Wednesday, January 10, 2024 |
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
On this national day of service, we hope you find a way to connect,
support, and serve within your local community.
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2024 Washington State
Legislative Session Begins
The state convened the 60-day session on Monday
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Photo: Gov. Jay Inslee delivering the State of the State (Office of the Governor)
With just days to go before they meet, state lawmakers had filed more than 500 bills on topics ranging from raising recycling rates to equipping more high schools with medication to reverse opioid overdoses.
But only a share of their proposals will survive the 60-day legislative session, which began Monday.
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, compares the short session to a bull ride at a rodeo — you only have to stay on for eight seconds, but what happens in those eight seconds is anyone’s guess.
“When you’re riding a bull, you never know if you’re really getting a bucker or one that’s a little bit more easygoing,” Jinkins said in an interview. “I’m not really sure what we’re getting this session.”
Search for a bill by number here.
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WA Ferry System Scraps Timeline
for Resuming Normal Service
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Photo: The MV Walla Walla heads to Bremerton from Seattle. (Amanda Snyder, The Seattle Times, 2021)
After several years of trying to predict when normal ferry service might return, Washington State Ferries is now acknowledging what most regular riders likely already suspected: Until new boats come online four to five years from now, normal service is not possible.
That means routes between Seattle and Bremerton; Fauntleroy, Southworth and Vashon; and Port Townsend and Coupeville will each indefinitely operate with one fewer boat than they should. It also means other routes, such as Edmonds to Kingston, are likely to continue experiencing intermittent service reductions, despite WSF’s declaration last year that the crossing was back to full service.
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January GreenDrinks @ Olympic College
Thursday, January 11, 2024, 5:00 pm
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On Thursday, January 11th, 5-7:30pm, GreenDrinks will showcase the Olympic College Foundation's "The OC Promise," the college's program covering the financial gap first-year students from Bremerton may face. The OC Promise provides tuition and fee assistance, and can even help with textbook fees.
Join us next week in the beautiful lobby of the William D. Harvey Theatre at OC (Building 7) for an evening of MIXING, ENGAGING and so much more. And don't forget to bring those business cards and reusable glasses (we want to be green)! This is a 21-and-over event, where we welcome everyone to meet new people and make new connections in Bremerton.
Get your tickets now. Space is limited!
Greendrinks is a monthly, social networking event for community leaders, concerned citizens, elected officials, business professionals and anyone who wants to make Bremerton a thriving, sustainable community. This event is for adults only (age 21 and older). Admission fees helps to offset the costs of food and drink.
Online tickets are $15; tickets at the door are $20.
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Wine generously provided by Dennis Malcom at Honey Malcom Winery in Manette. |
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January Luncheon @ Kitsap Conference Center
Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 11:00 am
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Thank you to our Sponsors:
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Get the Most Out of Your Member Benefits |
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Insurance done differently. Our benefits partner BHT offers quality, cost-effective medical plans plus a whole lot more, including concierge level customer service and innovative cost-saving programs and resources.
Before you renew this year, be sure to benchmark your benefits with BHT – and learn how purchasing your benefits package through an Association Health Plan can benefit you.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? Contact Irene now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
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New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! |
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20 Under 40 Tickets Still Available
Thursday, January 25, 2024
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Kitsap Great Give - Registration Now Open
Registration will close on Wednesday, January 31st
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Unsurpassed Impact!
Founded in 2014, the Kitsap Great Give is a community movement of generosity that unites our community and supports the many nonprofit organizations that make Kitsap a great place to live - for us all. Let's make the 11th Annual Kitsap Great Give the biggest yet! We aim to raise $2 million during the 2024 campaign to support this wonderful community we all call home.
Nonprofit registration opens on Monday, January 1, and will close on Wednesday, January 31.
Participation and registration are free, and participating in the Kitsap Great Give gives your nonprofit organization the opportunity to:
- Raise awareness about your organization. 75% of donors* help spread the word and tell others about the Kitsap Great Give.
- Grow your donations and receive matching funds and potential prizes. 45% of donors* are incentivized to participate by bonus/prize funds.
- And reach new donors. 44% of donors* make gifts to nonprofits they had not previously given to.
Plus...
- 92% of donors rate their overall experience on the Kitsap Great Give website as Excellent or Good
- 96% give the Kitsap Great Give site a Thumbs-Up on the overall ease of making gifts
- 93% give Kitsap Great Give a Thumbs-Up on the ease of finding nonprofit organizations!*
*Percentages based on post-event survey responses.
Not sure if your nonprofit organization qualifies for participation? Visit KitsapGreatGive.org/p/NPOfaq to check eligibility and find answers to all your questions!
Presented by the Kitsap Community Foundation and the United Way of Kitsap County, this annual community movement of generosity has resulted in more than $15 million in community support since 2014.
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Help Desk Cavalry is composed of a family of individuals who all have solid roots in Kitsap, King, and Snohomish counties of Washington State. This family consists of more than a dozen certified “geeks” with a passion to help others. While other IT service technicians provide quality service, our focus is not only to fix the problem, but to help things run smoother as you move ahead. Our company’s owner served as a Cavalry Scout in the US Army, then years later he came up with the idea of a “community help desk” after working for a local company as a help desk technician. These two experiences are the origin of the Help Desk Cavalry name. We’re obsessed with our clients’ success and it’s evident in our roots. |
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1676 NE McWilliams Road | Bremerton, WA 98311 | (360) 930-6990
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Register Now for Legislative Day & Hill Climb
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is excited to join the Association of Washington Business for their annual Legislative Day & Hill Climb on Wednesday, January 24th. We invite all members interested in meeting with legislators and learning more about Washington's legislative process to attend.
In addition to meetings with our local legislators, there will be in-person meetings with AWB staff to discuss various legislative priorities impacting businesses across Washington, as well as a lunchtime talk with Lt. Gov. Denny Heck. The day will conclude with an evening reception that will include plenty of time to network with legislators and business leaders at Ricardo's Kitchen + Bar.
The cost for the full event is $159 until January 15th and you must register to attend. Transportation to and from Olympia will be provided by the Greater Kitsap Chamber.
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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SBDC: Bookkeeping Made Easy
Friday, January 12, 2024, 4:00 pm
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America’s SBDC, Washington SBDC, and Lili are partnering to present a basic bookkeeping webinar in both English and Spanish in a live format via Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. PT. This webinar will present simple steps and skills to easily manage your business’s bookkeeping and be better prepared for tax season. The presentation will cover:
- Why does bookkeeping matter?
- 3 simple tasks to effectively manage your day-to-day bookkeeping
- Debunking the 3 myths of bookkeeping
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Organized Retail Crime Task Force
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 1:00 pm
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The Office of the Attorney General is holding its quarterly Organized Retail Crime Task Force hybrid meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Those wishing to participate in person must RSVP using this link by Wednesday, January 17. The meeting will be hybrid. In-person attendance at the Seattle Office will be limited due to available space. RSVPs for in-person attendance will be accepted in the order received.
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Military Relations Committee |
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Spring 2024: Military Appreciation Day
Booth registrations & sponsorships available now
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We've got several new and exciting sponsorship levels this year - contact Tiffany at the Chamber to learn more and reserve your space or sponsorship!
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Business News & Resources |
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Gift Card Legislation Might Dampen
the Gift-Giving Spirit
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Representative Emily Alvarado (D, 34th LD) is set to introduce two bills that would significantly affect how customers purchase and use gift cards.
HB 2094 has several components, but the most alarming is the requirement for establishments to "cash out" gift card balances of less than $50. California has the nation's highest "gift card cash out" at less than $10. Currently, Washington's cash-out law is $5 or less. If this bill were to pass, the new cash out would be ten times higher, increasing the risk of fraud and money laundering activities.
HB 2095 would require unused gift cards to be remitted to the state's unclaimed property fund after a period of time. Although the legislation is being framed as an additional protection for customers, this bill could require purchasers to provide their personal private information or that of the gift card recipient at the point of sale before being able to walk out the door with the gift card. Additionally, the funds being remitted to the unclaimed property fund would create a new revenue stream for the state.
Washington Retail has been working very closely with other organizations and stakeholder groups who would be deeply impacted and will be monitoring this legislation closely.
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KEDA Publishes Annual Economic Profile |
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KEDA is proud to partner with the Center for Economic and Business Research, an outreach center at Western Washington University to publish our annual Economic Profile. The report is intended to give a basic overview of the local economy while illustrating factors that may impact it. Unless otherwise stated, the data in this report is the most recent complete annual data for the region, which at the time of publication includes mostly data from 2022, but also data from other years, when noted. This report and KEDA's Top Employers Survey can be viewed here.
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
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Nonprofit News & Resources |
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to be one of only five Chambers statewide selected to partner with the Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) to bring education and resources to nonprofits in Western Washington. Stay tuned to this section of our weekly newsletter for education, resources and more for our nonprofit community.
To learn more about NAWA, please visit their website here.
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Washington State Nonprofit Conference
May 14-16, 2024
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The Washington State Nonprofit Conference is the largest gathering of nonprofits in the state bringing together nonprofit leaders to learn, connect, and inspire. This year’s Washington State Nonprofit Conference will be online May 14 – 16 with regional celebrations in Central WA (May 17), Eastern WA (May 20), and Western WA (May 22)! There will be powerful keynote speakers, memorable workshops, and other invaluable content.
As we mark the Conference’s 30th anniversary, we will explore the theme “The Next 30 Years” through a unique experience of online and in-person opportunities for learning, connection, and celebration. Looking at the next 30 years requires us to acknowledge the past, recognize the present, and envision the future. The Conference generates ideas and resources to help you imagine solutions to your organization’s biggest challenges.
You’ll leave with resources to share and actionable items to apply to your work. And best of all, the Conference offers opportunities to connect with nonprofit peers across the state. Be a part of an active conference community through our virtual conference platform and connect with attendees in person at one of three regional celebrations.
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Gov. Inslee Appoints New Kitsap
County Superior Court Judge
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Courtesy of the Office of the Governor
On December 27th, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Cadine Ferguson-Brown to the Kitsap County Superior Court. She will replace Judge Sally Olsen, who retired from the bench effective Jan.1, 2024.
Ferguson-Brown was first appointed by Inslee in 2022 to the Mason County Superior Court, where she became known for her fair, even-handed and well-considered decisions. During her tenure, she presided over four departments, hearing a variety of complex civil and criminal law matters. In the juvenile department, she worked with staff and stakeholders to create a more people-friendly courtroom and streamlined processes to reduce delays in other departments. Ferguson-Brown was also active in the Superior Court Judges Association, joining the Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board, Minority and Justice Commission, the Bench Bar Press and other civil and criminal committees. Her prior work included serving as a superior court commissioner, as well as owning and operating her own practice where she focused on the areas of domestic relations, dependency, worker’s compensation, and immigration.
Ferguson-Brown lives in Kitsap County and has a strong record of giving back to her community. She served as a board member of Agape Unlimited, a Bremerton-based non-profit outpatient substance use disorder treatment program, and as a member of the Redress Committee for the Bremerton NAACP. She has volunteered with various local organizations such as Plates of Hope and New Day Ministries to serve the unsheltered, and with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the Moderate Means program to provide pro bono or low bono services. In addition, Ferguson-Brown enjoys working with youths and has mentored girls through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Jamaican High School students through Dream Jamaica. She has also presented on the Constitution to 5th through 8th graders and has been a judge and rater for the YMCA Mock Trials.
“Cadine Ferguson-Brown is an extraordinary judge and is well prepared to serve the Kitsap County community in this role,” said Inslee. “I’m pleased that she will bring her integrity, work ethic, courage and judicial skills to the Kitsap County Superior Court bench.”
Ferguson-Brown earned her law degree from the School of Legal Studies at the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom.
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KPHD Releases 2023 Community
Health Assessment Findings
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The KPHD team spent months collecting, organizing, and distilling data from dozens of sources to examine key trends and disparities (gaps) affecting the health of people in our county.
These quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (community voice) elements are woven together to create a report that reflects both the overall health of our county and the individual experiences of community members.
Information gathered through the assessment will be used to identify key areas for improvement that organizations can work together to address. Visit our Kitsap Community Health Priorities page to learn more.
Explore the Community Health Assessment
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Bremerton School District Hosts Strategic Planning Community Forums Ahead of Bond |
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MLK Day Events & Celebrations |
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Photo: Larry Steagall/Kitsap Sun
The upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be marked with several events around Kitsap County, beginning this week and through Monday's national holiday.
On Friday, Kitsap Regional Library will hold a re-dedication ceremony at its downtown branch, which was named for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 25 years ago. KRL will honor the anniversary of the dedication and formally recognize the renaming during an event from 6 to 8 p.m., including speakers at 7 p.m., at the branch at 612 Fifth St. in Bremerton.
Events continue on Sunday, Jan. 14, with the Move and Be Moved social justice social and community celebration on Bainbridge Island. Beginning at noon at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (550 Winslow Way), organizations that include Kitsap ERACE, Living Arts Cultural Heritage Project, Bainbridge Island MultiCultural Advisory Center, Bainbridge Island Senior Center, Catalyst Public School and the city of Bainbridge Island will share presentations on work that advances social justice, as well as a display of student artwork. At 2:30 p.m. the celebration will begin, with poetry, dance, singing and speeches that focus on Dr. King and the impact of his legacy.
On Monday, the county's 30th annual celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held at the Presidents' Hall at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, 1250 NW Fairgrounds Road, at 10 a.m. The theme of the event, to echo the national focus on celebration and public service of the holiday each January, is "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." The event includes speeches, displays and more that remember Dr. King's legacy, and attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items for a donation to Kitsap food banks. The annual celebration is sponsored by Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Olympic College, the city of Bremerton and the Kitsap County commissioners.
Also on Monday, an annual MLK Family Service Day will be held at the Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale. The public is invited to join together to serve the community in a clean-up project along the path through the heart of Silverdale, cleaning the trail of trash and other winter debris with guidance from the Clear Creek Task Force. The project begins at 9:30 a.m. from the Clear Creek Interpretive Center, 9641 Levin Road.
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20th Annual MLK Family Service Day
Monday, January 15, 2024
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The entire community is invited to join the Clear Creek Task Force in a day of trail cleanup. Bring your whole family and friends to join in the fun.
Dress for the weather as this is a rain or shine event. Bring your garden gloves and hand clippers if you have them. We have a small supply if you don't.
At around 0930, we'll start out at the Clear Creek Interpretive Center, 9641 Levin Road in downtown Silverdale.
Task Force members will be on hand to lead patrols up one side of the creek and down the other.
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Project Connect Fair
January 23, 24, & 25, 2024
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks or COVID testing kits. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Presented by the Admiral Theatre: |
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Pink Martini featuring China Forbes
Friday, January 19, 2024, 7:30 pm
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America's biggest little orchestra Pink Martini is back at Bremerton's Admiral Theatre in 2024 - featuring China Forbes!
Founded in 1994 by Thomas Lauderdale, Pink Martini is known for drawing inspiration from music all over the world! The band's sound crosses genres ranging from classical and jazz to old-fashioned pop. Featuring a dozen musicians with songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and North America.
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Clearwater Casino Presents: Vertigo Zoo
Friday, January 12, 2024, 7:00 pm
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Enjoy an evening with amazing entertainment Fridays and Saturdays in the Beach Rock Music and Sports starting at 9pm. General Admission tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or in the Casino Gift Shop for just $15*. Gather the gang and head over for an evening of entertainment and fun. Doors open at 7pm, so come early to secure your seat for the show.
Purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com or in the Casino Gift Shop.
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Joel Gibson Jr. at The Point Casino
Friday, January 19, 2024, 10:00 pm
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Roxy Presents: National Theatre Live
The Best of British Theatre Recorded Live on Stage in London
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Bremerton's Historic Roxy Theatre kicked off it's 2024 season of National Live Theatre this week, presenting King Lear starring Sir Ian McKellen. Get your live theatre fix with this monthly series that brings the best of live theatre to the screen in Downtown Bremerton.
National Theatre Live presents premier British theatre so you always have the best seats in the house. State-of-the-art filming techniques are tailored to every play, from the most experimental staging to the most classic production. See the finest performers, directors, production designers, and more and the very top of their game, and with an audience that reacts with gasps, laughs, and applause.
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Tiffany Diamond
Events Coordinator
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Bremerton Office (360) 479-3579 | 4th & Pacific Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall next to Macy's
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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