Published On: Wed, Mar 18th, 2015

Page Two: Barry’s Buzz – March 18, 2015

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Benihanas is rumored to be opening in the old Dennys on the south east corner of 441 and Glades Road.

 

     Boca Raton based prison operator GEO unlocked a $115 million profit for last year, up a hefty 25% from the previous year. Last month, GEO shelled out $307 million to buy eight correction facilities in the southeast U.S. which adds to the 106 prisons the company owns or manages worldwide. GEO expects to hit revenue of a solid $1.7 billion for this year, up 14%.

 

     Eight employee Everyware, a start-up company previously headquartered in San Francisco, providing mobile technology that helps small business with marketing to and communicating with customers, is moving to the Technolgy Business Incubator at the Florida Atlantic University Research Park. Established in 1985, the 94-acre park is home to 20 high-tech companies and five support organizations.

 

     Jets Pizza opens Friday at 8903 Glades Road, suite K-2, Boca Raton with a menu including subs, chicken wings and salads.

 

     Edge Real Estate recently opened an office in the Town Center Mall, next to Tiffany’s. The “real estate lounge” features four high definition televisions showing photos of the firm’s high-end properties for sale.

 

 An economic real estate report that it’s time to buy a home, but way too late to flip in a buy low/sell how scenario. The study also revealed that the rise of some home appreciation is slowing and there’s more renters by choice in the market.   

 

     Palm Beach county is considering a law proposed by County Commissioner Mary Lou Berger outlawing panhandling in the unincorporated area, similar to the city of Boca Raton, including banning collections from firefighters for the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association boot campaign and soliciting or collecting donations of money or of property of any kind for charitable, religious, educational, benevolent or any other purposes from the occupant of any motor vehicle;

 

     Not only is South Florida’s tourism on a roll but Cuban tourism is booming, although the easing of U.S. travel restrictions to the island was announced in January, it’s too early to see a major bump in American tourists but the travel operators report a flurry of interest in booking trips to Cuba. More than 370,000 international travelers visited the Island in January, up a solid 16% from 2014, and that included a little more than 75,000 Americans, and with more on the Cuban tourism scene, South Florida Cuban tourism pros predict a bloom will fall from the rose after one visit by Americans to the Island. Thousands of European tourists are on the way and Americans are accustomed to hotel rooms with all types of amenities, which are very rare on the island, with much hype on establishing relations with Cuba have become much harder than expected and that’s flowing into the island’s tourism industry.

 

     Palm Beach County commissioners agreed to shell out $5 million for pre-construction design plans for a new $135 million spring training baseball complex in West Palm Beach, despite the needed state legislation to approve land zone changes even before the stadium can be built. The proposed stadium is slated to house the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals baseball teams for the six week Spring Training season, and in a related matter, the Wall Street Journal reported that taxpayers will get the shaft when issuing tax free bonds for building stadiums for millionaire team owners and the Palm Beach stadium deal is no exception according to observers. The Journal article revealed a near uniform view from economists saying that subsidies are not worth the cost and two decades of research on the issue reported that the city’s economy doesn’t get a bump by bringing in new sports teams or building a stadium.

 

    South Florida’s Seminole Indian Tribe has launched a mega-buck media campaign in an effort to convince state lawmakers to extend the tribe’s exclusive blackjack and baccarat table games deal with the state, which expires July 31 and the tribe says the state will lose $250 million a year on the deal plus 15,000 jobs on the line if the renewal is not granted. Teaming up with the Seminoles is the Florida Chamber of Commerce who opposes South Florida gambling resort expansion if the extension is not made.

 

     Florida Power & Light is giving its residential customers a break. The giant utility reported its customers will see and average $3 decrease in monthly bills if approved by the state Public Service Commission. Commercial users will see around a 5% discount and that could be big bucks for customers like Publix whose 240 stores in South Florida average a thousand bucks a day each in power use. The rate reduction is based on lower cost of natural gas which powers most of the generators.

 

     United Airlines will slash 112 jobs in the three major South Florida airports with 69 job cuts at PBIA, 159 at MIA and 148 at FLL, with the layoffs taking effect in May. United has a small presence at PBIA but is a major player in Miami and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.

 

     FP&L power generation uses 66% natural gas, 27% nuclear and 6% fuel oil.

 

    Watch Barry Epstein live with guests to win free tickets to the Cinemark Theatres. This week’s guests are Shelton Gallery owner Bruce Shelton, BYL Network COO and Executive Producer Danielle Silverman and Just Ginnie custom fashion designer Virginia Ashley. You can be on too to promote your business and we send a link of your segment to put on your website and send out in emails to prospects and clients for only $150. It also goes out on Vimeo, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. Taping is 5 p.m. Tuesdays at the bylnetwork.com. Call 561.852.0000 for details.

 

     West Boca Leaders meets March 18 6 pm at a new location, IHOP, sw corner of Glades and 441. See westbocaleaders.com and if you are in a category we don’t have, call 561.852.0000.

 

        Boca Leaders meets every Thursday 7:45 a.m. at First Watch, Mission Bay in West Boca, 441, north of Glades Road. Next meeting is March 18. Call 561.852.0000 for more information.

 

     The Divergent Series: Insurgent, The Gunman, Do You Believe and ‘71 opens at the Cinemark Palace and Premiere theatres. Gett: the Trial of Viviane Amsalem, and Honest Liar and Wild Tales opens at the FAU Living Room theatres ’71, Gett; The Trial of Viviane Amsalem and Mr. Turner opens at the Movies of Delray. ’71 and Gett; The Trial of Viviane Amsalem opens at the Movies of Lake Worth. ’71, Gunman, Honest Liar, and Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem opens at the Classic Gateway. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Spongebob Movie and McFarland USA opens at the Last Picture Show in Tamarac. Read movie capsules at http://www.publicrelations.nu/category/reviews/movie-reviews/.

    

      The Movies of Delray and The Movies of Lake Worth will be showing The Met Opera Live, simulcast from The Met Opera, and the Encore for the 2014-2015 season. In HD with Dolby Digital 7.1 Surround Sound on new wider screens and new high back seats with more leg room.  Tickets are $19.00 and reserved seats are available.  Tickets are available online and at the box office. Visit moviesofdelray.com and moviesoflakeworth.com.

 

     Cafe Cinematheque Foreign Films with Shelly Isaacs is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.at Movies of Delray 561-638-0020 and Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Movies of Lake Worth 561-968-4545. Visit moviesofdelray.com for more information.

 

         Sloburn Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 7:30 p.m. to April 19, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Tickets at goldstar.com/events/fort-lauderdale-fl/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee#show_date_selector.   

 

     Take a chance on ABBA tribute band Arrival from Sweden as they deliver the supergroup’s greatest hits with stunning flair and accuracy. The only act in the world licensed to wear exact copies of ABBA’s original costumes, 7:30 p.m. March 17, 18 and 19th at Jazziz Nightlife, 201 Plaza Real, south side of Mizner Park in Boca Raton. Tickets are $35 for General Admission; $45 for Premium and $65 VIP. Go to jazziz.com/events/category/ticketed-performances/ or call 561.300.0730.

 

     Munich survivor and former Israeli fencer Dan Alon will speak at Chabads in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. The Chabad of Boca Raton event will be at the Chabad of Central Boca Raton (17950 Military Trail) at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. Tickets are $15 through March 16 and $20 thereafter and at the door. A special sponsor’s VIP package that includes a private reception with Alon at 7 p.m. is available as well. A portion of the proceeds of the Boca Raton event will benefit veterans of the U.S. armed forces, in appreciation of their role in combating terrorism worldwide. Tickets for the Boca Raton event can be bought at ChabadofBocaRaton.com or by calling 561-994-6257.

 

     The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton has a Give Back Fundraiser all day 11:00am-12:00am, March 20, at Hurricane Grill & Wings, in Mission Bay Plaza at 10125 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Relay For Life of West Boca Raton is 12:00pm until 12:00am on May 2, at Olympic Heights High School, 20101 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. The theme will be Kentucky Derby: Relay for a Cure. For more information on Relay For Life or team meetings, contact Jennifer De Gruccio  at jennifer.degruccio@cancer.org or visit relayforlife.org/westbocaratonfl to register.

 

     The Delray Beach Chorale’s spring concert, titled Festive Americana, will celebrate some of America’s greatest composers.  Now in its 33rd season, under the direction of new Artistic Director Dr. Patricia P. Fleitas, the 65-voice chorale will perform at the Duncan Theatre in Lake Worth on Friday, March 20th at 7:30 pm and at the First Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach on Saturday, March 28th at 3:00 pm. Tickets for the Delray Beach Chorale’s Spring Concert are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the concert.  $5 student tickets (under 25, with ID) are also available. Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://delraybeachchorale.org/ or by phone at 1-800-984-7282. Special Group Rates (15 or more) are also available. 

 

     Live music by flautist Jim Kovalcik and Jason Hanley on the keyboard playing some cool jazz at the Boca Raton Green Market, March 21.  In its 18th year, the Market offers farm-to-table, fresh-picked produce from local growers and lots more, 8am to 1pm every Saturday at the southwest parking lot of Royal Palm Place, S. Fed. Hwy, and SE Mizner Blvd in downtown Boca Raton.

 

     South Florida’s annual Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities (http://boatingbeachbash.com) will celebrate its 7th anniversary on March 21, 2015 at Spanish River Park, 3100 North Ocean Blvd., in Boca Raton. For more information on Boca Raton’s Boating and Beach Bash for People with Disabilities go to http://boatingbeachbash.com or follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boatingbeachbash. To volunteer, sponsor or make a donation to the event, contact Jay Van Vechten at (561) 715-2622 or at jay@boatingbeachbash.com. Or at PO Box 99, Boca Raton, FL 33429.

 

     Palm Beach PlayMakers present BOXer SHORTS 5, a showcase of all-new short plays, written by Todd Caster and Lisa Bruna, for three performances only – Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th Street in Delray Beach, Florida. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show, and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 561-272-1281 Ext. 4.

 

     This is the second year the Spring Festival and Egg-A-Palooza moves into the tented Mizner Park Amphitheater and the open-air field next door from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22. Admission is $6 at the event or $6.27 per person online; children younger than 18 months are admitted for free. Advance tickets are at http://bit.ly/19Ld3hZ.

 

     Capturing Islamist terrorists is one thing…convicting them is another. Hear what a recognized expert has to say about prosecuting them. CITIZENS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY [a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Public Charity] presents a seminar by Andrew C. McCarthy National Review, Commentator on Legal and National Security Affairs; Former Top Federal Prosecutor “INDICTING AND PROSECUTINGRADICAL ISLAMISTS”,  March 22, 2015 • 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Boca Woods Country Club,  Boca Raton, Florida. Call 561.806.4633 for more information and reservations are required. Includes buffet lunch.

 

     READY TO PAW-TY! Come join Jon and Bonnie Kaye at the corral of KAYE-9 tables to honor Marta Batmasian, March 22 at the 13th Annual Doggie Ball to benefit TriCounty Humane and to support Sharon DiPietro, Chair of the event. TCAR Benefactor Marta will be presented the coveted Jeannette Christos Award in recognition of her unwavering dedication and commitment to the regions only true 100% No Kill shelter that operates solely on donations and proceeds from events like this one (its biggest annual fundraiser). Contact Amanda, 561-482-8110 or amanda@tricountyhumane.org.

 

     The 13th Annual YMCA Inspiration Breakfast will be 7:30 a.m. March 24 at the Office Depot Global Headquarters, 6600 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, featuring football great Jim Kelly, special guest Howard Schnellenberger and honoring Yvonne Boice, underwritten by BB&T. Tickets are $90. and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 561.237.0944 or email: MWorkman@ymcaspbc.org.

 

     An exclusive insider’s briefing with renowned terrorism financing expert Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Vice President for Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be 6 pm March 24 at the home of Chuck & Gayle Lichtman. $50 per person, plus a minimum men’s gift of $180 to the 2015 UJA/Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Heavy hors d’oevres and cocktails. Dietary Laws observed. RSVP to jewishboca.org/mensspringevent of call 561.852.6084, email felicen@bocafed.org.

 

     Sophie, Totie & Belle runs March 25-May 17 at the Delray Square Performing Arts, 4809 W. Atlantic Ave. Tickets at 561.880.0319 or visit DelraySquareArts.com.

    

     Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton presents the 17th annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. March 26, 2015 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, fundraiser for the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship fund to benefit medical and nursing school students attending local universities. Call 561.299.1429 or visit rotarydowntownbocaraton.org for more information.

 

     Rotary Club Downtown Boca presents the 17th Annual Honor Your Doctors luncheon March 26 at Boca West Country Club. The public is again invited to nominate their favorite doctor by downloading a nomination form online at the www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org website and donate $40 per nomination (there is no limit to how many nominations you can make) or $100 for 3 nominations; all nominated doctors will be invited to attend the luncheon as a guest. Tickets for the luncheon are available to the public for $100.00 per person. The event is a fundraiser for the Helen M. Babione Medical Scholarship and will benefit medical and nursing school students attending four local universities: Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College.

 

     The Palm Beach International Film Festival will be March 26-April 2 at the Cinemark Palace 20 & XD in Boca and others. Individual tickets and packages will be available at pbiff.com in March. Membership and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Call 561.362.0003 or visit pbiff.com for more information.

 

      The Boca Walk to End Alzheimer’s Promise Garden Luncheon is 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, March 27 at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton, Fl. RSVP at http://bit.ly/1CMkksA or call for reservations or more information to Pamela Polani at 561.496.4222 or email: polani@bellsouth.net.

 

     The late Nelson Mandela’s daughter will speak in a rare U.S. appearance at a West Boca benefit to raise money for wells at two schools in her father’s hometown near his burial site. Makaziwe “Maki” Mandela, a South African businesswoman and chairwoman of the House of Mandela, will be the keynote speaker for “The Power of Hope” at 6 p.m. March 28 in St. Andrews Country Club, 17557 W Claridge Oval, Boca Raton.

 

     The American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event for South Palm Beach County, the Fourth Annual Hope Gala, is 6:30 pm, March 28, 2015 at The Cultural Arts Center and Jazziz at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida. with a Red Carpet arrival, cocktail party, silent auction, dinner at Cultural Arts Center (next door to Jazziz) live auction, dancing, special speakers and guests, and an after-party back at Jazziz. Tickets, tables and sponsorships available. For further information call Ellen Vaughan, Senior Manager, Distinguished Events 561-650-0143, ellen.vaughn@cancer.org or visit HopeGalaSouthPalmBeach.org.

 

     They’re Playing Our Song is at the Delray Beach Playhouse, March 28-April 19. Tickets are $30 and $15 for students. Call 561.272.1281 Ext. 4, or visit delraybeachplayhouse.com.

 

     Jewish Federation Super Sunday is March 29 at Zinman Hall, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. Call 561.852.3271 or marcil@bocafec.org for more information and volunteer opportunities.

 

     The 2014-15 Broadway series season at the Kravis Center includes; Memphis, April 7-12, 2015 and Pippin, April 28-May 3, 2015. To order go to kravis.org/broadway or call 561.832.7469.

 

     Gypsy is at the Zinman Hall, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. Boca Raton, 8 pm April 11, 2 pm April 12 and 7:30 pm April 14. Tickets online at levisjcc.org/boxoffice (save $2 per ticket), or call 561.558.2512. Tickets are VIP reserved: $36, Reserved: $26; A&L Gold members: 423 and A&L Platinum members: Free.

 

     The Friends of the Boca Raton Library’s “Sunday Matinee Music Series” presents the Hurricane Harmonizers featuring barbershop voices singing all your familiar barbershop tunes, April 12, 3-4pm, at the Downtown Library, 400 NW 2nd Avenue in Boca Raton. Reservations are required.  Computer users need to enroll via the Library Event Calendar on the Library website, bocalibrary.org. Non-computer users may call (561) 807-7141 for enrolling.

 

     Ira Leesfield, former Presidential Advisor and renowned attorney is at the B&P Industry Icon Event, April 16, 6:00 p.m., Zinman Hall, Boca Raton.

The season’s final Industry Icon event will feature Ira Leesfield, former presidential advisor and renowned attorney. This series connects a diverse group of professionals and entrepreneurs to help build their businesses and our community. $36 per person includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, with dietary laws observed. For details, visit jewishboca.org/bpnetworking or call 561.852.3128.

 

     Ten-time Grammy Award winner George Benson will take center stage at the fourth annual GENERATIONS, a Nat King Cole Generation Hope Inc. concert benefit to raise funds for music education April 25, 2015 at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. The GENERATIONS Concert begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring music performed by students from the Nat King Cole Generation Hope Summers Strings Camp and the Guitars Over Guns Operation After-School Program plus a bountiful silent auction with proceeds benefiting Nat King Cole Generation Hope. At 8:00 p.m. the attendees will enjoy music from talented local youth artists followed by the performance by headliner George Benson.

 

     Dave Barry fans can see him live at the Delray Beach Public Library. Tickets to see the former Miami Herald columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner are on sale for $35. He will speak from 6 to 8 p.m. April 30 at the library, 100 West Atlantic Ave. Barry will discuss his latest book “Live Right & Fine Happiness (Although Beer is Much Faster,)”  There will be a question-and-answer session, reception and book signing following Barry’s presentation. Proceeds will go toward the library’s “Foothold on the Future Campaign,” which will help pay for the expansion of the Children’s Department of the library. To purchase tickets, visit delraylibrary.org, the Library’s Circulation Desk or call 561-266-0799.

 

     Jay Leno will perform at “The Concert for the Children” with the Atlantic City Boys, March 31 at the Akoya Amphitheatre, on the lawn of Boca West sponsored by the Boca West Foundation. 100% of the proceeds to benefit 15 children’s charities reaching over 3,000 children in the Boca Raton and surrounding area, including the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Annual Campaign supporting agency programs that benefit children. Each of the charities has been given the ability to sell tickets to their donor base and keep the proceeds, with expected sales of about $150,000 to them. Doors open at 6 pm, The Atlantic City Boys at 8 pm, Jay Leno at 9 pm. $150 per person. For more information and to register for this event visit the Boca West Foundation website at bocawestfoundation.org or contact the Foundation directly at 561-488-6980.

 

     The 2015 March of Remembrance will be 3 pm April 12 from Boca Raton Christian School, 470 NW 4th Ave. to Temple Beth El, 333 SW 4th Ave. followed by a special 4 pm Yom HaShoah program at the temple featuring Holocaust survivors, community leaders and violinist Gil Morgenstern. Complementary return shuttle to BRCS parking lot following the program. For more info, call 561.852.6022 or email: marissat@bocafed.org.

 

     Evening Star Productions’ The Addams Family – A New Musical Comedy will run from April 16 – May 3 at Sol Theatre in Boca Raton.  Tickets are $25 or $10 for students. Group rates are also available. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Sol Theatre box office at 561-447-8829 or on line at www.eveningstarproductions.org.  Sol Theatre is located at 3333 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton.

    

     The Relay for Life of West Boca will be noon to midnite May 2 at Olympic Heights High School on Lyons Road north of Glades Road with a theme of Kenducky Derby: Relay for a Cure. Go to relayforlife.org/westbocaratonfl to register and form teams. Call 1.800.227.2345 for further information.

 

     Israelfest 2015 is 3 pm May 17 at the Mizner Park amphitheatre. Free community wide event for the whole family. Kosher food available for purchase. For sponsorship opportunities, call 561.852.3169.

 

     The Broward Stage Door Theatre at 8036 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, has announced their 22cnd Anniversary Season; Harvey, July 31- Sept. 6; The Fantasticks, Sept. 4- Oct. 11; Promises, Promises, Sept. 25 – Nov. 1; Dial “M” for Murder, Oct. 30 – Dec. 6; Gypsy, Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2016; Pompadour, Dec. 26, 2015 – Jan. 31, 2016; Carnival, Jan. 22, 2016 – Feb. 28, 2016; What’s New Pussycat?, Feb. 19, 2016 – March 27, 2016; Sunset Blvd., March 18 – April 24, 2016; Same Time, Next Year, April 15, 2016 – May 22, 2016; Putting it Together, May 13, 2016 – June 19, 2016; A Night in Motown, June 10, 2016, July 17, 2016; Present Laughter, July 8, 2016 – Aug. 14, 2016. Get tickets at 954.344.7765, or visit stagedoortheatre.com.

 

     Kravis on Broadway Announces 2015-2016 Series Packed with Broadway Hits & Kravis Center Debuts: BLUE MAN GROUP (December 8-13, 2015); 42nd STREET (January 5-10, 2016); MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (February 9-14, 2016); MATILDA THE MUSICAL (March 1-6, 2016); Woody Allen’s BULLETS OVER BROADWAY (March 22-27, 2016); THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY THE MUSICAL (April 26 – May 1, 2016). Subscribers for the Kravis on Broadway series will receive their renewals in mid-March. Kravis Center donors will receive information on becoming a Kravis on Broadway subscriber for the 2015-2016 series in mid-May. For more information about becoming a donor, log on to kravis.org/membership, or call (561) 651-4320. Subscriptions for all six Kravis On Broadway productions are $180 to $499 and will go on sale to the general public midsummer. For information about purchasing a subscription to Kravis on Broadway, contact the Kravis Center box office at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471, or log on to kravis.org/broadway.

 

    Westbocaleaders.com is the best networking group in the area and meets at IHOP, SW corner of Glades and 441 on the first and third Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. Cost is $60 per quarter. Check out the website for openings in some categories. Next meeting is March 18. Call 561.852.0000 for further information.

 

    David Weir, South Florida Business Report and the Sun-Sentinel contributed items to the column.

 

     Barry Epstein, APR, is a noted public relations, marketing and political consultant based in Boca Raton, president of the goldcoasttigerbayclub.com, the luxurychamber.com, the westbocaleaders.com and the founder and former president of the West Boca Chamber of Commerce; with a weekly internet television show on vimeo.com, youtube.com and publicrelations.nu. His motto is: Public Relations is the enemy of anonymity. email: pr@publicrelations.nu, or fax column items to 561.451.0000.  Read his blog on http://www.publicrelations.nu/blog/. His blog is also on bocatribune.com, facebook.com/BarryEpstein as well as on the Sun-Sentinel/Jewish Journal website at floridajewishjournal.com –barrys-journal.blogspot.com and on his website: publicrelations.nu.

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