Bridge School Benefit Concerts - October 25 & 26, 2014

Pearl Jam w/ Neil Young performing "Throw Your Hatred Down" live @ the Bridge School 10/26/2014

Setlist via Sugar Mountain:

2014-10–26
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, California, USA
Bridge School Benefit 28
w/ Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real

1. Sugar Mountain (acoustic guitar - solo)
2. On The Way Home (acoustic guitar - solo)
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3. Down By The River (acoustic guitar; guests with Norah Jones and Puss N Boots)
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4. Surfin’ USA (vocals; guests with Brian Wilson and Al Jardine)
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5. Throw Your Hatred Down (acoustic guitar; guests with Pearl Jam)
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6. Pocahontas (12 string acoustic guitar - solo)
7. Heart Of Gold (acoustic guitar - solo)
8. Mother Earth (pump organ - solo)
9. Mansion On The Hill (acoustic guitar; accompanied by Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real)
10. Country Home (acoustic guitar; accompanied by Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real)
11. Southern Man (acoustic guitar; accompanied by Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real and Florence Welch)
12. Who's Gonna Stand Up? (acoustic guitar; accompanied by Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real and others)

Micah Nelson, Neil Young & Lukas Nelson
Photo by Roel van Dijk's post in Rusties

Setlist via Sugar Mountain:

1. Sugar Mountain
2. I Am A Child
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3. Down By The River (w/ Norah Jones and Puss 'n Boots)
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4. California Saga (w/ Brian Wilson and Al Jjardine)
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5. Pocahontas
6. Heart Of Gold
7. I'm Glad I Found You
8. Mansion On The Hill (w/ Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson, Promise of the Real)
9. Country Home (w/ Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson, Promise of the Real)
10. Who's Gonna Stand Up? (+ Eddie Vedder)

Florence Welch & Neil Young
Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

After a breakup, Bridge School concert keeps rocking By Aidin Vaziri:

With a bill that also included Bridge School veterans Band of Horses and newcomers Florence and the Machine, it was septuagenarian Welsh crooner Tom Jones who elicited the biggest reaction of the night with chest-pounding versions of “It’s Not Unusual” and Leonard Cohen’s “Tower of Song.” For what could be the first time in the annual fundraiser’s 28 years, the stage was hit with a small flurry of panties and bras.

The Bridge benefit is the Bay Area’s feel-good concert of the year, with proceeds going to the school Neil and Pegi co-founded in 1987 to help children with speech and physical impairments like their son Ben, 35, who was born with cerebral palsy.

Even though advance ticket sales were once again sluggish, the 22,000-capacity venue started to fill up by the time Young opened the concert under clear blue skies with his traditional afternoon set, serenading the schoolkids — who always get the best seats in the house, onstage behind the performers — with his song “Sugar Mountain.”

To keep people focused on the cause, Young reportedly ordered Shoreline’s bar not to show the World Series on its televisions.

Instead, we got a stool-perched Pearl Jam, who seemed to draw the largest swath of fans in the audience, holding its own with a set of old favorites like “Daughter” and “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town.”

Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine also captivated, bringing a dose of showmanship to a show that, with its usual eight-hour run time, tends to get dragged down by its overwhelming sense of solemnity.

They may have teamed up onstage, but Neil and Pegi Young’s fractured relationship couldn’t help but have an impact on the shows.

Earlier this month, Pegi hinted that the concerts could soon come to an end. “We know we can’t do this forever,” she said in an interview with The Chronicle. “We are mere mortals. We really need to look at ways the school can continue to go on after the concerts.”

As if to underscore the point, she closed her early afternoon set with the song “Starting Over.”

Pegi Young
Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

Photos: 28th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert - Mercury News Media Center

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28th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert Lineup

October 25-26, 2014
Shoreline Ampitheatre
Mountain View, CA

Neil Young
Pearl Jam
Florence and the Machine
Tom Jones
Soundgarden
Norah Jones and Puss 'n Boots
Band of Horses
Pegi Young and the Survivors

Got a report? Drop us a comment below.

Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates and Chronological Grid, Recording Summary, Statistics and Extras.

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▶ Pearl Jam & Neil Young: "Walk with Me" - 2010 Bridge School Benefit Concert

"Walk with Me" by Pearl Jam & Neil Young at the Bridge School Benefit concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA on 10/23/2010.

More on this weekend's 2014 28th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert.

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▶ Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds + Neil Young: Bridge 10/23/11 - [Full Show]

Here's Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds full set at the Bridge School Benefit Concert 2011.

02:09 Bartender
10:05 Stay or Leave
14:40 You & Me »
19:01 Dancing Nancies
26:45 All Along the Watchtower*
33:36 Oh! Susanna**

* - Marcus Mumford
** - Neil Young

Bonus:

39:43 Love of My Life (Dave guesting w/ Carlos Santana earlier in the day)

Mixed at 720p using 720p+ sources so quality is improved you select that.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
October 23, 2011
Shoreline Amphitheatre,
Mountain View, CA

[This is comprised of 100% amateur noncommercial media]

More on this weekend's 2014 28th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert.

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THIS WEEKEND: 2014 28th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert

2014 28th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert Lineup Announcement.

October 25-26, 2014
Shoreline Ampitheatre
Mountain View, CA

Neil Young
Pearl Jam
Florence and the Machine
Tom Jones
Soundgarden
Norah Jones and Puss 'n Boots
Band of Horses
Pegi Young and the Survivors

Here are highlights from last year's 27th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert.

A nice little recap of another memorable weekend of music, friends and Kids.


▶ 2013 Bridge School Concert Highlights Part 1


2013 Bridge School Concert Highlights Part 2

"What Are Their Names"
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The Bridge School Benefit - 10.26.13
(Click photo to enlarge)
Many, many highlights from this weekend's annual 2013 Bridge School Benefit Concerts in what will go down as another wonderfully memorable weekend.

For most, this was another triumphant weekend of great music and fun people coming together for a worthy benefit concert. Others -- as we'll come to later -- saw and heard things differently, naturally.

In the Neil department you could not have been disappointed this weekend whatsoever. You had Jack Johnson and Neil Young on "Out On The Weekend", My Morning Jacket and Neil Young on "Harvest Moon", Arcade Fire and Neil Young on "I Dreamed A Neil Young Song", Heart and Neil Young on "War Of Man", and Velvet Underground/Lou Reed tribute “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’” with Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis, and My Morning Jacket. Plus the solo songs that opened each day and the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young headline reunion.

Neil Young
Photo by John Green/Bay Area News Group
Lots of the little magical delights that make the Bridge School Benefit Concerts so special. Like Arcade Fire introducing a new song inspired by a Neil Young dream. See @ 06:07:00 YouTube below for "I Dreamed A Neil Young Song":

“I had a dream … We’re playing the song at soundcheck and I remembered, I woke up and remembered everything. I was half asleep and I started playing it and wrote down the lyrics and listened back to my tape recorder and it was basically a Neil Young. So this song is called ‘I Dreamed A Neil Young Song’ and Neil’s gonna come sing it with us. So this song is by Neil Young in my head.”

(Other highlights to check out include Neil Young joining My Morning Jacket for “Harvest Moon” at 5:10:00 and CSNY’s reunion at 7:45:10.

And the concert reacted to the news of the passing of the hugely influential Lou Reed. In tribute to Reed, My Morning Jacket covered the Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’” with Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis, and more.



As we indicated above, not all were sufficiently impressed.

In a review in San Jose Mercury News headlined "Bridge School Benefit disappoints at Shoreline" by Jim Harrington:

It was an eight-hour acoustic concert that felt much longer, with very few of the expected highlights translating to lasting memories. Indeed, it may have been the least memorable of the roughly two dozen Bridge concerts that I've attended.
...
One of the most troubling issues with the Bridge concerts is that there are just too many acts. That means short sets, usually around 20-30 minutes, and accompanying set changes that last nearly as long as the performances. It's a poor use of everybody's time, unless, of course, you dig watching stagehands setting up instruments.
...
Then came the hipster-approved portion of the night, as My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire and Queens of the Stone Age filled the next three slots on the bill. Regardless of the quality of the offering -- and Arcade Fire did deliver the set of the night -- it was still too much new music grouped together. In retrospect, organizers should've mixed it up a bit, and given Heart and Johnson later starts, so that the majority of the crowd didn't have to go so long without hearing a song that it recognized.

It is sad that a veteran music critic like Jim Harrington seems to miss the entire point of the exercise, i.e., it's a benefit concert to help disabled kids. An acoustic concert for the kids and their parents who are literally sitting on the stage. About celebrating the miracle school known as "The Bridge" and what Neil and Pegi Young have achieved. About all the school staff, volunteers, and supporters.

Bridge Kids, Parents and Neil Young
Critic Harrington approaches the review with a perspective of wanting to be impressed and entertained. Which is OK but misses the point and is like saying Woodstock really wasn't that great because of the crappy sound and weak lighting.

Besides all of the once in lifetime combinations cited at top, where else in mainstream music will you encounter the following scene mid-point of the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young set?

David Crosby introduces the song "What Are Their Names" by saying that "We're political." Next, Neil Young pulls up his hoodie and begins to stalk the stage (see top photo) -- all in clear reference to the whole Trayvon Martin saga.

Again, the weekend allows one to experience many, many hours of music, an incredible diversity of artists, and some one-off combinations that often work out splendid.

So don't be a doubter. Be a believer. Take a chance on love.

"War Of Man"
Heart and Neil Young
Photo by Mario Di Sandro

Tom Waits "Raised Right Men" Live Acoustic @ Bridge School Benefit, Shoreline 10-27-2013

Lastly, a shoutout for the webcast. Our stream seemed glitch free and there were very few audio/video problems during the webcast -- a pretty flawless experience as these things go. So if haven't already, go to Bridge School: Donate to the Bridge School.

Also, see Photo of the Moment: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Bridge School Benefit - 10.26.13 and more highlights from 2013 Bridge School Benefit Concert Webcast and re-broadcast/re-stream info.

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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Photo by John Green/Bay Area News Group
(Click photo to enlarge)
The wide range of reactions to this weekend's annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts continue to roll in.

The Comment of the Moment is on 2013 Bridge School Benefit Concerts by Dan1 in reference to the negative San Jose Mercury News review by Jim Harrington:

Yea the reviewer missed by a country mile, love how these days the masses can review the reviewer and so there's a bit more accountability than there was pre-internet.

Bridge School is a whole world in itself, they should make a video series of all the years and sell it to NetFlix ... so many incredible acts over so many years and then Neil and Pegi woven into the fabric of every one ... and then the kids, which is the real point, and their joy ... and the fact that the whole thing exists to help these courageous kids and families.

CSNY ... Stills' new song and overall spunk was really nice to see and the Young/Stills chemistry was palpable ... after reading some of the negative reviews of CSNY I was pleasantly surprised by their performance. I think the nitpicking about whether they practiced enough misses the point, its special to see these guys together after so many years, how many bands (if you can call these guys that) from the 60s are 100% intact? the sheer nostalgia of that is special. But more on nostalgia in a minute.

I personally love Singer w/out a Song ... not sure why all the negativity on it ... reunion or not? I'm betting against it ... clearly CSN wants it to happen and I'm guessing Neil is positively predisposed given these guys are his friends and they could benefit from such a tour. I keep thinking has Neil mellowed enough to stop innovating for a few months and go along with this? Then I think if they had a whole album of new material (instead of one song) or something else thematic (like LWW) then I think the set up would be perfect and it would happen ... but if not, I just cannot see Neil going out there and doing a nostalgia act especially some overhyped 40 year anniversary of '74 which itself was overhyped ... and if a Springfield reunion didn't work I struggle to see how this works ... this against the backdrop of the recent Horse reunion which was totally epic ...

I keep worrying we'll see a full Neil break for the first half of '14, we've ostensibly seen a break for almost the whole second half of '13 ... so, anything is better than nothing and I for one think within the realm of nostalgia acts these guys are impressive and its hard not to root for guys like Crosby and Stills despite my being pessimistic ...

Thanks Dan! Good points, as always.

More reviews, photos, commentary on 2013 Bridge School Benefit Concerts.

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Neil Young's 1st Art Exhibit: Special Deluxe

Neil Young will have his first-ever art exhibition called Special Deluxe at the Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica, Calif. throughout the month of November.

Exhibit will feature watercolor paintings from Neil Young's newest book Special Deluxe.

The address for the Robert Berman Gallery is Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave. B7 Gallery. Santa Monica, CA 90404.

Artwork by Neil Young from 'Special Deluxe'
1957 Eldorado Biarritz Convertible 'Aunt Bee'
(Click photo to enlarge)

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Musician Arrested While Singing "Ohio" in NYC Subway

In a widely viewed YouTube video, a New York Police officer is seen assaulting and arresting a musician (while singing CSNY's "Ohio") for performing on a subway platform. This comes even after verifying that the musician had not broken any laws.

From The Free Thought Project:

In a video uploaded to YouTube on Saturday, Lawrence and Leigh musician Andrew Kalleen is seen being assaulted and arrested by NYPD- even after knowing his rights and proving to the officer that he had not broken any laws.

The video, which was filmed at the Lorimer Street/Metropolitan Avenue station around 1:30 am on Friday, begins with Kalleen already explaining to the officer that he is not breaking any laws.

Infact, he cites the exact law the officer needs to look up to prove he was well within his rights.  Kalleen has become well versed with this law, as he informed us that this is at least the 6th time he has been asked to stop.  He has previously only received tickets- which he is also fighting through a Civilian Complaint Review Board investigation.

The officer continues to claim that he cannot play on the platform unless he has a permit, to which Kalleen asserts that he is incorrect.  The officer demands he put down his guitar or be subject to arrest.

The officer then searches for the law on his cellphone, and reads out loud just how mistaken he was.

Section 1050.6c of the MTA’s “Rules of Conduct“states:

Except as expressly permitted in this subdivision, no person shall engage in any nontransit uses upon any facility or conveyance. Nontransit uses are noncommercial activities that are not directly related to the use of a facility or conveyance for transportation. The following nontransit uses are permitted by the Authority, provided they do not impede transit activities and they are conducted in accordance with these rules: public speaking; campaigning; leafletting or distribution of written noncommercial materials; activities intended to encourage and facilitate voter registration; artistic performances, including the acceptance of donations.

Applause breaks out among the on lookers as the clearly confused cop finishes reading.

In typical NYPD fashion, this officer is not about to let some silly little thing like the law get in his way.

As Kalleen gears up to get back to performing for his adoring crowd, the officer begins yelling about how he is being kicked out of the platform, and must leave, either “by force” or on his own.

The officer begins to get more agitated, calls for backup, and walks away. Kalleen stands his ground and refuses to leave and starts to play Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here,’ to a round of applause.

The Officer comes back, slaps his hand off of the guitar and removes it, yet Kalleen keeps singing- finishing up the song to another large round of applause.

Still refusing to back down and admit he was wrong, the officer is then scolded and questioned by the witnesses of this insane harassment.

The rights-defending musician begins to play another song, causing the severely frustrated cop to call over another officer, before bashing Kalleen in the face with his guitar and handcuffing him.

“That song I start singing at the end, Ohio by Neil Young, is about the Kent State shootings. Maybe you know. That was 45 years ago now. There was a lot of momentum back then. I know this is nothing compared to that, but it is still an absolutely absurd occurrence. I want to inspire momentum.”
Kalleen told The Free Thought Project.

The crowd boo’s, and screams of “fuck the police” echoed through the platform as he is dragged away.

We spoke with Kalleen to find out what happened next.

“While we were riding in the car back to the precinct, the officer was frantically looking through his phone for something to charge me with.” he explained.

They ended up charging him under Penal law 240.35 06, loitering for the purposes of entertainment unless otherwise authorized, Kalleen argues that 1050.6c gives him authorization.

“As far as a statement I’d say not to put all the blame on the cop. This is a symptom of a much larger problem.

It is everyone’s responsibility to move our society’s values to a mindset where this sort of thing is unthinkable.  We need to recognize that we have allowed ourselves to continue to live in a police state.” he told us.

We asked him if he had any recommendations for what he believes people should be doing to combat the police state.

“One thing that everyone (who’s interested) can do is to keep in conversation about the things that need to change. Practice within your circles where you feel safe, but then expand out so that your ideas can spread. And be respectful of others’ points of view. Persuade people to see your side (if your theories are sound this should work), don’t chastise them for thinking otherwise. Because essentially I think as a culture we need an entire mindset overhaul—in some areas—on what is valuable in this life, how to respect each other’s right to be, and what it means to really own the title ‘land of the free.'”

Kalleen continued on to say,

“And ‘keep in conversation’ sounds a bit platitudinous, but if you take it seriously, do it with intention, and with the goal of changing your world, it can be extremely powerful. You might find yourself in a situation like I was, and it is nice to have practiced what to say and how to say it.“

Visit BuskNY for more information on your rights or to find help if you have been arrested while performing in NYC.

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Neil Young opens up on life, love of cars in 'Super Deluxe' | Q with Jian Ghomeshi | CBC Radio

From Q Exclusive: Neil Young opens up on life, love of cars in 'Super Deluxe' | Q with Jian Ghomeshi | CBC Radio:

In a two-part Canadian broadcast exclusive, Neil Young joins Jian to discuss his second memoir Special Deluxe: A Memoir of Life and Cars. In it, Young uses his obsession with cars to lead the reader on a journey through his life as an artist, musician, father and husband. "[Classic cars] are beautiful pieces of sculpture, and the artists who created them were reflecting the spirit of the time," says the singer-songwriter, whose iconic career has spanned more than five decades.

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Al Gore and Neil Young: DreamForce '14 Keynote Address - FULL VIDEOS

Last Thursday, Neil Young gave a Keynote Address at DreamForce '14.

We found the proceedings to be quite extraordinary, seeing Neil Young give it his best with Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore on the subjects of clean energy, pure sound and the music of love.

If you're pressed for time and can not watch the full video, we would suggest that you try and find about 3 minutes to watch from ~13:00 to 16:06. This segment -- for us -- crystallizes the essence of Neil, his mission and his music.

Reimagine. Everything. indeed

And here is the following segment from DreamForce '14 where Neil Young lays out the PONO eco-system.

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Pegi Young & The Survivors: Interview + Tour Dates (updated)

Pegi Young
Photo: Tom Bejgrowicz

As we reported last month, Pegi Young & The Survivors have a new album coming out and a Fall tour scheduled.

Pegi Young & The Survivors' new album is titled "Lonely In A Crowded Room" and set for a October 27, 2014 release on New West Records. "Lonely In A Crowded Room" is Pegi's 4th album since her first release in 2007.

In a recent interview Pegi Young makes up for lost time with solo album, tour - SFGate by Aidin Vaziri:

Q: You don’t make any albums for 30 years, and now you’re on your fourth. Are you making up for lost time?

Pegi: Well, you know, timing is everything. This record was really done months ago, mostly last year. I’ve already got another set of songs just waiting to be recorded.

Q: How would you describe your brief evolution from your self-titled debut in 2007 to “Lonely in a Crowded Room”?

A: Oh, gosh. The band makeup has changed, and it took a turn to a more R&B sound. I’m quite comfortable there. I’m a California native, but I must have some Southern roots because I’ve always loved the blues, girl groups and Muscle Shoals sound. I’m also a big lyrics person.

Q: So you probably know people are going to be looking for all kinds of clues about your personal life with the songs on this record. Were you anticipating that?

A: No, not at all. Not in the slightest. This record was done well before any of the recent drama in my personal life.

Q: “Lonely in a Crowded Room” seems like such a loaded title.

A: I think it’s self-explanatory. The record was done in January. There’s very little relevance to what’s going on in my life now.

Q: Is this the first time your name is actually appearing on the bill for the Bridge School Benefit?

A: Yes, it only took 28 years. I’m so pleased.

Full interview continues at Pegi Young makes up for lost time with solo album, tour - SFGate.


PEGI YOUNG & THE SURVIVORS ON TOUR

October 25 ¬– Mountain View, CA @ Bridge School Benefit Concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre
October 26 ¬– Mountain View, CA @ Bridge School Benefit Concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre
October 28 – San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
October 30 – Seattle, WA @ Rendezvous
October 31 – Portland, OR @ White Eagle
November 2 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
November 3 – Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo
November 5 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe’s Alley
November 7 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Mint
November 8 – San Juan Capistrano, CA @ Coachhouse
November 9 – Big Bear, CA @ The Cave
November 11 – Tucson, AZ @ The Fox Theatre
November 13 – Denver, CO @ Lost Lake
November 16 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
November 17 – Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room
November 19 – New York, NY @ Rockwood
November 20 – Boston, MA @ Atwoods Tavern
November 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Tin Angel

"Lonely In A Crowded Room"
Pegi Young & The Survivors.

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The Road RasCals Arrive! Bridge Ride Update

The Road RasCals have completed their journey and arrived safely on the West Coast.

Earlier this year, we learned of a delightful planned adventure of some Bridge supporters this Fall. (see The Road RasCals To Ride Across The West for The Bridge Kids).

Kloe and Lilly biked from Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA this Fall in order to raise money for The Bridge School.

Here's a final update:

To all my loyal friends,

It has been close to two weeks since we arrived at Manhattan Beach (which is in LA). I would have sent this out sooner, but coulda-shoulda-woulda.

I want to send a final thank you to everyone for supporting The Bridge School and us in this adventure. We raised over $2,000 for the school and even got a thank-you comment on the blog from the executive director of The Bridge School.

As many of you know (because I never stopped talking about it), this trip absorbed my life for the six-plus months leading up to it, and I want to say a particular thanks for putting up with me having no other conversational topics during that time.

I could go on for a while saying thanks and telling you all how amazing you are, but unlike me, you all have jobs and don’t have endless time to read the emails I send.

So alas, I’ll just end here with a final Thank You for helping raise money for a school that I care a lot about and that does some amazing work.

Best,

Lilly

Awesome job Kloe and Lilly! Keep on pedaling in the free world!

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