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Woodbridge High’s Kristie Donavan Wins Nation’s Top Math Teaching Honor

Issue # 0378

Author

Joshua Tjia
03 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🚌📝🌟 Woodbridge High’s Kristie Donavan Wins Nation’s Top Math Teaching Honor

🚓🩺 Irvine Police Department Launches I-CARE Team to Enhance Mental Health and Community Support

🍓🍵 Sweet Savings at 85°C Bakery Irvine – BOGO 50% Off Strawberry Drinks

⚾️ USC Baseball Returns to Great Park with Free Admission This Weekend

🤕 Sprain vs. Strain: Key Differences and the Best Way to Heal Safely

🌾🥾 Hiking 101 at Bommer Canyon: Beginner Tips, Safety, and Trail Essentials on April 17

🌼🕯️🌼 Create a Pressed Flower Lantern – Adult Drop-In Craft Time at Katie Wheeler Library🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐹 Give a Rescued Hamster a Second Chance and a Loving Home

⚾️ UC Irvine Baseball Defeats San Diego 16–7 as Call Sets Home Run Record

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🎾 IVC Men’s Tennis Shuts Out Saddleback 9-0, Secures Second in OEC

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓💊 Surprise Search in Irvine Leads to Drug, Weapons Arrest; Two Men Taken Into Custody

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

Why are flowers so friendly in April?

Because they always have new buds!

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

Woodbridge High’s Kristie Donavan Wins Nation’s Top Math Teaching Honor

Woodbridge High School math teacher Kristie Donavan has earned the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching—one of the nation’s top honors for STEM educators. Teaching in Irvine since 2007, Donavan is recognized for her collaborative, hands-on approach that fosters curiosity and student independence. Known for turning her entire classroom into a space for group learning and creative problem-solving, she encourages students to embrace “productive struggle” and find beauty in complex concepts like polar functions. A former IUSD Teacher of the Year (2023–24), Donavan also supports math teachers district-wide and continues to inspire both students and peers as a leader in education.

Irvine Police Department Launches I-CARE Team to Enhance Mental Health and Community Support

As mental health and community well-being remain key priorities for the City of Irvine, new efforts are being implemented to provide more effective and specialized support. The Irvine Police Department (IPD) responds to roughly 2,400 mental health-related calls each year, with officers trained to assist individuals in crisis.

  • The department also partners with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the City’s FOR Families program, and the Keen Center for Senior Resources to offer additional support.

  • Most recently, IPD launched the Irvine Community Alternative Response and Engagement (I-CARE) Team. This new unit focuses on responding to mental health crises, conducting welfare checks, supporting homeless outreach, and resolving nonviolent disputes—situations that may not require police enforcement.

  • The I-CARE Team will work closely with IPD’s Mental Health Outreach Unit and patrol officers to ensure coordinated and compassionate service to the community.

Sweet Savings at 85°C Bakery Irvine – BOGO 50% Off Strawberry Drinks


85°C Bakery Cafe is serving up a berry sweet April deal for app members! Buy one Strawberry De Leche or Strawberry Matcha Latte (any size) and get a second one for 50% off. This limited-time offer is available exclusively through the 85°C app—don’t miss this deal at your local Irvine location!

USC Baseball Returns to Great Park with Free Admission This Weekend

USC Baseball returns to Great Park Sports Complex for a weekend series with free admission! Games are set for:

  • Friday, April 4 at 6:30 PM featuring Family Fridays with a $40 Meal Deal and free USC eye black for the first 500 fans)

  • Saturday, April 5 at 2 PM

  • Sunday, April 6 at 1 PM

Sprain vs. Strain: Key Differences and the Best Way to Heal Safely

Sprains and strains are common injuries that often occur during sports, exercise, or daily activities—and while they’re similar, they affect different parts of the body. FCCMG Urgent Care offers expert treatment every day in Irvine and Costa Mesa to help you recover quickly and safely.

Key Differences Between Sprain and Strain:

  • Sprain:
    • Injury to ligaments (which connect bones at a joint)
    • Caused by twisting, falling, or sudden impact
    • Common in ankles, wrists, and knees

  • Strain:
    • Injury to muscles or tendons (which connect muscles to bones)
    • Caused by overuse, heavy lifting, or repetitive motion
    • Common in back, legs, and hands

Quick Recovery Tips:

  • 🛌 Rest: Limit movement to avoid further injury.

  • ❄️ Ice: Apply ice packs for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours to reduce swelling.

  • 🩹 Compression: Use an elastic bandage to support the area, but not too tightly.

  • 🦵 Elevation: Raise the injured area above heart level when possible.

  • 💊 Pain Relief: Use over-the-counter meds as needed.

  • 🏃‍♂️ Follow-Up: See a doctor if pain lasts more than a few days or worsens.

Hiking 101 at Bommer Canyon: Beginner Tips, Safety, and Trail Essentials on April 17

Join Hiking 101: Trail Tips for Beginners at Bommer Canyon on Thursday, April 17, for an introductory hiking experience focused on gear, safety, and trail etiquette—perfect for newcomers to the outdoors.

  • Hosted by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, this beginner-friendly, 3-mile hike includes a packing demo and practical tips to boost your confidence on the trail.

  • Pre-registration is required, and participants must bring their own water, and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes.

Register here

Create a Pressed Flower Lantern – Adult Drop-In Craft Time at Katie Wheeler Library

Come get creative at the Irvine Katie Wheeler Library on Monday, April 14, from 3–5 PM! Adults are invited to drop in and make a beautiful pressed flower lantern. All supplies are provided (while they last), so bring your creativity and join the fun. Space is limited—first come, first served!

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. Apr 12th, 1:00 PM: Friends of Jazz Performance, Lone Wolf Brewing Co., Yorba Linda

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. May 1-2, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks!, 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. April 17, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom 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. April 17, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 2, 7:30 PM: Music Under the Stars (MUTS), Irvine Amphitheater

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

Give a Rescued Hamster a Second Chance and a Loving Home

Adopt an adorable hamster rescued from the L.A. wildfires through Irvine’s Third Chance for Pets program for just $5.

  • Each adoption includes a temporary cage, food, water bottle, and bedding.

  • Visit the Irvine Animal Care Center weekdays from 12–5 p.m. to give one a fresh start.

  • More info: cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Baseball Defeats San Diego 16–7 as Call Sets Home Run Record

UC Irvine baseball powered past San Diego with a 16-7 win at Anteater Ballpark, led by Chase Call’s record-setting home run—his 26th career blast. UCI jumped to an 8-0 lead early and held off a Torero comeback with a six-run eighth inning. Colin Yeaman starred offensively with 3 hits, 3 runs, and 4 RBIs, while five others also had multi-hit or multi-RBI games. Ricky Ojeda earned the win as one of six pitchers used. UCI notched its 11th straight victory and improved to 4-2 in midweek games. The Anteaters hit the road for six games, starting Friday, April 4, at No. 11 Oregon State.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Tue, Apr 15 – vs LMU, 6:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Sat, Apr 5 – vs UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Apr 12 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

Women's Tennis

  • Sun, Apr 6 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 11:00 AM

Men's Tennis

  • Wed, Apr 9 – vs UC San Diego, 2:00 PM

  • Sat, Apr 12 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 12:00 PM

Women's Golf

  • Mon, Apr 14 – vs Big West Championships (Las Vegas, NV – Spanish Trail CC)

IVC Men’s Tennis Shuts Out Saddleback 9-0, Secures Second in OEC

Irvine Valley College men’s tennis wrapped up the regular season with a dominant 9-0 shutout win over Saddleback, securing a 9-2 overall record and 6-2 in the Orange Empire Conference, finishing second in the league. Ranked No. 5 in the state, the Lasers welcomed back top players Nick Grove and Luciano Pardo—2024 3C2A doubles state champions—who led with an 8-2 doubles win. All doubles teams won, and all six singles players, including standout performances by Grove, Diaz, and Yung, won in straight sets. IVC now heads into the OEC tournament starting at Orange Coast.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Sat, Apr 5 – vs Cypress, 12:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Wed, Apr 9 - Orange Coast 6:00 PM

  • Fri, Apr 11 Santiago Canyon 6:00 PM

Women's Beach Volleyball

  • Fri, Apr 11 - Golden West 9:00 AM

  • Fri, Apr 11 - Riverside 10:00 AM

Women's Flag Football

  • Wed, Apr 9 Redlands TBA

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2025

Monday, April 7

  • 3:15 PM – Tennis (Boys, VR) vs Valencia/Placentia at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 3:30 PM – Softball (VR) vs University at Irvine High School Softball Field

  • 4:00 PM – Lacrosse (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, April 8

  • 3:15 PM – Tennis (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 5:15 PM – Volleyball (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Game Gym

Wednesday, April 9

  • 3:00 PM – Beach Volleyball (Girls, VR) vs Bell Gardens at Deerfield Park Beach Courts

Surprise Search in Irvine Leads to Drug, Weapons Arrest; Two Men Taken Into Custody

Irvine Police’s Specialized Investigations Unit conducted a surprise probation compliance search at a local home, uncovering narcotics, a large amount of cash, high-capacity magazines, and over 1,000 rounds of ammo. Ven Nguyen, 37, was arrested on multiple drug and weapons charges. Another man, who was leaving the area and already on Postrelease Community Supervision (PRCS), was also arrested for DUI.

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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