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Sunshine, Stories & Crafts: Storytime Goes Outdoors at Katie Wheeler Library

Issue # 0555

Author

Joshua Tjia
26 Jan

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

📦🥬🫘 Free Grocery Food Boxes Available in Irvine on February 12 at Great Park

🥢🥟🥢 Irvine Spectrum Welcomes Din Tai Fung This February

🐺⚠️ Coyotes in Irvine: Simple Steps to Stay Safe

💝💗 Valentine’s Day at The Market Place: Dining, Gifts, Spa Deals & Jewelry Events

☀️📖 Sunshine, Stories & Crafts: Storytime Goes Outdoors at Katie Wheeler Library

🩺 UCI Receives Federal Funding to Advance Precision Care for Lymphatic Disorders

🌳🚶 Hawk-Watching & Easy Trails: Family Interpretive Hike at Round Canyon, Feb. 7

💗🛍️ Galentine’s Weekend Fun Comes to Irvine: Modern Makers Mart at Woodbury

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🐾 Helping Irvine Dogs Be Their Best: National Train Your Dog Month Resources

🏐 Men’s Volleyball Thriller: UC Irvine Survives Five Sets at BYU to Stay Unbeaten

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀 Irvine Valley Women’s Basketball Rallies Late to Beat Santa Ana, 48–45

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔🚨 Man Arrested at Irvine Train Station in Copper Theft Investigation

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the corn stalk get mad at the farmer?

He kept pulling its ears!

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

Free Grocery Food Boxes Available in Irvine on February 12 at Great Park

The City of Irvine is offering free grocery food boxes on Thursday, February 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Great Park Parking Lot 2. Eligible residents may receive a 30-pound food box once a month, filled with items like dried beans, fresh produce, canned and frozen vegetables, juice, milk, cheese, nuts, and meat or fish when available. Boxes are first-come, first-served.

More info: cityofirvine.org/foodbox or 949-724-6650.

Irvine Spectrum Welcomes Din Tai Fung This February

Din Tai Fung is expanding again in Orange County with a new Irvine Spectrum Center location opening Feb. 6 on a reservations-only basis, followed by a grand opening on March 2. The 15,000-square-foot restaurant will feature 300+ seats and be located near Target. Reservations opened Jan. 23. Din Tai Fung already operates OC locations at South Coast Plaza and Downtown Disney, with another planned for Brea Mall.

Coyotes in Irvine: Simple Steps to Stay Safe

Coyotes are native to Irvine and can be found throughout the city. Irvine Police Department encourages residents to take simple precautions to discourage wildlife from frequenting their homes and to help keep pets safe.

Tips to Reduce Coyote Activity

  • Supervise pets whenever they are outside and never leave them unattended

  • Consider keeping dogs and cats indoors if you live in an area with frequent coyote activity

  • Use a standard leash when walking your dog; retractable leashes are discouraged and a leash of six feet or less is required by law

  • Pick up fallen fruit from trees and keep pet food stored indoors

Valentine’s Day at The Market Place: Dining, Gifts, Spa Deals & Jewelry Events

Celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14 at The Market Place with sweet treats, thoughtful gifts, and date-night experiences.

  • Enjoy special couples pricing at Hand & Stone with discounted dual spa services available Feb. 8–15.

  • Shop sparkling deals at Jared during the one-day Le Vian® Jewelry Trunk Show on Feb. 4.

  • Pick up classic favorites from See’s Candies’ Valentine’s Collection, featuring heart boxes and limited-time sweets—perfect for loved ones, friends, or a little self-treat.

Sunshine, Stories & Crafts: Storytime Goes Outdoors at Katie Wheeler Library

The Irvine Public Library is taking storytime outdoors with a special event at Katie Wheeler Library’s Irvine Ranch Historic Park Lawn on Saturday, January 31 and Saturday, February 7, from 10–11 a.m. Families are invited to enjoy stories and music in a beautiful outdoor setting, followed by a take-home craft for kids.

More info at cityofirvine.org/library.

UCI Receives Federal Funding to Advance Precision Care for Lymphatic Disorders

UC Irvine has received up to $7.45 million in its first-ever award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to improve how doctors diagnose and treat problems in the lymphatic system.

  • Led by Dr. Sabee Molloi and Dr. Cholsoon Jang, the research team is developing a noninvasive method using CT scans and blood tests to better measure lymphatic flow—something that has been difficult to do until now.

  • The goal is to help doctors detect conditions like thoracic duct obstruction earlier, make more informed treatment decisions, and improve patient care without adding extra procedures or discomfort for patients.

Hawk-Watching & Easy Trails: Family Interpretive Hike at Round Canyon, Feb. 7

Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly interpretive hike through Round Canyon in the Irvine Open Space Preserve on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 3:00–5:30 p.m. This easy, mostly flat 2.5-mile hike is perfect for a slower pace, with opportunities to spot red-tailed hawks and mule deer while learning about the natural landscape.

Galentine’s Weekend Fun Comes to Irvine: Modern Makers Mart at Woodbury

Looking for something fun to do in Irvine on Valentine’s weekend? Head to Modern Makers Mart: Galentine’s Event at Woodbury Town Center on Feb. 14–15 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Enjoy shopping from 55+ local handmade vendors, live music, a kids craft station with pink-themed crafts, and pet-friendly vibes—perfect for a festive, feel-good weekend outing.

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

Helping Irvine Dogs Be Their Best: National Train Your Dog Month Resources

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and the Irvine Animal Care Center is here to help pet parents build good habits with their pups—from leash manners and slowing down fast eaters to fun, effective clicker training. Their easy-to-use online guides offer helpful tips to support well-mannered, happy dogs at every stage.

Men’s Volleyball Thriller: UC Irvine Survives Five Sets at BYU to Stay Unbeaten

UC Irvine men’s volleyball stayed unbeaten with a gritty 3–2 win over BYU, led by senior William D’Arcy’s career-high 22 kills. The Anteaters (7–0) also posted a season-high 13 blocks, with strong all-around performances from Andrej Jokanovic, Trevor Clark, and Cameron Kosty to outlast the Cougars in five sets.

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

Irvine Valley Women's Basketball Rallies Late to Beat Santa Ana, 48–45

Irvine Valley women’s basketball rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Santa Ana, 48–45, on Friday night, improving to 18–3 overall and 4–1 in conference play. Symantha Barnett led IVC with 18 points, while key late free throws sealed the win.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Basketball

  • Wed, Jan 28 - vs Fullerton, 5:00 PM

Women’s Basketball

  • Wed, Jan 28 - vs Fullerton, 7:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

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

Baseball

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

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With January Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

January 2026

Wednesday, January 28

  • Basketball, Girls - 5:30 PM vs Woodbridge

Thursday, January 29

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

Man Arrested at Irvine Train Station in Copper Theft Investigation

Irvine police arrested a 31-year-old Anaheim man after officers found an abandoned backpack with copper wiring at the Irvine Train Station. Surveillance and a detective’s recognition tied him to a prior theft at the same location. He was arrested for grand theft and drug possession. Police urge residents to report suspicious activity around electrical boxes, trails, and bike paths.

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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