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Share a Little Time, Make a Big Difference With Irvine’s Care Call Program

Issue # 0547

Author

Joshua Tjia
13 Jan

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🤝☎️ Share a Little Time, Make a Big Difference With Irvine’s Care Call Program

🍓🌼🍓Tanaka Farms Produce Stand Is Back—Fresh Strawberries Now Available

🩰 From Ballet to Contemporary: Ignite Dance Celebrates 35 Years of Dance at Irvine Barclay Theatre

🪭🎨 Free Orizomegami Workshop Brings Colorful Paper Art to Irvine on January 25

📖🍼 Snuggles, Songs, and Stories: Baby Storytime Returns to Heritage Library

🩹 Home Wound Care 101: What to Do — and Avoid — for Faster Healing

🌳🌱 Irvine Open Space Trails Reopen at Bommer, Shady Canyon, and Quail Hill

🍫🍪 Bake with Confidence in 2026: Join Arts in Irvine’s Baking Basics Class, Jan. 26

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐈‍⬛ 16 Pets Find Loving Homes at Irvine Animal Care Center

🏀 UCI Women's Basketball Finishes Strong, Defeats Hawai‘i 50–47 to Extend Win Streak to 14

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚾️ Irvine Valley Baseball’s Edison Polanco Earns Preseason All-American Honors

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Portola Boys Basketball Coach Brian Smith Reaches 300 Career Wins

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🐟 Irvine Police Seek Suspect in $1,700 Caviar Theft at Whole Foods

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why was the strawberry late for work?

He got caught in a traffic jam!

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

Share a Little Time, Make a Big Difference With Irvine’s Care Call Program

The Care Call program is a simple way to give back by sharing friendly 15–20 minute phone calls with older adults in the Irvine community. These regular check-ins offer conversation and connection for seniors who may feel isolated.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, email [email protected] or call (949) 724-6923.

Tanaka Farms Produce Stand Is Back—Fresh Strawberries Now Available

Tanaka Farms’ Produce Market Stand is officially back open in Irvine and welcoming visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Freshly picked Tanaka strawberries are now in stock along with other farm-fresh produce.

From Ballet to Contemporary: Ignite Dance Celebrates 35 Years of Dance at Irvine Barclay Theatre

Ignite Dance returns to Irvine Barclay Theatre on Friday, January 23, at 8 p.m., celebrating 35 years of dance in Orange County with a special anniversary showcase.

  • The evening brings together seven acclaimed dance companies, including Smuin Contemporary Ballet in collaboration with National Choreographers Initiative

  • They will present original contemporary work alongside classical ballet, modern, Chinese dance, Bharatanatyam, and more.

  • The night honors innovation, creativity, and the lasting impact of dance, followed by a post-show lobby celebration with a DJ and light refreshments.

Free Orizomegami Workshop Brings Colorful Paper Art to Irvine on January 25

Discover the art of Orizomegami—traditional Japanese fold-and-dye paper—at this free, hands-on Arts in Irvine workshop on Sunday, January 25, from 1–3 p.m. Participants of all ages can fold, dip, and unfold paper to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind patterns that blend geometry and surprise. The activity is self-guided, family-friendly, and no advance registration is required.

Snuggles, Songs, and Stories: Baby Storytime Returns to Heritage Library

Heritage Public Library is hosting Baby Storytime this January for infants ages 0–18 months. Held on Tuesdays, sessions feature gentle stories, songs, and soothing rhymes designed to support early development and social skills.

Two time options are available: 10:30–11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 

Home Wound Care 101: What to Do — and Avoid — for Faster Healing

Minor cuts, scrapes, and small puncture wounds often heal well at home when cared for properly. UCI Health experts say the key is keeping the wound clean, slightly moist, and protected—while knowing when an injury needs medical attention to prevent infection or complications.

Tips for Proper Home Wound Care:

  • Rinse the wound right away under clean running water and gently wash with mild soap

  • Pat the area dry with a clean towel

  • Keep the wound slightly moist to speed healing

  • Apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline) instead of antibiotic ointment

  • Cover exposed areas with an adhesive bandage or gauze, especially on hands, feet, arms, or legs

  • Clean the wound daily and replace the bandage with fresh petroleum jelly

  • Avoid antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can delay healing

  • Stop using Vaseline once the wound is fully closed and healed, usually within 5–10 days.

  • Use sunscreen (SPF 30+) on healed wounds to reduce scarring

  • See a doctor for animal bites, deep or heavily bleeding wounds, signs of infection, or injuries that may need stitches or a tetanus shot

Irvine Open Space Trails Reopen at Bommer, Shady Canyon, and Quail Hill

After the recent rain, Irvine’s open space trails are now open and ready to enjoy. With great weather ahead, you can now explore Bommer Canyon, Shady Canyon, and Quail Hill for outdoor recreation.

Try some of these upcoming events:

Visit letsgooutside.org to learn more about the trails and upcoming activities.

Bake with Confidence in 2026: Join Arts in Irvine’s Baking Basics Class, Jan. 26

Arts in Irvine is offering a Baking Basics class series designed for beginners or anyone looking to build confidence in the kitchen. The classes focus on breaking down recipes, using common baking tools correctly, and mastering the fundamentals for great results.

The next session, Baking Basics: Chocolate Crumb Cookies, takes place Monday, January 26, from 6–8 p.m. at the Irvine Fine Arts Center.

Registration is open now 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. 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

16 Pets Find Loving Homes at Irvine Animal Care Center

From January 5–11, Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated 16 successful adoptions:

  • 5 dogs (Blanka, Katara, Mac, Popeye, Sienna)

  • 11 cats (Carbon, Casablana, Cream, Godzilla, Golden, Mao Mao, Mimi, Mochi, Mu, Sleet, Wanda) finding new homes.

  • During the same week, 5 dogs, 1 cat, and 1 rabbit were also safely reunited with their owners.

Learn more about adoptions and hours at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UCI Women's Basketball Finishes Strong, Defeats Hawai‘i 50–47 to Extend Win Streak to 14

UC Irvine women’s basketball battled through a tough shooting night and halftime deficit to secure a 50–47 home win over Hawai‘i. The victory extended the Anteaters’ school-record win streak to 14 games and kept them perfect in Big West play at 6–0 and undefeated at home (8–0).

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Volleyball

  • Wed, Jan 14 – vs Princeton, 6:00 PM

Women’s Tennis

  • Fri, Jan 16– vs Houston, 2:00 PM

  • Sun, Jan 18– vs Nevada, 11:00 AM

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Jan 17– vs UC Davis, 2:00 PM

Irvine Valley Baseball’s Edison Polanco Earns Preseason All-American Honors

Irvine Valley freshman third baseman Edison Polanco was named to the 2026 CCCBCA Preseason All-American Team, which includes 68 players from 43 colleges across California. Polanco, a 2027 Loyola Marymount commit, previously played high school baseball in Alaska and competed last summer with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots.

🏐⚽🏀 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

Portola Boys Basketball Coach Brian Smith Reaches 300 Career Wins

Portola boys basketball coach Brian Smith is enjoying a strong 2025–26 season, with the Bulldogs at 15–5 overall and 2–0 in Pacific Coast League play. In December, Smith reached major milestones with his 300th career win and 100th victory at Portola, where he is in his 10th year leading the program. A 30-year coaching veteran, Smith credits his success to his players and fellow coaches.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

January 2026

Tuesday, January 13

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

  • Soccer, Boys - 7:00 PM vs Woodbridge

  • Basketball, Boys - 7:00 PM vs University

Wednesday, January 14

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:15 PM vs Woodbridge

Friday, January 16

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:15 PM vs Northwood

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:30 PM vs University

  • Soccer, Boys - 6:00 PM vs Laguna Beach

Irvine Police Seek Suspect in $1,700 Caviar Theft at Whole Foods

Irvine Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect involved in a high-value theft at Whole Foods last month. The man allegedly posed as a regular shopper, concealed about $1,700 worth of caviar in a paper Whole Foods bag he brought with him, abandoned his shopping basket, and left the store without paying. Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Detective Drake at [email protected].

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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