Skip to main content
Search Results for “as

New research brings new hope during Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

In what researchers are calling “an enormous leap forward in the understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” a new tool has been discovered that can detect pathology in spinal fluid of people who have not yet been diagnosed or exhibited clinical symptoms of the disease but are at a high risk of developing it. 

The new research, published last week in the journal Lancet Neurology, describes the use of α-synuclein seeding amplification assay (αSyn-SAA), a technique to amplify then analyze clusters of the tiny protein that builds up in the brains of those with the disease. This new tool could open the door to early detection of abnormal alpha-synuclein – known as the “Parkinson’s protein.”

The ‘Tiny Tarpon Tamer’ has been taken from us

Elsie Bracken:  1933 – 2023 The one man who could tame Elsie Bracken, has done so. God took her on April 15, 2023, and probably had no idea what he was getting himself into. One perfect description was given by a friend of hers: “A jalapeno frosted in fondant.”  If the word “feisty” belittles her, […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: No McMansions, please

To the Editor:  I admit to being a die-hard gawker of the beautiful homes on BG – all types, but especially the architectural gems along the perimeter of the island. For me the only city homes more fun to gawk at are in Amsterdam, where they are also nestled along the banks of the sea […]

The West Coast Chaos are jamming! Under 12 boys take second championship 

The West Coast Chaos sounds like something Hurricane Ian left in its wake, but it actually is a group of highly committed and skilled young soccer players from the Englewood area.  There are a number of teams under the “Chaos” umbrella, both boys and girls teams, but the team getting recognition at this point is […]

Art After Dark Part II featuring Susan Wood a smashing success

It’s not every day that a photographer with the body of work that Susan Wood has is featured in a slideshow on the side of a building on a tiny island like ours. It happened, though, on March 30, as the second in a series that celebrates the senses called “Art After Dark.” The J.McLaughlin store hosts the events, which are held for charity. Wood, a world famous photographer to the stars of movies, music, fashion, and politics, as well as a highly skilled photojournalist capturing down-to-earth happenings, was thrilled to be part of it. 

Ever chatted with a manatee? Dr. Beth Brady has, and wants to tell you about it

Mote Marine Laboratory’s March Coffee With A Scientist, held Tuesday, March 21, at the Boca Grande Community Center, brought visions of the fictitious Dr. John Doolittle to some people’s minds. The presentation never mentioned the doctor who could talk to the animals, but Dr. Beth Brady, Mote manatee vocalization specialist, did explain how she has […]

Boca Beacon nominated for nine awards in 2023 Florida Press Association contest

The Florida Press Association’s Better Weekly Newspaper contest has released their nominations for the year 2022, with the Boca Beacon up for nine awards. In the “Best Headline” category, Editor Marcy Shortuse was nominated. She was also nominated for an award for the “Hurricane Feature Story” category, the “Hurricane Coverage – General News Story” category, […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: From the clergy, people of St. Andrew’s and First Baptist – We are overwhelmed and humbled by Disaster Relief donation  

To the Editor: The members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Very Reverend Michelle Robertshaw, as well as the members of First Baptist Church of Boca Grande and Dr. Gary L. Beatty, Pastor write to publicly thank the Disaster Relief Fund and the Boca Grande Woman’s Club. We are overwhelmed and humbled by the […]