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The Market Place Expands with New Homes, Shops, and Dining Plaza

Issue # 0481

Author

Joshua Tjia
08 Sep

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏢☕️🍽️ The Market Place Expands with New Homes, Shops, and Dining Plaza

🚓 Irvine Police Conduct Traffic Safety Operation Near Irvine High School

🌺🎶 Great Park Live Hosts Hawaiian Reggae-Pop Band Kolohe Kai, September 12–13

🚧 Jeffrey Trail Bridge Construction Brings Upcoming I-5 Closures

🩺 Improving Outcomes: UCI Health Recognized for Diabetes Care

🌟✏️IUSD Virtual Academy Named Best Virtual School in Orange County

☀️🚶 Join a Scenic Fitness Hike on Hicks Haul Road This Tuesday Morning

🍎🍺 DIY Spice Jars for Cider, Tea & Wine at Heritage Park Library

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🦴 A Quick Guide to Pet Toys: Safe Choices vs. Hidden Hazards

🤽🏻‍♂️ UC Irvine Men’s Water Polo Stays Perfect with 14–7 Win at Redlands

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Father vs. Son: Crean Lutheran Tops Capo Valley 23-6

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚨🚔 Irvine PD Finds Weapons, Drugs, and Stolen Property in Storage Unit

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the fruit say to his valentine?

"I love you from my head tomato!"

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

The Market Place Expands with New Homes, Shops, and Dining Plaza

The Market Place in Irvine is undergoing a major reinvestment project, introducing new restaurants, a community plaza, and residential spaces.

  • The first phase includes Shake Shack, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Mendocino Farms, and BLK Dot Coffee, with an opening celebration on Sept. 27.

  • A new half-acre lawn will connect dining, retail, and living areas, enhancing the walkable community concept.

  • Two apartment communities—Colonnade (leasing this month) and Meridian (leasing in December)—will bring residents closer to the center.

  • These additions complement The Market Place’s 130+ shops, restaurants, and services, continuing the vision of architect Ricardo Legorreta.

Irvine Police Conduct Traffic Safety Operation Near Irvine High School

Irvine Police officers carried out a High-Visibility Enforcement operation near Irvine High School on Thursday to promote traffic safety and address e-bike violations.

  • Over a two-hour period, 24 citations were issued for offenses such as cell phone use, failing to stop at stop signs, and speeding.

  • Additionally, one e-motorcycle was impounded.

Great Park Live Hosts Hawaiian Reggae-Pop Band Kolohe Kai, September 12–13

Hawaiian reggae-pop band Kolohe Kai will perform at Great Park Live on Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13. Recognized for songs such as Ehu Girl and Cool Down, the group is known for its blend of reggae, pop, and R&B influences.

Tickets are available at greatparklive.com.

Jeffrey Trail Bridge Construction Brings Upcoming I-5 Closures

The City of Irvine is continuing work on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge, which will require multiple nighttime closures on the I-5 Freeway. Closures will take place between Sept. 8–26 from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

  • Sept. 8–9: Northbound & southbound I-5 lane closures

  • Sept. 10–11: Southbound Jeffrey Rd. off-ramp & southbound I-5 lane closures

  • Sept. 12–13: Full closure of southbound I-5 from Culver Dr. to Jeffrey Rd.

IUSD Virtual Academy Named Best Virtual School in Orange County

The Irvine Unified School District’s Virtual Academy (IVA) Elementary has been named Best Virtual School in Orange County by Parenting OC’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Selected by community votes, the program was recognized for its innovative blend of live (synchronous) and independent (asynchronous) learning, offering students flexibility and engagement.

Improving Outcomes: UCI Health Recognized for Diabetes Care

Diabetes continues to grow as a major health concern, and UCI Health has been nationally recognized for its role in treatment, prevention, and research. The focus includes early screening, support for higher-risk groups, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

  • National recognition: UCI Health – Orange is the only hospital in Orange County named a Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes.

  • Community impact: Programs address rising cases across all ages, with attention to groups that face higher risks due to genetic and socioeconomic factors.

  • Research findings: UC studies highlight challenges in blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control, especially among Latino/a adults.

  • Health risks: Poorly managed diabetes can increase the likelihood of heart disease, kidney disease, and vision problems.

  • Preventive care: Awareness, balanced nutrition, regular activity, and routine health screenings are key steps in reducing risks and improving long-term outcomes.

Join a Scenic Fitness Hike on Hicks Haul Road This Tuesday Morning

Join the Tuesday Morning Fitness Hike at Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve on September 9, from 7:30–10:30 AM, for a brisk 3, 6, or 8-mile workout along the paved Hicks Haul Road. Rated level 3 with some steep climbs and sweeping views, this hike is open to ages 16+. Bring proper attire, plenty of water, and sun protection.

DIY Spice Jars for Cider, Tea & Wine at Heritage Park Library


Enjoy a cozy fall craft by filling and decorating your own jar of mulling spices, perfect for cider, tea, or wine. This free, drop-in event takes place Saturday, September 13, from 2–3 p.m. at Heritage Park Library. Open to adults, no registration required—walk-ins welcome while supplies last.

We will resume with the high school music calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

A Quick Guide to Pet Toys: Safe Choices vs. Hidden Hazards

Not all pet toys are safe—some can enrich your pet’s life, while others may pose risks. VCA Animal Hospitals highlights which to keep and which to toss:

  • Keep:

    • Rubber chew toys – durable, great for mental stimulation, especially when filled with treats.

    • Puzzle toys – encourage problem-solving and slow down fast eaters.

    • Heavy-duty tug toys – safe for interactive play if well made.

  • Toss:

    • Rope toys – shredded fibers can cause dangerous intestinal blockages.

    • Plastic toys – break easily into sharp or swallowable pieces.

    • Squeaky toys – broken squeakers can be a choking hazard.

UC Irvine Men’s Water Polo Stays Perfect with 14–7 Win at Redlands

UC Irvine men’s water polo stayed undefeated at 6-0 with a 14–7 win over Redlands.

  • Seniors Samuel Otta and Luka Krstic each scored three goals, while goalie Zayd Mahmoud made six saves.

  • The Anteaters took control early with a strong first quarter and never let go of the lead.

  • Up next, UCI plays No. 1 UCLA on Sept. 12, then hosts No. 2 USC the following day.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men’s Soccer

  • Mon, Sep 8 – vs Cornell, 4:00 PM

  • Fri, Sep 12 – vs Yale, 6:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Thu, Sep 11 – vs Santa Clara, 6:00 PM

  • Sun, Sep 14 – vs Washington State, 1:00 PM

Men’s Water Polo

  • Sat, Sep 13 – vs USC, 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 12 – vs San Diego Mesa, 2:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 23 – vs Cuyamaca, 4:00 PM

  • Tue, Sep 30 – vs Orange Coast, 3:00 PM

Women’s Volleyball

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs Orange Coast, 6:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Sep 26 – vs East Los Angeles, 1:00 PM

Father vs. Son: Crean Lutheran Tops Capo Valley 23-6

Crean Lutheran defeated Capistrano Valley 23-6 in a father-son matchup, with Rick Curtis coaching the Saints against his son Sean’s Cougars.

  • Capo Valley scored first, but Crean took control with a 62-yard touchdown run by Dillon Booth, two touchdowns from Caleb Bey, and a strong defensive effort including two interceptions by Javari Nash.

  • The win kept Crean unbeaten at 3-0, and both coaches said the night was a special family memory.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With September Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

September 2025

Monday, September 8

  • Girls Flag Football – 6:00 PM vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, September 9

  • Girls Tennis – 3:30 PM vs. Woodbridge (League)

  • Boys Water Polo – 4:30 PM vs. Servite at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center (Non-League)

Wednesday, September 10

  • Girls Flag Football – 3:30 PM vs. Woodbridge (League)

Thursday, September 11

  • Football (11 person) – 7:00 PM vs. Laguna Hills at Irvine High School Stadium (Non-League)

Irvine PD Finds Weapons, Drugs, and Stolen Property in Storage Unit

Irvine Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit arrested a suspect last Tuesday after surveillance at a Santa Ana storage facility.

  • The suspect tried to flee but was tracked by a drone and caught after tossing a backpack containing drugs.

  • Detectives also searched his storage unit, uncovering firearms, a stolen vehicle, and stolen license plates.

  • He was booked into Orange County Jail on stolen vehicle, weapons, and narcotics charges.

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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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