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New Dessert and Boba Spots Open in Irvine: Kiyoraka and Bopomofo Cafe

Issue # 0446

Author

Joshua Tjia
18 Jul

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🧋🍧 New Dessert and Boba Spots Open in Irvine: Kiyoraka and Bopomofo Cafe

🚙 Ford to Close Irvine Design Studio, Shifts EV Work to Long Beach Hub

🥟🍣 Tokyo Central Japanese Grocery Store Opening in Irvine July 26–27

🥭🍰 Celebrate Mango Season with Refreshing Drinks and a New Cake at 85°C Bakery

🧒🏻✏️ IUSD Shares Readiness Tips for Families Entering Pre-K and Kindergarten

🤕 Caring for Cuts: Easy Ways to Keep Yourself and Loved Ones Safe

🌳🥾 Stay Safe and Active: Summer Hiking Tips from Irvine Ranch Conservancy

🍝 Learn to Make Fresh Tortellini at Irvine Fine Arts Center, July 30

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

☀️🐈 Summer Grooming Tips to Keep Your Pet Comfortable and Healthy

🏀 Three UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Players Named to 2024–25 NABC Honors Court

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🛍️ Shoplifting Suspect Caught with Stolen Wine, Meth, and IDs in Irvine

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the popsicle say to the ice cream cone?

You're so stuck up!

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

New Dessert and Boba Spots Open in Irvine: Kiyoraka and Bopomofo Cafe

Two new Irvine spots are blending traditional flavors with modern twists, offering refreshing desserts and fusion bites:

  • Kiyoraka (Parkview Center)

    • Serves kakigori, Japanese shaved ice with syrup, fruit, and condensed milk

    • Flavors include strawberry pistache, cacao hazé, and golden mango

    • Features starry-themed decor with LED lights

    • Coming soon: food, boba, and milk tea

  • Bopomofo Cafe (Alton Square)

    • Offers Taiwanese/Chinese-American fusion food and boba drinks

    • Drinks use lactose-free milk, no powders or artificial syrups

    • Highlights: brown-sugar pudding milk tea, strawberry-basil-ginger lemonade

    • Food includes spicy chicken sandwich, shrimp burger, beef noodle sandwich, and Mapo tots

Ford to Close Irvine Design Studio, Shifts EV Work to Long Beach Hub

Ford Motor Co. is closing its longtime West Coast design studio in Irvine, located at 3 Glen Bell Way near Irvine Spectrum Center, as part of a shift to its new electric vehicle (EV) development hub in Long Beach.

  • The closure, effective November 30, may impact up to 263 jobs, though all employees were offered roles in Long Beach or Dearborn, Michigan. Some employees declined and will leave the company by August 31.

  • The move aligns with Ford's broader EV strategy, including a 250,000-square-foot facility in Long Beach.

Tokyo Central Japanese Grocery Store Opening in Irvine July 26–27

Tokyo Central is celebrating the grand opening of its new Irvine location the weekend of July 26–27 from 10 AM to 10 PM at 14120 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92604. Shoppers are invited to join the festivities and explore this new Japanese grocery experience. More event details will be announced soon.

Celebrate Mango Season with Refreshing Drinks and a New Cake at 85°C Bakery

Mango season has returned at 85°C Bakery Cafe with the comeback of two fan-favorite drinks—the Mango Creamsicle and Mango Coconut Smoothie with mini boba. New this year is the Mango Mousse Cake, featuring real mango, creamy mousse, and a vanilla chiffon center. These seasonal tropical treats are available now at all store locations.

IUSD Shares Readiness Tips for Families Entering Pre-K and Kindergarten

IUSD’s Pre-K and Kindergarten programs are designed to support early childhood development in a structured, engaging environment. These programs offer opportunities for children to develop social, emotional, and academic readiness skills. Since students enter with a range of abilities, most require 6–8 weeks to adjust to the school setting. IUSD encourages families to help prepare their children over the summer to support a smooth transition.

  • Encourage independence with daily routines like dressing and handwashing

  • Support social development through playdates and age-appropriate books

  • Practice basic skills such as name writing, recognizing letters and numbers, and using scissors

  • Promote emotional regulation, focus, and respectful play

  • Stay current on health checkups, nutrition, and basic safety practices

For readiness resources and program information, visit iusd.org/pk and iusd.org/KinderTransitionGuide.

Caring for Cuts: Easy Ways to Keep Yourself and Loved Ones Safe

Even small cuts and scrapes need proper care—because they can let in germs and, in rare cases, lead to infections like hepatitis B or C. With a few simple steps, you can keep yourself and others safe.

Helpful Tips:

  • Clean and cover any cut, no matter how small

  • Look for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus

  • Avoid sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes

  • Wear gloves if helping someone who’s bleeding

Stay Safe and Active: Summer Hiking Tips from Irvine Ranch Conservancy

As summer brings more visitors to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) reminds outdoor enthusiasts to stay safe and prepared while exploring the area's scenic trails and wildlands.

Key safety tips include:

  • hydrating properly ( about 1 liter per hour per person)

  • wearing sunscreen and loose, light clothing

  • hiking with a buddy or informing others of your plans

  • choosing cooler times of day for activities.

IRC also offers a variety of guided hikes and fitness events to suit all levels, often scheduled in the early morning or evening to avoid extreme heat. Visit LetsGoOutside.org for upcoming activities.

Always listen to your body and watch for signs of heat-related illness to ensure a safe, enjoyable summer outdoors.

Learn to Make Fresh Tortellini at Irvine Fine Arts Center, July 30

The Irvine Fine Arts Center is hosting a hands-on cooking class, Pasta Basics: Tortellini, on Wednesday, July 30, from 6–8 p.m. 

  • Participants will learn how to make fresh tortellini from scratch, including dough preparation, filling, and folding techniques.

  • It’s a perfect opportunity to elevate your pasta-making skills and enjoy a flavorful culinary experience.

  • Register now at cityofirvine.org/yourirvine.

We will resume with the high school music calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Summer Grooming Tips to Keep Your Pet Comfortable and Healthy

Keeping your pets cool and comfortable in summer starts with smart grooming habits. VCA Animal Hospitals shares practical tips on brushing, trimming, and bathing to help your furry companions stay healthy and beat the heat:

  • Brushing: Regular brushing removes loose hair and lightens your pet’s coat, offering relief from heat. It also prevents matting and hairballs. Aim to brush your pet several times a week.

  • Trimming: While shorter cuts might seem helpful, fur actually insulates pets from both heat and sun exposure. Moderate trimming can ease discomfort without compromising protection.

  • Bathing: Cool (not cold) baths can refresh pets but should not be overused—especially for dogs, as frequent bathing can dry out their skin. Once every few weeks or monthly is ideal. Cats usually groom themselves, but a cool bath may help them on very hot days if they tolerate it.

Three UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Players Named to 2024–25 NABC Honors Court

Three UC Irvine men’s basketball players—Andre Henry, Akiva McBirney-Griffin, and Ofure Ujadughele—have been named to the 2024-25 NABC Honors Court, recognizing their academic excellence alongside athletic performance.

  • This marks only the second time in program history that multiple Anteaters received the honor.

  • Henry and Ujadughele are graduates of the Master of Finance program, with Ujadughele also holding the school and Big West record for 159 games played.

  • McBirney-Griffin recently earned his degree in Social Ecology and is a consistent Dean’s List achiever.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

We will resume with the high school athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Shoplifting Suspect Caught with Stolen Wine, Meth, and IDs in Irvine

A license plate reader alerted Irvine police to a known shoplifter on Saturday, leading to the arrest of 32-year-old Rosemary Arteaga Morfin from Anaheim. She allegedly stole nearly $1,000 in wine from Pavilions and was later found at Target swapping price tags. Officers discovered stolen wine, stolen IDs, and meth in her car. Morfin faces multiple charges, including drug possession with prior convictions, identity theft, and shoplifting. She was 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

July 12 - End of August Tanaka Farms Melong Tasting Tours

July 22 Library Card Sign-Up Event 4:30 - 6:30 PM

July 26 Umami Summerfest 11 AM - 7 PM

July 26 Spectrum Silent Disco 6 - 9 PM

July 26 - 27 Tokyo Central Irvine Store Grand Opening 10 AM - 10 PM

July 27 Umami Summerfest 11 am - 6 pm

July 29 Library Card Sign-Up Event 4:30 - 6:30 PM

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