Marching ON to social and all justice that has been sorely missing for moral and ethical and corrupt self-interest-agrondisement-greed and not for the greater, more humble, more important good and health, wealth of a large nation and world and not just a very few!
LOVE the march that will happen this Saturday here from our students as well as the one above on International Women's Day this year!
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WE ARE FINALLY FEELING IT : More Upbeat Vibes are being generated
and spread and shared and the faint smiles are turning into bigger and
broader smiles and sometime grins. There seems to be a greater ease
about our customers these days as they shop here. It was nice, for
example on Saint Patty's Day that I gather from reading the Washington
Post this morning has become a big rallying point for the Irish
government as they come here to the United States and promote "
everything Irish ". Being Irish myself I like this. I also liked the
ease with which Saint Patty's Day passed here this past Saturday.
Everyone was dressed in in shades of green and many people had their
green beads and their hats and fun glasses and everyone was rel;axed and
enjoying themselves. It was a beautifully peaceful and energized Saturday
and some were in a bit of a rush while others would be tempted to try
some of our wine, too that both Jessica poured ( STERLING, CA. Riesling,
Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel ) and then later Roberta ( the Robert
Kacher French portfolio of wines with the " new " Biodynamic Cazes red
and white of Le CANON Du Marechal ( both at $14.99 ). Most people were
interested in the GUINNESS and in the JAMESONS. but everything Irish
sold well here and at the end we ran out of the GUINESS and many
switched to the SMITHWICKS. That's what I took home for our dinner party
and everyone tried and loved it.
I WROTE and sent that paragraph back on March 20th, 2012 - six years ago! Things are always in transition as one should expect.
HAPPY OFFICIAL DAY TODAY of Spring, today the Vernal Equinox yes! We need this now more than ever!!!
AND Rain and Snow coming, too! Yikes!!
STAY WARM, safe and dry, bundle up good.
SO TO CONTINUE on the POSITIVE SIDE of things I will star, start,
find the art, the truth, the interest, the heart and personality in
things as I write this ' stream of conscious ' Tuesday
store email. So bear with me as I do this for the fun, the sport, the
art, the freedom. the freshness and the brightness, and the balm we need
in our daily lives to take the next step and enjoy and find the
happiness we all need daily.
I ENJOYED this past weekend here with Robert Kennedy and Vittorio
the owner and winemaker of his own TRE MONTI. It was great to explore
the flavors of the indigenous grape variety Albana. We sold-out Saturday.
WE ALSO EXPLORED the richness and depth, the thickness, the
viscosity, the layers of the French grape Petit Manseng. Wow,
impressive, we still have four or so bottles of that signed by Vittorio
for gifts, ' Thea ' named after his grandmother, $29.99 a bottle. Pretty
amazing wine.
IT WAS SAINT PATRICK'S DAY this past Saturday
so we had many people in buying Irish beer of GUINNESS and HARPS, and
inquiring about the Irish whiskies, too. We sold a whole lot of both as
people came from Nanny O'Briens Irish pub down the street, or were
headed there.
MANY recommendations were made as we have 18 brands still here,
and their many variations on a theme. I took home some of the 2Gingers
On Special for $19.99 ( I remember really liking how smooth it was -
still is! ), and some HARP ( I like how mellow it is, still is, too ! ),
and together with the excellent corned beef, potatoes and carrots and
more that my wife prepared it was pretty much all an Irish bliss and
heaven for us as I am sure it was for many of you.
LET US NOT MAKE ANY OMISSIONS when we tell you that we now have
three different flavors - tastes of the OMISSION Brewing Co. that is '
crafted to remove gluten ' from the beer, $10.99 a 6-pack of 12-ounce
bottles. Yes. I have the Pale Ale here that is both hoppy and
easy-drinking. Cheers. It has 5% alcohol by volume.
AS YOU ALL KNOW I WALK THE ROWS here each Tuesday!
It grounds me and gives me inspiration. I need that. I discover things I
did not know we have, and then others that I know we have and need to
mention. I have pulled the DIPLOMATICO ' Planas ' clear white rum off
the shelf, On Special for $32.99 a bottle, and see it says ' aged
sipping rum ', and I am pleased to see more clear rums like this and the
PLANTATION Rum, too. DIPLOMATICO is from Venezuela, and I am thrilled
to include this here now as it is a very difficult time there now with
many fleeing the country.
YES, WE ARE WRAPPED IN POLITICS no matter where we look.
WE ARE CONSUMED IN SHOOTINGS, TOO like the tragic one with 3
critically injured students of St, Leonard's High School in Saint Marys,
Maryland. Tragic, the last thing anyone wants to hear about. Our
thoughts and prayers go out to all those there that have been effected
by by this shooting.
I WANT TO REMIND you all that we have the excellent ' Old
Volstead's ' Summer Shandy , a blend of hard cider and lemonade here for
you all from MT. DEFIANCE in MIddleburg, Virginia, On Special for $7.99
for a 500ml bottle, with 6% alcohol by volume, ...
I WAS ASKED TO DO a whisky tasting at Adas and I loved it,
including a bottle of the McClintock Distilling Company's Maryland
Heritage White Whiskey, ' the spririt of innovation ', On Special for
$33.99, 42% alcohol by volume, and more and more of the group liked it
once they got acclamated to the bouquet that is more raw and visceral,
it shakes both nostrils and first taste, and then it becomes more
charming and animated, too.
THE STUDENTS ARE MARCHING HERE for gun-laws ( gun-buying-laws too
), a heated subject for everyone, perhaps the thought and fear to many
that guns are the last straw if taken from them to their safety and
their freedom as they do not trust the government? A touch subject. Our
country is divided by so many of these to the effect that those elected
to represent our local interests are too scared to do anything at all,
and do nothing and pretend like no one notices or cares.
WE ARE PROUD that these students have enough support, gumption and are fearless and not dumbed-down/bought-out/paid-
THANK YOU OUR STUDENT YOUTH, we love you, are proud of you, need
you now more than ever to help get our lives back in order so that we
may all be able to function once again as a country for the greater good
of it's people and not simply to grease the palms of even fewer than
before.
OUCH, this all hurts so bad!
PEOPLE SAY BUSINESS IS GOOD FOR US when people are sad and unhappy,
miserable, and more. I - we do not see this. It has not been good for
us here or in our neighborhood as we collectively struggle to keep it
all together. It does not help anyone when most of Washington DC and the
Washington metropolitan area is depressed out of their functioning and
fruitful-productive minds!
SO I LOOK FOR ' Value ' to share here, we all do. WE are not trying
to sell you things for their ' start-power ', their flash, their ' look
' on the pages of Vanity Fair, Vogue, ELLE, MARIE CLAIRE, whatever.
WE ARE SELLING and recommending to you spirits that make sense,
that deliver what they should, not what a glitzy label implies or infers
but has nothing really at all do with what is inside the bottle.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD when we are the champions of
ourselves and our own lives. WE can then lead by example, having paid
the real price learning what counts and what does not.
TRY THIS ' Hog Waller ' Breakfast Stout brewed with coffee and
chocolate from the CHAMPION Brewing Company, with 45 IBU, and 8% alcohol
by volume, this 4-pack of cans, 12 ounce cans is On Special for $11.99.
Yes, si oui, come get some now.
SO MUCH TO FOCUS ON these days, but the most important thing is not
to get sidetracked and to keep center-stage that which is most
important, most vital, most cherished by you. Seems simple, but never so
easy as we are constantly lured into and onto other paths and purposes
that are not ours, not even close.
DO NOT BE WEAK - rage against the dying our your light, take full
ownership of bith your light and your dark, Dylan Thomas today would
probably agree with this.
WE HAVE PASSOVER coming soon and the store is brimming with wonderful kosher wines to be enjoyed!
1) Cotes Du Rhone 2016, $18.99 a bottle, with 14% alcohol by
volume, from La Fille du Boucher = The Butcher's Daughter, come try
some. A Grenache-based wine, medium-to-lighter-bodied, so versatile in
it's applications!
TWO Dry Red Bordeaux Wines -
1) 2016 La Tour Pavee Bordeaux Superieur, $16.99, with 12.5%
alcohol by volume, a fine food red, medium-to-light-bodied, fresh,
bright, some character, too!
2) Les Remparts de Bel Air, 2015 ( fine vintage ), Production
kosher Moise Taieb, a bit more depth and roundness here, $17.99 a
bottle, with 13% alcohol by volume, si oui oui oui!
MORE -
1) La Citadelle De Diamant, Marius 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, with
20% Cabernet Franc, 14% alcohol by volume, from Israel, from Galilee,
cheers, $32.99 a bottle, come get some and celebrate!
Lilly does never sour a party or meal, not without real character
and intent that is, so come get a 4-pack of our LILLY SOUR of 11.2Fl. Oz
bottles, from Belgium, from the Brasserie de Silly, an authentic,
tasty, flavorful food beer to act as a palate-refresher so that both
each taste and then each bite of your meal is a tremendous treat!
Cheers.
Organic conversation does not always lead to organic spirits, but
our spirits should all be from the heart and soul and accept the purer
flair that and organic spirits in it's liquid form like the ' new '
Koval dry gin can do so perfectly well, $37.99 a bottle, distilled from
orgainic grains, handmade in Chicago, with 47% alcohol by volume, this
is very exciting and adds to the Chysanthemum $27.99 and Ginger $26.99
liqueurs we sell already , as well as Single Barrel 4 Grain Whisky
$53.99 we sell from KOVAL here.
PLASTIC in the bottle plastic as the bottle is thinner and looks
like you are getting a smaller amount and yet it is lighter to carry,
does not break when hitting the ground, is easier and kinder to our
environment when recycled, and this 2014 Shiraz from TANGLED TREE On
Special now for $7.99 drinks so well and will be great during this
winter storm brewing outside and heading our way strongly now for the
next two days! Come get some yes yes I like it, tasty stuff to warm us
all. To sip or enjoy with a meal.
When was the last time you felt unhurried?!? It has been a long
time since this has been my case. But hey there are other spirits out
there that can and are unhurried like the GLENGOYNE Unhurried since 1833
15 Years natural colour from the time and oak casks alone, using both
Bourbon and Sherry casks to add spice and rich intensity/intwensity too
to the final series of escalating and evolving and growing tastes and
flavors, $75.99 a bottle, a Highland Single Malt from Robbie Hughes, the
distillery manager, nurtured and matured with 43% alcohol by volume.
Yes! A Big Yes really.
TASTINGS HERE THIS WEEK -
TONIGHT - Wednesday, March 20th, 2018 ( 5-8PM ) : I will open two bottles for this cold weather, join me from 5-7:30PM and taste the
1) Fiano di Avellino Italian Naples white from the TENUTA VICARIO,
On Special for $12.99, with a 3 fro $33, and a 6 for $60 on it..2) A
French Southwest dry blend from Minervois, from the Domaine La Capelle,
Les vignes en terrasses, oui oui , vines on terraces, yes yes, On
Special for $12.99, with 3 for $33 and 6 for $60 when you buy- BOTH
great for this cold wet and snowy storm!
TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 21st, 2018 ( 5-8PM ) , Dwight that has just returned from a visit to Bordeaux, France, and to the DOMAINE CAZENOVE will taste the
1) Le Blanc de CAZENOVE Grand vin de Bordeaux 2015, $14.99 a bottle, as well as the
2) great vintage of 2010 dry red blend, $20.99 a bottle - great for
this cold and a hearty meal to warm us all up buried in snow or pelted
by freezing rains!
ALSO -
Dwight will taste the TWO WINES of South Africa-
1) Over The Mountain Pinot Noir 2012, $21.99 a bottle, that has
maturity and flavor and taste all wrapped nicely together now, and -
2) Rickety Bridge dry white Field Blend of Roussanne, Chenin Blanc
and Grenache, $16.49 a bottle for a good wine to warm us all in either
freezing-cold rain or buffering white snow!
JOIN US weather permitting.
THURSDAY, March 22nd, 5-8PM,
we have owner Gilette Johnson of the New Zealnd The Loop, Ranga Ranga,
and Three Brooms here to pour both the Three Brooms Sauvignon and their
dry Riesling, and the Sauvignon Blanc from RANGA RANGA and The LOOP, all
the Sauvignon Blanc wines sell for $13.99, and the dry Riesling for
$17.99 a bottle. JOIN US.
FRIDAY, March 23rd, 2018 ( 5-8PM ) : We have Grahm Isaac here from the Country Vintner to pour a selection of his wines with you all.
Grahm will pour two fine Chianti wines ( both are new in the sense
that we have not had them on our shelves for awhile, both from Vias
imports that are specialists in fine Italian wines, grazie Franceen
Kahng! ) that will be great as these temperatures stay cold, he will
also pour some of the DMZ 2016 Chardonnay from DeMORGENZON, $14.49. amd
we are throwing in a ' surprise ' to from Grahm! JOIN US, everyone
always welcome.
SATURDAY, March 24th, 2018 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Dan here of William Harrison to pour some of his fine wine selections from France and Argentina, to be decided tomorrow, call for more info, cheers, join us, you are all welcome here anytime!
SAVE UP to 20% OFF in two ways each and every Wednesday
here on bottles of wine at $19.99 or more. Call me - Tony, or Chris to
find out how, to pay, you must pay on Wednesdays to get these special
savings.
OTHERWISE ALL WEEK LONG take advantage of our :
1) 3 for $33 on bottles of wine wine , and ,
2) 6 for $60 on bottles of wine
( mix or match, have fun,
plenty to choose from ).
SAVE BIG either way,
ALWAYS SAVE here at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits.
OUR WEB PAGE is : Clevelandparkwines.com
NOT : Clevelandparkwine.com.
WE HAVE NOT BEEN HACKED, as both adresses are different. BUT to be sure we are checking into this.
THANKS for alerting us to this possible problem!
WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW is an old store email I wrote and posted here
six years ago - 3/20/2012! WOW, cheers, read it if you have time, check
for current availability and pricing, thanks. TONY
IT'S NICE TO GET THIS CALMER SENSE as everyone continues to experiment
with all the " new " choices that Ravi, Santos, Ean and Tony continue to
find for you all. It never stops either as there is always something "
new " and often quite " unexpected and exciting ". Many of these new
products are cutting edge and things that people are looking for. We
have often had requests for them and so what we are tasting today are
often things that we need to fill the demands for them. Things are
working really well in this sense. That's all really good.
APPLE CIDER From Santos :
CRISPIN " Original " Natural Hard Apple Cider that is both
organic and gluten-free ( On Special for $7.99 a 4-pack of 12 Fl. Oz
bottles, 5% alcohol , www.crispincider.com
) is new packaging for us and convenient for many of our customers. It
also comes in the larger size bottles but these 4-packs now come in
convenient traveling packs. We are happy to have this new packaging.
BEERS From SANTOS :
1) " Sucaba " Reserve Series Barrel-Aged Barley Wine . limited
release from FIRESTONE/ WALKER ( $14.99 ) is great to have and I can't
wait to try it! Made by Adam Firestone, David Walker and Matt Brynildson
: " Chocolate, charred oak, and coffee are just some of the complex
aromas and flavors you will find in this beer. "
2) STONE " Old Guardian " Barley Wine-Style Ale 2012 Release
from FIRESTONE ( $8.99, 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz , 11% alcohol by volume , STONE
Brewing Company in Escondido, San Diego, CA. ) has got a whole book on
the back in gold ink printed for those of you with a bit of time on your
hand. Just for this gargantuan effort of theirs alone I would be
willing to sample some of this " new " barley wine-style 2012 from
FIRESTONE. It's a handsome package. Cheers.
3) " Resin " SIXPOINT Craft Ales Beer Is Culture ( On Special
for $9.99, 4 12-ounce cans ) : " Resin is the sticky quintessence of
hops that quells the encroaching malt sweetness ". More great packaging!
IT'S A GREAT SMALL, WONDERFUL WORLD here in Cleveland Park N.W.
Washington D.C. We were just able to do a favor for one of our customers
that is helping with a local fundraiser - the " Pink Tie " at the
Mayflower hotel with Jose Andres and others - that needs some sake (
MOMOKAWA - we sell all the flavors including the Diamond, Silver, Pearl,
Ruby, Coconut : ALL at $15.99 a bottle ) and I was able to call my rep
Tom that brought it to me minutes ago in plenty of time for our
customer to pick it up and get it where he needs it.
TOM THAT MADE THIS DELIVERY also brought Billy O'Rourke ( Vice President of Sales of SANTO SPIRITS, INC ., www.Ambhar.com
) that had his Silver, Reposada and Anejo tequila from TEQUILA AMBHAR
to taste. Michael, another good customer was here to talk to me about
the John Eaton fundraiser in May and knowing that he liked tequila I had
him try the Anejo that he quite liked. If we can work out a good price
Ravi is willing to bring some in. SO, as you can see : it's really quite
a small world all connected for us. We, of course will be working with
Michael for the John Eaton event in May.
LIQUEUR From Ravi : Verdenoce from DUMANTE ( On Special for $35.99, alcohol is 28% by volume, made in Italy, www.Dumante.com
) is : " A unique ultra premium Italian liqueur made from the legendary
pistachio and other nut and natural flavors, produced using the
time-honored methods of fine Italian artisan liqueurs. Rich, smooth,
aromatic, releasing a subtle-nutty essence that lingers on the palate
with a pleasingly long finish ". SEVERAL CUSTOMERS have requested a
pistachio liqueur and so here we are filling a demand, small at this
point though it may be. Come check it out : great bottle and packaging!
LIQUOR From Ravi :
2) KNAPPOGUE CASTLE Aged 16 Years Irish Single Malt Whiskey ( $102.99 , 40% alc. www.knappoguewhiskey.com
, ) distilled in 1994, bottled in 2010 and in Twin Wood : " ... the
first Sherry Finished Knappogue matured for sixteen years in two types
of wood ... "
3) Irish Whiskey Special Reserve from ADAM MILLAR & COMPANY ( On Special $29.99, 40% alcohol by volume, www.HardyUSA.com
) : is " a unique blend of the finest Grain and Malt Irish Whiskies ,
... ". Great label, too : looks like it's going to taste like liquid
honey with gold infused within, that's how good it looks through the
clear glass and the yellow, black and gold-accented label! Get some
quick before we sell out. Keep the Irish mood alive and going ...
IT'S FUN TO THINK THAT some of our customers travel far and wide to see us here and this past weekend on Saturday,
Saint Patty's Day we had three people come from Pennsylvania to get
some of the ARIZONA STRONGHOLD wines ( " Mangus " 2010 Sangiovese red
blend, $29.99, and the " Tazi " touch off-dry white blend of Malvasia,
Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, ... www.AZstronghold.com
). They told us that we were the closest store that they could find for
these wines. Wow, I love that, really I do. Makes me feel like I am
doing something right. And the wines are really good and that's why we
carry them as well as wanting to represent the state of Arizona. Cheers.
WINES From EAN and TONY :
WHITE :
1) Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa's Walker Bay, from BOUCHARD FINLAYSON, this 2009 ( On Special for $17.99, regularly $23.99, www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za , 13% alcohol by volume ) is pretty amazing, really it is. I loved it, so did Ean. There was very little so we took it all. It has so much richness of flavor, so many layers, so " moving ", so " warm " and so " alive " - that ripples and rushes and slows and turns and expands and contracts and touches your palate in ways that are exciting and intriguing. It's a living work of art and everyone should experience at least a bottle to get a great experience in one of the many fluid and changing possibilities to be enjoyed with the Sauvignon Blanc grape that you may not have already had. it's worth the trek here to experience first-hand this BOUCHARD FINLAYSON.
2) Chardonnay 2009 from California's Santa Barbara County,
this SUMMERLAND ( On Special for $17.99, regularly $22.99, alcohol is
13.8%, www.summerlandwine.com,
cellared and bottled by SUMMERLAND winery, Buellton, California ) is a
really delicious with just the right balance of wood and butter and
everything else. Ean did not want to try it when he heard what it was. I
strongly encouraged him to try it as I said he would like this one. He /
we did and here is the very last of the 2009 for you all. it's a beauty
" it's well-balanced, well-made. We both recommend it highly.
REDS :
1) 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Carignan from
DOMAINE LA TOUR PENEDESSES " Les Moulins de la Resclanze " 2009 dry red
French Coteaux du Languedoc ( $12.99, Alexandre Fouque Canioni,
artisan-vigneron 34600 Faugeres, 14.5% alcohol, by volume for more info
go to : www.latourpenedesses.com ) is fruity, fresh and round on the palate. Try it with pizza, spicy dishes and Asian foods, too.
2) PINOT Central Coast Pinot Noir 2009 ( $13.99, powermarketingusa.com/mashjuga
) is cellared and bottled by Mashjuga Wine Company, Santa Barbara, CA.
It's 14% alcohol by volume and is the popular, delicious style that so
many people will flock to here with a fun and simple front label and a
cute and fun back descriptive label that I will leave for you all to
read and enjoy when you come in search of this wine.
3) Rosso Di Montalcino 2009 from BOLSIGNANO ( $25.99 , 14%
alcohol by volume ) is hearty and robust and flavorful and best when
paired with a tasty meal as well. It needs the food to help flesh out
the soft tannins and the spices and the accents of acids as well. Brand
new here.
4) " La Rein Des Bois " 2008 Chateauneuf-Du-Pape from the
DOMAINE de la MORDOREE ( $82.99, from Fabrice Delorme and his brother,
proprietaires-recoltants in 30126, Tavel , 15% alcohol by volume ) is
tasting quite good now. I sampled it with Fabrice and his wife
Anne-Marie three or so weeks ago and it will be a real treat once it has
been cellared another 3-8 years. No need to rush it : it's still very
much a baby of a wine that needs to grow wings and take flight and soar
with us into the heavens above.
SWEET WHITE :
1) BUG JUICE Moscato D'Asti ( $17.99 ) from RINALDI, this
2010 from Ricaldoni, Italy in the Piemontese region is amazing. It's
great to sip small sips at a time and to languish and to pause and to
become expansive and pleased and teased and amazed over sip by sip by
sip with lots of time to reflect and enjoy in between. Great label, too,
The owner was just here two-three weeks ago and we have sold this BUG
JUICE sweet white Moscato now on-and-off for years.
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
FRIDAY, March 23rd, 2012 ( 5-8PM
) : We have Chris from Cobblestone Imports coming to pour an assortment
of his wines that span from California to Virginia to France and
Germany and more. Join us, it's always a good tasting with Chris. He's
worked retail before and is really good with customers as well and can
answer many of your questions.
SATURDAY, March 24th, 2012 ( 2-6PM
) : We have Eric Platt coming to pour a selection of his SEIFRIED
Nelson, New Zealand wines as well as some of his " new " vineyards :
The DOCTORS' 2009 Riesling from Marlborough ( $20.99, www.forrest.co.nz
) is produced by FORREST WINE CONNECTION, Blicks Road, Renwick,
Marlborough and is a delight to sip anytime. I get overtones of dried
apricot and mangoes when I sip it. JOIN US, NEVER any charge. Bring
family and friends with you. Eric will also pour some of his amazing and
elegant and polished and delicate OLD COACH ROAD 2010 Pinot Noir from
Nelson, New Zealand that sells for $21.99 a bottle. 13.5% alcohol by
volume and for more info go to : www.ppw.co.nz.
I was impressed the last time we tasted it with you all. It's perfect
now as the weather starts to warm up. It's bottled by SEIFRIED Estate.
HOT OFF THE PRESS! Over across the street at Byblos Deli there are
some important people dining as there are black vans and police cars
with lights flashing and a group of officers standing outside by the
road and more at the entrance to the deli. All very official and
hush-hush with customers dining outside by the beautiful pots and
many-colored flowers that owner Mark has put outside to add flavor and
color and overall good cheer to his dining experience. I love it. I got
some pictures of it and maybe when I enlarge them I will be able to see
better. I will ask Mark later what it was all about. CLEARLY, they like
Mark's food. That's a good thing for both Byblos as well as for our
great Cleveland Park neighborhood. it's now 2:52PM as I type these last words. Cheers.
I AM SURE I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS BUT it's time to post this now. For more info on us go to : www.clevelandparkwines.com, on Facebook at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits and on Twitter at : cpwinespirits and at : chatwine.blogspot.com and chatpoetry.blogspot.com. Cheers and thanks for all your faith and support of us. We appreciate it very much. TONY | |
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