Habitat for Humanity of Martin County dedicates new home in Hobe Sound

HOBE SOUND, Fla., March 25, 2010 – Habitat for Humanity of Martin County (HFHMC) celebrated the con-struction of its 82nd home at a dedication ceremony on March 20 in the Banner Lake community of Hobe Sound. The new homeowner, Gary Woods, thanked all those who worked so hard to help him reach this goal.

After explaining that Woods had contributed 300 sweat equity hours working on his home and the homes of others as a requirement for becoming a Habitat homeowner, Margot Graff, HFHMC executive director, presented Woods with the key to his new home. At the end of the ceremony, Woods invited supporters inside for a tour of the home and a barbecue lunch.

“After living in a rooming house, having my own place is a dream come true,” said Woods. “I’m so happy to be moving into my own home so I can invite my son, grandchildren and extended family to visit on a regular basis.”

Through the donations of funds, materials and volunteer labor, HFHMC was able to build the home and sell it at an affordable price. Woods purchased the home with a no-profit loan and his monthly mortgage payments will be used to build more Habitat homes.

In addition to Woods’ sweat equity efforts, he joined the Banner Lake Community Group, an organization focused on neighborhood improvement.

“We are so pleased to present Gary with the keys to his new home. He worked so hard and is truly dedicated to making Banner Lake a great place to live,” said Graff. “We would also like to thank all the volunteers who generously donated their time to help make this house a home, as well as Publix Super Market Charities, the Martin County Board of County Commissioners and the Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community.”

HFHMC also thanks Clarence Banks, Nancy Cloud, All Kinds of Clean, and the Summerfield Garden Club for their contributions, as well as cross-country bicyclist riding for Habitat for Humanity, Brian Hochman.

To support an upcoming build or to learn more about Habitat homeownership, visit HabitatMartin.org or call (772) 223-9940.

About Habitat for Humanity of Martin County

Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that extends the opportunity to purchase simple, decent, affordable homes to local families who would not otherwise have that chance. The three key criteria necessary in order to make homeownership a reality for families include the need for shelter, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. For more information, visit HabitatMartin.org or call (772) 223-9940.

Photo caption: Habitat board member Charles Lavelle with new homeowner Gary Woods, Habitat board members Mark Sandler (also Habitat Family Selection Committee chair) and Michael Houston, board president, in front of Woods’ new home in the Banner Lake community of Hobe Sound.

Martin County High School students invite President Obama to Stuart, rally to end recession

Some people tell them that they can’t get the President of the United States to speak in Stuart; the reply is a determined “Yes we can!”

More than 2,000 Martin County High School (MCHS) students gathered on the football field March 16 and chanted, “Yes we can!” while filming a video invitation to President Barack Obama, urging him to speak at their Recovery Rally event. They hope he will attend to speak about his Middle Class Task Force and answer economic questions from the community.

The goal of the Recovery Rally event, slated for April 25 pending President Obama’s availability, is to unite the community, local business owners and local government to support one another and end the recession. The students’ objective is that President Obama will serve as guest of honor and keynote speaker, along with presentations from financial experts, local government officials and business owners. In addition to special presentations, the rally will feature a trade show where local businesses can network and showcase their services, entertainment from local bands, food and refreshments.

The students also created a Web site, RecoveryRally.org, dedicated to improving the community and ending the recession. The site will serve as a business directory and job bank, creating a hub for local businesses and the community to communicate and support one another. Online advertising and directory membership sales will fund the maintenance of the site and the MCHS Junior Achievement Program.

“I speak for the entire student body when I say that we are future college students or members of the workforce, wondering if we will benefit from our college education or if we will find jobs,” said Maureen Dolan, president of MCHS class of 2010, during her plea to President Obama. “We want a strong economic community to reside in or in which to come home to. We also want to see the burdens of our parents to be lifted, to see the light in these difficult times.”

Leadership advisor LuAnne Puett has played a key role in motivating the students and providing them with the resources they need to succeed – not only with the Recovery Rally event and Web site, but in life. Puett works closely with economics teacher Susan Fogharty, television production teacher Jeff Younglove and MCHS administrators, who have been extremely supportive of the students’ efforts.

About Recovery Rally

Weary of their parent’s complaints about foreclosures and the dwindling economy, and scared for their economic future, students in Martin County High School economics and leadership classes and the Junior Achievement Program decided to do something about it. Through a Recovery Rally event and RecoveryRally.org, the students hope to unite the community, ignite change and promote economic stability. To learn more, visit RecoveryRally.org.

Library After Hours at Indiantown library a success

The Library After Hours event on March 2 at the Elisabeth Lahti Library in Indiantown proved to be the most successful event in Library Night Owls history.

The event attracted more than 200 attendees from the Indiantown community and throughout Martin County. Entertainment was provided by students at Hope Rural School and Warfield Elementary, along with guest speakers Carol Matthews Rey and Iris Wall. Liquid refreshment was provided by A Picky Gourmet of Jensen Beach.

The Library Night Owls have been hard at work, trying to bring back a piece of the Martin County Library System’s storied history.

“The Story Express,” the library system’s bookmobile, was purchased in 1985 and decommissioned in 2002. Now, a burdened economy and the increasing cost of fuel have created a heightened need for a new bookmobile to service Martin County’s community members unable to come to the library – including stops at local child care centers and eventually nursing homes and community centers.

The Library Night Owls, a sub-committee of The Friends of the Martin County Library System, is led by Justin and Kelly Beard, Tara Biek, Stephen Leighton, Jennifer Salas and Tori Savard with the support of The Friends of the Blake Library. The committee was established in 2009 to help raise money to maintain and operate a new bookmobile, as well as attract new patrons and increase awareness of library programs and resources.

The Library Night Owls organized a “Library After Hours” social networking event series rotating through each of the library system’s six branches. Money raised from the $10 admission charge, which includes two drinks, hors d’ oeuvres and entertainment will go towards the “Bring Back the Story Express Fund.” With the success of the event series, the group has raised nearly $12,000 and recently presented the library system with a used bus to serve as The Story Express until funds can be raised for a new, state-of-the-art bookmobile.

To learn more about how you can support the Library Night Owls' cause and help bring back the Story Express bookmobile, visit library.martin.fl.us or call (772) 283-0019.

Join Relay For Life and help create a world with more birthdays

As the official sponsor of birthdays, the American Cancer Society (ACS) Martin- Okee- chobee unit recently hosted a birthday bash at Stuart Lanes to honor those who have battled cancer.

At the birthday bash, attendees showed their commitment to fighting cancer by registering teams for the 2010 ACS Relay For Life of Central Martin County. Relay For Life is an overnight community celebration that represents hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated. More cancer survivors equal more birthdays to celebrate!

The community is invited to honor cancer survivors and caregivers, and pay tribute to those who have lost their battle with cancer by joining Relay For Life of Central Martin County, April 16-17. Participants will enjoy 18 hours of fun, food, live music and entertainment.

Relay For Life of Central Martin County
6 p.m., Friday, April 16, to 12 p.m., Saturday, April 17, 2010
Martin County Fairgrounds
2616 S.E. Dixie Hwy., Stuart, FL 34996

Relay volunteers in central Martin County set a goal to recruit more than 30 teams to raise $35,000 in 2010. These dollars fund the ACS mission by providing education, advocacy, research, and patient services, including gift closets, transportation, support groups and ROCK (Reaching Out to Cancer Kids) scholarships.

Teams for the 2010 Relay for Life of Central Martin County include Ampersand Graphics, Camping Crusaders Fighting Cancer, Florida Oceanographic Society, Forest Hills Funeral Homes, Hair Cuttery, Hurricane Hope, Keiser University, Martin Memorial Health Systems, Martin County High School Class of 2010, Martin County High School Class of 2012, Martin County High School HOSA, Ohana Surf Shop, Relay Rockers, RF Labs, Riverside Bank, Romagosa Dermatology, Stuart Nursing and Restorative Care, Team PNC, Treasure Coast Pharmacy, VFW #4294, Young Professionals of Martin County and Winn Dixie. Sponsors include Forest Hills Funeral Homes, Healing Hands Family Chiropractic, Hurricane Grill and Wings of Stuart, Treasure Coast Pharmacy and Winn Dixie.

Register your team and join the fight in Martin County! Visit RelayForLife.org/CentralMartinFL, search “Relay for Life of Central Martin County” on Facebook, or call (772) 287-7467, ext. 114 for more information.

About American Cancer Society
We save lives and create more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

East Stuart future home of three Habitat ‘green’ homes

The groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s three green homes in East Stuart marked several milestones: The first green homes in Martin County and the city of Stuart; the first green build for the local Habitat affiliate; and the first home Leonardo Rodriguez’s family will own.

“We’re really excited about this project. These will be our first green homes, made possible by a grant from the City of Stuart,” said City Manager Dan Hudson at the Feb. 25 groundbreaking. “What we’re looking to do here in the East Stuart community is promote homeownership. Thanks to our partnership with Habitat, it’s becoming a reality for qualified applicants.”

The groundbreaking was a momentous occasion for Rodriguez, a resident of Stuart currently renting an apartment with his son. “It’s a miracle; a dream come true,” Rodriguez said. “I’m the first member of my family to build and own a home in the United States.”

The construction of Habitat’s green homes will conform to environmentally sensitive standards, meeting gold rating requirements by the Florida Green Building Coalition.

"This Habitat project in Martin County proves in Martin County proves you can build green-certified homes with little to no additional costs,” said Habitat’s green consultant, Kyle Abney of Abney + Abney Green Solutions, Inc. “Green features such as proper orientation, using light interior colors to reflect natural light, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and adhesives, extended overhangs for shade, not installing a garbage disposal, using low-flow shower heads, faucets and toilets, and xeriscaping are all being done in this home and can be done in any home."

Clearing and construction is underway and the homes will be featured as part of the East Stuart Extreme Makeover on March 13, a day dedicated to cleaning up and making renovations to houses in the community redevelopment area. Habitat’s green homes will be built by the homeowners and volunteers (as are all Habitat homes) and work will continue during the Extreme Makeover as Habitat staffers explain the green mechanics of each home and the benefits of being environmentally responsible.

This project is made possible thanks to the City of Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency, which provided a $100,000 “green initiatives” grant to help finance the green homes. Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is pleased to partner with Abney + Abney Green Solutions, Inc., Braden & Braden architects and the Houston Cuozzo Group land planners which will provide consultations on the construction of these homes.

To learn more about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, visit HabitatMartin.org or call (772) 223-9940.

About Habitat for Humanity of Martin County

Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that extends the opportunity to purchase simple, decent, affordable homes to local families who would not otherwise have that chance. The three key criteria necessary in order to make homeownership a reality for families include the need for shelter, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. For more information, call (772) 223-9940 or visit HabitatMartin.org.

History Channel boat expert drops anchor in Stuart

If you’re a fan of The History Channel’s hit show, Pawn Stars, you might recognize Bill Ybarzabal, owner of Stuart’s newest boat repair and restoration operation, A1A Marine Tech, Inc.

Ybarzabal’s 30-plus years of experience as a master marine mechanic earned him a role as the Las Vegas-based Pawn Stars’ boat expert. As the Nevada economy plummeted, along with the water level of the Lake Mead reservoir, Ybarzabal recognized opportunity and a more wholesome community in his home state of Florida. So he relocated his wife, three children, business and two staff members – who he affectionately refers to as his adopted sons – across the country and opened A1A Marine Tech, Inc.

In a deal brokered by Tom Hornaman of Florida Industrial Realty, Ybarzabal found a new location for his marine repair and restoration operation at the corner of Commerce Avenue at 3191 S.E. Waaler Street.

Ybarzabal and his staff specialize in the service, repair and restoration of all makes and models, inboard, outboard, sail drives, stern drives, jet drives, four-cycle, two-cycle, diesel, as well as custom paint, rigging and electronics.

An expert craftsman, Ybarzabal uses ultra modern construction techniques to build, restore and customize antique boats, bringing new life, improved performance and environmental enhancements to classic vessels.

“Building and repairing boats is my passion, it’s all I want to do,” said Ybarzabal. “I intend to provide local boaters with quality workmanship at an honest price.”

In addition to improving marine mechanics to meet and exceed today’s environmental standards, Ybarzabal will donate $2 from every sale to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

“I’m a big supporter of the FWC’s efforts to save the manatee,” Ybarzabal added. “I look forward to volunteering and supporting other local organizations that help preserve and protect our waterways, wetlands and the species that live there.”

About A1A Marine Tech, Inc.

“We fix anything that floats.” From bow to stern, prop to bottom, A1A Marine Tech, Inc. is a one-stop-shop for all your marine repair needs. A1A Marine Tech, Inc. guarantees all work and provides estimates free of charge. Pick up and delivery is available. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Call (772) 223-0334 or visit A1AMT.com for more information.

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About Kelly Beard, President, New Growth Media

Kelly has a knack for creating captivating communications, which stems from her background in journalism, public relations and corporate marketing/ communications. She graduated with academic honors from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in multimedia journalism and a minor in political science. Internships at WPTV NewsChannel 5 in West Palm Beach and Platinum Television Group in Deerfield Beach, Fla. heightened her desire to work in the media business. Since then, Kelly’s professional career has spanned the communications industry, including corporate and not-for-profit organizations:

• Community Journalist, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, Fort Pierce, Fla.
• Account Manager, Regan Communications Group, Jupiter, Fla.
• Publications Editor, Martin Memorial Health Systems, Stuart, Fla.

Kelly’s work has produced national awards, including the 2009 Silver Aster Award and the 2009 APEX Award for Publication Excellence.

Kelly devotes much of her time and energy to local not-for-profit organizations that support the environment, health, literacy and the protection of animals. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, equestrian sports, boating, surfing and practicing yoga.

To learn more, visit NGMedia.biz.