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Amazon Becomes Corporate Partner for East Cut Sports & Dog Park

Amazon Becomes Corporate Partner for East Cut Sports & Dog Park: Boosting Downtown San Francisco Revitalization

Pavilion Building

The East Cut Sports and Dog Park fundraising efforts have received a significant boost as Amazon steps up as its first official corporate supporter, pledging vital funds to help achieve the project’s initial milestone goal. The news was met with enthusiasm from Sally Kay, Regional Head of Public Policy and External Affairs at Amazon, who expressed excitement about this initiative’s positive impact on downtown employees and the community.

“Amazon is thrilled to extend its support to projects like the East Cut Sports and Dog Park, which not only enhance the aesthetics and diversity of the neighborhood but also play a crucial role in attracting residents, workers, and visitors back to downtown San Francisco,” said Sally Kay. The e-commerce giant aims to be an active participant in the community-driven revitalization efforts and is hopeful that these new developments will not only benefit its downtown employees but also contribute positively to the entire community.

Tehama

The park project promises to be a vibrant addition to the city’s landscape, catering to the recreational needs of the public while adding a touch of greenery to the urban setting. With Amazon’s support, the project is set to gain momentum, accelerating its progress toward becoming a reality.

One of the most significant impacts of the park’s development lies in its contribution to creating an enjoyable outdoor space for workers as they gradually return to their offices. With Amazon’s three offices located in close proximity to the park, it will serve as an exceptional space for their employees and employees from other companies to interact with the heart of the city.

As anticipation builds, the park’s sports courts stand out as one of the most eagerly awaited amenities. Featuring pickleball courts, basketball courts, and plenty of space for outdoor fitness classes, this recreational hub will cater to a diverse range of interests, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for residents and visitors alike.

Sports

The park project aligns with San Francisco’s broader efforts to revitalize the city. The proposed design leverages underutilized and vacant spaces in our densely urban neighborhood, contributing to residential growth through the addition of much-needed retail and recreational facilities. The inclusion of dog-friendly spaces caters to the unique character of the area, known for having more dogs than children.

Spanning an impressive four city blocks and connecting ten different blocks, the park’s design underscores its commitment to enhancing walkability and connectivity through dedicated bike lanes and pathways. It aspires to transcend the role of a mere park and aims to create a dynamic ‘third space’ in the neighborhood—a cherished gathering spot for residents and visitors alike.

Concession Building

This partnership with Amazon marks a significant milestone, setting a positive precedent for future corporate support for community-driven initiatives. With shared enthusiasm and commitment, the community and its corporate partners can work hand in hand to create a space that fosters well-being and community for all.

Event - East Cut Sports & Dog Park

Community involvement is key to the success of the project, and The East Cut encourages individuals and organizations to play their part. We invite you to become park advocates, make charitable donations to support the park, join the park’s coalition, or even consider becoming partners. Every charitable contribution, big or small, is valued, and together, they can impact the city’s urban landscape.

For more information on how to get involved or contribute to the project, visit https://www.theeastcut.org/sportsanddogpark/ and be a part of this exciting transformation of San Francisco’s downtown landscape!

Inquiries can be directed to: Pierre Lagarde.

Rincon Sneak Concludes – Snacks & Facts Kicks Off!

The annual spring walking tour series has officially concluded for the year, with the Rincon Sneak walking tour celebrating its second successful edition. Led by dedicated local volunteers, these tours provided an immersive experience for participants.

During the Rincon Sneak walking tour, nearly 100 individuals, comprising both residents and visitors, embarked on a journey through The East Cut. The tour allowed them to uncover hidden pathways and gain valuable insights into the upcoming developments within the area including The East Cut Sports & Dog Park. These tours served as an excellent platform to educate attendees about the neighborhood and showcase its vibrant community garden. The tours provided a unique opportunity for neighbors to connect and forge new connections.

Looking ahead, the community has exciting plans for the upcoming months. Starting in August, a new walking and food tour series titled “Snacks & Facts” will be launched. This tour promises to take participants on a culinary adventure, highlighting local eateries while also showcasing the captivating public art and sculptures in the area.

Snacks & Facts Walking Tour - Summer series

We highly recommend you reserve a spot early to ensure participation in this exciting experience! Check out the Eventbrite page to learn more.

Summer Block Party Summer Delights Residents and Boosts Local Businesses!

The recent annual summer event held at The Crossing in The East Cut neighborhood of San Francisco was a resounding success, drawing in hundreds of enthusiastic residents and city dwellers alike. The event aimed to foster community engagement, celebrate local culture, and promote economic development by partnering with neighborhood businesses. The day was filled with a wide array of activities, including beach ball yoga, a water balloon toss, tie-dye workshops, and live music performances by the talented band, Saint Pigeon. Attendees enjoyed food offerings from local establishments like MarBar, Boba & Brew, Pita Gyros, and enjoyed refreshing summer-themed drinks courtesy of Greyhound. Mili Wine Bar, a new addition to the neighborhood, impressed visitors with complimentary wine samples and a selection of wines-by-the-glass.

https://www.theeastcut.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/News-6.14.23-PRESS-RELEASE-SAN-FRANCISCO-ANNOUNCES-RETURN-OF-WORLD-CUP-VILLAGE-IN-DOWNTOWN-THIS-SUMMER.pdf

The event also provided an opportunity for residents to learn about The East Cut Sports & Dog Park, with the CBD staff available to address queries and provide information. A captivating juggling performance by Jeremy the Juggler enthralled the crowd, while local retailers Ember + Fog and Jade Moon Candles showcased their unique products.

The annual summer event not only brought joy and entertainment to The East Cut community but also served as a catalyst for local economic growth. By collaborating with neighborhood businesses, the event generated increased visibility and support for these establishments, bolstering the overall economic development of the area. With its diverse range of activities and the participation of numerous local businesses, the event left attendees eagerly anticipating its return next year.

The East Cut teams up with Street Soccer USA to host Women’s World Cup Village!

The East Cut neighborhood is once again teaming up with Street Soccer USA to present the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup Village at The Crossing. Building on the immense success of the Men’s World Cup Village, which attracted over 12,000 spectators in 2022, Street Soccer USA is set to bring live-streamed Women’s World Cup matches to large screens in various locations across San Francisco. This vibrant pop-up event aims to transform downtown spaces into engaging and family-friendly World Cup Villages.

The Women’s World Cup Village will kick off at The Crossing at East Cut on July 21 with an opening celebration featuring live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities, culminating in the Team USA versus Vietnam match at 4:00 p.m. The full event series will take place as follows

July 21: The Crossing at East Cut (USA v Vietnam)
July 26: Embarcadero Plaza (USA v Netherlands)
August 5: Golden Gate Park (Round of 16)
August 10: The Crossing at East Cut (Quarterfinals)

The East Cut teams up with Street Soccer USA to host Women's World Cup Village!

Andrew Robinson, Executive Director of the East Cut Community Benefit District, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to join forces with Street Soccer USA and proudly provide The Crossing as the venue for the Women’s World Cup Viewing Parties. These gatherings not only amplify the excitement of the game but also create a platform to promote gender equality, inspire young girls, and foster a sense of community. Our commitment to initiatives like this aims to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that attracts an influx of visitors and stimulates local businesses in the area.”

The Women’s World Cup public viewings are made possible through the generous support of various sponsors, including San Francisco’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD), San Francisco Recreation & Park Department, Yours in Soccer Foundation, SF Parks Alliance, and BART. Thanks to their contributions, attendees can enjoy these free viewings and revel in the exhilarating atmosphere of the Women’s World Cup while fostering community engagement and empowerment.

With the East Cut neighborhood partnering with Street Soccer USA once again, the upcoming Women’s World Cup Village promises to captivate soccer enthusiasts and local residents alike. This exciting event series, featuring live-streamed matches, live music, delicious food, and engaging activities, aims to celebrate the sport while promoting gender equality and fostering a strong sense of community. Supported by various sponsors, the Women’s World Cup public viewings offer a unique opportunity for San Francisco residents and visitors to come together, cheer for their favorite teams, and enjoy the thrill of the game in a family-friendly setting.

The East Cut teams up with Street Soccer USA to host Women's World Cup Village!

Read more about it here.

Read the press release here.

The Future of Downtown

Liz Lindqwister from the San Francisco Standard conducted an interview in our neighborhood to get a sense of residents’ feelings towards Downtown SF. Participants expressed their appreciation of the City’s culture and shared their desire for an even stronger sense of community. They mentioned the benefits of adding more housing, envisioning a more lively downtown that could support small businesses and alleviate a lingering sense of emptiness. Watch the full SF Standard video here: Link to Video.

Protesters Mourn Possible Loss of Public Transit

Protestors recently gathered to draw attention to the potential consequences facing public transit in San Francisco. In January, Governor Newsom proposed a budget that would cut $6 billion from capital programs, including transit infrastructure. If these budget cuts were implemented, there is a possibility that bus services, including those at the Salesforce Transit Center like AC Transit, SamTrans, and SF Muni, could be affected as early as this Summer could be affected as early as this Summer.

Read more about the protest here.

East Cut Sports & Dog Park: Project Updates

For more information about the project’s design and partnership campaign, please visit our project page.

Latest update, April 3, 2024:

  • The Design Development packet is 100% complete as of March 22, 2024. The packet was sent for final reviews and comments to all three partner agencies (TJPA, OCII, and Caltrans).
  • The East Cut CBD (park operator) and TJPA (park owner) began negotiations on the park operating agreement.
  • The Volume team continues to work on the signage program, no work for review yet.
  • The East Cut CBD continues to work on finding a home for the art deco hot-dog stand.

February 7, 2024:

  • The park is halfway through Design Development and on track to move to Construction Documentation in Q2.
  • The East Cut CBD and CMG (landscape architecture firm) are now in contract with Volume Inc., a wayfinding signage consultant, to develop the comprehensive signage plan for the park, including donor recognition signage.
  • The East Cut CBD is working to find a temporary home for the art deco “hot-dog stand”, a historical building structure that is included in the final park design.

October 25, 2023:

  • On October 19th, The East Cut CBD hosted a Park Gala with generous support from The Avery. Over 50 guests joined this intimate soirée and raised over $70,000 to support the park!
  • The contract for the project’s landscape architecture firm (CMG) was officially renewed by OCII for the next phase of work.

September 7, 2023:

TJPA, OCII, CMG, and The East Cut CBD met to go over wayfinding signage contract scopes. The East Cut CBD is responsible for the contract (or portion of the contract) that pertains to signage recognizing park donors.

August 21, 2023:

TJPA, OCII, CMG, and The East Cut CBD met to confirm assumptions regarding security measures (i.e. bollard types and placement, cameras, etc.) as East Cut Sports & Dog Park commences the Design Development phase.

July 1, 2023:

The East Cut CBD officially meets its first fundraising milestone of $1.2 million! The East Cut Sports and Dog Park fundraising efforts have received a significant boost as Amazon steps up as its first official non-board-member corporate supporter (read article), in addition to recent donations from neighborhood stakeholders, which The East Cut CBD matched up to $50,000!

With the milestone achieved, OCII is moving the project forward to its next stages, starting with Design Development Drawings led by CMG Landscape Architecture and expected to take six months to complete.

June 29, 2023:

Today, The East Cut CBD and TJPA hosted a ceremony to celebrate the approval of the park’s schematic plan by the OCII Commission and the TJPA Board, on one of the future park parcels!

Thank you to Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Wiener, Supervisor Dorsey, Director Van de Water, Director Kaslofksy, and to all the partners and community stakeholders who joined us! (Linkedin post)

June 8, 2023:
Schematic Design Approved for The East Cut Sports & Dog Park!

With the park’s schematic design approved, The East Cut CBD is now $140,000 away from moving the park to its next pre-construction phase, Design Development. To help complete our first fundraising milestone, The East Cut CBD, with the authority of its Board of Directors, matches contributions made to the park up to $50,000!

To celebrate the project moving forward this summer, we are inviting all East Cut stakeholders and San Francisco lovers to our Design Approval Ceremony kicking off the East Cut Sports & Dog Park moving to its next development phase!

Join us and meet elected officials, City departments, and project partners working to transform San Francisco and its Downtown core!

East Cut Sports & Dog Park Design Approval Ceremony
Thursday, June 29th, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
32 Clementina St. (future dog park location)
Pet-friendly event 🐶
RSVP Link

April-June 2023 Update:

The East Cut Sports & Dog Park’s Schematic Design is approved as of June 8, 2023! The park is ready to move to Design Development in July and Construction Documentation later this year.

  • On April 27, 2023, OCII Transbay CAC members voted to approve OCII staff advancing the East Cut Sports & Dog Park Schematic Design to the Commission on Community Investment & Infrastructure in June 2023 for approval (read the meeting minutes).
  • On June 6, 2023, OCII Commissioners voted in favor of approving the East Cut Sports & Dog Park Schematic Design (meeting recording; staff memo; item slides).
  • On June 6, 2023, TJPA Transbay CAC members reviewed the park’s schematic design.
  • On June 8, 2023, TJPA Board members reviewed and approved the park schematic design (watch the meeting; item memo & slides).

Congratulations to the designers, architects, and engineers at CMG Landscape Architecture, Y.A. Studio, and ARUP.

November 3, 2022:
On October 26th, 2022, The East Cut CBD gathered nearly one hundred stakeholders comprised of government elected officials, park project partners, neighborhood property owners and residents, and local companies for an exclusive showcase of the East Cut Sports & Dog Park designs. The event was hosted in one of the most unique residences in the world, The Grand Penthouse at 181 Fremont, by our partners at Jay Paul Company. Read the full story here.

December 10, 2021:
The East Cut Community Benefit District launches its largest fundraising initiative to date, to save and build East Cut Sports & Dog Park, the most important park space in the neighborhood! For the next two years, The East Cut CBD will work to raise funds needed to operate and maintain East Cut Sports & Dog Park between the years 2025 and 2030. Those funds must be raised and set aside, in order for the City of San Francisco and public sector partners to advance the park development and deliver it by Q3 2025.

The first of two significant milestones is the fundraising of $1.2 million by the end of March 2022. The East Cut CBD already approved releasing $470,000 in reserve funds toward the goal, giving a substantial headstart to our effort.

The first of two significant milestones is the fundraising of $1.2 million by the end of March 2022. The East Cut CBD already approved releasing $470,000 in reserve funds toward the goal, giving a substantial headstart to our effort.

Through December 31, 2021, at midnight, The East Cut CBD Board of Directors will match donations from neighbors, up to $20,000!

April 2023: The Crossing Hosts Holi Festival!

We teamed up with our friends at Ideate SF, Together SF, and more to put on the awesome annual Holi Color Fest at The Crossing! It was amazing to see so many people join in on the fun, celebrating the victory of good over evil with lots of colorful powders, delicious food, and awesome music performances. We had a blast hosting hundreds of guests and cannot wait for next years!

Read the article

April 2023: The East Cut and Salesforce Transit Center’s Challenges

The transit center and The East Cut were featured in an article by the SF Chronicle that remarked on the challenges of our neighborhood’s gradual return-to-office. The article focuses on the design of the transit center and highlights some of the exciting new businesses that have recently joined the community. Read the article to learn more about the Transit Center and its growing impact on the neighborhood.

Read the article

April 2023: The East Cut Sports and Dog Park is in its Final Fundraising Months.

We are entering the final months of a $1.2 million campaign to keep a proposed 2.4-acre dog and sports park on track. The park — planned to span four blocks partially under the bus ramp from the Bay Bridge to Salesforce Transit Center — would feature a fenced-in dog run, multisport courts, lawn spaces, a fitness area, three affordable retail spaces and a beer garden.

Read the article

December 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of December. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

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November 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of November. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

Prior District Newsletters

October 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of October. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

Prior District Newsletters

September 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of September. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

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August 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of August. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

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July 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of July. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

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June 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of June. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

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May 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of May. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

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The East Cut Community Garden is Open!

Saturday, April 23rd, East Cut residents and Community Garden project leaders came together to celebrate the official opening of The East Cut Community Garden.

An intimate ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the huge milestone reached for the community. Many years in the making, the Community Garden offers twenty garden plots of which seven are designated for residents of Rene Cazenave. The remaining plots, given away via lottery system, accommodate two gardeners per bed with many garden beds shared by families in the area.

Community members cut the ribbon officially opening the Community Garden in The East Cut

The CBD held two gardener orientation days to orient area gardeners on rules for the space, best practices and to share ideas for equipment to provide and ways to engage the larger community in the space.

Gardeners came prepared to get planting with many bringing in seedlings started in their homes! Introductions took place and contact information was shared as attendees of the respective orientations met fellow gardeners demonstrating the power that interactive green spaces have in creating connections.

Gardeners of Rene Cazenave proudly show off their newly planted seedlings during a gardener orientation day

The East Cut CBD invites the larger community to visit the Community Garden to check the progress of the neighborhood’s first fruits and vegetables!

April 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of April. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

Prior District Newsletters

Spring Fling Offers Egg Hunts, Live Music, Crafts and Photos with Mr. Bunny

On Saturday, April 23rd, The East Cut CBD and hundreds of San Francisco residents arrived at The Crossing to celebrate the arrival of spring. Sunny skies greeted over a hundred children who participated in one of two egg hunts offered at The Crossing soccer fields and atop Salesforce Transit Center.

Children run to collect eggs at The Crossing soccer field. The field hosted the egg hunt for children aged 0-5 years during The East Cut’s Spring Fling event

Feet moved swiftly on the grass and at the main event site as families enjoyed swing music from Jessica King and the Sweethearts of Rhythm throughout Spring Fling. A book giveaway along with free snacks, a potted-flower craft station and raffle kept attendees of all-ages busy throughout the duration of the event.

Area merchants contributed to a raffle that included an array of prizes from 3-month fitness passes donated by FitnessSF to artisanal chocolate from Socola Chocolatier and restaurant gift certificates from Waterbar, One Market and Lao Table, among other prizes. Every attendee was given a free raffle ticket to participate, while additional tickets could be purchased for a suggested donation going towards the future East Cut Sports & Dog Park.

A CBD staff member explains the various raffle prizes being given away to a family at Spring Fling

A spring-themed photo backdrop, story time and visit from Mr. Bunny were popular with children of all ages attending the event.

The East Cut CBD has seen a steady increase in attendance to and RSVP rate for public events since the organization resumed hosting events in the fall of 2021. Nearly 1,100 RSVPs were collected for Spring Fling via Eventbrite with attendees traveling-in from as far as San Jose to attend!

A toddler gives Mr. Bunny a hug during Spring Fling

BloomSF Brings More than Floral Installations to The East Cut

Designed to celebrate the reopening of San Francisco’s Downtown, BloomSF kicked off on March 27th with floral installations made in partnership with the San Francisco Flower Mart installed at seven iconic Downtown locations. The weeklong celebration was put on in conjunction with Mayor London Breed’s Downtown Recovery Plan and “Welcome Back SF” program.

Of the seven iconic sites that received floral installations courtesy of San Francisco Flower Mart florists, two were located in The East Cut: Salesforce Transit Center and The Crossing at East Cut.

A floral installation sits in the Main Plaza of Salesforce Transit Center designed by florists of the San Francisco Flower Mart as part of BloomSF

In anticipation of the weeklong celebration, Mayor Breed joined City and East Cut leaders atop Salesforce Transit Center announcing BloomSF on March 14th, 2022. During the press conference, Mayor Breed highlighted the uniqueness behind San Francisco but noted that the vibrant city was missing something in its downtown, “its people.”

Indeed, BloomSF did draw visitors back downtown. In conjunction with the floral installations, events took place daily to activate the participating downtown neighborhoods, encouraging visitation. Daily music at The San Francisco Ferry Building and Westfield Shopping Center, a Silent Disco at Salesforce Park, free yoga and zumba classes at The Crossing at East Cut along with cocktails and crafts and a roller skating event offered something for everyone living and working in or, visiting the area.

East Cut merchants commented on the increase in foot traffic while residents noted an increase in vehicular congestion – clear signs that office workers were returning, at least in part, to their commuter schedules.

Maintaining the momentum built by BloomSF, The East Cut CBD along with the partners operating The Crossing at East Cut and Salesforce Park continue to offer free weekly programing and special events to residents, office workers and visitors.

DocuSign Supports Multiple East Cut Public Projects as Part of Green IMPACT Week

As part of its annual Green IMPACT week, DocuSign employees spent Wednesday, March 23rd in The East Cut supporting volunteer-led efforts to beautify three community-centric spaces within the neighborhood: The Crossing at East Cut’s future child’s play area and soccer fields along with The East Cut’s nearly complete Community Garden.

The Crossing at East Cut is a community space designed to meet the needs of the district’s nearly 15,000 residents in regards to outdoor programming and activities. It also serves as a point of attraction for daily commuters, visitors and office workers alike through weekly programs and events. Since the site’s soft launch in August of 2021, The Crossing has constantly evolved adding in additional features that respond to resident interests along with elements that meet goals for boosting economic activity and outdoor socialization in San Francisco’s Downtown.

DocuSign employees were instrumental in the completion of the site’s Southeast corner mural in an area soon to be developed for children’s play, in addition to refurbishing the site’s two soccer fields. 31 DocuSign employees donated over 70 service hours to complete the mural and field upgrade.

Over on Essex Street, an additional group of DocuSign employees were busy filling garden plot beds, watering plants and completing general maintenance. The East Cut Community Garden is nearing completion and this work was vital in moving the project towards the finish line!

The East Cut CBD is proud to partner with our neighborhood businesses and their employees in projects that benefit the general public and residents alike!

East Cut Community Garden Nearly Complete with Volunteer Supported Plot Build Day

March has been a busy month for projects in The East Cut but none were more anticipated than the Community Garden garden plot build at 29 Essex Street! On Saturday, February 26th, a group of seven volunteers and CBD staff and board members came together to build the 20 garden plots beds.

Volunteers begin assembly of a garden bed on March 5th, 2022 in The East Cut

East Cut CBD staff had previously cut and sorted all the wood necessary to build the twenty garden plots. The construction of the Community Garden, behind the Rene Cazenave apartment complex, has been much anticipated since the project’s inception in 2019.

Once the Community Garden opens, garden members will have exclusive access to the space, with several of the garden plots specifically dedicated to low-income residents. East Cut residents and visitors who did not secure a spot in the garden’s first member lottery draw, held on February 25th, will be allowed to visit space during East Cut CBD-sponsored events and volunteer days.

Over the course of the day (that is, until all the electric drills ran out of power), eighteen of the twenty garden bed plots were built! The East Cut CBD staff are in the process of hanging string lighting, securing tables and chairs for the communal area, working with the SFPUC to get the water connected, and completing small tasks for the overall look and feel of the space. The CBD anticipates the Community Garden will formally open in April 2022!

March 2022: Neighborhood News and Highlights

Your monthly digest of East Cut neighborhood happenings for the month of March. For a link to the full newsletter click here.

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