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Owensboro’s Big O Music Fest 2010

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Owensboro, Kentucky is gearing up for one of its favorite festivals.   The 2010 Big O Music Fest will be held on Friday August 13th and Saturday August 14th.  Check out the 2010 Artist Lineup page on the Big O Music Festival’s website – complete with pics and bios.

Friday’s Lineup:

  • Randy Houser
  • Mark Wills
  • Josh Gracin
  • Mountain Heart

Saturday’s Lineup:

  • Gary Allan
  • Jamey Johnson
  • Phil Vassar
  • Colt Ford
  • Brian Davis
  • Jaclyn Graves

NEW: Camping Offered for 2010!

Space is limited, so get your request in early to reserve your tent camping spot.  You can come out and camp Friday night, or Saturday night after the show.  Or, you can stay and camp both nights.  Click Here for more information and camping rules or Click Here to reserve your Tent or RV camp site now!

The Big O Music Fest Will Be Held At:

Reid’s Orchard (Directions)
4812 State Route 144
Owensboro, KY 42303

Owensboro Lodging:

Hampton Inn – Owensboro
Comfort Suites – Owensboro
Fairfield Inn-Owensboro
Days Inn – Owensboro
Ramada Inn – Owensboro
Holiday Inn Express – Owensboro
Super 8 Motel – Owensboro
Motel 6  – Owensboro

Henderson Lodging:

Holiday Inn Express Henderson Hotel
Sleep Inn Henderson
Comfort Inn Henderson
Ramada Henderson
Ramada Inn Henderson
Super 8 Henderson / Evansville In Area

Bowling Green Lodging:

Holiday Inn University Plaza-Bowling Green Hotel
Courtyard Bowling Green Convention Center
Red Roof Inn Discount Hotel
Days Inn Hotels: Bowling Green
Days Inn Hotels: Bowling Green
Sleep Inn Bowling Green
Ramada Bowling Green-Scottsville Rd
Drury Inn – Bowling Green

Filed Under: Country Music, Entertainment, Fairs and Festivals, Owensboro Tagged With: , , ,

Ninki’s Japanese Restaurant in Owensboro Kentucky: Outstanding!

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One of my favorite places to eat in Owensboro, Kentucky also happens to be one of my ALL TIME favorite restaurants. Ninki’s Japanese Restaurant is one in a billion.

The decor is beautiful and the atmosphere is so relaxing you never want to leave. The staff at Ninki’s is one of the most friendly and helpful staffs in any restaurant I’ve ever visited. Everyone is totally and completely on their toes.

As for the food.. well, it’s just out of this world, that’s all. The edamame is something I enjoy every single time I dine at Ninki’s (which, let’s be honest, is quite often). If you’ve never tried edamame, give it a try when you visit Ninki’s. Addictive!

If the weather’s a little on the cool side, I have a bowl of their extraordinary Clear Soup (more about this VERY special soup in a minute). If the weather’s warm (and I don’t succumb to ordering the soup anyway!), I go with a salad. The dressing has this delicious, exotic flavor that you WILL NOT find anywhere else.

I’ve looked.

Another menu item I consistently order is the Kentucky Sushi Roll – my favorite of their many, many Sushi Rolls. Ninki’s has the most beautiful and delicious Sushi Rolls anywhere. What’s more, the price is a lot lower than you’d expect. Truth be told, everything at Ninki’s is lower than most Japanese restaurants. Japanese restaurants often have a reputation for flattening your wallet and making your purse tremble. Ninki’s is the exception.

I also order the fried rice whenever i go – it’s ridiculously good. They offer an exceptional, tangy “Yum Yum” sauce that simply makes time stand still.

I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve gotten at Ninki’s Japanese Restaurant in Owensboro. Even their tea is amazing!

Now. Back to the Clear Soup. It’s one of the most inexpensive things you can get in any restaurant but it’s so full of flavor that it boggles the mind.

Here’s the thing: I cook a great deal. Love cooking! I even have a food blog where I celebrate this favorite pastime. I have, over the years, achieved a great knack for tasting food served in restaurants and, then, being able to recreate the dish at home. Ninki’s Clear Soup has me stumped. I’ve tried COUNTLESS times to come up with a soup even close to their Clear Soup, but it simply can’t be done.

I’ve deduced that they have a large sack of magic in their kitchen and that magic is the secret ingredient.

Well played, Ninki’s. Well played.

My family members know that:

  1. If anyone is going to Ninki’s, they must, first of all, give me the opportunity to accompany them.  If for some reason I can’t go (flu, ice storm, bronchitis, broken ankle..) they know the drill:
  2. They must bring me a large container of Clear Soup.  If they fail to do so, I’ll cry for days.  True story.

Ninki’s Sushi Rolls, Fried Rice, Hibachi grill, salad, steak, chicken, Clear Soup, edamame, tea, and service are all extraordinary and you MUST treat yourself to the experience.  It may be your first time but I guarantee it won’t be your last.

I might just see you there.

What you need to know:

Ninki’s Japanese Steakhouse is located at 3500 Villa Pt Ste 103.

Directions: Go out Highway 54, past Walgreen’s and just past Kohl’s.  Ninki’s is located next to the old Quizzno’s (miss them…sigh). Map.

Phone: (270) 685-9913

Filed Under: Blog, Food, Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Kenny Wallace at Windy Hollow Speedway in Owensboro, Kentucky This Sunday Night!

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If you love NASCAR like we do, and you’re anywhere near Owensboro, Kentucky on Sunday July 18, 2010, grab your Hermanator t-shirt and head to Windy Hollow!

Windy Hollow Speedway and the Big Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross have teamed up for a night of great racing and fund raising! This Sunday night Windy Hollow Speedway will host the very popular NASCAR driver and Speed TV personality Kenny Wallace at the Owensboro, KY race facility. Wallace will be on hand racing his Federated Auto Parts UMP DIRTcar Series open wheel modified as well as helping the Red Cross. Wallace will also step into a car he has never seen before and battle it out with some well known locals from the racing world in the Prelude to the Box Car Nationals to benefit the Big Rivers Chapter.

Wallace will step into a custom built box car replica of his Federated Auto Parts modified and run on foot against the following entries:

Richard Cunningham from www.circlesville.com (a national dirt track media source)
Malcolm West from Racing Radio Live and the Nashville Super Speedway
Angie Baird- American Classifieds/Thrifty Nickel
Alan Slaton- EZ Buy Auto Sales/EZ Graphics
Jay Velotta- Windy Hollow Speedway announcer/Radio Goes Racing
Billy Egeler- Windy Hollow Speedway announce/Radio Goes Racing

These racers will run a small race on foot inside their custom built cardboard creations in an effort to raise funds for the Red Cross. Donations will be accepted before the event, which will be held during intermission on Sunday. There will also be an autographed door from Kenny Wallace’s modified up for grabs to the highest bidder during an auction held at intermission. Wallace will be available for autographs during the evening’s intermission festivities and after the racing events.

Gates will open at 4pm with racing starting at 6pm at Windy Hollow Speedway. It will be an action packed night of stock car racing and box car racing at its best!

For more information on the Box Car Nationals presented by Circlesville.com and the Carousel Child Care Center visit www.circlesville.com .

Windy Hollow Speedway is located just 9 miles southwest of Owensboro, KY off of Kentucky Highway 81 on Windy Hollow Road.

GATES OPEN AT 3:30 PM
DRAW CLOSES AT 6 pm
RACING AROUND 6:15 pm

About Kenny Wallace

Kenny Wallace, who won the first race he ever entered, thank you very fast, was born in the hometown of my favorite baseball team – St. Louis, Missouri. Kenny is the youngest of three brothers and, and Kenny Wallace.com points out, racing was a household reality before any of the boys could wheel a car.

He currently lives in North Carolina with his High School sweetheart, wife of 25 years, Kim. The couple have three daughters (something we have in common).

One of the very best things about Kenny is that he’s as big of a St. Louis Cardinals fan as I am.  I love you, man.

From Kenny Wallace.com:

After winning that first race in 1982, Kenny decided that his place in racing was in the driver’s seat.  That day was a preview of things to come.  In 1986, Kenny joined the ASA ranks winning Rookie of the Year honors.

In September of 1988, Dale Earnhardt gave Kenny the seat for his first-ever NASCAR start.  He finished seventh in his first Nationwide Series start at Martinsville, Virginia. The following year, Kenny raced the full Nationwide Series schedule in a car owned by brother Rusty, earning the 1989 Rookie of the Year award and finishing sixth in driver point standings.
Kenny’s Nationwide Series accomplishments include nine wins, ten poles, and nine seasons in the top ten in driver points.  Kenny has over 425 Nationwide starts, making him only the second driver with this distinction.  Kenny is the only driver to have won the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver Award three times, in 1991, 1994 and 2006.
Kenny also has over 340 starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He has grabbed three poles, six top-five, and 27 top-ten finishes, including three career high second-place runs.  Kenny’s most well known finish probably came when he pushed the late great Dale Earnhardt to his final Cup victory at Talladega in 2000 in a thrilling last lap shootout.  Kenny also has two Budweiser Shootouts to his credit.  In 1998, Kenny and his brother Rusty Wallace staged a thrilling one-two finish on the last lap with Kenny pushing Rusty across the checkers for the win.  In 2002 Kenny finished ninth in the Shootout.
Kenny has also found success in the world of television.  He is the co-host of two programs for SPEED TV each week; NASCAR RaceDay, which airs before the Sprint Cup race each week, and NASCAR Victory Lane, which extends post-race coverage.   With Kenny’s competitive battles on the racetrack and popularity on television, he has become one of the most sought after drivers in NASCAR racing today for sponsor endorsements and speaking engagements.
Kenny Wallace is a driver that is well respected by owners, drivers and sponsors throughout the garage area.
In 2008 Kenny Wallace drove for Jay Robinson Racing in the #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet Monte Carlo.  The highlight of the year was a last lap battle for the win in Memphis, TN with Carl Edwards and David Reutimann, with Kenny finishing third.  The Team ended the year on a strong upswing.
In 2009, Kenny is back in familiar colors of the #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet  Impala for Jay Robinson Racing as he competes for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship.
Kenny is not only an asphalt race car driver.  He is the winner of the Tony Stewart 2005 Super Late Model Charity Race “Prelude To The Dream” at the Eldora Speedway “on dirt”.
On almost any weekend, you can find Kenny getting back to the roots of short track racing in his #36 Jegs dirt modified.  He just may be tearing it up at a local dirt track near you!

Links for Kenny Wallace Fans

Kenny Wallace Racing

Kenny Wallace on Facebook

Kenny Wallace on Twitter

If at all possible, make it out to  Windy Hollow Speedway Sunday night.  Great Speedway. Great cause. Great driver.

Visit Windy Hollow Speedway‘s Website

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, News, Owensboro, Sports Tagged With: , ,

Bluegrass and Catfish in Owensboro Kentucky? Sign Me Up!

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Reds Fish House, Owensboro Kentucky

Great food and Bluegrass music? Come on, does it get any better?!

Kings Highway and Men of the Week will be performing in Owensboro on October 24th. Each of these bands is currently playing at the Jerusalem Bluegrass Celebration in Rosine.

Kings Highway Coming to Reds Fish House, Owensboro Kentucky

Kings highway (pictured above) is a band from Henderson Ky, Men of the week (pictured below) hails from the home of the next World Series champions (from my lips to God’s ears, hopefully!) St. Louis Cardinals, St Louis Missouri. (www.myspace.com/menoftheweek)

Men of the Week Coming to Reds Fish House, Owensboro Kentucky

Both bands are closely followed in the Kentuckiana area, playing festivals in Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro, Louisville as well as performances in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri , Ky, Georgia ,Florida and Tennessee. Men of the week are currently performing at IBMA music showcase in Nashville, Tennessee.

These bands will start performing at 5pm Saturday Oct 24th outdoors at Reds Fish House in Owensboro, Kentucky.

From an e-mail sent to me by Reds Fish House: This is the second performance Kings Highway has done at Reds Fish House, By request from all our friends that enjoyed the first performance Reds Fish House will have this as an annual event for the Owensboro community

Reds will be serving dinner, our own fried fish meals as well as a louisiann crawfish boil ,during the performances, making this a fun night of entertainment and dinner for the Owensboro community. Admittance for both shows and dinner will be $25.00

This event will be an outdoor event seating is not available so attendees will want to bring their lawn chairs. Space is limited reservations are highly suggested in advance, Reservations can be made thru our comment page on Reds fish house web page, www.redsfishhouse.com

Reds Fish House is located at 7056 Highway 56.  For directions, see the website.

Filed Under: Bluegrass Music, Events, Fairs and Festivals, Famous Kentuckians, Food, News, Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Real Hacienda Mexican Restaurant in Owensoro Kentucky: Deliciousness Waiting to Happen

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Beautiful Mexican Sombrero

If you love authentic Mexican cuisine like I do, you have to visit one of (or both!) the Real Hacienda Mexican Restaurants in Owensboro, Kentucky.  The complimentary salsa and chips keep you joyfully satisfied while you wait for your food – which never takes too long.

My daughters Brittany and Stephany and I simply can’t get enough when it comes to Mexican food – so the workers at the Real Hacienda’s know us on sight.  They’re always extremely friendly and happy to see you.  The waiters cut up and joke with us.  Their friendliness adds  to the entire experience.  They’re always happy, having fun, and treat you like a welcomed guest.

As for the food, can you say, “Heavenly“?!  When we go for lunch, I alternate between the Grilled Chicken hard shell taco, the Bean Burrito, and the Chalupa.  They’re always fantastic and I always get a side of rice or refried beans with my meal.  We often get a side of Pico de Gallo and/or guacamole as well.

For supper, I have a complete, unapologetic fixation on Pollo Loco – so I don’t venture too far from that.  The chicken is always perfect.

When you go, you’ll want to order a side of the best cheese dip in the whole state.  It’s heavenly with the warm complimentary tortilla chips they serve you and, if you have any left, it’s also beyond spectacular on a taco, burrito, or rice.

As if perfect food and friendly workers weren’t enough, the prices are completely reasonable AND the decor is so beautifully charming, you won’t be able to quit looking around.

Oh! Did I mention the Fried Ice Cream?!  No??? Probably because I want to keep it all to myself.

Real Hacienda’s Owensboro Locations:

  • 3118 Alvey Park D (Off of Highway 54)
  • 636 Southtown Blvd (Near Staples and the Frederica Street Wal-Mart)

Filed Under: Blog, Food, Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Kentucky Bluegrass Will Set the Stage for Autumn

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Guitar Exhibitat International Bluegrass Music Museum Owensboro, Kentkucky

Music Born in Kentucky is Center Stage this Fall

There’s a profusion of bluegrass music festivals throughout the state of Kentucky this autumn. Seems appropriate, since this is its birthplace, after all.   Make it a point to get out and enjoy the music we should all be proud of.  Choose from the events highlighted below, courtesy of  http://www.kytourism.com/

The sixth annual Franklin Music Festival will be held the following weekend near I-65 close to the Tennessee border. Set for Sept. 11-12, the Franklin fest will feature the Lonesome River Band, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage and many more outstanding performers. For info, check www.franklinkymusicfestival.com.

Bluegrass faithful will be making an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem Ridge at Rosine, Ky. near Owensboro the first weekend in October. From Oct. 1-4, the home place of the “Father of Bluegrass,” Bill Monroe, will resound with music by some of the genre’s leading artists. Visitors can tour the Monroe family’s carefully restored 1918 home filled with mementoes from Monroe’s illustrious 70-year music career. More information about campgrounds and other accommodations nearby can be found at www.jerusalemridgefestival.org.

Combine attendance at Jerusalem Ridge with a visit to the nearby International Bluegrass Music Museum (www.bluegrass-museum.org), a fascinating institution in Owensboro devoted to preserving all things bluegrass. The IBMM is also home to the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame, recognizing noteworthy individuals for outstanding contributions to bluegrass music. New members are inducted each year.

The IBMM hosts its own annual mega-festival, the River of Music Party (ROMP), each June in Owensboro. This festival includes stellar bands from North America, Europe and the Far East, the Bluegrass Masters Film Festival, instrument workshops, juried arts and crafts, clogging and camping. For more info, visit www.www.bluegrass-museum.org/riverofmusic.

Many other smaller festivals provide opportunities to experience bluegrass music outdoors while enjoying Kentucky’s beautiful scenery. For more info, consult the Kentucky Department of Travel’s web site, www.kytourism.com, and click on “Festivals and Events.”

Be sure to check out Owensboro’s Bluegrass Musuem’s Web Site.  Lots of fun!

Filed Under: Fairs and Festivals, Famous Kentuckians, Kentucky's History, New, News, Owensboro Tagged With: , ,

Grilled Deliciousness In Owensboro Kentucky

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I just got back from my favorite grocery store (Kroger on West Parrish – I’m in there every day).  I went with the intention of getting things that I need to make a few white pizzas for lunch.  Everything went as planned until I came out of the store and was hit head on with a Heavenly aroma.

Naturally, my head and body followed where my nose led and we all ended up at a grill and table that were set up in front of Kroger.  A few of the friendliest guys you could hope to meet were grilling cheeseburgers, hamburgers and bratwurst and doing it like it was meant to be done.  I grabbed a few cheeseburgers and told the pizzas they’d have to wait.

When I got home, my husband was still sleeping, but I went ahead and ate my cheeseburger.  As a young Shirley Timple would have said,  OH – MY -  DOODNESS!  It was so delicious I just got lost in it for a few minutes.  Then I began to eye the husband’s.  Normally, I never finish my own burger.  My husband has to end up leaving the bites I leave behind.  But this time was a whole different game.  Not only did I finish mine, his was in danger.

Actually, his is still in danger because I sat right down to tell you about these guys and their amazing food.  The husband’s cheeseburger is sitting seductively on the kitchen counter – wrapped in foil marked with a big CB.  I see it.  It sees me.  It’s a battle of wills and I never claimed to have a strong one.

These guys will have their stand of deliciousness set up every weekend in front of the Kroger on West Parrish in Owensboro.  They told me that yesterday (the one day in, like, five years I didn’t go to Kroger) they had baby back ribs and sold out fast.  Holy cats.  I’m grieving over that one – but I know something that’ll make me feel better… and it’s still looking at me.

It’s kind of funny – they did the impossible.  Infamous Moonlite BBQ is located within walking distance of Kroger, and its aromas are intoxicating.  These guys out-aroma-ed Moonlite.

You have to check them out – great food, friendly smiles, and prices where we need for them to be:  Well within reach.

Filed Under: Food, Owensboro, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Winter Wonderland in Owensboro Kentucky is a Must See Experience

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The beautiful Winter Wonderland, here in Owensboro, will run through January 4th. It really is a gorgeous site, and check out the festivities below!

  • Tri-State’s largest outdoor rink
  • Beginning Blade designated skate time
  • Free Mondays
  • Skate rental on-site
  • The Bunny Slope
  • Giant movie screen showing your favorite
  • holiday movies
  • Snow activities
  • Pizza, popcorn, nachos, soft hot pretzels, funnel cakes, hot dogs, cotton candy, hot chocolate, coffee, and more
  • Carousel, ferris wheel, teacups, tilt-a-whirl, tin-lizzies
  • Visit with Santa
  • Thousands of twinkling lights
  • Live musical entertainment
  • 35 ft. Christmas tree

Ownesboro goes all out for quite a few things – but two of the main ones are the BBQ Festival and Christmas.  Winter Wonderland is an extravaganza that delights all and brings out the kid in everyone.

Visit River Park Center’s Winter Wonderland Section for more details.

Filed Under: Holidays in Kentucky, Owensboro Tagged With: ,

Moonlite Bar-B-Q in Owensboro, Kentucky Isn’t Just Good – It’s Hall of Fame Good!

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One of the prides of our hometown (Owensboro, Kentucky) is the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn. Moonlite has been one of Owensboro’s crown jewels since 1963. It was recently voted Best Barbecue In Kentucky by Kentucky Monthly and Kentucky Living Readers. An honor they’ve become accustomed to.

In fact, because Moonlite Bar-B-Q has been voted Best in Kentucky for the fifth year in a row, it will be inducted into the Kentucky’s Best Hall of Fame. What’s more, the category of Kentucky’s Best Barbecue will be retired from the magazine’s reader poll.

According to Gourmet Magazine, “Mutton puts Owensboro barbecue in a class by itself. Cooked until pot-roast tender, it is set out on the Moonlite buffet two ways: chopped or pulled… The chopped mutton is nothing but flavor: tangy lamb and wood smoke in a bold hash duet. The pulled version is a textural amusement park… juicy chunks so supple they make us want to abandon all utensils and eat like happy cave dwellers.”

If you can’t make it to Owensboro, Moonlite has an online store where you can buy Moonlite Bar-B-Q’s award winning mutton barbecue, and other Moonlite Bar-B-Q family favorites!

Patrick Bosley’s cookbook “Family Favorites from Moonlite: Recipes that Founded a Kentucky Tradition” includes recipes for such Moonlite family favorites as their famous barbecue mutton dip, hearty burgoo soup, and banana pudding. It’s also available at Moonlite’s online store.

I find that I’m even hungrier for Barbecue than usual right about now….

Filed Under: Owensboro, Restaurant Reviews, Signs of Ky Tagged With: ,

Vacant Warehouse Gets a New Life in Downtown Owensboro

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An old tobacco warehouse in Owensboro, Kentucky is being given a second chance at life. It’s being transformed into high tech laboratories and other offices. In the 1930′s, the brick warehouse was part of the hustle and bustle of “Tobacco Row.”

Local leaders have been wanting to give downtown Owensboro a shot in the proverbial arm for a while, and many believe that converting this warehouse will do just that. Developers want to make the building an important part of Owensboro’s downtown redevelopment, by turning the building into a laboratory and a small business center.

Developer Malcolm Bryant told 14 WFIE News that he thinks the warehouse is ideal: “It’s already here and it’s strong and it’s already structurally sound.”

With the growth of Owensboro’s bio-tech industry, the community is looking for places to expand, adding laboratories and other business offices.

WFIE Reports:
As Owensboro’s bio-tech industry continues to grow, the community is looking for places to expand, adding laboratories and other business offices.

“We need a place for those people to do business,” Hugh Haydon, Kentucky Bio-Processing, said. “This is it.”

Haydon said Owensboro is working hard to become a leader in the bio-processing industry.

“Having this kind of space available, having a demonstrated local commitment to that industry sector is hugely important,” Haydon said. “Something you haven’t seen in other communities to my knowledge across the world.”

Nick Brake, Economic Development Corporation, said the operations in Owensboro has helped.

“We have a competitive advantage in that facility, in the intellectual property that they control and the research that is going on here,” Brake said.

Local leaders say they hope building on to the bio-tech industry will attract students to town.

But, will this draw young people? Will this draw students into the community to work at this facility?

Brake is hopeful.

“Well we certainly hope it will,” Brake said. “Part of what we’re trying to create here is an environment. It’s all tied into the place making and it will be a unique space.”

The City said Tuesday it will contribute $2 million to the project. Daviess County said it will pay for $500,000 of the project.

Work is already underway, and Brake said in six to nine months the outside of the building could be done and space become available inside.

Story from 14 WFIE News.com

Filed Under: Owensboro Tagged With: , ,
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