The national lighting design competition, Lighting for Tomorrow, hosted by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency and the American Lighting Association will feature guest judge, Chad Ray, owner of Zebulon based multitude of sustainable companies, Shields of Green (

http://www.shieldsofgreen.com).

Chad Ray is co-owner of the Shields of Green companies (
http://www.shieldsofgreen.com), a multigenerational and family owned multitude of companies all focused on sustainability, energy conservation, and stewardship. The Shields of Green companies include Ray Family Farms, a Bunn, NC based organic farm, Olde Heritage Builders, a Zebulon based Green home building company, Build Trust Contractors, a group of sustainable construction experts, Energy Savers of NC, a residential energy auditing company, and many more. In addition, Chad Ray, known as “the green building guy”, is a Green consultant with years of experience as a speaker and advisor on sustainability efforts throughout the building process.

Ray has been invited to judge this year’s national lighting design competition, Lighting for Tomorrow. The efforts of the Lighting for Tomorrow Competition are to advance the energy –efficient lighting industry and encourage innovation in the new use of light sources. This competition is backed by about two dozen energy efficiency organizations from the US and Canada who have pledged over $150,000 to help fund this national competition.

This year, Lighting for Tomorrow is designated into two specific categories, lighting control devices and solid state lighting fixtures and replacement lamps. The lighting control category will be judging the products based on functionality, ease of use and installation, innovation and ability to work with other systems and existing lights. These specific lighting control devices must be compatible with both LED and florescent technologies.

The solid state lighting competition division is in its fifth year, and will feature designs judged on the basis of performance, style and energy efficiency of the lights. This competition is open to a very broad range of residential lighting applications and fixture types as well as replacement lamps.

The Lighting for Tomorrow winners will be announced at the American Lighting Association Conference in Palm Beach, Florida from September 11th-13th. Winners will be promoted by energy efficiency programs across the US and Canada.

For more information about Lighting for Tomorrow, visit
http://www.lightingfortomorrow.com. For more information about Shields of Green, visit
http://www.shieldsofgreen.com
SOURCE:WidePR.com

Free business listing in two of North Carolina’s top Business Directories, add your business and website: Garner NC City Guide

Wake County NC Business Directory and Resources

Make a splash – how you can attract new birds to your yard this summer


(ARA) – When summer really heats up, there is nothing more refreshing than drinking a tall glass of ice water, taking a quick dip in the pool, or running through the backyard sprinkler with the kids. But what many people do not realize is clean, fresh water is as important to birds and other wildlife as it is for humans. Not only that, but birds actually enjoy splashing around and frolicking in the water just like we do.

With this in mind, create an inviting habitat for feathered friends right in your backyard or on your patio or balcony. It is easier than it seems, and there is no need for a big backyard to do it. Just providing the basic elements birds enjoy will establish your setting as a wildlife habitat. Water is one of the important resources birds need, along with food, shelter and a place to nest or raise young. For a quick and easy bird-friendly habitat, simply put out a bird feeder, hang a bird house, provide some nesting materials, and set up a watering place to drink and splash.

“Water is one of the most frequently overlooked resources we can add to our backyard to attract more birds and other wildlife,” says John Robinson, chief ornithologist at Scotts. “Every year, I am astonished by the new species that appear in backyards when owners are willing to share this simple yet critical resource with their feathered friends.”

Providing a source of water need not be a big endeavor. Water can be provided using a mister, slow drip, saucer, bird bath or pond. Below are some simple ways to incorporate water into your backyard.

Bird baths and saucers:
Water in a saucer or bird bath will quickly and easily give area birds the water they need, even when placed on a balcony or patio. Stones with depressions that collect water will also help attract small birds and butterflies. Keep in mind you may need to change the water and clean the bird bath every few days to keep it fresh. In hot weather, it may even be necessary to refill the container every day.

Drippers:
A great way to attract birds and other creatures to the backyard is to add a water drip feature to the bird bath. Because of birds’ heightened senses of hearing and sight, drippers are inviting. Create a drip feature by hanging a bucket or plastic milk jug with a tiny hole over the bird bath so water drips down into the bath slowly throughout the day. Or, hook up a garden hose to a specially designed drip tube you can purchase at local hardware stores or garden centers.

Misters:
Another water feature gardeners often employ is a mister. A mister hooks to a garden hose and sprays a gentle mist over a garden or bird bath. Humans enjoy being cooled off by misters at amusement parks, and plants enjoy the refreshing spray of moisture, too. Birds enjoy frequenting misters to cool down and pollinators, like butterflies and bees, enjoy areas being misted because of the tiny water droplets the mist leaves on flowers. Misters can generally be found at local hardware store and garden centers.

Ponds:
Whether large and elaborate or small and quaint, a backyard pond is guaranteed to attract birds and other wildlife. Most ponds found in urban or rural backyards are on the small side, most no larger than 3 to 4 feet in diameter. Ponds with a fountain are best because the sight and sound of splashing water will attract visitors, and moving water is less likely to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes or other insects. The addition of logs, rocks and other in-water structures provide a drinking and basking habitat for songbirds, as well as other wildlife such as turtles and butterflies. Aquatic snails or tadpoles are fun and natural ways to limit the growth of algae in the pond, and add an interesting element for kids to watch and enjoy.

This summer, when planning the water fun for the kids, don’t forget the birds. Water is very effective in drawing birds and wildlife to your backyard and is also a relaxing, scenic addition that can provide interest and enjoyment for the whole family. With the addition of a simple water source, you never know who may stop by your backyard habitat for a quick swim or a refreshing drink.

Wooden Birdhouses and bird feeders made here in Raleigh NC

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Guidance for gardeners: avoiding injury and discomfort

(ARA) – Warm weather is here and it’s time to get the garden going. Gardening is good for you on many levels – from the mental health boost you get from doing something relaxing to the physical benefits of exercise, time outdoors and adding fresh vegetables to your diet. Bending over to weed, gripping gardening tools and the general physical effort of gardening, however, can make existing aches and pains worse, or even cause new ones.

This summer, take steps to ensure your gardening experience is as comfortable and beneficial as possible. Here are some ideas for avoiding injury and irritating existing conditions while gardening:

Warm up

You wouldn’t go jogging or work out without doing some light stretching and warm-up exercises, and you shouldn’t jump into gardening without warming up first. Before stepping into your garden, do some stretches to limber up, especially your arms, legs and back. When you’ve completed your gardening chores for the day, finish up with more stretching.

Banish bending

Many Americans suffer from chronic back pain, and while it’s important to keep moving despite discomfort, it makes sense to minimize activities that could create or worsen pain. Bending over to work in the garden can be hard on your back. If back pain is a concern, consider planting your garden in raised beds this year, or working with container gardens. Elevated beds require you to bend less when doing typical gardening chores. And container gardens can be placed on tables or deck railings to make it easy to reach plants.

Protect hands and wrists

Weeding, hoeing, raking, shoveling – the repetitive motions of gardening can lead to hand and wrist pain, and worsen existing conditions such as arthritis. Taking steps to minimize irritation and discomfort while you work can help ensure your gardening tasks don’t create aches or worsen pain. Consider wearing an Arthritis Glove, like the Imak-made glove commended by the Arthritis Foundation, to provide mild compression and warmth while you work. Because the gloves are made of cotton Lycra with an open fingertip design, they won’t make your hands hot or hinder movement. Designed by an orthopedic surgeon, the Arthritis Gloves are also fully washable, so you don’t have to worry about getting a little dirt on them as you go about your gardening tasks. An added bonus – wearing any kind of glove can help you avoid another common gardening injury: blisters.

Guard skin

Sunburn and insect bites are also a risk for gardeners, who spend a lot of time outdoors. While most insect bites are just an irritation, sunburn can cause serious, long-term skin damage. To ward off mosquitoes and other biting bugs, apply an insect repellent. Prevent sunburn by always wearing sunscreen – the kind that blocks both UVA and UVB rays – whenever you’re outdoors. Use a wide-brimmed, lightweight hat to shade your eyes and keep the sun off your head. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water, especially on hot days when you’ll be out for several hours.

Move wisely

Lifting can be another source of back pain, and gardening often involves lifting, whether it’s heavy bags of soil or seed, or a full basket of the fruits of your labor. Remember to lift from a squatting position, with your back straight, so that your legs do the work, not your back. When kneeling down, use gardening knee pads or even just a rolled up towel to cushion your joints from the hard, damp ground. Remember to minimize twisting motions that can inure your back and joints.

With a few precautions, you can ensure this summer’s gardening activities remain safe, enjoyable and pain free.

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Free pick-up of old unwanted appliances for proper recycling in Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Holly Springs Call 919-803-4425 or 919-324-8905

Recycle your aerosol cans

Currently, too many aerosol cans take up landfill space while the valuable steel they’re made from is not being recycled and reused. Steel aerosol containers are every bit as recyclable as other steel cans.

According to Greg Crawford, executive director of the Steel Recycling Institute, one reason for the disparity may be that “many aerosol products aren’t in the kitchen where a lot of household recyclables are generated from; they’re in the bathroom or other side of the house, and it creates a little bit of a disconnect.”

To help bridge that disconnect, many steel aerosol cans now have a “please recycle when empty” logo. In addition, many recycling programs, looking to maximize the diversion of recyclables from landfills, are informing consumers that steel aerosol containers are easily recyclable once empty through normal use.

For more information, see http://recycle-steel.org.

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click below to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

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Green Occupations Are Growing (449) (NewsUSA) – A combination of legislation and activism is inspiring companies to consider the “green” side to their business. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows environmentally related occupations are projected to grow 38 percent more than all other occupations combined by 2016. The report, “Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy,” predicts the highest growth of green jobs will be in renewable power generation, retrofitting residential and commercial areas and in renewable transportation fuels. As a result, universities are increasingly integrating economic, environmental and social issues into their curriculum. One of these institutions, DeVry University, has created several green-focused specializations to build on the school’s core degree programs — including business administration with a specialization in sustainability management, and electronics engineering technology with a specialization in renewable energy. “Education needs to reflect this trend for the future leaders who will build economic and technological capital while considering the impact on social and natural resources,” said Jesus Fernandez, associate provost for curriculum at DeVry University. “DeVry University’s green curriculum adds focus on sustainability and environmental impact to the core business and electronics engineering technology degree programs.” Fernandez offers three main growth areas: Sustainability Management An emerging area for leadership involves resource conservation, pollution prevention and the regulation and enforcement for process and procedure to be made more efficient and with greater sustainability. Those interested in sustainability management should explore coursework that provides a sound foundation of business and management principles while emphasizing green considerations, technologies and economic factors. Renewable Energy Relating to the production, transmission and storage of sustainable energy sources — wind, solar, geothermal and biomass power — many of the skills needed in engineering, design, planning or project management for renewable sources of energy are similar to those needed in traditional energy fields. A strong engineering technology and electronics foundation, like DeVry University’s Renewable Energy specialization, provides an emphasis on alternative power sources and the economics of green engineering. “Changing Skill” Occupations With the increasing cultural shift toward environmental stewardship, there is a substantial need for employees of all levels to understand the green process. Students now have the opportunity to add desirable green skills to their existing area of expertise ? be it marketing, operations, finance or management. Green job growth won’t slow down anytime soon — it is currently outpacing even total job growth. Between 1998 and 2007, U.S. green jobs increased by 9.1 percent with little government investment — almost 150 percent more than total job growth of 3.7 percent for the same period. Moving forward, companies will require employees to understand “green,” and it will be essential for graduates to prepare themselves for this changing environment. Students interested in these exciting programs and careers should visit www.devry.edu for more information.

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A GREAT PLACE TO BUY PORK IN RALEIGH NC

Lots of people all over the USA just love a great pork steak,Country ham, center cut pork-chops.
For last 15 years I would shop at my local grocery store, and be very disappointed at the
quality and value of what you get in those store packed containers of meat.

A good pork chops that’s not too thin, not too thick, not too much fat and not a lot of bone.
That’s not asking too much, but after shopping at the grocery stores and seeing the nicely
packaged packs of pork on display at the meat counter, and buying and serving to the family
for so long and just dealing with the fact that in each package of 5 to 10 pounds 1/3 to 1/2 of the pork is fat, bone and mixed lean, fat, that looks like throw away scraps.

We went to 4 of the major grocery supermarkets in Raleigh and surrounding area’s and purchased 2 packages of pork chops about 7 to 10 pounds per package, from each store,
we found that all four stores was doing the same thing. Each package had the top of the package displayed very nice, the meat looked great through the plastic wrap but under the top layer was, what my sister calls, “scraps for dogs food” not what you want to eat.

Each package had only 1/2 to 2/3 of edible meat in them, this is a practice that’s been happening for years, and it could be an industry practice across the board.

Well what can you do? Write you grocery store, call your consumer BBB, your local government, complain to the USDA or don’t shop that store.

I found a place in Raleigh NC, at the North Carolina State Farmers Market.

PORK KING, Nahunta Pork Center (919) 242-4735

The State Farmers Market is conveniently located on I-40 and Lake Wheeler Road, exit 297. Covering 75 acres, the modern facility provides up to 225,000 square feet of covered, climate controlled, all season retail and wholesale spaces.

Also Find Handmade Crafts At This Same Market.

Sell Your Handi-Crafts Online Click Here!
WOODEN BIRDHOUSES THE GREEN WAY!

I have been a gardener for all my adult life, but have not always had a place to plant, “well I did” but just didn’t see it, until I bought a small lot in Raleigh NC. I got this house and lot with a small area in the back, that had a flower bed about four feet wide by fifteen feet long and I used this area after I amended the soil the first year, to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and a little mixed salad greens. I did this for about seven years with pretty good results, we managed to can a few things and ate fresh vegetables during the growing season.
In the Spring of 2007 things for us changed when my wife was diagnosed with a rare liver disease that had no cure, just treatment until she could get a transplant. In 2008 late December she got that transplant and recovery has been great. This got me thinking of ways to save and possibly earn some extra money to help pay for those high cost anti-rejection drugs. I tilled up more ground and made the 4×15 feet area to 12×30 feet, and opened another bed at the low end of our lot sized 10×20 feet, then I got some old washing machines and took them apart, got the drums out and painted them for planters,built some wooden planters, about eight sized 36 inches wide by 46 inches long and 13 inches high, great for growing cucumbers and squash.
I built a compost bin and moved the old compost pile to the bin and started making compost for fertilizer. A few years back I had planted some fruits trees, but didn’t take care of them like I should have. I trimmed, feed,and sprayed the trees.

Next thing we did was tilled and amended the soil and filled planters with amended soil and added compost. I went to Hudson Hardware Store in Garner NC and bought seeds, plants and supplies, we spent about $23.00. We waited about a week before we planted the seed, but the plants was planted right away in the planters. We started harvesting squash, cucumbers, Swiss chard, egg plants, onions, tomatoes, mixed greens, peppers, just before and right after the 4Th of July and we managed to sell a lot of our crop after we used our share.
Once you get your soil amended and weeded the first time , then the labor is at a minimum. I since have started small gardens for other people in the area. This has become to us, a business from a need to save money, I make planters for sell, I till garden spaces for price per square foot, I market our fruits and vegetables and sell at home and any place we can set-up and do business.
My fruit trees are doing great, this 2010 season, we canned 23 quarts of peaches, 11 quarts of tomatoes and made and sold apples and pies. The plums were bigger and sweeter this year and I planted four more fruits and three hazelnut trees. As small as my lot is I know anyone could make use in their yard, and use Mother Nature and a little back-bone to save and profit from a small garden in your Town or City anywhere in the world. It’s nice to save and make or earn a profit, but once you start you will garden just for the love of it.

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FREE APPLIANCE PICK-UP & RECYCLE
We recycle old appliances, Stoves, TVs, washing-machines, Computers, Dryers, refrigerators, electronics, old junk lawn mowers,metal furniture, and most household appliances, we pick-up for free. Please call if you have these items to be recyled: 919-803-4425 or 919-324-8905 Area: Garner, Raleigh, Cary NC. If no answer leave your details in voice mail. We will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

(NAPSI)-Across the United States, small-business owners are finding new ways to reduce costs to maximize the bottom line. One place to cut costs and increase efficiencies can be the traditional office printer. A few simple steps can greatly reduce printing costs while helping the environment, a win-win scenario.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Establish a Printing Policy—Direct employees to print in color only when preparing clientfacing documents and presentations. Expand page margins when printing to get more on each page.

• Consider an MFP—A multifunction printer, such as those from Canon’s imageRUNNER, imageRUNNER ADVANCE and imageCLASS product lines, combine a printer, scanner, copier and fax machine. Not only will this save office space, it can save the cost of buying and maintaining multiple devices and reduce the amount of energy consumed.

• Duplex Printing—MFPs come with duplex printing capabilities, meaning they can print on both sides of the page. Making the most of each piece of paper by choosing duplex printing as the default setting significantly reduces printing costs while saving resources used to make paper.

• Conserve Energy Where You Can—Look for MFPs that are ENERGY STAR qualified. Energy-saving modes will help reduce carbon emissions and provide significant cost savings while benefiting the environment.

• Software Can Make a Difference—By pairing an MFP with the appropriate software, such as Canon’s imageRUNNER ADVANCE Tracker, small-business owners can better manage documents and thereby cut costs. For example, employees can scan and e-mail documents instead of printing and faxing them.

• Learn More—More tips and tricks for saving time, money and space can be found online at www.usa.canon.com.

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(NAPSA)—What opens its
doors to all, but only a select few
make it in? Your traditional sideby-
side refrigerator. In fact, a
recent survey revealed that 76
percent of consumers who own
side-by-side refrigerators complained
that certain items don’t fit
easily into their refrigerator or
freezer compartments. But Maytag
changed that!

Maytag Appliances has delivered
yet another innovative solution
for the kitchen designed to
make life easier. This year, Maytag
introduced the Wide-By-Side™
refrigerator, which boasts the
widest available refrigerator and
freezer space in a traditional sideby-
side refrigerator.

The “re-configuration”
of the interior allows you
to slide in awkward and over-sized
items such as pizza boxes and large
turkeys with ease. With this new
refrigerator, you no longer waste
time desperately rearranging items
or running back and forth to a second
refrigerator. And time is not
the only thing you save. The wider
space allows for easy storage of
bulk food, which ultimately saves
you money!

If saving time and money aren’t
enough, there’s more…you don’t
have to sacrifice style or kitchen
space. The Wide-By-Side refrigerator’s
one-of-a-kind contemporary
design complements any kitchen
with its distinctive styling. And it
looks like a traditional side-by-side
refrigerator, only the interior is reconfigured
with wider space on top
for the refrigerator compartment
and on the bottom for the freezer
compartment. Even better, it all
fits within a 36-inch footprint, so
you don’t need to remodel your
kitchen.

The Wide-By-Side refrigerator
also features ClimateZone™ technology
drawers (in certain models)
that automatically store foods at
their optimal temperatures, keeping
food fresher, longer, and the
Elevator Shelf™, an adjustable
shelf that can be moved up or
down to accommodate for tall or
cumbersome items. These innovative
features and breakthrough
technology offer the ultimate in
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Starting at $1,649, the new
Maytag Wide-By-Side refrigerator
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Neptune™ washer and dryer,
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on Maytag Appliances and its
products, call 1-888-4-MAYTAG or
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Evict That Home Energy Hog for Good (394) (NewsUSA) – In 1980, kitchen appliances accounted for nearly 44 percent of an average annual home’s energy consumption. With innovations in cooking, cleaning and preservation appliances, that figure is just above 10 percent today — and still dropping — much to the delight of consumers seeking green options throughout the home. In a recent Whirlpool Corporation survey fielded by Harris Interactive, 84 percent of consumers said that energy — not water or time — is most important to them when it comes to home appliance efficiency. Despite the significant gains in efficiency over the last 30 years, nearly 70 percent of consumers cited a kitchen appliance as the one that consumes the most energy on a day-to-day basis. “In the past, consumers did not need to look beyond the kitchen to find the home energy hog,” said J.B. Hoyt, Director, Regulatory Affairs and State Government Relations, Whirlpool Corporation. “Even today, cooking appliances are not ENERGY STAR qualified. However, recent innovations in appliance efficiency, particularly when it comes to the refrigerator and dishwasher, can really help consumers conserve resources.” For example, the Resource Saver Refrigerator from Whirlpool brand uses less energy than it takes to power a 60-watt light bulb, exceeding federal efficiency standards by 30 percent. Moreover, the Resource Saver Dishwasher uses one-third less water and energy than dishwashers manufactured before 2000. “Efficient appliances like these should help consumers save on their energy bills,” said Hoyt. “They are an important first step toward achieving an ‘eco-kitchen.’ However, homeowners also need to make sure to do their part to help.” Small lifestyle changes can help appliances run at peak efficiency and conserve energy. For example, running the dishwasher late at night can help consumers avoid peak hours, and keeping the refrigerator stocked and at the recommended temperature can save energy as well. Similarly, consumers can reduce energy when preparing a meal. Placing multiple foods in the oven can efficiently utilize heat, and selecting an appropriately sized pan for each burner can increase the efficiency of the range. Cooking appliances also feature innovations to help conserve energy. The Whirlpool range with Energy Save mode conserves electricity when the oven is not in use, while the over-the-range Velos microwave can cook up to 47 percent faster than a traditional thermal bake oven when in SpeedCook mode. To learn more about energy-efficient kitchen appliances, consumers can visit www.whirlpool.com.

FREE APPLIANCE PICK-UP & RECYCLE

We recycle old appliances, Stoves, TVs, washing-machines, Computers, Dryers, refrigirators, electronics, and most household appliances, we pick-up for free. Please call if you have these items to be recyled: 919-803-4425 Area: or 919-324-8905 Garner, Raleigh, Cary NC. If no answer leave your details on voice mail. We will contact you and set-up a time of your convenience.

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