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Enjoy an Afternoon of Jazz at Great Park’s Palm Court on April 11

Issue # 0598

Author

Joshua Tjia
27 Mar

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🥚🍳 Celebrate Easter with Family-Friendly Brunch Spots Around Irvine

🍱🥪 Shootz Brings Asian-Inspired Comfort Food to Irvine’s Great Park Area

🧘🏽‍♂️🐐 Roll Out Your Mat: Baby Goat Yoga Is Back at Tanaka Farms

🌱🧤 Join Irvine’s Earth Month Events: Free Compost, Workshops, and Family Activities

🚌🎉 IUSD Students Take 1st Place at SoCal MathCounts Competition

🩸👀 How Managing Blood Pressure Supports Healthy Eyes

✏️🎨 Grab Your Sketchbook and Join a Outdoor Art Session at Bommer Canyon, Apr. 11

🎵🎺 Enjoy an Afternoon of Jazz at Great Park’s Palm Court on April 11

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🌷🐈 Spring Pet Safety: How to Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy During This Season

🎾 UC Irvine Men's Tennis Wins 4–3 After Big Comeback vs Dartmouth

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Irvine Baseball Tops Woodbridge 6–1 to Secure Series Sweep

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔 Suspect Arrested in Irvine Gym Locker Theft Case After Community Tips

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a horse that lives next door?

A neigh-bor!

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

Celebrate Easter with Family-Friendly Brunch Spots Around Irvine

Celebrate Easter on April 5 with a range of dining options across Irvine, offering both casual brunch spots and more upscale experiences.

Places to Go

  • Bluberry Social (Northpark Plaza) – Focuses on contemporary brunch items with a mix of sweet and savory dishes, along with specialty drinks.

  • Breakfast Republic (University Center) – Offers an extensive menu with creative twists on breakfast classics, including pancakes, scrambles, and egg-based dishes.

  • Everyday Eatery (Sand Canyon Plaza) – Emphasizes simple, made-to-order meals with a selection of breakfast staples and lighter options.

  • Poached Neighborhood Kitchen (Harvard Place Shopping Center) – Highlights elevated brunch fare with seasonal ingredients and a rotating selection of specialty dishes.

  •  Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse (Venture Park) – A Brazilian steakhouse offering a churrasco-style dining experience with continuous tableside service of grilled meats and a full salad bar.

Shootz Brings Asian-Inspired Comfort Food to Irvine’s Great Park Area

Shootz is planning to open a new Irvine location at The Canopy at Great Park, a 12-acre retail and dining destination expected to debut in late 2026. The California-based restaurant, known for its Asian-inspired comfort food, will mark its sixth location and join a growing lineup of tenants. Known for menu items like Kimchi Butter Katsu Chicken, Spam Brûlée Musubi, and sandwiches with kimchi aioli, Shootz continues to expand its presence across Southern California.

Roll Out Your Mat: Baby Goat Yoga Is Back at Tanaka Farms

Baby Goat Yoga is back at Tanaka Farms, offering a fun, beginner-friendly way to relax with playful goats.

  • Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. sessions are already sold out, but Sunday at 11:30 a.m. still has limited spots available.

  • The class includes a 45-minute session plus 15 minutes of photos and playtime with goats.

  • Led by experienced instructor Sarah Brown, sessions blend gentle movement and relaxation.

Join Irvine’s Earth Month Events: Free Compost, Workshops, and Family Activities

The City of Irvine City Hall is kicking off Earth Month with a free Compost Giveaway this Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to noon (while supplies last), along with a variety of April events focused on simple ways to save energy, reduce waste, and learn something new.

What’s happening this Month:

  • 🌱 Compost Giveaway — Saturday, March 28 | 9 a.m.–noon: Pick up free compost to help your garden grow (while supplies last).

  • ⚡️ Electrification 101 Workshop — Learn how switching to electric can work for your home.

  • 🛢️ Used Oil Filter Exchange — Bring in a used oil filter and receive a new one.

  • 🌿 Earth Day Events — Enjoy guided hikes, composting demos, and family-friendly activities.

  • 🍳 Induction Cooking Demo — Watch a live chef demonstration and learn about induction cooking.

For full event details, visit cityofirvine.org/earthday.

IUSD Students Take 1st Place at SoCal MathCounts Competition

Rancho San Joaquin Middle School’s MathCounts team from the Irvine Unified School District earned 1st place at the Southern California State Competition, competing against schools from nine counties.

  • The winning team—Mark Kao, Suin Kim, Daniel Moon, and Steve Zhao—showcased strong teamwork, speed, and problem-solving skills.

  • Suin Kim also stood out individually, placing 1st overall and 3rd in the Countdown Round.

How Managing Blood Pressure Supports Healthy Eyes

High blood pressure can affect many parts of the body, including the eyes, but early awareness and proper care can help reduce risks. According to Sanjay Kedhar of UCI Health, reduced blood flow to the retina may lead to hypertensive retinopathy, which can cause blurred vision if left unmanaged. The good news is that maintaining healthy blood pressure and regular checkups can help protect your vision over time.

Grab Your Sketchbook and Join a Outdoor Art Session at Bommer Canyon, Apr. 11

Join a springtime outdoor art experience at Bommer Canyon Preserve on Saturday, April 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., where participants can draw or paint scenic hills and native gardens while connecting with nature and fellow artists. Led by guest artist and Saddleback College instructor Jessica Beck, the beginner-friendly event welcomes all skill levels and includes a short 0.5-mile walk with minimal elevation.

Enjoy an Afternoon of Jazz at Great Park’s Palm Court on April 11

Enjoy live music at Jazz in the Palm Court on Saturday, April 11 from 1–3 p.m. at the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex, part of a three-part series celebrating jazz styles from blues and swing to bebop and modern sounds. Guests are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets for seating while enjoying the outdoor performance.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 - 9:00 PM: IUSD Honor Orchestra Concert

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. April 7: 42nd Annual Donald Bren Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. April 7, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. March 27 - April 2: Hawaii Choir Tour

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further upcoming events for this month

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

Spring Pet Safety: How to Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy During This Season

As spring arrives, it’s a good time to watch for seasonal hazards that can affect your pets.

Tips to keep pets safe this spring:

  • 🌸 Avoid lilies indoors — they are toxic to cats, even in small amounts

  • 🧴 Store fertilizers & pesticides safely — keep all chemicals out of reach

  • 🐝 Watch for bee stings — monitor for swelling or signs of allergic reaction

  • 🌾 Check for foxtails — inspect ears, paws, and fur after outdoor time

  • 🐜 Prevent fleas & ticks — use vet-recommended preventative treatments

UC Irvine Men's Tennis Wins 4–3 After Big Comeback vs Dartmouth

UC Irvine men's tennis rallied from a 3–1 deficit to defeat Dartmouth 4–3 in a home match with Max Fardanesh, Hiroki Sakagawa, and Sohrob Amiryavari each winning three-set comebacks to seal the victory. UCI remains undefeated at home (8–0) this season and will open Big West play on the road against UC Davis on March 31.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Track & Field

  • Fri, Mar 27 - Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, 12:00 PM

Women's Track & Field

  • Fri, Mar 27 - Vince O'Boyle Track & Field Classic, 12:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Fri, Mar 27 - UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Sat, Mar 28 – vs Orange Coast, 12:00 PM

Irvine Baseball Tops Woodbridge 6–1 to Secure Series Sweep

Irvine baseball defeated Woodbridge 6–1 to complete a two-game Pacific Coast League sweep, creating a four-way tie for second place at 4–2 behind Portola. Strong pitching from Roshan Patel and Jack Dressendorfer, along with key hits from Cole Riedel and Nico Macalino, powered Irvine to their win.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With March Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2026

Monday, April 6

  • Lacrosse, Girls - 4:00 PM vs Sage Hill

Suspect Arrested in Irvine Gym Locker Theft Case After Community Tips

A suspect has been arrested following locker break-ins at 24 Hour Fitness where stolen credit cards were used across Orange County. After police shared information with the community, tips quickly helped detectives identify and arrest 33-year-old Alexandra Celia Munoz of Cypress on Monday. She was booked into Orange County Jail for burglary and fraudulent credit card use. Police thank the community for their quick response and continued partnership in helping keep Irvine safe.

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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