Neighborhood groups, civic clubs, schools,scouts, businesses and individuals can all bepart of the Great American Cleanup.Volunteers can either organize their own cleanup activity or sign up for a site identified byKMB as needing some extra attention. Allcleanup projects that take place from Marchthrough May will count as part of the GreatAmerican Cleanup, and all volunteer groups

will be providedwithsupplies includingtrash bags, waterand T-shirts (whilesupplies last).“Through our

Cleanups andAdopt-A-Roadprogram we are

able to mobilizecitizens to perform some of the

services – such as litter removal – that willhelp us maintain the quality of life we areaccustomed to,” KMB President Rhonda Ironssaid. More volunteers are always needed andwelcome to participate.

For more info or to participatein the cleanup contact us at781-1222 or info@keepmartinbeautiful.org.

Martin County residents know that ourcommunity truly is paradise—with its small-town charm, pristine beaches and exquisitenatural environment it’s no wonder the area iscalled the Treasure Coast. You can take stepsto help preserve the quality of life in ourcommunity by getting involved with the GreatAmerican Cleanup. The Great AmericanCleanup is the nation’s largest, annualcommunity improvement program. Itis conducted nationally byKeep America Beautifuland its affiliates fromMarch through Mayand coordinatedlocally by KeepMartin Beautiful.This year our themeis Extreme MartinMakeover. In addition tothe cleanup events that will occur onthemorning of Saturday,May 2, 2009,we will also be focusing on specificrevitalization and beautification projects inlocations throughout Martin County that aremost in need of assistance.

The GertrudeWaldenChild Care Center in East StuartThe Rio/Jensen Beach Skate ParkPalm City Boys & Girls ClubsA historic home in Golden Gatethat is in a severe state of disrepair.

THE LITTER BUGSM

KEEP MARTIN BEAUTIFUL NEWSLETTER

KMB BOARDOF DIRECTORS

President:Rhonda IronsVice President:Pat YanceyTreasurer:Lisa QuagliaSecretary:Jim DragsethDirectors:

Jennifer AcevedoDennis ArmstrongJeff BowersBill HannahMary KindelJohn PolleyJeff SabinJulie Sessa

Bobbie SpilmanBrent WaddellLink Walther

Great American Cleanup .......... 1Letter From President .............. 2Adopt-A-Road .................... 2 & 7EnvironmentalStewardship Awards ............ 3 - 5Green TipCFL Safety ................................ 6Save The Date .......................... 7Adopt-A-Street .......................... 7

In This Issue:

SPRING 2009 VOLUME 05, ISSUE 01

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1251 SW 27th St., Suite 4 • Palm City, FL 34990 • Phone: (772) 781-1222 • Fax: (772) 781-1198

2009 GREATAMERICAN CLEANUP | SATURDAY, MAY 2nd

MMaarrkk YYoouurr CCaalleennddaarr ffoorr tthhee 22000099 GGrreeaatt AAmmeerriiccaann CClleeaannuupp EExxttrreemmee MMaarrttiinn MMaakkeeoovveerr

Litter is like a magnet—itattracts more litter. A cleancommunity, by contrast,discourages littering andpreserves and enhancesa high quality of life.Volunteers in Keep MartinBeautiful’s Adopt-A-Roadprogram work to keeproads and streets litter-freeand make our county abetter place to live.

Here’s how it works: Adopt-A-Road teams pledge tomaintain a stretch of roadway which is usually about amile long. Teams sign an annual adoption contract, pay aregistration fee, and agree to remove litter and debris fromtheir roadway at least six times a year. Teams are provided

Keep Martin Beautiful was one of several grassrootsorganizations in the new environmental wing at theMartin County Fair! KMB’s interactive booth had it all:give-a-ways, games and great information! Over 250citizens were inspired to sign up for the Great AmericanCleanup! Even the kiddies were entertained with a

Recycling IQ Game, where we tested theirknowledge of what can be properly recycledin Martin County’s recycling program.

Greetings everyone!It was quite an exciting year for KeepMartin Beautiful. We had record breakingnumbers at our two annual cleanups,a successful 2009 EnvironmentalStewardship Awards Ceremony withmore nominees and attendees than everbefore, and a growing Adopt-A-Roadprogram. I would like to thank all ofour volunteers and sponsors for theiroverwhelming support. I would also like to thank my predecessor,

Jeff Sabin, for his many years of hard work and dedication.As the new President of Keep Martin Beautiful, I feel veryfortunate for the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and keepthe organization moving in a positive direction. There are many exciting things on the horizon for KeepMartin Beautiful! We look forward to a year of success andgrowth with the Adopt-A-Road program, the quicklyapproaching 2009 Great American Cleanup and theInternational Coastal Cleanup in September. In this time ofeconomic uncertainty, we are so thankful for all of our volunteers.It is you that will come together, with the vision of a moresustainable community and help us Keep Martin Beautiful!

Rhonda Irons, President, Keep Martin Beautiful

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ADOPT-A-ROAD

Rhonda Irons

Continued On Page 7

Announcing our 2008-2009 Board Members!

Rhonda Irons - PresidentPat Yancey - Vice PresidentLisa Quaglia - TreasurerJim Dragseth - SecretaryJennifer AcevedoJeff BowersBill HannahMary KindelJohn PolleyJeff Sabin Bobbie SpilmanBrent WaddellLink Walther

Welcome New Board Members

Dennis ArmstrongBoy Scouts of AmericaJulie SessaMartin County School District

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT KMB BOARD MEMBERS

MARTIN COUNTY FAIRKMB WAS THERE!

While at the Martin County Fair, 4H Leader April Terborgsigns up for the Great American Cleanup at the KeepMartin Beautiful booth.

Clean Upto Green Up

It was a green scene at Keep Martin Beautiful’s 2009Environmental Stewardship Awards on January 29 at theStuart Yacht and Country Club.Nearly 150 people, including awardnominees, elected officials, businessleaders, and community activists,attended the ceremony to honor theextraordinary efforts of individuals,community groups, government,businesses, youth and neighbor-hoods to improve the quality of lifein Martin County.

Nine winners were selected among a record number ofnearly 50 nominees including four special awards: the

at&t Innovative ExcellenceAward, Waste Management’s“Think Green” award, theRiley Jackson Award andthe Keep Martin BeautifulPresident’s Award.

At the event, attendeesdiscovered the impact theirdaily choices have on our

Award winners and sponsors received unique awards made from recycled bottles. Back Row L to R: John Witicar, Greg Shommer, Claudius Taylor, Philip Harvey, Nick Blount, John Gnecco, Cheryl-Anne Miller, Joan Gibbons, Trisha Hawthorne.Center Row L to R: Suzanne Wentley, Joseph Connolly, Tobiann Howell, Candice Keating, Bonnie LandryFront Row L to R: Karen Smith, Jeff Sabin, Mary Kindel

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS

T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY

Winners at 2009 Environmental Stewardship Awards

Martin County Commissioner Patrick Hayes andState Representative District 81 Adam Fetterman �

�

Continued On Page 4

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS

Continued From Page 3

Ted Astolfi and Stacy Ranieri deliver the keynote address “TreadLightly-How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint.”�

Event co-chairs Mary Kindel (far left) and Lisa Quaglia(far right) and Jeff Sabin with Waste Management (second fromright) present Waste Management’s Think Green Award toTobiann Howell and Candice Keating from Palm City Elementary.

�

Unsung HeroJoseph Connolly for his personal involvement in theorganization of Jupiter Island’s Beach Cleanup Program.This program has resulted in almost 140,000 pounds ofdebris being removed from the beaches.

T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY

planet while visiting the Carbon Footprint CalculationStations. Participants were asked a series of questions,including energy use, travel and recycling habits todetermine their carbon footprint. The crowd learnedsimple ways to reduce their carbon footprint during thekeynote address, Tread Lightly: How to Reduce yourCarbon Footprint, by sustainability experts Stacy Ranieriand Ted Astolfi.

Thanks to our sponsors for making the event a success:at&t, Waste Management, Martin County Board ofCounty Commissioners, BankUnited, Whiticar BoatWorks, South Florida Water Management District,The Firefly Group, Florida Power & Light, The MilCorGroup, Freedom Waste Services and Scripps TreasureCoast Newspapers.

In addition, thank you to the American Red Cross MartinCounty Chapter’s Youth Services Department and theBoys & Girls Club Torch Project Volunteers.

And the winners are…

Non-Profit/Civic GroupsStuart In Bloom for its efforts aspart of America in Bloom, to improvethe city of Stuart in the categories of environmentalawareness, tidiness, community involvement, heritagepreservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floraldisplays and turf & groundcovers. Stuart was awardedthe title of “Most Beautiful City” in America for itspopulation size.

Government AgenciesCity of Stuart for implementing its CommercialRecycling Program, with incentives for businesses toparticipate and no cost recycling audits. The City’s goalis to reduce the amount of recyclable materials that go tolandfills to help conserve our natural resources.

�

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS

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Keep Martin Beautiful President Rhonda Irons, MartinCounty Commissioner Ed Ciampi, and BankUnited'sLisa Quaglia�

Stuart City Commissioner Mary Hutchinson, Julie Preast, Saadia Tsaftarides�

Youth/School ProgramsBoys & Girls Clubs of Martin County for theestablishment of the Torch Club at each of its 5 branches,for members age 7-13. Approximately 500 childrenparticipate in various community projects that focus ondeveloping character and leadership skills. The projectsare county wide and the focus is on litter removal,recycling, beautification and restoration.

Business/ProfessionalThomas Aiello, Aiello Landscape for their efforts inmaking the nature trail and butterfly garden at HobeSound Elementary a reality.

at&t Innovative Excellence Award Florida Power & Light for the “Martin Next GenerationSolar Energy Center”, the first hybrid solar facility in theworld, to be located in Indiantown. The electricitygenerated will be zero greenhouse gas emitting.

Waste Management “Think Green Award”Palm City Elementary for the efforts of the PCE GreenTeam who started a campus wide recycling programincluding plastic bottles, switching to an “E-Newsletter”,planting native vegetation on campus and an educationprogram centered on “Green Lifestyle” opportunities.

Riley Jackson AwardBonnie Landry of the county’s Community RedevelopmentAgency for her efforts in historic preservation throughthe county, particularly with the Golden Gate Building.

Keep Martin Beautiful President’s AwardEast Stuart Main Street for its focus on communityimprovements in the areas of improving structures,adding signage, creating community gateways andeconomic revitalization. Gaining the Florida Main Streetdesignation has helped to jump start the revitalizationprocess for the area.

T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY

Thank You To Our Environmental Stewardship Awards Sponsors:

T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY | T R E A D L I G H T LY

LLeett--ss ggoo ddiiggiittaall!!KMB wants to reduce its carbon footprint by moving towards electronic communication. You can help us achieve our goal by providing us with your e-mail address. Please send your information to iinnffoo@@kkeeeeppmmaarrttiinnbbeeaauuttiiffuull..oorrgg..

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Like many environmentally-conscious families, we dowhat we can to reduce our carbon footprint. Last yearwe replaced all of the standard incandescent lightbulbs in our home with Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs). These energy-efficient bulbs use up to75 percent less electricity than incandescent lightbulbs, last up to 10 times longer and require minimalinvestment up front. We were also able to savemoney on our electric bill by making this simple switch! While CFLs have a longer life-span thanincandescent bulbs, they are made of glass and canbreak if dropped or roughly handled—something thatthis self-proclaimed klutz discovered first-hand.Thankfully, I was aware that CFLs contain asmall amount of mercury and require specialcare during cleanup and disposal. The goodnews is that advances in technology haveenabled light bulb manufacturers to reducethe amount of mercury in CFLs—by anaverage of 20 percent in the past year. If you break a CFL in your home, theEnvironmental Protection Agencyrecommends following these precautionswhen clean-up or disposal:1. Before you Clean,

Air it Out!• Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.

• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.

• Shut off your air conditioner.2. Cleanup Steps for Hard Surfaces• Carefully scoop up glass fragments andpowder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.

• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass pieces and powder.• Wipe the area clean and place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.

• Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

3. Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rug• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place themin a glass jar with metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag.• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. • If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe thecanister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in asealed plastic bag.

4. Disposal of Cleanup Materials• Immediately place all cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.• Wash your hands after disposing of the jars orplastic bags containing clean-up materials.• Bring it to the Martin County Household

Hazardous Waste Collection Center at the Martin CountyLandfill or to the Hazmobile, the mobile householdhazardous waste collection vehicle. For locations andtimes call 772-288-5772.5. Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug • Be sure to air out the room during and at least 15 minutesafter vacuuming is completed and continue this process the next several times you vacuum.

For more information on CFL safety, visithttp://www.epa.gov. or call the local Martin Countyhousehold hazardous waste division at 772-288-5772.

By Nancy McCarthyKeep Martin Beautiful Outreach Coordinator

Shining The Light On CFL SafetyGREEN TIP

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Save the Date!

International Coastal Cleanup

Saturday,September 19, 2009

Last year was another sensational International Coastal Cleanup! The volunteer count was over 1,800 as citizensthroughout Martin County joined together to clean up 115 miles of our shores, rivers, beaches and other waterways.Our volunteers representing over 60 groups contributed more than 2,600 hours, and gathered 20,690 pounds of litter andmarine debris, never to be seen on our shores again!As most of you know, every year, Keep Martin Beautiful coordinates the local effort as part of a larger initiative involvingover 400,000 people in 90 nations around the world. Together, Martin County citizens have helped to increase publicawareness about inappropriate waste management practices on our coasts, effect change in world policies, and convincemany to become better stewards of our environment.

INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP

Volunteers tackle trash on the beach at the 2008International Coastal Cleanup.

with safety vests, trash bags, and pick-upsticks. In recognition of their volunteerefforts and good citizenship, a sign isplaced at the adopted roadway thatincludes the name of the business, civicor youth group, or family.Some groups adopt a road close to theirneighborhood or home. Others are morestrategic in the road they adopt, choosing a welltraveled, but sometimes dirtier roadway in exchangefor the extra visibility their recognition signage will receivefrom the thousands of cars a day that travel along a majortransportation corridor. Through the Adopt-A-Road program, there are wonderfullessons for school and civic groups, scout troops and families toteach about environmental stewardship, revitalization andcommunity pride. From a practical business perspective, itis clearly a unique and effective form of advertising andpromotion for any business or organization. There are many roads throughout Martin County available foradoption. For more info about the Adopt-A-Road programcontact us at 781-1222 or info@keepmartinbeautiful.org.

Adopt-a-Road hits the StreetKeep Martin Beautiful, in partnership with the Cityof Stuart, recently launched the Adopt-A-Streetprogram. This program empowers volunteer groupsin the City of Stuart to keep their neighborhoodslitter-free, one street at a time. “We are excited aboutexpanding the successful Adopt-A-Road program tothe City streets,” City of Stuart Recycling andConservation Coordinator Mary Kindel said. “It’s awin-win partnership that provides citizens with anopportunity to improve their communities. In additionto a clean street, these volunteers will be rewarded in avisible way through the road signage,” explainedKindel. Adopt-A-Street volunteers are also providing avaluable service that reduces the amount of taxpayermoney that needs to be spent on road litter removal.For more information about Adopt-A-Street, contactKeep Martin Beautiful at 781-1222 or info@keepmartinbeautiful.org.

ADOPT-A-STREET

GREEN TIP

ADOPT-A-ROAD, Continued From Page 2

+Be a Steward of the Land and SeaBy Becoming a Member of KMB!!,

www.keepmartinbeautiful.org

1251 SW 27th St., Suite 4, Palm City, FL 34990772-781-1222 Phone772-781-1198 Fax

This newsletter was sponsored in part by:

JOIN US! BECOME A KMB MEMBER!

Save The Date

IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall

CCooaassttaall CClleeaannuupp

Saturday

September 19, 2009