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Wildlife Wonderland: Discover Irvine’s Trails and the Creatures That Call Them Home

Issue # 0504

Author

Joshua Tjia
27 Oct

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚙🤝 Empowering the Next Generation to Drive Safe and Stay Strong

📱📚 Read, Learn, and Explore Anywhere with Irvine Public Library’s Free Online Resources

🍧🍨 Sweet Deal Alert: Buy One, Get One Free at Yogurtland

🧋🎀 Sip in Style: Honkai Impact 3rd x Sunright Tea Studio Collab

🦇🧯 Costume Smart, Stay Safe: CAL FIRE’s Halloween Safety Tips

🎃🌮 Spooky Pumpkin Treats That Are as Nutritious as They Are Delicious

🌳🦌🌳 Wildlife Wonderland: Discover Irvine’s Trails and the Creatures That Call Them Home

🎃🎨 Join the Spook-tacular Fun — Halloween Arts & Crafts for Ages 4–10

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕 Meet Axel: The Energetic Pup Ready for His Forever Home

🤽🏻‍♂️ UCI Men’s Water Polo Dominates Titans to Earn Second Big West Victory

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

⚽️ Irvine Valley Men’s Soccer Shuts Out Orange Coast, 2-0

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈 Woodbridge Football Stuns University in Double Overtime 37–36 Victory

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓💿 Irvine Police Arrest Woman Following Walmart Theft Incident

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why are graveyards so noisy?

Because of all the coffin!

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

Empowering the Next Generation to Drive Safe and Stay Strong

Every 15 minutes, a life is lost to drunk driving — but the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is working to change that.

🛑 Through the Every 15 Minutes program, Senior Deputy District Attorneys Devin Campbell and Brian Orue joined Foothill High School students to inspire safer choices and greater awareness about the impact of impaired driving.

🚗 This two-day, life-changing experience helps teens reflect on responsibility, friendship, and the power of making smart decisions behind the wheel. With strong partnerships among law enforcement, schools, and first responders, the OCDA’s Office continues to build a safer future — one student at a time.

Read, Learn, and Explore Anywhere with Irvine Public Library’s Free Online Resources

The Irvine Public Library offers a world of digital learning and entertainment right at your fingertips!

  • 📱With your library card, you can access e-books and audiobooks on Libby, track reading on Beanstack, research through ProQuest and Ancestry Library Edition, and even take DMV practice tests — all from your device.

  • 📚 Explore thousands of resources anytime from home or at your local branch. Learn more at cityofirvine.org/library.

Sweet Deal Alert: Buy One, Get One Free at Yogurtland

Join the celebration at Yogurtland today, October 27, and enjoy a buy one, get one free treat — perfect for sharing or savoring solo! Offer valid in-store only at participating locations. Stop by, swirl your favorite flavors, and celebrate sweet moments together!

Sip in Style: Honkai Impact 3rd x Sunright Tea Studio Collab

Sunright Tea Studio is celebrating the Honkai Impact 3rd festivities with a Birthday Elysia 4-cup thermal bag! Buy any four drinks to receive this exclusive and stylish cup carrier — a perfect way to keep your drinks cool and your collection even cooler.

Costume Smart, Stay Safe: CAL FIRE’s Halloween Safety Tips

Before heading out for trick-or-treating fun, CAL FIRE reminds everyone that a great costume shouldn’t come at the cost of safety. A few quick precautions can help make your Halloween night both stylish and secure:

  • 🔥 Avoid long trailing fabrics — they can catch fire or cause tripping.

  • 💨 Skip overly flowy designs — tighter fits reduce risk and improve mobility.

  • ⚠️ Choose flame-resistant materials — check costume labels before buying or wearing.

  • 🕯️ Keep distance from open flames — candles and jack-o’-lanterns can ignite fabrics fast.

  • 👀 Prioritize visibility and comfort — ensure kids can move easily and see clearly.

Spooky Pumpkin Treats That Are as Nutritious as They Are Delicious

UCI Health shares two spooktacular pumpkin recipes that blend flavor and nutrition. Loaded with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, these dishes boost energy, immunity, and well-being — perfect for the fall season.

🍫 Pumpkin-Spiced Mummy Bars

  • Fun for breakfast or school parties

  • Made with pumpkin, oats, chia seeds & eggs

  • High in fiber, protein & omega-3s for steady energy

🌮 Pumpkin Enchilada Graveyard

  • A spooky, hearty casserole for all ages

  • Features chicken, black beans & tomato sauce

  • Packed with nutrients that support heart, mood & immune health

Wildlife Wonderland: Discover Irvine’s Trails and the Creatures That Call Them Home

Step onto Irvine’s trails and you’ll find more than fresh air — you’ll step into a living wildlife wonderland. Spot cottontail rabbits, western fence lizards, mule deer, and acorn woodpeckers, or if you’re lucky, a gray fox or bobcat. Thanks to strong conservation efforts, Irvine remains a haven where nature and community thrive side by side.

Fun Plant Facts 🌸

  • Laurel Sumac – Known as the “taco tree,” its curled leaves collect dew and rain to nourish its roots.

  • Toyon – Bears bright red berries resembling English holly, said to have inspired the name Hollywood.

  • Matilija Poppy – Dubbed the “fried-egg plant” for its striking white petals and yellow center.

  • Coastal Sagebrush – Called “cowboy cologne” for its refreshing scent; it’s part of the sunflower family.

  • Coyote Gourd – Also known as “stinky gourd” for its strong odor when crushed.

🦊 Every hike is a reminder — wild beauty is just steps away in Irvine.

Join the Spook-tacular Fun — Halloween Arts & Crafts for Ages 4–10

Woodbridge Village Association invites kids ages 4–10 to a Halloween Arts & Crafts Class on Thursday, October 30, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Center. Children can get creative with fun holiday projects and are welcome to wear their costumes.

✍🏻 The class fee is $20 per child. To register, visit the office at 31 Creek Road or call (949) 786-1800 during business hours.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. November 5, 5-9 PM: Band Spectacular, Irvine HS

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No events scheduled for the rest of this month.

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. October 30, 7 PM: Vaquero JR Voices Concert

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

Meet Axel: The Energetic Pup Ready for His Forever Home

Axel is a sweet, energetic pup who loves adventures, cuddles, and making new friends! He’s one of Irvine Animal Care Center’s longest residents and comes with a free $200 GoodPup training scholarship to help him settle into his new home. Learn more about Axel at cityofirvine.org/animals — he can’t wait to find his forever family!

UCI Men’s Water Polo Dominates Titans to Earn Second Big West Victory

UC Irvine defeated Cal State Fullerton 15-7 for its second Big West win. Johann Thrall led with four goals, Wyley Dale added three, and Zayd Mahmoud made 13 saves as the Anteaters pulled away with a dominant 5-0 third period.

UCI next hosts Long Beach State on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women’s Tennis

  • Thu, Oct 30 – vs UCI Fall Invitational, TBA

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs UCI Fall Invitational, TBA

Men’s Water Polo

  • Thu, Oct 30 – vs Long Beach State, 6:00 PM

Irvine Valley Men’s Soccer Shuts Out Orange Coast, 2-0

Irvine Valley rebounded from a 3-2 overtime loss to Golden West with a 2-0 shutout over Orange Coast, improving to 10-5 overall and 7-1 in conference. Michael Baumgaertel and Jonathan Minney scored for the Lasers, while keeper Sansiro Murata earned the clean sheet.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women’s Soccer

  • Tue, Oct 28 – vs Saddleback, 3:00 PM

Women’s Soccer

  • Fri, Oct 31 – vs Santa Ana, 1:00 PM

Woodbridge Football Stuns University in Double Overtime 37–36 Victory

Woodbridge High edged University 37–36 in a double-overtime Omicron League showdown at Uni Stadium. Kayjahn Pitts led the Warriors with four rushing touchdowns and the game-winning two-point conversion, while QB Waylon Stone added 189 total yards.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With October Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

October 2025

Friday, October 31

  • Football – 7:00 PM vs. Sonora – Irvine High School Stadium

Irvine Police Arrest Woman Following Walmart Theft Incident

The Irvine Police Department responded to a reported theft at Walmart, where a woman was detained after leaving the store without paying for CDs and other merchandise. Upon investigation, officers determined she had provided a false name and was currently on probation. The 30-year-old Costa Mesa resident was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail for probation violation, possession of drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

Now - November 2 Tanaka Farm Pumpkin Patch

November 1 Caity Gyorgy 7 PM

November 5 Takács Quartet 7 PM

November 8 Love Irvine: Citywide Serve Day 7:30 AM - 12 PM

November 8 Holiday Faire 10 AM - 4 PM

November 13 Phaeton Piano Trio 7 PM

November 15 - 16 Woodbridge Village Center: Makers Markets 10 AM - 4 PM

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