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Sierra Vista Middle School Wins Back-to-Back National Science Olympiad Titles

Issue # 0641

Author

Joshua Tjia
28 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍝🐕🎨 From Italian Dining to Kids’ Art Classes: Community-Focused Businesses at Quail Hill Shopping Center

🚓💥 Irvine Police Investigating Fatal Three-Vehicle Collision

✈️🏗️ Construction Begins on Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at Irvine Great Park

🚌🌟 Sierra Vista Middle School Wins Back-to-Back National Science Olympiad Titles

👀 Free UCI Health Seminar to Cover Dry Eye Symptoms and Treatments on June 2

🌳🚶 Explore Nature and Recharge at Quail Hill’s Spring Yoga Hike

🎨✍🏻 Relax, Color, and De-Stress at Heritage Park Library on June 17

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈 Kitten Spay and Neuter Guide: Benefits, Timing, and Recovery

🎾 Irvine’s Learner Tien Wins Geneva Open, Makes Tennis History

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 IVC Men’s Basketball Standout Matt Mowers Commits to Rogers State

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 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

How do oats send letters?

Oatmail!

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

From Italian Dining to Kids’ Art Classes: Community-Focused Businesses at Quail Hill Shopping Center

Quail Hill Shopping Center in Irvine is home to several longtime local businesses that have built strong community connections through their welcoming atmosphere, quality service, and positive customer experiences. The featured businesses reflect the variety of dining, wellness, and creative opportunities available in the neighborhood.

  • Oliver’s Trattoria — Opened in 2023 by chef Erik De Marchi, this Italian restaurant is the Irvine sister location to Michelin Guide-recognized Oliver’s Osteria in Laguna Beach. Known for its signature lasagna, rotating risotto dishes, and warm ambience.

  • Quail Animal Hospital — Founded by Dr. Mike Morgan in 2012, this full-service veterinary hospital is recognized for compassionate care, transparency, client education, and same-day urgent care services.

  • Aspire Art Studios — Opened in 2016 by Clair Liu, the studio offers art classes and camps for children ages 5–13 in a supportive environment with small class sizes. The creative programs focus on helping children explore and grow their artistic skills.

Irvine Police Investigating Fatal Three-Vehicle Collision

A 95-year-old woman died after a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning at Irvine Center Drive and Valley Oak, according to the Irvine Police Department. Investigators said the woman was driving a Toyota Rav-4 westbound when she entered the intersection against a red light and collided with a Dodge Ram traveling northbound on a green signal. The impact pushed the Dodge into a Tesla Model 3 nearby. The woman was taken to the hospital, where she later passed away from her injuries. The Orange County Fire Authority assisted at the scene, and IPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team is continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective David Juarez at 949-724-7047.

Construction Begins on Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at Irvine Great Park

Construction is officially underway for the new Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at the Great Park, with the first steel delivery recently arriving at the site. Scheduled to open in spring 2027, the 100,000-square-foot museum will be the only museum in the U.S. dedicated entirely to Marine Corps aviation and will be built on the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station property. The museum will feature more than 50 restored aircraft, interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and a research library focused on Marine Corps aviation history. It will also offer STEAM education programs for students, including partnerships with local universities like UCI.

Sierra Vista Middle School Wins Back-to-Back National Science Olympiad Titles

Sierra Vista Middle School’s Science Olympiad team made history by winning its second straight national championship at the 2026 National Science Olympiad, giving the school its third national title overall. Competing against 120 of the top STEM teams in the country at USC, the team earned medals in 18 of 23 events, tying the national record they set last year. Sierra Vista also became the first team in Science Olympiad history to finish ninth place or better in every event at the national tournament. The win continues an impressive season for the team, which also captured its fifth straight Southern California state championship.

Free UCI Health Seminar to Cover Dry Eye Symptoms and Treatments on June 2

Join UCI Health on June 2 from 7–8 p.m. for a free online seminar about dry eye disease. The session will cover the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for dry eye, along with ways to improve eye comfort and vision. Hosted by the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, the seminar is part of an ongoing community education series focused on eye health and wellness.

Register here

Explore Nature and Recharge at Quail Hill’s Spring Yoga Hike

Join the Spring Fitness Hike with Yoga at Quail Hill on Friday, June 12, for a five-mile guided hike and beginner-friendly outdoor yoga session with scenic views of the Irvine Open Space Preserve. The event combines hiking, stretching, and relaxation, with simple yoga poses designed to help muscles used for hiking, biking, and other activities while encouraging wellness and stress relief.

Relax, Color, and De-Stress at Heritage Park Library on June 17

Join “Adult Color Break” at Heritage Park Library on Wednesday, June 17, from 6–7 p.m. for a relaxing evening of creativity, mindfulness, and stress relief through coloring. Participants can enjoy provided coloring sheets and materials or bring their own favorites for a calming hour to recharge and unwind.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 29, 7:00-8:30 PM: Pops Gala Concert, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 29, 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 Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. May 29-30, 7:00 PM: Voices 2026, Irvine High PAC

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. May 29, 7:00 – 9:00 PM: Portola High School Pop Concert, PHS Performing Arts Center

  2. May 30, 6:30 – 9:00 PM: Portola High School Spring Instrumental Concert, Portola High School Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Kitten Spay and Neuter Guide: Benefits, Timing, and Recovery

Spaying or neutering your kitten can help support long-term health and reduce behaviors like spraying, roaming, and loud heat cycles. Many veterinarians recommend the “Fix by Five” approach since kittens can reach maturity around five months old.

  • 🐱 Spaying is for female cats, while neutering is for male cats.

  • 📅 Many vets recommend the procedure by about five months old.

  • ❤️ It may help lower certain health risks and reduce hormone-related behaviors.

  • 🩺 Veterinarians do a wellness check beforehand to make sure your kitten is healthy for surgery.

  • 🛌 Most kittens go home the same day and bounce back quickly with proper aftercare.

Irvine’s Learner Tien Wins Geneva Open, Makes Tennis History

Learner Tien of Irvine won the 2026 Geneva Open after coming back to beat Mariano Navone in three sets, earning his first ATP clay-court title. The 20-year-old American, coached by Michael Chang, also became the youngest American man to win a tour-level title on European clay since Chang’s 1989 French Open victory and will move up to a career-high No. 18 in the ATP rankings.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No further upcoming home games for this month.

IVC Men’s Basketball Standout Matt Mowers Commits to Rogers State

Irvine Valley College men’s basketball standout Matt Mowers has committed to NCAA Division II Rogers State University after two strong seasons with the Lasers. The two-time All-Orange Empire Conference first-team selection averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds this past season, helping IVC reach the SoCal Regional playoffs, and now joins a Rogers State team coming off a 21-11 season and regional quarterfinal appearance.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No further upcoming home games for this month.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No further upcoming varsity home games for this month.

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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