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Local man-about town Jesse Berry is pummeling the competition on Jeopardy this week. After three wins in three days, he's amassed $41,500. Thanks to the colossally unhelpful Jeopardy site, we missed yesterday's showing, but got the TiVo in-line today.

Jesse was unflappable. He carried the lead most of the game and rarely seemed to be making risky guesses. I think he missed once. In Double Jeopardy, he scored $2000 for "The Ursus Californicus variety of this fierce brown bear is found on the California state seal?" and moments later got a daily double that he wagered $3,000 on for "After a 5-year legal battle w ith a sugar company, this pizza chain won the right to keep its name in 1980 (I'll let you venture guesses in the comments)."

He also got a chance to talk about KABF, at least indirectly, when Alex Trebek asked him about what community radio meant. He explained it was non-commerical, non-corporate radio that featured a diversity of music and talk programming, but he couldn't manage a plug for the station or his show, "Machine Language."

He's on again tomorrow at 11:00 on KATV 7.

The King of Kong: A Fistfull of Quarters Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:33:14 -0600

My buddy David Ramsey wrote a profile on Billy Mitchell, the subject of the film, last year in the Oxford American, 'cept he focused on Mitchell's equal Ms. Pac-Man genius.

The film is in theaters, though surely not one here, August 17.

More Weekend To-Dos: Podcast Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:06:05 -0600

Here's the inaugural edition of our to-do list podcast, something we're gonna be doing every week. I'm still working out the kinks — you'll hear that Isaac Hayes is pretty persistent in the mix—but soon this is something you'll be able to subscribe to through iTunes and every Thursday morning plug in your iPod and hear what's doing for the weekend on the way to work. For now, you can just listen here or download following the link. Our homeboy Corporal Bubonic hosts. He sounds a little stone-y, but as listeners of his weekly radio show (now on Thursday from 10 p.m.-12) know, that's just how he sounds.

Weekend To-Dos Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:58:39 -0600

THURSDAY

GOLDEN BEAR
9:30 p.m., Sticky Fingerz. $5.

Quirky Austin quintet Golden Bear might be the most unassuming, unpretentious band on the planet, or, at least, on the indie rock music scene. Lead singer Chris Gregory, a middle school science teacher, composes clever, energetic pop-rock songs in between making lesson plans and grading papers. In typical do-it-yourself fashion, Gregory, with band mates Matt Gardiner (keyboards), Andy McAllister (drums), Jamie Reaves (guitar) and Brent Pennington (bass), recorded the band’s sophomore album, “To the Farthest Star,” in a spare bedroom in his house. While it functions as a side project, the band takes itself seriously without being self-involved. Gregory sings with playful sincerity, and his vocals are often backed by sprightly handclaps and harmonious “oohs” and “aahs.” Channeling the Shins and the Polyphonic Spree, the single “Galaxy Queen” opens with a spacey synth sound and builds into a lively rocker that reflects on love lost in an honest, refreshing way — letting in light, leaving out gloom. On break from school, Gregory is taking his band on a five-stop summer tour.

FRIDAY

50 YEARS OF STAX
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theater, Memphis. $25-$1,000.

Jim Stewart, a white ex-fiddle player, and his sister, Estelle Axton, put the first two letters of their last names together to form Memphis’s Stax Records in 1957. Over the next nearly 20 years, the label put out enough classic music that one could easily make the case that Stax is the greatest soul record label of all time. This weekend’s solid-gold anniversary show will likely be the last opportunity to get a glimpse of any kind of wide-angle shot of what made the label unique. Of course Otis is gone, along with Arkansas’s Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, Rufus Thomas and, for all practical purposes, his daughter, Carla, who’s been willfully out of the public eye for years. Anywhere else that might signal a death knell, but Stax still has enough alums to fill out a large bill in style. He may be crazy, but he’s still got that booming baritone: Isaac Hayes headlines the night with the label’s famous house band, Booker T & the MGs; Eddie “Knock On Wood” Floyd; and Mavis Staples, who’s lately been touring behind her new album, “We’ll Never Turn Back,” a collection of Civil Rights-era songs cast anew. Plus, treats for deeper soul aficionados: Deep soul crooner William Bell and “Able” Mable John will also perform, along with the Soul Children, the Reddings (Otis’ children doing a tribute) and Angie Stone. Public Enemy’s Chuck D hosts with Randy Jackson. All proceeds benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul.

RED OCTOPUS
9 p.m., the Village. $12.

Local comedy troupe Red Octopus Theater has been producing dramas, musicals and sketch comedy since the waning days of the first Bush administration. After some 16 seasons, they’re one of the oldest troupes in the country. Named for a coffee table that looked like an octopus and known for their annual “Pagans” holiday revues, the troupe recently put out “Asswell?”, a collection of their material from the last 10 years. This weekend, they take over the Village on Friday and Saturday, for a sketch collection they’re calling “It Takes a Village.” Expect booty-bass, skits featuring the devil and general twisted hilarity. Students get in for $10.

COOLIO
9 p.m., Revolution Room. $15.

Here’s the second sentence from the new bio on Coolio’s website: “His international hit song ‘Fantastic Voyage’ was recently used in a national Pepsi ad that ran during the 2005 Super Bowl, featuring P. Diddy, Carson Daly, ‘Desperate Housewives’ star Eva Longoria and many more.” Wow. You sell 27 million records (according, again, to the bio), then take a 10-year hiatus to do “Celebrity Paranormal Project” and act in “Dracula 3000” and a Croatian drug movie, and, well, I guess, Pepsi ads start sounding pretty relevant. Snark aside, Little Rock is still a small enough market that we’re not likely to get too many club gigs with big-name rappers — even nostalgia-miners — unless they’ve fallen down a peg or three. A note of warning: Coolio’s still making music, so don’t expect just a night of extended versions of “Fantastic Voyage” and “Gangsta’s Paradise.” Local cover favorites Tragikly White open.

ATA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OPENING CEREMONIES
7 p.m., Alltel Arena. $15.

Folks have been jumping and kicking and chopping in downtown Little Rock since last Tuesday as part of the American Taekwondo Association’s World Championships in downtown Little Rock. The week has been mainly about instruction thus far, with novices and experts alike working things like single and double Ssahng Jeol Bong, Gum Do and broad-sword form. Friday Brings first the dedication of the H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden (the new add-on to the Statehouse Convention Center grounds) at 10:30 a.m., and later, throughout the day at the Statehouse Convention Center, the finals for the championship’s heavy-hitters. The opening ceremonies officially get underway on Friday night at Alltel Arena, where the ATA-Xtreme team and the ATA World Demo Team will be kicking each other’s asses in a collegial kind of way for everyone’s enjoyment. On Saturday and Sunday, from 7:30 a.m. until late in the afternoon, Taekwondo contenders of all sizes and ages continue to compete at the Statehouse Convention Center.

OPERA IN THE OZARKS
8 p.m., Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony. $15-$20.

The annual Opera in the Ozarks Festival kicks off on Friday near Eureka Springs with Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” a tragic masterpiece about a young geisha and a naval officer caught up in a doomed love affair. This opera contains many of Puccini’s most famous arias, including “Un Bel Dì” (“One Fine Day”). The 2007 season runs through July 20 and will also feature “Susannah” by Carlisle Floyd and “Le Nozze di Figaro” by Mozart. In its 57th season, the four-week summer opera series is held at the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, five miles west of Eureka Springs on Hwy. 62. “Madama Butterfly” will be performed June 22, 27 and 30 and July 3, 12, 16 and 20. A July 7 production of “Madama Butterfly” will be a special performance at the Arend Art Center, located at 1901 S.E. J St. in Bentonville. “Le Nozze di Figaro” will be staged June 26 and 29, and July 1, 5, 10, 14 and 18. The third opera of the season, “Susannah,” will be performed June 23 and 28, and July 2, 6, 9, 13 and 19. Also included in the season are a children’s opera on July 8 and a chamber orchestra concert on July 17. All evening performances are at 8 p.m. Visit www.opera.org for more information. For ticket information, call 479-253-8595.

ALSO: Acoustic blues master Doug MacLeod performs at Acoustic Sounds Café with singer/songwriter Rod Picott, who’s just released an album called “Girl from Arkansas.” High-wire rockabilly trio the Dempseys play the River Top party at the Peabody. Local soul queens Tawanna Campbell, Nicky Parish and Pinky are “Divas in the Rock” at Juanita’s, 10 p.m., $10. Jerry Jeff’s son, Django Walker, plays country-rock at Sticky Fingerz, 9:30 p.m. The Travs game versus Witchita will feature fireworks, 7:10 p.m.

The rest of the weekend after the jump.

Wednesday To-Do: Jason Isbell Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:31:06 -0600

Former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell plays Sticky Fingerz with his band the 400 Unit. "Sirens of the Ditch," Isbell's debut solo album, comes out July 10. The few songs I've heard sound great. Like the Truckers, it's literate Alabama Southern-fried rawk, but alone Isbell is a little more contemplative and moody. Aquarium Drunkard's got the stand-out of the track's I've heard, "Dress Blues," for download.

Jones Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:26:43 -0600

Last year, Killer Mike said in an interview with the Fader that he was hoping to make S.L. Jones, from the Grind Time clique, the first rapper to break from Little Rock. I don't know how long Jones has been gone from LR (Grind Time is in Atlanta), but that he's calling his album "Bangin' in Little Rock" suggests it's probably been awhile. Local rappers aren't about associating themselves with "BILR. First off, it's tired as hell, but also it's the one-note people across the country, especially in the rap community, continually harp on.

There's no release date yet, but this came to mind last week when the Fader posted a new Killer Mike track featuring Jones and shouted out Park Plaza (wha?) on their blog. It's a nice song, but I'm not quite sold on Jones as the savior for Arkansas rap. Here he is on a new song with the Clipse, too.

Last night: Only Children / The Easys / The Counterlife Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:49:32 -0600

The Only Children.

The Easys.

The Counterlife.

White Water was jumpin last night. Lots of folks, even in the early hours of the night, and three crack bands. The hardcore Fayetteville outfit the Counterlife opened. Gangsta, the drummer, who my Fayetteville buddy tells me has been flailing away for years, was hugely entertaining in an aerobic-Lightning Bolt-kind of way.

After they played, I got a chance to visit with lead singer Roger Barrett, who's been organizing and promoting in Fayetteville for years. He's running Robot Lake Records now and has albums from the Counterlife, Doug DeLuca and Tippy Canoe coming out early this summer. I'll keep you posted.

The Only Children, from Lawrence, not Canada as I suggested earlier, played cut-and-paste 70s FM radio, but in a smart, really winning way. The bassist, whose picture is after the jump, made all the rock boys go crazy. She's been around for a while and played with Juliana Hatfield in Some Girls. She's also married to the lead singer. Hear and download the Only Children's "Tired of This Town" here.

Course the Easys shredded in typically awesome fashion, but dudes night out and leftover tiredness from this weekend conspired to force me to the bed mid-set.

More pics after the jump...

Jesse "The next Ken Jennings" Berry Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:55:22 -0600

Jesse Berry, known locally as a man always on the scene, a frequent collaborator with Brian Frazier (recently-ish in Sao Paulo), the host of the excellent late-night KABF radio show "Machine Language" and just an all-around good dude, won $20,000 on Jeopardy yesterday.

Check his "Hometown Howdy" here.

Set your TiVos/fire up the office TV/feign sickness: He's on again today at 3:30 on channel 7 in the LR market. Check here for times if you're living out of town.

Tuesday To-Do: The Easys, Only Children and Counterlife Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:08:42 -0600

It's Arkansas Rocker's night at White Water, and now that everybody's got a kid, the Easys are returning to the stage for their first show in a while. It'll be all the guitar-crunch pop-loveliness can take. With keyboard banging and not a little bit of drinking for good measure. Plus, the Counterlife, a new Fayetteville act on Robot Lake Records, formed from the ashes of Kings of New England. AND The Only Children, a Canadian five-piece that does "Honky Tonk Woman"-era-Stones-style rock.

Zzzzzz Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:27:49 -0600

Our favorite Tylenol-popping rapper is vying to be on "I Love New York 2," VH1's spinoff of a spinoff (oh, the crazy-magic touch of Flava Flav). Z's been away from his Dat Heat peoples for awhile, leaving "BIGGIE" light of cartoonish mania and a generation of youngsters without "who's that boy who's poppin' in your locker." We're rooting for you, Z (online voting ends today, I think), but if NY doesn't happen, bring it on home. We need you.

Shotgun Stories wins prize Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:44:44 -0600

At the Seattle Film Festival this weekend, Jeff Nichols snagged the New American Cinema Award for "Shotgun Stories," which a jury called "a starkly powerful tale told with a distinctively American voice."

Tonight's To-dos Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:38:39 -0600

If you’ve looked outside your downtown office building window in the past hour, then you’ve noticed the riverfront is filling up fast. Thousands are expected to attend the annual Juneteenth celebration held at the Riverfest Amphitheater tonight. The Power 92.3 FM-sponsored event will showcase some rising rap talents, including ATL’s Da Shop Boyz, Mims, Rasheeda, T-Pain and the Houston headliner Devin the Dude (above). Look for North Little Rock rap diva XXzotic. A stunner, she’ll perform tonight. $15.

At White Water Tavern, the Salty Dogs will throw a CD release party to debut their new album, “Autoharpoon,” a solid, twelve-song collection of honky-tonk, Western swing and Southern gospel. While you’re sure to get a big helping of the new album, they’ll likely serve up some cover songs, too. 9 p.m. $5.

Skinny, stringy-haired Alan Disaster fronts local punk rock band Smoke Up Johnny. They’ll play Juanita’s tonight along with San Antokyo and Big Boots. 9:30 p.m. $5.

Ben & Cory Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:23:32 -0600

Last night singer-songwriters Cory Branan and Ben Nichols took turns taking shot after shot, trading song after song into the early morning hours. Anticipating a packed house, Matt White and crew had cleared out the tables at White Water Tavern to accommodate the large standing-room-only crowd. With his whiskey-drunk debaucheries, Nichols, who fronts Memphis-based Southern rock band Lucero, kept the place alive, especially with Jawbreaker’s “Kiss the Bottle.” When the audience asked for Branan’s “Whiskey Grove,” Nichols replied, “Oh, you want something sad?” and led listeners down dark roads that cut through his own lonesome lyrics and somber melodies proving he can do heartbreakers just as easily as he can do hip-shakers. Sitting side-by-side, Nichols and Branan chatted and laughed, toasted and sang casually as if they were playing for you and your buddies in your living room. Everybody sang along to Branan’s “Tall Green Grass” and “Miss Ferguson,” on which he tagged that intro that will move you if you let it. (“Say I got another girl, she looks at lot like you, at twenty-three, and when she sleeps I trace the places where your tattoos used to be.”) If you stayed long enough, you got to hear Nichols' “Sweet Little Thing,” which was his best of the night.

(Photo: Michael Inscoe)

'Rent' Meets Cirque du Soleil Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:51 CDT
If Bam Margera created soaring art instead of stupid stunts, he'd be a perfect complement to Canadian circus company The 7 Fingers.

Listen Here: Split Lip Rayfield Plans Fayetteville Stop Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:42 CDT
Several new bands make their debuts on Dickson Street, but this next week, get ready for the return of an old favorite. After a brief hiatus, the Midwestern band Split Lip Rayfield is back on the road and will be stopping at George's Majestic Lounge on March 27.

Amateur Wine-Makers Raise Spirits Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:47 CDT
Kentuckian Raymond Meyer will soon pile into his vehicle, packing some bottles of wine and his wife, and spend a full day making his way to Arkansas. Meyer is drawn to the Natural State for the fifth time to take part in the Cowie International Amateur Wine Competition in Paris, Ark.

Weekend Notes Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:44 CDT
Out and About The Thing to Do "Late-Nite Catechism 2: Sometimes We Feel Guilty Because We Are Guilty"

Look Here: New Orleans Remembers Baseball in World War II Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:52 CDT
While it might look like I'm here, doing what I always do, I'm not. I'm in New Orleans, where there's always something amazing to look at, this week including:

Underdog comedy 'Drillbit Taylor' has its moments, but mainly hits 1 note Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:56 CDT
Do you hear that? That shrill, shrieking sound coming from your local multiplex? That would be the Judd Apatow machine slowly, steadily winding down after humming along so brilliantly for so long.

Spirit Of Adventure Rises Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:57 CDT
The spirit of adventure is a marvelous and valuable thing, taking the phrase "why not?" and turning it into indelible memories, favorite photos and ice-breaker scars.

Carrington Brings 'King Of The Mountains' Tour To Fort Smith Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:15:59 CDT
He could be anyone in rural America with his trademark black cowboy hat, his boots and that Texas twang.

Family Friendly: Early Easter Doesn't Mean Celebration Without Traditions Of Egg Hunts Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:16:03 CDT
Easter comes earlier than usual this year but it's not without its traditional incorporation of photographs with furry white bunnies, chocolates and searches for brightly colored eggs. For those looking for ways to celebrate, here's a list of Easter festivities in the area:

Beebe Deal Clever Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:54:47 CDT
My way or no highway. That's a rough sum-up of the situation Gov. Mike Beebe's leaving for legislators on his severance tax proposal. He gets his preferred option of the increase or he neuters the biggest criticism against him. That's the criticism that he hasn't done enough for roads.

Behind The Mask Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:32:12 CDT
HOLLYWOOD -- It's a rare disease with a long, scary name: craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, also known as "lion's disease" because the bone disorder causes calcium to build up in the skull, thickening features so the human face resembles that of a lion.

'Meet The Browns' Expected To Post Big Returns Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:32:11 CDT
At the beginning, it was all about what this could do for him.

A Change Of Pace Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:49:34 CDT
Hours on the road. Navigating new cities. Meals on the go. Sound checks and run-throughs. Interviews. Meet and greets. Performances.

The Write Stuff Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:49:40 CDT
"There's no corner on creativity," says Radine Trees Nehring. "I think we ought to honor our own voice and our own creativity and our own individuality" by recognizing that each person has something unique to contribute to the literary world.

Listen Here! Entertainer Drawn To Music At Young Age Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:49:30 CDT
Once again, it's time for the Washington Regional Foundation Gala. This year's musical entertainer is a Grammy-winning artist, one of the voices behind the most played song on American radio and one half of musical group, The Righteous Brothers.

Don't Say 'Neigh' To Weekend Event Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:49:29 CDT
The ninth annual University of Arkansas Horse Festival has something for just about everyone.

Look Here! A Mountaintop With A View Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:49:28 CDT
Five years worth of work in nature photography will soon be on display on a mountaintop in the Ozarks.

Out & About Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:49:36 CDT
The Thing To Do "Traces," coming to the Walton Arts Center today through Sunday, brings a "skater aesthetic" together with contemporary dance and theater elements to create a "Rent" meets Cirque du Soleil-style performance.

Where Inalene Went Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:24:23 CDT
Where was Inalene Skelton, somebody asked me after a story I did on a veterans group.

Listen and win American Princes booty Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:44:52 -0600

Via Yep Roc:

With the April 15 release day of Other People just two weeks away, the guys of American Princes would like to get your interpretation of the new album!

Each day, a new track will be posted for you to stream. Listen to the song and post your response (video, prose, photo, drawing, whatever!) as a comment on Yep Roc's Myspace blog entry that corresponds to that track (myspace.com/yeproc).

Daily winners will receive their choice of a pair of tickets to an American Princes show in their area or a signed and personalized American Princes poster. One grand prize winner will be announced at the end of the contest.

Thursday in Entertainment: Lipizzaners coming to West Plains Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:13:00 EST
Twin Lakes Area residents will have a chance to see the magnificent Lipizzaner stallions, renowned for their many abilities, when the "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions perform Tuesday at the West Plains Civic Center. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Read more about the show Thursday in Entertainment.

Brown' s Beach launch area closed Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:49:00 EST
BULL SHOALS -- The Brown's Beach boat launch area has been closed due to high water.

Big Oil Hears Who? Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:29:00 EST
Pat Bagley / Salt Lake Tribune

Turnout heavy in early voting Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EST
Early voting in a school millage election got off to a fast start Tuesday as 583 residents of the Mountain Home School District turned out to vote in an election that asks voters to weigh in on a proposal to add 2.95 mills to the school tax.

House, Senate support severance tax Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EST
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — A practical joke provided the only hint of suspense Tuesday in the Legislature as the House and Senate overwhelmingly supported Gov. Mike Beebe's proposed severance tax hike on natural gas to pay for highway improvements.

Ardith Bryant, 91 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EST
YELLVILLE — A funeral for Ardith Bryant, 91, of Flippin will be 10 a.m. today at Bull Shoals United Methodist Church. Mrs. Bryant died Sunday, March 30, 2008.

Worlow signs with Lyon College Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EST
Jacob Worlow always had a dream to play college basketball someday.

AF&G honors the late John Eastwold Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:07:00 EST
BULL SHOALS -- Arkansas Game & Fish Commission honored the late John Eastwold today by renaming the Bull Shoals Lake Access near Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock to John Eastwold Access.

3 facing murder charge Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EST
Three men were charged Monday with capital murder in connection with the slaying of a 19-year-old Mountain View man.

Charles Kern Cartwright, 73 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EST
CALICO ROCK — A funeral for Charles Kern Cartwright, 73, of Calico Rock will be 2 p.m. today at Foothills Baptist Church in Mountain View. Visitation was 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Eddie's Family Funeral Home. Mr. Cartwright died Monday, March 31, 2008.

Stars Shine Again at 112 Drive-In Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:14:48 CDT
The sound of crackling rocks echoes into the night as car tires roll across the gravel parking lot. Beneath the starlit Ozark sky, a little girl sits in her parents’ car staring up at the moving pictures on the giant outdoor screen.

Love and Laughter on ACO Stage Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:14:27 CDT
Arts Center of the Ozarks audiences might not recognize playwright Beth Henley's name, but they know her work. And Harry Blundell, ACO director of theater, promises they'll know her characters, too, when the arts center presents Henley's "Impossible Marriage" April 11-13 and 18-19.

'Oh, Lord, It's Funny' Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:14:29 CDT
The lines between good and evil are as black and white as her habit, as one nun takes on eternity and the salvation of souls at the Walton Arts Center in "Late Nite Catechism 2: Sometimes We Feel Guilty Because We Are Guilty" on stage April 8 through 13.

Being Noteworthy Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:14:47 CDT
In a house in Springdale, 12-year-old Ashley Whittle is sitting at a piano, reading black dots on a page and translating them into a melody. The notes were placed ages ago by someone long dead, and yet they still communicate and resonate vitality through the fingers of a young girl.

Muskogee Celebrates Its Roots in Flowers Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:14:23 CDT
One weekend just isn't enough for the Muskogee Azalea Festival.

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