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Mini Pancakes, Churros & More: Super Irvine International Market Hosts Holiday Market

Issue # 0535

Author

Joshua Tjia
12 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Fun Fact Friday

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎁🥞 Mini Pancakes, Churros & More: Super Irvine International Market Hosts Holiday Market

🎅🏻📫 Final Day to Drop Off Letters to Santa in Irvine

🎶🥂 Salute to Vienna Returns for a Festive New Year’s Celebration

🎡🏗️ Irvine Spectrum’s Giant Wheel Closes Jan. 11—New Bigger Wheel Coming Summer 2026

🩰 Join Giggles & Grooves: Music, Movement & Play for Little Ones, Dec. 31

🥦🍓 Eat for a Better Mood: How Simple Food Choices Can Support Mental Wellness

🌳🏃🏽 Hit the Trails: Scenic 6-Mile Run at Bommer Canyon This Sunday

🦌🛍️ Shop, Stroll, and See Reindeer—Holiday Markets Light Up Irvine This Week

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈 Meet Arco, a Long-Term Resident Awaiting a Home at the Irvine Animal Care Center

🏃🏻‍♀️ Former UCI Star Hannah Chau Qualifies for 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 IVC’s Alexis Price Named OEC Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🛒 Drone Helps Irvine Police Catch Target Theft Suspect During Holiday Patrols

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you know…?

A single big snowstorm can unleash more energy than several atomic bombs. As water vapor turns into snowflakes, it releases huge amounts of heat into the atmosphere—making the storm a powerful engine, even if the snow feels cold on the ground.

We hope this fun fact brings a smile to your day! 😁

Mini Pancakes, Churros & More: Super Irvine International Market Hosts Holiday Market

The Super Irvine International Market is hosting a festive Holiday Market from Dec. 10–14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Parkview Center, offering delicious treats like mini pancakes, crepes, churros, and roasted nuts, plus holiday gifts and free samples throughout the store. It’s a cheerful spot to enjoy food, shop for unique finds, and soak in the holiday spirit.

Final Day to Drop Off Letters to Santa in Irvine

Santa’s letter deadline is today! The City of Irvine invites families to drop off their letters to Santa at Heritage Park, Northwood, Portola Springs, or Turtle Rock Community Centers. Simply write your letter, drop it off, and you’ll receive a reply from Santa within a week. Replies will be ready for pickup at the same location where letters were submitted.

Salute to Vienna Returns for a Festive New Year’s Celebration

Salute to Vienna returns on December 30 at 8:00 PM for an uplifting New Year’s celebration at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Enjoy an evening of joyful Strauss favorites—including the beloved Blue Danube—performed by the Strauss Symphony of America, star vocalists, and elegant dancers. It’s a warm, sparkling way to welcome the new year.

Irvine Spectrum’s Giant Wheel Closes Jan. 11—New Bigger Wheel Coming Summer 2026

The Irvine Spectrum Center is retiring its Giant Wheel on January 11, 2026 to make way for a major revitalization project. A brand-new, next-generation Wheel with improved comfort and a new lighting design will debut in Summer 2026. Visitors are encouraged to take one last ride before it closes and enjoy the memorable view one more time.

Join Giggles & Grooves: Music, Movement & Play for Little Ones, Dec. 31

Join Giggles & Grooves, a free, drop-in music and movement program for little ones ages 3 and under at Heritage Park Library on Wednesday, December 31, from 11:00 a.m. to noon. No registration needed—just drop in and join in.

Eat for a Better Mood: How Simple Food Choices Can Support Mental Wellness

A growing body of research shows a strong connection between what we eat and how we feel mentally. Certain nutrients support brain function, neurotransmitter balance, and gut health—three key factors linked to mood, depression, and anxiety. Adding nutrient-dense foods to your diet can help support mental wellness alongside professional care.

How Nutrition Affects Mental Health

  • The brain needs essential nutrients to regulate mood and produce neurotransmitters like serotonin.

  • Poor diets high in processed foods can increase inflammation and negatively affect brain function.

  • Nutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium) are commonly associated with depression and anxiety.

Mood-Boosting Foods

  • Fatty fish (salmon, sardines): rich in omega-3s for mood support.

  • Leafy greens (spinach, kale): packed with folate and B vitamins.

  • Nuts & seeds: provide magnesium and vitamin E for stress reduction.

  • Whole grains: help support serotonin production.

  • Berries: antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory.

Foods That May Reduce Anxiety & Depression

  • Dark chocolate: boosts mood with antioxidants and flavonoids.

  • Turmeric: anti-inflammatory properties may support brain health.

  • Fermented foods: improve gut health, which is linked to emotional balance.

  • Bananas: high in vitamin B6, supporting serotonin production.

Gut Health & Mental Wellness

  • A healthy gut microbiome helps regulate mood via the gut-brain axis.

  • Prebiotics (garlic, onions, bananas) and probiotics (yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut) support gut balance.

Simple Dietary Changes

  • Add one omega-3-rich meal weekly.

  • Increase fruits and vegetables (smoothies, snacks, salads).

  • Replace processed snacks with nuts, seeds, or whole grains.

  • Choose water, herbal tea, or kombucha over sugary drinks.

Hit the Trails: Scenic 6-Mile Run at Bommer Canyon This Sunday

Join a fun and challenging 6-mile trail run at Bommer Canyon on Sunday, Dec. 14 from 6:30–8:30 a.m. The route features big climbs, beautiful views, and a moderate 10–12 min/mi pace—great for experienced runners.

Shop, Stroll, and See Reindeer—Holiday Markets Light Up Irvine This Week

Celebrate the season at Irvine’s Holiday Markets, where you can browse unique gifts, enjoy live holiday music, and meet real reindeer on select days. Here’s where to join the fun:

  • Woodbury Town Center

    • Saturday, Dec. 13: 10 AM – 4 PM

    • Sunday, Dec. 14: 10 AM – 4 PM (reindeer visit)

  • Westpark Plaza

    • Sunday, Dec. 14: 11 AM – 4 PM (reindeer visit)

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. December 12 , 7 - 8:30 PM: Winter Gala Concert – Jazz Ensemble I, Wind Symphony, Philharmonic, and Vocal Music, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. December 11 - 12, 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Winter Concerts, WHS 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

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. December 16, 7 PM: Jazz the Halls, TBD

  2. December 18, 7 PM: Holiday Concert, IHS PAC

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. December 12, 7 - 9 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

  2. December 13, 3 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON Matinee

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

Meet Arco, a Long-Term Resident Awaiting a Home at the Irvine Animal Care Center

Arco, a beautiful cat who has been at the Irvine Animal Care Center for nearly a year, is still hoping to find a loving forever family this holiday season. While she may appear a bit reserved at first, she becomes an affectionate snuggler once she feels comfortable. Adoption hours are noon–5 p.m. on weekdays—come meet Arco and make this her last Christmas in the shelter.

Former UCI Star Hannah Chau Qualifies for 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials

Former UC Irvine distance standout Hannah Chau qualified for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials after running 2:36:27 at the California International Marathon. A three-time All-Big West honoree and UCI record-setter in the steeplechase, Chau also won the 2021 Big West 10,000m title. She now balances elite running with her first year of medical school at Creighton.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 – vs California Baptist, 2:00 PM

IVC’s Alexis Price Named OEC Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week

IVC women’s basketball standout Alexis Price earned Orange Empire Conference Athlete of the Week after delivering two huge double-doubles, scoring 23 and 31 points in wins over Chaffey and Mt. San Jacinto. She’s averaging 15.4 points and 9.4 rebounds this season as the 9–1 Lasers extend their five-game winning streak.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 - vs San Diego Miramar, 5:00 PM

  • Tue, Dec 30 - vs LA Valley, 5:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Friday, December 12

  • Soccer, Boys - 5:00 PM vs Northwood

Drone Helps Irvine Police Catch Target Theft Suspect During Holiday Patrols

Irvine Police responded to a theft at the Jamboree Target, using their drone-as-first-responder program to track the suspect overhead and guide officers on the ground. After a brief foot chase, the man was arrested for robbery and resisting arrest.

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

November 28 - December 30 Santa's Village

November 28 - December 28 Hikari: Festival of Lights

December 10 - 14 Super Irvine Holiday Market 11 AM – 4 PM

December 13 – 14 Holiday Markets 10 AM – 4 PM

December 21 Tis the Season!

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