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In This Issue
Lighthouse Cleanup Begins ~ Double Your Dollars at Gulf Coast Banks ~ Support LPBF ~ Pontchartrain Pirates Party ~ Purely Pontchartrain ~ Education News
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Lighthouse Cleanup Begins!

What a day we had on November 9th at the lighthouse!  We held the first cleanup day with help from selected, skilled volunteers.  We have never seen a group work so hard and cooperate as a team like the 20 young people of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).  Thanks to Commander Brooks and USCG Auxiliary member, Mike Howell, who organized the crew that gutted the cinder-block building, removed unwanted vegetation, and picked up countless bags of trash - in one day! A special thanks to Sherriff Gusman's Community Service Program, we could not have done it without them. It really felt like the cavalry had arrived.  When we raised the American and the USCG flags it was a very emotional moment.  Seeing those brand new flags above the battered, old lighthouse gave us all hope that we can bring it back to life.

Please don’t forget to donate to the lighthouse fund.  If you go into a Gulf Coast Bank and Trust during the month of November and write a check, they will match it, dollar for dollar.  See details below.

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Let's Rebuild the Lighthouse

Visit any GCB&T location to make a donation toward rebuilding this historic landmark and they will match it! This month, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation will begin rebuilding the 116-year-old lighthouse, and we need your help. Built in 1890, the New Canal Lighthouse has spent the last 20 years on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse is a landmark for the Lakeview area, but it was nearly destroyed last year by Hurricane Katrina. Double your dollars by making a donation at any Gulf Coast Bank & Trust location today and let’s rebuild this beloved piece of New Orleans history together.

Gulf Coast Bank will match donations up to the amount needed to complete Phase I of the restoration. See branch for more details.
Please make checks payable to: Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation

Visit Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company at www.gulfbank.com

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Support Save Our Lake

LPBF continues work to restore and preserve the Pontchartrain Basin.  Now more than ever, we need your help to protect our natural resources. Donations, annual memberships, gift memberships, corporate partnerships, and event sponsorships help fund programs that benefit the Basin. Please consider making a donation or becoming a member today!

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Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!

On Friday, November 10th LPBF teamed up with the New Orleans Yacht Club for a fun evening of pirate garb, grub and grog to benefit the restoration and reconstruction of the New Canal Lighthouse. Over 150 pirates enjoyed hearty grub from Damian’s Catering & Deli (special thanks to Chef John Gilchrist and his wife, Michelle), Kevin and Marci Bladsacker and desserts from Kaysey Hasslock and Sam’s Club. Glazer’s Companies of Louisiana provided martinis and margaritas for a spirited evening of swashbuckling fun!

Raffle items were generously donated by Bayona, Fausto’s Bistro, Harry’s Ace Hardware, The New Orleans Hornets, Mike & Marilyn Mislove, Muriel’s Jackson Square and Zea Rotisserie. The New Orleans Saints jumped on board by donating a football signed by Saints players Drew Brees and Deuce McAlliser. Joe Nicholson provided our pirates with great music.

Thanks to all our supporters for this fundraiser, especially the New Orleans Yacht Club!

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Are You Purely Pontchartrain?

Have a great story about Lake Pontchartrain? Want to share photos and memories of the Lake? Are you writing poetry about the Pontchartrain Basin? LPBF is accepting submissions for our future “Purely Pontchartrain” web page on www.saveourlake.org. This is great way to express your feelings about the Lake, showcase your creative writing and share photos of the present and past with the world.

Please send photos, poetry and stories to Crystal Gross, Membership & Outreach Coordinator at crystal@saveourlake.org or LPBF, Attn: Crystal, P.O. Box 6965, Metairie, LA 70009. If enclosing photos, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that we may return your photos to you. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

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Education News

Water Watch 2006-07 has kicked into gear with 9 schools committed to working with LPBF to monitor waterways that drain into Lake Pontchartrain. They test for temperature, turbidity, fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen and pH.

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