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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Security gap in vision AI, Cityside Fiber’s $100 million expansion, and OC Uke Fest + 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

Security gap in vision AI: UC Irvine researchers revealed a critical flaw in autonomous target-tracking drones, using an umbrella pattern to lure them into nets or crashes, raising safety and privacy concerns for Irvine residents — get all the details.

Regional network project gains steam: Cityside Fiber has begun a $100 million build in Corona to expand internet in the Inland Empire, targeting first connections by summer. Recently named fastest in Irvine and Dana Point — read the full story.

Physician-led practice expands services: ZMD Aesthetics opens its new Santa Ana location today and now offers the PicoWay laser, an advanced nonthermal option for skin concerns with minimal downtime for Orange County patients — read the full story.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Get a free car seat check-up
• Jam and learn at OC Uke Fest
• Walk to fund pediatric cancer research

🫶 We got your back

Sandwich plans, solved. Sessions West Coast Deli makes weekday lunches feel exciting with made-to-order sandwiches like the Summer Zephyr and Goodmother, bright salads, and rosemary skinny fries that vanish fast. Trade the desk snack habit for something fresh from a legit local kitchen, made with care and a little flair.

Your open-air upgrade: Balloon views, meandering trails, art nooks, and wide-open fields make Great Park an easy midweek breather or low-key weekend plan. Wander, picnic, and play a little, and find something new popping up just a few steps from home.

Blind-box bliss nearby: Kouhigh Toys in University Center is a cheerful rabbit hole of blind boxes, plushies, and art toys, from Pop Mart and Tokidoki to Bandai collabs. A between-errands pop-in yields a tiny surprise with big vibes… the kind that makes the week feel 10% brighter.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 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.

🌮 Taco & Tempo Jam Session @ Hurricanes Bar & Grill (Huntington Beach) | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:30 PM – Tuesday nights at Hurricanes on Main, Dr. Funk steers a groove-led jam that is more telepathy than sign-up sheet. If you play, sing, or bring rhythm and can read the room, slide in when it opens up, enjoy the pocket, and yes, no cover.

🥧 Bingo @ Polly’s Pies Restaurant & Bakery (Huntington Beach) | Wednesday (3/11) at 4:00 PM – Polly’s Pies in Huntington Beach is dealing out Bingo every Wednesday, free to play, with prizes, dinner, and pie. It’s a midweek morale boost where your competitive streak meets comfort food, and nobody judges your reading glasses. Bring friends, or just a lucky pen.

🎤 Gilbert Bonilla @ Biergarten at Old World (Huntington Beach) | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – If you like your Zeppelin with schnitzel, make the Biergarten at Old World Huntington Beach your Thursday habit for Gilbert Bonilla’s classic rock duo in the Mountain Room. It’s free and all ages. The beer is cold, parking’s easy, and reservations are smart.

🍻 So-Cal DIY Flight Night @ Trotec Laser Anaheim Showroom | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – Trade scrolling for making at So-Cal DIY Flight Night, a relaxed workshop at the Trotec showroom in Anaheim where you craft two custom pieces for flights of coffee, lemonade, mocktails, or the boozy stuff. It’s free, genuinely useful, and spots go fast, so pre-register: https://forms.gle/oS5G1i4hNHWJLXVM6.

🎉 17 Year Anniversary Party @ Pure Barre | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Pure Barre OC turns 17 with free classes, raffles each class, retail discounts, and membership specials. Score goodies from Orgain, Mendocino Farms, LUV Nutrition, Beyond Yoga, and friends, so your thighs shake, your swag bag overflows, and your athleisure feels suspiciously like real clothes.

⛰ TAP-OC Spring Hike @ Bommer Canyon Trailhead | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – If your Pi Day plans involve more steps than slices, join a mellow Bommer Canyon out-and-back from Turtle Rock Community Park, about 4 miles with a friendly climb. Free parking, real restrooms, and no pets. Think views, chatty company, and smugly virtuous Saturday vibes.

🤠 Redneck Rodeo @ Westwood Coast (Costa Mesa) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 PM – Think your boots remember how to two-step? Redneck Rodeo is taking over Westwood Coast in Costa Mesa, free to get in, rowdy in the best way, and going till they nudge us home. Roll in early to dodge the line, or call 949-200-9951 for VIP.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Irvine report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 71°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 2%

Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 0%

Patchy fog before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 55.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across California but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 7-bed, 7-bath Toll Brothers showpiece in guard-gated The Grove at Orchard Hills offers 6,290 square feet on a 9,177-square-foot cul-de-sac lot, plus a 4-car garage. Highlights include a main-level suite, private office, bonus room, and a chef’s kitchen with a secondary prep kitchen. A backyard frames hillside views, and community pool, clubhouse, tennis, parks, trails, and top-rated schools impress.

Take a peek inside →