NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS BENALMÁDENA MONTHLY. NEWS Check your 'padron' status Page 3

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1 NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS BENALMÁDENA MONTHLY Issue No. 10 Foreign Residents' Department WHAT'S ON Benalmádena in October Page 7 NEWS Check your 'padron' status Page 3 INFORMATION The 'Sixty Five' card Page 6 'Foreign residents are an essential part of Benalmádena' An interview with new mayor Paloma García Gálvez THREE months ago Paloma García Gálvez, of the Partido Popular, become the first female mayor in the history of Benalmádena, taking the helm of a municipal government that has set as one of its greatest priorities an administration focused on local people - both Spanish and foreign. The new mayor is aware of the important role that people from other countries who ve chosen to live here have in the daily life and development of the town. "Foreign residents are an essential part of Benalmádena," she said, emphasising the firm commitment the new governing team has toward this sector of the local community. In an interview with Benalmádena Monthly, the mayor focuses on the town hall s measures to promote the integration of foreign residents and cultural exchange among residents of all nationalities. She noted that 35 per cent of the town s population is made up by foreigners, who chose Benalmádena as a place to live, work, start their own business or relax in retirement. Mayor Paloma García Gálvez "Our town continues to be a strong attraction for foreigners," she said. Full interview on page 2

2 Page 2 BENALMADENA MONTHLY 'We have a firm commitment to foreign residents' Interview with mayor Paloma García Gálvez (continued from front page) In June you took the reins at the town hall and become Benalmádena s first female mayor. How are you approaching this new political challenge? I am approaching it, along with the rest of my governing team, with great enthusiasm and excitement, but also with a great sense of responsibility. Our citizenry needs the town hall to act with strength and agility and with concern for the basic problems and concerns of residents - for clean and wellmaintained streets; for security; for the revitalization of our industrial and commercial sectors. We must also push forward the expansion of the marina, a great project of enormous importance for our town but that had been neglected and left to die by the PSOE and Izquierda Unida under the previous town hall administration. Three months after the change of the town hall government, local residents have been witness to the style of management we are carrying out, focused on the people. And soon they will see the fruits of our efforts, aimed chiefly at returning Benalmádena to its deserved spot of honour as the tourism town par excellence of the Costa del Sol. Benalmádena not only attracts people from around the world as a tourism destination, but has also become a great attraction to foreigners choosing a place in southern Spain to live. What does the foreign resident community mean to Benalmádena? The foreign resident community in Benalmádena is extremely important. Some 35 per cent of our entire population is made up of foreigners, mostly British and French, although there is a wide array of nationalities. This figure is a clear demonstration of the fact that, despite the economic crisis, our Chiringuito beach bars and restaurants to get defibrillators A DOZEN chiringuito restaruants and beach bars in Benalmádena are to be outfitted with defibrillators in a scheme aimed at saving lives on local beaches. The programme, promoted by the Costa del Sol Beach Business Association, was launched last month in neighbouring Torremolinos where numerous chiringuitos are also getting equipped with the devices, which deliver an electrical shock to a person who is in cardiac arrest in order to restart the heart. By the end of this year the defibrillators are to be distributed to a total of around 50 establishments in the two towns as part of the scheme, which has received sponsorship from Coca-Cola, San Miguel and Camy. At the launch of the project officials emphasised its tremendous importance given that in the event of cardiac arrest, immediate access to a defibrillator can boost the survival rate to as much as 80 per cent, compared to around five per cent without the use of the device. They noted that many beach deaths attributed to drowning are in fact caused by heart attacks. Staff at the establishments will be trained on the use of the defibrillators by representatives of Procardio, the company that is supplying the devices. The training also includes instruction on CPR. town maintains its strong attractiveness to the foreign community. Thousands of foreigners have settled in Benalmádena, whether as working age people seeking employment opportunities or as retirees, the majority of them Europeans seeking a place to relax and enjoy their free time. The new governing team at the town hall has a firm commitment to foreign residents, focused on their integration, because they are an important part of our society and have a relevant role in our daily life. They are an essential part of our town. What measures and actions will be undertaken to achieve this integration? The Department for Foreign Residents, run by councillor Adolfo Fernández, is undertaking a great number of measures focused on the integration of this sector of our community. First and foremost are efforts aimed at language learning and cultural exchange, because integration is achieved through language and FOREIGN residents' councillor Adolfo Fernández last month met with a group of close to 100 Norwegian residents to discuss his department's programmes and its efforts to promote the "full integration of foreign residents in all aspects of Benalmádena life". The meeting, held at the Norwegian School, was also attended by the councillor for education, Yolanda Peña. Among other things, councillor Fernández highlighted so- is multiplied through culture. Also, in addition to holding periodic meetings with different groups of foreign residents to respond to their needs and concerns, we have volunteer interpreters at numerous public offices to assist them; we participate in their cultural traditions and invite them to participate in ours; and we organise trips to help them get to know our province and region. Given the importance that foreign residents have for your administration, what message would you like to send them? First off, I thank them for choosing Benalmádena as their home, as well as for their active participation in all of the activities organised by the town hall, which demonstrates the level of integration that is already being achieved in this town. My administration opens its doors to the foreign resident community and will attend to their suggestions, concerns or problems to the best of our abilities. Councillor meets with Norwegian residents me of the initiatives that have been undertaken by the Foreigners Department, "such as language workshops; the webpage in English; a monthly newsletter for foreign residents (Benalmádena Monthly); periodic excursions to get to Councillor Fernández addressing the Norwegian residents know the region; volunteer interpreters at health centres and in other municipal departments; and an ample array of measures aimed at boosting integration".

3 BENALMADENA MONTHLY Page 3 In Brief RUBBISH RELIEF The town hall has issued a reminder that all registered (empadronado) residents of Benelmádena are eligible for significant discounts on rubbish collection fees, but for the discount to be applied it is crucial for same ID number to appear on both the Emabesa contract and the padrón census. For example, if someone is emadronado under a residencia number, this same number should be on his or her Emabesa contract. Any registered residents who are not receiving their rubbish-collection discount should go to the Emabesa office (next to Tivoli World) with their bill and a 'nota de padrón' printout that is less than three months old. OCTOBER REOPENING The Gloria Alonso social centre in Benalmádena Costa could reopen sometime this month following repairs to damages it suffered from a fire on August 23, reported the town hall last month. Officials said that despite significant damage to the interior, the building did not suffer structural damage from the fire, which is believed to have started in the centre s kitchen. ZEBRA REMOVALS Benalmádena town hall has removed two zebra crossings on the Avenida Machado coast road because they were considered too dangerous due to poor visibility and the high speed of traffic in the zone, near the La Roca hotel. Officials say there are safer alternatives nearby, including an underpass and a well-marked zebra crossing located at a traffic light. PHONE TROUBLE Benalmádena s consumer office (OMIC) handled 70 complaints in August, with the biggest portion (21%) related to phone and internet services, including misleading advertising, overbilling and other issues, according to end-of-summer figures. Another 18.5% of complaints were related to the tourism and leisure industry, while the retail and banking/insurance sectors made up 16% each. Residents urged to check 'padron' status 7,000 foreign residents set to fall off the census and lose benefits BENALMÁDENA town hall has put out a call for foreign residents in the town to check their status on the 'padron' census if they have not renewed or modified it in recent years, or face being dropped from it. "The National Statistics Institute (INE) has communicated to the town hall the need to confirm the data on the padrón for more than 7,000 foreigners, for whom there has been no change in their empadronamiento in the last few years," said the town hall. "These people must confirm that they continue as registered residents of Benalmádena; otherwise they will be removed from the census under the assumption that they do not actually live in the town, and will thus lose their right to subsidies on their IBI tax and rubbish fees, among other benefits," it said. MAYOR Paloma García Gálvez has criticised as "reckless" the decision of Andalucía health service to idle one of the two ambulance services at the Arroyo de la Miel health centre during nights and weekends. The reduction of the service was confirmed by the director of the Costa del Sol health district, Manuel Bayona, days ahead of its taking effect on Sunday, September 16. The Benalmádena council Foreign resident Bill Smith confirming his empadronamiento In general foreign residents should renew their empadronamiento every two years to avoid being dropped from the census. The INE list of people currently slated to be dropped can be consulted on the town hall website (benalmádena.com) or by calling or Confirmation of the empadronamiento should be carried out before November 30 at the town hall or the Tenencia de Alcaldía offices in Arroyo de la Miel (Casa de la Cultura) or the Costa (Tourism Office). Some documentation will be required including the original and photocopies of a passport and, for non-eu citizens, a Tarjeta de Residencia. Reduction of ambulance service 'reckless', says mayor The mayor (r) and councillor Hernández had previously passed a motion urging the Junta de Andalucía not to reduce the local emergency service, a plea that "Sr Bayona completely ignored" despite having denied the cut was to happen, said the town s councillor for health, Inmaculada Hernández. Prior to the service reduction, Benalmádena had two ambulance teams stationed at the Arroyo health centre 24 hours a day. Now just one of the teams is on service during nights (10pm to 8am) and on Saturday and Sunday. On the weekend days the second ambulance may be brought into service for non-emergency transfer of patients to hospital, said Sr Bayona. He said the move, which involved reorganising resources but not laying off staff, was justified by the workload of the ambulance service and the existence of the CHARE hospital in Benalmádena and its A&E department. Benalmádena town hall charged that Sr Bayona was low-balling the workload of the ambulance service and rejected the notion that the CHARE hospital made the Arroyo ambulance service less necessary. "When someone calls an ambulance it is because they don t have the means to get to the hospital or they can t do so on their own due to the emergency situation at hand," said Sra Hernández. Mayor García Gálvez added: "The Costa del Sol health district is using outlandish arguments to defend a reckless measure that is an affront to the people of Benalmádena."

4 Page 4 BENALMADENA MONTHLY Language exchange in Pueblo Pueblo sessions are extension of popular Arroyo de la Miel programme THE Benalmádena Foreigners' Department has announced the launch of language exchange sessions in Benalmádena Pueblo, for foreign residents and local Spaniards to come together and practice their Spanish and English. The Pueblo gatherings, to be held at the Silvestre González seniors' centre, are an extension of the popular language exchange programme launched by the Foreigners' Department in 2009 at the Anica Torres seniors' centre in Arroyo de la Miel. "The Foreigners' Department is responding to the great demand and many requests we have received for language exchange sessions in the Pueblo," said the councillor for foreign residents, Adolfo Fernández. "This activity, which has been underway for three years in Arroyo de la Miel with more than 100 people participating, is one of the measures Benalmádena town hall has undertaken to boost the integration of the foreign-resident community in our society, in this case achieving it through language." At the sessions, English-speaking as well as French-speaking residents have the opportunity to meet up with Spaniards who are interested in sharing conversational practice. The sessions in the Pueblo, to Worldwide photo walk in Arroyo FOR the first time this year Benalmádena will join in the Worldwide Photo Walk. Now in its fifth year and sponsored by the well-known American photographer Scott Kelby, the event sees thousands of people from countries all over the world come together to take some "wow factor" shots of their local area. Everybody with a camera is Participants at a language exchange session in Arroyo The closing ceremony of the summer classes be launched in October, will be held each Wednesday from 10am to noon. Those interested in participating should contact the Foreigners' Department on or residentes@benalmadena.com. welcome even if it s just a phone camera. It will be a fun event for all and a chance to put the Arroyo de la Miel on the worldwide photo map. The event will take place on Saturday October 13 starting at 6pm at the Club de Hielo ice rink and finishing at the Sol Chino Restaurante in the Gamanol zone at 8pm. Those wishing to join in Adiós, summer classes Meanwhile, mayor Paloma García Gálvez last month presided over the closing ceremonies for the summer language classes offered to local youths by some 25 volunteer foreign residents during July and August. Around 30 local young people participated in the weekly conversational classes held at the Parque Innova centre, where they could practice speaking English or French with native speakers. As with the general language exchange sessions, the mayor highlighted the benefits of the summer programme to both the young Spaniards and the foreign residents, who assist each other with language while at the same time creating a cultural bridge. "Integration is achieved through language, and is multiplied through culture," she said. The mayor, along with councillor Fernández, expressed the town hall s gratitude to the foreign resident volunteers for their participation in the programme, which was organised by the Youth Department with the collaboration of the Foreigners' Department and the Juventud Somos Todos cultural association. should go to the Google search engine and type 'worldwide photo walk benalmadena'. To qualify for one of the many super prises participants must register on the 'Arroyo de la Miel, AL Spain- Worldwide Photo Walk' site. However, those who just want to join in and make it a fun evening out can simply local organisers at info@photoclubspain.com. In Brief GET COOKING Close to 50 foreign residents participated last month in the latest Spanish cooking course organised by the Foreigners Department in collaboration with Restaurante Alborada in Arroyo de la Miel. Participants learned how to make a traditional Málaga noodle stew, meatballs with tomato sauce, and homemade custard. The classes, held monthly, are one of the town hall s activities geared toward the integration of foreign residents in local culture and customs, in this case through our cuisine, said Adolfo Fernández, the councillor for foreign residents. REPEAT VISITORS Seven of 10 tourists in Benalmádena are repeat visitors to the town, and a similar number - 68 per cent - say they plan to return in the future, according to the Costa del Sol Tourism Board s annual tourism report for Local officials say the figures reflect the town s strong appeal, with its multiple sport, leisure, cultural and entertainment offerings. HELPING HAND The Anica Torres seniors centre in Arroyo de la Miel last month delivered 4,000 euros to the family of a local five-month-old girl with a medical condition requiring costly treatment. The senior centre s Euro Solidario campaign raised more than organisers had expected for young Idaira, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy. A plastic bottle cap collection campaign has also been launched to raise funds, with collection bins located in business establishments throughout the town. BEACH AID The Protección Civil emergency service attended nearly 8,000 incidents on Benamádena beaches this summer, according to figures recently released by the town hall. Around 75 per cent of the interventions (6,100) were for jellyfish stings. Others included cuts and contusions, burns, sea anemone stings and lost children. They also performed 21 rescues of swimmers in trouble. In addition to emergency response, the force provided nearly 900 assisted swimming sessions for disabled beach users.

5 BENALMADENA MONTHLY Page 5 Costa del Sol Photographic Society welcomes all shutterbugs Membership comprises of photographers at all levels including people who are relatively new to the hobby THE COSTA del Sol Photographic Society was formed in 2002 by Ray Challinor, who with a small group of people interested in photography arranged meetings to exchange ideas and information. The society is now registered in Spain as a non-profit making association and its membership comprises of photographers at all levels including people who are relatively new to the hobby. Beginners are always welcome. In 2006 the society held its first public exhibition. It was very well attended and covered extensively by local newspapers, radio and television. In 2007 and 2008 it exhibited in Benalmadena at the Casa de la Cultura attracting many people at each event. In 2009 the exhibition was moved to its present venue, the Castillo Bil Bil, and attracted in excess of 2,000 visitors. This year, 2012 being the tenth anniversary, the exhibition was managed by Mike Naylor whose experience in film and television helped to create an exceptional display of photographs. Well known professional photographer, Gary Edwards chose the top four from what was described as "beautiful photos by talented people". With a record attendance including visitors from Argentina, Holland, Finland, Czech Republic, Italy, Canada and France 2012 goes on record as the best yet. The society is based in Benalmádena and meets every two weeks with home meetings and outdoor shoots for practical experience. In addition the society provides workshops for beginners and people at an intermediate level. Instruction is free to all members and given by the society s more experienced photographers. Courses are designed to cover from absolute basics to advanced photo techniques including instruction in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and other digital computer programs. An Image Group caters for more advanced photographers with advice and instruction from professionals. If you require further information, or wish to join the Costa del Sol Photographic Society please check out our website at or ring CALLING ALL CLUBS BENALMÁDENA Monthly would like to welcome club and association members to the pages of this new council publication. Each month we will be featuring a local group and its members on this page. Inclusion is absolutely free and gives readers a chance to see the many activities available to them through membership to your club. But remember we re a monthly publication so we need your news as soon as possible! Contact Joanna Drozdawska at the town hall s Foreign Residents Department on or residents@benalmadena.com for more information.

6 Page 6 BENALMADENA MONTHLY The 'Sixty Five' card and what it can do for you Benalmádena Foreign Residents' Department's Joanna Drozdowska answers your questions Part two on the special discount card for OAPs SO IN a nutshell and carrying on from issue nine of Benalmádena Monthly, with your 65 card you can access exclusive services, discounts and subsidies. These include: Use the Andalucía Tele-home care services with discounts of 40%, 80% and even 100%. Make long distance bus trips within Andalucía with a 50% discount on ticket prices. Buy your glasses with discounts between 30 and 55%. Buy a hearing aid with discounts between 30 and 35%. Enjoy multiple discounts at hotels, cinemas, sporting events, monuments and theme parks... Have access to completely free legal advice from the Servicio de Orientación Jurídica. You can find information on this legal service at your nearest Junta de Andalucía Senior Citizen's Day Centre. There are two types of discount cards - If you are not sure which one you should apply for, ask at the FRD office Make use of important discounts on Day Centre or Family Respite Centre places. Use Senior Citizen Day Centre dining rooms with a 50% discount on the price of the menu (only Oro cardholders). Apply for a subsidy to adapt your home should you have mobility problems. To apply for a card you'll need to present the following documents: Copy of your passport Copy of your NIE residence paper or card Padrón papers One passport photo FAQS Q. What information do I have to include on my application? A. If you apply for the normal card you just have to include your personal details and sign the form. If you apply for the Oro (gold) card you will have to also include your total income received over the last year. If you had no income you must indicate this in your application. Q. My partner has the 65 card, can I use it too? A. No. The card is for personal use only and can't be used by anyone else except the cardholder. Q. How long is the card valid for? A. For five years from the date of issue. Q. What does the 65 card cost? A. Nothing. It's totally free, including any renewals. Q. I've received my card but the information is wrong, what should I do? A. You should send it to the following address with a covering letter explaining the error. Consejería para la Igualdad y Bienestar Social Apartado de Correos Sevilla Q. I am a cardholder. To access discounts etc do I have to show some sort of ID? A. Yes, you should show either an ID card or the equivalent (passport etc) Q. What should I do if I my card is stolen or I lose it? A. You should send a letter with your personal details to the above address, indicating the circumstances that are applicable. Spotlight on... Heather Keely EACH issue Benalmádena Monthly briefly turns the spotlight on an expat resident to get to know a little bit about the person behind the face... In this edition we asked Heather Keely to sit in the interview chair. 1. Full name and age? Heather M. Keely, age What were you doing before you came to Spain? I worked as a manager of a hotels and restaurant on the South Coast in the UK. 3. Why have you chosen to live in Benalmádena and how long have you been here? My husband used to play golf here, since We enjoyed the Spanish way of live and Benalmdena is very similar to my home town. 4. How long have you lived here? For over 20 years. 5. Do you feel at home here? Yes, Benalmadena is definitely my home. 6. What do you like most about life in Spain? I like Spanish food, the people and the sunshine. 7. What do you miss most from your country? There are always things you miss, but the honest answer is very little. I miss the different seasons although I enjoy Spanish weather. 8. Do you feel integrated? Heather has lived in Benalmádena for over 20 years and says it "is definitely my home". Yes, I have a lot of Spanish friends. although I haven't managed to speak Spanish very well, and I am sorry about this. 9. How would you promote integration between foreigners and Spanish people? Learn the language and make an effort to mix with Spanish people. Spanish people appreciate the effort and it is surprising how little is required to create a bond. The Foreigners' Department at the Town Hall is a really valuable resource. It organises trips and visits as well as helping people with legal matters and information.

7 BENALMADENA MONTHLY Page 7 October Agenda Book Clubs ARROYO DE LA MIEL LIBRARY, Parque de la Paloma. In Spanish: October 4 and 9 at 7pm. In English: Read On, October 2 and November 6 at 7pm. In French: Cercle de Lecture, October 16 at 7pm. In Finnish: Minna Canth October 25 at 7pm. Spanish poetry group: October 5 at 7pm. BENALMADENA PUEBLO LIBRARY (behind the Felipe Orlando Museum) In Spanish: October 30 at 11am & 6pm. Kid's Stuff STORY TIME, October 17, 24 and 31 at 6.15pm at the Benalmádena Pueblo library ( behind the Felipe Orlando museum). A fun afternoon activity for very young readers accompanied by an adult. Everyone is welcome. Stories are in Spanish but with lots of visual and sound effects to keep the young audience rivetted. The Mas Madera Film Club THE NEW cinema club season started at the end of September. Films are at 9pm at the Casa de la Cultura in Arroyo de la Miel. Films are shown with original soundtrack and with Spanish subtitles if in a foreign language. Tickets: 3 euros. October 4: Habitación en Roma. Spain Romantic drama. Director Julio Medem. Stars Elena Steve McQueen s highly charged erotic film Shame, about a damaged sibling relationship is on October 18 Anaya, Natasha Yarovenko. October 11: Los Edukadores (Die fetten jahre sind vorbei). Germany/ Austria Drama. Director Hans Weingartner. Stars Daniel Brühl, Julia Jentsch. October 18: Shame. Great Britain Erotic drama. Director Steve McQueen. Stars Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan. October 25: Cinco dias sin Nora. Mexico Comedy/drama. Director Mariana Chenillo. Stars Fernando Luján, Cecilia Suárez. Exhibitions BENALMADENA COSTA EX- HIBITION CENTRE (On the N340 coast road, opposite post office). Open Tues-Sat, 10-2/ Useful telephone numbers Emergency numbers All emergencies 112 (This is a central call base for any emergency) Ambulance service 061 Fire brigade Guardia Civil 062 Local Police 092 National Police Reports in case of theft or robbery (English spoken) General telephone numbers Endesa electricity company Hospital Carlos Haya, Málaga Hospital Clinico Universitario, Málaga Hospital Materno Infantil, Málaga Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella / GP appointments by phone to Salud Responde or by Sun/fiestas pm. Entrance free. Closed Mon. Goya, Chronicler of an Era, October 5-December 16. A major exhibition of 80 engravings that reflect one of Spain's greatest artist's critical view of the social and political events during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. BIL-BIL CASTLE (on the N340 coast road opposite Benal Beach). Entrance free. Jose Miguel Roy Anglada, October Painting exhibition. Mixed media on paper. José Luis Sánchez-Pajares Zambrano, October 25-November 19. Moroccan city and landscapes. CASA DE LA CULTURA, Arroyo de la Miel. Collective Exhibition, October Oil paintings and craftwork made from recycled materials. Didac Vilanova Lopez, October Sculptures in metals and paintings. Julian Parada Cebrian, November Exhibition that centres on the bullfighting world. THE FELIPE ORLANDO PRE- COLUMBIAN MUSEUM, Benalmádena Pueblo. Friday 5-7pm and Saturday pm and 5-7pm. Mexican Day of the Dead Altars, October 19-November 11. Contrary to its name this is a colourful and fun fiesta celebrated with altars laden down by objects and foods once enjoyed by those who have passed on. internet Appointments for NIE applications at Torremolinos police station Local telephone numbers Foreigners' Department, Town Hall Health Centre (Arroyo) / Health Centre (Pueblo) Health Centre (Torrequebrada) Hospital Chare Hospital Xanit Local police (Arroyo) Local police (Pueblo) Sports Centre (Arroyo) Sports Centre (Pueblo) Taxis Tourist Office Music CASA DE LA CULTURA, Arroyo de la Miel. New Funky Singing, October 5 at 8.30pm. British pop classics. Entrance free. Flamenco Concert, October 19 at 9pm. Paqui Corpas with Andres Cansino. Ticket price: TBA Choir Concert, October 27 at 8.30pm. Benalmádena Choir and the Federico Garcia Lorca Choir from Granada. Entrance free. Excursions OFF THE BEATEN TRACK. October 1-5: Trip to Morocco taking in Tanger, Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat.. November 24: Trip to Iznajar and Rute in the province of Cordoba. Bank Holidays Fiestas & Fairs Spain's National Day, Friday October 12. Banks and most businesses will be closed. All Saint's Day, Thursday November 1. Banks and most businesses will be closed. Special events Spanish-English Language Exchange Programme. Organised by the town hall's Foreign Residents' Department to improve conversational Spanish or English in a friendly, fun and free way. Takes place on Wednesdays, 10am- 12noon, at the senior citizens' centre in Benalmádena Pueblo or on Tuesday and Thursday at the senior citizens' centre in the Plaza de la Mezquita, Arroyo de la Miel. To take part, pop along to a meeting and fill out an inscription form or ask Joanna at the town hall's Foreign Residents' Department ( ).

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