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Sarasota Mayor to Share Birth Stories on WSLR

2012-03-12T22:36:00.001-04:00

On March 20th, Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell will join Sarasota’s Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Motherhood. Maternally Yours, a weekly radio show on Sarasota’s Community Radio Station WSLR 96.5 LPFM, will welcome the Mayor to share the stories of the births of her children during the station’s biannual membership drive.

“I feel that women of my generation can offer a unique perspective regarding childbirth and family issues,” said Mayor Atwell. “We stood at the forefront of a growing movement that embraced education, choice, and respect in reproductive decisions.”

Atwell will be joined in the studio by Mommy Magazine editor Sara Malone, who will also share her birth stories, as well as the four co-hostesses of Maternally Yours, Laura Gilkey, Cheryl Kindred, Carmela Pedicini and Ryan Stanley. Since its launch in October 2011, the program has covered a wide range of topics and has welcomed such guests as 2011 Right Livelihood Laureate Ina May Gaskin, 2011 CNN Hero of the Year Robin Lim, Florida Senator Arthenia Joyner, Congressional candidate Keith Fitzgerald, and many others.

To hear the exclusive Maternally Yours interview with Mayor Atwell and Sara Malone, please tune into WSLR 96.5 LPFM Tuesday evening, March 20, at 6:00pm. The program is also available via live streaming on wslr.org, and podcast at podomatic.com/profile/maternallyyoursradio. For more information, please contact the hostesses of Maternally Yours at MaternallyYoursRadio@gmail.com, or call (941) 915-8115.

Sarasotans Publish Book Revealing Daily Life with Parkinson Disease

2012-02-15T10:18:00.001-05:00

A groundbreaking book was released on January 29th, illustrating for the first time the day-to-day life of people living with Parkinson Disease. Authored by Sarasota residents and Parkinson patients Christine Ludwig and Dave Anderson, “Notes from Movers and Shakers with Parkinson Disease” is a practical guide to living with the neurodegenerative disease from the perspective of real patients.

“If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson Disease; if someone you love has been; if you're a caregiver to a Parkinson patient; if you are related to a Parkinson patient, then you know what’s not easy to come by – knowing that you’re not alone and gaining insight from those who have preceded or are accompanying you on this lifelong journey,” says Ludwig. “These real-life stories will make you laugh and cry. This remarkable collection captures the grand achievements and every day victories of our resilient peers.”

“Notes from Movers and Shakers with Parkinson Disease” is based on information from a questionnaire distributed to and completed by a wide group of people who are living with Parkinson’s. Moving chronologically from the diagnosis through mid- and late-stage PD, the authors share their experiences with emotional as well as practical issues, capturing heartwarming, humorous stories in the process. They share the uncertainties of a progressive disease, from losing the ability to drive to facing life-altering decisions. Most importantly, this book offers the more than one million people diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in the U.S. the comfort that they are not alone.

For more information or to order “Notes from Movers and Shakers with Parkinson Disease,” please visit https://www.createspace.com/3747802.

About the Authors: On her way to becoming Vice President of technology for a major financial institution in the Northeast, Chris Ludwig worked in a variety of capacities, including tax-preparer and “Weather Girl.” She traveled extensively during her corporate career, and was recruited to spend an unforgettable year in Ireland. While travelling, she noticed a tremor in her right hand and was told it probably was an "Essential Tremor.” She chose to believe the diagnosis, until her personal physician insisted that she see a Neurologist for confirmation. She was greatly disappointed when the doctor diagnosed her with Parkinson's as well as Essential Tremor. Chris is an avid exercise practitioner, and believes strongly that "exercise is medicine!" She chose to have Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, but had to discontinue the treatment. She and her doctor are presently deciding "what's next?" Chris now lives and shakes in Florida and Cape Cod with her husband Dale, where she continues to appreciate every day with joy and enthusiasm.

Dave Anderson was born and raised a small town boy, and ultimately worked in a challenging environment in international advertising with a Fortune 500 company. After taking early retirement he noticed a slight tremor in his left hand, which was diagnosed as PD. Working together with a personal trainer, a rigorous training program was put in place, which Dave credits with not only slowing the progress of PD, but actually reducing some of his symptoms. The results, both physical and psychological led Dave to write "How to Tame Parkinson's by Keeping Fit," released in 2005, which chronicles Dave's criteria for selecting a personal trainer and developing exercise routines for the various stages of Parkinson Disease.

Nation's Largest Parkinson Symposium Reaches Capacity in Sarasota Saturday

2012-02-04T16:10:00.004-05:00

The largest Parkinson Disease (PD) symposium in the nation returned to Sarasota on Saturday. Almost 1,000 patients, caregivers and physicians filled Sarasota Memorial's Institute for Advanced Medicine and overflowed to two satellite locations, each equipped with live streaming footage of the conference. The Suncoast Parkinson Disease Symposium, now in its 15th year, was hosted by Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) in partnership with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, and Sarasota Magazine.

Opening remarks were given by Suncoast health journalist Heidi Godman, NCF Executive Director Judith Bell and Medical Director Dr. Dean Sutherland, Sarasota Memorial Hospital COO David Verinder, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation CEO Alex Quarles (pictured above addressing crowd, photo by Cliff Roles), and Sarasota Magazine group publisher Kelley Lavin.

Dr. Michael Okun, Medical Director of the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) and neurologist for Mohammed Ali, presented a model of "patient-centric" care that allows an interdisciplinary approach to Parkinson's, prioritizing the individual needs of each patient. "What Neuro Challenge is doing here is absolutely transformational," said Okun, in reference to the patient-centric qualified referral network Parkinson's Partners.

Dr. Cynthia Fox, co-founder of the headline-making Big and Loud Voice Therapy and a Research Associate at the National Center for Voice and Speech, invited the capacity crowd to stand, stretch, and speak loudly. This set the tone for her presentation of the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy system, which incorporates voice and body exercise as integral pieces of the Parkinson treatment, tantamount and complimentary to neurological and pharmacological modalities.

Dr. James Schumacher, Sarasota Memorial Hospital neurosurgeon led the audience through the processes of deep brain stimulation, neurotransplantation, and dopamine cell replacement. He then talked about the groundbreaking science of creating dopamine cells from one's own skin cells.

Dr. Dean Sutherland, NCF Medical Director and founder of the Southeastern Center for Parkinson Disease, presented an overview of current scientific theory about the causes, risk factors, and methods for diagnosis of Parkinson Disease.

Heidi Godman then facilitated a panel discussion and Q & A with the speakers. Topics discussed included causes for dyskinesia, deep brain stimulation for older patients, specific medication and amino acid efficacy, acupuncture for Parkinson treatment, and physical and behavioral tasks that can release dopamine.

"I especially enjoyed Dr. Okun's information about Parkinson patients and hospitalization; I am about to have surgery, and will definitely be taking this knowledge with me," said Sarasota's Linda Hatfield, diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2001. "Like last year's symposium, this extremely informational. Just excellent."

It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million people in the United States have PD. In Southwest Florida, it is projected that approximately 9,000 people have PD and another 5-10,000 are directly affected as professional or family caregivers. The Annual Suncoast Parkinson Symposium is held annually in Sarasota, Florida. For more information, please visit www.neurochallenge.org, or call (941) 926-6413.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: Neuro Challenge Foundation is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson Disease (PD) in Southwest Florida through service, education and research. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers online, in person and phone recommendations about local PD resources. A free resource guide is available online. Printed guides can be ordered online, viewed in the January 2012 issue of Sarasota Magazine or picked up at any Sarasota YMCA or HealthPlex location. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

Cause 4 Fashion in One Month

2012-02-01T20:14:00.002-05:00

A night of high fashion is returning to Sarasota to raise much-needed funds for Parkinson Disease programs on the Suncoast. Sarasota-based Neuro Challenge Foundation will host the 3rd annual Cause 4 Fashion gala event at Michael’s on East on March 1st from 6:00 to 9:00. Last year’s event received a “Standing O” from Sarasota’s Observer Group as a Standout Event of the year. All of the models in the show will be Parkinson patients or their caregivers, family members or friends. Proceeds benefit Parkinson Disease programs and research in Sarasota & Manatee counties.

An estimated 15,000 people are coping with Parkinson Disease in Sarasota and Manatee Counties alone. Neuro Challenge Foundation is the only local community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. Neuro Challenge offers one-on-one advice with skilled professionals, workshops, seminars and the largest and most respected annual Parkinson Disease Symposium in Florida, co-sponsored by the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

The Cause 4 Fashion event features spring lines from Dreamweaver Planet, Exit Art, Lafayette 148, Lilla P, Lilly Pulitzer, Peace of Cloth, Robert Graham, T. Georgiano’s, and Tommy Bahama. The evening’s hosts are Sarasota personalities Cliff Roles and Heidi Godman, with special guest appearances from New York fashion designer Alex Garfield, Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Michael's on East's own Michael Klauber, and performances from Circus Sarasota. The event is being chaired by Dr. and Mrs. David Napoliello and by David Verinder, COO of Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and his wife Monica.

Tickets for the evening are $95 and can be purchased by calling Neuro Challenge at (941) 926-6413 or visiting www.neurochallenge.org. A cocktail hour and stellar shopping opportunity precede a five star meal and best-of-boutiques fashion show. A “bucket list” live auction during the show includes a private wine tasting with Michael Klauber, a custom portrait session from renowned Sarasota artist Gale Fulton Ross, a VIP package to the Sarasota Film Festival, and more. The event is presented by Amicus Foundation, Larry and Nola Heitbrink and Richard and Gloria Stevens, as well as and generous sponsors, patrons and community partners. Sponsorship is still available. Call 926-6413 for details.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: Neuro Challenge Foundation is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson Disease in Southwest Florida through service, education and research. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving you through online, in person and phone recommendations about local PD resources. We train and recommend the best Parkinson Disease professionals and support research that will lead to a cure. A free resource guide is available online. Printed guides can be ordered online, viewed in the January issue of Sarasota Magazine or picked up at any Sarasota YMCA or HealthPlex location.

Anonymous Donor Helps Healthy Start's "Save My Life" Program Combat Racial Birth Disparities

2012-01-18T12:30:00.005-05:00

Maybe guns aren’t the biggest threat in Newtown.

Perhaps the biggest threat is the area’s staggering rates of poor birth outcomes, such as premature birth, fetal mortality, and infant mortality. Despite a statewide decrease in deaths among children younger than one year old, the infant mortality rate for African-Americans in Sarasota County has continued to creep upward. And disparities between rates of fetal mortality, infant mortality, and prematurity between blacks and whites continue to be alarmingly present. Sarasota County’s most recent 2008-2010 rolling average data indicates the African-American rates for fetal mortality is more than twice as high as whites; infant mortality is 3.5 times as high; and preterm birth is 1.7 times as high.

Aimed at reversing this alarming trend, the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County created the “Save My Life” Program in 2008, an education and support-based Childbirth and Parenting Education program centered in the Newtown area. The Save My Life Program offers small group and individual classes on the importance of health during childbearing years and during pregnancy, stress reduction, childbirth education, breastfeeding education, in-home support for breastfeeding, and safe sleep practices for infants. Outreach efforts, education, and classes are offered by the only African-American Childbirth Educator in Sarasota County, Beverly Phelps.

“Early intervention to begin reversing this cycle must begin prior to pregnancy, and continue throughout pregnancy and after pregnancy. The early experiences of any human, from the beginning of pregnancy into the first few years of life are crucial,” said Jennifer Highland, Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. “By focusing on education, support, and prevention, we aim to improve chances young families will stay healthy.”

Funding for this vital program comes from donations and grants, both of which are currently threatened. After 3 ½ successful years, this program will end in spring of 2012 without additional funding. However, the Healthy Start Coalition has been presented with a unique opportunity to continue funding this important program: an anonymous donor has come forward with a $10,000 Challenge. If $5,000 is raised by the community before February 15, the donor will match it with another $5,000.

“This is an important opportunity for our Community to get involved in the health of our youngest citizens”, continued Highland, “It is time for us to rally as a community to save our babies!”

For more information, contact info@healthystartsarsota.org.

Nation's Largest Parkinson Symposium Returns to Sarasota

2012-01-12T21:21:00.003-05:00

The largest Parkinson Disease symposium in North America is again coming to Sarasota on February 4, 2012. The event is open to patients, caregivers and physicians, and features physician lecturers from around the world. Almost a thousand people are expected to attend.

The Suncoast Parkinson Disease Symposium is hosted by Neuro Challenge Foundation in partnership with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Distinguished speakers will include world-famous drug inventor Dr. Moussa Youdim, who is coming from Israel to speak about the popular drug rasagiline (Azilect); Dr. Cynthia Fox, co-founder of the headline-making Big and Loud voice therapy and a Research Associate at the National Center for Voice and Speech in Denver, CO; Dr. James M. Schumacher, Neurosurgeon at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Research Associate, Neuroregeneration Institute, Harvard Medical School.; and Dean P. Sutherland, MD, PhD, Founder, Southeastern Center for Parkinson Disease, Sarasota, FL.

“Our annual symposium provides an interactive venue for the PD community to come together and discuss the latest global developments in Parkinson’s Disease care, as well as to meet and talk with others affected by PD,” says Doreen Sutherland, President and CEO of Neuro Challenge.

Cost to attend is $25 and includes continental breakfast. Scholarships are available. Valet parking and hotels located conveniently nearby. Registration is required for the event and seating is limited. For more information please visit http://www.neurochallenge.org/neu/events/symposium-2012/ or call the Sarasota Memorial Healthline at 941-917-7777.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: Neuro Challenge Foundation is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson Disease in Southwest Florida through service, education and research. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving you through online, in person and phone recommendations about local PD resources. We receive no compensation for our advisor’s recommendations. We train and recommend the best Parkinson Disease professionals and support research that will lead to a cure. A free resource guide is available online. Printed guides can be ordered online, viewed in the January issue of Sarasota Magazine or picked up at any Sarasota YMCA or HealthPlex location.

An Evening for Healthy Start

2012-01-04T12:45:00.003-05:00

On Thursday, January 26th, from 6 to 9 pm, Sarasota Architectural Salvage will host the 3rd Annual “An Evening for Healthy Start” Fundraiser to benefit The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. The event will be emceed by former Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner, and will feature live music by local Latin, Caribbean, Funk and Motown dance music band, Big Night Out.

The event comes at a critical time in the Healthy Start Coalition’s fiscal year, when funding for critical programs threatens to expire. This year’s event has the potential to raise more money for Sarasota’s pregnant women, infants and young children than in previous years, due to the generosity of several local business members and individuals, including those from the fields of obstetrics, perinatology, midwifery and pediatrics.

Sarasota Architectural Salvage paints an eclectic and distinctive backdrop for “An Evening for Healthy Start,” making it one of the most unique fundraising events of the season. Guests will be treated to light fare provided by local restaurants, including Nancy’s BBQ, Caragiulo’s, Nellie’s Deli, Carrs Corner Café, The Lollicake Queen, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Vin Cella and Local Coffee and Tea. The event will also feature a raffle and silent auction, featuring an exquisite pendant necklace from world-famous jewelry designer Ned Bowman of Bowman Originals in Sarasota.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and include two beverage tickets and a coupon for Sarasota Architectural Salvage. To purchase tickets, call (941) 373-7070, or visit www.SarasotaSalvage.com.

The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children in the community. Healthy Start coordinates a variety of specialized programs to serve high-risk groups and address specific risk factors that contribute to fetal death, prematurity, low birth weight, and infant death. For more information, please call (941) 373-7070 or visit www.healthystartsarasota.org.

Sarasota Radio Show to Air Exclusive Interview with CNN Hero of the Year

2011-12-12T02:24:00.001-05:00

Last night, international midwife Robin Lim was named the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year, accepting an award of $250,000 for her non-profit birth clinic Yayasan Bumi Sehat in Bali, Indonesia. Maternally Yours, Sarasota’s Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Motherhood, recorded an exclusive interview with Robin just days before her win, and will air the interview on Tuesday, December 13th, on Sarasota’s community radio station,WSLR 96.5 LPFM.

“To say I am thrilled for her is the understatement of the century,” says Maternally Yours co-hostess Ryan Stanley. “This win will make real change for mothers and babies in Indonesia and worldwide—mothers and babies will live and thrive because of this award.”

Since 2005, Robin Lim’s clinic Bumi Sehat (translated as Healthy Earth) has treated nearly 113,000 patients and delivered nearly 4,000 babies for free in Bali, where rates of postpartum hemorrhage and maternal and infant mortality are among the highest in the world. “Ibu” (Mother) Robin is a midwife, well-known author and talented poet who has dedicated the last 13 years of her life to this clinic, despite constant financial, cultural and geographic challenges.

“The earthquake that we just had last month…was big enough that we have cracks in the building. The floor started to rise up in one of the birth rooms because of the movement underneath the ground. About twenty minutes after one of our moms gave birth, the floor actually exploded,” Robin told Maternally Yours last Wednesday. “When that happened, I committed in my heart to winning. Should we be gifted that money…from CNN on Sunday night, it will go toward building that clinic.”

Speaking from the Texas home of her daughter Deja Bernhardt (who directed the film Guerrilla Midwife about Robin’s work), Robin told Maternally Yours how she was feeling en route to Los Angeles to find out if she would be named CNN Hero of the Year. “I would say that nervous is one good word; I think it’s because it’s so much bigger than me,” said Robin. “I feel like this is the time for people to come out and vote for the concerns of mothers and babies and children, and that woman-to-woman, midwife-to-mother model of care.”

And, for eleven weeks straight, people voted.

During her acceptance speech last night, Robin Lim made a tearful plea for the world’s help in reducing maternal and infant mortality.

"Today on our Earth, 981 mothers in the prime of their life will die—and tomorrow again, and yesterday," said Robin. "We don't even know how many babies are lost, but all of us can help change that. The very best way that I know is to support your midwifery to mother care, so that the midwives can help lower the risks of motherhood, and we can save lives together—mothers and babies.”

Robin Lim is a friend and listener of Maternally Yours, which seeks to educate and inform women and families about the options, support, and evidence-based best practices available to them in maternal-child healthcare. “What you’re doing…is an exciting thing,” said Robin. “In this day and age, we’ve lost that radio medicine. You’re bringing it back in a beautiful way.”

To hear the exclusive Maternally Yours interview with 2011 CNN Hero of the Year Robin Lim, please tune into WSLR 96.5 LPFM Tuesday evening, December 13, at 6:00pm. The program is also available via live streaming on wslr.org, and podcast atpodomatic.com/profile/maternallyyoursradio. For more information, please contact the hostesses of Maternally Yours at MaternallyYoursRadio@gmail.com.

About Maternally Yours: Maternally Yours is Sarasota's Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Motherhood. The Conversation airs on Tuesday nights at 6:00pm on YOUR Community Radio Station, WSLR 96.5 LPFM. The hostesses of Maternally Yours are Cheryl Kindred, Carmela Pedicini, Ryan Stanley and Laura Gilkey. The mission of Maternally Yours is to educate and inform our community about the options, support, and evidence-based best practices available to them in maternal-child healthcare.

About Bumi Sehat: Founded in 1995, Bumi Sehat is a non-profit, village-based organization that runs two by-donation community health centers in Bali and Aceh, Indonesia. We provide over 17,000 health consultations for both children and adults per year. Midwifery services to ensure gentle births is at the heart of Bumi Sehat and our clinics welcome approximately 600 new babies into the world each year. For more information, please visit www.balibumisehat.org.

About WSLR 96.5 LPFM: WSLR is an innovative, listener-supported, non-profit, non-commercial FM radio station dedicated to serving the Sarasota community. WSLR features locally produced programming and presents cultural, artistic, and political perspectives currently underrepresented in the media. Our goal is to inform and empower listeners to play an active role in WSLR and in their community. WSLR’s programming promotes equality, peace, sustainability, democracy, and social and economic justice. For more information, please visit www.wslr.org.

Ashley's Helps SRQ Stay Home for the Holidays

2011-11-17T22:27:00.006-05:00

For many families, busy holiday schedules are often followed by January regrets: “we just didn’t spend enough time at home.” Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, is a family-owned business that understands the value of time spent with those we love during the holiday season. This year, Ashley’s is offering more options than ever to help the Sarasota community stay Home for the Holidays.

Ashley’s Food Delivery’s “Home for the Holidays” campaign includes home delivery of locally-made holiday pies, family-style meals, popular catering options, gift baskets and gift certificates. This is in addition to the everyday convenience of ordering your favorite meals from over 25 local restaurants, delivered hot and fast.

FAMILY-STYLE MEAL DELIVERY

“Delivery offers a time-saving, stress-free alternative to cooking at home,” says Jeff Sniegocki, owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “Holiday meals require a huge amount of planning, shopping and preparing, stealing time away that could be spent with family and friends. We’ll deliver a freshly-prepared, homestyle meal right to your table, giving you extra time to relax and enjoy your holiday.”

Troyer’s Dutch Heritage offers a complete Thanksgiving Dinner for Two for $29.99 delivered (includes tax & tip for the driver). The meal includes 1 pound of mixed white & dark meat turkey, gravy, a side of cranberry sauce, a pint of stuffing, a pint of green beans, dinner rolls and a 4-inch pumpkin pie. Have a bigger table to feed? A Thanksgiving Feast for 6-8 people is also available for $79.99 delivered (includes tax & tip). The feast includes 3 pounds of mixed white & dark meat turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, a quart each of stuffing, green beans and sweet potato soufflé, as well as dinner rolls and choice of whole pie. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD (953-3663). Delivery is not available on Thanksgiving Day.

EASY AS PIE

Delicious, homemade pies from the bakery at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage make a sweet ending to any holiday feast. Traditional favorites like Pumpkin, Pecan and Dutch Apple are available, as well as decadent flavors like Chocolate Cream, Cranberry Pecan and Strawberry Rhubarb.

Whole pies are available for pre-order now and range from $11.49 to $12.99, plus tax and delivery. To view a full selection of available pies, as well as other bakery items such as dinner rolls, sweet breads and cookies, visit www.AshleysFood.com. Order online, or call 953-3663 to reserve your pies today. 48 hours advance notice requested for pie deliveries. Thanksgiving deliveries will be made Wednesday, November 23.

WE’LL BRING THE PARTY TO YOU

Ashley’s Food Delivery can deck the halls with all of the food you need for your personal or corporate holiday gathering. With affordable trays, platters, and treats available from a variety of local restaurants, we can help you simplify your meeting or party with our drop-off catering services. View full catering menus online at www.AshleysFood.com , or call 953-3663 to request a catering menu.

GIFT BASKET DELIVERY

Ashley’s Food Delivery makes seasonal gift giving easy and convenient with Gift Basket Delivery of your favorite locally made Amish treats from Troyer’s Dutch Heritage. The Troyer’s Heritage Basket features the Heritage Favorites cookbook, a small homemade pie, home-style fudge, fresh granola, apple butter, jam, old-fashioned candies and more. A complete Gift Basket Delivery Menu available at www.ashleysfood.com. Order online, or call 953-3663 and let a customer service representative help you select the perfect gifts for friends and family, colleagues and clients. Delivery is available everyday (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days); 72 hour notice is requested. Featured holiday gift baskets are $55.00 including delivery. Complimentary gift cards can be included with all gifts, upon request.

Ashley’s Food Delivery Gift Certificates are also available for delivery from any partner restaurants, in any amount. Spread the Home for the Holidays cheer to friends and loved ones with the gift of a delicious meal delivered to the comfort of their home.

Full delivery menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.AshleysFood.com. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD (953-3663).

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 25 restaurants in Sarasota to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Sarasota Leads Statewide Prematurity Awareness Month Campaign

2011-11-16T13:37:00.002-05:00

Would you please pass the cranberry sauce and the facts?

Just as families are preparing to gather together in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions (FAHSC) and March of Dimes Florida Chapter are launching a campaign as part of Prematurity Awareness Month (November). “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait” is designed to raise awareness about the myths and risks of premature births, as well as educate the public about the importance of staying pregnant at least 39 weeks if a pregnancy is healthy.

According to studies, a growing number of babies are delivered between 37 and 39 weeks. Many of these births occur as a result of planned or scheduled deliveries that are not medically necessary. Nationally, labor induction rates during these weeks have more than doubled from 9.5 percent in 1990 to nearly 23 percent in 2006. In Florida, preterm birth rates increased from 12.8 percent in 2000 to 13.5 percent in 2009. Sarasota is one of seven priority communities leading the statewide community education campaign being launched by FAHSC and Florida March of Dimes in observance of Prematurity Awareness Month. Hospitals in these communities are participating in a statewide quality initiative to reduce elective deliveries.

Non-medically required preterm deliveries pose increased risks to an infant’s life including neonatal hospitalizations, death, respiratory stresses, developmental delays and learning disabilities.

“We are pleased that our coalition and community have been selected to lead statewide education efforts to reduce the risk of babies who are affected by late preterm deliveries and non-medically necessary inductions and c-sections,” said Jennifer Highland, Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. “There is an alarming misconception among many that a baby is full term and ready for delivery at 36 weeks…so, unfortunately, we see a lot of mothers seeking to schedule C-sections or induced deliveries when there is no medical reason to do so. This campaign will help Sarasota citizens understand that the last weeks of pregnancy actually do count.”

Sarasota is joined by Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Tampa and Santa Rosa County as lead participants in the “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait” statewide campaign, being implemented by the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions with funding from the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy. For more information, visit marchofdimes.com/florida.

Founded in 1991, the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions is a statewide network of 32 Healthy Start Coalitions that exchange and disseminate resources and information designed to improve maternal and child health. FAHSC was awarded a March of Dimes Florida Chapter Community grant in March to educate Florida women, families, medical professionals and providers about preterm risks.

Kinetic Showroom Exposes Evolutionary HVAC

2011-11-04T10:44:00.005-04:00

Kinetic Air Services opened its doors this summer to offer Sarasota and Manatee Counties a new approach to indoor air service, focused on client education and the value of clean air to our health, our homes, and our families. Now, Kinetic has renovated their Matoaka Road showroom with an exposed, fully-efficient HVAC system designed to educate their clientele and the community.

Kinetic is constantly pushing the envelope of evolution in HVAC, and their showroom renovation is no exception. The HVAC system exposes all components, allowing clients to see and touch the system that cleans and cools their homes, as well as learn about the new ultra-efficient technologies available in the marketplace today.

"The pre-finished birch walls and frosted glass compliment the exposed equipment and give the office a contemporary loft feel," says Lee Senseman, founder and managing partner of Kinetic Air Services. “The clean lines and modern style give off a great vibe that our team members and clients love."

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers to the public. Kinetic Air Services focuses on proper air exchange, filtration, and purification, their three tenets of healthy indoor air quality. Kinetic’s technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) and EPA certified, have extensive experience in the HVAC industry, and back their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for service, repair and comfort.

Experience firsthand the evolution of HVAC design at the Kinetic Air Services showroom, located at 7685 Matoaka Road in Sarasota, Florida. For more information about heating and cooling, speak to an expert at Kinetic Air Services at (941)748-8848, info@kineticairservices.com, or www.kineticairservices.com.

About Kinetic Air Services: An evolution in HVAC business philosophy, Kinetic Air Services is dedicated to providing whole home care solutions. With concierge-level service and professionalism, our master technicians will provide affordable and timely guaranteed comfort. For more information or to contact Kinetic Air Services, please visit www.kineticairservices.com or call (941) 748-8848.

Pure Barre Celebrates with Grand Opening Party

2011-11-02T12:10:00.003-04:00

Pure Barre, the workout that is sweeping the nation with its ballet barre centered technique, is hosting a grand opening celebration on November 11th in their new Sarasota studio. The party will feature raffles, special offers, cocktails, and an introduction of Pure Barre’s winter line, featuring styles from their newest sales partner, Lululemon Athletica.

Founded ten years ago by dancer and fitness guru Carrie Rezabek, Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts the seat, tones the thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. The techinque does not involve high impact movements such as bouncing or jumping, keeping the joints protected. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, Pure Barre is reputed to be the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body. Students see results in an average of just 7 to 10 classes.

"Since opening the doors to Pure Barre Sarasota on June 20th, we have been excited and overwhelmed by the positive response from the Sarasota community!” says Melissa DeMore, who owns the franchise with Sara Ferguson. “It brings a renewed sense of encouragement to watch each of our clients respond so quickly to this unique and challenging workout. I love to see the energy and sense of empowerment on each of their faces after completing a class. The workout and results speak for themselves!"

Now, Pure Barre offers clients and the community a fitness boutique as well. In addition to the popular styles of Lululemon Athletica, Pure Barre also carries activewear from Splits 59, Beyond Yoga, NaLa Seattle, Bella Luxx, and more. These lines were selected not only for their top-of-the-line quality and supportive fabrics, but for their attention to style, which can take the Pure Barre athlete from working out to lunching with friends.

Pure Barre Sarasota is located in the Paradise Plaza shopping center. The grand opening event is November 11th from 6 to 9 and is open to the public. For more information, current scheduling and pricing options, please visit www.purebarre.com, or email sarasota@purebarre.com.

Gilkey, Jr. Appointed to UF Advisory Council

2011-10-23T22:39:00.007-04:00

Michael A. Gilkey, Jr., a Florida registered and licensed landscape architect with Michael A. Gilkey, Inc., has accepted a position on the Advisory Council for the University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture.

The Department of Landscape Architecture is celebrating more than 75 years of landscape architecture education at the University of Florida (UF). Their accredited graduate and undergraduate programs are home to more than 100 students. Ten faculty members enrich the teaching, service and research mission of the department through their diverse planning and design expertise. The Department offers a Bachelor’s degree, First Professional and Post Professional Master’s degrees and a Ph.D. degree from the College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP) with a concentration in Landscape Architecture.

To ensure that the Department’s programs continue to meet the needs of the profession, an Advisory Council consisting of industry leaders from several related design disciplines has been assembled from across the country. The Council will work with faculty to improve current programs, and to help guide future educational and research program offerings from the department.

"Michael is a graduate who has made a name for himself and his firm for quality work,” says Kay Williams, FASLA, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at UF. “His active participation in the social and academic life of the department as a student has translated into a mentoring role that ranges from funded awards that speak directly to the student's experiences here to professional involvement in studio projects."

For more information about the University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture, please visit www.dcp.ufl.edu/landscape, or call (352) 392-6098. A partial portfolio of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.’s work to date may be found at www.magilkey.com. Please call (941) 924-0132 for more information.

ABOUT MICHAEL A. GILKEY, INC.: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is a landscape architecture studio in Sarasota, Florida, established in 1981. Through a passion for pure design and personal relationships with architects, contractors and homeowners, Gilkey creates expressions of outdoor space that are direct translations of their clients’ visions. For more information, please visit www.magilkey.com or call (941) 924-0132.

Local Businesses Leading Electric Vehicle Charge

2011-10-19T13:38:00.002-04:00

With the help of EcoTechnologies, Inc., Florida's leading renewable energy and energy conservation integrator, a handful of forward-thinking businesses and municipalities are leading the charge to bring electric vehicles to the Suncoast. By installing charging stations in their parking lots, businesses like Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton-Airport, developed and constructed by Sarasota-based Finergy Development and Firmo Construction, plan to attract more of the zero-emissions vehicles to our community.

EcoTechnologies, Inc. supports businesses committed to this initiative, and has helped many obtain awards for charging equipment through the ChargePoint America Program, whose aim is to install 4600 stations nationwide by month’s end. Owners are responsible for footing the bill for the equipment’s installation and operation costs, but for Eric Collin, Executive Vice President of Finergy Development, the decision made sense.

"This is a logical continuation for us,” says Collin, whose hotel was the first in Sarasota to earn the US Green Building Certification, and the first of its chain to earn a LEED® Silver Certification. “We want to keep our properties on the leading edge of sustainability."

Charging stations like the ones being installed at Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton-Airport are part of Coloumb's ChargePoint Network, the world’s most advanced and easy to use electric vehicle-charging infrastructure. The charging stations are designed to accommodate electric vehicles (EV’s) as well as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (visit www.pluginamerica.org/vehicles for a current list of electric vehicles). Today’s plug-in EV’s typically do not require gasoline, but recharge their large on-board batteries with electricity. The typical result is an efficiency of over 100 miles per gallon – a two-fold increase over conventional hybrids.

Those interested in the future of electric vehicles are encouraged to attend the unveiling of the new charging stations at Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton-Airport, located at 975 University Parkway in Sarasota, on Wednesday, November 2,, 2011. A ribbon-cutting will be held at 4:30pm, during which guests can see the latest electric vehicles plugging in. A reception inside the hotel will follow from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, hosted by the General Manager, Michelle Siese and her team. For more information, please contact Michelle Siese at the Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota/Bradenton-Airport at (941) 355-8140 ext. 600 or Michelle.Siese@hilton.com or contact Ken Stokes, EcoTechnologies consultant at (813) 789-1262 or Ken@EcoTechnoUSA.com.

About EcoTechnologies, Inc.: EcoTechnologies is Florida's EcoSquad for Solar Power, PhotoVoltiacs, Solar Hot Water Heater, Electric Vehicle Car Charging Stations, Energy Saving Cooling Systems and BioBased Spray Foam Insulation Systems. A full-service, green building and remodeling integrator for Florida's green homes, businesses and institutions, EcoTechnologies includes consulting, design, installation and customer service. EcoTechnologies is located at 2101 47th Street, Sarasota, Florida 34234, (941) 364-5900 and online at www.EcoTechnoUSA.com. INTERVIEWS, MEDIA TOURS, AND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR NEWS STORIES AT THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PRESS. PLEASE CALL KEN STOKES AT (813) 789-1262.

Sarasota Community Acupuncture Goes Co-op

2011-10-18T14:55:00.002-04:00

In September, Sarasota Community Acupuncture joined the People's Organization of Community Acupuncture (POCA). POCA is a cooperative whose mission is to provide accessible and affordable acupuncture.

In Community Acupuncture, patients rest in recliners in a shared space. Small, thin needles are placed in a patient's lower legs, lower arms, and head in order to treat everything in between. A sliding fee scale allows more patients, regardless of income or insurance, to receive enough treatments to experience relief from chronic and acute stress and pain, as well as improvement in symptoms and root causes of illness and injury.

As a multi-stakeholder cooperative, POCA brings together practitioners, students, clinics, patients, and organizations, all working together to make community acupuncture economically sustainable and socially just. Every POCA member has a vote in the organization. Individuals can contribute their skills and leadership in clearly defined self-organizing circles, as part of POCA's dynamic governance structure. Benefits are based on membership categories--patient, acupuncturist, clinic, or organization--benefits such as free treatment cards, access to a national clinic and job network, employer support documents, a POCA cooperative newsletter, and more. All members have access to affordable acupuncture at any POCA clinic.

Community Acupuncture is practiced in Canada, Britain, Australia, Israel, and the United States. Acupuncture is offered on a sliding fee scale of $15 - $35, with a one-time $10 new patient orientation fee. No income verification is required.

To make an appointment, contact Sarasota Community Acupuncture (941) 922-4611 at 3615 Webber Street Sarasota, FL 34232, or www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com. To learn more about POCA, please visit www.pocacoop.com, or contact Karen Grosskreutz, POCA Membership Coordinator at 971-400-8739, pocacoop@gmail.com.

Sarasota Community Acupuncture is a famly practice committed to cultivating health with the practitioner and the patient in partnership. The mission of SCA is to provide the community with high quality and affordable acupuncture, and to create a treatment space that connects people and builds community. For more information, please visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com, or call (941) 922-4611 for an appointment at our clinic, located at 3615 Webber Street in Sarasota, Florida.

Cycling Puts New Spin on Parkinson Disease

2011-10-12T23:39:00.004-04:00

For the first time ever, a Suncoast event is combining breakthrough research with futuristic fitness to raise money for one of the area’s most urgent causes. Cyclists will take a virtual spin through gorgeous terrain at the YMCA’s high-tech cycling center during the Pedaling For Parkinson’s Cycle-A-Thon. It happens on Saturday, November 5th, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the YMCA’s Frank Berlin, Sr. Branch located at 1075 South Euclid Avenue, Sarasota.

Ten teams will participate in the four-hour cycling event, where they’ll hop on top-of-the-line Schwinn bikes in front of a huge video screen in the YMCA’s new cycling center, complete with Blu-Ray technology. Every pedal stroke will raise cash for Neuro Challenge Foundation, which provides services for the 15,000 people on the Suncoast who struggle with Parkinson Disease. The incurable brain condition robs patients of the ability to move, eat and think clearly.

This event comes after breakthrough research revealed that cycling can relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Neuro Challenge Foundation is bringing the man who made that discovery to Pedaling for Parkinson’s. Dr. Jay Alberts of the Cleveland Clinic will present his breakthrough and explain how you can apply the finding in your own life. Several other physicians will also present lectures on the latest in Parkinson’s treatment. In addition, the YMCA’s fitness staff is now working with Neuro Challenge Foundation and medical advisor Dr. Dean Sutherland to develop a specialized program for Parkinson’s patients.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. It results from the death of dopamine-containing cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain; the cause of cell-death is unknown. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related, including shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait. Later, cognitive and behavioral problems may arise, with dementia commonly occurring in the advanced stages of the disease. Other symptoms include sensory, sleep and emotional problems. PD is more common in the elderly with most cases occurring after the age of 50. Parkinson’s experienced national attention when actor Michael J. Fox was diagnosed several years ago.

Neuro Challenge Foundation provides free support services and education to Parkinson patients and their families on the Suncoast. For more information contact Doreen Sutherland at doreen@neurochallenge.org, or call The Sarasota Family YMCA at 941-955-8194.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. Their flagship program, Parkinson Partners, provides one on one advice for patients. Call 941-926-6413 to enroll, free of charge. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

12th & East to Host Party in the Plaza

2011-10-12T23:07:00.001-04:00

12th & East Home at the Beach will continue its seasonal series of artist showcases on Thursday, October 20th, from 5pm to 8pm. The event, known locally as the “Party in the Plaza,” will take place at this beachside boutique every third Thursday of the month through May.

This month’s event will feature local artists Judy Titsworth, Kim Darnell, Donna Sutton, Dana Rudolph, Dottie Baker and Ellen Soloman. Catering will be provided by Fusion Café, and will include an enticing selection of their signature appetizers and sweet treats. Local honey and chutney will also be available, and the boutique’s winter line of candles will be introduced.

“We had a blast at the first Party in the Plaza,” says owner and designer Jessica Holmes. “Now I find myself looking forward to this event all month. It is a great showcase for the creativity of the community in which we live and love.”

Now located at 5416 Marina Drive, 12th & East Home at the Beach brings their unique vintage modern aesthetic seaside, while continuing to hand-select and update 17th and 18th century antique treasures. To learn more about 12th & East Home at the Beach or any of these fine artists, please call (941) 778-7440 or visit www.12thandEastHome.com.

About 12th & East Home: 12th & East Home at the Beach is a sophisticated home accessories showroom in Holmes Beach, Florida. Designer Jessica Holmes presents an ever-changing collection of vintage-inspired modern accents and expertly selected consigned antiques, establishing a unique and relevant aesthetic for today’s discerning home decorator. The Sarasota collection has expanded to include a more casual, seaside lifestyle. Please call (941) 778-7440 to learn more, or visit us on the web at www.12thandEastHome.com.

INTERVIEWS, MEDIA TOURS, AND PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY ARE AVAILABLE FOR NEWS STORIES AT THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PRESS. PLEASE CALL LAURA GILKEY AT 941.915.8115.

Four Sarasota Mothers Launch Radio Program

2011-10-12T06:15:00.002-04:00

Earlier this month, four Sarasota mothers launched a weekly radio program dedicated to maternal health. “Maternally Yours: Sarasota’s Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Motherhood” airs every Tuesday night at 6:30pm on Sarasota’s community radio station, WSLR 96.5 LPFM. It is the first ever local broadcast dedicated to the subject, and WSLR’s first program hosted by a collective of women.

Maternally Yours is an opportunity for Sarasota to learn about issues affecting pregnant families, infants, and young children from a consumer perspective. The program will be hosted on a rotating basis by four women well-known in the community for their expertise in the areas of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The hostesses will invite local experts in the fields of midwifery, obstetrics, nursing, pediatrics, healthcare administration, breastfeeding, doula work, public health, and consumer advocacy, as well as (and often) parents who might share their experience on a given topic. The show will offer listeners a broad range of perspectives and opinions incorporating all models of maternity care available.

“This is such a balanced, judgment-free, thoughtful, refreshing show,” says Sarasota mother Abby Weingarten. “What a gift to our community!”

The hostesses of Maternally Yours are Cheryl Kindred, Carmela Pedicini, Ryan Stanley and Laura Gilkey. Cheryl is a certified birth doula, birth assistant, childbirth educator, MotherBaby advocate and leads local groups for Babywearing education and postpartum support. Carmela is an Independent Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Counselor, Licensed Practical Nurse, and local musician. Ryan is a long-time Sarasotan and young mother whose daughter’s birth shifted her career path toward Postpartum Doula certification. Laura is an advocate for evidence-based maternity care, a board member for Florida Friends of Midwives and the Healthy Start Coalition, author of the blog Born in Sarasota, and marketing director for The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project.

The unifying voice of the programmers is a genuine desire to empower women to take control of their bodies, their pregnancies, their births, and the raising of their children. “We all believe deeply in informed consent and allowing families to make their own choices,” says Laura. “The best way for them to do so is with evidence, information, and support.”

To listen to Maternally Yours, please tune into WSLR 96.5 LPFM every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm. The program is also available via live streaming on wslr.org, and podcast atpodomatic.com/profile/maternallyyoursradio. For more information, please contact the hostesses of Maternally Yours at MaternallyYoursRadio@gmail.com, or call (941) 915-8115.

About Maternally Yours: Maternally Yours is Sarasota's Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Motherhood. The Conversation airs on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm on YOUR Community Radio Station, WSLR 96.5 LPFM. The mission of Maternally Yours is to educate and inform our community about the options, support, and evidence-based best practices available to them in maternal-child healthcare.

Guest Column: Safe Childbirth Advocate Honored

2011-10-03T10:21:00.001-04:00

Kangaroo Promotions has the honor of coordinating a national marketing effort for 2011 Right Livelihood Laureate Ina May Gaskin's Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, set to launch in early 2012. My gratitude to the Sarasota Herald Tribune for printing the following editorial on Monday, October 3rd.

In 2009, American midwife Ina May Gaskin visited Sarasota. She spoke to the physicians at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, displayed her Safe Motherhood Quilt Project at the Selby Public Library, and sat on a panel of experts at the conference on Maternal Healthcare in the 21st Century. She shed some light in our community on the evolution of American maternity care, our current maternal mortality crisis, and the model of care and accountability we must embrace to change it.

These are the kinds of visits Ina May makes on an almost weekly basis, in between delivering babies at The Farm, the "intentional community" in Tennessee she and husband Stephen Gaskin developed in 1970. One book, one airplane flight, one community at a time, she uses her 40-plus years of midwifery experience and research to educate and call to action those of us who are compelled by the fact that, while the United States spends more money on maternity care than any other nation, we remain ranked 50th in maternal mortality and 41st in infant mortality, according to the World Health Organization.

Recently, Ina May received the highest honor of her career thus far: The Right Livelihood Award (rightlivelihood.org), commonly referred to as the "Alternative Nobel." The award, established in 1980, honors "those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today." Among 2011's four Laureates, Ina May was chosen "for her whole-life's work teaching and advocating safe, woman-centered childbirth methods that best promote the physical and mental health of mother and child."

The Gaskins will travel to Stockholm in December to accept the honor, which will be presented by Sweden's Parliament.

This will be the second time they have done this as husband and wife; in 1980, Stephen became the first Right Livelihood Award Laureate for his establishment of PLENTY International. This is the first time a husband and wife have each been laureates of the award, causing the Right Livelihood Foundation to liken the couple to Marie and Pierre Curie.

Today, Ina May focuses her efforts heavily on The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project (rememberthemothers.org), in which each quilt square honors a woman who has died in childbirth in the United States since 1982. The Project aims at summoning the national will necessary to lower the rising maternal death rate by creating a consistent, mandatory system for reporting, classifying and counting maternal deaths, and reviewing and analyzing their causes.

She is also engaged in a national information campaign, aimed at women and medical professionals, about the potential side effects of using Cytotec, or misoprostol, to induce labor. She continues to teach and speak to physicians and midwives worldwide, and has traveled to Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, Italy, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Japan to do so.

When I was newly pregnant for the first time in 2004, the first book I read was Ina May's "Spiritual Midwifery." Like so many other new mothers, I relied on the birth stories and wisdom so frequently that its pages were dog-eared and tattered by my due date. Since that bestseller, she has penned: "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth," "Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding" and "Birth Matters: A Midwife's Manifesta," published just this summer. I encourage people to read this most recent work, describing the evolution of our maternity care system, and the path we must take to improve it, not only for the highest good of our mothers and babies, but for nations worldwide that strive to replicate our model of care.

"A society that places a low value on its mothers and the process of birth will suffer an array of negative repercussions for doing so," says Ina May Gaskin. "Good beginnings make a positive difference in the world, so it is worth our while to provide the best possible care for mothers and babies throughout this extraordinarily influential part of life."

We as a nation should celebrate Ina May Gaskin, the U.S. 2011 Right Livelihood Award Laureate, with collective pride and gratitude. Her tireless dedication to her calling has rippled throughout the world, and it is up to us to carry her message. It is a privilege to work with Ina May, and the highest honor to call her my friend.

Florida Celebrates Midwives Week this October

2011-09-27T10:00:00.002-04:00

Florida Friends of Midwives is proud to join the American College of Nurse Midwives, theMidwives Association of Florida, and communities statewide in celebrating National Midwifery Week and Florida Licensed Midwives Week during the first week in October.

Midwifery Week is a chance for midwives and the women they serve to reflect on their experiences and midwifery's contributions to women's health care, including attending births and providing well-woman care. Throughout Florida, regional groups of Florida Friends of Midwives are celebrating with awareness events, social gatherings and local Mayor's proclamations.

One such proclamation will be read at the Sarasota City Commission meeting October 3rd. “Midwives make a strong contribution to the health and well-being of mothers and babies through proper care and treatment in all phases of childbirth," says Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell. “I look forward to welcoming all those involved in this important effort.”

Midwives have a long and valued history in Florida. The state first passed legislation to license direct-entry midwives in 1931, and the first Certified Nurse Midwife was licensed in Florida in 1970. Florida’s midwives have continued to tirelessly serve the families of Florida and to ensure the continued availability of safe, evidence-based birthing options for Florida’s families.

Florida Friends of Midwives celebrates midwives in Florida and throughout the world during this special week. For more information about midwifery in Florida, please visit flmidwifery.org.

ABOUT FLORIDA FRIENDS OF MIDWIVES (FFOM): Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM) is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the Midwives Model of Care and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida. Florida Friends of Midwives was formed to support midwives who offer safe, cost-effective, evidence based care to Florida's Families. FFOM members are consumers and birth advocates committed to organizing the community to support midwives and to assure the continued availability of midwifery care in the State of Florida. For more information, please visit flmidwifery.org.

September: Infant Mortality Awareness Month

2011-09-21T07:14:00.002-04:00

September is National Infant Mortality Month, but for Orlando midwife Jennie Joseph and her dedicated team, the fight to provide quality prenatal care to all expecting mothers and reduce the high infant mortality rate is a year-round campaign.

“Simply put, our babies are dying!” states Joseph, executive director of Commonsense Childbirth Inc. and the founder of The JJ Way® Maternity Health Care System, a program that successfully demonstrates reduced levels of infant mortality. “People just don’t realize the impact of infant mortality in our communities.” Joseph’s innovative maternal child health (MCH) program is designed to educate the public, community leaders, and elected officials on te need to reduce infant mortality and the practical steps to achieving that goal.

Joseph, who also operates The Birth Place, a multi-site birthing center , women’s health clinic and midwifery training program in Central Florida, remains committed to eliminating one of this country’s saddest and most preventable medical concerns – the high death rate among African American newborns and babies under the age of one. Statistics show that the infant mortality rate among African-Americans continues to be more than twice the rate among White babies and, according to a new report out just last week, babies in the United States have a higher risk of dying during their first month of life than do babies born in 40 other countries[1].

Medical experts agree that the two most prevalent causes of high infant mortality are premature births before the 37th week of pregnancy, and low birth weight. The Florida infant mortality rate has hovered around 8% for all races and 14% for African American women annually[2]. “These fragile babies are actually a result ,” says Joseph. “The cause is the lack of access to quality maternity healthcare as well as a lack of education and support, particularly for disenfranchised women who face multiple obstacles to finding help.”

A 2007 study[3] conducted at The Birth Place, utilizing The JJ Way® Maternity Health Care System, provided 100 participants with education, support and vital prenatal care. As a result, there were only 4 low birth weight babies born overall and no low birth weight babies to the African American or Hispanic women in the study. While national agencies such as Healthy Start and March of Dimes have led the charge by stressing the need to address this serious issue, Joseph believes that increased community awareness is essential to the campaign to eliminate these disparities. To that end, Commonsense Childbirth and The JJ Way® have developed extensive training and certification programs to increase the number of maternity healthcare providers, doulas, childbirth educators and community agencies willing to tackle this problem.

Additional information including a video can be found at http://commonsensechildbirth.org/jj-way.

Jennie Joseph will be speaking at Bentley’s Cafe (805 Donald Ross Road Juno Beach) at 6:30pm on September 23rd. The event is open to the public. Ms. Joseph will also be holding a Doula Training September 24th and 25th at the Palm Beach Marriott. For more details regarding these events or information about Commonsense Childbirth, The Birth Place or The JJ Way, please contact Kathy Bradley at (321) 213-1112 or email kathy.ccsmidwifery@gmail.com.

[1] http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/newborn-death-rates-1849/

[2] http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/pdflib/999/pds_12_all.pdf

[3] Funded by Winter Park Health Foundation, Evaluated by Health Council of East Central Florida

RISE: Sarasota's First Kitchen Share

2011-09-15T11:07:00.002-04:00

For many culinary entrepreneurs, the initial investment of launching a food business is enough to squash their dreams. Sarasota baker and local food enthusiast Christine Nordstrom knows these challenges first hand, and has seen them stand in the way of success for many talented chefs in her own community. This summer, she decided to do something about it. Introducing RISE, Sarasota’s first licensed commercial kitchen share.

RISE makes it possible to start a food based business for a fraction of the cost by providing all inclusive hourly or monthly rent to clients that fits their individual needs. Each client is required to obtain their own licensing, permits and liability insurance to operate a business in the state of Florida. However, RISE offers much more than refrigeration and oven space; experts are available for consultation, guidance though the food business licensing process, culinary education, and referrals every step along the way. RISE allows an idea to become a viable product.

“Every Saturday, it seemed I would meet another person with a dream,” says Nordstrom, whose bakery SIFT is a cornerstone of the Downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market. “Each conversation would end in the same way—I’d learn they didn’t have the financial investment or space needed to execute their ideas.”

Nordstrom did some market research and learned that commercial shared kitchens are thriving in larger markets throughout the country. “It’s a win-win situation. Local food, local business, and local dreams are all being supported here.”

For more information about RISE or to schedule an initial consultation with owner Christine Nordstrom, please call (941)306-6072 or email christine@watchmerise.com.

ABOUT RISE: RISE is a licensed commercial kitchen share where you can dream, create, produce and RISE. We will help your food based business grow in any way we can, from consultation to facility rental. Please call Christine Nordstrom at (941) 306-6072 or visit www.watchmerise.com for more information.

12th & East Kicks off Third Thursday Party

2011-09-12T07:42:00.001-04:00

12th & East Home at the Beach will begin a seasonal series of artist showcases this Thursday, September 15th, from 5pm to 8pm. The event, being dubbed “Party in the Plaza,” will take place at this beachside boutique every third Thursday of the month through May.

This month’s inaugural event will feature local artists Greg Lowman, Dustin Cole, Jessica DellaTorre, Breslyn Reiber, Dani O’Neil with Lola Love, and Heather Howard with Nautical Nonsense. Live art will be performed by Cheeta and live music by Trevor Bystrom. Light fare and wine will be served.

“I have been waiting all summer for this,” says owner and designer Jessica Holmes. “This community is my home. It is an honor to be able to celebrate the artistic talent that abounds here.”

Now located at 5416 Marina Drive, 12th & East Home at the Beach brings their unique vintage modern aesthetic seaside, while continuing to hand-select and update 17th and 18th century antique treasures. This summer the boutique has introduced new lines of women’s clothing, shoes, bags, table linens, serving wares, dish soaps and more to the Anna Maria Island community. To learn more about 12th & East Home at the Beach or any of these fine artists, please call (941) 778-7440 or visit www.12thandEastHome.com.

Rosemary Birthing Home Launches New Website

2011-08-22T23:14:00.003-04:00

Rosemary Birthing Home, one of two freestanding birth centers in Sarasota, has launched a comprehensive new website (www.rosemarybirthinghome.com). The website was designed to inform families that are pregnant or considering pregnancy about the Midwives Model of Care, and to illustrate the strong community that midwifery creates.

Rosemary Birthing Home’s new website was designed and developed locally by Max Kelly Design and Seven Thirty Three, and coordinated by Kangaroo Promotions, Inc. All of the photographs on the site, with the exception of the client photo gallery, were taken of Rosemary families by Valerie Joy Photography. The site includes information for fathers and big siblings, waterbirth videos, birth announcements, meetings and events held at the birthing home, and an extensive resource guide. “Anyone considering pregnancy or looking to choose a maternity care provider should visit this website,” says project manager Laura Gilkey. “It really illustrates the kind of expert, gentle care that midwives provide. The faces in their clients’ photos say it all.”

Rosemary Birthing Home was established in 2003 and is owned and operated by Licensed Midwives. A free-standing birth center in Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District, Rosemary Birthing Home offers personalized midwifery care embedded with the philosophy that birth is a normal, healthy process that most often requires no medical intervention.

For more information, please call 941.330.9966 or visit www.rosemarybirthinghome.com.

About Rosemary Birthing Home: Established in 2003, Rosemary Birthing Home is a free-standing birth center in Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District. Owned and operated by Florida licensed midwives, Rosemary Birthing Home offers personalized midwifery care, birth center births, home births, water births, pre-pregnancy nutrition counseling, postpartum care, support groups, lactation counseling, complete childbirth education, a lending library and more. A free orientation to Rosemary Birthing Home is offered by appointment at (941) 228-7303. For more information, please call 941.330.9966 or visit www.rosemarybirthinghome.com.

Local Businesses Join Healthy Start to Collect Diapers in August

2011-08-08T14:50:00.004-04:00

No child should ever wear the same diaper all day. The unfortunate reality is that here in Sarasota County, one in three families in struggles with providing the bare necessities for their babies. With the cost of diapers at more than $100 each month per child, many parents must make the difficult choice between diapers and food. Infants who don’t have a clean diaper are likely to suffer from painful urinary tract infections and other serious complications.

Throughout the month of August, the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc., a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children in Sarasota County, is collecting diapers to give to families in need. You can donate unopened packages of diapers (cloth or disposable) and wipes at several convenient locations. Cash donations to purchase diapers will also be accepted at the Healthy Start Coalition office. Healthy Start will also be collecting donations at the Downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 13th.

Drop-off locations include:

Healthy Start Coalition Office (also accepting cash donations) at 1750 17th Street, Building A
Healthy Start Program Office, 2nd Floor, Sarasota County Health Department, 2200 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota
Birthways Family Birth Center, 4222 McIntosh Lane, Sarasota, FL 34232
Rosemary Birthing Home, 800 Central Ave. Sarasota
Media on Main, 1341 Main Street, Downtown Sarasota
Jackson Hewitt Beneva Office; 5779 Beneva Road, Sarasota
Jackson Hewitt Venice Office, 545 US HWY 41 Bypass, Venice, FL
Bippy Diapers, 4911 14th St. W., Ste. 204, Bradenton FL 34207
Walgreens, 3155 University Pkwy., Sarasota FL 34243
Walgreens, 3535 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
Walgreens, 1700 N Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34234
Walgreens, 1947 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, FL 34236
Walgreens, 3550 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237
Walgreens, 5800 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34233

For more information, please contact Ciera Galbraith, Education and Development Coordinator for The Healthy Start Coalition, 941-373-7070, ext. 303.

AC Company Keeps Sarasota Cool in Record Heat

2011-08-04T07:25:00.002-04:00

Just in time for this summer’s record heat wave, Southwest Florida has a new choice in air conditioning service technology. Kinetic Air Services, led by experienced managing partner Lee Senseman, is the product of an evolutionary vision of home indoor air service, providing custom tailored air system solutions to clients in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Kinetic Air Services was founded on the principle that clean air matters to the health of our homes, our families, and our community. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers to the public. Kinetic Air Services focuses on proper air exchange, filtration, and purification, their three tenets of healthy indoor air quality. Kinetic’s technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) and EPA certified, have extensive experience in the HVAC industry, and back their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for service, repair and comfort.

Lee Senseman’s experience and industry involvement dates back to 1976, when he completed trade school and began work as a field technician. He moved to the Suncoast in 1985 and he then continued to evolve as a senior commercial technician, successful service manager and most recently as principal at several prominent firms. After 35 years in the industry, Senseman had cultivated a vision of providing top quality, thorough and affordable air services to our community. “Over the years, I have developed a systemic approach to providing indoor air quality that just isn’t being offered elsewhere,” says Senseman. “I decided to openKinetic Air Services to better assist my clients and my community.”

Kinetic Air Services is a full spectrum air service company. They begin by providing a complete assessment of an existing system, focused on maximizing performance and reducing energy costs, to determine the most appropriate service plan for each client. From the design and implementation of complete air distribution systems to the installation of filtration, purification, ventilation and dehumidification components to unmatched cleaning and repair, Kinetic Air Services is a concierge service for your home’s health. Please visit www.kineticairservices.com or call (941) 748-8488 for more information or to schedule an assessment today.

About Kinetic Air Services: An evolution in HVAC business philosophy, Kinetic Air Services is dedicated to providing whole home care solutions. With concierge-level service and professionalism, our master technicians will provide affordable and timely guaranteed comfort. For more information or to contact Kinetic Air Services, please visit www.kineticairservices.com or call (941) 748-8848.

Pure Barre to Open in Sarasota

2011-06-01T13:39:00.000-04:00

Pure Barre, the workout that is sweeping the nation with its ballet barre centered technique, is opening its newest location in Sarasota, Florida this June. The third studio to open in Florida, Sarasota joins Santa Rosa Beach and Boca Raton as epicenters of this barre based regimen.

Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time.The technique protects your joints, as it does not involve high impact movements such as bouncing or jumping. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body. Students see results in an average of just 7 to 10 classes.

Pure Barre was founded by dancer, choreographer and fitness guru, Carrie Rezabek. Carrie opened her first studio in 2001, and in 2006 Pure Barre began expanding and is now offered in studios nationwide.

The Sarasota studio is being introduced by franchisees Melissa DeMore and Sara Ferguson. “Pure Barre is nothing like any fitness program that I've tried,” says DeMore. “I’m driven to Pure Barre because it provides a strength workout that helps create the long, lean body that so many women seek.” Ferguson also immediately fell in love with the low impact technique, because it gave her the ability to work out throughout her pregnancy. “Melissa and I started talking about our love for this technique, and knew that together we could bring Pure Barre to Sarasota."

Pure Barre Sarasota is opening on June 20th in the Paradise Plaza shopping center. Classes will be offered 7 days a week and is extending a New Client Special with 30 days of unlimited classes for $99. For scheduling and pricing, please visit www.purebarre.com, or email sarasota@purebarre.com.

About Pure Barre Sarasota: Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music. Recently featured in US Weekly, Allure Magazine, Women’s Health and Fitness Magazine, Pure Barre is quickly being recognized asthe fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body. Please visit us on the web at www.purebarre.com.

Lollicake Queen Opens Sweet Spot in Sarasota

2011-05-17T07:55:00.004-04:00

The Lollicake Queen, a Sarasota-based company owned by sisters Erin Zolner and Amy Nichols, has opened the doors to its Southside Village sweet shop. Erin has been making her signature “lollicakes” for her friends and their special occasions for several months. The calls and requests were coming in at such a high volume, she realized there was a real local demand for the delicious sticked cake bites.

“It is a dream come true for me to have a storefront in Sarasota,” says Erin. “We are so excited to open the doors of our Southside Village location and be able to showcase our unique treats! We have so many surprises planned!”

A grand opening reception at the new shop, located at 1821A Hillview Street, is planned for the summer. For more information about The Lollicake Queen, please visit www.thelollicakequeen.com.

About The Lollicake Queen: The Lollicake Queen creates custom cakes on a stick for any occasion! Each cake is about the size of a golf ball and is surprisingly moist, delicious and filling! Cake flavors include: Vanilla, Chocolate, Red Velvet, Carrot, Spice, Lemon, Banana Bread, Cinnamon and Cookies and Cream. The Lollicake Queen creates custom colors and designs for any occasion. Please call Erin or Amy at (941) 993-2265 or visit www.thelollicakequeen.com for more information.

Sarasota Architectural Foundation Welcomes Michael Gilkey, Jr. to Present Modern Landscapes

2011-05-11T00:22:00.004-04:00

The Sarasota Architectural Foundation is showcasing the work of landscape architects next week by welcoming Sarasota landscape architect Michael Gilkey, Jr., ASLA, to join their acclaimed lecture series. The presentation will be held in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Community Room on Thursday, May 19, at 5:30 pm.

Michael Gilkey, Jr. is a Florida licensed landscape architect and president of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. (www.magilkey.com), a landscape architecture, contracting and maintenance studio in Sarasota, Florida. Gilkey specializes in residential design-build landscape architecture in Southwest Florida. He brings a passion for design, horticulture, and conceptual process to his firm and to the community.

“I was honored when the Sarasota Architectural Foundation invited me to speak,” said Gilkey. “They are sharing with our community what Sarasota architecture looks like as a historical imprint, part of a greater context. To be invited to share my perspective is a great compliment.”

During his presentation, Gilkey will introduce his profession explain his design process from an architectural vantage point. He will explore what makes a landscape sustainable, and will showcase the work of his firm and our community while engaging the audience in casual conversation.

Event: Michael Gilkey, Jr. Presents Modern Landscapes, Thursday, May 19, 5:30 pm

Address: 1741 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

Admission: $15 SAF & AIA members - $25 non members

Reservations: info@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org | 941-364-2199

About Sarasota Architectural Foundation: The mission of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation (SAF) is to promote preservation and awareness of Sarasota's architecture and design, beginning with the Sarasota School of Architecture and beyond. SAF was formed to focus on the ongoing preservation and celebration of the Sarasota School structures, and the promotion of architectural excellence within the Sarasota community. For more information, please visit www.sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org or call 941-364-2199.

About Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is a landscape architecture studio in Sarasota, Florida, established in 1981. Through a passion for pure design and personal relationships with architects, contractors and homeowners, Gilkey creates expressions of outdoor space that are direct translations of their clients’ visions. For more information, please visit www.magilkey.com or call (941) 924-0132.

Sarasota Community Acupuncture Offers Free Treatments May 1st

2011-04-20T23:13:00.001-04:00

Sarasota Community Acupuncture, along with community acupuncture clinics nationwide, is celebrating International Worker’s Day or ‘May Day’ by offering free acupuncture to all patients on May 1st. Sarasota Community Acupuncture belongs to the Community Acupuncture Network, now in its ninth year of celebrating May Day through offering free treatments.

May Day is a celebration of the international labor movement. It is typically celebrated through street demonstrations and marches by working people and their labor unions throughout most of the world. “The philosophy and mission of Sarasota Community Acupuncture is to make acupuncture affordable for everyone, regardless of economic status,” says Gene Burgess, AP, co-owner of Sarasota Community Acupuncture. “Celebrating the working class is a fitting way to express that to our community.”

Sarasota Community Acupuncture will offer free treatments to all patients on Sunday, May 1st from 3 to 6pm. Recliner space is limited, so please call for an appointment at (941) 922-4611. Sarasota Community Acupuncture is located at 3615 Webber Street. For current clinic hours or to learn more about Community Acupuncture, please call (941) 922-4611 or visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com.

What is Community Acupuncture?

Community Acupuncture is based on the philosophy that acupuncture therapy needs to be consistent, not expensive, to be effective. Most American acupuncturists see one patient per hour and charge anywhere from $60 to $125 per treatment. Sarasota Community Acupuncture sets itself apart with a unique sliding scale ranging from $15 to $45 per treatment. Acupuncture can be made affordable by treating in a small group setting, using several recliners clustered together in a quiet soothing space.

Sarasota Community Acupuncture is a famly practice committed to cultivating health with the practitioner and the patient in partnership. The mission of SCA is to provide the community with high quality and affordable acupuncture, and to create a treatment space that connects people and builds community. For more information, please visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com, or call (941) 922-4611 for an appointment at our clinic, located at 3615 Webber Street in Sarasota, Florida.

Ashley's Plants 25,000 Trees in 2 Years

2011-04-13T10:52:00.001-04:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, has planted over 25,000 trees since launching its Plant-A-Tree Program on Earth Day 2009. The program avows that for every order placed, Ashley’s Food will plant a tree with Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization that plants trees around the world. Each tree planted helps remove over 50lbs of harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year.

“We’re making an effort to operate in the most environmentally responsible manner that we can. Our Plant-A-Tree program is one way we’re trying to offset the heavy ecological footprint a food delivery service can leave,” says owner Jeff Sniegocki.

The company’s green commitment also includes a recent switch to offering 100% biodegradable cutlery and serving ware from Transitions2earth. “We’re concerned about the long-lasting environmental impact of conventional to-go packaging,” says Sniegocki. “We encourage our restaurant partners to also consider eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based packaging.”

The Ashley’s Food green commitment also includes a vehicle fuel-economy education program for delivery professionals and a focus on paperless transactions via the Ashley’s website, which features an electronic menu guide and online ordering.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 25 restaurants in Sarasota to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

12th and East to Open Beach Shop in May

2011-04-12T23:00:00.004-04:00

Just in time for summer, 12th and East Home, Sarasota’s hottest new home accessories boutique, is opening their sister store in Holmes Beach. Located at 5416 Marina Drive, 12th and East at the Beach brings their unique vintage modern aesthetic seaside, while continuing to hand-select and update 17th and 18th century antique treasures.

12th and East at the Beach will introduce an exciting new line of women’s clothing, shoes, bags and kitchen items such as table linens, serving wares, dish soaps and more. To appeal to the Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island family vacationers, the new shop will also carry select children’s items, such as clothes, beach sandals and handcrafted toys.

12th and East’s flagship store in Sarasota has become well-known for its support of local artists. That passion will be brought to the beach location with local island artist showcases and locally made jewelry. Upcoming events at 12th and East at the Beach include craft classes and cocktail nights featuring local artists and handcrafted product lines. Freshly cut local flowers will be available by the free bunch or stem.

“Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island are my home. The places and people I love most in the world are here,” says owner and designer Jessica Holmes. “It has been a dream to bring this store to life on these shores.”

Within the year, Holmes envisions the rear of the store as a vintage candy shop with soft serve ice cream and treats to cool down beachgoers. 12th and East at the Beach is scheduled to open in early May. To learn more, please call (941) 447-7373 or visit www.12thandEastHome.com.

About 12th and East Home: 12th and East Home is a sophisticated home accessories showroom anchored in Sarasota, Florida. Designer Jessica Holmes presents an ever-changing collection of vintage-inspired modern accents and expertly selected consigned antiques, establishing a unique and relevant aesthetic for today’s discerning home decorator. Now opening 12th and East at the Beach in Holmes Beach, the collection expands to include a more casual, seaside lifestyle. Please call (941) 447-7373 to learn more, or visit us on the web at www.12thandEastHome.com.

World Renowned Architect Tod Williams Comes to Sarasota March 30

2011-03-23T12:19:00.005-04:00

Internationally renowned architect Tod Williams, FAIA, will present his award-winning body of work Wednesday, March 30, at 5:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency Conference Center in Sarasota. This event is presented by the Sarasota Architectural Foundation, theGulf Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the University of Florida School of Architecture.

The work of Tod Williams, principal of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, has been published extensively both in the United States and overseas, and repeatedly honored by The American Institute of Architects. The firm has received National AIA Awards for a dormitory at Princeton University, the Spiegel Pool House addition, and for two projects in New York City (the Quandt loft and the Go Silk Showroom). In 1997, the firm won a National Honor Award for the Neurosciences Institute, and in 2001 they received two more, for a natatorium at the Cranbrook School and for a house on Long Island. In 2002 they were honored for the American Folk Art Museum, the first new museum built in New York City in over three decades. In the same year the museum also received the Arup World Architecture award for the Best Building in the World.

“We see architecture as an act of profound optimism,” says Williams. “Its foundation lies in believing that it is possible to make places on the earth that can give a sense of grace to life.”

Event: Tod Williams: The Art of Architecture, Wednesday, March 30, 5:30 pm

Address: 1000 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236

Admission: $15 SAF & AIA members - $25 non members

Reservations: info@sarasotaarchitecturalfoundation.org | 941-364-2199

Ashley's and FoodGetters Deliver On Facebook

2011-03-17T13:44:00.006-04:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, has partnered with FoodGetters, a national online food ordering system, to launch the nation’s first multi-restaurant delivery service application for Facebook.

For fans of the popular social media site, ordering favorite meals couldn’t be easier. Sarasota users who allow the FoodGetters application to access their Facebook account will be able to browse menus and order food from the more than 25 Ashley’s Food Delivery restaurant partners, directly through Facebook, with no other accounts needed. To celebrate this convenient opportunity, Ashley’s is offering free delivery through March 31st when you order through Facebook (discount code available on Ashley’s Food Delivery Facebook page).

"We are really excited to offer this modern day convenience to our clients,” says Ashley’s Food Delivery owner Jeff Sniegocki. “For those of our clients that engage in social media, we are bringing 25 restaurants right to their fingertips.”

Cameron Cox Interiors Launches New Website

2011-03-17T11:45:00.004-04:00

Sarasota interior design studio Cameron Cox Interiors has launched a new website, www.cameroncoxinteriors.com, showcasing an illustrious Gulf Coast career that spans four decades. The site, designed by Denise Lange of Pleasant Street Creative, highlights the inspiration, execution, and recognition for some of her most signature spaces and favorite pieces.

“After 30 years in the Interior Design business, I felt I had to move into the 21st century,” said Cameron Cox, ASID Allied Member, whose images for the site range from current professional digital photography to yellowing polaroids and old magazine clippings. “It has been bittersweet going down memory lane, having to choose which projects to include or omit from this site; they were all significant and memorable in my overall design portfolio, and in the people I worked with.”

Cameron Cox Interiors oversees interior design projects from Sarasota, Siesta Key and Bradenton, to Boston, Ohio, Connecticut and Tennessee. Though Cameron is open to a full range of design aesthetics, she considers her signature a blend between traditional, eclectic and nautical. “I handpick everything for my clients like I would for myself. I like to shop locally, especially since we have a lot of great consignment shops and an architectural salvage shop.” She gleans inspiration from her clients’ favorite possessions, and from happy, uplifting color combinations.

Please visit Cameron Cox Interiors, now on the web at www.cameroncoxinteriors.com.

Healthy Mothers Healthy Birth Summit 2011

2011-03-17T00:30:00.001-04:00

Between two and three women die every day during pregnancy and childbirth in the United States. On April 9th, The Healthy Mothers Healthy Birth Summit 2011 (www.healthymothershealthybirth.com) will bring experts from multiple disciplines, including physicians, researchers, universities, midwives, childbirth professionals, and advocacy groups to examine the rising maternal mortality rate in the US.

Setting aside all cultural, personal, and professional bias, this group of professionals and lay people will tackle an almost silent epidemic in the United States. The results from this working day will be a formal white paper recommendation that will be distributed widely across the country and YouTube documentaries of the day’s events. The all day summit will take place at Shenandoah University’s Dulles campus on April 9th, 2011.

National and international organizations such as Amnesty International, American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The White Ribbon Alliance, American College of Nurse Midwives, Midwives Alliance of North America, The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation, The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, International Childbirth Education Association, Doulas of North America, The Organization of Labor Assistants for Birth Options & Resources, and Ricki Lake’s MyBestBirth.com will be represented. Also, numerous universities including Shenandoah, Georgetown, Virginia Commonwealth, George Mason, and George Washington will be present. The summit will hear from midwives Ina May Gaskin and Jennie Joseph as they speak to their experiences combating maternal mortality. Recent research from Perinatologist and Perinatal Epidemiologist Dr. Marsden Wagner will also be presented. Participants are being added daily as the event continues to expand.

On Sunday April 10th, 2011, a rally, open to everyone, is scheduled at the U.S. Capitol to display The Safe Motherhood Quilt (www.rememberthemothers.org) and bring awareness to maternal mortality. Many participants from the HMHB Summit will be present, including midwife Ina May Gaskin. Maddy Oden, the founder of The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation (www.tatia.org) will speak about the loss of her daughter and granddaughter during childbirth.

The summit agenda, list of speakers, participants, sponsors, and up-to-date information about the summit can be found at www.healthymothershealthybirth.com. Limited seating and sponsorship opportunities are still available. More information about the Rally at the Capitol on Sunday, April 10th can also be found on the HMHB website. The HMHB summit is organized by the non-profit, grass-roots, consumer advocacy group Birth Matters Virginia, with the assistance and support of Shenandoah University.

Pilates Personal Training Launches New Site

2011-03-09T09:28:00.005-05:00

Pilates Personal Training with Christina Gadar has launched a new website, www.pilaterspersonaltraining.com, aimed at raising awareness about the practice and history of authentic Pilates training.

“My new website was designed with the intention to not only provide information about my services and training, but also to educate people who are interested in learning more about the original Pilates Method,” says Christina Gadar, a second generation Certified Pilates instructor. “I hope the site will send the message that Pilates is not just a workout, but something that can be incorporated into every minute of the day, and that the combination of authentic instruction on original equipment is essential to a successful Pilates training experience.”

The website, designed by local graphic identity agency Max Kelly Design, includes the history of Joseph Pilates and the origins of the equipment he designed in a photo gallery, as well as videos of three different Pilates workouts and an explanation of what to look for when searching for a Pilates studio (Pilates is an unregulated field).

For more information about Pilates Personal Training with Christina Gadar, please call (941) 955-3800, or visit www.pilatespersonaltraining.com.

About Pilates Personal Training with Christina Gadar: Christina Maria Gadar has been providing top quality Pilates instruction in Sarasota, Florida since 2000. Christina’s fully equipped Pilates studio features the very best equipment in a comfortable and private setting. Proper choice of instructor and equipment is absolutely essential for success in Pilates. Private lessons last 55 minutes and are available Monday through Friday by appointment only. Christina’s studio is conveniently located near Sarasota Memorial Hospital, between the Siesta beaches and downtown Sarasota. For more information, please call (941) 955-3800, or visit www.pilatespersonaltraining.com.

Branding Package: The Magic Cocoon

2011-02-26T12:28:00.006-05:00

It is my pleasure to introduce the branding package for The Magic Cocoon, an new spin on nesting, new motherhood, and creating intentional space for mothers and babies. The brand evolved from the client's desire to evoke a feeling of being enveloped, and was inspired by the interior of a silkworm cocoon.

It has been a pleasure to coordinate the design and execution of this brand, created by the talented graphic team at Biscuit Studios, LLC.

Authentic Pilates Strengthens Body and Spirit

2011-02-12T14:13:00.004-05:00

Like many people we in Sarasota affectionately call “snowbirds,” 24 year old Liebelei Elena Lawrence enjoys the February Florida sunrise. But she’s not viewing it from a beachside condo; three times a week, diligently and without fail, Lawrence is leing her Pilates Personal Training session with Christina Gadar, just as the sun comes up.

Liebelei Elena Lawrence is a professional golfer with the Ladies European Tour who has been golfing since age 10 and now has a handicap of +1.6. She takes her training very seriously, and has tried several different exercise regimens for staying ready for the game. “As a professional golfer, I have spent countless hours in gyms with personal trainers but none have produced the results that Christina has,” says Lawrence. “Pilates is miraculous for golfers as it is, but you only get the full benefit if you have a good instructor to ensure that you are doing the movements correctly.”

WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates is a proven and acclaimed conditioning program that has helped people strengthen and empower their bodies since the 1920's. The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning was developed by fitness visionary Joseph H. Pilates. He called his method "Contrology," or the art of control. He emphasized the importance of integrating mindfulness into exercise to increase muscle control: a revolutionary idea in the early 1900's.

Pilates is based on a series of controlled movements performed on spring-based equipment and specifically sequenced mat exercises. It is a full body exercise system that strengthens the abdomen, buttocks, lower back, and inner thigh region. By strengthening these muscle groups, those who practice Pilates notice improvements in posture, energy, flexibility, balance, strength, stamina and muscle tone. Pilates is predicated on six principles: control, concentration, body alignment, precision, correct breathing, and flowing movement.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PILATES?

People engaged in a routine Pilates exercise regimen experience increased flexibility and control; uniformly developed strong, lean muscles; improved posture, coordination and balance; increased energy and stamina; and invigorated mind and elevated spirit.

“Imagine an exercise program you look forward to, that engages you, leaving you refreshed and alert with a feeling of physical and mental well-being,” says Personal Pilates Trainer Christina Gadar. “The Pilates Method of physical and mental conditioning will do all of this, and more.”

WHO SHOULD DO PILATES?

Pilates was designed for a broad section of the public. Men and women of every age and body type can benefit from Pilates when done correctly and consistently. From the very athletic to the sedentary, Pilates can be used as a primary exercise regimen, or as cross training for golf, tennis and more. Pilates avoids mundane and repetitive movement, making it the ideal choice in fitness for the mind, body and spirit.

“I was overweight with chronic lower back and neck pain before starting Pilates with Christina,” said Deanna, who has been practicing Pilates for 3 years. “I feel better without chronic pain and have lost over 25 pounds. I have made Pilates with Christina a place in my life forever.”

“I started Pilates with Christina shortly after having my open heart surgery),” said Ed, a decade later. “I have noticed a big improvement in my flexibility and my golf game.”

“Despite having exercise-induced asthma, my flexibility and muscle strength have shown tremendous improvement,” said Donn, a client of Christina Gadar’s for four years. “My doctors confirm that my physical condition improves every year, and I am now in the top 15% of men my age for overall physical condition, including cardio-vascular metrics.”

“As a result of Christina’s instruction and my resulting core strength, my significant scoliosis pain has continued to lessen,” said Holmes, a Pilates client for over 3 years.

ABOUT CHRISTINA GADAR, PERSONAL PILATES INSTRUCTOR

Christina is a second generation Pilates instructor, having been certified by Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates' hand chosen protégé, in 2000. She now owns and operates a fully equipped Pilates studio in Sarasota, complete with top of the line equipment based on Joseph Pilates’ original designs.

Gadar began her Pilates certification under the tutelage of certified teacher trainer Roxane Murata before obtaining full certification from master instructor Romana Kryzanowska in New York. In addition to yearly continuing education seminars, Gadar schedules trips throughout the United States to study with master Pilates teachers and teacher trainers.

“My dual citizenship with Brazil and the United States gives me the opportunity to schedule visits to the Pilates Studio of Brazil, where Romana (Kryzanowska) guest teaches every year,” says Gadar, who was introduced to the Pilates method at the age of fifteen while a student at the Boston Ballet. “My years of dance training have given me a better understanding of correct body alignment and body mechanics.”

“My goal is to preserve the integrity of Joseph Pilates' original vision of physical and mental conditioning while constructing creative workouts tailored to the individual,” says Gadar. “I love what I do and it brings me a lot of satisfaction to share the benefits of Pilates with others.”
For Liebelei Elena Lawrence, Pilates has become a way of life. “I have become infinitely stronger and more flexible through my sessions with Christina and owe a great deal of the improvement in my game to her.”

For more information about Pilates Personal Training with Christina Gadar, please call (941) 955-3800, or visit www.pilatespersonaltraining.com.

About Pilates Personal Training with Christina Gadar: Christina Maria Gadar has been providing top quality Pilates instruction in Sarasota, Florida since 2000. Christina’s fully equipped Pilates studio features the very best equipment in a comfortable and private setting. Proper choice of instructor and equipment is absolutely essential for success in Pilates. Private lessons last 55 minutes and are available Monday through Friday by appointment only. Christina’s studio is conveniently located near Sarasota Memorial Hospital, between the Siesta beaches and downtown Sarasota. For more information, please call (941) 955-3800, or visit www.pilatespersonaltraining.com.

LYF Bags Host Launch Party February 25th

2011-02-09T22:38:00.003-05:00

A new line of backpacks and messenger bags is making waves from the Cayman Islands to the Bahamas and across the eastern seaboard, and they’re being handmade right here on the Suncoast. On February 25th, Sarasota will take its first look at the inaugural line of LYF Bags and Accessories at their Launch Party and Trunk Show, being held at Marmalade Salon and Boutique from 7:00-9:00pm.

LYF founders Jenna DiLorenzo and Nicky Mayforth introduced their military-inspired beach bags at the 2011 Surf Expo in Orlando in January, and the response was overwhelming. “We were optimistic, but we had no idea that so many amazing stores would jump at the chance to carry our line,” says Nicky. “It’s been humbling and terribly exciting at the same time.” LYF Bags and Accessories can be seen this spring in boutiques and surf shops in Grand Cayman, Nassau, Hilton Head, Asbury Park, Montauk and many points in between. The hot backpacks and messenger bags will also be right at home in Sarasota at L. Boutique on Pineapple Avenue.

Each LYF backpack and messenger bag features one-of-a-kind fabric placement, handcrafted embellishment, and unique personality. Currently available in six styles, LYF Bags can be used for everything from a beach day to an overnight trip, from a picnic to a working lunch, from a diaper bag to a college backpack.

The launch party and trunk show will be held at Marmalade, where Jenna and Nicky began their business partnership almost a decade ago as co-owners of the successful hair salon. Nicky received the first handmade LYF Bag from Jenna DiLorenzo five years ago when her first daughter was born, and the two have been dreaming of launching the line ever since. LYF will also be introducing their line of custom-made lightweight beach throws, designed to be used as beach blankets, scarves or sarongs.

For more information: The LYF Bags and Accessories Launch Party and Trunk Show is being held at Marmalade Salon & Boutique, 1927 Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, on Friday, February 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Please call (941) 914-2306, or visit www.loveyourLYF.com for details.

About LYF Bags and Accessories: Each LYF is military tough, beach chic, completely versatile and completely you. LYF Bags provide the right mix of rugged sophistication to accompany the discerning urban fashionista, the mom on the go, and the surfer girl with that bohemian vibe and gypsy soul. Your life is uniquely you. Your LYF is simply an extension of who you are.For more information, please call (941) 914-2306, or visit www.loveyourLYF.com.

12th & East to Host Artists' Reception Feb. 17th

2011-02-03T13:48:00.003-05:00

In addition to showcasing amazing antiques and fresh, modern home accessories, 12th and East Home is introducing a collection of hand-selected custom art pieces from four local artists. On Thursday, February 17th, these artists will unveil their spring lines at a reception hosted by Sarasota’s newest home accessories boutique, located at the intersection of 12th Street and East Avenue.

The artists include Sarasota residents Dottie Baker, Marcy Chapman, Brigitta Sultana, and Anna Maria’s Robert Reiber. “Each of these artists brings such a different aesthetic to the shop; yet they each seem to fit perfectly,” says 12th and East Home owner and designer Jessica Holmes. “Together, their work makes quite a stunning collection.”

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Dottie Baker has been a bead artist and teacher for the past 15 years. Her passion is bead weaving and her work frequently reflects the Victorian era. “I love the intricacy, attention to detail and the femininity of that period,” says Baker. “I find it truly a gift to earn a living doing what I love!”

Marcy Chapman has been a professional artist for over 30 years. Her work has been internationally published and sold in venues as diverse as street fairs, a New York Art Gallery, Bed Bath and Beyond stores and art auctions held on luxury cruise liners. An expert in watercolor, mixed media and collage, Chapman treats her subject matter in a modern yet realistic style. Series include flowers, landscapes and architecture to more contemporary collections of vintage hardware and industrial influences. “What can be done with the color wheel always amazes me,” says Chapman. “I enjoy following design trends and capturing those that pique my interest in some artistic form.”

Brigitta Sultana worked in New York as a graphic designer for companies such as ABC INC. Televesion, Victoria's Secret Catalogue and Elizabeth Arden. After moving to Sarasota in 2002 and ultimately becoming a freelance designer, Sultana considers her art and her daughter her top priorities. Her work consists of acrylic, collage and encaustic pieces inspired by nature, pattern, color, texture, light, and space.. “I love the feeling of the brush in my hand,” says Sultana. “It drives me to make a mark - MY mark.”

Robert Reiber is a professional artist, art teacher and renowned watercolorist known for his colorful paintings of Florida’s natural landscapes. Commercially, Robert has worked as a product designer and vendor for Beall’s Department Store and is in the collection of other major corporations. In addition to being a professional artist, Robert has dedicated nearly thirty years to the talents of young people, promoting their creativity and abilities as a high school art teacher. “I find abstract art fascinating,” says Reiber. “Until now I have worked primarily with conventional subject matter and traditional medium. But currently I have been exploring electronic technology.”

ABOUT THE RECEPTION:

A reception to introduce four local artists will be held at 12th and East Home, where their work is being displayed and sold. The artists will introduce their spring lines on Thursday, February 17 at 5:30pm. Light refreshments will be served at the home accessories boutique and antiques warehouse, located at 1220 East Avenue North, Sarasota, Florida. For more information about 12th and East Home, please visit their website at www.12thandeasthome.com or call (941) 365-8205.

About 12th and East Home: 12th and East Home is a sophisticated home accessories showroom anchored in Sarasota, Florida. Designers Jessica Holmes and Melissa DeMore present an ever-changing collection of vintage-inspired modern accents and expertly selected consigned antiques, establishing a unique and relevant aesthetic for today’s discerning home decorator. Our showroom opened in November 2010 and is located at 1220 East Avenue North in Sarasota, Florida, or on the web at www.12thandEastHome.com.

Sarasota Community Acupuncture Offers Valentine's Day Weekend Special

2011-01-31T14:33:00.005-05:00

Sarasota Community Acupuncture is celebrating the season of love with a Valentine’s Day weekend special offer. When you schedule an appointment with a friend or loved one on February 12, 13 or 14, each of you will pay only $10 for a complete acupuncture treatment. The offer is valid in both the morning and afternoon time slots at the clinic, now open seven days a week and located at 3615 Webber Street (visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com for current hours of operation). Chair space is limited, so please call (941) 922-4611 to schedule your appointments.

What is Community Acupuncture?

“Many of our patients tell us that they have tried acupuncture before, but could not continue treatment because it was too expensive,” says co-owner Melonie Burgess, A.P. “We believe acupuncture can really make a difference in people's lives. It's an untapped resource for many of us, and it is not just for people with disposable incomes.” says Burgess. “It just needs to be more available and affordable and that is why we are here.”

To take advantage of Sarasota Community Acupuncture’s Valentine’s Day weekend special or to learn more about Community Acupuncture, please call (941) 922-4611 or visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com.

About Sarasota Community Acupuncture: Sarasota Community Acupuncture (SCA) is a famly practice committed to cultivating health with the practitioner and the patient in partnership. The mission of SCA is to provide the community with high quality and affordable acupuncture, and to create a treatment space that connects people and builds community. For more information, please visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com, or call (941) 922-4611 for an appointment at our clinic, located at 3615 Webber Street in Sarasota, Florida.

Ashley's Delivers a Super Deal for The Big Game

2011-01-27T23:03:00.003-05:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, is getting ready for the Big Game with a Super Deal for hungry viewers. When you order a minimum of one Chili’s Party Platter for delivery on Super Bowl Sunday, you’ll get $10 off of your total order. That’s prime time savings! 24 hours delivery notice is required for this special. Our Super Suggestions:

- Boneless Buffalo Wings: Breaded chicken breast tossed in spicy wing sauce. Served with cool bleu cheese dressing.

- Big Mouth Bites: Mini beef burgers topped with applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, sautéed onions and ranch dressing on sesame buns. Served with jalapeno-ranch dressing.

- Chili’s Fajita Platter: Fajita-marinated steak or chicken grilled to perfection with grilled onions, bell peppers, poblanos and cilantro leaves. Ready to serve with flour tortillas, sour cream, house-made guacamole, cheese and house-made pico de gallo.

- Triple Dipper Platter: Pick 3 of your favorites, served with dipping sauce.

Spending a quiet evening at home for the game? Get your football fan’s favorite meal delivered right to the couch. Full delivery menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.AshleysFood.com. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD (953-3663).

Suncoast Parkinson Symposium Tops 600

2011-01-26T22:35:00.002-05:00

January 26, 2011 (Sarasota, FL) — Sarasota’s medical community was host to the Nation’s largest Medical Conference for Parkinson Disease on Saturday, January 22. The 2011 Annual Suncoast Parkinson Symposium, held at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine, brought together nearly 700 professionals, patients, and caregivers. The country’s top physicians and researchers spent the morning focusing on the latest research and theories regarding causes, innovative therapies, and medical treatments for Parkinson Disease. Parkinson Disease is a degenerative brain condition that affects millions nationally, with 15,000 patients and caregivers residing in the tri-county area. Many important issues were focused upon such as risk factors, environmental vs. genetic factors, exercise, breakthrough research, cutting edge treatments, and embryonic stem cell research.

Special guest Debi Brooks, co-founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, discussed the Fox Foundation’s multi-million dollar clinical research program and the process the group takes in conducting trials that they hope will lead to a cure. Other internationally-recognized researchers who spoke included Dr. Jay L. Alberts, PhD of the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. William Langtson, MD, founder of The Parkinson’s Institute in Califormia, and Dr. Ole Isacson, MD of Harvard Medical School.

The presentations were organized by Neuro Challenge Foundation medical advisor Dr. Dean Sutherland, MD, PhD. Fifty area physicians participated in professional education opportunities throughout the weekend along with dozens of nurses and other allied health professionals. During her introductory comments, Doreen Sutherland, President and Founder of Neuro Challenge Foundation, stated, “Today you will learn that knowledge IS power and exercise IS medicine.” And the nearly 700 guests certainly did.

For more information about programs and services offered by Neuro Challenge Foundation, log onto www.neurochallenge.org or call 941-926-6413.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. Their flagship program, Parkinson Partners, provides one on one advice for patients. Call 941-926-6413 to enroll, free of charge. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

Cox and Showhouse Featured in Sunday H-T

2011-01-23T15:26:00.003-05:00

Cameron Cox of Cameron Cox Interiors was featured in today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune for her work in the 2011 Designer Showhouse. Kangaroo is thrilled to coordinate graphic and web design for Cameron, who specializes in residential, nautical, and commercial interior design. The following is an excerpt from the article, found in entirety here:

(photo by Thomas Bender, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Cameron Cox dressed her fisherman's bedroom with a narrow Murphy bed and draped windows in fishnet. The hanging light fixture is a repurposed handblown clear glass jug. "I had the best time with this space," said Cox, "scouring antique shops for just the touches that would reference the period. The room is masculine with early 1900s furniture, but I think it's charming and it looks like a boat captain or fisherman would be right at home here."

Sarasota Architectural Foundation to Host Sarasota School of Architecture Discussion

2011-01-22T21:52:00.005-05:00

Despite controversy over the recent razing of several Sarasota School of Architecture buildings, one structure has emerged that pays homage to the doctrine. The Suncoast Polytechnical School on Beneva Road in Sarasota, the first phase of the 72-acre Sarasota Technical Center campus, has caught the attention of architecture critics and aficionados statewide. This Thursday, the Sarasota Architectural Foundation will host Principal Ken Dean and Associate Principal Kasey Teimouri, architects from the acclaimed educational facility design firm Schenkel Shultz in Tampa, Florida, as they discuss the influence of the Sarasota School of Architecture on the high school’s design.

Sarasota School of Architecture buildings, constructed predominantly in the 1940’s and 50’s, are characterized by attention to light, climate and topography. Suncoast Polytechnical High School takes advantage of maximum natural light in all instructional and circulation spaces, and includes energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems with daylight sensors, eco-friendly materials and the preservation of mature trees on site. Educational experts say the design is beneficial for the students as well as the environment. The school is organized using the small learning communities concept, introducing flexible and easily adaptable spaces which accommodate both group and individual learning styles. The building is a technology-rich environment that is both wired and wireless for students, faculty and visitors.

The architects will discuss the design of Suncoast Polytechnical High School (SPHS) at the Sarasota Architectural Foundation’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 27 at 5:30 pm. The meeting takes place at SPHS at 4650 Beneva Road at Proctor, Sarasota, Florida. The event is free for members and a donation of $5 is requested for students and non-members. RSVP's are appreciated to 941.365.4723.

Fashionable Fundraiser for Parkinson Disease

2011-01-19T01:17:00.006-05:00

A night of high fashion from international and local boutique lines is coming to Sarasota to raise much-needed funds for Parkinson Disease programs on the Suncoast. Sarasota-based Neuro Challenge Foundation will host the 2nd annual Cause 4 Fashion gala event at Michael’s on East on March 3rd from 5:30 to 8:30. What makes this fashion show special? All of the models in the show will be Parkinson patients or their caregivers, family members or friends.

Taking the stage in an evening fashion show seems like a major feat for patients who cope with muscle freezing and other motor difficulties. However, according to Neuro Challenge Medical Advisor Dr. Dean Sutherland, MD, PhD, new management of the disease helps patients overcome common stereotypes.

"The models can do it because of the level of treatment that's now available," says neurologist Dean Sutherland, MD, PhD. "Anyone will be able to see for themselves the amazing advancements helping these patients and available to others." Proceeds from Cause 4 Fashion will facilitate Parkinson Disease programs and research in Sarasota & Manatee counties.

Parkinson Disease affects more residents than some might realize. An estimated 15,000 patients and caregivers are coping with Parkinson Disease in Sarasota and Manatee Counties alone. Neuro Challenge Foundation is the only local community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. Neuro Challenge offers one-on-one advice with skilled professionals, workshops, seminars and the largest and most respected Annual Parkinson Disease Symposium in Florida.

The Cause 4 Fashion event features spring lines from Dreamweaver Planet, Exit Art, Lilly Pulitzer, Peace of Cloth, Tommy Bahama and T. Georgiano's. The evening’s hosts are Sarasota personalities Cliff Roles and Heidi Godman, with special guest appearances from New York fashion designer Alex Garfield, Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner, Michael's on East's Michael Klauber, and entertainment from the Artist Series' own Lee Dougherty Ross.

Tickets for the evening are $95 and can be purchased by calling Neuro Challenge at (941) 926-6413. A cocktail hour and stellar silent auction precede a five star meal and best-of-boutiques fashion show. Auction items include a Manhattan fashion weekend, private wine tasting, weekend getaways, vintage jewelry treasures, fabulous restaurant meals, entertainment tickets, gift baskets, golf outings, clothing from Lilla P, Robert Graham, and more. The event is sponsored by The Amicus Foundation, Negroski, Sutherland & Hanes Neurology, Medtronic, Peace of Cloth, Whole Foods Market, Scene Magazine and generous patrons. Sponsorships are still available; call (941) 685-7876 for details.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

An Evening with Healthy Start

2011-01-13T23:20:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, January 20th, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., Sarasota Architectural Salvage will host its 2nd Annual “An Evening with Healthy Start” Fundraiser to benefit The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. The event will be emceed by Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner, and will feature live music by local band tropical-pop band, The Equines.

The 2nd Annual “An Evening with Healthy Start” promises to be even better than the first. Hosted by Sarasota Architectural Salvage, a well-known downtown re-sale store for historic and eclectic home furnishings and accents, this distinctive backdrop provides for one of the most unique and fun fundraising events of the season.

Guests will be treated to light fare provided by local restaurants, including Mattison’s City Grill, Nancy’s Bar-b-q, Owen’s Fish Camp, and more. This event will also feature a raffle and silent auction, featuring an exquisite pendant necklace from world-famous Jewelry Designer, Ned Bowman, of Bowman Originals (located at 1400 State Street in Downtown Sarasota).

Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door, and include two beverage tickets and a coupon for Sarasota Architectural Salvage. Patron sponsorships are available for $50, and include recognition in the Event Program and unlimited beverages. To purchase tickets, call (941) 373-7070, or visit www.SarasotaSalvage.com.

LYF Bags to Launch at 2011 Surf Expo

2011-01-05T21:12:00.003-05:00

A new must-have spring accessory is making its debut at the 2011 Surf Expo in Orlando this week. LYF Bags and Accessories will present their line of military-inspired beach backpacks and messenger bags at the three-day trade show, expected to attract tens of thousands of buyers and retailers in the surf, skate, swim, watersports and beach fashion industry.

“Putting our hard work and heart and soul in front of this kind of audience is such an incredible opportunity,” says Nicky Mayforth, who received the first handmade LYF Bag from Jenna DiLorenzo five years ago when her first daughter was born. The two have been dreaming of launching the line ever since. “We feel that the Expo will allow us to connect with the buyers who will place these bags in the right hands.” Mayforth and DiLorenzo will also be introducing their line of custom-made lightweight beach throws, designed to be used as beach blankets, scarves or sarongs.

For more information: LYF Bags and Accessories will exhibit their line of handcrafted backpacks, messenger bags and beach throws at booth #1457 at the 2011 Surf Expo, held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Please call (941) 914-2306, or visit www.loveyourLYF.com for details.

Cameron Cox Interiors Featured in STYLE

2011-01-03T20:33:00.003-05:00

One of Kangaroo's newest (and most fun!) clients is Sarasota's Cameron Cox, an interior designer in our community for almost thirty years. We are so pleased to share with you yesterday's Style Magazine feature on this north Sarasota Bay home, with spaces and views scripted by Cox throughout. She is truly a Sarasota icon and we are proud to share her work with you! Much more to come!

Largest US Parkinson Conference Comes to SRQ

2011-01-03T09:00:00.004-05:00

A major coup for Sarasota: the nation's largest medical conference on Parkinson disease is coming to town January 22, 2011. Experts from across the country will share the latest, cutting-edge treatment for this degenerative brain condition that affects millions nationally and 15,000 in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

Six hundred people are expected to attend the one-day symposium, which features leading physicians and researchers from Harvard, Cleveland Clinic, The Parkinson's Institute, The Neuroregeneration Institute and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Experts will focus on the latest research in stem cells, exercise, medical and surgical treatments for Parkinson Disease and more.

It happens at Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Institute for Advanced Medicine on Rand Boulevard, and it's all thanks to the on-going important collaboration between Neuro Challenge Foundation and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, as well as grants from Teva Neuroscience, Harry Sudakoff Foundation and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. The internationally-recognized researchers who'll be speaking include:

· J. William Langston, M.D., Founder, CEO and Scientific Director of The Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, Cal. Dr. Langston gained international attention in 1982 for discovering a link between synthetic heroin and the sudden onset of Parkinson's disease in several local drug addicts. With over 250 publications, including "The Frozen Addicts," Dr. Langston continues to forge ahead as an advocate for discovering ways to slow or halt the progress of PD.

· Jay L. Alberts, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Cleveland Clinic in the Department of Biomedical Engineering & Center for Neurological Restoration in Cleveland, Ohio. Each year, Dr. Alberts leads the "Pedaling for Parkinson's" group on a 500-mile journey across Iowa to raise funds for PD research. Recently, he was nationally recognized for research on tandem bicycling and its effects on Parkinson patients.

· Ole Isacson, M.D., Professor of Neurology at Harvard University and Director of The Neuroregeneration Institute at McLean Hospital in Boston. With over 200 publications and three books, Dr. Isacson has pioneered several lines of research, including the implantation of stem cells to reverse the effects of PD.

SMH physicians, Dean P. Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D. and James Schumacher, M.D. will also present. In addition, a Q & A panel discussion will follow, moderated by TV journalist Heidi Godman.

What: 2011 Suncoast Parkinson Disease Symposium

When: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm on January 22, 2011

Where: SMH's Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238

Registration: Log onto www.neurochallenge.org or call 941-917-7777

Cost:$25 per person, however scholarships are available upon request

CE Credits: 3.0 Free Contining Ed. Credits for physicians, nurses, PT, OT and Speech

The Neuro Challenge Foundation Mission is to enhance the quality of life for people living with Parkinson Disease through education, outreach and research. Their flagship program, Parkinson Partners, provides one on one advice for patients. Call 941-926-6413 to enroll, free of charge.

Parkinson Disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over the age of 60. While the average age of onset is 62, disease onset starts by age 40 in an estimated five to 10 percent of patients, and people as young as 30 can also be affected. There is no readily-available objective test, or biomarker, for Parkinson Disease, so the rate of misdiagnosis can be relatively high, especially when the diagnosis is made by a non-specialist. Estimates of the number of people living with the disease vary, but recent research indicates that at least one million people in the U.S., and six million world-wide, have Parkinson Disease.

Sarasota Community Acupuncture: 2 for $20

2010-12-13T07:48:00.004-05:00

Give and receive the gifts of relaxation and healing this holiday season at Sarasota Community Acupuncture, now offering “2 for $20 Tuesdays” in December and January. Schedule an appointment with a friend on a Tuesday in December or January and pay only $10 each for complete acupuncture treatments. The offer is valid in both the morning and afternoon time slots at the clinic, now open seven days a week and located at 3615 Webber Street (visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com for current hours of operation). Chair space is limited, so please call (941) 922-4611 to schedule an appointment for this special.

What is Community Acupuncture?

To take advantage of Sarasota Community Acupuncture’s 2 for $20 Tuesdays or to learn more about Community Acupuncture, please call (941) 922-4611 or visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com.

About Sarasota Community Acupuncture: Sarasota Community Acupuncture is a famly practice committed to cultivating health with the practitioner and the patient in partnership. The mission of SCA is to provide the community with high quality and affordable acupuncture, and to create a treatment space that connects people and builds community. For more information, please visit www.sarasotacommunityacupuncture.com, or call (941) 922-4611 for an appointment at our clinic, located at 3615 Webber Street in Sarasota, Florida.

Ashley's Delivers Local Gift Baskets

2010-11-29T11:20:00.004-05:00

Looking for a unique, convenient and affordable gift giving option this holiday season? Consider delivery of a locally-made gift basket, overflowing with home-style treats from the bakery at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage. Ashley’s Food Delivery is now accepting orders for a variety of food-filled gift baskets, all available for delivery throughout the holiday season.

Ideal for personal and corporate gift giving, Troyer’s gift baskets reflect the traditional heritage and old-fashioned charm of Sarasota’s local Amish and Mennonite community. Choose from the following options for delivery:

Troyer’s Heritage Basket features 100 percent locally made treats from the Troyer’s Dutch Heritage bakery and restaurant, as well as a copy of the Heritage Favorites cookbook, a collection of family recipes from Troyer’s employees. Included are a small homemade pie, home-style fudge, fresh granola, apple butter, jam, old-fashioned candies and more ($55, including delivery).

The Brunch Basket is filled with home-style goodies including homemade sweet bread & cookies, coffee, tea, two ceramic Troyer’s mugs, jelly, fruit mix, homemade peanut butter, candy and more ($55, including delivery).

The Party Basket offers a sampling of Amish delights including a summer sausage, a cheese round, pretzels & crackers and Amish dressings & dips ($55, including delivery).

The Florida Basket features citrus honey, orange marmalade, Gator Sauce, orange dressing, citrus taffy and mini coconut patties ($30, including delivery).

The Popcorn Basket is filled with two bags of un-popped popcorn, buttery topping, sweet caramel glaze and chocolates ($30, including delivery).

Ashley’s Food Delivery makes seasonal gift giving easy and convenient with a complete gift basket delivery menu, and online ordering, at www.ashleysfood.com. Orders can also be placed by phone; call 941-953-FOOD (3663). Gift basket delivery is available every day; 48 hour notice is requested. Complimentary gift cards can be included with all gifts baskets upon request.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 25 restaurants in Sarasota to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-3663 or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Get Your Thanksgiving Pies Delivered!

2010-11-18T09:51:00.004-05:00

Don’t stand in line at the local Amish bakery to pick up your pies this Thanksgiving – have them delivered instead! Ashley’s Food Delivery will bring them right to your holiday table, and is accepting pre-orders now. Choose from a wide selection of homemade pies from the bakery at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage. Traditional favorites like Pumpkin, Pecan and Dutch Apple are available, as well as decadent flavors like Chocolate Cream, Cranberry Pecan and Strawberry Rhubarb.

Whole pies are $10.99 to $12.99, plus tax and delivery. To view a full selection of available pies, as well as other bakery items such as dinner rolls, sweet breads and cookies, visit www.AshleysFood.com. Order online, or call 953-3663 to place your pie order today. 48 hours advance notice requested for pie deliveries. Thanksgiving deliveries will be made Wednesday, November 24.

Rosemary Birthing Home Welcomes Licensed Midwife Kathleen Cardin

2010-11-18T07:47:00.000-05:00

Kathleen Cardin, LM, CPM, gave birth to her second child almost twenty years ago, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by people who loved her. By the time her daughter was three months old, Kathleen was accompanying a pair of senior midwives to births, and a few years later she graduated from an accredited Florida midwifery program and began her practice in Tallahassee. After a decade in Maine as a nurse in both a small county hospital and an 850 bed regional medical center, Kathleen is unpacking her moving boxes and packing her midwifery bag to join Harmony Miller, LM, CPM at Sarasota’s Rosemary Birthing Home.

“I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a healer; that is, to help and support people through life processes and to help them grow, and to grow myself,” says Kathleen. “I was taught right from the start that birth is a beautiful process, an awesome experience, and something to look forward to and enjoy.”

Rosemary Birthing Home was established in 2003 and is owned and operated by Licensed Midwives. A free-standing, accredited birth center in Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District, Rosemary Birthing Home offers personalized midwifery care embedded with the philosophy that birth is a normal, healthy process that most often requires no medical intervention.

"I am so happy to have Kathleen joining the Rosemary family,” says Harmony Miller, midwife, owner and operator of Rosemary Birthing Home since 2006. “She has so much to offer to our community."

Rosemary Birthing Home families and the Sarasota community are invited to meet Kathleen, Harmony and the rest of the Rosemary Birthing Home care team on Saturday, December 11, in the Rosemary Court gardens. For more information, please call 941.330.9966 or visit www.rosemarybirthing.com.

About Rosemary Birthing Home: Established in 2003, Rosemary Birthing Home is a free-standing birth center in Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District. Owned and operated by Florida licensed midwives, Rosemary Birthing Home offers personalized midwifery care, birth center births, home births, water births, pre-pregnancy nutrition counseling, postpartum care, babywearing classes, support groups, lactation counseling, complete childbirth education, a lending library and more. A free Choices in Childbirth Class and Rosemary Birthing Home Orientation is offered on Mondays and Tuesdays (by appointment only). For more information, please call 941.330.9966 or visit www.rosemarybirthing.com.

Introducing: 12th and East Home

2010-11-16T07:24:00.004-05:00

On November 23, Sarasota will become the flagship site for a new home accessories boutique, created by one of the area’s most reputed interior design firms. Located at the intersection of 12th Street and East Avenue, 12th and East Home is the retail showroom for hand-picked accents and custom-designed pieces from Jessica Holmes Interiors.

Jessica Holmes has been an interior designer in Sarasota for 11 years, building a portfolio of fresh, effective design for our community’s most savvy clientele. Holmes, along with designer Melissa DeMore, has brought the same level of sophistication into 12th and East Home, carefully selecting each product with her clients’ aesthetic in mind. The store will carry candles, lamps, jewelry, scarves, throws, coffee table books and more, from some of the industry’s most coveted and innovative lines. Holmes and DeMore have also created exclusive lines of custom pillows, dog beds and table linens, as well as small upholstery pieces.

“The concept of 12th and East Home is to marry the vintage spirit with a fresh, modern elegance,” says Holmes, whose fiancé Adam Holiday collects, restores, and sells 18th and 19th century antiques from the adjacent warehouse. “We are bringing some rare and special antiques in to the store and refreshing them with vintage-inspired modern upholstery and accents. The result is a look never before seen in Sarasota.”

A grand opening reception at the showroom, located at 1220 East Avenue North, is planned for December 2nd, 5:00-7:30pm. Guests will enjoy light fare and 10% off of all purchases. For more information about 12th and East Home, please call (941) 365-8205, or visit their website at 12thandeasthome.com.

About 12th and East Home: 12th and East Home is a sophisticated home accessories showroom anchored in Sarasota, Florida. Interior designers Jessica Holmes and Melissa DeMore present an ever-changing collection of vintage-inspired modern accents and expertly selected consigned antiques, establishing a unique and relevant aesthetic for today’s discerning home decorator. Our showroom, established in November 2010, is located at 1220 East Avenue North in Sarasota, Florida, or on the web at 12thandEastHome.com.

Authentic Pilates Comes to Downtown SRQ

2010-11-09T10:38:00.003-05:00

When we hear the word “pilates,” most of us think of a generic type of exercise akin to yoga, but with props. But for former Sarasota Ballet dancer Christina Gadar, the word means much more. Christina is a second generation Pilates instructor, having been certified by Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates' hand chosen protégé, in 2000. She now owns and operates a fully equipped Pilates studio in Sarasota, complete with top of the line equipment based on Joseph Pilates’ original designs. This Saturday, Christina will bring her reformer apparatus (shown above) to Sarasota’s Main Street to demonstrate the difference between authentic Pilates and imitative versions.

“My goal is to preserve the integrity of Joseph Pilates' original vision of physical and mental conditioning while constructing creative workouts tailored to the individual,” says Christina, who holds dual citizenship with Brazil and the U.S. “I love what I do and it brings me a lot of satisfaction to share the benefits of Pilates with others.”

Christina’s exhibit is part of the Sarasota Naturally festival taking place this Saturday, November 13th, on Main Street. Her demonstration of the extensive vocabulary of Pilates exercise takes place on the “Fit Body Stage” across from Smokin’ Joes at 11:00 am.

For more information about Pilates Personal Training with Christina Gadar, please call (941) 955-3800, or visit www.pilatespersonaltraining.com.

About Pilates Personal Training with Christina Gadar: Christina Maria Gadar has been providing top quality Pilates instruction in Sarasota, Florida since 2000. Christina’s fully equipped Pilates studio features the very best equipment in a comfortable and private setting. Proper choice of instructor and equipment is absolutely essential for success in Pilates. Private lessons last 55 minutes and are available Monday through Friday by appointment only. Christina’s studio is conveniently located near Sarasota Memorial Hospital, between the Siesta beaches and downtown Sarasota. For more information, please call (941) 955-3800, or visit www.pilatespersonaltraining.com.

Ashley's Delivers the Flavors of Fall

2010-11-02T23:16:00.001-04:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, offers the bounty of autumn delivered to your home or office. Get out of the kitchen and out into the cooler weather—or in front of the big screen--while one of Ashley’s 25 restaurant partners does the cooking for you. Two fall delivery specials are now available through November 30th:

Word of Mouth offers a complete Thanksgiving dinner for two for $24.99 (plus tax and delivery). Your meal includes roasted turkey breast, red skinned smashed potatoes, corn bread stuffing with turkey gravy, cranberry relish and the veggie of the day. Delivery is not available on Thanksgiving Day.

Hooters knows what football fans want: WINGS! The Football Fan combo is just $14.99 (plus tax and delivery) and includes 10 wings (add $1 for all drumsticks) and 10 buffalo shrimp.

Facing Parkinson Disease: Exhibit November 1st

2010-10-11T11:47:00.006-04:00

They are diverse groups that garner national attention for their high caliber talent and cutting-edge work. Now, Sarasota's arts and medical communities will join forces to bring attention to a devastating disease on the Suncoast.

Sarasota artists and the nationally acclaimed Neuro Challenge Foundation will provide an unprecedented, artistic view of Parkinson patients and their families in all stages of life at “Facing Parkinson Disease,” a one-week exhibit at The Art Center of Sarasota, November 1-5.

Intimate photo essays by notable local photographers will showcase area families living with Parkinson Disease, while guests view an extraordinary mixed media presentation featuring works from Parkinson inspired artists.

"It makes so much sense for us to work together," says photographer and Suncoast celebrity Cliff Roles. "Who better to show this community a disease affecting thousands in our own backyard?"

You can see the work of Roles and other artists, patients and doctors, and meet them as well, at the opening reception. It happens at The Art Center of Sarasota on Monday, November 1 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Hundreds are expected to attend the opening ceremony to show their support.

"You'll be surprised at the way the disease affects people, and I think you'll be surprised at the people you'll recognize at the exhibit. They are your neighbors and friends, and you may not even know they are struggling with this frustrating condition," says Neuro Challenge Foundation President and CEO Doreen Sutherland.

Selected art from Parkinson patients and caregivers will be auctioned at the reception. Suggested donation is $15 at the door and includes wine, light fare, and inspiring music. All proceeds benefit Neuro Challenge Foundation, an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of Parkinson Disease patients and their caregivers.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

City of Sarasota, State of Florida Proclaim October 4-8 Licensed Midwives Week

2010-09-29T10:03:00.008-04:00

At next week’s City Commission meeting (Monday, October 4, 6:00pm), Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner will proclaim October 4th through 8th as Sarasota Licensed Midwives Week. Mayor Kirschner’s recognition will pay tribute to the skilled, individualized care that Sarasota’s licensed midwives offer women and their families throughout the childbearing cycle. It will signify the strong contribution licensed midwives make to the health and well-being of our community's mothers and babies through appropriate care and treatment in all phases of childbirth.

The week has also been proclaimed Florida Licensed Midwives Week by the office of Florida Governor Charlie Crist, coinciding with National Midwifery Week, a time to recognize the contributions of Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) nationwide. The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) publicly announces the week with an introduction to midwifery. "The heart of midwifery care for women and newborns lies more in the nature of that care than in its specific components. Midwifery practice has a firm foundation in the critical thought process and is focused on the prevention of disease and the promotion of health, taking the best from the disciplines of midwifery, nursing, public health and medicine to provide safe, holistic care."

HISTORY OF MIDWIFERY IN FLORIDA: Midwives have a long and valued history in Florida. The state first passed legislation to license direct-entry midwives in 1931. In the 79 years since, Florida’s licensed midwives have continued to tirelessly serve the families of Florida and to ensure the continued availability of safe, evidence-based birthing options for Florida’s families. In 1992, Governor Lawton Chiles declared the first-ever Licensed Midwives Week. More women than ever before are seeking out licensed midwives for maternity care.

ABOUT MIDWIFERY IN FLORIDA: In Florida, two types of midwives are allowed to practice: Certified Nurse-Midwives and Licensed Midwives (a Florida state licensure), also known as direct-entry midwives. Throughout the state, about 11.2 percent of births are estimated to be managed by midwives, rather than by OB-GYNs. Many birth centers and midwives have reported a significant increase in business in the past year. This increase is believed to be a result of various factors, primarily a greater number of women seeking alternative birthing choices due to an unhealthy increase in caesarean sections and other unnecessary interventions that frequently occur in hospital settings. In a 2006 report on Florida Licensed Midwives, midwives had a caesarean section rate of 6.3 percent compared to a 36.64 percent statewide average in hospitals the same year.

In honor of this week, Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM), a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida, will be hosting various community events throughout the state this week and during October to celebrate the more than 110 currently practicing licensed midwives. For more information of midwifery in Florida, please visit www.flmidwifery.org.

“We are humbled by the dedication of the mothers who worked so hard to have this week declared licensed midwifery week,” says licensed midwife Miriam Pearson-Martinez. “We hope that the events happening all over the state this week serve to raise awareness regarding the benefits of midwifery care.”

The proclamation in Sarasota will be read by Mayor Kirschner at the beginning of the City Commission meeting, Monday, October 4th, at 6:00 pm in Sarasota’s City Hall. Florida Friends of Midwives encourages all families who have benefited from the care of licensed midwives to attend this special recognition.

About Florida Friends of Midwives: Florida Friends of Midwives is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the Midwives Model of Care and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida. Florida Friends of Midwives was formed to support midwives who offer safe, cost-effective, evidence based care to Florida's families. For more information, please visit www.flmidwifery.org.

Gilkey Associate to Chair ASLA Committee

2010-09-28T00:08:00.003-04:00

Gavin Cain, Landscape Associate with Sarasota’s Michael A. Gilkey, Inc., has accepted the nomination to chair the 2010-2011 Emerging Professionals Committee for the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FLASLA).

Cain will advise the membership and staff on ASLA Associate, Student, and Student Affiliate Member programs and services; facilitate communication with and among all emerging professional groups; promote the benefits of membership and encourage member recruitment at all levels; and communicate with faculty and chapter about ASLA programs and benefits pertaining to students and Associate Members. Cain will also develop and maintain student leadership training programs.

“As an emerging professional myself, I can relate to the up-and-down experiences of aspiring landscape designers in this challenging economy,” says Cain. “Our local communities, state, and world need the work and influences of landscape architects more than ever. We must keep our emerging professionals inspired and up-to-date on the pulse of our great profession.”

For more information about Michael A. Gilkey, Inc., please call (941) 924-0132, or visit www.magilkey.com. The Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects can be found on the web at www.flasla.org.

Ashley's Offers Plant-a-Seedling Activity

2010-09-26T11:27:00.007-04:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, gave back to the community last Saturday, September 18th, by participating in the Whole Foods Market 30th Birthday Bash benefiting All Faiths Food Bank. Ashley’s hosted a “Plant-a-Seedling” activity, inspired by the company’s “Plant-a-Tree Program,” which has facilitated the planting of over 18,500 trees since 2,009.

Children visiting the Ashley’s Food Delivery booth planted certified organic vegetable seedlings (donated by Jessica’s Organic Farm) in biodegradable peat pots, then filled them with soil donated by Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. Landscape Architects. The planted pots, which children were able to take home with them, were completed with hand-decorated plant markers.

“We had a lot of fun participating in this event,” says Ashley’s Food Delivery owner Jeff Sniegocki. “Working with the kids to plant seedlings, and knowing that it was for the benefit of All Faiths Food Bank, was highly rewarding. We strongly support their mission and commitment to fight hunger in our community.”

The Ashley’s Food Delivery Plant-A-Tree program is part of the company’s green commitment. For every order placed, the restaurant delivery service plants a tree through the international Trees for the Future organization. “Our Plant-A-Tree program is one way we are trying to offset our ecological footprint,” says Sniegocki. More information about the Ashley’s Green Commitment is available on the company’s website, www.AshleysFood.com.

Full delivery menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are also available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD (953-3663).

Girl Scouts to Host True Beauty Festival

2010-09-23T21:49:00.006-04:00

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is recognizing National Love Your Body Day with a True Beauty Festival, October 23rd from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Girl Scouts Event and Conference Center (4740 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida). Open to the public, the True Beauty Festival offers girls in grades 4 through 12 a venue to learn about self-esteem, healthy body image and self-care in today’s environment. The program is sponsored by the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Uniquely Me!, an initiative created by Girl Scouts and funded by Dove to address the critical nationwide problem of low self-esteem among adolescent and pre-adolescent girls.

Love Your Body Day was developed by NOW in 1997 in response to a quickly growing American health crisis: negative body image among girls and women. Today, 80% of American women report being dissatisfied with their appearance. On the contrary, having a positive body image can lead to increased self-esteem, healthier habits, and lower rates of depression. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is committed to working with the community toward cultivating positive body image for young women.

The True Beauty Festival will include workshops from local female community leaders in a variety of disciplines, as well as performers, activities, a film and a fashion show, all dedicated to fostering positive body image. Participants will learn about holistic health, green eating and living, healthy relationships, goal-setting, fitness, self-defense, self-care, yoga, bullying, media awareness and more.

Registration for the True Beauty Festival is $5 for Girl Scouts and $17 for non-members (this includes a $12 annual membership to Girl Scouts; a limited number of scholarships available). The Festival is free for accompanying adults. Confirmation will include detailed information about the workshop schedule and lunch. Sponsorships are still available for local businesses. To register, or for more information about sponsorships, please contact Julia Onnie-Hay at (941) 921-5358, ext. 316, or juliao@gsgcf.org.

ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF GULFCOAST FLORIDA, INC.: Girl Scouting builds girls of Courage, Confidence and Character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves over 11,200 girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. For more information please visit www.gsgcf.org.

Blonde Cow Photography Opens Burns Ct. Studio

2010-09-13T09:28:00.004-04:00

Blonde Cow Photography, a Sarasota-based company owned by Kollene and Mattias Carlsson, has opened the doors to its new studio in historic Burns Court. The Carlssons have operated the business from their Arlington Park home for three years.

“We decided to move out of our home-based business which has truly been a dream come true,” says Kollene. “To open the doors of our downtown location and be able to separate business and family has been huge for us! We have so many things planned and are so excited to be a part of our community!”

A grand opening reception at the studio, located at 505 Burns Lane, is planned for October 1st. For more information about Blonde Cow Photography, please visit www.blondecowphotography.com.

About Blonde Cow Photography: We are Kollene and Mattias Carlsson, and Blonde Cow Photography is a Sarasota-based, full-service photography studio specializing in simple, fresh, happy images that will take you back to special moments and make you smile for years to come. At Blonde Cow Photography, we believe in simplicity, style, and a beautiful experience for our customers. Our new studio is now open at 505 Burns Lane in Sarasota, or at www.blondecowphotography.com.

Ashley's Delivers FREE on School Nights!

2010-08-24T19:55:00.003-04:00

Get in the back-to-school spirit with free delivery on school nights (Sunday – Thursday) from Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service.

“It’s a busy time of year for families and a great time to take advantage of the convenience of our food delivery service,” says owner Jeff Sniegocki. “We can deliver a delicious, wholesome dinner for the whole family right to your door – what could be simpler?”

Ashley’s Food Delivery offers a wide variety of restaurants to choose from to please everyone in the family. The restaurant delivery service offers full dinner menus and kids menus from variety of restaurants, including Chili's, Word of Mouth and Demetrios.

“There are also options for family-style dinners from several of our restaurant partners,” says Sniegocki. “Basil’s Flame Broiled Chicken & Ribs, Roadside Rib Shack and Troyer’s Dutch Heritage all offer easy-to-order meals for a bunch.”

To redeem free delivery on school nights, place your order online at www.AshleysFood.com and use the coupon code “school” at checkout. Or mention the Back to School Special when you call 953-FOOD. (Promotion is valid Sunday through Thursday, on dinner orders only, through 9/2/10. A minimum $25 food order is required. Free delivery value is $3.75.)

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 25 restaurants in Sarasota to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Caregiver Training for Parkinson Disease Offered in Sarasota This Week

2010-08-16T20:24:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, August 21st, Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) will offer training to professionals and laypersons caring for Parkinson’s disease patients. The workshop will be held at The Pines of Sarasota from 8:00am to 1:00pm. All Parkinson related healthcare providers, professional and family caregivers, and anyone working with Parkinson patients and their loved ones are encouraged to call 926-6413 to register.

“One of the ways Neuro Challenge Foundation intends to improve the lives of people with PD is by training the people who interact with them.” says Doreen Sutherland, NCF president. Issues like dressing, sitting, standing, dementia and medications will be discussed in addition to topics of specific interest to therapists and nurses. Continuing education credits are available.

Participation in either the live or web-based class allows professionals to become a part of the Neuro Challenge Network of caregivers, called Parkinson Partners. The network includes assisted living facilities, massage and yoga professionals, physical, occupational and speech therapists, attorneys, at-home care nurses, transport services and many others. A relational database created specifically for the task of matching clients to resources in the Sarasota area is being developed through a grant from Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. PD patients can take advantage of the free program by requesting enrollment through their doctor. There are an estimated 9,000 people living with Parkinson Disease in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties and more than 15,000 caregivers for those with PD.

Speakers include Dean P. Sutherland, MD, PhD, Marilyn Tait and Laura Magnusson, OT/L. The cost for attendees seeking CEUs in $45 and $25 for all others. Call 926-6413 to register.

Whole Foods to Benefit Save Our Seabirds

2010-07-15T13:54:00.004-04:00

Shop July 28 at Whole Foods Market Sarasota and 5% of net sales will benefit Save Our Seabirds. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release as many birds as possible and to incorporate non-releasable birds as educational tools and surrogate parents. They are committed to educating the public of the problems our wildlife has to endure and make suggestions on how to mitigate them. The Oiled Wildlife Response Program trains volunteers to respond to an oil spill, initiate the proper procedures to rescue, triage and maintain protocol to successfully release as many birds as possible back to the wild. For more information, visit www.saveourseabirds.org.

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Time: 8 am – 9 pm

Where: Whole Foods Market Sarasota

1451 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34239

(941) 955-8500

Contact Nikki Heil at Nikki.heil@wholefoods.com or 941-955-8500 ext. 215 for more information.

End your shopping day with a summer wine tasting. 100% of your $10 ticket will benefit Save Our Seabirds.

For information on Whole Foods Market Community Giving programs:
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/community/giving.php

About Whole Foods Market®: Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com), a leader in the natural and organic foods industry and America’s first national certified organic grocer, was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to its 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 12 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2008, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 275 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & WildTM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats® and Capers Community MarketTM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc.

Beat the Heat with Ashley's Specials

2010-07-13T00:27:00.001-04:00

This summer, get out of the kitchen and get local food delivered hot and fast from Ashley’s Food Delivery. Summer dining is a breeze with fresh, no-fuss meals from over 25 area restaurants delivered right to your door. Three summer specials are now available (through August 31st):

Basil’s Picnic Pack includes 12 pieces of flame-broiled chicken, two large sides and pita with honey butter for $22.99.

The Café Italia Pizza Party includes two large-16” cheese pizzas for $20. Toppings are available for an extra charge.

Ashley’s is also offering a FREE six-pack of Coca-Cola with any $25 delivery order. Redeem your six-pack with coupon code COKE when ordering online, or mention it when placing your order at 953-3663.

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About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 30 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

SMH HealthPlex Dance Party for Parkinson's

2010-07-12T22:13:00.004-04:00

This Friday, the Sarasota community will gather at the Sarasota Memorial Healthplex Fitness Center for an evening of Latin, Zumba and ballroom dancing in support of Neuro Challenge Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical, educational and emotional support to those suffering with debilitating life challenges such as Parkinson Disease.

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Neuro Challenge Foundation understand the proven benefits of dancing and other movement therapies for Parkinson patients. The two organizations worked closely together to develop the unique program Smart Moves, an integrative approach to health that centers on a simple but important concept: that attitude and exercise are essential to keep your body, mind and spirit up and moving. Smart Moves activities range from aquatic therapy, acupuncture and therapeutic massage to ballroom dancing, gentle yoga, tai chi and art therapy. Each activity offers scaled down and customized movements that empower people to overcome their physical limitations and help them stay ahead of their disease.

“Dancing with the Plex” begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 16. The fun-filled evening will include an hour of Latin and Zumba dancing with local dancers Felipe, Ana, Maurina and Linda, a professional ballroom dance show by Dance Fusion Professionals (featured on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”), two hours of Latin dancing with live band VocesLibre, and more—including a surprise dance from a Healthplex staff member. $10 tickets include two drink tickets (beer, sangria or water) and one raffle ticket for a Healthplex dance lesson package. Advanced tickets are encouraged and may be purchased at the Healthplex, 5880 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota (3/4 mile west of I-75 off of Clark Road) or by calling (941) 917-7000. All proceeds from the event will benefit Neuro Challenge Foundation.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. 9,000 people in Sarasota and Manatee counties are coping with Parkinson Disease. Neuro Challenge Foundation helps these patients and their caregivers with the day-to-day decisions that help them to cope with this chronic and progressively debilitating disease through individualized care plans, educational and support programs, and referral services. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

About Healthplex Fitness Center: The Sarasota Memorial Healthplex Fitness Center is a health and fitness facility combining all of the amenities of an upscale fitness club with the world-class medical expertise of the region's top health care system. With an impressive array of fitness equipment and programs, and the finest restorative and rehabilitative care when prevention is not enough, Healthplex is designed to promote optimal health and keep people out of the hospital. Healthplex offers a variety of programs under the supervision of specially trained health and fitness professionals. For more information, please call (941) 917-7000 or visit www.sarasotahealthplex.com.

The Hukilau Hut Opens on Sarasota Mainland

2010-06-29T19:14:00.002-04:00

The Hukilau Hut, a local favorite for its thirty flavors of authentic Hawaiian shave ice, has opened its first store on the mainland in Sarasota, Florida. Owned by a long time Sarasota family, the company has expanded their selection to include a complete coffee bar using beans roasted on site (including Cuban and American coffee, espressos, lattes and more), boutique ice creams and milk shakes, Kahuna signature sandwiches on in-house baked Maui bread, Kona chili dogs and much more.

“We really enjoy the atmosphere of seeing families enjoy themselves, being together for such a simple treat,” says Hukilau Hut owner Juan Gutierrez, who operates the store with his wife Renee and their son Brandon. “Time flies by so fast and then everyone is spread out and you miss most the times you share with your family,” says Juan. “I saw an opportunity to bring my family together and spend time with each other.”

The new restaurant incorporates the unique, hand-carved Hawaiian décor that has made their traveling Hukilau Huts so well loved in the community. Located on the north side of Bee Ridge Road just west of Shade Avenue, the Hukilau Hut is open from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

In addition to visiting the new Hukilau Hut, the mobile Hukilau Huts are still available for events and private parties. For more information, please visit www.hukilauhut.com, or stop in for a treat. Aloha!

About the Hukilau Hut: The Hukilau Hut was inspired by the famous North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. A 'Hukilau' is a gathering of people to have fun and share food, refreshment, and fellowship. The Hukilau Hut is available for luaus, parties, birthdays, grand openings, fundraisers or any celebration where fun is the objective! The Hukilau Hut store is open from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. For more information, call 925-0400 or visit www.hukilauhut.com.

Ashley's Food Delivery Owner is Behind Bars!

2010-06-17T22:49:00.005-04:00

Ashley's Food Delivery owner Jeff Sniegocki needs your help! He's made the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "Most Wanted" list and is being ARRESTED on June 30th! Help bail him out of jail and help many local children and adults with muscular diseases by adding vital funds to MDA's research efforts. PLEASE make a pledge and help Jeff make bail!! Call 953-FOOD or donate online today!

The MDA Lock-Up gathers local business and community leaders annually who agree to be "arrested" for having a "big heart." This unique community-wide event raises funds for Jerry's kids.

Donations to MDA provide help and hope in many ways, including clinics with expert specialized medical care, cutting-edge research into treatments and cures, support with obtaining equipment and coping with challenges, and the annual MDA Camp, a barrier-free week of fun, friendship and laughter for kids. Please visit www.mda.org for information on how MDA makes a difference to people around the country and in your community.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Ashley's Honors Dads and Grads with Delivery

2010-05-20T23:08:00.003-04:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, can help you celebrate special June days with convenient and tasty delivery from over 35 local restaurants. Have Dad’s favorite meal delivered right to his couch. Or please a group of grads with drop-off catering ideal for any size graduation celebration. Ashley’s Food also offers gift certificates and gift basket delivery, both perfect for the June gift-giving season.

“From steaks to burgers to BBQ ribs, there is something to please every Dad on our delivery menu,” says Jeff Sniegocki, Owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “And with delivery, you can skip the long lines and hassles of dining out and just enjoy good food with family in the comfort of your own home.”

Residential dinner delivery is available throughout the greater Sarasota & Bradenton areas. Complete menu selections, as well as online ordering, are available on the company’s website: www.AshleysFood.com. Drop-off catering menus, featuring family-style meals and party platter options, are also available online.

“Our drop-off catering services make graduation parties – or any group gathering – simple. Crowd-pleasing menu choices range from trays of lasagna and broasted chicken, to pizzas and subs, to platters of finger food and appetizers. We bring it all to you and set it up, so you can enjoy your celebration,” says Sniegocki.

Ashley’s Food also offers unique gift delivery options. A selection of locally-made, themed gift baskets are available, as well as gift certificates in any denomination. For more information on gift delivery options, as well as delivery and drop-off catering services, visit www.AshleysFood.com or call 941-953-FOOD (3663).

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. Joins Florida Wildflower Foundation Board of Directors

2010-04-29T15:01:00.002-04:00

Landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. of Sarasota's Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. has accepted a two-year position on the Board of Directors for the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Gilkey’s appointment will represent the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects on the eleven-member board. Among the other agencies represented are the Florida Department of Transportation, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the Florida Native Plant Society.

Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. brings to the Florida Wildflower Foundation a depth of knowledge in appropriate design applications for wildflowers and native flowering plants. “I look forward to learning more about Florida’s wildflowers, and helping to suggest ways they might be used more prolifically,” said Gilkey. “Most of us are familiar with the Foundation’s highway beautification efforts, but there are many ways we can use wildflowers and other natives in everyday projects that will benefit Florida’s residents, visitors, wildlife and ecosystems.”

Florida’s native wildflowers have struggled to co-exist with the pressures of progress. As the state’s natural landscape has been increasingly threatened by development, some species have vanished altogether. Still others have been classified as endangered or threatened. The Florida Wildflower Foundation’s mission is to enrich lives with Florida’s native wildflowers.

Through the sale of the State Wildflower license tag, the organization increases the visibility and availability of native wildflowers and grasses by funding research, education and planting projects statewide. Since 2000, the Foundation has used the $15 donation from each State Wildflower license plate sale to:

• Provide more than $2 million for native wildflower education, research and planting projects.
• Spur the development of the wildflower seed industry by supporting the Florida Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association.
• Support Florida’s native nursery industry by increasing demand for flowering native species.
• Build awareness and knowledge of native wildflowers and plants.
• Support highway beautification through widespread wildflower seeding and planting projects.
• Promote wildflower tourism and its enormous economic benefits.
• Partner with like-minded agencies and organizations to support programs such as the Florida Forever land preservation effort.

Ultimately, the Foundation seeks to build a center for wildflower research and education that conveys to visitors and residents alike the beauty of wildflowers and their roles in Florida’s diverse habitats. To support its research effort, the Foundation in 2007 established the Gary Henry Research Endowment Fund at the University of Florida. The endowment is in honor of the contributions made by the organization’s first executive director.

ABOUT MICHAEL A. GILKEY, INC.: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is a landscape architecture studio in Sarasota, Florida, established in 1981. Through a passion for pure design and personal relationships with architects, contractors and homeowners, Gilkey creates expressions of outdoor space that are direct translations of their clients’ visions. For more information, please visit www.magilkey.com or call (941) 924-0132.

Ashley's Delivers for Mothers' Day

2010-04-28T00:52:00.003-04:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, has partnered with local Amish restaurant Troyer’s Dutch Heritage, and local chocolatier Peterbrooke, to offer special Mother’s Day Gift Baskets, available for delivery to area moms. The baskets, which are overflowing with handmade delicacies, retail for $55.00, including delivery.

“These baskets make for a uniquely-Sarasota gift,” says Liz Sniegocki, co-owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “Filled with either baked goods and treats from a community Amish bakery, or hand-crafted chocolate delights, they both provide a sweet sampling of local flavors.”

The Troyer’s Mother’s Day Basket features fresh bakery treats such as bread, cookies and a small pie, as well as house-made apple butter, peanut butter, fudge and candies. The Peterbrooke basket is filled with chocolate covered popcorn, handmade assortments, hand-dipped specialties and a “Happy Mother’s Day” engraved chocolate bar.Gift basket delivery is available throughout Sarasota every day; 72 hours notice is required (Mother’s Day orders should be received by Thursday, May 6). The full Ashley’s Food Delivery gift menu, including seasonal and year-round gift options, is available at www.AshleysFood.com. Orders may be placed online or by calling 953-FOOD (3663). Complimentary gift cards can be included with all deliveries, upon request.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Ashley's Food Plants Over 13,000 Trees

2010-04-14T13:45:00.004-04:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, has planted over 13,000 trees since launching its Plant-A-Tree Program on Earth Day 2009. The program avows that for every order placed, Ashley’s Food will plant a tree with Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization that plants trees around the world. Each tree planted helps remove over 50lbs of harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year.

“The amount of trees we’ve planted over the past year is enough to sequester the annual carbon emissions of approximately 30 typical American cars, year after year,” says co-owner Liz Sniegocki, who heads up the Ashley’s Food Green Commitment. “Our Plant-A-Tree program is one way we’re trying to offset the heavy ecological footprint a food delivery service can leave. We’re striving to tread a little lighter by operating in the most environmentally responsible manner that we can.”

The Ashley’s Food Green Commitment extends beyond the tree-planting program to other areas of concern. Last April, the delivery service initiated an education program focused on improving delivery professionals’ vehicle fuel-economy. “Vehicles emit harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to global climate change,” says Sniegocki. “We work to educate our delivery professionals on ways they can reduce CO2 emissions through proper vehicle maintenance and efficient delivery & driving techniques.” The company holds a quarterly in-house Vehicle Maintenance Week to assist delivery professionals in implementing regular vehicle maintenance schedules.

This year, Ashley’s Food Delivery owners are beginning to address concerns about the long-lasting environmental impact of petroleum-based takeout food packaging. “The manufacturing of conventional to-go packaging uses non-renewable resources & energy and produces harmful byproducts. Then, these non-biodegradable products either end up in landfills or as a threat to wildlife when disposed of improperly,” says Sniegocki. As a first step in tackling this multi-faceted issue, Ashley’s Food is providing partner restaurants with information on the benefits of eco-friendly packaging, as well as resources for compostable products made from renewable resources. “We’re hoping to start a conversation with our partners about switching to green packaging,” says Sniegocki. “Building awareness seems like a good place to start.”

The Ashley’s Food Green Commitment also includes a focus on paperless transactions via the company’s website, which features an electronic menu guide and online ordering, as well as continuous monitoring of internal operating procedures to in an effort to reduce solid waste and conserve water & energy.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. Celebrates National Landscape Architecture Month

2010-04-06T11:48:00.006-04:00

April is National Landscape Architecture Month, a time for professionals and students to celebrate the impact landscape architecture has created in their communities, and to focus on introducing students and the public to the profession. Locally, Sarasota studio Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is celebrating by educating students of all ages about the profession and practice of landscape architecture, and by giving back to the community.

What is Landscape Architecture?

Landscape architecture is the profession that encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of the natural and built environment. Activities of a landscape architect include creating public parks, site planning for commercial and residential properties, reclaiming blighted areas, designing towns and historic preservation. Landscape architects have advanced education, professional training, specialized skills and licensure in 46 states.
Examples of Landscape Architecture in Sarasota

One signature example of landscape architecture in Sarasota is the estate and museum of John Ringling. Designed by Fort Lauderdale landscape architect Frederic B. Stresau in 1952, the Ringling residence complements the man whose career was predicated on the dramatic and the spectacular. Stresau later made a name for himself as Florida’s premier horticultural landscape architect by penning the popular “Florida, My Eden,” a guide to Florida’s trees and plants.

Another notable landscape architect that literally put his mark on Sarasota was John Nolen, who designed the plan of the city in 1925. Nolen’s firm also procured plans for many other Florida municipalities, including Clearwater, West Palm Beach, and Venice, which he called “an opportunity better…than any other in Florida to apply the most advanced and most practical ideas of regional planning.”
When describing his work on the Sarasota city plan, Nolen said, “A good plan is one which does not attempt to bind the city too far in the future, but is subject to amendment from time to time. It is an encouragement to civic art in that its very design suggests harmony of elements and beauty of form. These features in a recreational center, such as Sarasota, are prime essentials.”

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. Gives Back for National Landscape Architecture Month

Local landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr., vice president of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc., will celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month by engaging students in the practice of his profession. At the youngest level, Southside Elementary kindergarten students will design and plant their own “Shoebox Butterfly Gardens,” with flowering plants supplied by Mariposa Nurseries. Gilkey will facilitate the exercise in the students’ science lab, taught by Mr. Chip Phillips. Gilkey is excited to share his love of the profession with even the youngest students, his own son Banyan among them. “Sustainability is a principle that can be taught at a very young age. To me, sustainability is not a constraint, but an avenue to increased creativity. Some of the most creative people I know are children.”

(The following frequently asked questions were reproduced with permission from the American Society of Landscape Architects. For more information please visit www.asla.org, or call 202-216-2331.)

Q. What is the difference between a landscape architect and other design professionals?

Landscape architecture, architecture, civil engineering and urban planning are all professions that work with the “built” environment. Despite some overlap between these professions, there are important distinctions.

-Landscape architects manage any jobs concerning the design and use of outdoor space and the land. The scope of the profession includes site planning, town or urban planning, park and recreation planning, regional planning, garden design and historic preservation.
-Architects primarily design buildings and structures with specific uses, such as homes, offices, schools and factories.
-Civil engineers apply scientific principles to the design and construction of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and utilities.
-Urban planners develop a broad, comprehensive overview of development for entire cities and regions. Earlier this field was closely associated with landscape architecture and architecture; however, urban planning has developed into a distinct profession with its own courses and degree programs. Today many landscape architects are still heavily involved in the field of urban planning.

Each of these four professions is very distinct from gardeners, landscapers, horticulturists and landscape contractors.

-Gardeners and landscaper designers usually do not have the advanced degree that is requisite for landscape architects. Their activities focus primarily on fundamental garden design and maintenance.
-Horticulturists are trained in the science of growing and producing plants. Many horticulturists become nurserymen or work in garden centers.
-Landscape contractors install planting elements of design conceived by landscape architects. Landscape contractors may be gardeners or landscapers.

Q. Why are commercial developers, urban planners, architects and public policy makers hiring landscape architects with increasing frequency?

Thoughtful landscape architecture adds value to a commercial development by handling aesthetic and practical considerations, and addresses the growing public concern for the environment. In recent years, the most successful building projects in terms of profitability and positive client public response have been those that incorporate the collaborative expertise of many professions. In such cases, landscape architects and the other design professionals have worked together from the project’s planning stages.

ABOUT MICHAEL A. GILKEY, INC.: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is a landscape architecture studio in Sarasota, Florida, established in 1981. Through a passion for pure design and personal relationships with architects, contractors and homeowners, Gilkey creates expressions of outdoor space that are direct translations of their clients’ visions. For more information, please visit www.magilkey.com or call (941) 924-0132.

A Village for A Family: A Benefit for the Augsburgers, A Celebration of Community

2010-03-11T14:47:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, March 21, hundreds will gather from noon until dark at a Sarasota Florida cracker-style ranch in honor of a local family in need. The event, titled "A Village for A Family," is being sponsored by WSLR 96.5 and Sarasota’s Midwives, and will feature six local bands, refreshments, fun for children and a spirit of community. Proceeds will benefit the Augsburger family.

Colleen and Brad Augsburger welcomed their third baby, Kaya Soul, into the world on February 16th. Kaya was welcomed by big sister Ivy Magnolia and big brother Rylan Sky to create a new family of five. After Kaya's birth, Colleen was admitted to the ICU at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. A rare but dangerous bacterial infection, unrelated to but exacerbated by the event of birth, began causing organ damage and severe dehydration. Colleen had three surgical procedures at once on February 20th. She remained on a ventilator, on heavy blood antibiotics, and in critical condition for the following week. Due to the thorough postpartum care of her midwives, the quick and expert work of her team of doctors, and the round-the-clock spiritual vigil of her community, Colleen is home now, and beginning her long recovery process. Her family is strong and supported, but Brad will be unable to work as a painter while he cares for them and for his recovering wife.

A Village for A Family will raise proceeds for the Augsburger family while celebrating the amazing community that has rallied behind them. The Augsburgers have been fed by a different family each night since Colleen’s admission to the hospital. Baby Kaya was sustained for the beginning of his life by the generosity and nurturing of the mothers of his community. And through a PayPal account widely generated by social networking media, Brad has been able to pay bills and focus on his recovering family. They have also received donations from several local businesses, including hot restaurant meals from Ashley’s Food Delivery, organic vegetables from Jessica’s Stand, and donations of baby clothes from Mothers Helping Mothers. "Always a contributor to Mothers Helping Mothers, Colleen Augsburger is a model mother and a friend," says Terry Stottlemyer, director. I am confident Sarasota community members will join me in supporting Colleen, Brad, and their three beautiful children in this, their most devastating time of need."

The Stottlemyers’ will host the benefit A Village for A Family on March 21, and it won’t be the first time they’ve honored the Augsburger family. Their gorgeous homestead is where Brad and Colleen were married almost eight years ago. WSLR 96.5 will bring attendees an afternoon of top-notch local music beginning at noon, from artists such as Tanya Radtke, The Recycled Citizen, My Friend Scott, Cope, Stone Fish, and Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters. Guests will enjoy a fabulous raffle from local businesses, southern BBQ from Roadside Rib Shack, Budweiser from Gold Coast Eagle, and shaved ice from The Hukilau Hut. Children are most welcome for face painting from Upscale Artisans, a bounce house and more. The suggested donation is $10 for adults and free for children. The Stottlemyers’ ranch is located at 65 East Road, behind the Texaco station 1 mile east of I-75 off of Fruitville Road.

Ashley's Delivers to Basketball Fans

2010-03-10T23:32:00.004-05:00

For fans who don’t want to miss a minute of basketball madness this March, Ashley’s Food Delivery can deliver dinner right to their couch. Sarasota’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food delivers from over 25 local restaurants, offering a convenient option for college hoops season.

“Good sports and good food just go together,” says Jeff Sniegocki, co-owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “When you get delivery, you can cheer on your favorite team and enjoy your favorite restaurant food, all in the comfort of your own living room!”

Ashley’s Food Delivery offers choices to feed the family, or to please a basketball party crowd. Suggested “fan fare” for the Big Dance: Hooter’s wings, burgers from Cheeburger Cheeburger, all-American favorites from Patrick’s and BBQ ribs from Roadside Rib Shack. Other top game-time picks available for delivery include pizza, subs and appetizer samplers like the Triple Dipper from Chili’s or Applebee’s Ultimate Trios.

Full delivery and drop-off catering menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.AshleysFood.com. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD.
About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 30 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Ashley's New Menu Guides Available

2010-03-03T11:42:00.002-05:00

Ashley’s Food Delivery, Sarasota’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, announces the release of a new menu guide today. The 32-page book provides menus for 25 local restaurants available for delivery to homes, offices and hotels throughout the greater Sarasota area. Ashley’s menu guides are available for pick-up at partner restaurants or can be mailed by request at 953-FOOD or www.ashleysfood.com.

“This menu book includes two new restaurant additions since our last publication - Chili’s and Word of Mouth,” says Liz Sniegocki, co-owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “Also new is an updated and expanded menu for The Star, featuring new Japanese and sushi offerings in addition to Thai favorites.”

Full delivery menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are also available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.ashleysfood.com. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD.
About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 30 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

SMH Approves Grant to Fund Parkinson Partners

2010-02-24T22:13:00.002-05:00

This month, the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation (SMHF) voted to provide $75,400.00 in grant funding to Sarasota’s Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease (PD) and their caregivers. This is the first grant from SMHF toward Parkinson patient outreach, and will cover start-up costs related to NCF’s Parkinson Partners Resource Education Program, the first comprehensive out-patient care management program for Parkinson’s patients in Florida. Plans are underway to provide office space for program staff at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine.

There are an estimated 9,000 people living with Parkinson Disease in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties. NCF’s Parkinson Partners Program will provide customized resource recommendations for these patients and their caregivers, along with individualized education about the importance of utilizing PD-trained community resources as part of their overall health plan.

“This is important community work that will touch the lives of thousands of people living with Parkinson Disease in Sarasota,” says Dean Sutherland, MD, PhD, founder of the Southeastern Center for Parkinson Disease in Sarasota.

The multi-level Parkinson Partners program will include a PD crisis phone line, online resources, and individualized care plans based on physician recommendations and patient and caregiver-reported needs and interests. Parkinson Partners representatives will provide a valuable outreach channel to PD patients, particularly those who may not otherwise seek assistance. This innovative model envisions remarkable strides in patient outcomes through individualized education and the development of specialty-trained resources.

This summer, NCF will offer specialized PD care training to area businesses including home care services, rehabilitation services, independent, assisted and skilled living facilities, transportation and integrative medicine providers. Patients can be enrolled by their physicians beginning in April. The program will provide arm-in-arm guidance for patients and caregivers from the moment of diagnosis onward.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

Ashley's Delivers Romance This Weekend

2010-02-11T10:47:00.003-05:00

Looking for a romantic evening in this weekend? Ashley’s Food Delivery, Sarasota’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, can help with sweet options from local restaurants, delivered right to your home—or to your sweetheart’s door.

“Our restaurant partners have pushed the envelope this season with innovative, romantic ways to celebrate,” says Liz Sniegocki, co-owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “Whether you want to send a traditional gift of rich chocolate to someone special, or order the delivery of a top-to-bottom meal for two, Ashley’s can help create the mood you’re looking for this Valentine’s Day.”

Ashley’s offers many options for a romantic evening at home. Once again partnering with Café Italia, Ashley’s offers a complete meal for two for $49.95, including two pasta dinners, two dinner salads, a bottle of wine and a dessert to share, made to order and delivered at your convenience. For a fresh, healthy option, try Lonjevity Superfusion Café, offering two specialty entrees, two salads or soups, and two desserts for $55.95. If you prefer to send the gift of chocolate, Peterbrooke Chocolatier has two delicious options for your sweetheart: eight hand-dipped chocolate strawberries in a heart-shaped box for $25, or a bountiful basket of chocolate treats and Peterbrooke specialties for $55. These and many other options are available at www.ashleysfood.com.

“In today’s fast-paced environment, many couples find they benefit significantly from a quality evening at home,” says Sniegocki. “Ashley’s and our restaurant partners can help you treat yourselves to the romance and delicious food you deserve, without leaving the comforts of home.”

Full delivery menus for the restaurants mentioned, and over 25 more, are available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.AshleysFood.com. Orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD.
About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 30 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Neuro Challenge Foundation Brings National Forum to Sarasota February 17th

2010-02-09T14:04:00.005-05:00

On February 17, the Sarasota community will have the opportunity to participate in a national forum about education and advocacy for Parkinson Disease. Presented by The Neuro Challenge Foundation, the 16th annual Parkinson’s Action Network Research and Public Policy Forum will be aired live via interactive webcast at Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Institute for Advanced Medicine (5880 Rand Boulevard). Forum participants will learn about current legislative issues impacting the Parkinson’s community, and how they can advocate for better treatments and a cure by communicating with elected officials to influence change, here in Sarasota and in Washington, DC.

The keynote speaker for the PAN forum will be Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Collins will share his thoughts on the $156 million in Parkinson Disease research conducted in 2009 by NIH, the largest biomedical research institution in the world. His address will be given from 1:00 to 1:45 pm and will precede a live follow-up discussion with Neuro Challenge Foundation medical advisor Dr. Dean Sutherland.

This is the first year that the PAN Research and Public Policy virtual forum has been brought to a local community, easing the burden of travel for many Parkinson patients and their families. The forum will be presented free of charge from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Participants may RSVP by contacting the Institute for Advanced Medicine at (941) 917-7777.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

About Parkinson’s Action Network: The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) is the leading advocacy voice of the Parkinson’s community, advocating for more than 1 million Americans and their families. Through education and interaction with the Parkinson’s community, scientists, lawmakers, opinion leaders, and the public, PAN leads the fight to ease the burden and find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. PAN increases awareness about Parkinson’s disease and seeks federal support for Parkinson’s research. For more information, call (800) 850-4726 or visit www.parkinsonsaction.org.

New Complexity in Parkinson Disease

2010-01-22T09:29:00.007-05:00

The following guest column appears in print in today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Opinion pages. The author, Dr. Dean Sutherland, is the Medical Director for The Neuro Challenge Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical, educational and emotional support to those suffering with debilitating life challenges such as Parkinson Disease. Dr. Sutherland is a keynote speaker at tomorrow's Annual Parkinson Symposium at the SMH Institute for Advanced Medicine.

The Jan. 19 edition of Health and Fitness in the Herald-Tribune carried a New York Times piece by Denise Grady outlining drug withdrawal reactions that can occur when patients stop or reduce the dosage of dopamine agonists (pramipexole and ropinerole), a class of drugs used by Parkinson disease sufferers. As medical director of Neuro Challenge Foundation, I have received several inquiries from interested and concerned patients who read this article. There are a large number of Parkinson patients in the Sarasota/Manatee area, roughly 5,000 to 8,000 individuals, and many of them could be affected by this issue.

The small study from New York Presbyterian/Cornell-Weill Medical Center found that, of 26 patients who tapered off on or discontinued these drugs, five had withdrawal symptoms similar to cocaine withdrawal. Two of the five had no lasting effects, but the other three had to go back on the drugs to alleviate anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sweating, nausea, pain, fatigue, dizziness or drug cravings. The patients taken off these dopamine agonists in the study were already having side effects, such as impulse control (harmful obsessions or compulsions), drops in blood pressure or hallucinations. We see this in the hospital setting when patients cannot take their Parkinson medications. My colleagues and I are often called for neurological advice when these patients undergo intestinal surgery or require a breathing tube in the intensive care unit.

Many years ago, Parkinson disease was considered a relatively simple disease resulting from loss of dopamine producing cells in one part of the brain, the substantia nigra. Clinical symptoms involved tremor, slowness, balance problems and shuffling gait. Fixing the problem meant providing the missing dopamine in the form of a pill called Sinemet, which we still use today. To find more effective treatments, molecules that act like dopamine were created: hence, dopamine agonists. While we have many more drugs to treat Parkinson, dopamine and dopamine agonists remain the most powerful and, not surprisingly, have the most powerful side effects.

We now know that Parkinson disease is actually quite complicated, involving many different neurotransmitters, not just dopamine. Most, if not all, of the brain becomes involved eventually. Interestingly, evidence has been mounting for several years now that Parkinson is a multi-organ disease, with pathological changes that can clearly be seen in the gastrointestinal tract and the heart. Clinical symptoms (in addition to the above) may include loss of sense of smell, constipation, low blood pressure, depression or anxiety. A fascinating recent development is the theory outlined by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Stanley Prusiner, along with Dr. Warren Olanow, that Parkinson disease may be an infectious process relying on abnormal proteins rather than viruses, bacteria or fungi.

Until recently, there was a notable gap between local delivery of care to Parkinson patients and the programs offered by national organizations. However, as is happily the case with other issues, things are different in Sarasota. I have the pleasure of working with dozens of individuals willing to step forward and fill this gap. Sarasota is home base for a number of groundbreaking programs in the field of Parkinson disease that patients and caregivers should take advantage of, including free resource and referral programs, support groups, Web-based information, fitness classes and alternative movement-oriented activities specifically designed for Parkinson patients, like tai chi, yoga, chair yoga, pool therapy, acupuncture, boxing, and ballroom dancing. Backed up by recent studies, Parkinson disease specialists now promote exercise as a major piece in the treatment puzzle.

Being at your best, whether you have Parkinson disease or another health problem, requires information and dedication. Ask questions of your doctor, read as much as you can, attend lectures and support groups, exercise regularly, and carefully follow your doctor's plan of care for you.

About Dean Sutherland: Dean Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D, is a neurologist specializing in the treatment of Parkinson disease and founder of the Southeastern Center for Parkinson Disease in Sarasota.

About the Parkinson Symposium: The 12th Annual Parkinson Symposium, sponsored by Sarasota Memorial Hospital and the Neuro Challenge Foundation, will be held Saturday at the SMH Institute for Advanced Medicine, 5880 Rand Blvd. off Clark Road. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program from 10 to noon. It is the largest patient-centered Parkinson disease symposium in Florida. International experts provide cutting-edge scientific information and clinically relevant facts that patients can use to enhance their lives. The suggested donation is $20 per person. On the Web: www.neurochallenge.org. Phone: 926-6413

Ashley's: Fresh Choices, Fresh Start

2010-01-19T00:01:00.004-05:00

Resolving to eat healthy in 2010? Ashley’s Food Delivery, Sarasota’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, can help with fresh meal choices available for delivery right to your home or office.

“We strive to include restaurants in our delivery service that can help you meet your healthy lifestyle goals without giving up convenience,” says Liz Sniegocki, co-owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “Several of our partners offer low-calorie and low-fat menu options to help you meet weight loss goals. And others feature full menus developed around natural and healthy foods prepared with gourmet style.”

When you want a fresh, healthy meal but don’t have the time to plan it, shop for it and prepare it, Ashley’s can deliver it to your door from Simon’s Coffee House, which offers whole & organic foods, raw food specials and healthy drinks, or Lonjevity Superfusion Café, whose menu is based around super-healthy “superfoods” and touts gluten-free options.

“Traditionally, finding a low-calorie, low-fat meal on a restaurant menu was a challenge,” says Sniegocki. “But several of our partners now offer calorie-conscious menus full of flavor without the guilt. So you can treat yourself to delivery, without blowing your diet. ”

Ashley’s delivers Weight Watchers endorsed meals from Applebee’s (Weight Watchers Points™ values are listed right on the Ashley’s Food website) as well as five Applebee’s entrees under 550 calories each. Calorie-conscious consumers can also choose from a selection of Chili’s Guiltless Grill entrees at 750 calories each. Yet another healthy alternative: Basil’s Flame Broiled Chicken. It’s low in fat, calories and cholesterol.

Full delivery menus for these restaurants, and over 25 more, are available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.AshleysFood.com. Orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 30 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Concrete Countertops, Etc. in Business Weekly

2009-12-14T12:01:00.005-05:00

The recent expansion and unique service of Sarasota's Concrete Countertops, Etc. was featured in today's Business Weekly, a feature of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The following is an excerpt from the article, entitled "From Cement and Water, a Niche Industry is Born," by Residential Real Estate reporter Tom Bayles:

Returning to Florida in early 2008, Brady took a job with a concrete design company. But he saw potential in using the product in different ways.

"On one hand, this stuff has been used for thousands of years, yet in this day and age people want it to be perfect," Brady said. "It's hard to maintain the balance between being a hand-made, artistic product and the stain-resistant durability that a customer seeks in their kitchens."

He did not stay with the company for long: "My entrepreneurial spirit got the best of me. I have always worked on my own, and now I had found concrete countertops."

Read the entire article here. For more information about Concrete Countertops, Etc. please visit www.concretecountertopsetc.com.