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Jan. 4 Pipeline
Dec. 21 Pipeline
About Us
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BUCKTOWN FITNESS CLUB
2100 W. North
p: 773-235-3455
M-F: 6AM-10PM
Sat.: 8AM-10PM
Sun. 10AM-7PM
Go INSIDE the club!
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Images from the WPC Aldermanic Forum, click to enlarge
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Greetings!
| | Sunday Afternoon "Snow Ball" in West Bucktown/ Photo by Alisa Hauser |
Welcome to our Fun-or-Bust issue. We're determined to have fun with today's issue, much as West Bucktown residents David and Matt were intent on their game of H-O-R-S-E this past Sunday, right, no matter the frost on the top of the key. Section advertisers from today's missing sections will appear in other sections today. 
| | "Good game!" Photo by Philin Phlash |
The section cuts are prompted by time and money. Both were in short supply, so we decided to get to bed by a decent hour on "deadline night" and forgo much of the information we've always felt obliged to share here. If you don't see your news in today's issue, but would have liked to have seen them, give me a shout about how to be part of the next iteration of Pipeline. We'd love nothing more than to keep getting better with you by our side. Frills we have few, but stories many. Thanks to my city mother, Margalit, and my suburban mother, Ilene, for both encouraging me to get a decent amount of sleep on the eve of an important personal milestone which will enable me to have a health insurance sponsor other than myself. Armmagetajobagain strikes at dawn. Onward, Vamos, Alisa |
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Picture Pages Snapped @Pint
Photos by Philin Phlash/click on images to enlarge**
Pint Bar & Restaurant p: 773-772-7990,
1547 N. Milw. Mon-Fri, SUN: 11AM-2AM; SAT: 11AM-3AM
** Hi, y'all! We ran outta time! For more Phlash photos snapped at Pint and elsewhere this week, click here.
 
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| | Eva Bergant |
A 2009-10 Residential SPACES Analysis
Made possible by Eva Bergant, @Properties Realtor
"So, how IS the housing market in Bucktown/Wicker Park?" is a question that Realtors are often asked. On average, Bucktown and Wicker Park properties are maintaining their values. From examining summary data for 2009 and 2010, we can determine that the number of completed transactions is lower in 2010, and the average sold price for detached homes is down by 2.7%, to $840,251; with an average sale price of 92.6% of the list price in 2010, and 90% in 2009. The average sold price  | | Graph by Eva; click to enlarge |
for attached properties--condos and townhomes--is down only 1% to $391,721, and selling price is 95% of list price for both years. 
| Graph by Eva, click to enlarge it
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What does this mean? It means that you may not be able to sell your place for the price you paid for it, but our neighborhood pricing does appear to be stabilizing. The homes which were sold last year shared a common characteristic: They were priced correctly. This trend will continue in 2011. READ MORE HERE. *** Information sourced from MREDLLC; 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2010 and current as of 1/10/11. Attached Property and Detached Property residential Bucktown (Ashland, Western, Fullerton, North) and WickerPark (Ashland, Western, North, Division) WHAT'S NEXT? - You tell me! Send your ideas, questions, and suggestions, and I'll incorporate them into future columns.
About Eva:
Eva Bergant is a Bucktown resident and local Realtor with a community driven style. In addition to being the president of the Bucktown Community Organization (BCO), Eva has served as chair for the annual Bucktown Garden Walk for the past three years. Word on the street is that she and her partner, Sherri, make a mean BBQ, enjoy entertaining, traveling, relaxing at their vacation getaway in New Buffalo, Michigan, and spoiling their two dogs. You can reach Eva by email or at 312-543-6819.
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COMMERCIAL SPACES
| | "Bras of All Sizes," abruptly gone from the 1300 block of N. Milw. |
After who knows how many thousands of years, Kiss 'N Tell, a lingerie hot spot at 1257 N. Milw., is closed. I've popped into the store at least a few times to chat with the owners, who usually thought I was selling something and dismissed this e-newsletter. This place was truly Old World, and will be missed. If any writers with more time than myself would like to find out what happened to Kiss 'N Tell, or tell its story in 200 words or less, send us your piece. Also, while you're at it, go ahead and see if this girl got the duckfrom her 85-year-old grandfather back or not. Thanks!
On north Damen, The Bedding Experts, on the southwest corner of Armitage and
| | Bedding Experts, where dreams like Everything Must Go sales come true. Now playing at Armitage and Damen. |
Damen, across from PNC Bank, will likely close soon, per a source close to the matter. This sign, right, was also a tip-off. (There are a few other rumored closings which I don't have time to follow up on because I spent a day trying to memorize my new employee number and various passwords to various systems.) Two other verified closings will take place this month: Grasshopper 510, 1944 N. Damen, and Daniels Antiques, 2062 N. Damen. Grasshopper 510 will maintain a presence online, per this email from owner Jean. Daniels Antiques will be relocating to Lincoln Square, in a cozy space at Sunnyside and Lincoln, on March 1.
| | "Bon Voyage, Bucktown! It's Not Goodbye, It's See You in Lincoln Square After March 1, 2011"/Photo of Cynthia and Daniel of Daniels Antiques by Alisa Hauser |
Cynthia, one-half of the DA team, noted that her and Daniel's warehouse up north will be open for business during the interim, and that Daniels Antiques will stay open seven days each week (11AM to 7PM) through the end of this month (Jan.), offering substantial savings during its Moving Sale. Both Daniel and Cynthia, who moved their shop to Bucktown three years ago after 14 years on Southport, reported that they will miss all of their Bucktown neighbors and friends. Daniel, in particular, said that he will miss grabbing beers at nearby Danny's Tavern, aided by a nice bartender there named Kevin. We here at The Pipeline will miss popping in at Daniels Antiques on occasion. Now we will have to possibly visit them in Lincoln Square sometime! Here's a video clip of Daniel discussing a 1957 sketch by artist Eddie Balchowsky.
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COMMUNITY NEWS YOU CAN USE
| A Clean Slate worker, near Division and Ashland, Sun. Jan. 9, 2011/
Photo by Alisa Hauser, chicago-pipeline.com
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The city's overnight 3 AM-7 AM parking ban affecting these arterial streets ends April 1, 2011. There's an additional snow ban which affects streets when there's at least two inches of snow. The SSA #33/WPB contracts with vendor Cleanslate to provide daily street cleaning services year round, as well as additional snow removal when there's more than an inch of snow on sidewalks and streets through March 15. This service is supplemental and does not relieve any able individual of the responsibility of clearing his or her walkway (Chicago Municipal Code 4-4-310 and 10-8-180). Do your neighbors need a friendly reminder of the shoveling code? Here's help from the ATA. Questions/comments about local snow removal can be emailed to the SSA#33/WPB office.  In case you missed hearing about it (or hearing it), a car collided with North Community Bank at Damen and Division this past week, per this link.More on this in Our Urban Times. If you take your lights down before Jan 18, any broken and/or unwanted bulbs can be dropped off at the chamber office for proper recycling, per this flier. Do you have a tree that needs somewhere to go other than the alley? Consider recycling your tree at one of the city's 23 drop-off centers, through Mon., Jan. 17. 
| | Photo by Philin Phlash; click to enlarge |
This past Saturday night, Phlash was chilling at Pint, thinking about reading, when he came across First Ward Ald. Proco Joe Moreno, tossing back a couple brews before going to feed sandwiches and soup to the homeless. Phlash said he'd go too, and so they went to the Night Ministry van
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At the Night Ministry/
Photo by Philin Phlash
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together. Earlier that same day, Moreno spoke out against the proposed income tax hike at a press conference. Nandika Doobay was there. Read part of Dika's story here, in italics:
Aldermen Joe Moreno and Walter Burnett Jr. held a press conference Saturday at the 13th District Police Station to discuss their views on the proposed income tax increase which the Illinois house is set to vote on this week. Both Moreno and Burnett deem the tax-hike unacceptable, as it does not include revenue increases to any of the state's municipalities, capping Chicago's revenue at the current one tenth of one percent.- Nandika Doobay
Read/See More.
| | Neckwarmers are the new scarves. Get one! Visit Videnovichfarms.com |
And finally, also on this same day, Ald. Moreno's team held office hours at the Empty Bottle's Indoor Handmade Market, which was quite a treasure trove of vendors selling a wide range of D.I.Y. crafts. Within the dark recesses of the Bottle, it almost felt like an Old World bazaar. We enjoyed chatting up a former co-worker, Vera Videnovich. Vera's farm in Michigan offers a CSA delivery of fresh-harvested vegetables, herbs, and fruit. Vera also spins some pretty amazing items of clothing out of yarn. I wish we'd had a bit longer to chat. As for the The Handmade Market, it is organized by urbanfolkcircuit, two apparently smart and no-frills planning women. Save the date for The Empty Bottle's next market: Sat., Feb. 12, noon to 4 PM.
 | | Aldermanic forum, Jan. 5, 2011/ Pipeline file photo |
In advance of the Feb. 22, 2011, elections, the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting a 32nd Ward Aldermanic Forum on Thurs., Jan. 20, 2011.
Not sure which ward you are in?
Click here to find out.
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DISPATCH FROM ALDERMANIC FORUM
| | Ald. Scott Waguespack addresses a room full of curious voters at the WPC hosted Aldermanic Forum |
A standing room-only crowd crackling with energy, a history-making mayoral election just weeks away, and three challengers to incumbent 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack proved the ingredients for a spirited and informative Aldermanic Candidates Forum, hosted by the Wicker Park Committee this past Tues., Jan. 5, at the Wicker Park Lutheran Church.
Incumbents 1st and 32nd ward aldermen Proco Joe Moreno and Scott Waguespack, respectively, were joined by candidates who will attempt to unseat them in the upcoming Feb. 22, 2011, election. Ald. Moreno, appointed to his aldermanic position eight months ago by Mayor Daley, has two challengers, though only one, Deborah Lopez, was present. Ronald J. Baltierra was "under the weather" per Ed Tamminga, president of the Wicker Park Committee. 
| Ald. Proco Joe Moreno speaks at last week's forum
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During his opening introduction, Moreno noted that 90 percent of the First Ward is in Wicker Park. He cited services he's ushered into the ward, such as a self-funded program offering text message alerts for street sweeping, one of the first of its kind in the country.
| | David Pavlik |
Alderman Waguespack, who late last year announced that he would not run for mayor, but instead for his aldermanic seat, highlighted his role in trying to stop the city's privatization of its parking meters. Waguespack told the crowd that he is "not a surrogate for old ways," perhaps referring to challengers David Pavlik, left, who currently works in Governor Pat Quinn's Office of Management and Budget and Bryan P. Lynch, a prosecutor with a background in real estate law and a history of working with city departments.
Pavlik, who was born and raised in Wicker Park, reminisced about "when Moonshine was a grocery store." He said that if he were alderman he would spend each day serving constituents. It [being alderman] means putting our neighborhood first."
| | Brian Gorman |
Gorman, a Roscoe Village resident and stay-at-home dad, said that he is running for alderman because he has "a desire to do the little things that make people's lives easier." Later in the forum, Gorman said that he would like to work with landlords to offer affordable rents to small business owners. This focus on the business community was further expressed here.
| | Brian P. Lynch |
Lynch foretold "tremendous problems looming ahead." He said that his background as a prosecutor representing business owners who are threatened by condemnation would be an asset to the role of alderman. Later, in response to his position on the city's possible privatization of water supply, Lynch replied, "I disagree that privatization of an asset is bad."
| | Deborah Lopez reads from her opening introduction |
Though the evening was intended to be an informational forum to introduce the candidates and gauge their views on citywide concerns, such as TIF funding, Taste of Chicago cover charges, and privatization of water supply, there were moments where it felt more like a heated debate. After Ald. Moreno brought up a new LEED-certified parking garage and trolley, Lopez countered that she "does not have the luxury" of putting her name on projects from the previous alderman, to which Moreno rebutted. Moreno said that he is proud to have his name on anything that his predecessor started.
| | David Charns |
After the forum, this e-newsletter writer should have been interviewing folks about their reactions, but instead ended up chatting with David Charns, a Medill Graduate School of Journalism student who was covering the forum for his school newspaper. If we are able to find Charn's story, we'll link to it here next week. In the meanwhile, check out these reactions, solicited after the fact, from long-time Wicker Parker Teddy Varndell, and Zygmunt Dyrkacz and Lela Headd.
For more information on the candidates, check out this Our Urban Times story by Elaine Coorens.
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 LINKS AND TWEETS:
Made Possible by
REarrange Studio,
2064 N. Damen
p: 773.904.8604
Tues - Sat: 11 AM-6 PM;
Sun.: Noon-6PM
Cleanliness is next to godliness. Be more organized and cozy up to a higher sense of yourself. It all begins with integrating a CUSTOM CLOSET by REarrange into your life. The materials will be 25% off, with 50% off installation, for any closets ordered in January, with mention of "pipeline." Free in-home consultation, too!
| Wolverang checks out a photo booth inside a Historic Bar of Chicago
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Links and Tweets screamed for a Bloody Mary this week, and it got one. Along with a Bento Box. And some tips on what makes or breaks soups in this Sun-Times story. We missed out on The Southern's mac and cheese truck and the Plant Propagation Workshop, though there is a recap of the latter here, by Doug Wood. Oh yeah, and there is a bar located at the northwestern most section of the neighborhood. The name of this bar is related to the concept of thirst. It is celebrating a Stout Fest this month. If you recognize where this photo was taken, let us know. You might win a book, Historic Bars of Chicago by Sean Parnell, courtesy of publisher Lake Claremont Press.
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| | Photo lifted from Wormhole's Facebook Page |
The Wormhole,
1462 N. Milw.
Coffee-Edibles-Internets-Swag
M-F: 7 AM-midnight,
SAT-SUN:
9 AM-midnight
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INSIDE THE BENTO BOX
| | Bento Box Bliss! |
Though past prime lunch hour, nearly every table except the one next to mine was occupied at The Bento Box, 2246 W. Armitage, this past Friday.
The cozy storefront space, with natural lighting pouring onto
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Rick of The Bento Box, Nov. 2010
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simple blonde wooden tables covered in bento boxes of steaming food, is a perfect spot for a business or personal lunch.
Late in the day this past November I'd 'speed-popped' into The Bento Box, where its owner, Rick, pictured with ladder, was getting ready to convert the front of his catering space to The Bento Box. (More on Rick in this Chicago magazine piece.)
Now, Rick was working intently in the kitchen, visible through an open window. READ MORE.
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In Memorium: Buster Chiriboga
 | Buster, having fun, Oct.'09/
Photo by Nourhy Chiriboga |
Buster Chiriboga, age 14, passed away peacefully on Thurs., Dec. 30, 2010, shortly before the New Year. Buster was adopted from the Anti-Cruelty Society by his owner, Nourhy, at the age of four, and quickly amassed a lot of fans at NOW Studio, 2141 W. Webster.
"He was a fixture at NOW. He liked to be in the treatment room and would often snore," Nourhy recalled in a telephone conversation this past week. "Buster loved kids, and was good with people who were nervous about bodywork. People could focus on Buster and he would put them at ease."
Do you have a birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, or death announcement? Email us.
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1000 WORDS: By Philin Phlash
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Mailbag: Not Just Any Reader from East Coast, But a Righteous Warrior
| | Timothy Ross at the St. Hedwig Carnival in Bucktown, June 2010 |
Hello Alisa. My name is Timothy Ross, a/k/a Righteous Warrior. We met back earlier last summer 2010. You interviewed me as I was working at the carnival for a piece for your publication. I was working a "Balloon Bust" w/Darts game. I am back on the East Coast and had forgotten about it. Is there any way you can get me a copy of that issue which contains the interview at the church festival from your archive and email it to me. It would've been ether June or July 2010. Thanks, sexy lady! I remember how beautiful you are!
 | | Timothy Ross, aka Righteous Warrior, aka manager of Balloon Darts. This man has serious talent. Click on photo to go directly to his video! |
Much appreciate it,
Timothy Ross
PS I have a video I would like for you to see on Facebook.
Reply:
Hi, Tim! I just sent you a copy of the issue (JUNE 29, 2010 Pipeline) but I unfortunately had deleted your photo a month or so ago because I exceeded my image storage. Your images are attached. I will possibly include your gospel video in this week's Reader Mailbag if there is time. Please send a link to the video. Thanks, take care!
Alisa
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 ETC: Tidbits
Made Possible by Miko's Flipside, 1846 N. Damen Tues-Sun: 11AM-7PM
It's New!
It's Underground!
It's Miko's Flipside, a kid-dog-friendly pop-up coffee n' cake shop.
1846 N. Damen, Tues-Sun 11AM-7PM
 Are you a theater buff? The good news is that with five places to check out live performances in the neighborhood, there is no need to go downtown, or even to another 'hood to see live performances! Recently, Pat J. Daily reviewed Pirates of Penzance, and I checked out Bus Stop. Both shows are still running through the end of this month and provide respite from cold winter nights.
This past Friday night I checked out the first round of the $1000 Improv Thing at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milw. Every Friday and Saturday, through January 29, six teams will compete and vie for the top $1,000 prize. I was happy to see the SuffraJets, a hilarious all-female improv team of three talented comediennes, advance to this weekend's (Jan. 14-15) semifinals. If you like improv, don't miss this 'Improv Thing'! In other Improv news, Caitlin Fitzgibbons wrote in with news of The Astronaut Theatre, opening this Thursday at GTT.
Via Twitter I learned the following:
Here is a statement from Ald. Proco Joe Moreno to the East Village Association, 1.10.201.
The latest chamber e-newsletter (1/11) can be read here
.... And a delicious brunch recipe by Paul of Paul Wargaski Violins, spotted on Our Urban Times.
 | | Nikki of New'd |
... And pictures we ran outta time to feature here this week, including handmade hats at New'd, 1917 W. Division.
Phlash would like to send a warning to all drivers who might encounter the cameras at Damen and Division. While going west on Division, and turning right on to Damen, the camera will go off if you are even a few inches over the white line, even if you do not turn right.
Caffe Streets, a new coffee shop, is hiring, per this sign. Oberweis Dairy is hiring, per this sign. Also hiring, or at least auditioning, is Fellowship of the Boobs, a new burlesque show. |
 The Week Ahead
Made Possible by Jackson Junge Gallery and Framing,
1389 N. Milw.
P: 773-227-7900,
Tues-Sa. 11AM-8PM,
Sun. Noon-5PM
Previews through Sat., Jan 15, opens Sun., Jan. 16, 7 PM
House Theatre of Chicago's new production, Odradek. Runs through Mar. 5.
Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, 773-769-3832
Thu., Jan. 13, 5-8 PM
Bubbles & Baubles jewelry sale at Riley
(champagne, free earrings with necklace purchase)
1659 N. Damen, 773-489-0101
Thu. Jan. 13, 8 to 9PM Comedy Opening: The Astronaut Theatre 1919 N. Milw. (Gorilla Tango Theatre)
Fri. Jan. 14, 7 to 11PM Johalla Projects 2nd Annual Fundraiser
Sat. Jan. 15, 1 PM
ART: Winter Experiment Free & Open to Public Conversations with Artists Kickoff
2154 W. Division
(moniquemeloche)
Sun. Jan. 16, 7 to 11PM
Sean Fader Performance at Johalla Projects
Mon. Jan. 17
Dr. Martin Luther King Day
Wed. Jan. 19, 6 to 8 PM
Networking: Chamber Mixer
2301 W. North (Forte Framing)
Wed. Jan. 19, 6:30 to 8 PM
Business Award and Photography Exhibition
1819 W. Chicago Ave.
(WTCC)
Thurs. Jan 20, 6:30 PM
Community:
32nd Ward Aldermanic Forum
2250 North Sheffield
(DePaul Univ. Student Center)
Thus. Jan. 20, 6:30-8PM Pampering: Punchbowl- Teas of India,
Girl's Night Henna Makeup Artist Threading Photoshoots 2036 W. Division (Zaraz Collections)
Thurs. Jan. 20, 8:30 PM
Laughter: 10 Stand-up Comics, No Cover
| | "This meter remains as a courtesy to cyclists," by Brian Morgan, showing soon at Pipeline Week Ahead Sponsor Jackson Junge Gallery! |
1938 W. Division (Jerry's)
Fri. Jan. 21, 6 to 9 PM
Art Opening: Chicago A. D. (After Daley)
1389 N. Milw.
(Jackson Junge Gallery)
Fri. Jan. 21, 7 to 11PM Art Opening: Matt Siber (Johalla Projects)
Fri., Jan. 28, 9 AM-3 PM
Adventure Stage Chicago (ASC) and Victory Gardens Theater Holiday Drama Kids Shadow Puppet Workshop
Victory Gardens Biograph Theater 2433 N. Lincoln, $30
LOCAL GALLERY EXHIBITS:
Closing Jan. 15, 2011:
Don Copper, Charlie B. Thorne (Tom Robinson Gallery)
LOCAL PERFORMANCES OF NOTE:
Ongoing: The Magic Parlour (Chopin Theatre)
Ongoing: Boobs and Goombas: A Super Mario Burlesque (Gorilla Tango)
Closing Jan. 22: Bus Stop (Den Theater)
Closing Jan. 30: Pirates of Penzance (Chopin Theatre)
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL SALE, EVENT, ART EXHIBIT, or COMMUNITY FOCUSED FUNDRAISER TO SHARE WITH OTHERS? LET US KNOW. We strive to be as comprehensive as possible, or at least include a curated selection of events. For more listings, check the Insiders Guide to Wicker Park and Our Urban Times.
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Thanks for reading. See you next week!
Alisa Hauser*, Publisher, writer, editor, Alisa's email
Pat J. Daily, Proofreader, copy editor, Pat's email
Nandika Doobay, Crime and CAPS reporter, Nandika's email
Philin Phlash, Photographer, p: 773-318-1435, Philin's email
*Words/Photos by Alisa Hauser or Philin Phlash unless noted. Do not use photos without permission, photo credit to Wicker Park Bucktown Pipeline, chicago-pipeline.com
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 SMILE BRIGHT
Dr. William DeJean, DDS
Serving Area Mouths Since 1996
1363 N. Ashland
p: 773-384-3885
Send an email
Through Jan. 15, 2011, mention 'Pipeline' when booking a check-up, and receive a Free Whitening, for new patients, w/ insurance. |
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