Native American

New laws taking effect in California January 1, 2021

Through the pandemic, legislative sessions in Sacramento were canceled just as they were across the country, not giving the time needed to add new legislation. As a result, in 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed the lowest number of laws since 1967, just 372. In comparison, in 2019 there were 870 new laws, 1016 in 2018 and 859 in 2017.

Many of the new laws are centered around COVID-19, addressing systemic racism, employee rights and policing. For a full list, select 2020 here.

Kindness and gratitude from that first Thanksgiving in 1621 to today

If those who attended the first Thanksgiving in 1621 happened to time travel and visit the 2020 version, what would they think of our version of the holiday?

That first celebration wasn't called Thanksgiving, they didn't have potatoes or pumpkin pie, but they did have a feeling of gratitude and thankfulness over the three-day celebration after a successful harvest.

Thanksgiving is based on the idea that we should all take time to count our blessings at least once a year and to celebrate it with family and friends.

One fatality, 80 buildings destroyed in 20,879 acre Mountain View Fire near Walker

UPDATE 8:30PM: The Mono County Sheriff’s Office reports it has lifted the evacuation order for residents on the westside of U.S. Hwy 395 N. The evacuation order for east of U.S. Hwy 395 N from Eastside Lane to Cunningham Lane remains in effect. Approximately 400 residents are affected by evacuation orders. The order will be reassessed in 24 hours.

Fire behavior today exhibited minimal smoldering and creeping. No additional fire growth is anticipated. T
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Lake Tahoe ski resort commits to removing "squaw" from its name

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. - Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows announced Tuesday that it is making a commitment to change the name of the legendary California mountain destination and remove the word "squaw."

What the new name will be is unknown at this time and work to determine what it will be is beginning immediately. They will announce the new name after the winter season concludes in 2021.

Next week's American Century Championship to support equal justice, COVID-19 and local charities

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - It will be different at the American Century Championship at Edgewood next week with no fans allowed, but what won't be different is the philanthropic focus of the tournament.

Tahoe Film Festival returns to the North Shore

The 5th annual Tahoe Film Fest presents an incredible selection of new feature films and documentaries on various topics, as well as important award-winning environmental films. Several filmmakers introduce their works. The event is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy almost thirty films and interact with other film aficionados.

All proceeds from the festival, which runs on the North Shore from December 5-8, go to support educational programs at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

Why Research is so Important in Writing Mystery Novels at SLT LIbrary

Event Date: 
September 17, 2019 - 6:00pm

Local author, JoAnn Conner, will discuss the importance of doing research when writing a mystery novel, and how this pertains to her own work. 'Heartwood' is historical fiction with a mystery woven in the story, while 'The Mountain' is a murder mystery revolving around the theft of Native American artifacts. The most challenging for Conner was launching her first series, featuring veteran Detective Frank Riley. 'Death Song' is a murder mystery that involved research on different forms of poisons, and how they are used. Book sale and signing to follow.

Location

South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
United States

Nature's Compass Class slated for summer!

Event Date: 
June 26, 2019 - 6:00pm

If you have ever wondered about the idealogy behind the Native American Medicine Wheel, the class "Nature's Compass -Finding Your Center in the Sacred Wheel" is for you.

"It's more than just a cool picture, it is really Humankind's first calendar and is central to understanding the world around us on an intimate level," Terrell said.

Facilitator, Lisa Terrell, has been walking the path of the Medicine Wheel for more than 20 years. She has been a journalist and has studied under Elders who have worked with the 13 Grandmothers and Paiute Elders.

Location

Crimson Moon Intuitive Arts
2845 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe
United States

Community turns out to call for end of hate and bigotry in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - "Never again," chanted the dozens of people that showed up to Trout Creek Thursday to show support of the Jewish community after anti-Semitic graffiti was found underneath the bridge on Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

South Lake Tahoe man headed to prison for destruction of archaeological sites

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After illegally digging at prehistoric Native American archaeological sites on federal lands in Alpine and El Dorado counties, 50-year-old Timothy Brian Harrison of South Lake Tahoe was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay $113,000 in restitution.

He was found guilty on two counts of excavation and removal of archaeological resources from public lands and one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

DCSO looking for man involved in armed robbery and attempted child abduction

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is looking the driver of a vehicle involved in an armed robbery and attempted abduction of a juvenile female between October 5-9 in the Gardnerville Ranchos area.

The vehicle involved in both crimes is similar to the one pictured in the photo above. It is a black older model Chevy Tahoe with scratches on the sides, dirty and dark windows.

One witness described the driver as a Hispanic or Native American male adult.

State schools chief visits California's smallest district - Alpine County

California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is wrapping up his final term by touring some of the state's schools.

In just a few days he went from visiting a school in Los Angeles with an enrollment of 4,000 to touring Alpine County Schools and the Diamond Valley Elementary School campus, in particular, which has 80 students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

“It is a small school in numbers but mighty in its focus and learning,” said Torlakson in Alpine County on Sept. 20.

Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sun Jul 29 2018 .
July 28, 2018 - 10:00am
July 29, 2018 - 10:00am

The Washoe will re-unite at the Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe this weekend to honor their culture and heritage during their annual Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival.

This festival will be held on the Valhalla Grand Lawn at Tallac Historic Site on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 - 29, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

LTCC hire new Vice President of Student Services

The Board of Trustees of the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) District is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Jonathan King as the college’s new Vice President of Student Services beginning August 6. Dr. King is currently the Dean of Counseling and Student Support Programs at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, where he has served since January 2015.

LTCC welcomes new faculty member in Wilderness Education and Outdoor Leadership

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After an extensive nationwide search for the perfect candidate to fill Lake Tahoe Community College’s (LTCC) first-ever, full-time, tenure-track faculty position in Wilderness Education and Outdoor Leadership, LTCC is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Clinton Culp, an avid outdoorsman.

Author Sue Owens Wright at the SLT Library

Event Date: 
May 5, 2018 - 12:01pm

Join the Friends as we share a delightful afternoon with Sacramento author, Sue Owens Wright, as she presents the 5th book in popular Beanie and Cruiser Mystery Series, "Ears for Murder". Ms Wright is an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction and has earned special recognition from the Humane Society of the United States for her writing. Her books feature Native American Beanie MacBean and her lovable basset hound, Cruiser. Free and open to all.

Location

South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd South Lake Tahoe, CA
United States
38° 56' 43.5228" N, 119° 58' 22.2276" W

Author Sue Owens Wright returns

Event Date: 
May 5, 2018 - 12:00pm

Join the Friends as we share a delightful morning with Sacramento author, Sue Owens Wright, as she presents the 5th book in popular Beanie and Cruiser Mystery Series, "Ears for Murder". Ms Wright is an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction and has earned special recognition from the Humane Society of the United States for her writing. Her books feature Native American Beanie MacBean and her lovable basset hound, Cruiser.

Free and open to all.

Location

South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
United States
38° 56' 43.5228" N, 119° 58' 22.2276" W

Sunday Morning With a Local Author at Camp Richardson

Event Date: 
March 11, 2018 - 11:00am

South Lake Tahoe JoAnn Conner will be at Camp Richardson on March 11 at 11:00 a.m. for "Sunday Morning With a Local Author."

Conner, who has written two books will be giving an author talk and book signing.

The first, Heartwood, is historical fiction centered in 1867 Bridgeport, CA, but also adds historical bits about Carson City, Genoa, and Virginia City. Information about the everyday life is historically accurate.

History of Transportation to Tahoe Talk at Camp Rich

Event Date: 
November 14, 2017 - 7:00pm

Join the Lake Tahoe Historical Society as it presents “How Did We Get Here?” on November 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Historian Dr. Dave Borges will help us all understand Highway 50 road improvements from Tahoe to Placerville and what you can still see while on the road.

This exciting program will cover everything from Native American trade routes over the Sierra Nevada, to the 1859 Bonanza Road, tolls, railways and so much more. Our Lake Tahoe history is incredibly intriguing.

Location

Camp Richardson Hotel
1900 Jameson Beach Rd South Lake Tahoe
United States
38° 56' 4.2108" N, 120° 2' 26.7756" W

Guide to Nevada Day activities in Carson City

It’s that time again. The Battle Born state celebrates its admission to the United States on the last Friday of October, with the annual Nevada Day parade on Saturday. New this year is a ‘Passport to Downtown’ event on Friday. Also new this year is the one-night-only curated art show, Capital Collage, on Friday night featuring over 20 diverse artists and organizations.

Trick or Treat at the Historic Wungnema Open House

Event Date: 
October 29, 2017 - 2:00pm

The Foundation for Carson City Parks & Recreation (FCCPR), is hosting an Open House at the Wungnema House located in Mills Park, Carson City, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2017. This is an all ages event, children are welcome, and may come in costume for some old fashioned trick or treating. Parents and children will have an opportunity to learn about this historic home, Native American culture, and the Wungnema family's contributions to the town.

Sage Room at Harveys celebrates 70th anniversary

The Sage Room at Harveys has been a Tahoe landmark since opening in the summer of 1947, and now in 2017 they have embarked on a year-long celebration of this milestone.

The elegant, Western-themed steak house has been popular among locals and visitors alike for several generations.

Vintage Buffalo: From flooded thrift store to fun boutique

On January 23, 2017, snow caused the roof collapse of the historic building that housed not only the Green Tahoe Market and Liquor Store on Harrison Avenue in South Lake Tahoe, but also the Lucky Dog Thrift Store.

When the roof collapsed, the sprinkler system was set off and the water main broke, sending gallons of water through the stores in the building. Clean up and building repairs are still underway.

What to do in South Lake Tahoe this weekend

What's going on this weekend in South Lake Tahoe:

Join Sierra Strings of Tahoe for a morning of music, ushering in winter and the holiday season on December 3, 2016 at 11:00 a.m This locally celebrated group will enchant you with a variety of songs. Free and open to all ages, light refreshments provided. At the South Lake Tahoe library.

Zawadisha's annual Holiday Bazaar returns this holiday season on Saturday, December 3 at the Blue Angel Cafe in South Lake Tahoe from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tahoe for Standing Rock holding benefit concert

Event Date: 
December 3, 2016 - 1:00pm

Lake Tahoe area supporters of those protesting the pipeline in Standing Rock, ND will be holding a benefit concert at the Tahoe Biltmore on the North Shore on Saturday, December 3 starting at 1:00 p.m.

The family friendly event will feature musicians along with members of local Native American tribes. Also on tap is a arts and crafts area with face painting, raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $20 for adults (12 and under are free) and available by clicking HERE.

Happy birthday Nevada: How, when and where to celebrate Nevada Day 2016 events

Nevada is one of the few states that celebrate its Admission Day, and boy do we throw a party. A parade, competitions of strength and facial hair, hot air balloons, bloody marys, a carnival, pow wow, and free chili are just a few of the festivities awaiting the capital city on Saturday.

The party begins Friday this year with a ribbon cutting celebration of the 'new' downtown. The Nevada State Museum hits its 75th Anniversary this year and will have a day full of fun and surprises. Keep reading to see where you need to take advantage of all the best this holiday weekend has to offer.

WordWave returns to South Lake Tahoe: Workshops, plays and Steampunk all rolled into one weekend

Event Date: 
October 21, 2016 (All day)

Word Wave, a festival for readers, writers, and lovers of story has returned to South Lake Tahoe. The three day long Word Wave will feature readings, workshops, panels, music, and plays from October 21-23, 2016 at Tallac Historic Site.

Every culture has used, and continues to use, story to entertain, educate, preserve history and tradition, and connect and WordWave will celebrate those words and the story in all its forms for the second year on the South Shore.

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Friday, October 21

Sherry L. Rupert to speak on the Stewart Indian School at Dangberg Historic Park

Event Date: 
September 24, 2016 - 10:00am

Sherry L. Rupert will speak on preserving the Stewart Indian School, in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, September 24, at 10:00 am.

For ninety years, Stewart Indian School fulfilled a federal commitment to pursue Native American education in Nevada. Located three miles southeast of Carson City, the school grounds encompassed 240 acres.

Location

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Highway 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States
38° 56' 28.2588" N, 119° 46' 46.4556" W

What to do in South Lake Tahoe this weekend

Magic Fusion at the Loft Theatre & Lounge. A perfect blend of intimate Magic & Comedy. (530) 523-8024. The Loft Theatre & Lounge at the Heavenly Village, 1021 Heavenly Village Way

Pope House Tour at the Tallac Historic Site - The Pope House Tour is the perfect way to see how the rich and famous lived while at Lake Tahoe, from the separate kitchen to the elegantly restored formal dining room. This docent guided tour takes approximately an hour and is filled with stories of early times. (530) 541-5227, Pope House at Tallac Historic Site, Heritage Way

Author Ellen Osborn, great granddaughter of John Calhoun "Cock-eye" Johnson, at SLT Library

Event Date: 
January 9, 2016 - 1:00pm

Author Ellen Osborn will share her book, "Lovely & Comfortable Heritage Lost", giving us a unique history of El Dorado County, beginning with the early days of the gold rush and the first conflicts with the Native American tribes of the region. Her book also traces the evolution of California's Highway 50 from its beginning as the Native American trade trail that became a popular Gold Rush route and explains why it has come to be called one of the most storied and romantic roads in American history.

Location

South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA
United States
38° 56' 43.5084" N, 119° 58' 22.296" W

Barton Ranch in South Lake Tahoe set for demolition

In what many locals was hoping wouldn't be the case, the Barton Ranch in South Lake Tahoe is set for demolition.

Family members who own the land and the buildings have spent years trying to get to this point in order to remove what they say is a dangerous set of buildings that have caused problems with vandals and vagrants.

On Tuesday, employees of Allied Environmental, Inc of Shingle springs were on site to remove asbestos in preparation for demolition.

Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival at Valhalla

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sun Jul 26 2015 .
July 25, 2015 - 10:00am
July 26, 2015 - 10:00am

The Washoe will re-unite at the Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe this weekend to honor their culture and heritage during their annual Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival.

The festival features native arts and crafts, food vendors, basket-making, raffles, Native American dance and drum performances. It is held at Valhalla Grand Hall and lawn on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

Tahoe WordWave 2015 lineup announced

Event Date: 
October 10, 2015 - 11:00am

Writers, readers and performers from all around the country will appear at South Lake Tahoe Oct. 9-11, 2015 for WordWave, a three-day festival held on the grounds of Valhalla at the Tallac Historic Site. This literary mash-up will feature oral storytelling, theater performances and free readings, panels on craft, yoga, and a novel writing camp for kids. Highlights include a one-act playwriting contest, a Maker’s Station demo with bookbinding, letterpress, drum making, and found poetry and art. Ticketed events include a steampunk ball, workshops, and even a hike.

Songbird: Telling the Paiute Story

Event Date: 
May 23, 2015 - 10:00am

Christina Thomas is a woman of Paiute, Shoshone, and Hopi descent who has been acknowledged as an emerging leader of her people. Christina explores the performing arts of traditional singing, drumming and dancing. She has given lessons in the Paiute language, tells traditional stories, shares knowledge of traditional foods and plants, and also discusses the history of the Great Basin native peoples; and gives her unique perspective on contemporary Native American issues.

Location

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy 88 Minden, Nevada 89423
United States

Christine Ann Alper

Christine Ann Alper passed gently, peacefully and with grace in her sleep in the early morning hours of May 4 following a recurrence of cancer. The disease affected her but in no way defined her. Her husband, Charles Whitten, was by her side. She was 58 years old.

Former U.S. Forest Service supervisor in SLT retires from BLM

After five years overseeing nearly 40 percent of Utah's land, Juan Palma retires Friday as the state director for the Bureau of Land Management.

While many state and local leaders would rather evict the federal agency from Utah, they don't feel the same way about Palma.

An easygoing leader who was able to navigate the fraught politics of public lands management in Utah, Palma is respected by environmentalists and oil and gas developers alike.

Sand Harbor concert celebrates peace with music from around the globe

Event Date: 
September 6, 2014 - 6:30pm

Award winning performers from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Reno and Tahoe will grace the stage for Trails and Vistas World Concert at Sand Harbor State Park at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 6. The World Concert, an original blend of diverse musicians, aerialists and dancers, is produced by Trails and Vistas, a Truckee, CA-based nonprofit organization dedicated to producing inspiring art events in nature, in collaboration with the Truckee Tahoe Peace Project.

Wa-Sha-Shu It’Deh Native American Festival held this weekend at Valhalla

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sun Jul 27 2014 .
July 26, 2014 (All day)
July 27, 2014 (All day)

The Wa-Sha-Shu It’Deh Native American Festival returns to Valhalla at the Tallac Historic site this weekend, July 26 and 27. The festival celebrates the Washoe's ancient lifeways and their Lake Tahoe homeland.

The festival features traditional American Indian dancers and drum performers, basket weaving displays, art, and great food. The basket weaving competition features over fourteen different categories. The Washoe are highly regarded for their master craftsmanship of baskets and have had several well-known weavers throughout their history, including Dat So La Lee.

July 2014 in Tahoe: Billy Ray Cyrus, Sinbad, Carrie Underwood, Train

WOW! This is probably the busiest concert month since I've been keeping a blog.

#4thofJuly events include parades and fireworks on both ends of the lake in #LakeTahoe plus Billy Ray Cyrus in Incline Village and Sinbad at the Montbleu on July 5th, Black Star Safari, 4-piece puzzle, and Groovebox at the American legion July 4th, Red White & Bass feat. Love and Light, Muppet Punk, Gurbtron, Trevor Selby, Tre Tuna, DJ Chango at Lakeside at Night and Stylust Beats, Subtropixx, Aux, IJV at Tahoe...

July 01 Unauthorized Rolling Stones @ Harrah's

Tahoe Expo 2013: Geotourism and Sustainability

Jack Durst of Fabulous Lake Tahoe brought out his camera and interviewing skills to the third annual Tahoe Expo geotourism event this weekend at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe. The event is designed for Lake Tahoe to show its environmentally-friendly side by promoting healthy, fun activities such as biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking and more.

The event featured Stand Up Paddle Yoga, an electric bike tour, information on preserving Tahoe's water quality, and a demonstration of Native American music and culture from the Washoe tribe.

Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival

Event Date: 
July 27, 2013 - 10:00am

Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival, Tallac Historic Site. Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The festival features native arts and crafts, food vendors, basket-making, raffles, Native American dance and drum performances.

The Washoe will re-unite at the Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe to honor their culture and heritage during their annual Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival. Sponsored by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, the festival will take place at the Valhalla Grand Hall and Lawn and is free to attend.

PG&E settles with feds for $50.5 million over forest fires on public land

The federal government settled two lawsuits Thursday seeking recovery against PG&E and its contractors for wildfires that scorched thousands of acres of national forest land in 2004 and 2008.

The fires — known as the “Power Fire” and the “Whiskey Fire” — collectively burned more than 18,000 acres of national forest. These settlements, totaling $50.5 million, are a significant step toward restoring the precious national resources destroyed by the fires, said U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner.

Former Lake Tahoe Action editor selected to present at conference on popular and American culture

Reno writer and educator, Raymond Rugg, has been selected as a panelist for the Southwest/Texas Popular Culture and American Culture Association's 33rd annual conference, slated for February in Albuquerque, N.M. He will be discussing his short story, tum' and the Agency school, at a panel designed to explore the combination of speculative fiction and indigenous peoples.

Rugg is the former editor of Lake Tahoe Action Magazine and a former staff member of both the Tahoe Daily Tribune and the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Arts Festival

The Wa She Shu It’ Deh Native American Arts Festival at the Valhalla Grand Lawn July 28-29 features traditional American Indian dancers and drum performers, basket weaving displays, art, and great food. The basket weaving competition features over fourteen different categories. The Washoe are highly regarded for their master craftsmanship of baskets and have had several well-known weavers throughout their history, including Dat So La Lee.

Tahoe South summer 2012 brings action-packed celebrity golf, headlining comedy, concerts and family events

Heavy-hitting comedy, celebrity golf and blockbuster concerts make for a sizzling summer at Tahoe South with an dynamic lineup that includes legendary actor-comedian Robin Williams; hall-of-fame athletes teeing it up at the American Century Championship and Grammy award-winning pop-rock group, Maroon 5.

Learning the land

Students from the Native Youth Conservation Corps will camp at Hope Valley to learn about Native American heritage and land management this month. NYCC is part of the Sierra Native Alliance, a n...

New adventure-related events highlight summer at Lake Tahoe South

Lake Tahoe South steps into high endurance overdrive this summer with two new outdoor adventure events that celebrate speed, agility and skill — one with feet to the ground and the other rubber to the road.

Sierra Recon, a high-energy, multi-distance obstacle race screaming the amped premise, “Everyone loves carnage” is set for July 14 at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, while the Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride and Rendezvous celebrates the freedom of the wide open road, Aug. 23-26.

Lake Tahoe Paddle Festival to Kick Off World Canoe Project

Landing to the shores of Lake Tahoe this summer will be a cultural watershed of skilled Native American and indigenous carvers from around the world who are set out to build a 70-foot boat that will be taken across the globe.

Summer vacation at South Lake Tahoe promises beach fun and food, music and memories

As David Letterman rhetorically asks: Hey kids, do you like the rock n' roll? Two outdoor concert venues at South Lake Tahoe will be filled with superstar performers, plus there's dozens of outdoor competitions and family events, fireworks extravaganzas and the country’s biggest celebrity golf tournament that has Tahoe South positioned as summer’s hot spot for entertainment, outdoor recreation and events.

Jack Fisher named General Manager of MontBleu Resort at Lake Tahoe

Jack Fisher, a 35-year gaming operations veteran with a strong Northern Nevada background, has been appointed General Manager at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa at Lake Tahoe, a Tropicana Entertainment Inc. property.

Fisher brings an appreciation of Lake Tahoe’s vacation destination appeal with MontBleu’s brand as an all-encompassing resort for year-round outdoor recreation with upscale amenities, four-star dining, gaming, nightlife and entertainment.

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