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Rhythmic Gymnast Annaliese Dragan Represents Irvine in 2024 Olympics

Issue # 0163

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🤸🏽Rhythmic Gymnast Annaliese Dragan Represents Irvine in 2024 Olympics

🏆🌟 Lakeside Middle School’s 8th Grade Team Heads to National Pentathlon After State Success

🍊🎠 Exciting Events at the Great Park: Don’t Miss Out This Week! (May 13–19)

🦇🌾 Volunteer for Summer Bat Walks at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

🏫📖 IUSD Empowers Students with Career Skills at Annual CTE Meeting

🏥✨ Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care Officially Opens at UCI Health – Irvine

🌳🏇 Explore New Trails at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness on June 8th

🥧👩🏻‍🍳 Sign Up for Teen Culinary Workshop: Master Pie Baking at Irvine Fine Arts Center

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈 Find Your Calming Companion: Adopt Mochi and Other Pets at Irvine Animal Care Center Today

⚾️ UC Irvine Baseball Sweeps Long Beach State in Rivalry Series with 7-1 Victory

🏃🏽‍♀️ UC Irvine Women's Track & Field Team Secures Best Finish Since 1996 at Big West Championships

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 Irvine Valley College Sends Two Teams to 3C2A Beach Volleyball Championships

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🎾 University High Boys Tennis Wins Third Straight CIF Title

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🛒 Suspects Steal $2,000 Worth of Merchandise from Irvine Costco

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the moon break up with the sun?

Because he never wanted to go out with her at night!

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

Rhythmic Gymnast Annaliese Dragan Represents Irvine in 2024 Olympics

Irvine’s Annaliese Dragan, an 18-year-old rhythmic gymnast, will compete for a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris. Annaliese, who trains at her mother Paula Dragan's gym, Nimble Rhythmic Gymnastics, has dreamt of this moment since she was six. After her breakthrough at an international competition at age 11, she intensified her training and now works with a sports psychologist. Annaliese, who will compete for Romania, qualified for the Olympics at the 2023 World Championships in Spain. In Paris, she will perform four routines, each with a different apparatus, aiming to advance to the finals and achieve her lifelong dream.

Lakeside Middle School’s 8th Grade Team Heads to National Pentathlon After State Success

Lakeside Middle School’s 8th-grade Pentathlon team, after securing second place at the California Academic Pentathlon and first place in the Super Quiz segment, is preparing for the United States Academic Pentathlon in Arizona this May. Several team members also won individual medals. This national competition includes five events testing knowledge and skills in fine arts, literature, mathematics, science, and social science. The team has been meeting weekly for months, focusing on this year's theme, "Technology and Humanity." Congratulations and good luck to the Lakeside Pentathletes!

Exciting Events at the Great Park: Don’t Miss Out This Week! (May 13–19)

  • Join the Great Park Farm + Food Lab Garden Workshop on Saturday, May 18, from 10–11 a.m. for a session on creating a backyard pollinator garden.

  • Don't miss the Great Park Certified Farmers Market on Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Parking Lot 2.

  • Carousel rides are available Thursday through Sunday. For more classes and activities for all ages, visit cityofirvine.org/yourirvine.

Volunteer for Summer Bat Walks at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Join Sea and Sage Audubon Society's Summer Bat Walk Programs as a volunteer! Familiarize yourself with the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and share your bat knowledge with the public. Attend two training sessions and assist with 1.5-hour night walks on Saturdays in August and September. Learn about local bat species, echolocation, and nocturnal adaptations while guiding visitors safely in the dark. Experience sunset at the marsh, night bird sounds, and the aerodynamics of bats. Commit to training on June 8 and July 13, and volunteer for 2-3 Bat Walks. Email Project Director Trude Hurd at [email protected] to RSVP.

IUSD Empowers Students with Career Skills at Annual CTE Meeting

IUSD’s College and Career Readiness team recently hosted their annual Career Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committee meeting. CTE programs equip students with the skills and experiences needed for specific careers, combining academic learning with hands-on training and industry certifications. Students shared how CTE courses have benefited them, highlighting college and career readiness, real-world skills, and networking opportunities. The meeting also reviewed labor market information, emphasizing the importance of high-demand, high-paying careers. To learn more about CTE in IUSD, visit iusd.org/CTE.

#IUSD #iusdCTE #IUSDCommunity #CollegeAndCareerReadiness

Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care Officially Opens at UCI Health – Irvine

The Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care at UCI Health – Irvine is now open, offering over 15 specialties to residents of coastal and south Orange County. This new facility marks a significant advancement in local healthcare. Make your appointment today: https://bit.ly/3uWPeDd.

Explore New Trails at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness on June 8th

Explore 6 miles of new trails at Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, located within OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Open June 8th, 8am-2pm; first come, first served. Equestrians should email [email protected] for parking coordination. The area features seven new trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, with two lookout points offering canyon views and prehistoric rock formations. Trails vary from easy to moderate, with loops available for self-guided exploration. Note that Gypsum Canyon Wilderness is home to various wildlife and requires staying on designated trails. Dogs are prohibited, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. I

Sign Up for Teen Culinary Workshop: Master Pie Baking at Irvine Fine Arts Center

Calling all culinary teens! Sign up for the Teen Culinary Workshop: Pies on May 20, 4–6:30 p.m. at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. Learn pie-making fundamentals, from flaky crusts to flavorful fillings, with an expert instructor. Create a classic sweet pie and design your own savory pie. Have fun, get messy, and enjoy your delicious creations in a supportive environment. Register today at https://bit.ly/2RrZyz0.

#TeenCulinaryWorkshop #PieBaking #IrvineFineArts #ArtHappensHere #LearnToBake #WeAreIrvine

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2023-24-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 31st, 7 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Choral Calendar

  1. Tues & Wed, May 28 & 29, 3:30-6:30 PM: Dress rehearsal “Voices” (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  2. Thurs.- Sat, May 30-June 1, 7:00 PM: Voices 2024 (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  3. Wed, June 5, 7:00 PM: Heritage Awards (Chorale) at IHS Gym.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html

Find Your Calming Companion: Adopt Mochi and Other Pets at Irvine Animal Care Center Today

Meet Mochi, a gentle and affectionate cat who loves lounging in the sun. Initially shy, he quickly warms up to gentle pets and kind words, bringing calming vibes and endless cuddles. Meet Mochi and other adoptable animals today at the Irvine Animal Care Center. Learn more at irvineanimals.org.

#AdoptDontShop #RescuePets #IrvineAnimals

UC Irvine Baseball Sweeps Long Beach State in Rivalry Series with 7-1 Victory

UC Irvine baseball completed a sweep of Long Beach State in the Black & Blue Rivalry Series with a 7-1 win at Bohl Diamond. Tim Grack, in his first weekend start, allowed just three hits and an unearned run over five innings, striking out seven. Ricky Ojeda dominated in relief, retiring all nine batters he faced, and Ricky Tibbett closed with a spotless ninth inning. Anthony Martinez’s bases-loaded double and Caden Kendle’s two-out homer were key offensive highlights. UC Irvine's pitchers combined to set down the final 14 outs in a row. The Anteaters will face Loyola Marymount next on May 14 at 6:00 PM. Head coach Ben Orloff praised the team’s pitching and key offensive moments, especially highlighting Ojeda's performance.

UC Irvine Women's Track & Field Team Secures Best Finish Since 1996 at Big West Championships

The UC Irvine women's track & field team secured second place at the 2024 Big West Championships, their best finish since 1996. Cal Poly won the event, leading by just 11.75 points. Jolie Robinson was named The Big West Women's Field Athlete of the Meet for the second consecutive year, excelling in the heptathlon, long jump, and javelin. Freshman Kailah McKenzie became UCI's first Big West women's high jump champion since 2009. Notable performances included Deandra Tyler and Emily Hutchinson tying in the shot put, with Hutchinson winning on a tiebreaker, and Nyla Baker setting a personal record to place third. UCI also earned significant points in the 800m final, 100m hurdles, 4x100 relay, and 4x400 relay, showcasing strong team efforts across multiple events.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  1. Tue, May 14: vs Loyola Marymount, 6:00 PM

  2. Thu, May 23: vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

  3. Fri, May 24: vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

  4. Sat, May 25: vs CSUN, 1:00 PM

Irvine Valley College Sends Two Teams to 3C2A Beach Volleyball Championships

Two Irvine Valley College teams will compete in the 3C2A Pairs State Championships at West Valley College in Saratoga, Northern California, starting Friday. IVC pairs Tessa Marocco & Kenzie Dews and Natalia Brandlin & Audrey Fowler qualified after strong performances in the So. Cal. Regionals. The event features pool play on Friday and single-elimination bracket play on Saturday. Updates will be provided throughout the competition. Feather River leads with three pairs, while several other colleges, including IVC, are sending two pairs each.

🏐🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

No upcoming IVC home games

University High Boys Tennis Wins Third Straight CIF Title

University High School’s boys tennis team, coached by John Kessler, won their third consecutive CIF open division title by defeating Corona del Mar 11-7 at the University of Redlands. Key contributions came from captains SangHyuk Im, Bradley Yung, and freshman Rishvanth Krishna, along with strong doubles performances. This victory marks University’s 15th CIF title and their fourth in the last five years. Both teams advance to the So Cal Regionals at the Claremont Club. Coach Kessler praised the team's hard work, dedication, and leadership.

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No upcoming home games.

Suspects Steal $2,000 Worth of Merchandise from Irvine Costco

Help identify suspects who stole $2,000 worth of merchandise from Costco on March 30. Email tips to [email protected].

#irvine #irvinepolice #irvinepd #police #wanted #lawenforcement #cityofirvine #orangecounty

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 55% - 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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