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Valentine’s Day in Orange County: Top Activities and Experiences

Issue # 0345

Author

Joshua Tjia
14 Feb

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌹💌🌹 Valentine’s Day in Orange County: Top Activities and Experiences

🚛🍽️ Irvine Community Supports Marines with Food Donation from Albertsons and Contemporary Air Control

🚙🔋 Rivian to Open New Electric Vehicle Showroom at Irvine Spectrum Center This Spring

🥪🐓 New Chicken Sandwich Combos at J&G’s Irvine Spectrum – Try Them Today

📚✍🏻 Russian School of Math Open House: Explore K-6 Math Programs on Feb 18

🩺😷 Urgent Care or ER? How to Decide Where to Go in a Medical Emergency

⚠️☔️ Irvine Trail & Underpass Closures: What’s Open and Closed After Heavy Rain

🎨🖌️ Discover The Artist Lab: Discounts, Free Counseling, and More

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐶🤎 4 Vet-Approved Ways to Show Your Pets Love This Valentine’s Day

🏃🏻‍♀️ Malia Gay Shatters Two UCI Track & Field Records, Named Anteater of the Week

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 Irvine Valley Men's Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton, Improves to 4-1

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏀 Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Defeats San Clemente 68-56, Advances to CIF Division 1 Second Round

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚦 Two Arrested in Irvine for Identity Theft and Fraud Following Traffic Stop

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What did the lightbulb say to his Valentine?

I love you a whole watt!

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

Valentine’s Day in Orange County: Top Activities and Experiences

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a variety of local events, from art and music to dining and outdoor fun. Here are some highlights:

Creative & Cultural Experiences:

Dance, Music, and Social Fun:

  • Atomic Ballroom: Salsa and swing lessons with a social dance. (Feb. 14, $50 per couple, Irvine)

Food Experiences:

  • Thai Fix Restaurant: Affordable Valentine’s meals with heart-shaped rice. (Feb. 14, $13.95–$25, Ladera Ranch, Huntington Beach)

  • Mountain Mike's Pizza: Heart-shaped pizzas and dessert specials. (All February, $27.99, OC locations)

Outdoor & Unique Experiences:

Give Back:

Enjoy a memorable Valentine’s Day with these local experiences that fit every budget and interest.

Irvine Community Supports Marines with Food Donation from Albertsons and Contemporary Air Control

The Irvine community came together to support local service members through a generous food donation initiative. Albertsons Nourishing Neighbors, Albertsons-UC Irvine, and Albertsons Companies SoCal Division donated nonperishable groceries to assist 60 active-duty Marines and their families at Camp Pendleton. Contemporary Air Control further supported the cause by providing a truck and driver to transport the donation from Irvine.

Rivian to Open New Electric Vehicle Showroom at Irvine Spectrum Center This Spring

Rivian will open a new Rivian Spaces showroom at Irvine Spectrum Center this spring, offering an immersive, no-pressure experience to explore its all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV. Following its flagship in Laguna Beach, Rivian continues blending retail with recreation, making car shopping part of the lifestyle hub experience. This move aligns with a growing trend of automotive brands, like VinFast at Spectrum and Lincoln at Fashion Island, bringing EV displays to popular shopping centers. The showroom invites visitors to explore vehicles casually, highlighting how car buying is evolving into an accessible, aspirational experience.

New Chicken Sandwich Combos at J&G’s Irvine Spectrum – Try Them Today

J&G’s at Irvine Spectrum is now offering new combo meals!

  • Try the Chicken Sandwich Combo with a chicken sandwich, salad, and curly fries

  • or go big with the Jumbo Combo, which includes a chicken sandwich, J&G fried chicken fillet, and curly fries.

  • Visit them at 918 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618 for your crispy fix!

Russian School of Math Open House: Explore K-6 Math Programs on Feb 18

The Russian School of Math is hosting an Open House from Feb 12–18, 4:30 PM–6:30 PM at Westpark™ Plaza. Families with K-6 students are invited to join on Tuesday, Feb 18, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM to meet the Principal, ambassadors, and competition coordinator, and learn about their math programs and competition prep.

Reserve your spot! For details, call (949) 551-1777 or visit their website.

Urgent Care or ER? How to Decide Where to Go in a Medical Emergency

When a medical issue arises, knowing whether to visit urgent care or the emergency room can save time, money, and possibly your life. According to Dr. Chris Fox of UCI Health, the key is to assess the severity and urgency of your symptoms.

  • Urgent care is best for non-life-threatening issues like fever, minor fractures, vomiting, and urinary pain, offering quicker, more affordable treatment than the ER.

  • The emergency room is necessary for severe or sudden symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, head injuries, or unexplained seizures.

  • If symptoms are critical—like numbness, slurred speech, or limb-threatening injuries—call 911.

  • Dr. Fox advises heading to the ER when symptoms are severe or unclear, while urgent care is ideal for minor but urgent problems.

  • Although the ER can rule out life-threatening issues, it may not diagnose everything, so follow up with specialists if needed. 

Irvine Trail & Underpass Closures: What’s Open and Closed After Heavy Rain

Due to rain, Bommer Canyon, Shady Canyon, and Quail Hill trails are closed.

  • All bike trail underpasses are closed except:

    • Peters Canyon Trail at Bryan Ave and Irvine Blvd

    • San Diego Creek Trail (northside) at Jeffrey Rd, East Yale Loop, and West Yale Loop.

  • Additionally, all underpasses on the southside of San Diego Creek Trail (between Alton Pkwy and Valley Oak) remain open.

Discover The Artist Lab: Discounts, Free Counseling, and More

The Artist Lab, located at 5311 University Drive in Irvine, California, is a vibrant art studio offering fine and digital art classes, as well as portfolio development for various age groups.

Current Promotions:

  • Refer a Friend – Get $30 OFF: Introduce a friend to The Artist Lab, and when they enroll in a 3-month (or longer) package, both of you receive $30 off tuition. Redeem the discount within 15 days of their enrollment.

  • Free 30-Minute College Prep Counseling (Grades 9–12): High school students can receive expert guidance on building strong portfolios for art, design, or architecture college applications. Book your free 30-minute session today to get personalized feedback and tips to help your application shine.

For more details, visit their website: theartistlabs.com

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. February 12 - 15: Musical, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. February 27 - March 1,6,7,8 7:00 PM: Guys and Dolls Musical, 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. February 27 - March 1, 7:00 PM-10:00 PM: Shrek the Musical, Performing Arts Center

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. February 27 - March 1: Shrek the Musical, 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. March 5-8, 7:00 PM: Mary Poppins Musical, Irvine Performing Arts Center.

  2. March 13, 6:30 PM: Festival Concert, Irvine Performing Arts Center.

  3. March 15, All Day: Irvine Jazz Festival, Irvine High School Campus.

  4. March 18, 7:00 PM: District Jazz Festival, Woodbridge HS Performing Arts Center.

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

4 Vet-Approved Ways to Show Your Pets Love This Valentine’s Day

This Valentine’s Day, show your furry friends how much you care with these four vet-approved tips from Freshpet expert Dr. Aziza Glass.

  • Cook pet-friendly treats: Make homemade snacks using pet-safe fruits and veggies like strawberries (rich in vitamins), cranberries (full of antioxidants), and beets (fiber-packed).

  • Switch to a fresh, healthy diet: Upgrade your pet’s meals with nutritious, fresh food options like Freshpet, made with real meat and veggies—perfect for picky eaters.

  • Create sustainable DIY toys: Reuse household items by making a crinkle chew toy with an empty water bottle and a sock—fun, engaging, and eco-friendly.

  • Plan a doggie play date: Promote socialization by heading to a dog park or organizing a playdate with neighborhood pups—your pet will love the exercise and companionship.

These thoughtful gestures not only show your love but also strengthen your bond with your pet. Discover more ideas at Freshpet.com.

Malia Gay Shatters Two UCI Track & Field Records, Named Anteater of the Week

Senior Malia Gay was named Sgt. Pepperoni’s Anteater of the Week after breaking two UC Irvine women’s indoor track and field records at the Riverfront Invitational and Multis. She won the 800m with a personal best of 2:09.52, surpassing the previous record of 2:12.10 set by Emma McCarthy in 2023. The next day, she broke another school record in the 600m, finishing in 1:32.23 and topping McCarthy’s 2023 mark. The ‘Eaters will compete next at the MPSF Championships in Spokane, WA, on Feb. 21-22.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Basketball

  • Sat, Feb 15: Women’s Basketball vs Hawai’i, 2:00 PM

Women’s Tennis

  • Fri, Feb 14: Women’s Tennis vs Monmouth University, 1:00 PM

  • Sun, Feb 16: Women’s Tennis vs UC Davis

Women’s Water Polo

  • Sat, Feb 15: Women’s Water Polo vs UCLA, 12:00 PM

  • Sun, Feb 16: Women’s Water Polo vs Alumni, 11:00 AM

Irvine Valley Men's Volleyball Sweeps Fullerton, Improves to 4-1

Irvine Valley men's volleyball, ranked fifth in the state, secured a 3-0 sweep (25-23, 25-20, 25-20) over Fullerton, improving to 4-1 overall. The Lasers edged out a tight first set with key plays from freshman setter Bryce Nohava and outside hitter Jackson McGrew. McGrew also shined in the second and third sets, contributing 11 kills, 5 digs, and 3 blocks. Freshman middle blocker Joshua Damianopoulos added 7 kills, while Nohava led with 26 assists.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  1. Sat, Feb 15 – vs West LA, 12:00 PM

  2. Tue, Feb 18 – vs Grossmont, 1:00 PM

Men’s Tennis

  1. Tue, Feb 25 – vs Fullerton, 2:00 PM

  2. Thu, Feb 27 – vs Bakersfield, 1:00 PM

Women's Basketball

  1. Fri, Feb 21 – vs Orange Coast, 6:00 PM

Women's Beach Volleyball

  1. Sat, Feb 15 – vs Mt. San Jacinto, 9:00 AM

  2. Sat, Feb 15 – vs Santa Barbara, 11:00 AM

Crean Lutheran Boys Basketball Defeats San Clemente 68-56, Advances to CIF Division 1 Second Round

Crean Lutheran High School's boys basketball team dominated early with an 18-0 lead, defeating San Clemente 68-56 in the CIF Division 1 playoff opener. Center Jacob Majok led with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and multiple blocks, while Matt Ciftcikara added 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and Will Malual contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds. The Saints' relentless defense and teamwork were key, with Coach Nate Klitzing praising their focus and energy. Despite a late push from San Clemente, led by Porter Hansen (23 points) and Christian Fernandez (13 points), the early deficit was too large to overcome. Crean Lutheran (16-11) advances to face Brentwood in the second round on Friday.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With February Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

February 2025

Monday, February 17

  • 3:15 PM - Baseball (VR) vs Segerstrom at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Tuesday, February 18

  • 3:15 PM - Baseball (VR) vs Laguna Hills at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Wednesday, February 19

  • 3:30 PM - Beach Volleyball (Girls, VR) vs Montebello at Deerfield Park Beach Courts

Thursday, February 20

  • 3:00 PM - Tennis (Boys, VR) vs El Toro at Irvine High School Heritage Park

Monday, February 24

  • 3:00 PM - Tennis (Boys, VR) vs Edison at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 6:00 PM - Lacrosse (Boys, VR) vs Mission Viejo at Irvine High School Stadium

Two Arrested in Irvine for Identity Theft and Fraud Following Traffic Stop

On Saturday, Irvine police stopped a Tesla without license plates and arrested two individuals for identity theft and fraud. The driver, John Magdirila, 35, of Gardena, had multiple stolen EBT cards, a fake ID, and stolen mail; he also has a prior identity theft conviction. Passenger Jammie Smith, 41, of Los Angeles, was found with stolen DMV documents. Both face multiple charges, including conspiracy and possession of stolen property, and were booked into Orange County Jail.

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

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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!

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