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Stay Safe This Season: Easy Ways to Avoid Holiday Injuries

Issue # 0527

Author

Joshua Tjia
02 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎄🎉🎄 Celebrate the Season Together at Irvine’s Illuminate Irvine Event, Dec. 6

🍽️🤝 Join Serving Up Smiles and Help Create Warm, Welcoming Meals for Older Adults

🎶🌲🎶 Holiday Magic with Pacific Symphony This December: Swan Lake, Nutcracker & More

☕️ Sip into December: Enjoy 50% Off Hot Espresso Drinks at 85°C Bakery Cafe

📖🍪 Stories & Cookies with Mrs. Claus, Dec. 22 at Pretend City

🎄⚠️ Stay Safe This Season: Easy Ways to Avoid Holiday Injuries

🌼🐝 Meet the Crotch’s Bumble Bee — A Small Local Pollinator With a Big Job

🩰 Dance into December: FOCUS Dance Center Hosts Open House on Dec. 6

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐕 A Week of Happy Tails: 11 Pets Find Homes in Irvine

🏀 UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Tops San Jose State, 72–63

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Woodbridge Football Eyes State Run After CIF Championship Victory

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔💄 Irvine Police Arrest Two Women After $12K Retail Theft at Sephora

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a snowman’s temper tantrum?

A meltdown.

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

Celebrate the Season Together at Irvine’s Illuminate Irvine Event, Dec. 6

Illuminate Irvine returns to the Great Park on Saturday, December 6, from 3 - 8 p.m., bringing a festive evening of holiday lights, live music, games, crafts, and family fun at the Palm Court Arts Complex.

  • 🎄 Enjoy the tree lighting with Santa and Mrs. Claus

  • ✨ Explore Tinsel Town for photos and surprises

  • 🧸 And optionally, support the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee by bringing a new, unwrapped gift for children 12 and under

  •  ✨ After the event, stroll through Holidayz at the Park, a nightly outdoor light experience open from dusk–9 p.m. through January 4, 2026

Join Serving Up Smiles and Help Create Warm, Welcoming Meals for Older Adults

Serving Up Smiles is more than a meal — it’s a place where older adults can connect, laugh, and feel supported. Volunteers ages 14+ are invited to join in by helping with meal service, setup, cleanup, and creating a warm, welcoming space. Orientation provides everything you need to get started.

Sign up at cityofirvine.org/olderadultvolunteer to make a meaningful difference.

Holiday Magic with Pacific Symphony This December: Swan Lake, Nutcracker & More

Celebrate the holidays with Pacific Symphony this December! Enjoy a month filled with classical favorites, festive family shows, and seasonal spectaculars.

Upcoming Events:

  • Thu–Sat, Dec. 4–6: Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake

  • Sat, Dec. 6: The Nutcracker for Kids

  • Sun, Dec. 7: Handel’s Glorious Messiah

  • Tue, Dec. 9: Holiday Organ Spectacular

  • Fri–Sat, Dec. 19–20: A Rat Pack Christmas with Tony DeSare

Sip into December: Enjoy 50% Off Hot Espresso Drinks at 85°C Bakery Cafe

85°C Bakery Cafe is celebrating December by giving all app members a special coupon for 50% off select medium hot espresso drinks—including Sea Salt Coffee, Sea Salt Caramel, and the classic 85°C Coffee. Don’t miss these cozy cups at half the price!

Stories & Cookies with Mrs. Claus, Dec. 22 at Pretend City

Pretend City is hosting a cozy holiday Stories & Cookies with Mrs. Claus event on Monday, December 22, from 11 AM–12 PM, where little ones can enjoy festive stories, photos, and cookies with Mrs. Claus herself. Join this fun holiday event and make some sweet family memories!

Stay Safe This Season: Easy Ways to Avoid Holiday Injuries

The holidays bring more driving, busy kitchens, decorations, and ladder use — and with that comes a big jump in accidents. UCI Health emergency experts share simple ways to keep celebrations joyful and avoid an unexpected hospital visit.

🚗 Car Safety

  • Stay alert and keep distractions to a minimum.

  • Skip alcohol if you’ll be driving.

  • Take your time and travel at a comfortable pace.

🔥 Kitchen Safety

  • Create a kid-free zone around the stove and counters.

  • Keep hot dishes and liquids pushed back and out of reach.

  • For grease fires: turn off the heat and cover the pan — never use water.

🎄 Tree & Decoration Safety

  • Use lights in good condition and avoid open flames.

  • Add a small barrier if little ones or pets like to explore the tree.

  • Water real trees often and anchor them securely.

  • Keep holly and mistletoe away from kids and pets, as they can be harmful.

🚶‍♂️ Preventing Trips & Falls

  • Keep pathways free of cords, clutter, and loose rugs.

  • Pick up toys, wrapping paper, and anything that could cause a stumble.

🪜 Ladder Safety

  • Set ladders on a steady, flat surface.

  • Ask someone to spot you for extra support.

  • Wear shoes with good grip.

  • Avoid the top rung and climb one at a time.

Meet the Crotch’s Bumble Bee — A Small Local Pollinator With a Big Job

Crotch’s bumble bee is a little native pollinator that calls Southern California home, helping our local flowers—from poppies to milkweed—bloom and thrive. This fuzzy bee prefers warm, dry places and usually nests underground, but its numbers have dropped because its natural spaces are disappearing. By caring for native plants and creating welcoming habitats, we can help this special bee stick around and keep our local landscapes healthy and full of life.

Dance into December: FOCUS Dance Center Hosts Open House on Dec. 6

FOCUS Dance Center is hosting an Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 AM to noon at Woodbridge Village Center, featuring tours, refreshments, and a free demo class at 10 AM. Guests who enroll during the event receive free registration plus a free drop-in class.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. December 3, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert - Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, NHS Theater

  2. December 4, 7 - 8:30 PM: Instrumental Winter Concert - Guitar, Symphonic Strings, Concert Orchestra, NHS Theater

  3. December 9, 7 - 8:30 PM: Vocal Music Winter Concert, NHS Theater

  4. December 12 , 7 - 8:30 PM: Winter Gala Concert – Jazz Ensemble I, Wind Symphony, Philharmonic, and Vocal Music, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. December 11 - 12, 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Winter Concerts, WHS Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. December 5, 7 PM: Winter Celebration 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. December 16, 7 PM: Jazz the Halls, TBD

  2. December 18, 7 PM: Holiday Concert, IHS PAC

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. December 12, 7 - 9 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

  2. December 13, 3 PM: PHS Choir Concert – SPIRIT OF THE SEASON Matinee

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

A Week of Happy Tails: 11 Pets Find Homes in Irvine

From November 24–30, the Irvine Animal Care Center celebrated as:

  • 3 dog were adopted (Marshmallow, Omar, Pixie)

  • 8 cat were adopted (Aspen, Dusk, Hazel, Niro, Rumi, Sarah, Tavi, Winifred)

  • a turtle and a tortoise were sent to rescue

  • 6 dogs and 1 cat were reunited with their owners

For adoption info and hours, visit cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Men’s Basketball Tops San Jose State, 72–63

UC Irvine defeated San Jose State 72–63. The Anteaters shot 49% and held the Spartans to 31%, controlling the paint and key stretches of the game. UCI now returns home to open Big West play against UC Riverside on Dec. 4.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Basketball

  • Thur, Dec 4 – vs UC Riverside, 7:00 PM

  • Sat, Dec 6 – vs CSUN, 7:00 PM

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 – vs California Baptist, 2:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Basketball

  • Tue, Dec 9 - vs LA Mission, 5:00 PM

Men's Basketball

  • Sat, Dec 13 - vs San Diego Miramar, 5:00 PM

  • Tue, Dec 30 - vs LA Valley, 5:00 PM

Woodbridge Football Eyes State Run After CIF Championship Victory

Woodbridge High coach Connor McBride is preparing the Warriors for their first CIF regional bowl game following their Division 13 championship. The team enters the matchup against San Fernando with strong momentum and strong community support. McBride says the focus now is on continued improvement and pursuing a state title.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Tuesday, December 2

  • Soccer, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Laguna Hills

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:30 PM vs Trabuco Hills

Wednesday, December 3

  • Water Polo, Girls - 4:00 PM vs Canyon/Anahiem

  • Wrestling, Girls - 5:00 PM vs Laguna Beach

  • Wrestling, boys - 5:00 PM vs Laguna Beach

Irvine Police Arrest Two Women After $12K Retail Theft at Sephora

Irvine Police arrested two women on Saturday after they stole items from Sephora at the Irvine Spectrum and attempted to flee. With help from security and loss prevention, officers recovered over $12,000 in stolen merchandise from multiple cities. The suspects — Marcela Leuro, 38, and Sharon Nicol Calderon Pote, 20 — were arrested for grand theft, conspiracy, and organized retail theft.

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

November 28 - December 30 Santa's Village

November 28 - December 28 Hikari: Festival of Lights

December 4 - 6 Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake 8 PM

December 6 Annual Trout Fishing Derby 6 AM - 1 PM

December 6 Skate with Santa 10 - 11:30 AM

December 6 Illuminate Irvine 3 - 8 PM

December 9 Holiday Organ Spectacular 7:30 PM

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