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The Canopy at Great Park: 80,000-Square-Foot Retail and Cultural Center Set for 2026 Opening

Issue # 0168

Author

Joshua Tjia
21 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏞️🏙️🌳 The Canopy at Great Park: 80,000-Square-Foot Retail and Cultural Center Set for 2026 Opening

🧪💧 IUSD Students Awarded for Outstanding Water Science Projects at IRWD Event

🍊🎈 Great Park Balloon Back in Action: Schedule and Details Inside

🍑🍃 Summer Peaches Arrive at Tanaka Farms, Masumoto Peaches Expected in June

🛟💦 Splash Safely: How to Keep Kids Safe in the Pool This Summer

👶🍼 Join UCI Health for the 2024 March for Babies on June 1 at Wild Rivers, Irvine

🌅🚶🏻‍♀️ Discover Irvine's Daily Adventure Trails: Open 7 Days a Week

🌳🌲🌳 Explore California's Landscapes at Great Park Gallery: 'Then & Now' Exhibit Opens May 26

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐇 Thinking About a Pet? Rabbits Are Playful, Affectionate, and Low Maintenance

⚾️ Jo Oyama: From Okinawa to UC Irvine, Chasing the American Baseball Dream

⚾️ UCI's Myles Smith Wins Third Field Player of the Week Award

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🎾 Irvine Valley College Tennis Team Achieves Top State Rankings in ITA 3C2A National Standings

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🎾 University High Boys Tennis Team Wins CIF Southern California Regional Championship

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

👮📫 Irvine Police Nab Suspects with Over a Thousand Stolen Pieces of Mail

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the pie go to the dentist?

Because it needed a filling!

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

The Canopy at Great Park: 80,000-Square-Foot Retail and Cultural Center Set for 2026 Opening

The Canopy, a new 80,000-square-foot retail and cultural center at Bosque and Great Park Boulevard, will include an anchor grocery store, restaurants, and retail shops. The project aims to create a community hub with both local and national tenants. The development, set to open in mid-2026, will also retrofit Hangar 244 into a food hall linked to The Canopy by a retail promenade. Additional amenities include a new campus for Orange County Music & Dance, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, Pretend City Children’s Museum, and the Asian American Museum. Future plans include a 10,000-person amphitheater, a 23-acre lake, the Great Meadow, and the Veterans Memorial Park and Gardens. The Great Park, once completed, will be more than twice the size of New York City's Central Park.

IUSD Students Awarded for Outstanding Water Science Projects at IRWD Event

Several IUSD students recently showcased their water-related Science Fair experiments at the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD). Eight projects received framed certificates and medals for their exemplary work. Congratulations to all participants and thanks to IRWD for hosting and partnering with the event. More details can be found at iusd.org/IRWDAwards2024.

Great Park Balloon Back in Action: Schedule and Details Inside

The Great Park Balloon resumes flights starting Thursday, May 23, with normal hours: Thursday–Friday from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. and 7 p.m.–10 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and 7 p.m.–10 p.m.

Enjoy breathtaking, 360-degree views of Irvine and the surrounding area. Visit yourgreatpark.org/balloon for more details. Balloon flights are weather permitting. For more info, call 949-724-6247.

Summer Peaches Arrive at Tanaka Farms, Masumoto Peaches Expected in June

Yellow and white peaches from YNT Farms near Fresno are now available at Tanaka Farms, signaling the start of summer! Keep an eye out for Masumoto Family Farm's famous peaches and nectarines, expected in June.

#californiagrown #local #supportsmallbusiness #summer #peaches #farmtotable #tanakafarms

Splash Safely: How to Keep Kids Safe in the Pool This Summer

As pool season approaches, it's essential to be aware of pool safety to prevent drowning, the leading cause of accidental death in children aged 1-4 in Orange County and California. For each drowning death, there are 15 nonfatal incidents that can cause lifelong medical issues. Drowning is both predictable and preventable, often happening silently and in an instant. To ensure safety

  • use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets

  • maintain vigilant supervision without distractions

  • install a 4-sided isolation fence around pools

  • enroll children in swimming lessons

  • take CPR/AED classes/ first aid training

These steps can help keep your family safe and ensure a fun pool season.

Join UCI Health for the 2024 March for Babies on June 1 at Wild Rivers, Irvine

Join UCI Health for the 2024 March for Babies on Saturday, June 1, at Wild Rivers in Irvine. Help fundraise to support the health of all families. Register as a team member or donate here.

Discover Irvine's Daily Adventure Trails: Open 7 Days a Week

With 7-day access trails open daily, the adventures are endless. From morning strolls to sunset hikes, explore:

  • Bommer Canyon - 7 a.m. to sunset

  • Buck Gully Reserve - dawn to dusk

  • Crystal Cove State Park - 6 a.m. to sunset

  • Irvine Regional Park - spring/summer hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Laguna Coast Wilderness Park - 7 a.m. to sunset

  • Peters Canyon Regional Park - 7 a.m. to sunset

  • Quail Hill - 7 a.m. to sunset

  • Santiago Oaks Regional Park - 7 a.m. to sunset

Discover more at bit.ly/3zwZKP3!

Explore California's Landscapes at Great Park Gallery: 'Then & Now' Exhibit Opens May 26

Explore the evolution of Southern California's landscapes through art at the "California Landscapes: Then & Now" exhibition, opening Sunday, May 26, at the Great Park Gallery. Enjoy a free opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. with refreshments and a chance to connect with artists and the curator. The exhibition features historical California Impressionist reproductions from the Irvine Museum collection and contemporary artists' perspectives on California's cityscapes and natural wonders. Visit yourgreatpark.org/arts for more info.

#YourGreatPark #WeAreIrvine #ArtsAtGreatPark #CaliforniaLandscapesThenAndNow #CaliforniaArt #Impressionism #ContemporaryArt #SouthernCalifornia #OpeningReception

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2023-24-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 31st, 7 PM: Broadway Rocks Concert

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for May.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Upcoming Irvine High School's Choral Calendar

  1. Tues & Wed, May 28 & 29, 3:30-6:30 PM: Dress rehearsal “Voices” (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  2. Thurs.- Sat, May 30-June 1, 7:00 PM: Voices 2024 (All Choirs) at IHS Theater.

  3. Wed, June 5, 7:00 PM: Heritage Awards (Chorale) at IHS Gym.

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

Thinking About a Pet? Rabbits Are Playful, Affectionate, and Low Maintenance

Thinking about adding a furry friend to your life? Consider a rabbit! These low-maintenance pets require a clean litter box, fresh water, and space to hop around. Despite their small size, rabbits are playful, curious, and full of personality. They are quiet, can be litter box trained, and make ideal companions for smaller spaces. Rabbits love to cuddle once they're comfortable, offering affection and enjoyment of gentle petting. By adopting a rabbit, you give a deserving animal a loving home and create a special bond. Ready to add some bunny love to your life? View adoptable rabbits and other pets at irvineanimals.org/adopt.

#AdoptDontShop #RescueRabbit #IrvineAnimalCareCenter #IrvineAnimals #WeAreIrvine

Jo Oyama: From Okinawa to UC Irvine, Chasing the American Baseball Dream

Joichiro “Jo” Oyama, a passionate baseball player from Okinawa, Japan, has been living his American dream for the past five years. Inspired by Ichiro Suzuki, Oyama started playing baseball at seven. With limited opportunities in Japan, he discovered the U.S. college baseball system and decided to pursue it. At 19, with no English skills, Oyama moved to Merced College, where he faced challenges but persevered, improving his English through movies and interactions with friends and teammates. His dedication paid off as he earned multiple honors and caught the attention of UC Irvine. Since joining UCI, Oyama has been instrumental in the team's success, with impressive personal stats and strong team chemistry. He dreams of continuing his baseball career at the professional level and inspiring the next generation of Japanese players, just as Ichiro inspired him.

UCI's Myles Smith Wins Third Field Player of the Week Award

Anteater junior Myles Smith received the Big West Field Player of the Week award for the third time in four weeks, hitting .550 with 11 hits, including his first 5-hit game and a home run. Smith reached base 16 times, drove in four runs, and stole a base. The Anteaters now have eight weekly awards this season. Additionally, Anteater ace Nick Pinto is a semifinalist for the National Pitcher of the Year, boasting a 9-2 record, 3.66 ERA, and 88 strikeouts in 84 innings, with eight quality starts and 60 career starts, leading all current Division I pitchers.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  1. Thu, May 23: vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

  2. Fri, May 24: vs CSUN, 6:00 PM

  3. Sat, May 25: vs CSUN, 1:00 PM

Irvine Valley College Tennis Team Achieves Top State Rankings in ITA 3C2A National Standings

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released the ITA 3C2A Men's National Team, Singles, and Doubles Rankings, with Irvine Valley College (IVC) ranked No. 3 in the state, behind Ventura and Glendale. IVC finished the season with an 11-2 record overall and an 8-0 record in the Orange Empire Conference, winning the title. In singles, IVC freshman Nick Grove ranked fourth in the state, with four other freshmen ranking in the top 32. In doubles, Grove and Pardo ranked No. 1 after winning the state title.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

No upcoming IVC home games

University High Boys Tennis Team Wins CIF Southern California Regional Championship

The University High School boys tennis team won the CIF Southern California Regional championship by defeating Torrey Pines High 5-2. Coach John Kessler's team, which also secured the CIF Southern Section Open Division title, saw singles victories from freshmen JiHyuk Im, Daniel Zhu, and junior Arystarkh Len. Doubles wins came from Mimo Alajeely and Langston Walter-Wu at second doubles, and Cedric Lichtsteiner and Joseph Chan at third doubles. The team will compete against California High School for the first official California state championship in Fresno on Saturday.

High School Athletics Calendar -

** Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No upcoming home games.

Irvine Police Nab Suspects with Over a Thousand Stolen Pieces of Mail

On May 14 at 4:30 a.m., Irvine patrol officers stopped a vehicle for multiple violations and found drug paraphernalia, burglary tools, stolen mail keys, credit cards, and over a thousand pieces of stolen mail. Both suspects were arrested on charges related to identity theft, burglary tools, controlled substances, and fraud equipment. Residents are advised to check their mailboxes often, track deliveries, and sign up for USPS informed delivery notifications.

#dontcommitcrimeinirvine #irvinepolice #police #irvine #orangecounty

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 55% - 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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