Showing posts with label on the mayor's mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label on the mayor's mind. Show all posts

On the Mayor's Mind: Welcome to Summer Recess

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor's Mind
June 30, 2014
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

Welcome to Summer Recess! It’s not just for kids - City Council is on recess, too. Traditionally we have a two week “recess” at the end of August. This year we decided to change the date so that our recess coincides with the July 4th holiday. There are simply too many fun events in Shoreline at the end of August for anyone to leave town!

To me, part of the fun of being on “recess” is saying “I’m on recess!” Because it makes you feel like a kid again to say the word recess, doesn’t it? Even though I will still be working full-time at my other job, and my calendar shows a handful of City-related meetings over the next two weeks, it really is important to take time to relax and re-energize. For me it means getting back into my workout routine, going to one of my son’s softball games, and heading east of the mountains for some time with family and friends.

It also means reading a book instead of the weekly Council meeting preparation materials. A friend lent me a book that I’m really enjoying, The Right Words at the Right Time, by Marlo Thomas. It’s a collection of stories from hundreds of people (Muhammad Ali to Dave Matthews), about the words of wisdom that made a difference in their life. I thought a lot about putting out a Facebook request for book recommendations, but I knew I would be overwhelmed with great selections. Our recess is barely two weeks long, so I decided not to put too much pressure on myself, and just spend some time reading something meaningful, but not too long. While I love a good book, my “fun” to-do list is pretty long, and reading a book is only one of the things I’ll be doing over the next two weeks.

There won’t be any City Council meetings for the next two Monday evenings, but we will still be checking our email on a daily basis, eating at our local Aurora restaurants and chatting with folks that we randomly run into about the goings on in our beautiful city. In the meantime, I hope that your summer is off to a great start, and that you are enjoying a little recess of your own!

I’d also like to request a moment of personal privilege to send my wonderful husband, Stan Hansen, happy birthday wishes, all the way from Shoreline to Dutch Harbor!

See you in the neighborhood!


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On the Mayor's Mind: Shoreline is a very busy city

Monday, June 16, 2014

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind
June 15, 2014

Shoreline is a very busy city. If you had a chance to watch the State of the City address, you heard a lot about what is going on in our wonderful city. As I prepared my notes to speak at the Echo Lake Neighborhood meeting on Tuesday night, it hit me again, just how much is going on in Shoreline. 

Our city is really coming into its own - almost 20 years old now! We are starting to see some of our long term goals realized, and at the same time, we are at the beginning of some new, very important, achievable goals. How do we know our goals are achievable? We have a great track record!

I’m talking about the Aurora redevelopment project. It’s a project that has been with us for many, many years - one of our first goals when our City was incorporated in 1995. We’ve suffered through the construction, and while we have unfortunately lost a few businesses, we have seen significant investment - over 1,000 housing units and 180,000 square feet of commercial development. And more is coming.

A Seattle City Councilmember recently told me that Shoreline had “put Seattle to shame” by the wonderful job we have done with Aurora. I just had to smile at that comment, because, I know, as you do, that many things are better in Shoreline.

It’s easy to look at Aurora and see the difference, but what you don’t see is the most important fact - 50% less vehicle and pedestrian accidents than pre-construction. That is a truly significant improvement.

As we finish the last mile of Aurora, from the County line (205th) to 192nd, the pain of the construction feels new. Torn up roads, confusion on how to enter a business - by now it’s familiar to us. The difference is that we have now learned how to navigate this construction. Look for the blue “enter here” sign for a business. That is what my husband and I did last Sunday, when we decided to go grab some lunch at Grinders.

One of the comments we hear most is that Shoreline needs more restaurants. While I don’t completely disagree, I think it’s okay that we don’t have an Applebees or an Olive Garden. Those restaurants are easily accessible in Lynnwood, and there are plenty of “fine dining” restaurants in Edmonds. This is also part of the reason we don’t have these in Shoreline. Often overlooked, however, are the amazing small-business-type restaurants we do have in Shoreline.

Grinders is a great example, on the west side of Aurora at 198th Street. You can’t find a better hot “grinder” sandwich anywhere in the area - and they have live music on Saturday nights! We also have a very culturally diverse selection of restaurants. Not only can you grab a grinder, in that same block you will find delicious Mexican food at Taqueria Guaymas, or a steaming bowl of pho at Pho 99 (east side of Aurora at 198th, and Yelp comments refer to it as “a cut above the rest”.)

As we endure this last and final mile of Aurora construction, which will be finished around the end of next year, I hope you will explore some of the unique restaurants that call Shoreline their home!


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On the Mayor’s Mind - the State of the City

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind - June 2, 2014
By Mayor Shari Winstead
 
This week we will be holding our second annual State of the City breakfast. As Mayor, it is my privilege to host this event. Most of the people attending the breakfast are what we refer to as the city’s “partners”. People just like you – volunteers, business owners, and other folks that have a vested interest in making Shoreline a vibrant community.
 
We will be highlighting some of the great projects the City has accomplished in our 19 years – the 2006 parks bond that changed our neglected park system into a first rate system of beautiful parks and trails, the near completion of the Aurora Avenue redevelopment project. Shoreline now boasts the safest, most environmentally sustainable and most beautiful three miles of Highway 99 – due to be finished in 2015. We will also be talking about the 10 year financial sustainability plan - we work hard to try to keep Shoreline an affordable city, yet continue to provide the services that our citizens require and desire. It’s not an easy balance with the costs of service rising faster than the revenues the City receives.
 
Everyone in Shoreline should be proud that our city was featured in a recent video filmed by King County, as one of the leading cities confronting climate change. We have much to be proud of in this arena, including our beautiful City Hall, it’s LEED Gold certification a testament to the City's commitment to sustainability. In 2008 we adopted our Environmental Sustainability Strategic Planwhich contained 50 recommendations for becoming a more sustainable city. We have implemented nearly all of those recommendations and have become a regional leader in environmental sustainability. It is imperative that we continue to invest in a sustainable future – because that is the Shoreline way.  You can view the video here
 
There are many reasons to love our Shoreline life. As Spring turns into Summer, take a look around, reacquaint yourself with your neighbors, parks and the all the great activities going on in your City.  In the coming weeks I will highlight some of the great Shoreline festivals happening this summer, but you can always find these events on the City’s website.


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On the mayor's mind: time with family

Sunday, May 18, 2014

From Mayor Shari Winstead

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to spend a week at Daytona Beach with my husband, son, and daughter-in-law, visiting my older brother and sister-in-law.  It’s the first vacation the four of us have taken together since the new marriages, and I was excited to spend more time together than the usual couple hours for a family birthday celebration.

Even though our reason for this “vacation” was to spread my father’s ashes, we were all looking forward to a break from work, some sunshine, and a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. My kind brother had been dutifully holding on to Dad for the last three years, waiting for the rest of us to be able to coordinate our schedules to make the trip. Dad would have been happy that he had given us a reason to be together, and to have some fun. We took care of Dad on that first day, and throughout the week visited some of his favorite spots, the fishing pier and Nascar track at Daytona Beach, his favorite coffee shop, and of course, the Waffle House (it’s a Southern thing!)

Even though my Dad thought Disney was a rip-off, he appreciated what Disney brought to Florida, and I know he would have approved of a day at the Magic Kingdom. We made a stop at his favorite Dunkin Donuts on our way, yet another cup of coffee for Dad.

Even in May, the Florida sun is scorchingly hot, so we decided to grab an ice cream before heading into Space Mountain (my favorite ride!). As we approached the ride, the attendant told us we couldn't get in line with our ice cream, we would need to finish them outside.  So the four of us turned around and finished our ice creams. A couple minutes later, we headed back into the ride, only to have the attendant stop us again, and ask us our name, as he was writing out what looked like a ticket. Were we really going to get a ticket in Disney World? Instead, he handed the “ticket” to my husband and said “most people give me a real hard time, argue with me and throw a fit about not being able to take their ice cream into the line. I appreciate you folks being so understanding.  Here’s a coupon for free ice cream for y’all.”  

We were all flabbergasted.  Most of us have not experienced being rewarded for good behavior. And the funny thing is, the reward system really does work. We found ourselves more patient and less cranky for the rest of that very long, hot day. We never even stopped to get the free ice cream that afternoon, but the memory of the “good behavior ticket” will be with us forever.  

I grew up in a family that did not “do” vacations. One of my greatest pleasures as a parent was to explore and travel with my son. We were fortunate to have family on the east coast, so our traveling, while not exotic or expensive, was very meaningful. We created lifelong memories by spending time with family and friends, learning about different cultures (the east coast and the southern states are very different from the northwest!), and just hanging out together. I am even more grateful and appreciative to have had this opportunity with my adult “kid,” made even better by the addition of new family members - our wonderful spouses. Life gets better with each new family member.


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On the Mayor's mind

Monday, May 5, 2014

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
A few weeks ago, after another great community meeting, I found myself trying to unwind before getting some shut eye. I opened my computer and remembered that a friend had reminded me about a blog for people going through cancer, called CaringBridge. One of our mutual friends was recently diagnosed with cancer, and this was a way of keeping your friends up to date on your progress. I had read most of my friend’s posts (she’s doing great) and was reading the comments in the guest book.  

After spending a few minutes catching up on the blog posts, it occurred to me that these friends were part of an exclusive group, one I will call the“super volunteers” of Shoreline. The funny thing about this group is that none of them will admit that is what they are, or take credit for any of the 12,653 hours of volunteer work they have logged, equivalent to $285,325 of labor. They all know each other, because they see each other probably twice a week, some lucky enough to have their spouses by their side, and some see each other more than they see their spouses! They are passionate about our community, caring about each other and engaged in the service they provide. Whether they are involved in one specific project or several projects, they are selfless in their service to all of us citizens.

Because of our volunteers, we get to yell “Bingo!” at the Shoreline-LFP Senior Center, enjoy an amazing Arts Festival in the summer, let our dogs run in the off-leash area and stay informed at our neighborhood meetings. They keep our trails and roads free of garbage and have taught us how to turn our backyard into a wildlife habitat area. They share their passion with us and teach us new things.

My thanks to all of you, whether you have volunteered one hour or one hundred hours, for sharing and teaching, for the conversations about each other, our kids, hobbies, the Seahawks, and our mutual friends. This is how great friendships are built, and why volunteering is so much fun. It’s also how you end up with friends that tell you they have a “24 hour phone line”. You know they are always there for you.

Life in Shoreline is pretty great, and our many volunteers are just one of the reasons living in Shoreline is so special.

Thanks for reading! 

Mayor Shari Winstead


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On the Mayor's mind

Monday, April 21, 2014

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
By Shari Winstead, Mayor of Shoreline

Shoreline’s form of government provides that the positions of mayor and councilmembers are part time.  Most of us average 25-35 hours per week working on City business, which is a pretty hefty part-time job. With a salary of $1,250 per month for the mayor, and $1,000 per month for a councilmember, it is understandable why most of us work other jobs - either full-time or part-time, or are retired. Our work for the City is really a labor of love, born out of our caring and passion for the community. I am fortunate that in my full-time job, I also get to work on projects that are important to me.

Many people ask what I do in my full-time, day job. As a Special Project and Event manager at Davis Wright Tremaine, I have the opportunity to lead and implement many varied projects. One of my favorite events is Food Frenzy, an employee fundraising campaign that raises money for Food Lifeline. This is the 25th year anniversary of Food Frenzy, and I’m honored to have been involved for almost all of those 25 years. I recently had the opportunity to appear on New Day Northwest with Rachel Quigley of Food Lifeline to talk about how much fun raising money for Food Lifeline can be. Take a peek, and if your employer would like to get involved, please feel free to contact me or Rachel at Food Lifeline, and we will get you all the details!



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On the Mayor's Mind

Monday, April 7, 2014

Mayor Shari Winstead
Respect.  It’s a big word, and one I’ve touched on before. But I have a new perspective on it.  

Recently at my day-job, the mandate came down that everyone was required to attend “Respectful Workplace” training. You could almost feel the collective eye roll from seven floors of employees. For those of us who have been working in the corporate world for over half of our lives, we have lived through many corporate initiatives, heard all kinds of corporate buzz words and even buzz sentences. They come and go, it’s just part of the deal. Most of us do our best to embrace the newest initiative, even if it is with the collective sigh.

One of the cool things about getting older is that you come to understand what “perspective” really means, because you get perspective with experience (or, rather “age”). Twenty years ago I would have been extremely annoyed that my employer felt the need to tell us, lawyers and staff alike, all very educated and professional, what we should or shouldn’t be saying to our co-workers. 

But at my still somewhat new age of 50, I have a different perspective. I sat quietly and listened (respectfully). After hearing many examples of some pretty strict do’s and don’ts, (don’t say “that dress looks really nice on you” or ask an Asian person if they know a good Chinese restaurant), it was hard not to feel doomed to say the wrong thing to someone. Chances are most of us probably will- probably have- said something that could be construed as disrespectful, and most likely, it was an off-hand comment, or completely unintentional. 

Most of us probably got the best advice of our life at a very young age. I was probably around 10 years old. “Think before you speak”. Often this advice is self-preservation - don’t make yourself look foolish. “Speed Kills” was the term used at the respectful workplace training. Don’t be so quick to make a funny, offhand comment. Do you really know your audience? Will a comment that is funny to some be offensive to one? If so, maybe you should skip it. Sometimes being respectful isn’t about what you say, but about what you don’t say.

We are blessed to live in a diverse community. Sometimes we take it for granted, or don’t make the effort to explore it. Part of appreciating the diversity is putting respect into play. Think about the questions you ask, the statements you make, the rants you may have. Take a moment to know the people who are listening to you and be kind with your words. No matter who we are, what we do, where we are from, our gender preference or background, everyone deserves respect. And I was appreciative that I had an employer who cared enough to make sure we gave a little more thought to how our words affect those around us.


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On the Mayor’s Mind

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

Spring is here! And everyone seems to be enjoying a bit of Spring fever. Bits of color are decorating our yards and the Shoreline Ponies will soon have daffodils dancing at their feet! 

A couple of weeks ago, on one of those blue-sky, surprisingly warm afternoons, I decided to go for a run. I live pretty close to the Interurban Trail, so my run is pretty much always the same. Let me first note that for me, a “run” is really a jog, interspersed with walking. The goal is to breathe fresh air, wake up my heart, and break a sweat. 

So there I was, listening to some upbeat music (“Happy” is my new fave!) and feeling great about the sun shining in my face, when another runner (a tall man, actually “running”) approaches me, and holds up his hand to give me a “high five”! What?! This was awesome! It was somewhat hard to believe that our common experience of being outside and using the Interurban Trail had created a connection worthy of a high five. I didn’t know him, and I’m sure he didn’t know me, (because I rarely look like my official photo!) But the high five and his smile said it all, “isn’t it great to be outside, and moving our bodies!” 

A former gym teacher used to say, “be grateful you’re able”. And I am truly grateful that I can be physically active, and grateful to live in an amazing city with the Interurban Trail. I’m especially grateful for fellow citizens with a good attitude and who are happy to share a smile and a high five. 

So it’s time to come out of winter hybernation, get reacquainted with our neighbors, and take our activities outside. Shoreline is kicking off May with a new challenge - the Million Step Challenge at Paramount Park! Check out the website and lace up your sneakers! And once again in June we will be climbing the stairs at Saltwater Park, this time with a goal of climbing 3 Million Stairs

If you want more information about the recreational happenings in Shoreline, check out the calendar of events or subscribe to Shoreline’s Park & Rec Department e-news.

And in case you need a little extra inspiration, the latest wellness research tells us that “sitting is the new smoking.” Shocking, hu? For people who sit most of the day, their risk of heart attack is about the same as smoking.

There is all kinds of data out there about how sitting is bad for your body. I realize it is impossible to stop sitting, but there are ways we can all sit less. Check out this article for the research, and more information and a few tips on how to get in a few more steps! 


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On the Mayor's Mind

Monday, March 10, 2014

Shari Winstead
Mayor of Shoreline
The topic of “emergency management” came up at a recent meeting. Oh yes, that topic again. The one that makes me want to sink in my seat because here I am, Mayor of Shoreline, and I don’t have an emergency plan. Sure, I’ve got lots of canned food and plenty of water, even extra food for my dog. But that’s about it.

So at a recent dinner with my adult kids, I suggested that we all commit to creating a plan and having it in place by, oh, say, the end of the summer. My firefighter son looked at me quizzically. I asked him, “Don’t you think we should do this?”  “Yes, of course I do, I just don’t understand why you want to wait until the end of summer.” Um, because I’ve already put it off for years and years. Why rush into this? I’m kidding, of course. Those who know me, know that I rarely procrastinate. Sometimes I should procrastinate, take a little more time before I jump in to a project or try to solve a problem. But basically, I am proud to be the anti-procrastinator.

Except for this emergency plan stuff. For some reason, I just can’t get my mind around it. When I start to think about an emergency plan, it becomes too complicated, like the roots of a tree or tentacles of an octopus. There are so many people I will be worried about - my kids, spouse, parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, neighbors. Plus, I don’t want to need an emergency plan. Now I know that is naive, and there is comfort in thinking that if I have a plan, chances are I won’t need it. And in reality, my emergency plan doesn’t have to be perfect, and it likely won’t be. Actually, it can’t be, because there are simply too many variables in all of our lives. 

So l started simple. If my cell phone is dead and I can’t get to my phone numbers, who do I want to call? I wrote those numbers on a small piece of paper and stuck it in my wallet. I included my now-designated out of state contact, because they say we should have one of those. Trying to plan a meeting place isn’t really practical, because, again, who knows where we will be when (and if) an emergency happens? But we can have a couple of choices. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Just do it.

I hope you will take a few minutes to connect with your loved ones about your family’s emergency plan. By the way, the City of Shoreline has a website to help you prepare. Check it out!


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On the Mayor's Mind

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Mayor Shari Winstead
City of Shoreline
I recently had the opportunity to speak to a group of second graders at Syre Elementary. I was more excited about speaking to this group than any of the other meetings on my calendar. My son is 27, and it had been a long time since I was around 7 year old kids. But memory served me correctly.  Kids this age are truly a joy. Honest, open and interested.

I arrived just as the kids were coming in from recess. Their (amazing) teacher quickly brought their attention to their guest (me), and within moments they were quietly seated on the floor in their places. They immediately understood that their attention to their guest was a sign of respect, and frankly, I have never felt so much respect in a meeting.

On my way to the school that afternoon, I was lost in memories of my own son being that age, and how impressionable kids are, especially at 7. I hoped my words and my example would show them that they could be Mayor one day, or a doctor or rocket scientist - the possibilities were endless. I loved the thought of showing these kids they could do anything they want.  I could remove barriers and change perceptions for these kids, just by being me, and doing what I love to do.

Their questions were relevant (how much money does the City have, what does a Mayor do?), cute (how old is your dog? What is your son’s name?), and unexpected (do you know Keith (the former Mayor)? Do you know he drives a white car?). The teachers did a great job of prompting questions (why should we shop in Shoreline? What can kids do to help the City?). It was truly a fulfilling experience.

I had not expected to walk away feeling like this was the most interested and respectful group I had spoken to. No personal agendas, nobody checking their watch. Everyone was truly in the moment, respectful and open to learning.

Next time you go to a community meeting, think about leaving your preconceived ideas and personal agenda at the door. Come with an open mind and heart, and be willing to listen and learn. Be respectful, even to those you disagree with. Remember to ask questions, not tell stories. It will be a more enjoyable experience for you, and probably everyone in the room. Whether you are the speaker or the audience, one thing is for sure - your behavior really does affect everyone in the room, whether they are 7 or 57.

Mayor Shari Winstead
City of Shoreline


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On the Mayor's mind

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Shari Winstead
Mayor of Shoreline
As our plane touched down at SeaTac the first thing I saw was “GO HAWKS” – a sign hanging at the Alaska Airlines plane deck. I had watched a small part of the victory parade in awe (streaming it live from the other Washington). More people than anyone could have imagined gathered downtown to show pride in the Seahawks. 

"It really is unbelievable hearing an entire city cheer all at once. I love football but I really love hearing everyone come together for a single purpose, even if it's just a game.” The Facebook post from my friend Edi Zanidache really summed up what I was feeling. The Seahawks had formed a community. 

What’s on my mind isn’t really the Seahawks. It’s the idea of everyone coming together for a single purpose.

Coming together for a single purpose - it’s how we start a little league team, pass a Parks bond, and even how we start (or stop) projects in our neighborhoods. Sometimes it’s how we meet new friends. And sometimes it’s how we show our pride in a sports team. But most importantly, we can come together to prevent neighborhood crime.

It’s unfortunate that sometimes it takes a crime or a “not in my backyard” project for neighbors to come together.  

So here’s my suggestion, don’t wait to come together - get to know your neighbors now. Forming a block watch is really easy. The City and police department would love to help you. Check out this Shoreline website for all the information you need to start your neighborhood watch, and to make your neighborhood safer.

National Night Out Against Crime is August 5, 2014. This is a designated evening for block parties (remember those from your childhood? Tons of fun!) A really great way to spend some time talking to your neighbors.  

As the sunny days become longer in length, take a moment to knock on your neighbor’s door, and put your neighborhood on the map of block parties to be held on August 5!  

Every year, your elected officials and police make every effort to visit these block parties. I hope I’ll see you this year!

Mayor Shari Winstead
City of Shoreline


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On the Mayor's mind - a new column from Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

Sunday, January 26, 2014


Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor's mind  . . .  Welcome to a semi-monthly article where I share my thoughts and ideas on being Mayor of the Great City of Shoreline!

On January 6, 2014, I was honored to be selected by my Council colleagues to be the next Mayor of Shoreline. Our Council is comprised of seven elected councilmembers, and every two years they elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. To be selected unanimously to represent our Council is a tremendous honor. Shoreline has had many great mayors, and I am proud to be the next person to hold the gavel.

And speaking of honor  . . . when I was elected as a Councilmember in 2009, it was the first time in my life I had been entrusted with “honor.” We are all familiar with the saying “with great honor comes great responsibility” and I’ve had a great amount of responsibility for most of my life, having raised my teenage brother, and then as a single mom for most of my son’s life. I totally get what being responsible means. When I was elected it felt like my family grew to over 53,000 people. My world of responsibility had just changed to include all of Shoreline’s citizens - all with different opinions, perspectives and values.  

Everyday I work hard to hear your concerns and questions. As some of you know, we have a Council email address (reach me anytime at swinstead@shorelinewa.gov).  I welcome your emails, phone calls and personal visits. It is so interesting to learn about new issues, and to hear how people feel about any particular issue, their concerns and new ideas. Sometimes the solution seems clear - and then I have a conversation with someone on the bus or in the grocery store, and I hear a completely different perspective. This is what makes our City so great - healthy, respectful differences of opinion. It gives us balance.  

One of my personal goals is to do more listening than talking. I invite you to send me an email or give me a call. I do work another full-time job and have a family, so I always appreciate your patience in waiting for my response, but I look forward to hearing from you! 

Yours in our love of Shoreline!  

Mayor Shari Winstead


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