Krewe of Cleopatra Parade **Location Change**

Due to heavy rain, the grounds at our original location are under water.

We will now be meeting in the Piccadilly parking lot. We will try to secure several front row parking spots and set up on the sidewalk (4150 General Degaulle Drive, New Orleans, LA)‎.

We still need someone to bring a small or portable grill so we can make burgers & dogs. Remember this is a pot luck gathering.

Be sure to arrive early (5:30), before General De Gaulle is closed.

See everyone tonight!

Plaquedilla Base Parade (NAS JRB)

The Plaquedilla Parade is this Thursday the 4th of February. It will be held on base and rolling at 1400. Our theme will be the Guardian (parade theme is Movies), and anyone is welcome to come watch.

Hope to see many of you there.

**UPDATE** KREWE OF CLEOPATRA, Friday 02/05

The Krewe of Cleopatra parade will be rolling on Friday, Feb. 5th at 6:30 pm.

We will be having a pot luck gathering on the parade route. We will parking in the Piccadilly parking lot and try to secure several front row parking spots.(4150 General Degaulle Drive, New Orleans, LA‎).

We will now be setting up on the sidewalk, rather than the flooded median across the street.

Plan to arrive early (5:30 pm) to acquire parking in the lot before G.D.G. is closed to traffic.

Bring your ladder chairs, food, & drinks! Let's celebrate Mardi Gras together.

We will need a portable BBQ or two.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!!!

If you have any questions email: flycoastguard@yahoo.com

Identity protection during the upcoming census

With the upcoming CENSUS to begin shortly we can expect every conceivable type of scam possible to get your identity and your money.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way and US Census Bureau (USCB) workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. With that thought in mind here are some very basic but good bits of info to remember and pass along to everybody you know:

Be cautious About Giving Info for the US Census. Think before you respond and use common sense.
Be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. So how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice.

DO - Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering any questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home. An invite inside your home could be used to evaluate your home for valuables for a future burglary. Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to "verify address information". Do not - give your Social Security number. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

DO NOT - give credit card or banking information to anyone, such information is not needed by the USCB.

DO NOT - answer anything about your financial situation. The USCB should only ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range.

REMEMBER: NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO
TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

DO NOT - respond to inquiries from anyone associated with ACORN. THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

DO NOT - respond to emails from that claim to be from the USCB. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the USCB WILL NOT
contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

DO NOT - open internet links that claim to be from the USCB. Never click on a link or open any
attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

DO NOT - allow and advise your children about never engaging a USCB canvasser in discussions. Children, even teenagers do not look at the same concerns or potential
threats as adults and are easily manipulated. USCB personnel should not engage anyone but the adult in the home. Remember, the information you provide will be available to the person collecting it but also to the general public for all intentional purposes. With the downturn in the economy there will be those out there that are trying to make the fast buck whether it be by burglarizing your home an selling contents at a pawn shop or stealing your identity and
stealing your life savings. So use caution and DO NOT hesitate to contact the local Police Department or the USCB before you cooperate with these people if you have concerns.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Operation Overseas Mardi Gras

We are asking for your help to spread the word about Operation Overseas Mardi Gras. You can help in one or two ways. 1. Send a package 2. Spread the word by passing along to those you know, even if you chose not to send a package this year. We have over 1,500 heroes we want to send to, from every Armed Forces branch, deployed from Louisiana. We set our goal high this year and hope you will help us achieve it! We have sent around 300 care packages and need 1,200 more! If you know of someone deployed, feel free to contact us at MardiGras@soldiersangels.org to ensure their unit is included in our recipient list.

Here is the "official story":

It's that time again in Louisiana where the festivities have begun and the spirit of Mardi Gras is in the air! We are officially kicking off "Operation Overseas Mardi Gras 2010". This will be our third year in a row and we hope to double what we did last year! Our goal is 1,500 care packages stuffed full of Mardi Gras cheer. These packages will go to our deployed units from Louisiana.

This year's recipients will be: 204th TAOG, 204th MP Company, 1083rd Transportation Company, 546th Maintenance Company, 488th Quarter Master Platoon and various individuals/ teams deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, Belle Chase Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Polk Army Base , Louisiana Air & Army National Guard and Naval Support Activity New Orleans.

Packages must be mailed no later than January 26th. Get your friends, church group, co-workers, family, ANYONE, gather up a bunch of stuff, try and raise money for shipping and we will supply the addresses!

View these links to download the flyers:
http://www.soldiersangelsla.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Operation-Overse
as-Mardi-Gras-2010.pdf

http://www.soldiersangelsla.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/MG-Detail-20101.
pdf

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
1. Go to the Post Office and get the 12×12 flat rate box that says APO and America Support You: It is free. It will cost $11.95 to ship to an APO.
Yes, you can use a larger box and calculate the expense and weight at www.usps.com

2. Pick up Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note (2976-A)

3. Fill the box with Mardi Gras themed items (no pork products, liquids or
obscenity): throws (not jumbled together), costumes, LA inspired food products, costumes, Mardi Gras decorations, cards made by kids

4. Place a nice note in the box with your return address on it (you may or may not receive a follow-up letter).

5. Write Soldiers' Angels Operation Overseas Mardi Gras on the side of the box.

6. E-mail us at MardiGras@soldiersangels.org and you will be given the address to mail the items.

7. Head to the post office with your customs form filled out and box of Mardi Gras cheer. It will cost $11.95 to mail and you must be present to mail it. The post office can instruct you on filling out the Customs Declaration, if you need help.

8. Check back on our website www.soldiersangelsla.org for pictures and follow up information!




Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Attn: Mardi Gras Float Riders

If you are in need of beads and throws, be sure to visit St. Michael's Joy Center.

They recycle, package, and sell carnival beads.

• 33 inch - $4.00/gross
• Mix of 6 dozen 33 inch and 6 dozen 36 inch or longer - $7.00/gross
• 48 inch & longer - $10.00/gross
• Bags of throws - $5.00/each

Be sure to mention the Coast Guard when you call.

Call in advance to schedule a pick up time or place an order. Supplies are limited, so act fast!

CALL Kay @ (504) 522-8194

St. Michael's Special School

1522 Chippewa St.

New Orleans, LA 70130

Cash or check ONLY!

NEX Blood Drive December 12, 1000-1600

The NASJRB NEX is conducting a Blood Drive December12, from 1000-1600 @ Building
#300.

Thank You For Your Support

Heath A. Osterberg
Operations Manager
400 Russell Ave Building 300
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Office (504) 678-3510/3081

Cell (504) 628-1077 Fax#

(504) 678- 3921

Store# 256

nexbellechasse-bem@nexweb.org

Holiday Safety Tips

Click on document to enlarge for viewing. Have a safe holidays!

**Air Station Children's Christmas Party**

We will be having our annual Children's Christmas Party on Saturday, December 12th at 10:00 am at the Air Station.

We will have cookies, crafts and a moonwalk. Santa will arrive via helicopter to give out presents and take photos.

Please be sure to bring a wrapped gift for your child (not exceeding $20.00) with your child's FIRST and LAST name clearly written on the present.

Please drop off your child's wrapped (& labeled) gift off with the Morale Officer before Thursday.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday morning!

Happy Holidays!

Tricare use during travel

Please review this TRICARE information flyer concerning travel. This is a great source of information to have in the event that one may need healthcare while traveling during the Holiday's. Additionally, if you (active duty personnel) require healthcare during travel please call the Duty HS phone @ 504-415-0690. This ensures that a referral is processed for the care.