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OCFA and Irvine PD Rescue Cat Trapped for Nearly 10 hours in Parking Structure Vent

Issue # 0595

Author

Joshua Tjia
24 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚧🏗️ Construction Advances on Irvine’s Marine Way Undercrossing

🚒🐈‍⬛ OCFA and Irvine PD Rescue Cat Trapped for Nearly 10 hours in Parking Structure Vent

🌱🧤 Free Compost Available at Great Park on March 28

🌸🍑🌸Tastea Welcomes Spring with New Peach Blossom Milk Tea

🧩🎲 Join the Fun at Super Saturday: Games, LEGO & More at Heritage Park Library

⚽️⚾️ A Parent’s Guide to Kids and Sports: Fun, Balance, and Smart Choices

🪱🐦‍⬛ Meet the Coastal California Gnatcatcher—A Tiny Bird That Helps Control Bugs in Local Habitats

🌼🐇🌼 Easter Pop-Up at Westcliff Plaza Features Local Makers and Bunny Fun

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐕 Happy Tails in Irvine: 7 Pets Adopted and 4 Dogs Back Home

🎾 UC Irvine Women’s Tennis Sweeps UC Riverside 4-0 for First Big West Win

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚾️ IVC Baseball Defeats LA Harbor, 8-2

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🥎 Beckman Softball Defeats Irvine 11-0 in Alan Dugard Classic

🏈🎾 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

What dog keeps the best time?

A watch dog!

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

Construction Advances on Irvine’s Marine Way Undercrossing

Construction on Irvine’s Marine Way Undercrossing & Extension Project continues to make steady progress after about two months.

  • Rebar installation in the Borrego Channel is nearly complete, with concrete pours underway for the base and walls.

  • Crews are also installing reinforcing steel for the underpass, which will eventually allow vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists to travel safely beneath the railway.

  • South of the tracks, support structures are being put in place to prepare for upcoming excavation, with more updates to come as work continues.

  • Find more information here

OCFA and Irvine PD Rescue Cat Trapped for Nearly 10 hours in Parking Structure Vent

Lucy the cat was safely rescued in Irvine after being stuck for nearly 10 hours inside an exhaust vent in a parking structure. Orange County Fire Authority firefighters and Irvine Police Department Animal Services worked together, carefully cutting part of a metal grate using hand tools to avoid scaring her further, and successfully reunited her with her relieved family.

Free Compost Available at Great Park on March 28

Enjoy a free compost giveaway at the Great Park on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Parking Lot 8 (next to Wild Rivers). Guests may receive up to three 20-pound bags of compost, provided by Tierra Verde Industries, while supplies last.

Tastea Welcomes Spring with New Peach Blossom Milk Tea

Tastea is welcoming spring with its new Peach Blossom Milk Tea, a refreshing peach jasmine oolong tea blended with non-dairy creamer. This seasonal drink offers a smooth, slightly sweet flavor— a perfect treat to start your day.

Join the Fun at Super Saturday: Games, LEGO & More at Heritage Park Library

Join the fun at Super Saturday at Heritage Park Library on Saturday, March 28 from 10:30–11:30 a.m.! Kids in grades K–5 can enjoy board games, LEGO building, and more in this free, drop-in event—no registration needed. Just come early, as space is limited and spots are first-come, first-served.

A Parent’s Guide to Kids and Sports: Fun, Balance, and Smart Choices

Youth sports can be a wonderful way for children to stay active, build confidence, and develop teamwork skills. Experts suggest introducing organized sports around age 5, with a focus on fun and basic skill-building rather than competition in the early years. Regular physical activity—about 60 minutes daily for younger children and consistent activity for teens—can support overall health and well-being.

🏃 Emphasize enjoyment early on

  • Keeping activities light and engaging may help children build confidence

  • A relaxed environment can make learning feel more natural

🎯 Consider timing for organized sports

  • Readiness can vary, so it may help to look for signs like attention span and ability to follow directions

  • Starting gradually can make the transition smoother

🔄 Encourage variety

  • Trying different activities may help children discover what they enjoy most

  • A range of experiences can support overall skill development

⚖️ Maintain a healthy balance

  • A manageable schedule can help prevent stress or fatigue

  • Downtime is just as important as structured activities

👨‍👩‍👧 Model positive behavior

  • Offering encouragement and perspective can shape how children view sports

  • Staying positive on the sidelines can enhance their experience

💪 Build foundational skills

  • Developing coordination and body awareness can support long-term progress

  • These basics may also help reduce the risk of injury

⏱️ Support regular activity

  • Short, active moments throughout the day can still be beneficial

  • Finding activities your child enjoys may help them stay consistent

Meet the Coastal California Gnatcatcher—A Tiny Bird That Helps Control Bugs in Local Habitats

The coastal California gnatcatcher is a small but important bird native to Southern California’s coastal sage scrub, with populations declining due to habitat loss from development.

  • Now federally listed as Threatened and a California Species of Special Concern, it’s a key focus of conservation efforts led by groups like the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, which work to protect and restore remaining habitats.

  • Often heard more than seen, these gray birds are known for their soft, kitten-like “mew” call and can be identified by the male’s black cap.

  • Despite their size, they are territorial and help control insect populations, highlighting their ecological value.

  • Protecting their habitat helps ensure they stick around for years to come.

Easter Pop-Up at Westcliff Plaza Features Local Makers and Bunny Fun

Dreamers Market is hosting an Easter Pop-Up at Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach from March 23 through April 4, open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The pop-up will feature local makers, a doodle photobooth, the Easter Bunny, and permanent jewelry at 1000–1150 Irvine Ave.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: IUSD Honor Orchestra Concert

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. March 26, 4:00 PM: WHS Carnival

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. March 27 - April 2: Hawaii Choir Tour

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. March 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: PHS Vocal Concert – Spring Concert

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

Happy Tails in Irvine: 7 Pets Adopted and 4 Dogs Back Home

It was a heartwarming week at the Irvine Animal Care Center, with several pets finding new homes and others safely reunited with their families between March 16–22.

Adopted Pets:

  • Dogs: Chloe, Hazel, Salt

  • Cats: Jet, Kenobi, Shadow, Taylor

  • Additionally, 1 cat was sent to rescue and 4 dogs were reunited with their owners.

For more information on adoption and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Women’s Tennis Sweeps UC Riverside 4-0 for First Big West Win

UC Irvine women’s tennis beat UC Riverside 4-0 at home, winning every finished match and taking the doubles point early with strong play from Bella Pitchford and the Huynh sisters. It was the Anteaters’ first Big West win of the season.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Tennis

  • Thur, Mar 26 – vs Dartmouth, TBA

IVC Baseball Defeats LA Harbor, 8-2

Irvine Valley College baseball beat Los Angeles Harbor 8-2 at home to improve to 15-10 overall. Early in the game, they were tied 2-2, but the Lasers took control with a home run by Brandon Abernathy and strong hitting from Caleb Caparco and Adrian Covarrubias.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Tue, Mar 24 – vs Orange Coast, 2:00 PM

  • Sat, Mar 28 – vs Orange Coast, 12:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  • Tue, Mar 24 – vs Orange Coast, 2:00 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  • Wed, Mar 25 – vs San Diego Mesa, 6:00 PM

Beckman Softball Defeats Irvine 11-0 in Alan Dugard Classic

Beckman scored 10 runs in the first inning and defeated Irvine 11-0 in a run-rule shortened game at the Alan Dugard Classic at Bill Barber Park. Irvine, which is dealing with injuries, was unable to recover despite a few late opportunities, while Beckman’s offense and pitching controlled the game.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With March Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

March 2026

Tuesday, March 24

  • Baseball - 3:30 PM vs Woodbridge

  • Beach Volleyball, Girls - 3:30 PM vs Rosary Academy

Wednesday, March 25

  • Beach Volleyball, Girls - 3:30 PM vs Laguna Beach

  • Swimming & Diving, Boys - 3:30 PM vs Woodbridge

  • Swimming & Diving, Girls - 3:30 PM vs Woodbridge

  • Golf, Boys - 4:00 PM vs Northwood

  • Lacrosse, Boys - 4:00 PM vs Northwood

  • Volleyball, Boys - 5:15 PM vs Norco

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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