Rite Aid is spicing up the season of love with today's launch of "Sweet Escape," an interactive Facebook, Twitter and online promotion with prizes provided by HERSHEY'S and American Greetings including a two-night stay at the highly popular The Spa at The Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pa. Visitors to Rite Aid's Facebook page can send an electronic greeting card and take a Valentine's Day quiz, both of which can be easily shared with Facebook friends. Savvy shoppers will also love Sweet Escape’s limited number of printable coupons for Hershey's “Pot of Gold” boxed chocolates.
The randomly drawn winner of the "Sweet Escape" spa get-away sweepstakes will be announced on Rite Aid's Facebook page on Feb. 14, giving a lucky couple a sweet Valentine's Day surprise. To enter, Facebook fans need only "like" Rite Aid and enter an exclusive promo code available via:
- E-mails to members of wellness+, Rite Aid's free customer loyalty program;
- Rite Aid's Facebook page, where a photo puzzle can be solved to unlock the code;
- Rite Aid's Twitter feed
See full rules for details.
The grand prize includes travel, a two-night stay at The Spa at The Hotel Hershey, couples massage, "sweet feet" couples pedicure, a lunch date for two and even chocolate-covered strawberries to enjoy in the room. Other prizes include six American Greetings prize packages that come with a range of greeting cards and stationery to use throughout the year.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
PSA: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving - Super Bowl Tips
Did you know getting pulled over for Buzzed Driving could cost you $10,000 in legal fees, court costs, and increased insurance rates? As the excitement and hype of the Super Bowl gets into full swing, one thing that may not be on people’s minds is buzzed driving. However, over 10,000 people were killed in 2010 in alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes. A buzzed driving accident can happen to anyone, anywhere, no matter which team they are rooting for.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing their Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving PSA campaign. So during this Super Bowl, amid all the hype and discussion about the Giants and Patriots, follow these six easy tips to help prevent buzzed driving:
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
- Use your community’s sober ride program
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate, contact your local law enforcement
- Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get their destination safely.
You can find more information, get the latest updates and ask questions on the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving Twitter feed and on Facebook.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing their Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving PSA campaign. So during this Super Bowl, amid all the hype and discussion about the Giants and Patriots, follow these six easy tips to help prevent buzzed driving:
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
- Use your community’s sober ride program
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate, contact your local law enforcement
- Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get their destination safely.
You can find more information, get the latest updates and ask questions on the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving Twitter feed and on Facebook.
Consumer Critique: 201 Organic Baby Purees
I recently got a copy of the book 201 Organic Baby Purees: The Freshest, Most Wholesome Food Your Baby Can Eat!
to review. I really liked it. My oldest is past the baby food puree stage, but my toddler still enjoys them - it's actually easier to get her to eat a lot of foods in pureed form than regular.
What I really liked about this book was that it wasn't just how to puree fruits and vegetables. Although that's important to know, I was looking for something more - and this book has it. There are lots of great ideas that mimic common store-bought baby food combinations, but then there are combos I hadn't thought of. Even better, though, there are puree-based recipes for things like soup or biscuits, which means that it has recipes that can be used for older kids too, particularly finicky ones who don't always eat their veggies. Obviously you don't have to use organic ingredients, the recipes work fine without them, if you just like the idea of making your own baby food but don't buy organic.
The book was easy to read and provided great information for newbies and people who are already doing some make-your-own baby food as well. The author, Tamika Gardner, began crafting homemade baby food when her daughter was born in 2007. She created SimplyBabyFoodRecipes to provide resources for moms on a mission to feed their babies the best food. The blog has been featured on The Stir and reaches 80 million readers worldwide.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book to facilitate this review.
to review. I really liked it. My oldest is past the baby food puree stage, but my toddler still enjoys them - it's actually easier to get her to eat a lot of foods in pureed form than regular.What I really liked about this book was that it wasn't just how to puree fruits and vegetables. Although that's important to know, I was looking for something more - and this book has it. There are lots of great ideas that mimic common store-bought baby food combinations, but then there are combos I hadn't thought of. Even better, though, there are puree-based recipes for things like soup or biscuits, which means that it has recipes that can be used for older kids too, particularly finicky ones who don't always eat their veggies. Obviously you don't have to use organic ingredients, the recipes work fine without them, if you just like the idea of making your own baby food but don't buy organic.
The book was easy to read and provided great information for newbies and people who are already doing some make-your-own baby food as well. The author, Tamika Gardner, began crafting homemade baby food when her daughter was born in 2007. She created SimplyBabyFoodRecipes to provide resources for moms on a mission to feed their babies the best food. The blog has been featured on The Stir and reaches 80 million readers worldwide.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book to facilitate this review.
Contest: Mary's Son
About a month ago, I did a review of the book Mary's Son, a unique Christmas tale. "In a time of social divisiveness in our country, this story brings to the forefront the unifying values of honor, integrity and love on which America was built,” says the author, Darryl Nyznyk.
The book will have a special online contest January 30-February 14th. There are 3 steps to participating in Mary’s Son Online Contest:
A) Buy it. Buy your copy of Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas
from Amazon on January 30th-February 14th. Hit "like" at the top of the page. Email babs@prbythebook.com or comment on FB once you have done so, then they can enter you in our prize drawing.
B) Share it. Just for buying the book you are automatically entered to win one of our prizes, but each "share" action will get you another entry. This includes: Writing a book review on Amazon, writing a blog post if you have a blog, Tweeting about the book (use Mary’s Son Twitter @maryssondn), or posting about it on Facebook (please like + link to the author's FB page here). So for example, a Tweet gets you an extra entry, an Amazon review gets you another ... etc
C) Win. Here is our prize! After we have all the entries tallied, we will draw *at random* for Kindle Touch, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers
The book will have a special online contest January 30-February 14th. There are 3 steps to participating in Mary’s Son Online Contest:
A) Buy it. Buy your copy of Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas
from Amazon on January 30th-February 14th. Hit "like" at the top of the page. Email babs@prbythebook.com or comment on FB once you have done so, then they can enter you in our prize drawing.B) Share it. Just for buying the book you are automatically entered to win one of our prizes, but each "share" action will get you another entry. This includes: Writing a book review on Amazon, writing a blog post if you have a blog, Tweeting about the book (use Mary’s Son Twitter @maryssondn), or posting about it on Facebook (please like + link to the author's FB page here). So for example, a Tweet gets you an extra entry, an Amazon review gets you another ... etc
C) Win. Here is our prize! After we have all the entries tallied, we will draw *at random* for Kindle Touch, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers
Thrifty Thinking: Valentine's Day Gifts
According to www.valentinesday.org, there are over 190 million Valentine’s Day cards exchanged annually, making February 14 the second biggest card giving holiday, after Christmas. Valentine’s Day is third most important day for flowers, behind Christmas and Mother’s Day. Chocolate sales total over $1 billion (US) and more than $14 billion worldwide each Valentine’s Day.
However, if you are hoping to think a bit more economically this Valentine’s Day, the following list includes some ideas that GreenPath credit counselors came up with that have little or no cost. “In some cases, these gift ideas might be even more special to the recipient than a store bought gift,” said GreenPath trainer Megan Bridgett.
1.Write a letter telling each loved one in your family what they mean to you. Put it on nice paper and frame it in an inexpensive second hand store frame with a photo of the recipient. According to one counselor, her then teenagers (now in their 20’s) saved their letters that she wrote and still have them. “So, don’t believe it when they tell you it is corny,” said Bridgett. “Affirmation is a great gift.”
2.Make CD’s of your favorite music selections personalized for the recipient. Don’t use pirated music, though.
3.Offer a coupon to be a workout partner for a friend or relative, and keep each other accountable for your exercise goals. What is better than planned time with people that are important to you, while getting healthier in the process?
4.Give the family heirlooms away before you die. Instead of keeping grandmother’s crystal in the cupboard, give this special family gift to others to use and enjoy.
5.Give a coupon to wash windows this spring…or some other dreaded job.
6.Give your kids a coupon for one week of no bed making or other hated chore.
However, if you are hoping to think a bit more economically this Valentine’s Day, the following list includes some ideas that GreenPath credit counselors came up with that have little or no cost. “In some cases, these gift ideas might be even more special to the recipient than a store bought gift,” said GreenPath trainer Megan Bridgett.
1.Write a letter telling each loved one in your family what they mean to you. Put it on nice paper and frame it in an inexpensive second hand store frame with a photo of the recipient. According to one counselor, her then teenagers (now in their 20’s) saved their letters that she wrote and still have them. “So, don’t believe it when they tell you it is corny,” said Bridgett. “Affirmation is a great gift.”
2.Make CD’s of your favorite music selections personalized for the recipient. Don’t use pirated music, though.
3.Offer a coupon to be a workout partner for a friend or relative, and keep each other accountable for your exercise goals. What is better than planned time with people that are important to you, while getting healthier in the process?
4.Give the family heirlooms away before you die. Instead of keeping grandmother’s crystal in the cupboard, give this special family gift to others to use and enjoy.
5.Give a coupon to wash windows this spring…or some other dreaded job.
6.Give your kids a coupon for one week of no bed making or other hated chore.
Parenting Pointers: Preparations for a Smooth Delivery Day
As delivery day draws near, there are a number of steps that can be taken to help the process go more smoothly. Even if the nursery and furniture are ready, car seat is installed, and diapers are stocked, there are still delivery day preparations that can be made. Planning out these four items in advance can help the big day run smoothly.
Athlete's Diet
Labor can be over in a flash, but it can just as easily last several hours. Preparing for delivery with a regular fitness program and healthy diet throughout the pregnancy is an important means of preventing potential complications. It’s also smart to maintain hydration and drink extra water when the contractions start to prevent cramps.
Attendance Roster
The delivery personnel at the facility where you’ll be giving birth should be apprised of anyone you want in the room. Check with their rules on admittance, as any additional assistants, such as a doula or midwife, will often need to have written permission from you on file. Some people may benefit from listing a person to make medical decisions, if it becomes necessary.
Medical Procedures
A number of procedures are performed as standard practice, such as circumcision, vaccination and vitamin injections. Opting out of any procedure should be done before delivery day. Ask the obstetrician what procedures are typically provided for more information, as this can vary between practices.
Other procedures are performed by request only. Cord blood banking, for instance, is the collection of cord blood stem cells from the umbilical cord after it is clamped and cut. These cord blood stem cells may provide a potential medical treatment option for your baby or a sibling, should the need for a stem cell treatment arise in the future. Although the potential use of umbilical cord blood is expanding rapidly, the use of cord blood stem cells for emerging treatments is experimental.
The Odds and Ends
Most women nearing delivery are well aware of the need to have a few items packed for stay, post delivery. It‘s also worthwhile to have those in attendance be ready with a bag too. Use the same logic used for out-of-town trips, such as ‘pack extra in case of delays or other circumstances’. With the right delivery day preparation, everything will likely go more smoothly.
This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22.
Athlete's Diet
Labor can be over in a flash, but it can just as easily last several hours. Preparing for delivery with a regular fitness program and healthy diet throughout the pregnancy is an important means of preventing potential complications. It’s also smart to maintain hydration and drink extra water when the contractions start to prevent cramps.
Attendance Roster
The delivery personnel at the facility where you’ll be giving birth should be apprised of anyone you want in the room. Check with their rules on admittance, as any additional assistants, such as a doula or midwife, will often need to have written permission from you on file. Some people may benefit from listing a person to make medical decisions, if it becomes necessary.
Medical Procedures
A number of procedures are performed as standard practice, such as circumcision, vaccination and vitamin injections. Opting out of any procedure should be done before delivery day. Ask the obstetrician what procedures are typically provided for more information, as this can vary between practices.
Other procedures are performed by request only. Cord blood banking, for instance, is the collection of cord blood stem cells from the umbilical cord after it is clamped and cut. These cord blood stem cells may provide a potential medical treatment option for your baby or a sibling, should the need for a stem cell treatment arise in the future. Although the potential use of umbilical cord blood is expanding rapidly, the use of cord blood stem cells for emerging treatments is experimental.
The Odds and Ends
Most women nearing delivery are well aware of the need to have a few items packed for stay, post delivery. It‘s also worthwhile to have those in attendance be ready with a bag too. Use the same logic used for out-of-town trips, such as ‘pack extra in case of delays or other circumstances’. With the right delivery day preparation, everything will likely go more smoothly.
This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22.
Shopping Savings: ThredUP
Right now get 20% off on ThredUP with code SPRING20 (new members only). ThredUP is a site for you to get lots of gently-used kids' clothes at very low cost!
Parenting Pointers: Best Cars for Families Awards
U.S. News & World Report announced its Best Cars for Families Awards on February 1, 2012. To determine the winners in each category, U.S. News editors combine the consensus opinion of automotive critics with safety, reliability, passenger and cargo volume data as well as an index of family-friendly features. This year, eight brands won across 18 automotive categories, including cars, SUVs and minivans. The awards are designed to help busy parents navigate a confusing new car market by identifying cars that offer the best combination of factors most important to everyday families. I had a chance to interview U.S. News Best Cars Managing Editor Jamie Page Deaton.
1) What factors are considered in the awards?
For the awards, we combined safety and reliability ratings with the consensus opinion of car reviewers, cargo and passenger volume, and an index of available family-friendly features. The winning cars are the ones with the best combination of positive reviews, crash test and reliability ratings, interior space and available features like rearview cameras, rear seat entertainment, LATCH connectors, drink coolers, and other features that make family life easier, like navigation and Bluetooth.
2) Are the awards typically spread across several brands, or are there brands that tend to dominate?
This is only the second time we’ve done the awards, so we can’t really say certain brands tend to dominate. That said, this year Ford and Honda took home the most awards with four each. That’s not surprising, since the awards favor cars with strong reliability and safety ratings. Also, the cars that won from Ford and Honda tend to do very well in our rankings, which reflects the fact that they’re popular with car reviewers.
3) How can someone who isn't in the market for a new car but is looking for a used car use these awards?
These awards are actually a great resource for used car shoppers because most of the winners are established models – that is, they haven’t been redesigned for a few years. So, for example, the 2009 Buick Enclave that might be sitting on the used car lot is pretty much the same as the 2012 model, which won the award. The Honda Odyssey was redesigned for 2011 and the Honda CR-V and Subaru Impreza are new for 2012, but other than that, used car shoppers can simply look for older model years of the award winners. And, in the case of the Odyssey, Impreza and CR-V, used car shoppers can look at our 2011 Best Cars for Families awards to get an idea of what cars to shop. In 2011, the Honda Civic won best Compact Car, the CR-V won Best Compact SUV and the Odyssey won Best Minivan – so it shouldn’t be too hard for used car shoppers to find used models of those cars, which all work great for families.
About Jamie Page Deaton, Managing Editor, U.S. News Best Cars
Jamie Page Deaton is an experienced automotive journalist and one of the founding editors of U.S. News Best Cars. Combining the expertise of an enthusiast with a real world understanding of the needs of the everyday car buyer, Jamie has the ability to translate automotive jargon into language that the average car buyer can understand. For the past five years, Jamie’s passion for helping consumers make the right buying decisions and get the best deal on one of their largest, most important purchases has helped U.S. News Best Cars develop into one of the most influential and trusted sources of car advice, visited by over 20 million people in 2011.
As a soon-to-be parent, Jamie has developed a companion to the popular Best Cars for the Money Awards: the Best Cars for Families Awards. The Best Cars for Families Awards launch in February 2012 and focus on the issues and challenges that all parents face as they look for a vehicle that will make their lives easier. “Thinking about what happens when you put kids in a car adds a whole new dimension to the shopping and buying experience for the everyday car buyer: How high do I have to lift a stroller? Can a two or four year old climb into the car? What innovative safety features to protect kids have automakers included? Will my teenager’s sports gear fit? Will this be comfortable for carpooling?”
As part of her mission to make it easy for everyday car buyers to wade through the chaos of automotive information and find their best vehicle, Jamie has become a sought-after spokesperson on the needs of the average car buyer, appearing on national television and radio to share her expertise directly with consumers. In addition to writing for U.S. News & World Report, Jamie’s advice has also appeared at AARP’s Driver Safety Blog, How Stuff Works, Yahoo!, The Washington Post Express and Discovery Media. A proud member of the International Motor Press Association and the New England Motor Press Association, Jamie has owned everything from a 1988 Volvo 240 to a 1974 Corvette. Jamie and her husband currently own a truck and a motorcycle and are in the market for a kid-friendly car, although Jamie is still dreaming about one day dropping a V8 engine into her beloved Volvo 240.
1) What factors are considered in the awards?
For the awards, we combined safety and reliability ratings with the consensus opinion of car reviewers, cargo and passenger volume, and an index of available family-friendly features. The winning cars are the ones with the best combination of positive reviews, crash test and reliability ratings, interior space and available features like rearview cameras, rear seat entertainment, LATCH connectors, drink coolers, and other features that make family life easier, like navigation and Bluetooth.
2) Are the awards typically spread across several brands, or are there brands that tend to dominate?
This is only the second time we’ve done the awards, so we can’t really say certain brands tend to dominate. That said, this year Ford and Honda took home the most awards with four each. That’s not surprising, since the awards favor cars with strong reliability and safety ratings. Also, the cars that won from Ford and Honda tend to do very well in our rankings, which reflects the fact that they’re popular with car reviewers.
3) How can someone who isn't in the market for a new car but is looking for a used car use these awards?
These awards are actually a great resource for used car shoppers because most of the winners are established models – that is, they haven’t been redesigned for a few years. So, for example, the 2009 Buick Enclave that might be sitting on the used car lot is pretty much the same as the 2012 model, which won the award. The Honda Odyssey was redesigned for 2011 and the Honda CR-V and Subaru Impreza are new for 2012, but other than that, used car shoppers can simply look for older model years of the award winners. And, in the case of the Odyssey, Impreza and CR-V, used car shoppers can look at our 2011 Best Cars for Families awards to get an idea of what cars to shop. In 2011, the Honda Civic won best Compact Car, the CR-V won Best Compact SUV and the Odyssey won Best Minivan – so it shouldn’t be too hard for used car shoppers to find used models of those cars, which all work great for families.
About Jamie Page Deaton, Managing Editor, U.S. News Best Cars
Jamie Page Deaton is an experienced automotive journalist and one of the founding editors of U.S. News Best Cars. Combining the expertise of an enthusiast with a real world understanding of the needs of the everyday car buyer, Jamie has the ability to translate automotive jargon into language that the average car buyer can understand. For the past five years, Jamie’s passion for helping consumers make the right buying decisions and get the best deal on one of their largest, most important purchases has helped U.S. News Best Cars develop into one of the most influential and trusted sources of car advice, visited by over 20 million people in 2011.
As a soon-to-be parent, Jamie has developed a companion to the popular Best Cars for the Money Awards: the Best Cars for Families Awards. The Best Cars for Families Awards launch in February 2012 and focus on the issues and challenges that all parents face as they look for a vehicle that will make their lives easier. “Thinking about what happens when you put kids in a car adds a whole new dimension to the shopping and buying experience for the everyday car buyer: How high do I have to lift a stroller? Can a two or four year old climb into the car? What innovative safety features to protect kids have automakers included? Will my teenager’s sports gear fit? Will this be comfortable for carpooling?”
As part of her mission to make it easy for everyday car buyers to wade through the chaos of automotive information and find their best vehicle, Jamie has become a sought-after spokesperson on the needs of the average car buyer, appearing on national television and radio to share her expertise directly with consumers. In addition to writing for U.S. News & World Report, Jamie’s advice has also appeared at AARP’s Driver Safety Blog, How Stuff Works, Yahoo!, The Washington Post Express and Discovery Media. A proud member of the International Motor Press Association and the New England Motor Press Association, Jamie has owned everything from a 1988 Volvo 240 to a 1974 Corvette. Jamie and her husband currently own a truck and a motorcycle and are in the market for a kid-friendly car, although Jamie is still dreaming about one day dropping a V8 engine into her beloved Volvo 240.
Contest: Dinnertool.com Slow Cooker Showdown
DinnerTool.com is searching for super tasty and creative slow cooker recipes that are easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Home cooks everywhere are invited to submit their most popular original recipes, where they will be judged on overall taste, originality and ease of recreation by the site’s taste-bud happy editorial staff. Four finalists will then be chosen to compete for the grand prize, which will be determined by popular vote on DinnerTool.com. The recipe earning the most online votes will win the grand prize of $1000, a brand new KitchenAid® Slow Cooker and permanent placement in the popular recipe database. Each runner up will receive $150 cash prize in addition to their very own Slow Cooker from KitchenAid®. To enter up to five original recipes per day, click here.
Recipe submissions will be accepted from February 1 - February 16, 2012. Finalists will be announced February 23. Voting will run from February 23 – March 9, 2012. Winner will be announced March 12, 2012. Official Rules here.
DinnerTool.com is a website aimed at helping families solve the never-ending “what’s for dinner” dilemma. The site, which is run by Procter & Gamble Entertainment in partnership with Digital Works @ NBCU, is a one-stop shop for the family-focused foodie. Mouth-watering photo slideshows, timely and informative articles and fun how-to videos layer the site with incredible editorial content, while the recipe search, meal planner and shopping list tools make for a completely interactive user experience.
HOW: Users can visit http://ar.gy/tnu to enter up to five original recipes per day.
WHERE: To enter: http://ar.gy/tnu
To see the official rules: http://www.dinnertool.com/slow-cooker-showdown-terms-and-conditions
Recipe submissions will be accepted from February 1 - February 16, 2012. Finalists will be announced February 23. Voting will run from February 23 – March 9, 2012. Winner will be announced March 12, 2012. Official Rules here.
DinnerTool.com is a website aimed at helping families solve the never-ending “what’s for dinner” dilemma. The site, which is run by Procter & Gamble Entertainment in partnership with Digital Works @ NBCU, is a one-stop shop for the family-focused foodie. Mouth-watering photo slideshows, timely and informative articles and fun how-to videos layer the site with incredible editorial content, while the recipe search, meal planner and shopping list tools make for a completely interactive user experience.
HOW: Users can visit http://ar.gy/tnu to enter up to five original recipes per day.
WHERE: To enter: http://ar.gy/tnu
To see the official rules: http://www.dinnertool.com/slow-cooker-showdown-terms-and-conditions
Freebies!
Bellamore anti-aging skincare
Yves St. Laurnet L'Homme Libre fragrance (Facebook)
Onion rings at Burger King Feb 4th and 5th
Reusable shopping bag when you buy Jolly Time popcorn
Mr. Food Treats for Your Sweetheart: 14 Valentine's Day Desserts eCookbook
RecipeLion Sweets for Your Sweet: 22 Cute Dessert Recipes for Valentine's Day eCookbook
Organo Gold Coffee (Facebook)
Sundown Naturals fish oil
Yves St. Laurnet L'Homme Libre fragrance (Facebook)
Onion rings at Burger King Feb 4th and 5th
Reusable shopping bag when you buy Jolly Time popcorn
Mr. Food Treats for Your Sweetheart: 14 Valentine's Day Desserts eCookbook
RecipeLion Sweets for Your Sweet: 22 Cute Dessert Recipes for Valentine's Day eCookbook
Organo Gold Coffee (Facebook)
Sundown Naturals fish oil
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