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.