emPower eyeglasses available in more locations

ANATEE -- Eyeglass wearers will be able to get prescriptions for the world’s first electronic glasses at five locations in Manatee County. The manufacturer hasn’t announced the exact release date, but the lenses may be available in mid- to late June.

The prescription glasses, called emPower, are like progressive lenses with one huge difference. Tap the arm piece and a pair of emPowers will change from near-vision to distance-vision, or vice-versa. Or turn on the “accelerometer” and the glasses will switch automatically, according to whether you’re looking down or straight ahead.

Once emPower lenses are released, look for them at these Bradenton locations:

n Eye Center Inc., 2003 Cortez Road and 5106C Manatee Ave. W.

n Eye Associates, 6002 Pointe West Blvd.

n Jolly and Chlebina, 2020 Manatee Ave. W.

n Lakewood Family Eye Care, 10940 E. State Road 70, Suite 103

Alzheimer’s seminar to be held at USF

SARASOTA -- A free seminar on the Pathways to Memory program for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease will take place from 9 a.m. to noon May 28 at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Information about resources from the Alzheimer’s Association also will be available.

The Pathways to Memory program was created by Homewatch CareGivers, an in-home care service company.

Clients with dementia are matched with a trained caregiver for memory-enhancing activities. The exercises are designed to help skills affected by dementia, such as face and name recognition.

Memory-care specialist Ann Doetterl, who designed Pathways to Memory, will be at the event. For more information, call Homewatch CareGivers of Sarasota at (941) 484-3700.

Gluten-free event at Vertoris Pizza House

BRADENTON -- It’s time for the “Gluten-Free Extravaganza from Start to Finish” at Vertoris Pizza House, 6830 14th St. W., Bradenton. The buffet dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. May 25 and the $25 ticket price includes one glass of wine or gluten-free beer.

Eating out can be a problem for people with wheat allergies. Depending on the severity, gluten allergies can range from stomach upsets after eating wheat to life-threatening illness.

But not even the pasta will contain wheat at the Gluten-Free Extravaganza. Vertoris Pizza House owner Christine Harman and her staff will be preparing gluten-free courses from appetizers to desserts made with non-gluten substitutes such as rice flour.

Just a sampling to be offered on the buffet table: Italian wedding soup, cheese ravioli, chicken penne pasta, chipotle flourless chocolate cake and tiramisu.

Harman suggests making reservations. Call 751-0333.

Blood bank hosts open house, blood drive marathon

BRADENTON -- Want to be on the radio? All you have to do is donate blood during the third annual Pints for Play blood drive marathon May 26.

The blood drive is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., when 107.9 WSRZ radio will be putting donors on the air. Say hi to mom, play your own song, promote your business or cause. Or you can request your favorite tune.

This year’s goal is to have 526 people give blood.

The Suncoast Communities Blood Bank is teaming up with the radio station for the event. The blood bank also will have the grand opening of its second donor center in Manatee County on May 26 at Bayshore Gardens Shopping Center, 6026 14th St. W., Bradenton.

In Manatee County, the new center will be the main location for Pints for Play blood donations. A second Manatee location for the event will be the Lakewood Ranch Donor Center, 1731 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Susan Hemmingway, Herald health correspondent, can be contacted at shemmingway@hotmail.com.