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The Front Porch

January 2018

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Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338.

Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com

Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com All contents Š 2010-present day Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned.

Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers.

Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion.

Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.

Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor

Christie Giannetto Assistant Editor

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Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec

January 2018

Welcome to your January edition of The Front Porch magazine!

Happy New Year, neighbors! What a great year 2017 was! In fact, it was the first full year of The Front Porch magazine! Every issue of 2017 featured our amazing Marley Park neighbors on the cover along with an interesting article about their story. This year, we are hoping to do the same and are looking for additional interesting stories about neighbors – people of all ages and all walks of life – to share on our cover and within our pages.

In 2017, we also implemented some special sections including pet photos, artists’ corner, recipes, and rock-of-the-month. We’d love to have more of these contributions this year! Original poetry and photography is welcome as well, as are photos of homes decorated for holidays, or even just a photo of your favorite front porch!

This month, we’ve included information about the newest Marley Park resident club activities and you can expect more coverage of our fantastic clubs and groups in the future as well. If you’re a club facilitator, please get in touch to submit an article featuring your club in a future issue!

The goal of The Front Porch Magazine has always been “BY neighbors, FOR neighbors” and in 2018 we will continue to strive to bring you interesting content that helps you get to know your community and the wonderful people we call our neighbors. To reach this goal, we need YOUR help! If you have something you’d like to submit for publication, or just a suggestion that might need some polishing, please contact me! I’d love to help you turn your ideas into a cover story, article, or even a monthly feature!

I truly hope you’ve enjoyed reading your monthly issue of The Front Porch magazine over the past 15 months…as much as I’ve enjoyed editing and creating it for you. Of course, I couldn’t do it without all YOUR incredible contributions!

As you’re reading this and future issues, please don’t forget to take note of our amazing advertisers. Most of them are local people with whom my husband and I have personally done business. The advertising revenue covers the cost of printing and postage and, without it, The Front Porch magazine wouldn’t be possible. So, the next time you need something, please turn to our business directory inside the back cover of each issue. You’ll be supporting a local business and helping to keep the magazine showing up in your mailbox every month.

Remember, ”What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” ~Vern McLellan See you on The Front Porch!

Christie Giannetto | Assistant Editor | The Front Porch Magazine

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On Our Cover Hayden Larkin, a Marley Park resident and member of local Boy Scout Troop 194, always knew he wanted to do something with dogs when it came to his Eagle Project.

Hayden plans to continue participating in Boy Scouts after earning his Eagle Rank and setting an example for others by volunteering time whenever he can.

In the summer of 2017, he contacted Soldier’s Best Friend, a local nonprofit organization that rescues dogs out of shelters and trains them to be service or therapeutic companion dogs for returning United States Military members. After many e-mails and meetings, it was decided that Hayden would construct an agility course that would help the dogs in everyday situations and teach them to overcome obstacles that their owners and handlers may encounter.

If you are interested in seeing more of the work that the organization does, please visit their website at https://SoldiersBestFriend.org/ You can also read news coverage of Hayden’s project at https://tinyurl.com/eaglelarkin Cover Photo: Hayden Larkin pictured with the family dogs, Hera and Hercules who have helped test the course.

The entire project was funded by donations from organizations and local businesses that included The American Legion Post 62, Elite Sports Builders, Sunland Asphalt, and Rainy Pass Lodge. The construction of the course took place with help from the Boy Scout Troop, friends and family.

When asked how he felt about the project, Hayden stated that he was proud not only of the work that the other scouts did, but how he will have completed a goal in helping other people and their dogs.

“Being able to provide a place for the dogs to train and learn, and for their handlers to practice with them, is important to both the veterans and the dogs. Knowing that I had a small piece in their lives makes me feel proud and honored.”

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Jan 13th

January Events

Martin Luther King Jr Day of Celebration and Service 16000 N Civic Center Plaza 8:30am – 2:00pm Ervin.Cutwright@surpriseaz.gov

Jan 13th

Outdoor Adventure Day White Tank Mountain Regional Park 9:00am – 4:00pm 623-935-2505

Jan 14th

Second Sundays in the Park Surprise Community Park The Back Nine Bandits 1:00 – 5:00pm

Jan 14th

West Valley Symphony Fireworks for the New Year Valley Vista Performing Arts Center 15550 N Parkview Pl 3:00 – 5:00pm Tickets $15-$35

Jan 19th

90s Theme Party Sierra Montana Rec Center

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14861 N Spring Ln 7:00 – 10:00pm Grades 6-8 $5 admission

Jan 20th

Public Art Bus Tour Surprise City Hall 10:00am – 1:00pm Free – Registration Required 623-214-7537

Jan 21st

Family Funday Sunday Northwest Regional Library 2:00 – 4:00pm Free admission

The Front Porch Magazine is BY neighbors and FOR neighbors! We are accepting submissions of pet photos, original art, recipes, original poems and stories, photos of found rocks, and photos of homes decorated for all holidays. We are also always looking for interesting cover photos and stories! If you have an item you’d like to submit for publication, please email it to Christie@ AZLifestyleTeam.com so we can share it with the greater Marley Park Community!

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Home Sweet Home After more than a decade in the real estate business, I’ve come to understand the one constant is change. Economies, interior design trends, neighborhood preferences, house sizes, and area demographics all change. There is one aspect of real estate that doesn’t change, however, and that is the seasons of the business.

Home sales, like almost every other industry, moves with the seasons. In Arizona, many people think that the weather affects market trends in real estate. After all, who wants to look at houses in 100+ degrees, or worse, MOVE in that kind of heat?

Surprisingly though, market trends have more to do with the school schedule than with weather.

The best time of year to list a home for sale is always the first half of the year. Because school starts here in August, everyone wants to close escrow by then, so the kids can start school after they are settled into their new home. There are a few exceptions for age-restricted communities, but for the vast majority of neighborhoods in our area, this trend holds true.

Once school starts, we see a gradual slowing of the market through fall. As the holidays approach, folks get busy with travel plans, out of town guests, and, for families with children, it makes more sense to wait until the semester break if a move is planned that will involve switching schools. Though not the best time to sell, fall is a great time to purchase a home because there is less competition

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among buyers, and sellers tend to be more motivated and negotiable.

January marks the return of the market activity. All those buyers who put their home searches on hold “until after the holidays” suddenly become active and motivated. We call this pent-up demand. They want to get a head start on their home search, so they can be under contract by March, close escrow by the end of May, move over the summer, and be settled into their new home before school starts.

With spring also comes tax season and an influx of cash, which gives many buyers to financial boost they need for down payments, closing costs, and moving expenses.

A lot of variables will come into play when determining when to sell your home, and market trends will not will not always be the determining factor. I always tell clients that the best time to sell is when the time is right for your and your family.

If you’re thinking of selling, but unsure when you should put your home on the market, get in touch with an experienced real estate professional. He or she can help you weigh the pros and cons of market seasons against your own unique needs and goals.

Submitted by Christie Giannetto | REALTOR® | Arizona Lifestyle Team | HomeSmart

January 2018

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January 2018

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Be Still

We have a new Mindfulness Meditation Club in Marley Park!

Chances are you’ve heard about mindfulness - even if you don’t know exactly what it is. Chances are you’re familiar with meditation - even if you don’t regularly practice it.

Meditation is fairly straightforward: it’s primarily a matter of sitting and listening to one’s body and breath. If you’ve tried meditation - you know it isn’t easy. So why do it?

Meditation can: relieve stress decrease blood pressure promote restful sleep increase productivity support oxygen efficiency in the body increase production of the anti-aging hormone DHEA improve your relationships reduce depression boost the immune system Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that at its core is the engagement of your attention and awareness in the present moment, observing your thoughts and emotions rather than being controlled by them.

Research shows that we spend 48% of our time not being mindful, not being present. We’re thinking about the past, projecting into the future, worrying, stressed, anxious or playing situations in our lives over and over in our heads. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. We spend so much of our time on autopilot and practicing mindfulness helps you to train your mind to stay calm and focused and present in any situation. Living more mindfully can work magic on your body and brain.

Probably the biggest reason to engage in mindful meditation and mindful activities is that you’ll feel healthier, happier and more focused.

Care to join us? We meet every Saturday morning from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. in the Marley Park Pool House. The room is set up with a soothing atmosphere and it’s a nice peaceful way to start your weekend. You can sit in chairs that have been set up or bring your meditation cushion. The meditation club is for adults or interested teens.

Contact Barbara, a Marley Park Resident and certified mindfulness meditation instructor with any questions at barbara@clearingyourpath.org. Hope to see you there!

Submitted by Barbara Albright | Marley Park Resident

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To advertise, host a show, or for more information: Call (602) 277-1100 or visit our website: www.1100kfnx.com

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Marley Park Rocks

Happy New Year! January’s Rock-of-the-Month was painted by Marley Park Resident, Melissa Wilson.

Melissa has become a local celebrity among neighborhood rock collectors for her artistic talents in rock painting. To see more of her work and find out where this and other masterpieces might be hidden, search Facebook for “MP Rocks” and join the group!

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Yum Yum I came up with this variation of the shepherd’s pie when I was trying to figure out something new to make for my picky family, using ingredients I already had. The best part about shepherd’s pie, is it is entirely customizable to your likes and dislikes, as well as your time constraints. My entire family raves about my shepherd’s pie!

Ingredients: 1lb of ground meat ½ cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic Italian seasoning 12oz mixed veggies 4 cups mashed potatoes A couple of dollops of sour cream (optional) A couple of dollops of butter 2 cups shredded cheese Season salt and pepper 1. Start with frying the onion and garlic in a pan and, as they start to brown, add the ground meat.

When the meat is about halfway cooked, add the Italian seasoning and a pinch of season salt and pepper to taste. When done, pour into an 8x8 casserole dish. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of cheese.

2. Heat the veggies until thoroughly cooked. Add a dollop of butter and some season salt and pepper to taste. Spread evenly over meat and add another layer of shredded cheese.

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3. Make mashed potatoes. Be sure to add extra water or milk to make them just slightly runny so they spread easier. Add another dollop of butter and sour cream, if desired, to taste. We started adding sour cream to our mashed potatoes because it makes the potatoes super creamy and adds that bit of extra flavor. Pour mashed potatoes over the veggies and add a good layer of cheese on top.

4. Heat oven to 300°F and bake for 15 minutes. If you prefer crispy cheese, add 5 minutes on broil. Let sit for about 5 minutes on the counter and its ready to serve!

My favorite part about this recipe is there are so many ways to play with it.

We use a lot of cheese because my family loves cheese. Some people prefer gravy. I’ve had it with gravy and I love it, but my kids won’t touch it. I only recently added onion to the turkey when I discovered I was able to without the kids noticing.

I used to use canned corn and green beans only because my son wouldn’t eat carrots. Now he will so I use the mixed veggies and now frozen because we like the flavor better. If you don’t like Italian seasoning, use different seasoning. Really, you can’t go wrong!

Submitted by Shannon Janulis | Marley Park Resident

January 2018

Art Smarts The Americans for the Arts’ 2016 survey gives testimony to the idea that arts and culture improve the economy and the quality of our lives.

The findings of the survey report 82 percent of Americans believe the arts and culture are important to local businesses and the economy 87 percent of Americans believe the arts and culture are important to quality of life.

The arts are fundamental to our humanity and are also a fundamental component of a healthy community. Arts and culture foster creativity, express values, and build bridges among cultures.

Allow me to continue with some startling stats that give reason to support the arts. Arts improve individual wellbeing. Sixty-three percent of the population believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences,” 64 percent feel the arts give them “pure pleasure to experience and participate in,” and 73 percent say the arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world.”

Arts unify community. Sixty-seven percent of Americans believe “the arts unify our communities regardless of age, race, and ethnicity” and 62 percent agree that the arts “helps me understand other cultures better.”

Arts improve academic performance. Students engaged in arts learning have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, and college-bound rates as well as lower drop-out rates. 88 percent of Americans believe that arts are part of a wellrounded K-12 education.

Arts drive tourism and revenue to local businesses.

Attendees at arts and culture events spend beyond the price of admission on items such as meals, parking, babysitters, and hotels. Arts travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek out authentic cultural experiences.

Arts spark creativity and innovation and drive the creative industries. The Ready to Innovate report identifies that creativity is among the top five applied skills sought by business leaders.

Arts have social impact. The University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates.

Arts improve healthcare and the health and wellbeing of our military. Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78 percent deliver such programs because of the healing benefits to patients resulting in shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.

I close with two questions: Which of the above reasons to support the arts would you rank as #1?

Do you have your own reason to add to Support the Arts?

Submitted by Kathie Morgan | Marley Park Resident

Arts strengthen the economy. The production of arts and cultural goods in the U.S. added $730 billion to the economy in 2014, and included a $30 billion international trade surplus.

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Sign Up!

master their fingerspelling alphabet, their colors, numbers, animals, ASL sentence structure and much more. ASL Kids will meet on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Heritage Club. (Another, smaller group, for families with special needs, is currently in the planning stages.)

For more information, please visit MarleyPark.com.

Submitted by Tara Giambalvo | Marley Park Resident

Marley Park is known for its clubs; there is always something new to learn or do here! One brand new club, ASL Kids, has been established with the goal to help interested children (parents are welcome, too!) learn American Sign Language.

American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, complex language that employs signs made by moving the hands combined with facial expressions and postures of the body. It is the primary language of many North Americans who are deaf.

The number of current users of sign language in the U.S. is close to half a million!

This FREE club will have groups where children can

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January 2018

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Love Thy Neighbor Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Remember Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood? I can hear him singing, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in this neighborhood, won’t you be mine…”

Marley Park is such a beautiful neighborhood and there are so many wonderful individuals and families that live within the community. The question I have for you and me, “Do you know your neighbor?” Is your neighbor someone you could call a friend or just someone who happens to live next to you? When you come home, do you open the garage door and close it before you get out of the car so you can avoid anyone you live by? Do you take out the trash and run inside before your neighbor has an opportunity to say hello? Do you walk around the block one more time to bypass those you live by? Do you just have neighborphobia? Or do we take the time to say hello, lend a helping hand, and visit with one another?

I can remember going to Sunday school as a kid and hearing the Sunday school teacher say, “There are two commandments to live by: love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

just did it out of the kindness of his heart. Loving my household like he would love his. That was amazing!

I began to wonder, what if our neighborhood was built on love rather than on apathy? What if we chose to be more available to each other instead of preoccupied with ourselves or predetermined to avoid one another?

Marley Park is already an outstanding community, but if we came together to get to know each other, to be willing to step out of our comfort zones and say hello, we might be surprised that behind that sidewalk and street is someone not so scary or weird as you first thought. The power to love someone the same way that you love to be treated can break down many barriers. Hopefully we choose to love those we live near, because then it will always be a beautiful day in our neighborhood.

Today, look for the opportunity to say hello. Maybe you can quote Fred Rogers, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

Submitted by Joshua Perlman | Marley Park Resident

Imagine, if we loved our neighbor the way we love ourselves? Recently, I was out of town for several weeks and my neighbor came over and mowed my lawn without evening asking. My neighbor

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Puzzles & Games Sudoku for January Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck!

Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com

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Sudoku Solution

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January 2018

Business Directory AUTO All About Detail AZ Litchfield Auto Repair Your Surprise Toyota Guy CONSULTING SERVICES Estrella Partners Group EDUCATION & RELIGION Spirit Song Church

Arrowhead AC & Sprinkler Repair 602.832.5717 Aud Jobs Handyman Services 623.882.8700 Before & After Plumbing & Drain 251.422.4977 Cluff Mechanical Heating & AC Cranmore Carpet Cleaning Garza Electric 623.594.9283 Green Leaf Pest Control Proficient Pest Service

623.824.1357 LANDSCAPING/POOL CARE Advant-Edge Landscaping Moorea Pool Care FINANCIAL & LEGAL SERVICES CNN Mortgage - Ryan Petersen 480.282.5869 Pool & Landscape AZ Edward Jones - Chris Carlton 623.386.1940 Loan Depot - Tyler Arnaiz 623.806.4645 PHOTOGRAPHY Moore Insurance Agency 623.556.1576 Desert Petals Photography Succentrix Business Advisors 623.594.9615 Westside Legal Documents 623.888.3079 REAL ESTATE HomeSmart - C Giannetto HEALTH & BEAUTY Active Life Pain Center 623.535.9777 RECREATION Alycan Design MedSpa 602.368.8413 KNFX 1100AM Radio Bailey Orthodontics 623.977.0707 Feldman Orthodontics 623.544.1334 RETAIL SC Dental Group 623.889.6000 Budget Blinds of Goodyear Skincare Extraordinaire 623.826.3726 Foot Solutions Pure Patio Steel Shield Security Doors HOUSEHOLD SERVICES Al’s Plumbing 623.329.5170

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623.326.1740 623.308.9805 602.842.0308 602.765.COOL 623.850.3778 623.293.6330 623.399.9970 623.933.2847 623.398.6319 480.272.1749 480.999.3348 480.229.1128 602.740.2313 602.277.1100 480.629.8854 623.536.6676 623.299.8000 623.977.3277

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SOLD IN MARLEY PARK

by

Christie Giannetto

You are invited to contact me today for a FREE home value analysis 602.740.2313

More homes sold in Marley Park than any other agent since October 2013!* AVAILABLE

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

15344 W Corrine Dr

14760 W Surrey Dr

15399 W Eugene Ter

15145 W Alexandria Way

13578 N 149th Dr

List Price....................$315,000 Sq Ft ...............................2,090 Lot Sq Ft........................10,226 Pool and 3-car Garage

Sold Price ..................$240,000 Sq Ft ...............................1,764 Lot Sq Ft..........................5,400 Price Sq Ft ........................$136

Sold Price ..................$315,000 Sq Ft ...............................2,773 Lot Sq Ft..........................7,800 Price Sq Ft ........................$115

Sold Price ..................$235,000 Sq Ft ...............................1,517 Lot Sq Ft..........................3,968 Price Sq Ft ........................$155

Sold Price ..................$245,000 Sq Ft ...............................1,766 Lot Sq Ft..........................6,657 Price Sq Ft ........................$139

Buyer represented by Christie Giannetto

Buyer represented by Christie Giannetto

Buyer represented by Christie Giannetto

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

REPRESENTED BUYER

SOLD FOR OVER LIST PRICE

14781 W Surrey Dr

15197 W Larkspur Dr

12730 N 154th Ln

3283 N 153rd Ln

13609 N 150th Ave

Sold Price ..................$235,000 Sq Ft ...............................1,764 Lot Sq Ft..........................5,400 Price Sq Ft ........................$142

Sold Price ..................$281,000 Sq Ft ...............................2,022 Lot Sq Ft..........................8,784 Price Sq Ft ........................$141

Sold Price ..................$260,000 Sq Ft ...............................2,085 Lot Sq Ft..........................6,600 Price Sq Ft ........................$128

Sold Price ..................$245,000 Sq Ft ...............................1,988 Lot Sq Ft..........................5,714 Price Sq Ft ........................$123

Sold Price ..................$292,000 Sq Ft ...............................2,548 Lot Sq Ft..........................8,100 Price Sq Ft ........................$114

UNDER CONTRACT IN 1 DAY

REPRESENTED BUYER

SOLD FOR 98% OF LIST PRICE

UNDER CONTRACT IN 6 DAYS

NEW BUILD

13213 N 153rd Ln

15220 W Bloomfield Dr

13514 N 149th Ave

15211 W Wethersfield Rd

12787 N 145th Dr

Sold Price ..................$250,000 Sq Ft ...............................1,909 Lot Sq Ft..........................6,961 Price Sq Ft ........................$130

Sold Price ..................$325,000 Sq Ft ...............................3,505 Lot Sq Ft..........................6,600 Price Sq Ft ..........................$93

Sold Price ..................$245,800 Sq Ft ...............................2,092 Lot Sq Ft..........................4,615 Price Sq Ft ........................$120

Sold Price ..................$270,000 Sq Ft ...............................1,907 Lot Sq Ft..........................6,599 Price Sq Ft ........................$143

List Price....................$369,788 Sq Ft ...............................3,031 Lot Sq Ft..........................9,620 Price Sq Ft ........................$122

Arizona Lifestyle Team represented both Buyer and Seller.

Buyer represented by AZ Lifestyle Team member Alexis Kelleher

Your Marley Park Neighbor and Real Estate Specialist *Information obtained from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Excludes new construction. As of 1/1/18.

Christie Giannetto | REALTOR® Arizona Lifestyle Team HomeSmart 602.740.2313 15543 N Reems Rd | Ste 139 Surprise AZ 85374 Christie@AZLifestyleTeam.com AZLifestyleTeam.com

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