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just some thoughts Louise Bruderle Editor and Publisher West Coast Woman Fiona Crawford, Ph.D. Seems like every day there’s news about an Alzheimer’s “breakthrough” or a promising new medicine or treatment and yet the progress to finding some treatment that halts or prevents or cures Alzheimer’s is not yet at hand. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t people working hard to find solutions. Someone who has been hard at work on research in this field for over 30 years is Fiona Crawford, Ph.D., President and CEO at The Roskamp Institute. Since opening in 2003, The Roskamp Institute, a Fiona Crawford 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been “a leader in the global effort to better understand and treat diseases of the mind. The foundation for the Institute’s work was set more than a decade ago by the Institute’s two lead researchers, Drs. Michael Mullan and Fiona Crawford,” according to their website. Dr. Crawford was part of the team of researchers that discovered mutations of the gene that leads to early onset Alzheimer’s disease more than 30 years ago. That crucial breakthrough identified the first genetic causes of Alzheimer’s—an important step in developing treatment and guiding further research. Dr. Crawford is a molecular geneticist and neuroscientist and also one who is skilled at explaining the complexities of her work in layman’s terms. Our far-reaching conversation covered the disease of Alzheimer’s, but other brain-related conditions from traumatic brain injury, Gulf War syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder with stops along the way looking at sports from obviously hazardous American football to most sports from soccer to rugby, equestrian and as she noted, even gymnastics. Unless your extracurricular activity is stamp-collecting, there’s risk in varying degrees to that fragile orb that sits above our shoulders. And it’s appropriate that Brain Awareness Week is March 11-15. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder affecting more than 6.5 million Americans. For those of you afflicted or else caring for a loved one with the disease, I hope you find some comfort in reading about Dr. Crawford and her team’s work. WCW’s 36th Anniversary Another year, another anniversary - WCW is now 36. We launched officially on March 17, aka St. Patrick’s Day, and I’ve always said that gave us luck to go with the hard work and endurance. March is also Women’s History Month. Step into the wayback machine to pre-1974 when a married woman could not get a credit card in her own name. If she did apply, she’d be asked about her intent to bear children or her birth control practices. Even the indomitable Billie Jean King, who supported her household from her tennis earnings (plus she put her husband through law school), could not get a credit card in her name. That brought back memories of a few women I profiled in the WCW early years. A few told me they had experienced just what BJK had. Though they were successful, they couldn’t get credit cards in their own name. Fast forward and you don’t hear stories like that anymore (thankfully) and as the decades have passed, the narrative of the WCW we have profiled has shifted to women who start a business in their own name, on their own terms and not as a partner or a result of marriage. Technology has also changed since the late ‘80s. To this day I still hear, “I just like to feel a paper in my hands.” I was one of those people, too. Sunday morning meant a stack of papers and coffee (many people also shared that fond memory with me was well). But those days are long gone and well, not very practical or, for publishers, sustainable. Personally, I have switched to all digital subs and I admit the downside is that I don’t read as deeply. And I hate reading on my iPhone, that’s for sure. But I now read many more items from a variety of sources that if they were on the coffee table in paper form, they’d crush the table to the floor. A reader recently seemed annoyed that we don’t have more paper copies around where she works. Simple math: printing + labor + delivery is in the thousands. Our e-edition (identical to the print version) costs $30/month, but we continue to print a hard copy of WCW nonetheless. Kudos to a Past WCW - Meg Lowman Dr. Meg Lowman, Executive Director of the Sarasota-based TREE Foundation, has been awarded the 2023 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize by the Tällberg Foundation. Lowman was selected in recognition of her “scientific, educational and advocacy work globally to protect and restore forests.” Lowman pioneered the science and exploration of the eighth continent — forest canopies. Over 45 years, she has worked to protect mature trees and forests around the globe and support tree canopy research. Through the TREE Foundation, she spearheaded the design and building of many canopy walkways and research stations throughout the US and in countries around the world. Lowman is committed to educating children and adults across the globe about the need to protect the oxygen-creating and carbon-storing big trees that sustain life on Earth. She was an early designer and user of tools for “arbornauts” -- scientists, researchers and citizen scientists who climb trees, using everything from slingshots, ropes, and hot-air balloons, to canopy walkways and construction cranes to enable whole-tree exploration, not just the forest floor. An advocate for big trees and endangered forests, Lowman feels that, “We must save our eighth continent if we are to save ourselves.” Over the last decade, she has assisted in the creation of a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve surrounding a Malaysian canopy walkway, established partnerships with Coptic priests in Ethiopia to save the country’s last remaining church forests, published a 2021 memoir, “The Arbornaut,” which chronicles her adventures as a female scientist and her dedication to mentoring girls in science, and launched her passion project “Mission Green,” an initiative of the nonprofit TREE Foundation which she co-founded in 1999. Learn more about the TREE Foundation at treefoundation.org, and about Dr. Lowman at canopymeg.com. Another Champion West Coast Woman - Donna Judge World Champion Donna Judge received a top honor last month as Grandmaster Robert Bowles, the style head of Shuri Ryu Karate, promoted the local karate instructor to the rank of 9th degree Black Belt. This is an achievement that very few make in the martial arts. Donna has been a resident of Sarasota for 63 years. This year she celebrates her 50th year in the martial arts. She has owned and operated Suncoast Karate Dojo for 45 years, literally teaching hundreds of students. Donna has won 20 world championships, and has represented the USA in six countries. She has received two mayor citations for being a goodwill ambassador for Sarasota. Donna (l-r) Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis and Dr. Margaret “Canopy Meg” Lowman, Executive Director of the TREE Foundation. Donna Judge worked security for Sarasota high School for 27 years. The year she retired she was inducted into the Sarasota High School Hall of Fame. I remember when I profiled Donna at her home. First of all, she is unbelievable humble. It took more than a few requests to see her trophy collection in another room. It was like seeing the terracotta warriors in China - wall to wall trophies all lined up, some 3-4 feet tall. Louise Bruderle | Editor and Publisher | westcoastwoman@comcast.net We welcome your thoughts and comments on this column and on other columns and features in this issue. You can reach us at westcoastwoman@comcast.net. We’re on the web at www.WestCoastWoman.com. 4 WEST COAST WOMAN MARCH 2024
MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY MOHS SURGERY COSMETIC PROCEDURES 15 years in Sarasota! THESE DOCTORS ARE AMONG THE BEST ONE OF THE BEST SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS PHYSICIANS IN IN AMERICA 2023 Neck or low back pain? Avoid surgery and get your life back! Heidi K. Anderson MD Amy Fenenga PA-C, MPA Bradley Kovach MD Megan Sorensen PA-C URGENT SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE Monika Holder PA-C Candice Staron APRN, FNP-C For your Skin. For your Well-Being. 5310 Clark Rd. Suite 201 • Sarasota, FL 34233 941-925-3627 • DocsofSarasota.com (Sarasota, Florida) Dr. David Cifra, DC who is board certified in the specialty of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression has been peer-nominated and recognized again in 2023 by the International Medical Advisory Board on Spinal Decompression. This advanced certification is provided in conjunction with Disc Centers of America, which sets the gold standard in training and research, on the latest, most effective options for the alleviation & treatment of spinal disc disorders, which often cause low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, pins and needle sensations and more. Dr. Cifra is committed to helping his patients AVOID narcotics, epidural injections, and unnecessary surgeries. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle, and effective relief for upwards of 90% of patients that qualify for care. DR. CIFRA IS LOCATED AT: MIDTOWN MEDICAL PARK 1215 S. EAST AVE. SUITE 210, SARASOTA FL 34239 SarasotaDiscCenter.com CALL (941) 358-2224 OR (315) 345-7390 TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION Caregivers Rescue II In support of caregivers, a hands-on workshop Saturday, March 23 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Doors open 8:30 a.m. $25 includes workshop, supplies, and refreshments. Seating is limited. Hosted by Senior Friendship Centers 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, 34236 Miguel Rivera, MD Ticket purchase via Eventbrite on friendshipcenters.org on the Special Events tab The video of Dr. Miguel Rivera’s original presentation Caregivers Rescue can be viewed on our website, friendshipcenters.org Recommended Reading: Transforming Trauma by James Gordon, MD Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky Please contact Georgann Nugent, gnugent@friendshipcenters.org with questions. MARCH 2024 WEST COAST WOMAN 5
Page 1 and 2: MARCH 2024 Fiona CRAWFORD, Ph.D. Pr
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Page 7 and 8: out &about Art Crawl Trolley Tour D
Page 9 and 10: TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Are you ready
Page 11 and 12: your money What are the questions I
Page 13 and 14: Art Art Crawl Eblast.pdf 1 1 1/17/2
Page 15 and 16: Intimate musical experiences. Seaso
Page 17 and 18: eems like every day there’s news
Page 19 and 20: feature You Can Prevent a Double Dr
Page 21 and 22: 3 SHOWS ONLY! Cirque des Voix Circu
Page 23 and 24: focus on the arts Dorothea Lange’
Page 25 and 26: dining out Sarasota-Manatee Origina
Page 27 and 28: Program 7 | Sarasota Opera House in
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Page 31 and 32: Helping Children Diagnosed With Epi

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