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Pressed Flowers, Custom Lipstick, and DIY Crafts: Irvine Spectrum Launches Hands-On Experiences

Issue # 0411

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌸🧵🌸 Pressed Flowers, Custom Lipstick, and DIY Crafts: Irvine Spectrum Launches Hands-On Experiences

💵🚔 13 Charged in $265M Crypto Theft Ring; Irvine Man Among Defendants

🎉🎊 Join the Fun at Irvine’s Better Together Event: Games and Activities for All Ages

🥘🍚 Paradise Biryani Pointe Brings Authentic Indian Cuisine to Irvine Spectrum with Weekday Discounts

🎶⭐️ Irvine Unified Recognized Nationally for Excellence in Music Education

😴🥗 Eat Your Way to Better Sleep with These Simple, Healthy Recipes

🌳🥾 Explore Nature Together on a Family-Friendly Hike Through Round Canyon

🎨🎉 Join the Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival on May 31

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐱🐰 Free Pet Adoptions at Irvine Animal Care Center on June 7

🏆 UC Irvine Men’s Track & Field Places Fifth at Big West Championships; Miksic Sets Javelin Record

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Crean Lutheran Baseball Defeats Top-Seeded La Habra 6-1 in CIF Playoff Opener

🏈🎾 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 did the flower say to his mum when he gave her a gift?

I hope thistle cheer you up!

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

Pressed Flowers, Custom Lipstick, and DIY Crafts: Irvine Spectrum Launches Hands-On Experiences

Irvine Spectrum Center has introduced four new hands-on experiences designed to engage visitors in creative, tactile activities.

  • Maivie offers pressed flower art workshops that encourage mindfulness and nature connection.

  • At Gem Studio, participants can create personalized jewelry.

  • Lip Lab by Bite allows customers to custom-mix lipstick shades for a tailored cosmetic product.

  • Tutu Fun provides a variety of DIY crafts such as beaded keychains, rug tufting, and phone case decorating, with walk-ins accepted and group reservations encouraged.

These offerings align with a growing interest in experiential retail and physical creativity.

13 Charged in $265M Crypto Theft Ring; Irvine Man Among Defendants

Thirteen individuals have been federally charged in a $265 million cryptocurrency theft and laundering operation, including Kunal Mehta, a 45-year-old Irvine resident.

  • The defendants—ranging from teens to adults—allegedly targeted crypto-rich victims, stole funds through online schemes, and laundered the proceeds using shell wallets, mixers, and VPNs.

  • Lavish spending followed, including luxury cars, private rentals, watches, and nightclub services.

  • One heist alone involved $245 million stolen by Malone Lam, a Singapore native and alleged ringleader.

  • The group also used stuffed toys like Squishmallows to hide cash. Charges include RICO conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction.

  • Multiple arrests were made nationwide.

Join the Fun at Irvine’s Better Together Event: Games and Activities for All Ages

The City of Irvine is hosting Better Together, a community event open to all ages featuring live entertainment, classic games, Kick-it Cardio, Bingo, a magic show, and an opportunity drawing. The event is designed to encourage community engagement and social connection. Registration is available at cityofirvine.org/yourirvine. 

Paradise Biryani Pointe Brings Authentic Indian Cuisine to Irvine Spectrum with Weekday Discounts

Paradise Biryani Pointe is now open at the Irvine Spectrum Center, serving authentic Indian dishes like Hyderabadi Biryani, Moghlai, and Tandoori cuisine. Stop by for lunch, dinner, or takeout.

To celebrate their grand opening, enjoy a flat 10% discount on everything every Monday to Thursday—for a limited time only!

Irvine Unified Recognized Nationally for Excellence in Music Education

The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education for the 14th consecutive year. This national designation acknowledges the district’s continued support for music and arts education.

  • In 2025, IUSD is one of only three school districts in California—and the only one in Orange County—to receive the award.

  • Nationwide, 935 out of more than 13,000 school districts were selected.

Additional details are available at iusd.org/BCME2025.

Eat Your Way to Better Sleep with These Simple, Healthy Recipes

Lack of sleep affects over 25% of adults and raises health risks. UCI Health experts recommend foods rich in tryptophan, magnesium, and calcium—like leafy greens, beans, chicken, and even dark chocolate—to help boost melatonin and serotonin for better rest. Chef Jessica VanRoo shares three simple, sleep-friendly recipes packed with these nutrients.

Cream of Broccoli Soup with Cauliflower Parmesan Crisp
A creamy soup made from broccoli, beans, and vegetable broth, blended smooth and seasoned with herbs. Served with oven-baked crisps made from riced cauliflower and Parmesan cheese for added texture and nutrients that support melatonin production.

Braised Chicken Thighs with Kale and White Beans
Bone-in chicken thighs are braised with garlic, leeks, kale, and white beans in a light broth with Dijon mustard and lemon. This one-pot meal is rich in tryptophan, calcium, and brain-boosting nutrients, ideal for promoting restful sleep.

Dark Chocolate Blueberry Bark
Melted dark chocolate is topped with blueberries, chia and pumpkin seeds, almonds, and sea salt, then chilled and broken into bars. This antioxidant-rich treat supports relaxation and brain health but should be eaten earlier in the day due to its caffeine content.

Find recipes here

Explore Nature Together on a Family-Friendly Hike Through Round Canyon

Join the Family Hike at Round Canyon on Saturday, May 31, from 5:00–7:30 p.m., for a guided, family-friendly nature walk through Irvine’s Open Space Preserve. This 2.5-mile, level-2 hike is paced slowly with moderate interpretation, ideal for spotting mule deer and red-tailed hawks.

Join the Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival on May 31

Join the Beckman Arts & Science Family Festival on May 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. This free public event offers interactive science exhibits, art activities, live performances, and hands-on experiences designed to highlight the connection between science and the arts. The festival is open to all ages and includes educational and creative programming.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 21st - 22nd, 7:00 PM: POPS Concerts, NHS Theater

  2. May 30th, 7:00 PM: POPS Gala, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No upcoming events

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 23, 6:00 - 9:00 PM: Jazz & Percussion Concert

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 30, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

No upcoming events

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Upcoming Portola High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 30, 7:00 PM: Vocal Concert

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

Free Pet Adoptions at Irvine Animal Care Center on June 7

The Irvine Animal Care Center is participating in California Adopt-a-Pet Day on Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this special statewide event, all adoption fees will be waived, thanks to support from the ASPCA and CalAnimals. It's the perfect opportunity to find your new furry friend for free.

Visit cityofirvine.org/animals to preview adoptable pets.

UC Irvine Men’s Track & Field Places Fifth at Big West Championships; Miksic Sets Javelin Record

UC Irvine men's track & field placed fifth at the Big West Championships, led by standout Liam Miksic, who won his third consecutive javelin title and broke his own school record with a throw of 71.06m.

  • Other key performances included Jacob Hawkins (2nd in discus), Kenechukwu Okonkwo (2nd in triple jump), and Angel Cordero (2nd in the 800m with the 4th-fastest time in program history).

  • Freshman Justin Johnson impressed in the 200m, and several others scored in hurdles, pole vault, and relays.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No upcoming events

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No upcoming events

Crean Lutheran Baseball Defeats Top-Seeded La Habra 6-1 in CIF Playoff Opener

Crean Lutheran upset top-seeded La Habra 6-1 in the CIF Division 2 playoff opener on Friday, marking their third win over their league rival this season. Strong pitching by Ethan Chavez and Blake Armstrong held La Habra to one run, while Ben Keller led the offense with three hits and three RBI. Additional contributions came from Quinn Tucker, Ian McDermott, and Davis Rutten, with key defensive plays preventing La Habra from capitalizing on scoring chances. The Saints (19-10) advance to face West Ranch in the second round. La Habra, finishing 19-10, was eliminated after a strong late-season run.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With May Schedule

Northwood High School Monthly Athletics Calendar (All Level)

No upcoming events

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No upcoming events

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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