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Spend Summer Evenings at Tanaka Farms With Sunset Tours, Melons, and Friday Fun

Issue # 0682

Author

Joshua Tjia
06 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

💧🏊 Irvine Breaks Ground on $42 Million Aquatics Center Expansion

🍈🍉 Spend Summer Evenings at Tanaka Farms With Sunset Tours, Melons, and Friday Fun

🍵🥜 Snoopy-Themed Drinks and Merchandise Available at Junbi Matcha Café for a Limited Time

📖✍🏻 Teens Invited to Anime and Manga Hangout at University Park Library on Aug. 11

☀️🥗 Summer Food Safety Tips to Help Prevent Foodborne Illness

🌳🚶 Enjoy a Guided Sunset Hike Through Orchard Hills on August 18

🎶🎤 Enjoy a Night of Timeless ABBA Hits at SummerFest 2026 in Irvine

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🪮 Easy Grooming Tips to Help Your Dog Feel Their Best

⚽️ UC Irvine Women's Soccer Ready for Regular Season After Arizona Draw

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Irvine High's Kota Seshimo Commits to Fresno State Football

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Selling Dangerous Substances to Juveniles in Irvine

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

How does the sun cut its hair?

Eclipse it.

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

Irvine Breaks Ground on $42 Million Aquatics Center Expansion

The City of Irvine has begun a $42 million expansion of the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center. The project will add a new Olympic-sized competition pool, a children's splash pad, and a NinjaCross obstacle course over the water, along with covered bleachers, additional training and locker rooms, and a new parking lot on Walnut Avenue. The center, which serves more than 10,000 youth annually through swim and water safety programs, will remain open during construction, with the expansion expected to be completed in spring 2028.

Spend Summer Evenings at Tanaka Farms With Sunset Tours, Melons, and Friday Fun

Tanaka Farms has introduced new Sunset Tours to help visitors enjoy the farm during the cooler evening hours. Weekend tours are offered at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and include a tractor ride through the fields, sweet summer melon tastings, the chance to pick a seasonal vegetable, and a melon to take home. Visitors can also stop by the Friday Melon Moon Market, featuring local vendors, games, food, and family-friendly activities.

Find more information here

Snoopy-Themed Drinks and Merchandise Available at Junbi Matcha Café for a Limited Time

Junbi at Culver Plaza is wrapping up its limited-time collaboration with Peanuts. Fans can still enjoy the exclusive Chocolate Hazelnut drink series, browse Snoopy-inspired merchandise, and experience the special Peanuts-themed menu. Check out the collection before its gone!

See video here

Teens Invited to Anime and Manga Hangout at University Park Library on Aug. 11

Teens ages 13 and up are invited to Teen Ani-Manga Hour on Tuesday, August 11, from 5–6 p.m. at the University Park Library Meet fellow anime and manga fans to watch anime, read manga, discover new series, discuss favorites, and enjoy a fun hour together.

Summer Food Safety Tips to Help Prevent Foodborne Illness

Hot weather can increase the risk of foodborne illness, especially during picnics, BBQs, and other outdoor gatherings. Here are some food safety tips from UCI Health dietitian Katie Rankell to help reduce the risk of getting sick this summer.

  • 🌡️ Cook meat to an internal temperature of 165°F.

  • 🧊 Keep perishable foods in a cooler until it's time to eat.

  • ⏰ Discard meat, dairy, mayonnaise-based foods, and other perishables if left out for more than 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F.

  • 🥗 Wash hands and rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing or eating them.

  • 🔪 Prevent cross-contamination by using separate clean knives and cutting boards for raw and cooked foods.

  • 🧼 Clean countertops and food prep surfaces after cooking.

  • 🩺 Seek medical care if food poisoning symptoms are severe, last more than 2–3 days, or if you are pregnant, an older adult, or have a weakened immune system.

Enjoy a Guided Sunset Hike Through Orchard Hills on August 18

Enjoy a guided sunset hike through Orchard Hills on Tuesday, August 18, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. This moderate-paced, 3-mile loop features steep climbs, uneven terrain, and scenic ridge-top views of Irvine, the Pacific coastline, and nearby avocado orchards.

Enjoy a Night of Timeless ABBA Hits at SummerFest 2026 in Irvine

Celebrate the music of ABBA at SummerFest 2026 on Saturday, August 22, at 8 p.m. at Great Park Live in Irvine. Arrival from Sweden, one of the world's premier ABBA tribute bands, joins conductor Evan Roider for a live performance featuring beloved hits like "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Fernando," "Waterloo," "Take a Chance on Me," and many more.

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 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

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Easy Grooming Tips to Help Your Dog Feel Their Best

Keeping your dog well-groomed is a simple way to support their overall health and comfort. Regular brushing, occasional baths, and routine coat checks can help keep their skin and fur healthy while making it easier to spot any concerns early.

Helpful tips:

  • 🐶 Brush your dog regularly to remove loose fur and help prevent tangles, especially if they have a long or curly coat.

  • 🪮 Choose a brush or comb that matches your dog's coat type for the best results.

  • ✂️ If you find mats or tangles, remove them gently or consider asking a professional groomer or your veterinarian for help.

  • 🛁 Bathe your dog when needed using a shampoo made specifically for dogs to help protect their skin.

  • ☀️ If your long-haired dog gets a summer trim, leaving about an inch of fur can help protect their skin from the sun.

  • 🩺 If you notice changes in your dog's coat, skin, or shedding, it's a good idea to check with your veterinarian.

UC Irvine Women's Soccer Ready for Regular Season After Arizona Draw

UC Irvine women's soccer opened the 2026-27 season with a 0-0 exhibition draw against Arizona. The Anteaters begin the regular season at home against Utah Tech on Wednesday, August 12, at 6 p.m. at Anteater Stadium.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Irvine High's Kota Seshimo Commits to Fresno State Football

Irvine High School senior Kota Seshimo has committed to play Division I football at Fresno State after receiving interest from more than 18 Division I programs. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman, who earned all-CIF and all-league honors, will play offensive tackle for the Bulldogs.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated with August Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

August 2026

Wednesday, August 12

  • Flag Football, Girls - 6:30 PM vs Capistrano Valley Christian

Thursday, August 13

  • Volleyball, Girls - 5:15 PM vs Canyon/Anahiem

Friday, August 14

  • Football - 5:00 PM vs Pacifica/Garden Grove

Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Selling Dangerous Substances to Juveniles in Irvine

Irvine Police arrested 27-year-old Miguel Angel Chino Chona of Santa Ana after detectives investigated reports that he was using social media to sell dangerous drugs and alcohol to juveniles. Officers observed him selling the items to minors before taking him into custody. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs for sale, furnishing drugs to a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police also encourage parents to stay involved in their children's online activity and discuss the risks of buying items from strangers online.

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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