SPIRITED WOMAN NEWSLETTER
Copyright Nancy Mills. All rights reserved.
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CONTENTS
* Spirited Woman Quote
* Editor's Spirited Message
* Spirited Woman Q & A – The Spirited Women of San Francisco
* Spirited Woman Media Coverage
* Upcoming Spirited Woman Workshops
* Host a Spirited Woman Workshop
* Join the Spirited Woman Club - Get a Free Listing
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SPIRITED WOMAN QUOTE
"All women are one yet all women are distinctive and special and grand - and the world needs to hear about their message."- Nancy Mills
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EDITOR'S MESSAGE
Welcome to the world of SPIRITED WOMANHOOD.
Clap your hands. Take a bow. The SPIRITED WOMAN Newsletter subscriber base is approaching 1200 spirited women!!! In eleven months, the newsletter has attracted subscribers from LA to London. Even I'm amazed, but I'm also really thrilled to see its steady growth. I thank you all so much for passing this newsletter along to your friends. YOU are what keeps it growing...and growing...
Also, this month there's lots of other new stuff. As many of you know, the workshop makes a very special gift. To make it even more special - I'm now offering the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP GIFT CERTIFICATE. Be sure to check out the workshop section. Plus, I'm gearing up (no pun intended) to offer SPIRITED WOMAN products. For those of you who are in the clothing, accessory and/or novelty business (or with other product ideas) please contact me. I'd love to hear from you.
In honor of my upcoming workshops in San Francisco, I've decided to run a very different Q&A titled " The Spirited Women of San Francisco." How this piece came about is a fascinating story in and of itself. YOU MUST READ this ENTIRE section - these four women are a true inspiration and a testament to will and passion.
The SPIRITED WOMAN newsletter is meant to be fun, informative, and inspirational. Your free monthly tool to stay connected with other spirited women nationwide. I welcome you forwarding this newsletter to ALL your spirited friends.
As always, I would like to thank you for your support, comments enthusiasm, and friendship. YOU inspire me, always. And I genuinely look forward to meeting you (again or for the first time) at a SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop in your city.
Nancy Mills
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SPIRITED WOMAN Q & A
The Spirited Women of San Francisco
Tien Chiu, Sharman Bacigalupi, Clarissa Harwell, and Vicki Virk
From the time I was a little girl, I loved going to San Francisco. My parents and I would hop in our station wagon (remember those?) and drive up the coast from LA. I'd get to San Francisco, and I was enthralled. The smells. The grand tall bridge. The crooked, hilly streets. And the people. It was the people who fascinated me the most.. the colorful street performers, wandering poets, the Chinese butcher, the man wearing a tutu and make-up. It was eccentric and always inspiring.
So, in honor of my upcoming San Francisco workshop I did something very different for this Q & A. I decided to post this question on Craigslist (Craigslist.org is a fantastic internet community board which everyone in SF reads): "I would like to profile a SPIRITED WOMAN for an article - are you that woman or do you know of someone you can refer me to?" I also wrote a little bit about the gist of the newsletter, and the type of women I've interviewed before.
Well, true to the pulsating nature of San Francisco, I was flooded with responses. Over 50 of the most phenomenal women wrote back to me - from artists to professors. All ages. All ethnic backgrounds. All with a different, yet amazing story to tell. I was fascinated, and I was deeply touched that the women wrote so freely - it was as if they were writing a journal to a friend, who gave them the chance to express why they felt spirited. Their writing was so poignant, that I decided to kill the interview and share their writing with you.
I've chosen three women who really stood out. I call them "The Spirited Women of San Francisco." Below you will meet these extraordinary women - Tien Chiu, Sharman Bacigalupi, and Clarissa Harwell. Each one is gutsy, unstoppable, inspiring, and a different drummer of life. I truly commend their passionate spirit. And I assure you, you'll be riveted and inspired by their words.
Tien Chiu, 33
Software project manager, traveler, artist, AIDS Ride cyclist, writer:
"I'm spirited! Most recently I spent six months backpacking around Southeast Asia, eating rat, scorpion, dog, etc., and having a lot of adventures, such as getting my body painted in Bangkok and becoming a cover model for a Thai travel magazine. I also spent ten days in a silent meditation retreat with Buddhist monks in Thailand, and ten days up on a mountain with Tibetan cave yogis in India. I recently trained for the AIDS ride in just seven weeks, and then rode the whole thing in a series of fabulous costumes. I'm currently working on a book about AIDS Lifecycle (formerly the California AIDS Ride), telling the stories of exceptional riders.
As for inspiring other women...one of my major themes in all these adventures has been putting forth the idea of going forth and DOING things, countering the idea that women should always put safety first. I taught women's self-defense classes for five years, and have always been horrified by the messages that get sent to women - always look in the car, don't go out at night, don't go anywhere alone...live in fear! That's no way to live...teach women to be strong, to dare, and they'll find out that fear is just a paper tiger. Anyway, if you're interested, I'd love to talk to you...and if not, I wish you well and would love to have coffee with you anyway!"
Sharman Bacigalupi, 48
Comedienne, Poet Laureate of Los Gatos, writer, actress, cooking show host:
"My father was an alcoholic naval officer. My mother was a free spirit who for years did her best to be the kind of wife we all saw on TV. You can imagine the pain. After college, I was the singer in a pretty successful rock and roll band, but I paid the bills by working in restaurants. I got the alcohol gene and became a drunk. No other way to put it. At one point, the only way NOT to end up in the gutter was to marry a guy who'd been in love with me for years in spite of my contempt for him. He was a geek who lived in a house in the middle of nowhere and whose idea of a good time was to buy old VCRs from the flea market and turn them into spying devices. Sweet, though. I woke up one morning and thought, 'I have a choice here. I can either die in the middle of nowhere -(I was up to a quart of vodka a day by then), or I can stop drinking.' So I decided to quit. Exchange one misery for another.
But surprise, surprise! I woke up one morning and all the layers of pain and self-loathing, which originated with my family and were perpetuated by drinking, were gone. I had a voice! It came out everywhere. I took writing, acting classes. I left my husband and fell madly in love at 43 with the most amazing man I ever met. Who loved me back! He is an artist. For the first time, I understood that work wasn't something you endured, it was supposed to be something that you loved! Who knew?
I started painting. I entered a contest and was chosen to be the Poet Laureate of Los Gatos. Then a friend bullied me into taking a standup comedy class. Except for late-night TV, I'd never even seen a comic perform. It was the most exciting thing I've ever done. I was made to do comedy. All that pain and all that growing blossomed into something miraculous. I tell the truth and people respond to it. I talk about it all - husbands, marriage, getting older. I won a comedy contest in San Francisco - the audience was mostly 20's, 30's and they responded to me - a woman pushing fifty. Age is not a consideration for me, but it can't be ignored, either. My message is that when you find what you were made to do, at whatever age, you have to get in there and do it. Some of us take longer paths to get to our destinations and some of us, tragically, ignore the call of our souls. Boy, did I get carried away."
Clarissa Harwell, 25
Student, freelance writer, photographer, and art model:
"I am a spirited woman! I'm not sure how much you need to know about me but briefly, I experienced sexual trauma as an adolescent, had an eating disorder for nine years, nearly died, slowly recovered and finally discovered who I am and gained a true sense of self. Though I occasionally still struggle with body image issues, I take belly dancing classes and really enjoy eating now. I am an art model, which has been therapeutic for my body image and eating disorder recovery. It has allowed me to view my body as a work of art regardless of my weight and shape.
I'm married to a man from Denmark and lived there for six months. I am in school, studying social activism and will graduate in December after many years of being in and out of college due to the eating disorder. I have an internship working with young girls who are in the juvenile justice system. I write poetry and non-fiction and am learning photography. I'm very interested in photojournalism of the human condition. Well, that sort-of sums of my life, albeit briefly. Take care, Clarissa."
THANK YOU CLARISSA, TIEN, and SHARMAN. YOU ARE AN ALL PHENOMENAL.
For those of you who would like to meet these special women, Sharman Bacigalupi will be at Saturday's workshop on April 24, and Clarissa Harwell and Tien Chiu will be at Sunday's workshop on April 25.
All four women would love to hear from you as well. Each one of these fascinating women has a truly original, expressive website. Tien's is www.travelingtiger.com; Sharman's is www.sharmie.com; Clarissa's is www.clarissaelizabeth.com; and Vicki's is www.dholrhythms.com
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SPIRITED WOMAN MEDIA COVERAGE
What a thrill! What a ride! It seems as though every day the workshop is being mentioned - somewhere. Wow. Whether it’s via the print media or the internet, we're out there - catching on. Plus Nancy is being asked to do more personal interviews in print, radio, and TV. So this is all great news!
Newspaper/Magazine Media Coverage To Date:
Coastal View News
Los Angeles City Beat
Mail Tribune
Santa Barbara News-Press
Santa Monica Mirror
Southern California Senior Life
The Hollywood Reporter
The Jewish Journal
The Montecito Journal
The Nashville Scene
The Santa Barbara Independent
UCLA Magazine
Valley Voice
Venice Magazine
Whole Life Times
Nancy Mills Radio Interviews:
Healing Arts, Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland, OR
Northwest Passage, KLCC, Eugene, OR
The Brass Ring, WBNW, Boston, MA
The Brass Ring, WPLM, Plymouth, MA
Internet Media/Promotional Coverage (hard to track, but here goes):
Backstage West (www.backstagewest.com)
Cinewomen (www.cinewomen.org)
CityAlert (www.cityalert.com)
Craigslist (www.craigslist.org)
DigitalGuestList (www.digitalguestlist.com)
Feminist.com (www.feminist.com)
Nashville City Paper (www.nashvillecitypaper.com)
Parlor Performance Newsletter (frankent1@juno.com)
Planet Shark Productions (www.planetsharkproductions.com)
Ryze Business Networking (www.ryze.com)
The Hollywood Reporter (www.thehollywoodreporter.com)
The Leaf Chronicle (www.theleafchronicle.com)
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UPCOMING SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOPS
Get out your drum and dance around the house. More and more women are attending the popular SPIRITED WOMAN Workshops all across the country. Who-ee! About 250 women have signed up to date. So, don’t miss out! Be sure to check out the calendar listings below and see what's in store for your area.
For more info on the workshops or to sign up for one please call Nancy Mills at her toll free number: 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: thespiritedwoman@aol.com.
All checks are mailed to: Nancy Mills, P.O. BOX 20042, Santa Barbara, CA 93120. Paypal credit card payments now accepted
NEW, NEW, NEW - SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP GIFT CERTIFICATE - Want to give something WONDERFUL & FUN & FANTABULOUS to your mom, sister, daughter, cousin, best friend, or, or, or...the workshop makes a great gift that will be appreciated forever. BIRTHDAYS, SPECIAL OCCASIONS, FROM THE HEART...just call or e-mail me with the person's name, address, and the date you'd like them to attend the workshop. You can pay by check or paypal (and there's always cash).
2004 SPRING/SUMMER WORKSHOP CALENDAR
The Spirited Woman Workshop includes three hours of creative playfulness and growth. Emphasizes your ALIVENESS and reinforces YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE. Great for transitions, movement. Attendees range from writers/artists/healers to business owners. Led by Nancy Mills, creator of the Spirited Woman Approach to Life. Limited to 12 women. Offered at amazing locales throughout the country.
SAN FRANCISCO
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday afternoon, April 24, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Renaissance Ballroom, 285 Ellis St., San Francisco, CA
Cost: $75
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday afternoon, April 25, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Renaissance Ballroom, 285 Ellis St., San Francisco, CA
Cost: $75
LOS ANGELES
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday afternoon, May 22, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: The Black Box Theater, 12420 Santa Monica Blvd., W.LA, CA
Cost: $65
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday afternoon, May 23, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: The Black Box Theater, 12420 Santa Monica Blvd., W.LA, CA
Cost: $65
CHICAGO
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Thursday evening, June 3, 2004
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm.
Locale: To be announced
Cost: $75
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday afternoon, June 6, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: To be announced
Cost: $75
SANTA BARBARA
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday afternoon, June 19, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Nancy's Cottage (above the El Encanto Hotel)
Cost: $60
MORE!!! 2004 SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOPS
Goals! Aspirations! Nancy plans to book workshops in the cities listed below for spring/summer. She is also open to your suggestions for other cities and is currently available for speaking engagements.
San Diego
Denver Area (including Boulder, Colorado Springs)
Seattle (Washington State)
New York City
TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS.
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HOST A SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
In your city.
It's great fun! You'll love it. Anyone who hosts a workshop in their home or business receives a free workshop, great publicity, and a chance to meet other fantabulous women. Since the workshop size is small, most spaces work out ideally. If you'd like to host a workshop outside of Santa Barbara, contact Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: thespiritedwoman@aol.com.
And...this workshop is great for clubs, associations, organizations. For instance, the "Red Hat Club Presents the Spirited Woman Workshop." To talk about sponsoring Nancy for a workshop or a presentation contact Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: thespiritedwoman@aol.com.
AND NOW FOR THE THANKS!!!!!!!
COREY LOVE is a love. Really. Truly. He owns and operates The Black Box Theater in LA. The guy works like a dog. He keeps the theater in tip-top shape and the women who've attended the workshop there, just LOVE the space. In fact, several attendees want to hold special events there, too. A BIG THANK YOU to Corey.
MARY, MARY, MARY. Let's hear it for actress Mary Carlisle, who is a huge supporter of the workshop. She's taken two LA SPIRITED WOMAN workshops, and has spent hours contacting her many friends in Chicago (she use to live there) to tell them about the upcoming Chicago workshops. As she said, "I want all my windy city diva's to come." THANK YOU so much Mary for your enthusiasm. IT MEANS SO MUCH.
MORE THANKS - To the many wonderful spirited women who have attended the workshops. You are ALL fantabulous and fun.
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THE SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB - LISTING BOARD
Here's the good news. If you have taken the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP you are automatically a member of the SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB, and you'll receive a FREE listing (up to 60 words) - monthly. For those of you who have not taken the workshop (come on girls, you need to join the club!) - the listing is only $15 per month per listing. What a great deal!
This listing board is a great way to advertise your service, business, workshop, event or WHATEVER - and to stay connected with other spirited women. Currently, the newsletter reaches about 1,200 women. Think of it as your very own SPIRITED WOMAN DIRECTORY. Be sure to check out what other women are offering and support them! Also, see below HOW TO PLACE A LISTING.
PLANET SHARK PRODUCTIONS - LA film & video production company specializing in media projects & music videos. Planet Shark also produces & promotes release parties & other industry events. Shark's popular global "Industry Insider Forum" is packed with jobs, music gigs, showbiz events, casting calls, resumes, loglines, more. Go orbit SHARK'S INDUSTRY INSIDER FORUM: www.planetsharkproductions.com
ACTRESS AVAILABLE - My name is SANJINI. If you're looking for an actress, please view my acting resume at www.sanjini-actor.com. View the photo gallery page to see different character looks. My contact information is: sanjinibhakta@lycos.com.
310-902-7713
STOP TALKING ABOUT IT & JUST DO IT! - Amy K's life coaching will transform your career, relationships or health. Experience your soul in action - set goals that honor your values and commit to the steps to reach them. Visit www.amykcoaching.com. 805-886-8361
VINTNERS AT THE VINTAGE MUSEUM - Wine Tasting, gourmet appetizers, LIVE JAZZ Ensemble, and more at Otis Chandler's Vintage Car Museum in Oxnard. Sat., April 24, 5 - 8 pm. All proceeds benefit FOOD Share,Ventura County's Regional Food Bank. Tickets $50 in advance /$60 at the door. Call RSVP Events. 805-969-5244
LET YOUR SPIRIT SOAR - in the South Pacific! Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and more. Destination World (www.destinationworld.com) is much more than a wholesale travel reservation service. Our tailor made programs are for those who have been captivated by the extraordinary & will not rest until they experience it again. Judy McKenna, flyjudy@sbcglobal.net. 818-998-5839 or 800-536-0022
SHEN PHYSIO-EMOTIONAL RELEASE THERAPY - is a safe, reliable process that heals by unlocking trapped, painful emotion that we cannot unlock ourselves -lifting it from the body. SHEN helps with: Stress, Chronic pain, Depression, Migraines, PMS, Panic Attacks, Recovery from addictions, Emotional and/or sexual abuse, and more. Call Deirdre Wagner, CST, CMT. 760-912-5507
SPECIALLY FORMULATED ESSENTIAL WATERS - Eden Now is a new aromatherapy company created by Cheryl Finn. Her product line includes facial and pillow mists. Excellent for relaxation, harmony, and balance. Brings joy to the heart. Cheryl Finn. 310-779-2420
INSPIRATIONAL REALMS GREETING CARDS & GIFTS - for the Inspiring Moments of Everyday Life! Visit magic in the Fairie Realm with 16 Fairies and colorful poems that inspire and dance around inside! Beautiful scenes & thoughtful sayings in Nature Realm. Stay in touch with family, friends & associates easily from the Note Realm! Order online www.inspirationalrealms.com
PARLOR PERFORMANCES - Jeannine Frank's "accidental performing arts series" (now in its 15th year!) presents comedy, cabaret, authors, & more in venues around Southern California -- and also books artists nationally for fundraisers, conventions and special events. For free newsletter, more info, contact Jeannine at: frankent1@juno.com.
ALZHEIMER EXPERT – Go to www.brainsproutsmemory.com, click on Alzheimer’s to get info about my work. Also, for purchase, I have a video training tape discussing multi-sensory techniques that work with Alzheimer's loved ones to increase communication and reduce stress, anxiety. The memory methods help regular folks with remembering names, reading material, etc. Vicki Mizel. 323-984-8801
FREE ANGEL READING - Host an angel party for 10 or more people and receive a free angel reading. The Earth Angels, three psychic-mediums, offer amazingly accurate messages from the other side for audience members. Their prophetic gifts will inspire, empower and wow you. Great entertainment for special events. For details: Laura Lee at angelmessages@earthlink.net. 818-762-1036
NEW SAUCY SISTERS WEB SITE - Like your wine without the pretension? Check out www.saucysisters.com. We'll give you practical tips, wine suggestions for everyday drinking, the recipes to match, and a quirky quiz to test your wine savvy and your sense of humor.
EVERYBODY LOVES CHOCOLATE! - What could be more festive than a chocolate fountain at your next party?! Warm, delicious Belgian chocolate flowing from a free-standing stainless fountain, perfect for dipping berries, cookies, etc. The ultimate dessert, centerpiece, attraction! Why sit and nibble on cake when you can dip and mingle?! To rent contact Betsy, bcrowfoot@thechocolateguy.com. 805-566-1551
RED HAT WOMEN'S GROUP - The OVER THE TOP chapter in Ventura County/Channel Islands area is accepting interesting women who enjoy discussions on all aspects of women's life issues, who like to have FUN and do FUN things. The group is open to women of all ages. Only women 50 yrs. + can wear red hats (younger wear pink hats). Mary Lucid. 805-278-9009
WEBSITE DESIGN & FACE-LIFTS - Future Developments builds affordable professional web sites for businesses of all shapes and sizes or reworks tired old websites. We offer the following services: web design and development, website promotion through Search Engine submissions, website hosting set-up, e-commerce web design, and custom programs. Kathy Houston. 503-223-8708
INTERIOR ALIGNMENT FENG SHUI - Creates a sacred space by incorporating the best of the mystical traditions of the East and the practical methods of the West. Helps you realign stagnant or unhealthy energy and to restore harmony, balance and support in your surroundings. Also accelerates progress toward desired goals and aspirations. Karyn Armstrong, karyn@harmonicspaces.com. 503-525-2521
FANTASY SHOE NOTE CARDS – One for each month of the year. High heel pictures for every occasion. Fun, whimsical, beautiful, and inspiring 11 x 12 matted/framed prints. Originals avail. Custom made corporate shoe pictures for your business. Margo, Von Phul, D'JOAN DESIGNS. 805-684-0901
TREAT YOURSELF TO REIKI - Let go of the stress of the day as you become filled with renewed vitality. Reiki is a safe, gentle form of touch and energy work that promotes relaxation and healing. I am a Reiki master and have been a practitioner since 1995. $50/session. Frederica Welch, fhbwelch1@cox.net. 805-962-1969
PIANO LESSONS - Classical and Jazz. Children and Adults. All Levels, All Ages. Now accepting students. My studio or your home. Background piano music for weddings and parties. Nancy Harris Jones, MA, Piano Performance. Member Music Teachers' Assn. of California. Member Music Teachers' National Assn. 805-967-1160
WILD WOMEN OF SANTA BARBARA HANDCRAFTED SCULPTURES - "Wild" combination of glass, wire, clay and beads, the sculpted bodies are fused or lampworked with indivually-stylized details such as glass eyes and beaded hair. Uniquely created by Jo-el Helgesen, renowned jewelry and sculptor designer. 805-686-2417
ITALIAN LESSONS - I am a native Italian and I would like to teach you my beautiful language. For over 18 years, I taught in a private school in Santa Monica. I teach beginners to advanced, grammar/conversation. Laura DeLuca. 805-565-3720
EDITING INTERNATIONAL, LLC - We are award-winning writers, published authors, and dedicated editors who have guided hundreds of writers in achieving their dreams. We provide in-depth critical analysis, editing and consulting on nonfiction and fiction, personal coaching, group instruction, workshops, and insider know-how about approaching literary agents and publishers. Go to www.4-edit.com or contact Candy Davis, cdavis@willamette.net. 541-942-8329
HOW TO PLACE A LISTING
E-mail a 60 word or less description of your listing (word count must include phone number and such) by the last day of each month (i.e., April 30 for May issue) to: thespiritedwoman@aol.com and put "LISTING BOARD" in the subject line.
All past SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP attendees receive ONE FREE listing EACH MONTH. All additional listings are $15 per item per month.
For those of you who have NOT attended the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP it costs $15 per listing per month. Please follow the above instructions.
Checks for all payable listings are to be received in advance of the next monthly issue (April 1) and sent to: Nancy Mills, P.O. BOX 20042, Santa Barbara, CA 93120.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER:
Place "YES I WANT TO SUBSCRIBE" in e-mail subject line. To unsubscribe place "unsubscribe" in e-mail subject line.
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PLEASE FORWARD TO OTHER SPIRITED WOMEN.
Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute the SPIRITED WOMAN newsletter with the understanding that the copyright notice and all the content is to be attributed to Nancy Mills, the SPIRITED WOMAN Newsletter. Copyright Nancy Mills, April 2004. All rights reserved.
THANKS FOR YOUR SPIRIT! SPIRITED WOMEN! AND YOUR SUPPORT!
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