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March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Prevent Blindness – the oldest eye health and safety non-profit in America – designates March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month. In 2021, the organization would like to focus on digital eye strain.
Amid a global pandemic, most Americans use their digital devices – smartphones, tablets, and computers – more frequently and for longer durations. Symptoms of digital eye strain include burning eyes, itching eyes, dry eyes, blurred vision, and headache.
Prevent Blindness has launched the Screen Time-Out awareness campaign. The initiative encourages us to schedule regular breaks throughout the day from our devices.
"Prevent Blindness Declares March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month"
Smartphones Could Prevent Glaucoma Blindness
One of the hallmarks of glaucoma is elevated levels of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. It would be useful to have a non-invasive method of checking a person's IOP and could lead to early detection of glaucoma, which could prevent blindness down the road. A group of researchers suggests that using smartphones to scan our eyes could help detect eye diseases. Using soundwaves generated for our smartphones could prevent glaucoma blindness. Dr. Khamis Essa, Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Group at the University of Birmingham, says:
"We discovered a relationship between the internal pressure of an object and its acoustic reflection coefficient. With further investigation into eye geometry and how this affects the interaction with soundwaves, it [sic] possible to use a smartphone to accurately measure IOP from the comfort of the user's home."
Please contact SDCB if you require assistance with vision loss or blindness. We offer a number of programs and services that can help.
"Smartphones could help to prevent glaucoma blindness"
New Technology for Low Vision and Blindness
Millions of Americans are affected by macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetes-related eye diseases. These conditions can lead to low vision and blindness. Those living with blinding eye diseases can experience loss of independence, and often have to rely on others for support. However, scientific advancements have led to the development of new technology for low vision and blindness. Some of those include OrCam MyEye Pro, WeWALK, eSIght, and IrisVision.
"There are devices that try to take advantage of whatever little vision the person has to try to get them to see better, and there are devices that try to use other senses because their vision sense is essentially gone," says Calvin W. Roberts, M.D., host of On Tech & Vision With Dr. Cal Roberts, a podcast series from Lighthouse Guild.
SDCB can help you or a loved one regain your sense of independence. Please contact us to learn more about our programs and services.
"Fantastic New Tech for People With Low Vision or Blindness"
Prevent Blindness Eyes On Capitol Hill Event
"Eyes on Capitol Hill," an annual advocacy event, brings patients, caregivers, public health workers and medical professionals with their elected officials. The goal is to educate lawmakers about eye diseases that cause vision loss and blindness. The Prevent Blindness Eyes on Capitol Hill event will be held virtually this year, on Wednesday, Feb. 24, and Thursday, Feb. 25.
"From its founding in 1908, Prevent Blindness has continued to be, at its core, a public health advocacy organization," said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. "By working to give those who are directly affected by vision issues the opportunity to educate our government representatives directly on the importance of eye health, the Eyes on Capitol Hill event continues to carry on that mission."
Please reach out to SDCB to learn more about our programs and services. We can help improve your life quality.
"Prevent Blindness to Hold 'Eyes on Capitol Hill' Advocacy Event Feb. 24-25"
Treating Blindness With Cell Transplant Therapy
Some 11 million Americans are losing their vision due to macular degeneration. Unfortunately, the leading cause of blindness has no approved treatment options. However, thanks to new advancements in science, doctors are now treating blindness with cell transplant therapy.
Cheri McDaniel has the progressive eye disease macular degeneration. Every year since her diagnosis her eyesight has worsened. She was recently treated with the cell transplant therapy OpRegen. The therapy was a success: it stopped the deterioration of her vision and her vision has improved.
"Cell transplant therapy could be a treatment for leading cause of blindness"
COVID-19 Makes Life Harder for the Visually Impaired
All of our lives have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is safe to say that those impacted the most are people living with vision loss or other disabilities. Simply put, COVID-19 makes life harder for the visually impaired. The pandemic has forced sighted people to lend their hand to the visually impaired due to contraction fears. How do you know if you are six feet away from someone when you are blind?
Children living with vision loss have to rely on verbal descriptions over video chats to learn new skills, which is less than ideal. People living with sight loss are all too familiar with social isolation and mobility limitations, but the pandemic has severely exacerbated such realities.
"Everybody's feeling kind of shut in right now and out of touch with people, but we already have that isolation. So for us, it just has deepened even more," said Diane Wilkinson, who has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative retinal disease.
"Visually impaired face new challenges navigating a world remade by COVID-19"
Helping the Visually Impaired Cross Streets
Most Americans have seen people with white canes crossing the street. Some individuals have likely thought about the inherent dangers associated with blind people navigating intersections. While many crosswalks have what are known as Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) — beeps and chirps let people know when to cross — to assist people with visual impairments to understand when it is safe to cross the street, it can still be dangerous.
APS is helpful, but blind pedestrians can still have trouble. A new smartphone app called PedNav has proven effective in helping the visually impaired cross streets. The app is still in testing, but it has been likened to a Google Maps for the visually impaired. The app connects with traffic signal control systems to give pedestrians real-time information about where they are and if it's safe to cross.
SDCB can help you or a loved one with vision loss or blindness. Please contact us today to learn more about our programs and services.
"University of Minnesota's App Helps Pedestrians Cross Street"
Air Pollution and Vision Loss
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 90 percent of the global population lives in places where air quality levels exceed the limits set for pollutants that pose health complications.
Air pollution is a global problem that can have serious health problems for countless people. While air smog has long been associated with lung and heart complications, it turns out that there is a link between air pollution and vision loss. Fine particle air pollution has now been tied to macular degeneration, an age-related eye condition that can lead to irreversible blindness.
Please contact San Diego Center for the Blind if you struggle with vision loss or blindness. We offer many programs and services that can improve your quality of life.
"There's a Link Between Air Pollution And Irreversible Vision Loss, Study Reveals"
Never Let Blindness Get You Down
Millions of Americans are living with vision loss and blindness. While losing one's vision can be a devastating blow, it does not mean you have to give up on your dreams. Even though Wayne Schwartz is blind, he does not let blindness prevent him from fulfilling his dream of operating a coffee house. He and his wife converted a vacant pizza parlor into a coffee shop. Never let blindness get you down is a maxim Schwartz lives by today.
"We had parents that were hard-working, and they didn't take the approach 'that well you poor children, you can't do it.' No, they gave us jobs to do and they just expected us to work and do our part in the family. They raised us with a work ethic that nothing is going to come to you free," said Schwartz.
SDCB offers many programs and services for adults living with vision loss and blindness. Please contact us to learn more.
"Blindness doesn't stop dream"
Most Common Causes Of Vision Loss
Did you know that some 32.2 million adults in the United States have experienced some form of vision loss? It is vital to have regular eye exams to prevent losing your sight. What's more, it's helpful to know some of the most common causes of vision loss and what you can expect should you become afflicted. If you experience any vision changes, please make an appointment to see an eye doctor; being proactive can prevent vision loss.
The most common causes of vision loss include cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and glaucoma.
HIV Drugs May Prevent Vision Loss
While Macular degeneration is the number one cause of vision loss among older Americans, there are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat the condition. Ten million Americans are living with macular degeneration. Jayakrishna Ambati, a University of Virginia professor of ophthalmology, has discovered that HIV drugs may prevent vision loss.
"We've been trying to find drugs that are already approved for other diseases that might be re-purposed for this condition and the group of drugs we found that does that are a group of anti-HIV drugs called NRTI's and found that people who take them have about a 40-percent risk reduction of getting macular degeneration," said Jayakrishna Ambati, Director of the Center for Advanced Vision Science at UVA.
"HIV drugs may prevent vision loss"
25 Best Apps for the Visually Impaired
Here are 25 of the best apps for the blind and visually impaired, updated for 2021.
For example, point one app at an object to help recognize what it is. Get talking directions and audible books. Another app identifies colors, which could be a real help when getting dressed, shopping for clothes, or telling if fruits and vegetables are ripe. See what emotions the person you are speaking to is displaying with their facial gestures. And so much more!
Help Us Help The Bind and Visually Impaired
During this challenging time, we remain committed to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired with opportunities to seek independence. We are adapting our services, because those who depend upon us cannot wait for normalcy to arrive."
You can help support the work we do with a donation. Please support us and donate today by texting VISION to 26989 - thank you!
Air pollution linked to heightened risk of progressive and irreversible sight loss
Air pollution linked to heightened risk of progressive and irreversible sight loss (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in older adults, and a new long-term study just revealed that air pollution could be linked to a heightened risk of AMD. If these findings are confirmed, they could pave the way for new treatment options.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that I would be doing an Ironman or marathons," he said. "Not having sight has given me these amazing opportunities that I would have never had."
Please contact San Diego Center for the Blind if you would like assistance with vision loss or blindness.
"Air pollution linked to heightened risk of progressive and irreversible sight loss"
Vision Loss Became A Catalyst For Music
There is no way of knowing how one would respond to losing vision, either temporarily or permanently. In either case, it is sure to be a frightening experience. However, some people take the hand they're dealt and dive headfirst into their passion. Singer, songwriter Brooke Moriber's sudden, temporary vision loss became a catalyst for music. She explains that her eye disease and subsequent treatments gave her a better understanding of who she was as an artist and what she wanted her music to be.
"[Since then], after a year of the A&R process with Reviver [Records], I felt like we were right at the cusp of figuring out who I was [as an artist], but I felt like something was missing," she continues. "Then, it was like a light bulb went off in my brain and I was like, 'Oh my god, I remember why I started writing music in the first place and this is what I want to share with people. I want my music to be healing. I want to connect with people so that they don't feel alone in whatever they're going through'."
"Temporary Vision Loss Helps Brooke Moriber See The Healing Power of Music"
COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Vision Loss
The global pandemic has changed our lives in many ways. We are all familiar with social distancing and spending copious amounts of time confined to our homes and apartments. In isolation, countless individuals spend more time than ever on their computers, tablets, and smartphones. Could it be that the COVID-19 pandemic causes vision loss in some people? What are the consequences of more than a year of increased screentime?
"Reading and looking at a screen has never been a problem, until now," said Scott French. "I was experiencing headaches and dizziness. I couldn't read for more than a few minutes without severe eye strain. When I finally went to an optometrist, I was prescribed corrective lenses for the first time in my life."
"What Has the Pandemic Done to Our Eyes?"
Running Marathons With Blindness
53-year-old Tony Duenas lost his sight due to sudden retinal detachment in 2009. The event left Duenas living with total blindness. Fortunately, he does not let total vision loss hold him back in life. In fact, he became an avid runner. Today he engages in running marathons with blindness thanks to the help of a "guide runner." His passion doesn't stop at marathons; Duenas also competes in triathlons.
"Losing his eyesight unexpectedly triggered a life of fitness, marathons and triathlons"
Help Your Visually Impaired Child Achieve Their Full Potential
All children face the challenge of learning everyday skills – such as dressing and undressing, personal hygiene, cooking, eating, and simply getting around – but kids with blindness or visual impairment face added obstacles, which can be overcome. They arguably have a bit of an advantage over visually impaired adults who may be relearning how to do things they knew how to do when fully sighted – since these kids are learning these things for the first time, rather than having to relearn them and possibly alter long-entrenched habits.
Of course, this article can help you to help your child. But so can a Habilitation Specialist, who is trained and experienced helping kids like yours learn and adapt – safely and successfully. Here is one place where you can find a Habilitation Specialist.
Encouraging Independence
14 Tips for Visually Impaired People to Achieve Independence
Just because you can't see the same way as most other people doesn't mean you can't lead an independent, fulfilling life. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do, and technology can help, to create and maintain your independence. For example, make sure you enlarge anything you want to see. Learn to make the most efficient use of the eyesight you have. Reduce glare. Use your ears instead of your eyes.
Read more for additional tips. You'll probably think of some of these, and even more, on your own.
Please donate to help SDCB help those with vision loss or blindness. Your donation will go a long way.
Maintaining Independence Despite Visual Impairment: 14 Tips
Raising Money for Young People With Blindness and Low Vision
Christina Swider, better known as Xtina Louise, is using her music platform to raise money for young people with blindness and low vision. The recent Butler University grad worked with children who are blind and visually impaired while attending college. Now, she is joining forces with Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS Indiana). Hopefully, her music will raise a lot of money for the organization.
"We've had to get creative because VIPS is not a known nonprofit name in the state, although what we do is so critical for these kids, that's what makes opportunities like the one Xtina Louise presented even more valuable," said Meredith Howell, regional director of VIPS Indiana.
Please contact SDCB if you need help with vision loss or blindness. We offer many programs and services that can help.
"Pop artist raises money, awareness for babies, toddlers with blindness/low vision in Indiana"
Low Vision and Blindness Program
The Department of Special Education at Illinois State announced that it will offer a new online master's program in low vision and blindness. The online program will provide licensed teachers an opportunity to add an endorsement in low vision and blindness while they work to obtain a master's degree. The program came about because there is a serious shortage in low vision and blindness educators.
"I cannot think of a more rewarding and inspiring career than working as a teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired," said Dr. Mindy Ely, assistant professor and program coordinator. "We make a difference in the lives of our students while building relationships that endure beyond graduation. I look forward to sharing this opportunity with the graduate students who commit to this new preparation program at Illinois State."
"New online master's program in Low Vision and Blindness"
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Right now, over 3 million Americans and more than 60 million people worldwide have glaucoma. However, the number of people impacted by glaucoma is projected to climb to 4.2 million by 2030. The condition is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Since many people don't realize they are losing their vision, glaucoma is referred to as the "sneak thief of sight."
Help us raise awareness about this epidemic of blindness. It's vital to also have your eyes checked regularly as you age. It's possible to lose 40% of vision without you even noticing. Early detection can help you preserve your vision.
Please contact San Diego Center for the Blind if you are struggling with vision loss or blindness. We offer many programs and services that can help.
"January is Glaucoma Awareness Month"
Guide Dog Helps Young Woman Thrive
McKenzie Hanlon is 22 years old and has struggled through more than most will endure in a lifetime. Hanlon has suffered a brain aneurism, two nearly-fatal strokes, mobility loss, and vision loss. Thanks to her guide dog CJ, Hanlon can overcome any challenges she faces. CJ assists Hanlon in traversing the world while maintaining her independence from vision loss. Her companionship with CJ inspires her to help others with similar hardships.
"I want to work in social work, but my dream job would be to work at Southeastern Guide Dogs to help others who have gone through a situation like my mine," says Hanlon.
"Guide Dog Helps Woman Who Survived Medical Emergency that Took Her Vision Thrive on Her Own"
Eye Health Research Project
Dr. Pippa Anderson and Dr. Mari Jones, of Swansea University's Centre for Health Economics (SCHE), were awarded a substantial Research for Patient and Public Benefit (RfPPB) grant from Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW). The team is studying how better to manage chronic vision loss conditions in a community setting.
"In recent years the workload on the hospital eye service in the UK has continued to expand beyond the capability of the available workforce," said Anderson. "Since 2017, ophthalmology has had the highest number of outpatient episodes of any specialty in the NHS. As a result, a number of new approaches have developed across the UK. Here in Wales, we have primarily concentrated on upskilling primary care optometry."
"FUNDING BOOST FOR RESEARCH COLLABORATION STUDYING PROVISION OF EYE CARE IN THE COMMUNITY"
Risk Of Blindness App
RetinaRisk is an app that helps people determine their risk of blindness from diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a form of vision loss that affects over 120 million diabetics worldwide. RetinaRisk was created by healthcare entrepreneur and doctor Arna Gudmundsdottir and her team. The company, which is based in Iceland, has raised $1.8 million; the app has been downloaded by more than 800,000 people worldwide.
"It's a chronic disease, and it's so important that the patient takes responsibility on his or her own health," said Gudmundsdottir. "If you empower the patient, their destiny is in their own hands. That's where the app fits so well."
Please contact San Diego Center for the Blind to learn more about our vision rehabilitation programs.
"Meet The Women Who Raised $1.8 Million For An App That Measures Risk Of Blindness From Diabetes"
Advancements in Ophthalmology 2020
2020 was an exceedingly challenging year, but the New Year is upon us. Now is good time to look back on the previous 365 days and consider the advancements in ophthalmology 2020. Despite COVID-19, advancements in the field of medicine, technology, and science continued to occur. Interestingly, research on the coronavirus led to a better understanding of preventing irreversible vision loss.
Please reach out to San Diego Center for the Blind if you would like help with vision loss or blindness.
"Ophthalmology Highlights of 2020"
Symptoms of Vision Loss and Blindness
Vision loss and blindness can occur suddenly or gradually over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 12 million people age 40 or older in the United States are visually impaired; over 1 million people are blind. It can be helpful to understand the symptoms of vision loss and blindness. By 2050, experts estimate that the number could double.
Please know that some types of vision loss are temporary or reversible.
We invite you to reach out to SDCB to learn more about our programs and services.
"What to know about vision loss"
Let Us Support The Blind and Visually Impaired
At San Diego Center for the Blind, we are adapting our services for those who depend on us and cannot wait for normalcy. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and we need your help now more than ever. Right now, it's critical we support the blind and visually impaired. Please visit our holiday appeals page to learn more about how you can help us find solutions for living in our COVID-19 world.
If you would like assistance with vision loss or blindness, please contact SDCB to learn more.
Posted in SDCB News | View Post
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILL?
With the coronavirus pandemic causing financial hardships for many individuals and families, you may benefit from one of SDG&E's assistance programs. You can apply online for these bill discount programs. Many people who previously couldn't take advantage of these income-based programs may now qualify due to lost wages – even if they're receiving unemployment benefits. These programs include:
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program: Save 30% or more every month on your bill. Find out if you qualify at sdge.com/CARE.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program: If you don't qualify for CARE and your household has 3 or more people, you may qualify for FERA. You could receive an 18% discount on your electric use. Visit sdge.com/FERA to learn more.
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program: You may qualify to receive free energy-saving improvements for your home, such as new appliances like refrigerators, furnace repair, lighting, insulation and more. Find details at sdge.com/ESAP.
Medical Baseline Allowance Program: If you need to use more energy to operate medical devices due to a qualifying medical condition, you may qualify for a discount on your SDG&E bill. Get more information at sdge.com/medical.
Online applications are easy, fast and convenient. To learn more, visit sdge.com/assistance.
10 ENERGY TIPS TO SHAKE THE WINTER & CHILL
Many of us are spending more time at home so we're probably using more energy. Here are some no-cost and low-cost energy-saving tips. We know that every little bit helps, especially now.
Switch your ceiling fan's blade rotation. Hot air rises so reverse your fan's blades clockwise to help push the warmth back down to you.
Use your exhaust fans sparingly. Your bathroom fans and over hoods are overlooked sources of heat loss in the winter because they can pull warmth from your home.
Weatherize your home by caulking and sealing all seams, cracks and openings to the outside. This can save 10% – 20% on your heating bill.
Rock your winter wardrobe indoors. Make your home your runway and stay bundled in your winter best. Turn your thermostat down 7° - 10° for 8 hours a day, like when you sleep, and you can save up to 10% on your bill. So, slip on your fuzzy socks and flannel pajamas!
Let the sunshine in. Take advantage of the world's best furnace – the sun! Draw your curtains during the day to naturally heat your home.
Reduce heat loss from your fireplace. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the flue open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter – warm air goes right up the chimney.
Use less hot water (it takes energy to heat up water), wash your clothes in cold water and install low-flow faucets and showerheads.
Save up to $125 on a smart thermostat. Now through 12/31/20, you can save $75 on the purchase of qualifying smart thermostats. It can be combined with manufacturer rebates for savings up to $125. Learn more at sdge.com/instant.
Use lids on pots and pans. When you do this, you're conserving heat which reduces cooking time and saves energy.
For more energy-savings tips, visit sdge.com/winter.
KEEP HOLIDAY LIGHT DECORATING SAFE, ENERGY-EFFICIENT, FESTIVE AND FUN
People love lighting up their homes for the holidays – whether it's inside your home along the fireplace or on your front lawn decorating your trees and bushes. What most people don't love is the increase in their electricity bill after all the holiday cheer and lights are gone.
Here are some ways to be energy-efficient this holiday season:
Make smart lighting choices.  LED holiday lights are the way to go! They use up to 80% less energy and are brighter and safer since they are much cooler than incandescent lights. They're easier to install—up to 24 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket. They last ten times longer and have no filaments or glass to break.
Limit energy use. Set timers for lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark and off in the middle of the night. You can save more by keeping light displays on only 8 hours of the evening or less (when you can see them).
Get reflective. Shiny ornaments, tinsel and mirrors can multiply the effects of your lighting without using more energy. Be sure to keep tinsel away from pets, though. Reflective ornaments and tinsel are just as bright at night, so getting creative with your lighting display can multiply your resources for shine. Don't forget the ribbons, wreaths, garland and reflective menorahs for electricity- free, age-old traditions that bring holiday cheer.
Be sure to stay safe over the holidays. Here are some great tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Limit the connection of light strands. Avoid overloading extension cords and wall sockets by following the manufacturer's limits for the number of light strings that can be safely connected.
Hang lighting safely. Make sure that no cords will be pinched by furniture or placed under rugs, furniture or other appliances. If covered, cords can overheat or become frayed, increasing the risk of fire. Replace faulty lights instead of trying to repair them.
Avoid electric hazards outdoors. Before climbing ladders to string outdoor lights, check for overhead power lines on your roof or attached to your home. Always keep at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. Never place yourself or any object, such as a string of lights, in a position that risks contact with a power line—the result can be fatal.
Use GFCI outlets. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). How do you know if it's a GFCI? Look for the "test" and "reset" buttons. If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased.
Check your environment outdoors. Before stringing lights on outdoor trees, make sure tree limbs haven't grown into or near power lines. Branches, entire trees and even the ground adjacent to a tree can become energized when trees contact power lines.
Put your tree in a safe location. Keep your holiday tree away from heat sources such as a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, making it more susceptible to fires caused by heat, flame or sparks.
Check condition of lights. Inspect light strands for cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires, so discard damaged sets of lights.
Read the labels. Be sure to check each product label to see whether the lights are intended for indoor or outdoor use. Make sure lights have a tag indicating they have been evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory.
For more winter energy-saving and safety tips, visit sdge.com/winter.
Gene Therapy Restores Vision
A study conducted on 37 patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) produced some surprising conclusions. A revolutionary gene therapy showed promise on both eyes, even when only one eye was treated. The researchers found that 78 percent of participants had improved vision in both eyes. The gene therapy restores vision in legally blind patients. LHON affects around 1 in every 50,000 people, and the condition can steal one's vision rapidly.
"As someone who treats these young patients, I get very frustrated about the lack of effective therapies," said senior investigator Dr. Sahel, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh. "These patients rapidly lose vision in the course of a few weeks to a couple of months. Our study provides a big hope for treating this blinding disease in young adults."
"Gene Therapy Unexpectedly Improves Vision In Both Eyes Of Patients Suffering A Form Of Blindness"
Living Life To The Fullest Despite Vision Loss
Robert Lucky, 25, became legally blind when he was 14. Nevertheless, he decided to live life to its fullest despite vision loss. He lives independently and has a job; he taught himself how to play the guitar and is even in a band. Even though he is legally blind, he has devised a way to ride an electric scooter. His rare genetic condition slows him down but does not hold him back in life.
"I've had dark moments," Lucky said. "I just pull myself out of it. I've got to get up to live as much as I can."
"Robert Lucky makes own luck decade-plus after losing sight"
Help SDCB Help Others In 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of tens of millions of Americans, especially those living with vision loss and blindness. We ask that you help SDCB help others in 2021 by donating. With your support, we can provide vision rehabilitation services to those most in need in our COVID-19 world.
Please visit our holiday appeal page to learn more about how you can contribute to our programs and services.
If you are living with vision loss or blindness, please contact SDCB to learn how we can help.
No Reduction In Treatable Vision Loss
In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal to reduce preventable vision loss by 25 percent by 2020. However, two studies appearing in The Lancet Global Health examining blindness and vision loss rates worldwide found no significant reduction in the number of people with treatable vision loss.
Researchers found that the number of people blind and visually impaired increased. While there was a 15.4 percent decrease in avoidable blindness, there was no significant reduction in moderate or severe vision loss.
"We have made some strides in reducing blindness, but we really have work to do to address moderate to severe vision impairment," said study author Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD. "It's crucial that we fund research to focus efforts on improving outcomes and to examine the unequal burden of blindness for women, including the root causes for disparity, the potential barriers to accessing care, and potential biologic differences. Additional data on childhood blindness is also needed."
We invite you to contact SDCB if you require assistance with vision loss or blindness.
"Studies examine rates of blindness and vision impairment worldwide"
Researchers Reversed Vision Loss
At Harvard University, researchers reversed vision loss in mice that have a condition mimicking human glaucoma. Instead of stemming the progression, the scientists successfully inverted glaucoma-induced vision loss. The findings could lead to the development of new therapies and treatments for reversing aging and age-related diseases in humans.
"Our study demonstrates that it's possible to safely reverse the age of complex tissues such as the retina and restore its youthful biological function," said senior author David Sinclair, professor of genetics in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School. "The findings remain to be replicated in further studies, including in different animal models, before any human experiments. Nonetheless, the results offer a proof of concept and a pathway to designing treatments for a range of age-related human diseases."
"Reversing glaucoma damage and vision loss"
SDCB Needs Your Help More Than Ever
COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of tens of millions of Americans. We have adapted our services to continue helping people living with vision loss and blindness. SDCB needs your help more than ever to assist as many people as possible during these challenging times.
We must help blind and visually impaired individuals find solutions for living in our COVID-19 world. Please visit this page to learn how you can help the vision loss community during the holiday season and beyond.
Visually Impaired Artist Wins A Graphic Design Competition
Despite vision loss, Zamarian Griffin loves to draw. Griffin has albinism, which affects his vision. He says whatever he draws is his vision. His talent has not gone unnoticed; it helped the visually impaired artist win a graphic design competition. Griffin's work showcased various aspects of visual impairment.
"I wanted to have a meaning behind it, so that somebody could look at it and know it looks good and has a good meaning behind it," said Griffin. "I've been told all throughout my life that I can go places with my art, as long as I try my best to pursue it."
SDCB offers vision rehabilitation services for the blind and visually impaired. Please contact us to learn more.
"Danville high school student with vision impairment wins graphic design competition"
Guides Help Blind Runners Excel
Many blind and visually impaired individuals take part in the sport of running. However, they often cannot run without support; dogs and human guides help blind runners excel. One instance of this is blind high school freshman Paul Scott and fourth-grader Rebel Hays. The latter helps Scott navigate cross country race courses using a rope. They work together as a team; Scott says that his guide inspires him to run faster.
"I'll admit it's pretty hard, but it's all for Paul. I have to do it for Paul," says Hays.
"He inspires me to run faster': Blind runner and running guide team up"
Supporting SDCB on Giving Tuesday
December 1st is Giving Tuesday—a time to support worthy causes. What better cause than helping individuals living with vision loss or blindness improve their quality of life? At San Diego Center for the Blind, we ask that you take a moment to support our blind and vision-impaired community. Supporting SDCB on Giving Tuesday will help us to continue providing vision rehabilitation services during these challenging times.
We want to point out that most services and equipment for the visually impaired are not covered by insurance. What's more, we do not receive any government funding to help those in need of our programs and services. Simply put, we cannot help men and women regain their independence without your support.
Please make a difference and donate today.
If you require assistance with vision loss or blindness, please contact SDCB.
Project Guideline App Helps Blind People Run
There are millions of people living with vision loss and blindness, but sadly there aren't enough guide dogs available. Guide dogs can help people living with vision loss go running. Fortunately, the new Project Guideline app helps blind people run.
While still a prototype, Project Guideline uses a smartphone camera to track a guideline on a course. The app's machine-learning algorithm detects if the runner is veering to the left or right of the guideline. Audio cues to change course are sent to the runner using bone-conducting headphones.
"If I drifted to the left of the line, the sound would get louder and more dissonant in my left ear,' said Thomas Panek, CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. 'If I drifted to the right, the same thing would happen, but in my right ear."
If you are struggling with vision loss or blindness, please contact SDCB. We offer many programs and services that can help improve life quality.
"Google is testing an AI-powered app that helps vision-impaired people run without assistance by detecting lines on the ground and guiding users with audio cues"
Vision Loss Doctor Was Appointed With A Professorship
In 2016, Dr. Rachel Pilling – a pediatric ophthalmologist – won Vision UK's Astbury Award for her work within the Bradford Learning Disability Eye Service. Now, the vision loss doctor was appointed with a professorship at the University of Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Science. She is the first professor in special needs and learning disability eye care in the United Kingdom.
"This is an incredible opportunity to build on the last 10 years of my work and career at Bradford University to date, to make a positive impact and really make a difference to the eye care of people with learning disabilities," said Pilling.
"SeeAbility trustee made UK's first professor of special needs and learning disability eye care"
Accessibility Tools For People With Vision Loss
It's easy to take eyesight and hearing for granted. Sixty-one million Americans live with a disability like vision loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, there are many accessibility tools for people with vision loss, including text to speech, braille, large-print, and alt text.
Rachel Carver is the first blind person to receive public relations accreditation. Carver has been in public relations (PR) for over ten years.
"As PR professionals, we often strive to have our messaging and materials reach as many people as possible," said Carver, a senior specialist in public relations at Outlook Business Solutions, which provides businesses with marketing services for professionals who are blind or are visually impaired.
Please contact SDCB to learn more about our visual rehabilitation programs and services.
"How to Provide a More Accessible Experience in PR"
National Diabetes Awareness Month
Many people do not understand that diabetes can impact one's eyes. During National Diabetes Awareness Month, we would like to bring your attention to diabetic retinopathy; it's one of the most common forms of diabetic eye disease. It occurs when diabetes affects the retina causing abnormal blood vessels to grow and to bleed. If not treated properly, diabetic retinopathy can cause permanent vision loss. During National Diabetes Awareness Month, you can benefit from scheduling an eye exam.
"You can have floaters in your vision and blurry vision, but usually that's a stage that's much, much more advanced and unfortunately harder for us to treat at that point," said Dr. Katherine L. Duncan, an ophthalmologist. "So it's really important, even if you're having no problems with your vision to come in once a year and just get checked, because if we can catch it at those early stages, we can prevent a lot of vision loss that way."
If you are struggling with vision loss or blindness, please contact SDCB to learn more about our programs.
"How Diabetes can affect your eyes and what you can do to avoid those complications"
AI-Powered Wearable Device for Vision Loss
People with both hearing and vision loss benefit from a new AI-powered wearable device. The assistive technology combines Starkey's Livio Edge AI hearing aids with OrCam's wearable MyEye device. OrCam Technologies of Jerusalem is an artificial vision pioneer. Starkey is an American hearing industry leader. The two systems are integrated via a wireless connection.
"People who have both vision and hearing loss are often unable to find solutions that effectively address both of these limitations," said OrCam Technologies cofounder and co-CEO Professor Amnon Shashua. "OrCam's cooperation with Starkey represents an advantageous opportunity, demonstrating OrCam's ability to apply the advanced computer vision and machine learning methods we have developed to transmit the visual world through audio, in collaboration with Starkey's Livio Edge AI hearing aids, to deliver a true and total solution."
SDCB can help improve the life quality of you or a loved one. Please contact us to learn more.
"New solution for people with both hearing and vision loss"
Skatepark Repurposed For Blind and Visually Impaired
In Calgary, a skatepark was repurposed for blind and visually impaired skateboarders. Using high-contrast markings and audio cues, blind and visually impaired skaters could utilize The Compound skatepark in Ramsay. The team of visually impaired and blind skateboarders goes by the name the "Skate Bats."
"We've been doing this for visually impaired youth, working with bright-colored, fluorescent duct tact that increases contrast, which is vital for some visually impaired skaters," said Curtis Ruttle, a member of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind's National Youth Council.
Please contact SDCB to learn how we can help you live more independently.
"Blind boarders repurpose skatepark for youth with vision loss"
Raising Awareness About Vision Loss
Dr. Michael Cusick, an ophthalmologist with the University of Virginia Health, is raising awareness about vision loss for people under 65. Dr. Cusick points out that many people have no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy until it's too late; it's the leading cause of vision loss for people under 65. Regular eye exams are crucial to spot leaking blood vessels in the back of the eye.
"That can cause swelling of the nerve component of the eye, called the retina, and as the retina becomes swollen or has blood in it, your vision can go down," Cusick said.
SDCB can help you or a loved one with vision loss or blindness. Please reach out to learn more about our programs and services.
"Ophthalmologist raising awareness about vision loss for people under 65"
Red-Green Color Blindness Indicators
Red-green color blindness or deuteranopia is an inability to distinguish red and green pigments. It is most likely a congenital condition that many people don't know they have unless it's pointed out. There are red-green color blindness indicators, including confusing red and green pigments. A difficulty spotting reds and greens or their variations (oranges and browns) is another indicator.
Having an eye exam can also reveal if you are living with color blindness. Corrective contact lenses or glasses may help neutralize the condition, so it's essential to have a color vision test to see if your vision can be improved.
"Deuteranopia: How to Tell If You Have Red-Green Color Blindness"
Can Supplements Help With Preventing Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of adult blindness, it slowly robs people of their vision. Over the years, companies have made claims that Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and other supplements may help with preventing macular degeneration or vision loss. However, new research suggests that neither vitamin D nor omega-3s reduced the number of AMD cases. The findings were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
While diet may not help with preventing macular degeneration, smokers are two to four times more likely to get AMD than non-smokers. So, quitting smoking may help prevent AMD.
Please contact SDCB if you require assistance with macular degeneration.
"Seeking clarity on vision loss and vitamins"
Stargardt Disease Causes Progressive Vision Loss
Maeve Doyle is living with a genetic condition that impacts her ability to see—Stargardt disease. Doyle, 18, started college this year; she is studying genetics and may one day find a treatment for her blinding eye disease. Stargardt disease causes progressive vision loss. She says:
"As for the future, who knows? I might become a genetic counselor and support people with inherited conditions. Or I might become a geneticist and find a treatment for Stargardt disease! Whatever direction I go in, I'm certain I'll get there."
"I don't mind being visually impaired — I know nothing else and I came to terms with it a long time ago"


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Also find out the fate of other ex-Tata companies like New India Assurance, till eternity or mismanagement, whichever comes earlier
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Bonnet Bots: The Robots who write about the Crazy World of Humans
"Well, they will learn about it eventually —just as JRD Tata had found out that he is no longer Air India's chairman – through the newspaper!", said the government official who was desparately trying to save the airline and the exchequer a lot of trouble.
While the government was preparing to claim credit for giving Air India into safe hands which had run the airline profitably in the past, some opposition politicians were jubilant too, already planning a boycott of the government for handing over the 'valuable jewel of the government' to 'capitalists'.
At the time of going to press, some well-wishers of the Tata Group were hoping that they would also get back New India Assurance (yes, that's another nationalized ex-Tata company, operating in 11 countries outside India at the time of nationalization), and the smart staff at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (ex-TIFR). But their hopes were dispelled when they realized that these 'snatched babies' were not in the 'unmanageable' category and would probably remain 'snatched' till eternity or mismanagement, whichever comes earlier.
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text:
\section{Introduction}

Recently, \citet{p16} discovered a star cluster towards the
Eastern part of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) outer disc that appeared
to be located behind the LMC at the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)'s distance.
He speculated about the possibility of its being the first discovered cluster that
was born in the LMC and soon ejected into the intergalactic space during the
recent Milky Way/Magellanic Clouds (MW/MCs) interaction
\citep{kallivayaliletal13,casettidinescuetal2014,is2015}.

The cluster deserves more of our attention in order to unveil its actual
origin, particularly in the light of  the implications that such an unusual
object could have for our understanding of the cluster formation in the LMC.
LMC outer disc clusters have long been commonly thought to be old
and hence, to be key to reconstructing the early galaxy formation and chemical
enrichment history \citep{piattietal2009,getal10}. However, the recently
discovered cluster does not comply with such a picture, because it seems to be younger
(age $\sim$ 280 Myr, Piatti 2016) than what should be expected. Likewise, the outer disc is
commonly featured as a more metal-poor structure ([Fe/H] $\la$ -0.5 dex) than
the inner LMC body \citep{hz09,meschin14}, although the new cluster
([Fe/H] $\sim$ -0.1 dex, Piatti 2016) is at the metal-rich end of the LMC cluster
metallicity distribution, making it a really odd object.

A network of streams surrounding the LMC has been discovered
\citep[see, e.g.][]{bk2016,mackeyetal2016} that could be relics of collisions between
both MCs \citep{hammeretal2015,salemetal2015} and possibly the MW.
However, no cluster
has been discovered so far in those streams \citep[e.g.,][]{mbetal2017}, except for
those in the Magellanic Bridge \citep[e.g.,][]{bicaetal2015,petal15a}, which is located
on the opposite side of the LMC with respect to the newly discovered cluster.
Moreover,
the new cluster is located towards a direction where no stream has been seen yet.
Although the spatial distribution of the latest discovered clusters demonstrates
that the outer regions of the MCs were less explored in the past
\citep[see, e.g.,][]{siteketal2016,pieresetal2016,p17a}, the aforementioned newly
discovered cluster is
½positioned at an LMC-centric distance.
positioned at a LMC-centric distance
where no clusters are expected to have formed.

To unveil the origin of this potentially very unusual cluster,
we have conducted a photometric and spectrocopic study from which we
comprehensively derive its astrophysical properties. The observations are
described in Section 2, while radial velocity (RV) and metallicity
membership probabilities are presented in Section 3. In Section 4 we estimate
the cluster's astrophysical properties and discuss their implications for the
cluster origin. We found that the cluster is not as extreme as
originally estimated by \citet{p16}. Finally, the main conclusions of this work are summarized
in Section 5.

\section{Observational data}

\subsection{SOAR/SAMI observations}

The cluster was observed on January 3, 2018 with the SOAR Adaptive Module (SAM)
coupled with its Imager (SAMI), installed at the SOAR 4.1m telescope at
Cerro Pach\'on, Chile. SAM is a ground-layer adaptive optics system correcting
atmospheric turbulence near the ground. Technical details of the instrument
can be found in \citet{tokovinin16}. SAMI provides a field-of-view (FOV) of
$3\times3$ arcmin$^2$ with a pixel scale of 0.091\arcsec when used with
a 2$\times$2 binning. Observations were taken in the SDSS $g$ and $i$ filters,
with 3$\times$300 and 3$\times$200 sec exposures, at
mean corrected FWHMs of the stellar images of 0.54\arcsec\, in $g$ and
 0.41\arcsec\, in $i$, respectively.

\begin{figure*}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig1a}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig1b}
    \caption{Observed CMD of stars in the field of the new star cluster (left panel) and
the completeness curves obtained from our photometry (right). Photometry errors
are represented by error bars at the CMD's right margin, and spectroscopic targets are encircled.}
   \label{fig:fig1}
\end{figure*}

\begin{table*}
\caption{$gi$ data of stars in the field of the new star cluster$^a$.}
\label{tab:table1}
\begin{tabular}{@{}lcccccccccc}\hline
Star & R.A. & DEC. & $g$ & $\sigma(g)$ & $i$ & $\sigma(i)$ & $\chi(g)$ & sharp($g$) & $\chi(i)$ & sharp($i$) \\
     & (deg) & (deg) & (mag) & (mag) & (mag) & (mag) & & & &  \\\hline
 -- & --& --& -- & --& --& -- & --& --& -- & --  \\
   626& 90.89030115& -72.42108798&  23.510&  0.087&  23.046&  0.055&  1.006& -0.304&  1.079&  0.400\\
   627& 90.88438994& -72.42100738&  22.000&  0.022&  21.521&  0.015&  0.986&  0.062&  1.061& -0.194\\
   628& 90.94368341& -72.42106770&  22.168&  0.026&  21.364&  0.013&  1.015&  0.225&  1.013&  0.165\\
 -- & --& --& -- & --& --& -- & --& --& -- & -- \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

\noindent $^a$A portion of the table is presented here for guidance of its
contents. The entire table is available as Supplementary material
in the online version of the journal.
\end{table*}

\subsubsection{Data reduction and photometry}

SAMI images were reduced employing the multi-instrument imaging pipeline
 \textsc{theli}\footnote{$^1$ https://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/theli/gui/background.html}
 \citep{schirmer13}, by applying bias subtraction and flat-fielding the images with bias and
twilight sky frames taken during the same
 night. After flat-fielding, a difference of a few percent was still visible
 in the background between the four SAMI amplifiers. This was removed
applying a collapse correction implemented within
\textsc{theli}.

The images were not combined. Instead the photometry was done in each of
them separately with the {\sc daophot/allstar} suite of programs \citep{stetson87}.
The procedure involved the following steps: a) adding back to each image a
mean sky background level that had been subtracted during the collapse correction.
 This is necessary for {\sc daophot} to have the proper photon statistics. b) Sources
in each field were searched with SExtractor \citep{bertin96} combining a
Gaussian filter and a ``Mexican hat'' filter; an approach that enhances the
detection of both faint sources and sources near very bright ones
\citep[e.g.][]{salinas15}. c) Nearly 40 bright and reasonably isolated
 point sources were selected in the image with the best image quality,
 in order to model the point-spread-function (PSF) as a quadratically varying  Moffat function as performed
in previous studies with the same instrument \citep{fraga13,salinas16}.
The resulting PSF subtracted images revealed no significant increase of the residuals
as function of radius across the whole small FOV ($3\times3$ arcmin$^2$).
Finally,
the psf photometry was obtained using the {\sc allstar} task \citep{stetson87}, and all
measurements per filter were averaged using {\sc daomaster}'s routines \citep{stetson92}.
 Aperture corrections were calculated based on a subset of psf stars
and instrumental magnitudes converted into standard ones using
transformation equations derived from observations of standard star fields
observed during the same night. The transformation equations were fitted with
rms of 0.011 mag and 0.012 mag for $g$ and $i$, respectively, as given by {\sc iraf/photcal}.
Table~\ref{tab:table1} shows a portion of the
resulting photometric data set,
while Fig.~\ref{fig:fig1} depicts the colour-magnitude diagram (CMD) built from
all the measured stars.

\subsubsection{Photometric completeness}

The photometric completeness was derived from standard artificial star experiments on all observed
images using the {\sc daophot.addstar} task. To do this, we added 300 stars with $i$ magnitudes between 16 and 25 mag, following an exponential distribution in order to achieve a better statistics at the
fainter limit. Two thirds of the stars were randomly distributed within the SAMI FOV, while the remaining
one third was distributed following a two dimensional Gaussian distribution centered on the cluster.
The initial $g$ magnitudes for the {\sc addstar} experiments were calculated
from the $i$ magnitudes using a polynomial fit to the main features in the CMD. The experiment
 was repeated 30 times per observed image for a total of
9000 artificial stars. All frames with the added stars were photometered exactly as the original
 frames. Input and output catalogues were matched using a combination of {\sc daomaster} \citep{stetson92}
and STILTS \citep{taylor06}.

Fig.~\ref{fig:fig1} shows the results of the completeness experiments for a radial bin with $R<10\arcsec$ and $R>60\arcsec$. Differences in radial completeness are almost negligible and a very small difference is seen between the filters. Additionally, the results were fitted with a "Pritchett function"
\citep{mclaughlin94}, commonly used in globular cluster systems studies \citep[e.g.][]{salinas15}, which can be seen as dotted and dash-dotted lines, respectively.

\subsection{GMOS-S/MOS observations}

Spectroscopic observations were obtained with the Gemini Multi-Object
Spectrograph \citep[GMOS,][]{hook04}, mounted on the 8.1m Gemini South
telescope, located on Cerro Pach\'on, Chile, on the nights of April 20 and 21, 2018.
 GMOS is equipped with three Hamamatsu CCDs \citep{gimeno16} yielding a total FOV of
5.5$\times$5.5 arcmin$^2$. Given the very compact nature of the new star cluster, two
masks were designed, including 5 and 3 stars, respectively, selected from
\citet[][see some examples in figure 2]{p16}.
Observations were taken with the R831 grating, centered at 850 nm, providing
a resolving power of $R\sim2200$ for 1\arcsec\, slitlets. Exposures of 3$\times$900 sec were
 obtained for each mask.

Data reduction was done with standard techniques implemented within the Gemini
IRAF\footnote{IRAF is distributed by the National
Optical Astronomy Observatories, which is operated by the Association of
Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National
Science Foundation.} package. After bias subtraction, flat-fielding and wavelength calibration
 with CuAr spectra taken right after the science observations, the zero point
of the latter was corrected by measuring the position of bright, isolated
skylines near the CaT region identified from a UVES high-resolution spectrum
 \citep{hanuschik03}. The shifts in the zero point were found to be no larger
than 0.5\AA. After this correction, spectra were sky-subtracted, extracted and
 combined following standard methods. Fig.~\ref{fig:fig2} illustrates some of the
obtained spectra.

\begin{figure}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig2}
    \caption{Normalised spectra of some observed stars. Star numbers are as in
Table~\ref{tab:table2}.}
   \label{fig:fig2}
\end{figure}

\section{Radial velocity and metallicity measurements}

RVs were measured with the cross-correlation algorithm of \citet{tonry79}
as implemented in IRAF {\sc fxcor} task. Forty spectra were selected from the
library of \citet{cenarro01} from a list of 706 stars observed in the
8348$-$9020\AA\,region with a resolution of 1.5\AA. This template subsample
included stars with late O to late M spectral types. Each science spectrum was
then cross-correlated against the whole template subsample, and the five
measurements with the highest cross-correlation peak were averaged to obtain
a final RV per star, which include heliocentric corrections.
Table~\ref{tab:table2} shows the measured signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio in the
region of the CaII triplet lines and the resulting RVs with their uncertainties.

\begin{table*}
\caption{Radial velocities, CaII triplet line equivalent widths and metallicities of selected stars.
Spectra with S/N = 15 were only useful to measure RVs.}
\label{tab:table2}
\begin{tabular}{@{}lcccccc}\hline
Star$^a$ &  S/N & RV  &  W8498  &  W8542  &   W8662  & [Fe/H] \\\hline
634& 32 &216.9$\pm$2.0  &   1.131$\pm$0.012&  3.552$\pm$0.128 & 2.177$\pm$0.029 & -0.48$\pm$0.20\\
724& 45 &275.9$\pm$2.1  &   1.208$\pm$0.053&  3.504$\pm$0.118 & 2.221$\pm$0.106 & -0.52$\pm$0.23\\
748& 60 &218.0$\pm$2.0  &   1.450$\pm$0.050&  3.623$\pm$0.045 & 2.776$\pm$0.031 & -0.46$\pm$0.17\\
796& 15 &259.4$\pm$6.6  &   --- & --- & --- & --- \\
836& 15 &211.0$\pm$7.0  &   --- & --- & --- & --- \\
868& 15 &305.0$\pm$11.0 &    --- & --- & --- & --- \\
924& 65 &275.3$\pm$2.0  &   1.838$\pm$0.095&  3.907$\pm$0.033 & 2.736$\pm$0.040 & -0.18$\pm$0.19\\
934& 60 &238.8$\pm$2.0  &   1.909$\pm$0.134&  3.801$\pm$0.059 & 2.692$\pm$0.040 & -0.30$\pm$0.21\\\hline
\end{tabular}

\flushleft $^a$ Star numbers are as in Table~\ref{tab:table1}.
\end{table*}

The RV distribution function was then constructed by summing all the individual RV values.
We represented each RV value by a Gaussian function with centre and full-width half
maximum equal to the mean RV value and  2.355 times the associated error, respectively (see
Table~\ref{tab:table2}), and assigned to each Gaussian the same amplitude.
Fig.~\ref{fig:fig3} shows the resulting RV distribution function, where the shaded region
represents the cluster RV range adopted on the basis of the largest number of stars with
similar RV measurements. Hence, the mean cluster RV computed from stars \#634, 748 and 836
turned out to be 215.3$\pm$3.1 km s$^{\rm -1}$.

\begin{figure}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig3}
    \caption{RV distribution function for stars observed in the field of
the new star cluster. The shaded region represents the adopted cluster
RV range.}
   \label{fig:fig3}
\end{figure}

We then measured equivalent widths of the CaII infrared triplet lines of the
observed red giants using the {\sc splot}
package within IRAF. Their resulting values and uncertainties are listed in
Table~\ref{tab:table2}. The latter were estimated by considering upper and lower envelopes
of the continuum at both sides of the CaII lines. \citet{piattietal2018} showed
that this procedure of measuring CaII lines equivalent widths is highly consistent with no
systematic offset with respect to the techniques employed by \citet{coleetal2004,coleetal2005,dacosta2016},
among others.
Then we overplotted the sum
of the equivalent widths of the three CaII lines ($\Sigma$W(CaII)) in the
$\Sigma$W(CaII) versus $V-V_{\rm RC}$ plane, which has been calibrated in terms of
metallicity  \citep[see, e.g.,][]{coleetal2004,coleetal2005}. In that diagram $V_{\rm RC}$ refers
to the mean magnitude of the cluster red clump. In this case, we first
converted $g$ magnitudes into Johnson $V$ ones using the expression:

\begin{equation}
V = g - 0.3557*(g-i) - 0.0600,
\end{equation}

\noindent which we obtained from Lupton's
(2005)\footnote{http://www.sdss.org/dr13/algorithms/sdssUBVRITransform/\#Lupton2005.}
transformation equations between $ugriz$ and $UBVR_cI_c$ photometric systems and the relationship
$g-i = (g-r) + (r-i)$. We adopted for the new star cluster $g_{\rm RC}$ = 19.74 mag
(see  Fig.~\ref{fig:fig6}). Fig.~\ref{fig:fig4} shows the resulting $\Sigma$W(CaII) versus
$V-V_{\rm RC}$ diagram, where we included iso-abundance lines according to
eq. (5) of \citet{coleetal2004} for $\beta = 0.73$\,\AA/mag, while the interpolated [Fe/H]
values are listed in the last column of Table~\ref{tab:table2}. Note that
the influence of age on eq. (5) is relatively small, so that it can be applied to stellar systems with
ages as young as $\sim$ 0.3 Gyr
\noindent \citep[see][]{coleetal2004,carreraetal2007,dacosta2016}.
We calculated the [Fe/H]
errors by propagating those of the coefficients in eq. (5) and  $\sigma$($\beta$)
\citep{coleetal2004}, the photometric errors (Table~\ref{tab:table1}) and
$\sigma(\Sigma$W(CaII)) (Table~\ref{tab:table2}), respectively. As can be seen,
the likely red giant RV members (stars \#634 and 748) also share a very similar metallicity
of  $\sim$ -0.5 dex. The remaining red giants have interpolated [Fe/H] values
falling well within the LMC field star metallicity range \citep{coleetal2005,pg13},
but cover a metallicity range too wide to be consistent with cluster membership, further
strenghtening our conclusions regarding the cluster parameters.

\begin{figure}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig4}
    \caption{Sum of the CaII triplet line equivalent widths as a function of
$V-V_{HB}$ for stars observed in the field of the new star cluster. The star numbers
according to Table~\ref{tab:table2} and the error bars are included. Black
and red filled cirles represent probable cluster member and non-member stars,
respectively (see text for details).
Iso-abundance lines derived by \citet{coleetal2004} for some [Fe/H] values
are also depicted. }
   \label{fig:fig4}
\end{figure}

\section{Analysis and discussion}

The mean star cluster metallicity helped us to select the appropriate theoretical
isochrone to match the cluster CMD. In doing that, we used the well-established
colour excess $E(B-V)=0.08\pm$0.01 mag - also confirmed from the NASA/IPAC
Extragalactic Data base\footnote{http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/. NED is operated by the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract with
NASA.} (NED) -,  as well as one upper main sequence (MS) and  the two red giant RV members
to better constrain the cluster age and distance.

With the aim of reproducing the cluster CMD, we first built the cluster stellar radial
profile from which we derived its radius, namely: the intersection of the cluster
density profile with the mean background level.
For distances smaller than 10 arcsec from the cluster centre, the cluster radial
profile was built by averaging the generated values in the stellar density map constructed
from a kernel density estimator (KDE) technique. As can be seen in Fig.~\ref{fig:fig5},
the stellar density map resulted in a nearly smoothly continuing distribution of
density values that allowed us to trace more accurately the cluster radial profile in
the innermost regions, instead of using small boxes to count stars inside them.
Star counts within appropriate size boxes were more
suitable to delineate the outer regions of the cluster profile as well as the
background level, because of the lack of spurious fluctuations due to the small
number statistics.

We run both the KDE routine and the counting of stars over a subsample of stars with $g$
magnitudes brighter than those for the 90 per cent completeness level (see
Fig.~\ref{fig:fig1}). The KDE was repeatedly run by employing a Gaussian function with
bandwidths between 1.8 and 4.8 arcsec in steps of 0.6, while the star counts were performed
by using boxes with sizes between 4.0 and 8.0 arcsec in steps of 1.0 arcsec, respectively.
The resulting averaged cluster radial profile is shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:fig5} (open circles)
with the respective  error bars. The mean background level was then
estimated by averaging those values for log($r$ /arcsec) $\ge$ 1.7 (horizontal line in
Fig.~\ref{fig:fig5}). We chose this limit because it is readily visible from the figure
that a meaningful mean background can be obtained from the values beyond it.
Hence, the intersection of cluster radial profile with that mean background level resulted
to be at log($r$ /arcsec) = 1.55$\pm$0.10 (31.6$^{+8.0}_{-6.0}$ arcsec), in excellent agreement
with the cluster radius estimated by \citet{p16}. Note that all the stars observed
spectroscopically  lie inside the cluster radius.

The background-subtracted cluster radial profile (filled circles in Fig.~\ref{fig:fig5}),
with error bars that come from considering in quadrature the uncertainties of the measured
profile and the dispersion of the background level,
surpasses that previously traced by \citet{p16}, in the sense that it reaches the innermost
regions of the cluster. This is mainly because the present cluster profile was built
from a nearly continuous density map rather than from star counts. Likewise, we now reach
fainter outermost cluster structures, despite the fact that we constrained the sample of
stars to those with $g \la 22.0$ mag, for completeness reasons. For the sake of the reader,
we have shaded these regions in the figure. By using the present more extended
cluster radial profile, we followed the procedure described in detail by \citet{pm2018} to
fit \citet{king62}, \citet{eff87} and \citet{plummer11} models and thus to obtain accurate
cluster structural parameters. We derived a cluster core radius ($r_c$) of 5.5$\pm$0.5 arcsec,
a  half-light radius ($r_h$) of 12.0$\pm$1.0 arcsec, a tidal radius ($r_t$) of 55.0$\pm$5.0
arcsec and a  power-law index ($\gamma$, the slope at large radii in Fig.~\ref{fig:fig5}) of
3.5$\pm$0.2, respectively.

Fig.~\ref{fig:fig6} shows the extracted cluster CMD that results from using all the stars
measured within the cluster radius. We have not carried out any star field decontamination
so that, besides the cluster upper MS and red clump, the composite LMC star field MS at
fainter magnitudes and few giant stars are also superimposed. We have drawn with bigger
symbols stars for which we measured RVs, distinguishing those members from
non-members with black filled circles and red boxes, respectively. At first glance,
the three cluster members are fortunately placed in key positions as to perform
a sound fitting of theoretical isochrones. To do that, we used as entries the known cluster
reddening mentioned above and the spectroscopic metallicity derived in Section 3,
allowing small variations according to their uncertainties; the only free parameters being
the cluster age and distance modulus. As for the theoretical isochrones we used those computed by
\citet{betal12}.

From a grid of values of age and distance modulus spread in the same ranges as in \citet{p16},
we found that the
isochrone which best resembles the cluster features, namely: the upper MS, the MS turnoff from
star \#836, the base of the red clump from star \#634 and the red giant branch from star \#748,
is that of log($t$ /yr) = 8.95$\pm$0.05 (0.89$^{+0.11}_{-0.10}$ Gyr) and $m-M_o$ =
18.40$\pm$0.05 mag (d= 47.9$\pm$1.1 kpc), for a metallicity of [Fe/H] $= -0.4\pm$0.1 dex.
The resulting cluster
properties reveal that the object is not as young, metal-rich or located as far away
from the LMC
as inferred by \citet{p16}, namely, age= 0.28$^{+0.04}_{-0.03}$ Gyr, [Fe/H]= -0.10$\pm$0.05 dex
and d=60.3$\pm$1.4 kpc, but one that lies in the main body of the galaxy with an age and
a metal content that agree very well with the known picture of the LMC cluster
age-metallicity relationship \citep{pg13}.  The inferred metallicity is in agreement with
the [Fe/H] values and uncertainties of stars \# 634 and 748 (see Table~\ref{tab:table2}).
Fig.~\ref{fig:fig6} shows with a black solid line
the best solution of the isochrone fitting, while the red dashed line represents the
solution found by \citet{p16}. From the figure, it becomes clearer that the previous
younger age, and hence larger distance and metallicity, come from considering a much brighter
cluster MS turnoff and red clump. Here, the RV measurements allowed us to resolve
the conundrum of its previously derived astrophysical properties.

We used the mean star cluster RV and its position angle (PA) to complementary assess
the possible association of the cluster with the LMC disc
\citep[see][]{s92,getal06,shetal10,vdmareletal2002,vdmk14}. The cluster PA and its
deprojected distance ($\rho$) were calculated considering a disc
centred at R.A.$=80.05\pm0.34 \degr$ and Dec. $=-69.30\pm0.12 \degr$,  with an
inclination $i=26.2\pm5.9 \degr$ and PA of the line-of-nodes $\Theta=154.5\pm2.1 \degr$,
obtained by \citet{vdmk14} from $HST$ average proper motion
measurements for stars in 22 fields and RVs of 723 young LMC field stars.
We derived PA$=131.4\pm3.0 \degr$ and $\rho= 4.63\pm0.03 \degr$, which implies
that the new star cluster is located in the outer disc \citep{betal98}. We then converted the mean
heliocentric cluster RV to the Galactocentric one through eq.(4) in \citet{fw79}, in order
to use the disc solutions found by \citet{s92}. Fig.~\ref{fig:fig7}
shows the position of the new star cluster in the RV versus PA plane (filled circle)
with the mean rotation curve obtained by \citet[][solution \#3 in their Table~3]{s92} using
mostly outer LMC star clusters drawn with a blue solid line. In the figure, dotted blue
lines represent the above solution with the uncertainties in the circular and systemic
velocities and the derived dispersion velocity. The new star cluster
appears to rotate in a slightly different disc than that containing most of the outer
LMC star clusters. Likewise, it rotates even more differently than the young stellar
population, as judged by the position and shape of the mean disc solution and those with
its uncertainties and velocity dispersion found by \citet{vdmk14} mentioned above, which we
drew with red solid and dotted lines, respectively.

In order to characterise the disc that fully contains the new star cluster,
 we looked for the circular velocity ($v_{\rm rot}$) and PA of the
line-of-nodes (PA$_{\rm LOS}$) of a disc that rotates at the deprojected cluster distance with
 the corresponding cluster RV.
We evaluated eq.(1) of \citet{s92} at the cluster PA for different values of
($v_{\rm rot}$,PA$_{\rm LOS}$) and then minimized by $\chi^2$ the difference between the
calculated and measured cluster RV. We used a grid of $v_{\rm rot}$ from 0.0 up to 200.0 km s$^{\rm -1}$
in steps of 1.0 km s$^{\rm -1}$, and a range of PA$_{\rm LOS}$ from 0.0 up to 180.0 degrees in steps of
1.0 degree, besides the uncertainties in the cluster RV and PA. Thus, the most suitable disc
turned out to be that with $v_{\rm rot}=177.5\pm11.4$ km s$^{\rm -1}$ and PA$_{\rm LOS}=
94.5\pm 2.7 \degr$.
This solution with its dispersion is drawn in Fig.~\ref{fig:fig7} with black solid
and dotted lines, respectively.  When comparing our results with those for the outer
LMC star clusters found by \citet{s92}, i.e, $v_{\rm rot}$=71$\pm$8 km s$^{\rm -1}$ and
PA$_{\rm LOS}$ = 104$\pm8 \degr$, we found that the resulting disc is roughly oriented in the
same direction, although it rotates with a circular velocity
that is much higher.

We speculate that such a higher circular velocity is a consequence of having been scattered
during an interaction with the MW/SMC from the inner LMC regions
\citep{kallivayaliletal13,casettidinescuetal2014}, where it may have formed.
Firstly, star clusters with age estimates within
3$\times \sigma$ (age) from the cluster age, i.e. log($t$ /yr) between 8.8 and 9.1 not
only are statistically more concentrated in the LMC bar, but also very
few star clusters have been identified in the outer Eastern side of the LMC disc.
Therefore, it had to be scattered together with other star clusters of similar age
towards an outer disc-like orbit. Fig.~\ref{fig:fig8}
illustrates the spatial distribution of star clusters in the \citet{betal08} catalogue
with grey circles and those with ages between log($t$ /yr)$=$8.8 and 9.1 - taken from the
compilation of more than 2300 star clusters with age estimates \citep{p14b} - drawn
with black circles. The position in the sky of the new star cluster is represented
by the magenta circle. Secondly,  the metallicity level of
field stars in the outer LMC disc ($\rho >4 \degr$, $<$[Fe/H]$>$ = -0.9$\pm$0.2 dex) is on average
more metal-poor than that for inner disc field stars ($\rho <4 \degr$, $<$[Fe/H]$>$ =-0.5$\pm$0.2 dex)
\citep[see figure 3 in][]{pg13}, in excellent agreement with the observed outside-in galaxy chemical
enrichment \citep{hz09,carreraetal2011,meschin14}. Star clusters share the
metallicities of their birthplaces. Nevertheless, with time ther drift away
from their birth locations. Interactions and other perturbations may
produce additional velocity components. Indeed, the derived cluster
metallicity value ($<$[Fe/H]$>$=-0.45$\pm$0.15
dex) is typical of the stellar population located within
 $\sim$ 2 degrees from the LMC centre,
whereas the one expected for the new star cluster deprojected distance ($\rho=4.63\pm 0.03 \degr$) is in the outer
disc [Fe/H] range. This appears also to be the case, for instance, of other clusters
younger than 2-3 Gyr with metallicities similar to that of the inner disc that are observed
in the outer disc \citep{getal06,pg13}.
Thirdly, the stellar density map of the new star
cluster looks clearly elongated  along the SW-NE direction (see Fig.\ref{fig:fig5}),
which may be a
sign of tidal effects. Indeed, the position of the star cluster in the
$r_c/r_h$ versus $r_h/rt$ plane suggests an object that has expanded up to its tidal radius
\citep[][see, e.g., their figure 33.2]{hh03}, while its size is comparable to the
LMC globular clusters formed/steadily orbiting at deprojected distances $\la$ 1 degree;
globular clusters at $\rho \sim$ 5 degrees are in average 2-3 times bigger in radius
\citep{pm2018}. This means that the star cluster has the typical size of the innermost ones,
but lies in the outer LMC disc.  All of these arguments suggest that this cluster was born much
closer to the centre of the LMC and somehow was scattered to its current location.

\begin{figure*}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig5a}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig5b}
    \caption{{\it Left: }Stellar density map centred on the new star cluster,
smoothed by a Gaussian kernel with standard deviation 3.6 arcsec. The black circle
represents the cluster radius. {\it Right :}
Normalised observed and background-subtracted cluster stellar radial profiles
depicted with open and filled circles, respectively. Error bars are also included.
The horizontal and vertical lines represent the mean background level and the adopted
cluster radius, respectively.
The best-fitted \citet{king62}, \citet{eff87} and \citet{plummer11} models are superimposed
with solid orange, blue and red lines, respectively. The shaded area represents the region not
considered by \citet{p16}.}
   \label{fig:fig5}
\end{figure*}

\begin{figure}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig6}
    \caption{CMD of the observed stars located within the cluster radius. Red boxes and big black
filled circles represent non-members and members according to their RVs and metallicities;
their star numbers are also indicated (see Table~\ref{tab:table2}). Theoretical isochrones
of \citet{betal12} for the the present best solution (log($t$ /yr)=8.95, [Fe/H]=-0.4 dex)
and that of \citet{p16}  (log($t$ /yr)=8.45, [Fe/H]=-0.1 dex) are superimposed
with black  solid and red dashed lines, respectively.}
   \label{fig:fig6}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig7}
    \caption{Position of the new star cluster in the Galactocentric RV versus PA diagram
(filled circles).  Error bars are smaller that the symbol size. The best solution for a disc
that contains it is drawn with a black solid line, while the black dotted lines represent
those considering every involved errors. We included the curves derived
by \citet[][solution \#3 in their Table~3]{s92} from mostly outer LMC clusters and by
\citet{vdmk14} from $HST$ proper motions of 22 LMC fields and 723 young field stars
with blue and red solid lines, respectively, for comparison purposes. We include
the derived errors in the rotational curves with dotted lines.}
   \label{fig:fig7}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}
   \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{fig8}
    \caption{Spatial distribution of star clusters in \citet{betal08}'s catalogue
and those with age estimates  between log($t$ /yr) = 8.8 - 9.1 \citep{p14b} drawn with grey and black circles, respectively.
The new star cluster is represented by a magenta circle.}
   \label{fig:fig8}
\end{figure}

\section{Conclusions}

We have carried out a photometric and spectroscopic study using
SOAR and Gemini observatory facilities of a recently new
discovered LMC star cluster, whose first derived astrophysical properties
suggested that it was an object that was born in the inner LMC disc and soon
after ejected outwards into the intergalactic space, reaching a distance similar
to that of the SMC.

From accurate RV measurements of upper MS and red giant stars from the CaII
infrared triplet spectral region we assigned cluster memberships and estimated
the mean star cluster RV  and metallicity. By assuming a disc-like geometry, we found that the
circular velocity of a disc that rotates with the corresponding star cluster RV
at the cluster deprojected distance is nearly 60 per cent higher than that
derived for most of the outer LMC disc clusters. The possibility that the
new star cluster has reached the outer LMC disc, after being born in the
innermost regions of the galaxy is supported by:

$\bullet$ the mean cluster distance (47.9 kpc) derived by fitting
theoretical isochrone to the cluster CMD. The latter was built with stars
distributed within the cluster radius, while the fit involved only two free
parameters, namely: the cluster age and distance modulus, and relied on
the positions of RV member stars;

$\bullet$ the mean cluster age (0.9 Gyr), typical of star clusters mainly
formed along the LMC bar; the deprojected cluster distance from the LMC centre
 is $\rho= 4.6$ degrees (3.8 kpc).

$\bullet$ the mean cluster metallicity  ($<$[Fe/H]$>$=-0.45$\pm$0.15 dex) derived from
the CaII triplet line equivalent widths technique of red giant members.
This metal content is compatible with that from an outside-in formation scenario
that brought more enriched gas out of which star clusters were born
towards the innermost regions;

$\bullet$ the cluster structural parameters derived from the fits of
\citet{king62}, \citet{eff87} and \citet{plummer11} models to the
cluster stellar density radial profile extended from 0.1 out to 250
arcsec from the cluster centre; the cluster radius is 31.6 arcsec
 (7.3 pc).

\section*{Acknowledgements}

Based on observations obtained at the Gemini Observatory, which is operated by
the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under a cooperative
 agreement with the NSF on behalf of the Gemini partnership: the National Science
 Foundation (United States), the National Research Council (Canada), CONICYT (Chile),
 Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnolog\'{i}a e Innovaci\'{o}n Productiva (Argentina),
 and Minist\'{e}rio da Ci\^{e}ncia, Tecnologia e Inova\c{c}\~{a}o (Brazil).
Based on observations obtained at the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope,
which is a joint project of the Minist\'{e}rio da Ci\^{e}ncia, Tecnologia,
Inova\c{c}\~{o}es e Comunica\c{c}\~{o}es (MCTIC) do Brasil, the U.S. National
Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill (UNC), and Michigan State University (MSU).
We thank the referee for the thorough reading of the manuscript and
timely suggestions to improve it.

\bibliographystyle{mnras}

\input{paper.bbl}

\bsp
\label{lastpage}
\end{document}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


Seattle, WA – The 2018 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Washington Regional Series has come to a close and mason David Wernette and mason tender Joshua Carney of R&D Masonry won it all. Now they head to Las Vegas to compete in the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 World Championship next January at the World of Concrete. The Western Washington Trades Training Center hosted the regional series event, one of 24 being held across North America. The qualifying national competitors will battle for a chance to win over $125,000 in cash and prizes, including a Ford F250 XLT 4X4 truck and John Deere Gator.
2nd place went to mason Ben Griffen and his mason tender Paul Cook of Keystone Masonry with a brick count of 317. Third place went to mason Mike Fuller and his mason tender Thea Phoun of Keystone Masonry.
The weather played a factor early in the day as the craftsmen dodged showers while getting their stalls ready for the competition. Thankfully that didn't delay any action, as the clouds eventually gave way, giving everyone a beautiful backdrop to enjoy masonry's hottest event.


text:
Děkanát Uherské Hradiště je územní část Olomoucké arcidiecéze. Tvoří ho 25 farností, ve kterých se nachází 58 kostelů a kaplí. Děkanem je R. D. Josef Říha, farář v Uherském Hradišti. Místoděkanem je R. D. Karel Šenk, farář v Uherském Ostrohu. V děkanátu působí 25 diecézních a 10 řeholních kněží. Rozloha děkanátu je 530 km² a na jeho území žije 92 000 obyvatel; ke katolictví se hlásí 52 000 obyvatel (56,52 %) a 11 000 (21,15 %) z nich se pravidelně účastní nedělních mší svatých.

Historie
Existence hradišťského děkanátu je doložena už k roku 1601, jeho tehdejší rozsah ovšem není známý. V roce 1644 se území děkanátu přibližně shodovalo s územím tehdejšího hradišťského kraje. V následujících letech z něj byly vyčleňovány nově zakládané děkanáty: 1658 uherskobrodský, 1665 strážnický a 1730 bzenecký (ten se později vyvinul v děkanát kyjovský).

Úřad hradišťského děkana zastával v období mezi lety 1601 a 1813 vždy uherskohradišťský farář. Až v roce 1813 se děkanem stal hlucký farář Rafael Tučapský a po něm už nikdy tyto dvě funkce nebyly pevně svázány. První zmínky o viceděkanech se objevují v 18. století.

Od roku 1778 náleží hradišťský děkanát pod kroměřížské arcikněžství, které tehdy bylo ustaveno.

Farnosti
V lednu 1691 zahrnoval děkanát tyto farnosti: Uherské Hradiště, Derfle, Uherský Ostroh, Hluk, Bílovice, Kostelec, Bohuslavice, Spytihněv, Napajedla, Blatnice, Bzenec, Osvětimany, Ježov, Střílky, Koryčany, Buchlovice, Vracov; řád cisterciáků spravoval ještě farnosti na Velehradě, v Boršicích a v Polešovicích.

V roce 1745 děkanát tvořily tyto farnosti: Uherské Hradiště, Bílovice, Buchlovice, Derfla, Hluk, Napajedla, Uherský Ostroh; navíc opět některé své farnosti spravovali cisterciáci. Roku 1751 byla založena první lokální kaplanství, a to Ostrožská Nová Ves (farnost Uherský Ostroh) a Dolní Němčí (farnost Hluk). V roce 1753 byla přenesena farnost z Derfle do Kunovic.

Na počátku roku 1778 tvořily děkanát tyto farnosti: Uherské Hradiště, Bílovice, Boršice, Buchlovice, Hluk, Jalubí, Kunovice, Napajedla, Uherský Ostroh; řeholní farnosti Polešovice, Spytihněv, Velehrad; lokální kaplanství Dolní Němčí, Derfle a Ostrožská Nová Ves. V roce 1781 vzniklo i lokální kaplanství Boršice u Blatnice (z farnosti Hluk).

Po dokončení formace brněnské diecéze v roce 1787 tvořily uherskohradišťský děkanát tyto duchovní správy: Uherské Hradiště, Halenkovice, Bílovice, Buchlovice, Hluk, Jalubí, Kunovice, Uherský Ostroh, Velehrad, Březolupy, Sady (Derfle), Ostrožská Nová Ves. Toto složení platilo až na chybějící Halenkovice i v roce 1813, kdy se stal děkanem hlucký farář Rafael Tučapský.

V 19. století vznikly dvě nové farnosti – Jankovice a Stupava – a na počátku 20. století pak další čtyři – Huštěnovice, Kostelany, Popovice a Stříbrnice.

Znak děkanátu

Popis
V modrém poli stříbrné desky Desatera s černým církevněslovanským nápisem. Na deskách vzpřímeně zlatý arcibiskupský procesní dvojitý kříž, doprovázený v hlavě štítu dvěma zlatými liliemi.

Původ
Území uherskohradišťského děkanátu je spojeno s působením věrozvěstů sv. Cyrila a Metoděje, jejichž atributem jsou desky desatera, na kterých jsou jednotlivá přikázání reprezentována jednotlivými písmeny abecedy hlaholice. Dvojramenný (patriarchální) kříž je dalším odkazem na jejich působení v době Velké Moravy. Lilie zase značí příslušnost velehradského kláštera k řádů cisterciáků.

Farnosti

Odkazy

Reference

Externí odkazy

 Centrum pro rodinu děkanátu Uherské Hradiště
 Mládež děkanátu Uherské Hradiště
 Seznam uherskohradišťských děkanů
 Seznam uherskohradišťských víceděkanů

Uherské Hradiště

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
B.C. Bungled Grizzly Bear Management: Auditor General
By Judith Lavoie
Oct. 24, 2017 4 min. read
A muddled mess of plans that were never implemented, unclear accountability, lack of organized monitoring and spotty oversight has been at the root of the provincial government's management of grizzly bear populations for more than two decades, Auditor General Carol Bellringer found in a highly critical report released Tuesday.
The report confirms many of the concerns frequently raised by conservation groups. A lack of firm population numbers. Resource extraction in grizzly bear habitat. Lax regulation of the grizzly bear trophy hunt.
"This is a scathing indictment of the poor management of grizzly bears by successive B.C. governments, going back decades," said Faisal Moola, director of the David Suzuki Foundation, which requested an audit in 2014 along with University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre.
To understand where things went wrong, we've got to rewind to 1995 when the government committed to a "Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy" with a goal to maintain healthy grizzly bear populations and the ecosystems they depend on.
But the Environment Ministry and Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources never clarified responsibilities and priorities in terms of actually implementing the strategy.
"Currently, there is no organized inventory and limited monitoring of grizzly bears. We found that one of the reasons this work is not being carried out is that there is no dedicated ministry funding," says the report.
B.C. Bungled #Grizzly Bear Management: Auditor General https://t.co/xWX6BNcHCD #bcpoli #wildlife @BCAuditorGen @DavidSuzukiFDN @faisal_moola pic.twitter.com/xUe0hEZWF1
— DeSmog Canada (@DeSmogCanada) October 24, 2017
In other cases, government created plans, such as the strategy for recovering the endangered North Cascades grizzly population, but plans were never implemented.
"In many cases they have not developed policies and procedures necessary to ensure the survival of grizzly bear populations and, when they have had plans, they have failed to effectively implement them," Moola said.
Government figures estimate there are now 15,000 grizzly bears in B.C. — one of the last areas in North America where grizzly bears live in their natural habitat. But that figure is questioned by some scientists — and nine of the province's grizzly bear populations are on the verge of elimination.
A century ago, 35,000 grizzly bears lived in B.C., while other populations flourished from Alaska to Mexico to Manitoba, according to the Suzuki Foundation.
Some populations of bears have increased, Bellringer noted, but that is not the result of management strategies.
Habitat Destruction Key Threat to Grizzly Bears
Despite the public controversy that has raged around the grizzly bear trophy hunt, with 250 to 300 bears killed every year, the greatest threat is not hunting, but human activities that degrade grizzly bear habitat, Bellringer wrote.
"For example, there are 600,000 kilometres of resource roads with, on the order of 10,000 kilometres more added each year. This expansion allows greater human access into wilderness areas, which results in illegal killing of grizzly bears and greater human-bear conflicts," she wrote.
Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Doug Donaldson and Environment Minister George Heyman said the government is accepting all 10 recommendations in the report and will develop a grizzly bear management plan with clear objectives, roles, responsibilities and accountabilities.
The recommendations include improvements in monitoring populations and threats, developing an adequately funded inventory of bears, increased transparency, ensuring the Conservation Officer Service has enough resources to respond to grizzly/human conflicts, developing clear policies and procedures for bear viewing, mitigating the effect of industry on bear habitat, adjusting tools needed to conserve habitat and reviewing wildlife management in B.C.
Some Areas Need to be 'Off Limits' To Industry to Protect Habitat
Moola is pleased the government has accepted the recommendations, but says more is needed.
"They have gone, far, far further than the previous government, but we definitely need to ensure that there is tangible action and that will mean there have to be some areas of the province that are put off limits to any industrial development whatsoever — off limits to any resource roads, mining, forestry, oil and gas development so the remaining habitat of grizzly bears is not further eviscerated," he said.
Heyman said at a news conference that environmental assessments will be tightened to include habitat concerns and there will be public consultations on a new species at risk act for the province.
"Part of the purpose of a species at risk act is to identify areas where species are at risk of being extirpated or threatened and to take action to prevent it happening in the first place. That can come with a whole range of conditions that will work in concert with the environmental assessment," he said.
After a decade of decreases in boots on the ground, the government will be adding new conservation officers next year and there will be a close look at the professional reliance model, which often sees industries policing themselves, Heyman said.
Donaldson added that new guidelines are being given to statutory decision makers to consider wildlife values.
Trophy Hunting Controversy Continues
However, Heyman and Donaldson skirted around questions about the newly revamped grizzly hunt.
Under the new rules, no grizzly hunting will be allowed in the Great Bear Rainforest and trophy hunting will be banned through the rest of the province, but a meat hunt will be allowed to continue, something that critics say will open a loophole that will allow the hunt to continue.
Guide outfitters in B.C. are continuing to advertise grizzly hunting to overseas hunters, but have eliminated the word trophy.
Trish Boyum, speaking for the Facebook group Stop The Grizzly Killing, said it is now up to all British Columbians to tell the government, before the Nov. 2 deadline, that a meat hunt is not acceptable.
Since the Auditor General's report says there is not an adequate management framework in place, it is difficult to know how a meat hunt would be policed, Boyum said.
"How can the public now be expected to trust that the Conservation Officer Service will be able to police the government's new proposed strategies?" she said.
The report does not take into account the ethics around killing grizzlies for the thrill of the kill, Boyum said.
"If a new grizzly bear management strategy is to succeed, it will require the backing of the majority of British Columbians . . . and British Columbians want a total ban on grizzly hunting across all of B.C."
Green Party spokesman Adam Olsen agreed it is disturbing that the province has failed to properly manage the grizzly population and wants to see a moratorium on hunting "while we take the time to review our wildlife management practices and plan for a landscape altered by climate change."
Image: Nathan Rupert via Flickr
Judith Lavoie
Judith Lavoie is an award-winning journalist based in Victoria, British Columbia. Lavoie covered environment and First Nations sto...
trophy hunting