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Library Closures Begin May 16, Summer Programs Continue at Alternate Locations

Issue # 0405

Author

Joshua Tjia
12 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

☀️📒 Library Closures Begin May 16, Summer Programs Continue at Alternate Locations

👶🍼 Donate Baby Items by May 16 to Support Camp Pendleton’s 2/11 Marines

🧖🏼‍♀️🫧 Still Time to Pamper Mom: Touch n Glam’s Facial Discounts Run All Month

🍱🧋 Sweet Smoky Simbala Sausage Returns to Menu at Cha For Tea Woodbridge

📖 Join Family Storytime at Irvine Heritage Park Library – May 13

🏥 UCI Health Units Honored for Critical Care Excellence by National Nursing Association

🌼🌱 Fiddleneck: The Coiled Wildflower Supporting Habitat Restoration and Local Pollinators

🎨☀️ Irvine Fine Arts Center Summer Registration Opens May 15

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐈‍⬛ Helping Your Cat Love Their Scratching Post

🥈 UCI's Jolie Robinson Claims Runner-Up Title in Heptathlon at Big West Track & Field Championships

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Chris Conlin, Veteran Baseball Coach, Remembered for Lifelong Impact

🏈🎾 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

What do you call a fight between squirrels?

A squarrel!

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

Library Closures Begin May 16, Summer Programs Continue at Alternate Locations

Heritage Park and University Park Libraries will close on May 16 and reopen on August 4 as part of the new Irvine Public Library system. During the transition, summer reading fun continues with programs for all ages.

Upcoming May events include:

  • Family Storytime: May 17, 10 a.m. at Heritage Park Community Center.

  • Teen Study Hall: May 13, 15, 20, and 27, 4–8 p.m. at various community centers.

  • Adult Book Club: May 23, 6–7 p.m. at Lakeview Senior Center.

Explore the full lineup at irvinepubliclibrary.org/events.

Donate Baby Items by May 16 to Support Camp Pendleton’s 2/11 Marines

The City of Irvine, in partnership with the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee, is collecting baby gifts for families of the 2/11 Marine Battalion at Camp Pendleton through Friday, May 16.

  • Community members are encouraged to donate new, unopened baby items such as: onesies, burp cloths, blankets, baby lotion, and soap.

  • Drop-off locations include 

    • Irvine City Hall (Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)

    • Great Park Visitors Center (Daily, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.).

  • Monetary donations are also welcome.

  • Visit cityofirvine.org/211 for the full list of needed items.

Still Time to Pamper Mom: Touch n Glam’s Facial Discounts Run All Month

Touch n Glam at Sand Canyon Plaza is offering a Mother’s Day special through May 31. Enjoy 25% off all facials and a $250 Mother’s Day Package that includes a facial, your choice of body treatment (body scrub, body sculpting, or back facial), and a scalp massage. Mention “Mother’s Day Special” to redeem.

Sweet Smoky Simbala Sausage Returns to Menu at Cha For Tea Woodbridge

The Sweet Smoky Simbala Pork Sausage has returned to the menu at Cha For Tea in Woodbridge. Offered as both an appetizer and an entrée, the dish features a combination of smoky and sweet flavors. It has been a popular item among returning customers and is now available for new guests to try.

Join Family Storytime at Irvine Heritage Park Library – May 13

Join the Irvine Heritage Park Library for Family Storytime on Tuesday, May 13, from 11:30 to 11:50 a.m. Enjoy a lively 20-minute in-person session of stories, songs, and fun designed for families and children ages birth to 11.

UCI Health Units Honored for Critical Care Excellence by National Nursing Association

The neurosciences step down unit, cardiovascular ICU, and cardiovascular surgery unit at UCI Medical Center in Orange have received the Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The award recognizes hospital units that demonstrate quality care, improved patient outcomes, and high levels of patient and staff satisfaction.

Fiddleneck: The Coiled Wildflower Supporting Habitat Restoration and Local Pollinators


Meet the Fiddleneck—a vibrant yellow-orange wildflower that brightens Orange County each spring. With its signature coiled stem, this native plant thrives in disturbed areas and is a key player in early habitat restoration by outcompeting invasive grasses like red brome. Fiddleneck also supports local ecosystems by attracting native pollinators such as Anthophora and Osmia bees, enhancing regional biodiversity.

Irvine Fine Arts Center Summer Registration Opens May 15

Summer fun is around the corner at the Irvine Fine Arts Center! The City’s summer classes and camps—covering everything from painting and photography to cooking and bookbinding—are now viewable at cityofirvine.org/yourirvine.

  • Registration opens May 15 at 6 a.m. for most programs.

  • Registration times: May 18 at 7 a.m. for Adult Jewelry and 8 a.m. for Adult Ceramics.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 16th, 5:30 PM: Jazz at the Oak, NHS Oak

  2. May 21st - 22nd, 7:00 PM: POPS Concerts, NHS Theater

  3. May 30th, 7:00 PM: POPS Gala, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No upcoming events

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. May 16, 7:00 - 10:00 PM: WHS Warrior Guard Spring Show

  2. May 23, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Jazz & Percussion Concert

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 30, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert, 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. May 16, 6:30 - 9:30 PM: Pops Concert (PAC)

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

Helping Your Cat Love Their Scratching Post

Scratching posts are meant to protect your furniture, but they’re only effective if your cat actually uses them. If your scratching post is collecting dust, consider these key factors to encourage your cat to use it:

  • Texture: Match the scratcher’s surface to materials your cat already likes to scratch (e.g., carpet, sisal, cardboard).

  • Height: Make sure it’s tall or long enough for a full-body stretch—cats won’t use a post that feels cramped.

  • Horizontal vs. Vertical: Observe if your cat prefers scratching flat on the floor or upright, and buy accordingly.

  • Sturdiness: A stable, wobble-free post is essential. If it tips or shifts, your cat will avoid it.

  • Location: Place it where your cat hangs out most—convenience matters. You can gradually move it later.

  • Attraction: Use catnip, treats, or toys to make the post enticing. Play with your cat nearby to create interest.

  • Reward: Always praise and treat your cat when they use the post—positive reinforcement builds good habits.

For more tips, visit irvineanimals.org or call 949-724-7740.

UCI's Jolie Robinson Claims Runner-Up Title in Heptathlon at Big West Track & Field Championships


At the Big West heptathlon in Long Beach, UC Irvine's Jolie Robinson finished second with 5,524 points—just 25 shy of the school record—while Jazzmine Davis took fifth with 5,368 points.

  • Both athletes set personal bests and moved into the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively, in program history.

  • Robinson dominated the javelin and closed strong in the 800m, while Davis had standout performances in the long jump and set a five-second PR in the 800m.

  • UCI women’s track & field heads into the Big West Championships (May 16–17) with 12 team points, three behind leader Long Beach State.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Thur, May 15 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 6:00 PM

  • Fri, May 16 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, May 17 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No upcoming events

Chris Conlin, Veteran Baseball Coach, Remembered for Lifelong Impact

Chris Conlin, a beloved Southern California high school coach and mentor, passed away on April 15, 2025, at age 71 after battling health issues. Known for his dedication on and off the field, Conlin impacted countless student-athletes across several sports including baseball, football, wrestling, and track. He coached at University High School, Estancia, Portola, and others—often alongside his son Kevin. Conlin, a Whittier native and lifelong Dodgers fan, was admired for his integrity, compassion, and mentorship, often going out of his way to help students with rides, advice, or life guidance. A public celebration of his life will be held Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Friends Church in Yorba Linda. He is survived by his wife Pam, their two children, and three grandchildren.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With May Schedule

Northwood High School Monthly Athletics Calendar (All Level)

No upcoming events

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No upcoming events

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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