Focus On Fullerton - November 2009
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Get ready to ring in the New Year!The old year will get a grand send-off Dec. 31 when the City of Fullerton presents its 19th annual “First Night Fullerton,” an alcohol-free, family oriented New Year’s Eve party featuring live entertainment, children’s activities and a spectacular fireworks finale. Admission will be free. The festivities will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight, and will feature dozens of events staged at numerous sites in the streets, sidewalks and buildings of historic downtown Fullerton. Events will include a variety of live band performances, art exhibits, and children’s rides and activities. A 10-minute fireworks finale will cap the celebration at midnight. The “First Night” program began in Boston in 1976, as a cap to the nation’s bicentennial. Fullerton was the first California city to offer the event, and is the only Orange County city to present a “First Night” celebration this year. Further information about “First Night Fullerton” may be obtained by calling the Fullerton Museum Center at (714) 738-6545. Persons requiring special accommodations to attend the event should notify the Museum staff prior to Dec. 31. Holiday trash collection schedule set
MG Disposal, the City’s trash contractor has announced its collection schedule for the coming holiday season. Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26 – no collections on Thursday; Thursday’s pick-ups should be set out on Friday, and Friday’s pickups set out on Saturday. Christmas, Friday, Dec. 25 – no collections on Friday; Friday’s collections should be set out on Saturday. New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1 - no collections on Friday; Friday’s collections should be set out on Saturday.
Further information may be obtained by calling MG Disposal at (714) 238-2444. New Life in the Offing for Fox Theatre
Constructed in 1924 by C. Stanley Chapman, the son of Fullerton’s first mayor, the Fox Fullerton Theatre has been a focal point of Fullerton’s downtown district for more than eight decades. However, after years of being shuttered, the historic theater – designed by the architectural firm of Meyer and Holler, which designed Grauman’s Chinese Theater – is now looking forward to new life as a key project in the ongoing improvement of the City’s downtown. Through the collective effort of the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation and the Fullerton Redevelopment Agency, the theater’s restoration is on its way to becoming a reality.
The Foundation and Agency first entered into a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) in October 2004, which included a schedule and scope of work for the restoration of the theatre, the adjoining tea room and the old Firestone Retail Building, adjacent to the theater on the south. In 2006, the Agency approved a First Amendment to the DDA which modified the schedule of performance and provided a $1.25 million seismic rehabilitation loan, allowing for seismic stabilization and improvement to the property. A Second Amendment was approved this August. As outlined in that Amendment, the Agency is preparing a condominium plan that subdivides the Fox Complex into four separate units: Fox Theatre, Tea Room, Firestone Retail Building and a new East Airspace Unit on adjacent property. The condominium plan allows the Tea Room and Firestone Retail Building to be conveyed to the Agency. Once conveyed - and in close collaboration with the Foundation - the Agency will move forward with rehabilitation of the Firestone Retail Building and Tea Room, as well as seismic stabilization of the theater. The Foundation will continue with fund-raisers, grant applications, and donor solicitations to complete restoration of the theater. For further information about the Fox Theatre restoration plans, please contact Ramona Castañeda, redevelopment manager, at (714) 738-6881 or the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation at (714) 870-0069. How much water did you use today?
Take a guess how much water a “typical “person uses each day. When posed that question, there’s an interesting range of responses, but most people guess in the 30-50 gallon range. The answer is considerably different and wait until later in this story for the answer to the question. Did your calculation consider a daily shower, brushing your teeth and routine flushes? How about using the dishwasher, washing machine and counting water used for preparing meals? Did you add the water used to irrigate your lawn and garden? Do you own a pool or a spa with automatic refill? Did you wash a car or a pet? How much water did you drink? The average Fullerton customer uses 180 gallons per person per day. How close was your guess? Remember: some use more, some use less. For example, a highflow shower head uses five gallons per minute (gpm) or more. A low-flow showerhead is rated at 2.5 gpm. What you do does make a difference. Take a close look at how many ways there are to save: INDOORS: Run the dishwasher only when full (estimated savings - 2-4.5 gallons per load). Turn off water between rinses when washing dishes ( 2-4.5 gallons per minute). Turn off water when brushing teeth (2 gallons per minute). Shorten showers ( 2.5 gallons per minute). Fill the bathtub half full while bathing (15-25 gallons per bath). Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket (1.6 gallons per flush). Wash only full loads of clothes (15-50 gallons per load). Fix leaky toilets (30-50 gallons per day per toilet). Fix leaky faucets (15-20 gallons per day per leak). Install aerators with flow restrictors on kitchen/bathroom faucets (4.7 gallons per day). Replace older, inefficient clothes washers (20-30 gallons per load). Replace older, high-volume toilets (2.2-3.8 gallons per flush).
For more information on how to save water at your home, visit www.h2ouse.org. For information on water wasted due to leaks, visit the WaterWiser Drip Calculator. LANDSCAPE: Water only in late evening or early morning hours to reduce evaporation and interference from wind. (20-25 gallons per day). Don’t overwater! Reduce each irrigation cycle 1-3 minutes, or eliminate one cycle per week. Water only when top inch of soil is dry. Reset irrigation controllers and replace batteries in the spring and fall. (15-25 gallons per minute; up to 250 gallons per cycle). Adjust sprinklers to prevent overspray and run-off. (15-25 gallons per day). Repair leaks and broken sprinkler heads. (10 gallons per minute per leak). Add 2-3 inches of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation (20-30 gallons per day per 1,000 square feet).
Home composting workshops set
The City of Fullerton is teaming with the Fullerton Arboretum to present a series of home composting workshops this coming spring. The workshop dates are March 13, “Home Composting I,” which is for beginners, and Nov. 7 and June 5, “Home Composting II,” designed for people with some experience with composting. A special workshop on worm composting will be held Jan. 9. All workshops will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, on the Cal State Fullerton campus. The 90-minute workshops will offer such hands-on demonstrations as composting, mulching, and “grasscycling,” as well as instructions on what can and cannot be composted, potential problems to be on the alert for, and how to make a composting bin. The workshops are free to Fullerton residents. A limited number of state-of-the-art compost bins will be available for Fullerton residents to purchase for only $20. Limit one per household. Registration and further information may be obtained by calling the Fullerton Arboretum at (657) 278-3579.
 

Houses beautiful!Three Fullerton homes were singled out for recognition by Fullerton Beautiful in its annual yard landscape recognition program. This year’s winners spotlight the use of attractive drought-tolerant plantings in home landscapes. Award winners were Michele Zachariah, 646 W. Wilshire Ave., (photo top left); Donna Myrdal and Brian Boucier, 764 Arroues Drive (photo top right), whose home is also designated as a national wildlife certifed habitat); and Annadaire Gutierrez, 1325 W. Porter Ave. (photo at left). Special recognition also was given to the City of Fullerton’s Landscape Maintenance Division for its demonstration garden at City Hall. The garden features a wide variety of drought-tolerant plants. Photos courtesy Bob Linnell, Fullerton Beautiful Share the trails - use a leash!
Fullerton’s recreational trail system is one of the most unique aspects of our city. With more than 28 miles of trails, you are bound to cross paths with other users. Everyone from mountain bikers and equestrians to runners and walkers enjoy using the trails from sunrise to midnight. Added to that list are more and more dog owners who are looking for new and interesting places to walk their pets. Inherent to use of the trails is the responsibility to keep the trails clean. To provide an enjoyable experience for all users, dog owners are asked to observe the following rules: Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Municipal Code Section 9.12.280 states “All dogs in those areas where such animals are permitted shall be restrained at all times on adequate leashes not greater than 10 feet in length.” The leash law pertains to all trails and parks with the exception of Pooch Park located next to the Hunt Branch Library. Don’t forget your doggy bags. Please take your bags with you and keep our trails and parks clean. Listen for bells, whistles and verbal warnings. Bike riders often use a bell or shout a warning when passing. Did you know 80 percent of all dog bites occur as a result of a dog off-leash? Keep your neighbors and kids safe - remember to use a leash.
Home improvement loans offered
Could your home use a new roof or fresh coat of paint? How about other basic improvements to your home? If your answer to either of these questions is “yes,” but your checkbook balance says it’s out of the question, don’t give up: The City of Fullerton may be able to lend you a hand. The City, through its Housing and Community Rehabilitation Office, offers low-interest improvement loans to Fullerton residents and property owners who meet the program’s income criteria. “The goal of the program is to assist very low-, low- and moderate-income residents who cannot afford to keep up their homes on their own,” said Sylvia Chavez, City housing programs assistant. “By helping residents take care of their homes, the City is protecting their quality of life, and their property values.” Chavez said there are two types of loans: Below-market interest rate loans of up to $65,000, with a maximum repayment period of 15 years. Deferred loans, which are available for citizens who are unable to qualify for the below-market interest rate loans. Deferred loans require no monthly payments and are reviewed every 15 years for eligibility. These loans are due upon sale or transfer of the home. Applicants must have sufficient equity in their homes to qualify for loans.
Applications and further information may be obtained by calling Chavez at (714) 738-6874, or by coming to the Housing and Community Rehabilitation Office, which is located on the second floor of Fullerton City Hall at 303 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Outline sets General Plan policy document groundwork
The goal of the City’s Comprehensive General Plan is to establish the blueprint required to achieve the community-based General Plan Vision Statement. Through the past two years the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) has worked extremely hard to develop a Vision Statement and Focus Areas. The Vision Statement is a communitybased document that identifies the most important issues and opportunities for the future of Fullerton. It also establishes a foundation for the updated General Plan. Focus Areas are those geographical areas within the City that are identified as having characteristics and opportunities that would benefit from policy guidance by the updated General Plan. On Feb. 17, the City Council reviewed and approved The Fullerton Plan Vision Statement and Focus Areas. The objective of The Fullerton Plan Outline is to lay the groundwork towards developing the policy document for each state-mandated General Plan element, as well as optional elements that address community priorities. Following two public meetings, the GPAC provided input and guidance and recommended approval of the Draft Fullerton Plan Outline. The City Council approved The Fullerton Plan Outline on Aug. 18. The Fullerton Plan will be comprised of state-mandated and optional elements. The intent of The Fullerton Plan Outline is to communicate the general foundation and principles for each of these elements and associated sections. By integrating the elements from the existing Comprehensive General Plan (adopted in 1996), the GPAC and staff developed a draft outline that satisfies the State-mandated contents for general plans. The draft outline also responds to the priorities of the community as stated in the Community Visioning Report and articulated in the Vision Statement. As a part of this “building block” process, staff will use The Fullerton Plan Outline as a guide for developing goals, policies and actions (implementation strategies). The Fullerton Plan Outline is separated into three parts: Part I - The Fullerton Vision; Part II - The Fullerton Plan; and, Part III - Implementing the Fullerton Plan. Part II, The Fullerton Plan, is organized into four master elements: The Fullerton Built Environment, which includes the City Council-directed Bicycle Element; The Fullerton Economy; The Fullerton Community; and The Fullerton Natural Environment. The Fullerton Plan Outline
Following are excerpts from The Fullerton Plan Outline. To view the full document, log onto the City of Fullerton website at www.ci,fullerton.ca.us, and click on the General Plan Update box on the home page. A. The State of the Fullerton Community The State of the Fullerton Community will provide a brief economic, physical, and demographic profile of the community, as well as an overview of macro-level trends and factors influencing the City of Fullerton. This profile will serve as a qualitative and quantitative summary of conditions of the Fullerton community at the time of plan adoption, providing a baseline for measuring progress overtime. B. The Fullerton Vision The Fullerton Vision will include the three-part vision statement – Our City, Our Vision, and Our Guiding Principles – as approved by the City Council on Feb. 17. Part II – The Fullerton Plan The Fullerton Plan is organized into four master elements, each reflecting the basic fabric of the community: physical, economic, social, and natural. Each master element includes a range of sections that satisfy the Statemandated contents for general plans and that respond to the priorities of the community and those expressed in The Fullerton Vision. A. The Fullerton Built Environment 1 ...The Fullerton Built Environment master element addresses the physical dimensions of the community’s districts and neighborhoods, including the mobility connections and public infrastructure that occur within and between them. The following sections will ultimately provide the goals, policies and actions requisite to achieve The Fullerton Vision as it pertains to The Fullerton Built Environment. 1. Community Development and Design (Mandatory Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Built Environment master element addresses the State-mandated components for land use elements, provides community design guidance, frames future community-based planning efforts for key focus areas within the City, and sets forth the goals, policies and actions for conserving and enhancing the image and character of the community. Its intent is to reinforce and enhance Fullerton’s sense of place consistent with The Fullerton Vision. 2. Housing (Mandatory Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Built Environment master element addresses the State-mandated components for housing elements and contains the City’s Housing Element (as adopted by City Council on DATE, Resolution No. NUMBER.) (The full text of the Housing Element and more specific information on the policies are available at www.ci.fullerton.ca.us, the Community Development Department, and the Library.) 3. Historic Preservation (Existing Optional Element) ...Historic preservation represents a responsibility of the present generation to maintain unique and significant structures and areas established in the past for the use and enjoyment of future generations. This section of The Fullerton Built Environment master element will continue to focus on the identification of Fullerton’s historic resources and the policy support to preserve and protect those areas, sites and structures having architectural and historical significance and to reaffirm their continuing value as a resource contributing to the vitality and diversity of the present. 4. Mobility (Mandatory Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Built Environment master element addresses the State-mandated components for circulation elements and establishes the City’s policies pertaining to its system of roadways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, bus and rail transit systems, and airport – all of which collectively provide for the movement of persons and goods throughout the City, the region, and beyond. Additionally, this section is highly interrelated with the Bicycles and Growth Management sections of The Fullerton Built Environment master element. 5. Bicycle Transit & Recreation Element (Existing Optional Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Built Environment master element is intended to provide Fullerton with a plan, as well as goals, policies, and actions, designed to meet commuter and recreational user needs and provide safe connectivity to and between activity centers such as schools, open space/parks, residential neighborhoods and commercial areas within the City and in adjoining jurisdictions. 6. Growth Management (Existing Regional Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Built Environment master element addresses the Measure M-required components for growth management, and is intended to ensure that infrastructure planning meets the needs of current and future residents of Fullerton by setting forth policy related to growth management, and providing implementation and monitoring provisions. 7. Noise (Mandatory Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Built Environment master element addresses State-mandated components for noise elements and provides goals, policies and actions intended to protect noise-sensitive uses. B. The Fullerton Economy ii The Fullerton Economy master element addresses the economic dimensions of the community that contribute to a prosperous quality of life for the residents, businesses, and other organizations within the City. The following sections will ultimately provide the goals, policies and actions requisite to achieve The Fullerton Vision as it pertains to The Fullerton Economy. 1. Economic Development (Optional Element - New) ...This section of The Fullerton Economy master element provides goals, policies and actions – aligned with its Economic Development Plan – intended to improve economic prosperity by ensuring that the economy grows in ways that strengthen our industries, retain and create jobs with self-sufficient wages, increase average income, and stimulate economic investment in Fullerton – all in an effort to create income and wealth that allows community members to support public facilities and community services and enhance the quality of life. 2. Redevelopment and Revitalization (Existing Optional Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Economy master element is concerned with providing policy guidance that recognizes the positive contributions redevelopment and revitalization activity provides within the City. C. The Fullerton Community ii The Fullerton Community master element addresses the dimensions of the community that reinforce civic participation and contribute to a safe, healthful, and enriching quality of life for residents and visitors within the City. The following sections will ultimately provide the goals, policies and actions requisite to achieve The Fullerton Vision as it pertains to The Fullerton Community. 1. Public Safety (Mandatory Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Community master element addresses the State-mandated components for public safety elements, and is intended to provide the goals, policies and actions necessary to sustain and improve its commitment to safety through proactive and comprehensive police and fire services that advance community outreach, education, awareness, reinforce partnerships, promote prevention, and enhance the technical, logistical and technological systems and tools to prepare for and respond to public safety needs. 2. Public Health (Optional Element - New) ...This section of The Fullerton Community master element is intended to provide the goals, policies and actions necessary to advance community health through enhancing convenient and safe opportunities for physical activity, facilitating access to healthful food and clean air and water, encouraging quality health care, elder care, and child care, and promoting strong and stable neighborhoods. 3. Parks and Recreation (Existing Optional Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Community master element is intended to provide the goals, policies and actions by which the City will continue to plan, develop, maintain and provide quality active and passive park facilities, trails and recreational programs to ensure residents and visitors of Fullerton can enhance health and well-being through leisure experiences. 4. Arts and Culture (Existing Optional Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Community master element is intended to provide the goals, policies, and actions necessary to increase access to the arts, heighten awareness of the existing cultural resources, reinforce the value of the City’s libraries, encourage arts and culture-related partnerships, and expand opportunities for local cultural activities and visual and performing arts. 5. Education (Existing Optional Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Community master element is intended to provide the goals, policies, and actions by which the City will contribute to and participate in the advancement of education and its related attributes (i.e., quality of life, arts and culture, sports, etc.) in Fullerton including partnership building, long-range planning, business development, and life-long learning opportunities. 6. Community Involvement (Existing Optional Element) ...This section of The Fullerton Community master element is intended to provide the goals, policies, and actions to further implement the City’s expressed commitment to public engagement by enhancing opportunities for residents, merchants, and others to participate in the community’s present and future. 1The topics of Sustainability, Emergency Preparedness, and Regional Coordination will be integrated throughout The Fullerton Plan.
For further information about the General Plan Update Process, log onto the General Plan Update section on the City of Fullerton website at www.ci.fullerton.ca.us, and click on to the General Plan Update logo. Information may also be obtained by calling Bob St. Paul, Fullerton senior planner, at 714-738-6559. Information about General Plan update meetings and workshops can also be found on the City’s government cable channel, Time Warner Channel 3.
When T-Rex ruled the silver screen
“Cine-Saurus: Dinosaurs in the Movies,” opening at the Fullerton Museum Center Nov. 7, will show how dinosaurs - Hollywood’s biggest stars - first came to life in the movies, and will follow their transformation over the years through artistic portrayal and advances in scientific information and technology. The exhibit will feature original movie memorabilia, posters and models from the world-famous Czerkas Collection. An opening reception will be held from 11 a.m.-noon on Nov. 7, and will feature an exhibit preview, curator’s talk, and lunch. Further information may be obtained by calling the Fullerton Museum Center at (714) 738-6575. “Cine-Saurus” is a traveling exhibit produced in association with The Dinosaur Museum of Blanding, Utah. Upgrades to downtown water system improve reliability, safetyMuch of Downtown Fullerton’s backbone water system was installed in the 1920s - long before building codes required capacity for uses such as fire sprinklers. In those days, water pipes were often cast iron, as was the case here in Fullerton. Due to the age and the sub-standard size of the downtown water lines, the City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, approved a major upgrade to downtown water mains, as well as the installation of additional fire hydrants to improve public safety service levels and reliability. The upgrades were completed this past spring. Water main replacement and improvements took place on schedule in the alleys west and east of Harbor Boulevard, between Wilshire and Amerige avenues. Significant portions of pedestrian walkways on the west alley had to be removed during the water main replacement phase in order to install the new water mains and fire hydrants. Once installation of the water system upgrade phase was complete, design of the replacement pedestrian alleyway improvements began. A community design workshop was held July 30 at the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center. Postcard invitations were mailed to approximately 1,000 addresses in the downtown area and an advertisement was placed in the “Fullerton News Tribune” newspaper. At these workshops the landscape architect consultant received community input and, using that input, is now creating design alternatives for review. The Redevelopment Design Review Committee (RDRC) will review the alternatives this fall. Interested community members are encouraged to check the RDRC agenda on the City’s website - www.ci.fullerton.ca.us - and attend the meeting to provide additional input. The City Council will review the recommended plan in November or December. If approved, construction could begin in February, after the holiday shopping season. Further information may be obtained by contacting Nicole Coats, redevelopment and economic development project manager, at NicoleC@ci.Fullerton.ca.us or (714) 738-4102.

County Clerk opens local office
Need a marriage license? Perhaps you recently sold some property and need to get it recorded. It used to be you would have fight freeway traffic to drive to Santa Ana to take care of those items at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Office in the County Hall of Administration; however, now you need travel no further than downtown Fullerton! A branch of the Clerk-Recorder’s Office has opened at 201 N. Harbor Blvd., and hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call the Clerk-Recorder Office at (714) 834-2500. Make sure carwash fund-raisers don’t pollute!
Clean beaches and healthy creeks, rivers, bays and oceans are important to Fullerton and all of Orange County. However, many common activities can lead to water pollution if you’re not careful. Car wash fund-raisers are a popular means of raising money for worthwhile causes. However, runoff from car washes, if not properly managed, can negatively impact the aquatic environment and degrade local waterways. Follow these guidelines when conducting your fund-raiser to prevent wash water from entering storm drains to flow untreated to the ocean. How does run-off from car wash fund-raisers harm the environment? Wash water containing soap and detergent, residues from exhaust fumes, brake pads, gasoline and motor oil washes off the cars and flows off the pavement and into nearby storm drains. Collectively, car wash fund-raisers can contribute significant amounts of wash water and pollutants to the storm drain system. Before beginning your car wash fund-raiser: Hold a meeting with all participants to explain procedures that should be followed when conducting these activities. Remove all trash and debris from the car washing area. Use only soaps, cleaners or detergents labeled “non-toxic,” “phosphate-free,” or “biodegradable.” The safest products for the environment are vegetable- or citrusbased soaps. Select a site where the wash water can soak into grass, gravel, or be diverted to nearby landscaping. If you select a site that drains into a street, block off the storm drain with sandbags and divert the wash water to an area where the water can pool and evaporate During the day dispose of the wash water down a sanitary sewer drain (with permission from the sewer department). At the end of the day, properly dispose of sandbags.
During the car wash fund-raiser: Shake car mats into a trash can or vacuum them. Do not shake dirt from car mats directly onto the ground. Use a bucket of soapy water to re-soap rags or sponges rather than adding more soap directly to rags or sponges. Wring sponges and wash rags in buckets, not the ground. Conserve water by using a spray nozzle with an automatic shut off. Shut off or kink the hose when not in use. Always empty buckets into the sanitary sewer system (e.g. mop sinks, sinks, or toilets).
Museum Center Calendar
“OctoBoofest”Oct. 29 4-8:30pm Free Check out the Fullerton Downtown Plaza for our annual “OctoBOOfest,” held during the Fullerton Market. We have trick-or-treating with the vendors, a costume parade, and a pumpkin contest. Enter your pre-decorated pumpkin and you might win a special prize!
Wednesday Art StudioNov. 18 - Dec. 9 $70 per student (includes family Museum membership) For grades 1-6. Put your skills to the test and learn new art techniques! Make friends and have fun creating original art, including drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, fused glass, and more. Fee includes all materials. Pre-registration is required.
Stroller BrigadeWednesdays, Nov. 18-Dec. 23 10 a.m.-noon. Free with regular Museum admission This program is especially for toddlers and preschoolers and their grown ups. Enjoy dinosaur stories, songs and games in the Museum gallery during the “Cine-Saurus: Dinosaurs in the Movies” exhibit.
Haunted Fullerton Walking Tours6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, through Nov. 5 Special Halloween tour available. $18 general/$15 Museum members Check out downtown Fullerton, Orange County’s most haunted city! Take a guided tour in and find out about the many spirits that still linger in the shadows! Tours fill up quickly so reserve you spot! (Not suitable for children under 13.)
"Solid Design: Leo Fender’s Telecaster"On display through 2010 “Solid Design: Leo Fender’s Telecaster” showcases the Telecaster, the first commercially successful solid body electric guitar, an instrument that changed music history. Examples from the early years are on display. There is a noticeable celebrity component in the presentation, including Telecasters once owned by celebrities such as George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen andTom Petty. These musicians created some of the most potent music imaginable.
Call 714-738-6545 for more information
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