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Cornwallis at CIF
2008-06-04 21:18:00
CIC house team Cornwallis makes their Chicago Improv Festival debut tonight at the Lakeshore Theater. Cornwallis has appeared at the Toronto Improv Fest, the Phoenix Improv Fest, the New York Underground Comedy Festival, and Around the Coyote, but this is their first CIF performance. Come on out to support the team! Afterwards, we can all hang out at the bar. Just imagine yourself, gazing adoringly into Sean's eyes from across the table... if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';

Snubfest is about to start!
2008-06-03 23:11:00
Snubfest opens on Thursday night with Second Chances, co-presented by the Chicago Improv Festival. The show starts at 8pm and will be hosted by Matt Griffo, who sings funny songs. Improv and funny songs?! It's like a dream come true! Below is some info on each group performing at Snubfest, Night One.Tin Sandwich is a two-man group from Chicago that incorporates the blues (as in the musical style, not the emotional state) in their improv. 96D is a CIC house team with their very own, moderately vulgar theme song.Strippers' Picnic come from Chicago, and in addition to doing great improv, they really know how to work an apostrophe.WDWMKR, pronounced "Widowmaker," are a bunch of lovely ladies from the T-O-R-O-N-T-O. I don't know them personally, but speaking from experience, if they're Canadian ladies who do improv, they're probably super-awesome.It's sure to be a great show, and the first night is the best night to come out and get to know what Snubfest is all about! For a co...
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Snubfest Article in the Tribune
2008-05-30 18:18:00
Check out this article from today's Chicago Tribune ! Snubfest starts next Thursday June 5, 8pm at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater.Just for laughs Rejects gather for an improv fest of their own By Glenn Jeffers Tribune reporter May 30, 2008When the Hollywood writer's strike forced him to move the Chicago Improv Festival to the first week in June, Jonathan Pitts found himself placing a strangely familiar call to Angie McMahon."I found out that we were running the same week as Snubfest and I had to call Angie and ask her blessing," says Pitts, the festival's executive producer. "She already had the week and I wanted to make sure it was OK with her."Funny thing, kismet. It was only four years ago when McMahon asked Pitts for his blessing to produce Snubfest, a four-day festival of sketch, improv and stand-up beginning Thursday at Chemically Imbalanced Theater. Now in its fourth year, the festival continues to grow, bringing in acts from all over the country. And even a few from o...
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Snubfest Stand-up Preview
2008-05-29 23:44:00
Here are a few of the stand-up comedians appearing in the Snubfest "Last Snob Stand ing" contest this year. Check them out at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater on Friday, June 6th, at 10pm!Danny Browning hails from the great state of Indiana. Here's a joke about his dad that is disturbingly reminiscent of a few exchanges I've had with my own father:Dad's Ebay Business & Chillin' at TargetExiene Lofgren is from New York City, shares a last name with a famous rock guitarist (are you guys related? How many Lofgrens are there in the world?), and is ADORABLE:Exiene is 'Adorable'Dan Fontaine, also based in New York, also with a famous last name, talks about the awesomeness that is Halloween:HALLOWEEN/HANDWASHINGI like all these dudes. Unfortunately, I'm not a Last Snob Standing judge! Good luck to all, and stay tuned to the CIC blog for more Snubfest previews. It's just a week and a half away! Feel the excitement. if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Deli...
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Snubfest has a new friend
2008-05-27 17:10:00
Snubfest is bigger & better than ever this year; we even have an awesome sponsorship from MySpace Comedy. It's great exposure for CIC and the groups visiting us in Chicago next month. Check out the screenshot below for an example of our front-page advertising! And be sure to friend Snubfest on Myspace to keep up on all the happenings. if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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B.C.
2008-05-23 21:39:00
Hi Chemically Imbalanced blog! Lina Del Toro here. What's new? Nothing? Well, I have something to plug. Is that ok? Great! Thanks.A couple weeks ago, I had my first "coaching" experience. I sat down with two guys who put their own show together. They asked me to watch it and give them my opinion. And that's what I did, along with some blocking notes, dialogue cuts, etc. Anyway, they got a slot in CIC's Saturday night showcase on May 31st. You should check them out. Here's a little blurb about them!!B.C. isn't just about Jesus anymore. B.C. is the new sketch/musical comic duo of Brian Kash and Chris Froseth. While working on CIC's smash hit Book of Liz together Brian and Chris forged a friendship and decided that after the show was over they would team up and do something together. After it got too cold to perform on the street we started thinking of how we could bring our two comic styles together. The cruise ship and traveling circus ideas were shot down so we decided on m...

CIC's FIrst Production
2008-05-23 04:52:00
Part of the ongoing Origins of CIC series by Founder and Executive Producer Angie McMahon.After the Del Close Marathon, Bryan and Sam had already started working on making the Southpaw sketch a full show. Of course we were all asked if we wanted to participate. It was never put in writing or made official, but it somehow became CIC'sfirst production. It was a talk show with host Southpaw Sam McClowski, who would ask the real questions. There were "celebrity" guests (mostly played by us), and commercials, and musical guests (real ones), and it should have been a ton of fun...and sometimes was. Some of my favorite memories of Southpaw show was the "On the Street Scenes" we would tape. Sam, dressed to the hilt, would go out and interview folks, or I Miss High School would dress up in weird stuff and do "pranks."Bryan dressed up like a cow once and just sat on the El moo'ing. On the same El I asked someone to go to prom with me and started dancing with them while Bryan sang "La...
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Praise for CIC from the Great White Way
2008-05-21 23:43:00
New York actor and friend of CIC Margot White recently made her Broadway debut in Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention. Below is a letter Ms. White wrote after taking a workshop with CIC Executive Producer Angie McMahon and Children's Theater Director Dave Whalley. Sounds like she had a pretty wonderful experience!To Whom It May Concern:2008 started out as a great year for me in this profession. I was working in a Broadway show, had just booked my first two national commercials, and was going out consistently for TV/Film roles, but wasn?t booking. The problem was, I didn?t believe.That?s where Dave and Angie stepped in.I?ve had the good fortune to know Dave for more than 20 years now, and when I think of someone whose passion, understanding, and commitment to theatre and it?s many variations as art forms, Dave is the first name in my head. He?s as tried and true as they come; he not only knows the references, but he has the uncanny ability to step out of comfort zones and d...
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Snubfest Preview!
2008-05-20 18:00:00
Snubfest is just a few short weeks away, and I for one am SUPER-PSYCHED. From now until the start of the fest, we'll be highlighting participants every couple days on the blog.This year we're welcoming TWO two-man teams from the vast and mysterious realm of Utah. Toy Soup are a comedy duo that specializes in longform improv and sketch. This video cracks me up on several levels, but is particularly notable for the sweet, sweet beard.Coffee ConnectionJoKyR and Jesster are apparently "Utah's only international touring long form improv group." They've been together for almost five years, and in addition to their Snubfest show, they will be appearing at CIF this year. Here's an improvised scene involving Santa Claus, also known for his fine beard.The Santa LawLooking forward to meeting this Utahnians... Utahers... Utahns... guys from Utah... in a couple weeks. Check back in with the CIC Blog for more Snubfest previews, soon to come! if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined...
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Pimps in the News!
2008-05-16 23:32:00
Pimprov got a great review in the Trib today! Full text of the article below the picture. You can catch Pimprov at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater ever Saturday at 8pm, through the month of June.Photo by Artistic Associate Bruce Deviller"Pimps" doing improv are a riotBy Glenn JeffersTribune reporterMay 16, 2008Had a sociologist been in the crowd during "Pimprov," the comedy show running at Chemically Imbalanced, he or she would have found an unusual case study. And I've got just the title: "The Effects of Raw, Unapologetic Black Humor on an Unsuspecting White Audience."Because for 45 minutes, I laughed. Flat-out laughed. But it was hard to figure out which was funnier: the scenes from this five-member troupe or the audience reactions, which fluctuated between gut-busting laughter and mouth-gaping shock.It was hard to tell sometimes, mainly because "Pimprov," whose run was extended through June, was a slick piece of meta-improv built around a simple premise: A quintet of pimps t...
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No Animals Were Harmed in the Posting of This Blog
2008-05-15 22:53:00
It's cold and gloomy in Chicago today, but we have the perfect remedy: Funny Animal Videos! Not just any funny animals, but the Pets of CIC. Sometimes comedy is as simple as dogs being dogs. Or dogs being manipulated by their humans for laughs.First up, a video made by Artistic Associate Lina Bunte, on a Cornwallis road trip two summers back. It's Ralph the Girl-Dog, companion of Artistic Associate Elisabeth Geier, being poked in the nose. Try not to be overwhelmed by the cuteness and hilarity. And here's Lina's own dog, Duncan, all dolled up. if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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Taking a Side Step...
2008-05-14 22:51:00
Part of the ongoing Origins of CIC series by Founder and Executive Producer Angie McMahon.One of the first CIC Sponsored Troupes, and basically the founding fathers of the company, was a sketch group named "I, Miss High School." Members through the years were:Tom McMahon (2000-2004)Angie Farruggia (McMahon) (2000-2004)Melissa Freidman (Sept 2000- Oct2000)Rodney Hood (Sept 2000-Nov 2000)Catherine Pappas (Head of Casting at ABC's Wife Swap) (2000-2002)Bryan Heffron (http://www.carverskateboards.com) (2000-2002)Gus Richter (brother of Andy Richter) (2000-2002)Lilly Alison (Second City Tour Co, Annoyance Company Member) (2000-2001)Sampson Croupen (The Southpaw Sam McClowski Show) (2000-2002)Marz Timms (Pimprov) (2002-2003)Matt Sabo (2002-2003)Jin Kim (2002-2004)Jo-Elle Muchnick (2002-2003)Catherine, Bryan, Gus, Lilly, Tom, Sampson, and Myself went to the 3rd Annual Del Close Marathon at the UCB Theater in NYC as a sketch group. It was our first Comedy Festival and the first time a CIC...
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Event Promoter Ordiance: NAY!
2008-05-13 18:17:00
A newly proposed "Event Promoter" ordinance in Chicago would require any events promoter to hold a license from the city and $300,00 in liability insurance. The definition of "events promoter" is so broad as to include an improv group booking its own shows, or a visiting theater company putting up a one-week run. Our city is known for its thriving arts community, but it's not easy to maintain an independent voice in such a crowded scene; this ordinance will make the process even harder. It directly effects innumerable performance groups and spaces in Chicago, including Chemically Imbalanced Comedy.So what can we do? We can voice our concerns to the city, in a thoughtful, respectful manner, of course. One way to do this is by contacting your alderman. Another would be to attend tomorrow morning's city council meeting.For a detailed description and ongoing discussion of the ordinance, please visit Save Chicago Culture. All comments collected before Wednesday, May 14 (that's t...

Your mom.
2008-05-12 18:43:00
Happy Mother's Day, slightly belated, to all the moms out there! CIC loves our mommies.This impressive video homage to moms was made by Chicago-based, nationally-touring improv troupe Mission: Improvable. Very clever, gentlemen! Happy Mother's Day ; Motherhood: A Hands On Job on FunnyOrDie.com if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';

Greg Holliman Pimps it Up
2008-05-09 18:14:00
Last week we blogged about Greg Holliman's guest performance with Pimprov. Here's your chance to see it yourself! Thanks to Marz Timms for the clip, also viewable on the Pimprov MySpace. Be sure to check out the pimps this weekend at the CIC theater, Saturday at 8pm!Life Goes On if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';

Cornwallis at the CIF Preview
2008-05-08 23:29:00
A couple weekends ago, CIC house team Cornwallis performed in the Chicago Improv Festival preview weekend. It was a fun show, and a great warm-up for our CIF performance in just a few weeks! Farrell and Elisabeth ride the improv motorcycle.Jill sheds improv tears.Lina gives Sean an improv massage.Tom and Sean... improvise something.As usual, by the end of the show, Farrell had hit the ground.All photos (c) Angela Manginelli and CIF. Thanks to CIF for permission to share 'em! if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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The Ninja, Cont'd
2008-05-07 22:50:00
Part of the ongoing Origins of CIC series by Founder and Executive Producer Angela McMahon.If you missed the Part I of "The Ninja ," it can be found here.The Ninja , Part III make my way over to our booth to tell the class we are about to start the show. Don, Mark, and Frankie (the coaches for the group) couldn't make it to Sunday night shows, so even though I was in the class and show, I also ran the booth. I would flick the lights, play some music and folks got on stage. Take the music out then climb over the toilet backstage and sneak on stage. I choose some soothing classical music to try to set the mood of calm in the house. And we were off. At some point someone in the class initiates a scene of a line-up in jail, saying "step forward and say, 'Give me your money you fucking bitch'." So the performers start to do this in turn. Suddenly, the Ninja pops up from the back row and charges the stage. "I can say that line SOOOO GOOD!!!! GIVE ME YOUR MONEY YOU MOTHERFUCKING BI...

21st Century Men Touch Hearts, Minds, Eachother
2008-05-06 18:21:00
21st Century Men are comprised of George McAuliffe, Rob White, and CIC Artistic Director Farrell Walsh. You can see them at the CIC Theater every Wednesday night at 9pm with Tha Weave. if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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Babies Love Bowling!
2008-05-02 21:59:00
The success of last weekend's bowl-a-thon was in no small part influenced by our littlest artistic associates, who provided the bowlers with some much-needed morale.Here Jordan, age 3, helps Board Vice President Tom get the spare:And here's Marketing Director Mike Devine teaching baby Owen the fine art of the approach:If you missed the Bowl-a-Thon but would still like to contribute to CIC, you can do so by clicking here! if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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Snubfest sneak preview!
2008-05-01 23:07:00
Snubfest is fast approaching, and here at CIC blog headquarters (aka my living room) we're getting pretty excited! Here's a sneak preview from participating sketch group City Hall. These handsome gents will be visiting us from New York City. Catch them at Snubfest on June 7th at 8pm. Don't worry, there will be more reminders before then!On a personal note, I just can't get enough of video montages set to the spooky Darth Maul chorale from that Star Wars prequel. Actually I'm not even positive that's what this music is from, but I think it is. I'm pretty sure. All I know is, I love its use in non-Star Wars-related video compilations. Nice job, City Hall. Nice job. if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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The Ninja
2008-04-30 22:02:00
Part of the ongoing Origins of CIC series by Founder and Executive Producer Angela McMahonOne of this things that keeps a Theater running is offering classes. Frankie knew this all too well with his experience working at IO. So he asked me to think of a class that wasn't currently being offered in Chicago that we could sell. We came up with "Dramatic Improv". It would be taught by Don Hall (Founding Director of WNEP Theater) AND Mark Sutton (Artistic Director of Chicago Improv Festival). Three weeks with Don and three weeks with Mark. We decided to offer the first round for free and hope word of mouth would carry the class. We also offered the class a performance slot on Sundays at 8pm -- Frank said that what folks really want is stage time. At this point the restaurant was still piles of dirt, but we did manage to move the light switch to the booth area, even though the lights were still just up, down, or slow fade. No real "theater lights" yet, just normal track lights. ...
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Pimps and a Guest
2008-04-29 18:01:00
Last weekend, the pimps of Pimprov were joined by a special guest star, Greg Hollimon, best known as Principal Blackman from "Strangers with Candy." Company member Bruce DeViller was there with his camera to capture the evening. Pimprov can be seen at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater every Saturday at 8pm. if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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Bowl-a-Thon 2008
2008-04-28 22:55:00
The CIC 2008 Bowl -a-Thon was a big success, thanks to the fund raising work of participating company members and the generous donations of their families and friends. Totals are still being finalized, but CIC raised over $3,000, which will go directly into the theater. Thanks to everyone who donated and participated, and special thanks to the lovely folks at Timber Lanes for hosting the event.The highest overall fund-raiser was Tony Lawry, who showed up to bowl with a wrist guard and his very own ball-wiping towel. If there's an official term for a ball-wiping towel, I don't want to know. The point is, dude is serious about bowling, and raising money for a most excellent cause. Congratulations, Tony! Enjoy the win, because next year, the ladies are taking it back.Stats and pictures from the actual event still to come! if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';

Vote CIC for Best of Chicago!
2008-04-25 22:11:00
This week's issue of the Chicago Reader contains a ballot for readers to write in their picks for the "Best of Chicago." There are several categories, from Architecture to Education, but the one we're most excited about is Comedy.The individual contests in the comedy category are as follows:1. Best stand-up2. Best improviser3. Best improv group4. Best sketch group5. Best place to see improv/sketch that isn't iO or Second CityOf course, as a CIC company member I'd like to see someone I know win every slot! But if we could garner a mention in just one contest, it would be the fifth. I don't want to sway your vote, but if you're thinking about including the Chemically Imbalanced Theater on your own ballot, please consider us for "Best Place to See Improv/Sketch That Isn't IO or Second City." As we say at the top of every show at the CIT, word of mouth is our best friend. Voting in a public poll like this is a great way to spread the word!The Comedy ballot can be found here....
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Snubfest line-up lookin' goooood.
2008-04-24 19:06:00
CIC has announced our 2008 Snubfest line-up, and it looks to be an awesome weekend of shows! Snubfest will take place June 5 through June 8th at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater. Check out the line-up, and stay tuned to the blog for previews and insider info on the participating performers! if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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Good Review for Bad Review
2008-04-23 22:51:00
CIC is slowly building its reputation on Yelp.com! A few of the reviews are not as favorable as we might hope, but hey, that's the nature of theater -- especially improv! Consistency can be hard to come by. Still, our star ranking is growing. Here's our latest good review, for the show "Bad Review ," which you can see at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater ever Sunday at 8pm."Saw the Bad Review tonight lampooning the review of Soldiers: The Desert Stand which apparently is a nihilistic rant on the Iraq war with stock characters, to paraphrase Bill Williams from the Chicago Reader. It was hilarious. It's great that this troupe had the balls, timing and energy to pull it all together. I really enjoyed myself."Thanks, Joshua from Yelp!If you'd like to help us raise our raking, feel free to write a review of your own on our Yelp page.
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CIF Preview This Weekend!
2008-04-22 18:48:00
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy's own Cornwallis is playing in the 2008 Chicago Improv Festival, and this weekend is your chance to catch a special sneak-preview at the Second City skybox theater. Cornwallis is on Saturday night at 9pm. If you want to make a weekend of it, friends-of-CIC Pimprov are playing Friday at 11pm. See the poster below for the other great acts who will be appearing, and remember, this is only the preview! Stay tuned for more on the upcoming 11th Annual Chicago Improv Festival. if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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Shop and Share
2008-04-21 18:04:00
ShopandShare Originally uploaded by afarruggia2000 Help CIC by shopping at Jewel! Chemically Imbalanced Comedy is pleased to partner with Jewel for Shop and Share Fundraisers on April 21-23, April 28-30, and May 5-7. Simply bring your CIC Shop and Share certificate (available at www.cicomedy.com) to any Jewel store during the designated dates, and present it at checkout. Five percent of your purchase will benefit Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, and help fulfill the Company’s Mission of providing opportunities for writers, directors, and performers. Please visit www.cicomedy.com for more information and to download your certificate if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';
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CIC in North Carolina
2008-04-19 00:02:00
CIC's Cornwallis is in Raleigh, North Carolina this weekend, performing in the second annual i3 Festival. If you're in North Carolina, you should come on down to a show! If you're not in North Carolina, you should be a little bit jealous, because it is absolutely beautiful here! if (typeof window.Delicious == "undefined") window.Delicious = {}; Delicious.BLOGBADGE_DEFAULT_CLASS = 'delicious-blogbadge-line';

Chicago Reader Reviews Judy
2008-04-17 21:43:00
Judy In Disguise with GlassesIn her one-women show Angie McMahon plays Judy McClure, a nerdy, lisping self-help writer lecturing at a conference for "Young Authors With Low Self-Esteem". McMahon undisguises Judy with flashbacks to low moments, like the time Judy embarrassed herself at a junior high formal with an awkward (and hilarious) seduction dance to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" Along the way McMahon boldy interacts with the crowd; at the performance I saw she applauded an audience member for his bravery in admitting he'd done cocaine, then came back to him after a scene about loneliness, asking concernedly, "Does that look familiar, cokehead?" -Ryan HubbardThrough 5/16; Fri 8pm Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W Irving Park 800-838-3006 $10photo by Lina Bunte
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