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Upcoming Irvine Holiday Events: Tree Lighting, Markets, and More

Issue # 0294

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 Nov

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🏙️📄 Irvine Seeks Balance Between Public Safety and Homeless Support with Camping Ban

❄️🎄❄️ Upcoming Irvine Holiday Events: Tree Lighting, Markets, and More

🎻 Rubi Lee, Young Irvine Violinist, Takes Center Stage with Pacific Symphony Orchestra

🚌⭐️ Six IUSD Schools Ranked Among Top 100 in California by U.S. News

🥗🥧 7 Healthy Holiday Recipes to Satisfy Your Taste Buds

🚜🌾 Tanaka Farms Maximizes Use of Leftover Pumpkins: Sale, Animal Feed, and Composting

⛸️ Take Your Skating to the Next Level: Join Irvine Inline’s Trial Session

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🎄🐾 Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season with VCA’s 2024 Holiday Hazards Playbook

🎾 UCI Tennis Milestone: Zamora Defeats Top-15 Opponent in NCAA Opener

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 Irvine Valley Women’s Volleyball Rallies to Defeat Fullerton in Five Sets

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚨 Irvine Police Arrest Woman for Forgery, Identity Theft, and Narcotics at Irvine Spectrum

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why did the turkey bring a microphone to dinner?

He was ready for a roast.

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

Irvine Seeks Balance Between Public Safety and Homeless Support with Camping Ban

The Irvine City Council approved an ordinance banning unauthorized camping on public and private property, with enforcement delayed for 120 days to allow review by the incoming Council. Proposed by Irvine Police Department Commander Dave Klug, the ordinance addresses rising public health and safety concerns linked to homeless encampments, including a recent fire under a freeway overpass. It is part of a broader homelessness strategy, though efforts to secure bridge housing have faced setbacks. The ordinance, which includes a 24-hour notice for camp removals and a 90-day retention policy for personal belongings, passed 4-1, with Councilmember Treseder dissenting due to a lack of housing alternatives.

Upcoming Irvine Holiday Events: Tree Lighting, Markets, and More

Get into the holiday spirit with Irvine’s upcoming festivities!

Saturday, December 7 

  • - Illuminate Irvine (3–8 p.m.)

    •  📍 Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex

    • - Live music, family activities, and Holiday Tree lighting

    • - Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee

  • - Holiday Market 

    • - Shop holiday crafts from 28 artisan vendors

Sunday, December 8 

  • - Holiday Market (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)

    • - Shop holiday crafts from 28 artisan vendors

Through December 29 

  • - Holidayz at the Park 

    • - Sparkling light displays and festive photo backdrops

Parking and admission are free! More info: cityofirvine.org/events.

Rubi Lee, Young Irvine Violinist, Takes Center Stage with Pacific Symphony Orchestra

Rubi Lee, a young and talented violinist from Irvine, performed as a guest soloist with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in five concerts this summer, showcasing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Having started violin at age 6, Rubi practices up to five hours daily and balances her studies at Pacific Academy in Irvine and Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles. She plans to double major in music and psychology to explore music’s therapeutic impact on dementia patients. A proud Korean-American, she loves Irvine’s parks and vibrant cultural scene.

Six IUSD Schools Ranked Among Top 100 in California by U.S. News

Six IUSD elementary and middle schools have ranked among the Top 100 Best Schools in California, according to U.S. News & World Report! Notable rankings include Vista Verde K-8 at No. 13, Beacon Park K-8 at No. 36, and Stonegate Elementary at No. 69. Middle schools Lakeside, Rancho San Joaquin, and Sierra Vista also made the list, ranking No. 56, 57, and 60 respectively. These rankings are based on academic performance in math and reading, considering socioeconomic factors. Learn more at iusd.org/BestElemMiddle2025.

7 Healthy Holiday Recipes to Satisfy Your Taste Buds

Looking to indulge this holiday season without compromising your health? UCI Health offers seven delicious, lower-calorie takes on traditional holiday dishes, perfect for pleasing the crowd and staying mindful of your nutrition goals.

  • Options include: a Pumpkin Spice Mocktail, immunity-boosting Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese and Walnuts, and a lighter Sweet Potato Casserole.

  • For main dishes: try the Stuffed Pork Tenderloin or festive Holiday Shrimp Paella

  • Satisfy your sweet tooth with: a Healthy Pumpkin Pie or Gingered Brown Rice Pudding, packed with immune-boosting ginger.

These recipes ensure you enjoy the season while staying on track.

Tanaka Farms Maximizes Use of Leftover Pumpkins: Sale, Animal Feed, and Composting

Curious about the fate of the remaining pumpkins from Tanaka Farms' pumpkin patch? Here’s how they are utilized:

- Pumpkin Sale: A $25 wheelbarrow sale is currently available at the Produce Stand, offering an opportunity to purchase leftover pumpkins while supplies last.

- Animal Nutrition: Some pumpkins are given to the farm’s barn animals as a supplement to their regular diet, offering additional protein, fiber, and mental stimulation.

- Sustainable Composting: The majority of the pumpkins are composted, contributing to soil enrichment and sustainable farming practices for future growing seasons.

See video

Take Your Skating to the Next Level: Join Irvine Inline’s Trial Session

Irvine Inline is introducing a three-week Competition Team Trial Session, open to all World Skate competitive age groups. This program is designed to enhance participants' fundamentals and skating skills. RAST Club Membership is not required for this trial. Those who do not currently compete in World Skate events are encouraged to contact Coach Candice to determine the most suitable class for their skill level. Registration for all Fall sessions is now available here.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. Thu, November 21, 7:00 - 8:00 PM: Vocal Music Winter Concert

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. Thu, December 5, 7:00 PM: A Winter Celebration at Big Theater.

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. Thurs, December 12, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Winter Concerts: Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra

  2. Fri, December 13, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Winter Concerts: Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. Fri, December 6, 7:00 PM: Winter Celebration Concert at WHS Performing Arts Center.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. Wed, December 18, 6:00-10:00 PM: IM Winter Concert

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

Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season with VCA’s 2024 Holiday Hazards Playbook

  • Key Safety Tips:

    • Avoid top holiday toxins (chocolate, festive plants, alcohol)

    • Ensure food and decoration safety (secure Christmas trees, use pet-safe ornaments)

    • Prepare for winter weather (protect paws during walks)

    • Maintain your pet’s regular diet

    • Pack up food and drink leftovers promptly

    • Keep hazardous items like tinsel, candles, and exposed electrical cords out of reach

  • Holiday Mindfulness & Pet Care:

    • Create a quiet, safe space for your pet

    • Practice self-care together (spa days, cuddling, movie nights)

    • Engage in fun activities (pet yoga, winter walks, playdates)

    • Meditate and unplug with your pet to reduce stress

  • Stay Prepared:

    • Secure your home and decorations for pet safety

    • Be mindful and flexible during holiday chaos

Download the 2024 Holiday Hazards Playbook for detailed tips here.

UCI Tennis Milestone: Zamora Defeats Top-15 Opponent in NCAA Opener

No. 121 Noah Zamora defeated 13th-ranked Sebastian Dominko of Notre Dame, 6-4, 6-4, in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Singles Championship at Hurd Tennis Center. Zamora, the first Anteater to qualify for the tournament since 2011, also became the first to advance since 1989. He broke Dominko’s serve to secure the first set and maintained momentum in the second, holding serve for the win. Zamora now advances to the Round of 32 to face No. 37 Pedro Vives of TCU, whom he previously faced in the 2024 NCAA Team Championship.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Volleyball

  1. Thu, Nov 21: vs Cal State Fullerton, 6:00 PM

  2. Sat, Nov 23: vs Hawai'i, 4:00 PM

  3. Wed, Nov 27: vs First Round TBA (Big West Championship)

  4. Fri, Nov 29: vs Semifinals TBA (Big West Championship)

  5. Sat, Nov 30: vs Championship TBA (Big West Championship)

Irvine Valley Women’s Volleyball Rallies to Defeat Fullerton in Five Sets

Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team pulled off a thrilling comeback, defeating Fullerton 3-2 in an Orange Empire Conference match. Key players included Hailey Oldham (19 kills, 13 digs), Alya Mersin (12 kills, 19 digs), Audrey Fowler (11 kills, 17 digs), Kayla Torres (16 digs), and Alondra Castro (46 assists, 13 digs). The win improved their record to 8-15 overall and 8-7 in conference.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men’s Basketball

  1. Wed, Nov 20: vs Southwestern, 5:00 PM

  2. Wed, Nov 27: vs El Camino, 5:00 PM

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With November Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

November 2024  

Thursday, November 21 

  • 03:30 PM: Water Polo, Girls VR vs. Aliso Niguel at Woolett Pool

Irvine Police Arrest Woman for Forgery, Identity Theft, and Narcotics at Irvine Spectrum

Irvine Spectrum Officers detained a woman linked to a recent commercial burglary after spotting her vehicle. A search uncovered narcotics, paraphernalia, multiple driver’s licenses, and forged California seals. Kaycee Lynn Robinson, 33, from Orange, was arrested on forgery, identity theft, and narcotics charges.

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 1 - December 14 Annual Holiday Toy Drive

November 18 – December 13 Letters to Santa

December 5 - 7 Art of the Spanish Guitar 8 PM

December 7 - 8 Holiday Market 3 - 8 PM

December 7 - 15 Holiday Makers Mart 10 AM - 4 PM

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