New Chick-fil-A Salads & Wraps

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Published: 04/18/2013

Chick-fil-A has been listening to what customers want when they visit restaurants – and that’s more nutritious options made with premium ingredients packed full of flavor. Two recent studies found that:

50% of consumers want restaurants to offer healthier foods
64% of consumers agree that it is important to eat healthy and pay attention to nutrition
38% of consumers are more likely to visit restaurants with healthy menu options
48% of consumers are very likely to try new or unique flavors

Chick-fil-A is confident customers will find that in its new salads and wrap.

That’s right…On April 29, Chick-fil-A’s® entrée salad line is getting a makeover. The company is introducing three new premium salads – the Chick-fil-A® Cobb Salad, Chick-fil-A® Asian Salad, Chick-fil-A® Grilled Market Salad – as well as an improved Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap® for the health-conscious customer. All three of the new salads contain two full servings of vegetables and are each less than 430 calories. Check out this video for a “Behind the Scenes” look at the new Chick-fil-A salads.

In addition to these new nutritious menu items, Chick-fil-A is adding calorie counts to its menu boards nationally in conjunction with the salads launch. The new menu boards are just another way Chick-fil-A has made nutritional information easily accessible to its customers, including an online meal calculator, in-restaurant nutrition pamphlets and even nutritional information printed from the register upon request.

I'll be giving away four (yes 4!!) Chick-fil-A gift cards with a free salad/wrap offer each month through April!
To enter, tell us your favorite Chick-fil-A location in a post below and "Like" us on Facebook. You can also "like" your favorite CFA location on Facebook for extra chances to win.

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Disclosure: The giveaway items were provided to me free of charge and I received a gift card to enjoy myself too. All opinions shared on this blog are always my own.

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Reviews: Pa Nuang Thai

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Published: 01/15/2013

Highly recommended on the "Readers Recommend: Restaurants in Prince William County" is Pa Nuang Thai. I actually thought I'd written about it before, but apparently, I haven't. Or, maybe I have, but it's so good that I'm going to do it again. (Edit: I found it! It was for PotomacLocal.com)

It's my website, people, and I'll do what I want to.

So, Pa Nuang is amazing, and I like it better than all the other Thai restaurants in the county that I've tried. Hands down. No, I don't care that you like the other one by the Safeway. Typically there's room for everyone's opinions, but right now I am taking a firm stand on Thai.

Their menu is extensive, and everything on it is amazing. I love the crisp, fresh green papaya salad, and the Tom Kha Soup which is both sweet and salty, spicy and sour, and just generally amazing. Hubby and I went their for a date night the other day, and we ended up with these:

This is chicken with bell peppers and basil. I'm sure it has an actual name, but it's number 3 down on the "Entrees" section. Yeah, I know that.

This is the soup I now want anytime there's anything wrong or right with me. I've had a migraine and been in bed for days, and reflecting on it, I'm actually ticked off that my husband didn't bring me soup. I know I wasn't eating, but it would've reheated when I wanted it. Originally, this was "Korean Noodle Soup", but apparently now it's "Clear Noodle Soup". It's broth, ground chicken (or you can get it vegetarian or with shrimp...maybe? I don't like seafood so I don't reserve space in my brain for it) vegetables, and noodles, and it's amazing. If you're a glutton for punishment like we are, they'll even bring out crushed red peppers that are waaaay spicier than anything you've ever shaken on your pizza. Next Level Delicious.

(Yes, we ordered two entrees just for the two of us. It's important to have leftovers when the food is this good. Don't judge me until you try it. Even then, don't judge me.)

Dishes can be ordered "American Spicy", which I would call "not spicy", "Regular Spicy" which is probably spicy enough for most people, or "Thai Spicy", which will clear your sinuses and make your tongue tingle. I personally enjoy Thai Spicy, but recommend starting a little further down the scale until you know what you're getting into.

For the kids, I recommend the Thai Sweet and Sour, or, if they're more adventitious, the fried tofu with sweet chili sauce is really good. The sweet and sour comes with the chicken in chunks and crispy (a la "nugget" but with recognizable meat) and the sauce on the side. My kids actually like the Pad Thai with shrimp and the tempura carrots from my Green Curried Vegetables. They're not normal, though.

This is a really long post about how much I love Pa Nuang at this point....but it's really, really, really good. They're not paying me to write this....I am, in fact, paying them. For soup. Which I could really use right now- I wonder if they're open....

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12 Days of Giveaways: Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

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Published: 12/14/2012

We're 12 Days Away from Christmas, so I want to hit you guys with a few giveaway items!! First up, I've got a $25 gift card to Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Woodbridge. This fairly new restaurant is located in my favorite place- Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. Love Love Love :) The restaurant had us for a preview meal, and they've got a pretty amazing children's menu. My son got the children's salmon, and I'm not a seafood lover, but his fish was awesome. I really appreciated that there were some exciting and healthier grilled items, in addition to standbys like burgers. If it were me, though, I would probably choose Firebirds for a great date night. Nobody minded our children, and the volume level in the restaurant is that magical point where you can hear the people at your table but there's enough background noise to mask your children bemoaning the fact that someone else is currently using the ketchup ;)

The restaurant is beautiful inside, I love the waterfall concept bar display, the wine bottle wall, the stone and the fireplace. There is definitely tons of ambiance. Entrees include steaks, fish, chicken, pastas, and some delicious sounding salads. Yelp rates the restaurant between $$ (moderate) and $$$ (pricey).

Want to head to Firebirds for your own date night or happy hour? (It's so cozy and sleek inside- it'd be a beautiful place to meet up with girlfriends for a special drink!) Check out the Rafflecopter below and enter to win!! I'll be drawing all the winners for these contests on Christmas Day- my way of giving some presents to you guys :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We were able to try a meal at Firebirds before offering this giveaway, also provided by Firebirds. Winner assumes all liability. All photo credits are to the Firebirds Facebook Page.

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Welcome to Prince William County! The Cheesecake Factory!

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Published: 11/09/2012

I want to have an entire series of posts called "The Classy-fication of Hoodbridge" but I know you guys very seldom enjoy my humor about that, so I'm going to refrain....aside from just writing it here....so yeah.

Anyway, The Cheesecake Factory with their MASSIVE menu and MASSIVE portions and Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake that you can only eat one bite of because the entire piece is like a series of mashed-together truffle-y goodness has come to Prince William County! You'll find them located at Potomac Mills Mall outlying by the AMC Theatres side.

The restaurant is having its grand opening on Sunday, November 11th, but they had invited me out to see what the restaurant is all about. I was so excited!

And then I woke up sick.

So. Not. Cool.

Rather than start a health crisis, I found some back-up reviewers to go for me. Amanda Long from Prince William County Children's Choir and Jennifer Clifton from Pillar Church in Dumfries were able to go for me and get the scoop.

And by scoop, I mean tasty tasty preview meal. Wrote Amanda:
"We had a lovely time. The food was extraordinary!"

That about sums it up. Cheesecake Factory- Lovely Time, Extraordinary Food. If you're planning to go, do plan to wait for a table, especially if you're bringing a larger party.

Also to note, The Cheesecake Factory makes meals that are ideal for sharing, even the salads. Cheesecake travels home very well (because I've never been and had room for desert even though I always split my meal and never even finish half of it!), just ask your server for your cake to-go! While you're at it, they also offer their sauces in Mason Jars to-go, so you can cook up your favorites at home! There's also a new "lighter" menu available with portions listed by number of calories, if you're trying to be good!

The very fabulous Andrea from NovaHousewives.com also went to check out The Cheesecake Factory here in Prince William County, and if you'd like her tips and behind the scenes pictures, you can find them here.

The Cheesecake Factory Potomac Mills says this about themselves:
The Cheesecake Factory menu features more than 200 menu selections made fresh from scratch each day using only the highest quality ingredients. We have expanded our offerings with a low calorie menu aptly named SkinnyLicious™. Redefining low calorie flavor, the SkinnyLicious™ menu provides guests with even more choices. The Cheesecake Factory is famous for generous portions which are ideal for sharing or taking home – but be sure to save room to enjoy one of 50 legendary cheesecakes and specialty desserts. The Cheesecake Factory gladly honors requests to modify your order to suit specific health or dietary needs. Enjoy our high-energy atmosphere seven days a week, serving appetizers, lunch, dinner, late night dining, full bar, Sunday brunch, and Curbside To-Go service. Our passion for food drives us to deliver delicious food to all of our guests. That’s why we only use fresh ingredients to make everything from scratch daily in each of our restaurants – just like you would at home in your own kitchen.

The Cheesecake Factory's hours will be Monday-Thursday from 11:30am-11:00pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:30am-12:30am, and Sunday from 10:00am-11:00pm. They do have a brunch menu!

Want to go? How about a date night? The Cheesecake Factory is offering a PwcMoms Reader a $25 gift card for their first meal at The Cheesecake Factory here in Woodbridge!

Enter using the Rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck!

Thanks to The Cheesecake Factory for the fun giveaway, and for inviting PwcMoms out for a preview. Obviously all opinions are our own. PwcMoms.com is not responsible for your skinny jeans not fitting if you develop an addiction to Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. Not our fault.

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Readers Recommend: Best Pizza in Prince William County

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Published: 06/22/2012

When I asked a reader question about the Best Real Pizza in Prince William County, I got a TON of responses! From Deep Dish in Dumfries to Meat Lovers in Manassas, you guys have some serious feelings about Pizza!! Here are the responses! If you have a favorite location for the Best Pizza in Prince William County, be sure to leave a comment!!

Tony's in Bristow/Manassas/Bull Run/Haymarket x25

(Manassas Location is the Best, We moved to Manassas from Woodbridge to be closer to that place!)

Astoria's 123/Route 1 in Woodbridge x15

(My husband's favorite and he went to culinary school! Best in the area!)

Amici's Pizza off Hoadly Road x5

(Run by an Italian Family. If you pick it up you get Buy One Get One free for Large One-Topping)

Presto Pizza in Merchant Plaza x5

(Woman is from Sicily, Run by Italian Family, Great Customer Service, grows her own basil)

Padrino's in Dale City x4

Pizza Margherita in Gainesville x4

Lake Ridge Pizzaria x3

Brooklyn Brothers in Gainesville (x3)

Papa Petrone's Take and Bake x3

zPizza x3

Brothers in Montclair x2

L&B in Dale City x2

Costco Pizza x2

Ledos of Liberia

Pizza Time in Manassas

Vocelli's

Bella Vita in Manassas on Liberia

Roma Restaurant in Lake Ridge

Big Joe's in Manassas

Pizza Spot in Manassas Park

Joe's Pizza and Subs on Route 1

Armetta's

Pizzarama in Manassas

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Where do MamaMafia Dons Dine?

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Published: 05/25/2012

Where do MamaMafia Dons Dine?

It sounds like there should be a punchline to that question- but the answer is anything but a joke.

This week I was able to spend some time (okay, almost 5 hours) at Carmello's in Old Town Manassas. Y'all recommended Carmello's on our Reader Recommendation Restaurant Guide, and I've been wanting to try it ever since! Andrea from Real Housewives of Northern Virginia set up a tasting, and from the moment we walked in, I was completely sold.

Walking into Carmello's you'd never know that you're feet away from the Train Depot. Its warm colors and gold chargers invite you in, and even the sign glistens. This would be the perfect location for a wedding or rehearsal dinner meal, and they are able to offer multiple room sizes to meet group needs. Joining our dinner were Denise from Let Mommy Sleep/Mission Sleep, Rebecca from 3 Tiny Tyrants/Maguire Media Group, Laura from BeltwayBargainMom, and Micaela from SuperNovaMommy.

Denise, Me, Micaela, the awesome manager Jacob, Rebeca, Laura, and Andrea

Rebecca selected a bottle from their extensive wine list for us. There was what can only be described as the Cheesecake Factory Menu worth of wine on their list, but she picked out a fantastic red. Twice :) (Please note- all photo credit is to Real Housewives of Northern Virginia who shared with me since I forgot to charge my phone before dinner)

We were able to tour the restaurant. This is the wine room. Just for the reds.

We had so much fun chatting with the manager, Jacob. He selected a few dishes for us and I quickly shocked everyone since I love to cook and will try just about anything because I had never eaten ANYTHING that we had. I decided to try to handle it cultural-exchange style and just eat it :) It was all amazing, and I think I'm in love with scallops. (Yeah, say that you've never had a scallop before at this table of women and you get 5 horrified gasps followed by two "Well you can pass them over here if you're not gonna try them!")

Okay, cell phones don't do food justice (sorry Andrea). This is shrimp and scallops over saffron rice with artichokes in a delicious creamy sauce. I had never had a scallop before (gasp!) and am very selective about my shrimp, and since I'm not a seafood lover, let me say I loved all the seafood dishes here. Everything was fresh and not the least bit "fishy". Next we had veal medallions wrapped in bacon with a mushroom sauce, also over rice.

I had (shocker) never had veal. Also, let me confess to typically eating my meat "Well done, please, and then cook it a little more". I didn't lick the plate....but I thought about it. This literally melted in your mouth.

Next we sampled the seafood ravioli, which had salmon (never had) and lobster cream sauce (never had lobster, either). The salmon was probably the most out of my comfort zone, but the lobster cream sauce and I are now BFF's and I'm following it on twitter.

Now, all of this is very fancy and amazing, but it's of course special occasion/date night food. And, when you have your next special occasion, this is where you should go. Besides the food being amazing and the manager being friendly and knowledgable, the staff was attentive and I didn't see a single table that wanted for anything from water to clean forks.

But if you just need a little cocktail hour, Carmello's has you covered, too. This delicious Pizza Margharita (yeah, I'd actually had this before!) Is actually from the adjoining bar, Monza. If you're looking for a place for lunch, a light supper, or drinks with the girls, Monza has got to be it. In addition, let me share something with you:

On Mondays, Monza has $5 martinis from a list about a mile long. We sampled the pear, root beer float, grapefruit, a few I can't remember, and the awesome bar tender Jeff's espresso martini, which, if it were available at Starbucks, would land me in AA. Meeting up with a few friends after work (even if work involves chasing toddlers!) at Monza would be epic. With the same warm and upscale feel, but substantially more flatscreen TVs (playing the hockey game!!) Monza is a great guy-friend or girl-friend meet up.

Also, now that summer is approaching, keep in mind that on Friday and Saturday nights, the patio is open and the side street shut down to accommodate live music. What a great way to spend a warm summer night!

Carmello's- Entrees $23-30, elegant warm atmosphere. Going to the Hylton Performing Arts Center? Call ahead and bring your tickets and take advantage of their $35 Theatre Special before 6pm (Appetizer/Soup/Salad, Entree, Dessert). Plan Carmello's for your next occasion and you definitely won't regret it!

Monza- $5-$17, fun upscale atmosphere, great for meeting friends! Don't forget the $5 martini Mondays, and that pasta is $4 off before 4pm, so a late lunch is an option!

Denise, Rebecca and me. We like to segregate our Blondes and Brunettes when we dine out ;)

My group was provided with products or services for this review, however it represents my honest opinion, and I'd have written the same thing either way. Just saying :)

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Kids Eat Free in Prince William County

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Published: 05/10/2012

Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly meal in Woodbridge, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, Occoquan, Manassas, or Gainesville, a play place may help, but kids eating free is the ultimate!

Please CALL FIRST before using this list. Restaurants make changes to their menus, policies, dates and times on a regular basis, but this is correct as far as I know as of the date of publishing. If you encounter a change, please leave a comment and let me know so I can correct it!!

Monday
Denny's 2 kids eat free with each paying adult. Drinks are not included. All locations.
Smokey Bones kids eat free from 5-7 p.m.; one child with each adult entree. 2601 Prince William Parkway Woodbridge
Los Toltecos True Mexican Cuisine offers a free child's meal with each adult entree. 4120 Merchant Plaza Woodbridge
Dumfries Pizza Hut Kids three-year-old and under are free for the lunch buffet and three to 10-year-olds are half price with each adult entree. 17982 Main Steet, Dumfries
At Cici's Pizza, kids three-years-old and under can have a free meal with each adult entree. 13600 Foulger Square Woodbridge
Amici's will give one free kid's meal to kids 10 and under for each adult meal purchase 12623 Galveston Court Manassas
Eggspectation has one kids meal free per adult meal purchased every Monday 8058 Crescent Park Drive Gainesville
Golden Corral offers free meals to children 3 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet every day 10801 Bulloch Drive Manassas
Columbus Grill, one kid's meal per adult meal every Monday and Tuesday 8349 Centreville Road Manassas
Salsarita's on Rte. 28 in Bristow (near Super Target). Free kids meals (1 per adult entree) from 3-7 p.m.
Cafe Rio in Manassas offers kids 6 and under a free quesadilla.

Tuesday

Denny's 2 kids eat free with each paying adult. Drinks are not included.

IHOP From 4-10 p.m. two children per adult eat free and drinks are $0.99. All Locations.
K2 Restaurant & Lounge From 5-8 p.m., children 12-years-old and under eats free with each adult entree. 14633 Jefferson Davis Highway Woodbridge
Moe's Southwest Grill On Tuesdays from 5-9pm patrons can receive one kids free meal with one adult entree. 12841 Galveston Ct, Manassas

Dumfries Pizza Hut Kids three-year-old and under are free for the lunch buffet and three to 10-year-olds are half price with each adult entree. 17982 Main Steet, Dumfries
At Cici's Pizza, kids three-years-old and under can have a free meal with each adult entree. 13600 Foulger Square Woodbridge
Mcdonald's inside the Walmart on Liberia Ave in Manassas. Kids' Night on Tuesdays from 5-9 p.m. Buy 1 Happy Meal, get 1 Happy Meal free.
At Applebee's on Tuesdsay, kids eat for $1. 13850 Noblewood Plaza Woodbridge
Uno's Kids Eat Free with purchase of adult meal. All day. 2680 Prince William Parkway Woodbridge
Bob Evans Kids eat free. One child per adult. 12 and under. 4pm-close. 14490 Smoketown Rd or 13900 Noblewood Plaza Woodbridge
Silver Diner in Woodbridge (near Potomac Mills). Kid's Night from 5-8 p.m. features a weekly activity such as a magician, etc. Kids who join their kid's club get a free kid's milkshake.
The Lion and Bull from 5-9pm, one kids meal free per adult meal purchased 5351 Merchants View Square Haymarket
Golden Corral offers free meals to children 3 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet every day 10801 Bulloch Drive Manassas
Red Hot and Blue, 4-9pm one free kid's meal per adult meal 8366 Sudley Road Manassas

Columbus Grill, one kid's meal per adult meal every Monday and Tuesday 8349 Centreville Road Manassas

Panda Express, one free kid per paying adult, nearest intersection is Smoketown and Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge

Cafe Rio in Manassas offers kids 6 and under a free quesadilla.

Wednesday

Denny's 2 kids eat free with each paying adult. Drinks are not included. All locations.

Cafe Rio in Manassas offers kids 6 and under a free quesadilla.

All American Steakhouse offers two kids free meals with an adult entree all day. 4179 Merchant Plaza, Woodbridge
Ledo Pizza offers a free kids meal per adult entree from 4-9 p.m. 8971 Ox Road, Lorton
Dumfries Pizza Hut Kids three-year-old and under are free for the lunch buffet and three to 10-year-olds are half price with each adult entree.17982 Main Steet, Dumfries
At Cici's Pizza, kids three-years-old and under can have a free meal with each adult entree.13600 Foulger Square Woodbridge
The American Steakhouse has kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal. In the evening, they offer free face painting, too. 4179 Merchant Plaza Lake Ridge
Golden Corral offers free meals to children 3 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet every day 10801 Bulloch Drive Manassas
Buffalo Wild Wings, Kids eat 1/2 price from 5-8pm. Any participating location.

Thursday

Denny's 2 kids eat free with each paying adult. Drinks are not included.

Dumfries Pizza Hut Kids three-year-old and under are free for the lunch buffet and three to 10-year-olds are half price with each adult entree.17982 Main Steet, Dumfries

At Cici's Pizza, kids three-years-old and under can have a free meal with each adult entree. 13600 Foulger Square Woodbridge

Captain D's one free kids meal per adult meal purchased. 8911 Centreville Road Manassas

Golden Corral offers free meals to children 3 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet every day 10801 Bulloch Drive Manassas

Chik-Fil-A at Manassas Mall. Kid's Night from 5-8 p.m. and offers a free kid's meal with a paid adult meal.
Chik-Fil-A on Liberia Ave. in Manassas. Kid's Night from 5-8 p.m. and offers free kid's meal with a paid adult meal. Also features clown entertainment.

Cafe Rio in Manassas offers kids 6 and under a free quesadilla.

Friday

Cafe Rio in Manassas offers kids 6 and under a free quesadilla.

Denny's 2 kids eat free with each paying adult. Drinks are not included.

Dumfries Pizza Hut Kids three-year-old and under are free for the lunch buffet and three to 10-year-olds are half price with each adult entree.17982 Main Steet, Dumfries

At Cici's Pizza, kids three-years-old and under can have a free meal with each adult entree. 13600 Foulger Square Woodbridge

Golden Corral offers free meals to children 3 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet every day 10801 Bulloch Drive Manassas

Saturday

Denny's 2 kids eat free with each paying adult. Drinks are not included.

At Cici's Pizza, kids three-years-old and under can have a free meal with each adult entree. 13600 Foulger Square Woodbridge

Golden Corral offers free meals to children 3 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet every day 10801 Bulloch Drive Manassas
Qdoba on Liberia in Manassas has free kids meals on Saturday and on Sunday. They also have B1G1 free adult meals on Tuesdays so you can get a free kids meal or even order an adult size meal for your child and have leftovers.

Sunday

Cafe Rio in Manassas offers kids 6 and under a free quesadilla.

Denny's 2 kids eat free with each paying adult. Drinks are not included.

Hard Times Cafe offers one free child meal for ages 11 and under with each adult entree from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. 14389 Potomac Mills Rd Woodbridge

Panda Express on Liberia Avenue has kids eat free with adult meal purchase.

At Cici's Pizza, kids three-years-old and under can have a free meal with each adult entree. 13600 Foulger Square Woodbridge

Qdoba has kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult entree and drink. 2824 Prince William Pkwy Woodbridge

Golden Corral offers free meals to children 3 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet every day 10801 Bulloch Drive Manassas

Brass Cannon (in Stonewall Golf Club behind Wegman's). Sunday brunch buffet is buy one adult buffet get one free. Kids under 6 also eat for free.
California Tortilla in Bull Run Plaza in Manassas. Kids eat free on Sundays after 5 p.m. with a paying adult.
Carmello's in Old Town Manassas. Kids eat free on Sundays (open for dinner only).
Qdoba on Liberia in Manassas has free kids meals on Saturday and on Sunday. They also have B1G1 free adult meals on Tuesdays so you can get a free kids meal or even order an adult size meal for your child and have leftovers.

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