From Friday, February 10 through Tuesday, February 14, Cobalt will be offering a three-course special Valentine’s Day weekend menu expertly prepared by Executive Chef Brad Willits. The special menu includes:

First Course

Confit of Berkshire Pork Belly
red lentils, country ham, bacon powder

Local Shrimp Carpaccio
black caviar, kumquats, marcona almonds, yuzu, olive oil

Local Citrus Salad
red watercress, shaved radishes, pears, candied garlic vinaigrette

Second Course

Sautéed Florida Golden Tile Fish
sweet onion, soubise, pickled baby corn, Tokyo turnips, pistou

Seared New Bedford Scallops
black garlic parsnip puree, ginger, swiss chard, miso butter

Grilled Creekstone Farms Rib Eye
tater tots, celery root cooked in brown butter, bordelaise

(Add Lobster Tail to entrée for $20)

Third Course

Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Tarte
sweet basil ice cream

Grilled Pineapple Cheese Cake
coconut tulie

The Valentine’s Day weekend menu is $60 per person and includes a glass of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

For more information or to make a reservation, please call 772.469.1060.

ABOUT COBALT RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
Cobalt, a Kimpton restaurant, is located on the first floor of the beautiful Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. As one of the Treasure Coast’s premiere dining locations, Cobalt provides deliciously fresh and innovative American seafood in a casually elegant atmosphere. The dining room features West Indies-style décor while floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean. The menu is complemented with an extensive wine list and an exciting selection of cocktails.

ABOUT KIMPTON HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a collection of boutique hotels and chef-driven restaurants in the US, is an acknowledged industry pioneer and was the first to bring the boutique hotel concept to America. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, Bill Kimpton founded the company in 1981 and today it is well-known for making travelers feel welcomed and comfortable while away from home through intuitive and unscripted customer care, stylish ambience and having a certain playfulness in its approach to programs and amenities. Adjacent to the hotels are locally-loved, top-rated, destination Kimpton restaurants. Kimpton leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare program that spans all hotels and restaurants. Market Metrix, a recognized authority and leader in feedback solutions, consistently ranks Kimpton above other hotel companies in luxury and upper upscale segments for customer satisfaction. Privately held Kimpton operates 51 hotels and 52 restaurants in 24 cities. For more information visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON.
WHEN: February 10-14, 2012

WHERE: Cobalt Restaurant and Lounge
Located on the first floor of Vero Beach Hotel and Spa
3500 Ocean Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
772.469.1060

Make no mistake about it, Indian River Charter High Schumann School for the Performing Arts production of “Cinderella The Musical” is sure to be a hit. The show will be given at the Vero Beach Theater Guild February 2nd, 3rd and 4th at 7:00pm and February 4th and 5th at 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on the “Ticket” tap at wwww.irchsonline.org.

Students performed a sneak peek of some of the popular musical numbers at By the River today and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the residents and guests. By the River is Sebastian’s affordable senior living community. It was the dream and vision of spiritual teacher Ma Jaya to have a place that seniors can call “home” and live comfortably in a vibrant community.

Julianne Zimei and Jernie Talles-Millan

The story of Cinderella has been told for more than a hundred years in countless cultures. Threatre director, Michael Naffziger, said that this year they had so many talented kids that he dual-cast all the roles, except for the Fairy Godmother.

Two of the Cinderellas, Kaitlin Ruby, l0th grader, and Julianne Zimei, llth grader, performed today. They are best friends and have not been competing, but rather cheering each other on. As Kaitlin said, “We tag each other. You’re ‘it’ today!”

Sarah Piper and Amy Hiser graduated from VBHS in 2008 and have participated together in the Gator Marching Band all four years of college. Piper, an Education major and a trombonist, is currently one of three drum majors at UF. Hiser is an Elementary Education major and a tuba player.

Joshua Lamothe, who graduated from VBHS in 2009, is studying Aerospace Engineering and is a principle trumpeter.

The newest members of the Gator Band, Katherine DiSandro, Kelsey Grabach, Gwendi Lamothe, Samuel Lapeyre, and Gardner Reid all graduated from VBHS in 2011, and performed with the VBHS band at Carnegie Hall in 2010. DiSandro is studying Veterinary Medicine and plays piccolo. Grabach is a Business Administration major and a trombonist. Gwendi Lamothe (sister of Joshua Lamothe) is studying Biochemistry and plays the mellophone. Lapeyre is a Digital Arts and Sciences major and plays baritone. Reid is studying Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and is a trumpeter.
Despite the different majors of these students, they all have one thing in common: they feel blessed to call Vero Beach home. This community has been very generous in supporting student musicians, and these eight VBHS alumni are hoping for continued financial assistance in this new endeavor. The cost of the trip for each band member is $4100, some of which the university is underwriting. It is expected that the individual student will have to contribute $2500-$3500 out of pocket toward the trip expense.

James Sammons, band director at Vero Beach High School for over 30 years says, “I think the Gator Band going to London is absolutely wonderful. We here at Vero Beach High School traditionally have a lot of students in Gator Band, and it makes me very proud that these students have worked hard at the collegiate level and that they are getting this great honor. So not only are they doing the Gator Nation proud, they’re doing Vero Beach High School proud.”
These students will be proud to represent Vero Beach in the 2012 Olympics, and if you are able to assist them financially, please contact Kelsey Grabach at 772-559-2841 or send an email to vero2012london@gmail.com.

Red Cross volunteers on the scene were members of the Chapter’s Disaster Action Team, a group of specially trained volunteers who respond to the scene of a local disaster when called upon at any time of the day or night.

To make a financial donation to your local Red Cross to help people affected by house fires and other disasters here in the United States and around the world, people can click, call or text – visit www.pbtcredcross.org, call 800-833-0599, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.pbtcredcross.org or join our blog at www.pbtcredcross.org/blog.

20th Avenue Church of God is pleased to announce their annual Children’s Fall Carnival on Saturday, November 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 775 20th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida (772) 562-2235.

Fun For All Ages

The carnival will have games and prizes, a moonwalk, giant slides, food, fun and much more.

All proceeds will benefit The Children’s Ministry, K.W.A.M. 24-7.

20th Avenue Church of God
775 20th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32962-1454
(772) 562-2235

Church Service Times
Sunday
Sunday School-9:20 a.m.
Morn. Worship-10:50 a.m.
Even. Worship-5:50pm

Wednesday
Bible Study-6:50 p.m Youth Class (1st Wednesday)

Thursday
Prayer-7:00 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION

The FREE show will include:

• Trivia
• Time Warp Dancing
• Best Male and Female Costume Contest
• Sunrise Theatre Prizes

And, we encourage all Rocky Horror Picture Show Fans to bring at least one non-perishable canned good, to benefit the Harvest Food and Outreach Center. This way, you can have fun, do the “time warp”, throw toast, and help families in need this holiday season! For more information onHarvest Food & Outreach Center, visit. or emailcommrelations@harvestfoodoutreach.org

We look forward to seeing all of you on October 29th for the Free Screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. (Did we mention that it’s FREE?)

Oh…one more thing. It’s FREE!

Time is Ticking on the Release of Crossroads!

As all of you readers know, this writer fell ‘head-over-heels’ for STEMM a few months back.  In fact, the very first article and contact I ever had with these three incredible men was a true highlight of my life…thus far.  This trio is astounding; their voices, beat, artistry, creativity – everything that goes into their pure rock-and-roll vibe, speaks to everyone who has ever even ‘liked’ the world of music.

We have spoken over the last few months about the incredible CD that STEMM had released called Blood Scent - that was composed of guitar riffs, drumbeats that made the audience feel as if they were a part of rock history, and vocals that raised rock-and-rollers to new heights, allowing them to become part of this truly incredible band.

We also spoke about how STEMM penned the UFC theme song, “Face the Pain” eight years ago, branding this amazing hard rock act as the stellar songwriters of, “The Soundtrack to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.”  After years of independent success, STEMM has returned with their sophomore effort, Crossroads (through Catch 22 Records).  This album, being waited on with sheer excitement in everyone‘s hearts, will appear on the market on September 13^th, 2011, and is a true rock album which shows absolute perfection and amazing ingenuity for the STEMM audience to lose themselves in.

A taste of active rock/satellite radio success, and over 150 road shows supporting their previous release, Blood Scent, over time, made STEMM a true rock band that fans constantly wanted to hear and see.  As time went forward, STEMM’s songwriting process reached a brand new maturity level as they turned on an amazing blend of groovy guitar riffs, beats and vocal hooks with an intensity comparable to the biggest names in rock history.  As STEMM grew and found themselves able to transport and meld themselves into all different types of rock music, Crossroads was born, and the songs that will come from Crossroads will put STEMM at the top of the rock-and-roll charts!

STEMM has been around for a good long time, and other than the ‘flash-in-the-pan’ bands – STEMM has made sure to deliver song after song that is filled with emotion, talent, and sheer and utter artistic perfection. You might not know it to hear it but STEMM is a true labor of love. They are a true band of brothers who make their music to reach out and draw listeners into the STEMM world.  Music expression is the only thing STEMM knows how to do to get along, and when their dreams began evolving the members of the band found themselves at a “crossroads.”  Agreeing to stay together and move forward, Joe, Alex, and Dan decided that STEMM wasn’t ever going to be “out” of the music world, they were simply going to evolve with the times and go forward as a new, refined STEMM.

And, Crossroads, the new STEMM gift which is coming out to everyone in September is absolutely and truly incredible.  The redefined voices, lyrics, and beats are truly a new STEMM and a new delivery of rock and roll to all the die-hard fans.

There aren’t enough words to describe the absolute praise that this new CD deserves!  Crossroads is a prize – a true treasure – that three men worked their behinds off to conceive and create.  And you’ve gotten to listen to each and every one of these men through the fantastic interviews they gave to all of us over the past few weeks.  Joe, Dan, and Alex have opened up their hearts, minds and souls – not to mention, offered great senses of humor – to show their fans what an amazing group they represent.

As I have stated before, STEMM is certainly not a metal band – they are THE rock-and-roll band that is undeniably the best in the business!  And with STEMM’s reinvention, they bring to the rest of us the ultimate in rock music – Crossroads.  They bring the sense of true empowerment and entertainment back to a world that seems to be lacking enjoyment at every turn.

The rock genre is back…thankfully.  And the ambassadors of the most monumentally incredible music are called, STEMM.

September 13, 2011 is the day!  Crossroads will become available to us all!  But, as you know – and I will say again for those of you who are too busy listening to STEMM to read these articles – that the first four songs from Crossroads are available for one and all to hear…right now!

These four  Crossroads songs are currently streaming on this music player at: http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3387028.  You have the opportunity to immerse yourself in what the world of rock has been missing – true and utter greatness!  Salvation, Fleur de Lis’, Dead Inside, and Left Behind have been offered to all of us by STEMM, and the gratefulness you will feel after listening to these songs will be overwhelming!  And the visual?  Astounding!  Over on You Tube, the video releases for these ‘lyrics of perfection’ can be found at: www.youtube.com/stemmtech

Get ready for the world of rock-and-roll to change for the better – as Crossroads comes to town!

Until Next Time, Everybody!

*****

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.stemm.net

MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/stemm

REVERB NATION:   www.reverbnation.com/stemm

TWITTER:   www.twitter.com/5temm

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/stemmband

YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/stemmtech

ISOUND: www.isound.com/stemm

BUY STEMM MERCHANDISE: stemm.bigcartel.com

Catch 22 Records

Buffalo, New York

www.facebook.com/catch22records

Vox Media Management LLC

(210) 464-2679

www.voxmediamanagement.com

rubenb@voxmediamanagement.com

Streamline Productions:

Booking Agent

streamlinebooking@yahoo.com

“I`m particularly struck by the creativity in this year`s selections. These filmmakers are charged with telling compelling stories and engaging the audience and they really deliver” said Terry Cronin, the MIFF 2011 director of programming . “For 2011, we are pleased to be able to shine a light on Florida filmmakers who are making their way on the world-wide film festival circuit. We are particularly proud of the talent that has originated here in Brevard County.”

“On the heels of two sold-out showings at the Florida Film Festival, Melbourne native Andrew Kenneth G(a)y brings his feature film, A Beautiful Belly, to his hometown. Palm Bay`s Lee Thongkham brings his hypnotic feature, Tears of Remedy, for a special engagement on Friday. Orlando`s Jose Zambrano Casella will delight the horror enthusiasts with his suspenseful feature, The Sacred. MIFF alumnus Michael Baumgarten brings an after-hour s(e)xy Hollywood-produced thriller called Pretty Obsession which was co-produced by Melbourne`s Robin Krasny. And the short films will really knock your socks off, too! Whether its the dark humor of Matt Cantu`s zombie reality show The Zombie Factor or Devi Snively`s amazing short Last Seen on Dolores Street or the weather reality of Brevard County`s Chris Kridler and her short film Chasing Reality about passionate storm chasers, it`s all sure to be fun”

The films selected for the 2011 Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival are:

Features

A Beautiful Belly directed by Andrew Kenneth G(a)y

A warmly comic story of an aspiring but out-of-work children`s entertainer who gets his longtime crush pregnant on their first date: It`s engaging, entertaining, and hilarious.

Butterflies directed by Ester Brym

A feature documentary film following the lives of six young people that are prominent `weblebrities` on the video site YouTube. The film explores the new media, its power, and its future.

Pretty Obsession directed by Michael Baumgarten

A pretty eighteen year-old puts herself and her family in danger when she leads a double life as an erotic web cam model.

The Sacred directed by Jose Zambrano Casella

Five young people went on a journey, a weekend of fun, and what they found is the evil inside themselves. Sins come back to kill you!

Tears of Remedy directed by Lee Thongkham

Every teardrop comes with a story, one that endures beauty and pain, and mostly, love.

Palm Bay director, Lee Thongkham, tells a rich and enigmatic story about the power of tears.

Horror Films

Blinky™ directed by Ruari Robinson

Meet Blinky™. All he wants is a friend. The only problem is, he`s not very good at making friends.

Last Seen on Dolores Street directed by Devi Snively

In a hard-boiled town, a heartbroken woman says goodbye to an old pet and hello to a new nightmare. Sometimes, life`s a real bitch.

The Sacred directed by Jose Zambrano Casella

Five young people went on a journey, a weekend of fun, and what they found is the evil inside themselves. Sins come back to kill you!

The Zombie Factor directed by Matt Cantu

The zombie apocalypse becomes REALITY on The Zombie Factor, the most dangerous show on television.

Florida Shorts

This year`s MIFF features 18 films shot in Florida

The Adventures of Monty Moudlyn directed by Zach Hibbard

Monty Moudlyn is the friend who`s always `up`. The kind of eternal, insufferable optimist that you sometimes want to kill.

The Breakdown directed by Robby Sparks

Stress relief never felt so good!

Burial Island directed by Ray and Migdalia Etheridge

Two friends set up camp on a deserted island in the Everglades which had once been an ancient Indian burial ground. (Plus preview of The Money Trail directed by Ray and Migdalia Etheridge)

Chasing Reality directed by Chris Kridler

Storm chasing is portrayed as an extreme sport on television, but the reality is dramatically different. In this documentary, storm chasers talk about life on the road, their peculiar relationship with their cars, and the frustration, smells and miles that go into those few moments of seeing a tornado.

Follow Your Dreams directed by Sue Dontell

A man trying to follow his dream to be a singer is sidetracked by his wife`s illness. He has to set his priorities in that his wife is the most important thing in his life. The wife realizes the light is gone from her husband`s eyes in not being able to follow his dreams. She realizes the importance of following a dream as things come full circle.
The Incredible Banana directed by Paulette King

No matter how hard you think you may have it, there is always someone who is less fortunate them you.

Life Lessons directed by Paulette King

A sister saves the day for her seven year old brother

Maybe directed by Kevin Shah

An average guy Jim trys to find a girlfriend. Jim gets “Maybe`ed” every time and there seems to be no hope, till he meets Rachel. This is a light-hearted take on dating, relationships and being average. A movie inspired by true events.

Melbourne, FL: December/January:

Home directed by Craig Weinstein

A short nonfiction (mostly) collage of the filmmaker`s home of Melbourne over a winter holiday.

No Boundaries directed by Paulette King

Trusted neighbor is having an affair with her next door neighbor`s son.

The Red Shoes directed by Sue Dontell

“I cried because I had no shoes until I met someone who had no feet.` A girl learns a valuable life lesson to be grateful for what you do have rather than to be unhappy about what you don`t have. There is always someone in this world worse off than you.

Special Sneak Preview of “The Space Coast” directed by Lear Bunda

Starring Dana Snyder(Aqua Teen Hunger Force), Amber Freeman, Pat Martin, Dustin Harbin

Twilight of Youth directed by Jerald Fine

Brash, young stockbroker who despises the elderly contracts a strange virus that rapidly ages him.

Vestiges directed by Alex Sushil

Calvin Fields has an appointment with a dermatologist.

Extraordinary Shorts

Caught Short directed by Will Hall-Smith United Kingdom

A scatological romantic comedy.

Crossing Salween directed by Brian O`Malley Thailand/Ireland

In eastern Burma, a young girl named Ho Reh finds herself orphaned after the massacre of her village by the army. She must make the arduous journey to the Salween River that divides the horrors of Burma from the safety of Thailand.

Fumbling Toward Ecstasy directed by Gemma Faith Ireland

Offers comfort in its familiar Irish surroundings yet challenges stereotype, daring to explore female s(e)xuality in later stages of life.

Goliath directed by Ryan Daniel McKinney USA

After contracting HIV, a boy struggles with what is out of his control while his father tries to hold it together by looking to hold someone accountable.

Happenstance directed by Sandy Pranjic & Victoria Strehlau Canada

A cautionary tale.

Karate Wipe directed by Virginia Abramovich USA

A comedic exploration of one of the many challenges of fatherhood.
Loft directed by Gareth Chambers Ireland

A man and his pigeons live in fear of a young boy and his soccer ball…something must be done!

Manhood directed by Melanie M. Jones Canada

Forced to flee to the woods when war strikes their cozy suburban neighborhood, Midge continues her quest to turn her husband Harold into a paragon of manliness with surprising results.

Ol` One Eye directed by Brain Folan Ireland

An old man gets a new glass eye, however this is not your standard prosthetic. To his amazement he discovers that he can in fact see with his new eye.

Orange Desespoir Directed by John Banana France

What happens when a small sad orange decides to leave for the other side of the shop to meet a bunch of fun dancing pineapples ?

Rest Stop directed by Melanie M. Jones Canada

Danny must make difficult choices and live with the consequences of his actions while hitchhiking through Northern British Columbia.
Signs directed by Vincent Gallagher Ireland

There is magic in what we see every day. Sometimes we just have to look hard enough.

Festival Sponsors

The 2011 Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival sponsors include: Celebrity Level Sponsors- A Cut Above Video, Premiere Theaters Oaks Stadium 10, Treasure Coast Dermatology; Leadership Sponsors-Browning`s, The Courtyard at the Oaks, Academy Award Sponsors- Against the Grain Tattoos, Bill and Karen Slover. Food sponsors include The Courtyard at the Oaks, Flo`s Catering, Freddie D`s, Forever Soul Ichabod`s, Island Pasta, Miyako`s, Mustard`s Last Stand, Nature`s Market, Pizza Hut, Shells, Skewer`s, Taste of India, Tijuana Flats, and Tropical Smoothie. The MIFF recognizes critical support from the Space Coast Film Commission, and our patrons- Better Bodies, Victoria Buckley, Paulette King, Tommy “Tricks” Loomis, and Sky Diary. The support of these organizations will help the charity Unconditional Love, Inc. In return, sponsorship of the MIFF provides these organizations with community exposure and unique access to MIFF attendees.

About Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival

Now in its 13th Year, the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival prides itself on the promotion of independent filmmakers to the Brevard County community and as a destination for filmmakers worldwide. Each year independent films are screened to enthusiastic audiences and all the funds raised go to charity.

3 Boys Productions

In 1998, a creative group of friends (Terry Cronin, Jeff Hall, Bob Lizek,and Pat Martin) decided to form a production company to produce independent films in Melbourne, Florida. This group has evolved into publishing comic books and novels including the critically-acclaimed detective series “The Skinvestigator”. They continue to host the annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival and the Megacon Indie Film Expo in Orlando.

For more info go to

www.3boysproductions.com

www.premieretheaters.com

or join us on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/#!/melbourneindependentfilmmakersfestival

With new predictions for an above-average 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, the American Red Cross is adding technology to the many ways it helps people to get prepared.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that 12-18 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes will occur this year. The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, and families can take steps now to create a family emergency plan.

To make that planning easier, the Red Cross has developed a free iPhone app that gives the location of all open Red Cross shelters. The app not only maps the location of a shelter, but also shows current capacity and population. To download the app, users can visit the Apple store and search “American Red Cross shelters.” For those without an iPhone, the same shelter information also appears on the Red Cross website and can be accessed by visiting www.redcross.org and clicking on “Find a Shelter.” Both are refreshed with updated information every 30 minutes.

In addition, the Red Cross Safe and Well website now allows users to update their Facebook and Twitter status when they register on the site. Safe and Well is a secure way to let your loved ones know where you are going during a hurricane evacuation or that you are “okay” in the aftermath of a disaster. If users choose to do so, they can easily let their entire network of friends and family know they are safe in one step.

“This is an ideal time to get a disaster supply kit ready, make an evacuation plan with your family, and get information on what to do during a hurricane,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Red Cross Disaster Services. “It’s also the right time to learn how to locate a shelter or use Safe and Well, and new technology is making it even easier to do that.”

Along with working to prepare people in the U.S., the American Red Cross is working to prepare vulnerable populations in Haiti with training in early warning systems and emergency first aid, as well as other measures, as hurricane season approaches for that country, which is still dealing with the 2010 earthquake that left so many homeless.

More broadly, the global Red Cross network has been working with the Haitian Red Cross to help Haitians better prepare for and respond to disasters. For example, an estimated 5.5 million text messages about ways to prepare for disasters have been sent to Haitians.

American Red Cross disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction programs have helped Haitians in about 40 camps prepare for heavy rains and hurricanes, and this program will expand in the months to come. Some of the activities held in these camps include emergency first aid courses, training in early warning systems (bullhorns and whistles), projects such as digging ditches and sandbagging hillsides, preparation of evacuation routes, and workshops to teach children about disaster preparedness.

In addition, Haitian Red Cross branches across the country have been strengthened with extra training for staff and new office and communications equipment. More than 1,600 people have been trained by the Red Cross in vulnerability and capacity assessment or community-based disaster management. The Red Cross has also built a Disaster Operations Center in Hinche and pre-positioned relief supplies for 25,000 families to be used during future disasters in Haiti. The American Red Cross has also helped to supply additional tarps to vulnerable Haitians whose shelters may be damaged or destroyed, and have staff on standby to provide emergency response in coordination with members of the global Red Cross network.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.pbtcredcross.org.

The American Red Cross teamed up with Seacoast National Bank to provide training to 32 employees through the “Ready When the Time Comes,” disaster volunteer program.

After a disaster, the American Red Cross responds in a variety of ways in order to meet all of the emergent needs of individuals, families and communities. The Seacoast employees trained for the Client Casework aspect of disaster response, learning how to provide direct assistance to individuals affected by man-made or natural disasters. Client Case workers also evaluate the needs of disaster victims, provide services and maintain records.

“The Ready When the Time Comes program promotes a very caring way of helping people by understanding and communicating their needs during a disaster,” said Theresa Vazquez, Vice President/Branch Manager of Seacoast National Bank South Vero Square office. “This approach perfectly aligns with ways Seacoast and its employees operate all year long. We are happy to partner with the Red Cross for the program, they have been part of our lives for generations.”

All of the employees who received the American Red Cross training have become a part of the overall Red Cross volunteer team, and will be able to help when the Red Cross responds to a disaster in the area. About 10 of the participants in “Ready When the Time Comes” have also began taking follow up training, allowing them to respond to disasters in other functions outside of Client Casework as well.

The American Red Cross provides “Ready When the Time Comes” training for free to any group or organization that would like to become a partner in disaster response. With the help of the wide network of volunteers, the American Red Cross is able to fulfill its mission of “helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters.”

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.pbtcredcross.org.