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Middle-earth Returns: Lord of the Rings Extended Editions Back on the Big Screen

Issue # 0552

Author

Joshua Tjia
21 Jan

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🪦💐 Columbarium Proposal Tabled After Divided Irvine Council Vote

🍿💍  Middle-earth Returns: Lord of the Rings Extended Editions Back on the Big Screen

🧧🐎 Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Tanaka Farms With Crafts, Stories, and a Horse Meet-and-Greet

🌱💧 Learn, Explore, and Get Outside With IRWD’s Free 2026 Events

📖🎶 Japanese Storytime Brings Music and Stories to Heritage Park Library, Jan.26

🍜🍲 Cozy, Filling Soups to Warm You Up All Winter Long

🏔️🚲 Learn the Basics, Ride with Confidence: Mountain Bike Skills Clinic in Irvine, Jan. 24

🎻🎹 Join Trio Barclay for an Evening of Schubert, Beethoven, and New Music, Jan. 25

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐕 Happy Tails: 16 Adoptions and 6 Reunions at Irvine Animal Care Center

⚾️ UCI Pitcher Ricky Ojeda Earns Preseason All-American Honors Ahead of 2026 Seaso

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Beckman Boys Basketball Holds Off Mission Viejo 68–64

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚌 Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in Woodbridge High School Burglary

🍏🥭🍑 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 funny chicken?

A comedi-hen.

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

Columbarium Proposal Tabled After Divided Irvine Council Vote

On December 9, four Irvine City Council members voted against including a Veterans Wall of Honor & Columbarium at the Veterans Memorial Park & Gardens at the Great Park, citing concerns about cultural sensitivity.

  • At the January 13 meeting, a motion was introduced to study alternative public columbarium locations, including the Cultural Terrace.

  • Mayor Larry Agran questioned the change in position and the use of city funds for a new study, while other councilmembers raised concerns about preparation and cost.

  • The council voted 4–3 to table the item indefinitely, leaving the future of the columbarium proposal unclear.

Middle-earth Returns: Lord of the Rings Extended Editions Back on the Big Screen

In celebration of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’s 25th Anniversary, extended editions of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy return to theaters this January. Fans can relive the epic journey on the big screen with select showings at Regal Irvine Spectrum and Regal Edwards Market Place.

👑The Return of the King (Extended)

  • Jan 21 – Irvine Spectrum

  • Jan 22, 25, 28–29 – Edwards Market Place

  • Jan 25 – Irvine Spectrum

💍 The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended)

  • Jan 22–23 – Irvine Spectrum & Edwards Market Place

  • Jan 26 – Irvine Spectrum & Edwards Market Place

  • Jan 29 – Edwards Market Place

🏰 The Two Towers (Extended)

  • Jan 24 – Irvine Spectrum & Edwards Market Place

  • Jan 27, 29 – Edwards Market Place

Find showing times and get tickets at https://www.regmovies.com

Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Tanaka Farms With Crafts, Stories, and a Horse Meet-and-Greet

Tanaka Farms in Irvine is celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse on February 7 and 8 with a family-friendly barnyard program. The event includes a hands-on craft, stories and traditions, and a meet-and-greet with Pinto Bean the horse, plus photo opportunities.

Tickets are available at TanakaFarms.com.

Learn, Explore, and Get Outside With IRWD’s Free 2026 Events

Irvine Ranch Water District is offering a variety of free, hands-on events throughout 2026, giving residents opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with local water and nature resources. Workshops, facility tours, and guided nature walks are added regularly, so there’s always something new to check out.

Upcoming Events:

  • Feb. 7: Edible Gardening Workshop

  • Feb. 21: Community Tour at the Michelson Water Recycling Plant

  • March 7: Fix a Leak Workshop

  • March 25: San Joaquin Marsh Special Tour

  • May 3: Bird Walk at the Marsh

Learn more and register at IRWD.com/events.

Japanese Storytime Brings Music and Stories to Heritage Park Library, Jan.26

Join Japanese Storytime at Heritage Park Library on Monday, January 26 from 11:00–11:30 a.m. This fun program features songs, dancing, rhymes, and engaging stories, with a light introduction to the Japanese language along the way. The event is free, open to all ages, and no registration is required.

Cozy, Filling Soups to Warm You Up All Winter Long

Homemade soup is a comforting and nutrient-rich winter meal, and when built with lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats, it can also be filling and well balanced, according to UCI Health dietitian Katie Rankell. Try these soups by UCI Health chef Jessica VanRoo which designed to support fullness, gut health, and sustained energy.

  • Moroccan Chickpea Harira: A silky, tomato-based North African soup packed with chickpeas, red lentils, vegetables, and warming spices that provide plant-based protein, fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits while supporting heart health, digestion, and steady energy.

  • Hearty Vegetable & Chicken Miso Soup: A Japanese-inspired soup combining lean chicken, fiber-rich vegetables, mushrooms, sea vegetables, and miso to deliver protein, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals that support gut health, immunity, and satiety in a light but satisfying meal.

Learn the Basics, Ride with Confidence: Mountain Bike Skills Clinic in Irvine, Jan. 24

Join a Mountain Bike Fundamental Skills Clinic at the Irvine Open Space Preserve on Saturday, January 24, designed for new and intermediate riders looking to build confidence and proper technique. The clinic covers core skills like balance, body position, wheel placement, and braking through guided instruction, demos, and hands-on practice at the Mountain Bike Skills Development area, with difficulty adjusted for beginner to challenge levels.

Join Trio Barclay for an Evening of Schubert, Beethoven, and New Music, Jan. 25

Trio Barclay opens its season with an evening of chamber music on Sunday, January 25, at 5 p.m., featuring Dennis Kim (violin), Jonah Kim (cello), and Sean Kennard (piano) at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

  • The program highlights Schubert’s radiant Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat Major, written in the final year of his life, alongside Beethoven’s Piano Trio No. 1 in E-flat Major and the world premiere of Kyle Yeung’s “Convergence” for piano trio.

  • Known for their dynamic chemistry and deep musical partnership, Trio Barclay brings together classical pillars and contemporary voices.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. January 23 - 24: Advanced Choirs Retreat Weekend, Pali Retreat

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Happy Tails: 16 Adoptions and 6 Reunions at Irvine Animal Care Center

Between January 12–18, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 16 adoptions:

  • 6 dogs (Falcor, Isla, Puddle, Riley, Shasta, and Yuki)

  • 10 cats (Cosmo, Dollar, Gingerbread, Leah, Magnus, Mavis, Megatron, Peaches, Sigurd, and Taz)

  • During the same week, 4 dogs and 2 cats were reunited with their owners.

For adoption details and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

UCI Pitcher Ricky Ojeda Earns Preseason All-American Honors Ahead of 2026 Season

UC Irvine baseball standout Ricky Ojeda earned preseason All-American honors to start the 2026 season, landing on the Perfect Game USA First Team and the D1Baseball.com Third Team.

  • The 2025 Big West Pitcher of the Year and U.S. Collegiate National Team member went 13–1 with a 3.55 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 66 innings last season.

  • Through two seasons, Ojeda holds a 19–2 record with 157 strikeouts, along with Freshman All-American and All-Big West First Team honors.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Basketball

  • Thurs, Jan 22– vs UC Riverside, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Jan 24– vs UC San Diego, 2:00 PM

Baseball

  • Sat, Jan 24– vs Alumni Game, 12:00 PM

Men’s Basketball

  • Thurs, Jan 29– vs Hawai'i , 8:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Basketball

  • Fri, Jan 23 - vs Santa Ana, 5:00 PM

  • Wed, Jan 28 - vs Fullerton, 5:00 PM

Women’s Basketball

  • Fri, Jan 23 - vs Santa Ana, 7:00 PM

  • Wed, Jan 28 - vs Fullerton, 7:00 PM

Baseball

  • Sat, Jan 24 - vs Long Beach, 12:00 PM

Beckman Boys Basketball Holds Off Mission Viejo 68–64

In a Sea View League boys basketball game Friday night, Beckman held off a late Mission Viejo rally to secure a 68–64 home win. Joshua Charette led the Patriots with 18 points, with Qusai Azem adding 14 and Bronson Mejia 12, as Beckman improved to 14–10 overall and 3–1 in league play.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

January 2026

Wednesday, January 21

  • Basketball, Boys - 7:00 PM vs Laguna Beach

Thursday, January 22

  • Soccer, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Northwood

Friday, January 23

  • Soccer, Boys - 5:00 PM vs University

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:30 PM vs Northwood

Irvine Police Arrest Suspect in Woodbridge High School Burglary

Irvine Police investigated an overnight burglary at Woodbridge High School on Saturday after surveillance video showed a woman stealing items from a classroom. Later that morning, officers responded to a theft at a nearby Walmart and detained the same suspect. With help from drone support and the Real Time Crime Center, police confirmed the suspect matched the school burglary footage. Tanya Elaine Marsh, 39, of Anaheim, was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on burglary charges.

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

January 22 Blade Runner 8 PM

January 24 Free Paper Shredding Event 9 - 11 AM

January 25 Jazz in the Palm Court 1 - 3 PM

January 28 Seong-jin Cho, piano 8 PM

February 3 Free Tax Filing Services 12 - 6 PM

February 12 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

February 14 Hide & Squeak 6th Anniversary 11 AM - 2 PM

February 14 - 15 Modern Makers Mart: Woodbury Town Center 10 AM - 4 PM

February 15 America 250 3 PM

February 21 Lunar New Year 8 PM

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