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Pacific Symphony Welcomes Aubree Oliverson for Korngold Violin Concerto, Jan. 15–17

Issue # 0545

Author

Joshua Tjia
09 Jan

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Fun Fact Friday

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌼🎻🌼  Pacific Symphony Welcomes Aubree Oliverson for Korngold Violin Concerto, Jan. 15–17

🌩️🔥 UCI Scientists Identify Key Causes of California’s Worst Wildfires

🧋🌱Tastea Launches New Pandan Drink Series

🗂️💵 Free Tax Filing Help Available in Irvine on February 3

📝📚 IUSD Hosts a Night to Help Families Understand PSAT and PreACT Scores, Jan. 13

🧠 Simple Everyday Habits That Help Keep Your Brain Sharp Over Time

🔍🐦‍⬛ Grab Your Binoculars: Winter Birdwatching at Peters Canyon, Jan. 21

🎷🎶 Jazz in the Palm Court Brings Live Music to Great Park on Jan. 25

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🍿 Celebrate National Popcorn Day at Regal with Free Popcorn on Jan. 19

🏐 UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Harvard to Open 2026 Season

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 Irvine Valley Women's Basketball Open OEC With 51–49 Win Over Cypress

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 University Boys Basketball Rallies Past St. Margaret’s, 63–48, in PCL Opener

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔💊 Man on Probation Booked Into County Jail Following Drug-Related Arrest

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you know?

Baby beavers are called kits, and they nurse for about six weeks before switching to solid plant food brought by the whole family.

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

Pacific Symphony Welcomes Aubree Oliverson for Korngold Violin Concerto, Jan. 15–17

Pacific Symphony welcomes back acclaimed violinist Aubree Oliverson as soloist for Korngold’s Violin Concerto at Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Praised for her passionate, expressive playing by New York Classical Review, Oliverson brings her signature lyricism to Shelley Conducts Stravinsky’s Firebird, running Jan. 15–17.

Find tickets here

UCI Scientists Identify Key Causes of California’s Worst Wildfires

A recent study conducted by researchers at UCI examines why certain wildfire seasons in California are markedly more destructive than others. The research identifies clusters of lightning-ignited fires, referred to as fire complexes, as a primary driver of the most severe fire years.

  • Disproportionate impact: Although less common than single-ignition fires, fire complexes account for a substantial share of the total area burned.

  • Increased intensity after merging: When individual fires within a complex converge, they tend to intensify rather than diminish.

  • Atmospheric effects: Merging fires can generate extreme fire behavior, including fire-induced thunderstorms that produce erratic winds and complicate suppression efforts.

  • Documented examples: Large-scale events such as the August Complex Fire and the KNP Complex Fire demonstrate the destructive potential of fire complexes.

  • Operational challenges: Fire complexes often grow rapidly and persist for extended periods, placing significant demands on firefighting resources.

  • Forecasting implications: The findings indicate a need for improved forecasting of dry lightning events to support more effective wildfire preparedness and response strategies.

Tastea Launches New Pandan Drink Series

It’s pandan time at Tastea! Tastea has rolled out a brand-new Pandan Series featuring Pandan Matcha, Pandan Milk Tea, and a Pandan Oreo Smoothie. The trio is available now at all Tastea locations, offering a sweet, fragrant twist that pandan lovers will want to sip ASAP.

Free Tax Filing Help Available in Irvine on February 3

The City of Irvine, in partnership with Orange County United Way, will offer free tax filing services on Tuesday, February 3, from 12–6 p.m. for qualifying individuals who live, work, or attend school in Irvine. IRS-trained volunteers will assist with preparing tax returns.

Appointments:
Scheduling opens in late January. Call 211 or visit ocfreetaxprep.com to make an appointment.

Location:
Harvard Community Center

IUSD Hosts a Night to Help Families Understand PSAT and PreACT Scores, Jan. 13

Irvine Unified School District is hosting a PSAT/PreACT Scoreback Night on January 13 from 6–7 p.m. to help students and families understand test scores and learn about next steps.

Register here

Simple Everyday Habits That Help Keep Your Brain Sharp Over Time

Taking care of your brain doesn’t require drastic changes—just small, consistent habits that add up over time. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia, UCI Health neuropsychologist Hayley B. Kristinsson says staying active in body, mind, and social life can help lower risk and support healthier brain aging.

Brain-Healthy Tips You Can Start Now

  • Get moving: Regular exercise helps memory, focus, and processing speed—and bonus, it’s great for your heart too.

  • Eat smart, not perfect: A brain-friendly approach like the MIND diet focuses on veggies, berries, whole grains, fish, and nuts, while going lighter on red meat and butter.

  • Take care of your health: Managing things like blood pressure, diabetes, weight, and smoking supports both heart and brain health.

  • Stay connected: Time with friends, family, or community groups boosts mood and helps protect thinking skills—yes, game nights count!

  • Challenge your mind (in fun ways): Learn something new, try puzzles, read, or pick up a new hobby that stretches your brain without stressing you out.

  • Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours a night—good sleep helps your brain recharge and stay resilient over time.

Grab Your Binoculars: Winter Birdwatching at Peters Canyon, Jan. 21

Join a free Winter Birdwatching interpretive walk at Peters Canyon Regional Park on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 7:30–9:30 a.m. Led by an experienced OC Parks volunteer, this easy, two-hour stroll explores winter birds in the trees and scrub areas. Bring binoculars, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy a peaceful morning connecting with nature.

Jazz in the Palm Court Brings Live Music to Great Park on Jan. 25

Enjoy an afternoon of live jazz at Jazz in the Palm Court on Sunday, January 25, from 1–3 p.m. at the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex. This three-part concert series celebrates the full spectrum of jazz, from blues and swing to bebop and contemporary styles. Guests are encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy the music.

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

Celebrate National Popcorn Day at Regal with Free Popcorn on Jan. 19

Celebrate National Popcorn Day at Regal on Monday, January 19, by dressing up in your favorite costume and scoring a FREE large popcorn—just tell the concessionist who you’re dressed as. Join the festivities, snack big, and show off your creativity.

UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Harvard to Open 2026 Season

The UC Irvine Anteaters opened the 2026 men’s volleyball season with a dominant 3–0 sweep of Harvard Crimson at the Asics Invitational. UCI controlled the net (11–3 blocks), hit .379, and held Harvard to .055.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Jan 10 – vs Hawai'i, 2:00 PM

Irvine Valley Women's Basketball Open OEC With 51–49 Win Over Cypress

The Irvine Valley Lasers opened Orange Empire Conference play with a 51–49 win over Cypress. Kivonni Williams led IVC with 14 points, and the Lasers improved to 15–2 overall and 1–0 in conference.

🏐⚽🏀 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

University Boys Basketball Rallies Past St. Margaret’s, 63–48, in PCL Opener

University boys basketball opened Pacific Coast League play with a 63–48 win over St. Margaret’s on Tuesday night. After trailing at halftime, University took control with a 14–0 run to start the third quarter and pulled away late.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

January 2026

Friday, January 9

  • Soccer, Boys - 5:00 PM vs Portola

  • Basketball, Boys - 7:00 PM vs Portola

Man on Probation Booked Into County Jail Following Drug-Related Arrest

Irvine Police Department officers arrested 23-year-old James Carton, who had an outstanding warrant and was on probation for drug sales, following surveillance by the Special Investigations Unit. He was located near 18th Street and Santa Ana Avenue in Costa Mesa, where a search of his vehicle uncovered suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl. Carton was booked into Orange County Jail on the warrant and additional charges for possession of narcotics for sale.

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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