When we think of gardening, we think of things like container gardening, pest resistance gardening, and vegetable gardening. We don’t necessarily think of gardening with and for our kids. But why not?! It gets them interested at an early age and it gets them out in the fresh air. It will be something they look forward to every year. And they will be able to see the fruits of their labor. Listen here: Show notes for episode ...
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Today we sit down with Holland’s new Fire Marshal, Bret Groendyke to talk about fire safety. According to recent statistics, the number of fire deaths among people 60 and over is rising. We discuss why that could be happening and what we can do about it. We also talk about how to troubleshoot a leak under a kitchen sink, and how to paint a metal fence so you have perfect results every time! Listen here: ...
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This show has a little of everything! We talk about GFCIs and why those little buttons should actually be used. We talk about a couple new electrical gadgets. And one will save you money if you have kids! And because Dan needs his own segment, we have a great one called Use With Caution. And finally, we are airing the last segment from last week because it didn’t air due to technical difficulties. It was ...
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Today we interview Joel Ruiter from Home Repair Services in Grand Rapids. It’s a remarkably non-profit organization who’s mission is to help homeowners of all income brackets maintain and improve their homes! We’ll also be talking with RepcoLite’s president, Dan Altena, regarding a paint question that came in on our Facebook page. And finally, we’ll wrap up with a little decorating segment built around our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson! Listen here: Show notes for episode ...
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Today’s show starts with an introduction to a remarkably unique service! ECO-190 Degrees will clean out your garbage bins on a regular basis! It’s quick, simple, inexpensive, and will have your garage smelling rosy year-round! We’ll also be discussion how you can easily paint over those bright colors your kids wanted on their bedroom walls when they were 9; some of the must-have painting tools you . . . well, need to have; and finally, ...
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We’ve all been there. You love your home, but there are some things you’d like to change. Your family is outgrowing the house you live in. A little more elbow room and an extra bathroom would really help the morning chaos.  And then there’s the maintenance. All the little things that keep piling up. And you are left with the question: do you renovate or just move? You can sell your house, but will you ...
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Today we debut a new segment that we’ll repeat from time to time: Betsy’s Toolbox! Betsy is a tool geek and she’s always eager to make recommendations about the best tools to use. Today, in her inaugural Toolbox segment, she leads in with unique story about a farmer who had a cow…. We’ll also be talking with builder, Bob Snowden about a historic shortage of new homes we’re experiencing right now. That and much more! ...
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 There are all kinds of reasons we hesitate to jump into home improvement projects. Sometimes we lack the tools for a certain project. Sometimes we lack the knowledge to accomplish certain tasks. And sometimes, we’re just plain scared to even try. The thought of the unknown and our lack of confidence holds up back from great things. But the time has come! Get off the couch and give it a try. You might be amazed ...
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Some weeks are busier than others! This week we just had too much going and were unable to get to the studio to crank out a new episode. So, instead, we’ve put together Volume 1 of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show Greatest Hits! On this episode, we revisit some of our favorite segments from the past 48 weeks! Listen here: Show notes for episode 049: Segment 1: Bidets for America! Well, this segment has been ...
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Everyone has to start somewhere! If there’s one thing we could say to everybody out there it would be that. Nobody is born with the innate ability to build or fix or paint or DIY like there’s no tomorrow! It’s learned over time, through experience. Today we interview Bob Snowden from Snowden Builders in Grandville about exactly that! If you don’t have the confidence to jump into that next project, give this episode a listen! ...
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Hiding underneath our carpet (in many of our homes at least!) are beautiful hardwood floors. Or, at least they could one day be beautiful! All it takes is a little elbow grease, a little commitment, and a little know-how and you can turn those old floors into conversation pieces in your home! On today’s show we tell you the basics of what a hardwood floor refinishing project looks like. We also highlight a number of ...
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Old homes can surprise us. Sure, buying one can sometimes involves some work to get it to the condition we prefer, but the benefits to doing so can be huge! They’re full of character, timeless beauty, and they’re often constructed of superior building materials! On this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, we’re in the studio with Sharon Ferraro, the Historic Preservation Coordinator of Kalamazoo. She’s a wealth of information and will talk about ...
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We all think that because we live in a quiet neighborhood, our home is safe. But there are always a few things we can do to make it just a bit safer. Besides, a fire doesn’t care what neighborhood you live in. And breaking into a house just might be easier  on a quiet street than a busy one. Joe Kuhns will help make our homes more safe and make us more confident. Listen here: ...
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Did you know that wallpaper not only could kill, but quite literally has killed? In a strange historical story from wallpaper’s checkered past, we learn about one of the most bizarre episodes in decorating history. We’re also in the studio with custom home builder, Bob Snowden to discuss how we can make the best choices when it comes to hiring a contractor! Listen here: Show notes for episode 044: Segments 1 & 2: We Talk ...
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Selling your home in the winter seems counter intuitive. Everyone waits until Spring, right? That’s the perfect time to list, right? Well, if you want to sell the house quickly and for the highest dollar possible, Winter might actually be your best bet! Roger Allan from Keller Williams Lakeshore Realty is with us and he makes a compelling case for listing now! We’re also joined by Renee Huff from The Lighting Corner and she’s going ...
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Some episode are a lot of fun. Others are packed with information. This one is both! On episode 41 of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, we cover everything from important lead safe paint information to the hilarious (and informative) discussion about the benefits of bidets. It’s definitely an episode with something for everyone! Listen here: Show notes for episode 042: Segment 1: Lead Paint & the Healthy Homes Coalition Statistics show that Grand Rapids is ...
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Some episode are a lot of fun. Others are packed with information. This one is both! On episode 41 of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, we cover everything from important lead safe paint information to the hilarious (and informative) discussion about the benefits of bidets. It’s definitely an episode with something for everyone! Listen here: Show notes for Episode 041: Segment 1: Painting over Oil and Lead Paint We received a question from a customer ...
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This week we cover a number of interesting topics. One of which is a concept that Dan thinks is brilliant: a 15-minute home improvement regimen! Yes, it sounds a little goofy, but you will be amazed at the amount of work you can accomplish by just spending 15 minutes a night working on it. It’s painless, quick, almost fun. And if you do it a few nights in a row, you’ll be blown away by ...
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Paint dilemmas happen all the time! To pros and to DIYers. No matter how much experience we may have, we all make a mistake from time to time. Well, today we go over a number of those common mishaps and give you everything you need to know to avoid them! Listen here: Show notes for Episode 039: Segment 1: Common Paint Problems When we tackle a paint project there are often little mistakes we all ...
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Home theaters are becoming popular areas in homes. And while not everyone can have a designated theater room, it’s possible to have the same experience in your family room. It just takes the right equipment and the right paint to create the perfect atmosphere. And if you aren’t quite ready to jump on the home theater bandwagon, don’t worry! We’ll give you things to think about to create the perfect atmosphere in every room, every ...
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It’s time for a reality check–Christmas is just over a week away. That means even more chaos and stress than usual. Are you thinking about ways to prevent a fire in your home and what to do if there IS one? Probably not. But you should be. Many people think that Christmas trees start most house fires around the holidays. Surprisingly, that is not the case. The most common cause of house fires is something ...
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Christmas time can be very stressful! Not only does life seem to be more chaotic this time of year, but there are gifts to be bought and that alone causes panic. What do you get for someone who has everything? What if they don’t like what you give them? Are you just wasting your money? In the spirit of giving, we thought we would help make everyone’s shopping a little easier by giving you our ...
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Kitchen renovations are expensive. But if they’re done right, they’re worth it. Just make sure you do it right! Today we talk about some kitchen trends that always work! We also dig into the creepy, crawly topic of head lice. Sure, we didn’t want to talk about the, but if you’ve got school-age children, there’s a good chance you’ll be dealing with the stress of head lice in a classroom. When that happens, it’s good ...
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Every day seems to bring new scam and fraud alerts. The news outlets tell us to be careful with our credit cards and identity. Facebook is full of posts warning us about some new scam that has us on edge every time we go to our inbox. That’s why we contacted the Holland Department of Public Safety. They will help us know what to look for, how to stay safe while out Christmas shopping, and ...
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Thanksgiving is just days away and soon our homes will be filled with guests. For some people, this is no big deal; their homes are always clean. For others, panic is setting in as they realize their house is nowhere near ready for company and probably won’t be unless they pull some college type all nighters. But don’t worry! We’ve got some quick decluttering ideas that can be done in a weekend and some cleaning ...
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Today’s episode is largely about getting you ready for the holidays and that dreaded four-letter “s” word…..snow! We have some projects that you should be getting done BEFORE snow comes to stay and some gear to keep you warm once it does. We’ve also got some Dan and Betsy “tested and approved” snow tools that will make life a whole lot easier when the white stuff piles up! Listen here: Show notes for episode 032: ...
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Today’s episode is a bit of a trip down memory lane! After a very busy week (and a very successful Designer Event), we just didn’t have time to do a show the way we wanted to. So we pulled 3 of our favorite segments from the past and added them to a brand new, very informative interview with Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance. Steve walks us through the pros and cons of all the different ...
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On today’s episode we cover a lot of ground. If you’ve ever struggled to get the perfect stain match for a project, or have been disappointed in the past when you just grabbed a color off the shelf, we’ll tell you what you can do to make sure that you get a perfect match everytime! We’ll also introduce you to a brand new paint from Benjamin Moore that actually has to be seen to be ...
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Halloween is just around the corner and so we thought we’d take a little time and share one of our favorite guests of all time with you! Patty Meyer from the Felt Mansion joins us and talks about some of the real-life ghost phenomena she’s experienced. It’s fun. It’s incredibly interesting. And honestly, it’s a little creepy! We also are in the studio with RepcoLite’s own Rick Wierenga and he’s dishing out all kinds of ...
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There is so much stuff on today’s episode! Fun stories about what it’s like to be short, as well as discussions about great fall projects that will help you save money (and keep mice OUT wall winter long!) On top of that, we discuss Benjamin Moore’s big announcement regarding the Color of the Year for 2018. And most importantly, we talk about HOW to use that color in your own decorating! Listen here: Show notes ...
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Personally, I love the appliance episodes because they can be so practical. In today’s first segment we talk about common appliance repairs that anyone can do! And you’re not going to believe the money you’ll be able to save! Listen here: Show notes for Episode 027: Segment 1: Common DIY Appliance Repairs In this segment, we sit down with Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance and we talk about common appliance problems and the simple DIY ...
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Lacquers, Polyurethanes, Shellacs, and more! There are so many finishes that can be classified under the broad heading of “clear coat”. Which one is right for your project? Which one is going to give you the most durability? It’s honestly not as confusing as it may seem! Today we clear up the confusion and give you everything you need to know to make the best choice! Listen here: Show notes for episode 026: Segment 1: ...
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Every time Dan goes to buy a refrigerator, he makes a critical mistake that MANY people make. He starts by going to the store and looking at all the available options. He picks a fridge he just can’t live without, then goes home to measure the space. This is the point where he is overwhelming disappointed. The fridge he has chosen will never, in a million years, fit in the space he has available. He ...
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A few weeks ago we talked about the DIY way to clean moss and algae off your roof, with a few cautions. A phone call we received prompted us to look for some sort of contractor who could possibly do the cleaning. That’s how we found the guys who do “Roof Shampooing.”  The best part is, they don’t have to use chemicals…including bleach. Their product is eco-friendly and biodegradable. And it saves you climbing on ...
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It’s getting colder and we’re heading into sweatshirts and jeans weather, football, beautiful fall colors, and all the other great things that autumn brings. But with the dropping temperatures raise a lot of questions about exterior painting: when is it officially too cold to paint outside? We’ve got the answer to that and much more in this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show! Listen here: Show notes for episode 023: Segment 1: Bold Kitchen ...
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We live in Michigan where our basements can be a little scary; especially if you have an older house! There are lots of things that can be done to remedy that. But perhaps the simplest thing to do is to simply paint the floor. It’s amazing how much a coat of paint can brighten a dreary basement. We’ll help give you the confidence to tackle your floor this weekend! Listen here: Show notes for episode ...
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We’ve all flipped through magazines and seen amazing kitchens. We dream of something similar in our homes. Then we stop to realize the cost that could be incurred with something like that. But don’t worry! We’ve got some budget-friendly kitchen decor ideas that will let you have an enviable kitchen this weekend! Listen here: Show notes for episode 021: Segment 1 and 2: Is It Time For A Tankless Water Heater? Have you ever considered ...
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Our ceilings are often like that one guy in the office. The quiet one who everyone forgets to invite to the party. Don’t let that happen in your home! Sure, your walls are having fun trying on new colors and looking good, but don’t leave your ceilings out! In this episode, we talk with Designer Kim Scott to talk about ceilings and some interesting ways to use them to make a statement! Listen here: Show ...
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Paint projects shouldn’t be daunting. Or complicated. Most of the time, any struggles we’ve ever had come from not knowing a few tricks that the professionals know. Today we talk about a number of ways to get beautiful results whenever you use masking tape! Listen here: Show notes for episode 019: Segment 1: Furniture Refinishing Some people may have heard this segment before, but Kim DeBoer had such good information. She told us where to ...
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Listen here: Show notes for episode 018: Segment 1: Bald Spots Around Trees? Simple Answers! Dan has a shade tree in his yard that becomes a dirt pile by the end of summer. And we're pretty sure he's not the only one with this problem. Matt Bakker, from Landscape Design Services, joins us in the studio to explain why this happens and what can be done about it. Segment 2: Get Creative With Chalkboard Paint ...
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Mossy roofs aren’t just an eyesore! That moss up there is actively breaking down your shingles and shortening the lifespan of one of the biggest investments we make in our homes! We’ll tell you how to deal with it safely and effectively. That and much more in this episode! Listen here: Show notes for episode 017: Segment 1: Busting Common Wallpaper Myths! Segment 2: Ask the Realtor -- What Should I Fix Before Listing My ...
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We hear it quite often in our stores, “Oh, I don’t know how to decorate or choose color.” That usually happens after someone has had a bad experience and ended up with nothing but frustration. We are here to help you on the path to decorating success with three simple things to get you started! Listen here: Show notes for episode 016: Segment 1: 3 Surefire Decorating Fails! We've all heard of Pinterest fails, but ...
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Lighting and Paint Colors with Beth Maguire from Benjamin Moore Back to School Supplies — Home Improvement Edition! Waterblock: An Inexpensive Fix for Wet Basements New Tech for Greener Lawns with Grapids Irrigation Listen here: Show notes for episode 015: Segment 1: Lighting and Color Have you ever picked a color that seemed perfect while you were in the paint store, only to get it home and find it was totally wrong?! You are not ...
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We know, it’s something people don’t normally talk about in social circles. It’s a topic left for the privacy of our own homes. But we’re breaking the mould and asking all the toilet questions you may have pondered. Mark DeVisser from The Plummer Is Here stops by to answer our questions and walk us through the options when buying a new toilet. The subject matter makes us uncomfortable, but the information is worth the discomfort! ...
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Painting your front door is easily one of the best “bang for your buck” projects you can tackle around the home. It adds huge curb appeal to your home and, best of all, it’s quick and inexpensive! And yet, we’re often intimidated by the project! We can’t find the right color and we’re nervous about making it look good. Well, don’t worry! It’s easy. And we’ll tell you everything you need to know! Listen here: ...
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Yes, this is a Home Improvement Show, but really, how important is a well-decorated and maintained home if every member of our family isn’t there to enjoy it with us? At RepcoLite, we love painting projects. We love decorating. We love a good, “from the ground-up” remodeling project. But none of those things matter when compared to the safety and well-being of the people in our lives. On today’s show we sit down with Joe ...
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Looking at a scuffed wall, just days after it has been painted, is frustrating! Benjamin Moore is changing all that with a brand new paint that’s almost magical in resisting what life throws at it. We put it through it’s paces and were amazed!  We’ll tell you what the product is, why it’s unique, and how we tested it. That and much more on today’s episode: Listen here: Show notes for episode 011: Segment 1: ...
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Finding the perfect color for your next project doesn’t have to be complicated! You don’t have to stand in front of the color display for hours looking at 1000’s of colors. There’s a simple process we’re going to tell you about that will help you cut the time you spend looking in half! That and much more on today’s episode: Listen here: ...
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It’s that time of year again! The time when we want to spend all available time outdoors, enjoying everything Michigan has to offer. There are water adventures, camping, sunsets, hiking, and ticks. Yes, ticks! It is going to be another prevalent year for natures little vampires! But don’t think your best conceived summer plan is in peril just yet. David Popp from Rose Pest Solutions is going to help all of us deal with these ...
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Sometimes we look at our homes and don’t know where to begin. The kitchen is a little outdated. Maybe the bathroom needs work. Sometimes we see all that and we find ourselves not sure how to get started. The project just seems too big. Well, if that sounds familiar, Patty Meyer, Director of the Felt Estate near Saugatuck has some inspiring advice for you! That and much more on today’s episode: Listen here: Show notes ...
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Outdoor living spaces are big right now! They’re exciting ways to expand your home, your entertaining space, and make the most out of some of our beautiful Michigan summer weather. Today we talk with Rob Cackowski from Heritage Fireplace and Design Center ALL about outdoor living spaces and what you need to do to create the perfect one for your home! That and much more on today’s episode: Listen here: Show notes for episode 007: ...
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Home staging. We’ve all heard about it, but how many of us know how to do it? On today’s episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, we list 5 simple steps that will help you make your home as appealing to new buyers as possible. We also discuss the best colors to choose when painting your home for resale. Do you go with neutrals and look like every other house out there? Or do you ...
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Today, we sit down in the studio with Kim DeBoer and discuss the adventures of refinishing furniture. Kim talks about some of her best experiences and the joys of taking something old and unwanted and turning it into a centerpiece in your home! That and more in today’s episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show! Listen here: Show notes for episode 005: Segment 1: The Adventure of Furniture Refinishing Shopping for furniture to refinish or ...
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Vinyl siding was supposed to last forever. But . . . it doesn’t. At least the color doesn’t. After a while, houses with vinyl siding can start to look tired, faded, boring . . . old. Well, Benjamin Moore’s Revive is a paint specifically made for vinyl siding. It sticks remarkably well and is available in a range of over 300 vinyl safe colors! It’s definitely worth a look if you’d like to change the ...
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Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year is purple. Yeah. And we’re hearing a lot of questions in the store about how in the world to decorate with purple. Today, we’re on the phone with Hannah Yeo from Benjamin Moore. She has a TON of great color information. It’s easily one of the most interesting interviews we’ve done so far. If you have any interest in decorating with color (purple or otherwise) give this a listen! ...
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In this episode, we speak with Dave Stegink from ABI Home Inspection Services about the #1 issue he finds when he inspects a house. Chances are, these things (at least some of them) are happening in your home right now! What are they and how do you find them? We cover all of that and more! Listen now: Show notes for episode 002: Segment 1: #1 Issue Discovered by Home Inspectors Dave Stegink is in ...
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It’s Spring! At least mostly…. And there is no better time to clean your deck and get it ready for the season. In this episode, we talk all about what it takes to get that deck cleaned and ready for stain. We also talk with Rose Pest Solutions about a common outdoor pest: mosquitoes. That and much more on this inaugural episode! Listen now: Shownotes for episode 001: Segment 1: Getting Your Deck Ready for ...
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