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OCFA Introduces K9 Timber, Orange County’s Only Accelerant Detection Canine

Issue # 0548

Author

Joshua Tjia
14 Jan

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎊🥂 New Year, New Goals: Irvine Ranked Third Best City for Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

🏞️🎖️ Irvine Council to Reconsider Veterans Memorial Option at Great Park with Columbarium Proposal

🚒🐕 OCFA Introduces K9 Timber, Orange County’s Only Accelerant Detection Canine

🦅⚽️🏐 Game On, Eagles: Alumni Day Returns January 24 at Concordia Irvine

🧩📚 Kid-Friendly Weekend Fun: Super Saturday Starts at Irvine Public Library, Jan. 17

🤒 Stomach Pain Explained: Common Symptoms and Simple Care Tips

🌸💧 Plant Spotlight: Howard McMinn Manzanita Offers Beauty, Resilience, and Pollinator Appeal

🎤🎶 Weekend Vibes: Live Music Nights at Irvine Spectrum

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🦴🐾 From Herding to Healing: How Original Dog Jobs Shape Behavior Today

🏀 Hunter Hernandez Named Big West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Finishes Strong to Defeat Foothill 57-45 in Crestview League Play

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔⛸️ Suspect Arrested After Locker Room Thefts at Great Park Ice

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the strawberry go out with the banana?

Because it couldn’t find a date.

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

New Year, New Goals: Irvine Ranked Third Best City for Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

Irvine has been ranked the third best city in the nation for keeping New Year’s resolutions, according to WalletHub—thanks to the many resources and opportunities that help residents turn goals into lasting habits.

Ways Irvine Helps You Keep Your Resolutions:

  • 🌿 Spend more time outdoors: Explore Irvine’s scenic trails and open spaces

  • 📚 Read more books: Visit one of Irvine’s public library branches

  • 🐾 Make a new friend: Adopt a pet from the Irvine Animal Care Center

  • 🎨 Start a new hobby: Take a class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center

  • 🤝 Give back locally: Volunteer with programs supporting older adults

  • ✈️ Travel more: Apply for or renew your passport at Irvine City Hall

Irvine Council to Reconsider Veterans Memorial Option at Great Park with Columbarium Proposal

Irvine city leaders are scheduled to discuss a proposal to study the development of a municipal columbarium at the Great Park, which would provide an above-ground resting place for ashes.

  • The concept would primarily serve Irvine residents, individuals with strong ties to the community, and veterans connected to the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, with a designated area honoring veterans.

  • The proposal follows years of debate over a veterans cemetery at the Great Park and seeks to balance voter intent from a 2020 initiative with concerns raised by nearby residents, while continuing to support Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim as Orange County’s sole veterans cemetery.

OCFA Introduces K9 Timber, Orange County’s Only Accelerant Detection Canine

Orange County Fire Authority has welcomed K9 Timber, a one-year-old ATF-trained yellow Labrador retriever, as its new accelerant detection canine in Irvine.

  • Partnered with Fire Captain/Investigator Shaun Miller, Timber can detect extremely small traces of ignitable liquids—down to one millionth of a liter—making him a vital tool in arson investigations.

  • The team is the only one of its kind in Orange County and among a small number statewide and nationwide.

  • Timber continues the legacy of retired K9 Freedom, whose work helped secure hundreds of arson convictions, reinforcing OCFA’s commitment to protecting life and property through highly effective fire investigations.

Game On, Eagles: Alumni Day Returns January 24 at Concordia Irvine

Concordia University Irvine is hosting Alumni Day on Saturday, January 24, featuring a fun, family-friendly lineup of sports and campus activities.

The day includes:

  • Baseball & Softball Alumni Games at 12 p.m.

  • Women’s Lacrosse Alumni Game (time TBD)

  • Men’s Volleyball vs. Saint Xavier at 5 p.m

Alumni and guests are invited to stay for a special reception in the Eagles’ Nest at CUI Arena during the volleyball match, with appetizers and drinks provided.

Kid-Friendly Weekend Fun: Super Saturday Starts at Irvine Public Library, Jan. 17

Irvine Public Library is launching Super Saturday, a new free program for kids in kindergarten through fifth gradefeaturing games, LEGO builds, and hands-on activities designed for fun, friendship, and learning. The kickoff event takes place Saturday, January 17, from 10:30–11:30 a.m. at University Park Library.

Stomach Pain Explained: Common Symptoms and Simple Care Tips

Abdominal pain can show up in many ways—from mild cramping or bloating to sharp, persistent pain that may signal something more serious. Understanding common symptoms and knowing how to care for minor discomfort—while recognizing when to seek medical help—can make a big difference in recovery.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

  • Dull, aching, sharp, or cramping pain in the abdomen

  • Pain that comes and goes or worsens over time

  • Bloating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • Fever, chills, or loss of appetite

  • Pain that spreads to the back, side, or lower abdomen

Tips for Care & Treatment

  • Seek medical care if pain is severe, sudden, or doesn’t improve—urgent care can help rule out serious causes like appendicitis or kidney stones.

  • Use over-the-counter relief (such as acetaminophen) for mild discomfort, if appropriate.

  • Apply gentle heat to relax muscles and ease cramping.

  • Stay hydrated, especially if symptoms include vomiting or diarrhea.

  • Rest your body and avoid strenuous activity while symptoms persist.

  • Avoid irritants like alcohol, caffeine, or heavy, spicy foods.

  • Try digestive support such as antacids, probiotics, or peppermint oil for certain stomach-related issues.

Plant Spotlight: Howard McMinn Manzanita Offers Beauty, Resilience, and Pollinator Appeal

Looking to refresh your yard with something beautiful and easy to care for? Irvine Ranch Water District’s January Plant of the Month is the Howard McMinn manzanita, a native evergreen that’s both hardy and eye-catching. It features smooth red bark, shiny green leaves, and soft pink-to-white flowers in winter and spring that attract pollinators, followed by small red berries. Growing 6–10 feet tall with a naturally rounded shape, it’s a great fit for local gardens with minimal upkeep.

Learn more in IRWD’s January Pipelines newsletter.

Weekend Vibes: Live Music Nights at Irvine Spectrum

Enjoy relaxed weekend live music at Irvine Spectrum Center on select Friday and Saturday evenings near H&M—an easy, fun way to unwind with friends and family or have a date. The January lineup features a rotating mix of local artists, with the next performances being on January 16 – 17.

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

  1. January 14, 7:00 – 10:00 PM: Dance Company: Winter Show, WHS Performing Arts

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

From Herding to Healing: How Original Dog Jobs Shape Behavior Today

Many dogs were bred to do specific jobs, and those instincts are still part of who they are today. When dogs don’t have enough to do, they can get bored or restless. Giving them activities that match their natural strengths helps them feel happier, calmer, and more content at home.

Dog Breeds & What They Naturally Enjoy

  • German Shepherds 🐕‍🦺
    Smart and loyal herders who enjoy learning, structured training, and roles like service or protection work.

  • Terriers 🐾
    Curious and determined hunters that love digging, exploring, and interactive games that keep them busy.

  • Coonhounds 🌙
    Nose-driven trackers that enjoy scent work and long walks; without it, they may bark or look for mischief.

  • Border Collies 🎾
    Energetic herders who thrive with games, agility, and activities that challenge both mind and body.

  • Golden Retrievers 💛
    Gentle retrievers who love helping, carrying things, swimming, and being close to their people.

Hunter Hernandez Named Big West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week

UC Irvine senior Hunter Hernandez earned her fourth Big West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honor this season after leading the Anteaters to a 2–0 week with back-to-back 20-point games. Hernandez averaged 20.5 points and 6 rebounds for the week, is the first Anteater to win four weekly awards in a season, and ranks among the nation’s leaders in scoring and free throws as UCI extends its 14-game win streak.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Volleyball

  • Wed, Jan 14 – vs Princeton, 6:00 PM

Women’s Tennis

  • Fri, Jan 16– vs Houston, 2:00 PM

  • Sun, Jan 18– vs Nevada, 11:00 AM

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Jan 17– vs UC Davis, 2:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Basketball

  • Wed, Jan 14 - vs Santiago Canyon, 5:00 PM

Baseball

  • Sat, Jan 17 - vs Mt. San Antonio, 11:00 AM

Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Finishes Strong to Defeat Foothill 57-45 in Crestview League Play

Crean Lutheran boys basketball held off a late Foothill rally to earn a 57-45 Crestview League win. Crean Lutheran looks ahead to getting healthy before its next league game and a potential Open or Division 1 CIF playoff run.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

January 2026

Wednesday, January 14

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:15 PM vs Woodbridge

Friday, January 16

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:15 PM vs Northwood

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:30 PM vs University

  • Soccer, Boys - 6:00 PM vs Laguna Beach

Suspect Arrested After Locker Room Thefts at Great Park Ice

After wallets and personal items were stolen from a locker room during a hockey game at Great Park Ice, Irvine Police used their Real Time Crime Center to identify the suspect’s vehicle. Detectives arrested 37-year-old Blake Andrew Nichols of Orange, who was booked into Orange County Jail on charges including burglary, identity theft, and possession of narcotics. All stolen items were recovered and returned.

Police remind residents to enable text and email alerts on credit cards to help catch fraud early.

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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