Wednesday, January 17, 2024 |
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Early Hearings in Session Worry WA Businesses
Gift card legislation will significantly impact WA employers
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Lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced legislation related to gift cards that will significantly impact Washington employers.
Combined, the bills aim to take unclaimed gift card revenue by requiring businesses to:
- Transfer the funds to the state as unclaimed property
- Report consumer data to the Department of Revenue related to gift cards
- Cash out gift cards to customers when the balance is below $50
- Honor gift cards even if the funds have been turned over to the state
HB 2095 and SB 5988
These bills will:
- Require all businesses to forward unredeemed gift card revenue the state after three years
- Require businesses to continue to honor gift cards, even after they have been forwarded to the state as unclaimed property
- Expand the definition of “gift cards” to include loyalty cards
HB 2094 and SB 5987
These wills will require businesses to provide cash on demand for unspent gift card balances below $50, essentially forcing businesses to act as ATMs, attracting criminals and fraud related to gift cards.
The Association of Washington Business is urging business owners and consumers to take a moment to contact their legislators and ask them to oppose these bills.
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Washington Hospitality Association Seeks Input on Gift Card Legislation |
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The Legislature has recently introduced two bills that change requirements related to gift cards. The Washington Hospitality Association is conducting a survey to determine how this proposed legislation will impact the overall business community.
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January Luncheon @ Kitsap Conference Center
Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 11:00 am
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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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You're Invited: 1-Year Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 10:30 am
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Marina Square Recognized as Finalist in the National Association of Home Builders' Awards |
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Marina Square Bremerton has been recognized as a Finalists in the NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards, Best Mid-Rise Apartment Community (Six-Nine Stories).
Congratulations to Chamber member, Sound West Group, on another recognition of their amazing project in Downtown Bremerton. We will be cheering for them when the awards are announced in March.
Sound West Group (SWG) is a full-service real estate company specializing in property development, management, commercial brokerage and leasing.
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Bremerton School District Hosts Strategic
Planning Community Forums Ahead of Bond
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Central Kitsap School District
Asks for Levy Support
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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 not just about providing first-rate IT solutions. They are committed to Kitsap and the community where they live and work. The Coffee Oasis, the Boys and Girls Club and Bremerton Backpack Brigade are just a few of the local nonprofits the Help Desk Cavalry team supports through volunteering and philanthropy. Learn more about our amazing Member of the Month, Help Desk Cavalry, by visiting their website here.
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1676 NE McWilliams Road | Bremerton, WA 98311 | (360) 930-6990
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Last Chance to Register for Hill Climb
Registration Closes January 17th
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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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Digital Helpmates:
New Cybercrime Cons to Look For
Thursday, January 18, 2024, 10:00 am
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Will you recognize the big online, phone, and text scams of 2024 when they come your way?
Join Hosts Laura Moynihan of Digital Helpmates and Kira Rubel of Harbor Law Group on January 18th at 10 am to learn about the new (and “improved”) cybercrime cons you need to watch out for in 2024.
This fun and interactive workshop will allow you to share your knowledge and compete for a prize of a free hour of Tech Tutoring, courtesy of Digital Helpmates!
Coffee and breakfast pastries will be provided.
Location - 7716-B Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Cost: FREE
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SCORE: Tax Essentials for New and
Existing Business Owners
Friday, January 19, 2024, 9:00 am
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Paying taxes is inevitable. But reporting and paying the right amount of taxes timely is the goal you want to achieve to give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on more important areas, like driving your business forward.
This 2.5-hour workshop will help you learn about:
- Federal taxes imposed on your business.
- Federal taxes you need to report and pay on amounts paid to your employees.
- Federal taxes you need to report and pay based on your business’s profits.
- Washington taxes imposed on your business and employees.
- City and local taxes imposed on your business.
- Record keeping requirements to ensure you are ready for that taxing agency audit.
Workshop Fee: FREE
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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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Commerce Grant for Early Learning
Facilities Opens February 1st
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Funding available for minor renovations to early learning facilities - pre-applications due Feb. 22
The Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program will open a new funding round for the Child Care Minor Renovations Grant for Health and Safety on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
IMPORTANT ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS: Grants are for minor renovations and small capital improvements to existing early learning and childcare facilities licensed or certified by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on or before July 1, 2023.
More details
- Family homes, child care centers, tribes, and public school districts are all eligible to apply.
- All work must be performed by licensed and bonded contractors.
- Grant recipients must commit to providing child care services at the awarded location for 10 years after completing the renovation project.
- Unlike previous ELF funding rounds, providers do not need to increase their number of spaces to apply.
- Projects that are already completed are not eligible to apply and costs incurred before the date of award letter are not eligible for reimbursement.
Helpful resources
We will offer several ways to get updated and stay connected to current information about this grant opportunity throughout the process. Visit and bookmark the ELF webpage.
- Pre-recorded information sessions in English, Spanish, Somali
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Videos with information about this grant opportunity will be recorded in English, Spanish and Somali and posted on the ELF webpage before the grant application opens on Feb. 1, 2024.
Live Q&A webinar - Jan. 24
Join us for a virtual question and answer session in English at 1 p.m. Jan. 24, 2024.
After the webinar, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document will be updated and posted in English, Spanish and Somali on the ELF webpage.
Application information
Prior to starting the application process, please be sure to read the Program Guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions and Notice of Funding Opportunity documents.
View the grant application and supporting documents on the ELF webpage.
Timeline
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Jan. 24, 2024: Live Q&A webinar at 1 p.m. – Register (Zoom)
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Feb. 1, 2024: Application opens at 7 a.m.
- Feb. 22, 2024: Pre-application responses must be submitted by 5 p.m.
- April 16, 2024: Completed applications must be submitted by 5 p.m.
Questions?
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Department of Enterprise Services:
Doing Business with the State
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State agencies are actively seeking to spend money with small, diverse, and veteran-owned Washington businesses.
What qualifies as a small, diverse, or veteran-owned business?
- Small business means the primary location is in Washington state and the business has 50 or fewer employees or a gross annual revenue of less than $7 million.
- Diverse businesses are at least 51% owned by minorities, women, and other under-represented communities.
- Veteran-Owned businesses are incorporated in Washington and must be at least 51% owned by a veteran to qualify for certification.
Learn more about state contracting:
Featured contracting opportunities:
- Flooring and Installation Services
- Paint, Paint Supplies & Painting Services
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
- IT Project Management Services
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Bipartisan $1.59 Trillion Deal
Averts Gov't Shutdown
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Congressional leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement on the federal government's spending —a move aimed at averting a potential partial government shutdown later this month. The deal, involving both the House and Senate, centers on a $1.59 trillion funding package, which President Biden believes will advance key national priorities.
This new fiscal plan adheres to previously set spending caps for defense and domestic programs, as outlined in a bill that postponed the debt limit until 2025. However, it also makes concessions to House Republicans, who had expressed dissatisfaction with the spending limits in the earlier agreement. House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted that this deal includes $16 billion in additional spending cuts compared to the arrangement made by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Biden. The current agreement proposes about $30 billion less than the Senate initially considered.
The agreement brings the nation closer to avoiding a government shutdown while safeguarding crucial national interests.
Significantly, the agreement accelerates approximately $20 billion in previously agreed cuts to the Internal Revenue Service and cancels around $6 billion in unspent COVID relief funds. This financial arrangement is crucial for lawmakers to establish specific funding for government agencies, with some agencies facing funding lapses as soon as January 19 and others by February 2.
This agreement is distinct from ongoing negotiations for extra funding for Israel and Ukraine and discussions about asylum claim restrictions at the U.S. border.
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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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Why Nonprofit Text Messaging Has
Evolved Beyond Text-to-Give in 2024
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Photo: Getty Images by Alessandro Biascioli
Nonprofit text messaging has evolved well beyond text-to-give and now operates similar to an email program. Instead of using texting as a reactive, transactional channel, nonprofits are proactively using text messaging as an ongoing relationship-building and conversion channel.
Why have nonprofits dialed back text-to-give and taken a different approach to texting? As retention rates have declined and email deliverability challenges have increased, nonprofits have needed text messaging to do more than text-to-give.
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KRL's Downtown Bremerton Branch Officially Renamed to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Photos: Kitsap County Commissioner, Katie Walters
Twenty-five years ago, the City of Bremerton, with the support of Kitsap Regional Library, bestowed a significant honor upon its historic downtown Bremerton building, naming it after the great Dr. Martin Luter King Jr. Now, in recognition of this anniversary and the memory of Dr. King, Kitsap Regional Library has officially changed the name of the Downtown Bremerton branch to Bremerton - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Bremerton Councilmember Frey to Host Community Meeting Focusing on Shelters
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11:00 am
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Join District 2 City Councilmember, Denise Frey, for a community meeting to learn more about plans the City of Bremerton has to provide low-barrier shelter services to houseless community members.
Read more in the Kitsap Sun about the options on the table at Wednesday night's Council meeting:
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There are no impacts to Bremerton streets this week - drive safe! |
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Kitsap County crews have been busy with winter weather preparations with the possibility of snow and ice in the forecast.
You can also stay prepared by signing up to get information about road conditions, County office and facility closures and delays, garbage and recycling curbside collections, and severe weather shelters.
Sign up to receive emails and text messages for:
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Gov. Inslee Reminds Drivers to Slow Down, Move Over for Road Workers |
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WSDOT has a message for travelers: slow down and move over for road workers. It’s the law (and not a new one!).
Driving a tow truck is among America’s most dangerous jobs; only roofers and fisherman are injured as often. And the news is littered with stories of reckless drivers smashing into WSDOT trucks. And each year, WSDOT holds a ceremony to honor the dozens of workers killed in highway work zones since 1950.
Per state law, motorists approaching an emergency zone or work zone must move over one lane, if possible, or slow to 10 miles per hour below the speed limit. The zone extends 200 feet in both directions of the incident or work area.
Gov. Jay Inslee met with state Department of Transportation Incident Response Team workers last Wednesday, who urge the public to follow the law, slow down, and move over.
“These are people who are taking care of us, saving our lives, dealing with incidents on the roadway,” said Inslee. “So let’s give these hard workers and their families a ‘brake.’”
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Ferry Advisory Committees:
Virtual Community Meetings
January 17 & 18, 2024
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WSDOT is hosting two virtual community meetings this week with their Ferry Advisory Committees. Hear updates on their service and an overview of their recently released Service Contingency Plan. Both meetings will cover the same material. Advanced registration is required. |
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Project Connect Fair
January 23, 24, & 25, 2024
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Overdose Awareness & Prevention Training
Thursday, February 1, 2024, 6:00 pm
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Topics will include overdose risk factors, signs of an overdose, how to respond to an overdose, and common myths and misunderstandings about fentanyl.
The training will cover how to give naloxone (Narcan), an easy-to-use medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Naloxone will be provided to attendees as supplies allow.
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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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Joel Gibson Jr. at The Point Casino
Friday, January 19, 2024, 10:00 pm
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Terry Fator @ Clearwater Casino
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 8:00 pm
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What began in Corsicana, Texas when 10-year-old boy named Terry Fator read a book about ventriloquism has led him to heights he could never have imagined winning America’s Got Talent, becoming a Las Vegas headliner for the past 14 years and his ongoing nationwide tour which is taking him to concert stages, casino theaters and performing arts centers across the country.
Terry’s show is the perfect combination of comedy and singing, hilarious parodies, his once in a lifetime ventriloquism skills, featuring his cast of puppet characters singing classic and modern rock, pop, soul and country. And he does all that without moving his lips.
Purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com or in the Casino Gift Shop.
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Roxy Theatre Presents:
Dan Rosenberg & Friends
Saturday, January 27, 2024, 7:30 pm
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Foghat @ Admiral Theatre
Friday, February 2, 2024, 7:30 pm
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Foghat celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021, and their live performances show why the band is still around and will continue to keep on rockin’ as long as they want to! Join us for the timeless music, incredible energy and expert musicianship of a seasoned band with a remarkable history. These guys just love to play!
Are you ready to take a ‘SLOW RIDE’? Just great Rock ‘n Roll/Boogie & Blues!
With the band as high energy and intense as ever, Foghat’s audience now consists of fans of all ages… kids who learned about Foghat from Guitar Hero III, the ‘Dazed & Confused’ generation, and the boomers who bought their vinyl or 8 tracks!
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BCT Presents: Crimes of the Heart
February 2-25, 2024
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The three Magrath sisters are back together for the first time in a decade. Lenny is the caretaker of the sisters’ cantankerous Old Granddaddy. Meg left home to pursue stardom as a singer in Los Angeles, but has, so far, only found happiness at the bottom of a bottle. And Babe has just been arrested for the murder of her abusive husband. Under the scorching heat of the Mississippi sun, past resentments bubble to the surface and each sister must come to terms with the consequences of her own “crimes of the heart.”
Content Advisory: Contains adult language, references to attempted suicide, and verbal descriptions of domestic violence.
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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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