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Discover Fresh Seasonal Produce and Farm-to-Table Dining Around Irvine Ranch

Issue # 0636

Author

Joshua Tjia
20 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍓🫜🥗 Discover Fresh Seasonal Produce and Farm-to-Table Dining Around Irvine Ranch

🎨🛍️ Explore Handmade Creations at Irvine’s 2026 Studio Arts Festival

🦐🍤 Le Shrimp Noodle Bar Debuts New Seasonal Seafood Specials Through August

🤖⌨️ Magikid Robotics Lab Brings Hands-On Coding, Robotics & AI Fun to Irvine Kids

🫘🍠 Healthy and Delicious: Blue Zone-Inspired Recipes for Longevity and Wellness

🌳🥾 Explore Orchard Hills on a Scenic 6-Mile Hangman’s Tree Monument Hike

🩰 Premier Ballet School of Orange County to Present 2026 Spring Showcase May 31

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🦴🐕 Veterinarian Tips for Managing Treats and Pet Weight

⚾️ Four Anteaters Receive Baseball All-Big West Recognition for 2026 Season

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Irvine Baseball Upsets No. 1 Citrus Valley in CIF Playoff Thriller

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What happens when you step on an orange?

You hurt its peelings.

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Discover Fresh Seasonal Produce and Farm-to-Table Dining Around Irvine Ranch

Irvine Ranch’s farming legacy continues through local family-run farms and restaurants that highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients grown right here in Orange County. Visitors can explore organic produce, U-Pick experiences, farm markets, and spring-inspired dishes across Irvine.

  • Smith Farms – Known for organic strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, and seasonal citrus at its Irvine farmstand.

  • Manassero Farms – Offers fresh-picked produce, specialty goods, pick-your-own herbs, and farm-inspired events.

  • Tanaka Farms – Features U-Pick strawberry tours, CSA produce boxes, and educational barnyard experiences for families.

  • CUCINA enoteca – Farm-fresh Italian dishes made with ripe seasonal produce.

  • Tender Greens – Showcases plant-forward spring menu items with fresh greens, strawberries, citrus, and grains.

Explore Handmade Creations at Irvine’s 2026 Studio Arts Festival

The 2026 Studio Arts Festival returns to Heritage Community Park on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event will feature local and regional artists showcasing and selling original handcrafted artwork, including ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, painting, photography, fiber art, glass pieces, and more. Hosted by Arts in Irvine, the festival offers visitors a chance to explore a wide variety of unique art and support local creatives.

Le Shrimp Noodle Bar Debuts New Seasonal Seafood Specials Through August

Le Shrimp Noodle Bar at Irvine Spectrum Center is serving up two new seasonal specials through August 30. Guests can enjoy the Garlic Butter Shrimp with Squid Ink Noodles, featuring shrimp sautéed in garlic butter over squid ink noodles, along with Shrimp Paste Chicken Wings.

Magikid Robotics Lab Brings Hands-On Coding, Robotics & AI Fun to Irvine Kids

Magikid Robotics Lab is hosting a Robotics AI Summer Camp from June 1 through August 14 for students ages 5–13. The all-day camp gives kids hands-on experience with robotics, coding, 3D printing, AI, and engineering projects in a fun learning environment.

Healthy and Delicious: Blue Zone-Inspired Recipes for Longevity and Wellness

Try these blue zone-inspired recipes featuring beans, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole foods that may support wellness, healthy aging, and longevity. Created with guidance from UCI Health experts, the meals focus on heart health, digestion, blood sugar balance, and reducing inflammation while remaining flavorful and satisfying.

  • Okinawan Sweet Potatoes with Miso-Edamame Smash — Features purple sweet potatoes rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, paired with edamame for plant protein and gut-friendly miso for probiotics and flavor. Garnishes like microgreens and shiso leaves add extra vitamins and antioxidants.

  • Mediterranean Bean Salad — Combines cannellini beans, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, olive oil, herbs, walnuts or pumpkin seeds, and feta cheese for a nutrient-dense dish that supports heart, brain, and metabolic health while helping reduce inflammation.

Explore Orchard Hills on a Scenic 6-Mile Hangman’s Tree Monument Hike

Join the Hangman’s Tree Monument Hike at Orchard Hills on Saturday, May 30, from 7–10 a.m for a fun challenging hike. This level-4 fitness hike covers 6 miles with nearly 1,800 feet of elevation gain at a brisk 3.5 mph pace, featuring steep climbs and scenic views of the Pacific coastline, San Gabriel Mountains, and Santa Ana Mountains.

Premier Ballet School of Orange County to Present 2026 Spring Showcase May 31

Join Premier Ballet School of Orange County for its 2026 Annual Spring Showcase on Sunday, May 31 at 3 p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The performance will feature scenes from the ballet Don Quixote along with contemporary and jazz performances by local dancers.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 20-21, 7:00-8:30 PM: Instrumental Pops Concert, NHS Theater

  2. May 29, 7:00-8:30 PM: Pops Gala Concert, NHS Theater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 29, 7:00 PM: ​Broadway Rocks Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. May 29-30, 7:00 PM: Voices 2026, Irvine High PAC

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. May 29, 7:00 – 9:00 PM: Portola High School Pop Concert, PHS Performing Arts Center

  2. May 30, 6:30 – 9:00 PM: Portola High School Spring Instrumental Concert, Portola High School Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Veterinarian Tips for Managing Treats and Pet Weight

Even small bites of human food can add up quickly for pets, since dogs and cats need far fewer calories than people do. Being mindful with treats and snacks can go a long way in helping pets maintain a healthy weight while still letting them enjoy the occasional special treat.

Helpful Tips for Treating Pets

  • Ask your veterinarian about your pet’s recommended daily calorie intake and keep it somewhere easy to reference.

  • Pick pet treats that fit your pet’s size, age, and activity level.

  • Try healthier snack options like apples, carrots, or a small spoonful of pumpkin puree.

  • Break larger treats into smaller pieces, especially during training sessions.

  • Offer smaller portions of favorite human foods instead of full servings.

  • Add extra walks or playtime on days when higher-calorie treats are given.

  • Keep up with regular wellness visits so your pet’s weight and health can be monitored over time.

Four Anteaters Receive Baseball All-Big West Recognition for 2026 Season

Four UC Irvine Anteaters players earned All-Big West honors for the 2026 season, with Frankie Carney receiving Second Team recognition. Carney led the team in stolen bases, had a strong conference season, and earned the first Big West award of his career.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No further upcoming home games for this month.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No further upcoming home games for this month.

Irvine Baseball Upsets No. 1 Citrus Valley in CIF Playoff Thriller

Irvine High School’s baseball team upset top-seeded Citrus Valley 3-2 in the second round of the CIF Division 5 playoffs, highlighted by a triple play and strong pitching performances. The Vaqueros advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019 and will face Cathedral of Los Angeles on Friday.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No further upcoming varsity home games for this month.

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

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