Hello Irvine! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Olivia Rodrigo’s benefit festival, theater on ice nationals, and free kids life jackets + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Star-powered benefit festival: Olivia Rodrigo will bring an all-women festival to Irvine's Great Park on August 29, featuring Chappell Roan, Stevie Nicks, Garbage, and Doechii, with proceeds supporting charities for women and girls -- see the full lineup.
Big honors for Anteaters: UC Irvine’s Hernandez and Evans were honored at OC Sports Awards in Anaheim as Female and Male College Athletes of the Year, following a UCI scoring record and nation-leading blocks -- see the award winners.
Leadership boost for startup: ICEYE US named Ann Stevens CEO on June 2 and is expected to move into a new Irvine facility mid-summer, expanding its advanced radar satellite capabilities for U.S. customers -- see the CEO shift.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
For your home jungle: When the living room needs more leafy drama, California Greenhouses - House Plant Nursery comes through with rows of healthy houseplants, sculptural succulents, and even those Hawaiian dracaenas and palms you said you “didn’t need.” Wander, pick favorites, then watch your place feel 30% calmer.
Quick 400-foot escape: Sometimes you just need to see home from a new angle. The Great Park Balloon at Great Park glides up to 400 feet, serving a relaxed 360° panorama that can stretch 40 miles on clear days, a zero-hike way to reset your week.
Big park energy: William R Mason Regional Park is the easy win when you need fresh air without leaving Irvine. Think 339 acres with a nine-acre lake, bike paths, sand volleyball, tot lots, mellow trails and plenty of shady picnic spots... low effort, high reset.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
⛸ 2026 Theater on Ice Nationals @ Great Park Ice & Fivepoint Arena | Wednesday (6/24) – National Theater on Ice is gliding into town, with teams from across the country turning the rink into a stage. Big themes, costumes, and storytelling, skaters of all ages. Finally, some drama that won’t involve a group text, or a HOA meeting.
🛟 Water Safety Presentation @ University United Methodist Church | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Summer here means water everywhere, not just in your cooler. There’s quick, real talk on drowning prevention at a free presentation, then Coast Guard approved life jackets for ages 2 to 6, kids fitted on site, a floatie trade-in, and a $50 gift card drawing.
🥙 Irvine Greek Fest 2026 @ St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Take a break from the grind and go Greek without TSA, passport drama, or a red-eye. Irvine’s serving gyros, souvlaki, baklava, and loukoumades, plus live music, dancing, drinks, and shopping. Big family vibes, friendly chaos, and yes, parking if you get clever.
🚚 43rd Annual F-100 Western Nationals @ Canyon RV Park (Anaheim) | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 AM – Make room on your nostalgia shelf for the 43rd Annual F-100 Western Nationals, the biggest classic Ford truck gathering in the West. Open to F-Series commercial trucks 1983 and older, expect honest steel, no mall crawlers, and stories told over coffee, grease, and pride.
🎉 Gyldenholt Anniversary @ Cedar Grove Park (Tustin) | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Dust off your finest sun-gold garb and head to Cedar Grove Park for Gyldenholt’s 47th, where knights duel, bards woo, and artisans flex their nerdy brilliance. It is a Festival of Fire and Spice, so bring spicy compliments, not mead, and your shade game.
🎸 Summer in the City: Summer Concert @ Mike Ward Community Park Woodbridge | Saturday (6/27) at 5:30 PM – Summer evenings call for lawn chairs, a lakeside breeze, and a Beatles sing-along. 4 Lads from Liverpool bring the suits, the harmonies, and every iconic chorus to Mike Ward Community Park, Woodbridge. Save the airfare, keep the nostalgia, maybe spare the knees.
🐶 Cruisin' Into Summer Adoption Event @ The Huntington Beach House | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – If your summer kickoff needs less traffic and more tiny horsepower, head to The HB House for OC Pom Rescue's beachside mingle. Expect adoptable Pomeranians, Parker J's permanent jewelry and charm bar, cocktails and bites, plus dog treats and toys.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Irvine report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. This house is wildHomesite 99 at Pinnacle at The Summit at Orchard Hills brings 4,449 square feet of sleek new construction on a prime corner lot with sweeping city lights and reservoir views. The Farlow plan offers 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, a floating staircase in the two-story foyer, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, a prep kitchen, a spa-style primary suite, and a backyard ready for a pool and spa.
Take a peek inside → |
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