Nature

An Irvine bicyclist who died more than a week after getting hit by a car in Newport Coast, and who underwent multiple surgeries during his recovery, died of natural causes, coroner officials said Thursday. Daniel Crain, 65, died of heart disease Sunday at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. An autopsy performed Wednesday determined that his death was unrelated to the crash, authorities said. Newport Beach police said that, on Aug. 3, Crain was steering to the far right of southbound Newport Coast Drive at the Corona del Mar (73)

COSTA MESA – South Coast Plaza's Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill recently announced a new "Naturally Skinny" drink menu, appealing to customers who are both concerned about the environment and their health. The Arizona-based restaurant chain has teamed up with "green" winemakers, such as St. Helena, Calif.-based Trinity Oaks, which has pledged to plant a tree for every bottle of Trinity Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon sold, according to a press release from RestaurantNews.com. Other options will include wines free of chemicals and pesticides and mixers that use natural sweeteners.

This game - the one in the water with the yellow ball and players swimming back and forth trying to put that ball into a net - is fun for Ilene Umansky. It's fun to score and it's fun to learn about water polo for Umansky. Two years ago, the Estancia High senior saw a water polo ball up close for the first time when she went out to play for the girls' team. She quickly picked up the game even though she didn't swim properly. Instead of the traditional freestyle stroke, she used somewhat of a breaststroke or even dog paddle when she first played water polo as a sophomore.

Celebrate the beginning of butterfly season with local artists and musicians. The Environmental Nature Center is hosting its annual Spring Faire and Butterfly House Opening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5 at 1601 16th St. in Newport Beach. Visitors can explore Orange County's only butterfly house, buy native butterfly host and nectar plants and hear performances by local musicians. There will also be a children's juried art exhibit, eco-friendly artwork and handmade items for sale, face painting, henna, crafts and food.

"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. " —John Muir We pulled back into the driveway, our adventure through some of California's best wild and human gardens was complete. Or was it? Accompanying me on this road trip to some of California's botanical highlights were my 18-year-old daughter and her best friend. Although we enjoyed the trip, especially the time together, I think outings like this leave lingering impressions, especially on young people.

I attended the California Coastal Commission meeting in Chula Vista on July 12. Everyone in Chula Vista wanted Sunset Ridge in Newport Beach to be a park, and no one lost as they decided to push the decision off for another month. But the saddest thing about the day is the role that the city of Newport Beach plays. It was clear to me, and to some on the commission, that the city has mowed Sunset Ridge, claiming fire suppression motives, when in truth it is done to make barren the landscape and reduce nature's access.

"Now listen carefully, because I am only going to tell you this 10 times!" So goes the joke about how difficult it can be to get someone's undivided attention. It is common for people to multitask with emailing or texting, talk on the phone using headsets or listen to music on an iPod. Who has not experienced confusion when the person you are trying to relate to in "real time" turns out to be previously engaged with someone else electronically? It is also common to be asked the same question several times because the person asking is simply not listening to the answer, no matter how many times or loudly it is repeated.

Thank you for your coverage regarding the solar panels. I am appalled that these panels were approved and are allowed to stay. While I understand the laws that are cited, I find it more than difficult to believe that such laws permit the destruction of the entire hillside. Didn't the developer on Carnation just have his project rejected due to its perceived negative impact on the hillside? As a measurement of the sanity of this project, imagine if every homeowner along Dolphin Terrace installed a similar solar panel project.

Newport Beach's Environmental Nature Center is making a year-end fundraising push in the hope of expanding into a neighboring property that recently went up for sale, a news release said. The center envisions a nature-based preschool and expanded habitat area on the 1.3-acre parcel on Dover Drive, founder Robert House wrote in a statement. A supporter will triple any donations between $5,000 or more, up to $10,000, made before Jan. 1, according to the release. The ENC, a nonprofit that provides hands-on educational programs for children and adults, was founded in 1972.

Families interested in giving their children a chance to get deeper into nature over the summer can attend an informational meeting Saturday. The Environmental Nature Center is hosting a Summer Nature Camp Open House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1601 E. 16th St. in Newport Beach. Families can learn about the different camps, walk nature trails and participate in activities like making a volcano, a cloud in a jar and launching a poppin' rocket. Families can also visit the Butterfly House and get up close to reptiles, amphibians, arthropods and mammals.