Missoula Valley, MT February 2024 by City Lifestyle

Love Local

F E B R UA RY 2 02 4

true partnership born Aanen Moody Guard #11 Gr86 5a32e41a77

1934 Brooks St. Missoula, MT 59801 406-926-3835 missoula@fuel406.com www.fuel406.com

T h i s V a l e n T i n e s D ay

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Local love.

February 2024 PUBLISHER

Mike Tucker | MTucker@CityLifestyle.com E D I TO R

Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com

If there is one thing this community continually shows up for, it's local businesses. Not only do we love our locally made products or fare, we know and love the people behind them. And if you aren't familiar with them, I hope this issue is a chance for you to recognize some of those faces and businesses and welcome them into your life. When I think of local, I equate it to an experience. That's how all of my local memories are made. It can be a trip to Turner Farms every season for locally grown goods, hand-poured candles, and the experience of meeting up with my son's best buddies for pictures that act as time markers in their rapid growth. Or it's parking somewhere along Higgins and stopping in to Hazel and Fawn to say hello to Tiara (thanks again for recommending the Vista stroller!), and then continuing over to Clyde Coffee for a date with my boys. I'll never tire from watching my son come up for air after a long sip from a steamer, froth all over his lips. We stop by Bitterroot Flower Shop and get balloons for no occasional at all, other than we love balloons in the house. Missoula has offered so many moments to slow down and pay attention to. It has conditioned us to good quality. We have such talented makers and doers among us and I love knowing that our community sees the work they're putting in and, most of all, supports it. It's no secret that today's world has become more costly. We are seeing some small businesses reluctantly charging for packaging where it used to come standard with purchase and we see our neighborhood restaurants struggling to keep normal business hours, but I hope you're with me in allowing them this grace. Quality is always worth the wait or extra small charge. And maybe that means we have to tighten up elsewhere. Whatever the cost may be, I know my heart will always root for our local businesses and their people. They are the lifeblood of community. Thank you to all of our local businesses for filling our homes and lives with meaningful experiences.

C H E L S E A LY N A G R O , E D I T O R @ M V L M AG A Z I N E

C O PY E D I TO R

Erika Fredrickson Erika.Fredrickson@CityLifestyle.com AC C O U N T M AN AG E R

Marla Huggins | Marla.Huggins@CityLifestyle.com STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R

Erika Spaulding | InspiredByMontana@Gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chelsea Lyn Agro, Shelby Humphreys, Jill MH Taber, Susie Wall C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R

The Camino

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Josh Govero LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Missoula Valley Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Missoula Valley area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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inside the issue FE B RUA RY 2 0 2 4 | LOV E LO CA L

14 40

Featured

14 24 40

Get Sudsy

Buff City Soap caters to a local audience with customization.

Local Lavish

Dharma Wellness brings Ayurvedic medicine to Missoula.

On the Cover

Departments

Buff City Soap is our local soap makery where products are handmade daily using no harsh chemicals. Find all the local scents at the back of the store!

Lifestyle Letter

Business Monthly

Maker’s Studio BEAUTY

Spa Day WELLNESS

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAG E

How To FOOD + BEVERAGE

Local Limelight ARTS + CULTURE

Let's Read Local

Meet Emily Pray, author of Tilly and the Sleepyhead Sun. Photography: Erika Spaulding

www.asinglemomentintime.net

Michael Tucker

A Single Moment In Time, are large canvas photos of local landscapes, and views from the summits of Mountains in Montana and surrounding states through the eyes of Michael Tucker. These photos have been taken with an inspirational view in time, looking down from the summits, or taken at just a moment in time that will never be duplicated. Find these beautiful large canvas photos that will add inspiration to any wall in your home or office. Go to www.asinglemomentintime.net 406.544.8333

A Single

Moment in Time

Go to MandMTuck .PicFair .com A Single Moment taken of the Beauty of the Montana Outdoors

Follow your dream, home. Possessing competence, expertise, and passion for all that we do, Engel & Völkers offers a brand experience of the highest caliber for our clients and our exclusive network of real estate advisors around the world. We understand that luxury is a feeling distinctly personal to each individual. It’s about providing comfort, convenience, and confidence as clients make one of the biggest decisions of their lives: purchasing a home. Learn more at marlahuggins.evrealestate.com MARLA HUGGINS E N G E L & VÖ L K E R S W E S T E R N F R O N T I E R 321 N Higgins Ave | Missoula | MT 59802 O +1 406-926-3322 | M +1 406-529-8659 marla.huggins@evrealestate.com ©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

FEBRUARY 2024

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Valentine's Day Wine Dinner Featuring Elk Cove Vineyards at Pangea Make it a Valentine's Day to remember at Pangea Bar & Restaurant. This special night will feature wine from Elk Cove Vineyards of Willamette Valley, Oregon. A five-course dinner prepared by corporate chef Justin Ferguson and the Pangea culinary team is expertly paired with six wines by sommelier Kyle Riggs. Ticket price is $200 per person (gratuity included). Limited to 24 guests. Seats may be booked. Call 406.493.1190 for reservations.

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WinterFest at Paws Up Dubbed "The coolest culinary event on earth," WinterFest 2024 offers mouthwatering feasts and wintry adventures right here in our own backyard. Enjoy top-notch wine tastings, curling and broomball, live entertainment and winter-themed meals created by guest chefs. Wilderness adventures are also on the menu, including snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dogsledding, as well as outdoor activities with the featured guests. This event runs February 16 to 19 and rates begin at $2,157 per night. Visit PawsUp.com for more information.

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Property Price Drop! Broker Aaron Pagniano has an exquisite listing located at 2058 Petty Creek Road in Alberton that just underwent a 200,000 dollar price drop, taking the list price from 3,000,000 to 2,800,000 through Exit Realty Missoula.

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2024

Mountains Planned: 1 THE MA N ITOU IN C L IN E // CO

WA R M UP CLIM B

2 MO U N T

S HASTA // CA

elevation: 8,900 ft

1 4 ,1 7 9 ft

3 MO U N T S I

N O RTH // WA

4 MO U N T

MAS S IV E // CO 14,494 ft

5 BO R A H

12 ,662 ft

PEA K // ID

6 BO U N DA RY 7

PEA K // N V

1 3 ,1 4 0 ft

MO U N T R A IN ER // D EN A L I

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8 TBD

THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL INSPIRE ONE LIFE, INSPIRE HEALTH CLIMBING SPONSORS! Special Thanks to City Lifestyle magazines, FUEL, Angel Flight West, PEAK ATP and MyHMB Supplements & to The LifeGuard Group for Sponsoring our 2023 Climbing Adventures

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ARTICLE BY SUSIE WALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA SPAULDING

GET SUDSY Buff City Soap caters to a local audience with customization

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | BEAU T Y

Escape the cold gray winter with a visit to Buff City Soap where cheerful colors and indulgent scents are guaranteed to brighten your day. At Buff City Soap, proprietors Beth and Stephen Stone, along with their friendly and talented staff, custom make fun, fragrant soaps, luxurious bath and body products, and even laundry soap. A recent customer remarked that it, “Makes me happy every time I do the laundry. Even my 14-year-old loves to do laundry!” All of Buff City’s goods are made using plantbased ingredients, but what really distinguishes them from other soap companies is their ability to make custom products. Stephen estimates they make 95 percent of the products sold in the store right here at the “Makery,” a long gleaming table that holds a prominent place by the front door, where you can watch as “Makers” turn a handful of simple ingredients into delightful finished products. “We make it right here and it’s all going to look different because it’s handmade,” says Beth. “You can come and meet Hannah and say, ‘I know the person who made this soap.’” CONTINUED >

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Hannah Welty is part of Buff City’s tight-knit team. “I love my job,” says Hannah. “It reminds me of baking. You mix ingredients together and make these great products that we then get to sell.” She explains that the entire team works together to brainstorm unique scents. “After a while, the fragrances just map out in your mind. I feel like I can bring out my creative side, bounce ideas off Beth and Stephen, and have them always be receptive and encouraging.” It’s evident that Beth and Stephen respect and cherish their staff. “Everything you see on the floor is to their credit,” says Stephen. With most of the employees being the same age as their son who attends the University of Montana, they like to view

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | BEAU T Y

themselves as “work parents.” “We’re here for them,” Beth says. “It makes running a business much more satisfying.” Buff City soap also offers a wealth of products that are ready to go, but still made onsite. A great place to start shopping is the Local table where the team showcases their love of all things Missoula using a variety of colors and scents with labels that are both whimsical and descriptive. Relish the swirling colors of a Montana sunset with a bar of Big Sky and enjoy the scents of “fresh air and freedom.” Show off your school spirit with the Go Griz! scent, invoking the smell of “victory” along with notes of tobacco leaf, cedar, bergamot, and magnolia flower.

“We try to give so much to this community because we’ve met these people. It’s all about connecting and having relationships.” - Beth Stone

To Beth and Stephen, this Local table represents more than a place to sell soap. Hailing from Tennessee but long dreaming of a life out west, the Stone family moved to Missoula in 2021. Stephen had worked in the production field in Tennessee with the man who started Buff City Soap, so he inquired about opening a franchise here and the rest is history. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” says Beth. “It’s been tough with the majority of our family still living in Tennessee, but it’s the best thing we could have done.” As with many Missoulians, the Stones may not be from here, but they have felt welcomed from day one. In return, and just because that’s the kind of people they are, Beth and Stephen have

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“We’re a franchise and some people don’t think of that as local, especially two people that came from Tennessee. But we are local. We take pride in this store and the people we work with, and we try to make a difference in the community." - Stephen Stone 18

M AK E R’S ST U D IO | BEAU T Y

embraced Missoula and give back to the community as much as possible. These generous acts take on a variety of forms from donating raffle baskets for fundraisers to committing a portion of sales to local nonprofits. Each day, 20 percent of sales from every product sold with the Let’s Rodeo and Jadyn’s Blankie scents go to Chicks n Chaps and the Jadyn Fred Foundation, respectively. “We try to give so much to this community because we’ve met these people,” says Beth. “It’s all about connecting and having relationships.” “We’re a franchise and some people don’t think of that as local, especially two people that came from Tennessee,” says Stephen. “But we are local. We take pride in this store and the people we work with, and we try to make a difference in the community. We’re not trying to change Montanans. We want to learn how Montanans want this done because we are super proud to be here.” CONTINUED >

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M AK E R’S ST U D IO | BEAU T Y

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ARTICLE BY SHELBY HUMPHREYS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA SPAULDING

DHARMA WELLNESS BRINGS AYURVEDIC MEDICINE TO MISSOULA

LOCAL LAVISH 24

S PA DAY | W EL L NES S

Ayurvedic medicine originated in India more than 3,000 years ago, allowing for some decoding of complexities when it comes to the human body. Today, its wide range of diverse treatments

In 2021, Reyna and her business partner opened Dharma Wellness as a holistic Ayurvedic spa. Her co-founder has since left Missoula but Reyna has been busy expanding. She’s brought on

"MISSOULA IS FULL OF WELLNESS-MINDED PEOPLE." - REYNA MONTOYA serve as a framework that modern healers can use to help restore health. Reyna Montoya, founder and owner of Dharma Wellness, experienced the depth of healing this alternative medicine can provide. Ayurvedic practices helped her heal from the grief of divorce and the sorrow of failed in vitro fertilization. Her hormone stores were decimated. Then, she went to an Ayurvedic counselor. “They gave me simple practices to begin building my system back up again,” said Reyna. “I was surprised at how easy and effective it was.” That experience stirred Reyna’s desire to go deeper into the world of Ayurvedic medicine. In 2018, she graduated from Sampoorna Ayurvedic College. Now, as a counselor herself, she lives out her Dharma, which is Sanskrit for “passion,” by teaching the Ayurvedic tradition.

three additional providers, added four therapy rooms, and transformed the studio into a peaceful space that beckons patrons to pause and release their cares for a moment. “For me, living my Dharma means offering clients a luxury experience,” said Reyna. “I train all of my employees on Forbes Five Star Standards and we use products from makers who prioritize quality and employ sustainable, regenerative practices.” What’s most important, however, is the skill and compassion with which the staff approaches each client’s needs. “Everyone is so adept at understanding what each body is trying to say through a cluster of symptoms. We can be especially effective because as we learn about what’s going on during the session we each have the knowledge to adapt the treatment. In this

CONTINUED >

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way, every experience is completely customized—not to just that person but to how that person is feeling that day,” said Reyna. Looking over the spa menu, it’s clear Reyna and her team have mastered a large variety of healing modalities. Options include traditional massage or facials, plus luxury enhancements like Himalayan salt detoxes, Kansa Wand applications, or sound bowl healing. “Being able to employ so many techniques is a testimony to how versatile Ayurveda is,” Reyna said. “These knowledge-based treatments can address migraines, digestive issues, mood disorders, and so much more. And Missoula is full of wellness-minded people. I’m always impressed with how researched they are. They’re so excited to have a professional who can help them take it deeper. When clients walk in, I often hear, ‘I have that book!’” Reyna and her staff are generous with the exclusive care they lavish on each client. Last year, when a dryer fire temporarily closed the spa, customers had a chance to repay that generosity. “While we were cleaning up all that smoke and power washing stuff down at the car wash, customers were calling to buy one, two, three gift cards,” said Reyna. “We explained that we weren’t sure when we could open back up again but they’d say, ‘We know. We just want to support you.’” That outpouring sent a clear message to Reyna and her staff: we’re glad you’re here and we want you

S PA DAY | W EL L NES S

“THESE KNOWLEDGE-BASED TREATMENTS CAN ADDRESS MIGRAINES, DIGESTIVE ISSUES, MOOD DISORDERS, AND SO MUCH MORE." - REYNA MONTOYA to stay. “We were in tears but it was more over everyone’s amazing generosity than the actual destruction from the fire. That was our phoenix rising moment,” she said. The ashes are gone now, replaced by the sweet, spicy smell of incense. With a larger space and more therapy rooms, customers can enjoy couples massage and enhancements like warm stone therapy, Joyful Belly treatment, and an herbal foot bath. In Ayurvedic terms, Reyna’s passion for pampering is the highest expression of her Dharma. “We want to welcome people into a sanctuary where luxury harmonizes with holistic healing for an unmatched, rejuvenating experience.” To book a service, go to DharmaWellnessspa.com or call or text 406.384.6955.

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

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S OU T H of the B OR DE R I NSPI R E D

M E X I C A N K I TC H EN A N D AG AV E B A R , T H E C A M I N O I S A D E S T I N AT I O N F O R M I S S O U L I A N S

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

ARTICLE BY JILL MH TABER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA LYN AGRO AND JESSICA DEAN

Philip Schaefer didn’t plan to open a restaurant. He moved to Missoula to pursue a Master’s degree in creative writing, working in the bar and restaurant industry while going to school, eventually ending up at Montgomery Distillery. He and a coworker took a sales trip to Chicago, finding themselves at a restaurant serving tequila and whiskey cocktails, tacos, and other Mexican dishes. Upon their return, Philip received a late-night text message from his coworker Tad: “We should try to open something like that in Missoula.” Philip brushed it off at first. “I thought it was a joke. Tad said, ‘What else are we gonna do?’” Philip explained. “I was trying to be a professor. But also, I was newly married and needed a career. I thought, ‘Well, I can’t adjunct my way across the country.” So Tad and Philip cooked their way through that winter, researching and experimenting, the results of which were a business plan and finally, after talking to bank after bank, the financing to fund their dream. The Camino, a Mexican kitchen and agave bar, opened on November 29, 2019 in the southeast corner of the Mercantile building in downtown Missoula.

“WE TRAVEL TO MEXICO ONCE A YEAR, TO REGIONS ALL OVER. Every PLACE WE GO WE LEARN traditional CULTURE, CUISINE, AND practices.” — PHILIP SCHAEFER CONTINUED >

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C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

“There was a gap in what Missoula could offer in terms of Mexican cuisine,” Philip explained. “We travel to Mexico once a year, to regions all over. Every place we go we learn traditional culture, cuisine, and practices.” The Camino offers simple Mexican food, the basis of which rests on corn masa tortillas—an “almost currency in Mexico,” according to Philip. “We wanted to create a unique Mexican space in Missoula with the food but also with the vibe and feel,” he said. The Camino features décor made with raw materials and pops of color—design elements that bring the distinct Mexican feel that complements the food and also their unique spin on tequila/mezcal and agave cocktails, like the Coyote. The Camino works with a purveyor in Los Angeles that imports sustainable, fairtrade corn, beans, and chiles from Mexico. Tad aims to source as much produce and other meats from local producers as possible, resulting in seasonal menu selections. “We can source all sorts of weird things that are fun,” Philip said. “It’s part knowing what you’re going to get, but also being able to try new things.” Camino means “the path” or “the way” and the restaurant’s simple drawing of a coyote symbolizes the whimsical nature of the restaurant and its devotion to traditional methods (like grinding all of the corn and juicing all of the citrus in-house, every day) and creative innovations with tried-and-true dishes—think carne asada or beef brisket tacos and seared scallops but with a fennel and strawberry salad. “We are a scratch kitchen, start to finish. The integrity of the product is super important to us,” Philip said. “This is truly a passion project. To fail is not an option. It’s fun. It’s an environment and culture that should be enjoyed, but not taken too seriously.”

T H E C OYO T E ingredients: • 1.5 oz Espolon blanco • .75 oz fresh lime juice • .5 oz agave syrup (agave nectar cut with equal parts boiling water) • 2 oz hibiscus tea (made in house w/hibiscus flower) • 5 dashes orange bitters

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A Handmade Date Night A date night at home is the perfect occasion to shower your loved ones with affection and appreciation. While storebought gifts and cards have their charm, there’s something incredibly special about receiving a handmade gesture. By opting for a handmade date night, you’re not just expressing love but also showcasing your thoughtfulness and effort. These handmade creations convey a personal touch that can’t be replicated.

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

H OW TO | FO O D + BEVER AGE

Make it feel like an extra special at-home date night with thoughtful touches from the heart—and hands.

From-Scratch Pasta

Yield: 1 pound

what you need

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 4 large eggs

what you do 1. Mound the flour in the center of a work surface with a well in the middle. Crack the eggs into the well and beat with a fork until smooth, then work flour into eggs with the fork. Use a bench scraper to work in the rest of the flour a little at a time. When the flour is incorporated, form the dough with your hands into a rounded mass for kneading. Lightly dust your workspace with flour and knead dough about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover dough with a bowl or plastic wrap and rest 1 1/2 hours, or chill overnight. 2. To roll by hand, flour a clean work surface. Vigorously roll dough to a very thin circle and roll constantly with even pressure as it stretches for several minutes until as thin as possible, almost translucent. 3. To cut by hand, lightly fold sheets one at a time into thirds and cut to desired thickness. Recipe from MarthaStewart.com.

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IT’S TIME TO FEEL BETTER Meet

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MEET EMILY PRAY, AUTHOR OF TILLY AND THE SLEEPYHEAD SUN

Let's

Read Local ARTICLE BY CHELSEA LYN AGRO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA SPAULDING

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

C: EMILY, TELL US HOW TILLY CAME TO BE. IS SHE A CHARACTER FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD?

E: We moved from Maine to New York City when my brothers and I were little. My father told us stories about two owls, Frank and Betty Wise, who moved with us to the city. The tales were about their adventures, conflicts, and silly antics. Tilly Wise is inspired by those memories and the nostalgia from remembering the feeling of being engrossed in that world.

C: WRITING A CHILDREN’S BOOK IS NO EASY TASK. TELL US ABOUT HOW THE WRITING AND PUBLISHING PROCESS WORKED FOR YOU.

E: I knew I wanted to write a story for my daughter, like the ones I had had as a child, so I decided to try one day. One thing led to another and soon I found an editor to work with. I just followed the steps. With the unwavering support from my family and the ‘let’s just see what happens’ mentality, Tilly and the Sleepyhead Sun were born!

C: HOW DID YOU FIND AN ILLUSTRATOR TO MATCH YOUR VISION OF THESE PERSONALITIES?

E: Years ago I worked in a mental health agency with a talented woman named Emma. When exploring the idea of self-publishing, I knew I wanted rich and intimate illustrations. Emma is a talented artist and a loving human being. I knew it was a perfect match. I’m so grateful for her vision of Tilly.

CONTINUED >

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MI SSO UL AVA L L E Y

C: YOU ARE A MOTHER, THERAPIST, AND STORYTELLER. WHAT ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE INSPIRED THIS SPECIFIC BOOK THE MOST?

E: Without a doubt, the inspiration was my daughter Matilda. I aspire to read and tell stories with her the way my father did with my brothers and me, and I am working towards that every day. I am continuously moved and in awe of the magic that happens when we read with children, and I wanted to make something to support that vital connection.

C: WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

E: I’d love to make more books and create a Tilly Wise series. I’ve enjoyed the ‘let’s see what happens’ mindset and am continuously inspired by the creativity of my readers. I can’t be sure but I suspect Tilly wouldn’t mind some new adventures either. Find your own copy of Tilly and the Sleepyhead Sun TillyWiseAdventures.com.

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

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