Have you seen Bud's Bar in Lower Providence lately?
I know the owner and he doesn't really seem like the kind of guy who would sit outside with a basket of magic mushrooms, so I'm wondering what caused the change in color schemes.
I'm not really sure how to describe it to people since I haven't been by there myself, but mostly because every e-mail and telephone call I've received about the paint job has included a different description.
So I'll try to get a consensus here on the blog. How would you describe it?
I'll have to give you my description next week because I normally don't get over that way until I'm heading over to Tornambe's for a haircut.
Help me out with something else to please. Below is a link to a poll check it out. I'm trying to see if it will work off my blog. We haven't had Web Talk up since our new site was launched so I'm trying a new service for polls.
And yes, I know, we have to get the 'search' option up and running, too. We're working on it.
http://www.yourfreepoll.com/bxfbhjqwsp.html
34 comments:
By sheer chance I logged on today to ask "what's with Bud's Bar?" I would describe the new paint as bright lime green, with huge multi-colored dots. And did you catch the rainbow painted fence around their "outdoor dining" area?
I can only assume that it is deliberately meant to be offensive and in-your-face to all the people who were complaining about Bud's Bar in the same breath with the (former) parking lot at the Audubon Inn. It makes the CVS and Commerce Bank look tasteful now, doesn't it?
Dismayed
Perhaps he is making a political statement, perhaps he is not. I have to say that I live near Bud's and have never gone in before. The new paint caught my eye and made for some interesting conversation as a result. I will go there now just out of curiosity. Great marketing Joe!
I think the owner is just mad because he and all the naysayers who fought CVS and Commerce (2 of the best looking buildings in town, I might add) now look like fools because everything is finally coming together, including soon the much-needed relief for that outdated intersection.
Funny that thw owner (is his name Bud? I don't know) was supposedly anti-CVS because that would destroy the historical integrity of the area, and now he "historically blasphemes" his building with that horrendous paint job. What a fool, and I truly feel sorry for Audobon.
Great job Joe!!! Like Norristown, politics in LP is a full contact sport.
I think it's a hysterical way of thumbing his nose at the folks (the 'Friends') who were so worried about the Village character of Audubon at the expense of property owners' right to do what they want with their own property, and who held the residents of LP hostage while delaying much-needed traffic improvements with their litigation. Many of my friends in other townships have commented on how terrific that intersection looks and flows now. Personally I like the new attitude, and if anyone complains, I think the owner of Bud's should either tear the thing down or sell it to a gas station. And by the way, Bud's is a fine establishment and perhaps if more people frequent it, there is less temptation for the owner to sell it. If more people had been customers of the Audubon Inn, it likely would never have been closed or sold in the first place.
Stan, I have to comment on the "Murder Rate Overshadows Iraq" editorial. I am glad that you are calling attention to one of the leading causes of death of youth in America. But placing blame on parents is an age old trick to deflect blame off society. When parents try to stand up and parent, messages are overwritten by media influences that promote drugs, alcohol, and violence. Parents are dismissed as morons, out of touch with today's world. We, as a society, need to take responsibility for raising children. We can start with serious discussions about access to guns, marketing of violent video games to children, holding criminal justice systems accountable, and evidence-based drug prevention and rehabilitation programs. The reality is that no one wants to stand up to the NRA, gaming shops, educational systems, or the police. Parents are a "safe" target. Parents can only do so much. "It takes a village to raise a child."
Hey, Is the Celic Warrior on some kind of drugs or what. Maybe his friends in other Townships are not in the Oaks, Phoenixville areas that use Egypt Road in the A.M. & P.M. Maybe the letter Writers should check to see why the owner did a marvelious job of painting his property. It had nothing to do with the Historic value, it had to do with the township refusing to allow the property owner to sell to a buyer possibly another bank. Nice Job Mr. Joe.
Celtic Warrior seems to have a serious hang up with "friends" obviously meaning Friends of Lower Providence since this is the second time he/she/it has mentioned this proactive groupt hat only has the best interests of the township at heart. So what's the big problem with you? We didn't invite you to join us? With your sarcasm, who wants you anyway!
The Celic Warrior seems to know everything that is going on in L.P. Maybe he should tell you why the Supervisors changed the ordinance to allow C.V.S and Commerce Bank to build on the corners, and then change the ordinance back to the original, not allowing Bud's bar the right to sell his property to another bank. You have the Demo permit sir, please don't use it, the color purple in the rear would be great. Hey don't knock it, looks like were going to have another bank down the road at St. Gabes. Maybe another hotel? And even a Mickey D's, Wendy's, Burger King etc. I thought we were going to have a hotel on Rittenhouse Road. Where is all this money coming from? Development is thriving in L.P.
I've heard through the grape vine that Bud's applied for a demolition permit from the township and it was denied becasue the current village commercial ordinance does not allow for demo. of historic buildings. I think the paint job is his way of showing his displeasure with the denial. I heard another bank ( imagine that!) was offering to purchase the property so the owner wanted a demo. permit. I have to say, he should have jumped on that bandwagon when he had the chance during the township's "Special ordinace change" for CVS and Commerce. Now that the ordinance has been put back to what it was originally ( not allowing for banks w/drive thrus or gigantic box stores or 24-hr. operations), the owner of Bud's is certainly upset. Look, our past dumb township Supervisors created this mess and those who are new to the board are trying to fix it and keep what little history we have left. I actually think the bright paint brings a little fun to the intersection....it definitely draws attention and looks like some place fun to go in to now and not so much a "biker bar". As Celtic Warrior and others have commented in the past, "these property owners can do whatever they want with their properties." If he wants to paint it colorful, there isn't anyone who can stop him and I don't think I've heard anyone from Friends of Lower Providence complain about it. Those who live near Bud's and the Audubon Inn have known this sort of thing could happen and probably would. If I were the owner of Bud's, I'd be pretty ticked off...these 2 other propertis get millions of dollars handed to them because our township Superisor's at the time thought it was a great way to get road improvements to the intersection. By the way, when the heck are the road improvements happening? Come on Penndot, step on it. These should have been the first thing done before any construction was permitted. ANd on one other note, the owner of Bud's was totally in favor of CVS going in there. If I recall at one township meeting he stated " you people have no idea what could be put there. A Buca DiBeppo, the ugliest restaurant on the planet, could be built there and then you'd complain about that." Just like every other business owner in LP, this guy's looking out for himself and the big bucks to come his way. I have to say also that Bud's never seems to be hurting for business. From the number of cars parked in the lot, it looks like they're doing OK....plus they have pretty good french fries and appetizers.
Yes in deed, the township/state Has done Bud's in. How about buying the balance of the homes on Egypt Road and Park Avenue and make a Strip Mall. What you see is all that the Township is willing to give Buds...gone are the days when the men would meet you at Buds for a few before heading home. The State Highway System was broke and will continue downward and Lower Prov. is trying in vain to help their PPP (Poor Prior Planning) when the built 422 Bypass (Pottstown Bypass). Too bad, it can not get any worse. We truly loved our Village as it was 50 Years Ago, with just enough transit available and store of all types including the fresh fruit and veg. stand on Egypt Road, operated by Mr. & Mrs. Neilson. Good Ole Days, Right! Well back to the future, Green is great with star and stripes or balloons of many colors, it is now "Happy Valley" for some, but not for all.
Your article on "Crack to blame for inner city downfall" is much more on target than the previous article blaming parents. The next step is to determine which programs work to prevent and reduce drug use and which programs do not.
The Surgeon General with the assistance of Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence evaluated over 600 youth violence/ drug prevention programs to determine which ones work (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/yvprevention.htm). Programs that work are mentoring, teaching life skills training, building schools, positive youth development programs, moral reasoning, and parent training. Programs that do not work are peer mediation, peer counseling, gun buyback programs, boot camps, scared straight, residential programs, and DARE. I encourage you to do a quick review of school, community and criminal justice programs in Montgomery County. We (taxpayers) are funding many programs that DO NOT WORK! Take, for example, programs offered by Counseling in Transition as part of the Montgomery County Criminal Justice rehabilitation programs. The program takes young offenders 12 years old and mixes them with older more serious offenders (up to 19 years old). Placing young children in a peer group where serious criminal offending is the norm only increases criminality because now they think criminality is normal behavior! Furthermore, CIT mixes youth in with their adult life skills training group for "scared straight". No one learns when they are frightened. Mixing children in with adults with serious anti-social behaviors removes internal cues to safety and puts the child at risk for pedophilia. These guys now know who the kids are and can use that information on the street. Yes, there IS alot we can do. We can demand evidence-based programs and refuse to pay for programs that cause more harm than good.
There is a distinct ring of truth to the idea that the owner is upset because our ever-flexible zoning changes lost him a chance to sell his property. There is no point in having ordinances and zoning laws if developers can wave money and waive zoning laws.
Now people seem to be waiting for "traffic improvements" at the new psychedelic intersection. Perhaps they do not understand that the old Audubon Inn will still project almost into the street on one side, and Bud's Bar will continue to cut off the sightlines on another side. The intersection of Park/Pawlings and Egypt Road is NOT a village and has not been for a long time. The most far-sighted solution would have been to come up into the 21st century: move the Audubon Inn to the rear of its property, and let Bud's Bar go to a developer who would locate a building set farther back from the road. Then PennDOT would have room to create proper turn lanes, and the people barrelling around those corners could see where they were going.
Dismayed
I like the Celtic Warriors thoughts on this issue, but my only question is why are so many people concerned about Buds Bar anyway? Why isn't anyone commenting on the beautiful mural, including you Stan in the Commerce Bank? All of you are looking through your own window to try to dig up the worst picture instead of looking at improvements for the entire surrounding area. I am sick and tired of your newspaper reporting the negative side of everything just to get residents upset. How about I ask Bud to come down and paint the side of your ugly looking newspaper building that does not fit a village scheme? By the way, I see lots of buildings in Norristown painted in weird colors, why are you not commenting on these buildings. Before embarassing Lower Providence Township further in your newspaper and not reporting on all of the good work that goes on in this Township,please stay in Norristown and help paint your building if you got nothing better else to report on. I too have good taste
Wow, a personal attack. I just asked what's up with the bar and the conversation started itself.
I haven't been in the new bank, but I'll check it out when I get a chance. By the way, this is my personal blog, it's not the newspaper reporting a story. Take a step back though and think about some of the implications brought up here. If indeed the owner of Bud's decided to paint the bar in protest because he wasn't granted zoning variances to suit a prospective buyer don't you think that's something worth exploring? I do, especially considering how the township bent over backward for the pharmacy and the bank.
By the way, our building received a fresh coat of paint a couple of years ago.
I think that Joe is trying to attract the underserved clown market in the area. Whenever I go there now, I bring 20 of my buddies all crammed into a Yugo. We pull into the lot and all pour out of the car, just like in the circus. Good times!
Seriously, I have heard a huge range of reasons for the paint job. I've even joked about it with a number of my friends. I do know that the bartenders and wait staff like it. They tell me that they've been making more in tips because of the increased patronage since the paint job.
Regardless of the change on the outside, the inside is still full of friendly staff, good food, reasonably priced drinks and (at least one night a week) a number of my friends.
Thanks to Joe for keeping the local watering hole a little interesting.
Whats really sad is the lack of accomplishments that the Friends of Lower Providence are responsible for....in fact, instead of lobbying state and federal agencies for possible grant money so they can save historic buildings which they "hung their hat on", all they really did accomplish was costing the taxpayers of LP tax dollars in their futile attempt to block the devlopment of Commerce Bank and CVS. Anybody with any shred of honesty is starting to see how much better the intersection looks and improved traffic flow is just weeks away. Both CVS and Commerce bank have spent huge amounts of money to make both of their sites the flagship of their corporate chain, to the BENEFIT of LP. Both sites are low-impact additions to the community, since there are many pharmacies and banks throughout the county, people aren't going to pour into the township (and more specifically, Egypt and Park Ave) to frequent those businesses. They simply will service anyone who is already in the area or already uses those roads. Not only does the intersection look more appealing, but the supervisors initiating a new ordinance to allow those types of businesses caused LP to receive much needed road widening at the developers expense. There is only one thing left to do at the intersection, and that is to get rid of the big green building, not because its ugly or offensive, but because it will finish the completion of the road improvements.
If the owner of Bud's Bar has been able to raise the level of interest both to his business and in the manner that the flipping of changes in zoning which took place for that intersection, he has been successful for both.
It does appear that the speculation as to the reason for the multi-color splash and often clashing of colors in the painting of the building seems to range from good to god-aweful and from stimulating to spikeful. Not enough seem to see it as vibrant and vigorous and helpful to make the corner a more recognized location for what is at the corner other than traffic congestion.
Anonymous wrote," He or She is sick and tired of "YOUR" newspaper reporting the negative side of everything just to get residents upset. I understand by reading "YOUR" paper that you have a scribe {reporter}at most meetings, reporting the embarassing information provided by the same people responsible for the "good work" that goes on in L.P. Township. I'm sorry that you as the Editor had to take the hit for all the comments place on your personal blog. The Bicentenennial History of Lower Providence Township published in 1976 page51, list Bud's Bar as such. "Andrew Jack operated a tavern called Jack's Tavern in Audubon in the early 1800's. Bud's Bar, which was built prior to 1776, is believed to have been Jack's Tavern. The large double house that used to stand where you can now see the beautiful mural in the banks lobby was dated back to 1818 when Evan Waltz purchased it from Andrew Jack. On page 44 (Forward to Audubon) it states, " Beautiful Lower Providence Township is, in this Bicentennial year of 1976, becoming populated so rapidly that the historical buildings of the 1700's are in danger of becoming surrounded and lost in developments and apartment complexes. Little did the author's know that it would be Drug Stores and Banks. Next Historic Building to go: The Rogers Home on Pinetown Road built in 1761. Just think the first customer at the bank or drug store could win a painting by James Audubon. Don't hold your breath.
It's way past time form all the history buffs to step to the plate or I should say teller window and put thier money where their mouth is. Get the check book out and buy up all these so called hysterical oops I mean historical buildings.Dont let the developers push you around. After all 40 years ago you started drinking at Bud's when you were only 17. There are alot of memories that went away with the back part of the Audubon Inn those developers didnt have the right to buy that property you cheated on your spouse there for the first time and didnt get caught.Nothing like costing the taxpayers money by filing lawsuits that just prolong your little bit of history .I say pony up.
Amazing stuff....lets talk bottom line folks! Anyone, and I mean ANYONE who knew the Park/Pawlings/Egypt Road BEFORE the CVS/Commerce Bank went up, and has a problem with the new look is simply put.....NUTS! There was a form of "junkyard" where the Inn was and a condemned building on the Commerce side of the street. Now we have 2 gorgeous buildings, beautiful landscaping, a "town clock", etc etc....Simply look at it folks!!!!!! When I say these two new buildings "went the extra mile", it is painfully obvious. Why are people fighting the improvemnets? If they were "de-proving" the intersection, I would understand. Improved traffic flow, gorgeous landscape and buildings, and we fight! In a way, it has become disgusting. And now, we COULD have a similar type building, landscape, etc on the other corner, and everyone gripes! Put me down as i dont understand it.....by the way, as far as I see, it looks alot more like a village NOW then before construction.
Don't hold your breath is a correct statement regarding LP and the way we have placed Audubon on the so called map, with a beautiful new bank and CVS. The owner of the properties where Commerce is located, forgot to read the history of Audubon before he purchased these buildings and decided he and the Township could make a few changes and make a few bucks. The CVS location is ugly and the Township should have said no to any changes made to accomodate the building. Townships are able to say NO when it comes to changes that are not in their best interest or following the actual history of a small community - peoples choice. The LP Supervisors & West Norriton Officials knew, the State ,back in the 80's when they opened the bypass, needed an access ramp for exiting if you were coming down from the Pottstown Area on to Trooper Road or an entrance ramp from Trooper Road so that traffic could head back to Pottstown. One BIG BOO BOO and LP and WN Officials did not demand this change be made. A purchase of a small business and the Mobile Home Area would have made a big difference. Now, we have the power lines running thru the area to beautify the area where three or four homes once stood. The Township Officials, together with the State Officials need to STOP and LOOK at the WHOLE PICTURE and let us see what is in your plans for OUR TOWNSHIPS. Maybe you just have not seen the Forrest quite clearly...too many Trees$
Are u kidding me?? see the forest thru the trees??? if u cannot see that the "building" going on is not an improvement, you are obviously a "hater"... that intersection looks so much better, it isnt even close.....West Norriton?? are u kidding me?? What in the world does that area have to do with W. Norriton? absolutely NOTHING!!!!!!!!! But, some people hate IMPROVEMENT, which is what is going on at that corner. Tell me different, maybe i will believe it, but i drive by EVERY day, and it is alot better than it used to be, and i Cant wait until the road improvements done, thean we will have something nice......if u think different, u are quite misguided.
Wow, I am amazed how some people's version of how things happened and the parties allegedly at fault. Now Lower Providence is responsible for the fact that we don't have a slip ramp to head to Pottstown? Sometimes the state, PennDOT, the county etc. (other entities) get to override a local municpalities' desires. I'm not all that old but even I remember that former turnpike commissioner Pete Camiel and litigation to protect his Fatland Farm property from the bypass going through his land had a lot to do with the creation of the "Oaks curve" which is completely out of the way for everyone as it goes around the Camiel estate, and made it impossible to hook in a slip ramp easily. NOW, 25 years later, LP's current administration is taking a proactive lead to try to remedy that. Don't you think that slip ramp alone will do a lot to alleviate traffic congestion in Audubon? I do!! People only go thru that intersection to get to the bypass. I'm sick of hearing people bash LP when it is the most progressive thinking township around by far...just pick up your paper and read what goes on in other townships. Some of them are a damn circus.
Let's get one thing straight: LP is pretty gross. If it isn't the block after block of dingy, dark streets with no lighting, it's the inadequate roadways, like Ridge Pike and the horrendous Germantown Pike section of LP.
Instead of petitioning PennRot to widen Ridge to 5 lanes (2 each way with a center turning lane), the countrified members of the planning commission seem to speak out against improving that area. Hint: there are rotting buildings and empty business not because there's too much traffic and development, but because the infrastructure is way out of date.
And I just love how a landscaping company sets up shop at the intersection of Germantown Pike and Grange Avenue so now we see trucks and piles of leaves and other garbage that should not be on one of our main thorofares.
The Audobon Inn looks beautiful. The Commerce Bank is one of the nicest Commerce locations I've seen. The roadway improvements should have been done 10 years ago. Making the 422/363 interchange a full interchange is another long overdue project. There's much more work that needs to be done. If only people would wake up and look at their community and see the decay.
The Celtic Warrior mentioned that a slip ramp would be a ideal situation for traffic movement out of L.P. Twsp. If I recall correctly, a former Supervisor had a front page article in the Times Herald suggesting that a ramp be installed at St. Gabes to take the load from the Audubon Inns corner. But, a State Representative got the neighbors unglued and it never went any further. I understand, neither one is around anymore,nor is the ramp.
I like the color of Bud's - very 70's. You'll notice however he didn't paint the patio area bright green. It's a nice "cafe latte" color. Maybe he was afraid the green color would ruin appetites??
However, knowing there will be bankers on the left and lawyers on the right, I would have gone for a more upscale look.
BUD'S BAR is providing a statement!
A statement needing to be made about a hard worker/owner surviving the JIGSAW ZONING in his area.
I believe the colorfulness of his establishment reflects JIGSAW ZONING.
An added benefit to the colorfulness of the corner in Audubon is that it most certainly draws your attention and for those that may need landmarks when map-reading fails.... BRAVO! I found where I need to be. A Friend
Talk about forgetting history. Before the Friends o Lower Providence ( and yes I am a supporter of FLP ) stood up to CVS, CVS and Commerce were both planning to plop down their "standard" ugly big white box stores with no regard for the neighbors who surround these properties. Lucky for LP, Friends of Lower Providence stepped in to negotiate the "more upscale" look that everyone seems so pleased with. If we had to get stuck with these out-of-scale buildings, at least the Friends of Lower Providence were able to convince CVS and Commerce to make them blend in with the surrounding buildings. I'd like to thank them for that. It's a shame Bud's could not have been included in the plans for the revamped intersection...this is where I think our Supervisors are not using their foresight. If I were the owner of Bud's, I'd definitely feel slighted. I think too we should all wait to see if these traffic improvements actually turn out to be traffic improvements. Regardless of what you think of the appearances of any of the buildings at the intersection, this all started because our former Supervisors thought this was the best way to get traffic improved at this intersection...that still remains to be seen. I hope once the roads are finished, Stan will take a poll to see if anyone feels traffic is moving better here....I am skeptical.
I have to appauld "Anonymous" 7/19/07 Blog regarding his/her comments on Buds Bar and the Pawligs/Egypt Rd intersection. These comments were right on the ball and certainly if the Board of Suppervisors knew what proactive meant and acted upon it, we would not have a "clown bar" at this intersection. Could it be that Mr Dinniny is trying to reinvent himself for another run in '09... I think so! CelticSlayer
Hmm. That's funny. As I recall it, FLP's biggest complaint wasn't the elevations (which early on were in an appropriate VC look, thanks to LPT's land development process - and the Planning Commission & BOS would have seen to that if they weren't) but I recall their biggest issue being the size of the buildings. They were instrumental in getting THAT reduced from the original concept. THAT is something they should be proud of and take credit for.
As for the concept of LPT getting 2 developers to completely pay for expensive and much-needed traffic and road improvements that would ordinarily come out of your pocket in the form of a tax increase ?? THAT wasn't even on FLP's radar. They could have cared less.
Unfortunately, the concerns of ALL residents have to be considered, not just those who don't like big box stores or who care about a historical area. I think LPT did as good a job as they could balancing the interests of ALL the residents to come up with something that works for everyone.
I figured it would not take long for FLP to take credit for anything good to come out of CVS/Commerce and blame LPT for anything negative. They're predictable, at least.
Oh, and as far as 'not being invited to join FLP' as a previous poster said...I was not aware that one had to be 'invited' to join a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, which didn't have a problem accepting my money, by the way. Call me a former, disgruntled FLP member. They are WAY off base from the good intentions they started with and have just turned into a 'bash LP' institution, supported indirectly by your tax dollars.
Dear Celtic Warrior,
FLP didn't take credit for anything...I gave them credit and thanks in my posting. I'm still glad there is an organization who is looking out for the best interests of the residents and giving residents a chance to voice their concerns with more affirmation than before. It's a shame there isn't such a group looking out for the best interests of LP Supervisors. I suppose that's because they are very skilled at doing that all on their own. On a side note - the CVS might look nice but it's still way too big for that parcel it's sitting on. Also, if I remember correctly, before you had any voice in the community, a resident, Eileen Robertson, ( pre-dating FLP) started a petition signing campaign pleading with the township to not demolish the Audubon Inn. Our township was totally OK with demolishing the Inn...now that the ARC museum is coming in, aren't you glad that we kept it and the intersection is on it's way to keeping in line with period and historic-looking buildings? Again, thanks FLP...it's funny how requesting those aesthetic changes for CVS and Commerce are now probably going to help boost Audubon into a place that fits well with the ARC museum. Maybe Bud's will change the paint job but I think it's now made itself a part of LP history with it's bright statemet...somebody should write a book about all of this....it's quite comical.
I would really like to know why Celtic Warior's knickers are in such a tight twist with all the hits she is throwing out regarding FLP' and the hate for this fine civic organization. Could it be that she too is trying to reinvent herself for a run for Supervisor in 2009 and FLP is the only issue she can dream up. It appears the voters already gave you one answer. Going to try for two NO's?
Wow, go out of town for a few days & the fortune tellers are at it again. The only reason for ‘knicker twisting’ is the endless unjustified whining of obvious FLP and their sympathizers against LPT. And now I guess it has extended to Mrs. Kearney.
I’m confused, what bearing does a local PARTY race have on township business? Answer: none. I have worked with her at her ‘real’ job for several years where she is well regarded as a subject matter expert and know firsthand her integrity, dedication and work ethic.
If I lived in her part of the township, I’d vote for her in a second. I do live in the part impacted by her votes on CVS & Commerce and while originally I had concerns, I could not be more pleased. Those votes are to her credit & she’s proud to stand by them. We’re lucky to have her both at work and in LPT and I should hope she will run for something again.
Of course, life in LPT would be much more interesting if those whose only talent seems to be for throwing rocks would stick their own necks out and run for something. But that takes time, effort, money and guts, something in short supply in some camps. She worked very hard and anybody who knows the situation knows her loss had far more to do with her running mate than with her.
As for opening her mouth, she has a strong personality, is very opinionated & I’ve seen her go off when necessary. As an example, just ask Kelly Green. She bit his head off during a township meeting once after he verbally attacked her, and I don’t think he’s been back since. Watch what you wish for, she’s not all sweetness and light.
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