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Free Grocery Food Boxes Available May 14 at Irvine Great Park

Issue # 0628

Author

Joshua Tjia
08 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🥬🍊🥕 Free Grocery Food Boxes Available May 14 at Irvine Great Park

🎶💃🏻 Riverdance Returns With Electrifying Irish Dance, Live Music, and New Performers, May 15–17

🚛🏙️ Explore Trucks, Equipment, and City Services at Irvine’s Public Works Week Event May 21

🧋💐 Treat Mom to Free Boba: Cha for Tea Offers Buy One, Get One Free May 10

🚌🧪 University High Students Rank Among Nation’s Top 10 at National Science Bowl

🏥🩺 UCI Health Shares Important Stroke Warning Signs Everyone Should Know

🌳🏞️ From Great Park to Turtle Rock: Irvine’s Top Parks to Explore

🎨 Weekly Craft Classes Offer Fun for All Ages at Woodbridge Community Center

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐶 Meet Saphira: Sweet and Playful Rescue Pup Ready for Adoption in Irvine

🏐 Six UC Irvine Volleyball Players Earn AVCA Honors Ahead of NCAA Semifinal

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏈 Irvine Valley Rallies Late to Win First OEC Women’s Flag Football Championship

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 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 didn't the penguin jump off of the iceberg?

He got cold feet!

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

Free Grocery Food Boxes Available May 14 at Irvine Great Park

The City of Irvine is providing free grocery food boxes on Thursday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Great Park Parking Lot. Eligible residents may receive one approximately 30-pound food box per month containing items such as fresh produce, canned and frozen vegetables, beans, juice, dairy products, nuts, and meat or poultry when available.

Riverdance Returns With Electrifying Irish Dance, Live Music, and New Performers, May 15–17

Riverdance returns to Segerstrom Hall May 15–17, with Riverdance 30 – The New Generation, a special anniversary production celebrating 30 years of the world-famous Irish dance and music phenomenon. The updated show features Grammy-winning music, new choreography, costumes, lighting and visuals, and a new generation of performers while staying true to its Irish roots.

Explore Trucks, Equipment, and City Services at Irvine’s Public Works Week Event May 21

The City of Irvine will host its free 2026 Public Works Week Celebration on Thursday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hangar 244 at the Great Park. Visitors can explore public works vehicles and equipment, meet City staff, learn about upcoming projects and public service careers, and enjoy interactive exhibits, demonstrations, prizes, and giveaways. Parking and admission are free with no RSVP required.

Treat Mom to Free Boba: Cha for Tea Offers Buy One, Get One Free May 10

Cha for Tea is celebrating Mother’s Day with a Buy One, Get One FREE deal on all boba teas this Sunday, May 10. Customers can enjoy a free second drink of equal or lesser value. The offer is valid for walk-in orders with one BOGO deal per transaction.

University High Students Rank Among Nation’s Top 10 at National Science Bowl

Uiversity High School’s Science Bowl team earned a top-10 national finish at the National Science Bowl, placing 8th in the country among more than 60 of the nation’s top high school teams. The team finished first in its division during round-robin play, then advanced through multiple elimination matches while competing in 12 total matches at nationals. Team members include captain Feodor Yevtushenko, Angelina Yan, Timothy Chen, Stephanie Yan, and Priya Kim-Ozaeta.

UCI Health Shares Important Stroke Warning Signs Everyone Should Know

Being able to recognize the signs of a stroke and respond quickly can make a meaningful difference during a medical emergency. UCI Health experts encourage people to learn the warning signs, seek immediate care, and take simple steps to support long-term brain and heart health.

Key signs to watch for (BE FAST):

  • Balance: Sudden dizziness or loss of balance

  • Eyes: Blurry vision or sudden vision loss

  • Face: One side drooping or numbness

  • Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm or leg

  • Speech: Slurred speech or confusion

  • Time: Call 9-1-1 right away

Helpful reminders:

  • A sudden severe headache can also be a warning sign of a bleeding stroke

  • Fast treatment like clot-busting medication or EVT procedures may help improve outcomes

  • Regular blood pressure checks, exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits can support stroke prevention

  • Knowing the signs can help families and loved ones respond more quickly during an emergency

From Great Park to Turtle Rock: Irvine’s Top Parks to Explore

Irvine’s park system has been ranked the best in California and second in the nation, with more than 60 parks and green spaces throughout the city. Here is a short list of several parks that showcase Irvine’s focus on recreation, nature, and community spaces.

• Harvard Community Park — Features sports fields, batting cages, a skate park, and soccer, baseball, and softball facilities.

• Great Park — A 1,300-acre destination with trails, playgrounds, gardens, sports facilities, art exhibits, concerts, and community events.

• Northwood Community Park — Includes sports courts, picnic areas, fitness trails, and the popular “Castle” playground.

• Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park — Known for its adaptive playground, sensory gardens, and inclusive activities for all abilities.

• Turtle Rock Nature Park — Offers shaded trails, nature education spaces, tennis courts, and areas focused on protecting local wildlife and habitat.

Weekly Craft Classes Offer Fun for All Ages at Woodbridge Community Center

Woodbridge Village Association is offering arts and crafts programs for both kids and adults, starting at the beginning of June, with all materials and instruction included. Kids will make a new craft each week while learning creative skills, and the Adult Arts & Crafts Hour offers a fun and relaxing way to unwind and create this summer.

Sign up here

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 15, 5:00-8:00 PM: Jazz at the Oaks, NHS

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 9, 7:00 PM: Open Mic Night, Black Box

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. May 9: Glendale Festival, Glendale HS

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. May 14 - 15: PORCHELLA 2026, Portola High Amphitheater

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

Meet Saphira: Sweet and Playful Rescue Pup Ready for Adoption in Irvine

Saphira is a shy but sweet and playful dog looking for a loving home through the Irvine Animal Care Center. While she may take a little time to warm up, once comfortable she enjoys running, playing, and showing her fun personality. Saphira would thrive with patience, guidance, and love from a caring family.

Six UC Irvine Volleyball Players Earn AVCA Honors Ahead of NCAA Semifinal

UC Irvine Anteaters had six players earn 2026 AVCA Men’s Volleyball All-America honors, with freshman Andrej Jokanovic named AVCA Newcomer of the Year after a standout season. The Anteaters, ranked No. 6 nationally, will face Ball State Cardinals in the NCAA semifinals on May 9 at Pauley Pavilion.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Track & Field

  • Fri, May 8 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

  • Sat, May 9 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

Men’s Track & Field

  • Fri, May 8 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

  • Sat, May 9 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

Irvine Valley Rallies Late to Win First OEC Women’s Flag Football Championship

Irvine Valley College rallied from a 27-14 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Cypress College 32-27 and win the first-ever Orange Empire Conference women’s flag football tournament championship. Quarterback Akayla Chaple led the comeback with key late touchdowns, and Maia Helmar was named OEC MVP.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No further upcoming home games for this month.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No further upcoming varsity home games for this month.

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

May 9 Forever K-Pop 3 PM

May 9 Splash into Safety 5:30 PM

May 14 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

May 17 PSSS: Recomposed 1 PM

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