Suncoast Parkinson Symposium Tops 600

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.

Kanapaha Gardens Gopher Tortoise Project

Gainesville Public Artist Sarah Hinds has proposed an interactive sculpture of the Florida native Gopher Tortoise, designed to have a forever home at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. The tortoise will be large enough that children will be welcome to sit inside the its domed shell. Children playing here will take information about habitat protection and ecology throughout their lives.

ABOUT: The Sculpture

Materials proposed include:
--a welded steel frame
--a lightweight concrete base
--recycled glass stagelight lenses
--custom glass paperweight eyes
--iridescent fused glass tiles
--hand cut slate stone
--fresco style multi-colored grout
--handmade clay tiles

The handmade clay tiles embedded into the mosaic tortoise shell will be created by children of the Gainesville community. During a series of artist-led workshops, local children will paint and glaze clay individual tortoise shell tiles. Together they will learn about gopher tortoise lifestyle, habitat, protection and preservation. By participating in this process, children will take pride in knowing that they have helped to create a piece of permanent beauty and art in their community.

ABOUT: Kanapaha Gardens

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a 62 acre facility developed and operated by the North Florida Botanical Society, a non-profit educational organization. Kanapaha’s newest garden is their Children’s garden, currently under construction. This new area will house our tortoise, along with features such as a hedge maze, wall of treasures, dynamic water garden, and more.

ABOUT: The Gopher Tortoise

The Gopher Tortoise is currently listed as a Threatened Species in Florida. The decline of the Gopher Tortoise is mainly attributed to habitat loss, forestry practices, road mortality and disease. Although the main feature of the sculpture at Kanapaha will be the artwork of the tortoise itself, this exhibit will include information describing the tortoise’s lifestyle, habitat and issues of concern.

ABOUT: The Artist

Sarah Hinds is a professional artist with a focus on hand blown glass, architectural installations, mixed media projects, and community involvement. Sarah is co-founder of Somewhere Glassworks, a full service glass art studio and artist retreat in Gainesville, Florida. Available classes include Glass Beadmaking, Advanced Glass Sculpture, Glass Fusing, and Furnace Blown Glass.

Sarah is the Art Teacher at Expressions Learning Arts Academy in Gainesville, Florida. Her love of teaching art to children has resulted in several community art projects, including a mural program with Keep Alachua County Beautiful and The Florida Museum of Natural History. These murals educated middle school children about coral reefs while creating permanent art in their community.

“As a teacher, I strive to create an expressive and nurturing environment. As an artist, I strive to create with a universal theme that is meaningful to the viewer. Integrating the community into public art installations does both.” -Sarah Hinds

How can you be a part of this community project?

Every donation of $25 will pay for a child to make a mosaic shell tile. Those who donate $125 or more will receive a commemorative photo of the finished tortoise with the children who helped make it. And those who donate $1000 or more will have the choice to add a name or short memorial to a plaque at the sculpture site.

Checks may be made out to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens with the words ‘Gopher Tortoise’ in the memo line. Mail checks to:

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Gopher Tortoise Project
4700 S.W. 58th Drive
Gainesville, FL 32608

Donations may also be made via PayPal with ‘Gopher Tortoise’ in the notes. A link to the PayPal site is available on the project website and on the Kanapaha Gardens website.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Kangaroo is excited to aid Sarah in seeking public funding for this project.

Concrete Countertops, Etc.: Durable Beauty

Concrete Countertops, Etc. owner Jake Brady utilizes the very latest in sustainable concrete surface technology. His concrete surfaces are beautiful and long lasting, and play a vital role in reducing the burden on our nation’s landfills.

Concrete Countertops, Etc. uses a three-part component system and surface-reactant lithium sealer, resulting in a product which is more dense and more stain-resistant than any other concrete surface available. Jake's unique mix design replaces 35% of the Portland cement with a post-industrial waste that actually makes his concrete stronger. Concrete Countertops, Etc. also uses the wastewater from their polishing process, helping protect Florida’s fragile water supply.

A native of Nova Scotia, Jake moved to Sarasota in 1997 and began his remodeling career with his father. He began his own business, Jake of All Trades, specializing in kitchen and bath remodels. In 2007, he attended the Concrete Countertop Institute in Raleigh, North Carolina, completing intensive training in precast countertops and sinks. After a mutually beneficial employment experience with Ben Nettles Concrete Design in 2008, Jake created Concrete Countertops, Etc. with a unique technique, mix design, and philosophy. Jake resides in Sarasota with his partner Angel and his English Bulldog, Maggie, and enjoys fishing in Sarasota Bay and riding his motorcycle.

Concrete Countertops, Etc. is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the Florida Green Building Coalition, and is an elite support member of the Concrete Countertop Institute.

Please contact us to visit to the new Concrete Countertops, Etc. showroom, at 6130 Clark Center Avenue, Suite 101.

Kangaroo is enthusiastically assisting Jake with design coordination, consumer relations, media relations, and industry and grant research.