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Tokyo Central Supermarket Opens in Irvine with Grand Celebration and Huge Crowds

Issue # 0458

Author

Joshua Tjia
05 Aug

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎏🍣 Tokyo Central Supermarket Opens in Irvine with Grand Celebration and Huge Crowds

🚓💡 Aerial Inspections Begin in Irvine as SCE Boosts Fire Safety

🎹🎶 Michelle Cann and Pacific Symphony Celebrate St.Clair’s Final Concert, August 8

🍓🍦🍓 Summer in a Cup: Try The Alley’s Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie at Irvine Spectrum

♟️ Chess Camp for Ages 6–14 Returns to Great Park, Aug. 11–15

❤️🥗 Three Heart-Healthy Recipes to Power Your Plate

🦅 Irvine’s Sea & Sage Audubon Hosts Free Big Bear Birding Adventure Aug. 16

🎨 Shop Local Artisans This Weekend at Woodbury Town Center

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕📷 Photo Fundraiser Open! Submit Your Pet’s Pic to Help Shelter Animals

⚽️ Mia Rodriguez Joins UC Irvine Women’s Soccer for 2025 Season

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽️ IVC Soccer Standout Armon Haghighat Transfers to NCAA Division I Evansville

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Three Burglary Suspects Arrested After Pursuit Ends in Irvine Neighborhood

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why is it hard for oysters to make conversation?

Because they never open up.

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

Tokyo Central Supermarket Opens in Irvine with Grand Celebration and Huge Crowds

Tokyo Central, a Japanese specialty supermarket, officially opened its new Irvine location at Heritage Plaza on July 26.

  • The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Taiko drumming, and gift cards for the first 100 customers, drawing an estimated 10,000 visitors over the weekend.

  • Known for its Japanese snacks, skincare, household items, and prepared foods like sushi and rice pockets, the store experienced high demand, with grab-and-go sushi selling out by mid-afternoon.

  • Originally established in 1965, Tokyo Central is one of the first international Japan-based retailers in the U.S. market.

Aerial Inspections Begin in Irvine as SCE Boosts Fire Safety

In the coming weeks, Southern California Edison will be conducting aerial inspections of electrical infrastructure in the northern areas of Irvine, particularly along Jeffrey Road.

  • These inspections, which may involve drones and low-flying helicopters, are part of ongoing wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts and may take up to one hour per site.

  • Community members with questions are kindly encouraged to contact Southern California Edison directly and to not call 9-1-1.

Michelle Cann and Pacific Symphony Celebrate St.Clair’s Final Concert, August 8

Catch GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann performing Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto this Friday, August 8, at Great Park Live. Celebrated for her exceptional artistry, Cann joins this landmark SummerFest 2025 event, marking the final concert of Maestro Carl St.Clair’s 35-year tenure as Music Director. The evening promises an unforgettable musical celebration.

Summer in a Cup: Try The Alley’s Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

Cool off this summer and try The Alley’s summer Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie. It’s a refreshing blend of juicy strawberries and creamy yogurt, the perfect sweet escape to brighten your day. Stop by the Irvine Spectrum and sip into summer bliss!

Chess Camp for Ages 6–14 Returns to Great Park, Aug. 11–15

Fundamental Chess Academy is hosting a chess camp for kids aged 6–14 at Great Park Studio in Irvine from August 11 to August 15, running weekdays from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. The camp is open to all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and aims to boost confidence, focus, and strategic thinking through chess.

  • Location: Great Park Studio

  • Dates & Times: August 11–15, weekdays, 12:30 PM–3:30 PM

  • Cost: $299 (Resident) / $309 (Non-Resident)

  • Contact: [email protected] or 714-584-9408

Register here

Three Heart-Healthy Recipes to Power Your Plate

UCI Health presents three flavorful recipes that promote cardiovascular wellness. Each dish is rich in nutrients, easy to prepare, and designed to support a healthy heart.

🫑 Quinoa-Stuffed Chili Rellenos

  • These baked poblano peppers are filled with a hearty quinoa, black bean, and corn mixture, then topped with melted mozzarella and drizzled with a creamy avocado sauce—rich in fiber and heart-healthy fats.

🍠 Sweet Potato Salmon Quinoa Cakes

  • Packed with omega-3s and warming spices, these salmon cakes combine sweet potato, quinoa, and garlic for a flavorful and nutritious pan-fried meal.

🌮 Black Bean & Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

  • These vibrant vegetarian tacos feature spiced roasted cauliflower and seasoned black beans, finished with a tangy Greek yogurt-lime sauce for a fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory boost.

Find the recipes here

Irvine’s Sea & Sage Audubon Hosts Free Big Bear Birding Adventure Aug. 16

Join Sea & Sage Audubon Society, a local chapter of the National Audubon Society, for a free, full-day birding trip to Big Bear Valley on Saturday, August 16, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

  • Explore scenic spots like Bluff Lake and Lake Williams, with chances to see birds such as:

    • Bald Eagles

    • Pinyon Jays

    • Violet-green Swallow

    • Green-tailed Towhee

    • White-headed Woodpeckers

Shop Local Artisans This Weekend at Woodbury Town Center

The Summer Makers Markets at Woodbury Town Center return for their final weekend on August 9 and 10, from 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Visitors can browse a curated selection of handcrafted goods from local artisans and discover unique, one-of-a-kind items in a lively outdoor setting.

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

Photo Fundraiser Open! Submit Your Pet’s Pic to Help Shelter Animals

The Irvine Animal Care Center’s Photo Fundraiser is open through August 31! For $25, pet lovers can submit a photo of their furry, feathered, or scaly friend to help support animals in need and get a chance to be featured in the 2026 wall calendar.

  • Each $1 vote helps boost your pet’s chances—photos with 5+ votes will be included, and the top 13 get full-page spots.

  • All participants receive a free calendar. Find more information and vote here.

Mia Rodriguez Joins UC Irvine Women’s Soccer for 2025 Season

UC Irvine women’s soccer has wrapped up its 2025 recruiting class with the addition of Mia Rodriguez, a versatile midfielder from Hart High School, where she played alongside fellow UCI freshman Gianna Costello.

  • Known for her adaptability on the field—from winger to center back—Rodriguez contributed to her school’s four-year undefeated league run and steadily grew her scoring impact, finishing her senior year with 12 goals and 5 assists.

  • She also played club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

IVC Soccer Standout Armon Haghighat Transfers to NCAA Division I Evansville

Irvine Valley College standout Armon Haghighat is transferring to NCAA Division I University of Evansville to continue his soccer career.

  • A University High (Irvine) alum, Haghighat played 43 matches over two seasons for the Lasers, tallying a combined 28 points (8 goals, 12 assists).

  • He helped IVC to a playoff run in 2023 and contributed significantly in 2024.

  • He now joins an Evansville team coming off a Missouri Valley Conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, with the 2025 season kicking off August 13.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

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

Three Burglary Suspects Arrested After Pursuit Ends in Irvine Neighborhood

Three suspects involved in a commercial burglary were apprehended in Irvine after a police pursuit by Newport Beach PD ended near Jamboree and Michelson. The suspects fled on foot into a neighborhood on Rockefeller Street. With help from Irvine PD, helicopters from OC Sheriff and Huntington Beach PD, and K9 officer Lincoln, one suspect was arrested near the scene and the other two in a nearby parking structure. All were taken into custody without further incident.

S

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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