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Hey Irvine, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Lee Brice concert, HI-CHEW mystery flavor for a cause, and Depeche Mode experience + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Irvine protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Youth business showcase highlights: A countywide event will connect students with disabilities and families to employment and community resources in Irvine on March 10, featuring Sean McElwee, student leadership programming, and over 75 agencies — get all the event details.

Heartfelt country anthems await: Country star Lee Brice will play Great Park Live in Irvine on July 26, and tickets are on sale now following the February 27 general on-sale — get all the details.

Sweet surprises for a cause: HI-CHEW debuts Easter Mystery Mix with a mystery flavor as Hop Into Giving runs through March 30, donating 50% of purchases to Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast — see how you can help.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Sing along to British Invasion hits
• Tudor queens reclaim the mic
• Celebrate 17 years of Pure Barre OC
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Handmade pasta cravings: Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana brightens the week with silky house-made fettuccine Bolognese, pillowy gnocchi, and other cozy plates, plus VPN-certified pizza for that “just one slice” urge. When cooking ambition fades, consider this your carb reset.

Dig for real-deal gems: At Long Beach Vintage Etc, a sprawling trove of true vintage, gleaming rhinestones, and delightfully odd pieces comes together to complete a look. Slow wandering rewards intuition as serendipity delivers the next wow piece from the racks.

Chill your muscles fast: Quads mutiny? CryoCareUSA gives you a brisk few minutes of whole-body cold so you rebound faster. Add a cryofacial or a Normatec squeeze if you’re feeling extra, like a tiny Irvine winter without soggy socks.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🌈 Holi Milan @ Sweet Shade Park | Wednesday (3/4) at 5:00 PM – Celebrate Holi on the actual day, right at Sweet Shade Park, with color, laughter, and that neighborly chaos we secretly love. It’s free, BYO colors and snacks to share, and yes, wear the shirt you never quite forgave. Everyone’s welcome, kids to grandparents.

🍽 Shine: Honoring Her Story @ University United Methodist Church | Wednesday (3/4) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats a free community dinner that feels like community, celebrating Women’s History Month and honoring women in faith, history, and right here at home. All ages welcome, with crafts, activities, and a low-key service project, no pre-registration, just neighbors, conversation, and someone else cooking.

🔧 Fix a Leak Workshop @ IRWD Headquarters | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Nothing beats slaying a sneaky water bill with neighbors who know where the shutoff is. IRWD’s free Fix a Leak Workshop packs leak-finding know-how, expert Q&A, and dye tablets, plus gift card drawings and a sweepstakes boost. IRWD customers only, 16+, registration required.

🇺 The Revolution 2026 @ Huntington Beach Civil War Days | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Celebrate America’s 250th the Huntington Beach way, with sand, muskets, and fewer parking tickets than usual. Wander period camps, watch Redcoats and rebels skirmish, and feel smug about learning something for free. Sunscreen pairs surprisingly well with tricorne hats, and yes, it’s family friendly.

🎉 FIT4MOM Grand Reopening @ Hangar 24 Orange County | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Patio weather calls for a stroller-friendly field trip to Hangar 24, where FIT4MOM is celebrating a grand reopening with a free workout demo, local vendors, raffles, and giveaways. Come meet other moms, let the kids roam, and pretend your seltzer is self-care.

🏊 Glimpse of Goldfish Swim School @ Goldfish Swim School | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Got a kid or grandkid who thinks doggy paddle is a personality trait? Goldfish Swim School Santa Ana is opening the doors for a free peek with a tour, a level check, a complimentary lesson, and snacks, because bribery works. New families only, RSVP.

🎤 Depeche Mode Experience Devotional @ Biergarten at Old World | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – Take a break from errands and hit Old World’s Biergarten for Devotional, the Depeche Mode experience, black attire encouraged. Free, all ages, and stacked with hits, so reserve a table, rally the usual suspects, and prepare to sing like it’s 1989.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Irvine report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 73°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 74°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

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Take a peek inside →