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Passport Service Hours Expanded with More Appointments Starting Feb. 23

Issue # 0572

Author

Joshua Tjia
19 Feb

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌎✈️ Passport Service Hours Expanded with More Appointments Starting Feb. 23

🏮🪭 Light Up the Season: Free Lantern Festival Returns to Segerstrom Center on March 7

🥟🥢  Tim Ho Wan Reopens in Irvine With Signature Dim Sum and New Exclusive Dishes

🤼‍♀️🌟 Northwood’s Ashlynn Lynch Claims First-Ever CIF-SS Girls Wrestling Title

🫐🍓🥞 Simple Tips and Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Breakfast

🐢🌱 Turtles, Trails and Fun: Join a Jr. Ranger Adventure for Kids at Mason Park, Feb. 27

💎🪴 Spring Adult Ceramics and Jewelry Classes Open for Registration

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛💕 Adopt a Pet and Take Home a Valentine’s Surprise

⚾️ UC Irvine Baseball Tops San Diego State 5–2 in 2026 Home Opener

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Cruises to CIF Semifinals with 83–58 Win

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔💰 Irvine Police Arrest Two After $2,600 Retail Theft at Bass Pro Shops

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What does rain do before marriage?

It precipiDATES!

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

Passport Service Hours Expanded with More Appointments Starting Feb. 23

The City of Irvine is expanding passport services at City Hall starting February 23. Passport applications will be available by appointment only Monday–Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Passport photos are offered for walk-ins Monday–Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., no appointment needed.

  • Services are located at the Office of Records & Information, 1st Floor.

  • More details are available at cityofirvine.org/passports, and renewals or lost/stolen passport issues should be handled at travel.state.gov/passports.

Light Up the Season: Free Lantern Festival Returns to Segerstrom Center on March 7

Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Pacific Symphony invite the community to a free, family-friendly Lantern Festival on March 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Co-hosted with the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, the day-long event features live music and dance performances, lantern decorating, riddles, a dragon dance, photo opportunities, food, and cultural demonstrations.

Tim Ho Wan Reopens in Irvine With Signature Dim Sum and New Exclusive Dishes

Tim Ho Wan has quietly reopened at Irvine’s Diamond Jamboree after a year-long closure and renovation, returning as the brand’s only California location.

  • The Michelin-recognized dim sum spot offers all-day, made-to-order favorites like its famous barbecue pork buns, har gow, siu mai, and steamed sponge cake, plus dishes such as crispy shrimp red rice rolls.

  • New highlights include Spanish Ibérico barbecue pork and Irvine-exclusive items like black truffle mushroom rice rolls and chocolate sesame balls.

Northwood’s Ashlynn Lynch Claims First-Ever CIF-SS Girls Wrestling Title

Northwood High School wrestler Ashlynn Lynch won the CIF-SS Girls Individual Wrestling Championship at the 2026 CIF-SS Southern Division tournament, marking the first CIF-SS girls wrestling title in school history. Lynch advanced through five rounds, defeating multiple top-seeded opponents. The championship followed a strong season that included notable performances at the Western Lady Pioneer Challenge and Pacific Coast League Finals.

Simple Tips and Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Breakfast

Starting your day with the right breakfast can make a big difference for your heart. UCI Health cardiologist Dr. Ailin Barseghian says meals high in protein and fiber help you feel full longer while supporting cardiovascular health.

Heart-Healthy Breakfast Tips:

  • Choose high-fiber foods: Fiber is linked to lower LDL cholesterol and healthier blood pressure.

  • Add quality protein: Protein helps keep you satisfied and supports overall heart health.

  • Try chia seeds: They’re packed with protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.

  • Prep ahead: Making breakfast in advance, like chia seed pudding, saves time and encourages mindful eating.

  • Boost with toppings: Add blueberries, almonds, and cacao for extra fiber and nutrients.

Turtles, Trails and Fun: Join a Jr. Ranger Adventure for Kids at Mason Park, Feb. 27

Kids ages 8–12 (all ages welcome with a parent or guardian) are invited to a fun Jr. Ranger Adventure at William Mason Regional Park on Friday, February 27. Participants can earn a Jr. Ranger Badge while learning about invasive animals and observing the park’s turtles in this easy, hands-on outdoor program.

Spring Adult Ceramics and Jewelry Classes Open for Registration

Registration for spring adult ceramics and jewelry classes with Arts in Irvine is open now. Adults of all skill levels can learn jewelry making and metal fabrication or try the pottery wheel. Classes fill up quickly, so sign up early at cityofirvine.org/yourirvine.

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. February 26-28: Cinderella Musical, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. February 26-28, TBD: Cinderella, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. February 21: CSUF SSAA Festival, CSU-Fullerton

  2. February 25-28, 7:00 PM: Seussical, IHS PAC

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

Adopt a Pet and Take Home a Valentine’s Surprise

Valentine’s Day may have passed, but Irvine Animal Care Center is keeping the love going. For a limited time, every dog and cat adoption comes with a free Valentine’s Giveaway Pack filled with goodies to celebrate your new furry companion. If you’ve been thinking about adopting, now’s the perfect time to meet your forever Valentine.

View available pets at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Baseball Tops San Diego State 5–2 in 2026 Home Opener

UC Irvine baseball opened its 2026 home schedule with a 5–2 win over San Diego State. The Anteaters now begin a six-game homestand, hosting California on Friday, February 20.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs California, 6:00 PM

Women’s Basketball

  • Thu, Feb 19 – vs Long Beach State, 6:00 PM

Women’s Water Polo

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

Women’s Tennis

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Portland, 6:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Tennis

  • Thu, Feb 19 – vs Mt. San Antonio, 2:00 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Long Beach, 6:00 PM

Baseball

  • Tue, Feb 24 – vs LA Valley, 1:00 PM

Women’s Beach Volleyball

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Cerritos, 10:00 AM

  • Fri, Feb 20 – vs Cal State Los Angeles, 12:00 PM

Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Cruises to CIF Semifinals with 83–58 Win

Top-seeded Crean Lutheran dominated from start to finish in an 83–58 win over Village Christian in a CIF Division 1 quarterfinal. The Saints advanced to the semifinals and clinched a spot in the CIF SoCal Regionals.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

February 2026

Thursday, February 19

  • Tennis, Boys - 3:15 PM vs El Toro

  • Beach Volleyball, Girls - 3:30 PM vs Mission Viejo

Saturday, February 21

  • Baseball - 11:00 AM vs Capistrano Valley

Irvine Police Arrest Two After $2,600 Retail Theft at Bass Pro Shops

Two Irvine men were arrested after attempting to steal more than $2,600 worth of archery equipment and metal detectors from Bass Pro Shops. Thanks to the Irvine Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center, dispatchers, and drone support, officers quickly tracked the suspects and recovered all stolen items. David Rezaei, 54, and Danial Farmahini Farahani, 43, were booked for grand theft, with Rezaei also facing additional narcotics-related charges.

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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