Last Thursday, September 27, The Roskamp Institute hosted its third annual Grey Matters Symposium on Alzheimer’s Research. The sold-out luncheon took place at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, and saw an incredible amount of philanthropists, business leaders and members of Sarasota’s medical community mingling and stopping by the various booths of local organizations and vendors. Upon seating for the luncheon, special guest speaker and New York Times best selling author Kimberly Williams-Paisley kicked off GM3 by cracking a few jokes about her former comedy film career and her famous country singing husband, before getting into the importance of caregiving—sharing personal stories of her childhood and experiences in adulthood with her late mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Captivated, the crowd laughed, cried and sympathized with Williams-Paisley, as she described the devastating effect her mother's diagnosis had on the family including her father, siblings, herself and her newborn children at the time. She spoke very candidly of the hardships her family endured during her mother’s deterioration and her regrets that she did not ignore her mother’s implorments to never talk about her disease or discuss it with anyone. She says had she asked around or done more to learn about Alzheimer's, they may have found ways to make those years more comfortable and livable for her mother. Had she known about The Roskamp Institute, she mentions, she may have been able to give her mother the care she needed. “The hardest thing for me to realize,” she says, “is sometimes caregivers need caregiving.” Williams-Paisley ends to a standing ovation of applause from the whole room, with the final say, “If she were here right now, she'd tell you to lean into this kind of group and welcome the light that will charge in."

The following speaker Dr. Cheryl Brandi, DNSc, ARNP, NP-C—a board certified adult nurse practitioner and certified dementia practitioner—shared day-to-day hardships of being a caregiver for those affected by this untreatable disease, then lit a fire of empowerment in the crowd to take life’s challenges that come with a loved one having a neurological disease and continue to see them as the person they still are deep down. Then, Dr. Mike Mulan—internationally recognized authority on Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders—shared updates on various areas of brain health, explained preventative measures, early symptom warnings and clinical research updates regarding the potential for new treatment. The special public announcement stirred applause with the thought of breakthrough testing and the promising exploration of a treatment. 

Following the presentations and an interactive Q & A from Leadership at The Roskamp Institute, attendees participated in a glow stick fundraising challenge. GM3 volunteers handed out blue glow sticks to the audience before turning the lights out and stating, “Raise your hand up if you, or someone you know, have been personally affected by Alzheimer’s disease.” Whether a husband, wife, parent, friend, or they themselves with early signs, just about every single hand raised. Hands continued to wave in the air when asked amounts of generous donations they were willing to give right there and then. With a number of donors eager to turn science into action, many pulled out their checkbooks on the spot for donations ranging from $10 to $10,000. The Institute hit their GM3 goal of $25,000, and did it in less than five minutes. 

All proceeds raised at the symposium will go towards ongoing Alzheimer's  research and development at The Roskamp Institute. 

Learn more about Grey Matter Symposium 2019 here.

Evocative of a true Mediterranean marketplace, Bravo Italian Mediterranean — formerly Bravo Coastal Bar & Kitchen — recently took on new ownership and a new image. Previously managed by Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, the Westfield Siesta Key restaurant is being revamped under the new ownership of Orlando-based company, FoodFirst Global Restaurants. After an interior renovation to refresh the space and update the layout, Bravo reopened its doors last week for a ribbon cutting to celebrate its Grand (Re)Opening. If it feels like the Isle of Capri is calling, that's 100 percent  intentional. The ambiance brings a brighter, livelier vibe reminiscent of the seaside towns of the Amalfi coast with freshly painted white walls with sea-blue accents, vases of long-stem rosemary sprigs and bowls of whole lemons, attractive seating and decor, colorful dinnerware and an impressive bar build-out. A small gourmet market section near the entryway was added to feature various ‘made from scratch’ items ready for you to purchase and take home.

The menu — articulated with coastal Italian cuisine and flavors — still has some of the previous restaurant’s most popular selections, but covers more ground now. Chef Johnny Imbriolo, a fifth generation Italian chef and leader of culinary fare at Bravo  shows off an enlightened menu, hyper-focused on "simply better" ingredients such as hearty vegetables, sea salts, plant-based options, fresh seafood and all-natural meats. A highlight of the debut tasting remains the small, but mighty green olives—marinated with fresh citrus, herbs and stone-pressed extra virgin olive oil, and carefully handpicked along the coast of southern Italy. 

Photo courtesy of FoodFirst Global Restaurants.

Bravo Italian Mediterranean, 3501 South Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, 941-316-0868.

Available now through Thanksigving, Kahwa Coffee Roasters is introducting two new options of zero-calorie pumpkin spice treats in collaboration with Jordan’s Skinny Mixes. The new health-conscious latte drinks can be served hot or cold, and are can come Vegan and gluten-free. The Skinny PSL is made with Kahwa espresso, sugar-free pumpkin spice skinny syrup and for a keto-friendly version, heavy cream is added. These new options make it a little easier for everyone to celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day, which happens to be today. 

Purchase at any Kahwa Cafe location in St. Petersburg, Hillsborough and Sarasota. View list of locations here. 

Yesterday marked International Podcast Day and the announcement from  Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System’s CEO David Verinder about a new podcast series for the health system’s digital following – SMH HealthCasts. He hopes the new podcast will make a meaningful impact on the tech generation in the Tampa Bay region and beyond. “Typically, people don’t come to a hospital until they suffer a serious health issue,” Verinder said. “But in today’s digital world, we can deliver potentially life-saving information and advice to people in a way that is convenient, compelling and uncomplicated. Hopefully, it encourages them to be aware, be informed and be well.” Hosted by veteran medical journalist Heidi Godman, the series’ kickoff episode featured a Q&A with Verinder that explores the evolution of Sarasota’s public health system, its community mission and the CEO’s vision for the future. New episodes – available in both audio and video formats – will be released twice a month and feature interviews with SMH experts covering a wide range of topics, from technological advancements and medical milestones to the latest health risks and screening guidelines.  Each podcast will last about 20 minutes.

SMH HealthCasts is available on all major podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify, and online at www.smh.com/podcast. To submit a health topic you’d like our experts to address in a future HealthCast episode, simply email your health questions or topic ideas to askanexpert@smh.com. 

October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is acknowledging the month by collecting and contributing books to benefit children visiting its Violence Protection division. Staff will also wear purple ribbons to help raise awareness. Donations to the book drive can be made to the Violence Protection division inside the Manatee County courthouse or at any of the Manatee County Clerk of Court’s historical sites, including the Florida Maritime Museum, Manatee County Agricultural Museum, Manatee County Historical Records Library, Manatee Village Historical Park and Palmetto Historical Park.

The Violence Protection division is available to provide information to all parties involved with the injunction for protection process, which is commonly referred to as restraining orders. For more information, call 941-741-4024 or visitwww.manateeclerk.com. The 24-hour Florida Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-500-1119.