Has this changed? It used to be just proof of citizenship (for which birth certificates also count).

They do still count. I wasn't born in Canada, so my birth certificate doesn't help me. Here's the skinny from the Department of State:

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Canada from the U.S. You will, however, need:

(1) proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with one of the regional passport agencies located throughout the U.S.) or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver’s license or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.

(2) photo identification, such as a current, valid driver’s license.

All U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport.

Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called a “Green Card.”

If you are a dual U.S./Canadian citizen you should always present yourself as a Canadian citizen when entering Canada. However, U.S. citizens should use their U.S. passports when entering or leaving the United States.

Due to international concern over child abduction, single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with children often need proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. (This is in addition to proof of citizenship as explained above.) Any person under the age of 18 and traveling alone should carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the trip. Travelers without such documentation may experience delays at the port of entry.

For further information, including information on student or business travel, visitors can contact the Embassy of Canada at 501 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 682-1740, see their Internet home page at [link] or contact the nearest Canadian consulate.

I'm just working on clarifying some info that I'm tracking. Do we have anyone actually IN New Orleans? Heather, you are nearby correct? How far away? You've also put yourself up as a point person for NO correct? I know that we've got other folks that know NO and have lived there in the past, but I'm trying to get a count on who we actually have in the cities we're talking about and I'm not clear on NO.

Do we have anyone actually IN New Orleans?

I think -t is, if I recall correctly and/or read the map right.

Has -t volunteered any involvement with the F2F work?

I'm IN Dallas. My family and friends are IN NO. I will be IN NO on Wednesday to visit said friends and family. Dana is FROM NO (I think), and I know Hill (recently) and ita (not sure when) lived IN NO.

Thanks Heather. Just trying to make sure I've got all the info!

Speaking of which- if Hil, Dana, -t, ita, Hec or JZ (having visited recently) have anything to add or any suggestions - including things you want me to check on this weekend let me know. You can post it here or e-mail me at the profile. You too ND, if there are anymore specifics you'd want while I'm down there let me know.

I'll be offline probably after Wednesday morning, and I'll be kinda spotty after Sunday which is when I plan to head to Louisiana.

Okay, still cathing up and updating stuff. Now looking at my Minneapolis information. I know that Juliana is a local and has volunteered to be point person. Do we have any other people local to Minneapolis?

Hec or JZ (having visited recently) have anything to add or any suggestions - including things you want me to check on this weekend let me know. You can post it here or e-mail me at the profile.

Heh, not just recently - I've been to New Orleans three times in the last five years, for a week each. So I've got a good bead on Fun Things Buffistas Might Like.

That noted, I am completely open to any of the cities currently in the running. They're all intriguing for one reason or another.

What I've heard about the hotels in New Orleans is that tourism has suffered so much in the past few years that the hotels are willing to make deals. My mother runs a choral festival in New Orleans, so she's in a position to know.

I'd suggest maybe even looking at the hotels near the convention center. There's a big new Hampton Inn there that's supposed to be nice.