Sarasota researchers plan free, bilingual memory screening on World Alzheimer’s Day

Special to the Herald-Tribune
·4 min read
Students at Wilkinson Elementary School salute senior residents at Bay Village who recently donated $11,500 to the Sarasota school, helping teachers obtain essential classroom aids. Bay Village and Wilkinson Elementary established a partnership in 2019. The alliance has resulted in ongoing projects such as monthly Pen Pal letters, an annual Pen Pal picnic, Student Chorus performances, collaborative science projects, fundraising and more. Visit bayvillage.org.

Free, bilingual screening on World Alzheimer’s Day

Intercoastal Medical Group Neurology and Research Clinic will hold a free, bilingual memory screening event on World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers St., in Sarasota.

The goal of the confidential screening in English and Spanish is to increase awareness for early detection of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease for residents 55 and over. The screening will be conducted by Dr. Mauricio Concha, Dr. Gabriela Lodeiro and a team of professionals. After the 30-minute test, attendees will meet one-on-one with a health professional to discuss results and address any questions or concerns.

In Florida, it is estimated that more than 580,000 people are currently living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and experts predict this number will increase to almost 750,000 people by 2025.

“We are committed to continue our efforts to end Alzheimer’s disease through early detection and research, so we welcome the community to join us and take advantage of this event,” said Lodeiro, a clinical psychologist. Email research@intercoastalmedical.com or call 813-334-6222 to register.

Venice native named pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church

The Rev. William A. Kittinger Jr., a 2002 graduate of Venice High School, is returning to his hometown as lead pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 800 S. Tamiami Trail.

Kittinger will be installed on Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. by the Rev. Khader El-Yateem, assistant to the Bishop for the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. "I’m thrilled about reconnecting with Emmanuel and the Venice community. There’s no place like home,” Kittinger said.

Kittinger, who entered the seminary at age 31, holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir Rhyne University in Columbia, S.C., earning the Greninger Award in Homiletics. He served a two-year internship at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Naples, where he became Associate Pastor for Mission Development. Kittinger also was founding pastor/developer of the Emmanuel Park Community, an outdoor ministry in Collier County. For more information, visit emmanuel-elca.org.

Suncoast Humane Society plans art auction to support mission

The Suncoast Humane Society is planning an Art for Animals Auction on Sept. 30, a night dedicated to art appreciation, fun, and support of animals in need.

The event will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the Waverly Restaurant and Bar, 2095 N. Beach Road, in Englewood. Highlights include a silent auction and live auction of artwork and an opportunity to bid on a day driving a 2019 Rolls Royce Ghost in support of Suncoast Humane Society's mission.

Tickets to the Art for Animals Auction are available at suncoastevents.org/ArtforAnimals. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Samantha Jacob, director of development, at sjacob@humane.org.

Betty J. Johnson Library Friends seeking items for fundraiser

The Friends of Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library are gearing up for a fundraising event in December and are seeking donations of art, crafts, and decor.

Donations of cultural, vintage, antique, unique, modern and repurposed items, including jewelry, can be dropped off at the Friends Bookstore at the library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota. The bookstore hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10-noon.

Sales from the fundraiser on Dec. 9 will support library services and programs. For information, contact bookstore manager Ellia Manners at 207-595-1962 or elliamanners@gmail.com. Visit bettyjjohnsonfriends.org.

Around and about

A Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser to benefit the Sarasota High School football team will be held on Sept. 16 from 9-11 a.m. at the Sarasota High School cafeteria. The event will also feature raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Visit sarasotafootball.com/pancake-breakfast for tickets ($11; $8 children 10 and under).

· Temple Sinai’s JQuest will join Tikkun HaYam-Repair the Sea and Jewish communities around the world in the sixth annual Reverse Tashlich, a global waterfront cleanup, on Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. at Ted Sperling Park in South Lido Beach. Visit repairthesea.org/rt2023 to register and learn more about the cleanup.

· Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is hosting a series of classes from Sept. 11 (Endless Oceans: Marine Science 101) through November exploring marine science. Classes will feature Mote experts discussing research and learning excursions around the aquarium. Info/registration: mote.org/events.

· Debi Osborne, director of land protection for the Conservation Foundation, will be guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club on Sept. 14 via Zoom. Osborn is former director of real estate for the National Audubon Society. Registration: tinyurl.com/4y7zcw9e.

Submissions by Joan Silinsh, Amanda Skahan, Margaret Merlino, Samantha Jacob, Marion Black-Ruffin, Cory Kukral, Maddy Kraftchick, Andrea Eiffert, Gerlinde Kohl.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota clinic plans free, bilingual screening on World Alzheimer’s Day