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Good morning, Irvine! In today’s edition: Gold’s surge, free food at Tigawok’s opening, Dr. Zahi Hawass on Egypt’s secrets, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
How pump prices stack up: AAA data tracks how California gas prices changed, with San Diego highest at $4.46 and other costly metros across the state The cheapest states include Oklahoma, Iowa, and Colorado — see how prices compare.
Keep pests at bay: Orange County is seeing more roof rats this winter, and mosquito activity can rise after rain. The vector control district urges Irvine residents to seal gaps and dump standing water — get prevention tips and resources.
State widens disease safeguards: CDFA expanded the huanglongbing quarantine around San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, also widening the Asian citrus psyllid Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 6 after recent acreage additions — see what’s changed and where.
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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Emergency readiness for horses: Orange County has launched a new large-animal emergency rescue team to help during emergencies. The team will train and deploy volunteers to move horses to safety in fire-prone areas, supporting the equestrian community. El Rodeo Rescue, a nonprofit, will manage funding and operations. Learn more about the program.
Hands-on brain fuel: Beat cabin fever at Discovery Cube Orange County, home to 80+ interactive exhibits, from cloud rings and a bed of nails to Dino Quest and a helicopter tour. Science feels like play, making it an easy curiosity boost between errands.
Burrito night, sorted: Craving a low-effort upgrade? Taco Rosa rolls seriously satisfying burritos. Try the Rosa Burrito, then level it up with shrimp or skirt steak, plus salsas with actual personality. Treat yourself, and call it meal prep that mysteriously disappears.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🏛 Museum Tour and Lunch with James Irvine Swinden @ UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art | Friday (1/9) at 11:30 AM – Take a breather from the usual scene and join fellow Collectors’ Circle members for an intimate tour with James Irvine Swinden, Chair of The Irvine Museum Collection. Expect art, stories, and a proper lunch. Finally, networking without the awkward name tags.
🐾 Grand Opening: Livewell Animal Hospital @ Livewell Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Over on Beach Boulevard, consider it your chance to convince the dog the vet is a party. Livewell’s grand opening brings behind-the-scenes tours, meet-the-team chats, free pet caricatures, and treats for humans and furballs. Bring pets, patience, and your camera-ready cat side-eye.
🍷 Italian Wines & Food Tasting @ The Hood Kitchen Space | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Whether you can pronounce Nebbiolo or just point at the bottle, this Italian wine and tapas night has your name on it. MERENDA pops up with Italian-style small plates, autenticoitaliano.us pours the goods, and we pretend our passports aren’t expired.
🎤 The Bona Fide and more @ Tiki Bar | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Tiki Bar is trading surfboards for steel guitar as Daniel Bonte & The Bona Fide and Ashley Felton roll in with fresh, original country. Think tight harmonies, toe-taps, and just enough twang to loosen those post-holiday shoulders. Bring your boots, leave the resolutions.
📓 Junk Journal Weekend @ Woodbury Town Center | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Swing by Woodbury Town Center for a weekend market with 55+ local makers, live music, and a hands-on junk journaling station that’s oddly therapeutic. Shop small, let the kids craft, bring the dog, and pretend this counts as decluttering, because it does.
🥾 New Year Resolution Hike @ San Joaquin Wildlife Santuary | Sunday (1/11) at 10:00 AM – Kick off the year with an easy loop on the Carlson Trail at San Joaquin Marsh, then reward your virtue with brunch at UTC. Expect wetlands views, friendly chatter, and ducks judging your pace, not your life choices, plus that phrase locals love, free parking.
🔥 Celebrating Lohri @ Pretend City Children’s Museum | Sunday (1/11) at 12:30 PM – Warm up your winter with a Lohri celebration, complete with bonfire, bhangra, and those sesame-peanut sweets you promise to share, then don’t. Bring the kids and the aunties, enjoy folk songs, stories, and community vibes that feel like central heating for the soul.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📣 Own or manage a local business?
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📻 Irvine report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 64°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 64. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. South wind 0 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 65°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
This house is wild
On a prime corner in Sagewood at Great Park, the Monterey Residence 2 by Shea Homes offers a multi-level 4 bed, 4.5 bath plan across 2,874 square feet. A great room anchors the contemporary layout with a home management room. Hardwood floors, crown molding, and recessed lighting abound. The chef’s kitchen has Caesarstone counters, tile backsplash, Shaker cabinetry, pantry, and stainless appliances.
Expansive sliders open to a California Room with built in speakers, plus hardscape and landscaping for indoor and outdoor flow. Great Park amenities include pools, parks, courts, and trails. Residents enjoy Irvine Unified schools and quick access to Woodbury, Spectrum, John Wayne, the 133, and the 241.
Take a peek inside →
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