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Swing Into the Season: Tony DeSare Leads a Retro-Cool Holiday Bash, Dec. 19–20

Issue # 0538

Author

Joshua Tjia
17 Dec

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎙️🎄🎶 Swing Into the Season: Tony DeSare Leads a Retro-Cool Holiday Bash, Dec. 19–20

🥦🫘 Free Grocery Food Box Pickup for Irvine Residents on Dec. 18

🏊‍♂️💧 New Fourth Pool Coming to Woollett Aquatics Center in 2027

🚛🧹  Irvine Rolls Out New Street Sweeping Schedule on January 1, 2026

🍨🍧 Sip Into the Season with Shake Shack’s Holiday Shakes

⚡️🚲 Keeping Students Safe: Holiday E-Vehicle Tips from IUSD & Irvine Police

🍮🥧 7 Healthy Holiday Recipes for Smarter Seasonal Eating

🌨️❄️ Little Explorers: Learn All About Snow at Mason Park, Dec. 18

🍯🎨 Ceramics Are Back at The Artist Lab — New Classes for Kids to Adults Start Jan. 6

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🕯️ Holiday Candle Safety Tips from CAL FIRE

🏀 UCI Women’s Basketball Wins Ninth Straight in 83–66 Victory

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚽️ University Boys’ Soccer Earns 1–0 Win Over Irvine With Late Goal

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓📦 Drone Helps Irvine Police Arrest Two Package Theft Suspects

🍏🥭🍑 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 people who are afraid of Santa Claus?

Claustrophobic!

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

Swing Into the Season: Tony DeSare Leads a Retro-Cool Holiday Bash, Dec. 19–20

Join A Rat Pack Christmas with Tony DeSare on December 19–20, as the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall transforms into a stylish mid-century holiday lounge filled with swing, nostalgia, and festive sparkle. Tony DeSare, backed by the Pacific Symphony Pops, delivers smooth, modern interpretations of beloved Christmas classics along with his own original tunes. With brassy orchestrations, warm vocals, and vintage charm, this concert invites audiences to join in a uniquely cool and joyful holiday celebration.

Free Grocery Food Box Pickup for Irvine Residents on Dec. 18

Irvine is offering a Free Grocery Food Box distribution on Thursday, December 18, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at Heritage Park Community Center.

  • Eligible residents can pick up a 30-lb box filled with dried beans, fresh produce, canned/frozen vegetables, juice, meat or poultry when available, fish, nuts, milk, cheese, rice, cereal, and pasta.

  • For questions, residents can call 949-724-6650 or email [email protected].

New Fourth Pool Coming to Woollett Aquatics Center in 2027

Irvine is moving forward with major public works updates, including a fourth pool at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center. The new pool will feature bleachers for about 600 spectators, with temporary seating available for larger events up to 1,000. Construction is planned to begin in March 2026 and open by fall 2027, expanding access to swim programs.

Irvine Rolls Out New Street Sweeping Schedule on January 1, 2026

Irvine is updating its street sweeping schedule starting January 1, 2026, to improve efficiency and keep neighborhoods cleaner. Residents can find their exact schedule using the City’s interactive map by entering their address.

  • Find your schedule: Enter your address on the City’s interactive map.

  • Arterial roads: Swept weekly, Mon–Fri, 2:30–7 a.m.

  • Residential streets: Swept twice monthly, Tue–Fri, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

  • Irvine Spectrum & IBC: Swept twice monthly, 10 p.m.–6 a.m.

  • Construction Circle, Jamboree, Warner: Swept weekly.

  • Bike trails: Swept once per week.

  • City parking lots: Swept twice monthly.

  • Litter removal: Done three times a year.

  • Pedestrian bridges/walkthroughs: Cleaned twice a month.

  • Medians & overpasses: Cleaned three times a year.

  • Guardrails: Cleaned twice a year or as needed.

  • More information

Sip Into the Season with Shake Shack’s Holiday Shakes

Shake Shack is spreading holiday cheer with two limited-time festive shakes—the Christmas Cookie Shake and the Sticky Toffee Pudding Shake—available now through January 5, 2026. These hand-spun treats come topped with whipped cream and seasonal flair, offering a sweet way to sip through the holidays.

Keeping Students Safe: Holiday E-Vehicle Tips from IUSD & Irvine Police

Before gifting or riding e-vehicles this season, Irvine Unified School District encourages families to review key safety rules and age requirements. These reminders help keep students and the community safe whether traveling to school or riding around town.

Safety Tips & Regulations

  • E-Scooter Rules: Riders must be 16+ and have a valid driver’s license or permit.

  • E-Bike Classifications: California has three classes of e-bikes; Type 3 (up to 28 mph) is limited to riders 16 and older.

  • No Modifications: Do not allow students to modify e-bikes to go faster—brakes and frames aren’t designed for higher speeds.

  • Follow Traffic Laws: Stop at signals, yield to pedestrians, and ride with the flow of traffic.

  • Wear a Helmet: Required for anyone under 18 and all Type 3 e-bike riders.

  • Stay Visible: Use front and rear lights, reflectors, and reflective clothing; avoid poorly lit areas at night.

  • Avoid Distractions: No phone use or headphones while riding.

  • Ride Courteously: Yield to pedestrians, use a bell or audible signal when passing, and slow down in crowded areas.

  • Maintain Safe Speeds: Practice braking, know your limits, and ride within equipment capabilities.

  • Shared Path Etiquette: Ride safely on shared paths and always yield to pedestrians.

  • School Requirement: Students riding to school must complete their school’s e-vehicle registration process.

7 Healthy Holiday Recipes for Smarter Seasonal Eating

Looking for flavorful holiday dishes that feel festive but won’t derail your health goals? UCI Health shares seven popular lighter recipes that reduce sugar or fat and still satisfy seasonal cravings.

  • Pumpkin Spice Mocktail – A low-cal, kid-friendly and alcohol-free alternative to sugary lattes.

  • Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese & Walnuts – A nutrient-rich side packed with vitamin C for immune support.

  • Scrumptious Sweet Potato Casserole – Classic marshmallow topping with fewer calories and fat.

  • Stuffed Pork Tenderloin – A juicy, flavorful entrée alternative to turkey or ham.

  • Holiday Shrimp Paella – A colorful, budget-friendly dish that’s lighter on calories.

  • Healthy & Tasty Pumpkin Pie – Reduced-calorie dessert with all the beloved pumpkin spice flavor.

  • Gingered Brown Rice Pudding – A creamy, ginger-forward treat that aids digestion and boosts immunity.

Little Explorers: Learn All About Snow at Mason Park, Dec. 18

Join Little Explorers: Snow!, a family-friendly story time and mini-hike for ages 3–6 at Mason Regional Park on December 18 from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Kids will learn about snow with OC Parks naturalists while exploring an easy 1/5-difficulty trail.

Ceramics Are Back at The Artist Lab — New Classes for Kids to Adults Start Jan. 6

The Artist Lab is excited to bring back its full Ceramics Program, now open to students from K–Adult with fresh class offerings and special celebration deals.

Ceramic Class Options

  • K–2nd: Clay Creations – Ceramics for Young Artists

  • 3rd–6th: Creative Ceramics – Art & Design

  • 7th–Adults: Mastering Ceramics – Wheel Throwing & Handbuilding

  • Adults: Ceramics for Adults – Wheel Throwing, Handbuilding & Sculpture

Contact to Enroll

  • Call/Text: 949-293-2380

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Location: 5311 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612

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

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

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. 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

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Holiday Candle Safety Tips from CAL FIRE

CAL FIRE is reminding everyone to use candles safely during the holiday season. Keep your home safe this season with these simple precautions:

  • Keep candles in open, uncluttered spaces away from anything flammable.

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.

  • Place candles out of reach of kids and pets.

  • Trim wicks before lighting for a steadier, safer flame.

  • Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.

UCI Women’s Basketball Wins Ninth Straight in 83–66 Victory

UC Irvine women’s basketball earned its ninth straight win with an 83–66 victory over New Mexico State. Freshman Ameerah Grant led UCI with 19 points and perfect free-throw shooting. The Anteaters improve to 10–2 and head next to UTEP.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Basketball

  • Fri, Dec 19 – vs Belmont, 6:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Basketball

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

University Boys’ Soccer Earns 1–0 Win Over Irvine With Late Goal

University High won 1–0 in boys’ soccer after senior Rayan Heyati scored late off a pass from Kasra Ghoddousi. Junior goalie Javyn Figueroa secured the shutout as the Trojans moved to 4–1 (2–1 league).

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With December Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

December 2025

Friday, December 19

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

  • Soccer, Boys - 5:00 PM vs St. Margarets Episcopal

Drone Helps Irvine Police Arrest Two Package Theft Suspects

Irvine Police used their drone-as-a-first-responder system to track two package theft suspects near Perlita and Gitano. Officers detained the women as they attempted to steal multiple packages from apartment mailrooms, recovering the stolen items from their Tesla. The two suspects, both from Yorba Linda, were arrested for burglary.

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 14 - December 30 Dream Glow Festival 4:30 - 10 PM

November 28 - December 28 Hikari: Festival of Lights

November 28 - December 30 Santa's Village

December 19 The Rinks: Ugly Sweater Skate 6 - 9 PM

December 21 Tis the Season!

December 21 Tribute to Mikhael Tariverdiev 6 - 7 PM

December 23 Fiesta Navidad 8 PM

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