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Patron Party ~ Swimming and Lifeguard Classes ~ Lighthouse Bids ~ BTB Wrap-Up
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Surf’s up! Back to the Beach Patron Party June 23, 2007 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Lakeway Two Mezzanine 3850 N. Causeway Blvd. Metairie, LA 70002 Dinner by New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway  Music by Bobby Cure and the Summertime Blues Dress: Casual or “Surf” Attire Cocktails Awesome Silent Auction Tickets - $50.00 For more information call (504) 836-2205

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Swim Lesson Opportunities

The Ashley Marie Kelly Swim Safety Program is a weeklong program held by LPBF’s education department every summer to provide swim safety instruction and free Red Cross swimming lessons to anyone over the age of five in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Volunteers are needed to assist in this program. 
This year there will be 2 programs offered.  LPBF in partnership with Southeast Louisiana Red Cross and Tulane University Reily Center will offer FREE Water Safety Instructor Lessons (value of $250) and FREE swimming lessons. The WSI’s will assist in teaching the  swimming lessons.

Program 1:  WSI lessons
Who: anyone 15 years or older
What: Water Safety Instructor lessons
When:
Friday, July 27, 2007  4-8pm
Saturday, July 28, 2007  8am- 4pm
Sunday , July 29, 2007 NO CLASS
Monday, July 30- Friday, August 3, 2007  8:30am-1pm
Where: Classes to be at Tulane Reily Center on Tulane University Campus. Parking on 5th and 6th floor of Diboll Parking Garage on Tulane Campus
To Register:  Call JoAnn at 504-836-2238 or email joann@saveourlake.org
More Info: Click Here

Program 2:  Ashley Marie Kelly Swimming Lessons
Who: Children and Adults age 5 and older
What:  a FREE week of 45 minute classes teaching water safety, litter awareness, and American Red Cross swimming lessons.
When:  Monday July 30 – Friday, August 3, 2007
Where:  Tulane University Reily Student Recreation Center
Located on the McAlister Extension off Willow St. in New Orleans. Park in the Diboll Parking Garage on the 5th or 6th floor.
Registration: begins July 9th. Call JoAnn at 504-836-2238, give your name, contact phone number, age of participant and requested lesson time. Lessons at 9am, 10am, and 11am
To Bring:Come in a swimsuit and bring a towel.
More Info: Click Here

This Swim Safety Day and lessons are a partnership event sponsored by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, the American Red Cross, Tulane University, and The Ashley Marie Kelly Foundation. Call JoAnn at Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (836-2238) for more information.

Tulane University is also offering additional swim programs at the Reily Center. For more information click here

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New Canal Lighthouse Update

The bid package, including architectural drawings was approved by the US Coast Guard and the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office.  The package was sent to 12 local construction firms that were also invited to a bid conference at the lighthouse.  Three excellent firms will be submitting bids for the stabilization work.  We anticipate the stabilization to be completed by the end of August. 

Thanks to our architects from HMS Architects, Keith Steger in particular, who have donated so much time and energy.  They have outlined the stabilization work as follows:

• Shoring, Leveling and Repositioning: Temporary steel beams will be placed under the second floor joist to support damaged second floor and will include additional timber bracing to support the remaining lighthouse structure.  The steel beams will be supported on shoring towers and the lighthouse will be brought into a level position.  Once level, the lighthouse will be moved to the south end of the site and supported on wood cribbing.   The wood cribbing will be placed on a 12-inch thick, compacted crushed limestone pad until the lighthouse can be fully evaluated prior to reconstruction.

• Temporary Protection: general repairs and weatherization to prevent additional damage to the lighthouse structure while the reconstruction and preservation planning process takes place.  Stabilize all remaining historic materials below second floor.  Remove any loose and damaged materials below second floor that are too damaged to stabilize.  Carefully stockpile all historic materials and move to secure warehouse location for further evaluation and possible reuse.  Close all openings with plywood, seal with caulking and paint.  Cover all exposed wall framing and sheathing with building paper and wood battens and metal flashing. 

Once the work is completed we hope to begin small tours of the site on a scheduled basis. 

Please consider a donation to the restoration of the lighthouse.  There is much work still to be done.

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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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BTB a Huge Success
Nearly 10,000 Festival Goers attended the 18th Annual Back to the Beach Festival held on June 2 & 3 in Kenner’s Laketown.  Supporters enjoyed two days filled with the Best of New Orleans’ bands, delicious food, and a great breeze off of Lake Pontchartrain.  On Saturday, Runners participated in the 3rd Annual sunset Race/Walk and Sunday brought over 300 cars to the 5th Annual Car Show.   Many thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, food and arts & craft vendors and participants that made 2007’s Festival a tremendous success!

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