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Must-Try Spots for Lamb Dishes in Irvine—from India to the Mediterranean

Issue # 0392

Author

Joshua Tjia
23 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🐑🥙🥘 Must-Try Spots for Lamb Dishes in Irvine—from India to the Mediterranean

🏙️📄 City of Irvine Launches “Irvine Cares” Initiative to Address Student Homelessness and Housing Insecurity

🚓🚛 Irvine Police Conduct Multi-Agency Commercial Vehicle Safety Operation

🌷🎏🌷 Tanaka Farms Hosts Cinco de Mayo & Children’s Day Festival May 3–4

🏫🏆 Sierra Vista Wins 4th SoCal Science Olympiad Title; Northwood Places 2nd

🏥 UCI Health Burn Center Reverified Through 2028 by American Burn Association

🌱🥾 Irvine Hiker Builds Thriving Women’s Outdoor Group with 1,000+ Member

🎨☀️ Artist Lab Offers Summer Art Camps for Students Grades K–12, June 9–August 15

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕 Keep Your Pet Safe and Sound: Why Pet Licensing Matters

🏐 UCI Men’s Volleyball Trio Earn Big West Weekly Honors After CSUN Wins

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🥎 Woodbridge Softball Shuts Out Irvine 4-0 to Complete Series Sweep, Eyes League Title Share

🏈🎾 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

Why are border collies such good listeners?

Because you can tell they really herd you.

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

Must-Try Spots for Lamb Dishes in Irvine—from India to the Mediterranean

Whether you're craving bold spices, Mediterranean flair, or comforting stews, Irvine has you covered with year-round lamb specialties.

  • Natraj’s Tandoori (The Market Place, Quail Hill):
    Offers over a dozen Indian lamb dishes including tandoori kebabs, kathi rolls, vindaloo, rogan josh, tikka masala, and keema mutter.

  • Irvine Grill (Quail Hill):
    Features New Zealand lamb in various forms such as grilled chops, boneless kabobs, slow-cooked shank, soltani, and a rack of lamb on the Aria platter.

  • Zov’s Bistro (Orchard Hills):
    Puts a modern spin on Mediterranean cuisine with a spicy lamb burger and rosemary-garlic lamb chops, served with tzatziki and pickled onions.

  • Northern Café (Westpark Plaza, University Center):
    Specializes in Northern Chinese dishes like sauerkraut lamb hot pot, cumin lamb stir-fry, and juicy lamb dumplings.

City of Irvine Launches “Irvine Cares” Initiative to Address Student Homelessness and Housing Insecurity

On April 8, the Irvine City Council approved nearly $1 million in state grant funding to launch the “Irvine Cares” initiative, focused on supporting housing-insecure students and at-risk youth. The funding will:

  • Provide 25 rent-restricted apartments for 88 homeless families in partnership with the Irvine Company and Irvine Unified School District.

  • Assist up to 25 Irvine Valley College students with rent stipends and case management.

  • Support youth transition services through a nonprofit partnership.

The program is fully state-funded, and city staff will also explore policies to prioritize local residents in future affordable housing projects. The vote passed 5-1.

Irvine Police Conduct Multi-Agency Commercial Vehicle Safety Operation

Irvine PD conducted a commercial vehicle checkpoint today near the Great Park, teaming up with 14 law enforcement agencies from across Southern California. A total of 87 vehicles were inspected, leading to 10 tows and 65 citations. These operations play a key role in ensuring that large commercial vehicles are safe and compliant. Thanks to all participating agencies and responsible drivers for supporting roadway safety in Irvine.

Tanaka Farms Hosts Cinco de Mayo & Children’s Day Festival May 3–4

Tanaka Farms is hosting its Cinco de Mayo & Children’s Day Festival on May 3–4, celebrating both Mexican and Japanese traditions with food, music, crafts, games, and live entertainment. It’s a cultural fusion event for all ages—no reservations needed. Entry is $6 per person (ages 3+), with tickets sold on site. A perfect family-friendly weekend outing!

Sierra Vista Wins 4th SoCal Science Olympiad Title; Northwood Places 2nd

Sierra Vista Middle School has claimed its fourth straight Southern California Science Olympiad Championship, achieving a record-low score of 38 points and winning by more than 65 points.

  • In the high school division, Northwood High earned an impressive second place out of 31 teams with 141 points.

  • Read more at iusd.org/StateSciOly2025.

UCI Health Burn Center Reverified Through 2028 by American Burn Association

The UCI Health Regional Burn Center has been reverified by the American Burn Association as an Adult and Pediatric Burn Center through January 2028.

  • It remains the only verified program in Orange County and one of eight in California. In 2024, the center admitted 281 adults and 98 children and provided outpatient care to nearly 2,000 individuals.

  • The center is recognized for its clinical outcomes, interdisciplinary care, and use of emerging technologies such as 3D-printed prosthetics.

  • It also offers patient support services through organizations like the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and continues to contribute to research in burn treatment and recovery.

Irvine Hiker Builds Thriving Women’s Outdoor Group with 1,000+ Member

Irvine resident Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan, a passionate hiker and artist, founded a women’s outdoor group in 2019 that has grown to over 1,000 members. The group enjoys day hikes, mountain treks, backpacking, camping, and paddleboarding, with hikes ranging from short local trails like Turtle Rock and Bommer Canyon to multiday adventures like the upcoming 12-day Tahoe Rim Trail trip. Sangeetha draws creative inspiration from nature, finding deep connections between her hiking and art. Her goal is to continue creating welcoming outdoor experiences for beginners, just as someone once did for her.

Artist Lab Offers Summer Art Camps for Students Grades K–12, June 9–August 15

The Artist Lab is hosting summer art camps from June 9 to August 15 for elementary, middle, and high school students of all skill levels. Young artists can explore a range of creative programs including illustration, manga design, Pokémon-themed projects, game art, anime animation, portrait and caricature drawing, and more.

  • Middle school students are invited to participate in the Middle School Art Competition, where they can compete across multiple categories such as drawing, painting, digital art, and character design. The competition allows students to showcase their creativity, receive professional feedback, and earn awards and certificates for outstanding work.

  • High school students can enroll in intensive portfolio development programs in fine art (Mon–Fri, 12:00–5:00 PM) and digital art (Mon–Fri, 1:30–6:30 PM, July 21–Aug 15), receiving expert guidance to build competitive portfolios for college or personal growth.

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

Keep Your Pet Safe and Sound: Why Pet Licensing Matters

Licensing your pet is a simple way to help keep them safe and support your local shelters. It’s required by law in California and makes it easier to bring your pet home if they ever get lost. Learn more and start the process todaye here.

UCI Men’s Volleyball Trio Earn Big West Weekly Honors After CSUN Wins

UC Irvine’s men’s volleyball players Hilir Henno, Joe Karlous, and Micah Goss each earned Big West Weekly honors for standout performances in two victories over No. 9 CSUN.

  • Henno claimed his 17th career honor and fifth this season as Offensive Player of the Week, nearing the NCAA career aces record.

  • Karlous was named Setter of the Week for leading UCI to back-to-back .400+ hitting percentages.

  • Goss earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after strong blocking and efficient hitting across both matches.

UCI, ranked No. 4 nationally, enters the Big West Championship as the No. 3 seed and will face CSUN again on Thursday, April 24 at 10:00 p.m. PT.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Water Polo

  • Fri, Apr 25 – vs UC Santa Barbara, Big West Championship, 4:30 PM

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Women's Beach Volleyball

  • Wed, Apr 23 OEC Pairs Play-Ins (Round of 32's and 16's)

  • Fri, Apr 25 Orange Empire Conference Pairs (Quarterfinals through Consolations and Finals)

Baseball

  • Thu, Apr 24 – vs Orange Coast*, 2:00 PM

Woodbridge Softball Shuts Out Irvine 4-0 to Complete Series Sweep, Eyes League Title Share

Woodbridge High School defeated Irvine 4-0 in a Pacific Coast League softball matchup Monday at Deanna Manning Stadium, completing a series sweep. Woodbridge (10-8-1, 6-1) remains in contention for a share of the league title, while Irvine (5-14, 3-3) stays in third. Warrior pitcher Mia Tamkoc was dominant with 9 strikeouts and no walks, while leadoff hitter Payton Harris led the offense, going 3-for-3 with two triples and two runs. Audrey Song added a triple and an RBI. Irvine Coach Jim Knapp praised Harris, Song, and Tamkoc, calling her the league's best pitcher. Despite the loss, Knapp remains hopeful Irvine will qualify for CIF playoffs.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2025

Wednesday, April 23

  • Baseball (VR) – 3:30 PM vs. Sage Hill at Irvine High School Baseball Field

Monday, April 28

  • Boys' Tennis (VR) – 3:00 PM vs. Canyon/Anaheim at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • Softball (VR) – 3:30 PM vs. Rosary Academy 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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