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Join the Grand Opening at The Market Place – Enjoy Food, Music & More

Issue # 0487

Author

Joshua Tjia
16 Sep

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏬🎉 Join the Grand Opening at The Market Place – Enjoy Food, Music & More

🏙️👶 City of Irvine to Explore Potential Grant Program for Infant and Toddler Care

🌕 Harvest Moon Celebration: Enjoy Food, Music, and Community at Tanaka Farms

🪄✨ Family Fun Awaits: Free Magic Show at Heritage Park Library

🕶️ September Is Sports Eye Safety Month: Tips to Protect Your Vision

💧🌾 Explore Irvine’s Hidden Wetlands on a Guided Nature Walk Sept. 28

🪸🏺🪸 Discover Aya Zucker’s Coral, Desert & Garden-Inspired Pottery

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐈‍⬛ 14 Pets Find Homes at Irvine Animal Care Center

🏐 UC Irvine Women’s Volleyball Tops Montana State 3–1

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Irvine High Football Rolls Past Laguna Hills 28–7

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔 💊Irvine Man Among 11 Arrested in Drug and Fraud Investigation

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the queasy pumpkin say?

"I don't feel so gourd."

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

Join the Grand Opening at The Market Place – Enjoy Food, Music & More

The Market Place is hosting a Ribbon Cutting & Opening Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 1–6 p.m. in the Courtyard near Regal Edwards.

  • This event marks the debut of a new community park space designed to bring people together for food, music, and entertainment.

  • Guests can sample dishes from favorite restaurants like BLK Dot Coffee, Mendocino Farms, Luna Grill, Taco Rosa, and Handel’s Ice Cream, while enjoying live music, games, and giveaways.

City of Irvine to Explore Potential Grant Program for Infant and Toddler Care

Irvine City Council has asked staff to examine the possibility of a child care grant program for families with children ages 0–4 who live or work in the city.

  • The item, introduced by Councilmembers William Go and Melinda Liu, will be studied for income eligibility criteria, potential funding sources, coordination with providers, and examples from other areas.

  • Councilmembers noted both the financial challenges families face and the uncertainty around how such a program could be funded.

  • The Health & Wellness Advisory Committee is expected to provide input as part of the review.

Harvest Moon Celebration: Enjoy Food, Music, and Community at Tanaka Farms

The 10th Annual Harvest Moon Celebration hosted by Solutions for Urban Agriculture takes place on Friday, September 26, at 6:00 PM at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. The evening will include farm-to-table dishes prepared with locally grown produce, desserts, live music, and stories highlighting community efforts to expand local food access and address hunger in Orange County.

Tickets and details are available at sfua.org/harvest-moon-2025.

Family Fun Awaits: Free Magic Show at Heritage Park Library


The Irvine Public Library is hosting a free, family-friendly magic show with Christopher T. Magician on Saturday, September 20, from 3–4 p.m. at Heritage Park Library. Guests can enjoy fun tricks, comedy, and surprises as the performance highlights popular children’s books. No registration needed — just drop by and enjoy!

September Is Sports Eye Safety Month: Tips to Protect Your Vision


Eye injuries are one of the leading causes of vision loss, yet nearly 90% of them can be prevented with the right protection. Whether you’re on the field, in the pool, or hitting the court, taking a few simple steps can help keep your eyes safe and your game strong.

  • Always wear protective eyewear

  • Ensure helmets & glasses fit properly

  • Schedule regular eye exams

  • Stay alert in high-risk sports like racquetball or hockey

Explore Irvine’s Hidden Wetlands on a Guided Nature Walk Sept. 28

Join IRWD for a free Nature Walk at Cypress Meadow on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 9–10:30 a.m. to learn about the community’s constructed wetlands that naturally treat urban runoff before it reaches Upper Newport Bay. These wetlands also provide a refuge for wildlife like wrens, swallows, and hawks.

Guests will enjoy a 2-mile, slow-paced walk on flat terrain, guided by IRWD staff, with insights on water treatment and local habitats.

Discover Aya Zucker’s Coral, Desert & Garden-Inspired Pottery

Meet featured artist Aya Zucker at the Irvine Fine Arts Center Store. Her ceramics, inspired by coral reefs, desert stillness, and her California garden, are designed to be touched, used, and enjoyed in daily life. Functional and timeless, Aya’s pieces bring natural beauty and quiet joy to everyday rituals.

Visit the Fine Arts Center Store to explore her work and learn more at cityofirvine.org/arts. 

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. September 30, 7-8:30 PM: Vocal Music Fall Concert, NHS Theater

  2. October 6, 7-8:30 PM: Fall Orchestra Concert, NHS Theater

  3. October 7, 7-8:30 PM: Fall Band Concert, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 6-8 PM: Fall Orchestra & Vocal Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. October 16, 7 PM: Fall 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. October 9,16, 23, 3:30-4:30 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Rehearsals

  2. October 30, 7 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Concert

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

14 Pets Find Homes at Irvine Animal Care Center

Between September 8–14, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 14 adoptions —

  • 5 dogs (Bruiser, Dyson, Fiyero, Tabouli, and Wellington)

  • 9 cats (Bugatti, Caper, Cleo, Junta, Loyus, Maddison, Ponzu, Queenie, and Wasabi)

  • 3 cats (Whiskers, Katie, and Kiki) were sent to rescue

  • 4 dogs were reunited with their owners.

  • For adoption details and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Women’s Volleyball Tops Montana State 3–1

UC Irvine women’s volleyball bounced back with a 3–1 win over Montana State, ending a four-game slide.

  • Senior Kendra MacDonald led with 14 kills, and setter Jessica Bates shined with a triple-double in just her second match.

  • Libero Campbell Jensen anchored the defense with 24 digs as the Anteaters (4–5) hit one of their best marks of the year.

  • Next up: a road match at Lipscomb on Sept. 18.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Special Event

  • Fri, Sep 19 – Rameelo Raas Garba with Jignesh Barot, 7:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Sun, Sep 21 – vs UC Riverside, 1:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs Long Beach State, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Sep 27 – vs UC San Diego, 5:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Soccer

  • Tue, Sep 23 – vs Cuyamaca, 4:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 30 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs Orange Coast, 6:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs East Los Angeles, 1:00 PM

Irvine High Football Rolls Past Laguna Hills 28–7

Irvine High’s football team earned a solid 28–7 win over Laguna Hills, led by quarterback Sina Saferzadeh’s passing and rushing plays and two touchdowns from Seamus Hoffman. Smith Spivey made key catches, and the defense finished strong with an interception. Coaches and players highlighted the team’s effort, resilience, and teamwork in what felt like a well-rounded home victory.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With September Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

September 2025

Tuesday, September 16

  • Girls’ Tennis (VR) – 3:30 PM vs. Northwood at Heritage Park

  • Boys’ Water Polo (VR) – 4:30 PM vs. Tesoro at Woolett Pool

Thursday, September 18

  • Girls’ Tennis (VR) – 3:30 PM vs. Sage Hill at Heritage Park

  • Girls’ Golf (VR) – 4:00 PM vs. Woodbridge at Oak Creek Golf Course

Irvine Man Among 11 Arrested in Drug and Fraud Investigation


Irvine Police’s Special Investigations Unit arrested 36-year-old Rudy Raul Ortega of Irvine after a months-long probe into drug sales and identity theft across Orange County.

  • Detectives tied Ortega and his associates to narcotics distribution and fraud, recovering meth, fentanyl, fake IDs, fraudulent checks, and credit card equipment.

  • The operation resulted in eight search warrants and 11 arrests, with all suspects booked into Orange County Jail.

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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

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