Newport sister city group holds breakfast...

Newport sister city group holds breakfast

The Newport Beach Sister City Assn. will hold its annual breakfast

today at the Five Crowns Restaurant in Corona del Mar.

The association hosts several cultural events during the year,

including an International Festival held at the Newport Beach main

library. They also organize a Student Exchange program each year with

Okazaki, Japan, and Antibes, France.

Members travel to these cities to promote understanding of

different cultures, economic development and friendship.

The breakfast begins at 8 a.m. The restaurant is at 3801 Coast

Highway. Tickets are $20 per person. Information: Call Sally Nockold

at (949) 644-6105.

Marijuana-like drugs may help anxiety

Man-made chemicals that are distant relatives of marijuana may

eventually become new drugs to combat anxiety and depression,

according to a recent UC Irvine College of Medicine study. University

officials claim the study is the first to show how anxiety is

controlled by the body’s network of natural compounds known to play a

significant role in governing pain, mood and other psychological

functions.

The study shows that while marijuana relieves anxiety by working

on the same system, lab rats given the new drugs don’t seem to suffer

the side effects produced by THC, an active ingredient in marijuana.

Homebuilders chosen for Crystal Cove project

Four homebuilders have been selected to design and build the next

phase of residential neighborhoods at the gated colony of Crystal

Cove.

Brookfield Homes, John Laing Homes, Taylor Woodrow Homes and

Standard Pacific Homes should have the model homes ready by late

spring.

“Crystal Cove is a very special place, more like a resort

community,” said Roberta Marshall, vice president of land development

for Irvine Community Development Co., in a press release. “That’s why

the homebuilders selected for this new phase were hand picked for

their attention to architectural detailing, their impressive

reputations for design innovations and craftsmanship, and their

commitment to customer service.”

Marshall expects the construction of model homes to begin within

weeks.

Crystal Cove features direct public beach access as well as

proximity to the fine dining and boutiques at Crystal Cove Promenade.

Above Crystal Cove are still acres of open space and nearby

wilderness parks.

Newport Beach care manager receives award

Deborah Newquist, founder and president of Senior Care Resources

in Newport Beach, received the prestigious Adele Elkind Award from

the National Assn. of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

The award recognizes distinguished service annually at the

national and local level.

Newquist founded Senior Care Resources in 1987, providing

assistance to families seeking consumer-oriented assistance with

eldercare challenges. Resources include gerontological assessments,

care planning consultations, care monitoring and management services.

The association was formed in 1986, providing dignified care to

the elderly and their families. It has a membership of more than

1,800 care managers.