• Irvine Insider
  • Posts
  • Orange County’s Largest Owl: Meet the Great Horned Hunter of the Night

Orange County’s Largest Owl: Meet the Great Horned Hunter of the Night

Issue # 0459

Author

Joshua Tjia
06 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎭💭 Irvine Theater Company Premieres New “Brain-Based Acting” Festival

🚒🧯 OCFA Rolls Out New SCBA Gear to Boost Firefighter Safety

🌺🌴 Thursday Night Market Returns August 14 with Island Vibes at Great Park Live

🍨🍂 Fall Flavors Can’t Wait: Pumpkin Swirl Returns Early to Yogurtland

🍝🍕 Family Fun Night Returns August 8 with Italian-Themed Festivities at Woodbridge

🤕 Concussions: Signs, Care, and Recovery

🦉 Orange County’s Largest Owl: Meet the Great Horned Hunter of the Night

🩰 Join Crystal Huang for a One-Day Dance Masterclass at OC Music & Dance

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐇 Weekly Update: Adoptions, Rescues, and Reunifications at Irvine Animal Care Center

🏊 At Woollett Aquatics Center, Armstrong and Dressel Shine in 50m Free Final

⚽️ UC Irvine Men’s Soccer Adds 8 New Players for 2025–26

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 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

Why should you never go into battle barefoot?

You'll get de-feeted!

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

Irvine Theater Company Premieres New “Brain-Based Acting” Festival

David Ihrig, artistic director of the Irvine Theater Company, developed a “brain-based acting” method focused on character belief systems and memories, created with help from UCI neuroscientists.

  • This approach will debut in Disconnected: The Stories We Stand to Lose, a 10-minute play festival on August 8–9 at Canvas in Irvine.

  • The show features seven short plays performed by actors trained in this new technique.

  • Ihrig also hopes to build a “Theater of Tomorrow” at the Great Park, using immersive sound and visuals to enhance live performance.

  • More Info: irvinetheatercompany.com

OCFA Rolls Out New SCBA Gear to Boost Firefighter Safety

OCFA has upgraded to a new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) system to enhance firefighter safety and performance in hazardous environments.

  • The new SCBA features increased air time, improved radio communication, thermal imaging cameras, and alert systems for evacuation and air monitoring.

  • Firefighters are undergoing classroom instruction, fittings, and hands-on training to ensure proper use of the equipment.

Thursday Night Market Returns August 14 with Island Vibes at Great Park Live

Mark your calendar for the next Thursday Night Market on August 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Great Park Live. Enjoy tropical-themed food, live music, local vendors, a Kids Zone, and fun for all ages under the evening sky.

Fall Flavors Can’t Wait: Pumpkin Swirl Returns Early to Yogurtland

Yogurtland has launched its Pumpkin Pie + Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl flavor, bringing fall flavors early by popular demand. Perfect for those who can’t wait until September, this seasonal favorite blends classic autumn tastes in one creamy swirl.

Family Fun Night Returns August 8 with Italian-Themed Festivities at Woodbridge

Don’t miss the final Family Fun Night of the season at Woodbridge Village Center’s Courtyard on Friday, August 8 from 5–7 p.m. Enjoy “Jamboree Al Fresco” with live Italian music, a noodle necklace craft for kids, a cannoli and Italian soda bar, and a lively musical giveaway.

Concussions: Signs, Care, and Recovery

Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that can happen from falls, sports, car accidents, or sudden head movements. While often considered minor, they can lead to serious complications if not treated properly. Recognizing the symptoms early and getting the right care is essential for a full recovery.

Signs to Watch For:

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion

  • Nausea

  • Memory issues

  • Light/noise sensitivity

What to Do:

  • Rest

  • Limit screen activity

  • Seek medical care promptly

  • Follow all recovery instructions

Orange County’s Largest Owl: Meet the Great Horned Hunter of the Night

The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is the largest and most common owl in Orange County. Often found in large pine or eucalyptus trees near open fields, they hunt rodents and can be heard after sunset with their distinctive "who" call. Despite their prominent head tufts, these are not ears—real ears are lower, asymmetrical, and help them precisely locate sounds in the dark.

  • You can often hear them around Irvine’s parks and neighborhoods—have a listen here to identify some of their calls.

  • These amazing owls are a special part of our community— if you see one, remember to be gentle and not disturb them, so they can keep calling Irvine home.

  • Feel free to share if and where you have spotted one of these feathery friends.

Join Crystal Huang for a One-Day Dance Masterclass at OC Music & Dance

Join an inspiring dance workshop with rising star Crystal Huang on Thursday, August 7, from 10:00–11:30 AM at OC Music & Dance – Studio 2 in Irvine. A gifted performer with experience at venues like Radio City Music Hall and training from elite ballet institutions, Crystal will share her talents in this special open class.

Event Details:

  • Date & Time: August 7, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

  • Location: OC Music & Dance - Studio 2, 17620 Fitch #160, Irvine, CA

  • Price: $45 + $1.13 service fee

  • More information

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

Weekly Update: Adoptions, Rescues, and Reunifications at Irvine Animal Care Center

From July 27 to August 3, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated the adoption of 7 dogs, 14 cats, and 2 rabbits. Among the adopted pets were Condor, Milo, Frida, Kiwi, and Cherry.

  • Additionally, 2 cats, 1 bird, and 1 guinea pig were sent to rescue, while 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 bird were reunited with their owners.

  • For adoption info and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

At Woollett Aquatics Center, Armstrong and Dressel Shine in 50m Free Final

At the 2025 U.S. Summer Championships in Irvine, Olympian Hunter Armstrong clocked a lifetime-best 21.76 in the men’s 50m freestyle to finish second behind Jamie Jack (21.63).

  • Fellow Olympian and American record holder Caeleb Dressel placed third in 21.94, marking his first sub-22 swim of the season.

  • Armstrong, known more for his backstroke, had not broken 22 seconds before this meet, while Dressel, a multi-time world and Olympic champion, is continuing his return to form.

  • Neither competed at the 2025 Nationals or World Championships but remain key figures in U.S. sprinting.

UC Irvine Men’s Soccer Adds 8 New Players for 2025–26

UC Irvine men’s soccer welcomes eight recruits for the 2025–26 season, including four freshmen, two Division I transfers (from NC State and Army West Point), and two from lower divisions. The group features players from California, Texas, Virginia, England, and South Korea, covering all positions.

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.

S

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

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Irvine and surrounding areas and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Irvine Insider with them! It’s simple!