On nearly every page at the top of the right-hand column, I have a 'menu' including 'inbox', 'alerts', 'friends', and 'settings'. New friend requests are right there with 'friends'. I haven't seen any dramatic changes to the format causing navigation problems on my end. Sorry to hear you are having a hard time!
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have those items on the top right as well, but even though I receive email telling me so-and-so has added you as a friend and to click the link to accept their invitation, which I do, there is nothing new in my inbox, and I haven't found anything to let me know about the invitation or anywhere to accept it here on the site.
Maybe it's a glitch in Ning? The emails do appear to be genuine because they do bring me to this site. So I'm not sure what's happening here.
Oh well, maybe it will work itself out in time (with routine site maintenance??)