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Join Tanaka Farm’s Cinco de Mayo & Children’s Day Festival on May 3–4

Issue # 0397

Author

Joshua Tjia
30 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍜🍥Discover Yakamoz: Irvine’s New Ramen Spot Serving Duck, Wagyu, and Creative Comfort Dishes

🏫⚡️ UC Irvine and SoCalGas Propose Hydrogen Blending Project at Recreation Center

🚧🛝 Adventure Playground Closed May 5–19 for Upgrades, Reopens May 20

🎊🎏 Join Tanaka Farm’s Cinco de Mayo & Children’s Day Festival on May 3–4

🎬🌟 Free Spring Flicks on the Lawn at Irvine Spectrum

🍜🍝 3 Delicious Recipes That Support Heart Health, From Lasagna to Ramen

🔥🧯 Wildfire Prevention Symposium Set for May 10 at Quail Hill Community Center

📷🎨 Explore Photography, Painting & More at Crean Lutheran's Youth Art Camps

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐾🏃🏻‍♀️ Last Chance! Finish Your Race and Earn Your Medal While Supporting Irvine’s Animals

⚾️ Chase Call Named Big West Baseball Player of the Week After Leading UCI to 4-0 Stretch

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🎾 University High Wins 10th Griggs Cup at Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament

🏈🎾 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

Where do cucumbers go on dates?

The salad bar!

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

Discover Yakamoz: Irvine’s New Ramen Spot Serving Duck, Wagyu, and Creative Comfort Dishes

Yakamoz, a cozy new ramen shop in Irvine opened by chef Taiwei Ding and Sherry Yuan, offers a unique spin on traditional Japanese ramen with two signature bowls: one featuring duck breast in a delicate broth of chicken, duck, clam, oyster, and kombu, and another with American wagyu and oxtail. The house-made noodles blend buckwheat, multiple Japanese flours, and duck and chicken eggs for a balanced texture.

Alongside rotating comfort dishes like karaage, curry, and teriyaki snacks, Yakamoz emphasizes experimentation over fixed recipes. The inviting café atmosphere—complete with vintage touches, Taiwanese oolong tea, and a view into the noodle-making process—makes it a standout dining spot.

Come by 4250 Barranca Parkway #Q, Irvine, Tuesday to Sunday, for a warm, creative meal that feels like home.

UC Irvine and SoCalGas Propose Hydrogen Blending Project at Recreation Center

The Southern California Gas Company has proposed a $27 million demonstration project to blend up to 20% hydrogen into an existing natural gas pipeline beneath UC Irvine’s Anteater Recreation Center, aiming to power various building appliances and support statewide climate goals. The project is pending approval from the California Public Utilities Commission, with costs to be distributed among approximately 21 million SoCalGas ratepayers. While university officials and some researchers support the initiative for its potential environmental benefits, concerns have been raised by students, faculty, and climate advocates regarding public safety, emissions, and a perceived lack of transparency. The university’s student government has formally opposed the project, and public outreach efforts remain a point of contention. A decision from the state utilities commission is expected in early 2026.

Adventure Playground Closed May 5–19 for Upgrades, Reopens May 20

Adventure Playground in Irvine will be temporarily closed from May 5–19 for important upgrades and improvements to enhance playtime experiences. The park will reopen on Tuesday, May 20 with refreshed features.

Visit cityofirvine.org/adventureplayground for more details.

Join Tanaka Farm’s Cinco de Mayo & Children’s Day Festival on May 3–4

Celebrate both Cinco de Mayo and Children’s Day at Tanaka Farms on May 3–4 with a colorful blend of Mexican and Japanese traditions. Enjoy food, music, crafts, games, and family-friendly fun all weekend. No reservations needed—general admission is $6 for ages 3 and up, available at the gate. Bring the whole family for a festive weekend.

Free Spring Flicks on the Lawn at Irvine Spectrum

Spectrum Spring Cinema returns with Movies Under the Stars on the Giant Wheel Lawn at Irvine Spectrum Center, showing family-friendly films at 7 PM every other Saturday this spring. Bring blankets, low chairs, and snacks.

Upcoming films: Inside Out 2 on May 3 and Moana 2on May 17.

3 Delicious Recipes That Support Heart Health, From Lasagna to Ramen

Eating well can make a real difference for your heart—and it doesn’t have to be boring. Heart disease remains the top cause of death in the U.S., but simple changes like choosing nutritious, flavorful meals can help reduce your risk. UCI Health experts have created three delicious, heart-healthy recipes that are easy to make and support your wellness goals:

  • Collard Greens Lasagna: A lighter twist on traditional lasagna, packed with leafy greens that help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

  • Vegetarian Japanese Ramen: A rich, umami-filled noodle bowl featuring bok choy, mushrooms, and miso for heart-boosting nutrients.

  • Berry Yogurt Crunches: A sweet and satisfying dessert with walnuts and berries that fight inflammation and improve cholesterol.

These comforting recipes, created by UCI Health chefs and dietitians, show some of the ways how eating for your heart can be both healthy and delicious.

Fine the recipes here

Wildfire Prevention Symposium Set for May 10 at Quail Hill Community Center

Join the Wildfire Prevention Symposium on Saturday, May 10 (8 a.m.–12 p.m.) at Quail Hill Community Center in Irvine for an informative morning of wildfire awareness and prevention strategies.

Enjoy breakfast at check-in, followed by expert-led discussions and a keynote from Ryan Honary, developer of SensoRY AI, a real-time wildfire detection system.

Explore Photography, Painting & More at Crean Lutheran's Youth Art Camps

Give your child a creative summer to remember at Crean Lutheran’s Visual Arts Youth Camps! With engaging options like Photography, Little Artists, and Art Lab, these Christ-centered camps nurture imagination and artistic growth. Sessions run from June 9 to August 1—don’t miss out on this opportunity for young creators to shine.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 10th, 4-7:00 PM: Instrumental Music Awards and Reception, NHS Theater

  2. May 16th, 5:30 PM: Jazz at the Oak, NHS Oak

  3. May 21st - 22nd, 7:00 PM: POPS Concerts, NHS Theater

  4. May 30th, 7:00 PM: POPS Gala, NHS Theater

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. May 1-2, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks!, Big Theater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 2, 7:00-10:00 PM: WHS Warrior Dance Company Spring Show

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 10, 7:00 PM: Open Mic Night, Black Box.

  2. May 30, 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 School's Music Calendar

  1. May 2, 7:30 PM: Music Under the Stars (MUTS), Irvine Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Last Chance! Finish Your Race and Earn Your Medal While Supporting Irvine’s Animals

Today is the final day to complete the 2025 Irvine Animal Care Center Virtual 5K.

  • Participants are encouraged to finish their race, track their time, and share their progress on social media using the hashtag #IrvineAnimals5k.

  • Those who haven’t registered yet can still sign up and will receive a medal and certificate upon completion.

  • Whether walking, running, or joining in with a furry friend, each step helps support animals in need.

  • More information is available at cityofirvine.org/irvine-animal-care-center/virtual-5k.

Chase Call Named Big West Baseball Player of the Week After Leading UCI to 4-0 Stretch

UC Irvine’s Chase Call was named Big West Field Player of the Week after a standout performance in a 4-0 week for UCI, including a win over No. 15 UCLA and a sweep at Cal Poly. Call hit .462 with a .579 OBP, highlighted by a two-run homer vs. UCLA and reaching base all six times in Sunday’s comeback win. It’s Call’s first career weekly honor in his fourth Big West season, and UCI’s fifth player recognized this year.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Men's Track & Field

  • Fri, May 2 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA
    Sat, May 3 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA

Women's Track & Field

  • Fri, May 2 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA

  • Sat, May 3 – vs Steve Scott Invitational, TBA

Baseball

  • Fri, May 2 – vs UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, May 3 – vs UC San Diego, 1:00 PM

  • Sun, May 4 – vs UC San Diego, 1:00 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women's Flat Football

  • Fri, May 2 – vs National University, 5:00 PM

University High Wins 10th Griggs Cup at Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament

University High School’s boys tennis team clinched its 10th Griggs Cup at the prestigious Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament after a rain delay, led by sophomore Rishvanth Krishna, who won the CIF singles title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Mater Dei’s Matteo Huarte. Krishna is the fourth Uni player in six years to win the singles title, joining past champions James MacDonald (2023), Conrad Brown (2022), and Aditya Gupta (2019). Uni’s doubles team JiHyuk Im and Human Alajeely reached the semifinals, contributing to the overall team title. University High now trails only Santa Barbara High (12 titles) in total Griggs Cups. The top-seeded Trojans wrap up league play this week and head into the CIF playoffs as defending champions at every level.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2025

Wednesday, April 30

  • Softball (VR) – 3:30 PM vs. Portola at Irvine High School Softball Field

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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