August Membership Luncheon:
How to Get the Most Out of Your Membership
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
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All members are encouraged to attend for a luncheon filled with
fantastic networking and all the how-to's on getting the most out
of your membership with the Chamber. NOT just for new members!
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Heroes Golf Tournament
Friday, September 30, 2022
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Chamber Seeks Info on Members |
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In an effort to better represent and market our member businesses, the Chamber is hoping to add new details and classifications in our searchable features online. If your business identifies as Woman-Owned, Indigenous-Owned, BIPOC-Owned, LGBTQ+ Owned and/or Veteran-Owned, please contact the Chamber so that we can add this information to your business record.
Send an email to the Chamber here.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your place as a Charter Member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Contact Irene now!
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New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! |
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Member of the Month: Land Title Company
"We want to simplify the entire real estate process for you."
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Title & Escrow Dept Silverdale
9657 Levin Road NW #100
Silverdale, WA 98383
(360) 692-2233
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Digital Helpmates Offers Help to
the Technically-Challenged Worker
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Join tech expert, Laura Moynihan, every Tuesday for free webinars for the "technically clueless." These interactive webinar-style classes are meant for non-techies and beginners, so come as you are and bring all your tech questions! We reserve the first half of class for answering these questions and will teach the last half on tech topics that are relevant to home users.
You will be off camera to start, but can join in on camera as you like (or if you have questions you'd like answered).
Digital Helpmates are technology helpers. We pair you up with your own dedicated tutor
or team who can help you with your computers, smartphones, and more. We will keep your
tech problems at bay and help jumpstart your business into the new world of tech.
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Bremerton Backpack Brigade Seeks Volunteers
Food Drive, Saturday, August 27, 2022
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The Bremerton Backpack Brigade's annual Fred Meyer Food Drive is only two weeks away and the organization is short on volunteers. Normally, this event requires more than 40 volunteers to make it a successful day for everyone.
The Backpack Brigade often receives over 3,000 pounds of food at a Fred Meyer food drive. It's absolutely incredible to witness that generosity, compassion and concern for kids in the community, firsthand. Community in action is a sight to behold. People helping people. It doesn't get much better than that.
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CKSD Seeks Community Partners
for District Staff Kickoff Event
Monday, August 29, 2022, 3:30 pm
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Central Kitsap School District cordially invites CK Community Partners to participate in our District Staff Kickoff Event on Monday, August 29, 2022 at Cougar Field at Kitsap Credit Union Athletic Complex. We want to provide you with the opportunity set up a table on the stadium track to interact with our entire CK Staff after our short welcome back session. We would love for you to share with our staff the wonderful resources and services that you provide our community.
Partners can set up their area from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. on August 29th, and the community fair will begin at 3:30 p.m. We anticipate it lasting about an hour.
If you are interested in participating or have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Shawnette Chipps at shawnettec@ckschools.org or call 360-662-1631 for more information.
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Fundraiser for Historic Roxy Theatre
Friday, September 2, 2022
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Downtown Bremerton Library Roof Repairs |
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Beginning this week, the City of Bremerton will be working on roof hatch installations and minor roof repairs to the Downtown Bremerton branch building. We look forward to continuing to serve our community for the duration of the construction, but there may be some noise. We appreciate your patience. |
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Do you have news you'd like to share about your business or organization?
We'd love to share! Please send information to Irene at the Chamber!
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Paratransit Services began as part of the Kitsap Peninsula Housing and Transportation Association (KPHTA) in 1980. The Transportation Department was created through the consolidation of specialized transportation resources in Kitsap County, Washington. Several nursing homes, group homes, social service agencies, and community service agencies donated their vehicles to develop a pool of transportation resources.
In July 1984 the KPHTA Board of Directors voted to separate the transportation section into its own nonprofit entity, and Kitsap Paratransit was formed. This new company continued to provide transportation services to people who had mobility impairments, and for Medicaid clientele through an agreement with the Washington State Division of Medical Assistance.
Paratransit Services has remained on course to grow the company while maintaining their commitment to quality transportation services. They continue as the regional broker for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for the State of Washington (now covering nine western counties), and also operate public transit systems in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. They have been proud members of the Chamber for nearly 30 years.
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4810 Auto Center Way
Bremerton, WA 98312
(360) 377-7176
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Member Education & Training Resources |
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BE$T Workshops for Entrepreneurs
8-Week Course Begins Tuesday, September 6, 2022
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Kitsap Community Resources’ Business Education Support & Training (BE$T) Program is committed to providing the business training and network of supportive community services to enterprising individuals to gain self- sufficiency through small business ownership.
Our 8-week Business Basics Program gives you the tools to launch and expand a new business or grow your existing business.
- Develop your business concept
- Define and understand your target customer base
- Learn about money management and break-even point analysis
- Study cash flow, pricing, taxes and financial statements
- Learn how to set up operations including legal structure
- Design a marketing and sales plan
- Develop your own basic business plan
Beginning September 6th through November 1st, classes will be held weekly every Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the Kitsap Community Resources 845 8th Street Building in Bremerton.
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Strategies to Identify and Reach
Your Target Customers
Tuesday, August 16, 2022, 1:00 pm
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You’ve developed a wonderful new product or service. Great! Now you need to find customers and get them to buy it. You do that by identifying your target market, creating your value proposition, marketing your brand message and then by creating a promotional plan. Learn how to do all these in these processes in this interactive workshop.
Workshop Fee: $40
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Increase Sales and Profits with Pricing
and Distribution Strategies
Thursday, August 18, 2022, 1:00 pm
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You’ve developed a wonderful new product or service. Great! Now you need to find customers and get them to buy it. You do that by identifying your target market, creating your value proposition, marketing your brand message and then by creating a promotional plan. Learn how to do all these in these processes in this interactive workshop.
Workshop Fee: $40
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AWB Hosts Secretary of State Debate
Wednesday, August 17, 2022, 11:00 am
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AWB is pleased to present the 2022 Washington Secretary of State Debate on Aug. 17.
Current Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson will face each other in the first candidate debate since last week's primary election.
Hobbs, a Democrat and former state senator, was appointed to the secretary of state position last year after serving for years in the state Legislature. He's also a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard.
Anderson, running as a nonpartisan, is the Pierce County auditor, where she's overseen elections since 2009. She's also a former Tacoma city council member.
Veteran political reporter Melissa Santos of Axios Local (Seattle) will serve as moderator.
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Business News & Resources |
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Economy is Strong Enough to 'Keep a Recession at Bay' Says National Retail Federation |
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From the Washington Retail Association
Despite two consecutive quarters of decline, the U.S. economy still does not appear to be in a recession and remains unlikely to enter one this year, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said yesterday.
“Back-to-back contractions have heightened fear of a recession, but while the economy has lost momentum heading into the second half of the year, economic data is not yet consistent with a typical recession,” Kleinhenz said. “Our view is that while the economy is functioning at a slower pace it is likely to avoid a recession this year. Despite ongoing uncertainties, we believe the underlying strength of the economy is strong enough to deal with inflation and keep a recession at bay – or short-lived even if we are wrong.”
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Employers Create More Jobs than Expected,
Ease Fears of Recession
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Courtesy of the Association of Washington Business
Washington employers and their peers across the country added an “astonishing” 528,000 jobs last month, The Associated Press reports.
The news eased some recession fears, and also marks a major milestone for the country: The economy has now recovered all 22 million jobs lost in March and April 2020 when Covid-19 slammed the U.S.
Also, unemployment dropped from 3.6% to 3.5%, which matches the 50-year low just before the pandemic hit.
“The U.S. economy is creating new jobs at an annual rate of 6 million — that’s three times faster than what we normally see historically in a good year,” wrote Brian Coulton, chief economist at Fitch Ratings.
Economists had expected only 250,000 new jobs last month.
“Underestimate the U.S. labor market at your own peril,” said Nick Bunker, head of economic research at the Indeed Hiring Lab. “Yes, output growth might be slowing and the economic outlook has some clouds on the horizon. But employers are still champing at the bit to hire more workers. That demand may fade, but it’s still red-hot right now.”
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Working WA Grants: Round 5
Application Portal Opens August 17, 2022
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The Washington State Legislature has allocated a new round of grant funding for small businesses affected by the pandemic. $70 million was appropriated by the legislature for the next round of Working Washington Grants: Round 5. In this round of Working Washington grants, available funds are set aside for specific targeted groups or sectors:
- 60% is identified for the arts, heritage, and science sectors, including those that operate live entertainment venues
- 40% is identified for most other sectors, including hospitality, fitness and personal services
General Timeline:
- August 17 – 31: Application portal will remain open for 15 days
- Early – Mid September: Review of applications
- Late September: Commerce will notify grantees and disburse funding
Make sure to register for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number by August 1st, which is required to receive grants from this federally-funded program.
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Save-the-Date: KEDA Fall Forum
Thursday, October 20, 2022
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County Kicks Off Comprehensive Plan Update
Thursday, August 18, 2022, 6:00 pm
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Kitsap County will hold a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 18 to discuss the upcoming update to the Comprehensive Plan. Visit the project website at kcowa.us/compplan for the Zoom link to join.
The Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan helps guide decision making in addressing population and job growth, environmental protection and infrastructure investments through 2044. This includes the potential for new development, what it may look like and how it impacts our communities. Beyond the usual requirements of the Plan, this update will emphasize housing affordability and climate change impacts.
At the upcoming meeting, staff will review the update process, key milestones and ways for the public to participate and provide feedback at various stages. Public input will be critical in this update, which concludes in 2024.
For more information on the Comprehensive Plan Update, please visit the project website at kcowa.us/compplan. The site is updated regularly with upcoming public meeting information, interactive surveys, policy questions, story maps on planning concepts, draft documents and other informational materials. The site also includes a link to sign up to receive related news and updates via email and text.
Send specific questions and comments to compplan@kitsap.gov or call Kitsap1 at (360) 337-5777 and ask for Planning and Environmental Programs.
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WinCo Grocery Store Opens Next Week |
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, August 12, 2022
Here comes WinCo, Silverdale.
After months of construction, the nationwide grocery chain WinCo Foods will open its new location in the old Sears space of the Kitsap Mall at 9 a.m. on Aug 22, bringing new job opportunities and an additional grocery store to Silverdale.
"We’re all very excited to be bringing our employee-owned store to Silverdale," said WinCo spokesperson Noah Fleisher. "Not only did the company hear the communities in and around Silverdale loud and clear on social media when they asked for a WinCo, the city itself matches perfectly with what we look for."
Photo: WinCo will open in the space formerly occupied by Sears in the Kitsap Mall on Aug. 22, the company has announced. Peiyu Lin/Kitsap Sun
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Overnight Paving on Silverdale Way
August 14-19, 2022
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A section of Silverdale Way NW between NW Bucklin Hill Road and NW Anderson Hill Road has reached the end of its useful life. Kitsap County Public Works road crews will repair and replace asphalt on both the northbound and southbound lanes during overnight hours when traffic volumes are lower.
There will be nightly single-lane closures on Silverdale Way NW from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 through 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19. One lane of traffic will remain open with flaggers in place to help guide travelers.
Please use caution when traveling through the area, especially at night. Removing old sections of pavement can be loud and disruptive and crews will work quickly and efficiently to minimize night time noise. Inclement weather could delay paving and striping.
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COVID-19 Updates & Resources |
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Masks & COVID Testing Kits Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management is providing free KN95 masks and COVID testing kits to local businesses. Pick up your supply at the Greater Kitsap Chamber's Silverdale office today. |
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COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Resources |
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Kitsap County Health District is now posting a regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kitsap County. This list can be found here.
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Answers for Your Questions about Monkeypox |
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People across Washington can now call 1-833-829-HELP for the latest information on Monkeypox virus (MPV). This call center is an expansion of DOH’s efforts to provide information to Washingtonians. Two weeks ago, DOH activated their Incident Management Team (IMT) to dedicate their time and efforts to the growing cases of MPV.
Through an ongoing partnership with Washington 211, call takers will answer questions about MPV risk factors, vaccine information, testing and treatment from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday, and 6:00 a.m.to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays. In addition to calling 1-833-829-HELP, callers can continue to dial 1-800-525-0127 and press # to be transferred to a Washington 211 specialist. Language assistance is available in 240 languages. Call takers will not be able to schedule vaccine appointments.
“As we navigate the MPV outbreak in Washington state, we cannot underestimate the need for our community members to address their questions and concerns,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health. “We are pleased to partner with 211 to meet this crucial need.”
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YMCA Offers Virtual
Healthy Aging Community Cafe
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm
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The YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties and Kitsap County Aging and Long Term Care have partnered to expand access to virtual Healthy Aging Community Cafés.
The weekly cafés offer a place to learn and find support within a variety of presentation and discussion topics.
Expanded eligibility includes adults of any age who help (similar to Help for Helpers section above) a family member or friend age 60+ with maintaining their independence in Kitsap County.
Click the flyer for registration details and more information.
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GKVC Hosts Summer Events Around Kitsap
Blustery Evening No Match for Navy Band Northwest
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Silverdale @ Sunset Concert Series
Wednesday, August 17, 2022, 6:30 pm
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Poulsbo Arts Festival
August 19-21, 2022
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Kitsap County Fair
August 24-28, 2022
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Rodeo – Wed. through Fri., Aug. 24-26, 7pm
Thunderbird Arena
Our rodeo is a professional, PRCA sanctioned rodeo. You will see seven (7) separate events each night including bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding. If you are new to rodeo, you can learn more about each event here. This is a ticketed event. Pricing and the option to pre-purchase tickets can be found by clicking the link above.
Slack Rodeo – Fri., Aug. 26, 9am
Thunderbird Arena
Slack rodeo is for the overflow contestants who do calf roping, team roping, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. It's everything that wouldn't quite fit in the highlighted nightly rodeo. There looks to be over 200 competitors at this FREE event.
Xtreme Bulls – Sat., Aug. 27, 1pm
Thunderbird Arena
The world’s top bull riders will converge at this event to attempt riding the baddest, meanest, rankest one-ton athletes in the world. These bulls have thrown cowboys at the largest rodeo venues in the world. This is a ticketed event. Pricing and the option to pre-purchase tickets can be found by clicking the link above.
KDDA Full-Contact Racing & Demolition Derby – Sun., Aug. 28, 3pm
Thunderbird Arena
Come feel the rumble of cars built for racing and crashing. You don’t want to miss the near misses and epic crashes. Oval and figure-eight racing start the event which will end with the spectacular finales – a demolition derby. This is a ticketed event. Pricing and the option to pre-purchase tickets can be found by clicking the link above.
Carnival – Wed. through Sun., Aug. 24-28, daily times vary
Funtastic Carnivals, which provide the safest carnivals in the west, are back. We are happy to announce that after much negotiation, so are the unlimited wristbands FOR ONE DAY ONLY, Fri., Aug 26. A limited quantity of wristbands are available and must be purchased in advance at the Fair Office. You can purchase them daily through Fri. Aug. 19 between 10am and 5pm – including this weekend. All information can be found at the link above.
All of the concerts listed below are FREE to all Fair Goers.
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The Bootlegs - Western Swing & Americana Music, Thunder Road Stage
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Cowgirl's Dream - Western Swing & Americana Music, Main Stage
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The Drive - The Great Northwest's Favorite Party Band, Main Stage
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Heart by Heart - Bringing you the Music of Heart, Thunder Road Stage
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Herndon Brothers - New & Old Country Music, Classic Rock, Thunder Road Stage
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Invincible - Pat Benatar Tribute Band, Main Stage
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Joel Gibson, Jr - Kitsap County's Favorite Country & Rock Artist, Thunder Road Stage
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Rocket #9 - Minimalist Garage Rock, Main Stage
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Sweet Justice Band - Classic Rock, Blues & Country, Main Stage
All of the entertainment listed below is FREE to all Fair Goers.
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Kevin Wolfe - Comedy Stage Hypnosis & Magic Shows, Main Stage
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Vuelta la Luna - Variety Circus, Presidents Hall Lawn
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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 Tuesday's Community Connections!
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David Emmons
President/CEO
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Irene Moyer
VP, Membership & Strategic Communications
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Joe Barboza
Operations Manager
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Brenda Kelley
Tourism 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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