Happy Friday, Irvine. In today’s edition: E-bike safety rules, international winter holidays, a Christmas carol, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Push for clearer e-bike laws: Orange County cities have tightened or weighed e-bike rules after fatalities. Newport Beach approved helmet and sidewalk limits and impound, while Irvine launched a study on safety and enforcement — see how cities are responding.

Behind the pay date decision: OCDE is finalizing payroll for nearly 78,000 employees across Orange County and reminds certificated staff their paycheck arrives Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, the first business day of the new year — read the full story.

Debate over financing method: Orange County supervisors approved a plan letting Clay Lacy Aviation sell bonds to finance $120 million in John Wayne Airport upgrades, passing 3-1 amid Supervisor Wagner’s “crony capitalism” criticism — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Make holiday memories with ABT’s Nutcracker
• Explore free holiday lights at Heritage Hill
• Shop unique art, support Laguna artists
• Support Irvine 2/11 Marines toy drive
• Savor tamales at Downtown Santa Ana Tamalfest
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Parades, Pixar and lanterns: Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year festival returns Jan. 23 to Feb. 22, 2026, celebrating the Year of the Horse with Asian-inspired eats, live music, and character meet and greets. Mickey and Minnie will wear Korean-inspired outfits, and Horace Horsecollar is set to appear. Food booth lineups aren’t out yet, though Sip and Savor passes typically return. See what’s planned so far.

Community solidarity in action: United to End Homelessness rescheduled its “Person in Front of You” aerial photo to Saturday, Dec. 13 in Irvine, rallying residents around housing and hunger. Expect a countywide photo-op, an OC Food Bank drive (bring nonperishables), and limited-edition tees for early birds. Free to join. Registration encouraged. Learn how you can help.

BBQ meets beer cravings: Looking for a laid‑back hangout with legit barbecue, craft cocktails, and fresh pours? Left Coast Brewing Irvine delivers house-smoked meats, its own beers on tap, and house-distilled spirits, plus a dog-friendly patio that makes catching up with friends easy any night.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🍸 Mixology at Muzeo Holiday Edition @ Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center | Friday (12/5) at 6:30pm – Whether your holiday bar program is a Costco cab or a dusty shaker, Muzeo will level you up with seasonally inspired cocktails and mocktails you make yourself. Sip while you learn, snag recipe cards and light bites, and leave ready to impress, 21-plus.

🏹 Robin Hood & the White Arrow: The Holiday Feast of Stephen @ Rose Center Theater | Friday (12/5) at 7:30pm – Trade your tinsel for tights and head to Sherwood Forest for a brand-new holiday musical packed with romance, rebellion, and live music. Robin, Marian, and the Merry Men are serving up laughs, heart, and a sweeping score that’ll give you goosebumps (the good kind).

This weekend

🧵 Patchwork Show Santa Ana @ Santa Ana Diesel | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – Head to Santa Ana Diesel and shop 50-plus indie makers, then fuel up with Contra Coffee, Le Dinette, and 61hundred Bread. Patchwork is back where it started, in those quirky WWII Quonset huts, so you can buy thoughtful gifts and pretend you planned ahead.

🎨 Paint Nite: Christmas in the City @ Pitfire Pizza | Saturday (12/6) at 12:15pm – Paint Nite lands at Pitfire Pizza in Costa Mesa with a festive Christmas-in-the-city canvas, and, for once, someone else tells you what to do. No experience, just pizza, drinks, and guided strokes. Order at the counter, support the venue, then pretend you meant that skyscraper.

🚗 Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee Holiday Toy Drive: Drive-Thru Drop-Off @ Irvine Civic Center | Sunday (12/7) at 9:00am – Roll through Irvine Civic Center lot, pop the trunk, and donate new, unwrapped toys for kids 12 and under to support families of our adopted 2/11 Marines. Peak Irvine efficiency, peak holiday spirit, and a perfect pit stop between Costco, errands, and your sanity.

🌍 International Winter Holidays @ Bowers Museum | Sunday (12/7) at 11:00am – Whether you’re corralling kids, grandkids, or just your inner child, Bowers turns the Key Courtyard into a globe-trotting winter party. Expect live performances, art making, face painting, and complimentary treats, all free, all charming, all a nice break from mall parking.

🎄 A Christmas Carol @ South Coast Repertory | Sunday (12/7) at 12:00pm – Spend your Sunday afternoon with Scrooge, some very persistent ghosts, and a heartwarming dose of holiday spirit. This beloved Dickens classic gets the full stage treatment at SCR, with cozy costumes, carols, and just enough spooky vibes to keep things fun. Perfect for a family outing or anyone who needs a little “bah humbug” turned into “best day ever.”

Next week

🎨 Art Escapes – Art on the Wild Side @ South Laguna Community and Recreation Center | Monday (12/8) at 3:30pm – Unplug and get wildly creative with eight Mondays of nature-inspired art, from canyon critters to tidepool treasures. Teaching artists Elizabeth McGhee and Allison Keefe guide ages 6–adult through drawing, collage, printmaking, and painting—no experience needed and all materials included in the $195 fee.

🕯 Candle Making Workshop @ Beachwood Pizza & Beer | Tuesday (12/9) from 6:30pm – Trade screen time for cozy vibes and learn how to pour your very own luxe soy candle, start to finish. You’ll custom blend clean, toxin-free fragrances into an 8oz candle that smells exactly like your ideal evening in.

🎄 GENTRI: Christmas @ Grove of Anaheim | Tuesday (12/09) at 7:30pm – Ten years of GENTRI Christmas means one thing: goosebumps are basically guaranteed. Soak up their cinematic harmonies and story-driven takes on classics like “O Holy Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Silent Night,” plus brand-new songs you’ll be the first to hear.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas @ Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center – 7 pm
• 12/5 Pretty Pape$ @ House of Blues – 7 pm
• 12/6 The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim Orange – 6 pm
• 12/7 Holiday Brass Quintet @ Old World Biergarten – 4 pm
• 12/7 Mammoth – The End Tour @ House of Blues – 6 pm
• 12/11 Andrea Miller @ Campus JAX – 6:30 pm
• 12/12 Panto Snow White @ Laguna Playhouse – 7 pm
• 12/12 Latin Fridays & Saturdays @ Sevilla Nightclub – 10 pm