Jim Murphy - PREM Group’s Managing Director

Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year is now in full swing and the city is buzzing with events been held on a daily basis throughout the city . PREM Groups new Premier Apartments opened towards the end of last year and these 4 star apartments are the ideal base for any one traveling to Liverpool this year .The photo at the top of this BLOG is a sitting room of one of our Premier Apartments in Liverpool . One of the highlights of the year will be SirPaul McCarthys concert in Anfield on the 1st June .The following is a brief list of whats on . You can book your Premier Apartment at www.premierapartments.com .

MAYTate Liverpool’s 20th birthdayOne of the country’s most visited galleries of modern and contemporary art celebrates 20 years at the Albert Dock.The Liverpool SoundWaterfrontOnce-in-a-lifetime concert featuring world-famous artists, playing the music that Liverpool exported to the world.Gustav Klimt: Painting, Design and Modern Life in Vienna 1900Tate Liverpool, Albert DockThe UK’s first comprehensive exhibition of the work of Gustav Klimt.Three SistersThe Everyman, Hope StreetTracey-Ann Oberman and Liverpool writer Diane Samuels adapt Chekhov’s Three Sisters, relocating it from Russia to the Liverpool Jewish community of 1948.Writing on the Wall FestivalCity wideAn annual literature festival that celebrates writing, diversity, tolerance, story telling and humour through controversy, inquiry and debate.Poetry in the CityJUNEBenjamin Britten’s War RequiemLiverpool CathedralMajor collaboration between Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Liverpool Cathedral and Choir, and Choirs of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Cologne Cathedral, culminating in performances in Liverpool and Cologne.Opening of The University of Liverpool Victoria Gallery and MuseumAfter a £7.5 million restoration the University of Liverpool’s famous ‘redbrick’ Victoria Buildingwill be transformed into an art gallery and museum, displaying art and artefacts acquired during the University’s 116 year history. Established in 1892, the iconic building inspired the term ‘redbrick university’.New play by Jonathan HarveyThe Playhouse, Williamson SquareAn epic new play by Jonathan Harvey exploring the gay experience through three generations of a Liverpool family.The People’s FestivalLoveliverpool have been commissioned to host The People’s Festival, a weekend celebration of football, fashion and music with a special focus on the role of the voluntary sector. The festival climaxes with a specially commissioned work by composer Michael Nyman which explores European Football Culture, including images of the greatest moments selected by fans across Europe, with music that Nyman wrote as a memorial to Hillsborough as well as a piece called Extra Time for a fashion catwalk show featuring ‘WAGs’.AfricaOyeSefton ParkFree annual festival celebrating the very best of the music of Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas, including collaborations with Liverpool’s African community. www.africaoye.comLiverpool International Tennis TournamentCalderstones ParkDubbed the Wimbledon of the North, the annual Calderstones Park tournament is the largest exhibition event in Europe.SplatterfestUnity TheatreFestival of theatre for children.JULYLiverpool Arabic Arts FestivalBluecoat and other venuesThe UK’s only Arabic arts festival celebrating local and international Arabic culture comes back to Bluecoat Arts Centre with an exhibition of contemporary art from the Middle Eastwith Open Eye Gallery as well as music, dance, literature, theatre and food. The festival will also include the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in two separate collaborative concerts with Lebanese composer and oud (Arabic lute) player Marcel Khalife and Palestinian singer/songwriter Amal Murkus at the Philharmonic Hall.Classical Summer PopsSefton ParkA fresh take on the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s hugely popular Big Top Summer Pops, relocates to the picturesque setting of Sefton Park, in the shadow of the beautiful Palm House.Summer PopsSince 2001 the Summer Pops has been a key feature of the European summer music calendar, playing host to some of the greatest names in music, including Elton John, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.The Open Golf ChampionshipRoyal BirkdaleThe world’s top players flock to Merseyside for the second time in three years for the Open Golf Championship.Liverpool Comedy FestivalHUBOtterspool PromenadeThe UK’s biggest free urban culture festival; bringing music, street art and extreme sports to a unique river-side park.Brouhaha International Street FestivalCity wide(July & August) Brings together more than 20 arts, music and dance companies from around the world, climaxing in a carnival parade through the city’s streets.Children and families programmeSix-week festival centred around the cultural quarter of William Brown Street.The Beat Goes OnWorld Museum LiverpoolMulti-sensory exhibition celebrating Liverpool as the capital of pop and rock. The exhibition explores Liverpool’s popular music heritage from 1945 to the present, looking at the impact of Liverpool’s music on Britain and the rest of the World.Maritime Festival - including the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the start of the Tall Ships RacesLiverpool will celebrate its nautical roots with a maritime festival, encompassing the homecoming of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the spectacular start of the Tall Ships Races - expected to attract a million spectators to the banks of the River Mersey.Pipilotti Rist - film premiereFACT, Wood StreetWorld premiere of Rist’s first-ever feature film Pepperminta comes up - starring a female super hero for the modern era; her mission is to prevent humanity from the perils of total normality and complete conformity! Rist will also launch a new commission in the galleries alongside a favourite work that has won her copious awards and international acclaim.——————————————————————————–AUGUSTWorld Firefighter GamesUp to 5,000 international Fire Fighters and their families arrive in Liverpoolto participate in more than 60 individual events at venues across Merseyside. www.worldfirefightersgames.com.Major Theatrical eventAnglican CathedralMajor theatrical event at the Anglican Cathedral. An Everyman and Playhouse production.Black Star LinerJamaica StreetLiverpool’s first dedicated home for black music. The launch will herald a month-long festival around its Jamaica Street base, including a block party and carnival, celebrating Liverpool’s Caribbeancommunity. A Loveliverpool project.Mathew Street Music FestivalCity centreLegendary August Bank Holiday music festival, which annually attracts more than 350,000 revellers to multiple music stages across Liverpool city centre.CreamfieldsHaltonMuch-loved outdoor dance festival.SEPTEMBERSir Simon Rattle conducts the Berlin PhilharmonicPhilharmonic Hall(04/09/08) The city-born classical music superstar returns to his home-town with the orchestra with which he is Chief Conductor and Artistic Director. One of only two UK dates.British Association Festival of ScienceThe Big BiennialLiverpool’s fifth International Festival of Contemporary Art. Dubbed ‘the Big Biennial’, the 2008 festival will feature even more new commissions and will include the 50th anniversary of the John Moores exhibition of contemporary painting at the Walker Art Gallery.Liverpool Live 2008Bluecoat and city centre locationsBluecoat will organise an extensive live art programme, Liverpool Live, during the Biennial both at Bluecoat and across the city. Launched by a high profile public event, Liverpool Live will comprise interventions, indoor performances, film screenings and more by some of the leading UK and international artists working in their field.Vasily Petrenko opens the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 08/09 season.Philharmonic HallVasily Petrenko’s third season as Principal Conductor. The RLPO’s 08/09 season includes more premieres of works commissioned for 2008 from many of today’s leading composers.Festival of British MusicPart 2Philharmonic HallHonda F4 Powerboat LiverpoolGrand PrixWaterfrontThe UK’s fastest offshore powerboat championships.Hope Street FestivalHope StreetMusic, film, dance, theatre, poetry, talks and tours, plus a Farmers’ Market and food and wine at venues and local restaurants showcase the vibrancy and creativity around the City’s designated ‘cultural quarter’.Fiesta LatinaCity wideA week of Latino music and dance.Finale of the Tour of BritainBritain’s leading professional cycling race reaches a nail-biting climax in Liverpool city centre. This will be the first time the tour has finished outside of London. www.tourofbritain.co.uk.——————————————————————————–OCTOBERSir Simon Rattle conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic OrchestraPhilharmonic HallClassical music superstar and one of the Liverpool Phil’s ‘Artists Laureate 2008′ (with Vladimir Ashkenazy) returns to the concert hall where he began his music career. Includes premiere of a new composition by Australian Brett Dean, of whose work Simon Rattle is one of the leading interpreters.RIBA Stirling PrizeArena and Convention Centre LiverpoolThe Oscars of British Architecture. The RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture - broadcast live on Channel 4 from the newly opened Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, on October 11.Eric’s -The MusicalThe Everyman, Hope StreetNew musical production that tells the witty and inspirational tale of the small Mathew Street underground club that sparked a cultural revolution. By Mark Davies in collaboration with Pete Wylie.Liverpool Irish FestivalVarious Liverpool venuesCelebration of Irish culture.Black History MonthVarious Liverpool venuesHalloween Lantern CarnivalSefton ParkSpell-binding procession of unique, beautifully crafted hand-held lanterns through one of Liverpool’s most beautiful parks.NOVEMBERShipping LinesUniversity of LiverpoolLiterary festival featuring Seamus Heaney, Jorie Graham, Doris Lessing, Monica Ali, Roger McGough, Melvyn Bragg, Philip Pullman, and Paul Farley. The festival will include readings and poetry recitals as wellas ‘in conversation’ events and workshops.DadafestVarious north west venuesThe largest celebration of disability and deaf art in the north west, bringing together internationally acclaimed artists and home-grown talent.HomotopiaVarious Liverpool venuesGay, lesbian and transgender festival presenting theatre, dance, music, cabaret, club nights, art, film and talkfests.Liverpool Music WeekCity centre venuesThe best of up-and-coming, signed and unsigned bands perform in venues across the city centre. For more information go to www.liverpool08.com

Our Irish hotels have recently become part of the Wyndham Worldwide loyalty programme, which allows our guests to earn airline miles or Wyndham rewards points for car rentals and shopping vouchers for a host of Irish stores including Brown Thomas, Debenhams and Starbucks. However, the best rewards I believe, are the opportunities to get free night stays at any of the 4,000 Days Inns worldwide. They have some great locations, popular with the Irish leisure guest including New York, Florida and San Fransisco.Click on the following video to see what Days Inns have to offer in America.

You can treat your family to a great (cost effective) holiday as payback for all those nights you’ve been away travelling on business.

Guests can join at www.wyndhamrewards.com/ie

Days Hotel Dublin Airport has just launched a new car parking service at Santry Cross near Dublin Airport . 

Secure car parking is available for hotel residents and non residents who wish to leave their car while travelling abroad.  The rate per day is €6 which includes the use of our courtesy coach to and from Dublin airport.

To avail of a pick up service from the airport please dial extension 120 from the courtsey phone in the arrivals hall (to the right as you enter from baggage re-claim) and make your way to courtesy coach area zone 2 - the bus will then collect you within 15 minutes.

The Hotel also offers very compettive overnight rates .To make a booking and to secure  our best rate guarantee you can visit the hotels website at www.dayshoteldublinairport.com .

Please note that the courtesy coach operates from 4am - 9.45pm daily.

 As a member of the Irish Hotels Federation I want to support there call for a yes vote in the up coming referendum on the Lisbon treaty . The following is the press release issued by the IHF . The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is a member of the Business Alliance for Europe which today launched its campaign for a yes vote on the Lisbon Reform Treaty. In supporting the initiative, the IHF calls on its 1,000 member hotels and guesthouses and their 60,000 employees to vote yes in the upcoming referendum.  John Power, Chief Executive, IHF, states, “It is vital that Ireland remains fully engaged with the EU given the tremendous opportunities that a strong and efficient Europe offers Irish businesses. In the last 10 years Ireland has doubled its exports to other EU states (from e44bn to e87bn) and in the same period the revenue from mainland European tourist who visited Ireland has almost trebled to e1.6bn.”              “Ireland’s active and positive involvement in the development of the EU continues to be a major attractor of foreign direct investment. It is important that Ireland’s positive support of the development of the EU continues. Anything other than a decisive ‘yes’ in the referendum would undermine the international perception of Ireland as a desirable place to visit and in which to do business.”  The IHF believes the strengthened and reformed institutions arising from the Treaty will allow the EU to achieve greater levels of economic prosperity and to face more effectively the challenges of development and enlargement. By playing a positive role in shaping Europe’s future, Ireland protects its status as a desirable location for both existing and future foreign investment by businesses seeking a foothold in the European market.  The Lisbon Reform Treaty includes a commitment to cooperate with emerging economies which in future will expand the possibilities for future trade and exports including tourism opportunities. The benefits arising from the Treaty will also generate additional opportunities for Irish business through greater realisation of the internal market.  “Ireland has established a tremendous level of goodwill within Europe and has long been regarded as a welcoming country for visitors and overseas workers. The foundation of the Irish tourist brand is our people and our open, friendly and welcoming attitude. From a hospitality and tourism perspective, a resounding ‘yes’ to the Lisbon Treaty will substantiate this reputation in the eyes of the other 26 member states,” adds Mr Power.  

Children’s Initiative Reinforces Healthy Eating Habits

I congratulate the new President of the Irish Hotels Federation for the “Food for Kids” initiative that he has just launched . As the father of two children I am only too aware of the very limited and unhealthy food offered to children in our hotels and restaurants . The standard choice of chicken nuggets ,sausages,fish fingers ,all deep fried and all served with chips ,must become a thing of the past . The healthy menu suggestions given to members by the IHF  would appeal to my children and are all interesting and attractive options .

The initiative, which promotes more choice for parents, is the first nationally coordinated campaign of its kind in Europe. The IHF will provide chefs with healthy preparation guidelines along with a range of nutritious ‘Family Friendly Menus’ seasonally augmented in-line with the availability of fresh produce.

In partnership with independent dietitian Margot Brennan, the initiative will see the roll-out of a comprehensive range of menu options across participating hotels and guesthouses from May 2008 onwards. With an estimated 300,000 children now overweight or obese in Ireland¹, the ‘Family Friendly Menus’ will offer parents fun, interesting and healthy meals that reinforce healthy eating habits with an optimum balance of proteins, carbohydrates and nutrients.

In 2008, Irish hotels and guesthouses will prepare over five million meals for children, providing a significant opportunity to promote healthy eating among their younger guests. Coordinated and supported by the IHF, participating premises will help to address the pressing health issue of childhood obesity by delivering nutritious meals that are tasty, attractive and fun for children.

The healthy eating guidelines will promote:

• Eliminating salt in preparation and cooking
• Offering alternatives to chips
• Using ‘real potatoes’ to make homemade chunky chips with no added salt
• Using vegetables & fruit more imaginatively
• Increasing the use of whole-wheat and oats.
• Providing less fried foods
• Increasing the fibre content in children’s food
• Ensuring a child-friendly presentation of food
• Providing fish, chicken and meat that are nutritious and not processed.

The IHF stated that it hoped that this initiative will play a role in addressing alarming national statistics which include:

§         11.6% of Irish girls aged 5–12 years are overweight while 13% are obese

§         10.5% of Irish boys aged 5–12 years are overweight while 9.2% are obese

§         40% of Irish children exceed the recommended maximum of energy intake from fat.

§         61% of children did not consume enough fibre.

The IHF stated that hotels and guesthouses participating in the initiative will display a symbol so that parents can also make an informed selection on the property they choose to have family meals in. The IHF represents over 1,000 hotels and guesthouses throughout the country. Its members employ 60,000 staff.

I will be encouraging all our hotels to look at improving the children’s menu’s that we offer to include some of the suggestions outlined in this initiative .

For more information visit www.ihf.ie

By Simon Binns Crain’s Manchester Business

www.crain.com

Manchester’s serviced apartment sector is growing and now boasts the biggest range in the UK outside of London, according to a new report from agents Savills.

The capital leads the way by some distance, with 5,200 units. However, Manchester currently has 338 units followed by Birmingham (258), Leeds (143), Bristol (125), Edinburgh (207) and Cardiff (42).

Serviced apartments in Manchester city centre include The Place, near Piccadilly Station, and Days Inn and Premier Apartments, both in the Northern Quarter, and new developments such as BSC Group’s Issa Quay on Dale Street are expected to come onto the market soon.

The Savills report claims that income returns for serviced apartments have outperformed the residential investment sector, averaging 4.4 per cent over the last three years, compared to 3.7 per cent for the private rented sector. The report predicts this trend will continue in 2008 with similar income returns of between five and 5.5 per cent.

Adrian Archer, director of Savills hotels division, said branding would be key to raising the profile and appeal of the sector. “This can open the sector up to new sources of demand, such as new international markets and the leisure sector. This could drive further expansion.” Further supply would also depend on developers coming into the sector, the report said.

“Past investment performance and its exclusion from affordable housing requirements makes this sector attractive to developers,” said Archer. “It also gives them the option of selling units back onto the private residential market at a later date realising any potential future uplift in values. This has become increasingly attractive in markets suffering an oversupply, combined with thinning demand for city centre flats.

“But if developers want to get maximum value from their scheme they should be looking to get an operator on board at an early stage”.

Mark Hiscock is general manager at Premier Apartments Manchester, on Shudehill. He said that some business travellers prefer the home-from-home feel of a serviced apartment when on business travel.

“A lot of our customers have stayed in hotels before but like the extra space and flexibility of serviced apartments,” he said. “People often like to have a bit of independence when they are travelling for business. We have a reception if people need to contact us, but some people like to be left alone and want a more hands-off approach.”

The room rate at Premier Apartments is £90 for a one-bedroom flat, but it can increase to £200 on a busy night. “Some times are busier than others — conferences season and Manchester United fixtures are the busiest time,” he said.

“During the week, our customers are predominantly corporate. We have quite a few regulars who will stay Sunday to Thursday or Monday to Friday. We also have long-stay relocations or assignments. Some stay for as long as three months.

Photo: Patrick de-Peuter PremGroup Benelux and france, Peter Crauwels Holiday INN Hasselt and Jim Murphy MD PremGroup.

We had a superb night last Thursday, 24th April, celebrating many talented people among the PREM Group team, and our most successful property performances in 2007. Our every day goal in PREM Group is to exceed our customers’ expectations by empowering a committed team of people to work creatively and ethically for the benefit of all our stakeholders.All our winners achieved this in 2007. The night began with a bang – actually, quite a lot of bangs, courtesy of two wonderful Macnas drummers, who, with the assistance of superstar Macnas Bono, led all 84 guests to the Galvia Suite in superbly festive fashion. All 29 ‘People of the Year’, representing properties from Ireland, UK, and Benelux & France, received their certificates to a standing ovation from their GMs, Directors and head office colleagues. Following a superb meal, a raffle took place for Beyond the Moon, raising €736. Eyebrows were raised when Patrick de Peuter, Managing Director for PREM Group Benelux France drew Betty Houben’s ticket – Betty being the Sales and Marketing Manager for PREM Group Benelux France!! The long, anxious wait for General Managers and their People of the Year, came to an end straight after the meal. Gareth O’Callaghan, well known national and local DJ, and our Master of Ceremonies for the night introduced the awards. The atmosphere was tense as Jim and our Regional heads each took their turn on the stage to announce the 7 popular award winners.

And the winners are……

PREM Group Person of the Year 2007 Benelux and France – Aline Malle from Holiday Inn Calais.

PREM Group Person of the Year 2007 Ireland – Viorica Sirbu from Days Inn Talbot Street.

PREM Group Person of the Year 2007 UK – Lucy Clarke from Premier Apartments Liverpool .

PREM Group Property of the Year 2007 for Benelux France - Holiday Inn Hasselt.

PREM Group Property of the Year 2007 for UK - Premier Apartments Birmingham

PREM Group Property of the Year 2007 for Ireland - Days Hotel Galway

Overall Property of the Year 2007 – Days Hotel Galway

Siobhan Burke, General Manager of Days Hotel Galway, accepted the beautifully engraved Dublin Crystal vase on behalf of her own team in the hotel, whom, she says, work so hard every day to make Days Hotel Galway the success it is. Not a person in the room could deny the true and genuine gratitude she expressed to her team. What was superb is that every one of us attending the award experienced an exceptionally high level of friendliness and service from the winning team on that night. Well done Siobhan and the Days Hotel Galway team!! It’s difficult to capture the atmosphere on the night in words, but the above mentioned Betty Houben, did come up with something that came close – the night was neither over the top, nor understated, it was warm – and she was right, one looking in on the night, who didn’t know us, might be surprised to learn we were a group of colleagues together on a company night, rather than a group of friends purposely sharing some time together – the atmosphere was warm. The celebrations continued until late into the night, supported by the fantastically talented ‘Manilla Strings’,a trio capable of constantly surprising the audience with their breadth of repertoire!!! Roll on next Year’s awards . Edited photos to follow shortly!

  April 2008: Leading hotel operator PREM Group, has today announced that its European Hotel Consortium (EHC) - a joint venture with Goodbody Stockbrokers - has reported an increase in value of €27 million. The portfolio was acquired in four separate transactions throughout 2007 at a cost of €130 million. The valuation report carried out by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) in April 2008 currently values the portfolio at €157 million. The CBRE report attributes the increase in value to the improved financial performance as a result of the ‘hands on’ management and marketing of the hotels by PREM Group and the stability of the Belgian economy. PREM Group is now the second largest hotel operator in Belgium. The EHC currently comprises 13 three- and four-star hotels in Belgium and France. The hotels are branded as Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Ramada and Ramada Plaza and are based in Hasselt, Mechelen, Antwerp, Ghent, Ostend and Calais. Plans to further expand the EHC are in the pipeline with acquisitions anticipated in Belgium, Germany and Poland in the near future.   Commenting Jim Murphy, managing director, PREM Group said “The EHC continues to thrive and is performing well above the market average. In view of the current market conditions and positive prospects for the next 12 months, we are confident that the portfolio will continue to increase in value and yield a healthy return for investors.” Commenting David Clarke Head of Private Client Property Investment, Goodbody Stockbrokers said “We are delighted with the increase in value of the EHC in the past twelve months.  In the current climate, this is a good news story. Goodbody’s still has a number of investment slots available at the original price and investors joining the fund before the end of May will enjoy an immediate uplift in their investment.”   PREM Group, Ireland’s largest hotel operator, operates 37 hotels and aparthotels in Ireland, England, and Northern Europe. The company, whose head office is in Dublin, employs 1400 people and had a turnover of €60 million in 2007 which is expected to rise to €100 million in 2008. Goodbody Stockbrokers is Ireland’s longest established stockbroking firm with roots dating back to 1877. As well as being one of the leading institutional brokers, Goodbody Stockbrokers are the largest private client firm in Ireland. Goodbody is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIB Capital Markets plc, a division of Ireland’s largest bank and public company, AIB Group plc. Goodbody currently employs over 300 people. ENDS FURTHER INFORMATION: Winifred McCourt / Angie Grant          Weber ShandwickTelephone: 01 676 0168                     Mobile: 087 244 6004 / 086 377 2791

With just one week to go to the inaugural PREM Group awards ceremony in the Days Hotel Galway on the 24th April, plans are really beginning to take shape. On the night we will be celebrating the persons of the year from Ireland, England, Belgium and France. The person of the year winners from all of our 38 properties will be travelling to Galway with their GM’s to accept their award. On the night we will be picking one overall person of the year for each region . We will also be selecting the overall property of the year from across the portfolio. Needless to say we have a great night planned for all attendees and I have no doudt that the team in Galway will give us a night to remember.I will have a list of winners on this blog after the event along with a few photos. Expect a few sore heads on Friday morning !!

One of the best hotel blogs out there is Bill Marriott’s blog at www.blogs.marriott.com and I enjoyed reading this post . Hopefully he wont mind if I repeat it here .

“There’s an awful lot of conversation today about the difficulties we’re all having to understand what’s going on with our economy. None of us really know how long this downturn is going to take or how severe it’s going to be. The only thing we’re certain of is that we need to all learn to think outside the box. We need to be creative, we need to be innovative, we need to find ways to tackle our problems and really think about what we can do to do better.I was impressed with a story I heard a little while ago about an old man who lived alone in the country. He was worried about digging his tomato garden because it was such hard work and the ground was hard. His only son Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:

Dear Vincent,

I’m really feeling bad because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me.

Love,
Dad

A few days later, he received a letter from his son:

Dear Dad,

Don’t dig up that garden, that’s where I buried the bodies.

Love,
Vinny

At 4:00 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son:

Dear Dad,

Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That’s the best I could do under the circumstances.

Let’s all work hard at thinking outside the box, being creative and solving problems.”

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