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Followup: ‘Clean Up Your Act, Seattle’ instigator needs you 3/5
February 21, 2011 10:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | South Park | West Seattle news | White Center

Remember Michael Merta, whose anti-litter letter was published here three weeks ago? He’s mustered some support and is now – with one local leader’s encouragement – inviting you to join in a cleanup, among other things. Here’s his update:

About three weeks ago I wrote an open letter about the worsening problem of litter in the Seattle area. I’ve received many responses to that letter from other concerned citizens since then. I have still not heard back from any of the city, county, or WSDOT officials that I complained to, about their plans if any, to deal with the problem.

I have been contacted by King County Councilman Joe McDermott’s office, and they have asked me to organize a cleanup through the Facebook page that I created around this issue.

The Councilman’s office has contacted Waste Management to provide support, tools, and supplies for the effort, and we are tentatively planning it for Saturday March 5th between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please see the Facebook page for further details, or contact me at michaelmerta@hotmail.com

It is unclear to me, and it is also unclear to officials in Councilman McDermott’s office, just who is responsible for routine litter patrol, and in which areas of town. There may be areas where indeed, no agency is currently responsible. Since I first complained about this to the various agencies, there has been no litter removed from the sites I’ve identified. It seems as if our local government does not have the resources, or has not allocated the resources to solve this problem, so we as citizens need to figure something out here.

Obviously, one cleanup event cannot solve this problem. In my opinion, it’s going to take a comprehensive effort involving frequent citizen cleanups, state and local government organized cleanups, increased fines, and increased code enforcement. A kind of full-on campaign, we could call it “Keep Seattle Beautiful.” I’d like some help with getting such a campaign started. We could all start by writing about our concerns to our local politicians. mayormcginn.seattle.gov, Dow.Constantine@kingcounty.gov

In a city that prides itself on being “green” and environmentally friendly, it seems we have allowed plain old litter to make a comeback. Today, as I was driving across the First Avenue bridge (one of the areas I first complained about) I noticed someone decided to drop off an old couch on the side of the road (see photo above). Funny thing about litter, you leave it there and it seems to multiply.

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West Seattle/White Center protest highlights Cambodia/Thailand dispute
February 12, 2011 2:12 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

You’ve heard a lot about what’s going on in the Middle East – but have you heard about what’s going on in Southeast Asia? A border clash between Cambodia and Thailand is about to come to a head in front of the United Nations, and today Cambodian-Americans came to West Seattle and White Center for a demonstration aimed at bringing it to your attention and demanding the U.S. government get involved. West Seattle Blog/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz noticed the protest, took these photos and talked to spokesperson Sokmakara Hang, who explained that the demonstrators came from all over the state, and came here because this area has the state’s highest concentration of Cambodian-Americans. They stood on corners all around 16th/Roxbury:

Also on hand was Meach Sovannara from the Khmer Post Media Center in Long Beach (Calif.). The dispute is over a border area near the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is more than a millennium old. The Cambodian-Americans say the most recent skirmishes killed Cambodian soldiers, and are demanding that the Thai government stop what they call an “invasion.” They want United Nations intervention as well as President Obama and the rest of the international community. According to this story from the Bangkok Post, this issue will be brought to the UN Security Council on Monday, and reportedly Cambodia will claim it’s at war with Thailand. There’s more background on the century-long conflict over the temple in this Jakarta Post story.

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Speaking of art … White Center Art Walk seeking WS/WC artists
February 9, 2011 11:42 pm
|    Comments Off on Speaking of art … White Center Art Walk seeking WS/WC artists
 |   West Seattle news | White Center | WS culture/arts

One more art note before the night’s out: Though the West Seattle Art Walk (tomorrow, 6-9 pm) is definitely the bigger of the two, the White Center Art Walk is livening up our southern neighbor each month too … and tonight, WSB’er Amanda is putting out the call for more participants:

Calling all West Seattle Blog and White Center Now-reading artists! The White Center Art Walk happens every 3rd Saturday of the month from 6pm – 9pm. Proletariat Pizza, Full Tilt, Big Al’s, Dzul Tattoo, Dubsea, Company, Salvadorean Bakery, and Rozella’s are some of the participants. With all the new places moving into White Center, it’s becoming a great place to see local art!

We are looking for artists to participate. There are no commissions or hanging fees either! We are in need of two artists for this month (the 19th) at Full Tilt and Big Al’s. Looking for family friendly art, but are open to all kinds of art. Please contact Amanda Kay Helmick for submission information. smyliegrl at gmail dot com

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Zippy’s Giant Burgers moving from Highland Park to White Center
February 3, 2011 6:45 pm
|      127 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

(Photos by Deanie Schwarz for WSB/WCN)
Earlier this week, Zippy’s Giant Burgers said it would likely have news of a new location by the end of the week, since the foreclosure mess at its original Highland Park location didn’t seem likely to result in a continued lease, or purchase, of the building – and tonight, West Seattle Blog/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz has just confirmed with Zippy’s ownership that the new location is final: A long-empty restaurant spot on the northern edge of White Center. 9614 14th Avenue SW (map), right behind the Roxbury Bartell Drugs, about a block and a half north of Big Al Brewing.

Blaine Cook from Zippy’s explains that among other things, staying at the current location would have meant triple the current rent. As for other possibilities around West Seattle and White Center, it would have cost too much for the “buildout” at other locations they explored. Staying in this area was important, since of their 11 employees, all but two live in West Seattle or White Center. The new location – with previous names including the Cookbook Café – is now inked for a three-year lease with two options for five-year extensions, he says. It’s a lot bigger than the current location – 1,600 square feet, with room for up to 60 people to sit down. That means they might eventually expand their menu – breakfast is a possibility.

This also means:

–They can accept credit cards
–They’ll cut their own fries
–They’ll seek a license to offer beer

They’re hoping to open in late April or early May, with minimal downtime for a moveout from Highland Park before their lease expires on April 19th. The White Center site is truly turnkey, Cook says – some floor work and “kitchen tweaks” are needed, plus permits. But overall, he says, “We are stoked!” They’re looking forward to being part of White Center’s ongoing renaissance. And remember the term SoRo – South of Roxbury – if it catches on, he’s the one who made it up!

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‘Clean Up Your Act, Seattle’: Local man’s anti-litter campaign
January 31, 2011 9:10 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | South Park | West Seattle news | White Center

(Photos courtesy Michael Merta. Here: “Olson Place SW going up toward Roxbury”)
It’s easy to see a problem and gripe about it. Getting something done – doing it yourself – not so easy. Michael Merta says he’s figuring this out, as he tries to rally support to fight littering and other blight. He asked if we would publish his open letter and a few photos. He lives in White Center but is challenging folks throughout the West Seattle/White Center/South Park/Georgetown areas, and beyond:

I’m wondering if anyone else has noticed an increasing amount of graffiti and litter on our West Seattle and South Seattle roadways and public places lately? I have, and I decided to try to write to the appropriate departments to see what was happening. I emailed the city of Seattle and received a polite thank you and acknowledgement, though no specific reply stating that anything would be done.

I wrote to WSDOT about litter all along SR 509 which seems to have been accumulating for quite some time with no noticeable effort to clean it up. I have not had a reply to that complaint.

When I wrote to King County I received a very prompt reply from Dinah Day with the King County Illegal Dumping hotline, who wrote “I do have to warn you that there have been many budget cuts and how often and how much litter gets cleaned up has been significantly reduced in the last few years.” Those were her exact words, and at least they serve as confirmation that I have not been imagining things.

Personally, I feel at a loss to figure out where to go next. I’ve created a Facebook page where people can post photos, discuss the problem, and try to come up with some solution:
facebook.com/pages/Clean-Up-Your-Act-Seattle/179821188720483

One person complaining probably won’t get much attention but if we all get together maybe we can make some positive change.

We all know there have been budget cuts but I don’t think it’s acceptable to just say “budget cuts” and not do anything. Aside from looking terrible, its a matter of public safety if you subscribe to the broken-windows theory of crime prevention. There are always going to be people that litter and paint graffiti; we pay taxes to assure that it gets cleaned up. If the city, the county, and WSDOT do not have the money to take care of it in a timely fashion, perhaps we as taxpayers need to remind them that for us, it’s a priority.

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From White Center Now: New bar Company finally opens
January 28, 2011 4:28 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

Almost a full year after first word that Company was coming to downtown White Center, the new bar is officially open. Just up on White Center Now, WCN/WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz‘s report on opening night – see it here (including info on drinks/appetizers you’ll find on the menu).

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Will Seattle annex White Center? Suddenly looking less likely
January 27, 2011 10:39 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | White Center

Just up at partner site White Center Now: Seattle and Burien leaders’ reaction to a new City of Seattle report showing just how much it would cost Seattle to annex White Center (and other parts of the remaining unincorporated area). The Seattle mayor’s office, for one, is backing away from what at one point looked like a drive toward a vote this year. Here’s the story on WCN.

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From White Center Now: New welcome signs, and 2 new businesses
January 21, 2011 12:05 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

Lots going on with our neighbors to the south. First – the White Center Chamber of Commerce has put up its first two new multilingual “Welcome to White Center” signs. More details on our partner site White Center Now, where you also will find news of two new businesses – first, Crawfish Grill is going to “time-share” with Be’s Restaurant; second, a new wireless store is moving in. Thanks to WSB/WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz for spotting the new businesses; thanks to WCN reader Gill for sharing the sign photo (if you’re driving by Holy Family in about an hour, you’ll see the WC Chamber’s board celebrating the sign with a photo-op). P.S. You can check the latest headlines from White Center Now any time without leaving WSB – they’re fed to the page you’ll reach by clicking the top-of-page “White Center” tab.

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Holiday help: White Center Food Bank needs you
December 17, 2010 12:58 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday help: White Center Food Bank needs you
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

One of the two food banks that serves West Seattle, the White Center Food Bank, just put out the call for volunteer help. Can you pitch in? From volunteer coordinator Audrey Zemke:

The White Center Food Bank needs help this coming week handing out food to clients. The most urgently needed shift is 3:30 to 6:30 pm Monday, December 20. In addition we could use help Wednesday, December 22 from 12:30 to 3:30. Please contact me by e-mail (audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org) to sign up.

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West Seattle (and vicinity) holidays: White Center tree lighting
December 15, 2010 11:56 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | White Center

Just a week after the White Center Chamber of Commerce announced plans for a community Christmas tree in the small park area at the end of the Delridge Triangle (on the city side, so West Seattle can claim it too), the tree was lighted in a ceremony tonight. Video/photojournalist Cliff DesPeaux was there for WSB and partner site White Center Now. If you haven’t followed the backstory on WCN, the “power” to which nearby pub owner “Mac” McElroy refers in the clip is electric power – with the help of Seattle City Light, the area got connected earlier this week, which also makes lighting possible for the flag that flies over the triangle as part of a veterans’ memorial.

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Ready for another tree lighting? White Center’s tree gets one too
December 11, 2010 4:25 pm
|    Comments Off on Ready for another tree lighting? White Center’s tree gets one too
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | White Center

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for West Seattle Blog/White Center Now)
Even after the West Seattle Junction tree lighting a week ago, and the Our Lady of Guadalupe lighting last night, still yearning for more turn-the-tree-on holiday spirit? You’re in luck. The brand-new White Center community Christmas tree is up (technically on the West Seattle side of the line) and the WC Chamber has just announced a lighting ceremony for this Wednesday night. Full story and more photos on our partner site White Center Now.

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From partner site White Center Now: Student arrested in gun hoax
November 30, 2010 5:44 pm
|    Comments Off on From partner site White Center Now: Student arrested in gun hoax
 |   Crime | White Center

Just published on partner site White Center Now (whose stories can always be accessed through the “WC” tab atop WSB pages): The King County Sheriff’s Office says it arrested a White Center student after tracing hoax calls to his cell phone. Those calls put two adjacent schools into lockdown. Details here.

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Volunteers needed today at White Center Food Bank
November 23, 2010 8:36 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Just received this from Audrey at White Center Food Bank (which as we frequently note serves southern West Seattle too):

Because of the weather, we could use a few volunteers for the 9:30-12:30 and 12:30-3:30 shifts handing out food to clients. I don’t know how many clients will brave the weather but I want to make sure we can give them their holiday food if they do.

We have been adding holiday help requests (volunteer and donations) to the West Seattle Holidays page too – scroll past the lists of events.

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What White Center Food Bank needs for holiday dinners
November 19, 2010 5:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

When you do your holiday food shopping this weekend, consider buying extra, for food banks. We reported previously on what West Seattle Food Bank needs; today we talked with Audrey at White Center Food Bank, which serves part of WS too. She says they do NOT need more turkeys, but they DO need fixings: Chicken broth, condensed milk, olives, pickles, stuffing mix, fruit cocktail, Jell-O, etc. Audrey says they expect to serve 950 families next week.

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Holiday help: White Center Food Bank’s volunteer needs
November 15, 2010 2:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday help: White Center Food Bank’s volunteer needs
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

With a week and a half till Thanksgiving, it’s time to start thinking how to offer extra help for the holidays. For Thanksgiving, we’re checking with our local food banks regarding their needs for food donations – particularly turkeys – look for that info soon; for starters, we’ve received this volunteer-help request from volunteer/resource coordinator Audrey Zemke at the White Center Food Bank, which serves southern West Seattle as well as WC (and north Burien):

The White Center Food Bank needs volunteers to help hand out holiday food the following shifts

Mon., November 22 – 12:30 to 3:30 and possibly 3:30 to 6:30
Tue., November 23 – 9:00 to 12:30, 12:30 to 3:30, and possibly 3:30 to 6:30
Wed., November 24 – 12:30 to 3:30, 4:30 to 8:30

Mon., December 20 – 12:30 to 3:30 and 3:30 to 6:30
Tue., December 21 – 9:00 to 12:30, 12:30 to 3:30, 3:30 to 6:30
Wed., December 22 – 12:30 to 3:30

Families, individuals or groups are welcome to contact me at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 206-762-2848.

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From White Center Now: New supermarket open
November 11, 2010 8:22 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

A big ceremony and celebration marked the groundbreaking a year and a half ago for White Center Square, a shopping center at 14th/15th/100th (map) anchored by the Vong family’s new Hung Long Asian Supermarket. Now, quietly, that store has opened, reports Deanie Schwarz for our partner site White Center Now, where you’ll see more of her photos from its first day. (P.S. You can always find the newest story links from WCN by clicking the WHITE CENTER tab atop all WSB pages.)

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King County Executive joins ‘Walk to School Month’ celebration
October 29, 2010 10:02 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

(WSB photo by Ellen Cedergreen)
“Walk to School Month” is going out in style – and this morning at White Center Heights Elementary, in the Greenbridge neighborhood that starts just across Roxbury from West Seattle, the style was a blue school sweatshirt for King County Executive Dow Constantine. We’ll have more photos, and video, up shortly at partner site White Center Now; later today, Roxhill Elementary School has its own Walk to School Month celebration – but (as mentioned here during our Monday coverage of librarian Pat Bliquez’s special honor) it’ll be a Walk *from* School event!

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Election countdown: Quick toplines on tonight’s forum
October 21, 2010 10:36 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   34th District State House 2 | King Co. Council District 8 | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | White Center

(Part 1 of 3 unedited segments comprising tonight’s candidates’ forum in White Center)
It’ll be the wee hours before we finish the full story, but for election-watchers, we wanted to let you know we’ve written a very quick first summary of tonight’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council-presented candidates’ forum in White Center’s Greenbridge neighborhood, featuring both candidates in each of our area’s open-seat races: King County Council District 8 and 34th District State House Position 2. That quick summary is up right now at partner site White Center Now. We also recorded the forum on video in its entirety – nothing artistic, we’ll warn you, but in case you want to see/hear for yourself, we’re putting it on the record in three unedited segments comprising the entire 2 1/2 hours – what’s embedded above is Part 1. ADDED 11:19 PM: And here’s part 2:

12:47 PM: And part three:

Again – full story to come!

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White Center Food Bank shows off new service @ Harvest Dinner
October 17, 2010 8:25 am
|    Comments Off on White Center Food Bank shows off new service @ Harvest Dinner
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Three nights after White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump was at the microphone in South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, telling the City Council Budget Committee about his agency’s new mobile service, its truck was at the same spot – on display for the food bank’s annual Harvest Dinner and Auction. With it above are volunteers Brittany McIntyre, Lena Guevara, and Johnny Huynh. It took to the streets for the first time on Tuesday, serving WC Food Bank clients at Arrowhead Gardens (WSB sponsor). Of course, the food bank’s leader himself was at last night’s event too, all smiles over the big turnout:

The Harvest Dinner program noted, “This year we’ve faced tremendous challenges as we coped with the realities of an economic downturn and the sharp rise in need in our community. Thanks to your support and partnership, we’ve more than met the basic needs of the families we serve to ensure nutritious meals are available to those who need them most.” Also on the program, quite the entertainment lineup, including Rainier Dance Group, photographed as they prepared to go onstage:

Also performing: Fusion Dance Crew, plus a harpist and jazz pianist. The night included live and silent auctions, a dessert dash (with all money going to buy holiday pies for WC Food Bank clients), and a 50/50 raffle. If you weren’t there, your chance to help out the White Center Food Bank – which is responsible for southern West Seattle too (Myrtle is the south boundary of the West Seattle Food Bank‘s service area) – is year-round, online – just go here.

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WestSide Baby: Carseat-drive success; plus, they’re expanding!
October 16, 2010 5:07 pm
|    Comments Off on WestSide Baby: Carseat-drive success; plus, they’re expanding!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

As WestSide Baby‘s car-seat-collection drive was wrapping up at 2 this afternoon, that dumpster was packed full of car seats for recycling – about 400 collected today and at a Ballard dropoff last Saturday. The dropoffs today also included about 50 reusable car seats:

Today’s drive is in an expansion facility that WestSide Baby is finally ready to start talking about in a big way – it’s a former auto shop right behind their 15th SW headquarters in White Center, but it fronts on 14th SW, and gives them lots more room to accept donations for local families, and for volunteers to work on sorting those donations, starting in early November. WestSide Baby’s Nancy Woodland explains that it means not only can they accept more items to distribute to local families in need, they also can separate the pickup and dropoff areas, making it easier for people on both ends of the equation to deal with WS Baby. The expansion building – which is being remodeled with donated materials and labors by many businesses, groups and individuals (including WSB sponsor West Seattle Design Build) – is at 10027 14th SW; it’s also where the diapers collected in last July’s Stuff the Bus were taken for storage (here’s our report with video). If you missed today’s car-seat event, by the way, no worries, Nancy says they hope to have more!

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Got an old car seat? WestSide Baby will take it today!
October 16, 2010 7:02 am
|    Comments Off on Got an old car seat? WestSide Baby will take it today!
 |   How to help | Safety | West Seattle news | White Center

That’s Katie Salinas from Waste Management, photographed a week ago when we got full details about the car-seat collection events in which WM is partnering with WestSide Baby. Today is the big collection event for West Seattle/White Center and vicinity; between 10 am and 2 pm, take your no-longer-need car seat/booster seat to 10027 14th SW in White Center (that’s a block from WS Baby’s current location – here’s a map). If it’s in good-enough shape to reuse, that’ll happen; if not, it’ll be recycled. More details on the WS Baby website – which says the collection event in Ballard last weekend netted 50 reusable seats and almost 200 recyclable ones. Can West Seattle/White Center top that? Just hours to go.

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West Seattle Thursday: School events; Triangle review; bridge work
October 7, 2010 8:11 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center | WS miscellaneous

Big night for some West Seattle schools – including Curriculum Night at Madison Middle School (6:30 pm), Open House for families of students at Chief Sealth International High School (6 pm), Junior/Senior Night at West Seattle High School (6:15 pm), Family Engagement Night at Sanislo Elementary (6 pm) – thanks to Misty for two of those tips and Sue for another; any others? let us know … Toddler Story Time today at High Point Library, 11:30 am … The Seattle Design Commission gets an update on the West Seattle Triangle planning process today (1 pm, City Hall downtown) … Traffic note: Lane closures today on the West Seattle and Admiral Way bridges … First Lutheran Church of West Seattle Pastor Ron Marshall‘s quarterly “Read the Koran in 4 Weeks” series starts its next four-week run tonight (call 206-935-6530 to check if there’s still room) … If you’re interested in the King County Housing Authority‘s developments in the White Center area, the agency’s director will be at tonight’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting to answer questions (North Highline Fire District HQ, 7 pm) … More on the WSB Events calendar.

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Big anniversary for Proletariat Pizza’s West Seattle proprietors
September 20, 2010 9:10 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | White Center

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz)
A rare break tonight for the team at White Center’s Proletariat Pizza – proprietors Stefanie and Mike Albaeck, Highland Park residents (shown above with daughter Hazel and newborn Hollis), took their staff out for an anniversary celebration. Proletariat just finished its first year in business. For our partner site White Center Now, contributing reporter Deanie Schwarz talked with the Albaecks about their amazing year – read the full story here.

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