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Local Artisan Bakery Delivers Fresh Sourdough Daily to Irvine Trader Joe’s Stores

Issue # 0732

Author

Joshua Tjia
10 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

📢 Announcement

🍞🥖 Local Artisan Bakery Delivers Fresh Sourdough Daily to Irvine Trader Joe’s Stores

🏫 Irvine Valley College Makes a Positive Impact on Students and the Local Community

☕️🎶 Enjoy Holiday Music and Free Hot Cocoa at Irvine-Area Shopping Centers

🚂🎄 Santa’s Village Returns to Irvine Park Railroad November 27

🩺 Keep Your Heart Healthy: Know Your Cholesterol Numbers

🌱🧤 Help Restore Irvine Regional Park’s Habitat Adventure Trail on November 21

🦃🎨 Woodbridge Hosts Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Class for Kids on November 17

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛🐕 A Wonderful Week for Irvine Pets: 21 Adoptions and 3 Happy Reunions

🎾 UCI's Alex Guajardo Wins SoCal Intercollegiate Tennis Championship

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Irvine High Football Coach Tom Ricci Retires After More Than 30 Years

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚐🚓 Irvine Police Arrest Parolee After License Plate Reader Detects Stolen Van in Woodbridge

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What is called when a cat wins a dog show?

A cat-has-trophy.

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

In observance of Veterans Day, there will be no newsletter tomorrow, November 11. We wish you a blessed day with your families, and we want to thank and honor all those who have served our nation.

See you again soon!

- Irvine Insider staff

Local Artisan Bakery Delivers Fresh Sourdough Daily to Irvine Trader Joe’s Stores

Santa Ana-based Bread Artisan Bakery, founded by Jonnie LoFranco in 2011, has become a favorite among local restaurants and chefs for its handcrafted sourdough bread. Baker Yannick Guegan uses a 30-year-old “mother” dough starter to create flavorful loaves with a soft interior and crispy crust. Since partnering with Trader Joe’s in 2021, the family-owned bakery has delivered fresh sourdough daily to Orange County locations, including Irvine’s University Center, Walnut Village Center, and Woodbury Town Center. Its breads are also served at popular restaurants such as Marché Moderne, Burnt Crumbs, and The Butchery.

Irvine Valley College Makes a Positive Impact on Students and the Local Community

Irvine Valley College (IVC) continues to support students and the local economy through affordable education, career training, and university transfer opportunities. According to a regional economic impact study, IVC contributed $738.4 million to the local economy last year. The college also received a $3 million grant from the Samueli Foundation to expand STEM education, research, and student support. IVC ranks No. 1 in California for community college transfers to four-year universities, with its Honors to Honors participants achieving a 100% admission rate to UC Irvine. Beyond academics, IVC offers community members affordable theater, music, and dance performances, along with college sporting events.

Enjoy Holiday Music and Free Hot Cocoa at Irvine-Area Shopping Centers

Celebrate the holiday season with Carols & Cocoa, featuring festive holiday music and complimentary hot cocoa at select shopping centers from 5–7 p.m. Enjoy this free seasonal event at

  • Orchard Hills Shopping Center (November 12)

  • Crystal Cove Shopping Center (November 19)

  • Woodbury Town Center (December 3)

  • Los Olivos Marketplace (December 10)

Santa’s Village Returns to Irvine Park Railroad November 27

Santa’s Village returns to Irvine Park Railroad from November 27–December 30, featuring holiday lights, games, cookie decorating, crafts, festive treats, and photo opportunities.

  • Admission is free, with activity tickets starting at $8.

  • Hours are 4–9 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.–9 p.m. weekends, with extended hours December 14–23.

  • Find more information here

Keep Your Heart Healthy: Know Your Cholesterol Numbers

Cholesterol plays an important role in keeping the body healthy, but too much can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Dr. Robert Greenfield of MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute shares why regular cholesterol screenings and healthy habits are important.

  • LDL (Bad Cholesterol): Can build up in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

  • HDL (Good Cholesterol): Helps remove excess cholesterol and carries it back to the liver.

  • No Warning Signs: High cholesterol usually has no noticeable symptoms.

  • Regular Screenings: A simple blood test measures cholesterol levels and helps identify potential risks early.

  • Prevention:

    • Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fiber-rich foods.

    • Limit saturated fats found in fatty meats, butter, and full-fat dairy products.

    • Stay active with at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.

    • Maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking.

    • Choose heart-healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and fish.

    • Get regular cholesterol checks and take prescribed medications when needed.

Help Restore Irvine Regional Park’s Habitat Adventure Trail on November 21

Join a volunteer restoration event at Irvine Regional Park on Saturday, November 21, to help care for the Habitat Adventure Trail. Volunteers will remove invasive plants, clear debris, trim shrubs, and prepare the area for new native plants.

Share Irvine Insider

Woodbridge Hosts Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Class for Kids on November 17

Join a fun Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Class on Tuesday, November 17, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Center. Children will create Thanksgiving-themed crafts and decorate a tasty snack to enjoy.

Register here

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No upcoming events

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No upcoming events

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

No upcoming events

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No upcoming events

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

A Wonderful Week for Irvine Pets: 21 Adoptions and 3 Happy Reunions

The Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 21 pet adoptions (6 dogs and 15 cats) from November 2–8, helping these furry friends find loving new homes. Additionally, one snake and one guinea pig were transferred to rescue organizations, and three dogs were reunited with their owners.

Visit cityofirvine.gov/animals for adoption information and operating hours.

UCI's Alex Guajardo Wins SoCal Intercollegiate Tennis Championship

UC Irvine's Alex Guajardo won the singles championship at the SoCal Intercollegiate in San Diego, defeating Saint Mary's Paulo Etchecoin in the final. Guajardo won all four matches without losing a set, closing out UCI's fall tennis season on a high note before the team returns to competition January 14.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Basketball

  • Wed, Nov 11 - vs Lincoln University CA, 7:00 PM

Men’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Nov 13 -vs Pacific, 6:00 PM

Baseball

  • Sat, Nov 14 -vs Fresno State, 12:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Nov 13 -vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Nov 14 -vs Cal State Bakersfield, 5:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Nov 10 - vs Golden West, 2:30 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Tue, Nov 10 - vs Cypress, 6:00 PM

  • Thu, Nov 12 - vs Saddleback, 6:00 PM

Men’s Soccer

  • Fri, Nov 13 - vs Orange Coast, 2:30 PM

Irvine High Football Coach Tom Ricci Retires After More Than 30 Years

Irvine High School football coach Tom Ricci, 56, is retiring from coaching after more than 30 years, including eight seasons with the Vaqueros, where he earned 50 wins and led the team to five CIF playoff appearances. Ricci cited the growing workload and lack of on-campus coaching support as reasons for his decision, but plans to continue teaching at Irvine High School.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated with November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

November 2026

Tuesday, November 10

  • Water Polo, Girls - vs Canyon/Anaheim, 4:30 PM

Irvine Police Arrest Parolee After License Plate Reader Detects Stolen Van in Woodbridge

Irvine Police arrested a 23-year-old Santa Ana man after a license plate reader spotted a stolen van in Woodbridge. Officers found the van, and the driver tried to get away before stopping near Warner Avenue and East Yale Loop. The suspect, Abelardo Garfias, was already on parole for similar crimes. He was taken to the hospital after feeling unwell from drug use, then booked into Orange County Jail.

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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