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LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: $12M Raised to Support Artists Impacted by Fires

Issue # 0328

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌙🐍 Celebrate Lunar New Year with Pacific Symphony – Feb. 1 at Segerstrom Hall

🚜🚧 Progress on Jeffrey Trail Bridge: A New Link Across Irvine Nears Completion

🍓🌧️ Tanaka Farms: Weekend Strawberry Picking Before the Rain – Reserve Your Spot Today

🍰🍦A Hug in a Cup: Yogurtland’s Salted Caramel Cheesecake Flavor Is Here

🏙️💵 LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: $12M Raised to Support Artists Impacted by Fires

🧒🏻📖 Free Toddler Storytime: Stories, Songs, and Fun for Ages 1–3 at Irvine University Park Library

😷 Staying Safe During Cold & Flu Season: A Guide for Young Athletes

🌳🥾 Experience Stunning Sunset Views on Orchard Hills Trail – February 5th

🍏🎨 Dive Into Culinary Culture at the Great Park Gallery’s Latest Exhibition

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🚧🎉 Bren Events Center Celebrates 38th Anniversary with Major Upgrades for Fans and Athletes

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Irvine Boys' Basketball Stays Undefeated; Sage Hill and Northwood Secure Wins

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why are rabbits so lucky?

They have four rabbit's feet.

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

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Pacific Symphony – Feb. 1 at Segerstrom Hall

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Pacific Symphony on February 1, at 8:00 PM at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Honoring the Year of the Snake, this annual event features a vibrant blend of Eastern and Western music and dance. Don't miss this community favorite1

Progress on Jeffrey Trail Bridge: A New Link Across Irvine Nears Completion

Construction is progressing on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge, spanning the I-5 Freeway, Caltrans Park & Ride, and Walnut Avenue.

  • Foundations, falsework beams, and the first phase of the superstructure are complete.

  • Set to open in mid-2026, the nearly 1,200-foot-long bridge will connect JOST/Cypress Village Trail to its southern extension, creating a key link between trails stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ana Mountains.

  • More info: cityofirvine.org/jostextension.

Tanaka Farms: Weekend Strawberry Picking Before the Rain – Reserve Your Spot Today

Strawberry picking at Tanaka Farms is happening this Saturday and Sunday in Irvine! 🍓🌥️ With rain expected, the strawberries need to be picked before the weather impacts their quality. Reserve your spot now to enjoy fresh, perfectly ripe berries while they last. Link to book.

A Hug in a Cup: Yogurtland’s Salted Caramel Cheesecake Flavor Is Here

Yogurtland introduces a limited-time Salted Caramel Cheesecake flavor, combining rich, creamy cheesecake with velvety salted caramel for a delightful treat.

Location: 4616 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA

LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: $12M Raised to Support Artists Impacted by Fires

The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, led by the J. Paul Getty Trust in partnership with major arts organizations and philanthropists, has raised $12M to aid artists and arts workers impacted by the Los Angeles fires. Supported by the Mohn Art Collective, Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, and others, the fund provides emergency grants for those who have lost homes, studios, or livelihoods. The Center for Cultural Innovation will administer the fund, with applications opening January 20 at cciarts.org. The effort highlights LA’s vibrant artistic community and the global support for its recovery. Learn more or contribute here.

Free Toddler Storytime: Stories, Songs, and Fun for Ages 1–3 at Irvine University Park Library

Toddler Storytime: Enjoy free stories, songs, and activities for toddlers aged 1–3 and their caregivers.. Event takes place on Monday, January 27, from 10:30–11:00 AM at Irvine University Park Library. Suitable for children aged birth to 5.

Staying Safe During Cold & Flu Season: A Guide for Young Athletes

As cold and flu season hits, Dr. Phyllis Agran and Dr. Chris Koutures share tips to keep young athletes healthy.

  • Dr. Koutures emphasizes avoiding sports with fevers or below-the-neck symptoms like coughing or vomiting, while light exercise may be safe for mild, above-the-neck symptoms.

  • To prevent spreading illness, athletes should avoid sharing personal items, maintain hygiene, and get adequate sleep and nutrition.

  • Vaccinations and moderate exercise can help reduce illness risk, while extreme exertion may increase it.

  • Athletes should prioritize recovery and team health, seeking medical advice when needed.

Experience Stunning Sunset Views on Orchard Hills Trail – February 5th

Join the Sunset Hike at Orchard Hills on February 5, from 4:30–6:30 PM for a scenic 3-mile loop trail around an avocado orchard with stunning ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline. This level-3 hike has steep climbs and uneven terrain, requiring sturdy, closed-toe shoes, water, and a red LED flashlight.

Dive Into Culinary Culture at the Great Park Gallery’s Latest Exhibition

Explore the cultural, economic, and political influences on food at the Great Park Gallery's "More Than You Can Chew" exhibition. Join the opening reception on Sunday, January 26, from 1–3 p.m., featuring an all-ages "Friendly Felt Fruit" workshop to craft pop art sculptures. Materials are provided, or bring clean fabric to upcycle. Details at cityofirvine.org/great-park/exhibitions.

Upcoming Northwood High School’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 School’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

Bren Events Center Celebrates 38th Anniversary with Major Upgrades for Fans and Athletes

The Bren Events Center in Irvine celebrated its 38th anniversary with significant upgrades to enhance experiences for student-athletes, fans, and the UC Irvine Athletics community.

Improvements include:

  • a new Daktronics LED scoreboard

  • video wall

  • LED ribbon boards

  • updated arena flooring with UC Irvine branding

  • upgraded East Concessions with expanded menu options

  • refreshed lobbies with new branding and TVs

  • improved North Telescopic Seating, creating a courtside social space for select games.

These upgrades coincide with 16 remaining home basketball games and the start of the men’s volleyball season featuring eight matches.

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

🏐🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’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

Men’s Baseball

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

Men’s Volleyball

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

Women’s Basketball

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

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

Irvine Boys' Basketball Stays Undefeated; Sage Hill and Northwood Secure Wins

In Pacific Coast League boys' basketball action on Jan. 21, Irvine defeated Laguna Beach 64-54, led by Cooper Stearns with 20 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, keeping them undefeated in league play (21-2, 5-0).

Sage Hill edged Woodbridge 53-50 in overtime, with Jason Briggs scoring 17 points.

Northwood overcame a halftime deficit to beat University 60-45, with Justin Liu scoring 23 points and Dane Mortensen adding 22. University’s Isaac Evans led with 23 points, five 3-pointers, and six steals. Sage Hill and Irvine are tied for first in the league.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

January 2025

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

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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