sycamores. downstream, a bright riffle sparkles in the sun. the water is filled with minnows and sunfishes and multicolored darters, and the air is filled with waxwings and warblers and black - winged damselflies. you can imagine the emotions that these ghosts evoked in me — delight in discovering that such a lovely spot once existed in the monotonous landscape of southeastern michigan, mixed with sadness at its demise. i wonder how we would feel if we could see all of the ghosts around us. what if we saw the shadows of great flocks of passenger pigeons flickering on the ground each year during the migration seasons? or the thin trails of wood smoke rising from indian encampments along the creek every time we drove past i - 84 and route 9? or if looking down from the walkway over the hudson, we saw both the empty muddy water of 2012 and the clear water of 1750, alive with the numberless shads swimming up the river in huge schools? i really don ’ t know if it would be a good thing or a bad thing if we could see all of these ghosts. but i do know from my own unsettling experiences as a mussel ecologist that being able to see ghosts forever changes the way that you think about the world and our role in it.


november 29, 2012 the congress has traditionally placed a limit on the total amount of debt that the department of the treasury can issue to the public and to other federal agencies. lawmakers have enacted numerous increases to the debt limit — commonly known as the debt ceiling — some of which have been temporary and many of which have been permanent. treasury debt is now approaching the current limit. what is the current debt limit, and when is it likely to be reached? the current statutory debt limit is $ 16. 394 trillion. as of november 27, 2012, debt subject to that limit stood at $ 16. 279 trillion — $ 115 billion below the statutory ceiling. the treasury anticipates that borrowing will reach the current limit near the end of december 2012. however, because the treasury can take certain measures that it has used previously when borrowing approached or reached the debt limit, the congressional budget office ( cbo ) expects that the department will be able to continue funding government activities without an increase in the debt limit until mid - february or early march. what makes up the debt subject to limit? debt subject to the statutory limit consists of two main components : debt held by the public and debt held by government accounts. debt held by the public consists mainly of securities that the treasury issues to raise cash to fund the operations and pay off the maturing liabilities of the federal government that revenues are insufficient to cover. such debt is held by outside investors, including the federal reserve system. debt held by government accounts is debt issued to the federal government ’ s trust funds and other federal accounts for internal transactions of the government ; it is not traded in capital markets. of the $ 16. 3 trillion in outstanding debt subject to limit, $ 11. 5 trillion is held by the public and $ 4. 8 trillion is held by government accounts. what will occur if the debt limit is reached? if the congress does not raise the current debt limit, the treasury will have to employ alternative strategies for managing its cash and borrowing in order to continue funding government activities. in fact, the treasury has a well - established toolbox of so - called extraordinary measures that will make continued borrowing possible for a limited time if the current debt limit is reached. specifically, the treasury can take the following steps : - suspend the investments of the thrift savings plan g fund ( otherwise rolled over [ or reinvested ] daily, such investments totaled $ 154 billion in treasury securities as of - october 31, 2012 ) ; - suspend the investments of the exchange stabilization fund ( otherwise rolled over daily


thrift savings plan g fund ( otherwise rolled over [ or reinvested ] daily, such investments totaled $ 154 billion in treasury securities as of - october 31, 2012 ) ; - suspend the investments of the exchange stabilization fund ( otherwise rolled over daily, such investments totaled $ 23 billion as of october 31, 2012 ) ; - suspend the issuance of new securities to the civil service retirement and disability fund and postal service retiree health benefits fund ( totaling about $ 17 billion on december 31 and about $ 2 billion each subsequent month ) ; - redeem a limited amount of civil service retirement and disability fund securities and postal service retiree health benefits fund securities ( valued at about $ 6 billion per month ) early ; - suspend the issuance of new state and local government series ( slgs ) securities and savings bonds ( typically between $ 3 billion and $ 12 billion in slgs securities and less than $ 1 billion in savings bonds are issued each month ) ; and - replace treasury securities subject to the debt limit with debt issued by the federal financing bank, which is not subject to the limit ( up to $ 8 billion ). those measures provide the treasury with additional room to borrow by limiting the amount of debt held by the public or debt held by government accounts that would otherwise be outstanding. by statute, if those measures are taken, both the civil service and postal service funds, as well as the g fund, will eventually be made whole ( with interest ) after the debt limit has been raised. because the federal government will be running a significant deficit in 2013, the treasury ’ s extraordinary measures will allow the government to continue operating for only a limited time. given the magnitude of the government ’ s daily cash flows and uncertainty about the size of certain key transactions over the next few months, it is difficult to be precise about the date on which the treasury will lose its authority to borrow additional funds. that uncertainty includes the possibility of substantial delays by the internal revenue service ( irs ) in processing many individual income tax returns and issuing refunds — which are usually considerable in february and march — if significant changes to the rules regarding the alternative minimum tax are not enacted by the end of december or possibly very early in 2013. ( in preparing tax forms and programming its computers, the irs may anticipate the types of adjustments to the amt that have routinely been made in recent years, and would be delayed in processing returns if those adjustments are not made soon. ) what is the typical schedule for cash flows and debt issuance? the amount of debt accumulated over the


adjustments to the amt that have routinely been made in recent years, and would be delayed in processing returns if those adjustments are not made soon. ) what is the typical schedule for cash flows and debt issuance? the amount of debt accumulated over the next few months depends on the size of the deficit during that period ( which largely determines how much additional cash the government needs ) and on the magnitude of transactions between the treasury and other parts of the federal government. the amount of cash flowing to and from the government will determine how much needs to be borrowed from the public and when that borrowing must occur. in addition, transactions between the treasury and other parts of the federal government, described below, will increase the amount of debt held by government accounts. federal cash flows certain large inflows of cash to and outflows of cash from the treasury follow a regular schedule. that schedule directly affects the amount of borrowing from the public, a key component of debt subject to limit. for large government expenditures, the following are typical dates and amounts ( although the actual date of a disbursement may shift by a day or two in either direction if the normal payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday ) : - payments to medicare advantage and medicare part d plans : on the first day of the month ( about $ 17 billion ) ; - social security benefits : on the third day of the month ( about $ 25 billion ), with subsequent smaller payments on three wednesdays per month ( about $ 11 billion each ) ; - pay for active - duty members of the military and benefit payments for civil service and military retirees, veterans, and recipients of supplemental security income : on the first day of the month ( about $ 25 billion ) ; and - interest payments : around the 15th and the last day of the month ( with some variation ). deposits ( mostly tax revenues ) are relatively smooth throughout each month except for large payments of nonwithheld taxes occurring near specified dates. the largest payments occur in april, when individual tax returns are due. estimated taxes from corporations and individuals are due at four different points in the year, including mid - december ( for most corporations ) and mid - january ( for individuals ). in addition, corporate income tax receipts rise in march, when most corporations ’ tax returns are due. debt issuance : treasury auctions the treasury issues numerous securities to obtain funds to pay off maturing securities and to finance government activities. those securities, which have various maturities, are normally issued in regularly scheduled auctions ( although the date of


. debt issuance : treasury auctions the treasury issues numerous securities to obtain funds to pay off maturing securities and to finance government activities. those securities, which have various maturities, are normally issued in regularly scheduled auctions ( although the date of issuance may shift by a day or two in either direction if the normal issuance date falls on a weekend or federal holiday ) : - treasury bills ( with maturities of up to 52 weeks ) : issued every thursday ( sales in recent auctions have ranged from a total of $ 85 billion to $ 150 billion ) ; - treasury notes ( which mature in 2 to 10 years ) : issued on the 15th and last day of the month ( sales in recent auctions on the 15th have totaled about $ 55 billion ; and on the last day of the month, over $ 100 billion ) ; and - treasury bonds ( which mature in 30 years ) : issued in the middle of the month ( sales in recent auctions have ranged from $ 13 billion to $ 17 billion ) ; 30 - year inflation - protected securities are issued in february, june, and october ( sales in recent auctions have ranged from $ 7 billion to $ 9 billion ). in recent months, the treasury has raised most of its cash on the last day of the month ( about $ 60 billion recently, on average ) and the middle of the month ( about $ 30 billion ). debt issuance : government account series ( gas ) securities debt held by government accounts — government account series ( gas ) securities — is dominated by the transactions of a few large trust funds. when a trust fund receives cash that is not immediately needed to pay benefits or to cover the relevant program ’ s expenses, the treasury credits the trust fund with that income by issuing gas securities to the fund. the treasury then uses the cash to finance the government ’ s ongoing activities. when revenues for a trust fund program fall short of expenses, the reverse happens : the treasury redeems some of the gas securities. the crediting and redemption of securities between the treasury and trust funds are intragovernmental in nature but directly affect the amount of debt subject to limit. on net, the amount of outstanding gas securities tends to fluctuate very little during a month, except when redemptions occur to reflect the payment of benefits for programs like social security and medicare. ( those trust funds account for about two - thirds of the government ’ s trust fund balances. ) however, those redemptions of gas securities, which reduce the amount of debt subject to limit,


of benefits for programs like social security and medicare. ( those trust funds account for about two - thirds of the government ’ s trust fund balances. ) however, those redemptions of gas securities, which reduce the amount of debt subject to limit, are normally offset by additional borrowing from the public to obtain the cash to make actual payments. most gas securities pay interest in the form of additional securities on june 30 and december 31. ( recent payments have amounted to about $ 80 billion on each day. ) what are the key dates in early 2013 for cash flows and debt issuance? in the coming months, transactions on a number of key dates will determine what steps the treasury will have to take to stay under the debt limit and when those steps will be necessary. the first such date is december 31, when a large interest payment is due to trust funds for social security and other programs. if the debt limit is unchanged, cbo expects that the secretary of the treasury will employ the extraordinary measures described above to clear room under the debt ceiling and continue to raise cash to finance government activities. cbo expects that employing such measures would enable the treasury to continue borrowing from the public through at least mid february. but the amounts of some large inflows to and outflows from the federal government could influence when the treasury will be unable to borrow further under the current limit, even after taking the extraordinary measures : cash inflows to the treasury - mid - january : receipt of nonwithheld individual income tax payments ( which have averaged about $ 45 billion over the past few years ) and - mid - march : receipt of corporate tax payments ( which have averaged about $ 23 billion over the past few years ). cash outflows from the treasury - february 1 : payments for social security benefits ( ordinarily made on the 3rd of the month, which is a sunday ), medicare advantage, medicare part d, certain other benefits, and pay for active - duty members of the military ( recently about $ 67 billion ) ; - february 6, 13, and 20 : additional social security benefit payments ( recently about $ 11 billion each time ) ; - february 15 : a large interest payment on publicly issued securities ( previously over $ 30 billion ) ; - march 1 : payments for social security benefits ( ordinarily made on the 3rd of the month, which again is a sunday ), medicare advantage, medicare part d, certain other benefits, and pay for active - duty members of the military ( recently about $ 67 billion ) ; - march 6, 13


some basic facts on state and local government workers updated june 15, 2012 this brief report presents some basic facts about state and local employees : the jobs they perform, how many there are, how their pay compares with pay in the private sector, and how much states and localities — mainly school districts, cities, and counties — spend on pay and benefits. who are public employees? by far the largest share of state and local government workers are the nearly 7 million teachers, aides, and support staff working in the nation ’ s elementary, middle, and high schools. ( see figure 1 ). other prominent categories of state and local employment are protective services ( including police officers, fire fighters, and correctional officers ), higher education, health care ( including nurses and other workers at public hospitals and clinics ), and transportation ( including road maintenance workers and bus drivers ). how has the number of public employees changed over time? over the last 30 years, the number of state and local workers grew modestly relative to the overall population, from about 59 per 1, 000 in 1980 to 65 per 1, 000 in 2008 before declining to 61 per 1, 000 in 2011. ( see figure 2 ). all of that growth has been in education workers and reflects demographic changes and policy initiatives, such as efforts to reduce class sizes and better help children with special needs. over the same period the number of non - education workers remained about the same relative to the overall population until declining somewhat after 2008. since august 2008, the total number of state and local government employees has declined by 662, 000. how do their pay and benefits compare to those of private - sector workers? studies find that public workers are paid 4 to 11 percent less than private - sector workers with similar education, job tenure, and other characteristics. this wage disadvantage is greatest for higher - wage public workers. the typical middle - wage worker earns about 4 percent less in the public sector than the private sector. low - wage state and local workers, by contrast, earn a small amount more than their private - sector counterparts. ( see figure 3. ) while the average pay for all public employees exceeds that of all private workers, this reflects the fact that public - sector jobs are much more likely to require higher education ; teaching positions require a college or master ’ s degree, for example. state and local employees are twice as likely as private - sector workers to have a college or advanced degree. public - sector workers also earn less than their private - sector counterparts when one counts both their wages and


or master ’ s degree, for example. state and local employees are twice as likely as private - sector workers to have a college or advanced degree. public - sector workers also earn less than their private - sector counterparts when one counts both their wages and benefits such as pensions and health insurance. benefits are typically more generous and secure for public employees than for most private - sector workers, but factoring in the value of these benefits does not eliminate the gap between state and local employees and their counterparts in comparable private - sector jobs. the center for retirement research at boston college, widely recognized as an authoritative source on retirement income issues, recently found that total compensation for public - sector workers — including the value of benefits — is 4 percent less than that of comparable private - sector workers. how much do states and localities spend on their employees? because providing services is the primary business of states as well as school districts, cities, counties, and other local governments, labor costs — i. e., wages and benefits — make up a significant share of their annual spending. - wages and salaries. wages and salaries make up about one - third of state and local governments ’ general spending, on average, according to census bureau data. states spend a considerably smaller share ( about 15 percent ) than local governments ( 41 percent ). - total compensation. spending on benefits such as health insurance and retirement is not reported to the census but can be estimated using data from the bureau of labor statistics. adding these costs brings the total costs of compensation for state and local workers to about 44 percent of state and local spending. some 20 percent of state spending is for employee compensation, compared to about 55 percent of local government spending. alicia munnell, jean - pierre aubry, josh hurwitz, and laura quinby, comparing compensation : state - local versus public sector workers, center for retirement research at boston college, september 2011, http : / / crr. bc. edu / images / stories / briefs / slp _ 20 _ 508. pdf. see also keith a. bender and john s. heywood, out of balance? comparing public and private sector compensation over 20 years, center for state & local government excellence ( cslge ), national institute on retirement security, april 2010, http : / / www. slge. org / vertical / sites / % 7ba260e1df - 5aee - 459d - 84c4 - 876efe1e4032 % 7d / uploads / %


winemaking was first introduced to chile by spanish settlers in the 1500 ’ s, but it wasn ’ t until the 1980 ’ s that much of the world had their first sips of chilean wine. at this time, chile began exporting its wine reserves after strict trade barriers were lifted that once prevented wines to be released from chile. since then, chile has experience remarkable growth. in 1984, chile ’ s total wine exports amounted to 2 %, less than 30 years later they ’ re currently exporting 70 % of their wines, making chile responsible for roughly 8 % of the world ’ s wine. chile is dominated by red wines, accounting for almost three quarters of their total production. the most prominent red wine is cabernet sauvignon, followed merlot and, finally, carmenere, the “ lost grape of bordeaux. ” chile has also received high praise for the production of wines made from pinot noir despite the fact the plantings of this grape are relatively small. chile ’ s red wines are often blended into interesting cuvees that stray from the ordinary by incorporating a combination or all of the three main red varieties, as well as petite verdot, syrah, and other grapes. chardonnay and sauvignon blanc are the most prominent white grape varieties, but chile also has a solid reputation for their semillion, riesling, gewurztraminer, and dry - styled pedro ximenez wines, among others. chile remains one of the few wine - producing regions that has not been devastated by phylloxera, the louse that destroyed much of the world ’ s vineyards in the 1800 ’ s. because of this, chile has several vineyards that date back to upwards of 150 years. these old vines, mostly of carignan and mourvedre, produce concentrated, intriguing wines that are highly sought after. despite the lack of phylloxera, chile has begun to experiment with various clones and rootstocks that will help better ward off other natural pests, such as nematodes, and naturally occurring problems such as drought. chile continues to exercise strict regulation laws for importing rootstocks. each vine imported into chile must remain in isolation for 7 or more years to ensure all potentially harmful pests have been eliminated. historically, chile has long been recognized as a place with great winemaking potential. many of europe ’ s prestigious winemaking families, such chateau mouton rothschild and chateau lafite rothschild opened wineries on the country


pests have been eliminated. historically, chile has long been recognized as a place with great winemaking potential. many of europe ’ s prestigious winemaking families, such chateau mouton rothschild and chateau lafite rothschild opened wineries on the country ’ s soil. other prestigious winemakers from other parts of the world such as californian winemaker robert mondavi and catalan winemaker, miguel torres did the same. chile ’ s geographical location and shape play an important role in its winemaking. despite having nearly 9000 meters between the northernmost and southernmost winemaking areas of the country, larger variation of climate can be found from east to west. to the west, chile is bordered by the pacific ocean which produces a cooling, west - sweeping wind known as the humboldt current. to the east, chile is separated from argentina by the andes mountains. the andes play an important role – they protect chile from outside pest, such as phylloxera, that have affected other parts of south america and they also play a role in the climate of the country. as winemaking has progressed in chile, there has been an increased focus on both the soil structure and the distinct micro - climate of each area. extensive studies have been conducted to determine which varieties will best express themselves where. many of chile ’ s vineyards are organic, though a small proportion is certified as such. many winemakers believe it is important to follow natural winemaking practices in order to achieve a natural - tasting wine. in addition to increased attention to vineyard practices, young, highly - trained chilean winemakers are also making great strides in the winery. many have been trained abroad in some of the best wineries and winemaking schools available and this knowledge in conjunction with state - of - the - art winemaking facilities has proved useful. here are a few key facts to know about chile : chile has fourteen distinct valleys, they are : o elqui valley o limari valley o choapa valley o san antonio o maipo valley o rapel valley o cachapoal valley o colchagua valley o maule valley o itala valley o bio bio chile ’ s wine label laws live by the rule of 75 % ( must be 85 % to be distributed in all export markets ) · 75 % vintage · 75 % variety · 75 % denomination of origin · quality wine : min 11. 5 % abv · reserva and / or reserva especial : 12 % · reserva privada and / or gran reserva : 12. 5


75 % denomination of origin · quality wine : min 11. 5 % abv · reserva and / or reserva especial : 12 % · reserva privada and / or gran reserva : 12. 5 % · mandatory time spent in oak southwest of santiago lies the maipo valley, arguably the most famous wine producing region in chile and it is also one of the largest totaling over 10, 000 hectares of area under vine. though the maipo valley is not chile ’ s oldest wine region, it is often referred to as the most traditional. due to the areas proximity to santiago, many of chile ’ s oldest, largest, and most established wineries have found a home in the maipo valley including concho y toro, cousino macul, and santa rita. in the maipo valley, cabernet sauvignon dominates vine plantings – accounting for more than 50 % of the wines produced, merlot accounts for 10 %. overall, the maipo valley is a predominately red wine region and has an 85 / 15 split of red to white wines. the maipo valley covers a large area of chile spanning from the east of santiago to the west of the pacific ocean. within this area there are three sections, alto maipo, central maipo, and coastal maipo. each offers its own, unique style of wine, highlighting the diversity that can be found within one area. alto maipo : the cabernet sauvignon from the alto maipo is particularly noteworthy as the region boasts the ideal viticultural setting. the region ’ s microclimate is continental, partially because of the region ’ s altitude, reaching heights of 1, 300 - 2, 600 feet above sea level, and also because of the amount of sun exposure. the andes mountains have a great affect on the vines grown in the alto maipo not only because of their elevation, but because before the morning sun can reach the vines it must first rise above the argentinean side of the mountain range. this area is known for its large, alluvial river stones, which are traditionally known for producing exquisite wines, and make no exception here producing the country ’ s finest cabernets. winds sweeping off the pacific ocean add to the cool temperatures of the region, but these factors, in turn, create a bold, elegant style of cabernet sauvignon that is highly sought after. central maipo : this region is one of chile ’ s oldest winemaking


to the cool temperatures of the region, but these factors, in turn, create a bold, elegant style of cabernet sauvignon that is highly sought after. central maipo : this region is one of chile ’ s oldest winemaking areas, and was the first of the maipo valley to be settled. cabernet sauvignon dominates vine plantings in central maipo, but the region ’ s carmenere wines are also emerging and have received high praise in recent years. central maipo is the warmest of the three areas and it sees less rainfall than the alto maipo and pacific maipo, drip irrigation is needed. vineyards are often planted along the maipo river, an area that is known for its rocky, alluvial soils that the noble varieties, such as carmenere and cabernet sauvignon, historically enjoy. pacific maipo : the pacific maipo is the youngest area of the maipo valley, and today there are still few vineyard plantings here. grapes grown in this region benefit from the coastal influence of the pacific ocean and, here, we again find welcomed alluvial soils. red wines from the coastal maipo have a refreshing, natural acidity from the influence of the pacific ocean. the vineyards in this area are often planted so that they are nestled between smaller, low - lying hills that rise between the andes and the coast so that they are protected by the harsh winds from the ocean. because of the region ’ s coastal influence, the pacific maipo is also the perfect place for experimentation with the country ’ s white varieties, most notably sauvignon blanc. one can expect to see increased exposure of the pacific maipo ’ s red and white varietals in the coming years. casablanca valley, chile ’ s premier cool - climate coastal region, offers wine lovers an elegant style of wine that ’ s uniquely indicative of the area. here, the focus is on varieties that thrive in cooler temperatures including chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, and a rising production of syrah. casablanca is a relatively new region for wine production, as the first vines were planted just over 30 years ago in 1982 by pablo morande, the winemaking veteran from concha y toro. as a result, the region is just now coming into its own, eclipsing even the great strides it has already made. recent soil analysis, experimentation of plantings on higher slopes, and a focus on matching the best varieties to the climate have given casablanca


result, the region is just now coming into its own, eclipsing even the great strides it has already made. recent soil analysis, experimentation of plantings on higher slopes, and a focus on matching the best varieties to the climate have given casablanca an image of prestige and innovation that shows through in the wines. in every sense of the term, casablanca is a classic cool climate, coastal region – the average temperature in the summer is 25c ( 77f ) which is significantly cooler than other parts of chile. adding to the region ’ s already cool temperatures, mornings in casablanca are generally foggy from the mists that settled the evening before that don ’ t burn off until mid morning. the middle of the day can be quite hot, but this doesn ’ t last long as the cool breeze from the north - sweeping humboldt current blows away the heat by late afternoon. the strong winds help to protect the grapes from the development of botrytis and other forms of mold because they help to dry off the vines from the morning mists. however, strong winds can also negatively affect fruit set and if the valley gets too cool, the vines are put at risk of frost. fortunately, the valley ’ s relative distance from the ocean and hilly terroir protect it from the full force of the winds and help to deter any potentially negative impact. unlike other areas of chile, casablanca valley has no rivers. this means the valley ’ s soil has not been affected by water erosion in hundreds of years. as a result, these ancient soils consist of layers of clay, sand, and decomposed granite that are easy for vine ’ s roots to penetrate. due to the absence of an active flowing river in casablanca, however, vines must be irrigated and water must be pumped from nearby wells to ensure they receive enough to produce adequate fruit. on the positive side, this lack of water acts as a natural controller of yield which helps to concentrate flavor in the wines. since the establishment of the area as a winemaking region by morande, many other prestigious wineries have opened their doors in casablanca including santa rita, casas del bosque, morande, kingston family estates, veramonte, william cole, indomite, vinomar, casablanca, and quintay. casablanca is also a place from which many wineries outside of the region source fruit, particularly when they are focusing on the addition of a cool climate wine to their portfolio. when is comes to cool - climate wines from chile, the casablanca valley is top - tier.


a place from which many wineries outside of the region source fruit, particularly when they are focusing on the addition of a cool climate wine to their portfolio. when is comes to cool - climate wines from chile, the casablanca valley is top - tier. the region already produces fantastic wines made from chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and more whose value, like so many other wines of chile, far exceed their price points. still, as the valley continues to push the limits, it is evident that casablanca valley will continue to raise the bar of quality wine. * colchagua & cachapoal * nestled in the center of the central valley are two valleys colchagua and cachapoal, that, together, make up the rapel valley.. while neither currently holds a legal classification, each had made a name for itself as its own entity boasting unique terroir. the valleys are similar in latitude, but cachapoal is slightly more northern. the region is known for its red wines that make up 80 % of production. the star varieties of the region are cabernet sauvignon and carmenere, but merlot, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and syrah are also produced here. styles are quite diverse due to the variation of soils and climactic influences of the region bordered by the soaring andes to the east. cachapoal has generally warm summer days and summer nights though the climate grows cooler in vineyards higher in the andes foothills. soils in cachapoal are made up of well draining alluvial soils with additions of clay and gravel which are perfect for growing the bordeaux varieties. within the cachapoal valley, there are further designated regions, including peumo, rancagua, reguinoa, and rengo. the cooler areas in the alto cachapoal are known for elegant styles of cabernet sauvignon while peumo is home to some of chile ’ s best carmenere wines. focus on peumo : peumo is a distinct micro - climate in the cachapoal valley located near the coastal mountain range of chile. here, the cool breezes from the pacific ocean and maritime soils create a prized, full - bodied, fruit - forward style of carmenere that is highly sought after. the eastern, more southern region of the rapel valley, colchagua, lies closer to the coastal range and the sea. it is largely recognized as the more


full - bodied, fruit - forward style of carmenere that is highly sought after. the eastern, more southern region of the rapel valley, colchagua, lies closer to the coastal range and the sea. it is largely recognized as the more traditional wine - growing region of the two and is one of the best - known in chile. this region offers big red wines, 90 % of the region ’ s plantings, made from syrah, cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, and old vine malbec. climates in colchagua vary, ranging from the andes foothills to the cooler areas of marchigue and lolol which are closer to the pacific ocean. there is a large range of soils here from fertile alluvial soils on the valley floor to sand and decomposed granite on the hillsides ; in the west, schist, volcanic sands, and slate can also be found. some of chile ’ s top wineries are located in the colchagua valley and take great advantage of the hilly terrain to achieve optimum ripeness. micro - areas such as apalta, where lapostelle ’ s clos apalta and montes ’ alpha ‘ m ’ can be found, san fernando, and chimbarango offer more significant diurnal differences which help to bring out the character of the wines. other areas of the region include nancagua, santa cruz, palmilla, and peraillo. focus on the central coast : colchagua ’ s coastal area is one of the up - and - coming areas for cool climate varietals. despite plantings began here less than ten years ago, they are already producing fantastic examples of sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. the area features soils that are a mix of sand and clay typical of the coastal mountains that provide good drainage and are easily permeable so vines can dig deep down. the area of san antonio was once primarily a shipping port known for its seafood, not produce, but in recent years, the valley has made itself known as one of chile ’ s most expressive cool climate wine regions. until 1998, it was believed that there was no available water source for irrigation. however, once a source was discovered in the leyda sector of san antonio, there was no looking back. the valley ’ s first vintage wine, a pinot noir, was released in 2001 and the area was officially named a quality wine region just ten years ago in 2002. san antonio valley is further


sector of san antonio, there was no looking back. the valley ’ s first vintage wine, a pinot noir, was released in 2001 and the area was officially named a quality wine region just ten years ago in 2002. san antonio valley is further divided into sectors leyda, lo abarca, rosario, malvilla, cartegena, and lleoleo. of these leyda is the best known, largely due to the source of irrigation, and its name has become almost synonymous with san antonio. its proximity to the ocean and thin, rocky soils comprised of decomposed granite and red clay offer perfect growing conditions for chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and pinot noir, and more recently syrah. san antonio also grows small plantings of riesling and gewurztraminer which are not common in the rest of chile, but show great potential in this area. san antonio has the coolest climate of all the coastal regions in chile and has several plantings within site of the ocean at just 5km inland. this contributes to the region ’ s signature style of crisp, mineral driven white wines and concentrated red wines both of which boast high levels of acidity and strong aromatic components. unfortunately, this does not come without risk. because of san antonio ’ s proximity to the ocean, the area is known for high winds, fog, and humidity. as a result, the area is more susceptible to frost and rot than other areas. conversely, the wind, fog, and mist play an important part in keeping the grapes cool which is important for the development of the defining character found in the wines of san antonio. within the san antonio valley, there are four main wineries including matetic, casa marin, amaral, leyda, and amayna and two main vineyard sites for leyda and amayna wineries. these wineries are largely responsible for the production of some of chile ’ s finest cool - climate varietal wines. however, many other wineries source fruit from the region and this is becoming increasingly popular. despite the fact the valley ’ s winemaking culture is still largely in its infancy, the wines of san antonio valley have captured the hearts and palates of even the toughest wine critics. their elegance and finesse for which the region ’ s top varieties are known are further enhanced by the influence of the unique terroir resulting in an expression that is distinctly chilean. maule is chile ’ s largest winegrowing region, with over 31 thousand hectares under


already made international headlines. within maule there are five subzones : talca, san clemente, san javier, parral, linares, and cauquenes, each of which offers something unique. talca is home to the university of talca which is famed for its prestigious viticultural department. cauquenes is the area of maule bestknown for dry - farmed, bush vines primarily of carignan resulting in concentrated, flavorful wines. there are many wineries in maule, but of particular note are o. fournier, gillmore, j. bouchon, calina, via wine group, hugo casanova, and carta vieja. despite the face maule is one of the oldest regions in chile, it is very is still developing and is just beginning to showcase its full potential.. traditionally, the region was once known for its production o f bulk wines, but as is evidenced by the past few years, high education levels, and use of innovative techniques, both new and traditional, have allowed maule to showcase its true potential. elqui & limari valleys reaching far to the north of chile are the limari and elqui valleys whose climate, despite being so close to the equator, are classified as cool climate growing areas. limari valley, though considered a generally new region, has a winemaking history dating back to the 16th century. what makes this a “ new ” region, however, is the innovation and technology combined with exploration of new microterroirs that have shown new light on the region ’ s potential. the limari valley is greatly affected by the morning fog that is caused by the pacific ocean which cools in the morning, but clears as the afternoon ’ s hot sun rises. the region is very dry – less than 4 inches of rain annually – but irrigation has made vine growing possible here. the lack of water, however, encourages the vines to dig deep into the soils and, in turn, there is a pronounced effect of minerality found in the wines. the variation in soils consisting of clay, silt, and chalk allow for expressive cool - climate wines such as sauvignon blanc and syrah to flourish here. limari is further divided into four areas ovalle, monte patria, punitaqui, and rio hurtado. stretching further to the north is the elqui valley located just south of the atacama dessert. traditionally, the elqui valley was best known for the production of pi


ovalle, monte patria, punitaqui, and rio hurtado. stretching further to the north is the elqui valley located just south of the atacama dessert. traditionally, the elqui valley was best known for the production of pisco, but in recent years winegrowers have explored outer parts of the region such as along the coast and atop the andes mountains which are cooled by the winds from the pacific ocean. what they ’ ve found is that the region is ideal for planting cool - climate grapes such as syrah and cabernet sauvignon. of growing interest, however, is the region ’ s dry pedro ximinez wines which have been shown great interest by exploratory sommeliers. within the elqui valley there are two sub - regions : vicuna and paiguano. like the limari valley, eliqui ’ s rainfall is very low here at just 2. 8 inches per year, but the rocky terrain allow vines to dig deep into the clay, silt, and chalk soils. apart from wine production, elqui is well - known for its clear skies and it has long - been a destination for astronomers and star gazers alike. the exploration of new regions in chile has allowed for the increasing production of cool - climate wines which offer lower alcohol and showcase more of the grape ’ s and region ’ s character. despite both regions remaining relatively small to this day, there has been increasing interest from wineries throughout the country ; these valleys are definitely two to watch. to the north of santiago is the aconcagua valley, a small winegrowing area of just 1, 098 hectares best - known for its production of red wines. in fact, aconcagua has earned international prestige as one of chile ’ s highest regarded wines. in 2004, vina errazuriz ’ s “ sena ”, an iconic bordeaux - style blend and one of the premier reds of chile, placed ahead of both chateau lafite and chateau margaux in the berlin tasting, a milestone for the chilean wine industry likened to the famous 1976 judgment of paris. aconcagua experiences a mediterranean climate with 8. 5 inches of annual rainfall and boast variety of soils dominated by clay and sand in the east and granite and clay in the west. the area is also home to the america ’ s highest point, mt. aconcagua. at 22, 828 feet, the snowcapped mountain provides adequate water to the vines below. the


east and granite and clay in the west. the area is also home to the america ’ s highest point, mt. aconcagua. at 22, 828 feet, the snowcapped mountain provides adequate water to the vines below. the valley also runs along the river that stretches from the pacific ocean to the andes and experiences significant diurnal differences ( warm days followed by cool nights ). its warmest area is in the center of the valley, though leaning more toward the eastern side, but at either end natural factors help to regulate temperature. in the east, the temperature is influenced by higher altitudes combined with sweeping winds while to the west the area is kept cool by the cool breezes generated by the coastal humboldt current. it is here, in the west, that some winemakers have begun to explore the growth of cool climate whites such as sauvignon blanc, but for now aconcagua remains best - known for its ripe, fruit - forward reds made from cabernet sauvignon, syrah, petit verdot, and carmenere. within the area of aconcagua, there is one particular growing area, panquehue, which is home to the famous vina errazuriz, which is over a century old, and offers a more moderate climate for grape growing adding to the grape ’ s ability to retain its natural acidity with a slightly longer growing season. aconcagua, though small, is well - recognized as one of chile ’ s premier regions for wine - growing with a prominent past helping to set the wines of chile on the map. as more producers explore the area and the vine growing area expands, aconcagua is expected to shine for many years to come. curico & itata valleys the itata and curico valleys are, in general, two of the lesser - known valleys of the country, but it is within these areas that one will find some of the greatest history and diversity. nestled between the bio bio and maule valleys one will find the itata valley, one of the oldest wine growing regions in chile. complementing its history, however, it boasts a strong balance of both the old and the new. the classic varieties of cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and merlot dominate across the valley ’ s alluvial, clay, and sand soils. interestingly, however, itata is also home to several hectares of carignan and semillon which are making waves in the us


chardonnay, and merlot dominate across the valley ’ s alluvial, clay, and sand soils. interestingly, however, itata is also home to several hectares of carignan and semillon which are making waves in the us especially among exploratory sommeliers. the area is relatively small with just over 630 hectares under vine, but despite its small plantings there is great diversity in the area. throughout itata one will find a healthy amount of ancient bush vines, most of which are dry - farmed and quite small, but alongside these plantings there are also vineyards dominated by newly planted, vertically positioned vines. this combination allows for great potential for exploration. to the north of itata, but just 200km south of santiago, is the curico valley, a large, diverse valley with 1, 484 hectares under vine. over 30 different grape varieties can be found here, but most notably are cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, sauvignon blanc, and syrah. the valley ’ s modern history begins in the 1970 ’ s when miguel torres first explored the area and introduced the first stainless steel tank to chile. this encouraged a flurry of foreign investment which led to increased plantings and exploration of suitable grape varieties for the area. curico boasts a mediterranean climate, though it is shielded from the ocean ’ s influence by chile ’ s coastal range. because of this, the conditions on the valley floor and on the andes mountains play an important role as the plantings are spread across these areas. soils are composed of clay, sand, and decomposed granite which, combined with the climate, make it an ideal region for sauvignon blanc and powerful red wines. the itata and curico valleys of chile are representative of the diversity and terroir - driven exploration that is the hallmark of chile ’ s evolving wine industry. within each valley one will find a different representation of the innovation and openness to new ideas which only adds to the country ’ s intrigue. the choapa valley though small with only 96 hectares under vine is a wine region that ’ s gaining in notoriety. this northern area is in the narrowest part of chile where the andes meet the coastal range. the valley itself is further divided into two areas : illapel and salamanca which are known for their rocky soils with a base of clay, silt, and chalk. the desert - like climate receives just 4. 5 inches of rain per year, but it ’


is further divided into two areas : illapel and salamanca which are known for their rocky soils with a base of clay, silt, and chalk. the desert - like climate receives just 4. 5 inches of rain per year, but it ’ s perfect for the region ’ s vineyards which are dominated by the production of syrah and cabernet sauvignon. the choapa river, which flows from the andes mountains through the region to the pacific ocean, also helps to create a unique microclimate for the area. as a result, the wines are of high - quality with high acidity and low ph. to date, there are no resident wineries in the area, but there are is an increased focus on the area by several producers. de martino ’ s syrah legado comes from a 325m vineyard planted near salamanca, chile ’ s fabled center of witchcraft. it ’ s the only wine produced in chile with this d. o. nevertheless, despite choapa valley ’ s its small size, this unique, northern - located area is making a name for itself with high quality reds worth seeking out. malleco & bio bio over the past twenty years, chilean wineries and winemakers have been discovering new and interesting terroir and microclimates. among these areas are the two of the most southern - reaching areas of chile, the malleco and bio bio valleys. innovative winemakers are pioneering the discovery of which wine varieties and styles adapt best to the region, in each valley they have been making strides exhibiting just how their individual microclimates can generate wines which uniquely express the terroir. today, innovative winemakers are focusing on the exploration of the unique microclimates of each region. through their research, they have discovered which grapes work best in the region and also how the wines portray stylistic expression. the larger of the two, and more popular, bio bio, ( pronounced bee - o bee - o ), has just 446 hectares under vine. here pinot noir and chardonnay have recently stolen the spotlight and are the wines to watch from this region. their extreme southern position gives them warm days and more daylight than their northern counterparts. their moderate mediterranean climate provides them with the ideal combination of with warm days and cold nights theses southern regions receive more daylight than the northern regions, though once the sun sets the nights are cool. this moderate mediterranean climate allows for a lengthy ripening season. the coastal mountain range blocks bio bio from the influence of the


days and cold nights theses southern regions receive more daylight than the northern regions, though once the sun sets the nights are cool. this moderate mediterranean climate allows for a lengthy ripening season. the coastal mountain range blocks bio bio from the influence of the ocean, though the region is still known for high rainfall and strong winds. this can make the regions ’ growing conditions somewhat challenging for grape growers, but skillful winemakers have embraced this opportunity and shown success. the climate conditions in bio bio are similar to those in northern france. add to that the soils made up of alluvial matter, clay and sand and it ’ s a recipe for success. the results are lower - alcohol wines with bright acidity giving way to a more mineral expression in contrast with some of their fruit - forward counterparts from other regions. to the south of bio bio lies the malleco valley ( pronounced mah - yay - ko ), in fact, malleco is one of the southernmost wine producing regions in the world nearly bordering patagonia! it is an area that is still in its adolescence and is still in the process of understanding its potential.. like bio bio, malleco has a mediterranean climate and the area has a range of soils including alluvial matter, clay, and sand despite having only 11 hectares under vine. exceptional wines have been produced from chardonnay and exploration with pinot noir, gewurztraminer, and sauvignon blanc has also exhibited promising results. although the malleco and bio bio valleys are still developing, they have shown great promise. of all the varieties produced in these valleys, pinot noir and chardonnay have shown the most promise, primarily due to the cool climate conditions in which these grapes thrive. looking forward, as the area ’ s gain more interest from wineries around the country we will discover their true potential.


don ' t look now, but you ' re being followed. you have been, in fact, since the day you were born. the good news is that the people following you are doctors, nurses, and other health care providers. and the way they ' re tracking you is on paper, through your personal medical history. what are medical records? each time you hop up on a doctor ' s exam table or roll up your sleeve for a blood draw, somebody makes a note of it in your medical records. all that scribbling adds up over time. even if you ' re the healthiest person alive, you ' ll still manage to accumulate crate upon crate of paperwork by your 21st birthday. chances are you won ' t ever pore over all those pages. but there might come a time when you want to get information from your medical records : maybe you ' ll need to provide your college or new job with a record of immunizations before you can start. or perhaps you want a new doctor to know your full medical history. as you start taking charge of your own medical care, it helps to know what ' s in your medical records, how you can get them when you need to, who else is allowed to see them, and what laws are in place to keep them private. what ' s in my medical records? you might picture your medical records as one big file in a central storage facility somewhere. but actually they ' re in lots of different places. each specialist who treats you keeps his or her own file, and each of these is part of your medical records. your medical records contain the basics, like your name and your date of birth. they also include the information you give to your family physician, dentist, or other specialist during an examination. you know how doctors often ask a series of questions — like about how you ' re feeling that day or your family medical history? well, all of your answers go into your doctors ' records, along with the results of any medical exams, test results, treatments, medications, and any notes doctors make about you and your health. medical records aren ' t just about your physical health. they also include mental health care. so if you went to family therapy back when you were 6 and your parents were divorcing, it will be somewhere in your records. can i see my records? u. s. law gives patients the right to see, get copies of, and sometimes even change their medical records. if you ' re younger than 18, your parent or guardian


it will be somewhere in your records. can i see my records? u. s. law gives patients the right to see, get copies of, and sometimes even change their medical records. if you ' re younger than 18, your parent or guardian will probably need to ask for copies of medical records on your behalf. however, more states are allowing minors to take charge of their own health services, so ask your doctor, hospital, or health system about what access you have to your records. medical records — particularly test results or imaging studies like x - rays — can be confusing for people who aren ' t trained in reading them. something that might look scary on an x - ray or mri might be nothing to worry about. so if you do look at your records on your own, keep that in mind and ask a doctor if you have questions. how do i get them? start by figuring out who has the information you want. if it ' s dental information you ' re after, contact your dentist ' s office. if it ' s a general health issue, you ' ll probably want to talk to your family doctor. when it comes to requesting medical records, different providers have different ways of doing things. some might ask you to fill out an authorization form. if so, you ' ll want to be ready with information like this : - dates of treatment or service ( such as a hospital stay ). if it ' s been a while and you don ' t remember exact dates, ask for records from a range of dates, such as 2000 - 2005. - which information you want. do you need the entire record or just part? specific test results? x - ray films, blood work results, etc.? - how you want the information. do you just want to look at your records to find out what ' s in them? or do you need to get your own copy, have a copy sent to another physician, or both? a health care provider ' s office might charge a fee to cover the cost of having someone make copies. some offices put test results and imaging studies on a cd - rom. you ' ll probably have to pay for mailing the records to you or another doctor ( if you won ' t be picking them up in person ). how long does it take? the law gives health care providers up to 30 days to provide copies of medical records, but almost all health care organizations supply records a lot faster than that. most people get their non - critical care records within 5 to 10 business days.


it take? the law gives health care providers up to 30 days to provide copies of medical records, but almost all health care organizations supply records a lot faster than that. most people get their non - critical care records within 5 to 10 business days. if records are needed faster — like when a patient needs medical treatment — the health care provider holding the records usually releases them immediately. if you need to get records for non - emergency situations ( such as switching to a new doctor ), it ' s safest to give plenty of notice. let the medical provider who has your records know that you ' d like copies a few weeks ahead of any appointments with your new health care provider. can they say no? they can — but it almost never happens. when it does, it ' s because a doctor ' s office is trying to protect a patient ' s privacy or safety. for example, they may withhold medical information if they ' re not sure the person requesting the records has a right to see them. or they may not release records if they think it will lead to the patient being harmed. if health care providers deny access to records, they must give the reasons why in writing within 30 days. if any request for medical information is denied, a patient has the right to ask for the decision to be reviewed again. what if i spot a mistake in my medical records? if you notice something missing or something you think is wrong in your medical records, you have the right to request a correction. ask your doctor ' s office to explain how they handle changes to your records and what you need to do to request a change. the law gives health care providers 60 days to make the changes or deny the request. who else can see my records? your information can be used and shared with the following people or groups, when needed : - other health care providers as necessary to support your treatment and care - insurance companies, medicaid, and other groups responsible for paying doctors and hospitals for your health care - public health agencies as needed to protect the public ' s health, such as by reporting when the flu is in your area - law enforcement agencies, such as reporting a gunshot wound to the police - parents or guardians if you are younger than 18 - family, relatives, friends, or others in your life — but only if you ( or a parent or guardian, while you ' re under 18 ) give permission what about my parents? parents have access to their kids ' medical records until the child is 18. however, many states now allow doctors


your life — but only if you ( or a parent or guardian, while you ' re under 18 ) give permission what about my parents? parents have access to their kids ' medical records until the child is 18. however, many states now allow doctors to decide whether or not they disclose certain information to parents — like about sexual health or substance abuse, for example. the law also states that parents no longer have access to their teens ' health records if they agree to let them have a confidential relationship with their doctors. most hospitals or doctors make every effort to protect patients ' privacy when it comes to sensitive information that ' s in their medical records. sometimes a health care provider will feel that it ' s not in the best interest of the patient to release information to parents, even when a child is younger than 18. for mental health records ( such as the notes a therapist takes during counseling sessions ) the age when parents no longer have access to a child ' s medical records is 15 or 16, depending on the state. after you reach 18, your parents cannot see your records — by law. for some people, that may not be a problem. it may even seem like a good thing! but what if you have a health problem and need your parents to make decisions about your care if something happens? if you want your parents to have access to your records after 18, you ' ll need to sign a document authorizing them to do so, just as you would with anyone else. should i keep my own medical records? it ' s a great idea. many health care experts recommend that patients keep their own medical summaries or personal medical records ( pmrs ). that way, they can bring them along on visits to specialists, new doctors, or even an unexpected trip to the emergency room. your pmr should include the following information : - your name, date of birth, blood type, and emergency contact - date of last physical exam - dates and results of past tests and screenings - major illnesses and surgeries, with dates - any injuries you ' ve had and / or illness for which you ' ve been treated - any allergies to foods, medications, household items, etc. - a list of all your medicines, doses and how long you ' ve been taking them - chronic diseases, if any - a history of illnesses in your family - any accommodations you may need to make medical decisions ( such as sign language interpreter, information written in large print, picture symbols, etc. ) once you compile your pmr, you


radiology image transfer leg length discrepancy leg length discrepancy what is a leg length discrepancy? leg length discrepancy means one leg is longer than the other. discrepancies as small as a few centimeters can set off a chain of events, causing your child to walk and stand differently, which can lead to hip, knee, and / or ankle problems, and can lead to functional scoliosis ( a curve in the spine caused by an underlying condition ). leg length discrepancies can be congenital ( from birth ). they also can be caused by bone disease, bone tumors, the treatments used to eliminate bone tumors, injuries that don ' t heal properly, and a number of other causes. there are generally two kinds of leg length discrepancies : - structural discrepancy. this occurs when a leg bone is shorter than its corresponding bone in the other leg. for example, the thigh bone ( femur ) or the shin bone ( tibia ) is sometimes shorter in one leg. - functional discrepancy. this occurs when a condition above the leg causes the discrepancy. for example, a hip dislocation can cause this kind of discrepancy. what are the symptoms of a leg length discrepancy? because children ' s bodies respond differently to leg length discrepancies, symptoms can vary. common symptoms include : - obvious differences in length. while a discrepancy is not always obvious, if you are aware of a discrepancy, consult a physician. - problems with posture or gait. this might include limping, rotating the leg while walking, or toe - walking. - pain. the pain may occur in the ankle, knee, hip, or back. how is a leg length discrepancy treated? there are some nonsurgical treatments, such as orthotics, but often surgery is necessary to correct the discrepancy. because children are still growing, the goal of surgery is not to correct the leg lengths for the current height of your child but to ensure leg lengths will be equal when your child is finishing growing. often, this means your orthopaedic surgeon will need to take a series of measures over the course of 1 - 2 years in order to accurately predict your child ' s future height. each type of surgery for leg length discrepancy has its advantages and disadvantages. options include : - epiphysiodesis. in


over the course of 1 - 2 years in order to accurately predict your child ' s future height. each type of surgery for leg length discrepancy has its advantages and disadvantages. options include : - epiphysiodesis. in this surgery, a bony ridge is fastened to the growth plate of the longer leg, preventing the leg from growing more and allowing the shorter leg to catch up. - epiphyseal stapling. in this surgery, staples are inserted into the growth plate of the longer leg, which slows down its growth. - bone resection. in this surgery, a section of bone is removed from the longer leg in order to match the size of the shorter leg. - leg lengthening procedures. procedures to lengthen the shorter leg provide a child with the ability to reach his or her maximum height, but they also are technically difficult procedures, involving extended and painful physical rehabilitation and sometimes involving complications, such as wound infections, dislocations of the hip or knee, and other problems. the best surgery for your child will depend on many factors, such as the size of the discrepancy, whether your child is finished growing, and other factors. your orthopaedic surgeon will work closely with your family to help you make the best decision for your child ' s unique needs. about surgery for leg length discrepancies at children ' s the surgeries for leg discrepancies are performed by the accomplished pediatric orthopaedic surgery team at children ' s. orthopaedic surgery teams at children ' s provide next - generation care to children from throughout the upper midwest and consistently perform some of the most cutting - edge surgical procedures available, including minimally invasive surgery, when appropriate. leg discrepancy surgeries are performed at children ' s – minneapolis and children ' s - st. paul. - if you are a family member and you ' d like to make an appointment at our clinic locations in minneapolis or st. paul, please call children ' s orthopaedic clinic main line at ( 651 ) 220 - 5700. - if you are a health professional looking for a consultation or referral information, please call children ' s orthopaedic clinic main line at ( 651 ) 220 - 5700.


the deathly forces that lock humans out of the demilitarised zone have allowed other species to thrive. could a remnant of violent conflict become the symbol of a greener, more peaceful future? a thin green ribbon threads its way across the korean peninsula. viewed from space, via composite satellite images, the winding swath clearly demarcates the political boundary between the republic of korea ( rok ) and the democratic people ’ s republic of korea ( dprk ). its visual impact is especially strong in the west, where it separates the gray, concrete sprawl of seoul from the brown, deforested wastes south of kaesong. in the east, it merges with the greener landscapes of the taebaek mountain range and all but disappears. from the ground, the narrow verdant band manifests as an impenetrable barrier of overgrown vegetation enclosed by layers of fences topped by menacing concertina wire and dotted with observation posts manned by heavily armed soldiers. that a place so steeped in violence still teems with life seems unimaginable. and yet, the demilitarized zone, or dmz, is home to thousands of species that are extinct or endangered elsewhere on the peninsula. it is the last haven for many of these plants and animals and the centre of attention for those intent on preserving korea ’ s rich ecological heritage. once known as the “ land of embroidered rivers and mountains ”, the korean peninsula has experienced almost continual conflict for over 100 years, resulting in a severely degraded natural environment. international competition for control over the peninsula ’ s resources left korea in a precarious position at the start of the twentieth century. the japanese occupation between 1905 and 1945 brought with it radically increased exploitation of mineral and other resources, resulting in massive deforestation, pollution and general environmental decline. since at least the 1940s, deforestation for fuel wood and clearing for agricultural land has caused significant erosion of the area ’ s mountains and hills and contributed to the siltation of its rivers, streams and lakes. the 1950 to 1953 war ranged across the entire peninsula, subjecting it to widespread devastation that destroyed cities, roads, forests and even mountains. and, in the 1960s and 1970s, unchecked industrialisation further undermined the peninsula ’ s ecological health, causing air, water, and soil pollution. the relative health of the dmz now stands in stark contrast to the failing ecosystems in both north and south korea. created in 1953 during tense armistice negotiations, korea ’ s dmz


ecological health, causing air, water, and soil pollution. the relative health of the dmz now stands in stark contrast to the failing ecosystems in both north and south korea. created in 1953 during tense armistice negotiations, korea ’ s dmz is at once one of the most dangerous places on earth and one of the safest. for humans, its thousands of landmines and the millions of soldiers arrayed along its edges pose an imminent threat. but the same forces that prevent humans from moving within the nearly 400 square miles of the dmz encourage other species to thrive. manchurian or red - crowned cranes and white - naped cranes are among the dmz ’ s most famous and visible denizens. nearly 100 species of fish, perhaps 45 types of amphibians and reptiles and over 1, 000 different insect species are also supposed to exist in the protected zone. scientists estimate that over 1, 600 types of vascular plants and more than 300 species of mushrooms, fungi and lichen are thriving in the dmz. mammals such as the rare amur goral, asiatic black bear, musk deer and spotted seal inhabit the dmz ’ s land and marine ecosystems. there are even reports of tigers, believed extinct on the peninsula since before japanese occupation, roaming the dmz ’ s mountains. much of the biodiversity in the dmz is speculative, extrapolated from spotty scientific studies conducted in the civilian control zone ( ccz ) that forms an additional protective barrier along the dmz ’ s southern edge. approximate though these studies are, the dmz ’ s ecological promise is great enough to spur many people to action. the simmering tensions on the korean peninsula over the past 60 years have at times reached a boiling point – from the 1974 discovery of several military incursion tunnels running under the dmz from north korea to the 2010 shelling of yeonpyeong island – putting the fate of the dmz and its biodiversity into question. efforts to protect the dmz ’ s ecological and cultural offerings have become imperative. one potential development on the minds of many koreans is the return of a single korean nation. a unified korea would obviate the need for the dmz and potentially imperil the existence of the various ecosystems the dividing line presently supports. many individuals, both on and off the peninsula, hope to preempt the destruction of the dmz ’ s ecological treasury, should korea reunify, by establishing a permanently protected area


existence of the various ecosystems the dividing line presently supports. many individuals, both on and off the peninsula, hope to preempt the destruction of the dmz ’ s ecological treasury, should korea reunify, by establishing a permanently protected area commensurate with the current dmz boundaries. solutions already proffered include the creation of a series of dedicated conservation areas in and along the dmz, the development of ecotourism and educational zones and attaining world heritage site designation through unesco. two projects have already proven highly successful : the establishment of crane conservation areas in the dmz along the han river estuary and in the anbyon plain north of the dmz near wonsan, dprk. the former zone spans the western edge of the dmz south to seoul and serves as a safe winter resting area for over 1, 000 white - naped cranes. the south korean government designated the area a national monument in 1976, after scientific studies by george archibald of the international crane foundation and kim hon kyu of ehwa women ’ s university determined the region ’ s importance to the continued survival of the species. the second conservation area, located in the anbyon plain, supplements the migratory wintering grounds for both white - naped and red - crowned cranes inside the dmz in the choelwon basin and along the peninsula ’ s western coast. since its inception in the 1990s, the anbyon plain project has been an international, cooperative effort, bringing in researchers from korea university in tokyo, the state academy of sciences in pyongyang and tokyo university. by working in partnership with local farmers to restore riparian, grassland, and forest habitats, the project demonstrates that cranes and humans can thrive in cooperation. thus far, the project has garnered approval from the north korean government and has set the stage for scientists and farmers to create both ecologically and economically sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both cranes and people. ecotourism and eco - education are also making headway. south korea ’ s official tourism site offers the opportunity to visit an area south of the dmz that it calls the peace - life zone. the guidebook for the tour incorporates extensive photographs highlighting the natural beauty of the region and advertises the dmz as “ a peaceful place ” that “ marks the last untouched cold war border in the world today. ” marketing and propaganda aside, the tour is evidence of the rok ’ s willingness to promote and support efforts to preserve the area ’ s ecological sustainability.


“ a peaceful place ” that “ marks the last untouched cold war border in the world today. ” marketing and propaganda aside, the tour is evidence of the rok ’ s willingness to promote and support efforts to preserve the area ’ s ecological sustainability. similarly, in early 2010, the catholic university of korea and sungkonghoe university developed a joint course for students called “ life and peace of the dmz ”. the course examined the history of the korean war, media representations of the dmz and the sociology and ecology of the area. perhaps the most comprehensive plans involve efforts to permanently set aside the dmz and adjacent areas as an ecological preserve and cultural site. several international and korean ngos are involved in disseminating information, gathering public support, and working with government agencies on both sides of the divide to achieve official recognition of the dmz ’ s importance both environmentally and historically and subsequent protection of the area as an international transboundary peace park. among the leading associations, and one of the first organised for the purpose, is the dmz forum, whose mission is “ to support conservation of the unique biological and cultural resources of korea ’ s demilitarized zone, transforming it from a symbol of war and separation to a place of peace among humans and between humans and nature. ” the dmz forum holds annual conferences to educate the public about the history and ecological importance of the dmz. its primary and long - term goal is to gain approval from both sides of the line to nominate the entire dmz and its adjacent zones as a cultural and natural world heritage site. this transboundary park would incorporate marine ecosystems in the west sea, the han river estuary and its lowland plains, the high mountains of the taebaek mountain range and the east sea tidal areas, providing a nearly comprehensive representation of the peninsula ’ s ecological systems. combined, the area would incorporate over 400 square miles of protected ecosystems. if the dmz has served to remind the korean people and the world of the lasting legacy of ideological and military conflict, then it has also become a symbol for a new generation wanting to preserve a reinvigorated korean ecology. the war was a human tragedy, but out of terrible loss may come the prospect for ecological health and mutual cooperation. korea ’ s political past and its environmental future are inextricably linked. the dmz has become a green ribbon of hope, representing korea ’ s promise for a healthy, peaceful future. lisa brady is associate professor of history at boise state university


dr. licht also works with chop ’ s neurocardiac care program, a program created for children with chd at risk for neurodevelopmental issues. congenital heart defects ( chd ) are among the most common birth defects in humans, affecting 8 per 1000 live births. one - third of these children will have severe heart defects that require surgical repair in early infancy for survival. improved survival over the last 15 years has revealed significant neurodevelopmental dysfunction among half of all survivors of these early surgeries. underlying this neurobehavioral dysfunction is a high prevalence of white matter injury, termed periventricular leukomalacia ( pvl ). pvl occurs primarily in the immature brain when the oxygen demand of the brain tissue exceeds the delivery of oxygen and nutrients in the blood — delivery of oxygen can falter due to a lack of blood oxygen content or a drop in blood flow. mri has been used in previous studies to determine the prevalence of pvl in infants with chd before and after surgical repair. these studies tell us that pvl injury occurs in 20 percent before surgery and just over 50 percent afterwards. for infants with single - ventricle chd ( such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome ), the incidence may be as high as 80 percent after surgery. while mri has been useful for identifying and quantifying pvl at specific time points, it does not provide information about the timing or underlying causes of injury — information that is vital to the development of targeted interventions. in this nih - funded study, mri - based pvl identification and quantification is combined with continuous monitoring of cerebral blood flow and blood oxygen content, to provide a more complete picture of how and when injury occurs in this population. participants in this study will undergo both a pre - and post - operative mri scan as well as continuous post - operative monitoring of cerebral blood flow and brain oxygen saturations. a portable, non - invasive instrument developed at the university of pennsylvania, which makes measurements by passing light through intact skin, will be used for continuous monitoring at bedside. advanced methods for data analysis will be employed to study the relationships between vital signs and brain blood flow and oxygen saturations. it is hoped that this new information will open up opportunities for physicians to build strategies to treat or prevent brain injury in infants with chd. furthermore, improved understanding of how non - invasive optical instruments can help improve the care of critically ill infants will greatly expand the use of this relatively new


do you remember when you were young and your parents told you that you had to eat everything on your plate so that food would not be wasted? i do. i remember it, and have probably used the same argument with my daughter over the years to get her to eat her meals. the idea though, of not wasting food, is more than just of teaching our children to eat well. the issue of sustainability in food is about feeding your family and making sure that there is enough food for the world ’ s population. because here is the reality : almost one billion of the world ’ s population goes to bed hungry each night. not because of scarcity of food, but because our agricultural and societal systems are using resources at a rapid rate that will destroy the natural resources that we need. that is where the oxfam grow method comes in. a “ culinary revolution ” the grow method helps us learn how our food choices impact the global food supply and how our actions can help promote sustainability. the ideas are simple really. most are things that many of us already do. my biggest take away was the intention behind the process and the specific and concrete ways that small steps can lead to dramatic changes for the future of food. - planning meals to help waste less food - storing your food in the refrigerator to prevent spoiling - cooking with leftovers - buying local from farmers - saving energy while cooking by covering your pan with a lid - buying food that is in season and eating more local in season food - eating more vegetables and less meat or dairy world food day is tomorrow, october 16th. each of us can help feed the planet that will reach nine billion people by 2050, and empower people living in less developed nations to earn a living, feed their families, and thrive.. there are so many ways each of can get involved. oxfam has developed a discussion guide that is perfect to help you talk about the grow method with your children. you can find recipes and techniques that were developed with the grow method in mind on pinterest. ( two of my favorites are freezing herbs in olive oil and a purple kale salad with creamy apricot ginger dressing, apples, and walnuts ). like with anything, the important thing is to get involved. the great thing about the grow method is that you can get involved in the comfort of your own kitchen and house, just by being intentional and making a few simple changes. so the question is … how is what you already do at home aligned with the grow method or what is one


bulgarian revolutionary and poet | born | | january 6, 1848 | kalofer, ottoman empire | died | | june 2, 1876 ( aged 28 ) | near vola peak, vratsa mountain ( part of the stara planina range ), ottoman empire | occupation | | poet, journalist, revolutionary | hristo botev ( bulgarian : христо ботев, also transliterated as hristo botyov ) ( january 6, 1848 – june 2, 1876 ), born hristo botyov petkov ( bulgarian : христо ботиов петков ), was a bulgarian poet and national revolutionary. events 1066 - harold godwinson is crowned king of england. 1205 - philip of swabia becomes king year 1848 ( mdcccxlviii ) was a leap year starting on saturday ( link will display the full calendar of the gregorian calendar ( or a leap kalofer ( калофер is a town in southern bulgaria between the balkan mountains to the north and the sredna gora to the south part of plovdiv province the ottoman empire ( 1299 – 1923 ( old ottoman turkish : دولت علیه عثمانیه devlet - i aliye - yi osmaniyye, late ottoman and modern turkish events 455 - the vandals enter rome, and plunder the city for two weeks year 1876 ( mdccclxxvi ) was a leap year starting on saturday ( link will display the full calendar of the gregorian calendar ( or a leap year vratsa ( also transliterated as vraca or vratza, in some languages with a w ; враца is a city in northwestern bulgaria, at the the balkan mountain range ( bulgarian and стара планина stara planina, " old mountain " the ottoman empire ( 1299 – 1923 ( old ottoman turkish : دولت علیه عثمانیه devlet - i aliye - yi osmaniyye, late ottoman and modern turkish employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. a poet is a person who writes poetry. etymology from the ancient greek : ποιεω, poieo : " i make or compose " a journalist ( also called a newspaperman ) is a person who practices journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about


person who writes poetry. etymology from the ancient greek : ποιεω, poieo : " i make or compose " a journalist ( also called a newspaperman ) is a person who practices journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about current events trends a revolutionary when used as a noun is a person who either actively engages in some kind of revolution, or advocates the revolution with recognition from some government or nationality is a relationship between a person and their state of origin, culture, association affiliation and / or loyalty bulgarian ( български език ipa : ɛzˈik is an indo - european language, a member of the slavic linguistic group events 1066 - harold godwinson is crowned king of england. 1205 - philip of swabia becomes king year 1848 ( mdcccxlviii ) was a leap year starting on saturday ( link will display the full calendar of the gregorian calendar ( or a leap events 455 - the vandals enter rome, and plunder the city for two weeks year 1876 ( mdccclxxvi ) was a leap year starting on saturday ( link will display the full calendar of the gregorian calendar ( or a leap year bulgarian ( български език ipa : ɛzˈik is an indo - european language, a member of the slavic linguistic group the bulgarians ( българи balgari ) are a south slavic people generally associated with the republic of bulgaria and the bulgarian language a poet is a person who writes poetry. etymology from the ancient greek : ποιεω, poieo : " i make or compose " a revolutionary when used as a noun is a person who either actively engages in some kind of revolution, or advocates the revolution with recognition from some government or botev is widely considered by bulgarians to be a symbolic historical figure and national hero. botev was born in kalofer. kalofer ( калофер is a town in southern bulgaria between the balkan mountains to the north and the sredna gora to the south part of plovdiv province kalofer ( калофер is a town in southern bulgaria between the balkan mountains to the north and the sredna gora to the south part of plovdiv province his father, botyo petkov ( 1815 – 1869 ), was a teacher and one of the most significant figures of the late period of the bulgarian national revival


the north and the sredna gora to the south part of plovdiv province his father, botyo petkov ( 1815 – 1869 ), was a teacher and one of the most significant figures of the late period of the bulgarian national revival towards the end of the ottoman rule. the bulgarian national revival ( българско национално възраждане balgarsko natsionalno vazrazhdane or simply възраждане vazrazhdane the ottoman empire ( 1299 – 1923 ( old ottoman turkish : دولت علیه عثمانیه devlet - i aliye - yi osmaniyye, late ottoman and modern turkish he had a strong influence on his son during the latter ' s youth. in 1863, after completing his elementary education in kalofer, botev was sent by his father to a high school in odessa. odessa which stands for the german phrase o rganisation d er e hemaligen ss - a ngehorigen which in turn translates while there, he was deeply impressed by the work of the liberal russian poets of the day. he left high school in 1865 and spent the next two years teaching in odessa and bessarabia. odessa which stands for the german phrase o rganisation d er e hemaligen ss - a ngehorigen which in turn translates bessarabia ( basarabia in romanian, бесарабія in ukrainian, бессарабия in russian, бесарабия in bulgarian in the meantime he began creating his first poetic works and also established strong connections with the russian and polish revolutionary movement. his political views soon started to take shape. botev returned to kalofer at the beginning of 1867, where he temporarily replaced his ill father as a teacher. in may, during the festivities celebrating st. cyril and methodius ( it was his father who first organised at the end of the school year such festivities which today correspond to bulgaria ' s national holiday on 24 may ), he made a public speech against the ottoman authorities and the wealthy bulgarians ( whom he alleged were collaborating with the ottomans ). saints cyril and methodius ( κυριλλος και μεθοδιος old church slavonic : и ) were two byzantine greek brothers born saints cyril and methodius


collaborating with the ottomans ). saints cyril and methodius ( κυριλλος και μεθοδιος old church slavonic : и ) were two byzantine greek brothers born saints cyril and methodius ( κυριλλος και μεθοδιος old church slavonic : и ) were two byzantine greek brothers born the state of bulgaria ( българия transliterated bg - latn ' ' balgaria ' ' the country preserves the traditions ( in ethnic name language and alphabet of the first bulgarian events 1218 - the fifth crusade leaves acre for egypt. 1276 - magnus ladulas is crowned botev was pressed into leaving the town as a result. he initially decided he would return to russia, but due to lack of money instead opted for romania, at the time an asylum for many bulgarian exiles. romania ( dated : rumania, roumania greatly influenced by the bulgarian revolutionaries who lived in romania, botev led a life typical for any revolutionary. he was constantly deprived of means and even home. for some time he lived in an abandoned mill near bucharest with vasil levski, the eventual leader of the bulgarian insurgency, and the two of them initially became close friends. bucharest ( romanian : bucuresti ) is the capital city, industrial and commercial centre of romania. vasil levski ( васил левски also transliterated as vassil levski ) born vasil ivanov kountchev ( васил иванов кунчев ( karlovo later he would describe this period in his works. from 1869 to 1871 botev worked again as a teacher in bessarabia, keeping close relations with the bulgarian revolutionary movement and its leaders. bessarabia ( basarabia in romanian, бесарабія in ukrainian, бессарабия in russian, бесарабия in bulgarian in june 1871 he became editor of the revolutionary emigrant newspaper " word of the bulgarian emigrants " ( duma na bulgarskite emigranti ), where he began publishing his early poetic works. imprisoned for some months, due to his close collaboration with the russian revolutionaries, botev started working for the " liberty " ( svoboda ) newspaper, edited by the eminent bulgarian writer and revolutionary lyuben karavelov. lyuben st


imprisoned for some months, due to his close collaboration with the russian revolutionaries, botev started working for the " liberty " ( svoboda ) newspaper, edited by the eminent bulgarian writer and revolutionary lyuben karavelov. lyuben stoychev karavelov ( любен каравелов ( c 1834 - 21 january 1879 ) was a bulgarian writer and an important figure of the bulgarian national in 1873 he also edited the satiric newspaper " alarm clock " ( budilnik ), where he published a number of feuilletons, aimed at those wealthy bulgarians, who did not take part in the revolutionary movement. feuilleton ( a diminutive of french feuillet, the leaf of a book was originally a kind of supplement attached to the political portion of the whole bulgarian revolutionary movement was put in danger with the capture of vasil levski by ottoman authorities at the end ot 1872. vasil levski ( васил левски also transliterated as vassil levski ) born vasil ivanov kountchev ( васил иванов кунчев ( karlovo at the time levski was the indisputable leader of the bulgarian insurgency. he had established an enormous net of revolutionary committees, supervised by the bulgarian central revolutionary committee ( bcrc ; in bulgarian : брцк ) located in romania, which had the task of preparing the bulgarian revolutionaries for the future general uprising against the ottoman rule. levski was brought to trial, sentenced to death by hanging and executed on 19 february 1873. events 197 - roman emperor septimius severus defeats usurper clodius albinus in the battle of lugdunum year 1873 ( mdccclxxiii ) was a common year starting on wednesday ( link will display the full calendar of the gregorian calendar ( or a common his death was a serious blow to the morale of the revolutionary movement. with levski ' s death the bcrc was divided in two factions : botev and his supporters including stefan stambolov and panayot hitov backed the idea that preparations should be started for an immediate uprising, while the moderate revolutionaries, led by lyuben karavelov, thought that it was too early for such actions. stefan nikolov stambolov ( стефан николов стамболов ( january 31 1854 – july 6


emigres in romania were convinced that a general armed uprising of bulgarians against ottoman occupation was imminent. the april uprising ( априлско въстание aprilsko vastanie ) was an insurrection organised by the bulgarians in the ottoman empire from april year 1876 ( mdccclxxvi ) was a leap year starting on saturday ( link will display the full calendar of the gregorian calendar ( or a leap year in april 1876 the emigre community in bechet decided to organise an armed company to cross the danube and take part in the expected uprising. bechet is a city in dolj county, oltenia, romania, on the river danube, opposite the bulgarian city of oryahovo. the danube ( in donau from earlier danuvius, celtic * danu, meaning " to flow run " slovak and polish dunaj the organisers ( known within the movement as “ apostles ” ) of the planned insurgency in the 3rd revolutionary district centred in vratza, who had crossed into romania to try and solicit additional support from the bulgarian expat community, met with botev and convinced him that the planned guerrilla company would be best employed in their area. vratsa ( also transliterated as vraca or vratza, in some languages with a w ; враца is a city in northwestern bulgaria, at the guerrilla warfare is the unconventional warfare and combat with which a small group of combatants use mobile tactics ( ambushes raids etc while busily recruiting and arming fighters they were reached by the news that the insurgency had prematurely started. the recruiters tried to secure an experienced bulgarian guerrilla leader ( known as voevoda ) as commander, but the two who were approached refused for political reasons. a voivode or waywode is a slavic title that originally denoted the principal commander of a military force thus, botev himself, though lacking combat experience, took overall command of the company. military expertise was provided by nikola voinovski ( 1849 – 1876 ) a nikolaev military academy graduate, who had previously held the rank of lieutenant in the russian army. due to time restraints and the need for secrecy the company did not undergo any formal combat training as a unit and had to rely on the individual fighting skills and experience of its members. the news of the uprising brought new urgency to the preparations and on may 16, 1876 the 205 - strong company was finally equipped and ready to deploy. events 1204 - baldwin ix count of flanders is crowned


individual fighting skills and experience of its members. the news of the uprising brought new urgency to the preparations and on may 16, 1876 the 205 - strong company was finally equipped and ready to deploy. events 1204 - baldwin ix count of flanders is crowned as the first emperor of the latin empire. year 1876 ( mdccclxxvi ) was a leap year starting on saturday ( link will display the full calendar of the gregorian calendar ( or a leap year botev devised an ingenious plan for crossing into the empire without immediately alerting either the romanian or the ottoman authorities. the rebels disguised as gardeners embarked in groups the austro - hungarian passenger steamship radetzky at several romanian ports. a steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving a propeller when the last group was taken onboard at bechet the rebels retrieved their concealed weapons and seized control of the ship. botev confronted the captain dagobert englander, stated his intent to reach the ottoman side of the danube and explained the political motivation behind his actions. englander was so moved by botev ' s empassioned speech that he rendered full support and even later refused to cooperate with the ottoman authorities who requested the use of his ship to pursue the rebel company. botev disembarked near kozloduy and together with every member of the company ritualistically kissed the homeland. kozloduy ( козлодуи is a town of 13871 inhabitants in northwestern bulgaria, located in vratsa province, on the river danube. as the rebels proceeded inland, they gradually realised, that despite previous misleadingly enthusiastic messages by the local “ apostles ”, the 3rd revolutionary district had not risen. furthermore, due to the violent suppression of the uprising proceeding elsewhere in the bulgarian - populated territories, the entire ottoman military machine, including regular army garrisons and irregular bashi - bazouks, was mobilised and thickly patrolling the area. a bashi - bazouk or bashibazouk ( turkish basıbozuk, " damaged head " meaning " leaderless " " disorderly " was an botev and his staff officers decided to press on to the comparative safety of the vratza mountains while trying to rouse the bulgarian population on their way. the population intimidated by the overwhelming ottoman military presence refused to be incited into any overt sign of rebellion. the company almost immediately became the focus of incessant bashi


vratza mountains while trying to rouse the bulgarian population on their way. the population intimidated by the overwhelming ottoman military presence refused to be incited into any overt sign of rebellion. the company almost immediately became the focus of incessant bashi - bazouk attacks. voinovski displayed some excellent defensive tactics helped by the still excellent morale and discipline of the company. on may 18 the massing bashi - bazouks caught up with the company in force and botev had to go to ground on the milin kamak hill some 50 km from the danube. under voinovski ’ s skilful command the rebels managed to hold off the numerically superior ottoman irregulars without taking serious casualties until the arrival of two companies of regular troops. the regulars using two light artillery pieces and their superior rifles managed to inflict heavy casualties among the rebels from a safe distance, but their three attempts to follow up with frontal charges were repulsed by disciplined rebel fire. the company lost about 30 killed or wounded. according to their custom the ottomans seized hostilities with nightfall and the rebels split into two groups and managed to slip through the enemy lines and continue their forced march towards the mountains. the next day passed without sighting the enemy, but at this point it was obvious that no local reinforcements could be expected. in the morning of may 20, the sentries detected advancing bashi - bazouks and 5 companies of regular ottoman troops. the men immediately took strong positions near mount okoltchitza. the defence was divided into two sectors, one commanded by voinovski and the other by botev. soon two battalions of enemy regulars led by hassan hairi bey assaulted voinovski, while the bashi - bazouks concentrated on botev ' s position. voinovski ' s men, with concentrated fire, inflicted heavy losses on the advancing enemy and countered their attempts at encirclement. in their turn botev ' s men repelled several bashi - bazouk attacks and drove the enemy back with a counterattack. at dusk the fighting died down as the ottomans again withdrew for the night. the rebels lost about 10 killed and many were wounded in the day ’ s fighting. it was at this point, at dusk on may 20 1876, that a single bullet most probably fired by concealed ottoman sharpshooter hit botev in the chest, killing him almost instantly. after the death of their leader and chief inspiration, the company suffered a serious drop in morale and began to