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Local Tea Shop Owners Launch 'Being Bees' Honey Line with Unique Global Flavors

Issue # 0346

Author

Joshua Tjia
18 Feb

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚏🚎 City Council Approves Expansion of Irvine's CONNECT Shuttle Service

🍵🍯 Local Tea Shop Owners Launch 'Being Bees' Honey Line with Unique Global Flavors

🌱🥬 Volunteer at Harvest Solutions Farm – Help Fight Hunger on March 1

🩰 Enroll in February at FOCUS Dance Center and Receive a Free Class Voucher

😷 Understanding Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

🌳⚡️ SCE to Remove Electrical Poles in Bommer Canyon on February 18

🍫🍮 Master French Baking: Join a Chocolate Cake and Caramel Rice Pudding Workshop

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🦷🐶🐱 Easy Ways to Protect Your Pet’s Teeth

🏀 UC Irvine Men's Basketball Defeats Hawai'i 66-49

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 Irvine Valley Women's Basketball Triumphs Over Saddleback 72-44

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚽️ Crean Lutheran Girls Soccer Team Advances to CIF Quarterfinals After Penalty Shootout Victory

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🛻🚔 Irvine Police Arrest Two Suspects After Stolen Truck Pursuit

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?

10 tickles!

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

City Council Approves Expansion of Irvine's CONNECT Shuttle Service

In April 2024, Irvine introduced Irvine CONNECT, a complimentary shuttle service operating weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with buses arriving every 20 minutes. The service connects residents to over 70 destinations, including schools, parks, hospitals, shopping centers, Irvine Spectrum Center, and Irvine Station. Due to its popularity and increased ridership, the City Council unanimously voted to explore expanding the shuttle's service area and hours, with staff recommendations expected in April 2025.

Local Tea Shop Owners Launch 'Being Bees' Honey Line with Unique Global Flavors

Khanh Mong and his wife, Trang, owners of Junbi Matcha and Tea at Culver Plaza, turned their search for the perfect honey into a business with their new brand, Being Bees. Offering eight natural honey varieties, their products are available at Junbi or online at beingbeeshoney.com.

They emphasize the benefits of raw honey, which is chemical-free and packed with antioxidants, minerals, and pollens that can ease allergies and soothe the throat and stomach. Honey flavors depend on the bees' floral sources, such as avocado or orange blossoms. Sourcing ethically, they feature varieties like eucalyptus from Brazil, blackberry from Oregon, and knapweed from Idaho.

Volunteer at Harvest Solutions Farm – Help Fight Hunger on March 1

Join Mayor Agran’s office at Harvest Solutions Farm (Second Harvest Food Bank of OC) on Saturday, March 1, 8–11 a.m. Help harvest fresh produce to fight food insecurit. Last year, the farm distributed 36M lbs of food to over 442K people monthly and harvested 2M lbs of fresh produce for those in need.

Sign up here

Enroll in February at FOCUS Dance Center and Receive a Free Class Voucher

Enroll at FOCUS Dance Center's Woodbridge location by February 28, to receive a complimentary class voucher. FOCUS offers diverse dance styles for all ages, enhancing physical and mental wellness, confidence, and coordination. For more details, contact FOCUS Dance Center at 949.737.5151 or [email protected].

Understanding Strep Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

Strep throat is a bacterial infection causing a severe sore throat, painful swallowing, and fever, often mistaken for a cold. It spreads through close contact, respiratory droplets, and shared items, with children and those in crowded spaces most at risk.

  • Symptoms include a sudden sore throat, fever over 101°F, and white patches on the tonsils, but no cough or runny nose.

  • Diagnosis requires a rapid strep test or throat culture.

  • Prevent strep by practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and not sharing personal items.

  • Treatment includes antibiotics and over-the-counter pain relief, with prompt care essential to prevent complications.

For evaluation and treatment, visit Family Care Centers Medical Group in Fountain Valley, Irvine Woodbridge, or Costa Mesa, CA.

SCE to Remove Electrical Poles in Bommer Canyon

Southern California Edison (SCE) will remove electrical poles and overhead wires in Bommer Canyon on today, February 18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., as part of a grid resiliency project. This work will involve minor noise and the use of equipment such as bucket trucks and a helicopter. During this time, trails in Bommer Canyon will be closed.

Master French Baking: Join a Chocolate Cake and Caramel Rice Pudding Workshop

Enhance your baking skills with the French Baking: Chocolate Cake and French Caramel Rice Pudding class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, February 25, with sessions from 10 a.m.–noon and 6–8:30 p.m.

  • Learn to craft a classic French chocolate cake with ganache and a modern vegan caramel rice pudding, focusing on achieving moist, flavorful results and mastering mixing techniques for perfect textures.

  • This class is suitable for both seasoned bakers and those new to plant-based baking.

  • Register at cityofirvine.org/yourirvine.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. February 28: CSUF Wind Ensemble Festival, CSU Fullerton

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. February 27 - March 1,6,7,8 7:00 PM: Guys and Dolls Musical, 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 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

Easy Ways to Protect Your Pet’s Teeth

Maintaining your pet's dental health is crucial, as periodontal disease affects up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age three. Untreated dental issues can lead to pain, tooth loss, and systemic problems affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys.

To promote oral health,

  • implement daily brushing with pet-safe toothpaste

  • provide dental treats or chews

  • and schedule regular veterinary dental check-ups

Be attentive to signs like bad breath, swollen gums, difficulty eating, or changes in behavior, and consult your veterinarian promptly if these occur. Proactive dental care ensures a healthier, happier life for your pet.

UC Irvine Men's Basketball Defeats Hawai'i 66-49

The UC Irvine Anteaters secured a decisive 66-49 victory over Hawai'i at the Stan Sheriff Center, holding the Rainbow Warriors to a season-low point total. Senior center Bent Leuchten led all scorers with 21 points, marking his ninth 20-plus point game this season, and added seven rebounds along with a career-high four blocks. Forward Devin Tillis contributed 15 points and matched Leuchten with seven rebounds. The Anteaters' defense was pivotal, forcing 14 turnovers and limiting Hawai'i to 29.1% shooting from the field, including just 2-of-11 from three-point range. This win marks UC Irvine's tenth road victory, tying them for the most in the nation alongside Central Connecticut State. The Anteaters are set to conclude their season series against CSUN on Thursday, February 20, at 7 p.m. at the Bren Events Center.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Tue, Feb 18: UC Irvine vs. USC at 6:00 PM

  • Wed, Feb 26: UC Irvine vs. Utah Tech at 6:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Wed, Feb 19: UC Irvine vs. UCLA at 6:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  • Thu, Feb 20: UC Irvine vs. CSUN at 7:00 PM

Women's Water Polo

Fri, Feb 21: UC Irvine vs. Loyola Marymount University at 4:40 PM

Women's Basketball

  • Sat, Feb 22: UC Irvine vs. Cal State Bakersfield at 2:00 PM

Irvine Valley Women's Basketball Triumphs Over Saddleback 72-44

the Irvine Valley College (IVC) women's basketball team celebrated sophomore night with a decisive 72-44 victory over district rival Saddleback College in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) home game. This win improved IVC's overall record to 14-12 and their conference record to 6-4, while Saddleback fell to 7-19 overall and 0-10 in the OEC. Freshman guard Samantha Barnett led the team with a season-high 27 points, along with eight rebounds, two assists, five steals, and one block. Freshman forward Neryah Lokeni added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Saiki contributed 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Freshman wing Kivonni Williams also had nine points and 10 rebounds. The Lasers are set to play an important OEC matchup at Fullerton College on Wednesday, February 19, and will conclude the regular season at home against No. 3 state-ranked Orange Coast College on Friday, February 21, at 5 p.m.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  1. Tue, Feb 18 – vs Grossmont, 1:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  1. Tue, Feb 25 – vs Fullerton, 2:00 PM

  2. Thu, Feb 27 – vs Bakersfield, 1:00 PM

Women's Basketball

  1. Fri, Feb 21 – vs Orange Coast, 6:00 PM

Women's Beach Volleyball

  1. Sat, Feb 22 – vs San Diego Mesa, 12:00 PM

  2. Thu, Feb 27 – vs LA Valley, 1:00 PM

Crean Lutheran Girls Soccer Team Advances to CIF Quarterfinals After Penalty Shootout Victory

Crean Lutheran High School's girls soccer team advanced to the CIF Division 3 quarterfinals after a 0-0 draw against La Habra, securing a 4-3 victory in penalty kicks. Coach Stephen Jennings praised the team's determination, highlighting sophomore goalkeeper Kate Nourse's performance, who saved two penalty kicks and scored one herself. Despite missing several opportunities during regulation, the Saints remained resilient and are set to face Foothill High School at home.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

February 2025

Tuesday, February 18

  • 3:15 PM - Baseball (VR) vs Laguna Hills at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Wednesday, February 19

  • 3:30 PM - Beach Volleyball (Girls, VR) vs Montebello at Deerfield Park Beach Courts

Thursday, February 20

  • 3:00 PM - Tennis (Boys, VR) vs El Toro at Irvine High School Heritage Park

Monday, February 24

  • 3:00 PM - Tennis (Boys, VR) vs Edison at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 6:00 PM - Lacrosse (Boys, VR) vs Mission Viejo at Irvine High School Stadium

Irvine Police Arrest Two Suspects After Stolen Truck Pursuit

Recently, Costa Mesa PD pursued a stolen truck onto the 405 freeway but discontinued near MacArthur for safety reasons. An Irvine PD officer later found the unoccupied vehicle on Rosa Drew Lane. Patrol officers and the Special Investigations Unit, with aerial support from Huntington Beach PD's HB-1 helicopter, searched the area. They arrested driver Sebastian Haro Grajeda, 32, for possessing a stolen car, and passenger Brandie Nicole Dillman, 33, for burglary, vandalism, and narcotics offenses. Both, from Banning, were booked into Orange County Jail. Costa Mesa PD is handling the pursuit investigation. The operation highlighted effective interagency collaboration and community assistance.

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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