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Ride, Pedal, Paddle & Snack Your Way Through Irvine Park

Issue # 0558

Author

Joshua Tjia
29 Jan

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🪭🐎🪭 Gallop Into the Year of the Horse: Lion Dances, Family Fun & Festivities at The Market Place

🚂🛶 Ride, Pedal, Paddle & Snack Your Way Through Irvine Park

🚜🚧 What’s Happening Around Irvine: January Road & Sidewalk Improvements

📢🍿 Woodbridge Comedy Night Returns with Valentine’s Edition on Feb. 6

🧵🎨 Family Craft Time: Free Drop-In Crafts for All Ages on Feb. 7

🥗🧠 Food for Thought: How Nutrition Supports Mental Wellness

🌳🥾 After-Work Fitness Hike Returns to Hicks Haul Road on Feb. 2

🎤🎶 Concordia University Irvine Presents A Concert for Valentines on Feb. 7

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕 Meet Axel: A Happy Pup Ready for His Forever Home in Irvine

🏐 Trevor Clark Named Anteater of the Week After Dominant Volleyball Performances vs. BYU

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Woodbridge Girls Basketball Ends Irvine’s Seven-Game Streak With 42–28 League Win

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Police Arrest Three in Joint Irvine–Newport Beach Burglary Ring Investigation

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Did you hear about the two tennis players that fell in love?

It was a courtship.

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

Gallop Into the Year of the Horse: Lion Dances, Family Fun & Festivities at The Market Place

Join the Lunar New Year Celebration: Golden Gathering at The Market Place — a lively, free community event on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 12–3 p.m. in Paradise Park near Regal Edwards. Enjoy dynamic lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, rhythmic drum teams, prosperity postcards, giveaways, and more.

Ride, Pedal, Paddle & Snack Your Way Through Irvine Park

Looking for an easy, outdoor outing the whole family will love? 🚂🌳 Irvine Park Railroad at Irvine Regional Park has a full lineup of classic park fun—from train rides and rentals to zoo visits and tasty treats.

Events & Activities:

  • 🚂 Irvine Park Railroad

    • Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

    • Sat–Sun: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

    • $7 per person | Kids 12 months & under ride FREE

  • 🚲 Irvine Park Rentals

    • Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

    • Sat–Sun: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

    • Bike rentals: $12–$42 per hour

    • Paddle boats: $22 per 30 minutes

    • 🎉 50% off before noon, Monday–Friday

  • 🐻 OC Zoo

    • Mon–Fri: 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

    • Sat–Sun: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    • $2 admission | Children 2 & under FREE

  • 🍔 Concessions

    • Two concession stands offering cold drinks, hot meals, snacks, and sweet treats

Perfect for a weekday adventure or a weekend family plan—see you at the park!

What’s Happening Around Irvine: January Road & Sidewalk Improvements

This January several infrastructure projects are moving forward to improve roads, sidewalks, and accessibility across the city.

  • 🚧 Walnut & Deerfield Streets: Sidewalk, curb, and driveway work is underway, with street grinding and overlay scheduled for next month.

  • 🚧 Jamboree & Michelson Bridge: Pile cap work is complete, and construction on the east side will begin soon.

  • 🚧 JOST / I-5 Bridge: Concrete finishing and retaining wall work continue.

  • 🚧 Irvine Business Complex: ADA sidewalk and driveway upgrades are ongoing, with more improvements planned next month.

Woodbridge Comedy Night Returns with Valentine’s Edition on Feb. 6

Enjoy an evening of laughs at Woodbridge Comedy Night: Valentine’s Edition on Friday, February 6, from 7:00–8:45 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Center. The show features comedians Tom Clark, Frances Dilorinzo, and Cathy Ladman. Grab your tickets and make it a fun night out!

Family Craft Time: Free Drop-In Crafts for All Ages on Feb. 7

Join Irvine Public Library for a fun, hands-on Family Craft Time where kids and caregivers can create together in a relaxed, all-ages setting. The free event takes place Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at University Park Library. No registration is required, and all supplies are provided—just drop in and get crafty.

Food for Thought: How Nutrition Supports Mental Wellness

What you eat doesn’t just fuel your body—it can also affect your mood, energy, and overall mental well-being. Research continues to show that smart, balanced food choices can support brain health and help manage everyday stress, anxiety, and low moods.

Tips to Support Mental Wellness Through Food:

  • 🧠 Feed your brain: Choose whole, nutrient-rich foods to help support focus and emotional balance.

  • 🐟 Add healthy fats: Enjoy omega-3s from fish, nuts, or seeds to support mood regulation.

  • 🥬 Go green often: Leafy greens provide key vitamins that support brain function.

  • 🦠 Support your gut: Include yogurt or other fermented foods to help maintain a healthy gut-brain connection.

  • 🍓 Think colorful: Berries and fruits offer antioxidants that support overall brain health.

  • 💧 Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water helps with energy, focus, and mood.

  • 🍫 Enjoy treats mindfully: A little dark chocolate can be a mood-boosting bonus.

Small, simple changes can add up—start with one healthy swap and build from there.

After-Work Fitness Hike Returns to Hicks Haul Road on Feb. 2

Join a fun and energizing After Work Fitness Hike on Monday, February 2, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. along the paved Hicks Haul Road in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. This 3.5-mile hike to the top of Loma Ridge is a great way to unwind after work, enjoy beautiful sunset views, and get your steps in at a brisk but approachable pace (about 3–3.5 mph).

Concordia University Irvine Presents A Concert for Valentines on Feb. 7

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with A Concert for Valentines on Saturday, February 7, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at the Nelson Amphitheater on the campus of Concordia University Irvine. This outdoor concert features Concordia’s Donne di Canto and Men’s Chorus, led by conductor Clarissa Shan, performing romantic and heartwarming songs by choirs and soloists.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. February 11-14: Musical -Mean Girls, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Meet Axel: A Happy Pup Ready for His Forever Home in Irvine

Meet Axel, one of the longest-staying pups at Irvine Animal Care Center! This happy, easygoing dog is ready for a fresh start with a loving family who enjoys treats, walks, and plenty of cuddles. Axel would make a loyal four-legged best friend and can’t wait to start new adventures with his people.

Learn more about adoptable pets and the adoption process at cityofirvine.org/animals.

Trevor Clark Named Anteater of the Week After Dominant Volleyball Performances vs. BYU

Junior Trevor Clark was named Anteater of the Week after powering UC Irvine Anteaters to back-to-back road wins over BYU Cougars, posting 24 kills on a .639 hitting percentage and 12 blocks across two five-set victories. The 6-foot-10 middle now ranks among the Big West and national leaders in total blocks.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Basketball

  • Thurs, Jan 29 – vs Hawai'i , 8:00 PM

Men’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Jan 30 – vs Stanford , 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Jan 31 – vs Stanford , 6:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  • Sat, Jan 31 – vs Grand Canyon , 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Volleyball

  • Fri, Jan 30 - vs Antelope Valley, 6:00 PM

Baseball

  • Sat, Jan 31 - vs West LA, 12:00 PM

Woodbridge Girls Basketball Ends Irvine’s Seven-Game Streak With 42–28 League Win

Woodbridge girls basketball defeated Irvine 42–28 on the road, snapping Irvine’s seven-game winning streak and handing them their first league loss. Led by Lilliana Motley (14 points) and Eva Motley (12 points), the Warriors boosted their playoff positioning with one regular-season game remaining.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

January 2026

Thursday, January 29

  • Soccer, Boys - 5:00 PM vs Sage Hill

Police Arrest Three in Joint Irvine–Newport Beach Burglary Ring Investigation

Irvine Police Department and Newport Beach Police Department arrested three men believed to be part of an organized residential burglary ring connected to recent cases in Newport Beach and suspicious activity in Irvine.

  • Detectives disrupted a suspected burglary attempt in Shady Canyon on January 10 and later tracked the suspects in the Turtle Rock area.

  • After a joint investigation, the three suspects were arrested and booked on burglary charges, and police are still looking for one additional suspect.

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

February 3 Free Tax Filing Services 12 - 6 PM

February 7 Edible Gardening Workshop 10 - 11:30 AM

February 7 A Concert for Valentines 4 - 5:30 PM

February 12 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

February 14 Hide & Squeak 6th Anniversary 11 AM - 2 PM

February 14 - 15 Modern Makers Mart: Woodbury Town Center 10 AM - 4 PM

February 15 America 250 3 PM

February 21 IUSD Recycling Event 9 AM - 12 PM

February 21 Lunar New Year 8 PM

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