers, or throat lozenges

  • Drink plenty of fluids

  • Get rest

  • Eat well and include vitamins C, D, and zinc

Efforts Underway in Irvine to Help the Threatened Western Spadefoot Toad Thrive

A $16,000 donation drive will help the Irvine Ranch Conservancy continue protecting the threatened Western spadefoot toad across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, where up to 80% of its habitat has been lost to urbanization.

  • Staff and volunteers are monitoring breeding ponds during the wet season, looking for egg masses, tadpoles, and water levels to track breeding success.

  • Early signs are promising at Irvine Mesa ponds, while restoration work—including pond improvements and native habitat planting—aims to strengthen conditions for future breeding seasons.

Celebrate the Spring Equinox with Nature Journaling, Mar. 20

Celebrate the first day of spring with a relaxing Nature Journaling on the Spring Equinox event on Friday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants will take a short walk along the trail to observe signs of the new season while learning simple nature journaling tips, basic art techniques, and ways to slow down and connect with the outdoors.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. March 7, 12:00 - 8:00 PM: CSUF Wind Ensemble Festival, CSU Fullerton

  2. March 11, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Spring Vocal Music Concert, NHS Theater

  3. March 13: Night of the Arts – Jazz Ensemble I, Wind Symphony, Philharmonic, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. March 12: Orchestra Music Festival Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

  2. March 13: Band Music Festival Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

  3. March 16: Wind Ensemble & Philharmonic Festival, IHS Performing Arts Center

  4. March 20: WHS Carnival

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. March 20, 7:00 PM: Spring Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. March 13: Spring Rally

  2. March 15, 3:00 PM: Plotkin Foundation Performance, Plotkin Art Gallery

  3. March 17, 7:00 PM: Spring Concert, Irvine High PAC

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Low-Cost Pet Vaccines Available at Irvine Animal Care Center This March

The Irvine Animal Care Center is hosting two upcoming low-cost vaccine clinics to help keep pets healthy and protected.

  • The first clinic will take place March 7 from 9–11 a.m., hosted by Vet Care Vaccination Services and offered first come, first served.

  • The second clinic will be held March 24 from 5:30–8:30 p.m., hosted by HEART, and requires reservations at heart4pets.org.

Both clinics will be held in the Irvine Animal Care Center parking lot and will offer vaccinations and microchipping services for pets.

UC Irvine Women’s Basketball Cruises Past Cal Poly; Hunter Hernandez Drops 41 Points

UC Irvine women’s basketball defeated Cal Poly 85–65, led by senior Hunter Hernandez, who tied the school single-game record with 41 points while setting the program’s all-time career free throws made record (375). The Anteaters improved to 25–5 overall and 16–3 in the Big West.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Fri, Mar 6 – vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Mar 7 – vs CSUN, 1:00 PM

  • Sun, Mar 8 – vs CSUN, 1:00 PM

Men’s Basketball

  • Sat, Mar 7 – vs UC Davis, 5:00 PM

Women’s Tennis

  • Sat, Mar 7 – vs Colorado State, 11:00 AM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Tennis

  • Fri, Mar 6 – vs Mt. San Antonio, 12:00 PM

Baseball

  • Tue, Mar 10 – vs Riverside, 2:00 PM

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Mar 7 – vs Fullerton, 3C2A Southern California Regional - Round 3, 7:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With March Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

March 2026

Friday, March 6

  • Volleyball, Boys - 5:15 PM vs University

Saturday, March 7

  • Baseball - 12:00 PM vs Costa Mesa

Police Arrest Suspects Linked to Stolen Silver Deliveries in Irvine

Irvine Police detectives concluded an investigation into suspects targeting deliveries of silver bars and coins. In some incidents, the suspects approached a FedEx driver during deliveries and grabbed the packages. With assistance from the department’s Real Time Crime Center, detectives identified several suspect vehicles and tracked the group across Los Angeles County. Authorities arrested 18-year-old Abdallakh Dzhabrailov of Chatsworth along with a juvenile on robbery 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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